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Here's where you can watch Nashville vs LAFC in MLS on TV or stream live.

On Saturday evening, Nashville SC will face Los Angeles FC at Geodis Park in an effort to earn their fourth victory of the MLS season.

The incumbent champions have yet to lose this year, while the hosts are currently in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

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Nashville had allowed just two goals in their first seven games of 2023, ranking first in the MLS for fewest goals conceded through seven games, but after last Saturday's 2-1 loss to New York City FC, they no longer hold that distinction.

The Music have a good seven points from their four home games thus far, despite the fact that their most recent home game ended in a disheartening 0-0 draw with Toronto FC.

As for the opposition, LAFC has had a great start to their MLS season and is continuing where they left off in 2022 as the clear frontrunner to win the title again. Steve Cherundolo's team doesn't appear to be hindered by anything, not even the demands of the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL).

Los Angeles, who has 17 points domestically after seven games and four clean sheets in their previous five games across all competitions, does not currently appear to be affected by weariness.

In addition, LAFC finished matchday eight of the MLS unblemished, placing them in second place in the Western Conference after last weekend's El Trafico triumph.

GOAL brings you everything you need to know about where to watch the game on TV and stream live online.

Nashville vs LAFC date & kick-off timeGame:Nashville vs LAFCDate:April 22, 2023Kick-off time:8:30 pm ET Venue:Geodis ParkAdvertisementWhere to watch Nashville vs LAFC on TV & live stream online

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Check out GOAL's soccer on U.S. TV guideTeam news & squadsNashville SC team news and squad

Nashville SC will once again be without Randall Leal and Nick DePuy who are both yet to feature for the Music this season.

Nashville SC possible XI: Willis; Moore, Zimmerman, Maher, Lovitz; Muyl, Godoy, Davis, Picault; Bunbury, Mukhtar

Position Players

GoalkeepersWillis, PannicoDefendersZimmerman, Maher, Lovitz, Wyke, Bauer, Longmire, MooreMidfieldersGregus, Godoy, Shaffelburg, Picault, McCarty, Muyl, Perry, Washington, HaakensonForwardsMukhtar, Zubak, BanburyLAFC team news and squad

LAFC still has Maxime Crepeau unavailable and will only expect him back towards the second half of the season. LAFC will once again lean on Denis Bouanga for goals, as he is the top scorer with six strikes to his name.

LAFC possible XI: McCarthy; Hollingshead, Murillo, Chiellini, Palacios; Sanchez; Tillman, Acosta, Cifuentes; Vela, Bouanga

Position Players

GoalkeepersMcCarthy, JakupovicDefendersChiellini, Palacios, Palencia, Murillo, Leone, Long, Maldonado, HollingsheadMidfieldersBluk, Bogusz, Cifuentes, Acosta, Tillman, Sanchez, DuenasForwardsVela, Bouanga, Opoku, TorresENJOYED THIS STORY?

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The Eredivisie side will rake in big profits if they sell the rising stars, who look destined to go on to bigger and better things in the near future

GettyFrenkie de Jong

Frenkie de Jong is not happy with his reputation as the new Johan Cruyff, but the 21-year-old midfielder will just have to get used to it as he continues to excel for Ajax and Netherlands.

It seems inevitable that he will become Ajax’s biggest ever sale as Manchester City are prepared to pay €70 million (£62m/$80m) plus €20m (£18m/$23m) in bonuses in order to beat Barcelona to his services.

De Jong had been touted as a Franz Beckenbauer-esque revolutionary defender when he broke into the starting XI last year but he has now become a key component of the Ajax midfield.

He is also quickly blossoming into one of the leading figures in Netherlands’ revitalisation under Ronald Koeman, since his debut in September.

De Jong even showed up N’Golo Kante when he hunted him down to dispossess the Chelsea midfielder in Oranje’s 2-0 win over France, only offering further encouragement to those who expect the Dutchman to become one of the best players in the world.

AdvertisementGettyMatthijs de Ligt

Just a year after Virgil van Dijk became football's most expensive defender, there is already talk of him being usurped by a young compatriot.

Matthijs de Ligt may be just 19 years old but he does not look nor play like it. He is a beast, a boss and will only get better.

A mainstay in the Ajax back line and the team's captain, their only defeat this season – 3-0 to PSV – came in the one game that De Ligt has missed.

He was thrown into the deep end with the national team and endured a disastrous debut against Bulgaria in March 2017, but he emerged seemingly unscathed and has cemented his place in Ronald Koeman's starting XI.

Indeed, he now looks so solid alongside Van Dijk that Koeman and Wesley Sneijder have tipped him to break the latter's record as Oranje's most-capped player.

Barcelona and Manchester City look set to battle it out to sign him in the near future, but a few more of Europe's top sides will be sniffing around too.

Aware that they will not be able to hold on to him for too long, Ajax will listen to offers at the end of the season and will be demanding a massive fee for the potentially world-class defender.

Even if he does not smash Van Dijk's £75 million ($96m) record right away, he won't be far off it.

GettyHakim Ziyech

That the 25-year-old Hakim Ziyech is still playing in the Eredivisie is as much of a mystery as it is a blessing for the Dutch top flight.

It has been six years since he made his first appearance in the league and he soon grew into a star for Heerenveen before joining Twente and becoming a talismanic figure.

As Europe’s bigger sides hesitated, Ajax capitalised in August 2016 just before the transfer window closed and Ziyech immediately injected a creative spark they had been missing since Christian Eriksen’s 2013 departure.

Although the attacking midfielder takes too many long-range shots, he can pull off imaginative passes from almost anywhere on the pitch and has formed a super partnership with Dusan Tadic this season – both have scored seven and set up four in the league. 

Ziyech has 10 goals from 22 appearances for Morocco, too, and is guaranteed a key role at the Africa Cup of Nations.

If he maintains this form for Ajax and Morocco for the rest of the season, then big clubs in the Premier League, Serie A and Bundesliga will surely be interested.

He is tied to Ajax until 2021, however, so the club are in a good position to demand upwards of €40 million for a player they will struggle to replace.

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GettyNicolas Tagliafico

With three goals and seven assists in all competitions so far, Nicolas Tagliafico has been a sensation at Ajax since his €4.5 million (£4m/$5m) arrival from Independiente in January.

He had already made 103 appearances for the Argentine side after impressing at Banfield, and in the second tier in Spain with Real Murcia.

Now, he has been trusted with the captain's armband by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni three times over the last three months. 

Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal have been linked already, but more clubs are scouting him and at 26 he may see Ajax as a quick stop on his journey to bigger and better things.

Given his talent, Ajax would be in a good position to demand upwards of €25m.

South Africa batsman Hashim Amla is set to replace the injured Shaun Marsh at Kings XI Punjab, ESPNcricinfo has learnt

Arun Venugopal03-May-20162:03

Hashim Amla joins KXIP squad

South Africa batsman Hashim Amla is set to replace the injured Shaun Marsh at Kings XI Punjab, ESPNcricinfo has learnt. Marsh was ruled out of IPL 2016 on Monday due to a back injury.It is understood that clearances for Amla’s stint with the team have been obtained and ESPNcricinfo has learnt that he is expected to join the side soon.Amla, who stepped down as South Africa’s Test captain in January this year, is yet to make his IPL debut. The batsman was part of the player list for the 2016 auction in February, with a base price of INR 1 crore, but remained unsold.Overall, Amla has played 88 T20s scoring 2446 runs at an average of 31.35 and a strike rate of 125.95. He scored two fifties as an opening batsman for South Africa in the recent World T20, tallying 120 runs in four matches in the tournament at a strike rate of 134.83.Marsh reportedly picked up the injury in the game against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 19, and has been carrying a niggle since. He batted and fielded in Sunday’s game, when Kings XI beat Gujarat Lions, with some discomfort.

MatériaMais Notícias

Artilheiro do país nesta temporada, Gabriel Barbosa vai escrevendo seu nome na história do clube da Gávea com os muitos gols marcados em 2019. Com o tento marcado diante do Fortaleza, na vitória por 2 a 1 no Castelão, o atacante chegou aos 19 nesta edição do Campeonato Brasileiro, igualando a marca de Adriano em 2009, ano em que o clube foi campeão brasileiro pela última vez.

Naquele Brasileirão, Adriano disputou 30 rodadas como jogador do Flamengo. Gabriel Barbosa, por sua vez, tem um desempenho bem melhor: disputou 20 rodadas até agora, marcando, em média, 0,95 gol/jogo válido pelo Brasileirão.

> Confira a tabela do Brasileirão e simule os próximos jogos

O gol desta quarta também fez Gabigol superar uma marca pessoal: este é o Campeonato Brasileiro em que mais marcou gols. Até então, o ano de 2018 era o mais artilheiro do atacante no Brasileirão, com 18 gols. O camisa 9 ainda disputou outras edições do torneio: 2013 (1 gol), 2014 (8), 2015 (10) e 2016 (5).

RelacionadasFlamengoReinier comemora sequência no Flamengo e diz: ‘Seleção é passado’Flamengo16/10/2019FlamengoGabigol revela tontura durante a partida e exalta raça da equipeFlamengo16/10/2019FlamengoNa raça! Fla supera desfalques e bate o Fortaleza de virada fora de casaFlamengo16/10/2019

Essex’s coach Paul Grayson has predicted that the county can make a strong challenge in the NatWest Blast after securing the return of Shaun Tait, the Australian pace bowler, for England’s T20 competition.The signing could be the start of a rush of deals as the counties eye up the potentially available talent left unsold in the IPL auction.Tait previously played for Essex in 2013 when they reached Finals Day. His most notable spell came in the quarterfinal at Trent Bridge where his 4 for 29 contributed to a 47-run defeat of strongly-fancied Nottinghamshire. He has a career Twenty20 bowling average of 21.44, but during his first spell with Essex he bettered that, taking 16 wickets at an average of 17.18.Grayson hailed Tait’s return. “Shaun had such a positive impact around the club during his first spell. Not only on the pitch during the Twenty20 campaign, but he also spent time working with the younger players throughout the summer.”We believe we have an excellent chance of winning the NatWest T20 Blast this season, and Shaun will help us towards that target. Alongside Jesse Ryder, we now have two really exciting overseas players.”Essex’s stress in the Championship will focus more upon developing their own homegrown players.”In the LV= County Championship, we are intent on giving our younger players a chance, and our focus is very much on youth; in the Twenty20 competition, we want to use all our experience in this format and go all the way.”

أعرب فيرمين لوبيز، لاعب وسط فريق برشلونة، عن سعادته بالفوز الذي حققه البلوجرانا على نظيره شاختار الأوكراني في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

المباراة جمعت بين الفريقين على ملعب لويس كومبانيس، بمدينة برشلونة، وفاز البلوجرانا بثنائية مقابل هدف، شهدت تسجيل هدف رائع للاعب فيرمين لوبيز.

اللاعب الإسباني قال في تصريحات لوسائل الإعلام عقب المباراة: “لقد كان الأمر صعبًا، كلفنا ذلك كثيرًا، لكننا سعداء للغاية لأننا حققنا الفوز في النهاية”.

واضاف: “المدرب أخبرنا أن الأمر سيكون صعبًا، عانينا قليلًا، لكننا حصلنا على النقاط الثلاث، مع تشافي أشعر براحة كبيرة، سواء على اليمين أو على اليسار أو في الوسط”.

وأكمل فيرمين لوبيز: “لا زلت صغيرًا، لكنني لدي المزيد من الوقت للتعلم، ولقد حدث ذلك بالفعل، كل مباراة أتعلم فيها وأحاول أن أكون أفضل، لقد عملت طوال حياتي من أجل تلك اللحظات”.

واختتم: “سأحاول مساعدة الفريق في الكلاسيكو قدر الإمكان، إذا كان ذلك من خلال هدف أو صناعة أو أي شيء، أريد أن أساعد برشلونة في الفوز على ريال مدريد، ونحن جميعًا جاهزون لذلك”.

MatériaMais Notícias

A Vila Belmiro terá dois novos telões ainda em 2019. Fruto do contrato renovado da Brahma com o Santos, a novidade já está em produção e tem previsão de ser entregue em novembro.

Os telões ficarão localizados nas extremidades do estádio, sendo um em substituição ao atual, localizado na arquibancada da Rua Tiradentes, e o outro no espaço correspondente à arquibancada da Rua José de Alencar, ou seja, atrás de cada gol.

As dimensões dos dois novos telões da Vila Belmiro correspondem a 11,52 metros de largura por 6,72 metros de altura. A resolução dos telões será de 10.000 dot pixel/m², dez vezes maior do que o telão atual, que é de 1.024 dot pixel/m².

RelacionadasSantosLuan revela ansiedade em atuar com o Santos na Vila Belmiro: ‘Alçapão’Santos07/08/2019Futebol NacionalA “invasão” dos patrocínios das casas de apostas no futebol brasileiroFutebol Nacional07/08/2019SantosApresentado, Venuto explica suas características: ‘Gosto do 1 contra 1’Santos07/08/2019

Além da resolução, a qualidade da imagem será reforçada por um brilho de 9.000 nits. As dimensões dos novos telões também serão muito superiores quando comparadas ao atual, que possui 8,0m x 6,15m, com área de 49,2 m².

– Temos com a Brahma uma relação de patrocínio que vai além da exposição de marca, são parceiros do programa Sócio Rei com sua plataforma de descontos e trabalham de uma maneira estruturada na melhoria das condições físicas do Santos FC. Neste ciclo de investimentos optamos por uma demanda antiga de nossa torcida: novos telões em nossa Meca, a Vila Belmiro. Temos certeza de que esse será um marco importante para o Clube. Que tenhamos em breve muitos placares positivos e conquistas registradas nestes novos equipamentos – afirmou o presidente José Carlos Peres.

Perhaps West Indies will use the T20 to spend their remaining limited-overs vigour as Bangladesh have struggled so far and are quite uncomfortable playing the shortest format

The Preview by Mohammad Isam27-Aug-2014Match factsWednesday, August 27, 2014
Start time 2000 local (0000 GMT)The focus will also be on Denesh Ramdin, who slammed 169 in the third ODI•WICB MediaBig pictureBefore Test matches and just a couple of days after an ODI series, a T20 is seemingly a good medium for West Indies and Bangladesh to release pent-up energies which would not necessarily go into the longer version. Perhaps the hosts will use the one-off game to spend their remaining limited-overs vigour as the visitors have struggled so far and are quite uncomfortable playing T20s.West Indies’ comprehensive ODI series win, having most of their batsmen in form and picking players who had been regularly playing the format in the last month is enough reason to look forward to a more powerful outing on a ground where six-hitting looks ridiculously easy.T20 captain Darren Sammy has pointed out that this game is important for players who play only in this format. Many of the CPL’s star performers, the likes of Andre Russell, Krishmar Santokie and Dwayne Smith would be expected to be on top of their games, while West Indies also included Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo, who had missed the New Zealand T20s in July.The focus will also be on Denesh Ramdin, who slammed 169 in the third ODI. He struck 11 sixes during the innings, at times clearing the straight boundary with some ease. It would mean that the moment he comes out to bat at Warner Park, the Bangladesh bowlers will be on high alert.There could be a change in the attack with Rubel Hossain an option for Mushfiqur Rahim, apart from Mashrafe Mortaza and the impressive Al-Amin Hossain. Taskin Ahmed has not played since the first ODI while the spinners were under constant attack in the last game, having done reasonably well in the second ODI.Whether the captain and coach would go with Abdur Razzak is surely going to be a talking point as the selectors have said recently that they want to move on from him in T20s. Taijul Islam is in their plans, but it is debatable how wise it would be to expose the new left-arm spinner at this venue.The team’s main headache is still the batsmen although Tamim Iqbal’s half-century would give them some relief. Anamul Haque has missed out twice after the century, and this is a chance to see whether Shamsur Rahman and Mithun Ali are in contention.Mushfiqur has come under considerable criticism from the BCB for his decisions on the field as well as in selection. He could even be replaced by a new captain in the shorter format, so this could be a good opportunity to respond with a strong showing. He would, however, need his out-of-form team-mates, Nasir Hossain and Mahmudullah particularly, to stand up on a very crucial occasion.Form guideWest Indies WLLWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh LLLLLIn the spotlightHe will possibly come to bat lower than Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Darren Sammy, but Andre Russell was the most watchable allrounder in the CPL, and he would be expected to bring that form to this game.Tamim Iqbal finally scored a fifty in the third ODI, his first in international cricket since October last year. He batted freely on both sides of the wicket, and will be expected to continue his new-found confidence.Team newsSulieman Benn is likely to replace the injured Samuel Badree while the CPL’s second-highest wicket-taker, Santokie, could pip Sheldon Cottrell, who played against New Zealand.West Indies (probable) 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Dwayne Smith, 3 Andre Fletcher, 4 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 5 Dwayne Bravo, 6 Kieron Pollard, 7 Darren Sammy (capt), 8 Andre Russell, 9 Sunil Narine, 10 Krishmar Santokie, 11 Sulieman BennBangladesh may not expose rookie bowlers Taijul and Taskin on the smallish Warner Park. That would mean Razzak being picked despite the selectors’ reservations, while there are likely to be places for Shamsur and Mithun.Bangladesh (probable) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Anamul Haque, 3 Shamsur Rahman, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), 5 Mithun Ali, 6 Nasir Hossain, 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza, 9 Sohag Gazi/Abdur Razzak, 10 Al-Amin Hossain, 11 Rubel HossainPitch and conditionsThere will be a lot of runs at this ground, given the nature of the wicket and boundary size. A late evening start wouldn’t make much of a difference as it is a hard surface, encouraging extravagant strokeplay.Stats and trivia Warner Park has only hosted one T20 international, in 2009 between West Indies and Bangladesh West Indies lead 3-2 in the head-to-headQuotes”Our side is powerful, and once we fire on all cylinders, we are always going to be a destructive force.”

“There is a lot of work to be done before the T20 as we need to come up with some good plans for these short boundaries and big hitters.”

MatériaMais Notícias

A ausência de Neymar, cortado da Copa América após sofrer ruptura ligamentar no tornozelo direito durante amistoso contra o Catar, não tranquiliza o técnico Eduardo Villegas, da Bolívia, que enfrenta o Brasil na abertura da Copa América. Pelo contrário. Segundo ele, que deu entrevista coletiva nesta quinta ao lado do goleiro Carlos Lampe, no Morumbi, a preocupação é ainda maior.

– Claro que a ausência do Neymar muda um pouco a fisionomia do Brasil, ofensivamente provavelmente eles perdem certo poder, mas defensivamente é um jogador que não vemos marcar muito. Me preocupa mais, porque vejo um Brasil mais compacto, fazendo um trabalho mais de equipe com a saída dele – disse o comandante, que teve o discurso endossado por seu goleiro.

– É uma ausência importante. Neymar é um dos melhores, mas o Brasil pode armar três seleções. Sai Neymar, entra outro jogador top. Com Neymar, a bola passa muito por ele. Agora vemos um Brasil que toca mais, que se mexe mais, que pode atacar pela esquerda ou pela direita, porque tem jogadores rápidos dos dois lados.

​Eduardo Villegas falou em diversos momentos da entrevista em iniciar uma nova era no futebol boliviano, tornando-o mais próximo do que se pratica nos países mais desenvolvidos no esporte. Um bom resultado contra o Brasil pode ser o primeiro grande passo desse projeto, e ele acha possível:

​-Nenhum time é invulnerável, invencível, isso está claro, está expressado em muitas partes do mundo, todo campeonato tem experiências nesse sentido. O Brasil é forte, mas não é invencível. Sabemos que tem algumas falhas, tem alguns setores em que podemos neutralizá-los ou atacá-los, mas não vou dizer agora. Se pudermos lastima-lós, ser contundentes, seria magnífico.

Match facts

February 12-16, 2014
Start time 1030 local (0830GMT)0:00

‘South Africa are more ruthless than ever’

Big Picture

After Australia’s remarkable Ashes clean-sweep, Michael Clarke praised his men but was firm in his resolve that the Australians would not rest until they were No.1 in the world. What better way to assess themselves than against the world’s best? South Africa have occupied the top spot for a year and a half. Daylight is second. Clarke and coach Darren Lehmann will certainly have noted the way South Africa declined to chase a victory that seemed there for the taking against India at the Wanderers in December. But they should also note that South Africa’s approach has led them to lose only one of their past 19 Tests. This is a team that has not lost a Test series for five years, home or away. That is a remarkable feat.The last team to beat South Africa was Australia in early 2009. In South Africa. With Mitchell Johnson at his peak. In fact, since South Africa’s readmission Australia are yet to lose a Test series in the country. is a remarkable feat. Even the drawn two-Test battle in late 2011 was fascinating, featuring as it did Australia’s all-out 47 in Cape Town followed by the emergence of a teenage Pat Cummins, Man of the Match in the follow-up victory in Johannesburg. Cummins will not be there this time, but the four highest-ranked fast bowlers in the world will be – and that does not even include Johnson. Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle are all in the ICC’s top five Test bowlers, and together with Johnson and Morne Morkel will make for a captivating series.Which team’s batsmen will handle the pace assault best? Australia had a settled batting group through the Ashes but could have two new faces in Centurion, with the uncapped Alex Doolan favoured to debut and Shaun Marsh or Phillip Hughes also likely to play due to Shane Watson’s injury. South Africa’s main question is how to handle life after Jacques Kallis. The likely new No.4, Faf du Plessis, has already shown the Australians his credentials, almost single-handedly saving the Adelaide Test in 2012. And any team that can have the No.1 batsman in the world – AB de Villiers – coming in at three-down is a force to be reckoned with.

Form guide

(last five completed games most recent first)
South Africa WDWLW
Australia WWWWW

In the spotlight

Dale Steyn might be ranked second in the world to his team-mate Vernon Philander, but that is not necessarily the view Australia’s batsmen will take. His high-quality, high-speed outswing will ask serious questions of an Australian line-up that remains vulnerable against the moving ball. The presence of two left-handers at the top of Australia’s order might help them slightly, but if they have right-handers at Nos.3, 4 and 5, expect the edges to fly.Back in 2009, Mitchell Johnson entered the tour of South Africa at his peak, having just broken Graeme Smith’s hand in the Sydney Test and finding the rhythm and pace that has deserted him at times during his career. Five years later, he has it again. The reigning Allan Border Medallist and tormentor of England during the Ashes, Johnson has the potential to worry South Africa’s batsmen like few other bowlers in the world. They might handle him better than England, but don’t expect his impact to drop off too much.Mitchell Johnson again returns to South Africa in the form of his life•PA Photos

Team news

For the first time in more than 18 years, South Africa must work out what to do without Kallis, a man who was two cricketers (at least) in one. Du Plessis appears set to move up to Kallis’ No.4 spot, which opens up a place at No.7 that could be filled by either Wayne Parnell or Ryan McLaren. Parnell offers more pace and that might earn him a chance to play his first Test in nearly four years. However, there is also the possibility of Rory Kleinveldt being included. JP Duminy was battling tendonitis in his left wrist in the lead-up to the match but was recovering reasonably well.South Africa (possible) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Alviro Petersen, 3 Hashim Amla 4 Faf du Plessis, 5 AB de Villiers (wk), 6 JP Duminy, 7 Wayne Parnell / Ryan McLaren, 8 Robin Peterson, 9 Vernon Philander, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Morne Morkel.Watson’s absence due to a calf injury means there will be two changes to Australia’s batting order from the side that played in all five Ashes Tests. The guessing game is which two of Doolan, Marsh, Hughes and Moises Henriques will miss out? It seems likely that Australia will rely on their four-man attack in Centurion, which would leave Henriques on the bench. Doolan is set to debut at No. 3 and Marsh, who was picked ahead of Hughes in the original squad, looks likely to join him. This appeared to be confirmed by the national selector John Inverarity’s consoling chat to Hughes late in Australia’s final training session.Australia (possible) 1 Chris Rogers, 2 David Warner, 3 Alex Doolan, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Steven Smith, 6 Shaun Marsh, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Ryan Harris, 10 Peter Siddle, 11 Nathan Lyon.

Pitch and conditions

Two days before the Test, the Centurion pitch had a white sort of shade to it but still bore some grass. There should be something there for the fast bowlers and the moisture in the air should also offer some assistance. Typical Highveld thunderstorms are expected to play a part throughout the match – last week, the Hennops River outside the ground burst its banks and the hotel nearby had to be evacuated.

Stats and trivia

• Since Kallis made his Test debut in December 1995, South Africa have played only 18 Tests without him – an average of one per year
• In six Tests in Centurion, Dale Steyn has taken 36 wickets at 17.61; Vernon Philander has 12 victims at 13.66 there from two Tests
• If Australia win this series, they will move up to second place on the ICC’s Test rankings
• Chris Rogers has played 257 first-class matches but until this tour had never so much as visited South Africa, let alone played cricket there
• Australia and South Africa have met only once in a Test in Centurion, in 1997, when Allan Donald took eight wickets in a South African win

Quotes

“If you’re the No.1 team in the world, you have to be favourites. It’s something we’ve become accustomed to. We worked very hard and went to some tough places to get that ranking and to defend it so we’re comfortable with that.”

“If we want to get back to being No. 1 in the world, we have to have success away from home, we have to beat the best teams, and as tough a challenge as it is we’re excited about it.”