Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke also made important half-centuries as South Africa thumped Australia by 98 runs

Firdose Moonda19-Aug-2025

Keshav Maharaj claimed his first ODI career five-for as South Africa registered an emphatic, series-opening win over Australia in Cairns.Defending the highest total at the venue, 296, South Africa grabbed the match by the horns when they took 6 for 29 between the eight and 17th overs, as Maharaj delivered a sterling spell in which he found appreciable turn and maintained a consistent line to pick up 5 for 33. The margin finished as Australia heaviest runs defeat at home since 1991.Maharaj was omitted from the T20Is, as all-format coach Shukri Conrad preferred spin-bowling allrounders in the squad, but served up a reminder of his efficacy in shorter formats with his performance in Cairns. Conditions suited him, as they did the other spinners involved. Offspinner Prenelan Subrayen was the other early wicket-taker and finished with 1 for 46 from his 10 overs on ODI debut, while in the first innings Australia relied on part-time offspinner Travis Head, who bowled nine overs with a return of 4 for 57.Related

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As the numbers suggest, the surface was slow and spinner-friendly and with this being just the sixth ODI to be played in Cairns, it was difficult to judge a par-score. South Africa’s proved to be in excess of par and their trio of half-centuries from Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke and Temba Bavuma were more valuable than they initially appeared to be.Australia’s only real batting resistance came in the form of their captain Mitchell Marsh, who fell 12 short of a fourth ODI century. He shared in a 71-run seventh-wicket stand with Ben Dwarshuis which gave their innings some heft.That partnership came after Marsh watched his line-up collapse and squander a rollicking start against South Africa seamers. Marsh and Head scored 60 in the first seven overs and the highlight was Head’s take-down of left-arm seamer Nandre Burger, who he hit for five fours in an over. One of those came off the edge but the other four were full-blooded blows down the ground, over midwicket and through the offside as Australia brought up fifty in five overs.Mitchell Marsh tried to hold Australia together•Getty Images

The introduction of spin put a stop to all that. Head charged at Subrayen in his second over and missed which gave Ryan Rickelton plenty of time to complete the stumping. Maharaj was brought on at the other end and struck first ball. He had Marnus Labuschagne lbw, hit on the back pad by a ball that straightened. Labuschagne reviewed but replays showed the ball was hitting the top of middle stump.As if to script, the first ball of Maharaj’s second over also brought a wicket, with the best delivery he bowled. It pitched on middle and straightened to beat Cameron Green’s edge and take off stump. Maharaj had to wait slightly longer for this third but only until the second ball of his third over which Josh Inglis tried to hit off side but was stuck on the back foot and bowled. Alex Carey was then given out lbw sweeping the first ball he faced and Maharaj was on a hat-trick. He didn’t get it but completed his five-for two overs later when Aaron Hardie was bowled in similar fashion to Green.At that stage Maharaj had figures of 5 for 9 and South Africa could have hastened the end of the contest in the next over when Dwarshuis, on 4, drove Subrayen to cover but Maharaj spilled the chance. He wasn’t the only one drifting. South Africa meandered through the next 13 overs, using double-spin until Maharaj was bowled out. In that time, Marsh brought up a 51-ball fifty, when he cut Maharaj through point and South Africa seemed out of wicket-taking ideas. Burger was brought back after 28 overs and had his first success when Dwarshuis, on 33, pulled him to Dewald Brevis at midwicket.How Keshav Maharaj went through Australia•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Still, with Marsh in the middle, Australia would have had hopes of pulling off a heist but Burger’s more disciplined return also ended his knock. Marsh top-edged a pull and Rickelton completed the catch. Tristan Stubbs’ catching nightmare in Australia continued as he put down Adam Zampa at cover in what was his third drop of the tour. Zampa was last out after Lungi Ngidi wrapped things up in the 41st over with two wickets in three balls.South Africa’s innings had earlier started well, albeit somewhat slowly thanks to a 92-run opening partnership between Markram and Rickelton. They were circumspect in the face of a stern examination from Australia’s opening bowlers, Josh Hazlewood and Dwarshuis who found a hint of movement and denied them width. They were 32 without loss after seven overs, with Markram fairly comfortable opening the batting in an ODI for the first time in four years.Rickelton could have been run-out for 8 but a Carey throw missed the stumps, was given lbw to Head out on 25 but reviewed successfully, survived an Australian lbw review on 28 when replays showed Zampa had pitched outside leg and was dropped on 31 when Inglis could not hold on to a tough chance. His troubled stay at the crease ended when he tried to hit Head over mid-off and was caught by a diving Labuschagne.Aiden Markram scored 82 from 81•AFP/Getty Images

Markram’s 13th ODI fifty came off 54 balls, and was laced with well-timed drives and cuts and would have gone a long way to easing concerns about his form. He moved through the gears quickly and was on 82 off 81 balls, set for his first century in 20 innings, but loosely edged behind against Dwarshuis.Bavuma, in a new position at No.3 and batting for the first time since the World Test Championship final, was underway with a signature pull over midwicket but found it difficult to keep going. Breetzke proved a complementary partner who took on more of an aggressor role. He hit Dwarshuis over midwicket for the innings’ first six in the 28th over and took on Australia’s third spinner Labuschagne when he swept him for back-to-back fours but did not last into the last ten overs for a big finish. Breetzke top-edged a slog-sweep in 39th over to leave it to the power-hitters to finish off.Stubbs and Brevis both holed out to long-on in the space of four balls as Head removed South Africa’s two most destructive middle-order hitters. Bavuma brought up his fourth successive half-century with a paddle sweep but inside-edged onto his stumps and could not close the innings out.Instead, Wiaan Mulder’s 31 off 26 balls added the finishing touches. He ended the innings with South Africa’s third six, hit high over long-on off Dwarshuis. South Africa scored 73 runs in the last 10 overs, but lost five wickets in that time.

There’s a lot of talk about champions Liverpool and league-leaders Arsenal, but recently dethroned four in a row serial champions Manchester City cannot be counted out of this title race.

Last time out, Pep Guardiola’s team battled to a 1-0 victory over Brentford, with Erling Haaland, who else, the only scorer in West London.

The goalbot himself has now scored 12 of the 19 goals Manchester City have managed in the Premier League and Champions League this season, that’s 63%, as well as bagging eight across his last two appearances for Norway, scoring a hat-trick, as well as missing two penalties, during Saturday’s 5-0 demolition of Israel at the Ullevål.

In seven of the last eight Premier League seasons, including each of the last five, the team that has scored the most goals has gone on to win the title, so is Pep Guardiola building an unstoppable attacking duo, featuring Haaland of course, one that can rival anything that has come before at the Etihad?

Manchester City's best strike partnerships

Since being taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment in 2008, Manchester City supporters have enjoyed watching numerous high-quality centre-forwards.

Haaland’s frankly mind-boggling numbers have raised the standard to an astronomical level, but that should not denigrate his predecessors, so let’s outline Manchester City’s highest-scoring attacking duos from the pre-Haaland era.

Agüero &

Sterling

18/19

57

Agüero &

Džeko

13/14

54

Agüero &

Sterling

19/20

54

Agüero &

Sterling

17/18

53

Agüero &

Džeko

11/12

49

Agüero &

De Bruyne

15/16

45

Agüero &

David Silva

14/15

44

Tévez &

Adebayor

09/10

43

Agüero &

Sterling

16/17

43

Maḥrez &

De Bruyne

21/22

43

As the table documents, during his time in Manchester, Sergio Agüero formed a deadly partnership with pretty much everybody, currently the club’s all-time record scorer with 260, although Haaland already has 136.

While the Agüero-Sterling pairing may have bagged the most goals in 2018/19, in terms of pure strike partnerships, one has to look back to 2013/14 when the Citizens won the Premier League title under Manuel Pellegrini.

That season, Agüero and Edin Džeko scored 54 goals between them, while Yaya Touré and Álvaro Negredo also surpassed the 20 goals mark, as the Sky Blues bagged 102 league goals, netting 156 times overall, winning the title and the League Cup.

Of course, these numbers appear puny when compared to those of their Norwegian powerhouse, bagging 52 by himself during his first season at the club, but who could become Haaland’s own Džeko?

Manchester City's next great strike partnership

As already outlined, Haaland is scoring a very high proportion of Manchester City’s goals this season, which has to be a concern for Guardiola.

However, could the return of Omar Marmoush help solve this issue?

The Egyptian suffered a knee ligament injury in the September international break, hobbling off during the Pharaohs’ World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou, but is expected to be back soon, potentially involved in Saturday’s clash with Everton.

After arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt in January for £59m, the 26-year-old made quite the early impression in Sky Blue.

By the end of the campaign, only five players had scored more Bundesliga goals than Marmoush, despite the fact he only featured in the first half of the season, departing having bagged 15 goals in 17 appearances.

Once at Man City, he added eight more goals to his tally, including a hat-trick against Newcastle, before this sublime strike against Bournemouth that won Premier League goal of the season.

When he signed, Marmoush stated that he hoped himself and Haaland will “enjoy playing together”, and there were positive signs when it comes to their burgeoning partnership.

Mustapha Hassan of Total Football Analysis believes having both at his disposal presents Guardiola with a ‘tactical wildcard’, concluding that Marmoush’s versatility and off-ball movement can make the partnership work, with the Norwegian very much the focal point.

Their hulking striker aside, Phil Foden was Man City’s top-scorer last season with 13, three of which came at the Club World Cup, while the same can be said this season; the Englishman the only other player with multiple goals, on target against the once mighty Manchester United and Huddersfield.

Whether it be due to injury, fatigue or a drop-off in form, not that there’s been one yet, Man City surely cannot solely rely on Haaland to score all the goals all the time forever.

Thus, the return of Marmoush could be a somewhat under-the-radar massive boost to their Premier League title aspirations.

The Citizens’ next three league fixtures are Everton (H), Aston Villa (A) and then Bournemouth (H), all very winnable, before Liverpool come to town on 9 November, a huge litmus test for both, so will the Sky Blues have their own free-scoring Egyptian King by then, linking up with Haaland just as Agüero and Džeko did together over a decade ago?

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AC Milan are now reportedly plotting a move to sign Niclas Fullkrug from West Ham United after the striker’s agent made a damning admission ahead of the winter window.

The forward has struggled ever since arriving in the Premier League, but whilst he continues to contemplate his future, things have been looking up for West Ham. The Hammers made it back-to-back league wins on Saturday by defeating relegation rivals Burnley 2-1. It followed their 3-1 victory over Newcastle United last weekend and took them level on points with the Clarets.

The international break comes at a bad time for the Hammers, with Nuno Espirito Santo now settled into life in London and gradually turning things around. After the break, his side visit Bournemouth in search of a third-consecutive victory which could take them out of the relegation zone.

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It’s also a game that could see Callum Wilson square off against his former club in search of two goals in two games. Getting the summer arrival fit and firing on all cylinders will be key to West Ham’s survival and potentially key to determining Fullkrug’s future.

AC Milan join Fullkrug race after agent admission

According to Tuttomercatoweb, AC Milan have now joined the race to sign Fullkrug, who has missed the last four Premier League games through injury and scored just three goals during his time at West Ham.

When the forward arrived from Borussia Dortmund, there were question marks about his age, but those questions that were answered by the impressive season that he had just enjoyed in Germany – helping his side reach the Champions League final in 2024.

Any hope that Fullkrug could replicate that form in the Premier League didn’t take long to disappear, however, and now he looks destined to leave.

Speaking on the TOMorrow Business Podcast, Fullkrug’s agent Thorsten Wirth made a damning admission about the forward’s time at West Ham, saying: “Looking back, we have to say the transfer didn’t work out. There’s no point in sugar-coating it.”

Meanwhile, when asked about Fullkrug’s future, he said: “This always has to happen in cooperation with the club, but I believe it can make sense to change something there.”

Although Peter Crouch went as far as calling the forward “excellent” at Euro 2024, it’s fair to say that Fullkrug’s time at West Ham simply hasn’t worked out and he should move on in 2026.

As exciting as Potts: 19-year-old West Ham star has "the world at his feet"

علق هشام نصر، نائب رئيس نادي الزمالك، على وفاة محمد صبري، لاعب فريق القلعة البيضاء السابق، صباح اليوم الجمعة.

وتعرض محمد صبري لحادث سير في منطقة التجمع الخامس، حيث اصطدم بسيارته في مبني تحت الانشاء بمنطقة التجمع الخامس في القاهرة الجديدة.

وقال هشام نصر في تصريحات لبرنامج “ملعب أون”، على قناة “أون سبورت”: “محمد صبري كان في قمة التواضع ومن أعظم لاعبي الزمالك، لم يغره مال وأتى على نفسه في أشياء كثيرة”.

طالع | وفاة محمد صبري لاعب الزمالك السابق في حادث سير مروع

وتابع: “محمد صبري أصر أن يكون بين جدران نادي الزمالك حتى آخر يوم في حياته، كلنا في منتهى الحزن من فقدانه، وأتمنى ظهور لاعبين مثله مرة أخرى”.

وأضاف: “عزاء محمد صبري سيكون داخل نادي الزمالك في المكان الذي يحبه، بجوار الملعب الذي تدرب فيه وكان نجمًا فيه”.

واختتم: “لا يوجد نقاش، الزمالك سيقوم بدعم مادي لأسرة محمد صبري، لن نقصر مع أسرته تمامًا وسنتابعهم وأولاده هم أولادنا وأولاد نادي الزمالك، وسيكون هناك تكريم لمحمد صبري في أول مباراة للفريق الأول”.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham has been ruled out of the first Test against Zimbabwe, starting on July 30 in Bulawayo, with a shoulder injury. In his absence, New Zealand white-ball captain Mitchell Santner will lead the side.Latham suffered the injury while fielding during a Vitality Blast game for Birmingham Bears earlier this month and did not recover in time for the first Test. According to an NZC release, he will remain with the squad and hope to be fit for the second Test starting August 7.”It’s hugely disappointing for Tom to be missing the first Test, as captain but also as an integral part of the team,” head coach Rob Walter said.Related

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“It’s never great when you lose your captain, who’s a world-class opening batter and a great team man, but that said we’re going to work really hard to have him available for the second Test. “We’ll continue to assess and see whether a replacement player is necessary, but at this stage we are hopeful that he’ll recover in time.”Santner, who’s played 30 Tests, will be leading New Zealand in the format for the first time. New Zealand will go into the Tests fresh off a T20I tri-series win in Harare where they remained unbeaten throughout the series under Santner’s captaincy.”Mitch did a wonderful job with the T20 squad in this recent series,” Walter said. “He was excellent from a strategy point of view, and he has a strong understanding of the game.”Whilst the format is different, he certainly has the respect of the players and will be supported by some highly experienced Test cricketers, so I trust that he’s going to do a great job.”The two-match series will mark New Zealand’s first Test tour of Zimbabwe since 2016.

James Sales’ maiden List A century sets up Northamptonshire’s first win of the campaign

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay15-Aug-2025Northamptonshire 321 for 8 (Sales 117, Robinson 63, Broad 59) beat Durham 171 (Raine 31*, Chahal 3-30) by 150 runs A superb maiden List A century from James Sales – 117 off 110 balls – set Northamptonshire Steelbacks up for a first Metro Bank One-Day Cup win in four games this season, by 150 runs at the expense of Durham at the Banks Homes Riverside.The young Steelbacks side kick-started their Group B campaign following a No Result and two defeats as they successfully defended a commanding 321 for 8 total. Durham, meanwhile, suffered their third defeat in five to threaten their chances of a top-three finish for knockout qualification.Having elected to bat, Northamptonshire were advanced by centurion Sales, who was well supported by New Zealander Tim Robinson’s well-paced 63 off 69 balls and Justin Broad’s more aggressive 59 off 45.Durham then lost early wickets and never realistically threatened. They were bowled out for 171 inside 32 overs. Indian Yuzvendra Chahal finished with 3 for 30 from six overs of leg-spin.Sales, who hit his three sixes down the ground off spin and seam, was strong on both sides of the wicket as he accelerated through his innings having come to the crease at 31 for 1 in the ninth over.The 22-year-old right-hander batted through until the 48th over when he holed out to wide long-on against Ben Raine’s seam.New-ball duo Mitchell Killeen and Paul Coughlin struck twice apiece, but Durham relinquished control of the innings from 35 for two in the 10th over.Killeen had bowled captain Lewis McManus, Coughlin had Ricardo Vasconcelos caught behind by debutant 17-year-old wicketkeeper Robbie Bowman.Sales shared century partnerships for the third and fourth wickets with overseas Robinson and Broad en-route to his fifty off 65 balls and his century off 101.He dwarfed his previous List A best score of 35, though has three Championship hundreds to his name through last season and this.Durham, missing linchpin wicketkeeper-batter Ollie Robinson because of a family funeral, failed to gain control with the ball on the same pitch used for Tuesday’s defeat to Middlesex when the visitors chased an English List A record 388.This pitch was good, but it wasn’t the absolute featherbed of a couple of days ago.The home side lost Coughlin to a suspected shoulder issue having bowled nine overs.The Steelbacks were excellent having failed to reach 230 in either of the first two games played, and they continued their good work when it came to the defence, reducing Durham to 49 for four inside 11 overs.Left-arm quick Liam Guthrie struck twice, as did Luke Procter with his seamers. Alex Lees, Will Rhodes and Colin Ackermann all fell.But the headline dismissal was the first – four for one at the start of the second over – when ex-Northamptonshire opener Emilio Gay was trapped lbw stuck on the crease for a second golden duck in as many matches following disappointment against Middlesex.This was Gay’s first appearance against Northamptonshire since leaving Wantage Road late last summer.And when South Africa Test batter David Bedingham, on 30, miscued Broad’s fifth ball to mid-off, it felt like a decisive blow at 78 for five in the 15th over.Debutant Bowman encouraged for 27 and George Drissell bettered that with 30. But they fell to the spin of Rob Keogh and Yuzvendra Chahal as the score fell to 150 for seven in the 29th.Chahal forced a discomforted Coughlin to miscue to cover before bowling Killeen as he struck twice in the 31st over.Seventeen-year-old debutant off-spinner Nirvan Ramesh then wrapped things up with his maiden first-team wicket, Archie Bailey caught behind. He bowled a tidy 4.2 overs for 23.

Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly willing to launch a £70m offer to sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid after the Spanish giants weakened their sale stance ahead of 2026.

The Lilywhites are looking to make a statement move next year in a new era without Daniel Levy. They already stole headlines when they won the race to sign Xavi Simons in the summer, but signing one of Real Madrid’s attacking stars would take Thomas Frank’s side to a whole new level.

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Whether they’ll be in a position to convince Rodrygo to join is difficult to say, however. Whilst Tottenham sit as high as fifth and only four points off second place Manchester City, they’re also on a run of just one win in their last four games in all competitions. Life under Frank has simply shown promise but featured inconsistency.

Saturday’s frantic 2-2 draw against Manchester United summed things up. Spurs were toothless and then ruthless as they came from behind to lead 2-1 in the 91st minute only for Matthijs de Ligt to equalise for the Red Devils in the last minute.

The international break comes at a good time after such a dramatic game, but things don’t get any easier for those in North London. Up next, Spurs are set to square off against Arsenal in the North London derby. The Gunners haven’t lost since August and just conceded for the first time in over 13 hours against Sunderland.

Up against the best defence in the league, if not the world, questions will be asked about the star power in Tottenham’s frontline. They’ll already likely be without summer arrival Randal Kolo Muani through injury in a frustrating blow despite his goalscoring woes, and will be forced to turn to Richarlison to get their frontline firing on all cylinders.

It’s a problem that needs addressing in 2026 and one that Rodrygo could certainly help solve.

Tottenham now willing to launch £70m Rodrygo offer

According to reports in Spain, Tottenham are now willing to launch an offer to sign Rodrygo worth as much as €80m (£70m) in 2026. The Brazilian has struggled for game time under Xabi Alonso and could yet seek a move away ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Florentino Pérez and co. are now reviewing the winger’s future and are more likely to accept a big-money offer for a player who is becoming less motivated sat on their bench week in, week out.

Alonso’s trash would instantly become Frank’s treasure. Rodrygo would transform Tottenham’s attack as a multiple-time Champions League winner and as one of the best wingers in world football. The Brazilian is also a player who has received incredibly high praise and comparisons with Real Madrid legend Raul – that’s the level that he’s at.

At £70m, everything points towards a player that Tottenham should go all out to sign when the January transfer window swings open.

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Former Chelsea star Oscar is reportedly considering retirement after being hospitalised with a heart issue. The 34-year-old is said to have fallen ill during a bicycle test at current side São Paulo and since then, he has been diagnosed with vasovagal syncope, where the blood pressure drops too low, causing people to faint. Now, reports suggest the Brazilian is weighing up whether or not to end his career.

Oscar recovering in hospital

After spending eight years playing in China, Oscar rejoined São Paulo on a deal until 2027 at the end of last year. Following that move, he said: "I'm happy to be back in Brazil and to be able to play for São Paulo, which is the club where I started out, where I made my base and where I grew up. I thank you for the affection I have received on social media these past few days and I will do my best to achieve great things together."

Fast forward to the present, and the veteran may have kicked his last ball for the club after this health scare on Tuesday. 

The Brazilian team said on Thursday: "Midfielder Oscar remains hospitalized at Einstein Hospital Israelita, where he was admitted on Tuesday afternoon after presenting an intercurrence with cardiological changes during exams carried out at SuperCT. An extensive investigation carried out at the hospital confirmed the diagnosis of vasovagal syncope. Oscar remains clinically well and stable, hospitalized in a cardiology unit, and this Friday will undergo an electrophysiological study."

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesEnd of the road for Oscar?

Following the incident, Oscar – who started his career at São Paulo way back in 2008 – posted in an Instagram story: "Everything will be alright, God willing." 

While he is seemingly staying upbeat, Brazilian publication Globo states that Oscar – who moved to Shanghai in 2017 in a £60 million ($79m) move that reportedly pocketed him around £400,000 a week – is mulling over whether or not to retire from football. They add that it may be more likely he hangs up his boots, rather than continuing.

The report states: "According to a specialist heard by Globo, the problem is not life-threatening and can be solved with medication or simple surgical intervention, where a ganglion is cauterized to avoid getting out of control. Also, according to the expert, Oscar may be able to return to football if everything goes well and he feels comfortable to do so. For now, Oscar still has no discharge forecast. At the age of 34, he evaluates with his family whether he will announce his retirement or continue in football. The biggest tendency is for him to leave professional football."

What is Oscar's condition?

According to the NHS, vasovagal syncope is common, can affect anyone, and is often a temporary problem affecting the body's control system (autonomic nervous system). It is a common cause of fainting that occurs due to a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, leading to reduced blood flow to the brain. Certain triggers affect the nerve messages, and as a result of this issue, you can feel weak, sick, sweaty, and light-headed – and that can lead to losing consciousness. If you have this problem, people are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids, not to stand still for long periods, and to avoid overly warm environments. If you get warning symptoms, sufferers should lie down and squeezing firmly on a ball may be helpful. 

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AFPWhat comes next for Oscar?

Football fans will be eagerly awaiting to hear from Oscar, who played 203 times for Chelsea and scored 38 goals between 2012-17 before joining Shanghai Port, again and whether or not he will continue his playing career. After making more than 500 appearances in club football, playing 48 times for Brazil, and winning trophies in England, China, and his home country, he may decide that for the good of his health, it is time to move on to something different. However, the Brazilian may still have another chapter to write in his footballing journey.

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BAHIA X FLUMINENSE
31ª RODADA DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO

Local: Arena Fonte Nova, em Salvador (BA)
Data e hora: terça-feira, 31 de outubro de 2023, às 19h (horário de Brasília)
Árbitra: Edina Alves Batista
Assistentes: Fabrini Bevilaqua Costa e Evandro de Melo Lima
Árbitro de vídeo: Thiago Duarte Peixoto
Onde assistir: Premiere e no tempo real do Lance!

BAHIA

Marcos Felipe, Gilberto, Kanu, Vitor Hugo e Camilo Cándido; Rezende, Yago, Thaciano e Rafael Ratão; Biel e Everaldo. Técnico: Rogério Ceni.

FLUMINENSE

Fábio; Samuel Xavier, Marlon, David Braz e Diogo Barbosa; André (Alexsander), Martinelli e Ganso; Arias, Keno (Lima) e Cano. Técnico: Fernando Diniz.

Before he steps up to the plate, Cubs outfielder Ian Happ peers at a bull’s-eye sticker affixed to the inside of his batting helmet, just above the earpiece—a quick depth perception exercise that reminds his brain to utilize both eyes while at bat. This small habit is just one element of Happ’s vision-training routine, which he started after posting career lows in batting average (.226), on-base percentage (.323) and OPS (.757) during the 2021 season. A teammate referred him to Ryan Harrison, owner of SlowtheGameDown, a vision performance program based in Irvine, Calif. 

“We want people working on our bodies and swings, but if you can’t see the ball, you’re not going to have much success,” Happ says. “I think it’s a big part of what we do and it’s the least [thing] emphasized or trained.”

Indeed, shoulder presses and squats are workout standbys, but exercises for the eyes are often overlooked. That’s where Harrison—who works with athletes in baseball, football and hockey—concentrates his training. The eye contains six muscles that work together to move it in all directions, like the strings on a marionette. They are divided into two groups: the recti, the primary vertical movers when the eye is abducted, or looking away from the nose; and the oblique, used when the eye is adducted, or looking towards the nose. During his initial evaluation with an athlete, Harrison uses a series of tests and drills, most of which originate from another time—and another Harrison. After playing baseball at Cal, Ryan’s father Bill became an eye doctor and later began working with the Royals as a vision-training specialist in 1971. He went on to work with 15 MLB organizations and several NCAA baseball programs before his death in 2019.

“A lot of the stuff we do today is based on what they were doing in the ’70s,” says Ryan. “The technology is updated. But the brain and the eyes haven’t changed. It’s really about how we’re using those skill sets and enhancing them.”