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Djokovic pulls out of Australian Open lead-up in Adelaide
Novak Djokovic Tuesday pulled out of the Adelaide International, saying he was “not quite physically ready” as prepares for the Australian Open
Serbian great Novak Djokovic on Tuesday pulled out of the Adelaide International, saying he was “not quite physically ready” as prepares for the Australian Open.
The 38-year-old was planning to use the event from January 12 as a springboard to the opening Grand Slam at Melbourne Park where he is targeting an 11th title and elusive 25th major crown.
“To all my fans in Adelaide, unfortunately I’m not quite physically ready to compete in the Adelaide International next week,” Djokovic said on Instagram.
“It’s personally very disappointing to me, as I have such great memories of winning the title there two years ago. I was really excited about returning as it truly felt like playing at home.
“My focus is now on my preparation for the Australian Open and I look forward to arriving in Melbourne soon and seeing all the tennis fans in Australia.”
The world number four has not played a tour match since he defeated Lorenzo Musetti in the Athens final in early November.
Djokovic has had to settle for a secondary role since Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz took control of the men’s tour.
He made the semis at all four majors in 2025 but failed to go further, with his last Grand Slam title coming at the US Open in 2023.
His Adelaide withdrawal came a day after he announced he would cut ties with the Professional Tennis Players Association, a group he co-founded.
Djokovic cited “concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented”.
Head century helps Australia near England’s tally in fifth Ashes test
Australia reached 377/6 at tea on Day 3 of the Ashes, with Steve Smith on 65* and Cameron Green on 8*. Travis Head scored 163, while England’s Carse took 3 wickets. Australia leads 3-1.
Australia were 377 for six at tea on the third day of the fifth Ashes test at Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday, closing on England’s first-innings tally of 384.
Australia skipper Steve Smith was unbeaten on 65 at the break alongside Cameron Green, who was eight not out.
Travis Head earlier scored his third century of the series, making 163 off 166 deliveries before he was trapped in front attempting a sweep off Jacob Bethell’s left-arm spin.
Usman Khawaja was greeted by a huge roar when he came out to bat in his 88th and final test before retirement but was dismissed lbw for 17 off a Brydon Carse full toss.
Alex Carey made 16 off 13 balls before he edged a Josh Tongue delivery to Bethell at leg slip just before tea.
Smith reached the half century mark for the 45th time in his career with a four driven straight down the ground.
England burned their final DRS review in a bid to remove nightwatchman Michael Neser lbw only for the video to confirm the impact of Carse’s delivery was outside the line.
Carse finally got Neser out for 24 off 90 balls with an outswinger that induced an edge behind.
England seamer Matthew Potts came in for heavy punishment from the Australian batsmen in his first match in the series, going for 124 runs from his 24 overs.
The ground was bathed in pink for Jane McGrath Day, the annual breast cancer charity fundraiser established by Glenn McGrath in memory of his late wife.
Australia lead the series 3-1 and have already ensured they will retain the Ashes urn.
Sabalenka wants ‘Battle of the Sexes’ rematch and revenge
World number one Aryna Sabalenka Thursday said she wants a rematch of her “Battle of the Sexes” showdown with Nick Kyrgios so she can get revenge.
Australia’s Kyrgios beat the Belarusian 6-3, 6-3 in a highly-publicised showdown in Dubai last Sunday, with modified rules that divided fans.
Sabalenka’s side of the court was reduced in size by nine percent in an attempt to restrict Kyrgios’ power and speed advantage, while each player only received one serve.
“I think I would definitely do it again,” she said ahead of the Brisbane International, her season-opening tournament as she prepares for the Australian Open on January 18.
“I love revenge and I don’t like to leave it the way it is.”
While keen to face-off with Kyrgios again, Sabalenka said she would want a full court and two serves.
“I think for the next match we will come up with a different format,” she said.
“Before the match I didn’t realise I would have to adjust and it was a bit tricky for me. I think I would keep the full court but I would take two serves. That would even our level a lot more.
“I always say that when you are losing, you are learning and I learned a lot about his game,” she added. “I would do it again. I need revenge.”
The contest bore little resemblance to the era-defining 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” encounter between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.
Back then, there was more at stake with the nascent women’s professional tour, set up by King, fighting for legitimacy and prize money for female players far lower than for the men.
King, one of the all-time greats of the women’s game who was at the peak of her powers, saw off the 55-year-old Riggs, a top player in his day, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in Houston.
The Sabalenka-Kyrgios showdown faced backlash, with some calling it a “money grab” while others said it did little to advance the women’s game.
But Sabalenka said she felt exhibition tennis, like the Kyrgios contest, was important.
“I think it’s really important for tennis to keep it interesting, keep it fresh, keep it new, keep it fun,” she said.
She added that she was proud of her part in the “Battle of the Sexes”, despite Kyrgios barely playing in recent years and ranked a lowly 671.
“I am happy that I was able to challenge him, make him work and make him physically get tired and mentally get tired,” she said.
“I felt really excited to see a man getting tired and going for his full game. It was a really cool experience.”
The Brisbane International starts on Sunday with Sabalenka’s sights set on a third Australian Open title after winning in 2023 and 2024. She was beaten in the Melbourne Park final last year by Madison Keys.
Australian police boost security for Sydney Ashes test after Bondi Beach attack
Australian police said they would bolster staffing at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the fifth Ashes test starting on Sunday, weeks after gunmen killed 15 people at a Jewish event in the city.
The father-and-son gunmen are alleged to have carried out the attack at a Hanukkah event at the famed Bondi Beach on December 14.
Australia’s worst mass shooting in almost three decades shocked the nation and stoked fears of rising antisemitism in the country.
The massacre has sparked more active policing in Sydney, Australia’s most populous city and the capital of New South Wales state.
Authorities on Saturday announced a “high-visibility” police presence for the marquee cricket series between Australia and England, which is held every two years.
Measures at the cricket ground, some 5 km (3 miles) from Bondi Beach, would include the riot patrol unit, officers on horseback and officers carrying rifles.
“The difference will be in the visibility of long arms and a stronger presence,” New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said in a statement.
Police said they expected a capacity crowd for day one of the fixture, the final encounter in the five-match series already claimed by Australia.
“Many people may not be used to seeing police carrying rifles at sporting events, but our objective here is to help the public feel safe,” Lanyon said.
Cricket Australia said first responders to the attack and “community members who bravely acted” would be honoured before the start of play on Sunday.
There will be a guard of honour on the field and a round of applause for “emergency response agencies and members of the community in the face of extreme danger”, the governing body said in a statement.
On Wednesday, around 3,000 police, some carrying long arms, were deployed in the city during New Year celebrations, which typically attract over a million revellers.
Bashir, Potts in England squad for final Ashes Test
The tourists look to finish the series on a high
Seamer Matthew Potts and spinner Shoaib Bashir were included in a 12-man England squad Friday for the fifth Ashes Test against Australia as the tourists look to finish the series on a high.
Potts is the only unused fast bowler from their original 16-man squad and gets his chance after Gus Atkinson limped off with a hamstring issue at the previous Test in Melbourne, which England won inside two days.
Fellow quicks Jofra Archer and Mark Wood have similarly succumbed to injury.
Wood (knee) only played the first Test in Perth while Archer was ruled out after the third Test in Adelaide with a side strain.
Australia have already won the series and retained the urn.
Potts is expected to add to his 10 caps in Sydney on Sunday, having last played a Test in December 2024, as a direct replacement for Atkinson.
Bashir and Will Jacks will vie for the final spot.
Bashir was considered England’s top spinner when they arrived in Australia but has yet to play with all-rounder Jacks preferred.
Australia lead the five-Test series 3-1 but England gained confidence from their frantic, four-wicket Melbourne victory.
Opener Zak Crawley said it would be a “pretty good series” if they managed to end it 3-2 down.
“I think there’s a big difference just internally in the group,” he said when asked the difference between losing 4-1 or 3-2.
“It just shows a lot about our group and how united we are if we can get a win.
“It might not go our way, but if we can put up a good performance this week, that says a lot about the group.”
The Sydney Cricket Ground’s head curator Adam Lewis is under-pressure to produce a pitch that helps both bat and ball after the Melbourne wicket was heavily slanted in favour of the fast bowlers.
Batting on that track, which was labelled “unsatisfactory” by the International Cricket Council, was treacherous.
Lewis told reporters his ground staff were aiming for six millimetres of grass, compared to the 10 in Melbourne.
“The only thing we can’t control is the weather,” said Lewis, with rain showers expected on Sunday and Monday.
“We’re just trying to prepare a pitch that’s a great balance for bat and ball.”
England squad: Ben Stokes (capt), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue
Rashid Naseem creates history with 25 world records in a single year
Pakistan’s Rashid Naseem sets 25 Guinness World Records in one year, emerging as the country’s top record holder in 2025 alongside major family achievements.
Pakistan’s renowned martial artist and Guinness World Records holder Rashid Naseem has made history by setting 25 world records within a single year.
According to official data published by Guinness World Records, Rashid Naseem has once again been declared Pakistan’s number one world record holder in 2025. Figures show that a total of 43 Guinness World Records by Pakistani participants have been recognised so far this year, with 25 of them credited to Rashid Naseem alone.
The records were achieved across several demanding disciplines, including skipping, nunchaku, marble tile breaking, boxing punch, and walnut breaking categories. His performances attracted international attention and highlighted Pakistan’s growing presence in competitive record-setting events.
Rashid Naseem secures new Guinness World Record for fastest boxing punches
Rashid Naseem’s achievements were further strengthened by an exceptional family contribution. His daughter, Fatima Naseem, secured four world records, while his wife, Saba Rashid, added one more to the family’s tally. His father, Naseemuddin, created a world record at the age of 73, drawing widespread praise and demonstrating that age is no barrier to excellence.
Overall, 31 out of Pakistan’s 43 recognised world records in 2025 belong to Rashid Naseem and his immediate family, an unprecedented achievement in the country’s sporting history.
Beyond national success, Rashid Naseem also represented Pakistan at world record and talent shows held in Italy, Romania and Spain during the year, where he showcased his skills on international platforms.
Saba Rashid sets another Guinness World Record in martial arts
Other Pakistani athletes who contributed to the national tally include Irfan Mehsud with six records, Mohammad Arshad with two, while Sufyan, Wajahat, Shahzaib and Abdul Basit each secured one record. One world record was also achieved by a private company.
The achievement adds to Rashid Naseem’s growing legacy, following the approval of more than 28 of his world records in 2024.
Australia name squad for T20 World Cup
Australia named injured fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood and big-hitter Tim David in their provisional squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in February-March, while expanding their spin options to suit conditions in Sri Lanka and India.
Cummins, who has not played an international game in the short format since June 2024, was rested from the final two Ashes games against England to manage his back issues, only playing in the third test in the series.
The pacer will undergo final scans later in the month to determine his participation in the World Cup, Cricket Australia said. The teams have until January 31 to name their final squads.
Hazlewood was ruled out of the entire Ashes series with an injury in the Achilles’ region while recovering from a hamstring strain, while David picked up a fresh hamstring injury in the Big Bash League (BBL) on Boxing Day.
“They are tracking well and we are confident they will be available for the World Cup,” Australian chair of selectors George Bailey said.
Australia also handed surprise call-ups to left-armer spinners Matt Kuhnemann and Cooper Connolly, who have just one T20 wicket between them.
They join experienced leg-spinner Adam Zampa, with Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Short offering additional spin support.
“This is a preliminary squad so should changes need to be made they will be made ahead of the support period,” Bailey said.
Connolly has been in sublime form with the bat in the BBL this year with 170 runs in four games at a strike rate of 166.
Australia, who will be playing their group games in Sri Lanka, will be led by Mitchell Marsh as captain, and will kick off their World Cup campaign against Ireland on February 11.
Australia squad for T20 World Cup: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
Arsenal reach League Cup semis with shoot-out win over Palace
Kepa Arrizabalaga was Arsenal’s League Cup quarter-final hero with the decisive penalty shoot-out save that completed a miserable evening for Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix on Tuesday.
Lacroix’s own goal put Arsenal ahead with 10 minutes left at the Emirates Stadium before Marc Guehi snatched Palace’s stoppage-time equaliser in the 1-1 draw.
That set the stage for a shoot-out in which both teams scored their first seven penalties.
William Saliba converted Arsenal’s eighth kick and Kepa dived to his right to save Lacroix’s effort and secure an 8-7 victory.
It was a cathartic moment for the Spanish goalkeeper, who infamously refused to be substituted before Chelsea’s League Cup final penalty shoot-out defeat against Manchester City in 2019.
Kepa also missed a spot-kick in the Blues’ 2022 League Cup final shoot-out loss to Liverpool.
The Gunners will play London rivals Chelsea in the semi-finals over two legs in January and February, with Manchester City facing holders Newcastle in the other last four clash.
“We generated a lot and should have scored many more goals. When you don’t close the games, it can always happen that you concede,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said.
“We had some big individual performances. Kepa, his level of commitment with the group is just incredible.
“I think the players were so composed with the penalties and in the end, Kepa managed to save one. We are where we want to be.”
Arsenal are into the League Cup semi-finals for a second successive year as they chase their first trophy since winning the FA Cup in 2020.
The north Londoners have only won the League Cup twice, with their last triumph coming in 1992-93, before any of their current squad were born.
After celebrating Christmas on Thursday, Arteta’s men will turn their attention back to the title race with home games against Brighton and third-placed Aston Villa to close out 2025.
Winning their first English title since 2004 is clearly Arsenal’s main aim this season, but lifting the League Cup in March would be a significant boost to a club starved of silverware in recent years.
Arteta made eight changes to the side that won at Everton on Saturday, but still fielded a strong line-up featuring William Saliba, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus, who ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in January, started for the first time in 345 days after returning to action as a substitute against Club Brugge earlier this month.
KEPA REDEMPTION
Noni Madueke, another of Arteta’s changes, should have put Arsenal ahead early on but he was twice denied by Palace ‘keeper Walter Benitez, who produced an inspired performance.
Benitez plunged to his left to keep out Jesus’s close-range header with another fine save and repelled another blast from Madueke.
By the time Jurrien Timber headed wastefully over from 10 yards, Arteta must have been wondering if Arsenal would ever make the breakthrough.
Arteta sent on Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard in the second half, the latter making an immediate impact with a cross that Jesus nodded narrowly wide.
Arsenal finally broke the stalemate in the 80th minute.
Not for the first time this season, it was a Gunners set-piece that did the damage as Saka’s corner caused chaos and Lacroix, under pressure from Saliba, poked past Benitez as he tried to clear.
But Palace gave Arsenal a taste of their own set-piece medicine, equalising with their first shot on target in the 95th minute.
Adam Wharton’s free-kick was headed down by Jefferson Lerma and Guehi slotted home from close range.
After a host of nerveless penalties in the shoot-out, Kepa ended as Arsenal’s saviour.
Spurs extend domination of NBA-best Thunder
De’Aaron Fox scored a game-high 29 points while Wembanyama had 19 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes
Reigning champion Oklahoma City have the NBA’s best record, but they cannot beat San Antonio, with superstar Victor Wembanyama coming off the bench Thursday to help lift the Spurs to an emphatic 117-102 victory.
De’Aaron Fox scored a game-high 29 points while Wembanyama had 19 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes and guard Stephon Castle added 19 points for the Spurs, who stretched their win streak to eight games.
“My first Christmas game,” Fox said. “It feels great getting another victory.”
After roaring to a 24-1 start, the Thunder have dropped four of their past six games — three of those losses coming to the Spurs.
“When you play a team of this caliber, the details are much more magnified,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “We did a phenomenal job as the game progressed adhering to those nuances.”
Wembanyama wouldn’t call it a statement win for the season but he says the Spurs have learned from beating the Thunder.
“I’m not really sure it’s smart to think so far into the future,” said Wembanyama.
“This is like a playoff series. We played them three times in 10 days so we learned a lot on the technical side.”
Oklahoma City lost for the first time in 15 home games this season despite 22 points by reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder sank their first seven shots to take an 18-12 lead but the Spurs closed the first quarter on an 11-0 run for a 41-36 edge and never looked back.
“The guys were working their butts off,” Johnson said.
The Spurs improved to 23-7, second in the Western Conference behind the Thunder at 26-5.
Fox made 12-of-19 shots from the floor, 3-of-4 from three-point range.
“He was carrying us a little bit,” Wembanyama said. “He’s a guy who can make things happen.”
The Spurs have not reached the playoffs since 2019 and have not won a playoff series since 2017.
In other games, Houston’s Amen Thompson scored 26 points to lead the Rockets over the host Los Angeles Lakers 119-96.
Kevin Durant added 25 points and Alperen Sengun had 14 points and 12 rebounds for Houston.
“We wanted to come out here and play with a sense of urgency for 48 minutes,” Durant said. “The basketball world is watching you tonight.”
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 25 points while four-time NBA MVP LeBron James added 18 points.
James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, played in his 20th NBA Christmas contest, his holiday record falling to 11-9.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves had 12 points in 15 minutes before leaving with left calf soreness.
Knicks outlast Cavs
At New York, Jalen Brunson scored 34 points to lead the host Knicks over Cleveland 126-124.
The Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 34 points, grabbed a 103-86 lead with 10:25 remaining but New York closed on a 40-21 run to seize the victory.
Benson, who hit 6-of-12 from three-point range, lifted the Knicks ahead for good at 121-119 on a three-pointer with 65 seconds remaining.
It was Benson’s 90th 30-point game as a Knick, a total eclipsed only by Patrick Ewing and Carmelo Anthony.
Jordan Clarkson added 25 points off the New York bench.
At San Francisco, Stephen Curry scored 23 points despite shooting 6-of-18 overall and 2-of-10 from three-point range to lead Golden State over Dallas 126-116.
“Didn’t shoot it well but we got a great win,” Curry said. “Just focused on the details of what this team can do to win.”
Seven Warriors scored in double figures with Jimmy Butler contributing 14 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
The Mavericks’ 19-year-old forward Cooper Flagg, the second-youngest NBA Christmas starter after 18-year-old James in 2003, scored a game-high 27 points.
Dallas star Anthony Davis exited after playing only 11 minutes with what appeared to be a groin injury.
Dallas guard Klay Thompson scored seven points in a return to the Bay Area, where he helped Golden State capture four NBA titles.
Pakistan U19 begin tri-series campaign against Afghanistan
Champions of the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup, Pakistan, will take on Afghanistan in their opening match of the tri-series on Saturday, 27 December at the Harare Sports Club in Harare.
Pakistan clinched the eight-team ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup in Dubai after defeating India by 191 runs in the final in Dubai on 21 December. The side will play a minimum of four matches in the 50-over tri-series, which also includes hosts Zimbabwe.
Pakistan will face Zimbabwe at the Prince Edward School in Harare on 29 December, followed by their second encounter against Afghanistan at the Sunrise Sports Club in Harare on 2 January. Pakistan will then take on the hosts again on Sunday, 4 January.
The top two teams of the tournament will contest the final on Tuesday, 6 January.
The tri-series provides a valuable opportunity for all three sides to prepare for the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup, scheduled to be played in Namibia and Zimbabwe from 15 January to 6 February. Pakistan are placed in Group ‘C’ and will play their group-stage matches in Harare from 16 to 22 January.
The Super Six stage will take place from 25 January to 1 February, followed by the semi-finals on 3 and 4 February. The final of the 16-team tournament will be played at the Harare Sports Club on 6 February.
Pakistan held their first training session on Friday ahead of their first match. Captain Farhan Yousaf, talking to PCB Digital said: “The Asia Cup was a good win for us and the players showed great morale and intensity. The players are confident and excited as we head into the tri-series.
“The tri-series is very important for the players and will help us find the right combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup. The conditions here are similar and will be beneficial for our World Cup preparations.
“Both teams in the tournament are strong and competitive and we respect every opposition as we look forward to a competitive event.”
Mainoo is the future of Man United, says Amorim
He has made 12 appearances this season
Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo has yet to start a Premier League match this season and has been linked with a loan move in the January transfer window but manager Ruben Amorim says the England midfielder is the future of the club.
Mainoo has made 12 appearances this season, with one League Cup start, and is set to miss United’s game against Newcastle United later on Friday due to a calf injury.
Amorim said the 20-year-old will have to be patient but he will get his chance in the side.
“Kobbie Mainoo will have the opportunity, he has all the time,” Amorim told reporters on Thursday.
“He played in different positions, and we talk about the position of Casemiro, he can do that position. “If you play with three (in midfield), he can play – like we played in the last game – the position of Mason Mount in this game, he can play there. “So, in the future, he’s going to be the future of Manchester United. That is my feeling. “So you just need to wait for each chance and everything can change in football in two days.”
With United’s squad missing several players due to injury and the Africa Cup of Nations, Amorim said it would be difficult to accept any request from a player to leave in January.
“It’s going to be hard for someone to leave the club if we don’t get a substitution,” the Portuguese said.
“We are short. Even with the full squad we are short for something that can happen.” Manchester United are seventh in the league with 26 points from 17 games.
Aus lead Eng after crazy day at MCG
20 wickets were fallen on day one of the fourth Ashes Test
An astounding 20 wickets fell on a frantic day one of the fourth Ashes Test on Friday with Australia all out for 152 before storming back to dismiss England for 110 and leave the clash on a knife-edge.
England skipper Ben Stokes won a key toss on a green track and his quicks feasted after sending in the hosts under overcast skies in front of 94,199 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
It was the biggest cricket crowd ever at the cavernous arena, exceeding the 93,013 who watched the 2015 World Cup final, and they witnessed the home side collapse with Josh Tongue grabbing 5-45.
But England fared even worse, slumping to 16-4 and never recovering, leaving Australia to face one over before stumps, which nightwatchman Scott Boland safely negotiated with Travis Head at the other end.
Australia were 4-0 at the close with Boland on four, 46 ahead, with Head yet to face a ball.
“I feel like anyone could have taken a ‘five-fer’ today,” said Tongue, who became the first Englishman to take five wickets in an innings in a Test at the MCG since Dean Headley and Darren Gough in 1998.
“When I’m at my best I’m bowling at that fuller length. Stokes has spoken to us quite a bit about it, going a touch fuller but hitting the pitch hard.
“If we get the ball in the same areas tomorrow we can get them three of four wickets down in the first hour.”
Australia bowler Michael Neser, who took 4-45, was not making any predictions for the second innings after a day when the ball dominated the bat.
“We saw how tough it was when we batted. The ball was nipping around and we needed to bowl in the right areas,” Neser said.
“You need to put pressure back on their bowlers. You need to find the perfect balance between defence and attack.”
Beleaguered England opener Ben Duckett’s week went from bad to worse, out for two just days after unverified video surfaced showing him drunk during a mid-series beach break.
It was another shocking dismissal for the 31-year-old, lobbing a simple catch to Neser at mid-on off the irrepressible Mitchell Starc.
Neser in the next over removed Jacob Bethell, playing in place of the under-performing Ollie Pope, when he edged to Alex Carey behind the stumps.
Zak Crawley was taken in the slips by Steve Smith off Starc four balls later, then Joe Root edged Neser to Carey to put England into freefall.
Harry Brook decided attack was the best form of defence, smashing sixes off Starc and Neser, and with Stokes temporarily halted the carnage.
They put on 50 before Scott Boland trapped Brook lbw for 41.
Boland then bowled Jamie Smith for two and had Will Jacks caught behind, all within the space of 10 deliveries from the 36-year-old.
When Stokes edged Neser to Smith in the slips for 16 it was all but over.
Australia have already retained the Ashes after crushing eight-wicket victories in Perth and Brisbane and an 82-run win in Adelaide.
The tourists lost the famous urn in just 11 days of play with a drinking scandal by players during a beach break piling on the pressure.
Crucial toss
They responded well after Stokes won a crucial toss.
Head drove consecutive boundaries off a wayward Brydon Carse, but he only lasted 22 balls, chopping on Atkinson for 12.
Steve Smith is bowled by Josh Tongue on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test © William WEST / AFP
Jake Weatherald tickled down the leg side to wicketkeeper Smith on 10 in Tongue’s first over.
Tongue then enticed an edge from Marnus Labuschagne on six that was well taken by Root at slip.
Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja began to stabilise the innings before Tongue struck again to bowl the Australia captain for nine.
Khawaja on 29 got the faintest of edges to Smith off Atkinson before Adelaide century-maker Alex Carey, on 20, flicked Stokes to Crawley who had just moved to leg gully.
Cameron Green, who has had a lean series, crunched back-to-back fours off Tongue. Neser, in his fourth Test but first red-ball affair, went one better, cracking three in succession off the same bowler.
But Green ran himself out for 17 going for a risky single then Starc hoisted Carse to a back-pedalling Stokes at mid-off before Tongue removed Neser and Boland.
ACC under Mohsin Naqvi approves launch of high-performance cricket centres
Centres will be developed in phases and prioritised for nations that don’t have advanced infrastructure
Asian cricket’s governing body has approved plans to establish state-of-the-art high-performance centres across the region, aiming to strengthen player development in countries lacking modern training facilities, officials said on Tuesday.
The decision was taken at a special meeting of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) held at its headquarters in Dubai and chaired by ACC President Mohsin Naqvi. The centres will be developed in phases and prioritised for Asian member nations that do not currently have access to advanced cricketing infrastructure.
Naqvi said the initiative would play a key role in the long-term growth of the game in the region, adding that the scope of the ACC’s high-performance centres would be expanded gradually.
The meeting also reviewed organisational matters and the successful staging of the Asia Cup Under-19 tournament. Participants expressed appreciation to the ACC for making effective arrangements for the event.
“The successful conduct of the Asia Cup Under-19 is a testament to the collective efforts of the ACC team, which deserves congratulations,” Naqvi said.
The meeting was attended by Bangladesh Cricket Board President Aminul Islam, Afghanistan Cricket Board Chairman Mirwais Ashraf, Emirates Cricket Board General Secretary Mubashir Usmani, ACC official Thushara Perera, along with other senior representatives.
The ACC said the new high-performance centres would provide modern training facilities and technical support to help raise cricketing standards across Asia.
PCB chairman draws rare fan acclaim in Dubai
In a separate development, the PCB chairman was greeted with loud chants and an unusually enthusiastic reception from Pakistani supporters at the ICC Academy in Dubai, underlining his growing popularity among fans following recent developments in Asian cricket.
Naqvi arrived at the venue as Pakistan’s Under-19 side closed in on victory. Supporters positioned nearly two kilometres away recognised him and began chanting “Pakistan Zindabad” and “Mohsin Naqvi Zindabad”, drawing attention across the ground.
Pakistan and India have played international and tournament matches in the United Arab Emirates for nearly 40 years, but such a public and vocal reception for a cricket board official is considered rare in Dubai.
The ACC head acknowledged the supporters by walking towards the crowd, greeting fans individually and shaking hands. He congratulated them on Pakistan’s performance and thanked them for their continued support of the team during challenging periods.
Among Pakistani fans, Naqvi is increasingly associated with a firm leadership style, particularly after taking a resolute stance during recent disagreements involving the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over Asia Cup-related matters.
His position has resonated with supporters, many of whom view him as having defended Pakistan as well as cricket’s interests at the international level.