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Celtic have officially confirmed that Mexico international Julian Araujo has joined the club on loan from Bournemouth until the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

The 26-year-old full-back is their first signing of the January transfer window and could make his debut for the club against Rangers in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon.

Wilfried Nancy has started Anthony Ralston in the right-sided centre-back role in recent weeks, in Alistair Johnston’s continued absence, and Araujo now looks set to compete for that position in the team.

A new centre-forward is also on the agenda for Celtic after it was recently reported that Columbus Crew attacker Diego Rossi is interested in a potential reunion with Nancy at Parkhead.

Celtic eyeing move for MLS attacker

Whilst the Uruguay international may be keen on a move to Glasgow, the Scottish Premiership champions also have their eye on another MLS star.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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According to the Daily Mail, Celtic are looking to bolster Nancy’s squad with additions in several areas of the pitch during the January transfer window.

The report claims that two centre-backs could be brought in because of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey’s departure, a right-winger is being explored, and they want to sign a new centre-forward.

On the latter position, the outlet reveals that Rossi is just one of two MLS attackers who are on the club’s radar, as they are also interested in Columbus Crew number nine Wessam Abou Ali.

The Daily Mail states that Nancy wants to add more firepower to his squad and has identified his former Columbus Crew marksman, who was signed from Al Ahly for around £6m last summer, as a target.

Why Celtic should sign Abou Ali over Diego Rossi

Rossi is an attractive target for the Hoops on paper because he has already worked with the French boss and scored 40 goals in the 2024 and 2025 campaigns combined, per Sofascore, for Columbus Crew in all competitions.

However, the versatile forward has predominantly played as an attacking midfielder for the MLS side, per Transfermarkt, as he was typically deployed as one of the two 10s behind the starting number nine for Nancy.

In Celtic terms, that means that he would likely be competing with the likes of Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren for a role behind the striker, rather than coming in to be the main man the Hoops currently lack up front.

Celtic’s top 25/26 Premiership scorers

Player

Goals

Benjamin Nygren

8

Daizen Maeda

6

Johnny Kenny

4

Arne Engels

3

Kieran Tierney

3

Stats via WhoScored

As you can see in the table above, the Scottish giants lack a consistent goalscorer in the number nine position who can be relied upon, which is why they should swoop for Abou Ali.

The Palestine international, who was hailed as “clinical” by Columbus Crew general manager Issa Tall, is an out-and-out centre-forward who can come in to replace Johnny Kenny up front and offer a reliable goal threat.

Abou Ali scored three goals from 0.75 xG in five appearances in the MLS in the 2025 campaign after his £6m move from Al Ahly, where he really established himself as a consistent goalscorer.

The 26-year-old frontman scored a staggering 38 goals in 60 appearances for the Egyptian side, per Transfermarkt, which included a return of 18 goals in 19 league matches in the 2023/24 campaign.

Shortly before his move to the MLS, Abou Ali scored three goals from 1.17 xG at the Club World Cup in the summer of 2025, per FotMob, scoring a hat-trick against Porto.

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That means that he has scored his last six goals from just 1.92 xG, which speaks to how clinical and efficient he can be in front of goal. Celtic have lacked that this season, as Kenny has only scored four goals from 6.02 xG in the Premiership, per FotMob.

His statistics for Al Ahly and Columbus Crew suggest that he could be the perfect upgrade on Kenny, providing Celtic with a clinical striker, as a much-needed signing for the Scottish giants.

Whilst Rossi could be a good addition to the squad as an attacking midfielder who carries a goal threat, it is a natural number nine that should be their top priority, because of Kenny’s dismal form.

Related A better move than Araujo: Celtic keen on signing international forward

Celtic are reportedly interested in a deal to sign a forward who could be an even better signing than Julian Araujo.

Posts ByDan Emery

Therefore, bringing in a clinical centre-forward, in the prime years of his career, like Abou Ali could be an even better signing for Celtic than Rossi.

Jon Dakin has rejoined Leicestershire after two seasons with Essex. Dakin was awarded his County Cap with Essex last season after a promising start and ended with 40 wickets. Dakin, 30, also helped them to win the Division Two Championship medal in 2002.However, he has returned to Leicestershire, where he left at the end of 2001, and where he started his career in 1993.David East, Essex’s chief executive, said: “Jon made a valuable contribution in his time at Essex and we thank him for his efforts. We wish him all the best for his return to Leicester.”Meanwhile, James Whitaker, a former captain of the club, has also rejoined Leicestershire as the director of cricket, while Kevin Hill, the chief executive, has agreed to part company.Neil Davidson, the chairman, said: “James Whitaker’s loyalties lie firmly with Leicestershire. His track record when captain demonstrates that he has the credentials to get the best out of players."

Gloucestershire’s groundsman Geoff Swift has landed the ideal retirement present by winning the ‘Out Groundsman Of The Year’ award for the second time.Geoff has been rewarded for his fantastic pitches at the Cheltenham College Ground, which Gloucestershire use for their Cricket Festival.The cricket was exhilarating, and the crowds swelled as the Festival saw Gloucestershire defeat Sussex, Notts and Northants. So a big thank you to Geoff for playing his part in providing such wonderful entertainment.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAfter 1,121 runs and 17 wickets in the first two innings of an extraordinarily slow-burning contest, the first Test in Abu Dhabi all but exploded into a Technicolor fireworks finish, as England fell agonisingly short of glory following a Twenty20-style run-chase.In scenes reminiscent of England’s last great Asian heist, at Karachi in 2000-01, a staggering and unscripted Pakistan collapse opened the door for a gallop to the finish in rapidly fading light. The hero of the hour was Adil Rashid, who turned his long-awaited maiden Test wicket into a redemptive five-wicket haul as Pakistan were routed for 173 in 57.5 overs. However, needing 99 for victory in what amounted to an hour’s worth of daylight, England could not quite defy the heavens in their gallant sprint for the line.Had there been time for Pakistan to bowl their full allocation of 19 overs, the target would have been a breeze for a spirited young line-up featuring many of the men who have revived England’s one-day fortunes this summer. However, despite the best efforts of Joe Root, who hustled 33 from 29 balls, and Jonny Bairstow, who clattered an enormous six over midwicket in a Wahab Riaz over that was dispatched for 17 runs, their rage against the dying of the light left them 25 runs short after an 11-over slog.Pakistan, inevitably, were in no hurry to get through their overs, but they could hardly be faulted for that. England themselves have used delaying tactics to their advantage in the past, not least during their great escape at Cardiff in the 2009 Ashes, when Bilal Shafayat, the 12th man, earned notoriety for his glove-delivering duties. Ultimately it came down to the umpires to assess the conditions, just as they had done on the previous evening. Fifteen years on from Karachi, and with no Steve Bucknor in the middle to take matters into his own hands, the end of the match was signalled with an apologetic shrug of the shoulders, as Bruce Oxenford and Paul Reiffel called a halt to proceedings at 5.46pm local time, seven minutes before sunset was officially confirmed.The first hint that something extraordinary was afoot had come in the third over of Pakistan’s second innings. The morning, up to that point, had been following the pattern of the previous four days – England, 569 for 8 overnight, added 29 runs for the loss of Rashid in a ponderous first hour, before Alastair Cook decided enough was enough and declared on 598 for 9. James Anderson, the not-out No.11, appeared oddly peeved at the decision – perhaps he had designs on a last-day century? – but whatever his gripe, he quickly channelled it into another superb spell of new-ball bowling.With a lead of 75 in the bank, Anderson charged in with all of his tricks on display, grabbing two wickets in five balls to reduce Pakistan to a jittery 3 for 2. Shan Masood was extracted in embarrassing circumstances for the second innings running to complete a miserable match -bowled off the grille on the first day, bowled off an under-edge into the crease on the last – before Shoaib Malik, the first-innings double-centurion, was deceived by a cross-seam bouncer that reared at his throat. Bairstow under the lid accepted a looping chance off the gloves with glee, and little wonder – it had taken 326 balls and 633 balls respectively for either side to double their wickets tally in the first two innings. Now Malik, with scores of 245 and 0, had made it two in 17.Mohammad Hafeez, on his 35th birthday, showed some enterprise in a counter-attacking 34 from 55 balls, including four fours and, on the stroke of lunch, a straight six off Rashid, who moments earlier had reviewed an appeal for caught behind that could, and maybe should, have ended his wait for that maiden Test scalp. But Rashid would be into the action soon enough. After the interval, Hafeez prodded a legbreak into the covers and set off for a suicidal single. Ben Stokes swooped, turned and blew out his candles at the non-striker’s end. At 47 for 3, England’s interest in the contest was ablaze.James Anderson removed Shan Masood and Shoaib Malik in the same over•Associated Press

That interest should, by rights, have been snuffed out by the grandees of Pakistan’s middle-order. After a familiarly skittish start, Younis Khan, with 45 from 114 balls, joined forces with Misbah-ul-Haq, who made 51 from 111, to draw the sting of England’s seam attack. There was one moment of fortune for Misbah, on 19, when he successfully reviewed a catch at gully off Anderson, but their fourth-wicket stand of 66 had taken Pakistan back into the lead, and – at 102 for 3 at tea – apparently out of danger. But then both men took leave of their senses.The first to succumb was Younis, who had played the spinners with such confidence and aplomb until one stroke too many, a wild swipe into the covers that plopped gently into the hands of Ben Stokes. After 265 deliveries and at a cost of 193 runs, Rashid finally had his breakthrough moment.Three overs later, he had doubled his tally and halved his Test average, as Asad Shafiq grazed a drive to be caught behind for 6. However, it was Misbah’s rush of blood that really turned four days of bloodless accumulation into a bare-knuckle fight to the finish. For 111 deliveries spanning 32.3 overs, he had been turning in the sort of responsible-but-glamour-free contribution that has been the hallmark of his time as Pakistan’s captain. But then, inexplicably, he galloped down the pitch to the offspin of Moeen Ali and was bowled through the gate with his head gazing up to the Abu Dhabi skyline.Pakistan, at that juncture, were six-down for 159 and, with the tail exposed and ripe for the docking, Rashid was primed for his slice of redemption. After Wahab had been snapped up at short leg to give Moeen his second of the innings, Rashid ripped through his variations to claim each of the final three wickets to fall and become the first England legspinner since Tommy Greenhough at Lord’s in 1959 to claim five in an innings.Anderson, one of the best spin-bowling slip fielders in the game, was on hand for each of those last three, quite literally in the case of his outstanding left-handed pluck off Zulfiqar Babar – a dismissal which the third umpire, somewhat surprisingly, upheld in spite of the usual concerns about foreshortening on TV replays. Rashid then took two in two balls to wrap up the innings, as Pakistan’s panic spread throughout their ranks.Faced with a time/runs situation, England prudently shuffled their pack, with Moeen and Jos Buttler sent out to wallop the new ball, and Root, Stokes and Bairstow all queuing up behind them. Back in the dressing-room, Alastair Cook sat behind the lines like a decorated military commander – with his Victoria Cross already secured for his above-and-beyond endeavours in the first innings, there was no further need for the captain to lead from the front. His example has already been absorbed by an inspired set of cricketers. If Pakistan assumed they had the measure of these visitors, they might need to think again.

Glasgow Rangers sealed a memorable 6-4 Europa League aggregate win on Thursday night.

James Tavernier grabbed both goals for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team in a 2-2 draw at Ibrox, but the Gers had to suffer at times given that Borussia Dortmund had more possession and more shots on goal.

While some players thrived under the pressure, others seemed to struggle, as The Transfer Tavern use statistical experts SofaScore to analyse who the three worst performers (to have played at least 45 minutes) were for the hosts at Ibrox:

Borna Barisic (6.4)

Admittedly joint with second in terms of rating (6.4), Barisic ranks in third here as he only played one half.

The Croatia international failed to record any dribbles, tackles, key passes or crosses, while he was also guilty of losing the ball seven times in the match.

Scott Arfield (6.4)

Arfield was Rangers’ second-worst player on the night with a 6.4 overall rating given.

The central midfielder missed a big chance in the match and also lost out on five of his duels in total, while failing to complete a successful dribble or key pass.

He also lost the ball 11 times before being replaced by Glen Kamara just shy of the 70-minute mark.

Alfredo Morelos (5.9)

With a 5.9 overall rating, Morelos was ranked as the Light Blues’ worst performer against Dortmund.

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The striker lost a game-high 15 duels and missed two big chances in the match. He also recorded no key passes and gave possession away on no fewer than 20 separate occasions, the second-most out of any of his team-mates.

In other news, one Gers player has had a ‘frustrating’ start to life at the club

	India’s poor fielding and running-between-the-wickets proved costly in this Test © Getty Images

Ponting’s pitch glitch
Australia didn’t make batting look too difficult at the MCG, even thoughthe pitch was uncharacteristically slow. But India’s struggles to post adecent score – they made 196 and 161 – gave a strong hint that it wastough going. Ricky Ponting explained just how awkward it was to get theball away. “That’s probably the hardest wicket to score on that I’ve everplayed a Test match on in Australia,” Ponting said. That’s a big call,considering Ponting has played 65 Tests at home. But it’s perhaps not ahuge surprise – after all, Ponting was out for 4 and 3.A grand total
Cricket is a statistical game but even this one might have slipped underthe radar of some enthusiasts. When VVS Laxman turned Mitchell Johnson fora single to midwicket to take India’s score to 33 it was the 100,000th runscored in Tests at the MCG. Anyone who needed to reach for the calculatorto work out the average aggregate per Test might need a primary-schoolmaths refresher course. It was the ground’s 100th Test, making the averagemighty close to a nice even 1000 runs a game. And how many runs were madein this match? Pretty darn close to the average – 1051.Sealed in the field
India’s poor ground fielding was a talking point and the difference between the sides was never more obvious than when Harbhajan Singh was run out without facing a ball. Sourav Ganguly pushed the ball to cover where Michael Hussey pounced and hurled it back to the bowler Brad Hogg, who ricocheted the ball onto the stumps to have Harbhajan millimetres short after backing up too far. Ponting was a happy man. “Our fielding in both innings of this game was outstanding,” Ponting said. “We took nearly every chance that came our way and the run-out towards the end of today’s play really summed up one of the major differences between the two teams.” Anil Kumble defended his side’s catching but conceded their ground fielding was poor, although with so many over-35s in the team he didn’t think any extra zip would spontaneously appear.The no-ball curse
Thirty seven wickets fell in this game but there were three instances that the scorecard won’t tell you about. Mitchell Johnson and Zaheer Khan had been frustrated by wickets with no-balls and Brett Lee might have had a good appeal against Wasim Jaffer today. Jaffer fended at a short one that appeared to have caught his glove but Billy Bowden’s arm was outstretched by then.

‘It was most heartening to see him come back sostrongly after a long injury lay-off’ – Rahul Dravid was all praise for Munaf Patel © Getty Images

In the short period where play was possible there was one big gain forIndia as Munaf Patel, recovering from an injury to the ankle of hislanding foot, bowled seven overs without any obvious discomfort. What’smore, he was easily the most effective of the bowlers on display, gettingmovement in the air and hitting the right areas, troubling batsmen.Munaf, who picked up 2 for 25 from seven overs, nailing Upul Tharanga andMahela Jayawardene, came in for praise from Rahul Dravidwho addressed a brief press conference shortly after play was called offjust after 8.30pm. “Munaf bowled extremely well today and I amdelighted,” Dravid said, soon after walking off the field where heinspected conditions along with umpires Simon Taufel and Suresh Shastri,and Jayawardene. “He hit the right areas, the right line and lengthstraight from the word go. It was most heartening to see him come back sostrongly after a long injury lay-off. With the amount of cricket that liesahead of us, that is a very encouraging sign.”But while Patel’s return to full bowling fitness was a high note forIndia, their two other mediumpacers were distinctly off colour. ZaheerKhan went for 32 in his five overs and S Sreesanth was even more expensiveconceding 36 in 4.2 overs. “It was a very good batting track,” Dravidsaid. “All credit to Sanath Jayasuriya for the way he batted in favourableconditions. In the end, we did very well to pick up three wickets.”When asked about the abandonment of the match Dravid’s answer was alongexpected lines. “It was most disappointing that the game had to endindecisively. The ground authorities did a great job to try and get theground ready for play, but the conditions were not good enough for play tocontinue,” said Dravid, who appeared to slip on a wet patch just near thepractice pitches when he went out for the final inspection. “I do feel forthe huge crowd, but there was no option but to abandon the match.”

Uganda’s ability to construct decent totals could be the key to their competitiveness when the Under-19 World Cup gets underway in Sri Lanka.The African nation, whose development program is held up as a blueprint for other countries throughout the ICC Associate and Affiliate world, is likely to be able to hold its own with the ball and in the field. But there are question marks over whether the players can back up thoseaspects of their game with sizeable scores when they bat.Uganda reached the World Cup by finishing as runners-up to Namibia in the Africa-East Asia-Pacific qualifying tournament held in Benoni, South Africa last August. They won four of their five matches, including a victory over Kenya, and even beat the Namibians in the group stages before losing to them by three wickets in a closely-contested final. But in all those matches Uganda’s batsmen mustered only one half-century between them, the 61 scored by their captain Hamza Almuzahim against Fiji. In their defence it was a low-scoring tournament, but that worrying trend has continued in the two warm-up matches the side has played in Sri Lanka.In matches against colleges sides, Uganda was bowled out for 161 and 133 and that problem will need to be solved and solved quickly before their Group A matches against the hosts Sri Lanka, and New Zealand and Pakistan. Much of the responsibility for that required improvement will fall on the shoulders of captain Almuzahim, one of ten players in the squad that also took part in the 2004 event in Bangladesh, the first time Uganda played in the finals of the World Cup.Four of the squad – opening bowler Emmanuel Isaneez, allrounder PatrickOchan, vice-captain Raymond Otim, a batsman who bowls legspin, and left-arm medium-pacer Charles Waiswa, were also part of the senior Uganda squad that played in the ICC Trophy in Ireland last July.Along with Almuzahim, the other key members of the batting line-up could be prospective openers Mauneek Solanki and Roger Mukasa, the former U15 captain Arthur Kyobe, wicketkeeper Denis Musali and Jimmy Okello. Musali opened the innings in every match in Benoni and made an unbeaten 27 to steer the side home against Tanzania. The bowling and fielding appears to be less of a concern, especially when judged on performances not only in those qualifiers but also in the two warm-up matches so far.Isaneez, who took 6 for 37 to give Bangladesh a real scare in the Plate competition two years ago, is back to lead the attack again and among those likely to back him up is Ronald Semanda, who took 4 for 28 in the side’s match on Friday.Daniel Ruyange, who took 3 for 15 against Tanzania in Benoni, and Davis Arinaitwe will also bowl offspin while Waiswa played for the Uganda senior side in last year’s ICC Intercontinental Cup. Most intriguing of all is the presence in the squad of offspinner Emmanuel Nakaana. The youngest player in the tournament, he only celebrated his 14th birthday on December 24 last year but has already shown signs of promise and took 4 for 24 in the side’s latest warm-up match.Whatever Uganda’s limitations with the bat, they come to Sri Lanka with a reputation for excellence in the field. They effected four run-outs in one of their games with Namibia in Benoni and Otim is one of their stars in this area. Expect to find him at backward point.Uganda’s only previous appearance in the U-19 World Cup came two years ago, when they lost to South Africa (eight wickets), England (by 213 runs) and Nepal (five wickets) before taking part in the Plate competition. They lost to Ireland (123 runs) and Bangladesh (four wickets) but finished the tournament on a high with a five-wicket win over Canada when they chased 232 for victory.Realistically they are expected to struggle this time around as they have been drawn in one of the two groups that includes three Test-playing sides. But the signs are there that Uganda could be an emerging force within the game over the next few years. They have consistently boasted one of the biggest development programs in the Associate and Affiliate world with over 20,000 children involved in organised sessions. They also have an excellent schools program and the only limitation to growth is a lack of facilities although that, too, is being addressed.The long-term future for cricket in Uganda looks promising and the next three weeks will be another step on the road to growing the game in that country.Uganda squad Hamza Almuzahim (capt), Raymond Otim, Davis Arinaitwe, Emmanuel Isaneez, Arthur Kyobe, Roger Mukasa, Denis Musali, Emmanuel Nakaana, Patrick Ochan, Jimmy Okello, Danniel Ruyange, Mauneek Solanki, Ronald Semanda and Charles Waiswa.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary

Glenn McGrath not only gave Australia a great start but came back to finish the job as well© Getty Images

Australia are lucky that Glenn McGrath never tires of hauling them from danger. McGrath pushed New Zealand back at the start of their innings, and knocked them off in the second-last over of a thrilling first one-day international at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington.While his team-mates felt the pressure and spilled no-balls and overthrows, McGrath grabbed the ball for his final act and wrapped up Hamish Marshall, who was a No. 1 haircut away from a Michael Bevan-esque escape, and Daryl Tuffey to end a pulsating match. They should have lost, but won by 10 runs thanks to experience.Marshall’s bird’s-nest hair became an iconic symbol of Twenty20 on Thursday, and he proved he was more than a hirsute gimmick with a cool 76 from 69 balls on a tricky pitch that glued up most batsmen’s strokeplay. His only mistake was to challenge convention by an extra half-metre, as he pushed across to McGrath and leg-glanced on to his stumps (224 for 9).The giggles of Twenty20 were shaved away like the New Zealanders’ facial hair, and teams that had bonded over a novelty were again onfield enemies in the fight between the world’s top two one-day sides. Both outfits recovered from batting mistakes that appeared deadly at the time to fulfil expectations for a roaring start to the series.New Zealand were crushed by McGrath and Brett Lee as they took 22 runs and lost two wickets in the first ten overs. Drifting aimlessly at 113 for 5 in the 34th over, Marshall strengthened his position with the big-hitting Craig McMillan after losing Chris Cairns to a horrible run-out and Nathan Astle, whose 65 stabilised the innings when it wanted to flat-line.McMillan lifted the pace – and Andrew Symonds over the grandstand – with a massive slog that lost the ball. The run carried along Marshall, happier to place his shots and scurry between the wickets, and when McMillan fell to Adam Gilchrist’s fabulous stumping off McGrath – he was standing up to him – the momentum was maintained. Gilchrist walked up to take McGrath and Michael Kasprowicz in a brave display, and the ball which picked up McMillan was timed at 136kph.

Scott Styris brought New Zealand back into the contest with four vital wickets as Australia were kept down to 236© Getty Images

The target of 77 from the final 10 overs was cut to 32 from four and 13 from two. Australia were flustered, and held more conferences than a five-star hotel. Lee walked up for his second over of the spell and took care of Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori, before McGrath closed the show with 4 for 16. He did show that he wasn’t perfect, though, by dropping a catch.Batting against the medium-pacers had been a struggle for Australia; it was even harder against the quicker men. McGrath’s opening was unrelenting, giving away only seven runs in as many overs. The accuracy did for Mathew Sinclair, who pushed forward and away from his body, for Gilchrist to take an easy catch (16 for 2). By then Stephen Fleming had fallen to a questionable Aleem Dar lbw decision as Lee came around the wicket (13 for 1). Lee was fast, but Fleming was closer to furious.Fleming’s mood was much better when his side bowled, despite a closing half-century from Symonds that boosted Australia’s competitiveness. At the toss Fleming asked his bowlers to take the pace off the ball, and Styris followed the orders with a stunning display.Australia lost a dreadful 5 for 20 – they faced similar setbacks in the two Chappell-Hadlee Series games in December – to fall from the comfort of 140 for 1 to severe trauma after Styris became involved. He had already cheered the important wickets of Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting, who both made half-centuries, before he burst in with the scalps of Damien Martyn and Michael Clarke in his eighth over (158 for 5). Medium-pace at best, Styris ran his fingers over the seam in a way that would have impressed the absent Chris Harris, and collected 4 for 40.Playing himself in as wickets fell, Symonds was repaid for his patience with 53 from 44 balls, and lifted Australia in a necessary late spree, adding 69 with the help of Brad Hogg (25 not out). Australia will point fingers at the middle order for blowing a large total after they failed to adapt once Hayden and Ponting combined for 133.Reinstated at the top of the order after being dropped for the VB Series finals, Hayden scored 71 from 109 balls in a scratchy but confidence-boosting display that included favourable lbw and caught-behind decisions from Billy Bowden. Ponting was also below his most fluent as he played his side’s finest innings. He deserved to be disappointed with his batsmen, and in awe of his bowling leader.

Details of Hayden’s inningsMins      Balls    Balls for 50s50         167        107        107100        308        208        101150        343        242         32200        412        292         50250        463        321         29300        529        362         41350        588        402         40380        622        437          –

Highest Test scores380    Matthew Hayden     Australia v Zimbabwe    Perth          2003-04375    Brian Lara         West Indies v England   St John’s      1993-94365*   Garry Sobers       West Indies v Pakistan  Kingston       1957-58364    Len Hutton         England v Australia     The Oval       1938340    Sanath Jayasuriya  Sri Lanka v India       Colombo        1997-98337    Hanif Mohammad     Pakistan v West Indies  Bridgetown     1957-58336*   Walter Hammond     England v New Zealand   Auckland       1932-33334*   Mark Taylor        Australia v Pakistan    Peshawar       1998-99334    Don Bradman        Australia v England     Leeds          1930

Highest Test scores by Australians380    Matthew Hayden    v Zimbabwe   Perth         2003-04334*   Mark Taylor       v Pakistan   Peshawar      1998-99334    Don Bradman       v England    Leeds         1930311    Bob Simpson       v England    Manchester    1964307    Bob Cowper        v England    Melbourne     1965-66304    Don Bradman       v England    Leeds         1934

Highest Test scores for Australia at Perth380    Matthew Hayden    v Zimbabwe     2003-04219    Michael Slater    v Sri Lanka    1995-96200    David Boon        v New Zealand  1989-90197    Ricky Ponting     v Pakistan     1999-00176    Bob Simpson       v India        1977-78171    Ian Redpath       v England      1970-71

Hayden’s Test runs in last four calendar yearsRuns     Avge2000       267     33.372001      1391     63.222002      1160     72.502003       837     76.09

Most sixes in a Test innings12  Wasim Akram       Pakistan v Zimbabwe          Sheikhupura          1996-9711  Matthew Hayden    Australia v Zimbabwe         Perth                2003-0411  Nathan Astle      New Zealand v England        Christchurch         2001-0210  Wally Hammond     England v New Zealand        Auckland             1932-339  Chris Cairns      New Zealand v Zimbabwe       Auckland             1995-969  Inzamam-ul-Haq    Pakistan v New Zealand       Lahore               2002

Highest totals by Australia in Tests758-8d    Australia v West Indies     Kingston             1954-55735-6d    Australia v Zimbabwe        Perth                2003-04729-6d    Australia v England         Lord’s               1930701       Australia v England         The Oval             1934695       Australia v England         The Oval             1930674       Australia v India           Adelaide             1947-48668       Australia v West Indies     Bridgetown           1954-55