Former Lyon chief John Textor has labelled himself an 'agent of change' as he slammed French football's 'corrupt' governance and watchdog decisions.

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Lyon won its appeal and has been reinstated to Ligue 1Textor criticises the DNCG's decision-making processCrystal Palace's Europa League spot now at riskFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The seven-time French champions have successfully appealed their provisional relegation and have been reinstated to Ligue 1 for the upcoming season. This decision by the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG), followed the club's demotion at the end of last season. Textor, whose Eagle Football Holdings owns a majority share in Lyon, had previously resigned from the club's board following the initial relegation, and has criticised the DNCG's decision process as "very subjective" and "not black and white."

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Textor questioned how a financially sound club like Lyon, with significant cash on hand and projected future revenue, could be relegated for sustainability. The Eagle group owner contrasted the DNCG's approach with UEFA's extremely professional sustainability review, which Lyon passed in the same week. Textor further accused the DNCG of being "very subjective," alleging they arbitrarily discounted substantial revenues such as player transfers and multi-club cash flows from Botafogo, claiming the DNCG would effectively count player revenues and transfer revenues as zero.

WHAT TEXTOR SAID

In a conversation with , When asked if he was the reason for Lyon's initial sanctions, Textor said: "I think I'm very much the issue."

The American businessman elaborated on his role, stating: "I'm attempting to be an agent of change. I think the governance in France is not working. We're trying to bring a Premier League model in which every club has a vote. It hasn't been done that way previously. The league is constantly being accused of corruption. There was just a claim against the president."

Textor further went on to criticise the DNCG: "The French Football Federation is trying to take over, which is a huge mistake. And I show up and we have a bunch of panels and I say I'm literally challenging the existence of the DNCG and whether or not they should exist. So if I'm talking about a new model, a reformist model where there is no DNCG but there are black and white rules like we have in the Premier League, I'm probably not the best guy to go in front of that same DNCG and ask their support. So yes, the problem is me."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR LYON?

Lyon's reinstatement to Ligue 1 clears the path for the club to participate in the Europa League next season. However, this decision has significant ramifications for Crystal Palace. Due to UEFA's multi-club ownership rules, Crystal Palace, despite winning the FA Cup and Textor selling his shares to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, will likely be demoted to the Conference League. The Eagles will most certainly appeal should they be denied their first European campaign.

The South Africa captain ran a couple of laps around the Eden Gardens outfield, before doing some shuttle runs

Firdose Moonda13-Nov-20231:00

Firdose Moonda’s update on Temba Bavuma’s fitness from Kolkata

Three days before their World Cup semi-final against Australia, South Africa were given a potential boost, as their captain Temba Bavuma took full part in an optional training session, at Eden Gardens, on Monday.Bavuma ran a couple of laps around the outfield, before doing some fitness drills under the watchful eye of the team physiotherapist Sizwe Hadebe and the strength and conditioning coach Runeshan Moodley. He then proceeded to do some shuttle runs, increasing the pace with each lap, and then moved to running drills as he moved forward and backwards. While Bavuma occasionally looked uncomfortable and bent over with his hand on his sides, he did not appear to be at any unease while running. The South Africa captain was seen with a bit of a strapping on his thigh.Later in the session, Bavuma padded up and shadow batted with a stump before having a lengthy conversation with coach Rob Walter. After watching Rassie van der Dussen for a while, Bavuma then padded up and went into a net, where he spent around 50 minutes batting. He even advanced down the track to hit a few balls.Related

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“Temba’s right hamstring strain has shown good objective signs of improvement over the last 72 hours,” said a statement from the South African medical team. ” We will continuously assess his progress through the management plan over the next few days towards giving him the best chance to play on Thursday.” They also clarified that the work Bavuma was putting in on Monday was not for a fitness test but merely “part of the rehabilitation strategies of the recovery plan.”Bavuma had suffered a hamstring injury during South Africa’s league game against Afghanistan in Ahmedabad last week. He left the field after nine balls of the first innings, and returned four overs later but limped as he fielded – mostly at mid-off. He chased balls gingerly and hobbled as he jogged to talk to his bowlers but did not go off again, with his role as opening batter in mind. Had Bavuma spent significant time off the field, he would have only been allowed to bat after the same amount of time had elapsed or until at least five batters had been dismissed, which he did not want to do as he searches for form. To date, Bavuma has a top score of 35 at the tournament, and scored 23 against Afghanistan.CSA had said on Sunday that Bavuma had “shown an improvement” overnight, and that he had not been sent for scans, but did not give an official update on his current condition.If Bavuma is unable to play the semi-final, Aiden Markram is likely to captain South Africa – as he did when Bavuma missed the England and Bangladesh games with illness – while Reeza Hendricks could open the batting.

كشفت مجلة “فرانس فوتبول”  قائمة حراس المرمى المرشحين للفوز بـ جائزة ياشين، والتي يتم منحها للأفضل في كل عام.

وتعلن “فرانس فوتبول” بصورة مباشرة عبر حساباتها على وسائل التواصل الإجتماعي، عن عدة جوائز فردية أبرزها جائزة الكرة الذهبية “بالون دي أور” لعام 2025.

وتعتبر تلك النسخة هي الثانية بعد تطبيق الشراكة بين الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم، يويفا، ومجلة “فرانس فوتبول” العالمية.

اقرأ أيضًا | منهم ثنائي برشلونة.. المرشحون لجائزة كوبا لأفضل لاعب صاعد 2025

أيضًا يتم الإعلان عن المرشحين لجائزة “كوبا” لأفضل لاعب شاب، وجائزة كرويف لأفضل مدرب، وأفضل نادي كرة قدم رجال وسيدات، وأفضل لاعب كرة قدم رجال وسيدات. المرشحون لجائزة أفضل حارس مرمى في 2025

أليسون بيكر، ليفربول، منتخب البرازيل.

ياسين بونو، الهلال السعودي، منتخب المغرب.

لوكاس شوفالييه، ليل الفرنسي، منتخب فرنسا.

تيبو كورتوا، ريال مدريد، منتخب بلجيكا.

جيانلويجي دوناروما، باريس سان جيرمان، منتخب إيطاليا.

إيميليانو مارتينيز، أستون فيلا، منتخب الأرجنتين.

يان أوبلاك، أتليتكو مدريد، منتخب سلوفينيا.

ديفيد رايا، آرسنال، منتخب إسبانيا.

ماتز سيلس، نوتنجهام فورست، منتخب بلجيكا.

يان سومر، إنتر ميلان، منتخب سويسرا.

They are our 2025 Yachine trophee nominees! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/eZe2oekLta — Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) August 7, 2025

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O Corinthians foi prejudicado contra o Goiás e deveria sair do estádio da Serrinha com os três pontos, mas o clube não pode usar a muleta da arbitragem para justificar mais uma atuação abaixo da média fora de casa no Brasileirão.

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+ Dupla de ataque vai mal no empate do Corinthians; veja notas

Assim como em boa parte dos jogos como visitante no segundo turno, o Timão sofreu para impor sua qualidade e sofreu mais do que o necessário contra um adversário tecnicamente inferior.

Com uma lista grande de desfalques, Vítor Pereira promoveu algumas mudanças na equipe, especialmente no sistema defensivo, mas manteve o seu tradicional 4-3-3. Bruno Méndez entrou na vaga de Fagner na lateral-direita, Robert Renan formou dupla com Gil, e Piton atuou pela esquerda.

O garoto da base roubou a cena e novamente foi o melhor jogador da linha defensiva, mostrando excelente leitura para realizar cortes e interceptações, e auxiliando a equipe na saída de bola.

O grande problema do Corinthians no primeiro tempo foi a transição defensiva. Ao perder a posse, a equipe de Vítor Pereira não conseguia roubar a bola no ataque e dava campo para o Goiás contra-atacar.

+ Veja tabela e simule a reta final do Brasileirão

O Esmeraldino só não abriu o placar pois também pecou na conclusão das jogadas, e Piton fez um gol ao bloquear chute de Dadá Belmonte.

O Timão voltou mais organizado após o intervalo e neutralizou as investidas do Goiás, mas a equipe alvinegra não transformou o amplo domínio em gols. Os jogadores erravam muitos passes e domínios fáceis, e em sua maioria não foram felizes na tomada de decisão com a bola no pé.

Giuliano era o homem mais lúcido e participativo da equipe, se movimentando e criando tabelas com seus companheiros, mas a equipe alvinegra não furava o bloqueio dos mandantes. Segundo o Footstats, o clube alvinegro não finalizou na meta de Tadeu nos últimos 45 minutos de jogo.

As alterações de Vítor Pereira na etapa final não surtiram efeito positivo, enquanto a entrada de Apodi deixou o Goiás mais perigoso pelos lados.

Quando a partida se encaminhava para o empate, Yuri Alberto fez o que seria o gol para lavar a alma dos corintianos, mas o VAR referendou a decisão de campo e anulou o gol marcado pelo centroavante. A sorte não estava do lado do Timão, haja visto o cabeceio na trave de Guilherme Biro no último lance do jogo.

Com mais dois jogos fora de casa (Flamengo e Coritiba), o Corinthians precisa evoluir longe da Neo Química para não sofrer e garantir o quanto antes a vaga direta à fase de grupos da Libertadores. O objetivo do clube está longe de ser ameaçado, mas novamente a atuação coletiva como visitante deixou o alerta ligado.

Bayern Munich have dropped their interest in Leandro Trossard and are eyeing a move for Arsenal team-mate Gabriel Martinelli.

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• Bayern linked with Trossard
• Arsenal winger does not want to join German side
• Bundesliga champions continue to keep an eye on Diaz

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bayern's quest to sign a winger this summer has seen them linked with numerous names. The latest name circulating in the media is that of Trossard, who could be weighing up his options ahead of a potential summer switch. However, a report from in Germany confirms that the Bavarians are unlikely to sign the Arsenal man.

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  Per the report, Trossard has received numerous inquiries, despite reportedly being offered a new deal at the Emirates Stadium. After going through a change of agents, the ex-Brighton star is now managed by Dirk Hebel, which has cast doubts over his future in the Premier League. Although the Belgian is believed to be happy in north London, reports suggest that he has agreed a shock move to Fenerbahce after having conversations with head coach Jose Mourinho. mention that no concrete negotiations have taken player between Bayern and the player, who seems unwilling to sign for the Bundesliga champions.

  However, now claims that Brazil international Martinelli has drifted into Bayern's focus, though they are yet to act on their reported interest. Martinelli, 24, has two years left on his contract with the Gunners and played in 51 games in all competitions last season. He made 33 Premier League appearances, with 25 of those coming off the bench.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Despite the setback in pursuit of Trossard's signature, Die Roten continue to hope that they will be able to secure Diaz's services. The Liverpool man is willing to depart Anfield with just two years left on his contract. While the Reds were hesitant to entertain offers for the Colombian initially, their stance appears to have changed in recent days. Per reports, the Premier League holders will let Diaz go if they receive an offer worth at least €70 million (£60m/$82m). Bayern would be willing to offer the left winger a contract until 2029 or 2030, but it remains to be seen if they will match Liverpool's valuation. As things stand, talks are yet to take place.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN MUNICH?

  Vincent Kompany's side will play two summer friendlies — against Tottenham on August 7 and Grasshoppers on August 12 — before kicking off the 2025-26 season by taking on Stuttgart in the DFL-Supercup on August 16.

Ecclestone struggled to find consistency in lines and lengths and returned figures of 1 for 85 off 22 overs

S Sudarshanan14-Dec-2023

England fast bowler Lauren Bell has said that a rare off day with the ball for left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone put additional pressure on the bowling unit in the one-off women’s Test against India in Mumbai.Following a three-day gap after the final T20I, Ecclestone struggled to find consistency in lines and lengths and returned figures of 1 for 85 off 22 overs, the most expensive among the bowlers used on day one. She managed to dismiss debutant Satheesh Shubha, who miscued a pull shot to short midwicket.”Sophie is human and is not going to be unbelievable [by] taking ten wickets every day,” Bell said. “She’s obviously come back from a big [right shoulder] injury. It’s impressive that she is out there and she will bounce back. It puts pressure on us.”[Conditions were] tough as a fast bowler out there. As a group, we have come together, and it is no one person’s responsibility. We are a close-knit unit and we’ll try and get them together.”Related

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India posted 410 for 7, the second-highest total in a single day of a women’s Test, after opting to bat first with half-centuries from Shubha, Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia and Deepti Sharma. There were 100-run partnerships between Shubha and Rodrigues – 115 for the third wicket – and Harmanpreet Kaur and Bhatia – 116 for the fifth wicket, and a 92-run stand for the seventh wicket between Deepti and Sneh Rana.Bell, who dismissed Smriti Mandhana and Rodrigues, said that the pitch became flatter as the day wore on and India’s left-right batting partnerships made it tough for England.”I am used to swinging the ball but it didn’t swing loads upfront,” she said. “Later on it swung for me and we got a bit of movement off the pitch. It’s definitely gotten a bit flatter and is tough to bowl. You’ve just got to attack the stumps and keep them in play as much as possible.”Having left-right [batting combinations] definitely added to the challenge. You have to keep changing lines constantly as a bowler.”Bell is on her first bilateral tour of India as an England cricketer but was part of UP Warriorz – coached by England head coach Jon Lewis – in the Women’s Premier League in 2023. While she did not get a game in the tournament, she worked on “getting stronger, quicker and more skilful” after flying home to the UK.”The more times I get to play in front of crowds in big pressure moments, in important times, it helps as a cricketer,” she said. “It pushes my game on. As a cricketer I needed to get stronger and more skilful. I wanted to get stronger, get quicker. I wanted to prolong my spells and get more skills in my armour.” None of us thought Harmanpreet was out, says Bell India captain Harmanpreet was on 49 when she pushed a delivery from offspinner Charlie Dean towards covers and took a few steps down for a run before retreating. Danni Wyatt got around from point and, in a bid to return the ball to the wicketkeeper, effected a direct hit at the striker’s end. Tammy Beaumont, standing at short leg, and Amy Jones put in a polite enquiry that was referred upstairs.The players began returning to their fielding spots when replays showed Harmanpreet’s bat getting stuck outside the crease when the bails were dislodged.”We had no idea,” Bell said of the dismissal. “Danni had gone back to deep point and none of us thought it was out. And suddenly Danni’s on the boundary line [and celebrating]. That was a big surprise and quite welcoming.”It was the second time this year that Harmanpreet was out in this manner. The first was in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup against Australia earlier this year, where India collapsed after her wicket and went on to lose by five runs. Harmanpreet was very ill in the lead-up to that game.

يستعد مانشستر سيتي بقوة للموسم الجديد تحت قيادة المدرب الاسباني بيب جوارديولا، خاصة بعد خسارته لقب كأس العالم للأندية في بداية الصيف.

وسيلعب مانشستر سيتي آخر مبارياته الودية ضد باليرمو يوم 9 أغسطس، ويستهل مشواره في البريميرليج بلقاء وولفرهامبتون يوم السبت 16 الشهر الحالي.

اقرأ أيضاً.. إيفرتون يبدأ محادثات مع مانشستر سيتي لضم لاعبه

وأصبح مستقبل ماتيو كوفاسيتش لاعب مانشستر سيتي محل الكثير من التكهنات، بعد أن بلغ عامه الـ31 خلال شهر مايو الماضي.

ووفقاً لصحفي سكاي سبورت “فابريزيو رومانو” فإن ماتيو كوفاسيتش لاعب خط وسط مانشستر سيتي قد تلقى عروضاً من دوري روشن السعودي في الأسابيع الماضية.

ومع ذلك فإن ماتيو كوفاسيتش يركز حالياً على بقائه مع مانشستر سيتي، وتحرص إدارة النادي والجهاز الفني على بقاء الكرواتي ضمن قائمة بيب جوارديولا.

وكان ماتيو كوفاسيتش قد انضم لصفوف مانشستر سيتي في عام 2023 قادماً من صفوف تشيلسي.

وحقق لاعب خط الوسط الكرواتي مع مانشستر سيتي بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي مرتين وبطولة الدرع الخيرية 2024 والسوبر الأوروبي وكأس العالم للأندية في 2023.

MatériaMais Notícias

A confirmação do Palmeiras como campeão do Brasileirão já estabeleceu qual será a decisão da Supercopa do Brasil em 2023. O Verdão medirá forças com o Flamengo, que conquistou a Copa do Brasil.

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A CBF marcou a partida para o dia 28 de janeiro. Ainda não há local definido para o confronto que vale o supercampeonato do Brasil.

Esta não é a primeira vez que as duas equipes se enfrentam na Supercopa do Brasil. Em 2021, o Rubro-Negro venceu nos pênaltis os alviverdes após um acirrado empate em 2 a 2.

O Palmeiras conquistou o Campeonato Brasileiro com três rodadas de antecedência nesta quarta-feira (2) sem entrar em campo. A equipe de Abel Ferreira foi beneficiada com a derrota do Internacional, vice-líder da competição, para o América-MG, por 1 a 0.

O Flamengo, por sua vez, foi campeão da Copa do Brasil ao vencer o Corinthians nos pênaltis.

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham is loving his new role at the club under Xabi Alonso as he can finally showcase his versatility at the centre of the park. The English midfielder is preparing to achieve a new landmark with Los Blancos when they take on European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup.

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• Bellingham thanked Alonso for new role
• Set to play his 100th match for Madrid
• Los Blancos face PSG in CWC semi-finals

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bellingham, who has reached several impressive milestones since joining Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023, is on the verge of unlocking a new achievement as he will appear in his 100th game for the club against PSG in the Club World Cup semi-finals.

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• WHAT BELLINGHAM SAID

  Ahead of the crucial clash, the 22-year-old told of his new role under Alonso: "It's different because every game I feel fortunate to be able to tactically analyze how I've played. I have different roles in the same game. I have defensive responsibilities and different ones with the ball. Every game is an opportunity to play differently. I like it when I look at the lineup and figure out where I'm going to play.

  "I like that. As I've always said, I'll do whatever it takes for the team, no matter what position I play. One of my strengths is that I can play in different positions, and I like the coaches to see that in me. I can fulfill any role for them. I feel good, I can play comfortably. I want to make the team play well. We're a team that enjoys playing, as always, but especially with the new ideas and this renewed enthusiasm from the new coach and his staff. We're in a good place, and I'm enjoying this new phase."

  Watch every game of the FIFA Club World Cup live on DAZNStream now

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  In his 99 appearances for Los Blancos across all competitions, Bellingham has scored 38 goals and provided 28 assists, and the England international is hoping to represent the Spanish giants for many more years. He added: "I'm very proud to be able to achieve this. Everyone knows that 100 appearances for Real Madrid is a huge dream come true and a huge achievement. I can't believe what it means to play for this club. The level you have to be at, the effort you have to put in to play. Being able to represent this club 100 times is incredible, a huge achievement for me and my family. I hope there are another 100 to come. here are many dreams fulfilled. Winning the Champions League, La Liga, playing with incredible players, having played great matches, scoring important goals, achieving big goals.

  "All of this is part of the dream of being a Real Madrid player. I want to continue achieving great goals. Helping the team win the two remaining matches, bringing the title back to Madrid, and continuing to perpetuate the club's dazzling greatness. The expectations are enormous because it's the biggest club in the world, but I love all of this and I'm convinced I want to be a part of it."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Xabi Alonso's in-form Real Madrid side will hope to set up a Club World Cup final clash with Chelsea by beating Luis Enrique's fearsome PSG at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Wednesday.

Former South Africa captain hopes to finish his Test career in Cape Town, his “favourite stadium in the world”

Firdose Moonda22-Dec-2023

Dean Elgar, South Africa’s former Test captain and stalwart opening batter, will play his last international series against India this summer. Elgar, 36, announced his decision to retire from international cricket after the New Year’s match, which is scheduled to start on January 3 in Cape Town.If in the playing XI for both Tests against India, Elgar will finish on 86 Tests in a career that has spanned 12 years. “Playing the game of cricket has always been a dream of mine but having the opportunity to represent your country is the ultimate! Having had the privilege to do it for 12 years internationally is simply beyond my wildest dreams,” he said in a statement. “It has been an incredible journey that I have been fortunate enough to have.”The Cape Town Test will be my last. My favourite stadium in the world. A place I scored my first Test run against New Zealand and hopefully my last too.”With 5146 runs, Elgar is South Africa’s eighth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket – only eight have gone past 5000 runs – and 352 runs behind Mark Boucher, who is seventh on the list.ESPNcricinfo understands that Elgar was informed that he was not part of red-ball coach Shukri Conrad’s long-term plans. He has been linked with Essex as an overseas player for the 2024 season.Elgar’s decision means he will be unavailable for South Africa’s two-Test series in New Zealand, where they will be forced to send a makeshift side because several frontline players will be involved in the SA20 league. Elgar does not have an SA20 deal and would have been the most experienced player in the squad, and potentially even asked to captain in Temba Bavuma’s absence. Instead, Titans’ batter Neil Brand is expected to lead South Africa and partner Tony de Zorzi at the top of the order. Brand and de Zorzi opened the batting together for South Africa A against West Indies A in a recent three-match series.Asked ten days ago whether Elgar was considering ending his international career, CSA director of cricket Enoch Nkwe told ESPNcricinfo that “nothing has come to my table”, but would be meeting with players and their agents “over the next couple of weeks”. Nkwe has held several discussions in the interim and paid tribute to Elgar’s contributions over the years.”Dean Elgar represents a rare brand of cricketer in an age where everything is about innovation and power-hitting. He is a real old-school cricketer that can dig in, absorb and fight. I have no doubt the game will dearly miss him,” Nkwe said. “He has always given everything for his country and never showed any fear, no matter the opposition. He was always there to take on the challenge, leading as captain when the country needed him most.”Dean Elgar led South Africa in 17 Tests, winning nine of them•AFP/Getty Images

Elgar made his debut in Perth on South Africa’s tour of Australia in 2012, when they were ranked No. 1 in the world, and became the 38th player to record a pair on debut – a list that stands at 45 now – but scored a century in his third match and went on to record 13 hundreds, against all Test opposition other than Pakistan and Zimbabwe. His favourite opponents were Sri Lanka, against whom he scored a match-winning hundred in Galle in 2014, followed by two more centuries in 2017 and 2021.Elgar stood in as captain for Faf du Plessis, who was on paternity leave, for the first Test of South Africa’s 2017 tour of England and again for two Tests against Pakistan in 2019, and was named permanent captain of the Test side in mid-2021. He led South Africa to series wins in the West Indies and against India at home, and drew a series against New Zealand in early 2022, which saw them top the World Test Championship (WTC) table at the time. But away losses to England and Australia in 2022-23 meant South Africa missed out on the WTC final earlier this year. Elgar was replaced as captain when there was a reshuffle of the coaching staff in February but continued to play under Bavuma.It is understood that Elgar was unhappy with the decision to be stood down but accepted a new central contract at the end of March. With South Africa only due to play two Test series in the 2023-2025 WTC cycle, Elgar felt his Test career would be limited by the schedule and sources have confirmed he wanted to finish on a high at home.