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Ricky Ponting tears apart Australia after Bangladesh shock

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‘Very embarrassing defeat’: Ricky Ponting tears apart Australia after Bangladesh shock
Australian captain Pat Cummins, leads his players from the field following their nine wicket loss to Banglade (Image via AP)

Former Australia captains and batters Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden have called for changes to Australia’s Test team after Bangladesh inflicted a historic nine-wicket defeat on Pat Cummins‘ side in Darwin.Australia were comprehensively outplayed in the opening Test, suffering their first Test defeat to Bangladesh on home soil. The result has prompted calls for the selectors to begin rebuilding the side ahead of the second Test in Mackay, Queensland, starting on August 22.Ponting, speaking to Channel 7, described the loss as a “very embarrassing defeat” and said the result should force Australia to begin regenerating the team.“Look, I’m the last one who wants to make change. As a captain or as a player, I wanted to keep the group together,” the former Australia captain said.Ponting stressed that he had previously been reluctant to advocate for major changes, but believed there had already been enough signs before the series that Australia could start introducing fresh faces.“It has to get to a bad point before I start saying you ought to leave somebody out. But there had been enough evidence for me coming here to suggest that they weren’t going to lose anything or much at all by starting that regeneration, by maybe bringing in another opener, by maybe bringing in someone at No. 3,” he said.“And I think if they lose here, then I think that has to happen.”Matthew Hayden also backed the idea of reshaping Australia’s batting order, suggesting Sam Konstas and Matt Renshaw should be brought back into the side.Hayden believes Travis Head should move down the order rather than continue opening, while he questioned Alex Carey’s position at No. 5.“(Opening is) not (Head’s) best position. I think his best position is still at No. 5. I don’t like Alex Carey coming out at No. 5,” Hayden said.The former Australia opener said the current combination appeared uncertain despite the depth available in Australian cricket.“It just feels a little shaky and uncertain,” he added. “And why are we in this position? Australian cricket is so strong. It doesn’t need to be in that position, in my opinion.”Hayden also acknowledged that selecting the replacements would not be straightforward, particularly when deciding between players with current match fitness and those with greater potential.“But who you pick, that’s a great question. Are you picking match-fit players or are you picking players on talent? Like a Sammy Konstas, for example?” he said.Australia’s batting struggles were exposed during the first Test after they were bowled out for 198 in their first innings. Bangladesh responded with 426, taking a 228-run lead.Cameron Green offered Australia’s strongest resistance in the second innings with 104, his third Test century and first in Australia. However, Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed five wickets as Australia were dismissed for 284.Bangladesh then chased a target of 57 in only 14.2 overs, losing one wicket to complete a landmark victory.The result has increased pressure on Australia’s selectors, with Ponting and Hayden now joining the growing calls for changes before the second Test.

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Pro wrestler LaBron Kozone reacts to ‘generational’ talent superlative

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NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Pro wrestler LaBron Kozone signed a multi-year deal with Major League Wrestling (MLW) in March and was immediately described as a blue-chip and “generational” prospect.

Kozone won a few matches and is heading into Saturday’s “Fusion” looking to enact some revenge against Joe Coffey after the Scottish superstar took out legendary authority figure Teddy Long on a previous show.

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LaBron Kozone before a match

LaBron Kozone waves to the crowd on MLW “Fusion.” (MLW)

Kozone talked to Fox News Digital about his decision to sign with MLW in a recent interview.

“It was just a great opportunity just with how things are going today in the wrestling world. You want to put yourself in a predicament where you become most effective, you know?” he said. 

“You just look at the states where you have so many different promotions out there, what’s going on in their universe. And I know a lot of people in different universes, and I’m looking at MLW and it’s just like, ‘OK, for me, it’s probably the best situation with everything that I have going on in my obligation in pro wrestling.’

“It goes deeper than just inside the ring and wrestling, but it’s how can I help people out outside the ring because I run Firestar Pro Wrestling Training School. So, it’s not only an opportunity for me, but it’s an opportunity for a lot of my students who are already getting a lot of opportunity. 

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“And, plus, MLW is the fastest rising pro wrestling promotion out there right now. It’s the most accessible, and it’s the fastest rising. Every show that I’ve attended — even before I got signed — it’s been sold out. I feel like they’re definitely pressing on something game changing.”

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Close-up look at LaBron Kozone

LaBron Kozone looks around the arena before MLW’s “Fusion.” (MLW)

MLW owner Court Bauer called Kozone a “blue-chipper and a generational prospect” earlier this year when the company announced Kozone’s signing.

Kozone said he wasn’t quite sure what being a “blue-chipper” was but agreed with the notion that he was a “generational” talent.

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“Honestly, just to be quite frank, I don’t know what blue chip means. But generational talent, I can understand that,” he said. “I appreciate (it). That means once in a lifetime, which I do agree with. 

“I feel like I am a once-in-a-lifetime, not just talent but once-in-a-lifetime person. To (have) done what I done, have as much impact as I’ve had if only been in it for a little bit over a decade.”

LaBron Kozone hits Okumura

LaBron Kozone clotheslines Okumura during a match on MLW’s “Fusion.” (MLW)

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He previously told Fox News Digital that if he’s able to dispatch Coffey, he’s looking to go after some gold next.

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Islam Makhachev names “most deserving” challenger for welterweight belt after UFC 330 success 

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Islam Makhachev had barely finished fighting at UFC 330 before questions about his next opponent started coming up.

The Russian defended his welterweight title by getting the better of Ian Machado Garry. The Irishman put up a good fight, and if Garry had been a little more aggressive, he could have won.

Makhachev’s face was a bit of a mess, and during a segment with Paramount+, he was asked about who could be his next opponent.

The champion didn’t dodge the question, and instead named three welterweights who could have been next. Makhachev believed that Carlos Prates is the best option for his next bout:

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“Honestly, if you ask me today, Shavkat is not fighting. Prates is still fighting, still active, and maybe Prates.”

Makhachev also brought up the undefeated Michael Morales, but didn’t think he deserved the next title shot:

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“Morales is also good, but Morales fight I don’t last time, I don’t remember when he fight.”

The champion concluded by bringing up Prates’ name again:

“If you ask like who is most deserving guy, I think Carlos Prates.”

Check out Islam Makhachev’s comments below:

Makhachev’s thoughts on his next opponent do make sense. Shavkat Rakhmonov is undefeated in his career, but the 19-0 Uzbek has had some terrible luck with injuries and even was involved in a serious accident which has kept him out of action since 2024.

Morales last fought at UFC 322, but hasn’t fought since. However, Morales is the next big thing in the division and isn’t that far off from a title shot.

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Prates has been on a tear and has won seven of his eight fights with a Performance of the Night bonus in each of the wins.

His only loss in that time was against Garry, and Prates has already beaten former champions Leon Edwards and Jack Della Maddalena.