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Beau Webster, Australia’s incumbent Test allrounder, has four fifties in seven Tests, but knows the No. 6 spot might not be his forever

Andrew McGlashan18-Aug-20252:25

Webster’s 63 steadies Australia

Beau Webster is ready to have to prove himself all over again in a bid to secure a spot in Australia’s side for the Ashes, despite having produced a collection of vital innings early in his Test career.Webster has scored four half-centuries in seven Tests, starting with a critical one on debut against India at the SCG, where Australia clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He followed that by being the team’s top-scorer in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s, and by making fifties in Barbados and Grenada in very tough conditions against West Indies. Alongside the runs, Webster has claimed eight wickets with the ball, and added strength to Australia’s slip cordon.However, despite those strong returns, there is a world where he sees himself squeezed out of the Test XI by the time England arrive for the Ashes. That could happen if Cameron Green’s return to bowling remains on track, and the selectors decide to move Green back down the order rather than keep him at No. 3, where he finished strongly in the West Indies.Related

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“When you’re at the top level, you’re fighting to hang on to your spot,” Webster told reporters in Hobart, having returned from a county stint with Warwickshire, for whom he played two more matches in this season’s County Championship after the West Indies tour.”With all the wonderful cricketers around the country, and especially a guy like Cameron Green, he batted at the top of the order [in the West Indies], and didn’t bowl. He’s obviously going to be back bowling this summer, which is going to put a bit more pressure on my spot at No. 6 as the allrounder. But I welcome it.”I feel like I’ve been in this position before a lot in my career, where I’ve got to score runs to either go to the next level or stay on the team. It’s certainly not unfamiliar. I’m looking forward to once again showing what I can do at [Sheffield] Shield level, and hopefully, be lining up in that first Ashes Test in Perth. It’s going to be a massive summer. I’m sure the team’s going to change a little bit throughout those five Tests. I’m just going to do everything I can to make sure I’m there for all five.”There is plenty to play out before the Test squad is selected, and then a final XI determined for the opening Ashes game on November 21. Moving Green back down the order would need two top-order players to make a compelling case for selection, given there is a likely vacancy as an opener alongside Usman Khawaja after Sam Konstas’ struggles against West Indies.Webster could play four Sheffield Shield matches before the opening Test – Australia’s squad is expected to be named after round three – and if he picks up the form that propelled him into the Australia set-up in the first place, it will leave the selectors with some tough decisions about whether they can fit two allrounders in the XI.”There’s no hundred next to my name, which I would have loved to go on with one of those [half-centuries]”•Cricket Australia via Getty Images”It’s going to be an intriguing first couple of rounds with potentially all the big boys playing a few of the Shield games, too,” Webster said. “There’s going to be some really strong Shield teams out there, which only promotes better cricket. So it’s going to be exciting for our boys to line up against a number of Test cricketers in the first couple of rounds as well.”It’s always exciting when the team’s not quite settled, and there’s a few opportunities for people to put their hand up and try and get a spot in that first squad.”Webster’s only regret from his Test career so far is that none of his half-centuries have been converted into three figures, even though the runs he has scored have often been worth more given the conditions.”I feel like I’ve scored some tough runs,” he said. “At the same time, there’s no hundred next to my name, which I would have loved to go on with one of those [half-centuries]. I felt like I was batting as good as I have done in a number of those innings. I feel like I’ve got all the tools to succeed this summer in the Ashes with what England are going to potentially bring.”

The New York Yankees beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-3 on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium. Aaron Judge hit his first home run of the postseason and the bottom of the Yankees order—Anthony Volpe, Anthony Rizzo and Alex Verdugo—went a combined 5-of-10 at the plate to help give New York a 2-0 lead in the American League Championship Series.

The Yankees could have scored more runs, but a sixth inning rally was cut drastically short by two players making outs on the basepaths.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. led off the inning with a double off Erik Sabrowski. He then proceded to get picked off while he was considering an attempt to steal third.

After Volpe walked, Rizzo doubled him home. Then with Gleyber Torres at the plate Rizzo got caught in a rundown after he misread a pitch in the dirt.

That's right. Two different Yankees hit doubles in the same inning and both got picked off.

John Sterling was on the call for WFAN 660 and could not believe what he was seeing. Actually, that's not accurate. He absolutely believed what he was seeing and described it like this:

"Boy, if that wasn't the Yankees," Sterling said. "That's… that's what they do. Run the bases like drunks."

That is the voice of a man who has seen a lot of bad baserunning this season.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has piled praise on a player who’s taken his game to a “different dimension” after their 3-0 win at Slavia Prague.

It was no Viktor Gyokeres, no problem for the Gunners on Tuesday evening as Arteta’s side extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 13 games on the bounce.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal

As Arsenal sweat over the fitness of their summer signing, amid reports of a potential hamstring injury which could keep Gyokeres out until the North London derby, Arteta still found a way to cope without the Swede.

Mikel Merino was deployed as a makeshift number nine, which was a flashback to near the end of last season, and the Spaniard duly impressed with two goals in the Czech Republic soon after Bukayo Saka opened the floodgates with a penalty on the half-hour mark.

It was a routine win for the north Londoners in the end, with a much-changed Arsenal side impressing as summer signing Piero Hincapie made his first Champions League start.

Hale End academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri was also handed the nod by Arteta before Arsenal’s boss introduced fellow teenagers Max Dowman and Andre Annous in the second-half, with a host of homegrown talents given the chance to shine on Europe’s biggest stage.

Merino has stolen most of the headlines after proving his worth as a capable striking deputy once again, while Hincapie showcased exactly why Arsenal brought him on loan from Bayer Leverkusen.

However, according to Arteta, the player everybody needs to be taking more note of is none other than right-back Jurrien Timber.

The Dutchman has been nothing short of exceptional since coming back from that ACL injury in his debut season, and has since worked his way into becoming an undroppable for Arteta’s side.

Arsenal are now working on a new and improved deal for Timber, with club legend Ray Parlour also branding him one of their players of the season thus far.

Mikel Arteta says Jurrien Timber is on a "different dimension"

Speaking to the press after Arsenal’s win at Prague, Arteta claimed that Timber is now on a “different dimension” and setting the standard for his Arsenal teammates.

The Netherlands international continues to showcase why he’s perhaps one of Arsenal’s more underrated stars, and the feeling within N5 is that Timber is actually one of world football’s best full-backs, according to journalist Graeme Bailey recently.

The 24-year-old is due a pay rise akin to the likes of Leandro Trossard and David Raya recently.

According to WhoScored, Timber is actually Arsenal’s third-best performer in the Premier League, just behind Declan Rice and Gabriel, and none of his teammates have made more tackles per 90 in the top flight.

Timber’s form is the main reason why Ben White hasn’t got much of a look-in since returning to fitness, but Arteta won’t be complaining as he boasts the arguably strongest full-back roster in England right now.

Liverpool have been warned they may have completely destroyed their hopes of signing long-term target Marc Guehi after failing to close a deal in the previous summer window. With interest rising across Europe and Crystal Palace holding firm, the Reds are now being told they “blew their chance” and face an uphill battle to revive talks with the England international.

Liverpool's failed Guehi move

Liverpool’s failed pursuit of Guehi has become one of the defining storylines of their defensive planning over the past year. The Reds believed they were close to securing the Crystal Palace captain in the final hours of the summer window, only for the move to collapse when the Eagles backed out after failing to sign a replacement. Guehi had reportedly agreed on personal terms and begun the initial stages of a medical, but the London club refused to validate the deal sheet once it became clear they would be unable to bring in a defender.

The breakdown left Liverpool short of the reinforcement they had targeted, particularly as they entered a season where Ibrahima Konate’s contract situation and fitness concerns were already complicating squad building. With Giovanni Leoni suffering a season-ending injury shortly after deadline day, the need for Guehi became even greater. His inability to move due to Palace’s refusal to sell ensured Liverpool were forced into a campaign relying on a thin group of centre-back options.

The frustration inside Anfield has reportedly lingered, with internal figures acknowledging that the decision to wait until the final hours of the window made the club vulnerable to exactly this outcome. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportLiverpool told they missed their shot at signing Guehi

Ex-Liverpool star Don Hutchison was unequivocal when assessing Liverpool’s failure to get the deal done, insisting the club had only themselves to blame for missing what he viewed as an essential signing. Speaking to Sportscasting.com, he said: “They’ve blown their chances of landing him. One million percent. I mean, I'd love to be a fly on the wall at Liverpool when they didn't get the Guehi deal done. Let's just say Crystal Palace wanted £45 million. Liverpool should have given them £50m, because they're going to have Marc Guehi for six years. They should have just paid the money.”

Hutchison stressed how transformative the England international could have been for a squad that already contains major leaders at the back. He added: “When I compare Liverpool to Arsenal, I see two proper men and two proper guys that won't be bullied in Calafiori and Timber, alongside Saliba and Gabriel. So you've got four centre-backs across there. If Marc Guehi was at Liverpool now he'd be playing at left-back and you'd be Konate, Van Dijk, Bradley and Guehi, and you’d be thinking crikey, that’s pretty versatile.”

He concluded that delaying the investment had placed Liverpool in a weakened position for future negotiations. “Liverpool should have just paid Palace whatever they wanted. I think it was a poor move. They were so focused on signing Isak. I understand that, because you can’t turn it down, but Guehi had to be the other priority. This January has to be the marker with Guehi if they want to finish in the top four.”

Guehi free to start talks with European clubs in January

The collapse of the Guehi deal is now seen as even more damaging given the unique contract situation looming ahead of the defender’s final months at Crystal Palace. His deal expires in June 2026, meaning that from January he can negotiate a free-transfer pre-contract agreement with any club outside England. This creates a major disadvantage for Liverpool, who must wait until the summer to make a formal approach while European heavyweights gain a five-month head start.

Bayern Munich and Barcelona have already positioned themselves as leading contenders, each viewing the England international as an elite, cost-effective solution. Their ability to offer huge signing-on bonuses and early certainty could sway the defender long before Liverpool re-enter the race. Palace are believed to prefer losing him for free rather than accepting a reduced January fee, ensuring the player will almost certainly control his next move.

The failed summer transfer has also raised questions about Liverpool’s strategic planning under Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes. Their decision not to prioritise defensive reinforcements earlier in the window, despite concerns about Konate’s contract and the squad’s ageing profile, is now being reflected upon with regret. Liverpool understand that Guehi’s market is expanding by the month, making a once-achievable signing exponentially harder.

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Getty Images SportLiverpool line up defensive targets

If Liverpool miss out again, the club will be forced to pivot toward other major defensive targets. Alessandro Bastoni, Nico Schlotterbeck and Willian Pacho are among the names being monitored, but each presents the kind of financial and competitive challenges that underline why Guehi was viewed as the ideal option. 

If Rangers are going to reestablish themselves as both Scottish football’s dominant side but also a force in Europe once again, their recruitment simply must improve.

Sporting director Kevin Thelwell gave an interview to the club’s official TV channel this week, his position very much under the microscope from supporters following a very underwhelming transfer window.

Summer signings such as Emmanuel Fernandez, Joe Rothwell, Jayden Meghoma, Thelo Aasgaard and others have either made little impact or not impressed so far.

Rangers supporters won’t like this, but they’re going to have to replicate Celtic’s largely successful player trading model, with the side from across the city regularly selling players on for a sizable profit, something the Gers rarely do.

In fairness to them, the Light Blues did manage this with Hamza Igamane who departed this summer, so could an “exciting” new recruit be the next one to follow?

Hamza Igamane's impact at Rangers

When Igamane arrived at Rangers, he was a complete unknown quantity, signing from Botola club AS FAR in his native Morocco for £1.7m.

Well, the young striker certainly impressed during his one season in Govan, scoring 16 goals across all competitions, of which four came in the Europa League, while also bagging a hat-trick against Hibernian at Easter Road back in January.

He will though be most fondly remembered for this thunderous strike at Parkhead in March, snatching a 3-2 Old Firm victory over Celtic during Barry Ferguson’s interim tenure, awarded the club’s goal of the season.

Igamane though did not plan on sticking around in Glasgow, sold to Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille for a reported fee of £10.4m in August, which may prove to be an absolute bargain as far as les Dogues are concerned.

He scored twice on his Ligue 1 debut against Lorient at Stade du Moustoir, netting seven times for Lille to date overall, including three in the Europa League, featuring a brace against PAOK last month.

Meantime, Igamane scored his first two senior goals for Morocco in September, on target during World Cup qualifiers against Niger and Zambia, set to be a key figure in Walid Regragui’s squad for both the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil next month and then the World Cup in the summer.

Consequently, Rangers supporters may actually feel as though they let the striker go on the cheap, albeit there was nothing the club could do once his release clause was met.

So, who could be the Light Blues’ next bargain signing to depart for a huge profit, after exponentially improving his value and reputation at Ibrox?

Rangers' next Hamza Igamane

As already noted, many of Rangers’ summer signings have not impressed, hence why Russell Martin was sacked after just 17 games in charge, while, despite improvements under Danny Röhl, they remain fourth in the Scottish Premiership and rock-bottom of the Europa League standings, still yet to pick up a point.

However, almost inarguably, the best-performing of all their summer recruits has been Djeidi Gassama.

The Mauritania-born French youth international arrived from Sheffield Wednesday for just £2.2m, available at a cut-price given that now-ousted owner Dejphon Chansiri was running the EFL Championship club into the ground at the time, which looks like being a complete bargain, with the table below documenting the winger’s importance.

Minutes

1,733

4th

Goals

6

1st

Assists

2

4th

Shots per 90

2.3

1st

Key passes per 90

0.9

4th

Successful dribbles per 90

1.8

1st

Indeed, only Jack Butland, John Souttar and captain James Tavernier have played more minutes than Gassama so far this season and rightly so.

The Frenchman ranks first when it comes to goals, shots per 90 and successful dribbles per 90, with five of his six goals to date coming in European competition, on target home and away against Panathinaikos, at the double when Viktoria Plzeň visited Glasgow, while also on target in defeat at Sturm Graz.

Upon his arrival, then-manager Martin labelled Gassama an “exciting player who will get supporters on the edge of their seats”, while the winger expressed his delight in being reunited with manager Röhl, who’d also been his boss at Hillsborough, describing the German as “like a father to me”.

Earlier in the campaign, when Rangers’ form was diabolical, former right-back Alan Hutton asserted that Gassama had been their “shining light”, now only likely to get better under Röhl, the coach who kick-started his rise at Sheffield Wednesday.

Well, according to Football Transfers, Gassama’s estimated market value has already increased to around £4.5m, more than double what Rangers paid to sign him.

Scoring goals in Europe will certainly attract interest, proving that the attacker can perform at a higher level than just the Scottish Premiership.

Thus, still only 22 years old, Gassama appears destined to become Rangers’ next Igamane-like sale, while, for now, Röhl has to build a cohesive team to get the best out of his star forward.

Not Chermiti or Miovski: £4.5m flop is one of Rangers' worst ever signings

Rangers recruitment has been poor for many years, so which “insane talent” not Youssef Chermiti nor Bojan Miovski is one of the club’s worst signings.

ByBen Gray Nov 13, 2025

Victoria allrounder Will Sutherland will join the four-day squad for the second of the two matches in Lucknow

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Sep-2025Allrounder Aaron Hardie has been ruled out of the Australia A tour of India due to a shoulder injury to add to the list of pace-bowling options to be sidelined.Hardie will be replaced by Victoria allrounder Will Sutherland, who was already part of the one-day squad for the tour and will fly out to India in time for the second four-day game in Lucknow. A replacement for Hardie in the one-day squad will be named at a later date.It is hoped that Hardie will be able to recover in time for the early rounds of Sheffield Shield matches – Western Australia’s opening game is against New South Wales at the WACA on October 4.Related

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Hardie featured in the recent T20I and ODI series against West Indies and South Africa but he struggled against the latter and had not been selected for the short New Zealand trip for three T20Is, instead being included in the A squad. Depending on how his recovery tracks, he may come into consideration for the white-ball series against India.Though an allrounder rather than a specialist bowler, Hardie’s injury adds to a growing list of players sidelined heading into the season. Pat Cummins is the most significant with question marks over whether he will recover from his back injury in time for the Ashes.Lance Morris, a team-mate of Hardie’s at WA, has been ruled out for 12 months having undergone back surgery, while promising quick Callum Vidler has been diagnosed with a stress fracture. Morris had been due to feature in the four-day leg of the A tour and Vidler the one-dayers. Brody Couch had initially been Morris’ replacement but he suffered a side injury during the Top End T20 final with South Australia’s Henry Thornton subsequently called up.The first four-day game against India A starts on September 16 followed by the second on September 23. The three one-dayers, which will all be in Kanpur, are on September 30, October 3 and 5.Updated Australia A four-day squadXavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Liam Scott, Will Sutherland (second game only), Henry ThorntonUpdated Australia A one-day squadCooper Connolly, Harry Dixon, Jack Edwards, Sam Elliott, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, Todd Murphy, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Lachie Shaw, Tom Straker, Will Sutherland, Henry Thornton (one to be added)

Barcelona have reiterated their stance on a loan transfer for Lionel Messi, with club president Joan Laporta saying such a deal is "not realistic". He has also suggested that those clinging to the dream of seeing the Argentine GOAT return to Catalunya in a playing capacity "live in the past", with La Liga's champions having moved on from their most iconic No.10.

American dream: New contract for Messi at Inter Miami

Messi is in no position to rejoin Barca on a permanent basis, as he continues to chase the American dream in MLS with Inter Miami. He has been in South Florida since 2023 and recently committed to a new three-year contract.

Said deal will take him beyond his 40th birthday and through the 2028 season in North America. MLS bosses have revealed that a calendar change is on the way that will bring the U.S. game in line with rival divisions around the world – as they play from autumn until spring, rather than through the summer.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALMessi return? Laporta addresses transfer talk

That means windows in which to spend the MLS post-season in Europe are closing for Messi and Co. It has been suggested that he could head back to Barcelona in a bid to remain sharp ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The Blaugrana have, however, distanced themselves from those rumours. Laporta previously said: "Out of respect for Messi, our players, and our members, it's not the time to speculate with unrealistic scenarios."

Barca’s president has now stated on the same subject: "Leo Messi’s return as a player is something just not realistic. As of now, he has a contract with Inter Miami. The club is building a project for the present and future. It's complicated, and if you live in the past you hardly move forward."

Barca are working on arranging a friendly or exhibition match that would allow Messi to play at Camp Nou one last time. Plans have also been revealed for a statue that will immortalise the eight-time Ballon d’Or outside an iconic venue.

Family ties: Messi & Antonela plan return to Catalunya

Messi has offered no indication that he is looking for a playing return to Barcelona, but has admitted that he and wife Antonela intend to move their family back to Catalunya at some stage.

The South American superstar has told : "I really want to go back there, we miss Barcelona a lot. My wife and I, the kids, are constantly talking about Barcelona and the idea of moving back. We have our house there, everything, so that's what we want. I'm really looking forward to going back to the stadium when it's finished because since I left for Paris, I haven't been back to Camp Nou, and then they moved to Montjuic."

He added after being named the most beloved player in Barca’s history: "Obviously, I'm going to come back. I'm going to be at the stadium like any other fan, following the team, the club, and being just another supporter. For now, I'll be here [Miami] for a few more years, most likely, but we'll return to Barcelona because, as I've always said, it's my place, my home. We miss it a lot, so we'll be back there."

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Getty ImagesCamp Nou Leo Messi: Stadium renaming rumours rubbished

Many are looking forward to seeing Messi play at Camp Nou again, in any capacity, with professional ties at Barcelona being severed in emotional circumstances when leaving for Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent in 2021.

Close friend and current Inter Miami colleague Jordi Alba has said of a special event being organised: "For me, it was a bitter pill to swallow to see him leave overnight. That farewell wasn't ideal for him. I trust that the tribute will happen and that it will be a great celebration. I found out through the press, and it was a tough blow for everyone. His departure wasn't the best, or the one he would have liked, that tribute will be paid to him one way or another."

Barcelona will not be renaming their famous stadium ‘Camp Nou Leo Messi’, with more speculation there being rubbished, but will always leave their door open for a prodigal son to return to his spiritual home whenever the day comes for that path to be trodden.

The Atlanta Braves gave an unfortunate update about pitcher Spencer Strider on Monday—the ace has been placed on the 15-day injured list.

Strider strained his right hamstring while playing catch on Monday, the organization said. The pitcher had just made his return to baseball on April 16 after recovering from elbow surgery that he underwent last April. It took him basically a full year to return to the mound for the Braves.

The Braves recalled right handed pitcher Michael Peterson up in Strider's absence.

In Strider's one start this season, he threw 97 pitches over five innings, resulting in five strikeouts, five hits, two runs, one walk and one home run. His ERA is a 3.60 after the one game.

Strider only started in two games last season before his UCL injury occurred. His 2023 season was his best to date, though, as it's his lone All-Star performance. He was also named to the All-MLB First Team and was the league's wins and strikeouts leader that season.

Aston Villa are now leading the race to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Julian Brandt, who could be available for a bargain fee in the January transfer window.

Villa have been much-improved since the end of September, winning eight of their last ten matches in all competitions, having started to be much more clinical in front of goal, as showcased in the 4-0 victory against AFC Bournemouth at the weekend.

Emiliano Buendia was particularly impressive against the Cherries, receiving the Player of the Match award after opening the scoring with his third Premier League goal of the season, while the Argentinian also has two assists to his name.

UnaI Emery certainly isn’t short of top-quality options in attacking areas, and the manager will no doubt be extremely pleased that one of his key players recently put pen to paper on a new deal.

However, despite having a breadth of talent in forward areas, with Ross Barkley and Donyell Malen also getting on the scoresheet against Bournemouth, the Villans are now looking to sign a new attacking midfielder.

Aston Villa now leading race for Julian Brandt

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are now leading the race for Borussia Dortmund star Brandt, who could be in line to leave the German club in the January transfer window, given that he is yet to extend his contract beyond the end of the current campaign.

Talks over a contract extension are ongoing, but the 29-year-old is open to a move, and he is regarded as a ‘creative upgrade in midfield’ by Villa.

With the German’s contract set to expire in the summer, he could be available for a bargain fee this winter, but there could be competition, as rival Premier League sides are also in the race, alongside clubs from the Serie A and La Liga.

The Bremen-born attacking midfielder is yet to test himself outside his home country, but he has proven himself as a reliable source of goals and assists over a number of years with Dortmund and former club Bayer Leverkusen.

Julian Brandt’s attacking record

Goals

Assists

Borussia Dortmund (279 games)

50

68

Bayer Leverkusen (215 games)

42

52

Lauded as “incredible” by journalist Manuel Veth, the ex-Bayer Leverkusen man has averaged 0.47 assists per 90 over the past year, which places him in the top 2% of all attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues.

As such, Brandt clearly has the talent to succeed in the Premier League, and he could be a solid signing for Villa, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world if they miss out, considering Emery already has the likes of Rogers and Buendia at his disposal.

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ByJames O'Reilly Nov 5, 2025