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At this week’s 2025 Sanderson Farms Championship, amateur Michael La Sasso is hoping to make the next big move in his golf career. But the reigning NCAA champ’s dream start was derailed when he was hit with a rare two-stroke penalty in the first round.

Here’s what you need to know.

NCAA champ Michael La Sasso’s burgeoning PGA Tour career

So far in his college golf career, La Sasso has put together a future pro golf pedigree. The 21-year-old Ole Miss Rebel won the 2025 NCAA individual national championship in May.

That win and his stellar college record as a whole have him in second on the PGA Tour University ranking. The player who finishes first earns his PGA Tour card.

While he missed the cut in his first four pro starts this year, including the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont, La Sasso successfully made the cut in his last start at the 3M Open in July. He eventually finished T44.

But this week is extra special for La Sasso in that it’s being held so close to his school, Ole Miss.

Michael La Sasso sinks 13-foot birdie putt on No. 17 at Sanderson Farms

In the first round of the 2025 Sanderson Farms, Michael La Sasso’s drive on the 440-yard, par-4 17th travels 286 yards, finding the right fairway and leaving 131 yards to the hole, his 136-yard approach shot from the fairway lands on the left side of the green, leaving a 12-foot 9-inch putt, and he sank a 12-foot-9-inch birdie putt to reach 4-under par for the round.

As a result, he has a lot support following him around the Country Club of Jackson, as he explained in his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday.

“This place has been great. I’ve had a lot of people come up and talk to me about this before the week even started so there’s been a lot of support,” La Sasso said. “It’s nice playing in the hometown. There’s a lot of people wearing Ole Miss gear, which is definitely nice to see familiar faces. It’s been great so far.”

And while La Sasso’s many supporters were treated to a fine display of golf from La Sasso on Thursday, it wasn’t all positive news for their favorite player in Round 1.

Michael La Sasso gets PGA Tour penalty for improving lie

At first when La Sasso finished his opening round at the Sanderson Farms Championship, he couldn’t have been more pleased. He initially recorded a six-under 66 that would have put him in solo second place behind a quartet of leaders at seven under.

But then two strokes were added to his score. Not all the details of the penalty are clear at the time of this writing, but here’s what we know happened.

On the par-4 6th hole, La Sasso’s 15th hole of the day, he hit his tee shot into the right rough, knocked his approach on the green and two-putted for par.

Slow-play penalty threatens pro’s PGA Tour card hopes

By:

Kevin Cunningham

But according to several reports citing the Associated Press, La Sasso earned a penalty on the 6th for violating Rule 8.1a which governs improving lies. According to PGATour.com, the offense occurred before his second shot.

Rule 8.1a “restricts what you may do to improve any of the ‘conditions affecting your stroke.’ Except in the limited ways allowed in Rules 8.1b, c and d, you must not take any of these actions if they improve the conditions affecting your stroke: move, bend or break any growing or attached natural object, or immovable obstruction, integral object or boundary object, or tee-marker for the teeing area when playing a ball from that teeing area; move a loose impediment or movable obstruction into position (such as to build a stance); alter the surface of the ground. Remove or press down sand or loose soil. Remove dew, frost or water.”

We don’t know which of these specific violations La Sasso committed. But we do know that he was assessed a two-stroke penalty in accordance with the rules. La Sasso declined to speak to the media after his round to shed light on the incident.

But that’s where the bad news ends for La Sasso. Even with the penalty, he finished the round T13 at four under, just three shots off the lead.

Rehan Ahmed, Jordan Cox and Sonny Baker have been named in an England Lions squad that will shadow the senior side on the tour of Australia.

Leg-spinner Ahmed, 21, missed out on the main Ashes squad and instead joins a Lions group that will provide back-up and warm-up opposition for Ben Stokes’ Test side.

England’s only warm-up match in Australia is against the Lions, a three-day match a week before the first Test in Perth.

Ahmed is one of four players in the Lions squad that have won Test caps, alongside fellow spinner Tom Hartley and pace bowlers Matthew Fisher and Josh Hull.

From the 18-man Lions squad, Ahmed, wicketkeeper-batter Cox and pace bowler Baker appear most likely to provide reinforcements to the Ashes squad if needed.

Essex’s Cox, 24, would have made his Test debut in New Zealand last year had he not suffered a broken thumb, an injury that gave an opportunity to Jacob Bethell.

Hampshire’s Baker, 22, was expensive on both his one-day international debut against South Africa and Twenty20 bow against Ireland, but is highly rated.

He is set to be awarded a central contract for the upcoming year when England announce a new list of players in the coming days.

Coached by England legend Andrew Flintoff, the Lions squad also includes promising batting brothers from Somerset, James and Thomas Rew.

Joining Baker and Hull in a youthful pace-bowling attack are Hampshire’s Eddie Jack and Lancashire’s Mitchell Stanley.

Glamorgan pair Ben Kellaway and Asa Tribe are rewarded for their fine form with first call-ups. Kellaway is an ambidextrous spinner, while batter Tribe has played international cricket for Jersey.

Following the game against the England senior side, the Lions play a Cricket Australia XI, a Prime Minister’s XI and Australia A.

Their tour ends on 8 December, the final day of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane.

Separately, Rehan Ahmed’s younger brother Farhan has been named captain of an England Under-19s squad to tour the Caribbean in October.

Flintoff’s son Rocky, 17, has not been considered for either the Lions or Under-19s because of an unspecified injury.

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September 30, 2025 | Paul Stimpson

Sometimes, ordinary people can find themselves in historic situations simply because of the job they do – and that is certainly Barry Wilsonâ€s story.

Barryâ€s daughter Lisa Vincent contacted Table Tennis England to make a remarkable donation – a copy of the programme of the tour of the UK by the Chinese table tennis team in December 1971, signed by the entire Chinese contingent.

Barry was able to get the autographs because he was the mechanical engineer on the aircraft which flew the Chinese party around the UK, working alongside an electrical engineer and two flight attendants and spending time with the players and officials while on board.

The Hawker Siddeley HS748 twin turbo-prop flew the team from Sweden to England and then around the British Isles, with stops in Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Dublin and Birmingham.

The 15 autographs include the entire playing squad, including several world champions, plus the coaches, interpreter and team leaders from the Department of Sports of Peking Physical Culture Institute.

The tour is widely considered the most significant to visit these shores, coming as it did on the heels of the Ping Pong Diplomacy tour of China by players from England, the USA, Canada and Nigeria in April of the same year.

English players Jill Parker, Pauline Piddock, Alan Hydes, Trevor Taylor and Tony Clayton were among those invited on what was the first sporting visit to China in a generation. The Chinese tour of England was a reciprocal invitation.

The Chinese Team by the Hawker Siddeley plane (from the Derek Tremayne Collection)

As an illustration of its importance, the plane was met on landing by British sporting icon Roger Bannister (the Chairman of the Sports Council) and the cultural programme included a meeting with Princess Anne and a trip to 10 Downing Street to meet Prime Minister Edward Heath.

There was an array of sponsors, many featured in the programme, including ‘headline†sponsor Mothercare, plus Ford, Barclays Bank and Lloyds Bank.

On the table, China took on teams representing England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

The programme can be read in full below.

Lisa said: “Reading up on the tour gave me a real insight into the importance of it. The programme has been in a cupboard for many years and itâ€s great to think it will now be seen by others.â€

Table Tennis England is very grateful for the donation. If you have any historic artefacts you would like to donate, please contact us via [email protected].

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Apparently, when golfers need some specialized accessories, it’s a good thing to have Bryson DeChambeau in the field.

Why? Because on the True Temper Tour Truck this week, the only Tour truck on-site for the Ryder Cup, DeChambeau had stashed a “first-aid kit” of anything a golfer could possibly need for his gear.

And as GOLF’s Fully Equipped co-host Johnny Wunder revealed on this week’s podcast, that almost came in handy for Matt Fitzpatrick at Bethpage Black.

Earlier in the week, Wunder was on the True Temper truck when someone came in looking for a spike for Fitzpatrick. With no other trucks available, the True Temper truck is the only place to get everything from re-gripping to golf shoe cleats.

“True Temper’s Connor [Olsen] was on the truck, and Connor opened up the Bryson Golf first-aid kit, which is a suitcase with gloves and tees,” Wunder said. “So he had bags of spikes. So Connor’s pulling out spikes.”

DeChambeau changes his spikes often, so he had bags of spikes in the suitcase that also had things like gloves, towels, wrenches and grips. It was lucky because Fitzpatrick and DeChambeau both use the Champ Pro Stinger spike, but the issue was that Fitzpatrick had four pairs of golf shoes that needed fresh spikes.

Olsen was worried DeChambeau wouldn’t be happy if Fitzpatrick took four sets of spikes from the handy kit.

Luckily, Wunder had his own backup plan to call SoftSpikes Tour rep Charles Woodward.

“I called him, I said, ‘Charlie, I need two sets of nails for some Skechers from Matt’s Fitzpatrick and I need them delivered tomorrow,’” Wunder said of the call on Wednesday. “And they showed up today at Fitz’s hotel.”

Fitzpatrick didn’t end up taking from DeChambeau’s stash, but it’s still wild to think about how much stuff DeChambeau travels with for emergency situations like this.

For more from Wunder and fellow Fully Equipped co-host Jake Morrow, listen to the full episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped here, or watch it below.

Want to overhaul your bag for 2025?Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

Makena White, the girlfriend of PGA Tour player Jake Knapp, has died.

A friend of the 28-year-old from Ottawa, Ontario, posted the tragic news on White’s Instagram account, writing that White’s death occurred earlier this week.

Here was the full message:

“Hi everyone – this is Makena’s friend, writing with the heaviest heart to share that Makena passed away earlier this week. She is already so deeply missed by her Dad, her family, her friends, and of course by Nelly and Fergie.

“Makena was one of a kind. She had this rare way of making you feel special, and her huge heart was always overflowing with love. To be loved by Makena was a gift; one that came with endless laughter, so much joy, and a healthy sprinkling of chaos as we tried to keep up with her travel schedule.

“If you would like to honour Makena’s memory, donations to the Bruyère Brain Health & Memory Clinic or the Griffin Bell Endowment Fund would mean a lot.

“We love you Mak. We’ll miss you always, and we’ll be looking for you in the sunset.â€

No other details have been released.

Knapp, through his manager, released a statement to the Associated Press on Saturday: “It’s an understatement to say how hard all of this is to process for everyone who knew Mak, especially her family and friends, who deserve privacy and respect during this difficult time. Makena was such a thoughtful person whose selflessness toward others is something I will always appreciate. We shared so many unforgettable memories together, and now that she’s no longer with us, it’s a tough reality to comprehend. She had an incredible family, great friends, and her fun, outgoing energy will be missed by all of us.â€

White and Knapp began dating in August 2023, their relationship going public when White congratulated Knapp on the 18th green after he won his first PGA Tour title at the 2024 Mexico Open.

CM Punk says he canâ€t do a year-long retirement tour like John Cena due to injuries and physical strain.

John Cena began his retirement tour earlier this year, which featured 36 dates, with only five remaining. His final match is scheduled for December on WWE Saturday Night Main Event in Washington, D.C.

Punk, who faced John Cena at WWE Night of Champions in June. He explained why he wonâ€t do a year-long retirement tour like Cena. On Pardon My Take, Punk said he respects Cenaâ€s approach but doesnâ€t feel the need for a public farewell tour.

He said, “I think you canâ€t [do a year-long tour] because he did it,†Punk said. “I said this on the microphone with Cena, one of the segments we did, I said ‘We are on the same path. Iâ€m just not egotistical enough to announce it.†Honestly, itâ€s the truth. Heâ€s a little bit older than me. Itâ€s one of those things where I know itâ€s looming. When I came back to WWE and I blew my tricep right away, there was part of me that was like, ‘Oh, is this it? This sucks.’â€

“Yeah, I came back for it in record time. Pat myself on the back. Six months [later], I was back in the ring and I was doing the best work of my career in my opinion. But after a while, itâ€s not so much the injuries because you can rehab and come back from anything, but itâ€s just, man, do I want to do this again?

“Do I want to bust my ass and work impossibly hard and itâ€s not recognized because all the hard work goes on when people arenâ€t watching? “Am I setting myself up to hurt something else? But weâ€re all banged up.†[H/T: WrestlingInc]

Read More: Update On When John Cenaâ€s Final Match Will Be Announced By WWE — Report

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Welcome to GOLF’s Fully Equipped new weekly Tour equipment report. Each Friday of PGA Tour weeks (plus other times, if news warrants), GOLF equipment editor Jack Hirsh will run you through some of the biggest news surrounding golf clubs on Tour, including changes, tweaks and launches.

With just 24 players, the Ryder Cup isn’t your usual PGA Tour circus. And that leads to a very unique situation for the gearheads.

While the build-outs are still enormous, one way the production is scaled back is instead of the armada of double-decker Tour trucks, just one truck is present at a U.S. Ryder Cup. As has been the case for every home Ryder Cup since 1999, that honor falls to True Temper’s Tour truck.

So why is True Temper’s truck the only one at the Ryder Cup. Well, not only is the field much more limited than a typically 144- or 156-man event, but all of these guys are typically already dialed when it comes to gear.

The 24 players at a Ryder Cup are the best players in the world — including U.S. Captain Keegan Bradley, the top 16 players are at Bethpage this week — and will typically stick with what got them there. No players are really testing any new gear this week and any changes will have been made in the weeks prior, like Rory McIlroy putting in new MG5 wedges at the Irish Open.

True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Iron Shaft

The True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue is ideal for the player looking for a low launch, low spin shaft designed for optimum control and accuracy. You can buy the True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue built to your required specifications.
The True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue is the Gold Standard by which all other irons shafts are measured. It is the most successful shaft in the history of golf and still continues to dominate on professional tours each and every year. The Tour Issue shafts hold the industries tightest weight tolerances for exacting performance demanded by the best players. You can purchase the True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue in the following flexes: S400, and X100.

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That said, there are still plenty of mundane items that need to be taken care of, such as regripping and loft and lie checks. Instead of giving an honor to one specific OEM, True Temper’s truck offers a more nonpartisan option, and the fact that they carry the iron shafts for all but six of the 24 players (including 11 of 12 U.S players!) doesn’t hurt either.

Collin Morikawa’s putter circus continues

Johnny Wunder/GOLF

There is one player who is breaking in a new club this week and the name and the club shouldn’t surprise anyone given recent weeks.

Collin Morikawa is quickly putting together a gear sicko hall-of-fame run of putter swaps.

Two weeks after leading the debut edition of this column, Collin Morikawa is back at it again with a new flatstick, although you may have to look closer to actually spot the difference.

Morikawa is sticking with the same look in a TaylorMade Spider Tour V center shaft prototype like he used two weeks ago at the Procore Championship, but this putter features a fly mill insert. The putter in Napa featured a black Pure Roll insert.

Compared to the Pure Roll, the fly mill insert, which is also the same insert junior sensation Miles Russell uses, is going to feel a bit firmer and have a bit more ball speed off the face. Morikawa likely felt the Pure Roll insert was just too soft.

For those tracking at home, this marks putter change No. 7 for Morikawa, who started the year with the TaylorMade TP Soto he’s used for most of the past three years.

Morikawa has actually had this new Spider Tour V for a while while he was testing out different options. The specs are mostly the same as the putter he used in Napa save for slightly more loft and slightly flatter lie angle.

TaylorMade 2025 Spider Tour X Black Custom Putter

BLACK PVD FINISH The durable PVD coating creates a beautiful high-quality finish with sole plate, back badge and copper accents.
TRUE PATH™ ALIGNMENT The patented alignment system provides visual clarity and helps golfers better envision the line to the hole.
WHITE TPU PURE ROLL™ INSERTMade from a combination of Surlyn and aluminum, the white TPU Pure Roll™ insert creates a softer feel.Grooves are angled at 45° to encourage optimal forward roll as well as better sound, feel and overall roll characteristics. The white insert also creates better symmetry with the white True Path alignment.
THIN WALL UNDERCUT CONSTRUCTION We’ve engineered a super stable structure by removing excess weight to create high MOI and legendary Spider performance.
HYBRAR ECHO®DAMPENER HYBRAR is behind the face to dampen unwanted vibrations, delivering premium sound and feelon every putt with the best possible sensation.
TSS WEIGHTING TSS weights provide balanced weighting and help optimize performance for all various putter lengths.
STEEL WIREFRAME Allows engineers to better control weight distribution and CG location.

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Spider Tour V Center Shaft
Length: 34.5″
Lie:71˚
Loft: 3°
Insert: Fly mill
Alignment aid: True path with single dot
Shaft: KBS stepless chrome
Grip: Superstroke Tour 2.0

Why golf ball pairings aren’t as key as they used to be

One of the biggest decisions around Ryder Cup pairings used to be around what golf ball everyone played.

However, as has been the case for nearly 20 years, the one-ball rule is not in effect anymore, allowing players to use a loophole of switching balls each hole in foursomes play based on who is hitting the tee shot or approach shot.

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry did this at the 2024 Zurich Classic when they won the team event, with Lowry saying at this year’s tournament that the differences are only really on approach shots.

Bryson DeChambeau’s Ryder Cup partner could hinge on golf ball

By:

Jack Hirsh

“We could either use either, but it’s foursomes — like we played a lot of foursomes growing up, obviously Ryder Cups and stuff, so you kind of figure out how to do it,” Lowry said of the switching strategy in April. “You drive each other’s golf ball and then, because driving is not the issue. Especially when it gets windier, the wind is swirling, you want to have control of your ball.

Some players also just don’t mind playing someone else’s golf ball, as Johnny Wunder pointed out on this week’s episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped.

“Some players didn’t care, like Rambo literally doesn’t care,” Wunder said. “Like he’s like, if one guy’s hell bent on playing his ball, I literally will play anything. But modern times, you know, if Rambo tees off, they’re going to play his ball.”

Other players might switch back to a ball they previously used, like in the case of Rory McIlroy, who will be paired with Tommy Fleetwood in Friday morning’s opening foursomes session. McIlroy switched to TaylorMade’s softer TP5 earlier this season, but he’ll likely use Fleetwood’s TP5X, the ball he played last season.

Much was made about who Bryson DeChambeau might pair up with based on his unique golf ball demands. That question was answered when it was revealed he would be in Friday’s first foursomes match with Justin Thomas. Both JT and DeChambeau play a version of the Titleist Pro V1x with DeChambeau playing the ’25 and Thomas playing the ’23 model. Those might be similar enough balls that they chose one or simply let whoever hits approach shots play their own ball.

Check this out

This section is dedicated to one cool photo we’ve snapped recently on Tour, but haven’t had a reason to share yet. For this week, check out this sampling of the European team’s wedge stampings.

From L to R: Justin Rose, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton.

Johnny Wunder/GOLF

1 cool stat

The golf ball brand no one saw coming back just made a statement

By:

Jack Hirsh

One gear-related stat for the week.

Ben Griffin is playing his 2025 Maxfli Tour X golf ball this week, marking the first time in 28 years that the company has had a golf ball presence at the Ryder Cup. Fred Couples was the last player to play a Maxfli golf ball in the biennial matches in 1997.

Odds and Ends

Some other gear changes and notes we’re tracking this week.

Despite the heavy rain on Thursday, Vokey revealed that five different low-bounce lob wedge grinds will be in play this week: .06K, T, M, K* and L … Ben Griffin tested a Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi 2-iron this week, but ultimately didn’t game it due to the wet conditions … In non-Ryder Cup news, noted fader of the golf ball, Min Woo Lee, added Callaway’s Elyte Triple Diamond Tour Draw head to the bag last week in France and led the field in driving accuracy and was second in SG: off-the-tee in a T5 showing.

3 things you should read

A selection of GOLF articles from the past week that may interest you.

We already have a tie at the Ryder Cup | What driver shafts are in play this week? – Jake Morrow breaks down Team USA and Team Europe’s driver shaft usage this week at Bethpage Black and why most players really belong to Team Ventus or Team Diamana.

Fujikura Ventus Black Wood Shaft

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Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana WB Wood Shaft

 
The board is back. After a few years away, the vintage surfboard always associated with Diamana™ makes its return with Diamana WB. Built on an extraordinarily popular and tour-proven platform, WB brings classic low-low performance and the legendary stability and control you’ve come to expect after two decades.
The first in the 6th Generation Diamana™ family, WB is designed with all the traditional branding that made Diamana™ so beloved, including flowers in the handle section, a surfboard behind the Diamana logo, and return to the original 53/63/73/83 weight class designations. But rest assured, the only thing throwback about Diamana™ WB is its appearance. Indeed, super high-modulus 80-ton Dialead Pitch Fiber is used in the butt section to deliver maximum stability and increased energy transfer and high modulus 46-ton fiber is used in the shaft’s angle plies to reduce torque without increasing weight for improved control and stability. Carbon fiber orientation at the tip section is optimized to further lower torque.
The classic feel of this Diamana™ profile is achieved through the use of our proprietary Xlink Tech™ Resin System and MR70 technologies. Our Xlink Tech™ Resin System increases the strength and durability of the shaft while driving carbon fiber volume up for better feel. Feel and strength is further increased through the use of our aerospace-grade MR70 fiber – our strongest fiber to date.

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This golf ball sells out every time. But why? – Titleist’s Pro V1 Left Dot golf ball has amassed a cult following, and the latest batch is already sold out. So why isn’t it a retail option?

Michael Kim just earned this new putter’s 3rd worldwide win – Last week’s DP World Tour winner, Michael Kim was in his second week since switching to a new Spider ZT putter. It’s the third worldwide win for the new low-torque option this season.

TaylorMade 2025 Spider 5K-ZT Custom Putter

LOW TORQUE DESIGN
The KBS putter shaft is bored directly toe-ward near the CG at a 1° shaft lean with 25mm onset behind the face allowing golfers to realize the benefits of a new stable, toe up design.
UNIQUE SOLE SHAPING
New and improved sole shaping to work specifically with this unique hosel configuration, engineers worked tirelessly to find new ways to improve accuracy from the moment the putter is placed behind the ball. The new sole curvature accommodates different player types and ball positions, giving golfers the ability to find a consistent and repeatable stroke.
SPIDER STABILITY
Combining high density stainless steel and low-density aerospace quality aluminum provides the perfect foundation for a design that is high MOI and allows for a shaft orientation that sits closer to the face.
MILLED TRUE PATH™ ALIGNMENT
Based on tour player feedback, we were tasked to find a new premium alignment system. Building on the classic TaylorMade True Path™ technology, milled lines the width of the golf ball were added helping golfers properly index to center face.

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The ECB announces England’s 16-player squad for the upcoming Ashes tour, with a new vice-captain also being selected.

England have announced their 16-player squad for the upcoming Ashes series with Australia, including selecting a new vice-captain.

On the back of an exhilarating 2-2 series draw with India, England are now preparing for the latest chapter of their rivalry with their fierce rivals.

Ben Stokes, who is still recovering from the shoulder injury sustained earlier in the summer, will have Harry Brook as his right-hand man rather than Ollie Pope.

While Brook has been skipper for limited-overs matches of late, the change will be viewed as notable and puts Pope under increasing pressure when it comes to retaining his spot at number three.

The other major surprise is the inclusion of Will Jacks as the backup spinner to Shoaib Bashir, who has recovered from a broken finger.

Jack Leach and Rehan Ahmed had been deemed to be more likely selections than Jacks, who has only played two Tests which came back in 2022.

Jacob Bethell keeps his spot despite failing to impress in the final Test match versus India and he may be considered for the number-three role.

Mark Wood comes back into contention for a spot in the pace attack having not played a Test match for more than a year.

Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue are also named as expected, with Chris Woakes not considered due to a shoulder injury.

Perth will stage the first Test match, which begins on November 21.

England squad for Ashes tour

Ben Stokes (captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (vice-captain), Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Josh Tongue, Mark Wood

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Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock has reversed his retirement for one-day internationals and been recalled by South Africa for their ODIs and T20s against Pakistan starting next month.

De Kock, 32, retired from 50-over internationals after the 2023 World Cup in India and has not played for the Proteas in any format since the final of the T20 World Cup in June 2024.

Though he did not officially retire from T20s, De Kock, who called time on his Test career in 2021, was not given a central contract last year.

The decision comes before next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, and the 50-over World Cup, for which South Africa are co-hosts, in 2027.

It is also a boost to South Africa, and international cricket more widely, amid the power of franchise leagues.

Proteas batter Heinrich Klaasen, one of the world’s leading T20 batters, retired from international cricket in June.

“Quinton’s return to the white-ball space is a major boost for us,” South Africa coach Shukri Conrad said.

“When we spoke last month about his future, it was clear that he still has a strong ambition to represent his country.

“Everyone knows the quality he brings to the side, and having him back can only benefit the team.”

De Kock’s only cricket this year has been in T20 leagues – the SA20 in South Africa at the start of the year, followed by the Indian Premier League, Major League Cricket and the Caribbean Premier League.

At his best, he has been one of the best white-ball batters of the past decade with only Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma scoring more ODI centuries than De Kock’s 21 since his debut in January 2013.

He was also South Africa’s leading run-scorer at last year’s T20 World Cup.

South Africa play two Tests, three ODIs and three T20s in Pakistan, starting on 12 October.

Injured captain Temba Bavuma will miss the Tests – their first since winning the World Test Championship in June – meaning Aiden Markram will lead in his place.

Donovan Ferreira will be captain for a one-off T20 against Namibia that follows the tour.

South Africa squad for Pakistan Tests: Aiden Markram (capt), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj (second Test only), Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne

South Africa’s squad for Pakistan T20s: David Miller (capt), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams

South Africa’s squad for Pakistan ODIs: Matthew Breetzke (capt), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile

South Africa’s squad for Namibia T20: Donovan Ferreira (capt), Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, Kwena Maphaka, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Lizaad Williams

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September 17, 2025 07:31 PM Tom Watson joins Golf Central to reflect on his experiences as a player and captain…