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England are reshaping their test setup ahead of the Pakistan series, and the headline is Dan Lawrence getting the call after two years away from the international stage. The Surrey allrounder steps in as England look to fill the void left by Ben Stokes, with the first test kicking off in Leeds on August nineteenth. Jacob Bethell, meanwhile, is out of the entire three-match series with a right knee injury, a significant blow before a ball is bowled.
Across the world, a genuinely moving story out of Australia, where two Iranian women's soccer players who sought asylum back in March have officially been granted citizenship. Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were sworn in by Immigration Minister Tony Burke at a ceremony in Brisbane, surrounded by friends and supporters from the local Iranian community. A life-changing moment that goes well beyond the game.
And in Madrid, the Mourinho machine is starting to take shape. Reports indicate Jose Mourinho has already identified six untouchable starters as he settles into his second spell at the Bernabeu. Florentino Perez has backed him heavily in the transfer market, bringing in Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, and Denzel Dumfries among others. The hierarchy is forming early.
That's your play-by-play. Sports Desk, back to the booth.
