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Mumbai have not bowled a lot of spin at home this IPL but RCB’s performance in the middle overs might make them change that

S Sudarshanan10-Apr-20242:47

How can Bumrah find assistance from fellow MI bowlers?

Match detailsMumbai Indians (MI) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, 7.30pm IST (2pm GMT)Big picture – Spin struggles of a different kind for MI and RCBThe security guards in the lower tier of the stands at the media end of Wankhede Stadium were kept busy on Wednesday. They all had ‘ball retrievers’ added to their job description for the evening.Faf du Plessis had two stints at the nets. Glenn Maxwell one, Cameron Green one, Mahipal Lomror, Rajat Patidar, Tom Curran, Suyash Prabhudessai all one. And the prime focus was facing hitting spin. RCB had a plethora of net bowlers bowling spin and the batters’ aim was to hit them as far as they could.In the IPL since 2021, spinners have had an economy rate of 7.82 at the Wankhede Stadium. In the middle overs (7 to 16), they have returned 109 wickets at an economy of rate 7.76.In IPL 2024, RCB have had a tough time against spinners in the middle overs. Their average of 50.75 for the loss of just four wickets may not be bad, but they have been the second-slowest scoring team against spin in that phase. Their strike rate of 125 is only better than KKR’s 122.68 in the middle overs. Among RCB batters who have faced at least ten balls of spin in the middle overs, only Patidar (171.42) and Virat Kohli (142.42) have a strike rate in excess of 110.Related

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All these point towards an area of weakness waiting to be exploited. However, Mumbai have not bowled a lot of spin at the Wankhede Stadium so far this year. Piyush Chawla and Mohammad Nabi combined for four overs in their previous outing, while Chawla was the lone spinner used for three overs against Rajasthan Royals. RCB’s training methods suggested that they are bracing for a bit of spin test come match day.So far in this IPL, Mumbai have bowled the least amount of spin – 18 overs of which Chawla has bowled 10. They have picked up just two wickets with spin and their economy rate of 11.22 is the worst among the teams this year.In case Mumbai do decide to employ more spin, they have left-arm spinner Shams Mulani and Kumar Karthikeya, who can spin it both ways, to turn to. Will Mumbai change their methods to exploit RCB’s potential problems?Form guideMumbai WLLL , 4 Hardik Pandya (capt), 5 Tilak Varma, 6 Tim David, 7 Romario Shepherd, 8 Mohammad Nabi, 9 Gerald Coetzee, 10 Piyush Chawla, 11 Jasprit Bumrah, 3:10

Moody: Green’s role in RCB has been confusing and unsettling

Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Glenn Maxwell’s low returns could tempt RCB into getting Will Jacks in the XI. Maxwell did manage to connect a few shots during nets, but has scores of 1, 0, 28, 3 and 0 in the season so far. RCB could also consider getting Suyash Prabhudessai in to shore up the lower order.Probable XII: 1 Virat Kohli, 2 Faf du Plessis (capt), 3 Rajat Patidar, 4 Glenn Maxwell/Will Jacks, 5 Cameron Green, 6 , 7 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 8 Reece Topley, 9 Mayank Dagar, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Yash Dayal, In the spotlight: Jasprit Bumrah and Cameron GreenThere has been a vast difference between Jasprit Bumrah and the other Mumbai bowlers. Bumrah has an average of 19.60 and an economy rate of 6.12 while the others have averaged 35.60 and leaked runs at over 11 an over. Teams have tried to see off Bumrah and attack the others, but as he showed against Capitals, how Mumbai spread his overs through the innings decides how much they manage to limit the damage.Cameron Green returns to the venue where he was immensely successful in IPL 2023 – 229 runs at an average of 76.33 and a strike rate of 172.18. Ahead of the season, he was traded by Mumbai to RCB, where he has been shunted up and down the batting order and is yet to have a telling impact with the bat. He had a short bowling spell on Wednesday after which he had a 20-minute batting stint in which he middled almost everything. Will he turn his IPL 2024 form around at the Wankhede Stadium?Stats that matter Kohli has been dismissed four times by Bumrah and three times by Chawla. But he strikes at over 152 against Bumrah and a shade over 130 against Chawla. Bumrah has also dismissed Maxwell five times in the IPL. Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan are only the second opening pair to score over 1200 runs for Mumbai Indians after Rohit and Quinton de Kock. Rohit and Kishan have 12 half-century opening stands, the most for Mumbai in the IPL. Mohammed Siraj is yet to dismiss Rohit in the IPL – 52 balls for 68 runs – while he has dismissed Kishan twice in 40 balls for 50 runs. On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav has a strike rate of 225.92 against Siraj – 61 runs off 27 balls, out once.Pitch and conditionsA new surface – next to the one on which the previous two games were played – is likely to be used on Thursday. It is not too far off from the middle and hence, the square boundaries should be more or less equidistant. Evenings in Mumbai have been pleasant even if the afternoons have become hot.Quotes”You could look at [clarity in finisher’s role] the other way and say that I get under pressure and the other guys have the freedom to go out and if they mess it up, then I come in after, so you can look at it from both sides.”
“The IP (Impact Player) rule gives an extra life to the team that is batting first or chasing, whatever the stage of the game might be. The interesting part is if teams are using overseas as impact player or local player. If it is a local player, I might have to lean on a few local players [in my team] and ask them what they do etc. The benefit for me playing a lot of leagues is that if it is overseas players [used as impact player], you are not underprepared because you are normally sat in a few meetings [in international cricket or franchise circuit].”

Richa Ghosh starred with a 96 but India paid for poor catching and slowing down with the bat as they went on to lose by three runs

Himanshu Agrawal30-Dec-2023A total of 11 catches were dropped in Mumbai. First, India put down seven and as if to return the favour a bit, Australia spilled four. But Phoebe Litchfield took a stunner for the visitors when it mattered most, ending a crucial 88-run stand for India when they needed another 100 with 17 overs and eight wickets remaining. That went a long way in Australia scraping through by three runs in the second ODI, and with that, winning the series.The batter to be dismissed was Jemimah Rodrigues for 44, as Litchfield dived full stretch across to her right at short extra cover. Richa Ghosh, with whom Rodrigues had that stand, later made up for lost time to hit 96 from 117 balls after being 54 off 84 at one stage. But with the game still in the balance, and India requiring 41 more from 38 deliveries with six wickets in hand, even Ghosh’s catch was well intercepted by Litchfield while moving to her left in a packed off-side ring.That pretty much decided the outcome, as India paid for poor catching and slowing down with the bat. Although Ghosh sped up despite cramping, Georgia Wareham, who had dismissed Rodrigues, struck soon after to have Harmanpreet Kaur tickle behind to Alyssa Healy for 5. Ghosh tried to counterattack in a 47-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Deepti Sharma, but Australia kept striking at regular intervals, thus putting Deepti’s second ODI five-for in vain.Related

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India had a chance until as late as 47 overs into their chase, after which they were only 22 away. But Annabel Sutherland, who had already got Ghosh, held her nerve to concede just three singles and also remove Pooja Vastrakar, who was coming off a 47-ball 62 from 47 in the first ODI. India never got back on track after that, eventually leaving them wondering what would have been had all those catches gone to hand.For a few tense moments, that thought must have crossed Australia’s minds too, who had given Ghosh a life each on 0 and 36. The first one came from Litchfield herself, putting one down at first slip in the eighth over. Next, it was Sutherland who dropped one in the 27th. That allowed Ghosh to keep ticking steadily, as she avoided risks in a patient start to her innings where she hit just two boundaries from her first 52 deliveries.Even Rodrigues didn’t entirely seem busy at the other end, as the required run rate kept ticking over. But with the game well under India’s control, Litchfield struck like lightning and halted India’s calmly moving train. That, after she had hit 63 with the bat. Litchfield was the beneficiary on three of India’s seven drops, getting a life on 0, 9 and 15. Although she consumed 98 deliveries, it was a challenging pitch to bat on at the Wankhede Stadium, where the ball turned and gripped aplenty for Deepti.Richa Ghosh fell four short of her maiden ODI ton•BCCIIndia’s spinners applied the brakes in the middle overs, as Australia stumbled from 117 for 1 in the 24th over to 180 for 6 in the 40th. The slowdown happened once India bowled spin from both ends, although Deepti’s 5 for 38 stood in contrast to debutant Shreyanka Patil and Sneh Rana, who combined figures of 2 for 102 from their 20 overs.But while the spinners kept Australia quiet, Ellyse Perry kept the pace up. She had flicked and flashed her way to 28 from her first 23 balls. Perry eventually fell for 50 from 47, with Deepti ending her animated stay at the crease in the 24th over. That wicket started Australia’s slide, as Deepti then trapped Beth Mooney, who missed an attempted sweep off a quicker delivery.Patil too got into the wickets in the 34th over, when Litchfield got the toe end of the bat behind to Richa in an attempt to sweep. Rana also struck to get Ashleigh Gardner for 2, after which came Deepti’s best of the lot. She tossed one up enticingly at Tahlia McGrath in the 40th over. The ball dipped and landed just outside the off stump, turning in enough to smash into the stumps with McGrath unsure of whether to come forward or go back.At 180 for 6, Wareham and Sutherland briefly steadied Australia with a 36-run partnership, before Wareham chipped one off Deepti to Smriti Mandhana – who had dropped two catches earlier – at midwicket to start the 46th over.Four balls later, Deepti completed her five-for with a return catch of Sutherland. Australia were 219 for 8 with another 25 balls remaining, and Alana King made full use of that. She swung three sixes – and with that, the momentum – in an unbeaten 28 from 17 balls which helped Australia to 258. Thus, King’s knock, Litchfield and Perry’s fifties, and a lot of help from India took Australia to victory, with India yet to beat them in a bilateral ODI series.

Saturday’s clash a chance to “do what I expect of myself and what the team expects of me”

Matt Roller02-Nov-2023Joe Root says he is hurt by the fact that England are propping up the group-stage table of the World Cup after five defeats in six games. But he still believes that they are capable of beating Australia on Saturday in Ahmedabad, and said on Thursday: “Man for man I’d have this team every day over the Australians.”Somehow, England are still mathematically in contention for the semi-finals but their group-stage elimination could be confirmed once and for all if they suffer a sixth defeat against their Ashes rivals this weekend. Root said England would have to view the game as “our World Cup final” as they look to restore some pride – and to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy.”I look at this team and it’s more than capable of achieving way more than it has done throughout this tournament,” Root said. “The quality of players we have, we should be sat right at the top of this [table]. We all know that, and we’re all very frustrated that isn’t the case.”This group of players have three opportunities to […] play at the level we expect of ourselves: I fully believe we are more than capable of doing that on Saturday. Man for man, I’d have this team every day over the Australians. We might not have played as well as we can do but we know when we play our best stuff, the best teams struggle to compete with us.”We have to remember that and take that into the next couple of days: both in physical practice and mentally, [we have to] make sure we’re in that frame of mind to take on Australia, which is what it’s about for us now. We’ve just got to look at Saturday as our World Cup final and play in the manner that’s expected of us and we expect of ourselves.”Related

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Australia have enjoyed England’s plight from afar, though Marnus Labuschagne said on Wednesday that they see them as a “dangerous” team. Root was asked specifically about how he felt when he saw Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain, stifling his laughter during a press conference when questioned about England’s struggles.”Let’s face it: if it was the other way around, would we be doing the same? Probably,” Root said. “It hurts – it always hurts to be in this position to be sat at the bottom of the table. It’s not what we expect of ourselves. If it motivates us a little bit more, then great.”Root’s own form has collapsed in the last three weeks: he started the World Cup with scores of 77 and 82 against New Zealand and Bangladesh, but has recorded scores of 11, 3, 2 and 0 in his last four matches. While he is unlikely to lose his place on Saturday, his returns have been well below the level he would expect of himself.”I feel really good in my game,” he insisted. “It’s been really frustrating: I’ve had a silly run-out [against Sri Lanka], a caught leg slip [against South Africa] which is pretty unusual in this format, and – I’ll be careful how I say this – a dubious lbw decision in the last game [against India].”That’s sometimes how it goes. It’s been really disappointing to not be more consistent: that’s what I expect of myself. I looked at the situation against India on that wicket and thought it was laid out perfectly for me to go and win us that game, start turning our bad run of games around.”Saturday is another opportunity to go and score runs, do what I expect of myself and what the team expects of me.”

Manchester United lost for the second time in as many Premier League games on Sunday afternoon against Tottenham Hotspur. The North Londoners ran out 1-0 winners over Ruben Amorim’s side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the Red Devils now falling to 15th in the table as a result.

It was an early goal which settled the clash, coming just moments after Alejandro Garnacho had a shot from range saved by the returning Guglielmo Vicario. It was James Maddison who scored, getting on the end of a rebound from a Lucas Bergvall shot, which Andre Onana could only parry into the path of the Spurs number ten.

Garnacho had another golden chance moments later but failed to hit the target from inside the 18-year box with no defender putting pressure on him. Mathys Tel, who joined Spurs in January ahead of United, also forced a save out of Onana.

The second half resembled a basketball game in many ways. The Red Devils had a few chances to equalise, with Garnacho squandering some big opportunities, and Joshua Zirkzee glancing a header just wide. However, they could not find a way past Vicario.

It was a really poor performance from United, with Garnacho one of the players who struggled.

Garnacho’s stats vs. Spurs

If things had gone differently in the January transfer window, United’s number 17 could have been playing for their opposition today. Spurs reportedly wanted to sign the winger in the winter window, according to Football Transfers.

However, it was the famous Red shirt of United that the Argentine donned, but he squandered some key chances for his side, and could not find the equaliser.

The best chance came when he blazed over the bar in the first half, but Garnacho also missed a one-on-one and a strike from outside of the box in the second 45.

Performance in Numbers

The tough day at the office for the 20-year-old was showcased in his stats from Sofascore at full-time. Garnacho completed just 72% of his passes, missed one big chance and lost the ball 13 times. It was a disappointing performance.

He certainly has an issue in front of goal this season. As electric as the winger can be, Garnacho has a big chance conversion rate of 14%, the lowest out of players who have had at least ten in the top flight this term, as per Opta.

As bad as the winger was, someone who was arguably worse for the Red Devils was captain Bruno Fernandes.

Bruno Fernandes’ stats vs. Spurs

Normally one of the players who is always reliable for United, their captain Fernandes struggled against Spurs. He was constantly involved as always but did not look after the ball well, and although he created chances, didn’t give United that cutting edge like usual.

Football journalist Mina Ibrahim described Fernandes’ performance as a “tough watch”, which certainly rings true when looking at some of his stats. He had a 78% pass accuracy and lost the ball 28 times. It was a disappointing showing from the Red Devils skipper.

Richard Martin, a journalist from Goal, gave the Portugal international a 5/10 for his efforts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He explained that, at times, ‘his high positioning left Casemiro with a lot to do’. There were occasions when the Brazilian got caught in two-vs-one situations without Fernandes next to him.

It was a really disappointing showing from Fernandes, who Amorim would have hoped for more from on Sunday afternoon. With his squad threadbare due to injuries and illness, the Red Devils manager had a bench full of academy players without first-team experience.

Perhaps a more influential performance from his captain would have gone a long way to helping United leave North London with at least a point.

It was certainly frustrating that Fernandes, and the likes of Garnacho, could not take the game by the scruff of the neck as United stumbled to another poor defeat.

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By
Tom Cunningham

Feb 16, 2025

Manchester United have produced countless talents out of their impressive academy system, with attacker Alejandro Garnacho one of the latest to emerge and thrive in the first-team.

The Argentine originally joined from Atlético Madrid back in 2020, linking up with the youth team before making the jump and seamlessly transitioning into the professional game.

He’s since made 130 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 23 times, with eight of his efforts coming during the ongoing campaign at Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim has continued to make him an integral part of his plans, as seen by his tally of 14 starts since his appointment at the end of November.

However, the same can’t be said for one player who evidently doesn’t appear to be in the 40-year-old’s plans after allowing him to depart on a temporary basis in January.

Marcus Rashford’s time at Manchester United

Academy graduate Marcus Rashford was frozen out of the United squad after Amorim’s arrival, making just six appearances after he took over the reins in the North West.

However, he’s gone out on loan to Aston Villa, recapturing his best form, already registering four assists under Unai Emery – leading to a recall to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

His time with his boyhood club has been a roaring success, registering 138 goals in 426 appearances, and it all started with his debut in the Europa League way back in 2016, scoring a double against FC Midtjylland.

The 27-year-old made himself an immediate fan-favourite given the impact on that night in February nine years ago, with not many predicting him to be as successful as he has been.

However, in the present day, one other Red Devils talent has the opportunity to follow in his footsteps after his own impressive performance during his first European outing for the club.

The player who could be United’s next Rashford

Performing on a European stage is a daunting task, let alone for your first professional start, something which Rashford did with ease all them years ago.

Centre-back Ayden Heaven has also managed to do just that, starring in the triumph against Real Sociedad on Thursday night in what was his first start for United after his summer move from Arsenal.

There’s no doubt the 18-year-old was a signing made for the academy, but after such a display, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him in Amorim’s first-team plans going forward.

The youngster has benefitted from the current injury crisis within the defensive department, taking his opportunity to shine at Old Trafford with both hands against the LaLiga outfit.

Heaven featured for the entirety of the clash, completing 86% of his passes and registering 64 touches – looking calm and composed in possession despite his tender age.

He also won 100% of the ground duels he entered, making four clearances and winning one tackle, helping the Red Devils reach the next stage in their pursuit of a trophy this campaign.

Minutes played

90

Touches

64

Passes completed

42/49 (86%)

Ground duels won

4/4 (100%)

Clearances made

4

Tackles won

1

Interceptions made

2

The defender, who was dubbed “exceptional” by Liam Canning, has certainly given Amorim a selection headache when other players return from their injury setbacks.

He’s replicated Rashford in impressing on his debut, which came in a European competition, with the centre-back having the potential to replicate the Englishman’s success at Old Trafford.

Should Heaven get anywhere near the levels the attacker has achieved in Manchester, he will be an absolute bargain, having the chance to cement his place at the back and play a vital role in their quest to return to glory.

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ByEthan Lamb Mar 14, 2025

As Wolverhampton Wanderers prepare to square off against Everton in a game which could lift them a huge eight points clear of the drop, Vitor Pereira could welcome back as many as three key men in a major boost for those in the Midlands.

Wolves injury news

As things stand, Wolves are moving closer and closer towards confirmed safety with as many as five points separating themselves and the relegation zone in the final 11 Premier League games of the campaign. Their job is not yet done, however, and their next three games against Everton, Southampton and West Ham United are likely to be season-defining without star man Matheus Cunha.

The Brazilian turned a moment to savour into a moment of madness against Bournemouth last time out, scoring a wonder goal before seeing red and headbutting Milos Kerkez to receive his marching orders.

Following his second suspension of the season, Cunha could even miss further games which may also rule him out of a vital fixture against Ipswich Town.

As Pereira awaits the verdict on his star forward’s ban though, he will at least be relieved to have received a number of injury boosts. As confirmed by the manager, Wolves are set to welcome the returns of Emmanuel Agbadou, Rodrigo Gomes and Goncalo Guedes against Everton this weekend, whilst Marshall Munetsi and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde have also been passed fit.

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Pereira told reporters: “Agbadou is ready to help us. Munetsi is ready, Guedes is ready, Rodrigo is ready, Bellegarde too. I’m very happy and positive for this game.”

Having missed the last three games, the return of January arrival Agbadou should prove to be a particular boost as Wolves look to end Everton’s four-game unbeaten run in the Premier League and return to winning ways themselves in doing so.

"Strong" Agbadou is returning at crucial time

With Cunha’s ban likely to stifle Wolves’ frontline, Agbadou’s return certainly comes at a key time for those in the Midlands. More than ever in the next three games or potentially more, they’ll have to fall back on their defensive work if they want to push more than the five points clear they currently find themselves away from the dropzone.

The 28-year-old, meanwhile, has an opportunity in his own right to cement a starting place in Pereira’s strongest side after starting games against Bournemouth and Fulham in the Premier League before an ill-timed injury stopped his momentum in its tracks.

Reims defender Joseph Okumu will certainly back his former teammate to do exactly that after telling GiveMeSport in January: “It was quite interesting to play alongside Emmanuel. We had quite a good time together. We played against each other in Belgium and then together for a while at Reims. He is quite strong and we had a great bond.”

Now at Wolves, Agbadou will be keen to show that strength and play his part in taking the club to safety under Pereira – starting with victory against Everton at Molineux this weekend.

Cesc Fabregas has revealed that he did speak with other clubs about a potential managerial switch before opting to remain at Como.

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Fabregas linked with open position at Bayer LeverkusenSpanish coach stays at ComoCredits the atmosphere at Italian club Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Fabregas had been heavily linked with a move to Bayer Leverkusen after Xabi Alonso left the German side to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. However, the former Spanish midfielder has turned down the opportunity, opting to remain at the Italian club for at least another season. Fabregas has admitted he has spoken with other clubs about taking over, but credits the atmosphere at Como as the key reason he wishes to stay.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT FABREGAS SAID

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Fabregas said: "I talked to the club, we made progress, I am happy here. I want to understand if everyone wants to continue like this and they are all aligned with my ideas. I also spoke to other clubs, I am respectful and speak to everyone.

“There is to be an official announcement. I am happy, we all need to be on the same page to continue together.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Fabregas explains that he wishes to create a family-like atmosphere at the club, similar to the one he felt at Arsenal when he was breaking through into the first-team as a teenager. He believes that by helping his players develop as people, they will become better footballers too. He explained: “I was alone at Arsenal at the age of 16, so I know how you create a family. We will have a training centre here of a high level. I want to put my lads in the best possible context to create a human bond. I want a good person first and foremost, more than a good player, so I look them in the eye and want to evaluate everything.”

GOAL/GettyWHAT NEXT FOR FABREGAS?

With Serie A wrapping up next weekend, Fabregas will already be considering his squad for next year. He added that he would like to trim the size of his squad, which includes former Spurs wonderkid Dele Alli, to help create a more tight-knit group. Should Fabregas choose to keep Alli, he will be desperate to help the Englishman recapture the brilliance he once displayed in the Premier League.

Understrength Glamorgan outgunned in one-sided encounter at Kia Oval

ECB Reporters Network20-Jun-2023Surrey made their highest T20 score at the Kia Oval as they crushed understrength Glamorgan by 81 runs to chalk up a fifth win in their last six Vitality Blast South Group games.Opener Will Jacks top scored with 69, his third fifty in this season’s competition, and there were cameos from Laurie Evans (40) and Sunil Narine (36) to lay the platform for a brutal assault by the Curran brothers in the closing overs.Sam cleared the ropes six times as he smashed 59 off 22 balls and Tom contributed 23 off 13 as they plundered 80 runs from the last 33 deliveries before Sam was bowled looking to ramp Jamie McIlroy off the final ball of the innings. Surrey’s 238 for 5 was also the third highest score in their T20 history.Glamorgan, whose injury issues meant they gave debuts to three players, also conceded their third highest score in the format. They made 157 for 8 in reply but despite this defeat still have a chance of reaching the knockout stages with four games to go.With the influential Colin Ingram injured, Glamorgan have brought in New Zealand batter Cam Fletcher, 30, on a short-term basis. Fletcher has been playing in the Bradford League for New Farnley while batter Will Smale and right-armer Andy Govin were also making their debuts for the county in T20.Gorvin was the only bowler whose economy rate was below ten an over as Surrey, put in on a green-tinged pitch, cruised along at 12 an over for most of their innings.Jacks and Evans had 64 up in the powerplay before Evans, who made 118 when the teams met in Cardiff earlier this month, was superbly caught by wicketkeeper Chris Cooke cutting leg-spinner Peter Hatzoglou in the seventh over just when he was starting to cut loose.Glamorgan briefly stemmed the flow in the middle of the innings by claiming three wickets in 11 balls. Jacks, who’d hit eight fours and two sixes, cut to backward point and Sunil Narine (36 off 18) holed out to long off to give Hatzoglou two wickets in five balls. Jamie Overton top-edged a pull but that brought the Curran brothers together and the fun began.McIlroy was hit for five sixes in his final two overs and Hatzoglou two with Sam Curran unveiling some eye-catching shots and clean hitting, the highlight the successive sixes off McIlroy down the ground in the final over as he passed fifty in the format for the 14th time. His was also Surrey’s joint-third quickest fifty (18 balls) in T20.Asked to score at 12.25 an over Glamorgan had little option but attack but no one could play the substantial innings – or do so quickly enough – to give them a chance.Kiran Carlson was caught on the square-leg boundary in Sam Curran’s first over; fellow opener Smale hit 27 off 16 balls only to drive Gus Atkinson’s slower ball to Tom Curran at long on; and debutant wicketkeeper Josh Blake took a brilliant one-handed catch to his right to remove Sam Northeast.Billy Root (31) added 48 for the fourth wicket with Cooke, who top scored with 49 off 28 balls before holing out off Chris Jordan. The Surrey skipper finished with 4 for 21 and Narine picked up 2 for 25.

Wickets tumble as hosts reach small target to keep pressure on Surrey at top of Division One

ECB Reporters Network22-Jul-2023

Essex 458 for 8 dec (Critchley 117, A Cook 87, Harmer 83*, Arshdeep 3-58) and 30 for 3 beat Kent 207 (Compton 47, S Cook 3-19) and 280 (Finch 114, Evison 58, S Cook 4-46, Harmer 4-72) by seven wicketsEssex made heavy weather of scoring the 30 runs required to beat Kent by seven wickets and secure their fourth successive LV= Insurance County Championship victory. It needed Paul Walter to keep his head when others around him were losing theirs and stroke the winning runs 23 balls into what turned into a more difficult run chase than necessary.Essex attempted to make light work of reaching the target and were halfway there from the first over bowled by Hamid Qadri. But that was the prelude to the drama. Dan Lawrence was first to go when he tried to hit Grant Stewart’s first ball out of the ground but only skied to mid-on.Adam Rossington followed in the next over, lbw attempting to reverse sweep Qadri, and first-innings centurion Matt Critchley departed first ball to a caught-and-bowled by the offspinner, taken running back and over his head at mid-on. That was 23 for 3 in the third over, but Essex managed to get over the line in the next over to take 21 points and keep up the pressure on Championship leaders Surrey.With the threat of rain around later in the day, Essex needed eight overs before breaking the stubborn overnight partnership. But once Qadri departed to a smart catch at short square leg by Simon Harmer the innings collapsed in just six balls.Sam Cook added a second of the morning three balls later when Matt Quinn played on and Joey Evison fell lbw to the first ball of Harmer’s 44th over of the innings. Harmer finished with 4 for 72 to take his season’s tally to 41 wickets and Cook had figures of 4 for 46.

“I am definitely old, you can’t really shy away from that, but however long I play, it’s very important to enjoy the IPL”

Ekanth21-Apr-2023MS Dhoni is 41 years old and has been part of 240 IPL games, but he came into this season after close to a year-long gap following last year’s edition. He knows he’s at the twilight of his career, but believes that it will not stop him from cherishing every moment of a tournament he has won four times with Chennai Super Kings.”[I am] Definitely old, you know, you can’t really shy away from that. Whatever said and done, it’s [the] last phase of my career,” Dhoni said after leading Super Kings to victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chepauk.But he put a positive spin on the situation by drawing upon the loyal and vigorous support of his fans in Chennai, who came out in droves and sent out a cheer so loud that Dhoni had to wait before he could speak.Related

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“However long I play, it’s very important to enjoy the IPL. After two years, it has been a case where they [the crowd] can come [and] enjoy the game. It’s a full house, they have the new stand, so it feels good to play here.”And I said at the start of the tournament, we haven’t played in Chennai a lot, we have only played like six seasons. So it feels good to be here. They have given a lot of love and affection, and they always stay back to hear me out.”This year, Dhoni has had to mentor a mostly young bowling line-up with limited experience. On Friday, it featured the likes of Akash Singh, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande and Matheesha Pathirana, who bowled 14 of the 20 overs. While Ravindra Jadeja did the bulk of the damage by taking three wickets, Dhoni trusted Akash and Deshpande with the new ball and used spin to tie down the batters in the middle overs. Super Kings conceded 60 runs and took two wickets between overs 6 and 16, including a 36-ball period where no boundaries were scored. When asked about his methods of guiding the youngsters, Dhoni said he offers the first say to the bowlers.”I always tell them that the first preference of field and whatever you want to bowl is with you. Yes, you can convey to me, I may say that, ‘no, I am looking for something like this.’ Other than that, from behind, if the batter is somebody who can play the scoop shot behind, then I try to tell them, ‘okay, we’ll keep the fielder behind then bring in some other fielder on the top.”With [Dwayne] Bravo it was difficult because he would never agree. But the good thing was he would keep an eye on the batters. But with these youngsters, you can tell them, and after that it is their call as to what field they want.”When asked about his wicketkeeping despite his age and lack of game time coming into the tournament, Dhoni let out his competitive spirit by half-jokingly complaining about not being awarded the best catch award for his take to dismiss Aiden Markram. Dhoni, standing up to the stumps, had little time to react and was wrong-footed, but managed to move his hands across and take a sharp catch.”Still they didn’t give the best catch [award], I was in such a wrong position,” Dhoni said. “Just because you wear gloves, people think it’s very easy but I felt that was a fantastic catch. Not because of your ability but at times you’re at the wrong place at the wrong time when you catch it.”