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South Africa have won their last five completed T20s; they’ll want to carry that form into the World T20. Australia have lost their last five completed T20s; they’ll want to find form before the T20 showcase in India

The Preview by Firdose Moonda05-Mar-2016Match factsSunday, March 6, 2016
Start time 14.30 local (12.30GMT)Big PictureIt has reached the stage where South Africa want to time to speed up. They are on a hot streak that they will want to keep burning into the World T20 but may be secretly worried that it will fizzle out by the time they get there. They have peaked too early before.It has also reached the stage where Australia want time to slow down. They’re only just starting to figure out their plans ahead of the World T20 and they’ve still got some work to do. Who to open with? How many allrounders to field? And they’ve only got two more matches to get it right.In the middle of all that it has reached the stage where another series could be decided. South Africa are already one up and victory in Johannesburg will ensure they can add a third limited-overs trophy to their cabinet this summer. It’s not quite the cup they are really after but it will do nonetheless. Australia don’t have the same obsession with silverware – they have more than enough of it anyway – but have already lost a T20 series to India this year and are under pressure to take it to a decider in Cape Town next Wednesday.If South Africa want to give Dale Steyn reasonable game time before the World T20, they’ll have to play him in Johannesburg•Getty ImagesForm guideSouth Africa WWWWW (last five completed games, most recent first)
Australia LLLLLIn the spotlightIt’s rare for a player to be under scrutiny for two matches in a row but because Dale Steyn did not play in Durban, he will occupy the hot seat again. South Africa insisted Steyn was fit to play but the chose to bench to him to give the attack that has performed well for them over the last few months another chance and they did not disappoint. Now, Steyn has to play to determine his availability for the World T20 and it could prove more of a disruption than anything else… unless of course, Steyn is back to his destructive best.Peter Nevill made no promises about being able to offer anything more than good glovework ahead of the series and followed through with that in the first match. While he was nifty behind the stumps, he did not provide much in front of them and with Australia deep in the throes of a middle-order collapse, he only added to it. Nevill has been picked purely as a specialist wicketkeeper but the nature of T20 cricket will demand he also provides something with the bat and this could be his chance to show what that is.Team newsSouth Africa fielded what Faf du Plessis called their first-choice team in Durban and their success will make it difficult to make changes, but Russell Domingo’s request that Dale Steyn play in at least two matches in the series means they have to. Steyn could come in at Kyle Abbott’s expense. Hashim Amla could return to open the batting and Farhaan Behardien may displace one of JP Duminy or Rilee Rossouw in the middle order.South Africa (probable) 1 Hashim Amla, 2 AB de Villiers (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis (capt), 4 JP Duminy, 5 David Miller, 6 Rilee Rossouw/Farhaan Behardien, 7 Chris Morris, 8 David Wiese, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Imran TahirIf Australia insist on David Warner at one-drop, Shane Watson is lurking in the wings to open the batting with Aaron Finch. James Faulkner and Josh Hazlewood both sat out in Durban and, with the series on the line, may return to the XI. Adam Zampa’s impressive T20I debut may mean Ashton Agar has to wait for his.Australia (probable) 1 Usman Khawaja/Shane Watson, 2 Aaron Finch 3 David Warner, 4 Steven Smith (capt), 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Peter Nevill (wk), 8 John Hastings/James Faulkner, 9 Nathan Coulter-Nile, 10 Josh Hazlewood/Andrew Tye, 11 Adam ZampaPitch and conditionsWhile Durban provided an almost subcontinent experience, Johannesburg could be the complete opposite. The altitude means the ball will fly through the air faster and the surface – traditionally packed with pace, bounce, and runs – is unlikely to feature as many cracks. At least it will match much of Indian conditions for heat, with temperatures in the mid-30s with no afternoon thunderstorm to cool things down.Stats and trivia The Wanderers has hosted more of South Africa’s home T20Is than any other ground. Of the 15 fixtures they played there, South Africa have won 11 Aaron Finch needs 86 more runs to reach 1,000 T20I runsQuotes”Playing in such big grounds and around big crowds always feels like a real honour. That definitely motivates me and probably gives me another 10% to do well.”
“We’ve been criticised over the last few months over our fielding in all formats. The effort we’ve been putting in over the last couple of weeks leading up to this tour has been huge, and I think it’s showing.”

Argentina U17 starlet Claudio Echeverri recreated a Lionel Messi-esque finish to complete his hat-trick against rivals Brazil in the U-17 World Cup.

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Echeverri recreated Messi's 2012 finish Both players scored a hat-trick in their respective matchesBrazil at the receiving end on both occasions WHAT HAPPENED?

The Argentine U17 starlet scored an incredible hat-trick in a win over Brazil to fire his side into the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Jakarta on Friday. He opened the scoring with a brilliant sole attempt just minutes before the half-hour mark and then doubled the lead in the 59th minute with a tight finish from the edge of the box. Whereas, his third goal was the cherry on the top as it not only helped him complete a hat trick but also closely resembled a 2012 finish of Messi. On both occasions, the forwards dribbled past the keeper and then pushed the ball into an empty net after latching onto a defence-splitting through ball from midfield.

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Echeverri's goal has some other uncanny similarities to Messi's strike over a decade back. Apart from the electric finish, both players wore the No. 10 shirt during their respective matches and Brazil found themselves at the receiving end of such a genius onslaught. In fact, Echeverri's hat trick was the first since Messi's 2012 heroics against their arch-rivals. Back in his homeland, comparisons are already being made with the 2022 World Cup winner but Echeverii believes that his style is more like Pablo Aimar who is a part of the national team staff.

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Doc. LOC WCU17/BRYWHAT NEXT FOR ECHEVERRI?

The River Plate starlet will hope to carry on with his rich vein of form in the remaining two matches of the U-17 World Cup and emulate Messi by lifting the trophy in the finale on December 2.

Marc Overmars has been issued with a one-year permanent ban from the Dutch football league for sending lewd photos and videos to female employees.

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Overmars banned from Dutch footballCannot operate within Dutch FA-related activitiesCan continue at Royal AntwerpPROSHOTSWHAT HAPPENED?

The former Dutch winger stepped down from his position as director of football at Ajax in February 2022, citing his regret for his actions and acknowledging that he had sent a "series of inappropriate messages" to female coworkers. A month later, he was given a "second chance" at Belgian side, Royal Antwerp, when he was named the team's technical director. Overmars has now been ordered by the Dutch Sports Tribunal (ISR) to refrain from "exercising any function" with any Dutch FA-affiliated organisation for a period of two years, one of which is suspended.

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Since March 2022, Overmars has been employed by Antwerp, for whom he is still eligible to work. Overmars' activities in Belgium are unaffected by the decision, but in the upcoming year, he will be unable to work for the KNVB or any other Dutch football association-affiliated organisations.

WHAT THE ISR SAID

"In view of his position as a statutory director and de facto manager within the Ajax organization, Van Overmars could have been expected to have been aware of the exemplary role he had and that he had abstained from such behaviour,” the ISR said, according to NOS. "Even when he thought it was done on the basis of reciprocity and voluntariness."

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Antwerp has not yet commented on the ISR's decision. The club administration has accepted Overmars' appointment with grace and does not anticipate that he will make another mistake in Belgium.

Yorkshire won comfortably on the final day against Hampshire, despite the resistance of Lewis McManus and Will Smith and further demands from England

Paul Edwards at Headingley13-May-2015
ScorecardAdil Rashid took his match haul to eight wickets as Yorkshire won comfortably on the final day•Getty ImagesFor most of this match the alders and sycamores in the vicinity of Eden Crescent and Kirkstall Hill have offered a glorious portent of summer. “The trees are coming into leaf/ Like something almost being said,” wrote Philip Larkin, and yes, so they are. But the chaotic threshing of the unresting castles in the brisk westerly wind over the past few days might also be seen as a metaphor for the curious events at the ECB, and this, of course, is something in which Yorkshiremen are taking a sharp interest.Rather like a couple planning their weekly visit to the supermarket – Costcutter perhaps? – ECB officials are regularly shopping at Headingley at the moment. “We have to get an opener and that coach needs replacing,” they might say as they get into their four-door Fiasco and head north with the names of Adam Lyth and Jason Gillespie topping their list.But then suddenly, out of a sky as blue and fleece-fringed as that which domed above Leeds this lovely Wednesday, counties themselves sometimes have the temerity to try and control events. Many people were suggesting that this match wouldn’t last till lunchtime when play resumed on the final morning with Hampshire on 37 for 4 and their victory target of 449 as distant a prospect as the golds of autumn.ECB still to contact Yorkshire over Gillespie

Yorkshire’s director of cricket, Martyn Moxon, has expressed irritation that Jason Gillespie was named as a candidate for the job of England coach without Yorkshire being informed first.
“It would be nice if you got to know these things first but it’s not easy for Andrew Strauss when he pushed on these matters and I don’t hold it against him,” Moxon said. “We’ve been assured that any if any approach happens, it will be done in the correct manner and we trust the ECB to do that.
“I think the ECB are aware that we want Jason to concentrate on his day job and they’ll respect that. We’ve got a week between our next two T20 matches, so if the ECB want to contact us regarding Jason, there’s potential for them to do that.”
Moxon also defended Yorkshire’s decision not to make Gillespie available for interview after the Hampshire game.
“It’s difficult for Jason to say anything. What we want to avoid is for him to be here saying, ‘No comment…no comment…no comment’. It’s better for him not to say anything until we’ve got something official. If Jason speaks to Andrew Strauss, we’ll then wait and see if it’s the right job for Jason or not.”
Moxon also expressed his views about the way in which the Kevin Pietersen affair had been dealt with. “Quite frankly, I think it’s bit messy,” he said. “I don’t know the ins and outs of Pietersen’s time with England or what’s been said to him but it just seems very messy and sad for the English game that we are now being seen as a bit of a laughing stock.”

When nightwatchman James Tomlinson played inside a ball from Adil Rashid and Sean Ervine nicked a good ball from Tim Bresnan to Jonny Bairstow behind the stumps, these predictions seemed good calls. Hampshire were then 67 for 6 within the first hour of play and it seemed that we were all just waiting for the last knockings. But amid all the understandable furore about Kevin, Jason and England, this game has also been notable for the quietly proficient first-class debut of Hampshire’s wicketkeeper Lewis McManus, who had already kept well and batted decently enough in the first innings.And now McManus made his finest contribution to the game as he resisted Yorkshire’s attack for 100 minutes either side of lunch. In company with Will Smith, McManus added 56 runs in 30 overs although by that stage nobody gave a fig about the runs. As Rashid bowled unchanged from the Football Stand End in the morning session, McManus resisted him with a quiet resolve and tight technique which bodes well for his future career in the game.The 20-year-old was eventually dismissed 20 minutes after lunch when he rather fished at a ball from Will Rhodes and nicked a catch to Bairstow. He had made 28 off 91 balls and given the final day of this game a fascination which few expected it would possess. Certainly his colleagues could not emulate him in the slightest. Gareth Berg and Andre Adams were removed by successive balls from Rashid, the latter well caught at backward square leg by Jack Brooks when sweeping. Then Fidel Edwards swished at Steve Patterson, edged a catch to Alex Lees at first slip and the game was done.Yorkshire move to third place in a Division One table which is assuming an interesting shape and Hampshire return south counting the cost of their avoidable bowling lapses and gifted wickets.Before long the outfield was filled with camera crews wanting to find out about national issues and great controversies. It was, perhaps, always thus. But for a few players, this match has taken on a greater significance. Rashid’s 4 for 48 in the second innings gave him match figures of 8 for 118 and suggested that his omission for the Barbados Test was, indeed, an error. Adam Lyth made 76 runs in two innings and looked in decent nick, albeit that he was roughed up by Fidel Edwards before being dismissed by the same bowler before lunch on Tuesday.Lyth will probably make his Test debut against New Zealand next week and, if he does well, his colleagues may see little more of him this summer. Perhaps, therefore, in addition to the usual songs of triumph, he might have regaled his team mates this afternoon with a chorus or two of that grand old Gracie Fields standard: “Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye”. This is, after all, been a week of grace and Gracie in this pleasant corner of Yorkshire and if Lyth is to face Mitchell Johnson and his chums, he may need all the good fortune available to him.

Novak Djokovic says he talked “about everything” during his latest meeting with Lionel Messi and considers the Argentine to be “a phenomenon”.

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All-time greats met in New YorkBoth boast record-setting trophy haulsHave worked hard to become the bestWHAT HAPPENED?

Two all-time greats have crossed paths on a couple of occasions during their record-setting careers, with their latest chat coming in New York. Messi was in the Big Apple while on MLS duty with Inter Miami, while tennis icon Djokovic is chasing down US Open glory at Flushing Meadows.

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Messi has U.S. Open Cup glory of his own to aim at over the coming weeks, having helped to book a place in the final of that competition, and has already landed the 44th trophy of his remarkable career when inspiring Inter Miami to the inaugural Leagues Cup crown.

WHAT THEY SAID

Djokovic, who has a historic haul of 23 Grand Slam titles to his name, enjoys picking the brains of Messi and has told of his latest meeting with the Argentine superstar: “It's a second time we met with each other. We talked 15 minutes about everything, I would like to meet him and talk about everything again. Messi is a phenomenon. He's a huge champion, I have a huge respect for him.”

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Messi emerged victorious in nine successive fixtures upon joining up with Inter Miami, but was shut out in a 0-0 draw with Nashville during his latest MLS outing and still has work to do in order to help the Florida-based franchise book a place in the post-season play-offs.

With just two wins so far, and seven matches remaining, Rising Pune Supergiants will look to arrest their slide when they take on Mumbai Indians, and try to ensure they remain in contention for a playoff spot

The Preview by Nagraj Gollapudi30-Apr-2016Match factsSunday, May 1, 2016
Start time 2000 local (1430 GMT)Big PictureRising Pune Supergiants announced themselves on the opening day of IPL 2016 with a nine-wicket win over defending champions Mumbai Indians, achieved with 32 balls to spare. In terms of balls left, the margin of victory is the third-best in the tournament so far and second in terms of wickets left. Since then, however, MS Dhoni’s Supergiants have had only one victory in six matches.After failing to defend 195 against Gujarat Lions, Dhoni made it clear that if Supergiants had to stay alive in the campaign his bowlers needed to create more impact, especially in the Powerplay. However, in the Powerplay, his bowlers have taken 10 wickets in seven matches, second only to Kolkata Knight Riders, who have 14 in as many matches. Even in the middle overs (7 to 15), Supergiants have maintained an economy rate of 6.71, the best among the eight teams.Why Supergiants have NRR edge despite poor run

In seven matches this season, Rising Pune Supergiants have won two matches and lost five; in the same number of matches, Gujarat Lions have won six and lost one. Supergiants’ net run rate after seven matches is +0.265, while Lions’ is +0.038.
At first glance it would seem the NRR numbers have been interchanged, but Supergiants have won their two matches so convincingly, and lost a few so narrowly, that their NRR is second to Kolkata Knight Riders’. Their two wins were by margins of 32 balls to spare and 34 runs, which is huge in the 20-over format. The 34-run win was even bigger as it came in a rain-affected game in which Supergiants batted only 11 overs – effectively scoring three runs per over more than their opponents, Sunrisers Hyderabad. On the other hand, the sum of balls remaining in their four defeats when defending a total is only 23, while their only defeat in a chase was by a 13-run margin.
Lions, meanwhile, have won every close game they have been involved in: two of their chases culminated in last-ball wins, while they beat Daredevils by one run. The aggregate of balls remaining in their three other wins is 29, while their only defeat was a massive one – by ten wickets, with 31 balls remaining, against Sunrisers. The margin of that defeat has very nearly wiped out the margins of their six wins put together, which is why their NRR is almost zero.

Their problem appears to be lack of confidence. Dhoni’s usual go-to man R Ashwin has failed to take wickets. After taking 2 for 36 in the opening game, Ishant Sharma leaked runs and took one wicket in the subsequent three matches before he was benched. Losing batsmen Kevin Pietersen and Faf du Plessis to injuries hasn’t helped their cause and they suffered another setback when Australia allrounder Mitchell Marsh was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to a side strain.* Marsh was one of the more economical bowlers for the side, taking four wickets in three matches at an average of 11.25 and an economy rate of 5.Dhoni and the coach Stephen Fleming have been critical of their players in public, an uncharacteristic situation for them. Their impatience, however, could also stem from the fact that the team have only seven matches remaining and the pressure to win could prove an unnecessary distraction.Mumbai, have played the most matches so far in the tournament (8) and are placed fifth on the points table. After a few hiccoughs, they seem to have found balance in their line-up. In the first few games, their batting relied heavily on the success of their captain Rohit Sharma but Parthiv Patel, Ambati Rayudu, Jos Buttler and Kieron Pollard have also stepped up subsequently.Simply put, this is a contest between a team low on confidence against a team gaining confidence with every game.Form guideRising Pune Supergiants LWLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Mumbai Indians WWLWLIn the SpotlightR Ashwin is undoubtedly a match-winner but has not yet made an impact in IPL 2016. There has been much debate on whether he has been under-bowled. With an average of 77 and two wickets in seven matches, Ashwin must be hurting and desperate to turn the corner.Team NewsMarsh’s injury may mean the team could stick with Albie Morkel. The franchise has not yet confirmed whether Australia batsman Usman Khawaja, who was signed earlier this week, has joined the squad.Rising Pune Supergiants (probable) 1 Ajinkya Rahane, 2 Saurabh Tiwary, 3 Steven Smith, 4 MS Dhoni (wk/capt), 5 Thisara Perera, 6 Peter Handscomb, 7 Rajat Bhatia, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Albie Morkel, 10 Ashok Dinda, 11 M AshwinMumbai might opt for the same eleven that beat Kolkata Knight Riders in their previous match.Mumbai Indians (probable) 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Parthiv Patel (wk), 3 Ambati Rayudu, 4 Jos Buttler, 5 Kieron Pollard, 6 Krunal Pandya, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Mitchell McCleneghan, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Jasprit BumrahPitch and conditionsThe Pune pitch was in the news earlier in the year when India were bundled out for 101 in a T20I against Sri Lanka on a green track. The match was played in winter and the ball was swinging, aided by stiff breeze. In this IPL, teams have set targets of 186, 161 and 196 at the ground. A big score can be expected once again, although the pitch could be on the slower side owing to the scorching summer temperatures.Stats and TriviaM Ashwin was picked by Supergiants at the auction for INR 4.5 crore (approx $671,000). So far the legspinner has not disappointed his captain Dhoni, who has thrown the ball to him in the end overs. With an economy of just 6.16 in the slog overs, M Ashwin ranks as one of the best among bowlers who have delivered a minimum of four overs. Rohit Sharma has scored 279 runs while chasing in four matches so far this season, but has made only 19 runs in the four instances when Mumbai have batted first.Quotes”It won’t work if we concede 60 runs or so in the first six overs. We definitely need to improve our bowling, especially with the new ball. Our bowlers need to step up. Simple.”*1051 AM GMT, May 1. The preview was updated to include news of Mitchell Marsh’s injury

Gio Reyna has endured his fair share of injuries, with spells on the sidelines leading to the United States international kicking a video game habit.

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Midfielder has struggled with knocksEnjoying full fitness at presentHas changed routine off the pitchWHAT HAPPENED?

The Borussia Dortmund playmaker is still just 20 years of age, but he is into a fifth season in senior football. Reyna has passed the 100-appearance mark in Germany, but would have liked to have reached that mark much earlier than he did.

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Fitness issues have held him back at times, but stints on the treatment table have allowed the highly-rated midfielder to change his personal life for the better. Reyna has told Tim Ream’s podcast: “You learn things that you try to add into your rhythm, so it’s not just training, coming home, sitting alone, playing video games. Try to get more healthy habits into your day-to-day life, whether it’s going for a walk, or I don’t know, reading something, or just trying to pick up a new little habit.”

WHAT THEY SAID

Reyna has taken important lessons from his injury setbacks and feels he has become a stronger player and person because of them. He added: “You learn a lot in the process of being injured, not only physically but mentally. I’m only 20 and I feel like in the last few years I’ve gained so much more experience that I even try to give to younger guys here, and the younger guys at Dortmund too. Football can eat you up and spit you out at times. It’s a ruthless business, which everyone knows, and you face it at some point in your career.”

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Reyna has returned to the USMNT squad during the latest international break. He was included from the off by Gregg Berhalter in a friendly date with Germany – with 65 minutes taken in as United States attempt to come up with a system that allows them to get their best players into the same starting XI.

In his postgame press conference, USMNT head coach boss Gregg Berhalter criticized Sergino Dest over his 'inexcusable' red card.

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USMNT boss Berhalter rips into Dest over red cardFullback sent off for two yellows within 20 secondsUSA lose to Trinidad & Tobago but still advanceWHAT HAPPENED?

In a true moment of madness, Sergino Dest was sent off against Trinidad and Tobago after picking up two yellow cards in 20 seconds for dissent. The fullback was even pulled away by teammates after the first, but he refused to listen, and was removed from the match. U.S. boss Berhalter spoke on the incident postgame, saying he's disappointed in the 23-year-old, but doesn't want the issue to develop into a "witch hunt" either.

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Berhalter has already had one major player-coach incident during his tenure with the USMNT, after the Gio Reyna situation following the conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Now, the last thing the U.S. needs is another top young player suffering a similar incident with the head coach. However, after the antics from Dest – including his inability to listen to his teammates and essentially insult them – Berhalter clearly has a lot of thinking to do over the fullback's future with his program.

WHAT BERHALTER SAID

The USMNT boss said: "It is concerning because that's not what we want to represent. That's not who we are as a group. We pride ourselves on staying mentally disciplined, battling through any type of conditions, whether they're good decisions or bad decisions. We're supposed to keep going and respond in an appropriate way, and that obviously wasn't the right response from Sergino. He apologized to the group. He said it's not going to happen again. As a team, players, the staff, we need to hold him accountable because it's inexcusable. It really is and we were very firm with our words after the game. He put a number of guys in jeopardy and made a number of guys do a lot of extra work in this weather and it's inexcusable.

“I've been asked three or four questions about Sergino already and I don’t want this to become a witch hunt. He’s a young player, he’s a fantastic part of this team. He's going to learn and grow. He made a dumb mistake and he knows that. He apologized to the team and we will move forward.”

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Berhalter's squad have no remaining matches on their 2023 calendar, so 2024 now awaits the group, with three major tournaments on the horizon: The CONCACAF Nations League, the Copa America and the Olympics, although the latter will see the U-23 squad, coached by Marko Mitrovic, play at the games.

A round-up of IPL-related news on May 5, 2014

ESPNcricinfo staff05-May-2014Kolkata Knight Riders coach Trevor Bayliss has said Robin Uthappa will stay at the top of the order for his team, at least “at this stage” of the tournament. Knight Riders have been constantly shuffling their openers, using Jacques Kallis, Gautam Gambhir, Manish Pandey, Manvinder Bisla and Robin Uthappa in the role, without too much success. In their previous game, against Chennai Super Kings, Uthappa opened and was top-scorer with 47 off 38.Bayliss said Kallis and Gambhir’s patchy form contributed to the uncertainty at the top: “We started off this IPL season with a plan in place that Jacques Kallis will open the batting with Gautam,” he said. “Robin was given the role of batting in the middle order and getting us home. But the top order, and especially the opening pair, has been our weakness and we decided to promote Robin up the order in the last game as he has a lot of experience of opening the batting. He performed quite well, and at this stage, he will stay there.”Orthodoxy is over-rated – Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen is set to open a cricket academy in Dubai later this year, but don’t expect his coaches to be consumed with tinkering with the kids’ footwork and other nitty gritty. Speaking to the , Petersen said the academy would not “over-emphasise on technique”. “Orthodoxy is over-rated, definitely,” Pietersen said. “Sure, you must have a solid defence, but I think a lot of coaches over-emphasise on technique.”My academy is going to be different. It’s going to be based on the way a kid plays when he comes in. I’m not going to change his game. I want to coach individuals with unique talent to fulfill that talent, and not try to change anybody or teach him how his foot must be in line with the ball. But there are a few key things to batting which are really important, in terms of the head and not really your foot movement, which I think I want to drill into the kids. But it’s not going to be technique-based coaching, but more about discovering your inner style of play.”Hard for Anderson to fire under circumstances – Doull
Mumbai Indians have a penchant for going all out to secure the services of the player who is the flavor of the season at IPL auctions. This year, it was New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson, fresh from breaking the long-standing record for the fastest ODI century. The franchise bought him for Rs 4.5 crore (US$ 750,000 approx), but he is yet to deliver a winning hand for them, having got into the 30s only twice in six games this season (he did win a surprise Man-of-the-Match award in his previous game, though, for scoring 35 off 25 and taking 1 for 17 in two overs).Former New Zealand pacer, Simon Doull, said it’s not surprising he has not delivered, given the enormous pressure on him. “It was always going to be hard for Corey to fire in his first IPL, as Mumbai Indians paid a lot of money for him, which added the pressure on him,” Doull said.Daredevils trip squad
Delhi Daredevils have reportedly trimmed their squad of 23 down to 20, sending domestic uncapped players Jayant Yadav, Milind Kumar and HS Sharath home. “Milind, Sharath and Jayant have gone home for the time being. If they are required they would be called back by the franchise,” an IPL source reportedly told .

On a fine cricket wicket which has rewarded excellence in every major department of the game, Somerset’s bowlers were quite outstanding

Paul Edwards at Old Trafford03-Jun-2014
ScorecardPeter Trego took wickets in both innings•Getty ImagesWhen a batting side is in abject disarray, it is easy to overlook the excellence of their opponents. On the afternoon when Lancashire were forced to follow-on at Old Trafford for the first time in nearly a decade, there were more than a few home supporters ready to let loose their anger on batsmen who have collected seven bonus points in as many games this season.Indeed, quite a few of those watching this game from the grand old pavilion probably regretted that the players now return to the plush new facility at the Statham End of the ground. No longer do Lancashire cricketers have to climb the famous steps and feel either the silent contempt or vehement disgust of members.However, it is also a shame that relatively few West Country members were present to salute the performance of Marcus Trescothick’s attack in this match. On a fine cricket wicket which has rewarded excellence in every major department of the game, Somerset’s bowlers were quite outstanding. So uniformly disciplined and skilful were they that it was difficult to identify any individual as the leader of the pack; what shone out far more clearly was the glorious efficiency with which that pack hunted down and tore apart their often hapless prey.The best figures were returned by Peter Trego, Craig Overton and George Dockrell, each of whom took three wickets as Lancashire were dismissed for 203 in their first innings, 217 shy of the total diligently accumulated by Somerset’s in-form batsmen in the first four sessions of this game. Trego then followed his penetrative 16 overs in the first innings by removing the first three home batsmen second time around as Somerset pursued an innings victory.To search for that goal in 33 overs before the end of the third day would have been deemed absurdly fanciful against any Division One batting side other than Lancashire; against Glen Chapple’s men at the moment, it was worth a shot.By the close of play both Paul Horton and Alex Davies had been trapped lbw on the front foot and Ashwell Prince had edged Trego to third slip where Alex Barrow took a fine catch. That left Lancashire on 43 for 3 and the only speck of comfort for home supporters was that Andrea Agathangelou and Karl Brown appeared to be finding some form as they added another 52 runs without alarm before stumps.Nevertheless, the home side’s best hope of avoiding an innings defeat, when batting second, for the first time since 2001 still seems to rest in the accuracy of the gloomy weather forecast.The afternoon session was Somerset’s best of the day. At lunch, Lancashire had added 118 runs to their overnight score for the loss of Prince, who played on for 45 when cramped for room by Overton, and Brown, who was lbw playing no shot to the accurate, thoughtful Dockrell. However, in barely 100 minutes of cricket Somerset took 6 for 58 to wreck any hopes the home side harboured of achieving parity.Steven Croft, who had been tormented by Dockrell before lunch, was utterly flummoxed by the left-arm spinner’s wiles and was stumped for 20; Davies, having resisted nobly in compiling 62, the second half-century of his first-class career, seemed to be caught in two minds and slapped Trego to the substitute fielder Jamie Overton at mid-on.Chapple was trapped on the crease by a full length ball from Trego and Kyle Hogg edged Dockrell’s arm ball to Trescothick at slip. The procession was in full swing when Overton returned to remove both Tom Smith and Kabir Ali.This was excellent, aggressive cricket by Somerset and captain Trescothick must have been delighted with the way his bowlers responded to his quietly skilful management. By contrast, Lancashire’s captain and coaches probably recognise that some players may be getting their last chances in County Championship matches for some time. Quite what can be done at this stage of the season if they pass up those opportunities is a question worth much pondering.