The season may have been abruptly suspended, but there were several takeaways

Gaurav Sundararaman08-May-2021Dhawan and Shaw: IPL’s best openers sitting out of India’s T20 XI
In the home T20I series against England, which preceded the IPL, India captain Virat Kohli lined up alongside KL Rahul as a contender to open with Rohit Sharma. While Rahul continued to prosper in the IPL, Kohli and Sharma, though consistent, scored at a quieter strike rate. At the halfway stage of the IPL, the trio’s first 10-ball strike rate was: Kohli (126), Rahul (100) and Sharma (89). But Sharma had played five out of seven matches on the challenging pitches in Chennai.Prithvi Shaw had by far the best first ten-ball strike rate among openers•ESPNcricinfo LtdIn contrast, the Delhi Capitals’ pair of Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan took T20 opening to a new level with their intent and built a strong case for their selection. Shaw’s 10-ball strike rate was 178.57 and he scored a boundary every three deliveries while Dhawan scored at a strike rate of 116. The right-left combination scored at a healthy 8.87 runs per over in the powerplay, dominating virtually all the IPL bowling attacks. They might not have been part of Indian T20I combination previously, but if Dhawan and Shaw end up continuing in the same dominant vein once the IPL resumes, they might end up giving a few headaches to the selectors and team management.For once, big buys turns up with performances
Earning huge salaries through the auction could result in a lot of pressure in the IPL. Not often do we see such players living up to the price tag. There have been instances in which a player has not played despite being sold for a large sum. However, early indicators this season showed that the big money players performed well. Chris Morris, who fetched the most money for any player at an IPL auction, won matches with the bat and ball for the Rajasthan Royals while serial IPL millionaire Glenn Maxwell neatly settled into a middle-order role at the Royal Challangers Bangalore. Maxwell played in tough conditions, helping his team get over the line on couple of occasions. Kyle Jamieson, relatively unknown on the T20 circuit, came into the league with a lot of questions, but displayed his potential with some tight bowling in difficult conditions and also showed he could stand his ground with the bat.CSK press the refresh button
In 2020 they surprised with their worst-ever IPL season. Barely six months later, MS Dhoni’s team surprised by making a remarkable turnaround. The Chennai Super Kings were leading the points table at the halfway stage. That turnaround happened because the team management had addressed their weaknesses promptly. In 2020, the Super Kings were the worst batting unit in the powerplay, but this time around the Super Kings were probably the only team to go hard through the 20 overs without worrying about the wickets.The Chennai Super Kings upped their attacking intent dramatically after a poor 2020 season•ESPNcricinfo LtdThat intent was brandished by Faf du Plessis at the top and the fireworks of Moeen Ali at No. 3. No team hit more sixes (62) or scored at a faster rate (9.57) than the Super Kings. Dhoni, the captain, realised that the other batters were striking the ball much better than him and he duly pushed himself down the order. In seven matches, Dhoni played just 30 deliveries, scoring 37 runs and batted only if required. That allowed Ravindra Jadeja more batting time and he proved to be a matchwinner. Flexibility and execution were the hallmarks of the Super Kings’ campaign.AB de Villiers rose to the occasion for Royal Challengers Bangalore•BCCIde Villiers gives South Africa hope
ESPNcricinfo is running the Greatest IPL Performance series currently. In the next edition, AB de Villiers’ undefeated 76 against the Knight Riders will easily be one of the nominations. It might be second to Kieron Pollard’s majestic assault against the Super Kings, but de Villiers once again proved why experience matters. And why Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher, the top brass at South Africa, want him back in the T20 set-up.de Villiers’ role at the Royal Challengers was to come in around the 12th over and close the innings. He did so on three occasions on tough pitches and conditions. Pitches do not matter for de Villiers and if he decides to make a comeback, he will be a force to reckon with for South Africa who are currently struggling to win in the shortest format.Related

The IPL 2021 team of the tournament (so far)

When and where can IPL 2021 be rescheduled to?

IPL 2021 and T20 World Cup – what happens next?

IPL 2021 orange cap: Ruturaj Gaikwad, purple cap: Harshal Patel

The uncapped Indian surprises
Not many might have expected the Royal Challengers’ fast bowler Harshal Patel to hold the purple cap and the Capitals’ quick Avesh Khan to be second among the highest wicket-takers at the halfway state of this IPL. Yet, both men made headlines by bowling the difficult overs. With an ability to bowl in the high 140s at will, Avesh was both accurate and consistent while being one of the best yorker specialists. His continued success not only allowed the Capitals to leave out their 2020 IPL hero Anrich Nortje, but also find space in the top order for Steven Smith.Patel, who was traded by the Capitals to the Royal Challengers, built his success using smart variations in pace which batters found difficult to read in Chennai. In addition, the pair of Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad carried forward their good form from the 2020 season while first-timers Harpreet Brar (Punjab Kings) and Chetan Sakariya (Rajasthan Royals) showed heart and courage to not get daunted by the occasion, making an impact more than once.Sunrisers Hyderabad made the surprise decision to axe David Warner as both captain and batter•BCCI/IPLHow the mighty have fallen
Did we ever imagine that franchises would drop players of the caliber of David Warner and Nicholas Pooran? Or Ishan Kishan after his success last IPL, which earned him an India T20I call-up? Despite being among the runs, Warner was dropped by the Sunrisers Hyderabad, both as captain and batter, for the sake of finding the right team balance. For some years now Sunil Narine has been dealt with easily by opposition batters and this season was no different as he failed to make an impact. Pooran, one of the smoothest power hitters in T20 cricket, had four ducks this season. Kishan played just two matches, but that was enough for the Mumbai Indians to change their combination and promote Krunal Pandya to No. 4 for the first time. The suspension of the IPL meant it is hard to comprehend the exact impact of such hard calls.Contrasting pitches make good viewing
Netural venues, contrasting pitches and the difference in boundary sizes made for interesting viewing. While Chennai and Ahmedabad aided spinners and kept the batters in check, Mumbai and Delhi were a nightmare for bowlers, mainly due to the dew setting in early. Batters scored at an average strike rate of 125 in Chennai and Ahmedabad, and 145 in Mumbai and Delhi. With no home advantage, teams such as the Mumbai Indians had to find new strategies to combat the slower pitches. Delhi and Mumbai saw teams scoring in excess of 200 consistently, making it difficult for the bowlers. The toss did not make as much of an impact as previous seasons.The curious case of Kuldeep
For the second season now, Kuldeep Yadav struggled to find a spot in the Kolkata Knight Riders’ bowling attack owing to the success of Varun Chakravarthy. In 2017, Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal were meant to be the future. However, even Chahal has been struggling to make an impact over the last one year, both with India as well as the Royal Challengers. Since January 2020, Chahal’s economy rate of 9.27 is the highest among all spinners (minimum 100 balls bowled) in T20Is. The break could be a welcome opportunity for the pair to work out an approach to help them bounce back strongly.

Fulham have now submitted an opening bid of £1m for an “outstanding” EFL defender who has a “wonder of a left foot”, according to a report.

Silva set to stay on as Fulham boss

In what will no doubt come as welcome news to Fulham fans, Marco Silva has now made it clear he expects to remain at Craven Cottage beyond the summer, saying: “I am under contract with the club and of course I’ve been in planning with the board (for) next season.

“Everything on track and the plan is there. We have the next two months to prepare for the season as best we can. If I’m under contract with the club and if I’m planning with the club the next season, of course I expect to be here.”

As such, the Cottagers can now continue to plan for the summer transfer window with Silva in mind, despite recent suggestions they could make a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Vitor Pereira or Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl to replace the 47-year-old.

With their manager looking likely to stay, a new transfer target has also now entered the frame for Fulham, with a report from Football League World revealing they have submitted an opening offer of £1m for Peterborough United defender Harley Mills.

The Posh are currently considering the bid for the left-back, who scored a free-kick in the Vertu Cup final last month, which attracted the attention of a whole host of scouts.

Peterborough do not want to sell the 19-year-old, having offered the youngster a new contract in the hopes of retaining his services beyond the summer, but they will be well-aware that a move to the Premier League is likely to be a tempting proposition.

"Outstanding" Mills has a "wonder of a left foot"

Peterborough U18s manager Jamal Campbell-Ryce was full of praise for the starlet upon signing a professional development contract with the Posh, lauding him as “outstanding”, while also adding: “Harley has shown how much he values defending now and has real quality when in possession of the ball and has a wonder of a left foot.”

The Peterborough defender’s ball-striking ability was particularly on show during his side’s 2-0 triumph over League One title winners in the Vertu Cup, scoring a stunning free-kick to open the scoring in the first half.

Fulham are well-stocked at left-back, with Antonee Robinson and Ryan Sessegnon at their disposal, but with the former being linked with a move elsewhere this summer, it could make sense to bring in a new option.

Mills is yet to prove himself above League One level, but the teenager’s performance in the Vertu Cup final indicated he is ready to make the step-up to a higher level, and at a fee of just £1m, the young Englishman would be a low-risk addition for the Cottagers.

Nail-biters, rollercoasters, unexpected contests and sweet comebacks – our correspondents and writers pick their most memorable matches of the last ten years

31-Dec-2019England v New Zealand, World Cup final, Lord’s, 2019
By Sambit Bal
So, what do we remember? The dream or the tragedy? The drama that lasted all day or the mockery in the final moments? Ben Stokes’ nerveless brilliance, or the accidental six that rolled off a ricochet? The two heart-stopping ties, or the ridiculous tiebreaker? England’s coronation after 40 years of longing, or New Zealand’s heartbreak to last a lifetime?The truth is that we will forget nothing: the slow burn, the twists, the blunders, the absurdity, the unimaginable finish, the cruelty and the euphoria, and the whole damn rollercoaster of it. Add to this the weight of the occasion and the poignancy of the two perennial World Cup bridesmaids seeking their first title. This was a match like none other.It was just as well that the World Cup belied the expectations of being a run fest, because rarely do run fests produce the humming tension of low-scoring thrillers, and at long last, we were rewarded with a final that can lay claim to be the greatest World Cup match ever.Some would argue that it would have been just to have joint winners after the Super Over was tied, but in some ways, the imperfect result etches the match even deeper in memory. Beyond outcomes and heroics, the purest joy of sport lies in the experience, and if you were at Lord’s that Sunday, to even consider any match to be greater would feel like infidelity.After the storm, the smiles•AFP India v Australia, first Test, Mohali, 2010
By Sharda Ugra
This is a favourite, which edges out Durban 2010 for sheer sentimentality, and the madcappery of its last day. The Test was one final flourish of the big rivalry of the previous decade – Australia v India. At its centre was the batsman who, amid many skirmishes between the two sides, became his team’s totem.A target of 216, the eighth wicket falling at 124, with only Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha to follow. There was only one being who could haul tailender-ass over the finish line, and had made a habit of pulling victory out of the straitjacket of looming defeat. Mohali 2010 was the complete VVS Laxman package – the impossible task, the dicky back, the snarling Aussies, the company of two eager but far from qualified companions.Our composure was being shred one over at a time. We, who had sort of given up, couldn’t move, because Laxman kept the score moving. Then, finally, when there were six runs left, Ojha was almost run out, and there came a rare sighting: total meltdown from Mr Equanimity, an all-around pleasant fellow with an absence of epithets. We saw Laxman lose it, in an angry, bat-jabbing tirade – but he ensured that India didn’t. At the end, all was forgiven in a sunburst of smiles and celebrations.India won a few more home Tests that followed, and then began the slide of the last of their titans into their other lives as coaches, commentators, celebrities, comics. They have left us, of course, with the memory of many Mohalis.Bangladesh’s nine-run victory in Dhaka was followed by a nail-biter in Mirpur that sealed a 4-0 whitewash of New Zealand by the hosts•Associated PressBangladesh v New Zealand, fourth ODI, Dhaka, 2010
By Mohammad Isam
New Zealand’s record against Bangladesh coming into this 2010 ODI series was 17-1, and the home team was without regular captain Mashrafe Mortaza and Tamim Iqbal. It was supposed to be a cakewalk. Enter stand-in captain Shakib Al Hasan, then 23 years old.Shakib was instrumental with bat and ball in the first two games, and with the series on the line, he made a century from 44 for 3, which gave Bangladesh a competitive 241 to defend. As ever, he was not content with doing well in just one department. He took 3 for 54 with his slow left-arm spin, sometimes teasing the batsmen in the air, sometimes making the ball fizz off the black pitch. He was the most animated person in the field too, especially while talking to his bowlers.In front of a full house at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Bangladesh prevailed by nine runs, in a match that has entered folklore. It was their first ever series win against strong opposition, and it was fitting that it came at the start of the decade, starring the man who would define Bangladesh cricket in the 2010s.Spooktacular: Abdul Razzaq hauled Pakistan over the line with a 72-ball 109 on Halloween in 2010•AFPPakistan v South Africa, second ODI, Abu Dhabi, 2010
By Danyal Rasool
That this game took place this decade is incongruous enough. Just look at that Pakistan line-up: Fawad Alam actually playing; Zulqarnain Haider – who would famously disappear before the final game of the series – the first-choice wicketkeeper; and, as cricket looked ahead to a decade dominated by T20 opulence, Asad Shafiq opening the batting.They took on a juggernaut of a South African side, which had won ten ODIs on the bounce, including the first one of this series. Now, a Colin Ingram hundred helped them to 286, and Pakistan were already battling history: never had they chased down a score north of 223 to beat South Africa. They slumped to 70 for 4, and at 228 for 7 needed 59 in 5.5 overs.They had Abdul Razzaq, though, a T20 finisher since before the format existed, and on his day as unstoppable a hitter as – the comparison is unapologetic – Viv Richards himself. It wasn’t until Razzaq’s three sixes in the 47th over that a Pakistan win appeared even conceivable.It came down to the last wicket and 14 off the final over, but by then Razzaq had found all the cheat codes to batting, and unleashed them upon Albie Morkel. He hit six sixes and three fours off his final 19 balls, getting himself up to a 72-ball 109, while the tail contributed a solitary run. Pakistan swung an absurd one-wicket win on Halloween night, thanks to a man possessed who had spooked South Africa.You know it’s a big win when the sprinkler dance makes an appearance•Getty ImagesAustralia v England, fourth Test, Melbourne, 2010
By Andrew McGlashan
For someone who grew up in the 1990s, winning in Australia is a rare thing. The three Ashes series hosted in Australia either side of England’s 2010-11 triumph are 14-0 to the home team. Maybe English sport does wallow in the past too much, but what Andrew Strauss’ side achieved in 2010-11 remains special.There were many high points, but nothing was better than the MCG – and specifically the opening day. Australia had won in Perth to make it 1-1 and anticipation was high that they could halt England’s ambitions on Boxing Day at the G. Midway through the day, the scoreboard read Australia 98 all out. A few hours later there was the added line, England 157 for 0. It was a thing of beauty.The rest of the match was a procession towards England retaining the Ashes. And there was also the bonus of watching Ricky Ponting lose his cool. Early on the fourth day, with the 19,000-strong crowd made almost entirely of England supporters, Tim Bresnan claimed the final wicket. There are worse ways to spend Christmas.When 2 becomes 1: Vernon Philander’s five-for sealed a 2-0 win for South Africa to displace England at the top of the Test rankings•PA PhotosEngland v South Africa, third Test, Lord’s, 2012
By Firdose Moonda
South Africa have not won the World Cup, but their pinnacle came at Lord’s in 2012, when they took the Test mace off England in a match worthy of the occasion. After Hashim Amla’s triple-century opened the series in emphatic fashion at The Oval, where South Africa won, and rain and a rampant Kevin Pietersen ensured a draw at Headingley, the teams headed into the final Test, which England had to win to stay No. 1.England eked out a six-run first-innings lead, and at 259 for 4 in the second innings, South Africa looked as though they would be content to bat England out of contention. An inspired second-new-ball performance from the home attack ensured that did not happen: England took 6 for 92 and needed 346 to win. At 16 for 2 on the fourth evening, with Vernon Philander giving a masterclass in the art of subtle seam movement, England looked unlikely to get there. But on an electric final day, Jonathan Trott, Jonny Bairstow and Matt Prior made a fight of it.Eventually, Philander – loved at home, looked down upon away – seamed it South Africa’s way. His 5 for 30 took South Africa to the top of the Test rankings, where they stayed for the best part of three and a half years, and his “stats don’t lie” comment will be long remembered as the crowning moment for South Africa’s golden generation.More picks by our writers and correspondents hereMore in the decade in review, 2010-19

MatériaMais Notícias

da apostebet： O ex-zagueiro Joel Carli não esconde sua expectativa por se adaptar a nova rotina. Três meses após ter pendurado suas chuteiras, o argentino assumiu a função de Especialista de Formação e Transição dentro do Botafogo.

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da realsbet： Com a vivência de quem fez cursos técnicos e de gestão, Carli assegurou que está adaptado para ajudar o Glorioso de uma nova forma.

+ Já pensou em ser um gestor de futebol? Participe da nossa Masterclass com Felipe Ximenes e descubra oportunidades

  + Ação contra o Botafogo no STJD: organizada rechaça cunho nazista em frase que pode gerar punição ao Alvinegro; entidades israelitas se manifestam

– Estou passando por esta transição e estou feliz por continuar em casa, no clube que eu amo, e realmente estou gostando muito. Sempre me interessei nessa parte do extracampo já quando ainda estava como atleta e isso me facilita agora nessa adaptação para a nova função. Estamos trabalhando muito fortes e muito conscientes, Tomara que, a curto prazo, possamos nutrir cada vez mais nosso time profissional com atletas da base – detalhou o ex-defensor ao site oficial do Botafogo, destacando:

– O Botafogo está nesse caminho, tem melhorado muito no trabalho, claro que ainda falta para a perfeição que o clube precisa e merece. Estamos trabalhando muito forte e muito consciente, tomara que a curto prazo podemos conseguir nutrir cada vez mais nosso time profissional com atletas da base – completou.

Gerente de futebol do Alvinegro, Tiano Gomes exaltou a presença do argentino no processo das categorias de base.

– É muito bom ter o Carli, um ídolo do clube, desempenhando essa função, participando da transição para o futebol profissional com todos os atletas e trazendo toda a experiência que ele tem para todas as comissões técnicas e para que possamos qualificar ainda mais a nossa formação, nossos profissionais e jogadores, para que sejam entregues da melhor forma possível para o futebol profissional – afirmou.

Gerente técnico metodológico, João Paulo Costa falou sobre a função de Carli.

– Carli passa a atuar no desenvolvimento dos atletas da base a partir das suas experiências e percepções como jogador de futebol. Nesta primeira fase, temos o processo de observação, dentro e fora de campo, realizando intervenções em aspectos que precisam ser melhorados pelo atleta e sugerindo ações individuais para serem realizadas nos treinamentos e nos jogos. A partir disso, será construído um Plano de Desenvolvimento Individual para cada jogador, baseado naquilo que são os processos formativos que entendemos que os atletas devem ter ao longo da sua formação nas diferentes categorias – destacou.

Hetmyer, who didn’t play a single game at the 2024 T20 World Cup, retained his place in the squad

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Aug-2024Andre Russell will miss West Indies’ upcoming three-match T20I series at home against South Africa as he has “requested a period of rest and recovery,” according to Miles Bascombe, CWI’s director of cricket. Russell, 36, was part of West Indies’ run to the Super Eight during their home World Cup in June and was more recently in action for London Spirit in the Hundred.Russell and Jason Holder, who has also been rested for the T20Is will work closely with the CWI science and medicine team. Alzarri Joseph, who was West Indies’ vice-captain during the T20 World Cup and missed the Tests against South Africa, will continue to take time off.West Indies’ red-ball coach Andre Coley had laid out a long-term outlook with regards to Alzarri’s workload management in a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, “As far as Alzarri is concerned, it always helps to have a period of time away from the game to work on your individual skills, because you could get drawn into moving from one tournament to the next and might actually lose some of your skills.”So it’s building in the right amount of rest time where he does nothing, but then also have little periods where he is not in competition. That way he will be able to create more control around his bowling.”ESPNcricinfo LtdOpening batter Brandon King will also miss this series as he continues to recover from the side strain he had sustained during West Indies’ Super Eight fixture against England in June. King has not played a competitive game since. In his absence, Shai Hope could open the batting with Johnson Charles while rookie Alick Athanaze could also do a job at the top.Shimron Hetmyer, who didn’t feature in a single game at the 2024 T20 World Cup, retained his place in the squad. Hetmyer had last played a T20I for West Indies in December 2023.”Facing a strong South Africa side is an excellent opportunity for our team to reset and refocus with our game plan,” Daren Sammy, West Indies’ white-ball coach, said in a CWI statement. “We have played them recently and had mixed results, so this should be an exciting and important series. I’m confident in the squad we’ve selected, and with eyes already on the next T20 World Cup in 2026, I know the guys will be keen to show their hunger for success.”Along with Athanaze, allrounder Matthew Forde has been picked with an eye on the 2026 T20 World Cup. Forde can swing the new ball and hit sixes lower down the order and has flourished under Sammy at St Lucia Kings in the CPL.Spin-bowling allrounder Fabian Allen returned to the side, having missed the cut for the T20 World Cup. He will bolster a spin attack that already includes Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase. Allen had won the Lanka Premier League (LPL) with Jaffna Kings in July.The Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba will host all three T20Is, and will be part of double-headers with the WCPL.West Indies squad for SA T20IsRovman Powell (capt), Roston Chase (vice-capt), Alick Athanaze, Fabian Allen, Johnson Charles, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd

The WCA had received reports of certain cricket boards not paying the men’s T20 World Cup “prize money in full” to their players

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Nov-2024The World Cricketers’ Association (WCA, formerly FICA) has expressed its “concern” after receiving reports of certain cricket boards not paying the “prize money in full” to their players, who participated at the last men’s T20 World Cup, earlier this year in the USA and the West Indies.”In some cases the failure to pay in full has been paired with threatening and intimidatory behaviour by National Governing Bodies to player groups,” the WCA said in a statement on Wednesday.ESPNcricinfo understands that players from five of the 20 participating teams – of which eight were Associate Members of the ICC – have not been paid their dues.Related

• WCA hopes to find solution to 'broken and unsustainable' cricket schedule

“We are extremely concerned with a number of countries who are still yet to pay players their prize money from the men’s T20 World Cup held in the US and Caribbean earlier in the year, and especially with a number of threats made against players who stand up for themselves and their colleagues in some cricket environments,” Tom Moffat, WCA chief executive, said. “We appreciate the ICC’s efforts to date in ensuring the players involved are paid in full, and are certain the ICC will continue to take all appropriate steps against any Boards who do not do so, and to enforce their own Terms of Participation.”Every player in our sport should receive the benefits they are entitled to in full, and should be provided with a safe environment to play, work, and advocate for themselves and their colleagues off field, through a players’ association if they choose.”The statement was released after the WCA board met this week in Singapore for its annual general meeting, where it also approved the establishment of a Global Player Hardship Fund.The fund, the WCA said, has been designed to support international players in need “who are not covered by the game’s existing domestic frameworks for support”.JP Van Wyk, WCA’s head of welfare and education, said, “Professional athletes face unique challenges in their short careers and we know through the great work that many players’ associations do at domestic level that tailored player welfare support structures have supported players in their time of need. We also know that in an increasingly global player employment market there are notable gaps in the current system in assisting players in extreme cases of hardship.”Although this fund will operate within certain constraints, and will complement domestic offerings, we are certain it is going to assist those current and recently retired international cricketers who are presently unsupported and vulnerable.”The fund will be governed by “an oversight group” made up of experts and players’ association representatives.Meanwhile, Heath Mills and Sana Mir have been reappointed executive chair and independent director respectively.

The New Zealand allrounder helped guide the chase alongside Ellyse Perry to ensure they were ahead of the DLS

AAP08-Nov-2024

Amelia Kerr has made an immediate impact at Sydney Sixers, combining with Ellyse Perry for the match-winning WBBL partnership against Melbourne Stars.The star New Zealand allrounder was player of the match in her Sixers debut on Friday at Junction Oval as they beat the home side by six runs under the DLS method.Related

Perry continues fine form as Sixers edge out Hurricanes

King, Ainsworth combine in Scorchers' thrilling win; Knight-Bates pair maintain Thunder's strong start

Sixers’ chase started badly, when Kim Garth’s first delivery had Sarah Bryce caught by Meg Lanning at first slip in the second over for 1.That brought Kerr to the crease in her first game since tearing her right quad in the October 24 one-dayer against India. Kerr made 46 not out from 41 balls, including five fours, and Perry’s unbeaten 48 from 44 deliveries featured six boundaries as they took the game away from Stars.She also took two wickets, including Stars top-scorer Annabel Sutherland.There were concerns that Kerr, the player of the tournament in the T20 World Cup, might be sidelined for much of the WBBL. But she has recovered from her injury ahead of time. Kerr has signed with the Sixers for three seasons after five WBBL campaigns at the Brisbane Heat.Perry won the toss and Stars made a bright start, before she removed Ines McKeon in the fourth over. Stars stuttered from 32 for 1 to 50 for 3, before Sutherland gave some substance with her 42 from 36 balls, with two fours and two sixes.Kerr dismissed Sutherland in the final over and also claimed the wicket of Tess Flintoff two balls later to finish with 2 for 36 from four overs.English star Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the Sixers attack, claiming 3 for 19 from four overs.The result means the two Melbourne teams both carry losses into their Saturday derby at Junction Oval, while Sydney improve to a 3-2 record.

Like he did in the previous match, Abhimanyu Easwaran waged a lone battle for India B as they stare at a substantial first-innings deficit in the final round of the 2024-25 Duleep Trophy in Anantapur.Easwaran backed his unbeaten 157 in the previous game with a second-straight century, a 170-ball 116, before being adjudged caught behind. Easwaran, who went for a hook shot, seemed to suggest the ball had deflected off his arm guard.He couldn’t contest the decision because the BCCI has enabled DRS only for the other fixture, between India A and India C, which is being broadcast.The runs couldn’t have come at a better time, given India will be looking to possibly narrow down on a reserve openers’ slot while looking ahead to the India A tour to Australia, followed by the five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy, also in Australia.Related

• Yash Dayal: 'If that Rinku over hadn't happened to me, I don't know if I might be here today'

• Kamboj: 'As a fast bowler, your challenge is to always look to create opportunities'

• Kishan, Patidar miss out as India A call the shots

Prior to Easwaran’s typically gritty knock, it was Sanju Samson who brought the thrill, racing to what was only his 11th first-class century, in 105 innings, at better than a run-a-ball. Samson hit 12 fours and three sixes in his 101-ball 106 that formed the bedrock of India D’s 349.Navdeep Saini had a second impressive outing, picking up 5 for 74, to go with his five wickets and a half-century in the opening round of matches.Already out of the reckoning for a trophy having lost both their games so far, India D hit back with the ball courtesy Arshdeep Singh and Aditya Thakare. Arshdeep, who is looking to build his way up the red-ball charts after becoming a white-ball regular for India, picked up 3 for 30 across 12 overs.This included the big wickets of Suryakumar Yadav (5) and the in-form Musheer Khan (5). Nitish Kumar Reddy, among the BCCI’s target pool of players, bagged a third single-digit score in the tournament, two of them ducks, when he was nicked off by Arshdeep.Washington Sundar batted with composure to remain unbeaten on 39 at stumps. He’ll have to do a bulk of the scoring on Saturday if India D are to minimise what could be a massive first-innings deficit.

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank says his side's pre-season win over Arsenal – thanks to Pape Sarr's wondergoal – was "very pleasing".

Tottenham beat Arsenal 1-0 Sarr wondergoal secures winFrank delighted with pre-season victoryFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Sarr's long-range strike was the difference as Spurs won the first-ever north London derby in Hong Kong 1-0 on Thursday. The former Brentford boss said this was a very positive result for Tottenham and provides a platform ahead of the new season.

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"This was as positive a result as you can get in terms of reinforcing the messages and team building, and desire to defend was good," he said. "It is very pleasing to win my first north London derby. And you could not call that a friendly. People could see the desire from both teams and our great desire to keep a clean sheet."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

While it is early days and pre-season can count for little when it comes to a Premier League campaign, Frank will be buoyed by Tottenham's victory and the way they went about beating Arsenal. The Dane will be under a lot of pressure to succeed, and this result over Spurs' bitter rivals will have done him plenty of favours.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Tottenham continue their Asian tour when they take on Premier League rivals Newcastle United on Sunday. Frank's side then come up against Bayern Munich in another pre-season friendly next Thursday, before locking horns with Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup on August 13.

After announcing the arrival of Antonio Cordero, Newcastle United have now reportedly entered talks to sign a long-term target who Eddie Howe loves in a deal worth £30m.

Newcastle announce Cordero arrival

Having spent the last two windows watching other clubs spend big and welcome key additions courtesy of their PSR concerns, Newcastle and PIF wasted no time before getting their business started this time around. Securing the addition of Cordero, the young Spanish winger will arrive at the end of his Malaga contract on July 1.

Welcoming Cordero to the club in what could be one of his final acts at the club, departing sporting director Paul Mitchell said: “Antonio is an exciting talent. We’re delighted to bring him to Newcastle United amidst interest in Spain and across Europe.He has lots of potential, and the next phase of his development will be for the club to select a loan move that will challenge him and build on his experiences.”

PIF are not done there though. In search of a winger instead of Bryan Mbeumo, who could soon be on his way to Manchester United, the Magpies have been linked with moves for the likes of Anthony Elanga as well as Brighton forward Joao Pedro.

Elanga is a name that was mentioned last summer before Newcastle were ultimately unable to make their move. One year on, however, they’ve got the necessary breathing room to spend and have reportedly already enquired about a potential deal to sign the Nottingham Forest star.

The Swede isn’t the only target that Newcastle could revisit this summer, either. Making up for last summer’s disappointment, those at St James’ Park are now “in talks” to sign a long-term target who Howe loves, according to reports.

Newcastle "in talks" to sign £30m Trafford

According to Sky Sports, Newcastle are now “in talks” to sign James Trafford from Burnley, who value their shot-stopper at just £30m this summer. The England international is a player that Howe has had ‘long-term admiration and interest in’ and wants Trafford to compete with current No.1 Nick Pope next season.

The latter has struggled on the injury front over the last 12 months and the addition of Trafford could see his place come under threat.

Newcastle’s interest in Trafford is, of course, far from new. The Tyneside club even agreed personal terms with the goalkeeper last summer before failing to negotiate a deal with Burnley.

One year on, whether that agreement remains in place or Newcastle are forced back into negotiations will be interesting to see, especially if Trafford’s stance has changed.

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Dubbed “world-class” by Burnley boss Scott Parker, Trafford has more than earned the interest of a Champions League club and may yet arrive at Newcastle before taking Pope’s starting spot.