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Levi powers Northants' record chase

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Richard Levi’s 28-ball half-century helped Northamptonshire to a second consecutive win in the NatWest T20 Blast and the highest successful chase at Wantage Road

ECB Reporters Network27-May-2016
ScorecardRichard Levi thrashed 58 off 37 balls•Getty Images

Richard Levi’s 28-ball half-century helped Northamptonshire to a second consecutive win in the NatWest T20 Blast and the highest successful chase at Wantage Road. Levi’s 58 gave Northants a quick start and Steven Crook smacked 33 in 24 balls finished the job.Requiring close to ten an over, Northants kept pace with the chase throughout with Jobb Cobb making 35 in 23 balls and Ben Duckett 29 in 15 balls. Only legspinner Matt Critchley found any control for Derbyshire, with 2 for 19 from his three overs.Levi was in belligerent mood once again after an opening-round 61 against Leicestershire. His second scoring stroke was a six – the trademark clip off the legs – and he added three more maximums, including a sweet straight lofted drive off Shiv Thakor before the Powerplay was complete. The first six overs were worth a healthy 77 for 1.Cobb found form in two second XI T20s earlier in the week and here began with a classic straight-drive before clearing his front leg to smear Alex Hughes over midwicket and pulling another wide of long-on.Duckett got his “duck-scoop” away to begin the 15th over that yielded 18 runs to bring the equation back to 46 required in 30 balls. But after an outrageous reverse sweep that flew straight into the burger van for six, he tried the same stroke and top-edged to Thakor at backward point.Crook helped reduce the target to 16 from 12 balls and then smashed Jimmy Neesham over extra-cover for four. Just five were needed from the final over but Rory Kleinveldt was caught at long-on trying to finish the game in style, before Andy Carter yorked Rob Keogh to still leave a single needed from two balls. But a no-ball from a high full toss sealed Northamptonshire’s victory.It was a mighty chase – the highest for Northamptonshire in T20s – after Derbyshire posted 195 for 7. Buoyed by an opening-round victory at champions Lancashire, the visitors were sent in and raced off to a great start thanks to Wes Durston. He took Crook’s first over for 19 – two heaved pulls flew towards the short boundary and a slammed uppercut for six over point to the long side of the ground.He helped the visitors to 65 off the Powerplay – Hamish Rutherford falling to a catch at extra cover for 10 – but they lost Durston on the cusp of a half-century before skipping down to Seekkuge Prasanna and being stumped for 47.It ended a stand of 74 for the second wicket in just 36 balls. Chesney Hughes played his part with 46 in 29 balls, having begun with three boundaries, all of them off the edge of the bat: two flashing past slip and a top-edge that Adam Rossington couldn’t take behind the stumps.But having been 110 for 3 after 11 overs, Northants hauled back the Derbyshire innings with four wickets in 11 balls. Cobb, the stand-in captain, was taken for four, six, four in successive balls by Wayne Madsen before gaining his revenge by trapping Madsen lbw trying to sweep. Hughes then missed a straight delivery and was bowled middle stump to give Cobb a second wicket in the over.Ollie Stone returned to have Neesham caught at first slip and when Graeme White claimed a return catch from Thakor, 140 for 3 had become 151 for 7. But Tom Poynton found two boundaries in the closing overs, coupled with some good running in his 37 in 21 balls, to put up a testing target. It proved not enough.

'De Villiers has helped my batting' – Mandeep

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

RCB batsman Mandeep Singh credited his improved performance in recent matches to AB de Villiers’ help with technical aspects of batting

ESPNcricinfo staff21-May-2015AB de Villiers and Mandeep Singh were the protagonists in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 71-run victory against Rajasthan Royals in Pune, adding 113 for the third wicket to keep their hopes of a maiden IPL title alive. Mandeep made his first half-century of the season, and said later that help from de Villiers on technical aspects of batting had drastically improved his batting.”I have learnt a lot from him already and whatever he has taught me, I have straightaway incorporated those things in my game,” Mandeep told . “Initially when I was playing my shots, the completion of the shot would end with my head leaning towards the off-stump. I asked him for suggestions to improve that aspect.”I initially used to think that the arms go wider while playing your shots and that’s the reason your head tends to fall. He cleared that cloud around me and asked me to have my head still around the middle stump after the completion of a shot. I think even modern-day cricketers consider him their idol. It is like a dream come true to be playing with him.”Mandeep walked in at 46 for 2 in the eighth over of the Eliminator against Royals, and as de Villiers struggled for his characteristic fluency early in his innings, Mandeep accelerated the run rate.”We just wanted to bat and try to build a partnership. We wanted to keep things simple and watch the ball closely and hit it,” Mandeep said. “I knew if de Villiers spent a little more time in the middle, he would get ruthless in the end. I had the confidence that he would see us through.”De Villiers was pleased he could contribute to Mandeep’s success, and said he feels he is achieving his goal of having a positive influence on the younger players in the team. “What would life be without having a good influence on other people? That is what it is all about,” de Villiers said. “I am trying to have a positive impact on some young players in the team and if Mandeep says I have, it makes me a very happy man.”De Villiers started slowly, scoring 16 runs off his first 20 balls, but kicked on to make 50 off his last 18. He praised Mandeep’s innings and said it had helped him get his momentum back.”A lot of credit should go to Mandeep. To be honest, I didn’t play very well,” de Villiers said. “It was not as fluent a knock as I wanted it to be but I guess it all comes with experience. I struggled in the first few overs but I fought through and I was lucky to be there in the end to express myself.”Royal Challengers were 60 for 2 at the end of the 10th over, but the innings gained momentum from there and 120 runs were scored in the last 10 overs. De Villiers said the initial target was 140 considering it wasn’t an easy pitch to bat on.”This wasn’t an easy wicket to bat on. I wouldn’t have been able to get those shots away in the slog overs had I just come in to bat. I was looking at 140 initially. But with that big 15th over against Ankit Sharma, the momentum changed and the target shifted to 150-160. We played even better towards the end and managed to get 180.”

Siddle, Hilfenhaus put on ice

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Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus will not bowl before the first morning of the third Test against South Africa, as Australia try to freshen up the exhausted fast bowlers

Daniel Brettig27-Nov-2012
Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus will not bowl another ball before the first morning of the third Test against South Africa, beginning on November 30 in Perth, as Australia try to freshen up the exhausted fast bowlers after their unstinting but ultimately fruitless efforts in Adelaide.Siddle’s performance was particularly noteworthy, pushing through crippling fatigue to take the hosts to within two wickets of a 1-0 series lead. Those exertions mean both he and Hilfenhaus are in considerable doubt to be recovered in time for Perth, leaving open the possibility of a dramatically recast bowling attack that may feature Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, John Hastings and Josh Hazlewood.Australia coach Mickey Arthur indicated that a wholesale swap of bowlers for Perth was a distinct possibility, granting the captain Michael Clarke a far fresher line-up of bowlers while South Africa continue to rely on the same quartet they brought for the tour. The visitors have been helped by the stout batting display that not only secured a draw but also gave Australia’s bowlers an enormous workload while their opposite numbers reclined in the Adelaide Oval dressing rooms.”It’s certainly something we need to look at,” Arthur said. “I think both Hilf and Sids have been outstanding, especially Sids – I thought there was a huge effort, a really warrior-like effort. We’ve got a couple of days off, I can’t see them bowling any balls at training, so we’ve just got to see how they pull up, see how they come up in Perth.”Hence we’ve given ourselves cover, in case they don’t pull up well we’re in a position where we could go with a completely different attack into Perth. That will depend on how Hilf and Sids travel, and we’ve had Mitchell Starc with us and we know he’s ready to go as well.”The training becomes more individualised now with such a quick turnaround. We’ve got a lot of new bowlers coming in, those bowlers will be very keen to impress I’m sure. So the quality of bowling around the nets is going to be first rate – and I’m sure our bowlers are going to get a really good hit out and be ready to go, come Friday morning.”Johnson’s return to the squad for the first time since he suffered a serious foot injury while batting during the dramatic Johannesburg match a year ago is a nod to his formidable record in Tests at the WACA ground – 30 wickets at 18.13 in four matches – but also an acknowledgement of his improved consistency this summer.”That does play a role, he’s had good success at the WACA ground but he’s just shown really good progression through the whole summer so far and it’s really good to have him back. He gives that little bit of fire and if selected sure he’ll be ready to go,” Arthur said. “I thought Mitchell was outstanding for us in the one day series in Pakistan, he bowled superbly, arguably one of our best bowlers there during that one day series.”He’s been making good progress through Shield cricket, I went and had a look at him at the WACA just last week and he looked in fairly good touch … so I think he obviously thoroughly deserves his place and we’re very lucky we have a lot of depth in this bowling department right now. These two guys [Siddle and Hilfenhaus] have given it their all and we can have a look at how everybody comes up and make a really well-considered decision for Friday.”Another decision Arthur described as well-considered was that to play James Pattinson at Adelaide Oval after he pushed through 53 overs in the first Test of the series at the Gabba. Having bowled only 9.1 overs in South Africa’s first innings in the second Test, Pattinson was forced off by a side/rib injury that ended his Test summer. 
”He’s a young fast bowler, he’s going to get injured,” Arthur said. “Medical reports were that he should be ok, ultimately myself and Michael [Clarke] and the selector on duty make the call and we wanted to go with Patto because we thought he had bowled really well in Brisbane. Unfortunately, young fast bowlers get injured so it was disappointing to lose him during the Test match.”One of Arthur’s chief tasks will be to ensure his team looks beyond the disappointment of Adelaide, emphasising the positives of dominating the world’s No. 1 team for extended periods of both Tests rather than mulling over the two wickets they were unable to take to secure victory.”We’ve had a quick chat about that – it took a massive amount out of the blokes and I’m just so proud of the effort each and every one of them gave. The guys are gutted we didn’t pull this Test match off,” Arthur said. “We spoke to them about it, hopefully we can put that behind us now and it all starts again for us first ball in Perth on Friday.”

Final Redbacks pair clings on for draw

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South Australia’s last pair, Cullen Bailey and Peter George, survived for 22 overs to avoid defeat at Adelaide Oval, where rain and that final stand thwarted Western Australia

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Oct-2011
ScorecardCullen Bailey helped rescue South Australia from what looked like certain defeat•Getty Images

South Australia’s last pair, Cullen Bailey and Peter George, survived for 22 overs to avoid defeat at Adelaide Oval, where rain and that final stand thwarted Western Australia. The Warriors began the day with victory theirs for the taking: they led by 329 runs and the Redbacks were wobbling at 3 for 23.However, wet weather washed out 35 overs, which proved to be costly for the visitors. Nathan Coulter-Nile collected 4 for 46, while Michael Beer and Michael Hogan each picked up two wickets in an over to leave South Australia in major trouble at 9 for 106.At that point, the Redbacks had lost 5 for 28 in 12 overs, which left George and Bailey with a major task to see out the rest of the afternoon. In the final 22 overs they scored only 13 runs – the last 10 overs were maidens – and Bailey finished unbeaten on 19 from 109 balls with George on 5 from 60 deliveries as Marcus North rotated his bowlers to no avail.The Warriors took first-innings points from the match and sit second on the Sheffield Shield table, having won their opening game. The Redbacks are still searching for their first win.

Younis Khan could make Twenty20 comeback

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

A day after coming back into the national side, Younis Khan has hinted at a possible return to the Twenty20 format he retired from over a year ago

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Oct-2010A day after coming back into the national side, former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has hinted at a possible return to the Twenty20 format he retired from, over a year ago.After his meeting with PCB chairman Ijaz Butt on Wednesday, the board cleared Younis’ selection for Pakistan and he was immediately named in the squad for the limited-overs games against South Africa in the UAE. The chief selector Mohsin Khan couldn’t clarify whether Younis would play in the two Twenty20s, but said that his selection would be left to the tour selection committee. Speaking to reporters from the training camp at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Younis said simply that he was available wherever needed.”I am not that sort of a player who says I should be in Test matches or I should be in one-dayers or in Twenty20s,” Younis said. “If my fitness is up there and Pakistan needs me, whether it’s T20, T10, 50-50 or Tests, I am always available for Pakistan.”Younis led Pakistan to a memorable World Twenty20 triumph in England in 2009, but retired from the format immediately after, saying it was time for younger men to take over. Since then he featured only in the ODI and Test set-up, though he has continued playing Twenty20s in domestic competitions in Pakistan and abroad. Though available, Younis’ selection is not guaranteed; he averages just over 25 from 22 Twenty20 matches with a relatively unspectacular strike-rate of 124.85. But at the time he retired, Younis seemed to be coming to terms with his role in the format, finishing among his side’s top-scorers with 172 runs in the World Twenty20.Younis has been kept out of the national set-up since January, when he played his last ODI in Perth and he hasn’t featured in a Test since July last year; the result of a punishment handed out to him for disciplinary reasons after the tour of Australia and a protracted personality and legal clash with Butt and the board. At the age of 32, however, Younis was keen to move on rather than dwell on what has happened. “I talked to the chairman yesterday and we forgot whatever happened in the past. I didn’t want to end my cricket like that. If I say sorry it’s not a big deal. I can’t fight with the chairman, I can’t fight with the board, as whatever I am is because of them. As far as discipline is concerned I have never been fined and everyone knows me well.”Since Younis hasn’t played at the top level for so long, there will inevitably be questions about his form and the logic of selecting him for limited-overs cricket, where over the course of a ten-year career he hasn’t hit the heights he has in the five-day format. He averages just over 32 in 202 ODIs, though that has risen to nearly 35 in the last three years when he has been one of his side’s most senior players. He scored only 67 runs, though, when recalled for the five-match ODI series against Australia.”I played a county season for Surrey, I played T20s and if a player has eight or nine years experience, he often just needs one click,” Younis said. “If luck favors me and I play one good innings everything will be back on track. When I was recalled for Australia, I went there after playing just one domestic match, at least now I have played county cricket, so I am prepared mentally.”Waqar Younis, the Pakistan coach, welcomed Younis’ return to the team. “It’s very good that Younis Khan is back. He’s been a great servant for the last 12-14 years, he has served Pakistan as a captain, as a player, as a senior member he has done wonders. He is a seasoned player, he is still fit, fitter than most of them actually, and always gives 100%.”

Manchester United: Alex Tuanzebe staying at Aston Villa could send him on Lingard path

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

Axel Tuanzebe’s potential is limitless.

However, in order to reach his absolute best, the 21-year-old needs regular football, which isn’t something he’ll get at Manchester United right now. After watching him bloom over at Aston Villa before an unfortunate injury, the Red Devils are reportedly (via the Sun) pondering on extending his loan at Villa Park.

Ever since arriving as a loanee, the young defender’s taken to the EFL Championship like a duck to water. Be it at right-back or centre-back, Tuanzebe’s been a revelation in their defence, helping neutralize some dangerous attacking threat and showcasing his composed defensive skills really well.

While the fairly serious metatarsal fracture seemingly ended his season back in December, the 21-year-old has worked hard to retain fitness and is back in training for the Villains. With the final hurdles needed to earn a playoffs place, Villa will definitely welcome the return of the young defensive sensation.

Regardless of whether they can make the Premier League promotion or not, Tuanzebe’s impressive work means he should be loaned another year to Villa. The rising defender can work on his skill set and can learn a lot under assistant coach John Terry’s guidance, at one of the biggest clubs in England.

The 21-year-old has the ability to become a United first-team regular in the future, thereby saving the club millions when it comes to buying defenders of both the required level and potential.

He’s strong, tall, assertive and fearless in keeping his side in control. However, he’s not yet ready for the big leagues, so continuing his development elsewhere makes sense, as it did with Jesse Lingard during the burgeoning stages of his career before breaking into the first-team.

Tuanzebe should take one step at a time and another year at Villa could help Ole Gunnar Solskjaer receive a more refined, experience defender in 2020.

United fans, would you mind sending Tuanzebe on another loan next season? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

Gaston Pereiro would be an excellent addition for Arsenal in the summer

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Unai Emery is reportedly (via the Daily Mail) set to be handed limited funds to strengthen his squad during the summer transfer window.

The Spaniard was forced to settle for loan signings in January, landing Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez on a temporary deal. There is plenty of work to be done if Arsenal are to challenge Manchester City, Liverpool and Spurs at the top of the table next season. Emery may be forced to offload many fringe players in order to boost his finances.

The long-term future of Mesut Ozil remains unclear after the German was left out of the matchday squad yet again against BATE Borisov. After falling out of favour under Arsene Wenger, the ex-Real Madrid man has struggled for form and fitness under the former Sevilla boss.

To replace him, Arsenal should make a move for PSV Eindhoven maestro – Gaston Pereiro. Valued at £12.6m by Transfermarkt, the Uruguay international has been a mainstay in the side since moving from Nacional back in the summer of 2015. Pereiro was crucial to the side that lifted the Eredivisie title last season and has been in fantastic form yet again during the current campaign.

The 23-year-old has been lethal in front of goal, netting ten goals in all competitions. As well as his goalscoring exploits, Pereiro has also been the creative force for his team, registering seven assists for his team-mates. Averaging 1.5 key passes per game in the Eredivisie, his arrival at the Emirates could mean even more goals for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the attack (WhoScored).

The playmaker possesses the quality to carve open defences and would be an excellent Ozil replacement if the former Germany international does leave England.

Arsenal fans, thoughts?

Jarrod Bowen should be of interest to Everton this summer

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

Everton still remain in with a chance of securing seventh place this season, something that will again allow them to play European football. 

After missing out last season, the Toffees will hope to finish best of the rest, like many others sides as well.

Marco Silva and his side have suffered from inconsistent performances all season long and that’s a worrying sign for the supporters in attendance.

For a long time. they haven’t seen Everton be successful but they have always pushed themselves to at least finish high up the table.

To achieve that next season, they need to make some improvements to their team and the first player on their mind should be Hull City winger Jarrod Bowen.

Bowen, (who is valued at £7.2 million on Transfermarkt) has set the Championship on fire so far this season, making waves and hence inviting teams – both the Toffees and Tottenham were linked with a move in the Mirror some months ago – to take up an interest in acquiring the 22-year-old.

As a young, English prodigy coming through the ranks, Bowen already has vast amounts of experience on his side and that can be looked at by Everton as a positive.

With 16 goals to his name in 33 appearances this season, he has already outdone his total of 15 goals in 44 appearances from last year.

That alone proves that one, he is not a one-season wonder and two, is that he is getting better.

Wingers generally are the more inconsistent players and that would definitely apply to the likes of Theo Walcott and Bernard this season.

Adding strength and depth is what the signing of Jarrod Bowen would bring to Goodison Park and it would be an exciting deal for Everton to ponder over.

Do you agree… Let us know!

Southampton loanee Cedric Soares reportedly labelled as an Inter Milan flop

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

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Southampton full-back Cedric Soares has been labelled as an Inter Milan flop by Italian media outlet Calciomercato despite only making four appearances for them following his loan move during the January transfer window, which doesn’t bode well for the summer for his parent club.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Saints offloaded the Portugal international to the Serie A giants last month with the 27-year-old among the high-profile such as like Manolo Gabbiadini and Wesley Hoedt to go through the exit door.

However, Tuttomercatoweb only reported on February 5 that the Euro 2016 winner was simply a stop-gap addition until the summer, and Calciomercato’s latest thoughts only go to back that idea up even further.

Cedric was largely left on the sidelines by Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl following his arrival at St Mary’s, with youngster Yan Valery often preferred at right-back or right wing-back instead of his experienced teammate.

Bad news for the summer

The south coast outfit’s first priority in the next few weeks will be to stay in the Premier League – something that looks in doubt right now given they are in the relegation zone and face Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in their next four top flight matches.

In this era of ‘big 6’ dominance, has finishing 7th become as good as winning a trophy? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

Whether they survive or not there will surely be a huge squad overhaul in the summer after two successive relegation battles, and it looked as though Cedric might be one of the players they could get rid of easily for a reasonable transfer fee.

However, the fact that he has supposedly been written off at Inter already suggests that a summer exit to them is off the cards, and that could make what is already shaping up to be a tough summer for Southampton even tougher.

Liverpool are monitoring Bukayo Saka’s situation at Arsenal

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

The Daily Mail is reporting that Liverpool are monitoring Bukayo Saka’s contract situation at Arsenal.

What’s the story?

The reports starts off by saying that the Gunners are trying to get the 18-year-old to sign a new deal as they look to fend off interest from other clubs.

Can you name the result these iconic Liverpool images belong to? Give it a go now…

He has just 18 months left on his contract, which has alerted the likes of the Reds, Bayern Munich and Manchester United.

Versatile

Saka has burst on to the scene this year at the Emirates Stadium. He has mainly impressed in the Europa League – in four matches so far this term in that European competition, he has managed two goals and four assists, averaging three key passes and 2.3 dribbles per match. Following his performance against Qarabag, Michael Owen even likened him to Cristiano Ronaldo (BT Sport via The Sun).

He has made 10 Premier League starts as well, and it is his versatility which stands out. Arguably his best displays have come on the left wing, but he has also featured on a regular basis at left-back as well. Clearly, he can play in a number of positions on the left, which would be worth its weight in gold to Jurgen Klopp – the likes of James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, both of whom have been deployed in several different roles this term, have come in extremely handy.

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The likeliest situation in which the Anfield outfit would be able to get their hands on Saka would be if his contract were to run down – in that case, he would arrive as a free agent and, as he currently earns around £3,000 per week, signing him up would not set them back a fortune in wages. By signing the likes of Sepp van den Berg and Harvey Elliott in the previous summer transfer window, Klopp is clearly looking to plan for the future. Signing Saka would fit nicely in with that.

Meanwhile, Liverpool fans react to one former star’s latest comments.