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South Africa’s T20 competition enters the final week with all six franchises still in contention for the playoffs. With eight matches left, here’s how things stack up for each team

Firdose Moonda06-Dec-2016

South Africa’s T20 competition enters the final week with all six franchises still in contention for the playoffs. With eight matches left, here’s how things stack up for each team.Titans Eight matches, 24 points
The defending champions are sitting comfortably at the top of the table and only need one win to secure a playoff spot. Two could give them a home final, provided they are not leapfrogged by the Warriors. They will be mindful of being pipped at the post after tailing off in their last two games. The Titans won their first five completed matches but have since been defeated twice.Tabraiz Shamsi has already been put back in the squad and they also have Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock – although he is suffering from a virus – in their ranks. AB de Villiers is in contention to play in their final league match on Sunday but Morne Morkel, who was due to get a game in a bid to prove his fitness ahead of the Sri Lanka series, is unlikely to feature as he continues to nurse a back niggle.Warriors Seven matches, 23 points
The Warriors put in dominant performances through the mid-section of the league phase – winning four matches in a row – and are a win away from guaranteeing themselves progression. They could go ahead of the Titans and slip straight into the final with three wins and some help from other results.Without many big names in their ranks, the Warriors have relied on team efforts. But one man, Andrew Birch, has stood out. He leads the wicket charts with 17 scalps at 9.23 and will likely keep Kyle Abbott on the sidelines. Sisanda Magala and JJ Smuts have also put in prominent performances so far.Lions Seven matches, 16 points
A stop-start campaign from the Lions could have finally taken off after they surged back into contention for the playoffs with a five-run win over the Warriors at the weekend. They need to win all three remaining games to be assured of a playoff place but can get there with two if other results go their way.They will have to do so without Kagiso Rabada, who is being given some time off in the middle of a busy season, but in his absence Hardus Viljoen has lead the attack impeccably. He is second on the wicket-takers’ charts currently. Consistency in their batting is the Lions’ main issue; they’ll be hopeful Temba Bavuma’s return does the trick for them.Dolphins Eight matches, 15 points
Kevin Pietersen’s return did not inspire the Dolphins to a victory that would have left them well-placed for the qualifiers. Instead, they now need to win both their remaining matches, preferably with bonus points, to get into the semi-final. However, their fate is no longer in their hands.Keshav Maharaj is back for them but they will want more from the likes of Cameron Delport and Robbie Frylinck, especially after their attack was depleted by Andile Phehlukwayo’s injury. They will remain hopeful of their chances, especially because Morne van Wyk has been in good form with the bat.Cobras Seven matches, 12 points
A season marred by off-field drama sparked to life when the Cobras beat the Dolphins to keep their trophy hopes alive. They need three bonus-point wins to qualify for the semi-final but could get there with three ordinary wins, provided other results go their way.They have already welcomed back Dane Vilas and will be boosted by the inclusion of JP Duminy. Even without their other national stars – Vernon Philander (rested) and Hashim Amla (neck injury) – the Cobras have a formidable XI, with Kieron Pollard and Wayne Parnell forming a powerful middle order.Knights Seven matches, five points
After storming to second on the first-class log earlier in the season, the Knights have hit a snag and sit bottom of the T20 competition. They will need to win all three of their remaining fixtures and hope for plenty of favours to qualify.Both David Miller and Rilee Rossouw are injured, which has left it to Theunis de Bruyn to carry the batting without too much support. Marchant de Lange has continued his fine first-class form but they need a few more wicket-takers.

Manchester United are keen on signing Adrien Rabiot this summer as Erik ten Hag aims to bolster his midfield options ahead of next season.

What’s the latest on Adrien Rabiot to Manchester United?

According to RMC Sport (via the Daily Mail), United have reportedly offered a contract to Rabiot ahead of a potential switch this summer.

It comes after the Old Trafford side missed out on the Frenchman a year ago despite a fee being arranged, with the deal falling through due to wage demands. He is out of contract at the end of this season and Ten Hag is going for a second bite of the cherry hoping another move is successful.

Could Man United sign Rabiot this summer?

With Rabiot's deal at Juventus coming to an end, United won't have to worry about a transfer fee and could perhaps offer more in terms of wages to safely negotiate a move for the midfielder.

Convincing the Frenchman that United is the best move for him could spell bad news for Fred, who may be moved on before next term as a result.

There is no doubt the Brazilian has improved under the Dutchman, enjoying a new lease of life while partnered alongside a genuinely world-class operator in Casemiro, and despite starting just 11 Premier League games this term to date, he has chipped in with three goal contributions, created three big chances and made 1.3 tackles per game, proving that when he is called upon, he is contributing.

The 30-year-old has just one year on his current contract and this could give Ten Hag licence to move him on for a fee this summer in order to free up room for Rabiot.

The Juve star has enjoyed something of a career renaissance this season with club and country. The 28-year-old is ranked as the best midfielder in the Juventus squad for his Serie A performances this term, with an overall rating of 7.06/10 from Sofascore, while he has also chipped in with eight goals and one assist, demonstrating how effective he can be going forward, which could be a big bonus to Ten Hag.

For France, the £150k-per-week machine was in wonderful form during their run to the World Cup final in Qatar last year. Across six matches, he registered two goal contributions and averaged 61.5 touches per game, controlling the game from the midfield as France came so close to retaining their title.

It’s no wonder national coach Didier Deschamps described him as a “complete midfielder”, and there is no doubt that he could bolster United's ranks ahead of Ten Hag’s second season in charge.

Ravi Bopara underlined his liking for the Kent attack when he hammered six sixes in an unbeaten 81 to lead Essex to their third successive NatWest T20 Blast victory.

ECB Reporters Network01-Jul-2016
ScorecardRavi Bopara’s unbeaten 81 sealed victory•Getty Images

Ravi Bopara underlined his liking for the Kent attack when he hammered six sixes in an unbeaten 81 to lead Essex to their third successive NatWest T20 Blast victory.The Essex captain, who also posted 74 not out when the two teams met in the Royal London Cup two-and-a-half weeks ago, was on fire, and was particularly harsh on Mitch Claydon, who he deposited for two maximums in the final over of the innings.Bopara, who batted for 43 balls with six fours as well as those half-a-dozen sixes, put on an unbeaten 131 off 10.2 overs with Ashar Zaidi, who was in similar form himself. Zaidi finished unbeaten on 54 off 33 balls with five fours and three sixes.And all this after Kent put Essex in and Jesse Ryder went third ball, beaten for pace by Kagiso Rabada and edging to wicketkeeper Sam Billings without scoring.Kent started their reply in brisk fashion, landing a succession of sixes themselves, eight in the final analysis, but they became becalmed mid-innings as the required run-rate topped 14 with seven overs remaining and kept growing.After the departure of Ryder, the Essex innings was sparked into action by Tom Westley and Kishen Velani. Westley drove Rabada through the covers two balls into his innings and pulled another boundary through midwicket when the young South African dropped one short.Velani was no less punishing, twice giving himself room to chop Claydon through the covers and then greeting Ivan Thomas with a controlled, lofted edge to third man for another four.The second-wicket partnership had put on 42 in 4.5 overs when the pair collided midwicket chasing a second run and Velani failed to beat Sam Northeast’s throw into the wicketkeeper’s gloves.Bopara had just deposited James Tredwell over cow corner for six when, two balls later, the bowler held a sharp caught-and-bowled to dismiss Westley for 33 from 31 balls.Bopara’s second six, swept over midwicket, ruined Fabian Cowdrey’s figures. The spinner’s first three overs had gone for 13, but his last went for 14.Zaidi was in typically hard-hitting mode, bouncing down the wicket to thump Thomas over cow for six and then lofting Tredwell over long leg for a second.Bopara and Zaidi passed fifty in five overs together when Bopara got an inside-edge for four that left Thomas flat on the floor in his follow-through, and hitting the ground in frustration.It didn’t not get any better for Thomas as Bopara hit the last two balls of his spell for a straight, flat six and then paddled a four to reach his personal fifty off 32 balls.Bopara’s fourth six, clouting Rabada over his head high into the black sightscreen behind the bowler, also brought up the hundred partnership for the fourth wicket inside 10 overs.Zaidi reached his fifty off 33 balls from a loose full-toss by Claydon which was sent towering over midwicket. The bowler received similar treatment by Bopara who hit his fifth and sixth sixes off the same over, the first straight, the second over long-on.The home crowd, already pumped up by the display of six-hitting by Bopara and Zaidi, were soon celebrating a wicket. Joe Denly departed for a first-ball duck when he was beaten all ends up to provide Paul Walter with his first senior wicket for Essex.But Kent were soon hitting sixes for fun themselves. Dan Lawrence went for two in an over, Tom Latham hooking the first over midwicket and another straight. Sam Northeast then eased Matt Quinn over cow corner as Kent reached 49 off the first five overs.But from the first ball of the next over, Northeast swished at Graham Napier and was caught behind. Since Napier had taken two Surrey wickets with his last two deliveries at The Oval on Saturday, it meant he had taken a hat-trick, albeit six days apart. More importantly he put the brakes on Kent’s onslaught, conceding just two runs in the over, and then had Latham caught by Ryder backward of square.Billings did not last much longer, run out by a direct hit from Ryder in the middle of a maiden over from Ryan ten Doeschate. Stevens also fell to another direct-hit run-out as Bopara fielded off his own bowling before Alex Blake was caught by ten Doeschate on his knees at long-on for a 31-ball 37, including two sixes.Rabada went second ball to a catch behind off Quinn, Cowdrey was caught-and-bowled by Walter and Tredwell became Walter’s third victim, caught on the fine-leg boundary by Lawrence.

ScorecardEssex captain Ryan ten Doeschate claimed four of the last five wickets to fall•Getty Images

Essex wasted little time in picking up the six Northamptonshire wickets they needed on the final day to secure their second County Championship win of the season. Ryan ten Doeschate claimed figures of 4 for 31 before Graham Napier returned to wrap up the victory 17 balls after lunch.Facing a race against the forecast for rain, Essex got off to a flying start, as Jamie Porter picked up his eighth wicket of the match – and 22nd of the season – with a delivery that reared at Richard Levi, who fended to point where Dan Lawrence took a fine catch in the third over of the day.This brought Adam Rossington, who was the main source of resistance in Northamptonshire’s first innings, to the crease. In the company of nightwatchman Azharullah, Rossington dug in once more, sharing 21 in 17 overs until ten Doeschate, the fifth bowler used by Essex, pinned him leg-before playing back.At the other end, Azharullah lived a charmed life, edging just short of Alastair Cook at first slip in the first over of the day, and later on short of fourth slip. Between times, when he was on 6, James Foster shelled a tough chance diving one-handed to his right off Porter.David Murphy came and went, playing a beautiful straight drive, then almost being caught and bowled, before finally slapping straight to mid-on, all in a single ten Doeschate over. With the last ball of his next, the Essex captain ended Azharullah’s 88-ball resistance as he was adjudged lbw.With Rory Kleinveldt and Richard Gleeson defending stoically – and peppering the third man boundary – Essex extended the session by 15 minutes in pursuit of the final two wickets. After 12 of those minutes, and a couple more loud lbw appeals, the players left the field as a passing shower struck.The win, which was set up by half-centuries for each of Essex’s top five across the rain-ravaged first two days, was secured almost immediately after the break. Gleeson miscued ten Doeschate straight to fine leg 14 balls after lunch, and while Kleinveldt hammered him down the ground for four next ball, Napier returned to finish the job, castling Ben Sanderson with a perfect yorker second ball.The win gave Essex 23 points, securing their place atop Division Two going into the fourth round of matches, when they head to New Road to face Worcestershire. Northamptonshire headed home with just one.

HLTCO podcaster Dan Cook was left far from impressed by Eberechi Eze’s performance during Crystal Palace’s derby defeat on Wednesday evening.

The Lowdown: Palace’s slump continues

After a bright start to the game against Brighton on Wednesday, which saw Crystal Palace squander two glorious chances via Odsonne Edouard and Michael Olise, they ultimately tasted defeat once again in the Premier League.

It was an all too familiar feeling for Palace and Patrick Vieira as they once again failed to pick up three points – something they’ve been unable to do throughout 2023 – but it could’ve been very different had the Palace boss not been pretty much forced into a half-time switch.

Vieira seemingly had no choice but to hook Cheick Doucoure after he somehow avoided picking up a second yellow card in the first half, which allowed Eze the chance to impact the game and get the Eagles a positive result, although he was far from being at a level of which to do so.

The Latest: Eze struggled to make an impact

Cook ripped into Eze on the HLTCO podcast after his shocking 45-minute cameo, which saw him fail to register a single shot in the second half (as per Sofascore).

He said: “Ebere Eze’s overall performance in the second half left a lot to be desired. He seemed ponderous in possession, he seemed loose with his touch and he didn’t really – for my money – look after the ball at all well, and it really did hamper us.”

The Verdict: Vieira needs to get more out of Eze

After bursting onto the Premier League stage back in 2020, it has been a rather steady decline for Eze, with a long-term injury likely playing a big part in that. However, he needs to step up his game to avoid having a relegation on his CV.

It wasn’t too long ago that Eze was being linked with a move to mega-rich Newcastle United – which shows the talent he possesses – so it’s now up to Vieira to unlock that talent once again, as Palace desperately need inspiration in the final third.

Palace haven’t scored a goal in any of their last four matches and have also failed to find the back of the net more than once in a game since December when they beat Bournemouth 2-0, so Vieira certainly needs to be getting the most out of his flair players such as Eze, Olise and Wilfried Zaha. Otherwise, it could be a bleak end to the season.

Leeds United correspondent Phil Hay has provided a takeover update regarding the 49ers Enterprises.  

The Lowdown: Option until January

The 49ers Enterprises have had a deal in place to take over from current majority owner Andrea Radrizzani since December 2021. They currently have a 44% stake in the club and have until January to exercise the agreement to take complete control.

Reports have suggested that the 49ers ‘expect to be in control in Yorkshire for 10-15 years once they seal a full takeover of the club this summer’, adding that relegation would not stop a deal as they are ‘pursuing a long-term capital appreciation model’.

The Latest: Hay’s update

Hay shared an update regarding a potential takeover in a mailbag for The Athletic on Friday. The reliable reporter said ‘our understanding from speaking to people involved’ is that a consortium has been put together that includes around ten different parties.

Each party would be ready to commit between roughly £20m and £70m for the initial deal, with Peter Lowy and one US political figure with Washington links involved in the background.

Hay added that it would be the 49ers Enterprises whose name will be above the door and are fronting the process.

The Verdict: Exciting

In his update, Hay also said that there’s a ‘very strong chance’ that the 49ers will be in charge from July, regardless of what division Leeds find themselves in.

That will come as an exciting update to plenty of supporters, with some growing frustrated with Radrizzani over the last 12 months. ‘Sack the board’ chants have been heard at Elland Road this season, and although the 49ers are part of the current make-up, you’d expect they wouldn’t have had the final say.

However, they may soon be in charge, and it’ll be interesting to see if they decide on a complete shake-up at Elland Road, potentially impacting sporting director Victor Orta and managing director Angus Kinnear.

South Africa’s last four wickets added 189 to shore up an already strong total before Australia’s new look batting line-up went on a freefall

The Report by Brydon Coverdale31-Mar-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details2:57

Voges: Nothing has gone right for Australia

It was a difficult day for Australia’s new-look batting order. Of course, not the kind of difficult day their old-look batting order has been having this week. But if much has changed since the Cape Town Test, South Africa’s dominance has remained the constant them. The only negative thing that could be said of South Africa on the second day was the inability of the lower order to help get Temba Bavuma his second Test ton. As low points go, that is stratospheric.The day began with South Africa on 313 for 6. They batted on, and on, and on, and posted 488, the highest total made in a Test at the Wanderers since 2003. The day finished with Australia on 110 for 6 in reply, after Vernon Philander led a strong bowling display with three wickets. Only two Australians had reached double figures and at stumps they were relying on new captain Tim Paine, who was on 5, and Pat Cummins, on 7, and avoiding the follow-on was still 179 runs away.Australia’s top order was almost unrecognisable from the corresponding group in Cape Town. Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw opened, the first time Australia had switched both openers from the previous Test since the start of the 2013 Ashes, when Chris Rogers and Shane Watson walked out first. The tour of India earlier that year had ended with David Warner and Ed Cowan as the opening pair, but Cowan had been demoted to No.3 and Warner had been suspended due to his pub fracas with Joe Root.Back then, neither Rogers nor Watson made it to 20 in the first innings; here, neither Burns nor Renshaw made double figures. On four, Burns prodded outside off to Kagiso Rabada and his edge was sharply snapped up at second slip by Faf du Plessis. Renshaw made eight before he wafted at Philander and edged behind. Both Burns and Renshaw had been batting in Brisbane on Tuesday, rushed to South Africa, and were in the Test team by Friday, and if that was perfect preparation for a Test then everyone would do it.The other batting inclusion, Peter Handscomb, has waited all series for a chance to face up in a Test, and when his opportunity finally arrived it ended quickly and with much frustration. Handscomb shaped to leave his first ball from Philander but could not get his bat out of the way, and the ball ricocheted off it and back onto his stumps for a golden duck. Handscomb simply shook his head in disbelief.Philander missed the chance of a hat-trick – Geoff Griffin in 1960 remains the only South African to have taken a Test hat-trick – but plenty more wickets were to fall. Only a 52-run stand between Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh looked like giving Australia any sort of platform. Khawaja, rounding out an all-Queensland top three, looked in good touch, but Marsh’s strokeplay seemed about as fluent as his Xhosa.Khawaja brought up his second fifty of the series from his 77th ball but lasted only a few more, brilliantly caught down the leg side by Quinton de Kock, standing up to the stumps to Philander. Marsh, who had played and missed and been struck on the pads numerous times, was put out of his misery when he edged Keshav Maharaj to slip on 16 from 74 balls. And in his final Test, Morne Morkel capped off the day by having Mitchell Marsh bowled, playing on, for four.Earlier, Morkel had been the last man out to leave Bavuma stranded on 95 as Cummins finished the South Africa innings with two wickets in two balls. Cummins ended up with 5 for 83, remarkably just his second five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, the other having also come at the Wanderers when he made his Test debut in 2011. Cummins wrapped up the innings by having Keshav Maharaj caught behind, slashing loosely for a career-best 45, and Morkel taken at slip for a golden duck.Bavuma and de Kock had started the day at the crease and put on 85 for the seventh wicket, moving the score along steadily for much of the morning. But on 39, de Kock tried to force one from Nathan Lyon through the leg side with a cross-bat stroke, checking his shot when the ball turned sharply, and he skied a catch to mid-on. Bavuma struck 13 boundaries and played all the shots, sweeping, reverse-sweeping, driving and cutting, and he showed his adventurous side by lofting Cummins over extra cover for a boundary.His 76-run ninth-wicket stand with Maharaj frustrated the Australians, though its end must have frustrated Bavuma. Maharaj’s innings was typically aggressive but ended in typically reckless style, and Bavuma was soon stranded. Still, compared to Australia’s long list of issues, it was a good problem to have.

Hibernian parted company with manager Lee Johnson over the weekend following a dreadful start to the 2023/24 campaign at Easter Road.

Although the club secured progress in the League Cup via a win over Raith Rovers while qualifying for the Europa Conference League playoff round, it hasn’t been enough to save Johnson.

Woeful European defeats to Inter Club d’Escaldes and Aston Villa sandwich an impressive two-legged performance against Swiss side Luzern, but their Premiership form has been nothing shy of disastrous.

They have yet to win a point across their first three matches as they are rooted to the bottom of the table, and although they have scored five times during these ties, conceding eight goals isn’t the form of top-four contenders.

The search for a new boss begins, and the club will need to get it right in order to return to form.

Who could be the new Hibs manager?

The moment a manager is relieved of their duties, the thoughts turn to who could be next in line to manage the team.

Former defender David Gray will lead the side on a caretaker position until a new boss is found, and they may wait until the international break to appoint someone.

The Scotsman have compiled a list of some ideal candidates for the Hibs board to consider and the vast majority of names could certainly be an improvement on Johnson.

Names include Derek McInnes, Neil Lennon, and former Celtic captain Scott Brown, but there is another name on the list who could be an excellent replacement for the recently departed 42-year-old at Easter Road; Marti Cifuentes.

Who is Marti Cifuentes?

The current Hammarby manager was actually linked with a move to Hearts before Steven Naismith was given the opportunity to lead the side, and it’s evident that clubs in Scotland have noticed his potential.

The Spaniard prefers to play with a 4-3-3 formation which could benefit from the quality that Hibs have in their midfield and attack.

He has managed 231 matches during his relatively short managerial career thus far and across those games, he has won 356 points at a rate of 1.54 points per game, whereas Johnson has won just 1.47 points per match.

Cifuentes enjoyed a solid first season in charge of the Swedish side, leading the team to third place in the league while just missing out on national cup success.

Such an achievement certainly makes him comparable to the former Chelsea boss Graham Potter, who built up a wonderful reputation of his own in Sweden.

He led Ostersunds to the Swedish Cup while also claiming a stunning victory against Arsenal in the Europa League, something that secured him a move to England.

Cifuentes has also forged his career in Scandinavia, managing Sandefjord and Aalborg BK before getting the top job at Hammarby, averaging 1.81 points per match at his latest club.

Potter actually averaged fewer points per match (1.71) during his stint in Sweden, meaning the Spaniard looks like he could certainly follow in his footsteps.

Hibs should be making a concrete effort to lure the 41-year-old to Easter Road before another club lands him and the next few weeks could be interesting indeed.

They have now become the country’s most successful first-class team having eclipsed five-time champions Rajshahi Divison

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Dec-2017Tier 1Khulna Division completed a hat-trick of National Cricket League titles after crushing Dhaka Division by an innings and 49 runs. They have now become the country’s most successful first-class team having eclipsed five-time champions Rajshahi Divison.Mehidy Hasan set up the victory at the BKSP-3 ground with a seven-wicket haul in the first innings as Dhaka were bowled out for 113 in 38.4 overs. Mehidy’s 7 for 24 was his best bowling figures, and he finished the game with his third 10-for in first-class cricket.Khulna replied with 459 for 8 in only 91 overs with Anamul Haque making his second first-class double-hundred while Mahedi Hasan blasted 177. Anamul struck 23 fours and four sixes in his 251-ball 202. Mahedi hammered 21 fours and two sixes in his 160-ball effort. The pair added 295 runs for the second wicket.Later, Mehidy and Rubel Hossain took three wickets each as Dhaka were bowled out for 297 in their second innings on the fourth morning.Nasir Hossain fell five runs short of a triple-century during Rangpur Division’s drawn game against Barisal Division in Chittagong. Nasir’s 295, spanning ten hours and 510 balls and including 32 fours and three sixes, is now the second-highest score by a Bangladeshi in a first-class match.His 368-run fifth wicket stand with Ariful Haque, who made 162, is now the fifth highest stand in Bangladesh’s first-class history. Ariful struck 10 fours and two sixes in his 290-ball effort. Their partnership was the cornerstone of Rangpur’s mammoth 614 for 7 in reply to Barisal’s first=innings 335. Sohag Gazi had top-scored for Barisal with 99.Barisal reached 217 for four on the final day and were relegated to Tier 2 alongside Dhaka Division.Milton AhmedTier 2Rajshahi Division were one of two teams to earn promotion for next season’s NCL after they drew their last Tier-2 game against Dhaka Metropolis.Batting first, Dhaka Metro posted 328 with Shadman Islam and Marshall Ayub hitting fifties. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam took 5 for 105.Rajshahi’s reply was massive, as they posted 668 in 152.4 overs. Nazmul Hossain Shanto made 194 with 21 fours in seven hours and 42 minutes. He was involved in a record 341-run opening partnership with Mizanur Rahman, who made 175 off 210 balls, which included 30 fours and two sixes. Their partnership is a new high for opening stands in Bangladesh’s domestic cricket.Later, Farhad Reza also chipped in with 106 off 151 balls, an innings included 12 fours and five sixes.The game meandered to a draw as Dhaka Metro reached 118 for five on the final day. Shafiul Islam took three wickets.Sylhet Division also gained promotion to next year’s Tier 1 after a drawn game against Chittagong Division.Chittagong were bowled out for 215 with Abul Hasan and Enamul Haque jnr taking three wickets each. Yasir Ali top-scored with 81.Offspinner Iftekhar Sajjad then took a five-wicket haul as Sylhet were shot out for just 137. Left-arm quick Mehedi Hasan Rana took three wickets.Chittagong then stretched their lead to 458 thanks to more good form from Yasir, who struck an unbeaten century. His 102 came off 176 balls and contained seven fours and a six.Rajin Saleh then played a typical backs-to-the-wall innings to save Sylhet from defeat, his 104 coming in five hours and 36 minutes on the final day. Sylhet reached 309 for 7 in 126 overs. Iftekhar and Rana took three wickets each.

Alastair Cook, Joe Root and Dawid Malan also hit half-centuries on a productive day in the middle, but the quality of the bowling was a world away from what will greet England next week

George Dobell in Townsville16-Nov-2017
ScorecardTownsville is, in many ways, a ferocious place.Oh, it’s pretty. It has a mountain range, a shoreline and beautiful forests. The shops and bars seem nice, too.But the sun is brutal and the wind is fierce. It doesn’t rain for years at a time – literally – and the land provides a home for snakes, wild dogs, scorpions and spiders so large it’s hard to believe they’re not ponies on the way to a fancy dress party. “Don’t worry,” the locals tell you. “The bigger they are the less poisonous they are.” But these spiders can beat you to death. They can wait for you in a dark carpark, steal your wallet and demand protection money from local businesses.But even though there’s something that can burn, bite, poison or sting you just about every square inch, it’s still preferable to be on land than in the water. Because if you find yourself in the water round here (lakes or sea, anyway; the shower is fine once you’ve checked for spiders) you’re in real trouble. You’ll be sharing with sharks, crocodiles and jelly-fish all of which will delight in killing you. Beaches in Queensland have been shut 50 times in recent weeks for one of the above and, at present in Townsville, there is a warning about a four metre croc (described as a “problem crocodile” as opposed to all those laidback easy-going ones) that is lurking close to shore.The bats have rabies, the koalas have chlamydia and even the magpies – vast, pterodactyl-like creatures that threaten to carry you off in their talons – have been known to kill. “Ah, don’t worry,” a local said on Thursday. “The worst those spiders can do is paralyse you.” It’ll be a miracle if any of us get out alive.But, for a few hours on Thursday, the middle at the Riverway Stadium looked like paradise. For batsmen, at least. The pitch was gentle, the bowling even more so and Alastair Cook and Mark Stoneman seized the opportunity with both hands.Stoneman has looked fine all trip. He has passed 50 every time he has come to the crease and here became the first man on the tour to register a century. He gave one chance – Nick Larkin, at gully, put him down on 41 off Simon Milenko; Larkin, the one man with a first-class hundred in this CA side, sustained a fracture and will not feature in the rest of this match – but generally looked utterly in command. He doesn’t hook – he tends to duck the bouncer – but he pulls nicely, cuts very well and has a lovely, fluid drive. There were many jokes about Australians never having heard of several of this England squad when they arrived: it seems safe to suggest they’ll know the Stoneman name before he heads home.Underlining England’s mantra about going on to convert good starts in match-defining scores, Stoneman didn’t even take off his helmet to acknowledge the applause when he reached three figures: a century can’t be seen as a destination by England on this tour; it has to be a landmark on the way to a more distant goal. He was angry with himself – punching his bat in frustration – for scuffing a return catch to the legspinner Daniel Fallins shortly after tea.Cook’s innings might be more significant. With England’s batting line-up lacking experience in these conditions – the likely top nine will, excluding him, have a combination of six Test caps in Australia between them – his knowledge of three previous tours provides reassurance. He has looked horribly out of form until this innings, but here looked comfortable and confident. From his very first delivery, when the ball thudded against the middle of his defensive bat, his movements were more certain, his judgement more precise.He looked furious with himself for his dismissal – attempting to guide a cut behind point, he managed only an edge – and for missing out on a hundred, but this was a good step forward from him. He, and the England management, will sleep a little easier as a result.The one nagging worry – and it nagged particularly hard as Dawid Malan and Joe Root settled in against unthreatening spin bowling in the final session – is that this surface and this opposition will bear little comparison to that anticipated in Brisbane. It’s like preparing for an artic trek by buying yourself a cornetto. England may still be in for a shock in Brisbane.Opinion is divided over whether this represents a desperately cynical ploy from Cricket Australia or simply reflects the shallowing depth of their playing reserves. If it is the latter, they have a significant problem lurking just below the surface. If it is the former, there might be a certain poetic justice if this tactic came back to bite Cricket Australia on the backside like one of those spiders that lurks under the toilet bowl round these parts (yes, nowhere is safe). While it is undeniably true that the standard of opposition – and the pace of surfaces – will increase sharply next week, it may be that England have had the opportunity to acclimatise, gain confidence and form ahead of the serious business ahead.James Vince was the one man to fail to take advantage. Since the 82 he made to start the tour – a non-first-class innings that saw him dropped twice – he has fallen between 26 and 33 in his three subsequent innings. He has time to play the ball and is wonderfully easy on the eye, but there is a vulnerability that renders his selection at No. 3 quite a risk. While he was given not out here initially, the umpires consulted and it was eventually decided he had played one off his pad to short leg. He looked aghast at the decision. Or, perhaps, at having missed out. Batting in first-class cricket in Australia has rarely looked as comfortable.