Trevor Griffin invited to re-apply for job after seventh-placed finish in 2022
ESPNcricinfo staff17-Nov-2022
Trevor Griffin has been invited to re-apply for his job•Getty Images
The MCC have advertised for a new London Spirit coach in the women’s Hundred after missing out on the knockout stages in the tournament’s first two seasons.Trevor Griffin, the Western Storm and Sydney Thunder coach, took charge of Spirit in the last two seasons but has been invited to re-apply for his job as part of an open recruitment process. Hundred coaches are appointed on one-year contracts which can be extended by mutual agreement.Spirit missed out on the play-offs on net run-rate in 2021 but struggled in 2022, losing four of their six games and finishing second-bottom in the group stages.Related
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“London Spirit has recently opened the process to recruit a head coach for its women’s team in the 2023 edition of the Hundred,” an MCC spokesperson said.”This open recruitment process is designed to find the best possible head coach for London Spirit women for 2023, with all candidates who meet the criteria, including the head coach from 2022, invited to apply.”London Spirit, in conjunction with the England and Wales Cricket Board, will announce the outcome of the recruitment process at a later date.”Dates for the Hundred’s 2023 season have not been officially announced but the tournament is expected to run from the first week of August until the weekend of August 26. Applications for Spirit’s vacancy close on November 21.
Stats analysis of the Carlton Mid Tri-Series final between Australia and England in Perth
Bishen Jeswant01-Feb-2015502 Number of international wickets taken by Stuart Broad, making him only the third English player to take 500 wickets, after James Anderson and Ian Botham. He started the game on 499 wickets and returned figures of 3 for 55.89 Runs conceded by Chris Woakes, the fourth-highest by an English bowler in an ODI innings, and the second-highest against Australia. The most runs conceded by an English bowler is 97, by Steve Harmison against Sri Lanka in 2006.141 The fifth-wicket partnership between Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh, the highest ever fifth-wicket stand in Perth. This was Australia’s first 100-plus stand for the fifth wicket in Perth.3 Number of Australian batsmen – James Faulkner (50), Maxwell (95) and Marsh (60) – who made fifties in the first innings, batting at No. 5 or below. This is the second such instance involving three Australian batsmen and the tenth overall.3 Number of times Maxwell has been dismissed in the nineties in ODIs since 2013, the most for any batsman, tied with Shikhar Dhawan.48.1 Faulkner’s batting average, the fifth highest for any Australian batsman. Faulkner has scored 770 runs, in 38 ODIs, including a hundred and four fifties.24 Number of balls Faulkner took for his 50, the sixth fastest by an Australian batsman. This is the second instance of Faulkner scoring a fifty off 24 balls, the other being against India in 2013.
da apostebet： A boa e velha rivalidade do futebol campineiro voltou a ficar em alta por conta da última jornada da Série B.
– VEJA A TABELA DA SÉRIE B
Enquanto a Ponte Preta bateu o CSA fora de casa, o Guarani deu a resposta ao vencer o líder Cruzeiro no Brinco de Ouro da Princesa.
Com o triunfo diante do Azulão, a Macaca chegou aos 18 pontos, na 16ª posição. O Bugre é o 18º, com 17 pontos.
Na próxima rodada, caso a Ponte Preta não vença o Criciúma, fora de casa e o Bugre derrotar o Bahia, em casa, o Guarani ultrapassa o seu maior rival.
RelacionadasSportLisca tem nova missão no comando do SportSport12/07/2022GrêmioGrêmio abre ‘gordura’ no G-4 da Série BGrêmio12/07/2022São PauloSão Paulo renova contrato de Rogério Ceni até 2023São Paulo12/07/2022
Rangers have been linked with a move for an “unbelievable” player, but he may now decide against heading to Ibrox for two key reasons, according to a new transfer development.
Latest Rangers news
Philippe Clement badly needed some respite this weekend after seeing the pressure heaped on him further last week, following the Gers’ 2-1 defeat away to Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.
Thankfully, the Belgian managed that, helping Rangers reach the Scottish League Cup final after winning 2-1 against Motherwell in the semi-finals at Hampden Park. Cyriel Dessers and Nedim Bajrami scored the goals for the Ibrox outfit, overturning a 1-0 deficit, as they booked a place in the showcase event against Celtic.
Despite this win, other managers continue to be linked with the Gers job, should they part company with Clement in the near future. Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen has been mentioned as a potential option for the Scottish giants.
It should be stressed that the current manager is believed to be safe in his job for the time being, however, with Rangers feeling that now isn’t the right time to relieve him of his duties, given the general situation at the club.
Away from the managerial situation, the Gers will also want to sign players in the January transfer window, but they have suffered a blow regarding one target.
"Unbelievable" ace may turn down Rangers move
According to Football Insider, Rangers “will struggle” to sign Motherwell youngster Lennon Miller, due to the current financial issues at Ibrox and their form under Clement this season.
The 18-year-old is arguably one of the biggest teenage talents in Scottish football and the Gers have been linked with signing him, but the report states that “the uncertainty surrounding the club and the potential pressure to help turn Rangers’ season around are expected to heavily influence” his decision, with the player not keen to come into Clement’s current set-up.
Miller is a massive talent who came up against Rangers on Sunday, failing to get the better of them, but there is no doubt that he would be an exciting signing. Gers legend Barry Ferguson is a huge admirer, once saying of him: “The Motherwell kid has unbelievable talent.
“I was at the game where he came off the bench at Ibrox for his league debut. He was 16 years old, Motherwell were losing and it was a massive moment for such a young player. But he was demanding the ball from his team-mates, some double his age. It was brilliant to watch. From that moment I knew there was a player there.”
This sums up what a big talent Miller is, and why it would be such a disappointment to see Rangers miss out on signing such a gem of a midfielder, but it is understandable why he may have reservations about joining currently.
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The Gers don’t feel like a stable club, in terms of the managerial situation and ongoing issues in the boardroom, but hopefully, those problems can be resolved and he ends up seeing his future at Ibrox.
West Ham are already looking ahead to the January transfer window as they look to turn around their poor start to the Premier League season, according to a fresh report.
West Ham boss Lopetegui in the firing line
Another disappointing defeat and performance piled the pressure on West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui, as his side fell to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half-time when Edson Alvarez was sent off, the Hammers offered very little as they were comfortably beaten by Forest, leaving the London side languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, a point above newly promoted Leicester City.
It followed a summer in which they backed Lopetegui significantly, signing eight new players for a total outlay in excess of £150m, headed by the arrival of Championship player of the year Crysencio Summerville and promising centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo.
Crysencio Summerville scores for West Ham
But, the former Wolves boss has already become the first West Ham boss to lose his first three Premier League home games, and there is little sign of the situation improving ten games into the season, piling pressure on him.
Though the Hammers board are still sticking with him, there is a feeling that upcoming games could be crucial as the Hammers face three sides below them alongside games against Arsenal and Newcastle, the calibre of teams that Lopetegui was signed to try and compete with.
West Ham’s next five games
Everton (home)
Newcastle United (away)
Arsenal (home)
Leicester City (away)
Wolves (home)
One of their biggest problems has been finding the net, with West Ham having scored 13 times so far this season and lacking a clinical striker. Now, they are already looking to fix that in January.
West Ham ready to sign striker for £30m
It has been reported in Brazil that West Ham are ready to raid the South American market once more to sign Corinthians striker Igor Jesus. The Hammers have already signed Luis Guilherme in recent months, though the teenager is yet to feature significantly for Lopetegui’s side as he adapts to life in English football.
And Brazilian outlet Globo [via Sport Witness] claim that West Ham are now ready to follow that addition up with a move for Jesus. In fact, in “recent days”, intermediaries have “approached Botafogo owner John Textor” in order to make a verbal offer for Jesus, with West Ham “wanting to offer £30m” to sign the 23-year-old striker.
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West Ham must sack Lopetegui to bring in this “fantastic” coach as his replacement.
ByConnor Holden Nov 4, 2024
It is added that “Botafogo were impressed with these figures suggested by the agent but will only respond when Julen Lopetegui’s side table an official proposal”, something which could be forthcoming at the end of the Brazilian season, which coincides with the Premier League’s January transfer window.
Though they signed Niclas Füllkrug in the summer transfer window, injury to the German means that West Ham are still lacking a threat at the top of the pitch, with Michail Antonio and Danny Ings now in the twilight of their careers.
Jesus has grabbed eight goals and three assist this season in Brazil, and should he be able to translate his form to the Premier League, he could be a key signing for the Hammers as they look to recover from a dreadful start to the campaign.
Manchester United are one of a number of teams keeping a close eye on a rising talent in Germany, according to a recent report. The Red Devils were very busy during the summer, as they added five players to their squad, but since the transfer window closed they have been linked with more arrivals for 2025.
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ByBrett Worthington Oct 8, 2024 Man Utd transfer news
There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Old Trafford at this moment in time, as pressure continues to grow on manager Erik ten Hag – it is still unclear if the Dutchman will be in charge of the club for the game against Brentford after the international break.
However, that isn’t stopping the transfer rumours from circling, despite the fact that the January transfer window is still a few months away. United brought in Manuel Ugarte during the summer as a replacement for Casemiro, but the Red Devils are now being linked with another new arrival to do just that again. Indeed, United are said to be interested in signing midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni from Real Madrid.
Sam Tickle for Wigan Athletic.
The French international is apparently “on the list” of many Premier League clubs, with United one side interested in signing him. As well as looking to strengthen their midfield once again, the Red Devils also have their eye on Sam Tickle of Wigan Athletic. The goalkeeper is said to have been watched by United, as he continues to impress in England’s third division. The 22-year-old is seen as someone who can provide cover and competition for Andre Onana.
Man Utd scouts watch possible Antony replacement
According to Sudwest, relayed by Hard Tackle, Manchester United are keeping an eye on winger Jamie Leweling of Stuttgart. The 23-year-old winger may not be a household name yet, but has been impressive in the early part of this season and has interest from other clubs as well as United.
Four of United’s five summer signings were under the age of 24, and this is something INEOS wants to continue doing in their transfer policy. Leweling has started all six of Stuttgart’s Bundesliga games this season, during which he has scored one goal and recorded one assist. The winger has also started both Champions League games, as he grabbed an assist in the 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid. His form for his club has now earned him a call-up to the German national team for their upcoming games against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Netherlands.
Apps
48
Goals
5
Assists
9
This report states that United had scouts present during Stuttgart’s recent game against Borussia Dortmund, which they won 5-1. Leweling, who is on a weekly wage of 19,615 euros, which is roughly £16,431, didn’t score in the game against Dortmund, but his performance impressed United scouts.
The Red Devils already have some options in the wide areas, but Antony has struggled ever since joining the club, while Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo are yet to hit consistent form despite their raw talents.
In Nelson, UAE offered further proof, if it was necessary, that the ICC’s theory of leaving the Associates out of the next World Cup is a load of rubbish
Brydon Coverdale in Nelson19-Feb-20151:21
‘Give us a chance and we’ll impress you’ – Tauqir
“The World Cup itself, the premium event, without exception should be played between teams that are evenly matched and competitive.”So said the ICC chief executive David Richardson in the lead-up to this tournament. It was his way of justifying the decision to trim the World Cup from 14 teams back to 10 at the next event in England in 2019. No more Associates, no more one-sided thrashings, no more boring, meaningless pool matches. That was the ICC’s theory.On Thursday in Nelson, UAE offered further proof, if it was necessary, that the ICC’s theory is a load of rubbish. The eighth match of this World Cup was played between a Full Member, Zimbabwe, and an Associate, UAE. And it was the closest contest yet, a tense battle full of momentum changes and uncertainty. By the ICC’s reckoning, it shouldn’t happen.Zimbabwe got away with the win, but only just. One level-headed, mature partnership between Sean Williams and Craig Ervine was the difference. They came together at 167 for 5, with 119 runs still needed from 104 balls. If UAE were not favourites, they must have been mighty close. In the end, experience got Zimbabwe over the line.Experience that UAE simply do not have, and cannot have. It was their first ODI against a Full Member nation in nearly seven years. It was almost their first win against one. A few fielding mistakes crept in, in a few loose balls, just the odd nervy moment. Williams, in his 71st ODI, steered Zimbabwe to victory. UAE, in their 19th as a team, fell short.The UAE batsmen, such as Shaiman Anwar, surprised Zimbabwe with their ability to strike the ball cleanly•ICCThere is such potential beyond the Test world. Everyone knows how good Ireland are, their win at the same ground against West Indies this week was not unexpected. It is a disgrace, an insult to both Ireland and to the cricket public that they may not be part of the next World Cup. Scotland got to within three wickets of upsetting New Zealand this week.Afghanistan are the only Associate to have been roundly beaten so far in the World Cup, but they were far from humiliated. They were the first team in the tournament to keep an opposition – Bangladesh – to sub-300 batting first in Australia. Only one game between Full Members so far has been remotely close – South Africa’s win over Zimbabwe. Evenly matched and competitive, huh?If the ICC thinks the Associates are pushovers, they are living in the past, which would be no great surprise. This is no longer the era of Sultan Zarawani wearing a floppy hat to face Allan Donald, of sides like East Africa and Bermuda making up the numbers but never getting close to competitive.UAE are considered the weakest of the 14 teams at this World Cup, but they batted with skill and boldness, and for the most part fielded sharply and bowled tightly. After the match, Williams was asked if the gap between the Full Members and the Associates had shrunk.”The gap has closed a very, very long way,” Williams said. “I believe that every single team at this World Cup deserves to be at this World Cup.”UAE surprised Zimbabwe with their ability to strike cleanly down the ground. The finest example was the sublime six that brought Shaiman Anwar his half-century from 37 balls when he drove Tinashe Panyangara back over his head. It was the shot of a man who belongs at international level, as were the nine fours that he struck.The 43-year-old star batsman Khurram Khan scored 45 and steadied UAE after they wobbled to 40 for 2 early. Until he was well caught at backward point, Khurram looked so calm and composed that nobody would have guessed this was his World Cup debut. He may well become the cult figure of this tournament, if the #KhurramKhanfacts Twitter hashtag is any indication.Then there were late boundaries struck by Amjad Javed and Mohammad Naveed, the Nos. 8 and 9. Amjad was powerful down the ground, not with wild slogs. There are No. 8s in Full Member sides who offer less with the bat than Javed. As if to prove he was also a force with the ball, he later clocked Sikandar Raza on the helmet with a bouncer.Their bowlers might lack the pace of most sides, but they find ways to contain. Zimbabwe opener Regis Chakabva was so stuck that when he trod on his stumps for 35 off 62 it was actually a blessing for Zimbabwe. In the field, UAE dived and worked hard, letting a few through only as the innings wore on. Their captain, Mohammad Tauqir, seemed almost offended when asked if their fielding let them down.”A couple of runs here and there,” Tauqir said. “We were better than Zimbabwe in fielding.”He was right. Zimbabwe were awfully sloppy in the field. And considering how little UAE have played at the elite level, their performance was admirable. The ICC has spoken of ensuring more exposure for Ireland and Afghanistan to the Full Members in the next few years, to help them qualify for the World Cup. But what of teams like UAE?”If we play only at Associate level, we cannot improve the game,” Tauqir said. “The more we play at the highest level we can improve our cricket.”This was the first time UAE had played Zimbabwe in a one-day international. That in itself is an indictment of cricket’s blinkered approach. The Full Members should play far more often against the Associates and Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, as the lowest-ranked Full Members, should be front and centre in such fixtures.But between the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, Zimbabwe played only one ODI series against an Associate side, drawing 2-2 with Afghanistan last year. Bangladesh played 50 ODIs between the World Cups and only one – yes, one – was against an Associate: Afghanistan in the Asia Cup.Such fixtures must be far more frequent. UAE here in Nelson, and Ireland here earlier this week, and Scotland in Dunedin, and Afghanistan in Canberra, have shown the gap between the haves and have nots has shrunk. The Associates are competitive, and must be respected as such. A 10-team World Cup is short-sighted and short-changes the game.In the end, Zimbabwe got out of jail, but the monopoly held by the ICC’s ten Full Members was brought into question once again. Richardson and the ICC should take note that this match in Nelson was as evenly matched and competitive as this World Cup has been.
It’s taken Regis Le Bris just over three months to transform Sunderland from Championship strugglers to bona fide promotion contenders. Last term, under Michael Beale and Mike Dodds, the Black Cats finished 16th in England’s second division, just six points above the relegation zone. This season, however, after nine games played, they are top of the table, having won six and drawn one.
Biggest coup since Defoe: Le Bris could land a 'lifelong Sunderland fan'
Sunderland would love to secure this mammoth deal in January.
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Le Bris’ side looked to be facing defeat against Leeds last week after Joel Piroe and Junior Firpo had canceled out Chris Rigg’s opener, however a stoppage-time error from Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier gifted Sunderland a point.
“The mindset of the team was good because right until the end we believed that it was possible and then it happened with a mistake,” Le Bris, who was appointed as Sunderland boss in July, said after the draw. “I think we deserved this draw.”
Tommy Watson loving life under Le Bris
One player who is particularly enjoying life at The Stadium of Light right now is youngster Tommy Watson. The 21-year-old winger, who came through Sunderland’s academy, has been a regular feature in Le Bris’ matchday squads this season, despite not having too many minutes to strut his stuff in front of fans.
He made his first-team debut in a 2-1 defeat to Watford in late September, coming on as a late substitute, and has since made two further cameos against Derby and Leeds. Speaking with Sunderland’s official website, Watson spoke of his delight at finally being given a chance to shine on the big stage.
Talking about making the transition to the first-team under his new manager, Watson said: “It’s a bit of a jump up. The games in the Championship are more organised and teams are set up better and harder to break down so you get fewer chances.
“It’s class to be honest. I’ve been waiting a long time for the opportunity. I’ve been on the fringes for quite some time, but the idea of working towards more first-team minutes is a real target.”
Poveda injury update dampens Sunderland mood
Leeds forward Ian Poveda.
Life might be looking up for Watson at the moment, but for Ian Poveda, things aren’t so great. The Colombia international, who joined Sunderland in the summer from Leeds United, has seen his start to life on Wearside hampered by injuries, limiting him to just 44 minutes of Championship action so far this season.
Speaking with the media ahead of last week’s draw with Leeds, Le Bris revealed that he will now have to make do without Poveda for a further “four to six weeks” after the 24-year-old suffered yet another injury setback.
“It’s a shame,” Le Bris said. “But the Championship is long, we still have 38 games to play. Ian is going to be helpful for the team, but he is going to need time to recover.”
The smile on Kasper Schmeichel’s face said it all, Celtic – and Parkhead – is a special place, not least on Champions League nights.
To think that anyone – even in pursuit of their own dreams – would wish to move on from such surroundings is hard to fathom, with the grass certainly not always greener for those who opt to depart.
You only have to look at the Old Firm’s three record sales to see that life outside of the green and white can prove rather grey, with former hero Kieran Tierney now a forgotten man at Arsenal after five injury-ravaged years in London, while Matt O’Riley’s time on the south coast has also started in a similar vein, after the Denmark international limped off less than ten minutes into his Brighton and Hove Albion debut.
As for Portuguese wizard, Jota, the winger’s £25m exit to Saudi Arabia went down like a lead balloon, with the 25-year-old now on the books at Ligue 1 side Rennes, after making just 25 appearances for Al-Ittihad in total.
It’s been a sad situation for a player who dazzled in Glasgow with 54 goals and assists in just 83 games, with Hoops supporters no doubt praying that a return to the club may be in store before too long – not least due to the woes of the man who was meant to replace him.
Celtic's 'next Jota'
The departure of the former Benfica starlet in the summer of 2023 no doubt left a sizeable void for returning manager, Brendan Rodgers, with the fleet-footed star having been a real creative outlet on the flanks under former boss, Ange Postecoglou.
In need of a suitable successor in that left-wing berth, the champions fended off rival interest from Old Firm foes, Rangers, for the signing of Honduran international, Luis Palma, who joined from Greek side Aris Thessaloniki for around £3.5m.
On the face of it, the new man’s debut season in Scottish football looked to have been something of a success, as he ended the term with ten goals and ten assists to his name in all competitions.
That included notable efforts against both Atletico Madrid and Feyenoord in the Champions League, with many – including one podcaster – suggesting that he could well be the heir to Jota’s throne. He was even lauded for a “Jota-esque dink” by journalist John McGinley to set up O’Riley during the 4-1 thrashing of Hearts back in October.
Like all good things, however, such form was quickly curtailed by the turn of the year, with Palma’s place in the squad, let alone the starting lineup, now looking perilous.
Palma's form in 2024
Following a lightning start at Celtic Park, the new year brought with it a real change in fortunes for the wideman, as he provided just two goal involvements in the league from January until May.
Amid the resurgence of a certain James Forrest, Palma quickly tumbled down the pecking order as the season progressed, notably failing to even make it on the field during the Scottish Cup final triumph over Rangers.
Celtic forward Luis Palma.
Those woes have continued into the new campaign, in truth, with Rodgers tending to favour a wing pairing of Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn thus far, with Forrest the first-choice reserve.
Four appearances in 2024/25 to date have yielded no goals or assists for the forgotten man, with the £6k-per-week asset having particularly struggled during the recent clash at home to Championship side, Falkirk.
19/09/2023 vs vs Feyenoord
GK – Joe Hart
RB – Alistair Johnston
CB – Gustaf Lagerbielke
CB – Liam Scales
LB – Greg Taylor
CDM – Callum McGregor
CM – Matt O’Riley
CM – Reo Hatate
RW – Luis Palma
ST – Kyogo Furuhashi
LW – Daizen Maeda
The 16-cap international was hooked on the hour mark with the hosts having been trailing at the time, with Football Scotland’s Blair Meikle awarding him a measly 4/10 match rating, while writing that he ‘really didn’t stake a claim for more game time’, amid what was a ‘poor afternoon’.
Having also only featured in two of the club’s five league games this season, it would appear that Rodgers’ faith in the player has significantly dwindled, with it looking as if a January exit may well be an inevitability.
First Impressions
What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.
Once promising to be the man who could ease the loss of Jota, Palma is now on a steep decline, with work to be done to change his situation over the coming months.
It’s fair to say that, on reflection, the next Jota he is not…
Sold for £10m: Celtic struck gold with star who's now worth millions less
The Hoops hit the jackpot by cashing in on the defender when they did.
Plays of the day from the second match of the Champions Trophy between Pakistan and West Indies
Andrew Fidel Fernando and Jarrod Kimber07-Jun-2013The ruse
Wicketkeepers don’t often carry a reputation for exemplary honesty, and Denesh Ramdin didn’t do glovemen any favours in the ninth over when he claimed a ‘catch’ that had seen more grass than a teenage rock band. Misbah-ul-Haq bottom-edged a chest-high delivery from Kemar Roach, and the ball just carried to Ramdin, who appeared to take it cleanly on first attempt, but allowed the ball to bobble out of his gloves and onto the turf. His team-mates all went up in appeal, and did not spot the blunder, but Ramdin did not acknowledge it himself and joined in the celebratory huddle. Fortunately, the square-leg umpire had sensed something was amiss and replays confirmed the misdeed.The fake flying finger
When the ball hits the stumps at the bowler’s end, there is almost always an appeal, whether the bowler has got close to it or not. Often it’s almost impossible to work out if the bowler has touched it. Endless replays and rewind in super-slow motion follow hoping to see if there is any movement off the fingers or deviation of the ball. Dwayne Bravo made it far easier for the umpires when a drive from Misbah hit his hand, and the protective guard from his fingers came flying off. For a moment it looked like he’d lost an actual finger. Instead, the only thing Pakistan lost was their last chance to post a total of over 200 as Wahab Riaz had to walk off.The mango picker
Between the two sides, there were plenty of giants at The Oval, but Chris Gayle made the best use of his height, when he climbed high in the 41st over to dismiss Junaid Khan. A slower ball from Bravo took the top edge of the blade and seemed to be looping over Gayle, but he timed his jump brilliantly and intercepted the ball at the top of his leap. Standing next to the much shorter Ramdin, it was almost like Gayle was reaching up into the branches of a mango tree to get his little brother some fruit.The release
Seventeen balls of torture from the quicks and the spinners, preceded Kieron Pollard’s first run of the match, and even when it eventually came, both he and his partner Marlon Samuels did their best to contrive a wicket from it. Pollard didn’t pick the Saeed Ajmal doosra to begin with, but pushed hard enough with an angled bat to get the ball away on the off side. Understandably eager to get himself a run, he set off straight away, only to realise halfway down the wicket that Samuels had not yet begun. A stutter from Pollard induced a start from Samuels, who scampered quickly enough to the other end to prevent a run-out.The battle
Riaz had been Pollard’s chief tormentor early on and he was quick to remind the batsman of his troubles in between deliveries, with a volley of words. Riaz had the best of the first melee, bowling 14 dot balls out of 16 deliveries to Pollard, but when he returned for his next spell, Pollard blasted his first ball through the covers for four. Riaz emerged the victor though, two balls later, when he swung one slightly away from Pollard to take an edge, and the wicket briefly brought Pakistan back into the match.