Rap superstar Drake has hinted at the title of his new album being inspired by ‘Cold’ Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer.
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Wrexham have confirmed the signing of Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien in another statement of intent in the transfer window.
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Team management want Root to move up from No.4 in the Ashes, but it will be captain’s call
George Dobell27-Jul-2019There must have been a time – a simpler, happier time – when the conclusion of each Test didn’t precipitate another bout of hand-wringing about the frailties of England’s top-order batting.But like roadworks on the M1, the saga of Brexit and Shahid Afridi’s career, it seems England’s search for a solid top three might really be endless. That Jack Leach, a county No. 11 who came into the Lord’s Test averaging 4.66 this season, now has the second-highest score by an England opener since the retirement of Alastair Cook speaks volumes. As does the fact that the one man with a higher score – Keaton Jennings – has already been discarded.So it was that, hours after England sealed their dramatic victory over Ireland at Lord’s, the England management tried once more to persuade Joe Root to move back to No. 3. No matter that he has said, many times, that he doesn’t want to do it. No matter that, just one Test ago, Trevor Bayliss suggested England had accepted that the side’s middle-order – from No. 4 to No. 8 – was a strength that should not be weakened. No matter that the Burns-Roy experiment had been given just one innings to bed-in. The England management were clearly concerned by the fragility of their side’s batting at Lord’s and continue to look for a new solution.That’s understandable. The top three in action in the first innings at Lord’s have just 11 Test caps between them. The promotion of Root might add some experience and solidity. Rory Burns, in particular, looked short of form and confidence. It wasn’t so much that he twice nicked off, as much as he did it defending a wide ball in the second innings; a stroke that suggested some uncertainly over the position of his off stump and a scrambled mind. He has reached 30 just once in his last 10 Test innings and not at all in his last six. That is not a sustainable run of form. And while the selectors are probably right to give him a prolonged run in the side – England have been down the road of revolving door selections; it didn’t work – Burns will know opportunities are running out. That knowledge won’t make his job any easier.Tim Murtagh celebrates the wicket of Rory Burns•Getty ImagesSo, if the off-field team management have their way, Root will bat at No. 3 (where he averages 40.47) at Edgbaston. That means Jason Roy could move to No. 4 and Joe Denly could open with Burns. By comparison, Root averages 48.00 at No. 4 and 71.44 at No. 5. He has made it abundantly clear he prefers to bat at No. 4 and, as captain, the decision will rest with him.”Joe knows how I feel,” Bayliss said. “It’s been my thought for a few years [that Root should bat at No. 3]. But he’s the captain and he’ll make the final decision. He knows how I feel.”There were other options. Dom Sibley, the top run-scorer in Division One of the County Championship (he has 940 at an average of 62.66), has learned to play much straighter (he has taken to using Alastair Cook’s old coach, Gary Palmer), and has recently enjoyed a run of seven centuries in 20 first-class innings. And while his somewhat old-fashioned approach may not be to England’s current taste – nobody in the top 30 of the Division One batting averages scores as slowly as Sibley (41.44 runs per 100 balls this season) – the selectors may reflect that it is being bowled out too quickly rather than scoring too slowly which is England’s primary problem.In the longer-term, Zak Crawley, the 21-year-old Kent opener, looks an outstanding prospect. It seems, however, the selectors were keen not to risk a potential 10-year career by blooding him six months early and against an especially daunting pace attack. Both he and Sibley – who opened together for England Lions recently – could break into the side before the end of the series, however. James Vince’s star fell during the World Cup but he, too, could yet return.It was surprising to hear Root be quite so critical of the Lord’s surface on Friday afternoon. Not just because it is out of character – if Root has such views, he has tended to keep them to himself – but because if England are going to win the Ashes, they are going to have to play on surfaces assisting their seam attack. So while this Lord’s surface may have been an extreme example of a green seamer, it was hard not to think back to Trent Bridge and Edgbaston in 2015 and wonder how different this really was.To be fair, those 2015 Ashes surfaces were a little better than this. They offered more pace, more even bounce and less lateral movement. And Root may well argue that, having already arranged to use the 2018 version of the Dukes ball – with its prominent seam and propensity to swing for much of the day – his bowlers do not require further assistance. But pitch preparation is not an exact science and Root may reflect that his side are far better suited to surfaces offering too much rather than those offering too little.Certainly it is worth thinking back to the previous couple of Ashes series and remembering what happened when the sides met on good batting surfaces. Whether it was in London (Australia won heavily at both Lord’s and The Oval) or in Australia, England’s seamers struggled for penetration on good batting tracks and the extra pace in Australia’s attack proved crucial. Put a little simplistically: if the Ashes is played on good batting surfaces, Australia may well be favourites.
“You don’t have to be Einstein to work that out”Trevor Bayliss on whether a lack of top-order runs could be England’s biggest obstacle to regaining the Ashes
All of which means England’s batsmen probably face more tough days. And all of which means we probably have to be just a little more understanding of the challenges facing top-order batsmen in England. It is a desperately tough job. It is inevitable that the statistics may look grim. It’s just a question of how much grimness is acceptable.Elsewhere among the batsmen (or the all-rounders, anyway) there might have been a case for replacing Jonny Bairstow (averaging 24.42 in Test cricket since the start of the 2018 English season) with Ben Foakes and a case for replacing Moeen Ali (averaging 17.00 in Test cricket since September 2017) with Leach. But neither was especially likely at this stage. Moeen was the top-wicket taker on both England’s winter tours (albeit equal with Leach in Sri Lanka) and Bairstow enjoyed a good World Cup. Still, that late middle-order – they remain likely to bat at No. 7 and No. 8 – is not quite so daunting as it once was. England will require more from both of them.The selectors also have some difficult decisions to make with the seam bowling. Only James Anderson is, if fit, guaranteed to play (there is every indication he is fit), with the other two specialist seamers (Ben Stokes’ position can be taken for granted) to be taken from a list including Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Olly Stone.Olly Stone celebrates his maiden Test wicket•Getty ImagesOdd though it sounds for a man who has yet to make his Test debut, Archer is probably an automatic selection if he is deemed fully fit, too. But England are admirably keen to protect a once-in-a-generation asset – not since the emergence of Broad, or perhaps Steven Finn, has an England seamer promised as much – who has not played a first-class game this year. So Archer’s involvement at Edgbaston is not certain. And, with England keen to include some pace in their attack (and with Mark Wood being injured), Stone could yet sneak into the team. His pace, his skills and his control looked every inch Test quality at Lord’s. Woakes’ superior batting may give him a slight edge on Broad, but Broad’s Ashes experience, record and temperament render him a strong contender. Whoever misses out can consider themselves unfortunate.But it remains the batting that is the concern. And much remains reliant upon Root who admitted, after the Ireland Test was won, that “it would be wrong to say I’m not” feeling the exertions of recent weeks. “It’s been 10 weeks of hard cricket of high emotion and of ups and downs,” he admitted. “It does take a lot out of you.”There is much to like and admire about Root. Not least his appetite for the game and his desire for hard work. He is a special player and the natural leader of this side. But he may, at some stage, need protecting from himself. The only game he has missed this year – and it wasn’t even a proper game – was the World Cup warm-up match against Australia. And he only missed that because one of his family died. To give him just two clear days off between the World Cup and this Test and just one between this Test and the start of the Ashes seems dangerously demanding. As does asking him to bat in a position in which he is uncomfortable. The ECB talk a good game about understanding the dangers of anxiety, stress and burn-out these days and they have, no doubt, improved. But until the schedule is tailored to allow for fallow periods, their words will ring hollow.”You don’t have to be Einstein to work that out,” Bayliss sniffed dismissively when asked if an absence of top-order runs could be England’s biggest obstacle to regaining the Ashes. “They have been for the last six or seven years.” That we are still here, juggling players, considering alternatives, desperately searching for a solution, doesn’t reflect especially well on the system.
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da brdice： Diante do Atlético-MG, na quarta-feira (9), Rony completou 200 jogos com a camisa do Palmeiras e foi homenageado pelo clube. No entanto, o atacante não é o primeiro a bater essa marca no elenco atual, que tem uma legião de jogadores com alto número de partidas com a camisa alviverde. Até mesmo Abel Ferreira já atingiu esse patamar. Mas a lista não vai parar por aí e em breve o seleto “grupo dos 200” ganhará mais um membro: o meio-campista Gabriel Menino.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras presta homenagem pelos 200 jogos de Rony com a camisa do clube: ‘Não tem preço’Palmeiras12/08/2023PalmeirasEntenda qual é a divergência entre Palmeiras e WTorre na discussão de dívida de R$ 136 milhõesPalmeiras12/08/2023PalmeirasPor que o Palmeiras fecha as portas para contratações de medalhões sem clube?Palmeiras12/08/2023
da mrbet： + Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui
Atualmente, o elenco do Verdão conta com nove jogadores que estão na casa dos 200 jogos: Dudu (441), Weverton (313), Gustavo Gómez (261), Marcos Rocha (260), Zé Rafael (253), Raphael Veiga (247), Mayke (236), Luan (232) e Rony (200). Abel Ferreira, por exemplo, chegou aos 205 duelos comandando o time. Se considerarmos os números da comissão técnica, já são 229 confrontos.
+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Verdão!
No caso de Gabriel Menino, que estreou pelo profissional em 2020, ele é o próximo da lista dos “duzentões”. Até aqui, o jovem formado na base palmeirense completou 187 partidas. Ou seja, restam 13 jogos para chegar aos 200. O número não é difícil de alcançar, visto que há, pelo menos, 22 confrontos garantidos para o Verdão disputar nesta temporada (20 pelo Brasileirão e dois pela Libertadores).
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Como um dos titulares de Abel Ferreira e um dos mais utilizados no ano, Menino não deve ter dificuldade para entrar nessa lista ainda em 2023. Se já considerarmos o Cria da Academia nesse seleto grupo, apenas Luan e Marcos Rocha não são parte do 11 inicial do técnico português neste momento. Os outros oito estão no “time ideal” do Alviverde. Apenas Piquerez (105), Murilo (84) e Artur (35) estão fora dos “duzentões”.
+ Palmeiras presta homenagem pelos 200 jogos de Rony com a camisa do clube: ‘Não tem preço’
Depois que Menino completar esses 200 jogos, demorará um pouco para outro atleta do elenco entrar para a lista. Quem estaria mais próximo neste momento seria Breno Lopes, que tem 138 partidas. Assim, para atingir a marca seriam necessários mais 62 duelos, algo que somente será alcançado em 2024, caso o atacante permaneça no clube.
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Gustavo Scarpa, que deixou o Palmeiras no fim de 2022 rumo ao Nottingham Forest-ING, também estava nesse grupo das 200 partidas. O meia encerrou sua passagem com 233 jogos.
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MatériaMais Notícias
da bet7k： A derrota diante do Corinthians, na semifinal da Copa do Brasil, não abalou os planos do São Paulo no mercado. A diretoria Tricolor encaminhou acordo de dois anos com o meia James Rodríguez, que estava livre no mercado, e pretende usar a mesma estratégia para tentar repatriar Lucas Moura, que está sem clube após não renovar com o Totttenham. No departamento médico, o torcedor recebeu boas notícias envolvendo Calleri, substituído no primeiro tempo do Majestoso. Confira as notícias!
RelacionadasSão Paulo!Empolgou! Após acerto com James Rodríguez, São Paulo cruza os dedos por retorno de Lucas MouraSão Paulo27/07/2023São PauloPor São Paulo e competitividade do futebol brasileiro, James Rodríguez recusou oferta dos EUASão Paulo27/07/2023São PauloRelembre a passagem de James Rodríguez na Grécia antes de acertar com o São PauloSão Paulo27/07/2023
da 888casino： BAILE DA COLÔMBIA NO MORUMBI
O São Paulo encaminhou a contratação do meia James Rodríguez. As negociações para o Tricoor avançar na contratação do colombiano duraram cerca de 30 dias até que o clube do Morumbi avançasse para um vínculo de dois anos com James, que ainda não assinou o contrato. (Clique e leia a matéria completa)
E O LUCAS MOURA?
O São Paulo espera o encerramento da janela de transferências na Europa para fazer uma investida mais incisiva e tentar repatriar o atacante Lucas Moura. (Clique e leia a matéria completa)
CALLERI NÃO PREOCUPA!
Após ser substituído no primeiro tempo do Majestoso, Jonathan Calleri não teve lesão diagnosticada na coxa direita. Contudo, o centroavante segue tratamento no mas segue no Reffis do São Paulo para tratar dores na região. (Clique e leia a matéria completa)
In what would be one of the most interesting moves of the summer, Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly battling clubs in Saudi Arabia to sign a new winger who was once worth over £70m.
Wolves likely to have Cunha fee to spend
In Vitor Pereira’s first summer in charge, it seems likely that he will have the chance to welcome a number of arrivals or, at the very least, a couple of star names to replace Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian forward reportedly has a release clause worth around £63m in his current deal and has attracted the likes of Manchester United as a result.
If triggered, Wolves will receive that hefty fee before potentially turning towards the transfer market themselves. To that end, a number of names who could arrive to ease the Cunha blow have already been mentioned in recent weeks, from the likes of Samuel Lino all the way to Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott.
Pereira is certainly well aware of the quality that he’ll need to replace if Cunha does depart this summer, having told reporters after the Brazilian’s decisive display in a victory over Leicester City: “He is a special player.
“When he feels the happiness inside, when he is himself, he can create. He played a fantastic game. It shows he is committed with us, with his team-mates, with everyone.”
Wolves want "incredible" 25 y/o Atletico Madrid star who may replace Cunha
The Brazilian forward could depart this summer.
ByTom Cunningham May 4, 2025
Alas, no matter how special Cunha is, Wolves are likely to have the task of finding the heir to his Molineux throne this summer. Just who that might be remains to be seen, but that hasn’t stopped a fresh option from threatening to steal the headlines as of late.
Wolves join race to sign "great" Nicolas Pepe
According to FootMercato, Wolves are now battling clubs in Saudi Arabia to sign Nicolas Pepe from Villarreal this summer. The former Arsenal winger has shown glimpses of his quality during his time in Spain and could now find himself on his way back to the Premier League in a shock move this summer. Once worth a reported £72m when he joined the Gunners, Wolves may well land what would once be considered a bargain deal in the coming months.
That said, if Pepe is to replace Cunha, then Wolves must consider the risks. With two goals and four assists in all competitions in Spain this season, the winger still struggles for output just as he did in Arsenal colours. And that’s something which is unlikely to undergo a dramatic improvement at the age of 29 years old.
A player who skipped past Virgil van Dijk on his Arsenal debut at a time when doing exactly that was a task deemed almost impossible and a player once praised as “great” by manager Mikel Arteta, Pepe’s return to the Premier League would certainly be interesting to watch.
The drop-in pitches at the venue haven’t produced ideal T20 cricket, and the relentless schedule of eight matches in ten days isn’t helping
Nagraj Gollapudi08-Jun-2024 • Updated on 17-Feb-20254:23
Rohit: Even the curator is confused how the pitch will behave
First, what is a drop-in pitch?A drop-in pitch is the same as a normal 22-yard cricket strip, but is prepared and kept encased in a steel tray and not developed at the ground, as is traditional. It is prepared in favourable conditions – it can be outside the ground or at a turf farm – and comprises layers of soil, clay and grass that are bedded in together for a period of time. Once it is “dropped in” on the main square, the pitch gets the same care as a traditional pitch. This includes rolling, watering, and cutting the grass before match days.Related
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Why were drop-in pitches chosen for New York?While the ICC had cast the net wide to identify the right big venue for the World Cup in 2021, it was only in September 2023 that the Nassau County venue, located in Eisenhower Park in Long Island, was finalised. Mindful of the tight timeline, the ICC decided on drop-in pitches as a turnkey solution. Accordingly, ten drop-in pitches – four for the main ground and six for the practice facility in Cantiague Park, a few miles from the main venue – were used.The original trays were prepared in Adelaide by Adelaide Turf International, which also oversees the preparation of the drop-in pitches at Adelaide Oval. The trays were shipped in December 2023 to Florida because it is sunnier and warmer there compared to New York, which has freezing temperatures from December to March. The pitches were then moved to New York at the end of April before being fixed in the main square and practice venue in early May.Is it usual for international cricket to be played on a drop-in pitch before any trial games?Usually, a fresh, relaid pitch at a stadium’s main square will be tested with several practice matches and even domestic games before international cricket is played on it.In the case of the New York project, the organisers had to raise the entire venue from scratch in just 106 days between January and May before South Africa played Sri Lanka on June 3. Two days prior to that, Bangladesh and India played a warm-up match at the venue – it was the first proper match there.Eight of the 16 matches in the USA leg were allotted to the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York•ICC via Getty Images
What is the nature of the drop-in pitches at Eisenhower Park?Damian Hough, the head curator at Adelaide Oval, who made the drop-in pitches for the New York project, explained that strips usually need high clay content to facilitate good pace and bounce. In this case, for the soil, Hough used the local American variety of soil called BlackStick, which has a clay content of over 60% [considered high], similar to the Adelaide Oval. Bermuda grass has been used both for the pitch and the outfield, which is commonly used for cricket grounds.Was there an ICC inspection before the venue got the go-ahead?As part of its protocol, the ICC sends an expert team to carry out due diligence at all their venues – including the ground itself, the pitches and practice facilities – before granting them international status. While there was no formal announcement of the New York venue getting international status, on May 15, the ICC launched the stadium for the World Cup.Is the scheduling an issue?Yes. Eight of the 16 World Cup matches of the USA leg of the T20 World Cup were allotted to New York, and these have been scheduled across ten days between June 3 and 12, with the last six matches – including the marquee game between India and Pakistan on June 9 – on consecutive days. Such a schedule is unprecedented at an ICC event. This has been the biggest challenge for Hough and his team, because it is not just one pitch, but the entire square comprising all four strips that need attention at all times.India will play Pakistan in New York on June 9•ICC/Getty Images
How many pitches have been used so far?Three*. Pitch No. 4 has been used for three matches so far: Bangladesh vs India warm-up (June 1), India vs Ireland (June 5) and Canada vs Ireland (June 7). Pitch No. 1 was used for the South Africa vs Sri Lanka game on June 3. Pitch No. 2 was used for the Netherlands vs South Africa game on June 8. Pitch No. 2 was a more true pitch than the others, but fast bowlers still had a bigger say.Has the ICC identified any factor(s) contributing to the variable bounce?ESPNcricinfo has learned that Hough had spotted lines of grass sprouting in the cracks in some spots on the pitch, which he suspected could have contributed to the uneven bounce that frequently caused distress to batters in the South Africa vs Sri Lanka and India vs Ireland matches. Another contributing factor was the overcast conditions – the moisture played a role in the exaggerated sideways movement, and the swing the fast men generated.Was any remedial work carried out?It is understood that ahead of the Canada vs Ireland match on Friday, Hough covered the areas where grass shoots were growing under the cracks with topsoil and rolled it to make the surface much flatter.Did it make a difference?On Friday, while the odd ball did keep low, the surface was much truer, albeit a bit sluggish as a consequence of overnight rain. Ireland captain Paul Stirling pointed out that the pitch looked totally different to the one used for the India match, with much of the greenish tinge wiped away.
Still searching for their next manager, RB Leipzig have now reportedly set a deadline and narrowed their candidates down to two in a development that should leave Crystal Palace concerned.
Glasner focused on Tottenham game
Whilst his side may be just one week away from the FA Cup final, Oliver Glasner took the time to reiterate this week that both his and Crystal Palace’s focus is on the next game at hand, which comes against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.
A game between two sides with more important games ahead, it may well prove to be one of the toughest London derbies to predict all season.
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He’s a rising star.
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Glasner assured reporters that the Eagles will be putting their best foot forward, saying in his pre-match press conference: “It’s not so difficult here, ahead of the cup final. At our training ground we work day by day. We talk on the pitch, we have our meetings and we prepare for the next game. It’s just business as usual.
“Of course, there is a little bit more to do with the media, with interviews for the players, for myself. You can view this as a stress, but I think it’s the best we can have. We want to play the final. We want to have this positive stress. There is a lot of positive energy we can get from it.
“This is what we can show at Tottenham. Again, the better our performance is at Tottenham, the better our confidence will be for the final. It’s always the performance that influences the next game a little bit.”
Following this weekend’s meeting with Spurs, though, it will be all eyes on Wembley and an attempt to shock Manchester City in the FA Cup final to qualify for the Europa League in the process. Alas, whilst such a win would create history, it’s not absurd to suggest that it could be Glasner’s final act as Crystal Palace manager.
Glasner included in final two Leipzig candidates
According to Sky Sports’ Philipp Hinze, RB Leipzig have now narrowed their managerial candidates down to Glasner and Cesc Fabregas. The Como boss has impressed in Italy and represents an exciting option compared to the more experienced Glasner.
The Bundesliga club are reportedly wasting little time, either, having set a deadline of the end of May to find their next manager after sacking Marco Rose earlier this season.
Those at Selhurst Park are already preparing for the worst too, having reportedly set their sights on hiring Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl in the event that Glasner departs in the coming weeks.
Whether the Austrian would accept the Leipzig job is, of course, another question. To leave after just one full season in the Premier League would be quite the decision, especially after how successful Palace have been throughout a tenure that many hope is only just getting started.
Azeem Rafiq has criticised the expected return of Colin Graves as Yorkshire chair and urged sponsors to walk out on the club if he is reappointed.Rafiq – who spoke out against the racism he experienced as a Yorkshire player, leading to the club being fined £400,000 and docked 48 points in last year’s County Championship, in addition to sanctions against six individuals – said in a Sunday newspaper column he feared “nothing had changed” in the 40 months since he first raised the issue and that “all we have are empty words and broken promises”.Graves has reportedly been in talks with Yorkshire about a return, having previously been chair between 2012 and 2015, presiding over part of a period in which the club has subsequently admitted to an ECB charge of failing to address the systemic use of racist or discriminatory language. Graves refused to appear as a witness in November 2021 at the parliamentary hearings which followed Rafiq’s complaints and sparked controversy in a TV interview last June when he described allegations of racism – which he said were never raised with him at the time – as “banter”.Related
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“Maybe there is still time to act, still time to show some backbone, but it’s running out fast,” Rafiq wrote in the “I cast my mind back to November 2021, when under intense political pressure the England and Wales Cricket Board suspended Yorkshire from hosting international cricket because of its slow and substandard response to my testimony. In the hours that followed dozens of companies ended their associations with the club.”My question now is for Yorkshire’s current sponsors… Does Colin Graves reflect your values? Is it acceptable to describe racism as banter?”Sponsors found their moral compass before, and they need to find it again, because any organisation supporting this is complicit in it. There is still time for them to act, to leave now and stop Yorkshire stepping back in time and undoing what progress they have made in the past three years.”In 2002, Graves bailed the club out with a multimillion-pound loan, of which some £14.9 million is still owed to the Graves Family Trust. Graves revealed last week that a new ownership offer had been accepted and his consortium was in exclusive negotiations until January 5. Depending on the result of those negotiations, club members could be asked to vote on his proposal at an extraordinary general meeting.”I still believe that everyone deserves a second chance,” Rafiq said. “If Graves wants to lead the club and the game in a positive direction he can’t just say the right things, he needs to do the right things – not just words, but action.”He has to show he has accepted what has happened in the past, and is ready to take substantial action and offer clear direction now and when difficult decisions are necessary in the future. It is fair to say there has been no sign of any of this yet.”
Following a 72-ball 87 that lifted New Zealand out of the depths of 55 for 5, Glenn Phillips said his mantra for dealing with the demanding Dhaka pitch was simple: use your bat as much as possible. His counterattacking half-century, his second in Test cricket, meant New Zealand took an eight-run lead over Bangladesh in a low-scoring affair that was in the balance by the end of day three.Phillips struck 13 boundaries all around the dial, but his slog-swept sixes were especially effective. It caught the Bangladesh spinners by surprise and forced them to shorten their lengths, allowing Phillips to attack the ball even more.”I was just trying to play with my bat as much as possible and picking my poison effectively,” Phillips said after the day’s play. “[It was about] understanding that they’re going to bowl really good balls and what do I want to have in my court to be able to counteract those balls. I guess just trying to stick to my game plan as clear as possible. I accepted the fact that the pitch is going to have a little bit of turn and bounce in some stages, and [I was] not getting too caught up in that and just trying to stay calm and as clear as possible.Related
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“For me, it is about using my bat as much as possible. I’m generally not looking to leave many deliveries. I will defend balls that are there to defend and that are really well bowled. But on pitches like this, understanding that sometimes being a little bit more aggressive is almost the best remedy. If you can put a bowler off their length a little bit, then you can get them to bowl in the area that you would feel a bit more comfortable with.”How did Phillips prepare for this innings, having had a full day of rain to see out before resuming on the third morning on 5? Being interested in playing as much as possible, he analysed how the rest of the New Zealand batters made contact with the ball, but did not let that get in the way of his own technique.”I saw a graphic about the different contact points of our batters. Everybody has their different way of going about it. Some guys come a lot further forward, some guys go a lot further back. It’s just understanding what works best for that individual. For me, trying to stay a little bit leg side of it and use my bat as much as possible was probably the key.”Phillips could not go on to a hundred, however, and had seemed visibly upset about something when he nicked behind on 87. He explained what had happened: “Just at the last second when Shoriful [Islam] got into his delivery stride, someone walked out from the side of the sight screen. I should have pulled away but it was also in my head. It’s probably a bit too late and then I didn’t watch the ball and I didn’t pull away; I did neither and I nicked it off.”Phillips said that New Zealand would not want to be chasing much more than 180-200 heading into the fourth innings. “Obviously we had a bit of a tough start in our first innings and a couple of great catches from the Bangladesh boys, which put us on the back foot quite quickly. I think if the pitch doesn’t change – which I think with the time it has had under covers it will be pretty similar throughout the whole game – I would probably say anywhere around that 180-200 mark is going to be a good score and tough to chase.”Not impossible to do, but obviously it’s going to take some work, and we’re going to have to stick to our game plans really well. But if we can keep them to anything under 200 we’ll be really happy.”