There will be a player draft as well as a round of pre-draft signings ahead of the tournament
ESPNcricinfo staff11-Jan-2025
St Lucia Kings are the defending CPL champions•CPL T20 via Getty Images
The 13th edition of the men’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will be held from August 14 to September 21 this year, Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the CPL announced on Friday. “Once again there will be no clash with West Indies international matches,” a CPL statement said.”We are pleased to have once again worked with Cricket West Indies to find a window that allows the very best players from across the region to take part in the CPL,” Pete Russell, the CPL chief executive, said. “The 2024 season was our most successful to date and we are looking forward to building on that success in 2025.”As has been the case since 2022, there will be 30 league-stage matches featuring the six teams, followed by four playoffs – the eliminator, two qualifiers, and the final. St Lucia Kings are the defending champions, and the tournament will feature losing 2024 finalists Guyana Amazon Warriors, Barbados Royals, Trinbago Knight Riders, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, who replaced Jamaica Tallawahs before the 2024 edition.Lynford Inverary, acting chief executive and chief operating officer of CWI, said, “While CWI continues to take a leading role in shaping our overall cricket calendar, the CPL remains a key part of our cricketing ecosystem, playing an important role in the development and promotion of the game throughout the Caribbean.”Specifics in terms of venues, fixtures, etc will be announced later. There will be a draft as well as a round of pre-draft signings for the teams to get their squads in place.
da leao： Pela 34° rodada da Série B do Brasilerão, o Sampaio Corrêa vai ao Estádio Heriberto Hulse no próximo sábado para enfrentar o Criciúma, atual sexto colocado da tabela.
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da dobrowin： O Criciúma vem de uma vitória fora de casa sobre o CRB por 1 a 0 e tem ido atrás de chances para se aproximar do G-6. O técnico poderá contar com o retorno de Rayan à equipe, após cumprir suspensão.
Buscando se afastar da temida zona de rebaixmento, o Sampaio Corrêa vai atrás de uma vitória para abrir distância da Chapecoense, que é o primeiro time dentro do Z-4. A equipe chega a Santa Catarina vindo de uma derrota para o Vitória.
+ Confira a tabela da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro
CRICIÚMA X SAMPAIO CORRÊA
Data: sábado, 28 de outubro Horário: 15h30 Local: Estádio Heriberto Hülse, em Criciúma, Santa Catarina Onde assistir: Premiere
da winzada777： Arsenal remain very active behind-the-scenes in terms of their summer recruitment plans, as manager Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta attempt to close the gap on Premier League champions Liverpool next season.
Arsenal set to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi
da bet7： The north Londoners, after months of talks, recently sealed a deal for Spain international midfielder Martin Zubimendi, as per numerous reliable reports.
Arsenal plot "shock" move for Premier League captain who "goes under the radar"
He’s a leader in the dressing room.
ByEmilio Galantini Jun 25, 2025
News of Zubimendi’s potential move to London Colney was first revealed by The Mail back in January, and Berta has been working to finalise a deal for the 26-year-old ever since – coming after his predecessor Edu and ex-interim director Jason Ayto laid most of the groundwork (Ben Jacobs).
The Real Sociedad favourite is now set to become Berta’s first signing as the Gunners’ new transfer chief, but he largely has both Ayto and Edu to thank for this, as they were the “driving forces” behind Zubimendi’s switch (Ben Jacobs).
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)
Money on new signings
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
Despite some concerns about Real Madrid mounting a late hijack, especially after Zubimendi’s cryptic comments regarding his future, Fabrizio Romano is among the credible media sources to share news last week that the player travelled to London and put the finishing touches on his Emirates Stadium move.
Arsenal will also pay around £55 million for Zubimendi, despite his lower release clause, as a gesture of good faith to Sociedad which also allows the club to pay the fee in installments.
With Zubimendi’s done and dusted, attention is swiftly turning to who could follow him, and that man is apparently £150,000-per-week Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Romano has given his ‘here we go’ to Arrizabalaga’s Arsenal move today, with the player also travelling to the club this week as he puts the finishing touches on his N5 transfer.
Kepa Arrizabalaga travelling to London this week after agreeing Arsenal move
The 30-year-old has been poised to join Arsenal for a little while now as he looks to battle David Raya for the number one spot (David Ornstein), with The Athletic’s James McNicholas sharing more on the situation.
Kepa is personally in London “this week” to finalise his move to Arsenal, so the Stamford Bridge outcast appears set to become Berta’s second signing of the summer.
The former Athletic Bilbao ace’s capture has already been widely praised, with his meagre £5 million cost coming as a potential bargain given Kepa’s extensive top-level experience.
“Arsenal do need a replacement for Neto, what a loan spell that was, it didn’t work, that is for sure,” said pundit Adrian Clarke on Inside Gooners earlier this month.
“Kepa Arrizabalaga, he’s available for just £5m, that sounds like the deal of the century, doesn’t it.”
اتخذ نادي مانشستر سيتي قرارًا حاسمًا بشأن النجم المصري عمر مرموش، فيما يتعلق ببطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا المرتقبة، التي ستنطلق في المغرب في شهر ديسمبر المقبل.
وتستضيف المغرب بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا في الفترة بين 21 ديسمبر و18 يناير المقبل.
ويشارك منتخب مصر في بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا حيث يتواجد في مجموعة تضم كلًا من أنجولا، جنوب إفريقيا وزيمبابوي.
وذكرت صحيفة “ديلي ميل” الإنجليزية أن مانشستر سيتي لن يسمح لمهاجمه عمر مرموش بالتواجد في معسكر تدريبي رفقة منتخب بلاده قبل كأس أمم إفريقيا.
وعاد مرموش إلى الملاعب مؤخرًا بعد غياب دام أكثر من شهر، بسبب إصابة في الركبة تعرض لها خلال فترة التوقف الدولي في سبتمبر.
اقرأ أيضًا | مواعيد مباريات مانشستر سيتي في شهر نوفمبر 2025.. مواجهة ليفربول
وجاءت عودة مرموش تدريجيًا قبل خوضه مباراة سوانزي سيتي في كأس كاراباو يوم الأربعاء الماضي، حيث سجل هدفًا رائعًا وساهم في تأهل مانشستر سيتي إلى دور ربع النهائي.
وقد يفتقد مانشستر سيتي خدمات عمر مرموش لمدة تصل إلى 10 مباريات حال وصول منتخب مصر إلى الأدوار الإقصائية في كأس أمم إفريقيا.
وسيخوض منتخب مصر مباراة ودية ضد نيجيريا في 14 ديسمبر القادم، لكن مانشستر سيتي سيسافر إلى كريستال بالاس في الدوري الإنجليزي في نفس اليوم، ويرغب في أن يكون مرموش متاحًا.
وأوضحت الصحيفة أنه من المتوقع أن ينضم مرموش إلى منتخب بلاده بعد تلك المباراة أمام كريستال بالاس، بينما يواجه ليفربول قرارًا مشابهًا مع محمد صلاح، حيث قرر المدرب حسام حسن الاستعانة به.
ومن المقرر أن يواجه ليفربول برايتون في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز في اليوم السابق، ومن المرجح أن يُتخذ قرار بشأن مشاركة صلاح إذا ما تم اختياره، كما هو متوقع، من قبل مصر لمواجهة نيجيريا.
ويبدأ منتخب مصر مشواره في كأس أمم إفريقيا بمباراته ضد زيمبابوي يوم 22 ديسمبر، ثم جنوب إفريقيا 26 وأنجولا 29.
An 11-member independent panel including existing Hall of Famers, former players and journalists voted for the inductees
ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jan-2025
Misbah-ul-Haq led Pakistan to the top of the ICC Test rankings in 2016•AFP
Inzamam-ul-Haq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mushtaq Mohammad and Saeed Anwar have been inducted into the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Hall of Fame. They join ten others in the Hall of Fame, which was launched by the PCB in 2021.”On behalf of the Pakistan Cricket Board, I extend heartfelt congratulations to these four cricketing legends on their well-deserved inductions into the PCB Hall of Fame,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement. “This honour represents a tribute to their outstanding contributions to Pakistan cricket and to the global game”Mushtaq Mohammad is regarded as one of Pakistan’s finest captains, known for his astute leadership and inspiring style. Inzamam-ul-Haq’s immense talent and match-winning ability have left an indelible mark on the sport. Misbah-ul-Haq took charge of the Pakistan team during challenging times, guiding it to the pinnacle of Test rankings and achieving a historic series win in the Caribbean. Saeed Anwar, with his natural grace and classical technique, redefined the role of an opener and thrived against some of the world’s best bowlers under all conditions.Inzamam, who helped Pakistan win the 1992 ODI World Cup, played 120 Tests, 378 ODIs and a lone T20I. He scored 8830 Test runs and 11,739 runs in ODIs. His 329 against New Zealand in 2002 is the second-highest Test score by a Pakistan batter, eight short of the record held by Hanif Mohammad.”I owe immense gratitude to my fellow cricketers, dedicated support staff and my family, without whom this journey would not have been possible,” Inzamam said. “Representing Pakistan during an era with such high-caliber players was a privilege and their influence played a vital role in my growth and development as a batter.”Inzamam’s induction into the Hall of Fame means the internal conflict of interest inquiry initiated by the PCB administration of Zaka Ashraf against him in 2023 when he was chief selector is over with no consequences against him.Anwar amassed 4052 runs in 55 Tests and 8824 runs in 247 ODIs. His 194 against India in 1997 was the highest ODI score at the time.”It’s humbling to join the ranks of my childhood heroes and team-mates with whom I shared and celebrated some of the most defining moments of Pakistan cricket,” Anwar said. “As an opening batter, I was privileged to play in an era graced by some of the most talented and accomplished cricketers who represented Pakistan. I cherished every moment of laying the foundation for our team, taking on the world’s best bowlers, and partnering with match-winners to bring joy to our fans.”Misbah is among Pakistan’s most successful Test captains. He took over the captaincy after the spot-fixing scandal in 2010 and led Pakistan to the No. 1 ranking in 2016.”Representing Pakistan was an absolute privilege, captaining the team was a profound honour and this recognition by the Pakistan Cricket Board serves as the perfect crowning achievement of my journey,” Misbah said.Mushtaq made his Test debut at the age of 15 in 1959 and remained the youngest debutant in Test cricket until 1996. He scored his first Test hundred at the age of 17 and went on to play 57 Tests and ten ODIs. He memorably led Pakistan to their first Test win in Australia.”To be honored and recognised 45 years after playing my last match for Pakistan is truly humbling,” Mushtaq said. “Joining a small group of some of the finest cricketers, including my legendary brother Hanif, is even more gratifying.”The inductees were voted in by an 11-member independent panel that included existing Hall of Famers Wasim Akram Zaheer Abbas, former Pakistan players Azhar Ali, Bismah Maroof and Nain Abidi, and six cricket journalists and analysts.
da betway： Take out Erling Haaland from the equation, and it’s likely most clubs in European football, Arsenal included, would choose to sign Alexander Isak this summer.
da dobrowin： The Gunners have had a long-vested interest in the Swede, dating back to before he was even a Newcastle player.
Sadly, after a campaign in which the Toon’s star man bagged 27 goals in 42 games, he looks like he’s staying in the north east.
Asking prices from £150m to £200m have been touted, making this move nigh on impossible for anyone, let alone the Gunners.
Liverpool are reportedly at the table too and if Arne Slot’s men were to prise the forward away from Newcastle, it would be a colossal kick in the teeth for Arsenal.
Still, there are alternatives, and alternatives that share similar traits to the Swedish superstar.
The latest on Arsenal's hunt for new attackers
With moves for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi set for completion in the not-too-distant future, Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta are getting a move on with their summer business.
Still, a new forward continues to elude them amid ongoing talks to sign Viktor Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko.
Arsenal have also been looking at wingers, namely Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa and Crystal Palace’s playmaking sensation, Eberechi Eze.
Well, what if they could find a player with the ability to play on the flanks and through the middle? That fact is certainly true of Ademola Lookman.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to Caught Offside, the Gunners are now in active negotiations to sign the Nigerian attacker from Italian outfit Atalanta.
After previous spells in England with Charlton, Everton, and Fulham, Lookman has more than proven himself in Italy and appears to be keen on coming back to the Premier League.
Ademola Lookman for Atalanta
While Arsenal will face competition from Liverpool for his signature, the 27-year-old is said to be valued at around €45m to €50m (£38m – £43m) plus add-ons.
How Ademola Lookman could improve Arsenal
Let’s take you back to the year of 2020 for a moment. Football is being played behind closed doors due to the pandemic and Lookman has just missed one of the worst penalty attempts you will ever see.
A panenka looks great when it comes off, but in this instance, it disgraced and embarrassed a young Lookman.
Since then, the attacker has become “one of the best prospects in Europe”, in the words of former Man City defender-turned pundit Nedum Onuoha.
Why? Well, who could forget the Lookman final, a game where Atalanta won the Europa League in 2024 courtesy of the Nigeria international who scored a stunning hat-trick to seal a 3-0 win over Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen.
It was genuinely one of the best individual performances you will see on a big stage and he’s not slowed down since that moment.
During the 2023/24 campaign, Lookman scored 17 goals and supplied ten assists in all competitions. In 2024/25, he was even better in front of goal, netting 20 and registering seven assists.
Undoubtedly one of the most exciting players in Serie A, his rate of productivity in the final third is captivating, but the player’s versatility is also an enormous plus point. Capable of playing on the flanks, as a striker or behind the leading no.9, that versatile nature should be a big box tick for Arteta.
Such an ability to play in a plethora of positions has led data-led website FBRef to proclaim that Bukayo Saka is the third-most similar winger in Europe to Lookman, while Isak is the third-most similar striker. Not bad indeed. But, what makes them alike? We’ve crunched the numbers.
Lookman vs Isak & Saka: 2024/25 league
Stat (per 90 mins)
Lookman
Isak
Saka
Goals
0.60
0.75
0.31
Assists
0.20
0.20
0.52
Shots
3.24
3.10
3.44
Key passes
2.44
1.34
3.02
Progressive passes
2.98
2.88
3.65
Shot-creating actions
5.41
3.01
6.09
Succesful take-ons
1.48
1.37
2.14
Progressive carries
5.68
2.71
5.00
Stats via FBRef.
Blessed with pace, fleet-footedness and low centre of gravity, Lookman possesses a very similar style on the flanks to Saka and his ability to dart in behind and run the channels can draw comparisons to Isak.
That’s certainly seen in the numbers, where the former Fulham man combines the best of both players here.
He’s more potent than Saka in front of goal per 90 minutes but he creates a similar number of key passes. He’s also very progressive with his actions, only slightly falling behind Arsenal’s number 7 for progressive passes but actually ranking higher for progressive carries.
Like Isak, he completes a similar number of take-ons and they’re almost equal for shots taken as well.
So, if Arsenal are not willing to break the bank to sign someone like Sesko or Gyokeres this summer, Lookman could be the next best thing.
It’s a rare opportunity to find someone who combines the best attributes of two of the best players in the Premier League.
£100m star & the "new Haaland" sign: Arsenal's dream summer
Andrea Berta is in for a big summer at Arsenal; here’s how it could play out.
حقق فريق سيراميكا كليوباترا فوزًا غاليا على بتروجيت، اليوم الأحد، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
وواجه فريق سيراميكا كليوباترا نظيره بتروجيت، في الثامنة مساء اليوم، على ملعب هيئة قناة السويس، في الجولة الـ13 من الدوري الممتاز.
طالع.. سيراميكا كليوباترا يرد عبر “بطولات” على أنباء رحيل علي ماهر إلى ليبيا
وتمكن فريق سيراميكا كليوباترا من الفوز بثنائية مقابل هدف على بتروجيت، ليعتلي صدارة جدول ترتيب الدوري الممتاز.
تقدم فريق بتروجيت بالهدف الأول عن طريق اللاعب مصطفى البدري، في الدقيقة 18 من عمر الشوط الأول، قبل أن يتعادل اللاعب صديق إيجولا لسيراميكا كليوباترا في الدقيقة 90.
وفي الدقيقة 92، عاد صديق إيجولا وأحرز الهدف الثاني لفريق سيراميكا كليوباترا في مرمى بتروجيت، لينتهي اللقاء بفوز أصحاب الأرض بثنائية مقابل هدف.
وبهذا الفوز رفع فريق سيراميكا كليوباترا رصيده إلى 26 نقطة في صدارة جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري الممتاز، بينما توقف رصيد بتروجيت عند 15 نقطة في المركز الـ 13 في جدول الدوري. أهداف مباراة سيراميكا كليوباترا وبتروجيت
Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Atharva Ankolekar and Suryansh Shedge return for their last league game of the season
Vishal Dikshit28-Jan-2025
Shreyas Iyer and Rohit Sharma will next turn out for India in the England ODIs•PTI
India internationals Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer are going to miss the next round of the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai in the lead up to the England ODI series that follows early next month. While the likes of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul will feature in the next round starting January 30, the Mumbai trio had already played the previous round, which Kohli and Rahul didn’t, and Iyer played almost the entire domestic season, that included two white-ball tournaments too. The ODI series against England starts on February 6 in Nagpur, four days after the scheduled end of the last Ranji Trophy round.Rohit and Jaiswal – who also open together in Tests – opened for Mumbai against Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) when they returned to domestic cricket for the previous round after the BCCI’s new guidelines mandated playing domestic cricket. The board’s directive had come after India’s consecutive series losses against New Zealand and Australia that cost the team a World Test Championship final berth, especially with India’s batting unit failing to put up substantial scores. Rohit, especially, has been among the poorest of the lot, scoring just 164 runs from his last 15 Test innings to average a dismal 10.93 this season. His fortunes didn’t change when he batted for Mumbai, scoring just 3 and 28 against J&K.Related
Rahane lauds J&K seamers, admits he misread the conditions
Accuracy in, pressure off: How J&K took down mighty Mumbai
Virat Kohli to train with Delhi squad from Tuesday
Jaiswal too registered low scores of 4 and 26 although he had a much better Test season, scoring two half-centuries and a century in Australia after four fifties at home.Iyer, on the other hand, has been Mumbai’s top-scorer this Ranji season. He made two centuries to tally 480 runs from seven innings and average 68.57. He also struck two unbeaten centuries in the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy recently. He also struck at 188.52 for his 345 runs in the victorious 20-over Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.Mumbai will also be without allrounder Shivam Dube who joined the India T20I squad soon after Mumbai’s game against J&K ended.The squad for the final league game against Meghalaya sees the return of batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi and allrounders Atharva Ankolekar and Suryansh Shedge, who was the Player of the Match in the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Mumbai are likely go to back to the young opening combination of Raghuvanshi and 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre, who has kicked off his maiden domestic season with a stellar record of four centuries and two half-centuries in 18 innings across first-class and List A formats so far.Mumbai are the defending champions and are in a tough spot to make the Ranji knockouts, placed third in the Group A table behind J&K and Baroda. Their last game against Meghalaya is a must win.Mumbai squadAjinkya Rahane (capt), Ayush Mhatre, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Amogh Bhatkal, Siddhesh Lad, Akash Anand (wk), Hardik Tamore (wk), Suryansh Shedge, Shardul Thakur, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Mohit Avasthi, Sylvester D’Souza, Royston Dias, Shreyas Gurav, Atharva Ankolekar
علق راؤول ألبيول، مدافع نادي ريال مدريد السابق، على أحداث مواجهة الميرنجي أمام برشلونة في كلاسيكو الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى، والتي لعبت يوم الأحد الماضي على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو.
ريال مدريد تفوق على برشلونة وحسم كلاسيكو الجولة العاشرة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى وهزم البلوجرانا بهدفين مقابل هدف واحد ليعزز صدارته في تريتب البطولة المحلية.
وشهدت مواجهة الكلاسيكو أحداث مؤسفة، بعدما دخل ثلاثي ريال مدريد، داني كارفاخال وفينيسيوس جونيور وتيبو كورتوا، في خلاف مع جناح برشلونة، لامين يامال.
واعترف ألبيول في تصريحات نقلتها إذاعة كادينا سير، أن ما حدث بين كارفاخال وفينيسيوس وكورتوا مع يامال، قد ذكره بما حدث في كلاسيكو ريال مدريد وبرشلونة خلال فترة جوزيه مورينيو وبيب جوارديولا، حيث قال: “ذكرني الكلاسيكو بأيامنا وخاصةً في نهاية المباراة مع الشجار”.
اقرأ أيضًا .. رقم صادم في مباراة الكلاسكيو بين ريال مدريد وبرشلونة
وأضاف ألبيول في حديثه: “في النهاية، هناك الكثير من الكلام لكن يجب أن يبقى في الملعب، ليس من الممتع رؤية فينيسيوس وهو يقول عبارة هيا بنا نخرج إلى خارج الملعب”.
وأوضح: “إنهم زملاء في الفريق، لذا فإن التوتر والإثارة أمر طبيعي، عندما يطلق الحكم صافرة النهاية عليك أن تحاول الحفاظ على هدوئك والاستمتاع بالعرض”.
وأردف ألبيول: “خلال فترة لعبي مع المنتخب الوطني، كان هناك العديد من لاعبي برشلونة ومن ريال مدريد، كنا خمسة لاعبين من ريال مدريد، كنا نحن وبرشلونة الفريق بأكمله تقريبًا”.
وتابع: “صحيح أن التوتر وصل أحيانًا إلى المنتخب الوطني، انقطع التواصل تقريبًا بين لاعبي ريال مدريد وبرشلونة لكن بشكل عام كان هناك دائمًا احترام خلال التدريبات والمباريات، لذلك لم يؤثر ذلك على أي شيء”.
وواصل ألبيول: ”لم تكن هناك نوايا سيئة، ولا توتر ولا أجواء سيئة ولا أي شيء من هذا القبيل. لقد تم المبالغة في ذلك بشكل كبير”.
واستكمل ألبيول في حديثه عن منتخب إسبانيا وفرصه في كأس العالم العام المقبل: “لقد ثبت هذا المنتخب أنه فريق فائز وسيكرر ذلك. عندما يصل الجميع إلى كأس العالم، سيكونون جميع لاعبي إسبانيا في فريق واحد ويحاولون الفوز به”.
Efforts from Matt Short, D’Arcy Short and Jamie Overton were not enough for Strikers in the 215 chase
Tristan Lavalette27-Dec-2024
Ben McDermott helped Hobart Hurricanes build a strong total•Getty Images
Ben McDermott powered Hobart Hurricanes to the highest total of the BBL season with a belligerent half-century to overwhelm a slumping Adelaide Strikers.Hurricanes had contributions through their batting order after being sent in on a typically flat Adelaide Oval surface. McDermott’s 68 off 34 balls, including five sixes, provided the finishing touches in the death overs to lift Hurricanes to a massive total.Strikers were on track in their chase of 215 after skipper Matthew Short and D’Arcy Short smashed 76 runs within seven overs, but regular wickets proved costly as Hurricanes claimed an 11-run victory.Related
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The result leaves Strikers at a shaky 1-3 record, while Hurricanes have won consecutive games after being routed for 74 by Melbourne Renegades in their season-opener.McDermott and David fire after Owen’s early dismissalAfter his rapid century against Perth Scorchers, all eyes were on Mitch Owen who promptly smashed the spin of Matt Short for a boundary through cover on the second ball of the innings.Owen went for broke on every delivery but it proved his downfall as he holed out to long-on in an anti-climactic finish.While Caleb Jewell struggled with his rhythm, Shai Hope followed Owen’s blueprint and swung hard. He gave himself plenty of room by moving around the crease and trusted the surface’s true bounce.Hope made a breezy 37 off 22 but couldn’t kick on as Hurricanes struggled to ignite in the middle overs until Tim David arrived at the crease in the 14th over.David came in at an opportune time amid the power surge as he eyed finding top form having tailed off in recent times, including a second-ball duck against Renegades.David can sometimes overhit early in his innings, but he gave himself time to settle in. It wasn’t long before David was in full flight as he rattled quick Henry Thornton with a full-blooded pull shot that sailed into the terraces.David couldn’t make it through to the end after his whirlwind 33 off 14 balls ended when quick Liam Scott cleaned him up with a full delivery.McDermott had been starved of the strike but made up for lost time with a succession of mighty blows. He was inventive against spinners Lloyd Pope and Cameron Boyce with reverse sweeps and he also used his feet effectively.McDermott, standing still at the crease and watching the ball closely, was in the zone as he lifted Hurricanes well past 200.Overton executes superblyAllrounder Jamie Overton has been Strikers’ standout performer so far this season with healthy bat and ball contributions. Once again he starred with the ball after finishing with a very respectable 2 for 27 from his four overs.On an unforgiving surface for bowlers, Overton bent his back and extracted bite. He claimed the wickets of Hope and Nikhil Chaudhary with short deliveries that beat them for pace.Strikers’ attack had no answer for Hurricanes in the backend except for Overton, who in the penultimate over bowled a succession of canny slower fuller deliveries to concede just eight runs.Overton’s execution under pressure was a feature in a superb performance.Matt Short hit a quick half-century•Cricket Australia via Getty Images
Ellis steps up in key momentsHurricanes were nervous with Matt Short rediscovering his best form. But skipper Nathan Ellis stepped up with a terrific catch to dismiss Short after sprinting from extra cover to hang on after an initial fumble.Ellis made another important contribution when he bowled brilliantly in the 14th over amid the power surge. He bowled accurate full deliveries in trademark style to tie up Alex Ross and Ollie Pope and ensure Strikers fell well behind on the required run rate.David also made a significant impact with a brilliant diving catch at mid-on to dismiss Ross and he celebrated with gusto.Skipper finds form but it’s not enoughStrikers were faced with a daunting chase, but they have mowed down similar scores before at home.They needed Matt Short to fire having only scored 31 runs from three innings this season on the back of struggles in the white-ball series against Pakistan.He looked nervous early and was hit on the pads by speedster Riley Meredith, but survived. Short made his move with consecutive sixes off quick Billy Stanlake in the second over, but he was soon overtaken by his opening partner D’Arcy Short as they smashed 49 runs in the powerplay.They kept going for it and clearing boundaries until D’Arcy Short top-edged Stanlake to deep square leg after a brisk 41 off 22 balls. Following a cameo from Chris Lynn, the pressure fell on Short who notched the second fastest BBL half-century of his career off 27 balls.But Short fell shortly afterwards and Strikers’ chase ran out of puff despite late hitting from Overton. Strikers’ season hangs in the balance ahead of a pivotal clash against Scorchers in their traditional New Year’s Eve home fixture.