Category Uncategorized

Josh Hazlewood felt a fifth bowler would allow him, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins to bowl at their best and fastest, while easing some of the load off Nathan Lyon

Daniel Brettig02-Nov-2017Josh Hazlewood’s return to fitness will mean New South Wales will field Australia’s Ashes bowling attack against Western Australia in the unassuming surrounds of Hurstville Oval from Saturday, though the tall fast man admits he would like to see some extra bowling cover in the Test squad when it is finally announced.The certainty around the shape of Steven Smith’s top four bowlers and top five batsmen is in sharp contrast to the vast speculation about who will fill the spots at Nos. 6 and 7, in recent times nominally the preserve of an allrounder and a wicketkeeper. Australia’s selectors will not be unveiling their Gabba squad until the day after the third round of Sheffield Shield matches on November 17, having gained precious little relevant information from the first, floodlit fixtures.Returning to the state team following a side strain in Bangladesh and a 10-over spell in Sydney club cricket on the weekend, Hazlewood said he would like to see a fifth bowling option present in the Australian Test side. That balance would aid him, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins in bowling at their best and fastest, notwithstanding the outstanding recent displays of the spin bowler Nathan Lyon. Moises Henriques is the allrounder for NSW, while Hilton Cartwright and Marcus Stoinis seem the most likely contenders to fulfill that role in the Test team.”It’s always nice having that allrounder to maybe bowl five or six overs throughout the day,” Hazlewood said. “I think the way Gaz has bowled over the last 12-18 months has been fantastic and he’s been shouldering the workload if it does get put upon the quicks. But for balance you want runs and wickets from that No. 6 batter … you could go either way.”It’s always great to have a full-strength NSW side, a lot of Test experience, the skipper and vice skipper there as well, so yeah really looking forward to getting out there. Western Australia are really strong at the moment in all formats, so looking forward to a good game.”It’s usually one or the other [of Starc or Cummins] at different stages, so it’s great to get them together. We’ve got a pretty good record when we’re all together bowling. We’re pretty used to bowling together these days, whether it’s for Australia or NSW, so we’ll just take it as another game and try to get those 20 wickets.”In making his recovery from the side strain, Hazlewood was several weeks behind Starc’s own rehabilitation from a foot problem, meaning he was unable to play in the first Shield round. This means he will play consecutive Shield games before the Gabba Test, creating a delicate balance between the demands of Smith, the selectors and medical staff trying to manage his workload.”The other guys played last week and this week and I think they’re having a rest for game three,” Hazlewood said. “I’m playing game three since I missed the first one. It’s a good build-up, two Shield games before the first Test, and hopefully get through the first Test as well. Ideally you’d want to play the same as Mitch and Pat, the first two, but I don’t see it as much of a big deal, we’ll just bowl a little bit less in the nets leading into it if we bowl a bit more in the game.”It feels really good, it’s got better every session from when I started bowling probably four or five weeks ago, it feels good now, nice and strong, so hopefully it stays that way. Very close to, if not, 100%.”Another contender for the Ashes, Nathan Coulter-Nile, has been bizarrely withdrawn from WA’s Shield team to face NSW at Hurstville and will instead bowl a limited number of overs for an invitational XI against the Englishmen in Perth on November 4 and 5. Hazlewood, who has himself had his bowling load closely managed over numerous years, took the view that it was a chance for a speedy compatriot to place some early doubts in the minds of the touring team’s batsmen.”I see it more as a positive I think, that he can maybe crack open a few of them early and create a few scars in their top order and middle order maybe,” he said. “Disappointing he’s not playing in the Shield game against us, but he’s had trouble with injuries in the past few years so that’s the reason he’s playing there.”Their top order, it’ll be their first hit on tour, and to have a guy there like Coults there to warm them up I guess to maybe create a few scars would be nice. That’s their plan too, to start with the bounciest, quickest wicket and get used to that straight away.”Elsewhere, the national selectors named the Cricket Australia XI squad to face Joe Root’s England tourists in a pair of Ashes warm-up matches, first in Adelaide (November 8-11) and then Townsville (November 15-18). The experienced Tim Paine and the NSW seamer Gurinder Sandhu add experience to the side, which also features the more youthful talents of Will Pucovski and Jason Sangha.Cricket Australia XI squad: Jake Carder, Jackson Coleman, Michael Cormack, Daniel Fallins, Ryan Gibson, Nick Larkin, Simon Milenko, Tim Paine, Will Pucovski, Gurinder Sandhu, Jason Sangha, Matthew Short.

Chelsea are "tempted" to bring in another number nine this summer and have discussed the possibility of making a move for Dusan Vlahovic, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Is Vlahovic joining Chelsea?

Since Todd Boehly's arrival as Chelsea's new owner, the Blues' approach to the transfer market has been fairly disastrous.

Having spent enormously on a mass of players, Chelsea have been preoccupied this summer with trimming their ridiculously large squad, and it is still impossible to predict what new boss Mauricio Pochettino's line-up will look like on the opening day of the Premier League season.

Chelsea's scattergun approach to signing talented young players on huge contracts has backfired significantly and Pochettino is the man tasked with picking up the pieces.

Despite having spent a vast fortune on players in recent windows, Chelsea still mysteriously ended up without an orthodox striker last season, one of the reasons they slumped to a 12th-placed league finish.

However, Pochettino is hoping to remedy that situation in the market and, despite having already signed Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson this summer, journalist Jones believes that the Blues could target Juventus' Vlahovic to ease their goalscoring woes.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones said: "I know some people are ruling out of Vlahovic and they say that nothing is happening there. But Vlahovic has definitely been explored by Chelsea and conversations have definitely happened in terms of that.

"The fact that they are even contemplating that, tells you they're tempted to go and sign another striker by the end of this transfer window."

Nkunku can play as a striker but is not a typical number nine, despite his prowess in front of goal. Meanwhile, Jackson is just 22-years-old and may need significant time to adjust to life in a new league at such a young age.

Therefore, Vlahovic, who has been called a "big-name striker", could be an astute piece of business and is a player with a wealth of experience despite being just 23-years-old.

The Serbian international has managed 72 goals in 171 matches for Juventus and Fiorentina in Italy but has struggled to fully settle at the Allianz Stadium in Turin since arriving halfway through the 2021/22 season.

A fee of around €80m would potentially be enough to sign Vlahovic, a figure which is unlikely to put off free-spending Chelsea. The striker would offer Pochettino a more traditional number nine than what the Blues currently have at their disposal and the forward's physicality and clinical edge would make him a great fit in the Premier League.

How good is Vlahovic?

Based on his performances last season in a Juventus side that struggled on and off the pitch, there isn't an enormous amount to get excited about with Vlahovic.

He scored just 14 goals and provided four assists in 42 matches, also suffering from injuries at times throughout the campaign, and only managed the same amount of Serie A strikes as wantaway Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku.

However, looking at his statistics during the 2020/21 season – his last full campaign with Fiorentina – it is clear to see that Vlahovic is a top-quality centre-forward.

Compared to other strikers that season in Serie A per 90 minutes, he ranked in the top eight percent for goals (netting 21 in 37 games) and top 12% for aerials won, highlighting his physical presence up top and eye for goal.

Signing Vlahovic could be a risk given his lack of consistency in the black and white of Juventus, but if the forward can recreate the form he has exhibited in the past with Fiorentina and Serbia, then Pochettino would be foolish not to consider the young striker.

Arsenal are not giving up their pursuit of Ivan Fresneda, as Mikel Arteta and Edu work on equipping the Emirates with added star talent this summer.

The Gunners fell agonisingly short to Manchester City last season, however with extended depth, the gap could be bridged ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Long-term target Fresneda has been of interest to the north Londoners since the January window, when Fabrizio Romano confirmed the teenager would stay in La Liga amidst interest from Arsenal.

Now, it looks as though Arteta will continue to push for the youngster, who could add a wave of talent to the ranks at the Emirates.

Could Arsenal sign Ivan Fresneda?

According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo last week, Arsenal are moving ‘faster’ than the likes of Barcelona and AC Milan in striking a deal for Fresneda.

The report claims that the Gunners have an economic upper hand, with interest claimed to have been ‘reactivated’ with the players’ release clause dropping to just €20m (£17m) following Real Valladolid’s relegation.

How good is Ivan Fresneda?

Hailed as a “serious talent” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the 18-year-old has become one of the most in-demand young defenders in Europe.

In his debut season in La Liga, the youngster made 22 appearances for his club and captured the eye of the league for his playing style as an inverted right-back.

The teenager's intricate style is exactly what Arteta is equipping to his side, as highlighted through his requirements from full-backs Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko when getting forward on the flanks.

Speaking of the Ukrainian, journalist Sam Dean revealed last month that Arsenal would aim to identify another ‘Zinchenko-type’ player this transfer window, with reference to the move for Jurrien Timber.

While the Timber deal looks almost complete, signing Fresneda could be a smart move for the Gunners in the bid to relieve their side of deadwood and revamp the squad to that of a consistent title challenger.

The “dynamic” talent of the Madrid-born sensation – as hailed by Mango – could allow the Londoners to show lower-performing rotation players the door, particularly fellow right-back Cedric Soares.

The Portuguese defender went on loan to Fulham in January in a bid to rediscover his form, however the 31-year-old was used on just six occasions in the Premier League for the Cottagers, in a disappointing spell.

With his contract expiring next summer, it could be time for Arsenal to cash in on the former Southampton full-back, who looks to be moving further and further away from Arteta’s plans at the Emirates.

Introducing a player like Fresneda in his place would show the progression at the club, in replacing an ageing underperformer with an exciting young talent.

When comparing the two players via FBref, it’s clear to see how the Gunners could deliver an upgrade in replacing Cedric for the Spaniard.

The 18-year-old averaged 2.48 tackles and 1.65 blocks per 90 for Valladolid in La Liga last term, while completing an impressive average of 2.48 progressive carries per 90 to highlight his ability going forward.

The Portuguese defender fell short of the youngster in such areas, averaging 2.30 tackles and 1.09 blocks per 90 and just 1.03 progressive carries per 90 for Arsenal in the 2021/22 campaign, suggesting his lack of suitability for the role wanted by Arteta from his full-backs.

The Spaniard could rejuvenate his side by making swaps in the quality of his depth, ensuring a potential move for Fresneda could be an impeccable decision.

Billy Godleman led by example as Derbyshire hit back strongly on the third day of the Division Two County Championship match against Leicestershire at Derby

ECB Reporters Network27-May-2017
ScorecardBilly Godleman put Derbyshire back in the contest•Getty ImagesBilly Godleman led by example as Derbyshire hit back strongly on the third day of the Division Two County Championship match against Leicestershire at Derby.The Derbyshire captain made 141 from 275 balls and with former Leicestershire allrounder Shiv Thakor scoring 132 and Gary Wilson 97, the home side closed on 532 for 8, 87 behind.Leicestershire’s 20-year-old fast bowler Zak Chappell took wickets and Clint McKay returned the impressive figures of 2 for 78 from 32 overs but the rest of the attack struggled on a lifeless pitch.Derbyshire had a lot of batting to do at the start of the day and Godleman and Thakor took their partnership well into the afternoon to give their side a fighting chance of saving the game.McKay apart, Leicestershire’s bowling lacked the consistency required on a flat pitch to exert pressure and a dropped catch only added to a frustrating morning for the visitors.Godleman had reached his ninth first-class hundred for Derbyshire by driving Zak Chappell for his 17th four but Thakor should have gone on 86 when he clipped Rob Sayer to midwicket where Chappell spilled an easy chance.Thakor took advantage against his former county to reach his first century of the season in the County Championship from 160 balls with 16 fours and the pair established a new Derbyshire second-wicket record against Leicestershire of 236 before they were parted.It was McKay who broke through with a ball that swung away enough to take the outside edge after Thakor had made his highest score for Derbyshire and the Australian struck again in his next over when Wayne Madsen lobbed a catch to short over.Alex Hughes edged Dieter Klein to second slip but Godleman’s occupation lasted just short of seven hours before Chappell speared a yorker through his defence.Derbyshire were still in danger at that stage of falling short of the 470 follow-on target but Wilson, who secured maximum batting points with a six off Sayer, and Daryn Smit added 81 in 18 overs.Smit made his highest championship score for Derbyshire but was caught at second slip trying to run Klein to third man and Jeevan Mendis became Colin Ackermann’s first Leicestershire wicket when he got a leading edge to point.Wilson looked certain to become the sixth player in the game to make a hundred but he fell for the second time in the 90’s this season trying to pull Chappell but he had helped Derbyshire record their highest score against Leicestershire.

Leeds United striker Rodrigo's agent is scheduled to hold a meeting regarding his client's imminent exit from Elland Road, according to journalist Beren Cross.

When did Rodrigo join Leeds?

Rodrigo first arrived in Yorkshire back in 2020 from Valencia and he’s since gone on to make 97 senior appearances after becoming a regular feature of the first-team, but there’s a strong chance that he could be set to depart during the ongoing window.

The Spain international will be out of contract next summer meaning that now will be the final big opportunity that the hierarchy have to cash in should they not want to risk losing him for free in 12 months time, and having established himself as their top-performing offensive player last season, he won’t be short of potential suitors.

The Whites will know that they are resigned to losing several of their big names in the coming weeks with stars like Jack Harrison, Tyler Adams and Robin Koch having already been linked with an exit, and if the following update is to be believed, the 32-year-old could be another to follow in their footsteps and seal a move away from the Championship.

Is Rodrigo leaving Leeds?

Taking to Twitter, Cross revealed that Leeds will meet with Rodrigo's representative possibly in the coming days to discuss his departure from LS11 after three years of service. He wrote:

"Rodrigo's agent, his father, set to meet Leeds top brass imminently to get the wheels moving on his exit. United not expected to make it difficult for him to move and get those wages off the books."

Should the 49ers keep or sell Rodrigo?

Leeds obviously won’t want to lose Rodrigo for nothing and the fee that they could potentially bring in for him will be appealing, but the centre-forward is such a standout player at the club so the 49ers should see if he could be tempted to stay by offering him a new contract.

The Nike-sponsored ace, who pockets £100k-per-week, racked up 14 goal contributions (13 goals and one assist) in 31 Premier League outings last season and recorded 66 shots over the course of the campaign, which was higher than any other of his teammates, as per FBRef.

Rodrigo, who has been lauded a “top talent” by CEO Angus Kinnear, also adds wonderful versatility to the squad with his ability to be deployed in seven different positions over the pitch, including all across the frontline and even in the midfield, so retaining his services is something that the board shouldn’t even have to think twice about if possible.

The 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia could be held in the winter, following the example set by Qatar last year.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Saudi to be named 2034 hosts
• Competition could be played in winter
• Summer tournament still an option

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  FIFA is set to announce the Middle East nation as the host for the tournament in 2034 after Australia withdrew from the bidding process before the deadline.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Temperatures can reach 50C in Saudi Arabia in the summer, causing concerns about the safety of fans and players and raising the prospect of it being held later in the year. The 2022 edition of the tournament was the first to be moved to the winter, a controversial decision as it came in the middle of the European football season and therefore necessitated a winter break.

  However, Saudi Arabian Football Federation president Yasser al-Misehal says that technology could be used to make stadiums cooler during the summer, but the prospect of holding the competition in the winter has not been ruled out.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  "Of course, we are ready for all possibilities," he said at the Asian Football Confederation awards in Doha. "Today there are many new technologies that help you with cooling or adding air conditioners in stadiums, in addition to the fact that there are many cities in the kingdom that enjoy a very wonderful atmosphere in the summer."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• (C)Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  FIFA will soon confirm Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup hosts.

Despite it being Julie Ertz's big night, Lynn Williams quietly stole the limelight with a brilliant two-goal performance.

All eyes were on Julie Ertz, and rightfully so. The U.S. women's national team legend was here to say goodbye, one last run and one last game for a player that has had so many important ones over the years. With her 2023 World Cup teammates around her, Ertz made way early on to a much-deserved ovation.

But, while this was Ertz's day, it was also Lynn Williams', too. A player that was overlooked at the World Cup could not be overlooked on Thursday night, even with all the fanfare around Ertz' goodbye.

Williams scored two of the three goals in the USWNT's 3-0 win over South Africa, offering the attacking spark that the U.S. needed so badly at the World Cup. Both goals, as unlikely as it may seem, came via set pieces, with Williams the surprising goalscorer on both.

Trinity Rodman's goal, though, was a display of the threat that the U.S. so desperately lacked Down Under. It was a lovely attacking move, one capped by a pass from Alex Morgan to Rodman for a simple finish.

In the first game of the post-Vlatko Andonovski era, the U.S. put out a lineup not unlike the one we saw at the World Cup. What that team lacked in the attacking end a few months back seems behind them, though, as this USWNT played the way that many expected them to this summer.

GOAL rates USWNT players from TQL Stadium…

• Getty
  

  Goalkeeper & Defense

  Alyssa Naeher (6/10):

  Had just about nothing to do for the bulk of this game. Could this have been a good one to get a look at one of the other goalkeepers?

  Crystal Dunn (7/10):

  A solid game at fullback/wingback. When the lineup came out, there was hope she'd be in midfield. No luck, though, as she exited after 45.

  Naomi Girma (8/10):

  How many better defenders are there in the world today? Had to get back and stop a few South Africa attacks, but she did so effortlessly every time.

  Alana Cook (7/10):

  Totally solid, which only makes it more puzzling as to why we didn't see her more at the World Cup.

  Emily Fox (6/10):

  Helped keep South Africa quiet on that right-hand side. Nothing crazy, but a good performance overall.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Midfield

  Emily Sonnett (7/10):

  Was a secret weapon in that last World Cup game and she looked good again in a midfield role here. Ran plenty and helped the U.S. in possession.

  Lindsey Horan (8/10):

  Involved in all three goals and was fantastic on set pieces. About as good of a performance as you can expect from a midfielder.

  Julie Ertz (6/10):

  Was given her start, but it didn't last long before she was taken out to a standing ovation. Came oh so close to getting a goal from a corner kick, but it just wasn't quite to be.

• Getty
  

  Attack

  Trinity Rodman (7/10):

  Fantastic run and and great finish on a sequence that would have been very, very welcome at the World Cup. Should be a good one for her confidence after some ups and downs Down Under.

  Alex Morgan (7/10):

  No goal, which isn't ideal given her World Cup drought but, an overall good performance from the USWNT striker. Fantastic pass on Rodman's goal, a good display of what she can do in her role.

  Lynn Williams (9/10):

  Could the U.S. have used Williams in the XI at the World Cup? On this evidence, it sure looks like it! Williams was absolutely fantastic and, for a team that saw their attack sputter Down Under, that will be even more frustrating given her lack of minutes.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  Subs & Manager

  Mary Alice Vignola (7/10):

  A very good first impression for the hometown defender, who did enough to show she can play at this level.

  Ashley Sanchez (6/10):

  Stop me if you heard this before: Could we have seen more of her at the World Cup?

  Ashley Hatch (6/10):

  Got her chance after missing the World Cup, and looked okay, but it'll be tough to hold off some of the young forward options behind her.

  Casey Krueger (N/A):

  Came on a bit too late to make an impact, replacing Fox at right back.

  Alyssa Thompson (N/A):

  Got a 15 minute cameo in place of Rodman as she looks to find more USWNT experience.

  Twila Kilgore (7/10):

  Did exactly what you want from an interim manager: made minor changes that produced big results. The next manager can reinvent the wheel, but it's Kilgore's job to make sure that it keeps moving.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly planning something of a raid on relegated outfit, Leeds United, having been linked with moves for a string of the Whites' key men.

What are the latest Tottenham transfer rumours?

Following reports that the north Londoners are keen on snapping up the likes of Robin Koch and Jack Harrison from Elland Road, 90min has now claimed that the Lilywhites are among the clubs who are also showing an interest in midfield maestro, Tyler Adams.

The report outlines that the former RB Leipzig man – who made the move to Yorkshire on a £20m deal last summer – is likely to seal a swift exit from his current side, with a stay in England looking like his best bet at present.

The piece also notes that Leeds have seemingly 'accepted' that they are set to lose the 24-year-old following their recent drop into the Championship, with Football Insider recently reporting that the United States international could command a fee of around £35m.

Who could Adams replace at Tottenham?

The signing of the one-time Red Bull Salzburg sensation could well spell bad news for current Spurs starlet, Pape Matar Sarr, with the Senegalese youngster set to be nudged even further down the midfield pecking order.

The promising 19-year-old was originally snapped up from FC Metz back in 2021 before securing an immediate loan return to his former employers, having since gone on to play a bit-part role in his first full season at N17.

Amid a turbulent campaign that saw both Antonio Conte and Cristian Stellini dismissed, the 20-year-old was restricted to just 17 appearances across all fronts, despite the respective injury woes of Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur.

That lack of action has led to suggestion that the 6 foot 1 gem could be on his way to Marseille this summer amid his desire for further game time, with the arrival of Adams potentially set to push him out the door.

The difference in quality between the pair is showcased by the fact that Adams is something of a "tackling machine" – according to pundit Kevin Campbell – having averaged 3.7 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game from his 24 league appearances, while Sarr averaged just 0.6 and 0.5 for those same two metrics, respectively, from his 11 league outings.

Equally, the Leeds man also appears to offer a great creative quality from his deep-lying berth having averaged one key pass per game in 2022/23, while the current Tottenham man averaged just 0.2 in that regard.

With Sarr – who made just two league starts all season – having been rather on the periphery in north London, Adams, by contrast, was truly "instrumental" prior to his late-season injury woes, according to Campbell, with Leeds winning just two of the final 12 games of the campaign for which he was absent for.

On the evidence of his displays prior to that blow, the New York native could well thrive in the top-flight once again at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next season, thus allowing Levy and co to move on young Sarr as a result.

Centuries from Cheteshwar Pujara and M Vijay led India’s response to England’s 537 on an engrossing third day in Rajkot

The Report by Sidharth Monga11-Nov-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details3:13

Ganguly: Pujara is a must for India at No.3

Cheered on by his passionate but impassive father and his much more demonstrative wife, Cheteshwar Pujara scored an emotional century in the debut Test for his home ground of Rajkot. M Vijay complemented him with a more temperate defensive display of 126 off 301 balls to take India closer to safety after they had conceded 537 in five sessions on a pitch expected to become difficult as the game progressed. The 209-run partnership between Vijay and Pujara made them the most prolific duo for India since the start of 2010.The pitch didn’t deteriorate as much as expected, but to look at scores of 537 and 319 for 4 and conclude that it was a featherbed that produced boring cricket will be a disservice to the batsmen and bowlers who showed a lot of discipline and persistence. There was turn on offer but not variable, and there was a bare patch on a good length for seamers to work with. While for most periods of the day the England’s bowlers kept the batsmen honest without necessarily threatening them, they will be disappointed the quicks failed to generate reverse and the spinners got cut and pulled regularly.There was always something to work with, but whenever the bowlers got it right, Vijay and Pujara, who came together when Gautam Gambhir’s feet got him into a messy tangle to the seventh ball of the day, worked hard to thwart them. Especially while having to go through almost scoreless periods against the seam of Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad. In the first session Woakes tested them with a five-over spell of six runs and three body blows for Pujara. In the second session Broad went 5-4-1-0, targeting that bare patch just short of a driving length. In the final session Broad and Ben Stokes asked questions with the new ball.During the Woakes spell in the morning, 14 runs came in 10 overs. While Broad charged in mid-afternoon, 10 overs yielded 18 runs and a chance shelled by debutant by Haseeb Hameed at short cover. Unlike Pujara, Vijay had driven on the up to a ball that landed in that dry patch, and was reprieved on 66. India then welcomed DRS when Pujara successfully reviewed an lbw call when on 86, with extra bounce helping overturn the on-field decision.While England didn’t give the batsmen much to work with, the batsmen were good enough to recognise spells of play they could exploit. Scoring happened in spurts. Pujara came out and attacked Moeen Ali – out twice to the offspinner in 53 balls before this Test, he used his feet to disrupt his length. India had added 41 in nine overs to their overnight 63 in this period as Pujara raced away to 25 off 29.Then came Woakes. He didn’t just bowl short at Pujara, he bowled an excellent line, straight at his lid. Pujara, committing to the front foot almost every delivery, kept taking his eye off the ball while trying to sway. To his credit, Pujara never threw his hands up in self-defence, which would have brought the glove or the edge into play. Arvind Pujara, his father who was a wicketkeeper for Saurashtra, watched on without emotion. Puja, his wife, looked concerned.Ben Stokes gave England a much-needed wicket•Associated Press

Pujara scored 6 off 32 in these 10 overs. Once Woakes was done, England went to the man who makes things happen for them. This follow-up after that stranglehold was crucial with half an hour to go to lunch. Stokes, though, began with a half-volley second ball. Pujara’s intent meant he was on to it to drive it to the cover point boundary. Then a straight ball was glanced away, and Pujara had found his flow again. From 118 for 1, India added 44 in this period of eight overs to own the session. In the space of 25 balls, Pujara hit six boundaries to double his score of 31.Vijay at the other end had his own flow. For long periods of time you only noticed him when a possible two was kept to one because Pujara is not the quickest runner. Otherwise he would be leaving balls outside off, defending those at the stumps, and taking ones or twos only when they were too short or too straight. Vijay was there for his partner, though. After Pujara had been hit for the third time, he got right behind a ball in defence. At the non-striker’s end, Vijay’s bat went in the air, and the glove knocked it in applause, reassuring his partner that he just needed to get through that period of play.This amount of concentration can be exhausting especially when you are going at a little better than a run every three balls like Vijay was. Vijay, though, had one tool at his disposal: the lofted shot against the spinners. Every now and then, without any rhyme or reason, never ostensibly looking for a release, he would step out to spinners and languidly chip them back over their head. He attempted it six times, hitting two sixes each off Moeen And Zafar Ansari, and a four each off Ansari and Adil Rashid. Those 32 runs were the lubricant for his innings, the final session of which he spent hobbling after being hit in the knee.There was no spurt in the middle session in which 66 runs came. The drama in the middle session belonged to the Pujara family. Ansari’s reintroduction brought the first bit of natural variation. Pujara was caught right in front, but given the bounce in the pitch – earlier a Rashid googly had failed to draw an lbw verdict because of that reason – and also with the reviews to be reset in 10 overs, he challenged the decision. Finally Arvind showed emotion, that of visible relief as his son, whose cricket has been his preoccupation for more than a decade, was allowed to go for the 14 runs needed to bring up his century.Pujara gave everybody a nervous few minutes, spending eight balls on 99 before coming back after tea to score the 100th run. Then, against the run of play, Pujara steered the first ball of a new Stokes spell straight to first slip to be dismissed for 124. England still had an hour and a half to make further inroads. The plans and their execution was spot-on. The seamers bowled consistently around the sixth stump to Kohli, but the India captain seemed determined to not go after them even if it meant scoring just 1 run off the first 16 balls he faced.If there was one criticism of Vijay’s batting and Cook’s captaincy, it revolved around Rashid. Cook underused his most threatening spinner of the day, and Vijay – for some strange reason, despite being such a good player of spin – played the wrong ‘uns off the pitch. In what turned out to be the penultimate over of the day, Rashid got Vijay caught at short leg with a googly followed by Ansari snaring the nightwatchman Amit Mishra.Not that it mattered now, but India ended the day 19 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.

Worcestershire Rapids kept alive their slim hopes of reaching the NatWest T20 quarter-finals with a five wicket victory over local rivals Birmingham Bears after some explosive hitting from Ross Whiteley

ECB Reporters Network15-Jul-2016
ScorecardRoss Whiteley’s blitz won it for Worcestershire [file picture]•Getty ImagesWorcestershire Rapids kept alive their slim hopes of reaching the NatWest T20 quarter-finals with a five wicket victory over local rivals Birmingham Bears after some explosive hitting from Ross Whiteley.The Rapids ended a run of five successive defeats in completed matches and completed a double over their neighbours to retain the Norman Gifford Trophy.Some explosive hitting by Ross Whiteley enabled the Rapids to reach their 165 target with four balls to spare.He showed the form which brought him 29 sixes in last season’s competition in smoting an unbeaten 42 off 20 balls with four sixes and three fours.Now the Rapids must now defeat Derbyshire Falcons in their final North Group match and hope other results go their way if they are to reach a fourth quarter-final in five years.In contrast, Birmingham’s colossal collapse when baqtting meant they have now lost three matches in a row in the competition to undermine their own hopes of a last eight spot.Dougie Brown, Birmingham’s director of cricket, said: “It wasn’t a case of the game drifting away. We were masters of our own demise again. We were last week as well. We lost eight wickets for 19 runs from a real position of authority.”Worcestershire were immediately on the back foot as they lost three wickets inside the first four overs.Tom Kohler-Cadmore clipped Rikki Clarke into the hands of deep mid wicket, Joe Clarke played on to Oliver Hannon-Dalby and Joe Leach sliced Recordo Gordon to backward point.Brett D’Oliveira, who this week earned his first England Lions call-up, and skipper Daryl Mitchell tried to repair the damage as their half century stand came up in seven overs.The Rapids needed 95 off the final 10 overs and Mitchell targeted the first over from Aaron Thomason to increase the tempo, striking two sixes as the all-rounder conceded 19 overs.The return to the attack of Clarke ended a stand worth 76 in nine overs as D’Oliveira skied a comfortable catch to Josh Poysden at backward square leg.Mitchell reached his half-century off 29 balls with two sixes and four fours but Clarke also brought about his downfall on 61 as he drilled a catch to Sam Hain at mid off. But then Whiteley moved into overdrive with support from Ben Cox to turn ther game in ther Rapids favour.Birmingham appeared to be heading for a score in excess of 200 after reaching 120 for 1 in the 12th over.But a dramatic collapse saw nine wickets fall for just 35 runs and the Bears were bowled out for 164 in 19.3 overs.Australian wicket-keeper Matthew Wade led the initial onslaught for the visitors in his second T20 appearance for the Bears.He raced to a half century off just 23 balls with the aid of three successive sixes over long on off spinner D’Oliveira in an over costing 25 runs.Wade and Sam Hain plundered 103 in just nine overs for the second wicket. But the Rapids struck back once Wade, having made 74 off 32 deliveries, was caught by Rhodes at long-on off Ed Barnard.Rhodes then came into the attack and in his second over picked up three wickets as Laurie Evans, Hain (46) and Clarke all perished to the off spinner.Ateeq Javid was run out attempting a second run in the next over from Rhodes before Mitchell pulled off a fine one-handed catch at mid wicket to account for Jeetan Patel.Rhodes finished 4 for 13 from three overs in only his second T20 appearance before Henry polished off the innings with two wickets in his final over of his current spell at New Road.