The senior bowler said Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah will have to lead the way against the first Australian Test side to visit Bangladesh in 11 years

Mohammad Isam14-Aug-2017

The role of Bangladesh’s most-experienced Test quartet will be vital to their chances of success against Australia. Mashrafe Mortaza, former Test and current ODI captain, who was part of a training camp in Dhaka over the last five weeks, believes Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah will have to lead the way against the first Australian Test side to visit Bangladesh in 11 years.”I expect our four senior players to put a price on their wicket,” Mashrafe told ESPNcricinfo. “They must put up a statement in the middle that the young players can follow. Tamim is in the best form of his career. He and Imrul can provide a good start. We have Shakib and [Mehidy Hasan] in our spin department. If one of the fast bowlers have a good spell of three or four wickets, there will be a possibility for us. These will be expected when the situation arises in the match.”Mashrafe said that Bangladesh’s improved mindset has put them in a position of strength ahead of the Test series. The confidence, he believes, has soared after they convincingly beat England and Sri Lanka in the last ten months. Although the losses in Christchurch [against New Zealand], Hyderabad [against India] and Galle [against Sri Lanka] were largely due to poor performances their valiance in the Chittagong [against England] and Wellington defeats didn’t go unnoticed.”More important than winning or losing is their mentality. I am witnessing in the dressing room that their mindset is setting them apart from previous teams, and they are in the making of bigger things in the next two years.”It is encouraging enough to think that they will fight, which is a better expectation than only hoping for a result. This has also been their best preparation ahead of any Test series,” he said.Mashrafe said that the batsmen have to continue to be hungry and not be complacent with a milestone but go on to make a bigger score each time they are settled at the crease.”I think they have been working on their mentality, which has been an area of concern for the last 15 years. We never had the patience. After scoring a century, a batsman has to think of coming back the next day and converting it into a big score. Why not a double-hundred? It doesn’t happen every day but utilising an opportunity properly is vital.”Say someone scored a double-hundred but the others haven’t contributed as much. The team score comes to 400-450, so it becomes important for the set batsman to make it count. Someone who gets out in the forties has to think of playing a long innings, not just be happy with a fifty,” said Mashrafe.Mashrafe believes Bangladesh will have to raise their game against Australia more than what they did against England at home last year. He said that tackling Australia’s bowling attack, even without Mitchell Starc, will be critical to doing well in the two Tests.”I don’t want to create unnecessary pressure on the players but I am expecting a good Test series,” he said. “Australia is the most passionate Test team in the world and their best possible team is coming to Bangladesh. They have Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon in the bowling line-up.”The work for our team isn’t going to be easy but if we play one level better than what we did against England, it would be possible to win, but I am not going to put any pressure on them in terms of results.”

Farhaan Behardien’s sixth-wicket stand with Dwaine Pretorius was the game changer•AFP

Farhaan Behardien’s unbeaten 37 guided South Africa A to a two-wicket win against India A in the tri-series opener in Pretoria.Yuzvendra Chahal almost pulled it back with three quick wickets to leave South Africa A on 145 for 8 in their chase of 153. Behardien calmly finished the game off in ones and twos, with Aaron Phangiso, who earlier in the day picked four wickets, for company. South Africa A won with 74 balls to spare.Their seamers Beuran Hendricks and Dwaine Pretorius did the early damage, removing Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer respectively, inside two overs. Pandey and Karun Nair put together 42 to lead a brief recovery before Pretorius trapped Nair lbw for 25. When Rishabh Pant (10)and Krunal Pandya (0) fell, India A slipped to 65 for 5.Pandey waged a lone battle from there on to raise a half-century off just 86 deliveries. He was the seventh batsman out, stumped for 55 off left-arm spinnner Phangiso. Pandey found some support from Chahal, who made 24 not out, to lift the total past 150 before they were bowled out in 41.5 overs.South Africa A wobbled at the start with the seamers picking up the first three wickets. India turned to spin from the 12th over; Axar Patel struck in his first when he removed Khaya Zondo. He then dismissed Heinrich Klaasen (24) in his very next over.South Africa A, tottering at 71 for 5, were then driven by a 62-run sixth-wicket stand between Behardien and Pretorius, who made 38 to go along with his three wickets earlier in the day. As it turned out, the partnership helped them ride a wobble and register two points.India A will play Afghanistan A in the next game on Friday.

Manchester City have shown "interest" in signing Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga, who could now be available for less than his €40m (£34m) release clause, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Are Man City signing a midfielder?

Transfer insider Dean Jones believes Man City are weighing up another move for a midfielder, having already agreed a deal to sign Mateo Kovacic for an initial £25m, however, he does not believe it is a priority position for Pep Guardiola, saying:

"They obviously looked at Jude Bellingham and then pulled away from that. Looked at Declan Rice, pulled away from that. So we know there's a temptation there to go for another type of midfielder and an extra body in there.

"At the moment, I'm told it's not a priority. Yes, they've dipped their toes in the water on both of those, thought about going for it, and then not done it.

"But, it's still considered that an extra midfielder for this summer would be a luxury."

However, the Sky Blues are still regularly being linked with a number of potential targets, including Atlanta United attacking midfielder Thiago Almada, and Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, although a move for the latter player is currently deemed unlikely.

In the same report, Jones details that Veiga is probably more of a likely acquisition for the Citizens, and Romano has now claimed he could be available for less than initially expected, saying City have shown an interest in the player alongside their attempts to sign RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol, with those at the Etihad set to hold fresh talks over a move for the defender.

“I’m told clubs feel they can make a deal work with bids below the player’s €40m release clause now. For now there doesn’t appear to be a clear preference from the player but really many clubs have looked into it including big names in the Premier League.

“Chelsea are one of them, and there’s also been interest from Man City (who are now focused on Josko Gvardiol), and also Liverpool showed an interest a few weeks ago but are now focused on different players.”

Who is Gabri Veiga?

Former Celta Vigo boss Carlos Carvalhal is responsible for turning the 21-year-old into a deep-lying midfielder, having previously played at number 10, and the Portuguese coach has lauded the way he has adapted to the role, telling Sky Sports: "He accepted that challenge very well. He was absolutely amazing."

The Spaniard scored 11 goals for Celta Vigo last season, the second-highest amount of any player, with Carvalhal praising his clinical nature, saying: "He finishes goals very easily because he was a striker."

Man City were unable to keep hold of Ilkay Gundogan this summer, despite submitting a proposal to keep the German, who scored 11 goals for Guardiola's side last season, playing a vital role en-route to a famous treble.

While Guardiola has since bolstered his midfield options by signing Kovacic from Chelsea, the manager could do with bringing in a goal-scoring midfielder, and Veiga has proven that he would be capable of taking on that responsibility.

As such, it would not be a surprise if City make a move for the Celta Vigo star at some point this summer, and it is good news that he could be available for less than his release clause.

Manchester United's pursuit of Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana is "being driven by Erik ten Hag", but there is still a "gap in valuation" between the two clubs, Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has told GIVEMESPORT.

Manchester United transfer news – What's the latest on Andre Onana?

It has been an interesting start to the transfer window for United this year. The club have had some significant success in the market, such as the capture of highly rated Chelsea star Mason Mount for just £55m, but there have also been some setbacks, notably the resignation that a deal for Harry Kane wouldn't be feasible.

Another area of the team that has been creating headlines is the goalkeeping department, as long-term shot-stopper and former Spanish international David De Gea finally left the club after a rather public falling out over a dispute around a new contract.

With De Gea out the door, the Red Devils are in need of a new number one, and the player they have identified to take up that role is Cameroon international, Onana.

According to the Daily Mail, the three-time European champions are preparing an offer in the region of £43m for the Inter man, after having previously made only verbal offers to the Italian giants.

Unfortunately for Ten Hag's men, the Nerazzurri have valued their star keeper at £51m and do not seem to be showing any sign that they will budge on that price in the near future.

What has Dharmesh Sheth said about Andre Onana, Erik ten Hag and Manchester United?

Sheth says that United are incredibly keen on this deal, primarily due to Ten Hag's admiration for the player. However, should Inter refuse to budge from their valuation, a deal could be difficult for the Red Devils.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the Sky Sports reporter said: "I think this will depend on Inter Milan more than anything else. Look, United, they continue to push for a deal for Andre Onana. This one's really being driven by Erik ten Hag.

"He really wants him at United — played under Erik ten Hag at Ajax — but there's a gap in valuation that still exists. Inter, at the moment, aren't budging on their €60m valuation of Andre Onana. And I think if it was to remain that way, United would find it difficult to want to pay that much."

How does Andre Onana stack up against David De Gea?

With United looking like they will have to spend something close to £50m for their new number one, how much better has he been compared to De Gea last season?

According to WhoScored, it was the Inter man that had a better league season last year, with the Cameroonian star averaging a decent match rating of 6.72 across his 24 Serie A appearances, while his Spanish counterpart averaged just 6.67 across his 38 Premier League games.

The former Ajax man, who has been hailed as a "superstar" for his performances, conceded fewer goals per 90 last season at just one, whereas De Gea conceded 1.13 per 90, per FBref.

The biggest difference between the keepers, however, is in their ability to play the ball with their feet, with Onana completing 81.3% of his passes per 90 compared to De Gea's 71.1%, and crucially, Onana's passing ability led to 0.33 shot-creating actions per 90 last season compared to the Spaniard's 0.13.

This ability to play with his feet has already won him plaudits from United legend Rio Ferdinand, who said:

"[As a] modern-day goalkeeper, he's top class. He takes the ball under pressure, doesn't panic, and brings the other team onto him, which creates space around that.

"He plays over or through the press. He was fabulous tonight in doing that."

If Ten Hag can get a hold of his former number one this summer, United could well do more than just challenge for Champions League football next year.

Weston McKennie and Tim Weah may be heading back to square one at Juventus, with Massimiliano Allegri reportedly ready to quit his post.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Allegri prepared to end Bianconeri contract earlyCould walk away in the summer of 2024American stars would need to prove themselves againWHAT HAPPENED?

According to , Allegri is mulling over an early end to his contract in Turin. His current deal is due to run through to the summer of 2025, but said agreement could be brought to a close in 2024 if the 56-year-old opts to walk away.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Allegri is said to have attracted interest from Saudi Arabia, with teams in the Middle East ready to “cover him in gold”, while a well-earned break could also be taken in if the Serie A title-winning coach decides to wait on another challenge in Europe.

DID YOU KNOW?

Allegri is said to be growing disillusioned with life at Juve following the departure of former chairman Andre Agnelli – the man who re-hired him in 2021. He reportedly feels that the club are heading in a different direction to the one that he would favour, leading to questions being asked of his future.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Any departure for Allegri could hit USMNT stars McKennie and Weah hard. The former has worked his way back into favour this season – seeing a new contract mooted along the way – but his situation could change were a new boss to be brought in. Weah was snapped up in the summer transfer window by Allegri and the versatile United States international is another that may have to prove himself all over again in 2024-25.

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.

A career-best unbeaten 151 from Craig Ervine held a resurgent Zimbabwe together on the first day at the Premadasa Stadium, lifting them from a shaky 70 for 4 to a stumps total of 344 for 8

The Report by Andrew Fidel Fernando14-Jul-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball updatesCraig Ervine’s unbeaten 151 was his highest Test score, going past the 146 he made against New Zealand last year•AFPThe score was 38 for 2 when Craig Ervine came to the crease. Within 10 overs, Zimbabwe would slip further, to 70 for 4, on a track that already seemed to be spitting. But for the remainder of the day, Ervine resisted Sri Lanka’s spinners, and Colombo’s sticky heat, to drive his team to a strong position, and himself to 151 not out. The lower order rallied around him, No. 10 Donald Tiripano – in particular – contributing 24 to an as-yet unbroken 62-run stand. Zimbabwe ended the day at 344 for 8, when at one time, it appeared as if 200 might be a struggle.Sri Lanka were reliant – as ever – on Rangana Herath for breakthroughs, and though he had two wickets in his first three overs, could claim only two further scalps in his next 27. Dilruwan Perera had Sean Williams top edge a sweep to square leg, but was largely unthreatening – outstripped for menace even by Asela Gunaratne, who was expensive, but beat the bat and claimed two wickets. On a track as slow as this, Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Kumara were always going to struggle. The main positive for Sri Lanka, is that on the first day of Dinesh Chandimal’s leadership, they took all their chances, and fielded with uncharacteristic zest.Ervine was measured to begin with. It took him 13 balls to score a run, and his first 50 deliveries brought just 19. Then the offside strokes began to flow – drives to overpitched deliveries mainly, but soon, cuts as well. Steadily growing confident through the day, reverse sweeps eventually began to prove productive, paddles around the corner were increasingly deployed, and though the likes of Herath would beat his bat late into the day, the quicks did not trouble him at all.The hundred – the second of his career – came not long after tea, via a sweep off Herath. The maiden 150 was achieved in the penultimate over of the day. Along the way, Ervine had struck 13 fours – most of these on the off side – and a six over wide long on. The significant partnerships he was involved in, were many. There was an 84-run fifth-wicket recovery alongside Sikander Raza for a start, then a 65-run seventh-wicket stand with Malcolm Waller, which put Zimbabwe within range of a fine first innings total. The stand that hurt Sri Lanka most, perhaps, was the one he wrought with Tiripano – a brisk, busy association, during which Zimbabwe scored at almost four an over. Where at one point in the day, it appeared as if Zimbabwe would roll over, Sri Lanka know now that they are in a fight.The hosts would have had such different hopes for the day. Herath, introduced by Chandimal in the eighth over, struck with his third ball, as Regis Chakabva played all around a delivery that dipped near his feet, and would go on to hit the stumps. Not long after, Hamilton Masakadza – one of Sri Lanka’s tormentors from the ODIs – had popped a catch to short leg off the insede edge of the bat. Sean Williams attempted to counterattack Zimbabwe out of their early troubles, and wound up top edging a ball he tried to sweep against the turn, and Tarisai Musakanda, on debut, was the day’s only victim of seam bowling. He was originally ruled not out when Sri Lanka appealed for a catch off Lahiru Kumara’s bowling. Upon review, however, a faint edge was detected and that decision overturned. Musakanda’s 6 was also the only single-figure score on the Zimbabwe card, though no one apart from Ervine mustered a fifty. Raza and Waller came closest, hitting 36 apiece.Although it was clear towards the end of the day that Zimbabwe were en route to a score of around 300, Sri Lanka perhaps would not have expected Tiripano to bat with such skill. He has a first-class hundred to his name however, and if he can support Ervine further in the morning, Zimbabwe might turn this from a highly competitive score to a commanding one.

Somerset moved into third place in the NatWest T20 Blast South Group with a 14-run victory over Hampshire in front of a 6,000-plus crowd at Taunton

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jul-2017Lewis Gregory gave Somerset a powerful start•Getty Images

Somerset moved into third place in the NatWest T20 Blast South Group with a 14-run victory over Hampshire in front of a 6,000-plus crowd at Taunton.Opener Lewis Gregory led the way after the hosts had won the toss, smacking 43 off 20 balls, with nine fours, in a total of 204 for 9. Jim Allenby contributed 37, while Gareth Berg claimed 3 for 35.In reply, Hampshire were bowled out for 190, Lewis McManus top-scoring with 34. Tim Groenewald was the pick of the home attack with 2 for 28 from his four overs.Somerset made a whirlwind start to their innings thanks to some sweet timing from openers Gregory and Steve Davies and some woeful Hampshire bowling that saw the second over from Kyle Abbott feature two over-stepping no-balls and cost 25.By the end of the fourth over Gregory and Davies had taken the score to 61, the former being dropped on 24 by Berg off Brad Wheal, a tough chance, with the skied ball arriving over his shoulder.It was a relief for Hampshire when James Vince produced a good catch above his head at mid-on to dismiss Davies for 32, made from just 13 balls, Shahid Afridi the successful bowler.Man-of-the-match Gregory holed out to deep midwicket off Berg, having looked in prime form and by the end of the six-over Powerplay Somerset had raced to 83 for 2.Allenby took time to play himself in before producing some cracking shots. Peter Trego fell cheaply, but James Hildreth ensured there was no let-up for the bowlers with a breezy 25 off 18 deliveries.Allenby drove a catch to extra cover off Berg, but Michael Leask hit Wheal for six and two more maximums in the same over by Roelof van der Merwe, including a ramp shot, had Somerset on course for 220.But the 18th over saw van der Merwe run out and Abbott strike twice to dismiss Leask and Groenewald, forcing last pair Craig Overton and Max Waller to exercise caution.Hampshire replied positively despite losing Rilee Rossouw to only the eighth ball of their innings, bowled by Overton, whose opening over still coast 14.Vince cracked 33 off 15 balls, with seven fours, before being bowled by a full ball from Gregory. But George Bailey quickly followed, a victim for Groenewald, who put an early brake on the scoring rate.Carberry was dropped on 2 by Hildreth at short fine-leg off Overton as Hampshire ended the Powerplay on 51 for 3. He and Sean Ervine added 49 in good time before the latter was bowled by van der Merwe for 19 attempting a scoop shot.Carberry had progressed to 30 and was looking dangerous when run out by Groenewald in a mix-up with Lewis McManus over a second run. At 93 for 5 in the 11th over, the visitors were in trouble.McManus lofted successive sixes off van der Merwe in the 13th over, but the next saw Waller beat Afridi’s defensive shot and bowl him for 18.When McManus was caught by Allenby at extra cover off a skier to give Waller his second wicket, Hampshire were left needing 53 off four overs, with only three wickets in hand.Despite the best efforts of Berg (31 off 21 balls), they were always falling short and when he was run out the innings ended with three balls remaining.

As rain put a dampener on The Oval’s 100th Test celebrations, one England batsman was concerned not with marking the past but protecting his future

The Report by David Hopps29-Jul-20170:56

Temperament wins over technique for Jennings

As rain put a dampener on The Oval’s 100th Test celebrations, one England batsman was concerned not with marking the past but protecting his future.Keaton Jennings’ England place was under threat after making only 44 runs in his first five innings against South Africa, his hundred on Test debut against India in Mumbai in December now a distant memory.Jennings was 34 not out – his best score of a draining summer – when rain arrived shortly before 3pm and prevented further play. England, at 74 for 1, were building an impregnable position, leading by 252 with nine wickets remaining, but will fear more disruption from the weather over the last two days. As for Jennings, he was just relieved that one of those nine wickets remains his.Vernon Philander had been conditionally discharged from hospital, coming out to bat for South Africa at No. 11 as they were dismissed before lunch for 175 and then summoning what strength he had left for a few below-par overs.His viral infection had not yet departed and he was still vomiting and suffering from abdominal pain. But NHS nurses presumably got him back on his feet by whispering the words “Keaton Jennings” kindly into his ear because it has proved to be a pick-me-up all series.Jennings was chary against Philander from the outset and might have fallen twice in successive balls in his second over. He inside-edged past leg stump for his first boundary, looking round uncertainly as if he had stumbled over a paving slab. The next ball, on 6, he was dropped by Dean Elgar, head high at third slip. South Africa’s cordon was bunched and close and, on this occasion at least, suffered for it.Jennings routinely stands as straight as a sentry at the crease. Put him in a bearskin hat and he could easily double as a guardsman at Buckingham Palace where he would have the discipline to stand still for hours while tourists snapped away intrusively. But it was movement, not stillness, he hankered after and he danced around on the spot in an attempt to rid himself of the stilted footwork that has bedevilled him all series.Alastair Cook departed for 7, undone by a top-notch delivery from Morne Morkel which he straightened from around the wicket to crash into the top of off. Too good for Cook, one imagines it would have defeated Jennings, too, but he watched from the non-striker’s end, a batsman spared.Kagiso Rabada’s first over afforded a release. He had the poise to crash two short and wide deliveries through the off side. In the next over, he tucked Morkel off his pads for another boundary: 19 and vulnerable had become 32, a score to build on, in a matter of five minutes.Not that he suggested permanence. He needed a review to survive an lbw decision in Rabada’s favour on 33, replays suggesting the ball had both pitched outside leg and would have passed over the stumps.While Jennings struggled, Tom Westley again played with elan, six boundaries in his 28. The best of them as far as Jennings was concerned was the one that persuaded Philander to leave the field for another toilet break. Before too long, everybody followed him into the dressing room, never to re-emerge.Toby Roland-Jones leads the team off after his debut five-for•Associated Press

The morning belonged to Toby Roland-Jones, who completed a five-wicket haul on Test debut as South Africa were dismissed for 175 – a deficit of 178 . Eight down for spit overnight, with Philander carded at No. 11, South Africa might have folded in no time. Instead they added another 52 in 15.4 overs.Roland-Jones led England from the field, raising his cap slightly bashfully, after returning 5 for 57- the first English quick to take a five-for on debut since Graham Onions in 2009. His last wicket was a good one: Temba Bavuma pushing forward to a ball that left him to fall to a keeper’s catch after making 52 from 120 balls.Bavuma had been a serene figure even on the previous evening, as South Africa collapsed to 61 for 7 with the floodlights cutting through a grouchy south London evening, and he looked at ease again in what were initially more inviting batting conditions.The stumps were blue to mark Cricket United day, as were much of the crowd, an annual fund-raiser at The Oval for three charities. It is a pragmatic choice. If you are going to ask a fair proportion of blokes to dress up in a colour for charity, it’s best to choose blue. It’s all some have in their wardrobe.After his dream sequence on the second day, Roland-Jones found life had returned to normal as he began at the Vauxhall End. The comparison between him and the quick he replaced – Mark Wood – is instructional.Roland-Jones is a classic English seamer, hitting the seam at an average of 83mph. Wood is the sort of explosive quick needed on more benign surfaces. But Wood has only averaged 86mph in his two Tests against South Africa. Averages tell only half the story, of course, as the potential for an occasionally quick ball is also important, but explosive bowlers need to explode.Bavuma had attractive moments, particularly when driving through the off side, striking Stuart Broad to the extra cover boards to take South Africa past the follow-on and then stretching his diminutive frame to the utmost to plant Anderson in the same direction, although he was dropped off Broad on 40, Ben Stokes failing to cling to a rapid chance as he dived to his left in the gully. His half-century was also raised streakily when he edged Roland-Jones wide of the slips.Morkel also put up stubborn resistance, reaching 17 before he edged a back-of-a-length delivery from Anderson to Cook at first slip.Roland-Jones might have picked up Philander on 5, but his edge flew wide of third slip. A one-legged flat-bat then lobbed over mid-off. But Philander survived, albeit not particularly healthily. He, at least, would have welcomed the rest.

Barcelona boss Xavi believes that Girona can truly challenge for the title this season as La Liga's shock package continue to rise.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Girona surpisingly sit second in La Liga
• Tied on points with leaders Real Madrid
• Xavi's Barcelona host them on Sunday

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Xavi continued to laud his team's next opponents as he expects Girona to continue impressing and fighting for the league title. Girona have lost just one game all season, to leaders Real Madrid, and have accumulated 38 points from 15 games in La Liga this season. Xavi's Barcelona, in contrast, have struggled for form and are four points off Girona and Madrid.

Advertisement

• WHAT XAVI SAID

  Xavi is not surprised by Girona's awesome form, saying: "For some people it's a surprise that Girona are co-leaders with Real Madrid, but for us, no. Michel is a great coach, with a system very similar to ours. Excellent, just congratulate them. They're playing with a spectacular flair but we won't vary too much. We will try to have continuity in the game. They can fight for the title and in fact they are four points ahead of us. I like the fact that they are fearless, how they attack. They are brave and that's what has put them there."

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Despite Xavi claiming he was not surprised by Girona, few could have expected them to be challenging for the title prior to the start of the season. Led by the 37-year-old former Middlesborough flop Cristhian Stuani, Girona have drawn deserved praise for their performances this season.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• WHAT NEXT FOR XAVI AND GIRONA?

  Should Girona earn victory over their Catalan rivals, their title credentials will only be further strengthened. Xavi's Barcelona cannot afford to lose on Sunday night, with defeat leaving them seven points off the top.