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Hampshire’s James Vince made the best of a heavily rain-affected draw with Surrey by hitting an impressive 159.

Press Association30-Apr-2014
ScorecardRory Burns had time to reach fifty as the match petered out•PA PhotosHampshire’s James Vince made the best of a heavily rain-affected draw with Surrey by hitting an impressive 159.The result became inevitable after the third day at The Ageas Bowl was completely washed out after the first two days had been heavily interrupted by the weather and the captains could not come to an agreement over a manufacture result despite Graham Ford’s positive talk the night before.Hampshire resumed their first innings on 289 for 3 on day four and their opponents did not take long to make an impact as Will Smith added only three more to his overnight total of 23 before being caught off the bowling of Matt Dunn.Vince, though, soldiered on and took his total past the 150-mark. Hampshire began to settle at the crease but Joe Gatting handed the momentum back to Surrey as he was caught by Dominic Sibley for 11 off the bowling of Stuart Meaker.Just two overs later, another wicket fell and this time it Vince who was removed as Tom Curran (two drew a nick that went through to keeper Steven Davies. Vince’s 159 was his third highest score for Hampshire and his second century of the season after he hit 144 against Gloucestershire a fortnight ago.Sean Ervine (21) and Michael Bates (28) guided the hosts to 363 for 6 at lunch, and the unbeaten pair took their team to 400 before Hampshire declared.The home side then enjoyed a strong start after the turnaround as Surrey captain Graeme Smith was dismissed lbw by James Tomlinson. Fellow opening batsman Rory Burns made use of the time available with a composed half-century that included seven fours and the 23-year-old was still unbeaten at the close of play.The draw means Hampshire remain unbeaten and are now second in the table while Surrey are sixth and still looking for their first win of the season.

Chris Cooke scored a superb maiden first-class century to keep Kent’s attack at bay and guide Glamorgan to 329 all out on the opening day of the Division Two match at Canterbury.

Press Association31-Aug-2014
ScorecardMitch Claydon finished with 4 for 47 but it became a frustrating day for Kent•Getty ImagesChris Cooke scored a superb maiden first-class century to keep Kent’s attack at bay and guide Glamorgan to 329 all out on the opening day of the Division Two match at Canterbury.Cooke, the 28-year-old South African-born batsman, was last out for 171 after holding Glamorgan’s first innings together against a Kent team still with an outside chance of promotion and aiming to win three of their last four Championship games.It always looked like being Cooke’s day after he was dropped on 2 by Adam Riley at second slip, off Darren Stevens, and overall he batted for 214 balls and struck 18 fours and a six.Riley’s miss was hugely costly for Kent, who would have had their opponents 15 for 4 had Cooke been dismissed. As it was, Cooke and Jim Allenby put on 62 for the fourth wicket to begin Glamorgan’s recovery from 7 for 3.Allenby made 44 from 44 balls, leading a counter-attack with eight fours, but it was not until Dean Cosker joined Cooke in an eighth-wicket partnership of 118 in 32 overs that Glamorgan moved into a position of comfort following their decision to bat first on a good pitch and in warm, sunny conditions.The 36-year-old Cosker’s two-hour 45 from 104 balls was only seven runs short of his career-best, and his determined resistance gave Cooke the opportunity to go past his previous first-class best – 96, also against Kent, in June – as well as hauling Glamorgan up from a distinctly under-par 183 for 7.Mitch Claydon led Kent’s bowling effort with 4 for 47 and it was he who ended Cosker’s resistance in his second over with the second new ball.Claydon also added the tail-end wicket of Michael Hogan, bowled swishing, to those earlier of Jacques Rudolph, caught at first slip for nought during an opening spell of 5-4-1-1, and Allenby, who was caught behind thin-edging an attempted pull.Stevens supported Claydon well, starting with a new ball spell of 10-4-15-1 and having Gareth Rees caught at the wicket for 3 as he tried to force away square on the offside. Later, in the second over after lunch, Stevens saw David Lloyd, on 7, drive him straight to mid-off.It was only right at the end of Glamorgan’s innings, when Stevens was hit for 16 runs in an over by Cooke, that he was collared.Robbie Joseph – making his first Championship appearance since the end of June – removed Will Bragg leg-before after the batsman had struggled through 41 balls, and Matt Hunn won an lbw appeal to send back Graham Wagg for 18 after he had driven offspinner Riley for six and four in the space of three balls.Riley did have the consolation of taking Cooke’s wicket, when he drove high to Hunn at long-off, but only after he had batted for five hours and displayed a range of strokeplay unmatched by any other batsman.Before that, indeed, Riley’s only success on a chastening day for the highly-rated 22-year-old, was when Mark Wallace – having contributed 24 to a sixth-wicket stand of 58 with Cooke – lifted a drive to short extra cover.

After Madrid took the honours for a third straight year in Kiev, we look back at the best performers over the course of a gripping competition

AFPAlisson | RomaThe Brazilian was ever-present in Roma's thrilling run to the Champions League semi-finals, establishing himself as one of Europe's elite goalkeepers in the process. His inspirational performances led former Roma coach Roberto Negrisolo to compare him to both Dino Zoff and Lionel Messi, and also led to links with Liverpool.AdvertisementGetty ImagesDani Alves | Paris Saint-GermainWhile PSG might have fallen short once again in the Champions League, their veteran right-back gave his all in every single game. Alves chipped in with two goals from defence and generally caused havoc down the flank, although his talents were not enough to avoid last-16 defeat to Real Madrid.Getty ImagesNicolas Otamendi | Manchester CityOnly the dazzling Mohamed Salah found the key this season to dismantle Manchester City's defence, led by a rock-solid Otamendi. That quarter-final reverse was a rare blemish on what was a near-perfect season for the Argentine, who marshalled Pep Guardiola's backline throughout their record-breaking campaign.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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GettyMats Hummels | Bayern MunichHummels proved why Bayern were so keen to repatriate their former youth-team star with a stellar season after completing a move back from Borussia Dortmund.

Sunil Narine believes that the spinners will have a key role to play in the World T20 in Bangladesh, where he expects conditions to favour the slow bowlers

Renaldo Matadeen18-Mar-2014Sunil Narine believes that the spinners will have a big part to play in West Indies’ title defence of the World T20 in Bangladesh, where conditions traditionally favour the slow bowlers.”Spinners will play a key role but I think at the end of the day it will be whole team effort,” he said. “I think all of our guys are keen on taking the challenge. We have a good bunch of guys going out there and we will give it our all. With (Samuel) Badree in the team and (Krishmar) Santokie, I think that’s a good combination. I think it sets the right tone and they tend to always pick up early wickets so it makes it easier on me later in the game.”Narine added that he felt comfortable coming into the tournament as the top-ranked T20 bowler. In the last World T20 in Sri Lanka, Narine had taken nine wickets in seven games, including figures of 3 for 9 in the final against Sri Lanka. Narine said he was prepared to deliver the goods amid all the hype around him.”It is difficult bowling in T20 cricket especially in the first six overs but at the end of the day, if the captain has belief in you, it’s only fitting that you go out there and give it your all,” Narine said. “You have to have self-belief. Bowling at [these] guys, they’re going to hit the ball out of the ground but you never know, they could mis-hit one and that can change a game.”Just knowing the guys have full faith in me gives the motivation and self-belief. I just try to give my best whatever situation I have to bowl in and whatever the team requires, I try to do it. As for trying something new? Not at the moment, I’m trying to keep it as simple as possible.”Narine also expressed his relief at West Indies’ impressive form in their home series against England, admitting that it proved to be a big confidence booster before entering Bangladesh. He was equally happy that West Indies managed to retain the core of their title-winning team that prevailed in Sri Lanka two years ago, something that is bound to help them if they are to progress from a difficult group.”It’s a tough group but once you play good cricket, anything is possible. There are a lot of spinners and it’s good for the cricket to see that every team has a world class spinner. It’s better for the game.”We have a lot of experience in our team and we know exactly what we have to do. Once we go out there and do the basics right, hopefully we’ll come out on top.”

The ECB will announce a new England head coach on Saturday with Peter Moores, who was sacked from the role five years ago, set for a second chance at the job

Andrew McGlashan and George Dobell18-Apr-2014The ECB will announce a new England head coach on Saturday with Peter Moores, who was sacked from the role five years ago, set for a second chance at the job with Paul Farbrace, the recently appointed Sri Lanka coach, tipped to come on board as Moores’ assistant.Interviews of the shortlisted candidates for the top job – Giles, Peter Moores, Mark Robinson, Mick Newell and Trevor Bayliss – have taken place in the last few days at Lord’s or, in Bayliss’ case, via Skype from the Middle East. Farbrace was also interviewed although it is understood he did not want to be considered for the head coach’s position.Since England returned from the World T20, where they were dumped out before the semi-finals and finished with a defeat against Netherlands, the mood had shifted from Giles being the man expected to slot into Andy Flower’s shoes – a step up from his position as limited-overs coach – to Moores, who previously coached England from 2007 to early 2009, being the frontrunner to shape England’s new era.In the wake of the 5-0 Ashes whitewash, Giles presided over a 4-1 loss in the following one-day series and 3-0 in the T20s. Although there was some silverware in the Caribbean, with the one-day series, the subsequent failings in the World T20 appear to have swung Giles’ fate.Moores’ previous spell came from 2007, when he replaced Duncan Fletcher following a previous Ashes whitewash and poor World Cup campaign, to early 2009 when he lost his job alongside the sacking of Kevin Pietersen as captain after it emerged the pair could not work together. Other senior England players also had concerns about Moores, but in the intervening five years he has had the chance to evolve his coaching methods.Flower, who now has a new role with the ECB based at Loughborough, is also an admirer of Moores who he worked under as assistant coach before promotion following Moores’ sacking.Although the manner in which Moores’ stint ended is what it is largely remembered for, he did put in place a lot of personnel who went onto play significant roles in England’s subsequent successes from 2009 to 2013. He oversaw James Anderson’s return to the Test team, recalled Graeme Swann, gave Matt Prior his Test debut and helped mould the early days of Stuart Broad’s career and his fruitful partnership with Anderson.Shortly after losing his England role, Moores became the head coach with Lancashire. He guided the county to their first Championship title in 77 years in 2011 and although they were relegated the following season they were promoted straight back in 2013.Farbrace, meanwhile, the former Yorkshire 2nd XI coach, has made a late run for the line to work alongside Moores. He was only appointed to Sri Lanka in December and led them to the World T20 title earlier this month when they beat India in the final. Farbrace is currently in the UK for the Easter weekend.Farbrace had signed a two-year contract with SLC beginning on January 1 this year, and a move to England would constitute a significant crisis for Sri Lanka, less than a month before their tour of England is set to begin.Financial limitations had severely hindered SLC’s hunt for a new national coach, after Graham Ford left the position and began work with Surrey, in January. On Friday, SLC did not appear to have been informed of Farbrace’s potential move, with CEO Ashley de Silva dismissing reports of his forthcoming appointment in England as “pure speculation and rumour”. Farbrace had not been part of Sri Lanka’s Colombo celebrations after their World T20 triumph, having left the country shortly after the team landed.The speed of the final decision may raise eyebrows – the announcement had not been expected until later next week – but there is not a huge amount of time for the ECB to play with. England’s first international of the season is on May 9 against Scotland, in Aberdeen, before the visit of Sri Lanka later in May.Lancashire will be in need of a new coach and while talk has already started that it may become a home for Giles the club could also look to recruit from within with Gary Yates, the current assistant coach, and club captain Glen Chapple among the options.

Hosts Delhi faced the ignominy of officially crashing out of the Ranji Trophy as table toppers Karnataka are closing in on a comprehensive victory to finish their league engagements on a high note as Virender Sehwag’s first-class season ended with yet ano

The Report by Amit Shetty in Delhi01-Jan-2014
ScorecardRonit More took three wickets to put Karnataka on topHosts Delhi faced the ignominy of officially crashing out of the Ranji Trophy as table toppers Karnataka are closing in on a comprehensive victory to finish their league engagements on a high note as Virender Sehwag’s first-class season ended with yet another poor outing. With opener Karun Nair completing a well-deserved century, Karnataka scored 289 in their first essay taking a handy first-innings lead of 87 runs before Delhi’s top order once again flattered to deceive as they ended the day at 132 for 6.This effectively means that Delhi are 45 ahead with four wickets in hand and a possibility of Karnataka winning with bonus points can’t be ruled out. The back-to back defeats are embarrassing for a Delhi team that looked formidable on paper with the likes of Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Mithun Manhas to name a few while Karnataka decided to rest their pace spearhead Abhimanyu Mithun and top run-scorer KL Rahul.Having taken the lead yesterday, Karun Nair (105) completed his maiden first-class ton in his third game with a drive off Manan Sharma. Ashish Nehra, Delhi’s best bowler this season, removed Nair with a delivery that kept low. Nair faced 232 balls hitting 12 fours and a hooked six off Nehra.While Nehra, 3 for 39 from 20 overs, bent his back, there was no help for the pacers as the ball refused to rise above knee roll. Not that there was anything special in store for the spinners as the balls that kept low spelt danger for the batsmen. Varun Sood got his wickets with identical deliveries and finished with 3 for 93.With Punjab already beating Jharkhand fair and square, there was a considerable lack of interest among the Delhi players as Sehwag (11) and Gambhir (26) came out to open. They were together for 11.2 overs in which they added 38 but not for a single moment did they have any conviction in their batting. Gambhir, as usual, played those dab shots which went past the slips while Sehwag tried to concentrate without looking convincing at all.Finally, it was Gambhir who paid price for the low bounce as an HS Sharath delivery thudded onto the pads when he hadn’t totally committed to the frontfoot. Within the addition of another three runs, Sharath got Sehwag with one that kept low but moved in after pitching as umpire Michael Gough raised his finger almost immediately. Sehwag has managed 234 runs in this season at a dismal average of 19.50 from 13 innings.Left-handed batsman Manan Sharma (2) was taken by seamer Ronit More with one that held its line after pitching. Mithun Manhas (32) and Rajat Bhatia (30) tried their hands at repair job but it only worked for a while before legspinner Shreyas Gopal pulled off a stunner. Manhas charged down and hit a thumping drive and the bowler dived full length to take an acrobatic catch.At 82 for 4, Rahul Yadav joined Bhatia as they added 39 runs before More removed both at the fag end of the day. He first got Bhatia nicking an outswinger to wicketkeeper CM Gautam while Yadav was done in by the slowness of the pitch as he dragged one back onto the stumps. It is now a matter of time before Karnataka end another woeful domestic season for Delhi where they hardly ticked any positive boxes.

Zimbabwe’s domestic twenty-over competition has been postponed after the players refused to end their strike over non-payment

Firdose Moonda10-Feb-2014Zimbabwe’s domestic twenty-over competition has been postponed after the players refused to end their strike over non-payment. The tournament was due to start today and run until Saturday but salaries have still not been paid. The players held a meeting at Harare Sports Club this morning and decided their boycott would continue.An insider revealed ZC informed the players it did not have the cash it needed to pay the salaries. Yesterday, there was talk that although money would not be transferred on Monday, it would “definitely” happen on Tuesday, according to one source.ZC has also asked the ICC for a loan to compensate the players, support staff and conduct matches, even though their debt has swollen to US$18 million. Now, it appears ZC is still awaiting confirmation of its ICC loan and has been dealt a further blow by potential sponsors. Lays, who were thought to be offering a deal of around US$700,000, are close to pulling out.On Sunday night, Zimbabwe players’ representative Eliah Zvimba had a teleconference with ZC managing director Wilfred Mukondiwa and the ICC chief financial officer. “The ICC official assured the players’ representative that the world cricket governing body would, early this week, honour its promise to send the money,” a ZC press release said.”Regrettably, the players refused to take to the field this morning for the resumption of the domestic season, which was to start with a twenty20 tournament that is also part of Zimbabwe’s preparations for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament, which will be in Bangladesh starting next month.”The players said they will only play when they have been paid.”Zimbabwe have not played international cricket since September, when they were visited by Pakistan and then had three series put on the backburner. Sri Lanka’s tour to Zimbabwe, scheduled for last October, was postponed due to lack of funds, while a limited-overs series against Afghanistan that was due to take place in January and an offer to play off a one-off Test against South Africa next week were both cancelled because of the player boycott.No domestic cricket tournaments have been played in Zimbabwe since mid-December, when the players decided to go on strike over non-payment of dues. The boycott has left Zimbabwe woefully short of match practice ahead of a major tournament.

Ryan Harris took three wickets in his return to competitive cricket after a two-month layoff with a hamstring niggle, but they were not enough to prevent a two-wicket defeat to Tasmania in Sydney

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Oct-2013
ScorecardFile photo: Ryan Harris made his return to competitive cricket after two months•Queensland Cricket/Bob JonesRyan Harris took three wickets in his return to competitive cricket after a two-month layoff with a hamstring niggle, but it was not enough to prevent a two-wicket defeat to Tasmania in Sydney.Queensland, put into bat, started well with a 56-run stand for the first wicket. Once Chris Hartley was dismissed, Usman Khawaja and Greg Moller combined to put on 60 for the second wicket, putting Queensland in a decent position by the 29th over.However, Evan Gulbis struck in the middle overs, as Queensland lost five wickets in the space of 63 runs. But No 9, Michael Neser, hit a useful 20 off 16 to see Queensland finish at 241 for 9. Gulbis was the pick of the Tasmania bowlers with 4 for 36.Tasmania also made a solid start to their innings with a 42-run stand, but the chase wobbled when Alex Doolan and Ed Cowan, the No 3, lost their wickets in consecutive overs with the score reading 72 for 3 in the 20th over.Tim Paine, the wicket-keeper captain, and Jordan Silk limited any more damage with a consummate 111-run partnership. The threatening stand was broken by Michael Neser, but Tasmania still had the upper hand with 59 runs required off 46 deliveries with six wickets in hand. However, Neser and Harris then upped the ante and sent four more batsmen back in the next 28 balls, leaving Tasmania tottering on 212 for 8 with only three overs left in the innings.Enter Clive Rose. The No 8 smashed 23 runs off nine deliveries to help Tasmania overhaul the target with five balls to spare, taking Tasmania to second place in the Ryobi Cup points table.

With nothing except pride and records to play for, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will both be looking to make more use of their reserves for the final ODI

The Preview by Mohammad Isam30-Nov-2014Match factsDec 1, 2014
Start time 12:30 local (06:30 GMT)Mahmudullah’s return to form has been a huge boost to Bangladesh•AFPBig pictureNo matter the circumstances, there has always been a recurring theme in this series. Zimbabwe lose a game, fight back harder in the next, but Bangladesh somehow just strive to stay on top. There is every chance Bangladesh might take their foot off the pedal sitting on a 4-0 lead, but then again, there is also every chance that Zimbabwe, completely sapped of their confidence following the whitewash in the Tests and the defeats in the ODIs, have already lost hope.With nothing except pride and records to play for, both teams will look to make more use of their reserves. Soumya Sarkar, a seam-bowling allrounder, has been added to Bangladesh’s squad. He is, however, unlikely to bat in his usual opening position as Bangladesh would not want to disrupt the momentum of Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque. Sarkar would possibly bat down the order and be picked as a third seamer.Bangladesh have had a lot of positives from this series, starting right from Tamim and Anamul. Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan have been regular contributors, but the most eye-catching has been Mahmudullah’s return to form. Mominul Haque has been shifted around and rested, but his replacement Imrul Kayes failed to make most of the opportunity in the fourth ODI. Sabbir Rahman has scored on and off, so there will be expectations for him to finish well. Arafat Sunny is no longer part of the squad, perhaps being prepared for the World Cup. Bangladesh have unsurprisingly been comfortable on the spinning front, but there is still scope for improvement from their seamers, as none apart from Al-Amin Hossain have been able to create an impression.For the visitors, Brendan Taylor, Elton Chigumbura and Solomon Mire are the only players to have scored more than 100 runs. They have looked the most confident too. The likes of Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda have promised much, but delivered little. With the ball, Tinashe Panyangara has been effective while Tafadzwa Kamungozi’s discipline has been quite impressive. Mire and Neville Madziva have had good spells at the top, but they have struggled in the last ten overs. Zimbabwe will ultimately need improvements in all departments if they are to clinch a much-needed morale-boosting victory.Form guide(last five completed games, most recent first)
Bangladesh WWWWL
Zimbabwe LLLLL
In the spotlightTafadzwa Kamungozi has been Zimbabwe’s most economical bowler, giving away 4.05, in the first four matches, without delivering a single maiden from his 38 overs. He is an accurate legspinner who can become a dependable cog in the bowling attack.Mahmudullah got to his first half-century in 18 months, and it ensured Bangladesh got a decent score despite two collapses. He is in his element when either playing attractive shots or rescuing the team. He did both, and finally looks to be back in form.Team newsSoumya Sarkar is set to make his ODI debut but it is not certain if he will replace Imrul Kayes or Sabbir Rahman. Rubel Hossain may be rested to give Taijul Islam a chance, especially if Soumya is used as the third seamer after Mashrafe Mortaza and Abul Hasan.Bangladesh (possible): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Anamul Haque, 3 Imrul Kayes/Mominul Haque, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Sabbir Rahman/Soumya Sarkar, 8 Abul Hasan, 9 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 10 Taijul Islam, 11 Jubair HossainIt has become quite tricky to predict the Zimbabwe line-up in this series. Richmond Mutumbami and Craig Ervine have not played a single game, while Elton Chigumbura has said Sikandar Raza’s injured finger has improved. Timycen Maruma and Peter Moor have also struggled, so the visitors could make quite a few changes.Zimbabwe (possible): 1 Hamilton Masakadza, 2 Vusi Sibanda, 3 Timycen Maruma/Sikandar Raza, 4 Brendan Taylor, 5 Regis Chakabva/Craig Ervine, 6 Elton Chigumbura (capt), 7 Peter Moor (wk), 8 Solomon Mire, 9 Tendai Chatara, 10 Neville Madziva, 11 Tafadzwa KamungoziPitch and conditionsThe talk in the air is that it will be a seamer-friendly wicket to give Bangladesh a taste of what they might expect Australia and New Zealand. Mirpur has had sporting pitches in June, so such a surface is expected. The weather has cooled down in Dhaka too, but dew has not appeared in a big way yet.Stats and trivia When he reached 10 during the fourth ODI, Mahmudullah became the seventh Bangladeshi to score 2000 ODI runs. Solomon Mire became the 10th Zimbabwe player to take three wickets and score a half-century in an ODI. Quotes”We are not thinking about the World Cup today. It is definitely our next preparation but right now we are thinking of tomorrow’s game.”
“We haven’t really been outplayed in all of the games. So I think that’s given us a lot of confidence that we have been in the game a lot.”

Callum Ferguson and Phillip Hughes both reminded the national selectors of their presence with centuries that kept South Australia firmly on top on the second day against Victoria at the MCG

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Nov-2013
ScorecardCallum Ferguson brought up his ninth first-class hundred (file photo)•Getty ImagesCallum Ferguson and Phillip Hughes both reminded the national selectors of their presence with centuries that kept South Australia firmly on top on the second day against Victoria at the MCG. The Redbacks had claimed first-innings points on the first day after the Bushrangers were skittled for 118, and the second day was largely about South Australia extending their lead in the push for victory.That was achieved with the help of a 98-run fourth-wicket stand between Hughes and Ferguson, which ended when Hughes was lbw to Fawad Ahmed for 103. The century was Hughes’ second from six innings in this Sheffield Shield campaign, and it was followed by a hundred from Ferguson, who has always been a stylish batsman but over a near decade-long career has struggled to pile up enough hundreds to make him a strong Test contender.Ferguson brought up his ninth first-class century with three boundaries in five deliveries from Clint McKay, and his innings ended on 110 from 187 balls when he was caught behind down leg side off the bowling of Scott Boland, who finished with 4 for 62. Ahmed collected 3 for 47, but one of the most interesting wickets of the day was that of Johan Botha, who was out hit wicket when he tried to get his bat out of the way against Daniel Christian and struck his stumps.South Australia finished with 343 and a lead of 225, although that had been reduced to 147 at stumps as Victoria moved to 0 for 78 with Rob Quiney on 31 and Aaron Finch on 39.