More injury concerns have hit England’s side. This time it’s the turn of Andrew Strauss who has gone to hospital to have an x-ray on his ankle.Strauss, who hit 48 yesterday, went over on his ankle in practice this morning and the x-ray has been advised as a precaution.His condition will be reassessed tomorrow.
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
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Australia stood on the brink of a thoroughly deserved victory in the first Test after the old firm of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, bowling together against India for the first time since 2001, brought about a top-order collapse to leave India sinking in quicksand, ending the fourth day 352 behind with only four wickets in hand. Even rain, which is forecast for tomorrow, is unlikely to save them, because it rarely rains heavily enough here in Bangalore to wash out a whole day.India battled manfully during the early part of the day to restrict Australia to 228 – a total which neatly doubled their first-innings lead – at a lesser rate than they would have liked. Harbhajan Singh was magnificent, bowling with control and guile, and claiming wickets at regular intervals. But ever since India were bowled out for 246, it had been clear that their batsmen would have to dig them out of the hole in the second innings. It was a tall order, and the past was staring at India like an apparition. They needed a distant 457 to win on a ground where the highest successful run-chase is 195 … and within little more than an hour they were reduced to 24 for 4, through a mixture of accurate bowling, dodgy umpiring, and a shambolic piece of running between the wickets.India began their innings in the worst possible manner, when they lost Virender Sehwag to a terrible decision from Billy Bowden: a straight one from Glenn McGrath caught a thick edge on its way to Sehwag’s pad. The din must have drowned out the noise of the nick, but the deviation was visible to the naked eye from the stands behind the bowler’s arm. But Bowden raised his finger, and to add injury to insult, Sehwag might cop a fine for showing his displeasure (1 for 1). Minutes later it was 7 for 2, when Aakash Chopra fell to another contentious decision, this time by Steve Bucknor: Jason Gillespie rapped him on the pad with a incutter, and replays showed that the ball might have missed leg.McGrath’s deadly knack of varying his pace and the seam’s angle, while always hitting the corridor just outside off, made him a devilish proposition. He snapped up two wickets in two spells, but more importantly was instrumental in piling on the pressure with his parsimony, as he sent down eight maidens in his 12 overs, conceding only nine runs.It got even worse when a horrendous misunderstanding led to Sourav Ganguly being run out. He pushed one to short midwicket, and took off for a single immediately, only to see Rahul Dravid stop after a couple of strides. Ganguly was stranded halfway down the pitch, and didn’t even bother to look back as Adam Gilchrist uprooted the off stump with great glee.And the final blow came just before tea, when Shane Warne deceived VVS Laxman with his first ball. It came down flatter and quicker, Laxman played for more turn than there was, was hit in line, and fell to Warne for the second time in the match. The crowd roared its disapproval of the decision, but the ball was dead straight (19 for 4).Dravid waged a solitary battle as a crushing defeat loomed large, but two more setbacks at the other end all but lit the Indian funeral pyre. The weekend crowd – nearly a full house – cheered their local hero, after all else had gone awry. India had limped to 105 for 6 from 49 overs by the close, with Dravid undefeated on 47.The only silver lining for India was the form shown by Harbhajan, who teased the batsmen with his subtle variations of length and turn. Keeping it asstraight as possible, he forced the batsmen to defend after charging down the track, and no-one summoned the courage to loft him over the top. Damien Martyn was forced to curb his fluent style, and ensured that the first hour was negotiated without too many jitters. He blocked, shouldered arms and drove straight to the infielders, and survived a few close leg-before shouts. Just 20 runs came off the first 10 overs, as Martyn helped Australia into a near-impregnable position.He was eventually out for 45, pushing an uppish drive to short midwicket, but a flurry of runs followed his dismissal, with Warne’s energetic cameo providing the boost. Although there were two fielders positioned on the square boundary, Warne swept Harbhajan crisply and, along with Gilchrist, provided the final kick towards a lead of more than 450.Harbhajan mopped up the tail after lunch to finish with 11 for 224 in the match, the best return by any bowler on this ground, taking his tally in his last three home Tests against the Aussies to 39 – but by then the visitors’ middle order had already done enough … and more.Siddhartha Vaidyanathan is on the staff of Wisden Cricinfo in India.
England’s coach, Duncan Fletcher, is unconcerned about the current form of his opening batsmen, Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick, despite both men again falling cheaply on the second evening in Trinidad.
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Although Vaughan and Trescothick steered England to their victory target of 20 in the first Test at Sabina Park, they have managed a combined total of just 40 runs in the series. “At this stage they’re struggling a little bit," admitted Fletcher, "but we’ve had it before and they’ve always come good.”They’ve both got averages in the 40s, they’re world-class batters and you would be proud to have those figures," he added. "They are just going through a bit of a period when you get some good balls. We’ve had some really good platforms to build on in the past, but it doesn’t continue forever otherwise it would be a very easy game to play.”In the absence of a significant contribution from the openers, the onus has fallen on Nasser Hussain and Mark Butcher to stabilise England’s innings. And after a typically gritty unbroken partnership of 46 had hauled England back from a mini-crisis at 8 for 2, Fletcher was keen to praise the old guard.”Everyone has been saying we should kick the old guys out and they’re not needed in English cricket, but you have to have a spine of experienced players to show the young guys what it’s all about and they will always play an important role. Nasser has done this on numerous occasions. He played very well in New Zealand a few years ago on those drop-in wickets that were very green and seamed around. He really enjoys a scrap – that’s when he’s at his best.”
DURBAN, South Africa, March 19 AP – Torrential rain in Durban could force organisers to postpone Thursday’s World Cup semifinal between India and Kenya.But Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly says his team will come out singing, be it rain or sunshine.”We’ll have to keep an eye on the weather and the formula to decide rain-hit matches,” Ganguly said Wednesday as heavy showers dampened the prospect of the semifinal going ahead on schedule.”One can’t go into the match getting too worried about the weather, but we’ll handle any situation that might develop,” he said.The weather factor, which hastened host South Africa’s exit from the tournament in Durban, is again in play after the eastern coastal city of Durban was hit by heavy downpours starting Tuesday night.Rain is expected to continue throughout Wednesday, and intermittent showers have been forecast for match day.If the match is not completed by Friday – the reserve day – India’s six-wicket victory over Kenya in a Super Six encounter two weeks ago will secure it passage into Sunday’s final against defending champion Australia.The KwaZulu-Natal region has been under a dry spell for the past two months, experiencing its least rainfall in 27 years.And while the rain was welcomed by the residents of this city, the World Cup organisers were hoping for a break.Kenya’s coach Sandeep Patil, a member of India’s champion 1983 team, hoped the semifinal is played on Thursday.”We’ve no control over the weather, but we’d like to play on Thursday itself. We are prepared for the game,” Patil said.
Manchester City forward Jeremy Doku is still searching for consistency in his play at the top end of the pitch, in what is now his third season at The Etihad.
The Belgium international’s brilliant goal against Liverpool in November remains his only Premier League strike of the season, in 15 appearances, and he has only scored three goals in all competitions, per Sofascore.
Doku has delivered three goals and five assists in 22 appearances in all competitions, per Sofascore, after a return of six goals and nine assists in 38 matches last season, which shows that there is room for improvement.
Manchester City in talks to sign Premier League forward
Instead of waiting for the Belgian attacker to add more goals to his game as a starter on the left flank, City could sign a player to be an instant upgrade on him.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to TEAMtalk, Manchester City are leading the race to sign Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, who has a £65m release clause, in the January transfer window.
The report claims that there have been ongoing talks ahead of the next window to ensure that they are in pole position to activate his release clause and win the race for his signature, amid strong interest from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
It adds that personal terms with the forward are advanced, with the Cityzens close to getting the player onboard, and that would allow them to make a quick move for him at the start of January.
TEAMtalk also reveals that Liverpool and Manchester United are keen on the Ghana international, who is not at the African Cup of Nations after his country failed to qualify for the tournament.
Why Man City should sign Antoine Semenyo
The Cityzens should sign the Cherries attacker when the January transfer window opens for business because he could be an upgrade on Doku, by providing the goal threat that the Belgian has struggled to offer since he moved to Manchester.
Semenyo, who was described as “the full package” and “unstoppable” by pundit Darren Bent, has scored seven goals in 15 appearances in the Premier League this season, per Sofascore, whilst Doku has scored four goals in the division since the start of last season.
In fact, the Belgium international has only scored seven goals in 73 top-flight matches in his City career, per Transfermarkt, which shows that Semenyo would arrive at The Etihad as a huge upgrade on the forward as a goalscorer.
The Bournemouth star’s goal return this season is not just impressive in comparison to Doku, though, as he has also been one of the most prolific wingers across the top five leagues in Europe.
Most goals by wingers in top 5 European leagues (25/26)
Player
Goals
Mason Greenwood
11
Antoine Semenyo
7
Phil Foden
7
Luis Diaz
7
Christian Pulisic
7
Lamine Yamal
6
Michael Olise
6
Bryan Mbeumo
6
Yan Diomande
6
Raphinha
6
Stats via Transfermarkt
Only one winger in the top five leagues has outscored the Ghana international, who has scored more league goals than Lamine Yamal, Michael Olise, and Raphinha.
This suggests that City would be bringing in one of the best goalscoring wingers in Europe if Hugo Viana can strike a deal for the £65m-rated star when the January transfer window opens for business.
The graphic above shows that Doku has the edge on him as a creative player this season. However, Semenyo created more ‘big chances’ (11) in the Premier League than Doku did (eight) last season, whilst also scoring 11 goals, compared to City winger’s three.
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This shows that, on the whole, the Cherries forward has the potential to be a big upgrade on the Belgian attacker because of his qualities as both a scorer and as a creator of goals.
Another attractive quality that Semenyo possesses, as was outlined by Dean Holden in the quote above, is that he can play on either flank and be effective with both feet.
The 25-year-old star can be deployed on the left or the right flank, although he has predominantly played on the left this season, which would provide Pep Guardiola with the freedom to play him in multiple roles and positions.
Pep has unearthed his new De Bruyne in "generational" Man City star
Pep Guardiola has unearthed his new Kevin De Bruyne for Manchester City in this “generational” star.
ByDan Emery
It is now down to Viana, though, to make sure that City win the race for his signature, amid competition from a bunch of their Premier League rivals.
The Titans took an almost unassailable lead at the top of the MTN Domestic Championship, their three wins this week maintaining their 100% record and giving them an 11-point lead over the Dolphins. However, all of the victories were hard fought.Their game with the Warriors was the match of the week. Warriors posted 221 for 9 and the Titans seemed to be coasting as they reached 221 for 7 before losing two wickets in three balls. They eventually squeezed a one-wicket win. Against the Lions they again struggled, eventually overcoming a target of 139 with four wickets In hand. A hundred from Tatenda Taibu enabled Zimbabwe Chevrons to score 223 for 8, and when the Titans slid to 166 for 7 an upset seemed likely. But David Wiese and Brendon Reddy added an unbeaten 58 in five overs to see them home.The Dolphins started the week with a thumping win over Zimbabwe, Johann Louw’s 5 for 27 setting them on their way to a five-wicket victory, and two days later Louw was again to the fore with 4 for 23 as they beat Cape Cobras by four wickets. But their hopes of staying in touch with the Titans suffered a major blow when they crashed to a five-wicket loss at the hands of the Lions.The Eagles lifted themselves into the middle of the table with two solid wins over the Cobras and the Warriors. Roger Telemachus was the star against the Warriors with 6 for 24. The Cobras, who led the competition early on, suffered two more defeats to leave them struggling to make the semi-finals.The Lions and the Warriors are still in with a chance of the semi-finals, and on form you have to prefer the Lions who won both their games while the Warriors lost both theirs. Zimbabwe, with one win in seven, will not be competing in the knock-out stages in mid March.The picture will be much clearer this week as the Cobras and the Lions play the Warriors. At the top of the table, the Titans can almost wrap up the league if they win home matches against the Dolphins and the Eagles.
| Team | Mat | Won | Lost | Tied | N/R | Pts | Net RR | For | Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titans | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | +0.751 | 1335/260.3 | 1321/302.0 |
| Dolphins | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 19 | +0.612 | 1230/276.3 | 1151/300.0 |
| Eagles | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 18 | +0.089 | 1524/320.1 | 1504/322.0 |
| Cape Cobras | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 13 | -0.137 | 1285/284.4 | 1241/266.5 |
| Lions | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | -0.299 | 1449/305.2 | 1452/287.5 |
| Warriors | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | -0.708 | 1213/306.2 | 1395/298.5 |
| Zimbabwe | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -0.287 | 1414/309.0 | 1386/285.0 |
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Matthew Hayden’s century against South Africa was so convincing it swayed the people of St Kitts to make him one of their own. Hayden not only left the ground as the fastest scorer of a World Cup hundred, but he was also granted honorary St Kitts citizenship and a life membership of the Royal St Kitts Golf Club.Hayden’s stay on the island lasted one more night as Australia left for Antigua to prepare for the first Super Eight match against West Indies on Tuesday. However, it was a memorable visit after he thrashed to three figures off only 66 balls. Herschelle Gibbs was also given citizenship by the country’s prime minister after the game for his six sixes in an over against The Netherlands.”It is a tremendous honour,” Hayden said in The Australian. “We have really enjoyed our stay here. It is a bit of a bonus.”Hayden’s early burst of 14 fours and four sixes was crucial in setting up Australia’s total of 6 for 377 on the way to an 83-run win, which earned them two points to take into the Super Eights. A year ago Hayden was not part of the one-day side, but after two record-breaking centuries in his past four innings he is an essential member again.Entering the tournament with a broken big toe, Hayden has scores of 60, 29 and 101 to improve on his previous World Cup in 2003. “In the last World Cup we had a lot of great starts, Gilly and I,” he said. “We had solid tournaments without being exceptional. This time we feel much more experienced cricketers and have seen the highs and lows a World Cup can bring, the weight of expectations.” Hayden said he did not handle the extra pressure well last time, when he scored 328 runs.
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Steve Harmison, the England fast bowler, admits that he is unlikely to be fit for next month’s first Test against Sri Lanka at Lord’s on May 11.Harmison, 27, was forced to fly home from India last month due to pain in his right shin and has yet to recover fully. He met with a specialist in Nottingham last week and admitted he had doubts over his availability for the first Test.”Before I saw the specialist I was hopeful of playing at Lord’s,” Harmison is quoted as saying in the . “But the way he was talking, my gut feeling is I’m not going to be fit. I thought he might let me start running again straight away, then if all went well I could play in the county championship match against Lancashire and be ready to play in the first Test. But Professor Batts believes it is better to be cautious.”Harmison suffered from shin problems earlier in his career, and in 2000-01 he was forced to withdraw from an England A tour to the Caribbean. He has taken 159 wickets from 41 matches, and has been a star performer for England over the past few seasons. Harmison said it was his aim to work out harder and begin running next week with the second Test at Edgbaston on May 25 firmly in mind.Sri Lanka tour England for five one-day internationals and three Tests.
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Scorecard
Kevin Pietersen and John Crawley enlivened a truncated day at The Rose Bowl, as both men completed their centuries in the 45 overs available, to lift Hampshire into a promising position against Glamorgan. Resuming on 197 for 3, the pair took their fourth-wicket partnership along to 175, with Pietersen once again taking the aggressive approach. His second hundred in consecutive matches was another brisk affair – 126 from 116 balls, with 20 fours and a six, to match his 125 from 111 against Kent last week – as he served the selectors another timely reminder of his talents, having been omitted from the first Test squad. Crawley took a more sedate approach to his first century of the season – and 44th of his career. He had faced 247 balls for his 106, before falling shortly before the close to lift Glamorgan’s spirits.
Scorecard
Simon Cook took 4 for 38 in 14 overs to put the skids under Nottinghamshire, and set Kent up for a useful first-innings lead at Trent Bridge. Replying to Kent’s 301, Notts were indebted to Darren Bicknell at the top of the order. His 63 from 124 balls was 39 more than the next highest scorer could manage, as Cook and his fellow seamers cut a swathe through the batting. His run-out at 134 for 4, however, shortly after Stephen Fleming’s dismissal, was costly as the middle-order fell away without a struggle. Cook accounted for Chris Read and Mark Ealham, both for ducks, and Andrew Hall picked up his maiden wicket for Kent when Samit Patel was dismissed for 12. Gareth Glough was clinging on on 12 not out at the close.