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أعرب برونو فرنانديز وجواو نيفيز وجونزالو راموس ثلاثي منتخب البرتغال، عن سعادتهم بالتأهل لنهائيات كأس العالم 2026، بعد الفوز ضد أرمينيا بتسعة أهداف لهدف واحد.

وكان منتخب البرتغال قد حقق الفوز ضد أرمينيا في تصفيات أوروبا بفضل أهداف ريناتو فيجا وجونزالو راموس، وأحرز جواو نيفيز وبرونو فرنانديز هاتريك، وسجل كونسيساو الهدف التاسع.

وقال جواو نيفيز في تصريحات نشرتها “A Bola” البرتغالية: “قدمنا مباراة رائعة وجاءت الأهداف نتيجة لما بنيناه، لقد خضنا عدة مباريات سنحت لنا فرص لتسجيل هذا العدد من الأهداف لكننا لم نستغلها، هذا نتيجة لعملنا في التدريبات وما قدمناه في هذه المباراة”.

وأضاف: “نلعب دائماً بنفس الأسلوب، من البداية إلى النهاية، لا نهتم بالنتيجة بل بأسلوب لعبنا، نعمل بجد ونطبق ما تدربنا عليه بدقة”.

وحول أهدافه الأولى بقميص منتخب البرتغال واصل نيفيز: “كانت مباراة مميزة، نظراً لأهميتها وارتداء قميص أوزيبيو ثم أهدافي الأولى، أول هاتريك لي مع المنتخب، هذا شيء للذكرى”.

اقرأ أيضاً.. أول رد فعل من كريستيانو رونالدو بعد تأهل البرتغال لنهائيات كأس العالم

بينما قال برونو فرنانديز لاعب خط وسط مانشستر يونايتد بعد اللقاء: “نسعى دائماً للفوز بنفس الطريقة، أن نقدم أداء مقنعًا ونسيطر على المباراة، قد لا يكون هذا ممكناً دائماً لكننا اليوم كنا فعالين وحققنا فوزًا رائعًا، وهذا هو الأهم ونتيجة لذلك تأهلنا لكأس العالم”.

وأضاف: “نحن نعمل على التحسن دائماً في الانتصارات والهزائم، وعلينا أن نتفاعل أكثر في الجزء الأخير من الملعب للتعامل بشكل أسرع مع فقدان الكرة لتجنب الهجمات المرتدة وهذا ما سبب لنا مشاكل ضد أيرلندا والمجر”.

واختتم عن تخطي لاعبي البرتغال السابقين هيلدر بوستيجا وروي كوستا في قائمة هدافي بلاده: “من الجيد دائماً أن تتاح لنا فرصة التسجيل ومساعدة الفريق على الفوز، نحن نتحدث عن اسمين عظيمين في كرة القدم البرتغالية، أحدهما قدوة رائعة بالنسبة لي، نشأت وأنا معجب بروي كوستا وأشاهده يلعب وكذلك ديكو، أنا مجرد لاعب يسعى لمساعدة البرتغال على مواصلة كتابة التاريخ ورفع اسمنا لأعلى المستويات”.

بينما علق جونزالو راموس مهاجم باريس سان جيرمان على منافسة كريستيانو رونالدو على مركز أساسي في خط الهجوم وإذا كان يرغب في الحصول على مزيد من الوقت للمشاركة: “كل منا هنا يقدم المساعدة والجميع يرغب في الحصول على مزيد من الوقت”.

وأضاف: “اليوم لم تكن هناك أمامنا اختيارات، كنا متفوقين بوضوح وأثبتنا ذلك في الملعب، تأهلنا وأظهرنا قدراتنا، تعلق الأمر بفعاليتنا، هناك أيام لا ترغب فيها الكرة بالدخول واليوم صنعنا فرص أكثر من المباراة السابقة، حققنا الفوز العظيم بفضل فعاليتنا وتطبيق خطتنا”.

واختتم راموس أن البرتغال لا تفكر إلا في الفوز بكأس العالم: “في أي بطولة نشارك فيها، نكون مرشحين للفوز بها، الأمر يتعلق بتقدمنا خطوة بخطوة ولا يزال أمامنا مباريات تحضيرية في مارس وموسم كامل للاستعداد لكأس العالم”.

South Africa allrounder Prenelan Subrayen has been reported for a suspect bowling action following the first ODI against Australia on Tuesday in Cairns.The offspinner took 1 for 46 in his ten overs, dismissing opener Travis Head as South Africa went 1-0 up with a 98-run win. This was the 31-year-old Subrayen’s ODI debut, which came almost two months after he earned his first Test cap against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.Related

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Subrayen now needs to undergo an independent assessment of his action at an ICC-accredited testing facility within 14 days which South Africa are hoping he can do in Brisbane at Cricket Australia’s National Cricket Centre where Australia’s left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann was tested earlier this year. Bowlers are permitted 15 degrees of elbow extension while delivering the ball and he is allowed to continue bowling in matches until the results of his test are known. But South Africa coach Shukri Conrad said on Thursday that the team has decided Subrayen will not play until he has completed the testing process.”He’s available to play,” Conrad said. “You are allowed to play until you get tested.””We just felt that less noise and get him out of the public eye, make sure he is okay and focuses on the testing.”The process is to get him tested as soon as we can and we are looking to do it in Brisbane. That suits everyone. We are going to the UK via Brisbane so hopefully we can get it sooner rather than later.”This is not the first time the Subrayen has faced scrutiny over his action. In December 2012, Cricket South Africa (CSA) placed him under rehabilitation after two separate independent tests deemed his action illegal. He was cleared to bowl again in January 2013 after undergoing remedial work and re-testing.Subrayen was reported in September 2014 during the Champions League T20 tournament in India, and once more during a domestic T20 game in November 2015, and suspended from bowling after an assessment of his action found all his deliveries to exceed the 15-degree limit. He failed a re-assessment in January 2016, and was eventually cleared to resume bowling after having his action cleared at the CSA’s High Performance Centre in March 2016.”He has gone through this process before,” Conrad said. “It’s never easy. It’s taken him a long time to make his debut and we are rallying around him. Next week will reveal a lot and we will take it from there.”They’ve [the ICC] flagged 12 balls which they’ve forwarded to us. He has got to emulate those 12 balls during the test. We are going to be sending our bowling coach (Piet Botha) with him for support and for us to gain some knowledge about how these things work.”The second and third ODIs, which are the last two matches of South Africa’s white-ball tour of Australia, will be played on August 22 and 24 in Mackay.

Unbroken stand of 249 with Chris Benjamin lifts visitors from trouble at 137 for 6

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay16-May-2025Grant Stewart posted a brilliant swashbuckling hundred to inspire a notable Kent fightback on the opening day of the Rothesay County Championship match against Gloucestershire at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol.Their backs firmly against the wall after being reduced to 137 for 6, the visitors were indebted to the seventh-wicket pair of Stewart and Chris Benjamin, who staged a revitalising unbeaten stand of 249 in 56 overs to rescue a parlous situation. Stewart registered a career-best score of 173 not out from 174 balls with 19 fours and five sixes, while Benjamin contributed a cautious yet chanceless 82 not out, hewn from 212 deliveries with five fours, as Kent reached the close on 386 for 6.Stewart and Benjamin made history in the Bristol sunshine, establishing a record seventh-wicket stand in all matches for Kent, eclipsing the 248 scored by Arthur Day and Punter Humphreys against Somerset at Taunton in 1908. It was a remarkable turnaround in fortunes after Gloucestershire’s bowlers had dominated the first few hours, Ajeet Singh Dale claiming 4 for 97 and Tom Price and Josh Shaw weighing in with a wicket apiece to justify captain Cameron Bancroft’s decision to bowl first.If Kent mindsets were fragile following defeat by an innings and 161 runs at the hands of Glamorgan last time out, Gloucestershire’s bowlers certainly took full advantage. But the visitors will now feel they have the upper hand after Stewart and Benjamin turned the tables in such comprehensive fashion, banking three batting bonus points which had appeared beyond them earlier in the day.Requiring a solid start, Kent achieved exactly the opposite, Harry Finch pursuing Shaw’s second delivery of the day outside leg stump, offering a tame catch to James Bracey behind the stumps and departing for 1. That set the tone, Tom Price sending down four maidens in five overs that yielded just one run as Ben Compton and Daniel Bell-Drummond fought to see off the new ball.Their resistance quickly crumbled in the face of a fiery spell from Singh Dale, who generated impressive pace to remove both in the space of seven balls from the Ashley Down Road end. Bell-Drummond miscued an attempted drive and spooned a catch to mid-on, while Compton, having taken 19 balls to get off the mark and demonstrated no little application in moving his score to 19, drove loosely at a delivery that pitched outside off stump and was pouched by the diving Bracey as Kent slipped to 36 for 3.Jack Leaning never looked comfortable, was squared up by Singh Dale and sent a looping catch to Bancroft at second slip, at which point Singh Dale boasted figures of 3 for 22 from five overs. The only one of Kent’s top-order batters to play with any authority, Tawanda Muyeye raised 25 from 37 deliveries with four fours before edging a ball that nipped off the seam to the reliable Bancroft at second slip, affording Tom Price the wicket his accuracy deserved. In urgent need of a stabilising influence, the visitors were grateful to Benjamin and Jaydn Denly, who ensured they reached lunch without further loss on 85 for 5.Looking to play positively, England Under-19 batsman Denly helped himself to a sumptuous cover-driven four at the expense of Tom Price to signal a change in momentum as Kent’s first innings realised three figures in the 33rd over. Failing to maintain the tight lines that had characterised their work in the morning, Gloucestershire’s seamers were powerless to prevent the sixth wicket pair adding 63 in 15.3 overs.Singh Dale returned to break the partnership, beating Denly for pace with a ball that ricocheted off bat and pad and hit the top of off stump. Denly had mustered 39 from 51 balls and accrued six fours and was just two runs adrift of his highest first-class score when he departed with the board on 137 for 6.Surviving Singh Dale’s second spell, Benjamin and Stewart found the going easier thereafter as the pitch flattened out and the shine disappeared off the ball. Adopting a forthright approach from the outset, Stewart was prepared to take risks and looked to get on the front foot and drive whenever possible. He was first to 50, attaining that landmark via 51 balls as Kent passed 200. The Italy international pulled Graeme van Buuren for six to add to his half dozen fours as the visitors reached the tea interval on a relatively healthy 225 for 6 at the end of a session that had yielded 140 runs for the loss of just one wicket.Adopting a more circumspect approach, the assured Benjamin raised a half century of his own, carefully crafted from 129 balls, as the seventh-wicket alliance continued to prosper into the final session. The hundred partnership occupied 177 balls, at which point Bancroft recalled the talismanic Singh Dale. Although he went past the bat on several occasions, the 24-year-old paceman was unable to provide the breakthrough Gloucestershire coveted.Strong off his legs, Stewart positively rushed to the second first-class hundred of his career, edging Zaman Akhter to the fine leg boundary to raise three figures via 120 balls with his twelfth four. He hooked the next ball to deep midwicket and was caught by Tom Price, only for the unbalanced fielder to step over the rope and concede a six, an act which saw Stewart improve upon his previous highest score of 103 made against Middlesex at Canterbury in 2018.Gloucestershire took the new ball as soon as it became available, but were unable to curtail Stewart’s lusty hitting, the 31-year-old by now scoring at better than a run a ball to progress to his maiden 150 from 152 deliveries as Kent reached the close resurgent. Stewart and Benjamin had already set a new record seventh wicket partnership for Kent in matches against Gloucestershire, surpassing the unbeaten 151 posted by Derek Ufton and Alan Dixon at the Mount in 1960.

Smith, Amla and Vettori also among the seven inducted ahead of the WTC final

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jun-2025MS Dhoni, Matthew Hayden, Daniel Vettori, Hashim Amla, Sarah Taylor, Graeme Smith and Sana Mir are the latest inductees into the ICC Hall of Fame, unveiled two days out from the start of the World Test Championship final at Lord’s.Mir became the first woman from Pakistan to be a Hall of Fame inductee.After making her debut in 2005, Mir captained Pakistan in 72 of the 120 ODIs and in 65 of the 106 T20Is she played, including two gold-medal wins at the Asian Games in 2010 and 2014. She is the leading wicket-taker for Pakistan in ODIs, taking 151 wickets with her offbreaks, and topped the ODI rankings for bowlers in 2018.Sana Mir is the first woman from Pakistan to be in ICC’s Hall of Fame•ICC”From dreaming as a little girl that one day there would even be a women’s team in our country to now standing here, inducted among the very legends I idolised long before I ever held a bat or a ball – this is a moment I couldn’t have dared to imagine,” Mir said. “I am incredibly grateful for this honour and hope to give back to the sport in any way I can.”Former India captain Dhoni helped India break their drought in men’s ODI World Cups, four years after helping them to the inaugural men’s T20 World Cup title in 2007. He hit the winning runs as India won the ODI World Cup in 2011 and became the first team to win the silverware on home soil. Two years later, he captained India to the Champions Trophy title. He finished his ODI career with an average above 50, having played 350 matches and scored over 10,000 runs. Apart from his ability to ace run-chases, Dhoni will also be remembered for being the only captain to win all three white-ball ICC trophies. India also reached the top of the ICC Test rankings under him.”It is an honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognises the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world,” he said. “To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever.”Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla were both among the latest ICC Hall of Fame inductees•Getty ImagesHayden was one of the most feared Australia openers of his times. He hit three centuries in Australia’s 2007 ODI World Cup win and was also part of their win in the 2003 edition. He finished his career with 30 Test centuries and an average over 50.Amla was a Test-cricket behemoth for South Africa, who became the No. 1-ranked team in the format during his long career. He was the first from South Africa to score a triple century in Tests when he hit an unbeaten 311 against England in 2012. He finished with over 55 international centuries across formats.Amla’s South Africa team-mate, Smith, was thrust into captaincy at only 22, and it was a role that he excelled in for a long time. He led South Africa in a world record 109 Tests, winning 53 of those. He is the only player to captain a Test team in over 100 matches. He also captained them in 150 ODIs, the most for South Africa.Sarah Taylor executed many a lightning stumpings across her international career•PA Images”It is an honour to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, especially alongside Graeme,” Amla said. Smith concurred: “This is also a proud moment for South Africa, as two of us have got recognition this year.”Australia’s assistant coach and former New Zealand captain Vettori is one of only three players to score 4000 runs and pick up 300 wickets in Tests. He also captained New Zealand to a runners-up finish at the 2009 Champions Trophy.Taylor was one of the architects of England’s ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup double in 2009. She also starred in their win at the ODI World Cup on home soil in 2017, making a crucial 45 in the title-clash against India at Lord’s. She made a name for herself with some sensational wicketkeeping, effecting 232 dismissals across formats. Outside of the cricket field, Taylor took regular mental-health breaks, which helped normalise conversations around the issue among cricketers.”Being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame is one of the best moments of my life and truly feels like a dream come true,” she said. “Women’s cricket has been thriving in recent years, and receiving this award during such a significant time makes it even more special. I am grateful to the members of the ICC Hall of Fame selection panel for this recognition.”

ESPNcricinfo’s Andrew Fernando picks his team of the Sri Lanka Premier League

Andrew Fernando01-Sep-20121. Dilshan Munaweera (Uva Next) (212 runs @ strike-rate 144.21)Came to the tournament as one of the most hyped young talents in the country, and unlike several others, justified that hype with several scorching innings. He saved his best for the final, clubbing five sixes and two fours to catapult Uva Next beyond the Duckworth-Lewis par score and into the Champions League. In doing so, he became the tournament’s highest run getter and finished with the second best strike-rate among batsmen who have scored more than 100 runs. The Sri Lankan selectors will now be ecstatic at having picked him for the World Twenty20 after he had had a good start to the SLPL, but had not yet proved himself completely worthy of international selection.2. Kamran Akmal (wk) (Wayamba United) (203 runs @ 121.48)Was the tournament’s top scorer until he had to leave for national duty in the UAE, having been the rock of Wayamba United’s impressive batting order throughout the round robin. Ruthless on anything short, and capable of thrashing the good length balls and full deliveries as well, Akmal mowed 23 fours in five innings – more than anyone else in the SLPL – despite many of the other leading batsmen having played more games.3. Aaron Finch (Ruhuna Royals) (137 runs @ 130.47)Asked to bat anywhere in the top four, Finch was one of the few bright spots for an underwhelming Ruhuna Royals side, who were expected to make much more of an impression of the tournament, given their star-studded roll. Finch’s 65 from 48 balls against Uthura Rudras was his biggest contribution, though his ability to handle the swinging ball in some of the low scoring matches in Pallekele was equally as important.4. Angelo Mathews (c ) (Nagenahira Nagas) (211 runs @ 139.73)Mathews has sometimes been criticised for not being there at the end of an innings often enough, but few who followed him closely at the SLPL will doubt his flair for finishing now. In four times in seven innings Mathews remained unbeaten, and each of those times he had contributed heavily to the team total. His 73 off 27 balls in the final was perhaps the innings of the tournament, as he showcased his ability to score a boundary off almost any ball when well set. Sri Lanka will need him to play a significant role in the World Twenty20 and he has played himself into fine form before the event. His marshalling of an inexperienced Nagenahira attack also added heft to his claim as the next Sri Lanka captain.5. Chamara Kapugedera (Uthura Rudras) (178 runs @ 143.54)Had a quiet start to the tournament, but his stunning 69 not out to resurrect Uthura’s chase against Basnahira Cricket Dundee and finally ignite their campaign was filled with the arrogant hitting that earned him several extended runs in Sri Lanka’s limited-overs sides. Sadly for him, his SLPL performances were not enough to retain his place in the national team. Perhaps the selectors have finally run short of patience following a long stretch of failures, or maybe they think some time away from the top level will do him good. Either way, he reminded fed-up fans of the dazzling talent he possesses, even if it has not been in evidence for Sri Lanka.Jacob Oram finished with an astonishing economy rate of 3.82•Shaun Roy/SPORTZPICS/SLPL6. Thisara Perera (Kandurata Warriors) (128 runs @ 172.97)Was not himself with the ball, but earns a place in the XI through his batting alone. His 72 from 33 balls was the highlight of his campaign, as he rescued Kandurata from a collapse to put them on course for a competitive score. He will be disappointed by his waywardness with the ball, and will hope his knack for making vital breakthroughs returns for Sri Lanka in September.7. Jacob Oram (Uva Next) (82 runs @ 167.34, 11 wickets @ strike-rate 12.50)Oram was not initially picked up in the draft, but Uva Next will be thankful that James Franklin – their original allrounder – was picked for New Zealand’s Test tour of India, forcing them to take Oram on. With a scarcely believable economy-rate of 3.82 in his 23 overs in the tournament, and a league-leading 11 wickets to boot, it is fair to say Oram was the engine room of a victorious Uva campaign. With the bat, his 41 from 17 balls in the semi-final knocked the wind out of favourites Wayamba United’s sails, and his opening spell of 1 for 9 from three overs in the final allowed his side to keep their target at a manageable level despite Mathews’ heroics.8. Sachithra Senanayake (Uva Next) (8 wickets @ 18)Didn’t make a huge impact in any single game, but was crucial for Uva during the middle overs when he backed up Oram’s parsimony with cheap spells of his own. His doosra is one of the more readable variations in the game, but he used it sparingly to good effect, particularly when batsmen were looking to aggress. Contributed with the bat on occasion, and was a livewire in the field, and that, combined with his economy rate is what sees him pip Ajantha Mendis for a place in the XI, despite Mendis having taken more wickets.9. Shaminda Eranga (Nagenahira Nagas) (11 wickets @ 13.6)The man of the tournament – though only because semi-final and final performances were not taken into account – Eranga, like Oram, led the league in wickets with 11 to his name. He was the lynchpin of Nagenahira’s attack, who were formidable when Eranga was intense, but friendly when not in the groove. Startled batsmen with plenty of pace off the pitch and also moved it appreciably off the seam in both directions.10. Sohail Tanvir (Kandurata Warriors) (11 wickets @ 10)The most penetrative seam bowler in the tournament, and though he was occasionally expensive, he was often unplayable. He swung the white ball as far as it’s ever likely been swung in Sri Lanka, and while he was a handful in Colombo, batsmen were forced to just see his overs out on a lively Pallekele surface. Of the bowlers locked on 11 wickets, he had played the least matches.11. Akila Dananjaya (Wayamba United) (9 wickets @ 14.6)Plucked from complete obscurity by Mahela Jayawardene and Graham Ford, Dananjaya’s first foray into professional cricket has been as successful as anyone could have hoped. Even Jayawardene has spoken of his surprise at the apparent ease with which Dananjaya has performed in the limelight. Some have hailed him as Sri Lanka’s next spin hope, and though that assessment is as unfair as it is premature, there is something in the way in which the 18-year-old manages his variations. The World Twenty20 will really test what he is made of.Second XI: Imran Nazir, Tamim Iqbal, Mahela Jayawardene, Cameron Borgas, Shoaib Malik, Abdul Razzaq, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Isuru Udana, Umar Gul, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis

The left-arm quick made an early impact against Sri Lanka and will be part of the Champions Trophy

Tristan Lavalette13-Feb-20252:01

Finch: Big three absence a chance for Ellis to lead attack

As a tall left-arm Australian quick, capable of hitting speeds consistently at 145kph, comparisons to Mitchell Starc are unavoidable.Since he burst into prominence in the BBL in recent years, Spencer Johnson has been anointed as the successor to Starc, whose versatility and durability were again evident during a brilliant Test series against Sri Lanka.With Starc to miss the Champions Trophy due to personal reasons, the spotlight will shine considerably on Johnson. He started his preparation with 2 for 44 from seven overs in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo and mirrored Australia’s fortunes.Related

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Johnson, 29, helped Australia move into a strong position with two wickets with the new ball before he suffered under an avalanche from skipper Charith Asalanka, who sparked a turnaround as Sri Lanka ran out eventual 49-run winners.”It’s obviously something I’ve pictured in my mind, to come in and play a similar role to him,” Johnson said about the Starc comparisons. “There were a few nerves there, and obviously big shoes to fill.”I think I am better for the run, it’s only my third ODI, hopefully a few more and I’ll be able to replicate some of the stuff he’s done.”While it’s easy to see why Johnson is likened to Starc, he mostly threatens through awkward bounce and probes away at a back of a length using his towering height to good effect.But after being carved through point by opener Pathum Nissanka, Johnson smartly readjusted to a fuller length and produced an edge to claim his maiden ODI wicket in his third match.Johnson’s second wicket was perhaps more fortuitous when he had Kamindu Mendis chipping tamely to square leg, but he bowled consistently around 140 kph with the new ball and his rearing bounce was impressive on a dry surface.It might just foreshadow what’s ahead in Pakistan where he is almost certain to be handed the new ball with a shorthanded Australia also without injured frontline quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.”Guys like Trent Boult and Starcy, left-armers who are aggressive, hopefully it’s what I can bring to Pakistan,” Johnson said. “I think this wicket is not what we’re going to get over in Pakistan.Spencer Johnson claimed his first ODI wickets during the opening match in Colombo•Getty Images”It was nice to bowl on early with the new ball, and there was a bit of nip and carry. But [Pakistan] will be different to what we got here, potentially a bit flatter.”Australia’s selectors have been unsurprisingly keen to test Johnson in the shorter formats. The 29-year-old Johnson has played 11 white-ball internationals since debuting in South Africa in August 2023.Johnson produced his best international performance when he claimed 5 for 26 against Pakistan in November at the SCG – the best figures by an Australian quick in the format.But he’s so far in his career mostly played T20 cricket. Somewhat a product of franchise cricket, Johnson is already a veteran of the circuit having also played in the IPL, Major League Cricket, T20 Blast and The Hundred.But he’s had limited exposure in the longer formats with Johnson having played just 11 List A matches and six first-class matches. In his last first-class match in November, he snapped a tendon in the middle toe of his right foot during South Australia’s Sheffield Shield game against Western Australia after bowling 45 overs for the match.Set to be a key part of Australia’s Champions Trophy line-up, Johnson will now get a prolonged block in the 50-over format and a chance to build on a modest record of 12 wickets at 42.25 from 11 List A matches.”Obviously four overs [in T20 cricket] versus 10 overs is a little bit different, but the way I sequence my overs is pretty similar,” Johnson said. “I feel like I’m ready to play for Australia and I’ve had a little bit of a taste in T20 cricket and now a couple of ODIs. So heading to Pakistan it’s exciting and I’m ready to go.”

Kent were all out for 218, handing the visitors a four-run first-innings lead

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay12-Apr-2025

Middlesex have batted themselves into a commanding position at the end of day two of their Rothesay County Championship match with Kent at Canterbury, reaching 222 for 6 at stumps, a lead of 226.Stephen Eskinazi gave them a platform with 57 before Ben Geddes cashed in after being dropped twice to make 73 not out.Earlier Kent were all out for 218, handing the visitors a four-run first-innings lead. Grant Stewart made 56 and Harry Finch 52 but their 101-run partnership was broken in the second over of the morning session. Blake Cullen had Middlesex’s best figures with 4 for 60, while Ryan Higgins took 3 for 37.Kent were still 50 in arrears at the start of Day 2 but after passing 50 in the first over, Stewart swished Ryan Higgins to Zafar at midwicket. Finch punched Roland-Jones through the covers to bring up his 50 but Higgins pinned him lbw in the next over.Jas Singh and Kashif Ali almost got Kent to parity, until an eventful 83rd over. Kashif was on 16 when he hooked Cullen, but Brookes reacted a split second too slowly and the chance went down. However, he was run out off the very next delivery, when Singh drove Cullen through the covers and Zafar Gohar’s throw allowed Cullen to break the stumps with Kashif a centimetre from making his ground. Cullen then bowled Singh middle stump to give Middlesex a slender advantage.Nathan Fernandes’ run of single-figure scores this continued when Nathan Gilchrist had him lbw for one in the fourth over.Max Holden, lucky to get off the mark with a tailender’s swipe at Stewart, nicked Gilchrist to Daniel Bell-Drummond at third slip for five in the next over, but Eskinazi and Leus du Plooy steered them to 33 for 2 at lunch and looked well set for an hour after the resumption until the latter edged Stewart to Jack Leaning for 26, breaking a 56-run partnership.Joey Evison struck with his second ball, bowling Higgins off stump for 15 and Ben Geddes nearly went in the same over but Tawanda Muyeye couldn’t cling on at first slip.Eskinazi clipped Evison for a single to reach 50 but was lbw to Singh in the 42nd over and there was further encouragement for Kent members, during an otherwise interminable afternoon session, when Michael Cohen came on as a sub fielder after missing the entire 2024 season with a back injury.Middlesex, however, were 147 for 5 when tea was finally taken at 4.23 pm and the game began to drift away from the hosts, with Gilchrist unable to take a return catch off Geddes, who subsequently straight-drove Evison for four to reach his 50.Jack Davies joined him in making batting look easy on a track that had looked treacherous on day one until Leaning got him for 27, caught by Bell-Drummond at first. Cullen then came in for three deliveries before the players came off for bad light.

Australia took firm control of the second Test with a pair of outstanding centuries as Sri Lanka’s attack struggled

Tristan Lavalette07-Feb-2025Seemingly having a ball experimenting with the reverse sweep, Steven Smith’s mastery in Asia continued and he combined with a dashing Alex Carey to defy a sharp-turning, deteriorating Galle surface as Australia grabbed firm control of the second Test.The game was in the balance when Australia were 91 for 3 just after lunch on day two in reply to Sri Lanka’s first-innings of 257. But stand-in skipper Smith and Carey produced an unbroken 239-run partnership to deflate a Sri Lankan team staring down the barrel of a hefty series defeat.Carey was fluent from the get go and motored past a tiring Smith by stumps as Australia build a sizeable first innings lead on a very dry surface.Smith reached his 36th Test century in style with a boundary in the final session on day two and raised his baggy green before nodding several times to his team-mates in the terraces. He broke a couple of Australian records in Asia along the way having overtaken Ricky Ponting for most runs and his seventh ton lifted him past Allan Border.Steven Smith brought out the rarely-seen reverse sweep during his faultless hundred•Getty ImagesAfter a few modest years by his lofty standards, Smith has rewound the clock in recent months having now scored four centuries in his last eight Test innings. Always looking to add to his repertoire, Smith dusted off rarely used reverse sweeps and, while not always effective, it did give Sri Lanka more to think about.Smith might have been inspired by watching Carey, who swept – orthodox and reverse – almost flawlessly as he sped to his second Test century. Fittingly, Carey reached his ton with a sweep to the boundary as he raised his arms aloft to cap his strong form in recent months.It was a significant moment for Carey, who had previously in Sri Lanka and India come under scrutiny for his compulsive use of the sweep. His sublime innings also included quick footwork and brute power as he repeatedly thumped the spinners straight down the ground.Carey batted for the first time in his Test career at No. 5 with Josh Inglis having spent a significant period off the field in Sri Lanka’s innings because of back spasms. But Carey was more than comfortable in a position he occupies for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield.It was a major disappointment for Sri Lanka, who went wicketless for almost the entirety of the final two sessions. Their spinners occasionally produced sharp turn, but were unable to sustain the pressure and appeared out of answers as the day wore on.Alex Carey celebrates his second Test century•Getty ImagesOffspinner Nishan Peiris was their most threatening bowler in a good bounceback after he was ineffective in the first Test with 0 for 189 off 41 overs and deemed fortunate to retain his spot over legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay. He turned the ball square at times and almost clean-bowled Smith just before tea with a fizzing offbreak that narrowly missed the top of the stumps.But Sri Lanka perhaps will rue not selecting Vandersay after his promising performance in the first Test, while talisman Prabath Jayasuriya lacked bite after a promising start and he resorted at times to a defensive leg-stump line to Smith.Sri Lanka had begun with optimism at the start of Australia’s innings. There was intrigue over whether Sri Lanka’s spinners would take the new ball, but lone quick Lahiru Kumara started and opener Travis Head enjoyed the pace with three early boundaries. Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva surprisingly decided to share the new ball having not bowled in the first Test due to a side strain.Head rattled along at a run-a-ball until on 21 he used his feet to Peiris but was outdone by turn, and a thick edge was taken at slip.All eyes were then on Marnus Labuschagne, who only made 20 off 50 balls in Australia’s massive 654 for 6 declared in the series-opener. Having not scored a Test century since the 2023 Ashes tour, pressure is mounting on Labuschagne with his spot for this match attracting some attention.He started well with a first-ball boundary through the covers, but he didn’t add any further runs and fell in the next over when he was trapped lbw by Jayasuriya in a decision overturned on review. Jayasuriya slid a fuller delivery that beat a tentative Labuschagne on the back foot. Labuschagne looked despondent when his fate was sealed and he trudged off the field.Smith, wearing his baggy green, had a nervous start with a big lbw shout from Jayasuriya turned down as Sri Lanka burnt a review. But Smith countered the sharp spin by skipping down the pitch while Usman Khawaja unfurled the reverse sweep just like he did in his double-century last week.Nishan Peiris had Usman Khawaja lbw and the game was in the balance at 91 for 3•Getty ImagesThey blunted the spinners as Australia reached lunch well placed at 85 for 2. The game sparked to life on resumption with Smith given out lbw by umpire Joel Wilson after a low Peiris delivery struck him under the knee roll. But Smith quickly reviewed and his confidence was justified with the ball hitting him well outside the line.Moments later, Wilson was again quick to raise the finger but this time he was vindicated with Khawaja plumb lbw on 36 after he tried to pull Peiris only to misjudge the line and length.But Sri Lanka’s bid for more inroads came to a halt and they failed to put enough pressure on Carey, whose confidence grew as he slog swept offspinner Ramesh Mendis for six.Smith brought up his half-century in style with a boundary as the runs continued to flow through to tea apart from when Jayasuriya restored to a leg-stump line. After the interval, Smith and Carey continued to score at ease as they tapped the ball around for singles with the field well spread as if it was the middle overs of an ODI.After reaching his century, Smith appeared to be flagging amid the oppressive humidity and he dropped anchor as Carey took over to reach his landmark in fine fashion.Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka finished with what appeared a competitive first-innings total after Kusal Mendis and No. 11 Kumara added 28 runs in the first 30 minutes of the day’s play. Mendis was left stranded on 85 but had spearheaded Sri Lanka’s recovery from 150 for 6.Australia’s three specialist bowlers Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann did the bulk of the heavy lifting and picked up three wickets apiece.

Manchester United can make a "show of big intent" by signing Gianluigi Donnarumma, with the Italian potentially a better option than Emi Martinez.

• Red Devils considering a new No.1
• Initially linked with World Cup winner
• PSG star now very much in their sights

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Devils are reported to be scouring the transfer market for a new No.1. Cameroonian shot-stopper Andre Onana has struggled to convince across two seasons at Old Trafford.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Having initially been linked with a raid on Premier League rivals Aston Villa for World Cup winner Martinez, United are now said to be seeing a path cleared that could allow Paris Saint-Germain star Donnarumma to head for England.

• WHAT BROWN SAID

  Quizzed on whether Donnarumma would be the most notable addition in what has been a positive window for United, ex-Red Devils star Wes Brown – speaking on behalf of UK casinos Casino.org – told GOAL: “What a keeper. Arguably one of the best keepers in the world. He’s experienced and he’s a very big lad! He’s got the experience and with that side you would be very happy.

  “The signings we have done have been very promising. I think every fan is looking forward to the start of the season now. If you were to get a 'keeper of that standard as well, it is a show of big intent and we are really going to push, not just for this season but we are taking a stance and will be there or thereabouts at the end of this season and the seasons to come.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Brown added when asked if Donnarumma, who is still only 26 years of age, is a better long-term option than 32-year-old Argentine Martinez: “In that sense, yeah. Martinez has been proven in the Premier League, you would have to say that. He has done great things for his country as well.

  “Donnarumma, age wise, has got the experience, he’s dominant in goal. He’s not been in the Premier League yet but I’m pretty sure he has said that he wants to play in the Premier League. He wants to show what he can do everywhere. 'Keepers are a different breed. He shows the passion and wants to be able to play for a team in the Premier League. I think that would boost our squad and our team if that was Man Utd.”

“Maybe a good wicket, some adrenaline, the right combination and I can do it this IPL”

Shashank Kishore17-Oct-20202:15

Bishop: Nortje has brought skill and control along with pace

On Thursday, Anrich Nortje clocked 156kph, the fastest ball in IPL history. Now, the South Africa and Delhi Capitals fast bowler is aiming to break the speed barrier for the fastest recorded delivery in all of cricket. That record is currently held by former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who recorded 161.3kph on the speed gun during the 2003 World Cup fixture against England.”Hopefully it’s something I’ve got in me and it’s definitely something I’ve wanted to do,” Nortje told his Capitals team-mate R Ashwin on the latter’s YouTube channel this week. “Maybe a good wicket, some adrenaline, the right combination and I can do it this IPL or maybe in the future.”Nortje’s fastest ball was delivered on Wednesday in his first over against Rajasthan Royals opener Jos Buttler. The Royals batsman had already moved to his right to play a pre-meditated scoop, which zipped away for four past fine leg from the toe-end of the bat. At the post-match presentation, Nortje said he opted not not go for any variation and stuck to his “strength”. He then bowled a 155 kph seaming in delivery that rocked back Buttler’s off stump.Nortje told Ashwin if he had seen the speed on the big screen at the ground, he might have cranked the pace further.”I don’t know. It’s on the day,” Nortje said, when Ashwin asked about the record. “I didn’t know about the 156kph until after the game. Obviously there was nothing on the scoreboard. It would’ve been a bit of a help to get the blood flowing. But, I’ve got no idea.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Incidentally, the man whose IPL record Nortje broke was his hero and fellow South African Dale Steyn, who clocked 154.5kph in the 2012 edition while playing for the now defunct Deccan Chargers.Steyn, who has been an inspiration for a generation of young fast bowlers, called Nortje as one of the “beasts” along with Jofra Archer and Kagiso Rabada, complimenting the trio for making fast bowling so attractive in T20 cricket.Also read: Archer, Nortje and glorious fast bowling nirvana”KG, Archer, Ana. I’d have paid to watch them live tonight,” He had tweeted. “Fast bowling is strong, and this competition is being dominated by these beasts!”Nortje acknowledged the mutual admiration, telling Ashwin readily why Steyn was his hero.”Growing up, he [Steyn] was in the area where I was watching cricket. He’s definitely one of the best. Watching that fire, energy, skill and consistency he brought to the game was unbelievable.”Not wanting to get “too technical”, Nortje then went on to explain what helps him bowl fast. He attributed his success to a braced front leg and a strong core he has developed through intense gym work during lockdown.”The two important things for me that changed it was, you have to be strong and understand what you’re doing in the gym,” he explained. “Not go for a beach body, but do the right things while gymming. The basic thing that helped me and is easy to control is a braced front leg and a strong front arm. So those are the two things I focus on.”