Mahipal Lomror builds on his early promise

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Only 19, he is already Rajasthan’s captain. Now, he is trying to make the next step up

Hemant Brar in Alur31-Aug-2019At 19, Mahipal Lomror is already three seasons old in domestic cricket. Having first made his mark by representing India at the 2016 Under-19 World Cup, he was named Rajasthan’s captain last year despite his relative inexperience.It’s not like Lomror was a child prodigy. He started playing cricket when he was about eight but became serious only a couple of years later, after he shifted base from his hometown Nagaur to Jaipur in 2011. Climbing the rungs of age-group cricket there, Lomror established himself as a top-order batsman who bowls handy left-arm spin.Since making his first-class debut in 2016, Lomror has scored 1269 runs at 36.25 in 23 matches. His first 12 games also fetched him 25 wickets with a best of 5 for 51. However, a back injury meant he could hardly bowl last season.Growing up, Lomror was a bit short-tempered; calmness started coming in as he played more and more cricket. “I started observing seniors around me and I realised anger never helps,” Lomror says. “Last year when I captained Rajasthan, I realised I needed to be calmer to make better decisions.”ALSO READ: The Royals rookies – learning from the bestKnown as Mahi among his pals, Lomror idolised Adam Gilchrist since childhood. “He [Gilchrist] was always a big-match player. His strokeplay used to take the game away from the opposition, and that thing always attracted me.”A similar positive approach also benefitted Lomror during the last Ranji Trophy season where he finished as the second-highest run-getter for Rajasthan (708 runs at 44.25).”In my first two seasons, I wasn’t playing my natural game. And when I reviewed my performance, I felt I could play a bit more attacking cricket. I needn’t stop playing my scoring shots. I think that helped me somewhere.”Both the calmness and attractive strokeplay were once again on display on Saturday as he brought up his third first-class hundred during the Duleep Trophy match against India Green.With his side India Red still 300 in arrears at the start of the day, Lomror took his time and saw off the first hour when Rahul Chahar extracted some turn and disconcerting bounce. From the other end, Ishan Porel induced a bottom edge but it fell short of the wicketkeeper.BCCIAmid all this, he didn’t miss out on loose balls. Porel was flicked off the pads, Ankit Rajpoot was punched behind point and when a tiring Chahar bowled a couple of short and wide ones, Lomror cut them for four as well. This meant even if Karun Nair, who had breezed to 77 on Friday, struggled at the other end, the score didn’t come to a standstill.Lomror brought up his fifty off 129 balls, with eight fours and one six. When on 90, Nair chopped one onto his stumps off Rajpoot, bringing an end to a 74-run stand. Lomror and KS Bharat took the side to 230 for 4 at lunch.Once the sun came out in the second session, Lomror gave a glimpse of why he was called “Junior Gayle” during his age-group days. Using his feet against Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, he launched one over the long-on fielder for a six. Jadeja flighted the next ball as well, only to be hit over mid-off for four. Another six off Chahar waltzed him into the 90s. He reached his hundred with a two off the same bowler and fittingly, it was a back-foot punch – his most productive shot during this knock – that took him to the landmark.In the company of Jaydev Unadkat, he took India Red to 363 before falling to Jadeja for 126. Unadkat and Akshay Wakhare too fell shortly after that but late fireworks from No. 10 Avesh Khan, that included four sixes in one Jadeja over, pushed India Red to 404 at stumps.”It was a slow wicket and the ball wasn’t coming on to the bat that easily,” Lomror said after the day’s play. “So I couldn’t play my free-flowing cricket and had to be very selective about my shots. Their bowlers were also fresh in the morning and, therefore, taking my time seemed a better option.”But with India Red still trailing by 36, India Green are the favourites for a first-innings lead that will take them to the final without the Quotient Rule calculations coming into the picture. If that happens, the final will be a rematch of the ongoing game.

Six other close (and controversial) ODI finishes

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Was the World Cup final the greatest ODI? Here are some other candidates in the thrilling finish stakes

Matt Roller15-Jul-2019Allan Donald is run out and the game is tied•Getty ImagesEdgbaston, 1999 – Australia tied with South Africa
You know the story of this one. South Africa need nine; Lance Klusener whacks Damien Fleming for two fours. One run off four balls to reach the World Cup final. The third ball goes straight to mid-on, and Darren Lehmann is inches away from running out Allan Donald at the non-striker’s end. And then, off the fourth ball, chaos: Klusener plinks it down the ground and sets off, Donald stays put; limbs fly in different directions, bats are dropped, and eventually Australia seal the run-out for a tie. By virtue of finishing higher in the Super Sixes – because of their head-to-head record in the group stage – they went through to the final. The finest of pre-Super Over margins?Georgetown, 1999 – West Indies tied with Australia
Bedlam at Bourda. In a rain-reduced 30-over game, Australia had recovered from 119 for 7 thanks to an unbeaten partnership of 49 between Steve Waugh and Shane Warne in a chase of 174. With six balls to go, left-arm spinner Keith Arthurton had only six to defend, but after Waugh hit his first ball for two, he held his nerve brilliantly with four dots in a row. That meant four to win off the last ball, and when Waugh heaved one out towards the fielder at deep midwicket, it looked like West Indies’ game. But by the time the return throw had come in, the raucous crowd had flooded on to the Georgetown pitch. Australia ran two, and Arthurton broke the wicket at the non-striker’s end. Waugh tried to sneak through for a third, by which point the crowd had completely enveloped the ground and taken the stumps with them. More than an hour after the game had finished, the match referee consulted video footage and declared the game a tie, since a third run had been attempted before the invasion.The scoreboard reveals South Africa’s impossible task•Getty ImagesSydney, 1992 – England beat South Africa by 19 runs
South Africa needed 22 off 13 balls after Jonty Rhodes had led their recovery at the SCG, but then it started to rain. In a pre-Duckworth-Lewis world, the tournament’s rain rule bizarrely dictated that the target would be adjusted by removing the defending side’s least productive overs. Since England had played out two maidens, the big screen declared that the new equation was 22 off 1 – though it was actually 21, adding to the confusion. South Africa took a single amid boos and jeers after trudging back out, and the victorious England sheepishly celebrated their progress to the final. “Had Martians landed at the SCG,” wrote Martin Johnson in the , “they would have concluded there was no intelligent life on earth and gone home.”Lahore, 1987 – Pakistan beat West Indies by one wicket
Abdul Qadir’s straight six with 10 needed to win off three balls left Pakistan in a brilliant position to harm West Indies’ chances of qualification in Lahore, and a scampered two off the penultimate ball meant they needed two more to sneak a win. Courtney Walsh steamed into bowl, and non-striker Saleem Jaffar backed up aggressively, trying to sneak whatever advantage he could. Walsh, pulled up in his delivery stride, but rather than running Jaffar out, stood knowingly with his arms crossed. Eventually, Qadir’s mishit flew through the infield for the two runs needed to seal a one-wicket win, but Walsh’s sportsmanship would ultimately be remembered better than the game itself.Trevor Chappell rolls the final ball of the match on the floor•Associated PressMadras, 1987 – Australia beat India by one run
A year on from the tied Test at the same venue, Australia made 270 for 6 batting first in the World Cup opener. But their total had originally been declared as 268, adjusted upwards after a debate as to whether a shot over long-off by Dean Jones had cleared the ropes or not. That decision proved crucial. Maninder Singh – also the man at the crease at the culmination of the tied Test – needed two off the last ball, but was cleaned up by Steve Waugh instead. “In the end the six did make the difference,” recalled Australia coach Bob Simpson. “It may have seemed like good fortune for us, but it was right.”Melbourne, 1981 – Australia beat New Zealand by six runs

“Let me just tell you what I think about it. I think it was a disgraceful performance… and I think it should never be permitted to happen again.” Richie Benaud’s damning verdict on the infamous final ball of a 1981 ODI at the MCG betrayed a sentiment shared by most of the sporting world. With six needed for a tie and brother Trevor bowling, captain Greg Chappell hatched a plan. Rather than give tailender Brian McKechnie the chance to smear one into the stands, Greg decided to ask Trevor whether he was any good at bowling underarm. “I don’t know,” said Trevor. “Well you’re about to find out,” came the reply. McKechnie blocked the pea-roller, and threw his bat in disgust. The incident provoked uproar, and underarm bowling was soon outlawed.

Williamson and Karunaratne, two ends of the control spectrum

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

A deep dive into ESPNcricinfo’s data reveals which of the world’s top batsmen make the fewest errors, and which ones are the luckiest

S Rajesh21-Aug-2019Dimuth Karunaratne’s fourth-innings effort of 122 in Galle was a memorable, matchwinning effort. His knock was instrumental in Sri Lanka chasing down 268 with plenty to spare. In the process, Karunaratne became only the third Sri Lanka opener to score a fourth-innings century, and the fourth Sri Lanka batsman to score one in a win. That he achieved the feat as captain made it even more special.Clearly, no one can dispute the import of that innings. However, those who saw it unfold would also have noticed the number of times the rub of the green went his way. He survived three chances – a drop by BJ Watling on 49, another drop by Tom Latham on 58, and a missed stumping at the same score. Apart from those clear chances, there were several instances when he played and missed, or when he played shots he wasn’t in control of. According to ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data, Karunaratne was in control of only 78.6% of the deliveries he faced in that innings. The corresponding control percentage for the other Sri Lanka batsmen who batted in the fourth innings was 81. Yet, Karunaratne scored 122, while the others collectively scored 139.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe scorecard only recognises runs scored and wickets taken, but it ignores the route taken to make those contributions. Subjectively, we tend to use terms like “flawless” or “chancy” to describe innings that were error-free or error-strewn, but ESPNcricinfo’s control parameter assigns a number to it, by recording, for each ball, whether the batsman was in control or not. It is an interesting stat for an innings, and when calculated over a period of time, it reveals some fascinating trends about batsmen who’ve tended to be luckier – or tended to survive their not-in-control moments. Over the last couple of years, Karunaratne clearly belongs in that category.To begin with, a caveat. The control statistic is recorded as a binary, so a batsman is either in control of a delivery or not. Obviously, some not-in-control deliveries pose more of a wicket threat than others, but in terms of the control statistic, they are recorded the same way. Over a longer period of time, the control factor is usually a good measure of how fluent or chancy an innings was.

In the period starting January 2017, Karunaratne averages 40.67, which puts him at 13th out of 32 batsmen who have scored at least 1000 Test runs during this period. That means there are 19 batsmen who have lower averages than him. However, in terms of control percentage he ranks 25th, and only seven batsmen have a lower percentage than him. Those seven include batsmen like Niroshan Dickwella, Quinton de Kock and Jonny Bairstow, who bat in the lower middle order and hence often bat with the tail, leading to situations where they need to take risks and bat aggressively.Among the batsmen who regularly bat in the top five, only KL Rahul and Alastair Cook have lower control percentages. Of course, they like Karunaratne are openers, and have to face the new ball and fresh fast bowlers, which can partly explain a lower control percentage. However, even among openers, Tom Latham, Aiden Markram and Kraigg Brathwaite have higher control numbers, as does David Warner. As the graph below shows, Karunaratne’s control percentage is the lowest among batsmen with similar averages: Dinesh Chandimal, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Joe Root and David Warner all average between 39 and 42, but have better control percentages. In fact, Kraigg Brathwaite, Ajinkya Rahane and Roston Chase have control percentages of more than 85, but averages below 35.

Latham and Markram are in fact at the other end of the control spectrum. Leading the way is control king Kane Williamson, Karunaratne’s opposite number in the ongoing Sri Lanka-New Zealand series. Williamson, who incidentally was the last captain before Karunaratne to score a fourth-innings century in a win, is the only batsman whose control percentage over the last two-and-a-half years is more than 90. He had a rare poor Test in Galle, but an average of 65 and a control percentage of 91 suggest a batsman who is a master of his craft. Steven Smith isn’t far behind in the control stakes, and has an even better average during this period.Another interesting metric is not-in-control balls per dismissal – that is, the number of false shots a batsman plays per dismissal. In all Tests since the start of 2017, for batsmen batting in the top seven positions, that number is 11.2, which means a batsman, on average, plays about 11 not-in-control shots per dismissal (or makes 11 errors per dismissal). This includes plays-and-misses, edges, getting rapped on the pads, and other false strokes.

This metric, along with the control percentage, offers a good indicator of how batsman fare on the control parameter. A high control percentage and low NIC balls per dismissal suggests a batsman who is usually secure and makes few errors, but those few errors tend to cost him his wicket. Williamson is quite clearly in this category: he averages 9.5 NIC balls per dismissal since January 2017, compared to the overall mean of 11.2 for all batsmen in the top seven. Only three batsmen – Mominul Haque (8.6), Aiden Markram (8.7), and Quinton de Kock (9.2) tend to get out more frequently when playing false shots. Karunaratne, on the other hand, survives 14.8 false shots per dismissal, which is a whopping 32% above the overall average of 11.2. For the 32 batsmen who have scored 1000-plus runs during this period, the average NIC balls per dismissal is 12.1, which means Karunaratne is well above this average as well.Only two batsmen survive more false strokes per dismissal than Karunaratne: Smith (15.7), and Cheteshwar Pujara (18.4). These higher numbers can perhaps partly be explained by technique: those who tend to play the line and not push out at deliveries are less likely to edge, even though they might get beaten often; similarly, playing with soft hands often ensures that edges fall short of the slips cordon. That might explain why Pujara, primarily a defensive batsman who plays within his limitations, has a much higher NIC-per-dismissal figure than de Kock, an aggressive batsman who loves to go after the bowling. However, this still doesn’t explain Williamson’s high rate of dismissal when he makes errors.In Pujara’s case, a relatively high control percentage gets combined with a high NIC balls per dismissal, which is ideal from a batsman’s point of view – you’re good you’re lucky (relatively speaking, from an error-to-dismissal ratio point of view).

Usually, a batsman’s control percentage tends to increase as his innings goes along. That is perfectly logical, given that you’d expect the batsman to get more used to the bowling attack and the conditions the longer he stays in the middle, and reduce his errors as the innings goes along. In Karunaratne’s case in Galle, though, his control percentage stayed at a relatively low 78.6 despite him facing 243 balls during his innings. In fact, across the 17 innings in which Karunaratne has scored at least a half-century, his control percentage is only 83.9, which is the second-lowest among the 18 batsmen who have made at least 10 fifty-plus scores when batting in the top five, since the start of 2017. Only Usman Khawaja (83.7) has a lower control percentage.ESPNcricinfo LtdIn these innings, Karunaratne’s NIC balls per dismissal shoots up to 34.1, which again ties in with a relatively low control percentage over a longer period of time. (If a batsman is dismissed after a 100-ball innings with a control percentage of 85, his NIC balls per dismissal will be 15; if he maintains the same control percentage over 200 balls, the NIC balls per dismissal will go up to 30.) Among the 18 top-five batsmen with at least 10 fifty-plus scores, only three – Azhar Ali, Khawaja and Dean Elgar – make more errors per dismissal. Given that the average control percentage for all 50-plus innings since 2017 is 84.5, and the errors per dismissal in these innings is 27, it is clear that Karunaratne bats with slightly less control than the average batsman making a 50-plus score, but he tends to get away with more errors.At the other end of the spectrum is, again, Williamson. His control percentage goes up marginally to 91.7, while his NIC balls per dismissal stays at a relatively low 16.5.

Fewest errors per dismissal in 50+ scores (Min 10 innings)*

Batsman Inns Control % Errors per dismissalKane Williamson 12 91.7 16.5David Warner 11 87.7 16.7Aiden Markram 10 89.7 18.3Joe Root 20 85.8 21.9Angelo Mathews 10 87.1 22.3Benchmarking Karunaratne’s control in his 50-plus scores against the universal average is quite revealing too: since the start of 2017, the average control factor for all innings of 50 or more runs in Tests is 84.5. In the 17 innings in which Karunaratne has crossed 50 in this period, his control percentage has exceeded 84.5 only four times. Among the 24 batsmen with 10 or more 50-plus scores in this period, only Dickwella and Bairstow have had below-average control stats more often.

Williamson, on the other hand, has had control levels of less than 84.5 in only once in his 12 innings of 50 or more. That was against Bangladesh earlier this year, when he scored 74 with a control percentage of 82.9. Nine times out of 12 his control percentage has exceeded 90.

Highest percentage of 50+ scores at control factor of more than 84.5%

Batsman 50+ scores Inns > 84.5% control PercentKane Williamson 12 11 91.67Dinesh Chandimal 11 10 90.91Aiden Markram 10 9 90.00Kusal Mendis 12 10 83.33Henry Nicholls 12 9 75.00The control numbers are outstanding for Williamson, no matter how you dissect them. Karunaratne’s don’t look so hot, but then he has proved he possesses a quality that is vital to succeed at the top level: forget about what happened the previous ball, and focus on the next one. The scoreboard, after all, doesn’t differentiate between a century scored with 95% control, and one scored with 80%.

How Essex and Somerset share values that English cricket squanders at its peril

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

A commitment to homegrown talent and embedded local support show county game in best light

George Dobell at Taunton26-Sep-2019Of course, at the end of this ridiculous season, we had a ridiculous finish.Of course a summer that gave us World Cup final and finish to the Test at Leeds promised to serve up another miracle.Just as it seemed even the most optimistic Somerset supporters had given up hope, we saw a collapse that was remarkable even by modern standards. From the moment Alastair Cook turned one to short leg, Essex lost nine for 39. Less than 90 minutes after he was out – a spell that included the tea-break – Cook was back at the crease having been set 63 to win in 67 minutes by a Somerset side that forfeited their second innings in desperate pursuit of that maiden Championship title.Maybe, had Cook been given out leg before in the first over of the final day (as he should have been), or Nick Browne been caught at leg-slip by Murali Vijay in the first over of the fourth innings (as he should have been), Somerset may have been able to force victory. In the end, though, the fact that the first three days realised just 72.4 overs and another 90 minutes was lost on the final day proved decisive.In years to come, some may look at the scorecard and wonder why Essex, with just 18 more required, were so happy to shake hands on the draw. They had nine wickets in hand, after all, and the best part of 10 minutes remaining. But we had seen how quickly wickets could fall on this surface and, as an endearingly nervous Cook put it: “You don’t play on a wicket like that and expect to cruise through. When Somerset offered to shake hands on a draw I was more than happy.”It felt like the right thing to do, too. Essex’s primary objective had been achieved and Somerset, for their fight and bravery, didn’t especially deserve to lose. And it afforded Marcus Trescothick, on the pitch for the final moments as a substitute fielder, the chance to lead both sides from the field through a guard of honour. To see how much victory meant to the likes of Cook and Simon Harmer – or, indeed, to see the extent of Jack Leach’s disappointment – was to be reassured of the importance of the Championship to modern players. Both sides emerged with credit from this final day. So, too, did county cricket.And maybe it’s just as well that Essex held on. Somerset took quite a gamble with this surface and, while they probably judged it perfectly – the regulations specify that excessive turn is rated only as ‘below average’ and such a rating does not carry a points penalty – had they won, the season would have ended with us waiting for confirmation of the champions from deliberations in committee rooms at Lord’s. And that’s no way to decide a sports event.”I’ve been stressing the severity of how bad that pitch is,” Essex captain, Ryan ten Doeschate, said afterwards. “They’ve really taken a risk here by producing this wicket, but I’m sure we would have done as well.”Besides, this Essex side deserve their success. After defeat in their first game of the season, they won nine matches out of 11 including a comprehensive victory over Somerset at Chelmsford and are unbeaten in 13. Since they won their first Championship title, in 1979, no side has won it more often than their eight times including two in the last three years. They also became the first team to win the T20 and Championship competitions in the same season. Whichever way you look at it, they are an outstanding club.There is no special secret to their success. Instead, it reflects commitment to their pathway system, a determination to back young players, a nice balance between youth and experience and the occasional outstanding addition. They have a world-class spinner who bears a heavy workload and decent depth to ensure they have three good-quality seamers ready to go at any time. And while there is youth in the side, it is underpinned by experience: Cook, England’s record Test run-scorer, topped their batting averages. Later, he confirmed he would play at least one more season, too. Whether ten Doeschate, who was non-committal about his future, or even Ravi Bopara, stay with him remains to be seen.”The cornerstone of this success is built on our own guys,” Anthony McGrath, Essex’s coach, said. “The conveyer belt is a superb effort form the club and the young guys get their opportunity. It gives you that loyalty. The family and friends all buy into it and the crowd that come and watch can relate to local guys. The pathway is there for young players and we’re not scared to play them. We’ve played the last three Championship games without an overseas player.”Marcus Trescothick raises his cap to the crowd as he is given a guard of honour in his final match•Getty ImagesThere are similarities between the clubs in this regard. There were nine home-grown players in the Essex team and seven in Somerset’s. Essex’s Kolpak recruit, Harmer, has proved his worth by lifting the quality of the competition and helped developing players understand the level required if they are to progress to the next level. Both clubs, based in town-centre locations, feel a relevant part of their community and sell T20 tickets in an abundance that it embarrasses some larger clubs. While some larger clubs swoop on their neighbours – or even the overseas market – every close season in search of short-cuts to success, these clubs invest in scouting, coaching and development. These are, in short, clubs doing exactly what they should be doing: developing players that can represent county and country with distinction and winning trophies in the process. They represent much that is best about the county game.Perhaps there was a reminder here, too, that there isn’t much wrong with our great game that a little nurturing wouldn’t fix. Whether it has been the Ashes, the World Cup, the Test against Ireland or any of our domestic competitions, the sport has continued to surprise and delight and thrill throughout the summer. Given just a little encouragement – a bit more exposure here, a little help with the scheduling there – there is no reason it could not enthral a new generation of supporters with the teams and formats it already possess. We tinker with its foundations at our peril. The boos that greeted the appearance of Tom Harrison, the ECB’s chief executive, underlined the impression that spectators have not been adequately consulted.Yes, of course we must be mindful of the harsh realities. Yes, of course we must adapt. But let us never forget it was county cricket that gave birth to the one-day game and county cricket that gave birth to T20. It has shown a willingness to change without relegating its own teams to secondary status. As soon as sport becomes nothing more than something to invest in, it risks losing its identities, its loyalties and its relevance to the community. Never more than in the last few days has The Hundred seemed such a massive and unnecessary gamble.For Somerset, right now, there are mixed emotions. There is pride, certainly, in their consistency. And in the fact the season finished with a trophy for the first time since 2005. There is excitement, too, in the quality and quantity of home-grown players that continue to develop through the local systems. This is a region where cricket still matters. Where you see cricket-related items on sale up and down the high street. Where grandparents, children and young people in bars wear gear branded with the Somerset wyvern. It is, perhaps, as close as you will come in the UK to the sense of what cricket means in an Indian town.But Somerset have now been runners-up in this competition six times this century and three times in the last four years. They have seen Glamorgan (in 1997), Lancashire (in 2011) and now Essex (2019) celebrate clinching the title in Taunton. And it is starting to really hurt. Rumours have it an open-top bus had been put on standby. Sometimes you wonder if they will ever need it.While history may suggest it was last week’s match at Hampshire that cost Somerset – the hosts recovered from 88 for 7 in one innings and 103 for 8 in the other – their head coach, Jason Kerr, was not so sure. “We were out-played in that game,” he said. “Kyle Abbott bowled exceptionally well.”Instead, Kerr looked back on defeat at Yorkshire, when Somerset squandered excellent bowling conditions in the first innings and conceded 520, as a key moment.”But I still believe 100 percent that we are the best team in the Championship,” he said. “The weather hasn’t been kind to us this week and if we had been given more opportunity to play, I think the result might have been different.” In time, he may reflect that a side without a batsman averaging even as much as 32 is expecting rather a lot from their bowlers. Tellingly, they lost three of the seven games they played away from home. They will miss their groundsman, Simon Lee, who departs for Hampshire, almost as much as they miss Trescothick.These is always an element of sadness about the last day of the cricket season. But this year, more than ever, it brings with it an ominous sense of the ending of an era. Domestic cricket is embarking in a new direction in 2020 and many of us are far from sure it is wise. To be in Taunton these last few days was to be reminded and reassured of the value and validity of the county game. It would be a tragedy to diminish or destroy it.

BBL playoff race: What Sunday's matches entail

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

A win guarantees a place in the playoffs for Perth Scorchers, but it may not for Sydney Thunder or Hobart Hurricanes

Shiva Jayaraman25-Jan-2020Brisbane Heat have come back strongly into the reckoning for the playoffs on the back of a 37-ball 71 from AB de Villiers to climb up to No. 5 on the ladder. The 71-run win over the Melbourne Stars also improved their net run rate (NRR) from -0.58 to -0.23. It might come in handy should qualification come down to NRR. A tie on points is still possible in the event of a no-result in one of the remaining matches and a favourable result in the other. Heat will qualify for the playoffs irrespective of other results if they win against Renegades on Monday.While Heat will know exactly what they need to do when they take on Renegades on Monday, here’s a look at what Sunday’s matches mean for the four teams involved.

Sydney Thunder v Perth Scorchers

Sydney Thunder, Points 11Thunder’s best chance to qualify is by winning this match, and winning it by as big a margin as possible. That will ensure they move ahead of the Hobart Hurricanes on NRR. If Heat beat the Renegades on Monday and the Hurricanes win their match against the Adelaide Strikers, it will come down to NRR between Thunder and the Hurricanes.Here’s an illustration of what Thunder would need to do to push their NRR above the Hurricanes’.If Thunder and the Hurricanes score 180 batting first in their respective games, then Thunder have to beat the Scorchers by at least 14 runs to stand a chance of qualifying ahead of Hurricanes if the latter win by the narrowest of margins.If Thunder and the Hurricanes concede 180 bowling first in their respective matches, then Thunder have to beat the Scorchers with at least 10 balls to spare to get ahead of the Hurricanes if the latter win off the last ball of the match against the Strikers (this will change based on the Hurricanes’ final score).If Thunder beat the Scorchers, but not by a margin that’s big enough to take them ahead of the Hurricanes on NRR (and if the Hurricanes beat the Strikers), the Thunder can still qualify on points if Heat lose to the Renegades in the final match of the league stage.If Thunder beat the Scorchers and one of either Hurricanes or Heat lose their respective matches, then Thunder will qualify on points.Josh Inglis goes hard on the leg side•Getty Images If the Scorchers win, they qualify. If they lose, they have to make sure their NRR doesn’t suffer by much. To qualify on 12 points, they will need both the Hurricanes and Heat to lose their respective matches. They will also require Heat to lose by a margin that is big enough to keep the Brisbane team below them on NRR.If the Scorchers lose to Thunder, the Hurricanes-Strikers match is washed out, and the Renegades beat Heat on Monday, it will be a three-way tie on 12 points among the Scorchers, the Hurricanes and Heat. The fifth place will then be decided on NRR.

Adelaide Strikers v Hobart Hurricanes

Hobart Hurricanes, Points 11They are in the same boat as Thunder. Their best chance to qualify is to beat the Strikers by a margin that is big enough for them to stay ahead of Thunder should it come down to NRR. Hurricanes will have the benefit of knowing exactly what to do to stay ahead of Thunder since they play the second match on Sunday.If Thunder lose to the Scorchers and the Hurricanes beat the Strikers, then it will boil down to the result in Monday’s match between Heat and the Renegades. If Heat lose, Hurricanes will make the playoffs. They won’t if Heat win.Adelaide Strikers, Points 17They have to win their final match to finish in second place. They will tie with the Sydney Sixers on points but will be comfortably ahead of the Sydney team on NRR.

Howe must ruthlessly drop Tonali to finally unleash "special" Newcastle gem

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

Newcastle United have already ensured that they will play European football in some form in the 2025/26 campaign after they won the League Cup before the international break.

The Magpies beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley in the final last month and that victory secured them a place in the Conference League, as well as their first piece of silverware in 70 years.

Eddie Howe’s side can move up in the European pecking order before the end of the current campaign, though, as they compete for a place in the Europa League or the Champions League by finishing higher up in their domestic division.

The Magpies are currently sixth in the Premier League table and sit two points behind Chelsea in fourth place, with ten matches left to be played and one game in hand over the two teams above them.

Newcastle can take another step towards a top four finish in the division this evening when they welcome Brentford to St. James’ Park, with the chance to move above Chelsea – who do not play until Thursday – with a win.

Despite flying down to South America to play for Brazil during the international break and racking up plenty of miles, Bruno Guimaraes should be one of the first names on the teammsheet against the Bees.

Why Bruno Guimaraes is a guaranteed starter for Newcastle

The Brazil international, who played one game for his country – against Colombia – at the end of last month, has started all 28 of his appearances in the Premier League for the Magpies this season.

In fact, Guimaraes has started all 97 of his Premier League games for the club since the start of the 2022/23 campaign, having started 11 of his 17 outings in the second half of the 2021/22 season after joining from Lyon.

This shows that the Brazilian maestro, ignoring the very early stage of his career in England, starts whenever he is available and that is why the midfielder should be in the starting line-up this evening.

Bruno Guimaraes’ passing quality

24/25 Premier League

Per 90

Percentile rank vs midfielders

Assists

0.22

Top 11%

Expected Assisted Goals

0.19

Top 18%

Passes into final third

5.05

Top 19%

Passes into penalty area

1.97

Top 8%

Progressive passes

7.32

Top 8%

Key passes

1.32

Top 32%

Shot-creating actions

3.38

Top 34%

Stats via FBref

As you can see in the table above, Guimaraes has been among the best passers in the Premier League as a midfielder this term, ranking highly among his positional peers in a host of key passing and creative metrics.

Bruno Guimaraes

One Magpies player who does not rank as favourably in those metrics, however, is Italy international Sandro Tonali, who has had an up-and-down time at St. James’ Park.

Why Sandro Tonali can be a liability in possession

The former AC Milan star is, essentially, in his first full season on Tyneside after returning from his ban and has started 18 of his 26 appearances in the Premier League this term.

Tonali offers plenty of grit and hard work in the middle of the park, winning 53% of his duels and making 2.4 tackles and interceptions per game, but his use of the ball has left a bit to be desired.

The Italian ace ranks within the bottom 49% or lower of midfielders in the Premier League for pass accuracy (83%), progressive passes per 90 (4.11), Expected Assisted Goals per 90 (0.03), and shot-creating actions per 90 (2.19).

This suggests that Tonali has struggled with the ball at his feet in the top-flight this season, by failing to find his teammates at an efficient rate without creating much for the team.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

The 24-year-old battler played the full 90 minutes against Liverpool in the League Cup final and lost six of his seven duels, whilst completing just 67% of his attempted passes.

In front of their home support this evening, Newcastle may want more quality in possession to put themselves on the front foot against Brentford and that is why Tonali should be ruthlessly axed from the starting line-up by Howe, who should replace him by finally unleashing Lewis Miley from the start.

Why Lewis Miley should finally be unleashed

The 18-year-old dynamo has had an injury-disrupted campaign, missing nine matches with a foot injury, and has only started one of his eight appearances in the Premier League this term.

Lewis Miley scores for Newcastle

Miley did, however, start 14 of his 17 outings in the division last season, in what was his breakthrough year at senior level, and that showed that he does have the capability to play week-in-week-out as a starter in the top-flight.

The teenage sensation’s only start in the Premier League so far this term came in a 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest back in February, as he started alongside Guimaraes and Joe Willock.

Vs Forest

Lewis Miley

Minutes

90

Goals

1

Pass accuracy

81%

Key passes

1

Duels won

6/11

Tackles + interceptions

4

Dribbled past

0x

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the England U19 international made the most of his chance to impress, by scoring a goal and catching the eye with his defensive work.

Miley, as shown in the highlights above, scored Newcastle’s first goal in the match with a terrific touch and finish inside the box to make it 1-1, as he showcased his quality and composure in the opposition’s third.

The Magpies academy graduate has not played enough minutes to qualify for ranking this season, but he did rank within the top 15% of midfielders in the Premier League last term for assists (0.22) per 90 – with three assists in 14 starts.

Lewis Miley for Newcastle United against Paris Saint-Germain.

Miley, who was described as “very special” by journalist Mark Carruthers, is a midfield player with the potential to offer a threat at the top end of the pitch with his goalscoring touch, as shown in his only start this season in the league, as well as his creative ability, as evidenced by his form last term.

This means that the 18-year-old ace could be the perfect player to come in and partner Guimaraes in midfield, as they both have on-ball qualities that Tonali has failed to show consistently during his time on the pitch this season.

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It is now down to Howe to ruthlessly ditch the Italy international from the starting line-up in order to finally unleash Miley alongside Guimaraes, as the pair could be fun to watch with their respective qualities in possession.

Moyes must brutally drop Harrison & unleash Everton's "dynamite" talent

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

Everton’s nine-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League crumbled as David Moyes’ side lost to Liverpool at Anfield.

Moyes, who has never won across from Stanley Park over 22 visits, took the defeat on the chin, and fair play to him. Everton have been transformed since he waltzed through the gates in January, skipping far away from the relegation zone and instead creating a foundation from which new goals can be set for the 2025/26 campaign and beyond.

Everton manager DavidMoyesbefore the match

There’s still plenty to play for over the coming weeks, though, with the 15th-place Toffees set to welcome Arsenal to Goodison Park at noon.

The Gunners beat Fulham in midweek but were left reeling after their latest fitness blow in a season of fitness blows, Gabriel Magalhaes ruled out for the season after injuring his hamstring.

23/24

Premier League

1-0 loss

22/23

Premier League

1-0 win

21/22

Premier League

2-1 win

20/21

Premier League

2-1 win

19/20

Premier League

0-0 draw

Bukayo Saka has returned, scoring off the bench against the Cottagers. Everton will need to be on their A-game. However, Moyes will be buoyed by his thinning-out infirmary pile.

Everton team news

James Tarkowski will reprise his usual role at centre-half after escaping punishment for a lunging challenge on Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister.

On the injury front, Orel Mangala is still, of course, out for the season, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dwight McNeil are nearing returns from respective setbacks; Saturday’s fixture might come too soon.

Armando Broja, talking of strikers, has been fit again for several fixtures and has featured off the bench in both of Everton’s recent Premier League games, but he’s unlikely to displace Beto, even if the powerful centre-forward’s Midas touch in front of goal has deserted him.

It’s unlikely Moyes will field more than one or two changes, but there is one potential tweak sure to be on the manager’s mind.

Dwight McNeil in action for Everton

Iliman Ndiaye made his anticipated return in the second half at Anfield, fit again after being withdrawn injured in February, during the 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Goodison Park.

For him to return to the starting line-up, Moyes must axe another star.

Why Iliman Ndiaye could be the difference-maker

Ndiaye’s second-half introduction was met by a chorus of cheers from the travelling Toffees under the Liverpool lights. The game might have been lost, but he’s a devastating talent, signed from Marseille for about £15m last summer.

Eight goals across 29 appearances in all competitions for Everton speak of a blooming goal threat, not least because he bagged in each of Moyes’ opening three victories before falling to injury against the Reds.

Of course, the Senegalese is hardly just a ball-striking threat. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 19% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League this term for pass completion, the top 7% for successful take-ons and the top 14% for tackles + interceptions per 90.

Capable across both attacking flanks, Ndiaye should replace Jack Harrison on the right, allowing Charly Alcaraz to continue his journey on the left; when you compare Ndiaye and Harrison’s respective data pools across the campaign, it becomes clear as to why.

Matches (starts)

26 (18)

25 (22)

Goals

1

6

Assists

0

0

Touches*

29.8

39.2

Shots (on target)*

1.0 (0.2)

1.0 (0.4)

Big chances missed

4

2

Pass completion

75%

84%

Key passes*

1.1

0.6

Dribbles*

0.8

2.3

Ball recoveries*

2.2

5.9

Tackles + interceptions*

1.2

2.5

Duels won*

2.7

5.9

Harrison’s a man of industry and energy, but he’s struggled to offer much of substance in the way of goals, assists, key contributions.

Ndiaye brings so much more to the table, with his unique brand of football sure to revive Beto at the front of the ship too. The hulking Bissau-Guinean scored five Premier League goals across four matches through February, skill set unlocked with Moyes in the driving seat.

However, the goals have dried up, with Beto now without a successful strike across four top-flight fixtures. But how exactly could Ndiaye fix his woes?

Everton striker Beto

Well, while Beto’s litany of missed big chances – five since last scoring, to be exact – are a by-product of his own returned profligacy, he’s not exactly being supplied with the greatest supplementary force.

Harrison was particularly out of sorts against Liverpool on Wednesday evening, failing with both of his attempted dribbles while also losing every single one of his seven contested duels.

A loanee, he’s being outstripped by Ndiaye – who has been praised for his “dynamite” quality by Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp – and, frankly, most positional peers in the Premier League this season, and his 25-year-old teammate’s return could bear dividends for an Everton side seeking a return to winning ways.

Let’s not forget, the Blues have now gone five games without a win in the league, albeit only losing one of those matchups. Still, it’s clear that Moyes needs more firepower from varying angles to overcome tough opponents.

Arsenal have conceded the fewest number of goals in the Premier League this season, with David Raya also boasting the second-best save percentage in the division this term at 76.5% (FBref).

It’s going to be difficult, even if Everton have a stentorian Goodison crowd behind them. The players will need the 12th man, but they will also need Ndiaye in their starting mix, for he adds so much flavour and could elevate Beto up top.

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Top target: Man Utd plot £25m move for "clinical" Hojlund & Zirkzee upgrade

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

This summer is pivotal for Ruben Amorim if he is to be a success at Manchester United, with the manager needing to make his own impression on the first-team squad.

The Red Devils’ current Premier League standing of 13th highlights the need for change over the next few months to stop a similar feat from happening in the future.

Outgoings are most certainly needed at Old Trafford to raise funds for any potential new additions, especially considering the cost-cutting operations in place under Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

INEOS' Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Numerous players on the club’s books are earning extortionate wages given their importance to the squad, with any departures likely to raise a huge amount for the wage budget.

Such money could be used to attract new talent, including one player who’s recently emerged on their radar, offering an end to their dismal record within one area of the pitch.

Man Utd make attacking target their top priority

According to Sun Sport, United are plotting a summer move for Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca after his superb breakthrough season in Serie A throughout 2024/25.

The 24-year-old is in his second year with the Italian outfit but is enjoying his best campaign to date, notching 12 goals in 32 appearances across all competitions.

They aren’t the only side interested in a move for his signature, with fellow English side Nottingham Forest also in the race to land the 6”7 talisman this summer.

However, the report claims that Amorim’s side have made the Italian their top target for this summer – looking to bolster the attacking department ahead of 2025/26.

It would be yet another big-money addition to the club’s frontline, but he would certainly provide an upgrade on the options currently available at the manager’s disposal.

Why Lucca would be an upgrade on Hojlund & Zirkzee

Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have failed to deliver at United this season, leading to rumours of a new striker moving to Old Trafford this summer.

The pair cost the club a combined £108m and have only managed to score a total of 14 goals between them in the 85 matches they’ve featured in throughout the current season.

Erik ten Hag

Neither of the aforementioned forwards have managed to cement their place as the number one striker in the manager’s system, highlighting the need for added investment this window.

A move for Lucca would certainly improve the situation in the final third, offering an upgrade on the pair based on their respective figures throughout 2024/25.

The Italian, who’s been labelled “clinical” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has managed to outscore the pair in their respective divisions, whilst also registering more shots on target per 90 – showcasing the threat he poses in attacking areas.

He’s also completed more take-ons per 90, whilst also winning more aerial duels, highlighting the all-round centre-forward play that United have desperately craved in recent months.

Games played

29

25

30

Goals & assists

11

3

4

Shots on target

0.9

0.5

0.6

Take-on success

52%

28%

27%

Aerials won

2.1

1.2

1.3

Aerial success rate

45%

22%

28%

Fouls won

2

1.4

0.8

Whilst the club may face competition for his signature in the coming months, it’s evident that Lucca would be a superb option for Amorim – allowing the manager to have a reliable goalscorer at Old Trafford.

£25m in today’s market could be a potential bargain, having the potential to improve further down the line given his tender age, with his play style perfect for the Premier League.

A potential sale for Hojlund and Zirkzee could follow to make room for Lucca’s arrival, with the Red Devils having to take a huge loss on the fee paid for their respective signatures.

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Arsenal decision made with Berta now ready to sell £150k-per-week ace

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has already decided to part company with a member of the Gunners squad this summer, and it is very likely he’ll join the plethora of stars who appear destined to depart N5.

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Berta’s arrival could signal the start of a serious overhaul at the Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta anticipating a “big” first summer transfer window under the Italian’s leadership.

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GiveMeSport have previously claimed that as many as seven major signings worth up to £300 million could be made before the start of the next Premier League season, including a new back-up keeper, full-back, two midfielders, a left-winger, right-winger and striker.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games

Date

Brentford (home)

April 12th

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

Crystal Palace (home)

April 23rd

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

High-profile departures are also anticipated, especially Jorginho and Thomas Partey, who are both entering the final two months of their contracts at Arsenal, with both deals set to expire on June 30th as things stand.

Jorginho is attracting interest from Brazil, and pre-summer talks have been held with Flamengo, while left-back Kieran Tierney is also set to leave at the end of the season as Celtic prepare for his arrival at Parkhead on a Bosman deal.

“During the January 2025 transfer window, we acquired the permanent registration of Jota and the temporary registration of Jeffrey Schlupp,” confirmed the Hoops.

“In addition, we extended the contract of Kasper Schmeichel and entered into a pre-contract agreement that will see Kieran Tierney return to Celtic in July 2025.”

Partey, meanwhile, put on a phenomenal display in Arsenal’s most recent match, a 3-0 dismantling of Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League tie, prompting some calls for the Ghanaian to be handed a new contract at N5.

However, it remains the belief that Partey is looking to leave Arsenal and embark on a fresh chapter this summer, with Barcelona among the African’s preferred destinations (Mundo Deportivo).

Arsenal will sell Oleksandr Zinchenko this summer with decision made

Now, an update has also come to light on £150,000-per-week defender Oleksandr Zinchenko and his future at the Emirates.

The Ukraine international has seriously struggled for game time, thanks to a combination of injuries and competition for places at left-back, with Jakub Kiwior, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori all fancied ahead of him.

Journalist Graeme Bailey, speaking to The Boot Room, says Arsenal will sell Zinchenko this summer as a result, and it is believed Ajax starlet Jorrel Hato could even come in as a replacement.

“Zinchenko will be allowed to leave, although that will be easier said than done considering his wages and Tierney is going,” said Bailey.

“Jorrel Hato is still a player they love – they’ve done all the work on him for years – they’ve been following him since he was 16. Liverpool like him as well. It wouldn’t surprise me if Hato came to England this year.”

Arsenal’s credible links to Hato stretch back to 2023 (The Athletic), with the teenage Dutch starlet capable of playing at both left-back and as a left-sided centre-back. Hato has come on leaps and bounds since then as well, becoming a mainstay for the Eredivisie side and even managing to chalk up six assists in the top flight this season.

Fabrizio Romano: Arsenal told price for Gyokeres as Berta stance revealed

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

Arsenal transfer chiefs have been told exactly what they need to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano, with the Gunners given a “clear” message behind-the-scenes.

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Alongside Gyokeres, new sporting director Andrea Berta is believed to be looking at a number of centre-forwards to potentially move for in the summer transfer window.

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Newcastle United star Alexander Isak is taking the Premier League by storm yet again this season, racking up 24 goals and six assists in all competitions, and reliable media sources indicate Gyokeres’ international teammate is actually a “dream” target for Arsenal (Ben Jacobs).

However, while Isak is reportedly top of Mikel Arteta’s wishlist, a move for the Swede is less viable considering his rumoured price tag stands at a minimum of £150 million.

Arsenal want to bolster the goalkeeping position, full-back area, in midfield and sign further upgrades out wide in the summer (GiveMeSport), so Berta simply cannot afford to splash such a figure on just one signing, no matter the quality.

RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko is another striker target for Arsenal, and one who could leave for just £62 million, due to the value of his current release clause (Sky Sports). The Slovenian boasts 19 goals in all competitions, and Arsenal did attempt to sign Sesko as a top target last summer, so this could still be one to watch.

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

Crystal Palace (home)

April 23rd

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

Newcastle United (home)

May 18th

The competition for his signature will be fierce, as a host of elite Premier League sides, including Chelsea and Man United, are also reportedly looking to bring in a prolific number nine this summer.

The same can be said of Gyokeres, who has been repeatedly linked with a move to N5 recently as interest in the former Coventry City star grows stronger from Arsenal’s side.

There are even reports that Arsenal are ready to offer Gyokeres a £192,000-per-week contract to join Arteta’s side, and now Romano has shared a fresh update on their pursuit of the 26-year-old.

Arsenal told price to sign Viktor Gyokeres "in recent days"

Writing in a column for GiveMeSport, Romano claims Arsenal have been given a “clear” communication over Gyokeres’ price “in recent days/weeks”.

The Primeira Liga sensation can leave for much less than his £86 million release clause, namely a fee of up to £60 million, with add-ons, deal structure and payment terms still to be discussed.

Berta is also said to be a huge fan of his, so the Italian’s stance on a deal is also crystal clear. While Gyokeres has been a pivotal player for the Portuguese heavyweights, racking up a sensational 44 goals and 11 assists in all competitions this season, the club are impressed with his conduct since last summer as well.

He’s made no trouble behind-closed-doors over a transfer and has behaved professionally, meaning Sporting are more inclined to help facilitate his dream move, with the Premier League looking more and more like a credible destination.

Sporting CP's ViktorGyokeres

Gyokeres’ quality is evident for all to see, and often doesn’t get discussed enough, and some around the game are convinced he’s actually a “massively underrated” player for all he’s achieved in terms of a very impressive goalscoring record.

It’s arguably a mystery why no club has invested in the forward’s capture just yet, but it probably won’t be long now.

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