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In a high-pressure, series-deciding, tour-shaping, third and final T20I, Pakistan overpowered New Zealand by 18 runs, setting them a daunting 182 to win and then constricting them in the field

The Report by Danyal Rasool28-Jan-2018
They may remember this as a difficult tour, but Pakistan have had the last laugh on it. In a high-pressure, series-deciding, tour-shaping, third and final T20I, Pakistan overpowered New Zealand, setting them a daunting 182 to win and then constricting them in the field. This might have shaped up to be the cracker this series hasn’t yet had, but true to form, a close finish was never really on the cards. However, it was Sarfraz Ahmed’s men who were responsible for that this time, showing the sort of form that, had it arrived a few games early, could have rendered this series a classic.Pakistan won the toss and batted first again, looking to maintain the template of the previous T20I game. They did get off to a similarly positive start, with Ahmed Shehzad timing the ball beautifully. A crisp on-drive followed by a glorious cover drive in the third over off Tim Southee set Pakistan on their way.But this was an improved New Zealand bowling performance, with Pakistan not able to cut loose in the way they did in Auckland. Colin de Grandhomme struck in the fourth over to remove Shehzad, and the run rate slowed. Fakhar Zaman kept Pakistan ticking, but at the halfway mark Pakistan were 72 for 2, largely due to a disciplined New Zealand that keeping them on a leash.Mitchell Santner was New Zealand’s best bowling option, chipping in with two wickets and driving the run rate down. He took the all-important wicket of Zaman, who was controversially given out caught on the boundary, with several replays unable to deliver a conclusive verdict. A lovely flighted delivery took care of Sarfraz after he was beginning to look dangerous, and Pakistan were in danger of falling away.The turning point in the match, though, was Ish Sodhi’s final over. Umar Amin took him to task, plundering the legspinner for three sixes in an over that brought 21. Even though he holed out to long-on off the last ball, the tempo for the death overs had been set.New Zealand became sloppy in the field and Pakistan’s middle order took full advantage. Even as Kane Williamson brought Southee and Trent Boult back on to close out the innings, they couldn’t keep Pakistan from surging above 180, with 58 runs conceded off the last four overs.The momentum carried through to the second innings, where New Zealand made a solid start without being allowed to take proper advantage of the Powerplay. Martin Guptill was in good touch, but Williamson, opening in the absence of the injured Colin Munro, couldn’t help him get the start New Zealand required.Faheem Ashraf removed the captain with his first ball in the attack. Williamson looked to slash him over point, the shot carrying straight to the fielder to end a 14-ball struggle in which he had managed just 9.It was a quick three-over spell, just after the Powerplay, that, in hindsight, took the game out of New Zealand’s hands once and for all. Seven runs came off the three overs as Guptill’s momentum was stalled, and suddenly even rotating the strike became a challenge, even with the fielders pushed back. As perhaps anyone sitting through this series might have expected, Shadab Khan bowled two of them, showing immense control with his flight and pace, the batsmen unable to get a read of his length, or which way the ball would turn. The asking rate was suddenly pushing 12, and New Zealand’s reliance on Guptill’s explosiveness increased exponentially.New Zealand suddenly looked like they were lacking the power hitting that is such a hallmark of their game, and scoreboard pressure took its toll. Anaru Kitchen was dismissed after charging Shadab and hopelessly missing, leaving Sarfraz to execute a simple stumping. Guptill and de Grandhomme then fell within four balls of each other, each attempting big heaves that were neither on nor well timed.The final overs provided a pang of nostalgia as Ross Taylor unsheathed his slog sweep after years of disuse. The most optimistic home fans may even have momentarily dreamed of a miracle win as Taylor smashed three sixes in a 11-ball 25, but there was an ephemeral nature to the innings, and when he edged behind to Sarfraz off Mohammad Amir, New Zealand needed a steep 54 from 21 balls.From thereon, the game just went through the motions as Pakistan ended the series with a swagger. It may have been a difficult, at times an embarrassing tour for Pakistan. But an 18-run win to close it, a T20I series win and the world No. 1 ranking in the format is decent reward for a tour that may generally be regarded as a disappointment.

Steven Smith gave praise for his partner on the fifth day at the MCG, as Mitchell Marsh slipped into a supporting role with a mature, unbeaten innings

Daniel Brettig in Melbourne30-Dec-2017As Australia ground their way to an MCG stalemate with England on a pitch that possessed qualities of indestructibility on par with a cockroach, the two men at the crease were suspects usual and unusual. Taking the hosts to lunch effectively 4 for 14, there was still a glimmer for Joe Root’s team, and they did not technically need to dismiss the currently “unbowlable” Steven Smith to get there – six other wickets would do just as nicely.Instead, the tourists found themselves frustrated by the No. 6, Mitchell Marsh, who negotiated a few awkward early moments against the reverse-swinging ball before slipping into a supporting role that would have made his father Geoff Marsh, a stodgy opener who once batted all of 628 minutes for 355 in a Sheffield Shield match, doubly proud. Where Marsh had joined Smith in a domineering partnership on a faster pitch in Perth, here he provided a two-footed defensive wall that England could not surmount.In the aftermath of a match that averted the prospect of a whitewash for England and will surely bring about plenty of introspection at the Melbourne Cricket Club about the moribund state of its drop-in Test pitch, Smith was most proud of how Marsh had adapted. He revealed, too, that Marsh felt he had broken new ground, playing the sort of innings he had been neither technically nor temperamentally capable of the previous summer.”Really pleased with him, the way he played,” Smith said of Marsh. “Walking off today he actually said ‘I’m proud of myself, 12 months ago I wouldn’t have been able to do that’. He’s come a long way. Obviously, he had to change the way he normally plays, he’s normally very aggressive and very positive. To face 160 balls for his 30-odd was a really good effort.”Given how thoroughly he has dominated England with the bat, Smith needs only to find someone capable of batting with him for extended periods to ensure Australia’s safety from defeat or launchpad for victory. At various points in this series, he has had help from Mitchell and Shaun Marsh, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja and David Warner. While the likes of Khawaja and Cameron Bancroft have endured disappointing series, “Smith and [insert team-mate’s name here]” has generally been good enough.”I’ve spent a lot of time out there throughout this series and this hundred and obviously the hundred in Brisbane were two of my slowest,” Smith said. “I’ve had to work really hard but I feel like my game is in really good order. I’m adapting to each of the bowlers, changing my plans to them and how they’re trying to get me out. I’m making sure that I’m in front of the game as much as possible and hopefully I can just keep working and keep getting better as well.”I just want to be out there batting. I don’t actually like watching cricket that much and would prefer to be out there batting and just getting the job done. That’s part of it but you’ve just got to try and stay as focused as you can each ball and treat every ball like a different challenge and get through as many as you can and that’s what I’m doing at the moment.”There has been mounting praise for Smith throughout this summer, coinciding with how he has carried on adding relentlessly to his series aggregate while steadily climbing the list of Test run-makers at an average that currently leaves him second only to Don Bradman. In Melbourne he shrugged off a sore right hand in the first innings by utilising a noticeably lighter bottom-hand grip on the blade, and by day five was back scoring in more typical fashion.”Shame we had to call it off in the last hour, could have had another hour out there,” Smith quipped. “It’s good fun. I’m enjoying it at the moment. I feel like I’m hitting the ball really well and hopefully I can end the series really well in Sydney.Mitchell Marsh and Steven Smith walk back after an exhausting day•Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

“I read different things that people write but in the end I don’t think about it, I just go out and play and try and get better each and every day. Playing this game you can never be satisfied and never think you’re too good for the game, the game can come back to bite you pretty quickly. Got to work hard and each time I go to middle make sure I’ve got my routines and try and get myself in the zone each and every single time and want to bat and make runs and get Australia in good positions.”Hopefully I’ve got a few more left in me. I feel like I’ve certainly got a lot more cricket left in front of me. I love to make more big runs and help Australia win games and series. I don’t play for the personal accolades, I play to do everything I can for Australia and as a captain leading from the front and trying to do my job as a batsman. Hopefully I can get a few more big runs and help Australia win a few more games.”Assessing the way the Australians had fallen behind in this match, Smith said that a lack of concentration with the bat on the second morning had been damaging, but denied there was any sense of “dead-rubber syndrome” about the lapse. “We let ourselves down a bit in the first innings,” he said.”We were in a pretty good position after the first day, three down and then we lost 7 for 60, and from there were a little bit behind the game – 350 just not enough in the first innings. Credit to England, thought they bowled really well in that morning and throughout the day and then obviously I dropped a couple of chances as well and that probably cost us quite a bit. Just hard to get in front of the game and try to get a result on that wicket.”You’ve still got to put it out of your mind and just continue to try and play good cricket and win the game for your team, dead rubber or not, it’s still a Test match and each Test means something to each and every one in both change rooms. No one ever thinks of anything as a dead rubber as a player, you just do everything you can do to win.”Australia’s priorities will be given further clarity once the team travels to Sydney for the final Test of the series. Ashton Agar has returned to the squad as the second spin bowler, having worked nicely opposite Nathan Lyon in Bangladesh earlier in the year, while Smith and the selectors will wait to decide whether or not Mitchell Starc’s heel has recovered sufficiently for consideration. One thing is for sure, all are relieved that Starc was not subjected to five days of toil on the MCG pitch.

The Australians, like boxers bored of one-round knockouts, always claim to like a fight and now they have one

Charlie Austin10-Feb-2006

Australians, like boxers bored of one-round knockouts, always claim to like a fight and now they have one. Fears that Sri Lanka were just making up the numbers in the VB Series finals, providing fodder for a greedy top order and target practice for Brett Lee’s thunderbolts, were cast aside by an electric allround display built upon intelligent batting, disciplined bowling and scintillating fielding. Sri Lanka’s dressing room has experienced a whole gamut of emotions during recent months, but they now leave for Sydney, their favourite ground in Australia, with their confidence sky-high and a chance for their first-ever tri-series triumph on Australian soil.Sri Lanka knew they had an opportunity at Adelaide on dry pitch that was likely to offer assistance to the spinners, but they also had accepted that victory over the world champions necessitated the ‘perfect game’. As one senior player remarked on the eve of the game: “You might beat South Africa at 90% but winning against this Australia team requires everyone to be firing at their very best”. Sri Lanka managed just that: the top order intelligently laid the foundations, quickly assessing the 250-mark as a target; the lower middle order, a weakpoint thus far in the tournament, provided some late-innings fireworks; the new ball bowlers keep a lid on during the Powerplays; the fielders, especially Tillakaratne Dilshan, were brilliant; and the spin twins, Muttiah Muralitharan and Malinga Bandara, finished it all off with 4 for 91 in 20 skillful overs. This was the finest Sri Lankan performance in a long time.The Man of the Match was Kumar Sangakkara, his 83 testimony not only to his obvious and now well-acknowledged talent, but to his street-smart cricketing brain. As an entertainer and competitor his natural inclination is to dominate, to assert primordial control and make the opposition know it. But today he nudged and nurdled and ticked the innings along, soaking up pressure and shouldering responsibility. He quickly realised and accepted that trying to break free by peppering the boundary hoardings would be too high-risk a strategy against an Australian bowling outfit that actually did little wrong. Instead, he rolled up his sleeves for some honest blue-collar hardwork.The batting revelation, though, was Chamara Kapugedera, an 18-year-old with only a handful of first-class games under his belt. He might have been starring in the Under-19 World Cup back in Colombo but to the credit of Sri Lanka’s selectors, and the team management that picked him today, they threw him in at the deep end. Once again, he appeared unfazed and utterly at home. Any teenager who can saunter down the pitch and loft Andrew Symonds, the grizzly dreadlocked epitome of Aussie bravado, straight for six has got spunk. As Richie Benaud observed dryly with his usual perfect timing: “Hmmm…there is no fear there”. And nothing could be more precious than fearlessness for an aspiring international cricketer; it’s what sets cricketers apart. Fortunately, he has skill too, as his crucial 38 from 21 balls showed.Kapugedera’s fireworks in the final five overs of the innings, helped by Dilshan’s hustling, lifted Sri Lanka from a moderate, possibly par, total to a commanding one. Suddenly, Australia, who would have felt in control up until the 45th over, realised it was game on.The next crucial match-turning phase of the game was the Dilshan Show, a remarkable quadruple of run outs that ripped out the rump of Australia’s top order. Australia’s running between the wickets, normally so exemplary, deteriorated into a shambles of miscommunication and mistrust. Dilshan pounced on each mistake, keeping his head to run-out Ricky Ponting by pitch-length, throwing down the stumps in one lithe swing to send back Damien Martyn, diving and throwing with pinpoint accuracy to remove Simon Katich and then underarming Mike Hussey out after a dazed call for a quick single by Michael Clarke.Sri Lanka’s fielding was lousy in India but clearly the hardwork of the team under the guidance of Trevor Penney, the assistant coach, is starting to bear fruit. His appointment was not greeted with universal glee in Sri Lanka because some pundits felt local contenders were considered more worthy. But if Sri Lanka’s fielding can continue to improve such critics, although rightly concerned about the development of local coaches, will be silenced. For that matter, the Tom Moody-bashers back home who resent his high salary and cannot see the much-improved preparation and planning behind the scenes, may now be pausing for thought.Sri Lanka, of course, are still far from the finishing line. Australia, despite their blunder-ridden run chase, finished only 21 runs adrift. They will surely come back stronger and raise their game in Sydney. But they will also be wary. Sri Lanka are a confidence-driven side. They lost their Mojo in India and New Zealand but they have reclaimed it emphatically. They now have the self-belief again to take on the best. They will not be scared of Sydney’s spin-friendly conditions and they also have a wonderful incentive to win 2-0 because, courtesy of the board’s planners, who clearly didn’t rate Sri Lanka’s chances very highly, this will give them a luxurious three-day break. A three-match final on the other hand leaves the team with only a handful of hours in Colombo next week to re-pack their bags before leaving for Bangladesh.

Scott McTominay has revealed why he believes Jose Mourinho is a "real-life legend" and what he said on the day of his Manchester United sacking.

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• Mourinho gave McTominay his United debut
• Devastated at Old Trafford sacking
• Scot reveals what he said the day he left

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mourinho took over at United in May 2016 and led them to Carabao Cup and Europa League success but was sacked after a poor run of results in December 2018. While many do not look back on that time with too much happiness, Red Devils midfielder McTominay is still a huge fan of the Portuguese. Now, the Scottish international has revealed what was said when the pair crossed paths the day the former Chelsea manager was given his marching orders.

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  WHAT SCOTT MCTOMINAY SAID

  McTominay, who made his senior debut during Mourinho's tenure, told the High Performance Podcast: "On the day he left, I saw him in the corridor and he invited me in. I didn't know what to say. I was gutted. It was hard.

  "This guy means so much to me and has given me all the dreams I could ever wish for, and now he's gone. I didn't know what to think. I was umming and aahing. I just said 'Thank you for the opportunity, you've been a real-life legend for me, good luck for what you do next'.

  "We are still in touch sometimes, if I've had a good game he lets me know. He'll text saying 'well done kid' as he always calls me. They were great times and I'm so grateful for him."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While Mourinho's stock has fallen over the years, culminating in his sacking from Roma this month, he is one of the most-decorated managers of all time and many players have revelled in the opportunity to work under him. And it is clear McTominay is one of his many admirers.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  In the short term, McTominay is likely to feature for United under current manager Erik ten Hag Erik ten Hag in their fourth round FA Cup clash away to League Two side Newport County on Sunday. Mourinho, on the other hand, will likely look for a new managerial role soon.

Tim Weah shined on the right flank alongside Weston McKennie as Juventus downed Roma 1-0 on Saturday.

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• Juventus beat Roma 1-0
• Tim Weah shines at RWB
• Weston McKennie departs in stoppage-time due to injury

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  A 47th minute goal from France international Adrien Rabiot sealed victory for the Bianconeri over Roma, with Juve closing the gap in the Serie A table to just two points between them and first-place Inter Milan. The first 45 minutes of the contest were stale, with the majority of the match being played in the middle of the pitch. Roma's Paulo Dybala had the best chance in the first half, firing a left-footed trivela towards the Juve net, ending just wide.

  Two minutes outside the break, Rabiot scored the eventual winner, with Juventus thereby taking control of the match. The Turin side dominated the midfield from thereon out, helping secure three points as Roma's lifeless attack helplessly watched.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  McKennie nearly scored an insurance goal for Juve with just minutes to spare, but was denied from close-range by Rui Patricio. Federicho Chiesa carved up the Roma defense with ease, gliding past multiple defenders, but the American's eventual attempt was saved. That play, however, summed up McKennie's night, as he showed in moments, but didn't stand out across the contest. Weah, meanwhile, was an electric presence on the right side of the pitch all night. He helped keep Nicola Zalewski and Romelu Lukaku quiet, while launching the Old Lady's attack at the same time.

  It was a really positive showing from both USMNT stars, but worrying news arrived late, with McKennie exiting the match in stoppage-time with what appeared to be a lower-body injury. He limped off in the 96th minute, leaving with what looked like relative discomfort.

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  USMNT IMPACT

  Gregg Berhalter will be thrilled that both McKennie and Weah got the nod for Juventus in such an important match. However, Weah is still being implemented in a wingback role that is not a traditional look for him in this squad. Regardless, the regular minutes are important, especially when you play directly next to a teammate like McKennie. If both can continue to repeat their performances and keep their spots in the XI for the Old Lady, it's a win-win, regardless of where they play.

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• GOAL'S RATINGS

  Weston McKennie (6/10): Played his midfield role rather effectively, but didn't stand out. He exited the match in stoppage-time with what appeared to be a minor knock, but looked uncomfortable walking off the pitch at the same time.

  Tim Weah (7/10): Rather electric on the edge of the pitch, Weah shut down any counter on his flank while putting on a passing clinic for the Turin side. He completed 28/31 passes operating his side of the pitch.

Luis Enrique insisted that "PSG is above any individual" and claimed all is "normal" with the manager being bombed with Kylian Mbappe exit queries.

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• Mbappe will put an end to his PSG stint
• Likely to realise his wish of joining Real Madrid
• Enrique says it's business as usual at club

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mbappe's decision to depart Paris Saint-Germain has sparked intense speculation, with Real Madrid reportedly poised to secure the French forward's signature. However, Enrique remained tight-lipped about the superstar forward's potential exit despite repeated attempts by journalists to get a reaction from the manager.

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  WHAT LUIS ENRIQUE SAID

  Speaking to reporters, Luis Enrique said: "We will continue to work. The team is above everyone, that is our message. The club is above any individuality."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  When he was further pressed about the atmosphere in training, the coach added: "It's the atmosphere in every training session before a match. It's normal training. Do I have any fears? No. You have to have personality to sit here. There are rumours around the club all the time, criticism, praise, controversy… Anyone who doesn't like it can't be here."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  While Real Madrid officials patiently await Mbappe's response to their reported offer, Enrique did his best to maintain his composure in front of the press. However, the manager is well aware that he needs to lead the imminent restructuring at the Parc des Princes after the departure of Mbappe with the Parisians set to delve into the market for attacking reinforcements this summer.

Former Newcastle midfielder Lee Clark has admitted watching son Bobby lift the Carabao Cup with Liverpool was an emotional experience.

• Liverpool beat Chelsea to win Carabao Cup final
• Bobby Clark features as second-half substitute
• Proud dad says watching was a tearful experience

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Clark was one of several youngsters to feature for Liverpool in Sunday's 1-0 Carabao Cup win over Chelsea at Wembley. The 19-year-old came off the bench in the 72nd minute, for just his ninth senior outing, and helped the Reds secure their first silverware of the campaign with a victory over Mauricio Pochettino's men. His father Lee, who played for Newcastle, Sunderland and Fulham during his career, has spoken of his pride at seeing his son winning a trophy with the Reds.

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• WHAT LEE CLARK SAID

  Clark told talkSPORT: "I'm still in the clouds mate, still in the clouds. Found out Saturday [Bobby was on the bench] after the final session and Jurgen had confirmed everything with the starting XI and the substitutes before they travelled to London. When I was at the game yesterday, seeing him get the shout to get ready and stripped and play an important part in what the team achieved. It was just surreal, tears of joy at the end mate, tears of joy."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has described the Carabao Cup victory as his "most special trophy" due to the fact it's his last season as manager and the role of the team's youngsters in the victory. Injuries saw Klopp field a host of youth players in the match with Clark, Jayden Danns, James McConnell, Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah all featuring against Chelsea.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Liverpool won the League Cup for the 10th time on Sunday – the most by any team in the history of the competition. Two of those have come under Klopp, with only Bob Paisley (3) winning it more often in charge of the Reds.

Feyenoord made a cheeky play to sign Arsenal star Vivianne Miedema after a friendly between the two sides in Portugal.

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• Miedema an icon in the Netherlands
• Arsenal win mid-season friendly 3-0
• Feyenoord attempt to lure striker home

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Gunners are away on a mid-season training camp and faced the Dutch giants in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Sunday.

  Miedema featured in the game against the side from her home country as Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners, and at full-time Feyenoord made a cheeky attempt to take the striker back to the Netherlands. Manager Jessica Torny presented her with a 'Miedema 11' Feyenoord shirt and said: "We're taking you with us!"

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• WATCH THE CLIP

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Miedema saw the funny side and was a good sport, laughing and posing with the shirt despite a brief hesitation and her obvious commitment to Arsenal's cause.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL & MIEDEMA

  Miedema is still in the early stages of her return from an ACL injury and will benefit from the mid-season, warm-weather camp in Portugal.

  Despite Feyenoord's apparent interest, she will be fully focussed on Arsenal, who return to action in the Women's FA Cup on Sunday at home to Watford.

Jamie Carragher has admitted that he thought that Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool exit announcement was a hoax when he first saw it.

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• Klopp set to leave Liverpool
• Carragher reacts to German's exit
• Believed announcement was a hoax

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  With the German set to depart the club after nine years at the helm, his announcement came as a surprise to not only fans but also to the former Liverpool defender. Carragher admitted that at first, he believed that the news was fake as he couldn't comprehend the club legend's departure.

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• WHAT CARRAGHER SAID

  In his article with The Telegraph, Carragher said: "After seeing the news he is leaving at the end of the season, my heart sank. I genuinely thought it was some kind of hoax, or cruel joke.

  "The immediate reference point was the resignation of Kenny Dalglish in 1991, when Liverpool were top of the league and preparing for an FA Cup replay with Everton. I was an Everton fan then, delighted Kenny was going."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Klopp has been hailed as one of the best Premier League managers, and the Reds will have a difficult time replacing him at the club. During his nine years with the club, Klopp won six major trophies, including the Champions League in 2019 and the club's first Premier League title since 1990.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  Liverpool will be in action next when they take on Norwich City in the FA Cup on Sunday, January 28. With the club still active in all four competitions that they will compete in this season, they will be eager to end Klopp's Liverpool run on a high.

England’s bowlers and Mohammad Kaif reaped the rewards of keeping it tight

On the Ball by S Rajesh03-Mar-2006When play began on the third day, with Wasim Jaffer and Rahul Dravid well-entrenched at the crease and many stars to follow, few would have thought that India might at one stage be in danger of following on. That they were in such a position was largely due to outstanding efforts by Matthew Hoggard and Monty Panesar.As the graphic below shows, both had impeccable control over the lengths they bowled. On a slow track, it was imperative to pitch the ball up to the bat, and cut the short deliveries to a minimum. Both Hoggard and Panesar managed that superbly. When they did err – and it wasn’t often – it was on the fuller side.Not only was Hoggard’s length spot on, his line was exceptional too – out of 180 deliveries, 170 pitched around middle-and-off or further off side. To make it even worse for the batsmen, he moved the ball both ways – 58 deliveries came back into the batsmen, while 40 moved away. It was the perfect combination of accuracy and seam and swing, and the Indians had no answer.They still managed to end the day in a comfortable position, thanks to Mohammad Kaif and Anil Kumble. Struggling to cement his place in the side, Kaif was understandably watchful for much of his innings – after 104 balls he had scored just 20, before he found a higher gear. His strokes chart indicates he played the percentages well – he eschewed the horizontal-bat shots and was well on his way to a century before Panesar produced a peach to sour the day.