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MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras encerrou, neste sábado, a preparação para enfrentar o Água Santa, no jogo que marca a volta do time ao Allianz Parque após 138 dias, neste domingo, às 16h. O técnico Vanderlei Luxemburgo comandou trabalho tático no campo sintético, que é idêntico ao do estádio, em atividade que foi acompanhado pelo presidente Maurício Galiotte e pelo diretor de futebol Anderson Barros, ambos presentes no gramado.

Como as atividades continuam sem a presença da imprensa, para minimizar o risco de contágio por Covid-19, o Palmeiras divulgou somente que a manhã foi de exercício tático e ensaio de jogadas. Não foram dados indícios da escalação, mas o técnico disse na quarta-feira, depois da derrota por 1 a 0 para o Corinthians, que pretende fazer uma ou duas alterações.

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Uma mudança bem provável é a entrada de Marcos Rocha, que cumpriu suspensão no Dérbi. Mayke o substituiu e, depois, o volante Gabriel Menino entrou na lateral direita, recebendo intensos elogios do técnico. Na defesa, Gustavo Gómez ainda não renovou contrato e, por isso, a dupla de zaga continua formada por Felipe Melo e Vitor Hugo.

Quem também está fora é Viña. O lateral-esquerdo sofreu concussão na quarta. passou 24h em observação no hospital e se reapresentou à Academia de Futebol na última terça, em cronograma de volta gradual. Sem o uruguaio, Diogo Barbosa é o principal candidato a entrar no time.

Existe ainda incerteza no setor ofensivo. Sem Dudu, negociado com o Al Duhail, do Qatar, e Gabriel Veron, que sofreu lesão muscular e não joga mais pelo Campeonato Paulista, Zé Rafael foi titular e não agradou. Os meias Lucas Lima, Raphael Veiga e Gustavo Scarpa e o atacante Wesley podem ganhar oportunidade para formar a linha de frente com Rony, Willian e Luiz Adriano.

Assim, a provável escalação do Palmeiras para a última rodada da primeira fase do Campeonato Paulista tem: Weverton; Marcos Rocha, Felipe Melo, Vitor Hugo e Diogo Barbosa; Patrick de Paula, Bruno Henrique e Lucas Lima (Raphael Veiga ou Gustavo Scarpa); Rony, Willian e Luiz Adriano.

O Palmeiras está classificado para enfrentar o Santo André nas quartas de final, mas está em segundo lugar no Grupo B, com 19 pontos, e, para ser líder e ser mandante no jogo único da próxima fase, precisa vencer o Água Santa, no Allianz Parque, e torcer para o Santo André, dono de 20 pontos, tropeçar contra o Ituano, no Canindé, também às 16h deste domingo.

O Verdão também tem a chance de alcançar a melhor campanha da primeira fase. Para isso, além de vencer e secar o Santo André, precisa que o Red Bull Bragantino, que tem 20 pontos, não derrote o Botafogo de Ribeirão Preto, em Osasco, outro jogo às 16h deste domingo. Quem tiver melhor pontuação ganha o direito de ser mandante nos confrontos únicos das quartas e semifinal e também no segundo e decisivo duelo da final do Estadual.

GOAL is celebrating 22 football moments that have never happened before on the World’s biggest stage as they keep taking place in Qatar

The Qatar 2022 World Cup is special for so many different reasons. It's the first to be played in the Middle East. It's the first to be played during November and December. It's the first in nearly 100 years to have most of the stadiums in one city. And for a number of players & teams it will be the World Cup where they do something that's never been done before. From fearless football feats to fancy footwork, record breakers to break through players, if a World Cup first happens on the pitch, this is the first place you'll hear about it.

Getty1First player born in the 21st century to score at a World Cup

Jude Bellingham hadn't even made his Championship debut when the 2018 World Cup kicked off in Russia. And four years later, Borussia Dortmund's golden boy became the FIRST player ever born in the 21st century to have scored at the World Cup with a towering header in the 35th minute against Iran on Monday at the Khalifa International Stadium.

Bellingham had a perfect first half where he not only found the net but also completed all his 40 passes. He is being touted as a generational talent and after shining in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League earlier this season he proved his mettle on the grandest stage of international football.

But the midfielder thought that he had missed the target after latching on to Luke Shaw's cross, beating defender Hossein Hosseini in the air.

"I thought it had missed, as it took ages to loop into the goal but it was a brilliant ball from [Luke] Shaw and I just had to flick it away," he later said to England Football.

Bellingham showed that, despite being just 19, he belongs to Europe's elite and is a perfect example of a modern central midfielder who adds dynamism and creativity at the same time.

Travelling English fans showered love on Bellingham by singing 'Hey Jude' and it won't be surprising if the chorus grows bigger and louder with each passing game.

AdvertisementGetty Images2First Saudi Arabian ever to have scored back-to-back winners at the World Cup

Cometh the hour, cometh the man! Salem Al Dawsari has a knack for causing upsets in the FIFA World Cup.

Four years back, on a rare sunny afternoon at the Volgograd Arena in Russia, he stole the limelight with a dramatic late injury-time winner against Egypt. And on Tuesday, he repeated his heroics against one of the favourites Argentina with another stunning solo strike that made him the first Saudi Arabian ever to have scored back-to-back winners at the World Cup.

The stage was set for Lionel Messi to shine and earn the plaudits. But Al Dawsari with his grit and determination not only stole the thunder from the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner but also inspired Saudi Arabia to arguably the biggest upset the World Cup has ever witnessed.

After picking up possession on the left-hand side of the penalty box, he dropped his shoulders to wriggle past two weak tackles, escaped a despairing lunge by Leandro Paredes, churned out a bit of space for himself and then curled the ball into the top right corner of Emiliano Martinez's net.

The celebration that followed was nothing short of unbridled euphoria and the decibel levels at the Lusail Iconic Stadium might have even rocked the skyscrapers of Riyadh.

The last three teams to beat Argentina at the World Cup either won the trophy or reached the final. See you on December 18, Saudi Arabia? Well, to make it happen Al Dawsari will have to pull a few more rabbits out of the hat.

Getty3Modric becomes first Croatian to appear in four different World Cups

Luka Modric is ageing like fine wine! Even at 37, he is indispensable to the Croatian national team and Zlatko Dalic's aspirations to lift the World Cup trophy, especially after falling short in the last lap four years back in Russia.

He made his World Cup debut back in 2006 during a group stage encounter against Japan and on Wednesday he led his country as the first Croatian to play in four different World Cups. With that, he also became the first player to play in both the European Championship and FIFA World Cup in three different decades.

Indeed, the little magician knows how to roll back the years. He is a bundle of energy on the pitch and tries to cover every single blade of grass on the pitch. His tactical awareness is beyond measure and knows exactly whether to start a quickfire counterattack or pass the ball sideways to kill the pace of the game.

However, his primary strengths are his exemplary ball control in tight spaces and extraordinary peripheral vision that helps him to slice open defences with a single through ball.

During the 2018 World Cup, Modric almost single-handedly led Croatia to the finals and was awarded the Golden Ball for his heroics. More importantly, he broke the hegemony of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo over the Ballon d'Or as he became the first midfielder since Kaka in 2007 to win the prestigious award.

Fancy Croatia's chances in Qatar? Well, Modric will definitely have a say in it.

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Getty Images4Herdman becomes first manager ever to have coached both a men's and women's team at a World Cup

John Herdman is as maverick as a football coach can be. His ingenious methods helped the Canadian women's national soccer team scale new heights, as they finished with successive bronze medals in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games respectively and also reached the last eight of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

His success with the women's team prompted the Canadian FA to hand him the reins of the men's team in January 2018, which were going through a rough patch and had seen the back of three managers within 18 months.

On Wednesday, when Herdman took his place in the dugout for the Canadian men's team he became the first manager ever to have coached both a men's and women's team at a World Cup.

Under his tutelage, the Voyageurs not only qualified for the World Cup after a hiatus of 36 years, but also finished ahead of CONCACAF giants Mexico and United States in the qualifiers.

Herdman believes in his process and knows that if they stick to it with discipline, results are bound to follow.

To put things into perspective, when he took charge Canada were 95th in the FIFA rankings. Just over four years later they have broken into the top 50 and are currently ranked 41st.

Once a primary school teacher, Herdman, is now a man on a mission in Qatar.

“To upset some teams, I get out of bed for that.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Sem os titulares, o time alternativo do Botafogo perdeu para o Volta Redonda por 1 a 0 na estreia na Taça Guanabara, primeiro turno do Campeonato Carioca. Na noite deste sábado, no Raulino de Oliveira, o Voltaço dominou completamente o Alvinegro e, com gol de Saulo Mineiro, garantiu os pontos em jogo – a vitória poderia ter sido por um placar maior, por sinal.

Com o resultado, o Botafogo segue com zero ponto no Grupo A da Taça Guanabara. O Volta Redonda, por sua vez, chega a três pontos no Grupo B neste primeiro turno do Campeonato Carioca. Ambas as equipes voltam a campo no meio de semana – enquanto o Alvinegro visita o Madureira na terça-feira, o Voltaço recebe a Cabofriense no dia seguinte.

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VOLTAÇO MELHOR
O Volta Redonda começou melhor a partida. Mesmo com o Botafogo apostando em uma marcação mais agressiva nos minutos iniciais, a equipe comandada por Luizinho Vieira tentava criar as oportunidades, principalmente com velocidade e entrosamento de um elenco que já vinha treinando há alguns meses. As grandes chances do primeiro tempo foram justamente dos donos da casa: aos 32 minutos, Bernando cobrou bem uma falta e o goleiro Diego Cavalieri teve que se esticar para salvar, e aos 34, com João Carlos cabeceando para fora após falha de Bochecha.

SEGUE O RITMO
Antes do intervalo, uma confusão entre os jogadores marcou o jogo, em lance de Gustavo Bochecha sobre Pedrinho – árbitro deu apenas cartão amarelo ao jogador do Botafogo, mas se aplicasse o vermelho não teria sido exagero. No retorno para o segundo tempo, o Volta Redonda seguiu melhor. Aos sete minutos, Bernardo chegou a marcar, mas a arbitragem assinalou impedimento. O Voltaço se manteve no ataque e aos 23 acertou a trave com Pedrinho, mais uma grande chance de gol era desperdiçada – para sorte dos botafoguenses.

VITÓRIA MERECIDA
Melhor em campo, o Volta Redonda conseguiu o gol da vitória – merecida, por sinal -, aos 24 minutos do segundo tempo. Saulo Mineiro, que acabara entrando cinco minutos antes, mostrou estrela e garantiu os três pontos para a equipe: Pedrinho recebeu de Marcelo, invadiu a área, deu um toque para Saulo, que teve trabalho apenas de estufar as redes, 1 a 0. O Botafogo não conseguiu apresentar poder de reação nos minutos finais, Diego Cavalieri teve trabalho para os alvinegros não perderem por um placar maior… Fim de papo, resultado justo.

FICHA TÉCNICA
VOLTA REDONDA 1 X 0 BOTAFOGO

Estádio: Raulino de Oliveira, em Volta Redonda (RJ)
Data/hora: 18/1/2020, às 18h (de Brasília)
Árbitro: Carlos Eduardo Nunes Braga (RJ) – Nota LANCE!: 4,0 (perdido, não aplicou corretamente os cartões, sendo bastante influenciado nas decisões)
Assistentes: Rodrigo Figueiredo Henrique Corrêa (RJ) e Gustavo Mota Correia (RJ)
Gramado: Regular
Público/renda: 3.688 pagantes/4.188 presentes/R$ 80.160,00
Cartões amarelos: Wallisson, Pedrinho (VOL) e Gustavo Bochecha (BOT)
Cartão vermelho: –

GOL: Saulo Mineiro 24’/2ºT (1-0)

VOLTA REDONDA: Douglas Borges, Oliveira, Heitor, Daniel e Luiz Paulo; Bruno Barra, Wallisson (William Mineiro 37’/2ºT) e Marcelo (Luan 41’/2ºT); Bernardo (Saulo Mineiro 19’/2ºT), Pedrinho e João Carlos. Técnico: Luizinho Vieira.

BOTAFOGO: ​Diego Cavalieri, Fernandes (Wenderson 17’/2ºT), David Sousa, Kanu e Lucas Barros; Luiz Otávio, Caio Alexandre (Enio 25’/2ºT) e Gustavo Bochecha; Lucas Campos (Rafael Navarro 31’/2ºT), Vinícius Tanque e Igor Cássio. Técnico: Bruno Lazaroni.

Eoin Morgan is a man who revels in inscrutability, but as he strode from the nets at the Wankhede Stadium, it was possible to detect a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. The project of which he has been at the helm for little over a year now embarks on its acid test at 7.30pm on Wednesday evening. Whatever the outcome, few doubt that England, finally, are ready to fizz.On his way to the changing rooms, Morgan paused to pose with a giant England flag bearing a range of good luck messages from fans who sense that something is changing in their country’s attitude to limited-overs cricket. The misery of England’s eviction from the 2015 World Cup is a sufficiently recent memory that few would dare to get too carried away. And yet, there’s no doubt that something is stirring. And, clearly, not before time.”I think this feels different because we’ve a different group of players,” Morgan said. “It’s a new energy, it’s an exciting time for English cricket given the talent that we have in our group, and the attitude in taking the game to the opposition. It certainly feels different in that regard.”The most fundamental shift, Morgan added, is that his post-World Cup England team has offloaded the reticence of the former regime and is now brave enough to “play with no consequences”. It’s an attitude that, as he has previously intimated, could go some way to surmounting their lack of experience in Indian conditions. And to that end, he insists that defeat against a hugely experienced West Indies team would not be the “be-all and end-all”.”Going into any tournament, it’s not about getting out of the traps early and playing your best game first up,” he said. “It’s about pacing yourself and picking up confidence and putting in performances when they really matter. [But] the first game is a tough game – I do agree with that.”West Indies, with wearying familiarity, come into the World T20 to a back-beat of politics and infighting, and yet, with the exception of the injured Kieron Pollard and the blacklisted Sunil Narine, all of their big guns are back out in force for one last tilt at a title that they won in some style only two editions ago.No fewer than eight of the West Indies squad are IPL veterans (compared to the solitary figure of Morgan in England’s camp), and in Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo, West Indies possess two of the most established matchwinners the format has ever known. That is sufficient reason for Morgan to embrace the role of the underdog, and his dead-batted lack of interest in his opponents’ recent issues merely reinforced that position.”They have a number of dangerous players,” Morgan said. “West Indies have been a strong side in the past. They have a number of individual players who are very strong. It’s important for us as a young talented side to focus on what we do best and execute that as part of anything. There are plans in place, but ultimately it’s how we execute them.”Those plans, on what for the moment remains a green-tinged Mumbai surface, look set to revolve around a four-pronged pace attack, with the allrounder Ben Stokes creating wriggle-room in England’s bowling options. Reece Topley is sure to take the new ball and Chris Jordan is set to continue his death-bowling duties following the success of his Yorkers in England’s warm-up matches. Which leaves a toss-up between the height and pace of Liam Plunkett or the left-arm wiles of David Willey for England’s final slot.”You can keep guessing,” Morgan joked. “If you could guess me a few winners at Cheltenham today that’d be great as well.”Of the two, it is Willey who has had the more impact in the course of England’s preparations. His hat-trick while playing for the opposition down the road at the Brabourne Stadium on Monday provided a late varnish to figures that had been somewhat dented at the top of the innings. Plunkett, by contrast, has bowled four overs in two games, and was dumped for 19 in his solitary effort against New Zealand, although his hostility could be vital if the Wankhede pitch has any sort of pace and carry.”Wills swings it up front, comes back into middle and bowls change-ups,” Morgan added. “He has a canny knack of taking wickets, which is something that we’ve struggled doing for a while. But given the circumstances of any pitch, whether it’s two-paced or quick, [Plunkett] is an important player in the squad, with his extra bit of height and different trajectory to everyone else.”If there is one area in which England appear to have an edge over their opponents, it is in the skill and confidence of their legspinner Adil Rashid. His huge development at Adelaide Strikers during the Big Bash is both a boon to England’s prospects of going deep into the tournament, but also a warning that all too few of their players have been similarly exposed in franchise tournaments. But, with Narine’s career in turmoil following the ICC’s clampdown on illegal actions, Rashid’s mystery in the middle overs could prove vital.”It’s a very touchy subject,” said Morgan, a former team-mate of Narine’s at Kolkata Knight Riders. “I know Sunil and I’m not pleased to see what he’s going through, I wouldn’t wish it on anybody. He’s bowled the same way since he was 15-16 years old, and the fact that he’s got to this stage of his career and it’s only being looked at now is probably disappointing from his point of view. But there are set rules in place that are being deployed.”As for Rashid, Morgan was happy to back his man to continue his impressive form, but warned that his most significant role might come later in the campaign. “Adil’s come a long way in the last couple of years,” he said. “I know in the nets we find him very hard to pick, let alone play, and I think given the conditions, he and Moeen [Ali] can play a big part, though here I’m not quite sure. It might not turn as much as it does in Delhi.”It’s normally a pretty good batting surface here. Again, it’s another challenge for the bowlers to try to emphasise taking wickets and halting momentum throughout the innings. It’s a challenge we’ve come up against in the past, and will continue to do so in Twenty20 cricket.”

Dimitri Mascarenhas, the former Hampshire and England allrounder, will have a chance to help defeat former team-mates after being named New Zealand’s interim bowling coach to replace Shane Bond for the tour of England in May.Bond will finish in his position after the World Cup having decided he wants to spend less time away from home and will focus on his role with Mumbai Indians in the IPL.Mascarenhas, 37, who played 20 ODIs and 14 T20s for England between 2007 and 2009, is currently in his first year as coach of Otago who are second in the Plunket Shield table and reached the preliminary-finals stage of the one-day Ford Trophy but finished bottom of the domestic T20.”After being in New Zealand for only a year, to have an opportunity like this come up is pretty special and I am honoured to be chosen for this position,” Mascarenhas said. “Bondy has done an extremely good job with his bowling unit; they have operated with real pace, skill and tactical awareness.”During this World Cup they have been phenomenal and I am looking forward to working with those guys to keep developing them and helping them achieve success on the international stage.”Mascarenhas finished his Hampshire career in 2013 and believes his recent experiences in England will serve him well with New Zealand when they arrive for a tour which includes two Tests, five one-day internationals and a T20.”I am newly out of the scene there as a player and I know most of the guys in the current team very well,” he said. “The new guys I have played a lot with in county cricket and I know all the grounds we are playing at intimately so those factors will be useful in terms of the scouting and bowling plans.”It will be a tough assignment to follow Bond who has been widely credited with the development of New Zealand’s bowling attack into one of the best in the world. Alongside the incisive new-ball pair of Tim Southee and Trent Boult, who have flourished under Bond’s tutelage since he became bowling coach in 2012, there is the upcoming Adam Milne in the World Cup squad alongside Mitchell McClenaghan and Kyle Mills.Matt Henry was unlucky not to make the World Cup while Neil Wagner, the left-arm pace bowler, will likely feature on the Test leg of the England tour as could Doug Bracewell.However, Mascarenhas will not have all the first-choice quicks to work with during the early days of the England with New Zealand’s IPL-contracted players – which include Southee and Boult, the latter who went for more than US$800,000 to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the recent auction – having been given permission to arrive in the UK by May 19, which is two days before the opening day of the first Test at Lord’s.The England tour will be an audition for Mascarenhas with a decision on a full-time replacement for Bond set to be taken later in the year before the tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa, which begins at the end of July.

A round-up of the Group C Ranji Trophy games on February 1, 2015

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Feb-2015
ScorecardShahbaz Nadeem took a match haul of six wickets in Jharkhand’s first win of the season•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Left-arm spinner Syed Mohammad’s 5 for 27 set up a simple win for Assam, and kept them on top of the Group C table with 35 points.Andhra had started the day on 116 for 6, but were bowled out for only 198, Naren Reddy was their lone source of resistance with 51 of 163 balls, his maiden first-class fifty.With just 24 runs required for victory Assam reached the target in 13 overs without losing any wickets. Arun Karthik and Pallavkumar Das were unbeaten on 9 and 16 respectively.Assam’s Swarupam Purkayastha was adjudged the Man of the Match for his unbeaten 108 off 248 balls and six wickets in the match.
ScorecardJharkhand wrapped up their first win of the season in Porvorim and kept Goa winless. But the result did little help as both teams were knocked out.Following on, Goa entered the final day at 161 for 5, needing nine runs to take the lead. But they folded for 223, eight more than their first-innings total. Suraj Dongre was the first to depart for 12, perishing to Shahbaz Nadeem. Keenan Vaz, the other overnight batsman, top-scored for Goa with 45 off 111 deliveries, ensuring that Jharkhand had to bat again. No.10 Sagar Naik made 19 off 18 deliveries, but Goa could only extend the lead to 53.Legspinner Samar Quadri ended with figures of 5 for 82, extending his match tally to nine. Left-arm spinner Nadeem took three of the five Goa wickets to fall on the final day to end up with 4 for 60.Jharkhand had the opportunity to pick up seven points, but were reduced to 4 for 2 with Virat Singh and Shiv Gautam getting bowled by seamer Sagar Naik inside five overs. However, Ishan Kishan and Kumar Deobrat added 51 in 14.4 overs to help Jharkhand to an eight-wicket win.
ScorecardHimachal Pradesh allrounder Rishi Dhawan followed his career-best 7 for 43 with 4 for 92 as the visitors collected three points against Tripura in Agartala.Tripura began at 20 for 0, but openers Bishal Ghosh and Samrat Singha fell in quick succession. Thirty-nine for 2 soon became 59 for 4 before Rajesh Banik and Kaushal Acharjee added 55 runs for the fifth wicket.Offspinner Ankush Bedi broke the stand, but No.8 Manisankar Murasingh clubbed a rapid 47 in a 56-run eighth-wicket partnership with Saurabh Das and Rana Dutta made 28 off 30 deliveries to take Tripura towards 200. They were eventually bundled out for 239 as the game ended in a draw.Man-of-the-Match Dhawan went to the top of the bowling charts with 39 wickets this season, while Vikramjeet Malik and Pankaj Jaiswal bagged two wickets apiece. Allrounder Bipul Sharma, who claimed the last wicket to fall, had figures of 13.1-4-11-1.Himachal Pradesh are now placed second on the Group C table with 27 points, eight behind Assam. On the other hand, Tripura finish the season winless.Kerala v Services: Kerala wrap up first win of season

The University of Pretoria has been accredited by the ICC as the latest testing center for suspected illegal bowling actions

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Dec-2014The University of Pretoria has been accredited by the ICC as the latest testing center for suspected illegal bowling actions. The center is the fifth in the list that includes Cricket Australia’s National Cricket Center in Brisbane, Cardiff Metropolitan University*, the Loughborough University in Leicestershire, and the Sri Ramachandra University in Chennai as testing facilities for players reported in international cricket under the ICC regulations.The facility was assessed against a range of criteria, including having an indoor area large enough to allow a player to bowl off his or her normal full run-up, a motion analysis system with a minimum of 12 high-speed cameras capable of producing three-dimensional data, and suitably qualified personnel experienced in using such systems and implementing the ICC testing protocol.An ICC release stated that the accreditation of the University of Pretoria was part of an effort to “tackle the issue of illegal bowling actions in a number of ways, including the location of accredited testing facilities in each region.”In order to allow for a consistent assessment of bowlers across different facilities and countries, the ICC has provided the same testing equipment and software to all four centers. * December 12, 16.50 GMT – The article had previously mentioned University of Pretoria as the fourth testing center. This has been corrected

Kolkata Knight Riders will look to stretch their winning run to 11 as they take on the first Pakistan team to make the main draw of the CLT20

The Preview by Siddarth Ravindran20-Sep-2014Match factsSunday, September 21, 2014
Start time 2000 local (1430 GMT)4:23

Trevor Bayliss: Lions bit of an unknown quantity

Big pictureLahore Lions have already reached uncharted territory by becoming the first Pakistan team to make it to the main draw of the Champions League T20, but they open the second phase of their campaign against one of the tournament favourites, Kolkata Knight Riders.Gautam Gambhir’s side is already on the longest winning streak by an IPL team, having won 10 in a row, and have beaten another high-profile team, Chennai Super Kings, earlier this week. Much of that run was constructed by a strong bowling attack constricting the opposition to a small score, before Robin Uthappa and Co comfortably chased down the moderate targets. Uthappa missed the opening game, in which the top order crumbled, but Knight Riders coach Trevor Bayliss said the opener’s knee is better and that he should return to action soon.During their unbeaten run Knight Riders have been about as consistent as a Twenty20 team can get, but Lions are proving to be as unpredictable as their national team. Lions outplayed both their subcontinental opponents in the qualifying phase, but were woeful against Northern Knights, slumping to 37 for 7 at one stage. Which version will show up for Sunday night’s quasi India-Pakistan clash?They have also had a four-day break break since their previous game, but their captain Mohammad Hafeez said that won’t affect their rhythm. “I think we needed (the break), in the qualifying we couldn’t get any rest, we’ve been playing, practising everyday, and I think that was much needed for the team, they can have a breather.”Form guideKolkata Knight Riders WWWWW (most recent first, completed matches only)
Lahore Lions WLWWWWatch out forIn the opening game of the main phase of the tournament, Andre Russell showed how dangerous he can be in Twenty20s, blasting five sixes as he conjured a win from a seemingly hopeless situation against Super Kings. His performance earned him the praise of his captain, who wrote in his column: “he is still a bloody good cricketer. There is a method to his power-hitting. Just recall his use of the depth of the crease while hitting those sixes against Chennai Super Kings.”Lions’ fielding has not been at a high level this tournament, with plenty of chances going down. The ground fielding needs improvement as well – 39-year-old Scott Styris had joked he hadn’t expected to be running too many twos at his age, but got a three against Lions when neither the man at long-on or the one at deep midwicket made an attempt to stop a loft to cow corner.Stats and trivia If they win against Knight Riders, Lions will become only the second T20 team with an overall win-loss ratio of 4 or higher (min 20 matches) after Sialkot StallionsQuotes”Our top order has performed extremely well in the past, that’s the reason we won the IPL, so there’s no need to panic just yet.”
“We do not have any overseas players in our side, 7-8 are getting this chance first time in their life to participate in this big moment, we are very happy the way they are handling the pressure.”

Dale Steyn has said his inspiration to give his best is his bowling coach Allan Donald, while Hashim Amla said the declaration was based on the ground’s chasing history

Firdose Moonda in Galle20-Jul-20143:54

Was always confident about winning – Amla

Steyn: Every day he (Donald) comes and tells you how good you are and what a legend you are. That must take a lot out of him because he is a legend himself•Associated PressFor inspiration for his paintings, Salvador Dali relied on his wife Gala. For motivation to write the upbeat tune , The Beatles’ George Harrison drew on the year he had quit the band temporarily and been arrested. For a reason to bowl faster and fiercer, Dale Steyn looks at the boundary rope because that’s where Allan Donald is usually stationed.South Africa’s bowling coach is not an unusual choice for a hero. Everyone from children playing street cricket to members of the opposition, like Mark Gillespie of New Zealand, cite Donald as someone they look up to. But to Steyn, he is more than just a role-model. He is also a personal tutor, a cheerleader and a friend.”Allan is an amazing bowler. I watched a couple of his Youtube videos before I bowled here and he was just incredible. And then every day he comes and tells you how good you are and what a legend you are. That must take a lot out of him because he is a legend himself,” Steyn said. “That’s why every time I take wickets, I try to signal to him; to try and say this is not just for the team and the fans. This is to say thank you. He keeps me going.”Since Donald took over as South Africa’s bowling coach in June 2011, Steyn’s success has soared. In the three years between then and now, Steyn has taken more than a third of his total career wickets at a lower average than his overall numbers. Not only is he more threatening than he was before, he is also more miserly. His 133 scalps have come at 21.84 with an economy rate of 2.91. Before Donald’s tenure, Steyn had 232 wickets at 23.2 and conceded 3.48 runs to the over.Those performances have included match-winning bursts against teams including Pakistan and Australia at home and now, Sri Lanka in Galle. Steyn picked up the best figures by a seamer at this venue – nine for 99 in the match – a feat made even better by the expectation conditions would conspire to work against him in this series. “Every time I go on tour I want to better my last performance. Every time I come to the subcontinent I want to do well,” Steyn said. “If I run in and take a five-for on a green track, no-one cares but if you run in and take a five-for here, that really counts.”Steyn’s performance was headlined as much by pace as it was by purpose. He knew bowling quickly would work no matter the type of surface but he also knew bowling with an attacking approach would allow no wriggle room against an opposition who thought there was a realistic chance to pull off a historic chase. “It’s not the fastest wicket in the world but if you can get pace through the air and bowl with a bit of aggression you always stand a chance,” he explained. “It’s the kind of wicket where you have to bowl the ball in the right areas more often.”That adaption and attention to discipline is something Donald has enforced rigorously since he became part of the set-up. He wants South Africa’s pack to operate under the principles of jungle law: hunt or be hunted. That approach seems to have been picked up by more than just the seamers.Hashim Amla, in his first Test as captain, made a declaration that was considered too bold for a man taking baby steps in Test leadership but was rooted in realism. Amla and the management knew that no team had scored more than 300 runs in the final innings at Galle, they knew that no team had chased more than 96 to win successfully here and that no team has batted out more than 114 overs in the fourth innings.So they made the decision to call time on their innings at a time when Sri Lanka would need 370 to win. They had 122 overs to do it, which made it a comfortable equation but you can see why South Africa did not think they would be bowling that many. Their safety net was secure as it could have been but still, there was a stage when it seemed to be hanging by a slender thread.”I just wanted to have as many overs as possible to win the game. If we had lost the game, so be it but that would give us the best chance to win the game,” Amla said. “At 110 for 1 the thought in my mind that maybe we could lose but batting last, chasing 370 is a tough ask for any team.”Other captains may have become nervous or defensive. But Amla did not because he enjoyed the shifting sands in the tussle. “I was confident and I was extremely excited because the uncertainty is quite exciting. The thought was there that we could lose this game but if we lost the game I wouldn’t have had any regrets,” he said.”It helped that the bowlers were hungry. They asked for the ball regularly. Once we picked up one and I could see how the game is unfolding, I tried to use the spinners to hold the game more because the seamers were doing the job today.”Steyn struck the first blow, Morkel joined in and then when JP Duminy snared Kumar Sangakkara with a long-hop, Amla knew he had his victory even though it came from an unexpected source. “Some plans you don’t tell the captain, you just give the bowlers the freedom to do what they want,” he joked. “Those kind of things, I mean how often do you see a good ball not get a wicket and then a not so good ball get a wicket? It’s just part of the game.”In celebration, South Africa may salute their muses. The team’s is likely that they are a massive step closer to regaining the No.1 ranking. Steyn’s is Donald and Amla’s? “A nice cup of tea to enjoy the win.” As long as it’s Ceylon tea, even Sri Lankans will approve of that.

Paul Farbrace, the Sri Lanka coach, has resigned with immediate effect in order to take up a role with the ECB, Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed

Andrew Fidel Fernando22-Apr-20140:33

Farbrace knowledge invaluable – Bell

Paul Farbrace, the Sri Lanka coach, has resigned with immediate effect in order to take up a role with the ECB, Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed. The development came a day after Farbrace returned to Colombo and met with SLC officials to discuss his position, following reports that he had been approached by the ECB to become assistant coach to Peter Moores, the new England coach.Farbrace had been expected to have further meetings with SLC on Tuesday, but had sent in his letter of resignation before the board had had a chance meet him. SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga said that although the board regretted his decision to leave the role, they had understood the reasons behind it.Significantly better pay and a desire to work in the country of his birth are believed to be the primary reasons for Farbrace’s early departure from Sri Lanka. After talks on Monday, Ranatunga said Farbrace had been offered an “attractive package” by ECB, the likes of which SLC could not hope to match. The salary SLC had offered had been deemed too modest by several high-profile coaches, before Farbrace, who was Yorkshire’s second XI coach at the time, was signed by the board.Paul Farbrace (left) quit the Sri Lanka job after he was approached by England•AFPFarbrace was a little over three months into his two-year contract with SLC. His tenure was marked by off-field upheaval, as much as on-field success. Sri Lanka lost only one out of 18 matches under his watch, winning the World T20 and Asia Cup in that time, but at his time of departure, the players remained locked in a contracts dispute with the board, seven weeks after their previous agreements expired. Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara also clashed with SLC officials over the announcement of their T20 retirements. Farbrace said, however, his experience in the role had not been soured by off-field events.He had also said he had not applied for the England position, but was approached by the ECB on Thursday, two days before the ECB confirmed Moores as head coach. It is understood Moores had a major say in who he wanted to work with and was strongly in favour of Farbrace.SLC have not yet worked out the legal repercussions of Farbrace terminating his contract,Ranatunga said. The coach has walked out inside a six-month probationary period, which may mean neither he, nor ECB, are liable to compensate SLC, even though another clause in the contract states Farbrace must give six months’ notice before leaving the role.Sri Lanka’s short-term plans have been landed in some disarray by Farbrace’s departure, as they prepare for a tour of Ireland and England that begins on May 7. Following that tour, Sri Lanka is set to host no.1 Test side South Africa at home in July, before Pakistan’s expected arrival for another full tour in August. Their plans for the 2015 World Cup will also have been somewhat hampered.An interim appointment is likley for the upcoming tour, with assistant coach Marvan Atapattu the frontrunner to assume the role. Including two other temporary appointments, Atapattu would become the seventh head coach Sri Lanka have had since 2011. Ranatunga said the board had not yet decided whether to open up a fresh application process for the job.