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Leading the middle order in the former Australia captain’s Ashes XI: a dashing batsman from England (or South Africa)

Ricky Ponting09-Jul-20151:59

Kevin Pietersen

“He was a match-winning player and the tougher the situation, the better he played: a bit like Glenn McGrath. He was one of those guys who loved to win the defining moments that decide a series like the Ashes”

StatsOVERALL: Matches 104 Innings 181 Runs 8181 Average 47.28 100s/50s 23/35
ASHES: Matches 27 Innings 50 Runs 2158 Average 44.95 100s/50s 4/13Best performance158 at The Oval, 2005
The final day of the final Test of an Ashes Test, and England’s batsmen had one simple task against McGrath, Lee, Warne and Tait: make sure not to lose the Test. Kevin Pietersen’s first ball – McGrath was on a hat-trick – looped to the slips off his shoulder and umpire Bowden correctly ruled not-out. He survived two more chances and at lunch, England were only 133 ahead with five wickets left. Post lunch, it was Pietersen’s session as he raced to his maiden Test century off 124 balls. Brett Lee pumped up the pace, but Pietersen pulled off some outrageous shots. His 158 effectively sealed England’s conquest of the Ashes in 2005.TriviaKevin Pietersen has twice made scores of 158 in the Ashes.

ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from Chittagong

Alan Gardner in Chittagong18-Mar-2014The charge
Mark Chapman, Hong Kong’s No. 4, is not a tall man and plays most of his shots along the ground with a compact technique. But against Dawlat Zadran, he came forward to try pull off the front foot, only to wear the delivery on the grille of his helmet. His legs buckled but, after whirling back to his feet, he appeared to be looking for the possibility of a single as the ball trickled to midwicket. Stunned he may have been but, after a squirt of water and some time to collect himself, he continued to walk at the decidedly nippy Dawlat and narrowly missed being hit again after failing to connect with another flailing pull.The first ball
Jamie Atkinson’s decision after winning the toss might have been different but, for the second match running, he found himself out in the middle to face the second ball of the Hong Kong innings. Irfan Ahmed was again the opener to depart at the earliest possible opportunity, this time pushing tentatively around a full delivery from Shapoor Zadran that kissed off stump and dislodged the leg bail. Irfan became the second player to be twice out off the first ball of the innings at a World T20, after Ireland’s William Porterfield at the last tournament – being Irfan’s first two knocks at this level, his, er, achievement is unique.The first ball II
A wicket off the first ball occurred in Afghanistan’s opening match too, as Mohammad Shahzad carted Bangladesh’s Mashrafe Mortaza straight up in the air. This time around, Najeeb Tarakai took guard against the new ball but Shahzad was quickly down the striker’s end. What would he choose from his ample locker of shots? The straight thump? The back-foot slash? His own version of the helicopter? No, on this occasion, Shahzad left his first delivery alone outside off.The drop
Shahzad’s bloodlust eventually got the better of him, when Hong Kong’s left-arm spinner Nadeem Ahmed came on to bowl. A heave went straight up in the air, barely beyond the square towards mid-on, and even as it was climbing, Shahzad chopped his bat down on to the pitch, bellowing at his mistake. Perhaps the tremors caused the earth to move under Aizaz Khan’s feet because a regulation catch went straight through him like an undercooked .The catch
Several chances were missed on another night of ropey fielding at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury but there was one piece of world-class fielding and it came from Irfan to remove Shahzad. A venomous drive over cover looked to be dropping short of the fielder coming in off the boundary but he flung himself forward full length to catch a rocket with Fairy-soft hands, sliding along the turf to scoop it two-handed.The missed run-out
When Waqas Barkat squirted the ball to backward point and Chapman came halfway down the pitch looking for a single, it appeared as if Afghanistan would break Hong Kong’s second-wicket stand with a simple run-out. Chapman had barely put his breaks on as Mohammad Nabi threw a flat, hard throw to the bowler’s end, where all Hamza Hotak needed to do was collect it and break the wicket. In his excitement, he managed to flatten all three stumps without having the ball in hand, diving forward and unsuccessfully trying to deflect it with his open palms. Not the way to do it, Hamza.The six
Afghanistan cleared the boundary ropes several times in a rambunctious innings but the best of the match was struck by Atkinson, showing his side the way as Hong Kong’s batsmen gave a much-improved account of themselves. When Gulbadin Naib dropped short and Atkinson hammered a swivel-pull on a high arc into the stands to the longest part of the ground at deep square leg it could have been a more well-known wicketkeeper-batsman, AB de Villiers, at the crease.

Dropped by Lancashire, and playing out the rest of the season for Somerset, Sajid Mahmood tries to stay positive and believes he still has plenty to offer

Vithushan Ehantharajah 28-Aug-2012″I blame nerves; I drove down OK, but as soon as I got close to Taunton I lost my way. I had to call Brian Rose [director of cricket at Somerset] to come get me.” In the right area, but ultimately wayward – an apt metaphor, if ever there was one, for Sajid Mahmood and a career that has shown too few glimpses of great potential being fulfilled.The former Bolton League bowler finds himself, eventually, at Somerset after a difficult start to the 2012 County Championship season with Lancashire. The campaign began with Lancashire looking to defend their 2011 crown but is set to end in a relegation battle, as bad weather and poor performances leave the county one point ahead of bottom-of-the-table Worcestershire.Quite the turnaround for all concerned, especially Mahmood, who was determined to rid himself of the “inconsistent” tag even idler cricket fans attribute to him since his short-lived England career. It is an unfortunate tag for any bowler to carry, but one Mahmood feels he fully deserves.”I’ll hold my hands up and be the first one to say that I’ve been inconsistent throughout my career,” he admits. “I do try and bowl fast, and sometimes I get carried away with that. But I try my best to be different to any other bowlers we have in the side.”Last year, Mahmood enjoyed one of his best domestic seasons to date, taking 35 wickets at an average of 29.85. It was only the third time in his career that he averaged under 30 with the ball, after 2003 (his first full season for Lancashire) and 2006, which led to an England call. However, a paltry four scalps in three games earlier this season saw Mahmood dropped, before Somerset offered him a way back into first-class cricket for the remainder of the season. The hardest thing, he says, has been staying positive.”I wasn’t getting too much of a gig at Lancashire,” he says. “Somerset came in and I just wanted to go and play cricket. As soon as I heard they were interested, I was up for it straight away – just the chance to play some games again. It was the only thing I was focused on.”Being dropped as a professional cricketer is tough. I suppose it’s the same in any sport – doubting yourself is one of the worst things you can do as a sportsman. I spent more time doing sessions with Mike Watkinson at Lancs, just to keep ticking over, and I played 2nd XI cricket. It’s very easy to get angry and frustrated by how things have panned out, but I’ve tried to take my mind off it. Otherwise it eats away at you.”It’s an indication of his desire to get back to playing first-class cricket as soon as possible that he chose batsman-friendly Taunton as the place to resurrect his season. His self-belief is welcome to all those who support Mahmood, especially when it seemed he was starting to get disillusioned with his cricket.In June, he was penalised for using “obscene, offensive or insulting language” in Lancashire’s FLt20 defeat to Derbyshire. His figures – 42 runs conceded in 2.3 overs – would test any bowler’s resolve, but it was his second breach of the fixed-penalty system in three years. Another breach could see him serve a ban.

“I do try and bowl fast, and sometimes I get carried away with that. But I try my best to be different to any other bowlers we have in the side”

The previous month, Yorkshire fast bowler and good friend, Ajmal Shahzad, made the switch across the Pennines on loan as Lancashire looked to address their poor start to the season. Mahmood played in Shahzad’s Lancashire debut, against Sussex, with both taking three wickets apiece. However, it would be Mahmood’s last County Championship appearance for the side.”I was really happy when I heard Ajmal was coming over – we even roomed together for the first half of the season. But he’s a great bowler and deserves to be in the side – I can’t really say the same when I look back at my performances. I’ve not been able to get back in the side because they’ve not bowled too badly.”Five years ago, Mahmood was championed as the out-and-out speedster England had yearned for. He looked the part too; his powerful physique and piercing eyes ticked the boxes in England’s “bully or be bullied” mindset that had helped them win the Ashes in 2005. He would go on to win eight Test caps, playing in three of their five defeats in the 2006-07 Ashes in Australia. The match in Sydney was his last Test for England. While he looks back on this time of his career fondly, he can’t help but do so without a feeling of deep regret.”It was tough and it gave me a gauge of where I was in relation to the best players and the best team in the world at that time. I enjoyed every single day of it. To represent your country at the highest level – it’s pretty hard not to enjoy it. It’s every boyhood dream come true – I made my debut at Lord’s, I played against Pakistan – the country of my parents.”But I took it for granted. At the time, it all seemed to come so easy to me. Ultimately, I was picked on potential. I didn’t prepare for games as well as I should have. I just thought, ‘Go out there, bowl fast and knock some people over.’ That doesn’t really fly in Test cricket. But then again, that’s all I used to do in county cricket and it seemed to work – why change?”Mahmood is in the last year of his contract with Lancashire, and nothing has been forthcoming from the reigning county champions. It is unclear whether success at Somerset will influence those at Old Trafford to stick by him. At 30, he is still an attractive proposition for anyone willing to gamble on the explosive spells offsetting the erratic ones.Vithushan Ehantharajah is a freelance journalist. He tweets at @Vitu_E

The Australian captain’s decision to bat on a testing surface was a result of an overestimation of his team’s abilities

Peter English at the SCG03-Jan-2010Ricky Ponting has experienced major bouts of discomfort over the past month but his team’s self-inflicted pain on the opening day in Sydney could turn into the most damaging of the summer. Boosted by Australia’s resurgence in Melbourne last week and convinced that his hastily re-jigged order could perform like his men of three years ago, Ponting ignored the specks of green across the pitch, won the toss and batted. Just like Mark Taylor or Steve Waugh would have done.Ponting doesn’t have charge of the same quality as that duo and just when he thinks his side is ready to dominate again in every terrain, his emerging men show they aren’t. After 44.2 overs of struggle in extremely challenging conditions, Australia dripped to 127 on a slippery day, their third total of 160 or under since The Oval in August.Since Edgbaston in 2005, when England scored 407 in a day on the way to a series-turning victory, Ponting has stuck rigidly to a bat-first policy during 23 toss wins. Despite his leadership and tactical gains over the past year he refused to be flexible and the decision has given Pakistan an opening to level the three-match series.Still remembering those increasingly hazy days at the start of his captaincy reign, Ponting expected his openers to shoulder arms and shovel through the hardest situation of the summer. Except he no longer has a Matthew Hayden or a Justin Langer. Not even a Simon Katich, who was scratched shortly before the toss with an elbow problem. Even before then it was always going to be a day for the bowlers whenever the showers stopped, which they did after lunch.Michael Hussey didn’t have a say in the decision, but he knew what Ponting would do. “I did joke with Ricky a day before the game saying he batted at Jo’burg in first Test against South Africa [early last year] and that wicket had branches growing on it,” Hussey said. “I didn’t think he’d bowl first on any wicket in the world and there’s proof again today.”Ponting’s over-confidence in his outfit left Shane Watson, a stroke-maker in conventional conditions appearing in his third series as opener, as the senior partner with Phillip Hughes, a 21-year-old in his sixth Test. Hughes has little experience of green tops, although the conditions were similar to his debut innings when he lasted four balls, and had a rushed entry after replacing Katich. Ponting demanded his openers to swim in the damp conditions, but by the time they had both sunk, the captain had joined them at the bottom of the dressing room.It’s acceptable to flap about after being sent in, but there is less sympathy for a side after it has selected the method of execution, and then added to the torture by sharpening the tools. Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Asif were outstanding, but both were helped by some Australian gifts on a day when reputations could have been made or, in Ponting’s case, reconfirmed.Ponting knew it would be tough and understood that intense application would be required to survive the swing and seam. Then he played a soft shot to his opening ball, being hurried into a pull to deep square leg. Other batsmen contributed to their respective dismissals, but none was more culpable than Ponting.

It’s acceptable to flap about after being sent in, but there is less sympathy for a side after it has selected the method of execution, and then added to the torture by sharpening the tools

Mark Taylor had been this brave at the toss at Old Trafford in 1997, but he was certain someone would emerge from that jungle and watched Steve Waugh return with two centuries. Ponting doesn’t have anyone of that class except himself, and he hasn’t been the same since his left elbow was squashed by Kemar Roach’s bouncer in Perth. At the WACA he was caught at short leg fending in the second innings, a justified reaction to another Roach lifter given the bruise in his arm, but in an effort to protect his injury and show he is not frightened by the fast men, he has been determined to pull. Twice in a row he has fallen that way against Pakistan.A captain needs to realise when self-expression and personal battles have to be shelved to show an impressionable team how to wade through a Test’s most difficult day. That can’t be done when the No.3 exits at 2 for 2 in the fourth over.Hughes had already departed for 0, being fortunate to stay for as long as 10 balls on his comeback. Caught between swaying and swinging, he aimed a drive without moving either foot and was taken at second slip, missing out on a chance to impress at home. A gritty half-century would have created a lasting memory for the selectors and those seeing him bat in Australia for the first time.Watson (6) was undone by his front-foot press and as he forced himself on to the back foot was unable to deal with the seam of Sami, sending a catch behind. Michael Clarke, Australia’s most bankable batsman last year, stayed 51 minutes before his self-control departed on 3 and he walked a big drive at Asif. Having seen a couple of outswingers, he left a hole between bat and pad for an off-cutter to slice through.A similar lapse occurred to Michael Hussey, who knew plays and misses were to be ignored, but he couldn’t eliminate his occasionally compulsive tendency to hook. When the ball arrived faster than Hussey calculated on 28, he was caught off the top edge at first slip. It wasn’t a shot to be playing at 4 for 51 and he called it “silly”.Marcus North edged behind in familiar fashion and Brad Haddin walked out wanting to smash his team to 300 before stumps. Some days it works – usually when the wicket lacks spice – but today it didn’t. He left after an ugly skew to mid-off and seven specialist batsmen had gone for 62.Under these conditions batting a long time is the key, and defence the most important weapon. The surface looked like how distracted parents paint ceilings, with a decent coverage through the middle and patchy sections closer to the edge. Bowlers crave such green patterns and Australia’s fast men begged to use it first but were over-ruled by Ponting. At the end of the day the attack, led by Mitchell Johnson’s team-high 38, had already batted on it, praying it would retain its darting seam for another day.

The Supersub rule has now been part of one-day cricket for about three months, but teams clearly haven’t yet understood how to exploit this rule to the maximum

S Rajesh28-Oct-2005

The Supersub rule has now been part of one-day cricket for about three months, but teams clearly haven’t yet understood how to exploit this rule to the maximum. New Zealand once named Shane Bond as their Supersub in an ODI in Zimbabwe, while the latest faux pas happened in the Mohali one-day international, when India named S Sreesanth in that role, and then won the toss and inserted Sri Lanka in to bat, thereby ensuring that they gave themselves the least possible chance of taking advantage of a rule which allows a team to utilise an extra resource.In its current shape, the new rule clearly favours the team which wins the toss, for a team would normally decide on a Supersub assuming it wins the toss. Thus, for a team winning the toss and batting, the sensible option would be to choose a bowler as a Supersub, for he could then replace a specialist batsman in the second half of the match. Similarly, if the idea is to win the toss and field, a batsman as a Supersub ensures more batting depth during the run-chase, while also allowing the team an extra bowler in the field in the first half of the match. However, with a specialist batsman or bowler as Supersub, the pre-match plans can go completely awry if the team loses the toss. Which is why a low-risk option is to go for an allrounder, who can contribute with both bat and ball and is hence an asset during the entire course of the match.Given that India had decided to field if they won the toss in this match, the sensible option would have been to name a specialist batsman – probably Venugopal Rao – as the Supersub. If they won the toss, they would have nothing to complain about. Even if they lost the toss and were sent in, Venugopal Rao would have needed to bat only if the team lost early wickets and needed a specialist batsman to bail them out. If Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Co. continued their form from Nagpur, Venugopal could have cooled his heels in the dressing-room, and India would still have a full bowling line-up to defend a total.The safer option, and one which would have given them greatest flexibility, would have been to go with Jai Prakash Yadav as the 12th player. With India fielding first, he wouldn’t be needed if the specialist bowlers did the job well. If they didn’t, he could still come in for one of them, and then stay around to do his bit with the bat as well.Whichever way you look at it, though, the decision to go with Sreesanth as Supersub completely defies logic. It might not make a whit of a difference if India dismiss Sri Lanka quickly and then chase down the target in a canter, but it’s surely something for Greg Chappell and Co. to mull about before the next match.

Manchester United keeper Altay Bayindir has been accused of celebrating a West Ham goal during their 2-0 defeat to the Hammers on Sunday.

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• Man Utd lost 2-0 to West Ham
• Bowen scored second
• Fans believe Bayindir celebrated goal

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The incident that triggered the outrage came during West Ham’s second goal, which was netted by Bowen, following an assist from Aaron Wan-Bissaka, ironically, a former Manchester United player. While the Hammers wheeled away in jubilation, cameras caught Bayindir reacting in a way that has only now drawn suspicion.

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  Footage posted on West Ham’s official TikTok account showed Bayindir turning toward the stands behind him, clenching both fists and letting out a roar, behaviour that many interpreted as celebratory rather than dejected. Given the context, fans were quick to question his motives, sparking a wave of backlash online.

  The viral TikTok clip was captioned provocatively: "Did the goalkeeper celebrate?" and in the comment section, supporters of both clubs weighed in, some demanding answers from the Turkish goalkeeper.

• WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

  The clip then reached X, formerly Twitter, where more fans reacted to Bayindir's actions.

  One fans, @FPLOlympian, suggested: "Bayindir definitely captained Bowen in his FPL team."

  While @Summerville_fan seconded and wrote: "I’m trying to think of an excuse for him but can’t. He actually celebrated. 🤣😭😂."

  Meanwhile, @TabloideGunner said: "Bayindir bet his entire salary on Bowen to a goal. MASTERCLASS."

  Whereas @UtdPrince0_0 wrote: "I can't even fathom an excuse for Bayindir here wtf😂😂."

  And a West Ham fan @WhufcSloth wrote: "Celebrated more than Kudus… 😂."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

  Ruben Amorim's men now face a daunting run of fixtures. Next up is a clash with Chelsea, who are fighting for a Champions League place. Following that, United head to Bilbao to face Tottenham in the Europa League final, a match that could determine whether the club salvages silverware from an otherwise dismal campaign. The Red Devils will conclude their season at home against a resurgent Aston Villa side.

MatériaMais Notícias

OBotafogose desdobra para continuar nas primeiras colocações da Taça Guanabara (primeira fase do Carioca). Neste domingo (5), os botafoguenses encaram o Boavista às 16h, em partida no Mané Garrincha válida pela sétima rodada da competição.

Mandante da partida, o Verdão de Saquarema se esforça para encontrar um caminho na competição. A equipe comandada por Leandrão tem apenas dois pontos e está na última colocação (na luta contra o rebaixamento). O lateral-esquerdo Peu, o meia Matheus Alessandro e o atacante Wandinho são esperanças do Boavista.

+ Veja a tabela do Campeonato Carioca e simule os resultados!

RelacionadasBotafogoBotafogo divulga relacionados para duelo com Boavista; veja provável escalação!Botafogo04/02/2023BotafogoFerj confirma alteração do horário de Botafogo x BanguBotafogo04/02/2023

O Botafogo tenta deixar para trás o tropeço no meio de semana, com o empate em 0 a 0 diante do Nova Iguaçu. Para isto, contará com o retorno de Tchê Tchê no meio de campo. Porém, terá duas baixas: Daniel Borges foi liberado para acompanhar o nascimento da filha, enquanto Carlos Alberto, que sofreu uma pancada no tornozelo, fica de fora da equipe.

O Glorioso está atualmente com dez pontos na competição e ocupa a terceira colocação. O técnico Luís Castro tem uma dúvida no setor ofensivo do Botafogo. Lucas Piazon e Gustavo Sauer disputam a titularidade.

FICHA TÉCNICA

BOAVISTA x BOTAFOGO

Data e horário: 05/02/2023, domingo, às 16h
Estádio: Mané Garrincha, em Brasília (DF)
Árbitro: Matheus Carneiro Torres
Assistentes: Thiago Rosa de Oliveira e Wallace Muller Barros
Onde ver: BandSports

BOAVISTA (Técnico: Leandrão)

Fernando; Jairo (Diego Rangel), Kevem, Elivelton e Peu; Jairo, Israel Ryan e Matheus Alessandro; Wandinho e Marquinhos.

BOTAFOGO (Técnico: Luís Castro)

Lucas Perri, Rafael, Adryelson, Cuesta e Marçal; Tchê Tchê, Patrick de Paula e Gabriel Pires; Lucas Piazon (Gustavo Sauer), Victor Sá e Tiquinho.

Dillon du Preez will take over in an interim capacity for South Africa’s tour of India with a new coach to be appointed after that

Firdose Moonda10-May-2024Long-serving South Africa Women head coach Hilton Moreeng’s tenure has ended after a period of 11 years and four months.Moreeng was originally appointed in the role in December 2012, and oversaw South Africa’s transition to professionalism in 2014 and their greatest successes in the decade since. He took them to two ODI World Cup semi-finals, two T20 World Cup semi-finals, and was in charge when they became the first national senior side to reach a World Cup final, at home in the 2023 T20 World Cup. He was South Africa’s first black African national coach.Dillon du Preez, Moreeng’s assistant since September 2020 and a former first-class cricketer, will take over from him in an interim capacity for South Africa’s tour of India in June-July with a permanent coach to be appointed after that.Moreeng’s departure came after a period of short-term extensions to his contract since 2020 – originally for three years until after the 2023 T20 World Cup, and then for periods of time in the months that followed.CSA have confirmed it was Moreeng’s decision to step away.”He opted not to continue. And the timing of it is not great, but we really respect and understand his position,” Enoch Nkwe, South Africa’s director of cricket, said at a press conference on Friday. “He’s invested a lot, you know, obviously into women’s cricket. He’s taken this team from basically nothing to great heights. He’s reached a point where, and he was completely honest, he needs to allow the next person to take the team to the next level.”In his latest extension, Moreeng was contracted for the 2023-24 season, initially until the end of 2023, and then until the end of the summer, after his contract expired last year. He was also retained in 2020 when CSA first appointed a director of cricket – Graeme Smith – who undertook a major overhaul of the organisation’s coaching structures.

“We’re going to be engaging with them later in the month, at a camp, to try and gauge, obviously, where they’re feeling and where everybody’s at. We also want to see how we can help Dillion to make sure that the team can pull in one direction, which I have no doubt he’ll be able to do”Enoch Nkwe on the transition

Most recently, Moreeng remained in the job despite senior players expressing unhappiness with the length of his tenure. In August last year, six months after South Africa reached the final of the T20 World Cup, a group of players wrote to CSA to express their desire for change, but ESPNcricinfo understands that the process to replace Moreeng was delayed, and he was allowed to continue. As it turned out, CSA changed the captain and replaced Sune Luus, who led at the T20 World Cup and prior to that in Dane van Niekerk’s injury-enforced absence, with Laura Wolvaardt.A process was then put in place to recruit Moreeng’s replacement, who was expected to take over after the home series against Bangladesh last December, but that never happened. In early November, Nkwe told reporters that CSA “had interviews last week and we are still finalising a couple of things”. “As soon as we are done with the post-interview process, we will be able to make an announcement,” he said, and indicated the new support staff would be in place for South Africa’s January-February tour to Australia. He has since said CSA was not satisfied with those who put their hands up for the job. “We did advertise the position and unfortunately we couldn’t find the fitting candidates to take the team forward,” Nkwe said. “We went into the process of headhunting as well and unfortunately we couldn’t find anyone.”Moreeng then took South Africa to Australia, where they beat Australia for the first time in both a T20I and an ODI (though they lost both series) and was in charge for the home series against Sri Lanka. South Africa lost a T20I series to Sri Lanka for the first time and shared the ODI spoils, as Sri Lanka successfully completed the highest chase in women’s ODIs. It was after the Sri Lanka series that Moreeng decided his time was up, Nkwe said.CSA had initially hoped that Moreeng would continue until the 2025 World Cup, during which time they could plan a transition phase for his successor but “the process didn’t work out as planned”. Du Preez will now take the team to India and it is possible a new coach will be in place ahead of the T20 World Cup. Asked if the players are comfortable with du Preez, who has been in his role since September 2020, Nkwe suggested it may take some time for things to settle.”They’re still a little bit shocked because they didn’t expect [Moreeng’s departure] so soon; immediately at the end of the season. A lot of them are still processing what just transpired,” Nkwe said. “We’re going to be engaging with them later in the month, at a camp, to try and gauge, obviously, where they’re feeling and where everybody’s at. We also want to see how we can help Dillion to make sure that the team can pull in one direction, which I have no doubt he’ll be able to do.”Under Hilton Moreeng, South Africa Women became the first national senior side to reach a World Cup final•ICC via Getty ImagesAsked if he would consider putting himself up for the job full-time, du Preez stayed on the fence, for now. “I see myself as someone who has to do this at this stage of my life. Whether or not I try to do it going forward, this will allow me to grow. I see it as a positive move, even if it is for a month or two,” he said. “I think I will want to [have the job permanently] but it’s too early to give you a 100% answer. But that’s where you want to be, at the highest level. I would really want to coach there. I enjoy it a lot. But let’s talk after India.”Du Preez also indicated he would not change too much to begin with, having been mentored by Moreeng. “He’s been here for 11 years in this space and to learn from him, meant a lot to me. Whatever you know about cricket, the moment you move into the women’s space, you actually find out that you might know nothing,” du Preez said. “It’s been an emotional week. Hilton has left big shoes for me to fill. What he has done for women’s cricket, it feels like no one is going to match. I couldn’t pick a better guy to learn from.”There is no suggestion that CSA will continue to look for a women’s director of cricket, and that Moreeng could be considered for that. Nkwe said the former coach needs “time” to “continue reflecting and to see what his journey is going to look like moving forward”. But, Nkwe said, CSA would be open to engaging Moreeng in the future. “From our point of view, we would like to retain him in whichever way, because you don’t just let go of such experience, especially in women’s cricket.”In parting, Moreeng offered thanks to everyone he met along the way. “It has been an honour and a privilege to lead such a talented group of athletes over the years,” Moreeng said in a statement. “I want to express my sincere appreciation to all the players and team management who have been instrumental in this journey. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside each of you. I would also like to thank the South African fans and the media for their unwavering support throughout this journey. Your encouragement has been a constant source of motivation. Last but certainly not least, I am deeply grateful to my family and friends who have stood by me through the highs and lows along the way. Your love and support have been my rock.”CSA has also appointed a new batting coach in Baakier Adams, previously with the Warriors provincial team, and Bongani Ndaba as fielding coach alongside a new physiotherapist Neline Hoffman-Kellerman.

Osasuna have completed a deal to sign 21-year-old winger Victor Muñoz from Real Madrid for €6 million (£5m).

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• Los Blancos hold 50% sell-on clause
• Muñoz has made four first team appearances
• Winger made LaLiga debut in El Clásico

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Fabrizio Romano reports that Madrid have negotiated a 50% sell-on fee as part of the deal. Muñoz has made just four appearances for Los Blancos' first-team, most recently featuring as an 80th minute substitute in the 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal at the Club World Cup.

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  Muñoz joined Real Madrid's academy in 2021 from Catalonian club Damm. The winger started his career at La Masia, playing with notable graduates to Barcelona's first team, including Alejandro Balde and Fermin Lopez. Muñoz's debut for Madrid came in the 4-3 defeat against his boyhood club earlier this season.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Muñoz is known for his electric pace. Despite sharing a locker room with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, the Spaniard was given the nod as the fastest player in Los Blancos' squad in a 2024 article published in

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MUÑOZ?

  A move away from the Bernabeu will likely mean increased playing time for the speedster. Osasuna will hope Muñoz can help them break out of mid-table and push for European qualification; Los Rojillos have finished between 7th and 11th every season since their return to LaLiga in 2019.

Once Head returns, Smith may have to give his No.3 position to Marsh, who opened in Head’s absence and play two-down

Sidharth Monga27-Oct-2023

As the snow on the higher peaks melted under the sun in perfect weather for cricket, Australia’s nets in Dharamsala suggested they were ever closer to playing a full-strength XI for the first time in this ODI World Cup.Travid Head, who narrowly missed out on the last game recovering from a broken left hand, batted in the nets for about 20 minutes without discernible discomfort, and had a bowl too. Marcus Stoinis, who missed the last match with a sore calf, had a long bowling stint and a decent hit towards the end of their session.However, Australia captain Pat Cummins finished his press conference before the training so there is no confirmation either of them will be back for the match against New Zealand. Yet he didn’t shy away from what has become a bit of a thorny topic since the last match: where does Head bat when he comes back, and consequently where does Mitchell Marsh bat?Related

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Mitchell Marsh will drop to No. 3 when Travis Head is back

The expectation all the while was for Head to slot right back into his opening role, for Marsh to bat at No. 3, and for Steven Smith to move a slot down. Smith, though, said after the last match that he was “a bit shocked” when told he would have to move down to No. 4.”It’s a different sort of mindset I think, when you come in at 3 to 4,” Smith had said. “So yeah, I got told if Trav was playing that I was going to be batting 4. I’ll do whatever the team wants. I’ve got a pretty good record at three, so I was a bit shocked in a way, but I’ll do what I need to for the team.Cummins said Smith didn’t take much convincing to agree to the switch. “I think he said himself, do whatever is best for the team,” Cummins said. “And Trav’s been amazing [at the top of the order] over the last 12 months. Mitch Marsh at the top has been amazing. Davey Warner’s obviously a superstar up there.”We think that’s the best way to set up the team and we’re really excited with how the batting line-up looks like. No, it’s been fine. We all do some roles that maybe is not your preference but it’s what’s best for the team so it’s fine.”They might only now be getting close to getting their best personnel together, but Cummins believes Australia have nailed the way they want to play after a slow start.”Our group’s big on talking about the style that we want to play,” Cummins said. “I think in the first two games not only did we not win, but I think we didn’t really nail the style that we wanted to play. In the last few games you’ve seen us be a bit more aggressive: batting and bowling. Bowling, everyone’s been really open-minded, tried different things; trying bouncers, different fields, one-over spells and it’s just been a real buy-in from the whole team, and yeah, it’s been fantastic last few games. That’s a standard we want to keep going with for the rest of the tournament.”