With 57 needed in the last four overs and the chase seemingly dead, they teed off to fell England

Alagappan Muthu10-Nov-20213:40

Jayawardene: Daryl Mitchell drank the magic potion

James Neesham contemplated retirement in 2017. He didn’t. Daryl Mitchell never contemplated opening the batting. He did. And together they dragged a New Zealand side adamantly trying to lose all the way to a T20 World Cup final.It was utter madness. And it came from outta nowhere. England, much like they did five years ago on a sparkling night in Kolkata, had the game in their hands. And not one but two big-hitting allrounders took it away from them.Watch cricket live on ESPN+

Sign up for ESPN+ and catch all the action from the Men’s T20 World Cup live in the USA. Match highlights of the first semi-final is available in English, and in Hindi (USA only).

The equation was 57 off 24. More than two runs a ball. As much as conditions in this tournament have favoured the team batting second, here there was no dew. The single biggest thing that made run-scoring easy on these dry UAE pitches was nowhere to be found.That’s why Mitchell – the best T20 six-hitter in New Zealand’s domestic circuit for the last five years – could find only one boundary in the first 10 overs of a 167 chase.That’s why Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson were dismissed for single-digits.That’s why Liam Livingstone could bowl four overs of his part-time all-sorts for just 22 runs. When he finished his spell – after taking out New Zealand’s then top-scorer Devon Conway for 46 – England’s chance of victory according to ESPNcricinfo’s forecaster was nudging 80%.Neesham has had enough of these games. His Twitter timeline is a tribute to his wit – yes – but also to how badly that 2019 World Cup final broke him. He was out there in the Super Over. He hit Jofra Archer for a six. He ignited New Zealand’s hopes when they really shouldn’t have had any on that night only for them to fall so agonisingly short.Just as Neesham and everyone watching were reeling from the deja vu, Chris Jordan came up to bowl and leaked a monster six over square leg. That shot became the centerpiece of New Zealand’s breathtaking resurrection, 23 runs coming off an eight-ball 17th over – including a relay catch that quickly morphed into another monster six – as one of England’s go-to men just crumbled under pressure.Suddenly New Zealand only needed 34 off 18 balls. And it was Mitchell’s cue to wind up. He set up deep in his crease. His front leg had the good sense to keep away. Chris Woakes missed his lengths. And three brutal hits in the 19th over – two over the ropes and one onto it – brought sweet, unbelievable and everlasting victory.England change it up
This semi-final had all the feels of two heavyweight boxers sizing each other up. But there was no real KO punch.Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow were rather cautious at the top, their gameplan dictated in equal parts by the early swing on offer and the big occasion they found themselves in.England went away from their typical T20 template – attack every ball – to a more nuanced one – respect every ball. For the first time since 2014, they had to wait till the 15th over of the game to pick up their first six.Malan and Moeen adapt
England’s approach protected them from early wickets, but that left a lot on the middle-order’s shoulders. A middle order that hasn’t had too much time in the middle at this tournament.But Dawid Malan controlled things beautifully. If you’re in any doubt about that, pull up clips of his cover drives. With flowing hands and sublime timing, he pushed England forward and was unlucky to miss out on a half-century.Moeen Ali didn’t make that mistake. Playing the world’s most elegant slogs, his 51* off 37 provided the finishing kick that took a good total to a defendable one. With most of England’s batting tonight revolving around left-handed blades, New Zealand’s best spinner Mitchell Santner bowled only one of his four overs.No dew
Guptill was caught off a flick. Williamson was caught off a scoop. Now those shots come off when there’s pace in the pitch. And there’s always pace in the pitch if there’s dew around. New Zealand expected it to come. But it stood them up instead.Woakes – who before this World Cup was left in T20I wilderness for five-and-a-half years – picked up both those wickets and set England on their victory march. This team prides itself in being on cutting edge pf both batting and bowling. But in Abu Dhabi – where cricket takes a time machine back to the 90s – they realised knocking it around for 160 and building on scoreboard pressure with tight Test-match lengths had the better chance of success.And all of that would worked a treat if a big-hitting allrounder hadn’t decided to turn everything on its head. Again.

At 97 Tests, Ishant Sharma was arguably the most improved bowler in the history of Test cricket. In the first half of his career at that point, Ishant averaged 38.44. In the second half he took wickets at 27.21 each. In the last third – which was 33 Tests – he averaged 22.90. In his last 18 Tests at that point, he conceded only 19.14 runs per wicket. Since the injury in New Zealand, though, he has averaged 32.71 over eight Tests, which is back to being consistent with his career numbers. Commentators have said during the England tour and the Kanpur Test that he has lacked rhythm, which affects the pace and the movement you generate.

Watch live cricket on ESPN+ in the US

India vs New Zealand is available in the US on ESPN+. You can subscribe to ESPN+ and tune in to live coverage of the 2nd Test in English or in Hindi.

India’s new bowling coach Paras Mhambrey feels it is a matter of getting overs in his legs before he regains the rhythm. “Ishant hasn’t played much Test cricket for a long time,” Mhambrey said after the team landed in Mumbai. “He hasn’t played the IPL and the World Cup as well. That does make a difference. Yes we are working on it. He has got enough experience under his belt.”Ishant went wicketless in his 22 overs in Kanpur but Mhambrey said it was not a big concern because he still brings with him the experience of 105 Tests. “Obviously it makes a huge difference having him in the dressing room with the experience that he has,” Mhambrey said. “An opportunity for other bowlers to spend some time with him and understand the nuances of fast bowling. He is a great help around. Something which we will work on is his rhythm. We are aware of it. He needs a couple of games under his belt to get that rhythm going. He will be back for sure.”Ishant Sharma has averaged 32.71 over eight Tests since his injury in New Zealand•PTI

Does that mean Ishant gets to play in Mumbai to get back into rhythm or does Mohammed Siraj replace him? Or do both of them play?Related

• Virat Kohli returns as New Zealand eye elusive series win in India

• How did Tom Latham bat so well on the slow Kanpur pitch against India's spinners?

• Who goes out of India's XI when Virat Kohli comes in?

“We will have a look at the wicket, then we will see what combination is right: three spinners and two seamers or two spinners and three seamers,” Mhmabrey said. “Depending on that we will decide the playing XI. But everybody in the group believes whoever is part of the team is good enough to represent the country. And we know that the potential they have in winning the games for us. We will decide the combination on the surface, but whomever plays, we believe, has the ability to win the game for India.”India’s training two days before the Test was cancelled because of rain in Mumbai so they perhaps don’t know yet what the pitch has to offer. India will be hoping there is more on offer than there was in Kanpur. “I think we are happy, honestly,” Mhambrey said when asked about the bowling effort in Kanpur where India fell one wicket short of a win. “If you look at the outcome of the game – yes we want to win the Test match, we were so close – but looking at the wicket it was not that kind of surface.1:58

Jaffer: Siraj might replace Ishant in Mumbai

“We knew in the morning that this is not the kind of surface where you turn up and run through a side. We knew it was going to be hard work. Especially there was no bounce, the ball was keeping low. Unfortunately, a couple of edges didn’t carry. Had that happened it would have been a different result. A lot of positive we can take, especially in the effort that we put in. Honestly, I feel we made a game out of it. Picking 19 wickets on that surface wasn’t easy. But we really took it to the end.”One of the big efforts was made by Umesh Yadav.”Very happy with the way Umesh bowled, especially in the second innings,” Mhmabrey said. “There was one spell where he troubled Kane and that’s so positive and happy to see it on that kind of surface. He created opportunities for us. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get the wicket. [But] That created opportunities for others to rally around. Very happy to see that on that pitch. A really, really special spell. We wanted someone to put his hand up and say, ‘I will give it my best’. He tried his best even though he didn’t pick the wicket.”While Mhambrey will be involved in the selection of the bowlers, he is glad he is not part of the group that will decide who makes way for the returning captain, Virat Kohli. There is also likely to be a debate around Wriddhiman Saha, who didn’t keep for long in the last Test because of a stiff neck, and KS Bharat. That decision, Mhambrey said, was going to be made based on the physios’ assessment of Saha’s injury. As of now he has neither been cleared nor ruled out.

Top order failure cost Heat the game as Scorchers defend a modest 157

Tristan Lavalette08-Dec-2021
Perth Scorchers produced a trademark bowling effort to thwart Brisbane Heat’s chase and celebrate a potentially rare home fixture in style on Wednesday night.After posting 6 for 157, the Scorchers’ impressive attack overwhelmed the Heat with regular wickets and held their nerve during a late Heat charge to show their prowess once again at defending modest totals.Related

Henriques powers Sixers to unlikely victory against Hurricanes

Russell arrives to reinforce Melbourne Stars

Marsh and Inglis provide the power for Perth Scorchers

Coming to a screen near you

Amid a steamy 37 degrees when play started, an aggressive Kurtis Patterson, who hit 55, raised the temperature to kick-start Scorchers’ home opener while the Heat remained winless after two matches.The Scorchers are scheduled to play Hobart Hurricanes at home on December 20, but are bracing for an extended period on the road after that due to Western Australia’s strict border controls.Patterson livens up new-look Scorchers top order
Patterson is a somewhat forgotten player in Australian cricket. He does boast a Test average of 144, albeit from two matches. The 28-year-old once appeared destined for a long Test career, but on Ashes opening day, he lit up Optus Stadium with his maiden BBL half-century.There were question marks over the Scorchers’ top order with dynamic English batters Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone not returning after starring last season. But Patterson proved a worthy replacement with an onslaught at No.3 after the early wicket of Colin Munro.Patterson couldn’t crack the Scorchers’ strong batting line-up last season and he played just one match. But he made the most of his early opportunity with a power display in contrast to his traditional orthodox approach. He took a liking to the fast pitch and lighting outfield – characteristics reminiscent of the nearby WACA – aided by short-pitched bowling from an overeager Heat attack.Targeting the short leg-side boundary, Patterson smashed 20 runs in four balls during Liam Guthrie’s third over to provide the pyrotechnics many thought he didn’t have in him.It was made more impressive with Patterson – along with Munro and Laurie Evans – only linking up with his team-mates on game day after being in quarantine in Sydney.Shorthanded Heat attack hang in after onslaught
The Heat have been badly affected by national selections early in the season, with Michael Neser, Mark Steketee and Mitchell Swepson missing from their first-choice attack.It’s been a baptism of fire for an inexperienced attack that could not halt a rampaging Alex Ross during their season-opening loss against Sydney Thunder.Against a red-hot Patterson, the Heat appeared to be buckling amid a rowdy Scorchers faithful finding voice. But after Patterson fell, the Heat pegged back the Scorchers with disciplined bowling.Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who is shouldering much responsibility, bowled full and accurately to frustrate the Scorchers. He conceded just four runs and took a wicket in a pivotal 17th over to take the sting out of Scorchers’ momentum after they scored 28 runs in the two power surge overs.The Heat conceded just 20 runs off the last four overs and, impressively, did not concede a boundary to restrict the Scorchers to a below-par score.Kelly makes strong case
Spearhead Jhye Richardson is expected to miss most of the BBL, but the Scorchers have enviable pack stocks. Matt Kelly, who was unable to crack the pace triumvirate of Richardson, Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye last season, made the most of his chance with an eye-catching early burst.He was perhaps fortunate with his first scalp when Max Bryant tamely hit to mid-off, but his dismissal of Ben Duckett was all class – a searing yorker to knock over leg stump.Kelly has a task on his hands to hold his spot with England quick Tymal Mills set to be available soon while speedster Lance Morris, who can bowl over 90 mph, is also nipping at the heels.He claimed two late wickets to cap off a spectacular performance and surely cement a spot for the time being.Lynn struggles to get going
Without the captaincy this season, Chris Lynn has been able to focus on his batting, but things haven’t gone to plan just yet. After missing out against Thunder, he played a strange innings where he looked out of sync throughout and scored just 27 from 33 balls.Lynn played within himself amid Heat’s rocky start, but his bid to accelerate mid-innings was thwarted by an inability to get the strike.When he departed to the excellent Ashton Agar in the 15th over, the match was effectively over until late hitting from Xavier Bartlett almost snatched a miraculous victory.

Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso equalled 33-year-old Bundesliga record as his side were held to a goalless draw by Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Leverkusen held to a goalless drawAlonso equalled a Bundesliga recordLeverkusen face Bayern in next game Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The reigning German champions managed a goalless draw on Saturday against Wolfsburg in a Bundesliga clash. The draw, coupled with Bayern Munich's win on Friday, sees the gap between the Bundesliga's top two grow to eight points, the result helped manager Alonso to equal a three-decade-old Bundesliga record. The draw at Volkswagen Arena meant that the Spanish remained unbeaten in his last 27 away matches in the league – 20 wins and seven draws – as he equalled Udo Lattek's record.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Leverkusen, who won the Bundesliga title unbeaten last season, have lost just one match in the 2024-25 campaign but their seven draws, compared to Bayern's three, have kept them behind in the title race. On Friday, Vincent Kompany's side thrashed Werder Bremen 3-0 courtesy of Harry Kane's brace and Leroy Sane's strike.

AFPDID YOU KNOW?

While they have fallen behind in the league title race, Leverkusen have reached the semi-final of the DFB-Pokal and are on course to defend their title. They have also secured an automatic qualification slot in the Champions League round of 16 after finishing sixth in the league stage.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR BAYER LEVERKUSEN?

Alonso's side will get a chance to reduce their gap with Bayern next weekend as they take on Kompany's men in a crucial Bundesliga fixture at home on February 15.

Tottenham Hotspur have been sent a warning that Napoli and former Spurs boss Antonio Conte are “ready” to move for an “outstanding” starlet in Ange Postecoglou’s squad.

Spurs prepare for tough test against Aston Villa

Following on from their uplifting 2-1 win over Man City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening, which was much-needed after their slump to lowly Crystal Palace last weekend, the Lilywhites take on high-flying Aston Villa in another very tough test.

Related Approach made: Tottenham prepared to hijack Lyon talks for £54m attacker

The Ligue 1 side are already in negotiations ahead of 2025.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Nov 1, 2024

Unai Emery’s side have lost just once all season so far, a defeat to Premier League title-chasing Arsenal back in August, and appear on course to be sure-fire contenders for a place in the top four yet again.

Tottenham’s next five Premier League games

Date

Tottenham vs Aston Villa

November 3

Tottenham vs Ipswich Town

November 10

Man City vs Tottenham

November 23

Tottenham vs Fulham

December 1

Bournemouth vs Tottenham

December 5

Spurs, meanwhile, have endured a very mixed start to the campaign under Postecoglou – winning four, losing four and drawing one of their opening eight top-flight matches as the Australian aims to galvanize a consistent winning run from his side.

Timo Werner’s been singled out for criticism amid his lacklustre form, but the German scored his first goal in all competitions since March by opening the scoring against Man City in midweek.

The 28-year-old will be hoping to build upon that strike by regaining full form, amid reports that Werner is likely to return to RB Leipzig at the end of his loan spell as things stand, with Spurs edging towards not taking up the option to sign him permanently.

While the likes of Dejan Kulusevski have seriously impressed, with the Swede arguably showcasing his best-ever run of form in a Lilywhites jersey right now, other members of the squad like Werner haven’t been able to help Tottenham’s cause as much.

Summer signing Archie Gray could be loaned out by Spurs in January, as intermediaries apparently tell Postecoglou’s side that many clubs in the Premier League and Championship are considering winter approaches for the teenager (GiveMeSport).

Gray has struggled for game time in the top flight, and those within the club apparently believe they have a decision to make in regard to loaning him out (GiveMeSport).

Tottenham warned that Napoli are "ready" to move for Dragusin

Another player who’s been forced to play more of a bit-part role in the squad is January signing Radu Dragusin.

Dragusin is attracting interest from Serie A, as per other reports, and it is believed that Napoli are seriously keen on the “outstanding” 22-year-old. That is according to journalist Paolo Paganini, who told Rai 2 (via CalcioNapoli) that Napoli are ready to move for Dragusin in January – sending a warning to Tottenham.

“Be careful because Napoli is ready to make a double move in January,” said Paganini.

“One is Dorgu from Lecce, and the other is Dragusin from the Premier League. Be careful because Raspadori can leave, but [Aurelio] De Laurentiis will hardly give him to Juventus. Atalanta also like him.”

Letting the Romania international leave could be a head-scratching decision, considering Spurs’ congested fixture calendar, and the consensus in England is that Tottenham have no interest in selling or loaning Dragusin mid-season.

كشفت مصارد إعلامية إنجليزية أن نادي أتلتيكو مدريد الإسباني يدرس التعاقد مع مهاجم ليفربول خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية المقبلة.

ويحتل أتلتيكو مدريد المركز الثالث في سلم ترتيب الدوري الإسباني برصيد 56 نقطة، بينما يأتي ليفربول في صدارة ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي برصيد 70 نقطة.

اقرأ ايضاً.. كومان يوجه رسالة غامضة بشأن مستقبل فان دايك مع ليفربول

وذكرت شبكة “givemesport” أن نادي أتلتيكو مدريد يفكر في التعاقد مع مهاجم ليفربول، داروين نونيز، في الانتقالات الصيفية القادمة.

ويحظى نونيز باهتمام مستمر من أندية المملكة العربية السعودية أيضًا ومن بينهم نادي النصر السعودي.

وأوضحت الشبكة أنه يخطط أتلتيكو مدريد لضم مهاجم جديد، في ظل احتمال رحيل أنطوان جريزمان عن النادي، ويرى بأن نونيز قادر على تعويض رحيل النجم الفرنسي.

ومن المتوقع أن تبلغ قيمة إنتقال نونيز إلى أتلتيكو مدريد مابين 35-40 مليون يورو.

وأبدى آرني سلوت رغبته في التعاقد مع مهاجم جديد في الموسم القادم، تمهيداً لرحيل داروين نونيز في الميركاتو المقبل.

وشارك نونيز تحت قيادة سلوت في 40 مباراة هذا الموسم، ولم يحرز سوى 7 أهداف وتقديم 5 تمريرات حاسمة.

Liverpool’s rip-roaring start to the season bears testament to Arne Slot’s tactical approach, encouraging this highly talented squad to foster their qualities and make title-winning improvements.

Without a doubt, the nine wins claimed from ten matches would not have been possible had Ryan Gravenberch not glided into his new role at number six, praised for his “sensational” performances by pundit Steve Nicol.

Gravenberch's start to the season

Gravenberch has long been regarded as a multi-functional midfield talent but he’s starting to showcase a real skill in the deep-sitting area of the engine room, with Slot won over by his young countryman’s properties, demonstrating great promise in his positional awareness and play-breaking.

The failed attempt to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad is but a distant and hazy mishap at this stage, even if the Spaniard would have dovetailed right into the new Anfield system. Let bygones be bygones and all that.

Liverpool have saved a pretty penny in fashioning Gravenberch, whose maiden year in England was solidly unspectacular, into a first-class number six. There’s plenty of football yet to play this term but the signs, Liverpool fans, are promising indeed.

He sort of carried a range of skills that hadn’t been properly executed throughout his Bayern and early Anfield days, but Slot’s fused them into a whole and he looks right in his wheelhouse in this new brand.

The Dutchman has been Merseyside’s finest breakout star of the season, for sure, and he’s set to see his current market value of £34m, as per Transfermarkt, skyrocket in the years to come.

There’s another Liverpool ace pushing toward the prime of their career in Giorgi Mamardashvili who could be Slot’s hero next season, and he hasn’t even moved to the city yet.

Mamardashvili could be Liverpool's next breakout star

FSG might not be everybody’s cup of tea but they do operate with a commendable degree of prudence, current contractual quandaries notwithstanding.

Liverpool boast one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation in Alisson Becker, but the 31-year-old has missed many matches across the past several campaigns and his brilliant backup, Caoimhin Kelleher, is desperate to make his name as a number one. The Irishman will be gone at some stage, likely next year.

That’s why Michael Edwards and Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes acted this summer to sign Valencia goalkeeper Mamardashvili, 24, who was loaned back to the La Liga club for the duration of the current term.

Rising to performances with the Georgian national team this summer, Mamardashvili established himself as a goalkeeper capable of starring for one of Europe’s elite, and thus Liverpool acted swiftly to sign him for a £25m fee, plus £4m in add-ons.

Described as “an absolute monster” between the sticks by Spanish journalist Paco Polit, Liverpool look like they’ve scored a real coup with this one: Mamardashvili has the blend of physicality, shot-stopping athleticism and authority to speak of a prosperous Premier League career under Slot’s guidance.

As per FBref, the 6 foot 6 titan ranks among the top 7% of goalkeepers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed.

Now, this is a confusing metric, so let’s put it another way: Mamardashvili’s ability to prevent goals in situations when a save seems improbable has already established him as one of the hottest prospects in the game, showcased marvellously during Georgia’s exceptional Euro 2024 campaign, with the 24-year-old was awarded the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper award.

Liverpool are only going to go from strength to strength with this goalkeeper eventually replacing Alisson. Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has even praised him as “one of the best shot-stoppers in Europe”, and though his distribution leaves something to be desired, it’s important to remember that Mamardashvili is young and below the average prime of a goalkeeper.

Even so, he’s already regarded as a top talent, with Transfermarkt actually recording the Georgian’s price tag at £37m, suggesting that Liverpool struck a bargain in bringing him over to Merseyside, allowing him to nurture his talents further with Valencia before hopping over to the Premier League.

To emphasise how exciting this acquisition is for the Reds, let’s hark back to Gravenberch. As discussed earlier, the Netherlands international, who is still only 22, is valued at £34m, which is actually in line with the fee that was paid to Bayern Munich for his services just over one year ago.

It’s exciting to think that Liverpool have a player at a similar stage of their career in Mamardashvili who could add to the Gravenberch revolution that Slot is orchestrating.

The Reds have so much to look forward to over the coming years, and though the fateful day when Alisson lays down his gloves will be poignant, it’s thrilling to think that the worthiest of successors has already been clinched.

Liverpool must miss a star who's earning more than Van Dijk after leaving

Liverpool sold one of Klopp’s main men and he’s earned loads more than Salah since.

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 18, 2024

Sri Lankan batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 30, has announced his intention to retire from international cricket. He handed in a letter of resignation to Sri Lanka Cricket, citing “familial obligations”. Rajapaksa for his part is yet speak on the matter.”I have very carefully considered my position as a player, husband and am taking this decision looking forward to fatherhood and associated familial obligations,” SLC cited Rajapaksa’s resignation letter as stating.Despite only a brief period on the international stage, Rajapaksa has had his fair share of career ups and downs. Known for his explosive middle-order hitting, the left-handed bat first made waves as a promising schoolboy cricketer. He most-notably finished as Sri Lanka’s top run scorer in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup.The next decade saw Rajapaksa grind the domestic circuit. He made 4087 first-class runs at an average of 36.49. In List A (and T20 cricket, he made 2842 and 1912 runs respectively. In choosing to retire, he gives an undoubted sense of unfulfilled potential.This would prove to be a theme of sorts after Rajapaksa eventually made his national team debut in 2019 with the T20 side; he would make his ODI debut in 2021. His 18 T20Is brought 320 runs at an average of 26.66, including two fifties, the second of which was a memorable match-winning effort in a 2021 T20 World Cup chase against Bangladesh, while his five ODIS produced 89 runs at 17.80. He also last month led the Galle Gladiators to the final of the Lanka Premier League, where his team lost out to the Jaffna Stallions.Much of the noise surrounding the 30-year-old though has stemmed from his run-ins with the board surrounding his fitness. He was fined US$ 5000 in July last year after he gave an interview in which he criticised his omission from the national team. This prompted then head coach Mickey Arthur to hit back, calling into question the Rajapaksa’s attitude. Rajapaksa is understood to have failed a mandatory skinfold test, while was also pulled up for poor weight management and substandard fielding.The reintroduction of skinfold tests had been part of a fitness-oriented revamp of Sri Lanka cricket’s selection process. Rajapaksa, to his credit, worked on his fitness and fielding and found his way back into the national side, where he and Arthur eventually patched up their relationship.Rajapaksa acknowledged the “differences” the pair had in a farewell tweet following the end of Arthur’s tenure last month, to which Arthur responded: “I am so glad that you are delivering on your amazing talent and loved working with you! I just want to see you be the best you can be….keep on this path and the world is your oyster!”Prior to Arthur’s departure as head coach, Rajapaksa had become a regular member of the Sri Lanka national setup, however this seemed to once more be brought into question after SLC last month announced tougher fitness benchmarks starting from 2022.Players will now be expected to run 2km in a minimum of 8.10 minutes, down from 8.55 minutes last year, itself increased from the original benchmark of 8.35 minutes following player complaints. As things stand, players who run below 8.10 minutes will be eligible for selection, while those who clear 8.35 minutes will be eligible for selection but with a percentage of their contract fee withheld. Skinfold test benchmarks meanwhile have reduced from 85 to 70.There has been speculation that Rajapaksa’s decision to resign was prompted by the new fitness requirements.Former Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga has been one of the notable voices asking Rajapaksa to reconsider his decision. “Representing your country at International level is not an easy task and players always face so many challenges. I truly believe that @BhanukaRajapak3 has a lot more to give to Sri Lankan cricket and I request him to reconsider his decision to retire from International cricket,” Malinga tweeted.

MatériaMais Notícias

A CPI da Chapecoense teve mais um desdobramento nesta quinta-feira (17). Criada para apurar a situação das 71 famílias das vítimas no desastre aéreo ocorrido em 2016, a comissão ouviu o atual presidente do clube, Nei Roque Mohr, o ex-presidente, Plínio David de Nes Filho, além do vice-presidente de logística e operações da Caixa Econômica Federal, Antônio Carlos Ferreira de Sousa.

RelacionadasSantosCarille enxerga dois times do Santos diferentes na derrota para o MirassolSantos17/02/2022CruzeiroVÍDEO: Veja os gols da vitória do Cruzeiro sobre o Uberlândia pelo Campeonato MineiroCruzeiro17/02/2022BotafogoLúcio Flávio vê mudança de postura do Botafogo como essencial para vitória sobre o ResendeBotafogo17/02/2022

Na reunião realizada no último dia 10, a CPI havia aprovado requerimento para convidar o presidente da Caixa, Pedro Guimarães, para a audiência que ocorreu nesta quinta-feira (17). Contudo, Guimarães não compareceu, afirmando que estava acompanhando a situação dos deslizamentos de terra em Petrópolis. O vice-presidente de logística e operações foi seu representante.

Parlamentares contestaram a parceria firmada entre a Caixa e a resseguradora Tokio Marine, que ainda não pagou das indenizações aos familiares das vítimas da tragédia aérea. No entanto, outras empresas também são apontadas como resseguradoras do voo.

-Foi noticiado, Sr. Antônio, que a Tokio Marine detém contratos de seguro com a Caixa Econômica Federal. Assim, gostaria de saber se o senhor, como Vice-Presidente da Caixa Econômica Federal, vê algum problema ético ou mesmo comercial ao firmar contratos de seguro com companhias que decidem não honrar o pagamento, alegando tecnicalidades contratuais – indagou o senador Jorge Kajuru (Podemos-GO).

O vice-presidente da Caixa frisou que não há qualquer problema em torno da parceria do banco estatal (por meio da Caixa Seguridade) e a resseguradora.

– Em relação ao contrato em especial das empresas relacionadas à Caixa, nenhum conglomerado conhece esse contrato nem é parte dele. Na relação contratual de parceria com a Caixa e a Tokio Marine, todas as diligências de governança foram cumpridas, que preveem praticamente oito etapas – ponderou.

Presente na reunião, o vice-presidente de marketing da Chapecoense, Alex Passos, destacou que o clube projeta “migrar” para o modelo de Sociedade Anônima do Futebol (SAF).

– A SAF vai acabar sendo criada na Chapecoense. O momento em que ela vai ser criada, quem vai decidir isso agora vai ser como é que essa recuperação judicial vai andar, como é que vai ser a assembleia de credores, como é que nós vamos conseguir montar este processo. E, diante desse mercado todo, não tenha dúvida que, como o presidente Nei, falou nós estamos ouvindo todo mundo, todo mundo – disse.

A próxima reunião da CPI da Chapecoense está marcada para a próxima quinta-feira (24). Estão previstos na pauta os depoimentos do presidente da Tokio Marine do Brasil, José Adalberto Ferrara, e do presidente da Petrobras, Joaquim Silva e Luna.

ICC’s clarification on a total of eight penalty points comes when the side is staring down a mammoth task to salvage second Ashes Test in Adelaide

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Dec-2021As if England’s plight wasn’t difficult enough, staring down a 456-run deficit heading into the third day in Adelaide, the ICC piled on more misery by docking them a further three points for slow over rates in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.England were originally handed a penalty of five World Test Championship (WTC) points – and fined 100% of their match fees – for maintaining a slow over rate in the first Test at the Gabba but the ICC on Friday announced the penalty would now be eight points in total.”Last Saturday, it was announced that England would be docked five WTC points, one for each over they were found to initially have fallen short by,” the ICC said in a statement. “However, it has since emerged they were eight overs short, and will therefore lose three additional points.”The points deduction for penalty overs is not capped and must reflect the actual number of penalty overs a team is short of the minimum requirement as per Clause 16.1.2 of the ICC Playing Conditions, hence they have been penalised one point for each over they were short.”Related

England docked five WTC points for slow over rates in Gabba Test

England run for the exits as Australia storm into commanding position

'If we don't believe, we're beaten already' – Ben Stokes

Electrifying session by Australia's bowlers ends rather aptly

Labuschagne: Personal performances 'nice' but winning games 'the most enjoyable part'

The announcement leaves England in seventh place on the WTC table, with six points from five Tests in the current competition cycle, and came after England had lost early wickets to be 17 for 2 in response to Australia’s first-innings 473 for 9 declared when an electrical storm curtailed the final session on day two of the second Test at Adelaide Oval.England managed to bowl 89 of the scheduled 90 overs on the first day in Adelaide, albeit relying on five overs of Joe Root’s part-time off-spin to catch up.While over rates could well remain a concern for England’s five-man seam attack, Graham Thorpe, their assistant coach, played down the issue after the first day’s play, saying: “I think there’s bigger things going on in the world than over rates.”England, who lost the first Test by nine wickets and now face a mammoth task to salvage the second, were also penalised for a poor overrate in their home series against India in July and August, meaning they have now conceded a total of 10 points for slow over rate offences.