Peter Crouch has hilariously taken credit for Kylian Mbappe's shinned volley, with the ex-England international saying you "can't teach" that skill.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
French forward on target at the EtihadShinned volley into the top cornerEx-England star used to do likewiseFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Real Madrid superstar Mbappe was back among the goals during his latest Champions League appearance. The World Cup winner netted Los Blancos’ first of the night as they claimed a dramatic 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Mbappe’s strike, which came on the hour mark and cancelled out Erling Haaland’s opener for the hosts, had more than a touch of good fortune about it. The Frenchman did not make the cleanest of contacts as he lined up a spectacular scissor kick.
WHAT PETER CROUCH SAID
The ball was, however, to end up in the top corner as it skewed off Mbappe’s shin and looped beyond Ederson. Former Liverpool and Tottenham striker Crouch hit a few like that himself during his playing days and has posted on social media alongside images of Mbappe emulating his efforts: "Can’t teach it."
WHAT NEXT?
Jude Bellingham went on to grab a 92nd-minute winner for Real against City, as they took control of a heavyweight Champions League knockout phase play-off. Mbappe, meanwhile, has taken his goal tally for the season to 24 through 36 appearances in all competitions.
Fast-paced batting key to victory as New Zealand are left looking for answers
Andrew Miller19-Feb-2023Ben Stokes, England’s captain, admitted he was “blessed” to be able to call upon a bowling attack led by England’s greatest seam pairing, James Anderson and Stuart Broad, after an emphatic 267-run victory in the first Test against New Zealand. However, he added that the positivity of his batting line-up had been instrumental in allowing the bowlers to thrive under the floodlights at Mount Maunganui.Twice in the Test, on days one and three, England batted at such a high tempo – with Harry Brook, the player of the match, instrumental in both performances – that they were able to cede the stage early in the day’s final session and unleash their fast bowlers in the twilight, when the pink Kookaburra ball habitually offers the most assistance.Anderson and Ollie Robinson were duly to the fore on the first day, reducing New Zealand to 37 for 3 in reply to England’s 325 for 9 declared, before Broad took centre stage on day three, ripping out four wickets in his first seven overs as New Zealand closed on 63 for 5. From there, there was no way back into the match, as England wrapped up their tenth victory in 11 Tests inside the first session of day four.”It was another great performance,” Stokes said during the post-match presentation. “We were very clinical with the bat and obviously very clinical with the ball. You look at the bowling attack that we’ve got, with this pink ball especially under lights, we executed everything as well as we wanted to. When you got the likes of Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson in your bowling attack, it’s always going to be tough for any opposition with the bat in hand.”Tim Southee, New Zealand’s captain, admitted his disappointment after overseeing a first loss to England on home soil since his own Test debut at Napier in 2008, but acknowledged that “strategically, they played it pretty well.”Related
Root's mantra: To be 'consistently useful' within evolving England set-up
Jamieson to undergo back surgery, set to be out for 'three to four months'
Here's why England are like Mean Girls the movie
Late England wickets vindicate Stokes' funky declaration
Stuart Broad runs riot through the night to leave New Zealand in tatters
“We were on the receiving end of a couple of night periods that weren’t obviously ideal,” Southee said. “Broady last night, that spell was pretty impressive, but if we had got through that, we knew there were not a lot of demons out there today, with the nature of the pink ball, so I think it’s credit to the way they played it.”Stokes acknowledged that that had been England’s battle-plan after losing the toss and being asked to bat first, even though it took another remarkable pair of innings, both scored at a rate in excess of 5 an over, to give them the platform they were looking for.”The way we set the game up, with us having to bat on day one, the pace that we scored allowed us to get ahead of the game,” he said. “Having 320 on the board is a good score anywhere. So we were able to inflict some pretty hard damage with that new ball on day one, get them three-down, and then the same again last night.”It’s tough for anyone when Jimmy and Broady get that new ball talking like they did,” Stokes added. “I’m pretty blessed to be able to be in charge of this bowling group at the moment. But when you’re out in the field, the idea is to take 10 wickets and that’s what we’ve got to try and do. We’ve got an ethos with the bat, but also with the ball. It’s about taking 10 wickets, and not worrying too much about how he runs they go for.”No one, however, went for more runs in the match than the New Zealand quick, Neil Wagner, who bore the brunt of England’s second-innings onslaught with figures of 13-0-110-2, the second-most expensive bowling analysis in Test history.Faced with Wagner’s consistent short-pitched approach, England’s batters set themselves to clear the ropes at every opportunity, and Brook was one of his main tormentors, striking his 11th over for three fours and a six, en route to 54 from 41 balls. Coupled with his first-innings 89 from 81, that took his overall Test record to 623 runs in eight innings, at an astonishing strike rate of 96.88.”It is one of the most fun I’ve had,” Brook said afterwards. “Every time I go out to bat, I’m really excited to just do whatever I want. I think it helped a little bit that they went bumpers early, obviously I stuck to my strengths and just kept on trying to whack it.””Brooky’s just carried on from his amazing series in Pakistan,” Stokes added, after his Player-of-the-Series display in England’s 3-0 win before Christmas. “He’s a fantastic talent and I think he’s going to go on to be a global superstar.”For New Zealand, there is likely to be a week of soul-searching after their fourth bruising defeat in as many matches against England’s new aggressive approach, and Southee hoped that a return to red-ball cricket at the Basin Reserve in Wellington – one of New Zealand’s iconic venues – could offer them a chance to regroup.”Their style of play is going to present opportunities and we knew that,” Southee said. “We were able to get nine wickets in the first innings, and in the second innings, we got all ten. But it’s about trying to stem the bleeding in between those wickets, and trying to create those chances as often as we can.”
ESPNcricinfo staff26-Aug-2015Morne van Wyk was a bit slower, making 58 off 100 balls, but his innings kept South Africa together on a slightly difficult Durban pitch•Getty ImagesNew Zealand’s bowlers were quite skillful, but they fluffed several chances. Doug Bracewell dropped van Wyk in the ninth over for 17•Getty ImagesGrant Elliott, with his accurate medium pace, took 2 for 41, incuding van Wyk, to keep the game even heading into the final overs•Associated PressBut AB de Villiers struck a 48-ball 64 to become the fastest to 8000 ODI runs. His innings was followed by a 28-ball 40 from Farhaan Behardien to lift South Africa to 283 for 7•Getty ImagesMartin Guptill departed early in the chase to Dale Steyn, but his opening partner Tom Latham made 54•Associated PressKane Williamson and Latham put on 84 for the second wicket in 19.1 overs•Getty ImagesImran Tahir broke through when he bowled Williamson for 39. New Zealand were not able to build any partnership of note after that and were dismissed for 221 to cede the series 1-2 to the hosts•Getty Images
Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte are set to miss Manchester United's Europa League last-16 first leg tie at Real Sociedad in a blow to Ruben Amorim.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Maguire and Ugarte set to miss Sociedad tripAnother frustrating blow for AmorimMultiple other first-team players injuredFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Both players sustained knocks during Sunday's FA Cup fifth-round defeat at home to Fulham and were withdrawn during the match. According to , it is unlikely that Maguire or Ugarte will board the flight to Spain with the rest of the United squad.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The pair join an extensive injury list, which sees Amorim down to the bare bones in terms of availability. Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Jonny Evans are all also absent for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, Chido Obi-Martin is ineligible for the Sociedad game, but Toby Collyer is set to return.
WHAT MANCHESTER UNITED SAID
Manchester United said on their : "In addition to Manuel Ugarte's absence, there was no Harry Maguire in [today's] session. It is understood that both Ugarte and Maguire look set to miss the game with minor knocks sustained at the weekend, but we will confirm the travelling squad when the players head to the airport."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?
United's final chance of silverware this season is on the line as they head to Real Sociedad for Thursday's first-leg clash, before they host the second leg at Old Trafford next week. A visit from Arsenal in the Premier League sits between the two games on Sunday afternoon.
Harmer and Adam Rossington fifties leave Hampshire needing 299 to win in fourth innings
David Hopps27-Jun-2022How to play Simon Harmer on a pitch offering turn and bounce will again be the main topic of conversation at Chelmsford. Harmer soon took the last four Hampshire wickets to fall on the second morning and, as many had imagined he might, returned the best Championship figures this season in the process.His 8 for 46 was the first eight-for in Division One this summer, and also surpassed Dane Paterson’s 8 for 52 for Nottinghamshire against Worcestershire in Division Two. A pitch the colour of a peeled banana should continue to offer plenty of assistance on the third day and, despite signs of defiance, Hampshire’s target of 299 remains a distant dream.How should Hampshire combat Harmer? Limit vertical-bat shots, stay inside the line and, when you do hunt out the leg side do so with vigour and scare the close fielders to death might be one theory. Felix Organ appeared to have done a lot of thinking roughly along those lines and, with 13 overs to survive at the end of the day, his approach was particularly decisive. He swung Harmer for three leg-side sixes, the bowler conceded 30 from six overs and Hampshire closed their 13 overs somewhat enriched at 35 without loss.Dismissals at the start of day two included a reverse sweep (Keith Barker), a top-edged flat bat through cover (James Fuller) and a swing to deep midwicket (Kyle Abbott). Ben Brown, who played well for 38, was unfortunate and conveyed the fact the ball flicked the top of his pad with a meaningful pad bash, followed by an exasperated swing of his arm and spin of his bat.Liam Dawson, as Hampshire’s senior spinner, then responded with a creditable 7 for 68. As well as the first time he had taken 10 wickets in a match, he was also the first spinner to take five or more wickets at Chelmsford other than Harmer since 2014.”You have to cash in on these pitch as you don’t get many that turn off the straight in England,” Dawson said. “Harmer is world-class. Facing him and the bounce he gets is something every spinner wants and he has shown over the years how good he is. It is going to be a tough chase. We are going to have to be brave and take risks against Harmer. It is going to be a fun day. You might see some lads get out playing some big shots but that is better sitting around waiting to get caught around the bat.”Dawson is not a big turner of the ball, but he is a thoughtful bowler and approached every delivery with an air of great care as if he was not just bowling the ball but computing it. Nick Browne met the turning ball as he does swing and seam, with great deliberation, his 33 from 98 balls the most considered innings of the match. Adam Rossington’s 60 from 71 balls, his highest Championship score of the season, was a more pugnacious response from No. 7 after the loss of five early wickets. Harmer, as if to rub it in, then contributed 61 as he mowed regularly and spiritedly to midwicket.Rossington’s sudden move from Northamptonshire on the eve of the season, partly driven by a disagreement with Northants’ coaching staff over fitness regimes, was soon followed by Adam Wheater’s announcement that he would retire his Essex career at the end of the season, since when he has disappeared from view and Rossington is now established behind the stumps. He is a much more assertive batter and his bulk is making him one of the most recognisable figures in the game.It is a safe assumption that Essex did not discuss how to survive Organ with the same focus that Hampshire gave to Harmer. Organ, trying to make his way as an opening batter offering an offspin option, has a tidy first-class record, nonetheless, with his 29 wickets before this game costing under 23 runs.Along with Dawson, he kept Essex’s second innings honest. They had a first-innings lead of 75, knowing that another 150 would make them overwhelming favourites. The spinners were in tandem by the sixth over – perhaps uniquely this season – and, with half of Essex’s side dispatched for 51 just after lunch, the match was still very much alive.Organ took two in two, finding nice dip to beat Alastair Cook on the drive and have him caught at first slip, then seeing Tom Westley caught at short leg, a firm clip into Aneurin Donald’s midriff. Paul Walter, covering up in front of off stump, was trapped lbw on the back foot. Dawson had Dan Lawrence lbw flicking across his front pad. Michael Pepper, who is standing in for the injured Matt Critchley, has had an unrewarding match – after his tentative first-ball dismissal in the first innings, he opted for a reverse sweep and picked out cover. Dawson picked his way through the tail.Down in the furthest reaches of the County Ground, where the view is at its worst, two supporters watched Hampshire’s fielders agitating for wickets as Browne and Rossington began to reclaim Essex’s advantage. Seasoned county supporters, by and large, are not yet in the habit of checking the video replay when a contentious moment occurs. They draw on decades of experience, flavoured by a healthy seasoning of bias. Emotion often trumps facts, as in the real world beyond.So it was that when Browne survived a catch at short leg, Hampshire fielders dancing around, a portly man in a red polo shirt complained “clearly out” from fully 90 metres away, slightly downhill. Next ball, Browne’s defiant innings came to grief as he turned Dawson to backward short leg. “Should have walked the first time,” said the man, a little self-righteously, his faith in some sort of religious intervention confirmed. It would have been surprising if God had had the time to intervene considering that a minority of fundamentalists claim He has been more involved in Roe v Wade than Browne v Dawson.Minutes later, Harmer rode a blow from Abbott which brushed his chest on the way through to the wicketkeeper, Hampshire’s wailing for a wicket again refused. “They’re all cheating now,” said the man, before adding with no sense of irony: “Looked out from here.” All this time, umpires have been standing behind the stumps when clearly a better vantage point has existed all along.
Crystal Palace have struggled to score goals this campaign, scoring 25 goals in 22 games so far this season, making them the joint fifth-lowest goalscorers in the Premier League.
This is despite taking 13.9 shots per game (10th most in the division) with their average xG per shot being 0.12.
With their striker options being Jean Philippe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah -who was a big-money signing in the summer – the Eagles could instead look to add goals to their squad behind the striker, aiming to replace the output of Michael Olise who left in the summer window.
Crystal Palace looking at new forwards
According to reports from Italian outlet Firenze Viola in recent days, Crystal Palace have emerged as potential suitors for Botafogo winger, Luiz Henrique.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Other interested clubs include Fiorentina, who made an offer of around €20m (£16.8m) to Botafogo, but the Brazilian side have not been convinced by this bid.
The reports suggest a fee of around €30m (£25m) would be needed to prise the 24-year-old winger away from the club in the January window. However, it is unknown whether Palace would be willing to meet such an asking price.
Henrique has made 55 appearances since joining Botafogo in 2024, scoring 12 goals and providing six assists.
How Henrique compares to Romain Esse
On Saturday it was confirmed by the Eagles that they had officially signed Romain Esse from Championship side Millwall.
He has made 26 appearances so far this season, scoring five goals, providing one assist and totaling 2,165 minutes played.
Esse is, of course, five years younger than Henrique, and would demand a lower fee, but you would also be gambling on him making the jump from Championship to Premier League football seamlessly. That being said, Henrique has played in LaLiga and the Brazilian Serie A, so he would also be making a change and could potentially struggle with the physicality to begin with.
Goals
0.30
0.21
Assists
0.14
0.04
xG
0.29
0.10
xAG
0.13
0.20
Progressive Carries
2.94
1.65
Progressive Passes
2.66
3.26
Shots Total
2.14
1.38
Key Passes
1.21
1.21
Shot-Creating Actions
3.52
3.13
Successful Take-Ons
2.91
2.28
When comparing the two wide player’s metrics this season, Henrique has much better output, both with goals and assists. However, Esse has shown his ability to create chances for his team, with a higher xAG (expected assisted goals) which could lead to his assist numbers being higher when surrounded by better finishers.
Henrique and Esse both average 1.21 key passes per 90, as well as over three shot-creating actions per 90, showing their ability to create chances. The 24-year-old (Henrique) does offer more potency and goal threat though, having a higher shot-volume to go alongside his higher goals per 90.
Crystal Palace star Michael Olise
The Brazilian was labeled an “absolute sensation” by scout Jacek Kulig, when playing for Brazil in the World Cup qualifiers. The quality of Henrique is clearly huge, but the biggest challenge would be settling into one of/if not the most physical league in the world.
The aim for either one of these players if they both arrived this January would be to replace some of the assets that Palace lost in the summer, specially when one of their jewels in the crown, Michael Olise, left the club. Both players have elements to their game, adding attacking spark, but whether they can provide enough output straight away remains to be seen.
Crystal Palace could land 'the Reading version of Olise' in EFL sensation
Crystal Palace can finally land their Olise replacement with EFL star
Barcelona are set to launch a fresh bid to lure Nico Williams to the Spanish giants as they prepare to enter talks with the Athletic Club star.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Barca and Arsenal target Spain star WilliamsLa Liga leaders ready to open new negotiationsHope Yamal friendship will convince him to signFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Catalan club attempted to sign the winger last summer following his role in last year's Euro 2024 success, but the 22-year-old opted to stay with the Basque side for at least one more year. Barca, however, have not given up on landing him as reports they are prepared to open talks over a summer transfer.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The current La Liga leaders are not the only team interested in signing Williams. Bayern Munich have also been linked, but it is Arsenal who have been regarded as the favourites of late to complete the transfer, reportedly opening talks with the intention of triggering his release clause in his contract which is said to be set at €60 million (£51m/$66m).
DID YOU KNOW?
Despite the competition, Barcelona feel they have an advantage in the race to buy Williams. The winger has a close friendship with fellow Spain star Lamine Yamal, with Williams saying last year: "We laugh a lot. I think it's obvious that we have the same or very similar personalities and we like the same things. He's a kid that I get along with really well and I always try to give him as much advice as possible, like my brother Inaki has done with me."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?
The Catalan club will hope Yamal's bond with Williams will tip the balance in their favour in the race to signing Williams, while Mikel Arteta will be eagerly awaiting news on his target's decision.
Marcus Rashford is aiming to add an extra "one per cent" to his game as he returned to Aston Villa following international duty with England.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Rashford back from England dutyShowed off his training regimeIs flying on loan at Aston VillaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The attacker made his first England appearance in a year as England won their first game under new boss Thomas Tuchel against Albania last week before starting again as they beat Latvia. He is gearing up for Aston Villa's FA Cup clash against Preston this weekend by doing some individual training in the gym.
AdvertisementWHAT RASHFORD POSTED
The 27-year-old shared images of his training regime on Instagram, writing in the caption: "The extra 1%".
He also posted a picture of himself on a training pitch.
instagram/marcusrashfordTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Rashford has enjoyed a resurgence since joining Villa from Manchester United on loan in January, making four assists in their six-game winning run before the international break.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR RASHFORD?
The winger will hope to fire Villa through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup when they face Preston on Sunday.
Julen Lopetegui seems to be on the brink of losing his job at West Ham, having only won once in their last five games, including their most recent 3-1 loss to Leicester City.
Whilst the Hammers have improved in certain metrics this season, holding more of the ball (46.4% possession), taking more shots (14.7 per match), and conceding fewer shots (15.8 per game), the results have not followed, as they sit 14th in the Premier League.
This has led to the owners drawing up a shortlist of potential managers who could take over if they do pull the trigger and sack Lopetegui, and two favourites seem to have emerged.
West Ham's managerial shortlist
Three main names have emerged on the West Ham shortlist according to journalist Ben Jacobs, with Graham Potter, Sergio Conceicao and Edin Terzić.
Terzic, who made his way to the Champions League final with Dortmund last season, losing 2-0 at the final hurdle against Real Madrid, is said to be on the list, but the other two names seem to be gathering more traction in the media.
Potter, whose last job was with Chelsea in the 2022/23 season, has taken his time off to assess, and wait for the right opportunity to get back into management. In his time at Chelsea, they held the fifth most possession in the division (58.8%), took the eighth most shots per game (12.7), and conceded the seventh fewest shots per match (11.5).
There are many coaching qualities to like about Potter. He is an adaptable manager who will change things in order to give his side the tactical edge, and he has proven himself in the league already, mainly in his time at Brighton.
However, one thing to consider would be his time out of management, and how he struggled with the pressure at Chelsea, and this West Ham job wouldn’t be an easy one to come into with the state it is currently in.
Conceicao, on the other hand, was in a job at Porto from 2017-2024, only leaving the Portuguese giants this summer, after delivering the Portuguese Cup for a third time. In his final season at the club (2023/24), Porto averaged the highest amount of possession in the division (63.6%), averaged the second most shots per game (16.8), and conceded the second-fewest shots per match (8.3).
All of these metrics show how Conceicao would be a brilliant appointment, with an ability to deploy a good defensive strategy, keeping opposition shot totals low (something the Hammers have really struggled to do this season). However, the Portuguese coach has never managed in England, and the risk would be implementing his style at speed in another country, in order to turn things around quickly at the club.
Football manager Sergio Conceicao
That leads us to possibly the best option for the Hammers, someone not even on this list, and instead an ex-player, who is now showing his class in management, generating the highest xG in the Championship so far this season, with 33.1 in 18 games played.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
West Ham's best option to replace Lopetegui
Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough side have been rampant in the Championship this season, currently sitting fifth in the league on 30 points, just eight points off 1st placed Sheffield United. Carrick’s side have scored the second most goals in the Championship, with 32, and are averaging the second most shots per game, with 16.1.
The 43-year-old coach played for West Ham, Tottenham and, of course, Manchester United in his playing days, before starting his coaching journey as the Manchester United assistant manager back in 2018, keeping that role until 2021. He then took over as caretaker manager for three games, winning two of the three, before Erik ten Hag took the reins, leaving Carrick out of a job.
Middlesbrough managerMichaelCarrick
But in 2022, Middlesbrough hired the ex-midfielder, and since then, he has taken charge of 107 matches, averaging a points per match of 1.67, and brandishing a lovely style of play that mirrors that of the elites. This is the type of football West Ham want to play, and Carrick could be the perfect appointment to bring that to the club, whilst also connecting with the fans.
Carrick sets his team up in a 4-2-3-1 from the start, often adopting that familiar 3-2-5 shape in possession, and adjusting how he forms that shape on the ball, depending on which players he has on the pitch. The most common rotation includes the left-back providing width, with the left-winger drifting inside, to become that second number ten behind the striker.
And it’s the formation of this exciting attacking triangle (left-winger, number ten, striker) that has seen Carrick’s Middlesbrough side blow teams away this season, so who could fit the bill in these roles for him at West Ham?
The West Ham players who would thrive under Carrick
West Ham’s two key men last season, Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus, would both thrive in this system, allowing them to get into these central pockets of space closer to goal, and create chances for themselves and one another.
Instead of seeing the left-back overlap to provide width, West Ham could deploy the right-back in this fashion, allowing Bowen to drift infield from the right wing, whilst Kudus could then start at number 10. This would form a triangle of Bowen, Kudus and a striker, which could improve the Hammers’ ability to score goals, getting their best players into dangerous areas.
Goals
0.31
0.23
Assists
0.19
0.12
xG
0.20
0.37
Progressive Carries
3.72
4.63
Progressive Passes
3.80
3.17
Shots Total
2.84
3.60
Key Passes
2.34
1.10
Shot-Creating Actions
4.45
4.02
Carries into Pen Area
1.68
2.07
Touches in Pen Area
4.45
5.61
By getting these higher shot-volume players into these central areas, and allowing them to be the difference makers, it would undoubtedly see an increase in attacking output for the Hammers. Something Carrick has done well with Middlesbrough is platform his best players, in order to get the best from them, which has an overall positive effect on the team.
Not only would Carrick be a young and exciting manager for the fans to get behind, but he is also well-known in England, has managed in the country before, and plays a style which is guaranteed to translate to the Premier League, which could be exactly what the Irons need to get back on track.
Better than Potter: West Ham eyeing up 3x title winner to replace Lopetegui
Lopetegui’s time at West Ham could be up with an appointment even better than Potter
India pay for their fielding lapses as Australia take 1-0 lead in the five-match series
Srinidhi Ramanujam09-Dec-2022Beth Mooney’s unbeaten 89 powered Australia to a nine-wicket victory against India with 11 balls to spare in the first of the five-match T20I series. Mooney and Tahlia McGrath shared an unbroken 100-run stand off 56 balls for the second wicket to steal the show after Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh’s fireworks had helped India post a competitive172 for 5.The successful chase meant Australia are yet to lose a match this year in any format. In T20Is, this was their ninth win in 12 matches, with three games producing no result.Ghosh, Deepti’s late flourish after rapid start After being put in, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided a brisk start to India, with Verma hitting two fours and two sixes in her 21 off ten balls. Jemimah Rodrigues was out for a six-ball duck in the fifth over when she mistimed Ellyse Perry to mid-on. But Mandhana’s 28 off 22, despite initially struggling to time the ball, took India to 48 for 2 at the end of the powerplay.Australia pulled things back in the middle phase, with Annabel Sutherland dismissing Mandhana in the eighth over. Harmanpreet Kaur tried to steady the innings with a 23-ball 21 but was dismissed in the 12th over when she tried to loft debutant Kim Garth over cover but ended up hitting straight to the fielder.At 76 for 4, Ghosh changed the momentum of the innings, slamming 36 in just 20 deliveries with the help of five fours and two sixes. With Devika Vaidya, who was playing a T20I after eight years, Ghosh stitched together a crucial 56-run stand for the fifth wicket.After Ghosh was stumped off Ashleigh Gardner in the 17th over, Deepti went berserk straightaway. The allrounder struck two fours in each of the 18th and 19th overs before hammering four successive fours off Megan Schutt in the 20th to take India to a competitive total. Eight boundaries in 15 deliveries meant Deepti finished unbeaten on 36, while Vaidya remained unbeaten on 25 off 24.The Australian chase Like India, Australia also started well with stand-in captain Alyssa Healy and Mooney keen on utilising the powerplay to the fullest. Healy picked up the gaps nicely and punished the loose deliveries to score a 23-ball 37, filled with four fours and two sixes. She and Mooney put on a 73-run stand before Vaidya removed Healy via a soft dismissal; Healy hit a full toss straight to Harmanpreet at cover.The wicket didn’t tilt the momentum for India as Mooney and McGrath kept finding boundaries to keep the scorecard moving. India’s sloppy fielding, and the dew, didn’t help them either.The chase looked fairly easy, largely due to Mooney pacing her innings well. Having begun on a steady note, she unfurled well-timed cover drives, pulls and punches off the backfoot to blunt the Indian attack. From 81 for 1 after ten overs, it was a walk in the park for Australia as they brought down the required run rate from ten to 7.4 by the end of 15 overs.Mooney’s 57-ball knock contained 16 fours, while McGrath slammed four fours and a six in her 29-ball innings.