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Jack Edwards produced a superb spell as the home side were bundled out for 161 on a hot day

AAP01-Feb-2024New South Wales rocketed to top spot on the Marsh Cup table after posting a five-wicket bonus-point victory over defending champions Western Australia at the WACA Ground.Player of the match Jack Edwards snared 3 for 14 as WA were rolled for 161 in 39.1 overs in 41-degree heat on Thursday.In reply, NSW reached the victory target with a whopping 17.4 overs to spare courtesy of important knocks from opener Daniel Hughes (52 off 83 balls) and Ollie Davies (38 off 34 balls).The result catapulted NSW from third to first, while WA’s second loss of the season relegated them to second spot. Both of WA’s losses have been to the Blues, setting up an intriguing battle if the two powerhouses make the final.WA slumped to 89 for 7 after being sent in to bat before some late heroics from D’Arcy Short and AJ Tye lifted the home side to a defendable total. Edwards caused the early damage, before offspinner Chris Green and Will Salzmann joined in on the fun.The wheels fell off early for WA as they slumped from 15 for 0 to 15 for 3 in the space of seven balls. Sam Fanning was the first to fall when he struck Ben Dwarshuis to point. Josh Philippe followed next over when Edwards found a leading edge.Alarm bells were ringing for WA next ball when a rising Edwards delivery crashed into the left glove of Sam Whiteman and rebounded onto the stumps.Cameron Bancroft helped steady the ship with a cautious knock, but his good work was undone when he was cramped by Edwards and edged behind.Green then sent Ashton Agar and Cameron Gannon packing in consecutive balls to leave WA in dire straights. Short and Tye refused to go down without a fight, the duo striking some lusty blows in a 69-run partnership off 63 balls.But just as WA looked set to push on towards 200, Salzmann dismissed both Short and Tye within the space of three balls in the 38th over to end the home side’s resistance.NSW slipped to 19 for 2 in their run chase after Edwards and Blake Macdonald fell to the impressive Gannon, but a strong knock from Hughes ensured there would be no major collapse.

Both teams will be playing primarily for pride, before focus turns to the T20 World Cup and then next season’s mega-auction reshuffle

Shashank Kishore16-May-20243:09

Could this be Rohit’s last game at Mumbai Indians?

Match Details

Mumbai Indians v Lucknow Super Giants
Mumbai, 7.30pm IST (2pm GMT)

Big Picture

Friday could be an emotional evening, of reflection and goodbyes. Being the final game of the current three-year auction cycle for MI and LSG (that is, barring an astonishing miracle for LSG), it’s possible a number of players from both sides are playing together for one final time. But before the farewells, there’s a game to be won and pride to be salvaged.A win for MI could lift them off the bottom of the points table, depending on how Punjab Kings fare in their final game. Meanwhile, LSG could finish as high as sixth, maybe even fifth, if they win big, depending on how Saturday’s heavyweight fixture, RCB vs CSK, pans out.MI’s backroom has been in constant focus, not least because of the pre-season leadership reshuffle. The two men at the centre of it – Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya – have had challenging seasons. Rohit has managed just 52 runs in his last six innings, with four single-digit scores and a rough 24-ball 19 in his most recent outing at Eden Gardens.Hardik has had one of his worst seasons with the bat. He’s been unable to score a half-century in 12 innings while his bowling returns have also been largely mixed: 11 wickets at an economy of 10.58. With the T20 World Cup looming, India’s captain and vice-captain will be hoping to put in a compelling performance before they leave for the USA.2:15

Jaffer: We may see a different Rohit in India colours

Unlike MI, who endured a horror run right through their season, LSG started well and then stuttered. From having been comfortably placed in the top-half with five wins in eight games, they slumped in the back-half of the tournament. They’ve lost three on the bounce, the most-recent one against Delhi Capitals knocking them out of the playoffs race.The form of their top order hasn’t inspired much confidence, and their overall batting approach has continued to prompt debates over strike rates and intent at a time when a number of other teams have time and again breached the 200-run barrier. LSG’s scoring rate of 8.93 is the second-lowest for any team this year. A breakdown of their numbers across different batting phases makes for grim reading too.So it’s a contest between two teams, possibly at their lowest ebb, looking to end on a high before a much-needed rejig.

Form guide

Mumbai Indians LWLLL (last five matches, most recent first)
Lucknow Super Giants LLLWL

Previous meeting

Marcus Stoinis played a big role in LSG’s four-wicket win. He first dismissed Suryakumar Yadav early as MI stumbled on a two-paced Lucknow surface where dew made their 144 appear a lot smaller than it should’ve been. With the bat, he made 45-ball 62 to lay the foundation of a chase they completed with four balls to spare.

Team news and Impact Player strategy

Mumbai Indians
MI have fielded just two overseas players in their starting XII for two games in a row now. Given this game will be played the Wankhede, they could look to bolster the bowling with fast bowler Gerald Coetzee in place of Naman Dhir. Rohit Sharma and Nuwan Thushara could be swapped in and out as Impact Subs.Probable XII: 1 , 2 Ishan Kishan (capt), 3 Suryakumar Yadav, 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Hardik Pandya (capt), 6 Nehal Wadhera, 7 Tim David, 8 Piyush Chawla, 9 Gerald Coetzee 10 Anshul Kamboj, 11 Jasprit Bumrah, 12 3:02

McClenaghan: LSG needed more from someone like Pooran

Lucknow Super Giants
Quinton de Kock has one half-century in his last eight innings. In seven of those, the 19 he made against DC mid-April is the highest. Maybe this is a chance to try Kyle Mayers, who is yet to get a game this season. Ayush Bodoni could be subbed in, when they bat, for Mohsin Khan.Probable XII: 1 KL Rahul (capt, wk), 2 Kyle Mayers, 3 Marcus Stoinis, 4 Deepak Hooda, 5 Nicholas Pooran, 6 Krunal Pandya, 7 , 8 Arshad Khan, 9 Yudhvir Singh, 10 Ravi Bishnoi, 11 Naveen-ul-Haq, 12

In the spotlight

Hardik Pandya, India’s T20 vice-captain, lends the kind of balance not many do. But he’s been in terrible batting form. However, in recent games, he’s shown some spark with the ball. He’s been high on pace, has bowled his full quota of overs in three of the last four games while picking up seven wickets, including a match-winning 3 for 31 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Some runs in a match-winning cause could bring him, and the Indian team management, some much-needed relief.Nicholas Pooran has proven to be a consistent performer at No. 3 in the T20 circuit over the past two years, having scored eight fifty-plus score in 32 innings. Two nights ago, he struck his second-highest score of this season, a 27-ball 61, in a chase of 209 against DC, largely because he came in to bat in the fourth over after a top-order collapse. There’s been a reluctance to bat him higher up the order. Maybe there’s a case for LSG to reconsider his batting position.

Stats that matter

• Traditionally, a legspinner against a left-hand batter isn’t deemed to be a strong match-up. But Ravi Bishnoi has had the better of Ishan Kishan, dismissing him four times while conceding just 30 runs off 32 balls. One reason for this could be Bishnoi using the wrong ‘un as his stock-ball.
• Jasprit Bumrah has mostly been used for one over in the powerplay, but if LSG lose an early wicket, could Hardik give him a second? LSG’s No. 3 Stoinis has been dismissed four times by Bumrah while managing just 54 runs off 55 deliveries.
• MI may be below LSG on the points table, but they have the second-best win percentage at home since IPL 2023, having won eight of their 13 home games. LSG, meanwhile, are one of the few sides with an equally decent home and away record in this period.
• MI’s openers have the second-lowest average (26.2) among all teams this season.

Pitch and conditions

Mumbai experienced a severe dust storm and thunderstorm earlier in the week, but conditions are expected to remain largely dry on Friday evening. A red-soil surface with even bounce and a smattering of grass across the 22 yards potentially points to a run fest. Dew could make the toss a vital factor.

Quotes

“It’s easy to just sit and think, ‘oh, well, he hasn’t had a great tournament’. But if you look at his numbers, they’re actually not bad at all, considering the circumstances that he’s had to bat in.”

Khaled Ahmed was the standout performer for East Zone, as he completed an 11-wicket match haul to take East to victory in Sylhet. The 11 wickets made it a chart-topping 18 wickets for Khaled in just two games in the BCL, well ahead of second-placed Abu Hider of Central Zone, who returned 12 wickets in three games.After East won the toss and opted to field, Rejaur Rahman Raja and Khaled returned identical figures of 4 for 40 in the first North innings to bowl them out for 108, with Abdullah Al Mamun’s 26 the best individual effort for North. East’s reply was led by Mominul Haque, who scored 117 in just under four hours, and Parvez Hossain Emon, whose 90 came in 200 balls in over four hours of batting. Shahadat Hossain also chipped in with a quick 56.Behind by 244 runs, North needed a stronger batting display, but after a steady start from Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Sabbir Hossain, which took them to 43 by the eighth over, it started to go downhill. Abu Jayed picked up the first wicket, of Joy, and it was over to Khaled after that to run through the batting with returns of 7 for 50. Rejaur took his match tally to six with the wickets of Pritom Kumar and North captain Akbar Ali.East, who had earlier beaten Central by seven wickets after drawing their opener against South Zone, finished on 20 points, double that of second-placed Central.A dramatic batting collapse in their second innings cost South a chance to make a match of it against Central, who needed to chase just 16 runs in the fourth innings after South only managed 49, having conceded a 34-run first-innings lead.Asked to bat, South put up 214, with good hands from Moin Khan (75) and Fazle Mahmud (46), as Shohidul Islam, Hider and Shuvagata Hom all got among the wickets.Central’s batting effort wasn’t much better, but good enough to get them a lead, as they scored 248. Naeem Islam led the way with a 181-ball 89, while Mahidul Islam Ankon scored 66.But there was almost no resistance from South in their second innings. Opener Prantik Nawrose Nabil batted ten balls before going off, and the procession was on. Hider picked up four, Shohidul three, and Salauddin Sakil two. Mohammad Naim then proceeded to knock off the required runs in just one over.

كسر البرازيلي نيمار دا سيلفا، صمته بشأن استبعاده من قائمة منتخب بلاده المستدعاة من المدير الفني كارلو أنشيلوتي، لفترة التوقف الدولي بشهر سبتمبر الجاري.

ويخوض منتخب البرازيل مباراتين في إطار تصفيات أمريكا الجنوبية المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026 ، حيث يلاقي تشيلي وبوليفيا.

واستبعد أنشيلوتي عدة لاعبين من القائمة، مثل نيمار ورباعي ريال مدريد، فينيسيوس جونيور، رودريجو جوس، إندريك، وإيدير ميليتاو.

وأوضح أنشيلوتي أن قرار استبعاد نيمار بسبب الحالة البدنية للاعب بعد الإصابة التي تعرض لها مؤخرًا، وهو ما قام اللاعب بنفيه لاحقًا.

وأدلى نيمار بتصريحات عقب المشاركة في مباراة فريقه سانتوس أمام فلومينينسي التي انتهت بتعادل سلبي.

اقرأ أيضًا | أنشيلوتي بعد استبعاد مهاجم ريال مدريد من قائمة البرازيل: يمكنه الاتصال بي لمعرفة السبب

وقال نيمار في تصريحات لوسائل الإعلام عقب اللقاء، نشرتها شبكة “سي إن إن برازيل”، بشأن إصابته: “كان تورمًا في العضلة المقربة، كان انزعاجًا بسيطًا في الواقع، لكنه لم يكن أمرًا خطيرًا”.

وأضاف: “لقد لعبت اليوم، لم أكن أنوي اللعب ضد باهيا على أي حال، لذلك قرروا إبعادي عن التدريبات لأتمكن من التعافي”.

وتابع بشأن استبعاده من قائمة البرازيل: “أعتقد أنني كنت غائبًا لأسباب فنية، لا علاقة للأمر بحالتي البدنية، إنه رأي المدرب، وأنا أحترمه، بما أنني غائب، عليّ فقط تشجيع منتخبنا الوطني وآمل أن يلعبوا بشكل جيد”.

Usman Khawaja’s blow to the head showed the risk of not having a concussion sub, but Andrew McDonald remains comfortable with releasing players

Alex Malcolm20-Jan-20242:28

Malcolm: ‘A very one-sided match at Adelaide’

Australia could release Matt Renshaw to play in the BBL Challenger on Monday, and the final on Wednesday if Brisbane Heat qualify, despite the second Test starting at the Gabba on Thursday and Usman Khawaja needing to be monitored following his head knock in the first Test against West Indies.Australia’s selectors took a rare gamble during the Adelaide Test when they released Renshaw from the squad on the second night of the match to fly to the Gold Coast to play in Friday night’s BBL Qualifier against Sydney Sixers.Related

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Khawaja cleared of jaw fracture and first concussion test after bouncer blow

Brathwaite: Shamar Joseph 'gave a lot of confidence to the team'

It left Australia without a reserve batter at the venue if they needed a concussion substitute on the third day and they got a glimpse of how much of a risk that was when Khawaja was struck on the head by Shamar Joseph in Australia’s second innings and had to retire hurt. But the state of the game meant a substitute wasn’t required as Australia only needed one run to win.Khawaja passed his first concussion test on Friday and scans cleared him of any damage to his jaw. He will need to pass another concussion test on Saturday to ensure he is not experiencing delayed symptoms and he will be monitored in the lead-up to the second Test in Brisbane.But despite the scare, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said the selectors are unlikely to add another batter to the squad and they may release Renshaw again to play for the Heat on Monday on the Gold Coast and possibly for the final in Sydney on Wednesday.”I think the information that comes from Uzzy [Khawaja] will then dictate how that sort of unfolds,” McDonald said. “I suppose the positive for the Brisbane Heat is that the final now will be on the east coast somewhere which makes it probably time-friendly to be able to potentially play the final. If it was on the west coast it would be much more difficult.Matt Renshaw was released from Australia duty to play for Brisbane Heat•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

“We consider the risk when we release players and I think it’s about 0.5% chance in terms of a concussion happening. So it was ironic that the first time we’ve let a player go back during the Big Bash that there was a head knock. Fortunately enough, the game was in a position where we thought that it wasn’t going to be a higher risk than necessary. So we were happy for Renners to go back and perform for the Heat.”We feel as though we’ve got flexibility when we need to be able to release players and we like seeing players play.”McDonald said it was difficult to judge how the revamped batting order had functioned after just one game on a very challenging pitch where two players in the match passed 50. Steven Smith only got to face 48 balls in his first game as an opener as he finished 11 not out in Australia’s chase of 26.”Sample size of one is always difficult to judge,” McDonald said. “We’re comfortable with where it’s all landed. We feel as though that top six and the way they complement each other gives us the best opportunity to maximize [scores]. We’re very comfortable with Smudge at the top of the order and then seeing Cameron Green back out there in the field, with ball and bat in hand was great to see as well. So we’re optimistic that they will work. And I suppose hindsight will tell us everything.”Australia’s batters were impressed by the quality of Shamar Joseph’s bowling during the Adelaide Test but the coach believes they will be better prepared for him in Brisbane after getting a good look at him.”Sight unseen is always difficult for batters,” McDonald said. “When you haven’t seen someone and got used to their rhythm and the cues that they present sometimes you do get drawn into shots that potentially you don’t play and we saw that with Marnus as well. It was maybe his second bouncer, he probably didn’t have the cues and it rushed him a little and brought about his demise.”So we feel as though now that there’s less unknowns going into the second Test match. We’ve had a good look at them. A lot of those little decision-making errors that may have crept in I think will have ironed themselves out.”

Tahlia McGrath was the only Australia batter to get to 50 as India bowled them out for 219 on day one

Ashish Pant21-Dec-2023

Having played a crucial role in India’s big win over England last week, Pooja Vastrakar was at it again, this time with Australia in her sights. The fast-bowling allrounder presented a masterclass in swing bowling, making the ball talk both ways to pick up career-best figures of 4 for 53 as Australia were bowled out for 219 in their first innings of the one-off Test at the Wankhede Stadium.Vastrakar picked up two wickets apiece in the first and second sessions while Sneh Rana returned 3 for 56 as India continued their impressive Test bowling show. In reply, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma added 90 for the first wicket in 16.4 overs. Shafali fell six minutes before close of play, but India comfortably held the upper hand after day one, ending it 98 for 1 in 19 overs and trailing Australia by 121 runs.Australia could not have foreseen a worse start after winning the toss when Phoebe Litchfield was run out for a diamond duck in the first over. Beth Mooney tapped a Renuka Singh delivery to the left of gully and set off. Miscommunication ensued and Litchfield was found nowhere in the frame.Vastrakar then rattled Elyse Perry’s middle pole with an inswinging jaffa. The ball pitched outside off and deviated sharply back in through the gap between Perry’s bat and pad as Australia were reduced to 7 for 2 ten balls into their innings.With the ball hooping around and also keeping low, Mooney found the going tough. The ball slid past her outside edge several times and she also had an umpire’s call verdict going her way when she missed a Renuka Singh indipper from around the stumps.Ellyse Perry was cleaned up by a jaffa from Vastrakar•BCCI

Tahlia McGrath, however, decided to go the counterattacking way. She got her innings going by creaming Vastrakar through the covers twice in two balls before tapping her past point. India had the chance to dent Australia further but Deepti Sharma failed to hang on to a tough chance over her head at second slip when McGrath slashed at Renuka and edged thickly in the seventh over.McGrath cashed in, going on a boundary spree even as Mooney continued to struggle. Then the introduction of spin stemmed the flow of runs to an extent. McGrath raised her fifty off 52 balls but failed to go further. It was Rana who ended the promising 80-run stand with McGrath flicking to a leaping Rajeshwari Gayakwad at short midwicket.While Alyssa Healy made a bright start, getting off the mark with a six over long-on, Mooney’s luck ended when she fell off the final ball of the first session courtesy a sharp Vastrakar bouncer that she could only fend to first slip as Australia reached lunch at 103 for 4.Healy and Annabel Sutherland started confidently after the break. Both batters used their feet to good effect, collecting boundaries at every given chance. They had added 40 off 96 balls when the sweep brought about Healy’s undoing. Deepti switched her angle to around the wicket and Healy immediately brought out the sweep only to miss the ball completely and find her stumps in a mess.Vastrakar then ended Sutherland’s dogged stay with a nip-backer that caught her right in front of the stumps. The first ball of her next over, she had Ashleigh Gardner poking at an away-swinger outside off with Yastika Bhatia doing the rest as Australia were reduced to 160 for 7.Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma added 90 for the first wicket•Getty Images

That soon became 168 for 8 when Rana had Alana King caught behind, with a little help from the DRS. Jess Jonassen and Kim Garth took Australia to tea at 180 for 8.The duo hung around for 93 balls but added only 30 as the spinners tightened up after the break. India stitched six maidens between the 63rd and 70th overs and that contributed to the wicket of Jonassen, who was sent back via another DRS overturning. Jonassen shaped up for a reverse-sweep to a full Deepti ball and was struck in front, with ball-tracking indicating that the ball would have smashed into middle stump.Garth and debutant Lauren Cheatle added 21 for the last wicket before Rana claimed her third wicket to close out the Australia innings in 77.4 overs. The only blemish in a largely professional performance from India were three catches dropped by Deepti in the slips.Mandhana and Shafali then came out and immediately found their bearings. All the demons in the surface seemed to have subsided as they feasted on the Australian bowling. Mandhana got off the mark with a cut for four off Garth before Shafali struck Cheatle for two successive cover drives. India raced past fifty off just 46 balls with neither opening bowler looking particularly threatening.Shafali and Mandhana rode their luck to an extent with a a few inside and outside edges falling safely. Shafali fell close to stumps on day one when she missed a straight Jonassen delivery to be trapped in front on 40. Mandhana and Rana then took India safely to stumps with just a wicket down.

Chelsea have endured somewhat of a drop-off in recent weeks under Enzo Maresca, failing to live up to the early standards he set for himself in the early stages of his time at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian only lost two of his first 10 Premier League matches at the helm, looking as though they could be in an unexpected title battle at one stage.

However, their form has taken a turn for the worse over the last few weeks, losing four of the last eight matches, seeing them slip to sixth place and sitting behind Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth.

Injuries have undoubtedly contributed to the recent decline, with seven first-team members currently sitting on the sidelines and unable to aid the manager in his attempts to secure Champions League football.

Maresca has still been able to rely on one player who’s been the shining light in West London since his big money to the club a couple of years ago.

Cole Palmer’s stats for Chelsea in 2024/25

After his £40m move from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, Cole Palmer had an immediate impact for the Blues, registering 25 goals and 15 assists in his debut year in West London.

Such a record has made the Englishman’s task of matching such a tally this time around that little bit harder, but he’s already produced numerous moments of magic that have taken the division by storm once again.

The 22-year-old has already scored 14 times during the ongoing campaign, whilst also registering six assists for his teammates – with his combined tally the highest in the first-team squad.

His best performance undoubtedly came in the 4-2 thrashing of Brighton and Hove Albion, with Palmer scoring all four in the first half, becoming the first player in the division’s history to achieve such a feat.

Despite his excellent form under Maresca, the club may have allowed the next version of the superstar to slip through their net – making a mistake in allowing him to depart the club.

The player who could’ve been Chelsea’s next Palmer

Living up to the high standards set by Palmer is no easy feat, something which no player currently at the Bridge has managed this season given his tally of contributions.

However, the thought of having another version of the England international is a scary prospect, but one that unfortunately won’t come to reality after letting Tyler Dibling slip through their net.

The 18-year-old, who is currently starring for Southampton in the Premier League, was brought for £1.5m by the Blues back in the summer of 2022 – but it would be a move that was short-lived.

After making just two appearances for the academy, he would return to the Saints after failing to settle, with the Blues potentially living to regret their decision not to make the teenager more at home when they had the opportunity.

He’s since developed into a key member of their first team in 2024/25, making 21 appearances in the league and scoring twice – leading to journalist Eduardo Hagn labelling the talent as “outrageous”.

Dibling possesses very similar traits to Palmer, with the pair both left-footed and operating off the right-hand side and cutting onto their stronger foot after gliding past the opposition.

Games played

21

25

Goals & assists

2

20

Shot-on-target accuracy

39%

39%

Progressive carries

3.8

3.3

Carries into final third

2.8

2.1

Pass accuracy

78%

75%

Take-ons completed

2.1

1.3

As seen by their figures from 2024/25, the Saints star has matched or bettered Palmer in numerous key areas, highlighting the quality he brings, possessing the ability to become even better given his tender age.

Whilst there was not much the club could’ve done to stand in his way at such a young age, his development away from the Bridge appears to have rubbed salt into the wounds – demonstrating what they could’ve had.

Unfortunately for the fans and Maresca, Dibling will always remain a case of what could’ve been, with the hierarchy now having to pay a fee in the region of £55m if they were to bring him back to West London in the coming months.

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New Zealand are on a five-game winning streak, but Afghanistan have just felled England in commanding fashion

Ashish Pant17-Oct-20233:17

McClenaghan: Afghanistan’s spinners will be a big threat for New Zealand

Big Picture: Two teams on a high face off

The 2019 World Cup champions have been taken down. Time for the runners-up next?Afghanistan players have time and again called India their second home. At various points, they have had their base set up at Indian venues like Dehradun, Lucknow and Greater Noida, where they played their “home games”. IPL regulars Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi have always been a crowd favourite, while Naveen-ul-Haq keeps the buzz going.Which is why there was genuine excitement among the Delhi crowd when Afghanistan served defending champions England a 69-run thrashing on Sunday. It was only Afghanistan’s second-ever win in an ODI World Cup game in 18 attempts and their first since 2015.Related

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However, even with the confidence of a big win under their belt, Afghanistan know they have their work cut out as they run into red-hot New Zealand in Chennai. Unbeaten so far in the tournament – three wins out of three – New Zealand seem to have all the pieces of the puzzle in place. But the Chennai surface could prove to be a potential banana peel against the spin trio of Rashid, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nabi. The three spinners lead the wicket-taking list for Afghanistan in the World Cup so far and will hope for more success on a pitch which is expected to turn.Afghanistan’s biggest issue remains their over-reliance on the top three of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah. In ODIs since the start of 2021, the trio has accounted for 52.79% of the total runs that Afghanistan have scored. Among all Full Members nations, their middle order (Nos. 4 to 7) has the lowest average: 26.00.This was on display in the game against England as well where Afghanistan collapsed from 114 for 0 to 190 for 6 before the lower order bailed them out. The likes of Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai and Nabi will need to step up and quick.New Zealand have far fewer problems. They come into this game on a five-match winning streak, having won each of these games rather convincingly. Their top order has fired in every game while the bowling unit looks well-rounded. Of course, Kane Williamson’s “undisplaced fracture” to his left thumb might be a cause for concern for them, especially given the nature of this Chennai pitch, but Tom Latham has proven to be an effective leader in his absence.New Zealand might be on a high, but they can’t afford to be complacent against a side that seems to have finally found its mojo.3:47

Should New Zealand look to bring Southee in?

Form guide: New Zealand on a roll

Afghanistan WLLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
New Zealand WWWWW

In the spotlight: Mitchell Santner and Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Mitchell Santner has turned his 2023 upside down and how! Coming into the World Cup, Santner had only four wickets in seven ODIs at an average of 80.25 and economy of 5.24 in 2023. Three matches into the tournament, he has already doubled that tally and is currently the joint-leading wicket-taker alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Matt Henry with eight scalps at 15.87. He’s been excellent with his pace variations and has tied the batters down in the powerplay. Chepauk is like home away from home for Santner. He has been with the Chennai Super Kings squad in the IPL since 2019 and will want to put up another solid show on “home” territory.Mujeeb Ur Rahman did not start off the World Cup the way he wanted but did a star turn against England first with the bat and then picking up 3 for 51 to take home the Player of the Match award. He’s been Afghanistan’s joint-leading wicket-taker in ODIs this year and, having found his groove, will want to inflict more damage against New Zealand come Wednesday.

Team news: Who comes in for Williamson?

With Williamson out injured for a while, Will Young is the likely candidate to take his place in the New Zealand XI. He is likely to slot back into the opening position, with Rachin Ravindra expected to move to the No. 3 spot. Tom Latham will lead the side once more.New Zealand (probable): 1 Devon Conway, 2 Will Young, 3 Rachin Ravindra, 4 Tom Latham (capt, wk), 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Mark Chapman, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Matt Henry, 10 Lockie Ferguson, 11 Trent BoultCan Rashid Khan and Co spring another surprise?•Associated Press

Afghanistan are unlikely to make any changes to the playing XI that beat England convincingly.Afghanistan (probable): 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Rahmat Shah, 4 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 5 Azmatullah Omarzai, 6 Mohammad Nabi, 7 Ikram Alikhil (wk), 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 10 Naveen-ul-Haq, 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi

Pitch and conditions: Turner in Chepauk?

The first game of the World Cup in Chennai, between India and Australia, was played on black-soil turner, but the second game had a lot in it for the fast bowlers. Historically, surfaces in Chennai have aided spin and that is likely to be the case on Wednesday as well.There was a slight drizzle in Chennai on the eve of the game, but the forecast is clearer on match day.

Stats and trivia

• Mitchell Santner is just one short of 100 wickets in ODIs, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman needs four wickets to reach the 100-mark in the format.
• Rashid Khan has gone wicketless just three times in ODIs in India and has picked up two or more wickets in an innings seven times in 15 innings.
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz has fallen to left-arm orthodox spinners in four out of seven innings and averages just 20 against them.
• Ibrahim Zadran is just 17 short of 1000 runs in ODIs. If he gets there on Wednesday, he will be the quickest Afghanistan batter to the landmark in the format.

Quotes

“See Rahmanullah [Gurbaz] is one of the players in our team who is I believe a match-winner player. He can change the game anytime.”

Ruben Amorim says losing the Europa League final would be a big blow but not qualifying for the Champions League may be better for Manchester United.

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Article continues below

Article continues below

Man Utd in Europa League finalAmorim wants trophy winBut makes bold UCL admissionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The United head coach believes that if they qualify for Europe's elite competition, by winning the Europa League against Tottenham, it may stunt the club's development as they need more time to gel in training and find their feet.

AdvertisementAFPWHAT AMORIM SAID

When asked if it would help his side in the long-term not to qualify for the Champions League, he said: "That is my feeling, we need more time with the team, we need to arrange a lot of things in Carrington, not thinking game by game by game. Then we have the squad. We proved this year that we need to be a better squad to win European games and then be a better team in the Premier League. [Not winning the final] is going to be really bad, I don’t want to use that as an excuse, and the patience of the fans and you guys next year if we don’t win it is going to be on the limit."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Despite Amorim's comments, United desperately need to win this competition. One, it will bring them tens of millions in revenue – something they badly need – and two, it will allow them to attract a better calibre of player. Moreover, it will provide more security for Amorim at Old Trafford, with the Portuguese enduring a torrid Premier League season.

AFPWHAT NEXT?

Before United take on Tottenham in the Europa League final next week, Amorim's side are away to Chelsea on Friday in the Premier League.

MatériaMais Notícias

da supremo： Carlos Palaciosse envolveu em uma polêmica em Santiago.De acordo com informação do site “ADN Deportes”, o meia está detido desde quinta-feira após ter sido acusado pela ex-namorada de praticar violência doméstica e ameaça de morte.

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da dobrowin： +Artilheiros da Copa do Mundo 2022: veja lista de jogadores que marcaram

A ação do jogador teria ocorrido enquanto buscava seu filho de dois anos na casa da ex-namorada. A vítima alega que Palácios ameaçou matá-la com uma arma de fogo após uma discussão.

Horas depois da repercussão, Palacios se manifestou nas redes sociais:

– Primeiro quero agradecer a todos pela preocupação e também deixar claro que não agredi a mãe dos meus filhos. Foi tudo um mal entendido. Está tudo esclarecido e sou totalmente inocente. Também quero deixar claro que nunca deixei de fazer meu dever de casa como pais dos meus filhos. Isso é para os que falam besteira sem saber – publicou Palacio nas redes sociais.

+Nenê acompanha jogo da Seleção Brasileira ao lado do pai de Neymar

O portal também noticiou que a vítima permanecerá em vigilância policial pelos próximos 30 dias.Procurado pelo LANCE!, o Vasco respondeu que está buscando informações internas do caso e optou por ainda não se pronunciar.

Palacios chegou ao clube em abril deste anoapós passagem de um ano pelo Internacional. O jogador de 24 anos tem contrato no Cruz-Maltino até 2025.

Atualizada 19h09*