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How they were out

	Praveen Kumar rattled Sri Lanka with 4 for 31 © Getty Images

Sri Lanka beat themselves in their must-win game as India eased into the finals with an emphatic seven-wicket win in Hobart. In what was a pathetic batting display, Sri Lanka skid from a comfortable 1 for 72 to a perilous 7 for 93, blowing their chances on a flat deck. A composed fifty from Chamara Kapugedera avoided a debacle but couldn’t take away the one-sided nature of the contest.Chasing 180 was never going to be too much of a challenge for India, especially when Sachin Tendulkar started to cut loose. Gautam Gambhir added a polished fifty to what’s been a fantastic series, leaving Yuvraj Singh to add the final touches on a comprehensive win which got India a bonus point they no longer need. Sri Lanka travel to Melbourne for their final league match but that will now be only of academic interest.The conditions were overcast, and the bowling accurate but nothing could explain the batsmen pretending to be kamikaze artists. Praveen Kumar, a seamer relying on gentle swing, triggered the collapse before Ishant Sharma, a taller, pacier gunman, pierced the soft underbelly further. Kumar Sangakkara’s poor shot selection opened up the flood gates and the rest seemed more intent to catch the next flight out of Hobart. On a flat pitch, they saw their chances of entering the final up in smoke.The script could have easily changed, especially when Sanath Jayasuriya and Sangakkara were out in the middle. The duo had shrugged off the early dismissal of Dilruwan Perera, castled by a peach of a straightener from Ishant, by cashing in on a slightly wayward new-ball spell. Sangakkara, like he’s done all series, laced cover-drives with ease while Jayasuriya, who’s endured a struggle in Australia, crunched jabs through point to offer glimpses of his destructive best. The pitch appeared to have eased out; India, who picked five bowlers, seemed to have botched a great chance.Everything changed when Kumar was introduced. Playing only his third ODI, he showed why he’s so highly rated in the domestic circuit. Sangakkara paid the price for taking Kumar too lightly: he walked down the track and poked recklessly, only to see Mahendra Singh Dhoni pull off a fine catch diving to his left. Sangakkara telegraphed his intentions too early and couldn’t make allowance for Kumar’s subtle movement away from him.Kumar was ecstatic after his first international wicket but he was to nab two more in quick time. Mahela Jayawardene was undone by a sharp catch by Rohit Sharma at point – reacting quickly to a fierce cut he pulled off a superb low catch – before Chamara Silva wafted at one that shaped away to watch Dhoni pull off another fine take. It was Dhoni’s 100th catch in ODIs. So smooth was the trajectory on that ball that it might have inscribed a perfect parabola, snicking the outside edge on its way through.Jayasuriya, watching all the mayhem from the other end, thought it was best to break the shackles. Faced with a short ball from Irfan Pathan he attempted a high-risk pull, kicking the ground as the ball ballooned into Dhoni’s gloves. Ishant returned to remove Tillakaratne Dilshan, with a peach that swung into his pads, before tempting Chaminda Vaas with an indiscreet pull. On a good batting pitch, with the bowlers doing nothing extraordinary, Sri Lanka were teetering on the brink.Kapugedera, though, was like a sane voice in a mad melee. Along with Lasith Malinga, he endured 12.2 overs without a boundary before he began to gradually open out. He showed he had all the shots – a smooth cover drive, a crackling straight drive, and an innovative pick-up shot in front of square.It was his highest ODI score but only delayed the inevitable. The sun was out by the time India’s openers walked in and the match was headed in only one direction. Shrugging off his failures in the CB Series so far, Tendulkar set the Bellerive alight with a dominant half-century. Cutting loose against an uninspired bowling attack, he provided Australia with an ominous signal ahead of the final.Reading Muttiah Muralitharan’s doosras from the hand, he waltzed down the track to loft over the covers. Ishara Amarasinghe’s dibbly-dobblies were never going to be a threat in these conditions and he was greeted with three successive fours in his first over: flicked delectably over square, cut savagely through point and spanked in the same direction.Gambhir enhanced his ever-burgeoning reputation with an assured knock. He read Malinga’s slower ones and didn’t spare his quicker ones too, especially when they were wide and within his striking zone. He handled Murali with ease, picking him off for singles, and ensured he was out there when the winning runs were struck. Sri Lanka won’t want to remember much from the CB Series but the sight of Gambhir cutting them to ribbons may be a tough one to erase.

Scorecard

Michael Di Venuto anchored the Tasmania innings © Getty Images

A huge century from Michael Di Venuto pushed Tasmania closer to a home final as they reached 8 for 364 at stumps against New South Wales. Mark Cameron removed Di Venuto for 181 with the last ball of the day but the Blues faced an uphill battle to secure their place in the Pura Cup decider.Cameron chipped away at Di Venuto’s partners, finishing with 4 for 114, but Tasmania dominated the day and only a New South Wales win will rob them of hosting rights. The 270-ball innings was Di Venuto’s third hundred in 2006-07 – only Chris Rogers, David Hussey and Phil Jaques have also managed that feat this year.He raced to 74 from 79 deliveries at lunch before easing his pace and he reached triple-figures from 136 balls. Di Venuto had good support from Travis Birt (53) and later from Damien Wright, who contributed an unbeaten 36 in the pair’s 86-run eighth-wicket stand.Stuart MacGill troubled the middle order with 3 for 56 and will be keen to finish off the tail early on day two. The Blues could still make the final even if they lose, but they would be out should either Victoria or Western Australia win.New South Wales suffered a setback before play when Simon Katich was ruled out with a thumb injury. Ben Rohrer, the batsman, was handed his first-class debut while Dominic Thornely was given the captaincy in Katich’s absence.

Andrew Flintoff sinks to his knees at the moment of victory © AFP

This England team may have lacked experience, but their indomitable will carried them to a resounding 212-run victory in the third and final Test, a win that is destined to be remembered as one of their finest in the subcontinent.Afterwards, Andrew Flintoff, who showed the way with an immense personal contribution to the series – 254 runs at 52.8 and 11 wickets at 30.54 – puts things into perspective when he said that “it ranks right up there” with the Ashes triumph over Australia in September. “Last summer was huge,” he said. “But to come out here with the problems we had leading up to the series, and to lose Steve Harmison here…”The young lads making their debuts and those that have played a handful of matches, with us being one behind, we required one last push. The manner in which we played here was fantastic, and I think this is the first time England have won a Test match in India for more than 20 years.”India needed 295 runs with nine wickets in hand when play resumed on the final day, and Flintoff said that he had been quietly confident of success. “I thought we were in a great position. Having batted yesterday and scratched around for more than three hours, I knew it wasn’t easy batting out there. India needed the best part of 300 runs, and with the ball spinning and bouncing and the surface wearing, I though the percentages were in our favour.”Having said that, not even he could have been prepared for the abysmal surrender post-lunch. “I must admit I thought we would be scrapping it out at the end of the day, we would be fighting it out at the end,” he said. “We knew that Rahul [Dravid] doesn’t give his wicket away, and while Rahul and Sachin [Tendulkar] were together, anything was possible. But once we got two wickets in two overs after lunch, and especially with the way Shaun Udal was bowling with the ball bouncing and turning, we knew we were on top.”

Flintoff laps up the acclaim of the crowd© AFP

According to Flintoff, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s suicidal charge at Udal was just as pivotal, a signal to the dressing-room that the champagne and beer could be put on ice. “It was always going to be difficult once Dhoni was dismissed because they had only the bowlers to come. We were also lucky to have got [Anil] Kumble early because he has been a thorn in our side. He is a tricky batsman to bowl to.”The emphatic victory was nothing less than England deserved, and Flintoff said as much. India’s nine-wicket win in Mohali had flattered them, and according to Flintoff, “We spoke about it, we saw what went on in Mohali and realised that we were not that far away. We were so close, and it was just a matter of scoring a few more runs. The bowlers were magnificent, and Straussy was fantastic. We needed one of our top-order batsmen to go on and make a big score, and we knew that if we had a good first-innings score here, we had a great chance.”Flintoff was reluctant to criticise Dravid’s decision to field, but admitted that he was as puzzled as anyone when asked to bat. “I would have batted first if we won the toss, but I have no local knowledge,” he said diplomatically. “For me to say I will bowl on winning the toss, the grass will have to be knee-deep. I was pleased to bat first, that was our game-plan.”With two 50s in the match, Flintoff did as much as anyone to set up the win, and four years on from his nightmare with the bat on the last tour, he was a content man. “The one thing I wanted to do in India was score runs,” he said. “The last time I came here, I made 27 runs [actually 26] in three Tests, so there were question marks over my head as regards playing in the subcontinent and playing spin.”I worked very hard with Neil Fairbrother back in England, and with Duncan Fletcher and Matthew Maynard after coming here. I have been refining my game against spin. It’s disappointing that I didn’t go on to make a hundred, it would have been nice to go on, but I have improved as a batter and the bowling is taking care of itself. Maybe the added responsibility has helped as well.”

Shaun Udal and his captain in the England dressing-room© AFP

Flintoff was originally supposed to skip the Mumbai Test so that he could be with his wife, Rachel, when their second child was born, but Michael Vaughan’s knee injury scuppered those plans. “To stay back and lead the side was what I wanted to do, and it’s what Rachel wanted me to do as well,” he said. “Of course winning makes it worth it because you may not get the chance to captain the country again.”While many questions focused on his role in the victory, Flintoff was anxious not to deflect attention away from the team that had done him proud. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” he said. “With guys going back and stuff, Alastair Cook made his debut, Monty Panesar and Owais Shah made their debuts, and though Shaun Udal is 37, he has only played a handful of Tests.”It shows that English cricket is strong and that young players are coming through and there is a lot of talent. Every lad that came in fitted into the side, contributed on and off the field. The character of the side has been fantastic, and the lads can be very proud of what they have done in the last three weeks.”Flintoff was insistent, however, that he was merely keeping the captain’s chair warm for Vaughan. “As soon as he is fit, he is the captain. I have had a taste of it and I have enjoyed it, but I have enjoyed playing under Vaughany. This is very much his side, and not just me but everyone in the team is looking forward to him coming back.”If there was a sour note, it was provided by a crowd that jeered Tendulkar on Sunday, and then heckled Dravid at the presentation ceremony. “It was a strange one from the crowd,” said Flintoff, not bothering to hide his disappointment. “Of course, there were a lot of English folk too in the crowd. But there were sections that were on our backs, calling us names and stuff, and you don’t want to see that. Rahul is a fantastic player and a fantastic captain, and he doesn’t deserve to be booed. Hopefully, we won’t see it happen to us.”If he keeps playing like this, that’s highly unlikely.

Sachin Tendulkar: captain at Lord’s © Getty Images

Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara have been named as the two captains for the tsunami appeal match between MCC and an International XI, which will take place at Lord’s on Tuesday, June 14.Tendulkar and Lara, two of the greatest batsmen of the past decade, will be joined by the record-breaking spin bowlers, Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan, for a match which will aim to emulate the one-dayer that took place at Melbourne in January and managed to raise US$11 million for the victims of the Boxing Day disaster.”Last month, we were delighted to announce that the two best spin bowlers in the world – Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan – had kindly agreed to play in this very important fund-raising fixture,” said MCC’s secretary and chief executive, Roger Knight. “Today, we can announce that it will feature arguably the world’s two best batsmen as well. Indeed, Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara have not only agreed to play in this fixture, but to captain the two teams.”I am sure that cricket fans will be thrilled by the prospect of seeing the best players in the world face each other – in aid of a great cause – at ‘the home of cricket’ this summer.”Other players who have already agreed to appear in this fixture include the captains of New Zealand and South Africa, Stephen Fleming and Graeme Smith, as well as Zimbabwe’s former star batsman, Andy Flower. The names of the remaining players will be announced in due course.Tickets for the match will be priced between £20-£30 for adults, and £10 for children, and are currently available from MCC both on-line (via www.lords.org) and by phone (020 7432 1000). A limited number of hospitality boxes are also available.

It’s not only in England that the debate on touring Zimbabwe is heating up – now the subject is beginning to focus minds in Australia. And the pressure was increased with a plea from the Movement for Democratic Change (Zimbabwe’s main opposition party) to the Australian team to scrap their proposed trip in May.Speaking on South African radio, Nkanyiso Maqeda, a spokesman for the MDC, said that the tour would hand a propaganda coup to Robert Mugabe’s beleaguered regime. "To come in and endorse that regime is really the tragedy, that’s what the Australian players will have done," he said. "Certainly we’d be very disappointed if they were to come and prop up the regime."Those views were endorsed by Gibson Sibanda,the vice-president of the MDC, who was in Europe requesting the European Union to extend its sanctions against Zimbabwe. He warned that any tour would be a “pat on the back for Mugabe”But Vince Hogg, the Zimbabwe board’s managing director, insisted that the tour should proceed. "It’s certainly not complicated for us," he explained "We’re cricket administrators and we’re just talking about the game of cricket in Zimbabwe, so it’s very simple for us."Cricket Australia (CA) has maintained the official ICC line that tours should not be cancelled on moral grounds. "Our position is pretty well set and has been for a long time," James Sutherland, the chief executive of CA, said. "We’ll make a decision on any tour based on safety and security grounds. We don’t see it as appropriate that we make judgments on those other issues."CA media release

Hyderabad have given themselves an even chance of achieving their firstwin after they set Karachi Blues a target of 354 in the Quaid Trophy Grade-I match at KCCA Stadium Thursday.The Blues went to stumps on day three at 18 for no wicket. They nowrequire 336 on the final day tomorrow.Earlier, Imran Khan slammed 120 off 245 balls to help Hyderabad, who by59 runs on the first innings, score 294 in their second innings.Imran, who hit 14 boundaries in a stay of 313 minutes, shared an invaluablefourth-wicket partnership of 186 with opener Ijaz Shah.Ijaz compiled a sedate 85 off 225 balls in 288 minutes with six hits to thefence. However, once the stand was broken, the rot set in as the visitorslost seven wickets for 62 runs.Leg-spinner Riaz Shah and debutant slow left-armer Azam Hussain sharedthe bowling honours by taking four for 104 and three for 68 respectively.

When Otago began this the second day’s play in the Shell Trophy match against Canterbury at Molyneux Park, they were chasing a Canterbury score of 201 to gain first innings points.This they achieved with an eventual lead of 78 runs mainly due to the 16th first-class hundred of New Zealand representative Matthew Horne who although was the saviour of Otago went through periods of inactivity during his hundred. At times his feet did not seem to be moving the way he would have liked and how he has been seen in past innings. He was assisted by Craig Cumming with a solid fifty, Chris Gaffaney a classy 44, and Andrew Hore a timely 22.Bowling for Canterbury, Stephen Cunis, the son of former New Zealand representative Bob Cunis, captured 5-59 and was assisted by Warren Wisneski (2-69) and Shane Bond (3-52). Cunis bowled with the characteristic grit that was often shown by his father for Auckland and New Zealand. His line and length were impressive on a day which was none too cool for the main part.Canterbury began its second innings in cautious fashion and were progressing well when in the 14th over Harley James was adjudged lbw to Shane O’Connor with the score at 17. Cunis came in as nightwatchman and survived with Robbie Frew until stumps when the Canterbury total was 41-1. This meant Otago had a lead of 37 and Canterbury still has nine wickets in hand.Basically the game is on even terms, but Otago has lost International spinner Paul Wiseman to New Zealand duty at the WestpacTrust Stadium tomorrow and this will obviously weaken the Southerners’ attack. Any prediction of a possible victor at this stage would be crass and we can only await developments on day three.

Uncapped left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando has been named in Sri Lanka’s squad for the three-Test series against India, while Shaminda Eranga and Suranga Lakmal miss out due to injury.Fernando had featured in the Test squads to the UAE and Bangladesh in 2014, but had not been picked to play. He has won his way back to the side largely through his excellent 2015 first class season. He was the most penetrative pace bowler in the Premier League Tournament, with 40 wickets at 21.97. Fernando is part of the Sri Lanka Board President’s XI that is playing the ongoing tour game against the Indians in Colombo and took the wickets of Rohit Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha on the second day.Eranga had been sidelined by a back complaint during the home Tests against Pakistan, and though he had recovered from that injury, he picked up another injury, chief selector Kapila Wijegunawardene said. “He was bowling well in the nets, but there is now an issue with his groin. It’s too early to tell whether he is out of the whole series. We’re waiting on the physiotherapist’s report.”Lakmal played against Pakistan, but has been ruled out because of a side strain. He and Eranga had been Sri Lanka’s top pace bowlers in 2014, featuring heavily in wins in Dubai and Dhaka. Eranga had also played a pivotal role in the victory at Headingley against England last year.Dhammika Prasad now leads the pace options in the current squad, with Nuwan Pradeep and Fernando in support. Dushmantha Chameera – who was impressive in his debut against Pakistan – has been named in the squad subject to fitness, however Wijegunawardene said he was “confident Chameera would be ok for the Galle Test”, though “whether we will risk him in that match or not is a decision that’s yet to be made”.The batting and spin departments feature no major surprises. Lahiru Thirimanne has been retained despite a slim run of Test scores and a score of 5 in the first innings of the practice match in Khettarama. Kithuruwan Vithanage, who played in the first two Tests against Pakistan, has been dropped from the squad. Kusal Perera has been named again, as have Jehan Mubarak and Upul Tharanga, who both played in the third Test in Pallekele.Spinners Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera and Tharindu Kaushal all find places in the squad. Dinesh Chandimal is the frontline wicket keeper, though Kusal is also an option behind the stumps, if he can find a place in the XI.The series will be Kumar Sangakkara’s final Test foray. Sri Lanka Cricket has granted free entrance to the Galle Test for school children.The first Test begins on August 12.Squad: Angelo Mathews (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Upul Tharanga, Jehan Mubarak, Kusal Perera, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Tharindu Kaushal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dhammika Prasad, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera (subject to fitness)

Transfer insider Dean Jones has now dropped some Leeds United news on Raphinha from sources close to the Brazil international, revealing he could ignore the interest from ‘big clubs’ and stay put.

The Lowdown: Barcelona bound?

As per Italian football journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, FC Barcelona are now in advanced talks with Raphinha’s agent, Deco, over personal terms ahead of a potential move to the La Liga giants in the summer.

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They could allegedly sign him for as little as €25m (£21m), should Jesse Marsch’s team end up getting relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season.

The Latest: Jones update

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones has revealed that those close to Raphinha are ‘not ruling out’ him staying at Elland Road, despite interest from some ‘big clubs’:

“The people around him say, ‘We’re not ruling that [Elland Road stay] out at all.’ But obviously he has some big clubs looking at him.”

The Verdict: Would be remarkable

With all due respect to the extremely impressive project Leeds have been building in recent years, it would be remarkable if they were able to keep Raphinha for another season.

He has been their standout player this term, with none of his teammates scoring more than his nine goals in the top flight, while only Dan James can match his three assists (WhoScored).

Given the calibre of clubs thought to be interested in him, it would be very difficult for Raphinha to turn down a chance to potentially play in the UEFA Champions League.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

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Nonetheless, he will not want to be involved in another relegation battle should the Peacocks stay up, and at 25 years of age, probably knows he is at the perfect age to make that one big move.

In other news, find out who LUFC have now entered new talks with over signing here!

	Mark Alleyne: 22 years at Gloucestershire © Getty Images

Gloucestershire’s coach, Mark Alleyne, will leave the club in February, prior to his contract ending in September 2008, after the club decided it was time for a shake-up in their structure.John Light, the chairman of Gloucestershire, said: “We have come to this agreement after much deliberation. We feel that it is now time for change and time to move towards a new director of cricket. I would like publicly to thank Mark Alleyne for his massive contribution which has been greatly appreciated by everyone associated with the club. We wish him every success in the future.”Alleyne joined Gloucestershire as a 22-year-old in 1986, and went on to fill the club’s allrounder slot with great skill and aplomb. In 1999, his efforts were recognised when he was selected for his maiden ODI against Australia at Brisbane, and he went on to make 151 runs and take 10 wickets in 10 England appearances.It was at club level, however, that Alleyne really made his mark. He became the most successful captain in the Gloucestershire’s history. Between 1997 and 2005, the team won eight one-day trophies, including three successive Lord’s finals and the treble in 2000. Alleyne became player coach in 2004, then moved up to head coach upon his retirement in 2005.”I reminisce with absolute pride about the last 22 years of my life,” said Alleyne. “All spent serving Gloucestershire CCC in the best way I knew how and now it comes to an end. Exciting memories from my very first ball at the Winget Ground in Gloucester to the very last ball in 2007. Every single ball will stay with me forever and I would like to thank Gloucestershire for allowing me that wonderful opportunity.”The time was made special by the tremendous support I received from the members and supporters alike,” said Alleyne. “For that I thank you all very much, but nothing will compare with the friendships and comradeship that developed with the players and coaches over the years. Those special moments made it all so worthwhile and now I look forward to embarking on something new. For Gloucestershire, I wish them the best of luck in their new direction.”