Hits 68 not out off 36 balls to lead recovery against Durham and maintain Bears’ 100% record
ECB Reporters Network29-May-2022
Chris Benjamin led the revival•PA Images via Getty Images
Chris Benjamin’s violent half-century blazed Birmingham Bears to a five-wicket Vitality Blast over Durham Dynamos at Edgbaston.Chasing 159 to win, the Bears were wobbling at 36 for 4 before Benjamin seized control, hitting 68 not out from 36 balls with six fours, four sixes and dominating a fifth-wicket stand of 85 in 42 balls with Adam Hose.Durham chose to bat but 158 looked under par on a good batting pitch. Only Paul Coughlin – with 40 off 33 balls – passed 21 while Henry Brookes took 3 for 38, Danny Briggs 2 for 23 and Craig Miles 2 for 29.Related
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Brydon Carse then struck twice early on to put the Bears under pressure before Benjamin decided the game with a display of power-hitting which peaked with an assault of 37 from nine balls as the Bears sealed victory with 19 balls to spare.Liam Trevaskis, skippering Durham for the first time with Ashton Turner sidelined by a dislocated shoulder, won the toss and watched his side get off to a flier. Cameos from Michael Jones and Graham Clark lifted their side to 44 for 1 from 25 balls but the next 27 balls brought 27 for the loss of four wickets as the Bears bit back.Carlos Brathwaite took a wicket with his first ball and Miles struck with his fourth and fifth when Jones chipped to mid-on and Ned Eckerseley was lbw. When David Bedingham was trapped in front by Briggs, Durham were 71 for 5 but Coughlin and Scott Borthwick rebuilt with a stand of 43 in 36 balls and Ben Raine biffed a late 16 from 8 to provide late impetus.Durham then took that impetus into the field to reduce the Bears to 36 for 4. Carse was the catalyst, delivering two excellent overs for just five runs while taking two wickets – Jacob Bethell, bowled by a yorker, and Alex Davies, caught at point.Jonathan Bushnell, fielding as 12th man and still to play a first-team game for Durham, added a memorable first contribution at senior level with a stunning catch, taken over his shoulder sprinting back from point, to remove Rob Yates, who had replaced the injured Sam Hain.After a brief recce, Benjamin and Hose then climbed into spectacular counter-attack. Benjamin raced to a 22-ball half-century and the pair took their stands in successive matches to a combined 183 from 84 balls before Hose lifted Trevaskis to long-off.The partnership had broken the back of the chase. Bears captain Brathwaite went in with 38 needed from 45 balls, only 26 of which were required for the Bears to maintain their 100 per cent start to the Blast.
Raphinha has seen his “very bad” behaviour questioned by a former Brazil star, with the Barcelona forward accused of “disrespecting” Argentina.
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Barcelona star ready for crunch clashComments have attracted criticismNo Messi or Neymar on showFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Two old adversaries are set to lock horns in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Tuesday. The current holders of a global crown will be without eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi for that contest, as the Inter Miami talisman was forced to withdraw through injury.
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Raphinha has stated that Messi’s absence gives Brazil more of a chance in a crucial contest, with the 2025 Golden Ball contender saying that he will be giving “everything” to score against arch-rivals. He signed off a conversation with Romario with a “f*ck them” quip as the Selecao ready themselves for battle.
WHAT PAULO SILAS SAID
The 28-year-old is understandably fired up for another grudge match, but has been told that he needs to think carefully about what he says in public. Ex-Brazil international Paulo Silas has told when asked for his take on Raphinha’s comments: “It was disrespectful of that kid. He should have seen Messi here when he won the Copa America and didn't let his team-mates sing against Brazil because of the friendship he has with Neymar and the respect.”
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Silas, who won 34 caps for his country and represented them at the 1986 and 1990 World Cup finals, added: “Raphinha was very bad. Brazil should not do it if they were above Argentina and now that they are not either. Football does not look the way he said it. I don't know what message he wanted to pass, but you don't win before you play a game.”
O São Paulo não contara com o zagueiro Arboleda para o mata-mata do Campeonato Paulista. Isso porque o defensor foi convocado para a seleção do Equador para as partidas das Eliminatórias para a Copa do Mundo de 2022.
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Arboleda não vai jogar as quartas de final, contra o São Bernardo, e uma possível semifinal, no fim de semana dos dias 26 e 27 de março. No entanto, caso o São Paulo passe para a grande final do Campeonato Paulista, o defensor não será problema. As decisões estão marcadas para os dias 30 de março e três de abril.
O Equador enfrentará na quinta-feira (24), o Paraguai, fora de casa, e dia 29, a Argentina, em casa. A seleção de Arboleda está próxima da vaga na Copa do Mundo, na terceira posição, com 25 pontos, atrás somente de Brasil e Argentina.
O São Paulo volta a campo neste sábado (19), quando encara o Botafogo-SP, às 16h, no Morumbi, pela última rodada da fase de grupos do Paulistão.
في خضم الحديث المتواصل حول أفضل اللاعبين في تاريخ الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، أدلى أسطورة آرسنال السابق، إيان رايت، بتصريحات مثيرة عن الثنائي محمد صلاح وكيفن دي بروين.
وأعلن دي بروين قبل أيام قليلة عن قراره النهائي بالرحيل عن مانشستر سيتي بعد نهاية الموسم الحالي وعقده، رغم ضبابية وجهته المقبلة.
اقرأ أيضًا | تقدم ملحوظ.. تطورات جديدة بشأن مستقبل محمد صلاح مع ليفربول
وقال رايت في تصريحاته عبر برنامج “Stick to Football”: “في الوقت الحالي، يجب أن أختار كيفن دي بروين، ببساطة بسبب كل ما قدمه، ومن المحتمل أن يكون ضمن التشكيل التاريخي لبطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز”.
وتابع: “دي بروين لاعب رائع ومحترف لا يُصدق، دائمًا ما يطالب بالمزيد من اللاعبين من حوله، محمد صلاح مذهل أيضًا”.
وعن الوجهة المحتملة المقبلة لصانع ألعاب مانشستر سيتي: “لقد سمعت أن إنتر ميامي هو الأقرب”.
ويعد كيفن دي بروين أحد أبرز صانعي اللعب في تاريخ الدوري الإنجليزي، بينما لا يقل محمد صلاح عنه تأثيرًا، بكونه أكثر اللاعبين الأفارقة تسجيلًا في المسابقة وأحد أعمدتها خلال السنوات الأخيرة، ما يجعل المقارنة بينهما حديثًا دائمًا بين جماهير اللعبة.
Chelsea picked up a huge three points away to Leicester City in the first game since the November international break with a 2-1 victory in the East Midlands. Enzo Maresca had a positive return to a ground where he had so much success last season, following his promotion with the Foxes from the Championship.
It was a dominant performance from the Blues, who never really gave the home side a chance. Goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez earned all three points for Maresca’s side, with the Senegalese striker’s goal a particularly good strike. A late penalty from Jordan Ayew was too little too late for Steve Cooper’s men.
The statistics, courtesy of Sofascore, show just how dominant the West Londoners were at the King Power Stadium. They had 64% possession, and had far more shots than the Foxes, with 16 to the home side’s four. Chelsea also created more expected goals, with 2.64xG compared to 1.11xG for Leicester.
It was a strong performance from the Blues, who had some standout players on Saturday lunchtime.
Chelsea’s best players vs. Leicester
Two of the standout players for Maresca’s side were the goalscorers, Jackson and Fernandez. The Chelsea number 15, who took his goal well, has been on fire this season, and now has seven goals and three assists in the top flight this term, in just 12 games.
Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez
After spending several weeks as a substitute, Fernandez must surely be relieved to be back in the starting XI in the Premier League, and it was a real statement performance. The midfielder created three chances and won seven from nine ground duels, in a fantastic performance against the Foxes.
Fullback Marc Cucurella also performed well, winning three from four tackles and five duels, putting in a fantastic shift defensively. The Spaniard also worked hard in the final third, creating one chance for his teammates.
Stat
Leader
Passes
Badiashile (90/101)
Chances created
Fernandez, Palmer (3)
Final third passes
Palmer (21/26)
Take-ons completed
Joao Felix (4/8)
Ball recoveries
Badiashile, Soumare (7)
Tackles
Fernandez, Kristiansen (5/6)
Interceptions
Badiashile (4)
His fellow defenders Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile had a good day at the office at the King Power, too. It was a particularly impressive game from England international Colwill, playing at right-centre back despite the fact he is a left-footer. It can be awkward at times, but the Blues number six handled it well.
However, one man who struggled in the victory in the East Midlands was goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Sanchez’s stats vs. Leicester
The pressure is certainly mounting on the Blues goalkeeper, who continues to struggle in the Chelsea goal. He has not been at his best this season and young goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen is knocking on the door for a starting spot.
Against the Foxes, Sanchez left a lot to be desired with the ball at his feet. Kicking is a key component of any goalkeeper under Maresca, who likes his side to play out from the back, but the Spaniard looked uncomfortable at times. In the first half, he played Moises Caicedo into trouble in the Blues box, but the home side failed to capitalise on a mistake from the Chelsea goalkeeper.
Indeed, his disappointing work is reflected in his post-match stats. Sanchez, who had 34 touches, completed just 63% of his passes, 19 out of 30 to be specific, and completed just two from 13 long balls. He prevented -0.2 goals and could have done better from Ayew’s penalty; the Spaniard failed to keep it out despite getting a firm hand to it.
Sanchez’s performance got him a 5/10 rating at full-time from GOAL journalist Gill Clark. The football writer was critical of the Chelsea goalkeeper’s ability in possession, explaining he ‘really doesn’t look confident’ with the ball at his feet.
The Blues number one is certainly in frustrating form, and it is certainly a worry for Maresca. With plenty of games coming up ahead of a busy Christmas period, he has a big decision to make and could well decide to drop the Spaniard and give Jorgensen a chance in the side.
Their next Hazard: Chelsea could have another £100m star in the making
The Chelsea ace has enjoyed a great start to the Premier League campaign.
Arsenal have been mocked with after seeing transfer target Alexander Isak score twice for Newcastle in two minutes against Nottingham Forest.
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Arsenal mocked over 'Isak loan'
Gunners tried to sign Isak in January
Newcastle star scored twice in two minutes against Forest
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WHAT HAPPENED?
A day after a toothless Arsenal side went down 1-0 against West Ham at home, their long-term target Alexander Isak scored two goals in two minutes to virtually seal three points for Newcastle United against Nottingham Forest. Callum Hudson-Odoi handed Forest an early lead but Lewis Miley and Jacob Murphy's strikes put the Magpies in front. Isak then scored a brace in a gap of two minutes to hand his team an unassailable three-goal lead.
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WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING
As Isak exhibited his brilliance, the Gunners were brutally mocked on social media.
On X, Mark Douglas wrote: "Isak scores (just)! Not his best penalty but does enough. #nufc turned this round superbly. The 49th goal of his loan spell from Arsenal."
An X handle named Matt wrote: "Isak would take us to another level if we could persuade Arsenal to sell to a rival."
Maria wrote on X: "Why the hell didnt arsenal go for Isak in the summer I feel so sick !!!!"
A handle named Jason claimed Arsenal could have benefited from having the Swedish striker in their team against the Hammers as he wrote: "Arsenal could have done with Isak yesterday."
A handle named Gomotsang wrote: "Isn’t Isak playing for the wrong team I thought his an Arsenal player."
Getty Images Sport
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The North London side were closely linked with a move for Isak in the January transfer window, however, they reportedly could not submit a bid for the player due to his massive £115 million ($141m) price tag. Arsenal continue to remain interested in signing the forward – whom Mikel Arteta admires – and are likely to come up with new offers in the summer window.
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WHAT NEXT FOR NEWCASTLE UNITED?
Eddie Howe's side, who now climb up to the fifth position after their 4-3 win over Forest, will next face Liverpool on Wednesday in the Premier League.
Virat Kohli’s quest for a maiden IPL title before stepping down as captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore at the end of the season is still very much alive after his side became the third team to clinch a playoff berth in IPL 2021, holding on for a six-run win over Punjab Kings in Sharjah. Choosing to bat first, Kohli helped lay a solid foundation in tandem with Devdutt Padikkal by adding 68 for the first wicket before Glenn Maxwell powered on further with a half-century to take RCB to the highest total made by any side in Sharjah since the tournament resumed in September.Watch the IPL on ESPN+
Sign up for ESPN+ and catch all the action from the IPL live in the US. Match highlights of Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Punjab Kings is available here in English, and here in Hindi (US only).
For the first half of the chase Kings looked like they would track it down, reaching 81 for 0 at the 10-over mark. But despite 57 from Mayank Agarwal as part of a 91-run opening partnership alongside orange-cap wearer KL Rahul, the wheels fell off soon after thanks to an inspired spell of legspin from Yuzvendra Chahal who claimed three wickets including Agarwal. By the time the final over came around, 19 runs were needed and purple-cap holder Harshal Patel had little trouble containing Kings lower order to secure victory.Kings luckless in the field, with or without the umpiresDespite a wicketless powerplay, Kohli and Padikkal’s partnership was at times a meandering one, and also had its share of luck. Kohli was dropped twice, on 9 and 10, while Padikkal was allowed to continue batting on 35 in controversial circumstances after Rahul’s use of a DRS was unsuccessful despite UltraEdge showing a clear spike on a failed reverse sweep where the ball appeared to graze Padikkal’s gloves on the way through to the keeper.Moises Henriques finally broke the partnership and then some, taking three wickets in the space of seven balls in the 10th and 12th overs. Kohli was bowled for 25 by one that kept low. Dan Christian bagged a golden duck, mistiming a drive to backward point. And Padikkal was finally sent back for 40. This time there was no need for the third umpire to intervene as an attempted cut produced a thin edge that was well held by Rahul standing up to the stumps. Royal Challengers were under pressure at 73 for 3.Glenn Maxwell got to a fifty off 29 balls•BCCI
Maxwell tortures his former franchiseThe Australian power hitter gave a handy reminder to his old team-mates about why he’s such a valued resource in T20 cricket, hitting 57 off 33 balls. With AB de Villiers struggling to get going at one end, Maxwell dominated their 73-run partnership with a flurry of sixes, mostly off the slog sweep against the spin duo of Harpreet Brar and Ravi Bishnoi.But it wouldn’t have been Maxwell ball without a reverse at some stage and he executed one to perfection against Bishnoi in the 18th over to secure another boundary. He brought up his half-century off 29 balls and was dismissed only in the final over, by which time Royal Challengers had put up a strong total on the board, the best by any team in Sharjah this season.Another excellent Kings platform goes to wasteRahul might well become a chief lobbyist on behalf of the T10 brigade following his team’s contrasting fortunes this season in their first 10 overs compared to their last 10. The Kings captain continued his run as the leading scorer in the IPL with another sharp burst at the top of the order in tandem with Agarwal. But once he fell for 39 off 35, the chase began to flounder.Chahal built off the Rahul breakthrough by inducing a top edged sweep from Nicholas Pooran, dismissing him for 3 in the 13th over. Agarwal was another victim of the extra bounce in Chahal’s legbreaks as a catch swirled over to short third man in the 16th over. Three balls later, Chahal capped his haul by defeating a flummoxed Sarfaraz for a golden duck. At 121 for 4 in 16, the Kings required rate of 11 per over through the last four proved to be a herculean task.Now in addition to needing a victory in their final match, the Kings will need a series of other results to go their way to have any chance of securing the fourth and final playoff berth.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has won the men’s 2024 Ballon d’Or award.
This year’s ceremony took place at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, with the best men’s and women’s players over the past year being celebrated for their performances and achievements.
The 30 men’s Ballon d’Or nominees hailed from almost every corner of the world – Argentina, Turkey, Nigeria, Germany and Ukraine all had players included.
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Probably the only time you’ll ever see Messi and Ronaldo in the same team.
1 ByBarney Lane Oct 23, 2024
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior was widely expected to take the golden ball, though it had emerged prior to the ceremony that he and his club would be boycotting the event after realising the Brazilian would not be crowned the winner.
Vinicius, who finished in second place ahead of Los Blancos teammates Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal, enjoyed a superb 2023/24 campaign for Los Blancos, scoring 24 and assisting 11 in all competitions as Carlo Ancelotti’s side won four trophies, including the La Liga title and the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Bellingham – the first Englishman in the award’s top three since Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in 2005 – finished last season with an exceptional 23 goals and 13 assists for Madrid, before helping England to the final of the European Championship courtesy of an overhead kick for the ages.
But City and Spain star Rodri was the eventual winner. The 28-year-old might not boast the crowd-pleasing trickery of Vinicius or the acrobatic abilities and lovable arrogance of Bellingham, but he turned his club and country into winning machines from the heart of midfield.
Here’s why we think the panel plumped for the Euro 2024 and Premier League-winning midfielder ahead of the electric Vinicius.
1 He's so integral to City
Vinicius and Bellingham are both vital players for Madrid. That being said, neither are what you would necessarily call irreplaceable.
If need be, Madrid can rely on the attacking prowess of Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe without Vinicius on the left-hand side of their attack, while without Bellingham, they have the likes of Federico Valverde and Brahim Diaz ready to step up.
However, for Rodri at City, there is no suitable readymade replacement. To best demonstrate his importance to Pep Guardiola’s team, you only have to look at their Premier League record with and without him since he arrived at the club in 2019. In fact, last season, City didn’t lose a single Premier League game in which Rodri played. Clutch.
Manchester City’s PL record with and without Rodri
With Rodri
Without Rodri
Games
174
25
Wins
129
16
Draws
26
2
Defeats
19
7
Win%
74.1%
64%
Points per game
2.37
2
Data via Premier League (updated 28th Oct 2024)
7 Future Premier League Ballon d'Or winners
Rodri is the Premier League’s first Ballon d’Or winner since 2008 – could any of these players be the next to do it?
ByBarney Lane Oct 24, 2024 2 He shone for both club and country
Rodri Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament
Vinicius had a great season for Madrid last year, but faltered at the Copa America in the summer for Brazil. Though he scored twice in the group stages, he picked up a suspension that ruled him out of Brazil’s quarter-final against Uruguay and could only watch from the sidelines as his team crashed out on penalties.
In Bellingham’s case, he enjoyed an excellent domestic season and a decent Euro 2024 campaign for England in the summer, but no more than that. Yes, he scored a last-minute overhead kick to save England from exiting to Slovakia in the last 16, but you could argue he went missing on occasion, including in the final.
Rodri, on the other hand, had no such problems. For City, he was the club’s outstanding player, arguably ahead of star striker Erling Haaland, as Guardiola’s side won their fourth consecutive Premier League title. At Euro 2024, he was named as the Player of the Tournament as Spain beat the odds to win the trophy, beating Bellingham’s England in the final.
Every Player of the Tournament at the European Championship
Since its inception in 1996, UEFA has handed out an award for the best player at the European Championship. But who has been given the accolade?
ByStephan Georgiou Jul 16, 2024 3 He's evolved the DM role
Manchester City's Rodri celebrates scoring their second goal with Bernardo Silva and Erling Braut Haaland
In years gone by, the role of the holding midfielder was just that: hold. Sit deep, sweep up the opposition’s attacks before they get past the midfield, distribute, wait, and repeat.
Rodri, however, has taken the role, made it his own, and set a new benchmark for what teams should expect from their deep-lying midfielders.
Not only is he energetic and tenacious in winning the ball back, but he’s also an attacking force to be reckoned with. Last season, he contributed 9 goals and 14 assists in all competitions for City.
For reference, Arsenal’s attacking midfield talisman Martin Odegaard was involved in 18 goals, Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise, whose form last season earned him a move to Bayern Munich in the summer, was involved in 15, while Rodri’s City teammate Bernardo Silva also only contributed to 15.
The best XI of players to never win the Ballon d'Or
Some of these players were brutally snubbed for the golden ball.
ByBarney Lane Oct 26, 2024 4 His peers agree
federico-redondo-rodri-liverpool-opinion
The highest kind of praise you can receive in any line of work is that from your peers – and Rodri has enjoyed plenty of that.
After City beat Luton Town in the Premier League back in December, Hatters midfielder Tom Lockyer said of Rodri: “Honestly that guy man, it’s just a joy to share the football pitch with him.
“He’s just a Rolls Royce,” Lockyer added. “He just dictates everything that Manchester City do.”
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said of Rodri after Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph: “For me, Rodri is the best player in the world, please give him the Ballon d’Or now.”
Earlier this year, during an episode of The Rest is Football podcast, hosts Micah Richards and Alan Shearer both agreed that Rodri is the world’s current best player.
“It’s not even close,” said Richards. “Whether it’s on the ball, whether it’s in the mind, whether it’s his passing ability. He comes up with important goals, as well, and assists. It’s actually incredible what he’s doing.”
“He’s the best,” said Shearer. “No doubt.”
Unfortunately for Rodri, the Ballon d’Or is no longer voted for by players, but instead a panel of 100 journalists from around the world, each of whom represents one of FIFA’s top-ranked footballing nations.
Rodri will no doubt get Spain’s vote and Vinicius should get Brazil’s, while Bellingham may yet get England’s. But let’s hope the remainder of the nations can see sense and vote for the Spaniard.
Players with the most Ballon d'Or voting points since 2000
These are the most voted-for players at the Ballon d’Or since the turn of the century… who comes out on top?
The charges relate to the T10 tournament in the UAE
ESPNcricinfo staff22-Sep-2021Marlon Samuels, the architect of West Indies’ twin T20 World Cup triumphs in 2012 and 2016, has been charged by the ICC’s anti-corruption unit on four counts of breaching the Emirates Cricket Board’s anti-corruption code. In a media statement on Wednesday, the ICC said the charges related to the T10 tournament conducted by the ECB.Related
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Samuels has been charged for the following breaches: Article 2.4.2 – Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official, the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the Participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute. Article 2.4.3 – Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official receipt of hospitality with a value of US $750 or more. Article 2.4.6 – Failing to cooperate with the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation. Article 2.4.7 – Obstructing or delaying the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation by concealing information that may have been relevant to the investigation.He has 14 days from September 21 to respond to the charges.The investigation concerns the 2019 edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 where Samuels was picked by Karnataka Tuskers, but did not get to play a single game.CWI responded to the charges against Samuels, stating it was “firm in denouncing any such activities within the sport”.”Cricket West Indies (CWI) has been made aware of the charges which have been laid by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit, involving former West Indies player Marlon Samuels,” the statement said. “Formal charges have been laid with breaching four counts of the Emirates Cricket Board’s Anti-Corruption Code for participants of the T10 League in Abu Dhabi in 2019.”While CWI has yet to receive detailed information relating to this ICC investigation, CWI remains firm in denouncing any such activities within the sport, and fully supports the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit in their efforts to rid the sport of all corruption.”Samuels, 40, announced his retirement last year after a career in which he played 71 Tests, 207 ODIs and 67 T20Is since his West Indies debut in 2000, and score over 11,000 international runs and 17 centuries. While his record suggested he never made the most of his sumptuous talent, his highs were spectacular, most notably when he top-scored in the T20 World Cup finals of 2012 and 2016.He was no stranger to controversy during his career, the lowest point of which was his two-year ban after being found guilty, in May 2008, of “receiving money, or benefit or other reward that could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute”.Last month, Samuels became one of 19 Jamaican cricketers to feature on a mural unveiled at Sabina Park as part of a larger art project that aims to turn Kingston into a “destination city”.
Marsh continued his fine form in the series with a player-of-the-match display
Andrew McGlashan15-Jul-2021When Fabian Allen kept depositing the ball in the stands in the penultimate over, bowled by Riley Meredith, at Daren Sammy Stadium, it seemed as though one of Mitchell Marsh’s best nights in coloured clothes for Australia might not end in victory.But Allen edged behind, and with 11 to defend in the final over against Andre Russell, Mitchell Starc produced a masterclass to deny boundaries for five deliveries and earn Australia their first win of the tour.After Starc had expensive outings in the first two games of the series – where his combined figures were 8-0-89-0 – he responded with his most economical four overs in the third game (1 for 15) and then this match-clinching over when the odds had appeared to favour the in-form Russell.Related
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“I thought he was world class,” Marsh said. “At the start of that over, I was at short third man with Finchy [Aaron Finch] and those moments, that’s the ultimate. Mitchell Starc versus Andre Russell, two of the best in the world at what they do, that’s why you play. We love that stuff. You’d like it to be not as close but that’s cricket at the highest level, was awesome to watch that last over.”He [Starc] may have had a slower start to the series but he’s the best in the world and that over tonight, we’ve got a lot of young bowlers who aspire to be like that. He’s a great leader, a great white-ball bowler.”Adam Zampa also had his best outing of the series so far with 2 for 20 as he and Marsh hauled West Indies back from a rapid start to the chase courtesy Lendl Simmons. Jason Behrendorff was impressive on his return – his first Australia outing since the 2019 World Cup – and it was somewhat surprising he wasn’t handed the 19th over, which then almost took the game away from the visitors.Watch cricket on ESPN+
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“We saw with both teams batting against the new ball was the time to do and we knew it was going to slow up,” Marsh said. “It was about hanging in there, the plan was really simple, Zamps does what he does, he’s done it for a long time now, and for me it’s about taking as much pace off the ball as I can.”Marsh has been the biggest gain from this tour so far for Australia as he has taken the chance to bat at No. 3 with three half-centuries in four games. Whether that clarifies anything ahead of the World Cup should Steven Smith be available is another issue but the selectors have seen one of their plans come off. He was just the third Australia men’s player to score a half-century and take three wickets in a T20I.”I’m 29 now and have had a lot of experiences, both good and bad, in international cricket,” he said. “I came into this tour really well prepared, had a great break, feel in great physical shape and mentally feeling really good.”As an allrounder, it’s pretty rare you get a game where you have the opportunity to get stuck in with bat and ball, but most importantly to get a win after going 3-0 was important for this young group.”