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Andre Russell’s jet-black bat has been banned by Cricket Australia after discovering that the bat left visible marks on the ball

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Dec-2016

Cricket Australia has banned Andre Russell’s black bat from the Big Bash League, having previously approved its use during the Sydney Thunder’s first match of the tournament.Russell used the black bat on Tuesday as the Thunder lost to the Sydney Sixers. Cricket Australia said at the time that players could use a coloured bat subject to CA approval – provided it was either black or the same colour as the team’s uniform – and that Russell’s bat had been approved ahead of the BBL.However, CA has now withdrawn its approval after discovering that the bat left visible marks on the ball.”The match officials provided feedback to Cricket Australia that the bat used by Andre left black marks on the match ball,” Anthony Everard, the head of the BBL, said. “As a result, we have decided to withdraw our approval for Andre to use the bat that was used last night as the colour solution used by the manufacturer was discolouring the ball.”Should Andre, or any other BBL or WBBL player for that matter, wish to use a bat with a different colouring solution to the one used last night that doesn’t result in the discolouration of the match ball, they will be permitted to do so subject to Cricket Australia being satisfied that the bat won’t compromise the integrity of the game, which we believe discolouring the match ball does.”Chris Gayle had used a gold coloured bat in last year’s BBL, produced by the same bat manufacturers, Spartan.A MCC spokesman confirmed that the relevant Law is 6.6(d) which states: “The surface of the blade may be treated with non-solid materials to improve resistance to moisture penetration and/or mask natural blemishes in the appearance of the wood. Save for the purpose of giving a homogeneous appearance by masking natural blemishes, such treatment must not materially alter the colour of the blade.”Cricket Australia are empowered to introduce playing regulations to overwrite this, although they seem merely to have given approval in an individual circumstance, now withdrawn. The ECB banned Ashar Zaidi from using a bat adorned in rudimentary fashion with spray paint in the NatWest Blast last season because it flouted their own regulations which disallow colouring below the top nine inches of the blade.Ashar Zaidi’s version of the black bat was also outlawed by the ECB•Getty Images

يعمل نادي ريال مدريد الإسباني على التعاقد مع ألفونسو ديفيز لاعب بايرن ميونخ الألماني، في سوق الانتقالات الصيفي.

ويرتبط ديفيز بعقد مع بايرن ميونخ حتى يونيو 2025، ولم يصل لاتفاق بعد لتمديد عقده مع الفريق البافاري.

وتحدث يان كريستيان دريسن، الرئيس التنفيذي لبايرن ميونخ عن مستقبل ألفونسو ديفيز، آملاً أن يتمكن من اقناعه بالبقاء.

وقال دريسن، في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية: “ألفونسو ديفيز لاعب تطور بشكل ممتاز في الجناح الأيسر، ليس فقط بسبب سرعته، ولكن أيضًا بسبب شخصيته في السنوات الأخيرة”.

وأضاف: “نحن نتحدث مع وكيله حول مستقبله سنرى مدى تعقيد الأمر، سيتدخل ماكس إيبرل (المدير العام الرياضي) الآن، ولقد تحدث كريستوف فروند (المدير الرياضي) عن الأمر بالفعل”.

وتابع: “ولكن جزء من إعادة بناء الفريق والإضافات يتعلق بالنظر إلى الصورة الكبيرة، وهذا يعتمد على كيفية رؤية ماكس وكريستوف للمستقبل”.

اقرأ أيضًا | آس توضح موقف بيلينجهام من مباراتي ريال مدريد أمام فالنسيا ولايبزيج

وعلّق ماكس إيبرل: “سنتحدث عن الوضع الحالي ثم نتخذ قرارًا، بالطبع، ليس من الجيد أبدًا أن نخسر لاعبًا في صفقة انتقال مجانية، لا يوجد نادي يريد ذلك، ولا أعتقد أن بايرن ميونخ يريد ذلك أيضًا، إذا أرادوا بيعه، فسيتعين عليهم بالطبع التصرف مسبقًا”.

وتفيد صحيفة “ماركا” بالنظر إلى المعلومات التي تشير إلى أن ديفيز قد اتخذ قرارًا بالفعل بالانضمام لـ ريال مدريد، فمن المرجح أن محاولات بايرن ميونخ لإقناعه بالبقاء ستفشل.

After finding themselves on the wrong side of a thriller in Chittagong, Bangladesh will look to their top order to deliver redemption in Mirpur

The Preview by Mohammad Isam in Dhaka27-Oct-2016Match factsOctober 28-November 1, Dhaka
Start time 10.00am (0400GMT)3:40

Isam: Bangladesh have self-belief

Big pictureThe fluctuating fortunes of the Chittagong Test will be a hard act to follow but, if Bangladesh continue to chase a win, the Dhaka Test could be another interesting affair. Having been beaten in an ODI series at home for the first time in two years, salvaging a drawn Test series with England would be the suitable finish for the home side.For that to happen, though, they need to do a few things properly. Bangladesh’s top seven is the strongest they have had in their history, which puts a lot of the onus on putting together a 400-plus total in the first innings to set up the game. It is an effort that is well within their grasp, particularly with their openers Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes showing good form.Both will be expected to put up at least one big partnership in this game, with Mominul Haque, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim asked to make big on their starts, while Shakib Al Hasan must find a way to curb his recklessness. Sabbir Rahman, meanwhile, has recovered from stomach pain and can be expected to take on the second new ball while batting at No 7.England have also stuck with the top six that played in Chittagong. Ben Duckett is yet to show his wide-ranging skills while the more experienced Alastair Cook and Joe Root will expect to make runs in Dhaka. Gary Ballance could be a tense presence, fighting to extend his run in the side, but there won’t be the same issues with Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes, who had a brilliant game in Chittagong.Stokes’ ability to reverse the ball could sway the game towards England, though he will need support from Chris Woakes and Steven Finn, who has been confirmed as a replacement for the rested Stuart Broad. England’s spinners will ultimately have to do the bulk of the bowling, especially Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid. Zafar Ansari has been confirmed for a Test debut, replacing Gareth Batty.The Bangladesh bowling attack will bear a similar look in Dhaka too, with Shakib leading the pack. He will be glad to have the support of Mehedi Hasan and Taijul Islam, though the pace bowling department looks bare. Shuvagata Hom, for once, seems like a better choice as a spinner.The batting skills to tackle spin and reverse swing, and DRS, could be the theme of this Test match too, though rain, thanks to Cyclone Kryant over the Bay of Bengal, could cause interruptions. If there’s a full game, the hope is that it pans out to be another good contest.Mushfiqur Rahim discusses the pitch with Mirpur curator Gamini Silva•AFP

Form guide (completed matches, most recent first)Bangladesh LDDDL
England WLWWLIn the spotlightMehedi Hasan left a mark on his Test debut by finishing the game with seven wickets. His first-innings performance was immense as he showed his ability to turn the ball at great lengths, as well as bowl the one that goes straight with the arm. Mehedi, however, would like to contribute more with the bat.The Chittagong Test ultimately belonged to Ben Stokes, who came of age with a superb all-round performance. His use of reverse swing and his footwork and patience when batting against spin were particularly encouraging. England are certainly a more powerful line-up with Stokes.Team newsBangladesh will be looking at three different options to replace Shafiul Islam. They could still go with a two-man seam attack by picking Subashis Roy, who would be making his Test debut. But the place is also open for Soumya Sarkar to play as a second seamer though his variety would be of less quality, or they could go for Shuvagata, who hasn’t had a great Test record.Bangladesh (probable) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Mahmudullah, 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt/wk), 7 Sabbir Rahman, 8 Soumya Sarkar/Shuvagata Hom, 9 Mehedi Hasan, 10 Taijul Islam, 11 Kamrul Islam RabbiEngland are set to hand a Test debut to Ansari, while Finn will take Broad’s place – meaning he has to wait to make his 100th Test appearance. Ansari is replacing Batty as England look to give Rashid another chance despite his indifferent performance in Chittagong.England 1 Alastair Cook (capt), 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Joe Root, 4 Gary Ballance, 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Zafar Ansari, 9 Chris Woakes, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Steven FinnPitch and conditionsAfter the Chittagong pitch was hailed for challenging the batsmen and bowlers, there is much interest in the darker surface in Dhaka, which has traditionally favoured the batsmen. Even if it helps the spinners, there won’t be the dramatic turn and bounce of Chittagong. There is some rain in the forecast on the second and third day.Stats and triviaMushfiqur Rahim will become the third Bangladeshi after Habibul Bashar and Mohammad Ashraful to play 50 Tests.Mushfiqur will also become Bangladesh’s most experienced wicketkeeper, beating Khaled Mashud who kept wickets in 44 Tests. Mushfiqur will be keeping in his 45th game in Dhaka.Jonny Bairstow now has the most runs for a Test wicketkeeper in a calendar year, beating Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower who made 1045 runs in 2000.A 2-0 series win for England would lift them above Australia to No. 3 in the ICC rankings.Quotes”The Dhaka Test will be played on a different soil altogether. We don’t know how it will behave but I just want our spinners to take advantage from the wicket and for the batsmen to be more responsible.”
“It was always the plan to play Ansari in one Test here. He has the ability to take the ball away from the right-handers and I’ve seen in the nets is he can bowl at good pace with good control. He can also bat as well, which is good.”

The 2022-23 domestic campaign may only have finished last weekend with the Champions League final, yet already preparations are in full swing at Burnley ahead of the next season.

Vincent Kompany's players are back in pre-season training, with the Clarets taking full advantage of the fact their own season finished five weeks ago.

Having clinched automatic promotion to the Premier League in style, Burnley could now do with adding some more additions to an already talented squad that has been transformed under Kompany.

Who are Burnley looking to sign this summer?

Burnley have yet to bring in any new additions this summer, but they have been linked with a whole array of players, including the likes of Che Adams, Bart Verbruggen and Jack Clarke among others.

Another new name touted as a target for Burnley is Almeria striker El Bilal Toure, who impressed in LaLiga after also doing likewise in Ligue 1 with Reims.

According to Football Insider, Burnley and Bournemouth are leading other Premier League rivals in the race to sign the Mali international, with a bid of £20m said to be enough to persuade Almeria to cash in.

Would Almeria striker El Bilal Toure be an upgrade for Burnley?

Toure averaged exactly one goal every three games for Almeria in LaLiga last season – seven goals in 21 appearances – including the winning goal against Barcelona to help his side claim their first ever victory in that fixture.

The 21-year-old arrived at the Spanish side last year in an €8m (£6.84m) move from Reims, where his performances earned him the tag of being a "major talent" by football reporter Graeme Bailey.

To give a clearer indication of what Toure's game is all about, FBref ranks Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins – a man more familiar to Premier League viewers – as the closest match among players across Europe's top five leagues.

The Malian ranks in the top 24% of all players across those elite divisions for non-penalty goals per 90 minutes (0.46) in the past 12 months, though that figure will only increase on the basis of his end to the 2022-23 season.

Indeed, with three goals in his final six appearances, including that strike against Barcelona, Toure effectively helped keep Almeria in the Spanish top flight for another year.

That will also be his task at Burnley, much in the same way as Chris Wood stepped up during the Clarets' previous stay in the Premier League. Wood, the Clarets' record scorer in the division (46 goals), netted double figures in all four of his full campaigns for the club at that level.

Comparing Wood's final full season with Burnley in 2020-21 and Toure's 2022-23 season makes for interesting reading. Wood averaged 0.39 goals per 90 minutes and 0.10 assists, as per FBref, compared to 0.46 and 0.13 respectively for Toure.

Those goals came from a pretty much identical expected goals (xG) return of 0.42 for Toure and 0.43 for Wood – who is now at Nottingham Forest – suggesting the former is more clinical when chances fall his way.

There is next to nothing between the pair in terms of passes completed in those two seasons (13.2 for Toure, 13.9 for Wood) and tackles won (0.20 v 0.23). Perhaps more tellingly, Toure also won more aerial duels last season (47.5%) than Wood did in 2020-21 (44.2%).

Burnley's playing style may have changed since their last spell in the Premier League, but sometimes you just need a player like Wood up top in your time of need. In Toure, the Clarets can sign exactly that man.

أوضح الحكم الإسباني الدولي الأسبق، إيتورالدي جونزاليس، السبب وراء إلغاء هدف مدافع ليفربول، فيرجيل فان دايك، أمام تشيلسي في نهائي كأس كاراباو.

واستطاع ليفربول التتويج باللقب العاشر على حساب تشيلسي بهدف للهولندي أيضًا، ولكن في الشوط الإضافي الثاني، من رأسية في الدقيقة 118.

ولكن في الشوط الثاني الأصلي للمباراة، نجح فان دايك في هز شباك تشيلسي في الدقيقة 60 ولكن قام الحكم كريس كافاناج، بإلغائه بداعي التسلل.

قرار كافاناج أثار الجدل كثيرًا بالنسبة لجماهير نادي ليفربول والمدرب، يورجن كلوب، بجانب محرز الهدف، فيرجيل فان دايك.

اقرأ أيضًا.. فيديو | زائر جديد لمستشفى ليفربول بعد إصابة مرعبة أمام تشيلسي في نهائي كأس كاراباو

ولكن لتحليل الحالة ومعرفة مدى صحة قرار الحكم من عدمه، تواصل “btolat.com” مع إيتورالدي جونزاليس، وقال: “في البداية، نريد أن نؤكد أن القرار صحيح من جانب الحكم بعد مراجعة تقنية الـVAR”.

وتابع: “القانون واضح، أي تداخل لأي لاعب في حالة تسلل باللعبة، يؤثر، ويتم احتساب الخطأ وبالتالي هدف فان دايك كان غير صحيح”.

وأضاف: “إذا رأينا زميل فان دايك (واتارو إندو) عندما لعبت الكرة كان في وضع تسلل ولم يكتف بذلك، بل قام بمنع لاعب من تشيلسي من التقدم لمحاولة إخراج الكرة من منطقة الجزاء قبل وصولها إلى فيرجيل ليضعها بالشباك”.

وأتم تصريحاته: “بالتالي، فمراجعة الحالة عبر تنقية VAR صحيحة وإلغاء الهدف قرار صحيح لوجود تسلل من لاعب متداخل في الكرة ومؤثر فيها”.

Newcastle United are reportedly preparing a bid for Wolfsburg midfielder Felix Nmecha, with the Germany international attracting attention after a standout campaign in the Bundesliga.

What's the latest on Felix Nmecha to Newcastle?

That's following a recent report from the Telegraph's Luke Edwards claiming that an offer for the ace is currently being prepared after manager Eddie Howe has been left enamoured by his box-to-box prowess.

The 22-year-old is likely to cost around £15m and could prove to be a shrewd avenue to delve down as the Magpies look to bolster the ranks after qualifying for the Champions League in an incredible campaign.

The report claims that the Toon are targetting two 'elite' signings this summer and will also look to bring in another midfielder, and Nmecha could well be the perfect option to fortify the centre ahead of what will be a mammoth campaign on Tyneside.

Should Newcastle sign Felix Nmecha?

Previously played out wide, Nmecha struggled to break into the Wolfsburg first-team before a positional alteration left him flourishing as a robust midfielder.

Niko Kovac is certainly impressed, saying: "Previously, he never got into a rhythm. He played in so many different positions. Now he's playing in midfield and you can see his technical ability. He has [also] improved physically."

He only started 19 times in the German first division this year but scored three times and supplied six further assists, putting the pieces together in his breakout campaign and looking every bit the future first-rate midfielder, having been hailed as "intelligent" by journalist Josh Bunting.

As per FBref, the £1.8k-per-week dynamo already ranks among the top 22% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 4% for rate of assists, the top 19% for successful take-ons, the top 20% for clearances and the top 7% for aerials won per 90, outlining him as a well-rounded asset.

Considering the different facets, Newcastle technical director Dan Ashworth might be wise to abandon the club's pursuit of Juventus' midfield machine Adrien Rabiot, whose contract is up for expiry this summer.

Having scored 11 goals this season, the 36-cap ace would undoubtedly enrich the Toon ranks but on £150k-per-week and boasting a similar profile to Magpies star Joelinton, as per FBref's Similar Players model, it might not be the most auspicious move to make.

Indeed, compared to his fellow midfielder, the Frenchman ranks inside the top 27% for rate of assists, the best 26% for successful take-ons and the top 16% for aerials won per 90, via FBref, suggesting that it is Nmecha who may well be the better option.

Indeed, still only 22-years-old, the youngster could be nurtured and developed at St. James' Park, integrating over several seasons into a prominent role under Howe's stewardship and finally playing with every bit the prowess Rabiot has to offer and more.

A round-up of the Ranji Trophy Group B matches played on October 28, 2016

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Oct-2016

A century stand for the fourth wicket between centurion Gautam Gambhir and Rishabh Pant helped Delhi finish the second day with a 114-run lead over Odisha in Mohali. Delhi resumed on 43 for no loss, with an overnight deficit of 194, and lost Unmukt Chand (19) in the fourth over of the day, dismissed by Suryakant Pradhan. Delhi captain Gambhir put on 71 for the second wicket with Dhruv Shorey (29) and then joined the 19-year-old Pant (80) to put on 114 in only 117 balls to help Delhi go past Odisha’s 237.With the lead only 18, Dhiraj Singh dismissed Pant, and Gambhir fell seven overs later, three runs short of 150, as Delhi lost three wickets for 28 runs. Milind Kumar and Sumit Narwal steered the lead past 100 with a 56-run seventh-wicket stand, out of which Narwal struck 35 off 30 balls. Dhiraj dismissed him with just under 10 overs left for stumps, before Milind (39) and Manan Sharma saw out the day without further losses. Dhiraj ended the day with figures of 3 for 61, while offspinner Govinda Poddar took 2 for 65.Unbeaten centuries from Robin Uthappa and Karun Nair helped Karnataka regain the impetus against Assam in Mumbai.Karnataka began the day by breaking the overnight stand, as Stuart Binny removed Swarupam Purkayastha for 59. Former Karnataka batsman Amit Verma, who had rescued Assam on the first day, scored 41 of the 57 runs Assam added to their total, remaining unbeaten on 166 as they folded for 325. Legspinner Shreyas Gopal took the last three wickets to finish with 3 for 74. S Aravind didn’t add to his five-for from the first day.In response, Karnataka were in early trouble, losing both openers for ducks, before Uthappa and Nair came together to put on an unbroken 219 to take them to 223 for 2 at stumps. Both were batting on 108.Maharashtra stretched their first-innings total to 461 on the back of half-centuries from Rahul Tripathi and Vishant More, against Rajasthan in Hyderabad. In reply, Rajasthan reached 76 for 2, losing their first two wickets with 29 on the board before Manender Singh (31) and Ashok Menaria (19) took them to stumps without further damage.Naushad Shaikh and Tripathi extended their overnight 63-run stand to 122 before Shaikh fell for 143. Tripathi, who began the day on 18, put on 67 with More before falling five short of his fourth first-class century. More (62) then batted with the tail to score his maiden first-class half-century and take Maharashtra to 461. He was the last batsman dismissed, falling to Pankaj Singh who finished with 4 for 87.Ishank Jaggi’s unbeaten 112 helped Jharkhand declare with a 257-run first-innings lead against Vidarbha in Wayanand.Jharkhand began the day 146 for 1, leading by 41. They lost both their overnight batsmen, Anand Singh and Pratyush Singh, with neither converting their half-centuries into hundreds, before Saurabh Tiwary (45) and Jaggi put on 83 for the fourth wicket. Jaggi went on to score his second consecutive first-class century though he found little support from the lower order. Jharkhand slipped from 272 for 3 to 346 for 8, before they declared at 362 for 8. Medium-pacers Shrikant Wagh and Rajneesh Gurbani and the ambidextrous spinner Akshay Karnewar all finished with two wickets each.Sanjay Ramaswamy and Faiz Fazal played out the last 11 overs of the day as Vidarbha went to stumps 48 for no loss in their second innings.

Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca is amongst Xavi and Barcelona’s candidates to replace the departing Sergio Busquets this summer, according to reports in Spain.

Who is Marc Roca?

If Marc Roca did end up at Barcelona, he would be making the move to the direct rivals of his boyhood club, Espanyol. The midfielder initially started out at the Spanish club, before making his big move to Bayern Munich in 2020.

After things didn’t quite work out in the Bundesliga, however, Roca made the move to Leeds United in 2022. And, now, he could be on the move again after suffering the heartbreak of Premier League relegation with the Yorkshire club.

For Leeds last season, Roca made 32 appearances in the Premier League, finding the back of the net on one occasion in a collective campaign to forget at Elland Road.

At 26, the Spaniard should be entering his prime, too, meaning a move to a club of Barcelona’s stature could prove to be perfectly timed.

Currently valued at just £12.9 million by Transfermarkt, Roca could save the La Liga champions plenty of money on a Busquets replacement.

Why do Barcelona want Marc Roca?

Following the emotional departure of club legend Busquets, Barcelona finally need to find a new, reliable defensive midfielder.

Busquets held onto the role incredibly well and remains a part of the club’s illustrious history as one of the best players to step foot onto the Nou Camp turf. All good things must come to an end, however, leaving Xavi with the task to scour the market this summer.

Whoever steps into the role left by the legendary midfielder has almost impossible shoes to fill. With Roca reportedly among the options, the question arises, is he the player for the job?

It certainly comes as a surprise to see a relegated midfielder linked with such a move, but such is Barcelona’s need to tighten their budget these days, Roca could prove to be a smart acquisition if the move takes place.

As the Blaugrana look to defend their fresh LaLiga crown, smart recruitment may just prove to be the key in the forthcoming summer transfer window, potentially starting with Roca.

It remains to be seen what price Leeds will set if Xavi and co decide to pursue a deal to sign the former Bayern Munich midfielder, but with a long summer ahead, a few more twists can be expected.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up 5 for 33 to leave New Zealand at 128 for 7, trailing India by 188 runs at Eden Gardens

The Report by Alagappan Muthu01-Oct-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details2:16

O’Brien: Bhuvneshwar was spot on in helpful conditions

In recent times, India’s fast bowlers have been limited to making token appearances at home. If there is swing in the air, they are kept on. If not, bring on the spinners and smother the opposition. Sometimes, even in helpful conditions, India’s quicks aren’t accurate enough and simply to stem the runs they are taken off. In Kolkata, on a pitch offering variable bounce, it was Bhuvneshwar Kumar yanking the game India’s way with a five-wicket haul.New Zealand would feel aggrieved they went to stumps at 128 for 7 because they lost three of their wickets – including captain Ross Taylor’s – when conditions were at their worst. There had been an hour and half’s break due to rain. It was very overcast when play resumed. The light had faded and the ball, apart from swinging and seaming, was keeping quite low. Essentially, a red carpet for Bhuvneshwar.Play resumed at 4 pm. There was one cursory over of spin before the quicks came back. Mohammed Shami got one to trampoline from back of a length. It beat the edge. Taylor flashed a wry smile. Bhuvneshwar made one hold its line. It took the edge. Taylor flashed a wry smile and was walking back. Mitchell Santner was trapped lbw by a short one that crept through. Next ball, Bhuvneshwar hit Matt Henry’s off stump to complete his second five-for in three Tests and his first one at home.It helped that India had 316 on the board, when New Zealand’s innings began in the morning session. Shami trapped Tom Latham in front with an inswinger from around the wicket. Bhuvneshwar had the luckless Martin Guptill bowled off his elbow; it was the seventh successive time in Test cricket he had been dismissed by one of the two new-ball bowlers.Smart stats

3/31 Previous best figures for Bhuvneshwar Kumar in Tests in India. His 5 for 33 is his maiden five-for at home in seven Tests. He has three five-fors in away Tests.
15 Over in which India introduced spinners – the latest in a home Test since Ahmedabad 2007-08 against South Africa, when spin was introduced in 22nd over.
36 Previous highest score for Wriddhiman Saha in home Tests. He made his first half-century in India after a century and two fifties away.
15 Runs accumulated by New Zealand’s top-three batsmen – their second-lowest in the first innings of a Test against India.
24 Runs by openers of both teams in the first inns of this Test – 10 for India, 14 for New Zealand – which is the lowest in any Test at Eden Gardens.

Bhuvneshwar then dismissed Henry Nicholls with a ball that should have been left alone. For once, the mistakes were being committed by the batsman and India’s quicks were so disciplined that they delayed the arrival of spin to the 15th over. You had to go back almost a decade to see the last instance of spin coming on at a later time when India have played at home – against South Africa in 2007-08.Jadeja had Luke Ronchi plumb in front in his second over of the day, but umpire Rod Tucker disagreed. Soon enough, though, the batsman came forward to a ball on middle stump, looking for the ball to spin away. It didn’t. This time Tucker upheld Jadeja’s raucous appeal, though HawkEye seemed to suggest it may have been sliding down.If India’s bowling was unrelenting, their batting was purposeful. Wriddhiman Saha chose a fine occasion to hit his maiden half-century in India. His team was playing its 250th Test at home – at his home ground in fact – and was looking for a total above 300. Saha knew he had to be careful at the start. There was the new-ball factor, and New Zealand had come back on the second day refreshed. Soon though, he had to hit out as India lost their eighth and ninth wickets with the addition of a mere nine runs. A lofted cover drive of the highest order – never mind that it went for six – brought him his fifty and thrust India over 300. Eventually, he was unbeaten on 54.The day had begun with a bouncer. Saha responded with a cover driven four next ball. Later, the hard new ball, pitched short by Trent Boult, barely whistled over the off stump. For the rest of that over, the 91st, Ravindra Jadeja had to contend with balls flying past his ears. Saha was hit on the elbow and the rib cage. Jadeja smacked the third ball of spin for six over deep midwicket. Just as their partnership was becoming dangerously big considering it was for the eighth wicket, Neil Wagner broke through.Some say the health of Test cricket is dire; that Twenty20 has swindled the fan base because anything can happen. In Kolkata, two good teams and a pitch that was helping the bowlers proved it isn’t hard to replicate that excitement no matter the format. Besides, you get a nice, fat five days of it. More to love.It was compelling stuff, really. New Zealand were bowling to a plan. Jadeja and Saha were determined not to let them succeed. They added 41 runs in 74 balls, and a measure of how well they assessed conditions and stood up to them was that there were only three boundaries this morning in the partnership.India have often used one partnership, one mistake from the opposition, even a change in the wind to get on a roll at home. To prevent that Ross Taylor asked Wagner to go around the stumps, posted a short leg and a leg gully. Jadeja knew what was coming, but couldn’t help himself. He was cramped by the line. He couldn’t get on top of the bounce. The short ball – though it was telegraphed – was top-edged to Henry at long leg.Mitchell Santner trapped Bhuvneshwar plumb in front in the 100th over but umpire Tucker misread it. So Santner did his best to recreate the same play the very next ball and the finger went up. This time, though, HawkEye seemed to indicate it wouldn’t have hit the stumps. Shami came out and got three fours away, but when he pulled Boult in the air to long leg, Henry raced to his right and pulled off a stunning catch to end the innings.

تحدث توني أوبين رئيس مجلس إدارة نادي ميدياما، عن مباراة فريقه المقبلة أمام الأهلي، والتي تجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويلاقي الأهلي منافسه ميدياما الغاني مساء الجمعة المقبل، في إطار منافسات الجولة الخامسة من مرحلة المجموعات بالمسابقة القارية.

وقال توني أوبين في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة الحياة: “ستكون مباراة الأهلي في غاية الصعوبة، وخسرنا المباراة الأولى ونعلم أن الأهلي فريق قوي جدًا في القارة الإفريقية ويضم لاعبين كبار”.

وتابع: “الأهلي هو أكثر نادي نجاحًا في مجال كرة القدم في القارة الإفريقية، نحن مستعدون لهذا اللقاء وربما تحدث مفاجآت، وكنا سعداء بأداء الفريق أمام الأهلي رغم خسارة المباراة الأولى”.

وأكمل: “لاعبو ميدياما فقدوا التركيز بعد الدقيقة 70 وهذا ما أعطى الأحمر فرصة لتحقيق المكسب، منذ ذلك الوقت انتصرنا أمام شباب بلوزداد، وكان يجب تسجيل أهداف أكثر وكان لقاء جيد، لم نقدم أداء بشكل أفضل في تنزانيا ضد يانج أفريكانز، ولكن نحن نتطلع لكي نؤدي بشكل جيد أمام الأهلي”.

طالع | رئيس ميدياما قبل مواجهة الأهلي: سنصدم الغانيين.. ونرصد مكافأة كبرى للاعبين

وأردف: “حال تحقيق الفوز على الأهلي وتمكنا في تحقيق المكسب على الفريق الجزائري سنتأهل من المجموعة، وما زالت الفرصة متاحة، الأهلي فريق قوي ومرشح دائمًا وكرة القدم تحدث فيها المفاجآت، ونسعى للفوز في هذه المباراة بغانا”.

وأوضح: “لدينا كل الدعم والتشجيع من الجماهير وسنستخدم ذلك لتحقيق المفاجآت أمام الأهلي والفوز بالمباراة، نحن دائمًا نلعب على نفس الملعب، وهذا يتماشى مع المعايير التي حددها كاف”.

وبسؤاله هل طائرة الأهلي تعرضت لمشكلة في مطار أكرا؟، أجاب: “لست على دراية بهذا الأمر على الإطلاق”.

وعما إذا تلقى النادي أي عرض للتعاقد مع المهاجم الغاني جوناثان سواه؟، أوضح: “عندما جاء إلى القاهرة ظهر بشكل رائع وهو لاعب متميز وضمن اللاعبين المتميزين في المنتخب، عندما لعبنا في القاهرة تلقينا اتصالًا وقال إنه مسؤول من الأهلي وكان لديهم الرغبة في التعاقد مع اللاعب”.

وأتم: “لكن التواصل لم يكن رسميًا، ولم نتلق عرضًا رسميًا من أجل الحصول على خدمات اللاعب، وهذا الشخص لم يتصل مرة ثانية”.