da blaze casino： Pressionado na luta contra o rebaixamento, o Coritiba volta a campo neste meio de semana e visita o Corinthians, na Neo Química Arena.
– VEJA A TABELA DO BRASILEIRÃO
Uma posição acima da zona de descenso, o time de Gustavo Morínigo precisa de um ótimo resultado para acalmar as cobranças.
No último treino antes de encarar o Alvinegro, o treinador esboçou a equipe que vai a campo nesta quarta-feira.
A principal novidade é o zagueiro Henrique. Suspenso diante do Flamengo, o jogador volta ao miolo de zaga contra o ex-time.
Por outro lado, Matheus Alexandre recebeu o terceiro cartão amarelo e com isso está automaticamente fora do jogo contra o Corinthians.
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da pinnacle： O Santos encaminhou o empréstimo do volante Willian Maranhão ao Atlético-GO até o final da temporada. A informação foi inicialmente publicada pelo UOL. O jogador tem contrato com o Peixe até o final de 2024.
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da fezbet： Maranhão chegou ao Santos no final de março. Ele estava no Bahia e o Peixe pagou R$ 500 mil para adquirir cerca de 70% dos direitos econômicos do atleta. Sob a desconfiança por parte dos torcedores, jogador foi um “plano B” para contratação de Alison, frustrada após uma grave lesão joelho sofrida no jogo de despedida do Al-Hazem, da Arábia Saudita.
+Saiba os brasileiros que vão ou ainda podem trocar de clube na Europa
O volante tem apenas 9 jogos pelo Peixe, que chegou a dar voto de confiança ao atleta, principalmente após enfrentar algumas vaias, como na vitória contra o América-MG por 3 a 0. O volante também passou por problemas pessoais que o tiraram de algumas partidas pelo Alvinegro.
Maranhão não foi relacionado nos jogos contra Cuiabá, Coritiba e Goiás. Desde que chegou ao Peixe, o jogador de 26 anos atuou em 8 jogos, sendo quatro no Brasileirão. Seu último jogo foi contra a Universidad Católica, pela Sul-Americana. Na oportunidade, foi titular.
Willian Maranhão tem passagens pelo próprio Atlético-GO, Boavista-RJ, Santa Cruz, Vasco, América-MG e Bahia. Ele chegou a estar no radar do Peixe em 2021, mas as negociação acabaram não avançando. O atleta é natural de São Luís, do Maranhão, e tem 1,79m.
Bumrah-less India pay for lax fielding and death bowling as Rahul and Hardik’s fifties go in vain
Deivarayan Muthu20-Sep-20222:54
Is India’s bowling a concern heading into the T20 World Cup?
Cameron Green blitzed a 26-ball half-century in his first innings as an opener in professional cricket and Matthew Wade provided the finishing kick as Australia hunted down 209 on a flat pitch in Mohali to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.Green unleashed some Mitchell Marsh-style slog-sweeps during his 30-ball 61 to lay the platform for Australia’s tall chase. Axar Patel then applied the brakes on Australia with figures of 3 for 17 in his four overs – he was the only bowler to go at under seven an over on the day – but Wade accelerated in the end overs to ice the chase, with four balls and four wickets to spare.It was Australia’s second-highest successful chase in T20I cricket. They made Jasprit Bumrah-less India pay for their lax fielding – they dropped at least three chances – and death bowling, as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel ended with combined figures of 8-0-101-0India stay true to their attacking approach Although both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli fell early, India kept attacking through KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya. Rahul took on the pace of Josh Hazlewood and Green while Suryakumar picked off 22 runs off nine balls from legspinner Adam Zampa.Rahul went on to notch up a half-century off 32 balls in the 11th over, but in the next, Hazlewood returned to dismiss him. Suryakumar unfurled some delightful pick-up shots and punches before Green found extra bounce and cut his innings short at 46 off 25 balls.Hardik Pandya struck a rapid 30-ball 71 not out•BCCI
Pandya-monium The placid track, a lighting-quick outfield and incredible ball-striking formed the ingredients of a Hardik special. He smashed an unbeaten 71 off 30 balls to propel India beyond 200.He set to work with a clubbed six over midwicket off Green in the 14th over and proceeded to even squeeze yorkers – or near yorkers – away for fours. That he often flitted around the crease also threw bowlers off their lines and lengths. He reached his own fifty off 25 balls at the end of the 19th over and with only No.8 Harshal for company, he farmed the strike in the last and closed out the innings with 6,6,6.Aaron Finch gambled with Green for the final over and the allrounder ended up conceding 21. Nathan Ellis, fresh off a stint with London Sprit in the Hundred, was more impressive with his pace and length variations, returning 3 for 30 in his four overs, including the key wickets of Kohli and Dinesh Karthik.Green shows his range with the bat Green might not have even played had Marsh or Marcus Stoinis been fit, but he seized his opportunity, giving Australia the blistering start they needed. He sent his first four balls – all from Umesh Yadav – for fours, with the third one demonstrating his firepower. Umesh took pace off and bowled a slower legcutter, but Green generated his own pace and flat-batted it back so hard that it burst through the hands of the bowler and sped into the straight boundary. Green was similarly strong against spin as well, taking Yuzvendra Chahal for 21 off a mere eight balls.Green got another life, on 42, when Axar dropped him at deep midwicket. He added 19 to his tally before Axar got him with the ball.The endgame Green’s dismissal triggered a wobble as Australia lost three wickets for 14 runs in 12 balls. When Josh Inglis was bowled by Axar, Australia still needed 64 off 35 balls. Wade alone hit 45 off 29 balls, to expose India’s death bowling, providing a throwback to his heroics against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup semi-finals last year in the UAE.At one stage, it looked like Wade would finish the game off with Tim David after having handed David his first Australia cap. However, David fell trying to clear the boundary. Pat Cummins, though, got the job done with a four off the next ball.
أعلن الكرواتي كرونسلاف يورتشيتش المدير الفني لفريق بيراميدز، التشكيل الأساسي لمواجهة سيراميكا كليوبترا، بعد قليل، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز والحاسمة لبطل المسابقة المصرية.
ويلتقي فريق بيراميدز أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا، على ملعب السويس الجديد، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثامنة من المرحلة النهائية لبطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
طالع | اتحاد الكرة يُعلن حكم مباراة بيراميدز وسيراميكا كليوباترا في الدوري المصري
ويدخل بيراميدز اللقاء بروح معنوية عالية، بعد التعادل الثمين الذي حققه أمام صن داونز الجنوب إفريقي بنتيجة 1-1، في ذهاب نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا، والذي منح الفريق دفعة قوية قبل استكمال مشواره المحلي.
ويأمل بيراميدز في تحقيق الفوز على سيراميكا وخسارة الأهلي أمام فاركو من أجل التتويج باللقب، للمرة الأولى في تاريخه حيث يحتل المركز الثاني برصيد 53 نقطة، بينما الأهلي في المركز الأول برصيد 55 نقطة. تشكيل بيراميدز اليوم أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا
حراسة المرمى: أحمد الشناوي.
خط الدفاع: محمد الشيبي – أحمد سامي – محمود مرعي – محمد حمدي.
خط الوسط: أحمد توفيق – أحمد عاطف قطة – كريم حافظ – رمضان صبحي – عبد الرحمن مجدي.
خط الهجوم: مروان حمدي. بدلاء بيراميدز اليوم أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا
da bet esporte： As the international break arrives, Everton have reportedly turned their attention towards the future and landing not one but two young stars from Scotland in a double swoop.
Everton transfer news
da bwin： The Toffees will welcome the international break with open arms having gone three games without victory in the Premier League after the ultimate stalemate against West Ham United. It had looked as though they finally turned a corner under Sean Dyche but recent results suggest that they’re far from out of trouble just yet, making further reinforcements all the more important.
On the transfer front, names such as Bright Osayi-Samuel and Tariq Lamptey have already been linked with a move to Goodison Park as The Friedkin Group look to make an instant impact on arrival.
Andy Robertson challenges Tariq Lamptey
Lamptey would be a particularly interesting deal. Once the next talented right-back coming through English football, Lamptey struggles to break into the Brighton & Hove Albion side these days, leaving the door ajar for an exit in 2025. In pursuit of rediscovering his form through game time, Goodison Park could be an ideal location. It’s not just current stars that the Toffees are targeting, however.
According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Everton are now plotting a double swoop to sign Cole and Dylan Williams from Scottish side Airdrie after sending scouts to watch the twins in action.
Revealed: When Everton's takeover could be completed
The news comes after a sale has been agreed with the Premier League.
1 ByBen Browning Nov 13, 2024
Two players for the future at just 16 years old, Everton’s focus on youth should benefit them in the long term, especially as they aim to push beyond relegation scraps and gradually back towards the top half where they belong. Already named on the bench for Scottish Championship side Airdrie, the Williams twins are certainly ones to watch.
Williams twins are ones for the future
There’s plenty of famous siblings in football – be it Gary and Phil Neville or more recently Inaki and Nico Williams – and now the Williams twins may well follow in suit should they complete a move to Everton. Both midfielders, their own dream will undoubtedly be to form a partnership at the heart of a top flight side, which Everton could pave the way for.
Still incredibly young players, they will have it all to think about if the Toffees come calling. A place in the academy would likely await, of course, before a path towards the first team is formed. With Crystal Palace also reportedly interested, however, the twins could yet deal those in Merseyside the ultimate blow.
Whether it would be a good time to be joining Everton remains to be seen. When Dan Friedkin arrives, the hope will be that one of England’s oldest clubs finally climb away from relegation concerns and become a go-to side for young players once again. As things stand, however, a move to Goodison Park is one with far too many risks for one young player to complete, let alone two already making their way in senior football.
أبدى المدرب المخضرم فابيو كابيلو، قلقه من قوة برشلونة تحت قيادة، هانز فليك، قبل أيام من مواجهة الإياب المرتقبة أمام إنتر ميلان في نصف نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا.
وتعادل برشلونة وإنتر ميلان في لقاء الذهاب بملعب “منتجويك” بنتيجة 3-3، وبالتالي، فإن لقاء الإياب هام للغاية.
ومن المقرر أن تُقام مباراة الإياب بين برشلونة وإنتر ميلان يوم الثلاثاء، على ملعب “جوسيبي مياتزا”.
اقرأ أيضًا.. سكاي تعلن موقف ليفاندوفسكي وبالدي وكوندي من المشاركة مع برشلونة ضد إنتر
وقال كابيلو في تصريحات لصحيفة “لاجازيتا ديلو سبورت” الإيطالية: “كيف أرى مباراة الإياب بين برشلونة وإنتر ميلان؟ الاحتمالات 50:50، قوة الفريق الكتالوني تُرعبني، وعودة روبرت ليفاندوفسكي قد تصنع الفارق”.
وأضاف مدرب ريال مدريد السابق: “هل فقد إنتر ميلان إيقاعه محليًا (بعد تذبذب النتائج)؟ أعتقد أنهم كانوا متواضعين أكثر من اللازم، أو ربما ركزوا كثيرًا على دوري أبطال أوروبا”.
وأكد: “إنتر ميلان هو الفريق الأقوى في إيطاليا، وكان يمتلك فارق ثلاث نقاط في الصدارة، ثم بدأ إنزاجي بالتدوير، واللاعبون لم يظهروا بشكل جيد، وتم التعامل مع بعض الخصوم باستهتار”.
واختتم: “يجب أن أقول إن الضغط في زمننا لم يكن بهذا الشكل، الآن، ومع وجود الإعلام ووسائل التواصل الاجتماعي، أصبح من الصعب على اللاعب الحفاظ على تركيزه الذهني”.
da betsson： Ange Postecoglou will know that his Tottenham Hotspur side must defeat Brighton & Hove Albion on the south coast for a chance to enter the October international break in the Premier League’s top four.
da 888： It’s not going to be easy given other results would need to go their way, while the Seagulls have started well under new boss Fabian Hürzeler, who earned the division’s Manager of the Month award for August, albeit having failed to win in any of his past four games, drawing three.
Fabian Hurzeler for Brighton.
Spurs skipper Son Heung-min is still sidelined having missed his side’s past two matches with a hamstring injury, while Destiny Udogie is a fitness doubt at left-back.
After defeating Ferencváros in the Europa League on Thursday evening, Postecoglou is expected to ring the changes, with as many as seven anticipated.
GK – Guglielmo Vicario
Having yet to miss a minute in the Premier League after moving to Tottenham in an initial £17m deal, Guglielmo Vicario should start between the sticks once again this afternoon.
RB – Pedro Porro
Pedro Porro has been tremendous for Tottenham, with his all-encompassing approach to his duties on the right flank suggesting that he has what it takes to become one of Europe’s foremost full-backs – if he is not already creeping into that conversation…
Pedro Porro: Premier League Stats (2024/25)
Match Stats
#
Matches (starts)
6 (6)
Goals
1
Shots on target per game
1.8 (0.5)
Touches per game
81.2
Pass success rate
79%
Key passes per game
2.0
Dribbles per game
0.3
Ball recoveries per game
4.2
Tackles & interceptions per game
3.8
Total duels won per game
4.2 (50%)
Stats via Sofascore
He’ll be pitted against the hosts’ electric-paced winger Kaoru Mitoma, so will need to call upon his defensive game at the Amex this afternoon.
CB – Cristian Romero
Having started against Ferencváros, Cristian Romero played an important role and will be more than ready to take on Brighton on the south coast.
The tough-tackling titan won 11 duels in a dominant display, as per Sofascore, and will be the key to quelling the Seagulls’ threat today.
CB – Radu Dragusin
Back in the starting line-up? Radu Dragusin has not enjoyed a fine start to the campaign, having been defeated at Newcastle United in his sole Premier League start, while he was sent off against Qarabag after just seven minutes in Tottenham’s Europa League opener.
Still, Tottenham completed the signing from Genoa in a deal worth £27m in January, and he might be called upon in central defence as a personnel shift takes place at left-back…
LB – Micky van de Ven
Micky van de Ven might have to return to his occasional role at left-back, should Destiny Udogie indeed be ruled out due to injury. The hulking and athletic Dutchman has been excellent when moonlighting at left-back for Tottenham in the past and could be too much for Brighton to contain.
His loping pitch-long run against Manchester United handed him one of the finest assists you’ll see this season, and he’s just pretty brilliant, all told.
DM – Rodrigo Bentancur
Rodrigo Bentancur will be hoping to start once again in the English top flight, having started each of Tottenham’s past three Premier League encounters.
Though Yves Bissouma is an excellent ball-winner, he’s arguably not as rounded nor dynamic as his Uruguayan teammate, who has completed 93% of his passes this season and is vital for the system’s fluency.
CM – Dejan Kulusevski
Pape Matar Sarr is making waves on the continent this year, but Dejan Kulusevski might just be Spurs’ player of the season thus far, having been expertly refashioned into a central engine-like role.
Delighted with the Swede’s progress, Postecoglou said: “He has an unbelievable capacity to run on and off the ball, his physical numbers are ridiculous and he has the quality to hurt teams with that.”
CM – James Maddison
James Maddison ebbed and flowed during his maiden campaign as a Lilywhite, largely due to injury, but has been in fine fettle this season, posting one goal and three assists while performing with verve and intent.
He could be the key to unlocking a Brighton backline that’s there for the taking. As per FBref, the 27-year-old ranks among the top 11% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 4% for shot-creating actions, the top 3% for passes attempted and the top 1% for progressive passes per 90.
RW – Brennan Johnson
Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson
What a turnaround. Things looked rather dour for Brennan Johnson following a poor start to the season that had led to some negativity spread across social media, but the winger has since silenced the critics with a haul of five goals from five matches.
The Wales international scored a stoppage-time winner against Brighton back in February, and he’ll be desperate to step up and dominate at the AMEX this afternoon.
LW – Timo Werner
Fans might be clamouring for Mikey Moore, the 17-year-old wonderkid, to be unleashed from the outset against Brighton, but Timo Werner may be more likely to reprise his starting role in the Premier League.
The German has done very little since the summer, failing to score or assist across his four top-flight matches (only one start, to be fair) while taking just two shots, failing to create a big chance and completing 38% of his dribbles. He needs to step it up.
CF – Dominic Solanke
Justifiably recalled to the Three Lions squad for the forthcoming run of fixtures, Dominic Solanke has made a steady start to his Spurs career, scoring three goals and placing one assist from seven matches.
He might have joined in a club-record £65m deal, but the towering striker is proving that he has what it takes to impress in Ange’s side this season – and he’ll relish the chance to serve as the star man in Son’s continuing absence.
Predicted Spurs line-up in full: (GK) Guglielmo Vicario; (RB) Pedro Porro, (CB) Cristian Romero, (CB) Radu Dragusin, (LB) Micky van de Ven; (DM) Rodrigo Bentancur, (CM) Dejan Kulusevski, (CM) James Maddison; (RW) Brennan Johnson, (LW) Timo Werner; (CF) Dominic Solanke
Forget Moore: Spurs may have unearthed their own Bukayo Saka
He has certainly caught the eye early on this season.
da betway： Leeds United owners 49ers Enterprises are now thought to be plotting to give a new contract to a “magnificent” player who has just over 18 months left on his current deal, according to a fresh claim.
Farke's future at Leeds in doubt
da premier bet： The future of Daniel Farke at Elland Road is a major talking point currently, with the German under pressure after a hit-and-miss start to the Championship season for his Whites team. In fairness, Leeds do still sit sixth in the league table, helped by last Saturday’s 2-0 win away to Cardiff City, but this is a squad expected to push for automatic promotion.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, potential replacements are being looked at for Farke, should 49ers Enterprises decide to part company with him, and West Brom manager Carlos Corberan has been linked with the job, as he continues to do his reputation no harm at all.
The 41-year-old has guided the Baggies to the top of the Championship, following five wins and a draw from their six matches this season to date, with former Leeds academy player Romario Vieira even describing him as a “genius”. While the managerial situation is headline news at the moment, a key update has now emerged regarding the future of a current Leeds player.
Leeds want new deal for "magnificent" star
According to Football Insider, Leeds want to hand a new deal to Dan James, as the 49ers group look to tie down one of the most influential attacking players at the club. It is stated that the Whites are set to open talks to extend the 26-year-old’s stay at Elland Road, in order to avoid “entering the final 18 months of his deal with no agreement in place”.
Giving James a new-and-improved contract at Leeds is a no-brainer for 49ers, considering what an important figure he has become since trading Manchester United for the Whites back in 2021. Having been loaned out to Fulham in 2022/23, the £2.6m-a-year Welshman has impressed since returning, with Sky Sports pundit Michael Dawson heaping praise on him, calling him “absolutely magnificent”.
Dan James’ club career stats
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Leeds United
89
18
12
Manchester United
74
9
9
Fulham
39
6
10
Swansea City
23
3
1
James bagged 13 goals and seven assists in the Championship last season, which helped Leeds get into the playoff final, and he has started to consistently bring end product to the team, which was seen by some as a weak aspect of his game in the past.
Still only 26 years of age, there is still so much more to come from the former United winger, who has seven goals in 53 caps for Wales, and the fact that he is out of contract in the summer of 2026 highlights why it is so important to get an extension sorted as soon as possible.
Leeds wanted to sign £29m star in the making but Orta got Aaronson instead
The Whites failed to secure a deal for the impressive attacking midfielder that summer.
ByDan Emery Sep 23, 2024
That would put Leeds in a far stronger bargaining position than they currently are, should James suddenly look to leave the club, and more importantly tie down a crucial player for the foreseeable future.
يحل فريق إنتر ميلان ضيفاً على نظيره برشلونة مساء اليوم الأربعاء، في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا لموسم 2024/2025.
ويستضيف ملعب “مونتجويك الأولمبي” مباراة برشلونة وإنتر ميلان، والتي تأتي في إطار منافسات ذهاب دور نصف نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا.
وتُقام مباراة الإياب بين فريقي برشلونة وإنتر ميلان على ملعب “جوزيبي مييتزا”، يوم الثلاثاء 6 مايو القادم.
طالع | تشكيل برشلونة الرسمي أمام إنتر ميلان في دوري أبطال أوروبا.. لامين يامال يقود الهجوم
ويلتقي المتأهل من برشلونة وإنتر ميلان مع المتأهل من صدام باريس سان جيرمان وآرسنال، وذلك في نهائي البطولة.
وتأهل برشلونة إلى دور نصف نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا بعد فوزه على بوروسيا دورتموند بنتيجة 5-3 في مجموع المباراتين، في حين تأهل إنتر ميلان إلى الدور ذاته بالفوز على بايرن ميونخ بنتيجة 4-3 في مجموع المواجهتين. تشكيل برشلونة المتوقع أمام إنتر ميلان في دوري أبطال أوروبا
حراسة المرمى: تشيزني.
خط الدفاع: جول كوندي، باو كوبارسي، إينيجو مارتينيز، جيرارد مارتن.
خط الوسط: فرينكي دي يونج، بيدري، داني أولمو.
خط الهجوم: فيران توريس، لامين يامال، رافينها.
ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا.
They aren’t destined to get much attention, but Mickey Arthur’s men are beginning to gel
David Hopps09-Jun-2022
Shan Masood anchored the Derbyshire chase•Getty Images
“To fail, then get up and get going again is something I am used to,” said Shan Masood to Pakpassion.net as he arrived in county cricket this season. It was hard to resist the thought that such attributes were the perfect qualification for joining Derbyshire who get knocked down more than most. But what a season he has had, second to Ben Compton in the Championship runs list and continuing his rich vein of form in the Blast as he hopes to stir Pakistan’s interest ahead of their Test series against England this winter.Masood’s elegant 73 from 32 balls set up an eventual victory for Derbyshire by six wickets with nine balls to spare and prevented Leicestershire from moving into the top four. He is relishing a settled summer in England, highly valued in all formats, and his innings was a joy as he drove and cut with rapier-like precision on both sides of the wicket. He has not always played with such freedom and, at 32, appears to have found a more natural approach.According to Masood, his arrival at Derbyshire had an element of chance about it as he just happened to bump into Mickey Arthur in transit at Dubai airport: Masood heading back to Pakistan, Arthur on his way to Sri Lanka. As many as 86 million people transited through Dubai in 2019, and even though the Covid-19 pandemic reduced that number by two-thirds two years later, it was quite a coincidence. One could imagine Arthur lurking behind the display of Tag Heuer watches, a sort of human fly trap, until a potential signing wandered by.Masood’s best night of the Blast so far was cheering news in Derby, where the football club is in administration and a potential buyer, the American businessman Chris Kirchner, has been given a Friday deadline to complete his £20m takeover. He was reportedly playing golf on Tuesday, when much of Derby awaited news whether he had handed over the money, but no sightings of him were reported at the County Ground two days later as Derbyshire chased down Leicestershire’s par score of 181 for 6.Such scores feel quite commonplace these days, but David Griffin, Derbyshire’s voracious statistician and photographer, revealed that only once, in 2014 against Warwickshire, have they pulled off a higher successful run chase at Derby in T20 cricket.The outcome was as good as settled by one of the shots of the night when Alex Hughes reverse-swept the left-arm spinner, Callum Parkinson, over fine leg for six, leaving Derbyshire only 20 short with 14 balls left. It was particularly impressive composure from Hughes, considering that he had almost been run out the ball before as Leicestershire’s captain, Colin Ackerman, demolished all three stumps in his attempt, all of this observed in bemused fashion by the wicketkeeper, Lewis Hill, silent, with hands on hips.Twenty-four hours after the feverish excitement of the Roses match, this was a Midlands derby that advocates of city cricket regularly disparage. Derbyshire v Leicestershire at Derby is about as low-key as the Blast gets, fought out between two sides who have long become inured to the fact that their existence is constantly under question.It is worth remarking, however, to those who recoil at the understated atmosphere of the smaller Midlands grounds on a chill and overcast night – the gentle hum of the sole burger bar, the chatter of spectators stood in little groups, tucking warm pints into their armpits (more solitary beer bugs than beer snakes), and the occasional burst of token music that is resolutely ignored – that both these sides have already beaten Yorkshire at Headingley this season. In the Blast, the mighty are fallen on a regular basis.Pit Derbyshire and Leicestershire together, though, and both sides know their place, both of them thinking “this is a must-win game”. Derbyshire thumped Leicestershire at the Uptonsteel ground earlier in the campaign, dismissing them for only 89, and if they follow up this win with a fourth victory of the season against the bottom club, Worcestershire, on Friday it will transform their league position. Arthur appears to be drawing every ounce of nous from them.Leicestershire were well placed at 114 for 1 when Hamish Rutherford drove Mark Watt, the Scotland left-arm spinner, to extra cover at the start of the 13th over – his 35 representing his highest score for the Foxes. Arron Lilley, carving around him for 67 from 41 balls, maintained the momentum but George Scrimshaw removed Lilley and Ben Mike with successive short balls and Leicestershire never quite produced the finale they wanted. When Hughes had Rishi Patel lbw, he passed Matt Critchley (now at Essex) as Derbyshire’s leading T20 wicket taker.Derbyshire have had many quirky players in their history. Watt’s contribution to this hall of fame is to deliver occasionally from 24 yards – which has been known to catch out his captain Masood as he adjusts the field and presumably has occasionally entrapped a batter as well. He tried it at least twice last night and landed it with aplomb. He also bowled a couple of no balls, pivoting outside the side crease, by way of further variety, but they passed unnoticed by an umpire who was probably equally befuddled.Masood’s immediate impact at Derbyshire bears comparison with any overseas player in their history – the likes of Dean Jones, Peter Kirsten and Daryl Cullinan. His dismissive approach against the Afghanistan quick, Naveen-ul-Haq, was a crucial element of his innings as he took 27 from 10 deliveries, his timing and placement impeccable as he scored square of the wicket on both sides. He eventually fell miscuing a pull against Mike, and even though Wayne Madsen was run out at the keeper’s end when he failed to take a second to Mike’s throw from mid-on, Luis Reece’s anchor innings was followed up by a cameo from Brooke Guest to secure victory.