Tom Westley’s 108 not out, and an equally fine innings of 77 from Nick Browne, took Essex to an emphatic eight-wicket victory against Surrey at Guildford which takes them to the top of the Specsavers County Championship Division One table

ECB Reporters Network12-Jun-2017
ScorecardTom Westley’s 108 not out, and an equally fine innings of 77 from Nick Browne, took Essex to an emphatic eight-wicket victory against Surrey at Guildford which takes them to the top of the Specsavers County Championship Division One table.Needing 253, from a minimum of 83 overs, after they had bowled Surrey out a second time for 288 earlier in the day, Essex reached 253 for 2 little more than half-an-hour after tea and always looked totally in control despite a wearing last-day pitch.Westley was joined in an unbroken third-wicket partnership of 105 in 27 overs by Dan Lawrence, who finished unbeaten on 32. Essex took 24 points from their third win of the season, with Surrey having to settle for seven.Since gaining promotion last year, Essex have surprised the rest of the first division with their early-season success – but this was a comprehensive win against a team who themselves led Division One until the last round of matches and was achieved despite seamer Matt Quinn suffering a back spasm on day one which has prevented him from bowling since.Essex began their chase well, with a half-century stand posted by Browne and Alastair Cook. But Cook was out on the stroke of lunch for 31 when, having just driven Ravi Rampaul to the cover boundary, he was drawn into another off drive and edged to Scott Borthwick at second slip.Browne was eventually caught at slip from one which turned and bounced, playing back to Gareth Batty’s offspin, but not before he and Westley had added a further 95 for the second wicket. The tall left-hander had faced just 96 balls, hitting 13 fours, and in the latter half of his innings he produced some quality strokes – including an effortless straight drive for four to greet Stuart Meaker’s introduction into the attack and then a dismissive short-armed pull to the boundary off Ravi Rampaul.Batty’s offspin did not trouble the Essex batsmen in the same way that former South Africa Test offspinner Simon Harmer had made Surrey battle for runs in his second-innings return of 4 for 83 from 39 overs.Westley moved to 97 with three successive fours off Scott Borthwick’s legspin, and then completed three figures with a pull for four off Meaker. His hundred came from 162 balls and, overall, he faced 168 balls, hitting 17 fours.In the morning Ben Foakes finished unbeaten on 65, from 149 balls, as Surrey added just 35 runs to their overnight 253 for 7 before the innings ended in a rush of poor shots and crazy running.Meaker drove a half-volley from left arm paceman Neil Wagner to extra cover to go for 14, and two balls later Rampaul clipped the same bowler to backward square leg.Foakes was then left stranded when he drove Wagner down the ground, looking for two, but Lawrence moved quickly to his right at long off to field and return to the bowler and there was never any chance of a second run. Footitt, however, turning blind, set off for the second even though Foakes had clearly decided against it, and Wagner lobbed the ball down the pitch for keeper James Foster to whip off the bails with Footitt helpless in mid-pitch.

A round-up of the Dhaka Premier League matches played on May 20, 2017

Mohammad Isam20-May-2017Defending champions Abahani Limited finished the first phase of the Dhaka Premier League with a loss, after Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club trounced them by four wickets at the BKSP-3 ground in Savar.Batting first, Abahani lost their in-form opener Liton Das in the second over before slipping to 50 for 4 by the 16th over. Allrounder Afif Hossain led the recovery with a swift 94. He also struck an 89-run fifth-wicket stand with Mohammad Mithun and a 46-run stand with Manan Sharma, helping Abahani finish with 246.Doleshwar cruised to a comfortable win, completing the chase with 2.5 overs to spare. Shahriar Nafees and Marshall Ayub added 89 runs for the third wicket before Jakir Ali took them close to the target. Marshall top scored with 83 while Nafees made 69.Brothers Union ended their 2016-17 Dhaka Premier League campaign on a winning note after their thrilling one-run win over Victoria Sporting Club at the BKSP-4 ground in Savar.With nine runs required off the final over, bowled by left-arm spinner Nihaduzzaman, the Victoria batsmen could only manage singles off the first four balls before Abu Sayem fell off the fifth ball. Moinul Islam could only muster two off the final ball.Uttam Sarkar scored 39 while Moinul top-scored with 41. Manvinder Bisla took three wickets while Iftekhar Sajjad took two wickets.Batting first, Brothers Union were bowled out for 235 in 49.1 overs. Bisla top-scored with 78 off 87 balls with three fours and three sixes. Victoria captain Monir Hossain Khan took five wickets.The loss confirmed Victoria, alongside Partex Sporting Club, will have to play in the relegation playoffs. The third team in the playoffs – either Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity or Kalabagan Krira Chakra – will be decided in the final round matches on Sunday.Legends of Rupganj kept themselves in hunt for a Super League place after their five-wicket win over Partex Sporting Club at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium.Batting first, Partex posted a competitive 272 for 9 in 50 overs. Jatin Saxena slammed five sixes and 11 fours in his 50-ball 91. Sajjad Hossain also struck 50 off 85 balls. Syed Rasel took four wickets while Mosharraf Hossain picked up three wickets.In reply, Rupganj lost two early wickets but Raza Ali Dar and Mahmudul Hasan added 182 runs for the third wicket. Raza was bowled for a run-a-ball 99, after having struck ten fours and a six. Mahmudul’s 70 came off 93 balls with three fours and a six before he retired hurt. Naeem Islam shepherded Rupganj to the target with four balls to spare.

There was confusion and hysteria late on in the Vancouver Whitecaps’ MLS play-offs clash with LAFC, with the match referee knocking a player over.

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Action-packed encounter in CanadaLate goal ruled out for offsideOfficials off the hook after bizarre incidentWHAT HAPPENED?

The incident in question occurred in stoppage-time towards the end of a lively contest in Canada. The hosts found themselves trailing with a matter of seconds left on the clock, resulting in them sending everybody forward for a corner.

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As the ball was partially cleared to the edge of the box, Alessandro Schopf attempted to make his way towards it and keep the attack alive. He clattered into the referee, leaving him on the deck, and LAFC raced up the other end of the field as Denis Bouanga tapped into an unguarded net.

DID YOU KNOW?

The officials were unable to do anything about their involvement in a bizarre passage of play that swept from one end of the pitch to the other, but the effort was eventually ruled out for offside following a VAR review – much to the relief of those charged with keeping a lid on proceedings.

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Tim Ford – the referee at the centre of the drama – had already incurred the wrath of Vancouver boss Vanni Sartini when awarding a first-half penalty that Bouanga successfully converted, with the Caps losing their head coach to a red card in a game that eventually finished 1-0.

Endrick is on the way to Real Madrid, with the 17-year-old wonderkid looking to follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo – his “biggest idol”.

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Teenage sensation heading to SpainBig things expected at Santiago BernabeuLooking to emulate all-time greatWHAT HAPPENED?

The 17-year-old wonderkid, who will make his way to Santiago Bernabeu when turning 18 in July 2024, is considered to be one of the most exciting talents in world football. Big things are expected of him in Spain alongside fellow Brazilians Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT ENDRICK SAID ABOUT RONALDO

Endrick has big boots to fill in Madrid, but he is ready to embrace the challenge of emulating Ronaldo’s efforts in the Spanish capital – with the Portuguese superstar considered to be a source of inspiration for every player in the game. Endrick has told of CR7: “He's my biggest idol, a player who broke all records by being an exemplary, dedicated player. He is more than an athlete, he is a guy that everyone should have as an example, because no matter the moment, he wants to be the best, he wants to win titles, he wants to achieve milestones, in addition to being a person who shows humility. He is a reference for any player who wants to go further in their career.”

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La Liga boasts a rich history of Brazilian stars, with Endrick ready to write his own chapter in that star-studded sporting tale. He added on securing a big-money transfer during a visit to Europe that has offered him a taste of what to expect: “I've always wanted to play for Real Madrid, it's always been my priority, and now on this trip to Madrid I've been able to feel a little more closely what I'm going to find, the environment, my future team-mates, the facilities. I was very happy, but when we return to Brazil we will turn off this switch and turn on another one, as I have more of this first semester with Palmeiras to play and my objective is to win all the titles in which I participate.”

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Endrick has been a regular source of goals for Palmeiras, with his lack of experience being overcome in style, and has already earned two senior caps for Brazil – becoming their fourth-youngest player of all-time and youngest debutant in 57 years.

Hamilton Masakadza, who has played only one of Zimbabwe’s five ODIs this year, has been selected to go to the Netherlands and Scotland in June and Sri Lanka later. Opener Chamu Chibhabha, who last played 50-over cricket for his country in November 2016, and who has only made two fifties in 23 innings, found a way back into the squad as well.Zimbabwe play two games against Scotland on June 15 and 17 and three more against Netherlands on June 20, 22 and 24 before moving on to Sri Lanka for five ODIs and a Test match, the exact schedule for which is not yet fixed. Legspinner Graeme Cremer will lead the team. The former captain Elton Chigumbura was not part of the squad.Masakadza’s only ODI in 2017 came against Afghanistan and he fell for 5 off 17 balls. However, the 33-year old made a hundred for Zimbabwe A against Canada in Harare a week ago to possibly persuade the selectors. Similarly, Sikandar Raza played only one game of the Afghanistan series – his only ODI in 2017 – but he too was backed to perform. Chigumbura, though picked for that series, did not play in any of the matches and his previous appearance in international 50-over cricket dated back to October 2016.While the elder Masakadza was picked, his 23-year old brother and left-arm spinner Wellington was left out of the squad that lost at home to Afghanistan 3-2. Accompanying him on the bench were seamer Carl Mumba and allrounder Nathan Waller.These 10 matches present a significant opportunity for the team for they can help build momentum going into the qualifying tournament in April 2018 for the next World Cup. Only the top-eight teams on the ICC rankings gain automatic qualification into the showpiece event. Zimbabwe, down at No. 11, will have to finish among the top two to have a chance at playing the 2019 World Cup.Zimbabwe squad: Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza, Tendai Chatara, Chamu Chibhabha, Graeme Cremer (capt), Craig Ervine, Hamilton Masakadza, Solomon Mire, Peter Moor, Christopher Mpofu, Tarisai Musakanda, Richard Ngarava, Donald Tiripano, Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams

Harry Maguire defended team-mate Marcus Rashford after the striker's woeful show against Newcastle United.

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• Maguire defends Rashford after woeful performance
• Made '11 mistakes' against Newcastle United
• Newcastle beat Man Utd 1-0

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The English forward had a night to forget against Newcastle United as he made as many as 11 mistakes – which were listed down by a frustrated fan after the match – as United suffered yet another defeat in the Premier League on Saturday.

  Despite a poor show at St. James' Park, former club captain Maguire came to the defence of his colleague as he claimed that Rashford is just experiencing a rough patch of form after a terrific 2022/23 campaign with the team.

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• WHAT HARRY MAGUIRE SAID

  Speaking to reporters after the match, the defender said, "Marcus had an unbelievable season last season. This season, it hasn't clicked for him. He's working hard. Everyone in that dressing room knows what he's about."

  He added, "It's been a tough week with three away days in six days. To be fair, in the first half, we looked like we'd played our third away day in six days.

  "The tempo wasn't there, the intensity wasn't there. They were a lot better than us. We grew into the game, but we didn't have enough in the end."

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  Manager Erik ten Hag refused to speak about his striker's performance in public as he stated after the match that he would prefer to speak to the player directly in private.

  After a stellar performance last season where he scored 17 Premier League goals and played a crucial role in his team finishing in the top four, the 26-year-old has struggled to find form in the ongoing campaign having scored just twice across all competitions.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTE UNITED?

  Erik ten Hag's side are scheduled to play four matches in their next 14 days which include fixtures against Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

Surrey are currently working on development plans which would make the ground the largest dedicated cricket stadium in the country

George Dobell09-Jun-2017Surrey hope to increase the capacity of The Oval to 40,000 in time for the 2023 Ashes. The club are currently working on development plans which would make the ground the largest dedicated cricket stadium in the country and increase capacity sharply on the current 25,500. Their aim, subject to planning permission and funding agreements, is to begin work after the 2019 World Cup.The centrepiece of the project would be a replacement for the Bedser Stand which could add up to 8000 seats. There would also be an enlargement of the existing OCS Stand. Surrey already have planning permission for a large development next to the pavilion – No. 1 Oval Square – which will incorporate additional capacity and facilities.The Oval has an outstanding record of attracting spectators. Surrey have led the way in optimising the domestic T20 market – their first Friday night fixture of this season’s campaign, versus Kent, has already sold out – and hope to host one of the newly branded teams in the competition scheduled to start in 2020.”The time is now right for cricket to think on a bigger scale,” Surrey chairman Richard Thompson said. “This summer we have seen unprecedented levels of demand for cricket at the Kia Oval. We need to build on this success and have a ground that can satisfy the unprecedented demand we have created.”Richard Gould, the club’s CEO, said: “Our business has taken off over the last five years and our reserves have quadrupled in size along with significantly higher profits. This has largely been driven through T20 cricket and an increase in our non-matchday business, but sales for international cricket also remain very strong. Most of our major games now sell out, either for county cricket or international cricket, and we need more seats to meet demand.”The schedule for the 2023 Ashes has yet to be announced but it is anticipated that the Ageas Bowl, near Southampton, will be competing with The Oval for the right to host a Test. The Oval’s staging agreement with the ECB (whereby they are guaranteed a Test a year) expires in 2022 and Surrey may fear that their opposition to the new-team T20 competition has done little to ingratiate them with the decision makers at the ECB. They are understood to have consulted with the ECB over their new plans, though it is unclear if they have been given assurances over future major match allocations.Certainly there seems to be increasing competition for the major match market. With the ECB looking at cutting the number of Tests each summer, the existing venues will be fighting harder than ever to retain the level of cricket they require to sustain themselves. And with talk of utilising other venues – such as the London Stadium (formerly the Olympic Stadium) – continuing, even the bigger grounds such as Lord’s and The Oval are not immune to these changes.It is telling that the news comes as the MCC announces the timetable for its planned redevelopment of Lord’s. While both MCC and The Oval are wealthy, it is possible that both will borrow heavily to fund the schemes, reviving memories of the ‘arms race’ of a decade or so ago that saw grounds across the country sink heavily into debt as they sought to build venues that would persuade the ECB to grant them more major matches.