A round-up of the Dhaka Premier League matches on May 10, 2016

Mohammad Isam10-May-2016Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club captain Mahmudullah celebrated his 200th List-A match with 130 against Cricket Coaching School, which paved the way for a 90-run win at the BKSP-3 ground.Mahmudullah added 203 runs for the third wicket in 39 overs with Marshall Ayub, who scored his maiden List-A century. He made 103 off 115 balls with 12 fours while Mahmudullah struck eight fours and five sixes during his career-best 130 off 139 balls. This meant that Dhanmondi Club surged to 290 for 5 in 50 overs.In reply, CCS had a good start, with Saif Hassan and Pinak Ghosh adding 60 for the first wicket. Captain Rajin Saleh built on it with 51 off 78 balls, but Jeevan Mendis and Shafiul Islam pierced through the middle order with two wickets each. Ayub picked up the last wicket to fall – Refatuzzaman – to cap off a memorable day. CCS were bowled out for 200 in 48.3 overs.Mohammedan Sporting Club went to the top of the points table in the Dhaka Premier League, after securing a four-wicket win over over Kalabagan Cricket Academy in Fatullah.Mohammedan and Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club are currently locked with eight points from five matches, but Mohammedan have a better net run rate.They chased down a revised target of 207, after rain interrupted the chase in the 21st over. Opener Ezaz Ahmed and No.3 Upul Tharanga put on 111 runs for the second wicket to set up the chase. Ezaz struck two fours and four sixes before being dismissed by allrounder Mahmudul Hasan for 60 off 68 balls. Tharanga stayed unbeaten on 90 off 114 balls, including eight fours and one six. Left-arm spinner Bishwanath Halder was the pick of the bowlers for KCA, taking 2 for 39.Having been sent in, KCA were bowled out for 231 with four balls to spare, with left-arm spinner Enamul Haque jnr claiming three wickets. Naeem Islam jnr and Naeem Islam pitched in with two wickets each. Jatin Saxena and Mehedi Hasan Miraz hit fifties, but the rest of the batsmen failed, the third-best score being opener Myshukur Rahaman’s 31 off 65 balls.Gazi Group Cricketers rode on a 155-run opening partnership between Shamsur Rahman and Anamul Haque to beat Kalabagan Kira Chakra by six wickets in Mirpur.Anamul, having kept wicket earlier, made 70 off 83 balls, including six fours and one six, before retiring hurt because of cramps. Shamsur hit nine fours and one six during his 91-ball 75. Though he, Mehedi Hasan, Faruque Hossain, and Farhad Hossain fell in quick succession, Alok Kapali, who had picked up three wickets, and Saeed Anwar jnr completed the 224 chase in the 46th over.Earlier, each of Kalabagan’s top four had starts, but none managed to convert it into a half-century. Tasamul Haque top-scored with 47 off 63, before he was the sixth batsman dismissed. Tanveer Haider and No.10 Abdur Razzak made late cameos to push Kalabagan past 200, but it wasn’t enough.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsOffspinner Leigh Kasperek ripped through Australia’s top order•IDI/Getty Images

Suzie Bates, the New Zealand Women captain, applied the same principle on a pitch where Kane Williamson and company pulled off a coup against India last week, by fielding three spinners on a slow, dry, and dusty Nagpur deck. They repaid the faith with an authoritative display to sucker-punch Australia Women, the three-time World Twenty20 champions, by six wickets to all but seal a semi-final berth at the Women’s World T20.Meg Lanning’s glee at winning the toss, a record that she hasn’t been proud of, in recent times, subsided even before she could get a feel for the conditions as she was beaten by Sophie Devine’s rocket throw to walk back for a duck. By then, Australia had sensationally slipped to 2 for 3, leaving the middle order with the unenviable task of batting out a majority of the overs in the face of more spin. They eventually managed 103 for 8, courtesy sprightly knocks from Ellyse Perry (42) and Jess Jonassen (23). But it wasn’t enough to test New Zealand, whose 12-hour travel ordeal to reach Nagpur yielded fruit. Bates and Rachel Priest produced a fiery 58-run opening stand as New Zealand made light work of the target.On a surface where batsmen had to curb their natural instincts, Australia came out looking to attack and the first sign of that resulted in a double-strike to Leigh Kasperek, the offspinner, as Ellyse Villani and Alyssa Healy holed out to mid-on. When Lanning walked back after a mix-up with Erin Osborne, Australia were completely taken aback by what hit them. Their struggle to get the ball off the square forced Bates to complete the quota of Morna Nielsen and Kasperek upfront; Australia limping to 17 for 4 in eight overs.Alex Blackwell briefly attempted what the top order didn’t: batting outside the crease in an effort to smother the spin. Soon enough, she brought out the reverse sweep to bring up the first boundary of the innings, before being foxed by a delivery that spun across the face of the bat to hit the off stump.Perry, however, comfortably rotated strike and brought out the big hits seamlessly to give her side some impetus. Particularly impressive was the manner in which she used her feet and her reach to combat New Zealand. She found an ally in Jonassen, who lived a charmed live after being dropped thrice, as the pair put together 49 in just 36 balls. After Perry fell, Jonassen and Beth Mooney unleashed their aggression as Australia blasted 76 off the last 10 overs, to give their bowlers something to defend.Australia’s spinners did not learn from New Zealand’s. They came out bowling either too full or flat, and were duly punished. Priest climbed on to Kirsten Beams, the legspinner, as the openers reeled off 51 in seven overs. Australia’s faster bowlers didn’t particularly find the wicket to their liking either. Bates fearlessly hit through the line while Priest took the aerial route to muscle five fours and a six.It was Bates, though, who unfurled the shot of the evening when he lofted Beams inside-out over cover for a six; the helplessness in Australia’s ranks was well summed up as Lanning applauded that effort. In many ways, the shot and the reaction summed up the day for both sides. While Australia did strike back with four wickets late in the day, the Bates-Priest stand meant the damage had been done.

Winning a close-run, low-scoring game against South Africa on a difficult Nagpur pitch has shown West Indies that they can handle pressure, Marlon Samuels has said

Karthik Krishnaswamy in Nagpur25-Mar-2016Winning a close-run, low-scoring game against South Africa on a difficult Nagpur pitch has shown West Indies that they can handle pressure, Marlon Samuels has said. Samuels, whose 44-ball 43 helped steer West Indies to a three-wicket win that sealed a semi-final spot for them, said the experience would stand them in good stead if they are to come up against a similar scenario in the knockouts.”On a day like today, on a slow track, it was always going to be a nail-biter, a close game,” Samuels said. “It’s very good that we can keep our nerve and bring it home because we might end up in the same situation again, so it’s good that we can carry home games under pressure as well.”Samuels, who began the tournament with a boundary-laden 27-ball 37 against England, was forced to adopt a more conservative approach against South Africa.”If you see the first game against England, we got a good start, so I could always go there and express myself and play my shots and play the game that I like to play,” he said. “Today, the wicket was on the slower side, [and we had lost] early wickets, so it called for me to change my game, to try and bat right down to the end.”Samuels said he had a dual role to play in a batting line-up full of power-hitters.”This batting line-up, I have two roles. One where, when the openers get a good start, I go there and express myself, and [if we] get a slow start, early wickets, I’ll go there and try to build up an innings with whichever partner that is there, and try to build something and [take] the game as far as possible.”Samuels has been one of West Indies’ form batsmen at the World T20, and though it is an entirely different format, he welcomed the runs after a wretched Test series in Australia that brought him 35 runs at 7.00.”Not going to be overconfident, but this is the part of the game which I think is the most beautiful part of the game,” Samuels said. “It makes you bring out how tough you are as a person, because you’re going to have failures, but what matters the most is how you come back.”

Manchester United's summer target Jeremie Frimpong would be keen to make a move to Old Trafford ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

Will Man United finish in the top four?

The Red Devils got back to winning ways on the weekend to give their hopes of a spot in next season's Champions League a much-needed boost.

Erik ten Hag's side remain three points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand over the north London side.

However, there may be some concerns as to whether Marcus Rashford will be available for the upcoming games after he seemingly suffered a fresh injury issue.

A spot inside the top four remains in their hands and it could be crucial for the Red Devils if they are to attract some of their summer transfer targets to Old Trafford.

One name which has been linked with a potential switch to Manchester is that of Bayer Leverkusen's Frimpong after his representatives held talks with United last week.

And speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has claimed the £22k-per-week right-back would be keen on a potential move to Old Trafford in the summer window:

(3:00) "I can confirm that the player is really attracted by a possible return to the Premier League because he started his career in England and now in this case, with Manchester United it's a possibility that is really attracting the player.

"So they've had the player in the list since October/November. They sent, Manchester United, people from their scouting department to follow Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer Leverkusen.

"And so let's see if bids will arrive for Aaron Wan-Bissaka but Frimpong is one to watch and the player would be keen on the move to Manchester United."

Should United sign Frimpong?

The 22-year-old has been a key feature in the Leverkusen side this season having now racked up 27 appearances in the Bundesliga (via Transfermarkt).

And in those games he has been able to provide a seriously impressive return of eight goals and five assists having played predominantly as a right wing-back.

However, there could be an issue for Ten Hag's men ahead of the summer with the believed interest also coming from Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

The two European sides top their respective leagues and are looking certain to be playing in the Champions League ahead of the new season.

On the other hand, United's spot inside the top four is by no means secure with the Red Devils still to play Tottenham later this month.

It will be intriguing to see whether Frimpong's future could potentially be determined on whether United are able to seal a spot in next season's elite European football.

With the draw of playing for Barcelona and even the potential switch across Germany to Bayern in a league where he has so comfortably adapted since moving from Celtic.

United have seen Jadon Sancho come over from the Bundesliga and fail to hit the heights expected of him, however, there could be some confidence taken from the shared interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs.

Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes was left stunned by the performance of Sven Botman in their Premier League victory on Sunday afternoon.

Can Newcastle end their Champions League drought?

The Magpies are certainly making big strides towards returning to Europe's top table with their last appearance in the competition coming back in 2003.

And the fresh faces brought in under Eddie Howe's reign are quickly becoming local heroes with the likes of Guimaraes and Botman proving to be key figures in this new era on Tyneside.

The victory against the Red Devils not only provided the Toon Army with a taste of revenge following their Carabao Cup defeat last month, but also sees them leapfrog United into third spot.

Newcastle's time in third may be short-lived with Tottenham Hotspur travelling to Goodison Park on Monday night, however, the clash on Merseyside will restore their two-game advantage over the Londoners.

On the back of being handed the Player of the Match award himself, Guimaraes took to Botman's post-game Instagram image to praise the £90k-per-week defender's display:

How good was Botman on Sunday?

Howe's side have been rock solid at the back this season and boast the Premier League's tightest defence having only conceded 19 goals.

To put that into context, Manchester City – who have the second-best record – have conceded seven more goals and league leaders Arsenal have conceded eight more.

And the summer signing, Botman, has been at the centre of this stunning form having now played 25 times in the Premier League this term (via Transfermarkt).

In the Red Devils, Newcastle were coming up against one of the league's most in-form forwards with Marcus Rashford returning to the fold.

However, it proved to be a muted 90 minutes for the 26-year-old who had just 29 touches of the ball and registered no shots at all (via SofaScore).

In comparison, Botman – who's been labelled a "Rolls Royce defender" by journalist Jordan Cronin – racked up three interceptions, one block and one clearance as the Magpies limited the visitors to just one shot on Nick Pope's goal (via SofaScore).

What has been equally impressive is Botman's disciplinary record having received just one yellow card in over 2000 minutes of league action (via Transfermarkt).

Botman was not included in the Netherlands' 2022 World Cup squad late last year and his form in his first Premier League campaign is certainly making a mockery of that decision.

But it is apparent the 23-year-old's efforts are not going unnoticed by his teammates with Guimaraes full of praise for the Dutch defender.

It wasn’t quite a ‘Malcolm Devon’ moment, when in 1989 Ted Dexter, then England’s chairman of selectors, got into a muddle over the fast bowler’s name, but there was some uncertainty as Trevor Bayliss met England’s latest pace bowler, Jake Ball for the fi

Andrew McGlashan13-May-2016It wasn’t quite a “Malcolm Devon” moment, when in 1989 Ted Dexter, then England’s chairman of selectors, got into a muddle over the fast bowler’s name, but there was some uncertainty as coach Trevor Bayliss met England’s latest pace bowler, Jake Ball, for the first time.The England Test squad were amassing for fitness sessions at the national academy when, in the fairly unglamorous location of a Loughborough corridor, they greeted each other.”I bumped into him in a corridor in my Notts gear and shook his hand and I don’t think he quite knew who I was,” he said. “I passed him, went up and got my England kit and he said ‘it’s Jake isn’t it?’ It wasn’t how I planned it to go but we then had a nice chat and he told me to carry on what I’m doing for Notts and see where it take you. I’m really looking forward to seeing how it goes.”Earlier this week, Ball said it would be “unbelievable” to earn an England call-up – despite the hype that had built during the early rounds of Championship matches which meant it felt inevitable – and he admitted to being taken aback when James Whitaker gave him the news.”I had just had a chocolate tart from the Lord’s lunch which I nearly chucked up over James Whitaker,” he said. “Words can’t describe the emotions I was going through. When I went back up to the dressing room all the lads knew what had been going on and everything went quiet when I walked in and they were all delighted for me. It was a special moment.”Ball’s opportunity has come, in part, due to injuries to Mark Wood – who he has known for a long time and played a lot of second XI cricket with – and Mark Footitt, but with returns of 19 wickets at 21.15 so far this season he would have been pushing for recognition even with others available. It is quite a rise for a bowler for who 2015 was his first substantial Championship campaign.”If you speak to most players they say it comes round quicker than you expect,” Ball said. “Things snowball and get out of hand and that is what happened this year. If you told me at start of the year I would be in the team for the first Test I would have laughed but said ‘yeah, okay then.’ I am just trying to soak it all in and enjoy every minute.”Although Bayliss may not have been sure who his newest recruit was, there was not a complete ‘new-school’ feeling for Ball as the squad convened. His brief England Under-19 career in 2010 came in a side that included Joe Root, and the only one of the squad he has not played with or against is captain Alastair Cook – although he decided the first day together as a full England group was not the time to remind Root of the first-baller against him in the recent Championship match.”I didn’t want to dent his confidence before the coming series,” he joked. “It was nice get him out and that’s when you start to realise where you are as a bowler. I’m sure I’ll bring it up over the next few weeks.”Though Ball may yet have to wait a little longer for the that first cap – it is between him and Steven Finn for the final pace-bowling slot – he added that the overall experience of the match against Yorkshire, which was televised and included 14 internationals, added to his belief that he was ready for the top level.”I think going into it, having had the start against Surrey and Manchester and the media hype was starting to snowball. I felt not under pressure but I wanted to put my best performance in, in front of the Sky cameras, in front of all the pundits and a lot of media attention with Root and [Stuart] Broad playing. When it came to bowling, to put that performance in gave me a hell of a lot of confidence and it went on from there.”I feel my game is at a place where it has never been before and I’m really comfortable with the way I go about my game and how I prepare. I still have a way to go but in terms of confidence and what I could offer the team, yeah, I feel ready to go.”

Manuka Oval in Canberra will host Test cricket for the first time in 2018-19, when it will become Australia’s tenth Test venue. Sri Lanka are Australia’s likely opponent for the inaugural Canberra Test, a match that will provide Australia with its first new Test ground since 2003, when both Darwin and Cairns were added to the list for a Top-End series also against Bangladesh.Canberra first hosted an ODI during the 1992 World Cup but was then shelved as an international ground until 2008; since then it has hosted a further seven one-day internationals and an eighth is scheduled for this coming summer against New Zealand. Its status as a cricket city has grown significantly in recent years, having hosted the Sheffield Shield final in 2014 and the BBL final in 2015.”Over several years, Canberra has demonstrated a strong appetite for international cricket, with consistently strong crowds coming to Manuka Oval for one-day international matches,” Cricket Australia’s chief executive James Sutherland said. “Today’s announcement recognises the continued growth of the sport not only in the ACT but the wider region, and is a testament to the effort being placed on participation in the territory with more than 32,000 playing cricket last season and this season on track for further increases.”Part of our charter is to showcase the game to as many cricket fans around the nation to encourage growth, and with more than one million people living in the ACT and Southern NSW region, we believe there is a great advantage in Canberra hosting a Test Match and that’s one of the reasons that we will host a Test match in Canberra in 2018-19.”India are due to tour Australia for four Tests and Sri Lanka for two during the 2018-19 season, which would mean one of the six state capitals would miss out on a Test in order for Canberra to fit into the schedule. Hobart would be the likely candidate to be cut, with Perth’s new multi-sport stadium expected to be open by early 2018 and likely to host a Test against India.

YouTuber Conor McGilligan has slammed Leeds United midfielder Marc Roca amid his poor form following the club's recent defeat.

What's the latest on Marc Roca and Leeds?

It certainly was a match to forget for the Whites on Monday night as they suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Liverpool.

Indeed, the Reds came to Elland Road and blew their opponents away as they netted six times, while Leeds only managed a consolation through Luis Sinisterra.

The loss means Javi Gracia's men are in real trouble down at the bottom of the Premier League, sitting just two points above the relegation zone with seven games to play.

After any 6-1 defeat, very few players will come out with any praise but it seems as though Roca stood out as one of the worst performers.

Indeed, while talking about the Spaniard on the One Leeds Fan Channel, McGilligan explained just how disappointed he's been with the midfielder of late.

He said (25:46): “I've said multiple times, I'm a big fan of Roca. He is embarrassing at the minute, embarrassing."

While talking about midfield partner Weston McKennie, he added (26:19): "I mean Marc Roca has been as bad recently so I'm not just gonna lay him [McKennie] out to dry.

"You know, I think it's just an absolute sham at the minute."

Is Marc Roca's form a big worry for Leeds?

Last weekend against Crystal Palace, the Whites also suffered a heavy defeat at Crystal Palace as they shipped five goals in front of their own fans.

In that game, LeedsLive writer Beren Cross signed Roca out for criticism too, handing him 3/10 in the player ratings.

While he noted: "Began promisingly, but all of his boisterous energy and will to impress amounted to naive anticipation of what was going on around him. Found himself dribbled past by the opposition on at least seven occasions."

With that being the case, it's not hard to see why the £50k-p/w Leeds United star is starting to lose some fans amongst his own fanbase.

And with midfielder partner Tyler Adams still out injured after having to undergo under the knife to help fix a hamstring problem picked up in March, there is even more pressure on Roca to step up with his displays in the middle of the park.

All in all, it's been a bad spell for the Spaniard and if he can't turn his form around, he may be playing in the Championship next term.

Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha has said that communication within the BCB selection panel will improve once he becomes a part of it

Mohammad Isam02-Jun-2016Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha has said that communication within the BCB selection panel will improve once he becomes a part of it. Although not yet official, Hathurusingha’s inclusion will be one of the major changes to the selection committee, which is likely to be approved at the next board meeting.”BCB are going to speak to me in the next couple of days about the plan they have,” Hathurusingha said. “I think it is a good concept. At the end I am responsible for the outcome. If I have a say in selection it will make things easier for everyone, the players as well as the selectors. The communication will be much better.”Hathurusingha will not be the first Bangladesh coach to be included in the selection panel. Dav Whatmore was also a selector when he was Bangladesh’s coach between 2003 and 2007. Jamie Siddons, Stuart Law, Richard Pybus and Shane Jurgensen were advisors to the panel, although not appointed as selectors during their stints as Bangladesh coach.Amid growing concerns within the BCB, chief selector Faruque Ahmed had offered to resign if the panel expanded to seven members without a chief selector. However, he welcomed Hathurusingha to the committee. Earlier this week, BCB president Nazmul Hassan had said Hathurusingha would be tasked with staying abreast with domestic cricket.”I want the coach to watch matches rather than sitting idle,” Hassan said. “He will have a role to play. Someone or the other must watch each domestic match so that we know about the emerging cricketers. I don’t want a situation where the coach doesn’t know anything about a new player. Our contract with him is based on ‘number of days’ but he is not taking advantage of it.”Hathurusingha, who returned on Wednesday from a holiday in Melbourne, said he was looking forward to seeing the Bangladesh players’ performance in the Super League phase of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League.”I want to see the performance, especially the national players stepping up,” he said. “I have been following how they are doing on the internet. I hope the national players step up in the Super League and dominate with the bat and ball.”Hathurusingha, who is likely to have his contract renewed with the BCB for two years, said Bangladesh’s foreign tours will be a test of their improvement. Apart from Bangladesh’s scheduled tour to New Zealand later this year, there are talks of at least three tours in 2017, excluding the Champions Trophy in England in June.”I think the next two-three years will be Bangladesh’s golden era. Players of the caliber of Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah are all at their peak now,” Hathurusingha said. “This is the time they have to use their experience and consistently perform in international cricket.”That is going to be an exciting era as well as challenging for Bangladesh cricket, because in the next two years we play more cricket overseas. In my last two years, we played a lot cricket at home and in Bangladesh conditions. So it is going to be a challenge as well to see our development in Bangladesh cricket.”Hathurusingha said one of his main challenges was to develop a good bowling unit needed to perform consistently in Tests. Bangladesh last played a Test in July last year.”Playing matches is the best way to improve. If you look at our record, we have not played much of Twenty20 cricket,” he said. “Test matches also the same, we have not played Tests for a long time.”We also need to find good bowling unit, [that is] the main challenge for next two-three years. Whoever comes they have to find good bowlers who can take 20 wickets. We are on the right path. We have found few good bowlers as well as a few good young youngsters and the seniors are coming to their prime.”

A round-up of the Dhaka Premier League games played on May 24, 2016

Mohammad Isam24-May-2016

Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club beat Kalabagan Cricket Academy (KCA) by 49 runs (D/L method) in Fatullah after rain curtailed proceedings 21 overs into KCA’s run chase. Doleshwar now sit atop the points table with 12 points from eight games.Having been asked to bat, Doleshwar posted 287 for 6, on the back of strong performances from their top three. Imtiaz Hossain and Robiul Islam Robi shared an opening stand of 112, before the latter was stumped for 50 in the 20th over. Imtiaz, who made 86 off 94 with six fours and two sixes, added 62 runs for the second wicket with Raqibul Hasan. Raqibul went on to score 66 off 79 balls.After their strong start, Doleshwar lost their way in the middle order, plodding from 160 for 1 in 30 overs to 224 for 4 in 45 overs. During this period, new Indian recruit Ashok Menaria struggled with a 15-ball 6. But captain Farhad Reza blasted four sixes in his unbeaten 15-ball 34 to take the side close to the 300-run mark.In reply, KCA slumped to 81 for four in the 19th over. Nasir Hossain took two wickets and Al-Amin Hossain picked up one, while the fourth wicket was a run-out. KCA were even worse off than the scoreline suggested, as captain Mahmudul Hasan had retired hurt on 2 after the 13th over.Rain forced a premature end to the match with KCA on 98 for 4 in 21 overs.The other two Dhaka Premier League matches scheduled for May 24 were called off for the day due to rain and will resume on May 25. In Mirpur, Prime Bank Cricket Club were 41 for 1 in 6.2 overs in reply to Mohammedan Sporting Club’s 224 all out. At the BKSP-3 ground, Abahani Limited posted 276 for 6 in their 50 overs, against Gazi Group Cricketers.