قلب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول تأخره إلى فوز ثمين أمام ساوثهامبتون بنتيجة 3-1 في إطار مباريات الجولة الثامنة والعشرين من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي.
واستضاف ليفربول على ملعبه “أنفيلد” منافسه ساوثهامبتون وسط حضور جماهيري كبير كسر حاجز 61 ألف متفرج، وقاد المباراة تحكيميًا الحكم الشاب، لويس سميث.
وشارك محمد صلاح جناح وهداف ليفربول أساسيًا في المباراة التي شهدت تواجد آرني سلوت في المدرجات لتطبيقه عقوبة الإيقاف لمدة مباراتين بعد الطرد ضد إيفرتون.
وكانت هناك محاولات كثيرة من جانب لاعبي ليفربول لتسجيل هدف في شباك ساوثهامبتون ولكن فشل الجميع خاصة لويس دياز، داروين نونيز وكورتيس جونز.
اقرأ أيضًا.. محمد صلاح: سلوت فعل شيئًا يكشف ذكائه ومختلف عن كلوب شاهد أهداف ليفربول وساوثهامبتون في الدوري الإنجليزي
إلا أن الصاعقة جاءت في الدقيقة الأولى من الوقت بدل الضائع، حيث استطاع ويل سمولبون أن يسجل هدفًا لصالح ساوثهامبتون بعد استغلاله خطأ فادح من جانب أليسون وفيرجيل فان دايك.
في الشوط الثاني، اختلف الأمر كثيرًا حيث استطاع داروين نونيز إدراك التعادل في الدقيقة 51.
وانقلبت النتيجة من خلال ركلة جزاء نفذها محمد صلاح في الدقيقة 53 ليصل بذلك إلى هدفه السادس والعشرين في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي.
وبالدقيقة 87، عاد محمد صلاح ليهز شباك ساوثهامبتون بركلة جزاء أخرى لتصبح النتيجة 3-1 وتنتهي المباراة بها ويصل المصري الدولي إلى الهدف رقم 27 في الدوري الإنجليزي.
بهذا الفوز، يرتفع رصيد ليفربول إلى النقطة 70 بعد خوضه 29 جولة ليواصل تفرده بالصدارة في جدول الترتيب.
وتجمد رصيد ساوثهامبتون عند النقطة 9 في المركز الأخير في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي وازداد موقفه صعوبة.
Finger spinner set to play under a new captain and coach after Darren Lehmann and Chris Lynn stood down during the off-season
Alex Malcolm31-Aug-2021Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman will make his fourth trip back to the BBL later this year after re-signing with Brisbane Heat.Mujeeb has been an outstanding contributor to Heat over the course of his 26 matches in the BBL claiming 29 wickets at an economy rate of just 6.13. He claimed his career-best T20 figures for Heat last season taking 5 for 15 against Hobart Hurricanes at the Gabba.”I’m very pleased to have re-signed for Brisbane Heat for my fourth season with them,” Mujeeb said. “I’m very happy there, they’re great guys. The fans always support me and the team so I hope we can win the Big Bash for them.”Mujeeb will play under a different hierarchy this season with Wade Seccombe taking over as coach from Darren Lehmann, although the former coach will remain on as an assistant.Lehmann coached Mujeeb at Northern Superchargers in the Hundred this year and had no hesitation in convincing the new coach that he should be re-signed.”Darren has reported back to us that he keeps getting better each time he sees him,'” Seccombe said. “It’s exciting for us to have him in the line-up again. It makes a big difference to how we match-up with other teams, and his skills and controls enables other players in our squad to come to the fore as well.”It was notable how Mitch Swepson and Matt Kuhnemann enjoyed working with him last season so we’re looking forward to him arriving closer to the tournament and getting ready to go.”Heat will also have a new captain this season after Chris Lynn stood down but they have yet to name his replacement.Brisbane Heat squad: Chris Lynn, Tom Banton (England), Xavier Bartlett, Sam Heazlett, Jimmy Peirson, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Matt Willans, Tom Cooper, Michael Neser, Marnus Labuschagne, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan)
da supremo： An "absolutely outstanding" Everton player has reportedly seen a bid accepted for him by a European club, with a medical already being lined up.
Everton transfer news
da aposte e ganhe： This summer is a case of the Blues making new signings but also trying to keep hold of important current players, even though that may be difficult for them to comply with the league's PSR guidelines.
Jarrad Branthwaite is one such figure who could be sacrificed, being linked with a move to Manchester United, and Peterborough United defender Ronnie Edwards has apparently been lined up to replace him, being backed to play for England one day.
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite
Similarly, star midfielder Amadou Onana could also need to be replaced, with a switch to another Premier League club mooted throughout the summer to date, and Leicester City ace Wilfred Ndidi has emerged as a strong option to come in for the Belgian, filling the void left by him in the middle of the park.
Seamus Coleman isn't the force he used to be for Everton at right-back, which is only natural given his age, and Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka is reportedly being lined up to come in during the current transfer window. He found himself behind Diogo Dalot in the pecking order at Old Trafford last season, and his expert one-on-one defending could make him a shrewd addition for Sean Dyche.
"Outstanding" Everton man closes in on exit
According to a new report from Football Insider, Ben Godfrey is on the verge of leaving Everton for Atalanta, with their improved bid for him accepted. It is claimed that the Englishman "will arrive in Milan at 10am on Friday to undergo an Atalanta medical and finalise personal terms", with a fee of "£9m including add-ons" agreed.
Everton player Ben Godfrey
This does feel like the right time for Godfrey to move on and enjoy a fresh challenge, not only allowing him more regular football but also ensuring that Everton receive a healthy amount of money for his services.
The 26-year-old hasn't been considered a key man under Dyche, only starting 13 out of a possible 38 Premier League games last season, although there could be a risk in selling the defender, considering Rio Ferdinand once heaped praise on him.
"You’ve got two centre-backs playing at full-backs. Ben Godfrey has been absolutely outstanding. The pace he has shown in the last couple of games…were against Timo Werner, Chelsea, the last game against Arsenal.
"You look at the pace of the kid. Pepe, £72m worth, I am sure Mr Godfrey would be looking at his pocket and thinking ‘where is he? Someone causing me a bit of friction in my pocket."
Everton could axe £25m flop who earns more than Branthwaite
He has struggled to find his feet this season
ByJoe Nuttall Jun 28, 2024
That being said, it is still the right decision by Everton, and it will be interesting to see how the £75,000-a-week Godfrey fares in Italy. He should be remembered as a solid servant for the Blues, making 93 appearances since arriving from Norwich City back in 2020, and the hope is that the funds can be used to bring in a superior replacement.
da lvbet： Tottenham Hotspur endured a Premier League season full of ups and downs under the guidance of new boss Ange Postecoglou last season, but all things considered, qualifying for the Europa League has to be seen as a success.
da 888casino： That said, there's no rest for the wicked, as the club now have a few months to bring in some real quality to help the side make the jump up to the Champions League places, especially as vice-captain Cristian Romero has been linked to European giants Real Madrid in recent days.
Luckily, Daniel Levy and Co have been at work, as the latest player touted for a move to N17 may be the perfect replacement, and he's been compared to six-time Premier League winner John Stones.
Tottenham Hotspur transfer news
According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Tottenham Hotspur are incredibly interested in Bologna's star defender, Riccardo Calafiori, and have already held initial talks over a potential transfer.
Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori
Alongside the Lilywhites, the report has revealed that Chelsea, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Napoli, Juventus and Newcastle United are also interested in the 22-year-old and that the latter has also held initial talks over a potential move.
An offer of around €35m, about £30m, should secure the defender's signature. However, the player would reportedly prefer a move to the Old Lady if he were to leave this summer to join up with his former boss, Thiago Motta.
Riccardo Calafiori.
It might prove to be a complicated deal to get over the line, but with Romero potentially leaving the club this summer, this isn't a player that Spurs can afford to miss out on – the comparisons to Stones are just a nice bonus.
How Calafiori compares to Romero and Stones
Before looking at how the Italian stacks up against Romero, let's first take a look at the comparison to Stones, which has primarily stemmed from data analyst Ben Mattinson.
His main argument stems from the Italian's ability and willingness to step "into midfield to control games." This trait that Mattinson is talking about can be seen in his Serie A heatmap, which demonstrates that while he does most of his work where you would expect, he still takes a significant number of touches in the opposition's half.
Not only is this similar to the City ace's, but it would also serve him well if he joined Spurs, as Postecoglou has become famous for playing a particularly high defensive line, which should suit the "quality front-footed defender", as Mattinson dubbed him, down to the ground.
With that said, how does the Rome-born "monster", as dubbed by Mattinson, compare to the player he could be replacing at the heart of the North Londoners' defence? Well, the good news is that while he comes out second best in some areas, as you'd expect, he does emerge victorious in others, suggesting that he could well be an ideal replacement.
For example, while the Argentine produces a better non-penalty expected goal and assists figure, plays more progressive passes, has better-passing accuracy and makes more tackles, the Italian completes more progressive carries and successful take-ons, receives more progressive passes, produces more shot and goal-creating actions, blocks more passes and makes more interceptions, wins a higher percentage of aerial duels and recovers more balls, all per 90.
Calafiori vs Romero
Stats per 90
Calafiori
Romero
Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists
0.10
0.13
Progressive Carries
1.08
1.03
Progressive Passes
3.69
5.77
Progressive Passes Received
0.88
0.26
Passing Accuracy
89.6%
91.7%
Shot-Creating Actions
1.77
1.13
Goal-Creating Actions
0.31
0.06
Tackles
1.81
2.13
Interceptions
1.94
1.42
Shots Blocked
0.50
0.71
Passes Blocked
0.96
0.77
Successful Take-Ons
0.50
0.16
Ball Recoveries
7.46
6.10
Aerial Duels Win Percentage
71.4%
69.0%
All Stats via FBref for the 23/24 League Season
Ultimately, even if Spurs can keep hold of Romero this summer, bringing in a player of Calafiori's quality would be a fantastic move and one that may help the club push back up into the top four and beyond.
What Spurs' starting lineup could look like after £201m spending spree
Spurs will want to give Postecoglou everything he needs to build a successful side this summer.
There has now been a new update on Crystal Palace’s pursuit of a “true warrior”, with it being revealed a “good value” January deal is possible.
Palace on course to push for Europe
Palace remain in a strong position to push for European qualification, having taken 20 points from their opening 13 Premier League games this season, although they will be frustrated about Manchester United coming from behind to win at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
The Eagles fell to a 2-1 defeat against Ruben Amorim’s side, but they will have the opportunity to put things right tonight, when they travel to Turf Moor to take on an out-of-form Burnley side, who have lost their last four Premier League matches.
However, with the likes of Sunderland, Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion all in European contention after impressive starts to the campaign, it is getting congested at the top of the table, and Oliver Glasner’s side are now looking at new additions for the January window.
Last week, it was revealed that a concrete offer had been made for Bayern Munich’s Sacha Boey, who Glasner is a big fan of, according to a new update on their pursuit of the defender from TEAMtalk.
In an interview, journalist Dean Jones said: “Palace have been made aware that there could be a possibility for this one on a permanent deal and it actually could be a good value one. I’m told that is the preference at the moment.
“They [Bayern] don’t have much interest in letting him out on a loan. In the case of a loan offer they may well just hold on to him until the summer instead.
The journalist also went on to clarify that negotiations aren’t currently at an advanced stage, saying: “At this stage I think Palace are just feeling out the terms and understanding the player’s situation.”
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ByHenry Jackson Nov 25, 2025 "True warrior" Boey could be exciting addition for Palace
The right-back certainly caught the eye during his time with Galatasaray, having been hailed as a “true warrior” by members of the Turkish media, and he is very assured in possession of the ball, as displayed by his performance across some key metrics over the past year.
Sacha Boey’s key statistics
Average per 90 (past year)
Passes attempted
73.18 (97th percentile)
Pass completion %
90% (99th percentile)
Progressive passes
6.31 (95th percentile)
That said, the 25-year-old, who rakes in £80k-a-week should probably seek a move this winter, given that he has fallen down the pecking order considerably, being benched for the last three Bundesliga games.
With Palace competing in Europe this season, it would be a smart move to bring in additional strength in depth at right-back this January, and a long-term replacement for Daniel Munoz may be needed regardless, amid interest from Chelsea and Barcelona.
As such, Glasner’s side should make a move for Boey, and it is promising news that a deal could be possible for a reasonable price.
His all-out-attack approach has yielded dividends in white-ball cricket, but it may not work the same way in Tests
Ian Chappell06-Oct-2024Talk of Travis Head opening the batting for Australia in Test cricket indicates the uncertain nature of the position rather than being a reflection of the player’s suitability to handle the new ball.If Australia possessed an obvious opening replacement for David Warner then Steven Smith wouldn’t have occupied the position last season. Smith is a very capable No. 4 and that is his best position, so an opponent should welcome him facing the new ball.Head opening in Test cricket is based on his unbridled success facing the new ball in both 50-over and T20 cricket. There’s no doubt Head, with his ultra-aggressive style, is the ideal player to open in the two short forms of the game. However, Test cricket is an entirely different proposition.Head’s promotion to open in Test cricket should be seen as either an extremely desperate ploy or an extraordinarily adventurous move. The desperation involves Head’s penchant for adopting an all-out-attack approach, which can unravel in a Test match. The adventurous part involves his aggression unsettling the opposition field placings and thus creating an advantage for his own team.Related
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The difference between the short forms of the game and Test cricket apply with both field placings and use of the bowlers. The fielding side employing extra catching fielders and being able to unleash a preferred bowler for longer periods makes opening much tougher in Test cricket.The other important aspect is Head’s approach to batting. His decision to mount a full-blown attack is in part to camouflage any weakness in his batting. If the opposing bowlers are bluffed into countering with an economical rather than a wicket-taking plan, then Head’s ploy is successful.If Head is satisfied that an all-out attack is the way for him to bat, that boosts his confidence. However, a few cheap dismissals can see a player’s confidence dwindle quickly.One big flaw in the argument for Head to open in Test cricket is the opposition he’ll face. If it were a lesser opponent it might have some merit but a strong Indian attack will be hard to bluff.Any move to open with Head that is designed to unsettle Jasprit Bumrah is asking a lot of the batter. Bumrah, and to a lesser extent Mohammad Siraj, are unlikely to be battered into altering their attacking mentality.
Head’s promotion to open in Test cricket should be seen as either an extremely desperate ploy or an extraordinarily adventurous move
As well as fine fast bowlers, Head is also vulnerable against good offspin bowling. The wily R Ashwin is unlikely to be panicked by an opponent’s ultra-aggressive approach.
The argument could be mounted that opening with Head means he’d be more settled facing Ashwin with some runs on the board. On the other hand, a smart opposing captain can utilise the offspinner with a newish ball.Amongst any argument to use Head as a Test match opener, there’s a compelling counterpoint.Former Australian captain Tim Paine was asked about Smith as an opener. He replied candidly: “As an opposition player I want him at the top of the order because that gives me the best chance of getting him out.” The same logic applies to Head as an opener in Test cricket.In choosing an opening pair for the Test series, Australia need to be acutely aware of India’s attacking intentions under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy. It was made abundantly clear in the second Test against Bangladesh that India will seek victory at every opportunity under Rohit.That makes a good start in Tests against India a priority for Australia.Another issue clouding Australia’s choice of opener against India is the concern over Cameron Green’s back injury. The idea behind Smith opening last season was to fit both allrounders, Green and Mitch Marsh, into the team.If Green can only bat because of his back issue and Marsh continues to be questionable as a bowler because of potential injury, then it severely diminishes their allrounder status.There’s no doubt Australia desperately needs to find a capable Test opener, but Head is not the solution to the problem.
da cassino： A sorte parece estar do lado do Íbis Sport Club. Além da sua recente conquista com o acesso à Série A1 do Campeonato Pernambucano, o time pode celebrar mais uma vitória. A campanha de lançamento do BetssonFC, fantasy game de da patrocinadora master do time, que foi estrelada pelos jogadores do Pássaro Preto acaba de conquistar dois prêmios no Festival El Ojo de Iberoamérica: Ouro na categoria “El Ojo Eficacia” e Prata na categoria “El Ojo PR”.
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da brwin： A campanha foi criada sob o conceito “Todo mundo pode jogar com os melhores do mundo. Até Você”, a estratégia de comunicação tem a compra do patrocínio máster do Clube, conhecido como “O Pior Time do Mundo”, como centro de tudo e foi pensada para gerar buzz e impulsionar o engajamento nas redes sociais da Betsson e do Íbis Sport Club. Ela começou por um esquenta sobre a quota máster, que provocou a comunidade de boleiros a descobrir quem estava por trás do maior patrocínio da história do Clube.
A campanha contou também com peças digitais, conteúdos impulsionados pelas redes sociais do time, com a participação de influenciadores como Bolívia (ex-desimpedidos) e FuleragemFC (o famoso Nilsinho responsável pelas redes sociais do Íbis), além, é claro, do filme (versões de 45″, 30″ e 15″) estrelado pelos jogadores e gravado na Arena Pernambuco.
No Festival, a peça venceu candidatos de outros países como Peru e Estados Unidos, além de campanhas brasileiras de marcas como Coca-Cola e Unilever. A 24ª Edição do Festival recebeu 2.317 trabalhos nas competições. O Brasil é o país com mais inscrições – 401, no total.
– Este reconhecimento é resultado de um trabalho em equipe muito bem executado. Contamos com diversos parceiros e apostamos no humor e na descontração que o esporte nos permite para criar uma campanha 360, que fosse leve, divertida e também apoiasse o desenvolvimento do futebol brasileiro – explica Bruna Caldas, gerente de marketing da Betsson no Brasil.
Segundo Daniele Marques, sócia e Chief Creative Officer da Bold, “Em um segmento tão aquecido como o de betting, ter ideias ousadas, capazes de engajar e mobilizar as pessoas é fundamental para a competitividade do negócio. O que faz desse case uma história ainda mais legal é a capacidade que ele teve de unir as necessidades de comunicação da marca e o compromisso intencional de promover impacto positivo em um time com pouco apoio, mas muito potencial.”
Veja abaixo o vídeo da campanha “Todo mundo pode jogar com os melhores do mundo. Até você.”
It’s been a miserable month for Liverpool and things have now been made worse by another injury to Jeremie Frimpong. The summer signing, for the second time this season, is set to be sidelined for a number of games.
Defensive injuries are the last thing that Arne Slot needs. The Liverpool backline has been at its most vulnerable in recent weeks, with the right-back spot proving to be particularly inconsistent as Frimpong and Conor Bradley fail to make the position their own.
Given the form of new signing Milos Kerkez hasn’t exactly been consistent on the other side either, it’s clear that Slot desperately needs to change things up in search of a solution.
Saturday’s game against Aston Villa is simply a must-win for the Reds. A fifth-straight defeat in the Premier League is unheard of for the Premier League champions, but that’s what’s waiting for those at Anfield if they don’t provide an answer to their problems this weekend.
Despite his side’s disastrous run of form, Slot remains confident that they will turn things around. The Dutchman told reporters ahead of Aston Villa’s visit: “The thing that gives me the most confidence is the quality of the players we have and the amount of chances they are creating. This will lead to these players scoring more goals than we have done.”
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Whether the solution really is that simple remains to be seen, however. So far, the Liverpool manager has stuck to this season’s new system and stuck with struggling arrivals such as Kerkez, which could eventually lead to major consequences.
Meanwhile, after complaining about his squad depth in midweek, the news of Frimpong’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for Slot.
Every Liverpool game that Jeremie Frimpong will miss
Replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold was always going to be a difficult task, but the fact that Dominik Szoboszlai has played a more prominent role at right-back than Frimpong says it all. The Dutchman simply hasn’t got going amid an earlier injury and now his latest hamstring blow.
According to the Daily Mail’s Lewis Steele, Frimpong will now be sidelined for around six weeks after limping off with a hamstring injury against Eintracht Frankfurt. This means that he’ll miss games against both Real Madrid and Manchester City in the space of a week as well as several other games.
Liverpool vs Aston Villa
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Premier League
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Premier League
06/12/25
An “important” player under Xabi Alonso, according to the manager himself at Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool are yet to see Frimpong’s ability in full amid such a disrupted campaign that will only continue in the next six weeks.
The 68-year old is said to be experiencing mild symptoms
ESPNcricinfo staff20-Mar-2021
Khan was given his first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine recently•AFP
Pakistan Prime Minister and former cricket captain Imran Khan has tested positive for Covid-19. The news was confirmed by Dr Faisal Sultan, an infectious diseases expert and special advisor to the PM on health. Khan, 68, is understood to be experiencing mild symptoms, with Sultan confirming he would be self-isolating at home.Khan was given his first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine two days earlier, and his advisors were keen to point out, immunity takes time to kick in after a shot and the vaccine itself does not infect people with the virus. A number of doctors and government officials hastened to add this wasn’t a reason for people not to get vaccinated, a crucial message in a country where vaccine take-up has been low.Khan became prime minister in August 2018 after his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (Movement for Justice) won the largest number of seats. Since the start of the pandemic, he has resisted the imposition of a complete lockdown, with the government implementing what they have called “smart lockdowns”, targeting specific regions that have seen outbreaks spike. Over the past few days, Khan has been making public appearances, inaugurating projects and meeting people, with the government urging anyone who has been in close contact with him to get themselves tested.Pakistan has been spared the worst effects of the virus over the duration of the pandemic. There have been, to date, around 625,000 cases and under 14,000 deaths since the first case was recorded in February 2020.But that has changed recently, with a clear rise in cases and hospital admissions over the past month indicating a third wave of the pandemic. Just last week, the government announced all restaurants in Punjab, the largest province, would be closed temporarily. With social distancing measures and mask-wearing relatively low, there have been warnings Pakistan might have to close all non-essential businesses and implement a complete lockdown to get the virus under control.
Tim David’s 74 off 38 took the hosts to 186 for 6 in Hobart but it was not enough
Alex Malcolm02-Nov-20251:52
David: I was hoping it would land on the beach
India finally won a toss and their three inclusions in Arshdeep Singh, Washington Sundar and Jitesh Sharma all made superb contributions as they withstood a stunning innings from Tim David to cruise to a five-wicket win in Hobart and level the series at 1-1.Arshdeep was Player of the Match for his 3 for 35, including the key scalps of Travis Head, Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis for a fine 64, to help restrict Australia to 186 for 6 despite David’s devastating 74 off 38. Varun Chakravarthy picked up two key wickets and Jasprit Bumrah was also miserly with the ball.India’s entire top seven made contributions in the chase but it was Washington and Jitesh who finished the chase superbly with an unbeaten 43-run stand. Washington, playing as a specialist bat given he didn’t bowl, made his second-highest T20I score of 49 not out off 23 while Jitesh made 22 not out off 13 in his first T20I in over 18 months after replacing Sanju Samson.Arshdeep’s early strikes, David’s devastating counterAustralia are still getting used to seeing David walk out in the third over of an innings, as he did after Head and Inglis fell cheaply to Arshdeep’s early swing. But David showed zero regard for the perilous position his team was in and unleashed a brutal counterpunch. He drove his first ball for four wide of mid-off and launched Bumrah over cover. Having fallen meekly to Varun in Melbourne, he clubbed the spinner for four and six off consecutive balls. David gave a life off Bumrah on 20, slicing a hard-hit square drive to backward point which burst through Washington’s hands. It proved costly. David carved Bumrah over cover again and then assaulted Axar Patel with two huge hits in three balls. One was projected to travel 129m had it not clattered off the roof above the sightscreen.1:43
Washington: There’s purpose to each of my practice sessions
India’s attempt to use Shivam Dube as the fifth bowler was met with three thunderous cover drives in four balls to bring up David’s fifty in 23 deliveries. He shared a 59-run stand with Mitchell Marsh who contributed just 5. What was most impressive was how he handled Varun. Marsh holed out to India’s trump spinner before Mitch Owen was clean bowled first ball through the gate, completely misreading the length, line and variation.David hadn’t had a great previous record against Varun in T20s, scoring just 22 from 16 balls with two dismissals including one in Melbourne on Friday. But compared to Owen, who had never faced him before this series and now has two runs from five balls in the head-to-head, the previous 16 balls experience over five games for David paid dividends.Varun returned in the 11th over to bowl his third with figures of 2 for 14 and Australia vulnerable. David launched him fearlessly for two massive sixes to finish with 26 from 10 off India’s most dangerous spinner. He looked set for a certain century only to slightly under-club Dube to Tilak Varma, who took another wonderful catch at long-off while tight-walking the rope.Stoinis and Short combine, Bumrah and Arshdeep finish wellAustralia are looking for a new finishing combination with David’s elevation looking permanent. In the absence of Glenn Maxwell, Stoinis and Matthew Short showed their wares. Stoinis played particularly well, facing just four dot balls in his first 14 to allow David to continue his domination in a partnership of 45. Two reverse sweeps off Axar and two thumping pulls off Dube showed his versatility. He then struck four boundaries off Arshdeep in the 18th and 20th overs before holing out to hand Arshdeep his third wicket. Short’s contribution was significant given he had failed to score more than 6 in his six previous outings at No. 7 in all T20s. He added an unbeaten 26 off 15, although Bumrah and Arshdeep put on a death bowling clinic in the last two overs to ensure it wasn’t more.Tim David came in at 14 for 2 and counterattacked•Cricket Australia via Getty Images
Ellis versus Abhishek 3.0Abhishek Sharma threatened to take Australia apart again, racing out of the blocks with two fours and two sixes as India raced to 30 for 0 in three overs. But for the third time in the series Nathan Ellis picked him up, this time with a bouncer clocked at 147 kph. It hurried Abhishek, who top-edged a pull shot straight up. Suryakumar Yadav kept the momentum going with two sixes of his own but Ellis struck again, slipping a full straight delivery through the defence of Shubman Gill to trap him plumb lbw. When Suryakumar chipped Stoinis to cover for 24 off 11 India were well ahead of the rate but had lost their best three batters for unfulfilled starts with their chief tormentor Josh Hazlewood watching from his couch in Sydney.Washington wizardry sees India homeWashington not bowling a ball when Dube and Abhishek conceded 56 as India’s fifth bowler was strange, especially as Australia’s right-hand heavy line-up was known before Washington was selected. But he proved why he’d been picked to bat at No. 6. Bouncers had accounted for two of India’s top five. Ellis and Sean Abbott’s three combined attempts to bounce Washington all disappeared into the square leg seats. India had lost wickets at regular intervals but the continued clean striking meant there was never any run-rate pressure. Washington cleared the rope once more off Matt Kuhnemann to get the target under a run-a-ball inside the last four overs. Jitesh played an excellent cameo in his first T20I in over 18 months, including scooping Ellis to the rope. He got a reprieve when Owen dropped him running back from mid-off. But Washington kept calm and carried on, nailing Stoinis straight before Jitesh lofted over cover to win it with nine balls to spare.