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Gio Reyna started for the first time this season, but turned in an underwhelming 45 minutes as Dortmund fought back to earn a point against Frankfurt

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Only managed 45 minutesFirst start of the season for DortmundBack in the USMNT squadWHAT HAPPENED?

Gio Reyna started brightly, but failed to have a serious impact as his Dortmund side fought back to snatch a point against an expansive Frankfurt team. The USMNT attacking midfielder started on the left, and only managed 45 minutes before being removed at the break — only to watch Dortmund provide much more going forward after his removal.

Reyna carried his side's most obvious threat early on, whipping an incisive ball into the box — but no one could convert. Frankfurt had the most joy in front of goal, though. Omar Marmoush opened the scoring inside 10 minutes, bagging from the penalty spot. He added a second midway through the first half, tucking home a rebound.

Marcel Sabitzer pulled one back on the stroke of half time, latching on to Niclas Fullkrug's cutback and sliding the ball home to bring his side back into the game.

And Edin Terzic's side equalised early in the second half, with Youssouf Moukoko — brought on for Reyna at the break — bagging his team's second. Fares Chaibi thought he had won it for Frankfurt, but a late goal from Julian Brandt saw the spoils shared.

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Reyna appeared to have worked his way back into Terzic's plans, after appearing for the USMNT and turning in a few lively cameos for his side.

And he earned a start here, functioning on the left side of an attacking midfield trio — an enticing fit against Frankfurt's three-defender setup. Reyna was bright early on, getting involved in build-up play, and creating a chance inside 10 minutes.

But his side never really worked their way into the game. Reyna was isolated for long spells as a result, and lost the ball on a couple of occasions when the home side applied pressure. It was hard to say that he deserved to play more than the 45 minutes he was allotted.

GettyUSMNT IMPACT

This could be a pivotal one. Reyna recently cooled his high-profile feud with USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter, making the squad for their friendlies in the mid-October international break.

And after turning in a duo of strong showings for his country, a strong run of form at the club level could have been exactly what Reyna needed to realise his immense talent.

Instead, this was an all-too-familiar tale. The odds were admittedly against the American here, who really doesn't function effectively in sides that don't keep the ball. Once again, Berhalter faces the reality that Reyna is too talented to drop — but not good enough to make his club team's XI consistently.

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GettyGOAL'S RATING

Gio Reyna (3/10): If Reyna's job is to make an impact in attacking areas, he didn't do it here. The American enjoyed some good moments early, but Dortmund were markedly better when he was off the pitch. Back to square one.

The star striker had a bit of an off night, but the French champions had enough quality to secure the win anyway

Paris Saint-Germain recovered from their Champions League humbling in midweek by securing a comfortable 3-1 win against Rennes in Ligue 1 on Sunday. Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi and substitute Randal Kolo Muani were among the goals for the visitors to ensure they returned to winning ways and get within two points of leaders Monaco.

Vitinha, Hakimi and Ousmane Dembele were lively throughout as PSG dominated from the off, but came up against a tricky opponent who caused some problems with their quick movements and runs. The home team managed to capitalise on the capital club's dodgy defence and snatch a goal back through Amine Gouiri, but were eventually overpowered.

The quality available to Luis Enrique saw them get PSG job done despite a quiet night by Kylian Mbappe, who had a slow start to the match. His performance was summed up late on by an incredible miss as he charged forward, rounded the goalkeeper to face an open goal and ended up missing the target completely.

GOAL rates PSG's players from Roazhon Park…

GettyGoalkeeper & Defence

Gianluigi Donnarumma (7/10):

Dominated his penalty area and pulled off a few saves to keep Rennes out.

Achraf Hakimi (8/10):

His goal had a hint of controversy as the ball hit his arm on the way down, but he made some excellent runs and was dangerous on the ball.

Milan Skriniar (5/10):

A bit slow to close down and just stood there gawking at Blas to cross in for Rennes' goal.

Marquinhos (6/10):

Struggled to catch up when Rennes moved into the final third at speed but was sound on the ball.

Lucas Hernandez (6/10):

His touch is a bit heavy at times and defensively a bit weak – Assignon got beyond him far too easily to have a shot on goal.

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Warren Zaire-Emery (7/10):

A gorgeous diagonal ball into the box to find Hakimi for the second goal.

Manuel Ugarte (6/10):

Always stable on the ball with some good control and accurate, sensible passes.

Vitinha (8/10):

Opened the scoring with a superb curling effort. Did well to drive forward and up the tempo of PSG's attacks.

Attack

Ousmane Dembele (7/10):

PSG's most involved attacker. Has a good balance with Hakimi and cut inside a lot, leading to Vitinha's lovely opener.

Goncalo Ramos (4/10):

A couple of sloppy touches and was unable to get clear to be a proper threat.

Kylian Mbappe (6/10):

A muted performance. Often kept things simple instead of using his explosiveness to be a direct threat. Went on a great, late run and rounded Mandanda to be faced with an open goal, but sent it well over.

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GettySubs & Manager

Randal Kolo Muani (7/10):

An immediate improvement on Ramos as he scored just a minute after replacing him. Thought he had a second but denied by the flag.

Fabian Ruiz (6/10):

Did not get a chance to impact the game after settling into the midfield for the last 15 minutes.

Bradley Barcola (5/10):

Had a chance to kill things off when Mbappe sent him through on goal but goalkeeper Mandanda got the better of him in the one-on-one.

Carlos Soler (N/A):

A late replacement for Vitinha.

Luis Enrique (7/10):

His team were on top for the most part, with Hakimi, Vitinha and Dembele looking sharp, but he has some problems to figure out as the defence had some sloppy moments.

Emma Hayes had to make Mauricio Pochettino wait after she received a call from Manchester United icon Sir Alex Ferguson.

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Hayes reveals she made Pochettino wait to attend Ferguson's callWill join USWNT as their new managerWill leave Chelsea at the end of the 2023/24 seasonWHAT HAPPENED?

The Chelsea women's manager revealed that she was forced to tell the men's manager Pochettino to wait after she received a call from legendary former Manchester United manager Ferguson.

The Blues confirmed last month that Hayes would leave the club after 11 years at the end of the ongoing season. The 47-year-old will next take up the role of the US women's national team's manager.

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The English manager has been with the London-based club for a decade now and has won every single trophy on offer at domestic level and converted them into a dominant force in English women's football.

The USWNT, who had a disastrous outing at the 2023 Women's World Cup, are on a mission to overhaul their squad and have thus picked Hayes as the suitable candidate to oversee the changes.

WHAT EMMA HAYES SAID

Speaking to , the Blues boss said, "We had a chat last week, he rang me, but I was in the middle of talking to Poch so I was torn. There's not many people you tell Poch to wait for but I did say to him it was Sir Alex. He calls me from time to time so I wasn't surprised.

"Anything he says to me I always take with such pride. He is a legend of the game and someone whose opinion I value and he has a love of America. We talked a little bit about that, a little bit about legacy, a little bit about leaving at the top. So there were wise words from him. I'm sure it won't be the last phone call I get from him this season."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Hayes' Chelsea, who are unbeaten this season so far and are at the top of the Women's Super League, will next take on Liverpool on Saturday.

How to watch and stream West Ham against AEK Larnaca in the Europa Conference League on TV and online.

West Ham will be looking to book their ticket to the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League when they take on AEK Larnaca in the second leg of their round-of-16 clash on Thursday.

Watch AEK vs West Ham on Paramount+ today!

The Premier League side recorded a 2-0 win last week and have every reason to be confident about their chances of making it through.

West Ham might be struggling domestically, but they have been in sublime form in Europe so far this term.

It all started with a 6-1 aggregate win over Viborg in the play-off round, before they saw off FCSB, Anderlecht and Silkeborg in the group stages.

AEK Larnaca, meanwhile, started their European adventure in the Champions League, where Midtjylland proved to be too strong in the second qualifying round.

They then dropped to the Europa League and came in third behind the likes of Rennes and Fenerbahce to move into the Conference League, having eliminated Dnipro-1 in the knockout round playoffs.

It's not all lost yet for the Cypriots after losing at home to West Ham, but they will have to show significant improvement if they are to turn things around.

GOAL brings you all the details on how to watch the game on TV as well as how to stream live online.

West Ham United vs AEK Larnaca date & kick-off time

Game

West Ham United vs AEK Larnaca

Date

March 16, 2023

Kick-off

4:00pm ET

Venue

London Stadium

AdvertisementHow to watch West Ham vs AEK Larnaca on TV & live stream online

In the United States (US), the game can be streamed live on Paramount+ and ViX+.

Country

TV channel

Live stream

US

N/A

Paramount+, ViX+

Check out GOAL's Soccer on U.S. TV guideGetty ImagesWest Ham team news and registered squad

Midfielder Flynn Downes is unavailable due to suspension, but David Moyes has no major injury concerns heading into the match.

West Ham possible XI: Areola; Kehrer, Zouma, Aguerd, Cresswell; Paqueta, Rice; Fornals, Lanzini, Benrahma; Antonio

Position

Players

Goalkeepers

Fabianski, Areola, Hegyi, Anang

Defenders

Cresswell, Zouma, Coufal, Ogbonna, Kehrer, Aguerd, Emerson, Robinson, Baptiste, Laing, Forbes, Scarles, Casey, Clayton

Midfielders

Fornals, Paqueta, Downes*, Soucek, Rice, Chesters, Forson, Potts, Woods, Earthy, Orford

Forwards

Johnson, Scamacca, Antonio, Lanzini, Cornet, Ings, Bowen, Benrahma, Okoflex, Swyer, Mubama, Kodua

*suspended

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AEK Larnaca team news and registered squad

Long-term injury concerns Andreas Paraskevas and Bruno Gama remain unavailable. Still, coach Jose Luis Oltra has a full squad to pick from otherwise, with Pere Pons and Angel Garcia back from their European suspension.

AEK possible XI: Piric; Casas, Milicevic, Tomovic, Garcia; Ledes, Pons; Rosales, Sanjurjo, Jakolis; Lopes

Position

Players

Goalkeepers

Piric, Toumpas, Stylianidis

Defenders

M. Gonzalez, Tomovic, Casas, Garcia, Milicevic, Rosales, Christoforou, Andreou

Midfielders

Sanjurjo, Ledes, Pons, Naoum, M. Gonzalez, Mamas

Forwards

Trickovski, Faraj, Lopes, Englezou, Constantine, Jakolis, Gyurcso, Altman, Nikolic

It is no surprise to see the Argentine lead the way when it comes to dead-ball situations, but who else is adept at beating the wall?

Getty10Shunsuke Nakamura | CAM | Jubilo Iwata | JapanFree kick: 88
Curve: 87AdvertisementGetty Images9Paulo Dybala | CAM | Juventus | ArgentinaFree kick: 88
Curve: 88Gettyimages8Memphis Depay | ST | Lyon | NetherlandsFree kick: 88
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Getty7Marvin Plattenhardt | LB | Hertha | GermanyFree kick: 89
Curve: 87

Jake Weatherald, Alex Carey and Alex Ross all made attractive fifties as South Australia progressed to 8 for 325 at stumps on the first day of the Sheffield Shield final against Victoria

The Report by Daniel Brettig in Adelaide26-Mar-2016
ScorecardAlex Ross made an attractive 72 off 108 balls•Getty ImagesA banner under the scoreboard at Glenelg Oval proclaimed day one of the Sheffield Shield final to be “Chadd Sayers’ Bucks Show”. If the groom-to-be Sayers was not in the centre of the action all day, he did find himself handcuffed to the crease by Victoria at stumps, as South Australia fought for a defensible total to underpin their bid for a first Shield in 20 years.True to the hope both sides had for playing an entertaining showpiece match to end the competition, SA did anything but drop anchor upon gaining the chance to bat first. Their approach was daring as ever, racing along at better than four an over for long periods, and affording chances to Victoria’s bowlers. It made for a fine day’s watching, well deserved by a bountiful Adelaide crowd of 4,204.The youthful trio of Jake Weatherald, Alex Carey and Alex Ross all played attractive innings to offset the squandered starts made by Travis Head and Jake Lehmann, the state’s two most prolific batsmen this season. A lack of hundreds will grate with the coach Jamie Siddons, but Sayers was able to ensure SA would have some more batting to do on Easter Sunday.’Bowlers know how to take wickets here’

Alex Ross believes South Australia’s bowlers will make life difficult for Victoria, after the hosts reached 8 for 325 on day one of the Sheffield Shield final. Several SA batsmen got out playing their shots even though the side need only a draw to claim the title, and Ross said the likes of Chadd Sayers would be difficult to handle on a pitch he expected to go up and down later in the match.
“We know Glenelg generally goes lower towards the end of the game,” he said. “So our meds know how to bowl and how to take wickets here. Our bowlers have been awesome all season, they’ve bowled teams out which is why we’re in the final, and that’s the way we’ve batted all season.”
A crowd of 4,204 made its presence felt, and Ross said some barrackers raised the ire of the visitors. “Awesome, very parochial and the boys could hear it out there,” he said. “I think a few of their boys were getting a bit upset with the hometown support, but they were great and hopefully turn out for the rest of the four days.”

On a generally friendly surface for batsmen, Victoria’s bowlers toiled sensibly, led by the allrounder Dan Christian and the left-arm spinner Jon Holland. Having been a fringe player for much of the season, Holland’s dip and spin were striking, leaving Fawad Ahmed to be used minimally despite evidence of turn. Victoria will be eager to roll up the SA tail on day two before setting in at the crease, with the goal of letting Holland and Fawad dictate terms whenever the hosts bat again.As flagged by the SA high performance chief Tim Nielsen, the pitch had been shaved of much of the grass seen during the previous match against Tasmania, and the Bushrangers went in with the dual spin of Holland and Fawad. In contrast, SA picked four seamers, but that did not stop Head from choosing to bat when he won an important toss.Little lateral movement was evident in the early overs, Chris Tremain and Scott Boland quickly settling on tight lines and hoping either for extra bounce or an lbw verdict. A couple of strangled appeals were all they could manage with the new ball, as Weatherald moved swiftly into stride while Cosgrove dug in.Playing only his fourth first-class match, the left-handed Weatherald unfurled a succession of sweet drives through through the point and cover regions, much to the delight of a partisan contingent that swelled rapidly into what must have been the largest Shield attendance of the summer. Weatherald’s score mounted as lunch neared, and he seemed almost to be carried away with his own momentum when he followed a ball from Christian and edged behind. Even so, SA were content at lunch.Cosgrove’s has been a season of starts, and he began as though determined to be there at stumps. But he seemed to be discomforted by a leg-muscle twinge soon after the interval, and on 42 was pinned, flat-footed in front of his stumps by Tremain. Head announced his arrival by swatting Tremain brazenly into the crowd on the grandstand side of the ground, while Sam Raphael assumed the Cosgrove role.Christian and Holland, however, then turned the afternoon Victoria’s way. Working the ball across Head, Christian coached a dabble that was well held low down by Cameron White at second slip. Holland had tied down Raphael, and was rewarded when the No. 3 played over the top of a well-flighted ball on leg stump to be bowled. Holland found a better delivery for Lehmann, zipping one between bat and pad out of the vestigial day one rough to leave SA precariously placed.Ross and Carey were thus brought together under considerable pressure, but were clearly resolved not to show it. Carey moved off nought by smiting Holland over midwicket for six, and the partnership was soon rattling along at a similar rate to Weatherald’s earlier. The pair raised a hundred stand in 123 balls, with Ross showing a wider stroke range than the myriad sweeps he has been known for.Just as SA began thinking about battling the second new ball, Holland struck again, tempting Carey to swing for the midwicket fence and instead managing to pick out Peter Handscomb in the deep. That opened up the bowlers, and a sparingly-used Fawad spun a legbreak across a crease-bound Joe Mennie for Matthew Wade to take a decent catch up to the stumps.Left with 9, 10 and 11 for company, Ross pared back some of his previous aggression, and let Sayers do much of the scoring in the day’s final hour. Boland took the second new ball with four of the day’s 90 overs remaining and found a way past Ross before stumps were drawn, leaving Sayers and Daniel Worrall to make the best of it in the morning.

ESPNcricinfo previews the one-off T20 between England and New Zealand

The Preview by Alan Gardner22-Jun-2015Match factsTuesday, June 23
Start time 6.30pm local (1730 GMT)
3:34

Dobell: New Zealand will want to sign off with a win

Big PictureNew Zealand’s visit to these shores has been among the most invigorating in recent memory and it will wind up with a final 20-over beano at Old Trafford. With the World T20 less than a year away, both sides will be in the early stages of their planning, although it is hard to imagine what the youngest format can do to maintain its funky reputation in the wake of gloriously unfettered Test and ODI series.England took the one-dayers by chasing 192 in 26 overs at Chester-le-Street on Saturday, so they shouldn’t have trouble locating their groove. It’s entirely possible that the same XI will take the field, indicative of how close the two limited-overs formats have become. James Vince and Reece Topley are the additions in a 13-man squad, while Jonny Bairstow will retain the gloves in place of the injured Jos Buttler after his red-hot innings to seal victory in the fifth ODI.New Zealand will also rely on similar personnel, though the side has moved on since their previous T20 against Pakistan in December. Anton Devcich and Dean Brownlie are not currently involved, James Neesham is injured and Daniel Vettori and Kyle Mills have retired. Several of their players arrived late in England due to their involvement in the IPL and the captain, Brendon McCullum, will hope they can show some of their T20 nous and go out on a high after drawn and lost series.In an Ashes summer, most cricket in England is squished through that prism. But this New Zealand tour has been far more than an entree, a banquet in its own right. McCullum’s side have caught the public mood and brought the best out of England – let’s enjoy the spectacle one last time.England have enjoyed having New Zealand over•Getty ImagesForm guideEngland: WLLLW
New Zealand: WLLWL
Players to watchThe sight of Jonny Bairstow leading England to victory at Chester-le-Street was yet another heartening subplot. Bairstow appeared as a thrillingly potent batsman four years ago (he has only kept in three of his 27 limited-overs internationals) but had fallen away after his technique was picked apart in Tests and a brief stint as Matt Prior’s successor was indelibly associated with the Ashes whitewash. He now has the chance to provide genuine competition for Jos Buttler.
Odd as it seems, with all the goodwill directed at New Zealand, Brendon McCullum has started to attract some criticism. His ultra-aggressive approach as an opener has been a hallmark of the side in 50-over cricket but he has not passed 50 in six attempts (including a tour match); in the final ODI, it was literally six and out. McCullum has shed his “Mr Franchise” tag but a return to the format that contributed the nickname might help sort him out.Team newsEngland will be tempted to play the same XI that secured victory in the ODIs, which would mean T20 debuts for Sam Billings, David Willey and Mark Wood. James Vince offers an elegantly destructive batting option and Reece Topley, another left-arm seamer, could make a first England appearance at the age of 21. Bairstow, whose last T20 international was in 2013, has been officially drafted in as a replacement for the injured Buttler.England (probable) 1 Jason Roy, 2 Alex Hales, 3 Joe Root, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 7 Sam Billings, 8 Adil Rashid, 9 David Willey, 10 Mark Wood, 11 Steven Finn.Kane Williamson has tended to open the batting in T20s though New Zealand may stick with the double-barrelled approach that has served them so well in 50-over cricket and leave Brendon McCullum at the top of the order. Grant Elliott could feature for New Zealand in T20 for the first time in two years, though Colin Munro remains with the squad as another all-round option. Mitchell Santner and Nathan McCullum may both be included if the pitch is receptive to spin.New Zealand (probable) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Kane Williamson, 3 Brendon McCullum (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott/Colin Munro, 6 Luke Ronchi (wk), 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Nathan McCullum, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Mitchell McClenaghan, 11 Matt Henry.Pitch and conditionsAfter a one-day series full of runs, Old Trafford will be expected to follow suit and produce a batting-friendly surface. Ten days ago Lancashire passed 200 in a T20 Blast match, although it also tends to be a ground that offers pace and bounce, as well as spin – Steven Croft, Arron Lilley and Stephen Parry are all regularly employed by their county. The forecast is reasonably good, with sunshine threatening to break through the Manchester clouds.Stats and triviaEngland have won seven T20s out of 11 against New Zealand, though they have lost the last two.When the two played at Old Trafford in 2008, England won by nine wickets. Only Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor from either side are involved this time.Eoin Morgan’s 71 against India in the T20 last September was his only 50-plus score of the 2014 English summer. He has made four already this season.Morgan needs 30 runs to overtake Kevin Pietersen as England’s leading run-scorer in T20 internationals.Quotes”It is a shame there is only one T20. Huge amount of credit goes to the Kiwis who are a fantastically good side in both formats. It has been a great month for cricket and a great advert.”

“We’ve come here to win. It’s going to be a great game and hopefully we can end the tour on a high and leave with a smile on our faces.”

Alphonso Davies' future at Bayern Munich has been put in doubt as the left-back is demanding a huge pay rise in negotiations over a new contract.

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Davies in talks over new contract at BayernFull-back is demanding big pay increaseReal Madrid said to be interested in himWHAT HAPPENED?

The Canada international's contract at Bayern expires in 2025 and the club are eager to sign him to a new deal. Negotiations initially started earlier this year, but the departure of director Hasan Salihamidzic disrupted the talks. Discussions resumed with new sporting director Christoph Freund, but reports Davies is demanding significantly more money than before.

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Davies was initially supposed to agree a contract that would see him earn around €12 million (£10m/$13m) per season at Bayern, a big increase on his current annual salary of around €9m (£8m/$10m). The 23-year-old, who joined Bayern from Vancouver in 2019, remains a pivotal figure for Thomas Tuchel's team, having played 19 games in all competitions this term.

DID YOU KNOW?

The full-back has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of ex-Bayern team-mate David Alaba in leaving the Bavarian side for Real Madrid. His agent, Nedal Househ, has flirted with the Spanish side regularly, saying in October: "There is interest from many teams. I’m sure Real Madrid could be one of the clubs that would like to sign Davies."

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR DAVIES?

While talks are likely to continue between Davies and Bayern, they will first turn their attention to their upcoming match against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. Bayern are currently second in the German top-flight, three points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

ESPNcricinfo previews the North Group of the NatWest T20 Blast

Vithushan Ehantharajah16-May-2014Birmingham Bears
Overseas player: Jeetan Patel, Shoaib MalikThe first to take the plunge into city franchise-dom, at least in name only, the Bears have a lot to live up to. Not necessarily in terms of success; their highlight in this format amounts to a sole final in the inaugural competition 11 years ago, but they have lost six quarter-finals since. But on-field failure will be attributed, rightly or wrongly, to rebranding.Derbyshire Falcons
Overseas player: Marcus NorthWith what has happened at the county, the NatWest t20 Blast will be a welcome chance for more expressive cricket and profitable entertainment. A decent run of results would do Derbyshire, and everyone around the club, a world of good. Marcus North joins them on his farewell retirement tour, adding some savviness and class to their batting.Durham Jets
Overseas player: John Hastings (after IPL)Quarter-finalists last year, Durham were undone by their work with the ball, which explains the signing of John Hastings, who impressed in the Big Bash League earlier this year and will arrive once his IPL stint with the Chennai Super Kings is over. Ben Stokes’ participation will be curtailed by England duty, be it selection or ECB prescribed rest. But the frugal recruitment of Irishmen Stuart Poynter and Scotland’s Calum MacLoed, who has international hundreds to his name, are smart bits of business.Lancashire Lightning
Overseas player: Junaid KhanBringing back Andrew Flintoff perhaps adds a touch of panto to Lancashire’s T20 ambitions. Quite how gimmicky it is will be answered by Flintoff’s returns – he is already set to miss the first two matches through injury – but the county have always performed solidly if unspectacularly. Their batting lacks a bit of firepower. Although, Freddie’s smoking them in the nets…Leicestershire Foxes
Overseas player: Ramnaresh Sarwan, Scott StyrisIf their Championship performances are anything to go by, the Foxes might be on the verge of bearing fruit as a team. They are littered with young yet established players, most notably their captain Josh Cobb, an exciting white-ball cricketer who possesses the skill and front to excel in high pressure situations. This year, his peers may be able to back him up accordingly.Northamptonshire Steelbacks
Overseas player: Richard Levi, Ian ButlerCan they become the first team to defend their trophy? Injury to inspirational captain Alex Wakely is a blow to that aim, but his absence and that of Cameron White (their highest runscorer last season) gives younger players like Ben Duckett and Rob Newton the opportunity to step up. Northants nailed their off-field preparation and on-field execution last year. Expect more of the same.Nottinghamshire Outlaws
Overseas player: Peter SiddleFew line-ups excite quite like Notts – even their video team possess firepower unmatched by others. But away from bowling meteors, this crop of Notts players have struggled to sustain their form in this competition. Last season’s YB40 win might have exorcised that demon. Hungry for further success and armed with a host of international-class batsmen, could 2014, finally, be their year?Worcestershire Rapids
Overseas player: Mitchell McClenaghan, Colin Munro, Saeed AjmalImpressive overseas recruitment pushes the Rapids into “Dark Horses” territory. The powerful left-hander Colin Munro, a great exponent of the reverse sweep, is available for the whole competition, while the world class Saeed Ajmal and Mictchell McClenaghan – who took 17 wickets for Lancashire in last year’s competition – will dovetail at the beginning and end, respectively.Yorkshire Vikings
Overseas player: Kane Williamson, Aaron Finch (after IPL)Inexplicably without a T20 trophy to their name, despite the talent at their disposal, the signing of Aaron Finch – the format’s No. 1-ranked international batsman – suggests they’re addressing that issue. The noise around Headingley is of bumper crowds, extra revenue and, perhaps, Finals Day glory.

Boyd Rankin has admitted he thought about giving up cricket in the weeks following his chastening Test debut in Sydney

George Dobell26-May-2014Boyd Rankin has admitted he thought about giving up cricket in the weeks following his chastening Test debut in Sydney.Rankin, who took three wickets on his return to county duty with Warwickshire after five months on the sidelines, conceded that “I let myself and the rest of the team down” in that final Test of the Ashes series.The 29-year-old Rankin, who retired from representing Ireland to pursue his dream of playing Test cricket, managed 20 overs in the match, but was twice forced off the pitch with an attack of cramp brought on by nerves and never achieved the rhythm that had seen the likes of Ricky Ponting and Marcus Trescothick hail him as the most challenging fast bowler they experienced in county cricket over previous seasons.But Rankin has subsequently discovered that he went into the game carrying a serious shoulder injury and said he still hopes he can “show what I’m capable of doing” on the biggest stage.”I wasn’t anywhere near where I wanted to be in that Sydney game,” Rankin said in his first interview since the tour. “I had torn half the cartilage off my shoulder in a fielding session we had a couple of days before the Test. So I was struggling with that and I had a back spasm during the Test as well.”I felt I had to play. I had to take my chance, but I don’t suppose I did that, really. I tried to fight hard through that. It was still a special occasion for me, but I did feel I let myself and the rest of the team down. It’s been tough coming back from that.”I don’t feel I took my chance. I’m sure a lot of people weren’t impressed. Hopefully I can still show people what I’m capable of doing. I didn’t do that during the winter.”It was a tough period for me when I got back. There were a few days when I was thinking ‘should I still be playing cricket?’ There were quite a few questions asked. But I learned a lot from the experience and I believe it has made me a stronger person. All I can do now is put in some strong performances and see what happens. I know, deep down, what I can do.”Rankin’s shoulder injury was only diagnosed when he returned to county duty with Warwickshire. But the fact that he went into an Ashes match so palpably unprepared will raise more questions about the environment on the tour, with Rankin pointing out that the lack of match practice he had before the game left him struggling for confidence and rhythm. It might also raise questions about the wisdom of England forgoing a net session two days ahead of a Test to focus on fitness and fielding.”It wasn’t a great environment to be in,” Rankin said. “It was a really tough tour to be on. A lot of the lads were struggling. It wasn’t a great tour, but I hope I’ve learned a lot from the experience and if it comes again, I hope I can do a lot better.”I only found out about my injury a month ago. I asked for a scan and then had a call which said: ‘You might need an op. You could be out for four or five months.’ It’s still giving me some pain, but it’s calmed down quite a lot now.”We had a fitness and fielding session two days before the Test and I did something to it then. They didn’t pick it up at the time.”The hardest thing during in the tour was constantly bowling in the nets and not getting any game time. The only way you could work it better would be for the lads who are not playing to play some cricket in terms of matches. But it was difficult to be out of the side and then go straight into a Test. It would have been nice if there was some match practice away from that.”Despite the disappointment, Rankin said he has never regretted retiring from Ireland duty and that he would have no second thoughts should England select him for another tour.”I would never turn down a tour,” he said. “I still want to bowl fast and I still want to knock people over. If it is the only Test I play, then so be it. I would never change what I have done. I’ve always said I wanted to try and play at the highest level and that is Test cricket.”I’m trying not to look too far ahead. I just want to get back to enjoying playing cricket. It’s nice to be back playing with the Bears and I’ve felt in decent rhythm these past two days. It’s just nice to be back.”