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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.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

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.

Sussex have warned of a “very challenging” financial year ahead after reporting a deficit of £630,000 for 2013 and are pinning their hopes on earning a better return from their off-field income

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Feb-2014Sussex have warned of a “very challenging” financial year ahead after reporting a deficit of £630,000 for 2013 and are pinning their hopes on earning a better return from their off-field income.Despite a visit of the Australians for a three-day tour match, which brought in a profit of over £200,000, and an increase in Twenty20 crowds by 37% the club were hit by the increased costs of staging matches, a high wage bill and no increase in their membership.The operating loss was £65,000 but the deprecation in value of the club’s asset has led to the much higher overall figure.An ECB loan of £1million will be channelled into improving the marketing and PR side of the club in an aim to turn around membership numbers and make better use of the club’s facilities to earn money away from the cricket.The chairman Jim May said: “There was a lot to be positive about in 2013, especially the strong County championship performance, and there is also plenty to be optimistic about coming into our special year ahead. However, running a profitable first class cricket club is exceedingly challenging. The financial outlook for 2014 is very challenging but we are working extremely hard to improve the position.”In 2006 Sussex received a £10 million bequest from former vice president Spen Cama and has reserves of £1 million in the bank but are reluctant to use that money.The reported that treasurer Simon Crundwell told members: “Our results are disappointing for a club that has no long term debt, receives in excess of 30% of its income from the ECB and, unlike many of its peers, enjoyed the upside from hosting the Australian tourists.”

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.”

Pakistan batsman Sohaib Maqsood has been ruled out of contention for the limited-overs series against New Zealand due to a wrist fracture he suffered while playing for Pakistan A last month

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Nov-2014Pakistan batsman Sohaib Maqsood has been ruled out of contention for the limited-overs series against New Zealand due to a wrist fracture he suffered while playing for Pakistan A last month. The PCB said Maqsood had suffered a wrist bone fracture and a small tear in one of the ligaments of the wrist and has been advised three weeks of rest.”Sohaib Maqsood has been advised three weeks of relative rest after diagnostic investigations confirmed the initial suspicion of wrist bone fracture and a small tear in one of the ligaments of wrist,” the PCB said in a press release. “Sohaib injured his wrist while playing for Pakistan ‘A’ against UAE last month. This injury will put him out of contention for selection in the T20I and ODI series against New Zealand.”The board also provided an update on opener Ahmed Shehzad who had been ruled out of the Test series against New Zealand after suffering a minor skull fracture during the first Test in Abu Dhabi. Shehzad can commence physical workouts from next week but has been advised to avoid contact sports for six weeks. The opener does not need to undergo surgery and his fitness is expected to be assessed again on Monday.”Presently he has mild tenderness over the fracture site. Also his mouth opening has improved considerably from the previously limited state,” the PCB said. “He does not have any limitation of lateral excursion movement of lower jaw, which is expected following this injury. On inspection, there is no obvious asymmetry although there is mild swelling.”It has been decided that he will be treated conservatively for this injury as surgery is required only for cosmetic reasons in such cases. A review has been planned on Monday. He has been advised to avoid contact sports for a period of six weeks but he can start his physical workout from next week.”The PCB also said fast bowler Wahab Riaz had made a complete recovery while Junaid Khan was still on the mend. Both quicks had suffered knee injuries. Wahab bowled 68 overs in two Quaid-e-Azam league games for National Bank and will appear for a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy next week, before being considered for selection. Junaid, meanwhile, will undergo an MRI review next week. Mohammad Hafeez, who was ruled out of the second Test due to a hamstring injury, is also recovering and had spent a few days at the National Cricket Academy on his rehabilitation. Hafeez had been reported for a suspect action after the Abu Dhabi Test and will have his action tested in Loughborough next week.

Tamil Nadu’s campaign received a timely boost in the form of their first victory of the season, over Baroda in Chennai

Alagappan Muthu in Chennai09-Dec-2013
ScorecardMalolan Rangarajan picked up nine wickets in the match•ESPNcricinfo LtdTamil Nadu’s campaign received a timely boost in the form of their first victory of the season, over Baroda in Chennai. A career-best five-wicket haul from the 24-year-old offspinner Malolan Rangarajan swerved a match that was snailing towards a draw and helped the hosts climb to fourth place on the Group B table. With three games left in the preliminary stage, two of which would be at home, Tamil Nadu’s bid for the Ranji crown is back on track.A strong overnight position of 73 for 1 was squandered by a tame batting effort by the visitors, characterised by a reluctance to keep the score moving. Dhiren Mistry accumulated his second half-century of the match and looked rather comfortable for his 230 balls, but even he was unable to manoeuvre the spinners around.On a pitch that had lent assistance to the spinners since the first session of the game, Malolan and left-arm spinner Aushik Srinivas were allowed to settle into a rhythm and their impact was decisive. After the half-century partnership between Mistry and Aditya Waghmode, none of the Baroda batsmen were able to post a double-figure score. Tamil Nadu’s cause was helped by a change of ball in the 48th over, and the spinners seemed to extract better turn and bounce with the replacement.”The wicket was slower than [in] the first innings,” said Malolan, who was adjudged Man of the Match. “[It] wasn’t turning as much and the bounce was a little on the lower side. We had to work a bit harder and get our plans right. It was just a coincidence that the wickets came (after the ball-change).”Srinivas produced the match-turning over as he claimed two wickets in two balls. Abhimanyu Chauhan’s angled bat became his undoing as he steered a fullish ball to slip. Yusuf Pathan bagged a golden duck as he edged one that drifted in and turned away. Abhinav Mukund at first slip took a smart catch, diving to his left and Baroda slumped to 116 for 5.The tail flailed around and walked back, while at the other end Mistry, made little attempt to secure some quick runs. When he did decide to go for it, he chose the wrong ball and reached out to loft a turning ball and was caught at cover.”It wasn’t a conscious decision to bat cautiously,” Mistry said. “Our main goal in the morning was to see off the first session and build upon that from thereon. The major factor for our defeat was our shot selection.”Chasing a modest target of 59, the Tamil Nadu openers were markedly more aggressive in their approach. Arun Karthik employed the sweep shot early and to great effect en route to picking up five fours. The search for singles wasn’t troublesome either as the batsmen hit to the fielders at the 30-yard circle and took them on. Chugging along at nearly four-an-over, a 10-wicket win and seven points seemed only a matter of time, but Arun Karthik fell lbw to Ketul Patel. A small consolation for Baroda, who look all but out of the competition, with three losses in five games.

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As reported by The Yorkshire Evening Post’s Phil Hay, Swansea boss Graham Potter has told Daniel James to ignore speculation about his future at the Liberty Stadium and admitted that he was unaware of any interest in the player on Leeds’ behalf.

The Whites are clearly keen to get a new wide-man on the books and identified James as their number one target this month as they look towards the final stretch of the season in hopes of securing their long-awaited return to the top flight.

The departure of Samu Saiz to Getafe has left Marcelo Bielsa a creator short and the squad is looking increasingly thin after some of the younger players not in the first team picture were loaned out too, so it is no surprise that the enigmatic Argentine wants to bring in some fresh blood this month.

James, 21, has chalked up one goal and four assists in 17 league appearances this season and, if the Swans want to be in with a shout of a play-off spot, losing the Welshman would slash their chances.

With his contract expiring in 18 months time, the suggestion that Potter has had to convince James to focus on his football rather than transfer speculation is a big indicator that his head has been turned by the prospect of a switch to Elland Road.

Here’s how Leeds fans interpreted Potter’s comments on James…

Thogden has ranked his top 5 sets of Championship away fans for Pl>ymaker FC. Did your club make the list? Find out in the video above…

It only took the morning session for Yorkshire to complete a comprehensive win over Middlesex, as they jumped to the top of County Championship

Vithushan Ehantharajah at Lord's14-Jun-2013
ScorecardAdil Rashid completed his first five-wicket haul of the season as Yorkshire wrapped up victory•Getty ImagesIt only took the morning session for Yorkshire to complete a comprehensive win over Middlesex, as they jumped to the top of County Championship. Taking the six wickets they needed on the final day for 82 runs, Yorkshire were just shy of an innings win, but their 10-wicket victory reflects the dominance they have enjoyed from start to finish.Certainly Jason Gillespie, the head coach who had to read extracts of the riot act to his side after they were dismissed for 96 against Sussex in their first game of the season, was buoyed by every aspect of Yorkshire’s first victory at Lord’s since 1987 (although the last time this fixture was played here was in 1998). He could even afford the grace to sympathise with the hosts.”It’s tough for Middlesex because they play at the home of cricket and every team wants to play here,” he said. “It’s always a challenge for them because teams lift their game and we were no different. Our boys have been excited all week and we’re absolutely chuffed to come out and beat a really strong team, who haven’t been beaten here in two years.”Adil Rashid claimed his first five-wicket haul of the summer with two wickets on the final day – Gillespie championing a “diligent and consistent” approach to training that has allowed Rashid to play more expressive cricket – while Steven Patterson and Liam Plunkett chipped in to cap off a supreme bowling performance overall. The four wickets taken on Thursday evening were all the more impressive given the amount of effort Patterson, Plunkett and Ryan Sidebottom had put in to take nine earlier in the day, as Middlesex followed on.The ho-humming in the press box before tea as to whether Andrew Gale would enforce the follow-on was based solely on the freshness of his bowlers. There was no hesitation from Gale, such is the high standard of fitness that physio Scott McAllister and strength and conditioning coach Tom Summers have been able to instil into their players. Even in the field – from chasing the ball to running across between overs to not allow Middlesex’s batsmen any relief – the energy throughout the team was clear to see.”Scott and Tom need to take a lot of credit for how they prepare the boys physically,” said Gillespie. “They’re in great shape, strong and fit – they can play big innings, they can bowl long spells. It’s exactly what you want from our team.”I might have the title of first-team coach but it really is a team effort with our support staff, starting with Martin Moxon who has been a wonderful for myself, Paul Farbrace, Ian Dews and Richard Damms. We all work really well together.”Asked whether this was one of Yorkshire’s best wins of the season based on their domination throughout, Gillespie was unsure. “We’ve had some really good victories this year and it’s hard to pinpoint one because they’ve all come in different circumstances; we’ve had chases, bowled sides out following on and so on. The most satisfying thing is that different guys have stood up in different games and got the job done. It really ties in with our strong squad – we want contributions from everyone.”Strong squad indeed, especially when you consider the players they did not have in this match. Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Tim Bresnan are away with England, while Jack Brooks – who spent the intervals in this match bowling on the Nursery Ground and doing laps of the outfield – has a scan on his left thumb early next week to see if he can return to action.John Simpson was the first to fall on the final day when he inexplicably placed his own feather in Gale’s cap – rewarding the Yorkshire captain for some innovation when he brought Richard Pyrah in at short mid-off. Patterson put the ball on a full, driveable length and Simpson obliged – Pyrah didn’t have to move an inch.When Sidebottom then took two of Neil Dexter’s stumps out of the ground, Gareth Berg took it upon himself, for the second time in this match, to inconvenience Yorkshire. His 38, scored with his usual punchiness, combined with 22 runs from the last three batsmen meant an innings defeat was avoided and Adam Lyth and Alex Lees had to “chase” five to win. Three maidens, three byes and a four later, they were there.For Middlesex, the defeat compounded their inability to finish off Sussex in the previous game – a win would have seen them go top – and the fact that they will be without their captain, Chris Rogers, for the next four Championship games as he reports for Ashes duty.This match showed just how valuable Rogers’ runs are to Middlesex’s cause. In his absence, they will need to find something from somewhere to get their season back on track. Adam Voges is expected to arrive once his participation in the Champions Trophy has ended, and the same goes for Eoin Morgan: two high-quality players who can add substance to the middle-order but will not remedy the vacant opener’s position. Joe Denly is the obvious choice, but his form is hardly reassuring.What they wouldn’t give for some Yorkshire depth.

Going into the second Test, it will be a match-up between Sri Lanka’s batting and Pakistan’s bowling

Andrew Fidel Fernando and Umar Farooq07-Jan-20140:00

Arnold: Ajmal a bigger threat in Dubai

Match factsJanuary 8-12, 2014
Start time 1000 local (0600 GMT)Big PictureIf there is a pitch in the UAE that might make amends for the anticlimactic fourth and fifth days in Abu Dhabi, it is the surface in Dubai. In the last match at the venue, spinners accounted for 12 first-innings scalps and the match ended with a day to spare. Rangana Herath had done marginally better than Saeed Ajmal in the first Test, but in truth, neither were ever really a major threat. If either finds assistance in Dubai, it is unlikely the batsmen can play out another draw.As many as five Test matches have been played at Dubai International Stadium with four ending up with a result. With the series locked at 0-0, a draw obviously will not be a satisfying result for both teams.Pakistan’s biggest aim will be to guard against complacency. Despite taking a 179-run lead in the first innings, they had to toil hard to salvage the match; at one stage they had been in a position to win but Sri Lanka’s batsman changed the game to give Pakistan a scare. Big runs are what captain Misbah-ul-Haq and coach Dav Whatmore are endeavouring for. Pakistan might be the better bowling side but they still need their batsman to stand up.With Ahmed Shahzad and Mohammad Hafeez, Pakistan’s top order looked to be a settled one but they might tweak the opening combination, bringing in left-hander Shan Masood in place of Khurram Manzoor – who combined 29 runs in the first Test following his previous back-to-back ducks.Saeed Ajmal will want to make up for an unproductive Abu Dhabi Test•AFPSri Lanka’s top order may feel they have an edge, however, if the match becomes a spin-bowling shootout. Ajmal’s 49 wicketless overs in the second innings in Abu Dhabi gave the visiting batsmen an extended view of his variations, and in any case, Sri Lanka have been Pakistan’s most frequent foe in the past five years. Rangana Herath also bowled over 56 overs at Pakistan during the Test, but he is less reliant on mystery, owing more of his success to flight and guile. Still, Sri Lanka would do well to be count on Ajmal making an impact in what are effectively his home conditions.Sri Lanka’s batting has also strummed up some form in the first Test, where only Dimuth Karunaratne and Mahela Jayawardene failed to cross 50. The challenge to Sri Lanka’s young players is to build consistency into their cricket, particularly as Pakistan will have run their own analysis of each opposition batsman.Form guide (last five matches, most recent first)

Pakistan: DLWLW
Sri Lanka: DWDLL
In the spotlightSri Lanka seam bowlers Shaminda Eranga and Suranga Lakmal did not earn outstanding figures in Abu Dhabi, but the discipline they displayed an unsuspected positive. Having come into the series with startlingly little match-practice, they have now also warmed to their work with 87 collective overs. If the surface is as dry as it is expected to be, perhaps they will not be penetrative, but Sri Lanka have sought to build pressure as a unit in recent years, and the team will hope their long, accurate spells in Abu Dhabi can be recreated in Dubai.The second innings in Abu Dhabi had proved an unproductive one for Saeed Ajmal, the fifth time he failed to take a wicket in an innings. He’s got 34 wickets in Dubai, the most taken by a bowler at Dubai International Stadium and once again expectations are high on him. He remains Pakistan’s biggest threat.Team newsLahiru Thirimanne and Nuwan Kulasekara have both left the UAE with injury and Kusal Perera landed in the UAE about 36 hours before the next match is to begin. Having had such success with the batting line-up from the first Test however, Angelo Mathews is unlikely to change his top seven. The only player who may be switched out is Sachithra Senanayake, who had a mediocre debut, albeit on an unresponsive surface. Uncapped offspinner Dilruwan Perera might replace him, but if Sri Lanka believe the grass on the pitch will make a significant impact, there is a chance Nuwan Pradeep could play instead.
Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Dimuth Karunaratne, 2 Kaushal Silva, 3 Kumar Sangakkara, 4. Mahela Jayawardene, 5. Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), 6. Angelo Mathews (capt), 7. Dinesh Chandimal, 8. Sachithra Senanayake/ Dilruwan Perera/Nuwan Pradeep, 9 Shaminda Eranga, 10 Rangana Herath, 11 Suranga LakmalPakistan’s first-choice wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal was injured during the first Test, and Sarfraz Ahmed has arrived to take his place. Pakistan could play two specialist spinners with Rahat Ali possibly sitting out.Pakistan (probable): 1. Ahmed Shehzad, 2. Shan Masood/Khurram Manzoor, 3. Mohammad Hafeez, 4. Younis Khan, 5. Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 6. Asad Shafiq, 7. Bilawal Bhatti, 8. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 9. Saeed Ajmal, 10. Abdur Rehman, 11. Junaid KhanPitch and conditionsThe Dubai stadium has some of the most predictable weather in the world, but if any team can bring rain to the desert, it’s Sri Lanka. There has been little sun in the 48 hours before the match, which means there is a chance the pitch is a little less dry than usual. There is a veneer of live grass, but perhaps not enough to alter the fundamental characteristics of the surface.Stats and trivia Pakistan have won only one match in the last 12 against Sri Lanka, but that victory came in Dubai in 2011Saeed Ajmal has 34 wickets in Dubai at 20.11. Rangana Herath has three at 39.33. Quotes”Sachithra and Dilruwan bowl quite differently. Dilruwan turns the ball a lot usually, while Sachithra bowls very good lines and lengths. If we play Dilruwan, that would be his debut as well, and he’d be under the same pressure that Sachithra was. Both those bowlers are good and anyone will be under pressure on Test debut. We’re not trying to knock Sachithra’s confidence – we want him to develop for the future.”