Sri Lanka need drastic improvement in every facet of their game to compete with India, who are yet to lose a bilateral series under Virat Kohli

The Preview by Sidharth Monga23-Nov-20174:48

Dasgupta: Rohit doesn’t fit if India play five bowlers

Match factsNovember 24-28, 2017
Start time 0930 local (0400 GMT)Big PicturePride is an often-abused word in sports commentary. This, though, might be one justified case to evoke Sri Lanka’s pride. They have travelled to India for a full Test series for the first time in eight years, and India are not concerned about them. They are concerned about South Africa. They rested their No. 1 allrounder because they want him ready for South Africa. Now it turns out the green itch at Kolkata wasn’t a one-off; they have actually asked for similar surfaces through the tour, not to invoke some kind of home advantage or exploit some Sri Lankan weakness, but to prepare for South Africa. Even being bowled out for 170 in Kolkata is not enough to change their minds because they know they can still eventually put Sri Lanka in a state where they are hanging on for dear lives in the dying moments of the Test.As India look to simulate Newlands in Nagpur, Sri Lanka have to ask them if they have become so bad that the first thing they invoke in India is not ghosts of batsmen and spinners past but an idea that the hosts can afford to use them almost as tour games for the South Africa tour. While it is definitely a welcome move from the perspective of Indian fans, their Sri Lanka counterparts will see this as lack of respect.They will also know that their side needs to give a better account of themselves. They had everything going for them in Kolkata – they won the toss, put India in on a damp pitch under overcast skies, got the early wickets, had the best batting conditions to themselves – and yet when the last ball was bowled they were the ones who sighed in relief at having come out with a draw.It is justified to think of a hurt pride but pride alone won’t cut it. Sri Lanka need drastic improvement in every facet of their game to compete with India, who are yet to lose a bilateral series under Virat Kohli. Under the clear blue skies of Nagpur, they will look to make sure that record is kept intact even before they go to Delhi for the final Test of the series.Form guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)
India: DWWWW
Sri Lanka: DWWLLIn the spotlightThe three India openers share mutual respect despite being competitors for two slots, but for some reason or the other they also end up accommodating each other in the side. One of the three keeps getting injured or losing form to make sure the other two stay relevant. If it was the resurfacing of M Vijay’s injury that allowed Shikhar Dhawan launch a Test comeback in Sri Lanka earlier this year, personal commitments for Dhawan have now opened up the door for Vijay to present his case before India travel to tougher conditions for opening. Now it is up to him to give India more selection headaches. Pleasant ones no doubt.With his gamesmanship in Kolkata – he annoyed India and then watched them waste their own time by arguing about him – Niroshan Dickwella showed some of the qualities that have him anointed as Kumar Sangakkara’s heir. It is unlikely time will be a factor in Nagpur, though. In Nagpur, it will be more about runs. As a No. 6 batsman, Dickwella’s plate is too full too early in his career, but that is probably because Sri Lanka rate him that highly. These two Tests might be the time to justify that rating and add to the blank hundreds column in his batting records.Team newsVijay will take the slot vacated by Dhawan but India have different options when it comes to replacing Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who will get married during the Test. Ishant Sharma could be his like-for-like replacement or Rohit Sharma could slot in as the extra batsman or rookie Vijay Shankar could play as a seaming allrounder if India want to test a seaming allrounder for South Africa. The spinners should both play because unlike Kolkata, there will be work to do for them, especially in the second innings.India (probable): 1 M Vijay, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Virat Kohli (capt.), 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 R Ashwin, 7 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 8 Ravindra Jadeja, 9 Ishant Sharma/Rohit Sharma/Vijay Shankar, 10 Mohammed Shami, 11 Umesh Yadav.With conditions not skewed as heavily in favour of fast bowling as they were in Kolkata, Sri Lanka will have to decide if they need an extra batsman. That could mean Dasun Shanaka might have to make way for Dhananjaya de Silva. Lahiru Gamage was unimpressive in Kolkata, and should vacate his place for left-arm quick Vishwa Fernando.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Dimuth Karunaratne, 2 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 3 Lahiru Thirimanne, 4 Dinesh Chandimal (capt.), 5 Angelo Mathews, 6 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 7 Dhananjaya de Silva/ Dasun Shanaka ,8 Dilruwan Perera, 9 Suranga Lakmal, Rangana Herath, 11 Vishwa FernandoPitch and conditionsAnother greentop awaits India and Sri Lanka, but an even covering of grass does not guarantee the same help fast bowlers found in Kolkata. Not many pitches in the world would, not even in South Africa. The weather in Nagpur is expected to be sunny and dry, and conditions, as a result, could traverse the full arc: early assistance for the quicks, flat batting conditions on days two and three, and then, perhaps, some turn and uneven bounce.”The wicket is quite hard as it usually is at Nagpur with a nice grass covering on it,” Virat Kohli said. “So, the fast bowlers should be in play for the first couple of days, for sure, because of the bounce and the nice carry off it as well. From there on, the spinners will come into play. It is a pretty good wicket for overall Test cricket, I feel.”Stats and trivia Umesh Yadav is three short of 100 Test wickets. If he gets there with his current average of 35.89, his will be the sixth-worst cost-per-wicket among fast bowlers who have taken 100 wickets. No. 5 is Ishant Sharma, whose wickets have cost 36.93 each. If India happen to play both Ishant Sharma and Vijay Shankar, this will be the first time in their history that they will have included four seamers in their XI in a home Test, not counting Mohinder Amarnath who occasionally bowled.Quotes”If you take the Indian team, they are a very good side. It is a big challenge for us as a team to come here and win a game or a series. But I am sure we can do some miracle here. We have to do our basics, stick to our game plans. In the middle we have to execute our game plans. If we can do that, we can put the Indians under pressure. We are looking at that as a team.”
“I like to see that competitiveness on the field. In the heat of things, I will do anything for my team to win. Afterwards we had a normal chat [with Dickewella], and on the flight as well. Those things end on the field. When you are competitive as an opponent, we always respect that about any opponent.”

Moeen Ali and Steven Finn have been ruled out of involvement in the first two warm-up games of England’s Ashes tour because of injury

George Dobell in Perth03-Nov-2017Moeen Ali and Steven Finn have been ruled out of involvement in the first two games of England’s Ashes tour.Scans on the pair have confirmed that Moeen (left side) and Finn (left knee) will not be fit for selection for either the two-day warm-up match starting in Perth on Saturday, or next week’s four-day match played under lights in Adelaide. It means both players will have a maximum of one warm-up match – the four-day game in Townsville starting on November 15 – ahead of the Ashes.It appears the injury to Finn is the more serious. While Moeen believes he could, if necessary, play at present, such is his importance to the squad that he will be rested as a precaution and not risked until the match in Townsville. The England camp are not unduly concerned by the possibility of his being sidelined any longer than that.Finn’s knee injury is more of a concern. He will be monitored by the England medical team over the next week when a further discussion on his fitness will take place. No date has been given for his return though it does seems the scan results are somewhat better than were feared.He sustained the injury while batting in the nets on Friday. Whether it was an impact blow – he appeared to jam the bat or a combination of the bat and the ball into his left knee – remains unclear. It seems he also twisted his leg while attempting to play the next delivery and that is when he started to experience more pain.Any further setback for Finn would be a bitterly cruel blow for a man deemed “unselectable” on the previous Ashes tour four years ago. Having fought his way back to the brink of the side – and having enjoyed some fine moments in England and South Africa since – he had a good opportunity to earn some happier memories of Ashes tours.The fitness issues have persuaded England to re-think their plans for the two-day warm-up match against a Western Australia XI starting on Saturday. While Joe Root had initially hoped to field something close to his best team – he suggested on Thursday England would pick 12 players for the match – he has now decided to play 13 to ensure none of them are overworked.That means that every fit player except the reserve keeper, Ben Foakes, can expect an opportunity over the weekend.England had injury worries over Steven Finn and Moeen Ali•Getty Images

The most intense competition for places would appear to be between Jake Ball and Craig Overton for the final seam-bowling spot and Dawid Malan and Gary Ballance for the No. 5 batting spot. At present, it seems Overton and Malan have their noses in front but a persuasive performance over the weekend could yet sway things.Meanwhile the coach of the Western Australia XI, Stewart Walters – who is usually one of the assistant coaches for the team but finds himself thrust into the spotlight with Justin Langer and co otherwise engaged with the Shield side – warned that his inexperienced team, led by Australia international Nathan Coulter-Nile, had the ability to hurt England in the next couple of days.In particular, he suggested young fast bowler Lance Morris should enjoy the WACA surface, while Jake Carder recently made a maiden List A century against South Australia.”Lance Morris bowls fast,” Walters said. “It’s a great opportunity for him. And Nathan Coulter-Nile will bowl 100% and give it everything he’s got. He’ll be aggressive.”We want to be ruthless with the ball. We want to make the first 10 runs as hard work as they can be. We’re here to win the game.”While Walters’ comments are perfectly reasonable – indeed, he could hardly be expected to say anything else – there is a sense that Root, in particular, is tiring of the pre-series rhetoric. Responding to yet another enquiry over the “wounds” and “scars” England are carrying from their thrashing in 2013-14, Root provided a gentle but somewhat world-weary reminder that England had actually won the last encounter between these two teams and currently hold the Ashes.”There’s been a lot of talk about last time round,” Root said. “But we’re a completely different side and so are they.”Of course, they’ll try to bring up all sorts of stuff like that. But we’ve obviously played a lot of cricket since then and have played against Australia. And it went quite well for us.”Fortunately for everyone, the time for talking is nearly over.

Tottenham Hotspur could look to bring in another central defender after the arrival of Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg, according to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor.

Which defenders have been linked with Tottenham Hotspur and who could leave?

Earlier this week, Tottenham completed the signing of Van de Ven from Wolfsburg in a deal that could rise to £43 million, dependent on add-ons, according to Sky Sports.

The 22-year-old has signed a six-year contract at the Lilywhites and has followed James Maddison, Guglielmo Vicario, Manor Solomon and Alejo Veliz, who has also put pen to paper on a long-term deal, through the door at Hotspur Way.

Football Insider report that Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba is still a target for Tottenham and they are expected to 'accelerate' their attempts to try and acquire the Burkino Faso international.

Foot Mercato claim that Fulham ace Tosin Adarabioyo has also been on Ange Postecoglou's radar this summer; however, the Manchester-born stopper is keen to move to Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco to replace now-Chelsea defender Axel Disasi.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has delivered an update detailing that Tottenham fringe player Joe Rodon is Leeds United-bound and the Italian has also offered a potential solution to the uncertainty surrounding Davinson Sanchez and Japhet Tanganga in N17, stating on Twitter X: "Agreement completed between Tottenham and Leeds United for Joe Rodon. The centre-back joins LUFC on loan until the end of the season. Spurs hope to find solution also for Tanganga and Davinson Sanchez in the next days/weeks."

Cited by The Evening Standard, Australian boss Postecoglou has signalled his desire to bring in another body to strengthen his backline, saying in the aftermath of Spurs' 4-2 loss to Barcelona in pre-season: “Yeah potentially [signing another central defender]. “Again we’ve got to make sure that we keep the squad manageable and see what happens with outgoings, but yeah the potential is there to bring in one more.”

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Daily Express journalist Taylor added his own thoughts on Tottenham's hunt for another central defender this window and thinks that Postecoglou's comments on the matter make for 'interesting' reading.

Taylor stated: "Postecoglou's comments in the week made out that they were going to go straight after another centre-back, which I found quite interesting.

"So I don't really know whether that is a concrete option anymore, particularly for the kind of money Bayer Leverkusen would want. That said, I think there could be scope for another centre back to come in, I'm not sure who.

He then said: "I think Joe Rodon and Davinson Sanchez will depart and there are a few others that could leave too. Hugo Lloris, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Japhet Tanganga as well, so these are players that need to be replaced really."

What next for Tottenham Hotspur?

Resolving the future of Harry Kane will be of paramount importance to Postecoglou as Bayern Munich have now agreed a deal for the striker, which is believed to be around £94.5 million.

Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri has claimed that Gent striker Gift Orban has been earmarked as a potential replacement for Kane and he revealed that contact has been made by Tottenham concerning the availability of the Nigerian talent.

Nottingham Forest striker Brennan Johnson is another attacker that Spurs retain an interest in and it is believed that Postecoglou could offer players in exchange to get a deal over the line for the Wales international, as per The Telegraph.

Although Cesar Azpilicueta has now left Chelsea and instead plays for Atletico Madrid, he managed to keep his rivalry with Jack Grealish alive when the two clashed in a recent preseason friendly.

What happened between Man City and Atletico Madrid?

As Manchester City continue their preparations for the upcoming Premier League season, they took on the Spanish giants recently at the Seoul World Cup Stadium and played out a fiercely contested encounter.

In the end, Atletico claimed the win thanks to two second-half goals from Memphis Depay and Yannick Carrasco. Indeed, that was enough to seal a 2-1 victory despite Ruben Dias netting a consolation late on in the match.

Friendlies such as these are usually mainly about building up fitness and getting to grips with new tactical ideas, as well as bedding in new summer signings.

Well, Azpilicueta is a fresh arrival for Diego Simeone and co, and he appeared very keen to give his new set of fans a glimpse of what he’s all about as he spent the game snapping at Grealish’s heels and trying to provoke the Englishman.

It may have helped Atleti get the win, although as per the player ratings in the Manchester Evening News, Grealish was a key player for City, earning a team-high eight out of ten score.

Journalist Richard Fay remarked of the winger: “A menace against the opposition defence and drew a yellow card well [from Azpilicueta].”

In light of the duel between the duo, however, TikTok user @mathewsfootball (via @StopThatCFC) made a compilation online of all the times the pair have clashed over the years and it makes for quite some viewing – as you can see below.

Azpilicueta vs Grealish 👊🼠pic.twitter.com/sYbS1Nea9Z— Stop That CFC (@StopThatCFC) August 4, 2023

Fans online reacted to the content with much glee, here are some of the best comments we could find on social media…

Why does Cesar Azpilicueta have beef with Jack Grealish?

The duo notably clashed before, back in November 2022 when Man City knocked Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup. The heated incident was recalled by football.london writer Scott Trotter.

The journalist explained: “With Chelsea two goals down and their chance of getting back into the game looking slim, it would have been easy for the game to simply peter out. Not on Cesar Azpilicueta’s watch.

“The Blues’ captain, who spent time playing as a wing-back as Ruben Loftus-Cheek settled into the back three late on, showed some attacking intent and also a bit of grit. Jack Grealish felt every bit of it.

“As the ball was played into the feet of the Man City star, Azpilicueta went straight through the back of him in a rough challenge. Play was waved on for the minute as the home side’s attack continued and as Azpilicueta tracked back, Grealish was sure to give him a nudge in return for his indiscretion.

“The Spaniard did not take too kindly to that as the pair came together, chests out and anger in their eyes.”

While Grealish has also drawn the ire of the Atletico Madrid defence before too. Indeed, when the teams met in the Champions League, also in 2022, the England international had his hair pulled again by Atletico players and even posted pictures on his Instagram account (via Marca) of showing Luis Suarez and Stefan Savic pulling his hair in the first and return leg, respectively.

With that history in mind, Azpilicueta’s willingness to continue his beef with Grealish will likely be appreciated by fans of the Spanish club…

Matthew Wade brought out the paddle sweep frequently•Getty Images

Australia’s incumbent Test wicketkeeper Matthew Wade was out cheaply for the second time in the Sheffield Shield match between Tasmania and Queensland at Bellerive Oval, as the Tigers fell in a heap while trying to set the Bulls an adequate fourth innings target in a low-scoring affair.Tasmania’s seamers had been able to dismiss the visitors five runs short of their own first innings tally, the wickets shared between Jackson Bird, Sam Rainbird, Tom Rogers and Gabe Bell. However after Alex Doolan and Jordan Silk put on 80 for the second wicket to push the Tigers into a seemingly strong position, a clatter of wickets reset the contest.The majority of these were claimed by the experienced swing and seam merchant Luke Feldman, who was aided by Mark Steketee and Michael Neser in facilitating a Tasmanian collapse of 8 for 30. Wade made it as far as 17, but was dismissed when trying to hook Steketee and well caught by Neser, diving forward.Wade’s exit meant he has tallied scores of 1, 6, 9 and 17 in four Shield innings so far, having averaged barely 20 with the bat in 10 Tests since his recall to the Australian team in November last year.

Manchester United’s summer signings have yet to make a proper impression, with only really Andre Onana settling in at Old Trafford well.

Mason Mount was poor against Tottenham Hotspur, making just 15 accurate passes during his time on the field and Erik ten Hag may be looking to delve back into the transfer market for another signing or two.

It looks as though a defender is on his wish list, showing interest in Jean Clair-Tobido and Marc Guehi as of late, yet could his next arrival be another midfielder?

Who could Manchester United sign next?

Whatever Ten Hag decides to do, he must act swiftly as the transfer window shuts a week on Friday and the Red Devils have been linked with a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.

According to reports, United have made enquiries for the young Dutchman – who played under Ten Hag during his spell at Ajax – and he could be available for an affordable fee.

Read the latest Man Utd transfer news HERE…

The Bundesliga outfit value him at €25m (£22m) and this could turn into a stunning bargain for the Old Trafford side, especially if he could replicate the form he displayed at Ajax under Ten Hag.

What could Ryan Gravenberch offer Manchester United?

Last summer, Ten Hag aimed to bolster his midfield options at United and went out and purchased Casemiro from Real Madrid for a fee in the region of £70m.

The Brazilian had won all there was to win during his trophy-laden spell in the Spanish capital yet at the age of 30, it was perhaps seen as an inflated fee for someone who had arguably already enjoyed the peak years of his career.

In the Premier League last season, Casemiro proved a lot of people wrong as he ranked second for overall Sofascore rating (7.21), while also ranking second for big chances created (seven), first for tackles (3.2) and third for interceptions (1.2) per game, showcasing his strengths across a wide range of metrics.

Gravenberch could be an ideal partner for him at the heart of the United midfield, with his traits complementing the former Madrid gem rather well.

Despite starting just three Bundesliga matches for Bayern last term and averaging 24 minutes per game, the young Dutchman ranked in the top 7% when compared to positional peers for shot-creating actions (4.03) per 90 while also ranking in the top 18% for successful take-ons (1.3) and top 19% for progressive passes (6.64) per 90.

Given just how few opportunities he had to shine last season, these statistics are solid, and Ten Hag would likely give him more game time should he join United.

Casemiro ranked in the top 4% when compared to positional peers for tackles, blocks, clearances and aerials won per 90, demonstrating just how effective he is defensively and this could allow the 53-year-old to form a wonderful midfield duo.

Gravenberch was lauded as the Netherland’s “greatest talent” by former Ajax forward Wim Kieft and his attacking qualities combined with the defensive skills of the Brazilian would give the Red Devils a formidable partnership in the middle of the pitch.

MatériaMais Notícias

Líder do Campeonato Brasileiro e jogando um futebol leve, o Internacional é a grande sensação do momento. Sem vencer o torneio desde 1979, o Colorado de Eduardo Coudet aumenta a expectativa da torcida, que sonha em ver a quebra do jejum.

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Apesar do clima de animação, o presidente Marcelo Medeiros pede tranquilidade e muito pé no chão para não se enrolar com os tropeços ao longo da competição.

‘Estamos pensando jogo a jogo. E o próximo é o Goiás. Sabemos que a liderança depende de nós, mas sabemos que, em um determinado momento, teremos um tropeço e até podemos perder a liderança, pois é uma competição de 38 rodadas e estamos na nona. O trabalho tem que ser sério, consistente e temos que repetir o desempenho. Pela intensidade das partidas, temos que ter muito cuidado para não ter lesões musculares’, afirmou.

Com 20 pontos no Brasileirão, o Inter volta a campo no domingo, quando encara o Goiás, na Serrinha.

Tottenham Hotspur must now act quickly, following the devastating news that broke late last night regarding talisman, Harry Kane…

Who will replace Kane at Tottenham?

Whilst it almost felt like an inevitability, an element of hope had crept in when many news outlets reported that Kane was leaning towards staying in north London despite a fee having been agreed with Bayern Munich.

However, just shy of midnight saw David Ornstein break the news that there had been a breakthrough in talks between the England captain and the German giants, with the 30-year-old having since been permitted to complete his medical in Germany.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

Thus brings an end to an illustrious 19 years in N17, where he burst onto the scene, scored goals for fun, but in the end was not rewarded with silverware. It is the latter failure that has likely pushed such a move through. Now, a replacement is sorely needed.

Fortunately, journalist Ignazio Genuardi had already detailed Spurs' contingency plan on Twitter before his departure was confirmed, revealing that Spurs are readying a bid for Gent starlet, Gift Orban, for a fee in the region of €30m (£26m).

He stated: "Once the file is finalized, the Spurs have notably planned to make an offer for Orban de La Gantoise (between 25 and 30 M € )…"

How good is Gift Orban?

Despite being only 21 years old, the young Nigerian marksman has been lighting up Belgian football with his lightning pace and clinical finishing, which few can match.

With five goals in three games already to start this season, the Nigerian seems poised to surpass his exceptional 22 goal contributions in as many games from the campaign prior.

What makes this even more special is the fact that such a fine goalscoring term marked just the second of his senior career, with the sky truly being the limit for the stunning speedster.

Such has been his form, Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig even sought to brand him "The gift from Gods" back in July.

Whilst replacing the goals of club record scorer, Kane with one man is arguably an impossible task, instead the club could seek to go all-in on Ange Postecoglou, wholeheartedly believing in their new manager whose play style is set to assure plenty of chances.

As such, perhaps Orban's arrival could remove some of the pressure that filling these goalscoring boots might offer, instead relying on him to uphold the philosophy of the head coach rather than act as a sole starring option.

Whilst at Celtic, the 57-year-old employed the services of Kyogo Furuhashi as his number nine, who had scored 15 goals in 21 J1 League appearances before trading his homeland for Scotland.

Postecoglou saw his fine scoring record, but instead sought to focus on other assets, utilising the 5 foot 7 finisher as a spearhead for his high-octane press and forcing the forward to run channels and stretch the play with his pace. In the end, he not only provided the foundation for the unbridled success of the side, but also scored a bagful too.

This is further emphasised through his touches per game last season in the Scottish Premiership, where he posted just 13.3 in that regard. For comparison, Kane recorded 38.8 touches per game in the Premier League, having regularly looked to drop deep in order to link play.

With his pace and tireless work ethic – having been praised for the way "he hounds defences" by ex-Celtic man John Collins – the 28-year-old has posted 55 goals in 84 appearances for the Hoops to date.

A key feature of the former Vissel Kobe man's game is his ability to stretch a defence, with Postecoglou describing his movement as "the best" he had ever seen, with young Orban having also been praised by Kulig for his "killer instinct & fantastic off-the-ball movement in the final third".

Kane, despite being just 47 shy of equalling the all-time Premier League scoring record, is perhaps less likely to burst in behind or be willing to operate solely at the top end of the pitch, as he ranks in just the bottom 33% among his European peers for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 and progressive passes received per 90.

The departing marksman would likely still have thrived within the system, but it could be argued that his presence would have hindered its all-around success, which his lethal nature would have likely made up for.

But now, to swap in Orban, the 5 foot 10 ace could instead provide a better option more similar to Furuhashi in stature and goalscoring. Against all the odds, the youngster could actually be a better option for Postecoglou than Kane, as the Greek-Aussie looks to replicate the success he enjoyed in Glasgow.

Centuries from opener Jay Bista and Siddhesh Lad put Mumbai on top against Tripura at Wankhede Stadium. The hosts finished the day on 421 for 8, with both batsmen, who added 146 for the fifth wicket, making 123 each. By stumps, Mumbai were ahead of 226 with two wickets in hand. The 42-time champions are chasing an outright win to book a quarter-final berth.Mumbai were in early trouble when Karsh Kothari was out first ball to Manisankar Murasingh (3-49). Bista and Lad then rebuilt Mumbai’s innings, hitting 33 fours and two sixes in their 181-ball partnership. Bista scored at a strike-rate of over 90 before falling to Murasingh in the 53rd over, Lad and Aditya Tare (67) then added a further 97 for the sixth wicket before the centurion perished for 123. Dhawal Kulkarni then smashed 50 off 60 balls, with five fours and two sixes, to end the day with Mumbai’s score past 400.Openers Rajat Patidar’s hundred, and half centuries from Devendra Bundela (62) and Puneet Datey (56), helped boost Madhya Pradesh’s chances of securing a knockouts berth. They were ahead by 241 against Orissa in Indore after each team batted out once. By stumps, the Odisha openers had cut that lead down by 18, but the hosts were still ahead by 223 with two days to go. Odisha’sGovinda Poddar finished with career-best figures of 7 for 102.Patidar’s 123 was his fifth first-class ton, and together with the captain Bundela added 114 for the second wicket. By then, MP had overhauled Odisha’s first-innings score of 147 and extended their lead. Deepak Behera then chipped in with two more wickets but the day with the ball belonged to offspinner Poddar, whose seven wickets in 27 overs ensured MP’s lead wasn’t bigger than what it was.In Vadodara, Tamil Nadu‘s middle order rallied together with half-centuries from twin brothers B Indrajith (58) and B Aparajith (59*) to bring the visitors nearer to Baroda‘s first innings total of 309. Earlier in the day, it was Swapnil Singh’s 144 that ensured Baroda could go past 300. At stumps, TN were at 226 for 5, still behind by 83.Baroda started the day on 254 for 8, with Swapnil on 94. He batted well with the tail, adding a further 50 of Baroda’s 55 runs on the day, before being dismissed as Baroda’s last wicket by Yo Mahesh.TN did not start their innings well, with openers Abhinav Mukund and Narayan Jagadeesan out for single digits. Kaushik Gandhi then added 34 after which Aparajith joined Indrajith in the middle. Together the brothers added 74 for the fourth wicket, before Indrajith was dismissed for 58. J Kousik then scored an unbeaten 37, and gave Aparajith company as the two finished unbeaten at the end of play. In a game TN simply have to win, their slow scoring could potentially cost them time yet.

While Ben Stokes keeps a low profile, the prospect of him returning to action in New Zealand has brought a mixed response

David Hopps29-Nov-20171:57

Woakes: Stokes’ trip to New Zealand was news to us

The Canterbury cricket board has held an emergency meeting in Christchurch as protests broke out about the prospect of Ben Stokes returning to action this weekend.Stokes did not attend the meeting, but kept a low profile with his family in Christchurch after his arrival on a Singapore Airlines flight to New Zealand attracted considerable media attention.After hugging his parents, Gerard and Deb, Stokes, stern faced, remained largely silent about the investigation by Avon and Somerset police into his part in a fracas outside a Bristol nightclub in late September.As he wheeled several large cricket bags out of the airport, he deadbatted questions by suggesting that he had arrived in New Zealand to see his parents and work on his golf swing.Canterbury’s coach, Gary Stead, has supported the idea of Stokes playing at the Mainpower Oval in Rangiora this weekend in a one-day Ford Trophy match against Otago.”I think if you get someone like that, then let’s do it,” Stead told an Australian radio station on Wednesday.But as howls of outrage carried from Australia across the Tasman Sea, it was clear that opposition to the idea was also building.Stokes meets his parents, Ged and Deb, at Christchurch airport•Getty Images

Peter Fulton, who retired from international cricket last year after 16 seasons with Canterbury, told stuff.co.nz: “”If he can’t play for [England], I would question whether he should be playing for Canterbury. It would depend on what his legal situation is really. He hasn’t been charged with anything.”Match practice would be a boon for Stokes, who was born in Christchurch and moved with his family to Cumbria at the age of 12. If police decided not to charge him, he could conceivably return to England’s side in time for the third Test in Perth.The ECB Board is poised to meet within 48 hours to consider any police decision and, if no charges resulted, they could take the view that any ban could be served retrospectively from the moment they withdrew him indefinitely from international cricket pending the police investigation.But the Canterbury situation is complicated by the actions of Ken McClure, a young Canterbury batsman, who withdrew from representative cricket on Friday after he pleaded guilty to a charge of injuring with reckless disregard.McClure assaulted a man in September on a pre-season trip for his Christchurch club side. He has been remanded for sentencing until January 19 and won’t play for Canterbury until that has been sorted by the courts.Unlike McClure, Stokes has not been charged, but parallels were being drawn.The comments from Canterbury’s chief executive Jez Curwin have received particular attention. “We expect a certain level of behaviour on and off the pitch from everyone that represents us,” Curwin said earlier this week.Fulton concluded: “From a cricketing point of view, it makes all the sense in the world, but from the other point of view, it gets a little bit more complicated.”