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New Zealand were left scratching their heads over the Indian attitude to their batting effort in their 74-run loss at the BIL Oval at Lincoln University today

Lynn McConnell09-Dec-2000New Zealand were left scratching their heads over the Indian attitude to their batting effort in their 74-run loss at the BIL Oval at Lincoln University today.The Indians lost three early wickets for 37 runs in their bid to head New Zealand’s 224/5, and while Smitha Harikrishna and Chandrakanta Kaul added 51 runs for the fourth wicket, once they were parted the fight went out of the Indians.They then seemed to decide to give their lower-order batsmen some time in the middle against reasonable opposition, all of which took the interest out of the match.As games go, it was shaping as a thriller for three-quarters of its duration, but then it fell completely flat.Fortunately, for one of the best crowds to a game in the tournament, there was plenty to savour from New Zealand’s batting.It is rare in any form of cricket to see a single player take such control of a game as Haidee Tiffen managed during the last 12 overs of the New Zealand innings.Remembering that she was dropped before she was caught, a sizzling tracer bullet of a shot to mid-off, her 50 from 36 balls, it was the most dominating innings of the tournament so far.New Zealand’s innings was progressing reasonably well after Anna O’Leary and Debbie Hockley had built momentum up after coming together with their side 34/2.Ninety-two runs were added by the pair, in which time Hockley registered her first half century of the tournament. When she cover drove a boundary to bring up her 50, she also became the first woman in the world to record 4000 One-Day International runs.But she was then caught at the wicket by Anju Jain off the faintest of edges.Rather than taking time to settle in with the score at 126 in the 38th over, Tiffen shot a charge of electricity through the innings. O’Leary who, had been scoring at just over one run an over was 43 not out.With Tiffen running between the wickets as smoothly as a well-tuned Rolls Royce, compared to the clapped out Morris Minors who have been trying to run, with disastrous effect, in some teams in the earlier games in the tournament, O’Leary lifted her batting by a couple of gears.While she had taken 68 balls to score 17 runs, O’Leary scored her last 72 off 78 balls and was out for 89 in the last over.When New Zealand’s campaign is reviewed however, there is potentially likely to be a significant place for the Tiffen innings. She provided a memorable example of what can be achieved with positive thinking.The moment she applied her foot to the pedal, the Indian fielding disintegrated. The power of her strokeplay was combined with sweet timing and an elegance that is all too rarely seen in the women’s game.Things may be about to change. New Zealand Cricket with its development plans for the game around the country could not have wished for a better advertisement for the virtues of women’s cricket.”We just wanted to get a big score,” Tiffen said.”We set little targets. We wanted to get to 180, then 200, and to get to 224 was great.”When I was dropped off the first ball I faced I said to myself, ‘Let’s make them pay for it’.”Mike Shrimpton, our coach, just said to me to play my natural game. I noticed the ring field was up for me so I tried to go over the top. Then when they were back we started to run.”Tiffen said she had worked on her running between the wickets throughout the winter.”It all came off for me. I like running between the wickets and putting pressure on the field,” she said.It wasn’t half obvious.Captain Emily Drumm was delighted with the way the innings picked up. She said the side felt it had strength in its batting order and it was nice to be able to show it.”The situation was perfect for Haidee. There were 12 overs to go and it suited her game. She and Anna are two really quick runners between the wickets and the Indians were a little sloppy in the field.”When they came together the innings was then either going to teeter India’s way or be a case of us exploding. We exploded and India had no answer.”We had the two leopards running between the wickets.”We were disappointed by their run chase and India let themselves down a bit. But that is for them to worry about.”It takes the pressure off us now,” she said.New Zealand’s remaining games are against England and South Africa.

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Maurício Galiotte tornou-se presidente do Palmeiras na noite da última quinta-feira. No dia seguinte, já estava diante de uma bomba para desarmar: como conduzir o novo atrito entre Paulo Nobre, que acaba de “colocá-lo” no cargo mais importante do clube, e Leila Pereira, dona das empresas que fizeram do Verdão o dono de um patrocínio sem precedentes? O ex-presidente tenta frear a candidatura da empresária ao Conselho, enquanto ela rebate.

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Dar razão a Nobre e impugnar a candidatura de Leila Pereira a uma vaga no Conselho Deliberativo muito provavelmente o faria perder a patrocinadora. Em ótimo momento, o Palmeiras talvez tenha uma fila de empresas interessadas em ocupar este posto, mas dificilmente alguma delas vai se dispor a pagar R$ 78 milhões anuais e ainda bancar a contratação de um jogador como Lucas Pratto, como a Crefisa quer fazer em 2017.

Dar razão a Leila Pereira e permitir que ela seja candidata pode significar uma ruptura bastante prematura entre o novo presidente e Paulo Nobre, que deixou o cargo muito bem avaliado e já tem um grupo político considerável ao seu lado. O apoio de Nobre, para o atual presidente, é fundamental para dar sequência aos avanços recentes.

Existe ainda um outro personagem nesta sinuca de bico em que já está o novo mandatário palmeirense: Mustafá Contursi, ex-presidente do clube, padrinho político de Galiotte e, talvez, a figura mais influente das alamedas do Palestra Itália. Basta lembrar que Arnaldo Tirone escapou de uma suspensão na última semana mesmo tendo sido julgado pelo mesmo motivo que fez Luiz Gonzaga Belluzzo tomar um ano de gancho. A forte oposição de Mustafá a Belluzzo, internamente, é vista como a explicação para isso.

Há quem diga que Mustafá articula a entrada de Leila no Conselho Deliberativo para que ela o ajude a conquistar os votos necessários para aprovar a sugestão de reforma estatutária proposta por ele.

O texto de Mustafá e aliados, chamado de “substitutivo”, tem poucas mudanças em relação ao estatuto atual. É uma alternativa ao texto elaborado desde 2013 por uma comissão especial formada por 23 conselheiros e que Nobre gostaria de ver aprovado: a profissionalização seria o carro-chefe, com mais diretores remunerados, algo visto pelos “mustafistas” como muito oneroso. A votação da reforma estatutária, que estava prevista para este ano, ficou para 2017.

The timeline of Celtic’s season is enough to drag you to depression if you’re a Hoops supporter.

It has been a wretched campaign that will end without a trophy at Parkhead for the first time in around a decade. They could also end the term without a first-team manager.

What’s the word?

Neil Lennon left the Bhoys nine weeks ago but majority shareholder Dermot Desmond is finding life difficult in terms of finding a replacement.

Roy Keane has twice emerged on the scene but it’s Eddie Howe who appears to be their number one choice.

Unfortunately, there have been a number of complications holding a deal up.

Taking to Twitter over the weekend, reliable journalist Alan Nixon made a big claim on the major reason behind the delay.

Responding to a fan who asked if Howe’s backroom staff demands were an issue, he said: “It’s a huge factor in this.”

Desmond fuming

This has been a ridiculous scenario for the club’s main shareholder and it doesn’t look like ending anytime soon.

After such an arduous season the last thing the Bhoys needed was another lengthy saga, especially when there’s so much to address this summer.

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Desmond and indeed the entire club are being left in the lurch right now and if we’re seeking a resolution, we may not have one until the end of next month.

There is good news in the sense that Richard Hughes is reportedly no longer a major factor for Howe but he still wants some of the Bournemouth coaching staff to join him at Paradise.

He is keen on seeing Stephen Purches and Stephen Weatherstone come with him but the Cherries are right in the middle of a promotion hunt.

The Championship play-off finals aren’t until May 29th so it might not be before then that we hear news of a new manager. If the south-coast side successfully negotiates their way back to the top-flight then it will cost Celtic more financially to prise Purches and Weatherstone away.

That’s because they will be due pay rises. On top of that, they will also have the lure of Premier League football to keep them in England.

This is a situation that must be leaving Desmond tearing his hair out. Whatever way you look at it, there is no swift remedy.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Ajer: Celtic must unleash rarely-seen “weapon” next term, he’s clear of Duffy…

Reports by The Mirror (18/4, p. 62) over the weekend claimed that Watford are showing a keen interest in a summer swoop for Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow, which should be considered the perfect opportunity for Steve Bruce to cash-in.

The Hornets have eyes on Darlow as they strive to secure a long-term replacement for Ben Foster, ahead of a potential return to the Premier League, with Xisco’s side sitting six points clear of the Play-Off positions ahead of visiting table-toppers Norwich City on Tuesday night.

Daniel Bachmann has been the accustomed number one at Vicarage Road since displacing Foster between the sticks at the turn of the year and has proven to be a solid option with 11 clean sheets and 11 goals conceded in 20 appearances in the Championship thus far.

Foster had opened the campaign as the go-to goalkeeper at Watford but fell out of the side due to a broken finger in January, after keeping nine clean sheets and conceding 17 goals in 22 appearances, and has been unable to regain duties since returning to action in March.

The 38-year-old could now face heightened competition for the position as Hornets chiefs weigh up a move for Darlow, with a potential £6m bid on the cards for the 30-year-old who is under contract at St. James’ Park through to the summer of 2025.

Watford are thought to be keen to offer Darlow a chance to stake his claim to their number one jersey, as he has the potential to serve as Xisco’s long-term option.

The Northampton-born shot-stopper had acted as Bruce’s first-choice earlier this term due to Martin Dubravka being sidelined with a heel injury, but has not featured in the Premier League since the Slovakian made his return against Wolverhampton Wanderers in February.

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Darlow was considered to be one of Newcastle’s most consistent performers amid a fight for Premier League survival after keeping four clean sheets in 25 games and producing stunning displays against Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

But Bruce benched Darlow after a sub-par performance at Manchester United, and the Toon are now said to be open to selling the £25,000-per-week titan in the next transfer window with Freddie Woodman set to return from a second season on loan with Swansea City.

Newcastle would have four goalkeepers on the books next season if a deal to sell one of Bruce’s options is not secured, with Woodman potentially joining Darlow, Dubravka and rarely-seen back-up Mark Gillespie, who has only featured three times this season.

Watford firming up their interest in Darlow should thus be considered the ideal opportunity for Bruce and United to cash in on one of their options, as the 6 ft 2 titan has been unable to regain the role from Dubravka and was allegedly ‘angered’ by the manner of his axing.

There’s no doubt that Newcastle owe a great deal to Darlow for keeping them in a position where Premier League safety is achievable, having been “absolutely awesome” for the Magpies this season in the eyes of Sky Sports pundit Matt Murray.

But it would be unsustainable for Newcastle to have four goalkeepers on the books and while Darlow is entering the final years of his career, Woodman can still represent the Toon’s future having been magnificent while on loan at Swansea for the past two seasons.

After recording 12 shut outs in 43 Championship appearances last term, the 24-year-old – who has been linked with Arsenal previously – has kept 20 clean sheets in 41 games during the current campaign, two more than any other goalkeeper in the division.

If Woodman is to return to St. James’ Park, he would not be expected to simply settle for the number two position, and will leave Bruce with a decision to make between the young up-and-comer who represents the future or his current first-choice Dubravka.

Doing so would leave Darlow with nowhere to go on Tyneside, making Watford’s potential £6m bid all the more appealing when funds for summer signings are likely to be minimal.

AND in other news, Steve Bruce expects Newcastle to open talks to retain a £47,000-per-week brute…

أوضح القطري ناصر الخليفي، رئيس نادي باريس سان جيرمان، موقف البرازيلي نيمار دا سيلفا، جناح النادي الباريسي من التواجد في مباراة الليلة ضد ريال مدريد بدوري أبطال أوروبا.

نيمار كان يُعاني من إصابة في الكاحل، تعرض لها في نوفمبر الماضي، والبرازيلي لم يخض أي دقيقة قبل مباراة الليلة، ويتواجد في قائمة بي اس جي لمباراة اليوم ضد ريال مدريد.

وأكد الخليفي لـ”Canal +” الفرنسية، أن النجم البرازيلي نيمار سيبدأ مباراة دوري أبطال أوروبا ضد ريال مدريد، من على مقاعد البدلاء.

اقرأ أيضًا.. آس: الخليفي وبيريز يجتمعان على مائدة غداء مليئة بـ”التوتر” قبل مباراة باريس والريال

وقال الخليفي: “نيمار تحسّن وهو ما على ما يُرام، يتدرب بشكل طبيعي وهو أفضل بكثير، لقد بدا إيجابيًا”.

وأضاف: “اليوم سيتواجد على مقاعد البدلاء إنه يشعر بتحسن كبير وسيكون قادرًا على اللعب”.

يُذكر أن باريس سان جيرمان يستضيف ريال مدريد، مساء اليوم الثلاثاء، في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، على ملعب “حديقة الأمراء”، ضمن لقاءات ذهاب دور الـ16 من دوري الأبطال.

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O Atlético Goianiense recebeu o Paysandu na noite desta sexta-feira, no Estádio Olímpico de Goiânia e conseguiu mais uma importante vitória no Campeonato Brasileiro da Série B. Com dois gols de Matheus Ribeiro, o time da casa fez 2 a 1 no Papão, que marcou com Tiago Luís. Rubro-negro continua na liderança da competição.

Com a vitória, o Dragão segue liderando a Segundona com 58 pontos, enquanto o Paysandu é 14º, com 39.Na próxima rodada, o Atlético visita o Criciúma, no dia 22 de outubro, às 19h30. No mesmo dia, o Papão recebe o Goiás, às 17h.

O JOGO

Os visitantes começaram a partida tentando chegar com perigo e aos sete minutos, quase marcaram um gol olímpico, mas a bola bateu no travessão de Klever. Pouco tempo depois, o goleiro do Dragão fez boa defesa na cobrança de falta de Tiago Luís. Primeira chegada do Dragão foi com Luiz Fernando, mas cabeçada não saiu com força.

Aos 39, o Atlético conseguiu abrir o placar com Matheus Ribeiro, que surpreendeu o goleiro Emerson batendo direto para o gol após receber passe de Caíque. Três minutos depois, Tiago Luís deixou tudo com um belo chute de fora da área. Equipes foram para o vestiário com o 1 a 1 no placar.

Na volta para a etapa final, Júnior Viçosa quase virou o placar batendo com força, mas Emerson fez boa defesa. Pouco tempo depois Matheus Ribeiro fez o seu segundo na partida, outro belo gol. Lateral acertou o ângulo de Emerson em chute de fora da área. Time da casa ainda teve duas oportunidades com Júnior Viçosa, mas a bola insistiu em não entrar para o atacante.

No outro jogo desta sexta-feira

Na outra partida desta noite, o Bahia recebeu o Brasil de Pelotas na Arena Fonte Nova, e conseguiu uma vitória por 1 a 0 e entrou no G4 da competição, em terceiro, com 49 pontos. pelo menos até este sábado. O Brasil está em oitavo com 45. Gol da partida foi marcado por Wesley Natã.

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David Moyes should ruthlessly axe Said Benrahma and recall Pablo Fornals to the West ham United starting line-up against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Fornals is expected to be passed fit for the Irons’ trip to Molineux on Monday night after two games out with a groin injury, that he had sustained ahead of a likely start away to Manchester United last month.

Benrahma featured as a substitute at Old Trafford before opening his side’s 3-3 draw with rivals Arsenal before the international break, for the 25-year-old’s 11th Premier League start since his arrival at the London Stadium in October.

Benrahma failed to have a direct influence on the scoring against the Gunners as his wait for a maiden goal in claret and blue continues, and is now six games without an assist across all competitions.

The £20m-rated maestro came close to ending his creative drought in the second half when Benrahma delivered a teasing ball across Arsenal’s six-yard box following a driven run between Pablo Mari and Thomas Partey, only for Michail Antonio to find the base of the post.

But the Algerian was the least involved of West Ham’s attacking options overall at home to Mikel Arteta’s north Londoners, while Jesse Lingard pulled the strings and Antonio offered two assists and often held the ball up wonderfully.

Benrahma occasionally displayed the defensive work-rate that has caught Moyes by surprise previously, but his efforts were too insufficient to prevent Calum Chambers from turning in a Man of the Match display thanks to a game-high eight crosses and creating three chances.

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“I’ve had a bit of a laugh with him [Benrahma] because I’m saying to him: ‘I didn’t realise I’d signed a really hard-working midfield player who runs and closes down, and does all the defensive duties,’” Moyes said, via quotes by The Guardian, in February.

“I said: ‘I thought we got someone for assists and goal making.’ They’re the bits which I think he’s probably needed to improve. The other part has been excellent. I want team players here – I don’t want individuals – but Said’s been great for the team.”

With Fornals expected to be passed fit to face Wolves on Monday night, Moyes should now ruthlessly axe Benrahma for the Spaniard as the decision could prove game-changing in helping to shut down the right-wing of Nuno Espirito Santo’s plans.

Benrahma has been touted by Claret & Hugh as the most at-risk player to make way for Fornals, who Moyes has previously lauded for his “incredible” energy and enthusiasm – which was on show front and centre against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Leeds United before his injury.

Fornals also averages a higher number of successful tackles per Premier League game this season than Benrahma with 1.17 to the Algerian’s 0.76, as well as more interceptions (1.17 to 0.29) and clearances (0.17 to 0.1), per SofaScore.

Wolves favoured the right-hand channel more often during their last top-flight fixture, with four of their six key passes coming through Romain Saiss, Nelson Semedo and Adama Traore. Half of their 10 shots also came from that side, per WhoScored.

It was a similar story the week before away to Aston Villa with four of 10 shots and three of eight key passes coming from the right, where Fornals or Benrahma will likely be tasked with aiding Aaron Cresswell on Monday night.

Thus, if Fornals is fully fit and ready to go from the off, Moyes should see that he starts from the off, even if it means dropping Benrahma to the bench to make space.

AND in other news, West Ham trail a Premier League rival for a five-goal, seven-assist star once labelled an “exciting prospect”…

Steve Bruce should look to unleash Matty Longstaff following the international break in the hopes of convincing Miguel Almiron to stay at Newcastle United for the long-term.

What’s the word?

Speaking with Paraguayan radio station ABC Cardinal on Friday, Almiron fuelled speculation that he could look to secure a move away from St James’ Park in the near future.

The 27-year-old has admitted that he would like to play for a club who carry a greater fight in their performances, as he became the latest Toon player to seemingly criticise recent results.

Ciaran Clark had revealed earlier in the week that the United squad “weren’t up for it” during last weekend’s 3-0 mauling by relegation rivals Brighton & Hove Albion, as the Magpies’ torrid run of form stretched to two wins in 18 Premier League games.

Almiron has now fuelled speculation that he may look to secure a move away from Tyneside after his agent Daniel Campos claimed the midfielder would already have been sold amid interest from Atletico Madrid had it not been for the global pandemic.

“I would like to play in a team that fights more,” Almiron said. “Here, I am happy, and I feel comfortable.”

Campos had noted earlier in the season that Almiron may look to join a team who play a different brand of football than Newcastle, and could chase a transfer in June.

“Miguel’s work rate at Newcastle and Paraguay has been great,” Campos told Futgol 970 in November, via quotes shared by Chronicle Live. “If it wasn’t for the pandemic, he would’ve been elsewhere. Perhaps he would like to play on a team that has a lot of possession. Maybe in June, he’ll make that jump.”

Time to unleash Longstaff?

Almiron claiming that he would like to play in a side which carries more fight, just after Clark admitted that Newcastle rolled over against Brighton, will be a bitterly concerning update for Bruce.

Newcastle have established themselves as a team which plays on the back foot throughout the Premier League season, with relegation rivals West Bromwich Albion the only side to have averaged a lower share of possession per game (41.4%) than the Magpies (42%) to date.

Only Burnley (71.6%) and the Baggies (73.1%) retain possession at a lower standard than the Toon, who hold a 75.3% pass success rate, while Bruce’s men rank 14th in the division for tackles made per game with 14, per WhoScored.

All the indications point to a style of football not to Almiron’s preference, but Bruce can look to impress the Paraguayan coming out of the international break by unleashing Longstaff to add more bite to the engine room.

Longstaff has only played 377 minutes in the Premier League this season, despite Bruce assuring the 21-year-old of his path to the first team last summer and many considering the academy graduate to be the aggressive presence which Newcastle currently lack.

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson also claimed that Longstaff “would be a good addition for any team” last summer amid the midfielder’s contract stand-off, while later noting that he is already a “top player” but is “going to go on to become a better player”.

However, Longstaff’s development has stagnated massively this season due to his limited chances under Bruce, but he will still be expected to add bite to the engine room against Tottenham Hotspur next Sunday and show Almiron what some in the Newcastle squad are capable of producing.

AND in other news, Newcastle are closely monitoring a £13.5k-p/w dud who’s “been caught out” this season…

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A Chapecoense enfrentará o Cuiabá nesta quinta-feira, pela Copa Sul-Americana, às 20h, na Arena Pantanal, e poderá contar com a presença do lateral-direito Mateus Caramelo em campo. Novamente emprestado pelo São Paulo ao Verdão do Oeste, ele poderá reestrear pela equipe catarinense, já que o técnico Caio Junior deve escalar um time misto.

– Estou preparado, sim. Para mim e para quem não vem jogando, vai ser uma oportunidade nova agora. É um campeonato importante. No ano passado ficou o sentimento que poderíamos ir mais longe. É começar com o pé direito, respeitando claro o adversário – disse o jogador, em entrevista coletiva.

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A Chapecoense tem como foco principal a Série A do Campeonato Brasileiro, onde o time ocupa a décima posição na tabela e luta para permanecer na elite. O lateral Caramelo vê o Brasileirão e a Sul-Americana como competições semelhantes, principalmente quanto ao nível técnico. E prometeu empenho para classificar o Verdão.

– Acho que as duas competições têm muito a ver. São duas competições difíceis. Exigem muito do profissional, bastante entrega. Acredito que tem tudo para dar certo- completou Camarelo, que já defendeu a Chape no ano passado.

Former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey believes that Roberto Firmino should step aside for a more clinical striker in the summer.

Firmino out?

The 29-year-old has been criticised by pundits and segments of the Kop faithful this season after what has been a forgetful 2020/21 campaign for the reigning Premier League champions.

Firmino has scored just six goals in 26 games, 11 less than his teammate Mohamed Salah and one less than Sadio Mane (Whoscored).

With this in mind, summer signing Diogo Jota shook up the formidable front three by starting off his Anfield career with a bang, scoring five times in his first nine games – putting serious pressure on Firmino’s place in Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Speaking to Rousing The Kop, Heskey believes that the time has come for Firmino to be taken out of the team – but not sold altogether.

“There was a time when we were speaking and I said that they should bring [Firmino] out of the firing line,” he said. Let him relax a little bit, let him watch from the sideline, let him get his confidence back up and they did that. He slowly started to improve.

“Now I’m thinking they need to look for someone else and he should be second choice. I think he would be great to be dipping in every other game.

“For Liverpool, they need someone who’s going to get them 15-20 goals a season, every season. I think it’s time for him to take a backseat now.”

Transfer Tavern Verdict

Liverpool’s front three have been playing together since 2017 and have performed relentlessly right up until this season. It was only a matter of time until the magic wore off to some degree.

The year of their first Premier League title defence proved to be exactly that. It has been no secret that Firmino was outperformed by Jota when fit.

We agree with Heskey here – maybe Firmino would benefit from being taken out of the spotlight. The Brazil international should not be sold as he is a unique player in his own right though – he is crucial to Klopp’s squad and style.

In other news, Liverpool fans split down the middle as news involving 22-goal Klopp star emerged.