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Reduced to 27 for 3 after being sent in, Super Giants recovered to set a target of 170, and Sunrisers stumbled at the end of the chase

Karthik Krishnaswamy04-Apr-2022Deepak Hooda, KL Rahul and Avesh Khan led the way as Lucknow Super Giants came back from behind with bat and ball to complete a 12-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, continuing the reversal of fortunes for teams batting first in IPL 2022.Reduced to 27 for 3 after being sent in, Super Giants recovered to set a target of 170, and Avesh took two powerplay wickets to put them firmly in front. But Sunrisers took the initiative with quickfire knocks from Rahul Tripathi and Nicholas Pooran; at one stage, they needed 27 from 17 balls with six wickets in hand. But Avesh turned it around once again with two wickets in two balls in the 18th over, and two more solid death overs from Andrew Tye and Jason Holder, playing his first game of the season, completed the job.Washington dominates powerplay
Sunrisers didn’t open the bowling with Washington Sundar in their first match against Rajasthan Royals, but they had a clear case to do so against Super Giants. One of their openers, Quinton de Kock, was a left-hander, and the other, KL Rahul, has struggled to score quickly against offspin of late, his strike rate against that style of bowling dropping from 176.66 until the end of 2019.Washington made an even bigger impact than Sunrisers may have hoped for. He dismissed de Kock by denying him room to hit inside-out, and took out another left-hander in Evin Lewis, who fell in the dangerous pursuit of sweeping every ball from a bowler who targets the stumps incessantly. With Rahul and Manish Pandey – another right-hander who starts slowly against spin – taking no chances against him either, Washington ended the powerplay with figures of 3-0-11-2.Romario Shepherd’s hard lengths took out Pandey, meanwhile, after he had conceded a six and a four earlier in the over, and Super Giants finished the powerplay at 32 for 3.A partnership of contrasts
In both 2020 and 2021, Rahul came in for plenty of criticism for his low-risk approach in the powerplay and middle overs, which brought him plenty of runs but also left the feeling that his franchise at the time, Punjab Kings, frequently ended up with lower-than-ideal totals even when they didn’t lose too many wickets. That approach was more understandable in this game, given the situation Super Giants got themselves into.At the other end, Hooda adopted a different approach, after taking 12 balls to get his eye in. The rapid Umran Malik bore the brunt of the punishment, with three fours and a six pinging off Hooda’s bat. It wasn’t that Malik bowled particularly badly: Hooda played some exceptional shots off him, including an open-faced slice to steer a near-yorker past backward point and a whipped six off a short ball angled in to tuck him up for room. There was also a ramped six that the leaping third man fielder – stationed fine for exactly that shot – got a hand to but couldn’t grab hold of.Rahul also hit two fours off Malik, and his second and third overs – the 10th and 14th of Super Giants’ innings – went for a combined 36. Even with Sunrisers’ other bowlers doing decently through this phase, Super Giants’ recovery was firmly on track.Bhuvneshwar and Natarajan nail the yorkers
Malik’s poor night forced Sunrisers into using Washington’s fourth over – which they probably weren’t planning to bowl – in the 17th over. Rahul and Ayush Badoni – who replaced Hooda following his dismissal in the 16th over – took it for 17.Badoni and Holder then took 17 off Shepherd in the 20th over, but in between, Bhuvneshwar and T Natarajan ensured Sunrisers wouldn’t be chasing too steep a target, with expert use of the yorker – if they erred, they sent down low full-tosses rather than half-volleys, and they always followed the batters’ movements with their line, ensuring they seldom got room to free their arms. Super Giants only took a combined 15 runs off the 18th and 19th overs, and lost Rahul and Krunal Pandya in the process.Avesh, part one
Sunrisers began their chase solidly enough, getting to 21 for no loss after three overs, with Kane Williamson picking up an eye-catching six behind the wicket with a scoop over the keeper off Holder in the third over.But just when Williamson’s form was beginning to look ominous – he punched Avesh to the cover point boundary at the start of the fourth over – Avesh got him out, another attempted lap over short fine leg ending up in the hands of the fielder.Abhishek Sharma, the other opener, fell in Avesh’s next over, miscuing an attempted big hit off a slower ball, and Sunrisers ended the powerplay at 40 for 2.KL Rahul and Deepak Hooda put up a half-century stand for the fourth wicket•BCCIOne way, then the other, and back
The middle overs seesawed this way and that. Rahul Tripathi clattered 44 off 30, including taking three fours off the eighth over, delivered by Andrew Tye – the highlight a deft ramp over the keeper off a rising short ball. But Krunal took both him and Aiden Markram out, leaving Sunrisers needing 75 off 41 with six wickets in hand and two new batters at the crease.Pooran began not just slowly but also most unconvincingly, as Ravi Bishnoi beat his outside edge three times in four balls with his wrong’un allied to his across-the-left-hander angle. But he muscled Krunal for a leg-side six in the 14th over and hit Holder for two fours in the 15th, before ending the 16th with a glorious drive to bisect extra-cover and long-off, off Bishnoi, to leave Sunrisers needing 41 off 24. The match was turning once again.Avesh, part two
Tye’s changes of pace and ability to land the ball wide of the left-handers’ hitting arc ensured he only conceded eight runs in the 17th over, with its one boundary coming via a lofted drive from Washington.Then, with Sunrisers needing 33 from 18, Pooran miscued a pull off Avesh only for the ball to carry all the way for six. The luck turned two balls later, as Pooran hit a full-toss straight into long-off’s hands.Then Avesh nicked off Abdul Samad first ball, delivering another blow to Sunrisers’ chances, before closing out the over with two dots and a wide, backing the wide line outside off to Shepherd.Tye delivered another superb over in the 19th, but just when Sunrisers seemed to be slipping out of the contest with 22 required off 8, an attempted yorker turned into a full-toss that Shepherd launched for a straight six.Sixteen of the last over was possible, though difficult. And it proved even more difficult thanks to the new rule regarding batters crossing over. Looking to hit the first ball for six, Washington was caught on the long-on boundary. Where Shepherd may have taken strike next ball in previous seasons, he now had to watch Bhuvneshwar from the other end.Two singles followed, before Bhuvneshwar holed out. Again, Shepherd couldn’t take strike, and with two sixes needed just to tie the game, the match was all but over.

Pep Guardiola has revealed what he said to referee Simon Hooper when he angrily confronted the officials after Manchester City's draw with Brighton.

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Man City draw 2-2 with BrightonGuardiola fumes over Doku incidentSays his leg could have been brokenFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

City manager Guardiola was livid after Hooper booked winger Jeremy Doku for simulation following a challenge from Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke. The ex-Barcelona boss stressed that if the Belgian had not jumped, he might have broken his leg.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT PEP GUARDIOLA SAID

He said after the game: "If he doesn't jump, he can break his leg. To go on the grass is a tackle and he jumps so there is no contact. Jeremy is not a diving player. They should know it but it is what it is. We didn't win or lose for those decisions. I said to the referee that if he doesn't jump he can be kicked hard. He jumped to protect himself but it doesn't matter, don't ask me about that."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

City went on to draw the game 2-2 at the Etihad on Saturday, with Guardiola's men fifth in the Premier League and fighting to qualify for next season's Champions League. Guardiola admitted his side are feeling the pressure.

He added: "Nine games left and nine finals. It is what it is. I think it will go right to the end. I am always confident. In some moments I have doubts, but I always try to find the right way. You can feel the pressure in the stadium. We have to play better and the fans want it so bad. Everyone feels it."

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

After the international break, City travel to Bournemouth in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on March 30.

Shaun Harvey has explained what makes ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ special, but says viewing figures for the documentary are a “closely guarded secret”.

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Hollywood co-owners at SToK RacecourseRaised club's profile across the worldDoc covers much more than football mattersWHAT HAPPENED?

The series, which will deliver season three in April, appears to be pulling in a large global audience. It has collected a number of prestigious prizes, including five Emmys, and has helped the Red Dragons to raise their profile across the world.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The likes of Paul Mullin and Elliot Lee now rival Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in the popularity stakes, but the award-winning doc is about much more than events on the pitch. Club director Harvey admits as much, but will not be revealing how many people helped to make season three a possibility.

WHAT HARVEY SAID ABOUT WREXHAM

Harvey has told : “Our documentary isn’t one that’s built around telling the story of elite athletes in a pressure scenario, it’s about a football club that’s on a journey towards the top. It’s a story that resonates with many, many people who can relate to what Wrexham and its supporters are going through in some part of their own life. The town is the underdog in this story, more so than the football club.”

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‘Welcome to Wrexham’ has been aided by the success Phil Parkinson’s side have enjoyed on the field. They are, however, still a League Two outfit and Harvey is among those working on ways to get EFL clubs more exposure. He added: “It makes no sense for the EFL to go head to head in program slots with the Premier League. We’ve got to try and work with broadcasters who are showing Premier League games and look to market EFL games on the back of that key hook that’s bringing fans to the station in the first place.”

Newcastle United return to Premier League action this afternoon as they travel away from St. James' Park to take on newly-promoted Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Eddie Howe's side come into this match off the back of a 0-0 draw with AC Milan away from home in their first Champions League game of the 2023/24 campaign.

What's the latest Newcastle team news?

The Magpies head coach has confirmed that central midfielder Joe Willock remains unavailable for selection and will not return before the October international break.

Brazil international Joelinton is also not in contention to feature against the Blades today but Howe has hinted that the ex-Hoffenheim star could be back over the next few weeks before players head off to represent their respective nations.

There are no new injury concerns to deal with and the English boss could rotate his squad to avoid fatigue and further knocks this afternoon.

Will Callum Wilson start against Sheffield United?

One player the manager must unleash against Paul Heckinbottom's side is England international Callum Wilson, who could terrorise the opposition alongside Alexander Isak in attack.

The former Bournemouth marksman scored the only goal of the game, from the penalty spot, against Brentford last week but was named on the bench for the draw in Milan in midweek.

Wilson has only started once in the Premier League this season and has racked up three goals across his five appearances in total in the division.

This comes after the 31-year-old ace, whose mindset was hailed as "incredible" by Howe, produced 18 goals and five assists in 21 top-flight starts and 31 outings in total throughout the 2022/23 campaign.

He has, therefore, scored 21 goals and provided five assists in 22 Premier League starts since the beginning of last season, which is an average of one goal contribution every 0.85 starts and shows that he can provide quality in front of goal on a regular basis.

Isak, who has the versatility to play out on the left flank to accommodate Wilson, has struck twice in four league starts this term and managed ten goals and one assist in 17 starts in his debut campaign in English football.

This means that the Sweden international has produced a goal or an assist every 1.62 Premier League starts on average since his move to the club from Real Sociedad in 2022. Whilst it is not as impressive as Wilson's return, it is better than one every other game and shows that he is able to regularly chip in with match-changing contributions.

In fact, the pair have been on the pitch together in 13 matches and assisted each other for four goals in that time, which shows that they can thrive and help each other to score.

Therefore, the quality is there for Isak and the £46k-per-week ace to be a terrific duo at the top end of the pitch and they could terrorise Sheffield United this afternoon with their sublime goalscoring talents in the final third.

Both players are capable of being lethal in front of goal at Premier League level and Howe must unleash the pair of them against the Blades to see how much damage they can inflict at Bramall Lane today.

George Dobell at Edgbaston16-Apr-20181:51

Gurney and Ball run amok at Old Trafford

ScorecardIt is, perhaps, a sign of the changing times that the first Championship century of the season should have been made in a single session.David Wiese, a Kolpak registration who had endured a modest time at Sussex in 2017, thrashed a century before lunch to help his team to four batting bonus points and a secure draw against Warwickshire. It completed a fine all-round display from a man who had earlier taken 4 for 56 in Warwickshire’s first innings; also a better haul than he had managed in the previous season.In partnership with the more measured Ben Brown, Wiese added 155 for Sussex’s eighth wicket, breaking the record (for Sussex against Warwickshire) of 152 set by HL Wilson and GA Stannard at Hove in 1920.It also gave Sussex, who took a first-innings lead of 75, brief hopes of putting Warwickshire in trouble in the final session-and-a-half of the match. And, after Will Rhodes was bowled by a beauty from Ollie Robinson that pitched on middle and took the top of off, Ian Bell was lured into a drive and feathered an edge before Jonathan Trott shuffled in front of a straight one. At 55 for 3, Sussex fancied their chances.But on a pitch that had dried out to become slow and true, that equation was never likely to work out for them. Dominic Sibley (89 balls) and Adam Hose (57 balls) stood firm and, in truth, the poor weather that robbed us of about five sessions defined this encounter. Perhaps, had Tim Ambrose been held at slip on 5 in the first innings, things might have been different.As it was, Wiese thumped the 10th first-class century of his career in just 91 deliveries. Joining his captain after Robinson had flashed at one angled across him, Wiese immediately went on the attack, striking 14 fours and three sixes in his century. Two of those sixes, one over long-on and another, hit ferociously hard over long-off, came from successive deliveries from the medium-paced Will Rhodes, with the other, over mid-on, coming off Jeetan Patel. Using Patel’s pace – the off-spinner bowled surprisingly quickly at times – Wiese cut nicely and provided a reminder of his quality after that disappointing season in 2017.”That meant a lot to me,” he said afterwards. “Last year didn’t really go to plan for me. There’s a new coach and I wanted to set a high benchmark. I was quite emotional when a reached my hundred.”At the other end, Brown provided sensible support. Helping his side from 88 for 5 at one stage, he showed all the calm and determination that has seen him appointed captain. He looked certain to reach the 15th century of his first-class career before, perhaps trying to set up a chase, he flashed at one outside off to become the sixth victim of the innings for Ambrose behind the stumps. Only two keepers, Keith Piper and ‘Tiger’ Smith, have taken more for the club in a first-class innings.The bowler who continued to pose the biggest threat was Olly Stone. He eventually finished with 8 for 80 – easily a career best – and followed his eye-catching performance of the previous day with another display of sustained pace bowling. There were moments, particularly when he was attempting to bounce out poor Stuart Whittingham, when he looked quite a genuinely intimidating fast bowler. He is not the finished product – Sussex felt his pace varied sharply depending on how well he completed his action – but he has something special that could be an asset far beyond Warwickshire.”I’m extremely impressed,” his new captain, Patel, said afterwards. “We all knew he could bowl fast, but to bowl consistently throughout the whole innings at that pace suggests he is going to go places. He asked tough questions of good batsmen on a good wicket. He provided us with impact and excitement.”He’s a really big asset for our club. He’s someone we’re going to treasure. He needs to learn to go through the gears and not bowl 100% all the time, because he’s going to break at some stage, but if he can do that, he’s going to become a very good bowler.”The Sussex bowler who stood out in both innings was Ishant Sharma. Bowling at a decent pace – though notably slower than Stone – and maintaining such a tight line and length that leaving him was unwise, he demonstrated his experience and quality in harnessing the conditions beautifully. It frustrates some in English cricket – not least the national coach, Trevor Bayliss – that overseas players are provided such experiences ahead of international tours, but there was plenty to learn – for both batsmen and bowlers – from the way he attacked the stumps. He could prove quite a threat to England later in the summer.But despite his excellence, Stone’s return, Ambrose’s haul and Wiese’s all-round contribution, the men of the match were probably the groundstaff. Despite the appalling weather coming into this season – the Birmingham League season has been pushed back a week for the first time in living memory – they were able to produce a surface that reaped the two highest team scores and the only century of the round of games. They also produced a pitch which gave a young fast bowler the chance to shine. We criticise them when they struggle; it’s only right we praise them when, in desperately taxing conditions, they perform so admirably.

Manchester United will sign a versatile player on a permanent transfer next summer if things go to plan, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news?

The Red Devils were relatively busy during the recent transfer window ahead of Erik ten Hag’s second season in charge, bringing in a total of seven new players.

Big money was spent on Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund from Chelsea, Inter Milan and Atalanta respectively, whereas Altay Bayindir also arrived on a permanent deal from Fenerbahce.

Meanwhile, Jonny Evans returned on a free transfer and Sergio Reguilon and Sofyan Amrabat arrived on loan deals, with United paying Fiorentina a €10m fee to sign the latter of the two for the campaign.

Hailed as a "monster" by broadcaster Carlo Garganese, Amrabat is primarily a defensive midfielder but can play in a variety of roles and made his first appearance for the club against Burnley on Saturday.

The Morocco international came off the bench late on in a much-needed Premier League victory, and the 27-year-old could be set for a more regular role going forward under Ten Hag, with United still in four competitions.

Attention already appears to be turning to a possible permanent transfer though, and talking on The United Stand YouTube channel regarding Amrabat, Romano said that the big loan fee points towards an eventual permanent deal. Romano also added that if the player impresses, “he will be a Man United player on a permanent transfer next summer”.

“Usually if you spend €10 million on a loan deal, it means you want to sign the player the following summer.

“But if Amrabat will do what Amrabat is absolutely able to do, he will be a Man United player on a permanent transfer next summer. It depends on him, but that is the idea of the club.”

Is there a clause for Man United to sign Sofyan Amrabat?

Romano’s claim appears to point towards a permanent transfer for the versatile midfielder, and there is the option for Man United to make that happen.

In the loan transfer that went through at the beginning of the month, the two clubs agreed a £21.4m (€25m) option to buy fee, which after the €10m loan fee, would take a deal to €35m.

Amrabat has worked under Ten Hag before at FC Utrecht, where he made 50 appearances under the Dutchman in the early stages of his career, contributing to 11 goals.

Ten Hag regularly used Amrabat on the right-hand side of midfield in the Eredivisie, so it will be interesting if he once again looks to use the player in a range of midfield roles.

After a move went through, Ten Hag appeared to point towards Amrabat being a versatile option, either playing alongside Casemiro or further forward, saying.

“In that position we only had Casemiro who can play really well there. With others we have to make compromises but, with Sofryan Amrabat, we have another one.

“He is very dynamic, he’s very good in the duels. So we are pleased that we have him at United and I think he will contribute to our high targets we set.”

In a game that Rajasthan Royals had to win to stay in playoff contention, their opener Jos Buttler struck his fourth fifty in a row to seal a four-wicket final-over win against CSK

The Report by Sreshth Shah11-May-20183:57

‘Buttler’s 95, one of the innings of the IPL’

Jos Buttler’s fourth consecutive IPL fifty, and K Gowtham’s decisive four-ball 13 in the 19th over of the chase helped seal Rajasthan Royals’ final-over win against Chennai Super Kings to keep them in contention for the playoffs.Buttler made 95 of Royals’ total of 177, hitting 11 boundaries and two sixes, but the chase got closer than Royals would’ve liked. They needed 38 off the last three overs, but four sixes – one from Stuart Binny (22) and three from Buttler and Gowtham – helped Royals win the match with one ball to spare.The win took Royals to sixth on the points table; they are now tied, on ten points with fourth- and fifth-placed Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively.Raina, Watson rebuild after early wobbleThe early wicket of Super Kings’ top scorer – Ambati Rayudu – could’ve sent CSK into panic, but Suresh Raina made it a productive Powerplay by finding the boundary five times in the 16 balls he played in that phase. That had sent Raina racing to 29, and allowed Shane Watson to find his footing. Both batsmen carefully saw off a couple of post-Powerplay overs, but then struck a six each off Ish Sodhi’s second over to pick up 16 off the ninth. By the time Jofra Archer dismissed Watson in the 12th over, the pair had put up 86 off 56 balls.Raina reached his 45th T20 fifty but perished soon after, trying to accelerate in the 13th. He failed to pick a googly from Sodhi, and his sweep was top-edged to Binny at short fine leg. From 105 for 1, CSK had quickly stuttered to 119 for 3 with two new batsmen at the crease.Royals choke CSK’s batsmen at the deathFrom overs 14 to 19, CSK managed only three shots to the boundary – one each off Ben Stokes, Jaydev Unadkat and Archer – as Royals fought back by either bowling pinpoint yorkers or going full and wide to MS Dhoni and Sam Billings. The Royals’ bowlers couldn’t seem to break the partnership but were economical nonetheless.Despite having seven wickets in hand, CSK managed only 45 runs in the last six overs and were pushing towards a below-par total before Billings and Dhoni managed to eke out 12 off the 20th over to take CSK to 176. Sodhi and Stokes both went for under eight per over.The Buttler did it, againIn the 11-year history of the tournament, only two players – Virat Kohli and Virender Sehwag – had previously struck four fifties in a row. But, Buttler joined that list on Friday by producing his highest-score of the tournament. He came in with another new opening partner, this time Ben Stokes, but Buttler farmed the strike for the first two overs. He found the boundary off six of those 12 balls, and raced away to 27.It was only in the third over that Stokes finally faced his first ball, but was bowled by a slider from Harbhajan Singh after hitting the offspinner for ten off two deliveries. Royals captain Ajinkya Rahane fell for 4 soon after, but Buttler went his way, rotating the strike with the incoming Sanju Samson and finding the odd boundary to reach fifty off just 26 deliveries in the eighth over. And then, as he has done often this season, he pulled back the strike-rate in a bid to anchor the rest of the innings.The dismissals of Samson and debutant Prashant Chopra gave CSK a look-in in the 13th over, but with the aggressive Binny for company, Buttler held back to let his partner play the big shots. Binny was out in the 18th over after hitting a six over long-on, but by then the equation had come down to 31 off 14 deliveries.Royals, however, were still behind the eight-ball with overs from Dwayne Bravo and David Willey still to come. But the incoming Gowtham teed off twice in the space of three legal deliveries to bring the equation down to 12 off seven. Gowtham fell off the final ball of the 19th, but his four-ball blitz had done the job.Needing 12, Buttler took strike off the final over, and finished the game himself. First, he dragged two yorkers into the leg side to pick up four runs, before picking a slower ball and slugging it over midwicket for six. And then with two needed off two, Buttler cut the ball to extra cover and collected the two required – one of them via a needless overthrow from Watson – to complete the job.

Eoin Morgan hopes the sanctions imposed on Steve Smith and David Warner will have served to restore the reputation of a game he feels has been “battered”

George Dobell05-Apr-2018Eoin Morgan hopes the sanctions imposed on Steven Smith and David Warner will have served to restore the reputation of a game he feels has been “battered” in recent days.Morgan, England’s limited-overs captain, says he was “shocked” by the Australian players’ attempt to alter the behaviour of the ball with sandpaper, insisting he had never experienced such a premediated plan in any team he has represented.But while he accepted such behaviour could damage the reputation of the game, he felt the severity of Cricket Australia’s punishments – on Warner and Smith especially – sent a firm message that such tactics will not be tolerated and could improve the way the game is played around the world.”The sanctions imposed by Cricket Australia have shown how serious the actual mistake was, how seriously they are taking it and how seriously they regard the values, principles, spirit and laws of the game,” Morgan said.”For the last two weeks, the game has been battered. But I’d like to think that the balance [between the damage done to the game and the benefits brought by the suspensions] changed when the sanctions were imposed, because they were serious sanctions.”It’s one thing to say something is wrong. But to back it up with such a sanction says a huge amount. This isn’t two of their worst players, either. It’s two of their best. One is possibly one of their greatest ever.”Naturally this will pull the leash [on the way Australia play].”Morgan accepts there are some “grey areas” around the issue of ball-tampering. The use of sugary saliva, for example, has been prevalent for years (albeit with a distinction around whether mints and sweets are directly transferred to the ball), as has the practice of fielders returning the ball to the keeper on the bounce to scuff up one side. But, the way he sees it, Cricket Australia’s actions have “gone a long way” to “saying none of it is acceptable”.”I was shocked there was a premeditated plan,” he said. “I’ve never heard talk like that in a dressing room.”Throwing the ball in, one bounce, is fine. But if you throw to the keeper from long-on or long-off, the umpires will monitor how often the ball hits the playing surface and tell you they’ll change the ball if you do it again.”Things have changed. The LED lights on the advertising hoardings around the ground have little bulbs that stick out and they can take a huge chunk out of the ball. We have forced our bowlers to chuck it to the umpires [after it hits the board] so they don’t think we have done something to the ball.”So, yes, there are grey areas but I think Cricket Australia have gone a long way to saying none of it is acceptable.”It might have been relevant that Morgan was talking at the 2018 launch of All Stars, the ECB initiative aimed at introducing a new generation to the game. Confronted by dozens of enthusiastic children aged between five and eight, Morgan and his fellow ambassadors (Michael Vaughan, Sarah Taylor and Isa Guha) might naturally have been keen to focus on the more family-friendly aspects of the game.But Morgan, like so many in England cricket, was deeply impressed by the example of Brendon McCullum’s New Zealand side at the 2015 World Cup, in particular. Seeing New Zealand play so effectively – they thrashed England so quickly in Wellington that the game ended before the lights were turned on for the day-night fixture – without resorting to any of the posturing or ‘mental disintegration’ that had started to become a feature of England’s Test cricket in 2013 and 2014, made a big impression.”I massively endorse the way New Zealand play the game,” Morgan said. “Just look at the Test series in New Zealand. You have two fantastic ambassadors for the game – Joe Root and Kane Williamson – playing hard but enjoying the game. Nothing has come close to being controversial. And people have enjoyed watching it.”You can talk about it [playing the right way] all the time, but living it and breathing it is a different thing. You have to recognise when it’s veering too far the wrong way. And it doesn’t stop you winning.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers are back in action this afternoon, as the Old Gold travel to Kenilworth Road to face Luton Town in their sixth fixture of the 2023/24 Premier League season.

In their previous game, Gary O’Neil’s side lost 3-1 to Liverpool in what was an impressive first-half display before the Reds hit top form and the hosts' hard work was undone.

With just one win on the board so far for the Midlands club, it’s imperative that they take their chances against Luton, who are the only team remaining in the league without a single point.

The Hatters have had a tough start to life in the top flight, form that Wolves must exploit in order to begin to work their way up the table after an equally as disappointing start.

What is the latest Wolves team news?

Speaking ahead of the game, O’Neil revealed that he expects Rayan Ait-Nouri to feature against Luton, despite leaving the pitch during the Liverpool defeat limping.

The Algerian had an impressive game against the Merseyside outfit, and could be a useful player for Wolves to have fit against today's opponents due to his devastating link-up play with Pedro Neto.

Playing 90 minutes against Jurgen Klopp’s side, the 23-year-old continued his impressive form this season with an assist, earning himself a 7.4 Sofascore ranking, higher than anyone else in his team on the day.

The Portuguese ace continually threatened Liverpool’s defence with his searing pace and ball-carrying skills, as highlighted by him completing four out of six of his dribble attempts in the game.

While Neto could hurt Luton from the wide areas, he wasn’t the only player that stood out for the Old Gold against the Merseysiders, with one player showing he has all the tools to leave Rob Edwards’ side with another upset to swallow.

How did Jean-Ricner Bellegarde play against Liverpool?

After signing for Wolves on deadline day from Strasbourg for £12.8m, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde was handed his Premier League debut against the Reds at his new home last weekend.

Lauded as being “incredibly direct and uncomplicated” when in possession by The Athletic’s Thom Harris, the 25-year-old maintained an 85% passing accuracy rate in central attacking midfield against Liverpool’s high-profile personnel.

As per Sofascore, the £35k-per-week Frenchman recorded one key pass and attempted five dribbles in the middle of the park, showing energy and skill that could damage this afternoon’s opposition if he’s given the room to roam.

Prior to his move to the Midlands, Bellegarde was in fine form for Strasbourg, having claimed two goals and two assists in just three appearances in the 2023/24 Ligue 1 season.

His numbers in his homeland reinforce just how dangerous he can be in the final third, supported by his general gameplay against Jurgen Klopp's men on his first appearance, having done "very well" on the day – according to his manager.

After a difficult start to this season, this afternoon could be the perfect opportunity for O’Neil’s side to build some form, against a Luton squad that looks far from being at the level required to compete in the top-flight.

With Neto and Bellegard in tow, Wolves' hopes of victory are only set to be bolstered even further…

Cricket Australia has said it is up to the on-field umpires and the match referee to decide upon the future course of action with regard to the incident

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Mar-2018Following an off-field altercation between David Warner and Quinton de Kock on the fourth day in Durban, Cricket Australia has said it is up to the on-field umpires and the match referee to decide upon the future course of action with regard to the incidentCA had said early on Monday morning – the fifth day of the Test – that it would investigate the incident, which was caught on CCTV and first aired by South African outlet . “The incident was discussed between the two team managers and the match referee last night and it is now in the hands of the on field umpires and the match referee,” CA said later on Monday. “Both teams were reminded by the match referee of the spirit in which the game should be played.”The footage shows Warner being moved away from the incident by team-mates, including captain Steven Smith, after walking up the steps during the tea interval on the fourth day.Australia had managed just one wicket between lunch and tea with de Kock and Aiden Markram forging a partnership that would threaten to take South Africa close to their 417-run target before Australia struck back late in the day.In the video, Warner’s anger is directed at de Kock, who is following the Australians up the steps. At the start of the clip, the Australian players first up the stairs are seen peering back over the handrails then Warner emerges around the corner and is already involved in a heated exchange.He is ushered up the steps by Usman Khawaja but does not immediately enter the away dressing room, even though Tim Paine also urges him to move and go inside. Smith then drags his vice-captain away as de Kock squeezes past into his dressing room. There was no indication from the footage what started the incident.South Africa team manager Mohammed Moosajee said: “It’s rather unfortunate that the incident took place and certainly not in the spirit of the game. The match referee has spoken to us after the day’s play. We will await any further communication from the ICC around this incident.”Warner’s behaviour came under the spotlight earlier on the fourth day when he ran out AB de Villiers after a mix-up with Markram with him then yelling in Markram’s direction during the celebration. Warner was not charged for that incident, but Nathan Lyon was, because the bowler had dropped the ball in de Villiers’ vicinity.