Man Utd now working on replacing Amorim with “fantastic” Premier League manager

Manchester United are now reportedly working on replacing Ruben Amorim with one Premier League manager now emerging as an early frontrunner.

Gary Neville: Amorim "complicated" Wolves draw

Man United’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers would have felt all too predictable for those inside Old Trafford on Tuesday night. For many, it came as a shock. Wolves picked up just their third point of the season, after all. For onwatching fans, as the Red Devils reverted back to their 3-4-2-1 system, it was an all too familiar feeling.

It seemed as though Amorim had finally cracked the code when he admitted the necessity of a system change with the current crop of players at his disposal, but it was back to square one against Wolves.

Like many, Gary Neville was left baffled by the change and said on his Sky Sports podcast: “He doesn’t need to say ‘I haven’t changed because of the media’ because then he’s telling us basically that the media is in his head.

“The reason he’s had to change is because the performance levels with the 3-4-3 have been so poor and the results have been appalling.

“When I see that we go back [to three at the back] after five minutes tonight and I’m thinking, no, Ruben, why have you done that?

“The manager has to look at that and think, I got that wrong. I complicated it.”

UCL club now prioritising January move to sign £120,000-a-week Man United ace

The Red Devils could cash in.

ByTom Cunningham

INEOS have continued to back their man, but there’s no denying the embarrassment of Man United’s struggles against a Wolves side destined for relegation at Old Trafford.

It has done nothing for the pressure on Amorim to turn a permanent corner and reports are now claiming that INEOS are working on finding his replacement.

Man United working on Oliver Glasner move

According to Caught Offside, INEOS are now working on a move to appoint Oliver Glasner to replace Amorim and have discussed the Crystal Palace manager internally.

An early frontrunner to land the job, Glasner is on course to become a free agent in the summer when his current Crystal Palace contract expires and there are currently no signs that he’ll be signing an extension in South London.

But would Glasner solve Man United’s problems? INEOS reportedly see the Austrian as a safe pair of hands, yet his system uses the same formation as Amorim’s.

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Dubbed “fantastic” by Clinton Morrison, Glasner has preferred to use a 3-4-2-1 at Crystal Palace and whilst he has shown his ability to adapt at other clubs, questions will be asked if Man United turn towards another back three manager.

2026 will be a crucial year for Amorim’s tenure. He’s been backed in the transfer market and has the trust of INEOS, but that won’t last forever if results such as the draw against Wolves continue to arrive.

Collingwood rues fielding lapses

Flashpoint: Kevin Pietersen’s dismissal undermined England’s run-chase © Getty Images

Paul Collingwood put the blame for England’s 19-run defeat against SouthAfrica at Newlands on their poor fielding rather than the crucial, andslightly controversial, run-out of Kevin Pietersen. With Englandchasing 155, Pietersen was dismissed after colliding with ShaunPollock as he attempted a quick single.”He [Pietersen] was looking at the fielder and the ball and Pollock,whether he meant it or not, got in his way,” explained Collingwood.”He would have got in very easily and that was a bit of bad luck wehad tonight, but even with that we still should have knocked thoseruns off.”Collingwood then suggested that the third umpire could have givenPietersen not out, even though it isn’t within his remit. “Sometimesyou think common sense would prevail and maybe the third umpire wouldgive him not out.”If that’s something that has to be put into the rules regardingdecisions like that I’m not too sure. I don’t want to make it a bigissue. It was the third umpire’s decision and he has to make thatquick decision.”Graeme Smith had no issues with the dismissal: “If I felt Shaun did iton purpose I would have called KP back but he was trying to get backto the stumps. It’s a big pitch out there and Kevin ran straight athim in the middle of the wicket.”Collingwood said it was England’s shoddy catching which let SouthAfrica off the hook after they had been reduced to 94 for 6. At leastsix chances went down, the most costly of which came when Albie Morkelwas on 14. Collingwood, back peddling from midwicket, couldn’t get a hand to a steepling top-edge and it appeared a more comfortable chance for OwaisShah running in from long-on.”It was very noisy out there and I wasn’t sure whether Owais had heardmy call because I saw him out of the corner of my eye,” saidCollingwood. “I don’t think our ground fielding was too bad, it wasthe catches and it was very costly in the end. It is something we haveto look at. I can hold my hands up on that one and we could haveprobably bowled South Africa out for maybe 130.”If they’d have got a score like that it would have put them out ofthe game – saying that I think we’d have still taken 154 at the startof the day and we were disappointed we didn’t knock them off.”

Lancashire sound out Murali

Muttiah Muralitharan could be heading back to Old Trafford this season © Getty Images

The Championship season could be set for a grandstand finale between the world’s two best spinners after Lancashire hinted that they are sounding out Muttiah Muralitharan for a short end-of-season stint.Cricinfo sources have confirmed that Muralitharan was approached about a return but also said that it was unlikely to happen. After the current triangular series also involving South Africa and India, he is keen to rest ahead of the Champions Trophy.The final round of Championship matches pits Lancashire, currently top, with Hampshire, currently third, in a potential title decider. If Muralitharan returns to Lancashire, he could face Shane Warne in a Rose Bowl head-to-head.Muralitharan has taken 152 wickets during his previous stints at Old Trafford, but any return is dependent on Cricket Australia’s ruling over Brad Hodge, Lancashire main overseas signing for this season. Hodge picked up a neck injury during the Top End series last month, but is still set to take part in Australia’s pre-summer training camp in Queensland.If the Australian board rule Hodge fit, but decided to rest him, Lancashire might be allowed a replacement depending on how the ECB read the situation, which would open the door for Muralitharan. However, if Hodge is still sidelined due to an official injury, ECB rules wouldn’t allow a direct replacement.Jim Cumbes, the Lancashire chief executive, told the : “We are waiting to hear from Brad and Cricket Australia. If he is still injured, we can’t replace him, but if they decide he is fit but needs rest, we may look to bring someone in.”Murali is certainly in the frame, but it depends on which area of the side coach Mike Watkinson feels we need to address. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mike has asked him if he is available.”

Pietersen ready for his toughest Test

Kevin Pietersen: ‘I’ve always said I want to challenge myself against the best’ © Getty Images

Kevin Pietersen has not backed away from any of the challenges that have been thrown his way during his dramatic start to international cricket – from playing in front of a baying crowd at Johannesburg to blasting England over the winning line against Australia – and he is now ready for the ultimate challenge: his Test debut at Lord’s on Thursday.”I’ve always said I want to challenge myself against the best and see where I stand.” Pietersen said during England’s pre-series press gathering in London. “I played OK against them in the one-dayers and it’s just a case of going out there. It will be good to see how I stand up against them.”He has no regrets that he starts against Australia, despite missing out on some stress-free runs against Bangladesh. “It may have been easier to get a hundred against somebody else but you don’t know where you are,” he said. “To get one against Australia would be extra special.”I’ve been through two tough experiences, in South Africa and now I’ve been chucked in against Australia in one-day cricket. It might have been easier going in against someone else but I look forward to the challenge. They are a great side with great players and are over here to do a job. They will probably come harder at me now because of what I did against them in the one-dayers. That will obviously be a bigger challenge for me and hopefully I can conquer the challenge.”The Australians have already focused on Pietersen and feel they have gained useful insights during the one-day series. John Buchanan, the Australia coach, told Cricinfo that he could see a clear weakness in his game. “Look, Pietersen is obviously integral in one-day cricket, but we’ve no doubt he’s a very poor starter and that gives us one or two areas to work with,” he said.”The one-day arena seems to suit his style of play, and I haven’t really seen him in the longer form of the game but, I suppose, he has longer to play and stay at the wicket and time to score more runs as well. He is certainly one of those confidence players and he wants to take on Australia. The England selectors have given him his chance.”Pietersen was the centre of attention at England’s team hotel and his friendship with Shane Warne – after their time at Hampshire – has created much interest about what Pietersen might be able to tell his team-mates. But he insists he has no magic formula for facing Warne, who has taken 132 wickets in 26 Ashes Tests: “I don’t know which is the best way to play him, you should probably ring Sachin Tendulkar or Brian Lara if you want to find that out, not me. I’ve watched Warney a bit, I know how he looks to take wickets, he was pretty open with me because he’s a mate of mine. That isn’t to say that it won’t pitch in the rough and knock the top of off stump, it’s a funny game this Test cricket, anything can happen.”However, he did say that he would be happy to pass on any bits of information if he is asked and has no doubt that Warne will be filling in any blanks the Australians have about him. “I’ll be offering some sort of advice if people ask me. He will probably do the same because he is looking to get me out, he is looking to win the Ashes, but hopefully I’m not going to let him do it.”Warne has openly said how he would like to claim Pietersen as his 600th Test wicket – he currently has 583 – and Pietersen admits it could be a bit strange when he faces up to him, especially as Warne is not shy of having a chirp at the batsmen. “I don’t know what it will be like,” he said. “When I faced him last month for Hampshire [in England’s one-day warm-up match] it was pretty funny but I tried not to see the funny side because I was trying to get the job done as we were in a bit of trouble. It will be fun, I’m looking forward to it, and it will be enjoyable.”While Pietersen will be battling on the field with Warne and the rest of Australia’s attack he believes what happens off the field – in the stands – can have a huge bearing on the outcome of the series. “If the crowd can get behind us from the first ball and replicate what the Rose Bowl crowd did [during the Twenty20 international] it would be fantastic. It will pick the boys up, not that I’m saying they won’t be up for the Test, it will be massive, but if the crowd can get behind the players and give them stick from ball one it would be brilliant.”But he added that he is not going to get drawn into a sledging war and believes England have to concentrate on playing tough cricket. “Who am I to start abusing these blokes, they are a great side, we are out to play hard, tough cricket to make sure that we stand up and be counted and are not bullied,” he said. “That is how we play and that’s how we are going to go about it. There is no point just going up and verbally abusing them because I don’t think that will get to them anyway. It is just a case of play good, positive cricket.”

Ntini goes on Ugandan safari

Makhaya Ntini will be travelling to Uganda this weekend as part of South Africa’s 10 years of democracy celebrations. Ntini was invited to join Hoosain Ayob, ICC-Africa Regional development manager, to join in the festivities of the 10 years of cricket development by the Uganda Cricket Association.Ntini will tonight attend a gala dinner with Ugandan cricket stakeholders as well as members of the Southern African business community. On Saturday he will visit Kings College Budo, the oldest cricketing school in the country, to experience first-hand the talents and skill of young Ugandan cricketers.”As far as we are concerned it’s a major scoop to have Makhaya in ourmidst, said Ayob. “His presence alone will go a long way instrengthening the development programme in Uganda”.Before returning home on Sunday, Ntini will watch a match hosted by UCA between members of the South African community and a UCA’s Chairman’s XI.”I am grateful to be part of the enjoyment," said Ntini, "And I look forward to sharing with my Ugandan counterparts my experience of international cricket."

2nd Metropolitan Cup – Final

After a tie in their last meeting the stage was set for an explosive climax to the Metropolitan cup in Sunday’s final between La Dehesa and Las Condes.Las Condes was hoping to repeat last year victory, but La Dehesa had been unbeaten all season and had other ideas.Unfortunately for Las Condes, the die was cast in La Dehesa’s favour before a ball had been bowled with only 9 players able to play on the day.But Las Condes captain Marriott won the toss and decided to bat, hoping the old adage of putting some numbers on the board first would work in his favour.However, La Dehesa’s bowlers made life difficult for the Las Condes openers. Wily spinner Adams frustrated Wollocombe into a rash shot in the fifth over that was easily caught by Harvey.McGovern’s fast bowling from the other end kept the batsmen off their guard and he was rewarded for his efforts the next over with the wicket of Hickman who missed a straight delivery.At 12 for 2 it looked as if lunch would be served sooner than expected, but Paul ‘Wonder Boy’ Hollis had other ideas and he kept Las Condes’ hopes alive with a solid innings of 71 that included several well timed drives for four.At the other end Las Condes batsmen came and went without ever settling in long enough to provide Hollis with any real support. Walker was out LBW to a quick straight delivery from Khaalid, and Messner was out in the same fashion.Mouton attempted to hook a short delivery from Dowling and deflected the ball onto his chin. Not to be kept off the pitch, however, Mouton was back after receiving medical attention and scored 13 before being caught & bowled by McGovern.That left Las Condes capitan Marriott and Dawson to hold up the Las Condes tail, but Dawson was stumped by some quick thinking from La Dehesa keeper Larsson and Marriott was clean bowled by Brink going for a slog.After lunch, La Dehesa was set the modest target of 153 to win. Messner opened the bowling with a head of steam and quickly earned the wicket of opener Dowling in the second over with a fast delivery that kept low.But La Dehesa capitan Phillips was solid as a rock expect for several LBW decisions that luckily for La Dehesa went his way. Phillips was well supported by first drop McGovern, who showed once again that he is truly a batsman of class.Together they put on a slow-scoring partnership of 34, before McGovern was bowled by Mouton on 19 in the 17th over. That brought Khaalid Mooradd to the crease. The South African native needed hardly an over before he had his eye in and started dispatching the Las Condes bowlers all over the ground.Khaalid has not had much of a chance to show his talent after arriving in Chile late this season, but he certainly made up for lost time on Sunday with a splendid innings of 64 including one glorious six over the bowler’s head and almost through the clubhouse windows.Khaalid was given out LBW to Messner but by then La Dehesa only needed one run to win in the 39th over, and Phillips wasted no time scoring the winning run off Mouton and ending his captain’s innings of 59 not out.When it was all said and done, La Dehesa’s strong bowling attack was able to keep Las Condes from putting together a truly competitive total, and with La Dehesa’s deep batting line-up, the outcome of the game was never really in doubt.After team pictures, and a pause to super-glue the bat back on the trophy, Marriott presented Phillips with the Metropolitan Cup, which will remain in his safe hands, until next year at least.The Metropolitan Cup final caps an extraordinary season for Chilean cricket that included a second place finish in the South American Championships held in Argentina, and a developing youth cricket program.The 2003-2004 season is sure to showcase the talents of Chile’s emerging young cricketers as well as another exciting Metropolitan Cup.¡Viva Chile!

Weakened champions may slip at strong B.A.T.Sports in week 7

Title holders Havant fear their unbeaten Southern Electric ECB Premier League record could go when they send a weakened team to face third-placed BAT Sports at Southern Gardens tomorrow, 11.30am.The defending champions, who won all five 50-over games before being held to a draw by Calmore Sports last week, travel to Totton minus four key players.In-form Andy Perry, who hit an unbeaten 160 in the Calmore statemate, is ruled out with back trouble, while leading wicket-taker Phil Loat is out of the country playing golf.Also missing are Luke Sears and medium-pace bowler Mark Copping. “It’s a worry,” confesses skipper Paul Gover, who plans to move himself up the batting order.”These are four main players and to have them all missing at once is a recipe for trouble.”Nonetheless, Havant call up four more than adequate replacements in Army all-rounder Steve Hole, Matthew Ward, Graham Benton and Gover’s younger brother Matt, whose fielding is sure to have an effect on the champions’ out-cricket.BAT, meanwhile, are quietly confident they can be the first team to lower Havant’s sails.They field an unchanged side, with Australian all-rounder Dave Carson showing glimpses of a return to form after back-to-back half-centuries in his past two knocks.South Wilts skipper Russell Rowe, who has already scored over 500 runs this season, aims to notch yet another century as the Salisbury club entertain Bournemouth at Lower Bemerton.Rowe completed a glorious hat-trick of hundreds with an undefeated 170 at Liphook & Ripsley.Newly-wed Jamie Glasson, his long-term opening partner, makes his first appearance of the season tomorrow, but Dorset’s Tim Lamb is out.Ironically, mid-table Bournemouth are experiencing a few run-scoring problems, but Tom Webley’s return should remedy things at the top of the batting order.Provided he comes through Hampshire’s current Second XI Championship match with Kent unscathed, Andy Sexton will return for Bashley (Rydal) against struggling Hungerford at Bashley Common Lane.Sexton missed last week’s seven-wicket over Andover with a damaged finger.Andover, who have sunk to the Premier League basement after a sequence of poor performances, are likely to be unchanged against Calmore Sports at Loperwood Park.Calmore, certain to be without Mark Boston, could have Allan Hurst back after a shoulder injury, but skipper Tommy Pegler is unlikely to finalise his side until this evening.Burridge, who entertain in-form Liphook & Ripsley at Botley Road, expect Hampshire’s James Hamblin to return, while John Francis is set to make his first SPL appearance of the season after a successful term at Loughborough University in which he hit 126 against Leicestershire and 88 off the Nottinghamshire attack.Dave Tiller, who broke his collar bone at Sparsholt last week, will mss Portsmouth’s next six Premier Division 2 matches, but fit-again Ben Nolan returns for the Cove match at St Helen’s, Southsea.Second placed Lymington are unchanged at Easton & Martyr Worthy, where Andy Birch is well again. A bout of `flu meant the influential Easton all-rounder missing his first game in over ten years last weekend.Rob Savage could be a key absentee as Sparsholt visit Old Tauntonians & Romsey, while a breakdown in Trojans’ internal communication system could mean West Indian all-rounder Tim Subnaik missing the game with basement boys Old Basing.Division 3 pace-makers Winchester KS should win easily at lowly Lymington II, but Havant II – depleted by first team calls – have their hands full against New Milton. Alton go to run-shy Leckford.One key tussle in the lower echelons is Flamingos home match with Bashley (Rydal) – neither club being in particularly good batting form.

Bangladesh U-19 cricketer Nihaduzzaman injured in bus crash

Bangladesh Under-19 cricketer Nihaduzzaman was one of nearly 40 individuals to suffer injuries in a bus accident near Sirajganj, about 100 km northwest of Dhaka, in which seven people died. Nihaduzzaman needed 12 stitches to his skull and forehead and said he was released from hospital under the condition of full rest at home in Rajshahi.He was heading back after completing a BCB High Performance training programme in Bogra when the incident happened. The bus, run by Desh Travels, collided with another one, and within seconds a truck rammed into the rear of the Desh Travels bus.Nihaduzzaman said medical help had been scarce and thanked his friend Naeem Islam jnr for making sure he did not lose consciousness until he was put on a bus to Natore, the nearest town in the area. Naeem hurt his leg in the ordeal.”I was bleeding from my forehead and two other places,” Nihaduzzaman told ESPNcricinfo. “Naeem called our physio Moon who told him to make sure that I don’t go unconscious or start to vomit. I was losing a lot of blood but there was nothing in sight, not even a hut.”So I wrapped my head with my T-shirt while Naeem tried to get me into the ambulance. The problem was, seven people had died and more than 40 people were injured so there was not enough room for me in the ambulance. After about two hours we got a bus and were taken to Natore town nearby. I couldn’t find my phone but thankfully Naeem was there. I really needed someone to help me to the bus to Natore.”In Natore, the doctors hurriedly gave me the stitches, but it wasn’t great. I couldn’t blame them since they were only three and we had about 40 people looking for medical attention. I managed to call a friend in Rajshahi, who came quickly and picked me up. I was admitted to Islami hospital in Rajshahi where they re-did my stitches and I was released this afternoon. I am at home now.”While trying to locate him, this reporter spoke to his father who said, “It is Allah’s grace that he is still among us. It was a horrific accident.”Nihaduzzaman said he was feeling better and was out of danger. He will undergo a CT scan and pass on the results to the BCB by Saturday. “I think I have to submit all my medical reports to the BCB. I am not sure if I will be going to Dhaka though. The Rajshahi divisional team’s first National Cricket League (first-class) game is in Rajshahi so I don’t know if I should stay here. The doctors have asked me for rest. I still have pain in my head.”The BCB has offered him full support, and is likely to ask him to come to Dhaka for precautionary measures.

Teams ready to create history

Match facts

November 27-December 1, 2015
Start time 1400 local (0330 GMT)4:32

Ponting: Don’t see a lot change in strategy

Big Picture

Back in 2009, the MCC World Cricket Committee discussed its concerns about the future of Test cricket. “Except for certain icon series, such as the Ashes, Test cricket throughout the world, and in particular the lower-ranked nations, is in very real danger of dying,” the committee said in a blunt statement. It went on to recommend that day-night Test cricket be trialled as a means of keeping the game alive. After six years and countless tweaks to the pink ball, that recommendation is about to come to fruition. One of the sport’s oldest venues, Adelaide Oval, will play host to the newest concept in Test cricket. For the first time in 138 years, a Test match will be played with a ball that is not red. For the first time in 138 years, a Test match will be played at night.It is a significant moment in the history of Test cricket but it also represents a continuation of the evolution of the game. The first Test match was timeless, with four-ball overs and a red ball; Test No.2188 will has a five-day limit, six-ball overs and a pink ball. One of the key mysteries is how the pink ball will perform. Will it swing, and for how long? Will it seam? Will it discolour too quickly? Will the players be able to see it properly in the evening? And will the spectators? Whatever the case, trials at Sheffield Shield level have satisfied Cricket Australia that the Kookaburra pink ball is sound enough to be used in a Test match. There have also been concerted efforts from administrators and groundstaff to ensure a non-abrasive Adelaide Oval pitch to preserve the ball as well as possible.The change has been made largely for fans, so they can watch on TV in prime time or head to the ground after work to catch the second half of the day’s action. But it is the players who must deal with the subtle differences in how the ball will move, and how visible it may be. And the players from Australia and New Zealand do so in this Test with a series on the line. Australia have already done enough to retain the Trans-Tasman Trophy by taking a 1-0 lead after two matches, but New Zealand could yet escape with a second consecutive drawn series in Australia if they win in Adelaide.And as well as being the start of a new era for Test cricket, it is also the dawning of Australia’s post-Johnson period, with Mitchell Johnson’s retirement after the Perth Test altering the look of their attack. His departure also completed a series of retirements during 2015 with Michael Clarke, Ryan Harris, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin and Chris Rogers also having ended their Test careers. Now in the space of five months they have lost 523 Test wickets and 20,323 Test runs of experience. The times they are a changing.

Form guide

Australia: DWWLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
New Zealand: DLWLW

In the spotlight

Mitchell Starc has in the past spoken of his dislike of the pink ball, but his record with it suggests he ought to change his tune. In his only two pink-ball day-night Sheffield Shield games, Starc has collected 15 wickets at 13.80, and notably both of those matches were at Adelaide Oval. The retirement of Mitchell Johnson has left Starc as the clear spearhead of the attack and if his record is any indication, he may begin the post-Johnson era by strengthening that claim even further.With scores of 23, 23, 1 and 17 so far in the Test series, Martin Guptill needs to provide New Zealand with something more. And maybe this is his opportunity. His only two fifty-plus scores of the tour have come in the practice matches in which the pink ball was used. Against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra last month he scored 94 and against the Western Australia XI in Perth he managed 103 before retiring to allow others a chance. Guptill is renowned as a dangerous one-day striker and perhaps the pink ball, which some observers say is more similar to the white ball than it is to the red, might suit him.

Team news

Australia must make at least two changes due to the retirement of Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja’s hamstring injury. Shaun Marsh comes in for Khawaja, with Steven Smith likely to move up to No.3, and Peter Siddle is the probable replacement for Johnson, having been 12th man in the first two Tests. James Pattinson would likely only get a look-in if the selectors were worried about Josh Hazlewood’s workload. Steve O’Keefe has been released from the squad to play in the Sheffield Shield despite his remarkable record with the pink ball – 18 wickets at 18.22 from three day-night Shield games.Australia (possible) 1 Joe Burns, 2 David Warner, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 Adam Voges, 5 Shaun Marsh, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Peter Nevill (wk), 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Peter Siddle, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Nathan LyonAn unchanged New Zealand XI had appeared likely until captain Brendon McCullum hinted at the pre-match press conference that there could be changes. Neil Wagner took five wickets and Mitchell Santner four in the practice match in Perth – where admittedly 13 wickets were taken due to the playing conditions – and might be a chance of playing. Trent Boult bowled without apparent discomfort at training on Wednesday and is expected to play, having struggled with back soreness following the Perth Test.New Zealand (possible) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Tom Latham, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Brendon McCullum (capt), 6 BJ Watling (wk), 7 Mitchell Santner/Mark Craig, 8 Doug Bracewell, 9 Matt Henry/Neil Wagner, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Trent Boult

Pitch and conditions

More grass than usual has been left on the Adelaide Oval pitch in an effort to help prevent rapid deterioration of the pink ball, and that may also mean the ball seams and spins. The lack of abrasiveness will also likely make it hard to extract reverse swing. The forecast for the match is for warm weather and possible rain towards the end of the game.

Stats and trivia

  • Starc’s record with the pink ball is outstanding but so is that of Josh Hazlewood, who in two day-night Shield games has taken nine wickets at 15.44
  • The pink-ball records of Australia’s batsmen vary greatly: the extremes are Steven Smith with an average of 219 from two innings and Joe Burns, who has an average of 9.00 from six innings
  • The second Test in Perth was the fourth-highest scoring Test match of the 400 that have been played in Australia

Quotes

Steven Smith on the idea of day-night Test cricket
Brendon McCullum, the New Zealand captain

South Africa ease to 99-run win

South Africa women 239 for 6 (Brits 46) beat Netherlands women 140 for 9 (Rambaldo 34) by 99 runs
ScorecardSouth Africa’s women eased to a comfortable 99-run win over their Dutch counterparts at the VRA Ground in Amstelveen, thanks to a solid batting performance from their top five, and a disciplined bowling effort in which Sunette Loubser, Lonell de Beer and Susan Benade were the pick with two wickets each.After winning the toss and batting first, South Africa never looked back. Having already got the measure of the Netherlands attack during their Test victory in Rotterdam earlier in the week, they racked up a comfortable 239 for 6, with Cri-Zelda Brits top-scoring with 46.In reply, the Netherlands top-order capitulated, with four of the top six making single-figures. Helmien Rambaldo held the innings together with 34 from 69 balls, but South Africa were never in danger of defeat.

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