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Karnataka were facing the prospect of a crushing defeat at the handsof Kerala in a Ranji Trophy South Zone clash at the Nehru Stadium inKochi. At close the visitors were reeling at 31/4 in their secondknock after the top order caved in abjectly to the Kerala attack.Earlier a century from Sunil Oasis had given the hosts a sizable 129run first innings lead.Having made 30 overnight, the 27 year old Oasis became the firstKerala player to reach the landmark of 2500 runs in the Ranji Trophyearly in the morning. Resuming at 168/3, Kerala lost four men in thefirst session, sliding to 213/7 before Oasis launched an effectiverecovery in the company of the tail. Left arm spinner Santosh Vadiarajhad cleaned up the middle order with three wickets, including two inan over, as the hosts went into lunch at 232/7.No.9 batsman M Suresh Kumar (25) led a charmed life, being droppedtwice in the course of a fifty run partnership with Oasis. After hisdeparture VB Kamaruddin proved to be another difficult customer,adding 66 runs with Oasis for the ninth wicket. Oasis who was droppedon 78 by Akhil at first slip off Vijay Bharadwaj went on to reach hissixth Ranji century in 44 games. He was finally dislodged by VenkateshPrasad for 120 (276 balls, 10 fours, 1 six). Kamaruddin (24) and TinuYohannan (21) took the score to 365 before Kerala skipperAnanthapadmanabhan declared the innings closed.It was Oasis who struck the first blow in Karnataka’s second essay,removing Arun Kumar for 11 in the fourth over. His fellow openingbowler Yohannan trapped Mithun Beerala leg before as the visitorsslumped to 18/2. Left arm spinner Sreekumar Nair then struck two lateblows to take out Barrington Rowland and nightwatchman Vadiaraj insuccessive overs. Vijay Bharadwaj and AR Mahesh were holding theinnings together at close and Karnataka will resume on Saturday with98 still required to avoid an innings defeat.

ScorecardJess Jonassen provided some much-needed impetus to the third day’s play•Getty Images

Barring an unlikely procession of wickets, England will have to dig deep to make history. No one in women’s Test cricket has chased more than the 198 that Australia managed against England at Sydney in 2011. At Canterbury on day three, Australia closed on 90 for 4 and with a lead of 196. For all one could lament England’s lack of intent in their first innings, the same could not be said of their efforts with the ball today.Prior to taking the field, Charlotte Edwards gathered the team around in the dressing room for one of her patented team-talks: sternly outlining the aims of the day, while hammering her fist into her palm and tossing in the odd bit of profanity for good measure. The effect it had on her players was noticeable: they entered the field with great purpose and created a hostile environment through attacking field placings and a good deal of chat.The pre-match rollocking clearly poured gasoline on the fire that already rages within Katherine Brunt. “I’m not one to be cool, calm and collected,” she admitted at stumps.In the 30-minute mini-session that started the day, she bowled an impressive spell of 4-1-9-2, sending down the fastest ball of the match so far – clocking in at 75.5mph – in the process. “Some of the best bowling I’ve faced in my career,” was Australian opener Nicola Bolton’s take on it.Seemingly in a trance as the rest of her teammates chatted amongst themselves prior to their boundary-side huddle, Brunt took the ball from the Nackington Road End for the first time in the match. That end had previously belonged to Anya Shrubsole, who offered her new-ball partner the chance to come down the hill, with the wind behind her. The opportunity was taken with relish, as Brunt began with a wicket maiden.Elyse Vilani was on the receiving end of Brunt’s fury, surviving a few play and misses and an lbw shout before being powerless to stop a ball that decked into her stumps. The very next over, she trapped Meg Lanning lbw for a three-ball duck.While those were the only wickets she took in a day that also featured a three-hour and 15 minute delay for an electrical storm and then an early finish, she also showcased some finesse with an array of cross-seam deliveries and cutters she had picked up from ECB lead fast bowling coach Kevin Shine during their sessions at Lougborough. The work has focused on giving the England quicks new techniques for moving the ball sideways. “I prefer to bowl offcutters to the right-handers and then try and swing it in to the left-handers,” explained Brunt, who feels the work is paying off.Upon returning from the sizeable break, Shrubsole coaxed a moment of negligence from the dangerous, free-scoring Elyse Perry. The first ball back was a wide ball that was cut easily for four. Two balls later, Shrubsole delivered one on a similar line and length that Perry this time snatched at almost as an after-thought, with no footwork, to edge through to Sarah Taylor standing up.At that point, Bolton and Alex Blackwell paid tribute to England’s batting effort yesterday with a tough vigil of their own: a dogged fourth wicket partnership that lasted 109 balls but reaped just 32 runs. While Bolton eventually chipped to Brunt at cover off Kate Cross, who also used the kinder conditions from the Nackington Road End to good effect, Blackwell defended on, eventually seeing the day out with just 15 off 81 balls.When she had just 9 off 59, she inadvertently became a part of history when a video review was used for the first time in a women’s Test match, giving her a reprieve when she thought she had edged to Heather Knight at first slip off Shrubsole. But having made it most of the way off the field, she was urged to stand her ground by the Australian support staff, who had come to the balcony to inform her that the catch was not clean. Upon the consultation of the footage, the umpires agreed that Knight had used the ground, inadvertently, to maintain control of the catch.While Brunt was dismayed by the decision – “I’m English, so I’ll say it was a catch” – the wider context of what occurred, she admitted was not lost on her. “That’s a really positive step forward. It brings fairness into the game.” She went on to advocate the use of DRS in women’s matches. “It’ll cost you quite heavily sometimes, but it’ll be a really positive thing to bring into our game. I’d love to see it.”The first real sign of aggression from Australia came from first innings top-scorer Jess Jonassen, who got off the mark with a sweet push down the ground for two off Cross. She went on to show her class with some timed off and square drives. Off Laura Marsh, she then hit the first six of the match: using her feet to get down the track and striking, while alongside the ball, over the top and straight.It was easy to see a bit of Jonassen’s golfing prowess in the shot, specifically the way she snapped her wrists at the point of impact. As a youngster, she reportedly played off a handicap of 10.Like a lot of batters that come into the Australian side, there is an “apprenticeship” period that needs to be seen through down the order before more lucrative opportunities to score runs up the order are offered. In keeping with this, Jonassen once went through a period of batting just once in 16 consecutive T20 matches. Tomorrow will be her chance to stake her claim for more responsibility, as Australia look for those “record chase” runs. A game dogged by some tepid moments and unfavourable weather is about to come alive.

Dean Jones has said that Ruben Neves may not sign a new contract at Molineux, because he “might have bigger ambitions” than what Wolves have.

What’s been said?

Speaking with Football FanCast, the transfer insider admitted that it may not be so easy for Wolves to just slap a contract on the table for the Portugal international to sign – as he may be searching for Champions League football.

“You have to wonder how far Wolves can actually push, and what their ceiling is; it’s probably going to be Europa League. The player [Neves] might have bigger ambitions. And so when you’re going to sign a new contract, you’ve got to weigh up these factors.”

This comes just days after reports came out that the club were in talks with the midfield wizard, which will surely scare fans once again, after the Daily Mail reported earlier in the month that Barcelona were interested in Neves – who they view as Sergio Busquets future replacement.

Devastating for Wolves fans

Just as hope was beginning to build among the Wolves faithful, this latest update might have just brought them back down to reality and it will feel like a sucker punch – as they will already miss their star man for the next month, as he recovers from a knee injury which will keep him out until at least May.

This season, the former Porto prospect has averaged a 7.20 match rating in the Premier League according to SofaScore, scoring four goals and assisting two more in 28 appearances, maintaining his reputation as one of the top midfielders currently in England.

Among midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues and continental competitions, according to FB Ref, Neves ranks in the top 1% for long passes completed per 90 (14.92), top 3% for cross-field switches per 90 (4.49) and top 6% for passes into the final third per 90 (7.16).

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There aren’t many players capable in the world of replacing the kind of playmaking ability and confidence in possession that the 25-year-old brings to the team, and if the £36m-rated gem does exit this summer, he would leave a huge whole in the Wolves midfield.

In other news: Wolves must finally unleash “intelligent” 19yo who plays like he’s “in the playground”

Ryan Kent would likely be open to joining Leeds United if they triggered the release clause in his Rangers contract. 

That’s according to sports journalist Pete O’Rourke, who was speaking to GiveMeSport.

The lowdown

Kent’s £18,000-per-week deal only has 14 months left to run, which means this summer could be Rangers’ last chance to cash in if he is not going to extend his stay.

It’s believed to contain a release clause of £20million, potentially setting up the most lucrative sale in Rangers’ history. Nathan Patterson, who joined Everton for an initial £12.6million in January, currently holds that record.

Leeds have been long-term admirers of Kent, though the now-sacked Marcelo Bielsa may have been one of the driving forces behind their interest.

The latest

O’Rourke reckons that former Liverpool man Kent may fancy another crack at the Premier League.

If Leeds trigger the clause, then, Rangers may be able to do little to prevent his departure.

“If Leeds were to meet [his release clause], I’m sure it’s something that Ryan Kent would seriously consider, moving back down to England and to the Premier League at this stage of his career,” he said.

The verdict

Rangers may already be resigned to losing the winger and his suitors may see an opportunity that’s too good to turn down this summer.

Indeed, this is a player who’s scored 30 goals and provided 44 assists in 164 appearances for the Gers since he joined, setting up a squad-high 16 this season.

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Kent, who featured in the Scottish Premiership’s official 2020/21 Team of the Year, was called a ‘sensational’ talent by former manager Steven Gerrard.

He did come in for some criticism following Sunday’s Old Firm derby defeat, with Ally McCoist calling one mistimed run ‘inexcusable’, but you’d expect his time at Ibrox to be remembered fondly overall.

In other news, Rangers are eyeing this Championship star. 

Virender Sehwag, the captain of the Delhi Daredevils, praised his bowlers for their part in a comprehensive nine-wicket win over the Rajasthan Royals at the Feroz Shah Kotla yesterday.”It was an easy match for us and credit goes to the bowlers, they made it easy to chase the target,” Sehwag said. “I hope they carry on the good work later in the tournament.”Delhi’s bowlers, led by seamer Farveez Maharoof, who took 2 or 11, restricted Rajasthan to 129 before Gautam Gambhir and Shikhar Dhawan scored unbeaten half-centuries to bring up victory in 15.1 overs. But Sehwag said tougher challenges lay ahead for his side. “It was an easy match, but one-sided matches do happen in Twenty20 cricket. The first two matches of the IPL were high-scoring affairs and we will have to face tougher teams ahead.”Sehwag said his team’s preparations ahead of their match gave them the edge over Rajasthan. “We started practice 10 days before the match and it was our home ground. Moreover, the seniors in the side, including the international stars, helped the youngsters a lot. That clearly paid off.”Meanwhile, Shane Warne, the losing captain, said Rajasthan’s fortunes will change once their foreign recruits join the team after completing their respective international and domestic commitments. “Graeme Smith is joining next week. The Pakistanis – Younis Khan and Kamran Akmal – are joining. The Englishman, Dimitri Mascarenhas, is an exciting player, and he is also joining soon.”So, I am pretty confident that we will give tougher competition to other teams in the tournament,” Warne said, while admitting that the team’s strategy went awry. “It was one of those days when we could not implement our plans and came short of ideas.”Warne also criticised the England board for the not allowing their players to participate in the tournament’s first edition. “It is a shame that exciting players like [Kevin] Pietersen are not playing in the IPL. It is ridiculous of the ECB to stop them.”

Shoaib Akhtar: ‘My own countrymen shunned me, with some even refusing to look at me’ © AFP

Shoaib Akhtar has said that he would always be thankful to Jagmohan Dalmiya, the former ICC and Indian board president, for supporting him when doubts were being raised about his bowling action.”The first time, in 1999-2000, was awful,” said Shoaib, in an Asian News International report, of the suspicions raised at the time. “I’m always going to be thankful to Mr. Jagmohan Dalmiya, the then ICC president, for his support. But, as I said, every controversy has made me a better and stronger person. I may have felt gutted, but the controversies haven’t killed my josh (passion) and desire to play for Pakistan.”Shoaib also said that the doping controversy, during the Champions Trophy last year, was one of the toughest periods in his life. “My own countrymen shunned me, with some even refusing to look at me. It was a terrible period. Everybody’s body mechanism isn’t the same and certain levels are higher in my body compared to others.”My hormone level fluctuates. I didn’t take drugs to enhance my performance. I don’t need to. I don’t know why I was treated so badly. The test didn’t show I was an evil person. I’ve always been misunderstood. I’ve never seen myself bigger than the game.”In an interview with , Shoaib added, “The Court’s decision was a relief. Those times when I was banned were the darkest of my life, as I was in such agony and pain and mental stress. But I have never taken illegal substances, I never did anything wrong.”Surprisingly, given that he didn’t ultimately face any punishment at all, Shoaib blasted the Pakistan board for their handling of the matter. “The way the doping case was handled was stupid and pathetically wrong,” said Shoaib. “They (the PCB) could have saved their country’s respect and a big disaster because the two of us lost our fitness and never ended up going to the World Cup.”The last four years for Pakistan cricket have been ballistic with The Oval fiasco, my doping fiasco, it was too much for Pakistan cricket to handle. Now the Pakistan team is recovering and we would like to do well once again.”

Eldon Wade from Belize, Player of the Tournament © ICC

In an absorbing day of cricket, with fortunes see-sawing at various times, a final flourish from the Belizean bowlers saw the hosts deny a committed Mexican challenge to win by 78 runs, and thus also win the first Central American Cricket Championships.After winning the toss and electing to bat, Belize started steadily thanks to good innings from Conway Young (30) and Pradeep Perera (35), and at 132 for 4 after 22 overs, seemed well set to take their total easily beyond the 200 mark and set Mexico a daunting run-chase.However, the introduction of spin and Gulshan Ahuja dramatically changed the complexion of the game, and 4 wickets fell for 6 runs to leave Belize staggering on 138 for 8. The hosts and favourites picked their way to a final total of 169 all out in the 32nd over, and the Mexicans justifiably felt they had put themselves in a strong position to pull off a stunning upset after their heroics in the field.Ahuja dominated what was a good allround bowling display, finishing with superb figures of 5 for 26 in his 8 overs. With two stumpings, a caught and bowled and two further catches, his guile and deceptive pace and flight certainly mystified the Belize batsmen.In reply, and in search of the Central American title, Mexico started cautiously but still kept the score ticking over to be in a strong position at 65 for 2 in the 20th over, just over a hundred to get in 20 overs with 8 wickets in hand. Opener Jamie Kay (20) and Nick Houston (22) had worked hard to set up an exciting finale.But with the introduction of Belizean seamers Clarence Anthony (5 for 13) and Howell Gillett (3-17) into the attack, the advantage swung one last time, and from 65 for 2 Mexico’s brave challenge was virtually extinguished as they crashed to 68 for 6, with 3 wickets all falling with the score on 68.There was some spirited rearguard action, but eventually Mexico were all out for 91 in the 27th over, and Belize had claimed victory by 78 runs, and thus also the first Central American Cricket Championship.An interesting and entertaining three days of cricket in Belize, and with plans already in place to play the second Central American Championship in Mexico in 2007, the success of the event, and the positive spin-offs it will no doubt provide for cricket development in the Central American region, seem assured.Belizean batsman Eldon Wade was named Player of the Tournament, and the final placings were as follows:1st: Belize
2nd: Mexico
3rd: Costa Rica

Division One

Warwickshire 320 for 5 (Trott 128) v Gloucestershire 254
Scorecard
Jonathan Trott made his first hundred of the season and Ian Bell continued his fine form with a classy 79, as Warwickshire eased into a promising position on the second day at Gloucester. By the close they led by 66 runs with five wickets remaining, after cashing in on an attack lacking the services of Jon Lewis, who is away on England duty. The innings didn’t start so promisingly, as both openers, Nick Knight and Michael Powell, fell cheaply, but Trott and Bell made amends with a third-wicket stand of 151. Alex Loudon chipped in with 47 to take Warwickshire into the lead, although their day was spoiled slightly when both he and Trott fell in quick succession late in the day, to the spin pairing of Upul Chandana and Ian Fisher.
Scorecard
Middlesex batted throughout the final day at Lord’s to draw with Surrey. For a full report see Match of the Day.

Division Two

Scorecard
Matthew Hoggard struck an unbeaten 64 as Yorkshire clung on for the draw at Headingley. With nearly three hours’ play remaining, Yorkshire had just two wickets left, but they stood firm, losing just one wicket in the process as they snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat. When the final over of the compulsory last 15 finished the Yorkshire players roared with delight … only to realise that as Lancashire had got through their overs so quickly, there was time for one more. When that was safely negotiated, the celebrations started again. Lancashire added 46 in the morning: Mark Chilton allowing Stuart Law to make his fifty before declaring with Yorkshire left to chase an unlikely 382. and nearly three sessions to defend. And they were soon in trouble at 24 for 3, James Anderson striking twice. He finished with 7 for 166. But just as the visitors were turning the screw, Ian Harvey and Craig White set about saving the match for Yorkshire, with a stand of 76. After they fell within four runs of each other, Ian Dawood went soon after and Lancashire were scenting victory. But Phil Jaques and Richard Dawson threatened to ruin Lancashire’s party with a seventh-wicket stand of 68. And another late partnership – of 45 between Dawson and Matthew Hoggard for the ninth wicket – boosted Yorkshire and they clung on, with Deon Kruis also unbeaten on 13.
Scorecard
Worcestershire made quick work of finishing off matters against Somerset on the final day at Bath. Somerset lost Andrew Caddick early, with just one run added to their overnight total of 151 for 9, and Stephen Moore hunted down the runs in fine style, with an unbeaten 66 from 75 balls. Neither was Ben Smith hanging around – he rattled up 41 not out from 39 balls. Worcestershire did lose two wickets in pursuit of victory – Simon Davies made 1 and Graeme Hick 17, each falling to Caddick – but the result was a formality.Durham 505 beat Essex 106 and 380 (Adams 103, Davies 5-86) by an innings and 19 runs
Essex put up a much better fight than they had shown in their first innings, but they were still powerless to prevent Durham from storming to their fifth victory of the season. Having followed on a massive 399 runs in arrears, Essex resumed on a ropey 12 for 1 overnight, and when Alistair Cook fell for the addition of just two runs, it seemed as though they might struggle to surpass their first-innings 106. Dale Steyn, however, had other plans. Sent in as a nightwatchman, he displayed an unheralded stickability and glued the top-order together with a career-best 82 – had he made just another three runs, he would have doubled his career tally. But he and Andy Flower both fell with the score on 146, whereupon James Foster came in to shore up the remainder of the innings with a deadpan 78. At 202 for 7, Essex were already dead in the water, so Andre Adams decided to have some fun, belting 103 – his second first-class century – from just 78 balls. Essex came close to avoiding an innings defeat, but the gulf between first and second in this division is yawning.

Sri Lanka have picked four specialist spinners in a 15-man squad for the first two one-day internationals against Australia. The squad included two changes from Sri Lanka’s last one-day series, against England last November.Kaushal Lokuarachchi, a 21-year-old legspinner, was recalled for the first time after completing a four-month disciplinary ban. Lokuarachchi, who has played in five one-dayers, was banned after a fatal late-night car accident last year.Saman Jayantha, an explosive opening batsman who also bowls offspin, won a place in the national squad for the first time. Jayanatha starred for Sri Lanka during last year’s Hong Kong Sixes, winning the Man of the Tournament award, and also impressed with good performances for his club, province and the A team during recent months.Dinusha Fernando, who opened the bowling with Chaminda Vaas against England at Dambulla and took two wickets on what was his international debut, has been dropped after a loss of form and confidence in recent domestic tournaments. Chamara Silva, a batsman, was the other player to be left out.Sri Lanka are set to go into the first game with three specialist spinners: Muttiah Muralitharan, Upul Chandana and Kumar Dharmasena. The bone-dry pitch is expected to offer assistance to the slow bowlers. Lokuarachchi, Jayantha, Russel Arnold and Nuwan Zoysa are the players most likely to be left out of the final XI.Squad Marvan Atapattu (capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Romesh Kaluwitharana (wk), Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Dharmasena, Nuwan Kulasekara, Saman Jayantha, Russel Arnold, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Nuwan Zoysa

The Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, David Morgan, and England’s senior player, Alec Stewart, today confirmed that England’s players will back the ECB’s decision to play their World Cup match in Zimbabwe.Morgan himself has been in constant touch with the England camp over the controversy, and has sought the views of both the captain Nasser Hussain and coach Duncan Fletcher.”The decision yesterday was one that I had – along with Tim Lamb and Mike Soper – recommended to the management board and they were unanimous in their support and reaction,” said Morgan.”We should continue to attempt to fulfil commitments to the World Cup by playing in Harare. The players have made it very clear, as have the management, that they are prepared to follow ECB instructions in this case.”Providing there is no further deterioration in the safety and security issue then we can fully expect to be playing in Zimbabwe.”The ECB’s decision to resist Government pressure to boycott the match has also received the backing of the Professional Cricketers’ Association.Members of England’s World Cup squad have been gathering information about the situation in Zimbabwe, and today their views were voiced by wicket-keeper Alec Stewart.”We should discuss it,” Stewart said. “Because we are cricketers it doesn’t mean we don’t know what goes on in the outside world. It’s like the India situation last year over security when the players discussed whether they would go or not.”But we still take guidance from the ECB management board. We have bosses above us that have dealt with the Government and they are the ones who know what is going on. If the Government steps in and puts sanctions on Zimbabwe then I am sure that will change.”Stewart added that he believed the ECB’s chief executive, Tim Lamb, had been put into a difficult position by the Government.”I’d say he’s handled himself and the ECB situation very well,” added Stewart. “He’s obviously had high-powered meetings with the Government, and they have been, using his words I think, ‘less than supportive’ and backed him into a corner.”The ECB came under belated pressure from ministers to boycott the game over Christmas, after the International Development Secretary Clare Short voiced initial opposition to the match.The Government also ruled out compensation in return for the game’s abandonment, and Morgan added that there were other issues to consider.”It is not just money the ECB stands to lose but the unity of world cricket is at stake,” he told the BBC. “Yesterday’s decision goes a long way to preserving the unity of world cricket.”It isn’t cricket’s job to make moral judgements. We have a commitment to play a World Cup match in Zimbabwe and providing it is safe for cricketers and administrators to travel, and it is, we have to fulfil that commitment.”We have great sympathy for the plight of people in Zimbabwe but also sympathy for cricket worldwide and cricket in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Cricket Union would feel terribly let down if we fail to fulfil the commitment of playing a World Cup match there.”Meanwhile the BBC cricket reporter, Pat Murphy, has taken a personal decision not to travel to next month’s match.Murphy, who is covering England’s one-day games in Australia, said: “This is not an issue of safety for me, it is a matter of personal morality. I think it reflects well on the maturity of the BBC that they allow me to reflect such freedom of conscience.”This is something that has bothered me for some time and it is a personal and private decision. I don’t make any criticism of my colleagues who choose to travel. I wish them well.”