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Real Betis could struggle to seal a deal to sign Antony back, with Manchester United wanting to sell him permanently.

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Real Betis want to sign Antony backNot straightforward deal to doUnited want to sell permanentlyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

report that the Spanish club are hoping to strike a deal to land the winger on loan with a £35 million ($47m) option to buy him in the future, after a very successful loan spell there in the second half of last season. That may not work for United, though, who want a permanent sale.

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Antony had a dreadful time of things in the Premier League, signing for £86m ($117m) but scoring just 12 goals in 96 appearances at Old Trafford. He has improved hugely in Spain, though, proving a real hit with the Conference League final losers.

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Antony scored nine goals and assisted five in 26 appearances for Real Betis. Upon departing the club, for now, Antony said: "When I arrived here, I didn't know what to expect. It was like coming home, like reconnecting with a part of me I thought I'd lost. With you, I smiled again. With you, I became that kid again. The one who loved football with all my heart. With you, football became love again. True love."

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Betis are not the only club keen on the Brazilian, who Erik ten Hag would like to sign again for Bayer Leverkusen. He has also been linked with Juventus.

The Argentine superstar did it again, as he scored the game-winner for Miami in a huge victory to put them in pole-position for the knockouts

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami pulled off a remarkable two-goal comeback to defeat Portuguese giants FC Porto in the FIFA Club World Cup Thursday afternoon, 2-1, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner scored the winner, a remarkable free kick in the 54th minute, to secure all three points and move the on to four points through two games in the 32-team competition in the United States.

Porto opened the scoring early, with Spain international Samu Aghehowa sinking home from the penalty spot just eight minutes in after Miami defender Noah Allen committed a sloppy tackle in the box that brought Joao Mario down, and the Portuguese side were awarded an early spot kick. They followed it with a near-dominant performance through the halftime whistle, but were never able to capitalize with a second goal – which ultimately proved to be their downfall.

Miami came out of the halftime break reinvigorated with fire in their eyes, and they earned a goal back just two minutes into action.

Winger Telasco Segovia smashed home a splendid half-volley off a cross from Marcelo Weigandt, bringing the two sides level with over 40 minutes left in the match. Then, however, Porto committed a silly foul on the edge of their box just seven minutes later, allowing Messi to double the lead from a dead-ball situation, and that's exactly what the Argentine did.

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His trademark left foot curled the ball over the all and into the back of the net, and the 37-year-old was immediately swarmed by his teammates, and those in attendance shouted his name from the stands.

With a one-goal lead with 35 minutes to spare, the had a newfound confidence, and they rode that wave until the final whistle sounded to give them all three points in a crucial Club World Cup victory.

With the result, they sit second in Group A, level on points with Brazilian side Palmeiras, whom they play on Matchday 3 in their Group Stage finale.

GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from Mercedes-Benz Stadium…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defense

Oscar Ustari (7/10):

Got a hand on the penalty kick attempt, but couldn't keep it out. Otherwise, really solid, including one big save in stoppage time.

Noah Allen (5/10):

Started really shaky, giving away an early penalty kick. After he recovered well, but often found himself struggling in 1v1 situations and failing to keep up with the pace of Porto's attack.

Maxi Falcon (7/10):

Had a near-perfect game for Miami. He was a huge contributor to them keeping a clean sheet in the second half and was defensively sound all game long.

Ian Fray (7/10):

Really, really smart performance. He kept Samu quiet most of the evening and fought off a technical Rodrigo Mora at the same time. Well done.

Marcelo Weigandt (7/10):

Fantastic assist, and relatively solid defensively. Unfortunately, he appeared to suffer a hip injury that forced him off in the second half.

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Tadeo Allende (5/10):

Not a flashy game by any means, but he did what he needed to stretch the pitch. Relatively solid.

Benjamin Cremaschi (7/10):

Such a special player. The 20-year-old played a box-to-box role that saw him provide the legs and size necessary to compete with Porto's midfield, while being the perfect complement to Suarez and Messi.

Sergio Busquets (8/10):

Turned the clock back to 2015 as the lone true defensive midfielder on the pitch. Absolutely sublime in controlling the tempo and operating the center of the park for their transition-based game.

Telasco Segovia (8/10)

What a half-volley from the 22-year-old to get Miami back into the game. He didn't have the best of games full-circle, but that moment was all he needed to make an impact. Exactly what the needed.

AFPAttack

Luis Suarez(6/10):

He had moments where he dropped into a deeper role and played those around him well, but he struggled to be the No. 9 they needed in the box. Not his best.

Lionel Messi (9/10):

Absolutely world-class from the Argentine star; what a fantastic free kick. He was Miami's best player on the day, and when they needed him most, he showed up.

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Jordi Alba (N/A):

Introduced with 11 minutes left, helped maintain the result.

Federico Redondo (6/10):

Subbed on with 20 minutes to spare to close out the match.

Tomas Aviles (6/10):

Brought on with roughly 30 minutes to spare, and was relatively solid, but had a few questionable moments.

Fafa Picault (N/A):

Subbed on late, closed out the game.

Javier Mascherano (6/10):

The tale of two halves, whatever Mascherano said at halftime, it worked. The had a tough first half, struggling to keep up with the tempo and strength of Porto, but some small tweaks at the break completely opened up the game. Mascherano should be thrilled with the performance overall. On course for the knockouts.

Originals struggle to 107 for 5 before being swept aside with 36 deliveries to spare

ECB Reporters Network17-Aug-2023After winning only one of their first five matches, Trent Rockets kept their hopes of a top-three finish in the Women’s Hundred just about alive with a thumping nine-wicket victory over Manchester Originals, chasing down a modest target of 108 with a massive 36 balls to spare.Lizelle Lee combined power and placement, hitting 44 not out from 27 balls with six fours and two sixes, sharing an opening stand of 60 in 36 balls with Bryony Smith (28 off 19) before skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt showed her class with an unbeaten 33 off 18.Deandra Dottin made 30 from 26 for the Originals, adding 40 for the third wicket with Laura Wolvaardt (23 from 31) before Amanda Jade-Wellington added 22 from 19 at the end of the innings but 107 for 5 always looked under par.Originals are not mathematically out of contention but, in truth, neither side is likely to be involved in the two games that will decide the tournament.Originals made an unconvincing start after opting to bat first and never recovered, losing Emma Lamb and Fi Morris for 15 in the first 22 balls.Lamb caught at short fine leg on the scoop as Katherine Sciver-Brunt, plainly still troubled by the hip injury that sidelined her for the last two games and coming in off a short run, claimed the first wicket of what is set to be her last tournament. Morris hit Alexa Stonehouse straight to the fielder at mid-off.With spinners Kirstie Gordon and Alana King stalling the Originals in their attempts to accelerate the visitors had much to do to post a defendable total at 47 for 2 from 50.With pressure mounting, Wolvaardt – missed by keeper Lee off King on 16 – was stumped as Gordon darted one in flatter and the dangerous Dottin, put down on 28 by the normally reliable Jo Gardner, holed out to deep midwicket with only two added to her score.Originals skipper Sophie Ecclestone, running on Wellington’s reverse sweep, was beaten by Gordon’s throw from point, leaving her side floundering at 72 for 5 from 77. Katie George joined Wellington in an enterprising finale that realised another 35 from 23 balls.Yet Rockets always fancied their chances chasing 108 to win, a target that quickly looked a formality as Smith and Lee piled on 49 in the powerplay, Smith hugely impressive with six boundaries, swept, pulled or hammered through cover, Lee chipping in with four. One sequence of 11 deliveries saw nine balls go to the rope, with no bowler spared.A top edge off Ecclestone, whom she had hit for three boundaries in the England left-armer’s opening set, saw Smith caught at short fine leg but her departure simply ushered in Nat Sciver-Brunt to show off her skills with five boundaries and finish the job in rapid time.

Manchester City's Kyle Walker and wife Annie Kilner have jetted out for a holiday in Ibiza, linking up with Riyad Mahrez and his partner Taylor Ward.

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Walker and Kilner back togetherMarriage had been on rocksCouple enjoy sunshine break in IbizaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Manchester City star has splashed out on a second summer holiday with wife Kilner after the couple managed to reconcile after a difficult 18 months. Walker has already taken his family to the United States this summer and has now whisked Kilner off to Ibiza to spend time with former Manchester City team-mate Mahrez and his wife Ward on a luxury yacht, according to .

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A source told the tabloid: "Kyle is so pleased things are back on track with Annie he wanted to treat her. Their family trip to America was brilliant but he wanted to make sure he had some alone time with Annie so booked them a trip to Ibiza. They have been with Riyad and Taylor, as well as a wider group of friends, there and hired a luxury yacht. Kyle is really focused on getting fit and staying healthy ahead of the football season starting so this is perfect for him. He can relax and rejuvenate – and he’s having quality time with Annie which is so special to him, especially after the last couple of years. They’re in the best position they’ve ever been and are looking to the future.”

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Walker and Kilner managed to reconcile and get their marriage back on track before their family trip to the United States. The couple, who had looked set to divorce after Walker fathered two child with Lauryn Goodman, are now trying to put the past behind them. 's source added: "Kyle and Annie are trying to move forward with their lives and after everything that has happened in the past, things are going well between them. Kyle is feeling in great form and is excited about a return to football.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR WALKER?

Walker's private life now seems to be settled but it remains to be seen where he will play his football next season. The defender has returned from a loan spell at AC Milan but appears to have no future at Manchester City, while Everton and Fenerbahce have both been linked with a move for the full-back.

Bumrah has also joined the side after missing the game against Nepal for the birth of his child

Deivarayan Muthu09-Sep-20233:49

Urooj Mumtaz: Pakistan’s fifth- and sixth-bowling options need to find form

Big picture: Rain threat in ColomboRain, scheduling constraints, and a last-minute change to playing conditions have all thrown the 2023 Asia Cup into chaos.The tournament has moved to Colombo, with India and Pakistan looking to resume their rivalry after rain had held sway in Pallekele. The weather, however, continues to be a threat. It could be another wet day on September 10, with chances of precipitation up to 90%. The is a reserve day now for this game – the only match apart from the final to have that luxury – but the forecast once again is similarly bleak.India’s match against Nepal too was affected by rain. If the weather clears up in Colombo, India will test out the readiness of KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah for the ODI World Cup.Related

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Rahul hasn’t played in an ODI since March while Bumrah hasn’t bowled in one since July. And in order to accommodate Rahul in the XI, India’s team management might have to bench Ishan Kishan, who has reeled off four half-centuries in his last four innings in the format. Decisions, decisions.For the duration play was possible in Pallekele, India’s batters and Pakistan’s attack teased a gripping contest. There could be more of the same in Colombo or perhaps just rain across two days.Form guideIndia WWLWL (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
Pakistan WWWWWIn the spotlight: KL Rahul and Naseem Shah After spending four months on the sidelines, KL Rahul is set to slot back into India’s ODI XI. Kishan has shaken things up in the recent past and has grabbed almost every opportunity, but Rahul has got the vote of confidence from the selectors and the team management. At a recent press conference, India’s captain Rohit Sharma saw the possibility of having both Rahul and Kishan in the XI, but that appears unlikely. It will be Rahul vs Kishan in the lead-up to the World Cup. Sunday’s fixture against Pakistan could well be Rahul’s first chance to prove his fitness and form.1:43

Akhtar: ‘Rauf, Afridi and Naseem remind me of the old days’

Naseem Shah doesn’t often find banana swing like Shaheen Shah Afridi and doesn’t often breach 150kph like Haris Rauf. But the 20-year-old can get the ball to really skid off the pitch as he isn’t as tall as the other two. On his T20I debut against India, at the Asia Cup in Dubai last year, he had Rahul chopping on for a first-ball duck and then almost had Virat Kohli in the same over. Can Naseem best Rahul in the 50-overs Asia Cup on Sunday as well?Team news: Bumrah is backAfter missing the game against Nepal for the birth of his first child, Bumrah has rejoined the side for the Super Four round, and is set to return to the XI along with Rahul. There could be no room for both Mohammed Shami and Kishan.India (probable): 1 Shubman Gill, 2 Rohit Sharma (capt), 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed SirajNaseem had had an injury scare against Bangladesh in Lahore, but he later returned to the field after some treatment from the physio. He has been passed fit for the match against India. Pakistan have named an unchanged XI from their victory against Bangladesh, which means seam-bowling allrounder Faheem Ashraf retains his place ahead of spin-bowling allrounder Mohammad Nawaz.Pakistan (probable): 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Babar Azam (capt), 4 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 5 Agha Salman, 6 Iftikhar Ahmed, 7 Shadab Khan, 8 Faheem Ashraf, 9 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 10 Naseem Shah, 11 Haris RaufPitch and conditionsAll eyes will be on the skies, as has been the case throughout this tournament. The pitch that was used for the LPL final at the Premadasa was fairly two-paced and the one for the Afghanistan-Pakistan ODI in late August wasn’t particularly batting-friendly either. There could be some juice for both seamers and spinners on Sunday too.Stats and trivia Babar is one hundred away from drawing level with Saeed Anwar as Pakistan’s most prolific ODI centurion. Ravindra Jadeja is three strikes away from 200 ODI wickets. He will become the third Indian spinner to the landmark after Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. On Wednesday, Rauf reached 50 ODI wickets in his 27th ODI. Among Pakistanis, only Hasan Ali (24) and Afridi (25) have been quicker than Rauf to the milestone. Quotes”They are very different fast bowlers and they have their own specialities. Shaheen gets the ball to swing a lot. Naseem is all about pace and likes help from the wicket. They present different challenges in different conditions.

The state’s winless run in the tournament has now extended to 14 matches but they will have Nathan Lyon against Victoria

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Oct-2023Former Test batter and New South Wales captain Kurtis Patterson has been dropped from their Sheffield Shield team for the match against Victoria after another winless start to the season.It is the second time this year that Patterson has been dropped after he was left out for the final game of last season when he was replaced as captain by Moises Henriques. Since last November Patterson has averaged just 14.92 in the Shield and has started this season with scores of 32, 4 and 10.Blake MacDonald, who made his first-class debut in the final game of last season against South Australia and scored 61, comes into the squad.Related

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New South Wales have not won a match in their last 14 Sheffield Shield outings stretching back to February 2022 but should have claimed the opening game of this season against Queensland only to be denied by Michael Neser and Jimmy Pierson.They were then comprehensively beaten by South Australia in Adelaide last week when they were bowled out for 183 and 136.However, in a boost for their hopes against Victoria at the MCG they will have Nathan Lyon available with the offspinner set to play his first four-day game of the season as he continues his comeback after the Ashes-ending calf injury.Lyon is due to play the match in Melbourne, followed by NSW’s two home games against Western Australia and Tasmania next month ahead of the Test summer which begins in mid-December.For Patterson, this latest omission continues a difficult few years after he had reached the Australia Test side against Sri Lanka during the 2018-19 season and scored a maiden century in Canberra.Since that season, where he hit three first-class centuries and another brace for a CA XI against Sri Lankans in Hobart which ultimately earned him his Test call, he has made three hundreds and averaged 27.19 in first-class cricket.New South Wales squad vs Victoria Jackson Bird, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hackney, Moises Henriques (capt), Daniel Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Blake Macdonald, Jack Nisbet, Jason Sangha, Chris Tremain

Juventus have revived their interest in Feyenoord centre-back David Hancko as a potential defensive reinforcement as they try to fend off Al-Nassr.

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Juventus revisit interest in David HanckoAl-Nassr also pushing for Feyenoord centre-backHancko previously played in Serie A with FiorentinaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , Juventus have placed Hancko back on their radar as they consider strengthening their defence. While the Serie A giants are prioritising signing forwards, they remain open to bringing in a central defender. The Slovak international has recently been in talks with Al-Nassr, but the deal has yet to be finalised, opening a door for Juve to make a move.

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Hancko has been a standout performer for Feyenoord since joining them in 2022 from Sparta Prague. His leadership at the back, along with his ability to contribute goals and assists, makes him an appealing option for the Bianconeri.

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The 27-year-old defender has made 140 appearances for Feyenoord, scoring 15 goals and providing 12 assists, impressive numbers for a centre-back. Moreover, with previous Serie A experience at Fiorentina, he could be a smoother fit than other defensive options.

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AFPWHAT NEXT?

Juventus are monitoring the situation closely and could move quickly if Al-Nassr fail to finalise terms. With their transfer focus shifting across positions, Hancko remains a strong candidate for a summer signing if the timing and price are right.

New body will take over responsibility for regulation of English game

Vithushan Ehantharajah04-Dec-2023The ECB has announced the launch of the Cricket Regulator, a new independent body responsible for monitoring compliance with the game’s regulations and enforcing adherence to those regulations, as well as providing relevant information and education.The formation of the Cricket Regulator was a key recommendation from a damning report published by Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) in June, which detailed structural inequalities across race, gender and class in cricket in England and Wales.The 317-page document published, entitled “Holding Up a Mirror to Cricket”, was critical of the ECB’s dual roles as promoter and regulator of the game, concluding potential conflicts of interest were “irreconcilable”. This, the report stated, was particularly evident in the handling of the racism crisis that dominated English cricket following Azeem Rafiq’s revelations from his time at Yorkshire.Related

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The ICEC suggested a new body, not the ECB, “should be responsible for investigating alleged regulatory breaches and for making decisions about whether to bring charges”. In September, the ECB confirmed it would action this recommendation.Unveiled on Monday, the Cricket Regulator will be overseen by an independent Cricket Regulatory Board and, crucially, will be ring-fenced from the rest of the ECB. Areas previously under the governing body’s remit, including safeguarding, integrity (anti-corruption, misconduct, anti-doping) and anti-discrimination, will now be part of the Cricket Regulator’s purview.Starting immediately, the Cricket Regulator will undertake investigations when a case is reported before deciding whether there is sufficient evidence to put the case to the Cricket Discipline Commission (which will be repurposed as the Cricket Discipline Panel in 2024). The independent Cricket Regulatory Board, which also begins work on Monday, will have budget authority for the Cricket Regulator and will be accountable for its activity and expenditure. The current ECB Regulatory Committee members have become the first board members, and will not have reporting lines into ECB executives, though the ECB board will be responsible for approving the Cricket Regulator’s budget.Dave Lewis, a former police chief, will act as interim director of the Cricket Regulator, tasked with setting up the body before a permanent successor is appointed in 2024. Lewis has over 30 years of experience in law enforcement, undertaking various roles, including the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for ethics, and retired as deputy chief constable of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall in October 2020. He will report to Nick Coward, chair of the Cricket Regulatory Broad.”The Cricket Regulator will cover a wide range of matters on which the game has set clear standards, including anti-discrimination,” Lewis said in a statement. “The team and I are clear about the importance of meeting high standards in ensuring people across the game know what is expected of them, and having the best procedures in place, to protect and promote the good of the game, and everyone involved.”ECB chief executive Richard Gould welcomed the formation of the new body, and its independence: “It is important that the game has the best processes in place in order to enforce regulations. The ICEC report recommended that we introduce further independence to the game’s regulatory process and the Cricket Regulator overseen by an independent Cricket Regulatory Board will do that.”The Cricket Regulator is ring-fenced from the ECB, and that separation will ensure that their work is distinct from our work as the game’s promoter.”

Manchester United are reportedly looking to make a surprise move to sign France international Corentin Tolisso from Lyon, contacting the midfielder's entourage as they look to strengthen their squad this summer. Tolisso, who impressed in Ligue 1 last season, is reportedly open to joining the Premier League giants – but the Red Devils face competition from Atletico Madrid.

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Man Utd make contact with Tolisso's representativesAtletico Madrid also interested as De Paul exit loomsLyon open to sale due to financial and wage issuesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Manchester United have officially reached out to Tolisso’s representatives to explore a summer move, according to . The Lyon midfielder is under contract until 2027 but could be sold due to the club's ongoing financial struggles. Atletico Madrid have also shown interest as they prepare for Rodrigo De Paul’s potential exit to Inter Miami.

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Tolisso has just completed one of his best-ever seasons, standing out in a struggling Lyon side. Manchester United see his experience and leadership as vital to their midfield rebuild under Ruben Amorim. With Lyon needing to trim their wage bill, a sale may suit all parties involved.

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Despite initially planning to stay, Tolisso is reportedly “not insensitive” to the interest from Old Trafford. He has already turned down offers from Saudi and Turkish clubs, making a top European move more appealing. Lyon want to keep him but could be persuaded by the right offer, especially given his high salary.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR TOLISSO?

Manchester United are expected to submit a formal offer in the coming days. Lyon may demand a significant fee, but they are aware they might not retain Tolisso if top-level interest persists. Atletico Madrid’s next steps could intensify the race for the French star’s signature.

India offspinner also raises concerns over the quality of the white Kookaburra ball used for bilateral series and IPL, as compared to the ones used in ICC events

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Nov-2023R Ashwin was almost certain that India would win the World Cup on November 19. But the “tactical brilliance and tactical execution” of Australia captain Pat Cummins meant India finished as runners-up, as Australia won their their sixth World Cup. This was Ashwin’s review of the final, which he spoke about vividly on his YouTube channel this week.”Pat Cummins was struggling as an ODI bowler heading into the World Cup. But in the last four or five games leading into the final, nearly 50% of the balls he bowled were cutters,” Ashwin said.”In the final – I don’t know how many people explained it on TV – Cummins bowled to a four-five leg-side field like an offspinner, bowling the stump line. But he bowled only three balls in the six-meter mark or further up on the pitch in his entire ten-over spell. [He] knocked off crucial wickets in the final. The five fielders on the on side were square leg, midwicket, mid-on, deep square leg and long leg, and he bowled his ten overs without a mid-off.”Related

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Despite having a predominantly leg-side field without a mid-off in place, Cummins did not concede a single boundary and finished with figures of 2 for 34. The two wickets were those of Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli; Iyer was done in by the low bounce on a length ball while Kohli played one on while trying to steer a back-of-a-length ball to deep third. Those strikes went a long way in restricting India to 240 in Ahmedabad.”Cummins’ execution should be applauded,” Ashwin said. “It is easy to plan to bowl to a leg-side field. It is easier to bowl that way in a Test match because the umpires will not call a wide even if you bowl a couple of balls down leg.”But to not bowl a wide down leg in an ODI, execute the plans with that field and not allow batters to drive the ball is brilliant. In my experience, I have seen bowlers go for at least one or two fours with such a field.”It was the first time I saw a fast bowler bowl to an offspinner’s field without a mid-off in a one-day game. Tactical brilliance, tactical execution. They had us there.”Cummins’ decision to bowl first in the final caught many by surprise•ICC via Getty Images Why Australia put India to batA key factor behind Cummins and other Australian fast bowlers deploying the cutters was the slow pitch for the final. The strip had already hosted the India-Pakistan match on October 14, and Australia, on the eve of the final, had feared it would help the Indian spinners. Having called right at toss, Cummins elected to field, leaving everyone surprised.Ashwin would later understand the exact reason behind Cummins’ decision when he ran into Australia chief selector George Bailey at the halfway mark.”I was looking at the pitch in mid-innings break when Bailey came around. I asked him why they chose to bowl first when Australia generally bat first in finals,” Ashwin said. “[Bailey] said, ‘we have played IPL for many years, toured here for bilateral series. As per our experience in India, red soil disintegrates but black soil becomes better to bat under lights. It is tough [to bat] in red soil under lights, too.”In Lucknow against South Africa, the pitch was a red soil one. Under lights, the ball not just seamed but also spun. Even dew does not have much impact on red soil whereas on black soil, the ball turns in the afternoon but becomes (flat) like concrete [under lights]. That is our experience’.”‘Need same Kookaburra balls in bilateral series and IPL like in ICC events’Ashwin also raised concerns over the quality of the white Kookaburra ball used for bilateral series and IPL as compared to the ones used in ICC events. He said that the ones used in bilaterals and IPL lost shape easily and also absorbed moisture unlike the ones in ICC events.”I have observed in ICC events that whether the spinner rotates it or whether a fast bowler bowls, the ball lands on the seam and goes on. Whereas in bilateral series or IPL, the ball [loses shape and] becomes like a round vessel, a lemon or even an egg.”Sometimes when the ball is kept in a storeroom, it catches a lot of moisture and soaks water and changes shape and changes quality [easily]. If the ball is given in the same quality [as in ICC events] in bilateral series and IPL, it will make a difference, because selections are based on performances in these bilateral series and the IPL. It will be the right test for batters and bowlers.”