Hosts take command of first Test with South Africa still trailing by 431 runs

Ashish Pant05-Feb-2024Coming into the Mount Maunganui Test, Rachin Ravindra had never batted in the top six in Test cricket and had all of 73 runs in six innings at 14.60. In just one innings here, the left-hander has more than tripled his numbers on both counts. Given the all-important No. 4 slot, Ravindra cashed in scoring a sparkling 240 to help New Zealand extend their dominance over South Africa on day two of the first Test.South Africa captain and debutant Neil Brand finished with figures of 6 for 119, but Ravindra’s double on the back of Kane Williamson’s 118 helped New Zealand amass 511 in their first innings. Kyle Jamieson struck twice as South Africa ended the second day 80 for 4 still trailing the hosts by a massive 431 runs.Resuming their day on 258 for 2, New Zealand lost Williamson early, but Ravindra continued from where he left on day one. With the second new ball just six overs old, South Africa surprisingly did not go with Tshepo Moreki first up on the second day, instead starting with allrounder Ruan de Swardt and Dane Paterson.Paterson got the wobble seam going his way and induced an edge off Ravindra’s blade with just his second ball but there was no third slip in place to take the catch. Williamson got his first boundary of the day with a thick edge past gully but failed to carry on. Looking to unsettle de Swardt’s consistent wicket-to-wicket lines, he eyed an uncharacteristic cross-batted hoick, but all he could manage was a top edge that ballooned straight up with Moreki taking the catch at mid-on. That ended a 232-run association between Williamson and Ravindra off 472 balls.Having been padded up for ages, Mitchell immediately got going with a full-blooded lofted drive past mid-on. Moreki didn’t have the same kind of nip that he found on day one and was pulled stylishly by Ravindra through midwicket. Duanne Olivier was handed similar treatment before two delicious straight drives helped Ravindra breach the 150 mark in Tests for the first time.Having played circumspect cricket for about four sessions, New Zealand notched up a gear after lunch. Ravindra got his second session underway with a delightful drive past mid-off off de Swardt while Mitchell pulled Dane Paterson with disdain through square leg.Mitchell lofted de Swardt for a straight six but fell soon after courtesy of a stunning caught and bowled by Neil Brand. Mitchell pummeled a tossed-up length ball back but Brand stuck out both hands to his left and plucked out a quite spectacular take much to the shock of Mitchell.Tom Blundell came in and struck a four but soon mistimed a heave to short midwicket who took a low catch. Meanwhile, it was a nervous wait for Ravindra on 199. With Blundell falling and Glenn Phillips not able to hand him back the strike, the youngster had to endure close to 20 minutes on the score and go through a drinks break as well.Kyle Jamieson took two wickets in his first spell•AFP/Getty Images

Ravindra finally reached the milestone by cutting a short-of-a-length ball towards cover as he removed his helmet to soak up the applause. With the double-hundred checked, Ravindra and Phillips decided to go into overdrive adding a 82-run stand off just 71 balls for the sixth wicket.Ravindra notched up the highest score by a New Zealand batter for his maiden Test century when he went past Matthew Sinclair’s 214 but fell minutes before tea cleaned up by Brand for 240. South Africa struck four times in the session, but New Zealand had added 145 runs in 27 overs going at over five an over.New Zealand came looking for some quick runs in the final session and Matt Henry provided that by smashing one four and three sixes in his nine-ball 27. Brand, however, picked the last three wickets first going through Mitchell Santner’s defences and then taking out Henry and Tim Southee in one over to become the first South African spinner to bag a six-for on Test debut.In reply, the South African openers, Brand and Edward Moore, both on debut, held their own for nine overs and a bit. Moore got going with a fierce cut off Southee through point before repeating the shot for a similar result. Brand was more solid in defense getting right behind the line of the ball.Jamieson, however, came on and changed the face of the match. He first sent back Brand with a fuller delivery that threatened to come back in but held its line. Brand, unsure whether to play or leave the delivery fathered a tiny edge to the wicketkeeper. Two balls later debutant Raynard van Tonder was trapped right in front of the stumps by a Jamieson inswinger. Henry then got rid of Moore with a snorter that he could only glove to Conway who rushed in from cover-point to dive and complete a stunning catch as South Africa slipped to 30 for 3 after 15 overs.David Bedingham and Zubayr Hamza, however, took the attack to the opposition. Hamza first struck Henry for two successive fours before Bedingham cracked Southee for three fours in the next over. Bedingham was dropped by Henry at deep backward square leg but barring that looked largely untroubled. The duo added 44 off 53 balls for the fourth wicket before Hamza was castled by Santner.At the end of play on the second day, Bedingham had reached 29 off 39 balls with five fours to his name and had Keegan Peterson for company on 2.

Liverpool forwards Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz have been left out of the matchday squad for the Reds' pre-season friendly against AC Milan on Saturday. Both Diaz and Nunez have been strongly linked with a move away from Anfield this summer. Napoli are keen on securing the Uruguayan's signature, while Bayern Munich remain interested in the Colombian winger.

Nunez and Diaz were left out of the matchday squadLiverpool face AC Milan in Hong KongStrikers have been linked with moves away from Anfield Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Arne Slot named a 22-man squad for Liverpool's first pre-season friendly of their Asia tour. New signing Florian Wirtz has been named in the starting line-up alongside existing stars like Alisson, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. Nunez and Diaz, however, were left out altogether.

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Bayern had seen their first bid for Diaz worth £59 million ($78.8m) rejected despite the player making it clear that he wants to leave the Anfield outfit. Now, reports that the Bavarian side remain keen on signing the Colombian winger, although they are yet to come up with an improved offer.

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Nunez, who hit a hat-trick against Stoke City in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week, is still poised to leave the Premier League champions this summer amid interest from Napoli and Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal.

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WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL

The omission of the two players from the matchday squad is an indication that the English giants are open to the double sale, as they could use that money to fund a move for their key target, Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.

Legendary Paralympian accepts nomination to succeed Sir Howard Bernstein

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Mar-2024Dame Sarah Storey is set to become Lancashire’s next club President after accepting a nomination from the board.Storey, Great Britain’s greatest Paralympian, has won 28 medals for cycling and swimming across eight Paralympic Games, including 17 golds. She is building towards her ninth appearance in Paris this year, having been made a Dame after the London Games in 2012.Her presidential nomination will be put forward at Lancashire’s annual general meeting in May, with the current incumbent Sir Howard Bernstein stepping down after a decade in the role.”It is an incredible honour to have been asked by the Lancashire Cricket Board to become the club’s next President and follow in Sir Howard’s significant footsteps,” Storey said.”As a kid, I recall many happy memories watching the Red Rose with my family. As a member and fan, to have this opportunity to serve this great Club and bring my experience to bear is very exciting.Andy Anson, Lancashire’s chair, said: “I am delighted to confirm that Dame Sarah Storey has accepted the Board’s nomination as the Club’s new President.”Sarah is an outstanding candidate for the Presidency. With a peerless record as Britain’s most successful Paralympian, she is an inspirational presence who has a proven track-record in high-performance elite sport and as a strategic advisor in a variety of public-facing roles.”The Board looks forward to Dame Sarah’s nomination going forward to a members’ vote at the Annual General Meeting and working together over the next two years. Having someone of Dame Sarah’s calibre and first-hand experience of high-performance elite sport on board will offer invaluable support to both our men’s and women’s squads.”Storey also serves as Greater Manchester’s Active Travel Commissioner, a Visiting Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University, a board member at the Department of Transport, and also works with the development of other athletes and supporting charitable causes.Mark Chilton, Lancashire’s Director of Cricket Performance, added: “Dame Sarah has operated at the very top level of elite sport throughout her career, she knows what it takes to succeed, and it will be fantastic to have somebody on the Board with her experiences and knowledge as we look to achieve our goals on the field in the coming years.”

Fluminense have entered the race to sign Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison, joining Palmeiras in pursuit of the Brazil international. With Spurs demanding around £55 million ($74m), both clubs are weighing complex financial structures to land the forward. Richarlison is under contract until 2027, but his emotional ties to Fluminense could prove pivotal in any transfer.

• Fluminense target Richarlison after Arias nears Wolves move
• Palmeiras already in talks with Tottenham and striker
• Spurs demand £55m for forward under contract until 2027

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Fluminense have made Richarlison their top target to replace Jhon Arias, as per Brazilian outlet Terra. The reports have suggested that club president Mario Bittencourt has held talks with the striker to pitch the club’s vision. However, Tottenham are holding firm on their £55 million valuation, complicating a potential deal.

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  Fluminense have joined the race for Richarlison alongside fellow Brazilian Serie A side Palmeiras, who have already taken formal steps to sign the Spurs striker. Palmeiras president Leila Pereira is personally leading negotiations on their end.

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  Tottenham’s £55m valuation means any Brazilian move would break national transfer records. Matching the Lilywhites' asking price plus Richarlison's wages would require massive financial backing for either club. As such, Fluminense and Palmeiras are exploring loan deals or structured payments.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RICHARLISON?

  Fluminense are expected to present a formal proposal to Tottenham for Richarlison in the coming days. Palmeiras remain in the race with financial backing and strategic intent. The Europa League champions are open to a sale, but are unlikely to budge on their asking price.

A record 130-run partnership came out of nowhere and took the visitors to victory in Wellington

Valkerie Baynes01-Apr-2024

A record partnership by Amy Jones and Charlie Dean dragged England out of dire trouble and all the way to victory over New Zealand in their ODI series opener in Wellington.Jones scored an unbeaten 92 and Dean 42 not out as the pair rescued their side from 79 for 6 with an unbroken 130-run stand, the highest for the seventh wicket or lower in women’s ODIs. It came after Kate Cross, Lauren Bell and Dean had combined to bowl New Zealand out for 207 inside 49 overs, despite Suzie Bates’ half-century.Player of the Match Jones was sublime in reaching the joint-second-highest score for a batter at No. 7 or lower in women’s ODIs.Charlie Dean’s record•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

New Zealand’s total looked well below par before the Kerr sisters, Amelia – who was captaining for the injured Sophie Devine – and Jess, joined Lea Tahuhu to run through the England line-up. Jess Kerr bowled Tammy Beaumont for a duck with a full toss on the fifth ball of the run chase and had her second when Heather Knight spooned one straight to Maddy Green at midwicket to make it 37 for 2.Tahuhu removed in-form England opener Maia Bouchier with her seventh ball of the match, caught by Green at square leg and then Amelia Kerr had Alice Capsey lbw for a duck as she tried to reverse-sweep, putting the tourists at 55 for 4.Related

'A bit of work around my mental game' – Jones tweaks approach to play long innings

Tahuhu made Danni Wyatt jump with a short, sharp ball to begin with and when Nat Sciver-Brunt was run out for just 12 two balls later, England were five wickets down inside 14 overs. Amelia Kerr’s googly went straight through Wyatt to elicit an elated shout of “come on!” from New Zealand’s stand-in skipper, who sensed a win that had looked unlikely after the home side’s innings.But Jones and Dean built a calm, rock-solid partnership to steady England, Jones bringing up her fifty off 52 balls with a four over deep midwicket off Tahuhu and finishing two runs shy of her best ODI score when Dean struck the winning runs, a four off Fran Jonas.England had bowled with discipline and authority, sending down 169 dot balls as they kept a lid on New Zealand and took wickets at regular intervals. Bell and Dean claimed three wickets apiece but Cross was particularly impressive.Cross hadn’t played for England since the December Test against India and only one white-ball game – for England A at Nelson four days ago – since mid-September, having warmed the bench for RCB throughout the WPL. But she showed no signs of rust during her 2 for 24 with an economy rate of 2.40, and two crucial maidens in a six-over spell during the powerplay.Bates capitalised on a couple of early missed opportunities for England, Sophie Ecclestone appearing to dive over a ball that ultimately dropped just short of her at mid-on from Cross and Sciver-Brunt putting down a more straightforward chance at midwicket off Bell’s first delivery in the next over. Bates dominated a 90-run opening stand with Bernadine Bezuidenhout, having survived another chance on 17 when England failed to review a Bell yorker which replays showed had struck Bates’ toe first and was on track to hit leg stump.Amy Jones made the joint-second-highest score by a batter at No. 7 or lower in women’s ODIs•Getty Images

Bezuidenhout faced 12 balls before getting off the mark and had 4 off 25 as New Zealand crawled to the 10-over mark at 30 without loss. Bates brought up her fifty off 73 balls with a single off Ecclestone and it was offspinner Dean who made the breakthrough, drawing Bates down the pitch with a ball that was turned away slightly and found an edge, gathered by Jones behind the stumps. Bezuidenhout gritted her way to 35 off 62 deliveries before she attempted to sweep Ecclestone and was struck on the back thigh to make it 100 for 2 for New Zealand.Cross bowled exceptional line and length. She struck Georgia Plimmer high on the back pad, New Zealand’s failure to review ensuring she was sent packing for 17, and trapped Amelia Kerr lbw also.Dean conceded 15 runs off her fifth over, which included three wide deliveries, but she claimed her 50th ODI wicket in her 26th match, the fastest woman to reach the milestone, in an excellent reposte to Brooke Halliday’s crisp four through long off, finding an edge which was snaffled by Jones. When Green looped a simple catch off a Bell slower ball straight back to the bowler, New Zealand had lost four wickets for just 20 runs in the space of eight overs and were now six down.Hannah Rowe and Izzy Gaze, the latter fresh off a maiden international half-century in the fifth and final T20I, put on a 32-run partnership for the seventh wicket but Sciver-Brunt had Rowe caught by Knight and Bell yorked Gaze for 18, attempting her favoured lap shot.When Dean claimed her third, Tahuhu holing out to Wyatt running to her right from long-on, the hosts were in danger of being bowled out inside 50 overs and Bell ensured that was the case with another excellent yorker that crashed into Jess Kerr’s middle stump.