Depleted New Zealand "desperate" for success

An outbreak of injury is precisely what Daniel Vettori finds himself dealing with, as he heads into what is, for his side, a quarter-final with England at The Wanderers

Osman Samiuddin in Johannesburg28-Sep-2009

The injury to Jesse Ryder is a big blow for New Zealand•Associated Press

The last thing New Zealand ever need, given the relatively limited size of their cricket-playing pool, is an injury crisis. It is somehow in keeping with the way the cookie often crumbles for underdogs, though less than a week ago, calling anyone the underdogs in a battle with England could only mean an associate nation was playing.But an outbreak of injury is precisely what Daniel Vettori finds himself dealing with, as he heads into what is, for his side, a quarter-final with England at The Wanderers. Jacob Oram has already gone home, another disruption in a desperately curtailed career; Daryl Tuffey has broken his hand and heads back home for surgery; Ian Butler is recovering from an intestinal infection which has seen him lose 7-8 kgs and he may or may not be ready for tomorrow; and of course Jesse Ryder, who took out the anger and frustration of his injury in a wildly entertaining and destructive 74, to set New Zealand up, is also out; Aaron Redmond, his replacement, will only arrive on the morning of the game, his flight from Hong Kong delayed by hours. You couldn’t have found this script in ER.It leaves Vettori with “the bare bones” of a squad but as with all New Zealand limited overs sides, you rule them out only if you are a fool. In this tournament of all tournaments you cannot underestimate them. “England have played exceptionally well since they have come here,” said Vettori. “They’ve come up against two form sides and they have done the job and done it completely. We know if we are to have a chance we have to play really well. If you go on recent form and ours hasn’t been great recently either so everyone was picking Sri Lanka and South Africa to go through and England and New Zealand to battle it out so it’s a complete reversal and it’s great for both sides.”Somehow New Zealand make things work and they are smart enough to findways to win, as they did against Sri Lanka, where their top order finallykicked in; just their luck it is disrupted immediately. If Ryder is gone, Martin Guptill is at least in the runs and he may well find himself opening tomorrow. “Jesse Ryder is a big loss for us. The way he played in the last game showed what a destructive player he could be and even the last time he played against England in a home series a couple of years ago he was at his best.”Aaron Redmond is coming as cover. He will get here tomorrow morning at7am so it looks as if he will also not be playing. Guptill is the easy replacement because he opens back home and he has a few times for us. It’s more about who is at number three and we’ve got a few options there to work through.”There will be chinks to iron out in the bowling attack as well; Shane Bond had a poor game against Sri Lanka, though he wasn’t the only fast bowler in that match to have one and he isn’t, incidentally, the only fast bowler to be hit around in this tournament. But James Franklin, who came in for Oram, had an “outstanding game” and Vettori will hope his left-arm seamer can produce more of the same against England. “Franklin can be selected in the team as a bowler and batter like Oram and that is such a luxury we lost with Jacob. Franklin gives us an obvious replacement and he proved it – he was outstanding for us in the last game.”As with Sri Lanka, there is a familiarity between New Zealand and England and both sides have played out tough ODI battles over the last couple of years. The surfaces in this tournament have evened things up between sides and the track tomorrow should again make for some good, balanced cricket. What it might come to is which side wants the win more and with a place in the semis at stake, New Zealand are naturally the more desperate.”We played well in the home series and away against England. This is a neutral venue and both the teams know the wicket pretty well. It looks like it is going to turn into a good deck with lots of runs and both teams are coming off great batting performances. Both sides are confident of winning. Hopefully it means we are more desperate because it means ourtournament. England are already through.”

Liverpool linked with Zakaria

Despite currently having a healthy number of midfield players in their squad at the moment, some of them such as Thiago Alcantara (30), Jordan Henderson (31) and James Milner (35) make up a good portion of Liverpool’s oldest players.

With this in mind, it’s not surprising to hear that the Merseyside club have been linked with a young midfielder that could freshen up Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

What’s the news?

It has recently been reported by Calciomercato (via Sport Witness) that Liverpool, as well as fellow Premier League club Manchester City, are in the frame to sign Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria.

Since joining the German club back in the 2017 summer transfer window from BSC Young Boys, the 24-year-old, who is currently valued at £24.3m according to Transfermarkt, has made 138 appearances for Monchengladbach across all competitions in which he has managed to chip in with 11 goals and eight assists in the process.

Despite predominantly playing as a defensive-midfielder, Zakaria has played as a centre-back on occasion throughout his career, which could make him the next version of current Reds midfielder Fabinho given how he featured in the centre-back position for a significant period last season.

[snack-amp-story url = “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/check-out-the-latest-liverpool-news” title=”Check out the latest Liverpool news!”]

In addition to that, the midfielder has shown that does not shirk away from the physical aspects of the game with an average of 1.8 tackles per game in the Bundesliga under his belt so far this season, which happens to more than Fabinho’s average of one tackle per game in the Premier League throughout 2021/22.

With former Monchengladbach manager Marco Rose previously describing Zakaria as a “complete” player, the 24-year-old certainly lived up to this title in his latest international appearance for Switzerland against Bulgaria on Monday night.

During that encounter he managed to make one key pass, complete 100% of dribbles he attempted, win seven of the ten duels he was involved in and make two tackles, showing how useful he can be in an attacking and defensive sense. Those statistics also proved why he’d be the ideal Fabinho successor if he arrives at Anfield.

With that in mind, signing Zakaria is definitely something that FSG should be looking to do in the future. They will, however, face stiff competition from City, who are also interested in signing the Swiss player as a potential long-term replacement for their 36-year-old midfielder Fernandinho. That serves as an added reason for Klopp and co to be first to the punch on the Gladbach dynamo.

In other news: Big positive: Liverpool handed injury boost which will surely leave fans buzzing – opinion

Parreira divide sua experiência com profissionais de Xerém: 'Privilégio'

MatériaMais Notícias

O CT Vale das Laranjeiras, que abriga as categorias de base do Fluminense, recebeu uma visita especial nesta semana. Carlos Alberto Parreira, campeão brasileiro pelo Fluminense, em 1984, e mundial pela Seleção Brasileira, em 1994, esteve no local para conversar com os profissionais responsáveis pela formação dos Moleques de Xerém.

Parreira, que iniciou sua carreira como treinador no Flu, em 1975, deu palestras aos técnicos do clube.O encontro metodológico em Xerém foi visando a atualização da metodologia de treino unificada nas equipes de base do Tricolor.

O experiente treinador ressaltou a importância de mais encontros como este.

– Essas reuniões metodológicas do Fluminense são muito importantes, primeiro pelo intercâmbio que ela proporciona. É importante para os jovens treinadores e profissionais escutarem gente com mais experiência, pois estão no começo da carreira e eu tive, posso dizer assim, o privilégio de estar aqui e participar desta troca de experiência com estes jovens ávidos de conhecimento para a plicar em suas profissões. A gente só cresce com este tipo de intercâmbio. O Fluminense está no caminho certo – comentou Carlos Alberto Parreira.

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Quem acompanhou a visita de Carlos Alberto Parreira ao CT foi Marcelo Veiga, que compõe a cúpula tricolor de futebol ao lado de Marcelo Teixeira, Alexandre Torres e o presidente Pedro Abad. O coordenador técnico destacou o valor da atualização metodológica dos profissionais que comandam a base do Tricolor.

Um dos principais clubes reveladores do Brasil, o Fluminense trabalha de maneira uniforme em todas categorias em Xerém. Na formação, o clube prioriza um estilo de jogo no qual a posse de bola é o principal objetivo.

– É uma honra receber em Xerém, nas nossas reuniões de metodologia de treinos, um profissional com a história do Parreira. Falei para ele que aqui a casa é mais dele do que nossa – afirmou Marcelo Veiga, antes de completar:

– A metodologia de treino não é algo fixo e precisa estar sempre em atualização e evolução e é isso que buscamos, para que nossos atletas consigam sempre apresentar nossa filosofia em campo. Não podemos confundir filosofia com esquema de jogo. Não queremos engessar nossa base e sim termos um DNA de Xerém, um DNA tricolor para os nossos guerreiros – finalizou o coordenador.

Crystal Palace won’t spend big in January

Following their successful start to an extensive rebuilding job, Crystal Palace aren’t expected to spend big money in the upcoming January transfer window.

What’s the story?

That’s according to Sky Sports journalist Michel Bridge, who believes the Eagles’ chairman Steve Parish will be satisfied with the work he conducted over the summer.

The likes of Odsonne Edouard, Marc Guehi and Conor Gallagher have made huge impressions at Selhurst Park in the opening weeks of the current campaign, and Bridge is adamant that Patrick Vieira’s winter budget will be restricted as a result.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Knowing Steve Parish like I do, I don’t think he will go all out in January when things have gone well.

“It’s usually when they’re a bit worried and looking behind them that they would spend, but I don’t think they’re looking behind at the moment. They’re looking at what’s in front of them in a positive sense.”

Crystal Palace fans will be gutted

Despite the extremely positive start made by Vieira’s charges, a large section of the capital club’s supporters will be gutted that further acquisitions won’t be made over the coming months.

The south London outfit are currently on a six-game unbeaten run and have masterminded famous victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City to provide a new wave of hope and optimism following four years of pragmatism under Roy Hodgson.

However, with the likes of Joel Ward, James McArthur, Jordan Ayew, Christian Benteke and Cheikhou Kouyate all in their 30s and approaching the twilight zone of their careers, the squad overhaul is far from complete.

Further investment will be needed by Parish in due course, but that appears unlikely to come in the January window, with Palace fans being forced to wait until the summer to see any more fresh faces.

And, in other news…”At the moment..” – Journo delivers big CPFC update that should leave fans worried 

São Paulo x Cruzeiro: 41 mil ingressos vendidos para jogo no Morumbi

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo deve ter casa cheia novamente no duelo contra o Cruzeiro no próximo domingo no Morumbi, às 11h. A última parcial de ingressos divulgada pelo clube nesta quinta-feira apontou 41 mil ingressos vendidos. Os bilhetes para arquibancadas azul, vermelha, cadeiras superiores laranjas e todos os setores térreos estão esgotados. Restam apenas entradas paracadeiras especial azul e vermelha, além de camarotes e cativa.

O São Paulo os dois maiores públicos deste Campeonato Brasileiro. No empate por 1 a 1 contra o Grêmio, dia 24 de julho, foram 51.501 pagantes, estipulando o recorde da competição, quebrado posteriormente na derrota para o Coritiba por 2 a 1 na quinta-feira passada: 53.635 pagantes.

O Tricolor ocupa a 17ª colocação no Campeonato Brasileiro, com 19 pontos ganhos. A equipe tenta sair da zona de rebaixamento contra o Cruzeiro, 7º colocado com 27 pontos.

Confira os ingressos que seguem à venda para a partida:

SETORES

CADEIRAS INTERMEDIÁRIAS
Cadeira Especial Azul > R$ 80 – ½ entrada R$ 40 (portão 05)
Cadeira Especial Vermelha > R$ 80 – ½ entrada R$ 40 (portão 16)
Cadeira Cativa Azul (proprietário) > R$ 30 (portão 05)
Cadeira Cativa Vermelha (proprietário) > R$ 30 (portão 16)

CAMAROTES
Espaço do Sócio > R$ 30 (portão 04)
Corporativo (Empresas) > R $30

*restrito a zona de cadeirantes

OBS: OS SETORES AMARELO E VERMELHO DA ARQUIBANCADA SOMENTE TERÃO INGRESSOS À VENDA APÓS ESGOTADOS OS SETORES AZUL E LARANJA.

VENDA

TOTALACESSO.COM
Venda de ingressos online a todos torcedores a partir das 10h de 09/08/2017;

BILHETERIAS DO MORUMBI

TORCIDA DO SÃO PAULO
De 09/08 a 12/08 – das 10h às 17h (Atendimento geral nas bilheterias 01 e 03)
Dia 13/08 (dia do jogo) das 8h às 11h45 (Bilheterias 01 e 03 externas)
Dia 13/08 (dia do jogo) das 8h às 11h45 (Bilheterias internas P14, P17 e Tribuna)

TORCIDA VISITANTE
Dia 13/08 (dia do jogo) das 9h às 11h45 (Bilheterias 05 do Portão 5)
Portões de acesso abertos após 9h (Bilheterias 05 do Portão 5)

DEMAIS PONTOS DE VENDA PARA TORCIDA DO SÃO PAULO (não abrem em feriados e nem no dia do jogo)

Estádio Conde Rodolfo Crespi
Rua Javari, 117, Moóca – São Paulo
Dias 09/08 a 12/08 – 11h às 17h

Ginásio do Ibirapuera
Rua Manuel da Nóbrega, 1361 – São Paulo
Dias 09/08 a 12/08 – 11h às 17h

Estádio Anacleto Campanella
Rua Walter Tomé, 64 – São Caetano
Dias 09/08 a 12/08 – 11h às 17h

CAMAROTES
Consulte disponibilidade de ingressos e valores

Amani
Telefone: 11 3476-2146
Facebook: facebook.com/amanirestaurantesaopaulo

By Koji
Telefone: 11 3624-7710
Facebook: facebook.com/bykoji
Twitter: @bykojioriginal

Pub&Poker
Telefone: 11 4302-3529
Facebook: facebook.com/PubPokerMorumbi

Sala Raí
Telefone: 11 3819-2427
Site: www.salarai.com.br
Email: [email protected]

Camarote Stadium
Telefone: 11 2387-3576
Site: www.camarotestadium.com.br

Camarote Passaporte FC
Telefone: 11 3739-5222
Site: www.passaportefc.com

Unyco
Telefone: 11 3078-2211 ou 3554-9770
Site: www.unyco.com.br

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Reencontro com o fantasma: os perigos da LDU de Hernán Barcos

MatériaMais Notícias

A Copa Sul-Americana colocará frente a frente, mais uma vez, Fluminense e LDU. Algoz do clube das Laranjeiras nas finais continentais de 2008 e 2009, a equipe equatoriana eliminou o Bolívar, nos pênaltis e avançou para as oitavas de final. Os jogos ainda não têm datas definidas, mas Tricolor já pode começar a analisar o histórico adversário para pôr fim ao fantasma de Casa Blanca.

Desde o último encontro, na final da Copa Sul-Americana, os times mudaram radicalmente. O Fluminense perdeu o apoio financeiro da Unimed e, agora, conta com um time de garotos sob o comando de Abel Braga. A LDU, por sua vez, segue apostando em uma base equatoriana e em alguns sul-americanos.

RelacionadasFluminenseMarlon vai bem em estreia e acirra briga pela titularidade no FluminenseFluminense02/08/2017FluminenseAbel Braga agradece apoio, elogia Flu e diz: ‘Acho que João Pedro entrou em campo’Fluminense02/08/2017FluminenseBaixas no Flu: Lucas e Orejuela não enfrentam o Atlético-GO no sábadoFluminense02/08/2017

O principal destaque é Hernán Barcos, velho conhecido da torcida brasileira e da LDU. O Pirata está em sua segunda passagem pela Liga de Quito, e é ídolo por lá. Além disso, é o principal nome da equipe de Gustavo Munúa, sendo o jogador que mais atuou em 2017 – 25 partidas – e mais marcou – 11 gols.

Assim, a LDU joga em função de Hernán Barcos, procurando o centroavante na área. Os laterais John Naváez e Aníbal Chalá vão com frequência à linha de fundo, tanto que o time é um dos que mais cruza na atual edição da Sula.

Além de Barcos, ex-Grêmio e Palmeiras, outro jogador da LDU passou pelo futebol recentemente pelo futebol brasileiro, mas sem o mesmo destaque. Sherman Cárdenas, que defendeu o Atlético-MG, Vitória e Atlético Nacional, da Colômbia, acertou com a Liga em julho e fez sua estreia justamente contra o Bolívar, na quarta-feira. A tendência é que ganhe mais minutos aos poucos.

Confira abaixo o time-base da Liga de Quito, próximo adversário do Tricolor:

EM 2017, APROVEITAMENTO APENAS REGULAR EM CASA

Atuar no Estádio Casa Blanca sempre foi um fator positivo para a LDU, e um pesadelo para os adversários. 2.734 metros acima do nível do mar, o estádio tem capacidade para 41.575 espectadores, e, em torneios mata-mata, se transforma em um verdadeiro caldeirão. Foi assim nos títulos da Libertadores da Sul-Americana, nos quais o time não perdeu nenhum jogo como mandante.

No entanto, o aproveitamento da equipe comandada por Gustavo Munúa é apenas regular. Em 14 jogos na temporada, pelo Campeonato Equatoriano e Copa Sul-Americana, a LDU tem cinco vitórias, sete empates e duas derrotas atuando em casa. São 24 gols marcados e 15 sofridos pela equipe de Quito.

A classificação para as oitavas de final da Sul-Americana foi sofrida. Após uma vitória por 1 a 0 para cada, a decisão contra o Bolívar foi para as penalidades. A LDU, que marcou aos 49 da etapa final, levou a melhor no Casa Blanca: 6 a 5.

Na fase anterior, após um 2 a 2 em Quito, a Liga buscou a vaga fora de casa: vitória por 2 a 1 sobre o Defensor, no Estádio Centenário, em Montevidéu.

Rain forces Vaughan to wait

Michael Vaughan was once again left kicking his heels in the Lord’s changing room as rain prevented any play on the third day of the season-opener between MCC and Durham

Andrew McGlashan at Lord's11-Apr-2009
ScorecardA familiar scene at Lord’s as April lived up to it’s reputation•Getty ImagesMichael Vaughan was once again left kicking his heels in the Lord’s changing room as rain prevented any play on the third day of the season-opener between MCC and Durham. He will now be crossing his fingers that Sunday dawns brighter so that he has the chance of some time in the middle before the England Test squad is named next weekend.That, though, will also depend on Durham declaring their first innings which currently stands on 311 for 4 after Ian Blackwell completed the season’s first century on Friday. The defending county champions will be keen to give their bowlers a workout, but will also be wary of collecting any injuries ahead of the Championship campaign if conditions remain damp.But Vaughan would welcome the challenge of facing a decent attack that includes Liam Plunkett and Graham Onions. And he isn’t the only batsman eager to open his account for the season with Ian Bell desperate to press his claims for a recall and Robert Key also wanting to make his presence felt. However, today the batsmen couldn’t even spend time in the indoor nets as a range of Easter coaching courses were taking place.Steady drizzle hung around the ground throughout the day and despite four inspections there never appeared a realistic chance of any play well before the final word was given at 4pm. The most activity the players had was a game of football on the Nursery Ground. It really didn’t feel much like the cricket season.

Adam Pope talks about Leeds’ Jamie Shackleton

Adam Pope has delivered his verdict on Leeds United starlet Jamie Shackleton, and has tipped him to have a “big impact” this season in the Premier League.

What’s the story?

The 21-year-old has made a couple of appearances for Marcelo Bielsa’s side in the top-flight, but the only game that he has started came in the Carabao Cup second round clash against Crewe when he played the full 90 minutes.

Now, in response to a fan’s tweet about this season being a break-out one for Shackleton, Pope delivered his take on the young midfielder.

He said: “Thing is he’s made 60 plus appearances so he’s never been far away from it under Marcelo. If he has better luck with injuries he could continue to have a big impact.”

Up to Bielsa now

Yet to make a start in the Premier League this season, Shackleton’s chances of doing so were boosted earlier in the summer when Leeds opted against signing a new central midfielder, or at least failing to do so.

The 21-year-old is one of the players who should benefit hugely from that decision, and while he’s yet to really make his mark on the first-team just yet, it’s not because his manager doesn’t rate him.

In fact, speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Southampton in the Premier League last season, Bielsa said: “I believe in Shackleton as an important alternative for Leeds United. He’s in a similar process to that of Pascal (Struijk).

“The only thing is that Pascal has a continuity that Shackleton hasn’t been able to have. I consider him a player that I can trust and I’m satisfied with what he has brought to the team. Apart from that, he is a very serious player, very applied and very conscious of what is needed to play at this level.”

And, speaking after his cameo in the 5-0 win over West Brom earlier last year, the Leeds boss said of the 21-year-old: “Good organisation, energetic, he’s quick, he can surprise opponents, plays in a position which has many varieties as a box-to-box midfielder.”

But as always, actions speak louder than words, and while Bielsa may publicly voice his approval of Shackleton, the only real way he can show that is by giving him the opportunities to start in the Premier League.

With no new central midfielder arriving at Elland Road over the summer, the Leeds boss now has the perfect chance to finally unleash Shackleton.

Meanwhile, this Leeds United transfer target is now set for contract talks…

Quarter-final contenders made to battle hard


Scorecard

Vineet Saxena scored 71 as Delhi’s bowlers failed to take advantage after choosing to field in Jaipur © Getty Images
 

An inspired performance from Delhi’s bowlers against Saurashtra had revived their chances of a quarter-final place, but they struggled to pick wickets after deciding to field against the already-relegated Rajasthan at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Parvinder Awana, the key performer in the win over Saurashtra, struck an early blow, removing Vinod Chanawaria in the eighth over. However, Rajasthan’s batting did not cave in as in their previous games, with Vineet Saxena and Kuldeep Singh adding 138 for the second wicket.Saxena, Rajasthan’s leading run-getter in the tournament, got support from Kuldeep, playing his first game this season. It was not until the 62nd over that the partnership was broken, when Saxena was run out for 71. Kuldeep stayed till stumps to finish on the same score, adding an unbroken 40 in 22 overs with Venugopal Rao, the Rajasthan captain.Hyderabad 112 for 6 (Teja 35, B Jadeja 6-27) trail Saurashtra 133 (Jogiyani 38, Ashwin Yadav 3-19, Shanker 3-28) by 21 runs
ScorecardDelhi will be keeping a keen eye on the progress of Saurashtra, who lead them by one point in Group A, in their match against Hyderabad. It was a torrid start for the hosts and last season’s semi-finalists in Rajkot, but a six-wicket haul from left-armer Balkrishna Jadeja kept them in the reckoning to take the first-innings lead.Saurashtra’s decision to bat seemed to backfire instantly, with opener Bhushan Chauhan dismissed off the fourth ball of the game. The second wicket added 32, but Hyderabad struck back with quick strikes to leave Saurashtra reeling at 61 for 7. Sagar Jogiyani, the Saurashtra wicketkeeper, ensured his team went past 100. He added 35 with No. 9 Kamlesh Makvana, 20 for the ninth wicket with Sandeep Jobanputra, and was the last man out with the score on 133. Jogiyani top scored with 38, with three fours and a six.Ravi Teja started confidently for Hyderabad, but wickets fell in a heap at the other end. Jadeja struck regularly to reduce the visitors to 57 for 5; the last of those dismissals was Teja, who made 35. None of the other Saurashtra bowlers, though, was able to break through, and Jadeja got his sixth when he trapped Abhinav Kumar lbw. However, an unbroken 34-run stand between Syed Quadri and MP Arjun took Hyderabad to 112 for 6 at stumps. Saurashtra would hope to dismiss the remaining batsmen as quickly as possible.Baroda 201 for 1 (Parab 108*, Bilakhia 65*) v Andhra
ScorecardBaroda need a win to have any chance of qualifying from Group B, and their top-order batsmen set a solid platform for the team to build on. Surprisingly, they adopted a rather slow approach in their push for victory at the Moti Bagh Stadium, putting on 201 in 90 overs. Opting to bat, Baroda’s openers, captain Connor Williams and Satyajit Parab, put on 65 in 36.5 overs. Williams scored 20 off 114 balls before he became the first wicket for debutant TA Rao. There were no further breakthroughs in the day for Andhra, who need a win to give themselves a chance of avoiding relegation. Parab hit 12 fours in his 271-ball 108, adding an unbroken 136 with Azharuddin Bilakhia, who made 65 off 159 deliveries.Tamil Nadu 295 for 4 (Mukund 129*, Karthik 113) v Railways
ScorecardRailways, too, need a win to boost the chances of a quarter-final spot, but they had a tough first day against Group B leaders Tamil Nadu in Chennai. An impressive start saw them reduce the hosts, who chose to bat, to 9 for 2, but centuries from Abhinav Mukund and Dinesh Karthik, the captain, eased Tamil Nadu to a comfortable position at the end of the first day.Mukund and Karthik shared a 210-run partnership. Karthik scored 113, with 15 fours, before he was lbw to offspinner Kulamani Parida. S Vidyut was dismissed cheaply by Parida, but Mukund and Suresh Kumar took Tamil Nadu to 295 for 4 in 90 overs. Mukund was unbeaten on 129, with 14 fours and a six in his 242-ball innings.Gujarat 5 for 0 trail Orissa 162 (Niranjan Behera 49, Parmar 6-53) by 157 runs
Scorecard
A six-wicket haul from offspinner Mohnish Parmar gave Gujarat the advantage on the first day of the Group A encounter against Orissa in Bhubaneswar. Despite the absence of two key batsmen Shiv Sunder Das and Bikas Pati, Orissa began steadily after choosing to bat. Paresh Patel and debutant Natraj Behera shared a 32-run opening stand before Behera was dismissed by medium-pacer Amit Singh, who came into this game with a 11-wicket haul in his previous match.Patel and Niranjan Behera then consolidated with a 44-run stand in 24.3 overs. After Patel fell for 31, Orissa lost stand-in captain Pinninti Jayachandra to Parmar. Behera and Pravanjan Mullick slowly ticked to score past 100, but Behera’s dismissal for 49 triggered a collapse. Mullick, who faced 79 balls for his 17, was trapped in front by Parmar asOrissa’s last seven wickets fell in the space of 31 runs, with none of their final six batsmen going past 9. Siddharth Trivedi took 2 for 31 off his 19 overs, while Parmar had 6 for 53 off 29.
ScorecardCM Gautam hit a fine maiden hundred but a late collapse saw Karnataka bowled out for 252 in their first innings at the RSI Ground in Bangalore. The last five wickets fell for eight runs as Maharashtra stormed back to prevent the game from running away from them.They now have a fight on their hands against the Karnataka spinners, on a turning track and lost one wicket in the 41 minutes they played before stumps, Rohan Bhosale cleaned up by part-time offspinner C Raghu in the last over of the day. (Read the full report.)
ScorecardAjinkya Rahane’s quickfire half-century destroyed any hopes of a fightback Punjab might have entertained after Wasim Jaffer’s early exit, as Mumbai ended the first day in control at the Brabourne Stadium. Rahane’s unbeaten 53 and his unbroken second-wicket stand of 86 with Vinayak Samant, batting on 35, consolidated Mumbai’s position after Rahil Shaikh’s best innings figures restricted Punjab to 202. (Read the full report.)

Palmer: Mendez-Laing could join Sheffield Wednesday in the future

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer believes the Owls could sign winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing in the future if they do not end up signing him now.

Mendez-Laing is currently a free agent after leaving Middlesbrough and has been linked with a move to Wednesday. According to The Star, the Yorkshire club have considered a swoop for the 29-year-old.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire Live journalist Dom Howson (via Football League World) claims Mendez-Laing is a player manager Darren Moore specifically likes.

Considering that, Palmer can see Wednesday easily moving for the Englishman later on in the season should they decide against bringing him to Hillsborough now.

“I think it [signing Mendez-Laing in the future] could be a possibility,” the ex-Wednesday player told TT. “He’s a free agent, so I think if Darren Moore really wanted to get him in now, I’m sure he could do because he’s available on a free.

“But he’s somebody I know Darren admires, so maybe that’s one he’ll look at down the line.”

Whatever happens with Mendez-Laing, it has been a really positive transfer window for Wednesday, who have brought in a whole host of new players following their relegation from the Championship.

With those additions, the Owls will be hoping that they can make a swift return to the second tier of English football.

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