A sublime unbeaten 250 from Marcus Harris and five wickets from Scott Boland have put Victoria on the verge of a crushing innings victory over New South Wales at the MCG. Needing 286 in their second innings to make Victoria bat again, New South Wales crumbled under the relentless pressure of Boland.He forced a mistake from Daniel Hughes early in the innings before Nick Larkin and Kurtis Patterson put up some resistance. Larkin made a well-compiled 53 before he was bowled leaving a ball from Andrew Fekete that snaked back off the seam from well wide of off stump. Moises Henriques was trapped plumb in front by Boland and Jack Edwards was castled by a devilish inswinger from Tremain.The Blues slumped from 4 for 167 to 9 for 175 in the space of 12 overs. Patterson reached his second half-century of the match but again fell to a right-arm quick angling in and seaming away from around the wicket. In the first innings it was Chris Tremain who found his outside edge, in the second it was Boland.Boland also knocked over Daniel Sams and Daniel Fallins for his fourth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket after Fawad Ahmed accounted for Peter Nevill and Jason Sangha.The Blues’ last wicket pair of Mickey Edwards and Trent Copeland survived for 60 balls on the third evening to ensure the game went into a fourth day.Earlier, Harris pushed on from his overnight total of 210 to make an even 250. He faced 403 balls and struck 22 fours and a six in his remarkable innings to put his name up in lights ahead of the Test series against India.Harris got incredible support from Fawad, who posted his highest score in first-class cricket. He made 34 from 90 balls with four fours and a six to rub salt into the Blues wounds. Harris and Andrew Fekete also added an unbeaten 54 for the 10th wicket before Peter Handscomb declared.
Several chances have been spilled in the field by Bangladesh on the New Zealand tour, especially in the slip cordon, compounding their batting and bowling woes
Mohammad Isam at Hagley Oval23-Jan-2017Mashrafe Mortaza had sounded an early warning when he talked about the body-language problem with Bangladesh’s fielders during the first ODI of this tour in Christchurch. Seeing how they have dropped catches so regularly through the rest of the tour, though, that warning seems to have gone unheeded.The 20 dropped catches on tour have affected Bangladesh adversely both in that particular moment and over the larger passage of play. This sloppiness in the field has compounded their woes, which have included batting collapses, the lack of big runs from senior batsmen and the inexperience of the Test pace attack.Mashrafe had tagged Bangladesh’s fielders “lethargic” after the ODI in Christchurch, where they allowed 27 twos and 111 singles. Back at the same venue for the second Test, their last game on tour, Bangladesh dropped seven genuine chances.In the fourth over of New Zealand’s first innings, Mahmudullah didn’t stay down for long enough when a Jeet Raval catch came his way at second slip off Mehedi Hasan. A little while later, his dive to his left at square leg couldn’t intercept a Ross Taylor flick. In between, Sabbir Rahman dropped a sitter at second slip offering Raval another life. Later Kamrul Islam Rabbi dropped Taylor at deep midwicket, and then Mehedi Hasan put Southee down at second slip. Nazmul Hossain Shanto also dropped a straightforward chance at gully; he had already shown poor technique at silly mid-off when Henry Nicholls had struck him on the body twice in the 44th over. Both would count as chances – albeit very tough ones – as it hit him on the full, but the bigger point was why was Nazmul ducking into the ball instead of jumping over it, as close-in fielding technique would demand in such cases.What was also confusing was the choice of slip cordon, where most of their catches have gone down. Mehedi Hasan continued to be there despite dropping two in Wellington Test as well. Sabbir dropped a catch in the first Test at third slip too, but continued in the same position in Christchurch where he dropped that sitter off Taskin Ahmed.Slip catching is considered a specialist’s job and Bangladesh haven’t really found their specialists. The reason for posting Sabbir and Mehedi Hasan in the slips was the absence of the injured Imrul Kayes, a recent regular in the spot. But he too had dropped one, that too one of the easiest chances on the tour, when Neil Broom had edged-behind in the third ODI in Nelson.That is not to say that catches have not been dropped elsewhere during both the ODIs and Tests. Some of these catches going down could be explained as a matter of pure luck – as Tamim Iqbal said after the loss in Christchurch, “it just happens”.* But several of these missed opportunities have translated into New Zealand batsmen going on to make a big score.Clearly, given the despair the matter has caused to some of the bowlers, it has been discussed in team meetings, and efforts must be underway to eliminate the problem. Tamim agreed that specialists need to be found. “We can definitely work on our catching, especially in our slip cordon. We will have more chances going to slips now that we will play more overseas. We have to look for specialists in that position.”The home side dropped catches too, and the issue has been brought up with their players in media conferences. Bangladesh’s extensive catalogue of problems on tour, though, has meant that their dropped catches have not really been questioned much. When he was asked about it, Tamim said the team just could not afford to fluff chances in conditions overseas. “We can somehow manage this thing at home. Conditions are such that chances are created quite regularly,” he said. “Here they [New Zealand] can drop five catches but we cannot afford to.”It takes a lot of effort for our bowlers to create one chance. I think our pace bowlers did very well here. But these things make a difference. It would have been so much better had we taken even 70% of the catches.”The easiest way to react to drops is to blame the fielder first, and then the fielding coach. But that is too simplistic a view. Fielding is about involvement and enjoyment out in the middle. If that’s missing when Bangladesh goes out to field, it might suggest deeper issues to look into. The faster the problem is pinpointed and sorted out, the better it will be for the team.*10.15 GMT, January 23: Tamim Iqbal’s quotes were added to this article at the end of day four of the Christchurch Test.
Chelsea are believed to be targeting another Man United star alongside their interest in Kobbie Mainoo, with two players in Enzo Maresca’s squad heading towards the exit door.
Chelsea approach Kobbie Mainoo's agents over transfer
In the last week, credible media sources revealed Chelsea’s serious interest in signing Mainoo, who is currently in the midst of a contract debacle, as the England international sets his sights on improved terms.
Chelsea "in talks" for first 2025 signing in versatile £30 million forward
The west Londoners have entered negotiations.
By
Emilio Galantini
Jan 17, 2025
The 19-year-old rising star is on just £20,000-per-week at United, which hardly reflects his status as a Three Lions midfielder and crucial player to Ruben Amorim, but rumoured PSR concerns are stalling an agreement over a new contract for Mainoo.
As a result of this, it is reliably believed that Chelsea have approached Mainoo’s agents in an attempt to lure him, as reported by journalist and Stamford Bridge insider Simon Phillips on his Substack.
Chelsea’s next Premier League fixtures
Date
Wolverhampton Wanderers (home)
January 20
Man City (away)
January 25
West Ham (away)
February 3
Brighton (away)
February 14
Aston Villa (away)
February 22
“Chelsea also still want to bring in a new midfielder this window on request of Enzo Maresca,” wrote Phillips earlier this week.
“However, that does not need to be a new midfielder, and there are still chances that either Lesley Ugochukwu or Andrey Santos could be recalled, SPTC sources have heard again yesterday.
“There’s a chance Santos is recalled too by the way, something that we were not expecting to happen at all, until now, potentially.
“Chelsea have tried to turn the head of Kobbie Mainoo at Manchester United by approaching his agents, and this one is still potentially one that could happen this month, if the player decides he is keen on the move.”
While this is far from advanced, it appears Chelsea are seriously pursuing Mainoo, but he isn’t the only Red Devils sensation on their radar.
Chelsea target Alejandro Garnacho with Disasi and Nkunku set to leave
According to French newspaper L’Equipe, exciting United winger Alejandro Garnacho has emerged as a target for Maresca.
The Argentine is attracting reported interest from Antonio Conte’s Napoli, who appear to have set their sights on him as a potential replacement for the PSG-bound Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
However, Conte now faces competition from his former club. Chelsea are targeting Garnacho and have “launched” an operation over his potential signing, according to L’Équipe, who also provided an update on the futures of Christopher Nkunku and Axel Disasi.
The £275,000-per-week duo are apparently set to depart west London before deadline day on February 3, with Maresca’s squad facing a serious overhaul in the latter stage of this transfer window.
Going back to Garnacho, the 20-year-old has bagged eight goals and five assists in 31 appearances so far this campaign, putting in some exceptional displays, and he fits the mould of a young, exciting player that BlueCo has repeatedly targeted since Chelsea’s takeover.
Garnacho is also highly versatile, capable of playing anywhere across the attack – including the left-hand side, right-hand side, through the middle as a central attacking midfielder and even as a second striker. However, he won’t come cheap, as some reports suggest the South American could cost £70 million.
da pixbet： West Ham spent most of the January transfer window chasing a centre-forward for Graham Potter, looking to replace Michail Antonio and Niclas Füllkrug who are out injured.
da heads bet： Eventually, in the final days of the window, a loan deal for Brighton’s Evan Ferguson materialised, reuniting the 20-year-old striker with Potter, who worked with him at Brighton.
However, with such focus on the striker position, the Hammers failed to recruit a midfielder, instead deciding to recall James Ward-Prowse from his Nottingham Forest loan to reinforce the midfield depth.
James Ward-Prowse's return to West Ham
Ward-Prowse joined West Ham in 2023 from Southampton, after Declan Rice left the club, joining for a fee of around £30m. In his first season, the midfielder made 37 Premier League appearances for the Hammers, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists.
James-Ward-Prowse-West-Ham-United
But, after David Moyes left the club in the summer, with Julen Lopetegui taking over, it became clear the English midfielder wouldn’t have much of a role under the Spaniard, instead deciding to send him on loan to Nottingham Forest.
The 30-year-old has only made ten Premier League appearances so far this season, providing one assist and totalling 559 minutes to date. So, why bring him back?
James Ward-Prowse past two seasons comparison
Stats (per 90 mins)
2023/24
2024/25
Goals + Assists
0.42
0.16
xG
0.15
0.02
xAG
0.25
0.24
Progressive Carries
0.62
0.43
Progressive Passes
4.48
4.35
Shots Total
1.16
0.48
Key Passes
2.10
0.87
Shot-Creating Actions
3.51
2.17
Tackles + Interceptions
2.33
2.00
Stats taken from FBref
Whilst Potter could use certain qualities such as set-piece ability from Ward-Prowse returning, there is perhaps a better option waiting in the academy ranks, who should be given more of a chance in the second half of this campaign.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
West Ham's very own Carrick and Rice hybrid
West Ham’s 18-year-old midfielder, Lewis Orford, has been given a few chances from the bench since the arrival of Potter and could have been the perfect solution had Ward-Prowse remained at the City Ground.
He’s made two Premier League appearances under Potter already so knows the system. He’s also particularly well thought of with the the English midfielder having made his way through the academy, playing both U18 and U21 football for the club.
Lewis Orford West Ham
John Brewin, speaking to the Guardian, is one rave reviewer, speaking extremely highly of Orford, comparing the midfielder to the likes of Declan Rice and Michael Carrick in terms of his overall ability mixed with his tall and powerful frame.
West Ham clearly need support in this area, after recalling Ward-Prowse, but giving Orford extra minutes wouldn’t hurt at all.
It would prepare him for the future and perhaps even prove he is ready now to contribute at a higher level, fixing a fair few issues the Hammers midfield have had so far this season.
Their answer to Ferguson: West Ham must rue letting "incredible" ace leave
West Ham may have already let go of their own Ferguson in 2024
يستعد فريق برشلونة الإسباني لخوض أولى مبارياته الودية هذا الصيف، استعدادًا للموسم الجديد المرتقب 2025/26، والذي سينطلق في شهر أغسطس المقبل.
ويسعى برشلونة إلى مواصلة عملية النجاح، خلال الموسم الجديد، والتي بدأها في المنصرم تحت قيادة المدرب هانز فليك في بداية عهده، حيث حقق الثلاثية المحلية المتمثلة في الدوري الإسباني، كأس ملك إسبانيا والسوبر الإسباني.
ويخوض برشلونة، ظهر اليوم الأحد، مباراة ودية ضد نظيره فيسيل كوبي الياباني على ملعب “كوبه المنزلي”.
وكانت جولة برشلونة الآسيوية مهددة بالفشل بسبب انتهاكات جسيمة من قِبل اللجنة المنظمة، قبل تدارك الأمر في وقت لاحق والتوصل إلى حل، ومن ثم التراجع عن قرار الإلغاء.
وتتضمن جولة برشلونة، بخلاف مباراة فيسيل كوبي، لقائي سول ودايجو، يومي الخميس والإثنين 31 يوليو و4 أغسطس، قبل صدام كومو في كأس خوان جامبر يوم 10 من الشهر المقبل.
ويبدأ برشلونة حملة الدفاع عن لقب الدوري الإسباني بمباراة ضد ريال مايوركا، يوم 16 أغسطس القادم. موعد مباراة برشلونة وفيسيل كوبي الودية
تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة الواحدة ظهرًا بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة برشلونة وفيسيل كوبي الودية اليوم
تُذاع عبر تطبيق “DAZN” والذي أعلن حصوله على حقوق بث مباريات برشلونة في الجولة الآسيوية.
في حين لم تعلن أي قناة عربية إذاعتها للمباراة، وسيتم التحديث لاحقًا حال حدوث أي جديد في هذا الأمر.
ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.
Nottingham Forest’s side that won promotion back to the Premier League in the 2021/22 season will live long in the memory of their supporters.
Although much of that team now plays elsewhere, the men in Garibaldi Red that season wrote their names in the history books as the side who returned the Midlands club to the Premier League.
Despite struggling at the start of the campaign, Forest, managed by Steve Cooper, ended up finishing fourth in the second tier of English football. In the playoff final, the East Midlands outfit beat Huddersfield Town at Wembley to secure Premier League status again.
One of the standout players for Forest that year was Brennan Johnson.
Brennan Johnson’s Forest career
23-year-old winger Johnson came through the ranks at the City Ground. After a loan spell at Lincoln City, he eventually broke into the first team at Forest and became a crucial player, helping the club to promotion in 2021/22.
In total, the Welshman played 109 times for the club, scoring 29 goals and grabbing 12 assists. In the promotion season, his 16 goals and two assists in 46 Championship games, and two goals in three playoff games, ensured he could help bring his boyhood club back to the top flight of English football.
It is fair to say that, in his first season as a Premier League footballer, the Wales international impressed. He scored eight goals and grabbed three assists in 38 games as Forest survived by the skin of their teeth. He scored some crucial goals, but perhaps none more so than both strikes in a 2-0 win at home to Leicester City, who ended up being relegated themselves.
Sadly for Forest fans, he left his boyhood club for pastures anew on deadline day in 2023. Tottenham Hotspur paid £47.5m to sign Johnson from Forest, which was a record sale for the club.
Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson
There is no doubt it was a big loss for the East Midlands side, and they could be in danger of losing another star for perhaps an even bigger fee.
The £60m star who Forest could lose
According to a report last week from the Mail, Morgan Gibbs-White is someone who is of ‘keen interest’ to several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Newcastle United.
Morgan-gibbs-white-nottingham-forest
At this stage, a price is not clear should a deal materialise. However, Gibbs-White was valued at a reported £60m over the summer, with the club likely looking to make a profit on their initial investment.
There is no doubt that losing Johnson was a disappointing thing for Forest, even if the club did not stand in his way when the right price arrived. Losing Gibbs-White, however, could arguably be even worse.
He is the main man in a side flying this season under Nuno Espirito Santo. Forest are currently third in the Premier League on 40 points, the same amount as second place Arsenal and just six points off leaders Liverpool.
Their most recent win was a 3-0 thrashing away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
There is no doubt that Gibbs-White’s four goals and three assists in 16 games are a big reason for that form. Initially, the 24-year-old started the season slowly, with just one goal in his first ten appearances.
However, in the last six games, he has really kicked on, with an impressive six goals and assists in his last six games. It is certainly no coincidence that his electric form has coincided with Forest winning six games in a row.
Opponent
Goals
Assists
Chances created
Dribbles completed
Duels won
Man United
1
1
1
2
5
Aston Villa
0
1
3
3
5
Brentford
0
0
1
1
9
Spurs
0
1
2
1
4
Everton
1
0
1
1
5
Wolves
1
0
0
0
5
Losing a man with 15 goals and 21 assists in 96 games across competitions would be a huge blow for Nuno and his squad. Those donning Garibaldi Red this season are doing an exceptional job, spearheaded by Gibbs-White.
It was never going to be easy to replace Johnson, yet Forest have found a man who is filling the boots of his former teammate pretty well, to say the least.
The last thing they need is for Gibbs-White to leave, meaning they would lose another of their talismanic attackers.
Nottingham Forest prepared to move for "exceptional" £25m player in January
The Tricky Trees could sign a midfielder this winter…
They gave away 61 runs and took no wickets in the powerplay in conditions that were offering swing
ESPNcricinfo staff17-May-20231:05
Bishop: Arshdeep will find his way again
Shikhar Dhawan, the Punjab Kings captain now left hoping for other results to go their way to make the playoffs of IPL 2023, rued the lack of execution from his bowlers as they were bested by Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala on Wednesday.In conditions that offered help for the quick bowlers, the Kings were unable to close out the powerplay properly. Sam Curran, Kagiso Rabada, Arshdeep Singh and Nathan Ellis were hit for seven fours and three sixes between the third and sixth overs. Capitals benefited from that period of profligacy, going from 11 for 0 to 61 for 0 in just 20 balls.”We didn’t bowl really well in the first six overs,” Dhawan said at the presentation. “We should’ve taken some wickets out there, the way the pitch was offering the swing.”Capitals posted 213 for 2 and won a tight game by 15 runs.Kings have had a particularly difficult time bowling in the first six overs this season. They have taken a mere 14 wickets in this phase of play – the second worst in the league behind Lucknow Super Giants – while also conceding 9.20 an over – again the second worst behind Kolkata Knight Riders.”Our bowlers didn’t pitch the ball up, whereas they should have been,” Dhawan said. “That was the plan. Unfortunately they couldn’t implement it. Whether we take wickets or not, that’s a different thing. But we should bowl in the right areas, which we have not been doing for quite a long time and that’s hurting us because in powerplay we are always giving 50-60 runs. And that’s fine but we should be taking wickets as well.”Dhawan’s concern over his quick bowlers’ performance forced him to take a big call at the death. He brought left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar into the attack in the 16th over and had him bowl the 18th and the 20th as well. This was a time when the Capitals had a well-set left-hander at the crease as well and with many of the balls spinning into him, Rilee Rossouw took full toll, especially in the final over, which yielded 23 runs and pushed Capitals’ total above 200.”Even my decision of bowling the spinner in the last over backfired,” Dhawan said. “I feel the momentum went there. Before that also, my fast bowler [Ellis] also got hit for 18 runs [in the 19th over]. Those two overs cost us the game.”Kings are only barely hanging on in the IPL. They have 12 points and a game in hand, which means they can get to a maximum of 14. But their rivals – Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians – are already on 14 points or more with a game in hand. And, Royal Challengers Bangalore have 12 points and two games in hand along with a healthy net run-rate. Dhawan’s men will need several results to go their way to make it to the final four.
Liverpool and FSG are now unwilling to offer new terms to one of their star men as a result of financial fair play concerns, a fresh report has claimed, with the Reds risking losing him instead.
Liverpool locked in contract talks
Contracts have dominated the early part of Arne Slot’s time at Anfield, even as he guides the Reds to the top of the Premier League. Liverpool have a two point advantage over Chelsea in second place, while also having a game in hand on all the sides around them, while they also sit top of the Champions League with six wins from six.
Liverpool could axe one of Trent's "closest friends" by signing £40m star
Liverpool need to make one or two signings in 2025 to consolidate their position of power.
ByAngus Sinclair Dec 18, 2024
Though things are going almost perfectly on the pitch, there are still concerns off it, with much of the focus on contracts.
All of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk are out of contract at the end of the current campaign, and though all have been offered fresh terms, none have yet committed their futures to the club.
Another player that Liverpool are keen to reward is defender Ibrahima Konate, whose current deal at Anfield expires in 2026 and who is expected to agree a new deal which will see his new status in the squad rewarded.
However, elsewhere things are less clear; Trent Alexander-Arnold remains in the sights of Real Madrid, who are reportedly planning a meeting in early January to try and convince him to join close friend Jude Bellingham at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Now a shock report suggests that another Liverpool player could follow him to Spain, with the Reds not ready to offer new terms in line with his demands.
Liverpool not willing to offer star new deal
That is according to reports coming out of Spain, which point to Luis Diaz as the man in question and suggests that he could look to leave Liverpool in the near future as a result. The Colombian forward, who has started 10 of Liverpool’s 15 Premier League games this season, was linked with a move away from the club over the summer but has emerged as a key man for Arne Slot.
His current deal runs until 2027, which sees him take home £2.8m a year (£55,000 a week), a wage that puts him among Liverpool’s lowest earners.
Player
Weekly wage
Conor Bradley
£10,000
Curtis Jones
£15,000
Jarell Quansah
£30,000
Harvey Elliott
£40,000
Wataru Endo
£50,000
Luis Diaz
£55,000
That salary, which the report claims “no longer corresponds to his importance in the team”, is seemingly unlikely to change any time soon though. They add the Reds are “not willing to make a financial effort to renew him” due to the “delicate situation with financial fair play” they find themselves in.
It is claimed that this has seen Barcelona rekindle their interest in the forward, though they will be unlikely to move for the Colombian any time soon given that they currently cannot even register summer signing Dani Olmo for the second half of the season due to financial issues of their own.
Nonetheless, it is added that a move for the winger “could become a priority if his contractual situation does not improve at Anfield”, and they may not be the only interested party able to offer a significant wage bump to the south American if Liverpool continue to overlook his importance.
Arsenal are believed to be seriously weighing up the possibility of signing a Real Madrid player in January, with Carlo Ancelotti and co beginning to pull a U-turn over letting him leave when the transfer window reopens next month.
Arsenal's rumoured transfer plans for January in bid to back Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta is currently attempting to resurrect his side’s faltering Premier League title bid, as the Gunners currently lie six points adrift of table-toppers Liverpool, with Arne Slot’s Reds also possessing an advantageous game in hand.
Arsenal hold talks with £58m striker via reps as January deal possible
The Gunners want an alternative to Kai Havertz.
2 ByEmilio Galantini Dec 12, 2024
In what was seen as a real blow for the Gunners, Arsenal dropped points away to Fulham last weekend, where they failed to score from open play for the second time in successive top flight matches.
Arsenal now face a must-win game at home to Premier League strugglers Everton this weekend, with Arteta hoping his side end their run of domestic games where they’ve relied on set-piece specialism.
Everton (home)
December 14
Crystal Palace (away)
December 21
Ipswich Town (home)
December 27
Brentford (away)
January 1
Brighton (away)
January 4
They go into the contest with their tails up after a convincing 3-0 win over Ligue 1 title challengers Monaco, but anything but a victory over Sean Dyche’s side could spell major trouble for them in the title race, especially with Chelsea in imperious form right now as well as Liverpool.
Injuries have been a consistent theme of Arsenal’s season, which has seriously hampered their form in parts, given the absences of numerous key players at various points.
Arteta, speaking to the media earlier this week, suggested that Arsenal could make signings in January – dependent on the glaring needs of his squad.
There have been reports that Arsenal have held talks over signing a new midfielder next month, with Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton on their agenda (CaughtOffside).
Wharton isn’t the only name on their agenda either, with Real Madrid playmaker Arda Guler also linked in the last few weeks.
Arsenal seriously considering signing Arda Guler on loan in January
Ancelotti stated to the media earlier this week that Guler won’t be leaving in January, but according to The Boot Room, Europe’s champions are starting to begin pulling a U-turn over the Turkey international’s potential exit.
Indeed, this comes as Guler becomes increasingly frustrated with his lack of consistent opportunities in the starting eleven, with Real prepared to consider letting him leave on loan in January as a result.
Arsenal are “seriously” weighing up a loan move for Guler in light of their softening stance, as the north Londoners keep very close tabs on this developing situation in the Spanish capital, with hope that an opportunity could open up to sign the “special” teenage sensation.
Plays of the day from the match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab in Hyderabad
Devashish Fuloria11-May-2015 The Maxwell effect With no help in the first six overs for either the seamers or the offspinner Gurkeerat Singh, David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan made brisk progress, adding 56 runs. So when Glenn Maxwell came in to bowl in the seventh over, Dhawan hoped to continue in the merry way. Maxwell, not known for turn, not only got his first ball to dip, but also got it to spit away from an advancing Dhawan, leaving him stranded down the pitch.The Neo effect Warner had been hitting the ball hard all day, but one got very close to the non-striker. As the batsman made room to hit Sandeep Sharma inside out in the 11th over, the bowler followed him. Warner, though, went ahead with the shot and hit it firmly back at Moises Henriques, who, to his credit, stayed mostly still before just getting his right shoulder out of the way. The ball was travelling at some speed, but Henriques probably saw it in slow motion.The parallax In the 17th over, Warner, while trying to make room, had to reach out for a low full toss outside off. He managed to hammer it over cover for a boundary but instead of being forced to stay on his normal stance, Warner went in the other direction. He took stance way wide of leg stump, just inside the wide marker. Anureet, confused whether to go for the open stumps or the batsman, ended up serving another low full toss. That was clubbed to the cover boundary as well.The misfiring gun No runs should have come off the last delivery of the Sunrisers innings. Instead, two were given away. Sandeep Sharma bowled an accurate yorker that was dug out back down the pitch, straight to the bowler, by KL Rahul. As the batsmen went for a non-existent single, Sandeep had plenty of time to walk to the non-striker’s end and take the bails off. But he chose to fire a throw from his position a couple of meters away from the stump only to miss them. Sandeep couldn’t believe it. George Bailey couldn’t believe it either.Six in third dimension It would be hard to beat Chris Gayle on the length of his sixes, but M Vijay could now possibly stake claim on the vertical dimension. He greeted Trent Boult with a flick that launched the ball as high as the light towers and but didn’t seem to have much horizontal distance. When it landed, though, it was over the square-leg boundary, 68 meters away.