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City need to look to the future after the Belgian suffered a serious injury and the Brazilian midfielder is shaping up to be a potential successor

Manchester City waved goodbye to two modern greats after the Champions League final as Ilkay Gundogan and then Riyad Mahrez departed. The club have been considering how to replace them all summer, but they might now have to think about a succession plan for another player – arguably their best ever.

Kevin De Bruyne was as crucial as any player in City’s run to the treble, but he admitted he had spent the last two months of the season carrying a hamstring injury. In the first half of the Champions League final, that same hamstring snapped. Two months later, 22 minutes into City’s first game of the Premier League season against Burnley, it gave way again.

And now the Belgian could be out for up to four months after Pep Guardiola confirmed he had suffered a "serious injury" and revealed that the club have to decide whether or not he has to undergo surgery. It means that City are likely to be without their most consistent and inspirational player until the start of 2024.

It is a huge blow for City and leaves them with a huge void to fill immediately. But even before City's worst fears were confirmed by Guardiola, they were beginning to realise that De Bruyne's magnificent career is starting to wind down.

The 32-year-old showed last season that he still has plenty to offer, having contributed to 42 goals last season and providing more assists than anyone else in the Premier League. But he is now only set to play half of this season. And even if he returns from injury as good as new, will he be able to play 45 games per season again?

The key to City’s success under Guardiola is their aptitude for forward planning, their ability to think three or four transfer windows ahead. And after enjoying one of the greatest playmakers the Premier League has ever seen for eight years, City must now confront an eventual future without De Bruyne, as well as looking to fill the immediate voids left by Gundogan and Mahrez. So step forward, Lucas Paqueta.

Getty ImagesMoving away from traditional wingers

When news of City’s interest in Paqueta emerged earlier this month, it came as a big surprise. Even after losing Gundogan, Guardiola still has a plethora of central midfielders to work with: Rodri, Kalvin Phillips, Bernardo, Mateo Kovacic, James McAtee and also potentially Phil Foden, who thrived in De Bruyne’s role when he replaced the Belgian in the Champions League final.

What he does not have in abundance is right wingers, however. Bernardo has played on the right plenty of times but he does not have the incisiveness of Mahrez and in the Community Shield he was kept under wraps by Jurrien Timber.

Cole Palmer came off the bench to give City the lead in that game, scoring a goal reminiscent of Mahrez, but the England Under-21 international was used sparingly last season and there are doubts over whether Guardiola trusts him enough to give him a regular spot in the team.

What the interest in Paqueta suggested was that, rather like he did last year by playing centre-backs at full-back, Guardiola is moving away from traditional wingers. That process had already begun with Jack Grealish, who holds on to the ball for long periods and is far more patient in his dribbling than most wingers, and with phasing Mahrez out of the team (the Algerian started fewer than half of City’s league games in the last two seasons).

AdvertisementGetty ImagesAn ordinary campaign but a soaring price

Paqueta might not have been top of City fans' list when it came to replacements for Gundogan or De Bruyne. He has had a down-and-up career trajectory, having a disappointing spell with AC Milan – his first European club.

He then started to realise his potential with Lyon, scoring 21 times and getting 13 assists in 80 games, which prompted West Ham to pay a club record £54 million ($68m) to sign him in the summer of 2022.

Paqueta did not exactly pull up trees in his first year with the Hammers, ending the campaign with five goals and seven assists in 42 games. The idea that City were willing to bid £70m ($89m) for the Brazilian after a fairly ordinary campaign was hard to believe.

The suggestion that they are willing to even meet West Ham’s valuation of £95m ($121m) is even more baffling, especially after they turned away from a deal for Declan Rice after his price went beyond that same figure.

Getty Images'He has so many different tools'

City ultimately have the financial muscle to make such a move and even if the price might sound high, it is easy to see why Guardiola is attracted to Paqueta. He is wonderfully versatile and can play in a variety of positions, either as a No.8, which he usually occupies for Brazil, or as a No.10, where he spent the majority of last season with West Ham. But he can also play out wide and for Brazilian giants Flamengo he played on the right and left wings.

“He always had the talent. The thing I always liked was that he was extremely versatile. He can play in a number of positions. With me, he played as a No 10, on both flanks. When we faced defensive opponents, I sometimes played him deeper in midfield,” Paqueta’s former Flamengo coach Ze Ricardo told .

“He even played up front on occasion after stepping up to the first team. He has this big capacity to adapt. He has so many different tools, which allow him to find a way out of any difficult situation on the pitch.”

Paqueta could comfortably fit into Gurardiola’s vision for his midfielders, who he likes to see drift all over the pitch and interchange places in order to become less predictable.

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(C)Getty images'Dancing on the Copacabana'

One of the Brazilian's main assets is his ability to play precise through balls, releasing attacking team-mates on the counter, often in the middle of the pitch. Just take his assist for Jarrod Bowen’s winning goal against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final, his most important contribution for West Ham.

Paqueta threaded the ball towards the forward just before crossing the halfway line, setting Bowen free towards goal unchallenged. Bowen's finish restored West Ham's lead and sent David Moyes charging down the touchline in an instantly iconic celebration.

City played more on the counter last season than in previous campaigns and the dart Bowen made behind the defence is the type of run that Erling Haaland loves to make. If Paqueta does eventually move to City, it is easy to see him having a productive partnership with the Norwegian.

The Brazilian also has breathtaking dribbling ability. Witness his assist for Manuel Lanzini in the 3-1 win against Leeds, when he danced his way past four different defenders while making his way along the byline, dragging opponents all over the place to tee up the Argentine. After that goal, team-mate Vladimir Coufal said Paqueta was “playing football like he’s dancing on the Copacabana”.

Veteran Chelsea defender Thiago Silva could miss out on playing in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on Sunday.

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Silva doubtful for Carabao Cup finalSuffered groin injury against Crystal PalaceMissed playing against Man City last weekendWHAT HAPPENED?

Thiago Silva, who picked up a groin injury during Chelsea's 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on February 12, is yet to fully recover from his knock and is doubtful to feature in the Blues' upcoming Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on Sunday.

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Ahead of their clash with Manchester City last weekend, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino had confirmed that the Brazilian was ruled out of action against the reigning Premier League champions. He further claimed that the defender's condition was assessed on a daily basis.

In the absence of the 39-year-old, Axel Disasi and Levi Colwill paired up in central defence. The young defensive duo had an impressive outing, with Disasi declared the Man of the Match.

DID YOU KNOW?

Since joining the Blues, former Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan defender Silva has featured in three domestic cup finals – FA Cup in 2021 and 2022 and Carabao Cup in 2022 – and has lost in all of them.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR THIAGO SILVA?

It remains to be seen if the Brazil international will recover in time to take the field at Wembley on Sunday. With his contract expiring at the end of the current season, the Carabao Cup final could be his last chance to win a trophy with Chelsea.

Wrexham co-chairman Ryan Reynolds had better watch out as world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has challenged Deadpool to a fight.

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Red Dragons eased to victory over the ShrimpsLancashire native wants to exact revengeMarvel superhero called out by the 'Gypsy King'WHAT HAPPENED?

The enigmatic boxing superstar has reacted to Wrexham’s 6-0 mauling of Morecambe in their latest League Two fixture – with Fury a native of the Lancashire town. He has previously launched a bid to complete a takeover of the seaside-based outfit, which would have put him in direct competition with Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in the chairmanship stakes.

AdvertisementWHAT FURY SAID

For now, Fury wants to exact revenge of sorts by squaring up to Reynolds’ famous Deadpool character in the ring. He has asked his loyal legion of social media followers to choose who would win in a fight if he were to trade blows with the Marvel superhero.

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Fury had revealed back in September, after seeing Wrexham join Morecambe in League Two, that he intended to “call out Ryan Reynolds” when attending a meeting between the two clubs. He has been as good as his word, with the larger-than-life 35-year-old currently readying himself for a unification fight against Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia on February 17, 2024.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Wrexham will face Morecambe again shortly after that battle in the Middle East – on March 9 – with it possible that Fury will be in attendance at Mazuma Mobile Stadium. Until then, he is reflecting on a crushing defeat for the Shrimps that saw Red Dragons striker Paul Mullin add another hat-trick to his collection.

Paul Edwards at Old Trafford02-Sep-2014
ScorecardAdam Lyth was unstoppable as he compiled 251•Getty ImagesThe third day’s play in the Roses match was not designed to silence the Old Trafford malcontents. With Yorkshire registering the highest total in Roses history and Adam Lyth failing by one run to equal Yorkshire’s highest score in Roses history, how could it?The indefatigable Lyth also helped Adil Rashid set a new Yorkshire record for the sixth-wicket, the pair’s 296-run stand beating the mark set by Maurice Leyland and Emmott Robinson at Swansea in 1926. And it seemed that when a statistic involving the legendary Robinson was eclipsed, a torch was passed from a distant generation to the current vintage.Lyth and Rashid, of course, may hardly have heard of Leyland or Robinson, but the applause of the many visiting spectators at Old Trafford when the new record was established revealed a pleasing awareness of their county’s history. Such knowledge was not generally shared: Lancashire’s public address announcer marked the occasion by announcing that one car was blocking another.For his part, Lyth very deliberately acknowledged the standing ovation he received from all parts of Old Trafford as he made his way back to the changing room after his innings of 251 that once again demanded England debate.Lancashire close in on Buck

Lancashire are seeking to strengthen their pace bowling resources with a move for Leicestershire’s quick bowler Nathan Buck.
Buck was England’s leading wicket taker at the 2010 U-19 World Cup with 13 victims and in that season took 49 wickets at 27. He was then selected for the England Lions tour to the West Indies where he took five wickets, only for injury to restrict his development.
Now 23, he tops Leicestershire’s bowling averages with 42 wickets at 30.71. He is one of several players who could move on from the Second Division’s bottom club.

For all their internecine squabbles, there remains a degree of shared purpose between Yorkshire’s players and supporters, a sense of “uz”, if you wish, which is partly explored in very much more general terms in the two sonnets written by the Leeds poet Tony Harrison.Perhaps it is that sense of identification with the players that Lancashire fans believe is endangered by the redevelopment of Old Trafford. More prosaically, of course, they just want the team to play better cricket and maybe they detect strong links between events on and off the field.At least late resistance from Paul Horton, Usman Khawaja and Ashwell Prince gave Lancashire supporters some hope that they may rescue a precious draw on the final afternoon of a match which has been dominated by the White Rose.But unease remained. When Old Trafford was redeveloped a couple of seasons ago it was decided that the players would no longer use the pavilion but would instead change in a plush new facility at what is now the Statham End of the ground.There were sound reasons behind the decision but the fact that cricketers no longer need the building where members sit may almost be seen to symbolise the perceived divide between Lancashire’s establishment and the folk who pay their subs to support the club in the hope of seeing the team do well.Instead, the first session and a half saw Yorkshire extend their first innings lead to 332, the second-highest they have enjoyed against their keenest rivals. Lyth took his overnight 182 not out to a career-best 251, a mere single shy of Darren Lehmann’s individual Roses record, when he drove Steven Parry to Simon Kerrigan at mid-on, thus giving Lancashire their solitary bowling success of the day.The first half of this day was tough going for Lancashire’s attack. Glen Chapple’s bowlers were condemned to the roles of extras in a drama where the leading roles were taken by actors from another company. Thus, it was seen as almost a triumph when a maiden was sent down.Nor were Lancastrian torments ended with the dismissal of Lyth. Rashid and Richard Pyrah added another 33 with Rashid making 159 not out, his second Championship century of the season. Wristy, quick on his feet and pleasingly incapable of letting the bowlers settle, he reinforced his reputation as a talent of which more may be expected.But by 2.46pm Andrew Gale had seen enough and he called the batsmen in. Yorkshire’s total was the highest by either side in a Roses match, another record on a day replete with them.Needing to bat for near as damnit a day and a half to secure the draw that would buoy their hopes of avoiding relegation and deny Yorkshire the win that might take them yet closer to the title, Glen Chapple’s batsmen began poorly when Luis Reece lost his off stump to a good ball from Ryan Sidebottom in the seventh over.But Paul Horton and Usman Khawaja then produced some most resolute batting to add 81 in 21 overs before Rashid caught and bowled Horton when he had made 49, the ball catching the leading edge and the spinner diving to his right for the snare.But there were no more breakthroughs for Yorkshire. Unlike other innings, this summer Lancashire’s batting did not disintegrate like the delicate pastry in a perfectly baked Eccles cake. Ashwell Prince, feisty to the last, passed a thousand Championship runs in making 18 not out while Khawaja produced his most technically satisfying innings since his arrival in June and finished 69 not out.The dismissed Lancashire openers agree that the pitch is still “an Old Trafford slab” and Rashid will be a key man on the last day. As will Adam Lyth with his offspin, perhaps. Well it’s about time that Yorkshire pair made some contribution to this engrossing Roses match.

A brisk hundred from Sharjeel Khan and an unbeaten 34-ball 64 from Babar Azam helped Pakistan A crush Kenya by 155 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore

Umar Farooq15-Dec-2014
ScorecardFile photo: Sharjeel Khan struck 12 fours and nine sixes during his hundred•Getty ImagesA brisk hundred from Sharjeel Khan and an unbeaten 34-ball 64 from Babar Azam helped Pakistan A crush Kenya by 155 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Kenya crumbled in 41.3 overs while chasing a formidable target of 315 in 45 overs as Pakistan took a 2-0 lead with three one-dayers remaining.Pakistan A started the day with caution after opting to bat first as Kenya bowlers kept the run rate in check, allowing only 23 runs in the first 10 overs. The flow of runs started when Sharjeel hammered left-arm spinner Jadhavji Bhimji for 16 runs in the 15th over, but left-arm pacer Lucas Oluoch returned for his second spell to dent Pakistan with two wickets. He removed Sami Aslam (19) and Fazal Subhan in two successive balls before Fawad Alam prevented the hat-trick.After being 19 off 35 at one point, Sharjeel completed his half-century in 59 balls with a six. He smacked 12 fours and nine sixes during his 138 off 120 balls, though he was dropped twice – once on 61 at midwicket and then on 120 at extra cover when a relatively simpler catch was put down by Nelson Odhiambo. He was eventually caught when he smashed one straight to the deep-square leg fielder.Fawad (52) and Sharjeel shared a 128-run stand for the third wicket to help Pakistan pass 200 in the 35th over. Babar and Mohammad Rizwan then put together a quickfire 62-run stand in 29 balls to put up a daunting total of 314.Kenya started the chase in control, adding 49 for the first wicket as opener Alex Obanda hit seven fours for his 31-ball 36. Thereafter, no batsman looked threatening enough as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Wicketkeeper-batsman Morris Ouma resisted for a while as he held his end with 26 off 58 balls.No. 9 Elijah Otieno provided a late explosion with his 29-ball 39 but could not hold on for long and his wicket ended the innings on 159. Legspinner Shahzaib Ahmed picked up three wickets for 20 runs while Fawad and Mohammad Talha took two wickets apiece.

The Supreme Court was told on Monday that the Lodha committee’s recommendation on “one-state, one-vote” in the BCCI would lead to “enormous politics” and pressure within the board

PTI19-Apr-2016The Supreme Court was told on Monday that the Lodha committee’s recommendation on “one-state, one-vote” in the BCCI would lead to “enormous politics” and pressure within the board.The submission made by Baroda Cricket Association to this effect prompted the bench, comprising Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justice Ibrahim Kalifulla, to ask senior advocate Kapil Sibal for more elaboration as to how this recommendation would “generate” more politics in the working of the BCCI.”Can you elaborate what the politics will be,” the bench asked Sibal, who was appearing for Baroda Cricket Association and arguing against the implementation of the recommendation for one-state, one-vote in the BCCI.”You know everything,” the senior advocate responded, and the bench, in a lighter vein, said: “That is the area in which you also flourish.””Reality is, there would be enormous pressure irrespective of who is standing in the elections,” Sibal said.The implementation of the one-state, one-vote policy has relevance as Maharashtra and Gujarat, which have four and three cricket associations respectively as permanent members, would be left with only one permanent member each in the BCCI. The new permanent members will instead come from smaller cricket-playing states like Manipur and Mizoram.Sibal contended that there is no rationale in correlating cricketing activities, geographical boundaries and population. “We will be generating enormous politics in the system which is prevailing,” he said.The bench said: “You are right. Seven votes will come to northeast where there is no cricket, that we know. But we don’t know the game of seven votes. Can you elaborate what the politics will be?”Besides the Maharashtra Cricket Association, the other three cricket boards in the state with full membership are Cricket Club of India, Mumbai Cricket Association and Vidharbha Cricket Association. In Gujarat, besides Gujarat Cricket Association, the other two are Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) and Saurashtra Cricket Association.Sibal said the BCA was against the one-state, one-vote policy as, by this recommendation, the entire structure and function of the BCCI and other state cricket associations was sought to be changed, which went against the essence of article 19(1)(c) of the constitution of India.He commenced his submissions by saying that the rights under article 19(1)(c) – the right to form an association, the right to autonomy, the right to remove membership etc – are protected, and as long as these rights are not interfered with, there is no problem.However, the bench said an association cannot take shelter under the fundamental rights as it is not a citizen. “Have you come as an individual citizen or an association? Association is not a citizen. No rights of citizens have been affected. Whose rights as citizens have been affected?” the bench asked, as Sibal contended that if all the recommendations of Lodha committee were part of a legislative act, it would have been struck down.”All the rules which apply to the BCCI will apply to me also,” Sibal said, asserting: “Parliament can’t pass a law. It is completely in the state list.” His response was to the court’s observation made during the last hearing, that the public functions of BCCI can be taken over by the government with the enactment of a law in parliament.The bench also asked what prevents the BCCI from saying that if any state association want to be associated with it, the respective body has to fall in line with the Lodha committee recommendations.Referring to the recommendations, the bench said, “The whole exercise is for holistic purpose. The holistic basis and the background in which the whole exercise was carried out was with a view to streamline and remove all shortcomings and malpractices that people perceive about the BCCI.”The issue has to be seen from larger perspective that structural reform is important and it is held that one-state, one-vote will bring transparency. If you want to reform the system, you have to reform it, and that is why recommendations have been made by the Lodha committee.”However, Sibal – who said the association never doubted the wisdom of the Lodha committee – asked why Baroda, which has contributed a lot to the game over the years, should be deprived of full membership and the rights to vote and participate in the decision making in the BCCI.”But I am deprived of the vote and Manipur and some other states will have that right – those states which do not have cricketing activity will have the voting right,” he said, adding, “First, my right of full membership will be taken away. Second, my right to vote will be taken away. Why?”The bench responded: “The BCCI has not decided anything against you. The BCCI and you are on the same boat. Both of you are… taking the same position. We have given time to the BCCI to look into the recommendation. We have given enough time to the BCCI to respond to the Lodha committee recommendation.”The best way for the BCCI to overcome all the shortcomings should be in a transparent manner. We are not asking you to change your constitution. When we see the stand of the BCCI, then we can see how your association can be moulded.”Referring to the Lodha Committee’s recommendation that there should be CEOs for the associations, which was opposed by the Baroda Cricket Association, the bench asked: “Why should you not have a CEO?”The senior advocate said: “That is a direct infringement of Article 19(1)(c) of the constitution.”The bench said, “If you and we are concerned with the private body and not in any way concerned with the public function, you may be right. You must remember when we are trying to reform BCCI, it is because it is performing a public function.”The whole idea is that of purely reform, and the Lodha committee recommendation is also aimed at bringing in transparency, objectivity and removing shortcomings.”Sibal supported his submissions by arguing that even the private insurance companies were doing public functions, but the court cannot interfere in their administration and functioning.”What is the public purpose served in depriving me of full membership? What is the public purpose served [by] depriving me of the right to vote? What is the public good sought to be achieved with this process? What is the public function sought to be performed by private body? You give somebody a full membership but don’t deprive me of my rights,” he said.He also said he did not favour the idea of the apex court for “rotational membership” for full members saying, “I can’t be a part of the decision making, so am not in favour of rotational policy. I shall never canvass for rotational policy.”When the bench asked was there any known mechanism of distribution of the board’s money, he said permanent members equally share the money while associate members get Rs 50 lakh each.The next hearing in this case is scheduled for April 25.

A "devastated" Thiago Silva apologised to Chelsea fans in an emotional message after an awful error gifted Newcastle a goal in a 4-1 defeat.

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Silva issues apology after silly errorChelsea convincingly beaten by NewcastleBlues drop to 10th spotWHAT HAPPENED?

The defender was at fault after a critical error led to Joelinton's goal that helped the Magpies to further extend their lead. Silva's sloppy pass was cut off by his compatriot and Joelinton made no mistake to score past a helpless Robert Sanchez between the sticks.

AdvertisementWHAT THIAGO SILVA SAID

Silva posted an emotional message after the defeat which read: "I'm devastated. It wasn't a good day for us. I would like to apologise to everyone for the defeat, especially to my teammates who believe in me and support me every day. I take full responsibility. Let's gather strength and come back stronger."

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After coming out second-best to an injury-ravaged Newcastle, Mauricio Pochettino was naturally left "upset". Alexander Isak scored the opener but Raheem Sterlingensured that they were back on level terms soon after scoring a brilliant free kick. However, after the break, the Magpies upped the ante and Jamaal Lascelles made the most of the inspired start and put his team back in the lead. After Silva's howler, things went further south for Chelsea as Reece James was handed his marching orders. Ten minutes later, Anthony Gordon scored the fourth of the match for Newcastle to seal a memorable evening for the fans at St. James' Park.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR THIAGO SILVA?

Silva is one of the leaders in the dressing room and became the oldest player to ever feature for the Blues at 39 years and 64 days when he was named in the starting XI against Newcastle. The centre-back will look to put this disappointment on the back burner and move ahead as Chelsea are set to host Brighton next on December 3.

Romelu Lukaku got the “40,000 whistles” reception at Inter that Nerazzurri fans had promised, with ultras defying a ban on the handing out of gifts.

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Striker won league title at San SiroReturned on loan last seasonNow with Serie A rivalsWHAT HAPPENED?

The Belgium international striker was once a fan favourite to San Siro, with Serie A title glory savoured back in 2020-21. After enduring a forgettable second stint at Premier League giants Chelsea, Lukaku returned to Milan on loan last season.

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He was then linked with a move to Inter’s arch-rivals Juventus over the summer, before ending up back in Italy working under Jose Mourinho at Roma. Lukaku was never going to get a warm recerption from the home support when returning to familiar surroundings, with passionate supporters vowing to make his “life on the pitch hell”.

DID YOU KNOW?

Inter ultras were ordered not to hand out whistles prior to a meeting with Roma, but that advice was ignored and Lukaku was welcomed onto the pitch for his pre-match warm-up by a deafening noise.

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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Lukaku knew what was coming and was able to see the funny side. He calmly applauded the Roma fans in attendance before going about his business with a smile on his face. Inter followers had, however, made it clear that they would whistle his every touch, with the 30-year-old forward unable to escape the most ear-splitting of sounds in the stands.

Future Sheffield Shield titles would only be awarded to the outright winner of the final, under one of several proposals currently being considered by Cricket Australia to revitalise the competition decider

Daniel Brettig29-Mar-2016Future Sheffield Shield titles would only be awarded to the outright winner of the final, under one of several proposals currently being considered by Cricket Australia to revitalise the competition decider.Planning of the domestic schedule for next summer is at an advanced stage, and ESPNcricinfo understands the Shield final is safe from being cut, as there are no plans to grow the number of Twenty20 Big Bash League games from their present number before the 2017-18 season. Any changes to the final could then be tested before a decision is made on whether it is retained against an expanded BBL.CA, the states and the players have been in talks about ways to revitalise the five-day final, which has run to largely predictable scripts over the years. While outstanding contest like the first final in 1983, a one-wicket win for New South Wales over Queensland in 1985 and South Australia’s last-gasp escape in 1996 have stayed in the memory, most have been duller affairs on flat pitches.This has been largely due to the fact that competition rules allow for the Shield to be awarded to the team finishing top of the table in the event of a draw, meaning the surface is invariably prepared to increase the likelihood of that outcome. The proposal to leave the Shield shared between the two finalists unless there is an outright result is geared towards ensuring a more lively contest on a fairer surface.Pat Howard, CA’s team performance manager, has floated this possibility among numerous other thought bubbles, and it is believed to have met a favourable response from CA Board directors, state associations and players. A five-day final is considered ample time to gain an outright result, provided the pitch offers enough.Ironically, the strip prepared for this year’s meeting between South Australia and Victoria at Glenelg Oval has proven to be an excellent example, affording enough seam movement to the fast men and some appreciable turn for the spinners. At the same time, batsmen have been able to make runs when applying themselves. Outstanding innings by the youthful trio of Travis Dean, Peter Handscomb and Jake Weatherald have underlined the value of the final as a proving ground.”I’m not surprised there has been discussion,” the Cricket Victoria chief executive Tony Dodemaide said. “We’ve had those in meetings with Cricket Australia. The cricket world changes over time, it’s very different to when it was first installed in the early ’80s.”But I think we are seeing today how valuable it can be in terms of this sort of intensity of cricket, particularly for young players, it’s been outstanding in this particular game how young players from both teams have really stood up and shown what they can do under pressure. That is something worth persisting with I think personally.”I think it’s been a very, very good cricket wicket, what it’s done with the new ball, with the spinners and how they’re getting a little bit out of it, there’s a chance for everyone to have some input in the game. The surfaces are crucial in ensuring there’s a decent balance.”Glenelg’s successful hosting of the final, where the smaller ground has leant a pleasant festival air to proceedings while also providing an ideal surface, has not been lost on Victorian administrators as they work on long overdue upgrades to Junction Oval as a cricket hub and secondary venue after the MCG.”I’m very impressed, I’ve done several laps of the ground over three days through nervousness and also wanting to have a look a what they’ve got here,” Dodemaide said. “This is a terrific arena for Shield cricket, it’s an excellent atmosphere and a perfect fit for what Sheffield Shield cricket can be. With what we are looking for at the Junction Oval this will definitely influence it.”

Surrey captured seven prime wickets in the space of 65 overs on a blameless surface at the Kia Oval to fight back against Middlesex

Andrew Miller at Kia Oval15-May-2016
ScorecardNick Gubbins raced to a half-century but couldn’t register his maiden hundred•Getty ImagesOn a day of North London sporting collapses, Middlesex’s subsidence against Surrey couldn’t hold a candle to the tragicomic events up at St James’ Park, where Tottenham Hotspur squandered the chance to finish above Arsenal in the Premier League for the first time in 21 years.Nevertheless, the capture of seven prime wickets in the space of 65 overs on a blameless surface meant that, by the close of the first day at the Kia Oval, Surrey’s threadbare attack had recovered manfully in their own game of domestic one-upmanship.After winning the toss on another flat and straw-coloured deck – precisely the sort of surface that the ECB would have had in mind when they introduced their new spin-friendly directive – Middlesex made such hay in the morning session that their lunchtime scoreline of 126 for 0 seemed like a promise of the riches to come.Instead, despite starts for each of their top four including a particularly classy 91 from Nick Gubbins, the day finished with a belatedly claimed new ball from Surrey, men around the bat, and quite a task in hand for Middlesex to secure their full allocation of batting points.Surrey’s cast of bowling absentees could fill most attacks in the land – Zafar Ansari (thumb), Mark Footitt (side), Matthew Dunn (hamstring), Sam Curran (A Levels – how dare he?), Jade Dernbach (stress fracture) and Stuart Meaker (groin, to put it euphemistically) – so when Kumar Sangakkara spilled Sam Robson on 9, a sharp but catchable chance at first slip, it felt like the sort of opportunity that wouldn’t go unpunished.Instead, Surrey stuck to their guns and chiselled out their wickets – two each for Gareth Batty, whose pumped-up performance refused to allow the standards around him to slide, and James Burke, and three for Tom Curran, whose key extraction of Gubbins after lunch was followed by two more in three overs before the close, to inject some urgency into the final moments of the day.Surrey’s first breakthrough came only four balls into the afternoon session, when Robson, on 53, was lured down the wicket by a wide delivery from Batty and beaten round the outside edge as he stabbed half-heartedly into the covers. Ben Foakes whipped off the bails to deny Robson a fourth century of a summer in which he had converted each of his previous three fifties to three figures.Despite Robson’s ongoing form, Gubbins had been the main man of Middlesex’s morning, driving and pulling with particular ferocity as he closed in on a maiden first-class hundred that remains strangely elusive for a man of his talent. Twice before he had reached the nineties, and once again he fell with three figures in sight – a loose waft across the line to a full ball from Curran, and Arun Harinath tumbled at mid-off to scoop the looping chance. Both men had been awarded their caps during the lunch break, and together they took the crowd’s applause again.Adam Voges, back in the side after taking a blow to the head while fielding against Hampshire a fortnight ago, joined Dawid Malan in a third-wicket stand of 72, and at 238 for 2, Middlesex seemed back on course for their dominant first-innings total. But once again, the onset of an interval took some of the wind out of their sails. After the addition of six runs in 20 minutes after tea, Malan aimed a flat-footed drive at Burke to be caught behind for 58, and Burke was back in business soon afterwards as Voges propped half-forward to be sent on his way lbw for 47.Despite the depth in Middlesex’s line-up, and the sun on their backs throughout a near-perfect day for batting, their struggle for dominance continued as Surrey cranked up the pressure. Batty struck again as John Simpson shaped to sweep only to be struck in line with leg stump for 12, while Paul Stirling and Ollie Rayner were no match for Curran in the day’s closing overs.