Liverpool did make hard work of their 2-1 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur late on Saturday.

Indeed, Arne Slot’s men should have cruised to a win away at Spurs, considering Xavi Simons was dismissed in the first half, but the final scoreline would only read 2-1 in the away side’s favour, as Richarlison made the final exchanges very interesting in North London by powering home a consolation effort.

Still, a win is a win for the Reds, who are now only out of the top four positions in the league on goal difference, as Slot continues to experience a mini-resurgence at the Anfield helm.

Regardless, the January transfer window could be a busy one on Merseyside, as the Dutchman looks towards the future for his starting XI by snapping up some fresh talent.

Liverpool make £66m titan a top target

In the short term, Liverpool will just be focused on collecting more wins, as the fixture list becomes more and more overloaded this winter.

But, in the long term, Slot will already have some targets in mind that can help with the overall overhaul of his ageing squad, with Marc Guehi being constantly talked about as a centre-back target on their shopping list, as Virgil Van Dijk reaches the twilight years of his career now at 34 years of age.

It isn’t just solely the 25-year-old on their radar in this department, however, with TEAMtalk revealing that Alessandro Bastoni has emerged as a main target, as they hunt down a successor for their much-loved Dutchman, and that he is viewed as an alternative to Guehi.

The report further states that the Inter Milan warrior could be swayed to move to England, with a £66m price tag placed above his head, amid interest also set to come for his services from the likes of Manchester, Chelsea and other foreign suitors.

Having stood out in Serie A for some time now as a calm, yet forceful defensive presence, the Premier League might soon await Bastoni, with the towering 26-year-old arguably an upgrade on Guehi, when delving deeper into their numbers.

How Bastoni is an upgrade on Guehi

Guehi does, of course, have the added bonus of knowing the Premier League inside out, away from being chucked into the English top-flight like Bastoni, with the Englishman labelled a “Rolls-Royce” at the back for the Eagles by coach David Matthews earlier in the season.

Yet, despite averaging an assured 85% pass accuracy this season to date in league action, and a commanding 5.6 duels won per clash, he isn’t without his faults, with Guehi only winning 50% of his duels last time out, as Palace were torn to shreds 4-1 by Leeds United.

Bastoni’s numbers over the last year vs Guehi’s

Stat – per 90 mins

Bastoni

Guehi

Passes attempted

78.83

51.63

Pass completion %

86.4%

83.5%

Progressive passes

5.47

4.44

Progressive carries

1.88

1.00

Successful take-ons

0.36

0.24

Shot-creating actions

2.41

1.47

Progressive passes received

2.89

0.41

Tackles

2.05

2.00

Interceptions

0.89

1.09

Blocks

1.18

1.15

Clearances

3.08

4.94

Aerials won

1.59

2.18

Stats by FBref

He was also uncharacteristically sloppy with the ball at his feet towards the start of December, too, when giving away possession ten times during Palace’s 3-0 collapse versus Manchester City, with his numbers – side by side with Bastoni over the last year – also falling flat in many areas, next to the £66m-rated colossus, when staring at the table above.

Amazingly, despite boasting two goals and two assists for the season in league action, his Italian counterpart actually betters him in terms of shot-creating actions, progressive passes, and successful take-ons over the last year, with Bastoni actually coming away from the 2024/25 Serie A season with a mightily impressive six goal contributions under his belt.

On top of that, Bastoni also trumps Guehi in terms of tackles and blocks registered over the last year, despite the Palace defender once being lauded as a “monster” by journalist Bobby Manzi, with the Inter number 95 also coming away from his last Serie A contest versus Genoa with a dominant ten duels won.

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The Liverpool target has even been boldly labelled as being “as good as Van Dijk” by Sky Sports’ pundit and content creator Nieve Petruzziello, which will be music to the ears of Reds supporters, as the 26-year-old would, no doubt, be expected to be a regular starter in the heart of the Anfield defence, long after Van Dijk has hung up his boots.

Of course, there will be slight apprehension to drop £66m on Bastoni’s services, considering how much money was dropped in the summer on hit-and-miss acquisitions from Europe.

But, with the evidence outlined above that Bastoni is an upgrade on Guehi, it could end up being lavish money well spent, as Slot goes about reshaping his starting XI even more.

Related Slot's own Coutinho: Liverpool lodge enquiry over signing £70m “magician”

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After wins against Burnley and Manchester City within the first two games of the season, it appeared as though Thomas Frank was the perfect man to lead Tottenham Hotspur forward.

His side scored five times and kept two clean sheets in the process, with the Dane making an immediate impact within his side at both ends of the pitch in the Premier League.

However, a run of four defeats in their last seven league outings has seen the Lilywhites slide down to 11th in the league table, subsequently mounting the pressure on the 52-year-old.

The 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest on Sunday is the latest example of the struggles the manager has faced in recent weeks, which could lead to the fans turning on the Dane.

As a result, numerous options have been drawn up, which could lead to a change in manager in North London ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

Spurs’ hunt for a manager to replace Frank

Over the last couple of days, former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has been touted with a sensational return to North London if Frank is dismissed from the role.

The Argentine, who is currently managing the US men’s national team, has previously spoken about his desire to return to the Lilywhites after leaving in November 2019.

However, it’s unclear if a deal would be agreed at present, especially with the 53-year-old set to lead the host nation into the World Cup in the summer next year.

He’s not the only manager in their sights at present, with Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, another manager currently being considered by the Lilywhites hierarchy.

According to CaughtOffside, the Austrian is just one manager that’s currently under consideration by the hierarchy, which could lead to an approach with his deal with the Eagles set to expire in June.

The report also states that the board have been hugely impressed with his work at Selhurst Park, which could make Spurs the next stepping stone in his career.

Described as “a better manager” than Arteta by the outspoken Jamie O’Hara, Tottenham could be onto a winner with this one.

How Oliver Glasner compares to Thomas Frank

After leading Brentford up the English pyramid and making them an established Premier League club, the decision to appoint Frank looked like the right one, subsequently allowing him to make the next step in his career.

His tactics have shown glimpses of being successful, but ultimately, the results and performances have been far too inconsistent in recent months.

The board will no doubt give the Dane time to lead them back up England’s top-flight, especially after paying a reported £10m compensation package for his services.

Despite the recent slump in form, the Lilywhites still sit just six points off a place within the top four of the division, which could easily see the side secure another season of European football.

However, any move for Glasner would allow the club to gain a serious upgrade in the managerial department, especially considering the work he’s already conducted across the capital.

The 51-year-old is coming up to two years in the role at Selhurst Park and has already claimed the FA Cup title – the first major trophy in the Eagles’ 120-year history.

Away from the trophies won, the Austrian has also achieved a better record in the Premier League, with the underlying figures highlighting why he would be the perfect man to replace Frank.

Glasner, who’s “destined for greatness” according to Anil Kandola, has achieved a better win rate in the Premier League, as seen by his success rate of 41%.

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Such a record, combined with his tally of trophies won, highlights the success the Palace boss has already endured in his career – arguably making him a serial winner.

How Glasner & Frank compare in the PL

Statistics (per 90)

Glasner

Frank

Games managed

67

168

Wins

27

60

Draws

22

42

Losses

18

66

Points per game

1.51

1.32

Win percentage

41%

35%

Goals per game

1.5

1.4

Goals conceded per game

1.1

1.5

Stats via Transfermarkt

He’s lost fewer of the games that he’s taken charge of in England’s top-flight, often finding a way to grinding out results, something which the Lilywhites have lacked this season.

However, quality at both ends of the pitch is also needed for success, with Glasner’s sides currently scoring more and conceding less than any of Frank’s sides in the Premier League.

It’s unclear how soon the Spurs hierarchy would consider parting ways with Frank after his summer arrival, but the Dane desperately needs to transform the situation or his job will certainly be at risk.

As for the Palace boss, he would be the perfect man to take over in North London, with Glasner having all of the tools to make the club serial winners in the near future.

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Kent, after winning the toss and electing to bat moved comfortably on to 100-2 at the lunch time interval scoring at 2.9 per over.Leicestershire felt that if there was to be anything in the wicket then itwould be early on and once again Jimmy Ormond duly obliged. Ormond, with an average of 24.40 and taking 42 wickets so far this season, picked up the first wicket of Hockley through a regulation catch to the wicket keeper Neil Burns. He then had Fulton caught at first slip when the score had reached 42.Since then Kent have never really looked in any difficulty especially withDravid at the crease. He looked to dominate the bowling from the start andquickly raced on to 41. Most of his boundaries were scored square of the wicket indicating that the Leicestershire bowlers were bowling too short at times.

James Faulkner has been banned from driving for two years and fined £10,000 after he admitted the drink-driving offence which had already led to him missing the forthcoming limited-overs leg of Australia’s tour of England.Faulkner, who was Man of the Match in the World Cup final in March and is currently playing for Lancashire, was found to be nearly three times over the legal limit when he gave a breath test after his Toyota hit the back of a BMW 3 Series car in West Didsbury, Manchester on July 2.Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that he did not want to walk the one mile home in heavy rain following an evening out with a friend from Tasmania, previously reported to be team-mate Tim Paine.District Judge Mark Hadfield said: “I am sure you accept it was foolhardy in the extreme to get behind the wheel of your vehicle having been out for a meal with your friend.”The judge explained that he had reached his decision on the level of Faulkner’s fine because a community order would not be possible given his circumstances.Speaking on behalf of Faulkner, his manager Phil Weston said: “I deeply regret my actions which gave rise to my behaviour.”Cricket Australia had already implemented their own disciplinary procedures shortly after Faulkner was stopped by police last month while he was also fined by Lancashire. He was handed four suspension points by CA for a level three offence which meant he was immediately ruled out of Australia’s ODI against Ireland then the T20 against England and the start of the one-day series.”Given he will be unavailable for a significant component of that series, Faulkner will not be considered for the Australian T20 or ODI squad when it is announced in mid-August,” a CA statement said. “Faulkner may be considered as a replacement for an injured player following his suspension if required.”Faulkner will also have to undergo an alcohol management counselling programme, as determined by the Cricket Australia chief medical officer and pay for any damage to property caused by his actions while driving.”

ScorecardJake Ball – proof that Nottinghamshire can produce their own•Getty Images

With a third of the third day lost to rain and a forecast for more interruptions on day four, Nottinghamshire may be thwarted in their attempt to secure a fourth win in five in the Championship. Nonetheless, the transformation in their fortunes since late June has been notable.Since they were thrashed by an innings by Yorkshire at Headingley in June, Nottinghamshire have recorded a remarkable 11 wins from 14 completed matches across the three formats. Talk of relegation was in the air in the aftermath of the Leeds defeat; now there is a reasonable prospect of finishing second in the Championship, while a home quarter-final in the Royal London Cup on Tuesday offers the chance to move within one step of a second Lord’s final in three years.Much will be made of the improvement coinciding with the addition of Peter Moores to the coaching staff as a consultant. The future of the former England head coach beyond next month has yet to be determined. There will be a clamour, no doubt, among the members for him to stay.There are other factors at play, though, one of which is the emergence of a youthfully enthusiastic bowling attack, who are rising to the challenge presented by the two gaping holes left behind by Andre Adams and, latterly, Peter Siddle, and threatening finally to quieten the constant snipe that Nottinghamshire cannot produce their own players.Jake Ball, Brett Hutton and Luke Wood, who have shared seven wickets in this match so far and 74 between them for the Championship season, are all local boys. Ball is from Mansfield, while Hutton and Wood, although born in Doncaster and Sheffield respectively, played their club cricket in Nottinghamshire and developed through the county’s academy system.Although Wood is a relative newcomer, Ball and Hutton have had to wait several years for the opportunity to be regulars in the four-day side. Now they have made the breakthrough, they are finding that taking the field with trust behind them makes all the difference.”It is massive to have that,” Ball said after finishing with 3 for 35 after going for under two runs per over. “It is hard as a bowler when you go out there under pressure, thinking you must take wickets, because then you can strive too hard, bowl a bit fuller and go for a lot of runs.”It is nice to have that confidence, so you can just settle into a spell knowing you have a period of time in the team and that if you persevere with bowling the ball in the right areas then wickets will come.”There have been situations in the year when they could have left people out but they have stuck with us and it has given us the confidence to go out there are express ourselves and be positive.”Ball puts his own strides forward down both to that sense of security and a winter spent in the gym, working on his strength and fitness.”I was established in the one-day and Twenty20 teams but I wanted this to be a breakthrough season in the Championship,” he said.”I was meant to go to Sydney last winter but I took a decision to spend the winter working in the gym with the aim of getting stronger and it has paid off in that I’ve probably added a yard of pace.”I’ve only missed a couple of four-day games and the experience of playing at this level regularly has helped me improve.”I think we are all learning as a unit. Over the last couple of years we have lost some really experienced bowlers in Andre Adams and Darren Pattinson and last year Peter Siddle. This year we have had people coming in and out and found ourselves in situations where the youngsters have needed to play.”But we have come in and done a good job. I feel the younger bowlers are in on merit and that’s good to see. We would like to think we can develop as the Notts bowling attack for the future.”Ball’s bowling of Laurie Evans off an inside edge was an important early breakthrough after Warwickshire resumed on 100 for four, after which two wickets for Hutton and a second of the innings for Harry Gurney reduced Warwickshire to 171 for 8, Keith Barker and Chris Wright shoring things up with a stand of 65 before Barker perished reverse sweeping Samit Patel for an entertaining 71.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsFile photo: John Mooney struck a fifty and put up a crucial stand with Kevin O’Brien•ICC/Sander Tholen

Half-centuries from Kevin O’Brien and John Mooney ensured that Ireland held on for a draw against Zimbabwe A in Harare. Zimbabwe A, who began the day at 320 for 6 in their second innings, added just 26 more runs to that total before declaring. It set Ireland a target of 386 and meant the hosts had more than 80 overs to take 10 wickets and seal a victory.Those hopes were further raised when regular blows from Brian Vitori (2 for 51) and Tatenda Mupunga (2 for 52) reduced Ireland to 141 for 5, with at least 35 more overs left in the day. However, Kevin O’Brien and Mooney held firm, batting together for more than two overs to shepherd their team to safety. Kevin O’Brien hit nine fours for his 56 not out, while Mooney’s unbeaten 65 featured 11 fours. The pair’s unbroken 130-run stand took Ireland to 271 for 5 before stumps were called.

Match facts

Tuesday, 20 October
Start time 9.30am local (0730 GMT)Elton Chigumbura averages 20.97 from 12 innings since his last ODI century, against India in July•Associated Press

The Big Picture

The last time Afghanistan came to Zimbabwe, in 2014, a four-match one-day series was shared 2-2, and indications are that this series could shape up in a similar manner. Afghanistan gave a far better account of themselves in their 58-run victory in the second match, which should give them a renewed sense of belief.Despite the defeat, the morale in Zimbabwe’s squad is still good and there are no panic stations yet. Just a handful of fringe players turned up for an optional net session on Monday as many of the Zimbabweans chose to recharge their batteries, which is fine so long as that translates to energy and enthusiasm on the field. Afghanistan, meanwhile, are buzzing after their win, and Zimbabwe need to match their passion with an aggressive, dominant style of their own.In these sorts of situations, teams often turn to their captain to lead the way. But the problem for Zimbabwe is that their captain is struggling with his own form. Elton Chigumbura is no longer really an allrounder, having bowled just once in his last ten international outings. Of greater concern is his batting, given he has scored just 221 runs at an average of 20.09 in in 12 innings since his unbeaten century against India in July.That is not so far below his career average that it suggests a complete bottoming out of his form, but more worrying is his strike rate. Apart from one innings against Pakistan, Chigumbura has not been middling the ball; he had a strike rate of 59.34 in the third ODI against Ireland, and failed to score a single boundary in his 54-ball 25 against Afghanistan on Sunday. It was an innings that was somewhat dictated by circumstance, and one sensed that Chigumbura failed to execute a Dhoni-style late assault. The sooner Chigumbura gets his strut and swagger back, the better for him and his team.International football at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on Sunday clashed directly with the cricket, resulting in a lower than normal turnout for a weekend match in this cricket-starved city, and mid-week games are never that well attended, so Zimbabwe are going to have to raise themselves without massive support from the stands.

Form Guide (Last five completed matches, most recent first)

Zimbabwe LWLWW
Afghanistan WLLLL

In the spotlight

Luke Jongwe is one of Zimbabwe’s brightest young finds. Though he had an off day with the ball on Sunday, he has achieved his best returns for Zimbabwe with both bat and ball in this series, taking 3 for 16 in the first game and attempting a fightback with his exuberant 33-ball 46 in the second. As Chigumbura’s role with the ball fades, Zimbabwe are on the look-out for an allrounder and Jongwe appears the most likely candidate.Before Mohammad Nabi’s maiden effort on Sunday, no other Afghanistan batsman had hit an ODI hundred this year. That is partly due to the paucity of their international engagements, but it is also indicative of the way their batsmen tend to play, slipping naturally into a mode of all-out attack. Nabi is no different, and his six towering sixes on Sunday are a testament to that, but his innings also showed what a galvanising effect one long innings can have on the rest of the team. He has set an example for the rest of the top order to follow.

Team news

Sean Williams spent the Sunday lunch break receiving throwdowns from batting coach Andrew Waller, under the supervision of Dav Whatmore, and on Monday morning, he passed a fitness test. It seems natural that Williams will slot right back into Zimbabwe’s XI to strengthen the batting. But what is less clear is who will miss out when he comes back. Tendai Chisoro has not done much wrong in the two games he has played, so it may be offspinner John Nyumbu who makes way.Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Chamu Chibhabha, 2 Richmond Mutumbami (wk), 3 Craig Ervine, 4 Elton Chigumbura (capt), 5 Sean Williams, 6 Sikandar Raza, 7 Tino Mutombodzi, 8 Luke Jongwe, 9 Tendai Chisoro, 10 Wellington Masakadza, 11 Tinashe Panyangara.After their sterling performance in the second game, Afghanistan’s XI sure ain’t broke, so there’s no real reason to fix it. The form of middle-order batsman Nawroz Mangal on this tour will, however, soon become a concern.Afghanistan (probable): 1 Noor Ali Zadran, 2 Mohammad Shahzad (wk), 3 Mohammad Nabi, 4 Asghar Stanikzai (capt), 5 Nawroz Mangal, 6 Samiullah Shenwari, 7 Najibullah Zadran, 8 Amir Hamza, 9 Rashid Khan, 10 Dawlat Zadran, 11 Aftab Alam.

Pitch and conditions

Tuesday is expected to be hot and sunny, though there may be some cloud cover. The fresh pitch in use for the third match should retain its typical Queens Sports Club character, and the best time for batting will be between late-morning and mid-afternoon, with a hint of early movement for the seamers and a touch more grip for the spinners in the afternoon. There was also definite reverse swing for Afghanistan late on Sunday afternoon. Generally, though, it should be a good strip to bat on.

Stats and trivia

• Afghanistan’s victory batting first bucks the trend at Queens Sports Club. In 63 ODIs at the venue, 37 have been won by the side fielding first, with only 23 won by the side batting first. There has also been a tie, while two games ended as a no-result.
• Aftab Alam has the best record at the venue for an Afghanistan bowler. He has picked up seven wickets at 20.42 and has an economy rate of 4.66 in the four matches he has played here.
• Elton Chigumbura needs 90 more runs to become the sixth Zimbabwean to score 4000 or more runs in ODIs.

Quotes

“I thank my coach and captain for giving me a chance at No. 3. It was a good decision for me and for my team.” revels in the batting promotion that lead to his first hundred in ODIs.”When I got to the wicket I said to Elton ‘I’m just going to hang around a bit and see how it goes from there.'”What apparently said to his captain before clubbing seven fours and a six in his blazing knock.

A day after Mumbai had opted for Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) as the venue for their Ranji Trophy Group B game against Railways beginning on Sunday, the MCA confirmed the match would be played at the Wankhede Stadium.MCA vice-president Dilip Vengsarkar said the match could not be shifted to BKC because of “logistic reasons.” “There wasn’t much time to shift the match,” Vengsarkar told ESPNcricinfo. “BCCI also said there isn’t much time because other team [Railways] is coming tomorrow, so it’s going to be be too tight.”That [not enough time for BCCI to inspect the pitch at BKC] is also there, but there is not much time between two matches and the grounds need to be told in advance so that they make all the arrangements. You need to inform the opposition team also.”He also confirmed that an Under-19 match involving Mumbai and Odisha, that was to be played at Kandivali, has subsequently been moved to the BKC facility.Mumbai coach Chandrakant Pandit had said on Thursday that his team had opted for BKC as the venue as it was the “better option” from a result perspective. “”We played against Tamil Nadu [at BKC], and we thought it was a better option for us. Whichever venue you play, ultimately you look for results. It was a decision taken by the management – the captain, manager, everybody,” he had said.The Wankhede surface has come under scrutiny following the fifth ODI between India and South Africa that saw the visitors run up total of 438. The Ranji match between Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh was a similarly high-scoring affair as well, with close to 1200 runs being scored for the loss of 20 wickets in four days.Pandit had, however, refrained from criticising the surface, and said it was a “combination of factors” that prompted Mumbai to play at BKC.

The match between Logan Cup leaders Manicaland and favouritesMashonaland appears to be heading for a draw at the Mutare SportsClub, with the visitors 116 runs behind on first innings with sixwickets in hand at the close of the second day’s play.Contrary to local fears, the day dawned fine in Mutare, with playstarting half an hour earlier in an effort to make up for losttime. The pitch continued to give no help to the bowlers and theoutfield none to the batsmen. Neil Ferreira and Gary Brent tookthe total to 139 with some steady batting before Brent (19) wasyorked by left-arm spinner Dirk Viljoen.Guy Whittall, in his one Logan Cup match for Manicaland beforetravelling to the West Indies next weekend, provided his kneecontinues to hold up, was soon batting fluently. Even he foundit difficult to reach the boundary, although he did pull a lowsix over deep square leg. Ferreira continued to accumulate assome of the Mashonaland players got rather frustrated, and if hebecame concerned at being bogged down at times he didn’t show it.At lunch Manicaland were on 218 for three (Ferreira 89, Whittall46) and seeming set for a dominant score.The score passed 250 without any trouble, Whittall opening uponce he had reached his fifty with a drive for four and pulls forsix and four off successive balls from du Plessis. He wasrapidly catching up Neil Ferreira, creeping up through thenineties, when he on-drove a catch off Viljoen straight toEverton Matambanadzo to be out for 80. The score was now 256 forfour, and this was the turning point of the innings.Steve Lawson suffered an inexplicable dismissal, without scoring,hit full on the thigh by Anton Hoffman, but the ball somehow wentstraight on to his leg stump. Stuart Matsikenyeri scored 7before being yorked by Hoffman, then Andrew Whittall (1) swung ata full-pitched delivery and was given out caught at the wicketoff Viljoen.It took Ferreira 65 minutes after lunch to score the 11 runsneeded for his century, his second in three Logan Cup matches.Trying to increase the scoring rate as he ran out of partners, heskyed an on-drive immediately after the drinks break, to becaught by Everton Matambanadzo off Viljoen for 106. Dan Peacockat last took a wicket, having Leon Soma caught at the wicketwithout scoring, and last man Terry Denyer was adjudged lbw toViljoen, the bowler’s sixth wicket, for 2. Dion Yatras wasunbeaten on 6. Manicaland had collapsed to 287 all out, theirlast seven wickets falling for 31 runs.Gavin Rennie and Darlington Matambanadzo opened very solidly forMashonaland, and the runs slowly began to come until the score attea was 28 without loss (Matambanadzo 15, Rennie 13).Once Rennie got into the twenties, he began to open up,especially against Andrew Whittall, hitting him for two fours inone over, a cover drive and a pull, and then pulling him for fourand six in the next over. Whittall tightened up and the scoringrate dropped. Despite using his feet well to the spinners,Matambanadzo became bogged down, and eventually moved down thepitch in the off-spinner Lawson’s first over and yorked himselffor 23. The opening pair had put on 70 together. Rennie reachedhis fifty but was then caught at the wicket prodding outside offstump to Whittall.Whittall was soon in the wars again, as Trevor Madondo drove himpowerfully for six over long-on, shortly followed by another. Itwas a typical Madondo cameo, full of superb strokes, looking verydangerous, but destined to be ended before reaching fullpotential with a mishit. On 32, he tried once too often againstthe accurate Lawson and skyed the ball to backward point, whereit was safely held by Brent.Viljoen took over the role of aggressor, especially relishingsome medium-paced long hops served up by Yatras, whose two overswere to cost 27 runs. The pavilion at Mutare Sports Club issituated just beyond long leg; Viljoen hit a six on to the roofand the over the top. In the next over he dove him straight toreach his fifty and then hit another six over midwicket. At theother end Craig Evans, struggling for form, was given out lbwimmediately Brent replaced Yatras, and possibly this normallyaggressive batsman has never before had the experience of scoringjust 3 runs of a partnership of 38.Don Campbell arrived but the light went, with Mashonaland on 171for four (Viljoen 62, Campbell 0) with a slight advantage, butthey will have to work hard, or Manicaland play badly, for aresult to be possible tomorrow.

Ian Harvey returned Championship-best bowling figures as Gloucestershire took control of the Championship match against Sussex at Hove today.His county were already celebrated an unprecedented domestic one-day trebleafter clinching the National League title last night and the Australianall-rounder seemed keen to carry on the party.Harvey took 6-19, including a 4-7 burst from 11 overs which wrecked the Sussex top order before lunch as the home side, who had won the toss, were bowled out for 138.In a high-class display of swing bowling, Harvey surprised Mike Yardy withextra bounce after he’d helped put on 35 for the first wicket, had Will House caught off the glove mis-timing a pull, trapped Chris Adams lbw and deceived Tony Cottey with an outswinger as Sussex lurched to 87-6 at lunch.Jonathan Lewis, who claimed his 60th Championship wicket of the season, andBen Gannon each took two wickets in support before Harvey returned to mop upthe tail.Only Montgomerie, who made 30 before pulling a half volley from Gannon tosquare leg, and James Kirtley (19) provided much resistance.Kirtley bowled Tim Hancock in the fourth over and Dominic Hewson wassurprised by extra bounce from Robin Martin-Jenkins after making anattractive 35.Bad light forced the players off an hour early with Gloucestershire 74-2,just 64 behind and capable of sustaining their promotion challenge bybuilding a big lead on a good pitch tomorrow.