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Na noite desta quinta-feira (16), o time sub-20 do Palmeiras derrotou o Goiás por 3 a 1 de virada na Arena Barueri, pela terceira rodada da fase inicial do Campeonato Brasileiro da categoria. Os gols do Verdão foram marcados porDaniel e Kauan Santos.

> Atlético-MG ‘truca’ e dificulta saída de Allan para o Palmeiras

Com a vitória, o Alviverde alcançou a terceira colocação do seu grupo do Brasileiro Sub-20, com seis pontos.O Palmeiras está no Grupo B ao lado de Athletico-PR, Atlético-GO, Bahia, Cruzeiro, Fortaleza, Goiás, Grêmio, Santos e São Paulo.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPiquerez, do Palmeiras, é convocado para lista final da seleção uruguaiaPalmeiras16/03/2023PalmeirasZé Rafael valoriza semana de treinos do Palmeiras e projeta duelo difícil na semifinal do PaulistãoPalmeiras16/03/2023PalmeirasAtlético-MG ‘truca’ e dificulta saída de Allan para o PalmeirasPalmeiras16/03/2023

Na primeira chance do Verdão no jogo, David Kauã fez o passe para Kevin, que finalizou, mas parou na defesa do goleiro do Goiás. Aos 14 minutos da primeira etapa, o Goiás abriu o placar com gol de Xavier. Na sequência, Thalys cabeceou no rebote, mas o defensor tirou em cima da linha.

Pedro Lima arriscou um chute de longe e obrigou o goleiro a fazer uma boa defesa. Aos 49 minutos, Kevin cobrou falta, Pedro Felipe ajeitou e Daniel empatou o partida para o Palmeiras.

No segundo tempo, aos 17 minutos, Kevin fez uma ótima jogada e inverteu para Gilberto, que cruzou para Daniel marcar o seu segundo gol e virar o jogo para o Alviverde. Aos 29, Léo cruzou pela direita, Thalys cabeceou e parou no goleiro. Porém,Kauan Santos apareceu no rebote e marcou o terceiro para o Verdão.

> Com cobranças de pênalti em treino, Palmeiras segue preparação para semifinal do Paulistão

Campeão em 2022, o time palestrino vai em busca de seu terceiro título da competição. No ano passado, o Palmeiras se sagrou campeão ao vencer o Corinthians por 1 a 0, com gol de Endrick, na final disputada na Neo Química Arena. O primeiro título do Brasileiro sub-20 veio em decisão contra o Vitória, com goleadas por 4 a 1 e 5 a 2, na edição de 2018.

A competição conta com 20 clubes, que são divididos em dois grupos com dez equipes cada. Na primeira fase, os times se enfrentam em turno único. Na sequência, os quatro melhores classificados de cada chave avançam às quartas de final. Na fase de mata-mata, os jogos são realizados em confrontos de ida e volta, com exceção da final, disputada em partida única.

O próximo confronto do Palmeiras pelo Brasileirão sub-20 é contra o Fortaleza, na sexta-feira da semana que vem (24), às 10h (de Brasília), no Allianz Parque.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has explained why he left Benjamin Sesko on the bench for the third consecutive Premier League game of the season. While Sesko did not start in the 3-2 win over Burnley, the club's first victory of the domestic season, he was introduced in the final 20 minutes as a substitute.

Amorim explained decision to bench SeskoStarted on the bench against Burnley againMan Utd beat Burnley 3-2Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

When United completed the signing of Sesko from RB Leizig for a whopping €75 million (£65m/$85.5m) earlier in the transfer window, many fans would have expected him to play a key role after his acquisition. However, manager Ruben Amorim is yet to deploy the Slovenian forward in his starting lineup in the Premier League.

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Sesko, who played full the full 120 minutes in their Carabao Cup loss to Grimsby Town earlier this week, and took their 10th penalty of a mammoth shootout in what many would deem an abdication of responsibility, was once again benched in their 3-2 win over Burnley, as he missed out on a start for the third consecutive league match. 

WHAT AMORIM SAID

Explaining his decision to keep Sesko on the bench from the start in the league, Amorim said: "But generally I think it's connected. So he finished the game with cramps, really in the limit. That's why we protected Ben from the penalties. And today was that reason also, because Sesko is also a striker, he's an international striker. But I was thinking that Ben, during the pre-season, he didn't do 90 minutes. And he did that, even against a 4 division team, he did that on Wednesday. 

"And with the problem of Cunha, you don't know if that full game in the middle of the week has something to do with the injury today. With the problem with Mason Mount, I was not risking another player, not knowing if they are able to play so many minutes. So everything was connected. The penalty, the game on Wednesday, and the number of minutes that I was thinking to put Ben today."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

The Red Devils will return to action after the international break as they face rivals Manchester City at Ethad Stadium on September 14.

Rangers have been deemed "too small" for Jose Mourinho as the ex-Chelsea & Manchester United boss has been urged to return to England and chase a fourth Premier League title. Mourinho is once again at a crossroads in his storied career after being dismissed by Fenerbahce just 14 months into the role. The Turkish giants pulled the trigger following a crushing 1-0 Champions League play-off defeat to Benfica, a result that ended their hopes of dining at Europe’s top table this season.

Mourinho sacked by FenerbahceGallas says Rangers “too small” for JoseEx-defender calls for Premier League returnFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The dismissal has sparked immediate speculation over where the self-styled “Special One” will land next. With Mourinho’s reputation for box-office drama intact, every managerial vacancy across Europe is now inevitably being tied to his name. One of the early rumours making the rounds is a potential shock switch to Rangers. Mourinho himself has previously spoken admiringly about the Glasgow club and is believed to be on the radar should Russell Martin step aside.

AdvertisementAFPWHAT GALLAS SAID

But not everyone is buying into the idea. Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has poured cold water on the prospect, claiming Mourinho is far too big for the Scottish Premiership stage.

"Absolutely not," Gallas declared while speaking to when asked if Mourinho could head to Ibrox. "There’s no way Jose Mourinho will go to Rangers. I mean no disrespect, but Rangers are just too small for Jose. He needs one last job at a big club. However the last few years have gone for him, you can see that he’s got the aura, got the magic. He still has that unique attitude."

He added: "Everyone wants to see him, he’s box office. But the problem is that life goes so fast, especially in football, and I don’t know if there’s a club that can match what he needs to succeed. It might be time for him to consider international management, where he’s still on a big enough stage for his talents."

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Closer to home, Nottingham Forest have found themselves unexpectedly linked with Mourinho amid reports of growing tension between boss Nuno Espirito Santo and owner Evangelos Marinakis. With the relationship reportedly strained, Mourinho’s name has been tossed into the rumour mill as a potential replacement. While the prospect of Marinakis and Mourinho working together is pure drama fodder, Gallas is unconvinced.

"I definitely want to see Jose Mourinho back in the Premier League," he said. "I think I’m one of millions who wants to see him, not just back in the Premier League, but lifting that league title one more time. I still want to see him be champion of Europe one more time.

"We know that the press will want him back, too. Every time there’s a job opening in the Premier League, they’re going to link him with it. With his personality, everyone will want him back in the Premier League. But it can’t just be any club in the league, it has to be one that can match his ambition."

Turning specifically to the Forest chatter, Gallas was dismissive.

"Nottingham Forest, I don’t see them convincing him to join them," he said. "Can you imagine Evangelos Marinakis and Jose Mourinho, what a combination! That would definitely have some sort of drama involved. I don’t think Forest, the owner or Mourinho need that right now."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR MOURINHO?

For any club contemplating Mourinho, the decision is far from simple. His CV speaks for itself: three Premier League titles with Chelsea, Champions League glory with Porto and Inter Milan, and silverware almost everywhere he’s gone. But his last few roles, Roma and now Fenerbahce, have ended in acrimony and questions about whether his methods still resonate with modern players. If Forest, Rangers, or indeed any side were to make a play, they would be gambling on Mourinho’s experience and charisma outweighing the friction that so often follows in his wake.

MatériaMais Notícias

A relação entre as diretorias do Santos e do Água Santa, finalista do Paulistão, ficou bem estreita, principalmente após o Peixe ceder a Vila Belmiro sem custos para o Netuno disputar a semifinal do Paulistão, contra o Bragantino.

O bom relacionamento entre as partes permitiu que eles amarrassem um acordo de ‘quase sociedade’ na negociação envolvendo o atacante Bruno Mezenga, que será emprestado ao Alvinegro Praiano. O artilheiro da equipe de Diadema no Estadual, com sete gols, tem contrato com o Água até o dia seguinte da final da competição, 10 de abril, mas terá o seu contrato ampliado por mais uma temporada. Porém, como o clube do Grande ABC não possui calendário no segundo semestre, o jogador será emprestado ao Santos até o fim deste ano, com valor fixado para compra, caso seja do interesse santista.

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+Quem será campeão? Veja o que cada clube precisa para ganhar o estadual

Outro atleta que deixará o Água Santa e defenderá o Peixe após a decisão do Paulista é o lateral Gabriel Inocêncio. Este possui vínculo com o Netuno até novembro de 2024 e também será emprestado para os alvinegros até o final de 2023, com preço fixado, caso haja o desejo do time praiano em manter o atleta em definitivo.

Contudo, nem tudo é ‘lindo’ na relação entre os clubes da Baixada Santista e Grande ABC. O primeiro a dizer ‘não’ para o outro foi o Santos. Após a semifinal do Paulistão, o Água Santa pediu para usar a Vila Belmiro no jogo de ida da final da competição. Porém, como ficaria com a menor parte do estádio, cedendo a maioria dos setores ao Palmeiras, viu o pedido ser negado pela diretoria santista, que temeu que a Vila fosse tomada por torcedores de uma equipe rival. A partida, então, foi jogada na Arena Barueri, com a maioria da torcida sendo do Verdão. Foi uma possibilidade de o Netuno, mandante do confronto, lucrar financeiramente.

+Nova Bombonera pode sair do papel: veja projetos de estádios e arenas em reforma fora do Brasil

De todo modo, semanas após a negativa santista para que o Água usasse a Vila, foi a vez do time de Diadema negar uma solicitação do Peixe. Mesmo sendo parceiro na liberação de Inocêncio e Mezenga, a equipe do Inamar fez jogo duro para liberar o meio-campista Luan Dias, que é visto como um dos principais ativos do clube.

A ideia do Netuno é receber, pelo menos, R$ 4 milhões pelo atleta, com quem tem contrato até junho de 2025. Já o Santos ofereceu um acordo de empréstimo, como foi com os outros dois jogadores, na expectativa de fechar um pacote de atletas do ‘time surpresa’ do Paulistão. Contudo, o Água Santa descartou a possibilidade e até mesmo uma negociação por um valor menor do que o solicitado, tampouco de um empréstimo, como foi sugerido inicialmente pelos santistas.

O Água Santa está a um empate de ser campeão paulista. O time de Diadema venceu o Palmeiras no jogo de ida da final do Paulistão, na Arena Barueri, no último fim de semana. A volta acontecerá neste domingo (9), às 16h (de Brasília), no Allianz Parque. A equipe já vive o maior momento da sua história. Nascido na várzea do Grande ABC de São Paulo, o Netuno tem somente 11 anos de profissionalização e nesta edição do Estadual deixou para trás dois clubes de Série A: São Paulo e Bragantino, nas quartas de final e semifinal, respectivamente.

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Mickey Arthur, who is in line to become the team director of the Pakistan men’s national team, has reached out to Yasir Arafat, the former fast bowler, for the role of bowling coach. It is understood that the PCB wants three separate coaches – for batting, bowling and fielding – to work with Arthur after he comes on board.As things stand, there is no formal arrangement between Arthur and the PCB, an in-principle agreement has been reached. It is also understood that as team director, Arthur will not be with the Pakistan team at all times, or travel with them, but link up only during major assignments. This is to ensure Arthur can continue to work with Derbyshire in the English county circuit.Arthur has also shortlisted Grant Bradburn, the former Pakistan fielding coach and head of coaches’ education at PCB’s high-performance centre till late 2021, as an assistant coach.Related

• Arafat named Pakistan's high-performance coach for New Zealand T20Is

• Misbah on PCB rehiring Arthur: 'Slap on Pakistan cricket'

Arafat, now 40, has worked in coaching roles with Sussex in England, and with the Hong Kong men’s team, and recently completed the ECB’s Level 4 coaching course.Though he played just 27 games in the international arena, across formats, he has a wealth of experience in domestic cricket, playing 207 first-class games, 257 List A games and 226 T20s in a career that lasted over two decades. Along the way, he played in Scotland, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, apart from Pakistan. His last representative game was a first-class affair for MCC, in Kirtipur against Nepal in 2019.While he made his international debut against Sri Lanka, in an ODI in Karachi in 2000, Arafat’s Test debut – in December 2007 in Bengaluru – as well as last international appearance – at the 2012 T20 World Cup – came against India.The PCB is trying to put the coaching staff in place after an overhaul at both the administrative level and the cricketing level late last year. Shaun Tait was the last Pakistan bowling coach, in the staff led by Saqlain Mushtaq. Their next series is in late March against Afghanistan in Sharjah, and will be followed by a tour by New Zealand.

Australia’s stand-in captain wants batters to take their time to avoid falling into the Indian spinners’ trap

Andrew McGlashan28-Feb-2023

Steven Smith has admitted he had rarely felt the anger that he did at being dismissed sweeping against R Ashwin in Delhi during Australia’s match-losing collapse. The emotion was exacerbated by the fact that he believed India were “on the ropes” after the visitors had made a rapid start to their second innings and he addressed the challenge of not allowing India’s spinners to dictate terms.The sweep is a shot that Smith rarely plays but he was one of six Australians to fall that way in the dramatic collapse and the personal recriminations started as soon as he was walking off the Kotla and then watched as the rest of his team-mates fell in a heap to leave India with an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the series.”I’ve played 95 [94] Test matches…and I don’t think there’s been too many times I’ve walked off the field and I’ve gone, ‘what the hell am I doing?’ I was pretty angry,” Smith said ahead of taking over the captaincy in Indore for the absent Pat Cummins. “There hasn’t been too many times in my career where I’ve actually come off and just been bedazzled by what I’ve done. It wasn’t my finest moment.Related

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Why you can't counter good spin bowling by just sweeping

“It wasn’t the way I wanted to play, particularly when I had the field set, for all of us actually, they had the field out. We probably just rushed things a little bit and it’s something we’ll talk about when we meet [on Wednesday]. When we’ve got them on the ropes, we can slow things down. We don’t have to play at such a high tempo and risky tempo. Because we had them where we wanted them, we had men out and the ability to get off strike. We just rushed it.”Australia have had time to take stock in the longer gap until the third Test and are determined to learn from their mistakes of Nagpur and Delhi, particularly the way their batting was engulfed in both second innings when they were unable to find a way to stem the collapse.That is not a problem only for Australia with many sides having been dismantled as Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja sense the opposition’s panic and hurtle through their overs before batters have time to realise what is happening. One of the themes of the last few days has been now to take the sting out of the situation to avoid one or two wickets becoming a defining collapse, such as the 8 for 28 on the third morning in Delhi.”It’s not easy,” Smith said. “That’s the way they go. They know when they are on top of you, they’ll try and rush you and play on their terms. For us, when we’re under pressure it’s about slowing it down as much as we can; maybe making them wait a little bit, walk away and regain your thoughts rather than just coming back and back. Certain things like that. And it will be different for everyone, the way they handle those moments. Think it’s [about] finding that in our game and hopefully that applies a bit more pressure on them.”One of the problems is that batters are so vulnerable in their first 10 or 20 balls, particularly when Ashwin and Jadeja have their tails up, while Australia’s lower order has been blown away in comparison to India’s which has performed exceptionally in both Tests.”I think starting your innings is as tough as anywhere in the world here in India,” Smith said. “We know if you get in, you’ve got to make it count. There’ll be odd times when you get a very good ball and get dismissed. I don’t like the term, ‘have one with your name on it’ so much, you’ve got to try and take that out of your mind.Steven Smith will lead Australia in Indore in Pat Cummins’ absence•Getty Images

“I got 30 in the first Test, Marnus [Labuschagne] has got a few starts, guys haven’t been able to go on and make a big total and two guys together getting that one partnership can make a difference. I think Pete [Handscomb] has been outstanding in both first innings and he’s been left stranded. If he had someone to bat with, and we make the most of those first innings a little bit more as well, things could certainly be different.”For the third time since Cummins became captain, Smith is slipping into the role and there is every chance he will be doing so again in Ahmedabad next week. He is battling a flare up of a back problem caused by a degenerative disc he has had since 2010 but is confident of being able to manage the situation. The only thing it prevents him from doing is bowling and he did not believe it played a part in his dropped catches at slip during the series.Smith’s batting record does not need any qualifiers, but he averages 67.73 as captain compared to 55.33 without the leadership. That is comfortably the highest figure of anyone who has led their side at least 30 times.”It normally brings the best out of me,” he said. “I’m excited about leading this week in Pat’s absence. I know these conditions well. It’s kind of like my second home playing over here, I’ve played a lot in India, I understand the intricacies of the game and what the wickets are likely to do. I’m looking forward to it.”But as has been evident in the last few weeks, knowing what is coming and playing it are proving to be two very different things.

Ruben Amorim's side slunk to their 18th Premier League defeat of the season with an abject performance at Stamford Bridge

Manchester United's nightmare Premier League season continued as they were beaten by Chelsea in their final away game of the campaign and the only positive is that the league season, their worst since being relegated 51 years ago, is almost over.

Ruben Amorim put out a strong team given his side have a crucial Europa League final next week as he looked for a big response to his angry comments following Sunday's defeat at home to West Ham. But his words apparently fell on deaf ears as United barely created any memorable chances and were undone by a moment of brilliance from Reece James, who set up Marc Cucurella to head in the crucial goal in the 71st minute.

Harry Maguire showed the prowess of a striker to find the net early in the game from a Fernandes cross but the goal was ruled out by VAR for a toe-nail offside. James had the best actual effort of a forgettable first half, crashing the post with a sizzling and swerving strike with the outside of his boot.

Chelsea – who needed to win to keep their push for Champions League football next season in their own hands – had a penalty awarded then taken away in the second half but they showed more desire to win the game and did so thanks to a fantastic move between their two full-backs.

United now have five days to lift their spirits for their do-or-die final against Tottenham, their only opportunity to come out of this harrowing season with a shred of dignity.

GOAL rates Man United's players from Stamford Bridge…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Andre Onana (5/10):

  Wasn't really tested aside from the goal James' scorching effort, neither of which he could get near to. Kicking was hurried and inaccurate and had a scare when Tyrique George went over from his challenge and was initially given a penalty before the referee and VAR saw sense.

  Victor Lindelof (6/10):

  Looked solid for most of the game, which is good news following his shaky cameo against West Ham. Not to blame for the goal as he was marking Palmer.

  Harry Maguire (7/10):

  Another strong performance at the heart of the defence, anticipating the danger easily and moving the ball around well.

  Luke Shaw (6/10):

  A decent display to get him sharp for Bilbao and most importantly he came through it unscathed.

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• AFP
  

  Midfield

  Noussair Mazraoui (5/10):

  Gave a good showing in the first half but crucially he lost Cucurella for the goal.

  Casemiro (7/10):

  Had a good battle with Caicedo and limited how much damage Chelsea could do through the middle. It says a lot that the breakthrough came just after he had come off.

  Bruno Fernandes (6/10):

  Controlled United's play in the first half although his influence faded as the game went on.

  Patrick Dorgu (5/10):

  Didn't get forward enough and James' performance down his flank put him to shame.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Attack

  Mason Mount (5/10):

  Had United's only effort of the first half but didn't have much impact against his boyhood club, whose fans booed him throughout.

  Rasmus Hojlund (4/10):

  A new game, the same anonymous performance. The most notable thing he did was asked to remove an item of jewellery early in the second half.

  Amad Diallo (6/10):

  Had a slow first half but looked like United's only dangerous attacking outlet as the game progressed. Fired a powerful effort at Sanchez.

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• Subs & Manager

  Alejandro Garnacho (4/10):

  Outfoxed by James' trickery, earning him a telling off from Fernandes and Maguire. Did very little in the final third.

  Manuel Ugarte (5/10):

  A downgrade on Casemiro. Booked in the 90th minute for fouling Cucurella.

  Kobbie Mainoo (N/A):

  Came on in the 81st minute. Didn't do much to compel Amorim to start him against Tottenham.

  Ayden Heaven (N/A):

  Good to see him back for the first time in two months. Cool and casual, so much that he lost the ball in his box and then fouled Malo Gusto to win it back, earning a booking.

  Ruben Amorim (4/10):

  Played a strong team which was risky so soon before the final. Didn't appear to get any injuries but there was no real uplift in his side's performance, which will concern him after his tirade following the defeat by West Ham.

Kevin De Bruyne hinted he could stay in the Premier League and join one of Manchester City's rivals ahead of his summer departure.

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De Bruyne breaks silence on his futureHinted he could stay in Premier LeagueSalah wants him at LiverpoolFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The City legend has already announced that he will exit the Etihad Stadium after 10 years at the end of the 2024-25 campaign once his existing contract expires. There has been speculation over the Belgian's next move, and recently, Liverpool icon Mohamed Salah cheekily invited the midfielder to join the Reds as a free agent. In an interview with , Salah said: "I want to tell him congratulations for your career. He’s done a phenomenal job at City, and he was great for the league. I really wish him the best…and we have a space for him!"

AdvertisementAFPWHAT KEVIN DE BRUYNE SAID

De Bruyne broke his silence on his future after City's FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace as he told , "I want to play good football, whatever the decision will be… I know you're trying to guess where I'm going to go, but I will make my decision, and you guys will know when I know.

"I don't know [whether I'll stay in the Premier League], it depends on what comes. Like I said to my Belgium colleagues, I have a family. I have young kids I have to take care of, it's a decision that has to suit all of us, not just me. When I'm 20 years old and all by myself, I can make a decision, that is very easy. But now it's a bit more complex. Of course. [You can expect to hear a decision] whenever I'm ready to make one. As long as I don't know, I can't tell you anything."

When asked if he would consider staying in the Premier League, the 33-year-old replied, "Maybe".

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Earlier this month, reported Napoli were in talks with the Belgian's representatives. The 33-year-old also has offers from several Major League Soccer clubs.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR DE BRUYNE?

After FA Cup heartbreak, Pep Guardiola's side will now aim to end the 2024-25 Premier League campaign on a high and finish among the top five teams to secure a Champions League slot. They next face Bournemouth on May 20 before locking horns against Fulham on May 25.

Superstar captains. Interesting sub-plots. A sold-out crowd. There is all to play for at the Brabourne Stadium

Sruthi Ravindranath04-Mar-2023Big PictureSmriti Mandhana vs Jemimah Rodrigues. Ellyse Perry vs Meg Lanning. Dane van Niekerk vs Marizanne Kapp. Brace yourselves. And it will all happen in front of a sold-out crowd at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai as Royal Challengers Bangalore take on Delhi Capitals on Sunday.Both sides have superstar captains. Mandhana, the most expensive player at the inaugural auction at INR 3.4 crore, will be leading Royal Challengers, who look the most balanced side in the tournament. In Lanning, Capitals have a brilliant captain, who comes into the tournament a week after leading Australia to their sixth T20 World Cup title. Ahead of the WPL, she said she’s looking to inculcate that winning culture in this Capitals side.A number of international names linked up with their respective teams just a few days before the tournament following the T20 World Cup in South Africa. While Mandhana is looking to make use of her knowledge of the Indian domestic players to put a solid XI together, Lanning said she would be leaning on her team-mates Rodrigues and Shafali Varma to handle the younger and unknown players.Related

Meg Lanning named Delhi Capitals captain at WPL

Can the WPL make women's cricket in India mainstream?

WPL stars to look out for – Mandhana, Shafali, Mooney and more

Players to WatchBoth teams have an enviable mix of overseas and Indian talent. Royal Challengers have Richa Ghosh and Renuka Singh, the two high-profile India internationals. Capitals, meanwhile, have the likes of Shafali, Poonam Yadav and Radha Yadav.Perry, van Niekerk, Heather Knight, Sophie Devine, Erin Burns and Megan Schutt are the overseas options in the Royal Challengers side, which means the team management will have some head-scratching to do over picking just four from this star-studded list. They have captain Mandhana to do the heavy lifting from the top, while Devine, Perry, Ghosh and van Niekerk will be expected to provide the firepower in the middle order. While Royal Challengers’ pace-bowling unit looks solid with Schutt, Renuka and Perry, they do not have an experienced Indian spinner in their ranks.Capitals’ strong top order has Shafali, Rodrigues and Lanning, with Kapp and Taniya Bhatia to follow. They will, however, be left to choose from a largely inexperienced pace-bowling unit, barring Shikha Pandey and Kapp. However, they have the option to bring in USA left-arm pacer Tara Norris, an Associate player who can be included as the fifth overseas player in the XI. Among the spin-bowling options, Capitals have Radha Yadav, Jess Jonassen and Poonam Yadav.Playing XIsDelhi Capitals (possible): 1 Shafali Verma, 2 Jemimah Rodrigues, 3 Meg Lanning (capt), 4 Marizanne Kapp, 5 Laura Harris, 6 Jasia Akhter, 7 Taniya Bhatia (wk), 8 Jess Jonassen, 9 Radha Yadav, 10 Shikha Pandey, 11 Tara NorrisRoyal Challengers Bangalore (possible): 1 Smriti Mandhana (capt), 2 Disha Kasat, 3 Sophie Devine, 4 Ellyse Perry, 5 Dane van Niekerk, 6 Richa Ghosh (wk), 7 Komal Zanzad/Asha Shobhana, 8 Preeti Bose, 9 Megan Schutt, 10 Renuka Singh, 10 Kanika Ahuja/Shreyanka PatilStats and trivia Perry had finished as the second-highest run-scorer during Australia’s T20I series tour of India in December 2022 Mandhana has scored 831 runs, the most in women’s T20Is since January 2022 This game will have three key players who were part of India’s U-19 winning World Cup squad: Shafali, Titas Sadhu and Ghosh.Quotes”I love winning, I’m very competitive and I’m coming here to try and help Delhi win as many games as possible. It would be great [to win], every team is probably thinking the same thing but we’re doing our best, and the biggest challenge is to bring everybody together and making sure we’re working as a team.”
“I just don’t like the kind of comparison because what he has achieved is amazing, and I hope that I can reach that level. But I’m nowhere near him. What he has achieved for this franchise, I’d like to try and do that.”
Royal Challengers captain Smriti Mandhana wants to emulate Virat Kohli’s success with the franchise

Gregory, Davey rebuild innings after Barnard, Hasan, Rushworth strike on debuts

ECB Reporters Network07-Apr-2023

Somerset 269 for 8 (Gregory 65*, Barnard 3-54) vs WarwickshireSkipper Lewis Gregory led an enterprising Somerset fightback on the second day of the rain-affected LV= County Championship match with Warwickshire at Taunton.The visitors’ new-look seam attack looked to have taken control when reducing their hosts to 136 for seven shortly after tea, Ed Barnard (three for 54), Hasan Ali (two for 62) and Chris Rushworth (one for 51) all taking wickets on debut.But Gregory and Josh Davey had other ideas. Somerset’s eighth-wicket pair added 105 in 25.1 overs with some attractive counter-attacking cricket to help their side to 268 for eight at the close.Gregory contributed an unbeaten 65, off 105 balls, with 9 fours, while Davey lost nothing by comparison, hitting seven boundaries in his 42 before falling lbw to Oliver Hannon-Dalby (two for 65) with the second new ball.After no play on the first day due to a saturated outfield, umpires Alex Wharf and Rob Bailey made a 10.30am inspection and ruled that the game could start at noon, with lunch at 1.30pm and 88 overs to be bowled in the three sessions.Gregory, acting Somerset captain while Tom Abell completes recovery from a rib injury, won the toss and backed his side’s new top order, including debutants Sean Dickson, Cameron Bancroft and Tom Kohler-Cadmore, by electing to bat first under clear blue skies.Rushworth impressed during an initial five-over spell from the River End and was unlucky not to claim a wicket when former Durham team-mate Dickson, on five, was dropped by wicketkeeper Michael Burgess, diving in front of first slip.The error did not prove expensive as, without addition to his score, Dickson connected sweetly with a drive off Hannon-Dalby, but directed the ball straight to Barnard, who pouched a sharp chance at point.Bancroft walked out at 13 for one in the fifth over. The Australian was soon making good use of the quick single, but both he and Tom Lammonby survived several close shaves as Warwickshire’s seamers went past the bat and had some confident lbw shouts rejected.The pair took the score past 50 before Lammonby, who had shown commendable patience, was caught behind for 22, victim of Barnard’s first ball having switched to around the wicket, a perfectly-pitched delivery that moved away off the seam.The umpires immediately signalled lunch with Somerset 52 for two in the 23rd over, Bancroft unbeaten on 24.Kohler-Cadmore was beaten by Barnard in the first over after the interval, but quickly responded with three boundaries through the off-side off the same bowler.Bancroft looked to have plenty of time to play his shots and appeared well set on 44 when chasing a short, wide ball from Rushworth and edging to Rob Yates at first slip. He had faced 104 deliveries and hit 5 fours.From 98 for three, George Bartlett helped add 22 for the fourth wicket before departing on 13 to a similarly poor shot, edging Barnard to Yates, who took another routine catch.Three balls later Kohler-Cadmore, who had just struck his seventh boundary to move to 34, became the third Somerset player to be pouched at first slip, Yates this time taking an excellent low catch to give Hasan his first Warwickshire wicket.By tea, the hosts were reeling at 128 for five and would have been in worse trouble had Burgess not spilled a regulation catch behind offered by James Rew on two.Again the wicketkeeper’s mistake was not costly. Rew had moved onto six when bowled by Hasan between bat and pad in the fourth over of the final session to make the score 135 for six.With only a single added, Barnard bowled Craig Overton with an in-ducker. It was an all too familiar tale for Somerset supporters, whose team struggled to post meaningful first innings totals last season.But their spirits were lifted by Gregory and Davey, who capitalised on a tiring attack with a flurry of positive shots all around the wicket to give Somerset serious momentum going into day three.Gregory moved to an entertaining half-century off 85 balls before Davey departed and Jack Leach came in to help Somerset to a first batting point with successive fours off Hasan.