Liverpool player ratings vs Tottenham: Luis Diaz is back! Returning Reds star puts Spurs to the sword before Diogo Jota late show

The Colombia international marked his first start since October with a goal, but Jurgen Klopp's side needed late drama to secure all three points

Liverpool survived a spirited Tottenham fightback to move up to fifth in the Premier League with a remarkable 4-3 win at Anfield. Diogo Jota’s stoppage-time strike secured victory for the Reds, seconds after substitute Richarlison looked to have grabbed a point for Spurs.

Liverpool had been 3-0 up inside 15 minutes and threatening to run riot, with Curtis Jones sliding in his first of the season, Luis Diaz marking his first start since October with another and Mohamed Salah converting from the penalty spot.

Tottenham, though, rallied and pulled one back through Harry Kane before half-time, before staging a spirited second-half fightback. 

Son Heung-min set up a nervy finale before Richarlison, on to huge boos as a former Everton man, forced in a 93rd-minute leveller.

Jota, though, would have the final say, sparking wild celebrations in the stands and on the sideline.

GOAL rates Liverpool's players from Anfield…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Alisson Becker (6/10):

Big save from Kulusevski at 3-1. Contributed a fair bit to the sense of unease by taking his time with the ball at his feet.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (7/10):

Glorious assist for Jones and was Liverpool's best distributor all day.

Ibrahima Konate (5/10):

Looked edgy as Spurs fought their way back into the game. Won some big headers late on.

Virgil van Dijk (5/10):

Cleared off the line from Son but was beaten by Perisic for Kane's goal and couldn't settle his backline down in the second half.

Andy Robertson (5/10):

Switched off towards the end of the first half and put his team under pressure. Then played Son onside for the second goal. Not a great afternoon for the Scot.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Fabinho (5/10):

Had it pretty easy to start with, and looked at home. Things got a bit tougher thereafter and he wasn't great.

Harvey Elliott (6/10):

Neat and tidy, and worked hard. Lost his way a bit as Spurs got a foothold.

Curtis Jones (8/10):

Lovely finish to set the ball rolling, and his work-rate and tidiness stood out. Is enjoying a really good run.

Getty ImagesAttack

Mohamed Salah (7/10):

Kept his nerve from the spot after missing his last two, and was a constant threat.

Luis Diaz (8/10):

Back in the team and back in the goals. Lovely finish to make it 2-0 and his running power and link-up play was too much for Spurs to handle throughout.

Cody Gakpo (7/10):

Involved in everything early on, assisting Diaz's goal and winning the penalty. Some of his link-up play was glorious.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Diogo Jota (7/10):

Huge winning goal after a low-key cameo to that point.

Jordan Henderson (5/10):

Unable to settle things down.

Darwin Nunez (6/10):

Worked hard without the ball.

James Milner (5/10):

His experience was needed late on, but he conceded a soft free-kick from which Spurs levelled.

Jurgen Klopp (7/10):

Must have got his team talk right as his side flew out of the blocks. Will wonder what happened after 3-0, mind. Booked late on by his favourite referee, Paul Tierney.

Man City's winners, losers and ratings as Haaland fails to shine on his debut

The £51-million summer signing missed some huge chances as City were beaten by Liverpool in the Community Shield

Manchester City and Liverpool are set to go head-to-head in the Premier League as the two best sides in the country once again, and Jurgen Klopp’s side have laid down an early marker with their 3-1 victory in the Community Shield.

It was something of a new-look City side at the King Power Stadium, with senior players Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko all having moved on during the transfer window, and while Liverpool also had new faces on show, the quality of the two sides remains.

For City, all eyes were on Erling Haaland, and it was exactly the debut he didn’t want; failing to convert a number of chances, not least a gilt-edged opportunity in injury time.

But while it’s a chance for early silverware missed, the focus is on next week’s clash with West Ham and the start of City's Premier League defence.

Getty ImagesThe Winners

Julian Alvarez

Almost the forgotten man of City's new arrivals, the Argentine’s goal made it the perfect start to his new life in England. Lethal when an opportunity came his way, the goal matched Alvarez's strong movement off the ball. Under the least pressure of all the new faces, he could make a big impact at the Etihad. 

Marc Cucurella

There’s nothing like a defeat before the transfer window closes to get directors of football to loosen the purse strings. City have been without an orthodox left-back for a number of seasons and, while there is no sign of an agreement with Brighton, the signing of Cucurella would add options and depth to Guardiola’s squad.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers

Erling Haaland

There was plenty of strong running and incisive movement from City's marquee summer signing, but ultimately Haaland will be judged on goals. He had a couple of good efforts on target but missed a golden chance when he smashed the crossbar from close range late on. He will have easier games than coming up against Virgil Van Dijk on his debut, however.

John Stones

Stones, Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden missed City' pre-season tour to the United States, and it has left the former with a fight to get back into Guardiola’s team. The City boss convinced Nathan Ake to stick around amid interest from Chelsea and the Dutchman will be given a chance to play. With Aymeric Laporte set to miss the first month of the season through injury, it is Ake, not Stones, who looks set to partner Ruben Dias at West Ham.

VAR

New season, same old problems with VAR. The decision to award Alvarez’s equaliser took far too long, as the officials spent over four minutes deliberating. Awarding a handball against Ruben Dias was, meanwhile, the right decision under the current rules, but it was a harsh, game-changing punishment against a defender that was barely two yards away from Darwin Nunez and making an entirely natural movement.

Man City Ratings: Defence

Ederson (6/10)

No chance with any of the goals but made one fine – if painful save – to deny Darwin Nunez, while his distribution was typically good.

Walker (6/10)

Had a fierce battle with Luis Diaz and stopped the Colombian from creating too much.

Dias (6/10)

Unfortunate to give away the key penalty which spoiled what was otherwise a commanding performance.

Ake (6/10)

Unwittingly deflected Trent Alexander-Arnold’s superb opener beyond Ederson but made a steady start on the left side of defence.

Cancelo (6/10)

Slow start against the dangerous Mo Salah, but responded to stifle his influence and was lively supporting the attack.

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Midfield

Rodri (6/10)

Always a big ask to patrol the centre of midfield against Liverpool and stop their lightning breaks but was effective, other than losing one footrace with the speedy Diaz.

Bernardo Silva (7/10)

Amid the links with Barcelona, the Portugal midfielder says he will always giver everything to the side, and did so again, with a hard-running performance blotted with quality touches.

De Bruyne (7/10)

The Belgian has started pre-season in superb form and his quick brain led to City’s best moments as he picked out the runs of Haaland and Riyad Mahrez.

Olympics 2020 squads: USWNT, Team GB & every official women's football tournament roster

All the squads as they are announced for the women's soccer tournament at Tokyo's Olympic Games this summer

The women’s football tournament at this summer’s Olympic Games gets under way on July 21, with squads of 22 players to be selected by the 12 participating nations.

The rosters for the Games are usually of 18, but have been increased in size this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Unlike in the men’s tournament, the squads have no age restrictions, which means the Olympics are recognised as second only to the World Cup when it comes to major international tournaments in the women’s game.

Goal brings you all the confirmed squads as they are announced.

GettyCanada

Bev Priestman, who was named head coach of Canada in October 2020, announced her 22-player roster on June 23.

Thirteen players in the squad were involved in the team that won a bronze medal in Rio five years ago.

Midfielder Sophie Schmidt, who has over 200 caps, and 20-year-old starlet Jordyn Huitema, who ranked second in Goal's 2020 NXGN list, were initially among the surprise absentees, named among the reserves when the squads were still limited to 18 players. Both, however, are now part of the main squad.

Goalkeepers: Stephanie Labbe, Kailen Sheridan, Erin McLeod.

Defenders: Kadeisha Buchanan, Vanessa Gilles, Shelina Zadorski, Allysha Chapman, Ashley Lawrence, Jayde Riviere, Gabrielle Carle.

Midfielders: Jessie Fleming, Julia Grosso, Quinn, Desiree Scott, Sophie Schmidt.

Forwards: Janine Beckie, Adriana Leon, Nichelle Prince, Deanne Rose, Christine Sinclair, Evelyne Viens, Jordyn Huitema.

AdvertisementGettyChile

Chile head coach Jose Letelier announced his 22-player squad for this summer's tournament on July 2.

After guiding the nation to their first ever Women's World Cup in 2019, the 55-year-old will coach the team at their first ever Olympic Games this summer too.

Seven players on the roster play their football abroad, including Christiane Endler, who recently signed for seven-time European champions Lyon. Antonia Canales, Universidad Catolica's 18-year-old goalkeeper, is the only uncapped player in the team.

Goalkeepers: Christiane Endler, Natalia Campos, Antonia Canales.

Defenders: Carla Guerrero, Camila Saez, Daniela Pardo, Javiera Toro, Valentina Diaz, Fernanda Ramirez.

Midfielders: Francisca Lara, Yanara Aedo, Karen Araya, Yessenia Lopez, Francisca Mardones, Nayadet Lopez, Yastin Jimenez.

Forwards: Daniela Zamora, Maria Jose Urrutia, Fernanda Pinilla, Rosario Balmaceda, Javiera Grez, Yenny Acuna.

GettyGreat Britain

Great Britain's final squad for this summer's Olympic Games was announced on May 27.

Head coach Hege Riise has named 19 players from England, two from Scotland and one from Wales to her roster, with no one from Northern Ireland making the cut. Kim Little and Caroline Weir helped Scotland reach their first Women's World Cup in 2019, while Wales' Sophie Ingle was part of the Chelsea side that won the league, cup and reached the UEFA Women's Champions League final last season.

Karen Bardsley pulled out of the squad due to injury on June 12, with Carly Telford announced as her replacement six days later.

Goalkeepers: Ellie Roebuck, Carly Telford, Sandy MacIver.

Defenders: Steph Houghton, Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Rachel Daly, Demi Stokes, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Niamh Charles.

Midfielders: Kim Little, Jill Scott, Sophie Ingle, Keira Walsh, Caroline Weir, Ella Toone.

Forwards: Ellen White, Lauren Hemp, Fran Kirby, Nikita Parris, Georgia Stanway.

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GettyJapan

Hosts Japan named their final squad for this summer's Games on June 18.

Head coach Asako Takakura has called upon 16 players who play their club football at home, with Saki Kumagai, who recently swapped Lyon for Bayern Munich, and Mana Iwabuchi, who has also transferred from Aston Villa to Arsenal this summer, the only two players that remain from the team that won a silver medal at London 2012.

Goalkeepers: Sakiko Ikeda, Ayaka Yamashita, Chika Hirao.

Defenders: Saki Kumagai, Risa Shimizu, Asato Miyagawa, Moeka Minami, Nanami Kitamura, Saori Takarada, Shiori Miyake.

Midfielders: Emi Nakajima, Yui Hasegawa, Hina Sugita, Narumi Miura, Yuzuho Shiokoshi, Jun Endo, Honoka Hayashi, Momoka Kinoshita.

Forwards: Yuika Sugasawa, Mana Iwabuchi, Mina Tanaka, Yuka Momiki.

Kent continue to soar as Somerset face exit

This season’s NatWest T20 Blast has shown, quite clearly, that it is a myth that England’s T20 tournament needs to be played in a block to attract high-quality overseas talent

Freddie Wilde10-Jul-2015
ScorecardDaniel Bell-Drummond was to the fore as Kent’s wonderful T20 season continued•Getty ImagesThis season’s NatWest T20 Blast has shown, quite clearly, that it is a myth that England’s T20 tournament needs to be played in a block to attract high-quality overseas talent. Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell, Shahid Afridi, the list of star players who have appeared this season is long, illustrious, and that is only a snapshot.What this season’s tournament has also shown, as did last season’s Big Bash League, is that a team and a tournament does not necessarily need high-quality overseas talent to be popular and successful. No team embodies this more than Kent.Kent, to much derision, did not sign a single overseas player for this season’s T20 Blast, and yet, following another typically clinical and well-rounded victory over Somerset in front of a large crowd are top of the South Group with 16 points and are well on track for sealing a home quarter-final.This was a match, like much of Kent’s season, that was not won by one man, or by one performance but by multiple, complementary performances, contributing more broadly to a tried and tested strategy.Insights

This season should serve as something of a wake-up call for a Somerset squad who are not as good as they used to be. Marcus Trescothick’s days in the format appear over, Peter Trego is certainly not the destructive presence he used to be, Alfonso Thomas is another ageing force, James Hildreth, not a ferocious T20 player at the best of times, also seems past his peak while Jos Buttler is no longer available. Somerset have arguably lived too long on their three consecutive finals appearances between 2009 and 2011. The time to change and regenerate has come.

Nothing represented Kent’s confidence in their own method more than the innings of Daniel Bell-Drummond and Joe Denly as the opening pair put on 112. It would have been very easy for either of these two men, emboldened by their starts to look too big, to aim too high, to perhaps, be selfish and look for a century of their own. Instead both men played at a pace appropriate according to conditions, the opposition and the batsmen they had below.Denly was the first man to fall. Looking to push on with Kent 112 without loss after 13.4 overs he was caught deep on the leg side attempting to clear the boundary-rider. He was, naturally, annoyed to have got out, but there was no anger or worry in his face as he left the middle. He trusted what was to come.So confident were Kent, they promoted Alex Blake, who had hammered a fifty against Hampshire earlier in the season, to No.3. Blake came and very quickly went. Experiment failed. Move on.This was again when Bell-Drummond’s restraint was key. He recognised that as the settled batsman his wicket was almost worth double. But crucially he did not hold back, rather he just did not do anything reckless. Not scoring and not getting out is probably worse than just getting out. Bell-Drummond was proactive and positive. He struck consecutive fours in the over that Blake was dismissed, and two more in the following over.Northeast, Kent’s standout player this season, managed just 7 from 13 balls, but with Sam Billings next in, there was, again, a sense of calm to Kent’s batting, even with them a few short of what they would have wanted with two overs to go, at 166 for 3.Billings played three remarkable shots in the penultimate over, scoring three leg-side boundaries, all off balls that pitched well outside off stump. Such brilliance epitomised Kent’s supremely confident innings. Just seven runs and three wickets came from the final over, including the dismissal of Bell-Drummond for 77, but his innings went beyond numbers. An opener batting through a T20 innings brings a calming presence that the scoreboard does not do justice to.Somerset captain Alfonso Thomas felt a target of 173 was “a few too many” but it was not one that was beyond a powerful Somerset batting line-up. However given Kent’s form and Somerset’s comparative struggles, Kent were always favourites.Indeed not at any point in the chase did Somerset ever seem to be threatening Kent’s score. Eleven came from the first over, but with the third going for two and the fourth going for just one Somerset were behind the rate. The pressure of the scoreboard told when they lost Johan Myburgh in the Powerplay before Jim Allenby fell in the eighth and Peter Trego and James Hildreth went in the ninth to leave Somerset reeling at 57 for 4.It was then that Kent deployed their spinners, James Tredwell and Fabian Cowdrey, and they squeezed the remaining life from Somerset to ensure Kent’s victory well before the end of the match. The final over bowled by Matt Coles was, rather anti-climactically and almost comically, slugged for 34 including three no-balls. But it was a mere stain an otherwise superb victory for Kent.Somerset, who have had Gayle and Luke Ronchi this season – along with Corey Anderson due to play before he was injured – remain in eighth and even if they win all three of their remaining fixtures are unlikely to make it to their quarter-finals.

Emotional Sammy disappointed by lack of WICB support

West Indies captain Darren Sammy’s emotional speech at the presentation ceremony after his team won the World T20 final against England at Eden Gardens

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Apr-2016I want to thank the almighty, because without him nothing is possible. We have a pastor in the team in Andre Fletcher, he keeps on praying. We are a praying team. I’m really happy for this win and it’s something we are going to cherish for a long time.I’ve said we have 15 match-winners. Nobody gave us a chance but every game somebody stepped up and took responsibility. To see Carlos [Brathwaite] play like that in his debut World Cup, it’s just tremendous. It shows the depth we have in the Caribbean in T20 cricket and hopefully with the right structure and development our cricket will continue to improve in one-day and Test cricket.We started this journey … we all know we had … people were wondering whether we would play this tournament. We had a lot of issues, we felt disrespected by our board, Mark Nicholas described our team as a team with no brains. All these things before the tournament just brought this team together. I really want to thank these 15 men, the ability to just put all those adversities aside and to come out and play this type of cricket in front of such passionate fans, it’s just tremendous.I personally also want to thank the coaching staff, coach Phil, he’s been through a lot, and to come here and the way he’s coached the team, he’s just brilliant. All the other coaching staff, who have done their part. We had a new manager in this tournament in Rawl Lewis, he had never managed any team before. He came here, we were at a camp in Dubai, but we had no uniforms, no printed … he left Dubai, went to Kolkata, that’s where he started. The trouble he went to, to get us in this uniform … I got to give credit to the entire team here, it was us in our own little circle, this win we dedicate it to all our fans in the Caribbean.Lastly I really want to thank the heads of CARICOM, throughout this tournament they have been supporting the team, we’ve got emails, we’ve got phone calls, Prime Minister [Keith] Mitchell [from Grenada]. He sent a very inspiring email for the team this morning … and I’m yet to hear from our own cricket board. That is very disappointing.For today, I’m going to celebrate with these 15 men and coaching staff. I don’t know when I’m going to be playing with these guys again because we don’t get selected for one-day cricket. We don’t know when we’re going to be playing T20. So this win, I want to thank you my team, I want to thank you coaching staff … everybody know West Indies are champion!

Hot Royal Challengers run into strong Royals

Two wins and two losses – Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals with contrasting momentums will face-off again, at the Chinnaswamy Stadium

The Preview by Vishal Dikshit28-Apr-2015Match factsWednesday, April 29, 2015
Start time 2000 local (14:30 GMT)Big PictureRajasthan Royals are second on the table even though they haven’t won their last three matches – two losses followed by a washout in Kolkata. Royal Challengers Bangalore, meanwhile, followed their three-match losing streak with two confident wins, the first of them coming against Royals in Ahmedabad. Margins of the two wins – nine wickets and 10 wickets.But those two wins confirmed that their batting is heavily reliant on international stars. Their top three run-scorers are Virat Kohli (220), Chris Gayle (209) and AB de Villiers (176), who also bat in that order, and no other batsman has even put together 70 runs so far. That gives Royals an option of exposing a weak middle order comprising Dinesh Karthik, teenager Sarfaraz Khan and David Wiese. There are very few, if any, weaknesses in their attack. Mitchell Starc is in prime form, Yuzvendra Chahal is picking wickets regularly and Wiese is foxing batsmen with his slower ones in the middle overs.Royals’ last match was against Royal Challengers, which won’t be a source of confidence for them. The Super-Over loss to Kings XI Punjab wouldn’t have helped either. Compared to how they started the tournament, Royals too are facing middle-order woes after Ajinkya Rahane gives them a strong and stable start. To make it better for the batsmen, the part-time bowlers also need to make sure the hard work done by openers is not undone.Form guideRoyal Challengers Bangalore WWLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Rajasthan Royals LLWWWWatch out for…He can bowl and he can bat. He can deceive by bowling slower and give an upper hand by batting quicker. David Wiese is proving to be a high-utility overseas player for Royal Challengers. He is a tad expensive but his variations in bowling is something batsmen take time to get used to. His IPL debut started with an unbeaten 25-ball 47 which took them within 19 runs of victory despite Mumbai Indians’ score of 209. Maybe the optimum use of his batting utility is above his No. 7 spot.He’s the finisher for Australia, but his economy rate of 9.30 in seven matches is finishing James Faulkner’s chances of being a certainty for the rest of the season if Royals don’t start winning soon. He hasn’t fired with the bat either, with 80 runs from six innings and a strike rate of 127. His role as a slower-ball bowler gets more important since Royals will look to stem the flow of runs at the small Chinnaswamy Stadium. Can he change it around?Stats and trivia Shane Watson is one of the only two overseas players to have stuck around with his IPL team from the first season. His compatriot Shaun Marsh is the other, for Kings XI Punjab Mitchell Starc has the second-highest dot-ball percentage in the tournament so far. He had the highest in World Cup 2015Quotes”The past two performances is what RCB is all about. That does justice to the players we have.”
A confident Varun Aaron about Royal Challengers’ recent form.

Leie, Phangiso sink Bangladesh

After South Africa’s fast bowlers chiseled out their win in the first match, their batsmen and spinners crafted victory in the second to ensure a comprehensive series win over Bangladesh in their first preparatory outing for the World T20

The Report by Firdose Moonda07-Jul-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:10

By the Numbers – Spin does the trick for South Africa

After South Africa’s fast bowlers chiseled out their win in the first match, their batsmen and spinners crafted victory in the second to ensure a comprehensive series win over Bangladesh in their first preparatory outing for the World T20.Quinton de Kock and AB de Villiers’ opening stand of 95, propped up by two middle-order partnerships in the 30s set up a total of 169 before debutant Eddie Leie stole the headlines with the best figures by a South African on T20 debut and shared six wickets with Aaron Phangiso to give the selectors another option for the future.South Africa had the better of challenging conditions, as Bangladesh’s plan to make homeground advantage count backfired on them. On a slow surface which offered significant turn, it became harder to bat as the match progressed, so that not even an improved batting performance from the hosts could see them salvage something from the contest.Evidence of turn and bounce appeared in the first over when Arafat Sunny surprised de Villiers with a delivery that spun square, kicked up dust and beat the bat. But the next ball went straight on and de Villiers’ hung back to produce a delicate late cut and begun to take control of the opening exchange.Nasir Hossain’s six wides in his first over and de Kock’s aggression against Sunny ensured South Africa had already wrested the advantage by the time Bangladesh brought on their first seamer in the fourth over. Mustafizur Rahman immediately opted for the offcutter to match the conditions but South Africa were wise to his plan. He also offered width, which de Villiers could not resist, and by the time the Powerplay ended, South Africa’s 50 was on the board.With de Kock and de Villiers playing confidently against both spin and seam – their footwork was a hallmark of their partnership – Bangladesh were staring at conceding more than 200 until de Kock misplaced one. He was trying to dig Sunny out over midwicket but did not find the gap and was caught by Sabbir Rahman.That sparked a mini-collapse through which Bangladesh dragged themselves back into the game. JP Duminy gave himself no time to get his eye in and immediately tried to sweep Nasir but got a leading edge and on the next ball, de Villiers was caught behind trying to guide the ball down to fine leg.South Africa had lost three wickets for seven runs in seven balls and their plight could have worsened when Nasir and Mushfiqur Rahim appealed for caught-behind off David Miller. There was no conclusive evidence of an edge on replays and with no DRS, Miller survived.Faf du Plessis and Miller managed just 33 from the next six overs as it became clear run-scoring was becoming more difficult. The lack of pace in the pitch meant the batsmen were occasionally playing too early and premeditated strokes were not paying off.Bangladesh’s lethargic fielding helped push the total along and Miller and Rilee Rossouw ensured a strong finish. They plundered 32 off the last two overs to give Bangladesh a tough task.Instead of the aggressive approach they employed in the first match, Bangladesh’s openers were more watchful and it served them well. They were able to capitalise on width – which both Kyle Abbott and Wayne Parnell provided – and anything too short – where David Wiese sometimes erred – to provide a solid start.But just as it seemed Bangladesh would put up a stern challenge, Tamim Iqbal was swung at a short, slow ball from Parnell, it went straight up and Wiese took the catch. In the next over, Leie’s first as an international cricketer, he deceived Soumya Sarkar with flight and had him stumped.Bangladesh used the next three overs to regroup but instead of absorbing pressure, they were consumed by it. Their next four wickets fell for 13 runs – Shakib Al Hasan holed out to Phangiso’s first ball, Sabbir slogged Leie to midwicket before Mushfiqur attacked a low full toss only to find a leaping Rossouw at short cover and Nasir sent Phangiso into long-off’s hands – to leave them 82 for 6.Abbott’s yorkers finished off the tail but not before Bangladesh pushed their total over 100, which they did not manage in the first game. Still, they would not have been pleased with the way they folded, especially after their recent record at home, and will aim to put that right in the ODIs.

Murdoch ton hands Wellington first win

Wellington finally won their first match in this season’s Ford Trophy, their first in five attempts, on the back of a century from Stephen Murdoch and a four-for from fast bowler Brent Arnel

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jan-2015
ScorecardFile photo: Neil Wagner’s excellent figures of 10-3-39-5 were not enough for Otago•Getty ImagesWellington finally won their first match in this season’s Ford Trophy, their first in five attempts, on the back of a century from Stephen Murdoch and a four-for from fast bowler Brent Arnel.Otago chose to bowl and struck an early blow before Murdoch combined with Michael Pollard to steady the innings. Pollard got a half-century and the pair added 79. The innings only gained momentum later on though, as the middle order joined Murdoch and went after quick runs. A couple of cameos in addition to Murdoch’s century meant Wellington got to a competitive 264 despite Neil Wagner’s excellent figures of 10-3-39-5.In the reply, it was Arnel who starred with the ball, taking three of his four wickets early on to leave Otago tottering at 56 for 4 in the 14th over. They never really recovered from there, the only innings of note coming from captain Aaron Redmond, who made 64.

Queensland declaration sets up exciting final day

Western Australia ended the penultimate day with a lead of 291 runs after Queensland declared with a trail of 138 runs in their first innings in pursuit of an outright win

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Mar-2015
ScorecardFile photo: Chris Hartley scored 69 not out in Queensland’s first innings and took five catches behind the stumps•Getty ImagesWestern Australia ended the penultimate day with a lead of 291 runs after Queensland declared with a trail of 138 runs in their first innings in pursuit of an outright win.Queensland, resuming on 2 for 111, lost Peter Forrest off the second ball of the day, and two overs later saw Michael Philipson depart, Nathan RimmIngton accounting for both the wickets.However, Chris Lynn and Chris Hartley added 121 runs to steer the home side out of trouble. Lynn top-scored with 85, including 13 fours and a six, but his exit was followed by the dismissals of Jack Wildermuth and captain James Hopes in quick succession, and Queensland declared their innings shortly before the tea interval. Nathan Coulter-Nile and Rimmington picked up two wickets each.Western Australia, powered by half-centuries from Marcus Harris and captain Adam Voges, played ball and scored at a brisk pace to move the game forward. They came together once two wickets fell after the opening stand of 62. Once the third-wicket stand of 41 was broken by Peter George, WA lost three more wickets as Shaun Marsh, Sam Whiteman and Ashton Agar fell for single-digit scores. Voges’ 53 not out led them past 150 as Hartley pouched five catches behind the stumps.”I think the way [Western Australia] played this afternoon they showed they do want to set us something,” Hopes told . “The whole idea [of the declaration] was once we started to lose a few wickets this morning, our goal was to get past the follow-on then pull out.”We need to keep the chase at a reasonable level. I think what we’ve done this afternoon, if we come out and bowl well in the first half-hour and get another couple of wickets then we are starting to dictate what we’re chasing rather than waiting for them to declare.”

Bosisto suspended from bowling

William Bosisto, the Western Australia batsman and part-time offspinner, has been suspended from bowling in Cricket Australia competitions

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Nov-2014William Bosisto, the Western Australia batsman and part-time offspinner, was found to have an illegal action and has been suspended from bowling in Cricket Australia competitions.He was reported by the on-field umpires at a Futures League match at home against Victoria on October 30 and was tested in Brisbane under the board’s Doubtful Action Procedure.”Analysis conducted at the Bupa National Cricket Centre found that all of Bosisto’s tested offspin deliveries were in excess of the allowed 15-degrees of elbow extension and therefore the bowler was deemed to have an illegal bowling action,” a CA press release said.Bosisto, 21, can resume bowling only after passing another analysis, which he can request for in another 90 days. However, he can continue playing as a batsman. That was how he had caught they eye during the Under-19 World Cup in 2012 when he led Australia to the final and was their top-scorer in the tournament. He made his first-class debut in the last Sheffield Shield season and has played three matches, in addition to a List A game.Cricket Australia has been stringent against suspect actions and had suspended Cameron Gannon in April 2013, however the Queensland seamer cleared a subsequent test and has since returned to bowling.