All posts by h79snht.top

India vice-captain not feeling the pressure over his batting stats in England or India’s Test record in Southampton

Varun Shetty16-Jun-2021

Ajinkya Rahane is India’s leading run-scorer so far in this WTC cycle•BCCI

India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has said ahead of the WTC final that he’s not fazed by the criticism around his batting returns. Rahane is India’s highest scorer in this WTC cycle, with 1095 runs at 43.80, and has had the unwavering support of the team management.As recently as February this year, captain Virat Kohli said that Rahane, alongside Cheteshwar Pujara, was India’s “most important batter” in response to questions about his form and place in the team. In his last 18 innings, Rahane has made one hundred and one fifty, but he said that he’s not living in the past ahead of the WTC final.”It feels special [to be the leading run-scorer]. I’m happy to take criticism. I feel because of the criticism, I’m here,” Rahane said. “I always want to give my best, whether people criticise me or not. For me what is important is to give my best for my team, my country and contribute, each and every time. Be it as a batter or as a fielder. I don’t really think about criticism. If people criticise me, that’s their thing and that’s their job. I cannot control these things. I always focus on the controllables, putting my best foot forward and following my process. And the result follows.”Rahane has been one of India’s leading overseas batters during his decade-long career, but England remains the country where he’s had least success; in ten Tests in England, Rahane averages 29.26 with four fifties and a hundred. However, three of those fifties have come during two Tests in Southampton, where the final will be held.”I like to be in the present,” Rahane said. “I’ve been at this venue many times now, played for Hampshire also. Yes I know the conditions but what is important is to be in the moment, be in the present and adjust to the conditions on that particular day. Being the highest run-scorer doesn’t matter now. Whatever happened, that was past.”Related

Virat Kohli: 'Win or lose this game, cricket does not stop for us'

India name both Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin in five-man bowling attack for WTC final

Does Ashwin hold the key to the WTC final?

Laxman's advice to Rohit: 'Focus on leaving balls outside off'

Lack of warm-up fixtures 'a bit of a disadvantage' – Pujara

Watch cricket on ESPN+

The WTC final is available in the US on ESPN+. Subscribe to ESPN+ and tune in to the match.

“I’ll be playing my natural game. Doesn’t bother me much, what my record is in England as long as I’m contributing to my team. For me, winning is more important – whether I score 100 or score less … Even if I score 30-40 runs, if those 30-40 runs are valuable, I’m happy. It’s all about the team, it’s all about contribution, so I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself.”India themselves haven’t had the best of times on their last two visits to Southampton. While Rahane was able to find his best at a challenging venue, they lost by 266 runs in 2014 and by 60 runs on their last visit, in 2018. A change of opposition and context – it will be a one-off match, after all – will make for a fresh approach though, Rahane said.”Opposition is different [so] our planning and strategy will be completely different. Playing against England here in Southampton, the plan was different. We just want to take this as just another game, we don’t want to put ourselves under pressure. Especially because we’re playing a Test after a long time now. I think what is important in this Test is playing with freedom, playing as a team and backing each other. That will really help us rather than thinking about the outcome after this Test match.”

تحدث مدرب ريال مدريد، كارلو أنشيلوتي، بعد تعادل فريقه أمام أتلتيكو مدريد في الديربي بمنافسات الدوري الإسباني.

وانتهت المباراة بهدف لمثله لكل فريق، وأحرز كيليان مبابي هدف ريال مدريد، وسجل جوليان ألفاريز هدف أتلتيكو مدريد من ضربة جزاء، وعلّق أنشيلوتي على الأمر.

رفض أنشيلوتي في البداية الحديث عن ضربة جزاء أتلتيكو مدريد، ثم قال: “لا أريد التحدث عن التحكيم”.

وتابع: “في الشوط الثاني كان لدينا السيطرة التامة، وصلنا إلى المرمى عدة مرات، الشوط الأول كان مختلفًا، أبطأ بكثير، لكننا خرجنا من المباراة بانطباعات إيجابية”.

وأضاف: “لقد أثرت حالة ركلة الجزاء على الفريق، قبلها كان اللعب بطيئًا جدًا، لكن في الشوط الثاني لعبنا بشكل أكثر اتساعًا، وفينيسيوس ورودريجو خلقا الكثير من الخطورة”.

وتابع بشأن ركلة الجزاء: “احتسبت تقنية الفيديو ركلة الجزاء، وكان الحكم قريبًا من الوضع ورأى جيدًا ما حدث، لقد رأيت ركلة جزاء أخرى في مباراة أتلتيك بلباو ضد جيرونا، الناس في كرة القدم لا يفهمون هذا”.

وأصر مدرب ريال مدريد: “لا أريد الدخول في الجدل، أفضّل التحدث عن المباراة، غادرنا المباراة بالتعادل، نشعر بالتفاؤل، الفريق كان جيدًا، خاصة في الشوط الثاني”.

وأستطرد: “الفريق كان جيدًا، الجميع ضحى واستعاد الكرة في مباراة كانت معقدة، كان أتلتيكو يدافع ويقوم بهجمات مرتدة، وكانوا جيدين جدًا في الدفاع، تشواميني وأسينسيو قدما مباراة رائعة وكنا قريبين من الفوز”.

وأسترسل: “الشوط الثاني كان جيدًا، الفريق محبط لأنه يعتقد أنه كان يستحق الفوز، كنا قريبين، لكن يجب أن نكون راضين، ما زلنا في الصدارة، بعد أسبوع مكثف والآن لدينا أسبوع أكثر هدوءًا حتى يوم الثلاثاء”.

وعن داني سيبايوس، أفاد أنشيلوتي: “لعب سيبايوس بشكل جيد كما هو معتاد، وكان المدافعون أيضًا جيدين جدًا، بالنسبة لمباراة الثلاثاء (أمام مانشستر سيتي)، يجب أن نرى كيف سيستعيد الفريق لياقته، اللاعبون الذين شاركوا اليوم لديهم أفضلية (للمشاركة أمام السيتي)”.

وأردف: “تشكيل اليوم قد يكون صالحًا لمباراة الثلاثاء، أعتقد أنه نجح بشكل جيد، لا أتذكر أننا عانينا من فرص كبيرة سوى ركلة الجزاء”.

وإذا كان بيان ريال مدريد ضد التحكيم (بعد المباراة أمام إسبانيول) أثر على أداء الحكم في المباراة اليوم، علّق: “لا أعرف”.

وكان دييجو سيميوني مدرب أتلتيكو مدريد علّق أن أفضل فريق هو برشلونة، ورد أنشيلوتي: “كل شخص لديه رأيه، سيكون دوريًا تنافسيًا جدًا حتى النهاية، نحن سعيدون، رغم الصعوبات التي نواجهها”.

وأتم: “قبل المباراة، كان هناك مشهد، مع الأربعة، كارفاخال، ميليتاو، ألابا، وروديجر، وهم يحيون زملاءهم الذين يدخلون إلى الملعب، وهذا يعني أنه، رغم الصعوبات، نحن نؤدي بشكل جيد جدًا”.

MatériaMais Notícias

O São Paulo venceu o Sport por 2 a 0, no Morumbi, pela 36ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. Autor do segundo gol do Tricolor, o meia Gabriel Sara destacou a importância do triunfo e dedicou os três pontos para a torcida, que compareceu em peso ao Morumbi.

RelacionadasVídeoVÍDEO: veja os gols da vitória do São Paulo sobre o Sport no MorumbiVídeo27/11/2021São PauloATUAÇÕES: Setor ofensivo do São Paulo se destaca no segundo tempo na vitória diante do SportSão Paulo27/11/2021São PauloCom gols de Calleri e Gabriel Sara, São Paulo vence o Sport e fica perto de evitar queda no BrasileirãoSão Paulo27/11/2021

– Sabíamos que era uma final, não estávamos em uma situação confortável, tínhamos que sair dela e acredito que fizemos um bom papel. Essa vitória é para a torcida, eles merecem muito mais – disse o meia ao ‘SporTV’ após a partida.

Vale ressaltar que o Morumbi recebeu cerca de 35 mil torcedores e contou novamente com um grande apoio da torcida, que vem comparecendo em peso aos jogos do Tricolor.

> Veja e simule a tabela do Brasileirão

O resultado faz o São Paulo se distanciar da zona de rebaixamento. Agora, o Tricolor é o 12º colocado, com 45 pontos. A equipe enfrenta o Grêmio na próxima quinta-feira (02), às 20h, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.

Chelsea are starting to make progress, with the appointment of Enzo Maresca looking like, with time, it could lift Stamford Bridge and its inhabitants back into the limelight.

Mauricio Pochettino deserves credit for lifting the club from its wretched misfortunes in 2022/23 and restoring Chelsea's place in European football, but Manchester United's FA Cup victory in May meant that a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League yielded only Conference League football.

Todd Boehly and Co have since sought to revolutionise the first team and bring in the requisite firepower to challenge at the upper end of domestic and continental competition.

Chelsea's shiny new frontline has so much potential, but it needs to be fuelled by a secure and dynamic midfield, and while Enzo Fernandez fits that mould, the Argentina international still has much to prove.

Why Chelsea signed Enzo Fernandez

Fernandez was one of the statement early signings at Boehly and Clearlake's Chelsea, joining from SL Benfica in a deal worth £107m, which was a British record until the Blues signed Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion for £115m a year-and-a-half later.

Most Expensive British Signings

Rank

Player

From

To

Fee*

1.

Moises Caicedo

Brighton

Chelsea

£115m

2.

Enzo Fernandez

Benfica

Chelsea

£107m

3.

Declan Rice

West Ham

Arsenal

£105m

4.

Jack Grealish

Aston Villa

Man City

£100m

5.

Romelu Lukaku

Inter Milan

Chelsea

£97.5m

As per Sky Sports (* = fees include add-ons)

Fernandez alighted on English shores still giddy from critical acclaim over in the Gulf, having skyrocketed to prominence with his nation at the 2022 World Cup, winning the Young Player of the Tournament en route to winning the gold medal.

Hailed as a "game-changer" by journalist Roy Nemur, Fernandez's technical ability and intelligence cast him in richer waters than that of his positional rivals, dotted around the globe and eyeing a place at one of the biggest institutions.

Even now, approaching the two-year mark in west London, Fernandez's passing and overarching influence are clear. As per FBref, the 23-year-old ranks among the top 9% of central midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted and the top 18% for progressive passes per 90.

But has he really been a hit-the-jackpot kind of signing? Variables must be considered; Fernandez stepped into turbulent conditions at Stamford Bridge as an up-and-coming midfielder, but for £107m, you'd want to get bang for your buck from the off.

Enzo Fernandez: Premier League Stats by Season

Stats (*per game)

22/23

23/24

24/25

Matches (starts)

18 (18)

28 (26)

3 (3)

Goals

0

3

0

Assists

2

2

0

Touches*

93.4

79.2

78.7

Shots (on target)*

1.1 (0.2)

1.7 (0.6)

1.0 (0.3)

Pass completion

89%

87%

81%

Key passes*

1.1

1.1

1.0

Dribbles*

0.9

0.8

0.3

Ball recoveries*

6.9

4.4

4.0

Tackles + interceptions*

3.4

2.4

3.0

Total duels won*

5.1 (53%)

4.5 (48%)

5.0 (60%)

Stats via Sofascore

You could make a compelling case that Fernandez is not really going from strength to strength in the way that would have been envisaged, craved.

Especially since he's not exactly a spring chicken in Chelsea's squad any longer. Since signing from Benfica, the South American has completed 67 appearances, scoring seven goals and assisting six more.

Across the opening matches of the current campaign, he's been sturdy in defence but his passing has been uncharacteristically wayward, and he's not even been particularly creative or progressive, albeit playing the opening fixture against Manchester City in a number ten role.

In theory, Fernandez is the prototypical midfielder for Maresca's system, for he has a sublime range of passing and the robustness to supercharge the engine, make it purr, and enable the attacking success of stars such as Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson.

But more needs to be done in order to wrap it all together and lift Chelsea to the desired place in the Premier League and indeed in the Champions League.

Fernandez is contracted to Stamford Bridge until the end of the 2031/32 season, so time is on his side. But on £180k per week and as yet failing to prove himself worthy of such a price tag – amortisation or not – he needs to improve, especially since his present market value is on the slide.

Enzo Fernandez's market value in 2024/25

Fernandez is still a highly valued member of Chelsea's first team, but there's no disputing his gradual depreciation since signing, a by-product of the on-pitch performances that have, at one stage, led Wesley Sneijder to launch a diatribe against him.

The retired Dutch footballer said in 2023: “If you have been brought in as a player for £100million then you can at least expect that he will run his lungs out, right?

“But he walked! He loses the ball himself, then he has a moment of mourning. You see Enzo, a £100m purchase, trudge a bit while Gallagher runs past him."

But how far has Fernandez's market value actually fallen? Well, according to Football Transfers' valuation model, he is currently worth just £42m, surpassed by the prodigious Palmer for the honour of the club's most valuable player.

This is a shocking financial nosedive in all honesty, equating to a £65m drop, which is more money than the Blues spent on Joao Felix and Pedro Neto, individually, this summer.

Look, this is a high-class player. A midfielder who shot to the top after an incredible start to life in Benfica and then with the Argentinian national team, but there's no disguising the troubles at Chelsea that demand a rise to the next level this year, lest he be consigned to a list of high-cost misfires.

There is still time for Fernandez to be a success, but he now needs to make it happen…

Related Chelsea flop left on a free transfer, now he's outscoring Isak & Toney

He’s found his goalscoring boots after departing Stamford Bridge.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Sep 9, 2024

Kimber strikes 53 off 28 balls as Foxes recover from 80 for 5

ECB Reporters Network22-Jun-2021

Louis Kimber scored a maiden Blast fifty•PA Images via Getty Images

Louis Kimber’s maiden Vitality Blast fifty helped Leicestershire Foxes to a 42-run win over Derbyshire Falcons in the North Group match at Derby.Kimber struck 53 off 28 balls as the Foxes recovered from 80 for 5 to post 174 for 8 with Scott Steel scoring 46 and skipper Colin Ackermann 37.Matt Critchley’s 2 for 23, combined with 2 for 30 from George Scrimshaw put Derbyshire in a good position until Kimber’s late charge set a challenging chase.Derbyshire were well placed at 60 for 0 but they collapsed against the Foxes’ spinners to 132 all out with eight balls to spare.Callum Parkinson, Ackermann and Steel shared six wickets to seal a second successive win while Derbyshire have now lost six matches.Leicestershire began slowly against disciplined bowling and then faltered just when Steel was pressing on the accelerator. He ramped Logan van Beek for six and pulled Fynn Hudson-Prentice over the ropes after Josh Inglis had carved to mid-off.Scrimshaw and Critchley gave Derbyshire momentum and halted Leicestershire’s by taking four wickets in four overs with Steel skying a pull to mid-on.Critchley’s second over was a big one as Rishi Patel missed a sweep and Lewis Hill drove to long-off.It left Ackermann and Kimber to rebuild carefully before launching an onslaught that brought 47 from the last three overs.Kimber drove Conor McKerr for six and although Ackermann failed to clear long-on, Kimber twice launched Hudson-Prentice into the stand as 19 came from the final over.It left Derbyshire a stiffer chase than had looked likely but they began well with Harry Came taking three fours from a Gavin Griffiths over. Luis Reece drove and pulled Griffiths for six to take Derbyshire to 55 without loss at the end of the powerplay.Parkinson made the breakthrough in a maiden over in which Came was bowled and Reece was run out for 19.Derbyshire needed 104 from 10 overs but the pressure exerted by the spinners told as Billy Godleman was lbw to Steel and Leus du Plooy drove Ackermann to long-off.When Critchley fell in the same Ackermann over, Derbyshire had lost five wickets in six overs to slide to 85 for 5, a position from which they never recovered.

حقق روما فوزًا هامًا على نظيره بارما، ضمن منافسات الجولة 25 من بطولة الدوري الإيطالي للدرجة الأولى على ملعب إينيو تارديني.

روما واصل انتصاراته في الدوري الإيطالي ونتائجه المميزة تحت قيادة كلاوديو رانيري، عن طريق النجم الأرجنتيني الشاب ماتياس سولي.

الهدف جاء في الدقيقة 33 بتسديدة رائعة من مخالفة خارج منطقة الجزاء، بعد مخالفة عقب طرد جيوفاني ليوني في الدقيقة 31.

طالع أيضًا | تشكيل يوفنتوس وإنتر ميلان في الدوري الإيطالي.. كولو مواني أساسيًا أمام لاوتارو مارتينيز

النقص العددي لم يمكن بارما من معادلة النتيجة أمام ذئاب العاصمة، ليواصل الجيالوروسي نتائجه المميزة ويصعد للمركز التاسع برصيد 37 نقطة، بينما بارما يظل مهدد في المركز الثامن عشر برصيد 20 نقطة. هدف فوز روما أمام بارما في الدوري الإيطالي

MatériaMais Notícias

Neste domingo, o Red Bull Bragantino foi ao Mineirão e acabou derrotado pelo Atlético-MG por 4 a 3.

+ Veja no aplicativo do LANCE! o resultado dos jogos da rodada

O resultado deixou o Braga em baixa no torneio nacional. Com 53 pontos, o Massa Bruta aumentou o jejum de vitórias no torneio para três partidas.

Além disso, o Bragantino perdeu a chance de ficar na zona de classificação dos clubes que garantem vaga direta na fase de grupos da Libertadores.

O Fortaleza, uma posição acima do Braga, aparece com 55 pontos e agora está perto de garantir uma vaga direta na fase de grupos do torneio continental.

Calendário

Na rodada derradeira do Brasileirão, o Bragantino mede forças contra o Internacional, no Nabi Abi Chedid.

RelacionadasAtlético MineiroBicampeão! No Mineirão, jogadores do Atlético-MG erguem a taça do título brasileiroAtlético Mineiro05/12/2021Atlético MineiroVídeo: veja os gols da vitória do Galo sobre o Red Bull BragantinoAtlético Mineiro05/12/2021Atlético MineiroEvento fechado marca ‘última festa’ do Atlético-MG celebrando o título do Brasileirão 2021Atlético Mineiro05/12/2021

Tottenham could replace Son Heung-min as captain with another lower-profile member of Ange Postecoglou’s squad, with the 32-year-old still yet to pen fresh terms and commit his future to Spurs.

Son contract expiring in potential concern for Spurs

Spurs have the option to extend Son’s contract by an additional 12 months, keeping him at the club until 2026, even though his current deal is due to expire in 2025 as things stand.

Related Tottenham offered chance to sign £162k-per-week "champion" just days ago

The Lilywhites were approached over an out-of-window deal.

Posts 1 ByEmilio Galantini Sep 18, 2024

It is highly likely that Postecoglou’s side will trigger the one-year extension clause, but supporters and club chiefs alike would prefer that Son puts pen to paper on a new long-term deal to keep him at N17 for even longer.

“Yeah, still ongoing,” said Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge on talks over a new deal for Son earlier this year (GiveMeSport).

Son Heung-min’s all-time stats for Tottenham

Appearances

413

Goals

164

Assists

84

Yellow cards

16

Red cards

3

Minutes played

29,384

“This is a player who, let’s face it, is just brilliant on the field, but a brilliant ambassador and obviously globally, so key to the football club. He’s been a great club captain since taking over from Harry Kane. He’s come back from the Asian Cup. He was very personally disappointed with the way it was done. I don’t think he had the best relationship in the world with Jurgen Klinsmann. Maybe that’s taken him a little bit of time to come back.”

Postecoglou, when asked about Son’s contract situation earlier this summer, was more vague in his response.

“Yeah, look, that’s not really my area, what I always do and what I’ve always done is irrespective of the contract situation of players is to you know, treat them all the same,” said Postecoglou on Son’s contract.

“Ben and Sonny are an important part of this football club. We’ve got a really young team at the moment and we need some good experienced players around them and they’re two that certainly set the right example. And in terms of contracts I think that all gets sorted out at the appropriate time. But from my perspective, and I think the players’ perspectives themselves, we’re just focused on preparing for a big year.”

Tottenham could replace Son as captain with Guglielmo Vicario

Of course, if Son does depart in 2026, then the Lilywhites will need a new captain to replace their legend. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has impressed overall since joining Spurs from Empoli last summer, even if the Italy international came under-fire for his handling of set-pieces once again during Tottenham’s 1-0 North London Derby defeat to Arsenal.

According to Milan Live, Spurs could make Vicario their future captain, akin to how long-serving ex-number one Hugo Lloris took the armband for many years. The “underrated” 27-year-old is attracting interest from Inter Milan, who are thinking of making an offer for him to replace Yann Sommer, but a deal will be very difficult to do for the Nerazzurri.

Tottenham apparently have full faith in the £75,000-per-week shot-stopper, and want to make him the “new Lloris”, with a Vicario captaincy on the agenda for future seasons.

Second ODI in July included in UK government’s Event Research Programme

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Jun-2021

Lord’s will host a full-capacity ODI for the first time since the 2019 World Cup final•Getty Images

England will play a home international in front of a full-capacity crowd for the first time since September 2019 next Saturday, after the second ODI against Pakistan at Lord’s was included in the UK government’s Event Research Programme (ERP).Fans have started to return to international cricket in the UK over the last month, with around 17,000 fans attending the first three days of the second Test against New Zealand at Edgbaston and capacities of around 20-25% elsewhere, subject to government regulations.The ECB announced last week that limited-overs fixtures against Sri Lanka and Pakistan would be included in the ERP as the UK continues to work towards the total lifting of Covid-related restrictions, scheduled for July 19, and on Monday, Warwickshire announced that they would stage the third ODI against Pakistan in front of an 80% full Edgbaston.Ticket-holders over the age of 11 will be required to provide either proof of a recent negative lateral flow test, proof of full vaccination, or proof of natural immunity via a positive PCR test result taken in the last 180 days.There will be no social-distancing requirements within the ground, though fans will be encouraged to wear masks while moving around. Under-16s were not allowed to attend the first pilot event of the cricketing summer at Edgbaston, but no such restrictions will apply at Lord’s.

Invincibles produce magic moments in the field to defend below-par total

Valkerie Baynes20-Aug-2021

Tash Farrant and Dane van Niekerk exchange high fives•Getty Images

A stunning bowling performance from Tash Farrant sent Oval Invincibles into Saturday’s Women’s Hundred final against Southern Brave.Farrant’s tournament-best 4 for 10 off 19 deliveries put her top of the wicket-takers’ list with 18 and allowed Invincibles to defend what looked like a below-par total in the Eliminator against Birmingham Phoenix, who lost their last six wickets for 13 runs. Phoenix captain Amy Jones top-scored for her side with 35 off 25 balls and shared a 52-run partnership with Erin Burns but it was all in vain with Farrant’s hand in both dismissals, including a brilliant catch to account for Burns amid a near-flawless showing in the field by the home side.Marizanne Kapp played an excellent supporting role to Farrant in Invincibles’ hour of need, top-scoring with a run-a-ball 37 and taking 3 for 21.Having won the toss and elected to bowl first, the Birmingham side’s ability to take wickets at key moments ensured Invincibles’ innings never really got going. Indeed, it looked like the home side would struggle to post a triple-figure total for only the second time in the tournament but in back-to-back matches after they were bowled out for 85 in a 30-run defeat at the hands of Southern Brave on Monday.After just 17 balls, Invincibles had lost both their leading run-scorers to that point, captain Dane van Niekerk and Georgia Adams, with just 15 runs on the board. Teenager Alice Capsey leap-frogged Adams into second place on that list with 26 off 20 balls and her 54-run partnership with Kapp gave their bowlers something to defend.Phoenix, without opener Shafali Verma who has returned to India ahead of their tour to Australia, started brightly enough but once Jones – who had looked in excellent touch striking six fours – fell to Farrant’s bowling, their run-chase fell away swiftly.Doff your Kapp
Kapp came in with her side in terrible trouble at 15 for 2 and things didn’t look much brighter when Fran Wilson – reaching double figures for just the third time in eight innings – fell for 21 off 17. But Kapp, who had missed a large chunk of Invincibles’ campaign through injury, lifted them off the floor with her battling knock and fifty stand with Capsey.Then, with Invincibles staring down a big task to defend such a middling total, Kapp struck twice in six balls to keep them in it. Katie Mack, who moved up the order to replace Verma, fell third ball when Kapp lured her in with a full outswinger and drew an edge that went through to keeper Sarah Bryce. Then, having waited until the 13th ball of the innings to face her first delivery, opener Eve Jones fell immediately when Kapp found another edge which Bryce took well low to the ground.Amy Jones struck the first ball she faced off Kapp to the boundary through the off side and in no time she helped herself to two more off Shabnim Ismail and Kapp, as Phoenix looked to make good use of the Powerplay in a small chase.Tash magic
To top off Kapp’s contribution, Farrant produced a piece of sheer brilliance in the field to give Kapp her third wicket from just 15 deliveries. Having put on 52 runs with Amy Jones, Burns lifted Kapp wide of extra cover and Farrant, running from mid-off launched herself to her left to pluck the ball from the air, letting out a huge roar in celebration as she leapt to her feet.Returning to the attack on the very next ball, Farrant then claimed the prize wicket of Amy Jones, her slower ball enticing a drive which went straight to extra cover, where van Niekerk claimed a straightforward catch. With Phoenix needing 49 off as many balls, Invincibles had a spring in their step as Jones sat stony faced, her helmet still on, in the dugout.van Niekerk claimed a much more difficult chance, not quite on the scale of Farrant’s but sharp all the same and no less important, with an excellent return catch to dismiss Marie Kelly, who had struck the ball hard back at the bowler.When Farrant deceived Gwen Davies with another slower ball that went straight up above Bryce, the keeper collected, making up for dropping Burns on 16 in possibly the only blemish on Invincibles’ otherwise immaculate fielding for the day. Then Capsey chimed in with a wonderful caught-and-bowled, taking the ball high above her head to remove Georgia Elwiss.But the best was yet to come for Invincibles’ cause when Farrant claimed the final two wickets in the space of three balls. She had Emily Arlott comfortably caught by Ismail at long on and then it was Kapp who caught Kirstie Gordon smartly at cover to seal victory and best bowling figures for the tournament for Farrant.