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Rolling Stones icons Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood were in attendance as Barcelona faced Real Madrid in La Liga on Saturday.

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Rolling Stones stars at El ClasicoBarca wearing special jerseyShirt has Stones' famous symbol on itWHAT HAPPENED?

The two sides went head-to-head in the Estadio Olímpico for the first time this season and the famous rock band heroes were in attendance.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The and artists watched on as Barcelona faced their rivals in a jersey with the band's famous lips and tongue symbol on it. The gesture coincides with the release of the Rolling Stones' new album, "Hackney Diamonds".

DID YOU KNOW?

Barcelona took the lead within six minutes through an Ilkay Gundogan goal. The midfielder's goal was the fastest to have been scored in a match between Barcelona and Real Madrid since Neymar's strike just three minutes and two seconds into a Clasico in 2014.

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Barca's next match is against Real Sociedad in La Liga, while take on Rayo Vallecano.

Yorkshire bowled superbly, with control and discipline, as the Division One leaders, Middlesex, were restricted to only one batting point

Jon Culley at Headingley07-Jun-2015
ScorecardJack Brooks finished with 5 for 44 to help cover for the continued absence of Ryan Sidebottom•Getty ImagesThis was more like it from Yorkshire, who had looked out of sorts as they escaped with a draw in Somerset a couple of weeks ago. They bowled superbly, with control and discipline, as the Division One leaders, Middlesex, were restricted to only one batting point after James Franklin, on winning the toss, had been content to invite Yorkshire to field.Jack Brooks, wicketless in Taunton, advertised the restorative benefits of a 10-day break by taking 5 for 44. Brooks is in his third season at Headingley after his move from Northamptonshire but he still celebrates every wicket as if it is his first, wheeling away to his left, fists pumping, crossing at least half a dozen neighbouring strips before coming to a halt.He came up with some terrific deliveries, dismissing Joe Burns, the Australian opener, with the ninth ball of his opening five-over new ball spell at the Football Stand End before returning for the final half hour of the morning at the Kirkstall Lane End, removing Sam Robson with his fifth ball, one that nipped back and beat the erstwhile England opener’s defence to clip the top of middle and off stumps.Robson was probably a key wicket, given that he was striking the ball nicely and taking his scoring chances well, better certainly than the more cautious Nick Compton, and had he survived until lunch the day might have unfolded differently. As it was, the fillip of his dismissal put a spring in Yorkshire’s step as they emerged for the afternoon session, by the end of which Middlesex were all out for 212.Yet as Middlesex reduced Yorkshire to 52 for 4 in reply, before Jonny Bairstow and Jack Leaning laid the foundations of a recovery, the value of Compton’s three-and-a-half hour 70 was emphasised. The 31-year-old, batting at No. 3, relishes the responsibility of holding his team together in difficult situations and this was a pitch on which there was always likely to be incident.During the morning session, with Brooks at the top of his game and Steve Patterson bowling his consistently testing line from the other end, Compton went 40 minutes without scoring a run, with 25 dot balls between his seventh and eighth scoring shots. “It doesn’t bother me at all to do that,” he said. “As long as I’m still in, I’ve got a chance. You want to be scoring but I’m happy to be patient. If you go searching for it on a wicket like that you’re going to give yourself a bit of trouble.”Where he feels less patient is in relation to his England career, which was so abruptly nipped in the bud on the eve of the last Ashes series and which has yet to resume. “Patience is one of my qualities as a batsman but as a person it is not my greatest asset,” he said.”I’m desperate to get back in the England side again and I feel I have the ability and the credentials to be a thorn in the side of the Australians in this Ashes if I was picked. But I have had to reset my goals a bit, concentrate on contributing for Middlesex and whatever will be, will be.”Yorkshire had to change their plans at the last minute when Ryan Sidebottom, who was to have made his comeback here after suffering a calf injury in the opening fixture, pulled up in the warm-ups, feeling all was not well. It meant Will Rhodes kept his place. Adam Lyth and Gary Ballance came back from Test duty, neatly filling the places vacated by Adil Rashid and Liam Plunkett’s secondment to the England one-day squad.Yorkshire’s spin gamble paid off. It had been supposed that James Middlebrook, who took nine wickets in the match when he stood in for Rashid earlier in the season, would take that duty again but Yorkshire chanced that Glenn Maxwell, an allrounder but primarily a batsman, could fill in and how well they were rewarded.Introduced at 108 for 4 after 45 overs, Maxwell’s off-breaks claimed two key wickets in the space of three deliveries when Franklin inside-edged to short leg and John Simpson was trapped leg before, his ball keeping a touch low, at which point the Middlesex innings was collapsing at 119 for 6. Ollie Rayner went after him, hitting five of his next eight deliveries to the fence and surviving a dropped catch at short leg, but Maxwell came back with a ball that somehow squeezed through between his legs and bowled him.Compton ultimately fell to Brooks. Required to be bolder as wickets fell around him he gave Brooks his fourth wicket when he drove at one that found the edge and was taken at third slip by Leaning at the second attempt. Patterson, reliably consistent as ever, picked up his second wicket before James Harris, whose last-wicket show of defiance with Tim Murtagh at least meant Middlesex’s effort was not pointless, hooked to long leg to give Brooks his second five-wicket haul of the season.Murtagh was back in the Middlesex side for Steven Finn, called up by England, and took two wickets as Yorkshire’s day ended with something of a backs-to the-wall effort needed. Ballance, who needs some county runs more than most, struggled again, dismissed by Murtagh for 1 and Lees’ run of low scores continued when he edged the same bowler to second slip.Lyth looked in better shape, but the ball after he had hit one delicious drive past mid-off for four he followed a ball from Toby Roland-Jones that left him late and was caught, also at second slip. Andrew Gale’s dismissal left Yorkshire in difficulties and much will depend on Bairstow and Leaning staying out of trouble in the first hour on the second day.

On a day when British thoughts were largely centred around Andy Murray’s first Wimbledon title, Middlesex served up a demolition of Kent at Uxbridge with Adam Rossington’s domineering 74 from 37 balls to the fore.

Tim Wigmore07-Jul-2013
ScorecardAdam Rossington gave the Uxbridge crowd a demonstration of his prowess•Matt BrightOn a day when British thoughts were largely centred around Andy Murray’s first Wimbledon title, Middlesex served up a demolition of Kent at Uxbridge. Adam Rossington’s domineering 74, taking advantage of a scorching day, flat track and unthreatening bowling, exposed the inadequacy of Kent’s 140.Kent’s day was rather summed up when Rossington was caught at midwicket by Sam Northeast, only for Northeast to touch the rope and concede a six. Rossington hardly required such assistance.A few days ago, he was seen briefly on Sky TV strolling out with a broad grin on his face to face a couple of balls and win a last-over finish against Essex in front of 20,000 at Lord’s. Not remotely as many witnessed a more extensive display of his powers.On this occasion, It was an innings marked by powerful driving and a relish for hitting the ball in the air; at one stage Darren Stevens was lashed for four boundaries in five balls. Rossington described opening as “the best time to bat” but said that he expects to slip back down the order when Paul Stirling returns from Ireland duty.But this was a victory set-up in Kent’s innings – their total always felt at least 40 runs below par. It was little wonder that there were no shortage of iPads and smart phones on display during Kent’s meandering effort, as spectators were understandably distracted by Murray’s efforts at Wimbledon.And even the 140 they recorded owed much to the generosity of Middlesex’s fielders: four catches were spilled as players struggled to pick up the ball against the backdrop of the afternoon sun.Kyle Mills, the Zealand seamer, alone had three catches spilled of his bowling, but, despite a couple of no balls, he was quick and canny in claiming 2-28, bowling at either end of the innings. His opening partner, Toby Roland-Jones, has struggled to replicate his outstanding first-class form in the shortest format. Not today: four parsimonious overs included the scalp of Rob Key to a crafty slower ball.Much of Kent’s batting had a harebrained feel. They are over-reliant on Darren Stevens. After he fell for a belligerent 25, the innings lacked a sense of impetus. Kent have the feeling of a side that badly needs renewal: Adam Blake and Sam Billings, who both hit enterprising cameos, need to become consistent scorers.Amid the hype about the start of the Ashes at Trent Bridge, Geraint Jones, who made 85 in 2005 there, hit a sparkly 22 to provide a little nostalgia. It was his first T20 game of the season, and seemingly an appearance he had not expected: on Thursday Jones had used his Twitter account to say that “The only positive to come out of not playing the T20’s is I can now enjoy guilt free beer day before game!”Vernon Philander’s pace was Kent’s last chance of making a contest of the game. Rossington ensured otherwise, driving with panache on both side of the wicket.Implausible as it sounds of a 37-ball 74, Rossington didn’t thrash from ball one, taking nine deliveries over his first two runs. The game was over long before he was bowled attempting to swing a fifth six. It was a deserved scalp for Tredwell, parsimonious amid the pandemonium unleashed at the other end.That left just enough time for a final flourish from Tredwell’s former teammate. Joe Denly’s six off Philander – launching him over mid-wicket after shimmying down the wicket – was a reminder of the qualities that briefly seduced England’s limited overs selectors. He is a way off an England recall, but how Kent would love him back. They have now lost their first four Twenty20 games: the shortest format is proving no relief in their grim season.

Durham have signed South African batsman Johan Myburgh as their second overseas player for the Friends Life t20

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Jun-2012Durham have signed South African batsman Johann Myburgh as their second overseas player for the Friends Life t20. Myburgh impressed during a trial for the club, hitting 30 and 48 not out against Lancashire second XI and taking two wickets with his part-time offspin.Myburgh, who has previously played for Hampshire, could make his Durham debut on Friday against Yorkshire, after being included in a 13-man squad for the match at Headingley. The 31-year-old has a Twenty20 average of 29.55, with a top score of 80 in 36 matches, and will provide cover for the injured Paul Collingwood.”It’s been a great few days with Durham already and I’m looking forward to getting started in the T20,” Myburgh said. “I felt in good shape in the warm-up games and scored a few runs so hopefully I can continue to perform well and post some good scores for the team. I know Durham have big aspirations in the competition after reaching the quarter-finals last year and I want to be contributing to more success.”Geoff Cook, Durham’s head coach, added: “It’s great to have Johann join us for the duration of the T20 competition. He has a great attitude and I was impressed by his performance for us this week, not just with the bat but in the field too. With Paul Collingwood injured he is an experienced batsmen to add that extra dimension to our batting line up and also offers us an extra bowling option.”Herschelle Gibbs, Durham’s other overseas player, is also in line to make his first appearance for the county at Yorkshire, while fast bowler Graham Onions will be available after returning from England duty in the third Test against West Indies.

A round-up of the ninth-place play-off quarter-finals of the Under-19 World Cup on August 20

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Aug-2012In one of the most one-sided encounters of the World Cup, Nepal crashed to 79 on their way to an eight-wicket drubbing at the hands of Sri Lanka at Peter Burge Oval. It was a combined bowling effort by Sri Lanka, led by the offspinner Tharindu Kaushal, who took 3 for 13. Only two Nepal batsmen passed double figures, with extras (18) as the second-highest scorer. Subtract the 16 wides and Nepal would have folded up for much less. Sri Lanka raced towards the target thanks to an aggressive opening stand of 71 between Sebastian Perera and Shehan Fernando. Fernando was the Man of the Match for his 48.Ireland qualified for the ninth-place playoff semi-finals after getting past Namibia in another low-scorer in Brisbane. Namibia limped to a painful 128 for 9 in 50 overs and though Ireland chased it down in less than 25 overs, they lost six wickets in the process. Graeme McCarter, the right-arm seamer, took three early wickets to reduce Namibia to 35 for 4 by the 11th over. Namibia struggled to put on partnerships of note, the highest being 29 for the 10th wicket. Jason Davidson and Christopher Coombe were the only two batsmen to pass 20. McCarter finished with 4 for 32, while George Dockrell was the most parsimonious, with figures of 1 for 8 from 10 overs. Ireland’s Ryan Hunter led the chase with a quick 42 off 37 balls, taking his side to 83 for 2 in the 14th over before he was dismissed. Namibia managed to sneak in a few more breakthroughs, but their score of 128 was never going to seriously test Ireland.Namibia and Nepal will face each other tomorrow for the 13th-place playoff semi-final at Peter Burge Oval.

The Portuguese is fighting for his future at the moment but not everybody is convinced he should go, with arguments to be considered on both sides

Barely a single word was uttered on Valencia on Monday as Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was instead left to field countless questions about his future and the demeanour of his squad ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with the Spanish outfit at Old Trafford.

Saturday's 3-1 defeat to West Ham increased the pressure on the under-fire Portuguese, with United slipping to 10th place in the Premier League table after a shambolic showing in the capital.

But while some have claimed that Zinedine Zidane has been lined up as a potential replacement, Mourinho remains in the job for now as the Red Devils look to fight their way out of a full-blown crisis.

Is now the right time to pull the trigger, or does Mourinho deserve more time? Goal runs through the reasons why United should sack him and those why he should be saved.

Getty1SAVE HIM: The costly pay-off

Even if a consensus is reached that firing Mourinho is the right thing to do given the context, the Portuguese’s exit is set to cost Manchester United a huge amount of money. With the best part of two years left on his Old Trafford deal and a club option for a further 12 months, the manager stands to gain a further £33 million during his United stay thanks to his £12m agreement.

It is believed that there is a clause in his deal though which would allow the club to pay him a £12m settlement should they decide to sack him before the end of the 2019-20 season, cutting between £9m and £21m off their total expected outlay.

But that would mean the club having to fork out £12m to pay off Mourinho even before considering the cost of taking on a new manager’s salary and signing-on bonuses, which would make it one almighty outlay for the miserly Ed Woodward to countenance.AdvertisementGetty2SAVE HIM: This is hardly a surprise to United

What exactly did United expect they were going to get when they appointed Mourinho in 2016? They sacked Louis van Gaal within 48 hours of winning the FA Cup because they wanted the closest thing they could find to guaranteed success at whatever cost.

They knew what Mourinho had got up to in the past, but they bought into it. They knew he’d demand costly changes to the squad to get them competing, but they bought into it. They knew they risked alienating those fans who want more than anything to see flowing football, but they bought into it.

Changing now would abandon yet another strategy – a third different vision in little over five years – and the need to develop a new one could be further damaging to a club which is desperately looking to pick a direction and stick to it.GETTY3SAVE HIM: Can a successor be expected to make a huge difference?

Which brings us to the replacement. United should only sack Mourinho if they are certain they can bring in an upgrade, and that is not necessarily the case right now. Of course, Zinedine Zidane’s name has been widely linked and Mourinho was even asked on Monday whether the Frenchman had called to say he was not after the United job.

But while Zidane comes with a pedigree having won three straight Champions Leagues, he took the job at Real Madrid with a squad of superstars already waiting for him. At United he would have a promising first XI but not too much else beyond that, leaving him with a far different proposition than the one which saw him achieve unprecedented success at the Santiago Bernabeu.

United were keen on Mauricio Pochettino before selecting Mourinho in 2016 and the Tottenham boss would be a fair target come next summer. But an immediate change in boss could rule out the Argentine, and the chance to make a considered appointment of a man who puts football first might be spurned as a result.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Getty4SAVE HIM: Mourinho is not the start and end of United's problems

While there is a clear issue with Mourinho, it is not United’s only area of concern right now… not by a long chalk. Bringing in a new manager will not do anything to resolve the fact that the Glazers’ takeover continues to cost the club around 80 per cent of its operating profit. It will also not address the fact that there is a serious lack of football-savvy decision-makers knocking around the club and executive vice-chair Ed Woodward gives the impression of a man out of his depth in the transfer arena.

And similarly a change of regime will not automatically fill the gaps in United’s anaemic squad, nor will it bring the bigger names into line without the perfect appointment being made upon Mourinho’s exit. The manager has fought for more care to be placed into the upkeep of the playing staff but the board have not been willing to do that, so why wouldn’t more of the same be in store for the next incumbent without greater support from the boardroom?

India’s feted openers exited too early, and the inexperienced middle order succumbed to old failings, but their bowling allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin showed admirable poise to steer a wobbly chase home

The Report by Nitin Sundar08-Feb-2012
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsVirat Kohli’s authoritative 77 set up India’s chase•Getty ImagesIndia’s feted openers did not cause significant damage and the inexperienced middle order succumbed to old failings, but their bowling allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin showed admirable poise to steer a wobbly chase home. Virat Kohli’s authoritative 77 set the agenda, but India began to falter when he had cramps around the mid-point of the innings. His exit, run out while attempting a hopeless single, left India’s lower order 53 tricky runs to get. Ashwin and Jadeja did the rest, braving the Lasith Malinga threat and the epidemic of nerves that had blighted the middle order.For some reason Sri Lanka did not go hard enough at India after Kohli’s fall. Malinga, who yorked the stumps with a slingshot throw from mid-on to catch a diving Kohli short in the 36th over, had four overs left. Mahela Jayawardene brought his trump card on quickly, but didn’t provide him with the attacking fields the situation demanded. Malinga was off after two quick overs that were handled well, and by the time he returned for the 45th over, India needed only 17 more. It was too late – Ashwin and Jadeja had played themselves in, and ticked the runs away with composure.Smart stats

Sachin Tendulkar went past 3000 runs against Sri Lanka in ODIs. He is the only player to pass that mark against two teams (Australia and Sri Lanka). His century tally of nine and eight against these two teams is also the highest for a batsman against a particular opposition.

Virat Kohli’s half-century is his 19th in ODIs to go with eight centuries. He now has 2968 runs in 76 matches at an average of 47.11. It is also his sixth half-century against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s score of 233 equalled their highest total in Perth. The previous one was in a defeat against Australia in 2006. The target chased by India is the fifth highest they have achieved in ODIs in Australia.

The 234-run target is also the joint fifth-highest chased by any team in Perth. Three of those have come against Australia.

R Ashwin picked up three wickets in an innings for the seventh time, and for the first time against Sri Lanka. The 3 for 32 is also his third-best performance and second three-wicket haul outside India.

The 53-run stand between Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja is the sixth fifty-plus stand for the seventh wicket for India against Sri Lanka. It is also the second half-century stand against Sri Lanka for the pair, after their 51-run partnership in Harare in 2010.

Dinesh Chandimal’s half-century is his first against India and fourth overall in ODIs. He also has two centuries in 23 matches at an average of 37.63.

The only moment of indiscretion came when India needed one to win. Ashwin tried to loft Angelo Mathews down the ground and hit it straight up in the air. Three men converged, and mid-off, who should have taken it easily, backed off following some miscommunication, as India scrambled through for the win. The fielder at mid-off was Malinga.The batting effort capped Ashwin’s best day on tour, when he reduced his pace, tossed the ball up, and extracted a lot more spin than is the norm in Perth. He came into the attack at an ideal moment, soon after Zaheer Khan had dismissed Kumar Sangakkara in the 17th over with an away seamer. That was Zaheer’s second moment of excellence against a left-hand batsman, after he took just 10 balls in his opening spell to work over Upul Tharanga. Thereafter, Ashwin suffocated Sri Lanka’s momentum in partnership with Zaheer. Between them, they reaped combined returns of 20-2-76-5. That included 14 of the 20 Powerplay overs, which yielded 4 for 42.Tillakaratne Dilshan fought through Zaheer’s opening burst, and was primed to take off after beavering to 48, but gifted his wicket away. Dinesh Chandimal took charge, walking across his stumps to clip Praveen fine, steering with soft hands into the covers and setting himself up early for swings to the leg side. He had added 52 in 11.2 overs with Jayawardene, at which point Ashwin began to wield his influence.The carom ball was scarcely used, as Ashwin focused on loop, drift and traditional turn to good effect. He first induced Jayawardene to top-edge a sweep to fine leg in the batting Powerplay. He then dented hopes of a quick recovery by weaving a sharp offbreak past Thisara Perera, before dismissing Chandimal in the 44th over. That put paid to Sri Lanka’s prospects of a flying finish, though Mathews slogged hard and ran harder to provide some late succour.Sri Lanka’s all-seam attack, in contrast to their opponents earlier in the day, attempted to use pace and bounce to unsettle India. Virender Sehwag perished attempting his patent upper cut, which did not carry beyond third man. Sachin Tendulkar’s fans enjoyed 48 runs of sublime batting, before he once again succumbed without completing the most eagerly anticipated century in cricket history. Until he played on to Mathews, attempting a cheeky dab to third man, Tendulkar lined up a bunch of pleasing shots, with head stationary and feet moving well. A firm front-foot push off Malinga was as good as any stroke played through the day, until Kohli began to dazzle.Kohli imperiously flicked his second ball through square leg for four. The extra pace on the pitch seemed to play into Kohli’s hands, as he pranced into position early to play attacking shots on either side of the pitch. His control was epitomised by the ease with which he pulled a pacy Dhammika Prasad bumper through square leg. Rohit Sharma’s lethargic movements at the other end were only accentuated by Kohli’s quick feet and hands.India were coasting when Rohit played a loose cut to be caught at point. Suresh Raina kept the flag aflutter with a couple of pleasing cover drives, but the threat of the short ball was imminently around the corner. With Kohli cramping, Raina took it upon himself to go for the boundaries, and holed out while trying to pull Mathews. MS Dhoni too returned without making a dent, late on a pull that spiralled to mid-on. When Kohli ran himself out, India had lost three big wickets for 24 in 3.5 overs. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, that was the last time Malinga hit the stumps.

New Zealand’s six major associations have completed their contracting process for the 2013-14 season, handing out 14 contracts each

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Aug-2013New Zealand’s six major associations have completed their contracting process for the 2013-14 season, handing out 14 contracts each. The associations had already handed out 11 to 13 contracts each on July 26.Former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, who turned down a national contract due to uncertainty over his recovery from surgery on his Achilles tendon, has not been included in the list for Northern Knights.Allrounder Jacob Oram will also be without any contract this season. Oram had given up his national contract in December last year, after reaching an agreement with New Zealand Cricket. He had said he could no longer make “a full-time commitment to NZC” due to various factors including his age and the then impending birth of his second child, but would continue playing Twenty20 cricket for Central Districts and in various competitions around the world.Veteran allrounder Scott Styris was among those to benefit from the final round of contracting, being added to Northern Districts’ squad.The contracts come into effect on October 1, 2013.Full squads
Auckland: Dean Bartlett, Michael Bates, Craig Cachopa, Lockie Ferguson, Tipene Friday, Colin de Grandhomme, Donovan Grobbelaar, Gareth Hopkins, Anaru Kitchen, Tim McIntosh, Robert O’Donnell, Matt Quinn, Jeet Raval, Bhupinder Singh
Added: Robert O’DonnellCanterbury: Todd Astle, Hamish Bennett, Brad Cachopa, Andrew Ellis, Matthew Henry, Roneel Hira, Simon Keen, Ryan McCone, Matthew McEwan, Henry Nicholls, Rob Nicol, Shanan Stewart, Logan van Beek, George Worker
Added: Simon KeenCentral Districts: Carl Cachopa, Greg Hay, Jamie How, Adam Milne, Andrew Mathieson, Tarun Nethula, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Ajaz Patel, Dean Robinson, Bevan Small, Ben Smith, Kruger van Wyk, Ben Wheeler, William Young
Added: Ajaz PatelNorthern Districts: Graeme Aldridge, James Baker, Jono Boult, Anton Devcich, Cameron Fletcher, Daniel Flynn, Tony Goodin, Jono Hickey, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Ish Sodhi, Scott Styris, Anurag Verma, Brad Wilson
Added: James Baker, Tony Goodin, Scott StyrisOtago: Nick Beard, Michael Bracewell, Neil Broom, Ian Butler, Mark Craig, Derek De Boorder, Jacob Duffy, James McMillan, James Neesham, Aaron Redmond, Iain Robertson, Jesse Ryder, Blair Soper, Sam Wells
Added: Blair SoperWellington: Brent Arnel, Josh Brodie, James Franklin, Mark Gillespie, Andy McKay, Iain McPeake, Stephen Murdoch, Michael Papps, Jeetan Patel, Michael Pollard, Luke Ronchi, Ili Tugaga, Henry Walsh, Luke Woodcock
Added: Iain McPeake

Michael Hussey has become the first player to suggest Gurunath Meiyappan was more than just a cricket “enthusiast” after N Srinivasan and India Cements have distanced themselves and Super Kings from Gurunath

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Sep-2013Michael Hussey, Chennai Super Kings’ opener, has become the first player to suggest Gurunath Meiyappan was more than just a “cricket enthusiast” after N Srinivasan and India Cements have distanced themselves and Super Kings from Gurunath, who has been chargesheeted in the IPL betting scandal. In his book, , Hussey has commented that Srinivasan ceded control of the team to his son-in-law.”Our owner was Indian Cements, headed by Mr Srinivasan,” Hussey has written. “As he was also on the board of the BCCI, he gave control of the team to his son-in-law Mr Gurunath. He ran the team along with Kepler Wessels, who was coach.”This comes at a time when the Supreme Court of India is hearing a matter related to the Gurunath betting allegations. Before Mumbai Police first sought to arrest him, Gurunath was often seen in the team dugout, at the auction table to represent Super Kings, represented himself as the team prinicipal on a verified Twitter account, and his IPL accreditation represented him as an owner.Super Kings is owned by India Cements, a listed company of which Srinivasan is vice-chairman and managing director. The BCCI president has maintained that Gurunath had nothing to do with the team, and was just a “cricket enthusiast” who was allowed to travel with them.A two-member probe panel constituted by the BCCI then cleared the Super Kings of any wrongdoing, but Cricket Association of Bihar moved court and procured a stay order against the findings of the panel, the fairness of whose constitution was questioned by the court. The matter is now being looked into by the highest court in India. The next hearing is scheduled on October 7.

Murray Goodwin rediscovered his form with an unbeaten half-century to carry Sussex to 177 for 4 – a lead of 58 – going into the final day at Hove

Sahil Dutta at Hove27-May-2012
ScorecardMurray Goodwin returned to form at a crucial time to help guide Sussex’s second innings•Getty ImagesWith both his team in trouble and his career at a crossroads Murray Goodwin rediscovered his form with an unbeaten half-century to carry Sussex to 177 for 4 – a lead of 58 – going into the final day at Hove.The older you get, the fewer chances you are granted to prove your worth in first-class cricket. Just ask Mark Ramprakash. Goodwin, at 39 and with just 39 Championship runs in eight hits this season, can’t have had many more opportunities. He pipped Luke Wells – a player at the opposite end of his career arc – into the side and after a first-innings failure desperately needed a score.When Goodwin lost two partners to leave Sussex still 22 behind with only six wickets remaining, both man and team were under pressure. The Sussex faithful clearly thought so, almost giving Goodwin a standing ovation for his first boundary, cut square, as so many have been in his 11-year career at Hove.The support they showed was matched by Sussex’s coach Mark Robinson. “When you have champions like that you want to give him time,” he said. “He is our best player so deserved a chance to come good.”While Goodwin fought tooth and claw at one end, Luke Wright was at his carefree best at the other and the pair shared a crucial, unbeaten 78-run stand. With two centuries in his previous two innings Wright is clearly in fine form and he responded to his team’s precarious position with a flurry of positive drives early on. A few disappeared to the boundary but one – when he was on 31 – went straight back at the bowler Ben Phillips who, despite a two-handed grab at the ball, saw it plop to the floor. It might well have been the match.That was as close as Nottinghamshire got to breaking the partnership. Goodwin again received warm applause from the locals when he passed fifty from 124 balls while Wright dialled down his scoring rate to see the day through safely.Sussex have not lost in any form of the game since the opening match of the season at The Oval but have been up against it here since donating too many their wickets on the first day. With the pitch beginning to wear they would have been wary of Andre Adam’s understated hostility. Yet he was unable to bowl because of a shoulder injury that left Andy Carter – in just his 10th first-class game – to carry the attack.In a burst either side of tea Carter hit perfect rhythm to snare three wickets and leave the home side rocking. Carter is an octopus-like figure with limbs flailing about through his action but when in sync he generated real pace and accuracy. Using the low bounce to his favour he pinned Chris Nash and Michael Yardy lbw and sent Joe Gatting’s off stump cartwheeling. He has had a stop-start first-class career, which has included an England Lions outing and a spell on loan with Essex, and was back into the side for the first time since Nottinghamshire’s opening game of the season. He comfortably outbowled Harry Gurney and should expect more opportunities this season.The day began with disappointment for Riki Wessels and damage limitation for Sussex. Wessels needed 16 more for his maiden first-class double-hundred but fell for 199. Having started well, firing a couple of drives down the ground he got a good delivery from the deserving Steve Magoffin and was caught behind. James Anyon’s pounded the middle of the pitch at the other to good effect. He had Adam Voges caught at mid-on, Phillips late on a pull and Adams out swishing to fine leg.All the while Chris Read held strong and together with an uncomfortable-looking Carter added 39 for the ninth wicket. It was enough to give Nottinghamshire a 122-lead which looked decisive until Goodwin and Wright got together. There is time yet for the visitors to stir trouble on the final day but the home side had reason once more to look to Goodwin for inspiration.