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Unbeaten 70 from Australian opener proves decisive as Welsh Fire fall short of famous comeback

ECB Media09-Aug-2025David Warner made his first half-century in the Hundred to see London Spirit take the spoils against Welsh Fire in Cardiff, despite a thrilling, unbeaten 86 from Jonny Bairstow in response.Like a boxer on the ropes, Bairstow sat back and absorbed the blows as his Fire team fell to 55 for 6 at the halfway point of their reply, before launching a high-octane counterattack that took them close to a famous victory.Bairstow’s 50-ball innings contained six sixes, and saw 74 runs plundered from balls 66 to 95, leaving 17 required off the last five of the innings. As the Sophia Gardens crowd belted out “Wales, Wales, Wales!” it appeared that Bairstow – ably supported by Chris Green – would pull off the comeback but Luke Wood got Spirit over the line.Warner’s innings was a different affair, but was equally effective in driving the visitors – the Australian legend using his experience and nous to work out a defendable total on a track that had something for the bowlers.David Warner made his first fifty of the Hundred•Getty Images

With the ball, before the Bairstow show, Liam Dawson and Richard Gleeson were both parsimonious and though they may briefly have feared that their hard work would be undone it was runs on the board that emerged victorious in the end, Kane Williamson and Justin Langer getting off and running and consigning Fire to a second defeat in two.Warner, the Meerkat Match Hero, said: “That got very close at the end, and credit to the way Jonny and Greeny batted. They were absolutely superb. The partnership they built was fantastic, and what it did do was what we’re trying to do here – entertain the crowd and hopefully everyone was excited by that game.”I think what the guys were saying there was that across the last 25-30 balls it wasn’t that stoppy. It skidded, but it was still slow in the wicket. We tried to execute as well as we could but Jonny was on fire there, he was hitting the ball cleanly and obviously we got over the line but it was a good effort by them.”When you’re out there batting, the five balls and then 10 balls from one end – you think you have to change ends as a batter. I’m getting used to it, but what I am loving is the crowds. It’s fantastic. It’s all about the kids, and us trying to put entertainment on the TV – credit to everyone who came out today, thank you.”This is a really important win for us. We lost our first game at home but we’ve got an away game in Manchester coming up, and hopefully we can tick that off.”

da winzada777： Tottenham Hotspur’s frontline has been massively bolstered throughout the summer transfer window, with Thomas Frank wanting to improve the options at his disposal.

da dobrowin： The Dane made a beeline to improve such an area of his first-team squad, something which has been achieved during his first summer in the role in North London.

He’s added Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons to the attacking third of the pitch, with both talents offering top-level quality and versatility to the current squad.

Whilst they cost a combined £107m between them, their deals were excellent pieces of business and signals of intent from owner Daniel Levy to help build on the Europa League success last campaign.

The aforementioned duo aren’t the only players who made the move to the Premier League this summer, as the hierarchy also completed a last-minute deal for another talented attacker.

Kolo Muani’s last-minute move to join Spurs this summer

On deadline day, Spurs were on the hunt to land another attacker, after Heung-min Son ended his decade-long spell at the club to join MLS side LAFC.

Savinho was seen as a constant option all window long, but despite having a keen interest in his signature before the market closed, the Brazilian stayed put at Manchester City.

As a result, a deal was agreed to sign PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani, with the Frenchman joining Frank’s side on a season-long loan – but with no option to buy.

It was reported that a €5m (£4.3m) loan fee was forked out for the 26-year-old’s signature, fending off late interest from Serie A side for Juventus for his services.

Like Kudus and Simons, the loanee can play off either flank, or even in a centre-forward role, adding to the depth that the new manager has craved.

The Spurs player valued higher than Kolo Muani

In the opening three games of the 2025/26 campaign, Frank has shown huge faith in striker Richarlison to lead the line for Spurs in their quest for added success.

The Brazilian has started all three of the league outings, scoring twice and registering an assist, potentially nailing down the number nine position as his own – despite huge rumours about a departure earlier in the summer.

A deal for Kolo Muani will only add further competition in the final third, pushing Richarlison for the starting spot – offering the Lilywhites a new batch of healthy competition.

However, another player who is currently at Frank’s disposal is fellow Frenchman Mathys Tel, who has made his move to the club permanent this summer after spending the second half of last year on loan in North London.

The 20-year-old scored three times in his 20 appearances during the Ange Postecoglou tenure, with owner Levy deciding to fork out £29m for his signature this window.

Mathys Tel’s Tottenham Hotspur career in stats

Statistics

Tally

Games played

23

Minutes played

1275

Goals scored

3

Assists

1

Yellow cards

3

Red cards

0

Average rating

6.82

Stats via FotMob

Tel has already found minutes hard to come by since Frank took charge, only making two substitute appearances, totalling just 19 minutes in the Premier League.

However, his misery has been compounded over the last couple of days, after it was confirmed the Frenchman had been left out of the Lilywhites’ Champions League squad for the 2025/26 campaign.

Despite his lack of action, Tel, who’s been labelled “incredible” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has still seen his market value soar since making the move to England.

He’s now valued at £43m by FootballTransfers, a figure that is nearly £15m than compatriot Kolo Muani, who’s still only valued at £28.7m despite his own move to join the Lilywhites.

Kolo Muani is likely to be an exciting addition to Frank’s side this campaign – especially if the PSG loanee can replicate his form from his temporary stint in Italy last season.

However, the same can’t be said for Tel, with his future almost certainly coming into question after his snub from the recent European squad – which could see the board make a quick profit on his signature in the months ahead, should the player want to depart the club.

Related Levy let Spurs star leave for £0, now he could've been Frank's new Mbeumo

Tottenham Hotspur may have offloaded one of their former stars way too prematurely.

Posts 4 ByEthan Lamb Sep 3, 2025

فاز منتخب الكونغو الديمقراطية على السودان بهدف دون رد، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن تصفيات كأس العالم 2026 عن قارة أفريقيا، لحساب الجولة العاشرة من المجموعة الثانية.

وأقيمت المباراة بين السودان والكونغو الديموقراطية، على أرضية استاد الشهداء، ضمن لقاءات الجولة العاشرة من تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.

وتضم المجموعة الثانية منتخبات: السنغال والسودان وجنوب السودان وتوجو والكونغو الديمقراطية وموريتانيا.

طالع | المنتخبات الإفريقية المتأهلة لـ كأس العالم 2026 

وسجل هدف اللقاء الوحيد اللاعب ثيو بوغوندا في الدقيقة 29، ليقود منتخب بلاده إلى فوز ثمين في ختام المشوار بـ التصفيات القارية المؤهلة للمونديال. هدف فوز الكونغو الديموقراطية على السودان في تصفيات كأس العالم

وبهذه النتيجة، رفع منتخب الكونغو الديمقراطية رصيده إلى 22 نقطة في المركز الثاني خلف السنغال المتصدرة بـ 24 نقطة، فيما تجمد رصيد السودان عند 13 نقطة في المركز الثالث.

It was too late for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) but Rishabh Pant was at his destructive best against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the last league game of IPL 2025. Batting at No. 3 on a mixed-soil pitch in Lucknow, Pant smashed 118 not out off 61 balls – a knock studded with 11 fours and eight sixes. RCB need 228 if they are to finish in the top two.After RCB opted to bowl, Nuwan Thushara shattered Matthew Breetzke’s off stump in the third over with the age-old bouncer-yorker trick. But Pant was off to a flying start. In the fourth over, he hit Yash Dayal for a six and two fours to move to 19 off just eight. This was already his third-highest score of the season.RCB’s decision not to bowl Bhuvneshwar Kumar until the fifth over of the chase was also baffling, especially after Thushara had found swing in the opening over. In the seventh over, with no swing on offer, Bhuvneshwar went short. Pant duly pulled him over deep midwicket for a six. On the next delivery, Livingstone failed to flick the ball back at deep square leg and ended up conceding a boundary. Soon, Pant brought up his fifty, off 29 balls.Mitchell Marsh, who was on 33 off 23 after ten overs, also joined in. Off his next eight balls, he smashed 20 to bring up his sixth 50-plus score of the season.Bhuvneshwar eventually broke the 152-run stand off 78 balls by having Marsh caught behind in the 16th over. But given that Marsh had started that over with two consecutive sixes and Pant ended it with a four, 20 came from it.Pant was unstoppable, though. He brought up his hundred with a Pant shot and followed it up with a Pant celebration. It was a full and wide delivery from Bhuvneshwar. Pant reached out to it and scythed it over extra cover for four. By the time he completed the shot, his front leg was in the air, beyond parallel to the ground, the toe pointing towards deep midwicket. He looked up, removed his helmet and gloves and did a frontflip to celebrate the landmark. The LSG dugout stood up to applaud, as did the home crowd.Jitesh Sharma, who once again stood in for Rajat Patidar, erred in the over distribution. Krunal Pandya, who had bowled the second over of the innings, sent down just one more and finished with 2-0-14-0, while Romario Shepherd registered 4-0-51-1.

And just like that, Viktor Gyokeres has lift off at Arsenal.

After a short cameo against Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong and then an underwhelming 60 minutes against Villarreal, the Swedish striker opened his account at the Emirates with a brilliant header on Saturday evening.

It was the perfect way to stop some of the incredibly premature talk around his suitability for Mikel Arteta’s side and should be enough to see him start against Manchester United this Sunday.

Moreover, if reports are to be believed, it looks like Arsenal could be targeting another attacking star, someone who could help get even more out of the former Sporting CP star.

Arsenal target perfect teammate for Gyokeres

With those two losses now firmly out of mind, it wouldn’t be hyperbolic to say that this summer has been one of Arsenal’s best for quite some time, and that is almost entirely thanks to the business conducted by Andrea Berta and his team.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

For example, on top of bringing in first-team level game-changers like Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi, the Italian Sporting Director has massively bolstered the depth of the squad with signings like Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard and Cristhian Mosquera.

However, even with six new faces through the door already, the Gunners aren’t done and now appear keen on signing a dynamic attacker who could be a perfect teammate for Gyokeres.

At least that is according to a recent report, which claims Arsenal are very interested in Malick Fofana, who has also caught the interest of Liverpool.

More than that, the report has revealed that the North Londoners have already held talks with Lyon over the talented winger they value at £43m.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, made more so by Arne Slot’s side, but Fofana was brilliant last year and could help get even more out of Gyokeres this season.

Why Fofana would be perfect for Gyokeres

Now, while there were certainly moments in the game on Saturday when Gyokeres was dropping deeper to help in the build-up and to move Bilbao’s backline around, it’s clear he’s most comfortable playing in and around the penalty area.

That’s the area he thrived in over the last two years, and it’s no surprise that almost all of his shots last season came in and around the area.

Therefore, to ensure they are getting the absolute best out of the Swede this season, Arsenal need to start players alongside him who are excellent at getting the ball into dangerous areas, either through passing or carrying the ball.

The good news is that Fofana is utterly brilliant at the latter, as evidenced by FBref, which ranks him in the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries, the top 6% for carries into the final third, the top 9% for progressive carrying distance and more, all per 90.

In other words, the young “game-changing” prospect, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, is elite at bringing the ball up the pitch and into goalscoring areas, which should make him an ideal partner for the Gunners’ new number 14.

Appearances

41

Starts

23

Minutes

2280′

Goals

11

Assists

6

Goal Involvements per Match

0.41

Minutes per Goal Involvement

134.11′

Moreover, he’s not just a facilitator, as the 20-year-old dynamo, who Mango claims is blessed with “frightening speed & acceleration,” was able to score 11 goals and provide six assists in 41 appearances, totalling 2280 minutes, last season.

That means the in-demand talent maintained an average of a goal involvement every 2.41 games, or every 134.11 minutes.

Ultimately, Fofana looks ready to explode in the coming seasons, and while he’d be a great signing in his own right, the idea of him playing alongside Gyokeres is particularly exciting, and therefore, Arsenal should be doing all they can to make that a reality.

£866m release clause: Arsenal very serious about signing "world-class" star

The Gunners have set their sights on a forward, who could join in a loan-to-buy deal.

ByDominic Lund Aug 11, 2025

Renuka, Wareham and Bisht bowled out Capitals for 141 before Mandhana and Wyatt-Hodge made short work of the target

Vishal Dikshit17-Feb-20255:16

Experts laud Mandhana, Renuka in RCB’s dominant win

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made short work of a full-strength Delhi Capitals by keeping their batting line-up to 141 and then chasing the total down with ease to continue the trend of the chasing side winning, for the fourth game in a row. Even though RCB were without the trio of Sophie Molineux, Shreyanka Patil and Asha Sobhana, which brought them glory in last year’s final against DC, the trio of Renuka Singh, Ekta Bisht and Georgia Wareham combined to bundle out DC to a below-par total.In reply, RCB openers Smriti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt-Hodge put on their second century stand, having earlier done so for Southern Brave in the Hundred in 2021. Mandhana scored her fastest WPL half-century, off 27 balls, and Wyatt-Hodge peppered the off side with six fours out of her seven during her 42 off 33. By the time she fell in the 11th over, RCB needed only 35 off 55 and they cruised over the line in the 17th over.Rodrigues leads DC in the powerplay, Lanning scratchy againRenuka landed DC the first big blow when Shafali Verma struck her first ball for the simplest of catches to mid-off for a golden duck. With Meg Lanning looking scratchy at the other end, just like she did against Shabnim Ismail two days ago, it was Jemimah Rodrigues who led DC in the powerplay. Rodrigues herself didn’t start too well – she survived a review on zero and took six balls to get off the mark – but she launched into the RCB attack at first sight of spin, gloriously lofting Ekta Bisht over the covers for a six. DC were also helped by plenty of byes and extras in the powerplay which Rodrigues combined with another six and two fours off VJ Joshitha in the sixth over to give DC their second 50-plus powerplay in as many games.Jemimah Rodrigues struck a quick 22-ball 34•BCCIDC crumble again after the powerplayRCB, however, made inroads through the introduction of Georgia Wareham in the seventh over. Once Rodrigues missed a reverse sweep to be stumped in a flash by Richa Ghosh for 34 off 22, DC lost Lanning as well in the next over when the captain miscued Kim Garth to Ellyse Perry at deep-backward square leg. Annabel Sutherland soon launched Bisht for a big six on the leg side to show that DC weren’t going to be bogged down by the double blow but her attacking approach handed a catch straight to cover in Renuka’s second spell. New batter Jess Jonassen miscued Bisht to midwicket five balls later and DC had suddenly slipped from 60 for 1 to 87 for 5.It could have been 95 for 6 had Kanika Ahuja not put down Marizanne Kapp at short fine leg and even 103 for 6 if the mix-up between Kapp and Sarah Bryce had not been followed by a fumble, also by Ahuja, but it did become 105 for 6 when Kapp holed out to long-off off a 69.2kph delivery from Bisht. Bryce chipped in with another useful cameo with a 23 off 19 that saw RCB past 125 but they needed a lot more to make a match out of this. Wareham handed them a double blow in the 18th over and Garth wrapped things up in the last over to finish with 2 for 19, while Renuka bagged 3 for 23 and Wareham 3 for 25.Renuka Singh picked up 3 for 23•BCCIMandhana, Wyatt-Hodge cruise throughEven with Kapp and Jonassen back in the XI after recovering from sickness, DC hardly posed any challenges for the RCB top order. Mandhana cashed in on the wayward lines from Kapp in the first over and turned the tide of her record against offspinners (she’s been out to them 10 times in the WPL) when she swept Minnu Mani for two fours in the third over. Wyatt-Hodge pierced the gaps square on the off side, especially against Shikha Pandey, for four fours in the powerplay.At 57 for 0 in the powerplay, RCB’s asking rate was just over six an over. Even bowling changes didn’t work for DC. Both Jonassen and Annabel Sutherland were carted for fours by both batters in their first overs, and when the reliable Rodrigues dropped Wyatt-Hodge on 34 after Mandhana had collected back-to-back boundaries, the game was all but over.Mandhana dispatched Kapp for six over midwicket and continued to attack Jonassen with lofted strokes on the off side to take her for 27 runs off 14 on the night. Even though both openers fell towards the end, Ellyse Perry and Ghosh ensured there were no jitters to seal the eight-wicket win and top the table.

The allrounder could come into contention for the semi-final in Dubai where India have played all their games

Andrew McGlashan02-Mar-20252:06

Should India stick with four spinners for the semi-final?

Cooper Connolly has been called into Australia’s Champions Trophy squad after Matt Short was ruled out through injury as they prepare for what could be a trial by spin in their semi-final against India.Short picked up a quad injury against Afghanistan and would not have had time to recover for the knockout matches.Connolly, the 21-year-old left-hand batter and left-arm spinner, has been a traveling reserve with the squad so will be available immediately. He has played just three ODIs but could come straight into selection consideration given Australia have lost Short’s offspin.Related

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India to face Australia in Dubai semi-final; NZ to meet SA in Lahore semi-final

Varun takes five as India top group and set up Australia showdown

If the selectors opt for a like-for-like switch of opening batters then Jake Fraser-McGurk is the spare batter while if they wanted another specialist spin bowler they could consider rejigging the balance of the attack and including Tanveer Sangha.Fraser-McGurk, who himself was a replacement for Mitchell Marsh, has struggled in his seven ODIs to date with 98 runs at 14.00, looking vulnerable when the new ball moves, but the selectors still see him as a player who can take on the powerplay.If Fraser-McGurk isn’t the route taken by the selectors it will require someone from the middle order moving up to the top to fill Short’s role, potentially the in-form Josh Inglis.Australia learnt their opponents for the semi-final will be India in Dubai on Tuesday when New Zealand were beaten in the final group game.Both Group B sides who qualified – Australia and South Africa – traveled to Dubai so that the team who faced India would have time to prepare. South Africa will now head straight back to Lahore for their semi-final against New Zealand.”We’ve obviously had a bit of a hectic schedule, playing a couple of games in Pakistan, back and forth in between cities, but I think with the nature of this tournament,” legspinner Adam Zampa said.In the selection frame: Cooper Connolly could feature against India•Getty ImagesZampa shapes as a pivotal figure for Australia in the semi-final at a ground that has aided the spinners. Against New Zealand, India used 37.3 overs of spin with Varun Chakravarthy taking 5 for 42 although there had also been some early assistance for the quicks as Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson troubled India’s top order.Australia were troubled by Sri Lanka’s spinners in their two ODIs in Colombo prior to the Champions Trophy.”It changes a little bit,” Zampa said of the conditions between Pakistan and Dubai. “Potentially slower lower wickets, so there might be an opportunity to create a few more chances, we’ll see.”Zampa added he felt there was room for improvement in his own bowling after returns of 2 for 64 against England and 2 for 48 against Afghanistan.”Personally, I don’t think I’m bowling quite at my best, but I like to think the beauty about me is when I’m not quite at my best and not feeling that great out there is my ability to still contribute and take those big wickets,” he said.”I’m obviously working on some stuff at the moment to hopefully get back to my best, but as I said, the ability to still do a job for the team and get those big wickets is still there, which to me is really important.”The last time Australia faced India in an ODI was the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. If they win this time they will return to Lahore for the final otherwise it will be staged in Dubai.

MatériaMais Notícias

da blaze casino： A parceria com a Red Bull trouxe diversos benefícios técnicos e estruturais ao Bragantino, que voltou a viver grandes momentos no cenário nacional.

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

Enquanto elenco e comissão técnica sonham com uma vaga na final da Copa Sul-Americana, a diretoria faz planos para o futuro, principalmente na construção da nova casa.

Em conversa com a rádio 102 FM, o executivo de futebol Thiago Scuro, revelou que o clube pretende reformar o Nabi Abi Chedid e deixar a capacidade do estádio para 16 mil pessoas.

‘Vínhamos trabalhando com a previsão de 20 mil lugares por conta da Conmebol. Mas a Conmebol sinalizou uma alteração de regulamento. Isso pode levar ao estádio a uma capacidade de 16 mil lugares, o que já atenderia todas as competições que a gente participa sem gerar muitas dificuldades para fazer caber 20 mil pessoas naquele espaço, o que tem sido um dos desafios que temos encontrado no projeto’, disse o dirigente.

Vale citar, que atualmente, a casa do Massa Bruta pode receber pouco mais de 17 mil pessoas para acompanhar os jogos.

Data

Apesar dos planos de reforma do Nabi Abi Chedid, o Bragantino não coloca em pauta uma data para apresentar o projeto da Arena.

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Sophie Devine produced a brutal innings to leave the Scorchers’ fate in their hands while the Thunder held their nerve in a tight chase

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Nov-2020Melbourne Renegades 4 for 169 (Lee 79, Webb 46*) beat Sydney Sixers 4 for 166 (Healy 63) by six wicketsLizelle Lee turned on the power to leave the Sixers with only a slim chance of making the semi-finals and needing considerable help from other teams to do so. Despite a century opening stand between Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry, the Sixers couldn’t make the most of it in the second half of the innings. In reply, Lee was stunning – after being dropped at backward point in the opening over – her innings including four sixes one of which was clocked at 87 meters is it went out of the ground.ALSO READ: CA investigates Sixers’ playing XI ‘administrative error’Lee added 73 in just over five overs with Courtney Webb to turn the game in its head, after the Renegades had been 3 for 70 in the 11th over, and though she fell to a catch in the deep Webb was able to comfortably see the game home amid a ragged fielding display which included Perry and Dane van Niekerk colliding as they both went for a catch. The Sixers were also without Hayley Silver-Holmes who was withdrawn from the XI midway through the game due to an administrative error which meant she was not eligible to play.Webb had earlier produced one of the highlights of the first innings with a stunning, full-length diving catch running back over her shoulder at cover to remove Perry which came just two balls after Healy’s barnstorming 63 had ended.That stalled the Sixers’ momentum and though Marizanne Kapp played nicely they never quite regained it. Healy, though, had shown the full 360-degree game she has previously spoken about developing, the most eye-catching shot of her innings not the four sixes but a reverse paddle scoop through third man.Georgia Redmayne continued her fine form•Getty ImagesLaura Kimmince did it again for the Heat, launching 19 off 5 balls, as the defending champions overcame a wobble to put initially put one foot into the semi-finals before the Sixers’ defeat later in the day confirmed their spot. At 2 for 109 in the 13th over they were well in control of the chase, needing 43 off 43 deliveries, but Katherine Brunt pulled off a brilliant run out from her follow through to remove the in-form Georgia Redmayne and things got tight.Georgia Voll had given another glimpse of her talent with a brisk 34, including a straight six over long-on, but both her and Maddy Green fell to catches in the ring in the space five deliveries. Kimmince appeared to have sealed it with a massive leg-side six, but Tess Flintoff bowled an excellent penultimate over which claimed two wickets and cost just two runs leaving eight needed off the last. However, it only took Kimmince two balls as she smoked consecutive boundaries off Annabel Sutherland.The Stars’ total was built around another half-century from Mignon du Preez – her fourth in five innings – and after Grace Harris struck twice in the 17th over to leave them 5 for 117, Brunt and Alana King provided a strong finish as 27 came off the last two overs.Rachael Haynes picks one up over the leg side•Getty ImagesThe Thunder held their nerve in a tense chase against the Strikers to keep themselves well placed for a place in the semi-finals. It got closer than they would have liked, particularly when captain Rachael Haynes departed in the penultimate over to leave them needing eight off seven deliveries, but some scampering by Phoebe Litchfield and Tahlia Wilson then a boundary by the former sealed the match.The chase had started well as Tammy Beaumont and Rachel Trenaman added 44, but there was a wobble in the middle order and the Thunder were grateful for the experience of Haynes who made 30 off 23 balls.The result left the Strikers on the brink of elimination with a host of results having to go their way. They struggled for momentum with the bat, particularly through the first half of the innings: at 10 overs they were 2 for 51. Katie Mack and Stafanie Taylor lifted things – Mack bringing up her half-century off 45 balls – but the Thunder closed out strongly with the ball with just 11 runs coming off the last two overs.Sophie Devine brought up a typically belligerent half-century•Getty ImagesThe Scorchers’ opening pair, the fit-again Sophie Devine and prolific Beth Mooney, flexed their muscles to power their team to a crushing victory to leave their semi-final destiny in their own hands.Devine, who did not bowl following the back injury that had kept her out for two games, clobbered 87 off 53 with five sixes, one of which was a monstrous blow over long-on that narrowly avoided taking out two policemen and the last was a massive blow off Chloe Tryon to finish the game. With Mooney ticking along comfortably the century stand was raised in the 12th over against a Hurricanes attack that had few answers after Belinda Vakarewa limped off unable to complete her first over. The margin of victory, with more than five overs to spare, was also a boost for the Scorchers’ net run rate which may yet be a factor.They were excellent with the ball and in the field – Devine calling it their best display of the season – with Taneale Peschel once again impressive with 1 for 13 off her four overs, including a maiden, while Sam Betts removed the key wickets of Nicola Carey and Tryon in the space of three balls. The sharp fielding display was typified by Sarah Glenn’s direct hit run out to remove Naomi Stalenberg.

Both teams have lost three out of four games and are desperate for a change in form

Alagappan Muthu03-Oct-20206:53

Gambhir: I would never drop Watson

Big pictureChennai Super Kings don’t change. Instead, they keep picking their best players, wait for the moment it all clicks and then just keep on winning. But what if the team actually change? Like a wicket-taking spinner, someone opposition batsmen feel they have to respect, someone like Imran Tahir. It will bring down the targets they have to chase, helping fix another of their issues – a woeful opening partnership – but the downside there is the 41-year old leggie offers very little with the bat and not that much in the field. Even so, how long can Super Kings afford a spin bowling line-up with the second-worst economy rate (9.34) and the second-worst average (38.71) in this tournament?Kings XI’s concerns seem clearer. Their batting line-up is filled with match-winners but it is undermined by poor death bowling resources. Chris Jordan could fix that, but he’ll need time. Fixing holes in the XI helps, but to win and keep winning, you have to make fewer mistakes. Super Kings, with both ball and bat, and Kings XI, with ball mostly, haven’t quite got to that level yet.In the news Stephen Fleming backed Shane Watson and Kedar Jadhav to find their form after Super Kings’ last defeat, which means there are unlikely to be personnel changes. If Kings XI go with a six-bowler strategy, KL Rahul wants one of them to be an allrounder. Jordan’s good at whacking it. He could be in contention. KL Rahul is one half of IPL 2020’s best opening partnership•BCCI

Likely XIsChennai Super Kings: 1 Faf du Plessis, 2 Shane Watson, 3 Ambati Rayudu, 4 Kedar Jadhav, 5 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 Sam Curran, 8 Dwayne Bravo, 9 Deepak Chahar, 10 Shardul Thakur, 11 Piyush ChawlaKings XI Punjab: 1 KL Rahul (capt & wk), 2 Mayank Agarwal, 3 Nicholas Pooran, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Mandeep Singh, 6 Sarfaraz Khan/ K Gowtham, 7 Chris Jordan/ Mujeeb ur Rahman, 8 M Ashwin/ Ishan Porel, 9 Ravi Bishnoi, 10 Sheldon Cottrell, 11 Mohammed ShamiStrategy punt Mayank Agarwal vs fast bowling in IPL 2020 is a revealing study of contrasts. Overall, he has made 81 runs off 62 balls with one dismissal, but filter it and look at his stats against incoming deliveries and a weakness emerges. The hard-hitting, room-loving, off-side dominant batsman has made only 19 runs off 27 incoming balls and lost his wicket to it as well in his last game. Super Kings should match him up against swing bowlers Deepak Chahar and Sam Curran and ask them to focus on attacking this weakness. Dwayne Bravo, in addition to his death-bowling ability, has been brought in to hit the big ones. But Kings XI have a way to stop him. Sheldon Cottrell has a superb T20 record against Super Kings’ star allrounder: 27 runs off 30 balls and three dismissals. Stats that matter Super Kings’ biggest problem this season has been their opening partnership, which averages 13 and strikes at 96. They are the cause for the team falling behind so early in chases and forcing the middle order to delay power-hitting for fear of getting bowled out. Kings XI have no such issues with KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal are averaging 69 as a partnership, while also striking at 157. It’s worst vs best tomorrow. Sam Curran has a strike rate of 268 in this IPL, which is the highest for a batsman with at least 50 runs this season. Super Kings will want to find more time for him in the middle. Opener, perhaps? (He has two fifties and strikes at 147 in the position in all T20s) Sheldon Cottrell has been brilliant for Kings XI in the powerplay. He has taken four wickets in four games, the most for any bowler in IPL 2020 in the first six overs. He will be instrumental in getting the early wickets against Super Kings – a team that doesn’t start well.