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Erik ten Hag's side dominated at the City Ground as they ran 2-0 winners to move themselves back up to third in the Premier League table

Antony grabbed his first Premier League goal in six months and his first assist in the English top-flight to lead Manchester United to a much-needed away victory at Nottingham Forest.

Given their shaky away form and Forest's knack for getting results against top sides at home this season, this was far from an easy fixture for Erik ten Hag's side, especially considering their long injury list.

The manager was given another headache moments before kick off when Marcel Sabitzer picked up an injury in the warm-up, but Christian Eriksen produced a classy display in his place.

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But Bruno Fernandes was United's real star – he ran the show in attack and was desperately unlucky not to score, hammering the bar after cutting in from the left.

GOAL rates United's players from the City Ground…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

David de Gea (6/10):

Had very few saves to make and only had one wobble with his kicking.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (6/10):

Another solid performance defensively. He focused on shackling Forest, leaving Dalot to get forward.

Harry Maguire (4/10):

Very shaky. Booked in the third minute, survived Forest appeals for a handball and almost scored another own goal, knocking a ball from a corner against the post. Taunted by Forest fans.

Victor Lindelof (8/10):

A class act. Was the calmness and confidence personified on the ball, in contrast to Maguire. Had big shoes to fill in coming in for Lisandro Martinez but did himself proud.

Diogo Dalot (7/10):

Incisive and ambitious in attack and took his goal well, controlling Antony's pass perfectly before beating Navas with style. A bit suspect at the back and fortunate Awoniyi did not punish his sloppy pass.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Bruno Fernandes (8/10):

Was back to his marauding best in attack after having to play deeper in Casemiro's absence. Really deserved a goal, hitting the bar and being denied by a fine save by Keylor Navas.

Casemiro (7/10):

Not as dominant as he can be but improved in the second half and put himself about at both ends of the pitch.

Christian Eriksen (7/10):

His passing was magnificent in the second half. Very impressive, especially considering he only learned he was playing minutes before kick-off after Sabitzer's injury.

Getty ImagesAttack

Antony (9/10):

Was very dangerous and finally scored again in the Premier League. Unlucky not to strike again in second half but made amends with dream assist for Dalot.

Anthony Martial (7/10):

Good hold up play from deep and his shot was too hot for Navas to handle, allowing Antony to score. Should have buried his free header just before being taken off.

Jadon Sancho (4/10):

Offered almost nothing all game. Was too indecisive on the ball and too scared to take players on. How long can this go on before he gets dropped?

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Subs & Manager

Wout Weghorst (6/10):

Worked hard but offered none of the threat or poise that Martial did. Booked in added time.

Fred (6/10):

Enthusiastic but made a couple of sloppy passes.

Erik ten Hag (7/10):

Had so many injuries to deal with but picked a team suited for the occasion and earned a crucial three points.

The Reds are expected to give chances to a host of talented youngsters in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday

It's that time of year again. The time when Liverpool look to unleash a few of their talented teenagers on the world.

The early rounds of the Carabao Cup represent the perfect opportunity for that. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Caoimhin Kelleher and Harvey Elliott all earned their stripes that way, while last season saw the likes of Kaide Gordon, Conor Bradley and Tyler Morton given chances to shine.

Liverpool, of course, went on to lift the trophy, but we can expect a youthful Reds side as they begin their defence of it against League One outfit Derby County at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Here, GOAL takes a look at some of the youngsters who are likely to be involved…

GettyFabio Carvalho

Reds fans already like what they have seen from the 20-year-old, who joined from Fulham in the summer, in a deal which could eventually cost the Reds around £8 million ($9.2m).

Carvalho has scored twice in the Premier League for Liverpool, including a memorable late winner against Newcastle in August, and has racked up 14 appearances in all competitions.

A lovely footballer to watch, blessed with excellent touch and balance, as well as an eye for goal, the Portugal Under-21 international is almost certain to start against Derby.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesCalvin Ramsay

Another summer signing, Ramsay has had to wait to launch his Reds career, picking up a back injury, which medics believe is linked to a growth spurt, shortly after his £4.5m ($5.2m) switch from Aberdeen in June.

The 19-year-old has had a handful of run-outs with Liverpool's U21 side in recent weeks, however, and made his senior debut as a late substitute against Napoli earlier this month.

Signed to provide back-up and competition to Trent Alexander-Arnold at right back, the young Scot should get his first chance to really show what he can do against Derby.

Getty ImagesStefan Bajcetic

"Sometimes the academy gives you a present, and he is one of them!" Assistant manager Pep Lijnders could hardly have sounded more enthusiastic when asked by GOAL on Tuesday about Bajcetic's development at Liverpool.

The 17-year-old has been a regular with the first-team this season, appearing off the bench in both the Premier League and Champions League after catching the eye with Jurgen Klopp's squad in pre-season.

Bajcetic, already an U19 international with Spain, has played as a centre-back but is seen by Liverpool as a holding midfielder, and one of serious potential too. "Stefan is a joy to watch," says Lijnders. "He has all the characteristics we search for as a midfield player."

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Liverpool FCBobby Clark

Another who has spent plenty of time around the senior squad this season, 17-year-old Clark made his Premier League debut in the thrashing of Bournemouth in August, and has been one of the standout players in the Reds' UEFA Youth League side.

His father, Lee, played in the Premier League for Newcastle and Fulham, and his son looks to be a chip off the old block; a versatile, energetic attacking midfielder who presses well, keeps possession and is capable of both scoring and creating goals.

The Indomitable Lions continue with their push for a sixth Afcon title when they tackle the tournament debutants

Cameroon will be aiming to reach the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals when they take on Comoros in a Round of 16 match at Paul Biya Stadium on Monday.

This is how coach Toni Conceicao has lined up his team.

BackpagePix.Goalkeeper: Andre Onana

The 25-year-old has not kept a clean sheet in his last three Afcon games.

AdvertisementBackpagepix.Left-back – Nouhou Tolo

The Seattle Sounders defender has been a consistent figure in Cameroon's team and his inclusion was a sure bet.

Backpagepix.Centre-back – Michael Ngadeu

The defender played in all the group games without being substituted and starts in this crucial Comoros encounter.

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GettyCentre-back – Jean-Charles Castelletto

The 26-year-old former France junior international returns to start his second match of the tournament in place of Harold Moukoudi who is on the bench.

Sarah Taylor struck a majestic half-century to help England to a promising four-wicket win over an in-form New Zealand

Francis Kelly in Chennai11-Mar-2016England women 131 for 6 (Taylor 51) beat New Zealand women 130 for 6 by four wickets
ScorecardSarah Taylor struck a matchwinning fifty in England’s opening warm-up•Stephen Pond/Getty ImagesSarah Taylor struck a majestic half-century to help England to a promising four-wicket win over an in-form New Zealand, in their first World T20 warm-up match in Chennai.Compiled of reverse sweeps, well-timed glances and a few effective boshes through the leg-side, the dynamic wicketkeeper set the platform for victory following a lacklustre start in which England slumped to 0 for 1 after the first over.It was an encouraging, battling display for coach Mark Robinson, as he embarks on his first major tournament with the team. This match had not originally been on England’s schedule, as they stepped in at the last minute to fulfil the fixture due to Pakistan still awaiting safety assurances before travelling.The two sides will meet again tomorrow as planned, but Robinson was left heartened by what he saw on their first encounter.”I thought it was [an ideal game] in many ways, as it was close,” Robinson said. “You want it to be a tight game as you learn more.”We were a bit rusty in our thinking at times and adapting to the wicket, however, we got better as the game went on. And it was made even better by us winning.”The victory was all the more pleasing considering England’s tour in India has consisted of just one full training session before today, and has already come under scrutiny after the team was made to fly in economy class while their male counterparts were in business.”In a perfect world we’d have gone in economy plus, which does make a difference,” Robinson added. “But at the moment we don’t bring as much money in. Whether we should have the same comforts in an aeroplane, others can decide.”Our board treat us fantastically well so I’ve got no gripes whatsoever, and we’re just happy to be here, privileged to be here, in a fantastic cricketing mad country.”New Zealand entered the match hoping to demonstrate their title-winning credentials, coming off the back of a confidence-boosting 2-1 T20I series triumph against World No.1 Australia earlier this year.The 130 they posted instead showed a team vulnerable lower down the order, having reached the 11th over on 76 for 1 with little troubling them. Yet the score proved a much more challenging target under the lights, as the outfield slowed and New Zealand made good use of the wicket.Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine put on 75 runs together for the second wicket, launching an assault against anything not aligned to the fourth stump, as England’s bowlers struggled to find their accuracy with the ball.Only Katherine Brunt managed to shackle the White Ferns throughout, her forceful bowling too much for the batsmen to get away. It was an impressive return for Brunt, finishing on 2 for 15 from four overs in her first game back since missing much of the recent South Africa tour with side strain.New Zealand continued to accumulate runs with ease though, England eventually regrouping, as they grew accustomed to the pitch. Bates fell to Rebecca Grundy, her wily spin drawing a looping catch to Charlotte Edwards, prior to Tash Farrant toppling Devine with a straight one as she looked to accelerate the scoring.A late push from Amy Satterthwaite nudged the score along to a potentially defendable position, however the damage had been done by then.England got off to a terrible start in their reply, Amy Jones removed second ball of the innings, her attempted pull shot off Lea Tahuhu flying straight to Satterthwaite. A pause in proceedings for Katey Martin, who had been struck in the face by the ball while keeping, seemed to pacify New Zealand. Up to that point they had contained the batting pair of Edwards and Taylor, yet lost their thrust with Martin leaving the field.An over later and the top two T20I run-scorers began their fight back, whacking 14 runs on their way to a 75-run partnership. Although both departed, Lydia Greenway forced the issue with some experienced batting, leaving Natalie Sciver to score the single run required off the last ball of the match.

Glamorgan captain Jacques Rudolph led the way in the final session on day one of the County Championship game against Gloucestershire in Bristol

ECB Reporters Network15-May-2016
ScorecardGraham Wagg picked up three wickets as Gloucestershire were dismissed cheaply•Getty ImagesGlamorgan captain Jacques Rudolph led the way in the final session on day one of the County Championship game against Gloucestershire in Bristol, to leave the Welsh county in a position of relative strength.The former South Africa Test batsman survived the early loss of opening partner Mark Wallace to help Glamorgan to 82 for 1 at the close, in reply to Gloucestershire’s 262 all out. With Rudolph 33 not out and Will Bragg unbeaten on 45, the visitors looked well set to not only consolidate their work on Sunday, but push for a first victory of the new season.The day was not so rewarding for Gloucestershire who, batting first under a near cloudless sky, soon found themselves in trouble. Openers Chris Dent and Cameron Bancroft departed for 6 and 5 respectively, as Glamorgan left-armer Graham Wagg made early inroads.Graeme van Buuren, on his first start for the county since arriving last month, played one or two shots of real quality, but eventually flashed at one too many and was caught, at the second attempt, by Chris Cooke at third slip.By lunch, Wagg, Timm van der Gugten and Harry Podmore had left the hosts struggling on 98 for 5, with captain Gareth Roderick and Hamish Marshall departing too. Roderick was snapped up in the gully by Andrew Salter for 12 before Marshall was trapped lbw by the impressive Wagg.The innings required a steady hand and that, somewhat surprisingly, came from the former Millfield School batsman, George Hankins. The 19-year-old came to the crease at 69 for 4 and batted without fear. After losing sixth-wicket partner Kieran Noema-Barnett, who was run out for a single shortly after lunch, he added 42 for the seventh wicket with the rather fortuitous Jack Taylor.Taylor, who was dropped at first slip before scoring by Bragg, was given another chance off the very next ball when Cooke spilt a straightforward catch, off Podmore, at third slip. Thereafter, he struck 24 in quick time, before being trapped lbw by Michael Hogan.Hankins continued to dominate the bowling and duly reached his maiden first-class half-century off 55 balls. Six runs later, he was bowled by Van Der Gugten, having struck 10 boundaries in his 74-ball stay at the crease.Glamorgan would have been excused for thinking the hard work had been done, as Hankins left to a standing ovation. Unfortunately Craig Miles and David Payne had other ideas and without ever looking in trouble, the pair added 90 for the ninth wicket. Payne eventually perished, for 39, as did Yorkshire loanee Josh Shaw, for 1. Miles was unbeaten on 49 as Gloucestershire were finally bowled out in the 68th over.Glamorgan made a terrible start when Wallace gifted debutant Van Buuren a catch, off Miles, in the second over of the innings. But Bragg joined Rudolph at the crease and the left-handed pair provided an even keel in the 25 overs remaining.

Steve Patterson again proved himself to be a reliable component of Yorkshire’s attack as Worcestershire struggled to avoid the follow-on at Scarborough

ECB/PA20-Jul-2015
ScorecardSteve Patterson took three Worcestershire wickets•PA PhotosSteve Patterson was the pick of the five-strong pack of fast bowlers as Yorkshire steadily built up a position of strength over Worcestershire on the second day of the LV= County Championship match at Scarborough.At the close Worcestershire had worked hard to reach 195 for 6 in reply to the Champions’ first innings score of 430 – and three of the wickets had been claimed by Patterson.Ryan Sidebottom, Jack Brooks, Tim Bresnan and Liam Plunkett may grab the headlines more regularly than the ever-reliable Patterson but his consistency and economy rarely desert him.And it was his length and line and inward movement that again stood him in good stead as Worcestershire fought gallantly but still lost wickets just when batsmen appeared to be well set.Only 19-year-old Joe Clarke, in his sixth match, really got established and he remained unbeaten on 76 to overhaul his previous best score of 70 made against Hampshire last week.Openers Daryl Mitchell and Richard Oliver safely negotiated the first five overs of the innings up to lunch and they had moved their stand to 32 before Oliver edged a drive at Brooks and was superbly caught by Plunkett moving smartly to his right at fourth slip.Patterson, coming on as second change, nipped one back to have Mitchell lbw for 14 the first ball after a short break for rain and a promising innings of 30 from Tom Fell ended when he edged Plunkett to Jack Leaning at second slip.Clarke built up his score in unflustered fashion but in a new spell from the Peasholm Park end Patterson struck twice to leave Worcestershire on 119 for 5. Brett D’Oliveira nibbled outside off-stump for Jonny Bairstow to take the catch and Ross Whiteley also edged to Leaning in the arc of slips.In rapidly fading light, Adil Rashid joined the attack and his long hop was struck for six by Clarke immediately before the players were off for an early tea and the loss of 16 overs. Three balls into the resumption, bad light caused a further four-over stoppage but the ground was then bathed in sunlight for the remaining 14.3 overs.Clarke completed a valiant 50 off 75 balls with two fours and a six but shortly before the close his 56 stand with Ben Cox ended when the wicketkeeper clipped Brooks low to Rashid at mid-wicket.Although Yorkshire were in a strong position at 357 for five off 88 overs when they resumed in the morning with Andrew Gale on 127, they still had to work hard to make it to maximum batting points.While Gale struggled to find his fluency of the previous day, wickets toppled at the other end, Joe Leach starting the slide with the dismissal of Bresnan before the persevering Charlie Morris chipped in with three wickets for one run in the space of 13 balls.Yorkshire were 391 for 9 in the 103rd over when last man Sidebottom joined his captain who raised the 400 for a fifth batting point by working Leach to the long-leg boundary.The innings was wound up by Jack Shantry who had Gale caught by Mitchell for 164 from 297 deliveries with 19 boundaries, Leach finishing with four for 139 and Morris three for 90.North Marine Road is a happy hunting ground for Gale who has now scored 815 in his last seven Championship innings at the venue.

Dawid Malan and James Harris put on an unbroken 147-run stand for the eighth wicket to lift Middlesex from trouble to a position of strength

Jon Culley at Trent Bridge05-Jul-2015
ScorecardDawid Malan made his highest first-class score during an eighth-wicket stand that rescued Middlesex•Getty ImagesPeter Moores looked a man at ease in his new environment, watching play from the upper balcony in the Trent Bridge pavilion, chatting and laughing with the sundry players, coaches and support staff who emerged from the home dressing room to join him.You suspect he will take up permanent residence, given the upbeat welcome the former England coach was afforded when Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire’s director of cricket, introduced him during the county’s win over Worcestershire last week. Newell has shouldered responsibility for Nottinghamshire’s fortunes since he became first-team coach in 2002 and feels the time is right for someone to approach the challenge with a fresh perspective.What it means for his future remains to be seen. His willingness to put the county’s fortunes first, with the threat of relegation likely to colour the remainder of the season, can only be admired. Moores, in his consultancy role, will share the burden until a decision about what happens next is made in September.Among his many qualities, Moores has reputation for bringing on young players. That experience will be useful immediately, given the current profile of Nottinghamshire’s bowling attack. Brett Hutton, Luke Wood and Jake Ball have 29 first-class matches between them but all played here. Both Luke Fletcher and Andy Carter, injured in their last match, are sidelined for the immediate future. Meanwhile, Ben Hilfenhaus, the overseas player, took so much on in bowling their overs that Nottinghamshire decided he had to have a rest.When Middlesex were 165 for 7, the view from Moores’ perch will have looked pretty pleasing. With the ball swinging under an overcast sky, a batting line-up including two former England openers and the current one-day captain had found the going tough.However, the 41.2 overs that remained in a day interrupted by only one heavy downpour yielded no further wickets. Dawid Malan and James Harris instead added 147 more runs, the partnership itself chanceless until late in the evening, even though Malan had been given a let-off on 29 when Samit Patel spilled a low chance at point.Malan walked off with a career-best 159 not out, having batted for five and three-quarter hours. That he did not offer another chance in that part of the field alone was perhaps surprising, given that he scored 60% of his runs either square of the wicket or behind square on the off side, which Moores will note when he studies the data.There were other chances, though. Two were spilled by Brendan Taylor in the slips (Nick Compton on 19 and Eoin Morgan on 0), although the Zimbabwean atoned with a stunner at short extra cover to see off Ollie Rayner. Patel dropped his second of the day, again at point, as Harris had a life on 64.It has been a stop-start season for Malan, who had a poor time in 2013 but recovered his red-ball form impressively last season. He suffered a broken hand in the opening Championship match, also against Nottinghamshire, and has missed further cricket with a groin injury. This is only his third first-class match.On a pitch with plenty of grass left on, Middlesex lost their openers within the first eight overs, one each to Wood, who ripped out Joe Burns’s middle stump, and Ball, who dismissed Sam Robson leg before, both batsmen succumbing to inswing.Compton’s let-off cost nothing, with Hutton finding a little extra bounce with his next delivery and Chris Read taking the edge. That made it Nottinghamshire’s morning, although it should have been better still.Morgan and James Franklin were both dismissed soon after lunch. Morgan, caught at second slip off a Gurney no-ball, had not added to his 15 when he followed left-armer Wood’s away swing and nudged the ball into the gloves of wicketkeeper Read; Franklin was give out leg before by umpire Russell Evans, who judged that an inswinger from Gurney struck him on the pad before he got a bat on it.Nottinghamshire’s bowlers continued to exploit the conditions to good effect. John Simpson, driving, was caught by Hutton at third slip off Gurney, then Taylor redeemed himself by taking a blinder at short extra cover, diving to his right, as Steven Mullaney became the fifth seamer to take a wicket.Thereafter, though, the day was transformed, with Malan punishing Nottinghamshire heavily for allowing him a life and Harris, who is having a fine season with the ball, proving not for the first time that he is more than competent with the bat. Nottinghamshire have some work to do to get something out of this match, which Middlesex will see as a chance to reinforce their challenge for the title. You suspect that Moores, who professes to love a challenge, has a sizeable one.

Rain kept Australia nervous during a two-hour delay, more nervous than Scotland who’s innings lasted only half an hour longer

The Report by Alagappan Muthu14-Mar-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:26

Bevan: Australia’s quicks could win them World Cup

The camera panned to the Australian dressing room. The sky was gloomy, the rain was getting heavier and the covers were on for two hours in Hobart. Steven Smith and Shane Watson looked nervous. More than they had been for the two and a half hours and 25.4 overs that Scotland batted.They had no cause to worry. The wind that buffeted Nick Knight’s suit at the toss on a chilly day remained to ward off the bad weather and provide a clear passage for Australia’s World Cup march by ensuring that they avoided a quarter-final bout with South Africa.James Faulkner, as per his finisher contract, was on hand to seal a 131 chase with a six: just the thing to steel Australia’s resolve.Forcing a quick and favourable result before the rain that had hung around played gate-crasher meant that Michael Clarke opted to bowl in the final Group A game. The first halt in play lasted half-an-hour, but by then Australia had dismissed eight batsmen for 130.Two Mitchell Starc yorkers were enough to wrap up the innings after resumption, taking him to 4 for 14 from 4.4 overs and made him the most successful bowler of the World Cup – 16 wickets at an average of 8.5, strike rate of 13.8 and economy of 3.67.A bouncer whistled over leg: Kyle Coetzer ducked for cover. A teaser outside off: Coetzer was left groping. A leg-stump seeking missile of a yorker to follow: Coetzer had both feet in the air, his weight on his bat and somehow punched the ball back to the bowler.Those were Starc and Australia’s first three balls in Hobart and a tone was set. Scotland were overwhelmed and bowled out an hour before the scheduled innings break.The wickets were a blur, perhaps as much as the ball may have been delivered by probably the fastest set of bowlers in the World Cup. There was a lot of backing away and a lot of shots being attempted. It was all a bit haphazard, almost as if Scotland were determined to attack no matter what. A healthy attitude, except when it leaves you at 51 for 5, someone should have said enough and gone on to plan B.Coetzer, already roughed up, forgof about his footwork when he nicked Starc off. A Shane Watson short ball rarely frightens, but when it climbs towards your nose the hook shot was not on. Preston Mommsen went for it anyway and the top edge was caught at short fine leg. Freddie Coleman became a victim of the Mitchell Johnson one-two. Two bouncers were seen off, but the one slid across caught the edge for Clarke at second slip. Three top-order batsmen, three ungainly dismissals, three ducks.Calum MacLeod and Matt Machan were the only members of the top seven to reach double-figures. Both players were eager to play their strokes – MacLeod cracked four poor deliveries to the off side boundary with authority. A back-foot drill from Machan in the fifth over brought a ‘well played’ shrug from Starc and he topped that with a well-timed straight drive off Watson in the 10th. Enough indications of Scotland’s potential, but their shot selection let them down – MacLeod slapped Starc’s poorest ball – short and wide delivery – to point. Richie Berrington popped Glenn Maxwell’s first delivery – a wide half-volley – into covers hands.Machan made a decent 40 off 35 balls. Josh Davey, once the top-wicket taker in the tournament, teased with some crisp strokes – an eye-catching swipe over long-on as he used his feet to Maxwell and an extra cover drive where he brandished the high-elbow at the photographers off Faulkner. Michael Leask struck a hat-trick of boundaries against Watson.But it was the defensive techniques that let Scotland down. The left-armers’ angles had most batsmen lead-footed. Pat Cummins did not look his best but had three wickets to show.Australia’s batsmen, though, had nothing tying them down. Clarke opened the batting for the first time in nearly six years and produced a breezy 47 – a marked positive since historically the team feels more menacing with their leader in form. Scotland’s medley of medium-pacers got the new ball to dart past his outside edge but when the swing faded away, Clarke found his timing. It took a stunning one-handed catch on the square leg boundary from Leask to deny the Australia captain a fifty.

Former England batsman Mark Butcher says the ECB’s handling of Kevin Pietersen will leave a lot of supporters of English cricket “confused”

Gaurav Kalra12-May-20156:17

Butcher: Don’t think Pietersen would ever trust ECB now

Former England batsman Mark Butcher says the ECB’s handling of Kevin Pietersen will leave a lot of supporters of English cricket “confused”. Reacting to the announcement by newly appointed director of cricket Andrew Strauss that Pietersen wasn’t part of England’s plans for the upcoming summer, Butcher said it will be a “bitter pill to swallow” for the batsman who did everything that was asked of him to be back in consideration for a recall.”Pietersen trusted Colin Graves when he said that the slate would be wiped clean and he would be picked on merit again, he now knows that is not case,” Butcher told ESPNcricinfo. “Irrespective of how many runs he scores, he will not get picked. So, the trust from his side isn’t there either.”In confirming Pietersen’s exile for the rest of the summer, Strauss said “a massive trust issue” existed between the two. Butcher said he feared that this ruptured personal relationship between the men may have led to a situation where the best interests of English cricket weren’t prioritised.”I don’t know why their personal relationship is important as they no longer share a dressing room together,” he said. “The cricket that is coming up – England trying to win against New Zealand and the Ashes – did not get mentioned. There has been a lot of talk about building for the future. That’s one thing English cricket has always done exceptionally well. The present is passing by and the results are passing by.”Another interesting thing was that Strauss said that he has not been banned; he’s just not a part of our plans at the moment. It is the same scenario that has existed for a while now. I think the people and Pietersen want some clarity. He would want to know whether he’s wasting his time or has he still got a chance. As far as I can tell, none of those questions have been answered.”Butcher is convinced that despite the door being shut on Pietersen in the immediate future, this saga is far from over. He believes that come the Ashes the story will still be “bubbling beneath the surface”, especially if England falter in their upcoming series against New Zealand.”You don’t score that many international runs without being a very fine player,” Butcher said. “In order for him to get back in, there was always going to be a payoff. The payoff was that he had to score runs which he has done emphatically but also that others would have to fail or England will have to lose Test matches and series. So, we haven’t gone back to the critical point yet. The point is that England didn’t win in the West Indies and I said that they would do very well to win there.”Given that they face New Zealand now who are a fantastic side and will face an England side that is not at 100 percent they can very easily create a few problems. You cannot tell me this story is over because everyone knows what happens in English cricket when the Ashes occur. Big stories happen and heroes and villains emerge.”At least for the moment though, the ECB’s shambolic handling of the entire affair has meant Pietersen has won the public relations battle hands down in the eyes of most observers. Butcher is among those.”If there was somebody writing Kevin’s script and had this grand plan of turning public opinion in his favour against the ECB, then whoever’s writing that is doing a very good job,” he said. “With every passing day and the revelations and the press conferences, it looks as though the person who has come out of this smelling the sweetest is Kevin irrespective of whether he plays or not.”

A summary of the matches from Group C of the Ranji Trophy on January 31, 2015

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Jan-2015
ScorecardRishi Dhawan claimed a career-best 7 for 93•Shailesh BhatnagarHimachal Pradesh allrounder Rishi Dhawan took a career-best 7 for 93 as Tripura made 346, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the follow-on.Tripura began on 143 for 2 and 18-year old opener Bishal Ghosh went on from his overnight 81 to make his maiden first-class century, an innings that included 15 fours. However, he was struck down by Dhawan immediately.After losing three wickets for nine runs to be 193 for 6, Tripura’s final five batsmen mustered 139 runs, with their No. 10 Rana Dutta scoring 43 off 68 balls with six fours. He was left unbeaten as Dhawan wrapped up the tail in his 30th over.Tripura’s opener’s were left 17 overs to bat and they played them out very cautiously, making only 20 runs. Ghosh is unbeaten on 9 off 37 balls while his opening partner Singha faced 66 deliveries for his 6.
Scorecard Jharkhand legspinner Samar Quadri picked up eight wickets, and a run-out on the third day after Goa were made to follow-on in Porvorim.The hosts’ lower-middle order kept getting starts but none of them could push on as they were bowled out for 215 as Quadri finished with 4 for 64.Goa’s batting gained better structure in their second innings despite Amogh Desai having to retire hurt on 12. Swapnil Asnodkar, the captain, and Sagun Kamat progressed steadily and the score was 77 for 0 in 20 overs before Quadri made his impact.He removed Kamat for 36, then Asnodkar for 38 and ran-out Desai after he returned to bat for 26 to initiate a wobble. At stumps, Goa required nine runs to take the lead, with five wickets in hand. Wicketkeeper Keenan Vaz and Suraj Dongre are batting on 23 and 1 respectively.
ScorecardSwarupam Purkayastha, batting at No. 8, struck his maiden first-class century and lifted Assam to 312 from their overnight score of 199 for 6, before striking thrice with the ball and leaving Andhra on 116 for 6 in their second innings.Assam began pulling away when Syed Mohammad and Purkayastha extended their partnership to 134 runs. Purkayastha stroked 14 fours and 3 sixes during his undefeated 108 off 248 balls while Mohammad made his seventh first-class fifty. Naren Reddy was Andhra’s best bowler, with 4 for 62.Andhra’s reply had begun well, with an opening stand of 48, but losing three wickets in as many overs meant that they slipped to 50 for 3. Captain Mohammad Kaif and AG Pradeep mounted a brief resistance with a 46-run association to trim Assam’s first-innings lead of 175 before Pradeep was undone by Mohammad, who finished the day with figures of 9-5-8-2.Purkayastha, having taken five successive five-wicket hauls, might be thinking of another, having picked up 3 for 40. He has 35 dismissals so far, joined with Rishi Dhawan as the second highest wicket-taker for the season.Kerala v Services: Kerala eye win after spinners dominate