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Marcus Rashford scored his 28th goal of the season to give Man Utd a nervy 1-0 win over Brentford on another worrying night for David de Gea.

Marcus Rashford fired Manchester United to a 1-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday and sent Erik ten Hag's side back into the Premier League top four. The forward is now approaching the 30-goal milestone in all competitions – a tremendous potential accomplishment for a man who has completely changed the narrative of his career in a matter of months.

But this was not exactly an emphatic response to Sunday's 2-0 surrender to Newcastle and United still have plenty of problems to surmount to ensure they are in the Champions League places by the end of May.

Number one is David de Gea's kicking, after the Spaniard had another torrid time with the ball at his feet.

GOAL rates the United players from a rain-soaked and uncomfortable evening at Old Trafford.

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

David de Gea (4/10):

His kicking was very sloppy again while he was inches away from gifting a goal to Ivan Toney. Made amends by blocking a close-range shot from Kevin Schade, though it may have been more a product of poor finishing than standout goalkeeping.

Diogo Dalot (6/10):

An improvement on his shoddy display at St James' Park.

Raphael Varane (6/10):

Won every header he went for and barely allowed Toney a sniff although was beaten for pace by Schade.

Lisandro Martinez (8/10):

Another flawless performance, keeping things ticking over from the back with his precision passing.

Luke Shaw (6/10):

Heavily involved in attacking moves but was bizarrely taken off in the 37th minute, perhaps as he was on a booking or experiencing a minor injury.

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Scott McTominay (7/10):

Put his body on the line with several crucial blocks and tackles and came close to scoring in the first half. Would have been United's new No.9 if his fizzing shot had stayed on target!

Marcel Sabitzer (7/10):

Set up Rashford's goal with a lovely cushioned header and was very active in attacking play.

Bruno Fernandes (5/10):

Offered little in attack and picked up a booking.

Getty ImagesAttack

Antony (8/10):

Was one of United's more dangerous players, helping set up the goal and coming close a couple of times to scoring himself.

Marcus Rashford (7/10):

It was not his most fluid display but once more he made the difference with a composed finish. Where would United be without his goals?

Jadon Sancho (5/10):

Another opportunity missed. He was slow and indecisive on the ball in the first half although improved a bit in the second before going off.

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Tyrell Malacia (7/10):

Really confident on the ball and quick to snuff out any danger on his side, keeping Bryan Mbeumo quiet.

Fred (6/10):

Came close to doubling the lead but was not as good as Sabitzer.

Anthony Martial (5/10):

Could not create many openings despite the game being stretched. Doesn't look back to full sharpness.

Victor Lindelof (N/A)

Only introduced for the final few minutes.

Erik ten Hag (7/10):

Finally benched Wout Weghorst and was very active with his substitutions to ensure the lead did not slip.

New Zealand’s record in World T20s has been disappointing, but with a promising squad coming off dominant T20 wins at home, they will be confident of their chances this time

Brydon Coverdale14-Mar-20167:08

O’Brien: Taylor’s form will be pivotal to New Zealand’s campaign

Big picture At the 50-over World Cup, New Zealand are often a bridesmaid, never the bride. Seven times they have reached the semi-finals, though not until last year did they win one and gain maid-of-honour status. But at the World T20, not since the first tournament back in 2007 have they so much as passed the group stage. Forget being a bridesmaid, New Zealand go home before the speeches even begin. It is a surprising record for a team like New Zealand, a side that generally boasts a few big hitters, some canny bowlers, and is viewed as a perpetual danger at world events. At least they enter the 2016 World T20 with some sort of form behind them, having won their past two series, against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, albeit in home conditions.This is also the start of a new era for New Zealand after the retirement of Brendon McCullum last month. He farewelled international cricket in front of a sparse crowd on the fifth day of a Test against Australia in Christchurch. The post-McCullum age begins on Tuesday, half a world away in Nagpur, where Kane Williamson will lead his country in a T20 against India. Not that New Zealand should be unprepared for change. In fact, McCullum had not played a T20 international since June last year, Williamson having led the side to six wins from their past eight matches.They have batsmen capable of quick scoring – Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Luke Ronchi and Williamson himself. They have all-round talent – Corey Anderson, Grant Elliott, Nathan McCullum, Mitchell Santner. They have quality specialist bowlers – Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Mitchell McClenaghan, Ish Sodhi. But the challenge is to transfer their recent form to spinning conditions against quality teams – India, Pakistan and Australia – in the group stage. New Zealand are No.4 on the ICC’s T20 rankings, and will feel they have something to prove.At the helm No one could accuse McCullum of going with the flow as captain. He instilled in his team a distinct ethos and was always trying new tactics on the field. He is a hard act to follow. Williamson might be the best batsman New Zealand will ever produce, but how will he lead? Will we see a less adventurous New Zealand? Will the spirit of the side carry on as if nothing has changed? Williamson has stood in as captain on many occasions, but this is the beginning of his own era. And he is only 25, so it could be a long one.Key Stat11That’s the number of wins New Zealand have managed in World T20 matches, from 25 games. Among ICC Full Members, only Zimbabwe and Bangladesh have had fewer victories than New Zealand at the past five tournaments. Incidentally, New Zealand have a remarkable habit of tying T20 matches. There have been nine ties in the history of T20 international cricket, and New Zealand have played in five of them.Martin Guptill – with the bat – and Kane Williamson – as captain – will play decisive roles in New Zealand’s campaign•Getty ImagesLeading MenMartin GuptillOnly McCullum and Tillakaratne Dilshan have scored more T20 international runs than the 1666 Guptill has made. Notably, though, his best work has been done in bilateral series rather than at the World T20, where he has managed only 269 runs at 19.21 and has yet to score a half-century. He has the potential to dominate a tournament like this and at 29 years of age, the time is now to do so. In the absence of McCullum, New Zealand need Guptill to step up.Grant ElliottAt the World Cup last year, Elliott showed that he can rise to the occasion. When he launched Dale Steyn for a six from the penultimate ball of New Zealand’s semi-final chase against South Africa in Auckland, he lifted a giant weight off the collective shoulders of New Zealand cricket. Before that moment they had appeared in six World Cup semi-finals for six losses. How New Zealand would love Elliott to bring his big-moment mentality to the 20-over version as well.Adam MilneTrent Boult and Tim Southee might be the big names in New Zealand’s attack but in conditions that are unlikely to offer much swing or seam, Milne’s pace through the air could be key to New Zealand’s hopes of restricting their opponents. A fast bowler who can crack the 150kph mark, Milne also has recent form on his side, as New Zealand’s leading T20 international wicket-taker over the last 12 months.Burning Question How will New Zealand go without Brendon McCullum?
It is one thing to lose McCullum the captain, quite another to lose McCullum the batsman. McCullum is the all-time leading run scorer in T20 internationals, the only man with 2000 runs in the format, the only man with two centuries. He chose to depart from international cricket in what he called “the purest form of the game”, but New Zealand could really have used him in this tournament. Williamson’s class will be important to New Zealand’s hopes, but there can be no passengers among the rest of the batting order. There will be plenty of pressure on Guptill, Williamson, Taylor and their more junior colleagues to cover for the loss of one of the shortest format’s finest exponents.World T20 history If New Zealand often perform above themselves at the 50-over World Cup, you would have to say they have underachieved at the World T20. Only once have they progressed past the group stage, and that was at the very first tournament back in 2007, when they lost a semi-final to Pakistan.In their Own Words “It’s important that we adapt. We’ve been playing some good T20 cricket but at the same time you want to play smart, and over here cricket can be quite different to our conditions.”

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has rubbished all talks of rift in his side, and has urged everybody to not let these notions take away from the fact that Pakistan have not been playing good cricket

Sidharth Monga in Mohali 25-Mar-20161:08

‘We need to pick better fielders next time’ – Waqar

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has rubbished all talks of a rift in his side, and has urged everybody to not let these notions take away from the fact that Pakistan have not been playing good cricket. Waqar’s own future as the Pakistan coach is not certain – his contract comes up for renewal in June – but he had advice, especially for the Pakistan selectors: look at the fielding aspect too before they pick players. Pakistan’s sloppy fielding might have been the difference between against Australia and New Zealand in the last two matches, with too many of them needing hiding.”I think the difference between the teams is very obvious and clear,” Waqar said. “We are not the best fielding side in the tournament. We need to think hard. The selectors need to look at that too. When you pick someone you have to look at the fielding aspect of his game. We have to look at youngsters. These big events bring about change so let’s see.”When asked about reports of rift in the team, Waqar said: “That the boys are not in agreement, not united, these are all made-up things. I was myself disturbed that such rumours have been spread. We are not playing good cricket, and that’s the bottom line. As a result of that we have to face this.”Waqar said losing against New Zealand three nights ago, when they were in charge of the chase after an explosive start from Sharjeel Khan, hurt him more than the loss to Australia. “There is obvious disappointment of getting knocked out of the World Cup,” he said. “We were disappointed more about the New Zealand game than this one because that match was in our control. We made mistakes with our bowling [today]. Not just in the final overs, when we went for a few, but whenever we got wickets we conceded boundaries. Had we bowled well they wouldn’t have scored 193. The boys were off the plan, we made mistakes.”Waqar was asked if Pakistan cricket was in terminal decline, and what the reason behind it was. “Now that we have just been knocked out, if I say something it might sound as an excuse,” Waqar said. “But if you look deeply there has been no cricket in Pakistan for the last six-seven years; its effects are showing. We had match-winners too. Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez, who could bowl. Yes there is indeed a bit of decline, and we need to arrest it. We will have to look at our domestic cricket and our infrastructure.”About the future – his own and Afridi’s – Waqar was less certain. About himself, Waqar said: “About my career we will see what the state of affairs are. Will meet the chairman of the PCB and then decide.”Afridi was supposed to address the press conference after the defeat, but at the last moment Waqar was asked to come. “What I have heard is he [Afridi] is going to go back and do the press conference in Pakistan,” Waqar said. “Then he will decide what his future plans are.” As with Afridi’s two-decade career, his next move is anybody’s guess.

Despite India’s 1-2 loss to Bangladesh, Suresh Raina has said that one poor show during an otherwise prosperous season is not grounds to vilify the team

Alagappan Muthu in Mirpur24-Jun-20153:25

‘You can’t disrespect Dhoni’s achievements’ – Raina

Although the 2-1 series defeat to Bangladesh has generated severe critique against India, Suresh Raina, after the 77-run win in the third ODI, has said that one poor show during an otherwise prosperous season is not grounds to vilify the team.”The team’s graph is going upwards definitely,” he said. “These were the last matches of the season. We don’t know when we are next playing one-days. We have done quite well in the format and we are still No.2 in the world. It’s not that you become good or bad in just one series.”India have won 14 out of 20 ODIs in the 2014-15 season, putting them third behind Australia and New Zealand. That also provided reason for Raina to stick to the same argument regarding MS Dhoni’s role as captain.”You can’t disrespect him and what he has achieved,” Raina said. “He has won so many trophies for BCCI. At the same time he’s a good human being, good honest man. One series can’t make him bad. He’s a good leader. Everyone loves him in the dressing room. There’s still a lot of cricket left for him. So just wait for some time.”Having stuck to his role as finisher for a long time, Dhoni has hiked himself up the order to try and lend India’s middle order some backbone. He struck 69 off 77 balls to help India to its only win on this tour.”The way he [Dhoni] has batted in the last two games has showed how important No. 4 is for him,” Raina said. “He has taken a lot of responsibility over the years and he showed it today as well. He set the tone for us today with Shikhar [Dhawan]. Me and Stuey [Binny] had a good partnership after the 40th over, you can execute [big shots] later on. Look at the kind of players we have. Look at Ambati Rayudu, he batted really well with MS also. So If you have a partnership of 70-80, then you can easily accelerate later on.That meant Raina, with his experience, became the designated finisher. He took to the role quite well on a slow pitch in Mirpur, striking 38 off 21 balls, helping India rack up 90 runs in the last 10 overs. While admitting that the chances of success batting lower down the order are up and down, he did say he was better suited to the role now.”No. 6 is not an easy position, you have to accelerate,” he said. “Sometimes you get runs, sometimes you don’t. But still you need to be positive in your mind. I am really happy. I have worked really hard with Ravi [Shastri] and at the same time Sanjay Bangar has really helped me a lot as well. Like I used to bat at leg stump, but Ravi said if you stay at middle you can play your shots over cover, over mid-off, over mid-on [better].”My mindset has improved over the years as well. I have learned how to bat with the tailenders. When you are not scoring runs up front, you need to just look to bat really well with whoever comes in. Whether it is Jadeja, Axar, Ashwin, Stuart or Harbhajan…because you need to get a lot of runs towards the end because getting totals of 260-280 are easier to defend.”Having expressed a desire to bat higher in the line-up and shape an innings, Raina conceded that he was happy to pitch in however he could.”No regrets moving down the order. I just want to win games for India. I can score a quick 40 or a quick 80. But still when we won the World Cup in 2011, I scored 35 not out against Australia and 37 not out against Pakistan. That’s my best innings ever. I would love to bat up the order, but whatever the team needs me to do, I just have to take that responsibility.”A part of that has been to chip in as a part-time bowler, especially on slow pitches like in Mirpur. Raina said, apart from “working hard” on his offspin and tidbits from R Ashwin, his instincts as a batsman comes in handy.”You know that five fielders are in and you have to contain, not let them rotate the strike. It’s pressure on the batsmen too, chasing 300 and they know that five fielders are inside – that gives a chance to bowlers if you bowl a good line and length. I know how a batsman plays in that situation because when I’m batting, my mind also works like that. So I have some experience of bowling in those situations.”

The United States were in control as Sophia Smith and Lindsay Horan also found the net in a comfortable 3-0 victory at the home of Inter Miami

Despite all of the issues that plagued this group throughout 2023, there’s no doubt that the U.S. women’s national team’s attacking unit is absolutely stacked – Emma Hayes, the team’s incoming manager, really is spoiled for choice.

No player can be considered a lock, not at this level, but, after another superstar performance on Saturday, it feels like Trinity Rodman is the closest thing to it. Rodman is unstoppable and, at this point, undroppable as the USWNT star continues to be a matchwinner at the highest level.

Rodman assisted two goals before scoring one of her own, leading the way in a 3-0 win over China. Her first assist saw her tee up Sophia Smith, who should have had a few more goals to her name by the end of this one. Her wayward finishing prevented that but, even so, the USWNT attack showed a viciousness we hadn’t seen in quite some time.

Rodman’s second assist, admittedly, wasn’t as intentional, as her throw-in to Lindsey Horan led to a fortunate goal after the ball was floated in, intended as a pass. Rodman, though, knew all about the USWNT’s third, as she scored a goal of her own on the back post late in the second half to put the game away.

The goal was her fifth of the year in what was her 17th USWNT appearance of 2023. There will be plenty more in her future as Rodman continues to grow and grow into the role of a true superstar.

GOAL rates USWNT players from DRV PNK Stadium…

GettyGoalkeeper & Defense

Casey Murphy (6/10):

That can be the life of a USWNT goalkeeper: sometimes, you don't have to do much! Rarely challenged she'll no doubt be happy with a clean sheet.

Emily Fox (6/10):

A different sort of game for Fox, who tucked in more than usual. Her versatility is such an asset as she can do so many different things on either side of the field.

Abby Dahlkemper (7/10):

Welcome back! Didn't have to do much defending, but she was solid at the back and showed off the passing range that makes her such a fun part of this player pool.

Naomi Girma (8/10):

What can't she do?!? Played the pass to earn a hockey assist on the opener and kept another clean sheet.

Casey Krueger (8/10):

An absolute menace throughout the first half. Was given freedom to roam and she took it, causing chaos all over the right-hand side.

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Emily Sonnett (6/10):

Continued to thrive in midfield. Some good interceptions and recoveries, even if the passing could have been a bit better.

Lindsey Horan (7/10):

Wasn't expecting to get a goal from her long ball into the box but who cares? It's what happens when a midfielder makes things happen, and that's what Horan continues to do for the USWNT.

Savannah DeMelo (6/10):

Got beat up a bit, but did make things happen when on the field. Looks like a veteran despite having so few caps to her name.

Rose Lavelle (6/10):

The quality was there, but the execution was just a bit off. Looked a little rusty, but still had moments that made you go 'Wow!'

GettyAttack

Sophia Smith (7/10):

Got her goal, but probably should have had three or four more. She'll be disappointed with that, but it's nice to see the USWNT generating chances again.

Trinity Rodman (8/10):

Technically, a multi-assist game, but we'll only talk about the first one. A fantastic ball into Smith as Rodman continues to create real danger in a USWNT shirt. Got her goal, too, to put the cap on a true superstar performance.

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Mia Fishel (7/10):

Surely made her presence felt, and was unlucky not to get a goal.

Jaedyn Shaw (7/10):

Just an inch or two away from getting a goal, but then got her assist late on. She continues to prove she belongs at this level.

Sam Coffey (6/10):

Replaced Sonnett as a deep-lying midfielder and the USWNT didn't see any drop-off in that spot.

Jenna Nighswonger (6/10):

A good taste of the action for the NWSL Rookie of the Year, who had some decent moments in her first cap.

Olivia Moultrie (6/10):

The second debutant, the 18-year-old midfielder replaced Rose Lavelle, which felt symbolic. Got a little excited on a late shot, but you can excuse that.

Midge Purce (7/10):

Helped create the third goal. The NWSL champion has brought her form to the USWNT and is really playing her way into the mix.

Twila Kilgore (8/10):

Got everything right. Shook things up tactically, giving some life to the attack. And then, with the game done and dusted, was able to get some young players some big minutes. A perfect day for the U.S.

USA allrounder Nisarg Patel was declared ineligible on Tuesday by the ICC from taking any part in the ICC Americas Division One T20 tournament in Indianapolis

Peter Della Penna in Indianapolis06-May-2015USA allrounder Nisarg Patel was declared ineligible on Tuesday by the ICC from taking any part in the ICC Americas Division One T20 tournament in Indianapolis. The ICC declined to comment on the matter but according to a USACA official, not enough documentation was provided to the ICC to prove that Patel had been in the USA the required 183 days per year for the four years immediately preceding the start of the tournament.Born in India, the 27-year-old Patel has US permanent residency status and UK citizenship but according to the USACA official, Patel only was able to demonstrate dates of US entry and exit from a UK passport issued in 2014 and an Indian passport which had expired in 2007. It meant they could not prove his dates of US entry and exit from 2011 through 2014 in order to prove his eligibility.The allrounder had spent his teenage years living in Southern California but after graduating from university accepted a job at a US multi-national in the UK for several years and played premier league cricket in Middlesex and Essex from 2011-2014. During those years he split his time between the US and the UK before returning to live full-time back in California again during the summer of 2014.Patel made an immediate impact on his return to the US domestic scene and was named 2014 USACA National Tournament MVP last August. He was second in runs at the most recent USACA National Tournament in April. He is yet to make his senior team debut but previously represented USA at the 2006 ICC U-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka.Team sources indicated that Patel will not be leaving Indianapolis but instead is staying with the team as both he and USACA officials attempt to have the required missing documentation couriered to Indianapolis so that he may have his eligibility reinstated and be able to take part in the final three matches. USA has an off day on Wednesday before resuming play on Thursday morning against Bermuda at 10am.

Benfica midfielder Joao Neves stopped short of promising to stay at the Portuguese club next summer amid reports of interest from Manchester United.

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Neves starring for BenficaAttracting interest from Man UtdRefuses to commit his future to BenficaWHAT HAPPENED?

United are said to be considering a summer offer for the 19-year-old, who has developed into a star in the Primeira Liga over the last two seasons. Asked at a press conference if he will still be at the club after the next transfer window, the defensive midfielder reiterated his commitment but would not say whether or not he would stay.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT JOAO NEVES SAID

Speaking ahead of his team's Europa League clash against Toulouse, he said: "I promise to do my best in every training session, in every game, and I think that is one of my greatest qualities. I'm focused on Benfica and even more so on [Thursday's] game, which is the next one. I think I will do my best in every game and in every training session."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Benfica are said to be demanding around €150 million (£128m/$161m) for the Portugal international and the club are also looking to commit him to a new contract, even though his current deal runs until 2028. The Primeira Liga side also spoke out against claims that United have first refusal to sign him should he leave anytime soon.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR JOAO NEVES?

The Benfica academy graduate will hope to help his team go far in the Europa League and beat Sporting CP to the Liga Portugal title this season. Afterwards, offers for the rising star will likely flood in during the summer transfer window.

After a dramatic last 16, who of the remaining eight sides is most likely to go on and lift the European Cup in Paris?

After just over two months away, the Champions League returned in style, with the last 16 throwing up plenty of talking points and surprises as Europe's elite continue to battle for the greatest prize the continent has to offer.

Defending champions Chelsea remain alive and are joined in the quarter-finals by some of the best teams European football has ever seen, though Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Ajax all fell in the first knockout round.

So, who are the favourites to lift the trophy following the draws for the latter stages, and which teams are set for continental disappointment?

GOAL'sChampions League Power Rankings are here to lay it all out…

Getty Images8Benfica | Last time: 8th

Regardless of who Benfica drew, they were always going to be considered as outsiders for the competition, but they could barely have asked for a more difficult tie than facing Liverpool.

In Darwin Nunez, the Portuguese side possess one of Europe's most in-form attackers, but the Uruguay international will have to produce something special if his team are to make it into the final four.

AdvertisementGetty Images7Villarreal | Last time: 7th

After knocking out Juventus in emphatic fashion in the last 16, Villarreal will fear no one going forward, but a quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich will be far from straightforward.

The Europa League champions have shown they have what it takes to win knockout ties in continental competition, but it feels like taking down the Bundesliga giants might be a step too far for Unai Emery's men.

Getty Images6Atletico Madrid | Last time: 6th

Undoubtedly the weakest side in their half of the draw, Atletico Madrid will have to be at their very best to go all the way to the final, knowing they will have to beat Manchester City and either Chelsea or Real Madrid to do so.

That said, if any team can cause an upset in the competition, it is the one managed by Diego Simeone, and they will not make life easy for City in the quarter-finals as they look to complete a Manchester double in this season's competition.

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Getty Images5Chelsea | Last time: 5th

Chelsea will take confidence from the fact that they beat Real Madrid in the semi-finals of last season's tournament when they face off again in this year's quarters, but there is no doubt that the circumstances are different.

Not only are Madrid a much better side now than they were then, they could yet have the advantage of getting to play their home leg in front of fans while Chelsea are forced to play behind closed doors at Stamford Bridge amid their ongoing ownership issues.

Between two closely-matched sides, that could make all the difference.

Australia opener David Warner said he was pleased with his team’s balance despite them having altered with the line-up throughout the tournament

Brydon Coverdale12-Mar-2015Over the next two days, the two hosts of this World Cup enter their final pool matches: New Zealand play Bangladesh in Hamilton on Friday, and Australia take on Scotland in Hobart on Saturday. Should both hosts win as expected, they would progress to the quarter-finals in the top two places in Pool A. That would mean if they are to meet again in this tournament, it would be in the decider at the MCG.The paths taken by the two hosts to this point could hardly be more different. New Zealand have won all five of their games, Australia three of five. The sun has shone brightly on New Zealand; Australia were washed out against Bangladesh, and the forecast for their Hobart game is worrying. Most notably, New Zealand have not changed their side yet; Australia have used all 15 squad members.Naturally, the players are focusing on their immediate challenges in this last round of games. But for observers, it is natural to look ahead at possibilities and permutations. Should pool results fall according to rankings, Australia would play Pakistan in a quarter-final. If they get through that, it could be India in a semi-final. A win there and an Australia-New Zealand final could be on the cards.”The team to beat at the moment would have to be New Zealand. But India are playing fantastic cricket at the moment as well,” Australia’s opening batsman David Warner said in Hobart on Thursday. Asked whether it was preferable to have an unchanged side like New Zealand, or to have given everyone a run like Australia, Warner said both had their advantages.”When the ball is swinging and you’ve got Brendon McCullum going off at the top of the order in New Zealand, they don’t need to change. They’ve won every game,” he said. “Three of their bowlers are in the top five leading wicket takers. Other teams probably haven’t worked out how to play their opening bowlers. I know that for us, we played a couple of loose shots with the ball swinging.”It’s how the selectors feel the right balance is. I think any team that comes up against us and sees myself and Finchy up the top, with Smith and Clarke to come in and anchor the role there, and then you see Maxwell, Watson, Faulkner, Haddin – if we’re 2 or 3 for 250 we could finish off very well like we did the other day.”Australia seem to have found their preferred line-up after some chopping and changing throughout the tournament, due to injuries, form and conditions. Of the top eight who played against Sri Lanka on Sunday, only the openers, Warner and Finch, and the No.8, Brad Haddin, were in the same positions as for their first game against England.Warner praised Shane Watson’s contribution against Sri Lanka and believed he had the “luxury to to go in and play the way he wanted to play”•ICCThe return of Michael Clarke and James Faulkner, the demoting of Shane Watson and moves up the order for Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell have altered the look of the line-up somewhat. But Warner found during a 260-run second-wicket stand against Afghanistan at the WACA that Smith was a valuable man to have coming in at first drop.”I hadn’t batted a lot with Steven Smith and it was great to bat a long time with him,” Warner said. “I think it’s great having him batting at three. The head on his shoulders is very good, he’s very smart when he’s out there. He can play that anchor role as well. Shane Watson did that for a few years as well, and it was just unfortunate he was in a bit of a form slump.”Watson’s axing from the side lasted only for that Afghanistan match, and his return at the expense of Mitchell Marsh against Sri Lanka was a success. Watson came to the crease with a strong platform built at 4 for 177 and blasted 67 off 41 deliveries to help Australia post 376, and his move down the order is likely to continue.”I think the way that Shane played the other day was fantastic,” Warner said. “He adopted that approach where he knew he could come in and play his game. I think because he was out of form, he probably had the luxury to go in and play the way he wanted to play. That’s the message he probably wanted to send to everyone, that he can still play this form of the game, it doesn’t matter where he bats. We’ve got a great balance there at the moment.”Australia will hope they are not subjected to another wash-out on Saturday – the forecast for Hobart is for a shower or two developing in the afternoon or evening.”Like any other game, you’ve got to play the best cricket you can play to beat the opposition,” Warner said of Scotland. “We need to win to finish where we want to finish. We’ve got to keep playing positive cricket. We were a bit nervous probably towards the end in the other game against Sri Lanka, but we got the job done. Now we’ve got to beat Scotland.”

Asad Shafiq will enter the first Test in Dubai full of confidence after scoring a breezy century to take Pakistan A to 305 for 8 in 90 overs against the Australians on the first day of their tour match in Sharjah

The Report by Brydon Coverdale in Sharjah15-Oct-2014
ScorecardAsad Shafiq’s footwork was impressive, especially against spin•Getty ImagesAsad Shafiq will enter the first Test in Dubai full of confidence after scoring a breezy century against the Australians on the first day of their tour match in Sharjah. Steve O’Keefe took 3 for 76, helping his case for a Test debut in what will probably be a twin-spin attack with Nathan Lyon.There was barely any turn in the pitch, and the fast men were only able to extract pace, bounce and movement with the new ball. The match does not have first-class status and both teams agreed to use all the players in their squads, with a limit of 90 overs per innings. At stumps on day one, Pakistan A had made 305 for 8 from their limited allotment.Shafiq reached his hundred, from his 148th delivery, with a pull to the midwicket boundary off Peter Siddle. He followed it with a six down the ground. The strokes were typical of the confidence shown throughout the innings by Shafiq, who finished the day with four sixes and was the only Pakistan batsman to carry on after a start.Many of his early runs came at the expense of Australia’s spinners as he looked dangerous in the second session. He smashed O’Keefe for six over long on and was also keen to use his feet against Lyon. When Glenn Maxwell was given three overs shortly before tea, he was struck for a pair of fours.Shafiq was happy to swing the bat as the last of Pakistan’s overs approached, with a couple of one-day style fours down the ground off Mitchell Johnson, and finished the day unbeaten on 108. The Australians will be acutely aware of his form when the first Test arrives next week.Australia spread the bowling workload throughout their squad, with Ben Hilfenhaus and Maxwell used from outside the XI who started the day. Lyon was the only member of the likely Test attack who did not claim a wicket, apart from the allrounder Mitchell Marsh, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury and will not bowl until the second innings.The most notable feature of the day’s play for Australia was the work of O’Keefe, who initially bowled quicker and flatter to keep runs down, but later began to toss the ball up a little more and encouraged some shots. Although that at times cost boundaries, including consecutive sixes over long-on when Shafiq used his feet, it also brought wickets.Babar Azam, who had compiled a patient 40, ran at O’Keefe for a loft down the ground, but found the safe hands of James Faulkner at mid-on. O’Keefe’s second wicket came when Haris Sohail, who had just cracked him over midwicket for six, was beaten next ball which drifted across him, straightened and took the off stump.It was the end of an entertaining innings of 43 from Sohail, who had struck two fours down the ground in one over from Lyon and frustrated the Australians in a century partnership with Shafiq. As Pakistan’s overs began to run out, O’Keefe picked up a third victim when Adnan Akmal was defeated by a little extra spin and steered a catch straight into the hands of Michael Clarke at first slip.That left O’Keefe with 3 for 76 from 23 overs, a rewarding analysis given the lack of assistance in the surface. Although Australia have plenty of bowling options, the likely Test attack appears to be O’Keefe joining Lyon in a spin pairing, with Johnson and Siddle as the two frontline fast men and Marsh as the seam-bowling allrounder.Siddle and Johnson found hints of movement and left Pakistan A at 11 for 2 after they chose to bat. Johnson had Shan Masood caught behind in the third over with a fullish ball that moved away slightly, and Siddle struck in the next over when No.3 Israrullah got a thick edge to third slip, where Steven Smith took a sharp catch to his left.Johnson’s pace was impressive early and after a long rest through the middle of the day, he returned with a few sharp bouncers to add some zip to proceedings later in the afternoon, including one that brought Shafiq has half-century when it flew over the slips for four. However, it was Siddle who claimed a second wicket when Raza Hasan was lbw for 5 as the shadows encroached, and Smith also chipped in with a late wicket.Shafiq was still at the crease having steered the innings after several of his colleagues made starts but failed to go on and post a big score. Opener Ahmed Shehzad took 12 balls to get off the mark but gradually began to find his touch with a boundary off the back foot through point off Johnson and an outstanding six pulled over midwicket when Siddle dropped short.Shehzad also enjoyed going after Lyon and used his feet well against the spin, lofting him over long-on for six and back over his head for four. But shortly after lunch, Shehzad fell for 55 when he played on to Hilfenhaus, who effectively performed the third seamer role that could be filled by Marsh in the Test match.Pakistan A went to stumps having used their full 90 overs, meaning the second day will begin with Australia’s openers Chris Rogers and Phillip Hughes at the crease.