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A mix of youth and experience has taken Sunrisers Hyderabad forward, as they now have five wins from eight matches, after early jitters this season. Up against a struggling Chennai Super Kings in the southern derby at MCA Stadium on Sunday, Sunrisers begin favourites as they look to remain in the top four.In Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umran Malik, Marco Jansen, and T Natarajan, Sunrisers possess one of the most dangerous pace attacks in this IPL, with Washington Sundar taking the lone specialist spinner’s spot. These pacers have alone accounted for 45 of the 57 wickets taken by the team this edition, with Natarajan and Malik scalping 15 wickets each. It shouldn’t be a surprise that they boast the best bowling average this IPL.As far as batting is concerned, unlike the last few seasons, there is no power-hitter like Jonny Bairstow or David Warner at the top of the order. However, the likes of Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, and Abhishek Sharma have lifted Sunrisers’ batting. Only captain Kane Williamson’s underwhelming batting form would be a bit of concern moving into the second half of the tournament – he has scored a total of 148 runs from eight matches so far, averaging just 21.14.

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On the other side are Super Kings, grappling with injuries to key players – Moeen Ali was the last entrant to this list after they lost pacers Deepak Chahar and Adam Milne – and team balance. With two victories from eight matches, they are placed second from the bottom and are hanging by a thread in the playoff qualification race.In the batting department, with opener Ruturaj Gaikwad struggling to get going, Super Kings need the likes of Shivam Dube and Robin Uthappa to get back to their best. In the first five matches, both batters had scored two half-centuries each and had scored 401 runs between them. Contrastingly, in the last three matches, Dube and Uthappa made a total of 40 and 34 runs, respectively. Despite boasting batting depth, Super Kings would need someone to stay long in the innings and not just rely on MS Dhoni for fireworks at the end if they are to climb up the ladder.To their relief, Super Kings have improved their bowling in the powerplay. After picking up just two powerplay wickets in the first four matches, left-arm pacer Mukesh Choudhary and Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana took five wickets apiece in this phase in the last four matches. Dwayne Bravo leads the attack with 14 wickets from eight matches. However, the bowling unit, collectively, needs to be consistent and economical – barring Mitchell Santner and Theekshana, the rest of the bowlers have conceded at more than eight runs per over – for a miraculous turnaround.With Dhoni back as captain, will the sun rise for Super Kings in the second half of the IPL 2022?

In the news

Washington Sundar returned to the Sunrisers XI in their previous match against Gujarat Titans, after missing a few games due to a finger injury. Both the teams are unlikely to make any changes to the playing XI.

Likely XIs

Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1 Kane Williamson (capt), 2 Abhishek Sharma, 3 Rahul Tripathi, 4 Aiden Markram, 5 Nicholas Pooran (wk), 6 Shashank Singh, 7 Washington Sundar, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 Marco Jansen, 10 Umran Malik, 11 T Natarajan Chennai Super Kings : 1 Ruturaj Gaikwad, 2 Robin Uthappa, 3 Ambati Rayudu, 4 Shivam Dube, 5 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 Dwayne Bravo, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Dwaine Pretorius, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Mukesh Choudhary

Strategy punt

Dhoni has enjoyed great success against fast bowlers this edition, scoring 109 runs from 67 balls at a strike rate of 163. Against a pace-packed Sunrisers, the wicketkeeper will be key in overcoming the threat that their bowlers pose. In the IPL, Dhoni has particularly targeted Bhuvneshwar, having hit 94 runs at a strike rate of 165 in 11 innings, without getting dismissed.

Stats that matter

• Among batters to have scored a minimum of 50 runs, Gaikwad (12.8) and Williamson (15.8) have the worst and fourth-worst batting average this IPL.
• Dhoni averages 53.3 against Sunrisers in the IPL.
• Aiden Markram has crossed the 40-run mark in four out of the six innings this season.

Plays of the day from the second semi-final, between Australia and India in Sydney

Sharda Ugra in Sydney26-Mar-2015The thudDavid Warner had sung the Australian anthem with gusto and emotion, drawing himself up to attempted Matthew Haydenesque heights, and arrived at the crease, suitably pumped up. It was clear, he wanted to dominate, he wanted to win the confrontation. He had pulled Umesh Yadav for a six off the last ball of his first over. He was ready to do it again. At the other end, his sombre companion Aaron Finch was holding him up, tied into a knot by Mohammed Shami in the third over, four dot balls in a row. When Warner got to face Yadav in the next over, he was twitching. The ball was short but not short enough, its leading edge finding Kohli under it, to thousands of hollering Indian fans. Warner’s mini-mini-drama was over.The review
Aaron Finch missed a ball which, in his innings, was not news itself. But when this happened, and he was given not out, Ravindra Jadeja was incensed. He thought Finch was plumb in front. It seemed like MS Dhoni disagreed. He thought the ball was outside off stump. But Jadeja would not stop pleading, so Dhoni gave in. It looked like he just couldn’t be bothered arguing any more. The first replay made the Indians cheer, as did the second. It was only the third replay that showed that the ball had hit outside the off stump. The Australian fans laughed at the Indian fans.The spill
The new ball has habitually provided Australia with at least a couple of chances for wickets, and in this tournament it has been a rarity for them to be spurned. After Shane Watson’s low snare off Rohit Sharma was deemed to have grazed the turf, Shikhar Dhawan advanced to Josh Hazlewood and found himself in no sort of position to do anything other than edge a well-pitched delivery going across him. It was one of those edges that might have been taken by first slip but was definitely within the wicketkeeper’s range, and so Brad Haddin leapt across to claim it. But his gloves were either too firm or too eager and the ball bounced out of them and firmly to ground. Haddin was disconsolate, and Australia worried – it was a chance that should have been snaffled.The talking to
Something about Suresh Raina’s entry to the middle, after Rohit Sharma’s wicket, stirred Mitchell Starc to anger. After a relatively sedate over to Ajinkya Rahane, Starc’s next had the bowler firing down three short balls at Raina. The third was slower and wider than the first two, and was called by umpire Kumar Dharmasena, but the follow-up was far more venomous than the ball itself, as Starc followed through extravagantly and delivered strong words in the direction of Raina. Another wide followed, and after Starc had finished the over with a ball on the stumps, he was spoken to most pointedly by Dharmasena about his overt aggression. Starc did not take entirely kindly to it.

da bet sport： Derby County will be relatively pleased with how their season is going in the Championship so far, with Paul Warne’s Rams currently sitting in a satisfactory 12th place in the league.

da bet vitoria： They are faring much better with the step-up to the second tier than the likes of Portsmouth, who actually won League One last campaign, but find themselves rooted to the bottom of the division.

Unlike Derby teams of the past that have depended on some up-and-coming homegrown talents to come good through their esteemed academy, this current eleven put together by Warne has a number of experienced EFL heads in it.

Still, there will be immense pride in the Rams camp at the moment with how far Eiran Cashin has pushed on in the senior ranks, as the 22-year-old stars in the Championship now with his boyhood club.

Notable recent Derby youth products

Of course, Cashin will steal the limelight in this regard, considering the Rams number six has stuck by the club away from being tempted to leave for pastures new.

The 22-year-old has now amassed 134 appearances in the senior mix at Pride Park, with his importance not waning in the second tier whatsoever, with the young centre-back only missing one game so far in the league owing to injury.

Away from the Nottinghamshire-born defender remaining loyal to the second-tier outfit, other recent academy talents that went on to make a name for themselves at Derby have also departed for new challenges.

Faces such as Will Hughes, Max Bird and Jason Knight have all gone on to be success stories elsewhere, with the first of that midfield trio still performing in the Premier League for Crystal Palace even at the age of 29, whilst Bird and Knight are teammates together at Bristol City.

Not every player that rises up the ranks develops into an unbelievable ace, however, with this striker now forgotten about when it comes to conversations regarding some of the notable names that have graduated from the Rams academy.

The Derby youngster who nearly emulated Salah & Giroud

Before his Derby career fell to the wayside, Mason Bennett was tipped for big things at Pride Park, having been the youngest ever player to line up for his hometown club in 2011 at just 15 years of age.

Once scouted by Premier League giants in the form of Manchester City and Liverpool, Bennett is also fondly remembered by those in Derbyshire for a ridiculous scorpion kick style effort he managed versus Wigan Athletic in 2019, with some even stating at the time that it could be a Puskas Award contender.

Away from this unbelievable effort, which nearly saw him emulate the heroics of Mohamed Salah and Oliver Giroud in being up for that prestigious award, Bennett would never prove himself to be a reliable goalscorer for the men’s team, which would result in his exit from the club under Philip Cocu just a year on from this audacious strike versus the Latics.

The 5 foot 11 forward – who made the permanent move to Millwall in August 2020 – would only manage to score five more goals for the Rams away from this memorable effort looping over the Wigan goalkeeper, finishing his time at the club with a lacklustre goal return of six from 89 clashes.

Bennett’s career goal record

Club played for

Games played

Goals scored

Derby

89

6

Chesterfield

6

0

Bradford City

13

1

Notts County

2

1

Millwall

103

10

Burton Albion

66

6

Sourced by Transfermarkt

To further add insult to injury, that much-talked-about goal wouldn’t even be nominated, with Bennett also struggling away from Derby to find his goalscoring mojo as can be seen looking at the table above.

Now on the books of Burton, who are fighting against relegation in League One, it’s fair to say the 28-year-old never lived up to his immense hype as a wonderkid.

Derby will hope they can unearth more homegrown gems soon, away from failed examples such as Bennett, but will know experience is going to be key in fending off the Championship relegation zone across this gruelling campaign.

Related "Excellent" Derby ace to miss six months after "heartbreaking" update

He came off injured against Millwall…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Oct 23, 2024

Arne Slot’s Liverpool put on a show against West Ham, scoring five goals and beating the Hammers 5-1 at Anfield. Slot’s side created six big chances, kept 61% possession, and took a total of 21 shots in the game.

Liverpool went 1-0 down in the first half, with Jarrel Quansah putting one in his own net, before Diogo Jota levelled it up in the 25th minute, to go in 1-1 at the break.

But the Reds came bundling out the gates in the second half, scoring four goals, Jota grabbing one more, and Mohamed Salah scoring the third, before Cody Gakpo grabbed a late brace to make it 5-1.

Cody Gakpo's performance in numbers

Gakpo put in a man of the match display in Liverpool’s 5-1 win over the Hammers, scoring two goals, providing three key passes, and completing two out of two successful dribbles.

The Dutch forward started in his favoured left-wing position, having been used in a multitude of positions since joining the Reds, including upfront.

The 25-year-old was electric throughout the clash, earning an 8/10 match rating from GOAL’s Mark Doyle who described it as a ‘menacing’ display. Jamie Carragher was another to hail his performance, commentating on Sky Sports the former defender stated: “He’s done really well. This is Liverpool’s back-up left winger, it just shows you the quality they have in reserve.”

In the process, he managed six shots in the game, four on target, one off target, and one being blocked, whilst he also completed three out of three long balls, one out of three crosses, and made 94% of his passes during the game (30/32).

Playing from the left, it allows Gakpo to drift inside from wide areas, receiving the ball, combining with midfielders/the striker, and getting shots off on his deadly right foot, something he showed time and time again at Euro 2024, cutting in from the left for the Netherlands, when he scored three goals in his six games at the competition.

These two goals were the attacker’s first of the season for Slot’s side, having only played 100 minutes of Premier League football so far in five games, and this is largely down to the form of Luis Diaz.

However, Gakpo has made his case to start the next game, after his stellar performance against the Hammers.

Should Gakpo or Diaz start?

Diaz has had a great start to the new campaign, scoring five goals and providing one assist in his five Premier League appearances so far (361 minutes played).

Slot tends to start with Salah on the right wing, and has opted for Diogo Jota upfront over Darwin Nunez in recent weeks, leaving the left-wing spot for one of Diaz or Gakpo, and the Colombian has come out on top so far, becoming one of Slot’s main men early in the season.

The two players offer different traits from the left wing, with Diaz being more of a touchline winger, who works hard for the team on both ends of the ball, whilst creating for himself and his teammates. He has also added huge goal threat this season, scoring 1.19 goals per 90 minutes, making himself virtually undroppable at this stage.

However, Gakpo being a high-volume shooter, and a specialist cutting inside on his lethal right boot, can also add a huge attacking threat to this Liverpool side, and whilst he doesn’t add the same work rate out of possession as the South American, he does add a slightly more creative passing range, shown by his 0.28 assists and 2.63 key passes per 90.

Gakpo has made his case for the next Premier League game, and whilst it is likely Diaz will start, Slot definitely has a selection headache brewing, with both his left-wingers showing some fine form in recent games.

Slot must axe Liverpool ace who earns more than Diaz & Konate

It’s time for this wider member to move on…

By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 25, 2024

The American played spoiler for league-leading PSV, who has struggled since losing Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman to injury

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Aaronson scored late equalizer against PSVPSV's Eredivisie lead is cut to just one point over Ajax, who have two games in-handTillman, Pepi sidelined with injuryFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

If PSV end up relinquishing their Eredivisie title, USMNT hopeful Paxten Aaronson could part of the reason.

The 21-year-old forward scored a 75th-minute goal to give his on-loan club FC Utrecht a 2-1 advantage over the Eredivisie-leading PSV, before a stoppage-time equalizer from Isaac Babadi secured PSV a point in a 2-2 draw. It was the former Philadelphia Union standout's sixth goal of the season and his eighth goal contribution for the club in the league.

PSV have had an inconsistent 2025 after starting the 2024-25 season brightly, winning just once in February through five matches across all competitions. Injuries to fellow U.S. internationals Malik Tillman and ricardo Pepi haven't helped, either.

PSV's lead in the Eredivisie is just one point over Ajax now, who have two games in-hand over the reigning champions.

AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Aaronson, who is the younger brother of Leeds star Brenden Aaronson, has one USMNT cap. In the midst of a strong campaign in Holland, Paxten Aaronson has an outside chance of making Mauricio Pochettino's squad for the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals in March, but he could factor in the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer if he keeps up his performances.

He was a part of the 2024 Paris Olympics roster for the U.S. as they advanced to the quarterfinals of the competition.

His towering header on Saturday saw him leap over fellow American Richard Ledezma, who could be a name to monitor for both the March and June camps as well.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR AARONSON?

Utrecht have a bit of break, not playing their next fixture until March 1. Time will tell if Aaronson keep his momentum going.

For our World T20 correspondent, one seems a little more challenging than the other

Alan Gardner07-Apr-2014March 25
Take a trip to the Agrabad hotel, one of the grandest in Chittagong, for an interview. Cars are swept with bomb detectors on the way in. There is World T20 merch on sale at a stall in the lobby – though as the place has been commandeered by the ICC for teams and officials, it’s unclear who might wish to buy branded t-shirts and caps. Visit the Chittagong Club bar in the evening, another tough place to get into. I lend a colleague some shoes after his trainers provoke consternation at the door. Food is good, though strangely, no rice is available. Not a problem I expected to encounter in Bangladesh.March 26
Bangladesh Independence Day. It was on March 26, 1971 that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman triggered the breakup of East and West Pakistan by declaring independence for the Bengali wing of a country founded less than 25 years earlier. There are plenty of street displays, singing, dancing and general festivity on what is now a national holiday. Appropriately, though entirely coincidentally, I learn a couple more Bengali phrases from my ever-enthusiastic driver, Shamu. “?” and “”, or “How are you?” and “I’m fine.” Useful, should I want to have a conversation with myself.March 27
There seems to be increased security at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury midway through the Super 10 stage. Passes are scanned and bags checked for the first (and it turns out only) time. On the same day, the volunteers in the media centre have been issued with a batch of orange polo shirts with the legend “T20 buddy” printed on the back: the spirit of friendship is now official.On the pitch, Alex Hales becomes the first Englishman to score a T20 international hundred in an extraordinary win over Sri Lanka. Up in the press box, it is hard to tell which set of journalists is more surprised. Perhaps my pessimism was the reason for being mistaken for an Australian earlier in the day.March 28
Pop over to the MA Aziz to chat to Brendon McCullum before New Zealand training. Five minutes in the sun holding out a dictaphone is enough for me to get a bead on, never mind the thought of running around. Outside afterwards, a group of kids take turns to blurt out English words and phrases before running to hide behind one another. They have a bat and ball, naturally. “?” I ask. “Bhaalo aachhi,” comes the reply.At ZACS, the old-style scoreboard is still showing England’s card from the night before, though Hales’ innings was apparently not updated after his final, walloped six to win the game. Before an optional net session, Paul Collingwood faces up to Mushtaq Ahmed, Ashley Giles and Graham Thorpe without any pads on. His striking seems to have improved on the nurdler of memory. David Saker then zips one down that takes the inside edge of the bat and narrowly misses Collingwood’s bare legs. “You nearly took my kneecap off with that!” he yelps.Bangladeshis gather at the National Parade Ground in Dhaka for Independence Day•Associated PressMarch 29
Wander into the stands to take in some of New Zealand’s match against Netherlands, with the sun setting behind the stadium. It is a humid, lazy evening, the players in soft focus before the artificial light takes over. England are taken apart by AB de Villiers’ electric innings. The ballad of Jade Dernbach may have reached its final stanza.March 31
Rise and shine for an excursion to start the day, heading along the Chittagong coast to see one of the largest ship-breaking yards in the world. We board a fishing boat and chug out into the bay, where a row of long-dormant hulks – ferries, cruise liners and cargo ships from around the world – stretches for what seems like miles, their carcasses being slowly picked clean for tons of steel and other reusable components. It is a controversial industry, with poor working conditions and environmental standards, but it provides employment for thousands. On shore, one of a group of older ladies sorting through the trawlers’ catch tries to persuade one of my colleagues to marry her granddaughter. They’ve got an eye for an opportunity here.The Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury’s final World T20 fixtures are played later in the day, with the Dutch completing a memorable double over England. Their win at Lord’s in 2009 was one of the great upsets. This is a genuine shellacking to end England’s winter of discord. The other hero of the day is Rangana Herath, who tickles and teases New Zealand for figures of 5 for 3. Herath used to work in a Colombo bank when not on duty for Sri Lanka and his credit rating looks pretty impressive here.April 1
Another early start for an internal flight to Dhaka, just a short 40-minute hop from Chittagong. I am quickly on my way to another round of matches, heading along the new bypass towards Mirpur. The road is smooth and uncluttered: find the right CNG driver and he will take a racing line, as if it were Monte Carlo. The Shere Bangla stadium, tightly wedged into a busy commercial and residential area, is like a vast saucer, though West Indies have no problem putting the ball into the stands against Pakistan. The final Super 10 game features two mercurial teams who justify the tag. After Pakistan’s 84-run defeat, Mohammad Hafeez’s press conference involves lengthy interrogation in Urdu. There is laughter in the room and Hafeez answers with a smile. The gist, apparently, is “Why don’t you resign?”April 2
Shane Warne arrives unexpectedly at South Africa’s net session, rolling his arm over for a bit and dispensing tips to fellow leggie Imran Tahir. Meanwhile, a photographer wants a picture of Dale Steyn but, unfortunately, doesn’t know who Dale Steyn is. A lot of pointing and descriptions of Steyn’s Mohican haircut and crazily tattooed arm eventually do the job.Afterwards, on the way to the England women’s team hotel, Dhaka traffic coagulates in the manner for which it has become famous, almost depriving me of two interviews. A more relaxed stroll around the Gulshan and Banani neighbourhoods is called for later that evening, which leads to a sumptuous Indian meal at a restaurant called Sajna. The dosa is awesome.A ship gets taken apart in Chittagong•Alan Gardner/ESPNcricinfo LtdApril 3
First day of semi-finals in Mirpur, where a canny Australia edge out up-and-coming West Indies in the women’s tournament. The West Indies men are also in action – though only just. The reigning champions drag themselves along at five an over in pursuit of Sri Lanka’s 160. The climacteric is dictated by the climate, however, as an apocalyptic storm blossoms above the ground, releasing torrents of rain and hailstones the size of marbles. As the outfield takes on the glassy sheen of a boating lake, the slow-poke West Indies are washed out of the tournament.April 4
It seems cooler after the rainfall, though a wander round the Shere Bangla outfield before the start of the second women’s semi-final between England and South Africa quickly works up a sweat. England are barely required to do so during a nine-wicket win, and Virat Kohli provides the antiperspirant for India, as both of South Africa’s teams are knocked out on the same day. At least they won’t have had to change their flights home.April 6
In Mirpur for the last time, where clouds cast an ominous shadow on finals day. Australia barnstorm their way to a third successive title past a rather wet England before the rain does arrive, forcing a delay to the men’s game. Sri Lanka, at last, are not to be denied, though there remains the risk of a flood of emotion after Kumar Sangakkara leads them home in his and Mahela Jayawardene’s final T20 international. In the press conference room afterwards, everyone wants to shake his hand. One journey finishes, another one begins.