The incident occurred in the vicinity of a Chennai Super Kings fielder, prompting the intervention of the police in CSK’s first home match in nearly three years

Deivarayan Muthu in Chennai10-Apr-2018A group of spectators flung a pair of shoes at the edge of the boundary at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, in the vicinity of Chennai Super Kings players, prompting the intervention of police in CSK’s first home match in nearly three years. The incident happened in the eighth over of the game against Kolkata Knight Riders, after which the concerned spectators were evicted from the ground and, as per reports, taken into custody.The incident followed calls, in the lead up to the game, for people to protest over the hosting of IPL games in Chennai. Several local political parties and fringe groups had called for a boycott of the IPL matches in Chennai till the lengthy Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu and neighbouring state Karnataka is resolved. While there was no confirmation that the shoe-throwing incident was directly related to this issue, it was expected to be the likely cause.The group was carrying flags, which are not permitted inside the venue, and flung the shoes near Ravindra Jadeja, who was posted at the long-on boundary, and Faf du Plessis, who was seemingly carrying drinks for team-mates. CSK officials and the police subsequently intervened and diffused the tension.Hours before the start of the match, there were protests on Wallajah Road near the MA Chidambaram Stadium, albeit amid beefed-up security. Later, the toss was delayed by 13 minutes; match officials reportedly arrived late at the venue due to heavy traffic around the stadium, but play began on time.

Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor lands a new contract thanks to an impressive season that has put the club in the WSL title race.

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• Taylor signs new Manchester City contract
• Deal to run until summer 2027
• Team competing for 2023-24 treble

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  City have announced that Taylor has signed a new contract, with his previous deal due to expire at the end of this season. He will now be in charge until the summer of 2027.

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  Taylor came under presure last season when City, having experienced major player turnover in the summer of 2022, finished outside the WSL top three for the first time since their debut top-flight season in 2014. But he was handed a new one-year deal to cover 2023-24 and that patience from the club has been proven right, with City only being kept off the top of the WSL table with just seven games left by Chelsea's marginally superior goal difference. Overall, Taylor's team have won their last 12 successive games in all competitions.

• WHAT TAYLOR SAID

  Speaking to , Taylor said: "I'm very happy to be able to commit to City for another three seasons. I think what we're doing here and trying to achieve is a build and a long-term project of sustainability and success. Our ambition was always to be right at the top and we’ve done that. It's taken a lot of hard work from a lot of people behind-the-scenes. The players have really bought in to what we're trying to do and achieve."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Taylor was a journeyman striker during his playing career that lasted 20 years from 1991 until 2011. As well as turning out for the likes of Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Wrexham during that run, he also spent three years at City and appeared as a substitute during the club's iconic 1999 Division Two play-off final victory over Gillingham at Wembley.

Seamer managing “chronic” problem and won’t return before India series but Ben Stokes is progressing well after a hamstring injury

George Dobell18-Jun-2018England have confirmed that Chris Woakes will take no part in the limited-overs series against Australia as he deals with a “chronic” knee injury. Ben Stokes is also not expected to play in the three remaining ODIs but could return in next month’s T20 series with India.Woakes sustained a tear in his right quad during the second Test against Pakistan in Leeds, but a statement released by the England management now suggests it was caused in part by “a flare-up of a chronic right knee problem”. He was given an injection in the knee a week ago and has begun a rehabilitation and conditioning programme.England are putting no date on his return to action, but he will not feature in any of the games against Australia or the T20s against India. He will be reassessed ahead of the ODI series against India that starts on July 12.”I’m aiming for the India ODIs and fingers crossed I can play some cricket before then so I’m ready,” Woakes said. “Whether it’s for Warwickshire or England I’m not sure. The word chronic makes it look like it’s drastic but the knee is not something I’m worried about.”Woakes’ absence has been felt keenly by England in recent days. As their top-ranked ODI bowler, and easily most impressive white-ball seamer in Australia and New Zealand, he has the responsibility for bowling at the start and end of the innings; areas that have been exposed a little in the defeat against Scotland and, at times, during the victory over Australia in Cardiff.Woakes missed almost the entire Champions Trophy in 2017 after sustaining a side strain during the opening moments of the game against Bangladesh. He has managed the knee problem for several years, having had surgery in 2015.”I’ve had the same problem for about eight or nine years and it’s been niggling away at me but I’ve got on with it and put up with the odd niggle because it’s not the sort of thing that will get better overnight,” he said.”With the quad injury it was a good time to get a jab in there and settle it down. I don’t know what the definition of chronic is but it doesn’t really stop me from playing cricket. It just flares up and during Headingley it felt sore but compared to a couple of weeks ago it feels like a million dollars.”There may also be some concern at Warwickshire. The county felt that Woakes required more bowling before returning to Test cricket following his spell in the IPL. To go from bowling a maximum of four overs to bowling in a Test, they felt, required more time and conditioning work. It will have been noted that both England seamers who went from the IPL to the Test team – Woakes and Stokes – without a warm-up match sustained injuries.With the World Cup looming as England’s priority for next year, Woakes suggested he would consider whether managing his fitness might mean missing out on the IPL.”IPL is a great thing for players to have the opportunities to improve themselves, at the same time as earning a hell of a lot of money, but I think next year will be tricky,” he said. “If I don’t get retained that’s when I will have to ask myself whether it’s worth going in the auction again, with such a big summer ahead. It’s something I’ll know nearer the time, especially going into what could be the biggest summer of my career. You want to make sure you’re in tip-top condition for a home World Cup.”There is better news of both Stokes and Eoin Morgan. Morgan, who missed Saturday’s game in Cardiff due to a back spasm, took part in training at Trent Bridge on Monday morning and hopes to play in the third ODI against Australia on Tuesday, while Stokes is said to be “progressing well” after sustaining a torn left hamstring a couple of weeks ago. His batting is unrestricted and he is able to run at 90% capacity so will begin a “return-to-bowling programme” this week.Stokes will be with the squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs in the hope that he is fit to play in the T20s against India in July.

Ireland broke their sixteen-game rut in limited-overs cricket, spanning nearly two years, with a six-wicket win over Bangladesh in their last match ahead of the Women’s World T20 Qualifier

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Jul-2018Ireland captain Isobel Joyce talks to the media•AFP/Getty Images

Sixteen straight losses across limited-overs cricket over the past two years. Heavy defeats against New Zealand in ODIs and T20Is. An unassailable 2-0 lead to Bangladesh in the T20 series. All of this gloom headlined Ireland’s home summer.If the tenth-ranked hosts needed a performance to break their long-drawn-out rut ahead of the Women’s World T20 Qualifier next week in the Netherlands, it couldn’t have come in more thrilling a form than their final-ball, six-wicket victory over ninth-ranked Bangladesh in the third and final T20 in Dublin. The match was also to be the last appearance on home soil for Ireland’s 37-year-old batsman Clare Shillington and 38-year-old legspinner Ciara Metcalfe.With 11 required off the last over and seven wickets in hand, Ireland would have fancied themselves to avoid a clean sweep. But in their path to the 152-run target lay a final over from Jahanara Alam, who memorably sealed Bangladesh’s maiden Asia Cup title with the bat, and then dominated Bangladesh’s last two T20I wins with her all-round exploits.Ireland captain Laura Delany (46 off 38) and veteran allrounder Isobel Joyce (22 not out off 14), however, ensured four singles, one four, and a two were enough – despite Delany’s run-out off a wide three balls into the over – to seal Ireland’s 11th win in their 48 games in the format and third over Bangladesh in seven overall T20I encounters. While Joyce struck the winning single after leveling the scores with a boundary on the penultimate ball, Alam took away the Player-of-the-Tournament award.The major swell of impetus to Ireland’s victory came much earlier through 17-year-old Gaby Lewis’s 31-ball 50. Her seven fours and a six complemented the seven combined fours from Delany and Joyce. A 93-run third-wicket stand between Delany and Lewis took Ireland to 123 for 2 in 16.2 overs before both were run out three overs apart.Earlier, Bangladesh collected 151 for 4, after being sent in. No. 3 batsman Fargana Hoque’s unbeaten 66 and an opening partnership of 47 between Shamima Sultana (30 off 27) and Ayasha Rahman (27 off 26) set the tone of Bangladesh’s innings. Fargana then partnered Sanjida Islam to smash 38 off three overs at the death before Delany removed Islam at the start of the final over. Hoque’s highest T20I score took Bangladesh past 150 on the back of six fours and two sixes.

ScorecardGlenn Maxwell could face a nervous wait to see whether there is a place for him at the start of the one-day series against England after his second failure in three days. He was the only one of the Australians’ top order not to make a start against Middlesex at Lord’s as Travis Head’s century anchored the innings before the home side’s chase faded away.Maxwell was lbw sweeping at left-arm spinner Ravi Patel as Middlesex’s trio of spinners did an excellent job – none more so than 20-year-old Max Holden who bowled his 10 overs for 29 – in throttling the Australians’ innings in a similar manner to how Sussex fought back a couple of days ago. On that occasion, Maxwell drove the part-time legspin of Luke Wells to mid-off for 1 and his lack of runs in England follow on from a lean IPL.The Australians shuffled their batting order for this outing with Head promoted to open – back to the position where he finished the previous series against England – Aaron Finch slipping down to the middle and Shaun Marsh replacing Marcus Stoinis at No. 3, after Stoinis showed his form with a century against Sussex.Billy Stanlake was also brought in and his height added another dimension to the attack. He did George Scott for pace, the middle stump sent flying back towards the wicketkeeper, and had Holden caught at midwicket off a short delivery for a superbly constructed run-a-ball 71 which highlighted the promise so many around Middlesex talk of.After D’arcy Short had briefly cut loose, before falling to a brilliant catch at midwicket by Nathan Sowter, Head and Marsh added 114 for the second wicket although progress became sluggish against spin with timing difficult on a slightly two-paced surface.Holden, a former England Under-19 captain playing just his fifth List A match, broke the stand in his final over for a deserved scalp when Marsh chipped to midwicket. He conceded just one boundary in his 10 overs, and bowled an unchanged spell from the Nursery End, generally bowling the ball hard into the surface with the occasional one straightening on the left-handers.After Maxwell came and went, Head formed another substantial stand of 89 with Finch. Head reached a carefully compiled hundred from 133 deliveries before edging a cut off the legspin of Sowter. Finch clubbed three sixes in his 54 off 52 balls to continue his productive start to the trip, but overall it was a rather old-school one-day innings from the Australians.”We were a bit slow, they bowled quite well so credit to them,” Head said. “They made it challenging for myself and Shaun. We’ve definitely talked about ways that we can keep improving. I didn’t score as quickly as I would have liked through the middle overs but I was able to stay out there and build a partnership with Shaun and then Aaron to give ourselves a chance at the end to push the run-rate up which we were able to and get a winning score.”I enjoyed getting back up the order, getting out there and getting a hit. I felt like I’ve been in good form. I haven’t got the runs I would have liked in the early part of the season for Worcester but it’s nice to get out here with the boys and perform.”In reply, Middlesex started brightly before Nick Gubbins, who had flicked one six over the short Tavern boundary, bunted a return catch to Michael Neser who grabbed it one-handed to his right.Spin played less of a part for the Australians than it had for Middlesex, but Ashton Agar struck in his first over when Stevie Eskinazi’s top-edged sweep found deep square leg and later Short struck with his first delivery, a long-hop, that his Western Australia team-mate Hilton Cartwright deposited down long-on’s throat.Middlesex are desperate to find Holden – who went out on loan to Northamptonshire last season – a regular spot at the top of the order and he gave a glimpse of why as he struck eight boundaries in a composed display. But he fell soon after Cartwright’s dismissal and with him went Middlesex’s chances of pushing for victory.The last five wickets fell for 22 runs, the bustling Neser collecting a second and Kane Richardson three as all the Australian bowlers found success. They do, however, still have plenty of questions to answer before the opening ODI at The Oval on Wednesday.

Luis Reece reckoned he nearly ran out his runner, Ben Slater, about four times, but his unbeaten 92 was a triumphant end as he braved a swollen ankle

ECB Reporters Network23-May-2018
ScorecardLuis Reece overcame a damaged ankle to put Derbyshire on course for a victory over Durham in the Royal London One Day Cup match at Derby.Reece made his highest List A score of 92 from 107 balls despite batting with a runner – Ben Slater taking up the job – and although former Derbyshire seamer Nathan Rimmington took three quick wickets, it was not enough to save Durham from a third consecutive North Group defeat.The all-rounder also took two wickets and although Tom Latham top scored with 66, Durham’s 272 for 8 was not enough as Gary Wilson with 40 and an unbeaten 42 from Alex Hughes saw Derbyshire home in the final over.Reece said: “The foot’s a bit painful and a bit swollen but touch wood I can get it sorted in time for Friday and be ready to go again. It’s not much fun to bat with a runner, I think I nearly ran Ben out about four times but I wanted to get out there and have a bat.”Derbyshire’s bowlers settled after Ravi Rampaul went for 13 in the second over and Matt Critchley sent down three wides in his first to prevent Durham getting away on a flat pitch.A direct hit by Wayne Madsen from point ran out Cameron Steel in the 11th over and although Graham Clark and Michael Richardson passed 40, they both fell trying to force the pace.Clark was bowled by Critchley and Richardson under-edged a pull at Olivier before Reece’s consistent line forced Will Smith to edge a drive and Stuart Poynter to play across a full length ball.Derbyshire’s disciplined display restricted Latham to only three fours in a 67 ball 50 and although he pulled Olivier for six, Durham’s chance of a challenging total ended when he failed to clear deep midwicket.Chris Rushworth hit Critchley for consecutive sixes and Rimmington pulled Rampaul over the ropes but Durham’s total looked under par on a true pitch in sunny conditions.That was reinforced by the way Ben Slater and Godleman started before Matt Dixon bowled Slater for 24 although he stayed out as a runner for Reece who had been hit on the ankle bowling.Both should have been back in the pavilion before the end of the first powerplay but Poynter spilled an edge off Rushworth when Reece was on six which proved a big moment.Godleman scored a century in the first game at Edgbaston and he reached 50 from 79 balls before Reece completed his half century by sweeping George Harding for his sixth four.Durham sensed an opening when Godleman played around a good length ball from Rimmington who struck again in his next over when Madsen was caught behind and Critchley chopped on three balls later.Reece moved into the 90’s by straight-driving Rushworth for four but in the 40th over, he played on to Harding to leave the game in the balance with Derbyshire needing 81 from the last 10 overs.But Wilson and Hughes played positively to add 80 as Derbyshire sealed a second victory with two balls to spare.

Newcastle United are preparing to embark on their long-awaited European tour as they return to the illustrious Champions League for the first time in two decades.

The Magpies haven't opened up their Premier League account particularly well, losing three of their first five games, so they'll be hoping their European exploits bring more fortune.

Eddie Howe and his side will travel to Italy next week as they face AC Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday the 19th of September at 17:45 GMT.

Ahead of the clash in Milan, Football FanCast has decided to bring you predicted lineups and team news for each side.

Who will start for Newcastle vs AC Milan?

League position, 11th: Newcastle have suffered three successive defeats after their thumping 5-1 opening game victory against Aston Villa. But, got things back on track with a win against Brentford on Saturday.

Nick Pope is expected to start in goal as usual. The 10-cap England international has been a mainstay since signing in a £10m deal from Burnley in the summer of 2022.

Though, the 31-year-old's form has suffered a slight dip this term and he was left out of Gareth Southgate's recent England squad.

Captain Kieran Trippier will almost certainly start at the San Siro, barring an injury, and he'll bring a great deal of much-needed Champions League experience to the rest of the squad.

Trippier, during his time with Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid, has made 30 appearances in the competition – including a start in the final – and will be well-versed in the challenges teams on the continent can bring.

The centre-half pairing will likely be five-year servant Fabian Schär and £35m signing Sven Botman, who has impressed many since making the switch from Lille two summers ago. Ever present Dan Burn will start at left-back to complete the back four.

Moving into midfield brings some injury news. Sandro Tonali was a doubt just after the international break.

“He came back from Italy duty with a strain. He’s had a scan but we will see," Howe said.

But, he did make the bench for the Brentford game, though it remains to be seen as to whether he is still fit enough to start in Italy.

Sean Longstaff could come in to deputise for Tonali whilst fan-favourite Bruno Guimãraes will likely start. Though, don't rule out all three of the names above starting together, as Joelinton is expected to miss out.

The front three are slightly harder to predict than the rest of the team. Having bought Harvey Barnes for sizable money from Leicester City this summer, it's a toss-up between him and Anthony Gordon at left wing, but the latter has started all of the Magpies' opening four games, so we'll give the Merseysider the nod.

Up front brings a similar challenge with the competition between Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson but the Sweden international has been favoured more from the off despite Wilson's two goals as a substitute this season.

And on the right will likely be Miguel Almiron, who has little competition in that area of the pitch. The 29-year-old has started all four games this term.

Newcastle's predicted XI: Nick Pope; Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schär, Sven Botman, Dan Burn; Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimãraes, Sandro Tonali; Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak, Miguel Almiron.

Who will start for AC Milan vs Newcastle?

League position, 3rd: AC Milan had won their opening three games, but suffered an embarrassing 5-1 defeat at the hands of Inter Milan this past weekend.

Highly-rated shot stopper Mike Maignan is expected to start in between the sticks. The 28-year-old is widely considered as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and has a wealth of experience in the Champions League.

Milan captain Davide Calabria will likely start at right-back whilst Fikayo Tomori is expected to make his return to action after missing the Inter game through injury. 2001-born defender Malick Thiaw will pair up with Tomori at centre-back and the French World Cup-winner Theo Hernandez will complete the back four.

In midfield, Bosnia and Herzegovina international Rade Krunic will likely line up alongside summer signing Ruben Loftus-Cheek as a double pivot.

Another former Chelsea player in the form of Christian Pulisic is expected to start out wide whilst £17.2m signing Tijjani Reijnders could start in the 10 role.

Milan's danger man and borderline world-class winger Rafael Leão will line up on the left. The 24-year-old has started the season in marvellous form, registering three goal contributions in as many games. Trippier can expect a tough one-on-one battle throughout the match.

And up top should see veteran forward Olivier Giroud. He'll be a familiar name to Newcastle fans thanks to his spells at Arsenal and Chelsea. The towering 6 ft 4 centre-forward has netted four goals in three outings this term and could be a thorn in Howe's side come Tuesday evening.

AC Milan's predicted XI: Mike Maignan; Davide Calabria, Fikayo Tomor​​​​​​​i, Malick Thiaw​​​​​​​, Theo Hernandez; Rade Krunic​​​​​​​, Ruben Loftus-Cheek; Christian Pulisic, Tijjani Reijnders, Rafael Leão; Olivier Giroud.

Mayhem erupted after Liverpool's late win against Nottingham Forest, with the home team's owner seen on the field and a coach given a red card.

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• Liverpool scored controversial winner
• Forest furious with referee at full-time
• Owner reacted angrily towards officials

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Darwin Nunez scored a 99th minute goal to secure a vital 1-0 win for the visitors at the City Ground on Saturday. The home team were not happy about the manner of the goal and confronted the referee after the final whistle. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis stormed onto the pitch while first-team coach Steven Reid was shown a red card for remonstrating with the officials.

  It has been reported that Marinakis had to be held back as he chased referee Paul Tierney down the tunnel.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Forest were angry at the officials' decision to let Liverpool's goal stand. The referee had stopped the game when Ibrahima Konate sustained a knock to the head in the Liverpool box. When the game was ready to resume, the official gave the ball to the visitors to start play again, beginning the attack that resulted in the goal. Forest felt there should have been a contested dropped ball instead.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Many at Forest may face sanctions for their treatment of the referee after the final whistle. In the meantime, Forest will hope to boost their hopes of Premier League survival when they meet Brighton on March 10. Liverpool, meanwhile, will turn their attention to their Europa League clash against Sparta Prague on Thursday.

ScorecardAllrounder Gareth Berg produced a match-winning performance as Hampshire began their Royal London One-Day Cup campaign with a thrilling two-wicket win over Sussex with four balls to spare at Hove.Sussex looked favourites when Hashim Amla was sixth out for 63 to leave Hampshire needing 118 from 15.5 overs to overhaul Sussex’s 250. But Lewis McManus and Berg thrashed 59 from 37 balls for the seventh wicket and although McManus was caught behind in the 41st over with 57 still needed Berg unleashed some powerful shots and farmed the strike effectively, although he should have been run out on 47 when he slipped backing up too far only for David Wiese to miss with his throw at the stumps.There was another twist when Berg, who had earlier taken 3 for 51, was caught at deep midwicket in the 47th over off Ollie Robinson for 65, made from 37 deliveries with eight fours and two sixes, to leave his side needing 15 off 20 balls.But Mason Crane and Reece Topley kept their nerve and when Mason drilled Robinson back down the ground for a precious boundary, it meant three were needed off the final over. Topley scrambled a leg bye off the first ball from Ishant Sharma then Crane crashed the next to the cover rope to seal victory.Amla had set things up with 63 from 83 balls and Sussex were to rue that they dropped him on 35, when Sharma spilled an easy chance at mid-off, and again on 54 when the same player dropped a more difficult opportunity off his own bowling. Amla could only hit three boundaries but he held the innings together and allowed McManus and Berg to take the initiative.Earlier, Sussex batsman Harry Finch had made his maiden one-day hundred a fortnight after scoring his first Championship century on the same ground.Wicketkeeper McManus dropped him on 12 off Topley and then on 98 Crane put down a sharp return catch. Finch celebrated by hitting his seventh boundary off the next ball to move to his hundred. He was eventually bowled by Berg for 108 off 142 balls with eight fours and two sixes, both off Berg.Topley, playing his first one-day game for more than a year after a succession of injuries, picked up Wells in his first over but Finch and Luke Wright, who was playing his 200th List A game, added 105 in 22 overs before Wright top-edged a sweep at Crane. Wiese, with 29 off 20 balls, hit out towards the end of the innings to take Sussex to a total that always looked competitive on a pitch on which it became increasingly difficult to time the ball.Robinson picked Rilee Rossouw and James Vince in an excellent new-ball spell and Sussex seemed to be in control before McManus and Berg turned the tables.

Rashid Khan single-handedly ended Sunrisers Hyderabad’s four-match losing streak to beat Kolkata Knight Riders in the virtual semi-final of the IPL

The Report by Sidharth Monga25-May-2018Rashid Khan goes for the big one•BCCIThirty-four runs off 10 balls when his team was struggling to post a competitive total. Three wickets, including of the highest scorer and the biggest hitter in the opposition. One run-out of a batsman proving to be a great tactical move. Two catches. Rashid Khan single-handedly ended Sunrisers Hyderabad’s four-match losing streak to beat Kolkata Knight Riders and set up fourth bout against Chennai Super Kings this season, this time for the IPL title.Sunrisers were 134 for 6 in 17.5 overs when Rashid came out to bat. He produced an innings to rattle the young Knight Riders bowlers much like their captain Dinesh Karthik had recently done to the Bangladesh bowlers in the Nidahas Trophy final. Then Rashid came on to bowl with Knight Riders cruising at 67 for 1 in six overs, but took out Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa, and crucially, Andre Russell in the last over that he bowled. There was a run-out in between to dismiss Nitish Rana, whose promotion had upset Sunrisers’ plans.Kuldeep Yadav lands lethal blowsBecause they don’t have David Warner, because their middle order has been out of form, Sunrisers Hyderabad have been conservative with the bat. Against a side whose batting looks like the future of T20, they got off to a cautious 45 for 0 Powerplay score, the lowest in Kolkata this season. In the eighth over, Kuldeep Yadav took out Shikhar Dhawan and Kane Williamson, two men who had accounted for nearly half their runs in the season so far. Dhawan missed the length on a sweep, and Williamson added himself to the highlight reel of great batsmen who have fallen to wrong’uns this season: AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.Muddle in the middleAt 60 for 2 in 7.5 overs, Sunrisers needed someone in the reimagined middle order to play out of his skin but that didn’t happen. The Knight Riders spinners choked the life out of them, and the low run rate kept bringing wickets. When Carlos Brathwaite ran himself out in the 18th over to become the sixth wicket to fall, Sunrisers were looking at nothing short of another bowling miracle if they had to make it to Mumbai.Rashid RichardsPossibly, Knight Riders dropped the guard with Brathwaite’s wicket. There was some luck involved. And there was some sensational hitting. Young Prasidh Krishna, who had bowled a good 18th over until then, suddenly ditched the yorker and bowled a wide length ball with third man up. The edge flew over him. In the next over, with Yusuf Pathan gone too, Piyush Chawla left his station at the cover boundary and charged in, only to be lobbed by a Rashid mis-hit. Had he stayed on the boundary, he would have been offered a sitter. And then Rashid just went berserk. The best of his four sixes and two fours brought back memories of Viv Richards shuffling across and flicking the last ball of the 1979 World Cup final innings for a six. This was the fourth ball of the last over. He added one more six of the last ball of this innings.Perfect start to chaseA bit of a tactical tinkering, and Knight Riders were off to a perfect start. Sunil Narine did his thing with 26 off 13, by the virtue of being a left-hand batsman, Nitish Rana was promoted to delay the introduction of Rashid and Shakib Al Hasan, who in turn would have troubled Lynn whose strike rate against quicks is twice that against spin. As a result, Lynn had to face only two balls of spin in the first eight overs, by when he reached 36 off 21, taking Knight Riders to 81 for 1.The slipAnd then Rana slipped when turning for a second. Not only did he slip, he found himself taking on Rashid’s arm when he got up. The throw was flat, quick, and by the stumps. This brought Robin Uthappa in, and Williamson immediately went to Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a third over inside the first 10. Before this match, in this season, Bhuvneshwar had bowled 11 balls to Uthappa for four runs and one wicket. Unlike against CSK in the first qualifier, Williamson was not holding back here. Five balls and one run in this over put Uthappa under pressure, who as a result tried a reverse sweep on the first ball of the next over and was bowled by Rashid.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe endgame before the endgameThe two balls of spin that Lynn had faced in the first eight overs had been sweeps. The next three he faced from Rashid were sweeps again. On one of them, his glove saved him from the lbw. On one, he hit an uppish boundary. Rashid, though, could sense he was getting closer to the prey. In Test cricket you can torture this prey at leisure and get him. In T20 you don’t have time. One shot, and he can get away. Rashid didn’t let him. With the sixth, he adjusted the line a little, went for lbw on the off stump rather than middle, and beat the bat. Only Russell remained now.Williamson persisted with Rashid, deciding to bowl him in the 15th over, with 58 required off six overs. Russell knew what was happening. He started to block Rashid. A slip came in. Another block. Then Williamson made Russell wait. A helmet and a box came on to the field. The short leg fielder took his time to put it on. The faithful local crowd got twitchy. Rashid knew he had three balls to get Russell in. He bounded in, bowled a wrong’un, not particularly great as it was short, Russell went back to cut, got an edge, and Dhawan took an amazing catch as the ball swirled away from him at slip. It wasn’t a great ball, but Kumar Sangakkara said on air this is what happens when you are not sure which way the ball is turning and you make the decision a split second late.The endgameIn the qualifier, Williamson had made a mistake by bowling Brathwaite in the 18th over, thus not even utilising all of Bhuvneshwar’s over. This time, no such thing happened. Siddarth Kaul and Bhuvneshwar bowled excellent overs No. 17, 18 and 19 to shut the chase out. And defending 18 in the last over at the same venue where he chased 19 in the last over of the World T20 final two years ago, Brathwaite managed two wickets with two length balls to finish things off. It was fitting both those catches went to Rashid.