All posts by h716a5.icu

The La Galaxy defender's error led to El Tri taking the lead on Wednesday, and it remains to be seen if he has a future at international level

We'll start with a disclaimer: this match was one to forget. Not much can truly be learned from the U.S. men's national team's 1-1 draw with Mexico because of the circumstances. They were unusual, to say the least.

Two less-than-full strength teams in a midweek friendly sandwiched between league matches? There's only so much you can truly take away from something like that.

Wednesday's match was, by and large, a meandering, disjointed, forgettable affair between two teams that have bigger clashes on the horizon. Still, this was a night for players on the fringes to make their mark, even if few did.

There were some standouts, though, for the USMNT, as several players a bit further down the depth chart put in strong performances. Others, meanwhile, faltered, calling into question where they'll stand heading into a summer that includes both the Gold Cup and Nations League.

We'll learn more from those two tournaments than we will from this night, that's for sure. Even so, look at this draw as a little taste of what's to come for a USMNT still sorting out its player pool so early in the World Cup cycle.

Getty ImagesWINNER: Jesus Ferreira

The best part of being an attacking player: all it takes is one good moment.

That's exactly what Ferreira provided on Wednesday night: just the one. He was largely poor and could have been a candidate to be named among this one's losers given his impact, or lack thereof, through 80 minutes or so.

But goals change games, right? Well, they also change opinions.

Ferreira definitely didn't have a good game, but there does need to be context to it all. Starting as a second striker, the FC Dallas star was given a new assignment. By the second half, he was back up top and, in the 81st minute, he was able to tap home Jordan Morris' cross for the equalizer.

Ferreira is still in the striker race, although it is quite crowded at this point. It remains to be seen if he even projects as a striker at the international level, given his skillset as more of a facilitator.

But none of that really matters for now. On Wednesday, Ferreira got his goal, his one good moment, to make something of a good impression.

AdvertisementGettyLOSER: Aaron Long

Post-World Cup, Long very much finds himself on the fringes, and players on the fringes can't make mistakes like he did for Mexico's goal.

To be fair, the mistake wasn't his alone. Kellyn Acosta put him in a bad spot with his ill-advised backpass, for sure. Still, Long did little to rectify situation as his touch played in Uriel Antuna for Mexico's opener.

The LAFC defender already finds himself a bit further down the depth chart, having been a key part of last cycle. He's just 30, so it isn't out of the question to see him stick around this cycle, although it will be difficult given some of the rising stars in the pool.

With so many established players ahead of him and a few younger stars coming up behind him, Long's place with the national team is far from secure, and he surely didn't help his case in this one.

GettyWINNER: Alan Sonora & Aiden Morris

Anthony Hudson admitted that his tactical tweaks weren't preplanned. Rather, they were an adjustment to the game that was unfolding in front of him.

Hudson, though, got those tweaks right, with the two midfielders he tossed into the fray helping to steady the game.

Thrown on shortly after Mexico's goal, Sonora and Morris entered the match as the U.S. shifted to a five-man defense. From that point on, by and large, the U.S. looked better, with the midfielders getting some credit for that.

Sonora was the standout of the two, with his magnificent pass setting up Jordan Morris to, eventually, set up Ferreira. The Juarez star is a more creative player than many midfielders in the pool and, in a game like this, he offers something of a spark off the bench that few others can.

Morris, meanwhile, was hailed as "fantastic" by Hudson. He's been spectacular in MLS with the Columbus Crew and, although he didn't look as confident as he has at the club level, he showed some signs of why he could play a part this cycle.

Both have a long way to go and both need more looks, but a positive performance from the two supersubs.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesLOSER: Brandon Vazquez

All week, it felt like this could have been Brandon Vazquez's big coming out party with the USMNT.

It certainly was set up to be. Facing off with Mexico, the country he was eligible to represent, Vazquez started up top with a chance to continue to make his case in the striker race.

It didn't happen. In fact, not much of anything happened.

Limited to just 15 touches, Vazquez was largely a passenger in this one. The FC Cincinnati star simply couldn't get into the game, through little fault of his own, it must be said. With the U.S. as a whole struggling, their striker had so little to do before being hooked in the second half.

Unfortunate for Vazquez, for sure. Brighter days may be ahead for the striker, but this had so much potential to be one of the brightest so far before it all went wrong.

Man City look unstoppable with Erling Haaland up front but Arsenal top the table – GOAL's correspondents and editors argue over who'll finish top.

Arsenal's superb start to the season has got the football world talking.

Are Mikel Arteta's side the real deal? Can they surprise everyone this season and snatch the Premier League title away from Manchester City?

Sunday's thrilling victory against Liverpool, which backed up the north London derby success against Tottenham the previous weekend, felt like a big moment for Arteta's young Gunners.

It was the biggest test they have faced so far and they passed it in typically exciting style.

So, could they do the unthinkable and bring the Premier League title back to Arsenal for the first time since 2004?

We asked several members of our GOAL team to get their thoughts…

Getty ImagesCharles Watts, Arsenal correspondent

Can Arsenal win the Premier League? It’s the question no-one at the club really wants to answer at the moment.

Mikel Arteta was asked after Sunday’s 3-2 win against Liverpool and side-stepped the issue nicely, as he has done on several occasions in recent weeks.

I then put the same question to Gabriel Martinelli and although he did dare to admit it’s something he and his team-mates have dreamt about, he also trotted out the ‘we’re just taking every game as it comes’ line.

The fact is we are just nine matches into the season.

Arsenal have started like a train and there is a belief and togetherness around the club now that perhaps hasn’t been seen since the glory days of the Invincibles under Arsene Wenger.

They are top of the table and they deserve to be there. Whether they can stay the course, however, is an entirely different matter.

Personally, I still think the title is Manchester City’s to lose and I can’t imagine there are many that will disagree with me.

But that’s not to say Arsenal can’t win it. Of course they can.

As stale and predictable as Arteta’s answers are when quizzed on his side’s title prospects, they are correct.

The key thing for Arsenal is to just keep going game by game. Ticking them off and seeing where it takes them.

If they can stay in the hunt until around March, then who knows? Leicester showed what can be done six years ago, so anyone completely writing off Arsenal’s chances at this stage would be foolish.

Man City have been exceptional so far, Erling Haaland has been utterly ridiculous. But guess what? Despite all that, they are still looking up at Arsenal when it comes to the league table.

As of now, Arteta’s side are the best team in the country. As the old cliché goes, the league table doesn’t lie.

Clearly the squad is not as strong as City’s, but nor was Leicester’s in 2015-16. People might ponder what would happen if Gabriel Jesus got injured, or Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli.

But what if Haaland got injured? Or Kevin De Bruyne. City may be packed with talent, but those players are still very hard to replace.

So, Arsenal just need to keep doing what they are doing and just stay in the race for as long as possible.

Everyone is expecting them to slip up. All we’ve heard since the start of the season is ‘they haven’t played anyone yet’.

Well, in nine games they’ve played three matches against the so-called ‘big six’ and they still sit top of the table. So, that is a line that just doesn’t stack up.

Will Arsenal win the league? I think it’s unlikely. Can they win? Yes, without a doubt.

AdvertisementGettyNeil Jones, Liverpool correspondent

Liverpool's issues notwithstanding, Sunday felt like a big step forward in the 'can Arsenal challenge?' debate. 

OK, it wasn't the most resounding of wins, but what it did showcase was how much this side has learned, and how much has been added under Mikel Arteta. In particular, intensity, controlled aggression and mental fortitude. All things they have been accused of lacking on a regular basis in years gone by. Right the way back to 2004, to be honest.

There is a lot of talent there, especially among the front four, but retaining the solidity brought by players like Partey, Xhaka and Saliba will be key. Squad depth may be an issue, especially in centre midfield or at centre back, but with the likes of Tomiyasu, Nketiah, Tierney, Smith Rowe and Vieira all yet to really feature in the PL this season, there is reason to believe they could withstand a few injuries if they had to.

Comparisons have, naturally, been drawn with the rise of Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, and I can see why. There is a hunger about Arsenal's youngsters, and their young manager, and they look like a club which is starting to make very good decisions in the transfer market, having made poor ones for far too long. They play with purpose and they have awoken their fans, which as we have seen at Anfield, can make a big difference. 

Can they take their home form on the road? Can they go to Stamford Bridge or the Etihad or Anfield or Tottenham and dig out a result? They fell at Old Trafford, and we are yet to see how they respond to a rough patch. They will have one, you can be sure of that.

But right now, they are looking good, and they need to ride this wave. I don't think they will have enough to overhaul City (Liverpool didn't, and they were further along than this side), but it would be nice if they did. The Premier League needs a strong Arsenal, and right now it has one.

Jonathan Smith, Manchester City correspondent

If you were to ask a Manchester City fan who was their biggest threat ahead of Liverpool's trip to the Emirates, most would still be most concerned about Jurgen Klopp's side. Even now, and with a visit to Anfield, few will rule out Liverpool's challenge just yet, but there's a growing belief that Arsenal may be the ones to watch. 

Certainly, City know a lot about the quality in their side – not least Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who were such a big part of recent success, as well as Mikel Arteta, an inspiration behind the scenes. 

But also from the way the Gunners played when the two sides met in North London on New Year's Day when Arsenal were the better side but beaten by a late Rodri goal after an act of self-sabotage when Gabriel was given a ridiculous red card. 

Arteta seems to have sorted out those frailties and added some steel and intelligence over the summer, plus they don't have the distraction of the Champions League. 

It's a shame next week's clash has been postponed – that would have really demonstrated whether Arsenal are on the same level as City or still have work to do.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesMark Doyle, Deputy Features Editor

I would love to say that Arsenal can win the title, I really would, but the truth is they've no chance, which is a shame – both for the Gunners and the Premier League.

There's so much to like about Mikel Arteta's team, which is full of exciting young players playing an attacking brand of football that makes for compelling viewing. 

Indeed, it's easy to see why the Emirates is more energised than it's ever been before. This is a side, and indeed a club, that is finally moving in the right direction again after years of gross mismanagement. 

And, looking at the bigger picture, English football needs Arsenal to sustain their sensational start to the season to maintain the illusion that the Premier League is the most competitive top flight in world football. But it's not, though, and this season will underline the fact when City coast to their fifth title in six years. 

Nobody else in England has the squad strength or financial muscle to hang with the Abu Dhabi-backed super-club over an entire season. Let's face it, were it not for Liverpool, they'd have walked the league again last season and with Erling Haaland now on board, there will simply be no stopping them in the coming weeks, months and maybe even years. 

Arsenal will remain a team to watch. They have improved, and will continue to improve. They may even end up winning a title. Just not this season, sadly.

Who can be happy and who can be concerned after Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying draw?

GettyWinners: Nigeria

The Super Eagles can largely be content with their Group A draw, even if there are a few potential banana skins in there as the West African giants look to pick themselves up off the ground.

Sierra Leone are strong—and Nigeria weren’t able to beat them during the last qualifying campaign—but Guinea-Bissau were dispatched comfortably at the Nations Cup, and shouldn’t spoil the party.

Sao Tome e Principe are one of the continent’s minnows, and are unlikely to pose any problems for the Eagles.

AdvertisementBackpagePix.Losers: Kenya

As one of the weaker sides in Pot Two, everyone in the other pots will have been keen to be pitted against the Harambee Stars, while there are a few sides who Kenya will have wanted to have avoided.

Cameroon—who they’ve been pooled against from Pot One—are one of those sides, with the Indomitable Lions demonstrating their class to eliminate Algeria in the World Cup qualifying.

Namibia and Burundi, like Kenya, were both present at the 2019 Nations Cup, and their squads are full of players who know how to get over the line.

backpagepixWinners: South Africa

Morocco are tough opponents for Bafana Bafana, and they’ll definitely have been one of the sides they’ll be keen to have avoided from Pot One.

However, the presence of Liberia presents South Africa with two winnable fixtures, and the derby with Zimbabwe—even if that complicates matters—gives Hugo Broos a good opportunity to demonstrate the progress he’s overseeing with this talented squad.

Zim were undone by Malawi at the Nations Cup, and Bafana will only have themselves to blame if they can’t reach the Afcon.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesLosers: Egypt

Top seeds Egypt are of course favourites to reach the Nations Cup from Group D, but the Pharaohs could have had things a little easier than the group they’ve ultimately ended up with.

All of Guinea, Malawi and Ethiopia reached the last Nations Cup, with the Syli Nationale and the Flames both reaching the Last 16.

Egypt must ensure there’s no complacency as they look to progress.

Mitchell Starc will return from his long injury lay-off in the one-day tri-series in the West Indies in June

Brydon Coverdale29-Mar-20162:21

Chappell: Australia have missed Starc

Mitchell Starc will return from his long injury lay-off in the one-day tri-series in the West Indies in June. Australia have named their squad for the series more than two months out from their first match, and along with Starc notable selections include the uncapped batsman Travis Head, as well as Test spinner Nathan Lyon.The tri-series involving West Indies, South Africa and Australia begins on June 3, and it is Australia’s next international engagement now that they have been eliminated from the World Twenty20 in India. The selectors have chosen a 16-man squad to provide extra cover due to the travel time from Australia to the Caribbean in case of injuries.Starc has been named for what will be his first international matches since the Adelaide Test against New Zealand in November, when he suffered an ankle injury that led to surgery and a lengthy recovery. Australia missed Starc’s expertise at the World T20, and as the No.3 on the ICC’s ODI bowling rankings and the Player of the Tournament at last year’s World Cup he will be a valuable addition.Speaking after news of his selection came in, Starc said he was not back to bowling at full tilt yet, but was getting there. “I’ve been in the gym for, I guess, close to three months now. Been bowling for three weeks, I think. So, just progressing through my bowling, not quite off the full run,” he said. “Hopefully I get to bowl to a few batsmen soon, they all seem to be on holidays or just getting back from India… That will probably come in May when we get together in Brisbane, looking forward to that.”It [the ankle] is all fixed, pretty good. Not off the full run yet but there’s no pain there, which is something I have not had for nine months now, which is great.””Mitchell has progressed very well in his rehab and the medical staff are confident he will be fit to play in this series,” national selector Rod Marsh said. “It is extremely pleasing to have a bowler of his calibre back in the side.”Gone from the squad that lost the Chappell-Hadlee Series to New Zealand in February are fast bowlers Scott Boland and Kane Richardson, who have been dropped, and the batsman Shaun Marsh, who was not considered due to the impending birth of his first child. Marsh’s absence opened the door for Head, who made his T20 international debut against India in January.”Travis has put in some match winning performances in all three formats of the game this summer,” Rod Marsh said. “He is an exciting young batsman with a bright future and if he gets his opportunity I have no doubt he will make the most of it.”The selectors also found room for Lyon, who played in the ODIs against India in January but was left out of both the squad for the Chappell-Hadlee Series and the World T20. Lyon and legspinner Adam Zampa are the two frontline spin options in the squad, along with the spinning allrounder Glenn Maxwell.”Nathan has bowled very well in the West Indies in the past and we are predicting we will see some slow turning pitches,” Marsh said. “Adam has impressed us in India during the World T20 and has bowled consistently well, and with confidence, when given his opportunity.”Fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile has also been chosen for his first ODI series since the tour of England last year. Australia’s first game is against West Indies in Guyana on June 5.Squad Steven Smith (capt), David Warner (vice-capt), George Bailey, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.

Durham opener Mark Stoneman was dropped on 19 and never gave the sniff of a chance again as he reached the close on 139 not out

David Hopps at Chester-le-Street25-Apr-2016
ScorecardMark Stoneman recorded his first century of the season•Getty ImagesCelebrations might be taking place around the country to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, but if the ghost of the Bard had put in an unexpected appearance at Chester-le-Street there would be little chance of him writing how “proud-pied April, dress’d in all his trim hath put a spirit of youth in every thing.” More likely something about the cold turning county cricketers, and all those of us who religiously watch it, into fools and madmen.It was hardened professionalism, not youthful disposition, that got Middlesex’s fielders through a day of intense cold during which the temperature read 5C at start of play, a stiff Arctic breeze whistled down the ground and hands in pockets was a basic necessity. This was not the sort of day to feel the joy of being alive, not until back in the warmth of a local hostelry at any rate.In such conditions, Mark Stoneman’s dependability must have worn even more heavily on Middlesex’s attack. The Durham opener was dropped at long leg by James Harris on 19, pulling Tim Murtagh down wind, and never gave the sniff of a chance again as he reached the close on 139 not out. Middlesex’s pace attack started loosely and although they upped their standards later, Durham maintained their grip.When the arrival of snow drove the players from the field with two overs left, Middlesex’s fielders stood politely by the outfield gate to applaud Stoneman off. He seemed to take an awfully long time to reach them. Not only had he batted for most of the day, he was now walking as slowly as an Arctic explorer across a glacier. They must have felt like leaving him to it.Stoneman, who batted in a long-sleeve sweater for the first time, symbolises the toughness of Durham cricket. To be fair, quite a few do. He has survived for a decade on challenging pitches and, presented by more encouraging batting conditions this season, he is not about to treat the opportunity lightly. Middlesex’s top seven all flared brightly, but none made a century, and as they set their eyes to the wind it was with the suspicion that their 389 was far from impregnable. Stoneman, with great selectivity of stroke, insisted that was so.Keaton Jennings, against Somerset in the opening round, had become only the third Durham batsman to score two centuries in a match and he looked in good order, driving in spritely fashion before Steven Finn defeated him on the pull – a bottom edge down the leg side. Finn also removed Jack Burnham, lbw to one that came back, and Ben Stokes – a carefully constructed leg trap which worked at the second attempt as Stokes flicked off his pads. One that Sri Lanka and Pakistan might log away for the summer.Finn’s greatest achievement, though, was to field throughout the morning session in a short-sleeved sweater. They would even have been impressed with that in Newcastle’s Bigg Market, where imperviousness to cold comes naturally. “Even pre-season was a lot warmer than this,” he said. “The only time I’ve experienced anything this bad was Delhi in early January.”Burnham, prolific in the recent Under-19 World Cup, impressed greatly for his 61. A skip down the ground against the offspin of Paul Stirling and successive boundaries – a pull and drive – off Toby Roland-Jones to reach his half-century suggested a player of verve capable of holding down his place in Durham’s middle order. Durham’s seam stocks, lower than we have come to expect (although they have given the young South African Brydon Carse a development contract) suggests they may struggle, but that struggle need not end in failure.The sheer willpower of county spectators never fails to amaze on such days. The romantic link between cricket and languid summer days suggests to the non-believer that enjoyment must be in short supply, but beneath the winter overcoats and array of headgear there was a sense of rapt attention. There again, they might have been iced to the seats.This season’s flatter pitches are logically better for the standard of English cricket, but in such conditions whether they are better for the game, rather than The Game, is debatable. Sport also needs to fit well with its environment and at least the unpredictability of a green seamer provides the sort of constant action to warm the cockles of the heart on taxing days like this. It also provides a better chance of a result in matches ravaged by rain. It is a quandary that will never be solved.

Jesse Ryder’s first century in the competition paved the way a 78-run victory for Essex over Hampshire in their NatWest Twenty20 Blast at Chelmsford

ECB/PA26-Jun-2015
ScorecardJesse Ryder struck his first T20 hundred in the NatWest Blast [file picture]•Getty ImagesJesse Ryder’s first century in the competition paved the way a 78-run victory for Essex over Hampshire in their NatWest Twenty20 Blast at Chelmsford.The New Zealander destroyed the visiting attack with an unbeaten 107 from just 55 deliveries, eight of which he smashed for six. The last of those carried him into three figures and he also scored eight fours in an exhibition that earned him a standing ovation as Essex finished on 212 for 5.Insights

Although Hampshire have still been winning matches their seam bowling has been a concern this season. Apart from Fidel Edwards, who is now playing in the CPL, none of their seamers have an economy rate of less than 8.73. In fact other than Yasir Arafat none of them have an economy rate of lower than 9.28. Spinners Danny Briggs and Will Smith have been carrying the attack. It was not until this match that they ran into an opposition batting order who punished the weakness – although Chris Wood did keep his figures intact. With Sean Ervine still out injured Hampshire should consider an emergency signing.

Sharing the limelight with Ryder was Mark Pettini as they put together an opening partnership of 126 in 14 overs. Pettini’s share of that was 74 in 45 balls as he helped himself to three sixes among his dozen boundaries before he was brilliantly caught at deep mid-wicket by a diving Gareth Berg to give spinner Will Smith his only wicket.No other batsman managed to reach double figures but that was of little consolation for Hampshire as Essex collected their sixth success in the competition to move level with Kent at the top of the South Group table.The only visiting bowler to escape the carnage was Chris Wood, his four overs costing 29 runs and earning him the wicket of James Foster.Hampshire began their reply needing to get off to a flying start to mount any sort of challenge but it was not to be.In the first three overs, they lost as many wickets, Reece Topley bowling James Vince and then having Michael Carberry caught on the square leg boundary for eight. In between, David Masters sent back Joe Gatting as Ryan tenDoeschate accepted a catch at deep mid-off.One-time Essex batsman Owais Shah did his best to repair the damage but having struck three fours and a six in making 26 from 20 balls, he was magnificently caught by ten Doeschate at wide mid-on after he dived to his right to pluck the ball an inch or so off the ground.After that, and with the score now 57 for 4, Hampshire were left with the task of trying to bring some sense of respectability to their challenge.When medium-pace man Ravi Bopara came into the attack he soon put Hampshire into even deeper trouble with three wickets in an over, those of Jimmy Adams, Smith and Berg to leave the scoreboard looking a sorry 66for 7.Bopara, who was appearing in his 100th domestic T20 match finished with 3 for 23 while Topley claimed 3 for 25 as Essex ended a sequence of six successive defeats against Hampshire, dismissed for only 134, in this competition

Umar Akmal has said he is excited to play for Pakistan in front of his home crowd for the first time in his career, and is overjoyed that international cricket is returning to his country with the Zimbabwe series

ESPNcricinfo staff20-May-2015Umar Akmal has said he is excited to play for Pakistan in front of his home crowd for the first time in his career, and is overjoyed that international cricket is returning to his country with the Zimbabwe series. Akmal made his international debut in August 2009, but no Full Member nation has toured Pakistan since the terrorist attacks on the Sri Lanka team bus in March 2009. Zimbabwe will play two T20Is and three ODIs in Lahore beginning on May 22.”It will be an amazing feeling, it would mean so much to me. Cricketers around the world take playing at home in front of their own crowds for granted,” Akmal told . “But unfortunately many of us Pakistani cricketers have never been able to play in our own conditions which is really tough. I know the people of Pakistan are really looking forward to the return of international cricket to Pakistan and so are the players. I can’t wait to hopefully walk out in front of the Lahore crowd if I am selected. I thank the Zimbabwe team for embarking on this tour and hope it’s the start of international cricket returning permanently to Pakistan.”Akmal was recalled to the Pakistan T20 squad after he was left out for the tour to Bangladesh. He made scores of 35, 1, 95 not out and 85 not out in four innings in the recently concluded Super8 T20 Cup for Lahore Lions. “I went back to club cricket and performed well there and I was also one of the top-scorers during the Super8 tournament in Faisalabad and showed the selectors that I am in good form and can score runs when given the opportunity. I’m hoping that I can carry my good form into the Zimbabwe series.”Reports of disciplinary issues coupled with a poor World Cup – where he scored 164 runs in seven games at an average of 27.33 – resulted in him not being selected for the tour to Bangladesh. Akmal said that batting down the order had affected his returns.”I have done the best I could despite the position I have been batting in for large parts of my career. I could have been selfish and finished with a few more not outs, but that’s not the way I am. I’m a team player and will not sacrifice the team’s interests for my own. Obviously you cannot make runs every time, but I feel my better performances have come when the management have shown faith in me and given me a chance to bat up the order.”

A full house crowd in excess of 90,000 is expected at the MCG to see Australia and England start their World Cup campaigns

George Dobell13-Feb-2015Match factsSaturday, February 14, 2015
Start time 14.30 local (03.30 GMT)1:12

Australia takes England sledging to new heights

Big PictureA full house crowd in excess of 90,000 is expected at the MCG to see these old enemies start their World Cup campaigns.Most will be expecting a Valentine’s day massacre. With Australia having won all three of the ODIs between the sides in the preceding tri-series, there is a sense not so much of two teams battling it out as much as one team being thrown to the lions.You can see why. Australia have won 11 of their last 12 ODIs – including a 4-1 victory over highly-rated South Africa; they have a battling line-up that extends beyond the horizon – their likely No. 10 here, Mitchell Starc, has scored 99 in a Test Match; and a battery of bowlers that contains, arguably, the three quickest seamers in the tournament in Mitchell Johnson, Pat Cummins and Starc.Perhaps that expectation may weigh heavy on their shoulders, but they are rated No. 1 in the ICC ODI table for a reason. Their batsmen can tear apart any attack and they have two men in the top 10 of the bowling rankings. Playing in conditions in which they are familiar and suit them and cheered on by a home crowd, they remain strong favourites for this match and the tournament.England, meanwhile, are unburdened by expectation. Having recently changed their captain, not won an ODI series for almost a year and failed to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup since 1992, little is expected of them. Their recent record against Australia in Australia – they have lost 13 of the last 15 ODIs – provides further evidence towards the same conclusion.Their new look side promises to be undaunted by the cauldron in which they will start. And, if the ball swings for James Anderson, if they can somehow contain better in the last 40 overs of the opposition innings, if they get off to a good start with the bat, then perhaps they could cause a shock. But it would be a surprise if they ruined the Valentine’s day of 100,000 Australians.Form guide(last five matches, most recent first)

Australia:WWWWEngland:LWLWL
In the spotlightAustralia’s captain, George Bailey, openly admitted that he would almost certainly not be in the side if Michael Clarke were considered fit to play. Bailey, who has failed to pass 25 in his last seven ODIs and only once passed 32 in his last 14, is therefore in desperate need of runs to secure his place for the second match against Bangladesh in a week.This way or that, Eoin Morgan needs runs•Getty ImagesEngland’s skipper, Eoin Morgan, can empathise with Bailey. While his place is not in serious jeopardy, he knows that his side desperately need him to contribute more if they are going to challenge. He has been dismissed five times from the last 19 balls he has faced and, while he scored a fine century against this opposition just four ODIs ago, that performance was the aberration: he has passed 40 only twice in his last 23 ODI innings. Including warm-up matches, he has scored two runs in his last four games. Having sacked Alastair Cook for his poor form in the run-up to the tournament, the last thing England want is more concerns about the personal performance of the captain.Teams newsJames Faulkner and Michael Clarke will sit out through injury and spinner Xavier Doherty is unlikely to be used in this game. That leaves Josh Hazlewood/Pat Cummins as the main selection decision, and Hazlewood’s control and consistency might give him the edge. The balance is hurt by Faulkner’s injury, though, and 20 overs would need to be found between Glenn Maxwell, Shane Watson and Mitchell Marsh. The alternative is playing both Cummins and Hazlewood and leaving Marsh out.Australia (possible) 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Shane Watson, 4 Steven Smith, 5 George Bailey (capt), 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Mitchell Marsh, 8 Brad Haddin (wk), 9 Mitchell Johnson, 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Josh Hazlewood.Over the last few weeks, England have settled on a preferred XI which is likely to be utilised here. Chris Woakes is likely to share the new ball with James Anderson, with Steve Finn and Stuart Broad offering support. While England retain the option of playing a second spinner in James Tredwell depending on a last look at the pitch, it is more likely that Moeen Ali will be the sole slow bowler. The only real selection dilemma is whether to stick with Ravi Bopara as the middle-order finisher and insurance seamer ahead of the extra batsman in Gary Ballance. Bopara looks likely to play this time, but is coming under increasing pressure.England (probable): 1 Ian Bell, 2 Moeen Ali, 3 James Taylor, 4, 5 Eoin Morgan (capt), 6 Ravi Bopara,  7 Jos Buttler, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 Steve Finn, 11 James Anderson.Pitch and conditionsThe MCG’s drop-in pitches can be a little unpredictable; early in the season Australia played on a quick and bouncy surface, but their warm-up game against the UAE this week was on a slower pitch. “I think it’ll be more for the quicks here,” Australia’s captain George Bailey said. The forecast for Saturday is for a humid day with a top of 31C and likely showers and thunderstorms in the morning and perhaps in the afternoon.Stats and trivia The record cricket crowd at the MCG is 91,112, set on Boxing Day in 2013 during Australia’s Ashes clean sweep England have been bowled out in 11 of their last 17 ODIs; Australia have been bowled out once in their last 17 Australia have won nine of their last 11 ODIs at Melbourne. England have lost eight of their last 11 against Australia at the venue Brad Haddin needs four runs to become the 18th player to score 3,000 ODI runs for Australia. Eoin Morgan has been dismissed by his last three deliveries in ODIs against Australia. Australia have lost their last two World Cup matches, after winning 32 of their preceding 33 (one tie). They have not lost three consecutive World Cup games since the 1970s, when they lost the final of the 1975 tournament followed by their first two games in 1979.Quote”I’d love to say it would count for something but I honestly don’t think it does. I think England have made some really positive changes to the way they chance and their structure. I personally think they look really dangerous.”
“That’s rich coming from him.”

If there is anything disgruntled Yorkshiremen do not appreciate, it is empathy from a vaguely Lancastrian source. Nevertheless, after an inactive time in the Caribbean, they might have appreciated an old lyric from the cross-Pennines songstress Gracie Fie

Paul Edwards10-May-2015
ScorecardJonny Bairstow on a rare and largely pointless batting opportunity in the Caribbean•Getty ImagesIf there is anything disgruntled Yorkshiremen do not appreciate, it is empathy from a vaguely Lancastrian source. Nevertheless, as Adam Lyth carried the refreshments, edged the practice catches and fielded at short leg during England’s tour of the West Indies, it was tempting to remember the song once made famous by the Rochdale-born Gracie Fields: “I took my harp to the party but nobody asked me to play”. Nor was Lyth the only Yorkshireman unused in the Caribbean. Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid and Liam Plunkett’s involvement was peripheral, leading to calls that one or more members of this cricketing string quartet should be allowed to play a melody or two for Yorkshire.It was expected that this game against Hampshire would see all four players selected by Yorkshire for the first time this season but Plunkett’s failure to appear for Saturday’s final practice resulted in him not even making the team sheet. Lyth and Bairstow, though, seized their opportunities with gusto, albeit that their tunes were sharply contrasting. Lyth, all careful exposition and cautious defence, made 53 off 112 balls in 150 minutes. He was nearly run out by his partner Alex Lees in the second over of the day and was dropped by the Hampshire debutant wicketkeeper Lewis McManus when hooking on 39.When he was third out twenty minutes after lunch, playing defensively to a good ball from Andre Adams, Lyth could return to the Headingley pavilion knowing that he had shown all the application expected of an England opener. This is fortunate given that next week that is almost certainly precisely what he will be. What is rather less wonderful is that despite being on two of England’s winter tours, Lyth has now played precisely six first-class innings since last September. It is hardly preparation for facing the New Zealand seamers on one of Lord’s freshest May pitches.By tea, however, not too many of Yorkshire’s supporters were talking about Lyth. That was because there were in the middle of seeing a quite outstandingly violent and effective innings from Jonny Bairstow, one of the more maverick members of the Headingley orchestra. Having arrived at the wicket when Lyth was dismissed and then watched as Andrew Gale became the admirable Adams’s second wicket, caught at point for 30 off the leading edge by Michael Carberry, Bairstow seemed to disregard any slowness in the Leeds wicket. There was to be no adagio for him.Instead, there were pulls and hooks, three of them going for six; there were delicious cuts, one or two of them brazenly late; there were punches through the covers, most of them crisply timed by a batsman at the peak of his form and confidence. In 32 overs Bairstow added 154 for the fifth wicket with Jack Leaning, who had the good sense not to try and copy his partner. Leaning seems a very astute young batsman.Bairstow was unbeaten on 88 at tea and reached his century off 104 balls with a clip through midwicket off Adams for two. A couple of balls later he was gone, not culpably but edging a fine ball from the 39-year-old New Zealander to McManus, thus giving the Hampshire wicketkeeper a second catch on his first-class debut.That wicket brought obvious relief to James Vince’s men and they capitalised on their success when Gareth Berg removed both Adil Rashid for a duck and Will Rhodes for only four. Rashid skied a catch to Fidel Edwards at mid on and Rhodes, who probably did not expect to be playing in this game on Saturday morning nicked a catch to Sean Ervine.That left Yorkshire on 279 for 7 and the game was more or less evenly poised. However, Tim Bresnan joined Leaning and the evening’s play assumed a more sedate tempo with both batsmen restraining their natural impulses to attack.Bresnan is an experienced cricketer and one would expect nothing less from him. Leaning, though, is just 21 and played only ten County Championship games in 2014. But he is mature beyond his years and has a quiet competence at the crease. His two fours off Tomlinson in the last hour of play were as good as anything we had seen. One was stroked through the covers and the other was driven straight and they were especially fine because they were played off Hampshire’s most accurate bowler, who finished his work with 2 for 61 from his 26 overs.Tomlinson, it was, who had made the first breakthroughs for the visitors in the morning session when he had Alex Lees lbw for a single playing no shot to the 13th ball of the match before returning to have Cheteshwar Pujara caught at slip by Sean Ervine for 18. These were important wickets and they reflected the contribution of Vince’s bowlers on a day which was liberally sprinkled with accomplished batting and canny bowling.Indeed, it was almost a relief that Yorkshire head coach Jason Gillespie had chosen to say nothing about reports linking him to the England job and the travails of the ECB. The Australian’s silence left one free to follow the dictum of that legendary cricket Yorkshire Post cricket correspondent JM Kilburn: “I am here to write about the cricket,” said Kilburn firmly. That great man would have enjoyed watching Bairstow bat on this balmy Sunday afternoon but he may have appreciated Leaning’s innings even more.

England could soon be looking for a new bowling coach if David Saker’s ambitions to further his coaching ambitions are answered by one of a rush of vacancies in his native Australia

George Dobell02-Feb-2015England could soon be looking for a new bowling coach if David Saker’s ambitions to further his coaching ambitions are answered by one of a rush of vacancies in his native Australia.Saker is only contracted to the ECB until the end of this year’s Ashes series, but he is aware of vacancies at Queensland – where Stuart Law has recently stood down as coach – and South Australia – where Darren Berry is on extended leave and, according to reports in Australian newspapers, unlikely to return.There is also an opening at Melbourne Renegades, where Simon Helmot’s contract has not been renewed following a disappointing Big Bash season.Such an excess of roles does not come along often and they will quicken Saker’s thinking about where he sees his future.While England are unlikely to allow Saker to leave on the eve of the World Cup, it is possible they would allow him to go before the Ashes. His reputation has dipped in recent times after changes made to Steven Finn’s run-up on the ill-fated 2013-14 Ashes tour resulted in the bowler losing pace and confidence, while the failure to develop any death bowlers has hindered England’s progress in limited-overs cricket.Saker claimed he was verbally offered Warwickshire’s director of cricket role at the end of 2012 – a claim strongly denied by the club as they appointed Dougie Brown – and he ultimately completed negotiations with England on a new contract a few months later.Ottis Gibson would be one obvious candidate to replace Saker. He was England’s fast bowling coach for a couple of years before Saker and returned to work for the ECB on the recent fast bowling camp in South Africa before Christmas after leaving his role as West Indies coach.Former England seamer Richard Johnson would be another strong candidate. The current Middlesex bowling coach, who was central to Finn’s partial recovery, is already well-thought of within the ECB and seemingly has been groomed for the position for some time.