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Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Upul Tharanga’s ton put Sri Lanka on course while Bangladesh, though a determined lot, were never really in the match © AFP

Led by a fluent century by Upul Tharanga, Sri Lanka started their Champions Trophy campaign in fine style beating Bangladesh by 37 runs in the first qualifying match at Mohali. Tharanga’s 129-ball 105, coupled with vital contributions from all the Sri Lankan top-order batsmen, lifted them to an imposing 302, a target that was well beyond Bangladesh, who lost early wickets but managed to lift themselves to 265.Bangladesh’s only triumph against Sri Lanka in ODIs came earlier this year, but from the start it was apparent that another upset today was highly unlikely. Habibul Bashar’s decision to field first was based on the unusual amount of grass on the pitch and the dew factor later in the evening, but none of the Bangladesh bowlers made much impression in the afternoon, though Mohammad Rafique kept the runs in check. Sri Lanka’s fast bowlers, on the other hand, extracted plenty of bounce and movement under lights, and though Aftab Ahmed and Farhad Reza biffed 30s and Saqibul Hasan, the left-handed batsman, managed his maiden ODI half-century, there was never any doubt about which way the match would go.The key to the Sri Lankan innings was regular partnerships for each wicket, with Tharanga being the common factor: with Sanath Jayasuriya he added 67 for the opening wicket in 13 overs to get the innings off to a brisk start; with Mahela Jayawardene, who scored an utterly delightful 35 off 24 balls, he added 63 more in a mere nine overs; Kumar Sangakkara then came in for a 63-run third wicket stand; and Marvan Atapattu, returning from a back injury, put together 51 for the fourth. These partnerships all came in quick time, and ensured that Bangladesh never got a look-in.The batsman who held it all together was Tharanga, who creamed his fifth century in 28 ODIs. When the ball was new and the field in, he boldly chose to go over the top, twice creaming Mashrafe Mortaza over mid-off for fours in an over. Then, when the field spread out, he chipped and nudged it cleverly into the gaps to keep the board ticking over constantly, but also managed to find the fence whenever the bowlers dropped it short and wide. The only blip in his innings came when he played out nine dot balls when on 49, but once he reached his half-century, he motored along smoothly till he finally missed a slog across the line off Mortaza.Tharanga’s was the most substantial innings, but the rest of the batsmen all played vital roles. Jayawardene played with exceptional fluency in his entertaining cameo, cutting, flicking and driving with aplomb. After he was undone by overconfidence, Sangakkara kept the momentum going and then passed on the baton to Atapattu, who returned to international cricket in impressive fashion. Showing plenty of urgency with his strokes and running between the wickets, he farmed the strike around, and biffed seven fours, not all of which were off controlled, conventional strokes.Bangladesh fought back towards the end, grabbing four wickets as batsman after batsman fell in an attempt to force the pace, but Tillakaratne Dilshan and Muttiah Muralitharan whacked 28 from the last two overs to take Sri Lanka past 300.If substantial partnerships for each wicket characterised Sri Lanka’s effort at the crease, then Bangladesh’s reply was stymied by a lack of significant contributions from the top order. Aftab and Reza did their bit, and though it was entertaining while it lasted, the risk factor in their strokeplay was so huge that there was little chance of either batsman being able to sustain it. Aftab charged the fast bowlers and clipped Dilhara Fernando for a magnificent six over long leg, while Reza played a stunning lofted straight-drive off Muralitharan, prancing down the pitch with complete assurance. However, once they were done, the result was never in doubt: Saqibul battled hard for an unbeaten 67, but needed 108 deliveries to get there, and though the lower order all got among the runs, it only helped to the extent of reducing the margin of defeat.Among the Sri Lankan bowlers, Lasith Malinga was the most impressive: though he finished wicketless, he consistently clocked more than 145 kmph and troubled all the batsmen with pace and bounce. Farveez Maharoof helped himself to two wickets in an over – including that of Bashar for a second-ball duck – and with the fast bowlers striking the early blows, Muralitharan’s relative lack of success hardly mattered. Sri Lanka’s effort in the field was out of the top drawer too – Sangakkara pulled off a one-handed stunner to dismiss Shahriar Nafees, while Jayawardene and Dilshan were terrific in the field – and in all, they did enough to suggest that they could be in contention come the first week of November.

Sri Lanka
Sanath Jayasuriya lbw b Rasel 31 (67 for 1)
Mahela Jayawardene c Aftab b Razzaq 35 (130 for 2)
Kumar Sangakkara c Mortaza b Rafique 22 (193 for 3)
Upul Tharanga b Mortaza 105 (244 for 4)
Marvan Atapattu c Reza b Rasel 40 (260 for 5)
Farveez Maharoof run out (Reza) 0 (1 (262 for 6)
Chaminda Vaas c Reza b Razzaq 4 (273 for 7)
Muttiah Muralitharan run out (Mortaza) 11 (295 for 8)
Bangladesh
Shahriar Nafees c Sangakkara b Vaas 5 (22 for 1)
Mohammad Ashraful c Sangakkara b Fernando 18 (55 for 2)
Aftab Ahmed c Sangakkara b Maharoof 33 (78 for 3)
Habibul Bashar c Jayawardene b Maharoof 0 (78 for 4)
Farhad Reza st Sangakkara b Muralitharan 34 (141 for 5)
Khaled Mashud run out (Jayawardene) 8 (155 for 6)
Mohammad Rafique c Vaas b Jayasuriya 12 (177 for 7)
Mashrafe Mortaza b Vaas 30 (226 for 8)
Abdur Razzaq b Maharoof 21 (264 for 9)

Jennings will leave no stone unturned as South Africa look to win again in India© Touchline

Ray Jennings and the South African team he coaches may arrive in India with the motto “Love and care”, but they will leave few stones unturned as they bid to become the first side in modern times to win back-to-back Test series on Indian soil. “It’s funny what you can do when there’s love and care around,” said Jennings, quoted in . According to him, the players’ love for the game and care for their performances would dictate their fortunes in India.Graeme Smith, the captain, was also full of confidence after his squad spent five days at the High Performance Centre over the past week. “We know there are sceptics out there who don’t think this team are capable of performing well,” he said. “We know we have a young side and most of the squad have never been to India, but we’re looking forward to the challenge. There are guys here who want to become heroes.”Smith is one of 10 players in the squad who have never played in India, and he can expect a barrage of questions about the absence of Herschelle Gibbs and Nicky Boje, both of whom were unavailable to tour after the Delhi Police failed to guarantee that they wouldn’t be subjected to questioning in connection with the match-fixing scandal that overshadowed South Africa’s last trip to India.”I don’t want to be protected from anything we have to face in India,” said Smith. “We want to go over there and experience the culture and embrace as much of the place as we can.”The inexperience in Indian conditions didn’t worry Jennings either. “The lack of experience in this side does not scare me. If the public and the media are writing us off that’s okay too, because it’s up to us to prove everyone wrong.South Africa’s News24 website had more fighting talk from Jennings. “Nothing and no-one will get in the way of my players and an opportunity to be successful in India,” he was quoted as saying. “If doors are closed, I will kick them open. Nothing must stop the process to bring about energy into South Africa’s cricket.”Jennings promised that he would have no time for those who shied away from what is perhaps the harshest experience in Test cricket. “We are ready for the challenge,” he said. “The hotter it becomes, the more pleased we will be.”We want to bring the message across to as many people as possible that we are going to fight fire with fire on the tour to India and we will not stand back one centimetre.”Smith echoed that fighting talk ahead of the team’s departure when he said, “I play to win – if it is beach cricket, a club match or anything else. To win is all. We are going to India with a well thought-out gameplan. Obviously I do not want to say too much about it, but our strategy has been carefully worked out and I think we have a plan to beat India.”He admitted that there would be leaves taken out of the Australian book, after the world champions succeeded in neutralising the considerable threat posed by India’s batting order. “They have a strong batting lineup and that is their strength,” said Smith. “They do not like to be curtailed in front of their own supporters and they like to score runs quickly. One of our plans is to stop them making runs and make it as difficult as possible for them to keep the scoreboard ticking over. We can force them to make mistakes by frustrating them.”And if he needs further tips on that, a phone call to his old pals, McGrath and Gillespie, might do the trick.

The absence of New Zealanders in the side was questioned, and Fleming’s exclusion, in particular, rankled© Getty Images

We knew we had it coming. When readers responded to our Rest of the World XI selection, there were practical suggestions, appreciation, anger, accusations of bias, questions regarding the selectors’ sanity and, to top it all, someone queried whether the teams were picked by a bunch of car mechanics. It wasn’t all that bad though because a bulk of the players picked themselves, but as ever, there were a few contentious issues, and none more than the non-inclusion of Stephen Fleming, widely regarded as the best captain in international cricket. The responses are still coming in and it will be a while before we put up a Readers XI. But meanwhile, here are the a few big discussion points.Where’s New Zealand?
Aren’t New Zealand the second-best one-day team in the world? This was a repeated refrain in addition to “where’s Stephen Fleming?”. “New Zealand looks like it may move into second spot in the ODI rankings, but only a brief mention of Cairns. How can that be?” asked Greg Nuthall. Andrew Mason was angry at the disrespect shown to the Kiwis. “Why do people still not rate New Zealand as a cricketing nation? As long as they continue to not give us at least a token amount of respect, we will continue to keep biting them on the ass … when they don’t expect it.”Some suggested that the absence of any New Zealanders probably meant that they played more like a team than the others. But others demanded to know the nationality of the 22 selectors. Ramprasad Sugumaran believed that all the selectors were from England, and Kamal Dorabawila accused the committee of being English “or biased towards the English.”Michael Vaughan’s position as opener and captain came under immediate – and brutal – scrutiny. “Were the selectors opting for a specialist captain? Or were they half English?” asked Kit Boyes. “Nothing more than a one-hit wonder,” said Adrian Nung, explaining that Vaughan had only one good series against Australia. And Jake Berry couldn’t believe Vaughan was captain. “He is probably the most over-rated captain in world cricket, and has been in terrible form lately in both, Tests and one-dayers.”But who, then, should be captain? Who will connect the Rest of the World’s fist with Australia’s upper lip? A man with “rat cunning”, came the prompt reply from John Baldwin. “If you want someone to lead your team, who thinks like an Aussie, plays like an Aussie and is respected by Aussies because of it, then you need a quasi-Aussie. My team would be captained by that quintessential quasi-Aussie, Stephen Fleming.” Pratik Shah bolstered the argument with his spirited defence of Fleming’s batting. “If we look at just the last year and a half, it’s [Fleming’s average] an astonishing 54.73. Meanwhile,” he adds, “Vaughan’s recent performance is hardly anything to write home about. In the last 18 months, Vaughan has averaged a sub-par 35.61.”You get the picture. The general points raised were that Fleming was the best captain in the world, and he has scored more runs than anyone else this year, so why wasn’t he in the team? And why weren’t Chris Cairns, Jacob Oram and Hamish Marshall included in there too? Even our omission of Mark Richardson – left out after a raging fist-fight in the selection room – surprised Tejaswi Aswathanarayana, who believes he’s the best Test opener in the world.

The man scores 281 against Australia, and then terrorises them just about every time they meet. So what do you do? You leave him out© Getty Images

A man in the middle
The middle order of Rahul Dravid, Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar was left unscathed, but Jacques Kallis’s inclusion and Inzamam-ul-Haq’s exclusion were criticised. According to Hariharan Sekhar, Kallis gorges on weak attacks and struggles against stronger ones. “He tends to struggle against Australia and can’t handle quality spin bowling.” But who should replace him? “Because of this, VVS Laxman is the obvious choice.” Natarajan Ramamurthy says the same thing and then backs it up with cold numbers. Since January 2000, Kallis’s bowling average in Australia is 66.50, while his batting average is 32.61. “This throws in some doubt the merit of his selection. Laxman, on the other hand, averages more than 63 against the Australians.” But Laxman isn’t the only contender for that spot. Sheik Salim flies the flag for Inzy. “Inzamam’s records place him automatically in both Test and one-day XIs.”Keeping wickets
With Adam Gilchrist the world’s best keeper-batsman by far – and currently employed with Australia – who would wear the gloves for this team? Certainly not Mark Boucher, replied many. If Tanveer Singh Parwar had his way, he’d bring Andy Flower out of the retirement home. Others suggested Kumar Sangakkara. Nigel Harbridge says that he should be selected “ahead of Boucher due to his better batting ability, and also the fact that Murali will be bowling the most overs and should have someone who has experience in reading his deliveries.” And, according to Hiran Leitan and Daran, Sangakkara should keep in the one-dayers as well, as Dravid would be useless at keeping to Murali in this form of the game.The bowling department
What was noticeable here was that people didn’t question the inclusion of three fast bowlers and a spinner. The sole spinner, Muralitharan, had support from Mike O’Dea, who suggested that he should be allowed to bowl the doosra, and “if he has to, make him wear the brace.” For the most controversial man in world cricket, the lack of criticism was telling. The fast bowlers, however, were a different matter.Shaun Pollock has lost it, Shoaib Akhtar is a showoff, and Steve Harmison’s inclusion was due to a dark English lobby at work, according to readers. “Pollock,” says Simon Bradwell, “is a spent force. He’s lost his pace and penetration.” Sameer Tare agrees, and adds that perhaps Irfan Pathan and Makhaya Ntini are more deserving of inclusion.

Showboat Shoaib gets in? Are you crazy?© AFP

But Peter Vincent, in a systematic demolition of Shoaib, questions the logic of selecting him. “Shoaib Akhtar in both teams? Are you crazy?” he warms up. “What about Vaas? Or Bond, Dillon, Ntini, even Streak? Showboat Akhtar is inconsistent and a poor team man and as likely to bowl a dozen no-balls and skive off with an Indian movie maiden as he is to make an impact against the Aussies.” Instead, Shane Bond was recommended for a place in the team. If he’s fit, wrote a reader, he’s the second-best fast bowler in the world.The one-day selection
And that was only the Test team. But there were fewer problems with the one-day side. Only Yuvraj Singh’s inclusion caused a major rift, with calls for Abdul Razzaq to be picked instead. The other omission that readers found odd was that of Gayle, whose century in the crunch one-dayer against England took his team through to the NatWest Series final. Jonathan Ellis was vocal in his support: “I’m surprised that, in the one-day team, nobody mentioned Chris Gayle. He’s a better batsman than Yuvraj Singh, and a far better bowler, and what’s more, he’s an opener.”Then there was an appeal for Andrew Flintoff, whose recent performances have won him many followers. Adrian Nung dissed Vaughan and said, “Flintoff is the only Englishman who can definitely make a World XI.”A matter of bias
The presence of numerous Indians and Englishmen in the Test and one-day sides didn’t sit well with many readers. Of the 22 selections made, 11 came from the two countries. Fahad Fazli sensed “an Indian connection”, while Abid Butt demanded to know the nationality of the 22 selectors. Sonam Tenduf-La asked if it was “right to assume that a lot of the selectors were Indian?”Clueless selectors
And finally, after going through reams of complaints/suggestions/anger, we came across a question posed by Romil Kothari. “What do you do,” he asks, “if your most-voted player, Murali, chooses not to go to Australia?”What you do, Romil, is retire from the selection panel and stick to writing.

National League

Scotland v Hampshire, Edinburgh
ScorecardRahul Dravid’s Scotland debut was overshadowed by Robin Smith, who compiled a stylish 82 from 85 balls to guide Hampshire to a six-wicket win at the Grange. Derek Kenway also added a half-century as Scotland’s total of 201 for 8 was overhauled with two overs to spare. Dravid himself could only manage 25 from 41 balls, and it was Scotland’s other overseas pro, the South African Jon Kent, who top-scored with 57. The pick of the bowlers was yet another import, Hampshire’s Wasim Akram, who dismissed Scotland’s opener Ryan Watson with his first ball and later bowled Kent on his way to figures of 3 for 32.Leicestershire v Gloucestershire, Grace Road
ScorecardGloucestershire continued their excellent one-day form with a three-wicket win over Leicestershire at Grace Road. Matt Windows led the way with a 91-ball 76, making light work of a tricky target of 235 on a difficult pitch. His third-wicket partnership of 100 with Chris Taylor laid the foundations for victory, and though Leicestershire struck back with a flurry of wickets in the later overs, Mark Alleyne and James Averis steered Gloucestershire home. Leicestershire’s total had owed much to Brad Hodge’s 63 … and extras, who contributed 46, including 14 wides.

Danish Kaneria completed a dream comeback when he bagged a match haulof 12 for 94 as Pakistan sent minnows Bangladesh spinning to defeat byan innings and 264 runs well inside three days of the Asian TestChampionship opener remaining at the Multan Cricket Stadium Friday.The 20-year-old Karachiite, who claimed six for 42 in the firstinnings, followed up with six for 52 in the second as Bangladesh werebundled out for 148 some 45 minutes before an extended first sessionof the third day.The newest Test nation had resumed this morning at 55 for three andrequired 412 to make the reigning champions bat again.The victory margin was also the sixth biggest in the 122-year-oldhistory of Test cricket and second largest since the West Indies beatNew Zealand by an innings and 322 runs at Wellington in 1995. Pakistanhad also equaled Australia’s world record of five centuries in aninnings in this Test when Saeed Anwar, debutant Taufiq Umer, Inzamamul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana and Abdur Razzaq reach three figures.Waqar Younis’ promise of securing maximum points was also fulfilledwhen Pakistan collected 24 points – 16 on the basis of an innings winand four each for bowling and batting. His opposite number NaimurRahman, who had hoped to get a couple of bonus points, however,returned empty handed.Without belittling Danish’s marvelous bowling performance,Bangladesh’s inept display raises questions of whether they were giventhe Test status prematurely. It was Bangladesh’s fourth successivedefeat since getting into the ICC fold last June. With all due respectto Bangladesh, they were no better than a club side of Karachi andLahore.Danish was simply unplayable on the third day against an indisciplinedand out of sorts Bangladesh batsmen.Lady Luck continued to smile on Waqar Younis as he wrapped up the tailafter removing the openers on Thursday to finish with four for 19. Hehad match figures of six for 44 – an excellent achievement consideringthe fact that the strip had nothing much for the pacers.Captaincy seems to have suited the once toe-crusher as he looks thesame bowler who was once hungry for wickets and had fire in hisbowling but got little opportunity to deliver.If Waqar managed to take six wickets, Wasim Akram remained wicketlessfrom his 19 overs in the match. Wasim bowled well, defeated the batseveral times and saw a couple of catches dropped of his bowling.As regards Bangladesh, one-down batsman Habibul Bashar delayed theinevitable after the tourists had slumped to 96 for eight. He added 45runs for the ninth wicket with Hasibul Hossain to prolong the innings.Habibul remained undefeated on 56 that included five boundaries. ButHasibul was more aggressive belting for fours and a six in his 23-ball31.Bangladesh now proceed to Colombo where they will play Sri Lankabetween Sept 6 and 10. Pakistan players will reassemble on Sept 6 toattend a 10-day camp.

Liverpool are set to feature in their first League Cup final since 2016 when they take on Chelsea at Wembley this afternoon, looking to win their first domestic cup in ten years, having last won the trophy in 2012.

Manager Jurgen Klopp will be looking to win the fifth major honour of his tenure with the Merseyside outfit, having already won the Champions League, Premier League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

However, it will certainly be a tall task against one of the Premier League’s best sides, who have also received some major injury news ahead of the final.

What’s the latest?

The Blues had concerns regarding the availability of four players ahead of the Wembley showdown, however, all of which have been deemed fit with long-term absentee Ben Chilwell the only player unavailable for Thomas Tuchel’s side.

Reece James, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech and Mateo Kovacic had previously been doubts for the game. However, James returned to training this week after two months out whilst Mount was on the bench for the 2-0 Champions League win over Lille on Tuesday.

Both Ziyech and Kovacic hobbled off the pitch against the French outfit, but have been passed fit.

On the availability of the duo, Tuchel said on Friday: “We had training today with everyone out on the pitch except for Ben Chilwell which is brilliant news and this is pretty much it. Both okay, since today.

“They were not only on the pitch with separate programmes, everybody joined team training from the first to the last minute. We have no reactions at the moment but positive reactions.

“I hope it stays like this, we have another training tomorrow and everybody is available for Sunday.”

Klopp will be gutted

Marginal gains are huge when it comes to winning a cup final and facing a Chelsea side with a handful of injuries to key players would’ve certainly been an advantage for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

He himself could have striker Diogo Jota available with the Portuguese battling to prove his fitness in time but fellow centre-forward Roberto Firmino has been ruled out with a muscle issue.

“Bobby we have to see in the next two days. He is pushing himself really hard but he will not be available for the final, to reach the squad,” assistant manager Pep Lijnders revealed on Friday afternoon.

“We hope he will be back really soon because you all see and know and feel how important he is for our way of playing, so I am happy that he is pushing himself. Hopefully he is soon back.

“Jota, so far no reaction on the things he did, so the straight-line running, the changes of direction and the ball work he did, so that’s a good sign. He isn’t ruled out but still it will be a challenge.”

However, to see some of their opponents’ key players come back into contention will no doubt leave him feeling a little gutted.

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Reece James seems unlikely to start but between Ziyech, Mount and Kovacic, the trio have a combined 92 appearances thus far across all competitions for the West London side, proving to be important fixtures in the team.

The former is in particularly strong form too, scoring in his last three Premier League appearances against Brighton, Tottenham and Crystal Palace whilst also registering an assist on Tuesday against Lille.

As a result, he could prove a menacing prospect for the Liverpool defence, one they’d much rather have not had on such a big stage.

The showpiece fixture is set to be an incredibly close contest as second and third in the Premier League go head to head to win a trophy they haven’t won for ten and seven years respectively.

Meanwhile, this Liverpool star has seen his value soar…