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MatériaMais Notícias

A notícia que agitou o Cruzeiro nesta semana foi a proposta encaminhada por uma equipe mexicana ao clube pelo atacante Rafael Sóbis. Sem agradar nos últimos jogos, o jogador vem recebendo cada vez menos espaço no clube. E, no treino desta quinta-feira, foi poupado pelo técnico Mano Menezes, o que alimentou ainda mais as chances de uma possível saída do clube. Além dele, o zagueiro Léo também ficou de fora, ainda tratando de lesão.

Quem voltou aos trabalhos com o restante do grupo foi Robinho. Sem atuar desde a final da Copa do Brasil, o jogador, que sofreu lesão na coxa na decisão, voltou a treinar normalmente e virou opção para o comandante celeste para a partida contra o Verdão.

A atividade, conduzida por Mano, foi realizada em campo reduzido, com a divisão do grupo em três times, com sete jogadores em cada. Enquanto dois se enfrentavam, o terceiro ficava “na de fora”, caracterizando o famoso “rei da mesa”. O Cruzeiro volta a treinar nesta sexta-feira, visando a partida contra o Palmeiras, que acontece nesta segunda-feira, às 20h, em São Paulo.

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MatériaMais Notícias

Ainda se recuperando de um tratamento de pele realizado após a conquista da Copa do Brasil, Mano Menezes esteve presente na Arena do Grêmio, na última quarta-feira, onde o Cruzeiro venceu o time da casa por 1 a 0, com gol de Rafael Sóbis. O treinador comentou sobre a pausa no trabalho para cuidar da saúde e elogiou o bom trabalho que a equipe vem fazendo ao longo do ano.

– Estava precisando ficar um tempinho parado por orientação médica, mas estou liberado para voltar a trabalhar normalmente. Então, isso deixa a gente feliz, assim como desempenho da equipe. A gente sabe que isso valoriza nossa conquista na Copa do Brasil, foi uma conversa importante para que déssemos tudo que pudéssemos. Dormir na segunda colocação dá um gostinho especial.

Perguntado sobre seu futuro na equipe celeste, Mano declarou que tem contrato até o final da temporada, mas que pretende renovar.

– Tenho contrato com o Cruzeiro até 31 de dezembro. Está tudo bem. Depois disso, a gente senta e renova o contrato ou não renova. Já pensei, já disse isso no final da Copa do Brasil, quando me perguntaram. O mais importante de tudo é as coisas estarem claras para todos os lados, porque será um ano importante para o clube. Sabemos como são as expectativas. Quando se cria expectativa, precisamos criar maneiras de atender essa expectativa do torcedor para que esse momento bom que se tem hoje não virar frustração ano que vem. Isso é o mais importante de tudo.

Mano também comentou da importância de dar sequência ao trabalho e da vontade de vencer a Libertadores 2018. O treinador ainda elogiou o fato de a equipe estar invicta há 13 partidas e do bom momento dos jogadores.

– Vamos discutir internamente. O Cruzeiro sabe a grandeza do que se coloca para ser disputado no ano que vem. O clube tem experiência nisso. É bicampeão de Libertadores, sabe o nível da disputa. Acho que temos um elenco de qualidade muito boa, o elenco vem mostrando isso na temporada. Acho que o mais importante é que todos estejam preparados para ambicionar coisas grandes no ano que vem – finalizou.

O próximo compromisso do Cruzeiro será na próxima quarta, pela 29ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, quando visita o Coritiba no Couto Pereira.

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The ghost of the R Premadasa lights was almost slain tonight

The Bulletin by Sidharth Monga14-Sep-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Party like it’s the nineties: Tendulkar reaches his 86th international hundred, a completely risk-free effort•AFP

The ghost of batting under the R Premadasa lights was almost buried tonight. Sachin Tendulkar’s master class, an 86th international century close to his best, almost became a footnote on a night of punches and counter-punches. Sri Lanka knew being ultra-aggressive was the only way of going about this huge chase, and they counterattacked every time a wicket was lost. Thilina Kandamby, batting at No. 7, almost pulled off a heist against India for the second time in his short career, but the loss of early wickets had left him with too much to do.Don’t go by the 46-run margin. India’s fielders and fast bowlers were rattled during the frenetic chase. It was their spinners, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh, who saved them the embarrassment. They took critical wickets at critical points and Raina’s dismissal of Chamara Kapugedera in the 43rd over, with 68 runs and the batting Powerplay to go, proved to be the decisive blow. A pumped-up Harbhajan then finished off what he started, dismissing the last three batsmen in a hurry. He had earlier taken two wickets in the eighth and 10th over of the innings to rein in an explosive start to the chase.When Harbhajan came on for his first spell, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Sanath Jayasuriya had jolted the Indian team out of a dream afternoon. Sixty runs were scored in seven overs and all three fast bowlers were clueless. Harbhajan’s first over was a masterpiece. With a slip and leg slip in place, and a strong on-side field, he invited Dilshan to take the risk and hit through the off side. Dilshan took the bait – he didn’t have many choices – got one boundary through cover, and was bowled the next ball.In his next over, Harbhajan got Mahela Jayawardene with a doosra, and India were on all-out attack. Three more bowlers took wickets in the first over of new spells, though failing to bring Sri Lanka’s run-rate down, which was helped by Thilan Thushara’s pinch-hitting. But after they lost the fifth wicket, Kumar Sangakkara and Kandamby settled in for longer innings.Sangakkara was unfortunate when his bat slipped out of his hand and landed on the top of the stumps in the 28th over. With four wickets left, and 138 to get, it seemed over but Kandamby and Kapugedera had other ideas. They didn’t panic, kept the singles and the odd boundaries coming, and were helped by sloppy fielding – India missed at least two run-outs and an easy catch.With 80 required in the last 10 overs, five of which would be bowled under field restrictions, India relied on the spinners. Raina and Yuvraj gave nine runs in Nos. 41 and 42 and, in the 43rd, Raina got the ambitious shot out of Kapugedera, ending a 70-run stand in 15 overs. Harbhajan then came on to finish his third five-for in ODIs.The beauty of the chase was that it overshadowed a classy knock by Tendulkar, who rolled back the years, and then some. He stroked, ran and yearned for runs like it was the 1990s, but unlike those days he didn’t need to take any risks on the way to setting what looked like a total safe beyond doubt.This was Tendulkar’s ninth international century since May 2007, to go with seven scores in the 90s. Judging by this form, 100 international hundreds have become a distinct possibility. A measure of the bowlers’ helplessness lay in the fact that the first time he hit a ball in the air was to reach his fifty, that too off a free hit. With Tendulkar batting the way he was, who needed aerial shots?He shared valuable partnerships with Rahul Dravid, Dhoni and Yuvraj, especially crucial being the one with Dravid. Tendulkar and Dravid, walking out with 73 years and 762 ODI caps between them, took charge of what has looked a shaky batting line-up: their 95-run opening stand took them to No. 6 on the all-time partnership aggregates in ODIs.Harbhajan Singh grabbed his third five-for to help India lift the Compaq Cup•Associated Press

Tendulkar you simply couldn’t take your eye off. Albeit on a flat track, Tendulkar and Dravid were prepared to work hard in sapping conditions, their shirts turning to dark blue with sweat even before the shine went off the white ball.Nuwan Kulasekera and Thilan Thushara didn’t serve up loose half-volleys or long hops; Tendulkar had to work for every forceful shot. The first ball he faced he punched sweetly off his toes, wide of mid-off for three. In the fourth over, he took a similar delivery and wristed it wide of mid-on for three. We were on to something.A string of lovely boundaries followed, the best being the punches through a tight cover ring, and the late flicks from off and middle stump to midwicket and cow corner. After Dravid’s dismissal, Tendulkar added 110 with Dhoni, who kept the tempo up.By then Tendulkar had started taking the odd chance, stepping out, making room, and hitting Jayasuriya and Mendis over extra cover. One such shot off Mendis, in the 29th over, took him into his 90s and serenely, with ones and twos, came the hundred. After the hundred came the cramps, and when Tendulkar opted for a runner we were reminded for the first time it was in fact the year 2009.Dravid came back to run, but Tendulkar did most of the calling. The bowlers showed no mercy, Malinga bowling a mix of bouncers and yorkers. Tendulkar’s response was to hit Mendis for a six inside-out and reverse-sweep two boundaries in three balls. After he got out in the 46th over, trying one reverse-sweep too many, Yuvraj’s big hitting got India 42 runs, which also proved crucial in the end.

Leeds United could form a formidable duo after being linked with a move for Reading midfielder John Swift ahead of the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to The Star, Marcelo Bielsa’s charges are one of a number of Premier League sides interested in securing the highly-rated 26-year-old’s services.

Swift is set to become a free agent next summer, and with no sign of an extension being signed at the Madejski Stadium, an imminent exit could be on the cards.

Imagine him and Raphinha

After rising through the ranks of boyhood club Chelsea, Swift soon became frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities after he made just one senior appearance for the senior side.

A string of loan spells at Rotherham United, Swindon Town and Brentford led to the Stamford Bridge outfit offering the academy graduate a new contract back in 2016, but he rejected it in order to get regular game time at Reading.

Since arriving at the Madejski Stadium, Swift has become one of the Championship’s star performers, bagging 31 goals and laying on a further 32 assists in 181 appearances for the Royals.

But he’s elevated his game to new heights this term. In 17 outings for Veljko Paunovic’s charges, the 6-foot dynamo has notched eight goals and provided a further seven assists, highlighting his top-class potential.

Earlier this week, One Leeds Fan YouTuber Conor McGilligan urged the Leeds hierarchy to sign the former England Under-21 international after his eye-catching displays in the second tier.

“[He’s] an absolute grafter, someone who’s worked his way up the football pyramid, someone who, for me, has the technical ability that would sort of replicate a Pablo Hernandez, a Samuel Saiz in tight pockets.

“Someone who is not afraid to drive at the defence; someone who is happy to pick the ball up in uncomfortable situations; someone who, when there’s a throw-in on the left, a throw-in on the right, will go and collect the ball, and then he’ll recover the ball, he’ll rotate – and I think that cycle is what Leeds are missing.”

With Swift famed for his ability to play defence-splitting passes, skilful dribbling and set-piece delivery, he has the potential to strike up a deadly partnership with current Leeds ace Raphinha at Elland Road.

The Brazilian has been phenomenal himself over the last few years, beating the goalkeeper on 11 occasions and supplying nine assists.

Thus, the duo have the technical ability to hurt any Premier League defence, and Swift’s arrival in west Yorkshire will add another exciting weapon to Bielsa’s arsenal.

And, in other news…“I don’t think”: Journo drops big update on £38k-p/w gem, it could be fatal for Leeds

Andrew Strauss expects Andrew Flintoff to be fit for the third Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston on Thursday, and has confirmed that Ian Bell will bat at No.4 in place of the injured Kevin Pietersen

Cricinfo staff27-Jul-2009

Andrew Strauss expects Andrew Flintoff to be fit for the third Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston on Thursday, and has confirmed that Ian Bell will bat at No. 4 in place of the injured Kevin Pietersen.Flintoff, who retires from Test cricket at the end of the Ashes, continues to struggle with a chronic knee injury which has threatened to hasten his retirement. But Strauss has been encouraged by Flintoff’s fitness and remains confident that England’s allrounder will be fit enough to once again lead the attack.”All the indications are that Andrew will be fine. We need to see how he goes over the next couple of days during practice,” Strauss said at The Oval, where England announced their new team sponsors, Brit Insurance. “But at this stage we are very confident and obviously he will want to build on his performance at Lord’s.”I spoke to him the day after the second Test at a charity dinner and he said then he was recovering well. That’s encouraging. He won’t have bowled until practice tomorrow but has been in constant contact with our medical team. When you’ve had as many injuries as him you get a good indication of how you’re feeling. Everything we’ve heard so far has been positive.”Flintoff produced a typically talismanic final-day effort at Lord’s last week, taking five wickets for just the third time in his career as England ended a 75-year wait to beat Australia at the home of cricket. But while England can be heartened by Flintoff’s news, another instrumental player, Pietersen, has been ruled out of the series after undergoing Achilles surgery.Strauss confirmed that his replacement, Bell, will bat at No. 4 instead of shuffling the line-up to accommodate him. “Ian Bell will come in for Pietersen at four. We’re very clear on that,” Strauss said. “It causes the least possible disruption to other members of the side.”We’re all very excited for Ian. He was left out of the team and had to work very hard to get his place back. He’s done a huge amount of work on and off the field. He’s very hungry. We’re excited to have him back in the team.”Bell was dropped earlier this year after a string of inconsistent performances, with Ravi Bopara taking his place at No. 3. Bopara may not have set the Ashes alight, yet, but Bell – who himself has struggled against Australia in his two previous Ashes appearances – is confident he is in the right frame of mind, and in good enough form, to make the most of this surprise opportunity.”Of all the countries I’ve played, I’ve played well apart from against Australia. I know that – it’s in the back of my mind,” Bell told Sky Sports News. “This is a different Australian team than I’ve played in the past, but a very fine one as well. But cricket’s a stats game, and I’ve got those stats to put right and to improve on.”Shane Warne reignited an old friendship with Bell today when he wrote in his column that he hoped Bell’s return to England colours “will hopefully be greeted with ‘welcome back, Shermanator’, the nickname I gave him in 2006.”

Match facts

Sunday, June 14
Start time 1730 local (1630 GMT)

Big Picture

England will remember Yuvraj Singh’s assault when the two teams meet at Lord’s•Getty Images

Well, that’s livened things up a bit. West Indies’ stunning seven-wicket win over India on Friday has transformed the dynamics of Group E, and left the holders facing what is, in effect, an elimination show-down with the hosts. On paper it ought not even to be close – when England and India last faced each other in a limited-overs contest, in India in November, a unprecedented 7-0 whitewash was only averted by the abandonment of the tour due to the Mumbai terror attacks.Nothing that England have done in this tournament to date gives much reason to believe they have a prayer of progressing any further. A laughable defeat against the Dutch was followed by a competent dismissal of a distracted Pakistan, but their humbling against South Africa on Thursday was a truer reflection of their standing. Quite simply, they were outclassed, rolled over for 111and routed by Jacques Kallis on cruise control.India, by contrast, were progressing pretty serenely (give or take the odd testy press conference) until their surprise derailment at the hands of Dwayne Bravo. They qualified comfortably from a weak group made up of Bangladesh and Ireland, and it’s possible they were caught unawares by the sudden step-up in class that West Indies presented.Whatever the reasons, forewarned means forearmed. The last time these two sides met in the World Twenty20, in Durban in September 2007, Yuvraj Singh strode into history with his brutalising of a young Stuart Broad, and India marched into the final stages as England skulked home early from yet another global tournament. Little we’ve witnessed thus far in 2009 suggests the story will be any different. But then again, shocks are part and parcel of this format, and any side containing an in-form Kevin Pietersen cannot be dismissed out of hand.

Semi-final chances

A win for either team will obviously boost their chances of making it to the semis, but India have far more riding on this game than England. If India lose on Sunday, they are definitely out, since the winner of the England-West Indies game on Monday will join South Africa on two wins and knock India out even if they win their last game.If England lose, however, there is still a chance for them if they beat West Indies, and if South Africa beat India. In that case, South Africa will finish with three wins, while England, India and West Indies will all have one each, bringing net run rates into play.

Form guide

(last five matches, most recent first)
England: LWLLW
Up and down, up and down. England’s yo-yo performances demonstrate just how inexact their science is when it comes to Twenty20. Paul Collingwood said his team would carry on attacking despite their defeat against South Africa, but the best sides are able to adapt on the hoof.India: LWWLL
A brace of defeats in New Zealand earlier this year dented India’s overall record, but they have still won nine of their 15 T20Is dating back to December 2006.

Watch out for…

Yuvraj Singh’s astounding feat under the Durban floodlights was the unequivocal highlight of the last World Twenty20, as he battered Broad for six consecutive sixes. There has been mutual antipathy between Yuvraj and England ever since, compounded by the success his left-arm spin has enjoyed against Pietersen. With 67 from 43 balls in the West Indies defeat, he’s certainly in form ahead of the rematch.Ravi Bopara has been tipped by Sachin Tendulkar, no less, as a very “special” talent, and Indian audiences already know what he’s about, after he produced one of the finest innings of the IPL – 84 from 59 balls for King’s XI Punjab against Royal Challengers Bangalore. After two consecutive failures against Pakistan and South Africa, he’s due a return to form.

Team news

After a false start against Netherlands, England seem to have settled upon their best eleven for this format, with Adil Rashid impressing as the second spinner, and Dimitri Mascarenhas taking the pace off the new ball. Despite crashing horribly at Trent Bridge, it’s hard to see how they can improve the team, short of shooing in Graham Napier for his international debut.England: (probable) 1 Ravi Bopara, 2 Luke Wright, 3 Kevin Pietersen, 4 Owais Shah, Paul Collingwood (capt), 6 Dimitri Mascarenhas, 7 James Foster (wk), 8 Graeme Swann, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 James Anderson.The loss of Virender Sehwag was a blow to their big-hitting aspirations, but India still possess oodles of potent thwackers all the way down the order, even as far as Harbhajan Singh at No. 8. It’s unlikely they’ll be altering what was, up until Friday, a winning formula.India: (probable) 1 Gautam Gambhir, 2 Rohit Sharma, 3 Suresh Raina, 4 Yuvraj Singh, 5 MS Dhoni (capt/wk), 6 Yusuf Pathan, 7 Irfan Pathan, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Zaheer Khan, 10 Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha

Stats and Trivia

• England and India have only played in one Twenty20 international to date – Yuvraj’s match in Durban, which finished up as 18-run win for India.
• Despite their habitual lack of success (seven victories in 18 matches) seven of the England players who contested that match are likely starters this time around.
• Six different Indian batsmen have struck 13 sixes between them so far in the tournament. England’s tally is eight.

Quotes

“We were able to raise the required run rate close to 10 runs per over, we were good at that, but he took the game away from us.”

“We’re not going to win by sitting back. Twenty20 cricket is about putting the opposition under pressure from ball one. We’ve got to make sure we have the attitude of ‘keep going for it’. We’re not going to get anywhere by being conservative .”

Derbyshire have signed Nantie Hayward, the former South Africa quick, until the end of the season to strengthen their seam attack after losing Charl Langeveldt to injury

Cricinfo staff02-Jun-2009Derbyshire have signed Nantie Hayward, the former South Africa quick, until the end of the season to strengthen their seam attack after losing Charl Langeveldt to injury.His arrival is subject to obtaining a visa, but head of cricket John Morris said it was important to bolster the fast-bowling resources. “After the disappointment of losing Charl Langeveldt for the season, it was very important that we brought in somebody to strengthen our bowling department.”Although we have got some great young talent and some fine bowlers already at the club, there is a lot of cricket to be played this year and a squad of bowlers is always needed.”With that in mind, to be able to get somebody of Nantie’s experience at such short notice is a timely boost for the team.”Hayward, who has 431 first-class wickets, has had previous county spells with Hampshire, Middlesex and Worcestershire.

Gary Kirsten, the India coach, says mental fatigue will be his team’s biggest challenge during the World Twenty20 in England next month

Ajay S Shankar08-May-2009Gary Kirsten, the India coach, says mental fatigue will be his team’s biggest challenge during the World Twenty20 in England next month. The event starts on June 5 but India play their first warm-up game on June 1, just seven days after the IPL ends in South Africa. Kirsten also believes India, the defending champions, will be under added pressure during the ICC tournament but says the team has shown it is capable of handling such situations.”The Indian players have been on the road for a long time and the biggest challenge will be mental fatigue,” Kirsten told Cricinfo. “But they have enormous pride when representing India and have become a tight unit over the past few months. I’m sure they will look forward to reuniting and playing for their country.”The Indian players have been almost living out of their suitcases since they left Mumbai for the New Zealand tour on February 20. They got a few days off after the series ended on April 7 before leaving for the IPL, which began on April 18. They return home for a few days again when the IPL ends on May 24 – the entire 15-member World Twenty20 squad is playing in the league – before leaving for England to play their first day/night warm-up game against New Zealand at Lord’s. India take on Bangladesh in their first game of the tournament on June 6 in Trent Bridge.But Kirsten, who took over as India coach in 2008, said he was confident the team would be able to handle the pressure when defending the title they won in 2007. “When you are defending champions there will always be added pressure,” Kirsten said. “That goes with the territory of high-performing teams. This team has played in many pressure situations since the Twenty20 World Cup in 2007 and has shown what they are capable of.”How different would the conditions be in England for the World Twenty20? It’s something all international teams, he said, have to come to terms with. “Every country has its own unique conditions which each team and individual needs to comes to terms with,” he said. “The players are aware of those conditions and what is required to give themselves the best chance of performing. Most of the Indian players have played in England and know what to expect.”India have sported a stable look over the five Twenty20 internationals they have played since the 2007 world title victory – winning two and losing three. In fact, there have been only two changes in the team from the 16-member squad for the last two games they played in New Zealand, and the 15-member World Twenty20 squad that was announced on Monday.There is an argument that such stability could also lead to complacency among players in the team but Kirsten was quick to dismiss such suggestions. “Experienced players understand the demands and pressures of World Cup tournaments,” he said. “Throw in a few talented and fearless young players and you have a great mix in the team. There is certainly no danger of complacency within the Indian team. We pride ourselves in taking each game as it comes and giving 100% on a daily basis while representing Team India.”Giving a hint of the team’s gameplan for the world event, Kirsten said he believes spin will play a major role in Twenty20 cricket. India have only two fulltime spinners – Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha – in their World Twenty20 squad but have a rich variety of part-time options to choose from: Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Virender Sehwag, Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma.Moving on to the ongoing IPL, Kirsten, who is based in Cape Town, said the tournament has benefited young Indian cricketers immensely. He put forward the growth of Yusuf Pathan’s game at the last IPL, as an example. “The IPL provides a great opportunity for young Indian cricketers to show what they are capable of in a high-profile environment,” he said. “They also get to mix with, and learn from, successful international cricketers. This can only be of benefit to Indian cricket. Performances during the IPL can definitely be a stepping stone to achieving higher honours. Yusuf Pathan was one example of that last year.”What is evident from the league, he said, was that the best team on paper is not necessarily the most successful one. “There will always be new ideas and new thinking in every IPL,” he said. “What is of interest to me are those teams that are able to win consistently and why they are able to do it. It isn’t always the best team on paper.”Asked about Buchanan’s captaincy theory for the Kolkata Knight Riders, the IPL team that he coaches, Kirsten said: “In the dynamic world we live in, innovative thinking is important to try and stay ahead and push the boundaries of performance. I think it is important to balance out what is already working and what can improve performance. MS Dhoni has proved a highly effective and capable leader for India and I’m sure that will not change for some time to come.”

Queensland have four days of relief before running into Victoria again and they will look for revenge in the final

Cricinfo staff08-Mar-2009Queensland 302 and 1 for 187 (Broad 100*, Love 77) drew with Victoria 8 for 806 dec (Hodge 261, Rogers 123, White 124, Wade 100*, Quiney 94, Simpson 4-194)
Scorecard
Points table
Cameron White posted 124 early in the day, but delayed his declaration until Victoria had 806 © Getty Images
Queensland have four days of relief before running into Victoria again and they will look for revenge in the final after the hosts waited until 8 for 806 before declaring on the final day. The Bulls will try to forget this match after learning of their second-placed finish with Tasmania’s draw with South Australia in Adelaide, a result which sealed their progress to the Junction Oval decider on Friday.The Bushrangers, who have not given up a point this summer, finally closed their first innings in the second session with the seventh-highest total in the competition’s history. Queensland’s batsmen showed some steel by reaching 1 for 187 at stumps, with Ryan Broad warming up with 100 not out and Martin Love chipping in with 77.The teams have been involved in a tit-for-tat battle over big scores for the past five years, with Queensland’s 6 for 900 declared in the 2005-06 final a response to Victoria’s 710 in the 2003-04 decider. It is unlikely the home side’s aim will alter from Friday.Cameron White started the day on 96 and brought up his hundred, but Victoria continued batting to eliminate Queensland’s hopes of an early declaration. White went on to reach 124 before he was taken by Chris Simpson, who later caught John Hastings (4) off his own bowling.In between those breakthroughs the wicketkeeper Matthew Wade got settled and he was the fourth Victorian to reach three figures after the score had already ticked to 800. It was Wade’s second century in consecutive matches and he was called in by White after raising his bat. Brad Hodge’s 261 led the punishment over the past three days along with Chris Rogers’ 123.The Bulls have some weary bowlers after their loads were increased by Chris Swan’s groin injury and their attempt to protect James Hopes ahead of the final. Ben Laughlin’s 2 for 223 came from 55 overs, Simpson delivered 65 in his 4 for 194 and Nathan Rimmington’s 0 for 183 came from from 44.

Tottenham Hotspur head into the international break sitting top of the Premier League after three games.

That, of course, means very little at this stage but so far the Nuno Santo era has got off to a very encouraging start.

Although, there should be some caution as Jose Mourinho had the north Londoners in the exact same position back in December. And by mid-April, he was sacked.

There is, however, still a lot to come from this squad.

Harry Kane is yet to properly start his season after his late return to training amid intense transfer speculation, whilst we’ve hardly seen any of the new summer signings in action.

Spurs ended deadline day with a bang by bringing in Emerson Royal from Barcelona and cancelling Serge Aurier’s contract.

But Nuno may have an ace up his sleeve with another one of his additions this transfer window – his likely trump card, Bryan Gil.

The 20-year-old gem signed in a €25m (£21.5m) deal from Sevilla, which also saw Erik Lamela move in the other direction. In signing a six-year contract, it shows that the young Spaniard is seen as one for the future.

But he can make an impact now.

The £27m-rated dynamo started both UEFA Europa Conference qualifying clashes against Pacos de Ferreira, where he provided an assist in the second leg to help steer Spurs into the group stages.

Gil is yet to feature for more than two minutes in the Premier League but that should change after the international break.

Versatility, creativity and energy.

Those are the three key things the Spain U21 international can provide Nuno with in attacking midfield.

“The Spaniard has a lovely style about the way he plays the game, with real confidence in what he does,” claimed football.london’s Alasdair Gold following his debut last month.

Meanwhile, Gil’s style has been likened to one of the Portuguese’s former players, Pedro Neto.

According to Twenty3, the 5 foot 9 dynamo and the Wolves sensation are “almost identical in terms of output last season” – Both are said to be high volume dribblers that are more creative than goalscoring.

Indeed, Gil averaged 1.7 crosses and 1.9 key passes per 90 in La Liga last season, via WhoScored. Only Kane and Heung-min Son were more creative in Spurs’ squad.

Similarly, the Sevilla youth product has been likened to Jack Grealish by ESPNUK editor David Cartlidge. “Bryan Gil a potential star in the making,” he claimed prior to the move. “Spurs landing a very, very exciting talent if reports hold true. Still raw and with lots to polish but he’s easily top 5 most exciting young talents in Spain.”

“[He’s a] LW with potential to be a AMC in the future, unbelievable amounts of technique, agility and good in 1v1s. A left foot on him you’d kill for as a footballer. Player comp for those who are unaware of him probably Grealish.”

This sort of unpredictability and quality to play anywhere along the front three is exactly what Spurs need to keep their fine form up this season.

Also lauded as a “big talent” by football scout Jacek Kulig, it’s time for Nuno to unleash Gil in the big time.

AND in other news, Paratici masterclass: Spurs eye “extraordinary” £34m-rated gem, he won’t cost a penny…