In historic signing, Catherine Dalton joins Multan Sultans as fast-bowling coach

Catherine Dalton has been signed up as Multan Sultans’ fast-bowling coach. Dalton, 30, becomes the first female coach in PSL history, and the first female fast-bowling coach of a top-level men’s side. The official announcement is set to be made later today.Dalton, 30, was born in England and acquired Irish citizenship in 2015, going on to represent them in four ODIs and four T20Is. She has visited Pakistan twice earlier and worked with several fast bowlers, including Mohammad Ilyas, Sameen Gul and Arshad Iqbal, as well as a number of Under-19 players.An ECB-certified Level 3 Advanced Coach, Dalton has previously held coaching positions in the national fast-bowling academy in the UK and the Ultimate Pace Foundation in India where, among others, she worked with Deepak Chahar. Dalton was also assistant head coach at the UK-based National Fast-Bowling Academy, working alongside Ian Pont and Andre Nel.Related

  • Multan Sultans to become first Pakistani T20 franchise with female general manager

“Having worked in Pakistan with some of the Multan Sultan players on two previous visits, I am really thrilled to be officially joining up with the franchise at the PSL,” Dalton told ESPNcricinfo. “It’s not lost on me the ground-breaking moment for a female fast-bowling coach to be working in a major men’s T20 franchise. I am very humbled by the opportunity and cannot wait to hopefully help make a difference on multiple levels.””Catherine has been part of our player-development programme for almost five years now. I have seen how she has improved players first hand. I always knew she would become a fast-bowling coach at a high level,” Ali Tareen, Multan Sultans’ owner, said. “And I am so glad that her first opportunity came at the Sultans.”When Tareen, a former co-owner of Multan Sultans, resumed full control of the franchise, he told ESPNcricinfo he wanted more females applying for coaching and management roles. “It’s about equal opportunity,” he had said at the time. “Normally for these roles, sides only interview men. We want more female candidates to apply for these roles too.”We have three male coaches, and we endeavour to hire three female coaches. We want to have them in place before the start of the [next] PSL. I expect the female coaches to be foreign coaches for now, and when we have a women’s team, these are the coaches we expect to move on and help us out with the women’s team as well. This season onwards, I hope to achieve gender parity for all seasons as long as I’m owner.”Last month, the PSL confirmed it would be held in a window between February 8 and March 24, 2024. Multan Sultans finished runners-up at the 2023 edition, and have reached the final of each of the last three tournaments.

Revealed: How Adidas can help Thomas Muller complete LAFC transfer as Bayern Munich legend plots MLS switch

Sportswear manufacturer Adidas could play a huge role in helping MLS side Los Angeles FC complete Thomas Muller's transfer from Bayern Munich.

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  • Adidas to help LAFC in signing Muller
  • Club and player yet to reach agreement on salary
  • Adidas to improve personal contract with icon
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    According to , Adidas is set to provide financial support to Los Angeles FC. Muller and the MLS club have reportedly been unable to agree on a salary, which is where the famous sportswear manufacturer is expected to step in.

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    claim that Adidas could extend Muller's personal equipment contract and improve its financial terms. This would give the Bayern Munich legend the additional millions he hopes to earn from a move to Los Angeles, which LAFC cannot afford to pay themselves. If Muller does move to LAFC, Bayern would also benefit. The report adds that the German record champions are very interested in the 35-year-old club icon moving to Los Angeles, as they have a club partnership with LAFC. Muller could then also act as a Bayern ambassador in the United States.

  • WHAT WAS SAID?

    Adidas, which is also Bayern's kit supplier, is therefore expected to intervene in the Muller negotiations at the behest of the Bavarians. Oliver Bruggen, Adidas spokesperson, neither confirmed nor denied this to .

    "Adidas does not comment on contract negotiations in public," said Bruggen.

    Muller had not been offered a new contract by Bayern and will therefore leave the club on a free transfer this summer. Although he has not ruled out retiring, this currently seems rather unlikely.

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    WHAT NEXT?

    In addition to LAFC, other MLS clubs such as Cincinnati and Philadelphia Union are also linked with Muller. Vissel Kobe from Japan are also said to be interested and would able to offer significantly more money than LAFC, which makes Adidas' intervention all the more important.

    Before focusing on his future, Muller is currently fighting for the title with Bayern at the Club World Cup in the USA. He will be expected to play a role in Die Roten's round of 16 clash against Flamengo on Sunday, June 29.

Van Beek's World Cup goals: Make knockouts, change narrative around cricket back home

“The way we’re playing at the moment, on our day we can we can still beat a good team,” van Beek says ahead of game against Australia

Andrew Fidel Fernando24-Oct-20234:33

Van Beek: ‘We’re very much in the now and what happens in the future’

“It’s the hot question at the moment – how do we ride this momentum and actually put structures in place in the Netherlands so that this run that we’re having can be sustainable.”This is Netherlands allrounder Logan van Beek, wondering how cricket can become a serious sport in his country. Not merely one that has serious money attached to it, which would allow Netherlands players to train year-round, but gets taken seriously by the wider populace too, and not seen as a quaint oddity.”I watched a Dutch sports show this morning and they were talking about cricket and laughing about how it’s pretty similar to a nine-to-five job because of how long it takes, and they were making a few other jokes,” van Beek said ahead of Netherlands’ next World Cup game, against Australia. “I hope that after another couple of wins, they can almost stop joking about cricket in the Netherlands and they start talking seriously about how this is actually one of our best sports teams in the country.Related

How van Beek's Plan B took him to the World Cup

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Meet Netherlands' ODI heroes against South Africa

“So that’s our aim: to inspire the next generation but also to change the narrative within Netherlands around [how] we’re actually one of the better Netherlands sporting outfits.”Netherlands have already scored an upset win over South Africa, and also tested Sri Lanka, who had had them 91 for 6 before van Beek was involved in a 130-run seventh-wicket stand with Sybrand Engelbrecht. The chase of 263 was far from straightforward for Sri Lanka, who lost five wickets and got home only in the penultimate over.Van Beek, who plays domestic cricket in New Zealand as well as in England, hoped that competing against these much-better-resourced teams would raise the profile of Dutch cricket and lead to greater professionalism.”So, there’s the attention we’re getting through our performances – through the style we’re playing. Hopefully, there’s more investment into the game from a local point of view, but also international sponsors want to get behind the Netherlands team,” he said. “And that’s all going to kind of have a flow-on effect and result in more contracts, better facilities, more resources, more coaching.”I look at how New Zealand were 20 years ago. Professional cricket actually started around 2000. And see where New Zealand are right now, and the way they play and the way they go about it. We’ve got in the Netherlands just as many players, and I can’t see why in the next five to ten years we can start being more consistent on the world stage.”4:13

Campbell: ‘Netherlands were sick of just competing, they are hungry to win’

Perhaps, van Beek said, the exposure Dutch players receive from competing in the World Cup will also make them more attractive to T20 franchises around the world.”This year, I played T20 at Worcester, and played the [World Cup] qualifiers and I also play in Wellington,” he said. “So, even at a smaller scale, I’ve played in four different leagues. Just that experience from all those different leagues – playing with different players and learning off them and then bringing it back to the Netherlands side only strengthens the team. So, I hope that there’s a number of players from this tournament that will be able to play three or four leagues a year.”Netherlands play Australia on Wednesday – their fifth match of the World Cup. They have only won one and lost three so far, but van Beek is adamant they can still make a charge for the knockouts.”We’ve come here to reach the semi-finals,” he said. “That’s our goal. It’s been pretty clear throughout the whole preparation phase. And the South African win just gave us that extra belief that the way we’re playing at the moment, on our day we can we can still beat a good team.”

أوين: فشل صفقة آرسنال يمهد طريق ليفربول للتتويج بالدوري الإنجليزي

اختار مايكل أوين مهاجم منتخب إنجلترا السابق، المرشحين المفضلين بالنسبة له لتحقيق الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز الموسم المقبل.

ويعتقد أوين، أن ليفربول سيكون مرشحاً قوياً للفوز بلقب الدوري الإنجليزي بعد تتويجه في أول موسم لآرني سلوت، حيث عادل رقم مانشستر يونايتد بـ20 لقبًا.

اقرأ أيضاً.. استراتيجية جديدة.. ليفربول يضع خطة لضم صفقة دفاعية في الميركاتو

وحصد ليفربول لقب الدوري الإنجليزي قبل أربع مباريات من نهاية الموسم، وأعرب أوين عن إعجابه بصفقات ليفربول في الميركاتو الحالي.

وقال أوين لشبكة “توك سبورت”: “فاز ليفربول بالدوري الإنجليزي بفارق عشر نقاط الموسم الماضي، على الرغم من حصوله على نقطتين آخر أربع مباريات، عندما لم يكن يحاول حقاً”.

وأضاف: “كان بإمكانهم الفوز بالدوري بفارق 20 نقطة وهذا فارق كبير، سيتطلب الأمر جهدًا كبيرًا من المنافسين للحاق بهم، ويبدو أن ليفربول سيصبح أقوى الموسم المقبل، وسيكون من الصعب على أي فريق اللحاق بهم”.

وواصل: “مانشستر سيتي كان بعيدًا كل البعد عن مستواه في الموسم الماضي، وقد شهدنا الكثير من التغييرات خلال الصيف”.

وتابع: “يكاد يكون من المستحيل التعرف عليهم بالنظر إلى عدد اللاعبين الذين تعاقدوا معهم خلال العام الماضي، الأمر يتطلب بعض الوقت للتأقلم”.

وأتم: “سيعود رودري بالتأكيد ولكني لا أعتقد أنهم سيفوزون بلقب البريميرليج، أتفق مع ليفربول بشدة وإذا كانت هناك مفاجأة فأعتقد أن آرسنال وربما تشيلسي هو الفريق الأبرز، لا أعتقد أن مانشستر سيتي قادر على العودة بهذه السرعة، الضغط عليه لا يصدق لأن آرسنال كان بحاجة لمهاجم منذ فترة طويلة الآن”.

وحول آرسنال قال: “تعاقدوا مع لاعب أعتقد أنه القطعة المفقودة، لقد اختار الرقم 14 الذي ارتداه الأسطورة تييري هنري مما يزيد الضغط عليه، وفي حال تألق جيوكيريس سيصبح آرسنال منافسًا قويًا وإن لم ينجح لا أرى سوى ليفربول قادر على الفوز باللقب”.

وحول توتنهام ومانشستر يونايتد ختم أوين: “لن يكونا بهذا السوء الذي كانا عليه الموسم الماضي، لكني لا أتوقع عودتهما لدوري الأبطال الموسم المقبل، ومع ذلك سيقدمان أداء أفضل بكثير”.

Endrick or Gonzalo Garcia? Real Madrid legend tells Xabi Alonso which forward should leave Los Blancos this summer

Real Madrid legend Fernando Morientes has praised Gonzalo Garcia, suggesting Endrick should be sent on loan to give the Spaniard more playing time.

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  • Morientes: "I love Gonzalo"
  • Ex-Los Blancos striker feels 21-year-old can lead line
  • Garcia has scored three goals at Club World Cup
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The former Los Blancos striker was speaking to popular Spanish program El Partizado de COPE. Morientes was glowing in his praise for the 21-year-old Garcia, saying his development is "great news for Madrid". The young Spaniard has scored three goals in the Club World Cup, including the winner in Real's narrow 1-0 win over Juventus in the Round of 16.

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    The emergence of Garcia as a backup to Kylian Mbappe should prohibit Los Blancos from pursuing an expensive option in the market according to Morientes. That could also facilitate a loan move for Endrick, who has struggled for minutes and form since his profile move to the Spanish capital. Earlier this summer, it was reported Juve had tabled a loan bid for the young Brazilian.

  • WHAT MORIENTES SAID

    Morientes said: "I loved Gonzalo; it’s great news for Real Madrid. I’ve always believed that youth players need to give everything to earn their place in the first team, and Gonzalo has done just that."

    “If Real Madrid were thinking about players like Budimir from Osasuna or Vlahovic from Juventus, they would have to spend a lot of money.

    “I think keeping Gonzalo makes perfect sense. Gonzalo will get his minutes and have his impact, but in this Club World Cup, he’s clearly been the standout news.

    “I would like Endrick to go on loan so he can play more minutes elsewhere, and for Gonzalo to take on the role that Endrick was expected to have.”

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    WHAT NEXT FOR GARCIA AND ENDRICK?

    Garcia's form in the US has been a welcome development, as Mbappe and Endrick have both been nursing injuries during the Club World Cup; the 18-year-old only joined his teammates in Florida five days ago. Garcia will likely continue to lead the line for Los Blancos, in their quarterfinal matchup with Broussia Dortmund on Saturday night.

High-flying Afghanistan turn their focus from 2019 champs to runners-up

New Zealand are on a five-game winning streak, but Afghanistan have just felled England in commanding fashion

Ashish Pant17-Oct-20233:17

McClenaghan: Afghanistan’s spinners will be a big threat for New Zealand

Big Picture: Two teams on a high face offThe 2019 World Cup champions have been taken down. Time for the runners-up next?Afghanistan players have time and again called India their second home. At various points, they have had their base set up at Indian venues like Dehradun, Lucknow and Greater Noida, where they played their “home games”. IPL regulars Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi have always been a crowd favourite, while Naveen-ul-Haq keeps the buzz going.Which is why there was genuine excitement among the Delhi crowd when Afghanistan served defending champions England a 69-run thrashing on Sunday. It was only Afghanistan’s second-ever win in an ODI World Cup game in 18 attempts and their first since 2015.Related

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Forget Bazball, this was Gurbazball

However, even with the confidence of a big win under their belt, Afghanistan know they have their work cut out as they run into red-hot New Zealand in Chennai. Unbeaten so far in the tournament – three wins out of three – New Zealand seem to have all the pieces of the puzzle in place. But the Chennai surface could prove to be a potential banana peel against the spin trio of Rashid, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nabi. The three spinners lead the wicket-taking list for Afghanistan in the World Cup so far and will hope for more success on a pitch which is expected to turn.Afghanistan’s biggest issue remains their over-reliance on the top three of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah. In ODIs since the start of 2021, the trio has accounted for 52.79% of the total runs that Afghanistan have scored. Among all Full Members nations, their middle order (Nos. 4 to 7) has the lowest average: 26.00.This was on display in the game against England as well where Afghanistan collapsed from 114 for 0 to 190 for 6 before the lower order bailed them out. The likes of Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai and Nabi will need to step up and quick.New Zealand have far fewer problems. They come into this game on a five-match winning streak, having won each of these games rather convincingly. Their top order has fired in every game while the bowling unit looks well-rounded. Of course, Kane Williamson’s “undisplaced fracture” to his left thumb might be a cause for concern for them, especially given the nature of this Chennai pitch, but Tom Latham has proven to be an effective leader in his absence.New Zealand might be on a high, but they can’t afford to be complacent against a side that seems to have finally found its mojo.3:47

Should New Zealand look to bring Southee in?

Form guide: New Zealand on a rollAfghanistan WLLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
New Zealand WWWWWIn the spotlight: Mitchell Santner and Mujeeb Ur RahmanMitchell Santner has turned his 2023 upside down and how! Coming into the World Cup, Santner had only four wickets in seven ODIs at an average of 80.25 and economy of 5.24 in 2023. Three matches into the tournament, he has already doubled that tally and is currently the joint-leading wicket-taker alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Matt Henry with eight scalps at 15.87. He’s been excellent with his pace variations and has tied the batters down in the powerplay. Chepauk is like home away from home for Santner. He has been with the Chennai Super Kings squad in the IPL since 2019 and will want to put up another solid show on “home” territory.Mujeeb Ur Rahman did not start off the World Cup the way he wanted but did a star turn against England first with the bat and then picking up 3 for 51 to take home the Player of the Match award. He’s been Afghanistan’s joint-leading wicket-taker in ODIs this year and, having found his groove, will want to inflict more damage against New Zealand come Wednesday.Team news: Who comes in for Williamson?With Williamson out injured for a while, Will Young is the likely candidate to take his place in the New Zealand XI. He is likely to slot back into the opening position, with Rachin Ravindra expected to move to the No. 3 spot. Tom Latham will lead the side once more.New Zealand (probable): 1 Devon Conway, 2 Will Young, 3 Rachin Ravindra, 4 Tom Latham (capt, wk), 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Mark Chapman, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Matt Henry, 10 Lockie Ferguson, 11 Trent BoultCan Rashid Khan and Co spring another surprise?•Associated Press

Afghanistan are unlikely to make any changes to the playing XI that beat England convincingly.Afghanistan (probable): 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Rahmat Shah, 4 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 5 Azmatullah Omarzai, 6 Mohammad Nabi, 7 Ikram Alikhil (wk), 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 10 Naveen-ul-Haq, 11 Fazalhaq FarooqiPitch and conditions: Turner in Chepauk?The first game of the World Cup in Chennai, between India and Australia, was played on black-soil turner, but the second game had a lot in it for the fast bowlers. Historically, surfaces in Chennai have aided spin and that is likely to be the case on Wednesday as well.There was a slight drizzle in Chennai on the eve of the game, but the forecast is clearer on match day.Stats and triviaMitchell Santner is just one short of 100 wickets in ODIs, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman needs four wickets to reach the 100-mark in the format.Rashid Khan has gone wicketless just three times in ODIs in India and has picked up two or more wickets in an innings seven times in 15 innings.Rahmanullah Gurbaz has fallen to left-arm orthodox spinners in four out of seven innings and averages just 20 against them. Ibrahim Zadran is just 17 short of 1000 runs in ODIs. If he gets there on Wednesday, he will be the quickest Afghanistan batter to the landmark in the format.Quotes”See Rahmanullah [Gurbaz] is one of the players in our team who is I believe a match-winner player. He can change the game anytime.”

'The best player in the world' – Florian Wirtz's massive ambition revealed as ex-Bayer Leverkusen head scout has no doubts new Liverpool star will shine in Premier League

Florian Wirtz's journey to Liverpool is backed by belief, ambition and raw talent plus a bold personal mission: becoming the best player in the world.

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Wirtz set sights on becoming world’s best playerFormer Leverkusen scout says he's a generational talentLiverpool move met with total confidence by insidersFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Wirtz, one of Germany’s brightest footballing stars, has officially joined Liverpool in a £116 million ($156m) deal after a standout spell at Bayer Leverkusen. The move has generated major buzz and one of the men who helped bring him to the BayArena believes he has all the makings of a Premier League star.

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The attacking midfielder played a pivotal role in Leverkusen’s Bundesliga-winning season, impressing with his vision, control, and maturity on the ball. He finished the recent campaign with 16 goals and 15 assists. Now, he continues his career at Anfield, where he’ll be expected to make an immediate impact and eventually lead the midfield into a new era.

WHAT TIM STEIDTEN SAID

Tim Steidten, the former head of scouting at Bayer Leverkusen, recalls how obvious Wirtz’s talent was early on: "There are players you have to scout intensively, and then there are players for whom that's not necessary. If we hadn't known Wirtz as a Koln player back then, it would have been a huge mistake… If you get the opportunity to sign him, you have to do it as a club. Simon [Rolfes, director of sport] and I flew to Portugal because the German Under-16 team played there with Florian. But we actually only flew there to get one last impression of the player. After that, it wasn't a big consideration. He's just a player you don't have to scout – you just have to get him when you get the chance.

"Many people ask me whether he'll make it [at Liverpool]. For me, there's no question about it. My answer is always clear: no question. As far as his footballing abilities go, there's no need to even discuss it. But on a human level, he also has an absolute will to continue developing. I remember our first conversation with him in Simon Rolfes' office well – his parents were there too. Simon asked him: 'Where do you want to go, what do you want to achieve?' And Florian replied: 'I want to become the best player in the world.' There are players from whom you don't immediately believe such a statement. But we immediately believed Florian – and he immediately demonstrated his ambition."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

The German midfielder will now look to integrate quickly into Liverpool’s preseason setup, aiming to earn a starting role under Arne Slot. The club sees him as a long-term pillar of their midfield alongside the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Ainda sem Adson, Corinthians inicia preparação para encarar o Fluminense

MatériaMais Notícias

O elenco do Corinthians se reapresentou na tarde desta segunda-feira (24), após a vitória contra o Santos, no último sábado (22), pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. O atacante Adson novamente não participou da atividade e segue tratando a lesão muscular na coxa esquerda que o tirou do clássico do último fim de semana.

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+Confira detalhes da terceira camisa e a nova linha do Corinthians em alusão ao Mundial do Japão

Segundo informações obtidas pelo L!, o problema físico do camisa 28 é de primeiro grau, mas ainda o incomoda, o que também deve tirá-lo da partida contra o Fluminense, nesta quarta-feira (26), na Neo Química Arena.

Inclusive, a atividade desta tarde foi a primeira do elenco corintiano visando o confronto direto por uma vaga direta à fase de grupos da Libertadores do ano que vem, via Brasileirão. Os atletas ganharam folga no último domingo (23) e nesta segunda-feira (24) aqueles que atuaram mais de 45 minutos contra o Peixe não foram a campo, pois fizeram trabalho regenerativo na academia do CT Joaquim Grava.

+ Confira a tabela do Brasileirão e simule os próximos jogos

Os demais jogadores fizeram somente a primeira parte do treino na parte interna do Centro de Treinamentos, mas depois foram a campo – isso inclui nomes considerados titulares, como Fagner, Gil, Fábio Santos e Renato Augusto, que foram preservados do duelo contra o Peixe. Em campo, o técnico Vítor Pereira de enfrentamento em campo reduzido. Os goleiros se revezaram entre esse trabalho e outro específico comandado pelos preparadores.

O Timão ainda tem mais uma atividade, na tarde desta terça-feira (25), antes de encarar o Flu. Na última rodada, os corintianos ultrapassaram o Tricolor Carioca e terminaram em quarto lugar no Brasileirão.

Devine century powers Scorchers to pivotal win against Heat

Captain Sophie Devine blazed a century before taking two wickets in a domination of Brisbane Heat as Perth Scorchers claimed a pivotal WBBL victory at Allan Border Field.After being sent in, Scorchers’ imposing total of 192 for 3 was built on Devine’s blistering 106 from 62 deliveries in her fourth WBBL century. She capitalised on ragged Heat fielding after being dropped three times. Devine batted through the innings having earlier compiled a seventh century partnership with Beth Mooney.After being left to rue such a sloppy fielding effort, Heat still maintained confidence having almost chased down 205 against Sydney Thunder in their last match.Opener Grace Harris, who is coming off a record 136 not out, loomed as the key wicket. She hit a boundary against teenaged quick Chloe Ainsworth on her fourth delivery before falling lbw next ball after being struck on the foot by an inswinging yorker that appeared to be missing the stumps.Devine in the next over continued her starring role to remove Amelia Kerr with a return catch and then almost dismissed Mignon du Preez, who was dropped by wicketkeeper Mooney in a diving, one-handed effort.Du Preez threatened to make Scorchers pay until she holed out on 22 to quick Piepa Cleary as Heat slumped to 57 for 3. It wasn’t long before Devine was back in the action with the wicket of Charli Knott and Heat never threatened despite an attractive half-century from Georgia Redmayne.The result leaves the teams locked on 5-3 records as Scorchers rebounded impressively after a last-ball home defeat to Adelaide Strikers.Nat Sciver-Brunt’s season debut against Strikers had meant a reshuffle for Scorchers’ top-order batting with Devine moving back to her customary role as an opener alongside Mooney having previously batted at four.Devine and Mooney again showed their liking for batting together, but they had to initially counter seam movement from quick Nicola Hancock in a cautious start.Hancock reverted to a short-pitched length, but the plan backfired with Devine executing the pull shot superbly to smack a couple of boundaries in the third over.She sought an aggressive approach against the spinners and used her feet with confidence. Devine unleashed brutal power in contrast to a scratchy Mooney, who wisely focused on turning the strike over.Devine decided to put the foot down after the drinks break and she lived dangerously, but was dropped by Georgia Voll at long-on off left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen.Jonassen’s frustrations grew when Devine smashed the next delivery for a boundary and she shortly after whacked another through midwicket to notch her half-century in style.Having scored the most power surge runs in the competition, Devine was unstoppable after it was taken in the 14th over as Mooney also registered her half-century with a boundary.But Mooney was dismissed on the next ball after a delivery from Hancock thumped into her pads and fell onto the stumps. Sciver-Brunt was promoted to three, but completely overshadowed by a rampaging Devine who clubbed a six off Jonassen over long-on to complete her century.Devine was run out on the last ball of the innings, but her standout performance wasn’t yet over as she led Scorchers to a crucial win.

Meredith blow for Hurricanes as Hughes guides Sixers to second win

Sydney Sixers 139 for 4 (Hughes 60*) beat Hobart Hurricanes 135 for 8 (Jewell 42, Curran 3-19)Injury-plagued Hobart Hurricanes quick Riley Meredith suffered an apparent side strain as his side went down by six wickets to a Daniel Hughes-led Sydney Sixers.Sixers, who are 2-0 to start the BBL season, chased down the Hurricanes’ 135 for 8 with four balls to spare in Launceston on Monday night.Hughes top scored with an unbeaten 60 from 50 balls after replacing Steven Smith who left the squad ahead of Thursday’s first Test against Pakistan.Related

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He shared a 47-run partnership with Moises Henriques (20 from 24) to iron out a decent chunk of the chase.Jordan Silk chipped in with 23 before falling in the second last over.  With Sydney needing seven from six deliveries, Hughes put the result beyond doubt with a towering leg-side six off Nathan Ellis. Tom Curran then iced the game with a boundary through the covers.Meredith pulled up sore gesturing to his side halfway through the third over of the chase after sending down a 152kph delivery. It was his first game back at domestic level since suffering a side strain in a one-day cup game for Tasmania in September. Hurricanes coach Jeff Vaughan told Channel 7 Meredith would have scans on Tuesday.Earlier, Hurricanes opener Caleb Jewell got his side off to a flyer before the wheels fell off after the powerplay.Curran started the damage when he had Jewell caught at mid-off in the sixth over. Left-arm quick Ben Dwarshuis then picked up England import Sam Hain and Australia representative Tim David for single figures in his first over.Young allrounder Jack Edwards got in on the action, with wicketkeeper Josh Philippe snaffling a one-handed diving catch at full stretch to grab the edge of Ben McDermott.Edwards, who finished with 2 for 18 from four overs, had only bowled one over in his 30 previous BBL matches.Hurricanes fell to 69 for 5 in the ninth over before imports Chris Jordan and Corey Anderson stemmed the bleeding.Former New Zealand allrounder Anderson was the pick of Hurricanes’ bowlers with a career-best 2 for 10.