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Paris Saint-Germain have made a handful of signings that could dramatically change the way they look at the start of next season

PSG will look radically different on the first day of the 2023-24 season. Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos are gone, with Kylian Mbappe soon to follow, but five interesting players have been signed – as well as a brand new manager.

And all of the new additions appear to be rather handy. Marco Asensio seems to be a lock at right-wing, Manuel Ugarte will likely be given his chance to play in central midfield and Milan Skriniar is a world class addition for free at the back. Meanwhile, Lee Kang-In, formerly of Mallorca, should make an impact in an attacking midfield role from day one. Lucas Hernandez won't be fit immediately but will offer a wealth of experience and class at either right-back or centre-back.

And the Parisians aren't done in the transfer market yet. They will need an attacking player, likely a No.9, to replace Mbappe. There is also a need for more depth in the front line, and perhaps some reinforcement at left-back. So, a lot has happened, and a lot is yet to change.

But how will the new signings impact PSG's lineup, and how will they look on day one of the 2023-24 season? GOAL takes a look at the Parisians' likely first XI…

Getty ImagesGK: Gianluigi Donnarumma

Donnarumma wasn't quite at his Euro 2020 winning best last year. PSG were poor at the back for long stretches, and their goalkeeper's poor distribution and occasional errors did little to help. It led to some calling for Keylor Navas, eventually loaned to Nottingham Forest, to take over the No.1 shirt between the sticks.

But the starting position will undoubtedly be his on the first day of the season. Despite his litany of mistakes last year, Donnarumma remains a world-class shot-stopper, capable of winning games on instinct alone. The big question remains as to whether he can become the kind of distributor that Luis Enrique will require. But it's easy to forget that he's still just 24, and surely young enough to add more to his game.

Advertisement(C)GettyImagesRB: Achraf Hakimi

Hakimi endured a difficult end to the 2022-23 campaign, with personal issues dominating the headlines, and a series of poor showings marring what had been an excellent season. But in a footballing sense, he is still among the best right-backs in the world. Pacey, excellent going forward and an underrated tackler, Hakimi has a rare skillset.

There will be some areas to improve here. Hakimi will need to become a better passer from deep and adapt to playing with a winger who prefers to sit higher up the pitch than Messi did for the last two years. Still, these should be small issues. If fit, he's among the first names on the team sheet.

(C)Getty imagesCB: Marquinhos

The centre-back will surely be hoping for a bounce-back season after disappointing so far in 2023. Marquinhos was short of his sparkling best, culpable for a few major mistakes in Ligue 1, and given the runaround by an aging Eric-Maxim Choupo Moting in the Champions League.

Although he remained an excellent passer, his heading and tackling numbers per 90 were far down, while he appeared leggy for long stretches. But Marquinhos is still just 29, and with a revitalised defence around him, will be given a new lease on life at Parc des Princes. Besides, it's unlikely that a new manager will simply bench the long-time club captain.

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Getty ImagesCB: Milan Skriniar

PSG have the luxury of choice here. Skriniar could sneakily be one of the better signings in recent memory. He was an excellent central defender for his last few years at Inter, a crucial part in one of Europe's best back threes. And he cannot be blamed for wanting to take a step into the Paris spotlight, especially with a centre-back spot theoretically open.

But he will likely face competition from big-money signing Lucas Hernandez — who should be in contention for a starting spot once he fully recovers from a serious knee injury sustained at the 2022 World Cup. For Luis Enrique, though, choice is a good thing. Count on Skriniar to be the go-to centre-back for the first few months of the season. In 2024, though, things could look different.

The ICC has suspended Hong Kong allrounder Irfan Ahmed for two-and-a-half years after he admitted to breaching the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Apr-2016The ICC has suspended Hong Kong allrounder Irfan Ahmed for two years and six months after he admitted to breaching the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code. Ahmed has accepted the suspension and waived his right to appeal.Ahmed has not been charged with any offence involving corruption. The ICC’s anti-corruption unit, however, established that he failed to disclose “full details of approaches or invitations to engage in corrupt conduct that had been made to him between January 2012 and January 2014”.The allrounder was charged under Article 2.4.2 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code which states, “Failing to disclose to the ACU (without undue delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the Participant to engage in conduct that would amount to a breach of the Anti-Corruption Code.”Ahmed was provisionally suspended in November 2015 following an investigation by the ACU “relating in part to the activities of another individual known to the ACU and suspected of making corrupt approaches to participants”. His period of ineligibility will take effect from the date of the provisional suspension (November 4, 2015) and will end on May 4, 2018.Ronnie Flanagan, chairman of the ACU, said the suspension should serve as a reminder to participants of the need to comply with the code.”It is pleasing to note that the investigation upon which these charges were founded originated from information that had been disclosed to the ACU,” Flanagan said in an ICC release. “This is a clear and welcome demonstration that participants now more and more fully realise their own responsibilities in combating this scourge on the game through prompt and diligent reporting as required by the Code.”However, it is also indicative of the worrying trend that those intent on corrupting the game are increasingly focusing their activities on Associate Member cricket and that the sport therefore needs to ensure that it is appropriately resourced and protected in that area.”Mike Walsh, chairman of the Hong Kong Cricket Association, said the board supported the ICC’s fight against corruption. “The HKCA are pleased this matter has now reached its conclusion and fully support the continued fight against corruption in cricket,” Walsh said. “We echo the ICC ACU Chairman’s concerns about the recent attention paid to emerging cricket nations by illegal betting networks, and we stand with the ICC to reinforce their efforts in educating our players and officials about the very real risks currently faced by cricket.”The 26-year-old Ahmed has played six ODIs since his debut in 2008, as well as eight T20Is, the last of which was in July 2015. He had been in the top bracket for centrally contracted cricketers in Hong Kong in 2014-15, but was not retained for the 2015-16 season.

Kent were a delight to watch in limited-overs cricket last season, but as the international-ground counties dominate it will take some special performances to break the trend

David Hopps01-Apr-2016Head coach: Jimmy Adams
Captain: Sam Northeast
Last season
In: Adam RouseOut: Brendan Nash (released), Ben Harmison (released)Overseas: Tom Latham, Kagiso Rabada (July)2015 in a nutshell
Kent were a delight to watch in limited-overs cricket last season, but could not follow up the plaudits with trophies as they exited in the quarter-final stage in both competitions. In the likes of Sam Northeast, Sam Billings (one of only three England players signed up for an IPL deal) and Daniel Bell-Drummond they have an exciting crop of young players who are bringing fresh live to Canterbury under the wise observation of Rob Key.2016 prospects
Kent do not have the appearance of serious challengers in Division Two of the Championship, for all their batting depth, but they have been lifted by a six-week mid-season spell for the young South African quick Kagiso Rabada. Early season will be more challenging for Sam Northeast’s exciting young squad, especially with Sam Billings on IPL duty: Tom Latham has the batting attributes to help them through the tough days. In one-day cricket, though, they can surely push for a trophy. South African-born Sean Dickson can add to that batting lustre, and all it needs is one young pace bowler to take his opportunity for them to be a limited-overs side to be reckoned with. With many seeing England’s T20 future as wedded to international grounds, they need to make themselves heard.Key player
With question marks around their pace bowling stocks, Kent’s potential trump card lies in two offspinners at either ends of their career, James Tredwell and Adam Riley. Riley had a second-season dip in 2015 after he was prematurely touted as an England possible in his breakthrough year. Kent remain convinced Riley has all the attributes to become an international spinner and are delighted to have tied him to a new contract.Bright young thing
Kent have any number of bright young things when it comes to batsmen, but they are sorely in need of extra pace bowling resources. They will hope that Matt Hunn, a 6ft 5ins fast bowler, will make further strides this summer after winning a few headlines last season with five wickets against the Australian tourists but the solve the problem long term they might have to widen their developmental base.ESPNcricinfo verdict
Kent’s formidable T20 batting line-up gives them an excellent chance of reaching Finals Day, even without a heavy overseas spend, but it would take a summer of turning pitches for them to challenge for the Second Division title.Bet365 odds: Specsavers Championship, Div 2: 9/1; NatWest Blast n/a; Royal London Cup 20/1

Offspinner Tharindu Kaushal and pacer Dhammika Prasad carved out Pakistan’s batting order, bowling the visitors out for 138 on the first day of the second Test at P Sara Oval

The Report by Rachna Shetty25-Jun-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsOffspinner Tharindu Kaushal and pacer Dhammika Prasad carved out Pakistan’s batting order, bowling the visitors out for 138 on the first day of the second Test at P Sara Oval. Pakistan’s batting implosion took place in the second session of the day – a rain-affected one with an interruption of 55 minutes – as they slumped from 70 for 2, losing their last eight wickets for 68 runs.Sri Lanka’s top order blunted Pakistan’s attack and they went to stumps at 70 for 1, trailing by 68 runs with Kumar Sangakkara and Kaushal Silva to take strike tomorrow.Sri Lanka had found themselves in a similar position in the Galle Test, when Pakistan’s top order had failed. In that game, Sarfraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq’s resistance had snatched the game away from Sri Lanka, but on a pitch known for its record of producing results, Sri Lanka’s attack tightened their grip on Pakistan, all without the help of Rangana Herath, who did not bowl an over in the day.At the centre of Sri Lanka’s effort was Kaushal, who was picked for the second Test in place of the injured Dilruwan Perera. He was given only one over before lunch, but he owned the second session with a spell of nine overs, conceding 35 runs for five wickets. He tossed up the ball, extracted sharp turn and also made use of the bounce on offer from the track.Kaushal, playing his first Test at home, deceived both Mohammad Hafeez and Asad Shadiq with turn. The 31st over, cleaved in half by a rain break, saw Kaushal trapping Shafiq plumb in front before Misbah-ul-Haq was run-out by a mile a result of poor calling between the Pakistan captain and Sarfraz.Sarfraz nudged and nurdled in his effort to revive Pakistan’s innings with the lower order but fell to a flighted delivery from Kaushal, going for the drive but only managing an inside edge that ballooned off his pad to Angelo Mathews at slip. Pakistan’s innings lasted only four overs after that and Sangakkara’s diving effort at long-on to dismiss Yasir Shah, after he had run from mid-on, fittingly capped off Kaushal’s five-for.If the second session belonged to Kaushal, it was the quicks Prasad and Dushmantha Chameera, making his debut, who set up the first, responding to the challenge of having to bowl first.Prasad struck early with Ahmed Shehzad’s wicket, bending his back to extract all the help he could find from the pitch, but just as impressive was Chameera, who harried Pakistan’s batsmen with speeds of 145kph in his first spell, and even reached the 150kph mark in the second session.There was swing on offer, too, and Chameera’s pace and accuracy discomfited Azhar Ali and Hafeez during their 46-run second wicket partnership. The pair found themselves squared up and often late on pulls and defensive shots, besides having to dig out accurate, swinging yorkers from the young pacer.Just as the pair had seen off the toughest period of play, Prasad returned in the 16th over and struck with his first ball, with umpire Paul Reifell overturning the on-field umpire’s decision and declaring Azhar out caught behind.Hafeez’s innings had held most of the first session together, and he hit some pleasing shots during his stay – the straight drive off Chameera to bring up Pakistan’s 50 was one of them. A partnership between him and Younis could have taken Pakistan to a very different situation, but the latter struggled in his 100th Test appearance, surviving two lbw shouts from Mathews on 0. In the first over after lunch, he tried dropping his wrists to what appeared to be a short delivery off Prasad. The ball didn’t sit up as much as he anticipated and he only ended up lobbing it to Dinesh Chandimal behind the stumps, setting off the implosion.Chameera also got among the wickets towards the end of Pakistan’s innings, when Zulfiqar Babar chopped a quick delivery on to his stumps.Before the game, Mathews had called for better shot selection from his batsmen and the manner of Dimuth Karunaratne’s dismissal would have come as a disappointment. The opener had worked for a start but chased at a full, wide delivery off Junaid Khan on 28. Silva survived a close review in the 19th over, when Pakistan went up in appeal for a catch at slip. Replays showed there was no contact between bat and ball, but later suggested the batsman was struck in line and there was a chance of an lbw, which appeared to remain unexplored. Silva finished unbeaten on 21, with Sangakkara on 18.

England and Manchester United No.1 Mary Earps has become the first goalkeeper in history to win the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award.

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Earps wins most votes for BBC prizeBeat Ballon d'Or winner Aitana BonmatiEngland keeper 'honoured' to get nodWHAT HAPPENED?

The BBC announced Earps as the winner of their annual prize on Tuesday morning, with the 30-year-old recognised for her achievements across the 2022-23 season. Earps helped Manchester United finish second in the WSL before playing a key role in the Lionesses' run to the World Cup final, which they ultimately lost 1-0 to Spain.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Fans voted for Earps as the winner of the award on the BBC Sport website after a five-player shortlist was put together by a panel of football experts. Earps finished first ahead of 2023 Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati, with Chelsea and Australia forward Sam Kerr coming in third.

GettyWHAT EARPS SAID

"I am truly honoured," Earps told after the announcement. "To be the first keeper to get their hands on the award is special and I am incredibly grateful." Earps also made headlines recently for calling out the Lionesses' kit manufacturer Nike for not making replicas of her No.1 shirt for supporters during the World Cup. The United star, who finished fifth in the 2023 Ballon d'Or vote, has been humbled by the support she has received after a rollercoaster year.

"To be honest, I thought Bonmati might take it. I mean, what a player," she added. "There has been a lot that has happened this year. Obviously, we've had the World Cup. We've had everything that's gone on with the goalkeeper shirts. I've had the whole goalkeeper union behind me, it seemed like. Not even just that, just incredible support from the public and many people. Last year was an incredible season for United. I think it's been an incredible year, an incredible couple of years. I'm just trying to make the most of everything really."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Earps is the fourth British player to scoop the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year accolade, after two-time winner Lucy Bronze, Beth Mead and Kim Little. She also received a congratulatory message from England boss Sarina Wiegman, who said in a video: "Hi Mary, here I go again. I can congratulate you again with the award for women's world footballer of the year. Congratulations, but you're not done yet. You have to keep going – get some more. Enjoy this award."

RCB batsman Mandeep Singh credited his improved performance in recent matches to AB de Villiers’ help with technical aspects of batting

ESPNcricinfo staff21-May-2015AB de Villiers and Mandeep Singh were the protagonists in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 71-run victory against Rajasthan Royals in Pune, adding 113 for the third wicket to keep their hopes of a maiden IPL title alive. Mandeep made his first half-century of the season, and said later that help from de Villiers on technical aspects of batting had drastically improved his batting.”I have learnt a lot from him already and whatever he has taught me, I have straightaway incorporated those things in my game,” Mandeep told . “Initially when I was playing my shots, the completion of the shot would end with my head leaning towards the off-stump. I asked him for suggestions to improve that aspect.”I initially used to think that the arms go wider while playing your shots and that’s the reason your head tends to fall. He cleared that cloud around me and asked me to have my head still around the middle stump after the completion of a shot. I think even modern-day cricketers consider him their idol. It is like a dream come true to be playing with him.”Mandeep walked in at 46 for 2 in the eighth over of the Eliminator against Royals, and as de Villiers struggled for his characteristic fluency early in his innings, Mandeep accelerated the run rate.”We just wanted to bat and try to build a partnership. We wanted to keep things simple and watch the ball closely and hit it,” Mandeep said. “I knew if de Villiers spent a little more time in the middle, he would get ruthless in the end. I had the confidence that he would see us through.”De Villiers was pleased he could contribute to Mandeep’s success, and said he feels he is achieving his goal of having a positive influence on the younger players in the team. “What would life be without having a good influence on other people? That is what it is all about,” de Villiers said. “I am trying to have a positive impact on some young players in the team and if Mandeep says I have, it makes me a very happy man.”De Villiers started slowly, scoring 16 runs off his first 20 balls, but kicked on to make 50 off his last 18. He praised Mandeep’s innings and said it had helped him get his momentum back.”A lot of credit should go to Mandeep. To be honest, I didn’t play very well,” de Villiers said. “It was not as fluent a knock as I wanted it to be but I guess it all comes with experience. I struggled in the first few overs but I fought through and I was lucky to be there in the end to express myself.”Royal Challengers were 60 for 2 at the end of the 10th over, but the innings gained momentum from there and 120 runs were scored in the last 10 overs. De Villiers said the initial target was 140 considering it wasn’t an easy pitch to bat on.”This wasn’t an easy wicket to bat on. I wouldn’t have been able to get those shots away in the slog overs had I just come in to bat. I was looking at 140 initially. But with that big 15th over against Ankit Sharma, the momentum changed and the target shifted to 150-160. We played even better towards the end and managed to get 180.”

Everything you need to know about Inter Miami's 2024 pre-season preparations.

With Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez leading its attack, Inter Miami is expected to become a dominant player in MLS in 2024.

Watch Inter Miami with the MLS Season PassStream now

While Messi's arrival mid-way through last season inspired a Leagues Cup triumph, Inter Miami struggled to seal a playoff spot and David Beckham will be eager to see that change this year.

Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about Inter Miami's 2024 pre-season preparations, including where to watch the games and more.

GettyInter Miami 2024 pre-season fixtures & results

Date Fixture Kick-off time TV channel

Jan 19El Salvador 0-0 Inter Miami8 pm ETMLSSoccer.comJan 22FC Dallas 1-0 Inter Miami6 pm ETMLSSoccer.comJan 29Al-Hilal 4-3 Inter Miami1 pm ETApple TVFeb 1Al-Nassr 6-0 Inter Miami1 pm ETApple TVFeb 4Hong Kong XI 1-4 Inter Miami3 am ETApple TVFeb 7Vissel Kobe 0-0 (4-3P) Inter Miami5 am ETInter Miami YouTubeFeb 15Inter Miami 1-1 Newell's Old Boys7:30 pm ETApple TV

Inter Miami's 2024 pre-season saw them travel to Central America, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Japan before they concluded matters back in Florida.

The game preparations got underway on January 19 with a road game against El Salvador. New signing Luis Suarez featured alongside his former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, but the game finished 0-0.

A 1-0 defeat to MLS franchise FC Dallas followed before Messi and Co. headed to Saudi Arabia for a couple of crunch showdowns against Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr. Unfortunately for Miami fans, there was no showdown with Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Portugal star unavailable due to injury. The Saudi sojourn was a disappoining one, with a 4-3 loss to Al-Hilal followed by a 6-0 thrashing by Al-Nassr.

Inter Miami then went to Hong Kong for a game against a Hong Kong national selection, winning 4-1 (without the injured Messi). After that, Miami's disappointing results continued as they lost 4-3 on penalties to Vissel Kobe after playing out a 0-0 draw.

Finally, pre-season preparations were wrapped up at home, with Messi's boyhood club, Argentina's Newell's Old Boys, coming to town. The game finished 1-1.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWhere to watch Inter Miami pre-season gamesWatch Inter Miami with the MLS Season PassStream now

The bulk of Inter Miami's 2024 pre-season games were available to watch live with the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV across the world. The MLS Season Pass gives you access to every MLS game, including the playoffs. You can find out more about how to watch MLS games here.

For fans based in MENA, the games involving Saudi Pro League teams were available to stream live on DAZN.

@InterMiamiCFHow to buy tickets to Inter Miami games

If you were interested in seeing Inter Miami up close and in the flesh, you could buy tickets to watch their pre-season games live through StubHub.

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GettyWho is in the Inter Miami pre-season 2024 roster?

Position Players

Goalkeepers:Callender, Dos Santos, JensenDefenders:Alba, Allen, Aviles, Boatwright, Freire, Hall, Kryvtsov, McVey, Sailor, YedlinMidfielders:Bright, Busquets, Gregore, Gressel, Robinson, Ruiz, Sunderland, TaylorForwards:Borgelin, Campana, Messi, Suarez

Tata Martino brought a strong panel into pre-season, with Messi, Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba all fit and ready to go.

However, Facundo Farias suffered an ACL injury in the opening pre-season friendly game against El Salvador and was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery.

As well as Suarez, Julian Gressel was one of the new signings in 2024, joining on a free from Columbus Crew. Yannick Bright, the 2024 MLS SuperDraft pick, was included too.

Goal looks at the best and worst from men's soccer in the region this year including Mexico's Gold Cup stars and Honduras' roller-coaster season

FREDERIC J. BROWNBest Player – Raul Jimenez, Mexico

What a year for Raul Jimenez. He scored eight goals for Mexico, including five during the Gold Cup when he helped lead El Tri to the regional title.

With his club, he's been unstoppable as well, helping Wolves push into the knockout stages of the Europa League and also playing a big role in upsets over teams like Manchester City.

With eight goals in Premier League play, Jimenez sits just outside the top 10 in the Premier League. Combine his nine Europa League goals, though, and you'll begin to understand why he was the most important Concacaf player in Europe this season and is Mexico's No. 9 for the foreseeable future.

AdvertisementFrederic J. BrownCoach of the Year – Marc Collat, Haiti

Marc Collat's Haiti ended the year on a bitter note, getting relegated from its Concacaf Nations League group. Yet, you have to understand the challenges with which Collat is working.

Haiti wasn't able to play its second set of CNL matches at home because of political turmoil in the country, and already the manager is pulling players from all over the globe.

Now, the path back to the Gold Cup involves extra qualification. So why is Collat the Coach of the Year? Because in this year's Gold Cup, Haiti was the story of the tournament, getting into the semifinals and pushing eventual champion Mexico to extra time.

They did it thanks to strong game plans from Collat and a collective mentality the coach instituted despite cultural and language barriers few other teams have to overcome.

Getty ImagesBreakout Star – Charly Rodriguez, Mexico

Carlos Rodriguez already is such a fixture with the Mexico national team that it's difficult to remember that his debut came in this calendar year. With Hector Herrera out of a March friendly, Rodriguez stepped into the void and didn't look at all out of place in a 3-1 win against Chile.

His showings with Monterrey also have been quality, with the 22-year-old midfielder impressing during the Club World Cup and eventually lifting the Liga MX title with Rayados.

Now, he's being asked questions about heading to Europe, something that would only help him become a bigger star in the region.

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GettyFuture star flying under the radar – Jonathan David, Canada

Jonathan David was the Golden Boot winner at this summer's Gold Cup with six goals in four matches.

He scored a dozen goals with Gent last year, a mark he's set to surpass with nine already this season. Oh, and he's 19. Why are we not talking more about this guy?

Sure, the Gold Cup goal tally was run up thanks to a hat-trick against a hapless Cuba, but as Canada pushes to make the World Cup in 2022 before hosting four years later, we're going to be seeing David have plenty of success against more formidable teams in the very near future.

Martin Guptill’s unbeaten 237 was the highest World Cup score of all time and the second-highest in all ODIs, but most importantly it ensured New Zealand’s progression to the World Cup semi-finals for the seventh time

The Report by Brydon Coverdale21-Mar-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsA double-century in a one-day international is not quite passé, but has become more common than ever seemed possible. A double-century in a World Cup quarter-final? is something truly special. Martin Guptill’s unbeaten 237 was the highest World Cup score of all time and the second-highest in all ODIs, but most importantly it ensured New Zealand’s progression to the World Cup semi-finals for the seventh time.Nobody in the partisan crowd in Wellington will ever forget Guptill’s innings. Nor will Marlon Samuels, who in the first over of the match grassed Guptill at square leg. It is hard to imagine a costlier one-day drop, for Guptill went on to score 60% of New Zealand’s 393 for 6. To add to the hurt, Samuels later fell to the most brilliant of catches, when a backpedalling Daniel Vettori at third man leapt and pinched a one-hander above his head that would have gone for six.It was that sort of day for New Zealand. Buoyed by the home support, they did just about everything right. West Indies kept up with the run-rate, just not the preservation rate required. They limped past Guptill’s individual tally at nine wickets down, and were bowled out for 250 in the 31st over. Trent Boult had done the damage by claiming four wickets in his opening spell.Chris Gayle pummelled 61 off 33 balls and provided some evening entertainment. Stiff with a bad back, Gayle dealt almost exclusively in boundaries. He struck eight sixes and two fours, and his innings was the most one-sided thing in a one-sided game: only one of his runs came through off. But he was bowled by Adam Milne for what was but a cameo compared to Guptill.Guptill had faced the first ball of New Zealand’s innings and the last. He played proper cricket shots, premeditating little but punishing the West Indies bowlers when they offered up half-volleys. He saw off 65 dot balls, respecting the good ones and making the most of the others. He brought up his 200 with a powerful crunch down the ground for four off Andre Russell from his 152nd delivery.It was fitting, for throughout his innings Guptill’s straight driving was so impressive you’d think he’d just had a wheel alignment. Guptill basked in the standing ovation, knowing that this was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. When he had moved past 171, he had the highest World Cup score by a New Zealander, beating Glenn Turner’s effort in their very first World Cup match back in 1975.Guptill’s 163-ball innings featured 24 fours and 11 sixes, and he alone scored 92 of New Zealand’s 153 in the final ten overs. In the 50th over he even launched a six onto the roof. New Zealand knew they had the ingredients for a show-stopping product: a huge home crowd, a good pitch, a toss won, a shaky opposition attack. But Guptill cooked up something that spilled out of the Cake Tin entirely.He scored freely throughout his innings but not surprisingly the flow of runs became an inexorable current during the late stages. His first half-century came off 64 balls and his hundred from 111. Do the maths and you’ll realise that means his second hundred came from 41 deliveries. Wherever West Indies pitched it in the final ten over, Guptill had a six waiting for them.This was a man at the peak of his powers: his 105 against Bangladesh in the previous game was just a warm-up. And though he scored 195 more than his nearest team-mate, he had plenty of support. The most prolific partnership was his 143-run stand with Ross Taylor for the third wicket; Taylor scored only 42 of those runs as he nudged the ball around for ones and twos.In fact, the run out of Taylor arguably came at the perfect time for New Zealand, as it allowed Corey Anderson and then Grant Elliott to come in and find the boundary. Elliott’s 27 off 11 balls was a fine cameo and his half-century partnership with Guptill came from only 15 legal balls. Jerome Taylor got rid of Elliott and Luke Ronchi at the end, but Elliott and Ronchi were not the problem.The West Indian effort in the field was listless. Samuels’ dropped chance was the stand-out, but the first ball of the game was ominous: Jason Holder and Sulieman Benn both lethargically pursued Guptill’s straight drive. They could have saved the boundary, but didn’t. West Indies became more disheartened as the innings wore on, and more mistakes were made.Really, they’d have needed to do everything right after losing the toss. The first wicket was encouraging, as Holder lived up to his name by running away with the flight from mid-off and clinging on to a super catch to get rid of Brendon McCullum for 12. New Zealand were 27 for 1, but from there not much went West Indies’ way.Guptill and Kane Williamson put on 62 for the second wicket before Williamson drove Russell’s slower ball to a juggling Gayle at cover for 33. But as long as Guptill was there West Indies – and a whole bunch of ODI and World Cup records – were anything but safe.The result means New Zealand will host South Africa at Eden Park on Tuesday, a meeting that guarantees a first-time finalist at this World Cup. New Zealand have reached semi-finals at six previous World Cups but have yet to emerge from one victorious. In form and at home, they may never have a better chance.

A substandard batting performance from defending champions Mumbai Indians led to their elimination from the Champions League as Northern Knights won their third qualification game in a row

The Report by Vishal Dikshit16-Sep-2014
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details4:07

Agarkar: Knights the strongest outfit from the qualifiers

A substandard batting performance from defending champions Mumbai Indians led to their elimination from the Champions League as Northern Knights won their third qualification game in a row. An all-round display from Knights handed Mumbai their second loss in three matches, a six-wicket defeat that ensured Knights and Lahore Lions qualified for the main tournament.All three teams were in the fray to advance to the next stage and Mumbai had to win the match, by any margin, to qualify. But once they were put in to bat, their task became an uphill one when they were reduced to 46 for 5 by the Knights seamers in the 11th over. The lower order helped them recover, but the chase of 133 was made easy by the Knights openers who steered them to another convincing win.Desperate to get a strong start, Mumbai never got in the groove as Trent Boult and Tim Southee stifled them with their nagging line outside off, conceding only 11 in the first four overs, and accounting for Michael Hussey. First-change Scott Kuggeleijn conceded 15 in the fifth over, but Scott Styris ensured Knights retained suffocating control over proceedings, running through Mumbai’s batting with three wickets. He got rid of Jalaj Saxena, Lendl Simmons and Aditya Tare, with all three batsmen dismissed while making room to target the off side. Saxena handed a low catch to short cover, Simmons missed completely and lost his off stump and Tare looked to cut late but the ball bounced a tad extra and took an edge to land in BJ Watling’s gloves.Boult then came back for his second spell to account for Ambati Rayudu and Mumbai were crumbling at 46 for 5. Outstanding fielding complemented the bowling, cutting off singles and not allowing Mumbai to rotate the strike under pressure.Mumbai nearly tripled the score from there, in two stages. Kieron Pollard and Harbhajan Singh stalled the fall of wickets for nearly five overs, and after Harbhajan fell for 10, Pollard started the fightback by striking three boundaries to push the score to 89. Lasith Malinga then struck three fours and a six off successive deliveries, two of them off the edge, and Shreyas Gopal topped it by making room and collecting 16 from the last over to lift the total to 132.Knights were hardly bothered in the chase, despite losing four wickets, as their openers put on a domineering stand of 83. Anton Devcich took charge initially and a calm Kane Williamson rotated the strike from the other end. They added 49 runs in the Powerplay, mostly striking the ball around the ground, finding gaps regularly, and converting the loose deliveries on offer.Bowling changes after the Powerplay didn’t help Mumbai, as Williamson chipped the ball into the gaps and used his feet against the spinners to accelerate. Devcich cashed in on the full tosses and short balls before he became the first of four batsmen to fall to soft dismissals, three of them popping catches to catching fielders in front of the wicket. But by the time Mumbai removed the openers, Knights needed only 30 from 43 balls and even though Watling gave his wicket away to fall for a duck, Styris came in and hit the winning runs with 16 balls to spare, after Daryl Mitchell had scored 15 off Malinga in the previous over.