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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.

Axar Patel wants to be in the Indian side for the World T20 in March next year and is also working towards a maiden Test call-up

Amol Karhadkar05-Jun-2015Axar Patel’s performance in Twenty20 cricket, especially in the 2014 IPL, had been the catalyst for an ODI debut within two years of his first List A appearance. The 21-year old allrounder’s next goal is to break into the Indian Test and T20 teams as well.”World Twenty20 is the main target since it’s a World championship and India will be hosting it. But if I can get selected for the Test series against South Africa, it will be a huge achievement,” Axar told ESPNcricinfo. “I have played in ODIs so far, if I can earn the India cap in the remaining two formats this season, it would be a great reward.”Even though I didn’t feature in the Test squad for the Bangladesh tour, I am working hard on earning the Test cap. I don’t want to be tagged as a limited-overs cricketer. I want to establish myself in all three formats of the game. That would make me a complete cricketer. So earning a Test cap would be the biggest achievement, I hope it would come soon.”Axar will join the rest of the India squad for a two-day training camp in Kolkata ahead of their departure to Dhaka on Monday.In IPL 2014, his left-arm spin secured 17 wickets, cost only 6.13 per over and earned the boy from Nadiad, a small town in Gujarat an hour’s drive away from Ahmedabad, the Emerging Player of the season award. A first India call-up and an international debut followed when India had visited Bangladesh in June last year.He followed that with impressive outings in home series against West Indies and Sri Lanka and became a contender to make the World Cup squad. Prior to that, he was picked as cover for the injured Ravindra Jadeja for the Australia Tests.Things went downhill after that though. Axar found a place in the 15-man side for the World Cup, but did not play a single game. A budding allrounder, he went through a form slump with the bat during the tri-series in Australia that preceded the World Cup. That bad patch, however, was part of a learning curve for Axar.”When things weren’t going my way, especially while batting in the ODIs, the manner in which the whole squad stood behind me taught me that come what may, you have to keep backing yourself,” he said.”All the coaching staff and senior players gave me the confidence that one bad match doesn’t mean you are a bad player. When you are selected for India, you are special and you have to trust your abilities. One good ball by the bowler or a patch of bad form doesn’t make you a bad cricketer.”IPL 2015 didn’t turn out as good. Axar managed 13 wickets at an average 30.15 and an economy rate of 8.40 while his team Kings XI Punjab finished bottom of the table.”I knew that the batsmen will try and target me,” he said. “Most teams try and target the main bowler of a team, so I was prepared for that. But I feel when I was introduced into the attack, the momentum had already been with the batting side most of the time.”It was obviously easier for the batsmen to attack me. But at the most, I conceded at the odd boundary every over. Otherwise I managed to restrict most of the batsmen to singles. But when there isn’t a bowling partnership, I knew I was handicapped. When runs are being scored in heaps from the other end, it becomes a lot difficult to contain the batsmen.”All through the IPL, Axar kept going back to the advice of India captain MS Dhoni during his stint with the national side.”I spoke a lot with Mahi . He would help me improve bowling in match situations. He would make me understand a batsman’s mindset at different times in an innings and help me set fields that would force the batsman to play according to my plans. He let me express myself and then trap a batsman with a specific field, even in the nets.”

Centuries by Matt Pardoe and Moeen Ali put Worcestershire in charge on a bad first day for Glamorgan in their Division Two meeting at New Road

20-Jun-2013
ScorecardMoeen Ali extended his lead at the top of the Division Two run-scoring charts•PA PhotosCenturies by Matt Pardoe and Moeen Ali put Worcestershire in charge on a bad first day for Glamorgan in their Division Two meeting at New Road. Mark Wallace’s decision to bowl first on winning the toss backfired as two left-handers shared in the home side’s first double-century partnership in the competition for nearly three years.Pardoe completed an impressive maiden hundred with 102 from 235 balls, and Moeen cemented his position as the leading scorer in Division Two in making an unbeaten 155 towards a total of 322 for 3.Already Worcestershire are in far better shape than at Cardiff in April when Australian seamer Michael Hogan took seven wickets in Glamorgan’s only victory in seven Championship games so far. Hogan has since become the leading wicket-taker in the division and it was his opening spell of 1 for 9 in seven overs that gave Worcestershire their toughest examination in the return meeting.The 6ft 5in seamer cut one back into Daryl Mitchell’s pads to claim the only success in the first two sessions and after lunch he was as close as anyone to unseating Moeen when the batsman got away with an edge past the slips.Once the shine had gone from the ball, the conditions favoured the batsmen and Moeen, in his first innings since his 26th birthday on Tuesday, was clearly determined to profit on a slow surface. His second 50 included only three boundaries and two of them came from successive balls off Marcus North as he moved up to 99. A single in the Australian’s next over took him to three figures from 169 balls.For Pardoe it was a new experience to move through the 90s and after surviving one big lbw appeal the academy product raised his hundred with leg-side blows for six and four off North. This is shaping up to be the best of his three seasons in first-team cricket. Having scored fifties in two of the previous home Championship games, he took the big step after hitting 13 fours and two sixes.The next ball he faced proved to be the last. Propping forward, he edged to Jim Allenby, giving Dean Cosker some compensation after conceding 22 runs in two overs before lunch. The second-wicket stand eventually produced 219 in 64 overs, the county’s best for any wicket since Moeen put on 215 with James Cameron in a promotion-clinching win against Sussex in September 2010.Glamorgan’s struggle continued as Moeen and Thilan Samaraweera (38) put on 90 before the former Sri Lanka batsman steered Allenby to backward point where Ben Wright dived to his right to hold a sharp chance.

Andrew Hudson, South Africa’s convenor of selectors, has admitted his panel “created expectation” for Thami Tsolekile when they told him he would play in the upcoming the two-Test series against New Zealand

Firdose Moonda21-Dec-2012Andrew Hudson, South Africa’s convenor of selectors, has admitted his panel told Thami Tsolekile he would play the Test series against New Zealand before going back on their decision. Their stance had to be reversed when AB de Villiers decided he would like to continue in his new role as keeper-batsman.Hudson’s acknowledgement comes after Tsolekile revealed he was “disappointed,” at being left out of the squad and confused about the reasons for his exclusion. Tsolekile spoke to various media outlets in the last few days and expressed his concern over the administrators not following through with their promises.”I wasn’t expecting to play in England because I knew that I went there as a substitute when Mark Boucher was injured and I had no expectations at all. When I packed my bags for Australia, I also knew I was going to be the back-up keeper,” Tsolekile told ESPNcricinfo. “But before that tour, the selectors told me I would get a chance against New Zealand, especially if things go well. When I spoke to them again, I was getting different messages. There’s nothing I can do now. I’ll just keeping doing what I am doing for the Lions.”More often than not a player voicing discontent over non-selection in the public domain would cause a fracas, but this time it has only resulted in sympathy. Cricket South Africa’s acting chief executive Jacques Faul confirmed the organisation would “sit down and have a chat about what happened because we have to interrogate the process,” while Hudson said he “feels for Thami.”Hudson was the bearer of Tsolekile’s bad news but emphasised he was willing to be “transparent” about what had happened. “When Boucher was forced to retire in England we need a replacement and even though AB was reluctant to do the job, we asked to fill in for the next two tours,” he said. “We did tell Thami he would get his chance against New Zealand.”After the tour to Australia, AB came back to us and said wants to continue keeping wicket because he is enjoying it. That was not the case six months ago. AB’s interest in doing the job meant the situation was different.”De Villiers was able to alter his earlier position because the selectors wanted him as the first choice wicketkeeper anyway, according to Hudson. “When he told us he wanted to play as the wicketkeeper that was fantastic news for us because we can now play an extra batter or extra bowler at No.7. It is not a case of him dictating to us. If he changes his mind at any stage, we will respect that.”Although de Villiers has a history of chronic back problems, which worsened after the England tour, Hudson said the administrators are happy for him to continue keeping wicket even if it means he is rested from limited-overs matches, such as the forthcoming three-match Twenty20 series against New Zealand. De Villiers is South Africa’s ODI and Twenty20 captain but Hudson said he will be rotated so he is able to focus on Test cricket.In the longest format, South Africa have stuck to a seven-batsmen strategy since England with the additional player proving worthy. Both JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis carried underperforming players at No.6.Jacques Rudolph and Dean Elgar – who bagged a pair on debut in Perth – have averaged 21.50 in the position and Hudson said although the selectors take note of that they will continue with the tactic “especially when we have JP back.” Duminy has just completed the first month of six in his recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered in Brisbane.As a result of the policy to play seven batsmen, Hudson said: “Thami is now in competition with AB for his place in the squad.” While Tsolekile claimed that was never explained to him as bluntly as that, he admitted that Hudson told him he needs to put in better performances with the bat.Hudson has spoken to Tsolekile’s franchise coach Geoff Toyana and asked for Tsolekile to bat higher up the order to give him the opportunity to score big hundreds. Tsokeile usually slots in at No. 7 but was moved up a place in the on-going first-class match against Warriors. It was his first competitive outing in seven weeks and he scored an unbeaten 88. In the same round of fixtures, Rudolph managed 9 for Titans and Elgar 43 for Knights.Apart from the cricketing argument, there is also concern that Tsolekile’s exclusion represents an anti-transformation stance especially since South Africa’s Test team has not included a black African in almost two years, since Lonwabo Tsotsobe in January 2011. Still, Hudson insisted he and his panel “are committed to transformation.”CSA, though, are concerned about representation. The next board meeting is on January 9 and Faul said there is a possibility that legislation will be passed to ensure development is better attended to. “We already have directives at semi-professional level to ensure black African players come through we may have to legislate it at franchise level as well,” he said.Hudson said even if those instructions extend to national level, he will happy to accept them. “If the board want to propose further guidelines, I will embrace them and see them through,” Hudson said. South Africa does not have an official quota system in place at the moment. It was previously mandatory to play four players of colour in every team which included black Africans, mixed-race and those of Indian descent.

Perhaps unsurprisingly after the side has been rolled for 45 in a Test match tensions remain apparent at the top of the New Zealand management structure

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Jan-2013Perhaps unsurprisingly after the side has been rolled for 45 in a Test match, tensions remain apparent at the top of the New Zealand management structure with John Buchanan, the director of cricket, admitting to a difficult relationship with chief executive David White which stemmed from the controversial demotion from the captaincy of Ross Taylor.Buchanan, who joined New Zealand Cricket in April 2011, had not spoken to the media since Taylor was dumped as captain following the Sri Lanka tour and is not in South Africa. He has been monitoring events from Australia before heading back across the Tasman to resume his duties watching domestic cricket and scouting for talent.A host of former New Zealand players, led by the vocal Martin Crowe, have been severely critical of the change of captaincy and the way Taylor, who opted out of the South Africa tour, has been treated. Neither has Buchanan agreed with everything but is hopeful of improving the situation with White.”It can be frosty at times, but he’s got a job to do, as I have,” Buchanan told the . “We certainly don’t always meet eye-to-eye, there’s no doubt about that. But I am very confident he gives me every possible support he can and takes my views and represents them quite candidly to the board.”He also said his relationship with the coach Mike Hesson had “received a bit of a road bump” due to events in Sri Lanka but he has spoken to Hesson since the defeat in Newlands to offer his support”I’ve always let it be know to Mike that I’m available,” he said. “I’m not one that really wants to spend every moment ringing or intruding into the coach’s domain. Having been a coach myself, I know there are good times, and there are times when you need to talk to people.”Buchanan retains the belief that there are players available to turn New Zealand’s fortunes around and that he does not have any second thoughts about his job.”It’s a a fantastic role,” he said. “That’s why I took on the job and I still say that. I still maintain the opportunities in New Zealand Cricket are immense, in terms of what could be achieved in a short period of time – provided we all get on the same page.”

Essex clawed their way out of another batting crisis against Leicestershire on the second day at Grace Road, just a week after they were bowled out for 20 by Lancashire.

22-Jun-2013
ScorecardMatthew Hoggard was playing his first game since April•Getty ImagesEssex clawed their way out of another batting crisis against Leicestershire onthe second day at Grace Road, just a weekafter they were bowled out for 20 by Lancashire.Essex plunged to 28 for 4, with veteran seamer Matthew Hoggard claiming allfour at a cost of just 12 runs in his first appearance since April. But Mark Pettini, recalled to the side after last week’s embarrassment, hit hisfirst Championship half-century of the season to lead the recovery, and Essexclosed on 196 for 6 in reply to Leicestershire’s 302.Earlier, on a rain interrupted day, Graham Napier claimed Leicestershire’s lastthree wickets to finish with career best Championship figures of 7 for 90 in30.4 overs.Leicestershire added another 34 runs to their overnight 268 for 7 withMichael Thornely completing his half century off 102 balls with five fours and asix, before being pinned lbw by Napier for 53. Ollie Freckingham and Alex Wyatt were also Napier victims, but a boundary byHoggard earned Leicestershire a third batting bonus point.Then Hoggard got to work with the ball after hislengthy absence from the side because of a hip injury. In between the showers,that sent the players off the field on four occasions, Hoggard had Tom Westleycaught behind, trapped Nick Browne lbw next ball, found the edge of JaikMickleburgh’s bat to induce a catch at gully and bowled Owais Shah with anabsolute beauty that hit the off stump.It was an inspired 12-over spell from Hoggard, but once he came off Essex beganto fight their way back. Pettini and Ryan ten Doeschate shared a vital sixthwicket stand of 85 in 25 overs as the home attack became ragged.The Essex pair put on 48 in one eight over spell, but the partnership wasbroken when ten Doeschate was caught at slip trying to cut a lifting deliveryfrom Wyatt. He had made 40 off 69 balls with six fours.Pettini reached his 50 off 133 balls with six fours, and James Foster showedhis intent with a six off Naik as he joined Pettini in another substantialpartnership of 78. But shortly before the close, Wyatt had Pettini lbw for 72off 175 balls and, at stumps, Foster was unbeaten on 45 with Essex trailing by106 runs.

Manchester United have finalised a £73 million ($93m) transfer for Rasmus Hojlund, but when will the striker be unveiled at Old Trafford?

Article continues below

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Red Devils buying into potentialAcquiring long-term option in No.9 roleMost expensive striker they have ever signedWHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Devils have been in the market for a new No.9 from the moment that five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo was released as a free agent in November 2022. Several targets are reported to have been identified since then – from Harry Kane to Victor Osimhen via Kolo Randal Muani and Goncalo Ramos.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

United have eventually settled on Denmark international Hojlund, with the highly-rated 20-year-old considered to be a shrewd addition for the present and future. He is being lured away from Serie A giants Atalanta in a deal that will make him the most expensive frontman ever signed by the Red Devils.

AND WHAT'S MORE

Hojlund arrived in England to finalise his deal later than planned, with the youngster taking in a medical on Tuesday. reports that he has passed all of those checks and officially signed a five-year contract. Hojlund is now set to be unveiled to the United faithful ahead of a pre-season friendly clash with Lens at Old Trafford on Saturday.

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

United – who have used Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford as central strikers in recent times, while also taking Netherlands international Wout Weghorst on loan in January – will be hoping to see Hojlund hit the ground running, with it possible that his competitive debut will come in a 2023-24 Premier League season opener at home to Wolves on August 14.

Pakistan is excited to have the international cricket back in the country, after Bangladesh confirmed they would tour for a short limited-overs series at the end of this month

Umar Farooq15-Apr-2012Pakistan is ‘ready’ for the return of international cricket to the country, after Bangladesh confirmed they would tour for a short limited-overs series at the end of this month. Bangladesh will be the first Full Member of the ICC to tour Pakistan since March 2009.The teams will play two matches, an ODI and a T20, both at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The ODI is scheduled for April 29 and the T20 for April 30″We are ready to host them,” Intikhab Alam, PCB’s director for international operations told ESPNcricinfo. “We have world-class stadiums that are always ready to host cricket all year long. Everything is in place so there is no difficulty for us to host them at short notice.”There’s been no international cricket in Pakistan since March 2009, after terrorists attacked the Sri Lanka team bus and a van carrying ICC officials to Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, on what would have been the third day of the second Test of that tour. Some members of the Sri Lanka contingent and reserve umpire Ahsan Raza sustained injuries, and six security personnel and two civilians were killed.Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi said the security situation in the country had improved over the last three years.”It’s a major breakthrough and I am excited to see Bangladesh touring Pakistan,” Afridi told ESPNcricinfo. “It is a much-needed development. Not only will it revive international cricket here, the people in the country will also be entertained.”Obviously the incident in Lahore (terror attack) was unfortunate but Pakistan has learnt its lessons. I understand the security concerns are up on their minds but things have improved and everything will go well. I have always believed that cricket is a game which keeps a relationship cordial between two countries. All countries should support Pakistan in a time of difficulty.”The PCB, under the chairman Zaka Ashraf, has been keen to revive international cricket in Pakistan, using all its resources and engaging the government to provide full-fledged security to visiting teams. Pakistan have been playing their “home series” in off-shore venues like UAE, New Zealand and England. There’s also a plan to “host” Australia in Sri Lanka later this year.Saeed Ajmal, the offspinner, who turned down a county offer to remain home with his family, welcomed the fact that the team will not have to travel outside the country to play this series.”Playing our home series in Pakistan is always helpful,” Ajmal said. “Though we have been playing in similar conditions in UAE, there are so many factors involved that give you the advantage. The news about Bangladesh touring Pakistan is good for players and the country.”Pakistan’s politicians also supported the development. The foreign minister, Hina Rabbani Khar, said: “PCB’s efforts have finally borne fruit and Bangladesh team’s visit will help bring international cricket back to Pakistan and will motivate more teams to come to our country.”The interior minister, Rehman Malik, said the best security would be in place. “We will leave no stone unturned and put in place the best possible security for the Bangladesh team as per our promise and make this tour an exemplary one so that other teams also tour us.”Rashid Latif, the former Pakistan wicketkeeper, stressed the need for the “best arrangements”. “We must not leave any loopholes in security because we cannot afford a minor mistake or any lapse in arrangements.”

Ahmed Shehzad, in the company of his captain Mohammad Hafeez, established several records on way to plundering an unbeaten 98 against Zimbabwe

The Report by Abhishek Purohit24-Aug-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAhmed Shehzad made the highest Twenty20 score by a Pakistan batsman•AFPAhmed Shehzad established several records on way to plundering Zimbabwe for an unbeaten 98, which sealed a 2-0 sweep of the Twenty20 series for Pakistan. Shehzad bettered his best T20 international innings of 70, achieved in the previous game, to make the highest score in the format by a Pakistan batsman, going past Misbah-ul-Haq’s 87* against Bangladesh in Karachi in 2008. Heaving the ball repeatedly over the leg-side boundary to become the first from his country to hit six sixes in a T20 innings, Shehzad added 143 for the second wicket with Mohammad Hafeez, making it the highest T20 partnership by a Pakistan pair. The previous best was 142 for the first wicket between Kamran Akmal and Salman Butt against Bangladesh at Gros Islet in the 2010 World Twenty20.Shehzad’s innings was yet another example of how much damage top-order batsmen can cause in T20s, if they take a bit of time instead of throwing their bats at everything from the first ball. The first five that Shehzad played were all dots, from the offspinner Prosper Utseya. To the sixth, Shehzad charged out and lofted over long-on for six. This ability to come up with the big hit would define Shehzad’s innings. More than a third of the 64 deliveries he faced were dots, and he was on 11 off 18 at one stage, but the heave over midwicket was always around the corner.After Brendan Taylor again decided to chase, it was Nasir Jamshed who got Pakistan going with 23 off 17. He was put down at slip on 7 but soon mishit Shingi Masakadza for mid-off to take a running catch in the sixth over. That was to be it for Zimbabwe for the innings. Barring a couple of leading edges off Hafeez that did not carry, they didn’t really come close to taking another wicket. In Zimbabwe’s defence, whenever Shehzad and Hafeez mishit the ball, it never came close to carrying to the deep fielders.And their fast bowlers never got the yorkers right, sending down length deliveries and full tosses instead, which Pakistan put away with ease.Shehzad favoured the leg side overwhelmingly, 73 of his 98 coming in that region, including 10 of his 12 boundaries. Considering most of them were full-blooded swings across the line, the timing and placement he managed on the shots was commendable.Shehzad needed just 22 deliveries after reaching his fifty to come within two runs of a century. Three of those were dots off Brian Vitori in the 16th over. The other three were swung for boundaries down the ground. He entered the last over on 86 and powered Vitori over long-on first ball. The hundred within sight, a determined but tiring Shehzad laboured back for successive twos next. He wanted two off the fourth ball as well, but Hafeez was in no mood for gifting a run-out chance to Zimbabwe. Sensitive to his opener’s palpable desire, Hafeez pushed a single off the penultimate ball, but for once, Shehzad failed to pick a gap off the final one, trotting a single to deep midwicket.With Shehzad in such flow, Hafeez didn’t have to do much more than turn the strike over for most of the partnership, before finding the boundary a few times at the death. The Pakistan captain would have a much larger role with the ball, after resting first-choice bowlers Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Irfan. Anwar Ali was taken for three fours in his first over, and Zimbabwe were keeping up with the asking-rate at 44 for 0 after the first five. Then came the spinners, and Zimbabwe, again, had no answers.Zulfiqar Babar began with a maiden, and Hafeez with a wicket-maiden, as Vusi Sibanda holed out after successive slow starts. In his next over, Hafeez had Taylor gloving an attempted reverse-sweep. Hamilton Masakadza fought to make 41, but Hafeez had him pulling to deep midwicket in the 14th. Babar’s double-strike in the next over sent Zimbabwe plummeting further to 109 for 5. Elton Chigumbura and Malcolm Waller tried, but Shehzad had pulled so far in front that even an inexperienced attack wasn’t really pushed.

Adelaide Strikers have delved deep into Australian cricket’s spin bowling archives in their search for a left-arm spinner to replace the injured Jon Holland, trialling the long forgotten slow bowling of Brad Young and Mark Higgs

Daniel Brettig23-Nov-2012Adelaide Strikers have delved deep into Australian cricket’s spin bowling archives in their search for a left-arm spinner to replace the injured Jon Holland, trialling the long forgotten slow bowling of Brad Young and Mark Higgs.Young last played for South Australia in 2003 and Higgs finished up with the Redbacks in 2005 before moving to play for the ACT in Canberra. Both had brief dalliances with the Australia team, Higgs picked for the 2000 ICC Trophy in Kenya and Young taking a hat-trick at the 1998 Commonwealth Games while also making six official ODI appearances. But one of the two now appears likely to emulate the comebacks of Stuart MacGill and Brad Hogg in this summer’s BBL, as the Strikers seek to fill one of two remaining holes in their squad.While 39-year-old Young has been sighted at South Australia squad training this season, Higgs was flown down from Canberra to trial, and demonstrated a vast repertoire that includes both left-arm orthodox and over-the-wrist variations. He finished the trial match with five wickets.”Both were good, Higgsy played in the game down here and he took some wickets and Brad’s playing for the Grange cricket club and has been playing down the years,” Strikers coach Darren Berry told ESPNcricinfo. “So they’re both thereabouts, albeit being outside first-class cricket for a while. I’m prepared as always to have an open mind about where we go, we haven’t made a decision on it yet, but those two are two that are under consideration.”We’ve got two replacement players to find. We’ve taken Cameron Boyce on our list which we’re excited about, we took him initially but we’ll still look for one more as a replacement player.”Spin has been a major plank of Berry’s T20 strategy since coming to South Australia, and his teams have prospered with the likes of Nathan Lyon, Adil Rashid and Aaron O’Brien. Last summer the Strikers tried the old and young combination of Bryce McGain and James Muirhead, who has this season signed with the Melbourne Renegades.While the highly-skilled Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal will take a place in the Strikers’ squad for at least one match, Boyce will be the team’s go-to slow bowler for much of the competition, leaving Berry to consider Young or Higgs as another option. The Strikers had also made attempts to sign the legspinner Fawad Ahmed, who had recently been granted Australian residency, but he too has joined the Renegades.”Given we’ve gone with Boyce as a young legspinner, James Muirhead was our project player last year, someone with real talent, but he’s been snapped up by the Renegades,” Berry said. “So we’ve picked Boyce as a younger spinner playing first-class cricket for Queensland who we think has got a game that can do the job for us. So he’s the main one.”But we’re also looking at someone who can come in and do a role, I’m big in T20 on players coming in to do a role for certain games against certain opposition, so that’s what I’m looking at.”The Sydney Sixers, meanwhile, have signed the Queensland swing bowler Luke Feldman as the final domestic player in their squad. The Sixers are also looking out for an overseas replacement for Umar Akmal after the Pakistani batsman could only commit to one game when he had initially been available for three.”It was a surprise to hear from Stuart [Clark, Sixers general manager] as I thought they would have had their roster completed but I was chuffed at the call,” Feldman said. “The opportunity to play with some of the big stars such as Brett Lee and David Warner was too good to pass up, as well as playing for the reigning champions. I’m looking forward to it.”