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Kent lifted themselves off the bottom of the County Championship by completing their second victory of the season by beating Leicestershire by eight wickets at Grace Road.

ECB/PA07-Jul-2015
ScorecardMatt Coles completed a career-best 10 for 94 on the third morning•Getty ImagesKent lifted themselves off the bottom of the County Championship by completing their second victory of the season by beating Leicestershire by eight wickets at Grace Road.Despite heavy overnight rain, play resumed on time with Leicestershire on 110 for 9, only 59 ahead, and Ben Raine and Charlie Shreck took the score on to 123 before Shreck was bowled by Matt Coles, the seamer’s fourth wicket of the innings to go with the six he took in Leicestershire’s first innings. Coles’ match figures of 10 for 94 were his best in first class cricket. Allrounder Raine finished on 41 not out.Needing just 73 to win on what was still a difficult pitch on which to bat, the Kent batsmen adopted an aggressive approach, and while it paid off for Joe Denly, it did cause the demise of Daniel Bell-Drummond, caught by Angus Robson at first slip off the bowling of Raine for 5, and Rob Key, who lofted Raine straight to Ned Eckersley at mid-on for 4.But Denly prospered hitting 37 off 48 balls, and in company with skipper Sam Northeast, who hit 28 off 25 balls, saw the visitors home shortly after lunch.Captain Sam Northeast praised his three seam bowlers after Kent completed their second victory of the season and lifted themselves off the bottom of the county championship. “Matt Coles, Calum Haggett and Darren Stevens really stuck to their task well after we lost Ivan Thomas [to a side strain] almost at the start of the game, and to bowl Leicestershire out twice and set up the game in the way we did was pleasing,” Northeast said.But he was not impressed with the Grace Road pitch, which was very green and offered the bowlers assistance throughout. “We have to take it as it comes, but we seem to be going from place to place and playing on this type of ‘result’ wicket and I don’t think it’s great for cricket in general, and producing England players and good cricket.”We’ve taken away the points, so people will probably say ‘just be happy’ but I think someone higher up than myself probably needs to look at what is happening at the moment with Division Two wickets.”

Portugal got the best out of Bruno Fernandes in a 4-0 thrashing of the Czech Republic in the Nations League on Saturday.

At least for a night, manager Fernando Santos did what he couldn't do at Euro 2020: Put Fernandes in a position to stand out.

The Manchester United midfielder, benched at that tournament, scored and assisted against the Czech Republic in an energetic performance that encapsulated his positive qualities. He's worked his way back to being an easy first-choice selection.

Fernandes was allowed more freedom as Santos turned away from the three-man midfield he has leaned on for much of the past couple of years. Portugal deployed a double-pivot between Wolves' Ruben Neves and Real Betis' William Carvalho, which allowed Fernandes and Manchester City's Bernardo Silva to push up the pitch more than they're sometimes allowed. The plan worked perfectly.

One of Fernandes' team-mates at Old Trafford, Diogo Dalot, was also among the top performers with a two-goal effort, while Liverpool's Diogo Jota came off the bench to net Portugal's fourth.

Cristiano Ronaldo struggled, however, showing his age in a game in which he would usually have thrived. The starting role is unlikely to be pried away from him, but Portugal are desperate for him to find his goalscoring form.

Getty ImagesThe Winners

Winner: Bruno Fernandes

What a performance! Truly unleashed by the midfield duo behind him, Fernandes roamed to all the right spots with Portugal in possession, posing constant danger with his movement and passing vision.

Ronaldo wasted two would-be assists in the first half, but no worries, Fernandes scored himself after a dart towards goal that Mario Rui picked out with a well-timed cross and contributed to the build-up on Dalot's opener, before assisting him for another goal in the second half.

Winner: Diogo Dalot

A second strong showing from a Manchester United player here, and one that cements his place as a starting line-up contender who could allow Joao Cancelo to play on the left side.

Dalot did the hard work on his first goal, carrying the ball from the midfield into the attacking third before making a smart run into the box to finish Leao's cut-back pass. His second strike was even better. He dribbled neatly in traffic onto his left foot and swung a long shot around the goalkeeper.

Portugal's big hope at the World Cup is for their individual dynamism to create chances against even the strongest of defences. Dalot has been overlooked as a player who can contribute to those moments of magic, but he's demonstrated he has that ability in him.

Winner: Rafael Leao

Getting the start was a big confidence lift, and he didn't let his manager down.

Leao is in a tough fight for a starting spot in the attack, battling Diogo Jota for the position and perhaps behind in the pecking order entering Saturday's match. He made a decent argument that he deserves the role – even though he is still without a senior goal in his Portugal career.

The AC Milan star sent Fernandes into open space with a nice first-half pass, the move ultimately leading to a goalscoring chance for Ronaldo. He then assisted Dalot after a sprint to collect the ball before it rolled past the byline.

Yes, he was sloppy at times, and yes, Jota did score off the bench. But Leao looks better now than he did at the very start of his career under Santos, and his manager clearly wants to give him every opportunity to succeed.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers

Loser: Cristiano Ronaldo

The narrative has always been that while Ronaldo's movement may be in decline, his shooting touch would not abandon him with age. Inconsistent service with Manchester United, then, was identified as part of the reason for his club struggles. But against Czech Republic, he repeatedly received passes in dangerous positions only to get his technique wrong. Scuffed shots, an attempted volley off his shin, lots of slamming the turf in frustration. Plus, a penalty conceded from a handball.

His place in the starting line-up likely remans secure given the lack of natural strikers making an impression on Santos, but it has been an unwanted poor start to the international break amid a wide-open game in which he historically would have netted at least a brace.

We should mention, in fairness to him, that he sustained a nasty nose injury early in the game.

Loser: Patrik Schick

Czech Republic were given a gift at the end of the first half when Ronaldo handled the ball in the box, but Schick blazed his spot kick over the bar. From there, his team were completely deflated.

Loser: Nuno Mendes

Widely expected to be the starter in Portugal's World Cup opener, Nuno Mendes watched from the bench as the team performed well with Rui in his place. Rui is not the man the Paris Saint-Germain youngster will be worried about – the potential trouble for him would be that when Cancelo returns from suspension, he could take over at left-back with Dalot starting at right-back. Cancelo is a standout performer as a right-footed left-back for club at Manchester City, while Dalot is impressing in all competitions at Old Trafford.

Getty ImagesPortugal Ratings: Defence

Diogo Costa (6/10):

Schick ensured Costa kept a clean sheet by sending his penalty flying over the bar. Not much for the goalkeeper to do overall. Made two saves.

Diogo Dalot (8/10):

Best match of his young international career. Provided an unexpected offensive boost and didn't put a foot wrong. He belongs on the plane to Qatar – and perhaps in the starting line-up – on current form.

Ruben Dias (6/10):

Made a clumsy foul near the corner flag in the second half but was otherwise assured as always, both in defence and as a confident passer.

Danilo Pereira (6/10):

Solid player, solid performance. Played centre-back with Pepe injured, but he can also play as a defensive midfielder. That versatility, as well as his experience, make the PSG veteran a lock for Qatar.

Mario Rui (7/10):

A surprise start proved a stroke of genius from Santos. He was on the same wavelength as Fernandes to assist the second goal – a connection one wouldn't expect from players with scant experience competing together.

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Getty ImagesMidfield

Ruben Neves (6/10):

Hub of possession for Portugal along with his central partner, and always looking for the deep pass to set the forwards free. Almost scored a trademark long-shot late in the match.

William Carvalho (6/10):

The Real Betis man didn't put in an eye-catching effort, but kept things clean.

Steven Fletcher is enjoying his football again at 36, with the evergreen striker loving life alongside Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at Wrexham.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Veteran frontman joined as a free agentEndured testing 2022-23 campaign in ScotlandBack among the goals & targeting promotionWHAT HAPPENED?

There was a chance that the former Scotland international would call it quits and head into retirement following his release by Dundee United in June 2023 at the end of a campaign that delivered relegation out of the Scottish Premiership.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT FLETCHER SAID

Fletcher was, however, presented with an intriguing offer from Hollywood superstars in North Wales and has said of rediscovering a spark in the twilight of his career: “I am really enjoying it here, especially at my age. I had a disappointing season last season so to come here and be enjoying my football again is great. Being near the end of your career, it is nice to be in this sort of atmosphere challenging for promotion.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Fletcher, who will turn 37 in March, has registered seven goals for Wrexham this season – including a hat-trick against Barrow and a match-winning effort versus Notts County last time out – and added on his return through 20 appearances: “Seven goals, I can't complain with that. I just need to keep that going and stay in the team.”

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR FLETCHER & WREXHAM?

Phil Parkinson has suggested that Fletcher and Paul Mullin form his favoured strike partnership, and they may get another opportunity to lead the line on Tuesday when the Red Dragons take in a trip to MK Dons. They head into that game sat third in the League Two table, but boasting games in hand on all of those around them.

The West Indies head coach, Ottis Gibson and captains Darren Sammy and Dwayne Bravo have been added to the selection panel, as part of 19 recommendations approved by the board of directors of the WICB

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Mar-2014The West Indies head coach, Ottis Gibson and captains Darren Sammy and Dwayne Bravo have been added to the selection panel, as part of 19 recommendations approved by the board of directors of the West Indies Cricket Board to help improve the game in the region. The recommendations were presented by Richard Pybus, the WICB’s director of cricket.The 33-page Pybus Report follows a comprehensive three month, region-wide study which he conducted between November 2013 and January 2014. Pybus, who coached Pakistan and Bangladesh apart from a host of domestic teams around the world, took on his new position last October.Gibson will have voting rights in the selection panel while Sammy (Test and T20 captain) and Bravo (ODI captain) are in the panel as non-voting members. They will be added to the panel that includes Clyde Butts (chairman), Robert Haynes and Courtney Browne.Another significant recommendation was the restructuring of the first-class game in the region. There will be a structured year-round cricket programme with each team playing a minimum of ten matches per season with a home and away format, stretching the domestic season to six months. In a bid to further professionalise the game, annual contracts will be given to 15 players from each territorial board.There will be professional coaching staff for all first-class teams and all matches will be played at international standard grounds. The WICB will appoint a Coaching Manager to implement and oversee coaching programme throughout the region and implement the Elite Coaches Pathway programme which will identify current and former players for accelerated coaching training.There was a recommendation to downsize the number of first-class teams from seven to six to make the Regional Four Day more competitive, but the decision was deferred..

The double act produced by Adam Lyth and Aaron Finch in the Roses match at Old Trafford was re-enacted for local consumption at Headingley as Yorkshire kept their quarter-final fires burning with a 14-run win against Leicestershire

David Hopps01-Jul-2014
ScorecardAdil Rashid claimed two wickets as an impressive Yorkshire fielding display secured victory•Getty ImagesIf you thought the most wondrous catch in the NatWest Blast this season was too good to be repeated, think again. The double act produced by Adam Lyth and Aaron Finch in the Roses match at Old Trafford was re-enacted for local consumption at Headingley as Yorkshire kept their quarter-final fires burning with a 14-run win against Leicestershire.To watch such a slick combination once was a privilege. To see it twice in a matter of weeks defied belief. It had become an everyday miracle like birdsong or Black Sheep bitter. Twice, Lyth and Finch have achieved standards that if produced in IPL would be talked about for years.Nothing could be a better advertisement for the NatWest Blast as it battles to gain a place in public affections. There might even be a grudging nod of approval when no one is looking from those Yorkshire members who stoutly refuse to give house room to anything other than Championship cricket.At Old Trafford, it was Tom Smith who perished as Yorkshire clung on for a narrow victory. This time Josh Cobb was silenced just as a domineering stand between Cobb and Greg Smith suggested that Leicestershire could successfully pursue the 169 needed for victory. On both occasions, the Blast achieved standards that would delight any T20 league in the world.The routine is so slick it is tempting to assume it has been practiced more than it has. On both occasions, Lyth acrobatically knocked back the ball in mid-air from over the long-on boundary for Finch to complete the catch inside the boundary rope. Only this time the marks for artistic impression were higher: there was more of a twist in Lyth’s leap and Finch, instead of just accepting a perfect hand-off, had to plunge forward to hold a low, right-handed catch. “That was ordinary – we’ll have to work on that in the morning,” Finch joked.”I don’t know what to say to be honest,” Lyth said. “I needed a bit of luck. I had to run a little bit further for this one. And it’s Finchy who gets the catch.” They were quite rightly judged by Sky TV as joint winners of the Man of the Match award.”It changed the game,” Andrew Gale, Yorkshire’s captain, said. “Leicestershire have a lot of power up top. We practise a lot of our fielding but I’m not sure how much we practise that. It just shows the power and athleticism of the boys.”Fielding settled this match – one that Yorkshire were desperate to win to make the most of two home matches in successive days. Matt Boyce and Ben Raine were both run out, the latter via a direct hit from Azeem Rafiq. For Raine, who had bowled Finch on his way to 3 for 25, a first-ball dismissal killed his thoughts of a match-winning turn. It was all far removed from Leicestershire’s shoddy fielding display.There was a stumping, too, from Jonny Bairstow to rid Yorkshire of Ned Eckersley as the spinners, Adil Rashid and Rafiq, strangled Leicestershire in mid-innings on a gripping pitch. But as Bairstow seeks to rebuild his reputation he should reflect, too, on a careless missed run-out of Eckersley when he took the throw one handed and broke the stumps after the ball had slipped from his grasp.Yorkshire struck 33 from the last two overs of their innings – Tim Bresnan and Richard Pyrah rescuing an innings which had never caught fire. Greg Smith, out four overs from the end after making 56 from 49 balls, ensured Leicestershire needed only 27, but from the first ball Tom Wells struck Ryan Sidebottom flat to long-off where Finch this time took the catch without the need for a combo. At eight wickets down, Leicestershire never threatened again.Gale had provided the half-century that gave Yorkshire early ballast. “They gave me a few lives, but you need a bit of luck in T20,” he said. “I’ve had a stinker in the first five games so I’ve gone back to being an orthodox slogger, if you like.”The captain could be satisfied with his change of fortune but, as they returned to the top four, of far more importance was an essential victory less than 24 hours before Durham arrive at Headingley. Who knows, those Championship-only members might even turn out to cheer them on.

The Christchurch Test was won on the back of stunning first-innings performances, but New Zealand are taking nothing for granted in Wellington

The Preview by Andrew Fidel Fernando02-Jan-2015Match factsJanuary 3-7, 2015
Start time 1100 local (2200 GMT)Big PictureThe second innings of the Boxing Day Test is what both sides have kept in mind in the approach to the second Test. For Sri Lanka, the fightback is a source of self belief. “We can compete out here,” is the thought they have embraced. For the hosts, memories of that second innings have prevented them from “getting too far ahead of ourselves.” The Christchurch match was won on the back of stunning first-innings performances, but New Zealand are taking nothing for granted in Wellington.Having now had more time to acclimatise, Sri Lanka are expected to be a sterner opposition, but New Zealand still hold the aces. In a nine-month period in which Sri Lanka have already faced the England and South Africa attacks, Kaushal Silva said he has not ever seen swing as late and accurate as what Trent Boult and Tim Southee delivered. Many also thought Brendon McCullum would not top his 202 in Sharjah for a long time, but he did so on his very next outing, on a seaming deck. Add Kane Williamson’s form, and the general confidence surging through this side to the equation, and New Zealand appear among the most potent Test forces in the world at present.Sri Lanka’s path to parity is marked out by grit, and that is a quality they have possessed plenty of in the past year. They are outgunned man-for-man in these conditions, but feel they can hold their own as a team. Aggressive batsmen have been prepared to go slow. The lower order has made some runs. Angelo Mathews has held the whole operation together, making vital stands with the tail, and providing sparse but important breakthroughs with the ball. For this match they also have Rangana Herath, who has a track record of running through New Zealand, albeit on much more helpful surfaces.Form guideNew Zealand WWDLW (last five matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LWWDL
In the spotlightHamish Rutherford’s Test career so far has been an endeavour to make good on the promise of his 171 from 217 balls on debut against England in 2013, but in 25 completed innings since, he has crossed fifty only once. Known in domestic cricket for his positive approach – which should make him a good fit for this New Zealand side – Rutherford must make runs in Wellington or risk being cut loose again, as he was after the tour of the Caribbean last year.There is perhaps no harder worker in international cricket than Kumar Sangakkara, and visibly distraught at his match-aggregate of seven in Christchurch, he has virtually lived in the nets since. Perhaps he knows that this attack has laid him low before. In the last Test series against New Zealand, Sangakkara made only 21 runs in three innings – and that was in Sri Lanka. He has a sublime record against every team, and in every continent, and he will be desperate to prove himself once again, on what will probably be his final overseas Test.Teams newsTim Southee has suffered a minor ankle injury between Tests, and a decision about his availability has not yet been made. McCullum said Doug Bracewell would take Southee’s place, should he prove unfit. Corey Anderson has regained fitness, but with James Neesham having made runs in Christchurch, the hosts have suggested they will stick by him. Kane Williamson is also carrying a shoulder niggle, after landing awkwardly on it, but McCullum expected him to play.New Zealand: (probable) 1 Tom Latham, , 2 Hamish Rutherford, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5  Brendon McCullum (capt), 6 James Neesham, 7 BJ Watling (wk), 8 Mark Craig, 9 Neil Wagner, 10 Tim Southee/Doug Bracewell, 11 Trent BoultSri Lanka might have been tempted to play two spinners at the Basin, but the inch of grass seen on the pitch would probably have scuppered those thoughts. Herath, who was likely to be a straight swap for Tharindu Kaushal, is only 50-50 to play. “Herath must pass a fitness Test on Saturday morning before he is cleared to play,” Mathews said. Dinesh Chandimal may also come in for Niroshan Dickwella, and Dhammika Prasad’s place may be under threat from Nuwan Pradeep.Sri Lanka: (probable) 1 Dimuth Karunaratne, 2 Kaushal Silva, 3  Kumar Sangakkara, 4 Lahiru Thirimanne,  5 Angelo Mathews (capt),  6 Dinesh Chandimal, 7 Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), 8 Rangana Herath/Tharindu Kaushal, 9 Dhammika Prasad/Nuwan Pradeep, 10 Shaminda Eranga, 11 Suranga LakmalPitch and conditionsThis pitch looks even greener than the surface at Hagley Oval did in the approach to that Test, but locals say that does not necessarily mean it will be a seamers’ paradise throughout. The surface will be spicy on the first day, but then has a tendency to flatten out somewhat, though it is expected to retain the pace and bounce that will keep bowlers in the contest. The weather forecast is good for the first few days, but worsens towards the end of the Test. The wind, of course, always has a bearing on the match in Wellington.Stats and trivia New Zealand have gone unbeaten in 10 matches at home. The last side to defeat them was South Africa, in March 2012 Rangana Herath has 31 New Zealand wickets at an average of 19.58 – his best against any opposition. His three wickets in New Zealand, though, came at 40 runs apiece, in a Napier Test back in 2005 Brendon McCullum’s 1164 runs in 2014 came at a strike rate of over 72. This despite his rearguard 302 against India in Wellington having come off 559 ballsQuotes”Tim is incredibly honest with his assessment and most of the time he will play even if he’s not quite right. I think in this circumstance he’ll make a pretty astute judgement on whether he thinks he’s right or not and we’ve got trust in our support staff as well as in our physio and coach to make the right decision. We’ll see how it scrubs up in the morning, and if he is a risk that’s not worth taking, we won’t take it.”
“I look to score runs and try to be positive. That has always been the strength for me, regardless of the situation and conditions. I stick to that game plan and it has worked well.”
Angelo Mathews lays out the simple approach that has brought him success all over the world in the past year.