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There are just six points separating second from sixth in the Serie A standings – and they all play each other this weekend!

So, the race for the Serie A title is officially over. In truth, it had been for some time. For months, it was a question of when – and not if – Napoli would win the league. And Luciano Spalletti's scintillating side got the job done at the second attempt on Thursday, picking up a point at Udinese to give themselves an unassailable lead at the summit of the standings.

However, while the party that is still raging in Naples will continue to attract plenty of media attention, the focus has already shifted to the most remarkable battle to finish in the top four. Right now, with just five rounds of the 2022-23 season to go, there are just six points separating second from seventh.

And it gets even better: the six sides battling it out for the three remaining Champions League places will all play one of their rivals this weekend. Milan host Lazio on Saturday afternoon before Roma welcome Inter to the Stadio Olimpico later in the day. Then, Juventus must travel to Bergamo for a lunchtime showdown with Atalanta on Sunday.

It's a dream scenario for Serie A fanatics. The stakes could not be any higher, because the financial gain that comes with competing in Europe's top-tier tournament has never been more important to Italy's cash-strapped clubs.

So, who will secure one of those precious places in next season's Champions League. GOAL analyses each contender's hopes of a top-four finish below…

Getty ImagesRoma – 58 points

Is Jose Mourinho cracking – or just trying to deflect attention away from a Roma team that appears to be running out of steam at precisely the wrong time? Even by the Portuguese's embarrassingly low standards, his rant against referee Daniele Chiffi after Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Monza was particularly pathetic.

Another touchline ban beckons for a manager who has already been sent off three times this season, and Mourinho's imminent absence is unlikely to help a group of players that are already at breaking point, physically and mentally. Indeed, Roma's injury issues are so bad at the moment that Mourinho even joked about having to pick himself – or try to bring club legend Aldair out of retirement.

The Giallorossi are still well in contention to finish in the top four, but they've failed to win any of their past three league games and the stress and strain of competing in the Europa League – Roma play Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-finals – is taking its toll on a squad that has a serious lack of strength in depth, as Mourinho himself has been very quick to point out.

Saturday evening's clash with The Special One's former club, Inter, really could be crucial to the capital club's hopes of securing a return to the Champions League for the first time since 2018-19. There is already mounting speculation that if Roma don't make it, a visibly and increasingly frustrated Mourinho will leave Roma this summer.

Remaining Fixtures:

Serie A: INTER (h)

Europa League: BAYER LEVERKUSEN (h)

Serie A: Bologna (a)

Europa League: Bayer Leverkusen (a)

Serie A: SALERNITANA (h)

Serie A: Fiorentina (a)

Serie A: SPEZIA (h)

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesAC Milan – 58 points

There is a very real chance that last season's title-winners will fail to finish in the top four. Milan may be in the semi-finals of the Champions League and on a six-match unbeaten run in Serie A but, as Stefano Pioli says, they're "throwing points away" on a weekly basis.

Indeed, the Rossoneri, who proved their quality, intelligence and discipline in knocking Napoli out of Europe, have drawn four of their last five league games. What has been hammered home during that run is that Milan's reserves are simply not up to scratch. Pioli just cannot afford to rotate players and that is proving a major problem for a squad still competing in continental competition.

Some fans are even claiming that they would accept progressing to the Champions League final at the expense of city rivals Inter, even if it meant missing out on qualification for next season's tournament via Serie A.

Still, this group retains the capacity to surprise, primarily because of their winning mentality, and with Rafael Leao showing signs of returning to his best form, Milan could yet realise their twin objectives. Victory over Lazio, though, is imperative, particularly as the Rossoneri still have to go to Juventus before the season is out.

"If we don't charge gear," Pioli said after Wednesday's 1-1 draw at home to Cremonese, "it's going to be very difficult for us to finish in the top four."

Remaining Fixtures:

Serie A: LAZIO (h)

Champions League: INTER (h)

Serie A: Spezia (a)

Champions League: Inter (a)

Serie A: SAMPDORIA (h)

Serie A: Juventus (a)

Serie A: VERONA (h)

Getty ImagesAtalanta – 58 points

They couldn't do it again, could they?! After stunning the football world – and putting Andrea Agnelli's nose out of joint – by qualifying for the Champions League three years in a row, Atalanta hit a major bump in the road last season, finishing eighth in Serie A. It appeared to be the end of the adventure.

However, despite not being at their brilliant best this year, the Bergamaschi have managed to sneak their way back into the top-four battle thanks to four wins in a row.

Gian Piero Gasperini has openly admitted that this current version of Atalanta is not on the same level as some of its predecessors, certainly from a technical perspective, but they still have some excellent players, most notably in midfield, where you'll find Marten de Roon and Teun Koopmeiners. Furthermore, in Rasmus Hojlund they have one of the most promising young attackers in world football, while Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel might just have come alive again at precisely the right time.

Granted, their fixture list is far from straightforward. Salernitana and Monza are horribly awkward opponents, while they face a daunting trip to San Siro to take on a seemingly resurgent Inter. However, beat Juventus at home on Sunday and the Bergamaschi, who have no other distractions to worry about, will approach their final four fixtures brimming with belief.

Remaining Fixtures:

Serie A: JUVENTUS (h)

Serie A: Salernitana (a)

Serie A: VERONA (h)

Serie A: Inter (a)

Serie A: MONZA (h)

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GettyInter – 60 points

What on earth is one meant to make of Inter?! Champions League semi-finalists yet struggling in Serie A. After being pipped to the post by Milan last year, the Nerazzurri were meant to mount a serious Scudetto challenge this season – but it was obvious by October that they didn't have anything like the requisite consistency to keep up with Napoli. Their top-four challenge also began to unravel in the spring, after five defeats in seven Serie A outings.

However, their European exploits have restored confidence, and Inter have now won three league games on the spin, thanks in no small part to Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku finally finding their shooting boots.

“Let’s say that we are in a good moment, we are playing well, we have recovered important players and now the results are coming," coach Simone Inzaghi enthused after Wednesday's 6-0 win at Verona. "I’m happy, but we must continue as we know that there are potential pitfalls around the corner."

Indeed, it always feels as if Inter are one bad game away from a full-blown crisis and nobody has a more punishing fixture list, with the Nerazzurri still competing on three fronts: Serie A, the Champions League and the Coppa Italia. Saturday's trip to Rome could shape their season, as it will decide whether they go into next week's monumental derby with Milan in the right frame of mind…

Remaining Fixtures:

Serie A: Roma (a)

Champions League: AC Milan (a)

Serie A: SASSUOLO (h)

Champions League: AC MILAN (h)

Serie A: Napoli (a)

Coppa Italia Final: Fiorentina (n)

Serie A: ATALANTA (h)

Serie A: Torino (a)

In light of Saturday's FA Cup final, GOAL pick an African Dream Team to have won football's oldest club competition

GettyBruce Grobbelaar

Africa has not produced many goalkeepers who have had as much success around the world as Grobbelaar.

The Zimbabwe keeper was very successful during his time at Liverpool, and in a career that spanned over 600 games, he won six league titles, three FA Cup winner’s medals and a European Cup.

He will cherish his 1989 FA Cup medal in particular, as a tribute to the 96 Liverpool fans who were killed in the Hillsborough disaster earlier that season. 

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLauren

Lauren was an outstanding defender and a crucial member of Arsenal’s Invincibles team that went the entire 2003/04 season unbeaten.

The Cameroonian was often referred to as the Gunners’ unsung hero during his time at the club, and walked away with a Premier League double, three FA Cup medals, and two Community Shield trophies.

He also enoyed a superb international career with the Indomitable Lions. 

Getty ImagesKolo Toure

Toure was a defensive stalwart in England for more than a decade, winning trophies with Arsenal and Manchester City.

He won the FA Cup three times, two with the Gunners and one at City, and enjoyed great success in North London as a member of the 2004 Invincibles squad. 

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(C)Getty ImagesJoel Matip

The Cameroon centre-back steps into our African Dream XI of African winners after clinching the cup with Liverpool on Saturday.

He was introduced as a substitute during the contest, and helped the Reds keep the European champions at bay before they won it on penalties.

Here are the top picks for defenders in World Cup 2022 fantasy football

Who are the best World Cup 2022 fantasy football defenders?

FIFA World Cup Fantasy is open and managers are required to select 15 players in their squads, including five defenders.

GOAL takes a look at the top choices among defenders in the World Cup Fantasy Game, including a few bargain options.

GettyVirgil van Dijk | Netherlands | €6m

Virgil van Dijk has made a name for himself as one of the top centre-backs in the world with his performances for Liverpool in the Premier League. He is a solid choice to lead the defence for Netherlands who find themselves in a group that has hosts Qatar, Ecuador and Senegal.

Van Dijk is one of the 10 most expensive defenders who all cost £6m each.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLisandro Martinez | Argentina | €6m

Argentina are considered to be one of the main contenders for the 2022 World Cup.

When a team is touted a favourite, its defence is expected to play a major role and Lisandro Martinez – who has started his Manchester United career strongly this season- will be one to watch out for during the tournament.

Getty ImagesJoao Cancelo | Portugal | €6m

Joao Cancelo has been in stupendous form for Manchester City and he will hope to take it to the World Cup as Portugal aim to make a mark.

Cancelo, who costs €6m, is the most picked defender in the World Cup fantasy football game, with 45.5% of managers selecting the full-back.

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Getty ImagesDenzel Dumfries | Netherlands | €6m

Virgil van Dijk isn't the only Netherlands defender to have takers in the World Cup fantasy football game. Denzel Dumfries has been selected by 25.2% of players – more than have taken up the Liverpool talisman.

He costs the same as his national team partner but provides a greater chance of goals and assists.

Hong Kong have identified Zimbabwe as the favourites in their group, but will look to step up and scalp another Full Member, having defeated Bangladesh in the last World TwentyT20

The Preview by Firdose Moonda07-Mar-2016Match factsTuesday, March 8, 2016
Start time 1500 local (0930GMT)Big pictureA major tournament usually enjoys a blockbuster start and while neither Zimbabwe nor Hong Kong claim to provide that, they promise an intriguing opener. The qualifying round of the World TwentyT20 kicks off with the 13th and 14th ranked sides taking each other on, which means the opener will a lot closer than it may appear.Zimbabwe will fancy their chances of taking an early advantage in the race for the tournament proper, but will do well not to get ahead of themselves. Hong Kong had upset Bangladesh at the same stage in the 2014 World T20, and will eye another Full Member takedown, having played enough T20 cricket. Hong Kong have already identified Zimbabwe as the favourites in their group, but both sides must be confident, following a thorough warm-up program.Zimbabwe had played a handful of games in the UAE and then rebounded from the loss against Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association XI to beat Ireland. Hong Kong went down in each of their three matches in the Asia Cup, and also suffered a thrashing against Ireland, but picked themselves up with a tense win against HPCA XI.Hong Kong will hope that Zimbabwe will not be as tough as UAE and Afghanistan were on them, but Zimbabwe will be keen to put their foot on Hong Kong’s throat and get their campaign off to a winning start.Form guide(last five completed matches)Zimbabwe WWLLL
Hong Kong LLLLWWatch out forSince his international debut in 2003, Vusi Sibanda has promised much, but has failed to deliver consistently. Sibanda’s T20I average is only 19.38, and he has not scored a half-century but has the potential to rectify that anomaly. The reality check of being left out of the 2015 World Cup squad and his experience mean that he has a good chance of breaking through this tournament.At 44 years and 29 days, Ryan Campbell is the oldest player at the tournament and is all set to become the oldest debutant in T20Is. Campbell has more than two decades of experience as a professional cricketer, having played two ODIs for Australia. He was once left chasing Adam Gilchrist for a spot in the Australia XI, but is now on the hunt for a happy second-coming for his adopted home. Campbell starred in Hong Kong’s warm-up win over HPCA XI when he scored 46 off 42 balls and took 2 for 10. He then admitted it felt good to “show you can do it.”Team newsZimbabwe have settled on Richmond Mutumbami at No.3 to follow Hamilton Masakadza and Sibanda. Their middle-order looks solid with Malcolm Waller, Sean Williams, Peter Moor and Elton Chigumbura all providing big-hitting options. Their puzzle comes in the bowling department where they will need to decide which of Tendai Chatara, Tendai Chisoro, Donald Tiripano, Tawanda Mupariwa or Tinashe Panyangara to play. Wellington Masakadza is likely take the specialist spinner’s spot.Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Hamilton Masakadza, 2 Vusi Sibanda, 3 Richmond Mutumbami (wk), 4 Malcolm Waller, 5 Sean Williams, 6 Peter Moor, 7 Elton Chigumbura, 8 Tendai Chatara, 9 Donald Tiripano, 10 Tawanda Mupariwa, 11 Wellington MasakadzaHong Kong (probable): 1 Jamie Atkinson (wk), 2 Ryan Campbell, 3 Babar Hayat, 4 Mark Chapman, 5 Nizakat Khan, 6 Anshuman Rath, 7 Kinchit Shah, 8 Tanwir Afzal (capt), 9 Aizaz Khan, 10 Waqas Barkat, 11 Nadeem AhmedPitch and conditionsUsually dry and cracked, the surface at the Jamtha Stadium is likely to be slow and low and could take turn. It’s set to be a scorcher in Nagpur, with temperatures reaching 36 degrees.Stats and triviaHong Kong and Zimbabwe have only met once before, in a last-ball thriller won by Hong Kong in a warm-up match ahead of the 2014 World T20Quotes”Zimbabwe have some dangerous players in their team and are probably the favourites to go through. But we are confident in our own abilities and for the first time for a while we will have our strongest team. The guys just want to do Hong Kong proud.”
“It’s very different from the Test match wicket. That was a Test match, and this pitch has been prepared for T20, so definitely two different pitches and I think this one will play much better.”

Five-fors from Mohmmad Nabi and Zahir Khan, and Mohammad Shahzad’s 139 helped Afghanistan achieve an innings-and-36-run win over Namibia in the ICC Intercontinental Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Apr-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMohammad Shahzad struck 15 fours and a six in his 139•AFP/Getty ImagesMohammad Shahzad’s patient 139, and five-fors from offspinner Mohammad Nabi and chinaman Zahir Khan, in the first and second innings respectively, shaped Afghanistan’s innings-and-36-run victory over Namibia in an ICC Intercontinental Cup match in Greater Noida. The win helped Afghanistan climb up two spots to third place on the points table, behind Ireland and Netherlands.Nabi led Afghanistan’s charge with the ball in the first innings, after Namibia opted to bat, dismissing Stephen Baard in the 12th over. Namibia opener Pikky Ya France and Gerhard Erasmus added 56 for the third wicket but the latter’s dismissal set off a collapse that saw Namibia slip from 109 for 2 to 149 for 9. Nabi, who finished with 5 for 25, had support from Zahir (3 for 31), and Dawlat Zadran and Rahmat Shah, who took a wicket each. Ya France was Namibia’s top-scorer with 46 in an innings where no other batsman made more than 30Shahzad, who was Afghanistan’s leading run-scorer in the 2016 World T20, anchored Afghanistan’s reply with a 245-ball 139. The opener was dropped on 13 off Sarel Burger’s bowling and, after reaching his fifty off 57 balls, settled down to steer his side into the lead. Shahzad brought up his fourth first-class century off 156 deliveries and his knock, which earned him the Man-of-the-Match award, included 15 fours and a six. Afghanistan stuttered briefly after taking the lead, stumbling from 225 for 3 to 258 for 7, until a 63-run, eighth-wicket partnership between Afsar Zazai and Dawlat Zadran lifted the side past 300. Zazai was unbeaten on 49 as Afghanistan were dismissed for 334. Fast bowler Gerrie Snyman was Namibia’s most effective bowler with 4 for 78.Playing in his second first-class match, Zahir took the lead with the ball in Namibia’s second innings. Nabi had given Afghanistan a breakthrough late on the second evening, dismissing Baard and wicketkeeper Zane Green to leave Namibia on 19 for 2 at stumps. Ya France (40) and Erasmus (35) resisted once again with a partnership of 57 but, like the first innings, Namibia’s middle order collapsed. Erasmus fell to Zahir in the 20th over and Afghanistan wrapped up the game within the next 16 overs, taking the last eight wickets for 66 runs. Zahir spun out the middle order to finish with 5 for 31, while Dawlat chipped in with two late wickets as Namibia were bowled out for 126.

Jacques Rudolph hit a splendid 77 as Glamorgan leapt into the NatWest T20 Blast South Group qualification positions and continued Hampshire’s slump in form in the process

ECB/PA03-Jul-2015
ScorecardJacques Rudolph has led Glamorgan into the top four•Getty ImagesJacques Rudolph hit a splendid 77 as Glamorgan leapfrogged Hampshire into the NatWest T20 Blast South Group qualification positions.Former Test star Rudolph scored his third half-century in the competition as the visitors returned to Wales with two points.The Southampton setback completed a bad week for Hampshire who were annihilated at Essex last Friday and outclassed at Lord’s by Middlesex in the LV= County Championship.The 23-run defeat was Hampshire’s fifth in a row across the formats and a sixth finals day in succession looks more and more unlikely.Insights

Five of Glamorgan’s six wins this season have seen them bat first and post a handsome total thanks to one of their South African top order guns. It was Colin Ingram’s turn last week against Somerset but Jacques Rudolph – who scored 50s then a century in Glamorgan’s first three wins – was back on form on Friday. Rudolph consistently struck boundaries – generally conventional shots, but with a reverse sweep and a switch-hit thrown in too – to put pressure on Hampshire’s bowlers. By the time he fell, Meschede had a handsome platform to swipe from.

After winning the toss and batting, Rudolph started as he meant to go on with a sumptuous cover drive and a swipe through the off side for two early boundaries.The opening maximum of the night came from birthday boy Colin Ingram who hit over the covers to the minuscule boundary before offering Vince a steepling catch to give the home side the breakthrough.South African Rudolph reverse-swept a firm four to reach the end of the powerplay 54 for two, before a flurry of wickets.Jackson Bird flew to his left to pluck a Ben Wright drive out of the air and then Chris Cooke pushed straight to Jimmy Adams at backward point to give Danny Briggs his first of the night.Amongst the wickets, Rudolph brought up his half-century with a powerful sweep and a single off 30 balls.Briggs was the pick of the Hampshire bowlers, ending with figures of 2 for 13 and picking up his second wicket of the evening as David Lloyd picked out Chris Wood.Mark Wallace forced a stunning catch from wicketkeeping counterpart Adam Wheater after striking a rapid 21 from 14 before Rudolph produced the shot of the night with a switch-hit but two balls later Wood found a top edge before a second incredible Wheater claim.Glamorgan accelerated towards the close as Craig Meschede smashed 35 off 17 balls, including four sixes, to reach 181 from their 20 overs.Hampshire began their first chase of the season at the Ageas Bowl in sluggish style before Michael Carberry lofted the first six of the innings over the covers in the third over.Carberry and opening partner James Vince began an onslaught on the Glamorgan attack, the former collecting a trio of boundaries off Michael Hogan.Just as the pair were ticking Vince chipped to Andrew Salter to depart for 28 and end a quality opening stand of 69 for the biggest partnership of the night.Carberry smacked his second maximum into the back row of the stand to a grateful fan – which brought up a 31-ball 50, his 25th half-century in this format.Adams and Owais Shah both swung across the line to fall identically leg before wicket for five as Hampshire stuttered, then Carberry fell trying to slog Ruaidhri Smith out of the park for a 45-ball 70.The home side’s crumble continued as Will Smith hit straight to Hogan before Wheater holed out to end the contest.

The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit had pulled up IPL franchises and players for failing to adhere to protocol during the 2014 tournament, but the board and teams confirmed the ACU was satisfied with the explanations it had received

ESPNcricinfo staff22-May-2015The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit had pulled up various IPL franchises and players for failing to adhere to protocol during the 2014 tournament, but both the board and teams confirmed the ACU was satisfied with the explanations it had received and the inquiries were considered closed.In an email to some officials in the previous BCCI administration, ACU head Ravi Sawani outlined instances where franchises had failed to provide guest lists for private parties and sponsor events in advance, and certain players had allowed visitors into their rooms without informing the on-duty ACU officer, according to a report in the .ESPNcricinfo confirmed the contents of Sawani’s email with BCCI officials.The ACU’s concern that certain players were still not following the code strictly stemmed from the scandal of the 2013 season, when some players and team officials were found to be involved in corrupt activities that brought the game into disrepute.One example Sawani cited, according to the report, was of a private party organised by Kings XI Punjab owner Preity Zinta on a boat on April 30, 2014. In this instance, though only players were invited, there was also a friend of Zinta’s in attendance, whose presence the ACU was unaware of. It is understood the ACU wanted to first establish whether there was a party and whether there was an outsider present.The newspaper also cited similar examples of Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan and Delhi Daredevils owners hosting events involving their squads without intimating the ACU. The Daredevils reportedly hosted a party at a five-star hotel in Delhi before IPL 2014 where all the players and support staff mingled with more than 100 outsiders.A BCCI official said franchises have started sending out guest lists for private parties and sponsor events in advance to the ACU, which vets the names and sends an alert in case of any undesirable elements being present.Another instance Sawani cited involved two Chennai Super Kings players allowing friends to stay overnight in their hotel rooms without informing the ACU officer. They breached ACU protocol, which states no individuals, “except blood relations or wife/ partner,” should be entertained by players in their room.Ranjib Biswal, who was the IPL chairman in 2014, said all the necessary actions had been taken by the BCCI. “Our ACU chief Ravi Sawani was constantly in touch with all the franchises,” Biswal told ESPNcricinfo on Friday. “Wherever necessary, he had reprimanded the owners and players concerned”A Kings XI spokesperson confirmed the boat party had taken place, according to the newspaper report, and that “the BCCI was satisfied with the action taken by the franchise.” A Delhi Daredevils spokesperson also said the details of their function were shared with the BCCI-IPL management through various channels.Ever since three Rajasthan Royals players – Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila – and a Chennai Super Kings team official Gurunath Meiyappan were arrested during IPL 2013 for their alleged involvement in corruption, the BCCI has been extra vigilant about keeping the game clean.There is emphasis on educating players during other domestic tournaments as well as IPL, and all franchise squads are accompanied with an integrity officer who keeps a watch on player movements.BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur had said the efforts were paying off. “As far the players being approached is concerned, the BCCI education policy is working very well. If someone is being approached by anyone, he has reported back to the anti-corruption unit,” Thakur said. “I think this is the thing to highlight and admire that the players are reporting back.”

Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha is expecting Shakib Al Hasan to lead from the front in their World Cup campaign

Mohammad Isam15-Feb-2015Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha is expecting Shakib Al Hasan to lead from the front in their World Cup campaign. He is also keeping a keen eye on some of the younger and less-experienced players in the squad, to see how they respond on the big stage.Shakib has been Bangladesh’s talisman since 2009 and his all-round form has hardly dipped despite the team’s rollercoaster win-loss record during that period. Last month, he became the first cricketer to be ranked No. 1 allrounder in all three formats of the game. It was a turnaround for Shakib who had been suspended twice from international cricket for off-field indiscretions, including a spat with Hathurusingha while on his way to participate in the Caribbean Premier League last year.Shakib is also the only Bangladesh player from the current squad to have played some cricket in Australia in the months leading up to the World Cup, having had a short stint with Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League. Hathurusingha described him as an “explosive” batsman and a “very clever bowler”.”We have some world-class players,” Hathurusingha said. “We have the No. 1 allrounder in all formats. I am also looking forward to the young players and see what they do for us in this big stage. It is a first time in Australia for many of our players and although some of them have played here, it wasn’t in the major venues. We are looking forward to doing well here.”I am expecting [Shakib] to perform and take a lead role. I think you have seen him with Melbourne Renegades. He’s an explosive batter who can get in and control the game. He is a very clever bowler.”Hathurusingha said that although the occasion and expectation was getting to them, it stemmed from the intention of trying to do well in their opening game against Afghanistan in Canberra. Bangladesh are focused on winning the first game, though he admitted that losing their four practice games was not ideal for the team’s build-up.”The pressure is there in the World Cup, especially in the first game. Any team wouldn’t know what to expect,” he said. “We are all a bit nervous. We are expecting to do well. I think it is a good thing to feel a bit of tension, whether against Afghanistan, Australia or New Zealand. It doesn’t make any difference [who we start against]. It is important to win the first game. We are focusing on doing well, what we can do. If we perform to our best, we can give a good fight.”It is not ideal,” he said of the warm-up defeats. “It puts few doubts on your mind. But we were trying a few things, giving a few players a go in these conditions. We had only four games coming here. We know what to do with the combination. We know what we want to do. We are happy with the preparation, whatever we got – the four games and the facilities in Brisbane and here.”

A three-wicket haul from Tharindhu Kaushal and a run-a-ball 110 from Kusal Perera helped Sri Lanka A beat Pakistan A by seven runs and gain an unassailable 2-0 series lead

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Apr-2015Sri Lanka A 265 for 7 (Kusal 110, Tabish Khan 3-55) beat Pakistan A 213 (Khurram 69, Alam 65, Kaushal 3-44) by seven runs (D/L method) ScorecardFile Photo – Fondly called duplicate Murali by his team-mates, Tharindu Kaushal picked important wickets in the middle overs•Associated PressA three-wicket haul from Tharindu Kaushal and a run-a-ball 110 from Kusal Perera helped Sri Lanka A beat Pakistan A by seven runs in a truncated game in Hambantota. It gives them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.After being put in, Shehan Jayasuriya and Kusal put on 57 for the first wicket, which ended when Tabish Khan dismissed Jayasuriya for 21 in the 13th over. Kusal was then involved in two 50-plus partnerships – 77-run for the second wicket with Danushka Gunathilaka which took Sri Lanka past 100, and a 55-run stand with Ashan Priyanjan that took Sri Lanka past 200.But seamers Zia-ul-Haq and Tabish picked up three wickets apiece and kept Sri Lanka to 265 for 9.Pakistan were set a revised target of 220 in 40 overs and the openers Mukhtar Ahmed and Israrullah put on 49 in 5.5 overs to kick the chase off. However, Sri Lanka hit back with Dushantha Chameera dismissed both in the space of 10 balls and left Pakistan at 54 for 2.Fawad Alam and Khurram Manzoor rescued them with a 135-run third-wicket stand. But again Sri Lanka found timely wickets with Kaushal dismissing Manzoor (69), Fawad (65) and Saad Nasim as Pakistan slipped to 212 for 6 in the 39th over and finally fell seven runs short.

Steven Smith should cap off his remarkable summer by winning his first Allan Border Medal in Sydney on Tuesday night

Brydon Coverdale26-Jan-2015Steven Smith should cap off his remarkable summer by winning his first Allan Border Medal in Sydney on Tuesday night. Smith’s major competition for the honour will come from David Warner, who has a chance of taking home the Test Player of the Year Award, although his lack of ODI impact over the year could cost him in the Allan Border Medal tally.In a sign of the changing nature of Australia’s teams, all the major categories are likely to have first-time winners, with Aaron Finch in the Twenty20 category the only past recipient considered a chance of taking the same prize again. Dominant figures from past years, including Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson, are not in serious contention this time.Smith’s outstanding Test and one-day form during the voting period, from January 24, 2014 to January 10 this year, might give him the edge over Warner in the Allan Border Medal tally, although the results are likely to be close. It is not out of the question that Smith could sweep the three awards, but equally it is possible he could walk away empty-handed depending on which way votes fall in a few games.The Test Player of the Year should be a close contest between Smith and Warner; Smith scored 1212 runs in the voting period and Warner made 1209. Warner struck seven centuries to Smith’s five, but on two occasions Warner hit a hundred in each innings of a Test, which may limit his vote-getting potential.Possible Winners

Allan Border Medal
1) Steven Smith
2) David Warner
3) Mitchell Johnson
Test Player of the Year
1) Steven Smith
2) David Warner
3) Mitchell Johnson
ODI Player of the Year
1) Steven Smith
2) James Faulkner
3) Aaron Finch
T20 Player of the Year
1) Glenn Maxwell
2) Aaron Finch
3) Cameron White

However, Warner might be helped by collecting more votes than Smith in the three Tests that Australia lost throughout the year, to South Africa in Port Elizabeth and to Pakistan in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Their expected dominance of the category is a sign that Australia are relying heavily on two of the younger members of their Test top six after Clarke won the past three Test awards and Watson the one before that.Johnson’s 41 Test wickets at 24.90 during the voting period will likely earn him third position in the Test category, but it is hard to see him seriously threatening Smith and Warner for the award. The next rung of vote-getters is expected to comprise Ryan Harris, Chris Rogers and Nathan Lyon.Smith is also a leading contender for the One-Day International Player of the Year title, although James Faulkner and Finch will be right at the top of the voting as well. Smith started a productive ODI period during the series against Pakistan in the UAE in October and finished with 541 runs at 49.18 in the voting period, compared to Finch’s 647 at 43.13.Smith earned three Man of the Match honours during the voting period, compared to one for Faulkner and none for Finch. Although he struck only 193 runs at 32.16, Faulkner was Australia’s leading ODI wicket taker with 14 at 32.78, and his all-round efforts might give him hope of going one better after finishing second to George Bailey in the ODI category last year.Finch was the Twenty20 Player of the Year last year and although he is likely to be in the top three again, Glenn Maxwell deserves to be the strong favourite in the T20 category. Maxwell was third behind Finch and Cameron White as Australia’s leading T20 scorers during the voting period, and they might form the top three, but Maxwell’s nine wickets at 23.88 should make him the winner.In calculating the Allan Border Medal tally, Test votes are given a weighting of six, ODI votes a weighting of three and T20 votes a weighting of two. Johnson is the likely third place-getter behind Smith and Warner, although the amount of short-form cricket played could mean he is pushed by any of Maxwell, Faulkner or Finch.Either Smith or Warner would be the tenth different winner of the Allan Border Medal since the inaugural ceremony in 2000, and at 25 Smith would be the second youngest after Clarke, who won his first medal at 23 in 2005. Johnson edged out Clarke last year after Clarke had won in 2013 and 2012, and Watson in 2011 and 2010.