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Alisha Lehmann hilariously attempted to hit the same pose as she did in the photoshoot for Aston Villa's latest matchday programme.

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Lehmann asked to pose by Dali Poses next to Aston Villa programme Aston Villa play Spurs next WHAT HAPPENED?

The Swiss star reposted a story from her Aston Villa team-mate Kenza Dali, who asked her to recreate her programme pose as she held the booklet next to her to compare looks.

InstagramAdvertisementWHAT DALI SAID

As she shared the photo of Lehmann alongside the programme, Dali captioned the photo: "Just checking if it's you, @alishalehmann7"

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Lehmann and Aston Villa currently sit eighth in the Women's Super League. However, they have performed much better in the League Cup as they have already booked their spot in the semi-finals of the competition.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR LEHMANN?

The Swiss star will next be in action alongside Dali when Aston Villa take on Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, February 18. Villa are currently eighth in the WSL table, six points behind their north London opponents.

Chennai could lose out on hosting matches of next year’s World Twenty, to be staged in India, if the issue of its three locked stands remains unresolved

Nagraj Gollapudi15-Jun-2015Chennai could lose out on hosting matches of next year’s World Twenty20, to be staged in India, if the issue of its three locked stands remains unresolved. That was one of the important points of discussion during a meeting in Mumbai on Sunday between the ICC and BCCI officials, who are also yet to agree on the total number of venues for the tournament. While the ICC has recommended five venues, the BCCI is in favour of eight. A final decision is likely to be taken at the ICC Board meeting in Barbados in the last week of June.Although no venues were shortlisted, it is understood that the ICC team was specifically concerned about MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai. Keeping in mind that the three stands (I, J, K) that have been locked during the matches in Chepauk in the last three years, the ICC made it clear that matches could not be played in front of empty stands. The BCCI itself is wary of the venue as ESPNcricinfo has learned that Chepauk does not feature in its shortlist of eight venues. Although the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association is trying hard to get the requisite approvals to throw open the three stands, officials have conceded that Chepauk is likely to miss out.The three stands, which were opened in 2011, were locked and sealed by the Chennai corporation during the 2012 and 2013 editions of the IPL. With the issue unresolved, in the 2014 IPL, Chennai Super Kings played all their home matches in Ranchi. This IPL, too, the three stands remained shut and was one of the main reasons behind the play-off match involving Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore being shifted to Ranchi in May.At the meeting, the BCCI was represented by an eight-man team lead by secretary Anuraj Thakur along with Sundar Raman, Ratnakar Shetty, MV Sridhar, RP Shah, Amrit Mathur and Hemang Amin. The ICC team comprised Campbell Jamieson, Chris Tetley and Dhiraj Malhotra.The BCCI informed that the main reason for insisting on eight venues was the volume of matches involved. A total of 35 matches will be played between March 11 and April 3, 2016 to be contested by 16 teams. The BCCI reasoned that if they stuck to five grounds, each venue would end up hosting seven matches per venue which would only make it difficult to fill up the stadium.An official privy to the discussions said the ICC was happy with the reasons. The twin concerns the ICC had was tackling cost and travel. It is understood the BCCI has given an undertaking to take care of the travel of the teams. The official said the ICC team would now report back to the board to discuss the costs.

Manchester City fought back from two goals down to clinch a potentially vital 4-2 win over Tottenham in the Premier League on Thursday.

Heading into the game with heads down, off the back of a perhaps unjust Manchester derby defeat and in the knowledge that Tottenham had beaten them three times in their last five meetings, the pressure was on Manchester City.

You could sense it, too. While Spurs have become notorious for their poor starts to games under Antonio Conte, there was something different about the opening exchanges at the Etihad Stadium. City, for all their possession, lacked conviction and were kept at arm's length.

That nervousness came to a boil at the end of the half, erupting into two quickfire goals borne out of City's own defensive mishaps. All the possession, all the chances, and suddenly Pep Guardiola's side headed town the tunnel having conceded goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Emerson Royal.

Was it happening again? Were Spurs going to find another huge performance against City? It's not often a Conte side lets a two-goal lead slip in the second half of a game. But as Giorgio Chiellini infamously once said: "It's the history of Tottenham."

It took City – who looked absolutely rampant after the break – just eight minutes to claw back the game to 2-2. Riyad Mahrez in particular smelled blood and dragged City back onto the front foot against a Tottenham outfit that completely capitulated.

The Algerian then cemented his Man of the Match worthy performance by firing in a brace to give City a huge three points that just about keep them in reach of Premier League leaders Arsenal. On a rather absurd night at the Etihad Stadium, here are the winners and losers…

Getty ImagesThe Winners

Riyad Mahrez:

Touchline wingers who get chalk on their boots, run at players and have no regard for their critics. Yeah, City need more of those.

Say what you want about Spurs' lack of bottle – it's bad – Mahrez was the one to force the issue. Without him in the XI, City lack so much creativity and intent. There are few wingers who can do what he does so consistently at the highest level and, crucially, turn games around like he did against Tottenham.

Endlessly skilful and always looking towards goal, he's a defender's worst nightmare.

Rico Lewis:

Being careful not to reduce Lewis to a passion player and nothing more, having a local boy like him break into the first team and provide some bite beyond the usual, robotic technical excellence is invaluable for City.

The best part about Lewis, though, is that he brings both aspects and he has adapted to the pressure of being a first team player at City seamlessly, which speaks volumes about his talent.

When he's not bursting forward and picking out brilliant passes or knitting together play, he's doing the dirty work defensively. His block in the second half to deny Ivan Perisic a certain goal embodies that.

In a time where City might need to think about quietly refreshing their squad, Lewis has to be a part of the next iteration. A sublime talent.

Premier League fans:

A win for City is a reminder to fans of English football that they are far from out of the title race. In fact, the way in which they came from behind to squash Spurs was a statement of intent.

City still have to play Arsenal twice, too. At the halfway point of the season, to write off Guardiola's side would be perilous.

We could be on for a potentially brilliant and perhaps wild title race between City and Arsenal in the second half of the campaign. And who knows, perhaps Manchester United might still join in and make it a three-way tussle.

Whatever it is, have the popcorn at the ready.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Losers

Ederson:

You win some, you lose some. But it feels like with Ederson, he's losing a lot more than he wins these days.

There was a point where his risky approach to football suited City, but there's a fine balance between being ultra cool and simply lacking concentration. His error to gift Tottenham the lead was wholly unavoidable and came at a seriously damaging time, after City had been on the front foot for 45 minutes.

Ironically, it's the Brazilian's range of passing that sets him apart. Instead of playing his defenders into danger, his laser accurate punts down the field could be a secret weapon with Haaland so keen to get in behind defenders.

More long passes, less hospital balls, Ederson. It's becoming a serious problem now that City aren't beating everybody in front of them.

Hugo Lloris:

Not a great night to be a member of the goalkeepers' union.

The concern with Lloris isn't the mistakes he makes, it's more the fact you know he's destined to make at least one, and has been that way for several years now. Spurs are yet to address that, though, and instead let him stay between the sticks donning the captain's armband. What does this say about the mentality running through the club?

He's not been good enough for a number of years and it's rearing it's ugly head once again. There's no excuse for being beaten the way he was for City's third goal, and yet he knows he won't be dropped for his consistently shaky performances.

Something has got to give. If Spurs are serious about winning, they'll address their goalkeeping situation as soon as possible.

Manchester United:

If their draw at Crystal Palace didn't already feel like a loss, it certainly does now.

The Red Devils had the chance to momentarily jump above City in the Premier League table by beating the Eagles on Wednesday night, but were undone by a stunning Michael Olise free-kick in a timid performance. City, meanwhile, didn't panic after another shoddy first half and burst past Spurs to claim a win that could be crucial to their season's fortunes.

Should United have won, the pressure really would've been on City. But they didn't, and suddenly any faint hopes of clawing their way into a title race have been decimated. It's not their time – yet.

GettyManchester City Ratings: Defence

Ederson (3/10):

The Brazilian stopper has made a career from taking risks and having sublime technical ability, but his decision making again let him down here and landed his team in very hot water. Played a hospital pass into Rodri which helped gift Spurs the lead, which you could argue unsettled City and resulted in them conceding a second moments later.

Rico Lewis (7/10):

Continues to impress despite his age and experience. Provides punch and technical ability and goes about his business with confidence.

Manuel Akanji (4/10):

A really poor showing off the back of a rather commanding display at Old Trafford. All at sea and completely crumbled when Spurs quickly ramped up the pressure.

John Stones (6/10):

Important on his return from injury, particularly after the break as City took the game to their opponents.

Nathan Ake (5/10):

Not his best showing, but not quite has bad as some of his defensive colleagues.

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GettyMidfield

Rodri (5/10):

Nothing he could do about the poor pass he received from Ederson, but could've done better for Tottenham's second. Not his usual, dominant self.

Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):

Doesn't provide the same game-changing quality as Kevin De Bruyne, but still important – particularly after the break once City had gained control and needed to dictate the flow of the game.

Jack Grealish (7/10):

Give him the licence to run at players, take risks and be more direct and you'll reap the rewards. In an era where City need to be less robotic, Grealish can thrive. He did after the break against Spurs, proving key to the comeback.

Mohammad Hafeez has said that Shahid Afridi’s blows that won Pakistan an Asia Cup thriller against India earlier this month in Mirpur have boosted the side’s morale ahead of their World T20 opener against their archrivals

Abhishek Purohit20-Mar-20142:30

We have the allrounders’ edge – Hafeez

Pakistan are hopeful Shahid Afridi can produce an encore of his Asia Cup innings in the first match of the World Twenty20•AFPMohammad Hafeez has said that Shahid Afridi’s blows that won Pakistan an Asia Cup thriller against India earlier this month in Mirpur have boosted the side’s morale ahead of their World T20 opener against their archrivals. Afridi is expected to play a significant role in the tournament despite not being fully fit, as Hafeez admitted. Afridi joined the squad late, taking time to recover from a hip strain.”He is in good form and we have seen that in the Asia Cup,” Hafeez said of Afridi. “It is a good sign for us because we always wanted him to bat lower down the order and finish the game well for Pakistan, and it is always great to know that he is in form, and in a good frame of mind. It is always great when your senior players are looking forward to challenges. The way the momentum has shifted, it is a boost for our morale. I hope he repeats his heroics and pleases Pakistani fans again.”Afridi’s fitness has improved quite a bit. He has made himself available for everything. This is a good sign. He’s not 100% still but he’s ready and fit to play this tournament. He is eager to put in a good performance.”Hafeez was also pleased with Umar Gul’s returns in the practice game against New Zealand, where the fast bowler took 3 for 16 from four overs.”Umar Gul is working very hard. After the Asia Cup, where he did not do too well, he has picked up and performed well in the practice matches. That is all you want from your players. All they can do is work hard. Form can go up and down, but if they are willing to work hard it sends the right signal to the team. That is exactly what Gul has done.”Pakistan also have the services of a few allrounders, including Hafeez, and MS Dhoni said sides that could call upon such multi-skilled players were “blessed”. Hafeez seconded the sentiment.”As far as the all-rounder edge is concerned, yes, we do believe we have a good allrounders in the group. We have Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, myself, Kamran Akmal as wicketkeeper-batsman, so we are blessed to have players like that in the team and hopefully that will help us.”Hafeez was not too perturbed by Pakistan’s winless record against India in World Cups and World T20s and he believed their collapse in the second warm-up against South Africa, where they were dismissed for 71, was unlikely to affect them too much in the tournament.”It’s not that every day has to be great,” he said. “Some days are good and some bad. We have good batsmen in our team. In the second practice match, our objective was to give a few people time in the middle. We achieved that.”While Hafeez acknowledged the build-up of an India-Pakistan game among fans, he cautioned that it was only one of several games that Pakistan would have to play in the tournament.”It is always great to know the expectations of the people and the fans around the world. We are not considering only one game at the time,” he said. “Yes, an India-Pakistan game is always important but this is not the whole tournament and we want to give a good show in the whole tournament. The first game is always important as you want to do well in that game so that you can get the momentum right. We are looking forward to this and hopefully the boys will do well to get the best results for Pakistan.”

Middlesex capitalised on a decent first day with a first-innings score of 488, which included a first Championship century in nearly two years for Dawid Malan

Vithushan Ehantharajah at Lord's30-Jun-2014
ScorecardDawid Malan made his first Championship hundred since the 2012 season•Getty ImagesMiddlesex capitalised on a decent first day with a first-innings score of 488, which included a first Championship century in nearly two years for Dawid Malan. Northamptonshire did well to curb the scoring early on but, after getting the monkey off his back, Malan was able to take the hosts to an imposing total. His relief at the close, showered and well groomed, was evident: “It’s definitely been a long time coming.”Armed with the new ball straight away, Northants had a breakthrough within the first over as Azharullah made use of the early morning conditions to trap Neil Dexter lbw. Joe Denly was the next to follow after a breezy 17 and, for a moment, it seemed Northants might skittle out Middlesex before lunch.However, a stand of 128 between Malan and John Simpson took Middlesex past 400 and ensured they made the most of their handy position overnight. Simpson’s knock of 67 was key, not least in allowing Malan the opportunity to end his century drought, before going on to his highest Championship score.Upon reaching 90, his scoring options were limited; the bowlers offering him little width, as Stephen Peters backed them with a tight field. With one ball of the morning session remaining, Malan found himself on 96 and on strike to Steven Crook.Sizing up a vacant leg-side boundary, he put everything into a full ball on leg stump, connecting well, only for the helmet of the bat-pad fielder to take a blow and save four runs. It was by no means a chance but Malan, walking back to the pavilion for lunch with a little look to the heavens, knew it was one of a few bits of luck that had fallen his way in the morning. Soon after the interval, 26 balls after entering the nineties, he had his hundred.”I definitely had the nervous nineties,” Malan said. “It really didn’t feel like I was going to get out of them to be honest.”His uncertainty no doubt cost Middlesex their final batting point, but you could forgive Malan the tentativeness. Since his last Championship century, 121 against Warwickshire in August 2012, he has passed 90 on three occasions and failed to make it count. Two of those failures were this season, the last coming against Middlesex’s current opponents, at Wantage Road in May.While he has been a steady performer in limited-overs cricket, Malan’s four-day form is best described as frustrating. On song, he is a real treat to watch, timing the ball emphatically, with the classical verve of a left-hander. But for all the languid strokeplay, he has a tendency to overthink his own game. Even today, in the moments before he clocked short leg on the head, he had decided on the ball he would receive (a bouncer) and the shot he would play (a clip over third man) before neither came to pass.Last season was no different as he endured one of his leanest periods at the club, with just 387 runs in 19 innings. Unhappy with his limited-overs form, he dedicated most of the winters of 2011 and 2012 to that aspect of his game, while assuming his four-day game would fall in place accordingly. It didn’t, and Malan soon found himself out of the XI.”It’s probably the first time I was properly left out at Middlesex,” he said. “It was a big hit for me but it brought me back down to earth and reminded me that I can’t neglect one format and concentrate on the others.”Even in that time out, he would spend many a match day at Lord’s netting on the Nursery Ground or the indoor school with Middlesex’s batting coach, Mark Ramprakash. At the time, some felt a few days away were best, but he has shown so far, with almost 600 runs by the end of July and an average of 45, that it was worthwhile.As for the destination of this game, Malan was looking to the first session on Tuesday and a wish for at least four more Northants wickets. By his calculation, that would allow Middlesex to sculpt the game as they wish.In the 26 overs they had at the visitors before the rain came, they had accounted for Peters, James Middlebrook and Matthew Spriegel. However James Kettlebrough, on Championship debut, has looked assured so far for his 42, particularly against the usually economical Tim Murtagh, who he took for five boundaries in the 29 balls he faced off him. As the light got worse, his partner Rob Newton did well to survive a barrage of well-directed short balls from Steven Finn. No doubt there will be more to come.

A rapid 87 off 62 balls and two wickets from Mukhtar Ahmed set up Pakistan A’s 118-run win against Kenya at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore which took their series lead to 4-0 in the five-match series

Umar Farooq19-Dec-2014
ScorecardFile photo: Saeed Ajmal took one wicket on his return to competitive cricket•Associated PressA rapid 87 off 62 balls and two wickets from Mukhtar Ahmed set up Pakistan A’s 118-run win against Kenya at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore which took their series lead to 4-0 in the five-match series.The morning began with dense fog around the stadium leading to a three-hour delay after which Kenya opted to bowl and the match was reduced to 28-overs-a-side from 45. Pakistan openers Iftikhar Ahmed and Mukhtar provided a solid start with a stand of 145 runs. The scoring rate at the end of the 10th over was 6.80, but it was paced up quickly with Kenya conceding 98 runs in next 10 overs.Pakistan A lost two quick wickets during that period as Iftikhar fell soon after completing his fifty, going for a pull only to be caught at midwicket, followed by Umar Siddiq, who fell for a first-ball duck. A stunning running catch by Gurdeep Singh dismissed Mukhtar, who struck 11 fours and two sixes. A late surge from Zohaib Ahmed (25 off 21) Mohammad Rizwan helped the hosts put up a daunting total of 224 for 5.Kenya were shaky in their reply as they lost their first wicket in the first over itself. They never looked strong enough to intimidate the hosts, despite some resistance shown by Morris Ouma (21) and Nelson Odhiambo (22), and never came close to the asking rate. Wickets fell at regular intervals and Kenya were dismissed for 106 runs with a ball to spare.Saeed Ajmal, who has been suspended from bowling in international cricket, played for Pakistan A. He spent three months in remedial work on his illegal action and ended up with two spells of three overs each, conceded 23 runs for one wicket. He was playing his first competitive game in the last four months after he was suspended. He went wicketless in his first spell and struck in his second spell whenEmmanuel Bundi flicked a length ball to be caught at square leg.Ajmal returned with a significant improvement in his action, stride and follow through. His arm looked stiffer and straighter while watching with the naked eye. He wasn’t mixing up the deliveries as he was just bowling his conventional offspin with a slower stride.”I am very happy and feeling comfortable coming back after a long time,” Ajmal said after the match. “I have done a lot and I’m doing whatever I can do to get things right. I worked so hard and gave my 100%, now I am hoping to get myself cleared.”This was my first match after a long time and I have plenty of domestic games ahead of me to eventually regain my confidence, and I will come hard with my same old spirit and flow.”There was no pressure at all playing against Kenya. In fact I never took pressure ever as I am preparing and improving myself for bigger targets like the World Cup, so I am focusing that.”

Rajasthan Royals have retained five players in Sanju Samson, Ajinkya Rahane, Stuart Binny, Shane Watson and James Faulkner for IPL 2014

Nagraj Gollapudi10-Jan-2014Rajasthan Royals have retained five players – Sanju Samson, Ajinkya Rahane, Shane Watson, James Faulkner and Stuart Binny – for the seventh season of the IPL.All five names were expected to be retained by Royals, who wanted to maintain the core of the team that had performed well last year. Royals finished in third place in IPL 2013, behind Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. They showed strong form in the Champions League T20 also, finishing as runners-up. Rahul Dravid’s captaincy had steered the team to the top tier after Royals had finished seventh in IPL 2012.Although he has retired, Dravid will stay on as a mentor for the side – his presence has been vital for the development of young players like Rahane, Binny and Samson. At 19, Samson is likely to be the youngest player retained among all teams. He had been originally picked by Kolkata Knight Riders as part of their development squad, but was subsequently released and picked up by Royals. He showed enough promise and commitment for the franchise to retain him; he made 206 runs, including a fifty, in 11 matches last season and showed an ability to maintain a calm head in tight situations.Samson is also the vice-captain of India’s Under-19 team, which will play the World Cup in the UAE in February. Rahane was picked by Royals as an uncapped player and has steadily grown into one of their main batsmen. Even Binny, the Karnataka allrounder who had been selected as part of the India squad for the limited-overs series in New Zealand, was signed as an uncapped player by the franchise.Watson has been with the franchise since the inaugural IPL, in which he was Player of the Tournament in Royals’ title success. He picked up the award in the previous edition, too. Faulkner, another pace-bowling allrounder from Australia, also played a key role for Royals in IPL 2013, when they favoured pace-heavy attacks to suit the conditions on offer at their home ground in Jaipur.Since Royals have retained five players, they will have only one right-to-match card available to them at the auction on February 12. As per the stipulated deductions from their auction purse of Rs 600 million (approx US$9.6 million at the current exchange rate), they will be left with Rs 225 million to buy the rest of their squad. Rules state the 2014 squad should have no less than 16 and no more than 27 players, with a maximum of nine overseas players.Royals have always been known for their budget buys and picking unknown talents of all ages and backing them. For example, Kamran Khan, Dinesh Salunkhe and Praveen Tambe, who is 40-plus, had not featured on the Indian domestic circuit when Royals’ coaches and scouts thought they could be moulded into matchwinners.January 10, 11:22 GMT: Swapnil Asnodkar had played first-class cricket before Rajasthan Royals picked him. The story has been edited to reflect that

As per the club’s official website, Premier League side West Ham let young defender Reece Oxford leave the London Stadium on loan on Deadline Day. The 20-year-old has come up through the ranks at the East London outfit but has only gone on to make 17 senior appearances for the Hammers over the years, with struggles for regular game time this term under Manuel Pellegrini calling his future at the club into doubt.

And it was Bundesliga outfit Augsburg who sealed a temporary deal for the versatile sensation on the final day of the January transfer window, and while Oxford hadn’t actually featured in the West Ham first team in the first half of the season, the late decision to let him leave in January could very much come back to bite the Hammers.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, things haven’t quite worked out for the England Under-20 international since bursting onto the scene as a 16-year-old against Arsenal back in August 2015, with the youngster failing to nail down a spot in the Hammers first team with only 17 appearances to his name, none of which have come this term and only two of which came last time round.

And for someone tipped by many to be the next big-thing coming out of the West Ham academy many years ago, things certainly haven’t panned out as many would have expected, with loan spells at Borussia Monchengladbach and Reading also proving difficult for the 20-year-old in his pursuit of first team football.

On the surface then, another opportunity to play his trade and attempt to get regular minutes under his belt makes complete sense, but not given the current injury situation Pellegrini’s side have at centre back.

Ultimately, Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna are the only senior centre backs fit for selection given the long-term injury to Winston Reid alongside Fabian Balbuena’s recent setback – the Hammers look set to be without the duo until at least the middle of February.

And even when Balbuena returns, as expected, later on this month, that still leaves Pellegrini’s side somewhat short of options in that area of the field – it only takes another injury or suspension to plunge West Ham into a defensive crisis.

Yes, Declan Rice could fill in at centre back if needed given his talents in that position, but doing so would see him vacate a midfield spot that he has made his own this season – what the Hammers would gain with him at the back they would lose greatly from him not being in midfield.

As such, while Oxford didn’t get a look-in under Pellegrini in the first half of the season, he at least provided the Chilean with an option at centre back were things to go wrong in that department – but that option is no longer there.

And with the Hammers stretched enough defensively given injuries to Reid and Balbuena, the club’s decision to let him leave late in the January window could very much come back to bite the East London outfit as the season progresses.

West Ham fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Only four batsmen reached double figures and two bowlers took five-fors in Barbados Trident’s low-scoring four-wicket win against Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel in Bridgetown

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Aug-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsShakib Al Hasan’s best T20 figures of 6 for 6 restricted Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel to 52•Getty ImagesOnly four batsmen reached double figures and two bowlers took five-fors in Barbados Trident’s low-scoring four-wicket win against Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel in Bridgetown. The T20 match actually lasted just over 20 overs and only 105 runs were scored in all on the same ground where over 300 were scored in the opening match of the Caribbean Premier League.Jason Holder accounted for two of the top three T&T batsmen, who fell within five overs after they elected to bat. It was a Shakib Al Hasan show from there on as he ran through the batting line up, dismissing the next six batsmen to finish with figures of 6 for 6 from his four overs.The solo performance had started much earlier when he took the openers’ catches off Holder and Shannon Gabriel. His spell included a triple-wicket maiden, the tenth over of the innings, in which he trapped Dwayne Bravo lbw with an arm ball for 5, got Nicolas Pooran caught at short leg for a duck, and then rattled Kevon Cooper’s stumps on the last ball of the over. From 40 for 4, T&T were now 40 for 7. Shakib came back to dismiss Samuel Badree and Kevin O’Brien in his fourth over. Gabriel finished the innings with his second wicket and only two batsmen, Davy Jacobs and Ross Taylor, reached double figures.Chasing only 53, Jonathan Carter gave Barbados a flying start smashing two sixes in the first over in which Sulieman Benn conceded 20 runs. But Fidel Edwards counterattacked by dismissing the openers in his first over with his swing and pace. Benn continued and had Shoaib Malik caught at second slip for 5. Barbados’ hopes of finishing the chase easily were dashed further when Edwards got Umar Akmal caught at slip and took two more wickets, of Shakib and Kyle Mayers, in his third over to reduce Barbados to 39 for 6. However, they needed only 14 more and Ashley Nurse finished it off two overs later with a four over the midwicket boundary.Barbados are at the top of the table with six points from three unbeaten matches.

Kane Williamson scored an unbeaten 79 off just 55 deliveries to set up a narrow three-run win for Northern Districts against Canterbury, and secure their place in Saturday’s final against Otago

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jan-2014
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsFile photo: Kane Williamson’s 55-ball 79 pushed Northern Districts to a mammoth total•Getty ImagesAt the start of the 19th over of their innings, Canterbury needed 20 runs to pull off an incredible chase, and with their captain, an in-form Peter Fulton, still at the crease, the team would’ve though that they had every chance of overcoming Northern Districts for a place in Saturday’s final against Otago.Fulton had been making sweet connection with the ball, slamming six sixes before that over to bring Canterbury to within touching distance of victory, and when Chris Tremain lined up to bowl the penultimate over, not many would have bet against a Northern Districts defeat.However, the seamer conceded just five runs off his over, restricting Fulton and his partner at the other end, Andrew Ellis, with yorkers. Tremain’s heroic effort meant that Canterbury needed 15 off the last over. Scott Kuggeleijn held his nerve and just like Tremain, frustrated Fulton with full-length deliveries to set up a narrow three-run win for Northern Districts.Electing to bat, Northern Districts were lifted by an unbroken partnership of 73 for the fourth wicket between Scott Styris and Kane Williamson, which eventually helped the team post a formidable 181 for 4. Styris, though, had only contributed 29 to that stand, allowing the more aggressive Williamson to get among the Canterbury bowlers. Williamson remained unbeaten on 79, with seven fours and a six.The defeat would’ve been all that more difficult to swallow for Canterbury and Fulton in particular, as he had almost single-handedly dragged the team from a precarious 37 for 3, to within one scoring shot of a place in the finals.Canterbury had lost their openers as well as No. 3 Dean Brownlie inside seven overs of the chase, but Fulton, coming in at No. 4, unleashed a counterattack along with Ronnie Hira. The pair took 22 runs off Kuggeleijn’s first over, and from 37 in the seventh over, Canterbury were 121 by the 14th. However, keeping with the see-saw nature of the contest, the momentum once again swung Northern Districts’ way as Canterbury lost three more quick wickets to stumble to 129 for 6.Fulton, however, remained unfazed and dragged the tail with him to keep the match alive until the very last ball. He needed a six to seal the win, but this time, Kuggeleijn won the mini-battle to leave Fulton stranded on 88, and Canterbury three runs from a place in the final.