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There have been stand out performers during the opening fortnight of Qatar 2022 – but who makes GOAL's group stage XI?

The World Cup group stages are over and what a wild ride it has been.

Qatar 2022 has been the tournament of shocks, with the likes of Morocco and Japan stealing the show and former powerhouses such as Germany and Belgium being sent packing.

But what players have been the stand out performers during the opening fortnight? We asked some of GOAL’s writers to come up with the World Cup group stage XI.

Using a 4-2-3-1 formation, this is what they have gone for…

Getty ImagesGK: Wojciech Szczesny (Poland)

There can’t really be anyone else, can there? Without Szczesny, Poland would certainly be on the plane home, rather than looking forward to a knockout game against France. The Juventus goalkeeper has been in sensational form so far and has saved two penalties, including one to deny Lionel Messi against Argentina. Poland may have still lost that game 2-0, but conceding one more goal during that dramatic final group stage game would have seen Mexico finish above them in the table. It was only Szczesny's heroics that saw the Polish avoid a far heavier defeat.

AdvertisementGettyRB: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)

Morocco have been one of the stories of the World Cup and the form of Hakimi has been crucial to their impressive results. The Paris Saint-Germain star started all three of his nation’s group stage games, helping them to two clean sheets as they topped Group F, finishing above Croatia and Belgium in the process. He also produced one of the assists of the tournament as he sent Youssef En-Nesyri away to score what proved to be the winner against Canada. Hakimi has been one of Europe’s stand out right-backs for some time and now he is replicating that club form on the biggest stage of all.

Getty ImagesCB: Harry Souttar (Australia)

Of all the surprises of the group stage, Australia are surely the biggest. The Socceroos arrived with plenty of enthusiasm but little expectation, but Graham Arnold’s side delivered a masterclass in determination, teamwork and concentration, ensuring European Championship semi-finalists Denmark were sent home early. The star of their team has been Souttar, whose ultra-competitive performances at centre-back are made all the more remarkable by the fact that he had had only played one competitive game in 12 months leading up the tournament, having been sidelined with a knee injury. The Stoke City man’s style is unfussy, but was crucial as Australia kept clean sheets against both Tunisia and Denmark. Whatever happens from here on, the 24-year-old can be proud of his efforts in Qatar.

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Getty ImagesCB: Harry Maguire (England)

Maguire deserves huge credit for the way he has performed so far in Qatar. He came into the tournament under intense scrutiny having lost his place in the Manchester United team following a series of major blunders. But he received the backing of England boss Gareth Southgate, who refused to listen to the calls for Maguire to be dropped, and has repaid his manager with a series of excellent performances. Maguire has helped England to two clean sheets and he was immense in the draw with the United States, while the majority of his team-mates struggled. He has also been a big threat from set pieces in the opposition’s penalty area and has been unlucky not to get himself on the scoresheet at least once.

Australia entered their fourth straight final of the Women’s World T20 with a five-run win over England in Delhi

The Report by Shashank Kishore30-Mar-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:49

‘Our fielders did a great job’ – Lanning

International victories are sweet, but some are sweeter than the others. On Wednesday, it was Meg Lanning-led Australia Women side that won the bragging rights over England Women, who stumbled to yet another defeat to their arch-rivals in a knockout clash. It left Australia eyeing a delicious prospect of pitching for their fourth successive Women’s World T20 title come Sunday.Lanning’s 50-ball 55 on a slow Feroz Shah Kotla deck was the cornerstone to Australia’s 132 for 6. England, who needed to achieve the highest successful run chase in the tournament to have a crack at their second title, choked despite having the target well within touching distance. They imploded with a combination of nerves and reckless shots. Katherine Brunt, who had a forgettable day with the ball, muscled a six and four to bring the equation down to 17 off 10 deliveries before Australia’s killer instinct prevailed; England agonisingly falling short by five runs.England came out all attacking in their chase, and also benefitted from some luck as a diving Beth Mooney put down a tough chance offered by Tammy Beaumont at mid-off in the fourth over. Charlotte Edwards, who started slowly, lent the artistic touch to the innings, before she chipped a catch to cover, against the run of play. Her dismissal ended a 67-run opening partnership that came at better than a run a ball.Sarah Taylor, who had failed in each of her four innings in the group stages, then showed why she is a feared striker in the women’s game as she stamped her authority immediately by hitting Jess Jonassen inside-out over cover for six. But the pressure of the asking rate resulted in her partners attempting shots they wouldn’t otherwise.Beaumont, after doing all the hard work, chipped one to cover where Lanning pulled off a stunner. Nerves then turned into proper panic when Natalie Sciver, who had brought England back into the contest with the ball, walked across the stumps, only to miss a full and straight delivery from Ellyse Perry. By then, England were reduced to 91 for 3, needing 42 off the last five overs.Lanning then introduced spin even as Taylor, who grew increasingly frustrated, tried to reverse sweep and paddle her way, but to no avail against Kristen Beams, the legspinner. The slowness of the surface forced another change as Erin Osborne, the offspinner, brought in for the first time in the 17th over struck off her second delivery as Heather Knight holed out to long-on. From bossing the chase, England had almost bottled it by that point as the asking rate escalated to close to 10 runs an over.That Australia had the luxury of runs on the board was courtesy a strong start from the openers Alyssa Healy and Elyse Villani. Healy, under scrutiny after a poor run of scores in the tournament, did the early running by taking the attack to Brunt and Anya Shrubsole with a 41-run stand, their highest of the tournament.Healy’s game is mostly about timing, and she set the template early on, showing the surface was a far cry to the ones both sides had encountered early on. Healy’s four boundaries in the first three overs somewhat took pressure off Villani, who took a while to get going. England’s pacers were guilty of not varying their pace and were duly put away, the first four overs yielding 35, before Australia were pegged back by a double-strike.Sciver, the seamer, struck in her first over as Villani missed a straight one to be adjudged lbw. Off the next over, the sixth, Healy, also fell lbw attempting a reverse paddle to give Laura Marsh a breakthrough and leave Australia at 50 for 2.Lanning and Perry did what they do best, milking the runs in the middle overs through smart strike rotation, seldom looking for the big hits to largely defensive fields set by Edwards. England didn’t help their own cause by reprieving Lanning twice, once on 20 and 45, with Taylor being the culprit on both occasions.Lanning went on to make a half-century, and help Australia post a more than competitive score courtesy support from her deputy Alex Blackwell, who contributed all of 11 in a 37-run stand for the fourth wicket. While most other sides may have looked to hit out, the match awareness of the pair on a surface that demanded application, and not flamboyance, may have resulted in those few extra runs that made the difference in the end.As much as those extra runs may have come in handy, it wouldn’t have been enough had Rene Farrell not brought her experience into play. She held her nerve, defending 12 off the final over in style, as Australia showed why they were the three-time champions.

Shreyas Iyer made a sparking century to put Mumbai in the lead against Saurashtra, despite late strikes, on the second day of the Ranji Trophy final in Pune

The Report by Shashank Kishore in Pune25-Feb-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsShreyas Iyer continued his excellent form and made his sixth first-class century•John Michel There are those who take the pitch out of the equation when they bat. Then there are others whose presence makes the pitch look its lively best. On the second day, Saurashtra witnessed both as 40-time champions Mumbai lost a clutch of wickets after Shreyas Iyer’s sparkling century, leaving the Ranji Trophy final delicately poised in Pune.For an hour in the morning, Mumbai were rattled and perhaps even caught off guard by Jaydev Unadkat’s late onslaught, a 26-ball 31 that lifted Saurashtra from their overnight 192 for 8 to 235. Then, his twin blows accounted for the Mumbai openers – Akhil Herwadkar (0) and Bhavin Thakkar (6). Iyer, who walked out in a pressure situation, countered with a fine blend of timing and power.His sixth first-class century, with 15 fours and two sixes, made him the highest run-getter in a season for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy history. It helped them wipe out the deficit before a lower-order collapse left Mumbai at 262 for 8, with a lead of 27, when stumps were drawn.Saurashtra, who could have been buried if not for Iyer’s loose dismissal, would need to ensure they dismantle the tail cheaply and blunt the bowling on the third morning, when the surface is usually at its menacing best.Time will tell whether Arpit Vasavada’s dropped catch of Iyer could become the Indian version of Steve Waugh’s famous line: ‘you just dropped the cup, mate.’ But there was no denying the fact that it had a big bearing on the turn of events. Mumbai were 0 for 1 when Iyer came out playing positively and were soon reduced to 23 for 2; he raced to 37 before nicking to second slip, where Vasavada grabbed at the ball, only to see it bobble out.A third wicket just before lunch would have handed the advantage to Saurashtra but that missed opportunity punctured them. Over the next two hours and a bit, Mumbai showed why they bossed the domestic circuit. The surface did ease out as the day progressed, but not to the extent that Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav, who put together 152 for the third wicket, made it look.While Mumbai’s bowling attack had benefited from the persistence of Balwinder Sandhu and Abhishek Nayar, who played the holding role superbly to complement Dhawal Kulkarni, Saurashtra’s attack started and ended with Unadkat during the course of the bludgeoning stand.When Unadkat had the new ball in hand, it looked like the game was played on a different surface. He made deliveries hold their line to trouble batsmen. With the back-up bowlers Hardik Rathod, Deepak Punia, Chirag Jani and Prerak Mankad offering drivable deliveries at a friendly pace, it was a batting feast for Iyer, with Suryakumar providing able assistance.But the ease with which Iyer was scoring runs, perhaps brought out one big hit too many and an attempted loft over the infield resulted in a miscue to mid-off, shortly before tea. Saurashtra’s reaction – relief, and not elation at having dislodged the key batsman – summed up the state of the game. After the dismissal, however, Aditya Tare and Suryakumar, looked to sustain the healthy scoring rate, but a change of ball brought about a change of luck for Saurashtra.Tare was consumed by late swing as the bat came down at an angle, leading to a nick to the cordon. Suryakumar continued the trend of edging behind as he poked away from the body to give Punia his first wicket. Nayar then made a streaky 19, surviving another dropped chance by Vasavada, before playing down the wrong line to a full ball. A wobble turned into a proper crisis when Kulkarni and Shardul Thakur were dismissed off consecutive deliveries from a fired-up Rathod.The extent to which Saurashtra made up for lost ground became evident as Mumbai’s batsmen started playing for time and light as the end of the day drew near.

Zimbabwe are to be given state guest importance during their tour of Pakistan, and can expect to see more visible security measures than usual in the country

Umar Farooq17-May-2015Pakistan is set to host a Full Member opposition for the first time in six years, hoping to “change the perception” of the country. Zimbabwe, who confirmed the tour on Sunday, might be travelling to Lahore against the advice of the country’s Sports and Recreation Commission, but the PCB and the Punjab government have promised adequate security measures to make the series successful.Zimbabwe are to be given state guest importance, and can certainly expect to see more visible security measures than usual in the country. Over 4000 policemen will be deployed for the safety of the visitors across the city while two companies of Rangers – Pakistan’s paramilitary forces – will be on standby throughout the series.A dress rehearsal was carried out on Saturday, with police commandos escorting two empty buses from the team hotel to Gaddafi Stadium and back. The route between the hotel and stadium was cleared of traffic and shielded by armed policemen at 100m intervals. Every road leading to the stadium and hotel was patrolled.The route between the hotel and the stadium covers seven kilometers, and the team will be escorted through it with zero traffic impeding it. Helicopters will hover overhead during training and match days all over the routes and the stadium while 20 snipers will be deployed at undisclosed positions.The Inspector General of Punjab province, Mian Mushtaq Sukhera, will head the security and safety plan for the Zimbabwe team. The entire Nishtar sports complex, which houses the Gaddafi Stadium, will be under surveillance by 81 close-circuit cameras and the restaurants and shops around the outer layer of the stadium have already been vacated ahead of the series.No vehicle will be allowed within the sports complex, and public entry will be on foot from the Liberty roundabout, through extensive security layers. The complex has already been locked down ahead of the series. Journalists intending to cover the series have had to get their accreditation cleared by the law enforcement agency.The series, according to the provisional government, is a great opportunity to improve Pakistan’s image in the world. “We don’t want to waste this opportunity,” Col (retd) Shujah Khanzada, Punjab’s minister for interior, said. “After this series, the sports teams from other countries will also take inspiration from the Zimbabwe cricket team, which would definitely be a great success for Pakistan.”These are most difficult times of Pakistan, we all know this. We have to use all the means to ensure it’s safe. It will send a good message and we will build a strong image internationally. If we organise these matches successfully, there are lots of other teams, which are monitoring it and will play in Pakistan too.”The tickets for the series are already on sale with Gourmet – a Lahore-based bakery and confectionery chain – the main merchant. The advertisements for the series had not covered the northern and eastern parts of the city until Sunday but according to the PCB the entire city will be covered in the branding of the series by Monday. The hoardings around Gaddafi Stadium carry the words “Igniting a passion which brings a nation together” with the hashtag #cricketcomeshome.Gaddafi Stadium is the sole venue for the entire tour, which includes two T20s and three ODIs. Over 60,000 spectators packed the stadium for the 1996 World Cup final won by Sri Lanka, but the capacity, after renovation, has come down to around 24,000. Tickets prices for the series will range from PKR 150 to 1000 for the ODIs and between PKR 300 and 1500 for the T20s.Since the Lahore attack on Sri Lankan team – almost six years and two months ago – Pakistan have had to play their home series at offshore venues, mainly in the UAE. Before Zimbabwe, the PCB had tried to negotiate with Bangladesh for a tour but they withdrew after committing twice. The Zimbabwe tour, after lengthy talks, was confirmed by all the cricketing stakeholders, including the International Cricket Council.The tour, however, suffered an early blow when Zimbabwe initially suspended their visit following an attack on a Karachi bus by gunmen who killed at least 43 people.The Zimbabwe team, however, is set to fly from Harare with a stopover in Dubai en route to the Alama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore. The 15-man squad will land in Lahore on May 19 at 2.40am. “The tour is going ahead and we leave tonight,” Dav Whatmore, Zimbabwe’s head coach, told .

Cesc Fabregas's wife Daniella Semaan has slammed reports that claimed Lionel Messi had an affair with an Argentine journalist.

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Fabregas' wife denies Messi's alleged affairThe Argentine reportedly cheated on wife AntonellaReported in Brazilian mediaWHAT HAPPENED?

According to the Brazilian media outlet , the Inter Miami star is apparently facing a crisis in his married life and is on the verge of splitting up with his wife Antonella Roccuzzo after he allegedly had an affair with Argentine journalist Sofia Martinez.

But Cesc Fabregas' wife Daniella Semaan, who is extremely close to the Messi family, has denied the rumours and slammed the media report

AdvertisementWHAT DANIELLA SEMAAN SAID

Replying to an Instagram post, Semaan wrote, "What publication is this that has no meaning.. and has nothing right."

Messi and Roccuzzo have known each other since childhood and have been in a relationship for 15 years. The couple got married in 2017 and has three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The claims that there have been reports in Argentina as well that claim that the 36-year-old star is allegedly in love with a woman and it is not his wife Antonella.

Journalist Sofia Martinez came into the limelight during the World Cup for her famous and passionate speech addressing the Argentina skipper after he guided his team to the final beating Croatia in the semis. She thanked the Barcelona legend on behalf of all Argentines.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI?

Messi is currently enjoying the off-season after Inter Miami's MLS campaign ended last month. He was recently seen in action for La Albiceleste who played World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay and Brazil.

Offspinner Muhammad Ghous has been chosen to lead a young USA side at the ICC Americas Division One T20 tournament in Indianapolis beginning May 3

Peter Della Penna19-Apr-2015Offspinner Muhammad Ghous has been chosen to lead a young USA side at the ICC Americas Division One T20 tournament in Indianapolis beginning May 3. The USA Cricket Association announced Ghous as the new captain on Saturday and also tabbed former legspinner Nasir “Charlie” Javed as team’s head coach for the tournament.Ghous, who will be 25 at the start of the tournament, is the most experienced player in the 14-man squad named on April 7 in terms of games played for USA – 60 caps since making his senior team debut against Jamaica in 2010. Ghous has never held a formal leadership role in any USA junior or senior team before, nor at regional level with either the Atlantic or Central East Region squads.Ghous is tied with left-arm spinner Danial Ahmed for the most wickets for USA in T20 cricket with 21, though Ghous has taken 27 games to do so, 13 more than Ahmed. At the USACA T20 National Championship, Ghous managed just four wickets in four games but had a solid economy rate of 4.27. He managed to hold off fellow offspinner Pranay Suri for a spot in the team despite Suri’s tournament best 12 wickets. In Ghous’ last T20 tournament action for USA, he struggled at the 2013 World T20 Qualifier in the UAE where he claimed just two wickets in six games at an average of 75.50 and an economy rate of 8.38.The USACA press release unveiling Ghous’ new leadership role described him as an allrounder but Ghous has never batted higher than No. 9 in any match for USA at the senior level, having done so in just eight of his 27 innings, and has reached double-digits only seven times. His highest score was 39 against Canada in the two-day Auty Cup match in August 2011.Wicketkeeper batsman Steven Taylor, the youngest player in the USA squad, has been named vice-captain. Taylor, 21, has the most T20 caps for USA of anyone in the squad with 28, and is USA’s all-time leader in T20 runs with 906, more than twice as many as the next closest person on the list, the recently retired Sushil Nadkarni. Akeem Dodson, with 23 caps, is the only other player in the squad with more than 15 T20 caps for USA. Taylor, Ghous and Dodson have 78 T20 caps between them while the rest of the squad combined has just 72.USACA also announced that Mrunal Patel has been drafted into the 14-man squad in place of Japen Patel, who has withdrawn his availability for the week-long tournament. Mrunal produced the highest individual score at the USACA T20 National Championship, 111 not out off 60 balls for the eventual tournament runner-up USA Development XI against Atlantic. It is Mrunal’s maiden call-up to the senior team having previously represented the USA U-19 team at the 2006 ICC U-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka.

Bayern Munich are eyeing a move for AC Milan's Mike Maignan who could replace Manuel Neuer as the first choice goalkeeper in the long run.

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Bayern prepare shortlist to replace NeuerGoalkeeper signed new one-year contractBayern want Milan's MaignanWHAT HAPPENED?

Despite signing a new one-year contract that will keep him at Bayern Munich until 2026, the Bundesliga champions have reportedly prepared a shortlist that has three names who could replace the veteran German international as the club's first-choice goalkeeper in the future, according to .

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT TUCHEL SAID

Earlier, manager Thomas Tuchel had mentioned that Neuer can continue to play for as long as he wants to and that the club would want him as their number one. During a press conference, the German said: "As long as he feels as good and keeps it as he is. We're not giving it any limits. Then he can stand in goal for as long as he wants."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The report suggests that AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan's name is there in the shortlist along with Dortmund's Gregor Kobel and Stuttgart's Alexander Nubel. The French custodian has appeared in 10 Serie A matches in the ongoing season where he managed to keep four clean sheets.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN MUNICH?

The defending champions, who are two points behind league Bayer Leverkusen, will aim to take home all three points as they take on Union Berlin in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

The 64-match tournament will be held across 11 cities and 12 stadiums from June 14 to July 15. Goal has the full lowdown on every location…

GettyLuzhniki Stadium – Moscow

Capacity: 80,000

The Luzhniki Stadium is home to the first game of the tournament on Thursday June 14 between host nation Russia and Saudi Arabia and will ultimately play host to the final on Sunday July 15. It has the largest capacity of all the World Cup 2018 stadia.

It first opened in 1956 and began refurbishment works to increase its capacity in 2013, with the athletics track removed, stands moved closer to the pitch, and two extra tiers added. The historical outer facade has been kept and incorporated into the new structure.

After the World Cup, the Luzhniki Stadium will continue to be the home ground for all Russia national team games. 

GettyWhat games are being played at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow?

Russia vs Saudi Arabia (June 14)

Germany vs Mexico (June 17)

Portugal vs Morocco (June 20)

Denmark vs France (June 26)

Round of 16 match 3 (July 1)

Semi-final 2 (July 11)

Final (July 15)

AdvertisementLaurence Griffiths Getty ImagesSpartak Stadium – Moscow

Capacity: 45,000

Built in 2014, the Spartak Stadium is home to Russian Premier League side Spartak Moscow and was one of four stadiums used in the 2017 Confederations Cup, which was won by Germany.

The stadium's facade is made up of hundreds of small diamonds representing the Spartak logo and can also be changed depending on whichever team is playing. After the 2018 World Cup, the stadium will be the centre of a new residential development that will be built around it. 

GettyWhat games are being played at Spartak Stadium in Moscow?

Argentina vs Iceland (June 16)

Poland vs Senegal(June 19)

Belgium vs Tunisia(June 23)

Serbia vs Brazil(June 27)

Round of 16 match 8 (July 3)

Getty ImagesSt Petersburg Stadium – St Petersburg

Capacity: 67,000

Built on the site of the former Kirov Stadium on Krestovsky Island, the St Petersburg Stadium hosted the opening match and final of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

The seven-storey stadium is one of Russia's most modern arenas. It includes a retractable roof and sliding pitch to be able to host other sporting events.

Following the World Cup it will continue to be the home of Zenit St Petersburg, as well as hosting concerts and a variety of other sports events. It will also be one of the grounds used in the Euro 2020 finals.

GettyWhat games are being played at St Petersburg Stadium?

Morocco vs Iran (June 15)

Russia vs Egypt (June 19)

Brazil vs Costa Rica (June 22)

Nigeria vs Argentina (June 26)

Round of 16 match 7 (July 3)

Semi-final 1 (July 10)

Third-place play-off (July 14)

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Fisht Stadium – Sochi

Capacity: 48,000

The Fisht Stadium was originally built for the 2014 Winter Olympics as an indoor arena hosting both the opening and closing ceremonies, before being reconstructed specifically for this year's World Cup. 

Named after Mount Fisht, the exterior resembles a snow-capped peak and hosted matches during last summer's Confederations Cup.

During the 2018 World Cup, Sochi will be the Russia national team's training camp and where they've played some of their competitive and friendly matches. 

GettyWhat games are being played at Fisht Stadium in Sochi?

Portugal vs Spain (June 15)

Belgium vs Panama (June 18)

Germany vs Sweden (June 23)

Australia vs Peru (June 26)

Round of 16 match 2 (June 30)

Quarter-final 4 (July 7)

Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura has been ruled out of his team’s next group B game, against Ireland on March 7, because of a grade three tear to the quadriceps muscle in his left leg

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Mar-2015Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura has been ruled out of his team’s next group B game, against Ireland on March 7, because of a grade three tear to the quadriceps muscle in his left leg. Chigumbura had suffered the injury while fielding in Zimbabwe’s previous game, against Pakistan in Brisbane on Sunday.”The physiotherapist is working hard to try to get him [Chigumbura] ready hopefully for the India match [on March 14],” Zimbabwe team manager Christian Chiketa said.Chigumbura was chasing a ball Misbah-ul-Haq had struck past him at mid-off, but tripped while attempting a dive and landed heavily on his left knee. A stretcher was brought out, but Chigumbura was able to walk off the field with the help of a couple of the Zimbabwe staff.He did not return to the field but batted one position lower than usual, at No.8, and spent an hour at the crease. Chigumbura began his innings limping, but was running singles by the end.Zimbabwe are presently in the bottom half of group B, having won only one of their four games so far.

Kolkata Knight Riders’ Sunil Narine cannot bowl in the Champions League T20 final on Saturday, after he was reported for a second time in two matches for a suspect action

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Oct-20141:38

Kalra: Narine will be under intense scrutiny

Sunil Narine has been barred from bowling for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Champions League T20 final on Saturday after being reported for a second time in two matches for a suspect action. He was reported by the umpires after Thursday’s semi-final against Hobart Hurricanes, which Knight Riders won by seven wickets. He had also been reported following their final group match, against Dolphins, when the umpires questioned his quicker delivery.ESPNcricinfo understands that this time the umpires, Rod Tucker, S Ravi and Vineet Kulkarni, had noted in their written complaint that several of the 24 deliveries Narine bowled against Hurricanes were suspect. “It was three deliveries in the last match. But this time all his four overs were reported,” an official privy to the complaint said.No official from Knight Riders’ management responded to queries, so it is not yet known whether the franchise might appeal against the penalty.According to a Champions League T20 release, the umpires reviewed footage of the semi-final and “felt that there was a flex action in Narine’s elbow beyond the acceptable limit when bowling during the match”. He had already been on the tournament’s warning list and, since he had not subsequently had his action cleared, is now automatically banned from bowling further in the tournament.Knight Riders will now be “advised” to send Narine to the Sri Ramachandra University in Chennai – which has been accredited by the ICC as a testing centre for suspect bowling actions – to have his action tested.The bowling ban will not affect his West Indies duties, though – it is confined only to the Champions League T20 and other BCCI-organised tournaments, including the IPL.Darren Sammy, Narine’s West Indies team-mate, came out in support of him on Thursday, prior to him being reported a second time. “I am not worried. Narine is a champion. Whether they stop him from bowling the faster ball, he is still the most dangerous spinner in the world,” Sammy had said. “I believe that he will still be a great asset to us. He will do whatever he has to do and have all his different tricks up his sleeves by the time the World Cup is here. I still feel he will be our a champion spinner.”Narine is the fourth bowler to be reported in the Champions League – the others are Lahore Lions’ Adnan Rasool and Mohammad Hafeez, and Dolphins’ Prenelan Subrayen. However, he is the first bowler to be reported a second time. This comes at a time when the ICC has been stepping up its action against suspect bowling actions, with several spinners being called and suspended from bowling in international cricket.It comes as a big blow to Knight Riders, as they look to extend their T20 winning streak to 15 and secure the double of winning the IPL and the Champions League T20 in the same year.