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The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is a living legend, but only a select few staunch supporters still believe he deserves to lead the Seleccao attack

Cristiano Ronaldo's continued presence in the Portugal squad is not a surprise. One of the first things new manager Roberto Martinez did after taking over in January was fly to Saudi Arabia to meet with the iconic No.7.

Unlike some of the other candidates for the position created by Fernando Santos' post-World Cup dismissal, the Spaniard was willing right from the get-go to include Ronaldo in his Euro 2024 qualification campaign.

The question now, though, is whether Ronaldo will start up front at what is meant to be the dawn of a new era for the Seleccao?

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Of course, given the standard of the opposition this week – Portugal host Liechtenstein on Thursday before travelling to Luxembourg on Sunday – it likely won't matter who leads the line. Portugal should easily win both fixtures. If Ronaldo starts at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, it would not be a surprise to see him add to his record haul of international goals.

However, there is no denying that Goncalo Ramos should be Portugal's first-choice No.9 right now.

Getty ImagesGoncalo Ramos: A star is born

Ronaldo may still be scoring in Saudi Arabia, but Benfica forward Ramos is starring in the Champions League, having just fired his club into the quarter-finals with a brace against Club Brugge.

In total this season, he has 24 goals in 36 appearances for Roger Schmidt's hugely impressive side, and at 21 years of age, he is the future of Portuguese football, the forward around whom the Seleccao need to construct an attack to make the most out of an outstanding crop of players.

The World Cup proved that, in scintillating fashion. After replacing Ronaldo in the starting line up for the last-16 clash with Switzerland, Ramos ran riot, becoming the first Portuguese player to score a hat-trick in the knockout stages since Eusebio in 1966.

He also chipped in with an assist during a performance of all-round excellence made all the more remarkable for the fact that Ramos had played just 33 minutes of international football going into the game in Lusail.

On a night when it was made abundantly clear to even some of his staunchest supporters that Ronaldo's star was fading, another was born.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe collapse of Santos & Ronaldo's relationship

Of course, Ramos and the rest of the Seleccao's stellar attack were kept quiet in the quarter-finals by a Morocco side that had also shut out Croatia, Belgium and Spain in Qatar, but they obviously weren't the story in Doha.

That was Ronaldo storming down the tunnel as soon as the full-time whistle blew at the Al Thumama Stadium, the final act of pathetic petulance from a player that had caused one distraction after another during the World Cup.

The collapse of Ronaldo's relationship with manager Santos was the cause of huge surprise back home in Portugal. He was one of the very, very few players not to publicly express his gratitude to Santos after his dismissal, which was truly shocking.

After all, the former coach had afforded the forward a huge amount of influence – and leeway – during his tenure, as perhaps most memorably highlighted by Ronaldo effectively serving as an assistant coach during the Euro 2016 final, leaving his seat on the bench after being forced off through injury to instruct players from the touchline.

It was even rumoured that Ronaldo had a say in squad selections. The pair were considered to be working that closely together.

Getty ImagesRonaldo benched by club and country

Santos certainly indulged Ronaldo in Qatar, at least initially.

When he rested all of his best players in the final group-stage clash with South Korea, with Portugal already through to the next round, he started Ronaldo. Why? Because Ronaldo always wants to play, and to score, and to break records – which, in fairness, is what he's done throughout his career.

However, it was clear to everyone that Ronaldo needed a rest more than anyone else, after two sub-standard showings, against Ghana and Uruguay.

The hope was that Ronaldo, rusty after being benched at Manchester United for the majority of the run-up to the World Cup, might play his way into form.

Instead, he just got worse, even contributing to South Korea's equaliser at the Education City Stadium. Santos' decision to substitute him midway through the second half actually felt like an act of mercy.

Ronaldo most definitely didn't take it that way, though. "You're always in such a f*cking hurry to take me off," he quite clearly said to himself as he exited the pitch.

Santos, having not seen the TV footage, initially defended his captain. However, after it had been passed on to him by his son via WhatsApp, he responded in the only way he could: by benching Ronaldo.

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GettyAchievements over ability

In a way, Ronaldo's show of insubordination had given Santos an excuse to drop the struggling striker, and Martinez could have used the World Cup debacle to bring an end to the circus, but has instead opted to keep the (sh*t)show on the road.

The former Belgium boss has publicly stated that he doesn't "look at age" when it comes to selecting squads, which is the definition of fair. If you're good enough, you're both old and young enough. It works both ways.

However, it was perhaps telling that after calling up Ronaldo for his first squad, Martinez championed the 38-year-old's "experience" rather than his goalscoring prowess.

It certainly didn't go unnoticed in the Portuguese press. For the first time in Ronaldo's career, it appeared that he had been included more for his achievements than his ability.

Again, that is hardly unacceptable. Ronaldo has literally seen and done it all. He should, in theory, be a hugely positive figure on younger players, although it certainly didn't pan out that way at Old Trafford.

Nonetheless, there are plenty of supporters that still believe Ronaldo has a role to play for Portugal – just off the bench, rather than as a starter.

Despite his childish behaviour in Qatar – during one training session, he refused to speak to anyone, including his most trusted colleague Pepe – there rightly remains a colossal amount of respect for a living legend like Ronaldo, particularly among his team-mates.

In recent years, some have privately conceded that Portugal play better without an increasingly static Ronaldo up front – yet acknowledged that his mere presence on the pitch petrified opponents.

That fear factor is now gone, though. The World Cup saw to that – and it also became clear in Qatar that Bruno Fernandes is the new leader of this Portuguese side.

Xabi Alonso is reportedly leaning towards Bayern Munich and could snub Liverpool as the coveted Bayer Leverkusen coach prepares to decide on future.

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Bayern set to part ways with TuchelHave set sights on AlonsoLiverpool have also enquired about the SpaniardGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The Bavarian giants are set to compete with Liverpool in the race to appoint Alonso as their next manager following the Bundesliga champions' decision to part ways with Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season. Alonso, whose successful transformation of Bayer Leverkusen has drawn attention, is also a target for Liverpool, where a managerial vacancy will arise this summer as Jurgen Klopp steps down. Although there is no release clause in Alonso's contract, he will be allowed to leave if he chooses to pursue a new challenge.

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According to Alonso is more inclined towards staying in Germany than moving to the Premier League and replacing Klopp. Bayern have already reached out to inquire about Alonso's availability for the summer and although the manager remains focused on his current project at Leverkusen, where he aims to lead the club to a historic Bundesliga title triumph, it is alleged that he is mulling over a move to Munich from Leverkusen rather than joining the Reds.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

Sky Sports journalist, Florian Plettenberg, said: "It is not 100 per cent clear that Alonso will say yes to FC Bayern. Bayern have been informed about the difficulty of this transfer. But according to my information, at this stage, Alonso is more willing to join Bayern Munich, instead of joining Liverpool. Bayern have already enquired about Alonso and Liverpool have also enquired about the manager in the last few days and weeks."

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Sky SportsWHAT NEXT?

Although rumours swirl about Klopp potentially filling the Bayern vacancy, his agent, Marc Kosicke, has dismissed speculations, affirming Klopp's plan to take a year-long sabbatical.

As the managerial carousel spins, the competition between Bayern Munich and Liverpool for Alonso's services adds an intriguing dimension to the upcoming managerial appointments in European football.

USMNT stars Yunus Musah and Christian Pulisic were greeted with a surprise Thanksgiving feast from Italian club Milan Thursday.

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Milan surprise USMNT duo Pulisic and MusahDuo gifted a traditional Thanksgiving feast'Taste of home' in ItalyWHAT HAPPENED?

After leaving Thursday's training session ahead of their return to action at the weekend, the American duo were surprised by the Italian club with a traditional holiday feast. Pulisic and Musah were not able to spend the holiday with their family, so the Serie A side went out of their way to bring a taste of home for their players.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT PULISIC SAID

“AC Milan truly knows how to make us feel like family. I am used to spending Thanksgiving away from home and from my friends and family, but yesterday was such a special surprise to walk off the training pitch and be greeted with a Thanksgiving feast. To have a taste of home here in Milan means the world, and it's a testament to the incredible bond we share as a team. Grazie mille to the AC Milan family for making this year’s Thanksgiving day extra special. For moments like these, I'm grateful to call Milan my home away from home.”

WHAT MUSAH SAID

“Feeling the warmth of a Thanksgiving celebration here in Milan is something I'll always remember. AC Milan surprised us with a fantastic meal, making us feel like family. It's moments like these that create a strong bond, and I'm grateful to be part of the AC Milan family. Thanks for bringing a bit of home to us in Italy.”

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Pulisic was ruled out of action during the November international FIFA break after picking up an injury against PSG in the Champions League in early November, with just minutes to spare in the contest. Thankfully, it turned out to be nothing serious, and he's now in contention to make his return to the pitch this weekend. Meanwhile, Musah, has been playing some of his best soccer of late for both club and country, recently being compared to ex-Rossoneri and Barcelona midfielder, Franck Kessie.

The USMNT duo are finding life in Milan incredibly successful, with both getting regular minutes and contributing to the success of the club. In return, seeing the Italian side share the American holiday with them is a brilliant touch; the real question though, is what the spread was actually like! Turkey or ham? Mashed or sweet potatoes? Regardless, it's safe to say they were both pleasantly surprised with the meal from the Italian club.

Andrew Strauss, the former England captain, and an increasingly influential voice in cricket administration, has issued dire warnings about the survival of Test cricket

David Hopps02-Oct-2014Andrew Strauss, the former England captain, and an increasingly influential voice in cricket administration, has issued dire warnings about the survival of Test cricket, predicting that Twenty20 could dominate the landscape within 20 years.Strauss, who since his retirement has been appointed to the cricket committees of the ICC and MCC as well as sitting on the Middlesex management board, lays part of the blame for Test cricket’s potential ills on the restructuring of the ICC.The deal, which if TV rights deals come to fruition could bring India a ten-fold increase in income, with England and Australia also benefiting financially, will in Strauss’ view condemn Test cricket to a growing number of mismatches which will quicken its decline.Strauss’ pessimistic view – particularly notable as it comes from one of the game’s avowed traditionalists – comes in an updated paperback edition of his autobiography, which is published today.”India can argue that they bring the most money into the game, and thus deserve more out of the precious ICC broadcasting rights, but skewing the distribution of the three boards that are already the most financially secure can only create a situation in which the rich get richer and the poor poorer,” Strauss writes.”With only ten teams playing Test cricket and four of those already struggling to stay competitive, the risk of the game degenerating to the extent that the result of many Test series is a foregone conclusion is both high and real.”Strauss paints a bleak picture of the Test game in which he built his reputation, leading England in 50 of his 100 Tests and gaining a reputation as one of the finest man managers in England’s history.”I have to admit that I become more and more concerned about the plight of Test cricket every year,” Strauss admits. “Watching a Test match between the West Indies and New Zealand in an empty stadium with no more than a handful of spectators in attendance sends out warning signals. Seeing that the viewing figures for a county Twenty20 game rival those for a Test match adds to the growing perception that Test cricket is in crisis.”Part of the new ICC restructure provides a Test fund so that some of the smaller nations can play each other in Test series even though they aren’t financially viable. While I definitely welcome this news, I can’t help feeling that we have already reached the tipping point as far as Test cricket is concerned.”The teams will keep playing each other over the next eight years, but aside from iconic series like the Ashes or England v India, I fear that the game is slowly going to fizzle out as a mainstream attraction, especially away from the ‘big three’ nations.”It is too late to turn the tide, especially with the glitz and glamour of Twenty20 cricket managing to gain more and more traction every year.”Strauss predicts a future in which the ICC is powerless to prevent control moving towards the T20 franchises. His warning comes in a week when Australia have conceded that their T20 side against Pakistan could be potentially weakened by absentees in the Champions League – another sign of the creeping power shift between club and country.”It is not a huge stretch of the imagination to see a situation in which most players will be contracted to franchises and play the majority of their cricket in the Twenty20 format,” Strauss concludes. “It will not happen for a while , as the international boards will do everything in their power to prevent it, but market forces are likely to win the battle in the long term. In twenty years, the game of cricket will look very different.”Driving Ambition: Andrew Strauss (Hodder & Stoughton) £8.99

A Dhaka court on Wednesday cleared Bangladesh cricketer Rubel Hossain for traveling abroad, three days after he was granted bail in a case filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act

Mohammad Isam14-Jan-20151:24

Court allows Rubel to travel for World Cup

A Dhaka court on Wednesday cleared Bangladesh cricketer Rubel Hossain for traveling abroad, three days after he was granted bail in a case filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.Metropolitan magistrate Rashed Talukder passed the order after hearing a plea moved on behalf of Rubel in his presence at the chief metropolitan magistrate’s court. It also excused him from appearing before the court for further proceedings.Rubel skipped Bangladesh’s training session at the Shere Bangla National Stadium to attend court. The BCB will now apply for his World Cup visa with the Australian high commission.Rubel was jailed on January 8 after he couldn’t secure bail on the same day. Three days later he was granted bail until the police submitted the chargesheet to the court. Rubel had, on December 15, been granted four weeks of anticipatory bail.This came two days after the complainant, an actress, had filed the case against Rubel with Mirpur police station on charges of making false promises of marriage.

As the Carabao Cup proved, the Reds are blessed with a great group of homegrown players that could sustain a new era of success at Anfield

Back in 2020, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp revealed that the club's dream was to have "a team full of Scousers". Four years on, the Reds still have plenty of work to do on that front – despite the continued success of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones' rise to prominence over the past year.

However, on the evidence of the Carabao Cup triumph at Wembley, it might not be long before Klopp – or his successor – picks a team full of academy products, with six homegrown heroes having featured in Sunday's stunning 1-0 win over Chelsea.

Caoimhin Kelleher, who was absolutely sensational in goal from start to finish, and Conor Bradley both started, while substitutes Jarell Quansah, James McConnell, Bobby Clark and Jayden Danns were all brilliant as Liverpool took control of the game in extra-time.

And the incredible thing is, more teenage talent is set to break through in the coming days, weeks and months. Indeed, as GOAL outlines below, Liverpool are blessed with a plethora of young players that could eventually become first-team regulars like predecessors Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones…

Getty Jarell Quansah

Liverpool made the bold call not to sign another centre-back during the summer but the gamble has paid off thanks to Quansah, who has been sensational since being thrown into the fold, particularly after the season-ending injury to Joel Matip. A wonderfully composed and versatile centre-half that can also play right-back, Quansah has gone from strength to strength since making his Reds debut in the most difficult of circumstances, after coming on as a sub in the backs-to-the-wall win at Newcastle in August. Just "a fantastic talent", as Virgil van Dijk put it.

AdvertisementGetty Stefan Bajcetic

Some people have forgotten about the midfielder as this season has been an absolute nightmare for Bajcetic, who has been restricted to just two appearances because of an adductor problem linked to a growth spurt. "He could train today fully and then maybe tomorrow as well, but then not [for] five weeks," Klopp explained at the turn of the year. "And that makes it so frustrating for the boy."

However, it's clear that as soon as the Spaniard returns to full fitness, he will have a big role to play as one of the few specialist No.6s at Anfield. Bajcetic, remember, was described as "Liverpool's best player" by Mohamed Salah when the teenager broke into the starting line-up during a difficult spell for Klopp's team last season.

GettyConor Bradley

Competing with Quansah for the right to be regarded as the revelation of Liverpool's season so far. After a very productive and successful loan spell at Bolton Wanderers, the Northern Ireland international is now up to 12 appearances in all competitions, having done an incredible job filling in for the injured Alexander-Arnold.

"A wonderful kid, a really hard worker, and a good footballer," Klopp enthused after the win at Bournemouth. "He is a defender but he can attack as well." No arguments there: Bradley has already racked up five assists – and one goal – in a Red shirt, meaning Alexander-Arnold's move into midfield could happen sooner than we thought!

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Getty ImagesBen Doak

The teenage winger is presently sidelined with an injury that could well keep him out for the remainder of the season. However, Doak has already done enough since joining from Celtic in 2022 to show why he's considered one of the most exciting players to come out of Scotland in years.

Doak is an incredibly direct dribbler, always willing to take on his man, and was hugely impressive during Liverpool's pre-season programme. He has "obvious quality", as Klopp says, and could become a real crowd favourite at Anfield if he makes a full recovery from knee surgery.

The Spanish manager will be able to point to his first signature win at the helm if he can beat the Magpies at Parc des Princes

Luis Enrique insisted he did everything right. On October 4, he took his team to St. James Park, and before 50,000 riled-up Geordies — and a side playing its first Champions League home game since 2003 — deployed a swashbuckling 4-2-4 formation. The result wasn't hard to see coming. Newcastle battered PSG from the first minute, a 91st-minute strike from marauding centre-back Fabian Schar sealing an emphatic 4-1 win for the home side.

After the game, Luis Enrique suggested that there were positives, ones that admittedly few keen observers might have seen: "The result is so big for them. But I think we didn’t deserve that result."

Deserved or otherwise, his side were handily beaten on Tyneside, and now, after losing to AC Milan in their last Champions League encounter, find themselves desperately in need of a win against the Magpies — this time on their own turf.

Parc des Princes has been an imposing place to visit for European sides in recent years, a ground where the Parisians haven't lost a group game since 2020. Include games with fans — not interrupted by the relative silence of the COVID-19 pandemic — and you would have to go back to 2004 for PSG's last home defeat before knockout football kicks in.

The stage is nicely set, then, for revenge. And this is an important one, too. The Parisians are second in their Champions League group, while the Magpies are bottom, but just two points separate the two teams. A win for PSG and qualification should be solidified. Lose, and the French champions could end the matchday sat in fourth with just one game to go, and likely relying on results elsewhere to guide them through the group.

Luis Enrique has already overseen some big games in Paris. But facing elimination in a competition that he admitted the club is "obsessed" with, this will be the biggest. This time, he has to get it right.

GettyWhere it went wrong at St. James' Park

You could see it going wrong for PSG from the first minute in the north-east of England. Newcastle's midfield is chunky and awkward to play against, and Eddie Howe made sure it was more beefy than usual. He deployed a trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Sean Longstaff — a combative mix of flair and physicality. Luis Enrique, meanwhile, fielded just two midfielders, an overwhelmingly technical Warren Zaire-Emery, and a brutish Manuel Ugarte. It was no surprise when the duo were overrun, and exhausted by half-time.

The Parisians were lucky to only be trailing 2-0 at the break, and then, Luis Enrique had the chance to change things. He could have added an extra midfielder, or altered his tactics. He certainly would have noticed the flow of the game — his side had only put one shot on goal. Fabian Ruiz, Danilo Pereira and Vitinha were all sat waiting on the bench, so at the very least, he could have matched Newcastle in midfield.

Instead, the former Barcelona boss stuck with his system. And things got even worse. PSG were outmuscled once again, while Howe ensured that Kylian Mbappe didn't have any breathing room. PSG's only real chances fell to a wasteful Ousmane Dembele, who put one volley narrowly past the post, and squandered another clear effort after a wonderful winding run down the wing.

Newcastle added two more goals, with Lucas Hernandez's header offering little more than a consolation. The manner in which it came — a dink from a midfielder onto the forehead of a left-back — had little to do with the relative effectiveness of Luis Enrique's set-up.

AdvertisementGetty Images'I expect that same intensity'

Gaining revenge, then, must start with a reconsideration of the system. Luis Enrique is a manager who believes in his principles, but has admittedly shown a willingness to adapt the way in which they are applied.

He still has some non-negotiables. Gianluigi Donnarumma must play the ball out of the back; his midfielders must carry the ball forward; and Mbappe should tuck inside, and receive the ball on the run. How, exactly, this is applied, can vary. Since the Newcastle defeat, PSG have fiddled around with their tactics. Sometimes they have deployed a 4-3-3. At others, the manager has set up something looking like a more traditional 4-4-2. That dreaded 4-2-4 hasn't been totally removed from the playsheet, either.

So rather than making wholesale tactical changes, Luis Enrique may instead look to add an extra layer of physicality to his team. He alluded to that likelihood in a press conference on Monday: "If you watch Newcastle's game against Chelsea, their physicality is important. They went to press with up to six players and they are capable of maintaining a very quick pace. I expect that same intensity against us."

Besides, he might not have a choice. Zaire-Emery, the midfield lynchpin, is out for the rest of the calendar year with an ankle injury. That could mean bringing Danilo or another more defensively-minded player into a three-man midfield.

That would be a personnel tweak that can be made while still keeping Luis Enrique's principles intact. His vision of PSG can still exist – it just has to be altered slightly.

GettyDembele the difference-maker?

Luckily, Luis Enrique insists that he has a secret weapon. It is not Mbappe, a known quantity who the manager hasn't been afraid to disparage in recent weeks. Neither is it Randal Kolo Muani, who has impressed in moments, but failed to find a goalscoring rhythm in Paris.

Instead, Luis Enrique has claimed, Dembele will make a difference. This is a puzzling player to highlight. Dembele has been a polarising presence in the French capital, ashe seems to do everything wonderfully well in the final third, right up until the key moment. He will scamper down the wing, leave numerous defenders in the dust, and then skew a shot. He will dart left, cut to his right, throw in a stepover, find daylight inside the box, and then pass the ball to the feet of a grateful centre-back.

Dembele has only scored once for the Parisians, despite taking 34 shots, albeit less than half of those efforts have been on target. Still, Luis Enrique heaped praise on the Paris native.

"I’ve known him for many years and, in my opinion, he’s a different type of player to anyone else," he said. "Now I know him personally, too. He doesn’t care if he makes a mistake, he doesn’t care if he gets criticised… I have absolutely no doubt he is the biggest game-changer in world football."

There is some evidence to back up the manager's lofty claim. Dembele scored his first goal in a PSG shirt against Monaco on Friday, and it was an eye-catching one, the winger flicking a lofted pass with his weaker foot using his trailing leg, accelerating into open space, and hitting his effort into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

This was not a normal goal, but if Dembele's manager is to be believed, he is not a normal player, either. Perhaps he just needed one to go in to kickstart life back in his homeland.

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Getty ImagesNewcastle in desperation mode

Newcastle, for their part, arrive at Parc des Prince in a precarious spot. The Magpies are a much-changed side from the unit that battered the Parisians nearly two months ago. Tonali is out of the team, banned for a year after admitting to betting breaches. Dan Burn, Harvey Barnes, Sven Botman, Joe Willock and Callum Wilson will all also miss the contest due to injuries.

Alexander Isak, who played a starring role in the reverse fixture, has only just returned from a knock. They may have thumped Chelsea on Saturday, but since October 4, Newcastle have dropped points to West Ham, Wolves and Bournemouth in the Premier League. More significantly, they have fallen to Borussia Dortmund home and away in Europe, and failed to score in both contests.

Howe's side may be fearsome at home, but their away record in 2023-24 — two wins, three draws and four losses — doesn't exactly paint a picture of optimism. If the manager had to pick a scenario for a must-win European game for his team, he probably couldn't do any worse. A loss will see his side exit the competition, and a point might not be enough, either.

Other results have done them few favours. The defeats to Dortmund will mean that they will finish behind the German side in the group if they end up level on points due to a tiebreaker. Milan's recent run, which included a win over PSG, suggests that they might be able to get a result at San Siro against Dortmund — which would also eliminate Howe's side. It all puts the Magpies in must-win mode.

Howe knows it, telling his pre-match press conference: "I don't think the motivation could be any bigger for us. We want to be in [the Champions League] as long as we can be and that makes tomorrow a huge moment in our season. We have a plan and we will try to get ready to execute it and be ready for the game."

Darwin Nunez boasts plenty of supporters around the world, with one taking to getting the Liverpool striker’s face shaved into the back of his head.

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Uruguayan striker starring in the Premier LeagueBoasts supporters all over the worldSome take fandom further than othersWHAT HAPPENED?

The Uruguay international has been plying his trade in the Premier League since completing a £64 million ($78m) transfer to Anfield from Benfica in the summer of 2022. He has endeared himself to the Merseyside locals, and is also a popular figure back in his homeland.

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One follower has taken fandom to the extreme, with barber Andres German Fondo asked to deliver a unique trim that involved shaving Nunez’s face onto the back of customer’s head – complete with blue accents to give it a truly Uruguayan flavour.

InstagramDID YOU KNOW?

Nunez is clearly impressed at the lengths that some supporters will go to, with the 24-year-old forward sharing an image of the aforementioned haircut on his Instagram account – alongside clapping hands, folded hands and fire emojis.

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Nunez has registered four goals and three assists for Liverpool this season and will be hoping to add to that tally when the Reds return to Premier League action in a derby date with neighbours Everton on Saturday. The South American heads into that game in good form having found the target in back-to-back World Cup qualifiers for his country against Colombia and Brazil during the October international break.

Mashrafe Mortaza said Bangladesh’s preparation has given him the confidence to look forward to sealing another whitewash over Zimbabwe

Mohammad Isam30-Nov-2014After Bangladesh won the Tests 3-0, new captain Mashrafe Mortaza has had to face questions about a 5-0 win in the one-day series quite regularly. He has always dodged them with the standard “we will take it one game at a time” reply. But on Sunday, he said the team’s preparation has given him the confidence to look forward to sealing another whitewash over Zimbabwe.”I can no longer say that we are taking the matches one by one,” Mashrafe said. “It is important to finish well. It is important to continue well, and the players are taking it seriously. We will perform better than the last four games. All the players are confident after going up 4-0 in the last game. Anything can happen in cricket, but we have to be prepared to win and we will give our best.”Bangladesh have batted first, defended well and have won all four games handsomely. The lowest margin had been in the fourth ODI when they won by 21 runs, but the contest had ended by the 40th over of the chase.There have been phases in the four matches when things didn’t go to plan, though. Bangladesh made two great starts with the bat in the second and third matches, but have lost early wickets in the first and fourth. They also had a batting collapse in the second game in Chittagong, but have always fought back hard and ended up in dominant positions.Mashrafe said that while winning was important, he hoped for a comprehensive display in the fifth ODI and finish the series on a high.”We have won matches, so we have been consistent in that area,” he said. “But performance-wise, we haven’t been as consistent. We have to improve in those areas. We are focusing there in training. We cannot collapse again, because it makes life difficult for us.”It is important for batsmen to bat normally even when they lose a lot of wickets, especially in good conditions. So I think it is always good that we recover from tough situations, when we lost 3-4 early wickets.”Bangladesh have not been shy of changing a winning combination and have so far used 15 players from their squad in an effort to try to test the bench ahead of the World Cup. Soumya Sarkar is the latest to be added to the Bangladesh team for the fifth ODI, and it is likely that he will make his international debut. He is the latest pace bowling allrounder to be picked ahead of Ziaur Rahman and Farhad Reza, seasoned domestic campaigners but with ordinary international records.Mashrafe said that they were not judging a player by one or two performances – good or bad – but had confidence that Soumya’s bowling was good enough for international cricket due to his discipline in line and length.”It is difficult to judge a player in one or two matches,” Mashrafe said. “If it was a 10-match series, it would have been easier but that’s not possible. We are not throwing away a player after just one game or judging him on his performance of that one game. But it is true that one match is not enough.”I don’t want to judge anyone. Ziaur Rahman and Farhad Reza are experienced cricketers. Soumya is a very effective bowler, and he can bowl in one spot regularly. Some people think that pace is very important in international cricket, but it is not always true. What he lacks in pace, he makes up in line and length. If he plays tomorrow, I hope he can prove it. I don’t want to make anyone feel small, but we had to pick someone among the allrounders.”

Plays of the day from the rained out game between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals

Andrew Fidel Fernando29-Apr-2015Having been dropped for a match last week, Chris Gayle seemed to recover his early-overs mojo against Delhi Daredevils. Three balls into his innings here, he had the stands buzzing. Tim Southee’s first ball was hit straight, and might have gone for four if it hadn’t hit the stumps at the other end. The next ball was carved through the offside and the following one lifted into the sightscreen. But just when the Chinnaswamy seemed primed for a Gayle special, he cracked the next ball straight to Deepak Hooda at midwicket.The pincushion
Harshal Patel might have been displeased when Sarfaraz Khan refused to attempt a second run off the last ball of the innings, but the rest of their side had only love for the young batsman. Virat Kohli was first on to the field to congratulate Sarfaraz for his knock. He clasped his hands together and bowed, offering a lighthearted . Other team-mates were a lot more hands on, mobbing Sarfaraz with back pats, bum slaps, and friendly knocks to the helmet. Thoroughly manhandled, Sarfaraz was still smiling when he eventually made it off the field.The mix-up
Dinesh Karthik had already flung his bat several metres when he had played a part in the miscommunication that led to AB de Villiers’ run out. He was cursing again when in the 17th over, he turned back for a second after Sarfaraz had hit one towards deep midwicket, but was sent back by his partner, a tad late. Karthik’s dive could not save him, but Sarfaraz would ensure the innings stayed on course for 200.The backhand
Sarfaraz had not been at the crease long, but having uppercut his first four, felt brave enough to try a rare innovation. James Faulkner sent down a length ball outside off stump and Sarfaraz played a reverse shot of sorts, only he used the back of his bat instead of the face. Though he sent the ball towards the third man area he had been aiming for, he could not get enough power on the shot to fetch more than a single.