Varun Chopra could be forgiven for the look of confusion on his face when asked “what’s gone wrong?” in his Warwickshire career

George Dobell at Edgbaston28-Jun-2016
ScorecardVarun Chopra has been a heavy scorer for Warwickshire but his future appears to be elsewhere•Getty ImagesVarun Chopra could be forgiven for the look of confusion on his face when asked “what’s gone wrong?” in his Warwickshire career.After all, Chopra has been the club’s leading run-scorer for four of the last five seasons in all formats of the game. He was the only man in the side to reach 1,000 Championship runs in 2011, 2012 and 2013. He has played a crucial role in the club winning all three trophies since his arrival from Essex ahead of the 2010 season and, after leading his side to a first victory in the T20 competition in 2014, was captain of the side until January of this year.Even this season, when rain has limited him to 12 Championship innings, he has reached 50 six times – nobody in the top division has done so more often – and scored an unbeaten 97 in his only white-ball appearance. No England-qualified player has ever scored more runs in a T20 innings for Warwickshire and, in five of Warwickshire’s Championship matches this season, he has made their highest aggregate of runs.So it seems odd that Warwickshire have dropped him from their white-ball side. And it seems odd that Warwickshire have not offered him a new contract. Indeed, they seem resigned – bizarrely resigned – to losing him to another county without putting up much of a fight to retain him.It might be an understandable conclusion if Chopra was a difficult or divisive fellow. But he is far from that. Quite the opposite, really, with his unruffled nature having always been credited as an asset in the past.So the current situation has left him perplexed, frustrated and more than a bit concerned. To be dropped from the limited-overs sides was worrying enough but, having won a recall due to injury and made the 56-ball 97, to be dropped afterwards seemed to confirm his fears.”I’ve loved my time at Warwickshire,” he tells ESPNcricinfo. “But I’ve had no contract offer and you sort of draw your own conclusions when that happens.”It’s been frustrating not to play white-ball cricket and it’s really disappointing not to have had a contract offer, but I’ll continue to be professional and try to score as many runs as possible and win games for the club.”I still have realistic ambitions to play for England. I turned 29 a week or so ago, so I know it realistically has to happen in the next couple of years and I know I probably have to continue to play Division One cricket. But my stats at the top-order are as good as just about anyone, I could play for eight or so more years and I feel I’m just reaching my peak.”He will have no shortage of suitors if he does leave. Alongside the Durham pair, Mark Stoneman and Scott Borthwick, Chopra is among the most proven top-order batsmen out of contract on the county circuit this season. ESPNcricinfo understands that three clubs, Hampshire, Nottinghamshire and Essex, are understood to have made 28-day approaches to talk to him, while several more, including Lancashire, are considering doing the same. He has not spoken to any of them, though, and seems to retain hopes that Warwickshire may yet offer him a new deal.”I’ve yet to speak to any other clubs,” he says. “So my door is open. I think of myself as a proper Bear. But I am a professional cricketer, it’s a short career, I still have ambitions and I do need to look after my future.”There was just over one session of play possible at Edgbaston on Tuesday before rain intervened. Jake Ball, who had been heavily bowled on Monday, did not take to the field after complaining of a sore elbow. The club say the decision to rest him was purely precautionary and he is expected to bowl in the second innings – in the unlikely event that the rain relents – and in Nottinghamshire’s T20 Blast game on Friday night.That will be a relief to the England management. Ball was watched by James Whitaker and Andy Flower during his excellent new-ball spell on Monday and looks certain to be included in the England squad for the first Investec Test of the series against Pakistan. With Ben Stokes and James Anderson struggling to recover fitness in time – it currently look as if both will miss the game – Ball has a good chance of making his Test debut. Luke Fletcher, who hurt his groin on day two, expects to return to action in a week or so.In the brief window of play possible, Warwickshire secured a third batting bonus point – a decent effort from 117 for 5 – and a first-innings lead of 159.But they then found Nottinghamshire’s batting more stubborn than first time around. Jake Libby was drawn into pushing at one angled across him and edged to slip while Michael Lumb was, for the second time in the match, beaten by a quicker one from Jeetan Patel, but Steven Mullaney looked solid and the rain – forecast to continue into the final day – may well save them from further trouble.

خطف منتخب السعودية بطاقة التأهل لدور الـ16 من بطولة كأس آسيا 2023، بعدما حصد 7 نقاط في إطار منافسات المجموعة السادسة.

وتعادل السعودية مساء اليوم أمام تايلاند في ختام لقاءات الجولة الثالثة من مرحلة مجموعات بالمسابقة القارية، بدون أهداف ليتصدر مجموعته.

وتضم المجموعة السادسة منتخبات السعودية وتايلاند وعمان وقرغيزستان.

طالع.. مباشر بالفيديو | مباراة السعودية وتايلاند في كأس آسيا

مواجهات دور الـ16 من كأس آسيا

وتنص لوائح البطولة على صعود متصدر ووصيف كل مجموعة، بالإضافة إلى أفضل 4 منتخبات أصحاب المركز الثالث، إلى دور الـ16 الذي يلعب بالنظام الإقصائي. منافس منتخب السعودية في دور الـ16 من كأس آسيا

ويلاقي منتخب السعودية بصفته أول للمجموعة منتخب كوريا الجنوبية صاحب المركز الثاني في المجموعة الخامسة.

وتقام المباراة يوم 30 يناير الجاري على ملعب استاد المدينة التعليمية (الريان)، كما تنطلق في تمام الساعة السابعة بتوقيت مصر والثامنة بتوقيت السعودية.

There is no denying that it has not been a happy start to life at Tottenham Hotspur for January arrival, Pedro Porro, with the Spain international – who is set to be snapped up permanently on a £39m deal this summer – having struggled to make his mark in his new surroundings.

While the on-loan Sporting CP ace did help to spark the recent comeback at home to Manchester United with a delightful, volleyed effort, the 23-year-old has come in for notable criticism due to his errant form, with former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood stating the defender "is so bad it’s unbelievable", following his debut outing in the grim loss to Leicester City.

More recently, the former Manchester City man was all at sea in the 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Newcastle United, with 90min's Grey Whitebloom awarding him a 1/10 match rating, while stating that the wing-back 'never quite grasped where he was supposed to be on the pitch.'

The two-cap defender was again somewhat culpable during Sunday's last-gasp defeat away to Liverpool, having 'struggled defensively' – according to football.london's Rob Guest – after notably failing to track Curtis Jones at the back post for the game's opener.

Porro's woes have also been laid bare by his grim statistical record as the 5 foot 8 asset has notably been a real liability on the ball after losing possession 15.6 times per game on average from his 11 Premier League appearances, having also been dribbled past 1.8 times per game.

As such, caretaker boss Ryan Mason may need to consider whether it is worth taking the Spaniard out of the firing line over the coming games, with it potentially a chance to give exciting youngster Romaine Mundle a chance to impress in a wing-back berth.

Who is Tottenham's Romaine Mundle?

While more of a forward player by trade, the versatile Mundle has also been deployed in a full-back role or as a wing-back so far this term, notably taking on that latter berth during the mid-season friendly clash with Motherwell back in December.

The 19-year-old clearly "looks a player" – as per MUTV commentator Stewart Gardner during the recent 2-2 draw with Manchester United's U21's – having racked up eight goals and five assists in 32 games across all fronts this season, including 11 goals and assists in just 23 Premier League 2 outings.

That standout form has ensured that there are a "number of Premier League clubs keeping an eye on him" – as per respected insider Alasdair Gold – with just a matter of weeks to run on his existing deal, albeit with talks set to "continue" over a possible extension, according to Gold.

Also the subject of interest from clubs in the Bundesliga, the "talented" wide man – as hailed by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano – is clearly a potential star of the future, having evidently "impressed" in the youth ranks this term, according to journalist George Sessions.

While a first-team bow has yet to emerge despite regularly featuring in matchday squads in recent weeks, the £700-per-week sensation has impressed against senior opposition in the EFL Trophy earlier in the campaign, notably averaging two key passes per game from his three outings – a better record than what Porro has achieved in the top flight (1.5).

The creative gem could therefore be one player Mason looks to properly integrate over the coming weeks, with changes seemingly needed amid this current run of four league games without a win for the north Londoners.

ScorecardJesse Ryder’s hundred saw Essex home•Getty Images

Jesse Ryder scored his ninth List A hundred as Essex pulled off a successful run chase for the second successive day to make it two wins out of two in the Royal London One-Day Cup.Having overhauled a target of 310 to beat Hampshire on Sunday when Ryder made 71, they beat South Group rivals Sussex by five wickets with six balls to spare under the Hove floodlights after being set 272 to win.Sussex were still left without a List A win since August 2014.Ryder accelerated after scoring his first 50 off a relatively sedate 71 balls, reaching his hundred from a further 38 deliveries with six fours and three sixes.With nine overs left and 80 needed the odds favoured Sussex, but Ryder and Ryan Ten Doeschate plundered 83 in 9.3 overs and when Ryder was yorked by Chris Jordan for 100 Ten Doeschate, who finished unbeaten on 48, got the job done, hitting Ajmal Shahzad for four and six at the start of the penultimate over before former Sussex player Ashar Zaidi struckk successive boundaries to seal an impressive victory.Left-armer George Garton and leg spinner Will Beer were the pick of the Sussex attack. Garton, 19, impressed on his List A debut. He took a simple return catch off a leading edge from Tom Westley (32) and had Dan Lawrence (25) caught at long on while Beer enjoyed a pitch where the odd ball gripped and turned. Nick Browne (44) was expertly stumped by Ben Brown after he was beaten by a ball that spun past his outside edge and Essex captain Ravi Bopara (12) was caught at short third-man off a top edged sweep.Earlier, three Sussex batsmen made half-centuries but neither Ed Joyce (73), Luke Wright (50) or Ross Taylor (50) were able to go on and play the sort of innings Ryder would produce on a pitch which played well despite being used for the third time in five days.Joyce once again looked in superb touch, sharing a stand of 108 with skipper Wright for the second wicket during which Wright passed 4,000 List A runs and Joyce brought up his 50 and Sussex’s 100 with a six over mid-wicket off Matt Dixon. Wright’s half-century came off 58 deliveries (3 fours) but two balls later he was stumped off a wide outside off stump by Zaidi.It was the first of three wickets to fall in four overs. Joyce mis-timed a drive to wide mid-on and Matt Machan was bowled by Zaidi trying to reverse-sweep his third ball.Taylor was put down by Ryder at backward point on five and made the most of his reprieve, putting on 59 in 12 overs with Brown.The former New Zealand skipper scored 50 off 58 balls (4 fours) only to hole out to long on and it needed a cameo from Jordan to take Sussex to a competitive total. The England international cleared the ropes three times in his 36 off 22 balls before becoming one of four victims for Matt Quinn.

Harmanpreet Kaur is set to become the first India Women’s cricketer to be signed by an overseas Twenty20 franchise

Shashank Kishore24-Jun-2016

Harmanpreet Kaur is set to become the first India Women’s cricketer to be signed by an overseas Twenty20 franchise. Sydney Thunder, the reigning Women’s Big Bash League champions, are interested in recruiting her for the second edition of the Australian T20 league which is scheduled to be played in December.The BCCI had cleared the women players to participate in overseas leagues earlier this month and its president Anurag Thakur said on Friday that the deal between Thunder and Harmanpreet had been sealed.However, the club’s general manager Nick Cummins, while confirming their interest in Harmanpreet, said the contract had not yet been signed. Reportedly, Harmanpreet has received verbal permission from the BCCI but is waiting for her No-objection certificate before agreeing to play.It is understood that Harmanpreet, an allrounder and India’s vice-captain, received an offer from three teams – including the Sydney Sixers, the runners-up in the inaugural season – before zeroing in on the Thunder.”I think we saw in the Indian team some very dynamic players, including Veda Krishnamurthy and Harmanpreet Kaur, I think these two stood out,” Alex Blackwell, the Thunder captain, had said earlier. “We have a pretty solid team… but we have an opportunity to bring another overseas players in and we’ll be looking to spend that spot wisely. Hopefully we’ll get one of the best players around the world.”Blackwell’s comments came after India recorded their first-ever bilateral series win in Australia, beating the then champions 2-1 in the T20 series ahead of the World T20. Harmanpreet contributed a 31-ball 46 in a historic chase in the series opener. She was a standout performer in a disappointing World T20 campaign for India, scoring 89 runs and taking seven wickets in four outings.India captain Mithali Raj and fast bowler Jhulan Goswami were approached by the Adelaide Strikers for the inaugural edition of the tournament last year, but had to turn down the offer after the BCCI refused to grant permission, citing the need for top players to take part in the domestic women’s T20 league, which was being televised for the first time.Since then, the board has introduced central contracts for 11 women players and set in motion a slew of reforms recommended by the Lodha committee, which was appointed by the Supreme Court of India to look into the functioning of the board.GMT 1630 The article was amended to reflect that negotiations were on-going between Sydney Thunder and Harmanpreet Kaur

Newcastle United have both Romeo Lavia and James Ward-Prowse on their summer radar as potential options to bolster their midfield.

Who is on Newcastle's summer transfer radar?

The Toon are on the brink of securing what would feel like a huge stride forward in the club's progression under their new ownership.

Champions League football will have been on the list of targets for the Saudi Arabian-based consortium, however, doing it within the first 18 months of taking over may have been merely a dream.

But that is exactly what Eddie Howe's side look set to achieve over the coming weeks having secured a nine-point gap over fifth-placed Liverpool with just five games remaining.

The Magpies aren't quite able to celebrate yet, but with games against the likes of Leeds United and Leicester City on the horizon, it does feel like they will get themselves over the line.

And victory over Southampton on the weekend also provided Dan Ashworth and Howe an opportunity to view two potential summer targets in person.

Indeed, speaking on his YouTube channel after the game, journalist Craig Hope claimed the Toon have identified Lavia and Ward-Prowse as potential options for the summer:

(9:15) "Now I will just mention two players because they were playing out there playing for Southampton: Romeo Lavia in midfield, the young midfielder who I thought was very good. Of course, dispossessed Bruno [Guimaraes] for that goal. He's someone that they like. I think they've liked him for a while now. And also James Ward-Prowse. Now I'm told, James Ward-Prowse is on the list, but probably very low down the list."

Who would be the better signing for Newcastle?

It is apparent the Toon are in need of further strength in depth after the January transfer window left the 45-year-old manager frustrated with his dwindling options.

If Newcastle are looking to add an attacking threat to their ranks, then Ward-Prowse will stand out between the pair as the more suitable option.

The Englishman has provided more than double (3.34) the shot-creating actions that Lavia has offered this season (1.66) as well as six more goals and two more assists (via Fbref).

However, defensively, Lavia has proved more of a dominant force in the Southampton side. Hailed an "absolute monster" by journalist Benjy Nurick, the 19-year-old has returned just under 2.5 tackles per 90 minutes this season.

The Belgian teenager – who has a £40m buy-back clause with Manchester City – has also racked up considerably more (80.1) progressive yards in carries per 90 minutes in comparison to Ward-Prowse (54.8).

Southampton's precarious position in the league could potentially see the Saints look to offload some of their valuable players with Lavia one of those in demand.

Indeed, it is reported the likes of Chelsea are also showing an interest in the 19-year-old with Manchester United credited with an interest in the £50m-rated Ward-Prowse.

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is now expected to steer clear of commercial partnerships with cryptocurrency companies.

Many cryptocurrency companies have run into trouble since the collapse of the FTX exchange and it impacted Chelsea Football Club. After agreeing a £20m-a-year sleeve deal with WhaleFin, the company experienced financial trouble prompting the Blues to terminate their agreement early.

Which companies are Chelsea interested in working with?

According to Football Insider finance reporter Adam Williams, their experience with crypto companies has led to a change in commercial strategy. Instead, Chelsea are in talks with companies from more traditional sectors such as technology, conventional finance and the automotive industry.

FI reports that Chelsea "are likely to accept a contract with a lower base rate and greater performance-related incentives" after missing out on Champions League football for the 2023/24 season.

Sky Sports reported in April that Chelsea were in talks with German bank Allianz although Football Insider reports they were unable to verify that claim.

Boehly has identified sponsorships as an area of major growth potential for Chelsea, especially given the incredible transfer expenditure he has sanctioned since taking over the club.

What are Chelsea's transfer plans this summer?

As always with a club of Chelsea's size, the rumour mill has already begun churning out names that the Blues could sign. Departures will largely define the summer with Eduoard Mendy, Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic all linked with an exit.

Mendy is upset with the contract offer he received in December and with no sign of a satisfactory deal, he could leave.

Kovacic is another player Chelsea have themselves to losing as the Croatian has a single year remaining on his deal.

A recent report claims that Mount could snub interest from the likes of Liverpool to stay at Stamford Bridge but that remains to be seen.

In terms of new signings, that is as unclear as outgoings although it would be a huge surprise if Chelsea remained idle all summer. That said, fans will be excited to read that Boehly has held meetings with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi regarding the transfer of Neymar Jr.

If there is one player that most clubs would be desperate to sign given the chance, it's Neymar. Although, given his concerning injury record and admission that he has fallen out of love with football, the Premier League may not be the best destination for him.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has seemingly been dealt a setback in his pursuit of a sporting director as talks with Brentford chief Lee Dykes stall.

What's the latest Spurs news?

After former transfer chief Fabio Paratici was forced to resign from his post, having lost his appeal against a 30-month worldwide ban from football, Spurs are without an out-and-out managing director.

The Lilywhites did appoint former City Football Group executive Scott Munn, who will commence work with the club in July, and he'll oversee all footballing operations.

However, it is believed past and present managerial candidates have held reservations over Tottenham's current structure, with both Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann apparently asking about their lack of a director in recent interviews (90min).

Taking this into account, it is imperative for Levy to hire a replacement for the departed Paratici as soon as possible, as reports suggest the Spurs chief is eager to make an appointment as soon as possible.

Talks have recently been held with Brentford chief Dykes, as well as 777 Global Partners employee Joahnnes Spors, with Benfica talent-spotter Rui Pedro Braz also apparently in the frame.

Now, as per a report by Football Insider and journalist Pete O'Rourke, it appears Levy is "beginning to look elsewhere" as talks with Dykes in particular take a turn.

Indeed, negotiations with the Bees chief are apparently "stalling", and Spurs are now moving on from the Premier League employee despite his credentials.

This comes as Levy pushes to appoint a new director before the end of the season, and it is believed that the Lilywhites are looking to fill this position before hiring a new manager to replace Antonio Conte.

Tottenham are apparently keen to appoint a new director so they can contribute in their search for Conte's successor, with the Italian parting company nearly two months ago.

Who should Spurs hire instead?

Dykes has done a brilliant job at Brentford, overseeing their player recruitment for the last three years – bringing in the likes of Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbuemo.

A good alternative could perhaps come in the form of Spors, who has worked in partnership with Genoa, Standard Liege, Red Star FC, Vasco da Gama and Melbourne as part of his recruitment role for 777 Global Partners.

The director is apparently of real interest to Tottenham after his exploits, but Levy would apparently only appoint him if he is "solely committed" to Spurs' sporting director position.

There is an increasingly strong battle to sign Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos this summer, according to a fresh update surrounding his future.

Is Morelos leaving Rangers?

The 26-year-old has proven to be a hugely popular player at Ibrox down the years, not only catching the eye with his quality, but also his huge, at times controversial, character. He has scored 124 goals in 268 appearances for the Gers, as well as registering 58 assists, and he has been a talismanic figure at times.

This season hasn't always been as productive for Morelos, but he has still netted 11 times in 14 starts in the Scottish Premiership – 31 appearances overall – and made five outings in the Champions League.

The £33,000-a-week striker's current Rangers deal expires at the end of this season and it looks almost certain that he will move on to pastures new. He may feel that he has come as far as he can at the club, with a new challenge required at this stage in his career.

Are clubs interested in signing Morelos?

According to journalist Dominik Schneider on Twitter [via Sport Witness], a number of European clubs are showing an interest in snapping up Morelos during the summer transfer window:

"Excl. Numerous clubs (among others #Fenerbahce + #FCSevilla as reported) in contact with Alfredo #Morelos. Clubs from upper third of #Bundesliga table interested in forward of #RangersFC. Contract expires, 26-year-old is free in summer."

This update only further suggests that Morelos will no longer be a Rangers player next season, with a move to somewhere else in Europe on the cards. It is hard to begrudge him a move away, in truth, with the 11-cap Colombia international someone who has been compared to Luis Suarez by former Gers manager Steven Gerrard, in terms of the "fire" he possesses in his game.

He will be a loss at Ibrox, without question, especially considering the peak years of his career could still be ahead of him, but on the plus side, Rangers will be getting one of the highest-earning players off their wage bill. That should hopefully generate funds for new signings, with a number of incoming faces required this summer, in order to close the gap on Celtic.

The void that Morelos could leave means that a new striker is essential, and it is imperative that they pick wisely, acquiring the services of someone who can deliver end product at a similar rate.

India went 2-0 up with an eight-wicket win in the second ODI, and won the three-match series after bowling Zimbabwe out for 126 at the Harare Sports Club

The Report by Karthik Krishnaswamy13-Jun-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:06

India seal series by dismissing Zimbabwe for 126

Win toss, put opposition in, bowl opposition out cheaply, chase with minimal fuss. India ticked those boxes once again and won the three-ODI series after going 2-0 up, with a generous helping hand from Zimbabwe, whose shot selection contributed to an utterly inadequate total of 126. It took India only 26.5 overs to chase, and while they will no doubt be gladdened by their second-string team’s successes, they will wonder when their batsmen will be genuinely tested on this tour.KL Rahul, fresh off a debut hundred in the first match, and Karun Nair – who profited from an early life when he edged a no-ball from Tendai Chatara to the wicketkeeper – made attractive 30s, and Ambati Rayudu, batting with more freedom than in the first game, struck seven fours in an unbeaten 44-ball 41. But India will have learned nothing new about them – the target simply wasn’t enough of a challenge.Zimbabwe had looked set for a respectable total after Vusi Sibanda and Sikandar Raza added 67 for the fourth wicket, but both fell to suicidal shots, triggering a collapse in which six wickets fell for 20 runs in the space of 9.1 overs.Zimbabwe’s misery was compounded by Sean Williams’ absence from the batting crease. Having replaced Craig Ervine – who was out with a hamstring strain – Williams hurt his finger soon after the toss, and had to undergo scans to ascertain the extent of his injury.Zimbabwe had looked so secure at 106 for 3, but everything changed in little more than half an hour. Sibanda had just reached his 21st ODI fifty, bringing up the landmark with a trademark pulled four off left-arm spinner Axar Patel. Raza was looking far from fluent, but the partnership was flourishing, and more than half the innings still remained. He chose that moment, off the second ball of the 26th over, to try and take on the fielder at long-on and Yuzvendra Chahal was gifted a wicket.Visualisation key – Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu is yet to be dismissed in this series, following his unbeaten 62 in the first game with 41 not out on Monday. After the win which sealed the series for India, Rayudu said he banked heavily on visualisation.
“Given the guys that we have in the team, somebody has to do the role that I am doing,” he said. “It’s just important for me to stay focused and take my opportunities when they come.
“For me it’s about getting my batting in shape first. And visualisation is the key, I feel. Because [at times] you’re out for a long period of time just travelling with the team.
“I try to keep myself motivated and focused. I prepare myself before the game as though I’m going to play it.”

Chahal’s next ball was a perfectly pitched legbreak, drifting into Elton Chigumbura and causing him to misread the line as he prodded forward to defend. It looked a tight lbw decision, but replays showed the ball had pitched in line with leg stump and had turned enough to hit middle and leg.In Chahal’s next over, Sibanda slogged at a loopy, wide legbreak, and just like Raza had done, picked out the fielder at long-on. Until that point, he had channelled all the qualities that had won him more than 100 ODI caps – the elegance, the range of strokes – and with that one shot, he now demonstrated the recklessness that has made him one of Zimbabwe cricket’s most frustrating figures.The end came swiftly. Jasprit Bumrah, who had bowled a superb opening spell, repeatedly beating the outside edge with balls that straightened after angling into the right-handers, had Richmond Mutumbami caught behind off the inside edge, Dhawal Kulkarni swung one past Tendai Chatara’s flick to take the off stump, and Axar speared in an arm ball to strike Muzarabani’s pad right in front. That was Zimbabwe’s ninth and last wicket: it fell with 15.3 overs still to play.India had bowled Zimbabwe out for 168 in the first ODI, and their seamers made another impressive start on a chilly Monday morning, taking three wickets in the first ten overs. Barinder Sran pitched a few inches shorter than he had on Saturday, and didn’t generate quite as much swing, but picked up two wickets nonetheless. Hamilton Masakadza chased a wide, non-swinging ball and sliced it into third man’s hands, and Peter Moor, for the second time in a row, played around his front pad as the ball bent into him. This time, he was struck above the knee roll, and on the hop, but the umpire Russell Tiffin did not hesitate to give him out.Chamu Chibhabha ensured he minimised the chance of lbw against Sran, batting with a slightly open stance, and looked largely comfortable against the left-armer. But he had no answer to a variation from Kulkarni that was either elaborately plotted or entirely unintended. Having sent down five away-swingers, the bulk of them short and fairly wide of off stump, and dragged Chibhabha across his crease, he trapped him with the fuller, straighter inducker. Zimbabwe rebuilt from that early wobble, but their repair job unravelled quickly.