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Joe Davis is calling the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. The heated matchup has resulted in some interesting comments both on and off the field, but it's the way that Davis is calling the action that has some fans crying foul.

Davis, who has been the full-time voice of the Dodgers since 2017, has been accused of homerism, the same way that Bob Costas has been during the Yankees-Royals ALDS for Turner. The only difference is, fans screaming favoritism with Davis seem to be mostly grasping at straws.

For instance, here's a post showing Davis apparently forcing himself to smile through an interview with Fernando Tatis Jr. after Game 3.

And here are some reactions to the post:

"It’s ridiculous to put Joe Davis on a Dodgers series."
"Joe wanted the Dodgers to win it all again 😭 "
"I swear they don’t wanna see us shine"
"He is crying on the inside"
"That man is HURTING"
"Cope Joe"

The thing is, Davis doesn't seem uncomfortable at all during the actual interview with Tatis. It looks more like an announcer making the same faces anyone would make during a player interview.

Not to mention Davis's call of Tatis's second inning home run that broke the game open for the Padres.

That's an announcer caught up in the postseason drama who sure sounds like he's enjoying one of the best players in baseball doing something awesome. If this is how well Davis is disguising his bias, he's doing a great job faking it.

To win a game of Twenty20, teams need to win the big moments. Since humbling Rajasthan Royals on the opening day of the tournament, Bangalore have developed a habit of losing them

Victor Brown26-Apr-2009One year on, Bangalore Royal Challengers have spent a lot of money treading water. Now, as then, they have lost four of their first five IPL matches. Now, as then, the correlation between spending and success has been badly skewed. The extra ingredient of Kevin Pietersen’s increasingly tricky return to top-level captaincy after he lost the England job earlier in the year has added an irresistible subplot. But Pietersen will play just one more game before flying home, leaving Bangalore a further eight group matches to avoid humiliation. On this evidence, it will be tricky.To win a game of Twenty20, teams need to win the big moments. Since humbling Rajasthan Royals on the opening day of the tournament, Bangalore have developed a habit of losing them. Today’s match summed the tendency up, and no moment was bigger than the 17th over of the Delhi reply, which began with the Daredevils needing 43 off 24 balls with seven wickets in hand.Undeterred by the pull for six with which Dinesh Karthik had greeted Jacques Kallis’ return to the attack two overs earlier, Pietersen asked Kallis to try again. This was questionable at the very least. Kallis’ career Twenty20 economy-rate is almost 10. In last year’s IPL he reduced that to 9, but was still the costliest of Bangalore’s regular bowlers. His stock ball in Tests, the widish away-swinger, is eminently hittable in Twenty20. Even so, Pietersen asked him to try again.The first two balls yielded three runs, which was fine. The third was well outside off-stump, but swung just inside the mark umpires use to determine wides. To Kallis’s horror, Sudhir Asnani disagreed and signalled a wide, at which point it all went horribly wrong. Tillakaratne Dilshan, surely one of the world’s most under-rated batsmen, whacked the next ball over wide long-on and out of the ground, before Mithun Manhas lifted Kallis over the head of Robin Uthappa at long-off and away for four.Uthappa should have been standing on the boundary, but worse was to come as Manhas drove Kallis’s next ball wide of mid-on, only for KP Appanna, the left-arm spinner who had earlier done well to concede only 24 off his four overs, to turn a single into a boundary with a mis-field. From then on in, Delhi couldn’t lose. In fact, they’ve now won three out of three. (Kallis, incidentally, has figures in this tournament of 11-0-135-1, which is even worse than Andrew Flintoff.)”The plans that we wanted to do, we executed,” said Pietersen afterwards. “We just let ourselves down with the [Uthappa] catch that went for four, and another one went down to the boundary that went for four. Some of those don’t help you in situations like this. Fielding definitely cost us today.”Bangalore had blown it with the bat too. Pietersen has not played as well as he did today all tournament and together with Ross Taylor was busy dragging Bangalore back from the rubble of 10 for 2. Twice Pietersen advanced down the track to loft a six over long-on – once off Ashish Nehra, once off Daniel Vettori – and when he swept Vettori for four, an imposing total looked on the cards.Next ball, though, he tried the switch-hit and was bowled – just as Vettori bowled him during a World Twenty20 match in Durban in September 2007. Taylor went in the next over, the first after the time-out, and Bangalore had to settle for a gettable 149. “It might have been the wrong option, but that’s how I play,” said Pietersen after his otherwise sparkling 25-ball 37. “I’ve played like that for five years in international cricket and I ain’t changing now.”Pietersen flies home on Wednesday after the game in Durban against Kolkata Knight Riders. Defeat then, and his contention today that he has found the IPL to be “absolutely fantastic” may be tested to the full.

Stats highlights from the second Test between New Zealand and India, which ended in a high-scoring draw in Napier

S Rajesh30-Mar-2009Gautam Gambhir’s 643-minute innings is the seventh-longest by an Indian batsman•Associated Press India batted 180 overs in their second innings, which is the eighth-highest number of deliveries they’ve batted in the second try. The first six of those instances had all been before 1980, which indicates how the nature of the game has changed. The last time they batted more overs was also against New Zealand, in 1999 in Mohali, when they scored 505 for 3 in their second innings after being bundled out for 83 in their first. Surprisingly, seven of the top nine such efforts have happened overseas. It’s also the second-highest number of overs they’ve played when following on – the only occasion they batted longer was at Leeds in 1967 against England, when they faced 209.2 overs to score 510 in a match they ultimately lost by six wickets. Of the 30 games when India have been asked to follow on, they’ve saved eight, lost 21 and won one.India managed to draw a Test after conceding a lead of over 200 in the first innings for the tenth time. Overall, such a feat has been achieved on 78 occasions. For New Zealand, it was the first instance of not winning a Test after enforcing the follow-on at home. Before this match, they had a perfect 7-0 record in games in which the opposition followed on. Overall, of the 14 occasions they’ve asked teams to follow on, New Zealand have won ten and drawn four. Gautam Gambhir’s 436-ball 137 was easily the slowest of his 15 fifty-plus scores in Tests. His innings spanned 643 minutes, which is the seventh-longest by an Indian. (Click here for the entire list of longest Test innings in terms of minutes.) Gambhir’s knock is the slowest by an Indian, in terms of balls faced, for an innings of less than 150. His strike rate of 31.42 is still better than Sanjay Manjrekar’s strike rate of 24.64, when he scored 104 off 422 balls against Zimbabwe in Harare in 1992. There were 12 scores of 50 or more in this Test, which equals the record in New Zealand for most number of 50-plus scores in a match. The only previous occasion when this happened in New Zealand was also in a Test against India, in 1999 in Hamilton. This is the ninth drawn game among the last 25 when captains have enforced the follow-on. Eight of those games involved Zimbabwe or Bangladesh, all of which the minnows lost. Exclude them from the equation, and there have been nine draws out of the last 17 Tests which have involved the follow-on. VVS Laxman’s unbeaten 124 contained 25 fours, which is the highest by any batsman in an innings of 125 or less. Extend the filter to 150 runs, and still only six batsmen rank above him. Laxman’s century was also his first in New Zealand, and his second against them in six Tests.

Manchester United are a club who have been known to develop numerous world-class talents over the years, many of which have had a huge impact on the first-team.

The Red Devils have their wonderful academy setup to thank for their success, which produced the Class of 92’ – arguably the most iconic group of academy graduates in football history.

The group racked up over 3000 combined appearances for the club, helping Sir Alex Ferguson make the club the most successful side in Premier League history.

However, in 2025, Ruben Amorim is the manager tasked with developing the prospects who emerge out of the youth system and restoring the glory days at Old Trafford.

He currently has numerous top-level talents within his ranks, but it appears as though he’s massively mismanaging one player, which could lead to an extremely unpopular departure.

The decline of Kobbie Mainoo at Man Utd

Back in the 2023/24 campaign, United appeared to have unearthed yet another top-level talent from their academy in the form of central midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.

At the tender age of just 18, he burst onto the scene and racked up 32 first-team appearances and scored on five separate occasions, with many of which coming in key moments.

The teenager’s most important goal no doubt came in the FA Cup final against rivals Manchester City, subsequently helping Erik ten Hag claim his second trophy with the Red Devils.

However, in the last 12 months, Mainoo has endured a steep decline in minutes under Amorim’s guidance, with the 40-year-old evidently not seeing him as part of his plans.

The Englishman has only made 39 appearances since his arrival last November, but only six of which have come from a starting position – with the rest being off the substitutes bench.

In 2025/26 alone, the now 20-year-old has continued to struggle further, subsequently making 10 league appearances, but none of which have been from the start.

He’s only racked up a total of 183 minutes of league action, which works out to just 18.3 minutes of football every time he’s brought off the bench to make an impact.

As a result, the midfielder has been strongly touted with a winter move to join Napoli, which could lead to an unpopular move away from his boyhood club in the months ahead.

The United star who could become the next Mainoo

Ahead of the new year, Amorim could face numerous selection issues as numerous members of his first-team squad look set to join up with their nations ahead of the African Cup of Nations.

Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui look all set to feature for their respective countries at the tournament, which could leave the Red Devils short in numerous key areas.

The forward department could become somewhat depleted, given that the former duo of the trio have often operated alongside one another in the Premier League this campaign.

Dipping into the transfer market could well prove to be an option for the manager, but that would involve splashing the cash after already spending £200m in the summer window.

As a result, the academy could once again provide a reliable source of talent, with Chido Obi one player who deserves an opportunity to thrive in the senior ranks.

The Dane joined the club from Arsenal in the summer of 2024, originally linking up with the youth squad, subsequently scoring just 17 times in 21 games across various levels.

His subsequent form led to a senior call-up under Amorim last season, with the 18-year-old making eight first-team appearances, but was unable to find the back of the net.

Obi, who’s been tipped to be “one of the world’s best” by Leny Yoro, has since dropped back into the U21 ranks this campaign, making 13 appearances to date, and scoring five times whilst laying on two assists for his teammates.

Benjamin Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee are the two senior centre-forward options currently available, but the duo have only scored a combined two goals in the Premier League this season.

Games played

8

Games started

3

Goals scored

3

Mins per goal

100

Shots on target

2.2

Dribbles completed

68%

Touches in opposition box

6.6

Fouls won

1.7

Such a lack of quality should open the door for the youngster to stake his claim for a regular starting position once again, but it appears as though Amorim isn’t keen on the centre-forward.

It could lead to yet another Mainoo situation unfolding ahead of the supporters’ very eyes, which could result in the Red Devils losing yet another one of their most promising talents.

His goalscoring record at youth level is evidence of the quality he possesses in the final third, but it’s crucial the manager backs Obi to provide the goods at Old Trafford.

Mainoo is an example of the quality of player available when putting faith into the club’s academy, but ultimately, Amorim is showcasing his ignorance, given the lack of minutes.

As a result, Mainoo could well depart the club, with Obi too potentially getting frustrated with his lack of first-team action if the manager continues to look past each of the talents.

Upgrade on Sesko: Man Utd pursuing "one of Europe's most in-form STs"

Manchester United’s need for a new centre-forward continues, even after the signing of Benjamin Sesko.

ByRobbie Walls 3 days ago

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has an issue of trust with one first-team player who could now exit the club in January, according to a report.

Manchester City updates: Liverpool clash twist, Kroos on radar, Vermeeren latest

As per The Daily Mail, Manchester City's upcoming Premier League clash against Liverpool on November 25th has been moved from a 5:30 pm start to a 12:30 pm kick-off due to potential fan trouble at the Etihad Stadium.

Arsenal were originally scheduled to face Brentford at 12:30 pm; however, both fixtures will now effectively swap times and prevent the chances of trouble in and around the ground between rival supporters.

In a shock Manchester City transfer update emerging out of Spain, Real Madrid veteran Toni Kroos is believed to be a target for the Citizens once his contract expires at the Santiago Bernabeu next summer.

The report states that the Germany international could receive around double his wages at Manchester City if he was to move to England in 2024. During the summer transfer window, Kroos rejected advances from the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer to pen a 12-month extension to his deal at La Liga giants Real Madrid. Nevertheless, Guardiola and his recruitment team are now said to be leading the chase for the former Bayern Munich star.

Royal Antwerp midfielder Arthur Vermeeren is claimed to be attracting attention from Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur alongside a host of clubs in mainland Europe as he continues to make waves in his homeland this campaign.

Manchester City top scorers 2023/24

Player

Appearances

Goals

Erling Haaland

12

8

Julian Alvarez

13

6

Rodri

10

3

Jeremy Doku

8

2

Phil Foden

8

2

Manchester City transfer news – Kalvin Phillips potential exit

According to a Manchester City transfer update on Kalvin Phillips from Football Insider, it is believed that the England international is likely to leave the Etihad Stadium in 2024 after falling out of favour under Citizens boss Guardiola this term. The report states that Phillips now finds himself essentially frozen out at Manchester City due to the summer arrivals of Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes.

Guardiola left Phillips out of his side's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal last weekend at the Emirates Stadium, instead opting to utilise Rico Lewis and Bernardo Silva in a double pivot, which the outlet indicates is a sign that the former Barcelona boss doesn't trust Phillips to perform and could now pave the way for his eventual departure.

Since joining Manchester City from Leeds United for a fee in the region of £43 million in 2022, Phillips has gone on to make just 26 appearances in total for his current employers and is yet to register a single goal or assist (Phillips statistics – Transfermarkt).

Despite being hailed as "superb" by Barcelona manager Xavi back in 2021, it is hard to see a way back for Phillips at the Etihad and he may now have to seek a new challenge in the near future to avoid a prolonged career stagnation.

Tottenham Hotspur are "willing to shell out a considerable sum" for one club's star player who has become an "important target" for Spurs.

Who have Tottenham signed 2023?

Over the 2023 summer transfer window, new Lilywhites boss Ange Postecoglou and chairman Daniel Levy opted to bring in seven major signings. Indeed, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, young centre-back Ashley Phillips, assured defender Micky van de Ven, England midfielder James Maddison, winger Manor Solomon, exciting striker Alejo Veliz and Wales forward Brennan Johnson all put pen to paper before deadline day.

The results of their business so far have been very fruitful, as Spurs are currently sitting pretty in the Premier League stands and second – just behind last season's treble-winning Man City side. Both van de Ven and Maddison in particular have stood out as a couple of the window's arguable bargains of the summer, especially the latter, who has already endeared himself to the Tottenham fanbase with an array of impressive performances.

Vicario, who came in to succeed long-serving number one Hugo Lloris between the sticks, has also been praised for his start to life at N17 – while Solomon has dazzled on-lookers in parts with some his brilliant one-v-one directness. The likes of Phillips and Veliz are seen more as rising stars for the future, so must wait patiently for game time, but there is already very high hopes at Spurs for Johnson's potential to become important.

What's the latest Spurs transfer news?

As the January transfer window approaches, Tottenham could move to reinforce their squad further, in particular by making a second central defensive signing after van de Ven this year. The north Londoners arguably lack cover in that position if the Dutchman or his partner, Cristian Romero, were to succumb to injury.

This has lead to reports that they could target the likes of Juventus star Gleison Bremer, Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly and Bayer Leverkusen star Edmond Tapsoba. Now, according to a report from Spain this week, Tottenham have added another name to their list of defensive targets for the winter.

Galatasaray defender Victor Nelsson, who starred for his club in the Turkish Super Lig last term, is apparently that player with the 24-year-old becoming an "important objective". As such, Spurs are apparently "willing to shell out a considerable sum of €30 million (£26m) to secure his services". Postecoglou's side are very interested Nelsson, and this could deal a blow to Sevilla, who are also chasing the centre-back.

The Denmark international stood out as a star defensive player for Galatasaray over 2022/2023; making more blocks per 90 and winning more aerial duels per game than any of his teammates in the league (WhoScored). Nelsson was also an untouchable member of manager Okan Buruk's starting eleven; featuring over more Super Lig minutes than any other outfielder in their squad (WhoScored).

These numbers suggest that he is a pivotal figure for Galatasaray, and it is little surprise Spurs are taking note of his exploits.

Self-belief gained from Rajasthan Royals stint helped England batsman regain his uncomplicated approach

George Dobell04-Jun-20182:59

Jos Buttler shines, but has much really changed for England?

Jos Buttler has credited the confidence gained from his recent spell in the IPL, and the relaxation gained from accepting the inevitability of occasional failure, for his impressive return to England’s Test team.Buttler, who followed his 67 at Lord’s with an unbeaten 80 in Leeds, was something of a surprise selection for the series against Pakistan. He hadn’t played a first-class game this year and hadn’t made a first-class century since January 2014.But he feels the self-belief gained from his time with Rajasthan Royals – where he signed off with five half-centuries and a 39 in his final six innings – has helped him regain the uncomplicated approach – or the ‘F*** It’ attitude, as he might put it – he originally took to Test cricket.Buttler’s innings in Leeds was his highest – and, arguably, his best – in Test cricket since he made 85 on debut against India in July 2014. He followed that with innings of 70, 45, 0 and 59 not out in his next five innings at that level to give the impression he had made the step-up to Test cricket with some ease.But, once the Ashes series started in 2015, his form fell away and he was unable to reach 50 in his next 12, ever more tentative, innings.As a result, he was dropped towards the end of the year after four innings in the UAE had realised just 34 runs. And, while he made a brief and partially successful comeback against India in late 2016 (he made 76 in Mumbai and 43 in Mohali), it looked, for a long time, as if his excellence in the limited-overs formats would prevent him having the time to make the adjustments to his game required to prosper in first-class cricket.It is only now, having found a way to bring the freedom he has in T20 cricket to his Test game, that he has been able to silence the doubts in his own head and gone some way to unleash his obvious talent in the longest format. And it is probably no coincidence that the most eye-catching part of Buttler’s innings in Leeds came when he had only the tail for company and the license and freedom to take the attack to the bowlers.”Those couple of weeks in the IPL gave me huge amounts of confidence,” Buttler said. “To be in those pressure situations in India, playing in front of crowds, the pressure of being an overseas player. That showed me a lot about where I was at and where I can get to, so that gave me a lot of confidence. For me, not trying to worry about the colour of the ball definitely helps. Having put in good performances elsewhere and not putting as much pressure on myself.”In T20 there’s generally another game soon after, so you know you’ve got another opportunity coming up. You probably just move on if you fail. But in Test cricket, if you get out early, you have a long time to think about it.Jos Buttler swings one over the leg side•Getty Images”I started to think too much about how to not get out, as opposed to how to score runs. I got in a really bad rut that I just couldn’t get out of. The only real way to get out of it was to be dropped. And actually, being dropped released a lot of pressure. It wasn’t very long after that that I made an ODI hundred in Dubai, which was a turnaround for me after a long and hard six months.”It was just ahead of that century in Dubai that he first took to writing “F*** It’ in marker pen on the top of his bat handle. It was a phrase that was picked up again by the cameras in Leeds during a break in play on Sunday and, as Buttler explains, provides a reminder not to over-think the game or fret about the outcomes.”It’s just something that reminds me of what my best mindset is,” Buttler says, “when I’m playing cricket and probably in life as well. It puts cricket in perspective. When you nick off, does it really matter? It’s just a good reminder when I’m in the middle or when I’m questioning myself and it brings me back to a good place.”Now my mentality is quite similar to my first few Tests. I’m not worrying about external factors. I’m just trying to play the game and trusting myself.”These are early days, but Buttler has already gone some way to justifying Ed Smith’s faith in him.

ScorecardSomerset’s seamers bowled them to a 118-run victory over Yorkshire at Taunton and a second success in as many Specsavers County Championship games this season.Craig Overton, Lewis Gregory, Tim Groenewald and Tom Abell shared the final day wickets as Yorkshire were dismissed for 202, chasing 321 to win. Jack Leaning offered most resistance with 68.It is the first time since 1993 that Somerset have won their opening two Championship fixtures. They took 20 points to Yorkshire’s threeStarting the morning on 49 for 1, needing a further 272 to win, Yorkshire lost Cheteshwar Pujara to the first ball, caught behind off Gregory, and went on to struggle against some accurate seam bowling.

Coaches’ verdict

Andy Hurry (Somerset director of cricket): “The magic wand behind winning our first two games is all the hard work put in by the players and the coaching staff during the winter. It was a tougher game than our first win over Worcestershire and it took a real team effort to come out on top.”
Andrew Gale (Yorkshire coach): “The difference between the teams was our first innings batting. I thought our approach was poor and that we could have put more pressure on the Somerset bowlers. Matt Renshaw has come out and played like it was a T20 game for them. He couldn’t trust his defence on that pitch so he went on the attack. I can’t remember seeing a Championship innings in April like it.”

Adam Lyth, on 34, edged Groenewald to James Hildreth att first slip and Gary Ballance was caught by wicketkeeper Steve Davies pushing forward to Gregory. Matthew Waite could make only six before being caught and bowled by Overton off a leading edge and when Andy Hodd fell lbw to the same bowler for a single Yorkshire were in disarray at 103 for 6.The afternoon session began with a stubborn partnership between Leaning and Tim Bresnan, who put together a stand of 56 without looking troubled.It took Abell bringing himself on from the River End to break the partnership. The Somerset skipper bowled an impressive spell, swinging and seaming the ball.Bresnan fell leg-before for 21 to a delivery that nipped back at him after Leaning had moved to an impressive half-century off 128 balls, showing commendable technique and patience.Jack Brooks counter-attacked to also make 21 off just 16 balls. His entertaining cameo was ended when Groenewald took a sharp return catch, one-handed to his right.Abell struck again when Ben Coad edged a good delivery to Marcus Trescothick at second slip and at 191 for 9 Yorkshire were a beaten side. The second new ball was taken and Somerset completed a comprehensive win when Leaning was caught at square-leg, top-edging a pull shot off Overton.They are dreaming of a title challenge at Taunton•Getty Images

A day of bright sunshine, with a biting wind, ended with home supporters dreaming that this might finally be the year Somerset clinch the Championship title for the first time in their history. There is a long way to go, but it has been a hugely encouraging start for new director of cricket Andy Hurry and head coach Jason Kerr.The one negative for Somerset was that Josh Davey pulled out of his run-up after bowling five balls of an over with the total 103 for five and took no further part.

The Barbados Test demonstrated the lesson that some Test match victories cannot be obtained without first risking defeat

Daniel Brettig at Kensington Oval12-Apr-2012In the Kensington Oval gloaming, familiar to all who had been here for the unhappy conclusion to the 2007 World Cup final, Australia’s cricketers gave themselves a far more edifying memory of victory in Barbados. In doing so they also gave the world a stirring reminder of Test cricket’s capacity for the wondrous. The heroes in the dying light were Michael Hussey, Matthew Wade, Ryan Harris and Ben Hilfenhaus, all scrounging out priceless runs as the target of 192 was reached in 47 overs. The theoretical final hour had not yet begun, but given the retreat of the sun behind the Greenidge and Haynes Stand, there would scarcely have been time for another six balls.The man who deserved as much credit for the result, and the way it was so enterprisingly pursued, was the captain Michael Clarke. It was he who on the third evening refused to concede a win was beyond his team’s grasp even as they limped to 248 for five, still well short of the hosts’ studiously compiled first innings. And it was Clarke who declared behind shortly before tea on day four, after his tail had responded grandly to the goal of scraping to within 50 runs of the West Indies total. At tea on the final day, after an inert afternoon session, Clarke briefed his men on how the target would be chased. Given what followed, his words cannot have been a million miles from those famously exchanged between Don Bradman and Richie Benaud at the final break in the 1960 tied Test in Brisbane.The visitors chased the game boldly, even ravenously, on resumption. Shane Watson hammered boundaries and a six, Ricky Ponting reverse swept, and even the obdurate Ed Cowan roused himself from two hours of afternoon torpor to pull his first delivery in the evening session to the square leg fence. Hussey’s innings in particular was a masterpiece in miniature, resembling his contribution to a similarly adventurous Ashes win over England at Adelaide Oval in 2006, or his blazing innings to win a World Twenty20 semi-final over Pakistan in St Lucia in 2010. His play told of a desire, and a belief, that outstrips most Test match opponents. Arguably, nowhere in the world is the yearning to perform for one’s country stronger than Australia, even as Twenty20’s marketeers chase its best players with evermore corporate cash.It also demonstrated the lesson that some Test match victories cannot be obtained without first risking defeat. Courage is required to act on that realisation. More than ten years and the entire span of Allan Border’s captaincy passed before the modern Australia team learned that properly. In Bridgetown, Michael Clarke’s team showed Darren Sammy’s West Indies the rich rewards that can be obtained by taking that very risk.Sammy and the coach Ottis Gibson are in a similar place to that occupied by Border and Bob Simpson in the mid-1980s. They are trying to reinvigorate and educate a team that has seemingly become all too de-sensitised to defeat, and have introduced young players with the hope of steeling them for future battles. Basic lessons are being learned, though global Twenty20 competitions are stripping the team of capable players just as the South African rebel tours hamstrung Border.But pragmatism outstripped their opportunism by such a wide margin on the final day, characterised by defensive fields and flagrant time wasting. There was an apparent reluctance to believe, even when Narsingh Deonarine’s burst of four wickets had given them a window to Australia’s tail, that the hosts could win it themselves. They fiddled over field settings designed largely to contain, dithered over drinks and complained repeatedly about the footmarks, though the umpires Tony Hill and Ian Gould had the good sense not to indulge their delaying tactics, nor to spend too much time pondering over the light as the result crept near. Gibson’s plan for this team is clear, but it will be a welcome day when Sammy has the confidence in his players to lead them with more flair than forbearance over five days.Test cricket, of course, needs days like this: when the IPL fades into triviality and the competing football codes into routine. Crowds and television viewers cannot fail to watch matches this compelling, with a backdrop like Barbados offering all the comforts of warmth, sun and no little history. By chasing victory so admirably, Australia chased a wider audience for their game, and a richer place for themselves in the story of its continued survival.As Harris and Hilfenhaus scampered the winning run, the Australian balcony rose to cheer them, and the players embraced in a spontaneous moment of relief and jubilation. They have beaten better sides under Clarke, and won other games in difficult circumstances. This, though, was a performance in which a growing sense of belief was given the chance to burgeon further and become sustained, so that few of Clarke’s XI will fear defeat the next time they set out in search of victory. They have come a long way since Clarke became captain, and there is still plenty to improve upon – seven catches went down to provide a salient reminder. But the confidence of the team is now at a level where the nations above them can start to be worried. The word unshakeable comes to mind.

علق محمد أحمد عضو مجلس إدارة نادي الاتحاد السكندري، على هزيمة الفريق التي تعرض لها اليوم أمام الزمالك، بالمباراة التي أقيمت بينهما ببطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وخسر الاتحاد السكندري بهدفين دون رد أمام الزمالك، على استاد القاهرة الدولي، في إطار مواجهات الجولة السابعة لمسابقة الدوري الممتاز.

وقال محمد أحمد في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس”: “أشيد بكل اللاعبين والمدير الفني، قدموا مباراة كبيرة في الشوط الأول، كان ممكن نخرج فائزين بهدف أو اثنين، لكن طرد عبد الغني محمد أثر على النتيجة”.

طالع أيضاً.. جروس: هناك أمور تحتاج للتطوير في الزمالك.. وأثق فيما قاله لي الجزيري

وتابع: “لا يوجد كلام أقوله عن التحكيم، أصبحنا في مأساة وكم المعاناة الكبيرة من التحكيم، كل فرق الدوري تتحدث في نفس الموضوع، الذي انتهينا به الموسم الماضي بدأنا به الموسم الحالي، لا يوجد جديد، نسير في التحكيم من سيء لأسوأ”.

وأضاف: “دوري هذا الموسم استثنائيًا، نحن ناد جماهيري وإسكندرية كلها خلف الاتحاد، عندما يُقال إن لاعبنا لا يستحق الطرد، ما الاستفادة؟، الأمر أصبح صعبًا جدًا، يجب أن يكون هناك قرار”.

وأتم: “من المؤكد أن نادي الاتحاد سيتقدم بشكوى إلى اتحاد الكرة، الموضوع لن يمر بهذا الشكل، تعب موسم كامل يضيع، يجب أن يكون هناك حل سواء من هاني أبو ريدة أو رابطة الأندية، نحن أندية جماهيرية، يكفي الضغط الذي نعاني منه، سواء من الجماهير أو من الموارد، أعتقد النادي سيكون له موقف، يجب أن يقف هذا الأمر عند حده”.