All posts by h716a5.icu

Liverpool fans’ frustrations with the club’s transfer business continued after no more signings were added in the final days, with some calling it ‘nothing short of an embarrassment’.

The Reds only signed one player in Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig back in May, but according to Neil Jones at goal.com, interest in the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Harvey Barnes and Ismaila Sarr was real.

However, after the sales of Harry Wilson and Xherdan Shaqiri, the club decided keeping only Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi was sufficient back-up to the first-choice forwards.

Origi has never hit the heights anticipated in 2014 when he was signed from Lille, despite some memorable moments, mustering just two Premier League starts last season and not a single top flight goal.

Minamino’s experience in the Premier League was summed up in his loan spell with Southampton last season- scoring only two goals.

Liverpool have started this campaign well with two wins and a draw against Chelsea, but whether they’ve done enough in the market to compete for the duration of the season remains to be seen.

Liverpool fans unhappy with incomings

These Reds fans took to Twitter to show their unhappiness at the lack of signings, with one fan claiming it to be an ’embarrassment’.

“What a joke. no offense to Divock and Taki tho”

Credit: @pputrafajarn

“It’s just an excuse”

Credit: @gurakailaNews

“Nothing short of an embarrassment Origi and Minamino are lower half premier league/championship calibre players at best lol”

Credit: @Kieran_Reid99

“This is like rubbing salt to the wounds. I won’t complain if James Pearce and other journalists just straight up tell us the truth that the club is broke and owners won’t spend a single penny of their own. Why lie every year. Have some integrity at least.”

Credit: @Monkey_D_Goofy

“Pain.”

Credit: @Nik01K

“#FSGOUT”

Credit: @BeniKlopp

Hundreds from Phillip Hughes and Simon Katich helped Australia to 303 for 4 on the opening day of the second Test in Durban

The Bulletin by Alex Brown06-Mar-2009
Scorecard and ball by ball details
How they were out

Phillip Hughes jumps for joy after reaching his maiden Test century © Getty Images
Phillip Hughes and Simon Katich registered centuries as contrasting as their cricketing resumes to provide Australia with the kind of start not seen since the halcyon days of Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer. But two late strikes from Paul Harris spared some South African blushes, reducing Australia to an authoritative, if not entirely overbearing, 303 for 4 at stumps on the first day.The 20-year-old Hughes combined with the vastly experienced Simon Katich (108) for a 184-run partnership – the highest first-innings opening stand by an Australian duo since 2005 – and in so doing announced himself a legitimate international force. Just nine days removed from a fourth-ball duck in his maiden Test innings, the rookie left-hander produced a powerful, nerveless 115 highlighted by a pair of towering sixes that guided him through the 90s and into Australian cricketing folklore. Not since Doug Walters in 1965-66 has an Australian batsman notched a Test ton at such a tender age.The Australians could not have hoped for a brighter start from their fledgling opening combination, but their bid to close out the series in Durban was undermined by the finger-spin of Harris. His dismissals of Ricky Ponting (9) driving on the up and Michael Clarke (3) playing down the wrong line tempered Australia’s once-rampant run-rate and drew the South Africans back into the contest. Harris’ effectiveness on day one should unnerve Australia’s selectors, who again overlooked the specialist spin of Bryce McGain in preference of two allrounders in Andrew McDonald and Marcus North.But those concerns are for another day. For Friday will be remembered as one of triumph for the Australians who, in just two Tests, have gone far to dispursing the vultures of doubt that circled after Matthew Hayden’s retirement in January.Targetted by South Africa coach Mickey Arthur in the press during the week over his supposed short-comings against short bowling, Hughes seldom looked troubled during his 151 ball stay at the crease, taking full advantage of a low Kingsmead pitch and inoffensive South African bowling. At one stage, Hughes struck four consecutive boundaries against Morne Morkel which, combined with a no-ball and four byes from an errant bouncer, left the out-of-sorts paceman with the unflattering return of 21 runs from four legal deliveries. Whatever pressure Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini built in their opening spell had vanished. The Australians were away.
Simon Katich celebrates his fifth Test hundred since his recall last May © Getty Images
Curiously, after all the talk of short-pitched bowling, the South Africans maintained a full, straight line to Hughes. He duly responded by driving strongly down the ground, and clipping crisply off his pads. Hughes raised his second consecutive Test half-century with an extravagant square drive off Jacques Kallis that raced to the boundary, then duplicated the stroke (and the four) the very next ball. But the highlight of the innings was undoubtedly the consecutive sixes swatted over the head of Harris to raise his first Test ton – a feat he celebrated with an exuberant leap in the air and pump of the fist.Hughes was granted a life by Kallis at a wide first slip, but the allrounder had his revenge one run later when he coaxed Hughes into a slash outside his off stump that was snaffled by a diving Neil McKenzie in the gully. Katich also received a reprieve when turfed by Hashim Amla at midwicket off the bowling of Steyn, and the senior opener appeared intent on punishing the South Africans for their error in advancing to an unbeaten 84 at the tea break.Katich’s watchful approach was rewarded in the final session with a seventh Test century, and fifth since his recall to the Test side last May. The revitalised left-hander has scored 1,250 runs in those 14 Tests – better than half his career tally – at the robust average of 54.34 and, with Hughes, provided the team with hope that a new, dominant opening partnership has been uncovered.The South Africans will be bitterly disappointed with the opening two sessions. Steyn and Ntini threatened sparingly – the former swinging into the pads of the left-handers, the latter angling across – and Morkel proved underwhelming in the extreme. Arthur’s mantra of winning the first hour of a Test match was brutally dispatched by the swinging blade of Hughes, and the pair of dropped catches in the second session will do little to improve the coach’s mood.The period leading up to tea was notable for the first Hot Spot referral – the umpires found in favour of the batsman – and the demise of Ponting. Clarke’s fall shortly after temporarily raised South African hopes of a late day fightback, but North and Michael Hussey weathered a testing period from Steyn and Ntini with the second new ball to carry their bats through to stumps.

Harbhajan Singh bowled an unbroken 23-over spell for 43 runs and bagged three wickets. All 23 overs were bowled into the wind. What more can the quick bowlers ask for

Sidharth Monga in Wellington04-Apr-2009
Harbhajan Singh bagged three wickets in the 23 tight overs he bowled into the wind © Associated Press
Coming into the series, the Indian batsmen had a reputation to salvage. But it wasn’t just them, for even Harbhajan Singh had unfinished business. This was his first big series outside India as the official No. 1 spinner. And he had detractors to disprove.After he had scored a vital half-century on the first day Harbhajan attacked the critics of his bowling outside the subcontinent. “Most of the wickets in New Zealand don’t seem to be spinner-friendly,” Harbhajan said. “I will just go out there and give my best shot. I have bowled well in the one-day series and in the Test series so far, though many people have been writing crap about me, that I am only good enough in India.”I know what I have been doing, what is important for the team, what matters to the country. If I hit the right sort of areas, I should be able to pick those crucial wickets for the team. It might not be five-six, but it could be one or two, if it can help the team win I will be happy with that.”Harbhajan had a point. He can’t always take five-fors outside India to prove he can adapt to foreign conditions. The pitches are not always spinner-friendly, and he has to play a supporting role. In Hamilton, Harbhajan did that well in the first innings, bowling 18 overs on the trot and keeping the runs down. In Napier, he played that role to an extent during the first day, but forgot his lines on the second. At the Basin Reserve, again, Harbhajan had a job to do – to help Zaheer Khan, who took a five-for.The last time Zaheer played at the Basin Reserve, he took 5 for 53. But on a much more responsive track, he had lacked support as New Zealand took a healthy first-innings lead. Here Zaheer had perfect foils at the other end. In the morning, Munaf Patel bowled a five-over spell for eight runs and maintained the pressure.The real support, however, came from Harbhajan once Munaf was taken off. He bowled an unbroken 23-over spell into the wind for 43 runs and bagged three wickets. What more can the quick bowlers ask for, when it is physically challenging to run into the wind, and when they are all lining up to have a go from the end where their pace is boosted by the wind?There were enough variations on offer, both in the air and with the angle, as Harbhajan frequently went round the stumps to right-hand batsmen. Most importantly, when New Zealand got a semblance of a partnership going, they couldn’t find any easy runs from the bowler who bowled into the wind.”From one end Zaheer took five wickets, but other wickets were to be taken too,” Ishant Sharma said. “Harbhajan bowled quite well with him.”Three of those other five wickets fell to Harbhajan, who has out bowled his spinning counterpart in the New Zealand team. The wickets were a reward for the pressure he managed to build today. And those three wickets took him – whisper it softly – to the top of the wicket-takers’ list in a Test series in New Zealand. MS Dhoni and India couldn’t have asked for more. And that’s what matters to Harbhajan, as opposed to five-fors.

Sunderland manager Lee Johnson has hinted at a possible loan move for goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, having declared his wish for the youngster to obtain 25 senior appearances this season.

The Lowdown: Third choice goalkeeper

The 21-year-old has made six first team appearances for the Black Cats after rising through the youth ranks at the club.

He already has started two games in League One this season, keeping a clean sheet in the 1-0 win against AFC Wimbledon, but with the arrival of Rob-Thorben Hoffmann on loan from Bayern Munich, Patterson wasn’t included in the squad for Saturday’s 2-1 home win over Accrington Stanley.

With Lee Burge and Hoffman ahead of him in the pecking order, Patterson’s desire for first team football will be strong after tasting it earlier this season, and Johnson has commented on the situation.

The Latest: National League loan

As per Chronicle Live, Johnson has stated that he intends to get Patterson 25 starts this season, indicating that he could spend the rest of the year on loan in the National League if that is what’s needed for the player to reach that target.

With players able to leave on loan to National League clubs outside the transfer window, Sunderland will be allowed to recall the goalkeeper at any time after an initial 28-day spell.

Speaking about a potential loan deal, Johnson said: “All players will get their opportunity at various points in the season.

“I think Patto is a really bright young goalkeeper, and I love him to bits in that he makes outstanding saves and his agility and reflexes are top drawer. But he is behind the other two in terms of exposure and gametime.

“I want to get all of our young players 25 starts. Once they go beyond the U23s, which you have seen now with Dan Neil, Elliot Embleton, and Patto, if you put them back in there it can be a bit regressive to their development.

“We want to get Patto those 25 games. If that’s at Sunderland, great. If not, we have the option to loan him out to the National League, which protests us because we can recall him then after 28 days if necessary.”

The Verdict: Exposure and game-time

With the quality and experience of Hoffman and Berge at the Stadium of Light, Patterson’s best chance of more first team minutes looks like it would come with a loan spell away from Sunderland.

At the age of 21, he will be hoping to get as much experience as possible if he is to potentially feature in League One or higher. Whilst there is an argument to be made he could improve under the mentoring of the other two goalkeepers on Wearside, there is no substitute for consistent first team football.

However, if he does go out on loan to the National League, it’s important that it is to the right club where he will get plenty of opportunities and isn’t likely to have his confidence dented by playing in front of a weak defence.

In other news, many Sunderland fans have reacted on Twitter to recent transfer news. Find out more here.

Tottenham Hotspur could find themselves a new Jan Vertonghen next year and he may not cost a penny…

What’s the word?

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Spurs are among the clubs interested in a move for versatile Borussia Monchengladbach defender Matthias Ginter in 2022.

The 27-year-old’s current contract is due to expire at the end of the season and his situation has alerted several clubs across Europe, including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and the Premier League outfit.

Capped 44 times by Germany, the 6 foot 3 colossus is able to negotiate with foreign clubs from January, meaning that the north London hierarchy could snap him up without having to pay a transfer fee.

That would certainly be a bargain move from sporting director Fabio Paratici and co, considering that Ginter is valued at £27m by Transfermarkt.

Shades of Vertonghen

Primarily a centre-back, Ginter can also be deployed at right-back and in defensive midfield. That may draw some comparisons to former Spurs star Jan Vertonghen, who left the club in the summer of 2020.

The Belgian is only one inch smaller than the Gladbach ace and he too was a solid option at both left-back and in the middle. Both can also chip in with the odd goal, as well.

Ginter featured in a back three on his way to the Confederations Cup in 2017, at right-back in Euro 2016 qualifying and the 2018 UEFA Nations League, and when you throw in his aerial ability and distribution, then you can really see why he has earned serious comparisons to former Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos.

That’s according to another great in the game, Lothar Matthaus.

“Ginter has become a leader at the back, in a similar way to Ramos at Real,” the German football legend told Sport Bild (via Bundesliga.com). “He doesn’t just give instructions to his teammates, but leads them as well. That’s what Ginter is doing really well at the moment. He reminds me of Ramos.”

The word “leader” isn’t a term used loosely around the German international either, with his former Gladbach boss Marco Rose echoing such thoughts.

Meanwhile, former national team head coach Joachim Low believes he’s “so solid, reliable and dependable.”

Throughout his career, Ginter has won an average of 2.7 aerial duels won per game, emphasising his ability in the air, whilst also averaging 1.5 interceptions, 1.3 tackles and 3.1 clearances each outing too, as per WhoScored.

On the above evidence, the Gladbach defender would be a very astute addition to Nuno Santo’s playing squad next summer. Clearly, he’s respected on both a domestic and international level, and his figures back up exactly why.

Paratici could find Spurs’ next Vertonghen by launching a move for the soon-to-be free-agent.

AND in other news, Spurs may forever rue big summer blunder over £18m-rated “machine”, Nuno must be livid…

Mitchell Marsh scored an unbeaten half-century to lead Australia Under-19 to a series-leveling win on the third day against India Under-19 at the WACA in Perth

Cricinfo staff21-Apr-2009
Scorecard
Mitchell Marsh scored an unbeaten half-century to lead Australia Under-19 to a series-leveling win on the third day against India Under-19 at the WACA in Perth. Chasing a score of 130, Australia reached the target with six wickets in hand.The hosts began the day on 19 for 0, needing only another 108 for victory. The Indian bowlers, however, caused a scare by taking early wickets. They took four wickets for 14 runs to reduce Australia to 4 for 40. Harshal Patel picked up 3 for 32 with the new ball. Patel Marsh, though, ensured there was no further damage. He scored 69 off 102 balls and shared a 90-run stand with James Garrett to complete the victory.”When we were 4-40 we were in a bit of strife but Joel [Garrett] and I put on a good partnership and it got us over the line in the end,” Marsh said. “It’s been a great tour for everyone and that’s why we have these types of series so we can learn and adapt to different situations.””Coming over to Perth we knew we were 0-3 and we really wanted to get a win on the board and the boys came together well,” Marsh said. “The wicket was a lot bouncier and Kane Richardson bowled extremely well in the first innings of this match taking five wickets which was a great reward for him. He worked hard in Hobart but things just didn’t quite go his way.”Kane Richardson was named Player of the Match for his five-wicket haul. “Hobart was a bit disappointing, not just for myself but for the whole bowling group – we didn’t really execute what we wanted to – but as soon as we got over here and into training we really emphasized hitting our lengths and tried to make the batsman play,” he said. “We tried to get them to play all the time or where ever possible and it paid off for us this game.”Australia coach Brian McFadyen said it was a learning experience for the players. “It was a really impressive turn around from when we were in Hobart,” McFadyen said. “To be honest, I don’t think we really expected to come here and win two games and to win them convincingly was a very pleasing result.”I was really very, very impressed with how our guys were able to talk about delivering plans, and one of those plans was using their feet to spinners, but more importantly, their courage to actually integrate that into their game, experiment with it and further develop those skills, learning from the experience. To see that these players are prepared to make adjustments to their game and have the courage to apply that in a match situation was really pleasing.”

Steffan Jones, the Somerset seam bowler, has joined Kent on a month-long loan deal

Cricinfo staff18-Apr-2009Steffan Jones, the Somerset seam bowler, has joined Kent on a month-long loan deal.Kent have suddenly found themselves short in the pace-bowling department after Stuart Clark had to abort his deal after being called-up by Australia, while Amjad Khan is still recovering from the knee injury he picked up in West Indies.”Kent have some injury problems and approached us to see if we had anyone suitable to help,” Brian Rose, the Somerset director of cricket, told the club’s website. “We recommended Steffan and he was very eager to go. It is much better for him to be playing first-team cricket than to be confined to our second XI.”Somerset can recall Jones at any time if he is needed for first-team action.

Leeds United’s youth team players could be the most exciting crop since the last time the Whites were in the Premier League, according to journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Leeds youngster continue to impress

Leeds’  Under-23s were in Premier League 2 action on Friday night, playing out a thrilling 4-4 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers U23s.

Some glittering football was on show from the Whites, who sit fourth in the table and were only denied victory by a last-gasp equaliser from the visitors.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359346″]

The Latest: Hay left hugely impressed

Someone who was watching on was The Athletic‘s Hay, who took to Twitter to wax lyrical over the young players on show, saying Leeds haven’t had a better group in their ranks for a few decades, delivering a nine-word verdict:

“The best crop since the previous Premier League era.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-17/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Building for the future

While Bielsa’s men are enjoying a great period in the club’s history currently, it is vital that the long-term picture is always looked at.

Eventually, the Argentine will move on and key players will either age or leave as well, so ensuring there is top young talent to replace them is vital.

The current crop certainly look like a hugely gifted bunch, with Joe Gelhardt arguably a standout figure, and it will be fascinating to see how they continue to thrive as the Premier League 2 season progresses.

In other news, a worrying Marcelo Bielsa update has emerged. Read more here.

Tottenham Hotspur have been mooted with interest in Jarrod Bowen this week…

What’s the word?

According to the Independent’s Melissa Reddy, the north Londoners are one of several Premier League teams scouting the West Ham attacker extensively, with Liverpool and Leicester City also mentioned.

The 24-year-old winger joined the Irons in a £20m-plus move back in January 2020 and has been a standout performer for David Moyes ever since, so it’s no wonder some of the bigger teams are taking a keen eye on potentially swooping for him in the future.

It still very much remains to be seen how much Bowen would command in the current market, although he is valued at £27m by Transfermarkt, having signed a £60k-per-week deal at the London Stadium.

Paratici masterclass

Interest in the versatile dynamo should hardly come as a surprise given his recent form, even during their defeat to Manchester United at the weekend, he stood out amongst his peers, creating four key chances and being a tireless presence out of position up top.

Not only would he meet the homegrown quota but he could also meet one of Nuno Santo’s previous desires – if reports are to be believed.

During the summer window, the Telegraph’s Matt Law claimed that the Portuguese was keen to convert Spurs’ system to a two-man attack and that he wanted to find a Premier League experienced player to play alongside Harry Kane.

That did not come to fruition, which may have left the Spurs boss rather frustrated, especially given their struggles in front of goal this term. They haven’t scored in their last two league outings and before then, they won three games by a 1-0 scoreline.

Bowen isn’t an out-and-out striker but he fits the mould of what Nuno likes – think of Adama Traore at Wolves as he often was deployed up top, more so in the absence of Raul Jimenez.

Just like the former Hull City hotshot when Michail Antonio is out of the side.

The uncapped Englishman has delivered nine goals and 11 assists in 59 appearances for the Hammers, contributing once every 200 minutes, via Transfermarkt.

Whilst he’s only been able to provide one assist so far in 2021/22, Bowen tops the charts for creativity, averaging 2.4 key passes per game, which is better than every single member of Spurs’ current squad, which suggests he could well fix another issue in N17.

It’s no wonder he was once lauded as “unplayable” by his former Tigers head coach Grant McCann, whilst talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan once described him as a “world-beater.”

In Bowen, Paratici could well deliver an absolute masterclass of a signing. He can help fix their creative issues, be the perfect foil for Kane and be a Traore-like presence up top for Nuno.

If a deal can be done, then Spurs must sanction it.

AND in other news, Nuno set for Spurs boost as major Hotspur Way development emerges, fans surely buzzing…

Riding some momentum the Rajasthan Royals came to Bloemfontein to face the side they beat in the second week of the tournament to start an amazing turnaround. As it turned out, there was no positive carryover in a 14-run loss to the Delhi Daredevils

The Bulletin by Jamie Alter17-May-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
AB de Villiers remained unbeaten in another clutch innings in Delhi’s revenge win over Rajasthan•Associated PressRiding some momentum the Rajasthan Royals came to Bloemfontein to face the side they beat in the second week of the tournament to start an amazing turnaround. As it turned out, there was no positive carryover effect in a 14-run loss to the Delhi Daredevils. In a pressure game they needed to win, Rajasthan let the early momentum slip with two drops and a missed run-out chance, lost three early wickets during a stiff chase and will rue allowing Delhi score heavily at the end of their innings.They now need to beat the Kolkata Knight Riders soundly in their final league game. If they don’t manage that the race for a semi-final spot shifts to net run-rates, and hoping some of the other teams slip up.In a match when the ball jagged and spun past the bat more often than it hit the middle – largely down to a sporting pitch that assisted pace and spin – two crucial hands allowed Delhi to recover from the loss of their openers. Munaf Patel appeared to have it figured from the first over, keeping it straight and on a length to get rid of the dangerous duo of Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag in his second but returned to bowl a horror 19th over after Rajasthan’s support cast disappointed. From 15 for 2 a resourceful 87-run stand between AB de Villiers, who read the conditions excellently, and Tillakaratne Dilshan buttressed Delhi to a competitive total. And therein lay the difference between a reasonable total and a winning one.Delhi’s innings gradually changed character when Rajasthan’s second-choice bowlers came on. The pitch was slow and Shane Warne set attacking fields for the first ten overs, so all that was needed was for de Villiers and Dilshan to perforate the field consistently. The loose offerings weren’t spared – Siddharth Trivedi strangely dropped it short and wide when the pitch was demanding of a fuller length – and both batsmen slapped fours off his only over.As Warne brought Johan Botha and himself on for spin, de Villiers and Dilshan resorted to common-sense cricket. Balls were knocked in the gaps, the cross-batted shots were shunned and the score ticked over mainly with singles and doubles. Both employed the late dabs effectively and their ability to scamper between the wickets hurt Rajasthan. It wasn’t smooth sailing, though, as Warne got plenty of turn from a slow track and Botha mixed flight and speed in a tidy spell.de Villiers, not one for subtlety, bided his time and played himself in – much as the game’s situation demanded despite this being a Twenty20. Leading the partnership going into the ten-over break, he turned a tad more urgent after it, reaching out to edge Warne for three and taking Ravindra Jadeja and Abhishek Raut for first-ball fours off the back foot.Dilshan, always more comfortable against spin, continued to cut and flick after being dropped on 16 off Botha. Botha had his revenge in the 17th over, locating the fuller length which Munaf had so brilliantly tapped, but the damage had been done.Prime Numbers2Economy of Ashish Nehra in the last two matches. He has conceded 14 runs in seven overs14Highest number of wickets by a Rajasthan bowler, shared by Munaf Patel and Shane Warne12 Number of catches by AB de Villiers in the tournament, the most by a fielder in the tournament25Numbers of runs conceded by Munaf Patel in the 19th over, the second costliest of the tournamentde Villiers’ aptitude for regular rescue jobs came in handy while Dinesh Karthik walked into the hot seat and immediately connected. de Villiers prospered from a drop at mid-on when 57, a thick outside edge two runs later, and a poor collection from the wicketkeeper, and starred in the most expensive over of the innings – the 19th. That 25-run over aided an excellent 48-run stand in 20 balls. Impressively – and importantly for Delhi’s middle order going into the semis – de Villiers batted through to the end too.Warne was quite disappointed at losing the toss and would’ve been peeved at allowing Delhi 20 too many. Where Rajasthan’s butterfingered catchers reprieved Delhi’s anchormen, Delhi’s boundary patrollers held crucial early catches. In the second over Graeme Smith was well held on the second attempt by a juggling Aavishkar Salvi at third man, and in the next Dirk Nannes jumped up to hold Rob Quiney’s pull at fine leg. After six overs Rajasthan were 24 for 2, their second lowest effort after the Powerplay. That became 24 for 3 when Naman Ojha slapped Salvi to extra cover.Botha, promoted up the order, held up one end but never looked threatening. Rajasthan needed 91 from the last ten overs. Jadeja took two fours in the 11th over but Salvi drew an edge first ball of the 13th. Salvi only gave two singles in that over, capping a good return match in which he was accurate and economical.That brought Yusuf Pathan – hero of that earlier win over Delhi – to the crease. There was to be no reprise, Yusuf getting a leading edge to Karthik. Game set and match. Botha went for 37 and three fell in Amit Mishra’s last over like plastic ducks in a shooting gallery. Munaf’s free hitting in the last three overs was of purely academic interest.The result ensures Delhi a place in the semi-finals and leaves Rajasthan near the brink.