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The Brazilian scored twice in the second half as the defending European champions booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals

Rodrygo was at the double, while Thibaut Courtois turned in an imperious goalkeeping performance in a 2-0 victory over Chelsea that sent Real Madrid to the Champions League semi-finals.

Courtois came up big in the first half, denying Marc Cucurella with a fine diving stop to maintain Madrid's 2-0 aggregate lead from the first leg.

Madrid willingly soaked up Chelsea pressure in the second half before scoring a signature counter-attack goal. Rodrygo started the move with a darting run down the right, before finishing it as Vinicius Junior laid the ball back into his path.

Rodrygo added a second 10 minutes from time, latching onto Federico Valverde's pass and simply walking the ball in from three yards out.

This was far from the vintage Madrid performance of years past, but Los Blancos grabbed their goals and were largely untroubled at the other end in a comfortable win.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Stamford Bridge…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Thibaut Courtois (8/10):

Made an immense save to deny Cucurella on the stroke of half-time. Produced a few more stops. The best in the world?

Dani Carvajal (7/10):

Seems to find another step on Champions League nights. His composure was vital in seeing off Chelsea pressure.

Eder Militao (7/10):

Booked for a silly challenge on Kai Havertz that will see him miss the semi-final. Blocked what seemed to be a certain goal in the second half. A typically impressive performance.

David Alaba (5/10):

Taken off at half-time, likely due to an injury.

Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):

Struggled to contain James in the first half. Was on the receiving end of a nasty stomp in the second. Some of his passing was wonderful.

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Federico Valverde (7/10):

Was relatively quiet before setting up Rodrygo's second with a sumptuous run.

Toni Kroos (7/10):

Composed as ever in his passing, but allowed Chelsea to play through the middle too easily. Needed his rest.

Luka Modric (7/10):

Misplaced as many passes within the first 45 minutes as he did the whole first leg. Much improved as the game wore on.

Getty ImagesAttack

Rodrygo (8/10):

Hit the post after a nice piece of skill. Eventually opened the scoring, finishing a vintage Madrid counter-attack. Added a second with an easy tap-in. Stepped up with Benzema struggling.

Karim Benzema (4/10):

Scuffed his first attempt, outright missed his second. Wasn't particularly convincing in his link-up play. Subbed after 70 minutes, much to his frustration.

Vinicius Jr (7/10):

Squandered a golden opportunity in the first half, but set up Rodrygo in the second. Short of his sparkling best.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Antonio Rudiger (6/10):

Introduced for Alaba at half-time and made plenty of clearances.

Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):

Relieved a tired-looking Benzema, offered a much-needed extra body in midfield.

Dani Ceballos (6/10):

Didn't offer much other than fresh legs.

Nacho (N/A):

On for 10 minutes when the game was done.

Marco Asensio (N/A):

Barely touched the ball.

Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):

Deployed his in-form XI, with Kroos, Modric and Valverde making up the midfield three. Madrid were largely outplayed in the first half, but got through 45 minutes without conceding. And in the second, his side found two signature counter-attacking goals — enough to kill the tie. Ancelotti didn't get the kind of showing that suggests that they can beat likely semi-final opponents Manchester City, but it's hard to argue with the result.

Here is the greatest XI from a club that has seen its share of legends over the years

Almost 125 years of history.

Countless trophies, including more Serie A titles than any of their domestic rivals.

The most supported Italian club.

Owned by the Agnelli family for more than 100 years now.

Juventus.

Over the years, many legends of the game have worn the Old Lady's famous black and white stripes. From Zinedine Zidane to Michel Platini, from Gianluigi Buffon to Alessandro Del Piero, from Gaetano Scirea to Giorgio Chiellini and from Pogba to Cristiano Ronaldo. Not to mention legendary names like Andrea Pirlo, Fabio Cannavaro and Pavel Nedved.

However, which of these legends will make the ultimate Juventus dream team?

Getty ImagesGIANLUIGI BUFFON | GOALKEEPER

Captain. Leader. Legend. Gigi Buffon has to be the undisputed choice as the goalkeeper for a Juventus dream team. Of course, the great Dino Zoff played for Juve from 1972 to 1983 and deserves a special mention in this discussion. But there's no looking past Buffon.

Buffon wore the Juventus shirt for almost 20 years with a brief spell at PSG towards the end. Not to mention the fact that Buffon stayed loyal to the club even when they were relegated following the Calciopoli scandal in 2006.

His record at Juventus is glittering: 10 Scudetti (absolute record), five Coppe Italia, six Italian Supercoppe. A total of 21 trophies for Juventus in 685 appearances. An absolute icon.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLILIAN THURAM | RIGHT-BACK

Thuram was one of many Frenchman who have excelled for the Bionconeri.

The elegant strides of Thuram marauding down the right flank will still be burned fresh into the memory of Juventus fans from back then.

He arrived in Turin in 2001 from Parma, along with his friend Gigi Buffon, and went on to play a decisive role in two Scudetto triumphs along with as many Italian Super Cups.

Though initially a central defender, Thuram was used mainly as a right-back by Marcelo Lippi at Juventus.

He was a powerful defender who was considered one of the best in the world and was an absolute rock for Juventus till 2006, when the Calciopoli scandal prompted him to move to Barcelona.

GettyGAETANO SCIREA | CENTRE-BACK

Often considered one of the best free transfers in Italian football, Scirea is a clear choice for the centre-back position in this Juventus dream team. He moved to Turin from Atalanta in 1974 and went on to spent the rest of his career with the Old Lady before passing away at 36 in a car accident.

He was a pillar in Juventus' defence in the 1970s and '80s. A resilient defender, Scirea was also dangerous in attack, often embarking on offensive runs. He was a quiet, but true leader, captaining some of the best Juventus teams in history.

He won seven Scudetti, two Coppe Italia, one UEFA Cup, one Cup Winners' Cup, a European Cup, a European Super Cup and an Intercontinental Cup.

In short, Scirea won it all with Juventus. An eternal hero in Turin.

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Getty ImagesGIORGIO CHIELLINI | CENTRE-BACK

Chiellini joins Scirea in central defence of this ultimate Juventus dream team.

The Italian's 17-year-long love affair with the Bianconeri ended only in 2022, with him leaving to MLS.

A tough and loyal defender, Chiellini was an imposing centre-back who was respected by team-mates and opponents alike.

Chiellini was a warrior for Juventus, someone to be relied upon even during the toughest of times.

He won nine Scudetti in a row with Juventus, as well as five Italian Cups and as many Italian Super Cups.

With 561 matches, he is third in the list of Juventus players with most appearances.

Which of these Chelsea greats would make our Super Eagles-Black Stars combined XI?

Goal/GettyGhana-Nigeria Combined XI

Ahead of this week’s World Cup qualifying double header between Nigeria and Ghana, GOAL Africa are picking our dream combined XI between these two West African heavyweights.

Both the Super Eagles and the Black Stars have storied histories in continental and global competition, and our shortlist for this combined Dream Team was overflowing with elite African talent.

However, only eleven stars can make the cut between these two West African giants, which of these two Chelsea greats would make the cut?

AdvertisementLefty Shivambu/Gallo Images/Getty ImagesInternational Career

Despite being a part of an excellent Ghanaian generation, Essien only featured in three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments—largely a consequence of the injury problems that undermined his career.

While he reached the final in 2010, the Black Stars ultimately fell short at the hands of Egypt. Mikel went one further as part of Stephen Keshi’s fine side, and got his hands on the big one in 2013.

The Nigerian also went on to reach four Afcon semis during his international career, most recently finishing third in 2019.

He missed out on three editions between 2012 and 2017, but did feature in three World Cups, reaching the Last 16 at Brazil 2014.

While Essien was present for Ghana’s debut display and their run to the Last 16 in 2006, injury denied him a place in the team that reached the quarters four years later.

Winner: Mikel

GettyClub Career

These two are immensely decorated at club level, with the majority of their silverware coming ast part of Chelsea’s magnificent flurry of successes under the likes of Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Roberto Di Matteo.

Essien won two Premier League winner’s medals at Chelsea, and was an unused substitute in the 2012 Champions League final, where Mikel did feature in the victory over Bayern Munich.

The pair each won three FA Cups with Chelsea, although while the Nigerian was still around for the Europa League triumph of 2013—by which point Essien had departed—The Bison did win two Ligue 1 titles as part of a magnificent Olympique Lyonnais side.

Winner: Essien

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Getty ImagesIndividual Accolades

Essien comfortably outclasses Mikel here, probably testament to him being seen as a far more dynamic and impactful player during his peak years.

The midfield powerhouse never won Caf’s African Footballer of the Year award—among the finest continental stars not to do so—although he did clinch the BBC version of the prize.

He did make Caf’s podium on five occasions though, and indeed, no one has finished in third place more times than the Ghana star.

The midfielder was Ligue 1 Player of the Year for 2005, only the third African player after Ali Benarbia and Didier Drogba to win the award, and was named in Caf’s Team of the Year on four occasions.

Mikel was never really in contention for these kinds of honours during his senior career, having won plenty of individual accolades as a youngster, for both Chelsea and at the Fifa World Youth Championship.

He twice made the Nations Cup Team of the Tournament, once finished runner-up in the African Player of the Year award, and twice made Caf’s Team of the Year.

Did Mikel deserve more individual accolades during his career?

Winner: Essien

Chamu Chibhabha and Graeme Cremer played starring roles as Zimbabwe finally coalesced their different strengths into a functional, all-round performance to trip up India by 10 runs in the second T20 international

The Report by Arun Venugopal19-Jul-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsChamu Chibhabha and Graeme Cremer played starring roles as Zimbabwe finally coalesced their different strengths into a functional, all-round performance to trip up India by 10 runs in the second T20 international.After Chibhabha’s 51-ball 67 helped Zimbabwe put up a total of 145 – one that seemed inadequate at the halfway mark – Cremer garotted India’s batsmen with a spell of 4-0-18-3. Zimbabwe seemed to be headed towards another lopsided defeat when Robin Uthappa, who blasted 42 off 25 balls, was in the middle, but Cremer’s introduction in the seventh over saw India slip from 56 for 1 to 61 for 4. India took the equation to 25 off 12 balls, but Taurai Muzarabani conceded only six runs in the penultimate over, before Chris Mpofu, buckled India’s batsmen in the last over to complete Zimbabwe’s first T20 win over India.India’s start had an ominous portent to it when captain Ajinkya Rahane was run-out having been sent back by his opening partner, M Vijay, who bailed after initially setting off for a run. Uthappa, however, produced an innings that bore no resemblance to his grinding effort in the first T20 international.Uthappa found his bearings with successive boundaries off Muzarabani, a well-timed cover drive followed by a powerful whip through midwicket. Two overs later, he collected three fours off Mpofu with rasping pulls off the front foot and a cheeky nudge behind short fine leg as India galloped to 57 for 1 at the end of six overs.It was the first delivery after the Powerplay, however, that brought Zimbabwe back. Cremer, who troubled India two days ago, slipped one past Vijay, and three balls later, had Manish Pandey out lbw, but the ball appeared headed down the leg side.India lost two more wickets in the next two overs. Uthappa was the prize wicket, as Sean Williams completed a sharp return catch. Kedar Jadhav’s departure in the next over was as much because of his laxity as some sparkling fielding from Muzarabani, who produced a direct hit from deep midwicket.Stuart Binny and debutant Sanju Samson, though, took charge of the restoration job, putting on 36 runs for the sixth wicket. With 41 required off 30 balls, however, India suffered another jolt through Cremer. Binny’s attempted thwack over long-off seemed to dip in front of Chibhabha, but the fielder flung himself forward to grab the chance. Zimbabwe’s seamers then removed Samson and Axar Patel in successive overs, effectively deciding the result.India’s tactics with the ball appeared to be pre-determined, as they persisted with bowling short. The short-ball gambit was particularly puzzling given that their seamers were getting the ball to move appreciably off a fuller length.Hamilton Masakadza and Chibhabha were alert to opportunities, swatting away half-trackers between square leg and midwicket. Masakadza, though, was dismissed by Sandeep Sharma, attempting to dab a short delivery that fizzed off the wicket, one ball after carting the bowler for six.Sikandar Raza, standing in as captain for the first time in international cricket after Elton Chigumbura was injured, showed intent before his slash floated into third man’s hands. India’s spinners – Axar Patel and Vijay – sent down a few tight overs immediately after the Powerplay in which Zimbabwe scored 49.But, Rahane didn’t have the luxury of a second specialist spinner – Harbhajan Singh was rested – and appeared loath to let Vijay complete his quota. Chibhabha and Sean Williams then knitted together a 37-run partnership for the third wicket.India’s bowlers, though, were chipping away, and Chibhabha found himself without much support at the other end. Once Chibhabha was bowled in the 19th over, the innings stagnated further. Zimbabwe eventually managed 69 runs in the last 10 overs, including 33 in the last five.

Another dominant bowling performance followed by another effortless chase led Kolkata Knight Riders to their third win of the season, a six-wicket victory over Kings XI Punjab that took them top of the table

The Report by Nikhil Kalro19-Apr-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsRobin Uthappa’s first fifty of the season helped Kolkata Knight Riders to their third win•BCCIAnother dominant bowling performance followed by another effortless chase led Kolkata Knight Riders to their third win of the season, a six-wicket victory over Kings XI Punjab that took them top of the table. Knight Riders’ bowling depth proved telling as their spinners ripped through Kings XI, who put in a sub-par batting performance, to keep them to 138 for 8. In the chase, Robin Uthappa’s quickfire fifty effectively sealed the game. It was the 12th win by a chasing team in 13 games this season.Put in to bat, Kings XI lost Manan Vohra early when he flicked Morne Morkel to deep square leg but M Vijay looked in rhythm, scything drives and cuts before failing to pick a googly from Piyush Chawla. A slow start was made slower when Wriddhiman Saha, promoted to No. 4, struggled in a 14-ball 8. Shaun Marsh, though, held one end up despite not being at his most fluent.The stage was set for either David Miller or Glenn Maxwell to fire their side back, but Knight Riders’ experienced bowling attack strangled Kings XI’s middle order. With two left-handers batting – Marsh and Miller – Gautam Gambhir turned to Yusuf Pathan for the first time this season. The move reaped rewards when Miller edged Yusuf’s first ball and Uthappa took a sharp catch. Maxwell tried a switch-hit off Sunil Narine soon after walking in, and Kings XI’s season was summed up when he picked out extra cover. Narine’s remodeled action returned two wickets in a frugal spell in which he only conceded 5.50 an over. From 94 for 5 in the 15th over, there was little Kings XI could do but rebuild.Marsh used swift footwork and was particularly effective square of the wicket on both sides. He got to his fifty in the last over with a sweetly-timed lofted drive over long-on. Along with Kyle Abbott, he took Andre Russell’s first over – the last of the innings – for 18 to lift Kings XI to 138.With that total, Kings XI needed early wickets to have any hope, but Uthappa and Gambhir denied them by hitting nine boundaries in a 65-run Powerplay, the most productive this season.The seamers, Sandeep Sharma and Abbott, were inconsistent, but even when they found their lengths, Uthappa cleared the infield with lofted strokes on the up on a pitch offering even bounce.Uthappa eased himself to his first fifty of the season, getting to the landmark in just 24 balls, before getting out to a premeditated sweep, playing around a full delivery from Pardeep Sahu. Gambhir looked set for another fifty before a leading edge was acrobatically taken by Glenn Maxwell, running in from deep midwicket.Axar Patel removed Manish Pandey and Shakib Al Hasan, but Knight Riders were too close to their target by then, and Suryakumar Yadav and Yusuf took them home with 17 balls to spare.

Chris Read helped himself to a second century of the season as Nottinghamshire dominated day three against Middlesex at Trent Bridge

ECB/PA07-Jul-2015
ScorecardChris Read’s century put Notts into the lead•Getty ImagesChris Read helped himself to a second century of the season as Nottinghamshire dominated day three against Middlesex at Trent Bridge. Having passed three figures for the first time this summer in the four-day game between the sides at Lord’s back in April, the Notts captain was at it again, this time on home soil.Having been dropped on 54, Read, the 36-year-old former England wicketkeeper, went on to score 108 from 206 balls as Notts built a useful first innings lead.Resuming on their overnight score of 180 for 4, Notts found themselves in a spot of trouble when Samit Patel was bowled, in the third over of the day, at 184 for 5 and Steven Mullaney holed out to Tim Murtagh off Ollie Rayner 45 runs later. At that stage, they still trailed Middlesex by 145. But despite losing 15 overs to rain, Notts pushed on after lunch with Read and Brett Hutton adding 157 for the seventh wicket.Read, who missed six weeks of the season from the middle of May due to a hamstring injury, struck eight fours in reaching his half century, off 101 balls, and posted three figures for the first time since mid-April, off 190 balls. Having been dropped at slip by Ollie Rayner on 54 – a sharp chance to Rayner’s right hand – he eventually fell to Toby Roland-Jones, at 386 for 7.The captain’s job was made all the more easy by Hutton, who batted beautifully to post his highest first class score of 72. The 22-year-old bowling allrounder brought up his own half-century off 121 balls, with seven fours, and looked comfortable throughout against a Middlesex attack that offered precious little as the day wore on.Hutton continued to bat with due care and attention after his skipper’s departure and with Luke Wood, who was dropped on 0 off the bowling of Dawid Malan, he added 25 for the eighth wicket. But he finally departed at 419 for 9 and at that juncture Notts declared with a first innings lead of 45. Middlesex opener Sam Robson and nightwatchman James Harris successfully negotiated the final two overs of the evening and trail Notts by 38 runs with all 10 second innings wickets in hand.

Half-centuries from Jim Allenby and Craig Overton helped Somerset to a total of 312 on the first day at Trent Bridge.

ECB/PA17-May-2015
ScorecardJim Allenby, seen here for Glamorgan last year, made his highest score for his new county Somerset•PA PhotosHalf-centuries from Jim Allenby and Craig Overton helped Somerset to a total of 312 on the first day at Trent Bridge. The experienced Allenby, short of runs so far this season, made 64, his highest score since moving from Glamorgan in the winter.His efforts laid the foundation for Overton to replace him at the crease and plunder 55 runs from only 31 balls as Somerset collected three batting points. Nottinghamshire replied with 57 for 2 from the closing 24 overs of the day.Vernon Philander enjoyed his best day with the ball for the home side, returning 4 for 56 against the side that he made a handful of appearances for in 2012. The South African pace bowler seemed to relish the opportunity of playing against former team-mates, under cloudy skies, after Chris Read had won the toss and asked the visitors to bat first.Marcus Trescothick has seldom enjoyed his previous visits to this famous old ground, having failed to register a century in 20 first-class matches. His 33rd innings on the ground was typically brief, castled for 0 by a wonderful swinging delivery from Philander.Somerset also lost Tom Abell during the early exchanges but approached lunch in better order before losing three wickets to the final 11 balls of the opening session. Two of those were taken by Steven Mullaney, including Johannes Myburgh for 49, as the bowler enhanced his reputation as a partnership-breaker.That reputation, real or imaginary, prompted Read to turn to him again in mid-afternoon and again the allrounder delivered, bowling Peter Trego to end a stand of 85 in only 15 overs with Allenby. Overton made the most of some wayward bowling to plunder 11 boundaries in a quickfire 50 before being cleaned up by Harry Gurney.Seven of Somerset’s batsmen were bowled as Luke Wood collected two late scalps. The 19-year-old left-arm quick dumped Lewis Gregory on his backside with a well-directed bouncer before bowling him next ball, then wrapped up the innings by yorking Tim Groenewald.When Nottinghamshire batted they lost the wickets of Mullaney, to Gregory for 19, and Greg Smith, on his county debut, who failed to make the most of his opportunity to step in for the absent Alex Hales by falling lbw to Groenewald for 8. Hales’ weekend dash to join the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League went unrewarded when he was left out of their final qualifying match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.Somerset’s Allenby, who scored 64 was pleased with his side’s performance, saying: “Having got 300-odd, we felt that was over par – especially after we’d had a bit of a wobble in our last few games, so it was nice to get it right today in difficult conditions.”While – on his stand of 85 with Trego – he added: “Peter has been done it for years and I’ve found myself in similar situations so we just used our experience to make sure we kept scoring and we kept trying to capitalise whenever Philander wasn’t bowling because it was a bit tricky out there. We dragged it back and obviously to finish up with Craig Overton getting 60 off just 30 balls finished our innings really well.”While Philander was delighted with his four wickets for the hosts, he said: “It’s obviously started pretty well for me this morning but we’d have liked to roll them out for cheaper than that but bowling them out for 300 on day one, we’d have taken that.”On his swinging delivery to bowl Trescothick out, he added: “It’s always good when you’ve played with guys like that to be able to get them out. Myself and Marcus have a good relationship, so it’s always good to get your mates out.”After lunch we bowled a little bit too short and Treego, Allenby and Overton played nicely but getting full bowling points we’d have taken that. We just need to bat well tomorrow.”

England have a swift opportunity to atone for their nightmare defeat to New Zealand at the Wellington’s Westpace Stadium against Sri Lanka on Sunday

Alex Winter26-Feb-2015The world-renowned architects who designed the Westpac Stadium in Wellington might concede that the “Cake Tin” is not their finest creation. England may wish it had never been built after a defeat to New Zealand that would have been more appropriate at Carisbrook’s “House of Pain”, in Dunedin.The shambolic performance last week sullied the nation’s memories of the Westpac – it was the scene of one of England rugby’s finest victories when they beat New Zealand in 2003 – but the cricketers have a swift opportunity to atone against Sri Lanka on Sunday.Steven Finn described the fixture, and England’s remaining group games, as a “quarter-final” – even though they are not yet certain of a place in the last eight – but while victory is not essential for the team’s progress, it would certainly turn their ship further from the wind.To do so, England will need to frank some miserable form at the Westpac. England’s two other ODIs before Friday’s horror show were almost as despondent: dismissed for 130 to lose with 20 overs to spare in 2008 and shot out for just 89 in 2002 – England’s third-lowest ODI total.There was, and still is, potential for things to get much worse for England at this World Cup but a professional victory over Scotland has got them on the board. Regardless of results, Finn will hope things are never again as bad as the two overs he sent down against New Zealand – mercilessly destroyed by Brendom McCullum, who struck 44 from 10 deliveries – and sees his 3 for 26 on Monday as a better indicator of his recent form.”I feel like I bowled well throughout the tri-series but didn’t quite do myself justice and in the first seven overs against Australia I thought I bowled well,” Finn said. “Obviously I didn’t do myself justice in those two overs against New Zealand but throughout the trip I feel as though I’ve been bowling well and against Scotland it was pleasing to get the results that the hard work deserves.”Bowling against Brendon McCullum is a tough gig and it’s one of those things that happened. In that situation he was always going to come hard and it seemed that everything I tried to do didn’t quite work. It was one of those days but I’ve bowled well throughout this trip and have taken wickets so I don’t feel too downhearted by it.”It’s never happened to me before like that. Usually if I try something it works but it didn’t that day. It was one of those days and I’m obviously very disappointed, gutted and embarrassed about the way it did happen. It will happen again; someone will come that hard at us again but we’ll have to find a way of dealing with it.”I was happy to get back on the horse against Scotland and I felt I bowled with good rhythm at a decent pace against them.”Finn, and England, do have better memories of the Westpac to draw on. They romped to a 10-wicket victory in a T20 in 2013 with Finn conceding just 18 from his four overs. That tour saw Finn at his best, with several menacing displays, and he now feels if not back to that form, at least with his troubles of 2013-14 behind him.”I feel normal,” Finn said. “I’ve felt normal all the time but the amount of wickets I’ve taken over here have helped get that confidence back. And just playing international cricket and being in the set-up and round the guys day in and day out helps that confidence too. To put performances in and help England win games helps that confidence as well. So I’m just a normal cricketer playing cricket now. That’s all it is.”Everything feels fine. It feels as though everything is going the way it was for me a couple of years ago and that’s good.”

Amid scenes of rare passion, of the like New Zealand has never seen for a cricket match, Grant Elliott played the innings of his life to carry his adopted country into the World Cup final against the land of his birth

The Report by Andrew McGlashan24-Mar-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsGetty ImagesIncredible, just incredible. Amid scenes of rare passion, of the like New Zealand has never seen for a cricket match, Grant Elliott played the innings of his life to carry his adopted country into the World Cup final against the land of his birth. With five needed off two balls, but effectively four because a tie would have been enough for New Zealand due to them finishing higher in their group, Elliott pulled an injured Dale Steyn high over mid-on to ensure New Zealand’s adventure would stretch all the way to Melbourne.It was a breathtaking match throughout, but the finish was something spectacular. The quarter-finals had been bemoaned for not providing a close contest. This, though, was an epic. It was also going to be historic in any case with neither side previously reaching a World Cup final, but while everything pointed to an even game it was not guaranteed.How it delivered as New Zealand, riding on a ferocious assault by Brendon McCullum, were pushed into a position of authority by a stand of 103 between Elliott and Corey Anderson who played another composed innings. Anderson, though, should have been run out on 33 when Rilee Rossouw pinged a poor throw towards the stumps with him miles out of his ground, instead of giving AB de Villiers time to run in.It came down to 46 needed off 31 balls when Anderson top edged to catch high into the night sky. Luke Ronchi then picked out deep square-leg to leave 29 needed off 17 balls with Daniel Vettori joining Elliott.Then it became 12 off the last over after Elliott was given a life on the last ball of the penultimate over when he top-edged towards deep square leg where Farhaan Behardien and JP Duminy collided. A bye was scampered to the keeper off the first ball of the last, but then Elliott lost the strike again. Wait, though. Steyn was limping with what appeared a calf injury. He had treatment and charged in. Vettori squeezed a boundary behind square on off. Then another bye as New Zealand showed great awareness, before Elliott’s final, crowning, moment to put an indelible seal on an extraordinary home campaign for the co-hosts.South Africa’s players slumped to their knees, emotions on full display. Some did not move from their outfield positions for a few moments. Elliott offered a consoling hand to Steyn, much as Andrew Flintoff had done to Brett Lee at Edgbaston in 2005. New Zealand’s players charged onto the outfield, led by the inspirational captain who had sparked the demanding chase of 298 with a blistering display.Only one higher total had been successfully chased on this ground in ODIs, but six overs of McCullum, after the match had been trimmed to 43 overs by rain, completely changed the complexion. McCullum has shredded attacks before in this tournament, but given the occasion and the bowlers in front of him it almost defied belief. Fourth ball he drove Steyn on the up over cover for six then he helped fetch 18 off Vernon Philander’s first over. But it was in Steyn’s third over that McCullum’s hitting went truly berserk as he drilled him straight down the ground for six and hooked another – that one taking him to a 22-ball fifty – as the over cost 25.It brought the required rate down from nearly seven-an-over to a run-a-ball. South Africa were rattled, but managed to halt McCullum in the nick of time when he pulled Morne Morkel to mid-on. He departed to an ovation that will linger long, yet unlike his previous barrages this was not enough to make the result certain. When Kane Williamson dragged on against Morkel, South Africa were back in the ascendency.Amid McCullum’s display it was easy to forget the man at the other end had just scored 237. Martin Guptill had only faced 11 balls when McCullum fell, but he and Ross Taylor steadily rebuilt the innings until one of Taylor’s bad habits surfaced at the worst time. He played the ball square, there was hesitation, from both batsmen, over the single and Guptill just kept running to the dressing room. Taylor flung his head in the air.There was no reprieve for Taylor, either, as he tickled a catch down the leg side off Duminy and at 149 for 4 the semi-final was starting to look New Zealand’s glass-ceiling for the seventh time. However, Elliott and Anderson did not panic. They picked off loose deliveries, regularly making use of the short straight boundaries.Anderson’s let-off came, but it was still far from a comfortable ask even if the mood was changing. The first two overs of the batting Powerplay brought just 11, then Morkel went for 12, including a six over deep square by Elliott, and the same tally came off Imran Tahir who had bowled superbly to help quell the early charge. De Villiers felt he had to bowl himself and it would not have been beyond him to win the match. With each wicket, New Zealand responded. It was the counter punching of two outstanding cricket teams with their eye on the ultimate prize.The question will be asked if South Africa came out on the wrong side of the Duckworth-Lewis calculations after their innings was interrupted with de Villiers in full flow and Faf du Plessis set for a hundred in the 38th over. On resumption they plundered 65 in five overs, mainly due to David Miller’s 18-ball 49 as de Villiers lost the strike, but the adjusted 298 in 43 did feel less daunting than the 360 in 50 that could have been on the cards. All speculation, though.That South Africa could not cut loose until the 30th over was credit to New Zealand’s bowlers, led by the outstanding Trent Boult who took two early scalps to make himself New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker at a World Cup with 21 victims ahead of Geoff Allott’s 20 in 1999. However, for the first time in the tournament fielding let them down as four chances, albeit two tough ones, were missed.Key to the reconnaissance was du Plessis. Worked over early on by Boult and the brisk Matt Henry, who was called-up at the last minute to replace Adam Milne, du Plessis soaked up the pressure rather than succumb to it. He had been desperate for another knockout contest against New Zealand after the heated quarter-final four years ago which ended with South Africa on the losing side. By a fluke of results he got his wish but in the end there was no redemption.

A round-up of the Dhaka Premier Division 2014-15 matches on December 24, 2014

Mohammad Isam24-Dec-2014Nasir Hossain navigated a tricky chase for Abahani Limited as they prevailed in a tense three-wicket win over Mohammedan Sporting Club to remain on top of the points table. The traditional Dhaka derby lived up to some of its old glory as a handful of the two clubs’ loyal supporters were present to watch the encounter.When Abahani needed 44 from the last five overs, the match swung Mohammedan’s way when Mashrafe Mortaza conceded just two runs in the 46th over. He mixed his pace with offcutters and that made it difficult to get away with. The moment he removed a slogging Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammedan found a way back it for some time. Abahani needed a further 42 runs off the last four overs after the two-run Mashrafe over, but Nasir stepped up.In the following over, he hammered Afghanistan legspinner Rahmat Shah for three consecutive sixes – through long-on, midwicket and square leg – to wrest back the momentum in Abahani’s favour.Nasir battled cramps on his calf to complete the chase with two balls left in the final over, in which they needed seven to win. He was unbeaten on 82 off 69 balls with five fours and as many sixes. He came in to bat with Abahani needing a big innings after the 78-run third-wicket stand between Raqibul Hasan and Farhad Hossain was broken in the 28th over. Farhad was dismissed in the 33rd over but Nasir quickly added 49 runs for the fifth wicket with Chamara Silva and another 36 for the seventh wicket with Ziaur Rahman, who was dismissed on the first ball of the final over.Mashrafe finished with 3 for 42 but Mohammedan’s spin quartet produced just two wickets with Shah giving away 61 runs in 8.4 overs for his one wicket, and the other three left-arm spinners being mostly ineffective.Earlier it was Subashis Roy who rocked the Mohammedan top order with three early wickets as they slipped to 38 for 4 in the ninth over. The pace bowler finished with 4 for 56 while Rahman and Nasir took one each as Mohammedan finished on 240 for 6 in 50 overs.Their middle-order recovery was led by the 121-run fifth-wicket stand between Naeem Islam and Ariful Haque, who made his maiden List A century. He made 109 off 137 balls with eleven fours and a six, but it was the events that transpired later in the game that took his century out of the picture.Otherwise it was a proficient innings from Ariful who regularly connected his sweeps and cuts, and later conceded three sixes and a four in Mashrafe’s 27-ball 38.Prime Bank Cricket Club’s 84-run win over Legends of Rupganj kept them in the hunt as they remained in second position with 20 points.Batting first, Prime Bank were aided by three half-centuries to put up 304 for 7 at BKSP-3 ground. Soumya Sarkar top-scored with 81 off 90 balls with five fours and four sixes, setting a solid base. Mahmudullah played the anchor role with his 58-ball 52, while Thilina Kandamby blasted four sixes and five fours in his 49-ball 71. Soumya and Saikat Ali added 82 for the first wicket and later Mahmudullah and Kandamby put together 99 runs for the fourth wicket.Sharifullah and Ashar Zaidi took two wickets each but Shakib Al Hasan was hammered for 65 runs in his 10 overs, despite bowling two maidens.Junaid Siddique was removed on the second ball of the chase and Jahurul Islam fell in the seventh over, but Abul Hasan, sent as a pinch-hitter at No. 3, held the innings together with his 72 off 80 balls with six sixes and three fours. But he got scant support from the rest of the batting line-up, as they were bowled out for 220 in 43 overs.Farhad Reza took three wickets while Soumya and Shuvagata Hom took two each.While all the attention was in the southern and northern parts on the outskirts of Dhaka, the match at the Shere Bangla National Stadium turned out to be a cakewalk for Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club, as they crushed Kalabagan Cricket Academy by nine wickets.Chasing 263, Dholeshwar openers Rony Talukdar and Mehedi Maruf struck hundreds and shared a 214-run stand in 36.2 overs. Rony remained not out on a run-a-ball 132 with 14 fours and four sixes, while Mehedi made 106 off 113 balls with seven fours and five sixes.Earlier, KCA made 262 for 9 in 50 overs with Nafees Iqbal’s 70 and Sabbir Rahman hammering 75 off 53 balls. Pace bowler Delwar Hossain took four wickets for 41 runs in nine overs.