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Jaiswal’s 58 and Washington’s 48 the only bright spots for India, with Jansen’s short-ball brilliance causing trouble

Sidharth Monga24-Nov-20253:59

Karim: India’s ultra-aggressive approach flummoxed me

Marco Jansen all but ensured the world Test champions South Africa a rare series win in India by bowling the hosts out for 201 and securing a first-innings lead of 288 on day three. On a pitch still hard to beat the defensive bat on, India collapsed from 95 for 1 to 122 for 7, losing all hopes of coming back to win and level the series. They were on the back-foot anyway after conceding 489 to South Africa, who also hold an unassailable 1-0 lead in the series.Things happened quickly in the second hour of the day as the odd ball turned or bounced more than usual for spinners Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj. Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav then batted together for nearly 35 overs without trouble to show it was just the early moisture that helped the odd ball turn.But Jansen rose above the pitch with aggressive short-pitched bowling to take his fourth five-wicket haul in Tests to go with his momentum-shifting 93 and an excellent catch to get rid of India’s only half-centurion in the series, Yashasvi Jaiswal.3:51

‘SA might set 470 target and keep 120 overs’

Nobody has ever taken as many wickets with bouncers in a single innings in India since the advent of ball-by-ball records. Those nasty bouncers took out Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Jasprit Bumrah on an otherwise placid surface. On Ian Botham’s birthday, Jansen’s six-for went a long way towards emulating the greatest all-round performance by a visiting player in India: a century and 13 wickets in 1980 in the Jubilee Test.Before Jansen broke the game open with a spell of 8-1-18-4 with a fairly old ball either side of the first session break, South Africa benefitted from some luck and possible panic in the young Indian batting line-up. Not since the 1960s have India had Nos. 3 and 4 with just one hundred and fewer than 1000 career runs between them. That this is being played in the east, that we have lost 10 overs on the first two days because of the early sunset, might have had something to do with some of the frenetic batting from India, who need a win in this match to prevent a second home series defeat in 12 months after 12 years of none.Only four balls jumped or turned more than usual in more than an hour after the fast bowlers operated for the first half hour. India looked solid in getting to 65 without any loss, but then two of those four balls that did more than usual ended up in the wickets of openers. One long hop settled with short midwicket, and two batters fell trying to force the pace when only one batter has been able to dominate the bowling in this Test: Jansen.5:17

Best Test allrounders: Jadeja, Stokes, and… Jansen?

KL Rahul got the first of the good ones, bowled by Maharaj at 79kmph, well slower than any of India’s fingerspinners. Harmer, who has been excellent – sharp turn or not – then bowled the second one. Jaiswal had looked in control both when defending and attacking, but he checked a back-foot shot when this delivery stopped and stood up. Jansen, who had already denied him six runs on the cut with his long levers at backward point, took the catch diving forward. Not many could have even got to this on the full.B Sai Sudharsan, back as the No. 3 after being left out in Kolkata, was conscious to not get caught back to full deliveries, which has been his undoing in the past. He played two lovely cover-drives, but ended up pulling a short ball from Harmer to the left of short midwicket, where Ryan Rickelton took a rebound while diving.It was all Jansen after this – plus a little bit of chasing the game. Jurel was kept runless for 10 balls when he tried to hook a wide bouncer from Jansen. It was too high and too wide for him to be able to control. That this came about in the last over before tea made it worse.Post-tea, captain Rishabh Pant tried to counterattack by charging at Jansen. All he managed was an edge to the keeper. Reddy and Jadeja got brutes. Reddy had to throw his hands in front of his face in self defence, and Aiden Markram took a catch to match the earlier two, diving from second slip to gully. Jadeja tried to sway out of one’s line, but it followed him, hit the shoulder and then took the periscope on the way to second slip. On average, Jansen could bowl a metre fuller than Siraj for the ball to be a bouncer, giving them less time to adjust. He also bowled when the pitch had lost pace and bounce.With Jansen done, the moisture drying out and the push for a comeback win dissipating for India, Washington and Kuldeep defended with ease. No. 3 in the last Test, Washington came close to scoring only the second half-century for India this series, but was outdone by a lovely offbreak from Harmer just before the second new ball became available. Kuldeep registered his longest Test innings, turned down a single to protect Jasprit Bumrah, but couldn’t keep Jansen out. Not that Bumrah could be protected anyway: Jansen ended the innings with another nasty bouncer.Without even a full day’s rest, India’s bowlers were back on the park again. Bumrah created a chance in the first over of the third innings, but it flew wide of second slip. South Africa went into stumps 314 ahead, only a couple of sessions away from batting India out of the series.

انتهت منذ قليل باراة الأهلي أمام نظيره الجيش الملكي، الآن ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا 2025-2026.

وحل الأحمر، ضيفًا على الفريق المغربي، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانة من دور مجموعات دوري أبطال إفريقيا، على ملعب استاد مولاي الحسن.

طالع.. تشكيل الأهلي أمام الجيش الملكي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.. زيزو وتريزيجيه أساسيان

وتعادل الأهلي مع الجيش الملكي بهدف لكل فريق، حيث سجل محسن بوريجة هدف أصحاب الأرض قبل أن يتعادل تريزيجيه لصالح الأحمر.

وتصدر الأهلي المجموعة برصيد 4 نقاط بالتساوي مع يانج أفريكانز بينما الجيش الملكي في المركز الثالث برصيد 3 نقاط.

وضمن نفس المجموعة التقى شبيبة القبائل مع يانج أفريكانز، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا 2025، على ملعب “حسين آيت أحمد” في اللقاء الذي انتهى بالتعادل السلبي. ترتيب مجموعة الأهلي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

1 – الأهلي 4 نقاط

2 -يانج أفريكانز 4 نقاط

3 – الجيش الملكي نقطة

4 -شبيبة القبائل نقطة

Can Arsenal continue their unbeaten streak at Stamford Bridge?

The Gunners will make the seven-mile trip across the capital on Sunday, currently unbeaten in six away games against Chelsea, winning three of them, despite having lost eight of their previous ten Premier League fixtures at the Bridge; how times have changed.

Well, already this week, Mikel Arteta’s team have comprehensively beaten both Tottenham and Bayern Munich at home, and a victory on Sunday would move them nine points clear of the Blues at the top of the Premier League table.

So, if the Gunners are to beat another fierce rival, Arteta should unleash his attacker labelled “better than Bukayo Saka”.

Leandro Trossard latest injury news

Just when Arsenal were starting to get some attacking players back from injury, another could be heading for the treatment room.

38 minutes into Wednesday’s win over Bayern Munich, Leandro Trossard suffered a knock and was forced to come off.

Speaking in his press conference on Friday, Arteta said that “we’ll have to see” if the Belgian will be available this weekend, noting that he has avoided serious injury, but has not trained since the match.

Losing Trossard would be a major blow, considering he has already scored five goals and registered five assists across all competitions this season, most recently breaking the deadlock in last weekend’s North London derby.

However, does Arteta have a ready-made replacement, one who will be particularly raring to face Chelsea?

The attacker Mikel Arteta must start vs Chelsea

Arsenal do remain without Viktor Gyökeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, but Arteta is now going to have some attacking options from which to choose once again.

Both Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli made their returns off the bench in mid-week, while Noni Madueke has been introduced as a substitute in each of the last two matches, scoring his first goal for the club against Bayern Munich, connecting with Riccardo Calafiori’s cross at the back post.

Before being introduced for a late cameo against Spurs, Madueke hadn’t been seen since 21 September when Manchester City drew in North London, sustaining a knee injury that day, which was a real blow because he had been really bright up until that point.

Back in September, the winger also scored his first goal for England, on target as the Three Lions demolished Serbia 5-0 in a World Cup qualifier at the Marakana in Belgrade.

After the match, former Manchester United defender Paul Parker asserted that “I actually think he’s better than Bukayo Saka”, a bold take, but let’s compare the pair in the Premier League last season to test this hypothesis.

As the table documents, Saka does come out on top for the vast majority of metrics, but Madueke’s numbers are largely comparable across the board, superior in some key areas too.

The 23-year-old attempts more shots and registers a higher percentage of his touches in the opposition penalty area, underlining that he might just be more of a goal threat, with Saka excelling as the creator.

Also, Madueke’s direct running and fearlessness could be exactly what Arteta’s team need in this game, hoping to give Reece James, Malo Gusto or whoever else Enzo Maresca might deploy at right-back nightmares.

Having been cast aside by Chelsea in the summer, told he was surplus to requirements, Madueke will surely be ultra-motivated to show his former employers what they passed up on, so could he write his name into Arsenal folklore?

The best since Henry & Vieira: Arsenal star is "the best in the world"

The incredible Arteta signing will rank alongside Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira at Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 28, 2025

Leeds United have made an approach to sign Flamengo winger Gonzalo Plata, alongside two other Premier League clubs, and a January move could now be possible.

A lack of goals has been an issue for Leeds so far this season, having scored just ten Premier League goals, the joint-second lowest figure in the top flight, with Danny Murphy bemoaning their lack of quality attacking options back in September.

Murphy said: “I think the biggest problem for Burnley and Leeds is firepower. I agree with what we talked about earlier. I think all the newly promoted sides doing well is great for the Premier League.

“I’d like to see them all stay up, actually. But I don’t think it’ll be the case.

Since then, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has continued to struggle in front of goal, having found the back just once in nine league outings, although Daniel Farke will be glad Lukas Nmecha scored his first goal from open play at the weekend, albeit in a 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest.

As a result of that loss, the Whites are just one point above the relegation zone, sitting in 16th place, and it has been revealed they have now made an approach to sign a new forward ahead of the January transfer window.

Leeds make contact to sign Gonzalo Plata

According to journalist Fabricio Lopes (via Sport Witness), Leeds have now made contact to sign Flamengo winger Gonzalo Plata, and the Brazilian club could be willing to sanction a move in the January transfer window.

Indeed, Flamengo have become increasingly frustrated with Plata, given that he went to a nightclub before an important match, which means they will now be open to offers this winter, although there could be competition for his signature.

AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United have also made enquiries over a deal for the Flamengo star, who remains under contract until June 2029, putting his current employers in a strong negotiating position.

There may be some concerns over the 25-year-old’s off-field issues, but he certainly has plenty of ability, having been lauded as “exceptional” by scout Jacek Kulig earlier this year.

The Ecuadorian is established at international level, having scored eight goals in 45 appearances for his national side, while the versatile attacker, who is also capable of playing at centre-forward, has also chipped in with 17 goal contributions in 63 appearances for Flamengo.

Leeds may need a fresh injection of quality in attack if they are to avoid the drop, given that not a single one of their players has scored over two goals this season.

Leeds’ top scorers

Number of goals

Joe Rodon

2

Lukas Nmecha

2

Noah Okofor

2

Sean Longstaff

1

Brenden Aaronson

1

Anton Stach

1

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

1

That said, it would be a risk to sign Plata, given that the Ecuador international is unproven in the Premier League, and wasn’t exactly prolific in the 2025 Brazilian Serie A, netting four goals in 24 outings.

Leeds identify Brendan Rodgers as Daniel Farke replacement Leeds could replace Farke with FA Cup winner who once went 62 games unbeaten

Leeds United could end their Daniel Farke misery by going after this world-class upgrade.

1 ByKelan Sarson Nov 10, 2025

An MLB umpire unintentionally made the highlight reels during Game 4 of the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Petco Park.

With the Dodgers up 5–0 and looking to add to their lead, Los Angeles star Shohei Ohtani worked a walk in the top of the fourth inning, then advanced to second on a Mookie Betts flyout. The next batter, Teoscar Hernandez, grounded an 0–2 pitch down the third base line for what surely seemed like extra bases—and an easy trot home for the speedy Ohtani.

Only, the ball was stopped in its tracks when it collided with third base umpire Mark Ripperger, who was unable to get out of the way in time after it deflected off Padres third baseman Manny Machado’s glove. Machado was then able to make a play on the ball and promptly threw out Ohtani as he was attempting to score.

What a play by Ripperger! In all seriousness, this was just a case of the umpire being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even still, Ohtani was visibly upset with Ripperger from the Dodgers dugout.

Fortunately for the Dodgers, the bizarre play seems like it won't have any adverse effect on the final result of Game 4, as the club is still in the driver's seat with an 8–0 lead.

Australia legspinner available for four matches from July 6

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Jun-2025

Adam Zampa has signed to play for Surrey in their next four Vitality Blast matches.Legspinner Zampa will arrive ahead of the double-header featuring Surrey’s women’s and men’s teams against Essex at the Kia Oval on July 6.The highest wicket-taker for Australia in T20I cricket with 117 wickets, Zampa became the first Australian to pass the 100-wickets mark in the format and was part of the teams that won the T20 World Cup in 2021 and the 50-over World Cup in 2024.His 363 T20 wickets include appearances at the IPL, Big Bash and the Hundred, where he was part of the Oval Invincibles teams which won consecutive titles in 2023 and 2024.His IPL stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad this year was cut short in mid-April when he suffered a recurrence of a shoulder injury. He played the first two games of the tournament as the Impact Sub, taking 1 for 48 and 1 for 46 but missed the next four games with soreness in his bowling arm and ultimately flew home to Australia.”I can’t wait to get going for Surrey and to play in front of the Kia Oval crowd once again,” Zampa told Surrey’s website. “It’s one of the great grounds in the world to play the game and I know how much playing for Surrey means to the lads so I’m looking forward to seeing what it’s all about.”Zampa will also play for Surrey against Gloucestershire in Bristol, then at home against Glamorgan on July 11 and Somerset two days later.Australia are in the Caribbean playing the first of three Tests against West Indies, which will be followed by a five-game T20I series starting in Kingtston on July 21.Should Surrey reach the knockout stages of the Blast, Zampa will be available for the quarter-finals and Finals Day in September.Alec Stewart, High Performance Cricket Advisor at Surrey CCC, said: “Adam Zampa is one of the finest T20 spinners in world cricket and I’m excited to welcome him to Surrey for the Vitality Blast. He brings a wealth of experience and technical skills on the pitch and great character off it.”

Harry Kane. The greatest goalscorer in Tottenham Hotspur history. Perhaps their greatest ever player too.

The prolific striker left Spurs behind in 2023, finally departing after scoring a swashbuckling 280 goals in 435 games for the Lilywhites.

For too long, Kane had failed to win a trophy, to pick up an award that his performances for well over a decade deserved.

That curse continued during his first campaign in Germany. Now of Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen topped the German heavyweights’ monopoly on the title.

Kane’s first piece of silverware finally came last term, his side victorious in the league. England’s greatest centre-forward has his major trophy, he can rest easy.

However, might there be thoughts of returning to Spurs?

Spurs targeting £86m Harry Kane alternative

Reports emerged late last month that Spurs were ready to launch a move to re-sign their former talisman if given encouragement on the player side.

Kane’s contract in Munich ends in 2027 and there is a release clause of £56.7m in his terms that could reportedly be activated at the end of the current season.

Sadly for those of a Tottenham persuasion, a move looks to be unlikely. Speaking to the press this week, Kane revealed that he could definitely see himself remaining in Germany.

With that move off the table, if Spurs have desires of improving their forward line, something they need to do given the injury-prone Richarlison and Dominic Solanke, an alternative will be required.

Reports from Spain this week suggest that Porto striker Samu Aghehowa could be that man.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Indeed, it is claimed that Spurs are one of the major contenders to sign the Spanish striker in 2026, but they do face a few obstacles.

The first is Samu’s £86m release clause. The second is competition from further Premier League clubs, primarily Aston Villa and Newcastle.

His former club, Atletico Madrid, are also keeping a close eye on his development, perhaps regretting the decision they made to sell him to Porto.

Why Samu is such an exciting striker

Kane is the best goalscorer Spurs have ever seen, but he’s remarkably taking his game to new heights since moving to Germany.

Spurs

435

280

England

107

74

Bayern

106

103

Millwall

27

9

Orient

18

5

Leicester

15

2

Norwich

5

0

Last term, the England international bagged 41 goals in 51 games. This season, he’s in the form of his life, netting 18 times in ten outings. It’s Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo levels in their pomp.

Such form has seen calls for Kane to win the Ballon d’Or, but as the player himself has admitted, he may well need to win the Champions League or World Cup to be in the conversation. Wouldn’t that be something, eh?

Despite that, Kane is now 32 and while he only looks like he’s getting better in front of goal, there is no resale value here for Spurs and you do have to doubt just how long he will be able to do it at this rate of knots.

Spurs fans will no doubt lust after his return to north London but it’s not exactly a signing for the future. Samu, however, certainly would be.

He’s no mug in front of goal either. Just 21 years of age, the Spain international scored on 27 occasions in 45 fixtures throughout 2024/25.

The young attacker has been similarly rampant this season, scoring five goals in eight fixtures. As European football expert, Zach Lowy, has alluded to, Samu “has everything it takes to be one of the best strikers in Europe.”

Lowy mentions that while Porto’s star man is certainly still “rough around the edges” at his age, he holds the ball up brilliantly and chases the ball down “like a madman”.

Combine that with his ability to score goals on a regular basis and you have a complete package ready to take one of Europe’s top five leagues by storm.

There is a reason Chelsea nearly signed him too. They’ve been busy hoovering up some of the best young talent in the world in recent years and had agreed a deal worth £35m before the move collapsed. That could be to Spurs’ gain if they do seal Samu’s signature next year.

Some might be concerned about the fact that the striker is unproven in a major league. Viktor Gyokeres has had an indifferent start at Arsenal since swapping the Portuguese top-flight for the Premier League.

He was more prolific than Samu, too, notching 54 goals last season, but it’s key to remember that the Spurs target is younger. His future in the game looks immense and while it’s a stretch to suggest he’d replicate Kane, he can certainly help them forget about making a move for a player who will be in his mid-30s by the time his contract in Germany expires.

Samu, on the other hand, will still only be 23. He has the world at his feet and he’s ready to dominate European football for years to come.

Spurs sold "phenomenal" striker for just £7m, now he's as prolific as Kane

The incredible striker Spurs sold is starting to play like Harry Kane.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 7, 2025

علق راؤول ألبيول، مدافع نادي ريال مدريد السابق، على أحداث مواجهة الميرنجي أمام برشلونة في كلاسيكو الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى، والتي لعبت يوم الأحد الماضي على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو.

ريال مدريد تفوق على برشلونة وحسم كلاسيكو الجولة العاشرة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى وهزم البلوجرانا بهدفين مقابل هدف واحد ليعزز صدارته في تريتب البطولة المحلية.

وشهدت مواجهة الكلاسيكو أحداث مؤسفة، بعدما دخل ثلاثي ريال مدريد، داني كارفاخال وفينيسيوس جونيور وتيبو كورتوا، في خلاف مع جناح برشلونة، لامين يامال.

واعترف ألبيول في تصريحات نقلتها إذاعة كادينا سير، أن ما حدث بين كارفاخال وفينيسيوس وكورتوا مع يامال، قد ذكره بما حدث في كلاسيكو ريال مدريد وبرشلونة خلال فترة جوزيه مورينيو وبيب جوارديولا، حيث قال: “ذكرني الكلاسيكو بأيامنا وخاصةً في نهاية المباراة مع الشجار”.

اقرأ أيضًا .. رقم صادم في مباراة الكلاسكيو بين ريال مدريد وبرشلونة

وأضاف ألبيول في حديثه: “في النهاية، هناك الكثير من الكلام لكن يجب أن يبقى في الملعب، ليس من الممتع رؤية فينيسيوس وهو يقول عبارة هيا بنا نخرج إلى خارج الملعب”.

وأوضح: “إنهم زملاء في الفريق، لذا فإن التوتر والإثارة أمر طبيعي، عندما يطلق الحكم صافرة النهاية عليك أن تحاول الحفاظ على هدوئك والاستمتاع بالعرض”.

وأردف ألبيول: “خلال فترة لعبي مع المنتخب الوطني، كان هناك العديد من لاعبي برشلونة ومن ريال مدريد، كنا خمسة لاعبين من ريال مدريد، كنا نحن وبرشلونة الفريق بأكمله تقريبًا”.

وتابع: “صحيح أن التوتر وصل أحيانًا إلى المنتخب الوطني، انقطع التواصل تقريبًا بين لاعبي ريال مدريد وبرشلونة لكن بشكل عام كان هناك دائمًا احترام خلال التدريبات والمباريات، لذلك لم يؤثر ذلك على أي شيء”.

وواصل ألبيول: ”لم تكن هناك نوايا سيئة، ولا توتر ولا أجواء سيئة ولا أي شيء من هذا القبيل. لقد تم المبالغة في ذلك بشكل كبير”.

واستكمل ألبيول في حديثه عن منتخب إسبانيا وفرصه في كأس العالم العام المقبل: “لقد ثبت هذا المنتخب أنه فريق فائز وسيكرر ذلك. عندما يصل الجميع إلى كأس العالم، سيكونون جميع لاعبي إسبانيا في فريق واحد ويحاولون الفوز به”.

Manchester United are feeling the heat after a bruising derby loss at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester United fall to sobering derby defeat

In a derby match with a lot of importance attached to Ruben Amorim, his side failed to turn up at the Etihad Stadium and fell to a comprehensive 3-0 defeat.

Nevertheless, the Portuguese boss made a point in his post-match press conference that he won’t change his style regardless of external pressure, claiming that if INEOS want to see a change, they will have to relieve him of his duties.

He stated: “I won’t change my philosophy. If they [United hierarchy] want it changed, you change the man. I am not going to change my philosophy.

“I will play my way until I want to change. Guys, I understand (the questions) and I accept it is not a record you should have at Man United. But there are a lot of things that you have no idea about what happen in the last months. I understand everything. It is normal [if fans are losing faith], but I don’t accept that we are not doing better.”

While Lisandro Martinez could return for Manchester United in October is a minor positive, platitudes won’t cut it for the majority of the Red Devils’ support, who have witnessed only one Premier League victory this season against newly-promoted Burnley.

As well as Bayindir: Man Utd's "wet blanket" looks finished under Amorim

This Manchester United flop may be as finished as Altay Bayindir is under Ruben Amorim.

ByDan Emery Sep 15, 2025

The Red Devils’ underlying numbers have shown small bursts of improvement, but a damaging loss at their city rivals has soured the mood at Old Trafford now that the international break is over.

Results are the be-all and end-all at Manchester United, and if they don’t improve, it isn’t too obvious to suggest what may come next at the club.

Reflecting on a tough day at the office, Gary Neville has made his feelings clear on what he feels could come next at Old Trafford.

Gary Neville offers blunt Ruben Amorim assessment

Speaking after the match on Sky Sports, Gary Neville admitted that a defeat to Chelsea next week for Manchester United could provoke questions surrounding Amorim’s future, and he made it clear that his refusal to change their system is a major cause for concern.

He stated: “I think there will be some pressure applied to the manager and his rigidity of sticking with the system. City have beaten them well and comfortably. United had some good moments in the game – the first 15 minutes and the first five minutes of the second half. City, in big moments, have had better players. Foden, Doku, Haaland have stood out.

“There have been times when I have seen United lose this type of match when I feel angry and frustrated. I just feel nothing, which is even worse. This has been a nothing of a performance. United have just been beaten. With Chelsea next week, another defeat and big questions would start to be asked.”

Amorim is set for a tough run of fixtures at Manchester United, with clashes against Chelsea, Brentford and Sunderland before a trip to face Liverpool in just over a month.

With inconsistent results continuing to dominate the landscape, there is an evident need for improvement if his side are serious about navigating their way up the Premier League table.

Sam Konstas put away the scoops, ramps and sweeps on the second day at the SCG but could only make 17 before falling to Scott Boland for the second time in the match.The day after Konstas’ first-innings dismissal – missing a sweep against Boland from the 13th ball of the game – had ignited debate about his batting approach he was much more measured during New South Wales’ second innings in a clear response to what happened on Tuesday.Related

• Australia emerge from Test season with flying colours and new options

• Konstas under the microscope as Boland, Davies shine

Overall batting was tricky and NSW closed in a healthy position with a lead of 190 and six wickets in hand as both teams pushed for a victory that will be vital to their hopes of a place in the Sheffield Shield final.NSW head coach Greg Shipperd and batting coach Nick Larkin watched intently from the boundary edge for the duration of Konstas’ stay which ended shortly before tea when he square drove a short delivery from Boland to point.Until then, Konstas had shaped up solidly against some demanding new-ball bowling from Boland and Fergus O’Neill. He had taken until his 13th delivery to get off the mark, showing a clear intent to leave deliveries outside off, and defended largely with a straight bat although was troubled by Boland.Will Sutherland trapped Kurtis Patterson lbw•Getty Images

It wasn’t until the 11th over that he found the boundary, collecting back-to-back fours off Will Sutherland, before carving another just over point against Boland. It was an attempted repeat of that stroke which brought his downfall.”I’m all for entertainment and good batting, but that wasn’t good batting on day one. It was good fun for five minutes,” Phil Jaques, the former NSW coach, said on commentary. “It was better application from Konstas today, he was really patient and gave himself a chance to get in. It was a better innings, but unfortunately not much to show for it.”Nic Maddinson, who hit 20 off the second of the game yesterday, had fallen early to a pearler from O’Neill while Kurtis Patterson was pinned lbw by Sutherland having worked hard for 28.Matthew Gilkes and Josh Philippe, the latter who was struck a nasty blow on the helmet, added 55 to turn the game more firmly NSW’s way until Philippe fell late in the day to Boland. His innings had included a bizarre moment shortly before his dismissal when it appeared umpire Simon Lightbody was giving him lbw to Mitch Perry only to stop raising his finger part way through leaving Victoria perplexed.Victoria had resumed on 92 for 4 and were quickly in deep trouble when Jackson Bird had Marcus Harris caught at point second ball of the day then trapped Sam Harper lbw before the opening over was done. It left Bird on 399 Sheffield Shield wickets, one short of becoming the fifth bowler to reach 400.When Sutherland fell to Hanno Jacobs, Victoria were still more than 100 adrift but nightwatchman Perry, who was given a life at cover by Gilkes, and No. 9 O’Neill eked out 34 in 16 overs until O’Neill was well held at long leg by Jacobs when he top-edged what became the last ball before lunch.NSW were frustrated for nine overs by the last-wicket pair with Boland making a handy contribution before Perry was last out, driving to mid-off, have faced 122 balls for 29.