ScorecardRobin Bist on Rashmi Parida: “He bats with such ease that it just makes you feel how easy batting is”•Rajasthan Cricket Association

Rashmi Parida has been playing domestic cricket since the mid-1990s and during that time he has grown used to being the unsung hero. Whether for his home team Orissa or for the adopted Rajasthan, Parida’s contributions in the middle order have usually been overshadowed by those of his team-mates.When Parida was holding one end up for Orissa for 15 seasons, he was playing second fiddle to the likes of Pravanjan Mullick and SS Das. And when he joined Rajasthan as a professional, his two professional colleagues Aakash Chopra and skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar walked away with much of the credit for their rags-to-riches story in the last two seasons.One of the few times Parida got his due was during the 2010-11 final, when his 56 and 89 earned him the Man-of-the-Match award. But even though he doesn’t make headlines as much he should, Parida has been Rajasthan’s go-to man over the last three years. And he did his reputation no harm by scoring his 16th first-class century on the second day of Rajasthan’s Group A match against Madhya Pradesh at the KL Saini stadium in Jaipur.With Chopra having ended his association with Rajasthan after two years, and the captain Kanitkar missing the game because of a calf strain, it was up to Parida to help Rajasthan overhaul MP’s first innings total of 256 and keep them in the hunt for a much-needed outright victory. Along with contributions from his team-mates, especially Robin Bist who made 85, Parida did his job to near-perfection. He was dismissed for 108 in the penultimate over of the day, and Rajasthan finished on 306 for 6, ahead by 50 runs.After Vineet Saxena and Robin Bist had begun Rajasthan’s recovery from 7 for 1, the stand-in captain Saxena was trapped lbw by Ishwar Pandey, who was the pick of the MP bowlers, around an hour before lunch. Two balls later Ashok Menaria fished at one that was pitched slightly outside off to offer a regulation catch to wicketkeeper Naman Ojha.At 87 for 3, Parida joined his Air India junior Bist. With a rookie batsman, a wicketkeeper and a long tail to follow, Rajasthan needed significant contributions from both batsmen, and they delivered.”The manner in which Paddy bhai [Parida] started off took all the pressure off me. He bats with such ease that it just makes you feel how easy batting is,” Bist said. “He bats in a manner like, [the ball shouldn’t get hurt].”Even after Bist was caught down the leg side off Anand Rajan, Parida continued to flourish. Puneet Yadav was getting a rare outing due to Kanitkar’s injury and Rajasthan were still 85 runs adrift of the lead. Parida not only gave his young partner confidence but also took pressure off him by going after the bowlers a bit. After playing some fluent cuts, Yadav was dismissed against the run of play when Anand Singh caught at well-timed flick at forward short leg.Though his partners kept changing, Parida continued towards a deserving century. And when he finally got there, with a push to mid-off for a single, Parida was cheered loudly and given a standing ovation by his team-mates. He had failed to score one last season, despite having scored more than 500 runs. “The fact that I couldn’t score a century last season was playing on my mind all along,” he said. “It’s good that the monkey is off the back early in the season.”

[ad_pod ]West Ham fans have taken to Twitter in frustrated fashion, after hearing the news that the FA have upheld Wilfried Zaha’s one-game ban and £10,000 fine.The Ivorian received a charge for improper conduct for clapping Andre Marriner’s decision to book him in Crystal Palace’s 1-1 draw with Southampton last month, which saw him almost immediately receive a second yellow and his marching orders.Zaha will now miss the Eagles’ FA Cup fifth round tie against Doncaster on Sunday.However, that has only happened as a result of an appeal towards the decision – the 26-year-old was meant to miss Palace’s game against the Hammers last week, but was allowed to play after the appeal whilst the decision was being reviewed.The former Manchester United winger also managed to score in the game and earn Palace a point, leaving West Ham fans on Twitter feeling hard done by after they felt ‘robbed’ of two points thanks to the FA’s decision…

[ad_pod ]According to The Birmingham Mail, Chelsea’s Gary Cahill is still a target for Aston Villa as the Midlands side look to shore up a weak defence, however the interest should show the fans that Dean Smith’s plans for the future must not be taken as gospel.

What’s the word?

Well, The Birmingham Mail reports that Villa’s big transfer plan for the remaining days of the window comprises of moves for Newcastle’s Isaac Hayden, Bournemouth’s Tyrone Mings and, confusingly, Cahill.

The Blues veteran has fallen out of favour under the new boss and according to The Mirror has been told he can leave this month in search of minutes, with the likes of David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger keeping him on the bench.

Villa, meanwhile, are desperate for a leader at the back after John Terry hung up his boots having fallen at the last hurdle in pursuit of promotion to the Premier League last season – Cahill seems like the perfect fit, but a move for the former Bolton man would oppose Smith’s recent words.

Buying for the future?

Smith told reportersÂlast week that the aim in the transfer window going forward would be to lower the average age of the squad by signing young players that they can nurture and develop to a much higher market value, although, as contradictions come, they do not get more blatant than an approach for a 33-year-old Gary Cahill.

While finding a player who can regiment the defence is a non-negotiable if Villa are to get promoted any time soon, signing a centre-back in his prime rather than one on his last legs would surely serve the team better in the next decade – that is, if Smith wants to stick with his policy – otherwise, the Villans’ search for their next Terry or Cahill will likely resume every year or two.

The signing of the Chelsea skipper would undoubtedly go a long way in plugging the defence at Villa Park, but Smith must be careful not to raise expectations of fans in terms of transfers when the reality is a long way from his promise.

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Tottenham Hotspur yet again refused to make a single signing in the January transfer window.

Spurs went through the month without adding a player, having also opted against adding personnel in the summer, with mooted interest in Michy Batshuayi, per Sky, proving fruitless.

On the chalkboard

Football FanCast reported on Thursday that Batshuayi was pushing for a move to Tottenham amid interest from West Ham United.

His wage demands – worth £170,000-per-week – proved prohibitive for both clubs, despite his desire to join Mauricio Pochettino’s squad. Chelsea were also far less willing to send the striker to a major rival, unsurprisingly.

Instead, he has moved to Crystal Palace, his third loan move in as many years.

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He has spent time with Valencia and Borussia Dortmund in recent seasons, despite joining the Blues with major billing in 2016 after some impressive displays at the European Championships that summer.

The BBC report that the deal was worth £33million, with the striker going on to score just 19 goals for the club in 53 appearances, per Transfermarkt.

His spell at Valencia – three goals in 23 appearances – hinted at stalled development, though he did score nine goals in 14 outings at Dortmund.

Just not good enough

At the end of the day, the deal just didn’t make sense for Spurs.

They have Fernando Llorente as a perfectly serviceable deputy to Harry Kane and it seems as though Mauricio Pochettino eventually opted against any deals.

The Spurs boss said on Friday, per BBC (13:43): “Yesterday there were reports and rumours. The media got more info than us.

“I cannot talk about that rumour but we were open to adding quality to help us achieve but we couldn’t add that quality. I was open to it.”

Batshuayi has yet to prove his worth in the Premier League and if Spurs are in the market for short-term reinforcements, they need players with genuine top-flight pedigree.

Batshuayi, quite simply, does not have that, and although chairman Daniel Levy has taken plenty of stick for the lack of signings, this was undoubtedly the correct decision.

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Manchester United will be desperate to put a dent in Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge when the two teams meet at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

And United will need a big performance from left-back Luke Shaw if they are to overcome a team that has only lost once in the league during the 2018-19 campaign.

The Chalkboard

Shaw has been around for so long that it is easy to forget he is still so young.

Indeed, the full-back will not turn 24 until July, but saw the early stages of his United career harmed by a number of injuries.

Shaw is comfortably enjoying his most productive campaign for the Red Devils, already making 28 appearances in all competitions, which is nine more than he managed in the entirety of last season.

The defender scored his first ever Premier League goal earlier this season, but has contributed just one assist in all competitions, whilst it would be fair to say that he still needs to offer more in an attacking sense.

The eight-time England international is certain to start at left-back against Liverpool and will need to put in a strong performance if United are to triumph.

What is required from Shaw on Sunday?

Well, the number one priority is to be solid defensively, but there is no getting away from the fact that is an area of weakness for the Red Devils.

Shaw will be directly up against Mohamed Salah, who has 20 goals to his name in all competitions this season.

Quite how the defender deals with the Egyptian could have a huge say on the outcome, but Shaw also needs to contribute down the other end.

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The full-back has not been afraid to break forward this season, but too often his crossing has been wayward.

Anthony Martial could well return from injury to start and the fact that the Frenchman loves to come inside will leave so much space for Shaw when United are on the attack.

And the former Southampton youngster must put in a strong performance at both ends of the field if his team are to collect a huge three points.

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Tottenham Hotspur were beaten on penalties by Chelsea in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Thursday night, as per the BBC.

Spurs headed into the game with a 1-0 lead, afforded to them by a Harry Kane spot-kick at Wembley.

But without the likes of Son-Heung Min – away at the Asian Cup with South Korea – Dele Alli and Kane – both injured – Spurs were vanquished by Maurizio Sarri’s Blues.

Chelsea will now face Manchester City in the final at Wembley after Pep Guardiola’s side beat Burton Albion 10-0 on aggregate in the other last-four tie.

The west London outfit took a 2-0 lead in the second leg at Stamford Bridge through N’Golo Kante and Eden Hazard, but a goal from Fernando Llorente sent the tie to penalties, where both Eric Dier, who had scored the winning penalty for England against Colombia at the World Cup, and Lucas Moura missed. The hosts scored all four of their efforts from 12 yards.

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Nevertheless, the performance was a gutsy one from a depleted Spurs, with captain Jan Vertonghen at the heart of their fightback.

The centre-back played with calmness and accuracy, distributing the ball as well as he tackled it, and made one goal-saving challenge on Hazard in the second-half.

And Spurs fans on Twitter were impressed with the Belgium international’s performance, even in defeat.

علق أحمد سامي المدير الفني لفريق سموحة، على فوز فريقه أمام الجونة في المباراة التي أقيمت أمس في إطار منافسات الدوري المصري الممتاز.

سموحة فاز على الجونة بهدفين مقابل هدف في المباراة التي أقيمت على استاد الأخير.

وقال سامي في تصريحات إذاعية عبر أثير راديو أون سبورت: “سعداء بالفوز على الجونة، هو فريق قوي ويتميز بالسرعة ويملكون الكثير من الحلول داخل الملعب”.

وأكمل: “اللاعبون كانوا أذكياء ومنظمون في تنفيذ التعليمات الفنية لنهاية المباراة”.

وعن طموحاته مع نادي سموحة قال: “الأمر صعب الموسم الحالي، وهناك فرق كبيرة ترغب في تجنب الهبوط، سأفعل كل ما بوسعي لإنهاء مسابقة الدوري في مركز جيد”.

جدير بالذكر أن أحمد سامي تولى المهمة الفنية لسموحة خلفا لحمادة صدقي، وقاد الفريق السكندري في مواجهتي الزمالك التي انتهت بالتعادل الإيجابي بثلاث أهداف لمثلها، ولقاء الجونة الذي حسمه لصالحه بنتيجة هدفين مقابل هدف.

The stuff of champions was evident in Norwich City’s game against Bristol City, with the Canaries looking even more prominent of going all the way this season.

Daniel Farke has worked his magic over his side and even after a disappointing loss to Preston North End earlier this month, the stunning victory over Bristol validates their championship hopes.

Facing a Robins side riding on a commendable unbeaten twelve-match unbeaten streak in the Championship, things weren’t going to be easy for the Canaries. Lee Johnson would have been hell-bent on breaking Norwich’s dominance at home and solidifying a playoffs spot.

Bristol came all guns blazing in the first half, scoring the opener and even taking back the lead a minute after Kenny McLean’s equalizer. Johnson’s side went into the break with a strong foothold in the game, but Daniel Farke made sure to quickly break that. Norwich came out the second half a different side, moving forward with vigour and intensity.

They found it difficult to break open the Robins’ rigid defence, but their never-say-die attitude prevailed. Max Aarons laid some excellent ground-work to create Ben Godfrey’s equalizer before McLean turned out an unlikely savior, rounded off his first brace with a beautiful winner. The Canaries maintained defensive solidity afterwards and should’ve increased their lead even further.

However, this inspired win against a team in form will only do good for Norwich’s campaign.

Pinned strongly to the pinnacle of the Championship ladder, the Canaries seem determined to round off Premier League promotion with a much-deserved trophy.

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West Ham are lining up a deadline-beating loan move for Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater, according to the Daily Mail.

The Hammers are keen to reinforce their midfield and have reportedly identified the former Leicester City star as a potential addition.

What’s the word?

Drinkwater moved to the Blues from Leicester City in 2017.

Chelsea paid £35million, per BBC, to bring in the title winner but he has struggled at Stamford Bridge.

Per Transfermarkt, Drinkwater has played just 30 minutes of football this season, in the Community Shield.

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And a number of clubs, including the Hammers, are now said to be keen to offer him a way out of Stamford Bridge.

Fulham, Burnley and Bournemouth are also said to have enquired after the player’s availability, per the Mail’s report.

A move to avoid

West Ham have a history of bringing in cast-offs from top Premier League clubs, most recently securing a deal for Jack Wilshere in the summer.

Drinkwater is a similarly risky prospect, such has been his lack of football in recent months and his lack of form when he has played.

The Blues flop has played just 23 times for the club and has been a shell of the player who helped Leicester win the Premier League title.

The Irons may see the value in taking him from Chelsea on a short-term deal, but he would do nothing to improve the club and has shown no signs of actually wanting to depart Stamford Bridge despite his lack of playing time.

West Ham should steer well clear, with Drinkwater seemingly happy to collect his wage packet every week until his deal expires in 2022.

علّق إيميليو بوتراجينيو، مدير العلاقات المؤسسية بنادي ريال مدريد، على تعادل فريقه أمام ريال سوسييداد، كما تحدث عن موقف الملكي من إبرام صفقات في نافذة الانتقالات الصيفية.

ريال مدريد سقط في فخ التعادل السلبي خارج قواعده أمام النادي الباسكي، على ملعب “أنويتا”، مساء الأحد، بالجولة الثانية من الليجا.

وقال بوتراجينيو في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية: “في الشوط الأول كنا على ما يرام أمام ريال سوسييداد، وكنا نستحق إحراز هدف على الأقل، وفي الشوط الثاني صنعنا فرصًا ولم نتمكن من تحقيق الفوز”.

وأضاف: “الشوط الأول كان رائعًا، بينما الشوط الثاني لم يكن على ما يرام، الآن علينا أنّ نمُضى قدمًا ونركز على المباراة القادمة”.

أقرأ أيضًا.. كورتوا: الحظ غاب عن ريال مدريد أمام سوسيداد.. والأهداف ستأتي

وعن تصدي كورتوا لتسديدة إيزاك: “لقد سنحت له فرصة رائعة، هو مهاجم رائع، ولكن كورتوا أظهر رد فعل سريع للغاية، وتدخله كان جيدًا”.

وعن اختيار أوديجارد على حساب كاسيميرو في وسط الملعب: “قرارات تخص المدرب، لا نتدخل في ذلك، مارتن يعرف سوسييداد جيدًا، وبشكل عام، هو لاعب جيد جدًا، وسوف يُساعدنا كثيرًا”.

أقرأ أيضًا.. أوديجارد بعد التعثر أمام ريال سوسيداد: لست سعيدًا.. وهذا ما طلبه مني زيدان

وبسؤاله “زيدان قال أنّ أي شيء يُمكن أنّ يحدث حتى نهاية سوق الانتقالات، هل يمكن أنّ يحدث شيء؟”، أجاب: “نحن نعتقد أننا لدينا فريق متكامل للغاية”.

وأوضح: “ما قاله المدرب حقيقة وأمر قد يحدث، لا تزال هناك أيام حتى تنتهي سوق الانتقالات، ولكن نحن لدينا فريق جيد ومتكامل”.

وأنهى تصريحاته بالحديث عن جاريث بيل قائلًا: “ما يكنني قوله عن بيل هو أنه رجل ينتمى إلى حقبة رائعة لـ ريال مدريد، فاز بالعديد من الألقاب هُنا، نحن ممتنون جدًا لما قدمه لنا، ونتمنى له حظًا سعيدًا في توتنهام”.