All posts by h716a5.icu

He will also take over as Perth Scorchers’ coach in the Big Bash League, having previously served as state and Scorchers captain in an effective partnership with Justin Langer since 2012

Daniel Brettig31-May-2018Western Australia’s new coach Adam Voges will seek to preserve the culture fostered by his predecessor Justin Langer while also aiming to improve on the state’s recent Sheffield Shield results, which have faded after consecutive final appearances in 2014 and 2015.Voges was formally unveiled on Thursday as the coach of WA and also the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League, having previously served as state and Scorchers captain in a long and effective partnership with Langer since late 2012. The other candidates for the job had been Langer’s assistant Kade Harvey and another former WA batsman in Simon Katich.Since the end of his Test career in late 2016, Voges served out his contracts with Middlesex and the Scorchers while also dabbling in broadcasting. A lack of coaching experience was not seen as a barrier to Voges succeeding Langer, given the experienced support network of Harvey, Geoff Marsh, Wayne Andrews and David Fitzgerald will remain.”I’m thrilled about leading this group of exciting young players. We already have strong foundations in WA and I’m looking forward to building on them, the values, the structures and the people are all excellent,” Voges said. “The high performance staff are some of the best in the country, even in the world. I’ve worked with them as a player and captain for a long time and know I couldn’t do this role as well without their support.”The next step to take WA forward is to grow our program and build depth in young local cricketers. We’ve had some terrific success in white-ball cricket over the past few seasons and we’ve seen some great inclusions into the Australian team, but to keep our program strong we need to build depth in the next wave of WA cricketers. The focus for this year is very much improving our red-ball cricket and making sure we’re right up there in the Sheffield Shield.”WA’s success under Langer has led to the challenge of finding more players capable of representing the state and also the Scorchers, something underlined by the fact that no fewer than six Warriors – Ashton Agar, Shan Marsh, Jhye Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis and Andrew Tye – were included in the 15-man squad to play in England in June, with Mitchell Marsh only missing due to injury. New South Wales, by contrast, had only one player included – Nathan Lyon.The WACA chief executive Christina Matthews described the choice of Voges as a natural progression from Langer. “We’re thrilled to have Adam heading up our WA men’s program, it was the natural progression to appoint Adam after Justin left,” she said. “As captain, Adam played a huge role in helping to develop the culture that has delivered us considerable success over the past few years.”Adam has an understanding of all the players and we know he works well with the current staff. Adam has a playing group that believe in his brand of leadership, players who have followed him for many years and look up to him as a trusted mentor and friend.”Keeping both the Scorchers and Warriors under the same head coach was a big win, it’s worked well for us in the past and Adam can provide that consistency. The WACA Board and management have complete confidence in Adam and we look forward to watching him succeed in his new role.”

Former West Ham striker Frank McAvennie has been left absolutely blown away by one Hammers player, who's dazzled alongside the usual suspects.

How have West Ham played this season?

David Moyes and his Hammers side are starting the new Premier League season off in very solid fashion. Only Man City and Liverpool, who could both be battling for the league title, have managed to beat West Ham with Moyes claiming victory over Chelsea, Brighton, Sheffield United and Luton Town. The east Londoners sit pretty in eighth, while also impressing over their European campaign.

West Ham made it two wins from two in the Europa League group stages with a brilliant 2-1 win over Bundesliga side SC Freiburg on Thursday night, with goals from Lucas Paqueta and Nayef Aguerd sealing an impressive win in Germany. Speaking after the match, Moyes held special praise for his side after they overcame, arguably, their toughest test of Group A.

"17 matches unbeaten in Europe fills me with so much pride," Moyes said on West Ham's website (via ESPN).

"I got told about the record yesterday and I was quite thrilled to even be level with the two managers who were in question, Don Revie and Bill Nicholson, and I have to say I was delighted with getting the win.

"The record is always really good to get, but more important was winning tonight, and getting those three points is so good, particularly when many would consider this the hardest game in the group."

Who are West Ham's star players?

17 matches unbeaten in Europe is certainly an impressive stat, and West Ham's solid Premier League start emphasises just how difficult of a side to beat they are under Moyes. Jarrod Bowen has starred in front of goal, as has summer signing James Ward-Prowse, who is currently standing out as one of the bargain's of the window.

However, McAvennie has suggested to West Ham Zone that Brazil international midfielder Paqueta deserves just as much credit for his West Ham performances. Naming the most impressive players in Moyes' squad, McAvennie explained:

“Bowen is good isn’t he? I like Bowen. If Antonio wasn’t back to his old self, we wouldn’t be the team that we are now. Because the way we play, you need somebody up front working hard, and that’s what Antonio does.

“Danny Ings can’t do that, so if Antonio doesn’t do that we’re in trouble, because he’s doing that and it’s part of the team and it’s working because of the way he runs and fights up front.

I’ve got to be honest I’m getting more and more attached to Paqueta. Some of his touches are just ‘Wow.’ He’s incredible. I’m impressed with him. As a striker, I would have loved to have had a player of that calibre behind me, because he’s got a great touch and great vision.

“He can see a pass and he takes a chance, I like that. And if he makes a mistake he makes a mistake, who cares? That’s the way it should be. You have to give the defenders credit too, they have been great.”

A clash with the Test schedule was expected to rule players out of the new tournament but ESPNcricinfo understands space will be made

George Dobell14-Jul-2018Leading England players look likely to be available to play in some games in English domestic cricket’s new tournament The 100.There had been fears that England’s best-known players – the likes of Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Joe Root – would be unavailable for the ECB’s flagship new tournament as they were likely to be on duty with the Test team.But ESPNcricinfo understands that, such is the desire of all involved to find some space in the busy schedule, they are likely to be available for the first couple of games in the tournament’s first year – 2020 – and the final.That is a significant boost for the ECB. They had previously faced the prospect of either not being able to use the players for marketing purposes or being accused of cynicism if they used them in the knowledge they would not be available. While they have long stated the aim of the competition is to attract a new audience to the sport, the availability of the best – and probably best-known – players can only be an advantage.Details of plans for The 100 remain unclear. The ECB hopes that a new working party – chaired by Clare Connor, the director of England Women’s cricket, and meeting for the first time in Loughborough next week – will be able to finalise them in the coming weeks. Among the issues to be discussed is how the 100-ball innings can be divided into overs without complication and in a way that is acceptable to players. The possibility of a 10-ball over appears to have diminished following player resistance.It is understood, however, the group will only consider proposals built on the 100-ball principle. So while the Professional Cricketers’ Association maintain their hope that the new tournament could be played in the T20 format, it seems a majority of the counties and the ECB executive are adamant it should not.

Burnley have been handed an international break fitness boost, with an "outstanding" player returning to action.

Who is injured for Burnley?

The Clarets and Vincent Kompany have struggled so far this season in the Premier League, winning just one of their opening eight top-flight fixtures. A 4-1 defeat to Chelsea prior to the international break saw five Burnley players injured and missing.

Hjalmar Ekdal (knee), Johann Berg Gudmundsson (muscle), Manuel Benson (ankle), Michael Obafemi (thigh) and Nathan Redmond (undisclosed) all missed the loss at Turf Moor, whereas Darko Churlinov has been out long-term due to a health scare. The attacker was rushed to hospital back in June while on international duty with suspected blood poisoning, and when addressing the player’s condition in August, Kompany said:

“It’s really, really positive. We expected the worst in terms of being a long, long time off the pitch but his recovery has been close to miraculous. I can’t give you a time yet, but if it keeps evolving as it is now he’s going to come back to full fitness. Hopefully by the time you ask the same question next month I can change my answer.”

Burnley's recent results

Date

Burnley 1-4 Chelsea

October 7th

Luton 1-2 Burnley

October 3rd

Newcastle 2-0 Burnley

September 30th

Salford 0-4 Burnley

September 26th

Burnley 0-1 Man Utd

September 23rd

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Burnley

September 18th

Burnley 2-5 Tottenham

September 2nd

It now looks as if there has been a positive development regarding the player, with Matt Scrafton of The Burnley Express sharing an update on Churlinov’s fitness in the last 48 hours. He relayed news of his appearance for Macedonia over the weekend against Ukraine in a Euro 2024 qualifier, playing the entirety of the second half.

It was Churlinov’s first appearance of any kind since turning out for Burnley in a draw with Reading last season, with this update seen as a boost for Kompany and the Clarets.

Who is Darko Churlinov?

Churlinov has played in a whopping 10 different positions during his career and arrived at Burnley last summer. However, things have been difficult for the 23-year-old, playing just 13 times in all competitions for the Clarets and failing to score or register an assist. (Darko Churlinov stats – Transfermarkt)

However, Kompany is clearly a fan of the versatile attacker, labelling him as “outstanding” after a deal went through last year.

"Darko is an attacking minded player with an outstanding work-rate and mentality within the game.”

Primarily a left-winger, Churlinov’s transfer value stands at €2.2m by Transfermarkt, dropping slightly recently as a result of his absence, and Kompany will be hoping he can get his career back on track with the Clarets, looking to rediscover his form for Schalke where he provided goals and assists in the 2. Bundesliga prior to joining Burnley.

Jose Mourinho was in attendance to witness Anthony Joshua fight Francis Ngannou in Riyadh just hours after presenting the trophy at Egypt Cup final.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Mourinho is currently a free agentFlew to Riyadh in his free time to watch boxingWas also present alongside Ronaldo & Totti in the Egypt Cup finalWHAT HAPPENED?

Mourinho received the biggest cheer of the night from fans in an otherwise flat atmosphere at the Kingdom Arena during the showdown fight between Joshua and Ngannou. After his unceremonious sacking from AS Roma, the Portuguese manager has made the most of his free time by flying out to the Middle East, where his presence garnered significant attention amongst fight fans.

AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Earlier in the day, Mourinho was at Al-Awwal Stadium for the Egypt Cup final, where he presented the trophy alongside football legends Ronaldo Nazario and Francesco Totti. He walked out of the tunnel with the silverware in his hand, flanked by Ronaldo & Totti, amid loud cheers from the audience. The trio shook hands with players from both Zamalek and Al Ahly before taking their place in the VIP box.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

(C)GettyImagesWHAT NEXT?

Mourinho had been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League but the manager turned down the opportunity as he wanted to honour the contract with Roma. Even after he got sacked, Al-Shabab came knocking on his door but the coach once again knocked them back as he is reportedly keen to stay in Europe for the time being.

CSA officals’ meetings with the Global T20 owners in Dubai and Mumbai haven’t produced concrete results, with the owners saying their statuses have still not been clarified

Firdose Moonda13-Aug-2018Cricket South Africa’s board will be asked to reconsider its equity deal with SuperSport for a new T20 league after meetings between officials and T20 Global League franchise owners last week. The owners collectively reserved their rights to teams and want the 49% share SuperSport currently holds to be handed over to them. The four CSA representatives who met with the owners – CEO Thabang Moroe, acting COO Naasei Appiah and board members Louis von Zeuner and Iqbal Khan – told owners they will revert to them in 10 days, after consulting with the board.This follows four days of heated meetings in Dubai and Mumbai in which CSA was asked to clarify the owners’ statuses, something one owner told ESPNcricinfo CSA failed to do. “They did not have any answers for us,” Hiren Bhanu, owner of the Pretoria Mavericks said. “But they did tell us that the deal with SuperSport is not finalised, has not been signed and no terms are agreed.”Bhanu intends to seek an interdict against CSA to stop any new league from going ahead, while other owners are also considering legal action. In June, three other owners – the Durban Qalandars, the Bloemfontein City Blazers and the Nelson Mandela Bay Stars – said they would take CSA to court but haven’t followed up on that threat yet. The owners do not merely want CSA to return their deposits of USD 250,000 and for CSA to cover expenses they incurred in setting up the league, some of which amount to millions of dollars, but are demanding a stake in the league, even though CSA has changed the competition’s format and ownership model.Later on Monday evening, Kausar Rana Resources, the owners of the Qalandars franchise, sent out a statement claiming that they had neither asked for nor received any refund of their deposit.”We wish to reiterate and clarify our position that KRR has not requested, at any stage, for our deposit to be refunded. Since no request was made by us for the refund, none was received,” the statement said, quoting Qalandars CEO Sameen Rana. “As a primary stakeholder and owner of a franchise that has made a huge investment in the South African league, we are totally committed towards participating in CSA’s T20 event.”(I)n view of this commitment, our deposit is still with CSA and we expect them to respect and acknowledge all our rights, but should CSA renege on the signed agreements, then we will reserve all our rights.”Qalandars met with the CSA delegation in Dubai and we, once again, impressed upon them our position in the most clearest of terms. We are unequivocal that in any future event, our rights must be respected and that Qalandars must be a participating team in the T20 league.”In June, nine months after the postponement of the inaugural edition of the GLT20, CSA announced it had entered into a deal with private broadcaster SuperSport for a new T20 league, to replace the GLT20. SuperSport also holds the broadcast rights for all cricket played in South Africa and all South Africa’s series abroad. The owners of the GLT20 teams have separately said they regarded CSA’s actions with SuperSport as going behind the owners’ backs to sell a property which the owners already have a claim on.The only detail of that new league was revealed at the end of last month when Moroe announced the board had approved a six-team format, two fewer than the original GLT20, and that venues would have to bid for a team. The original GLT20 owners were not part of the new league, though CSA obliquely mentioned they may consider their involvement at a later stage.That explanation has never placated the owners , who consider themselves to have a stake in a T20 league – of any name – played in South Africa, which is what they are willing to fight CSA over. Seven of the eight owners – all except the Cape Town Knight Riders who excused themselves from the meetings last week – want first option to buy into a new league, given their involvement in the previous one.A ninth party, Osman Osman, the minority-shareholder owner of the Mavericks, has brought separate legal action against CSA demanding an explanation of why it offered him R 400,000 (USD 28,128) as a “gesture of goodwill”. Effectively, Osman Osman wants to force CSA into a position from which it will have to disclose its legal obligations to all owners involved in the botched GLT20.When asked for comment, a CSA spokesperson said the organisation would not make any media statements until the CEO meets with the board. “Unfortunately there will be no comment from CSA regarding these matters as the Chief Executive has not met with the board. Once he has, CSA will assess what the feedback is from them and communicate through our media channels.”GMT 1740 The story was updated to include the Durban Qalandars statement.

West Ham United have enjoyed an excellent start to the 2023/24 season and David Moyes certainly looks buoyed after claiming the Europa Conference League trophy last term – the first major trophy win of his long managerial career.

They have lost just twice across all competitions this season, and those were to Liverpool and Manchester City, while the club currently occupy seventh place in the Premier League table, just six points from the summit.

The international break came at just the wrong time for the Hammers, but they return this afternoon with a clash against high-flyers Aston Villa, and it promises to be an enthralling game.

What is the West Ham team news vs Aston Villa?

The break has given Moves a chance to regroup and focus on further challenges ahead, and it appears as though he may only be missing a couple of players for the match today.

Speaking to the media ahead of the match, Moyes said: "The international lads, at the moment, they seem okay. We saw two of them for the first time this morning but the game being on Sunday helps us.

"Aaron Cresswell and Ben Johnson are coming on. I think Ben might just be a bit ahead but, are they ready yet? I'm not quite sure yet."

The Scot may well resort to using the same starting XI that secured a draw against Newcastle United in their last fixture before the international break, yet he should be cautious about fielding one player who was poor against the Magpies – Michail Antonio.

Should Michail Antonio be dropped against Aston Villa?

The forward has featured nine times this season and has scored twice while also grabbing an assist, yet at 33-years-old, it’s evident that his prime years are behind him.

Against Newcastle, Antonio was deployed as a lone striker, yet he failed to shine and was substituted with 15 minutes to go. Throughout his time on the pitch, he managed to complete just ten successful passes while also taking just 23 touches as he clearly failed to get involved with the game.

His attacking statistics were also poor as the frontman failed to take a single shot when he was on the pitch while making zero key passes and completing only one successful dribble.

Over the course of the league season so far, Antonio currently ranks fifth for goals and assists (three) while ranking sixth for shots on target per game (0.4), seventh for big chances created (one) and eighth for key passes per game (0.5), indicating that he is not exactly having the most positive of impacts across the team.

Indeed, this form has carried on from last season, where he netted 14 times across 48 matches, but Josh Bunting dubbed him “very poor” back in March for his performances during the 2022/23 campaign.

Indeed, when compared to his positional peers in Europe's top five leagues over the previous 12 months, Antonio fails to rank in the top 70% with regard to non-penalty goals per 90 (0.23), total shots per 90 (1.62) and touches in the opposition box per 90 (3.48) and this is further evidence that his career is slowly entering into a decline.

Given that he will be 34 by the time the current season comes to close, he must surely be entering the final furlong of his West Ham career. He has scored 77 goals for the club since joining back in 2015, but Moyes must soon start to utilise other players ahead of Antonio.

With Mohammed Kudus arriving at the club this summer, he has someone who will be a star for West Ham over the next few years and while centre-forward isn’t his main position, there is no doubt he could slot into a space vacated by Antonio with ease.

Could Mohammed Kudus start for West Ham United against Aston Villa?

The youngster was one of the most in-demand players over the summer and a move to West Ham surprised just about everyone, yet it has worked out extremely well.

He cost the club £38m from Ajax, having scored 18 goals across all competitions for the Dutch side last season and the move could be a shrewd piece of business by Moyes.

£44m

£38m

£38m

£33m

£33m

Kudus has started just three games for the club since arriving and has featured either in an attacking midfield role or on the right wing, but he could certainly operate further forward if he so wishes.

The former Ajax starlet has scored twice for West Ham so far and over the previous 12 months, he has showcased his vast attacking talents which rank him highly when compared to his peers.

Indeed, the Ghanian has impressed on the continent. When compared to positional peers, Kudus ranks in the top 2% for total shots per 90 (3.42), the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90 (4.61) and the top 3% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 (5.96), which gives a clear impression of just how well suited he would be at operating as a lone forward for Moyes.

The 23-year-old has everything in his locker to enable him to reach the very top of the game and impressing at West Ham will be the first stage of this process.

Moyes might not want to change a team which has built up some solid momentum over the previous few weeks, but dropping Antonio from the starting XI could give them a major boost against a Villa side who are also riding the crest of a wave.

Kudus has made a more than decent start to life in London, and it is now time he forces his way into the starting lineup on a consistent basis to prove to Moyes that he was worth the vast sum of money that was paid for him.

Defeating Villa won't be an easy task; however, West Ham have already beaten Chelsea and Brighton and Hove Albion this season, clearly demonstrating they can secure a positive result if required.

Kudus could be central to securing all three points and Moyes must unleash him in place of Antonio today.

USMNT star Christian Pulisic net his 11th goal of the campaign for AC Milan Thursday, handing them control in their Europa League tie with Prague.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Milan taking on Prague in UELPulisic opens scoring in second legUSMNT star's 11th of seasonGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

A cheeky assist from Rafael Leao handed Pulisic the ball on the left side of the box, and after a stunning shimmy move, the American cut in on his left foot and fired to the far post with a low-driven effort. It was his 11th goal of the campaign across all competitions for the Rossoneri.

AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

After winning the first tie 4-2 at home at the San Siro, Pulisic and co. already had a hefty advantage. However, a 20th minute red card to Prague's Tomas Holes set the home side back even further after he stomped on the leg of Antonio Calabria. With Pulisic's effort, the Rossoneri are now in pole position to advance to the quarter-finals.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR PULISIC AND MILAN?

The USMNT forward and Milan are back in action this weekend when they take on Hellas Verona on Sunday. Then, players will depart for the forthcoming FIFA international window, with Pulisic linking up with the U.S. for a CONCACAF Nations League semifinal match with Jamaica.

Kylian Mbappe joked that Lionel Messi was a "son of a b*tch" after guiding Argentina to a World Cup final victory over France, Javier Pastore says.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Messi helped Argentina beat France in World Cup finalPastore met up with former team after Qatar tournamentMbappe made joke about South American sensationWHAT HAPPENED?

Argentina captain Messi helped the South American nation to a penalty shootout victory against France in Qatar in 2022, despite Mbappe scoring a hat-trick for Les Bleus in the showdown. Pastore revealed he visited the Paris Saint-Germain dressing room months later and Mbappe spoke up about his then team-mate Messi.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesWHAT PASTORE SAID

Pastore told : "I saw [Mbappe] a couple of months after the final in Qatar, when PSG went to train and play a match. And I was in the locker room, with him, with Messi, with Neymar. I congratulated him on the World Cup and he told me: 'Noooo, this son of a bitch Messi who beat us in the World Cup…' As a joke, as if saying that Leo had won it alone."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Ex-Argentina and PSG star Pastore has been impressed by Mbappe, who he believes has a similar mindset to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He added: "I spoke a lot with Kylian, he is a very focused boy: he lost a final and the next day he was already thinking about the next thing he was going to win. He has an incredible mentality. I know him very well, I have a very nice relationship with him and he is a winner, he competes 100 per cent. I'm surprised by how serious he is at that age. That seriousness had only been seen in Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi. In new generations it is very difficult to find the concentration and seriousness that Kylian has. I don't see it in other young people… maybe I do in [Erling] Haaland. But it's hard to find those traits. Kylian is always focused and willing to give more, and that always surprised me."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?

While Messi soon left PSG to join Inter Miami in his final years of his career, 25-year-old Mbappe is expected to confirm a move to Real Madrid this summer after he informed the French giants that he will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.

David Willey revelled in his role as Yorkshire’s stand-in captain to leave a winner-takes-all clash against Notts on Friday night

ECB Reporters Network16-Aug-2018
ScorecardDavid Willey and Adam Lyth delivered a crushing seven-wicket win for Yorkshire with over four overs to spare at Northamptonshire to keep the White Rose on course for the Vitality Blast quarter-finals.Set 163, Willey and Lyth shared 150 for the second wicket in 80 balls. Neither could see Yorkshire over the line as Willey fell for 79 from 44 balls and Lyth 66 in 41 but the damage was done as the visitors won with 27 balls to spare.Yorkshire now face Nottinghamshire in their final game at Headingley knowing victory will guarantee their place in the last four.Josh Cobb was the only batsman to show for Northants with 68 not out as the home side posted 162 for 8 having won the toss but not for the first time in the competition, the Northants’ attack struggled as Lyth and Willey hammered the bowling around Wantage Road.Lyth got down one knee to slog-sweep Ben Sanderson for six before taking 22 from the fifth over of the innings bowled by Richard Gleeson. He advanced down the wicket to lift a six then four over extra-cover, carved four over point, glanced another boundary past the wicketkeeper before driving four more past mid-on. It ensured Yorkshire raced to 74 in the Powerply for the loss of Tom Kohler-Cadmore caught at point first ball.Yorkshire sign Ravel

Yorkshire have signed New Zealand international Jeet Raval for the final four Specsavers County Championship fixtures. He has also flown in early as cover for compatriot Kane Williamson who has been nursing a bruised finger on his left hand. Raval, 29, has made 11 Test appearances since 2016 and this will be his first stint in county cricket.
Yorkshire’s director of cricket Martyn Moxon said: “We are delighted that Jeet has agreed to join us, initially as cover for Kane Williamson. Jeet will take over from Kane after the Somerset match and be with the squad until the end of the season.”

Having passed fifty in 26 balls, Lyth again went down on one knee to this time slog-sweep Luke Procter for six but trying to finish the game, miscued a drive to extra-cover.Willey was again in great touch against his old county. He flashed his opening boundary off the back foot past extra-cover, pulled Hutton over deep-square for six and sliced Sanderson over point. He swung Cobb’s off-spin over long-on for six more and struck a third six down the ground off Seekkuge Prasanna.Yorkshire were cruising at 113 for 1 after 11 overs and Willey slogged Brett Hutton for consecutive sixes before slog-sweeping Graeme White for another maximum in an over that cost 21. But he pulled Sanderson to deep midwicket shortly before Gary Balance struck the winning runs.Yorkshire were on top from the start as Matt Fisher removed both Northants openers in his first over both for 16 and both to leading edges. With his first ball, Charlie Thurston edged to third man where Kane Williamson ran in to take a smart catch and with the final ball of the over, Ben Duckett edged to backward point where Lyth leapt above his head. The wickets ensured it was Yorkshire’s Powerplay as Northants reached 35 for 2.Cobb drove his opening boundary past extra-cover but then pulled off a top-edge perfectly between the wicketkeeper running back and long leg running in. At 50 for 2 after eight overs, Northants were bumping along and Cobb cleared his front leg to smash Tim Bresnan’s first ball over deep midwicket and, as Bresnan went too full, struck a second six over long-on as the home side reached the half-way point at 72 for 2.Alex Wakely, after a patient start, flicked Liam Plunkett wide of midwicket for four but chipped the same bowler later in the same over to mid-on to fall for 14. Steven Crook arrived and immediately struck both Lyth and then Plunkett straight down the ground for six, edged Plunkett for four but holed out to deep cover for 18. And when Prasanna swung and missed at a Jack Brooks slower ball and lost his leg stump, Northants were 106 for 5 in the 15th over.Cobb pulled Bresnan for four wide of long-on before heaving Willey for consecutive sixes out of the ground to pass fifty in 32 balls. He opened the blade to steer Bresnan for four to begin the 18th over which cost 16.But just when Northants had built some momentum, Willey bowled an extraordinary triple-wicket maiden in the 19th over. He had Procter caught behind and then White caught at deep square next ball before Hutton hooked at the fifth delivery and gloved it behind. Two sixes in the final over boosted the Northants total but it was nowhere near enough.