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A key update has emerged on Rangers striker Kemar Roofe and his availability for Gio van Bronckhorst at the Ibrox giants in the coming weeks…

What’s the latest?

Jamaica boss Paul Hall has revealed that the player told him that he did not want to be selected to represent his country next month.

He told the Daily Record: “Kemar would have been one of the first names on my list. However, Kemar had indicated that he needs to fully recover from his last injury. Hence his absence from the squad.”

Buzzing

Rangers fans will surely be buzzing by this news as it comes as a major boost for van Bronckhorst ahead of games against Livingston, Ross County and Celtic.

He would have missed key games for the club if he had been called up by his country, which is why supporters will be delighted with his decision to remain in Glasgow instead of heading out on international duty.

Roofe made a comeback from injury against Stirling Albion on Friday and could be closing in on a return to full fitness as Rangers prepare to clash with Celtic next month. This shows that he has not rejected Jamaica because he is not able to play at all and has, instead, turned them down to continue playing for Rangers whilst also managing his knock at the same time.

Supporters will be delighted with this as it shows a determination from the player to do his best for the Gers, as he has put his club above his country in this instance. They will be particularly pleased with his decision as he is a proven Premiership performer who has been superb since arriving in Glasgow.

So far this season, Roofe has scored six goals in six starts for the club in the league. Last term, he managed 14 goals and three assists in 18 Premiership starts, which means that he has directly contributed to 23 goals in just 24 starts for Rangers domestically.

This highlights how big of a player he can be for van Bronckhorst and why having him available for crucial matches next month is a major boost for the Dutch head coach. Fans will want to see him in the squad, whether that is from the start or off the bench, as he has the potential to make an impact on the pitch and win games for the Scottish giants.

AND in other news, Rangers could finally axe “really poor” lightweight by landing £2.8m-rated playmaker…

Craig Kieswetter has been preferred as England’s wicketkeeper-batsman ahead of Matt Prior for the one-day internationals against Australia

Cricinfo staff10-Jun-2010Ian Bell has earned a one-day international recall while, as expected, Craig Kieswetter has been preferred as England’s wicketkeeper-batsman ahead of Matt Prior for the one-day internationals against Australia and the match against Scotland. There is also a surprising place for Tim Bresnan after he recently suffered a foot injury.Bresnan was ruled out of the second Test against Bangladesh, at Old Trafford, with a stress fracture but has clearly recovered quicker than expected. The 13-man squad includes Michael Yardy, a key part of the Twenty20 success in the Caribbean, as the selectors begin to make their final plans for next year’s World Cup.Bresnan’s fitness means there is no place for Ajmal Shahzad, the Yorkshire allrounder, who impressed on his Test debut in Manchester with his reverse-swing skills. However, both Shahzad and Prior, along with Ravi Bopara who didn’t make this squad, can expect to be included in the England Lions for their triangular series with India A and West Indies A which runs concurrently to the ODIs against Australia.”We are very pleased with the progress our one-day squad has made under the leadership of Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower over the past 18 months,” said Geoff Miller, the national selector. “The challenge facing the squad now is to maintain the form they showed over the winter against the world’s number one side in 50-over cricket.”We have named a slightly smaller squad for this summer’s NatWest Series than in previous years as our own programme closely mirrors the England Lions’ schedule for their triangular series against India A and West Indies A.”We will draw on additional players from the Lions squad if required and will also consider using the Lions programme to give non playing members of the one-day squad match practice where appropriate.”England have 21 ODIs between now and the beginning of the World Cup, starting with the June 19 fixture against Scotland, to formulate a squad that can amend the team’s disastrous recent form in 50-over tournaments. Following the Twenty20 triumph there were calls for that model to be immediately replicated in the longer format but Michael Lumb, who opened with Kieswetter, has been omitted.Kieswetter made his ODI debut against Bangladesh earlier this year having been drafted into the squad at the last minute following impressive performances for England Lions in the UAE. He responded with 107 in his third match at Chittagong, a game where he was also given the gloves, as the management hinted at the direction they would follow. The clincher, though, was Kieswetter’s form in the World Twenty20, where he was explosive at the top of the order and hit 63 off 49 balls in the final against Australia.”Craig Kieswetter made a century in only his third one-day International on the tour of Bangladesh and continued to impress during the World T20 tournament in the Caribbean,” said Miller. “He has been earmarked for a role at the top of the order and I am sure he will be relishing the opportunity to test himself against high quality opposition.”We are also pleased to welcome back Ian Bell to the one-day squad. He has performed well for Warwickshire this season in limited overs cricket and worked hard to add a more positive, attacking approach to his game.”Michael Yardy’s inclusion is a reward for performing consistently to a high level in the World T20 in the Caribbean and also reflects our longer term planning for a World Cup in the Indian sub-continent next year in which spin bowling will be a major feature.”Prior will feel hard done by once again as his ODI career is brought to another halt. After being tried at the top of the order, he went back to No. 6 during the Champions Trophy and the tour of South Africa where England won the one-day series 2-1. However, despite a couple of important innings, the emergence of Kieswetter has led to another change and there remains a feeling Prior’s batting is too orthodox for a middle-order role.Following England’s victory against Bangladesh at Old Trafford on Sunday there was some doubt over Andrew Strauss’s place in the squad after comments by Geoff Miller, the national selector, didn’t appear to offer complete support for the captain. But that was cleared up when Andy Flower confirmed Strauss would be in charge although he will need a productive one-day summer to ensure against calls for a change.England squad Andrew Strauss (capt), Craig Kieswetter, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Eoin Morgan, Michael Yardy, Luke Wright, Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Ryan Sidebottom, Ian Bell

An update has emerged on Newcastle United’s interest in Ajax gem Nicolas Tagliafico…

What’s the talk?

According to Sky Sports journalist Matteo Moretto, both the Magpies and Chelsea are both looking into the possibility of a swoop for the Eredivisie full-back.

The report claims that he will be allowed to leave the Dutch giants in the January transfer window and he could be on his way to England.

Major issue

The left-back position has been a major cause for concern this season and the signing of Tagliafico can solve this problem for Howe, which is why Newcastle must seal a deal for the Argentine international.

Jamal Lewis is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, after finally being given a chance following Steve Bruce’s exit from the club, and no one else has managed to perform well in that area of the pitch.

Javier Manquillo was given the nod against Manchester United earlier this week and produced a woeful performance, although it could be somewhat excused by the fact he is a right-back by trade.

Howe should not be forced into playing a right-footer at left-back and this highlights why this is a position that needs to be addressed in January.

Matt Ritchie has averaged an unimpressive SofaScore rating of 6.66 in the Premier League, showing that he has not been able to perform to a good standard consistently.

Tagliafico, meanwhile, has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.17 or higher in each of his four full Eredivise seasons for Ajax. This suggests that the £44k-per-week gem is able to put in excellent displays week-in-week-out, which could make him a reliable option for Howe to call upon at left-back, solving their key problem.

Former Premier League forward Kevin Campbell previously hailed the gem when asked if he would be a good addition to Leeds’ squad. He told Football Insider:

“He is a top-quality player. He’s got lots of experience in the Champions League and on the international stage so I think it would be a smart signing.”

It is now down to Howe to ensure that Newcastle are able to beat Chelsea, or whoever else wants Tagliafico, to his signature in order to bolster his squad in January.

The 29-year-old could then compete alongside Lewis for a spot in the team when the Northern Irishman is back from injury and Manquillo and Ritchie will not be needed to play.

AND in other news, Howe must work his magic with NUFC dud whose value has plummeted £8.1m in 2 years…

Essex have become the latest victim of the BCCI’s decision to revoke ‘No Objection Certificates’ for their contracted players to play in the English Twenty20 cup competition with Yusuf Pathan being ruled out

Cricinfo staff01-Apr-2010Essex have become the latest victim of the BCCI’s decision to revoke ‘No Objection Certificates’ for their contracted players to play in the English Twenty20 Cup with Yusuf Pathan being ruled out.Pathan, a destructive batsman and offspin bowler, had been signed by Essex six weeks ago under agreement that he would be available. Yet, days after Northamptonshire announced that Virender Sehwag’s NOC had also been revoked, Essex were told by the BCCI that Pathan would not be made available.David East, the Essex chief executive, was disappointed and puzzled by the decision. “Six weeks ago we completed the signing. We made the decision not to make this public until we had received the NOC from the BCCI. We made a formal request for Yusuf’s release to the BCCI and received verbal confirmation from the player that this would be granted by them,” he said.”On the March 26 we received official confirmation from BCCI that Yusuf could play for us this season, subject to the usual agreement that should he be required for international duty during his time with us then he would be released back to play for India.”Unfortunately the following day (March 27) we received notification that the NOC had been revoked by the BCCI because of a review of the Indian players international workload during the course of the year. Naturally we are very disappointed and puzzled by the timing of their decision.”Pathan is currently playing for the Rajasthan Royals at the IPL and recently scored the fastest ever IPL hundred, off 37 balls against Mumbai Indians. His presence would have been a major boon for cricket fans in England and will be seen in some quarters as an example of the BCCI flexing its muscles at the ECB. No decision has been made over Piyush Chawla, who is due to go to Surrey this season. He is a less high-profile player than Sehwag or Pathan but the precedent set does not bode well for Surrey.

Virender Sehwag has maintained that there are discrepancies in the selection process at the lower level

Cricinfo staff26-Aug-2009A day after meeting Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) president Arun Jaitley, Virender Sehwag has maintained that there are discrepancies in the selection process at the lower level but hopes that his suggestions to the Delhi administrators will be implemented soon.”If you look at the Indian team, I don’t think there is any need to give any suggestions because it’s the merit that matters,” Sehwag said. “Whoever performs, gets picked. There is never an instance where somebody has not performed and got picked.”It [unfair selections] happens at lower levels and I have given some suggestions to DDCA and I hope that my suggestions would be implemented soon and the results would be seen in near future.”Sehwag said Jaitley had assured him during the meeting that selectors with “ethics, integrity and spine” would be appointed. “I am happy to note that Jaitley has stressed on the need to have selectors with ethics, integrity and spine. Following this resolve, I am sure that those on the fringe and aspiring to play for the Delhi can now hope for a fair deal.”The Indian batsman had led a protest against the DDCA, accusing its sports committee of indulging in nepotism and corruption and his stand had been supported by Delhi team-mates like Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma and Ashish Nehra.However, Sehwag said being a senior player he felt “morally bound” to set things in order as the malpractices were required to be addressed without delay. “I would like to reiterate that I would love to continue to serve Delhi cricket in the improved environment,” he said. “It has been a matter of great pride to be part of the cricketing legacy of the capital. That’s why, I felt most hurt unfair practices creep in the selection matters and the voices of deserving names were not heard.”Fair selection is what every sportsperson, whether promising or proven, hopes for. Having noticed an unacceptable trend that was setting in selection matters in Delhi, I thought it was time to raise the issue. I am glad it was taken in the spirit in which it was meant.”Sehwag also told selectors not to succumb to pressure and approach higher authorities in case somebody interfered in their job. “Serious cricketers have, for years, regretted the role played by the members of DDCA sports committee in selection matters. This continued interference or pressure in the sports committee on the selectors to influence the selection of some undeserving names at the expense of deserving ones must end at once. I request the selectors in all age groups to resist pressures. If they are subjected to any pressure, they should immediately bring it to the notice of the DDCA president.”Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh also supported Sehwag’s views on the selection process. “Sehwag has raised a voice and everybody is with him and we have the highest hope,” Yuvraj said. “There were instances where I performed but was not picked. Such unfair practices hurt the careers of young cricketers and shatter their dreams. So I think the selection should be done keeping every player’s performance in contention.”

Matthew Wade took advantage of Queensland’s absent killer instinct to stage a strong recovery at the MCG

Peter English17-Mar-2010Victoria 9 for 286 (Wade 96, Swan 3-57) v Queensland
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMatthew Wade’s 96 revived Victoria on a swinging opening day at the MCG•Getty ImagesInexperienced teams have trouble finishing opponents off and Matthew Wade took advantage of Queensland’s absent killer instinct to stage a strong recovery at the MCG. Victoria were in awful trouble at 6 for 75 two overs after lunch, but Wade steered them with 96 and found valuable allies in John Hastings and Damien Wright as they finished on 9 for 286.After such a stunning start it was a lethargic second half to the day from Queensland, with Wade and his partners getting settled and then taking off. Wade produced a two-paced innings, stabilising the situation with extended watchful periods before breaking away to show his aggressive side with three sixes. He was closing on a deserved century when he skewed James Hopes to mid-off just before stumps.Both sides still have a lot to do over the next four days, but by missing out on a huge first-innings score Victoria, who won the toss, have given up some of the perks of finishing the regular season on top. They only need a draw to lift the Sheffield Shield, but this match already looks like it is heading towards a result.It seemed like it was going to be over early after such an eventful opening, but Wade put on 86 for the seventh wicket with Hastings (47) and another 84 with Damien Wright, who was aggressive during his 42 off 53 balls. Darren Pattinson, the No. 10, joined Wade in adding an important 40 that delayed the Bulls some more.Having watched their more qualified team-mates be controlled by the fast bowlers before lunch, Wade and Hastings battened down and tried to find a way to escape. In the 16 overs after the interval there were only 24 runs, but the batsmen were relieved to see the pitch flatten out, and Hastings benefitted from Chris Lynn’s miss at point on 2.Wade and Hastings were happy with the arrival of Chris Simpson’s offspin, with Hastings swiping two sixes to midwicket in the same over. However, Hastings got too aggressive to Cameron Boyce, the young legspinner, after tea and was caught at deep mid-off the ball after he lofted a straight boundary.Wade also attacked Simpson with a six to long on, and he punished Boyce, twice launching him into the stands. He collected 12 fours and stayed for 206 balls, but exited craving another boundary.Victoria suffered a setback in the morning with Chris Rogers, their rock at the top, succumbing to a broken hand and the reshuffle upset the hosts. Chris Swan (3 for 57) achieved the first two breakthroughs when Rob Quiney pushed forward and edged behind, and Nick Jewell was bowled by a fine delivery ducking back in.The Bulls were hopeful of more damage on a pitch offering early help, but they were surprised by the strength of their position at lunch. Victoria were in desperate trouble at 5 for 75 and the situation worsened when Ben Cutting bowled Cameron White for 10 with a beautiful ball that decked away.David Hussey, the side’s other big gun, had already been defused on 8 by Hopes, who watched the edge go to Simpson at first slip. Further smiles for the visitors came when Luke Feldman was on a hat-trick after removing Aaron Finch (26) and Andrew McDonald, who drove without getting properly forward to give Simpson another catch. Wade defended the hat-trick ball and set about ensuring a much healthier position.

Shahid Afridi helped inspire a team full of baggage handlers and airline pursers to great things as the Fly Emirates team beat the Emerging Cape Cobras to qualify for the final of the Emirates Airline Twenty20 festival

Mark Pennell in Dubai20-Mar-2010
ScorecardPakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi helped inspire a team full of baggage handlers and airline pursers to great things in Saturday evening twilight as the Fly Emirates team beat the Emerging Cape Cobras to qualify for the first final of the Emirates Airline Twenty20 festival.The man the part-timers just call ‘Boom Boom’ scored a cameo unbeaten 23 with the bat in their total of 138 for 5 and then bowled four reasonably tight overs to finish with 1 for 23 and restrict the Cobras to 127 for 4. Afridi was engulfed by his ecstatic team-mates as they clinched the nine-run victory to go through to play unbeaten Sussex in the floodlit final at 7he Sevens Stadium, but it was far from a one-man success.It was a case of experience conquering brash exuberance as a Cobras side of teenagers and two contracted players fell apart when seemingly within touching distance of their second win and a place in the final.Their wicketkeeper and opening bat Derek Brand and captain Omphile Ramela had done their best to carry the side over the winning line with an excellent opening stand of 108 in 14 overs – comfortably the biggest of the two-day event.Though Ramela went for 27, Brand continued to charge towards the first half-century of the tournament from 33 balls and with eight fours and a six. He added another three boundaries and had reached 69 before he took one risk too many and was bowled by Yasin Sikander.At 115 for 2, Brand’s would still have reached the final had the eased past 135 yet lost the game, but without his steadying influence the rookie Cobras lacked venom and belief. Fly Emirates captain Nigel Fernandes picked the perfect moment to bowl a maiden and, with the pressure at its maximum, the Cobras could only muster 11 runs from their final four overs to bow out of the tournament in disappointing fashion.It was all cheers and high-fives for the Emirates side, however. Watched by their boss – airline vice chairman and Lancashire fan Maurice Flanagan – they put in their best performance over the two days.For once their batting held firm on a crumbling pitch and steady contributions from opener Mohammad Iqbal (42), Arshad Ali (20), Afridi (23) and Kashif Khan (17*) proved enough to tame the Cobras.

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo are “happy” again in the United States with Inter Miami after enduring “hell” at Paris Saint-Germain.

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Argentine struggled to settle in FranceHas gone chasing the American dreamYoung family feeling settled in FloridaWHAT HAPPENED?

Brazil international Neymar has claimed that he endured a nightmare in the French capital alongside his former Barcelona and PSG team-mate. Messi walked away from that situation in the summer of 2023 when becoming a free agent, with the decision taken to go chasing the American dream.

AdvertisementGetty/InstagramTHE BIGGER PICTURE

He has become a star attraction in the U.S., with his every move being followed closer than ever, but he is feeling settled in Florida alongside his wife and three children. The Sunshine State is considered to be a perfect fit for the Messis, as they embrace a more relaxed way of life in an area of the world with a large Spanish-speaking community.

WHAT CEA SAID ABOUT MESSI

Messi has been visiting the Prima Pasta restaurant in Miami for several years – helping to make that outlet famous – and owner Gerry Cea has told of why the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has his smile back: “Leo is always super cool. His family has been coming for the last 12 years. He’s always so relaxed, always smiling. Never a problem. Just a very cool person. It was a release to win the Copa America and the World Cup. Leo had so much pressure inside of him all of these years. And now he’s in Miami. The Messis love summer. I was talking to Antonela, and yes they’re new here, but being close to Argentina and the summer weather in Miami…that’s why they’re happy.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

Messi helped Argentina to Copa America glory in 2021, bringing his long wait for senior international silverware to a close, and he has gone on to lift the Finalissima trophy and World Cup at Qatar 2022. He inspired a historic Leagues Cup win for Inter Miami within weeks of his arrival in the States – making him the most-decorated player of all-time – and has more honours in his sights for 2024.

England are facing the prospect of going into next week’s first Test against Bangladesh without any of the four fast bowlers who played a part in the recent drawn series against South Africa

Andrew Miller in Chittagong04-Mar-2010England are facing the prospect of going into next week’s first Test against Bangladesh without a single one of the four fast bowlers who played a part in the recent 1-1 drawn series against South Africa, after the squad’s build-up to the final ODI at Chittagong began to resemble a scene from MASH.With James Anderson resting back at home after experiencing knee problems in South Africa, England confirmed on Thursday that Ryan Sidebottom will be joining him on the sidelines after failing to recover from a thigh strain. Meanwhile, there are serious concerns about Stuart Broad and Graham Onions, both of whom have been sent for MRI scans after sustaining injuries to their lower backs.The upshot is that England’s seam attack for the first Test at Chittagong in eight days’ time could be one of their least experienced since Andrew Flintoff and Matthew Hoggard led the line in India in 2001-02.Liam Plunkett, with nine Test caps (but none since 2007) is now the senior seamer still standing, with the promoted Tim Bresnan (two) coming next. Ajmal Shahzad and Middlesex’s Steven Finn, who will link up with the squad in the next couple of days, have yet to make their Test debuts.The situation forced England’s coach, Andy Flower, to mount a determined defence of the team’s training methods, which have led some former players – including members of the travelling media – to suggest that too much emphasis is being placed on physical fitness, and not enough on bowling fitness.”The pace in which the game is played is such that there is a lot ofstress put on bodies,” Flower told reporters at Chittagong. “I’ve heard some criticism of the amount of work the guys put in, but to play at the intensity required, people will continue to seek a constant peak in their physical shape.”I think the intensity at which the game is played ensures that,” he added. “We’re always trying to find the right balance between high intensity training and too much. But fast bowlers are going to get injured. And that’s the nature of their job.”England’s injury woes

James Anderson – Rested from the tour after being troubled by a knee injury during the South Africa tour
Stuart Broad – Went down with a back injury during the second ODI and very doubtful for the rest of the trip
Ryan Sidebottom – Picked up a thigh injury in Dubai which he aggravated in the first one-dayer in Mirpur
Graham Onions – Arrived for the Test series with a back problem having not been part of the one-day squad

Prior to England’s arrival in Bangladesh, Flower had insisted that the squad would not be using the tour as a fitness “boot camp”, as Michael Vaughan’s men had done on their last visit to the country in 2003-04. He also said that, under the supervision of their new physiologist, Huw Bevan, the players were arguably as fit as any group of players in recent memory.But that does not square with the glut of injuries to which the squad has succumbed, and while it is still possible that Broad and Onions will recover sufficiently to play a part in the Test series, Sidebottom’s tour is confirmed to be over. At the age of 32, and following a string of setbacks that limited him to a solitary Test and nine ODIs in the past 12 months, it’s questionable whether he will be risked in an England squad again.For now, however, Flower is retaining faith in a bowler who carried England’s attack through a difficult 2007-08 season which ended with him being named as their Player of the Year. “As long as Ryan’s bowling well enough he’ll definitely get a chance,” said Flower. “I don’t know if that can be seen or not, but he’s put a lot of hard work into his physical fitness.””Unfortunately he has not been able to sustain fitness for very long – he’s a fast bowler in his early 30s so he is going to pick up more niggles. But he’s still a quality bowler and we will assess his condition as we go along.”In the short term, however, the bulk of England’s concern centres on Stuart Broad, whose allround abilities have made him an integral part of their plans in all three formats. His mobility was visibly restricted as he arrived in Chittagong with the squad on Wednesday evening, a situation that had not been helped by a four-hour delay en route, and Flower was braced for bad news when the results of his back scan return.”Broady’s really struggling,” said Flower. “He’s done something to the facet joint in his lower back. He and Onions have been playing successful Test cricket for a while now so they will be losses. But if they get injured there’s nothing you can do about it and it’s an opportunity for someone else.That someone could yet be Finn who, like Shahzad, caught the coach’s eye during a training session in Pretoria before Christmas, when the High Performance Programme trained alongside the senior squad. With his 6’7″ frame, Finn’s lanky frame would ensure unsettling bounce even on Bangladesh’s unresponsive surfaces, as Steve Harmison demonstrated with nine wickets at Dhaka on England’s last tour.”I’ve only seen Steven Finn twice,” said Flower. “Once in the nets in Pretoria and then when the Lions played against England in Abu Dhabi. I thought he bowled really well there too. He’s got natural pace and height, but I’ve only seen him on those two occasions so it will be interesting to see him close-up.”

A round-up of the first day of the first round of matches in the Super League of the Ranji Trophy

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Nov-2010L Balaji’s 12th first-class four-wicket haul helped Tamil Nadu bowl Assam out for 184 on the opening day at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Assam began cautiously after TN chose to field on a pitch that had plenty of carry, and the openers had seen off 13.3 overs, adding 24 before debutant seamer Sunil Sam made the first breakthrough. Dheeraj Jadhav, Assam’s top-scorer last season, slashed and edged to the wicketkeeper. Sridharan Sriram, the left-hand batsman who hails from TN, could not make an impact against his old team-mates, and became Balaji’s first victim when he cut to gully. Parvez Aziz played offspinner R Ashwin with confidence and had moved to 36 with six boundaries. He also fought through a stream of bouncers before offering S Badrinath a catch off Balaji’s bowling. Badrinath had to dive low and to his left at second slip to take the chance. When star import Amol Muzumdar departed for a duck, nicking Balaji behind, TN sensed an opportunity to shoot Assam out for a low score. The spinners Aushik Srinivas and R Ashwin nipped three wickets between them, while a couple of run-outs added to Assam’s woes as they stumbled to a score under 200. TN’s openers Abhinav Mukund and Srikkanth Anirudha then batted with determination to take their side to 21 without loss by the close.Wasim Jaffer purred along to his 40th first-class century, while Rohit Sharma missed his ninth by seven runs as Mumbai launched their title defence by scoring 340 for 7 on the opening day at the Bandra Kurla Complex against Saurashtra. On a day that would have left both sides reasonably satisfied, there were several important individual performances that stood out. Dropping himself to No. 3 in the absence of the injured middle-order bulwark Ajinkya Rahane, Jaffer carried on his penchant for plundering domestic hundreds, after Jayesh Odedra’s double-strike. At the other end, with the selectors’ eye on his fitness and temperament, Rohit launched himself into the Saurashtra attack with typical elegance. His 93 came off 86 balls, with 14 fours and two sixes, leading Mumbai to 252 for 2 and in sight of a towering score. Then came the third most significant performance of the day, from another India hopeful. Ravindra Jadeja has had his place in the Indian questioned by all and sundry, and he responded with an incisive spell with the game threatening to run away. He dismissed Sharma, Abhishek Nayar and Ramesh Powar, leading Saurashtra’s resurgence in the evening session and left them with an opportunity to finish Mumbai’s innings early on the second day.For more on this match, click here.Opener Arindam Das’ seventh first-class century was the highlight of the opening day at the Feroz Shah Kotla as Bengal posted a dominant 313 for 2 against a Delhi attack that struggled for incisiveness. Ten months after the abandonment of an ODI due to an underprepared pitch, the Kotla track was at its benign best as Das settled down for a big innings, in Shreevats Goswami’s company. The pair raised 133 in 37.2 overs, giving the hosts a taste of what was to come before Goswami fell for 68, the first of Mithun Manhas’ two wickets. Abhishek Chowdhury was more cautious, but it did not affect Bengal’s speed of scoring as Das shifted gears upwards. Manoj Tiwary who came in at Chowdhury’s exit kept the momentum going with an unbeaten 47 off 80 balls. At the other end, Das, kicked on after reaching his ton and finished the day unbeaten on 150. His knock included 19 fours, and he looked good for more when stumps were drawn.For more on this match, click here.Yuvraj Singh managed a half-century but, like the rest of his top-order mates, was guilty of throwing away a start, as Uttar Pradesh held Punjab to 279 for 6 on the opening day at the Bhamashah Stadium in Meerut. Sarul Kanwar began in aggressive fashion after Punjab chose to bat, striking eight fours in his run-a-ball 42. However, after an opening stand worth 56, Praveen Kumar removed Kanwar and Ravi Inder Singh off successive overs, exposing Punjab’s middle order. Uday Kaul rebuilt in Yuvraj’s company, the pair raising 61 for the third wicket before a mini-collapse reduced Punjab to 143 for 5. Karan Goel rose to the occasion, and along with Vishwas Bhalla, lifted his side to respectability with a 72-run alliance. Piyush Chawla prised out Bhalla, but Harmeet Singh counterattacked with four fours and a six in his 29, taking Punjab to stumps along with Goel, who was unbeaten on 56.Gujarat’s top order gave a good account of themselves without managing to dominate the Railways attack, leaving both sides on par at stumps on an attritional opening day at the Karnail Singh Stadium. Every Gujarat batsman got a start in a score of 234 for 4, but only one managed to reach fifty, while most bowlers gained respect without making enough entries in the wickets column. Jay Desai and Priyank Kirit Panchal ground out an opening stand of 58 in 28 overs before exiting on the same score. Niraj Patel and Parthiv Patel showed more urgency in a stand of 74, but both failed to kick on, as Gujarat found themselves unable to reap the rewards of solidity. That partnership, however, eased the pressure on the remaining batsmen. Bhavik Thaker, coming in at No. 5, did better than the top four, ensuring he crossed his half-century and remained unbeaten at stumps. His innings included two fours and a six off consecutive deliveries from Faiz Fazal. Debutant Pratharesh Parmar held up the other end with an undefeated 28 and the pair will want to push ahead on the second day. Parthiv praised his batsmen for their effort. “The wicket was green and two-paced,” he told the . “So, it was a challenge to play the first 30 overs and we did it.”Opening bowler Basanth Mohanty completed his sixth first-class five-wicket haul as Orissa bullied Baroda, reducing them to 99 for 9 on a curtailed day at the Barabati Stadium. After overnight rains delayed the start by half an hour, Orissa captain Shiv Sundar Das had no hesitation in bowling after winning the toss in damp, seamer-friendly conditions. Baroda’s batsmen, star players Yusuf Pathan and Ambati Rayudu included, had no answers against Basanth in an innings where only three batsmen managed to enter double-figures. Things could have been far worse for Baroda if not for Rakesh Solanki’s unbeaten 44. Debasis Mohanty, Alok Chandra Sahoo and Dhiraj Singh complemented Basanth’s efforts with a wicket apiece as Baroda derailed in shocking fashion.Himachal Pradesh’s bowlers contained Haryana on the opening day, as the visitors crawled to 204 for 4 in Dharmasala. After choosing to field, the hosts started well, with seamer Jitendra Mehta removing Nitin Saini for five, but wickets were hard to come by after that. Rahul Dewan held vigil for 40 watchful overs, his 46 pushing the score to 88, before he perished against Ashok Thakur. Manav Sharma and Hemang Badani carried on in the same vein, their partnership of 74 spanning nearly 30 overs before Manav fell four short of his half-century. Badani brought up his 37th first-class fifty, and the first for Haryana, but more importantly, ensured he was unbeaten till the end.