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Nightwatchman Liam Norwell hit his maiden first-class century as Gloucesestershire claimed maximum batting points on the third day of the Specsavers County Championship match against Derbyshire in Bristol.

ECB Reporters Network19-Apr-2016
ScorecardLiam Norwell shows his delighted at reaching an unexpected century•Getty ImagesNightwatchman Liam Norwell hit his maiden first-class century as Gloucesestershire claimed maximum batting points on the third day of the Specsavers County Championship match against Derbyshire in Bristol.Norwell, the 24-year-old seam bowler and regular No. 11, made 102 in a second-wicket stand of 168 with Chris Dent, who went on to score 180 as the hosts ran up 563 all out in reply to Derbyshire’s 444, Hamish Marshall contributing a brisk 72 and Kieran Noema-Barnett 58.Norwell hit 14 fours and three sixes in batting for two and a half hours to eclipse his previous highest score of 78, made against Worcestershire at Cheltenham in 2014. Last summer he averaged 8.30 in 19 Championship innings.”I had never made a hundred in any form of cricket so I am still in shock,” he said. “I think my previous best was 98 in an Under-13 game for Redruth. Chris Dent talked me through it and it was great having him at the other end. I thought my chance had gone when I missed a high full-toss on 94, trying to hit it too hard.”I was surprised Derbyshire bowled so short to me. The century will mean more to me if we go on to win the game, but I am very proud. When I walked off I was annoyed at getting out because I had been telling myself to stay calm, but since then other players have been telling me to enjoy the moment.”Dent’s hundred was his ninth in first-class cricket. He did not give a chance until he was on 156 and was not dismissed until the final session.Both players profited from some loose Derbyshire bowling. The visitors tended to pitch too short to Norwell, in particular, even though he played and missed at several fuller deliveries.A benign pitch made batting look easy as Gloucestershire began the day on 110 for 1, with Dent on 61 and Norwell 2.Andy Carter inadvertently set the tone for the morning as his first delivery of the day was a wide towards second slip and the third directed down the leg-side, costing four leg-byes.Norwell moved to fifty off 70 balls, with 8 fours and a straight six off Wes Durston, while Dent brought up his hundred off 154 deliveries, with 14 fours and a six. The pair added 144 runs before lunch, which was taken at 254 for 1, with Norwell on 88. On 94 he failed to make contact with a high full-toss, trying to hit the ball too hard, but the landmark came from an equally generous short ball outside off stump from Ben Cotton, thumped for four off the back foot. Norwell raised both arms in delight and was visibly annoyed when pinned lbw, playing across a ball from Chesney Hughes.Derbyshire did have some success with the second new ball, Luke Fletcher having Ian Cockbain caught behind off an outswinger for 19 and Carter clean bowling Gareth Roderick for 5.But by then Gloucestershire were well on course for a first innings lead. Marshall and Dent went on the attack in the final session, the latter finally being bowled trying to sweep Hughes, having faced 312 balls and extended his boundary count to 21 fours and two sixes.Wickets continued to fall in the evening sunshine as Marshall blasted 10 fours, Noema-Barnett three sixes and Benny Howell (41) four sixes to drive home the home side’s advantage.

Jonas Eidevall admits that Arsenal must do more to bring the best out of striker Alessia Russo, who was signed from Manchester United in the summer.

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Russo joined Gunners in the summerHas scored four goals since arrivingArsenal boss Eidevall says more can be done WHAT HAPPENED?

Russo has struggled somewhat for goals since her arrival in north London. Having scored 22 goals in 46 games for United, her return of two goals in the WSL and two goals in Europe is not exactly what the Gunners were hoping for and Eidevall believes her team-mates need to learn to bring her into play more regularly.

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Speaking to reporters, Eidevall said: "It is always a big step when you move to a new club and there are far more things than just on the pitch, you need to settle all the things in your life, the area, your house.

"Alessia works so hard and she is such a great individual and team player. Do we have room for improvement in how we involve her more, especially in the penalty area and how we get her more touches and shooting opportunities in there? Absolutely.

"Especially when she plays as a 9, that has to be the aim when she plays there so we can get her more goals because from a finishing perspective, she is probably the best finisher I have ever worked with. She has a lot of variety in her finishing and for us, it’s how many times she can get those opportunities rather than what she is doing with them. Those are things we are working with, with her application and her effort, it is amazing."

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Arsenal have enjoyed a fine start to the season and have only lost one league game, although they have been knocked out of the Champions League. Russo has not won a trophy in her time in England, having previously played for North Carolina Tar Heels, and was a runner-up in the FA Cup last season with United.

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One has to think that Eidevall will be working closely with the Arsenal attacking unit in order to get Russo firing. They are next in action against West Ham on Sunday.

The winger was truly electrifying from start to finish as Pep Guardiola's team devoured the Cherries

Jeremy Doku was truly sensational as he inspired Manchester City to a 6-1 win against Bournemouth on Saturday. His skill, imagination and composure were all on show as he scored one and set up another four to make easy work of the visiting Cherries.

The reigning Premier League champions dominated from the start, but came up against a stubborn block of a defence who refused to give away a clear chance. That was until Doku provided the spark City were missing, playing a neat one-two with Rodri to get into a dangerous area and smash in the opening goal.

Just three minutes later, the Belgian winger found himself on the right wing and cut in to dazzle the Bournemouth defence before finding Bernardo Silva with a perfectly weighted pass for the second goal. Doku thought he had a second goal when he lashed in from the edge of the box, but his effort was going wide until it struck Manuel Akanji's back and deflected beyond the goalkeeper.

City slowed down significantly in the second half, but Doku kept up his tempo and linked up well with substitute Phil Foden, teeing the England man up to finish it off just after the hour mark. Doku was even involved in his team's fifth with a smashing pass for Bernardo Silva to chip it in after Luis Sinisterra had pulled one back for the visitors.

Not everything revolved around Doku in the end, though, as Oscar Bobb, almost immediately after coming on, sent in a great cross for Nathan Ake to head in the sixth for City.

GOAL rates City's players from Etihad Stadium…

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Ederson (5/10):

A spectator for most of the match but was well beaten by Sinisterra for Bournemouth's consolation.

Kyle Walker (6/10):

Pushed high up to offer support on the wings and linked up well, but didn't look good for Bournemouth's goal.

Manuel Akanji (7/10):

Lucky to get on the scoresheet as the ball just bounced off his back. Did not have too much defending to do – was more of a supporting presence further up the field.

John Stones (6/10):

Perfect passing rate and backed up the midfield well.

Nathan Ake (7/10):

His passing was sound, made one or two good defensive interventions and then put in a great header for the sixth.

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Rodri (7/10):

Tied things together well, acting as support for the attack and key in the build-up. Played the great one-two with Doku for the opener.

Mateo Kovacic (5/10):

Had a shot saved from close range as the last kick of the ball and fairly quiet otherwise.

Julian Alvarez (7/10):

Was all over the attack and set Haaland up well with a cross and then a through ball. Always smart on the ball in tight areas.

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Bernardo Silva (8/10):

An excellent shot from outside the box went just wide but he found the space to lash in the second goal and was quality through out before adding the fifth goal late on.

Erling Haaland (4/10):

Ruined one excellent chance as he was found in plenty of space but took too many touches – summed up his day. Off at half-time.

Jeremy Doku (10/10):

What a wonderful performance! Delivered the quick burst they needed to open the scoring, fancy footwork for the second, smashed it off Akanji for the third, teed up Foden for number four and then a gorgeous pass to Bernardo for the fifth. Stunning.

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Phil Foden (7/10):

Replaced Haaland for the second half and looked sharp with a good run to score his goal.

Rico Lewis (6/10):

Tried to create some danger for the home team.

Matheus Nunes (5/10):

On for the last 20 minutes but had little to do.

Kalvin Phillips (5/10):

Got a rare appearance and looked up for the fight in the middle.

Oscar Bobb (6/10):

An immediate impact as his cross found Ake for the sixth goal.

Pep Guardiola (9/10):

Can have little to complain about with the way his side picked apart a team that showed signs of frustrating them in the beginning. In the end, City made easy work of it.

Ashley Giles’s disclosure at a Lancashire members forum that Andrew Flintoff is unlikely to play any cricket for Lancashire this season should surprise no one

Paul Edwards28-Apr-2015Ashley Giles’s disclosure at a Lancashire members forum that Andrew Flintoff is unlikely to play any cricket for Lancashire this season should surprise no one.The demands made on current players, even T20 specialists, are not easy to balance with a host of media appearances and the player himself said at the end of the Big Bash that he was struggling to square his many other commitments with the regimen of a professional sportsman.Even at Lancashire, the county represented with such distinction by that mighty trencherman Jack Simmons, chip-van tours and cricket no longer mix.Old Trafford coach Giles was already finding it difficult to contact Flintoff and had opted to send him texts, facts which scarcely suggest a very close relationship between the pair.Moreover, the player himself had been forthright in his criticism of his county during a winter in which a number of loyal servants, including Academy Director John Stanworth, had been made redundant. That might also have made a return to the staff pretty difficult.This summer Flintoff has a stand-up tour arranged in addition to his TV commitments and whatever other bookings and his representatives accept.Lancashire supporters will therefore have to content themselves with their memories of his three appearances in the 2014 NatWest T20 Blast, the last of which took place in the final at Edgbaston when his eight-ball 20 not out just failed to secure the trophy for his team.From there, there was a Big Bash season where Flintoff was a popular figure at Brisbane Heat but he made more of an impact as a commentator than a player and he conceded when it was all over that the end of the road was nigh.It is surely pretty unlikely that any other county will offer Flintoff a T20 contract, although the temptation to ask Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie whether he has considered the possibility may be too delicious to resist.

Jesse Lingard reportedly cost West Ham “thousands of pounds” during his unsuccessful trial with the Premier League club.

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Released by Nottingham ForestStill a free agentHeaded to Saudi Arabia after Hammers snubWHAT HAPPENED?

The ex-England international, who is a free agent after being released by Nottingham Forest at the end of the 2022-23 campaign, returned to east London in the hope of earning a permanent contract. He had previously impressed for the Hammers during a nine-goal loan spell in 2021.

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David Moyes was happy to give Lingard an opportunity to impress, as he figured in training and a behind-closed-doors friendly. It is claimed that the 30-year-old spent six weeks with West Ham, having spent time working at Inter Miami’s training facility prior to returning to England – while also seeing D.C. United boss Wayne Rooney rule out a move for his former Manchester United team-mate.

DID YOU KNOW?

claims that the Hammers have been left out of pocket after funding all of Lingard’s accommodation and travel costs during his time with them. They paid for his hotel room and getting him to and from training – with Lingard serving a six-month driving ban after giving police a false name following a speeding infraction.

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Goal ARWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

After severing ties with West Ham, Lingard has made his way to Saudi Arabia. He is now training with Al-Ettifaq – the side managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard and one that has already drafted in the likes of Jordan Henderson, Moussa Dembele, Georginio Wijnaldum and Demarai Gray.

USWNT star Lindsey Horan believes Washington Spirit owner Michelle Kang's purchase of Lyon Femenin will usher in an 'incredible' new era.

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USWNT's Horan highlights Lyon infrastructure issuesWashington Spirit owner Michelle Kang to purchase clubFrench side begin 2023 UCL campaign TuesdayWHAT HAPPENED?

In a conversation with Pro Soccer Wire, the USWNT star spoke on the excitement of what a potential sale of Lyon Femenin to Washington Spirit owner Michelle Kang could look like for the French club. The 29-year-old believes that with Kang leading the club, an 'incredible' era could be upon them.

Kang is expected to build the women's side their own official training center while exploring the option of utilizing and repurposing a local rugby stadium for a new home venue.

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Lyon are eight-time Champions League winners but still share a training ground with the men's side and only rarely play at the 59,000-capacity Groupama Stadium. Now, with the introduction of Kang into the ownership group, Horan believes a new era may be ushered in.

WHAT HORAN SAID

“Our team isn’t just attached to the men’s team,” she said. “Our team is in itself its own. To see some of these teams around the world now having their own training facilities, having their own stadiums — that’s what they deserve.

“We women work just as hard and we’re professionals just as much as the men. So at least we should have our own training facility. We should have all access to the things that we need, that I’m pretty sure most men’s clubs get, and to have our own stadium would be incredible as well.”

“Michelle is amazing, I’ve met her many times,” Horan added. “And I think her aspirations and the things that she’s doing in the world are insane. She’s not just saying things to say them, or to hope that it could happen, she’s going and making them happen. What she’ll do with Lyon is going to be absolutely incredible.”

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The French side make their 2023/24 UEFA Champions League debut Tuesday evening against Slavia Prague, with Horan set to play a role in another campaign as they look for their ninth European trophy.

On the cusp of his retirement from ODIs, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said he was going to approach the game against Australia as a normal one

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Sydney19-Mar-20151:49

Five things Pakistan need to do to beat Australia

Two days after the cricket world farewelled Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara from ODIs, two Pakistan seniors will begin the final phase – perhaps the final day – of their ODI careers. Misbah-ul-Haq has announced he will play only Tests after the World Cup. Shahid Afridi has said he will also step away from the format in which he made his name, even if at times, retirement has seemed like a state of mind for Afridi, more than a state of being.They are perhaps contemporary cricket’s odd couple; often invoked in the same breath, each is construed to be what the other is not. Yet, as they move to the cusp of retirement together, they will both reflect with pleasure on their careers, and be joined in keeping emotions in check, Misbah said.Junaid a chance to replace injured Irfan

Pakistan fast bowler Junaid Khan has been asked to prove his fitness at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, as the team weigh up their options to replace the injured Mohammad Irfan.
Junaid underwent a test on Thursday evening in the presence of chief selector Moin Khan, but any chance of a call-up to the squad will hinge on Pakistan beating Australia in the quarter-finals.
In January this year, Junaid pulled out of an ongoing ODI series against New Zealand due to a thigh injury and a month later, he was ruled out of the World Cup after failing a late fitness test.

“The biggest satisfaction is that we gave everything to our team and country,” he said. “Whatever we had, we put our efforts together. This World Cup is still not over, and we’d really like to win tomorrow’s game and go further. That’s what, you could say, our desire and dream is.”You just take it as a normal game. Go there and try to hit your basic stride and try to give 100%. That is the only thing you can do. If you just think about this game further than that, you are putting yourself under pressure, and I’m not going to do that, and even Shahid is not going to do that.”As ever, Pakistan’s bowling appears to hold the key to their success. Michael Clarke identified the opposition quicks as particularly dangerous to his team’s World Cup hopes, and while Misbah agreed – stating Pakistan had a “bowling line up which can really go through any team” even without Mohammad Irfan – he also emphasised the importance of a positive approach.”I think Australia always just plays aggressive cricket, and if you want to really be up there against them, you also need to play good, aggressive cricket,” Misbah said. “If two teams are playing aggressive cricket, you still have a chance. There is still a chance you could win with a defensive approach, but we’re looking forward to playing attacking cricket.”You can’t say now Irfan is out of this competition, so we just can’t play Australia. We’ve got other bowlers who are good enough, equally good enough, and they are also performing really well. All three of the seamers are up to the mark – even the fourth one. Yasir Shah is a bowler that can really put pressure on the opposition. So we’ve still got that sort of team, that sort of talent, that sort of bowling line-up, that could really put Australia under pressure.”As a captain, Misbah has largely veered toward the dependable, rather than the mercurial. He suggested Pakistan’s strategy would not radically change, as he used the example of another team’s slew of surprise changes as a cautionary tale. “Sometimes as you try to do things the way Sri Lanka tried to do in the quarter-finals yesterday, and they just got trapped into that. So sometimes simple things, basic things if you are doing them right will really help you, especially in crunch situations and matches.”

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.

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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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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.

It is five years since Adil Rashid played for England and life has not always gone easily since, but no lesser luminary than Dickie Bird, Yorkshire’s president, is predicting his international days may come again

Ivo Tennant14-Apr-2014
ScorecardMarcus Trescothick’s wicket is still highly prized, as the bowler, Ryan Sidebottom indicates•Getty ImagesIt is five years since Adil Rashid last played for England, not in the five day game, as was predicted for him, but in instant cricket as well as in a drinks carrying role that was supposed to equate with gathering experience. No less a luminary than Dickie Bird is now predicting a resumption of his international career, and he made the ideal start by reaching a century against a county whose bowlers he has always relished facing.Three of Rashid’s first-class centuries have come against Somerset. Having made 84 overnight, he progressed to three figures with 17 fours off 167 balls without undue alarm. If anything, the pitch was easier to bat on than on the first day, emphasising the old adage that if wickets are not taken in the first hour of the match at Taunton, they might never be taken at all. Yorkshire will have been disappointed not to have finished with a larger total than 450, having resumed on 342 for five.Craig Overton, who had Rashid caught at the wicket and also dismissed the other overnight batsman, Andrew Hodd, well taken by Marcus Trescothick two handed above his head, could, and perhaps should, have been given the new ball ahead of Alfonso Thomas and Lewis Gregory. He and his twin brother, Jamie, who has not been selected for this match, very much represent the future for a county in transition.Hodd had reached a half century with ten fours off 81 balls and Liam Plunkett made useful runs besides. Two of the last three wickets were taken by Johann Myburgh, who finds himself the sole spinner in Somerset’s side – doubtless somewhat to his surprise. It is rather stating the obvious that it is hard to envisage him bowling out opponents this summer, even when the pitches are drier and firmer.Any remaining life in this pitch would be needed to be extracted by Ryan Sidebottom with the new ball when Somerset’s innings began. Marcus Trescothick began by taking two fours off his opening over and followed this with a further four, leg glanced, when he made to play a similar shot at the next ball, or at any rate close the face of the bat.Late movement across him resulted in the loss of his off stump. On the roof of the Old Pavilion, Jason Gillespie, Yorkshire’s coach, was thoroughly animated. So was Sidebottom. Whatever ghis form last season might indicate, this remains a wicket that is highly prized.Chris Jones, who played watchfully off the back foot in compiling a half century off 103 balls and, in making 75, his highest championship score. At the other end, Nick Compton, seeking some decent early season notches in an attempt to regain his England place – no-one can have worked harder towards this end in the winter, chiefly in the indoor school at Lord’s with Neil Burns, his mentor – fell back on accumulation.He did not find the boundary until the 86th ball of his innings, and had made 32 in all when Plunkett bowled him with what looked to be a good, honest straight delivery. Jones went before the close, by when Rashid had had a bowl. Modestly, he said that he feels he needs “another season or two with both bat and ball” of progression in order to come into selection for international cricket once again.

A round-up of IPL news from April 23

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Apr-2014 Pietersen poised to make first appearance
Delhi Daredevils are likely to receive a much-needed boost, as Kevin Pietersen, the team’s captain, is expected to recover from a finger injury and make his first appearance of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday.”I’m going to hopefully be back in the next game after I train well for a week. I have trained a couple of days, but it hasn’t been an ideal start going into this tournament,” Pietersen told “I had good practice for a couple of weeks in London, but then hurt myself and have had three weeks off. I just need another good week of training and then I’ll be back.”With two heavy defeats at the hands of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings, Daredevils currently languish near the bottom of the table with the worst net run-rate among the eight teams. To compound their woes, their seamer Nathan Coulter-Nile suffered a hamstring injury against Super Kings and according to the stand-in captain Dinesh Karthik, could be “out for some time”. Pietersen, however, remained optimistic of the team’s chances.”I want all the guys in the team to know that there is no pressure. I want all the players to relax and play to the best of their ability. Another important thing for me as a leader is that the guys train well. According to me, the training should be so thorough and intense that the game-day becomes easier.”Pujara wants to mould his style on Kallis
Kings XI Punjab batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has accepted his limitations as a T20 batsman and wants to mould his style on Jacques Kallis, as a steady accumulator. The opening batsman, whose IPL experience was limited to only 24 matches over four seasons before the current edition began, says he is “getting better and better” in the T20 format.”I cannot be flamboyant like [Glenn] Maxwell or [David] Miller, but I can always be a Jacques Kallis who plays proper cricketing shots, but can still score runs at a good strike-rate,” Pujara told . “My way of hitting may be classical where you try and time the ball.”In Kings XI’s successful chase of 192 against Rajasthan Royals, Pujara batted through the innings to make 40 off 38 balls, while Maxwell and Miller batted at frenetic pace to achieve the target. Pujara made a relatively quicker 35 off 32 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday and the innings left him “satisfied”. When questioned about his strike rate, Pujara said the presence of big hitters in the team has allowed him to play within his limitations.”My role in the team is to stick at one end. I intend to rotate the strike and hit the boundaries as and when it is possible. I am opening the innings and I have to be ready to hit the ball from ball one or the very first over. The job becomes a bit difficult, but with time and few more matches, I will get better. I am getting better with each passing day.”Made too many mistakes against Maxwell – Moody
Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody has said his team paid the price for letting Kings XI Punjab’s Glenn Maxwell off the hook as many as three times during his imposing 95 off 43 balls in Sharjah on Tuesday. Maxwell had offered two chances at long-on early in his innings. When on 4, a mis-hit fell short and later in the over, on 11, David Warner spilled a sitter in the same position. When on 62, Maxwell was caught at deep midwicket, but unfortunately for the Sunrisers, the bowler Darren Sammy had overstepped the crease.”It is the nature of the game that we make mistakes at times and, unfortunately, we made three against the wrong batsman and ended up chasing 40 runs extra which in these conditions, is unrealistic,” Moody said. “When a wonderful striker like Maxwell, who is in incredible form, is dropped twice in one over and is caught off a no ball, he is going to hurt you.”Moody said Sammy’s no ball was unfortunate because the plan was to bowl a back of a length slower ball to tempt Maxwell to slog, with a fielder in the deep. Sunrisers slumped to their second defeat in as many games after they collapsed to 121 in pursuit of 194. Moody however backed the top order comprising Warner, Aaron Finch and Shikhar Dhawan to fire.”It is not the ideal situation to be two down. We would rather be two up, but we have a world-class top-order who have proven themselves over time. I am absolutely confident that our top-order will fire and win us games.” Bailey looks to improve fielding Kings XI Punjab could not have begun the season any better, moving to the top of the table with three successive wins on the back of some powerful hitting from Glenn Maxwell and David Miller, but the captain George Bailey believes that the team are yet to peak and could do with improving their fielding.”I’m pleased with winning. I still don’t think we’ve played a real good strong all-round game as yet,” Bailey said. “We’ve batted well throughout and our bowling was good tonight but I don’t think we’ve fielded to our potential yet. Just want to be realistic, there is still a long way to go in the tournament and a lot can happen.””There have been quite a few dropped catches here (at Sharjah). The problem has been that whenever the ball goes high in the air in night games, there is no back drop. That makes it extremely hard to pick up the ball how it’s coming down. Plus, there is a bit of pressure of dropping the catches too. I’m sure things will pick up.”Bailey also saved special praise for his left-arm spinner Akshar Patel, who has picked up four wickets from three games.”For a young guy, he’s doing a fantastic job. Not to forget his fielding too, he took a sharp catch today,” he said. “He is only going to get more confident. We really back his batting abilities too. We see a fantastic cricketer coming out in him.”