CSK defeat dampens Bravo birthday celebrations
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) — Veteran West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo failed to conjure up anything special with which to crown his birthday celebrations as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ended their preliminary phase of the Indian Premier League with a six-wicket defeat to Punjab Kings.
Bravo, who turned 38 yesterday, made four not out from two balls as CSK stumbled to 134 for six from their 20 overs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, despite a top score of 76 from South African Faf du Plessis.
In reply, Kings marched to their target with seven overs to spare, with captain and opener KL Rahul hitting an unbeaten 98 off 42 deliveries.
Bravo suffered at the hands of the 29-year-old right-hander, his second over leaking 20 runs as he gave up 32 runs from a two-over spell.
Sent in, CSK were carried by opener du Plessis who punched eight fours and two sixes in a 55-ball knock, in adding 67 for the sixth with Ravindra Jadeja (15 not out) to pull his side around from 61 for five at the end of the 12th over.
Barbadian-born England fast bowling all-rounder, Chris Jordan, claimed two for 20 from three overs.
Rahul then expertly anchored the run chase, slamming seven fours and eight sixes in posting 46 for the first wicket with Mayank Agarwal (12) and another 46 for the fourth with fellow South African Aiden Markram (13).
CSK, however, have already qualified for the playoffs, and currently lie second on 18 points.
In the other game played at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine went wicket-less from four overs which cost 30 runs as his Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ended their preliminary round campaign with a crushing 86-run win over Rajasthan Royals.
Openers Shubman Gill (56) and Venkatesh Iyer (38) laid the foundation for KKR’S 171 for four off their 20 overs before 22-year-old seamer Shivam Mavi (4-21) and New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson (3-18) scythed through Royals to send the innings crashing to 85 all out in the 17th over.
With the win, KKR moved to 14 points in fourth, to put one foot in the play-offs.
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Newcastle United Director Amanda Staveley yesterday said the club’s new Saudi-led ownership aims to win the Premier League within 10 years after a £300-million ($408-million) takeover.
A consortium headed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund passed the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test to become the club’s new proprietors alongside Staveley’s investment firm PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media.
The move ended the trophyless 14-year ownership of the club by billionaire retail tycoon Mike Ashley, who is widely disliked by Newcastle supporters.
Asked about her vision for Newcastle over the next five to 10 years, Staveley told Sky Sports: “Newcastle United deserves to be top of the Premier League. It will take time, but we will get there.”
The Magpies are one of England’s best-supported clubs but have not won a major domestic trophy since 1955.
Staveley sought to temper expectations about Newcastle’s immediate prospects as fans and former players dreamed about a brighter cash-fuelled future.
“We want to be great custodians of this club,” the British financier added. “What we don’t want to be in danger of is over-promising.
“Newcastle is the best team in the world and we want to see it get those trophies, top of the Premier League, in Europe. To get trophies means investment, patience, time.”
The 48-year-old was tightlipped about the future of Manager Steve Bruce, with many Newcastle fans calling for his removal.
“I’m not able to talk about anything as to players or managers. I did speak to the manager and we look forward to speaking to him over the next few days.
“We’re very supportive of Steve. What we’re going to do is not talk about managers or what big signings we can make,” she said.
“We’re going to review the football operations, the commercial side, and come back and make some decisions.”
Newcastle’s next match is a home Premier League fixture against Tottenham on October 17.
The club are second from bottom of the table with three points and no wins from their opening seven league games.