Cricket

The IPL is in full swing, with action aplenty, but for some, not a great look. Around since 2008, three teams have won twice, while Sunrisers Hyderabad defend after winning for the first time a year ago. The Daniel Vettori- coached Royal Challengers Bangalore went down in last year’s final by eight runs but are unlikely to make it to the big dance this year after winning just two of their first seven and slumping to a record low IPL score — 49 against Kolkata. Brendon McCullum’s Gujarat Lions face the Stephen Flemingcoached, Steve Smith- led Rising Pune Supergiant on Tuesday morning. There’s a breakthrough for the Irish cricket team this week when they play England on English soil for the first time as both teams build towards the Champions Trophy. They meet in the first of two ODIs at Bristol and then two days later at Lord’s. They first met in 2006 and have now played seven times. England have won five, Ireland one and the last produced a no result. That Irish victory came in March 2011 in a World Cup upset in Bangalore when they scored 329- 7 to win by three wickets with five balls to spare. England won three of their six group games and limped into the last eight, while the Irish won two. Mangere United v Takapuna; Claudelands Rovers v Northland FC; Papakura City v Ngongotaha; Papatoetoe v Onehunga Mangere; Fencibles United v Albany United, William Green Domain 5pm. Premier women ( tomorrow 1pm), round five, Norwest United v Glenfield Rovers; Northland FC v Eastern Suburbs; Hamilton Wanderers v Three Kings United; Western Springs v Claudelands Rovers; Forrest Hill Milford bye. eight, East Coast Bays v Hibiscus Dairy Flat noon; North Harbour Indians v North Shore United 3pm; Takapuna bye. Women, round eight, Hibiscus Dairy Flat v ABC 10.30am; North Shore United v East Coast Bays 1.30pm; Takapuna v Mahurangi 4.30pm.