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Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming said that Dhoni took the field only to get clarity since there was confusion about the no-ball decision

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Apr-20191:46

Dhoni was fired up by the way the no-ball decision was handled – Fleming

Rajasthan Royals batsman Jos Buttler believes Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni’s decision to step onto the field to protest an umpiring call was “probably not” the right thing to do in the last over of their match on Thursday night. The incident took place with Super Kings needing eight runs off three balls. Ben Stokes bowled a waist-high full toss to Mitchell Santner, and even though umpire Ulhas Gandhe had signalled a no-ball immediately, square-leg umpire Bruce Oxenford later shook his head to overturn the original decision.That led to lengthy discussions mainly between Santner’s partner Ravindra Jadeja and the umpires before Dhoni, who had been dismissed off the previous ball, walked out to join them. Dhoni was later fined 50% of his match fees for a Code of Conduct breach.”I’m not sure if that’s the right thing to do or not,” Buttler said at the post-match press conference of Dhoni’s decision to walk out on the field. “Obviously the tensions are running high in the IPL and every run counts. Yeah, it was a big moment in the game, but whether stepping onto the pitch is quite right? No, probably not.”Obviously, it’s a bit controversial. The umpires came to a decision but I was at the boundary so I wasn’t quite sure what was going on.”Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming later said that Dhoni took the field only to get clarity since there was confusion about the no-ball decision. He did not say if it was the right thing to do or not.”What wasn’t right was the confusion around the decision. It’s above my paygrade to really get further than that,” Fleming said.”My understanding and discussing it with the captain was we saw a no-ball called, and then there was confusion. Our understanding was that the umpire at the bowler’s end had called the no-ball and then there was confusion around whether it was a no-ball or not. MS was after some clarity and it didn’t seem to be coming. So, he took the opportunity to go out and discuss it with the umpires. That’s how I saw it and that’s how I discussed it with him afterwards.”He only just wanted clarity. The rights and wrongs will be discussed by everybody, including Mahi, I’m sure. But, I think, it’ll be a discussion for the umpires afterwards and I am a watcher as you guys are, for now. But he was certainly fired up about the way the decision was handled and why it was overturned or if it was overturned. So, there was a lack of clarity, obviously, for him and he wanted to get it clarified at a key moment. It’s unusual but he’s usually pretty calculated. It’ll be something he will be questioned about for sure, for a long time.”MS Dhoni is irate at a contentious no-ball call•BCCIRoyals had put on 151 for 7 and had Super Kings in trouble on 24 for 4 in the sixth over before Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu salvaged the chase with a 95-run stand. Both batsmen scored half-centuries and struck two fours and three sixes each to snatch the momentum from Royals.”It is a tough one to take, getting into a winning position and not able to get over the line, the boys will be very disappointed,” Buttler said. “But, I think that’s been the story of our season so far. We have had some games that we should have won and closed out but for a few reasons, we have not been able to do it. We need to get it right, fast.”Royals are now only above winless Royal Challengers Bangalore on the points table with one win from six games.How do they get out of it?”The way out is simple, we have to play better and longer,” Buttler said. “We are just not putting those performances together. We have played well in stages but against quality oppositions and some of the best players in the world, if you can’t do it for the whole 40 overs then it’s tough to win the game.”Fleming, too, admitted the weaknesses in his side, even though they sit on top of the table with six wins from seven games. The two main areas he identified that needed their attention were their fielding and death bowling.”There’s a lot of areas of concern,” Fleming said. “Our top order has been playing on a tough wicket in Chennai so we’ve got to make sure our confidence is high. Being 20-odd for 4, you’re not going to win many games. And [another concern is] just finishing off an innings with our death bowling. It’s hard and most teams are struggling. But if there are two areas we want to get better at, we’re working hard on, is that and we have to work hard on our fielding. We’ve got a number of holes but we know where they are and we’ll try and cover them up as much as we can.”

Lionel Messi sat out Inter Miami’s goalless draw at Orlando City with a knee injury, but Tata Martino expects him to face D.C. United on Saturday.

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Argentine icon missed clash with Florida rivalsHerons draw another blank without himConfidence he will be back for next MLS gameWHAT HAPPENED?

No risks were taken on the Argentine superstar in a derby date with Florida rivals. The Herons drew a blank without their talismanic captain, but remain top of the MLS Eastern Conference for now. Martino’s side have fallen flat during enforced absences for Messi this season, but the expectation is that he will be back for Inter Miami’s next outing.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowAdvertisementGettyWHAT MARTINO SAID

Martino told reporters when asked to for an update on Messi: “Leo had some discomfort, but he trained every day, we did tests and they all came out very good. Having three games in a week, with him still in some pain, we felt it was prudent for him to sit out this game. The plan is for him to play Saturday, but we will take it day by day. He trained again [on Wednesday] and felt good, but we will not take any risk. We will see how he feels on Thursday and Friday.”

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Inter Miami had scored 19 goals through five successive victories with Messi at their disposal, but average less than one per game without him. Martino added on the Herons' lack of cutting edge when the World Cup winner is missing: “Not having Leo, it is impossible to achieve the capacity he has to play the final 25 meters of the field. Inter Miami felt that and Barcelona felt that 10 years ago. All of the good things they did in the buildup needed him to find solutions down the field in tight spaces. We were missing that. On the other hand, we were organized, we had good ball circulation…and defensively, we were a solid team, and that is what I take away because we had allowed goals in all but two games and in this game, against a tough rival in a tough place to play we were able to keep it at zero.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

Messi, who will turn 37 in June, has just four more fixtures with Inter Miami to take in before linking up with the Argentina squad for the 2024 Copa America. The Herons continue to be given a taste of how difficult it will be to maintain trophy-chasing form without him.

The spinners lulled the Kings XI Punjab pair into a false sense of security, as a gettable 71 off 49 balls turned into a far more challenging 43 off 14

The Report by Peter Della Penna06-Apr-20192:06

Rahul and Sarfaraz didn’t flick the switch on – Ashwin

King XI Punjab wasted a dominant position chasing a modest target of 161 as the spin trio of Harbhajan Singh, Ravindra Jadeja and Imran Tahir dragged Chennai Super Kings back into the game through their economy to help snatch a 22-run win at the Chepauk.Harbhajan had struck twice in the space of three balls in the second over of the Kings XI chase to claim Chris Gayle and Mayank Agarwal, but KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan responded with a 110-run third wicket stand to put Kings XI in the driver’s seat. But from the time that Sarfaraz drove Scott Kuggeleijn for six over long-off off the penultimate ball of the 12th over, the Super Kings spinners lulled Kings XI into a false sense of security their having despite wickets in hand as Rahul and Sarfaraz went six overs without a boundary.The pair barely ran any twos either, meaning the equation went from a manageable 71 off 49 balls to 43 off 14 balls. David Miller, who arrived in the 18th when Rahul skied a catch to deep midwicket off Kuggeleijn, ended the streak with a four driven through long-off, but even with seven wickets in hand, the odds had shifted dramatically in favor of Super Kings.Harbhajan Singh deceived Chris Gayle in flight•BCCIDeepak Chahar handed Kings XI a lifeline with two no-balls over waist height to start the 19th over, the first of which was slapped over point for four by Sarfaraz. But the pair of slower ball deliveries were not deemed dangerous by the umpires, who allowed Chahar to remain in the attack. Chahar redeemed himself on the second free hit with an excellent yorker and conceded just singles through the rest of the over before bowling Miller with a yorker.With 26 to get off the final over, Kuggeleijn faced little pressure in closing out the win on his IPL debut, bouncing back after an expensive first spell in which he conceded 27 off his first two overs to end with 2 for 37. The resiliency of Super Kings enabled them to break a four-way deadlock on six points as they moved past Kings XI, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders for sole possession of first place.Super du-perShane Watson and Faf du Plessis ensured MS Dhoni’s decision to bat first was justified early on with a blemish-free Powerplay on the way to a 56-run opening stand. Du Plessis was especially impressive early, driving Mohammed Shami twice for four before ramping him over fine leg for six in the third over. The South African eventually brought up his half-century off 33 balls when he slog-swept M Ashwin for six in the 13th.Rash splashThe lone star in the field for Kings XI was captain R Ashwin, who followed up the early wicket of Watson in the eighth over, caught at deep midwicket for 26, by striking off consecutive balls in the 14th. Du Plessis’ innings finally ended when he skied an on-drive to long-on before Suresh Raina missed a slog-sweep next ball to make it 100 for 3.Ray-zor bladeAmbati Rayudu and MS Dhoni combined for a sharp burst towards the end of the innings, adding 60 off the final 38 balls. Dhoni ended unbeaten on 37 off 23 balls while Rayudu added 21 off 15, though hidden from Rayudu’s statline was the way he got huge starts from the non-striker’s end after Ashwin’s spell ended, regularly leaving the crease long before the bowler had delivered the ball to pinch a trio of twos and make sure Dhoni stayed on strike to club some key runs at the end of the Super Kings innings.Kings XI’s chase loses its lusterAfter Harbhajan’s double-strike in the second over of the chase, Sarfaraz and Rahul regained control for Kings XI through the first half of the innings. Sarfaraz earned a reprieve on 16 off a Tahir wrong’un, when he was given not out for an lbw shout and Dhoni opted not to review, though replays later showed three reds. Sarfaraz stepped up the pace in the 12th, ramping Kuggeleijn over Dhoni for four before a six later in the over.But from then on Rahul and Sarfaraz lacked a sense of urgency and intent, which was best summed up when Tahir served up a meaty waist-high full toss off the last ball of the 17th that Rahul tapped softly to long-on for a single.

Pep Guardiola hailed defender Josko Gvardiol as the 'best winger in the world' after his double against Fulham.

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Pep hailed Gvardiol as world's 'best winger'Defender betted twice against FulhamCity now top of the Premier League tableWHAT HAPPENED?

The Croatia international netted a brace while Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez scored a goal each as Manchester City thrashed Fulham 4-0 on Saturday to climb to the top of the Premier League table ahead of Arsenal's clash against Manchester United on Sunday.

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Manager Guardiola was elated to see the defender contribute with goals as he lavished praise on the City star by calling him the 'best winger on the planet'. The Catalan manager also spoke highly of Gvardiol's work ethic.

WHAT PEP GUARDIOLA SAID

Speaking on , the City boss said: "The first goal, we signed the best winger in the planet. He’s an incredible guy, can play in different positions. After Wolves I gave three days off, he was the only one who went to the training centre for his recovery. He lives for his profession. We make an incredible signing for many, many years to come."

He added to "Absolutely unexpected. He is unbelievable with both feet. Normally the left is difficult to find, he is more comfortable with his right. A big goal at Santiago Bernabeu, the goal today with the right foot. Second half he was not at his best, lot a lot of balls, and as a defender, you have to be tight. For him to add the goals he is it is more than welcome, but he has to be more tight. But he is 21 years old and he will improve."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER CITY?

The reigning Premier League champions will be next seen in action on Tuesday as they take on Tottenham Hotspur in a vital fixture away from home.

A significant update has dropped regarding Liverpool's potential move for a "special" Premier League player, with some key contract details emerging.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds could be active in the transfer market this month should Jurgen Klopp feel that new faces are needed in his squad in order to boost their title hopes.

Various individuals have been linked with moves to Anfield, with Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio a player whose name has cropped up numerous times in recent months. The Portuguese is also capable of shining as a left-back, which could be an added reason for signing him.

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ByAngus Sinclair Jul 11, 2024

The addition of another midfielder also may not be out of the question, and Fulham enforcer Joao Palhinha is a figure who has emerged as a potential option for Liverpool, although the Cottagers will demand a huge fee for his services.

Speaking of Premier League players, Crystal Palace star Michael Olise could also be on his way to Anfield in the near future, but there is stiff competition for his signature.

Key Michael Olise to Liverpool update

According to Football Insider, Olise's contract includes a new release clause, which could see him signed for over £40m.

"Liverpool target Michael Olise has a new release clause in his Crystal Palace contract worth well in excess of £40million, sources have told Football Insider. It is believed interest in the 22-year-old’s services will not subside this summer despite him signing a new deal at Selhurst Park in August.

"All signs now point to a big summer race for Olise’s signature – with his release clause likely to stand at more than £40million.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Palace are in for a “hard battle” to keep hold of their star man despite him committing to new terms just last year."

Olise is enjoying a fantastic season for Palace, arguably standing out as one of the most exciting Premier League players outside of the 'big six'. He may only have made nine appearances in the competition in 2023/24 to date, but five goals have come his way in that time, as well as one assist.

Appearances

9

Goals

5

Assists

1

Dribbles per game

2.7

Key passes per game

2.2

The Frenchman is not dissimilar to Mohamed Salah in terms of favouring a right-sided role and cutting onto his deadly left foot, and he could even be a long-term replacement for the Egyptian superstar. Former Palace manager Patrick Vieira is clearly an admirer of Olise, saying of him in 2022:

"He can score goals, create chances and he is a special talent. He will improve and get better as a player. His work ethic every day has been terrific since he has been at the football club."

It won't be easy for Liverpool to sign Olise given the apparent interest from the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, but the lure of playing under Klopp could be enough to see the Palace winger at Anfield in the summer.

Gary O'Neil and Wolves will need to sign a striker this month. They've lost Fabio Silva and Sasa Kalajdzic, having allowed the duo to join Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively on loan until the end of the season.

To that end, the Midlands outfit have apparently shown interest in Getafe's Borja Mayoral, a player who's also caught the eye of Premier League rivals Crystal Palace and Wolves. 26-year-old Mayoral is the second top-scorer in La Liga this season with 12 goals, but Wolves are also looking at another striker who's at a much earlier stage in his development.

Kilicsoy bid rejected

According to Turkish outlet Haber Turk, Wolves have enquired about Besiktas forward Semih Kilicsoy. The youngster has apparently been "on the radar" of sides across Europe for "a long time" now, but it's Wolves who have "knocked" on the door.

It's even claimed that they've gone as far as making a formal bid this month, one that the Super Lig outfit have rejected. It remains to be seen whether they return with an improved offer, or prioritise alternative targets.

It's worth noting that it was only on 2 January that Kilicsoy signed a new contract, running until the summer of 2028. In that sense, Wolves' interest comes at a bad time, with Besiktas holding all the cards after doing what they could to tie down their asset.

Kilicsoy can succeed where Silva failed

18-year-old Kilicsoy, a product of the Besiktas academy, put up devastating numbers for the Istanbul outfit's under-19 team, scoring 42 times in 64 matches, a strike rate of one in every 1.52 games. While there's no guarantee that output like that will translate to the senior level, Kilicsoy has handled the transition spectacularly well so far.

He made his first start of the season in a 3-1 defeat away to Alanyaspor just before Christmas, and then kept his place for the following game at Hatayspor, where he got his first-ever Super Lig goal in a 2-1 win. He followed that up with another in a 3-1 defeat to Kasimpasa, and then produced an individual masterclass as his side beat Caykur Rizespor 4-0, scoring a brace and providing an assist too. That's five direct goal involvements in his first four starts.

In a sense, Kilicsoy has benefitted from a disappointing season for the club, who find themselves 18 points off leaders Galatasaray already having only been 10 points adrift at the end of 2022/23. In the circumstances, manager Fernando Santos has decided to give youth a chance, and been rewarded.

AFC Asian Cup 2023: Every Premier League & Scottish Premiership player going

With the AFC Asian Cup 2023 now upon us, FFC takes a look at which players from the Premier League and Scottish Premiership will feature.

ByLuke Randall Jan 2, 2024

Kilicsoy has only played 18 first-team games, 14 of them this season, but already he looks like a future international for Turkey, having netted five in six for the under-19s. No wonder football talent scout Jacek Kulig named him as part of a generation of "frightening" young forwards.

If Wolves did sign Kilicsoy, the comparisons to Fabio Silva – the 18-year-old who commanded a club-record fee in 2020 – would be inevitable. O'Neil would hope for much better results this time, having seen Silva score just five times in 72 appearances before his latest loan move.

Ballance is 57 not out after rookie Robinson scores his second century of the season

ECB Reporters Network15-May-2019Gary Ballance posted Yorkshire’s first half-century of the game to keep his side in contention against a Kent side buoyed by a second County Championship century of the season by rookie keeper-batsman Ollie Robinson.Having conceded a first innings deficit of 86 runs, Yorkshire closed on 166 for 3 after 46 overs of their second innings to lead by 80 runs going into the third day of this finely poised Division One game in Canterbury.Ballance, who won the last of his 23 Test caps in July 2017, went in at the close unbeaten with 57 and having added 27 with fourth-wicket partner Jack Leaning, who was not out 11.After dismissing Kent for 296, Yorkshire started their second innings shortly before tea but soon lost Harry Brook, caught behind when prodding outside off at one from Fred Klaassen.Left-handed pairing Adam Lyth and Ballance took their total through to 82 before Lyth, well set on 44, nibbled at a Mitch Claydon leg-cutter to be caught at the wicket.Tom Kohler-Cadmore became the final casualty of the day when he attempted to force off the back foot against Daniel Bell-Drummond to be held in the gully.Kent, who had earlier resumed on their overnight score of 130 for 4, only had themselves to blame for missing out on a third batting bonus point by only four runs.Robinson and Zak Crawley batted on for half an hour without alarm to extend their partnership’s value to 86 before Crawley fell for 81 to Steven Patterson’s fourth ball of the day. In aiming to work a length ball to mid-wicket, the willowy right-hander found a leading edge to loop a comfortable return catch to the bowler.Robinson, Kent’s 20-year-old understudy keeper, drove nicely all morning to his first 50 at Canterbury from 103 balls with six fours and with only three scoring leg-side shots.After a sticky start, Alex Blake cover drove Patterson for four to raise Kent’s 200 and a batting bonus point, then the left-hander’s backward cut through point against Dom Bess also went to the ropes to level the scores.With his score on 22, Blake took a hefty blow on the head after ducking into a Duanne Olivier bouncer but continued after treatment and replacing his helmet. He swayed out of the way nicely when Olivier followed up with another bumper.Olivier maintained his aggression and was unlucky not to remove Robinson on 71 when an edged glance flew behind to Jon Tattersall, only for the Yorkshire gloveman to spill the chance.Robinson and Blake added 50 before Blake, having been dropped at short leg the previous delivery, edged to slip to give Kohler-Cadmore the fourth of his six out-field catches – equalling the Yorkshire record set by Ellis Robinson against Leicestershire at Bradford in 1938.With Kent’s Robinson edging toward three figures, Harry Podmore miscued to mid-on to gift Bess a wicket, then Matt Milnes nicked off against Olivier.Robinson finally reached his 177-ball ton with a scampered single to mid-off, but holed out soon after enabling Yorkshire to polish off the home tail.

Chelsea have placed Kieran McKenna high on their shortlist of potential replacements for Mauricio Pochettino after Ipswich Town's promotion.

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Chelsea consider appointing McKennaPochettino's future still unclearIpswich won promotion to Premier LeagueWHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea, per , are considering appointing McKenna if they decide to sack Pochettino. The Argentine has yet to undergo his end-of-season review, and there are understood to be a divide on whether he should keep his job.

As a result, the Blues are drawing up contingency plans in case they do decide to swing the axe.

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McKenna guided Ipswich to automatic promotion from the Championship this season, as they lost just six games all season, taking 96 points and finishing second only to Leicester. The Tractor Boys' manager is in demand; he is also being monitored by Manchester United and Brighton would like to hire him as a replacement for Roberto De Zerbi, whose departure was announced on Saturday.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ipswich were playing in League One last season and McKenna has masterminded back-to-back promotions, although it remains to be seen if he would be willing to make such a huge jump to Stamford Bridge. Pochettino only signed a two-year contract upon his arrival and has hinted he could leave.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Chelsea play Bournemouth on the final day of the Premier League season and could still seal a sixth-placed finish, provided Tottenham fail to beat Sheffield United.

Lionesses star Alessia Russo admits England have let standards "slip" recently but believes they raised them for a historic win in France on Tuesday.

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Russo on scoresheet in crucial Lionesses winEngland beat France away for first time since 1973Striker reveals honest post-match discussionWHAT HAPPENED?

The Lionesses went into the game in Saint-Etienne knowing that defeat could be hugely damaging to their hopes of qualifying automatically for Euro 2025, having lost to France in Newcastle just four days earlier. However, they bounced back to win 2-1, securing a first victory away to Les Bleues since 1973.

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Georgia Stanway's wonderful strike broke the deadlock for England midway through the first half and Russo doubled that lead before the break with a smart header. France did get back into things when the visitors conceded a needless penalty late on but Hannah Hampton's heroic late save ensured a 2-1 win.

WHAT RUSSO SAID

Speaking to after the game, Russo said: "We just spoke as a team then, we know that our standards have to be higher. We've probably let them slip a little bit in these past few qualifiers but we know the talent we have, we know the potential that we have as a group and we saw a lot more flashes of it tonight.

"I think we got our standards back to where we wanted them. There were still parts that we'll work on, for sure, but that's a performance that we want to keep going forward [with] now. We know the level is higher than ever and we know that to do anything at the Euros, to even qualify, is going to be harder than ever. We're proud. We'll have a little bit of a rest and then we're back in July for another massive camp."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Though England remain third in their qualifying group after this win, they are in a much better position now. France top the table with nine points, Sweden are in second with seven and the Lionesses are only behind them on goal difference.

The England captain smashed 17 of his side’s 25 sixes and handed Afghanistan their fifth successive loss

The Report by Danyal Rasool18-Jun-2019
As it happenedThat England decimated another attack, posted a massive total and batted their opponents out of the game is only surprising to someone who hasn’t followed Eoin Morgan’s side over the past four years. But even for avid enthusiasts of the 50-over game, the brutality of Tuesday’s assault, led by the England captain himself, was so gruesome one might have been forgiven for wanting to look away by the end of the first innings. England blitzed their way to 397, 198 scored in the final 15, 148 smashed by Morgan in 16 overs he was at the crease. Afghanistan were reduced to batting out the overs, which, admirably though they did so, still meant they came up short by 150 runs in the end.Watch on Hotstar (India only): England v Afghanistan – match highlightsThe records tumbled off the page far easier than they rolled off the tongue: most sixes by an ODI player for Morgan (17) – most sixes by an ODI team (25), highest score for England at a World Cup (397), most expensive bowling figures at a World Cup for Rashid Khan (9-0-110-0) and the most sixes conceded by an individual bowler (Rashid Khan with 11). Morgan took the attack to Afghanistan almost as soon as he walked in to bat; the platform had been set in the first 30 overs by Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root, and the only thing they lacked was the impetus required to push a 300-score into something far more daunting.Fair to say that was achieved, then. With Morgan hitting just about every fourth ball of his innings for six – 17 were deposited over the rope in 71 balls – Afghanistan were up against a man who had prepared for an innings like this by nursing for four years. Rashid Khan, who Gulbadin Naib had held back for this stage of the innings, had the heaviest punishment inflicted upon him, seeing the ball fly to the fence no fewer than 11 times. He conceded 74 in his last four overs, and 110 overall, with Afghanistan paying the price of failing to take early wickets. With the Morgan given the freedom of Old Trafford in the final 20, carnage was always possible.ALSO READ – Eoin Morgan: Beyond the sixes, the heartbeat of ‘new’ EnglandPrior to the bloodbath, however, England had been curiously sedate, as if wary of finding themselves turned over on a day they couldn’t quite field their best eleven. Jason Roy had been ruled out with a hamstring injury, and (ridiculous as it sounds now) Morgan’s availability wasn’t quite a guarantee, still not fully recovered from the back injury that had kept him from batting against West Indies.The first Powerplay saw England score 46 runs – the lowest since the 2015 World Cup – with Mujeeb ur Rehman keeping things tight at one end and Dawlat Zadran removing James Vince after the batsman had played a characteristically charming cameo.Bairstow and Root, who ended up with an anonymous 88 in the larger context, began to push through the gears, but it still wasn’t the no-consequences cricket England have championed in the past four years. They were holding something back, you sensed, but when Morgan walked in after Bairstow fell 10 runs short of his hundred, the hosts were finally free.ESPNcricinfo LtdWhat could Gulbadin Naib know of the beast he unleashed when he overstepped second ball of the 32nd over. It seemed like just another sloppy error – it wasn’t like Afghanistan hadn’t made plenty of those in the field anyway. Catches had been put down, ones had been allowed to turn into twos and balls had been dived over. But that no-ball meant Morgan would have a free-hit off the eighth ball he faced – he had scored just one off seven till then. He clubbed it over cow corner for six, and then treated every ball that followed as if it were a free-hit.This may be Afghanistan’s heaviest defeat in the tournament, but there was much to admire about how they went about their innings. Fully aware they wouldn’t chase it down, they opted not to address the target at all, instead putting together a fine ODI innings in its own right, the type they’ve lacked in the tournament thus far. It’s been a competition marked by unrest, infighting, accusations and recriminations, but this is the Afghanistan fans were hoping would turn up all tournament. It was more representative of the Afghanistan of 2019; what we’ve seen much too often at this World Cup thus far is the lazy, uninformed caricature.Naib, surprisingly opening the batting alongside Noor Ali Zadran, strung together a breezy little innings of 37 that meant, somewhat amusingly, that Afghanistan had outscored England in the first Powerplay. While these were small victories, they’d be the biggest Afghanistan were likely to enjoy; England’s bowlers are much too good to allow the type of carnage that was required for Afghanistan to get anywhere near what England had posted.Hashmatullah Shahidi, as is his wont, took charge of the middle overs, preventing things from falling apart while building partnerships with Rahmat Shah and Asghar Afghan, the occasional acceleration giving off the impression they would tee off from time to time, but never quite managing to do so. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood kept Afghanistan on their toes with express pace, and a couple of damaged helmets had the scars to prove it. Ultimately, however, the scarring belonged to the bowlers who had fronted up to an England captain in the sort of form most cricketers are happy to find themselves in once in a lifetime.That they ended up with 247, the highest score by an Afghanistan side at a World Cup, will be scant consolation as their tournament begins to draw to a close. England’s, on the other hand, may only just have begun.