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It’s debatable if major implications can be extracted from the first game of a season that spans close to six months. But, if there are any clues to be gleaned from New South Wales’ crushing 123-run win over Victoria at the Bankstown Oval today, then they might point to the possibility of the onset of déjà vu.This was last season’s Australian domestic one-day champion against last season’s wooden spooner. And, it has to be said, it looked a reflection of those respective standings all over again.In fairness, Victoria’s head-to-head record against the Blues has not been at all shabby in recent times. Before today, four wins had come in the sides’ last five meetings.But, as they did many times last season, the Bushrangers simply did not look sufficiently equipped to make an imposing score in a one-day innings.After a disappointing start – when they conceded 44 runs inside the first six overs of the match – the visitors’ bowlers and fielders performed their job stoutly enough in limiting New South Wales to a total of 9/256 in the opening session.But, on a ground that offered a true pitch, a fast outfield and short boundaries, their top and middle order batsmen soon became the subjects of a dismal collapse. Moreover, it was a slide that left them embarking on another familiar custom from last season – namely, handing over a bonus point to their opposition.Undone by pace bowling trio Don Nash (3/31), Stuart Clark (2/30) and Glenn McGrath (1/22), the visitors subsided to scores of 3/38 and then 6/69 at different stages of a chase that never seemed to move beyond first gear.The state’s new one-day captain, Matthew Elliott (4), has signalled there will be a more proactive approach in Victoria’s limited-overs cricket this summer, but was instead forced to play reactively as he edged a ball of impeccable length from Nash low to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin’s left. The rot soon set in.Disconcerted by the early disappearance of their leader, Jason Arnberger (21) then flailed wildly at a Nash outswinger to balloon a catch to third man; Brad Hodge (8) was the victim of a brilliant low catch at first slip by Shane Lee off McGrath; and Michael Klinger (4) picked the wrong ball from Nash to seek to drive off the back foot.Clark’s accuracy ensured there remained little respite even after the new ball pairing had been parted.A breezy cameo from Ian Harvey (24) ended when he spooned a slower ball to cover and Ben Oliver (0) was defeated by a classical yorker just two deliveries later.Jon Moss (25), Shane Warne (25) and Darren Berry (17) prolonged the life of the match but there was no doubting the identity of its winner by then.Earlier, New South Wales adopted something of a wasteful approach after the blazing start to its own innings, frittering wickets away at regular intervals.The pattern was established when openers Haddin (21) and Mark Waugh (21) each fell to miscued attacking strokes in the space of three deliveries.Lee (83) later mistimed a swipe at a waist-high full toss from Harvey (3/38); Michael Slater (35) lost patience after a watchful innings and hammered a catch to mid on; Michael Clarke (11) fished at a ball that seamed away; and Nash (10) dragged his back foot out of his crease in attempting to drive. To compound the spendthrift trend, there were also three run outs.In Lee, though, they had a player capable of producing a sparkling and sustained innings. From early in his hand, the New South Wales captain was in command; a display peppered with shots into and over the boundaries on both sides of the wicket, his was the defining individual performance of the match. His effort was a study in concentration too, given that he was forced to devote himself to the task of holding the Blues’ innings together from an early point in his stay.Though he activated the possibility on two separate occasions by clubbing sixes early in an over, not even the lure of the competition’s new million dollar jackpot (on offer to a batsman capable of swinging an accompanying six into one of four signs on the ground’s square boundaries) swayed him from the job at hand.That was one area in which Victoria did assume dominance.The Bushrangers’ chances of winning the match had long gone, but Warne raised the prospect of a big finish nonetheless when he pummelled a Stuart MacGill (2/32) full toss only a few metres over a sign at square leg that would have delivered the million dollar bounty.ING’s directors might, at that moment, have felt their hearts collectively skip a beat as they considered the prospect of giving away the prize in the very first match of the season.Ultimately, though, they were spared a bad end to their day. The Bushrangers, by contrast, were not nearly so fortunate.

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool, and by extension owners Fenway Sports Group, have now seemingly set their sights on Villarreal sensation Yeremy Pino.

The Lowdown: Klopp eyeing fresh summer faces?

Despite the signing of £37 million star Luis Diaz from FC Porto in January, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has still been tipped to bolster his options with major moves in the summer.

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Indeed, Lille star Jonathan David is apparently one player attracting interest from Klopp and the club as new attackers are reportedly eyed at Anfield.

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez is another forward Liverpool are ‘ready to attack’ for, according to recent claims, with news emerging on another in Villarreal’s sensational young winger Pino.

The Latest: FSG ‘prepare’ offer…

As per Spanish source Fichajes, Liverpool and FSG now want the dazzling 19-year-old winger, but face a fight from Premier League title rivals Manchester City.

It is also believed that both the Merseyside giants and City already ‘prepare their respective offers’ to sign Pino with the talented teenager now ‘having the opportunity to head to England’.

The Verdict: Exciting claim…

Already capped twice by Spain, the La Liga starlet is one of the most exciting players in Europe right now.

It’s little wonder his club, who recently agreed a contract extension with Pino until June 2027, have now slapped a sky high €80 million release clause (£66.6m) on his head ahead of the summer window.

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As Liverpool ready a bid to sign him, it will certainly be interesting whether FSG pay the fee outright or attempt to whittle down that price in possible negotiations.

Scoring four goals in one game against Espanyol on Sunday, Pino has already been described as a ‘top level’ player by reporter Fabrizio Romano and one who could be worth the investment at Liverpool.

In other news: Liverpool now also prepared to move for £177,000-per-week ‘beast’ in boost for Klopp, find out more here.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsFile photo: Rayad Emrit picked up two wickets and slammed a 28-ball 54 to stun Dhaka Dynamites•BCCI

Comilla’s win earlier in the day against Sylhet made this game inconsequential in the race for the last four, but No. 9 Rayad Emrit’s unbeaten 54 gave Barisal Bulls a two-wicket win over Dhaka Dynamites, as well as much-needed confidence before Saturday’s Eliminator between the same two teams.Dhaka seemed well on course for victory when Suhrawadi Shuvo became Mosharraf Hossain’s third wicket in the 17th over, with Barisal slumping to 94 for 8. Emrit, though, struck two sixes in the same over to reduce the equation to 29 needed off three overs.Nine runs were taken in the next over, leaving Emrit and Nikhil Dutta needing 20 off the last two. After taking three singles and a double, Emrit swung Farhad Reza for a four past short fine-leg, but crucially took a single off the last ball.Irfan’s first ball of the last over went for four and when Emrit took a single off the next ball, he reached 50 off 27 balls. Dutta ran a bye next ball before Emrit carved the fourth ball past the point fielder for a four, sealing the win. Emrit took off in ecstasy while Dhaka were left scratching their heads, especially as they had dominated most of the game.Both teams had rested four players each, including Kumar Sangakkara for Dhaka and Chris Gayle for Barisal. It gave opportunities to younger players and Mosaddek Hossain, playing on his 20th birthday, made Dhaka’s top score with 30 off 31 balls while Dutta, playing his first match in the BPL, took 3 for 18.Mohammad Irfan struck in the third over of Barisal’s chase when he had Rony Talukdar caught behind for four, after striking him with a bouncer. Nabil Samad then had Brendan Taylor leg-before for 3 and Mahmudullah bowled for 1, before Mosaddek Hossain took the big wicket of Evin Lewis, caught at long-off for 9.Sabbir Rahman was then trapped lbw by Mosharraf, although the ball appeared to be heading down the leg side. Soon after, Mohammad Hafeez took an excellent running catch, coming forward from long-off, from a Sohag Gazi miscue in the 12th over, as Barisal slipped to 59 for 6. Mehedi Maruf was batting well, attacking and picking singles at will, but he ran past a Mosharraf delivery in the 14th over to be stumped, seemingly ending any hopes of a Barisal win. His 41-ball 37 had three fours and two big sixes over midwicket.Earlier, Dutta foxed an advancing Hafeez with a wide delivery that was only toe-ended to cover for a simple catch. Hafeez had made 25 off 27 balls, helped by four fours. In his next over, Dutta bowled Malcolm Waller with a delivery that dipped late on the batsman who was trying to slog him. Nasir Hossain finally connected a slog off Dutta, but was caught at deep midwicket in the bowler’s third over. Dutta finished with figures of 3 for 18 from four overs.Mosaddek, who struck a four and a six in his 31-ball innings, came to the crease at this point and added 33 runs for the fifth wicket with Ryan ten Doeschate, who made 22 and was caught at cover off Emrit. There was a second wicket in store for Emrit in the final over of the innings, when he clean bowled Shykat Ali. Emrit would also have the last word with the bat.

Ottis Gibson: “Unbelievable.But we’ve got four games left and if I’m going to get through them I’m going to have to cut down on the celebrations a little bit.” © Getty Images

Ottis Gibson was named man-of-the-match as Durham wrapped up victory over Hampshire in the Friends Provident Trophy final on Sunday leaving Shane Warne’s dreams of a domestic title shattered.Durham needed just 38 minutes to clinch a 125-run victory at an almost-empty Lord’s after the conclusion of the final had been held over from Saturday because of rain. Hampshire were already facing an uphill task when they resumed on 158 for five in reply to 312 for five and were eventually all out for 187 at the end of the 41st over.Former West Indies seamer Gibson, 38, who began the Hampshire reply with wickets off the first two balls and then dismissed dangerman Kevin Pietersen as well, was the star performer.”Unbelievable,” said Gibson who took 10 wickets in an innings against Hampshire in a county championship match earlier in the summer. “But we’ve got four games left and if I’m going to get through them I’m going to have to cut down on the celebrations a little bit.”Durham’s Paul Collingwood, England’s one-day skipper, was delighted to finally see his county clinch a first major domestic title. “We’ve had lots of ups and downs at the club – just after I joined in 1996 I think we won one game all season – but we learned a lot and it pulled us together as a team.”Warne, Hampshire’s captain had been greeted with a no-ball bouncer by old foe Collingwood, but it was Liam Plunkett who bowled the Australian for five to end the innings. Shivnarine Chanderpaul had top-scored for Durham with 78 on his 33rd birthday.”I hate losing and this is right up there,” said Warne. “But Durham just played better and I think this could inspire us to achieve some special things.”

A debate rages on as to whether the inaugural 20/20 tournament was developmental for West Indies cricket © Getty Images

Once again, West Indies cricketers have been caught in the middle of a row that is no fault of their own. Such seems to be the case after billionaire Allen Stanford made it known that the US$5 million Stanford 20/20 Super Stars match between West Indies and South Africa, slated for November 10, would be scrapped if the team was weakened by the withdrawal of West Indies players for the simultaneous tour of Pakistan.Why should players have to make the choice between a West Indies cricket tour of Pakistan or playing in the lucrative Stanford 20/20 Super Stars match? Why can’t the players have the best of both worlds? It is unfortunate that a supposedly trivial issue such as the clashing of dates has the potential to create another impasse in our cricket that has indirectly led to the resignation of Clive Lloyd from the Stanford 20/20 board of directors.While debate rages on as to whether the inaugural 20/20 tournament was developmental for West Indies cricket, the financial incentives for our players and the resurgence in spectator appeal was most welcomed. With the Pakistanis not in the most accommodating mood to revisit the itinerary, the players will be caught between playing for pride and peanuts or a heavy one-off pay day.Where does Lloyd, who is a member of the West Indies Cricket Board, now stand in the midst of all this? Lloyd said if any of the players were selected for the West Indies for the tour of Pakistan, they would be replaced in the Super Stars squad.Stanford obviously saw it differently. When you are investing millions of dollars, you want the best and nothing but the best. Now Lloyd has resigned and it will be interesting to see if the other legends follow suit. Lloyd seemed to have been saying that if push came to shove, West Indies cricket should be given priority and no one should question a former Test great having that view. There is a school of argument that Lloyd and others with key roles in West Indies cricket, such as Gordon Greenidge and Andy Roberts, should have distanced themselves from the 20/20 board.On another note, it was a little puzzling that CBC, which so often boasts of being the Caribbean’s best connection, would miss the opportunity to televise the 20/20 final between Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana live after there was so much excitement in the air created by the novelty of the game.

Tim May, the CEO of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Association, has said that following a full briefing by the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) and informal discussions with members of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) he was confident that the ongoing dispute between the two would be resolved in the short term.The dispute has led to a number of players being unavailable for selection for the West Indies, including high profile names such as Brian Lara, Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan. The essence of the major dispute surrounds the commercial use of player attributes and restrictions that WICB seek to impose on players’ personal endorsement ability.While May was confident that the matters could be solved, he supported the players’ position on the matter, stating that the existing terms and conditions on the table were simply unacceptable and represented terms that no player association could accept.May believed that the recent election of Ken Gordon to the WICB presidency would have a positive effect upon the stalemate and that the mood of negotiation would change from impasse to one where all parties would work together to find a solution that would satisfy all parties. “At present the interests of all of the key parties are not being served,” he said. “Whether it be WICB, the players, the sponsor, the West Indies’ cricketing public or world cricket, all parties are suffering as a result of this dispute.”After discussions with key personnel from both sides of the dispute, I am confident that the mood of the negotiations will be conducted with a more positive and respectful manner and a solution will brokered in the short term.”

Marvan Atapattu: guarding against overconfidence ahead of Sri Lanka’s tour of Australia© Getty Images

Marvan Atapattu, Sri Lanka’s captain, said that Sri Lanka’s tour of Australia next month would be an even bigger challenge for his side if Muttiah Muralitharan decides to pull out.Speaking to the press at Bulawayo today, Atapattu said, “If Murali decides he is not going to Australia, it will be one heck of a challenge for us. It will be a big struggle trying to contain the strong Australian batting line up without him.”Sri Lanka are due to tour Australia from June 24 to July 13 to play two Tests at Darwin and Cairns. “Right along it has been [Chaminda] Vaas and Murali who have been doing the bulk of the bowling and getting the bulk of the wickets for us,” he continued. “But at the same time, it will also give an opportunity for somebody else to come and perform and show what they are capable of.”Murali has been offended by remarks made by former Australian cricketers, and by John Howard, Australia’s prime minister, who publicly criticised his bowling action soon after he passed Courtney Walsh’s tally of 519 Test wickets to become the new world-record holder.It was also in Australia where Murali was called for throwing by the home umpires, and on his last tour there four years ago, he was constantly jeered by a section of the crowd whenever he came on to bowl. Murali then vowed that he would never tour Australia again in the future, and the recent remarks are likely be the icing on the cake.On the matter of Dion Ebrahim being banned for one game after makingremarks about Muralitharan’s bowling action during the Bulawayo Test, Atapattu had no sympathy. Ebrahim was allegedly given a tough time out in the middle by the Sri Lankan fielders in Zimbabwe’s second innings.Atapattu said, “If you take our team as a whole, Murali is the most respected cricketer, performance-wise, in our team. You don’t go around saying things about him and trying to undermine his achievements after he has broken the world record by taking more than 520 wickets. You just admire him. That’s how we look at it.”We hate to see somebody saying nasty things about another player who had achieved something. When the world says this is the best bowler in the game today, you don’t go and say something nasty to him. We were really angry at Ebrahim’s remarks. We respect cricketers from other countries and expect the same from them. We tried to control ourselves today, but it wasn’t the case. I thought Ebrahim got what he deserved.”Muralitharan once again finished as Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-taker in the two-Test series against Zimbabwe. He took 14 wickets and once again emphasized his value to the team. With his doosra banned by the ICC, Muralitharan fell back on his offbreaks and top spinners, and picked up six wickets in the second Test.”One thing I had in mind during the Zimbabwe second innings was for him to get five wickets. I told him `get me five if you can and show the world that you are still capable of getting wickets’,” said Atapattu.”I don’t think the Test would have gone on for so long had Murali been able to bowl his doosra ball. We would have loved to see him bowl it, especially in this innings because the wicket was a good batting track.”Murali is a guy I am pretty sure will work out something else and come back strongly, maybe stronger than he was earlier. I hope nothing will happen to him because he is such a unique personality, an icon. He is one of the best cricketers the world will ever get to see because he has given so much entertainment to the cricket loving public.”Atapattu added that the Bulawayo Test was the hardest for him as captain to keep the team morale going. “We kept on saying this is the last game and we’ve got to finish the tour on a high note because we are meeting the world champions in another month’s time,” he said. “We had to keep our levels high and performances going and somehow we managed to get a good result in our favour.”The team motivated themselves in the one-day series by aiming to retain third spot in the ICC one-day rankings. And in the first Test at Harare, it was of course Murali’s world record.”I thought we played well in both Tests, especially to bowl them out twice on a good batting wicket. This wicket was good for batting than the one at Harare. It was a good effort and I think we deserved to win,” said Atapattu. “I thought both the teams to a certain extent, even the Zimbabweans, came out fighting because the wicket was good for batting. I thought to get them out twice under 80 overs in each innings was a good effort although they were a much weaker side.”He continued, “We approached this series like we were playing any other team. We were trying to keep the incentive levels high right throughout the series and to have the same discipline going.”Had Zimbabwe played their full side it would have been better for us before going to Australia. I am sure it would have been a tougher competition, but still this is what we had to face. We are at two extremes now, playing a weak Zimbabwean team and a month later the full might of Australia. Having done so well here, we’ve got to guard ourselves against overconfidence when we get there.”

Nasser Hussain has stepped down as a national selector, to allow someone who watches more county cricket to take his place. Hussain, who retired from one-day cricket after the World Cup, is likely to be succeeded by Michael Vaughan next week. It was felt by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) that having two different captains sitting in on selection meetings would lead to complications.Hussain has also argued that the England team would benefit from extra scouting experience on the selection panel. “[We] have grown increasingly worried about how little county cricket and how few young cricketers we are able to watch because of the hectic international schedule,” wrote Hussain in his Sunday Telegraph column. “At the moment half the selection panel can have very little input when we are trying to work out whether a young player has what it takes to make it at the highest level. This cannot be right.”Hussain played a single County Championship match for Essex last season because of his international commitments. Among the favourites to take the vacant fourth spot on the panel is the director of the ECB Academy, Rod Marsh, who is a regular on the county circuit as he decides on his yearly intake for the academy. Hussain added that he would still like to retain an influence before Test selection, and called for the selectors to keep the policy of consistent selection from the last three years.The former England cricketers, Mike Atherton, Angus Fraser and Vic Marks – all of whom have since turned to journalism – have also been shortlisted to join David Graveney, the chairman, Duncan Fletcher and Geoff Miller on the panel.

Nottinghamshire’s left-arm spinner Richard Stemp has suffered more injury woe and will miss the rest of the season.After being sidelined for over a month with a broken right thumb the 33-year-old broke his left thumb during a comeback match for the county’s second string.Stephen Randall, who has covered in the first team during Stemp’s absence, is likely to be considered for the final CricInfo Championship match of the season, at Trent Bridge, against Hampshire beginning on 12th September.

Everton manager Frank Lampard has made it quite clear that he will offer ‘fresh slates’ to some of his players who have endured a torrid run-of-form over recent months – including new signing Dele Alli.

The former Tottenham man is yet to register a goal or assist since moving to Everton, but the faith shown in him by his new boss is a significant sign that everyone will be getting their chance to impress.

Alex Iwobi is one player who is showing signs of revival already since Lampard’s appointment, having started the last three games despite not playing a minute of club football since mid-December before.

After impressing at home to Leeds just over two weeks ago, the £34m Nigeria international, who has regularly been branded as one of Everton’s ‘worst purchases’ in recent years, was trusted to start against Southampton and then at home to Manchester City on Saturday.

Despite being on the losing team, the overall Everton performance was encouraging – as was Iwobi’s, who completed 76% of his passes against Pep Guardiola’s high-pressing side, as well as creating one big chance.

The 25-year-old also caught the eye when he breezed past one of the best defenders in the world, Joao Cancelo, with strength and pace before winning his team a corner.

His work rate and defensive efforts were also impressive, as he completed more tackles than teammates Jonjoe Kenny, Michael Keane and Mason Holgate combined, as well as making one key interception and clearance to help keep Everton in with a chance.

For a player who has come under intense criticism from his own fans, being regularly called ‘awful’ and a ‘mistake’ of a transfer from critics, it is commendable to see him apply himself in the best possible way and attempt to turn his career in Merseyside around under his new boss.

He has gone from an “embarrassing” player in the words of the Liverpool Echo’s David Prentice, to someone now beginning to show more promising signs.

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While it is clear that we still have not seen anywhere near the best of Iwobi in a Toffees shirt, it’s certain that his attitude looks to be changing, and fans should get behind him over the next few weeks if he continues to work as hard as he has been since the turn of the year.

And in other news: Moshiri suffered an Everton howler over £27m-rated “monster”, Lampard will be gutted…