Tag Futebol

Bangladesh A coach Heath Streak has termed the five-match tour of India as an ‘important step’ ahead of the two-match Test series at home against Australia, starting October 9. Streak believed that Bangladesh are capable of beating Australia, who find themselves 272 Tests light following the retirements of Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers, Ryan Harris, Brad Haddin, and Shane Watson.”A tour like this is an important step for Bangladesh cricket in its continued learning curve for all formats,” Streak said. “I think everyone knows Bangladesh in Bangladesh are a tough team to beat and I think despite Australia coming, it’s no different.”They got a few inexperienced players and rely pretty heavily on their more senior players like [Steven] Smith. If they don’t play their best cricket and we play to our potential, we can beat Australia, especially in our conditions.”Bangladesh are yet to play a Test in India, but Bangladesh A have previously toured the country in 2001, 2009, and 2012. Streak identified the series as platform to get used to the conditions and build on gains, besides calling for the one-day form of the national team to be transferred to Tests.”[This is a] Very important tour for Bangladesh in terms of their progression”, Streak said. ” We are not looking at the series as a warm up. For us it’s about winning and continuing winning culture.”In a country like India, this is a great opportunity for them to expose themselves to the conditions and gain more experience. Whilst we have performed well in one-day cricket, we have still got big strides to make in the Test arena. It is a good opportunity for Bangladesh to show their improvement in Test cricket as well.”Streak also felt that the the fast-bowling department was well stocked, as it has been bolstered further by the return of Taskin Ahmed from injury. Taskin sustained a tear on his left side before the third ODI against India, but has recovered fully and is set for his first first-class match since February 2013.”[We have] Rubel [Hossain] and Taskin [Ahmed], while Mashrafe [Mortaza] is a very experienced campaigner. Mustafizur [Rahman] has come on the scene and made an impression right from the outset,” Streak said. “We have people like Shafiul [Islam], Al-Amin [Hossain], [Mohammad] Shahid. We have a good group of guys and some really good Under-19s.”This will be the first time Taskin will be playing long-form cricket [after suffering a stress fracture in 2014 and a side tear early this year]”, Streak said. “Taskin, despite the injury bowled the most number of the balls of all Bangladesh bowlers last year [he actually bowled 474 balls across formats in 2015, the fifth-highest among Bangladesh bowlers].”In terms of his preparation, it has been good. We have been maintaining him and we got an important T20 World Cup coming up, which is at the top of the list. Those sort of quick bowlers are important to us and how we manage them is the key.”

Wilfried Nancy has become the first manager in Celtic history to lose his first four matches in charge of the club after a dismal 2-1 defeat to Dundee United on Wednesday night.

The Hoops looked like they had turned a corner after they took the lead through Daizen Maeda early on, but the hosts turned it around with two quick goals in the second half to seal all three points.

It is hard to defend the French head coach after such a disappointing start to his Celtic career, but there were several players who could have done more, including the goalscorer Maeda.

How Celtic's attack cost Nancy against Dundee United

The Japan international scored a brilliant goal to put the Scottish Premiership giants in front, as he beat the defender superbly and rifled a shot into the bottom corner.

However, as shown in the clip below, he also produced an astounding miss that truly has to be seen to be believed, as he hit the post from almost on the line.

Maeda was not the worst attacker on the pitch for Celtic, though, as Johnny Kenny missed two ‘big chances’, per Sofascore, including one in the six-yard box that was put on a plate by Maeda.

The Ireland international did provide the assist for the Japanese winger’s goal, in his defence, but his lack of ruthlessness in front of goal ultimately cost Celtic and Nancy, as he failed to convert any of the four shots and two ‘big chances’ that he had.

Kenny and Maeda were far from the only underperformers on the night, though, as Reo Hatate was just as bad as they were with his dismal display.

Why Reo Hatate should be dropped

The Japan international lined up as one of the two number ten options behind Kenny, alongside Luke McCowan, and failed to offer much to the team in or out of possession.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Expand Collapse

Whilst Kenny and Maeda were guilty of missing big opportunities in front of goal, both of them combined for the goal that Celtic did score, and got into positions to cause problems for Dundee United.

Hatate, meanwhile, did little of note to show that he deserves to keep his place in the starting line-up ahead of their clash with Aberdeen at Parkhead at the weekend.

Per Sofascore, the Japanese central midfielder lost 100% of his ground duels and 100% of his aerial duels, which shows that he failed to match the intensity and physicality that Dundee United brought to the game in the middle of the park.

Meanwhile, Luke McCowan won five of his 11 duels, Paulo Bernardo won eight of his 11 duels, and Callum McGregor won five of his five duels. Hatate, therefore, was, by far, the weakest link in midfield from a physical and defensive perspective.

Vs Dundee United

Reo Hatate

Minutes

65

Shots

2

Shots on target

0

Key passes

1

Cross accuracy

0%

Ground duels won

0/1

Aerial duels won

0/1

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Celtic star also offered little to the team from an attacking perspective, with no shots on target and one chance created in 65 minutes of action before he was withdrawn from the game by Nancy.

Subscribe for deeper Celtic and Scottish football analysis Want deeper tactical breakdowns? Subscribe to the newsletter for detailed player-performance analysis and Scottish Premiership perspective — clear, focused coverage to help you follow Celtic’s tactics and squad developments. Subscribe Subscribe for deeper Celtic and Scottish football analysis Want deeper tactical breakdowns? Subscribe to the newsletter for detailed player-performance analysis and Scottish Premiership perspective — clear, focused coverage to help you follow Celtic’s tactics and squad developments.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The fact that he was one of the first players to come off as part of the triple substitution suggests that the French boss was far from pleased with what he was delivering on the pitch, which is understandable when you look at the statistics behind his performance.

He was just as bad as Kenny and Maeda because they, at least, offered some quality for the goal to go along with the errors they made with their wayward finishing. Whereas the midfield flop simply offered very little at either end of the pitch.

That is why Nancy should ruthlessly drop him from the starting line-up for the clash with Aberdeen, because he was ineffective in the number ten position and another player, whether that is Arne Engels or Benjamin Nygren, should be given an opportunity to take his place.

Related Celtic can end Nancy's nightmare by hiring "unbeatable" 4-2-3-1 manager

Celtic could quickly end their Wilfried Nancy nightmare by swooping for this out of work head coach.

Posts ByDan Emery

Whoever takes to the field against the Dons, Nancy needs his players to step up and be reliable in front of goal to quickly end his nightmare start to life in Glasgow.

	New Zealand Cricket’s decision came because they were ‘increasingly concerned at the implications should they select Bond’ © Getty Images

Heath Mills, the executive manager of the New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA), has expressed disappointment at New Zealand Cricket’s (NZC) decision to terminate Shane Bond’s contract and called on the authorities to address the situation to avoid international cricket being devalued. He has also accused NZC of acting to appease the Indian board.Mills said that Bond’s contract with NZC allowed him to play for third parties when his NZC commitments allowed, and that there were no restrictions on what events he could participate in. “Three months ago Bond sought and was granted consent by NZC to sign with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) in line with his playing contract,” Mills said. “Further to that Bond ensured his ICL contract released him for international duties if required.”In this way his ICL contract did not affect his ability to play for New Zealand or impact on international cricket. NZC has become increasingly concerned at the implications should they select Bond, or any other player, to represent New Zealand if they are contracted to the ICL. These concerns principally relate to NZC’s relationship with the Indian board (BCCI) and perceived risks to future revenue streams should the BCCI take a stand against NZC given the ICL is not sanctioned by that organisation.”NZC has also recently been made aware of an ICC operating manual regulation that purports to not allow them to release players to participate in non-sanctioned events. However, Mills said this regulation formed no part of the contracting arrangements with players and had never been communicated to them by the ICC or NZC.”It has no application within the current player contracting arrangements between NZC, the NZCPA and the players. Attempting to retrospectively introduce and impose a regulation which amounts to a restraint of trade is simply unfair and inappropriate, and it compromises the freedom of contract that is preserved for our players under their agreements.”The NZCPA fully understands the position NZC has found itself and we do not want them to damage relationships with the BCCI and other ICC members. However, pressure to preserve these relationships should not be placed above preserving New Zealand’s right to select its best players to represent the Black Caps, the rights and aspirations of New Zealand citizens to represent their country and the legal rights of players under their signed playing contracts.”Given the issues Bond has decided to stand aside from international cricket at NZC’s request. The NZCPA supports this decision as it enables him to preserve a strong relationship with the board of NZC in the hope that he can again contribute to the game in New Zealand at some stage in the future. However, this is not a decision that he was compelled to make and under our contract system negotiated with NZC it remains open for any player to play for a third party like the ICL and still remain contracted to and play for NZC.”It is this situation that leaves the NZCPA concerned for cricket in New Zealand. We urge the ICC to step in and attempt to influence this situation and find a way to manage third party investment in our sport before we lose more players both here and around the world, and international cricket has been damaged further. History has shown that professional sports cannot afford to become split. It is absolutely vital that international cricket remains the pinnacle of the sport and that we ensure the best players are playing.”

The dismissal of Jacques Kallis signalled the end for South Africa © AFP

How many times in your life will you watch the No. 1 side in the world comprehensively outclassed by one ranked eight places lower? This match, three weeks on from that epic triumph against India at Port-of-Spain, will linger long in the memory for the manner in which a young and vibrant side embarrassed one that appeared to rest on its laurels. Had the South African cricket board not changed their crest to the Protea, the headline-writers would have had a field day with variations on “Tigers maul Springboks”.And it really was a mauling, with South Africa never even remotely in the game once Jacques Kallis’ attempt to heave the super-slow Syed Rasel fell safely into the hands of mid-on. When the spinners came on, each left-arm and each so very different in their methods, the old gremlins against slow bowling resurfaced. The third Powerplay produced three wickets and just five runs, with Justin Kemp and Mark Boucher swishing and wafting at thin air.It was the sort of performance that vindicated those who insist that South Africa are still not on the same ball park as Australia. The Australians work the slow bowlers around far better – it helps to have one or two of your own to practice against – and they certainly wouldn’t have succumbed without a semblance of a fight. Between them, Abdul Razzaq, Saqibul Hasan and Mohammad Rafique bowled 29.4 overs for combined figures of 6 for 96, even better than what they managed to push the Indians on to skid row.”I guess that conclusion has been around a while,” a dejected Graeme Smith said, when asked if the result highlighted South African frailty on slow pitches against slow bowlers. “But we played pretty well to beat Sri Lanka on this surface. Compared to the way we played against Sri Lanka, it’s like chalk and cheese.”The same three spinners had routed India, but according to Smith, the 67-run defeat was the result of an overall meltdown. “There’s no right thing to say,” he said. “We just have to take our pain. It’s a big loss for us and we are hugely disappointed. We couldn’t give it our best shot and didn’t get the basics right. We didn’t play the kind of cricket we are capable of, and it’s hard to take any positive from any facet of the game today.”In hindsight, the key moments came in the 36th over, with Bangladesh’s run rate still stuck below four an over. Kemp had bowled just seven overs in five previous games, but with Andrew Hall apparently having a quadriceps problem, he was pressed into action. The consequences were disastrous, with Aftab Ahmed teeing off and the momentum shifting.”I don’t want to take the credit away from Bangladesh,” Smith said. “They played superbly. We gave them the opportunity and they grabbed it with both hands. We let ourselves down very, very badly.”

AB de Villiers’ place may be under threat © Getty Images

With Ashraful having played himself in and wickets in hand, the charge came in the final ten overs. When it did, South Africa had no answers, with Charl Langeveldt and Makhaya Ntini coming in for especially harsh treatment from Ashraful and the swashbuckling Mashrafe Mortaza.”His innings changed things,” Smith said, when asked about Ashraful, who eased to 51 from 64 balls before driving and paddle-sweeping a further 36 from just 19 balls. “He set them up, worked the field well, and kept us under pressure right from when he came in to bat.”With no Hall to bowl cutters at the death, and no Robin Peterson to provide the notional spin option, there was a sameness to the attack that both batsmen pounced on. Smith defended his team selection, but changes are certain when they play West Indies, with Andre Nel having bowled himself into the XI with a splendid spell of 5 for 45.The fall guy could well be Kemp, whose batting isn’t really suited for these sluggish pitches. AB de Villiers might also come under the scanner. After a superb 92 against Australia, he has done nothing of note, and South Africa do have the hit-and-miss talent of Loots Bosman to call upon. The reluctance to juggle the batting order may also have been costly. With Gibbs unable to bat till the fall of the fifth wicket after the time he spent off the field with a calf strain, it might have made sense to promote Shaun Pollock, another accomplished player of spin.Smith didn’t think so. “Kempy’s the type of guy who needs time, and he was the one we promoted today,” he said. Kemp’s return was 7 from 29, and his hard-handed approach to the turning ball never looked like succeeding.All is not yet lost for South Africa. Tuesday’s game against West Indies now assumes knockout proportions, and England will also be scrapping for a place in the final four. “We need to regroup and there’s still an opportunity with three big games coming up,” Smith said. “Our focus will be on winning all three matches. We don’t really want to be relying on other people to get us through.”A few days ago, the talk was of avoiding Australia in the semi-final. Right now, even scaling such a height is far from certain. Being No. 1 is never easy, and being knocked off the perch hurts. Even more so when the knockout blow is delivered by a team that was given less of a chance than James ‘Buster’ Douglas against ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson in Tokyo 17 years ago.

Nasser Hussain: ‘England just need to keep their control’© Getty Images

England’s tour of India may be lurching from one crisis to the next, but Nasser Hussain – the man who masterminded their last tour of the country in 2001-02 – believes that the current adversity could work out in their favour, so long as they stick to their gameplans.”I know the pressure of playing on the subcontinent,” Hussain told Cricinfo on the eve of his departure for Nagpur, where he will be forming part of the Sky Sports commentary team. “I’m quite happy for England to have these injuries because it puts the pressure back on India. They should beat England come Wednesday, so England have absolutely nothing to lose. They just need to keep their control, and keep the pressure on the opposition for as long as they can.”Four years ago, Hussain led a team of rookies to a 1-0 defeat that felt at the time like a triumph. Shorn of the services of men such as Andrew Caddick, Darren Gough, Alec Stewart and Mike Atherton, he controlled the tempo for much of the three-Test series, and with a bit of luck in the final match at Bangalore, England might have secured at least a share of the spoils.The similarities between then and now are stark, with England missing their captain and vice-captain, Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick, as well as their most experienced spinner, Ashley Giles. But Hussain was adamant that the team still retained a fighting chance, not least because of the current volatile state of Indian cricket.”I always believe that, in the subcontinent, the longer you can keep the opposition down, the more the crowd gets on the back of the home side,” he added. “If England can do anything and can perform in that first Test match to any degree, I think it will put pressure on Dravid and Chappell, and who knows, it might reopen the Ganguly issue as well.”To that end, he believed that the decision to pass the captaincy duties over to Andrew Flintoff was a bold and thoughtful move, and one that has been rewarded by today’s news that Flintoff will now be staying with the squad for the whole tour, and not flying home during the third Test as planned, to attend the birth of his second child.There are some fears that the millstone of the captaincy could be detrimental for a performer so central to England’s fortunes, but Hussain is not one of the doubters. “I’ve got no worries about the additional burden, because desperate times call for desperate measures, and England need someone who will lift them above the ordinary. Freddie definitely has the capability to do that, so I’m pleased he’s been given this opportunity. He is absolutely crucial to England’s success.

Andrew Flintoff: ‘desperate times call for desperate measures’ © Getty Images

“At the moment, England’s energy levels will be low,” he explained. “They’ll be down, and they’ll need to look at someone to lift them. Flintoff is that sort of man. He can lift any dressing-room, and last summer he lifted the whole country. He can lift England when it’s most needed, which is right now.”It will be difficult for him, but he’s got nothing to lose, and more importantly, he will also take crucial players along with him – men such as [Steve] Harmison, who’s absolutely pivotal, and [Kevin] Pietersen. So it’s a clever move again by Fletcher, because it appeals to that important core of the side that responds well to Flintoff.”England are expected to name two debutants in Alastair Cook and Ian Blackwell, but Hussain was not worried about their motivation to succeed. “Those guys will respond to anyone really, because they are just coming into the side and making their debuts. You could leave Ronnie Irani in charge and still they’d be lifted! It doesn’t matter. What you do need, though, is for your dangermen to be up for it, and by giving the captaincy to Flintoff, it’s a clever move.”Hussain was Blackwell’s captain when he made his debut in the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka three years ago, and he believes this tour is a golden opportunity for Blackwell to stake a claim for the pivotal No. 8 position that Ashley Giles has made his own in recent years.”Potentially, Ashley should be more worried about Blackwell than any other spinner in England, because he is capable of fulfilling that role that Fletcher and Vaughan want. He’s a clever left-arm spinner, and because he bats as well, he thinks like a batsman which helps him bowl better. He’s no Daniel Vettori, but he’s more than just a part-timer, and he’s particularly good on the subcontinent because he plays well on low surfaces.”It all comes down to Blackwell’s attitude off the field,” Hussain warned. “It’s about sacrifices and what you want to give. The work you do off the field makes you successful on the field, and you only have to look at Andrew Flintoff to realise that. Blackwell is saying all the right things, but you can’t just do that for one day, you have to do it for a whole career. You don’t get too many third or fourth chances, especially with Fletcher. This time it’s last-chance saloon, and he’s got to take it.”For all his positive outlook, however, Hussain felt that the absence of Trescothick would be a huge blow to England’s chances, and equated it to the loss of Graham Thorpe – also for “personal reasons” – on his own tour in 2001-02.”In the last five years, England’s two best players in the subcontinent have been Thorpe and Trescothick,” said Hussain. “They are two different styles of players, but Trescothick is a vital cog in this England side. He plays spinners well – he attacks them, he defends them, he’s left-handed which helps, and he rotates the strike. And also he’s a good man around the dressing-room, and one of Vaughan’s right-hand-men, especially through his body language when things need to be said or done.”He’s a popular member of the side, and he’s going to be missed because he’s a good man,” Hussain concluded, after Trescothick had flown home from the tour in tears on Saturday night. “So whatever it is, and I don’t know what it is, both cricketing-wise and non-cricketing wise, I hope Tres sorts it out.”

Simon Jones: talks with three other counties© Getty Images

Simon Jones has revealed how close he came to quitting Glamorgan, after the county finally persuaded him to sign a new three-year contract which will secure his long-term future at the club. During England’s tour of Zimbabwe Jones had expressed his frustration about the lack of one-day opportunities coming his way, and the deal was only sealed after a summit meeting with the captain, Robert Croft.”I never wanted to leave Glamorgan but I would have done if I had to,” Jones told the Sporting Life website, adding that he had contemplated moves to Surrey, Worcestershire and Hampshire. “Glamorgan is my county and I’m a proud Welshman, but in the end cricket is my job and I have to secure my future.”Jones, who holds a 12-month central contract and is therefore paid by England and not Glamorgan, finalised the deal on his return from holiday in Singapore.Mike Fatkin, Glamorgan’s chief executive was understandably delighted: “We’re pleased that Simon sees his future with us and that he believes he can fulfil his potential with us. It’s great news.”Jones, 26, took 15 wickets during the Test series against South Africa at 26.66 and formed an important part of the attack as Steve Harmison’s form dipped. However, he is currently on the fringe of the one-day team after playing two games against Zimbabwe, and being on standby while Harmison recovered from injury at the start of the one-day series against South Africa.He felt his progress in limited-overs cricket was being hindered by not being a regular in Glamorgan’s one-day team, and told Croft as much when the two met. “Crofty said he wanted to give me a senior role in the team which meant a lot more responsibility,” said Jones. “And that means taking the new ball and more opportunities in one-day cricket. It’s all about a fresh start.”In five years Jones has only played 12 one-day matches, bowling 90 overs and claiming seven wickets at over 71 apiece – although that lack of games can be partly attributed to his central contract. In his early days he was a tearaway quick bowler, but since returning from the knee injury he sustained at Brisbane in November 2002 he has added more control to compensate for a reduction in pace.”It’s a big, big season for Glamorgan what with us being in the first division of both league competitions,” Jones added. “With Michael Kasprowicz unlikely to be with us that means there is more responsibility falling on the home-grown bowlers.”

Close
ScorecardAn unbeaten 111 from Shivnarine Chanderpaul, supported by half-centuries from Brian Lara, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Ridley Jacobs, put the West Indians in a commanding position at the close of the first day of their tour match against Free State at Bloemfontein. They finished on 342 for 4.Until tea, a weakened Free State were holding their own against a powerful batting line-up, but in the last session Chanderpaul and Jacobs, who finished on 66 not out, added an unbeaten 145 for the fifth wicket as the bowlers wilted. It was a welcome boost for Chanderpaul who endured a wretched tour of Zimbabwe.Free State started confidently, Chris Gayle perishing in the third over when he was trapped lbw by Cliff Deacon for 9 (10 for 1) and then Daren Ganga followed soon after, edging Ryan McLaren to James Schorn, the wicketkeeper, for 19 (54 for 2).But Lara and Sarwan put the West Indians back on track with a stand of 76 in at almost a run a minute. Sarwan hit eight fours before nicking McLaren to Schorn for 51 (130 for 3). Lara looked increasingly at ease, smashing 10 fours and one six until, when on 72, he slashed McLaren to backward point where Rayno Ardense held a good catch (197 for 4).The relaxed nature of the match was underlined by Free State’s decision to allow Wavell Hinds to replace Omari Banks in the West Indians’ side after tea. Hinds had originally been left out of the starting XI after suffering an upset stomach overnight.

Australia thrashed New Zealand by 57 runs at the MCG today to take a clean sweep of the home leg of the women’s one day cricket international series.The Kiwis never got their run rate above three an over and lost 6-21 halfway through the innings to finish with 8-137 from 50 overs.The Australian bowlers, led by medium-pacer Julie Hayes who took a career best 3-17 off 10 overs, made the most of an inconsistent pitch.Today’s match was only the second women’s one day international played at the MCG and the first since 1988 when Australia defeated England in the World Cupfinal.While few were on hand to watch today’s match, Australian captain Belinda Clark told her team to try not to be distracted by the setting.”I tried to tell them not to think about it with all the atmosphere of the ground, but I did see a few minds wandering and people looking around the place,” she said.It was Australia’s third straight win over the 2000 World Cup winners but Clark said her team was committed to looking ahead rather than dwell on that narrow loss 15 months ago.”Although I still remember aspects of the `93 World Cup where we didn’t make the final I am sure the scars will be there for quite a while, but that’s not a bad thing because it keeps you focused on what you are doing,” she said.Clark and opening partner Lisa Keightley put on 63 before vice captain Karen Rolton lifted the tempo, top scoring with 44 off 59 balls.Haidee Tiffen was the pick of New Zealand’s bowlers with 4-43.Despite losing late wickets, Australia’s total was always a tough ask for the Kiwis especially after Cathryn Fitzpatrick conceded just eight runs in her first seven overs.Both teams will fly to New Zealand tomorrow with the remaining three matches in the Rose Bowl series to be played in Lincoln, just outside Christchurch, early next month.

Mal Loye underlined his liking for Lancashire’s bowlers with a brilliant 177 as Northamptonshire made the most of winning an important toss in their Division One contest at Wantage Road.It was Loye’s third century in four seasons off the Lancashire attack, and boosted the home side to 365-6 from 116 overs at the close after John Crawley called incorrectly to give the home side first use of ideal batting conditions.Loye cracked two sixes – both off Muthiah Muralitharan before lunch – and 22 fours in his six-hour stay, and provided the perfect platform in partnership with Australian Mike Hussey (70). The pair posted 159 for the first wicket in 38 overs until Hussey edged Murali behind with lunch beckoning.Lancashire’s seamers were disappointing in the first session but Peter Martin turned in an outstanding post-lunch spell of 2-24 from 13 overs to bring the visitors back into contention.He dismissed Jeff Cook (23) and Russell Warren (0), while Murali accounted for Alec Swann cheaply as 248-1 became 257-4 in the space of nine overs.But Loye and vice-captain Tony Penberthy (31) steadied the innings by adding 57 either side of tea, and Loye’s 318-ball knock lasted until half-an-hour before the close when a tired-looking stroke saw him play on to the persevering Martin.Graeme Swann and skipper Ripley batted out the day, and Northants’ first target will be scoring another 35 in 14 overs to secure the maximum five batting points.

Karun Nair, who top-scored in India A’s meagre 135 on the first day in Chennai, has conceded that a total of 200 would have given his team a chance with something for the bowlers to work with. On Wednesday, Varun Aaron looked rusty after missing the first unofficial Test, bowling four no-balls and a wide, and the other bowlers did not fare much better either.Karun, though, believed that the India A bowlers would tighten things up on the second day.”Since the batsmen haven’t got too many runs, I think 200 would have been a good score for the bowlers.” Karun said. “Since the pressure of getting wickets was there, the odd loose delivery was there today. I think we will come back strong tomorrow. We will be more disciplined and bowl better tomorrow.”Karun and Naman Ojha ground 56 in 32.5 overs for the fifth wicket on a pitch that became slower as the day progressed. Karun, however, displayed more assurance, pressing forward to smother the spin and often skipping back to play late-cuts and deft dabs before a lapse in concentration resulted in his dismissal. The last five wickets tumbled for just 21 runs after Karun chipped a full delivery from Andrew Fekete to square leg for a 153-ball 50.Karun was left ruing the opportunity. “I thought I played well but I shouldn’t have got out the time I got out. I should have put my head down. Once I got a fifty, I should have gone on to get a bigger score.”No, nothing of such happened [the ball did not stop on me]. I lost a bit of concentration. I think the wicket in whole was slow, it was turning a bit.”Karun also attributed the regular fall of wickets to the relentless pressure built up by the Australia A bowlers. “We were losing wickets quite regularly,” Karun said. “What they did well was they were very disciplined and patient. They did not give any easy balls. So, it was difficult to take chances against them.”