Former India allrounder comes in with plenty of coaching experience in international and franchise cricket
ESPNcricinfo staff24-Feb-2025Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have signed former India allrounder S Sriram as their assistant bowling coach ahead of IPL 2025. At CSK, Sriram joins a coaching contingent led by Stephen Fleming (head coach), Mike Hussey (batting coach), and Eric Simons (bowling consultant).Sriram brings with him a wealth of coaching experience at various levels. He effectively replaces Dwayne Bravo at CSK, with the latter having joined defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders as mentor.He was Australia’s assistant coach from 2016 to 2022, a role he left to focus on his assignment with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In August 2022, Sriram was also appointed Bangladesh’s T20 consultant ahead of the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup. In September 2023, he joined Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as assistant coach for IPL 2024, and also returned to Bangladesh – this time as technical consultant – before the ODI World Cup.Sriram has also worked as assistant coach at Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals).CSK’s squad for IPL 2025 includes R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shreyas Gopal and Noor Ahmad as frontline spinners, with Deepak Hooda and Rachin Ravindra as spin-bowling allrounders.CSK missed qualifying for the playoffs last year as they finished fifth with seven wins and as many defeats in the 14 group matches. Although they were level on 14 points with fourth-placed RCB, CSK’s inferior net run-rate meant they fell just short of making it to the final four.IPL 2025 begins on March 22 with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on RCB in Kolkata, and CSK play Mumbai Indians (MI) the following evening at home in their first match.
Barcelona star Joan Garcia has come under fire on social media after his costly mistake was instantly punished by Alberto Reina's stunning 40-yard strike for lowly Real Oviedo. The goalkeeper was drawn out of his box by a long ball over the top and just when it looked like he had dealt with the danger, his wayward pass was pounced upon by the Oviedo midfielder to give them a 1-0 lead.
Garcia makes costly mistake for Barcelona
After Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford twice went close for Barca, Raphinha hit the post, and Ronald Araujo was well denied by Oviedo stopper Aaron Escandell, the hosts – who were in the relegation zone – took the lead in remarkable fashion. Reina scored a goal of the season contender with a long-range strike in the 33rd minute as he made Garcia pay for his sloppiness at the back. And fans on social media didn't hold back in mocking the summer signing.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportFans tear into Garcia after error
@fran_navarr0 wrote on X: "Joan García is an outstanding goalkeeper, but with his feet, he plays worse than me. XXL blunder going out so far to gift it, and Oviedo doesn’t forgive, 1-0."
@Jnr_Marcelo12 posted: "What a nice assist from Joan Garcia. Kudos."
@al__varo77 commented: "The most funniest goal I’ve ever seen. Real Oviedo takes the lead."
@a_derll put: "But what will even make you shoot from this point. Real Oviedo what are you cooking?" and @Ebon_808 added: "Joan Garcia hype lasted 5 games."
Barcelona under pressure to catch rivals Real Madrid
Going into this game at Carlos Tartiere Stadium on Thursday night, Barcelona's bitter rivals Real Madrid held a five-point cushion over Hansi Flick's side, although they have played an extra game. The defending La Liga champions cannot afford to let Los Blancos get too far ahead in this title race, particularly with Xabi Alonso's team looking so potent this season. The Blaugrana will hope Garcia's errors this term are few and far between.
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AFPBusy period for Barcelona continues
Barcelona are set to play three times in less than a week. After this match with Oviedo, they host Real Sociedad in the Spanish top-flight on Sunday evening. Then, they entertain Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain on October 1, before travelling to Sevilla four days later. This could be an exhausting stretch for the Catalan outfit.
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney admits he would be "dead" without the love and support of wife Coleen. The ex-England international made the candid admission while talking to former team-mate Rio Ferdinand as he lifted the lid on some dark moments in his life. Although the 39-year-old has allegedly cheated on his spouse in the past, he recognises how vital she has been for him.
The ups and downs of Rooney's marriage
The childhood sweethearts have been married since 2008 but they have endured some bumpy times since then. But the former Everton forward is under no illusions about how important the 39-year-old is to him and their family.
AdvertisementGetty Images EntertainmentRooney sings praises of wife Coleen
He said on Rio Ferdinand Presents: "Coleen is massive. It's bad because we're two kids from Croxteth. We grew up together, obviously we started dating and got married, had kids. From when I was 17, she knew I was a bit out there. Loved my football, was obsessed with football but also loved a night out. She'd seen it very early on, and she controlled that, helped me control that massively. At times, she'd say, 'What are you doing?' How she's managed me, it was like I needed a manager. I honestly believe if she weren't there, I'd be dead. I believe that. What she's done… it's annoying at times. I'm like, 'What are you doing?' But everything she's doing is to keep me on this world and the best person. I've made mistakes in the past, which are well documented. I'm a little bit different at times, and she keeps me on that path. She's done that for 20-odd years."
Rooney admits to alcohol problems
Although Rooney had a tremendous career for both club and country, he believes that his fondness for liquor held him back a bit.
He added: "I wanted to live my life as well. I wanted to go out and enjoy my time with my friends. It got to a point where I went too far. That was a moment in my life where I was struggling (with alcohol), massively. I didn't think I could turn to anyone. I didn't really want to because I didn't want to put that burden on anyone. I remember going into training and putting eye drops in, chewing gum. I just drank for two days straight, then came to training. On the weekend, I'd score a few goals, then I'd go back and drink for two days straight again."
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Getty Images EntertainmentRooney steps back from management
After being sacked by Plymouth Argyle late last year, Rooney has started his own podcast and has fully immersed himself in punditry duties. But the ex-Derby County boss has not ruled out returning to management one day.
Aston Villa haven’t had it easy across the summer transfer window, but there’s no doubt that Unai Emery’s squad have what it takes to tackle the new Premier League and continental campaign with fervour.
Emery has returned to his favourite competition, the Europa League, after all.
Signings have been made, even if obstacles had to be circumvented. Still, the club, the owners, the manager, the fans, all are ambitious, and all are in concert that one or two more deals could be struck before the closure of the transfer window, should Villa hope to go from strength to strength.
Villa planning late-window deals
Aston Villa have been hamstrung by the Premier League’s profit and sustainability (PSR) rules this summer, no doubt, but they have spent shrewdly and may yet welcome one or two more fresh faces.
But one or two signings might be made before the end of the term, with Villa still in the race to sign Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson at this late hour, though they face stiff competition from Bayern Munich.
However, Emi Buendia is currently weighing up an exit, with German club Stuttgart keen, and so a replacement could be found in Marco Asensio.
As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Villa are ready to bring the Spaniard back to the club after his successful half-season loan, and they have agreed personal terms with the 29-year-old.
Marco Asensio celebrates for Aston Villa
Monchi is currently locked in talks with Paris Saint-Germain, and it’s been suggested that a £13m package could do the trick.
Why Villa should sign Asensio
When Aston Villa welcomed Asensio to the fold at the season’s midpoint last year, they perhaps didn’t expect him to revel in the prolific heights he reached, scoring five goals across his opening seven matches for the English outfit.
Once hailed by his Mallorca youth coach, Juan Pericas, for his “magical” ability on the ball, Asensio has led a storied career amongst some of Europe’s heaviest hitters, but his spell with Villa last term showcased his potential for success in a system such as Emery’s, still challenging for the top but perhaps a rung below.
In this way, his potential arrival offers shades of Jack Grealish’s recent move to Everton, with Asensio perhaps set up to become Villa’s own version of the England international, once a superstar at Villa Park.
Aston Villa’s boyhood sensation completed 213 appearances for the Lions before leaving in 2021, and while he has since won the lot under Pep Guardiola’s wing at Manchester City, a recent loan move to Everton has seemingly reignited his career, having placed two assists against Brighton in the Premier League last week.
The difference, of course, is that Asensio has already proven himself for Emery’s squad, with his prolific touch and capacity to play across the frontline seeing him complete his sojourn with eight goals scored and one assist placed across 21 matches in all competitions.
Asensio differs from Grealish in that he’s more of a focal contributor in the final third, although he completed 71% of his dribbles in the Premier League last year to showcase some degree of ball-carrying similarity to the one-time Villa Park talisman.
Matches (starts)
13 (9)
Goals
3
Assists
1
Shots (on target)*
1.8 (0.8)
Big chances missed
4
Pass completion
86%
Big chances created
1
Key passes*
1.2
Dribbles (success)*
0.9 (71%)
Tackles + interceptions*
0.7
Duels won*
2.1
Grealish set the Premier League alight during his two-year performance at the highest level with his boyhood club, and he then earned himself a record-breaking £100m move to Manchester City.
While the experienced Asensio doesn’t fit that same narrative, he could emulate the modern-day Grealish in stepping down a notch to rekindle his decorated career.
The new Barry: Everton chasing late move for another "special" English star
Everton are interested in signing an England U21 star.
Abbott, Johnson, Dwarshuis, Sangha, Connolly and Fraser-McGurk, who have been added to the ODI squad in Sri Lanka, are in the mix for the final Champions Trophy squad
ESPNcricinfo staff06-Feb-2025Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have both been officially ruled out of the Champions Trophy. The two of them “are managing some ongoing injuries and haven’t come up in time for the Champions Trophy,” selection chair George Bailey said on Thursday.Australia have until February 12 to finalise their Champions Trophy squad, and they will have to make at least four changes to the initial 15-man squad they had named on January 13. Apart from Cummins and Hazlewood, they are also without Mitchell Marsh, who is grappling with a back injury and was ruled out of the tournament on January 31, and Marcus Stoinis, who announced on Thursday that he would be retiring from ODI cricket, removing himself from the Champions Trophy squad as a result after being selected in the original 15.February 12 is also the day when Australia play the first of two ODIs against Sri Lanka in Colombo. They have added three quicks, Sean Abbott, Spencer Johnson and Ben Dwarshuis for those two games as well as legspinner Tanveer Sangha, spin-bowling allrounder Cooper Connolly and batter Jake Fraser-McGurk.Related
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It’s possible that two of the three quick bowlers could get into the Champions Trophy squad while Fraser-McGurk appears to be the like-for-like replacement for Marsh given he has not been bowling much recently in ODI cricket and was locked in to bat at No. 3. Connolly could be the replacement for Stoinis but there is now only one seam-bowling allrounder, Aaron Hardie, left in the current squad. Test allrounder Beau Webster has not been included among the additions to the Sri Lanka ODI squad.”While disappointing, it does present a great opportunity for other players to perform for Australia in a world event,” Bailey said.Cricket Australia said Cummins and Hazlewood would begin an “extended period of rehabilitation”. They are missing the ongoing Test series in Sri Lanka too. Both have IPL contracts with Cummins set to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) again while Hazlewood is returning to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Whether they can play any part in the IPL ahead of the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s in June remains to be seen.Australia are likely to pick between Steven Smith and Travis Head to lead Australia in the two Sri Lanka ODIs and then the Champions Trophy.Prior to Thursday’s confirmation, Australia coach Andrew McDonald told SEN radio on Wednesday that Cummins was “heavily unlikely” to make the Champions Trophy which meant Australia would need a new captain with the ODI vice-captain Marsh also unavailable.ESPNcricinfo Ltd”Steve Smith and Travis Head are the two that we’ve been having conversations with while we’ve been building out that Champions Trophy team along with Pat back home,” McDonald said.”They’ll be the two that we look at for that leadership post. They’re the two obvious ones. Steve has done a great job here in the [first] Test match. He’s done some good work in one-day international cricket across the journey as well. So it’s between those two.”Cummins skipped the Sri Lanka Tests to be at home for the birth of his second child, but he has also been nursing the ankle issue that had flared up after a heavy workload in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Hazlewood is understood to be dealing with a hip issue after recovering from the side and calf injuries that made him miss three of the five Tests against India and the Test tour of Sri Lanka.The selectors might also have a challenge cobbling an XI together for the first ODI against Sri Lanka given that, apart from the missing players, there is only one travel day scheduled between the fifth day of the second Test and the first ODI, with ODI squad members Head, Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc all playing the Test match that is currently on in Galle. Starc would seem very unlikely to play in those two ODIs.
Antony claims to have been “disrespected” by Manchester United before his summer transfer to Real Betis was completed. The Brazil international enjoyed a productive loan spell with the Liga outfit over the second-half of last season and made it clear that a return to Andalusia was his preference. The Red Devils did not make that process easy, with Antony taking to holing up in a hotel at one stage as he endeavoured to push a deal through.
GettyMan Utd struggles: Antony's record in England
Antony eventually got his wish, with United sanctioning a permanent transfer. The Premier League giants took a considerable financial hit on that deal, having splashed out £85 million ($114m) on the South American forward when prising him away from Ajax in 2022. The Red Devils saw just a 12-goal return on that investment across 96 appearances in all competitions, with Antony tumbling down the pecking order.
Having been deemed surplus to requirements, the 25-year-old was allowed to head for Spain in January. He found the target on nine occasions through 26 appearances for Betis, helping them to the Conference League final. When his initial loan agreement came to an end, Anthony was returned to the infamous ‘bomb squad’ at Old Trafford.
AdvertisementMoving pain: Anthony finally landed Betis transfer
He moved into a hotel at one point, after being forced to train away from the rest of Ruben Amorim’s first-team squad, and has questioned United’s handling of a saga that dragged on for the entire summer transfer window – with a return to Betis only being confirmed on deadline day.
Antony has told : “They were very tough months in England, more than 40 days in the hotel, training separately… I feel like they disrespected me, but that’s not the point. I don’t want to create controversy; that’s life. I’m very grateful for the club; there were bad times, but also good times, with two titles. My family travelled to Seville four or five days before the deal was finalised; I had the house rented.”
GettyWorld Cup target: Antony wants place in Brazil squad
Antony won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his time with United, with both of those trophies being captured under the guidance of his former Ajax manager Erik tan Hag. He is now eager to turn the page on a largely forgettable spell in England and start working his way towards future goals.
One of those involves the Brazil national team, with Antony – who has won 16 senior caps for his country – desperate to earn a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for the 2026 World Cup. He said of that target: “It’s a dream. I played in a World Cup, and of course I dream of playing in it a second time. It’s always great to represent your country. I’m going to do my job, like I’m doing, and I hope to be in the squad.”
Antony formed part of Brazil’s ranks at the 2022 World Cup, offering him another taste of major tournament action. He became a gold medal winner with Brazil at the 2020 Olympic Games – which were pushed back a year during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Feel the love: Antony rediscovers his smile
Playing with a smile again should help to bring the best out of Antony. He previously said of his struggles in England, while breaking down in tears: “Only my family knows how hard it was to be there. Training separately. But I knew this incredible moment was coming. Of course, I was afraid it wouldn't happen in the end, but I waited because I had so much faith. Now with more time, there are so many things to do and achieve. I had trouble sleeping after seeing so much love from the Betis fans; there were people waiting at my house at two in the morning.”
Antony intends to reward the affection that has been shown to him by Betis fans, with support being found in Spain that was often denied him in Manchester. His goal account for the 2025-26 campaign has already been opened, with the net being hit in a Europa League opener with Nottingham Forest that ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw.
It feels like it could be a long old season for West Ham United this year.
The East Londoners may have beaten Nottingham Forest last time out, but with three defeats before that, it feels like Graham Potter is already on borrowed time.
It’s not just the defeats that have been worrying, but the manner of them, losing 3-0 to newly promoted Sunderland, being thrashed 5-1 by London rivals Chelsea, and blowing a lead away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Unsurprisingly, the Irons have been linked with a host of potential replacements in recent weeks, including former player Frank Lampard.
Frank Lampard could replace Graham Potter
With just six wins in 23 games, it’s not hard to imagine any number of managers doing a better job than Potter in East London, including Lampard.
The Hammers have reportedly already been in contact with the former player, and it’s easy to see why they might consider him a worthwhile gamble.
Since taking charge of Coventry City, the 47-year-old has won 20 games, drawn seven and lost 12, which isn’t too bad at all considering the hyper-competitive nature of the Championship.
Moreover, since the season began, the Sky Blues have been absolutely flying, scoring 14 goals, conceding just six and taking eight points from a possible 12.
Moreover, while the former Chelsea legend didn’t exactly blow anyone away the last time he managed in the Premier League, he was still able to keep Everton from going down and averaged 1.75 points per game during his first stint in the Stamford Bridge dugout.
In all, Lampard looks to have further developed as a manager and could be the answer to West Ham’s Potter-shaped problems.
However, there is another manager on the market who we think would do an even better job at the London Stadium and help the likes of Jarrod Bowen reach another level.
The manager West Ham should hire over Lampard
Now, although we think Lampard would do a better job managing West Ham than Potter, an even better option than him might be Marco Rose.
Manager Focus
Granted, the German manager hasn’t actually been linked with the club yet, but since leaving RB Leipzig in March of this year, he has been without a club.
So, why would the East Londoners want to hire the 48-year-old?
RB Leipzig coachMarcoRosebefore the match
Well, one of the most significant reasons is that he’s a manager who tends to get the very best out of his attacking talent, and as a result, plays some exhilarating football.
For example, in the 20/21 season, Borussia Dortmund scored 75 goals in the Bundesliga, but then by the end of the following season, when Rose was in charge, they’d moved up a place in the table and scored 85 goals.
Mönchengladbach
88
47%
0
Dortmund
55
59%
0
RB Leipzig
128
56%
3
The same happened at Borrussia Mönchengladbach, as they finished the 18/19 season having scored 55 goals, which increased to 66 the following campaign and 64 the year after that.
Moreover, while the effectiveness of Leipzig’s attack did vary a bit more during his tenure, the former RB Salzburg boss led them to a DFB Pokal triumph.
So, just imagine what the “outstanding” tactician, as dubbed by Dortmund legend Marco Reus, could do with players like Jarrod Bowen, who, even in this system, continues to be a real goalscoring threat.
Finally, even if you ignore the argument that he’ll bring a more entertaining brand of football to the club, you can just look at his overall managerial record.
Games
458
235
463
Wins
274
103
191
Draws
84
47
123
Losses
100
85
149
Points per Game
1.98
1.51
1.50
In 458 matches, he has managed to maintain an average of 1.98 points per game – and win two league titles in Austria – whereas Lampard has averaged 1.51 points per game and Potter an even less impressive 1.50.
Ultimately, even though he hasn’t been linked with the club, West Ham should do what they can to hire Rose, and not only would he be an upgrade on Potter, but his attacking style could get even more out of Bowen.
West Ham make contact with ex-Everton manager to replace Graham Potter
Potter’s job is far from secure at the London Stadium…
Australia legspinner will join from fourth game of group stage and be available for Finals Day
ESPNcricinfo staff08-Apr-2025Australia legspinner Alana King has signed to play for Lancashire in this summer’s Vitality Blast.King will join the club from their fourth match of the group stage, against Surrey at Old Trafford on June 7, and be available until the end of the competition. She is also contracted for two games in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup in July.King, 29, was Player of the Series as Australia secured a 16-0 Ashes whitewash against England earlier this year. She also helped Australia to win the ODI World Cup in 2022 and the T20 World Cup in 2023.Related
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Alongside her experience of the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2023 Ashes tour, she has played in England with Trent Rockets in the Hundred, claiming a hat-trick against Manchester Originals at Old Trafford in 2022.”I am really honoured to be able to represent a great county in Lancashire,” King said. “When I look at the past great names that have represented the county before me, it truly is a privilege to represent this team.”I am looking forward to teaming up with Crossy [Kate Cross], Sophie [Ecclestone], the rest of the Red Rose girls, and driving our charge towards a successful campaign in the Vitality Blast.”It will be fantastic to play at Emirates Old Trafford, one of the world’s most iconic grounds, and I trust that all the Lancs fans will get out and support us during the tournament.”King has taken more than 100 wickets in the WBBL, winning the title with Perth Scorchers in 2021-22, and was a team-mate of Ecclestone at UP Warriorz in this year’s WPL.Lancashire Women’s head coach Chris Read said: “We are thrilled by the news that Alana, one of the leading stars in the recent Women’s Ashes series, will join us at Emirates Old Trafford later this summer.”Alana will bring with her an incredible amount of skill and experience, from both the international stage and in franchise cricket around the world, and we cannot wait to see her in action for the Red Rose.”Spin plays an important role at Emirates Old Trafford, and I have no doubts that Alana will positively impact matches for us in the Vitality Blast, while it will also be great to have her around for a couple of 50-over fixtures later in the season too.”
Nottingham Forest star John Victor felt that his Brazil national team call-up was a "scam" as he initially did not believe that Carlo Ancelotti had included him in the Selecao squad for the October friendlies at the last moment after ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson picked up a hamstring injury while playing for Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Lig.
John Victor joined Forest from Botafogo
Victor left Brazilian giants Botafogo to sign for the Premier League side Nottingham Forest in the summer transfer window. So far in the 2025-26 campaign, the goalkeeper has made only one appearance for the English club, as he made his debut in the club's loss against Swansea City in the Carabao Cup third round last month. Victor was not expecting a national team call-up just two months after moving to England, but Ederson's hamstring injury prompted Ancelotti to include the 29-year-old at the last moment.
Advertisement(C)Getty Images"I thought it was a prank call"
After linking up with the national team, Victor chatted with , where he said, "For me, it was a unique and wonderful feeling. I was on my way to the game and I got the news on the bus. I was shocked. I thought it was a prank call. I didn't have (Sérgio) Dimas's number, I had worked with him at Santos, and he was the one who sent the message. They asked for my passport and I said: 'Wow, could this be a scam?'
"I don't know, the way the world is today… but then he said he was going to be called up, and I was really happy right then and there. I celebrated with Igor (Jesus) while we were going to the game against Newcastle. It was really cool."
Victor on cloud nine after maiden national team call-up
Victor further elaborated on the feeling of representing the national team, as he added: "It hasn't sunk in yet. I arrived here yesterday. Since I was called up, a lot of footage has been played of what I've been through and everything that's happened in my career, the ups and downs, the times I imagined the moment would come when I was still at Botafogo, in several preliminary call-ups. And it hasn't sunk in yet. I'm very happy, very content to be here. I just have to thank God a lot."
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Getty ImagesMan Utd and West Ham wanted Victor before Forest move
After an impressive season in Brazil, where he helped Botafogo win the league title, Victor was in demand in the summer transfer window. Premier League giants Manchester United and West Ham were keen on signing the custodian, with the Red Devils in search of Andre Onana's alternative at that time. The goalkeeper, however, decided to sign for Forest. As Brazil face Asian giants South Korea and Japan in friendly matches on October 10 and 14, respectively, Victor will hope that Carlo Ancelotti allows him to take the field for the Selecao for the first time in his career in one of the two matches.
It was Mehidy’s first five-for at home in nearly two-and-a-half years
Mohammad Isam21-Apr-2025Zimbabwe nosed ahead of Bangladesh after the second day’s play of the first Test in Sylhet with half-centuries from Brian Bennett and Sean Williams. Their lower order and tail also resisted to add 80 runs for the last four wickets that got them a lead of 82. They finished the day by breaking Bangladesh’s opening stand, and the hosts are still 25 runs behind.Bangladesh’s solace came in the form of Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s first five-wicket haul at home in nearly two-and-a-half years. He finished with 5 for 52 after speedster Nahid Rana picked up three wickets, including those of the openers. Zimbabwe strung together small partnerships after the opening stand of 69, often dominating periods of play.Bangladesh lost Shadman Islam in the evening for 4 in the fourth over, when a superb Blessing Muzarabani delivery had him edging to second slip. His opening partner Mahmudul Hasan Joy got a reprieve on 6 in the following over when wicketkeeper Nyasha Mayavo dropped a regulation chance to his right.Mahmudul finished the day unbeaten on 28, while Mominul Haque was on 15 when play was called off at 5.33pm.Rana earlier gave Bangladesh their first breakthrough when he banged in a bouncer towards Ben Curran’s chest. The left-hand opener only managed to tap it to short leg where Mominul completed the catch diving forward. It ended Zimbabwe’s impressive opening stand that lasted 16.5 overs.Rana then bowled a fuller delivery to get rid of Bennett, the other opener. Bennett was piercing the off-side field regularly, hitting eight of his ten boundaries in the range between backward point and cover. But when he looked to cut another ball square, it led to his downfall as he edged one behind on 57.Mehidy Hasan Miraz returned 5 for 52 but Zimbabwe still managed an 82-run lead•AFP/Getty ImagesHasan Mahmud joined in the act with a peach of an inswinger against No. 3 Nick Welch, who was bowled through the gate for 2. Captain Craig Ervine and Williams, Zimbabwe’s most experienced pair, steadied things for the next hour. They added 41 runs in 15 overs, before Rana had Ervine caught behind for 8.It was another short ball that reared up high on Ervine, who couldn’t get his bat out of the way. The ball brushed the face of his bat and he was caught behind by Jaker Ali. Williams forged another promising stand, this time with Wessly Madhevere, in the course of which Williams reached his fourth Test fifty. He did that in style too, sweeping Taijul Islam for a six and a four to reach the landmark.The 48-run partnership however ended when Madhevere played on to a Khaled Ahmed delivery, on 24. Williams too couldn’t kick on, mistiming a straight hit against Mehidy, caught by a tumbling Mahmudul running back from mid-off. Williams bent down in disbelief as he looked very well set, having scored 59 off 108 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes.Despite all their frontline batters back in the pavilion, Zimbabwe continued to fight. Mayavo made an enterprising 35 off 54 balls, including five fours, but he fell shortly after tea when Mehidy trapped him lbw. Wellington Masakadza played out 42 balls for his 6, and became Mehidy’s third victim, caught at cover.The tall pair of Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava then took on the Bangladesh bowlers in a 36-run ninth-wicket stand. Muzarabani struck two fours and a massive six, over long-on, during his 17 off 16. Ngarava was unbeaten on 28 off 44 balls, including a lovely straight hit for a six off Mehidy. The offspinner finished things off when he had Muzarabani stumped and Victor Nyauchi caught in the covers, to complete his five-for.