An unconvincing South Africa survived a spirited Afghanistan chase to defend a 200-plus score and get their World Twenty20 campaign back on track

The Report by Firdose Moonda20-Mar-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details 4:07

Chappell: South Africa have a few bowling concerns

An unconvincing South Africa survived a spirited Afghanistan chase to defend a 200-plus score and get their World Twenty20 campaign back on track. In the absence of Dale Steyn, who was left out for tactical reasons, Chris Morris and Imran Tahir squeezed through the middle period to ensure AB de Villiers’ quickfire 64 was not in vain.Afghanistan’s second loss means their chances of progressing to the knockouts are all but over, but they have showed their promise. They kept up with the required run-rate for the first half of their innings and were ahead of where South Africa were at the same stage in their knock, but lost too many wickets to keep going. Afghanistan also did not have a 17th over like South Africa did; de Villiers took 29 runs off Rashid Khan, which ended up being the major difference between the two sides.In the end, South Africa will be relieved that they were able to defend their total, but disappointed that the margin of victory was not bigger. They tightened up on their discipline in the field but still gave away more extras than their opposition – six wides compared to two from Afghanistan – and did not show the kind of killer instinct that they will need later in the tournament.They also suffered an injury concern. JP Duminy left the field four balls into Afghanistan’s chase with a hamstring strain and was unable to take any further part in the match. Duminy has only just found form again and his availability will be important for the rest of the World T20.As the same venue where they posted 229 batting first on Friday night, South Africa chose to set a target again. Quinton de Kock picked up from where he left off two days ago and dominated the opening passages of play. De Kock faced all but one delivery in the first two overs and found the boundary five times. Hashim Amla may have wanted to catch up but after one four, gifted a catch to Asghar Stanikzai at mid-off.South Africa held de Villiers back and sent in Faf du Plessis at No.3. The strategy worked. Du Plessis took on the spin from Mohammad Nabi while de Kock continued to attack in the Powerplay. South Africa finished it on 66 for 1 and 60 of those runs came in boundaries.When the fielding restrictions were lifted, Rashid put the brakes on with the first boundary-less over of the innings, but du Plessis did not want things to slow down too much. He picked up the pace before being run-out and de Villiers was soon at the crease.Afghanistan were not under threat immediately while de Villiers settled in and de Kock nicked off. After conceding just 19 runs in three overs after the halfway stage of the South African innings, Afghanistan might have been hopeful of pulling South Africa even further back. But Duminy and de Villiers were wise to the need to accelerate and began to push for runs.De Villiers should have been caught for 27 when he offered Samiullah Shenwari a return catch but he could not hold on his follow through and Rashid suffered most. He was torn apart in his final over, when de Villiers went over midwicket and down the ground five times. The result? Six, four, six, six and six. South Africa’s total went meandering to mighty and 200-plus was within sight. It was up to David Miller to take them there after de Villiers was dismissed. Twenty runs off the final over ensured South Africa had a second straight 200-plus score.South Africa would have felt fairly safe with 209 on the board, especially as Afghanistan two previous scores over 210 were only achieved batting first, but Mohammad Shahzad threatened to gun down that total all by himself. He began fearlessly against Kagiso Rabada and Kyle Abbott and plundered 32 runs off the first two overs. His partner Noor Ali Zadran did not face a ball until the third over and then, it was only to return the strike to Shahzad.Morris was brought on in the fourth over and showed improvement from previous performances. He started by holding his length back but then steamed in with a delivery just under 150kph – full and straightening – which splayed Shahzad’s stumps.Asghar Stanikzai and was caught behind in Morris’ next over but Gulbadin Naib kept Afghanistan in it and targeted David Wiese, South Africa’s replacement for Steyn. Afghanistan reached 10 overs on 103 for 2, 11 runs ahead of where South Africa were at the same stage. Then, Gulbadin was caught behind, Noor Ali was stumped, and Afghanistan were wobbling, still needing 100 runs off eight overs. Their chase was over then and South Africa had the chance to drill home an advantage.Instead, they allowed Afghanistan to drag it out. Abbott and Morris got the yorker right more often than they did in previous matches and Rabada managed one at the end, but South Africa will not feel it was a complete performance by any means.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy has backed his batting line-up to come good in support of their star man, opener Chris Gayle

Arun Venugopal in Mumbai15-Mar-2016Chris Gayle. Destructive. Chris Gayle. Massive. Chris Gayle. Best T20 batsman. Right from the time West Indies arrived in India, Darren Sammy has summoned courage from these words, even using them as incantations to rouse confidence.Unlike some captains who prefer not to talk up their gun player – as much to not add to the pressure as not wanting to jinx him – Sammy has no problem harking back to Gayle every time. Wobbly middle-order? There’s Gayle to make up for it. Areas of concern? There are some… but then we have Gayle.Sammy is confident it won’t overwhelm Gayle. “There is never too much pressure on Chris.” Sammy is probably right. Evidence of that, if you need it, can be seen at West Indies’ practice. Gayle ambles to the nets, pats a few balls, misses some and in due course larrups successive deliveries into the vacant stands over deep midwicket. The routine plays out on loop for some time before Gayle has a seat in the shade.

‘We support Russell’ – Sammy

West Indies captain Darren Sammy has thrown his weight behind allrounder Andre Russell, who faces the possibility of a lengthy ban for committing an “anti-doping whereabouts violation”, according to the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission. Russell reportedly missed three tests in a 12-month period, which equates to a failed test under doping laws, and could face a possible two-year ban if found guilty.
“We always have setbacks. We thrive on things like that to use that as motivation to go out and play well,” Sammy said. “When we especially play well, no other team can match it. The vibes we bring, and we as a team have supported Russell. We are confident he will be taking part in the full tournament and having an impact like he has done in all the four tournaments he has played around the world.”
Russell, who can continue to play while his case is investigated, has been in good bowling form lately and finished as the highest wicket-taker in the Pakistan Super League.

As the sun begins to set he is messing with a media person from the ICC who is interviewing with him. Gayle has taken a liking for his interviewer’s fancy camera and is fiddling with it. It is the media guy’s turn to be asked a question: “Which team are you supporting?” When the answer isn’t West Indies Gayle mock threatens to take his camera away. All in a day’s work.Watching Gayle go about his thing it is hard to imagine a team beset with off-field worries. Equally hard is getting your head round the fact that here is a team preparing for its opening game in the World T20. Gayle’s statesmanlike presence – not that he lugs such baggage around – in a young, exuberant side hits home only when you notice the smattering of grey on his beard”Whichever dressing room Chris Gayle is in, because he such a destructive figure – there always seems to be pressure on him to perform,” Sammy said. “But Chris is just gearing up to do what Chris has done throughout his T20 career. That’s why he is the leading run-scorer in T20s and has, I think, 12 or 13 hundreds [16] and the next person has seven or six.”What is also hard to overlook, however, is how the batsmen that follow Gayle have fared. In West Indies’ warm-up game against India, the middle-order froze against the spinners after Gayle was dismissed for 20 off 11 balls. In their second warm-up game against Australia, they were spiralling downwards at 72 for 6 in a chase of 162 before Sammy manufactured a heist. The likes of Dwayne Bravo and Denesh Ramdin did better in their four practice matches in the UAE recently but there are question marks over how consistently they can notch up such performances, especially against spin in the middle stages.Sammy, though, vouches for his senior players, and feels Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali won’t be hard to counter on a surface more hospitable to seam bowling.”If you look at our middle, where you have potentially Marlon [Samuels], Bravo, Ramdin, [Andre] Russell at six. Bravo is one of the most experienced as he has been playing in these conditions,” he said. “Wankhede is a more seamer-friendly track; the games that have been played at the IPL tell you that.”You have Bravo, Russell, Sammy, Jason [Holder], Carlos Braithwaite… that’s a lot of power, so the key for us is each player accepting their own personal role in the team and be responsible and not leaving it for any one person.”Darren Sammy’s hitting rescued West Indies in their warm-up game with Australia•AFP

Sammy cited the Australia game as an example of West Indies becoming more efficient in finishing games. While Sammy ransacked an unbeaten 50 off 28 balls, Braithwaite blasted 33 off 14 and Russell 29 off 15 as they reached their target with a ball to spare. Sammy feels that a robust lower order has ensured his team remained unfazed by tall scores or dire situations. He may not admit to it but they have also covered for the batsmen higher up a little too often, maybe, for West Indies’ comfort.”Playing T20 all over, you gain experience,” Sammy said. “I am 32 years old and I have gained a lot of experience playing and being in the situation, especially batting at six or seven, most of the times you will get maximum eight overs unless the team really collapses.”So I have developed a formula for my game. I have watched [MS] Dhoni do it all the time, just take the game all the way down to the last over, give yourself the best chance. As a captain, that lower order of ours always makes me smile. Russell, the last three tournaments he has played, he has been MVP. You have the young and exciting Carlos, and myself. That game against Australia gave us more belief that from whatever position we are, the job could be done.”At the end of a long training session, though, there were other things to be worried about. Gayle and Bravo were curious to know if a full house would turn up at the Wankhede on Wednesday night. The West Indies are ready to put on a show.

When West Ham United signed Gianluca Scamacca last summer for a £35.5m transfer fee, it looked as though David Moyes had the final piece of his puzzle – a striker who could score 25 goals a season.

Unfortunately, it hasn’t quite worked out like that for the Italian hitman as he has largely struggled to get to grips with the English game. Across 18 domestic matches, the 24-year-old has scored just three times however he appears to have found his feet in Europe, scoring five goals and registering an assist in nine matches.

His poor form along with many other of his teammates has led to West Ham fighting a Premier League relegation battle and having scored just 24 league goals, the third-lowest total in the division, it’s clear Moyes’ goal-scoring woes could play a major part in whether they survive this term.

They could use the help of a world-class striker now and former player Carlos Tevez would be the ideal candidate to alleviate the club’s current woes.

How did Carlos Tevez perform at West Ham?

Considering how poor the Irons’ attackers have been this season, a prime Tevez would surely run riot in the Premier League under Moyes, instantly acting as an improvement on Scamacca and Antonio.

The diminutive Argentinian signed for the club way back in 2006 alongside Javier Mascherano in what was an astounding move, with Alan Pardew and the club somehow securing their services from Brazilian side Corinthians on permanent deals following their World Cup displays for Argentina.

This was a major coup for the Hammers and although Tevez didn’t score in the league until March, his performances during the final few months of the season were integral to the club retaining their league status.

Tevez played all of the club's final ten Premier League matches that term, scoring seven goals – including the winner against Manchester United on the final day – while grabbing three assists and this was just a taste of what was to come for the forward in England.

He moved to United not long after, before joining cross-city rivals Manchester City, scoring 117 goals combined for the two clubs. Overall, he has scored 257 club goals, notably being dubbed a "monster" along the way by journalist Sam Tighe.

West Ham would be nowhere near the relegation zone if Moyes had the opportunity to utilise the forward in the present day. Indeed, he would terrorise opposition defences to shreds.

Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth could be looking to raid former club Brighton and Hove Albion this summer, amid reports that the Magpies are one of the clubs showing an interest in midfield maestro, Alexis Mac Allister.

What's the latest on Mac Allister to Newcastle?

According to 90min, the Tynesiders are among a host of Premier League teams who are closely monitoring the Argentine's situation at the Amex, with the report suggesting that the 24-year-old is looking to leave the Seagulls at the end of the season.

The 14-cap international – whose current deal is set to expire in 2025 – has attracted such intense interest as a result of his vital role in his nation's World Cup success last year, having played in six of the seven tournament games for the eventual winners.

As the piece outlines, while Brighton would be reluctant to cash in on the highly-coveted asset this summer, there may be a willingness to sell provided the price is right, with CBS reporter Ben Jacobs previously revealing that Roberto De Zerbi and co could be set to demand more than £60m.

How could Mac Allister fit in at Newcastle?

As noted above, Mac Allister truly put himself on the map as a result of his displays for his country in Qatar, having arguably been "one of the best players" at the tournament, according to his club boss.

That form has also been replicated in the Premier League with the former Argentinos Juniors ace – who arrived in England on a £7m deal back in 2019 – having already scored seven goals from his midfield berth from 21 appearances, while also providing one assist in that time.

The gifted playmaker – who has been branded a "baller" by Statman Dave – has showcased his all-round quality after also averaging 2.4 tackles per game as a marker of his defensive prowess, as well as completing an impressive 72% of his total dribbles.

Such standout form has contributed to the £50k-per-week ace achieving an average match rating of 7.23 so far this term in the top-flight, as per Sofascore, with that only bettered by Kieran Trippier (7.74) among those at St James' Park – excluding Martin Dubravka (7.60) who has made just a solitary league outing.

Adding such a classy individual to Eddie Howe's ranks could allow the former Bournemouth boss to fashion a truly mouthwatering midfield partnership involving Mac Allister and current talisman, Bruno Guimaraes.

The latter man has emerged as a leading presence for the northeast side since arriving from Lyon back in January 2022, scoring nine goals and laying on four assists in just 44 games in all competitions from his deep-lying berth.

A goal threat like Mac Allister, the Brazilian also mirrors his fellow South American star in being able to offer a real ball-winning presence in the centre of the park, showcased by the fact that the 25-year-old averages 2.2 tackles per game from his 19 league appearances this season.

To have two individuals who can impact proceedings at both ends of the pitch working in tandem would certainly allow Newcastle to push on even further next season, with Ashworth needing to utilise his Brighton connections in order to get a deal over the line.

Everton have expressed an interest in bringing Villarreal striker Boulaye Dia to the Premier League, according to reports.

What's the latest on Dia to Everton?

The Senegal international is currently out on a season-long loan at Salernitana who do have the option to buy him for €12m (£10m), but being Paulo Sousa’s best-performing offensive player, has caught the eye of the board on Merseyside, but not for the first time. The Goodison Park outfit reportedly reached out to the 26-year-old’s representatives regarding a deal in January but were dealt a blow after learning that he was keen to remain in the Serie A at the time.

Italian outlet Tutto Salernitana have since claimed that the Toffees are still admirers of the forward and are currently in pole position to secure his services should he become available during the upcoming window with Sean Dyche making sure his club don’t give up the chase after their setback at the start of the New Year.

According to Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Everton, alongside their top-flight rivals West Ham, are both “keen” on Dia and have “often expressed interest” in signing him. The Blues and the Irons’ “requests” are “not lacking” and whilst he’s valued at “at least” €20m (£17m), that would be nothing for his two potential suitors who are desperate for a new striker up top. Should Salernitana permanently purchase the attacker, it’s stated that they previously held an interest in Neal Maupay which has raised the possibility that a swap deal could be on the cards.

Would Dia be an upgrade on Maupay?

Maupay joined Everton from Brighton back in August 2022 but has failed to make a significant impact on the first-team having found the net just once in 22 appearances so Dia would most definitely be a huge upgrade and perfect replacement.

The Nike-sponsored star has scored ten goals and provided four assists in 24 Salernitana outings where he’s averaging 1.4 shots per league game, highlighting how much more prolific he is in the final third. Outside of his natural centre-forward role, the 5 foot 11 gem is also capable of playing out wide on both wings and even as an attacking midfielder so would add great versatility to the squad.

Dubbed “magic” by journalist Usher Komugisha, Dia was a key member and breakout star of Senegal’s World Cup squad that made it all the way to the last 16 of the tournament so it’s no surprise that he’s attracting interest because he’d be ideal for the Toffees.

Don Robson, the driving force behind Durham’s emergence as a first-class county, has died at the age of 82

David Hopps11-Mar-2016Don Robson, the driving force behind Durham’s emergence as a first-class county, has died at the age of 82.Durham became the 18th first-class county in 1992, the first since Glamorgan in 1921, defying the general assumption that county cricket was certain to decline rather than expand bravely into what became its most northerly outpost.After difficult beginnings, they went on to dominate the professional game, winning six trophies between 2007 and 2014, including three Championships, and also staging international cricket at their purpose-built Chester-le-Street ground.The death of the man who was chiefly responsible for delivering that dream comes at a challenging time when Durham are under considerable financial strain, inviting questions whether regular England cricket in the north-east is sustainable.Robson, immensely proud of the north-east, would have had no truck with such pessimism. As leader of Durham county council (the youngest ever when he was appointed in 1973) and an influential member of the regional assembly, he had political clout in the region and he put it to good use in a straightforward, immensely committed style.His ambition was to provide a home for the succession of cricketers developed in the north-east but who had previously had to leave the county to fulfil their ambitions to play professional cricket.Gordon Hollins, the ECB’s chief operating officer, knew Robson well from his time as commercial director at Durham.He said: “Don played a leading role in gaining first-class status for Durham prior to their inaugural season at the top table in 1992. The north-east was going through a really tough time economically and Don’s efforts therefore didn’t just help cricket, they also helped the region regain some pride.”The success of Durham on the field, the development of several England players and the staging of international cricket at the Emirates Riverside are all achievements that would not have been possible without Don’s contribution”Don was equally committed to the recreational game – I would often see him watching Greenside CC play in the Tyneside & Northumberland league on a Saturday afternoon.”Robson became Durham’s first chairman as a first-class county, but this was no political sop. He led the fundraising drive, lobbying extensively and continuing his involvement in cricket in the north-east.He was involved when Durham were England’s dominant minor county through the 1970s and ’80s – going 65 games unbeaten between 1976 and 1982 – managed the Under-19 team for a while and represented the county at several committees on the Test and County Cricket Board – the forerunner of the ECB.In April 1992 they played their first match as a first-class county – a Sunday League fixture against Lancashire at the Racecourse Ground in Durham. Ian Botham and Wayne Larkins, two high-profile signings, opened the batting and Durham won. It was a decade and more before winning became a habit.Most importantly, Durham secured land for a permanent headquarters on the outskirts of Chester-le-Street, adjoining the River Wear and with Lumley Castle providing a striking backdrop. A Chester-le-Street farmer had been willing to end his lease because the land was too wet. In May 1995, Durham played their inaugural game on the ground against Warwickshire and the pavilion was named in Robson’s honour and opened by the Queen in 1996.Geoff Cook, Durham’s director of cricket – the longest-serving county coach in the game – said on the their website: “You had to be involved at the time of Durham’s emergence from minor counties cricket to appreciate the enormity of Don’s involvement in the whole scheme.”To be the first new county for 70 or 80 years was a big thing in its own right, but the practicalities of getting the finance and the ground in place were vital to us having a realistic chance of succeeding.”A tremendous amount of balls were up in the air at the same time, but Don remained completely focused throughout the process and at the same time he progressed his business as well as his political career.”It was amazing to be on hand to witness his mental and physical energy and the way he was able to pull things together. He really was a remarkable man. He had a ferocious energy and a determination to satisfy his vision.”No matter the size of the hurdles that got in his way, he always felt he could surmount them. He was formidable, but he had a lot of warmth and he was a caring person.”Before awarding first-class status, Durham had to have at least £1m in the bank and guarantee to secure a permanent ground within five years.Robson used his political contacts to win major support from such companies as Scottish and Newcastle Breweries, but he was a politician who also had a strong connection with the public and they trusted him with a rush of small donations and offers of help in the belief that he would achieve his goal.He was awarded a CBE for services to local government in 1997 and received an honorary doctorate from Sunderland University in 2002 in recognition both of this and his role in securing Durham’s first-class status. He also played professional football as a centre-forward with Doncaster Rovers and Gateshead.

All the dress rehearsals are over. South Africa have prepared at home and away, they have played at home and away, they have won at home and away

Firdose Moonda16-Mar-2016

All the dress rehearsals are over. South Africa have prepared at home and away, they have played at home and away, they have won at home and away. For good measure, they even lost at home, to Australia, and all of that will stand South Africa in good stead for the four matches they will play from Friday as they aim for a semi-final berth.Their World T20 group stage starts against England, an opposition they recently beat 2-0, but the real test will only come two weeks from now if they reach the knockouts. That’s when the fruits of all the training and playing and winning (and losing) will show. This time South Africa have a different plan and it’s nothing fancy at all.”When you are under pressure and your heart rate is 180, it’s hard to keep your thinking clear and that’s why we’ve spoken about doing the basics well,” JP Duminy explained. “If you focus on something that easy, it gives you a good chance of putting in a big performance in that situation.”South Africa learnt that from their most recent defeats, not the string of wins that saw them chase successfully for five matches on the trot. It was only when they fumbled in the field and sent down extras at the death against Australia, that the basics came into sharper focus and they have promised not to lose sight of them.For Duminy, that message has wider implications. There have been suggestions that South Africa’s highest run-scorer in T20 cricket is in the squad on reputation because his recent performances have been far from promising. He has not crossed fifty in 21 international innings since the team’s last visit to India, last October, but that is a statistic he is determined to put right.”I will be lying if I say it hasn’t been a really average season for me,” Duminy admitted. “But I enjoy these events and I feel very refreshed at a world event like this.”Already, Duminy has been back in the runs with 67 in the warm-up match against India and even though he only managed 22 in the second match – where he played for Mumbai Cricket Association XI against his own side – he knows he won’t have to face the bowler who removed him, Kyle Abbott, in the tournament.He will, however, have to bowl despite a summer where his role as an allrounder was scaled down in order for him to focus on his batting. In the subcontinent, South Africa are still likely to field only one specialist spinner – Imran Tahir – and will want a second slower-bowling option. Duminy wants to embrace the chance to contribute in another way. “I know that’s going to bring a lot of opportunities for me, especially in these conditions. Hopefully when given that opportunity I can make it count,” he said.Ultimately, the word opportunity is what South Africa have on repeat as they go into this tournament. They’re not viewing it as an examination of whether they can finally win a global trophy but as an opportunity to try and see if they can.”We’ve taken massive strides in these events. In the past, we’ve buckled under the pressure. If we look back to the last T20 and 50-over World Cup where we reached the semi-finals, we were outplayed,” Duminy said. “It’s when we haven’t given our best that we’ve let ourselves down. Quietly confident is the phrase that’s going around, especially in the shorter format. We are looking forward to this tournament.”

Arsenal seem on an unstoppable path to Premier League glory at the moment, with Mikel Arteta triumphantly at the helm.

The Spaniard has overseen vast change in the three years since taking over from Unai Emery, and despite it being his first venture as a head coach, he already seems set to write himself into the history books.

What makes the Gunners' turnaround so special is the manner in which they built their team, which is currently bursting with exciting young talent. Through shrewd and decisive acquisitions and the promotion of academy graduates, the fact that they boast the fourth-youngest average XI in the league is further testament to their imminent success and the unbridled further success their future is promised.

However, perhaps the crowning glory of Arteta's recruitment policy actually came through the departures he has instigated. The likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe had shown glimpses of quality but did not boast the right mindset or consistency for his vision. And so, they were gone.

They would then be replaced by younger, hungrier models, and thus the cycle continued.

However, in Gabriel Jesus, they arguably have a top striker to hold down that position for the foreseeable future.

He is enjoying a fine return to action after his injury absence, picking up where he left off before the World Cup. The 26-year-old is the model for the perfect transfer, and as such, they are seeking to replicate it his summer with a move for Jesper Lindstrom.

Who is Jesper Lindstrom?

A tricky and versatile attacker, the Denmark international has enjoyed a fine season for Eintracht Frankfurt despite his youth.

As such, it was noted by Sky Germany (via Sport Witness) that contact had already been made over a potential deal in the coming transfer window. What makes this move even more enticing is that the German outfit are reportedly willing to sanction his sale, with €40m (£35m) being the apex of their current valuation.

With seven goals and four assists after just 22 Bundesliga games this season, the 23-year-old actually boasts striking similarities with the former Manchester City forward.

He too has scored just seven, but his six assists across 17 Premier League games slightly outperform his potential teammate.

What further draws comparisons is their shared ability to play all across the front line, with Jesus often deputising on either flank for Pep Guardiola in the past as a keen presser.

Lindstrom too marked himself as an intelligent attacker who could lead the press, as he ranked in the top 18% for successful pressures last season compared to others in his role across Europe.

His teammate Kevin Trapp has sought to praise the youngster too, as he lauded his progression: "Jesper has already made significant steps forward… you can see that he's an outstanding footballer and has very good technique."

With all the necessary attributes to emulate Jesus, perhaps bringing him in could further add to the fluidity of Arteta's system, with yet another forward capable of interchanging within their front three.

Former India captain Rahul Dravid has been appointed team mentor of Delhi Daredevils. Dravid will head a refurbished coaching bench at Daredevils, who have also hired former South Africa and India assistant coach Paddy Upton as head coach.Dravid and Upton will work with a team of assistants: Zubin Bharucha (technical director), former India batsmen Sridharan Sriram and Praveen Amre (batting coaches), and former Tamil Nadu and India fast bowler TA Sekhar (bowling consultant).”I am very excited by the challenge of taking Delhi Daredevils on to the next level. From what I have seen I have been impressed by the ambition and energy demonstrated by the team and I look forward to working with a group of players that I believe have what it takes to succeed,” Dravid said.”Along with the rest of the support staff, I am fully aware of what this franchise means to its supporters and I intend to do everything possible to help build a team that the fans can be proud of.”The franchise was forced to ring in changes to the coaching staff once former South Africa batsman and coach Gary Kirsten’s three-year contract was terminated after two seasons. Under Kirsten, who took charge in September 2013, Daredevils finished bottom of the table in IPL 2014 and second from the bottom last year. Daredevils also axed Kirsten’s assistant Rob Walters, who was the trainer.Incidentally, the trio of Dravid, Upton and Bharucha were part of the core team at Rajasthan Royals, which has been suspended for two seasons by the Lodha Committee. In 2014, having served as captain in previous seasons, Dravid assumed the role of team director cum mentor at Royals. In the 28 matches Dravid oversaw, the franchise won 13 matches and lost 12, with two ties and one no result.One of the most sought after coaches in the T20 format, Upton recently won the Big Bash League with Sydney Thunder, before also coaching Lahore Qalandars in the inaugural Pakistan Super League.”I relish the privilege to work again with Rahul and Zubin, and to have the opportunity to do so at a franchise like Delhi Daredevils,” Upton said. “I am constantly learning about the Twenty20 format as I move around the world, and look forward to applying and furthering this knowledge at the coming IPL season with Delhi.”

Cheikhou Kouyate was something of a fan favourite during his time at West Ham United but his performances since leaving suggest that the Hammers did very well to sell him for £11m.

How did Kouyate do during his time at West Ham?

West Ham signed the Senegal international from Belgian side Anderlecht in the summer of 2014, with the powerful midfielder joining in a deal worth £7m.

He quickly established himself as a regular with the east London outfit, contributing an impressive four goals and three assists in 31 Premier League appearances in his debut campaign at Upton Park.

The 6 foot 2 titan was a mainstay in the Hammers' side throughout his five years at the club, registering 15 goals and ten assists in 147 appearances in all competitions, so it was no surprise that he would earn West Ham a profit when he departed for Crystal Palace in 2018.

The Eagles would pay £11m to bring him to Selhurst Park ahead of the 2018/19 campaign but he simply wouldn't be able to replicate the form he showed at West Ham after moving across London.

During his time with the Hammers, Kouyate consistently averaged above a 7/10 rating from WhoScored for his performances in the Premier League, apart from his final season at the club, which saw him earn a strong 6.80 rating.

Journalist Sam Inkersole also summed up the midfielder's inconsistency when describing his "dreadful" performance in an embarrassing 0-0 draw with Shrewsbury Town back in 2018.

It makes it even more impressive therefore that the club were able to sell him for £11m to Palace on the back of his worst campaign as a West Ham player, and that regression has continued with age.

The defensive-minded midfielder failed to average above a 6.75 rating from WhoScored during his time at Selhurst Park and managed just three goals and five assists in 141 appearances, certainly a 'dreadful' return to quote Inkersole again. Indeed, he couldn't replicate the attacking nous he showed on regular occasions in east London.

It was perhaps no surprise therefore when Palace released Kouyate upon the expiry of his contract last summer, with newly-promoted Nottingham Forest later picking up the 33-year-old on a free transfer.

The £42k-per-week earner has managed just 12 Premier League appearances for Steve Cooper's side so far this campaign, averaging a less-than-impressive 6.50 rating from WhoScored, which has unsurprisingly seen his market value according to CIES Football Observatory drop to just €2m (£1.8m).

Therefore, while West Ham have been criticised for some of their transfer business in recent years, it seems clear that they hit the jackpot with Kouyate by selling him at the perfect time.