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BRISBANE, Jan 21 AAP – Makeshift opener Clinton Perren completed an eight-hour assault on South Australia today as Queensland surged towards its fifth consecutive victory of the Pura Cup season.Perren unleashed a career-high 224, filling the opening spot vacated by Australian one-day batsman Jimmy Maher, to fling the Redbacks on to death row heading into tomorrow’s final day at the Gabba.The visitors will resume at 2-46 in their second innings, chasing 409 for victory, with captain Greg Blewett (21 not out) the main hope as he chases his third century in as many first-class matches at the Gabba.The Redbacks must match the patience of Perren, who crashed the tenth highest score by a Queenslander in an interstate match, as the Bulls rushed to 8-487 declared in their second innings.He faced 367 deliveries, hitting 33 boundaries as Wade Seccombe (70), James Hopes (39) and Lee Carseldine (37) helped Queensland overturn its 79-run first-innings deficit.Perren had resumed on 104 not out and celebrated the greatest day of his career when he carved Blewett to the backward point boundary to record his double-century, fulfilling a challenge set by his club teammate Maher earlier in the day.”Jimmy sent me a text message this morning asking if I’d ever scored a double century before,” Perren said.”I really hadn’t thought about it before that because I was only thinking it was nice to turn up to a match going out to bat on 104.”I’ve got a few messages from him since and it was pretty exciting to get 200 because I’d only got one double before, back when I was about 16 or 17.”Perren was a reluctant opener, hardly jumping at the prospect of replacing Maher when selectors asked him last Saturday.But he has booked himself into the opening role for the rest of the season as Queensland makes an ominous move towards its fourth consecutive Pura Cup title, eyeing a six-point lead if it wins tomorrow.They may be without Michael Kasprowicz tomorrow after the pace spearhead left the field with a calf-muscle spasm after bowling just two overs in the Redbacks’ second innings.But Queensland still inflicted wounds on the Redbacks. Joe Dawes (1-19) claimed the wicket of Ben Johnson (seven) while Adam Dale dismissed David Fitzgerald for a 34-ball duck.It completed a miserable day for Fitzgerald, who grassed a tough chance from Perren on 117.The Bulls were reminded of the value of Blewett’s wicket when the former Test opener smacked four boundaries in the final overs to limit the damage for the Redbacks.Ben Higgins finished 13 not out, joining 18-year-old debutant Mark Cosgrove as the men who must help Blewett fend off the Bulls tomorrow.The Redbacks need an outright victory to boost their hopes of overhauling frontrunners Queensland and Victoria in the race for a final berth.

Yorkshire Phoenix ended a run of three consecutive defeats in Division One of the Norwich Union League by gaining a 16-run victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks who are still searching for their first win after five outings.Craig White gave England hope that he will be fully fit again for the battle for the Ashes by working up his fastest pace since suffering his back injury and he weighed in with three for 30 off nine hostile overs in which he was unfortunate not to pick up more wickets.The England all-rounder was well supported by Chris Silverwood who returned to the Yorkshire side after a groin strain and snatched three for 28 and it was his two wickets in one over that put Yorkshire in command after Northants had needed 40 from the last five overs with six wickets still standing.Northants were well served by Russell Warren and Alec Swann who both knocked up 54 before being dismissed by Matthew Hoggard but the strike bowler was nowhere near his best form and had earlier been removed from the attack when his opening two overs cost 17 runs.Warren’s runs were made from 86 balls with four fours while Swann required only 65 deliveries, striking three fours and a six.Put in to bat, Yorkshire made a rapid start with 44 coming off the first seven overs before spinner Jason Brown grabbed three wickets in nine consecutive overs which cost him only 23 runs.Skipper David Byas held firm, however, and went on to make 52 off 93 balls with seven boundaries before having his off-stump uprooted by Tony Penberthy.Yorkshire continued to be put under severe pressure until Richard Blakey and Silverwood broke free while dashing up 49 together off the last five overs.They hammered 16 runs – Yorkshire’s winning margin – in the final over from Darren Cousins, Silverwood ending unbeaten on 27 from 20 balls with two sixes and two fours, and Blakey having three boundaries in his 26 not out from 27 deliveries.

West Ham United star Jarrod Bowen could miss both legs of the Hammers’ Europa League quarter-final against French side Lyon, with the 25-year-old’s injury worse than initially believed.

What’s the latest?

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the Englishman’s injury is ‘worse than first feared’ after fracturing a bone in his foot against Liverpool earlier this month.

West Ham had confirmed that the winger suffered ‘no significant damage’ following the injury on 6 March but it now appears as though Bowen will have to spend more time on the sidelines.

Supporters will be gutted

Having scored 12 goals and assisted 11 in 39 appearances this season, the Englishman is certainly up there as a seriously strong contender for West Ham’s player of the year.

This campaign has seen the 25-year-old playmaker develop excellently, building on last season’s tally of eight goals and six assists.

In fact, it was recently revealed to The Athletic by David Moyes that Bowen looked likely to have received his first-ever senior England call-up had he not sustained his injury.

The Scotsman said: “I hope we’ve got England internationals (at West Ham). We’ve got Declan Rice at the moment. With a bit of luck we might have had Jarrod Bowen if it hadn’t been for injury.”

Whilst his record in front of goal is his best in claret and blue to date with two months left of the season, most of those goals have come in 2022.

Since the turn of the year, Bowen’s form has been electric, scoring seven and assisting one in all competitions.

The major concern for Moyes and the West Ham faithful will be how much longer they’re going to be without their best goal output for with vital games fast approaching after the international break.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

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Michail Antonio hasn’t scored in the Premier League since New Year’s Day whilst Pablo Fornals has two goals in his last 17 league appearances and Said Benrahma scoring once in his last seven.

With the race for a top-six finish still very much on and a Europa League quarter-final still to contest, the Hammers will be desperate to have their talisman back in contention as soon as possible as it could cost them a place in Europe next season.

In other news – Imagine him and Antonio: West Ham must land £18m-rated “weapon” likened to Beckham

	Shane Watson has enjoyed a full month of injury-free cricket but his body will be tested by stints in county cricket and the Indian Premier League © Getty Images

Shane Watson is not concerned at overburdening his injury-prone body despite increasing his workload with extra cricket commitments during the off-season. Watson has signed up for a Twenty20 stint with Hampshire and he is hoping to be part of the Indian Premier League, which kicks off next month.His fitness worries continued this season with further hamstring problems, the latest of which occurred during a four-day game in late January. He did manage seven Pura Cup appearances, although he has had no international action since the ICC World Twenty20 in September.Watson said the best way to put his injuries behind him was to keep playing as much cricket as possible. “I’m probably most excited about the prospects of continuing to play some cricket,” Watson said. “I’ve enjoyed the past month or so with Queensland and would like to keep that going.”I’ve missed a fair bit over the past two seasons so I’m keen to keep playing for as long as I can during the off-season. Hopefully all going to plan, I can play in the IPL, head off to Hampshire and then have a break before enjoying a good pre-season with the Bulls.”His Hampshire stint is locked in and he is set to be part of the second IPL auction, to take place on Tuesday in Mumbai. Watson will be joined in the sale by his Queensland team-mate James Hopes, who says playing in the Twenty20 tournament would give his cricket a boost.”It can’t help but make you a better player, especially with the quality of teams they seem to be assembling,” Hopes said. “Hopefully there’s a spot somewhere for me.”

Andy Moles will guide Northern Districts until at least the end of 2008-09 © Barry Chambers

Andy Moles has been rewarded for helping Northern Districts win the State Championship in his first season as coach, earning a one-year extension that will mean he leads the side until the end of 2008-09. Moles, the former Warwickshire batsman who has also coached Kenya and Scotland, guided Northern Districts to their first title since 1999-2000.”I’m very pleased with how this year has gone and more importantly with the way the players have interacted with me,” Moles told the . “I guess this is the reward for what they see as someone who can mould the team into a consistent outfit.”Despite the team’s success – before 2006-07 it had only won the title four times in the competition’s history – Moles knows the first-class improvement needs to flow through to the limited-overs game. In the State Shield, Northern Districts finished fourth with only four wins from ten matches.”Our one-day form was very poor,” Moles said. “The way we played the game was a bit naive. We’ll be looking to implement a different game plan next year where we’re a lot more proactive and positive.”David Cooper, the side’s chief executive, said Moles had been outstanding in the first season of his initial two-year contract. “It was a decision that was a pretty easy one for us to sign him for another year,” Cooper said. “The signs are good for the team and where they’re heading and what he has done with the group. We’re looking forward to the seasons ahead.”

James Franklin sent a message to the New Zealand selectors about his allround ability with an unbeaten 173 against Auckland. His innings contained 22 fours and three sixes and helped Wellington to an imposing 436 for 5 at stumps in reply to Auckland’s 235. Franklin was dropped for the final two one-day internationals against the West Indies after some uninspired bowling and will be keen to press his credentials as an allrounder ahead of the Test series. Franklin was not the only centurion, with Neal Parlane (110) also passing three figures. Matthew Bell (58) and Chris Nevin (48 not out) cashed in as well. Lance Shaw took 3 for 90.Canterbury will take a handy advantage over Northern Districts into the third day of the match after a number of useful contributions enabled them to post a first innings lead of 41 with three wickets remaining. At the top of the order Gary Stead made 51 and Michael Papps a laboured 45. There were cameos from Craig McMillan (23) and Chris Harris (22), before Andrew Ellis (57) and Todd Astle (41) put on 82 for the sixth wicket. Canterbury ended the day on 310 for 7. Joseph Yovich was costly, but his 18 overs also saw him capture 3 for 91.Central Districts were in the box seat at New Plymouth after posting a first-innings total 416 and watching Otago go to stumps at 191 for 5. Central resumed day two on 275 for 6 and made it past 400 thanks to half-centuries from Bevan Griggs, the wicketkeeper, and Brendon Diamanti. David Sewell was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 87. Otago began the long chase for first innings comfortably enough, but trouble struck late in the day when the impressive Jordan Sheed was out 11 shy of his maiden first-class century. Otago’s hopes rested with Neil Broom, who battled to 34 not out. Min Patel, the former England spinner, bowled Otago to a virtual standstill with his 1 for 20 off 18 overs.

Lots to think about: Stephen Fleming contemplates life as an opener after making 0 and 1© Getty Images

The rain was the major discussion point at the post-match presentation, where Adam Gilchrist was named Man of the Match for his 162 from 146 balls. Ricky Ponting was disappointed Australia would have to go to Auckland to seal the series, and Stephen Fleming said a host of changes would be considered before the final Test.Ricky Ponting
On the match
It’s been a pretty disappointing week. We’ve done everything we possibly could to get a result, but the weather hasn’t been kind to us. Now we have to play well at Auckland.On pushing for the win today
We had enough time to win [if the rain stayed away], but we had to bowl well. If we had 60-odd overs at them we would’ve had enough chances, but that’s all hindsight.On the innings of Damien Martyn and Adam Gilchrist
Damien wasn’t as solid as he would have liked early on, but he got through the early period and played beautifully. Gilly was his normal self, aggressive from the word go, that was crucial for us to set up the rest of the game.On the bowling performance
There was no let off from the three fast bowlers and then Warney comes on. There was enough in the wicket with the new ball all the way through, and there was enough there for Warney, but we’ve come away with a drawOn Michael Kasprowicz getting his 100th wicket
We’d spoken about it before the innings and it’s a great milestone for him. He’s been in and out of side, but now he’s been outstanding and has cemented his place.Stephen Fleming
On being saved by the rain
It got us out of jail so we’re not too disappointed with it. We had an opportunity on the first morning, which we didn’t take, then we were on the back foot with Gilchrist’s batting. It was disjointed weather-wise, but there were still areas of concern.On why the players are not performing
Part of it is pressure, being put under pressure by Australia and not responding.On his batting and scores of 0 and 1
I’m disappointed I’m not doing my job, which is first and foremost to score runs at the top of the order and help the guys out. My stats are poor and I’ve got work to do before the next Test.On changes for the next Test
There are a lot of thoughts about a lot things that will be digested and discussed tonight. Hopefully we can sort those out and steal the last Test.On the success of Daniel Vettori and Lou Vincent
We need Vettori to be assisted, we’ve got to give him some runs to help him. Vincent got some runs and that is the key thing for the top order, they have to get the job done. That’s going to be the philosophy for the Sri Lanka series as well, there’s still a lot of Test cricket to be played.Adam Gilchrist
On Australia’s display
It was a good all-round performance but we were frustrated by the weather. The openers Justin [Langer] and Matty [Hayden] really did the hard work on a wicket that helped their fast bowlers, Marto [Damien Martyn] gusted it out when it was doing a bit more, and great credit to the bowlers for knocking them over.On his super form
I’m seeing the ball well, which is an indicator for me that it’s going well. I’m looking at the ball, really focussing on it in the bowler’s hand, which I’ve never done before. I started it in one-dayers after a few low scores.On closing in on Chris Cairns’s six-hitting world record
Mine just clear the rope, Cairnsy’s usually go out of the ground. They’re statistics that as players were not really aware of. It’s not an intentional thing

Brett Lee: recalled for Australia’s game against Zimbabwe ©Getty Images

Brett Lee, who was savaged by India’s batsmen in the recently concluded 3 Test series, has been recalled to the squad for the VB Series match against Zimbabwe at the Bellerive Oval on Friday (starting 2300 GMT Thursday). Brad Hogg also gets a look in, with Jason Gillespie and Ian Harvey being rested for the game.Lee took eight wickets in two Tests against India, but they came at a cost of 59.5 apiece. In the first innings at Sydney, he went for 201, the first genuinely fast bowler to suffer such an indignity in the game’s history. Ricky Ponting, who has led Australia to victories in their first two games of the tri-nation tournament, reckoned that Lee was now ready to set the record straight.”He probably wasn’t bowling well a couple of weeks ago and that’s why we decided to give him a rest,” said Ponting. “I think he was a bit tired, which was hindering the way he could bowl and the way he could perform, so we’ve given him a bit of time to recover and I’m sure you’ll see him perform better over the next couple of weeks.”The decision to rest Gillespie was no surprise, given the load he has had to shoulder since coming back from a calf injury for the Sydney Test. With Brad Williams in splendid form, Australia clearly fancy their chances of knocking over Zimbabwe, even with their premier fast bowler on the sidelines.”Jason’s been up for a while, played a fair bit of cricket and is bowling well at the moment, and with the tournament the way it is at the moment, it just presented itself to give him a bit of a rest,” said Ponting. Zimbabwe’s top order will need to show a great deal more skill and pluck if they are to take advantage of his absence.Australia squad Adam Gilchrist (wk), Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (capt), Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Michael Clarke, Michael Bevan, Brad Hogg, Andy Bichel, Brett Lee, Brad Williams.

MELBOURNE, Dec 28 AAP – Australia snared four wickets before lunch here today to pile the pressure on England in the fourth Ashes Test at the MCG.The tourists were 7-185 on day three, needing another 166 runs to make Australia bat again after the home side declared its first innings yesterday at 6 (dec)-551.Craig White smashed two sixes off leg-spinner Stuart MacGill and was the top-scorer with 36, while James Foster had made eight.MacGill, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee had two wickets apiece.The large block of English fans in the crowd predictably had a loud reception for Lee when he bowled the first over of the morning.Lee’s team-mate Justin Langer called them a “disgrace” yesterday for chanting “no ball” every time the paceman bowled.So the Barmy Army did so even louder today for Lee’s first few deliveries.Lee responded with another scorching spell of pace bowling, trapping Robert Key for a second-ball duck after MacGill removed nightwatchman Richard Dawson for the first wicket of the day.Nasser Hussain then tried to sweep MacGill on 24, but only managed an inside edge onto his pad.Short leg Matthew Hayden dived across the pitch to take a great catch, with Hussain unwilling to walk.John Crawley combined with White for a stand of 59, before Crawley tried to pull Gillespie from off stump and ballooned a catch to Langer at mid-wicket.

Fast bowler Andy Blignaut, the star of Zimbabwe’s victory in thesecond Test against India at Harare on Monday, is not overawed byreputations and feels the right line and length yield results againstany batsman.Blignaut took six wickets in the Test to bag the man-of-the-matchaward. Having accounted for Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman twice in theTest series and Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly once, he was worthmore than the nine wickets he picked up from the two games.”I don’t get overawed by reputations,” Blignaut said. “I just wantedto bowl in the channel, on or outside the off-stump.”The 22-year-old seamer has ambitions of becoming the Lance Klusener ofZimbabwe – a powerful hitter in the lower order and a more than usefulfast-medium bowler. But he didn’t have the right approach – until now.”He was a spoilt rich kid. He had that air about him where he couldn’tcare any less about anything or anyone else,” says former Zimbabwecaptain Dave Houghton who coached Blignaut at the CFX Academy.”Having said that, one must appreciate how quickly he realised he mustwork hard to get back into the international arena. Also, he is one ofthe cleanest strikers of a cricket ball I have seen. He once hitDamien Fleming of Australia for three successive sixes in a one-dayinternational in Bulawayo, all whistling clean hits,” Houghton said.After a couple of such powerful innings against Australia, Blignautwas let down by his back and he was out of international cricket forseveral months.”I’ve been struggling with a stress fracture. One of the vertebrae ofmy back was cracked,” Blignaut said. “That’s put me out for six orseven months.”Andy, as he is called though his given name is Arnoldus, was out ofcricket between December 1999 and February 2000, missing the hometours by South Africa and Sri Lanka, and the triangular tournament inSouth Africa also involving England.”I have tried to become a bit more of a front-on bowler instead of aside-on bowler to conserve my back,” Blignaut said.When he was growing up, Blignaut was advised to bowl leg-spin so thathis body could avoid the strain of fast bowling. But his heart was inpace bowling and he soon returned to his old style.Bowling for him has always come naturally and he received littlecoaching in his early years. He did spend some time at the MRF PaceFoundation at Chennai, along with Brighton Watambwa, where DennisLillee assured him that he had the right action for a bowler ofgenuine pace.Blignaut still does not have a contract with the Zimbabwe CricketUnion and is paid roughly $150 per game.”I hope to have a contract with the ZCU soon. I had a chronic backinjury and they probably felt I wasn’t worth the risk,” he said.