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West Ham are now said to be preparing a £44 million bid to sign one club's "incredible" star, and they're already working to replace him.

Steidten's West Ham transfer plans

It will be an interesting January transfer window for manager David Moyes and technical director Tim Steidten, as reports in the summer suggested that the pair often came to blows over West Ham's transfer activity. A pretty bold claim by Football Insider last month even shared news of a rumoured bust-up between Moyes and Steidten when it came to the direction of West Ham's transfer business, but so far, the former Bayer Leverkusen chief has arguably delivered.

James Ward-Prowse is starring in claret and blue after joining from Southampton, while Mexico international Edson Alvarez has been subject to praise from the media after some of his West Ham displays. Mohammed Kudus is starting to showcase his true quality in parts as well, with Steidten now thought to be determined to sign a striker in the winter window.

“Tim Steidten’s role at the club has grown in seniority since his arrival,” stated club insider ExWHUemployee last week.

“His knowledge, targets and dealings have really impressed Sullivan, who now fully trusts Tim as his right-hand-man. This will almost certainly mean that Steidten will be leading the search for our next manager in the future. However, its understood his main focus for now is player contracts and January recruitment – with a striker top of the list."

The German is also keen on signing a new right-back, with defender Vladimir Coufal out of contract next year, while there are suggestions he could move to bolster West Ham's midfield ranks further.

West Ham preparing £44m offer for Goretzka

Indeed, a report out of Spain this week has lifted the lid on a potentially ambitious move from Steidten. Bayern Munich star Leon Goretzka is a big name in Germany and a regular under Thomas Tuchel, making nine Bundesliga appearances this season. The 28-year-old has two goals and an assist under his belt so far, and it is believed this has attracted real attention from West Ham. (Leon Goretza stats – Transfermarkt)

West Ham are "preparing an offer" to sign Goretzka from Bayern, according to the Spanish source, and "would be willing" to put £44 million on the table for him. The Bavarians have already "set to work" on replacing the Germany international, and despite his contract running until 2025, Goretzka's future could be "far away" from the Allianz Arena.

Petit really rates Goretzka

Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit really rates the Germany international, with the World Cup-winning pundit even urging Mikel Arteta to make a move of his own.

Long shots

Aerial duels

Passing

Ball interception

“The main two players I would target if I was Arsenal would be Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka," said Petit.

“They are both incredible players with huge experience who have both been at Bayern for a while and would maybe like a new challenge.

“Goretzka has played at such a high level for so long and is still only 28, and I think Kimmich would be great for Arsenal, even if the price tag may be a bit expensive.”

Manchester United are on the lookout for new arrivals and have reportedly identified a prospective signing at Old Trafford, according to a report.

Man Utd injuries and upcoming matches…

In the summer, United spent over £170 million as they dipped into the market to bolster their ranks ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, with Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, Altay Bayindir, Jonny Evans, Sergio Reguilon and Sofyan Amrabat all signing on the dotted line at Old Trafford.

Between them, they have enjoyed a varying degree of success as the Red Devils continue to be one of the more inconsistent sides in the Premier League; however, Erik ten Hag could be keen to secure more depth in January owing to a spate of injury problems in the North West that have given him selection headaches over the last few months.

As per The Evening Standard, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans, Tyrell Malacia and England international Mount are all on the sidelines and will miss the Red Devils' clash against Chelsea at home on Wednesday evening.

Heading into the fixture, Ten Hag's men sit seventh in the Premier League table with 24 points taken from their opening 14 encounters, making three points a necessity for the home side against Mauricio Pochettino's outfit as they look to keep pace in the hunt for Champions League qualification this campaign.

Man Utd let perfect Onana and De Gea replacement leave for just £5m

This ex-United shot-stopper never made an appearance for the Red Devils but is one of the Premier League’s top keepers.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 4, 2023

Soon after, Manchester United will take on Bournemouth, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool in quick succession, forming a clutch of games that could potentially make or break their aspirations in both domestic and European competitions. Casting an eye on potential transfer activity at the Red Devils, a new report suggests that they are now keen on a world-renowned player to strengthen their ranks.

Man Utd keen on Mike Maignan

According to Foot Mercato, Manchester United are on the lookout for a new goalkeeper and AC Milan stopper Mike Maignan has emerged as a target amid concerns from Ten Hag over the capability of his current number-one Onana, with the manager really liking the profile of Maignan. His current employers value him at more than €70 million (£60 million), though he is unlikely to leave Lombardy in the short-term.

Mike Maignan stats in 2023/24 – all competitions

Appearances

16

Goals conceded

20

Clean sheets

6

Nevertheless, competition for France international Maignan's signature is vast and Chelsea, alongside Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, are also believed to be keen on the 28-year-old, who has previously been labelled "incredible" by his international boss Didier Deschamps.

Providing a safe pair of hands between the sticks, Maignan has racked up a save percentage rate of 71.1% from 38 shots on target against him in Serie A over the course of 2023/24 (Maignan statistics – FBRef).

With Cameroon international Onana under immense scrutiny at Old Trafford, pulling off the signing of Maignan could be a major statement of intent from the club and it looks to be one to watch.

Latham became the first New Zealand batsman since Glenn Turner in 1972 to carry his bat through a completed Test innings

The Report by Karthik Krishnaswamy17-Dec-2018In six Tests at the Basin Reserve, Sri Lanka have been at the receiving end of four double-hundreds. Martin Crowe, Lou Vincent and Kane Williamson had done it before, and on Monday it was Tom Latham’s turn. Having gone past 200 for the first time in his Test career, he went on to finish on an unbeaten 264, becoming the first New Zealand batsman since Glenn Turner in 1972 to carry his bat through a completed Test innings.Watch LIVE on ESPN+

Readers from the US can also watch the match LIVE here, on ESPN+

Latham’s efforts earned New Zealand a 296-run lead and set them up to push hard for an innings win. By the end of day three, that outcome looked even likelier as Sri Lanka, needing to negotiate 14 overs until stumps, lost three top-order wickets to the swing and cunning of Tim Southee and Trent Boult.Boult struck first, straightening one along a stump-to-stump line to have Danushka Gunathilaka lbw playing around his front pad. Then, Southee, having bowled largely outswing until then, got one to nip back in off the surface and breach Dhananjaya de Silva’s defensive gate. When Dimuth Karunaratne fell to a top-edged hook for the second time in the match, Sri Lanka were 13 for 3. Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews saw out the last 5.4 overs of the day, adding only seven runs to Sri Lanka’s score, and the pressure from New Zealand’s quicks will likely remain as intense when play resumes tomorrow morning.ESPNcricinfo LtdOvershadowed by Williamson for much of the second day, Latham eased himself into the spotlight with a classic Test-match innings that turned a strong position at the start of the day into an unassailable one by the time New Zealand were bowled out.There were three distinct phases to his batting on day three. While quick to put away anything loose, he was largely watchful in the first session, often leaving good-length balls inches wide of off stump, even when Suranga Lakmal was angling them into him from around the wicket. After lunch, as the double-hundred neared, he gathered his runs unobtrusively against well-spread fields, scoring at a strike rate of nearly 56 even while only hitting two boundaries in the session. Then, post-tea, with the lower order for company, he widened his range of shots to score his last 40 runs off only 38 balls.The day began brilliantly for Sri Lanka, with Dimuth Karunaratne’s stunning reflex catch at short leg sending back Ross Taylor in the first over of the morning, fast hands somehow intercepting a full-blooded flick near his left shoulder.That, though, was Sri Lanka’s only success of the session, as Latham and Henry Nicholls settled in calmly on a pitch that had flattened out considerably since the first morning. The only moments of anything approaching panic came when the unflagging Lahiru Kumara found the edges of both batsmen – Latham first, then Nicholls – with his extra bounce in his second spell of the day. The match situation, however, limited the number of catchers Sri Lanka could employ behind the wicket. The first edge flew through the vacant gully region, which prompted Dinesh Chandimal to move his second slip there, and the second edge promptly shot through the newly created gap.Latham, certainly, had earned the right not to have an extra man in the cordon. He was batting on 136 when he played that uncharacteristic jab away from his body, and until then had been inch-perfect with his judgment outside off stump.This didn’t mean Latham didn’t pounce when the quicks overpitched, even marginally. His driving – always meeting the ball right under his eyes, with a punchy, full-faced finish – was a feature of the morning’s play, particularly to the right of mid-off. He kept finding that gap with such regularity that Sri Lanka eventually stationed their extra-cover straighter, almost as an auxiliary mid-off.At the other end, Nicholls carried on the form he had shown during his triumphant tour of the UAE, chugging along at a 60-plus strike rate and looking Latham’s equal at driving off the front foot. His favoured area, however, was straight back past the bowler – three of his boundaries came in that direction, two off the quicks and one after a foray down the wicket to Dilruwan Perera’s offspin. There was also a withering pull shot off Kumara, a strong roll of the wrists ensuring the ball stayed down despite being met above shoulder height.Nicholls fell near the start of the second session, soon after reaching his half-century, holing out to long-on while trying to go after Dilruwan. Kumara then sent back BJ Watling for a duck with a well-directed short ball that the batsman popped to the keeper, ducking awkwardly with eyes off the ball. The fifth-wicket stand between Watling and Latham was the first sub-50 partnership of the innings.Sri Lanka could have had another soon after when Colin de Grandhomme edged a flashing drive off Dilruwan, but Karunaratne didn’t react quickly enough at gully as the ball flew past his left hand. De Grandhomme would go on to clatter 49 off 53 balls, pulling Kasun Rajitha for three big sixes, and adding 73 at close to five an over with Latham.

Manchester United and Chelsea legends Andy Cole and John Terry have joined the immortals by being inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

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Former Red Devils striker won treble in 1999Ex-Blues skipper landed 17 trophiesBoth have seen their efforts recognisedGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

It has been revealed that former Red Devils striker Cole and ex-Chelsea captain Terry will be joining legendary Arsenal and Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole as the 23rd and 24th members of the Hall of Fame. Cole formed part of United’s historic treble triumph in 1999, while Terry won 17 trophies while at Stamford Bridge – including five league titles.

AdvertisementWHAT COLE SAID

Cole, with 187 top-flight goals to his name, has said of seeing his efforts recognised: “I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved in football, which is thanks to my family, my coaches and my team-mates, and being inducted into the Hall of Fame makes me very proud. Football is a game of ups and downs, but I enjoyed every single minute of my career. My dad wanted me to play cricket, but I said, ‘No dad, I think I’m good at football.’ Looking back at my career always fills me with great pride and puts a smile on my face. The reason you play football and compete at the highest level is to win major honours. It was so, so special for me to win so many trophies and five Premier Leagues. To get my first one was crazy and after that I just wanted to win more.”

GettyWHAT TERRY SAID

Terry, who is the Premier League’s highest-scoring defender of all-time with 41 efforts on his glittering CV, said: “I’m very grateful to have been voted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. I’m a player that certainly gave my all whenever I stepped out on the pitch and to be recognised in this way makes me really proud. It’s great to have joined my former team-mates who have already been inducted, and to be inducted in the same year as Ashley Cole, who was an incredible player and a close friend. I was lucky to share a dressing room with so many top players. To captain a club like Chelsea and achieve what we did as a team is so special to me. The Premier League is the best league in the world, which every player hopes to play in, and I’m very proud to have won it five times.”

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WHAT NEXT?

The Premier League Hall of Fame “recognises and celebrates individuals who have an exceptional record of success and have made a significant contribution” to the division since its inception in 1992. All inductees “receive a medallion engraved with their name and the year of their induction, along with a £10,000 donation made by the Premier League to a charity of their choice”.

Sri Lanka’s outgoing batting coach spoke of the numbers which suggest that, under him, their top order has made significant gains

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Christchurch27-Dec-2018Outgoing batting coach Thilan Samaraweera was disappointed at the manner in which Sri Lanka’s middle order folded, exposing tail-enders to Trent Boult’s high-quality swing bowling on day two at Hagley Oval.But as he prepares to leave his post to make way for new batting coach Jon Lewis, he also reflected on what he felt was a moderately successful 13 months in the role. Samaraweera is essentially being demoted to the High Performance staff, having been the national team’s batting coach since November last year. The decision to replace him came after Sri Lanka’s 0-3 Test series result against England last month. But despite the losses, Samaraweera says, there are numbers which suggest that under him the Sri Lanka top order has made significant gains.”I think if people think only about winning or losing, then I’m in trouble,” he said. “But I feel this group is going in the right direction, because I can show stats on how we’ve improved one-day cricket, T20s and Tests. Kusal Mendis has made close to 1000 Test runs in the year. Nobody knows that. Dimuth Karunaratne is going really well. Angelo Mathews has been brilliant this year. Thisara Perera’s batting has been good in one-day cricket as well.””I don’t know. People took that decision [to replace me], and that’s up to them. But I feel this I took this batting group toward the right direction, and they are showing courage.”Getty ImagesSamaraweera’s claims do stand up to scrutiny. Mendis will likely finish as the year’s second-highest scorer in Tests, with 956 runs at an average of 45.52. That average is second only to that of the year’s best Test batsman Virat Kohli, from among the present top-five run-scorers in 2018*. Karunaratne, meanwhile, is the most prolific opener this year, and currently sits at sixth on the overall list, with 743 runs at an average of 49.53. Mathews, meanwhile, has scores of 83, 120 not out and 33 not out from the ongoing series against New Zealand.Critics of Samaraweera may also point out, however, that Mendis had also experienced a haunting loss of one-day form through the course of this year, failing to reach fifty in 13 consecutive innings and registering five ducks in that time. Karunaratne’s rise had begun before Samaraweera arrived on the scene – the opener having made 1000 Test runs in 2017. The coach himself admits that on the one-day front, Sri Lanka’s batsmen have not produced big innings on his watch.Samaraweera was pleased, however, that Mathews has seemingly arrested a slide toward mediocrity in Test cricket. He had averaged over 70 in 2013 and 2014, before failing to average 30 in 2016 and 2017. Despite modest returns in the mid-year series against West Indies and South Africa, Mathews’ Test batting may have undergone something of a revival late in the year. He has been dismissed for less than 50 only three times in his previous nine Test innings.”In the last year, I challenged Angelo and he responded really well. In 2013 and 2014 he had a tremendous two years, and then after that he went a little bit behind in 2016 and 17. I had an honest chat with him a couple of times and he responded really well. You have to give credit to him. He showed guts in Wellington. I’ve never seen him batting like that – he took so many bouncers to his body. Today also he batted really well.”On the collapse at the start of day two in Christchurch, Samaraweera rued the quick dismissals of Roshen Silva and Niroshan Dickwella – both caught at third slip. With Boult bowling as sublimely as that, the tail had no chance, Samaraweera said.”Our thinking was to get through the first hour, hour-and-a-half,” Samaraweera said. “It was overcast conditions, and when the sun comes out it becomes easier to bat. But then we lost our first two batters in the first 20 minutes, and after that it’s very difficult to handle those new-ball bowlers.”At the moment we are way behind the game, but after one over tomorrow the new ball will be due. We have to take two or three wickets early and then at least we can stay in the game. It’ll depend on the first hour, how we use the new ball.”

Aaron Ramsdale's repeated blunders versus Brentford didn't cost Arsenal three points last time out thankfully, bailed out by his heroic backline time after time before Kai Havertz headed home at the death to win the tight game 1-0.

The goalkeeper situation at Arsenal currently is a strange one, to say the least, David Raya is Mikel Arteta's first-choice goalkeeper despite only being at the club on loan and that doesn't look like changing any time soon after the English goalkeeper's wobbles as his stand-in against the Bees.

With rumours intensifying that Raya's loan deal could be made permanent this coming transfer window, Ramsdale will have to settle for being the back-up option at the Emirates for now despite being Arteta's main man in goal for the last two full seasons.

The former Sheffield United man will be fearing for his long-term future at the club therefore, especially if current Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo- who is on a season-long loan with the Red Dragons from Arsenal – keeps up his form in League Two and returns to the Emirates emboldened by his formative experience in Wales.

Ramsdale will just hope he gets more opportunities to impress soon to displace Raya as number one in-between, despite not being in his manager's good books currently.

Ramsdale's statistics for Arsenal this season

The 25-year-old started Arsenal's first four top-flight games this season, failing to keep a clean sheet in any of those games with his performance in goal notably below-par in a 2-2 home draw versus Fulham at the end of August.

The Cottagers found the back of Ramsdale's net twice despite only having three shots on target all game, Andreas Pereira getting the better of the Gunners shot-stopper in the first minute after curling an effort past the shaky number one who was out of position.

Ramsdale was arguably exposed after a weak back-pass from Bukayo Saka found Pereira instead of the 25-year-old, but Arteta will look to moments like these as justification for why he's dropped the ex-Blades goalkeeper in recent months to start Raya instead.

Raya has kept four clean sheets in the Premier League since coming into the side, the Spanish goalkeeper impressive throughout the effective 1-0 shut-out of Manchester City last month.

Young Gunners prospect Okonkwo will hope he can further add competition in goal when he returns from Wrexham at the end of the season, the 6 foot 6 keeper excelling in Wales.

Okonkwo's statistics for Wrexham this season

The Arsenal U23s "talented" regular goalkeeper – as labelled by football journalist Fabrizio Romano – is impressing again out on loan, keeping ten clean sheets last season at Crewe Alexandra on a short-term basis.

Now, Okonkwo is ensuring Wrexham have a reliable shot-stopper in-between the sticks after news of Ben Foster's retirement rocked the Racecouse Ground earlier in the season.

The towering four-time England U18 international has accumulated five clean sheets for Phil Parkinson's Red Dragons from only ten games played to date, keeping three clean sheets in his last four outings in Wrexham colours.

Wrexham are flying high in second as a result, only five points off top-of-the-table Stockport County with Okonkwo eager to continue playing his part in the Welsh team's potential pursuit of back-to-back promotions.

The 22-year-old will have far bigger dreams than that, however, hoping to one day be Arsenal's first choice with Ramsdale growing ever more twitchy about his future as a result of the emerging Arsenal talent.

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has provided an update on the fitness of Lauren James and Millie Bright ahead of their Champions League semi-final clash.

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Emma Hayes gives fitness update on duoJames and Bright fit for Barcelona clashChelsea take on Barcelona on April 20Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

In a replay of last season's Champions League semi-final clash, Chelsea are set to take on defending champions, Barcelona. Chelsea are looking to win their first European title as they aim to crown Hayes' final season at the helm of the club with a Women's Super League and Champions League win. The Chelsea boss had some positive news ahead of the match about the fitness of the two Lionesses.

AdvertisementWHAT HAYES SAID

When asked about the fitness of James and Bright in her press conference, Hayes responded: "Yep they are (available). Millie Bright and Lauren James. If they didn’t travel they are not available."

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

James missed Chelsea's 3-0 win over Aston Villa and after the match, Hayes revealed that the star forward was a doubt for the clash against Barcelona. Bright, on the other hand, is returning from a knee injury she suffered in November last year and is only just returning to action after having been back in action on the training field over the last two weeks.

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WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

It is very likely that Bright will not be a starter for Chelsea but James could return to Hayes' starting lineup when they take on Barcelona on Saturday, April 20.

Arsenal seem to have rediscovered their mojo in recent weeks, with the attacking flair of last season starting to return to compliment their newfound solidity in midfield and defence.

In that sense, their Premier League game against Luton Town was an anomaly, and while conceding three goals is far from ideal, Declan Rice's last-second winner demonstrated once again that Mikel Arteta's men do not know when to quit.

Rice's header came via a fantastic cross from the left boot of captain fantastic himself, Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian, like the rest of his team, is starting to reach his level from last season and has been one of the best players in recent weeks.

Arsenal's £280k-p/w star dropped a "monster performance" vs Luton

Declan Rice stole the show with a late winning goal but another Arsenal star deserves equal praise.

ByMatt Dawson Dec 6, 2023

With that in mind, Gooners should be excited with recent rumours that have seen them linked to a player who has been likened to the former Real Madrid man, Nicolo Barella.

Arsenal transfer news – Nicolo Barella

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Arsenal would 'like to add a midfielder' to the team in 2024, and, while there are several potential names on their list, he names Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella as one of the players that the club 'like.'

There has been little mention of how much a move for the Italian would cost in recent weeks, but when Liverpool were heavily linked with him earlier this year, it was reported that Inter valued him at around £69m.

The former Cagliari midfielder is contracted to the San Siro side until summer 2026, so it is unlikely that the asking price will have come down much, if at all, since the summer.

However, with the 26-year-old "warrior", as described by Antonio Conte, being as highly rated as he is, it would likely be a deal worth pursuing.

Even more so considering his likeness to the Arsenal captain.

Nicolo Barella could complement Martin Odegaard

The Premier League is stacked with fantastic midfielders these days; in fact, almost every team in the competition has at least one midfield player who can be a genuine game-changer.

Regardless of who you might rank as the number one, there can be no debate that Odegaard is right up there with the best. So it is a pretty good indication of Barella's quality to see that FBref has the Norwegian down as the second most similar player to him in Europe's top five leagues.

These similarities become quite apparent when looking at their underlying numbers.

Barella

Odegaard

0.24

0.31

2.27

2.48

9.75

7.52

84.8%

83.4%

0.67

0.51

1.68

1.62

1.60 (0.84)

1.71 (0.77)

In terms of their creative output, there really is not an awful lot to separate them, with the most significant discrepancy coming in their progressive passing numbers, where the "top-class" midfielder, as described by Jürgen Klopp, outshines his potential new captain.

Usually, there would be some concern over how defensively solid a team would be with both players starting in midfield, but with the indomitable Rice behind them and William Saliba and Gabriel behind him, Arsenal could allow the two magicians to totally dictate games from the centre of the park.

Ultimately, it would be a pricey deal to complete, but with just how much it would improve the team's attacking output, it would warrant the initial outlay.

Arteta could then have his next version of Odegaard playing alongside his current one as part of an impressive and creative Arsenal midfield.

Lionel Messi bagged his eighth and ninth goals of the MLS season Saturday, leading the way in a win over the New England Revolution.

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Miami thump Revs 4-1Messi bags goals No. 8 and 9Argentine in stunning formGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

A brilliant first touch set the first goal up, with Finnish international Robert Taylor playing a delightful through ball to Messi, who finished in a calm and composed fashion. The second brought more of the same, with Mesi this time on the end of a Sergio Busquets to make it 2-1 on the day. He then chipped in a late assist, teeing up Luis Suarez to seal the 4-1 win.

With his goals Saturday, he's now had a goal contribution in every match he's played this season.

AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPSUSA Today ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

After conceding just 40 seconds into the match. Miami responded well with a calm and composed half. Without Luis Suarez in the XI, Miami opted to roll out with Leonardo Campana and Robert Taylor in their XI up top alongside their Argentine goalscorer.

Messi, though, made the difference, making MLS history with his fifth consecutive match with at least two goal contributions.

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USA Today ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI

The Herons will take on the New York Red Bulls next weekend. It will be a clash between two of MLS' elite sides in the East, as both look to continue their hot form.

A round-up of the first day’s play from the four Ranji Trophy quarter-final matches

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Jan-2019Debutant Avneesh Sudha’s dogged 91 headlined Uttarakhand’s fightback on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy 2019 quarter-final against the defending champions Vidarbha in Nagpur. His efforts helped Uttarakhand go to stumps at 293 for 6 after Rajneesh Gurbani and Umesh Yadav had reduced them to 44 for 3 inside 10 overs.Gurbani struck with his sixth ball, bowling the opposition captain Vineet Saxena for 5. Umesh, playing his first match since representing India in the Perth Test, had wicketkeeper Vaibhav Bhatt and Karn Kaushal hole out for 5 and 31 in consecutive overs. Then began the middle-order fightback with Sudha stringing a 180-run partnership with Vaibhav Panwar (67) and the No. 6 Saurabh Rawat still unbeaten on 68.Parthiv Patel gathers a ball•BCCIChintan Gaja (4 for 57) and Arzan Nagwaswalla (3 for 50) skittled out Kerala for 185 inside 40 overs, before Gujarat lost four wickets of their own for 97 runs on a low-scoring opening day at the Krishnagiri Stadium, in Wayanad.Kerala’s slump – after being sent in to bat – began with left-arm pacer Roosh Kalaria bowling opener Mohammed Azharuddeen for 17 in the seventh over. Fellow left-arm quick Nagwaswalla and Gaja took centrestage then as they ran through the Kerala line-up which could muster only one score in the 30s – thanks to No. 9 batsman Basil Thampi – with captain Sachin Baby following up his match-winning 92 in the last round with a duck and Sanju Samson retiring hurt.Wickets kept tumbling during Gujarat’s first dig, too, as Sandeep Warrier removed openers Priyank Panchal and Kathan Patel inside seven overs. There was subsequent resistance – in the form of a 52-run fourth-wicket partnership between captain Parthiv Patel and debutant Rahul Shah – but both were undone by Thampi within four overs of each other leaving the match back in the balance.Abhimanyu Mithun’s five-wicket haul dismantled Vidarbha•PTI Karnataka’s bowling attack gave them the advantage in their knockout match against Rajasthan with Abhimanyu Mithun (3-48) and K Gowtham (3-54) picking up the most wickets. By the end of the day, they had bowled out the opposition for 224 and even wiped 12 runs off their deficit.Only two batsmen managed to escape Karnataka’s stranglehold. Mahipal Lomror struck 50 off 133 balls at No. 3 and Rajesh Bishnoi smacked 79 off 119 balls at No. 7. The rest of the Rajasthan line-up struggled to cope with the pressure put on them as Vinay Kumar (2 for 29) and Shreyas Gopal (2 for 41) put in excellent support acts.Rinku Singh starred for Uttar Pradesh, scoring 150 off only 181 balls after his team was brought down to 54 for 4 by Saurashtra in Lucknow.