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Essex have furtrher strengthened their pace bowling resources by signing the Western Australian fast bowler Matt Dixon on a dual passport basis

David Hopps11-Mar-2016Essex have completed their commitment to strengthening their pace bowling resources by signing the Western Australian fast bowler Matt Dixon on a two-year deal.Dixon, 23, holds a British passport and will be available across all three formats, subject to ECB registration approval.He is the second pace bowler with dual nationality to be snapped up by Essex this close season. They have also signed New Zealand A fast bowler Matthew Quinn on a three-year deal as Chris Silverwood, Essex’s new head coach, has concentrated on stiffening their fast-bowling ranks.Only one county will be promoted from Division Two this season, ahead of a reduced eight-team Division One in 2017, but Essex have been active enough in rejuvenating their squad to suggest that they can be one of the chief contenders.Dixon first received county suitors in 2010 after a spell in the Durham leagues, and Essex have finally tempted him to England to reinvigorate a career that has recently developed quietly since appearances for Australia at Under-17 and Under-19 level.But he did play in Perth Scorchers final group match in the Big Bash League, taking the wickets of Luke Wright and Kevin Pietersen in a return of 3 for 32.Silverwood said: “Matt is a talented young man who bowls at a really good pace. You need a number of seamers in a squad to be able to compete on all three fronts – as we plan to.”Since the accession of Ronnie Irani to the cricket chairmanship, Essex, regarded in the past decade as one-day specialists, have stressed that they intend to make a more concerted effort to returning to Division One of the Championship.A right-arm fast bowler, Dixon will add extra depth to a bowling attack that has also seen the arrival of Quinn, the former Sussex spinner Ashar Zaidi and – for the NatWest T20 Blast only – the combination of New Zealander Adam Milne and Pakistan’s Wahab Riaz.Essex have had quite an overhaul this winter. The departure to Hampshire of Reece Topley, who has forced his way into England’s limited-overs sides, was a blow, former skipper Mark Pettini has moved to Leicestershire and the gamble on Monty Panesar was finally accepted to be a failure as he was released.Dixon made his List A debut for Western Australia against Victoria in October 2010, at 18, removing Brad Hodge with his fifth ball. He was the third youngest player to represent Western Australia at senior level. A first-class debut followed against New South Wales in March 2011.From the outset, Western Australia were aware of rival interest not only from county cricket but also from Australian Rules football where he was a powerful colts footballer for Subiaco.

Chelsea are reportedly eyeing £35m-rated Santiago Gimenez as an alternative to Victor Osimhen, in case the Napoli striker proves too expensive.

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Osimhen is Chelsea's top target.Gimenez considered if Osimhen's pursuit stallsChelsea also evaluate winger Assane DiaoWHAT HAPPENED?

According to the Blues remain firm in their pursuit of the Napoli hitman, with the Nigerian also hinting that he remains open to exploring other options. However, they are well aware that Napoli views him as strictly indispensable and will not sell him cheaply as he is contractually bound to the reigning Serie A champions until 2025. This has forced them to look for other alternatives with Gimenez topping their wishlist.

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The Feyenoord striker has been in incredible form and has scored 15 goals in an equal number of matches across all competitions. Chelsea's recruitment staff admires his potential contribution but he also has a contract with the Dutch outfit until 2027 which means that the Blues might need to cough up over £35m plus add-ons for the goalscorer. There is strong interest from other European elites which include bothReal Madrid and Barcelona along with a host of Serie A clubs including Juventus, AC Milan and Inter.

DID YOU KNOW?

Chelsea are also keeping an eye on Assane Diao, a versatile winger from Real Betis, who has been a revelation under Manuel Pellegrini. The Blues view him as someone who could add depth to their right wing which is currently occupied by Noni Madueke. However, Betis, who are currently placed in the seventh spot, are not keen to let him leave in January as they are fighting for a European berth for the 2024-25 campaign.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Chelsea are navigating the transfer market with a laser-sharp focus on their pursuit of promising talents, which aligns with the club's new-found philosophy under the ownership of Todd Boehly. The interest in Gimenez and Diao is another step in that direction.

Lionel Messi reacted to an obscene gesture from Manuel Ugarte towards Rodrigo De Paul by advising certain Uruguayan players to “learn respect”.

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World champions suffer first loss since Qatar 2022Fiery qualification contest at La BomboneraAlbiceleste remain top of the CONMEBOL tableGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

A heated 2026 World Cup qualification clash between the South American neighbours was played out at Boca Juniors’ La Bombonera home on Thursday evening. Argentina suffered a dramatic 2-0 loss in that contest, with the Albiceleste slipping to their first defeat since capturing a global crown at Qatar 2022.

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There were numerous flashpoints in the game – which saw Ronald Araujo and Darwin Nunez on target for the visitors – with one first-half tussle seeing Ugarte clash with De Paul. The Uruguayan midfielder accused World Cup winner De Paul of being Messi’s “bottle feeder” – with a distasteful gesture thrown into the mix – leading to players from both side becoming embroiled in an unsightly brawl.

GettyHOW DID MESSI REACT?

Messi told reporters afterwards when asked about the incident: “It's normal. These kinds of games, qualifiers, against Uruguay, it's always like that. I prefer not to say what I think. Young people have to learn to respect from their elders. This classic was always intense, hard, but always with a lot of respect. They have to learn a little.”

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WHY DID ARGENTINA LOSE?

Messi went on to say of the game itself, which saw Argentina fall behind late in the first-half before conceding a second in the 87th minute: “We never felt comfortable. They're a physical team that works well and on the counter-attack, they were very dangerous. Today it was our turn to lose. It's a test. We have to get back up and play a great game in Brazil.”

Fawad Ahmed faces a battle to be included in Australia’s Test team after coach and selector Darren Lehmann declared there were enough part-time options in the side to leave out a second spin bowler

Daniel Brettig in Roseau03-Jun-2015Fawad Ahmed faces a battle to be included in Australia’s Test team for the remaining six matches of their dual tour to the West Indies and England after the coach and selector Darren Lehmann declared there were enough part-time options in the side to leave out a second spin bowler.Given its history of extravagant spin, Dominica had been considered Fawad’s best opportunity for a call-up, but Lehmann stated that the use of Michael Clarke, Steven Smith and the left-arm spin of the debutant Adam Voges constituted more than enough slow bowling to support Nathan Lyon. If that was the case in Dominica, then Fawad may spend most of the next four months carrying the drinks.Lehmann also stated the team’s preference for a three-man pace attack in order to “go pretty hard at” their opposition. Given Australia’s success in battering England with pace Down Under in 2013-14, it seems highly unlikely that twin spin will be employed during the Ashes series, slow pitches or not.”We know it spins here traditionally but at the end of the day we thought the three quick options were the best way to go considering we’ve got Smith, Clarke and Voges who can all bowl left-arm spin or wrist spin,” Lehmann said. “So with Lyon we think that gives us enough spin options and with the three quicks it lets us go pretty hard at them.”The practice wickets have played pretty well, they’ve taken spin but also had a little bit of carry. We think the option with Smith, Clarke and Voges doing the bowling covers that. It was a really tough decision. Time will tell but we’re really comfortable with that side. Fawad might get his opportunity next Test.”Fawad had arrived in Dominica thinking he was more than likely to win Australia’s 442nd baggy green cap, and was the subject of enormous media coverage. However his chances faded with each passing day, and by match eve he cut a disappointed figure as he bowled in the pace net with Lehmann while Voges and Lyon served as the prime spin tandem.Intriguingly, the captain Michael Clarke had appeared to be in favour of Fawad’s inclusion, writing extensively about Fawad in his Australian newspaper column. Clarke also spoke at some length about their growing relationship and thought the legspinner shared some traits in common with no less a master of the art than Shane Warne.”I’ve known Fuzz for a while now,” Clarke had said. “We spent a bit of time together even before he was playing for Australia. He came and bowled to us regularly when we were in Melbourne. I’ve got to know him over the last couple of years. I said in my column today that one of his greatest strengths is his consistency. For a wrist spin bowler to be able to be so consistent is a great strength to have.”Fawad is experienced. He knows his strengths, He knows his weaknesses. We speak daily about field settings in different conditions all around the world. I’m confident if he gets an opportunity that he will be able to have success, and we’ll be able to work together to get the appropriate fields to take wickets.”Clarke, though, is not a selector, and Lehmann’s desire to hunt the West Indian batsmen with pace was vindicated on the series’ opening day. Fawad could only look on from the boundary, and wonder whether his chance had gone.

At the mid-point of this, their first home game of the campaign, Kent look well set for their first victory against their winless opposition

ECB Reporters Network02-May-2016
ScorecardDarren Stevens was one of four Kent players to pass 50 (file photo)•Getty ImagesDogged by bad weather and unplayable conditions that wiped out six of their first eight days action in this summer’s County Championship, Kent have seemingly decided to take their frustrations out on Glamorgan. At the mid-point of this, their first home game of the campaign, Kent look well set for their first victory against their winless opposition.After banking a 224-run first innings lead and five batting bonus points, Kent picked up the wicket of Jacques Rudolph for a duck in the final half-hour of the day leaving the visitors on 16 for 1 at stumps and facing a mountain to climb simply to save the game.Resuming on their overnight score of 124 without loss, Kent batted on throughout the majority of a cloudy and chilly Bank Holiday Monday, with Tom Latham, Joe Denly, Darren Stevens and Mitch Claydon adding half-centuries to the one Daniel Bell-Drummond scored on Sunday.After an opening stand of 131, their best for three seasons, Kent lost overseas player Latham and top-scorer Bell-Drummond in quick succession and to near-identical dismissals. Both will have been disappointed by hard-handed, leaden-footed, back-foot pokes that resulted in catches behind the wicket.Two down at lunch, Kent lost 3 for 6 inside six overs after the resumption as Glamorgan’s seamers took advantage of the cloudy overhead conditions. But with the floodlights on, Kent’s middle order began to shine in the form of an enterprising sixth-wicket stand of 78 between Stevens and understudy keeper Adam Rouse.Stevens broke the stranglehold of Michael Hogan, the pick of Glamorgan’s attack with 4 for 91, and Craig Meschede, with some belligerent hitting on his way to a 58-ball fifty. Stevens hit three sixes, including a mammoth pull shot that landed in the construction site near the Old Dover Road that will become retirement flats by next June. A new ball was needed.Rouse and Stevens fell in quick succession with their side almost 100 ahead, but Kent were by no means finished as Claydon and Matt Coles joined forces to take up Stevens’ mantle.Though he was dropped on 5, Claydon’s lusty back-foot smears resulted in a fourth first-class fifty from 47 balls, while Coles also cleared the ropes in his cameo 29 only to perish to the very next delivery. Swinging his not inconsiderable weight off his own feet, he was almost fully prone by the time his middle stump went cartwheeling.In the day’s final exchanges and with drizzle in the air, Rudolph pushed hesitantly inside the line of a Stevens’ legcutter to feather a catch to the keeper and depart without scoring. The rain strengthened forcing an early finish to spare Glamorgan from further punishment.

Cristiano Ronaldo has reached another personal milestone – hitting his first goal in the AFC Champions League – with the Portuguese still “winning”.

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Iconic forward still going strong at 38On target in the AFC Champions LeagueRemains a prolific presence in the Middle EastWHAT HAPPENED?

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was in continental action with Al-Nassr on Monday as they took on Tajik club Istiklol. Ronaldo helped to turn that game around after seeing his side trail 1-0 at half-time, with the all-time great netting a delightful chip just past the hour mark.

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Ronaldo has now recorded 17 goals through just 16 appearances in the 2023-24 campaign. The evergreen frontman is showing no sign of slowing down at 38 years of age and remains as determined as ever to get his hands on more trophies.

WHAT THEY SAID

He is now up and running in the AFC Champions League, as another entry is added to his remarkable record book, and his exploits continue to inspire an Al-Nassr side that has claimed six successive victories in all competitions. Ronaldo has posted on social media: “Good game from everyone on the team! Happy to have scored my 1st #ACL champions league goal! We keep winning!”

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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Ronaldo has already bettered his goal return from last season – when he found the target on 14 occasions – and is closing in on a standing inside the top five of Al-Nassr’s all-time leading goalscorers, despite having been on their books for less than 12 months.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been hailed for leveraging their Hollywood status to "amazing" effect at Wrexham.

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American duo invested in Wrexham in 2021Overseen the club's return to the Football LeagueFinance guru expects celebrity ownership models to continueWHAT HAPPENED?

The American actors completed a £2 million takeover at Wrexham in February 2021, at which point the club were still competing in the National League. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have taken a hands-on approach at SToK Racecourse, silencing critics that claimed their move into football was merely a gimmick, and it reaped rewards in 2022-23 as Wrexham secured promotion back to the Football League after a 15-year absence.

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Celebrity owners are becoming more and more common as a result of Wrexham's success, with NFL legend Tom Brady the latest man to try his hand in English football as a co-owner at Championship club Birmingham City. Dr Christina Philippou, a Principal Lecturer in accounting, economics and finance at the Faculty of Business and Law, believes the trend will continue because of the huge impact celebrities can have when it comes to the commercial interests of football clubs.

WHAT DR CHRISTINA PHILIPPOU SAID

"It's a matter of a sporting celebrity bringing in money," Dr Philippou told . "Wrexham have a touch of Hollywood glamour, and the owners have been able to do amazing things by selling the story along with their on-pitch and community efforts. Leveraging that status sells and helps the commercial side, which in turn helps the on-pitch fortunes as the owners are able to input some of that money into the club."

She added: "Sports have a global reach now due to the likes of social media. All sorts of things have changed since those days, but being able to leverage celebrities is a big thing in terms of the commercial and broadcasting side of things. The [Lionel] Messi effect at Inter Miami had a massive impact on match-day prospects. There's a reason for celebrities to be there, and I think it will continue. The generations coming through now are even more savvy when it comes to influencers and who the big stars are. That culture is definitely growing, and moving with those would make sense from a commercial side. I don't think it's something we'll stop seeing anytime soon."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Wrexham's growth has also been helped by the success of the Disney Plus docuseries tracking their rise under Reynolds and McElhenney. 'Welcome to Wrexham' was recently renewed for a third season, but Dr Philippou has warned that continued progress on the pitch is the only way to guarantee that interest levels remain high. "There may not be a compelling story to tell if Wrexham had stayed outside the Football League. It would get harder and harder to sell the story," she said. "There is a link between results and general interest. We see that across every level. Match-day interest is never as high after a team gets relegated. Social media content certainly plays its part when it comes to the commercial side, sponsorship deals, and broadcasting. If you can prove online interest in your club and demonstrate true engagement, then sponsors will come calling, and that only helps the club. Sunderland Till I Die sold too, but for different reasons! There have been a couple of documentaries made during great or terrible seasons. The problem is not being able to tell. A few of the NFL All or Nothing documentaries have been made as the chosen club has had an average season, and they never sell particularly well as it makes for less interesting viewing."

Wrexham have been handed a timely injury boost, with Phil Parkinson saying that George Evans and James Jones are expected to “play again this season”.

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Evans & Jones have picked up knocksSet to undergo further scansWill rejoin top-three push at some stageWHAT HAPPENED?

Evans picked up a glute problem in the Red Dragons’ 2-1 win over Sutton United, while Jones limped out of a 1-0 victory against Notts County with a hamstring complaint. Both issues are more serious than first thought, with spells on the treatment table needing to be taken in.

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No timescale is being put on the recovery of either midfielder, despite the lack of numbers that Parkinson now boasts in his engine room. They will not be rushed back into action, but the hope is that neither has been seen for the last time in 2023-24.

WHAT PARKINSON SAID

Parkinson has said when delivering a fitness update on Evans and Jones ahead of Wrexham’s midweek trip to Forest Green Rovers: "I expect them to play again this season but they are facing longer term injuries than we first thought. We will get them both rescanned and we will know clearer when we have got those second scans."

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Wrexham have 13 games left to take in this season, meaning that the clock is ticking for all of those currently stuck on the sidelines. Parkinson intends to make the most of those still at his disposal, with the plan being to line up another automatic promotion party for co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Glenn Maxwell’s 38-ball 90 led Kings XI Punjab to 231, the season’s best total, and set up a rout of the Super Kings

The Report by Kanishkaa Balachandran07-May-2014
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details7:59

Hattangadi: Ashwin’s plan fails against Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell fell within touching distance of a century for the fourth time in the competition, but neither he nor Kings XI Punjab were complaining in the end as the side maintained their winning run each time Maxwell made a massive contribution. Maxwell and David Miller set off fireworks in Cuttack to lift Kings XI to the season’s highest total – 231 – and though Super Kings managed 187, at no stage were they serious contenders in the chase. The win took Kings XI to the top of the table.Such was the carnage by Kings XI that it was easy to forget that only 69 came off the first ten overs. The next ten produced a whopping 162, an IPL record, of which the last five produced 78. The Miller-Maxwell partnership was worth 135 and after both departed, there was no respite for Super Kings as George Bailey and Mitchell Johnson swung their bats around to add 49 off just 16 balls to end the innings.Both captains weren’t quite sure how the pitch would play out, given that it was Cuttack’s first match, but Virender Sehwag’s rousing start was an indication that the batsmen would have it easy. However, at 37 for 2 and with Maxwell having just arrived, Kings XI abandoned their strategy of sending in the relatively passive Wriddhiman Saha and instead promoted Miller. Investing in their power hitters with nearly 15 overs remaining was the way to go.The blitzkrieg began in the 11th over. R Ashwin continued with his tried-and-tested plan by bowling round the wicket to the right-hander, but his variations had no effect on Maxwell who smashed two sixes over deep square-leg. A rattled Ashwin strayed too wide either side of the stumps to check Maxwell but he was penalised. Ashwin was in for greater punishment in his following over as Maxwell smashed two fours and two sixes, including one that was reverse swept over third man.Three overs of spin, including one from Ravindra Jadeja, leaked 52 and Ashwin was carted for 38 off two overs. The boundary barrage started to wear down the fielders as the normally safe Brendon McCullum let one slip at the boundary.MS Dhoni later said that the inability of the spinners to contain Maxwell and Miller was the turning point. He turned to Ishwar Pandey to limit the damage and he too was spanked, for 18 in an over. Length balls were duly smashed and attempted yorkers turned into low full tosses that were dispatched. Jadeja tried bowling it flat and quick as a defensive option but Miller put him away, slashing past short third man and launching one over deep cover. Miller and Maxwell brought up the century stand off just 8.5 overs.Dwayne Smith broke the partnership when Miller inside edged on to his stumps. Prior to that, though, Maxwell had biffed Smith for three sixes, including two audacious reverse pulls over third man. With a century in sight, however, Maxwell didn’t slow down and his knock ended on 90 when he slogged a slower ball from Mohit to Jadeja at deep midwicket.The depth in Kings XI’s batting took them past 200 for the second time this season, both against Super Kings, though the previous occasion was a successful chase. Bailey and Johnson took 40 off the last two overs to push the score to 231.Super Kings failed to put on partnerships even close to the tune of Miller and Maxwell. Their best hopes rested on their successful opening pair of Smith and McCullum, but their association ended in the first over. Following Jadeja’s departure in the 11th over, Super Kings dropped the idea of attaining the target and focused on getting as many as possible for the sake of net run-rate. Du Plessis made an attractive fifty, but his efforts were lost in the din of Maxwell and Miller.

Yorkshire won the Roses clash against the odds courtesy of the volcanic batting of Aaron Finch, whose 55-ball 88 help the White Rose steal victory

Paul Edwards at Old Trafford06-Jun-2014
ScorecardRich Pyrah celebrates his winning six•PA PhotosRarely able to take a trick in the County Championship this season, Lancashire have utilised force and finesse to make difficult contracts in the NatWest T20 Blast. That they failed to maintain that fine record in the first short-form Roses match this season can be explained by the volcanic batting of Aaron Finch, whose 55-ball 88 kept his side in the hunt to score at a demanding nine-an-over and also by the apparent tardiness of Lancashire’s bowlers, who were penalised six runs for a slow over rate.The umpires’ sanction was imposed at the end of the nineteenth over and it left Yorkshire needing just nine runs to win the game instead of 15 they would otherwise have required. Richard Pyrah then deposited the otherwise excellent Kabir Ali’s third delivery over the cover boundary to seal a five-wicket victory.Home skipper Paul Horton was left citing his own generosity in allowing Finch and Alex Lees time to change gloves, but he also paid proper tribute to the quality of the Australian opener as “the best T20 batsman in the world”.Few of the 16,000 sell-out crowd who watched Finch’s thunderous innings on Friday would dispute Horton’s judgement. Even the partisans whose chants recalled the glory days of Lancashire’s one-day history applauded the glorious Jessopian ferocity of the sixes which the Victorian struck off Jordan Clark’s final over. The first of these hit tested the topmost window of The Point, Lancashire’s nearly new hospitality facility; the second disappeared between the same building and Old Trafford’s new scoreboard and bounced away towards Altrincham.Yet remarkably, Finch also showed great patience, particularly during his 99-run second-wicket stand with Alex Lees. He defended the many good balls bowled by the Lancashire attack and bided his time on occasions. For all that he hit eight fours and five sixes, he displayed considerable nous in judging what was required, albeit that his dismissal – caught at short-third man by Junaid Khan off Tom Smith – seemed to leave Lancashire as favourites. The umpires may have then helped Yorkshire in their quest to score 36 runs off 17 balls but this was still about as good a game as the T20 format can produce.Lancashire’s innings was a curious cricketing sandwich. Inspired principally by Smith’s wonderfully clean hitting, the home side racked up 65 runs in the Powerplay overs, only to find their progress stalled by the slow bowlers Azeem Rafiq and Adil Rashid.A mere 15 came off the first four overs bowled by the Yorkshire spinners and that brief spell of control for the visitors included the loss of Smith’s wicket when Lyth, leaping on the long-off boundary palmed a booming straight drive back to Finch, who had raced across from long-on to assist matters. Even when one accepts that such dismissals have become almost routine in the rapidly developing world of T20, Lyth’s athleticism and quickness of mind still made one catch breath.Still well placed at 80 for 2 halfway through the innings, Lancashire maintained that rate of progress. The batsman responsible for that creditable progress was the frequently maligned Horton. In cricket’s endearingly bizarre argot, TV commentators and spectators have criticised Lancashire’s T20 skipper for plinking, clothing or smearing the ball, so awry seemed his timing on occasions. Yet when he was bowled in the final over by Olly Robinson, thus giving the 20-year-old Yorkshireman his maiden senior wicket, Horton had crafted his way to 60 off 45 balls and had once again produced a valuable innings in a format which, one might think, is scarcely suited to his accumulative diligence.Assisted by brief innings from Jos Buttler and the undefeated Steven Croft, Horton had guided his side to a very competitive 179, leaving Yorkshire as slightly second favourites. Rashid and Rafiq had been the best of Gale’s bowlers, both spinners varying their pace and making good use of the long boundaries prepared with Stephen Parry and Arron Lilley in mind. But Finch can take such plans and tear them up, so sharp is his eye and so explosive his power. On this balmy Manchester evening, the Australian did exactly that. It was wonderful stuff.