Harry Kane and Gareth Southgate revealed their struggles with the German language as the England pair were quizzed at a press conference on Tuesday.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Kane and Southgate quizzed on their GermanAsked if they know term for 'European champions'England striker and coach admitted they don'tWHAT HAPPENED?
Having spent just short of a year in Germany since joining Bayern Munich from Tottenham last season, star striker Kane has been learning the local language for a while. However, the 30-year-old striker still has some progress to make going by his latest press conference.
AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPWHAT KANE & SOUTHGATE SAID
Kane and Southgate were asked if they know the German term for "European champion" as they gear up for their Euro 2024 semi-final clash against Netherlands, but Kane said: "No, I don't".
Southgate then admitted to his lack of German, saying: "I know how to turn right at the underground station."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?
Kane and Three Lions manager Southgate may get out their English-German dictionaries to look up the term if they overpower Netherlands on Wednesday and secure their place in the Euro 2024 final. A win against the Dutch will see them go on to face either France or Spain in the final.
Jewell and Paine take Tasmania to stumps after Green and Mitchell Marsh pick up two wickets each
ESPNcricinfo staff11-Oct-2019It was a stop-start day across at the WACA in Perth, with rain forcing the players off four times and allowing only 69 overs of play. In that time, Tasmania, who started the day on 0 for 4 with Jordan Silk and Alex Doolan in the middle, got to 5 for 217. Silk’s 44, Matthew Wade’s 40 and Caleb Jewell’s unbeaten 41 were the main contributions to their cause. For Western Australia, 20-year-old medium-pacer Cameron Green stood out, picking up two wickets, as did Mitchell Marsh.The rain certainly affected Tasmania’s progress on the day. The first interruption was on 12.1 overs, and they lost Doolan to Green on 15.2 overs. Then, later in the day, the players went off on 46.4 overs and Wade was dismissed by Jhye Richardson five balls after the restart.Despite that, they managed to keep the game on an even keel, getting to within 120 runs of the home side’s 337 with Jewell and Tim Paine in the middle.Doolan and Silk started the day well by scoring 41 runs together before Doolan was caught by Shaun Marsh off the impressive Green, who made it 2 for 61 when he went through George Bailey’s defence to hit the stumps.Rain forced the players off again after Bailey’s dismissal, but upon resumption, Silk and Wade put together a decent stand of 62 runs before Silk became the first of Mitchell Marsh’s victims, trapped lbw for 44. Then came one more interruption, after which Wade, fresh off an impressive comeback to Test cricket, fell to make it 4 for 146, which became 5 for 176 when Marsh bowled Ben McDermott.At that stage, Western Australia held the aces, but Jewell and Paine managed to see off the rest of the extended session without further damage, adding 41 runs for the sixth wicket when stumps were called.
With Sunderland in free fall this season, attention has quickly turned to the summer and the top of the in-tray will be to find a new man to fill the dugout.
Sunderland's managerial merry-go-round
After just falling short of a trip to Wembley last season, Sunderland looked ready to do one better this campaign and push for promotion. Unfortunately for fans of the Black Cats, a crisis in the dugout has left their side miles away from the Championship top six.
December 2023 saw the Wearside outfit part company with Tony Mowbray. The 60-year-old had guided Sunderland to sixth last season, however a run of just one win from five games brought an end to his 461-day stint at the club. Sitting three points adrift of the playoffs, assistant coach Mike Dodds took interim charge whilst a replacement was found.
Sunderland's former manager Tony Mowbray.
Two weeks after the departure of Mowbray, Sunderland found their replacement in the form of Michael Beale. Recently sacked by Rangers, the Englishman had seen success in the second tier during his time in charge at QPR. However, fans were uninspired by the appointment.
Sunderland man who earns double Hume's wages could be given the boot
Sunderland will have to think about ditching this high earner soon.
ByKelan Sarson Feb 28, 2024
Fans' skepticisms was warranted as Beale plunged Sunderland down the table, picking up just fourteen points from the eleven league games he managed. The final nail in the coffin was a 2-1 defeat to Birmingham, now managed by Mowbray. In the post for just 63 days, Beales suffered his second sacking of the season and Sunderland went back to the drawing board for a new manager.
With Dodds given the keys until the end of the season, attention has now turned to who will get Sunderland back on track and put the failures of this season firmly in the rear-view.
Sunderland's next manager may move "to prove himself"
According to L'Equipe (as per Sport Witness), an agent "well established" in the United Kingdom has told the French press that Will Still's next move could be to a Championship club.
Speaking to the outlet, the agent said that “Premier League clubs are now a bit more reticent to hire young unexperienced managers, as brilliant as they may be. For now, logic dictates that he signs in a Championship club first to prove himself”.
The report from Sports Witness also mentions Sunderland, due to the fact they'll be managerless come the end of the season.
This follows a recent trend in managerial appointments with Championship sides opting for promising managers from the continent as opposed to the traditional faces seen in the second tier. The appointments of Marti Cifuentes and Danny Rohl by QPR and Sheffield Wednesday respectively has seen them turn their seasons around after poor starts.
Still has been in the dugout at French side Stade Reims since October 2022 and as it stands is just two points away from the European places. The 31-year-old has a release clause of €5million that could be exercised this summer by any number of sides on the lookout for a new manager.
With Jack Clarke likely to leave the Stadium of Light, Sunderland could be in for a significant windfall this summer. Whilst a replacement on the pitch could be the first port of call, there would be few better places to spend the money than on one of Europe's most promising managers.
Tottenham have entered the "front row" to sign one club's "most important" £30 million player this summer, according to a fresh claim this week.
Spurs set sights on new midfielder
A lot of rumours have centred around Spurs and their potential bid for a new forward, with the likes of Wolves star Pedro Neto and Crystal Palace attacking ace Eberechi Eze now repeatedly mentioned as targets for Ange Postecoglou.
Young defender now impressing Tottenham staff behind-the-scenes in training
He’s been exceptional apparently.
ByEmilio Galantini Mar 13, 2024
However, there are other areas of the squad which technical director Johan Lange and chief football officer Scott Munn will want to address later in the year. Indeed, there have been suggestions that a new central midfielder could be in the offing and one who is more tailor-made to Postecoglou's system.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has seen his game time severely limited since the Australian's arrival last summer, with the vast majority of his appearances coming off the substitute's bench as he was demoted to more of a bit-part squad role.
This led to reports in the build-up to January and beforehand that Spurs were plotting a move for Chelsea star Conor Gallagher as the Dane's replacement, and their interest in the rival midfielder is apparently maintained heading into the next transfer window.
tottenham-conor-gallagher-dream-xi-jan-opinion
Tottenham are reportedly ready to make an approach for Gallagher, but a lot could hinder on whether he ends up putting pen to paper on a new contract. The 24-year-old's current deal expires at the end of next season, meaning Spurs may be sensing an opportunity to sign him for lower than market value, as Chelsea don't want to lose him for nothing in 2025.
However, if Gallagher does end up agreeing fresh terms, a move for him could be all but over from Lange's perspective. As a result, there are alternative options which Tottenham are exploring, and one of them is rumoured to be Atalanta star Ederson.
Atalanta 3-0 Monza
8.59
Atalanta 2-0 Genoa
8.40
Atalanta 5-0 Fronsinone
7.71
Atalanta 3-2 AC Milan
7.55
Atalanta 1-0 Lecce
7.54
The Brazilian has made 27 Serie A appearances as a vital cog in their system, which has apparently alerted Lilywhites chiefs.
Tottenham in the "front row" to sign Ederson
According to Calciomercato, Tottenham are now "in the front row" to sign Ederson this summer alongside Newcastle United, and his club are asking for around £30 million to do business.
Given his growing reputation, that price tag seems pretty fair, with South American football expert Tim Vickery telling supporters all they need to know about the midfielder.
Atalanta midfielder Ederson
"24-years-old, strong, well-built central midfielder. Strong on the ball, versatile, box-to-box. Strong personality as well," said Vickery.
"The first time I remember him was his professional debut really. He was thrown in the deep end in a big team called Cruzeiro, who were really on the slide. They were relegated in dreadful form and even in this bad context, he stood out, so a lot of virtues."
Former Atalanta star German Denis has also called Ederson the club's "most important" player.
The veteran wants to inspire the next generation of Sri Lankan bowlers before his final bow in international cricket
Daniel Brettig in Adelaide26-Oct-2019A coach not quite sacked, a raft of player withdrawals, a typically chaotic nexus between cricket administration and government: all scenarios not uncommon when it comes to the endlessly fascinating story of Sri Lankan cricket. And yet amid all these 2019 misadventures there have been remarkable, even transcendent moments: A Test series win in South Africa, a stunning World Cup match win over England at Headingley, and then an even more stupefying Twenty20 clean sweep of Pakistan in Pakistan even after the aforementioned pull out of senior players.Now, with their resilience so vividly demonstrated, the Sri Lankans have arrived in Australia and linked back with their captain. Lasith Malinga added his own personal contribution to a year of memorable moments by not only defending a mere eight runs in the IPL final, but going on to take four wickets in four balls as against New Zealand in Kandy, the second such achievement of his dizzying international career.Malinga’s experience, drawn from well over a decade in the game, will be a more than useful addition to the group, alongside the strong credentials of Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera and Niroshan Dickwella, to name three. “It’s a good opportunity for me to share my knowledge and experience with the young players,” Malinga said.”I can’t play much more cricket, the next few months and maybe in the World Cup. I want to give my best for the young players because they don’t have much experience like me, playing franchise cricket, IPL, Big Bash, everything else. Sri Lanka also are regenerating our cricket team, the young players need experience, they need guidance so that’s why it is important to play this tournament.Recalling his successful shut out of Chennai Super Kings for Mumbai Indians in the IPL final, Malinga said a sequence of five balls slung down at better than 140kph, followed by a closing slower ball to nail an lbw and seal a one-run win, was a good example of the sorts of stratagems he can either deliver himself or advise his team about.”Any bowler who has played 10-15 years they have experience,” he said. “According to that we can use our variation and tactical part, that’s more important than the power. These days I try to use my tactical and variations according to the game situation. In pressure situations we have to get the correct decision and decide what we want to do. That’s the thing with gaining experience over my career.”Asked about Steve Smith and David Warner, returning to international cricket on home soil for the first time since their Newlands bans, Malinga suggested contrasting approaches – patience against Smith, but a more aggressive search for Warner’s wicket. “No particular plan but we know how good he is. I’ve played with him in the IPL and against him,” Malinga said of Smith. “We want to stick with our basics, not think much about the opposition, stick to our basic cricket and that’s very important I feel in the T20 game.”In the IPL, [Warner] was the highest run-getter in thus tournament. We know how good the T20 format is for him and we know in the last couple of months he didn’t get much runs, but still we know he can damage the opposition in any situation. That’s why we are looking forward to him – if we can bowl one good ball for him, that’s the challenge for all our bowlers to get him.”Having been on the losing end of a Sri Lankan steal of a T20I against Australia at Geelong in 2017, Australia’s captain Aaron Finch was wary. “They’ve got some seriously dangerous players. I think when you look at Kusal Perera, Dickwella, these guys, they hit all around the ground and they’re aggressive, they take the game on, so you have to be at your best,” he said. “When you set out you have your really clear plans, but that can change so quick.”Because they’re so inventive, they move around the crease a lot, you have to really think on your feet as a bowler and as a captain. That’s going to be really important in this series to hopefully get some wickets in the Power Play and try to put some pressure on the middle order that probably isn’t as experienced as their top couple. they’re a very dangerous side and they’ve shown they can beat anyone in any conditions when they get it right.”They’re a world class side, and led by Malinga as well, who’s played so much T20 cricket. He’s really structured in the way he wants his bowlers to bowl and brings all his experience and all his guidance to their young tearaway quick attack as well. So it’s going to be an exciting series. Their spinners posed problems to us in the past, particularly in the subcontinent, so hopefully we can start the series off really well.”
The international break couldn't have come at a worse time for Manchester United, with the Red Devils likely to have been keen to build on the momentum following the stunning, last-gasp win at home to Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Two weeks have passed since that 4-3 triumph – a period that Erik ten Hag is likely to have enjoyed with the pressure somewhat lifted from his shoulders – with it yet to be seen if the Old Trafford side can kick on away to Brentford later today.
Bruno Fernandes
Ten Hag and his men will feel like they are returning to the scene of the crime in a sense in what is their first visit to the Gtech Community Stadium since the dismal 4-0 thrashing in August 2022, a day in which Cristiano Ronaldo and co simply wilted in fluorescent green.
GK – David De Gea
RB – Diogo Dalot
CB – Harry Maguire
CB – Lisandro Martinez
LB – Luke Shaw
CDM – Christian Eriksen
CM – Fred
CM – Bruno Fernandes
RW – Jadon Sancho
ST – Cristiano Ronaldo
LW – Marcus Rashford
A far different lineup is set to take to the field this time around, however, as United seek to close the gap on those above them, albeit with a handful of selection decisions there for Ten Hag to ponder…
Man Utd team news
In a season that has been a story of one injury blow after another, Ten Hag provided a sense of optimism during Friday's pre-match press conference, having revealed that Lisandro Martinez could be in line to make a welcome return to the matchday squad following an eight-week absence.
After also revealing that Luke Shaw may feature again before the season is out, the Dutchman offered further reason for positivity after revealing that Casemiro could also be in contention for the trip to west London, after making his return to training over the past week or so.
Casemiro in action for Manchester United in the Premier League.
With FA Cup hero Ama Diallo ruled out through suspension – and Harry Maguire also a doubt after sustaining an injury on international duty – the only real fresh and notable concern for United is the news that teen sensation Kobbie Mainoo has been struck down by illness this week.
Ten Hag was, however, hopeful that the 18-year-old – who starred on his first England start against Belgium in the week – would still be involved this evening, ensuring there could be minimal changes from the side that triumphed over Jurgen Klopp and co.
That being said, one potential tweak could see Mason Mount thrust back into the action alongside Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes, with that personnel change coming at the expense of a certain Scott McTominay.
Why Mason Mount should start over McTominay
On the face of it, that may seem like a bold call to make considering McTominay's recent form, with the towering midfielder having netted the opener against the Merseyside outfit last time out, while also providing the assist for Marcus Rashford's extra-time equaliser.
The Scotland star was also the notable hero against the Bees earlier in the campaign, the 27-year-old coming off the bench to net a clinical and crucial brace in stoppage time to send the Theatre of Dreams into a frenzy.
That deadly double came amid what has been a fine goalscoring season for the academy graduate in 2023/24, boasting career-best figures of nine goals in all competitions – a tally only bettered by Rasmus Hojlund.
Despite that 10/10 cameo against Thomas Frank's men – as dished out by GOAL's Richard Martin at the time – there may be wisdom in trialling Mount in that midfield three, with the Englishman making his long-awaited return off the bench against Liverpool.
Absent prior to that since Remembrance Day, the forgotten summer signing needs a run of games to try and get back fit and firing, hoping to return to the levels that saw him reach double figures for goals and assists in the league 2021/22, during his stint at Chelsea.
Scott McTominay
For all McTominay's merits, he is not the type of talent who can help United control games, instead capitalising on chaos, showcased by the fact that he ranks in just the bottom 47% among his European peers for pass completion, as well as the bottom 10% for progressive passes and the bottom 5% for attempted passes per 90.
Unlike the box-crashing brute, Mount, at his best, can offer a greater controlled and creative presence either as a number eight or as a ten, having previously been described as the "complete midfield player" by Ten Hag back in July.
Unleashing the former Blues man would allow the club to begin to see some return from their £55m investment, with McTominay waiting in reserve to be called upon if more dramatic late heroics are required.
For United's – and Ten Hag's – sake, hopefully it is a smoother ride today than recent meetings with the Bees…
Ten Hag must unleash Man Utd's “Rolls-Royce” instead of Martinez
Erik ten Hag will look to build on the impressive victory over Liverpool.
Alisha Lehmann appears to be missing her pet dogs more than partner Douglas Luiz, with the Swiss currently by herself after moving to Juventus.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Switzerland international left Aston VillaEmbracing new adventure in ItalyWaiting to be reunited with boyfriend & petsWHAT HAPPENED?
The 25-year-old forward has completed a switch from WSL side Aston Villa to the Italian heavyweights. Brazilian boyfriend Luiz has made the same move, as he bids farewell to the Premier League and embraces a new challenge in Serie A.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Lehmann is already in pre-season training with Juve, but Luiz has been enjoying an extended summer break on the back of Copa America duty with his country. Lehmann followed him on that journey, with her tour of the United States taking in visits to Miami, Orlando, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco.
InstagramDID YOU KNOW?
Lehmann is now in Turin, waiting for Luiz to join her, and has sent an emotional message to her canine companions as she prepares to be reunited with them. Her pet pooches are currently being pampered in England – with Bradock and Rio enjoying their own form of doggy spa day.
InstagramENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
WHAT NEXT?
Luiz and Lehmann enjoy casual strolls with their pet dogs, with walking duties allowing them to relax away from their respective day jobs. They will soon begin the process of setting up a new home as an Italian adventure is taken on.
They chased down 170 with two balls to spare as the Renegades made a number of fielding errors
Alex Malcolm19-Dec-2019Well-paced half-centuries from Alex Hales and Usman Khawaja and a multitude of errors from the Melbourne Renegades helped Sydney Thunder to their second successive victory to start the season at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong.Hales made 68 and Khawaja 66 and they shared a 99-run opening stand, which started slowly but flourished later as the dew set in. It went right to the wire, with the Thunder needing six runs off the last six balls. Matt Gilkes was run out trying to steal a bye but Alex Ross hit the winning boundary off Richard Gleeson with two balls to spare.Alex Hales move through the gears during his innings•Getty ImagesThe Renegades skipper Aaron Finch may regret his decision to bat first as his legspinner, Cameron Boyce was nullified by the dew and the Renegades made three critical mistakes in the field. Finch and Jack Wildermuth let boundaries go straight through their legs while Sam Harper failed to catch a sky ball from Gilkes.Earlier, Harper, Finch and Shaun Marsh all couldn’t capitalise on starts as the Renegades went from scoring 1 for 61 in the powerplay to making just 5 for 169 overall on a good batting surface as the Thunder bowlers bowled brilliantly through the middle overs.Sam’s swift startHarper made a century off 46 balls in a warm-up game against the Melbourne Stars on Monday and came out all guns blazing to give the Renegades the best powerplay of the tournament so far. He made Australia’s T20I captain look pedestrian at the other end as he produced his trademark ramps over short fine leg but also some powerful strikes down the ground off Daniel Sams, Jono Cook, and Chris Tremain. He hit 39 off 19 balls with four fours and two sixes to bring up a 50-partnership with Finch in just 4.2 overs but he perished in the 30s again. Last season he reached 30 seven times but only passed 40 once. He fell to a leading edge trying to go across the angle of a Sams off-cutter. Finch was just 14 off 11 with two fours when Harper departed.Ferguson mixes and matches to leave Renegades muddledThe Renegades scored just 108 in the last 14 overs of the innings, failing to capitalise on the platform. That was partly due to the Renegades’ middle-over batting. They were the slowest middle-over strikers in the BBL last season. Ferguson mixed and matched his bowlers cleverly with only Cook, Arjun Nair and Chris Tremain afforded two-over spells to not allow any batsman to settle and only two of his six bowlers needed to bowl their full quota. Shaun Marsh is a notoriously slow starter and sets himself to back-end every innings, with a strike-rate of 180.50 in the last five overs of all T20s he’s played. On debut for his new team, he was true to form reaching 42 off 32 with four overs to go, but with Tom Cooper and Dan Christian struggling to find the rope, Marsh went early and holed out to Nair, with Sams taking an excellent diving catch at deep midwicket. It was a key moment with 22 balls left in the innings. Sams then added to the Renegades’ frustration when he trapped Christian with a excellent slower ball. The Thunder gave up just three boundaries in the last five overs of the innings.Steady but slow start to the chaseKhawaja and Hales look on paper to be one of the most dangerous opening combinations in the BBL. Khawaja played fluently as Hales battled early on this occasion. Khawaja took a particular shine to new Renegades signing Gleeson striking five boundaries in six balls from Gleeson over two different overs. He reached 50 off 39 balls in the ninth over, but Hales was 20 off 20 with just one boundary as the Thunder reached 0 for 74 at the halfway stage. Kane Richardson was one of the key reasons giving up just 13 runs in three overs to the halfway point. The majority of those were to Khawaja with late swing across the left-hander and some high-quality lengths tying him down.Hales stormThe dew set in, batting became easier, fielding became harder and Hales unleashed. Khawaja set the tone in the 11th over targeting Boyce and depositing him twice with the spin. He was caught at cover in the next over but Hales got moving with two streaky outside edges to the third man boundary enough to ignite him. He went into top hear scoring 47 from just 15 balls after being 21 from 22. He was savage on Boyce and Christian striking five fours and two sixes to reduce the target to 23 off 23 before his Nottinghamshire teammates Harry Gurney forced a mistake. Then the Renegades made mistakes of their own to undo some great death bowling from Gurney and Richardson. The pair conceded just 14 runs in two overs with 20 to defend from the last three but the fielding mistakes were costly. Ross held his nerve, hitting a crisp straight drive to seal the win.
Arsenal have been backed to win the title if they can buy a 20-goal-a-season striker, with doubts raised over forwards Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Arsenal aiming for Premier League titleTold Havertz and Jesus not clinical enoughCan win the league with 20-goal strikerWHAT HAPPENED?
For the past two seasons, Arsenal have been pipped to the post by Manchester City – who won a record fourth-straight Premier League title last season. Now, former Gunners defender William Gallas has backed his old team to top the pile in 2024-25 – but only if they sign someone in the mould of the prolific Erling Haaland, as Havertz and Jesus aren't clinical enough.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT WILLIAM GALLAS SAID
The ex-France international told Genting Casino: "I’m sticking by my prediction of Arsenal winning the title but they still need a top-class striker that can go and score them 20 goals in the Premier League. The only issue is that they haven’t signed that striker yet, despite coming so close to being champions last season. They got that close without having a striker who could score 20 goals, Manchester City won it because they have Erling Haaland. You have to have a player like that. With Gabriel Jesus, he has injuries and isn’t consistent enough. I’m also not convinced by Kai Havertz, he scored goals but many were penalties, they need to buy a striker."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Havertz and Jesus scored 22 goals between them in all competitions last season but Haaland fired in 38 on his own – and 27 of those were in the Premier League. But signing a 20-goal striker is not easy to do, with those sorts of players costing tens of millions of pounds. With a few weeks left of the transfer window, it remains to be seen if they will bring in a new forward.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have two more pre-season friendlies left, the first of which is against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday evening and then Lyon on Sunday. They kickstart their Premier League campaign on August 17 at home to Wolves.
Stoinis and Hilton Cartwright added a BBL-record stand of 207 against Sydney Sixers
Alex Malcolm12-Jan-2020Marcus Stoinis set a new BBL record with a staggering 147 not out as the Melbourne Stars sent a statement to their rivals with a crushing win over the second-placed Sydney Sixers at the MCG.Stoinis smacked 13 fours and eight sixes in an extraordinary display, eclipsing D’Arcy Short’s previous record of 122. His 207-run stand with Hilton Cartwright was also the highest in BBL history overtaking the previous record of 172 held by Stars duo Luke Wright and Rob Quiney from 2012. He also faced 79 balls, the equal highest ever in a T20 game.Stoinis told Channel Seven after his innings: “That’s just the most fun you can ever have in the world.”Marcus Stoinis walks off after his breathtaking innings of 147•Getty ImagesIt meant the Stars’ in-form captain Glenn Maxwell faced just two balls for the innings as they posted the third highest total in BBL history. Hilton Cartwright played a critical hand making 59 from 40 in a supporting role that won high praise from his skipper for holding his nerve given Stoinis dominated the strike.Ben Dwarshuis broke an unwanted record for the Sixers, conceding 61 runs from his four overs, the most by any bowler in the BBL.The Sixers were never in the hunt in the chase despite scoring quicker than the Stars through the first 10 overs. Moises Henriques made a classy 41 but his departure in the 11th over snuffed out all hope. Clint Hinchliffe, who had never previously taken more than one wicket in a T20 match, finished with career-best figures of 3 for 20.A slow burnNeither Stoinis nor Cartwright exploded out of the blocks. Stoinis admitted after his innings that he was as nervous as he had ever been following a duck in his last game. They made 78 runs in the first 10 overs, absorbing 26 dot balls in the first 60 deliveries and struck just two sixes. Jackson Bird and Steve O’Keefe were particularly effective a really good batting surface, not allowing the batsmen to free their arms.No Maxwell, no worriesThere were concerns at halfway that Maxwell might be wasted sitting on the sidelines as Cartwright was 25 from 24 balls, but they had laid the perfect platform to target both Dwarshuis and Tom Curran in different ways. Stoinis sat deep in his crease and the Sixers failed to get their length full enough. Time and again he sat back and clubbed shorter length balls to and over the rope. Cartwright then punished the full balls, thumping them through the line down the ground. Stoinis reached his century off 60 balls in the 16th over but with four overs remaining the score was just 158. The last 24 balls were carnage as the Stars struck six fours and four sixes to all parts of the MCG. There were ramps, uppercuts, off drives, pull shots and an outrageous bottom-handed flick from Stoinis that cleared the long boundary at midwicket. Dwarshuis conceded 24 runs in the 19th over. Stoinis hit the last ball of the innings for six over square leg and the Sixers were fortunate it was not judged a no-ball for being a full toss above waist-high.The price of doing businessOnly once had a side ever chased more in the BBL, when the Hobart Hurricanes mowed down 223 against the Melbourne Renegades. That night the Hurricanes lost two wickets in the powerplay, including Short, in an attempt to stay with the required rate early. The Sixers went via the same route in the powerplay losing two wickets attempting to go all guns blazing. Josh Philippe skied one straight up in the air and Daniel Hughes holed out at deep square. James Vince also should have fallen but was dropped by Hinchliffe at deep square. They had two boundary-less overs in the powerplay, delivered by the wicket-takers Daniel Worrall and Haris Rauf. They managed to score 54 in the first six, which was higher than the Hurricanes’ 2 for 48 in that record chase, with both Vince and Henriques set.Scoreboard pressureHenriques was the biggest threat for the Stars. He thumped back-to-back boundaries in the seventh over and then a huge slog sweep for six off Sandeep Lamichhane over wide long-on. Vince rode his luck having been dropped twice, the second a sitter to Worrall at mid-on, but he didn’t survive the third chance he offered off Hinchliffe, picking out Maxwell. The Sixers were ahead of the Stars after 10 overs but the scoreboard pressure did for Henriques as he fell for a well-made 41. Maxwell was ruthless from there identifying Curran’s weakness against spin and he was stumped off Lamichhane. The Sixers never got close although Dwarshuis exacted some revenge with the bat smashing 42 not out from 17 balls.