Tinashe Panyangara, Zimbabwe’s pace spearhead, has been ruled out of the two-Test series against New Zealand after failing to recover from a back injury

Firdose Moonda21-Jul-2016Tinashe Panyangara, Zimbabwe’s pace spearhead, has been ruled out of the two-Test series against New Zealand after failing to recover from a back injury. Panyangara, who picked up the injury during a training camp ahead of Zimbabwe’s limited-overs series against India in June, is expected to resume bowling in August.That means Zimbabwe will likely look to the recent A series against South Africa at home for a replacement. Shingi Masakadza and Brian Vitori, who played one game each during the series, are the most high-profile bowlers competing for the slot.Masakadza, who took three wickets in the first innings of the first four-day fixture in Harare, also offers a batting option down the order while Vitori’s left-arm action will provide variation, although he is short of match practice.Vitori, who was out of action for six months after being suspended for an illegal action in February, made a comeback in the second match in Bulawayo, but was both expensive and ineffective. He conceded 106 in 21 wicketless overs, and sent down eight no-balls.A wild card would be Victor Nyauchi who opened the bowling with Masakadza in the Harare game and returned figures of 1 for 94 in the first innings and 2 for 26 in the second.The pace department is not Zimbabwe’s only concern, however. With Graeme Cremer likely to captain the Test side as well, after he was given the job for the ODIs and T20Is against India in June, they could find themselves limited to a legspinner, should they go into the Test with just one specialist slow bowler.John Nyumbu could be an alternative if they choose to field a second spinner. With conditions at Queens Sports Club expected to be slow and low, Zimbabwe will also have to call on the all-round ability of the likes of Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams to perform in both disciplines.Although Hamilton Masakadza was relieved of the captaincy duties after the World T20, he is expected to take up his position at No.3, leaving it up to Vusi Sibanda and Tino Mawoyo, who have Test experience, to battle it out with in-form Brian Chari and Prince Masvaure at the top of the order.Chari scored 98 in the first match against South Africa A while Masvaure made 146 in the second, which should give Zimbabwe some much-needed batting depth in Brendan Taylor’s absence.This will be Zimbabwe’s first Test series since November 2014, when they toured Bangladesh. Zimbabwe have not played Tests at home since a one-off fixture against South Africa in August that year.It will also be Makhaya Ntini’s first Test series in charge, after he took over the head coaching duties ahead of the India series. Ntini has not been confirmed as the permanent coach of the team but remains in charge until a decision is made. He will be joined by fellow South African Lance Klusener, who is the batting consultant.

Chelsea have spent big under their new ownership, seeking to kickstart their revolution with a host of fresh faces at Stamford Bridge.

However, as they sit 11th in the table, it has quickly become clear just how difficult a task managing so many high-quality players is. Graham Potter and now Frank Lampard have fallen victim to such a poisoned chalice.

Despite this, Mauricio Pochettino will be expected to come in and lead the project forward, which is expected to involve a few more key additions to truly turn them into challengers.

Given their respective seasons, it is not unwise to suggest that Arsenal's meteoric rise will be studied by the former Tottenham Hotspur boss as a potential blueprint for earning similar success in the coming years.

If he is to do that, he will want to mimic the key assets of their play: a rock-solid, ball-playing back four gives way to a workmanlike midfield, affording two tricky wide men the space to provide for their frontman, who lead the press.

Despite their surplus of players on their left wing, Pochettino's first item of business could be to send all of them packing in order to replicate Gabriel Martinelli's success with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is thought to be a key target for the club.

What's the latest on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Chelsea?

As per Italian outlet Il Mattino, the Blues are reportedly going 'wild' for some of Napoli's key assets, following their imperious run to claim the Serie A title.

The Georgian magician ranks highly on that list, with Boehly seemingly having already enquired for more information on the availability of the 22-year-old, who is also likely to be the focus of many other European heavyweights.

Despite being deemed untouchable by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis in the initial report, it is expected that a minimum fee of around €100m (£87m) could tempt the Italian outfit into selling.

How good is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia?

Words do not do justice to just how good Kvaratskhelia has been this season, as one of two standout men in a title-winning team alongside leading talisman Victor Osimhen.

Coming from the left wing onto his favoured right foot, the mercurial forward has posted some incredible numbers in both the Serie A and Champions League. Having scored 14 goals and assisted 17 more across all competitions, via Transfermarkt, few in Europe have been as prolific and creative as him, with such returns generating one direct goal contribution every 96 minutes.

It is no surprise to see such a lofty price tag attached to the 6-foot dynamo's name and even less surprising to see Mail Sport journalist Mike Parrott suggest the youngster is a "world-class threat" for opposition defences.

However, for all his outstanding performances, Martinelli too has shone in a similar manner for a team that seems set to just fall short of their own league victory.

The Brazilian, at just one year Kvaratskhelia's junior, also enjoys gliding inside from the left flank. This has earned him huge success, as his 15 goals make him the club's joint-top scorer, with five assists to supplement this too.

Adding such a potent goal threat akin to the 21-year-old to Chelsea's wing could be the catalyst that Pochettino needs to spark the club back into life, driving them up the table should he translate his form into the English game.

What further aids in their comparison is that Martinelli also appears on FBref's similar players model for the Naples hero, only adding to the impact he could have should Boehly push this move through.

Given Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic, Noni Madueke and Hakim Ziyech have a combined goal tally of just eight in the league, a player of Kvaratskhelia's quality would immediately make these assets obsolete and challenge the Gunners' Brazilian dynamo for the mantle of the top left-winger in the capital.

Manchester United winger Antony was criticised for not passing the ball to Anthony Martial prior to the opening goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers this afternoon.

What was the Man United vs Wolves result?

Man United picked up a vital three points in their bid for the Premier League top four this afternoon, with goals from Martial and Alejandro Garnacho proving to be the difference between the two sides.

The result leaves the Red Devils four points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool, with just three games left to play this season, and with a trip to Bournemouth up next, they are in a very strong position to secure Champions League football for next season.

The Frenchman opened the scoring just after the half-an-hour mark, with Antony getting the assist, however journalist Alex Turk believes United could have been 3-0 up at half-time if the winger was more willing to pass the ball to his teammates.

Mark Goldbridge slammed the Brazilian's decision not to play the striker through on goal, with Beth Tucker of The United Stand fan channel also adding: "Antony not passing that to Martial is actually criminal. The number 9 won’t score if those around him are continually selfish."

How did Antony play against Wolves?

Ultimately, the 23-year-old atoned for his error by playing a crucial part in the opening goal, however it was still an underwhelming performance, missing one big chance, as a result of heading over when he was unmarked six yards out.

There were some pleasing aspects of the Brazil international's performance, completing all four of the dribbles he attempted, the highest amount of any United player, while also creating one big chance, but in future he must stop being so wasteful in promising areas.

Antony's poor decision-making going forward did not end up costing Man United today, but against better opposition they could have paid a heavy price, and Erik ten Hag will be expecting a better display from him against Bournemouth next weekend.

Pundit Lee Hendrie has slammed Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin after he missed a number of big opportunities before picking up a potentially season-ending injury.

What's the latest on Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Everton?

The Toffees travelled away from home to take on Wolves on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League knowing they really needed a positive result if they were to avoid relegation before the final day.

And Sean Dyche's men actually made quite a good start, putting the pressure on the home team as they began to "dominate" the ball in the early stages of the game at Molineux.

However, all that play in the opposition's half came back to bite them before too long as Wolves quickly countered from the edge of their own box thanks to a brilliant run from Adama Traore.

The winger drove up the field, past a number of defenders, and when his shot was saved by Jordan Pickford, Hwang Hee-chan was on hand to finish into an empty net.

Dyche must have been furious with his team for falling behind, especially after having some good opportunities themselves, and while speaking on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday, Hendrie didn't hold back in his criticism of Calvert-Lewin in particular.

He said: "I wouldn't say Calvert-Lewin should have had a hat-trick but he's had three really good opportunities.

"He's got to do better with this one. It's about heading the ball down towards the corner. A really good opportunity for Everton."

And then to make things even worse, the forward then had to come off with an injury.

Hendrie noted: "This doesn't look good. He looks devastated. "What a loss he would be. That could be the end of his season."

How bad is Calvert-Lewin's injury?

In the end, it's safe to say the Englishman really failed to make the most of his 47-minute spell on the pitch as he missed one big chance and had three shots off target, before being subbed off having accumulated an expected goals (xG) ratio of 0.43 all by himself without scoring via Sofascore).

At least he was causing trouble, though, and it would have been a real concern for Dyche and co to see their £100k-per-week first-choice striker head straight down the tunnel after coming off, especially with only one game left to play now before the end of the campaign.

To make things worse, defender Nathan Patterson also was forced off with an injury before half-time, prompting journalist Joe Thomas to say that the first 45 minutes went "about as disastrous as it could have gone".

Yerry Mina may have spared the Toffees' blushes with a late equaliser, but the Merseysiders remain in trouble heading into the final weekend.

ScorecardJim Allenby did his utmost to hold off Middlesex•Getty Images

Eoin Morgan top scored with 43 as Middlesex boosted their hopes of a NatWest T20 Blast quarter-final place with a five-wicket win over Somerset at Taunton.The hosts were bowled out in 19.3 overs for a paltry 136 after winning the toss as their desperately disappointing group campaign yielded an eighth defeat. Jim Allenby top-scored with 64, while Tony Roland-Jones claimed three for 24.There were two wickets each for James Fuller, Harry Podmore and Nathan Sowter. Middlesex coasted to victory with five balls to spare as Morgan, Dawid Malan (24), George Bailey (21) and John Simpson (23 not out) led the way to the modest target.Somerset’s embarrassment was complete when a no-ball for not having enough fielders in the circle helped tilt the game towards Middlesex in the closing stages.Somerset’s innings was as grey as the weather. They were given a reasonable start by Allenby and Mahela Jayawardene, who took the score to 49 at the end of the six-over powerplay.Then Jayawardene was caught behind making room to cut Podmore and from that point the innings meandered, providing precious little excitement for home supporters in the crowd.Peter Trego departed to his first big hit, caught at long-off to give leg-spinner Sowter his first wicket and, although Allenby moved to a half-century off 38 balls, with 7 fours and a six, Somerset badly lost momentum.Johann Myburgh did his best to inject some urgency and hit the only other six of the innings before being caught attempting another. Tim Rouse’s first team debut ended on nine when he was bowled by Fuller.Roelof van der Merwe failed to clear the short boundary on the town side of the ground and fell to Roland-Jones, who followed up by dismissing Allenby and Lewis Gregory with the fifth and sixth balls of the same over.It was an all too familiar story for Somerset fans as only three batsman managed double figures.Under no pressure to score quickly, Middlesex openers Nick Gubbins and Dawid Malan still took 16 off the third over, bowled by Gregory.They had added 29 in 3.4 overs when Gregory took a sharp catch at mid-wicket off van der Merwe to dismiss Gubbins for 13.Middlesex then got bogged down themselves. Malan made room only to carelessly slash a catch to deep cover off Josh Davey, Somerset’s most impressive bowler.After ten overs the score was only 54 for two as Morgan and Bailey began watchfully. Morgan hit the first six of the innings off Max Waller in the 12th over.Bailey fell with the score on 91, caught at deep mid-wicket off Davey, but by then Morgan was starting to cut loose and he collected another maximum off van der Merwe in the 16th over as Middlesex closed in on victory.The England batsman was visibly frustrated over being caught at long-off in the 18th over to give Waller a wicket. And when James Franklin hit a Gregory full-toss straight to mid-off with nine needed from eight balls Middlesex hearts beat a little faster.But a no-ball awarded against Gregory for too many fielders outside the ring followed by a Ryan Higgins boundary quickly eased any nerves and a Simpson six off the first ball of the final over settled the outcome.Allenby said: “What happened with the last ball of the 19th over was that we knew we were running short of time and needed to get into position quickly.”I probably wasn’t quite clear enough in the field we needed to set and it was all a bit of a rush. The no-ball was called because we only had three men inside the circle.”Defending nine off the last over would have been tough, with John Simpson in form he has been showing, but there would have been a chance. As it turned out, the free hit went for four and the first ball of the last over for six, so we will never know what might have been.”

Chelsea are keen on signing Joao Felix on a permanent deal in the upcoming transfer window.

What’s the latest on Joao Felix staying at Chelsea?

According to reputable journalist Dean Jones, the Blues would “really like” to keep the 23-year-old.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said:

“It sounds like they really would like to keep him. He’s a brilliant footballer, there is no question about that, and since signing there have definitely been times where he looks like their best player. I just didn’t expect them to be in a position to pursue this as keenly as they are.

"I think they will look to get creative, a straight cash deal at almost £90million is unlikely but there is also a realisation that he could end up elsewhere in the Premier League if they don’t find a way to sign him.

"I’m told he enjoys London and has settled pretty well here. There has been some talk of a second loan mooted, and Arsenal and Man United were both offered him before he joined Chelsea, so it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see such a deal explored again if necessary at the end of the season."

This followed a report from the Evening Standard, which claimed that the 2021 Champions League winners are to ramp up their efforts to sign the former Benfica prodigy by possibly including Marc Cucurella or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a possible swap deal.

The West London outfit appears to be assessing all the potential options to retain Felix’s Stamford Bridge status. For a player of this phenomenal talent and pedigree, the race for the wantaway Atletico Madrid star is set to be hotly contested.

Why should Chelsea keep Joao Felix?

The attacker has scored three times since his loan move in January, including the final goal in Chelsea’s much-needed victory over Bournemouth, when he stroked the ball into the bottom corner.

This segment was a microcosm in Felix’s insane repertoire of magnificence. The 30-cap international possesses a natural gift that allows him to effortlessly glide around the pitch as a fountain of skill, technique, and trickery.

This is showcased by the fact that the Portuguese ranks in the top 3% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for progressive carries per 90, as well as the highest 5% and 6% for successful take-ons and progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

His dribbling ability is clearly frightening and the coveted forward deserves a place in a free-flowing attacking team, where he is the epicentre of the creativity after being restricted in a highly tight and rigid Diego Simeone set-up.

The fourth-most expensive transfer in history has been lauded as “special” by ex-teammate and former Blues striker Alvaro Morata and under Mauricio Pochettino’s tutelage, he could further evolve into an even more devastating asset. The former Tottenham Hotspur boss is thought to be Todd Boehly's no.1 target to take over as manager in the summer, according to Sky Sports.

The area that has been highlighted for improvement is his goal and assist output, but if you assess how the tactile Argentine moulded Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli into two of the league's most potent and productive outlets, the possibilities for the £195k-per-week man seem endless.

With Pochettino at the helm, the aforementioned Spurs duo played 179 times together and jointly contributed to 22 goals, also averaging 1.85 points per game together, via Transfermarkt. This sort of feat could be repeated at Stamford Bridge, with Felix only likely to benefit from such a coach.

As such, Boehly can’t afford to let the technician slip through his hands, especially to a Premier League rival, as he looks to rubber-stamp the club's long-term future on the pitch.

Vincent Kompany led Burnley to glory in the Championship in the 2022/23 campaign as the Belgian head coach secured the league title in style.

The Clarets amassed a whopping 101 points in the second tier to ensure their promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking and the manager's work in the transfer market last summer played a significant role in their success.

Anass Zaroury, Manuel Benson, Arijanet Muric, Josh Cullen, and Ian Maatsen are just a few of the impressive gems the head coach unearthed to become Burnley stars this season.

Kompany arrived at Turf Moor after spending two years in his home country managing Anderlecht and swooped for Cullen from his former club as one of his first signings.

No player played more matches (78) for Kompany at the Belgian club than the Irish midfielder and the ex-Manchester City defender brought him in to be a consistent presence in the middle of the park for the Clarets.

Cullen averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.00 – ranking sixth in the squad – across 43 Championship matches and made 2.8 tackles and interceptions per game to go along with his pass completion rate of 88%.

The Burnley boss could now repeat the masterclass he played with the 27-year-old by completing a swoop for another one of his former Anderlecht stars – Albert Sambi Lokonga.

Who is Albert Sambi Lokonga?

He is a 23-year-old central midfielder who is currently on loan at Crystal Palace in the Premier League from fellow top-flight side Arsenal.

Football Insider recently reported that the Clarets are interested in snapping the Belgium international up on a temporary basis next term and have made him one of their top targets following their promotion from the second tier.

Lokonga made 39 appearances under Kompany's management before his switch to The Emirates and enjoyed a terrific season with him in 2020/21.

The maestro averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.26 across 33 appearances in the Pro League and made 3.4 tackles and interceptions per match. He also completed 86% of his attempted passes and won 62% of his duels in the middle of the park, which shows that the Gunners talent is a reliable passer who can also provide a physical presence in midfield – like Cullen.

That average performance level would place him only behind Josh Brownhill (7.27) in the current Burnley squad, proving that the £50k-per-week ace, who talent scout Jacek Kulig hailed as "tireless", has the potential to be a standout performer for Kompany.

Lokonga, who averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.93 in the Premier League for Arsenal in 2021/22, has proven that he can thrive in the Belgian head coach's tactical set-up already and that could allow him to hit the ground running in the same way that Cullen did.

Therefore, the Clarets boss could repeat the masterclass he played with the Irishman by swooping for the £17.2m battler this summer.

Kent bowled a backbreaking 200 overs in two days at Tunbridge Wells but had nothing for a draw to show for it by the end

ECB Reporters Network20-Jul-2016
ScorecardSam Northeast was phlegmatic about the draw•Getty Images

Brave Sussex batted for their lives while Kent’s bowlers toiled fruitlessly under the sun as the two neighbouring counties fought out a high-scoring Specsavers Championship draw in Tunbridge Wells.Following-on some 242 runs in arrears at the start of the final day, Sussex lost only five wickets in the three sessions and had edged into a 13-run lead courtesy of Ben Brown and Chris Jordan when the sides shook hands on a draw just before 6pm. Kent banking 11pts to Sussex’s 8pts.Though his side failed to hammer home the advantage they held over all four days of the match, Kent’s Sam Northeast remained phlegmatic.”After all that effort and our bowlers sending down well over 200 overs in the past two days you want to win, but they were such tough conditions,” said Northeast.”To bowl them out for 333 was a seriously good effort, but knowing The Nevill Ground as we do it stays pretty true, the top doesn’t break up and it remains a pretty good pitch throughout. We tried different things but they didn’t work out, while Ross Taylor gave a two-day batting exhibition here and made a huge difference to the outcome of the match.”Facing a backs-to-the-wall fourth day after being dismissed for 333 on Tuesday, Sussex suffered only one casualty in the opening session when their former skipper Chris Nash went for 18.From the opening ball of the day Kent applied scoreboard pressure from both ends, sending down nine maidens in the first 16 bowled, before Nash departed in the 28th over of the day after miscuing a drive against left-arm spinner Imran Qayyum to Sam Northeast at short extra-cover.Kent had taken the new ball through Kagiso Rabada whose effortless action generated good pace, but with little or no luck. The South African had two concerted lbw appeals turned aside in another eye catching stint of 6-3-8-0.Left-arm spinner Imran Qayyum and off-spinner James Tredwell bowled in tandem with five close men around the bat, but were denied another breakthrough as Sussex lunched on 62 for 1.Despite the break Kent still found wicket-taking an issue on a slow pitch offering a modicum of slow turn, and were restricted to a further two wickets in the mid-session.Harry Finch (66) posted a 133-ball 50 before he push-drove to short extra cover off Tredwell, then Luke Wells (22) mistimed a drive to give Qayyum a return catch.Taylor, in his final four-day appearance for Sussex and fresh from a first innings 142, counter-attacked realising the importance of his side edging ahead in terms of runs to post 68 either side of tea.Kent pushed to the limits through Mitch Claydon and Rabada for a new-ball breakthrough, but luck was against them. Claydon’s in-duckers beat the inside edge only to miss the stumps on numerous occasions while Rabada’s stint of nought for 33 fail to reflect the numerous times he passed the bat and had lbw shouts turned aside.Taylor rode his luck a little, he was dropped at long off by Qayyum and then Kent’s stand-in keeper Callum Jackson grassed a tricky stumping chance, but otherwise the one-time Blackcaps skipper ensured his side would go home with a draw.With the game almost safe, right-handed Taylor holed out to cow corner to give Tredwell a second wicket, then Luke Wright (38) played back and down the wrong line to go lbw and give the former England spinner figures of three for 76 when stumps were drawn.In praise of his overseas professional, Sussex captain Luke Wright said: “Ross has been awesome the whole way through and we’ve relied on him a hell of a lot. I’m pleased to see him finish with two good scores that got us out of trouble.”He spoke about scoring quickly today because as soon as we went past their total it was the end of the game. He showed his experience here, he told us not to just try and block out but to counter, and it worked for us.”Wright added: “Once we finished on the wrong side of the toss we knew it was always going to be a hard game, particularly going into today following on. We thought it might break up and with Tredwell and Rabada to face we knew it would be tough, but I’m really pleased we saw it out.”It’s been the story of our four-day season that we’ve had to work really hard for our draws, but we can take a lot of positives from this.”We’re in a building stage with this squad, I’m a new captain and in Mark Davis we have a new coach, so we are in transition and we’ll need a bit of time and patience to bed in. The one thing we do want I attitude and fight, and I think we’ve shown that in bucketfuls here.”

يستعد فريق ريال مدريد، بقيادة المدرب كارلو أنشيلوتي، لخوض عدة مباريات في شهر فبراير الحالي من عام 2024.

وبدأ ريال مدريد مشواره في ذلك الشهر، أمس الأول من فبراير، بفوز مهم ضد خيتافي بهدفين دون رد في مباراة مؤجلة من الجولة العشرين من الدوري الإسباني.

ويحتل ريال مدريد حاليًا صدارة الدوري الإسباني برصيد 57 نقطة، بعدما خاض 22 مباراة.

اقرأ أيضًا.. لجنة المسابقات تحسم موقف تشواميني من مباراة أتلتيكو مدريد في الدوري الإسباني

ويواجه ريال مدريد في ذلك الشهر خصمه لايبزيج الألماني في إطار منافسات دور الـ16 من دوري أبطال أوروبا. مواعيد مباريات ريال مدريد في شهر فبراير 2024

ريال مدريد وأتلتيكو مدريد، الجولة الثالثة والعشرين من الدوري الإسباني، الأحد 4 فبراير 2024، 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 11 بتوقيت السعودية.

ريال مدريد وجيرونا، الجولة الرابعة والعشرين من الدوري الإسباني، السبت 10 فبراير 2024، 7:30 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 8:30 بتوقيت السعودية.

لايبزيج وريال مدريد، ذهاب دور الـ16 من دوري أبطال أوروبا، الثلاثاء 13 فبراير 2024، 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 11 بتوقيت السعودية.

رايو فاييكانو وريال مدريد، الجولة الخامسة والعشرين من الدوري الإسباني، الأحد 18 فبراير 2024، 3 عصرًا بتوقيت القاهرة، 4 بتوقيت السعودية.

ريال مدريد وإشبيلية، الجولة السادسة والعشرين من الدوري الإسباني، الأحد 25 فبراير 2024، 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 11 بتوقيت السعودية.

ScorecardSteven Davies is attracting the attention of several counties•Getty Images

Where Steven Davies plays his cricket next season is unknown. He is out of contract at Surrey, and, retaining England ambitions, wants to regain the gloves. Thanks to the emergence of Ben Foakes, he will not get to do that at Surrey anytime soon, but several counties, including Somerset, would give much for a keeper of his batting prowess.On this sweltering day at The Oval – much of a hearty crowd spent the day moving to avoid the sun, inverting a county cricket tradition of fans congregating under any rays of sunshine, real or imaged – Surrey had cause to thank that, for now, Davies remains all theirs.His pristine late cut, gliding the ball precisely through backward point, must register as one of the most delightful shots in the county game. A threaded drive through point off Simon Kerrigan, in between two men placed to stop just such a shot was followed, in the next over, by a sumptuous flick through midwicket off Arron Lilley; the outcome of both deliveries belied a lack of discernible effort from the batsman as they raced across the boundary. Each was a triumph of timing and grace over power.It says everything of Davies that, in this form, he was not the lesser stylist in his partnership with Kumar Sangakkara. The most notable contrast between the two was in intent: Davies’ fine half-century arrived in 96 balls, while Sangakkara’s took just 47. Their partnership of 77 in 17.5 overs – a product of sharp running as well as clean hitting – imbued new impetus into Surrey’s innings until Sangakkara scythed Nathan Buck to gully, where he was neatly taken by Haseeb Hameed.Davies, though, seemed hell-bent on returning the following morning, leaving the ball judiciously in between caressing the ball through the offside. He had made 59 fine runs when, to his evident consternation, a slog sweep picked out midwicket in the last throes of the day. It embodied a season in which he has provided wondrous shot-making, and yet is still averaging under 40 in Championship cricket.His disappointment at squandering a chance to make a match-defining innings was shared by several in the Surrey dressing room: not just Sangakkara, but also the openers Rory Burns and Dominic Sibley. Batting with great diligence and an austere mood out of sync with the sunshine, they extended their overnight partnership to 160 before both fell in consecutive overs to a zesty spell from Kyle Jarvis: Sibley played on; Burns cut aberrantly outside offstump, just when he appeared set on a second century, and 1,000 runs, in the Championship summer.The upshot is that, while Surrey have a dominant position, it is not quite the impregnable one they had threatened to build. For that Lancashire’s perseverance should be lauded. If their attack lacks an incisive streak, they are not short of tenacity. And, with two spinners in their ranks, they might feel that a final day target of 250 or so could imperil Surrey. Should either county have a positive result to toast, it will effectively ensure that they do not return to Division Two in 2017.Three years and three days after his only Test match was ruined by Shane Watson at this same ground, Simon Kerrigan again recorded figures of 0 for 53; this time, though, off 20 overs rather than eight. Sangakkara had briefly revived these memories, by driving Kerrigan through long-off for four, and then sauntering down the wicket and flicking him over long-on for six, in consecutive balls, but this was mostly a day of steadfast accumulation, not high-summer madness.