da betsul: A zebra apareceu no Campeonato Baiano. Na Arena Cajueiro, o Bahia de Feira venceu o Bahia por 3 a 0 e está na final do estadual. O rival é o Atlético Alagoinhas.
O jogo
Após ser derrotado por 1 a 0 na ida, o Tremendão não tomou conhecimento do atual campeão do nordeste e impôs um ritmo forte desde os minutos iniciais. A superioridade se tornou em gol através de Bruninho, que aproveitou o cruzamento de Cazumba.
Nos 45 minutos finais o jogo ficou aberto e os times falhavam na hora de concluir. Quando o Bahia de Feira acertou o pé, ele foi mortal. Diones aproveitou a sobra e mandou para o fundo do gol. Nos minutos finais, Felipe Valdívia anotou um golaço e deu números finais ao confronto, 3 a 0.
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22 years after his first Surrey game at The Oval, Thursday could be Batty’s last
Matt Roller30-Sep-2020
Still got it – Gareth Batty, who turns 43 next month, belts out an appeal•Getty Images
22 years after his first appearance for Surrey at The Oval, Gareth Batty has accepted that Thursday’s T20 Blast quarter-final against Kent could be his last.It would be foolish to rule out the possibility of him extending his playing career, not least after a Blast campaign in which he has conceded a miserly 6.31 runs per over and recovered from a hamstring injury within two weeks. But at the ripe old age of 42, with his contract up at the end of the season and a coaching position at the club on the table, this may be his final week as a player.”We’ll get to the end of the season and then we’ll have a sit down,” Batty said. “I have a coaching role [already] so it’s about what is right for the group moving forward. We have to move forward as a club and if that means the claw replaces the pretty average old offspin, so be it.”If we do decide I don’t play, we’ll be going out for dinner. I’ll buy Vikram [Solanki] and Stewie [Alec Stewart] a slap-up meal for the first time ever, we’ll have a glass of something and I’ll say thanks, to move forward. The exciting bit is that whatever happens, I’m winning.”ALSO READ: ‘Old blokes win stuff’ – Why experience is key in the T20 BlastIn the absence of the injured Jade Dernbach, Batty captained Surrey for the first seven games of their Blast season before his hamstring problem. They began the tournament with a threadbare squad due to injury and international call-ups, but the number of available players has swelled since: Laurie Evans and Jamie Overton arrived on loan ahead of permanent deals next year, while Rory Burns, Jason Roy and Ben Foakes are back from England bubbles and Hashim Amla arrived from South Africa.”We played an intra-squad practice game yesterday and I think at one point we had 21 players all fit and available for selection,” Batty said. “It’s a bit of contrast to six weeks ago when we were scrambling around for 11.”There will be some disappointed boys, but hopefully it stands us in good stead – if we can get over the line tomorrow – with three games in three days. That is pretty full on, so having bodies available and ready to go – and obviously they are quality players – is an advantage for us.”There will be a dilemma at the top of the order, with a decision to make over who bats where between Roy, Amla, Evans and breakout star Will Jacks, while youngsters Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson may be squeezed out in order to accommodate more experienced players.Batty has been particularly impressed by Overton – whom he dubs Surrey’s “own Andre Russell: bowls rockets, and smacks it out the ground” – since his move from Somerset, and quipped that after a lean summer with the bat in international cricket, Roy has been saving his best for his county.”He knew he’d get back at some point and thought he’d save them for the good lads,” he laughed. “In our last game he showed what a good player he is: he’s world-class. When Jason plays like that you can count on one hand the better players in the world.”It’s obvious, but four into three doesn’t go so, someone will bat fractionally out of position. It will be covered off with that player, and no stone left unturned. We are very fortunate to have four exceptional players in the top order, and someone will have a change of role.”Surrey’s record in T20 has been underwhelming in recent years – they have not reached Finals Day since 2014 – but things have been different this year. They have exploited home conditions to their advantage, playing on used, central pitches to create enormous square boundaries to support their spinners and allow their seamers to bang the ball in, and are on a seven-match winning run heading into Thursday’s quarter-final.Vikram Solanki is in his first season as Surrey’s head coach•Getty Images
Batty was effusive in his praise for Solanki, and in particular the pre-match planning and preparation that he has put into place in his first season as head coach, and insisted that regardless how he fares against Kent, he will be playing with a smile on his face after wondering if he would step onto the pitch at all this year.”Whenever I get on the cricket field now it feels like a day out,” he grinned. “[Covid-19] puts things into perspective, it really does. I’m very aware that I’m pretty much done, but it’s nice that you can still contribute in a positive way.”There’s been some really good cricket played [this season] and there’s been a progression in how people are playing the game. People are learning from how different competitions around the world are accelerating T20 cricket. It’s not the same old mundane ‘he’s going to do this, he’s going to do that’, [teams are] trying to move the game forward.”Kent are a very dangerous team. We’re very aware of that. They’ve got some very fine players who tore it up with England this year, on a bit of a high. Hopefully we’re all going out there to fulfil our roles and help Surrey over the line. If some old sod manages to get a few wickets you’ll see a smile on his face; even if he doesn’t, there will still be a smile.”
da pixbet: O São Paulo enfrentou oPenapolense na tarde desta terça-feira (16), no primeiro jogo válido pela terceira fase do Campeonato Paulista. A partida terminou empatada por 1 a 1.
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da esoccer bet: Galeria >Mercado fechado: confira o balanço da janela de transferências do São Paulo
Tabela > Veja tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro
Aos sete minutos,Mateus Manso cobrou falta e Andrade se antecipou e de cabeça abriu o placar para a equipe de Alex de Souza. Aos 49′, o Tricolor teve chance de marcar o segundo, quandoLuís Felipe tentou uma finalização, que parou na trave.
No segundo tempo, as crias de Cotia tiveram a chance de fazer mais um, quando Miguel aproveitou o escanteio e cabeceou no travessão.
O adversário empatou na etapa final, aos36 minutos. O São Paulo volta a jogar pelo Campeonato Paulista na próxima quarta-feira (24), às 15h, contra o Ska Brasil, em Cotia.
Porém, antes encontra oAthletico-PR na sexta-feira (19), às 15h30, em Curitiba,segundo jogo das quartas de final do Campeonato Brasileiro.
ويلتقي الأهلي مع نظيره إنتر ميامي الأمريكي في افتتاح بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025، في التاسعة مساء يوم 14 يونيو بتوقيت أمريكا – الثالثة صباح يوم 15 يونيو بتوقيت القاهرة.
ويتواجد فريق النادي الأهلي في مجموعة تضم كلا من: إنتر ميامي الأمريكي، وبورتو البرتغالي، بالميراس البرازيلي.
وقال بوسكيتس، في تصريحات للقناة الأولى: “سعيد ببدء كأس العالم للأندية أمام فريق كبير اعتاد على اللعب في بطولات كبيرة وهو الأكثر تتويجًا في إفريقيا، وستكون مواجهة كبيرة”.
وتابع: “المشاركة في مونديال الأندية أمر كبير جدًا، لا سيما أننا سنلعب أمام جماهيرنا، بالطبع أي لاعب يتمنى المشاركة في مثل هذه البطولة، سنبذل قصارى جهدنا لتخطي دور المجموعات”.
وواصل: “نعلم من هو ميسي، لا يوجد لاعب متكامل ومنفرد مثله، أستمتع بما يقدمه وبما هو قادر على فعله في الملعب، ولا أعتقد أن هناك لاعب آخر يُضاهي مهاراته”.
da 888: Looking to rediscover their best form under Unai Emery, Aston Villa are now reportedly plotting a move to sign a Champions League midfielder worth up to £37m in 2025.
Aston Villa transfer news
da marjack bet: Amid a difficult run of form in which they went eight games without victory, the last week has been incredibly important for Aston Villa, who followed up a 3-1 defeat of Brentford in midweek with a narrow 1-0 win over relegation contenders Southampton.
With Jhon Duran back on the scoresheet at the perfect time, the Villans will now turn their attention towards European action against RB Leipzig on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, with the January transfer window now under a month away, those in the Midlands may well be thinking about just how to take Emery’s side back up to the level needed for Champions League qualification in what would be the ultimate success.
Names such as former midfielder Douglas Luiz have already been mentioned in recent weeks, but it’s a new target who could emerge to provide the Villans with a welcome boost.
According to CaughtOffside, Aston Villa are now interested in signing Felix Nmecha, with Borussia Dortmund now open to offers in the region of €40-45m (£33-37m) in 2025.
However, the Midlands club aren’t the only ones interested, as Manchester United and Newcastle United are also reportedly eyeing moves to sign the ex-Manchester City academy star.
Better than Duran: Aston Villa's "outstanding" 8/10 star stole the show
Aston Villa secured their second league win this week
ByRoss Kilvington Dec 8, 2024
Signing Nmecha would certainly hand Aston Villa a boost in the middle of the park, creating quite the partnership alongside summer signing Amadou Onana. That said, it remains to be seen whether the Villans will splash out as much as £37m when either January or the summer transfer window arrives.
"Fast" Nmecha could partner Onana
Squad depth is key for any side competing in the Champions League and Premier League as Newcastle learned last season – and as Aston Villa are learning the hard way in the current campaign.
Emery’s side have so far struggled to maintain success on multiple fronts, but adding a player of Nmecha’s calibre would go a long way towards doing exactly that.
League stats 24/25 (via FBref)
Felix Nmecha
Amadou Onana
Progressive carries
3
8
Progressive passes
41
23
Tackles won
13
15
Ball recoveries
40
36
Two players who have gone stride for stride so far this season and two who progress play in different ways, Nmecha and Onana could form the perfect balance at the heart of Emery’s side.
It’s also no surprise that the Dortmund midfielder has found himself at the centre of praise, with sporting director Sebastian Kehl saying (via the Bundesliga website): “Felix Nmecha is a fast, technically adept and physically strong player who will enhance our midfield both offensively and defensively with his profile.”
Villa didn’t hesitate to splash the cash on Onana last summer and should now do the same to complete their midfield with the addition of Nmecha.
Announces plans to relinquish role at club’s next Annual General Meeting
ESPNcricinfo staff06-Jan-2023
Lord Kamlesh Patel took over as Yorkshire chair in November 2021•Getty Images
Lord Kamlesh Patel has announced he will step down as Yorkshire chair at the club’s next Annual General Meeting in March.Lord Patel, who took over from Roger Hutton in November 2021 at the height of the club’s racism crisis, endured a turbulent tenure that began amid the suspension of Headingley’s international hosting rights and the withdrawal of a raft of sponsors that left the club facing bankruptcy.His response to that crisis included sanctioning the sacking of Yorkshire’s entire backroom staff in the wake of Azeem Rafiq’s allegations of institutional racism – a move that continues to be contested by the affected parties.However, despite enduring significant opposition from within the club membership – notably from a group led by the former chair, Robin Smith – Patel instigated a series of reforms during his tenure that focused on equality, diversity and inclusion, such as improved processes for whistleblowers to report discrimination.By reducing cost barriers within Yorkshire’s Pathway programme – including free kit and coaching for boy’s and girl’s regional cricket – the club has also seen an upturn in participation and diversity on his watch.He also oversaw changes to the club’s governance that ensuredtheir right to host England matches was restored.”It has been an honour and a privilege to work for such a prestigious organisation,” Patel said in a statement issued by Yorkshire. “I have made the difficult decision to step aside at the next AGM and enable the club to continue on its important journey of change under a new chair.Related
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“I would like to thank those members who have been hugely supportive of the changes that the board have introduced at Headingley. I would also like to thank the staff and board members who have all worked tirelessly during what has been a transformational period in Yorkshire’s history.”There is still much for the club to do, but I have the strongest faith that Yorkshire will be back at the pinnacle of English cricket for the long-term.”Further measures undertaken during Patel’s tenure include the provision of a more inclusive atmosphere for matchdays at Headingley, Scarborough and York, with more family-friendly alcohol-free areas and sensory rooms.However, speaking at the latest DCMS parliamentary hearing in Westminster last month, Patel hit out at the lack of support that he had received from the previous ECB regime during his tenure, and indicated that the criticism and abuse he had received in the course of his time at the club was a contributory factor in his decision to stand down.”If I was an individual who wasn’t a member of the House of Lords and hadn’t had any sort of leadership experience, you would walk away,” he told MPs.”I don’t know how Azeem gets the strength to carry on. You would just run. In the public eye, we get flak [but] this is relentless. And this is from an area where you don’t expect it – this is sport, for God’s sake.”Individuals who have just been [making] a concerted attack, I do not think people understand, I don’t think the ECB has got it.”Following the announcement of Lord Patel’s departures, Stephen Vaughan, Yorkshire’s chief executive, said: “Kamlesh should be extremely proud of what he has achieved at Headingley during his tenure as chair.”The structures that have been put in place are vital in ensuring that Yorkshire is a club that people are proud to be associated with.”Equality, diversity and inclusivity are at the heart of our club and I am excited to work with the board, executive team and new chair to continue on this journey of meaningful change.”
كشفت تقارير صحفية إيطالية، أن نادي برشلونة الإسباني حدد أول أهدافه الصيفية، بالتعاقد مع أحد لاعبي الدوري الإيطالي، بطلب من المدرب هانز فليك.
برشلونة ينافس على البطولات الثلاث، دوري أبطال أوروبا والدوري الإسباني وكأس ملك إسبانيا، قبل أقل من شهر على نهاية الموسم، رغم عدم التعاقد مع أي لاعب في ميركاتو الصيف، سوى داني أولمو.
النادي الكتالوني يسعى لتعزيز صفوفه في الموسم المقبل، مستغلًا الانتعاشة المالية المنتظرة بتقدمه تحت قيادة فليك، وتواجده لأول مرة في نصف النهائي منذ عام 2019.
طالع أيضًا.. تقارير: لاعب ثالث يتمرد على هانز فليك في برشلونة
صحيفة “توتو سبورت” الإيطالية، أكدت أن برشلونة يضع عينه على اللاعب الإيطالي مويس كين، مهاجم يوفنتوس وباريس سان جيرمان الأسبق، والذي يتألق مع فيورنتينا هذا الموسم.
ولدى اللاعب شرط جزائي في عقده يمكن تفعيله خلال الفترة من 1 حتى 15 يوليو المقبل، بـ50 مليون يورو، وهو ما يجعل النادي الكتالوني ليس بحاجة للتفاوض مع فيورنتينا.
على الجانب الآخر، يسعى فيورنتينا لبقاء مويس كين، الذي انفجر تحت قيادة المدرب بالادينو بملعب أرتيميو فرانكي، حيث تمكن من تسجيل 23 هدفًا بمختلف المسابقات خلال 39 مباراة، مع صناعة 3 أهداف.
ويسعى برشلونة للحصول على توقيع مويس كين في الصيف، لخلافة روبرت ليفاندوفسكي الذي سيخوض موسمه الأخير مع البلوجرانا، ومع تقدمه في العمر، يبدو أنه لا نية لدى النادي الكتالوني بتجديد عقده.
da prosport bet: Ipswich Town, unlike both Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers, will stick by their manager for the foreseeable, as Kieran McKenna continues to get a tune out of his players deep in a relegation battle.
da fezbet: The Tractor Boys would put the final nail in the coffin of Gary O’Neil’s tenure at Molineux last time out, as Jack Taylor’s last gasp header sealed a win at the death for the away side, leading to the 44-year-old’s expected dismissal.
Taylor wasn’t the only player in the middle of the park to stand out during this dramatic victory either, as the likes of Jens Cajuste shone in the holding midfield positions among other faces.
Ipswich's impressive midfield vs Wolves
The aforementioned Cajuste would only be gifted his seventh start of the season in the Premier League versus Wolves, with this showing his best so far since joining in the summer.
The Napoli loanee would only misplace two of his 32 passes on the day, whilst also showing the necessary grit McKenna will want from a player tasked with protecting the defence, having also successfully won eight duels alongside completing three tackles.
Away from the Scandinavian impressing in a deep role, both Conor Chaplin and Omari Hutchinson also received many plaudits at the full-time whistle for their showings in attack, with Hutchinson in particular giving Wolves defenders headaches by amassing four successful dribbles.
Of course, there was also the key contribution from Jack Clarke off the bench late on, as the left winger’s inch-perfect delivery from a corner kick thankfully found Taylor’s head.
Whilst all of these players will feel overjoyed with their displays at Molineux, Kalvin Phillips remained rooted to the substitutes bench throughout, as his loan stint with the newly promoted side seems to have now hit a wall.
The Ipswich star who needs to leave
Indeed, the ex-Leeds United star hasn’t featured for a single minute in his side’s last five Premier League contests, after picking up a dubious double booking versus Leicester City at the start of November and then contending with various injury issues away from that suspension.
His absence hasn’t really been felt, with Cajuste and Morsy battling away well in that win versus Wolves. That will leave some pondering whether the deal to snap up the 29-year-old – who data analyst Ben Mattinson claimed has been “struggling mentally and physically” in recent times – was a worthwhile venture.
McKenna was over the moon to capture the out-of-sorts midfielder on a loan deal back in August, hopeful that he could be the manager to get him back to his Elland Road peak, stating that he was “very happy” to welcome the former England international in through the door.
After all – whilst he was still on the books of the Whites – Phillips would win himself that opportunity to play for the Three Lions, amassing an impressive 234 appearances at his boyhood club before Manchester City forked out £45m to win his signature.
Phillips’ PL numbers for Ipswich – 24/25
Stat – per 90 mins*
Phillips
Games played
7
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
Touches*
53.3
Accurate passes*
29.6 (81%)
Ball recoveries*
5.0
Total duels won*
5.1
Stats by Sofascore
Unfortunately, the brand new Ipswich number four is yet to blow anyone away with his performances on loan, with the numbers above somewhat underwhelming as zero goals and assists have been notched up from seven top-flight contests.
Those ball recovery and duels won numbers are encouraging, but McKenna will want more from the battler who was once so tenacious and stylish on the ball under Marcelo Bielsa’s expert tutelage.
Boasting an excessive £150k-per-week wage – some of which will be paid by Ipswich – Phillips will need to break back into his manager’s first team plans soon and demonstrate the levels he can reach, otherwise his spell might be cut short in Suffolk.
Stating that he lost the “fire in his belly” after moving to Man City in a recent tell-all discussion, the best times of the 29-year-old’s playing days could now be behind him, leading to him returning back to the Etihad in January after another unmemorable move away.
With reports also rife regarding a potential return to former club Leeds in the new year, the winter window could provide a perfect opportunity for a parting of ways.
Worse than Phillips: Ipswich may have made a mistake signing £15m ace
The talented player has not got to grips with life at Ipswich.
da dobrowin: Dúvidas ainda pairam na cabeça de John Textor para escolher a nova fornecedora de material esportivo do Botafogo. A dois meses para o fim de 2022 e com o desejo de já começar a próxima temporada com os novos uniformes, uma decisão ainda não foi tomada.
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da betsson: +Botafogo abre conversas com o Banco Inter por patrocínio
A Reebok lidera a corrida para assinar as camisas do Glorioso a partir de 2023, mas uma nova possibilidade dá dor de cabeça ao executivo. Dono de uma rede multiclubes ao redor do mundo, a Eagle Holding, John Textor cogita ‘padronizar’ os clubes desta networkcom a mesma empresa: a Adidas.
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Neste caso, Botafogo e RWD Molenbeek-BEL, que atualmente usa a Joma, acompanhariam o Lyon-FRA, clube que está em processo para também se tornar de Textor, e seriam patrocinados pela alemã. Textor também possui ações no Crystal Palace-ING, mas não é acionista majoritário dos Eagles, o que deixa decisões grandes complicadas porque dependem da aprovação de mais pessoas.
De qualquer forma, a gigante alemã está em pauta no Botafogo. É, provavelmente, a “terceira marca” que estava na corrida para fechar com o clube – o LANCE!havia publicado no mês passado que Textor tinha três ofertas na mesa. A Reebok e a Joma são as outras companhias.
O proprietário da SAF do Botafogo possui boas relações com os executivos da Adidas e entende que esta é a marca que vai entregar as camisas do Alvinegro para todo o mundo. Em paralelo, Textor é amigo pessoal de Jamie Salter, CEO da Authentic Brands Group, que controla a Reebok, marca que conversa com o clube há meses.
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O movimento envolvendo a Adidas partiria mais de uma ação ‘macro’, pensando mais em uma padronização e valorização da Eagle Holding do que ‘micro’, colocando as necessidades do Botafogo em primeiríssimo lugar.
O que quer dizer: a Reebok ofereceu uma proposta que foi mais valorizada pelo norte-americano, mas o executivo também observa a chance de fortalecer a network como um todo e criar uma padronização entre todos os ‘co-irmãos’.
Por enquanto, a Reebok segue liderando a corrida pelos números apresentados, mas John Textor tem o desejo de que os clubes da Eagle Holding tenham o mesmo fornecedor de uniformes. Neste contexto, a questão envolvendo o Lyon é bem mais complicada, já que o clube francês possui uma parceria de 12 anos com a Adidas.
+Botafogo bate meta e já admite mudança de objetivo para torneio internacional
A marca alemã já teve exclusividade no Rio de Janeiro com o Flamengo, mas isto acabou na última renovação entre as partes. O formato dos contratos – caso o do Botafogo avance, claro – também seria diferente.
O fato é que o tempo está passando e o desejo de que o Botafogo faça o primeiro jogo da temporada 2023 de uniforme novo parece cada vez mais difícil de ser concretizado. Os bastidores, porém, seguem agitados rumo à melhor escolha pelo fornecedor.
Captain Ashton Turner and Cameron Bancroft combined for a blistering partnership to power Perth Scorchers into the BBL grand final with a seven-wicket victory over arch-rival Sydney Sixers at a hostile Optus Stadium.Chasing 152, Scorchers were in major trouble at 22 for 3 before Turner and Bancroft mowed down the target with ease much to the delight of a rowdy crowd of 41,126.After a sloppy performance, Sixers host the winner of Sunday’s knockout final between Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat.Turner and Bancroft smash SixersChasing 152 was not going to be easy on a two-paced surface, where batting has generally been quite difficult this season. That proved the case when Scorchers were reeling before Turner and Bancroft came to the rescue.As former coach Justin Langer noted on the Seven broadcast, the pair are close friends and have lived together previously. They also run between the wickets well as they showed early in the partnership to knock the ball around to dig Scorchers out of trouble.Related
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Not for the first time this season, Turner was at his best in a tricky chase and he calmly overwhelmed the Sixers bowlers with a career best 84 off 47 balls.Bancroft also hit a half-century and has enjoyed a strong campaign after struggling for a regular spot earlier in the season. They had some luck along the way, but it was a belligerent display that was lapped up by an increasingly vocal crowd as the match finished before sunset.Sixers rue selecting spin-heavy attackSixers made a selection gamble by dropping quick Jackson Bird even though he had taken 2 for 26 last start against Hurricanes and bowled well at Optus Stadium in the season opener.It didn’t seem to matter when spearhead Sean Abbott ripped the heart out of Scorchers batting, including the big wickets of in-form duo Aaron Hardie and Josh Inglis.But after his devastating burst, Sixers lacked options with spinners Steve O’Keefe, who replaced Bird, and Izharulhaq Naveed ineffective and juxtaposed with a Scorchers attack that didn’t use spin in the Sixers innings.O’Keefe in the 13th over should have claimed the wicket of Bancroft, whose skied ball fell in the middle of three Sixers fielders who looked at each other puzzled. It was the last chance for Sixers, who will have to lick their wounds quickly.David Payne’s acrobatic caught-and-bowled effect got Steven Smith out•Getty Images
Payne steps up, Hardie has mixed bagThere were doubts whether left-arm quick David Payne was going to take his place after struggling with flu-like symptoms and he had to be isolated from his team-mates.But Payne was well enough to play in a major boost for Scorchers attack missing quicks Jhye Richardson and Matt Kelly. He proved his worth with the key wicket of Steven Smith in a spectacular return catch and he also snared Moises Henriques and Hayden Kerr in consecutive deliveries to end his spell.Englishman Payne has proven a vital recruit for Scorchers as underlined in a starring role against Sixers, where he hit the pitch hard and bowled slower short-pitched deliveries forcing batters to hit to the longer square boundaries.It was a see-saw of an innings best exemplified by Hardie’s mixed bag, where he snared a brilliant leaping one-handed grab to dismiss Kurtis Patterson only to drop Smith with a sitter.He also dropped a tough return catch off a high hit from Abbott as Scorchers finished satisfied with their efforts restricting Sixers but they knew it could have been better.Smith has rare failure, Henriques rallies SixersSmith hoped to finish his whirlwind BBL stint in style, but this loomed as his biggest challenge of the season. He received a hostile reception from the Scorchers faithful when he was jeered during the pre-game announcement of teams and Smith was left frustrated by being devoid of the strike.In the second over, Smith top-edged a short delivery from speedster Lance Morris into the crowd but he faced just two balls in the first 17 balls of the innings.Smith was unable to find the rhythm which lit a fuse under the BBL and he struggled against the pace of Morris during a mouth-watering contest. He received a big reprieve when Hardie dropped a sitter at mid-off but Smith couldn’t capitalise and he fell for 18 to a superb return catch from Payne after mistiming a drive.It was left to skipper Henriques, who cashed in on being dropped on 18 to steady Sixers alongside veteran Jordan Silk in an 88-run partnership. But Sixers fell away and their total was not nearly enough.