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Nike to Asics to adidas, we've found the best of the best

On the lookout for the perfect pair of running trainers? There's a style for everyone, no matter if you're a professional runner or someone looking to take their first steps pounding the pavements outdoors.

Whether you're a fan of clocking up miles on the treadmill or an all-weather terrain kind of runner, the perfect running shoes to suit your needs are out there. There's no need to sacrifice style for substance, some of these will look as good on a day out as they will in the gym.

But with so many options available, how do you know which is the right choice for you? We've put together a round-up of the best men's running trainers you can get on the market today, depending on what you want out of your routine.

Click here to skip ahead to our round-up of the best football shin pads.Our top three:

Best overall running trainers: Nike Pegasus FlyEase

Best budget running trainers: adidas Supernova+

Best running trainers for trail terrains: asics Gel-Venture 8

FAQs:Why do I need a pair of running trainers?

Whether you're taking it indoors or outdoors, you want to ensure that you're in the best possible condition to get the most out of any run – starting at the bottom with your feet.

You could attempt to do your workout in ordinary shoes or even a different type of trainer, but you're likely to underperform when it comes to delivering results. Running trainers are designed with one function above all – to help the wearer get the most out of any routine where they are pounding the proverbial pavement. That alone is why you'll want a good pair of running trainers, even before getting into the finer details.

What is the difference between different running trainers?

Running trainers are built for different terrain, much like football boots are elsewhere. While one pair will give greater function on a treadmill, another may deliver more over trail ground, and a third could provide superior power on asphalt. Those differences all come down to how you want to approach your run routine and where you'll be taking yourself on your fitness journey.

What is the best type of running trainer?

Plenty of individual facets and elements will help craft a superb running shoe. Still, typically the most significant benefits will be in the comfort, functionality and durability that a good pair of trainers can provide. The last thing you'll want is a trainer that will give you blisters, that's going to slip on uneasy surfaces, or that's going to fall apart at the seams at the first sign of a little bit of wear and tear. Running trainers are designed to withstand heavy-duty workouts, get the best of your body, and ensure minimal injury risk.

Check out the guide below, where you'll find a pair of trainers for every type of runner.

Put a spot of godlike pace into your steps with the Air Zoom Pegasus FlyEase – an absolute monster of a running trainer, bringing together top-of-the-line technology for an excellent experience.

Its FlyEase system lets you slip them on and off without serious hassle. A wider forefront gives you space to breathe, and the traditional Pegasus responsiveness remains preserved in all its glory to get you to the top of your workout potential faster and harder.

Who says you've got to break the bank to get some footwear that will match you with every step? The affordable Energen Lite does the job nicely as a sturdy running shoe option.

It's a simple and effective number with a FuelFoam midsole, intended to provide long-lasting cushioning for full-day usage and a breathable mesh upper to help reduce sweat. It's great for newcomers and veterans alike, whether it's your first or five-hundredth run.

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Prefer to take your runs off the beaten track? The Gel-Venture 8 will do you nicely, bringing the support and stability you'll need when traversing uneven terrain on your runs and workouts.

A GEL Tech-infused midsole provides additional reinforcement and cushioning against the blows of heavy footfalls and the jagged ground underfoot, while a lugged rubber outsole helps increase grip. Top it off with a padded ankle collar, and you've got one comfortable trainer.

With the Spain star having brought down the curtain on his time at Santiago Bernabeu, Goal breaks down the clubs he could join this summer

After 16 years, Sergio Ramos' time as a Real Madrid player is over, with the defender having bid a tearful farewell to life at Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday.

A four-time Champions League winner with the Blancos, Ramos' status as a legend of the club cannot be questioned, and he leaves as one of the greatest defenders of the modern era.

His career, though, is not over, and as one of the most competitive players of the past decade or so, surely Ramos wants to continue playing at the highest level possible.

With that in mind, Goal's correspondents from around the world have laid exactly why their club will – or won't – be looking to sign Ramos this summer…

Getty ImagesAC Milan

We all know that Paolo Maldini is Sergio Ramos' idol, and that the Spain star really admires AC Milan's history, but their chances of signing him this summer are very low because of his high salary demands.

Milan, too, are spending €28 million (£25m/$33m) to sign Fikayo Tomori, and they already have a defensive leader in Simon Kjaer.

They will be the starting duo for Stefano Pioli next season, so there is no room for Ramos.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesArsenal

Sergio Ramos has been, and remains, a wonderful defender and there is no doubt Arsenal could do with someone of his quality in the heart of the defence.

In a team that lacks leadership, he would add organisation, a will to win and be the type of figurehead who could lead the dressing room in north London.

But it is not, however, a move that is going to happen.

Financially, Arsenal simply would not be able to put a financial package together that could compete with the clubs across Europe who are looking at Ramos.

Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu, meanwhile, are focusing on bringing in young players this summer as part of their squad overhaul, with 23-year-old Brighton centre-back Ben White their priority defensive target.

So while the arrival of someone like Ramos would certainly improve Arsenal, on and off the pitch, this is one transfer race that the Gunners will not be joining.

GettyBarcelona

From an economic perspective, it is impossible for Barcelona to sign Ramos.

From a sporting perspective, it is impossible for Barcelona to sign Ramos.

In short, it is impossible for Barcelona to sign Ramos.

The man even confirmed it himself in his farwell press conference, saying: "As for Barcelona – impossible. You will never see Sergio Ramos in a Barcelona shirt."

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Getty ImagesBayern Munich

Bayern have a good relationship with Real Madrid, good experiences with Spanish players in recent years (Xabi Alonso, Thiago Alcantara, Javi Martinez) and Ramos would definitely be a great transfer in terms of marketing and image… but it is very unlikely that he will come to Munich.

Bayern never showed any interest in Ramos as speculation over his future has grown in recent months, and have just signed Dayot Upamecano to bolster the centre of their defence.

They do not want to pay high salaries – that is why David Alaba and Jerome Boateng are leaving this summer – and with Julian Nagelsmann now in charge, the Bayern hierarchy want him to develop young players, like United States starlet Chris Richards. 

The Champions League sees Neymar, Mbappe and Cavani of PSG face Liverpool's Salah, Mane and Firmino – are they among the best triumvirates ever?

GettyMSN

Neymar may have broken up Barcelona's band of brothers last season when he fled to France after a shock €222 million move to Paris Saint-Germain, but the legend of the MSN partnership will live on.

With the brilliant Brazilian lining up in attack alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, the Blaugrana won the Champions League, Club World Cup and La Liga (twice), tearing defences to shreds with their incredible pace, skill and movement

AdvertisementGetty ImagesBBC

While MSN was forming at Camp Nou, Real Madrid saw their own attacking triumvirate become an institution within the Spanish capital.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who has since moved to Juventus, was the undisputed star of the show but the addition of Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema added more blistering pace, power and, of course, goals to a forward line that fired the Blancos to four Champions League triumphs in five years.

Getty ImagesBBC2

Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini formed a formidable defence in front of legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon as Juventus set about re-establishing themselves as a major European force.

Together, the BBC provided the foundation on which the Bianconeri's resurgence was founded, helping the Old Lady win six successive Scudetti before Bonucci departed for AC Milan last year only to return this summer.

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GettyAC Milan's Dutch gold

The arrival of Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit at San Siro in 1987 proved instrumental in AC Milan winning a first Serie A title in nine years, but the signing of Frank Rijkaard propelled the Rossoneri to glory on a world stage.

The Dutch trio became the stars of Arrigo Sacchi's wonderful team, helping the Italian outfit win two European Cups and two Club World Cup crowns.

There was no immediate joy for former England coach Peter Moores, brought into Trent Bridge on a three-month contract, as Notts lost to Worcestershire by 20 runs to undermine their slim hopes of reaching the last eight

ECB/PA03-Jul-2015
ScorecardTom Kohler-Cadmore cracked his highest T20 score (file photo)•Getty ImagesPeter Moores’ first involvement with Nottinghamshire brought no immediate joy as Worcestershire Rapids made light of a dismal lower-order collapse to beat Notts Outlaws by 20 runs in the T20 Blast at Trent Bridge and disappoint the former England coach in the process.Notts, who have lost home quarter-finals for the past three years, now lie third bottom and face an uphill challenge to reach the last eight.Moores has been added to Nottinghamshire’s coaching staff on a three-month contract and he must have been hopeful of success when Worcestershire collapsed to a still formidable 173: a format-best 75 from Tom Kohler-Cadmore seemingly not followed through when they lost their last five wickets for a paltry 10 runs in 11 balls.Nottinghamshire left-armer Harry Gurney was the main beneficiary as he returned figures of 3 for 25, while fellow seamer Jake Ball pulled back a previously forgettable outing by consecutively bowling Joe Leach and Ed Barnard.A home crowd of 10,123 anticipated a match-winning turn from Alex Hales but, after the England limted-overs opener departed for 47, Worcestershire’s slow bowlers strangled the life out of a Notts innings that spluttered to 153 for 9.Insights

His Worcestershire colleagues didn’t fully capitalise on the brilliant platform he laid as a late collapse flattered Nottinghamshire’s bowlers (although it turned out they already had plenty) but Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s 75 was as calculated as it was brutal. Eleven of the 39 deliveries he faced were dots, but never mind, 12 other yielded 58 in boundaries as he took a particularly liking Nottinghamshire’s lack of express pace on a green pitch designed to helkp them.

Worcestershire men remain second in the North Group – four points clear of Notts, who have played a game more.Daryl Mitchell, Worcestershire’s captain, won the toss but was lbw on the sweep to Samit Patel off the fifth ball of the match, bringing Kohler-Cadmore to the crease.The 20-year-old emphatically punished an initially wayward Notts attack to race to a 26-ball half century, featuring six fours and three sixes.A partnership of 86 with Richard Oliver ended when the opener was bowled by medium pacer Steven Mullaney for 31.The visitors were handsomely placed on 94 for 2 at the midway point and Kohler-Cadmore continued to make merry, planting Dan Christian and Mullaney over midwicket and long-on respectively. After another four through backward point, Christian got his man – somewhat inevitably caught on the on the long-on boundary.Brett D’Oliveira was brilliantly caught in the deep by Greg Smith off Patel and Hales recovered from a fumble to run out Colin Munroe, before Ball and Gurney unceremoniously ripped the wheels from a now spluttering Rapids juggernaut.Notts’ opener Michael Lumb dragged Barnard’s first ball onto his stumps in the fourth over of the reply, while three lusty on-side sixes showed Hales to be in typically imposing form.Kohler-Cadmore ensured he remained the night’s great entertainer by catching Hales at long-off, making him Mitchell’s sole scalp in a miserly four overs for 18.Having added 53 with Hales, Riki Wessels was the next man to go – D’Oliveira disturbing his stumps for 24 – and the required rate moved beyond over 10 an over as Worcestershire firmly applied the breaks.Christian, Notts’ latest overseas signing, threatened to break the shackles in the 15th over, pumping a D’Oliveira full-toss high over midwicket and striking four more through cover, but a decisive blow followed, with Saeed Ajmal (2 for 33) bowling an advancing Christian through the gate.

Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten 55 off only 37 balls to lead India to an 11th victory over Pakistan in a World Cup match

The Report by Alagappan Muthu19-Mar-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details2:55

Dravid: Kohli the difference between the two teams

There was rain, but the Eden Gardens was not submerged. There was a pitch that made spinners seem like grenade launchers. There were 61337 people including certifiable legends of the game from Sachin Tendulkar to Imran Khan. All of it added to the spectacle of India-Pakistan cricket, but Virat Kohli rose one step above with an innings of gumption and class.India needed to win tonight to stay in control of their fate at the World T20. A few tactical errors left them with a competitive 119 to chase. When the ball grips into the deck, slows down and simultaneously turns, a batsman’s judgment becomes of great importance. Hitting on the up carries risk. Playing too far away carries risk. Finding a run a ball can be troublesome. Kohli found 55 of them in only 37 balls to beat Pakistan for an 11th time in a World Cup match.Kohli’s thirst to compete was apparent when he said a cricketer needs tough pitches. He had the 18 overs that Pakistan had to bat to assess the one in Kolkata. There were a few shots that he needed to avoid, and a few things he needed to exploit – like his speed between the wickets. He fed his innings with 19 singles and a two, playing his shots as late as he could, and every time he played one, it was with the intent to get some runs. Kohli allowed only nine dots in his innings. Perhaps Pakistan made the task slightly easier by not bowling out Mohammad Amir.The loss to New Zealand had “hurt” Kohli. “We don’t perform like that at home,” he said in the post-match presentation. The shots that he hit tonight as he neared his half-century – two scorching cover drives when the bat barely strayed away from his body – typified exactly how one should play on such pitches. The longer he was at the crease, the weaker Pakistan became and the night eventually ended with the man who Kohli bowed to upon reaching his fifty – Tendulkar – waving the India flag aloft.It wasn’t a flawless day for the hosts though. They had a chance to be chasing far less. India did not bowl R Ashwin out on a surface made for him and their fast bowlers bowled length balls and full tosses in the death when the offcutter seemed the logical choice. Pakistan’s lower order, marshaled by Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal, swung into the leg side with glee and ransacked 51 runs off the last five overs.Even after such a rich return in the death, Pakistan’s total remained in the competitive range. And that was because of the control India had in the early going.Bats these days have a lot of wood in their middle. The ball and the Kolkata pitch colluded never to find it. The leading edge was allowed a peek. The outside edge tried to pipe up, but it was always beaten. On-and-off rain since 5 pm had shortened the game to 18-overs a side, but the pitch was dry enough that all anyone had to do was roll their fingers over the ball to be menacing. Ashwin turned it square in the second over. Ravindra Jadeja could not bowl his wicket-to-wicket line because he could not believe how much the ball was deviating.Considering that, it seemed Pakistan had stabbed themselves by dropping a spinner, and a handy batsman, in Imad Wasim to add Mohammad Sami to their XI. However, Pakistan being Pakistan and Sami being Sami turned a liability into a strength. Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina – two men who seem to struggle badly in a touch situation – chopped onto their stumps and Sami was on the cusp of a hat-trick in every form of cricket. Yuvraj Singh soaked in that pressure and contributed 24 runs to a match-winning 61-run partnership with Kohli.Pakistan’s batsmen, who were heavily maligned leading into the tournament, acquitted themselves quite well when the ball was darting around. Ahmed Shehzad laid a solid foundation with his 25 off 28 balls. They eased past the first 10 overs with only two wickets lost. Ashwin had only one left in his quota and Jadeja had two. Dhoni did not think about Yuvraj at any point in the game, and kept at it with his seamers. Pandya gave away 15 runs in 14th over and Bumrah 13 in the very next.At that point, it seemed Pakistan had the edge. Then Kohli came out and took it away from them.

Trevor Bayliss’ appointment by England will reunite a coaching unit whose bond was strengthened through one of the darkest moments in modern sport

George Dobell26-May-20151:41

Farbrace backs ‘old-fashioned coach’ Bayliss

Trevor Bayliss’ appointment by England will reunite a coaching unit whose bond was strengthened through one of the darkest moments in modern sport.Paul Farbrace, who remains as England’s assistant coach, fulfilled a similar role with Sri Lanka under Bayliss. But as well as guiding the team to some success – Bayliss was still there when they reached the 2011 World Cup final and rose to No.2 in the Test rankings – the pair were both in the team bus when it was attacked by terrorists in Lahore in 2009. Six members of the team were hurt and six policemen and two civilians killed.Having experienced such a traumatic event together, it is perhaps not surprising that both Bayliss and Farbrace take a relatively relaxed approach to coaching. It is not that they don’t work hard and demand that their players do, too. It is that they understand that there are more important things in life.They have kept in touch since Farbrace left to coach Kent at the end of 2009. Indeed, they met for a drink during the World Cup when Farbrace asked Bayliss why he picked him as his assistant. “He said I was a bit noisier than he was,” Farbrace recalled, “and that I was someone he enjoyed spending time with me. Which probably doesn’t say a lot about my coaching qualities.”All of which bodes well. For it was noticeable at Lord’s that, even with the match tense, England played a style of aggressive cricket that not only brought the best out of several players, but produced some of the most attractive viewing an England side has provided for several years.”Something like Lahore certainly does bring you closer together,” Farbrace said. “We’ve always had a good relationship but we were just grateful we got through that to be honest. It’s not something we dwell on.”So, what sort of coach is Bayliss?”Trevor’s a good guy and an excellent coach,” Farbrace said. “He’s a very calm guy. He’ll do an excellent job.”He’s an old-fashioned cricket coach. He likes being in the nets, hitting balls and throwing balls. He works well with players – he is a good one-to-one worker – and he has good knowledge and good experience. When you look at what he’s won and what he’s achieved with players, it is fantastic. He is popular with all the players he has worked with.”While Farbrace will happily relinquish the interim role of head coach after the limited-overs series against New Zealand, he could do so with his reputation boosted significantly. England will rise back to No. 3 in the world if they win again at Headingley.Just as importantly, there have been some encouraging signs that a young team is emerging who could not only enjoy success on the pitch – they have won five of their last seven Tests – but play a brand of cricket that re-engages with a general public that has, in some instances, lost affection for the England side.England have not always been easy to love. Poor results combined with a sometimes dour – even joyless – approach created a sense that the playing international cricket was a pretty grim business. England’s players, scowling and sledging, earned a reputation as some of the most unpopular in the world among the opposition.While a move away from being “dogged” and towards being “skilful” – a move that began under Peter Moores – may sound subtle, Farbrace believed some England players may have forgotten just how talented they are. So desperate have they been to win – or, more accurately, not lose – that they have often played timid, cautious cricket.”It’s easy to talk about getting stuck in and fighting when you’re struggling,” Farbrace said. “But sometimes you forget to show that you do actually possess a lot of skill.”We’ve not talked about end results. We’ve not talked about where we get to in sessions. We’ve just talked about the process of playing with a high level of skill.”And rather than talk about scrapping and fighting and getting stuck in, we talked about skill levels. We talked about showing people how skilful you are, showing people how good you are. And if you play cricket that is enjoyable for you as a player you show off your level of skill.”It really is important that you don’t forget as an international cricketer that you do have skill. It isn’t just about fight and being dogged. Over the five days we saw that high level of skill. If you have that much ability, it’s really important that you enjoy having that high level of skill”Look at the best players around the world they enjoy showing that skill level off, and at the end of the day, if you’ve got a full house at Lord’s there’s no better place for showing that skill level off.”None of this means England will win again at Headingley. Or that the Ashes can be regained. But it might well mean more attractive, watchable cricket than England have produced in several years. Marshalled by two friends reunited.

An unbeaten hundred from Kraigg Brathwaite was the lodestone of West Indies’ second-innings efforts to defy England in Grenada

The Report by Alan Gardner24-Apr-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details0:56

Dobell: Brathwaite breathes life into WI Test future

An unbeaten hundred from Kraigg Brathwaite was the lodestone of West Indies’ second-innings efforts to defy England in Grenada. As the National Stadium basked in sunlight, Brathwaite summoned his first significant contribution of the series to bind together a resolute reply, after England had taken a 165-run lead and early impetus in their attempts to force a victory.A second-wicket stand of 142 between Braithwaite and Darren Bravo tempered England’s expectations after they had removed Devon Smith in the third over. Bravo also passed 50, showing greater patience than in the first Test, until England succeeded with a plan to bowl doggedly into the rough outside off stump. James Anderson and Stuart Broad took the wickets but England’s attack otherwise worked hard for little reward.Brathwaite, 22, has made each of his four Test hundreds within the last 12 months and his relish for long innings was again in evidence. Twice he flashed Ben Stokes behind gully, to the allrounder’s noticeable chagrin, and he survived a review for lbw against Chris Jordan thanks to an inside edge. Otherwise, there was little for England to exploit.Eight of Brathwaite’s 11 boundaries whistled away through the area from point round to third man and he was equal to England’s attempts to have him caught at short leg, as in the second innings in Antigua.During the evening session, he spent 26 balls on 69, as well as playing out six maidens against Joe Root. England attempted to delay him through the 90s, as well, but Brathwaite was unperturbed and inched to three figures in the penultimate over of the day, having faced 228 balls. It made him the fourth West Indies centurion in four innings against England.The morning session passed in a blur, as Root made his second-highest Test score and England lost their last four wickets to be dismissed for 464. The wicket of Smith before lunch sharpened England’s ambitions of taking a 1-0 lead in the series but, as Brathwaite and Bravo dug in during the afternoon, the pace of the match reverted to something more in keeping with life in the Caribbean. It was the first time in the series that West Indies had gone through a full session without losing a wicket.England took a considerable first-innings advantage largely thanks to Root, who made an unbeaten 182. He provided the thrust as England added 91 to their overnight total, before Anderson struck in his second over – Smith becoming the latest player to deflect the ball on to his own stumps while attempting to leave.The game was moving on, which increased the pressure on West Indies’ batsmen, who faced the prospect of having to bat another four sessions, as they had done to draw the Antigua Test. Neither Brathwaite nor Bravo contributed significantly to that rearguard but they made England wait 48 overs for the second wicket this time. With the pitch remaining true, West Indies will feel they have already gone a good way to picking a path to safety; by the close, they had a small lead.Kraigg Brathwaite recorded his fourth Test hundred as West Indies replied strongly•Getty ImagesEngland, despite building another dominant position, were hampered by time lost earlier in the match, though once again their attack did not look penetrative enough to break down determined sides in benign conditions.England might have started the day hopeful of a total beyond 500 but that prospect became more remote when Jos Buttler fell early. Root took it upon himself to score the majority of the 77 added for the last three wickets and in the process he extended his innings past 150 – the fourth time he has done so from six Test centuries (and one of the others was an unbeaten 149).Batting in long sleeves having finished the third day wearing a cap, Root was again busy from the outset, sprinkling judicious boundaries among scampered ones and twos. He seems to be a source of renewable energy, the kind governments around the world are devoting technology and finance to discover; clean, too, apart from when he is chirping at the opposition from under a helmet at short leg.When he had made 126, Root reached 2000 runs in Tests, the second-youngest England batsman to do so behind Alastair Cook. With just the No. 11, Anderson, for company, he struck Bishoo for sixes down the ground and over midwicket and was pushing on towards a second career double-hundred when a third run-out finished the innings. Anderson’s absent-minded failure to run his bat in left Root wondering what had occurred and swiping his own bat in frustration. His thirst for runs cannot be slaked.England resumed six down and 74 runs ahead, with the expectation that it would be Buttler to get the scorer’s pencil scratching. He managed one boundary, thumping Devendra Bishoo down the ground, but fell to the legspinner’s next ball, lured out of his crease and this time beaten by a delivery that dipped short of him and spun past the bat for a simple stumping.That meant England had lost 4 for 58 at a time when they would have anticipated the cavalry at Nos. 6, 7 and 8 scattering the opposition bowling to all parts. Jordan looked in more adhesive mood, helping to add 39 for the eighth wicket before being run out by Root’s enthusiasm. Root steered the ball to deep backward point and intimated he wanted a second; Jordan obliged only to be sent back. It was one of the few moments in the day when Root, who also bowled 13 overs and threw himself around in the field, shirked a challenge.

Colin Graves has promised to “reclaim cricket as the national summer sport” during his tenure as chairman of the ECB

George Dobell15-Jan-2015Colin Graves has promised to “reclaim cricket as the national summer sport” during his tenure as chairman of the ECB.Graves, the Yorkshire chairman, is almost certain to be elected unopposed to the ECB position and will lead a review of all aspects of the board’s performance as his first act in charge. But at the heart of his five-year term in office will be a drive to see more cricket played in the nation’s state schools and to reconnect with a public that appears to have fallen out of love with the sport.”I want to bring life into the game,” Graves told ESPNcricinfo. “I am a cricket nut and I don’t want to see the sport wither. I want to make it vibrant.”We have a fantastic opportunity to reclaim cricket as the national summer sport. We have a fantastic opportunity to make cricket better. At the end of my period as chairman – and I won’t be looking for a second term, I can promise you that – I will be judged on that basis: whether I have made the game better.”Though Graves will not take position at the ECB until May – he will step down as Yorkshire chairman in March – the counties only have until January 26 to propose a rival candidate. It seems most unlikely they will do so, with the vast majority welcoming Graves’ appointment.But they should not be expecting a free ride. While Graves might broadly be described as sympathetic to the counties’ position, it seems that nothing will be ruled out as he reviews the current situation. And as the man who suggested a few years ago that the County Championship could be extended to include 21 teams, he has already shown that he will not be chained to convention.”The first thing I want to do is review everything,” he said. “Everything: T20, the congestion in the schedule, our costs and our efficiency. I want to run the ECB efficiently and, after we, the executive team, have reviewed how we are operating now – and there will be no more outside reviews of the game while I’m chairman – we will announce our strategy towards the end of the year.”I have promised nothing to the counties. I would describe myself as a cricket lover, not a traditionalist, and while the counties have generally been very successful, we have to look at what they bring into the game.”We have to make the counties more sustainable. Whether that is 18 teams or 21 teams, let’s see. The fact is, county cricket brings in very little money and costs a great deal. Obviously the counties produce the players, which is very important, but we have to look for new revenue streams.”Graves dismissed the idea that the counties would benefit from an immediate windfall. While the ECB has amassed significant reserves in recent years – believed to be in excess of £25m, although some put the figure much higher – Graves insists the money is required in the event that an international series is cancelled at short notice for any reason, as happened when West Indies pulled out of their India tour.”It is quite clear that the business requires an insurance policy,” Graves said. “The audit committee currently feels that our reserves are adequate – they would prefer to have a little more but we need that money and it cannot just be spent.”Central to Graves’ strategy will be an attempt to increase participation numbers in the sport. The ECB was stung by figures released towards the end of last year which showed a drop in the number of people playing recreational cricket and Graves is adamant it is a decline that must be reversed.”We have to get cricket back in schools,” he says. “We have to get local clubs going into schools and increasing participation.”The days when governments or schools built cricket facilities are gone forever. So we have to provide the facilities for schools to use. If that means using cricket clubs during the week when they’re not needed, then let’s do it.”But yes, I want to be judged on many things and one of them is whether we can grow the participation figures. I got into cricket administration to try to make a difference. When I took over at Yorkshire, the club was bankrupt and they didn’t own a blade of grass.”I got involved then because I wanted to help. It’s no different now. I want to make the game better for everyone and, at the end of five years, I’ll hold up my hands and be judged by that statement.”

The second semi-final between Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra in Kolkata is expected to be a battle between one of the most consistent seam attacks this season and a formidable batting line-up

The Preview by Amol Karhadkar24-Feb-2015Match factsFebruary 25-March 1, 2015
Start time 0900 ISTAfter his 81 that lifted Maharashtra into the semi-final, Kedar Jadhav will be keen to play another important knock•ESPNcricinfo LtdBig pictureBengal may have had a forgettable Ranji Trophy outing this season, but the die-hard cricket fans in Kolkata – and there are plenty – will expect some high-quality action when Tamil Nadu take on Maharashtra at the Eden Gardens.The track is expected to be lively, which may work in favour of underdogs Maharashtra. While Tamil Nadu have played most of their matches this season on turning tracks, Maharashtra have thrived on seamer-friendly conditions. Their four-pronged pace attack of Samad Fallah, Anupam Sanklecha, Domnic Joseph and allrounder Shrikant Mundhe has delivered virtually every time so far this season and they would be keen to repeat last season’s feat of an appearance in the final.TN, on the other hand, have the likes of Abhinav Mukund, M Vijay and Dinesh Karthik to take on the in-form Maharashtra pacers. Aswin Crist and L Balaji will lead their pace attack and will hope to rattle a Maharashtra batting unit that has been inconsistent in the season so far.In the spotlightKedar Jadhav single-handedly changed the course of Maharashtra’s quarter-final against Andhra with a whirlwind 81 to walk away with the Man-of-the-Match award. The aggressive batsman will be looking to lead Maharashtra’s charge yet again.Vijay Shankar is possibly the least fancied name in the Tamil Nadu batting line-up but he has delivered with his limited opportunities this season. His average of 54 – with 378 runs in eight innings – is second only to M Vijay in the line-up and, as a right-arm medium-pacer, he has played the containing role whenever Tamil Nadu have gone in with none or one pacer.SquadsTamil Nadu: A Mukund (capt), M Vijay, U Sushil, B Aparajith, Dinesh Karthik (wk), B Indrajith, R Prasanna, L Balaji, Vijay Shankar, M Rangarajan, Rahil Shah, R Aushik Srinivas, M Shahrukh Khan, A Ashwin Crist, L Vignesh, Prasanth Parameswaran.Maharashtra: Rohit Motwani (captain), Harshad Khadiwale, Swapnil Gugale, Kedar Jadhav, Ankit Bawne, Rahul Tripathi, Chirag Khurana, Shrikant Mundhe, Nikit Dhumal, Domnic Joseph, Samad Fallah, Sangram Atitkar, Anupam Sanklecha, Naushad Shaikh, Akshay Darekar.Stats and trivia This would be the first time Tamil Nadu will face Maharashtra in neutral territory. During their previous 11 encounters (including one as Madras), Tamil Nadu have won four, lost three and drawn four. Harshad Khadiwale needs 53 runs to surpass the 5000-run mark in first-class cricket. The Maharashtra opener, with 633 runs, is the team’s leading run-getter this season.Teamspeak”We know what they are capable of. Having seen the way they have played this season, we can’t underestimate them. They are an excellent side.”
“The experience of playing and winning on an absolute green top in Lahli will stand us in good stead. I believe we have the best seam bowling attack in the country, and slowly all our boxes have been ticked off.”

A round-up of the Ram Slam T20 matches on November 30, 2014

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Nov-2014David Miller’s unbeaten 42 helped Dolphins to their third win of the season, after their bowlers had done well to restrict Lions on a sluggish surface at Chevrolet Park. Lions, having been inserted, lost wickets at regular intervals during their innings, and their highest run scorer was Chris Morris with 37 down at No.7. Morris struck three sixes and a four during his 22-ball knock, but no batsman stayed long enough at the other end for Lions to string together a significant partnership. Robbie Frylinck and Dwayne Bravo picked up two wickets apiece, while Prenelan Subrayen, Ryan McLaren and Craig Alexander chipped in with a scalp each.Dolphins lost the openers early in the chase, but Khaya Zondo (28) and Miller led a recovery with a 54-run stand for the third wicket. The team lost two more quick wickets, but Miller stayed not out till the end, and was aided by a useful 19 from Bravo at the other end, as Dolphins eventually won by five wickets with five balls to spare.A fifty from the opener Richard Levi and a three-wicket haul from Robin Peterson were the cornerstones behind Cape Cobras’ eight-run victory against Knights in Bloemfontein. The win meant that Cobras will stay on top of the table, and will host the final at the Newlands on December 12. Opting to bat, Cobras began brightly, as Levi put up half-century stands for the first two wickets with Andrew Puttick and Omphile Ramela (34). Levi stayed on till the penultimate over, striking two fours and sixes each during his 61-ball 64 to guide Cobras to 145 for 4.Knights began their chase steadily, but were rocked by four wickets in the space of four overs, and fell to 59 for 4 by the 11th over. Rudi Second led a recovery, whacking a 33-ball 50 with three fours and two sixes, and Tumelo Bodibe hit 30, but Knights’ run-rate was kept in check by incisive bowling from Dane Paterson, George Linde and Peterson. Knights needed 18 from the final over, but could manage only nine, meaning they lost their third game of the season.The Warriors bowlers delivered a 20-run consolation win in Bloemfontein. Titans had built a solid base with openers Heino Kuhn and Henry Davids knocking off 75 of the target of 149, but the rest of the line-up crumbled.Rusty Theron and Yaseen Vallie picked up four wickets and conceded only 19 runs in their six overs to ensure the Titans middle-order could not take advantage of a strong start. Only one other player besides the openers could reach double-figures as Titans ended their campaign at the bottom of the table, with only two wins from 10 matches.Warriors’ batting had struggled as well. They lost three wickets in the Powerplay before Colin Ingram provided some stability with 40 off 44 balls. Fast bowler Marchant de Lange was the primary threat, as he finished with a career-best 4 for 31. His spell may well have decided the match had Christiaan Jonker not smashed 49 off 29 balls, with two fours and three sixes. Warriors had been 114 for 5 at the end of the 17th over, but they carted 31 in the next three to give their bowlers the momentum they needed.