All posts by h716a5.icu

The Gunners have done some incredible deals down through the years – GOAL picks out their best ever signings below…

From the dominant days of manager Herbert Chapman’s tenure in the 1930s right through to the modern era, Arsenal have signed some sensational players who have gone on to write their names into the history books.

But which transfers rank as the greatest in the Gunners' long and illustrious history.

GOAL reveals all below…

Eddie Hapgood

Arguably Arsenal’s best ever signing.

Hapgood was plucked from lowly Kettering Town by Gunners manager Herbert Chapman in 1927 for just £950 ($1,170) and went to captain Arsenal’s all-conquering side of the 1930s.

He made 440 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal and won the First Division title five times, as well as the FA Cup twice.

The left-back spent 12 years with Arsenal before the onset of the Second World War, scoring twice. 

He died in 1973, at the age of just 64.

AdvertisementGettyIan Wright

Many questioned Arsenal’s decision to spend a club record £2.5 million ($3m) to sign Ian Wright from Crystal Palace in 1991.

The Gunners had just won the First Division title and had two-time golden boot winner Alan Smith leading the line, with Kevin Campbell also at George Graham’s disposal.

But from the moment Wright opened his account with a goal at Leicester City on his Arsenal debut, he quickly silenced any of his doubters.

He went on the score 185 goals for the club, overtaking Cliff Bastin to become Arsenal’s all-time record goalscorer in 1997.

Wright won a Premier League title during his time in North London as well as two FA Cups, a League Cup, the Cup Winners Cup and the Golden Boot.

Alex James

Known as one of the finest players to have ever played for Arsenal, James arrived from Preston in 1929 for £8,750 ($10,800).

The playmaker quickly established himself in Chapman’s stellar side and scored the opening goal as Arsenal beat Huddersfield 2-0 in the 1930 FA Cup final – a victory which gave the club its first ever major trophy.

James went on to make 261 appearances for Arsenal and formed a formidable partnership with legendary attackers Ted Drake and Cliff Bastin.

The Scotland international won four league titles for the Gunners and a second FA Cup in 1936. He was forced to retire due to injury the following year.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Sol Campbell

There is plenty of debate over who is the best free transfer of the Premier League era, but not amongst Arsenal fans.

Sol Campbell’s move across North London from Tottenham in the summer of 2001 is the stuff of legend.

Members of the media were all expecting to see goalkeeper Richard Wright unveiled when they arrived at a press conference at Arsenal’s training ground, so there was an audible gasp when Arsene Wenger walked out accompanied by Campbell – who was football's most in-demand free agent at the time.

Arsenal had taken Spurs’ captain without having to pay them a penny and they had to watch their former idol go on to win two league titles and three FA Cups during his time at Highbury.

As part of the NxGn series, Goal takes a look at the most promising young players waiting in the wings at the Catalan club

Jan Kruger – FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesAbel RuizAs an 18-year-old striker who has represented Spain at U-17 and U-19 level, there are high hopes that Abel Ruiz will go on to become first-choice centre-forward for La Roja. A skillful player with good technique, he was captain of the side that won the European Championship at U-17 level a few months ago and is currently one of the brightest talents at Barca B.YoutubeOriol BusquetsHe may be no relation to Sergio, but the two players definitely share similar characteristics. Like the older Busquets, Oriol is a central midfielder who is tall and known for his great tactical understanding of the game. The 19-year-old currently plays at Barca B but made his debut for the first team in the Copa del Rey against Murcia earlier this season.TwitterAlex Collado

Alex Collado is already Barca B's best midfielder, even though he will only turn 19 next month. He has not featured yet for the first team but is highly thought of by coaching staff at the Catalan club. Good with the ball at his feet and technically adept, he is known for his ability to carry the ball forward from midfield.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Mateu MoreyA centre-back similar to Gerard Pique, Mateu Morey is taller than the Barca defender and very good at bringing the ball out from the back. Born in 2000, he is still with the youth team after turning down several offers from elsewhere last summer – including one from Bayern Munich. He should have a bright future at Barca.

Ryan Reynolds has paid tribute to the “one and only” Rosie Hughes after seeing her register goal number 100 for Wrexham’s Women’s team.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Star striker remains a prolific presenceHelped to secure promotion last seasonClub co-owner is a big fanWHAT HAPPENED?

The prolific 28-year-old forward has made a stunning contribution to the collective cause in North Wales since linking up with the Red Dragons in 2021. She has finished as the top scorer in the Adran North on two occasions, with promotion secured to the Adran Premier League last season.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Hughes has been showing no sign of slowing down at a higher level, with another effort added to her impressive tally in a 3-1 victory over TNS. That contest handed Wrexham their first home win of the 2023-24 campaign.

DID YOU KNOW?

Hollywood superstar Reynolds, who is co-owner of Wrexham Association Football Club alongside Rob McElhenney, is among those to have saluted Hughes’ efforts are seeing her become a club centurion. The Deadpool actor has called Hughes “the one and only” when sharing a celebratory graphic on social media.

InstagramENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Wrexham boast big ambition at every level under Reynolds and McElhenney, with the women’s team chasing down title glory while the men are hoping to build on their record-breaking promotion from last season by bouncing straight up into League One.

Sri Lanka’s prospects of winning their first away series since 1999-00 (excluding those in Bangladesh and Zimbabwe) improved significantly after Angelo Mathews and Dilruwan Perera batted vast periods of time on the second day

The Report by George Binoy17-Jan-20140:00

Fernando: Mathews’ batting was incredibly restrained

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsDilruwan Perera was picked for his bowling but made a telling contribution with the bat•AFPSri Lanka’s prospects of winning their first away series since 1999-00 (excluding those in Bangladesh and Zimbabwe) improved significantly after their captain Angelo Mathews and debutant Dilruwan Perera, picked primarily for his offspin, batted vast periods of time on the second day in Sharjah. Both batsmen were dismissed in the 90s, and because of their slow run rate Sri Lanka scored only 428 despite batting nearly two days, but Pakistan’s inability to take ten wickets deprived them of precious time in a Test they need to win to level the series.Having resumed on 220 for 5, Sri Lanka continued at snail’s pace. They scored 82 runs in 35 overs for the loss of Prasanna Jayawardene during an extended first session, and 57 runs in 29 overs for the loss of two wickets in the second. They were quicker in the third – 69 in 18 overs – but Sri Lanka’s last two wickets added those runs. Pakistan had not bowled so many overs in an innings – 172 – since the Rawalpindi Test against India in 2004. They were able to keep their sense of humour, though, and several players shook Saeed Ajmal’s hand after he bowled his 50th over.The day’s centrepiece was the seventh-wicket stand between Mathews and Perera that spanned 53.2 overs and produced 112 runs. But their resistance would not have reached such proportions if Pakistan had better luck. They had been on the wrong end of four reviews on the first day – three umpire’s-call decisions went Sri Lanka’s way – and the trend continued.In Abdur Rehman’s first over, the day’s fifth, Mathews was struck low on the front pad while pushing forward to defend, but umpire Richard Kettleborough said not out. On review, replays indicated the ball would have hit a sizeable portion of leg stump, but the on-field umpire’s call remained. Pakistan’s count of unsuccessful reviews in this series was now 14 out of 15, and Mathews went on from 34 to score 91 off 256 balls.The partnership between Mathews and Perera was only 20 when Ajmal pitched a doosra in line with the stumps from round the wicket and hit Perera’s pad, but umpire S Ravi denied the appeal. Pakistan had exhausted their reviews and were frustrated as replays indicated Perera was plumb. He made 95 off 247 balls.The day had begun with the Pakistan players examining the rough on the pitch, but its appearance proved deceptive because the surface did not misbehave. There was no pace, seam and swing, and the turn was slow. The ball after Mathews survived the review, though, Prasanna hooked a bouncer from Mohammad Talha straight to long leg to end Sri Lanka’s sixth-wicket partnership on 73. It was perhaps the only delivery to hurry a batsman.Smart Stats

Dilruwan Perera became only the second Sri Lanka batsman to be dismissed in the nineties on debut after Chamara Dunusinghe, who was dismissed 91 against New Zealand in Napier in 1995. Click here for a list of batsmen to be dismissed in the nineties on Test debut.

Perera is only the second batsman to get out in the nineties on debut, batting at No. 8 or lower. The first such instance was Ashton Agar’s 98 at Trent Bridge last year.

Sri Lanka’s run rate of 2.48 in their innings was the second lowest by a team with a score of 300 or more in a Test innings in the UAE. Two of the top three instances in this list came in this Test, also involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka, at the same venue in 2011.

Pakistan bowled 172 overs in Sri Lanka’s first innings in this Test. This is the highest they have bowled in an innings since the 177.2 overs they bowled against India in Rawalpindi in 2004. The last instance of them bowling more overs in the first innings of a Test came in 2000, when they bowled 196 overs against England in Lahore.

This was only the second instance in Tests when two batsman batting at No. 6 or lower got out in the nineties in an innings. The first instance came when South Africa played Sri Lanka in Cape Town in 2001, and Mark Boucher and Lance Klusener both got out in the nineties.

This was only the second time that two Sri Lanka batsmen got out in the nineties in a Test innings. The other such instance came against Zimbabwe in Colombo in 2001, when the batsmen were Sanath Jayasuriya and Hashan Tillakaratne.

With runs coming relatively easily against the fast bowlers, Misbah-ul-Haq brought Rehman on and he dried one end up. And after Ajmal was introduced in the 12th over of the day, Sri Lanka slowed to a crawl. Perera had cut his first ball in Test cricket – off Talha – to the boundary and then proved he had both patience and solid defensive technique.It was soon after Ajmal’s first appeal against Perera was turned down that Sri Lanka’s pace picked up. Perera swept the offspinner for four and then charged Rehman to clear the long-on boundary. In between those shots, Junaid Khan had returned for his second spell and Mathews pulled him for four. He later reached his half-century off 157 balls.Mathews also brought up the 100-run stand by pulling Rehman for four, and then had a chat with Perera after Ajmal began to trouble the batsman. Perera was on 43 when Ajmal struck his pads and appealed for another lbw. It wasn’t as close as the previous ones but on another day, another umpire might have given it out and few would have complained. Umpire Ravi did not, and Ajmal’s rage was on full display. Perera inside edged the next ball from Ajmal past his stumps to the boundary.Like Sangakkara on the first day, Mathews’ wicket was sudden. Junaid bowled a wide one and Mathews slashed to hole out to deep point when a century was there for the taking. Rangana Herath lasted just one ball, with Junaid doing what the spinners had strived to all day – earn an lbw.There was no more relief for Pakistan, though. Perera began to open up, and brought up his 50-run stand with Shaminda Eranga off only 77 balls with a flurry of shots against Ajmal. He moved to 95 with an on-the-up drive off Talha, but hooked the next ball in the air and was caught at fine leg. Perera missed becoming the fourth Sri Lankan batsman to score a Test century on debut, but his innings ensured Sri Lanka were on their way to a series win.

A round-up of the Ram Slam T20 matches on November 2, 2014

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Nov-2014Chris Gayle starred with the ball and bat for Lions in their Ram Slam T20 opener, taking four wickets and scoring a fifty to help the side beat Dolphins by six wickets at the Wanderers.Cody Chetty (68) and Vaughn van Jaarsveld had forged a recovery for Dolphins with a 71-run stand for the third wicket but Gayle’s introduction into the attack turned the game in Lions’ favour. He took a wicket in each over of his spell to finish with 4 for 36, breaking the Dolphins middle order by accounting for van Jaarsveld, Chetty, Jonathan Vandiar and Khaya Zondo. Prenelan Subrayen struck a few blows towards the end of the innings to lift the Dolphins total to 172.Lions began their chase with an 18-run over from Daryn Dupavillon but, by the fourth over, were struggling at 36 for 3. Gayle and Jean Symes’ 89-run stand put the chase back on track and both batsmen finished with half-centuries. While Gayle struck 56 off 38 balls, Symes finished on an unbeaten 50-ball 58 to guide Lions to a win in the 19th over.Kieron Pollard’s all-round contribution with bat and ball was the difference between the Cobras and the Titans in Johannesburg. Pollard led the Cobras final assault with the bat with 72 runs at a strike rate of 200, and was the architect of their 80-run plunder off the last six overs of their innings. He then took three wickets in two overs to derail the Titans’ chase.The Cobras were set up by Richard Levi, who faced just 34 balls for his 81 runs, but the Titans may have thought that was as bad as it got for them. They got rid of the Cobras’ top and middle order cheaply, with their slower bowlers doing the bulk of the containing. Roelof van der Merwe conceded just 14 runs in three overs while Dean Elgar took 3 for 20 and bowled a full quota to keep the Cobras quiet.That was before Pollard made his entrance. He spoilt the figures of Ethy Mbhlati and Rowan Richards and ensured the Cobras posted a run more than the Knights did in the early game.Unlike the Warriors, who collapsed in their chase of 206, the Titans looked set to get to their target of 208. Openers Elgar and Henry Davids were merciless in equal measure and shared in a first-wicket stand of 151 inside 15 overs. Again, it was Pollard who changed proceedings.In his third over, he had Elgar caught at long-on, Davids off against a slower ball and also accounted for Darren Sammy with a short ball- all in the space of seven deliveries. The Titans needed 45 runs off the last three overs but could only manage 30 in what became a tense finish.Warriors’ batting woes from the first-class and fifty-over formats have carried over into the shortest version of the game as well. Overseas signing Craig Kieswetter, who made 51, was the only batsman in their line-up who managed a score of more than 20 as they were beaten by the Knights in their campaign opener.Set a tall 206 for victory – a target built on the back of Knights’ opening stand of 78 runs and topped off by Diego Rosier’s second T20 half-century – the Warriors were never in the chase. Dillon du Preez’s four wickets dismantled them – his first pair dismissed the openers and second bored into the tail. In between that, all the other members of the Knights attack enjoyed success, except the slower bowlers, with the medium-pace of Malusi Siboto and the spin of Werner Coetsee costing more than eight runs an over.Those numbers only indicate indiscipline of the Warriors in the first half of the fixture. They used seven bowlers and none of them conceded at less than seven runs to the over, with Jon-Jon Smuts hauling in the best return of 2 for 28.Smuts’ strike pegged the Knights back after they were off to a speedy start thanks to Rudi Second and Gerhardt Abrahams. A mid-innings wobble saw them lose four wickets for 42 runs and they seemed to be losing their way but Rosier put them back on track. He shared in a 67-run stand with Obus Pienaar, which came in just 3.2 overs, to tip the Knights total over 200 and ensure they took maximum points from the first match of the campaign.

Former Rajasthan batsman Rajesh Sanghi died in the Maldives on Saturday

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Oct-2014Former Rajasthan batsman Rajesh Sanghi died in the Maldives on Saturday. Sanghi, 42, was on a holiday and suffered a heart attack.Sanghi was Sachin Tendulkar’s first captain in a BCCI-run tournament, at Mumbai’s Under-15 level, before he went on to play for Rajasthan.An opening batsman and a part-time legspinner, Sanghi played four first-class and as many List A matches between 1993 and 1994. He scored 218 runs in first-class, including a hundred, at an average of 27.25 and 72 runs in List A. He also picked up four wickets in the longer format.

Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney hailed Paul Mullin's hat-trick in his side's 6-0 win over Morecambe as 'incredible'.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Wrexham thrash Morecambe 6-0Mullin scores a hat-trickCo-owner McElhenney praises strikerWHAT HAPPENED?

Phil Parkinson's men went second in League Two after thrashing Morecambe at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday. Joel Senior's own goal got the Welsh side up and running in the fifth minute before Mullin opened his account for the afternoon two minutes later. Substitute Jacob Mendy added an emphatic third in the 35th minute before Mullin scored in the 67th and 77th minute to complete his hat-trick. James Jones rounded off the scoring at the death to cap off a remarkable afternoon – one that co-owner McElhenney felt compelled to comment on.

AdvertisementWHAT ROB MCELHENNEY SAID

When Wrexham got promoted out of the National League in April, McElhenney quipped Mullin was one of the greatest footballers in the world. After his hat-trick, he continued his praise for the 29-year-old.

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Wrexham are now in the automatic promotion spots after their win on Saturday. They are looking for back-to-back promotions and with Mullin back amongst the goals, the Welsh side could kick on even more this season – such is his goal threat.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Wrexham have just a few days to recover from this clash as they take on Harrogate Town on Tuesday night in another League Two clash.

Tottenham supporters have been in fine voice in recent times after seeing their side get back to winning ways with victory in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men went into their encounter with Watford at Wembley off the back of successive cup exits, having lost to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and then Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. Yet the North Londoners bounced back in beating Javi Gracia’s Hornets 2-1 at the national stadium on Wednesday, with second half goals from Son Heung-min and Fernando Llorente inspiring the hosts to an 18th Premier League win of the campaign.

As such, there have been many delighted Tottenham fans up and down the country in recent times, although plenty are likely to be very wary indeed of the threat posed by Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United this weekend, who have enjoyed a great week both on and off the field.

And Spurs boss Pochettino will certainly need his best players to step up against the resurgent Magpies this weekend, with £72 million-rated Christian Eriksen (as per Transfermarkt) the man to plunge the North East giants back into the doldrums by inspiring Tottenham to victory.

Ultimately, Benitez’s side began the week with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Watford in the FA Cup, which looked set to pave the way for a testing few days given time was ticking towards the January window, and no business had been done by the Magpies.

Yet a sensational 2-1 success over Premier League champions Manchester City on Wednesday night went some way to bringing the feel-good factor back to St James’ Park, which was then followed by the breaking of the club’s long-standing transfer record to sign Miguel Almiron on Deadline Day.

All in all, the North East heavyweights are somewhat riding a wave of positivity and optimism ahead of their trip to Spurs on Saturday, which suggests that Pochettino’s men are going to have to be at their very best to negotiate what looks set to be a difficult fixture.

But in Denmark international Eriksen, the Tottenham manager has the sort of player that, at his very best, can give Spurs the spark needed to get the better of a resurgent Newcastle this weekend.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed another fine season in North London with six goals and ten assists in all competitions for Spurs, four goals and eight assists of which have come in the Premier League to help Pochettino’s side to third place after 24 matches – once again, a top four finish looks to be in the offing for Tottenham.

But with Harry Kane and Dele Alli injured, the emphasis will certainly be on Eriksen to produce the goods against a Newcastle side that are likely to be well organised and difficult to break down at Wembley – Spurs will likely need some Eriksen magic to unlock the Magpies backline.

But with plenty of assists already this season, alongside a staggering tally of 60 overall in his Premier League career to date, the 26-year-old certainly has what it takes to be the difference once again at the weekend – as he has been so many times in his Spurs career.

Clearly then, Newcastle will provide a stern test to Tottenham given the week they have had both on and off the pitch, which will likely demand the very best of Pochettino’s side to get the three points needed to remain just about in title contention.

And in Danish star Eriksen, the Argentine has a player that, at his best, can plunge the Magpies back into the doldrums after their brilliant week.

Tottenham and Newcastle fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Will Gidman again proved himself a thorn in Leicestershire sides as Gloucestershire moved into a dominant position on the second day at Bristol.

04-Sep-2013
ScorecardDay two was the Will Gidman show with the bat•PA PhotosWill Gidman again proved himself a thorn in Leicestershire sides as Gloucestershire moved into a dominant position on the second day at Bristol.Having returned career-best bowling figures of 6 for 15 runs on the opening day, Gidman posted his highest ever score of 143 to propel Gloucestershire to 516 for nine declared and an imposing first-innings lead of 399.Leicestershire reached the close on 60 for the loss of Greg Smith in their second innings and are still 339 runs behind – and staring down the barrel of an innings defeat.Gidman will no doubt have his sights set on taking 10 wickets in the match to add to his superb hundred when play resumes with Gloucestershire seeking their fourth Championship win of the summer.Resuming on 210 for 4, Gloucestershire’s aim was to bat for as long as possible and wear down the pitch as well as their opponents. Certainly, the fifth wicket pair of Hamish Marshall and Benny Howell commenced in positive fashion, feeding off a series of short deliveries as boundaries flowed on the second morning.These two had already banked a second batting bonus point and were looking increasingly secure when their partnership of 69 was unexpectedly terminated in the 64th over, Howell mistiming a drive and skying a catch to mid-off to gift former Durham paceman Ben Raine his first success of the match. Howell had harvested 34 from 61 balls and mustered six fours in a stand which set the tone for the rest of the day.Not content to act as the junior partner, new batsman Gidman immediately matched Marshall blow for blow despite the pitch becoming slower and lower. Veteran New Zealander Marshall was first to 50, raising that landmark with his seventh boundary, a square cut four at the expense of Shiv Thakor.Having started the match on 856 first-class runs for the season, Marshall had three figures firmly in his sights when he was pinned lbw by Raine for 81. Especially strong off the back foot, he faced 152 balls, struck 11 fours and helped add 97 for the sixth wicket with Gidman.Maximum batting bonus points and a lead of 300 represented minimum requirements for Gloucestershire and the in-form Gidman ensured both boxes were ticked prior to the tea interval. His 50 came from 105 balls and he required a further 45 deliveries to realise three figures. He faced 183 balls in all, accrued 16 fours and two sixes and comfortably surpassed his previous career-best score of 116 not out, made in a losing cause against Northamptonshire in Bristol in 2011.On loan from Middlesex and eager to earn a contract offer, offspinner Tom Smith did his prospects no harm at all by posting his first 50 for Gloucestershire, more than holding his own in a progressive partnership of 131 in 35 overs with Gidman for the seventh wicket.Required to negotiate 15 overs at the end of the day, Leicestershire were further undermined when Smith departed for 9, trapped lbw by David Payne’s left-arm swing.

Medium-pacer Samad Fallah finished with 3 for 74 to chip away at Karnataka, but the batting team still ended the day with a 169-run lead and three wickets remaining

The Report by Karthik Krishnaswamy in Hyderabad31-Jan-2014
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsKL Rahul struck 131 to extend Karnataka’s lead•ESPNcricinfo LtdSeven wickets for 244 in a full day’s play, in batter-friendly conditions, is usually great going for a fielding side. Day three, by that count, belonged to Maharashtra. Until you remind them that Karnataka had begun at 230 for no loss in response to Maharashtra’s 305, and until you remind them that they had missed opportunities on day two to make it 5 for 1, 28 for 1, 32 for 1, 172 for 1 and 179 for 1.”We only have ourselves to blame,” left-arm seamer Samad Fallah said, having kept Maharashtra in the game with three wickets on Friday. “But we still have to be positive. There are 180 overs left. We will look to get the last three wickets as soon as possible tomorrow morning, and continue playing positively. We did it against Mumbai.”Against Mumbai, in the quarterfinals, Maharashtra overturned a 122-run first-innings deficit and won by eight wickets. Against Karnataka, in the final, they have already given up a 169-run lead, and still have three wickets to get. They will first have to dislodge either Shreyas Gopal – whose defensive technique late in the day suggested that batting, rather than legspin, is his primary skill – or Vinay Kumar – who has already scored a century this season.The pitch at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, moreover, has nothing like the pace or bounce that was on offer at the Wankhede during Maharashtra’s quarterfinal. There, it was possible for batsmen to score quickly and for fast bowlers to run through a line-up. This pitch, though, is of the diametrically opposite kind, according to Robin Uthappa, who returned to the crease after the fall of Karnataka’s first wicket to score a breezy 72.”It’s a wicket not just [difficult] to get runs on but also difficult to get wickets on,” he said. “So it’s that kind of a wicket, where you really need to work hard. We’re the team who got 240 runs after 90 overs and we had to play big shots to get these runs. It didn’t come easily.”It didn’t. Certainly not for KL Rahul, who scored his third century of the season and became only the second Karnataka batsman to score 1000 runs in a Ranji Trophy season. Uthappa revealed that Rahul, who was sitting by his side at the end-of-day press conference, had been running a temperature when he began his innings on day two.”I asked him if he was okay and he said his eyes were watering up when the bowler was running in but he dealt with those situations very well,” Uthappa said. “It takes a lot of strength to do that when you’re not feeling well.”Karnataka lost Ganesh Satish in the first over of Friday morning, bowled by a Chirag Khurana offbreak that kept a little low. Rahul was on 94 at that point. He reached his century four overs later, stretching out to sweep Khurana in front of square for four.Soon after, he stepped down the track to launch left-arm spinner Akshay Darekar into the stands behind long-off. The next ball, inevitably, was short; Rahul rocked back and cut it fiercely for four. At the other end, Uthappa was equally severe on the spinners, smacking them for two sixes and a four down the ground. The last of these shots, off Darekar, came in the 80th over of Karnataka’s innings.Rahul and Uthappa had cashed in on the period before the second new ball became available. They, along with Satish, had also dented Darekar’s confidence. Karnataka’s top three hit him for 80 runs off 102 balls, on a pitch that offered the spinners turn, even if it was on the slow side. At the end of day three, Darekar, Maharashtra’s lead spinner, had bowled 12.2 overs less than Khurana, the batting allrounder.Maharashtra came close to striking as soon as they took the second new ball, with Uthappa edging Anupam Sanklecha between first and second slip. The ball flew close enough to Kedar Jadhav, at first, to count as another missed chance.The second wicket, and Maharashtra’s first safely completed catch, finally came in the 94th over, when Rahul slashed at Shrikant Mundhe and edged to keeper Rohit Motwani. Soon after lunch, substitute fielder Rahul Tripathi held another, catching Uthappa low at point, off a short and wide ball from Mundhe that should have gone for four.Manish Pandey and Karun Nair added 35, before Fallah struck two quick blows. First, he swung one in to Pandey with the ball moving in the direction of the shine, to trap him in front. Then, he got one to hold up in the pitch and took a simple return catch from CM Gautam.From that point on, the runs came at a drip. Karun Nair, who looked compact in defence and strong square of the wicket against spin, made a 118-ball 44 before he was given out caught behind off Khurana, attempting a reverse sweep. It was hard to tell from replays whether he had hit the ball or not, though.Four overs of spin later, Fallah returned for his third spell of the day, over the wicket to the left-handed Amit Verma, who was on 29 from 100 balls. Fallah’s second ball, reversing from outside off, hit his front pad just about in line with off stump.With the day drawing to a close, Fallah changed his angle of attack to try and hustle out another wicket. He didn’t quite succeed, even if he seemed to be a little affronted when he had an anguished shout for LBW against Vinay turned down. The third new ball will be available after two overs on Saturday morning. It could represent the last chance for Fallah and Maharashtra to keep Karnataka’s lead to under 200.