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Having picked up his first five-wicket haul for Australia, Nathan Hauritz has declared his intentions to make the spinner’s spot his own for a long time to come.

Brydon Coverdale at the MCG31-Dec-2009Nathan Hauritz has played ten Tests over the past year but without a sense of security. There has always been the feeling that he was a temporary solution, filling a gap while Australia’s selectors decided on their next long-term Test spinner. But after a chat with Shane Warne helped him collect his first five-wicket haul for his country, Hauritz has declared his intentions to make the Test spot his own for a long time to come.The timing of Hauritz’s career-best was important. Last week, the chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch challenged him to become a dangerous fourth-innings bowler and said that while Hauritz was very capable, the selectors would “continue to look for that next group of spin bowlers” who would be part of the team in the coming decade.That made Hauritz’s 5 for 101 in the fourth innings of the Boxing Day Test victory over Pakistan extra special. He knows how quickly a spinner can fall out of favour – since Warne’s retirement Australia have used seven slow men in Tests – and has had the legspinner Steven Smith hovering in the shadows over the past two matches.”The most important thing is not to put too much pressure on myself in those situations,” Hauritz said after bowling Australia to a 170-run victory. “I probably have a little bit at times, just trying to get those wickets to try and silence a few people and let people know that I can bowl and I’ve earned this spot and I’m here for a long time.”Smith enjoyed a one-on-one net session with Warne during the Boxing Day Test and it was Warne’s advice that helped Hauritz deliver his best performance. Hauritz said the advice from Warne on the fifth morning was to be patient, alter his lines and force the batsmen to hit the ball where he wanted it to go, not where they wanted to play it.”Since I’ve been part of this squad he has been trying to get me … to get the batsman to hit in areas they don’t want to and being able to have the confidence to put the ball in that area,” Hauritz said. “When I first started I was quite happy to bowl outside off but have a 5-4 field so they wouldn’t play there.”I’m trying to get batsmen out a lot more now. I didn’t bowl as accurately as I normally can at times in this last innings but I definitely bowled more attacking lines and tried to make them hit in areas which they felt uncomfortable. It can be pretty tough at times when you’re getting hit back over your head all the time. In the end it worked in my favour being able to get a stumping and getting batsmen trapped on the crease.”His final breakthrough came with a top-edged swipe that was taken at midwicket, giving him his first five-wicket-haul in first-class cricket, while his previous best in Tests was three in an innings. When he began his state career with Queensland he hadn’t taken a five-for at club level – he has now – so the feeling of pressure to perform was familiar.It’s not unheard of for bowlers to deliver a five-wicket bag in Tests before state cricket; Jason Krejza had never taken five in a first-class match until his eight-for on Test debut in Nagpur last year. Krejza lasted only one more Test before being dropped but Hauritz, who played a one-off Test in 2004 before waiting four years for his second. He is confident that his best performance is a sign of bigger things to come.”It’s pretty significant,” Hauritz said. “It’s my first five-for in first-class and Tests. I am very happy to take that five-wicket haul. I hope it is the start of something good. It has been a pretty tough road. There have been good moments and bad moments and this is definitely one that I will remember.”The next step is to continue delivering Test-quality performances and that challenge begins at the SCG, where the second Test starts on Sunday. Despite the ground’s reputation for favouring spin, Hauritz has only 16 first-class wickets at 55.75 there, and he was anticipating a good batting pitch once again.”I don’t expect it to be too much different to what it normally is,” he said. “It is generally a pretty good batting track for the first few days. The first morning it can offer a little bit, I have seen finger-spinners do well there on the first morning because it is a little bit tacky. I don’t expect it to be too much different.”

As per 90min, Aston Villa sporting director Johan Lange appears to be eyeing a fresh transfer pursuit ahead of January as he aims to bolster Steven Gerrard’s options.

The Lowdown: Gerrard era begins…

The sacking of Dean Smith brought forward a new era at Villa Park with Premier League big name and SPFL title-winning boss Gerrard taking to the helm.

As Liverpool’s club legend takes on his first ever first team managerial role in the English top flight, he has been linked with possible raids in the winter window in an effort to reshape the squad.

Indeed, the forward positions in particular appear to be taking priority going by recent claims, with Spanish outlet Fichajes claiming Gerrard has personally requested Rangers star Ianis Hagi.

Meanwhile, Villa and Lange have also been tipped with a move for South American striker Julian Alvarez as the Argentine sensation dazzles with impressive form.

The Latest: Lange now eyeing Barbosa move…

As per 90min and transfer ‘insider’ Graeme Bailey, Aston Villa, and by extension sporting director Lange who is known for the club’s transfer activity, are weighing a move for Flamengo star Gabriel Barbosa.

The former Inter Milan striker is said to be attracting Villa’s interest with Gerrard’s side now among a plethora of Premier League teams ‘considering a bid’.

As Barbosa actively seeks a move away in January, with this report claiming he is ready to push for a move, it is also believed that the player’s agents are ‘actively looking at his options’ behind the scenes.

The Verdict: Ideal option?

If Villa want to add more forward depth for Gerrard, they couldn’t do much better than the 25-year-old in terms of electric form.

Indeed, Barbosa has bagged a prolific 29 goals across 2021 for Flamengo in all competitions, certainly demonstrating his killer instinct in front of goal after a spell to forget at Inter.

As he eyes a move back to Europe, the player may have emerged as a solid option for Lange and Villa ahead of January and it is believed Barbosa could depart his current club for a fee ‘in excess of £30 million’.

Bailey, explaining in the piece, says that clubs in the race for him consider that price tag worth it – citing the fact it’s unusual for a ‘top class’ striker to be available and seeking a move mid-season.

Taking this into account, we believe he could certainly come as an astute purchase for Villa and Gerrard.

In other news, whose fitness update is attracting interest from Villa fans? Find out here!

It is only the thought of preventing the second-ever 5-0 whitewash in their history that will spur Pakistan to seek their first win of a long and increasingly arduous tour

The Preview by Osman Samiuddin30-Jan-2010Match Facts
Sunday, January 31
Start time 12.30pm (0430 GMT)Ryan Harris has the chance to take three five-fors in a row. Something only Waqar Younis has done•Getty ImagesBig Picture
Avoiding humiliation is probably as great a motivator as anything and it is only the thought of preventing the second-ever 5-0 whitewash in their history that will spur Pakistan to seek their first win of a long and increasingly arduous tour. That the first came under the captaincy of Imran Khan, against West Indies in 1988, will be of little consolation.Mohammad Yousuf’s men have cut sorry, disparate figures as the tour has progressed since the Sydney Test. They were expected to put up a fight in the ODIs and though they have been in most of the games at various stages, 4-0 remains an accurate reflection of the gulf in class. Their batting has been shaky; only three fifties through the series and the middle order giants – the two Y’s – have a paltry 145 runs between them.Mohammad Asif apart, their bowling has missed as much as it has hit. Umar Gul is horrendously out of sorts; Rana Naved-ul-Hasan has been committed as ever, yet still gone for well over six an over. The death overs are a mess. Most damagingly, the spinners have been neutralised. Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal have been picked off for five runs an over each and have seven wickets to show between them. Yousuf talks of the team having improved under him, but a more delusional assessment is not possible.By contrast, Australia are shining and they haven’t even played Mitchell Johnson yet. They’ve used three new-ball pairings and all are among the wickets. Ryan Harris has two consecutive five-fors, Clint McKay is taking wickets and Shane Watson, who has been rested for the Perth ODIs, still has more wickets than any Pakistani bowler.Five of their top six have scored at least one fifty, they have the series’ only century and even Nathan Hauritz joined the fun in the fourth ODI. The only blot is, of course, the ongoing concern over the captain’s form. Ricky Ponting has struggled through the ODI series, with only 70 runs; as opposed to the Tests, he hasn’t comfortable in any of the games.But then it would be entirely in keeping with the Australian way for the captain to find form in the last game and lead his side to a whitewash.Form guide (Most recent first)
Australia: WWWWW
Pakistan: LLLLL
Watch out for…
Ryan Harris is Australia’s man of the moment, having picked up two five-fors in two games and yet he still might not make the cut for the last game, such is Australia’s strength in depth. Mitchell Johnson is expected to make a return but if Harris does play, there is little wrong he can do with the ball at the moment. Who would bet against him becoming only the second man to take three five-fors in a row after Waqar Younis?One of the few bright spots on this tour for Pakistan – and that too with qualifications – has been Umar Akmal. It says much for the paucity of their batting strength that he has looked their best, most comfortable batsman every time he has walked to the crease and mostly he has done it with his side in trouble. He hasn’t had the best luck in the ODIs and hasn’t yet kicked on to a significantly big score, but there remains a sense that a big score is coming.Team news
In keeping with their policy through the series, Australia are likely to bring in Mitchell Johnson in place of the one of their pacemen. The question is who would you drop though? Peter Siddle is likely to be rested after he suffered a sore back at the start of the series and the selectors have called up Shaun Tait as cover.Australia (probable): 1 Shaun Marsh, 2 Brad Haddin (wk), 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Cameron White, 6 Michael Hussey, 7 James Hopes, 8 Peter Siddle/Mitchell Johnson, 9 Nathan Hauritz, 10 Ryan Harris, 11 Clint McKay.Pakistan called up Khalid Latif for the ODI series but have yet to play him, despite encouraging results in the last three games he played for them against New Zealand. Kamran Akmal’s form with the bat as opener hasn’t been great and Sarfraz Ahmed is there as a replacement, so logic would suggest such a change. But this is Pakistan, so it isn’t likely.Pakistan (probable): 1 Salman Butt, 2 Kamran Akmal (wk), 3 Younis Khan, 4 Mohammad Yousuf (capt), 5 Umar Akmal, 6 Fawad Alam, 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, 9 Rao Iftikhar Anjum, 10 Mohammad Asif, 11 Saeed Ajmal.Pitch and conditions
The pitch won’t change too much from Friday night, but the conditions will be friendlier on the ground. A sunny day is expected but the maximum is a considerably cooler 30C.Stats and trivia
Pakistan have lost eight of their last ten ODIs. Cameron White has scored just eight runs less than Pakistan’s entire top three in the series.Friday’s win was Australia’s first over Pakistan in an ODI at Perth.Quotes
“The boys have been there and have done such a great job over the last two or three years. If the boys say to me on Sunday have a rest, then have a rest. That doesn’t really bother me. I look long term and think that if I keep bowling well then I’ll make them pick me, make myself be the frontline bowler. But that’s probably a little way off.”
“Today I am thinking about sending [him] to No. 3 or 4. If he charges early on maybe we have a good chance. But we had a chat with the coach and he said no, keep going with same batting line-up. I think maybe it can work.”

Marcelo Flores could be Arsenal’s next big talent to emerge from the famed Hale End academy.

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder, who is yet to make his senior bow for the club, was recently called up to Mexico’s friendly against Chile in America, where he came off the bench to make his international debut in an eight-minute cameo.

This would have surely caught the eye of first-team boss Mikel Arteta, who can always do with extra bodies in the engine room, particularly of an advanced nature.

Born in Georgetown, Ontario in Canada, Flores was also eligible for the North American country, as well as England, but clearly Gerardo Martino was eager to tie him to El Tri as quickly as possible.

The 5 foot 4 pocket dynamo has been in electric form for the Gunners’ U18s this campaign, delivering six goals and two assists in just nine appearances, via Transfermarkt, so it’s no wonder he’s caught the eye on a much larger stage.

Speaking ahead of Mexico’s clash with their South American rivals, Martino waxed lyrical about Arsenal’s young gem to reporters, as relayed by ESPN.

“Marcelo Flores awakens the hopes that all spectators have,” he said. “He is a different player who always asks for the ball.”

The teenage sensation excelled for the national team’s U20 squad during November’s inaugural 2021 Revelations Cup, where he provided two goals in wins over Brazil and USA, and even earned the accolade of being the ‘Player of the Tournament.’

According to Goal.com, Arteta has invited him to train with the first-team squad several times since taking the helm at the Emirates Stadium. “It was like a dream training with the first team,” Flores revealed about it in December 2020. “I couldn’t believe everything that was happening. I am enjoying all the moments that I am living. I want to become a club legend.”

Flores was named in the Guardian’s ‘Next Generation 2020′ list of the ’60 best talents in world football’, where journalist Tom Marshall likened him to former foe Eden Hazard, as well as Philippe Coutinho.

It is the former who the 18-year-old prodigy could really draw further comparisons to, especially given his height, playing style and potential ability.

Arteta could well unearth his very own Hazard if he chooses to trust Flores in the first team going forward. He really only has Martin Odegaard as an out-and-out no.10, so there’s certainly scope to hand him his debut, particularly with the hefty fixture list and his impressive performances for both club and country.

AND in other news, Forget Odegaard: Arsenal dud with fewer touches than Ramsdale let Arteta down big time against Everton…

Pakistan A beat England Lions by 70 runs in the final one-day game in Dubai to secure a 2-1 series win

Cricinfo staff26-Feb-2010Pakistan A beat England Lions by 70 runs in the final one-day game of the tour in Dubai to secure a 2-1 series win.With Pakistan A winning the toss and electing to bat, captain Andrew Gale could not have hoped for a better start with his opening bowlers Steven Finn and Chris Woakes each taking a wicket in their first over to leave Pakistan A struggling at 4 for 2.It then became a lot worse for Pakistan as they were reduced to 33 for 4 after a mix-up between Shafiq and Rehman, that left the latter run out. Shafiq and Yasin began the unenviable task of repairing the innings with a 77-run stand that dragged Pakistan A towards respectability. With the partnership beginning to look threatening, England Lions’ spin duo of Wainwright and Rashid each struck to leave the batting side 118 for 6 after 31 overs.Wainwright made the initial breakthrough, dismissing Shafiq for a well made 52 courtesy of a smart catch by Rashid who then beat Yasin’s defensive stroke with a ball that turned and hit leg stump. Yasir Shah and Naeem Anjum gave the Pakistan A innings some late momentum but Woakes, entrusted with the last over, ensured the situation did not get out of hand by yorking the pair of them.In a frenetic start to the chase England Lions were a wicket down within two overs. Just as they did in the previous match, Andrew Gale and Michael Lumb met early. They made decent headway but having taken the score to 43 for 1 in the ninth over, Gale charged down the wicket and was bowled by 17-year-old Raza Hasan.Lumb looked in good order in making a patient 30 but he could not replicate Wednesday’s heroics when he made a century and was brilliantly caught in the 21st over on the square leg boundary by Asad Shafiq. James Taylor followed soon after, caught and bowled by Abdur Rehman with the scoreboard reading 89 for 4.England Lions suffered a hammer blow in the 30th over with the dismissal of Ian Bell, their best player. Aiming a sweep towards deep midwicket, the Warwickshire batsman could only watch in horror as Naved Yasin sprinted in and swooped to scoop up the ball inches above the turf. Steven Davies launched a counter offensive but after moving serenely to 24 he was adjudged leg before attempting to paddle Hafeez. Pakistan A completed their victory in the 41st over.David Parsons, the ECB performance director, said: “After the way we played on Wednesday we hoped that we’d be able to carry on where we left off but it wasn’t to be. All credit to Pakistan- to come back and post a half decent total after being 33 for 4 is a very good effort. They played four spinners which is unusual for our guys to face and they put us under a lot of pressure.”We’ve played some good cricket this tour and on the whole it’s been a success. We wanted to identify players who would be able to go on and forge successful England careers at some point in the future and this tour has done that. As a squad the boys have worked hard and while it’s disappointing not to have been able to win both series, we can take plenty of positives from this.”

Following Newcastle United’s first league win of the season last weekend against Burnley, Magpies boss Eddie Howe will be keen to have a fresh bill of health as they travel to face a Leicester City side who may be short on confidence on Sunday afternoon.

Newcastle defender Fabian Schär set up Callum Wilson’s winner against the Clarets as well as keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory. However, the 29-year-old required treatment during the game and missed training earlier in the week.

What’s the latest?

When speaking ahead of the trip to the King Power Stadium, Howe stated that there were a “couple of knocks and niggles” in the squad and that Schär “had a rib problem earlier in the week and missed a bit of training” but “hopefully he’ll be ok.”

The Swiss international has started all four of Howe’s games in charge of the Toon Army thus far, having previously not featured since late August, and has already proved to be a key asset for the new manager.

Granted, the defender had a quiet game against Burnley, making three clearances and blocking one shot according to SofaScore. Schär may have had an assist but also posted a passing accuracy of just 42% and lost possession 20 times in what was a mixed performance.

However, having played just six times this season, Schär is still bound to be rusty and could well be a key player for Howe once he reaches his peak form.

United are also set to welcome back Ciaran Clark from suspension after the Irishman was sent off early in the 1-1 draw with Norwich City, further boosting Howe’s defensive arsenal this weekend.

With Jamaal Lascelles also fit after his recent return from suspension, Howe suddenly has the welcome luxury of deciding which centre-back out of the three now available will be dropped, with the formation of a strong defensive partnership key to United’s survival hopes this season.

Either way, the Toon Army will be surely buzzing to hear that Schär could be good to go this weekend, especially given his recent resurgence under the new manager.

In other news – Forget Fraser: Howe must unleash £74k-p/w Newcastle beast whose energy is “infectious”

Essex have recorded an “immensely disappointing” loss of £216,000 for 2009 but are confident they will be able to withstand the tough financial conditions

Cricinfo staff22-Mar-2010Essex have recorded an “immensely disappointing” loss of £216,000 for 2009 but are confident they will be able to withstand the tough financial conditions.Their position is in stark contrast to Surrey, who announced a profit of £752,000 on the same day, and Essex’s sums show the split that is start to appear in the county game – largely between those with Test grounds and the other, smaller, venues.On a positive note for the club was an increase in membership income and strong attendance at Twenty20 games. They are hopeful that their position in Division One of the Championship will provide a boost along with tour matches against Bangladesh and Pakistan.”It is immensely disappointing to announce a six figure loss of 216,000 pounds for 2009 after investment results and a tax rebate,” said Keith Brown, the club treasure. “Cricket is not immune from the recession and this impacted our corporate income, including sponsorship and advertising.”However, our membership income was up and we attracted high attendances at the Twenty20 matches. Our cricket costs were impacted by the absence of exceptional ECB income we received in 2008 and additional contract payments at the end of 2009”.”While other counties have produced similar losses this is no consolation and our 2010 budget process has been very robust with the aim to return to profit.”But Brown took the opportunity to issue a further warning about the potential listing of the Ashes and the subsequent reduction in broadcasting revenue. “However, there is one word of warning. If cricket is forced onto terrestrial television it will have a devastating impact on our income, which will mean we will have to make some very hard decisions.””Promotion achieved one of our objectives for 2009 and it was pleasing to see our home grown players make an impact on the international stage,” added chairman Nigel Hilliard. “Financially the club has had a difficult year, importantly there were no surprises in the accounts the committee were aware that 2009 would be loss making and the final result was a considerable improvement on our budgeted numbers.”

Ricky Ponting is confident Australia are in the best possible shape to regain the Ashes later this year

Brydon Coverdale in Hamilton31-Mar-2010Ricky Ponting is confident Australia are in the best possible shape to regain the Ashes later this year, after a summer in which they won seven out of eight Tests. Series victories against West Indies and Pakistan were followed by a 2-0 triumph in New Zealand and all that is left before the battle for the urn is a two-match series against Pakistan in England.Ponting said after the final home Test in January that there were no boxes left to tick before the Ashes, although the return to form of Marcus North and the emergence of Ryan Harris over the past two weeks have given him extra reason to believe. The Test squad features no passengers and such is the depth that if everyone is fit, the challenge will be deciding who to leave out.”We can’t be any better placed at the moment, we have two Tests to play in England then it’s straight into it,” Ponting said. “There will be no excuses from where we are sitting. We’ve done everything we would have liked for us to have achieved throughout the summer, there’s never been a game that has dragged on. When there’s been big moments, we’ve stepped in and got the job done. That’s what I expect from these players and they know that.”We have got great depth at the moment, which every good team needs and every good team wants. You look at Doug Bollinger, he came into the side when a few guys were injured in India and he hasn’t looked back and the same for Ryan Harris, he’s stepped up to the plate and become a very good international cricketer.”Harris ended his first Test series with nine wickets at an average of 23, while Bollinger has firmly established himself alongside Mitchell Johnson as a frontline fast bowler. It leaves questions over Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus, who began the summer as the first-choice new-ball bowlers before succumbing to injury.Hilfenhaus was the Man of the Match in his only Test of the summer before being sidelined by a knee problem, while Siddle struggled for most of the season and then suffered a back stress fracture that should keep him out of the series against Pakistan. If both men are fit by Ashes time, the make-up of Australia’s attack will be a difficult selection issue.”It’s a tough question. I’m not sure what the right answer is,” Ponting said. “A lot of it might be based on conditions when we get to Brisbane as well, knowing what the ball will do up there. Looking at someone like Doug, he’ll swing the new ball. Hilfenhaus got five I think up there and Man of the Match against the West Indies in the first game of the summer last year. Being a quality swing bowler like he is, if he’s fit then he’ll come into calculations.”It’s a good problem to have. Knowing someone like Pete Siddle as well, who can run in and bowl at good pace and unsettle batters and be a good guy to have around the group. To have those guys all fully fit will make the job tough for the selectors. I’m not sure who has got their noses in front at the moment.”What is certain is that Australia’s summer couldn’t have been much better, the only Test blemish being when West Indies drew in Adelaide. By the time was belted out at 5.20pm on March 31 at Seddon Park, it signalled the end of an excellent season, with the players dispersing either home or to the IPL before their next challenges, which will culminate with the Ashes opener in November.”There were probably some question-marks over our Test cricket before the summer started, being a little bit inconsistent through the Ashes series,” Ponting said. “I’m really proud of what the group has been able to do, especially when you consider all the cricket that we’ve had to play. Generally when you get a bit tired teams can fade away but I think if anything we’ve got better and stronger as a group as the year has gone on. I’m really happy with what we’ve achieved.”

Aston Villa could make a “huge statement” by making a move for PSG star Georginio Wijnaldum amid recent reports linking them with the midfielder.

What’s the story?

According to 90min, Steven Gerrard’s side are among a number of Premier League clubs to whom the Netherlands international has been offered, and it’s been suggested that Villa have not yet dismissed the idea.

And now, in response to those suggestions, The Express and Star’s Luke Hatfield has thrown his backing behind a potential Villa move for the Dutchman.

He said: “That would be a huge statement signing, for sure. Obviously, it hasn’t really worked for him at PSG since leaving Liverpool but he’s someone who has got boundless quality and energy in midfield.”

Gerrard’s pull

One of the big things and advantages that Gerrard’s arrival as manager brought to the table, was his so-called pull. As a Liverpool icon and recognisable figure around the world, the new Villa boss would surely have that extra bit of persuasion when it came to convincing potential transfer targets compared to his predecessor Dean Smith.

And in Wijnaldum, someone who’s lifted the Premier League and Champions League with Liverpool before making the switch to European giants PSG, Gerrard could really show off his credentials by luring him to Villa Park.

The Dutchman played 217 times in the Premier League, scoring 27 goals and providing 16 assists, and came up with some big contributions in the big games – you only have to look at his two goals against Barcelona in Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final comeback in 2019 to see that.

Former Liverpool ace Ryan Babel has previously raved about the £27m-rated Wijnaldum, saying: “I have no words for Gini’s performances and quality. He’s an incredible person. His energy is incredible, he has lungs for days. You can tell when he has the confidence, he’s really unbeatable and very hard to play against.”

At 31, Wijnaldum is hardly going to be the future of Villa, but if the club are looking for someone to potentially hit the ground running and really give them a shot in the arm for the second-half of the season, then he certainly fits that bill to a tee with both his quality and Premier League experience.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa have made this man their top target for January…

Shane Warne, the Rajasthan Royals captain, has said the inexperience of some players has been a crucial factor in his side’s early exit from the tournament

Cricinfo staff17-Apr-2010Shane Warne, the Rajasthan Royals captain, has said the inexperience of some players has been a crucial factor in his side’s early exit from the tournament. Rajasthan were beaten by eight wickets in a must-win game against Kolkata Knight Riders, depriving them of a semi-final slot for the second successive time, after having won the inaugural edition.”Inexperience has cost us in certain big moments,” Warne said after the game. “When you don’t have experience in tough situations you may have some tendency to panic. It is really disappointing not to qualify for the semi-finals.”Rajasthan began the tournament on a poor note, losing their first three games but fought back to win four in a row. But they ended disappointingly, with three consecutive defeats after proving strong contenders for a place in the final four. “To win six games out of eight after losing three in a row shows a lot of character,” Warne said. “Unfortunately there was pressure in the last three games and it all boiled down to this one. I think our inexperienced showed.”Rajasthan were restricted to a below-par 132 on a slowish track in Kolkata after Shane Watson had delivered an attacking start, and failed to defend it as a result of a half-century from Sourav Ganguly. “We did not get enough runs after a good start,” Warne said. “We tried everything, different field to get a wicket but it did not happen. As captain and coach I take full responsibility. I take full responsibility for three losses in a row.”When asked if he would return for the fourth edition of the IPL next year, Warne said: “I am not sure, to be honest. I think I am still good at captaincy and also bowling pretty well.”It’s a completely different set up next year. It depends whether there will be retention by the franchisees or everyone going up for auction. For me it’s all about enjoyment. I think I am fit enough.”Ganguly starred for Kolkata in the field and with the bat, taking a stunning catch to dismiss Yusuf Pathan and following it up with an unbeaten 75 to steer his team home. The win keeps Kolkata’s semi-final hopes alive, though they need to beat Mumbai Indians and wish for other results to go their way to qualify. “We have played some outstanding cricket, have been poor at times like the game against Punjab and Bangalore recently. We lost the way. We have let important moments slip out also,” Ganguly said.Kolkata had lost Brendon McCullum and Chris Gayle early in their chase, but an unbeaten 111-run stand between Ganguly and Cheteshwar Pujara saw them through. Kolkata needed to win big, but pair opted for a game of caution before opening up following the time-out to ensure victory with 23 balls to spare. “It was a difficult wicket, it was turning and stopping also. We lost two wickets, we needed to build a partnership,” Ganguly said. “First think about winning the game before thinking about the run-rate. If we don’t win the game then run-rate does not matter.”