First-class players will now get INR 30,000 while former Test players will receive INR 60,000

Edited PTI copy14-Jun-2022The BCCI has announced a hike in the monthly pensions of former cricketers – both men and women – and also former umpires, effective June 1, 2022.Among men, former first-class players, who earlier got INR 15,000 per month, will get INR 30,000, while former Test players, who got INR 37,500, will now receive INR 60,000. Those with INR 50,000 pension will get INR 70,000. Women international players, who got INR 30,000, will receive INR 52,500 from now, while first-class cricketers who retired before 2003 and were getting INR 22,500 will now get INR 45,000.Related

BCCI disburses longstanding Covid compensation for domestic players

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said in a statement, “It is extremely important that the financial well-being of our former cricketers is taken care of. The players remain the lifeline and as a board, it is our duty to be by their side once their playing days are over. The umpires have been unsung heroes and the BCCI truly values their contribution.”The Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA) welcomed the development, and expressed its “immense gratitude” to the BCCI.”The announcement by the BCCI yesterday has been very well received by our members, many of whom have benefitted with this move in these days of rising prices and falling interest income, all of which has become a world-wide phenomenon,” an ICA statement said. “That this 75 to 100 percent rise in pension comes on the back of the increase in medical reimbursement from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for those who have played 10 and more First-Class matches makes it even more welcome.”

تحدث روبن أوريم، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي مانشستر يونايتد عقب فوزه على نظيره أتلتيك بلباو، في منافسات الدوري الأوروبي.

واكتسح مانشستر يونايتد بلباو بثلاثية نظيفة في معقل النادي الإسباني، في اللقاء الذي جمعهما ضمن منافسات ذهاب دور نصف نهائي الدوري الأوروبي.

ومن المقرر أن تقام مباراة الإياب بين فريقي مانشستر يونايتد وأتلتيك بلباو على ملعب “أولد ترافورد” يوم الخميس القادم 8 مايو الجاري.

اقرأ أيضًا.. فيديو | مانشستر يونايتد يفوز على أتلتيك بلباو بثلاثية ويضع قدماً في نهائي الدوري الأوروبي

وأدلى أموريم بتصريحات صحفية بعد المباراة وقال:”النتيجة جيدة حقًا، لكن علينا أن نفهم لماذا فزنا بتلك النتيجة، لقد كافحنا كثيرًا في البداية، والطرد غيّر المباراة”.

وأكمل: “أي مباراة يمكن أن تتغير سريعًا، لقد أتيحت لنا الفرصة لتسجيل هدف آخر، هذا لم يحدث”.

وعن قدرة بلباو في عمل ريمونتادا على أولد ترافورد أجاب أموريم: “يمكنهم أن يفعلوا الشيء نفسه في أولد ترافورد، إنهم أقوياء وشرسين حقًا، علينا أن نكون مستعدين، بالطبع لدينا أفضلية ولدينا جماهيرنا، ولكن مرة أخرى النتيجة يمكن أن تتغير”.

وعن تألق هاري ماجواير في صناعة الهدف الأول قال مازحًا: “إنه جناح جيد.. في بعض الأحيان تكون هناك لحظات صعبة في حياتنا ويمر هاري بلحظات صعبة، كل ما يفعله مفيد للفريق، لذلك علينا الاستمتاع به”.

وأتم أموريم تصريحاته قائلًا: “لاعبون مثل برونو فيرنانديز وكاسيميرو وماجواير ساعدونا كثيرًا، وأكرر كل شئ ممكن أن يتغير في مباراة واحدة”.

George Scrimshaw bowled a superb final over to give Derbyshire Falcons a five run victory over Lancashire Lightning in the Vitality Blast game at Derby.The fast bowler had gone for 48 from his first three overs but conceded only five off his last as the North Group leaders came up short on 183 for 5, chasing 189.Tim David smashed an unbeaten 42 off 23 balls but could only watch from the other end as Scrimshaw kept the Falcons quarter-final hopes alive.Shan Masood with 75 from 50 balls and Wayne Madsen, 70 off 30, drove the Falcons to 188 for 8 but Steven Croft’s 47 from 29 balls put the Lightning on course until Scrimshaw had the final word.After the Lightning elected to bowl, the Falcons were restricted to 44 from the powerplay for the loss of Luis Reece who sent a return catch to Tom Hartley off the fifth ball of the innings.The ball crossed the ropes only four times during the first six overs, four of those overthrows, and Hayden Kerr’s attempt to break the shackles two overs later ended in the hands of cover.That brought together Madsen and Masood who accelerated with a mixture of orthodoxy and improvisation.Masood lofted Luke Wells down the ground before Madsen scooped Tom Hartley over the wicketkeeper for four and then drove the left-armer to the cover boundary.Masood hammered Danny Lamb back over his head for four on his way to his fifth 50 of the competition, a record for Derbyshire, and Madsen powered to his half-century off only 23 balls.He pulled Wells over midwicket for the first six of the innings as 19 came from the 14th over and Masood tore into Lamb in the 16th, driving and pulling the seamer for two sixes before lifting a full toss to mid off.But Madsen was striking the ball with power and precision, taking 18 off four balls from Richard Gleeson before he was lbw to the next.The pair had plundered 64 from four overs but the Lightning recovered well with Luke Wood and Gleeson conceding only 20 from the last three overs.Even so, it left the Lightning with a tough chase and they lost Phil Salt in the third over when he was superbly caught by Leus du Plooy diving at deep square leg.Wells pulled Mark Watt for two sixes in the next over and Croft dispatched Scrimshaw for another six with 19 coming off the fifth.The powerplay ended with the Lightning 64 for 1 and Scrimshaw came in for more punishment in his second over with Croft pulling him for six before Wells called for a new bat and promptly struck two fours.Croft was dropped on 33 at short fine leg off Alex Hughes but du Plooy took another good catch to remove Wells who pulled the off-spinner to deep midwicket.The Lightning needed 91 off 10 overs but the Falcons were stemming the run flow and Dane Vilas was caught behind cutting Matt McKiernan in the 12th over.Croft launched Hughes over long on for six but was brilliantly caught at backward point off Watt in the 14th over.David responded by pulling and driving McKiernan for two sixes and another six off Scrimshaw left the Lightning needing 33 off 24 balls.Kerr and Watt conceded only 10 off the next two overs and although Rob Jones pulled Kerr for four, the Lightning needed 11 off six balls.Scrimshaw delivered when it mattered, trapping Jones lbw with his fifth ball before Lamb missed a wild swing at the last to end another T20 thriller.

INEOS have sent scouts to watch a “complete” striker ahead of a possible Manchester United transfer, according to a recent report.

Man Utd transfer news

If Ruben Amorim had his way, this January transfer window would be very busy for the Red Devils, but due to financial fair play rules, the Premier League side have to be very careful with what business they conduct, and it mainly relies on players leaving Old Trafford first.

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1 ByBrett Worthington Jan 2, 2025

Paris Saint-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes is someone that United are very much keen on signing this month. Mendes worked with Amorim at Sporting, and given he has refused to sign a new contract in Paris, it means he is open to a move and is said to be keen on reuniting with the Portuguese manager at Old Trafford.

But again, his arrival will depend on which players, if any, leave United in the coming weeks. It has now been claimed by Sky Sports that Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof, Casemiro, and Antony could all leave Man United this month, as the club are open to offers. Eriksen and Lindelof are out of contract at the end of the season, and Casemiro and Antony are players who have fallen out of favour. The Red Devils are looking to move them on as they don’t have a future at the club and are open to permanent as well as loan offers.

Man Utd send scouts to watch "complete" striker

As United wait to see what players may leave this month, it hasn’t stopped them from putting their own transfer plans in place. According to the Daily Mail confidential, relayed by United in Focus, Manchester United sent scouts to watch Porto striker Samu Omorodion in action on Saturday ahead of a possible transfer.

Samu, who has been described as “complete” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, joined Porto during the summer transfer window from Atlético Madrid after being linked with a move to Chelsea. The forward is only 20, and he has been in sensational form in Portugal after his protracted move to Stamford Bridge fell through at the final moment.

The Daily Mail reports that United had scouts in place for Porto’s game against Boavista on Saturday, and it is believed they were there to watch him in action. The scouts would have left the game impressed, as the forward netted twice and Porto won 4-0 to continue their charge to catch Sporting.

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A move this month hasn’t been ruled out, but it could be one that materialises in the summer, when Amorim will hope more funds are available. The United boss will be aware of Samu’s attributes, as he will have seen him closely in Portugal before he moved to Manchester. He is under contract until 2029 at Porto, and in this current form, the Portuguese side are going to play hardball when it comes to keeping their star striker.

Manchester United are “really interested” in signing a “fantastic” defender and enquiries have already been made, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Lots of work for Ruben Amorim to do

The 2-1 victory over Manchester City could have been a real turning point for United, but they have continued their dismal form since their victory at the Etihad Stadium, having lost their last three Premier League matches. Before taking the job, Ruben Amorim would’ve been well aware of the size of the task at hand, but what he’s seen from his players so far will nonetheless be of great concern.

Amorim is tasked with rebuilding the club, and with the transfer window beginning tomorrow he will get his first opportunity to make his own mark on the squad he inherited. The Portuguese tactician is tasked with bringing in players comfortable operating in his preferred three-at-the-back system, which he is unwilling to compromise on.

In such a formation, it is vital to have wing-backs capable of contributing not only defensively but also going forward, and Amorim may have now identified a left-wing back who fits the bill. Romano has dropped an update about the Red Devils’ potential transfer business in January and beyond on his YouTube channel, revealing that Milos Kerkez is set to be targeted.

The transfer expert said: “One of the players they appreciate, I told you several times, for the left-wing back position, is Milos Kerkez. I keep saying that both Man United and Liverpool have been monitoring the player, but at the moment my information is that Liverpool always prefer to go for a different profile, different kind of player.

“At the moment, Man United have been more constant in terms of enquiring, trying to understand the situation of the player, so I see Man United as a club really interested in Milos Kerkez.”

Romano also went on to say that Kerkez has recently switched agents, which is normally a clear sign that a player is looking to move to a new club in the near future.

Related Man Utd now have "serious interest" in injury-prone Barcelona squad player

He’s barely played all season…

Posts ByBarney Lane Dec 30, 2024 Kerkez impressing for Bournemouth

The Hungarian has looked impressive in an AFC Bournemouth shirt from the very start, drawing praise from the media for his performance on his debut in August last year.

Last season, the 21-year-old averaged 9.85 defensive actions per 90, the highest amount of any U23 left-back in the Premier League, displaying that he is very competent defensively.

Not only that, but he has been described as “really comfy going forward” by former Middlesbrough man Robbie Mustoe, indicating that he could be the perfect option for Amorim at left-wing back.

With Luke Shaw’s injury struggles, it is obvious that Amorim needs to bring in a new left-back either in January or the summer, and Kerkez could be an excellent addition to the squad.

Mohamed Salah recently said that his prime goal for the 2024/25 campaign is to lift the Premier League trophy for a second time with Liverpool, and that success in the top flight comes before the Champions League.

This speaks of the drive behind Liverpool’s talisman, who is surely angered by several years of whisker-thin misses against the Manchester City juggernaut.

To be sure, the Egypt sensation would take the prized continental title gladly, but given that Arne Slot’s Reds are six points clear of second-placed Arsenal and with a game in hand, there are no excuses. Liverpool have to get the job done.

Salah isn’t the first elite-class forward to dazzle Anfield’s crowd during the 21st century, with the likes of Robbie Fowler (toward the end of his distinguished Reds career) and Fernando Torres providing incredible success to the number nine spot.

However, Luis Suarez would have to be the pick of the bunch, albeit he’s been trumped by the almighty Salah now, as most Liverpool fans would surely agree.

When Liverpool sold Luis Suarez

The 2013/14 season was a thing of beauty for Liverpool. For the most part. It was like a staggering cinematic experience that failed to stick the landing, the denouement leaving a bitter taste as it fell awkwardly flat.

Preceding the days of Jurgen Klopp, the days of trophy-lifting, seat-raising, awe-inspiring successes, Liverpool tried to claim a maiden Premier League title. They failed, but Suarez produced a season-long performance for the ages, posting 31 goals and 13 assists across just 33 appearances.

Hailed as a “legend” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Uruguay icon gave his all and established himself as one of the best players across the continent, but he didn’t want to give it another shot after Man City stole ahead and won the league. His energy was expended.

Barcelona sauntered in and paid £75m for Liverpool’s world-class number nine and he went on to cement himself as one of the best forwards of his generation, winning four La Liga titles and the Champions League with La Blaugrana before moving to Atletico Madrid and claiming the Spanish top-flight trophy once more.

1.

Philippe Coutinho

£142m

2.

Luis Suarez

£75m

3.

Fernando Torres

£50m

4.

Raheem Sterling

£49m

5.

Fabinho

£40m

Barcelona have been partial to Liverpool’s attacking talent, since taking Phil Coutinho into their brood for a record fee, albeit to a wholly different effect. Now, they seek a member of Slot’s frontline, and no, it’s not Salah.

Barcelona eyeing Liverpool forward

As per Spanish outlet Sport, Barcelona have retained their long-lasting interest in Luis Diaz and could seek to engineer a transfer this year.

Diaz reportedly earns £55k-per-week at Anfield and has been a topic of discussion for renewal in recent months after Barca’s interest in the summer. However, this has been overshadowed by the outfit’s rumbling contractual concerns.

The Colombia international’s father has previously revealed that it is his son’s dream to play at Camp Nou, so Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes will need to pull all the stops to stave off any mounting interest and keep him on Merseyside over the coming years.

Losing Luis Diaz would be a disaster

Described as a “livewire” by journalist Peter Hall, Diaz ebbed and flowed within Klopp’s system last year but has been in inspired showing this year, already tallying together 12 goals and three assists from 24 matches, 17 starts.

Barcelona cannot be allowed to sign a man who has hit his stride this term, with his role in Slot’s attacking line so important that it might even be a bigger loss than that of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who – like Salah – is out of contract this summer and is being courted by Real Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold is one of the best playmakers in the world, with pundit Jamie Carragher claiming that “it’s like having Kevin De Bruyne playing at right-back” – such is his quality.

But Diaz’s shock departure this year might strike a blow that Liverpool would be unable to recover from, especially with the forward market looking decidedly thin at the top end right now. It just wouldn’t make sense.

Diaz’s quality within Slot’s system has perhaps been understated this term. With Diogo Jota spending time in the infirmary and Darwin Nunez still unable to find his shooting boots, the Colombian’s dynamism and renewed clinical edge in front of goal have been invaluable to the success across multiple cylinders.

As per FBref, he actually ranks among the top 4% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League this season for goals scored, the top 5% for pass completion and the top 9% for shot-creating actions per 90, emphasising his balanced – and deadly – threat.

Slot’s decision to shape him into a makeshift striker bears testament to the coach’s tactical expertise and Diaz’s remarkable ability to adapt and inflict damage through his many-faceted skill set.

Harking back to Trent, Liverpool would lose a significant chunk of their auxiliary creative firepower, but with Diaz out of the picture, big problems would arise, the frontline would be knocked out of kilter and Salah would be forced to carry a burden too heavy even for his deific shoulders.

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It’s a bold thing to suggest, but losing Diaz might actually be a bigger blow than losing Alexander-Arnold, whose influence is unmatched among Premier League full-backs but, in Conor Bradley, Liverpool have an able deputy already.

The protean and dynamic qualities that the 27-year-old puts on the table speak volumes; would Liverpool actually be able to sign a fitting replacement? An upgrade?

Barcelona aren’t exactly swimming in cash, but FSG will be wary of the growing interest in Diaz’s signature as he continues to go from strength to strength under new management.

One thing’s for certain: he can’t be allowed to leave and probably needs to tie down to a new deal as a matter of priority. After Alexander-Arnold and Salah’s deals are dealt with, naturally.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Barcelona seem to have a deep love for Liverpool’s attacking talents, but Diaz must be convinced that Merseyside is the place for him, and that he need not walk the same path as his South American peer, Suarez, and head to La Liga.

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Newcastle United are “keen” on completing the signing of “one of the brightest forward talents” in his country, according to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.

Latest Newcastle news

It has been another good week for Eddie Howe’s side, whose superb run of form continued with a precious 2-0 win away to Arsenal on Tuesday night. It means the Magpies have one foot in the final of the EFL Cup, as they look to end their long and painful trophy drought.

Up next for Newcastle is FA Cup third round duty, with Howe’s men hosting Bromley on Sunday afternoon. Their opponents are currently playing in League Two, so it goes without saying that elimination for the Premier League side would be one of the biggest shocks in the competition in many years.

With the January transfer window now in full swing, it’s no surprise to see the Magpies being linked with plenty of players, including Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. With Martin Dubravka leaving St James’ Park this month, a backup option to Nick Pope is needed, as well as a potential long-term successor to the England international.

Former Reds stopper Kamil Grabara has also been mentioned as an option in goal for Newcastle, with the 26-year-old Pole currently playing for VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.

Newcastle "keen" on signing talented youngster

According to Plettenberg on X, Newcastle are among the Premier League clubs “keen” on signing PAOK forward Stefanos Tzimas, who is considered a huge attacking prospect currently starring on loan in the 2. Bundesliga for FC Nurnberg.

Not much may be known about the 19-year-old ace, but the fact that Plettenberg speaks about him in such a positive light already suggests that the Magpies would be signing a player with an immense amount of potential.

Tzimas has scored eight goals in just 15 appearances on loan at Nurnberg this season, outlining his quality, and he has been capped for Greece across four different youth age groups, scoring a combined 16 goals in 32 caps.

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The POAK teenager is the type of player that Newcastle should always be looking to snap up, in terms of young footballers with high ceilings, and the hope is that they acquire his signature, allowing him to come in and learn alongside the world-class Alexander Isak.

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There is clearly strong interest in Tzimas, which is only natural, but the Magpies could be seen as the most exciting option currently, given their imperious form under Howe.

Clubs are able to sign a “clinical” member of the Chelsea squad through his release clause, which will be active in January, as interested sides are handed an opportunity to bypass Stamford Bridge negotiations and head straight to the player to discuss terms.

Enzo Maresca admits Chelsea players could ask to leave in January

In a recent press conference, manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that Chelsea exits are a possibility as we fast approach the winter transfer window.

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The Italian admitted that, if players wish to depart for new pastures in January, he will not stand in their way – with a few big-name players tipped to find another club mid-season.

Ben Chilwell, who’s played just 45 minutes in all competitions this season, has been heavily linked with an exit for months. The £200,000-per-week defender is reportedly attracting interest from clubs in the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A (Simon Phillips), with out-of-favour compatriot Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall fielding interest from as many as 10 sides ahead of January (CaughtOffiside).

Chelsea’s next Premier League fixtures	Date
Ipswich Town (away)	December 30
Crystal Palace (away)	January 4
Bournemouth (home)	January 14
Wolverhampton Wanderers (home)	January 20
Man City (away)	January 25

Christopher Nkunku is one of the club’s top scorers, but even the Frenchman could reportedly decide to leave in January, as he struggles to become a Premier League mainstay under Maresca with the bulk of his involvement coming in cup competitions.

“In this moment we are not thinking this player has to leave or that player. We are just thinking how to win games,” said Maresca on Chelsea departures in January.

“Then, if they knock on the door and they want to leave, I’m not going to say: ‘No, no you have to stay here, 100 per cent’. If they want to leave, the best thing for everyone is that the players who aren’t happy are going to leave.”

That being said, Chelsea’s manager does appear keen for Nkunku to remain in west London.

There is also the matter of midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka and his long-term future, with the 21-year-old also struggling for consistent game time.

Clubs can sign Carney Chukwuemeka from Chelsea for £40 million

The former Aston Villa gem has played in just five games across all competitions this term, totalling around 130 minutes of action – without making a single Premier League appearance – and this has led to reports that he could be headed out the door after January 1.

The Athletic have an update on this, and they write that clubs can sign Chukwuemeka from Chelsea at £40 million, through an active release clause in his contract.

Due to his lack of playing time lately, it would be an arguable surprise for the club to receive a bid that high, but interested sides know the yardstick of valuation that Chelsea will at least be shooting for.

The midfielder has been praised for his quality in the past by key figures, like Chelsea legend Marcel Desailly, who called Chukwuemeka a “clinical” player.

Manchester United are now in advanced talks over a deal for a “real superstar”, who could join as part of a swap deal involving Joshua Zirkzee, according to a report.

Man Utd keen on a new striker

The Red Devils are keen on bringing in a new striker this month, with Zirkzee struggling to adapt to life in the Premier League, and they have a number of targets in mind.

United are said to be in direct talks over a deal for Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani, who is set to leave the French club this month, although there will be competition for his signature from a number of other top clubs.

The Red Devils are also set to be offered Lille forward Jonathan David, with the Canada international now set to enter the market as a free agent in the summer.

Agent travels to hold talks as Man Utd plot move for "excellent" £50m star

He knows Amorim well…

ByTom Cunningham Jan 12, 2025

Earlier this month, it was reported that Ruben Amorim’s side had been offered Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, who is valued at £54m, as part of a swap deal for Zirkzee, given the forward’s poor performances since signing from Bologna in the summer.

Amorim has no shortage of top strikers to choose from to bolster his attack, and there has now been a promising update on Man United’s pursuit of Vlahovic.

According to reports from Spain, Man Utd and Juventus are now in advanced talks over the swap deal involving Vlahovic and Zirkzee, in what could be one of the most high-profile transfers of the January transfer window.

Both sides are showing a willingness to complete the deal, with the Serbian viewed as an immediate upgrade for the Red Devils in attack, and there is a feeling that a move could be finalised in the coming weeks.

Vlahovic could be a solid signing for Man Utd

The 24-year-old has been impressive in front of goal in the Serie A for a number of years now, and he has scored 53 goals in 124 appearances for Juventus, while also providing 11 assists.

A goal contribution every other game is a decent record for a forward, and he was lauded as a “real superstar” by members of the media during his time with Fiorentina.

That said, there are some doubts over whether the striker should be United’s main target, given that Victor Osimhen has performed better in front of goal in Serie A over the years. The Nigerian has 65 goals to his name in 108 Serie A outings, while the Juventus star has 84 goals in 189 games, indicating that the former is far more clinical.

Osimhen has also continued his fine goalscoring form this season, albeit in Turkey, and he is determined to complete a move to Old Trafford. As such, while Juventus’ transfer proposal presents the Red Devils with a good opportunity to get Zirkzee off the books, Man United should not pursue a move if it puts a potential move for Osimhen in doubt.

Seven-wicket win seals record ninth Finals Day berth as 161 target is hunted down

Paul Edwards08-Jul-2022

Steven Croft is congratulated by Lanky the Giraffe after securing Lancashire’s Finals Day berth•Getty Images

Lancashire 162 for 3 (Croft 76*, Vilas 51) beat Essex 161 for 5 (Pepper 36) by seven wicketsI suppose it had to happen sometime. Perhaps it was written in the stars above Todmorden that it would be this year of all years. In little more than six days’ time Lancashire will play Yorkshire in the semi-final of the Vitality Blast at Edgbaston. They will do so partly thanks to the efforts of two cricketers who are divided by a county border yet share more than they might acknowledge.On Wednesday Jordan Thompson bellowed defiance and took Yorkshire to a victory over Surrey that made feeding the five thousand look no more miraculous than a trip to Sainsbury’s. Just two evenings later, Steven Croft strode to the wicket at Emirates Old Trafford when his side were 6 for 1 and left the great ground an hour or so later after his 48-ball 76 not out had helped Lancashire thrash Essex by seven wickets, the victory being achieved with 26 balls to spare.Croft is in some of the form of his life, a point Lancashire should note given that the 37-year-old is in the final year of his current contract. With Lancashire needing 162 to reach Finals Day – it looked six to five and pick ’em at half-time – Croft drove Dan Sams for a thunderous six and then top-edged him for an altogether jammier one. It set the tone for the rest of an innings in which the Essex bowlers got no rest. Indeed, they looked back fondly to the sixth ball of Lancashire’s reply when Sam Cook got a cuticle to a fierce drive from Salt and ran out Keaton Jennings for nought. That was as good as it got for Simon Harmer’s team, a fact the visiting skipper acknowledged later.Salt and Croft put on 73 runs in less than eight overs. Sams conceded 19 runs in his first over, Cook 14 in his second. Lancashire had 61 runs on the board when the Powerplay ended and not even the Essex spinners, Harmer and Matt Critchley could staunch the flow. True, Salt fell for 27 to a superb relay catch when a leaping Michael Pepper threw the ball back infield to Ben Allison but that only brought Dane Vilas to the wicket and he seemed in an even more violent mood than Croft, with whom he added 78.Lancashire’s skipper struggled for runs in the Blast last year but his return to form in 2022 has been clear. This evening it was plain in his 22-ball fifty and epitomised by the slog-swept six that went through the temporary wall separating the outfield from Lancashire’s latest building site. Vilas fell to Harmer for 51 when his side needed five to win but it was a footnote at best. Whereas Yorkshire needed to dig very deep to get past a Surrey side who were thinking about Edgbaston hotels, Lancashire motored home, Havana cigar in hand.But let us pause a moment and consider the poor bloody bowlers. Firstly, we should note that Richard Gleeson, Liam Livingstone and Matt Parkinson are all on white-ball duty for England and were unavailable for this game, although Salt was made available for the quarter-final this morning. Given the absence of this trio, the efforts of the seamers, Tom Bailey, Luke Wood and Danny Lamb, each of whom conceded 28 runs in their four overs, were particularly valuable. Lamb also had Critchley caught by Luke Wells at cover for 12 and Wood removed Adam Rossington and Dan Lawrence, both courtesy of catches by Tim David. The second of them, a two-handed job above his head at mid-on to a bullet of a drive, delighted the crowd and astonished the batter.Essex ended the Powerplay with 53 runs on the board and continued to score at eight runs an over throughout the innings. Yet their total seemed respectable on a used pitch that we thought might suit Harmer and Critchley. It did not turn out that way partly because Croft is enjoying his best-ever season in T20 cricket and now needs just 46 runs to beat Lancashire’s short-form record, which is held by Tom Smith, the Yorkshire coach. The veteran’s batting will surely have delighted Cartmel Cricket Club’s Barmy Army, who draped their banner over the balcony outside one of the rooms at the Hilton Garden Hotel. The catering at Emirates Old Trafford might not match that at L’Enclume, the restaurant in their Cumbrian village that boasts three Michelin stars, but they will have had a great night, too.And if a word of caution is needed, Lancashire might note that while they have reached their ninth Finals Day, a record matched only by their fellow semi-finalists Hampshire, they now need to improve their poor record on the big day in Birmingham, where they have prevailed in just three semi-finals and won the trophy only once. Steven Croft of Lancashire will note such things but he will probably observe that trends are meant to be bucked just as age is only a number. It is difficult not to be delighted for him, although Jordan Thompson of Yorkshire might manage it.