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Bukayo Saka might not be enjoying his most prolific campaign in an Arsenal shirt, but the right-sided forward remains one of Mikel Arteta’s most influential and important lieutenants.

Should the first-place Gunners get their hands on the Premier League title this season, the Three Lions star will have had a defining say, driving Arsenal up and into the ascendancy over the past five years or so.

But Saka’s return this season – four goals and an assist in the league – does leave something to be desired, especially when the Londoners lack another truly clinical wide forward, someone who can score and assist week in and week out.

Bukayo Saka – Premier League Career by Season

Position

Apps

Goals + Assists

25/26

15

4 + 3

24/25

25

6 + 11

23/24

35

16 + 12

22/23

38

14 + 12

21/22

38

11 + 7

20/21

32

5 + 4

19/20

26

1 + 5

18/19

1

0 + 0

Stats via Transfermarkt

Arteta’s post-Christmas comments have underlined the club’s ambitions ahead of the January transfer window, with Arsenal certainly not against spending on the right recruit.

Arsenal's January transfer plans

Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal are ready to spend in the January transfer window. Their stance has shifted after a summer of sweeping changes, perhaps because their rivals are gearing up for some winter shopping.

Defensive injuries could see the Emirates side pounce on fresh cover, but there is also an appetite for fresh attacking quality, especially as title rivals Manchester City close in on Antoine Semenyo.

While Arsenal have shown an interest in the in-form Bournemouth star, who has scored nine goals and supplied three assists in the Premier League this season, they have not acted on their curiosity.

Perhaps technical director Andrea Berta wants to head down a shrewder route, with Sky Sports confirming that Arsenal have been scouting Jean-Mattéo Bahoya ahead of the New Year.

The Eintracht Frankfurt forward is only 20 years old, but he’s been identified as a potential superstar, with the completeness of skillset to become a major player in the Premier League.

The Bundesliga club are ready to play hardball, pricing the prospect at £71m.

Why Arsenal should sign Bahoya

Semenyo is riding the crest of a wave at the moment, but there’s every reason to believe that Bahoya has the potential to far outstrip the 26-year-old Ghana international.

The Frenchman’s natural physicality and technical quality have actually led analyst Spencer Mossman to describe him as playing “like a younger Saka”, and that bodes well for his potential in the Premier League.

Startingly fast and with a tenacious work-rate that most young forwards simply don’t boast, you can see why Bahoya is considered in the same breath as Arsenal’s talisman, actually ranking among the top 13% of positional peers in the Bundesliga for successful take-ons and the top 4% for tackles and interceptions per 90, as per FBref.

The prolific output hasn’t come yet, but he is electric, dynamic and invariably dangerous. Working under Arteta’s wing will give rise to such sharpness.

Arsenal are all about the long game, and there is a far greater chance of maximising value by signing someone of Bahoya’s ilk, rather than pushing for a star in Semenyo who has entered their prime without yet trying their hand at the highest level for a top team.

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Given that Semenyo is a boyhood Arsenal fan, and sources such as The Athletic’s David Ornstein have recently confirmed Arsenal’s admiration, it’s clear that the London club are holding fire for a reason unbeknownst to the masses.

Could it be that they are getting ready to intensify their interest in Bahoya? The France U21 international is going from strength to strength in Germany, and signing him would align with the focus on landing up-and-coming talents.

Given his Saka- and Semenyo-esque qualities, it might just be the shrewd signing to ensure a continuation of this thrilling journey under Arteta’s management.

Related Berta already plotting to sign Arsenal's next Zubimendi for Arteta

Arsenal are ready to react to opportunities in the January transfer window.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair

ScorecardDurham have secured their first win in the Royal London One-Day Cup in the 2018 campaign, defeating the Worcestershire Rapids by nine runs via the Duckworth/Lewis method.Michael Richardson scored a half-century to guide his team to a total of 209 after losing the toss, while Gareth Harte also impressed with 48. Charlie Morris claimed figures of 4 for 33 to give the visitors hope of earning their third win on the bounce in the competition.However, a clatter of early wickets put the home side in command as Chris Rushworth, Matt Dixon and Nathan Rimmington struck, handing Tom Latham’s men the narrow victoryDurham were inserted by the visitors and were immediately pegged back in the first over as Josh Tongue removed Graham Clark lbw for four. Richardson and Cameron Steel dug in to see off the opening burst and put on 50 for the second wicket before Steel was caught on the fence by Ross Whiteley off the bowling of Ed Barnard.Latham made a brisk 21 off just 19 deliveries, only to be dismissed by a straight delivery from Patrick Brown. Morris put the home side on the back foot with further inroads, removing Will Smith and Stuart Poynter in the space of three balls. Harte, making his List A debut, battled well with Richardson to guide Durham out of trouble.Richardson seem well placed on 64 to kick on towards three figures, but he was caught on the boundary by Whiteley off the spin of Brett D’Oliveira. Ryan Pringle then followed from his first ball to leave Durham 147 for 7.Fortunately for Durham, the tail wagged as Rimmington and Rushworth provided valuable runs down the order. Although the end was to come abruptly as Morris returned to the attack to wrap up the innings, claiming career-best figures of 4 for 33.Worcestershire’s reply began poorly as Daryl Mitchell edged a Rushworth delivery behind to Poynter in the first over. Travis Head and Tom Fell departed in quick succession as Durham continued their surge into the middle order. D’Oliveira scored three boundaries on the spin to stem the tide, but the Rapids then lost Joe Clarke for 17 when he was removed by Rimmington.Cox scored his first boundary by edging the ball over the top of the slips. However, he quickly found his stride, finding his rhythm at the crease, blasting Harte over extra over for a six.Due to the fall of early wickets, the Rapids had to bat with aggression to reach the Duckworth/Lewis target of 92 in the 15th over. Even their onslaught against Harte was not good enough, falling just short before the rain came and ended the contest.

Michael Clarke is well aware that five Tests ago he was not in Australia’s preferred starting side © Getty Images

Michael Clarke believes Australia would be “stupid” to focus all their attention on Muttiah Muralitharan in the Test series and ignore several other potential match-winners in the Sri Lanka squad. However, Clarke said Australia would be trying to stop Muralitharan breaking Shane Warne’s Test wicket record during the two matches.”Now Warney’s gone, Murali’s the No. 1 spinner in international cricket,” Clarke said in an interview with his team-mate Andrew Symonds in the . “I look forward to taking him on, but I think we’re all going to have to be on our game.”With all the hype around Murali and his record, we’d be stupid to let two threatening players like (Lasith) Malinga and Dilhara (Fernando) get under our guard. They’ve both got some toe and the conditions in Brisbane will help their quicks.”Australia have not played a Test since January, when they secured a 5-0 Ashes cleansweep and farewelled Warne, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer. Clarke played all five Ashes Tests and averaged 77.80 despite originally being left out of the squad for the first Test.Although Clarke is being touted as Australia’s next captain he is focusing squarely on a solid home summer in Tests, where he expects to bat at No. 5 with Michael Hussey to stay at No. 4. “It’s a really important series for me, only five Tests ago I wasn’t even in the starting line-up,” Clarke said.Langer’s retirement means Australia will have a new face in the dressing-rooms this season with Phil Jaques set to add to his two Test caps. Clarke has played plenty of cricket with Jaques for New South Wales and describes him as “intense” and “very focused”.”The greatest asset for Jaquesy is that no international team has seen him, so that will allow him to play his own game,” Clarke said. “He’s very unorthodox, but once he finds his rhythm he can make big hundreds.”

Chamu Chibhabha bowls in the nets at Bogra while a security guard pays close attention © AFP

Fast bowler Ed Rainsford has earned an immediate recall after being named in the starting line-up for Zimbabwe’s second ODI against Bangladesh in Bogra on Sunday.Rainsford, who was summoned from Zimbabwe along with legspinner Graeme Cremer on Wednesday, comes into the team together with fellow pace bowler Blessing Mahwire and allrounder Keith Dabengwa, who were both left out of the side which lost the first matchRainsford, who was omitted from the original squad after he cracked his thumb while taking a catch during a practice match, is the only current bowler with the ability to trouble world-class batsmen. Dropped from the first match are medium pace bowler Mluleki Nkala, legspinner Ryan Higgins and fast bowler Anthony Ireland.Cremer, a legspinner who can bowl long spells, has been called up for the additional first-class matches that have been added to the tour. He has made six Test appearances for Zimbabwe and last played international cricket in the second Test against New Zealand at Queens Sports Club in August last year.The dates for the first class matches have not yet been finalised but information made available indicates that the squad returns home on December 22.Zimbabwe trail their hosts 1-0 in the one-day series after going down by nine wickets in the first match at Khulna Divisional Stadium on Thursday.Zimbabwe Prosper Utseya (capt), Chamu Chibhabha, Gary Brent, Keith Dabengwa, Blessing Mahwire, Sean Williams, Brendan Taylor (wk), Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Ed Rainsford.

Bangladesh gained their second win in two days with a thrilling one-wicket victory over the in-form Pakistan side. Pakistan posted a testing 252, but Bangladesh did well after an opening stand of 130. Ali Khan top-scored with 75 off 95 balls, while Showardhi Shuvo was the pick of the attack with 4 for 52. Tamim Khan launched Bangladesh’s reply in style with 61 from 63 balls, to follow is 60 against Zimbabwe. Then Shuvo showed his all round pedigree by blasting 67 off 62 balls to carry his team to the narrowest of wins.Gaurav Dhiman struck his second century in two matches as India comfortably dispatched Zimbabwe by 94 runs. Dhiman stroked his way to 108 off 99 balls, with eight fours and two sixes, as India posted a challenging 249 for 8. Zimbabwe never threatened to get close to the target despite Tafadzwa Mufambisi’s 57. Mufambisi already has a first-class century despite being just 18 and this was another example of his promise. All the Indian bowlers chipped in but Saurav Bandekar was the pick with 4 for 33.Sri Lanka were the other winners in the latest day of action as they overcame a below-par South Africa team. The Sri Lanka attack skittled the South African batting for just 123 before knocking off the runs with 21 overs to spare.

But for the Apartheid-era isolation, Ray Jennings would probably be remembered as one of the world’s great wicketkeepers, on a par with Rodney Marsh, Bob Taylor, Syed Kirmani, Wasim Bari and Jeff Dujon. Forced to play his cricket in isolation, Jennings was an integral part of a great Transvaal side – Graeme Pollock, Clive Rice and Vintcent van der Bijl were among the other stalwarts – that would have wiped the floor with most international opposition back in the late 1970s and early ’80s. After a successful if controversial stint in charge of Easterns, Jennings was pitchforked into the national spotlight as South African cricket continued its freefall. On the final day of the Kanpur Test, he talked about the road to recovery and the unique challenges that confront South African cricket:

‘A lot of cricketers have forgotten about the values and principles of life …’© Getty Images

First off, why would you grant an interview during a match?
During the match, the process is on its way. After the day’s play, I need time to myself. I have to energise, and keep my own head up. So I like to leave at about 6.30pm and switch off, and I belong to myself from then till the next morning. Most of the chats I have with players are from when I wake up till 6.30. I have enough support structures to handle what goes on in the middle.You’ve been with this team now for two months. Do you think your approach is working?
There’s no doubt [that it is]. I’ve got to lead from the front as well, to show the players the energy, the passion, the care and the love for the game. I could reject a tough interview but I don’t do that. Players can reject signatures, but we need to recreate the culture that the side does belong to the public. We need that type of support. A lot of cricketers have forgotten about the values and principles of life.You have a penalties-and-rewards type of training system. Does that work at this level?
Well, you can judge for yourself, watching the energy and commitment from the players. India were 204 for no loss at one stage, and could have gone anywhere. The two or three [training] games we played yesterday were to energise the side and make sure we enjoyed the match within our own parameters. We set targets, and if the players don’t get those targets, they get penalised by running round the field. It’s not “You’re a bad guy, so run around the field.” It’s a joke among the players to say “Look, I don’t want to run, you run,” and it creates a different type of dynamics within the side. It’s not about “Oh, you’re a naughty guy, so you run around like a schoolboy.” When I look at cricket at the moment, I think the players sometimes are bored. They play so much, they go through their routines at the same pace all the time, and you don’t see the energy and intensity at times when it’s needed. Look at the final day [at Kanpur]. We could have arrived at the ground this morning and gone through the motions. But we didn’t.Both you and your captain are intense individuals. Are there clashes as a result of that?
There’s absolutely none. Graeme Smith talks my language. What we’ve done really well together is that I back off and he takes control of the chats, and when he’s working hard I take control. I’ve enjoyed our association. He’s a hard guy, he wants to do it right, he’s methodical, he’s young, he’s exciting – he’s all that I believe I’m looking for in a captain.You must have observed this team before taking charge. What does Smith lack as a captain?
One of the areas we’re working on is his softness. At 23 years old, you walk on water. You believe you can’t be broken, you’re always go-go-go. A leader needs the qualities to be hard and to be soft. Take for example in the middle of a Test match, when things are really heated. You need that softness to go to a player and say “Listen, I’m feeling for you.” In the middle of trying times, Graeme has to show that softness to people. Sometimes, that softness can make you powerful. It’s not about getting things all the time, it’s also about learning to give. We’re working on his interviews as well to make sure that he’s genuine and honest.

Talent is over-rated. If people can use their brains and their energy, the talent will come through.

You have six months on this contract. What are the short-term goals?
I think one of them is to make sure that the values and principles of life are implemented in the side, to make the guys realise that we are representing our country. We’re all well-paid, but we have to keep our feet on the ground and remain honest, genuine human beings.Is there pressure to implement those goals in such a short time?
Look, if I only influence two people, I’m going to be happy. I’d like to believe that when I finish my term in May, the players will miss my values and my energy levels in the side. Players have to realise that when they disappoint me, they disappoint their fellow players and such emotions start pulling the side down. This is about a group of people, it’s not about one individual. When a bowler bowls the ball without being committed, he’s letting the ten other guys, me, and all the fans, down.What would phase two be, if you got the chance?
That would be making sure that the people I’m working with are those who will remain with me for a period of time till World Cup 2007.You started this tour with the “love-and-care” mantra. What’s next?
The love-and-care approach would always remain in the side. You can see that the players are probably more friendly with the public than the Indian side. It saddens me when a 12-year-old kid comes up to you and asks for an autograph, and you’re too busy to do it. There’s a time to do it, and a time not to do it, I know, and the players must learn that. Love and care energises people.But what are your other philosophies?
Well, I’ve always said that talent is over-rated. You’ll pull a face when I say that, but when you get to this level, players are talented. It’s how you get that talent out of their bodies. It’s not talent that hits a ball, or bowls it, it’s energy you need. You also need understanding. If people can use their brains and their energy, the talent will come through.So you’re interested in the psychological aspect then?
Well, my brother is a sports psychologist. To me, cricket is about when to hit the ball, and what to do under pressure. Andrew Hall showed that, when he scored 163 despite having limited skills to open the batting. He showed the patience and the commitment, and that’s a skill that a lot of the younger players lack at the moment.

Graeme Smith has Jennings’s vote of confidence to lead the side© Getty Images

You said in an interview that changes in key positions could make the team suffer …
My point is that you can’t grow too many young guys too quickly. In a team of 14, maybe you should look at two. When you put in four, it becomes a problem balancing the side. You can’t come to India with too many young guys because it’s a special place to tour. I felt personally that I needed two or three experienced players around two or three junior players because the younger ones need to be leaning on the older ones out in the middle when the pressure hits. Unfortunately, I’m one of four selectors and they felt differently, and I have to accept such tough situations.What about the transformation policy? Gerald Majola was saying the other day that selectors should be adventurous.
I don’t think it’s got anything to do with transformation; it’s got to do with a vision of cricket. There was never a transformation issue in my thought pattern. It was more of “I don’t agree with you.”What’s your take on transformation, though?
Look, in South African cricket, that’s the policy and my take is that it’s something that society is dealing with, and I’m happy to be involved in it. We’ve got black players that are very talented and we’re going to be playing them. It’s the way you balance the side that worries me. It’s not a matter of transformation, it’s about balancing the side so that it gets the best opportunity to perform.What about taking on teams like India and England, and starting as the underdogs?
Well, when we came here, they said we’d be wiped out inside two or three days, and that hasn’t happened. Nothing scares me. That “failure feeling” is actually a nice one because it gets my adrenalin pumping. We’ll see what happens. The South African is like a wounded animal, and he will stand up and be counted. We’ve got a fighting spirit, a tradition of never making it easy for others. We might have eleven inexperienced players, but we will make our mark. We won’t lie down.

Dion Ebrahim led Zimbabwe to only their second win of the tour with an assured 81 not out as they made up for Friday’s embarrassing loss with a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Ireland at Woodvale Road in Eglinton.It was a better display all round from Zimbabwe, who were boosted by the return of Heath Streak. He made an immediate impact with the ball as Ireland found the going much harder than in the last game at Belfast. In the end they made 196, but it could have been worse after they were reduced to 75 for 6 at one stage.The pitch was a belter for batting on, as captain Jason Molins, the Ireland captain, appreciated when he chose to bat first. However, he wasted his opportunity at the top of the order when he mistimed a pull to be caught at mid-on off Streak without a run on the board.And with an in-form Andy Blignaut at the other end, it was a different ball game altogether for Ireland. Their top-order contributed to their own destruction, and they were soon facing disaster at 36 for 5 in the 10th over.But Peter Gillespie settled in and with help from Dominic Joyce, brother of Middlesex’s Ed, the pair scored an invaluable partnership before Joyce drove a catch to mid-off off Douglas Hondo (75 for 6).Gillespie then finally fell for a brave 56, caught by Ebrahim, substituting as wicketkeeper for Tatenda Taibu, who hurt his hand off Hondo’s bowling (185 for 9). There was the occasional big hit from the lower-order, but the Zimbabwe finally wrapped up the innings in the penultimate over.Streak was again the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 29 while Gary Brent (0 for 15) looked in better form than he was in Belfast. But Hondo who took 3 for 53, was again erratic.Chasing Ireland’s modest target, Ebrahim and Douglas Marillier began the chase with a useful opening stand of 52 in 13 overs, with Paul Mooney this time unable to trouble the batsmen with the new ball.Marillier made a brisk 24, and Stuart Carlisle, who usually likes to dig in deep and start slowly, this time went for his strokes in handsome style right from the start. Ebrahim responded, and Zimbabwe were soon rattling along to their target with ease.Carlisle fell one short of his half-century when he was caught and bowled by Mooney (134 for 2), and then Grant Flower made some welcome runs with 31 not out as Zimbabwe won with ten overs to spare – a much-needed win ahead of the NatWest Challenge.

The champagne was flowing at Hove today after Sussex clinched the Cricinfo Championship’s second division title in style.James Kirtley took a season’s best 6-35 as Gloucestershire were bowled out for 173 and Sussex needed less than four overs to knock off the 18 runs they needed to clinch a ten wicket win – their ninth of the season.Skipper Chris Adams said: “It would be easy to single out individual performances because we have had some very good ones with three batsmen getting over 1,000 runs and three bowlers taking more than 50 wickets.”But more than that we have a tremendous team spirit, great work ethic and, just as importantly, we are a team for the future.”Shortly before the trophy was presented Sussex unveiled their new signing, 24-year-old former Yorkshire left-armer Paul Hutchison who has joined the club on a three-year contract.Gloucestershire looked like making Sussex work for their victory when they moved to within seven runs of making Sussex bat again with only four wickets down.But Kirtley returned to the attack to take five wickets while Mark Robinson, who was making his last first-class appearance before taking over as Sussex’s second team coach, removed top scorer Dominic Hewson for 79.Kirtley now has 75 victims, making him the leading wicket-taker this season and more than 100 in all cricket for Sussex this season.Adams added: “It’s been a tremendous achievement, but now we are promoted we face the job of establishing ourself in the first division which is a great challenge for me as a captain and our players.”

ScorecardRob Key•PA Photos

Kent will start the third day of Glamorgan’s final home game of the season with a commanding lead of 358 runs thanks to an unbeaten century from Rob Key as the veteran batsman found the late-season form to suggest his career is not yet spent.Daniel Bell-Drummond and Joe Denly provided solid support with two fifties as Kent reached 256 for 1 at the SSE Swalec on Thursday.Glamorgan have only themselves to blame for a poor first-innings batting performance where they were all out for 207, a deficit of 102.Only Graham Wagg and Craig Meschede were able to counter a steady, but by no means lethal, Kent attack.The other Glamorgan batsmen contributed to their own downfall with some poor shot selection, and far more application will be needed in the second innings if they are to avoid a heavy defeat.Glamorgan had resumed their first innings on 65 for four, but they lost a wicket to the second ball of the morning when Andrew Salter (nought) had his off stump removed by Darren Stevens, who then bowled Aneurin Donald.When Chris Cooke was caught at the wicket off Matthew Hunn for 31, Glamorgan had slumped to 101 for 7, and required a further 59 runs to avoid the follow on.This was avoided as Wagg (58) and Meschede (33) counter-attacked effectively to share 57 runs for the eighth wicket.Only Jacques Rudolph has scored more LV= County Championship runs than Wagg for Glamorgan this season, and the all-rounder has now passed 800 runs for the first time in his career.Glamorgan’s bowlers were again ineffective at the start of Kent’s second innings as Key and Bell-Drummond set off at a rate of five runs an over.The 50 and 100-run partnerships were quickly passed, and the opening pair had added 114 in 27 overs before Bell-Drummond, who made 54, was caught at slip pushing forward to Salter’s arm ball.Key played every ball on its merit, and reached his century from 167 balls which included eight fours.Denly (66 not out) reached his fifty in the same over as Key (117no) and the second-wicket pair will be ready to resume on the third morning having already shared an unbroken partnership of 142.

Auckland dominated the second day of their State Championship match against Central Districts at Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North. At the close CD were 57 for six, needing another 132 to win the game. On a pitch that continues to be well short of first-class standard, an Auckland victory tomorrow should be a formality.The highlight of the day was a partnership of 112 between Mark Richardson and Lou Vincent for Auckland’s third wicket. In a low-scoring match it was worth double its value and was the decisive factor in giving their team control of the game.Things looked very different when Vincent joined Richardson in the first over of the day after Michael Mason had trapped Tim McIntosh leg before wicket. Auckland were 43 short of making CD bat again, with eight wickets left. One more wicket and the game might have been over by lunch.Both men were positive from the start, always on the alert for scoring opportunities, but not taking unnecessary risks. Their shot selection was outstanding.Inevitably, they rode their luck at times, but what fortune they received was deserved reward for the best batting of the game. The rearing bounce that caused so many problems on the first day was less evident, but it remained a pitch unworthy of trust.A bigger factor was the decline in the quality of the CD bowling and fielding. Yesterday the bowling had been uniformly testing and the fielding razor-sharp. Today chances were dropped and easy runs were on offer.Spells from Campbell Furlong and Lance Hamilton conceded 32 runs from five overs and 30 from seven respectively. Hamilton was a shadow of the bowler who took six wickets in the first innings.That Vincent hit 10 fours in reaching his half-century is further evidence that there was too much loose bowling on offer.Glen Sulzberger dropped Vincent at first slip when the batsman was in the twenties. Like the two other chances that were put down – a caught and bowled by Sulzberger and one in the deep by 12th man Brent Hefford – it was difficult, but would have changed the course of the game if taken.In bowling partnership with Andrew Schwass, Sulzberger did much to staunch the flow of runs when he came on after morning drinks. He made the breakthrough, having Richardson caught by Peter Ingram at short leg for 86 from 154 balls with 15 fours. During his innings Richardson passed the landmark of 7000 first-class runs.Vincent guided Auckland to 240 for four before top edging Schwass to David Kelly at square leg for 75, including 12 fours.Before Vincent’s dismissal 175 runs had been scored today for the loss of three wickets. From then until the close, 12 wickets fell for 113 runs as the bowling improved and the pitch reasserted itself, low bounce replacing rearing deliveries as the main challenge to batsmen.Three wickets fell in six balls, two of them to Schwass who has reclaimed his status as leading State Championship wicket-taker, with 38 victims to his name.Sulzberger took three for 68 after a marathon spell that lasted from mid-morning until twenty minutes before tea.A few lusty blows from Chris Drum in his usual uncomplicated style gave him 20, the third-highest score of the innings. Auckland were all out for 290, leaving CD a victory target of 189.Excellent fast bowling from Drum and Gareth Shaw devastated CD. Drum removed openers Kelly and Furlong before Shaw cut down the middle order, finishing the day with a career-best four for 13 from ten overs.The dismissal of Mathew Sinclair for 13 was the crucial blow. Sinclair played back to a delivery that kept cruelly low, hitting the stumps two-thirds of the way up.Auckland coach Tony Sail was a happy man at the end of the day, though he made it clear that he expected further resistance from CD tomorrow.He identified Richardson’s innings as the key factor in the Auckland revival.”It was absolutely outstanding. He was all class and deserved a hundred on a difficult wicket,” Sail told CricInfo. “Vincent rode his luck a bit but played a strong hand. Other guys chipped in too.”Sail was also pleased with the bowling performance. “The bowlers have stood up and done the job, especially young Gareth Shaw. He has knocked over some of the big names in their side.”Though he agreed that the pitch had eased in some respects, he remained critical of it.”I think that it got easier in that yesterday it was bouncy poor. Today it was keep-low poor so it didn’t hold the same fears, but there are still going to be balls with your name on them. Once guys got in they were able to adjust a bit better,” he said.Defeat for CD will all but eliminate them from Championship contention. Victory for Auckland will leave them at the head of the table with only two rounds to play.