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Everton secured their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last night after beating Boreham Wood 2-0 at Goodison Park thanks to a brace of goals from Salomon Rondon.

Despite the goalscoring efforts of the 32-year-old, one other Toffees figure put in an impressive display which would surely have delighted Frank Lampard.

Starting on the right-hand side of a back three next to Michael Keane and Jarrad Branthwaite, Jonjoe Kenny played through the entire 90 minutes and was able to show his manager just how capable he is on and off the ball.

With a total of 110 touches, the 24-year-old completed 83 of the 93 passes he attempted, with one of them being the assist for Everton’s opening goal of the night. He also played five accurate long balls, two crosses and five key passes, highlighting his wide range of passing ability. [SofaScore]

Despite the away side having just one shot at goal throughout the match, Kenny still showed what a capable defender he is by making three tackles, one interception and one clearance, along with winning seven of his nine duels (78%).

This display ultimately earned the former Celtic loanee – who was described as a “passionate” player by Neil Lennon during his time in Glasgow – a strong overall match rating of 8.4/10, making him the highest-rated player on the night according to SofaScore.

The Liverpool Echo also picked up on his industrious performance by saying that he “showed his aptitude for versatility by playing in three different positions”.

Even though their midweek opponents are currently in the fifth tier of English football, Lampard will still be happy to see Kenny being able to step up to the plate on important occasions and show what he can do up and down the pitch.

If the full-back can replicate this standard of performance moving forward in the Premier League, he could end up being a vital player for the Merseyside club and their hopes for avoiding relegation, along with potentially getting their hands on the FA Cup.

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Rondon may have got his name on the scoresheet, but Kenny’s relatively unsung performance was just as heroic from an Everton perspective.

In other news: Everton missed their chance on £33m star dubbed “one of the best in the world”…

Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored three centuries and four half-centuries in three Tests against England this year © Getty Images

John Dyson, the new West Indies coach, has said he needs to sit down with the players and discuss what is going wrong with the side. Dyson will join the team for their tour of South Africa this month. He missed the Zimbabwe leg of the tour to finalise domestic matters in Australia.”Over the last 10 years, by anyone’s standards, the West Indies have been playing some pretty average cricket”, Dyson told the . “When I was coach of Sri Lanka I followed their performances closely, and I felt it was a squad underachieving.”West Indies have just won the five-ODI series against Zimbabwe 3-1, with a match to go.But before that series the side has won and lost nine one-dayers each this year and it hasn’t won a single Test out of the four it played against England.”Certainly they should be higher up the ICC [rankings] table than they are now,” Dyson said. “At the moment, you would have to say that there is only one player in that squad who is playing up to their potential, and that is Shivnarine Chanderpaul. With the other guys, you look at them and think, ‘He’s a better player than what he’s showing on the park.”In the three Tests he played against England, Chanderpaul averaged 148.66 with two centuries and three half-centuries. He averaged 76 in ODIs this year with four centuries and four half-centuries.Dyson said he had spoken to stand-in coach David Moore who felt the team had more potential than it had shown. “Now it’s about finding a way of bringing that potential out. I’m not a big believer in putting the broom through a place upon arrival.”And I don’t expect people to compare this West Indies squad with those of the ’70s and ’80s. What they did for international cricket was to introduce a form of professionalism and dedication never seen before. These guys have to develop their own personality and see what brand of cricket they can play.”West Indies play three Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20 matches against South Africa between December 16 and February 3.

Joginder will be especially keen to seize his chance this time © Express photo

Sometime around noon today, Virender Sehwag dismissed Mahesh Rawat and rounded off a thumping win for Delhi over Haryana at Rohtak. Haryana’s captain Joginder Sharma had fallen a little while earlier and now had to accept the fact that his team were all but relegated to the Plate Group.Despite the gloom, it had been a triumphant campaign for Joginder, who sat atop the wickets tally with 39 wickets in seven games, including two ten-wicket hauls and a hat-trick. The 421 runs he’d rattled off in the three Duleep Trophy games that preceded the Ranji Trophy made it a season to remember.In times when India’s search for the ‘Next Kapil Dev’ is turning into a joke, Joginder’s recall to the Indian side, for the first two ODIs against West Indies, offers a sliver of hope. Just a couple of hours after the defeat, Joginder experienced, in his own words, a “rebirth”.Though Joginder himself admits that Kapil is “impossible to replace”, the similarities are hard to miss: he’s from Haryana (though not yet the Hurricane that Kapil was), swings the ball consistently, blasts his way to hundreds, and brings with him the X-factor that’s surprised teams around the country. He hails from a humble background – his father’s a dealer in Rohtak – and his thoughts on cricket sum up the man: “Cricket gives me immense happiness. I’m fortunate to be one of the few to play cricket for a living.”He’s candid about “wasting” his chance two years back, when he was picked for three one-dayers against Bangladesh. He ended with a solitary wicket from the series and his highest score of 29 not out wasn’t enough to prevent India’s humiliation at Dhaka – their only loss to Bangladesh.

He hails from a humble background – his father’s a dealer in Rohtak – and his thoughts on cricket sum up the man: “Cricket gives me immense happiness. I’m fortunate to be one of the few to play cricket for a living.”

So is there a difference between Jogi 2004 and Jogi 2007? Statistically it’s identical. Before he was chosen for India the numbers read: 19 games, 90 wickets at an average of 19, two hundreds and five fifties. The second half of his career is almost a photocopy: 19 games, 94 wickets at 19, two hundreds and four fifties. Yet, Ashwani Kumar, the Haryana coach, talks about how misleading numbers can be, adding that today’s Joginder is far more mature cricketer.”Numbers won’t tell you how much he’s improved his fitness,” Kumar told Cricinfo. “He’s a far better fielder now. He also bowls faster than earlier. He continues to swing the ball well but does it with increased pace now. Most bowlers struggle in their second or third seasons but Joginder has improved in some way every year. It’s difficult to find a more consistent performer in India.”Numbers won’t tell you what a sensible and responsible batsman he’s become. He stays at the crease longer these days and ensures that starts are converted into big ones. He played only three games for India but quickly realised what exactly was needed to be an international cricketer. He spoke to people like John Wright, Zaheer Khan, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid and learnt from it.”Joginder’s strength, according to him, is in keeping things simple. “I like to think that cricket is a simple game that requires a lot of skill. I’ve got my fitness to a level where I can bowl 20 overs day consistently. Earlier I was relying only on swing but now cut the ball and also bowl yorkers and slower balls.”India would ideally want him to succeed at No.7 – swinging out a few early wickets, keeping it tight later and finishing games with cameos. It will allow them to play five bowlers and Joginder could well have a crucial role to play in completing the jigsaw. “Playing in the World Cup is every cricketer’s dream and it would be great if I could prove myself to be selected.”

ScorecardSaurashtra took a vital first-innings lead thanks to half-centuries from Sagar Jogiyani and Jaydev Shah as they ended the second day at 250 for 6, 49 runs ahead.Jogiyani, the 21-year-old opener, brought up his fourth first-class fifty as he put up a 85-run opening stand with Kanaiya Vaghela (34) to lay a solid platform. Jogiyani’s fifty came off 84 balls, with eight hits to the fence and it appeared Saurashtra would run away to a huge first innings score, but Rajasthan fought back through Afroz Khan. Khan, who finished the day with figures of 3 for 46, struck twice in succession to reduce the hosts to 109 for 3.However, Shah put Saurashtra back on course in the second session with an 81-ball 51, before he retired hurt with the total on 164 for 3. Plucky thirties in the post-tea session from Nikhil Rathod and B Songavkar enabled Saurashtra to end the day on a good note. However, with three days left, Rajasthan can still force their way back into the game.

Zimbabweans 206 and 233 (Williams 82*, Morkel 6-66) drew with Combined Easterns/Northerns XI 275
ScorecardRain rescued the Zimbabweans as play was brought to an early close on the fourth and final day against the Easterns/Northerns XI at Willowmoore Park.Easterns/Northerns would have needed only 165 for victory after Morne Morkel took six for 66 to wreck Zimbabwe’s second innings – but, instead, the rain wrecked any chance of a result.After most of the third day had been washed out – only 21.1 overs were bowled -the Zimbabweans resumed the final day in a precarious position on 193 for 8: a lead of 82 with just two wickets remaining. In what little play they could muster between the showers on the final day, they managed to double that lead by adding 82 for the last two wickets. Their spearhead was again the indomitable Sean Williams who took his overnight total of 53 not out to an unbeaten 82. But then the rains came, leaving the match high and dry and out of the reach of the Easterns/Northerns.

Hamblin & Udal in defence

<James Hamblin and Shaun Udal held the Yorkshire bowlers at bay for over 20 overs to hold out for a draw. Being set 307 in a minimum of 66 overs on a slow and increasingly turning wicket proved a bridge too far for Hampshire on the last day of the Frizzell Championship match at Scarborough.Having lost the whole of the third day to rain, Yorkshire set about increasing their lead, which they did with venom, Steven Fleming and Michael Lumb in particular were fierce on the Hampshire attack, cutting and pulling at anything short. James Bruce came in for punishment, but was rewarded with a wicket when the New Zealander pulled him to deep mid-wicket. Udal and Hamblin stemmed the tide, but the home side added 188 runs to set up a declaration just before the scheduled lunch interval.Losing Derek Kenway and Simon Katich early put a damper on the idea of a run chase. Kenway was again unfortunate when he was lbw to a ball that barely left the ground. Katich the hero of the first innings left Victor Craven's first ball as he misread the inswinger.James Adams and John Crawley then steaded the innings, but the pace was slow, and when both were dismissed, quickly followed by two more wickets, Hampshire were in serious danger of defeat.A cold wind streatched in from the North Sea as Hamblin and Udal then set about their defence, the pair stayed together for 80 minutes, surviving regular appeals and near misses as the Yorkshire bowlers tried in vain to dislodge them.

International Cricket Council match referee Mike Denness confirmed the punishments handed down to six Indian Test players relating to incidents in the second Test match against South Africa in Port Elizabeth, but refused to elaborate on his decisions at a press conference that rapidly descended into farce at St George’s Park on Tuesday.Amid accusations of bias and conspiracy, Denness sat tight-lipped next to United Cricket Board chief executive Gerald Majola in what amounted to little more than a puppet show as angry Indian and South African journalists sought vainly to establish exactly what Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Shiv Das, Deep Dasgupta, Harbhajan Singh and Sourav Ganguly had done to deserve their punishments.Five of the players received suspended sentences from Denness, but Sehwag has been banned from playing in the third Test match at SuperSport Park starting on Friday.Exactly why, however, remains a mystery with Denness claiming that he is not allowed to talk to the media by ICC regulations. Which, of course, begged the question of why he was at the press conference in the first place. There was no answer to this.To further raise the temperature, it was alleged at the press conference that Indian president, Jagmohan Dalmiya, has threatened to call off the remainder of the tour if Denness was not removed as match referee.According to a press release issued by Majola, Denness held four separate meetings with the Indian players on Monday relating to incidents during the South African second innings on Sunday.Majola apologised for the leak of the punishments on Monday night. It emerged that Denness had specifically asked the UCB not to make an official announcement until Tuesday morning, but at least one journalist was informed of the disciplinary by the Indian team management on Monday night.So reticent was Denness to say anything that at one point Indian commentator Ravi Shastri asked what he was doing there in the first place. “We all know what he looks like,” said Shastri.Majola said that he would talk to Denness after the press conference and try to obtain a more coherent explanation for the sentences. Two things, however, are abundantly clear: in the first place this matter is far from over; secondly, despite attempts to streamline it, the match referee system remains clumsy, inconsistent and, in this instance, incoherent.It might even be fair to say that Denness has done far more damage to the game than the six players he punished.

Sarah Taylor, the England women’s wicket-keeper batsman, has broken into what was previously a jealously-guarded male preserve by becoming the first woman to play Australian first grade cricket. She gatecrashed what reputedly has been one of the last bastions of the macho Australian male by making her debut for Northern Districts in the South Australian Premier Competition on Saturday.Not all statisticians seem entirely happy to let a Pom to take the accolade, with references also made to a T20 match in Victoria once played by Cathryn Fitzpatrick, who stepped down as coach of the Australian women’s team in May, but Taylor’s achievement in being selected for a two-day game will gain universal recognition.SACA Premier Cricket is a two-day competition and represents the highest level of cricket played in South Australia outside first-class cricket.Taylor took on keeping duties and was scheduled to bat at No 8 for Northern Districts – aka the Jets – in the first match of the 2015-2016 season against Port Adelaide Magpies at the Salisbury Oval, alongside players such as South Australia and Leicestershire’s Mark Cosgrove and the former Hampshire batsman Joe Gatting – nephew of ex-England captain Mike Gatting.She joined a list of players that includes former Australian Test cricketers Darren Lehman and Ryan Harris to have represented Northern Districts CC in this competition.Taylor went to Brighton College, the same school as the former England wicketkeeper, Matt Prior, who said her catching talents were immediately apparent. She is particularly talented standing up to the stumps and has been advocated at times as worthy of a match in English county cricket. Mike Selvey, cricket correspondent of has championed her as unique: the only women’s cricketer he has ever seen with all the attributes to play at first-class level.”I’m really excited about this opportunity – it’s completely unexpected and offers another new challenge and environment for me to test my skills against some very strong cricketers. I had no idea that I would be the first woman to play at this level in Australia, but I am sure that I won’t be the last. I have grown up playing boys cricket at Brighton College and more recently in the ECB men’s premier league for Walmley CC, so I am used to playing with the guys.”Taylor will also feature in the Women’s Big Bash for Adelaide Strikers and is also currently playing 50-over state cricket for the Breezair SA Scorpions in the Women’s National Cricket League.The sight of women playing in what was traditionally men-only cricket has gradually become more common in England over the past 20 years. Earlier this year England women’s fast bowler Kate Cross became the first woman to play in the Central Lancashire League, one of the country’s most reputable and traditional leagues.

Everton have dropped some further positive early team news before they play host to Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

The Lowdown: Doucoure back for Man City clash

As seen in images posted on the club’s official Twitter channel, the Toffees have revealed that Abdoulaye Doucoure is now back in training and will hope that he can play a part against Pep Guardiola’s men.

After Burnley’s 1-0 win at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night, the Merseyside club may be worried about potential relegation just a little bit more, so they will need as many of their key players back as possible when the Premier League champions visit Goodison Park.

The Latest: Godfrey progress

Just after Everton revealed the news about Doucoure, they also tweeted an update on Ben Godfrey as he also aims to return to full fitness.

Posting an image of the 24-year-old in training, the club added the succinct caption of “Making progress”, along with an hourglass emoji.

The Verdict: Positive news for Everton

It certainly is promising to hear that Godfrey is also making progress, on top of the revelation that Doucoure is back in training.

The defender has not played for Everton since the 4-1 win at home to Brentford in the FA Cup earlier this month, and he had rarely missed a game this season before then (Transfermarkt).

Godfrey has ranked highly among his team-mates in terms of tackles, clearances and blocks per game in the Premier League this term (WhoScored), so he is clearly a key player in Frank Lampard’s team.

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While he may not make it for the match against the Sky Blues this weekend, he may be fit enough for the rest of the campaign, which will no doubt be a big boost for the Toffees.

In other news, Everton are ‘hedging their bets’ over this deal

Robin Uthappa is gung-ho ahead of the fourth ODI in Gwalior © AFP

Listen to Robin Uthappa at a press conference on the eve of a match and you could be forgiven for thinking that he, and sometimes the team, is bullet proof. Everything about him is gung-ho, the morale is perennially high and the future’s always bright.Much like his approach to batting, he attacks as a mode of defence. When somebody questioned Zaheer Khan’s effectiveness as the leader of the bowling attack, Uthappa shot back saying Zaheer had bowled magnificently in Kanpur, conceding just 25 off seven overs and that it was unfair to ask such questions.He wanted to “fight fire with fire” against Australia and although India went down 4-2, Uthappa said the intensity with which the games were contested was good preparation for the series against Pakistan.”Against Australia the pressure brought the best out of us and made us ready for this series,” Uthappa said on the eve of the fourth one-dayer in Gwalior. “There is pressure in this series as well, as it still can go either way. But we are confident of doing well, as we are on top of our game.”The Indian batting line-up is indeed on top of their game. They chased down 240 with ease in Guwahati, scored 321 in Mohali, and 294 in Kanpur. The top and middle order coming good in each game has meant that Uthappa, batting at No. 6 or No. 7, hasn’t had much of an opportunity against Pakistan. He came in with India at the doorstep of victory in the first ODI, got a poor lbw decision early on in the second, and scored a brisk 19 off 17 balls after coming in during the 44th over in the third.Has the lack of opportunity flustered him considering that he broke into the one-day team as an opener who scored 83 against England in Indore – the highest score by an Indian on debut?”As long as I am contributing to the team’s cause, it does not matter to me whether I am batting,” Uthappa said. “I can bat anywhere.” When pressed for a preferred batting position, he refused to budge, saying that he would bat “wherever the team wants”.Ironically, it is his success at the position the team wanted – No. 6 or No. 7 – that has cemented Uthappa’s spot in the one-day side. After his sparkling debut, Uthappa was unable to secure a place for himself at the top of the order after a disastrous World Cup, in which he scored 30 runs, meant that Uthappa struggled to get a game during the tour of England in 2007. It didn’t help either that most of the Indian top-order slots were non-negotiables.A cool 47, batting at No 7, to win a tense game against England at The Oval sowed the seeds of Uthappa’s finishing career after which he has batted primarily in the lower-middle order. It’s a difficult position to bat in for you are expected to consolidate if the top-order fails, accelerate if you enter during the final overs, and farm strike when batting with the tail. Though Uthappa hasn’t been needed to play significant innings in the series so far, he’s prepared to “play it tough on the field” should the situation arise as India attempt to clinch the series.