MONTPELIER, Ind. – Tanner Thorson looked like a man who was just glad to be getting back on his horse as he traversed the pit area during Tuesday night’s Indiana Midget Week opener at Montpelier Motor Speedway.

Thorson was making his first start back in a race car in three months, after a March highway accident in Modesto, Calif., sidelined him with serious injuries that put continuing in the sport he loves in doubt.

Not only was it his first race back in 92 days, it was also his first start with Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports – the team Thorson won the 2016 USAC national midget title with – in nearly two years.

Though he made his comeback a successful one, with a runner-up finish to defending NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midget Series champion and KKM teammate Logan Seavey, Thorson was quick to note that climbing behind the wheel and immediately running right at the level expected of him again wasn’t as simple as it may have appeared on the surface.

“To come right back out of the box and perform like we did on Tuesday night is absolutely a big deal for me. It’s a reminder that we know how to do this and that I can still perform at that level,” Thorson told SPEED SPORT. “The last three months have been really hard on me. It’s something that I’ve never shared with anyone, really, but after the accident and getting hurt like I was … I didn’t know if (racing) was going to be the same, or if I was even going to be able to continue to do it.

“With the way that my arms bend in the car, how my foot was hurt an everything that I went through, there were a lot of unknowns that we had to get through to get back to this point,” he continued. “Everything’s worked out really well though, and I feel good. Thank God I got a call from Keith (Kunz) and Pete (Willoughby) to come back and do this, because it’s like family here and I’m glad to be back.”

Thorson’s first stint with the Kunz/Curb-Agajanian team was wildly successful, building Thorson into a top prospect in the racing industry as he notched six wins, 10 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes in 19 races en route to the title.

The Minden, Nev., native also led a series-high 180 laps that season as well.

However, following a disappointing 2017 season that saw Thorson drop to fourth in points and only pick up two USAC-sanctioned victories, the two sides went their separate ways.

Thorson headed out west to California and linked up with veteran team owner Clyde Lamar’s Tri-C Motorsports operation, learning from crew chief Lee Lindgren for a while and building and wrenching on many of his race cars himself.

He also spent a portion of 2018 in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, racing for Young’s Motorsports as a part of the Team Dillon Management family.

But eventually, through an up-and-down start to the season with Tri-C and his accident while heading home from a World of Outlaws event in Las Vegas, Thorson’s racing road led him back to the place where his journey began.

“I got my start here with these guys. Coming back to their shop again, it really was like coming home to family,” Thorson noted. “We just picked up right where we left off the last time I ran for them, too. It was as seamless as you can hope for as a driver. It was bittersweet, to finish second in our first race back together, but it’s something that I’m going to take with me as motivation into the next race to run even harder than I did the first time out.

“I pushed myself as hard as I could, but there’s still more to go; I’m just trying to take it easy a bit and get my boundaries right again.”

While he now appears to be just as good as he was before he got hurt – having recovered from a broken right foot, fractured left arm, cracked sternum, broken ribs and a punctured lung – Thorson admitted that he’s simply grateful to have another chance to participate in the sport he grew up loving as a kid.

That opportunity, and not just his positive performance on Tuesday, is the true joy according to Thorson.

“Being out for three months is hard. Everyone says it’s like riding a bike, which it is, but you lose your finesse a bit,” Thorson noted of spending time away and recovering. “With my left arm and right foot being the two things I use the most in the car, I had to make sure that all that would be right when I got back in and got going again, and so far it has been.

“I just can’t thank this team enough,” he added. “I’m blessed to be alive and healed up from my injuries, I’m blessed that Keith and Pete trusted me and wanted me to come back and drive their cars and I’m looking forward to the rest of the week with them. It’s special to be a part of and to be racing again.”

Miami Freedom Park LLC (MFP), the business entity attempting to build an MLS stadium for Inter Miami CF, submitted the first draft of its proposed lease agreement to the City of Miami on Wednesday.

The city is authorized to negotiate with MFP following the approval of a referendum last November that passed with 60 percent of the vote. The submission of the draft lease allows negotiations with the city to begin immediately with MFP targeting at Melreese Country Club.

The final plan requires approval from four of the five city commissioners. Both Manolo Reyes and Willy Gort have so far voiced opposition to the proposal. Negotiations must be completed by Sept. 16.

City commissioner Joe Carollo has suggested that if a deal cannot be reached by the deadline, the city will open up development of the site to other bidders.

If the proposal is approved, the stadium portion would likely not be completed until the 2022 MLS season. With its entry to the league taking place in 2020, Inter Miami will play its matches at a temporary venue on the grounds of Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale.

The plan calls for an initial 39-year lease that would see MFP pay annual rent of at least $3.577 million, which could rise based on the revenues generated by the project. MFP would then have the right to exercise two options of 30 years each.

In addition to the stadium, the proposal also calls for the creation of a 58-acre park, 11 soccer fields, entertainment and retail space, an office tech hub and hotel, all of which will be delivered at no cost to taxpayers.

"We look forward to working with the City of Miami to finalize the voter-approved, fair-market-value lease agreement that provides residents with an expansive public park, 11,000 construction jobs, 2,300 permanent jobs and more than $40 million in tax revenue, while using zero City taxpayer dollars," said Jorge Mas, managing owner of Inter Miami CF.

It was discovered last year that the stadium site at Melreese Country Club is contaminated with toxic waste, but the plan calls for MFP to pay for the full remediation of the property to all for public use of the park.

The proposal also includes a community benefits agreement which will provide $5 million for the city's Riverwalk/Baywalk project, $20 million for park maintenance and free access to the soccer fields at Miami Freedom Park for city of Miami youth.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Few training venues are as picturesque as the one the U.S. men's team has graced over the past week.

The Americans have been practicing at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility on the campus of the U.S. Naval Academy. The field overlooks the Severn River. As such, there are any number of boats nearby, including a pair of Navy training vessels docked within hailing distance of the facility.

One can feel the history oozing from every pore of the place and the fact that the players began the current camp on Memorial Day helped set the proper tone.

"To be training here at the U.S. Naval Academy, it's really amazing," defender Omar Gonzalez said. "It just really makes me proud to wear the jersey, to see these servicemen and women, doing what they do for our country, and here we are about to step on a soccer field to represent our country."

Gonzalez's sentiments were echoed by goalkeeper Zack Steffen, though the former Maryland Terrapin was having some unpleasant flashbacks as well.

"I remember we came here my sophomore year and we lost 2-1," Steffen said. "But other than that it's great to be back in Maryland in a familiar part of town. Annapolis is a beautiful city and the Naval Yard is fantastic. We're on the water, it's a beautiful day, you can't complain."

- When is the CONCACAF Gold Cup?
- Full Gold Cup fixtures schedule

Yet as unique as the facility is, it has plenty in common with venues that manager Gregg Berhalter has chosen in previous camps, namely a locale that is a bit off the beaten path, and where little time is spent shuttling from hotel to practice and back.

Back in January, Berhalter opted for the relative seclusion of the Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista, California, instead of the usual drill of using the facilities at Dignity Health Sports Park up the road in Carson. Last March, the team convened at the Champions Gate facility that is 30 miles southwest of Orlando City Stadium, where the U.S. played Ecuador.

In this instance, prying eyes have been kept to a minimum as well. With parking at a premium, and security tight, attending practice as a media member required taking a 10-minute shuttle ride from the USNA's football stadium.

All of this is precisely how Berhalter likes it. Even the routine for the run-up to the game has been altered. Previous U.S. coaches followed the norm of practicing in the game venue on the day before the match, the better to familiarize the team with the surroundings. Not so under Berhalter. Prior to both the Ecuador and Chile games back two months ago, Berhalter eschewed practicing in the stadium, opting instead for the greater efficiency of a quick jaunt to the practice field.

None of this is a surprise to Steffen, who played under Berhalter for two seasons with the Columbus Crew.

"He's just a true professional," Steffen said about Berhalter. "He wants little distraction, he knows what we're here for. I think being secluded and closer to the guys, where the guys have to interact more with each other, I think that just builds the chemistry of the team. We don't have a lot of time together, so I think this is his way of team bonding. He's very much into team bonding."

That team-building process, both on and off the field, is now poised to accelerate. The previous two weeks served as an "integration camp" that involved taking a look at Gold Cup players, players from the U23 team, as well as some other fringe performers. Now the camp has moved to the next phase, with more of the Gold Cup provisional roster -- from MLS and from overseas -- having arrived.

Progress is no doubt needed. While Berhalter has been in charge since December, this is only the third camp he has held. Such is the plight of national team coaches given the club commitments of the players. There has been an air of expectation surrounding the two previous camps. What style would Berhalter adopt? What players would get called in? With the Gold Cup approaching, the stakes are rising. The U.S. will not only be expected to win, but win well. And given the number of no-shows and injuries within the ranks of rivals Mexico, an argument could be made that the U.S. is the favorite to take the trophy.

Of course, first up are a pair of friendlies against Jamaica on Wednesday, followed by a match against Venezuela on June 9. Based on Berhalter's comments at the start of training camp, the Jamaica match will see more experimentation, and as a reward for those players who have survived the first week of camp. The Venezuela game, "should look more like the Gold Cup roster," he said.

The second friendly, and the subsequent Gold Cup, will be the real test in determining if Berhalter's methods are taking root.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- As Gold Cup warm-ups go, Wednesday's friendly against Jamaica is shaping up to be the tuneup before the tuneup for the United States men's national team.

The bulk of the U.S. roster just arrived over the weekend, giving most of the players just two training sessions to prepare for the match. Linchpins Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams won't even be available, as the duo won't meet up with their international teammates until Thursday and next Tuesday, respectively.

The fact that neither player will be included doesn't exactly get the blood boiling, but that is just fine with U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter. One player's absence is another's opportunity, especially with Berhalter set to name his Gold Cup roster after Wednesday's encounter. And while it might disappoint some fans eager to see the first-choice U.S. lineup, it will provide an opportunity for Berhalter to establish some depth. The subsequent friendly against Venezuela on Sunday will look more like Berhalter's preferred American starting 11.

The most intriguing choice for Berhalter on Wednesday is who will replace Pulisic in the lineup. Finding an additional creative option remains a priority for the U.S. manager. Most of the options scream more No. 8 than No. 10, though Berhalter didn't sound too stressed about the challenge at Tuesday's news conference.

- Tyler: Welcome to the summer of soccer!
- Carlisle: Gold Cup will measure first real results of Berhalter's influence

"In terms of those positions, offensively they operate pretty similar in terms of we want them in the pocket, we want them turning, we want them activating the winger," Berhalter said.

He later added: "I think it's a system game that we play, and Christian has a role in that system.

"He may be able to execute his role better than others, but others can fit into the system as well."

Sebastian Lletget was thought to be an option, but a hamstring injury sustained the LA Galaxy's 2-1 defeat to the New England Revolution last weekend will likely render him unavailable. That leaves one of Cristian Roldan, Djordje Mihailovic or Duane Holmes to occupy an advanced role in tandem with Weston McKennie.

Both Roldan and Mihailovic have made inroads with the national team since the start of the year. Roldan has offered a steadier, two-way presence. When the U.S. midfield looked like it was about to be overrun in the March draw against Chile, it was Roldan who helped solidify things.

"Being able to create a little bit more, that's usually Pulisic's job," Roldan told ESPN FC. "In my position with the national team, it's a little bit more of a hybrid between a No. 10 and a No. 6.

"But when I'm in that spot, in those soft pockets, being able to turn and make an impact on the game offensively is what I'm looking for."

Mihailovic has more attacking upside, and made a positive impression in a 3-0 victory against an overmatched Panama side in Berhalter's debut in January.

"Whenever I have an opportunity to get called into camp, I take it the same way, no matter the circumstances around it," he said in an exclusive interview.

"It's an opportunity for me to show what I can provide for the team and what Gregg is looking for out of me. It's an opportunity where whether it's the No. 10 or the No. 8, I have to play the same way whether Christian is here or not."

Holmes is the wild card, given that this is his first call-up to the U.S. team. His lack of familiarity with Berhalter's system makes a start unlikely, though for the U.S manager, Holmes' versatility is intriguing.

"He's one of those Weston McKennie-type of players where you can put him anywhere on the field and he can hold his own," Berhalter said of Holmes.

An opportunity beckons for right-back Nick Lima as well. Not only is Adams getting some rest, but hernia surgery has rendered DeAndre Yedlin unavailable for the summer as well. So regardless of whether Berhalter opts to assign Lima the hybrid right-back/central midfield role or something more conventional, the San Jose Earthquakes defender figures to get at least some playing time.

Lima has proved himself adaptable in recent months for club and country. He has been filling in at left-back for San Jose lately after beginning the season on the right.

"I'm going to prepare even if [I'm asked] to play goalie," Lima joked, before acknowledging that jumping from one flank to the other has its challenges.

"Being on the left, it's a lot different than what people expect.

"Instinct with the right, that's one thing. Instinct with the left, that's another to be built upon. It's a challenge, but that's what I enjoy and that's what I'm trying to improve all the time. I'm kind of forgetting what foot I am right now."

Jamaica should provide some ideal preparation for U.S. group opponents Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. The Reggae Boyz are experienced and plenty mobile. Jamaica has also found its best results in and around the Gold Cup, reaching the final in the past two tournaments.

"We see it as a good opportunity for this group," Berhalter said. "We also realize that it's not going to be easy, things won't always go our way and we're prepared to deal with that."

For those players who can manage Wednesday's challenges best, a spot on the Gold Cup roster lies ahead.

On Tuesday, Dale Steyn left the World Cup without bowling a ball. It was unfortunate to say the least, irrespective of your loyalties. Only because the World Cup is the platform to witness the best, and their battles against the best. That, however, hasn't left the World Cup bereft of top-of-the-line fast men. Leading that contingent are Kagiso Rabada and Jasprit Bumrah, two young pacers, who have the skills and the brains to intimidate batsmen. If you need proof of that, just revisit their opening spells on Wednesday.

Let's start with Rabada, it was the more eventful - though perhaps not as impactful - as Bumrah's.

Rabada shakes and stirs the Indian top order

On Tuesday afternoon, Rabada playfully engaged in a roaring contest with teammate Chris Morris. Both men let their emotions out by roaring as loudly as possible. For a tiny moment, Rabada's face, glistening with sweat, revealed a sense of joy, a sense of unbridled and uninhibited excitement that is at the core of his craft.

Emotions, Rabada told The Cricket Monthly recently, can transform a bowler into a dangerous beast, equipping his bow with that extra, intangible string, that can pierce the batsmen's mind and defence.

Today, Rabada must have been angry even before he lined up to deliver the first ball. South Africa's batsmen had disappointed for the third match in succession - they scored 227 for 9. The absence of Steyn and Lungi Ngidi (hamstring injury) meant Rabada had more on his plate than he might have otherwise.

From the crowd's point of view, the match-up the fans were looking forward to was Rabada v Virat Kohli. The past contests had already witnessed enough needle between them. Today's match-up became a notch bigger because of Rabada's remarks concerning Kohli's unapologetic, intense attitude on the field, which he said had left him to wonder whether the Indian captain was "immature". Kohli responded too.

Rabada warmed up for Kohli with a beauty of a first over, by the end of which he should have got both Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma out nicking off, both pushed back into uncomfortable positions when playing their shots.

By the end of the over, Rabada was roaring. Far from being one of delight, it expressed disgust and disappointment at the close-in fielders failing to get their hands under the top edges. Rabada would return to up the ante in terms of speed, catching Rohit on the hop more than once. Rohit was attempting to connect as far as possible on the front foot with Rabada pitching on a length. However, he was beaten both for pace and the bounce Rabada generated off short-of-length and length areas form the Pavilion End. Rabada finished the over with a yorker-length delivery that dipped in to Dhawan, and broke the toe end of his bat. Rabada could only stare at the flying chip of wood.

Rabada was now his element. The batsmen were shaken and stirred. First ball of his third over, he angled one off the seam, pitching it on length. It was the kind of delivery James Anderson had troubled the Indian batsmen with in the Test series last year, beating the outside edge several times. Rabada did not beat the edge, he caught it. Dhawan walked back.

The moment of the World Cup arrived, as Kohli walked each of the 45 steps down to the pitch from the dressing room. Kohli quickly took guard. Flicked the bat. Bent his head, raised it, waited. Rabada ran in and banged in a 91mph bouncer. Kohli ducked his first ball of the World Cup. A roar went around the ground. The next ball was a full toss. Kohli's bat face turned inwards on impact.

Kohli wanted to get off strike. Rabada suffocated him with speed and accuracy. There were no stares or words yet. The ball was talking though. Quietly.

But Rohit had had enough. When Rabada went slightly wide off the crease and banged in a short-pitched delivery into the ribs, Rohit went with the flow, pirouetted on his right leg and pulled a delectable six, sending the sell-out crowd into frenzy. As beautiful as the stroke was, it was also an impulsive reaction, a release. From the vice-like Rabada grip.

Rabada might not have picked another wicket in his unrelenting first spell of five overs, but he had set up the contest for South Africa. And although it was Andile Phehlukwayo who was the next to celebrate when he forced an edge off Kohli, Rabada had the satisfaction of not letting the world's best batsman start the tournament on a big note.

The intensity never dropped, and Rabada returned for more spells, and eventually claimed KL Rahul with a slower delivery. He did not roar, but did not let out a smile either. And when David Miller dropped a dolly off Rohit with the batsman on 111 and the target just 31 runs away, none of the South Africans wanted to look at the bowler.

He had done all he could. His mates let him down.

Bumrah makes the batsmen hop, skip and jump

When the world's best bowler runs in, there is a sense of anticipation. Bumrah announced himself pretty quickly in the World Cup, building the pressure straight from the first ball. His first was on a length, straight at Quinton de Kock's middle stump. The second was short of a length and moved away. The third left the South African left-hander as it shaped away. Off the penultimate delivery, Bumrah pushed the length a wee bit fuller, pitched it on a middle stump line and then angled it away. de Kock had to play. He did. And was beaten. De Kock often looks unhappy. Now, he was seriously uncomfortable.

Bumrah had warmed up. He came up with a jaffa, repeating the same ball, but slightly quicker, beating the bat, and MS Dhoni, who had moved to his left, failed to collect neatly.

Hashim Amla would have known one thing as he faced his first ball against Bumrah - his stumps would be attacked and he would need to play. Bumrah pitched on off stump, length again, moving it away. Amla, as if under a spell, just followed the ball and edged it to second slip.

The challenge against Bumrah is he does not give the batsman too many loose balls. In his first two overs, batsmen were not in control nine times. In his third over, Bumrah altered his length and pitched fuller, luring de Kock to go for the drive. He went for the release shot, like Rohit would against Rabada later. However, de Kock was not in control, and the thick outside edge flew straight to Kohli in the slips. Joy for Bumrah.

"You know it's one thing to see a bowler bowl, and then when you catch the ball, you understand the heaviness of the ball and the pace," Kohli told Star Sports after the game. "And I caught that ball, I promise you, for the next 15 minutes, my hands were buzzing. And I told him (Bumrah), you know, that I can feel the pain in my hands. That's how quickly he's bowling."

Bumrah's first ball to Faf du Plessis was bowled at 144 kph, pitched on length and was angled into the pads. The South Africa captain attempted to play on the front foot, but the speed forced an inside edge. The crowed let out a huge "ooh". Two deliveries later, Bumrah shaped one away. This time, du Plessis read it and played with soft hands.

As he said between the two innings to the host broadcaster, Bumrah was just keeping things simple, making use of the fresh Kookaburra ball on a fresh pitch, landing on a straight seam and letting the ball do the talking.

Just like Rabada would later.

On Tuesday evening, heading out for dinner, Steyn was far from remorseful about heading back home. "The world's not come to an end," Steyn told this correspondent with a twinkle in his eye.

He is right. His legacy is strong in the hands of Rabada and Bumrah. And, no, don't ask whose spell was better.

Nottinghamshire 97 (Patel 6-16) and 116 for 1 (Duckett 71*) trail Warwickshire 391 for 9 dec (Hose 111, Sibley 87) by 178 runs

Paul Farbrace addressed a Warwickshire members' forum following another refreshing day in a dreamily good week that made his appearance post-play feel a whole lot easier. These can be feisty occasions, but the new sport director has seen captain Jeetan Patel inspire victory over Surrey and now head towards a follow-up against Nottinghamshire. Supporters have evidence of a side moving forward.

If only head coach Peter Moores and director of cricket Mick Newell could say the same about Nottinghamshire. Their last Championship win came in June last year, and the failing batsmen have it all to do on the final day to avoid a ninth defeat in 12 four-day games. Had the head coach and director of cricket faced their own membership on Wednesday evening, observations would have been short, to the point and perhaps not especially polite.

A dismal trip has been salved so far only by the second-innings recovery engineered by Ben Duckett and Chris Nash after following on 294 runs behind. The first-innings total of 97 represents the lowest in the Championship this season and Nottinghamshire's worst against Warwickshire for 20 years. Not since 1988 have they scored fewer at Edgbaston. On that occasion a young blocker called Newell carried his bat for ten in an innings of 44. Would that his charges now had such tenacity.

Adam Hose, who completed his maiden first-class hundred in the first session, revealed that Warwickshire were not surprised at Nottinghamshire's collapse. "We felt they have been quite lackadaisical over the past couple of days so there was room for something like that," he said candidly. Bowlers were assisted by fine catching, a number of opportunities taken with deceptive ease.

Patel, 39, made his debut in New Zealand in 1999/2000, but in two full decades since he cannot have enjoyed such a run of form. Figures of 6 for 16 in Nottinghamshire's first innings gave him an aggregate of 75.4-39-105-18 in three innings taking in the Surrey win, the sort of numbers to recall cricket in the age of Queen Victoria. Visiting batsmen may be compliant, but Patel is combining the skill of a master technician with a fierce will to win.

That competitive drive went too far when he gave Steven Mullaney a send-off after the Nottinghamshire captain looped a catch to third slip. This proved to be merely the middle of a collapse which saw Nottinghamshire lose their last eight wickets for 28 runs. Umpires Tim Robinson and Martin Saggers stepped in to warn Patel, but the incident testified to continued ill-feeling between the sides.

Hose found himself the target of words en route to the century that enabled Patel to declare on 391 for 9, with James Pattinson the most culpable figure. At one point, Robinson shook his head aghast after a conversation with the Australian bowler. Pattinson may have harboured lingering frustration that an lbw appeal against Hose on Tuesday had been rejected. "There has been a little bit of spice through the whole game," Hose acknowledged with considerable understatement.

Patel's decision to bat on was vindicated with the addition of 80 runs. Fatigue from spending 146.5 overs in the field spanning three days, may have contributed towards Nottinghamshire's demise. Low confidence must have been another factor. But there was happiness as well as function in the first 90 minutes because no hundred this season will be celebrated as joyfully as the achievement of Hose, no greenhorn at 27.

On 98 he was struck on the helmet ducking into a short ball by Stuart Broad and underwent two statutory checks by the physio. When he swept Matt Carter for three he leapt into the air and punched his firsts before removing the helmet, no wound visible. "I am at that age where it was starting to bug," he said. "That constant question, not when it would come, but if it would. It meant quite a lot."

If Patel took the subsequent honours then Liam Norwell and Oliver Hannon-Dalby did the groundwork with their economy. Amazingly, 45 of the runs, nearly half of the total, accrued in three overs from Henry Brookes in which he over-stepped five times. He did tempt Duckett to chip to shortish mid on while clever use of the crease by Norwell persuaded Nash, who looked well set, to drive at a ball he ought to have left.

Patel needed only four balls to make an impression, Sam Hain reacting quickly at short leg when Joe Clarke pushed forward. From then on, variations of pace and use of the arm ball paid rich dividends. Tentative footwork cost Tom Moores and while the lower order opted for defence rather than counter-attack, that enabled Patel to build up pressure. Balls gripped and turned, but this was no minefield.

Hose is probably right to anticipate a tougher day as Warwickshire attempt to capitalise. "Duckett and Nash showed in the second innings that if you apply yourself, it is going to be hard work for us," he said, "but that is the game, and that is what we have got to do to win it."

Leicestershire288 (Klein 87, Cosgrove 70, Gleeson 4-58) and 5 for 1 trail Lancashire 449 by 156 runs

Countrymen are wont to refer to a skulk of foxes but you will never find a side coached by Paul Nixon hiding itself away. Defeat is one thing; gutless capitulation another. So on an afternoon when Glamorgan went top of Division Two it was heartening to see another less fancied side taking to the barricades against the very warm title favourites.

Everywhere you looked in the final two sessions of this day you found foxes whose courage would have inspired John Masefield. Desperately placed on 82 for 5 at lunch, a score which had some home fans pondering a three-day finish, Leicestershire's lower order scrapped for every run and sold their wickets so dear that George Soros might have baulked at the price. The resistance was led by Dieter Klein, who was ninth out for 87, seven short of his career-best score, at the very point when his team had become favourites to save the follow-on. Klein was uncontroversially leg before to Richard Gleeson, and Leicestershire still needed another dozen runs to avoid one of cricket's most unpalatable invitations when Mohammed Abbas was caught behind by Dane Vilas without scoring.

Rather worse was to follow in the day's very last knockings as nightwatchman-opener Chris Wright was bowled by Graham Onions, playing no shot, for nought. All the same, if Paul Horton's men bat with the similar courage on the final day of this fine game they will collect five points for the draw and they will deserve them. We are set for another fine finish and another excellent advertisement for four-day cricket.

Yet such a prospect seemed distant indeed at lunch after a morning session in which the visitors had lost five wickets and may even have been comforted by the notion that things could have been so much worse for them. Both openers and Neil Dexter were removed by Onions and Tom Bailey with the new ball in little more than the first half hour of the day and suddenly the game became an 11 v 1 contest. Every shot, however secure, was accompanied by a cacophony from the slips, whose comments rang out across the bitterly cold air.

This was a session for the game's devotees but they needed to be properly insulated. Those at the River End huddled together like long-tailed tits on a branch in winter. It looked as though each spectator was giving his fierce attention to the game; well, either that or rigor mortis had claimed another scalp. Gradually Mark Cosgrove and Colin Ackermann began to make something of the innings, both batsmen punching fours through midwicket when the seamers searched too eagerly for an attacking length.

It remained cold. One fellow was seen unpacking a picnic and was generally judged to have lost his wits. This was a rug and Bovril day. After an hour's resistance Ackermann drove at Gleeson but only edged a catch to Vilas. Bury-born Harry Dearden lasted half an hour for his two runs but edged Liam Livingstone's final ball before lunch to Keaton Jennings at slip. The players went in and the sun came out. Aigburth became cricket's answer to the weather house.

Lancashire made further breakthroughs in the afternoon session but never as frequently as their supporters expected. The visitors' determination was epitomised by a 20-year-old debutant, Harry Swindells, who put on 50 for the sixth wicket with Mark Cosgrove. Swindells is slim, innocent and athletic, three adjectives which are rarely used in connection with Cosgrove. Yet the pair combined well and repulsed every Lancastrian challenge. The youngster's first runs were edgy in both respects but he soon warmed to his new environment and seemed unfazed by the yakking of Lancashire's close fielders. Indeed, Cosgrove was the first to depart when Onions brought one back off the pitch and had him lbw for 70. Swindells' first innings in his new surroundings lasted another half hour and he had accumulated a very respectable 37 when the ball ballooned off bat and pad and Keaton Jennings plunged forward from short leg to grab the catch which gave Livingstone his second wicket.

At that point Leicestershire were 150 for 7 and Lancashire had re-established their ascendancy. But the main battle had yet to be joined. It was led by Klein but he was ably assisted by Callum Parkinson, the twin brother of Lancashire's Matthew. For while Matt may be the better spinner, Callum has clearly secured a monopoly of the family's batting genes. In company with Klein, he added 119 for his team's eighth wicket. Neither the tea interval nor the taking of the new ball disturbed the pair; indeed it required a slightly generous leg before decision in favour of Gleeson to get rid of the other Parky for 37 when Leicestershire still needed 31 to avoid batting again tonight.

Lancashire's bowlers had become frustrated in the afternoon; perhaps they, too, were considering the attractions of a day off. But Gleeson recovered his discipline sufficiently to finish with 4 for 58 and set us up for a tense battle tomorrow. That is, if frostbite doesn't get us all first; but fingers are overrated anyway.

Rohit Sharma's century against South Africa in Southampton was the slowest of his ODI career. Yet, the timing, the composure and the manner in which he scored his runs prompted his captain Virat Kohli to label the century Rohit's "best ODI innings".

It is a significant statement by Kohli. Rohit has scored several centuries, including three double-tons, so what makes this one so special?

First up, Kohli said, there was the pressure of playing in the World Cup, and then the pressure of India needing to win their tournament-opener, in a format where each of their nine league matches will carry equal significance. "In my opinion this is by far his best ODI innings because of the kind of pressure the first game brings from a World Cup point of view," Kohli said at his post-match media briefing.

According to Kohli the goal set for the top order, comprising Rohit, Shikhar Dhawan and himself, was for one of the three batsmen to anchor the innings, bat deep, and build partnerships. After Dhawan and Kohli fell early, Rohit had to carry that responsibility.

The target was not steep, but the bounce was. South Africa fast bowler Chris Morris said there was "something in the pitch", which India's quicks, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, exploited well. Even Hardik Pandya got one of his hard-length deliveries to climb awkwardly and hit Faf du Plessis' gloves.

"He [du Plessis] said it was like facing the first hour of a Test match," Morris said.

Kagiso Rabada and Morris attacked India's top order, bowling tight lines and pushing them on the back foot with good hard lengths. Rohit was lucky more than once to get away with balls pinging off his edge and gloves and landing away from the reach of the fielders.

Keeping the mounting challenge in mind, Rohit still managed to keep his head. "As a batsman when you go in and a few balls bounce like that, it is not easy to gather yourself again and play in a calm manner." Kohli said. "A lot of times batsmen tend to hit their way out of the situation. But he was very composed, he was very - he's played so many games, we expect a lot of maturity and a lot of responsibility from someone like him."

Even Rohit agreed that it was an atypical batting performance. "I couldn't play my natural game," Rohit said to the host broadcaster. "Certain shots that I love to play, I had to cut down and make sure that I play close to the body. I had to try and leave as many balls as possible in the initial spell. It was not a typical Rohit Sharma innings."

Rohit now is joint fourth among ODI centurions in chases. Kohli, who tops that list, said Rohit played the "perfect" innings. "In my opinion, of all the brilliant innings I have seen him play, I think this, for me, was the top of the pile because of the way he compiled his innings, and at no stage did we feel like, or he felt like he is going to throw it away.

"I think controlling the game so beautifully from one end and allowing the others to display themselves and string in small little partnerships, looking at the fact that they were only chasing 228, he played the perfect innings for that kind of a situation, on that kind of a wicket, against a bowling attack that was threatening to pick up wickets at any stage. So, yeah, in my opinion, by far his best knock."

"Stranger things have happened," allrounder Chris Morris said. Following three defeats to begin the 2019 World Cup, this is what South Africa have to cling to, if they are to progress to the semi-finals.

ALSO READ - Bumrah, Rohit and Chahal give India winning start

Having arrived in the UK with the aim of winning at least six of their round-robin matches, they are now faced with winning six in a row to make that a reality. It is possible that even five wins could be enough to make it into the knockouts, or in an absolute best-case scenario, four. But although they've got the two favourites out of the way, they've still got to get past Australia, New Zealand, a possibly resurgent Pakistan (who is to tell if their upswing lasts), and West Indies.

"The guys are very disappointed and a bit angry, which they are allowed to be," Morris said after the loss to India. "We will sort that out in our heads tonight and when the sun comes up tomorrow we will go back to the drawing board and take on our next opponent. It's pretty simple - win the next six and crack on. Maybe we need a bit of luck to go our way."

Captain Faf du Plessis, who before the the match, spoke of his team as being one that already needed a psychological lift, has a tougher road ahead than practically any other captain in the competition presently. He blamed his batting order for the defeat.

"It's a change-room that is hurting," du Plessis said. "We're trying to make sure that we keep fighting, but we're still making mistakes all the time. Today was once again a great example of someone not batting through. That's what you need in England. You need one guy batting through. And then if you can get a total, your bowlers can try and put some pressure on. But to have so many 30s and 40s is not acceptable."

The only period of the game in which South Africa seemed to have a glimmer of a chance was the early overs of India's chase, as Kagiso Rabada delivered a furious spell of quick bowling. Twice he could have had Rohit Sharma - the eventual centurion - out, when short balls ballooned in the air off the batsman's bat and glove. One of those balls fell into space, however, and the other was spilled by a diving du Plessis, to reprieve Rohit on 1.

"He was a champion today," du Plessis said of Rabada. "He was extremely unlucky. I've never seen so many balls just fall in different areas. But sometimes, that's how the game goes. When you're not playing your best cricket, little 50-50 things go against you. We've got to try and make sure we turn those 50-50 chances towards us. But he was unbelievable today."