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Michael van Gerwen landed 10 180s to begin his defence of the Dubai Masters title with a hard-fought 10-7 win over Peter Wright on Thursday. Dave Chisnall, Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor also secured semi-final places and will vie with Van Gerwen for the title on Friday night.Van Gerwen has been victorious in all three previous Dubai Masters events since the World Series of Darts was introduced in 2013, and he kicked off this years tournament in a game of the highest quality against Wright in the unique outdoor arena. Wright gave as good as he got during a thrilling contest, and led four times as the pair enjoyed a fine duel, but Van Gerwen found an extra gear to reel off the final four legs without reply from 7-6 down. Michael van Gerwen hit 10 180s Peter put me massively under pressure and Im delighted to have produced a performance like this, because I really had to, said Van Gerwen, who now meets Chisnall in the semi-finals.Daves a fantastic player and he did really well tonight and hes capable of doing really good things. I feel good and I feel confident and I really want to win this title again. Phil Taylor was at his best in the desert Chisnall took out finishes of 130, 110 and 105 in his impressive 10-1 defeat of Adrian Lewis, while world champion Anderson impressed with a heavy-scoring 10-8 win over Raymond van Barneveld.Taylor, meanwhile, took out finishes of 170 and 110 in successive legs at a key moment in mid-game as he defeated James Wade 10-2, book-ending the performance with 13-darters, hitting three 180s and taking the final six legs without reply.Quarter-FinalsAdrian Lewis 1-10 Dave ChisnallPhil Taylor 10-2 James WadeGary Anderson 10-8 Raymond van BarneveldMichael van Gerwen 10-7 Peter WrightSemi-FinalsMichael van Gerwen v Dave ChisnallGary Anderson v Phil Taylor Also See: Sky Bets darts odds On Sky TV Schedule/Results Features Get Sky Sports Ryan Suter Wild Jersey . -- Its been a long road back for Sean Bergenheim. Jared Spurgeon Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.authenticwildpro.com/Marcus-foligno-wild-jersey/ . 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Australia have begun preparing for life after the sage influence of Rod Marsh and Greg Chappell by recruiting former Test wicketkeeper Graham Manou as the national Under-15-19 High Performance pathway manager.Manou, who has been working with the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) since 2013, will leave his role as cricket operations and membership manager late next month to oversee youth development and talent identification at Cricket Australia (CA).Having also served as captain of South Australia during his playing days, Manou was a key man for the players union. He made pre-tour security visits overseas while also sparring with the CA team performance manager Pat Howard over numerous issues such as the recent agreement over womens pay and conditions.Whatever their differences of opinion, Howard and Manou worked closely together. The arrival of Kevin Roberts as executive general manager of strategy and people - after he resigned from the CA Board last year - saw the ex-gloveman come into calculations for the talent management and selection areas.While it was a very difficult decision for me to leave the ACA, Im very excited about the opportunity to influence the next generation of cricketers and assist in further enhancing a clear and inspiring pathway, Manou said. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the ACA and wish the Executive and the team at the ACA all the best for the future.The 2011 Argus review called for succession planning in areas beyond the national team itself, and Manous appointment is a clear sign that Roberts and Howard are aware that national talent manager Chappell, 67, and national selector Marsh, 68, cannot carry on in their roles indefinitely. While there is no pressure on either man - both highly respected figures in the global game - to retire, Maanous arrival will afford the chance to broaden the base of candidates for more senior roles.dddddddddddd He will also add useful cricket experience to CA, as the organisation seeks a balance between commercial clout and knowledge of the game.Apart from the national coach Darren Lehmann, Trevor Hohns previously served as selection chairman from 1996 to 2006 and could do so again, while Mark Waugh has been on the panel since May 2014. It is believed that CA wish to take a more analytical approach to selection of the Twenty20 team in particular, after disappointing showings at the two most recent ICC events. Australia are ranked No. 1 in Tests and ODIs.This is a terrific opportunity for Graham and his family, so whilst we are sad to see him go, we can certainly appreciate that these roles dont come along every day, the ACA Chief Executive Alistair Nicholson said. Graham is regarded very highly at the ACA and has built fantastic relationships with the Executive, staff and of course the players in his three and a half years with us. His integrity and commitment to the players is of the highest order and we wish him well in this next challenge.There has been considerable crossover between the ACA and CA in recent years, notably the choice of the former president Lehmann as national team coach and his successor Michael Kasprowicz joining the CA Board before being named interim chief executive of Queensland Cricket.Manous departure will leave a gulf of cricket experience at the ACA, though Simon Katich has agreed to work in a part-time role on player liaison matters. Jodie Fields and Brendan Drew will maintain their roles in working with the ACA membership. ' ' '