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Ponting on Smith's T20 World Cup Chances and Australia's Captaincy

Ponting on Smith’s T20 World Cup Chances and Australia’s Captaincy

By March 12, 2024 0

Ricky Ponting Weighs In on Steve Smith’s T20 World Cup Prospects and Australia’s Captaincy

ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has offered his insights on the potential inclusion of Steve Smith in Australia’s squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Ponting also shared his views on who he believes should lead the team in the shortest format.

Speaking on The ICC Review, Ponting acknowledged Smith’s limited T20I appearances but highlighted his experience as a valuable asset for Australia. “You love having guys like him around because of the experience and the calming influence that you can have around a team during a World Cup,” Ponting said.

However, Ponting suggested that Smith might not secure a spot in the starting XI due to the team’s batting combinations. “But the other thing you always have to be mindful of is what role can he play? So I would think if Steve Smith does find his way into the squad, I don’t think he will be in the starting XI,” Ponting added.

On the topic of Australia’s T20 captaincy, Ponting expressed his support for all-rounder Mitchell Marsh. “I think he will (be T20I captain) and I think he deserves it as well as he has matured a lot as a player,” Ponting declared. “He’s certainly a leader of men…Leadership has always been in the back of the selectors’ minds as far as Mitchell Marsh is concerned.”

Ponting’s comments shed light on the strategic decisions facing Australia ahead of the T20 World Cup. Smith’s potential inclusion and Marsh’s captaincy candidacy are crucial considerations for the team’s success in the tournament.

Categories: Cricket
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Ederson Injury Blow for Manchester City in Premier League Title Race

Ederson Injury Blow for Manchester City in Premier League Title Race

By March 12, 2024 0

Manchester City’s title hopes have been dealt a significant blow with the news that goalkeeper Ederson is set to miss a crucial clash against Arsenal in the Premier League title race due to a thigh injury. The Brazilian goalkeeper sustained the injury during City’s 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Sunday, when he conceded a penalty after colliding with Darwin Nunez. Ederson remained on the field for the resulting spot-kick, which Alexis Mac Allister scored to cancel out John Stones’ opener, but was forced to be substituted soon after by Stefan Ortega.

The injury is a major setback for City, who are just one point behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League standings. The Gunners travel to the Etihad Stadium on March 31, and Ederson’s absence will be a significant boost to Mikel Arteta’s side.

Ederson is also set to miss Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final at home to Newcastle and Brazil’s upcoming international friendlies against England and Spain. The injury is expected to keep him out for up to a month, which means he could also miss City’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich on April 5.

Stefan Ortega, who replaced Ederson against Liverpool, is expected to start in goal for City in the coming weeks. The German goalkeeper has impressed since joining City from Arminia Bielefeld in the summer, and he will be keen to prove his worth in Ederson’s absence.

City will be hoping that Ederson can return to action as soon as possible, as they face a crucial period in their season. The Premier League title race is finely poised, and City will need to be at their best to overcome Arsenal’s challenge. They will also be hoping to make a deep run in the Champions League, and Ederson’s experience and quality will be vital if they are to achieve their goals.

Categories: Football
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Premier League Title Race Heats Up: Arsenal, Liverpool, City in Three-Horse Race

Premier League Title Race Heats Up: Arsenal, Liverpool, City in Three-Horse Race

By March 12, 2024 0

The Premier League title race is heating up with just 10 matchdays remaining, as Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City battle it out for the coveted trophy.

Arsenal currently sit atop the standings, but Liverpool and City are hot on their heels, separated by just one point. The Gunners have not won the league since 2004, while Liverpool are desperate to give Jurgen Klopp a fitting farewell in his final season at the helm. Manchester City, on the other hand, are aiming for an unprecedented fourth consecutive title triumph.

The 2023-24 season has been a rollercoaster ride, with five teams vying for the title at one point. However, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have since fallen out of contention, leaving the race to the top three.

Arsenal’s title hopes were boosted by their 2-1 victory over Brentford, while Liverpool and City played out a 1-1 draw at Anfield, keeping the title race wide open.

Liverpool’s motivation is fueled by Klopp’s impending departure. The German has transformed the Reds into a formidable force, winning the Premier League in 2020 and the Champions League in 2019. His players are determined to give him a memorable send-off.

Manchester City, under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, are aiming to make history by becoming the first team to win four consecutive Premier League titles. No team has achieved this feat in the history of English football.

The title race is expected to go down to the wire, with all three teams having plenty to play for. Arsenal are desperate to end their title drought, Liverpool want to give Klopp a perfect farewell, and City are eyeing a historic achievement.

Fans can expect a thrilling and unpredictable finish to the season, with the title likely to be decided by the finest of margins.

Categories: Football
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Rohit Sharma’s India Silences Critics, Extinguishes “Bazball”

By March 12, 2024 0

Rohit Sharma’s India has silenced critics and extinguished the “Bazball” hype with a resounding 4-1 Test series victory over England. The Indian skipper, who faced criticism for his perceived lack of Test credentials, has silenced his detractors with two centuries, including a match-winning ton in the final Test at Dharamsala.

Rohit’s appointment as captain in 2022 raised eyebrows, but he has proven his mettle both as a leader and a batsman. Despite missing the England series due to the birth of his second child, Virat Kohli’s absence has allowed Rohit to establish his own style of captaincy.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain praised Rohit’s approach, which he believes is often misconstrued as “laidback.” Hussain highlighted Rohit’s tactical acumen, particularly his decision to use Ravichandran Ashwin with the new ball to counter England’s aggressive batting.

“Rohit has had to learn and adapt his own style of captaincy,” Hussain said. “He’s not the same as Virat Kohli, who was very aggressive. But Rohit has that fire burning within.”

India’s loss in the first Test in Hyderabad was a setback, but they rallied to win the next three and seal the series. The final Test in Dharamsala was a fitting end to a dominant performance, with Rohit leading from the front with a century.

Rohit’s success has not only silenced his critics but also put an end to the “Bazball” phenomenon. England’s aggressive batting approach, which had been successful in recent months, was unable to match India’s skill and determination.

Categories: Cricket
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Boycott Urges England to Plan for Future, Phase Out Anderson

Boycott Urges England to Plan for Future, Phase Out Anderson

By March 12, 2024 0

Geoffrey Boycott, the legendary England cricketer, has urged selectors to prioritize the future and phase out 41-year-old pace maestro James Anderson. Boycott’s plea comes after Anderson’s historic achievement of 700 Test wickets against India.

While acknowledging Anderson’s remarkable longevity and skill, Boycott believes it’s time to prepare younger seamers for the upcoming Ashes series in Australia, where Anderson will be 43. He advocates for giving opportunities to emerging talents like Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts.

“England cannot keep wrapping him in cotton wool and picking him on sentiment forever,” Boycott asserted. “In a year-and-a-half, England’s next big challenge will be going to Australia to try and win back the Ashes.”

Boycott also criticized England’s current bowling lineup, describing it as lacking potency and intimidation. He singled out inexperienced spinners Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir, an “ineffectual” Mark Wood, and an unfit Ben Stokes.

“It would not frighten anyone: two raw kids in Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir with little first-class bowling as spinners, an ineffectual fast bowler in Mark Wood who just bangs the ball into the track with little movement,” Boycott criticized.

The former cricketer also lamented England’s batting struggles against Kuldeep Yadav, expressing surprise at their inability to counter the spinner’s deliveries.

Boycott concluded by casting doubt on England’s ability to learn from their defeat to India, suggesting they might revert to their usual form against weaker opponents.

“Stokes says they will learn from this tour. I am not convinced. They will go back home and revert to type and beat ordinary West Indies and Sri Lanka teams and India will be forgotten as a distant memory,” Boycott remarked.

Categories: Cricket
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Wozniacki and Volynets Twin in Adidas Kits at BNP Paribas Open

Wozniacki and Volynets Twin in Adidas Kits at BNP Paribas Open

By March 12, 2024 0

Caroline Wozniacki’s return to the BNP Paribas Open has been a nostalgic affair, showcasing her vintage form on the court. However, one notable difference has been her attire, as the former world No. 1 has been sporting the same match kits as her opponents.

In her third-round match against American Katie Volynets, Wozniacki and her 11-year-younger opponent both wore Adidas’ black-and-white spring match kit. While Volynets’ outfit consisted of a top and skirt, Wozniacki’s was a dress.

Despite the similar attire, Wozniacki emphasized that they had not committed a fashion faux pas. “Katie was wearing a top and a bottom, a skirt and a top, she wasn’t wearing a dress, but it kind of looked like the same,” she explained.

Wozniacki praised the Adidas kit, saying, “I think it’s a really cool dress, so I’m going to try and rock it.”

Next up for Wozniacki is a fourth-round clash against another former world No. 1 and close friend, Angelique Kerber. Kerber has also been wearing the same Adidas kit, adding to the fashion symmetry on the court.

“I know that Angie is going to rock it too,” Wozniacki said. “We’ve played each other so much. We know each other extremely well. There’s going to be no secrets out there.”

The match promises to be a close contest, with both players familiar with each other’s game. “It’s really going to be about who is going to be better on the day. It can go either way,” Wozniacki said.

Wozniacki’s return to the BNP Paribas Open has been a reminder of her enduring talent and the enduring appeal of her style, both on and off the court.

Categories: Tennis
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Naomi Osaka Praises Fighting Spirit Despite Indian Wells Loss

Naomi Osaka Praises Fighting Spirit Despite Indian Wells Loss

By March 12, 2024 0

Naomi Osaka’s return to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden after giving birth to her daughter Shai was marked by a fighting spirit, despite a disappointing loss to Elise Mertens in the second round. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, praised her own effort and determination, even though she fell short of victory.

“I wanted to win more slams. That’s why I came back,” Osaka said in her post-match press conference. “But I think I determine success right now just by the effort that I put in, and I feel like today I don’t think I played well at all, but I tried every point.”

Osaka’s slow start against Mertens, a former Australian Open semifinalist, put her on the back foot early on. However, she showed resilience by fighting back and winning four consecutive games. Mertens, known for her consistent play, kept Osaka off-balance throughout the match, ending up with 25 unforced errors to 20 winners.

Despite the loss, Osaka remained positive, noting her improvement since her previous tournament appearance in Doha. “I think I fought a lot harder, or I tried to fight a lot harder and find solutions to problems that were in front of me,” she said.

Osaka’s experience as a former world No. 1 is helping her in her return from maternity leave. “I feel like I should be able to get to that level. Obviously—well, not obviously, but I feel like I’ve done it once before, so I should be able to do it again,” she said.

Looking ahead, Osaka is eager to return to the Miami Open, where she finished runner-up in 2022. “I haven’t eaten Haitian food in, like, three years, so I’m very excited to go back to Miami,” she said.

Categories: Tennis
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Chelsea Ease Pressure on Pochettino with Newcastle Victory

Chelsea Ease Pressure on Pochettino with Newcastle Victory

By March 12, 2024 0

Chelsea’s 3-2 victory over Newcastle on Monday provided a much-needed respite for manager Mauricio Pochettino, who had faced mounting pressure from fans. The win propelled the Blues back into contention for European football next season.

Nicolas Jackson opened the scoring for Chelsea within six minutes, flicking in Cole Palmer’s shot. However, Newcastle fought back and equalized through Alexander Isak’s low finish just before halftime.

Palmer restored Chelsea’s lead in the second half with a powerful effort, while Mykhailo Mudryk, who has struggled since joining the club, added a third goal with a blistering run and finish. Jacob Murphy’s late strike set up a nervy finish, but Chelsea held on for the victory.

The win moves Chelsea up to 11th in the Premier League table, just four points behind West Ham in seventh, which would secure a place in the Europa Conference League. Newcastle, meanwhile, remain in 10th place, one point ahead of Chelsea.

Pochettino’s position had come under scrutiny after a difficult first season in charge, including a League Cup final defeat to Liverpool. However, the win over Newcastle provided some promising signs, with several of his young recruits showing glimpses of their potential.

Jackson has now scored 12 goals in his debut season, while Palmer has contributed 11 Premier League goals. Mudryk, despite his struggles, showed his quality with a decisive goal.

The pressure remains on Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, whose team has failed to build on last season’s fourth-place finish. The Magpies have now lost 12 games this season, leaving them just one point above Chelsea in the table.

Categories: Football
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Holger Rune's Short Shorts: A Fashion Statement and a Mind Trick

Holger Rune’s Short Shorts: A Fashion Statement and a Mind Trick

By March 12, 2024 0

Holger Rune’s Short Shorts: A Nod to Tennis Fashion and a Mind Trick

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – Holger Rune has become a fashion icon on the tennis court, sporting short shorts reminiscent of the 1980s. The 20-year-old Dane believes his five-inch inseam Nike shorts not only look good but also give him an edge on the court.

“I think five inches is pretty good,” Rune said at the BNP Paribas Open. “I don’t know how long these are, but they’re around five.”

Rune’s shorts have drawn comparisons to those worn by tennis legend John McEnroe. The Dane joked that pulling them higher helped him shake off a missed overhead and secure a straight-sets victory over Lorenzo Musetti.

“Did you see 5-5 in the tiebreaker? That’s why he missed the forehand. It’s a small mind trick,” Rune said.

Rune’s belief in the efficiency of his shorts extends beyond their appearance. “I’m not being selfish or anything. I just believe in my legs, not just the look, but on the court, I believe they’re efficient,” he said.

Rune’s next challenge will be against 2022 champion Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals. The Dane will need to put his legs to the test against the American, who is known for his powerful serve and aggressive baseline play.

Rune’s short shorts have become a talking point in the tennis world, but the Dane remains focused on his performance. “I’m just trying to play my best tennis and win matches,” he said. “The shorts are just a part of that.”

Categories: Tennis
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Casper Ruud's Weight Loss Fuels Resurgence on Tennis Court

Casper Ruud’s Weight Loss Fuels Resurgence on Tennis Court

By March 12, 2024 0

Casper Ruud’s recent success on the tennis court can be attributed to a significant physical transformation. The Norwegian star has shed 4 kilograms since last year, resulting in a noticeable improvement in his mobility and agility.

Ruud’s weight loss journey began after a disappointing 2022 season, during which he struggled to keep up with his opponents due to a lack of proper off-season training. Determined to regain his speed and quickness, Ruud embarked on a rigorous fitness regimen that included weightlifting and a strict diet.

However, Ruud realized that his previous approach was counterproductive. The excessive weightlifting had made him stiff and slow, hindering his performance on the court. As a result, he shifted his focus to building agility and flexibility.

Ruud’s new training regime involved reducing his carbohydrate and sugar intake while increasing his consumption of clean, healthy foods. He also incorporated more agility drills into his workouts. The results have been evident in his recent performances.

In 2023, Ruud has already surpassed his hard-court match wins from the previous year. He reached the finals in Los Cabos and Acapulco, and avenged a clay-court defeat to Arthur Fils in Indian Wells.

Ruud’s physical transformation has not only improved his on-court performance but has also boosted his confidence. He is now aiming to finish the season in the Top 10 and win a major title.

“The last two years I got a taste of being at the really, really top of the rankings, and all these things, and it’s more fun than being No. 11 or finishing the year No. 11,” Ruud said.

With his newfound fitness and determination, Ruud is poised to make a significant impact on the tennis world in the years to come.

Categories: Tennis
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