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NSW Bolsters Squad with World Cup Trio and Experienced Recruits

NSW Bolsters Squad with World Cup Trio and Experienced Recruits

By April 15, 2024 0

New South Wales (NSW) has bolstered its squad for the 2024-25 season with the addition of three promising youngsters from the Under-19 World Cup-winning team: Sam Konstas, Ryan Hicks, and Charlie Anderson. These talented players join experienced recruits Nic Maddinson and Josh Philippe, who bring a wealth of knowledge and skill to the team.

Konstas, a 19-year-old batter, made an impressive debut for NSW last season, scoring a century in the Under-19 World Cup and a half-century in the Shield. He has earned a full contract, while Hicks and Anderson have been awarded rookie deals.

Hicks, a wicketkeeper-batter, showcased his potential with a century in an Under-19 Youth Test against England. He will develop behind established keepers Philippe and Matthew Gilkes. Anderson, a bowler, impressed at the Under-19 World Cup and takes Jack Nisbet’s rookie spot. Nisbet has been upgraded to a full contract after a successful debut Shield season.

NSW chief of cricket performance Greg Mail expressed his delight at adding the trio to the squad. “Sam and Jack confirmed their talent last season and deserve their full contracts,” he said. “Ryan and Charlie have also shown their readiness for professional opportunities.”

The addition of Maddinson and Philippe further strengthens NSW’s squad. Maddinson, a former NSW captain, returns after six seasons with Victoria, while Philippe brings his experience from Western Australia.

“Players of their caliber don’t become available often,” said Mail. “They will enhance our balance and depth.”

Jason Sangha and Baxter Holt have departed the squad, with Sangha likely to join South Australia and Holt heading to Western Australia. Kurtis Patterson remains on the list despite exploring options elsewhere.

The NSW squad for 2024-25 includes:

* Sean Abbott (CA contract)
* Charlie Anderson (rookie)
* Jackson Bird
* Pat Cummins (CA)
* Joel Davies (rookie)
* Oliver Davies
* Ben Dwarshuis
* Jack Edwards
* Matt Gilkes
* Chris Green
* Ryan Hackney
* Ryan Hadley
* Liam Hatcher
* Josh Hazlewood (CA)
* Moises Henriques
* Ryan Hicks (rookie)
* Daniel Hughes
* Hayden Kerr
* Sam Konstas
* Nathan Lyon (CA)
* Nic Maddinson
* Blake Nikitaras
* Jack Nisbet
* Kurtis Patterson
* Josh Philippe
* Will Salzmann (rookie)
* Tanveer Sangha
* Lachlan Shaw (rookie)
* Steve Smith (CA)
* Mitchell Starc (CA)
* Chris Tremain
* Adam Zampa (CA)

Categories: Cricket
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Inter Milan's Title Chase Continues Despite Cagliari Draw

Inter Milan’s Title Chase Continues Despite Cagliari Draw

By April 15, 2024 0

Inter Milan’s pursuit of the Serie A title remains on track despite a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to relegation-threatened Cagliari. The result leaves Inter with a 14-point lead over AC Milan, who also drew 3-3 at Sassuolo.

Cagliari’s Nicolas Viola snatched a late equalizer for the visitors, canceling out Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty that had given Inter the lead following Eldor Shomurodov’s equalizer. Inter manager Simone Inzaghi expressed frustration at the missed opportunity to extend their advantage.

“It’s annoying not to win after going ahead twice because we wanted the victory in front of our fans,” Inzaghi said. “We’re very close to a big goal but we know that we still need points to make it mathematically certain.”

Inter now need to win their next match, the Milan derby against AC Milan, to secure the Scudetto with five games remaining. However, Milan’s Noah Okafor salvaged a point for his team in their match against Sassuolo, keeping their title hopes alive.

Meanwhile, Roma’s Evan Ndicka is recovering after collapsing during their match at Udinese. The defender suffered an apparent chest problem, causing the game to be abandoned. Roma confirmed that Ndicka is in good spirits and undergoing further observations in the hospital.

The match will be resumed at a later date, with Roma currently in fifth place in the Serie A standings. They are well-positioned to qualify for next season’s Champions League, as they hold a five-point advantage over sixth-placed Atalanta.

Napoli’s hopes of finishing in the top five suffered a setback with a 2-2 draw at home to Frosinone. The result leaves Napoli six points behind Roma in eighth place. Frosinone remains in the relegation zone, level on points with Verona, who face Atalanta on Monday.

Categories: Football
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One-Handed Backhands Return to ATP Top 10 with Tsitsipas and Dimitrov

One-Handed Backhands Return to ATP Top 10 with Tsitsipas and Dimitrov

By April 15, 2024 0

The ATP rankings have witnessed a resurgence of one-handed backhands in the Top 10, with Stefanos Tsitsipas and Grigor Dimitrov leading the charge. Tsitsipas’ victory at the Monte Carlo Masters propelled him back into the elite, joining Dimitrov, who had ended a six-week drought of one-handed backhands in the Top 10 after his Miami Open final appearance.

This marks the first time since October 2021 that two players with one-handed backhands have graced the Top 10. Tsitsipas, who had been the lone representative since Dominic Thiem’s departure in 2021, now finds himself at his highest ranking since January 2023.

Another notable move in the Top 10 is Casper Ruud’s ascent to No. 6, his highest ranking in over seven months. The Norwegian’s impressive run in Monte Carlo, including a victory over Novak Djokovic, has earned him a significant boost.

Ugo Humbert and Ben Shelton have also made strides, with Humbert reaching a career-high of No. 13 and Shelton becoming the new American men’s No. 1. Meanwhile, Sumit Nagal has made history as the first Indian player to win a Masters 1000 match on clay, propelling him to a career-high of No. 80.

On the WTA side, there were no major changes in the rankings due to the absence of events last week. However, 21-year-old Jessica Bouzas Maneiro made her Top 100 debut after reaching the final of an ITF Circuit event in Spain.

Categories: Tennis
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LSG Skipper Rahul Calls for 'Tough Conversations' After Consecutive Defeats

LSG Skipper Rahul Calls for ‘Tough Conversations’ After Consecutive Defeats

By April 15, 2024 0

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) skipper KL Rahul has acknowledged the need for introspection after his team’s second consecutive defeat in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite a promising start to the season, LSG has now slipped to fifth place on the points table.

“We’re not panicking, but we can’t afford to be complacent,” Rahul said after the eight-wicket loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). “We need to identify our mistakes and have some tough conversations.”

LSG’s batting has been a concern, with the team failing to cross 160 in their last two matches. “We need to figure out how to get to the 180-200 run mark,” Rahul emphasized.

Against KKR, LSG lost wickets in clusters, leaving them with a below-par total. “We kept losing wickets in bunches, and we left about 30 runs out there,” Rahul lamented. “If we had kept wickets in hand, we could have gotten a lot more runs.”

KKR captain Shreyas Iyer praised his bowlers for their performance. “We bowled well under pressure,” Iyer said. “We wanted to minimize the half-volleys and force the batters to use their power.”

The unbeaten 120-run partnership between Iyer and Phil Salt proved decisive for KKR. Salt credited Iyer for his support and praised the Eden Gardens wicket for its similarity to home conditions in England.

“Shreyas was good in the middle and kept me on task,” Salt said. “The ball bounces a bit more here, and you can aim squarer.”

LSG will need to address their batting woes and find a way to post more competitive totals if they want to regain their winning ways. KKR, on the other hand, will look to build on their momentum and maintain their position near the top of the table.

Categories: Cricket
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Pollard Defends Pandya, Emphasizes Team Unity Amidst Criticism

Pollard Defends Pandya, Emphasizes Team Unity Amidst Criticism

By April 15, 2024 0

Mumbai Indians’ Pollard Defends Hardik Pandya Amidst Criticism

Mumbai Indians’ batting coach and former all-rounder Kieron Pollard has staunchly defended Hardik Pandya following the team’s IPL match against Chennai Super Kings. Pandya faced significant scrutiny for his performance, but Pollard rallied behind his teammate, emphasizing the importance of team unity and support.

“I am sick and fed up looking to pinpoint individuals; cricket is a team game at the end of the day,” Pollard stated after the match. He expressed confidence in Pandya’s abilities and highlighted his crucial role in the upcoming T20 World Cup for India.

Pollard acknowledged Pandya’s recent struggles and the public’s expectations, but stressed the importance of evolution in a player’s career. “As an individual you have to evolve,” he remarked. “The older you get, accountability and responsibility kick in.”

Despite Pandya’s recent challenges, Pollard remains optimistic about his future contributions, citing his hard work and commitment to improvement. “What I am seeing is the guy is evolving. We, as individuals, want to see certain things but sometimes the game does not demand certain things,” Pollard noted.

Looking ahead to the T20 World Cup, Pollard anticipates a shift in public sentiment towards Pandya. “I hope very well deep down within my heart that when he comes out on top, I’ll sit back and watch everyone sing his praises,” he said.

Pollard’s defense of Pandya underscores the importance of team unity and support, especially in the face of adversity. It also highlights the need for patience and understanding as players navigate the challenges of their careers.

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Pat Cummins Reveals His Favorites in Fun Q&A Session

Pat Cummins Reveals His Favorites in Fun Q&A Session

By April 15, 2024 0

Australian skipper Pat Cummins, who also leads Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), recently engaged in a fun Q&A session with his fans on Instagram. The session revealed some of Cummins’s favorites, both on and off the field.

When asked about his favorite memory in India, Cummins shared a photo of the Australian team celebrating their victory in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, which they won by defeating India in the final. The match was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Cummins also revealed that his favorite SRH teammate is Travis Head, who has played crucial knocks for Australia in big matches, including the ICC World Test Championship final and the ICC Cricket World Cup final against India last year.

Regarding his favorite Indian food, Cummins expressed his love for Pav Bhaji, a popular street food snack.

In a humorous response to a fan’s question about increasing his height, Cummins quipped, “Ask Marco,” referring to South African pacer Marco Jansen, who stands at an impressive six foot nine inches tall.

Cummins’s SRH team is currently in fifth place in the IPL 2024 standings with three wins and two losses. They will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their next match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. RCB, on the other hand, is struggling at the bottom of the table with only one win and five losses.

SRH has impressed with their attacking cricket, particularly in batting. Cummins has also shown his leadership skills, picking up six wickets in five matches at an average of 24.33.

Categories: Cricket
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RCB's Trophyless Run: Vaughan Stresses Team Unity and Defined Roles

RCB’s Trophyless Run: Vaughan Stresses Team Unity and Defined Roles

By April 15, 2024 0

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), despite boasting a star-studded lineup, has endured a dismal start to the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. After losing five of their first six matches, RCB languishes at the bottom of the points table, leaving fans deeply disappointed.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has weighed in on RCB’s trophyless run and poor performance this season. Appearing on “The Ranveer Show” on YouTube, Vaughan emphasized the importance of team unity and defined roles for success.

“RCB’s failure to win proves that team sport is not just about individuals,” Vaughan said. “You can assemble the biggest names, but it doesn’t guarantee victory.”

Vaughan pointed to RCB’s acquisition of renowned players like AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Faf du Plessis. However, he believes that unless each player understands their specific role and the team operates as a cohesive unit, RCB will continue to struggle.

“They need to rejig their team slightly to allow different players to flourish in different positions,” Vaughan suggested. “I don’t see RCB doing that.”

Vaughan further asserted that RCB cannot win the IPL without clearly defining each player’s role. “They seem to think that because they have great players, they will win,” he said. “But it’s not enough. You need a strong team ethic, culture, and a clear understanding of everyone’s roles.”

After their defeat to Mumbai Indians, RCB will face Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday. The team desperately needs a turnaround to salvage their season and avoid another disappointing campaign.

Categories: Cricket
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Hardik Pandya's Struggles Continue as Mumbai Indians Captain

Hardik Pandya’s Struggles Continue as Mumbai Indians Captain

By April 15, 2024 0

Hardik Pandya’s struggles as captain of the Mumbai Indians have raised concerns among cricket experts. The all-rounder, who led Gujarat Titans to two consecutive Indian Premier League (IPL) finals, has failed to replicate his success with his former franchise.

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has criticized Pandya’s captaincy decisions, particularly his reluctance to introduce spinners earlier in the match against Chennai Super Kings. “I saw a captain that had a plan A from a team meeting that was five hours ago and the captain didn’t want to go to Plan B when he should have,” Pietersen said. “How on earth have you not bowled a spinner when your seamers are going for 20 runs?!”

Pietersen believes that off-field issues, such as the crowd’s negative reaction to Pandya replacing Rohit Sharma as captain, are affecting the all-rounder’s performance. “I think with Hardik, everything away from the game is affecting him so much,” Pietersen said. “He’s smiling too much when he does the toss. He’s trying to act like he’s so happy. He’s not happy!”

Pietersen’s comments echo those of Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, who highlighted Pandya’s poor bowling and batting form. “Hardik is not bowling well, he’s not batting well, and he’s not captaining well,” Gavaskar said. “He’s not doing anything right at the moment.”

Pandya’s struggles have coincided with a poor start to the season for the Mumbai Indians, who have lost four of their first five matches. The team’s batting has been inconsistent, while their bowling has lacked penetration.

Pandya’s captaincy has also been questioned, with some critics suggesting that he is too inexperienced for the role. The all-rounder has admitted that he is still learning and that he is open to feedback.

However, Pietersen believes that Pandya needs to make changes quickly if he wants to turn things around. “Something needs to happen,” Pietersen said. “He needs to find a way to get back to his best form and he needs to find a way to lead this team.”

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Rafael Nadal Set for Barcelona Return as Farewell Tour Continues

Rafael Nadal Set for Barcelona Return as Farewell Tour Continues

By April 15, 2024 0

Rafael Nadal’s farewell tour has been a bittersweet affair, with the tennis legend struggling to find his form. However, as the clay-court season heats up, Nadal is set to make his first appearance since January in Barcelona. The 37-year-old is a 12-time champion in Barcelona, and his presence will undoubtedly add excitement to the tournament.

Nadal’s first opponent will be 21-year-old Flavio Cobolli, a rising star from Italy. If Nadal wins, he will face Alex de Minaur, who recently broke into the Top 10. The Spaniard leads their head-to-head 3-1.

Unfortunately, Nadal’s fellow countryman, Carlos Alcaraz, has withdrawn from Barcelona due to an arm injury. This leaves Andrey Rublev as the highest seed, followed by Casper Ruud, de Minaur, and Monte Carlo champion Stefanos Tsitsipas.

On the women’s side, the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart will feature the WTA’s Top 4: Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina. Swiatek has won the tournament twice in a row, and she will be looking to extend her dominance on clay.

Meanwhile, the BMW Open in Munich will feature Alexander Zverev, Holger Rune, and Taylor Fritz as the top seeds. Zverev will be looking to bounce back from an early exit in Monte Carlo.

Finally, the Tiriac Open in Bucharest will feature Francisco Cerundolo, Tallon Griekspoor, and Sebastian Korda as the top seeds. Richard Gasquet will also be competing as a wild card.

As the clay-court season progresses, fans will be eager to see if Nadal can find his form and make a memorable farewell. The top women will also be looking to make their mark on the red dirt, while the rising stars will be hoping to make a statement.

Categories: Tennis
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Length Ball Resurgence: Bowlers Rediscover Death Overs Weapon in IPL

Length Ball Resurgence: Bowlers Rediscover Death Overs Weapon in IPL

By April 15, 2024 0

The Rise of the Length Ball in the Death Overs: A New Era in ODI and T20 Bowling

In the high-octane world of ODI and T20 cricket, the death overs have long been a battleground where bowlers have struggled to contain the onslaught of powerful batters. The mantra of “don’t bowl length” has been ingrained in the minds of commentators and experts, who have witnessed countless balls disappearing into the stands in the closing stages of matches.

However, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 has witnessed a paradigm shift in bowling strategies. Bowlers have rediscovered the effectiveness of the three-quarter length ball, a delivery that has traditionally been considered a safe option but has now become a potent weapon in the death overs.

On expansive grounds like Jaipur, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Mullanpur, the hard length ball that is driven into the wicket with fielders guarding the square boundary has proven to be a highly effective non-boundary ball. Unlike the tailing yorker that often steals the limelight, this unglamorous delivery has become the bowlers’ go-to option, especially in the end overs.

The rise of the length ball can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, batters have become increasingly adept at anticipating and executing the yorker, standing deep in the batting crease to negate its effectiveness. This has led bowlers to explore alternative strategies, and the length ball has emerged as a viable option.

Secondly, the length ball allows bowlers to maintain a higher error rate in execution. Unlike the yorker, which requires pinpoint accuracy, the length ball can be bowled with a slightly wider margin of error and still be effective. This is crucial in the high-pressure environment of the death overs, where even a single mistake can prove costly.

Bowlers like Pat Cummins have demonstrated the effectiveness of the length ball by packing one side of the deep field with fielders and forcing batters to fetch the ball from the good length spot. Mitchell Starc, known for his swinging yorkers, abandoned that plan against Lucknow Super Giants in the end overs and found success at the Eden Gardens.

Kagiso Rabada delivered a masterclass in length bowling against Rajasthan Royals, almost engineering a heist for Punjab Kings. Other bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mustafizur Rahman, and Kuldeep Sen have also used the yorker sparingly and relied on the length ball.

As the IPL season progresses and wickets become more tired, the length ball is expected to yield even greater dividends for bowlers. Its ability to restrict boundaries and maintain a higher error rate in execution makes it a valuable weapon in the battle against the modern-day batter.

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