Tough but fair, and maintain the friendships: that's what England cricketer Kevin Pietersen would like to see happen at this year's Ashes series against Australia.
Pietersen, who has a strong friendship with Australian legspinner Shane Warne, said yesterday he was hopeful both sides could continue the sportsmanlike tradition begun last year when England regained the Ashes for the first time in 17 years in England.
The first of five Tests between the teams begins on Nov. 23 in Brisbane, with others scheduled in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.
PHOTO: EPA
Pietersen said the iconic image of Andrew Flintoff consoling Australia's Brett Lee after England's two-run win in the second Test at Edgbaston last year perfectly illustrated the spirit in which last year's series was played.
"The whole world media took note of that and the way the series was played was fantastic," Pietersen said. "That's how sport should be played."
"I play this game to enjoy it, to challenge myself and to go out and make friends. I don't see any reason why anybody should be fighting and shouting and arguing and complaining and going at each other on and off the field," he said.
Pietersen said his friendship with his Hampshire teammate Warne spurred both players on when against each other.
"He wants to get me out more than he does somebody else so he can rib me," he said.
"I don't think [the mateship] works to my advantage because when he crosses that white line and I cross the white line and we're out there playing for our countries, we're making sure we can do the best job for our countries," he said.
England opens its three-month tour Down Under on Friday with a one-day match in Canberra against a Prime Minister's XI. On Monday, Cricket Australia said a shoulder injury to Test pace bowler Jason Gillespie would prevent him from captaining the side.
Gillespie will be replaced as captain by Victoria state skipper Cameron White, who was originally selected as vice-captain.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care