England celebrated an emphatic Ashes triumph yesterday, inflicting a record third innings drubbing in the final Test by wrapping up an innings and 83-run win in Sydney.
“It feels pretty special if I’m honest,” England skipper Andrew Strauss said.
“If you look back at the history of Ashes confrontations, what we’ve achieved here will be remembered pretty fondly,” Strauss said.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The tourists scored 644 and dismissed the hosts for 280 and 281.
It was probably England’s most comprehensive performance of the series with Alastair Cook, Matt Prior and Ian Bell all hitting tons.
Their bowlers, led by James Anderson, exposed the gulf between the two attacks by twice dismissing Australia cheaply.
Aussie captain Michael Clarke said his side were comprehensively beaten.
“No doubt England have outplayed us through this series, in all facets of the game,” said Clarke, who later announced he would quit Twenty20 cricket to focus on the longer formats.
N ZEALAND V PAKISTAN
REUTERS, HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND
Pakistan’s Abdul Rehman took three for 51 as New Zealand scrambled to 260 for seven at the close of play on the first day of the first Test at Seddon Park yesterday.
Kane Williamson was on 44 with Tim Southee on 56 after the hosts had appeared to be in control on 78-1 at lunch, only for Pakistan to seize the advantage.
The hosts lost four wickets after lunch and Pakistani momentum continued after tea when Reece Young was dismissed for 14 by Rehman. Tanvir Ahmed then trapped Daniel Vettori LBW for a duck.
Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill had provided the Kiwis with a good start, steering them to 78 for one at lunch.
McCullum slashed at an Umar Gul delivery and was caught at deep backward point for 56, while Taylor followed shortly after for 6 when he got a thin edge through to ’keeper Adnan Akmal off Rehman.
Guptill and Jesse Ryder attempted to rebuild the innings, but just as they looked like they were ready to capitalize after a 36-run partnership, Ryder was run out.
Guptill then hit a Rehman full toss to mid-off on 50.
S AFRICA V INDIA
AFP, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni looked ahead to new challenges after his side validated their ranking as the No. 1 Test team by earning a share of the series against second-ranked South Africa at Newlands on Thursday.
The third and final Test ended in a draw with India on 166 for three after being set 340 to win.
“We’re happy with our performance,” Dhoni said, pointing out that India were possibly one wicket away from being able to force a win when South Africa were reeling at 130 for six on the fourth day. “If we could have got that one wicket we could have done something very special.”
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
Playing soccer and competing for trophies is the best way that many transplanted Hong Kongers and Macanese have found to stay in touch, and to interact with Taiwanese society, said officials at the Taiwan-Hong Kong-Macau Football Friendship Cup, which was held on April 13. Twelve clubs, mostly of players and coaches originally from Hong Kong and Macau, took part in the tournament in New Taipei City. The event is sponsored by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) and the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council. Participating teams were from the wider Taipei area, Hsinchu, Taichung, Kaohsiung and other areas. They divided into two