England fought back well from the loss of captain Andrew Strauss to the fourth ball of the series against South Africa and reached 70 for one at lunch on the first day of the first Test at The Oval yesterday.
Alastair Cook was 33 not out and Jonathan Trott was on 27. Morne Morkel trapped Strauss LBW without a run on the scoreboard, though an initial “not out” decision by umpire Steve Davis had to be overturned after a successful review by South Africa.
Morkel was bowling around the wicket to left-hander Strauss, who played around a straight delivery. The replay revealed the ball would have struck the middle stump.
The partnership between Cook and Trott, a former South Africa under-19 player, grew in momentum after a steady beginning. Both players ran the quick singles well and punished the wayward deliveries. Two short Jacques Kallis balls outside off stump were cut for four by each player.
The most profitable over of the morning, though, came from the world’s No. 1-ranked bowler Dale Steyn when 13 runs came from it. It included a five after Abraham Benjamin de Villiers’ errant throw following a speedy Trott single disappeared for four overthrows. Then Cook pulled a short ball over fine leg for six.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
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The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely