CRICKET
Teenager hits debut 100
Teenager Prithvi Shaw became the youngest Indian to score a century on debut in the first Test against the West Indies in Rajkot yesterday. Shaw, who was 18 years and 329 days old, reached his hundred off just 99 deliveries in the second session on the first day. He became India’s second-youngest century-maker after Sachin Tendulkar, who in 1990 was aged 17 years and 107 days when he scored 119 not out against England in Manchester, but that was in his ninth Test. Shaw, a diminutive right-hander, reached the landmark with two runs off paceman Keemo Paul and punched his fist in the air as he was given a standing ovation by the home crowd. He was dismissed for 134, caught and bowled by leg-break bowler Devendra Bishoo. Shaw is the seventh-youngest international batsman to score his first Test century. He is also the third batsman after Shikhar Dhawan (85 deliveries) and Dwayne Smith (93) to hit his debut ton in fewer than 100 balls. At the close of play, India had advanced to 364-4.
RUGBY UNION
TMO powers reduced
World Rugby has reined in the power of television match officials (TMO) for the end-of-year internationals in Europe and handed back more control to on-field referees. The influence of the TMO came under scrutiny during the June Tests in the southern hemisphere and the latter stages of the Super Rugby competition. Coaches, the Sunwolves’ Tony Brown and the Queensland Reds’ Brad Thorn in particular, questioned cards given to their players in Super Rugby fixtures after the TMO convinced on-field referees to change their initial assessment of the incident. Former players working as television analysts also criticized the amount of time taken to make decisions, while they queried the application of the letter of the law in certain events. World Rugby council member John Jeffrey, a former Scotland international, said the decisionmaking focus would shift back to on-field referees during the Autumn internationals. The influence of television officials would also be restricted to checking tries and for foul play. “On the run” conversations between the TMO and three on-field officials would also be removed. “While we hope that the revised protocol will have a positive impact in terms of time impact on the game and accuracy, as with any trial, we will undertake a full review after the November window before determining whether to proceed,” Jeffrey said in a statement.
BASKETBALL
Bucks christen new arena
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks put on a smashing opening-night performance at their new arena on Wednesday. Antetokounmpo had 19 points, 13 rebounds and five assists as the Bucks routed the Chicago Bulls 116-82 in the first game at the Fiserv Forum. The Bucks had the look of contenders under new coach Mike Budenholzer, scoring 63 points in the first half of their pre-season opener and leading by as much as 34 points. Their new arena opened in August and the Bucks looked right at home there against the Bulls, overwhelming them on the backboards with a 64-43 rebound advantage. Bobby Portis led Chicago with 17 points and Kris Dunn added 10.
Manchester United on Tuesday confirmed Michael Carrick as interim manager until the end of the season, tasking him with leading the Red Devils back into the UEFA Champions League. “Having the responsibility to lead Manchester United is an honor,” said Carrick, 44, who won 12 major trophies in his 12-year playing career at United. The former midfielder previously had an unbeaten three-game stint as caretaker boss at Old Trafford in 2021. Carrick then took on his first permanent managerial role at second-tier Middlesbrough in October 2022 and was sacked in June last year after the club finished 10th in the
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg on Wednesday was ruled out for the second half of their 118-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets after the No. 1 pick sprained his left ankle in the first half. Flagg was called for a foul while defending against Peyton Watson and turned the ankle as he fell to the floor with 6 minutes, 1 second left in the second quarter. Flagg limped to the bench and continued to the locker room, but returned for the final 2 minutes, 35 seconds before the break. The 19-year-old did not come out for the second half before the announcement that
Yassine Bounou on Wednesday saved two penalties, while Youssef en-Nesyri netted the decisive spot-kick as hosts Morocco secured a 4-2 shoot-out victory over Nigeria following a 0-0 draw in a tense Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in Rabat. Morocco, seeking their first continental title in 50 years, are to face 2021 winners Senegal in Sunday’s decider in Rabat, while Nigeria take on Egypt in the third-place playoff tomorrow. The 120 minutes before the shoot-out had few clear-cut chances for either side, but it was Morocco who created more opportunities, although they were denied by some fine saves from Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Nigeria
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday sparked defending champions Oklahoma City to victory, while Anthony Edwards led Minnesota’s last-minute fightback to beat San Antonio. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points while adding eight assists and five rebounds in the Thunder’s 124-112 home victory over Miami, improving the NBA’s best record to 33-7 after outscoring the Heat 70-53 in the second half. “We locked in defensively. We were finally able to get some stops,” Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins said. “We were able to get out in transition a little bit, get going offensively and find the flow.” Jalen Williams scored 18 points, while
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