A first World Cup loss to hosts India has done little to dampen spirits in the New Zealand camp, with players soaking up the delights of Dharamsala and reveling in a visit to the Dalai Lama.
New Zealand have the luxury of back-to-back games in the former British hill station where they face a resurgent Australia on Saturday.
Having sweated through a week in the steamy southern city of Chennai, Tom Latham’s squad have relished the cool, mountain air in the last few days in Dharamsala where the Himalayas provide a stunning backdrop.
Photo: AFP
With the town also the base of the Tibetan government-in-exile, New Zealand players jumped at the chance to meet the organization’s spiritual leader.
“This morning most of the group went to meet the Dalai Lama in person at his residence, which was amazing,” batsman Will Young said. “The boys have had a good chance to obviously get stuck into the cricket but also have a bit of downtime as well.”
Former captain and batting guru Kane Williamson, rarely anything but tranquil at the crease, was among the group and beamed as he held the Dalai Lama’s hand in a photo shoot.
Photo: Reuters
The good vibes can hardly hurt Williamson as he patiently waits to be declared fit to return to action after a long-term knee injury.
With a 4-1 record midway through the group phase, 2019 runners-up New Zealand are sitting pretty at third in the standings.
The top four reach the semi-finals.
Young raved about the team’s resort-style hotel, its “beautiful pool,” leisurely walks in the hills and the “great” local food.
“It’s awesome to show up for work and get stuck in such a cool place,” he said. “The cricket, as well, is just a bonus.”
Twelve days after winning her second Grand Slam title at the French Open, Coco Gauff fell at the first hurdle on grass in Berlin on Thursday as beaten Paris finalist Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the quarter-finals. Recipient of a first round bye, American Gauff lost 6-3, 6-3 to Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu as world number one Sabalenka beat Rebeka Masarova 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) in her second round tie. Winner of 10 main tour titles, including the US Open in 2023 and the WTA Finals last year, Gauff has yet to lift a trophy in a grass-court tournament. “After I won the first
Lionel Messi drew vast crowds and showed flashes of his brilliance when his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly as the revamped FIFA Club World Cup got off to a festive start on Saturday. Fans showed up en masse for the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, but Messi could not fully deliver, his best chance coming through a last-second attempt that was deflected onto the crossbar. Inter Miami next face FC Porto on Thursday in Atlanta, while Al-Ahly, who benefited from raucous, massive support, are to
Aaron Civale got a little wild in the right-hander’s first start for the Chicago White Sox two days after he was traded by the Milwaukee Brewers. Civale on Sunday walked four of the first seven hitters he faced in a 2-1 loss to the Texas Rangers. The 30-year-old finished with four walks, one off his career high, while allowing six hits and two runs in five innings. He threw 65 strikes and 39 balls. Chicago trailed 2-1 when he was replaced by Dan Altavilla to start the sixth. “Not the cleanest,” Civale said. “It’s been a whirlwind of a week. First couple
Sergio Ramos on Tuesday outfoxed two Inter players and artfully headed home the first goal for Monterrey at the FIFA Club World Cup. The 39-year-old Ramos slipped through the penalty area for the score just as he did for so many years in the shirts of Real Madrid and Spain’s national team, with whom he combined smarts, timing and physicality. Ramos’ clever goal and his overall defensive play at the Rose Bowl were major factors in Monterrey’s impressive 1-1 draw against the UEFA Champions League finalists in the clubs’ first match of the tournament. “There is always a joy to contribute to the
RSS