#two of the best English bowlers

[happy74827]

Burning Bridges

[Dexter Morgan x Female!Reader]

Synopsis: Upon an incident that was out of your control, Dexter comes to the realization that it wasn't just a coincidence.

WC: 1951

Category: Slight Angst, Hurt/Comfort

I forgot how much I missed this show (him), so I decided to write another. It's been so long since I last wrote for him that I actually see the difference in my writing. It's wack.

『••✎••』

Dexter was many things… a brother, a son, a pro bowler, a serial killer… but what he lacked was being a good friend.

He didn't understand friendship or its value. It was something that he simply couldn't grasp. Sure, he was able to fake it well enough in order to make sure that people liked him and didn't find him too creepy or strange, but there was never any real emotional connection. In his mind, everyone was either someone he needed or someone he didn't need, and he would treat them accordingly. The only exceptions to this rule were his sister, Debra, and you.

The two of you had met back in college, having been assigned to be each other's partners for a group project. It was a poetry class and a course that Dexter hadn't really wanted to take, but a general education requirement and the promise of an easy A convinced him to at least show-up and suffer through it. Well, for a guy who had to fake every single aspect of his personality in order to fit in with society, it turned out that poetry didn’t come quite as easily as he thought it would.

He had always found the art form to be rather silly, with all the emphasis on metaphors and flowery language. There was no purpose or goal other than to be creative and artsy, and it bored him to no end. The first time you had sat down with him to discuss the project, you could tell how much he didn't want to be there, and the look of complete disinterest on his face as he tried to figure out what your poem meant was the most hilarious thing that you had seen in a while. You couldn't help but laugh, the sound of which made him sit up and give you a quizzical look.

"What?" He asked, tilting his head slightly, confused.

"Nothing," you replied, still giggling. "It's just that I can tell that you don't like poetry."

"Why would you think that?"

"Because you haven't said a word; you're just sitting there, staring off into space and twirling your pencil between your fingers," you told him, and he glanced down at the utensil as if he didn't realize that he was doing that.

"Oh. Sorry, I guess," he apologized, his tone making it clear that he was actually a little annoyed at having been called out on his inattentiveness.

"That's okay. I like poetry, so I'll be happy to do most of the work," you offered, smiling sweetly, and his eyebrows raised.

And that you did. In fact, you loved it so much that you majored in English and planned on getting your Masters, while Dexter got his degree in criminology. It was a nice trade-off because while he struggled in poetry, getting down into the debts of his feelings that were nonexistent, you struggled with chemistry, unable to wrap your head around the subject no matter how hard you tried.

So, the two of you had a mutually beneficial agreement. You did all the work for the poetry class, and in exchange, he tutored you in chemistry and made sure that you got a decent grade. Once the class was over and done with, the two of you stayed friends, though you had very little in common. Dexter had no interest in books, and you had no interest in criminology. He was a loner, and you had plenty of friends. You were a romantic, and he was completely unromantic. He didn't even have a girlfriend, and you had been in three different relationships over the course of the two years that you had known him.

Still, the two of you got along well enough. You were one of the only people that Dexter could actually stand for more than five minutes, and he was the same to you. So you went out to the bar sometimes, hung out with his sister, and did your best to keep him company while also doing your best to try to set him up on dates, hoping that one of these days, he'd actually find someone. It eventually did work out when you found him Rita, but as of right now, she had broken up with him, and he was back to being a lonely bachelor which it didn't bother him much until now.

You were in the hospital, your head wrapped and bandaged like a mummy. You were apparently attacked outside the grocery store, and if it wasn’t for the small instructions he had given you for self-defense, you most likely wouldn’t have survived.

At first, Dexter didn’t think of it as anything important in terms of his line of work. He believed it to be a coincidence, a random crime in the night. But it turned into something more the night he decided to visit with some cake.

“How’s the head?” He asked as he came inside, seeing you propped up reading. Of course, you were reading.

You shrugged. “Like I’m wearing a sweater hat, but it doesn't hurt, so there's that." You paused, setting down your book and glancing at him. "I’m still salty about my groceries. Almost two hundred dollars I spent on that stuff. Gone. Wasted. Poof."

Dexter had to chuckle a bit. "Hey, I can't do much about the food, but I brought you something," he said, revealing the white box.

"Is it chocolate? If it is, I love you," you joked.

"No, it's just vanilla. But, here."

He opened the lid and showed you, and you immediately lit up.

"Awww, Dexter! You are the best friend ever," you gushed, giving him a warm smile.

He smiled back. "It's the least I could do."

He was cutting it up for you when he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. You didn’t seem to notice, but out in the hall, a shadow passed by the window. His body went on alert, eyes flickering towards the door. He couldn’t see much, but he could make out an elderly man with gray hair and a beard.

Dexter's face remained unchanged, though his body language betrayed him as he sat the cake knife down. He knew that look. That look in a man's eyes when he was looking at prey. This was a predator.

"Hey, uh, what was that description again? Of the man who attacked you," Dexter asked, his tone a bit distracted.

"You mean Santa Claus on drugs? That pretty much sums it up. Why?" You looked up, confused.

"I don't know. It's probably nothing."

But it was something. The man had apparently come back to finish the job, and Dexter's jaw clenched at the thought. He was already planning his death in his mind. It wouldn’t be pretty. He gave you a piece of cake, swearing that he’d be back soon before going after the man. He stopped at the lobby momentarily, informing Angel to keep an eye on you, which, of course, the cop complied with.

Angel was a good cop. He was loyal, smart, and a damn good shot. But there was one thing that made him a great cop. He cared about his city and the people in it. He would protect the innocent no matter the cost, especially when it came down to those he was closest to. He was the kind of guy who would risk his life without a second thought if it meant saving others.

This is why Dexter liked Angel and why he was the only one that he trusted with this job.

Finding the man was extremely easy on his part. Dexter already knew what the guy’s plan was, so he stuck around outside the parking lot, watching the shadows. After a few minutes, the man appeared, heading towards the entrance once again.

He never got that far.

A hand was clamped over his mouth while the other dragged him away from the double doors and towards the side of the building. Dexter didn’t pull out his knife, though, only resorting to his arms as he applied pressure against his throat. The man fought, trying to break free, but he didn't get the chance. Dexter didn’t kill him, no, not yet, but his arm was still strong, and he had no plans to let go.

“Listen closely. If you so much as look the wrong way, I will rip your heart out and shove it down your throat. Understand? Nod if you do," he threatened, his voice calm and even. The man nodded, terrified, his eyes wide.

"Good," Dexter replied, “Why are you here?"

The man was quiet, but he was breathing heavily, and his eyes were watering.

"Talk. That girl, why are you after her?"

"I’m not—”

"You attacked her, and now you came back to finish the job, did you not? Who sent you?"

The man was sweating; his face was flushed and red. Dexter was pressing too hard, and his victim was starting to lose air. He didn’t care.

"Who?" He repeated.

The man choked, unable to speak.

"Last chance. Who sent you? And don't lie to me."

The man didn’t answer, and Dexter tightened his hold. That finally did it. The man began to squirm violently, trying to break free, but it was too late. His face started to turn purple, and Dexter had to adjust his grip and pull him closer.

“It wasn’t personal! I had to! I didn't have a choice! It was just a job!" He gasped out, struggling for air. “I got paid to do it. I was just doing what I was told! Please, please, don't kill me."

"Who was it?"

"I—I don’t know. It was some lady. I met her at a bar. She didn’t give her name, but he wasn’t American. She gave me ten thousand dollars and told me that the job was to attack this chick in the parking lot and make it look like an attempted robbery. Said it had to be done in a couple of days. Listen, man, I didn't want to do it. But the money—"

"What did she look like?" Dexter cut in.

"Dark hair. Young. I don't know! I don't know, I swear. She wore sunglasses the whole time. Please, don’t kill me. Please."

Suddenly, it hit him like a ton of bricks. The Dark Passenger was roaring, the realization washing over him like cold water.

Lila.

Everything made sense now. The way she had suddenly showed up out of nowhere, the incident outside the bowling alley, her sudden interest in you. It all made sense. She was behind it. She had done it.

Dexter wanted to snap the man's neck. He wanted to rip his throat out. He wanted to take his knife and stab him over and over again, to punish him for what he had done to you, but he refrained. He had the answers he needed, and the cameras around were still running.

He dropped him and watched him collapse, gasping for air. He didn't move, too scared and in shock to do so. Dexter didn’t say a word; his anger was silent, but it was boiling beneath his skin.

He was going to kill her. He was going to hunt her down and end her, and there was no place on Earth where she could hide.

“You ever, and I mean ever, come near her again; I will tear out your spine and make you choke on it. Understand?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I understand."

Dexter didn’t say anything else; he simply walked off, his hands stuffed into his pockets. He had a lot to think about.

[thoughtportal]

A kakistocracy (/kækɪˈstɒkrəsi/, /kækɪsˈtɒ-/) is a government run by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous citizens.[1]: 54 [2][3] The word was coined as early as the seventeenth century.[4] Peter Bowler has noted in his book that there is no word for the government run by the best citizens,[a] and that the aristarchy may be the right term, but still, it could conceivably be a kakistocracy disguised as an aristocracy.[a]

Etymology

The word is derived from two Greek words, kakistos (κάκιστος; worst) and kratos (κράτος; rule), with a literal meaning of government by the worst people.[5]

History

The earliest use of the word dates to the 17th century, in Paul Gosnold's A sermon Preached at the Publique Fast the ninth day of Aug. 1644 at St. Maries:[4]

Therefore we need not make any scruple of praying against such: against those Sanctimonious Incendiaries, who have fetched fire from heaven to set their Country in combustion, have pretended Religion to raise and maintaine a most wicked rebellion: against those Nero's, who have ripped up the wombe of the mother that bare them, and wounded the breasts that gave them sucke: against those Cannibal's who feed upon the flesh and are drunke with the bloud of their own brethren: against those Catiline's who seeke their private ends in the publicke disturbance, and have set the Kingdome on fire to rost their owne egges: against those tempests of the State, those restlesse spirits who can no longer live, then be stickling and medling; who are stung with a perpetuall itch of changing and innovating, transforming our old Hierarchy into a new Presbytery, and this againe into a newer Independency; and our well-temperd Monarchy into a mad kinde of Kakistocracy. Good Lord![6]

English author Thomas Love Peacock later used the term in his 1829 novel The Misfortunes of Elphin, in which he explains kakistocracy represents the opposite of aristocracy, as aristos (ἄριστος) means "excellent" in Greek.[7] In his 1838 Memoir on Slavery (which he supported), U.S. Senator William Harper compared kakistocracy to anarchy, and said it had seldom occurred:[8]

Anarchy is not so much the absence of government as the government of the worst—not aristocracy but kakistocracy—a state of things, which to the honor of our nature, has seldom obtained amongst men, and which perhaps was only fully exemplified during the worst times of the French revolution, when that horrid hell burnt with its most horrid flame. In such a state of things, to be accused is to be condemned—to protect the innocent is to be guilty; and what perhaps is the worst effect, even men of better nature, to whom their own deeds are abhorrent, are goaded by terror to be forward and emulous in deeds of guilt and violence.

American poet James Russell Lowell used the term in 1876, in a letter to Joel Benton, writing, "What fills me with doubt and dismay is the degradation of the moral tone. Is it or is it not a result of Democracy? Is ours a 'government of the people by the people for the people,' or a Kakistocracy rather, for the benefit of knaves at the cost of fools?"[9]

[redeyedroid]

Scots generally don't go much for cricket. Which I find odd, considering how consistently terrible England have been for most of my life. If there's one thing that brings the people of Scotland together, it's England losing at sport.

Cricket's eccentric as hell; the objectives often incomprehensible and bizarre, even to people who follow the game; it's impenetrable terminology has multiple ways of labeling the same things; the simple idea of who is winning and who is losing may be undiscernable for days; it can go on for five days and still end in a draw and they only decided to end matches like that because once, decades ago, a test match went on so long one team risked missing their boat back home; a series of five or more matches can go on for months; people are forced to keep playing long after the result has been decided; bowling and batting require completely different skills and techniques, yet some players master both; it's greatest trophy, The Ashes, is only contested by two nations and is, essentially, a self-deprecating shitpost; and one of the greatest memes of all time originates from a dropped catch in 2019.

But, because the people of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka love it like nothing else, it is the second most popular sport in the world. And I love it, too. Be it Mitchell Starc clean bowling Rory Burns with the first ball of the 2021/22 Ashes, beginning a series of quite staggering English ineptitude; or Virat Kohli, the greatest batter of this generation, hitting back-to-back sixes off Haris Rauf in front of 95,000 people at the Melbourne Cricket Ground while leading India to an extraordinary win against Pakistan at the 2022 T20 World Cup, cricket offers dramatic moments of brilliance with a regularity other sports struggle to match.

If you want an idea of exactly how popular cricket is in India, Kohli has 60 million more instagram followers than Brady, Serena and LeBron combined. His is the 16th most followed account in the world. The only sports stars with larger followings are Messi and Ronaldo. Like the greatest players in any sport, time appears to slow down around him when he's at his best, his balance and timing perfect as he makes an almost impossible task look like the easiest thing in the world (batters have a fraction of a second to react to a ball being bowled at them. Against the fastest bowlers, they might not even be able to see the ball at all, instead relying on triggers and clues and experience to hit it.)

I picked up a love for cricket from my dad, who himself picked it up one rainy summer afternoon (what do you think happens in summer in Scotland?) when he was young and there were only two TV channels. He loves the great West Indian team of the 1970s and 80s like no other. They're probably his favourite thing in sporting history. A found love, rather than the familial support for Hibs he inherited from his father.

(For that, I'd recommend the excellent documentary, Fire In Babylon. No knowledge is needed, beyond that in cricket, unlike baseball, there is no restriction against a bowler aiming at the batter's body. And the West Indian team had a succession of players who bowled at the speed of light and terrorised batters across the world. They also had, in Gordon Greenidge and Viv Richards, the two great batters of the - possibly any - era).

I missed much of their quarter century of dominance, being too young or not actually alive, but I do remember their last great bowlers, Courtney Walsh and Curtley Ambrose, while the great Trinidadian, Brian Lara, twice set records for the highest individual score in test cricket, first scoring 375, then an unbeaten 400, a record that still stands today and which may now never be bettered. Of course, both those scores came against England.

There was a lot of listening to cricket on the radio, driving places when we were on holiday in the summer. It was a summer sport then, coverage only following teams when they came to England. In the winter, when England went away, we got little, for this was the age before wall-to-wall sports TV.

For instance, I remember bits of Australia's 1993 Ashes rampage coinciding with daytrips along Hadrian's Wall, among other places, but I have no memory of the following, equally one-sided series in Australia in 1994/95.

Not that test cricket is at all rampageous, containing, as it does, breaks for lunch and tea, and even at it's most fast paced only has a ball bowled every 45 seconds or so, this being repeated about 500 times a day, with maybe 1 in 4 actually being scored from. You can miss great chunks of matches only to find nothing has fundamentally changed when you return. One man dressed in white hurls a small red ball at another, who most often declines the opportunity to hit it as it whizzes past. It is often as close to being a day-long nap as any sport can be.

Today, like football, the sport is played everywhere, all the time. The South Asian nations have spread it across the world, far beyond the borders of the British imperial possessions where the colonial administrators introduced it. Wherever there is a strong community of people from the subcontinent, cricket will be found and while there are less than a dozen full members of the ICC, there are now lots of associate members all competing against each other (the USA is the 18th-ranked men's ODI team, for example). There's almost always something to watch somewhere.

Powered by TV money (rights for the Indian Premier league are, on a per-game basis, now the second most expensive sporting event in the world, after the NFL) the compressed, high-scoring excitement of T20 has become the most popular format of cricket, which is bad for me. Because my preference is for the full-fat, slow-motion weirdness of a test match. It's what I grew up with and in my mind, the game is not for the swift. There's a reason they're called tests. The game should be an examination of technique and concentration and endurance that lasts for ages and ends with two poor bastards trying to scratch out a draw by batting for a day and a half because their side trails by 450 runs and the other 9 players on their team are idiots who got out in ridiculous ways. And then, after they inevitably fail, they do it again a week later. And maybe they lose horribly two more times and their team finds itself 3-0 down with two matches to play, but those matches still get played, even though they won't change the result of the series, because that's also part of the test. Or maybe it rains all summer and no matches are played, because the English, with maniac optimism, like to invent games that cannot be played if it's raining (see also: tennis).

I recognise that this is churlish of me. The women's game, like in so many other sports a niche afterthought, is being supercharged by an influx of cash from India, as the men's IPL has this year expanded into a women's tournament. The TV rights for this sold for £95m, the 5 franchises sold for half a billion. The top players - most players, probably - will make more from it than they do for the rest of the year. T20 is an extraordinary boost for the women's game, where tests are rarely played.

This is A Very Good Thing, but I'll always prefer tests.

Only three nations now have the economic power and talent pool to devote equal attention to all three formats of the game. Only England, India and Australia still play full test series against each other. The rest now play two- or maybe three-match series and only occasionally. The form the future of the game will take is in doubt. The West Indies might fracture amidst a proliferation of T20 franchise leagues, their players - naturally and understandably - touring the world and playing in half-a-dozen dozen leagues, their talents auctioned and drafted and paid far more than they get from tests.

But today I'm going to ignore the question marks about cricket's future and the maybe slow death of anything other than T20. Because today, one of the last remaining marquee matchups begins. Tomorrow, the women's T20 World Cup starts in South Africa. In a couple of months I will consume as much of the two IPLs as I can. In the summer, England will host Ashes series for both men and women that promise much. Australia's men currently holds the ridiculous little urn and are the top ranked side. England's men are actually very good right now and have many fine and likeable players, and a part of me finds that very irritating. Either or neither could win. For the other, England's women are also good, but Australia's are much gooder (for real. Ellyse Perry should be counted among the greatest female sports stars of all time. A world class bowler and batter, she has represented Australia at World Cups in both cricket and football).

All that is for tomorrow and beyond. Today, Australia's men begin a 4-match test series in India. India will probably win. It is incredibly hard to win anywhere as a touring team because weather and pitches vary a great deal from country to country and strongly favour the home team, no matter how lowly they are ranked. The West Indies comfortably beat England last year, and Australia struggled to a draw in Sri Lanka. And of all the places to tour, India is the hardest place to win of all. A series win in India is a rare and treasured thing.

The problem with touring India are the pitches. They are slow and dusty and - like most subcontinental tracks - favour the arcane arts of spin bowling, where a bowler uses his fingers or wrist to put spin on the ball in the hope that when it hits the pitch it grips and it's trajectory changes, deceiving the batter. Pitches are prepared to take advantage of this and push India's home field advantage as much as possible. Teams who play warm-up matches before tests in the hope of acclimatising will find placid, grassy pitches that offer not a hint of the demonic conditions the test series will likely bring. Cricket has never been a gentleman's game.

Australia have one, very very good spin bowler in Nathan Lyon and a number who are either untested or not good. They are likely to suffer against Indian batters who have known how to play spin since picking up a bat. India have Ravichandran Ashwin, also a very very good spinner, but in Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav they have several who are merely very good and likely to prosper against Australian batters who are less good away from Australia (Jadeja, injured for most of the last 6 months is arguably the best all-rounder in men's cricket today. A prodigiously talented bowler and batter, he is also among the best fielders in the men's game).

Australia have barely toured anywhere since the pandemic began, but their team has played very well at home and their glitchy batting goblins Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith are incredibly good. I have hope they make the series competitive (though for me, their approaches to batting are too angularly idiosyncratic compared to the gloriously pure techniques of Kohli and Babar Azam of Pakistan). But I also hope that Kohli finds form and has a series for the ages.

The man's due.

PS Old Deadspin did a decent primer on cricket years ago and you can still read it, if you don't mind giving the site clicks...

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] Jasprit Bumrah at the MCG nets (PC: Debasis Sen) Subhayan Chakraborty in Melbourne The cult of Jasprit Bumrah continues to grow as India and Australia gear up for the much-awaited Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, starting December 26. Before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy started, the chatter was mainly about Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma – the two megastars of Indian cricket. When the Indian team landed Down Under, the Aussie newspapers flashed photographs of Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, praising them with a variety of adjectives in English, Hindi, and even Punjabi. The message was clear: the Indian team is in the country, and the batting stars are going to be the show-stealers. But the real show-stopper from the visitors has been Jasprit Bumrah, whose stardom has reached a different level during the ongoing series. As the series has progressed, the chatter around Bumrah has grown. In the past, whenever India played, no matter who attended media interactions, someone inevitably asked a question about Kohli or Rohit. Those answers are the most sellable ones. In this series, the same could be said about Bumrah. At least one question about Bumrah, if not more, has become common on this tour. Bumrah’s performance, action, class, and decisiveness have been the topics of discussion among both Indian and Australian media. His 53 wickets at 17.15 on Australian soil means he has the best average of any visiting pace bowler (minimum 50 wickets) – a list that includes the likes of Fred Trueman, the West Indies Titans and Richard Hadlee, to name just a few. It’s Bumrah’s performances that have done most of the talking. When he speaks to reporters, his calmness, assurance, clarity of thought and leadership qualities are on full display. It feels like he is speaking as a man who is ruling the cricketing world. “He is the greatest Indian pacer of this era,” Harbhajan Singh told RevSportz. “Jasprit Bumrah is unbelievable. He has no match at all. Jassi jaisa koi nahi (There is no one like Jasprit). I have been saying it for a long time now. I saw him very early in his career for Mumbai Indians. A phenomenal bowler, an outstanding bowler. “Pick any world-class batter and ask them who is the toughest bowler to face in the world right now, and Jasprit Bumrah’s name will be at the top of the list. His skill set is on a different level. “He reads the pitch early on, understands it completely, and bowls accordingly. His wrist, the subtlety in his arm, and his action, separate him from other top pacers. And that is why his deliveries have extra zip even after pitching. To pick his lengths early on is a tough challenge for any batter.” For the Latest Sports News: Click Here Jasprit Bumrah and his teammates at the MCG (PC: Debasis Sen) Bumrah has been one of India’s best performers for a while now, yet it’s the batters who make the majority of headlines. The Indian ace has been a different beast altogether, scalping 21 wickets in three Tests at a mind-boggling average of 10.90 and a strike rate of 25.1 – again the best by a visiting bowler (minimum 20 wickets). Australian players and coaches, during the ongoing series, have spoken highly of Bumrah. Be it Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Nathan Lyon, or anyone asked about Bumrah, they have nothing but good things to say about the Indian pacer. The media interaction with Sam Konstas and Sean Abbott painted a similar picture as the duo spoke highly of the 31-year-old pacer. “He has any delivery on tap, the accuracy, the pace. He just ticks all the boxes, session after session,” Abbott said on Monday. “There’s not been one time when he’s bowled in this series where he hasn’t been putting pressure on the Australian batsmen. I tip my hat off to him; it’s been unreal. We’re seeing a master at work. “Maybe it was a good thing he never had it coached out of him. He just remained Jasprit Bumrah for his whole life so far and his whole career. We all get to witness (his bowling) … he’s one of the greatest we’ve seen.

At this level, you want to take on the best at their best. I’m pretty glad he didn’t change because we get to experience something different.” Bumrah has dismissed Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, and Marnus Labuschagne a combined 10 times in the series. McSweeney has already been dropped from the Australian squad for the final two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, with talented young opener Konstas set to debut in the Boxing Day Test after impressing in the age-group circuit, domestic cricket, and recently against India in the two-day warm-up match in Canberra where he smashed a thunderous century for the Prime Minister’s XI. While Konstas didn’t reveal his game plan against India’s Test vice-captain, he also hailed him as the “best in the world”. “I have my plans against Bumrah, but of course, I am not going to say what they are,” said Konstas. “I am generally going to put pressure back on the bowler. Jasprit Bumrah is the best in the world, but they are all good bowlers.” With Bumrah at the peak of his powers and the series all square at 1-1, the Indian team will again look to their pace spearhead to do the heavy lifting on what is expected to be a spicy MCG pitch in the Boxing Day Test, set to shatter the crowd record for the iconic stadium. Also Read: Is Mitchell Marsh’s stop-start Test career on its last legs? The post The growing cult of Jasprit Bumrah appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] Jasprit Bumrah at the MCG nets (PC: Debasis Sen) Subhayan Chakraborty in Melbourne The cult of Jasprit Bumrah continues to grow as India and Australia gear up for the much-awaited Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, starting December 26. Before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy started, the chatter was mainly about Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma – the two megastars of Indian cricket. When the Indian team landed Down Under, the Aussie newspapers flashed photographs of Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, praising them with a variety of adjectives in English, Hindi, and even Punjabi. The message was clear: the Indian team is in the country, and the batting stars are going to be the show-stealers. But the real show-stopper from the visitors has been Jasprit Bumrah, whose stardom has reached a different level during the ongoing series. As the series has progressed, the chatter around Bumrah has grown. In the past, whenever India played, no matter who attended media interactions, someone inevitably asked a question about Kohli or Rohit. Those answers are the most sellable ones. In this series, the same could be said about Bumrah. At least one question about Bumrah, if not more, has become common on this tour. Bumrah’s performance, action, class, and decisiveness have been the topics of discussion among both Indian and Australian media. His 53 wickets at 17.15 on Australian soil means he has the best average of any visiting pace bowler (minimum 50 wickets) – a list that includes the likes of Fred Trueman, the West Indies Titans and Richard Hadlee, to name just a few. It’s Bumrah’s performances that have done most of the talking. When he speaks to reporters, his calmness, assurance, clarity of thought and leadership qualities are on full display. It feels like he is speaking as a man who is ruling the cricketing world. “He is the greatest Indian pacer of this era,” Harbhajan Singh told RevSportz. “Jasprit Bumrah is unbelievable. He has no match at all. Jassi jaisa koi nahi (There is no one like Jasprit). I have been saying it for a long time now. I saw him very early in his career for Mumbai Indians. A phenomenal bowler, an outstanding bowler. “Pick any world-class batter and ask them who is the toughest bowler to face in the world right now, and Jasprit Bumrah’s name will be at the top of the list. His skill set is on a different level. “He reads the pitch early on, understands it completely, and bowls accordingly. His wrist, the subtlety in his arm, and his action, separate him from other top pacers. And that is why his deliveries have extra zip even after pitching. To pick his lengths early on is a tough challenge for any batter.” For the Latest Sports News: Click Here Jasprit Bumrah and his teammates at the MCG (PC: Debasis Sen) Bumrah has been one of India’s best performers for a while now, yet it’s the batters who make the majority of headlines. The Indian ace has been a different beast altogether, scalping 21 wickets in three Tests at a mind-boggling average of 10.90 and a strike rate of 25.1 – again the best by a visiting bowler (minimum 20 wickets). Australian players and coaches, during the ongoing series, have spoken highly of Bumrah. Be it Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Nathan Lyon, or anyone asked about Bumrah, they have nothing but good things to say about the Indian pacer. The media interaction with Sam Konstas and Sean Abbott painted a similar picture as the duo spoke highly of the 31-year-old pacer. “He has any delivery on tap, the accuracy, the pace. He just ticks all the boxes, session after session,” Abbott said on Monday. “There’s not been one time when he’s bowled in this series where he hasn’t been putting pressure on the Australian batsmen. I tip my hat off to him; it’s been unreal. We’re seeing a master at work. “Maybe it was a good thing he never had it coached out of him. He just remained Jasprit Bumrah for his whole life so far and his whole career. We all get to witness (his bowling) … he’s one of the greatest we’ve seen.

At this level, you want to take on the best at their best. I’m pretty glad he didn’t change because we get to experience something different.” Bumrah has dismissed Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, and Marnus Labuschagne a combined 10 times in the series. McSweeney has already been dropped from the Australian squad for the final two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, with talented young opener Konstas set to debut in the Boxing Day Test after impressing in the age-group circuit, domestic cricket, and recently against India in the two-day warm-up match in Canberra where he smashed a thunderous century for the Prime Minister’s XI. While Konstas didn’t reveal his game plan against India’s Test vice-captain, he also hailed him as the “best in the world”. “I have my plans against Bumrah, but of course, I am not going to say what they are,” said Konstas. “I am generally going to put pressure back on the bowler. Jasprit Bumrah is the best in the world, but they are all good bowlers.” With Bumrah at the peak of his powers and the series all square at 1-1, the Indian team will again look to their pace spearhead to do the heavy lifting on what is expected to be a spicy MCG pitch in the Boxing Day Test, set to shatter the crowd record for the iconic stadium. Also Read: Is Mitchell Marsh’s stop-start Test career on its last legs? The post The growing cult of Jasprit Bumrah appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[sammarketer]

The Fiercest Competitors in Cricket: Top 10 Most Aggressive Players

Cricket is a sport that has witnessed numerous players who bring not just talent but also a fiery passion to the field. These cricketers are renowned for their aggressive style, both in their play and their attitude, leaving an everlasting impression on the game. Below, we delve into the top 10 most aggressive cricketers in the world, highlighting who is the most aggressive player in cricket through their relentless spirit and sheer determination.

1. Virender Sehwag (India)

Virender Sehwag’s approach to cricket was nothing short of revolutionary. Known for his ability to attack from the very first ball, Sehwag’s aggression was not just physical but mental, as he consistently put pressure on the bowlers with his fearless stroke play. Whether it was a Test match or an ODI, Sehwag played with the same level of intensity, making him one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world.

Why He’s Aggressive:

His aggressive style of starting innings with boundaries set the tone for his team.

Scored two triple centuries in Test cricket with a level of ease that stunned opponents.

His mindset was to dominate, often turning the tide of the game in his favor within a few overs.

2. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)

Shahid Afridi, also known as "Boom Boom," is one of the most iconic aggressive cricketers. Afridi was famous for his explosive batting, characterized by an extraordinary ability to hit sixes at will. His aggression wasn’t confined to his batting; he was an attacking leg-spinner who often broke crucial partnerships with his bowling.

Why He’s Aggressive:

Known for one of the fastest centuries in ODI cricket, achieved at a young age.

His six-hitting prowess made him a crowd favorite and a game-changer.

Afridi’s fearless attitude on the field often inspired his team and intimidated opponents.

3. Mitchell Johnson (Australia)

Mitchell Johnson’s aggression was best displayed through his blistering pace and the hostility with which he bowled. During the 2013-14 Ashes series, Johnson was a terror for English batsmen, his fast, short-pitched deliveries making him one of the most feared bowlers of his time. His aggressive nature was not just physical but psychological, as he often got into the minds of the opposition.

Why He’s Aggressive:

Consistently bowled at speeds above 150 km/h, making life difficult for batsmen.

Utilized aggressive tactics, including bouncers, to unsettle and intimidate his opponents.

His ability to maintain aggression over long spells made him a key weapon for Australia.

4. Glenn McGrath (Australia)

Glenn McGrath was not known for express pace but for his incredible accuracy and relentless pressure. His aggression was subtle yet potent, as he constantly attacked the batsman’s weaknesses. McGrath was a master of mind games, often engaging in verbal battles and using his metronomic precision to frustrate and dismiss top-order batsmen.

Why He’s Aggressive:

Had a unique ability to consistently bowl in the right areas, forcing mistakes from batsmen.

Known for his psychological warfare, often unsettling the opposition before they faced a ball.

His competitive spirit and unyielding accuracy made him one of the best fast bowlers in history.

5. David Warner (Australia)

David Warner is a modern-day cricketer known for his aggressive approach to batting and his fiery personality on the field. Warner’s strength lies in his ability to take the attack to the bowlers right from the start, often changing the course of a match in just a few overs. His aggression is not just limited to his batting; his on-field demeanor and willingness to engage in verbal exchanges make him a force to be reckoned with.

Why He’s Aggressive:

Frequently delivers explosive starts in both Test and limited-overs cricket.

Known for his confrontational style, both with the bat and in his interactions with opponents.

Plays with a fearless attitude that often disrupts the plans of the opposition.

6. Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan)

Shoaib Akhtar, famously known as the "Rawalpindi Express," brought raw pace and aggression to the cricket field. Akhtar’s ability to bowl consistently at over 150 km/h made him one of the most feared fast bowlers in the world. His aggression wasn’t just about speed; it was about the psychological pressure he exerted on batsmen, often leaving them rattled.

Why He’s Aggressive:

Holds the record for the fastest ball ever bowled, clocking in at 161.3 km/h.

Utilized his pace to intimidate and dominate the best batsmen in the world.

His fiery temperament and aggressive nature made him a challenging opponent for any team.

7. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)

Jacques Kallis is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history. While known for his technical proficiency, Kallis had a fierce competitive edge that surfaced in critical moments. Whether with the bat or the ball, Kallis’s aggression was measured but deadly, often tilting the balance in favor of his team.

Why He’s Aggressive:

Blended technical excellence with a willingness to play aggressively when the situation demanded.

Delivered key spells with the ball, often taking crucial wickets through sheer determination.

His competitive nature made him a pivotal figure in South Africa’s cricketing success.

8. Ricky Ponting (Australia)

Ricky Ponting’s career is a testament to aggressive cricket, both in terms of batting and leadership. Ponting was known for his ability to dominate bowling attacks, particularly with his powerful pull shots. As captain, his aggressive tactics and uncompromising approach helped Australia become one of the most formidable teams in cricket history.

Why He’s Aggressive:

Played with an attacking mindset, regularly taking on the world’s best bowlers with confidence.

As captain, led his team with a fierce determination to win, often employing aggressive strategies.

His confrontational style on the field was matched by his ability to lead from the front.

9. Brett Lee (Australia)

Brett Lee was another Australian fast bowler who epitomized aggression. Lee’s speed and intensity made him a constant threat to batsmen around the world. His aggressive bowling style, coupled with his high-energy celebrations, showcased his passion and commitment to the game, making him one of the most exciting players to watch.

Why He’s Aggressive:

Maintained high speeds throughout his career, challenging even the best batsmen.

Used his pace to intimidate and dominate opposition batsmen.

Played with a contagious enthusiasm that energized his team and thrilled spectators.

10. Gautam Gambhir (India)

Gautam Gambhir was a cricketer who combined aggression with a deep sense of responsibility. Known for his intense focus and combative attitude, Gambhir played some of the most crucial innings for India in high-pressure situations. His aggressive nature was evident not just in his batting but also in his willingness to stand up to opponents, making him a key player in India’s success during his career.

Why He’s Aggressive:

Played pivotal aggressive innings in high-stakes matches, including World Cup finals.

Known for his confrontational attitude, often engaging in heated exchanges with opponents.

His determination and fighting spirit made him a respected and feared competitor.

READ ALSO:- W.G. Grace: The Father of Cricket and His Impact on the Game

Conclusion

The most aggressive cricketers in the world have left an indelible mark on the sport, bringing intensity and passion that have thrilled fans and terrified opponents. These players, through their aggressive batting, bowling, and leadership, have not only achieved great success but have also redefined the way cricket is played. Their legacy of fierce competition and unyielding determination continues to inspire future generations, showcasing who is the most aggressive player in cricket and what it takes to dominate the game at the highest level.

[sportsgr8]

It s Just One More, Doesn t Make Much Difference : Stokes Unfazed By His 100 Tests Milestone

Given Joe Root: Ben Stokes will be reaching the milestone of becoming the 16th man to reach a century of Tests for England when he leads the side in the third Test against India in Rajkot on Thursday, the English skipper, however, is unfazed by this milestone and said his 100th cap is "just another Test" and "doesn't make much difference". The all-rounder, who made his Test debut in 2013 against Australia, will enter an elite club alongside veteran pacer James Anderson and Joe Root when he leads England in the third match of a five-game series, which is currently tied at 1-1. "Every Test is just as important as the next one. Then there's the next one, which will be 101 - it's just one more. it's a sign of longevity, but 99, 100 or 101 doesn't make much difference," Stokes was quoted by BBC. Stokes announced his arrival in Test cricket by scoring a century in only his second match, against Australia. Since then, he has forged one of the most illustrious and triumphant careers in English cricketing history. The all-32-year-old, who also starred in two World Cup final wins in white-ball cricket, assumed the role of Test captain in 2022. Since then, he has transformed the England team, guiding them to victory in 14 out of 20 matches under his leadership. "There will be a time when I can reflect a bit more. Whilst I'm still playing and wanting to achieve a lot, then driving the team, giving individuals the best platform for them to be successful is where all my thoughts are at the moment." Stokes meanwhile said that England have finalise a 12-man squad for the third Test, with pace bowler Mark Wood in line to regain his place in the playing XI. England named only one specialist seamer in each of the first two Tests, with Wood playing in the first match in Hyderabad before being replaced by James Anderson in the second Test in Visakhapatnam. Wood could come in to partner James Anderson, with one of spin trio Shoaib Bashir, Rehan Ahmed or Tom Hartley making way. Given Joe Root's proficiency in offspin, Stokes will have a plethora of choices at his disposal, complemented by Wood's additional pace. Though Wood went wicketless in the first Test but Stokes believes he could have more of an impact with Anderson alongside him. "The reasons why we would look at Jimmy and Woody would be I just like to have a point of difference. And India is never a three-seamer option. Obviously having Woody's high pace, and if we were to go with two seamers again, it would give a bit more rest to Woody as he was that sole seamer in the first Test. So, managing his workload. "If we were to go with two seamers, we might be able to get a bit more versatility and use Woody how we want to use him out here and not worry he's the only seamer," said Stokes. The five-match series is levelled at 1-1 with three matches remaining as England look to become the first team since 2012 to win a Test series in this country. Read the full article

[gaykarstaagforever]

On Highlander

I finally saw the first Highlander movie. I don't know why I had never seen it before. I saw II (ew) and The Source (double-ew), and a lot of the first TV show (mostly yay).

I'm not going to do a full review, because we are nerds and we all know it's a good movie. But I'll say this about it - for a movie from a first-time feature director, from a screenplay written by a guy who was still in film school, starring an effectively-blind man who barely spoke English at the time, it is way better than it has any right to be. It is rough and uneven and the dialogue is bad and the fight scenes are always two men frantically cracking aluminum baseball bats against each-other until one's hands hurt and he drops his. But all that said, it is a good fantasy movie, especially for 1986.

I think generally it has a reputation that is a little overrated, and people who stan this movie apparently fill in a lot of plot holes in their heads to make it work and aren't aware they are doing that. But it is still fun and pretty good in general as an old skool action movie about lightning vampires having sword fights for no good reason.

...The ending sucks, though, and is directly responsible for everything that is bad about Highlander II. I know this because I've watched it

"WHAT ABOUT THE RENEGADE CUT?!"

and about half of "The Renegade Cut," before the self-indulgent, completely senseless "Watch a director make a point to people who do not care at all!" shit got unbearable.

Adding slight less bad mid-90s visual effects and removing all the Zeist crap does exactly nothing to fix a plot that is 100% in service to no one having any goddamn idea what to do with this franchise after Conner wins The Prize. The Prize only exists as an undefined Macguffin that keeps these desperate people motivated, on the off-chance it frees them from this obvious curse. Whatever you officially make it, that is automatically stupid and lame and not worth it. That's the nature of the whole concept, and the bad ending of the first movie proves it.

Which is why, according to Wikipedia, the original screenplay NEVER DEALT WITH THAT. It apparently ended with Conner killing the Kurgan and then immediately "feeling" the presence of yet another Immortal they didn't know about. The Game goes on. There will NEVER be only one. It's a metaphor for the "curse" that is life, you keep going on the basis that you exist to achieve something, but you will probably never find out what that is before you die, all your plans and actions rendered fruitless. And that's really good.

But that isn't a happy ending, so...you can have kids now? And sort of read minds? Maybe? Of everyone? Which means...things?

Maybe you can build a giant shield around the Earth? I don't know. They're from Space. Whatever.

See the problem?

Also the Wikipedia article says Clancy Brown (and the original screenplay) saw the Kurgan as more of a stoic, world-weary villain, more one of circumstance than psychopathy. Clancy wanted to wear a suit and a bowler hat. That also sounds really good. Obviously him being nuts is one of the best parts of the first movie, just like Michael Ironside being nuts is one of the only good parts of the second. But is it dramatically compelling? The most profound part of the first one is when Conner finds out what the Kurgan did to Heather. The movie does that tactfully and earns the payoff. That was something that could also 100% work in a version where the Kurgan is just another Immortal who is dealing with his curse by taking a darker path than Conner does (hence why Conner is the protagonist).

But it is what it is. The first one is good, II is technically a well-made movie but is a fascinating disaster in any cut, and I didn't see 3 because I'm not paying $4 to rent what I hear is another not-good Highlander movie.

...Also, Ramirez probably would have lived a lot longer if he'd actually used that katana like a katana and not like a broadsword. But I guess no one in 1985 was going to tell Sean Connery to take two weeks of kendo lessons.

And a last word on the stupid Renegade Cut. How the hell did changing it from "alien planet" to "anachronistic Bronze Age, with time-wizards" solve a single problem with this childish nonsense? They still have amnesia for no given reason, they still go by the names we know neither one of them used until just before they met, Katana still shouldn't be drunkenly making sarcastic references to 20th Century things he wouldn't know anything about, even if it's fun (and it is; Michael Ironside is a Canadian treasure). It is all still such impossible anti-sense that not even the most adventurous writer of professional wrestling storylines could glue the pieces together into something that makes these railing kills emotionally impactful. There are a thousand possible fantasy stories that Highlander II could have used to try and explain why the hell people who are immune to bullets shoot lightning when you cut their heads off, and they picked "-B *fart noise*". You can't redeem that with editing.

And again, no one should have tried to explain it in the first place. That's not the point. Explaining any of this should never, ever be the point.

Because when it is, THIS happens:

[newsworld-nw]

England vs Sri Lanka, Cricket World Cup 2023: Fantasy XI Prediction, Top Captaincy and Vice-Captain Selection

Defending champions England will face Sri Lanka within the twenty fifth match of the ICC Cricket World Cup, 2023 on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India on October 26. The match will begin at 02:00 PM IST. England are deep in frustration after their nightmare marketing campaign within the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Having gained simply certainly one of their 4 matches, their hopes of ending within the high 4 are fading by the day The Jos Buttler-led facet began their World Cup marketing campaign with a nine-wicket loss to New Zealand. They regrouped and beat Bangladesh by an enormous margin of 137 runs within the subsequent match. Nevertheless, they suffered a shock defeat to Afghanistan within the third match and have been overwhelmed by South Africa by 229 runs of their earlier match. They're at the moment ninth within the ICC Cricket World Cup standings with two factors from 4 matches. In the meantime, Sri Lanka entered the match after a five-wicket win over the Netherlands. The win towards the Dutch was Sri Lanka's first win after three consecutive defeats. The Islanders are at the moment eighth within the league standings with two factors from 4 video games. ENG vs SL Fantasy XI Wicket-keeper: Sadira Samarawickrama Batters: Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nisanka, Charith Asalanka, Joe Root, Dawood Malan All-rounder: Sam Curran Bowlers: Dilshan Madushanka, Mahesh Thekshana, Adil Rashid, Mark Wooden Sri Lanka's Sadira Samarawickrama is the best choice for the wicket-keeper slot in fantasy groups. This proper handed batsman scored 230 runs in 4 matches. He additionally has a ton and a half-century to his title within the ongoing marketing campaign. Kushal Mendis of Sri Lanka scored 218 runs and his teammate Pathum Nisanka scored 166 runs in 4 matches for his crew. Southpaw Charith Asalanka has additionally been in good contact, scoring 149 runs in 4 matches within the match. For England, David Malan scored 192 runs in 4 matches and his compatriot Joe Root scored 172 runs in 4 matches at a strike price of 97.18. These two batters might be answerable for driving the English ships. Sam Curran would be the high contender for the all-rounder place. Though not very efficient with the bat, the left-handed bowler is among the many wickets within the ongoing competitors. Captain: Sadira Samarawickrama Sri Lanka's Sadira Samarawickrama is the highest contender for the fantasy XI captaincy. Alongside together with his means with the bat, Samaravikrama has the potential to attain good fantasy factors behind the wickets as nicely. The correct-hander scored a superb 89-ball 108 towards a formidable Pakistan bowling assault earlier within the match and Sri Lanka will depend on him to provide his finest towards an English assault on Thursday. Vice-Captain: Sam Curran On a balanced observe on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Sam Curran's all-round abilities might be essential for England. The 24-year-old is but to fireside on all cylinders within the ongoing World Cup, nevertheless, the match towards Sri Lanka might be an ideal platform to showcase his abilities and energy the English crew to victory. Sam Curran could be a sensible choice for the vice-captain place. Vice-captaincy choice Matters lined on this article #England #Sri #Lanka #Cricket #World #Cup #Fantasy #Prediction #Prime #Captaincy #ViceCaptain #Choice Read the full article

[pohtiongho]

Oppressed Labourer

Young Bala came from Afghanistan when he was a kid. His father started a tailoring shop in Singapore before World War II. Bala who was small in size was always looked upon as the pigmy of the class. He completed his primary education in an English medium school. He used to try very hard to join the primary school football team and his training in other games and athletic events were persistent. After trying hard and failed to be selected for any team to represent his school, he diverted his attention to something else. He made himself the Sports Officer of the Singapore Association of Youths. Expensive dance tickets were sold every month.

One Saturday morning, a student knocked on David's door.

" Good morning, Sir. Would you like to buy a dance ticket?"

In order to please this innocent girl, David bought one even though he knew it meant more drink and smoke for the organizer.

The following month, David's door was knocked again. This time, a man with two Form 5 girls were there.

"Mr. David, would you like to contribute to the National Disaster Fund?" Bala asked.

" I'll donate only if you show me the official permit from the government," David answered.

Bala apologized and hurried off. The two girls thought they met another nasty guy.

" Don't you think he had been rude?" Carol whispered when they reached the car.

" Yes, indeed he was very rude. We should not see him again," Bala answered.

" Why didn't you bring the letter from the O.C.P.D.?" Carol enquired ignorantly.

" I forgot it."

Many months passed. No one knew about the fund raising incident. During a cricket match, Bala met David, who was the bowler from the education team. When the ball went too far from the sticks, Bala would deliberately boo sarcastically.

" David. Go back to Pulau Ubin. It's your best place," Bala commented half jokingly.

" Why didn't you remain in Afghanistan eating tapioca?" David began to show his temper.

At 12 pm, the match ended not too happily. All the players, went as usual, to the recreation club which was just next to the field. David ordered a roast chicken and some rice. The steaming fowl made saliva poured and the more intelligent ones started to sip their tea. That was why I didn't enjoy going to restaurants where the service was slow. Bala, whose salivary gland was most activated, made himself invited.

" Pull a chair and sit down, " David invited him as he was standing by the side of the table, and pulled a drum stick for the guest who devoured it straight away. Sweat rolled down from his forehead and his face was wet.

David sympathized with this unpleasant personality. After all, every living being must have the Buddha nature too.

" Would you like to have a dance ticket?" Bala murmured.

"Why ? You should give me one free of charge, for that drum stick."

" I didn't say you must pay for this ticket?" Bala took that ticket from the table and went away. He knew that it was too obvious he had to move to another locality.

This young man shifted over to JB ( in Malaysia) and made himself the chairman of the hockey association there. Unpaid position sometimes are more lucrative than the salaried position He was able to make some money by marking up the articles for the association which he volunteered to purchase.

After spending the life of a tramp, Bala eventually decided he should take a wife. He came back to Punggol and talk to his mother about it. Singapore was not a good hunting ground for him though there were more marriageable females than males.

"Son. They were saying to find a wife was as easy as getting a pebble on the road," the mother comforted him.

" But mother, I don't like those silly girls here. For example, they laughed at us. They said our atap house was built of palm leaves and baku wood, and that it was standing on another person's land."

" Son, if you don't want to be hurt, no one will be successful in hurting you. Roger may be able to introduce you one from Malaysia."

" Won't he laugh at me?"

"No. I'll tell him Bala refused to get married because they were no eligible girls here. For example, your horoscope and their horoscope cannot match."

" Excellent, Mother," Bala's face brightened. He knew Roger would not fail him.

Roger, a young teacher was then invited to the humble hut of this family.

" Your mother told me you had not found a suitable partner in Singapore?"

"Oh, those silly girls. How could I ever settle down with any of them?"

Roger went to spend his Easter holiday in Malaysia. He was wondering if he should recommend a Chinese, Malay, or Indian? Malaysians were materialistic. It was a fact that if a non-Chinese wanted to marry a Chinese girl, he must be rich. Malay girls adored only gallant knights. Poor Bala would never have a chance. Roger eventually concluded that an Indian girl was the answer. Roger went to JB to hunt for the suitable girl who would accept the photo of Bala.

" I can recommend you a sexy one from my estate," Joe studied hard on that teacher.

"How much can you offer ? My share and her mother's ?"

" Doesn't she have a father?"

" Her father was involved in flying a small plane to smuggle in heroin from Thailand to Malaysia. He escaped a few trips but one day as the plane was landing on a beach during low tide, it ran over a boulder and he was killed. You can take her if you offer me RM

2000 and another RM 2000 for her mother. I can easily persuade her since I'm the boss here. Her employment is at my pleasure."

The sum was paid.

" She is yours by tonight. Have a good time, my dear friend."

At the Tanjong Pagar to welcome Joan and Roger were Bala and his mother.

" Look, mother, that's the girl," Bala pointed at Roger and Joan.

" Yes, son. Roger is surely a good fellow."

Roger went his way after handing over the girl to the waiting man. Bala hired a taxi to return to Punggol with Joan and his mother.

" Joan, how do you like our small house?" Bala asked.

" I'm not suppose to comment, mum told me before I left JB."

" This place will be very prosperous within a few years. The government had planned to build a MRT here. I 'm sure by then the huge shopping malls, schools, and others would be constructed. We are very lucky to be living at this location."

In the evening, the family went to have dinner at the food court. They dined silently. Joan adapted herself well, though inwardly she was very worried. A thousand and one

questions struck her. Bala, with a new tie on his neck, looked proud. Every now and then, he liked to look aside, as if posing for a cameraman. His shirt sleeves were too long for him. He strolled slowly but elegantly along the street. They came to a bench under a tree. He cleaned it for the lady to sit down.

" Singapore is a wonderful place. Before I arrived, I thought you had pick-pockets rushing about the town."

The crescent moon hang at about 40 degrees on the sky. On the water surface, the moonlight beams were wavering. Cars speeded by behind the bench, just about three feet away.

" You fellows drive as fast as those in JB."

" Any fool can drive fast," Bala told her.

They returned home by the last bus that night. The poor mother who left earlier walked home as that was her method of saving some money. The marriage was fine and Joan did enjoyed it as a lady should. Unfortunately, Bala began to get frustrated. First off all, he could not find more money to lead a better life. Fate was deadly against him. He strived hard but was only able to make ends meet. Joan helped the family by doing laundry work. This meant better foods and clothes. Bala's drinking habit got worse.

Years passed. Bala's mother died of old age, just like his father. Nothing in this universe remains unchanged. The family consisted of only husband and wife. The family went to a temple to supplicate, thinking that Joan was not fertile. Surprisingly, Joan conceived after the temple visit and nine months later, a daughter was born. The devas do help us at times, don’t they ? They named her Sheila.

Bala had been a construction worker and only started to have problem with the daughter when she was nine years old.

" Why don't you teach in school like Mr. Chung and Mr. George ?" the inquisitive daughter asked him.

" Why? Am I not doing a honourable job?"

" But teachers said all labourers were uneducated. They said if we didn't work hard we would be labourers one day."

" Who said so?" the furious father clenched his fists.

" Mr. Chung and Mr. George."

The agitated father rushed to the quarters of Mr. Chung and Mr. George, both were bachelors.

"You're Chung and George? Why did you tell my daughter labourers were uneducated?"

" I'm sorry. I said that to encourage my students to work harder. I didn't mean to insult anybody," George replied.

" Didn't you infer at me?"

" No, I didn't even know you."

" I'm Bala, Sheila's father."

"Glad to know you Bala. She is a smart girl."

"Next time you insult me again, I'll knock some teeth out of your bloody big mouth."

" There is nothing wrong in being labourers. My father was one and so was Mr. George's father," Chung who was impatient joined in.

" You bloody Chinaman. You think you're smart because you 're a teacher?"

Bala wheeled and walked off. He came home very much relieved. Sheila was waiting for him at the gate which was in front of the house.

" Where did you go, papa?"

" I went to see your stupid teachers."

The tired man went to sleep after dinner. At 11 o'clock that night he had to work again but the overtime pay was good so Bala did not mind at all. Joan filled his metal can with black coffee and got ready the basket and the safety hat in case he woke up late and started shouting again.

The next morning he came home mentally and physically exhausted as the engine noise at the construction site nearly deafened him. He spent the whole morning in bed. In the afternoon he went off to work again. That afternoon, the Exploration Society of Punggol Primary School organized a trip to visit a building site. It was a coincident that Sheila was in the group and the site was where Bala worked. This construction site occupied about 100 acres and was the then biggest construction site in Singapore. Mr.Tan the general manager took the group of the students and the teacher Mr. Matai to the various places of interest. On the way Bala was seen carrying two bags of cement on his back. He stopped to call his daughter Sheila. Sheila ignored him and moved on with the group. The

man's eyes were filled with tears and he took the two bags on his back again. The engines seemed to roar louder. No one noticed him. The hurt father came home that night, storming the daughter and the mother.

"You donkey. Why didn't you answer me?" he pulled the girl by the hair, her face thus tilted up.

"Let her go. What had she done?" the wife yelled at him.

" Why? She was ashamed of her own father."

"Does that matter?"

"I struggled and sweated hoping to bring up a good family and here I'm, rejected by my own daughter."

The building project was near completion. Bala was transferred to work at the wharf. He loved his new place as he could have a lung-full of fresh air. Moreover, there were the roaring waves which he enjoyed watching. The terrible heat from the fierce hot sun was not felt as much as at the construction site. He remained a labourer here for several years mainly because all foremen he worked for used to write very bad reports about him, accusing him of not safety conscious, stealing company articles from the incoming cargoes, laziness, not able to corporate with the colleages etc. In actual fact, the company properties were stolen by the foremen and the security guards. Some people say good people die young. Perhaps they were right. Joan died at the age of 29, when Sheila was only 13. Sheila had to leave school and grew up overnight taking over the mother's place of housekeeping.

Bala did not seem to miss his wife. He went on with his job as usual and was probably much happier now because there was no one to complain about his drinking habit. Every day he would spend half of what he received on beer, all the time taking it with his cronies at the local cafeteria at about 6 pm. before he came home to rest.

One stormy night, Bala came home after loading a ship that was leaving at midnight. Lightning flashed and thunders banked in the sky. Torrential rain poured as if the earth must be flooded. Bala was soaking wet when he reached home. He bathed, took a light meal and went to sleep. There being only one room in the hut, he slept in the sitting room on a canvas bed. Sheila's room was forced open by the wind. This adolescent had the body of a matured lady. Bala's sexual desire was aroused when he saw the sleeping girl. He did not have enough money to frequent the brothels. There was no solution. He entered the room and undressed her. The lightning was followed by a big bank. The rain poured more heavily. Sheila woke up and asked.

" What do you want, Papa?"

" Not anything."

Sheila tried to put on her dress but Bala took it and threw it away. He jumped on her. THe thunder bolt was brilliant as it passed from the clouds to the earth. It was about  2 inches in diameter, and about 200 meters long. The banging sound was deaftening. Was it trying to kill someone? When he had his tension released, he left the room,  leaving the girl crying. From that day onward she had to submit. In order to help the family expenses, Sheila worked in a coffee bar. This hard working and frugal beauty attracted the owner who threatened to expel her if she refused his advances. So she had to entertain whenever the owner wished. She grew up that way, seeing nothing in these scoundrels except their sexual greed, which grew more and more intense every day. What else could the country men understand except the temporal enjoyment?

At the age of 18, there were many young men who wanted to marry her. She rejected all partly because her father was still living and partly because men were only vicious brutes to her. She found more happiness in solitude. One limping gentleman came in to introduce himself as a Construction Company owner from Luyang Offshore Supply Base. He was Chinese and he wanted Sheila to be his second wife. He thought his income could attract her but didn't know the lady had no greed for his money. Sheila refused to offer her body for money and begged the man to invite other girls instead. But this rich man said he was in love with her and he offered his condo keys and the key to his BMW telling her to make use of the BMW and the condo whenever she wanted to. All her colleagues said she was stupid to turn down such a good offer. Was she ?

"You will be rich if your marry him, Sheila" one of the senior colleagues advised her.

" No, I don't like his behaviour. The first time he met me in this shop he asked me how much I would charge him for one shot (meaning to have one sexual session with him). I have no respect for people like this and I don't need much money in this life. Let me wait for a better man."

One Friday night, Sheila was personally informed that her father was knocked down by a lorry at a pedestrians crossing. He died on the spot, leaving Sheila to start her own life. The police report said that the traffic light was green and the lorry driver was running at only 50 km per hour. The driver had another passenger on the front seat to be the witness. Dead man cannot talk.

End

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[daddyscore]

England vs New Zealand ICC World Cup 2023 Match 1

Today’s match is going to be a repeat of the final of the ICC World Cup 2019, in which England managed to defeat New Zealand by the slightest of margins after the super-over ended in a tie. While, the English team will be looking to win the match once more in a more convincing way, New Zealand will try and avenge their defeat.

Both the teams are well-balanced and will be the prime contenders of the tournament. England, under the captaincy of Jos Buttler, looks a pretty balanced team with almost equal weightage in all the departments. The return of Ben Stokes from injury has added to the strength of the team.

On the other side New Zealand, has a good batting line-up with a versatile and dynamic bowling attack. Their biggest concern for the match will be the absence of captain Kane Williamson, who will be available for selection from the second match of the team in the tournament.

Check all the details given below regarding the match:- ENG vs NZ 1st Match Details

Match: ENG vs NZ, 1st Match, ICC ODI World Cup 2023

Captains:  Jos Buttler is going to lead England Cricket Team

Tom Latham will lead New Zealand Cricket Team

When: October 5th 2023, Thursday

Match is going to start at 2.00 p.m. IST

Venue: Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, Ahmedabad

Head to head of these two teams: Both teams have played 95 matches against each other. Out of which England has won 44 matches and New Zealand has won 44 matches with 3 tie and 4 end in no result.

Likely playing XI

England

Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Jos Buttler (c and wk), Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, and Mark Wood.

Bench : DJ Malan, Chris Woakes, DJ Willey, AAP Atkinson

New Zealand

Devon Conway, Will Young, Mark Chapman, Tom Latham (c and wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, and Trent Boult.

Bench : Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, MS Chapman, James Neesham

Pitch report

The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium is generally a good one for batting. The surface remains the same for the most part of the match and the batters from both teams enjoy the condition.

Best players from both of the teams

Best Batsman: Devon Conway

Best Bowler: Mark Wood

Weather forecast for today in Ahmedabad

Maximum temperature: 34°C Minimum temperature: 22°C Wind speed: 10km/h Chances of rain: 0% Capacity of stadium: 132,000 Prediction to win: Team England is most likely to win the match

Where to Watch: Download our app for fastest score

[whatsonmedia]

Top Sporting Events to Watch This Week!

This week is packed with exciting sporting events, from cricket to football to basketball. Here is a rundown of some of the biggest must-watch events: CRICKET India v Australia - 1st ODI: Friday, September 22, 13:30 BDT, Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali - 2nd ODI: Sunday, September 24, 14:00 BDT, Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore - 3rd ODI: Wednesday, September 27, 14:00 BDT, Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot This is a highly anticipated series between two of the world's best cricket teams. India will be looking to avenge their defeat in the last ODI series they played against Australia, while the Aussies will be looking to continue their dominance over the hosts. Bangladesh v New Zealand - 2nd ODI: Saturday, September 23, 14:00 BDT, Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur - 3rd ODI: Tuesday, September 26, 14:00 BDT, Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur Bangladesh will be looking to level the series after losing the first ODI to New Zealand. The Tigers have a good record at home against the Kiwis, and they will be hoping to rely on their experienced batsmen and bowlers to get them over the line. England v Ireland - 2nd ODI: Saturday, September 23, 16:00 BDT, Trent Bridge, Nottingham - 3rd ODI: Tuesday, September 26, 17:30 BDT, Bristol County Ground England are the favorites to win this series, but Ireland have shown in recent years that they are a team to be reckoned with. The Irish will be looking to their captain, Andrew Balbirnie, and their star bowler, Josh Little, to lead them to victory. FOOTBALL Bundesliga - Bayern vs VfL Bochum: Friday, September 22, 14:30, Allianz Arena This is a one-sided fixture on paper, with Bayern the clear favorites. However, Bochum have shown in recent seasons that they can be a tough opponent, especially at home. La Liga - Barcelona vs Celta Vigo: Saturday, September 23, 17:30, Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys - Atlético vs Real Madrid: Sunday, September 24, 20:00, Civitas Metropolitan Stadium, Madrid These are two of the biggest games in the Spanish football calendar. Barcelona will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing start to the season, while Atlético and Real Madrid will be looking to maintain their perfect starts. Ligue 1 - PSG vs Marseille: Sunday, September 24, 19:45, Parc des Princes This is another highly anticipated match, with PSG the clear favorites. However, Marseille have shown in recent seasons that they can be a tough opponent, especially at home. Premier League - Man City vs Nottm Forest: Saturday, September 23, 15:00, Etihad Stadium - Liverpool vs West Ham: Sunday, September 24, 14:00, Anfield These are two of the biggest games in the English football calendar. Man City will be looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season, while Liverpool will be looking to get back on track after their disappointing draw against Everton in their last match. BASKETBALL WNBA playoffs - Sun vs Liberty: Sunday, September 24, 11:00 pm, Barclays Center - Aces vs Wings: Wednesday, September 27, 8:00 am, Michelob ULTRA Arena These are two of the most exciting teams in the WNBA, and their playoff series is sure to be a thriller. The Sun are the defending champions, while the Aces are the number one seed in the playoffs. Read the full article

[redeyedroid]

The young Jamaican has an easy grace about him, even at a full sprint. He glides across the parched Oval turf silently, almost as if he isn’t touching the ground at all. The softness of his stride and the speed and hostility with which he bowls give him one of the great sporting nicknames. Michael Holding, 22 in the summer of 1976, becomes known as Whispering Death. The 14 wickets for 149 runs he takes in this, the fifth and final match of the series – still a record for a West Indian bowler in test cricket – cap a summer where the whole West Indies took it very personally.

There is a history of South Africans leaving home and playing international cricket for other nations. Traditionally, the destination of choice has been England, though today there are exceptionally talented South Africans playing for Australia and New Zealand. There are lots of reasons why they do this – Kevin Pietersen ended up playing for England because of conflict with administrators in South Africa, for instance – but in the 1970s, it is because apartheid South Africa is banned from playing internationally. Tony Greig, England captain in 1976, is one such player and commits a profound mistake when, the day before the series starts, in his Afrikaner accent, he announces his intention to make the West Indies, a team of black men, descendents of slaves, grovel.

The outcry is instantaneous. The retribution prolonged. The series is 5 matches long, across 11 weeks of the English summer. An angry and extremely motivated West Indies win 3-1 and it goes down in history as the beginning an era of unmatched dominance in international sport. Viv Richards scores 829 runs at an average of 118, Gordon Greenidge 592 at 66. Holding and Andy Roberts take 28 wickets each - 56 of the 100 available English victims. The team takes every opportunity to revenge themselves on the English.

In the end, it is Greig who on the field of play, performatively drops to his hands and knees in front of his opponents.

In 1981, Mikey Holding begins a test in Bridgetown, Barbados with a stunning, never bettered over to England opening batter Geoff Boycott – a famously terrible person. The 6th and final ball sends Boycott’s stumps flying. It’s doubtful whether he sees the first five deliveries at all. Boycott will claim that this over, and by extension himself, makes Holding – by now the best fast bowler in the world – famous.

6 weeks later, Holding is playing club cricket against amateurs in Lancashire. The league features quality international players turning out amongst bank managers and estate agents. Roberts plays for another team. Kapil Dev, one of Indian cricket’s gods, is there, too.

Mikey doesn’t do well. Injuries, weather and a desire not to hurt players far less talented than him keep him from fully dominating, but he shows flashes of his capabilities. In an act of staggering racism and stupidity, a player from an opposing team turns up for a match wearing a monkey mask "as a joke." Mikey takes 9 for 13 that day, clean bowling 7.

He retires in 1987 having played 60 tests and taken 259 wickets, low in today’s numbers. The West Indies are the best in the world and will remain so well into the 90s. In 1984 they beat England 5-0 in England – celebrated than and now as the Blackwash – and repeat the feat in 1986 when England tour the West Indies. By now the Barbadian, Malcolm Marshall has inherited Mikey’s crown as the greatest fast bowler of all. They win 4-0 in England two years later, Marshall taking 35 wickets in the 5-match series.

Their rule is not preordained. There is outcry over their bowlers. It is said to be unfair to bowl that fast, to target players the way the West Indians do. It is dangerous. They will kill people. Left unsaid is that nothing they do is against the rules. Nothing is said about similar bowlers from other countries like the lauded Australian duo of Thompson and Lillee. Rules are changed. More and better safety equipment is introduced. Helmets become universal. Viv Richards is one of the last to still wear a soft cap when facing fast bowling. The West Indies adapt and continue to win.

Through the 80s there are a number of tours of South Africa made up of players willing to take money to break the ban on playing there. Most rebels receive multi-year bans. The careers of many are effectively ended. Many others are welcomed back with open arms. Graham Gooch, for instance, will go on to captain England after leading on team on a tour in 1981-82.

Two of the tours are made up of West Indians. Those who travel are either talented players not quite good enough to break into the team, or older players coming to the end of their careers. The South Africans try to get the best West Indians to come, too. Richards, at this point the biggest star in the sport, is told that if he comes he will be considered an honourary white man, exempt from the rules of apartheid. He turns down the blank cheque he is offered. Those who go are banned from playing for the West Indies and many are ostracised socially and professionally over their willingness to take money from the apartheid regime.

Today, South Africa's test captain is Temba Bavuma.

Michael Holding becomes a commentator. His fast bowling mindset provides an alternative to the procession of former batters who sit beside him. Over the years, Mikey's baritone Jamaican twang becomes beloved in the same way Richie Benaud’s soft Australian burr was before him.

Cricket commentary is often relaxed and eccentric - a test match has 8 hours of play a day over 4 or 5 days - and the commentary team will chat about many things during the day. There is much time to fill, and sometimes they do it with meandering conversations about pigeons, or buses, or cakes. And sometimes with more important and vital subjects. During a rain break during a match between England and the West Indies three years ago today Mikey delivers his most profound and important address when he and Ebony Rainford Brent talk about the racism they have experienced in their lives. While the UK is in covid lockdown, the US is gripped by Black Lives Matter protests and Mikey’s monologue and the TV interviews that follow go viral. He writes a book afterwards, Why We Kneel, How We Rise, discussing the effects of racism through the prism of sport, his own experiences, and those of other stars, including Michael Johnson, Naomi Osaka, and his countryman, Usain Bolt. It wins many prizes.

He retired in 2021. The excellent Indian commentator, Harsha Bhogle described him as “cricket in rhythm,” but this is a disservice. Mikey Holding, Whispering Death, ended up using the eloquence and rhythm he played with for far more than just cricket.