Rob Smyth's Blog, page 30
June 16, 2024
Euro 2024: police shoot man with pickaxe before Poland v Netherlands – as it happened
Police have shot a man wielding an axe before the Euro 2024 match between Poland and Netherlands
And now for something completely different, a tale of missing grundies and sauna etiquette.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to play as a midfielder – pure bred, no hybrid – tonight. Many pundits have criticised his lack of defensive nous, most notably Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane, and Gareth Southgate was asked the question during his press conference.
Everybody’s more than entitled to opinions. I spoke to Trent about playing in this role over a year ago. It’s not something he’s been doing for the last five years. There is an element of the unknown. But I think it’s an opportunity that’s worth grasping because he could be incredibly special.
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Euro 2024: England enter the fray with Serbia opener in Gelsenkirchen – live
Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to play as a midfielder – pure bred, no hybrid – tonight. Many pundits have criticised his lack of defensive nous, most notably Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane, and Gareth Southgate was asked the question during his press conference.
Everybody’s more than entitled to opinions. I spoke to Trent about playing in this role over a year ago. It’s not something he’s been doing for the last five years. There is an element of the unknown. But I think it’s an opportunity that’s worth grasping because he could be incredibly special.
With Alexander-Arnold the pass is never simply played, but measured. The difference here is roughly akin to that between a bartender and a mixologist.
Continue reading...June 15, 2024
Hungary 1-3 Switzerland: Euro 2024 – as it happened
The substitute Breel Embolo’s late goal sealed a deserved if nervy win for Switzerland in Cologne
Here come the players, led by the captains Dominik Szoboszlai and Granit Xhaka. Sounds like a cracking atmosphere in Cologne.
“Hi Rob!” says Joe Pearson. “Once again, the geniuses at Fox have let down the American public. No coverage of this match. I hate that they have the rights to international competitions sewn up, when they are objectively bad at it. So you’re my companion this morning (along with all the rest of the readers). Paint pretty word pictures. Thanks!”
Continue reading...Euro 2024: trio of games await on day two as Scotland react to thrashing – as it happened
Spain, Italy and England were preparing for kick-off while Scotland reflected on a heavy defeat by the hosts
Horrible, horrible news: Kevin Campbell, who scored vital goals for Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Everton and others, has died aged 54. He was, as Amy Lawrence has just tweeted, an absolute blessing of a man. RIP.
Any idea what the top four are?
Continue reading...June 14, 2024
USA qualify for Super Eights after washout against Ireland: T20 Cricket World Cup – as it happened
The co-hosts USA reached the second group stage and eliminated Pakistan on an historic if damp day in Florida
Mean while, in Group B…
The outfield is still very wet, so there will be another inspection at 11.30am local/4.30pm BST. If I had to bet the farm I’d say the match will be washed out because of further rain, but I’m thousands of miles away so I’m not sure what the point of this sentence is.
Continue reading...June 5, 2024
India beat Ireland by eight wickets: T20 Cricket World Cup 2024 – as it happened
India won emphatically in New York after their quick bowlers bulldozed Ireland for 96 on a very lively pitch
1st over: Ireland 3-0 (Balbirnie 1, Stirling 2) Stirling walks down the track to time his first ball through the covers for … two. That would have been four on most grounds.
There’s a bit of swing for Arshdeep, who beats Stirling with a ball that keeps a bit low. Stirling’s second and third attempts to walk down the track are less successful; Arshdeep cramps him for room with one delivery and then zips a bouncer past his noggin. A really good start.
Continue reading...June 4, 2024
England v Scotland abandoned after heavy rain: T20 Cricket World Cup – as it happened
Scotland gave England a scare in Barbados, setting a DLS target of 109 in 10 overs before more heavy rain ended the match
“England in a tournament with a Super 8s stage?” says Luke Dealtry. “Colour me pessimistic.”
Obviously you’re not a golfer.
Continue reading...June 3, 2024
South Africa beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in New York: T20 Cricket World Cup 2024 – as it happened
Sri Lanka were skittled for their lowest T20 score of 77 on a very tough pitch, with South Africa surviving an early scare to win comfortably
Ottneil Baartman strikes with his first ball at a World Cup! Nissanka slashed a length delivery all the way down to third man, where Heinrich Klaasen crouched to take a simple catch.
3rd over: Sri Lanka 13-0 (Nissanka 3, Kusal 8) Sri Lanka’s openers look slightly wary of the pitch, which is brand new by the way. Kusal fiddles at Jansen and is beaten, then squirts a cover drive for two. A big ground and a slowish outfield aren’t in the batters’ favour, so a par score might be lower than we think.
Continue reading...June 1, 2024
USA romp to seven-wicket victory over Canada: T20 Cricket World Cup 2024 opener – as it happened
Aaron Jones smashed 10 sixes in a stunning 94 not out as the co-hosts survived a scare to beat their rivals Canada in Texas
The question of whether cricket can crack America, as per the cliche, feels unlikely to be answered (not least on a subscription channel, Willow TV), although this T20 World Cup is not a one-off moonshot, rather one shoulder to the wheel of a broader push.
“The match referee Richie Richardson is older than me,” writes Gary Naylor. “How can he look that good?”
Continue reading...May 29, 2024
England beat Pakistan by 178 runs in third women’s cricket ODI – as it happened
Nat Sciver-Brunt’s century helped England ease to a 2-0 series win as Pakistan fell well short of their target of 303
5th over: England 17-0 (Beamount 7, Bouchier 9) Beaumont pushes forward at a gorgeous outswinger from Baig and survives a huge appeal for caught behind. My hunch is that the bat hit the pad, and after a long discussion Nida Dar decides against a review.
Replays confirm the offending sound was indeed bat on pad. Even so, that’s a terrific maiden from Baig, who has figures of 3-1-5-0. England’s openers are finding life tricky against the swinging ball.
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