Rob Smyth's Blog, page 54
June 18, 2023
The Ashes 2023: England v Australia, first Test, day three – as it happened
England closed on 28 for two, a lead of 35, after wickets tumbled on a rain-affected third day at Edgbaston
As Andrew has done, by all means send me an email or a tweet. Details in the sidebar, which if you’re on a phone is at the top. Confusing.
This is some clever psychological ploy from Andrew Benton to extract something from me.
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June 17, 2023
Norway 1-2 Scotland: Euro 2024 qualifier – as it happened
Lyndon Dykes and Kenny McLean scored dramatic late goals as Scotland stunned Norway to make it nine points out of nine in Group A
1 min Peep peep! Norway, in their red strip, kick off from right to left as we watch. Scotland are wearing their white change kit. It is roasting in Oslo.
The Scotland players will wear black armbands in honour of the mighty Gordon McQueen, who died on Thursday.
Continue reading...June 16, 2023
The Ashes first Test, day one: England declare on 393-8 against Australia – as it happened
Joe Root struck a superb century before Ben Stokes declared at Edgbaston, with Australia easing to stumps at 14-0
“If England win the toss, they’ll bat, right?” says Francis Barton. “Dry, hot, good pitch, possible cloud on Sunday, possible fourth-innings turn. You’ve got to bat... right? But Stokes loves to chase. Cummins would definitely bat first. What do you think? Ridiculously excited about this series.”
All logic says bat first, so I fully expect Ben Stokes to … bat, actually, as he went away from chasing over the winter and it would feel damagingly ostentatious to bowl first on a dry, flat pitch – especially given what Nathan Lyon did on the final day at Edgbaston in 2019. But I don’t say this with complete confidence.
Continue reading...The Ashes 2023: England v Australia, first Test, day one – live
“Morning Rob,” writes Jim Wallace, who I’m very glad to say will be covering the second half of the day. “On the rattler to Brum. (John Snow Hill station.) Will send over a few ‘vibes’ (urgh) from the ground. I’ve got a feeling it’s gonna be good.”
At my age you don’t get too many Friday feelings, but I’d happily experience this once a week. Also, good idea to get the train after 7am so that you could pop into M&S.
Continue reading...June 15, 2023
Argentina 2-0 Australia: international football friendly – as it happened
Lionel Messi’s exhilarating early goal set the world champions on their way to victory over the Socceroos in Beijing
We’re running a few minutes late. Either that or I’m getting the footage on delay. As I type, the captains Lionel Messi and Mat Ryan are exchanging pleasantries.
The players line up for the anthems. As Graham Arnold said, there are ‘Messi 10’ shirts everywhere in the crowd.
Continue reading...England, Australia and an urn: a bluffer’s guide to the Ashes
What is Bazball and whose ashes are they? Everything you need to know about this summer’s cricket but were afraid to ask
Why do I keep hearing about the ashes? Whose ashes No, the Ashes: definite article, upper-case A, optional italics for extra emphasis.
OK, so what is the Ashes? The Ashes is cricket’s oldest and most prestigious rivalry, a biennial series of matches between Australia and England that has been played since the 19th century.
Continue reading...June 10, 2023
World Test Championship final: Australia v India, day four – as it happened
Virat Kohli’s authoritative 44 not out took India to 164 for three, needing a further 280 runs for an historic victory
48th over: Australia 128-5 (Green 8, Carey 4) Green keeps on playing outside that off stump! Reaches very wide for an off-balance drive that hits cover directly. Gets an edge along the turf to third slip. He edged to slip in the first innings. Spoke about the IPL transition, where you go from hitting the ball in front of your body for power, to hitting the red ball as late as you can. But he’s more in white-ball mode here. Good seam from Shami cuts back in but his bounce takes it over the stumps. India’s bowlers have had so many beaten edges in this match, and I’d say it’s because they’ve so often bowled a small margin too short.
No score from the over. Five runs in four overs this morning.
Continue reading...June 9, 2023
World Test Championship final: Australia v India, day three – as it happened
Marnus Labuschagne’s defiant unbeaten 41 helped Australia extend their lead to 296 on a lively third day at the Oval
40th over: India 157-6 (Rahane 30, Thakur 4) Cummins from the Pavilion End, and he’s also hitting a length and getting the ball to jag in. Rahane squeezes out a single off the inside edge. Thakur rides the bounce for two, then flashes outside off and is lucky to survive.
39th over: India 154-6 (Rahane 30, Thakur 2) That is such a Boland over. Wicket second ball. Cuts it in and smashes the gloves and body from the next couple. Then has a catch dropped at third slip! A tough one, over Khawaja’s head. He goes up with the ball, gets fingertips to it but tips it over the bar. Two runs result.
Continue reading...June 8, 2023
World Test Championship final: Australia v India, day two – as it happened
Australia took control on day two at the Oval by reducing India to 151 for five, a deficit of 318
89th over: Australia 345-3 (Smith 105, Head 153) The first boundary of the day for Head, leaning back and placing his cut shot behind point from Shami. He gives a modest wave and nothing more for the applause greeting his 150 – quite right, Travis, it is a nonsense milestone. Get a double ton and salute that. He tries a similar shot next ball and gets one more run. Smith glances another.
88th over: Australia 338-3 (Smith 104, Head 148) Siraj works away, and after that early flurry Smith goes back into his defensive mode from yesterday. The only run is a wide from a high bouncer. India’s quicks really have not got the length on this pitch, most of the short balls yesterday went sailing over. And the umpires ignored most of those yesterday, but this one is called today.
Continue reading...June 7, 2023
Fiorentina 1-2 West Ham: Europa Conference League final – as it happened
Jarrod Bowen’s last-minute goal gave West Ham their first major trophy since 1980 on an unforgettable night in Prague
West Ham last won a major trophy in 1980, which was also the year David Moyes was first involved in senior football. In the last 43 years he’s played for Celtic and managed Everton and Manchester United among others. This is the game of his life.
Only the champions Napoli had more possession than Fiorentina in Serie A this season, so we know how this game is likely to pan out. West Ham, so menacing on the counter-attack, won’t mind that at all.
Continue reading...Rob Smyth's Blog
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