Rob Smyth's Blog, page 64
December 18, 2022
Pakistan trail England by 29 runs at stumps: third Test, day two – as it happened
Harry Brook made a swaggering 111, his third century of the series, as England took a slender first-innings lead in Karachi
9th over: England 33-1 (Pope 20, Duckett 13) Duckett gets his beloved sweep out to fetch a couple off Abrar.
8th over: England 30-1 (Pope 19, Duckett 11) Wasim is given the boot after two expensive overs, with Faheem Ashraf called into the attack to replace him. He brings a bit more control, conceding just a couple.
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Pakistan v England: third Test, day two – live
9th over: England 33-1 (Pope 20, Duckett 13) Duckett gets his beloved sweep out to fetch a couple off Abrar.
8th over: England 30-1 (Pope 19, Duckett 11) Wasim is given the boot after two expensive overs, with Faheem Ashraf called into the attack to replace him. He brings a bit more control, conceding just a couple.
Continue reading...December 17, 2022
Croatia 2-1 Morocco: World Cup 2022 third-place playoff – as it happened
Josko Gvardiol and Mislav Orsic scored marvellous goals as Croatia sealed third place by beating Morocco in a lively game
“Unless I’m hallucinating (perfectly possible), weren’t you just on the OBO in Karachi?” writes Saurya Chakraborty. “Is it possible (and can we request for this) for you to do the whole OBO for Australia/South Africa, take up the Karachi OBO post-lunch and then do the final tomorrow? I’d love it if by the end you were seriously discussing the magic of Messi’s mystery spin in Brisbane.”
I can promise you I’ve typed worse at 4am during a 2009-10 tour of Bangladesh.
Continue reading...Pakistan v England: third Test, day one – as it happened
The teenager Rehan Ahmed took two impressive wickets as England dismissed Pakistan for 304 on the first day in Karachi
5th over: Pakistan 18-0 (Shafique 8, Shan 9) Put the Christmas tree lights on, a sparkly companion to the OBO. I actually bought some new ones this year – multi-coloured in homage to my 70s-80s childhood. White suddenly seemed a bit boring. Anyway, back to Karachi, where Robinson hasn’t found much movement on a hot morning, with the kites (I think) circling overhead. Root the only slip. A maiden.
4th over: Pakistan 18-0 (Shafique 8, Shan 9) An immaculate off-drive by Shafique, head over bat, beats Ben Stokes to the boundary. Lovely.
Continue reading...Pakistan v England: third Test, day one – live
5th over: Pakistan 18-0 (Shafique 8, Shan 9) Put the Christmas tree lights on, a sparkly companion to the OBO. I actually bought some new ones this year – multi-coloured in homage to my 70s-80s childhood. White suddenly seemed a bit boring. Anyway, back to Karachi, where Robinson hasn’t found much movement on a hot morning, with the kites (I think) circling overhead. Root the only slip. A maiden.
4th over: Pakistan 18-0 (Shafique 8, Shan 9) An immaculate off-drive by Shafique, head over bat, beats Ben Stokes to the boundary. Lovely.
Continue reading...December 14, 2022
France 2-0 Morocco: World Cup 2022 semi-final – as it happened
After goals from Théo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani, France will meet Argentina in Sunday’s final
Morocco was under French rule between 1912 and 1956, which adds another layer to tonight’s match. Quite how that layer will manifest, we don’t yet know. The relationship is complicated, not least because a couple of Moroccan players – and their coach Walid Regragui – were born in France. I don’t know enough about the subject to comment on it, and it’s got nothing to do with the fact I’m terrified of saying the wrong thing and being cancelled before kick-off.
“Would Uruguay in 1950 count as a shock winner?” says Julian Menz. “There have also been ’shock’ finalists… Sweden in 1958 spring to mind.”
Continue reading...December 12, 2022
England beat Pakistan by 26 runs in second Test to seal series – as it happened
England came out on top in another tight finish, clinching their fourth-ever Test win in Pakistan and their first series win in Pakistan since 2000-01 – with a match still to play
69th over: Pakistan 208-4 (Shakeel 58, Ashraf 9) A swinging half-volley from Anderson is crunched through mid-off for four by Ashraf, the first boundary of the day. So far so good for Pakistan.
68th over: Pakistan 203-4 (Shakeel 58, Ashraf 4) Saud Shakeel looks a really good players. This is only his second Test, but he has a striking first-class average of 53.
Continue reading...England beat Pakistan by 26 runs in second Test to seal series – live reaction
69th over: Pakistan 208-4 (Shakeel 58, Ashraf 9) A swinging half-volley from Anderson is crunched through mid-off for four by Ashraf, the first boundary of the day. So far so good for Pakistan.
68th over: Pakistan 203-4 (Shakeel 58, Ashraf 4) Saud Shakeel looks a really good players. This is only his second Test, but he has a striking first-class average of 53.
Continue reading...December 10, 2022
World Cup 2022 briefing: four sides still standing after quarter-final drama
Argentina will play Croatia and France take on Morocco in the semi-finals; it will be a great story whoever lifts the trophy
One of the most exhilarating, yet also brutal, things about a World Cup is the way it reaches a crescendo. The games become less frequent, from four in a day at the start to four a week at the end, but they are increasingly imbued with a savage jeopardy. Careers are defined, for richer and poorer, potential champions are bumped off without warning or sentiment like Janet Leigh in Psycho, and before you know it there are only a few teams left standing.
Continue reading...December 9, 2022
Argentina into World Cup semi-final after beating Netherlands on penalties – as it happened
Lionel Messi’s World Cup dream is still alive after Argentina finally overcame the Netherlands in a dramatic, ill-tempered classic
“This isn’t unique; Brazil never met Argentina in a semi-final,” writes Tenaiji. “Yeah, it happened twice 1974 & 1982, both in Brazil’s favour, but they were playing in a group game following the first round.”
Don’t forget the goalless kickfest in 1978 – that was probably the closest to a semi-final, as a win for either team would have left them needing one point in the last game to reach the final.
Continue reading...Rob Smyth's Blog
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