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Calamity Down Under: Australia Suffers Fifth Consecutive ODI Loss to India

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Australia’s World Cup preparations are in ruins after they crashed to a calamitous fifth successive one-day international defeat, crushed by India by 99 runs via DLS method at Indore.

Set 317 from 33 overs after rain delayed play for 70 minutes during their pursuit of India’s record-breaking 5-399, a late power-hitting rally from Sean Abbott spared some blushes before Australia were bowled out for 217 in 28.2 overs on Sunday (Monday AEST) to fall behind 2-0 in the three-match series.

India’s total was their highest in all ODIs against Australia – surpassing their 5-383 at Bangalore in 2013 – and their second biggest at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, only behind their 5-418 against the West Indies in 2011.

An unwanted record went the way of Cam Green (2-103), conceding the most runs by a bowler in an Australia-India ODI.

“We didn’t execute greatly with the ball,” Abbott said.

“As soon as we missed the stumps, we were punished.”

Smith and Short’s Quick Exits

After the early departures of Matt Short (9) and acting captain Steve Smith (0) off successive deliveries, David Warner (53) looked good before succumbing to Ravichandran Ashwin in bizarre fashion.

Facing up right-handed to negate Ashwin’s off spin, Warner “switched” into a left-handed reverse sweep, clearly bottom-edging the carrom ball into his pad, all while tumbling over, and was adjudged lbw.

After a long discussion with partner Josh Inglis, Warner, incredibly, opted not to review.

The great Ashwin castled a flummoxed Marnus Labuschagne (27) with an arm ball before trapping Inglis (6) plumb in front.

Green’s horror day ended in amateurish style, run out for 19 by India wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan after lazily plonking his bat over the crease.

Australia’s tail wagged with a thrilling 77-run ninth-wicket stand between Abbott (54) and Josh Hazlewood (23), who both notched career-highs.

“It was a difficult batting wicket in the end,” Abbott said.

“Facing their spinners, they were ragging it both ways.

Tremendous skills spinning

“Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja on that wicket, especially Ashwin … tremendous skills spinning it both ways as a finger spinner.

“He asked me if I was picking them and I said ‘no chance mate’.”

Ashwin (3-41) and Jadeja (3-42) were able to extract significant turn on a surface which looked benign earlier when Indian pair Shreyas Iyer (105) and Shubman Gill (104) put on 200 for the second wicket after being sent in.

After raising his ton, Iyer survived a caught-and-bowled shout on video review when a diving Abbott, while plucking a right-handed screamer, scraped the ball on the ground, similar to Mitchell Starc’s contentious non-catch at Lord’s which earned England’s Ben Duckett a reprieve in this year’s Ashes.

Stand-in skipper KL Rahul belted 52, then came the ‘SKY’ show.

Dashing Suriyakumar Yadav (72no) crunched the first four balls of Green’s eighth over for 6-6-6-6 and hit six maximums in total in his thrilling 37-ball cameo, leaving Australia stunned and India assured of entering the World Cup with the No.1 ranking.

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You won’t believe the string of injuries hitting the NRL this weekend. With Nicho Hynes, Nathan Cleary, and Tom Trbojevic all facing time on the sidelines, teams are scrambling to fill key positions. The impact of these injuries could reverberate throughout the season.

Impact on NSW State of Origin Team

On a weekend marred by injuries, the NSW State of Origin team is facing a major shake-up. With Cleary, Trbojevic, and potentially Hynes out of contention for the upcoming series, coach Michael Maguire is left with some tough decisions to make. The injury woes are forcing Maguire to rethink his lineup and strategy heading into the crucial State of Origin games.

Paralympics Update

Now, McGrath warms up for the Paris Paralympics with a world title under her belt, showcasing her determination and skill in the face of tough competition.

Other Top Stories

Understanding the ever-changing landscape of NSW’s Origin hopes, with injuries to key players like Hynes and Cleary, the team is facing serious roster challenges. However, with a resilient mindset and a deep pool of talent to draw from, the Blues remain confident in their ability to reclaim the Origin Shield.

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Anzac Day clash one out of the top draw for Pies, Dons

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Anzac Day clash one out of the top draw for Pies, Dons

Just like the thousands of fans who packed the MCG on Anzac Day, the Essendon and Collingwood players left everything out on the field in a thrilling draw that will be remembered as one of the best home-and-away games in recent times. The Bombers and Magpies played out a pulsating contest in front of 93,644 spectators, with neither team able to secure the victory in the dying moments of the match.

Essendon’s Kyle Langford, who had an outstanding game with four goals, including two crucial ones in the final quarter, had the chance to win the game for his team but missed a set shot from 30m out, resulting in the first draw on Anzac Day since the inaugural blockbuster in 1995. Collingwood also had their opportunity to snatch the win, but forward Jamie Elliott couldn’t hold onto a diving mark near the boundary in the final moments of the game.

“I thought both sides had their opportunity to win the game,” said Bombers coach Brad Scott. “It’s a bit of a hollow feeling, but I said to the players win, lose or draw, the effort and intent is what we’re after, and the players delivered that.”

Collingwood, known for their ability to perform in tight finishes under coach Craig McRae, fought back from a 27-point deficit to level the scores with the Bombers. The Magpies showed resilience and determination throughout the game, with forward Brody Mihocek kicking three goals and veteran Scott Pendlebury becoming the first VFL/AFL player to reach 10,000 career possessions.

Despite the draw, the match provided plenty of highlights, including Elliott’s spectacular mark in the third quarter and Pendlebury’s milestone moment in the first quarter. Both teams showcased their skills and competitive spirit, making it a memorable clash that captivated the audience and showcased the essence of Anzac Day football.

“On a day like today, when most of the footy world would be watching, it’s a great spectacle for our game,” McRae commented after the game. The players from both sides left it all on the field, displaying courage, skill, and sportsmanship throughout the intense battle.

While the result might have been a draw, the Anzac Day clash between Essendon and Collingwood will be remembered as a classic encounter that showcased the best of Australian Rules football. The players, coaches, and fans can take pride in the effort and intensity displayed on the field, making it a fitting tribute to the Anzac Day tradition of honoring and remembering those who have served and sacrificed for their country.

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Australians eye happy homecoming at Adelaide’s LIV Golf

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Australians eye happy homecoming at Adelaide’s LIV Golf

Homecoming can be defined as a pleasant return to one’s homeland or ancestral roots, and for Australian golfers Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, Matt Jones, and Lucas Herbert, the LIV Golf tournament in Adelaide presents a perfect opportunity for a successful homecoming. With the second tournament set to kick off in Adelaide’s west at The Grange, the Australian golfers are eager to make their mark on home soil.

Reflecting on the previous year’s tournament, Cameron Smith expressed doubts that the feats achieved by American golfer Talor Gooch could be replicated. Gooch wowed the crowd with consecutive 10-under 62s to open the tournament, ultimately finishing at 19 under to claim victory. Smith, who tied for third in the inaugural Adelaide tournament, is impressed by Gooch’s performance and is looking to emulate aspects of his game this year.

One noticeable change this year is the condition of the greens at The Grange, with Smith noting that they seem to be more consistent compared to the previous year. With the home ground advantage on their side, Smith, Leishman, Jones, and Herbert are determined to make the most of the tournament and aim for a win on home soil.

Currently, the Australian Ripper team consisting of Smith, Leishman, Jones, and Herbert is in eighth place out of 12 teams in the standings. However, with the support of the home crowd and familiarity with the course, the Australian golfers are hopeful of climbing up the leaderboard and securing a memorable win.

Leading the individual standings is Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, who has already claimed two victories this season. Despite Niemann’s impressive performance, the Australian golfers are focused on their own game and the possibility of lifting the trophy in front of their home fans.

Marc Leishman, who achieved his best finish in a LIV Golf tournament with a tied-fourth position in Miami, emphasized the significance of winning in Adelaide. A victory at the LIV Golf tournament would not only be a career highlight for any of the Australian Ripper team members but also a momentous occasion for Australian golf as a whole.

As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on the Australian contingent as they strive to deliver a stellar performance on familiar turf. With the support of the local fans and a strong sense of home advantage, Smith, Leishman, Jones, and Herbert are determined to make their mark at Adelaide’s LIV Golf tournament and potentially etch their names in the history books with a victorious homecoming.

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