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Super Smash 2021 21 Match Review Lockie Ferguson George Worker Gift Auckland Fans Early New Years Gift

Super Smash 2021-21 | Match Review: Lockie Ferguson & George Worker gift Auckland fans early New Year's gift

The Aces defeated the grappling Volts in a one-sided match on December 29, 2021, at John Davies Oval in Queenstown. With 17 balls to spare, they won the match by eight wickets. With this win, the Aces moved up a spot to fourth place in the standings, with three wins in five games. The Volts, on the other hand, languish at the bottom with only one win in seven games.

Hamish Rutherford, the Volts captain, won the toss and chose to bat first. Their entire batting order fell apart. Except for their No. 4 batter, Nick Kelly, no one stayed long enough at the crease to put up a total that they could fight for. Despite the chaos, he managed a brilliant half-century. It had five fours and three sixes in it. They finished with a total of 129/9 in 20 overs.

For the visitors, it was Lockie Ferguson who bowled an outstanding spell of 4-0-19-4. Ben Lister gave him good support with a couple of wickets.

The chase was not a big problem for the Aces even though their star opener Martin Guptill got out cheaply in the first over from Matthew Bacon. George Worker 53(45) and Mark Chapman 55(42)* put up a match-winning partnership of 106 for the second wicket which ensured the Aces their third win for the season. After the Worker's departure Glenn Phillips 14(13)* ensured that they crossed the line without any further casualties.

Now, on January 6, Otago will play Wellington, and the following day, Auckland will play Canterbury.

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The Ashes | Australia legend baffled with England’s approach to Test cricket

Ashes winning captain Ricky Ponting has been baffled with England’s approach to Test cricket in the ongoing 5-match series. "All their planning, their thoughts and their structures have just been completely wrong, and it's come back to bite them," said an irritated Ponting after the end of the third Test match in the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. He was referring to England’s choice of playing XI in the first Test match, where both James Anderson and Stuart Broad were benched despite being fit. While it was speculated by the English media that the two veterans are being kept fresh for the pink ball Test match in Adelaide, Ponting argued that at any point in time, a team should not begin a Test match without their best players. "Pick your best team from the start and then see how far that group can take you. The fact that Anderson and Broad didn't play in Brisbane is staggering." He also called out Joe Root’s decision to bat first in overcast conditions at The Gabba. "The fact that Joe Root didn't bowl first in Brisbane was staggering. The fact that Mark Wood didn't play in Adelaide was staggering. He looked like one of the most likely bowlers up in Brisbane." "All their planning, their thoughts and their structures have just been completely wrong, and it's come back to bite them," Ponting said. Ponting has not been a fan of Root’s captaincy for a while and had found his choices of words amusing after the England captain blamed his bowlers for the loss at Adelaide.

Two members of MCA Apex Council disqualified for conflict of interest

Two of the members of the Apex Council of the MCA have been disqualified by the Ethics Officer of the board on the grounds of conflict of interest. There is evidence of intractable conflict of interest against Unmesh Khanvilkar and Kiran Powar as held by Retired Justice VK Tahilramani, a former chief justice of Madras High Court on Tuesday. The two members will not perform their duties with immediate effect. Khanvilkar’s sister Chitra Khanvilkar had been appointed as the trainer of Mumbai women's team while he himself held the post of joint secretary is a conflict of interest. Moreover, Khanvilkar has also completed six years in MCA. He was joint secretary (from June 17, 2015 to October 3, 2019) and later an apex council member (October 4, 2019 to till date) and is required to go into a cooling-off period. On the other hand, Powar was removed from his post as his brother Ramesh Powar was made Mumbai coach while he was in the Apex Council. Moreover, Kiran Powar was also being paid for being either head coach or mentor in Goregaon Sports Club.

SA vs IND | Temba Bavuma blames poor show on lack of match-practice

After a dismal showing in the first innings of the first Test match, South Africa find themselves in a spot of bother at Centurion at the end of Day 3. Bundled out for 197 runs in the first innings in Centurion, Temba Bavuma blamed the below-par performance on not playing regular red-ball cricket. “I don’t want to be accused of making excuses for our play, but that does have an impact,” Bavuma said in the post day press conference. Stating that South Africa are much better in their intensity and standard than what they showed on day 1, Bavuma argued that you can have as many nets as you want but nothing can simulate match conditions. “There is nothing much we can do as players, but there is that disparity in the number of games. We have to find a way mentally to meet the challenge.” Bavuma was referring to the number of Test matches India have played across the year against the home side. South Africa’s last Test outing came against West Indies in June against India who are coming off a 1-0 victory against New Zealand last month. India have been one of the most prolific touring sides over the past two seasons, putting up impressive performances wherever they have played in.

Haven't beaten India in India, that would be nice to do: David Warner

Australia opener David Warner’s bucket list has two major goals which include securing the Ashes in 2023 in England and beating India in India before he hangs his boots. "We still haven't beaten India in India. That would be nice to do. And obviously, England away, we had a drawn series in 2019, but hopefully, if I manage to get that chance and opportunity, I might think about going back," Warner was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. The left-handed batter lauded James Anderson for setting an example for “older guys”. "I think James Anderson sets the benchmark for older guys these days. We look up to him as we're getting on in our days. But for me, it's about performing to the best of my ability and putting runs on the board,” he added. Australia are presently playing England in Ashes series and have already taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series with wins in the first three clashes. Warner himself has been in decent touch in the series after he has two scores in 90s and a 38 in the four innings that he has played. "In the first two Tests, I actually look like a proper batsman, it's almost like I've played my career the other way and had to knuckle down and respect the bowling and the line and lengths that they were bowling and obviously, the hundred eluded me," Warner said. The fourth Ashes Test is scheduled to begin on January 5 in Sydney.