Latest news with #Chokers
The Guardian
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Australia v South Africa: where the World Test Championship final will be won and lost
Defending champions Australia face the No 1 team in the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle with South Africa out to claim the crown for the first time and finally put to bed their 'chokers' tag. Australia have played their part as much as any side in stamping that label on South Africa across three decades, but much of that pain and misery could be washed away with a shock triumph at Lord's. South Africa might be the underdogs but topped the WTC table after taking 69.44% of their possible points from 12 Tests, with Australia the clear next best on 67.54% from 19 matches. The once familiar foes did not meet over the past two years but with an intense rivalry always simmering below the surface and a winner-takes-all contest sure to light a fuse, we look at where the WTC final will be won and lost. Australia found a home away from home with a 75-year unbeaten streak at Lord's that ended during the 2009 Ashes. Three wins, one loss and a draw since then leave Australia with the best winning percentage (45%) of any side, while they have only suffered seven defeats in 40 Tests at the iconic venue. South Africa have won 33% of their 18 Tests at Lord's, though five of those victories have come in seven matches since their return to the international scene in 1992. The last time Australia visited Lord's for a Test was far from a homecoming amid wild scenes in the stands and behind closed doors. The England players – and MCC members – didn't take too kindly to Jonny Bairstow's stumping after Australia skipper Pat Cummins and Alex Carey spotted his tendency to prematurely wander out of his crease. Australia, as is usually their way, refused to take a backward step and later were able to find comfort in a tense triumph made all the sweeter by the outrage that followed. Steve Smith is of course familiar with an on-field flashpoint or two but has largely let his batting do the talking at the venue where he made his Test debut against Pakistan in 2010. Australia's No 4 has amassed 525 runs at 58.33 at Lord's, including a century on his last visit in 2023, and needs 17 more runs to pass Don Bradman for the most scored for the side on the hallowed turf. More than four months have passed since the WTC cycle ended with Australia crushing Sri Lanka in two Tests, and almost six months have lapsed since South Africa sealed their spot in the decider. The Proteas arguably found a way to the WTC final through a back door while playing the equal-fewest Tests across the two-year cycle and sweeping the floor with the clear bottom-four sides. One win in their first five matches hardly hinted at an impending trip to Lord's, though that victory in December 2023 came against beaten finalists India as veteran Dean Elgar turned back the clock with a monster ton in his penultimate Test. A loss to India squared the home series and was followed by a pair of defeats by a third-string side sent to New Zealand, before South Africa bounced back from their latest bout of white-ball tournament heartbreak to surge into the red-ball decider with seven straight Test victories. That winning streak is South Africa's second longest in the format though it is just as notable for the absence of a big scalp that the reigning WTC champions would most certainly represent. The Proteas can of course only beat the sides placed in front of them but a victory over West Indies in the Caribbean and two triumphs in Bangladesh, followed by a pair of home wins against each of Sri Lanka and Pakistan does little to boost confidence that they can take down Australia as the stakes – and pressure – rise. South Africa won at Lord's the last time they visited England for a Test series in 2022, though Aiden Markram and keeper Kyle Verreynne are the only batters from that XI still in the squad. Not only are eight of South Africa's WTC squad yet to play a Test at Lord's but the same group have not faced Australia in the longest format – hardly a surprise when the sides have met once, for a three-match series, in the seven years since 'sandpapergate' erupted in 2018. The unfamiliarity could work both ways for South Africa, let alone Australia, but any advice from England's Ashes tormentor-in-chief Stuart Broad should be well received. Australia's rediscovered depth is highlighted by lingering uncertainty over their batting lineup for the WTC final, as well as Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland yet again fighting for the one spot in the pace attack. The availability of Cameron Green is expected to cause a reshuffle with regular No 3 Marnus Labuschagne being earmarked to open for the first time in a Test at the expense of teenage sensation Sam Konstas. Green won't bowl at Lord's after missing all of last summer due to a back injury, with the Ashes later this year the target for his return with the ball. Australia might turn to the versatile Beau Webster as an all-rounder if concerns over Hazlewood's durability across five days aren't quite enough to rule the 34-year-old quick out of a second successive WTC final. But the return of Green gives Australia ominous depth in their batting lineup even if it means an unfamiliar role for Labuschagne who would likely also be playing to hold onto his place in the XI for the upcoming tour of the Caribbean. The defending champions had three batters – Usman Khawaja (1,422), Smith (1,324) and Head (1,177) – among the top-10 leading run-scorers in the WTC cycle, with the former captain returning to form with five centuries. Left-hander Head will return to the middle-order after opening in Sri Lanka but has shown he can be trusted to perform on the biggest stages wherever he bats, including with a match-defining 163 that all but took the last WTC final away from India. While Australia have more experience and depth among their batters, South Africa can aim to match their acclaimed pace attack whether Hazlewood or Boland is preferred to partner Cummins and Mitchell Starc. South Africa will be led by Kagiso Rabada – available after serving a one-month suspension for failing a doping test in January – who carries a stellar record into the clash. Rabada has taken 49 Australian scalps at 23.08 across 10 Tests, largely built on finishing the 2018 series as the leading wicket-taker with 23. The right-arm quick also has the best average at Lord's of all the fast bowlers set to take the stage for the WTC final with 13 wickets at 19.38 from his two Tests at the venue. The 30-year-old's 47 wickets at 19.97 from 10 Tests in the WTC cycle have him ranked as the ICC's No 2 bowler in the format, narrowly ahead of Cummins and Hazlewood. Towering left-armer Marco Jansen has climbed into the top 10 in the Test bowling rankings at the age of 25 and will threaten Australia's batters with his bounce as much as his pace. All-rounder Wiaan Mulder adds useful variety with his seamers while being a handy lower-order batter who might even be called on earlier in the South Africa innings, leaving the last spot in the pace attack to come down to a battle between three. Lungi Ngidi is backed by experience and reliability to bowl a tight line, as well as an imposing Test record with 55 wickets at 23.14, while Dane Paterson moves the ball in the air and bowls with a guile well suited to English conditions. But with low expectations making this WTC final almost a free hit for South Africa, a wildcard like express-paced, one-Test quick Corbin Bosch could be just what is needed to unsettle the defending champions.
The Sun
31-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Ruben Amorim plans brutal pre-season with Man Utd flops quizzed on holidays and told to hit personal bests or face axe
RUBEN AMORIM is ready to get tough with his Manchester United flops as he chases a flying start next season. The Red Devils boss wants to take a hardline pre-season approach in his quest to turn his 'chokers' into Champions League material, with jobs — including his own — on the line. 4 4 And the Portuguese is determined that a lack of fitness will not be an excuse for his squad, in the wake of a disastrous campaign last time out — the club's worst since the relegation season of 1973-74. SunSport understands Amorim has delivered a list of instructions to ensure United are in top shape for the new Prem season, which starts on the weekend of August 16. It is believed non-international players could return to the club's Carrington HQ earlier than normal, with a suggestion some may be back training by the end of THIS month. Amorim wants fitness levels to be sky high, demanding that players hit personal bests by mid-July. And if they fail to achieve those targets then they face being sidelined from his United revolution. Boss Amorim has also told his squad they need to be fitter than ever because he wants them to be all over their opponents 'like white on rice' from day one next season. It is understood Amorim has even quizzed his players on where they are going on holiday as he looks to shake up his failing squad and leave nothing to chance. United finished 15th in the Prem and also lost in the Europa League final to Tottenham — meaning there will be no European football at Old Trafford next season. Amorim — who initially did not want to join United from Sporting last November as he feared mid- season turbulence — needs an upturn in results and performance quickly, so he is focusing on an intense pre-season programme to get his men up to speed from the kick-off. He is also keen to capitalise on rivals Manchester City and Chelsea having a disrupted start to the new Prem season should they go deep into the revamped Club World Cup this summer, with the final on July 13. Ruben Amorim vows 'good days are coming' after 'disaster season' as Man Utd flops give him daggers during public apology A club source said: 'Amorim needs a good pre-season. He's not shied away from the pressure he's under. 'He would have always preferred to have arrived at United ahead of a new season rather than in the middle of it. 'He has to get this right. He's told the players there are no more excuses. His job is on the line — and so too is theirs. 'The club can't accept any more failures.' Amorim is well aware of the pressure building and the scrutiny on his own position, never mind his players. His side suffered an embarrassing 1-0 loss to the ASEAN All-Stars before a 3-1 win over Hong Kong on their two-game post-season tour to Asia. Amorim slammed his players after the first game as "chokers" after they were booed off by Far East fans. 4 Following the second game on Friday, Amorim was asked if he had a summer message for his players — and hinted he feared for the condition of his stars during their time away from the club. He replied: 'I was a player and you can disconnect. They know that we under-performed badly this season. 'The important thing for me is the body composition, the weight and the training — they need to be ready. 'We have to use every minute in every week of the pre-season. So we need to arrive in shape. 'These small things, they have all the measures. We had a briefing about that. It's the only way to take action to be better next season. 'They know, everyone knows that the next year is going to be massive for everybody. 'I have been sending messages every week and they know next year, it is clear that we need to be so much better.' United face a big summer of transfer activity. 4 Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans have all left on free transfers, while the future of captain Bruno Fernandes hangs in the balance. Amorim is closing in on a £62.5million deal for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, while he has lined up Sporting's Pedro Goncalves as a potential replacement for Fernandes if he takes the £100m offer from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho is not in Amorim's plans next season and is free to leave. United begin their preparations with a friendly against Prem new boys Leeds in Stockholm on July 19.
Pink Villa
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Gachiakuta Chapter 138: Hell Guard To Close In—Recap, Release Date, Where To Read And More
The last Gachiakuta chapter, titled 'The Real Doll Festival,' opened with Mildretta sensing unease near the venue, shortly before she and Agra are questioned by Hell Guard members. Inside the auditorium, Rudo struggled to process the Choker Maker's claim that he must destroy the festival. The Choker Maker clarified that Rudo must save the attendees, as someone intended to dominate the world using Chokers. When the crowd fell silent under a mysterious command, Rudo realized the culprit—manipulating everyone through their costume Chokers—is none other than the reporter, Mymo. Gachiakuta Chapter 138 may focus on Rudo's immediate reaction to Mymo's manipulation of the audience using voice-triggered Chokers. He may attempt to confront or disable Mymo's control, possibly using the Choker Maker's guidance. More information about the Choker Maker's identity and role could be revealed, especially if he begins communicating more directly. Outside, the Hell Guard may initiate action upon detecting anomalies at the festival. Additionally, other Cleaners might intervene, and the true nature of Mymo's goal with the "power to rule" could begin to unfold. Gachiakuta Chapter 138 will arrive on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 12 am JST. For most international fans, this translates to an evening premiere the previous day, with release times adjusted as per region and time zone. Fans can read Gachiakuta Chapter 138 on Kodansha's K Manga service, available via app and web. However, this service is limited to select countries, including the USA, Thailand, Hong Kong, India, Canada, and others. The service requires the purchase of coins to access the chapter. Keep an eye on Pinkvilla for more updates from the Gachiakuta manga.
