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Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ollie Pope smashes 169 off Zimbabwe to show England selectors his class
Ollie Pope hit England's third century of the day to push his claims to stay at No 3 for the rest of the summer. Ollie Pope hit England's third century of the day to push his claims to stay at No 3 for the rest of the summer. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images/Reuters There were shades of The Thick of It after Ben Stokes gave his press conference a day out from this one-off Test against Zimbabwe. When the minister – or in this instance the England captain – said Jacob Bethell would be straight back in for the series against India, this apparently referred to the squad and not necessarily the XI. That Stokes sought to make this clarification through the back channels perhaps said more about the task at hand than England's true thoughts on the subject. No captain would ever wish to send a player out believing whatever they achieved would be irrelevant, not least a vice-captain and team-first character such as Ollie Pope. Advertisement Related: England v Zimbabwe: men's cricket Test, day one – live Either way, Pope was scarcely destabilised by the prospect of Bethell returning from the Indian Premier League and reclaiming the No 3 berth he took on in New Zealand. Striding out with an already bumper 231 for one on the board, Pope peeled off a slick and unbeaten 168 from just 163 balls that represented his eighth Test century against eight different countries. Even factoring in a callow Zimbabwe attack that spent half the day a man down through injury, it can only have felt soothing. Brought up with just over an hour remaining when he carved Sikander Raza for four, Pope had made the third century on a day of outright dominance for England that added up to 498 for three by stumps. First came Ben Duckett fizzing his way to his fifth hundred in Test cricket with 140 from 134 balls, then Zak Crawley matching that number with a more watchful 124 from 171, his first century since the 2023 Ashes. This being a four-day Test match, the follow-on mark is just 150 runs and, along with the possibility of some rain over the weekend, could explain why Stokes opted against one of his funky day one declarations. Although the England captain may have simply been enjoying watching Pope make hay during the final hour, the right-hander bringing out the uppercut to glorious effect during a session worth 203 runs. Advertisement It could have been a pretty deflating day for the Zimbabwe supporters on Trentside but after a 22-year wait to watch their side play a Test match in England, none seemed overly vexed. There was also something for them to cheer late on when Joe Root, freshly past 13,000 Test runs and looking ominous, holed out for 34 when attempting to pull 6ft 8in Blessing Muzarabani over the long leg rope. Craig Ervine, their captain, electing to bowl under grey skies in the morning was also not as calamitous as the scoreboard suggested, with Stokes minded to do the same. It was simply too chilly for swing during the early exchanges, the surface too beige and the outfield too quick for England's top order not to loosen their belts and tuck in. By lunch England had raced to 130 for no loss from 26 overs. Muzarabani, heading in the opposite direction to Bethell after this Test match, showed glimpses of his talent, the odd ball testing Crawley and a return catch when the opener was on 10 proving just out of reach. At the other end Richard Ngarava offered a left-arm angle but, like his strike partner, not enough consistency to build any sustained pressure. The most threatening seamer was probably Victor Nyauchi, a bustling medium-pacer who mixed up his angles well and flirted with Duckett's outside edge after the first interval. But on a day when Zimbabwe needed plenty to go their way, this briefly testing passage witnessed the precise opposite: Ngarava, running to stop a ball in the deep, suffered a nasty back spasm and soon left the field on a motorised stretcher. Advertisement The 231 runs that Duckett and Crawley compiled was England's highest partnership against Zimbabwe, as well as the third highest opening stand by an English pair on home soil. It may not have been their most taxing but, coming at the start of a defining nine months for this England team, it still offered a reminder of the chemistry that this little-and-large duo have struck up since they were first paired in late 2022. For Crawley it also changed the narrative surrounding his early summer form; form summed by the fact that, when he rocked back and pulled Muzarabani for four early on to reach eight not out, he had already made his highest first-innings score of the season. Thereafter it was a pretty knock, laced with cover drives and only ended when he missed a tired sweep to Sikandar Raza's off-spin and was lbw. There were no such concerns regarding Duckett and on his home ground – a ground with dimensions practically designed for his punchy game – he purred his way to a run-a-ball century. In the end, his downfall was self-inflicted, greeting the part-time spin of Wessly Madhevere with a four and six before slapping one straight to extra cover.
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
England pummel Zimbabwe in run fest at Trent Bridge
Cricket - International Test Match Series - Zimbabwe Practice Session - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 21, 2025 Zimbabwe's Tanaka Chivanga during practice as Richard Ngarava looks on Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff REUTERS Cricket - International Test Match Series - England v Zimbabwe - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 22, 2025 England's Ben Stokes and Joe Root line-up with teammates for the national anthem before the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs REUTERS Cricket - International Test Match Series - England v Zimbabwe - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 22, 2025 England's Ben Duckett takes the applause from the crowd while walking back to the pavilion after getting dismissed by Zimbabwe's Wesley Madhevere Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs REUTERS NOTTINGHAM, England - Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope scored centuries to take England to a massive 498 for three at the close on the first day of their one-off test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge on Thursday. Having pummelled the visitors' military medium seam attack, Pope will resume on 169 from 163 balls with Harry Brook unbeaten on 10 as the home side scored at 5.66 runs an over in a dominant display in Zimbabwe's first test in England for 22 years. Opener Duckett smashed 140 from 134 balls before he was caught at cover by Ben Curran off the bowling of Wessly Madhevere after putting on an opening stand of 231 with Crawley in 41.3 overs. The latter was more measured but reached a first test century in almost two years with 124 from 171 balls before he was trapped leg before wicket by spinner Sikandar Raza playing across the line. Crawley added 137 in 142 deliveries for the second wicket with Pope as Zimbabwe's tame seamers failed to find a consistent line and length, and offered up far too many half-volleys and width that was easily punished. "It is a fantastic feeling to score a test hundred and a great day for the team as well," Crawley told Sky Sports. "With Ben playing as well as he did, I didn't feel a heap of pressure. And then Ollie came in and played the same way. "I always want a big score and I was disappointed when I got out because there were more runs there for the taking." Joe Root passed 13,000 test runs before he attempted a hook off Blessing Muzarabani and was caught at deep fine leg by Sean Williams for 34. Pope will be eyeing his highest test score of 205 on Friday with England looking to bat once in the four-day match as they prepare for the series against India and later on the Ashes in Australia. Pope and Crawley have been short of runs in recent times, and with Jacob Bethell an option to come into the side, their centuries could not have been better timed, even if they came against a modest test attack. "You feel part of the team again, you don't want to feel like you are hanging on," Crawley said. "There are certain times you feel like you are playing for your place and I have certainly felt that loads of times in my career. "There are so many great players in this team that you try and match them and keep up with them." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Zimbabwe win toss, put England into bat in one-off test
Cricket - International Test Match Series - Zimbabwe Practice Session - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 21, 2025 Zimbabwe's Tanaka Chivanga during practice as Richard Ngarava looks on Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff REUTERS Cricket - International Test Match Series - England v Zimbabwe - Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Britain - May 22, 2025 England's Ben Stokes and Joe Root line-up with teammates for the national anthem before the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs REUTERS NOTTINGHAM, England - Zimbabwe won the toss and put hosts England into bat on the opening day of the four-day test at a Trent Bridge on Thursday, with visiting captain Craig Ervine having no hesitation in deciding to bowl under cloudy skies. "Hopefully, we can utilise the conditions," he said at the toss. The one-off test, the first for Zimbabwe in England in more than 20 years, represents a rare opportunity for the southern Africans to test themselves as the hosts prepare for a five-test series against India before the Ashes in Australia. England handed a debut to seamer Sam Cook and there is a return to the test arena after a two-year injury-enforced absence for fellow quick Josh Tongue. Zimbabwe welcome back key all-rounder Sikandar Raza after he missed their home test loss to Ireland in February and the two-test series in Bangladesh, which ended 1-1 last month. Tanaka Chivanga also starts after recovering from injury. England - Ben Stokes (captain), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Sam Cook, Shoaib Bashir. Zimbabwe - Craig Ervine (captain), Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wicketkeeper), Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga, Victor Nyauchi. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on track for England return on Argentina tour
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has been sidelined since late December after he had surgery on his shoulder. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has been sidelined since late December after he had surgery on his shoulder. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images/Reuters Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is on course to make his England comeback on the summer tour of Argentina and keep hopes of a late British & Irish Lions call-up alive. Steve Borthwick said the Exeter wing was straining at the leash during a mini training camp on Tuesday. Feyi-Waboso has been sidelined since late December after finally undergoing shoulder surgery that was put off amid confusion as to whether he would go under the knife or not. The delay, which exposed fault lines in the new club and country agreement, was exacerbated because Feyi-Waboso also had a tooth infection but ultimately cost him the chance to stake his claim for a place in the Lions squad. Advertisement Related: The Breakdown | Rare English double in Europe would be a dream result for Premiership The 22-year-old is yet to make his comeback for Exeter, who have one match remaining, against Sale, on 31 May. Given Feyi-Waboso was awarded an enhanced contract by the Rugby Football Union last autumn, Borthwick is very likely to have input as to whether he appears against the Sharks. In the meantime, Borthwick has been impressed with how the trainee doctor performed in a two-day camp at England's training base in Bagshot. It may be that Feyi-Waboso's return comes against a France XV on 21 June before the tour of Argentina. 'He trained on the field with the team for elements of the session and did some modified training,' said Borthwick, who has convened a 33-man squad featuring 14 uncapped players with those selected by the Lions or potentially in action for Northampton and Bath this weekend omitted. Advertisement 'He was in team training and doing individual training. He looks really good. I was delighted to see him back on the grass. The medical teams are really pleased with his recovery. You get a sense from the player of how he's feeling and there was a really positive energy off Manny. 'The number of times I had to step in and pull him back because he wanted to do more … I had to go and stand on his wing and remind him. That's a positive sign of where Manny is at. He's a world-class player.' With Maro Itoje leading a Lions squad featuring 12 other England players, Borthwick must select a new captain for the two-Test tour of Argentina with a one-off match against the USA to follow. Jamie George – who was stripped of the captaincy in January – and George Ford offer experienced options while Ben Curry and Fraser Dingwall are younger candidates who fulfil the role for their clubs. Borthwick identified second row as an area where he would like to add depth with Arthur Clark among the uncapped contingent while the props Afo Fasogbon and Asher Opoku-Fordjour – who has one cap to his name – are members of last summer's World Cup winning under-20s side who have been promoted. Eight years ago, Eddie Jones handed debuts to Tom Curry and Sam Underhill on the tour of Argentina with 16 players named in Warren Gatland's Lions squad and Borthwick is hoping to unearth his own gems for the 2027 World Cup. Advertisement 'The players who emerged in that series against Argentina, two years out from the World Cup, became really important players for England in that World Cup,' Borthwick said. 'I have no doubt there will be some players who emerge this summer and stake their claim. I'm looking forward to that.' Meanwhile, the former England full-back Mike Brown has announced he will retire at the end of the season with a parting shot at rugby's authorities. Brown, who won 72 caps, will bring the curtain down on a 20-year career at the end of Leicester's season. 'Club owners, league executives, national and international governing body senior leadership – my hope is that you come together, think beyond the short term and make the bold, unselfish decisions needed to allow rugby to thrive once again,' he said. 'We have a responsibility to protect and grow this incredible game so future generations can experience everything it has to offer – just as I have.'
Wales Online
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Tennis star worth £9m dated Lewis Hamilton's and Leonardo DiCaprio's exes and has new Hollywood flame
Tennis star worth £9m dated Lewis Hamilton's and Leonardo DiCaprio's exes and has new Hollywood flame Grigor Dimitrov may not be a household name in the world of tennis but his lavish personal life and dating history means he is one of the most fascinating stars to currently play the game Grigor Dimitrov and Eiza Gonzalez are currently an item (Image: 2025 Getty Images ) Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov may not have scaled the heights of the game but he has caught the world's attention for his lavish lifestyle and prolific dating history. Dimitrov is currently ranked No. 16 in the game's world rankings, and even reached No. 3 in November 2017. Despite never clinched a Grand Slam title, Dimitrov has turned in some impressive performances over the years beating the likes of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. However, the star, who is worth a stunning £9million, has often turned heads for who he often has on his arm. From dating an array of movie stars, sports icons and society's elite, it seems Dimitrov is never too far from the media spotlight. With the 34-year-old now linked with another Hollywood actress, we take a closer look at the Bulgarian tennis icon. Net worth Dimitrov is estimated to be worth a stunning £9m. His staggering wealth gathered pace as he became the first Bulgarian player to earn over $1m (£750,000) professionally. To this day he is reported to have pocketed almost £22.5m in career earnings. While he's never won one of the game's major prizes, he has reached the semi-final of Wimbledon, the US Open and the Australian Open. Article continues below Grigor Dimitrov beat Andy Murray at Wimbledon in 2014 (Image: Action Images / Tony O'Brien ) His best showing at Roland Garros came in 2024 when Carlos Alcaraz beat him in the quarter-final. Dimitrov also has nine titles across his career. Yet his professional endorsement agreements include the likes of Nike, Wilson Sporting Goods. In 2023 he entered into a deal with Lacoste, and historically he has acted as a brand ambassador for Rolex, Haagen Dazs ice cream and American Express. Dating history After being spotted with a string of showbiz and sport's most eye-catching stars, all attention was on who Dimitrov was dating next. At the Madrid Open fans got their wish as it was revealed that the 34-year-old is now seeing Mexican actress Eiza Gonzalez, 35, who is known for such films as Baby Driver, Hobbs and Shaw and Godzilla vs. Kong. Lewis Hamilton's ex Nicole Scherzinger was spotted with Grigor Dimitrov (Image: 2016 Mark Milan ) The tennis star received a kiss on the cheek from Gonzalez after he beat Nicolas Jarry in the third round. Gonzalez appeared courtside for Dimitrov's victory. She seemed supportive of Dimitrov throughout the game, and since then they have also posted a photo together on social media seemingly confirming the relationship. Grigor Dimitrov was once seeing Leonardo Dicaprio's ex, Madalina Ghenea (Image: 2023 Daniele Venturelli ) Dimitrov was previously in a relationship with five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova from 2012-2015. After that union hit the bricks, he was with Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger for a short while, who once dated F1 star Lewis Hamilton for eight years. Article continues below Dimitrov has also been linked with tennis icon Serena Williams and Lolita Osmanova, the daughter of Russian energy tycoon Eldar Osmanova. The Bulgarian was also thought to be dating Romanian actress Madalina Ghenea in 2023, who herself was linked with Hollywood legend Leonardo DiCaprio.
