Latest news with #Bridgetown
Mint
3 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
First time in 148 years! Ben Stokes becomes first English cricketer to achieve rare double in Tests
Ben Stokes' century against India on the fourth day of the fourth Test carried a lot of emotions. As soon as the England captain leg glanced Jasprit Bumrah for a boundary to reach his first Test hundred in two years, the southpaw quickly looked up to the heavens with a finger gesture in the memory of his late father Ged Stokes. Not only it came as a sigh of relief for Stokes, but also put England in the driver's seat as the hosts were all out for 669, thus taking a 310-run first innings lead against the Shubman Gill-led side at Old Trafford. Stokes' last Test hundred came in 2023 against Australia at Lord's. In the process, Stokes became he first from the country in their 148-year history to scored 7000-plus runs and take 200 wickets in Tests. The South African-born Englishman also became third in overall list after legendary West Indian Gary Sobers and Jacques Kallis. Not just this rare double, Stokes also became first England captain with a century and five-wicket haul in a single Test match. He had registered figures of 5/72 during India's first innings. Stokes is just the fourth England player to take five wickets and score a hundred in the same Test after Tony Greig, Ian Botham -- who did it five times -- and the currently sidelined Gus Atkinson. Player Runs Wickets Gary Sobers (West Indies) 8032 235 Jacques Kallis (South Africa) 13289 292 Ben Stokes (England) 7000* 229* Player Opponent Venue Year Denis Atkinson (WI) Australia Bridgetown 1955 Garry Sobers (WI) England Leeds 1966 Mushtaq Mohammad (PAK) West Indies Port of Spain 1977 Imran Khan (PAK) India Faisalabad 1983 Ben Stokes (ENG) India Manchester 2025 Stokes' entertaining innings came to an end when he was caught off Ravindra Jadeja's bowling for 141 runs off 198 balls. Stokes also became the fourth England cricketer after Tony Greig, Ian Botham (5 times) and the currently-sidelined Gus Atkinson to take five wickets and score a hundred in the same Test.
ABC News
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- ABC News
Road safety chief tells WA drivers to stop 'rationalising' rule breaking and risk taking
Western Australia's road safety chief says a major shift in individual behaviour is needed as the state's road toll nears a two-decade high. Twelve people have been killed on WA roads since July 3, bringing 2025's road toll to 112. Road Safety Commissioner Adrian Warner said people needed to realise the choices they made behind the wheel could be the difference between a near miss and a fatal crash. "There are over 2.1 million licensed drivers on our roads and 2.1 million answers to the question of why this year's year-to-date road toll is the worst in 18 years," he said. Beloved postman Gary Cahill was one of the lives tragically lost on the roads this week. He was killed in a crash south of Bridgetown on Monday morning. The family of the 73-year-old grandfather paid tribute to him in a statement sent to the ABC. "The sudden and tragic loss of Gary has left a massive hole in our family and the wider Bridgetown community where he grew up," they said. "He was married to Karen for 49 years, always keeping her on her toes, the most fun-loving dad to Glen, Denise and Mandy, and Gramps to five grandchildren who absolutely adored him. "He was the milkman in town for more than 20 years and more recently the postie. "He loved caravan adventures with his brother Lindsay and tinkering away on his vintage cars and caravans." Tarryn Sanford launched Heart Hub South West after the tragic loss of her son in 2017. The not-for-profit organisation based in Collie, 187 kilometres south of Perth, offers professional counselling for those impacted by road trauma. Ms Sanford said there was a lack of similar services outside of the metropolitan area. "With every crash, every life lost or serious injury on our roads, we see more people reaching out. Sometimes it's just days after the loss, sometimes it's months or even decades." Ms Sanford said grief and trauma needed to be part of the broader road safety conversation. "Every crash doesn't just end one life, it changes the lives of everyone around them." The increased road deaths come despite a $32.5 million state government commitment to improve road safety in regional WA. The funding was one of a string of commitments from a snap road safety summit last year, called after a similar spike in road deaths to those seen in the past week. Centre for Road Safety Research director Teresa Senserrick said it was disheartening road fatality numbers had not improved. "It's very saddening that with all the efforts they are making, we're still at this point," she said. Professor Senserrick said typically there were more fatalities and injuries on regional roads due to the higher speeds. A Cook government spokesperson said $250 million had been invested in the Regional Road Safety program in the 2025–26 state budget. "The fatal five of fatigue, alcohol and drugs, speed, distraction and seatbelts are often playing a role in road fatalities," they said. "We urge all West Australians to think twice before getting behind the wheel."
News.com.au
04-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
While you were sleeping: Drone defeats dog and Pat Cummins gets a new hat
As Australia's bowlers dutifully made their way through the West Indian batting, players had their attention diverted – with a stray dog stealing the show. Here's what you missed while you were sleeping. CAPS LOCK Pat Cummins' missing baggy green has been replaced. He has sourced a second new Albion cap to replace his fraying original. The Aussie skipper's replacement cap disappeared somewhere between the pre-series photo shoot and the toss of the first Test in Bridgetown. DOG GONE There was an uninvited interloper on the arena early in the second session. But this wasn't an Australia who had indulged too much in the local beverages. Rather it was a stray dog, who initially settled deep in the off-side, before moving around to the on-side. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood sought to shoo the canine away, but it was the drone camera overhead that led the dog to leave the field, and eventually the stadium, no thanks to the security or ground staff. WHAT A TAKE Australia took two return catches to begin the day in Grenada. Josh Hazlewood removed Kraigg Brathwaite for a duck in the second over, but it was Cummins' diving one-handed effort to remove Keacy Carty that stole the show, with the skipper forcing Carty to edge onto his pad before snaffling the pop-up low to the ground. CORDON HOUSE Marnus Labuschagne will not be denied. The dumped Aussie batter had a good hitout in the nets before play on Friday and then re-emerged in the slip cordon as Australia's quicks had breathers after bowling during the first session. It was an otherwise new-look cordon for the tourists, with Sam Konstas filling in as Steve Smith was stationed at mid-off as he recuperates from his finger injury. WITH OR WITHOUT YOU Having advanced to 4-169 with Brandon King and Shai Hope looking settled, the Windies lost 2-0. Firstly it was Cummins, who as he so often does ended a key partnership by bowling Hope through the gate after it jagged back. The skipper then went off the field for some repairs, in which time King departed for 75, gloving one from Nathan Lyon down the leg-side to a decision reviewed successfully by acting skipper Steve Smith, on the urging of Cameron Green at mid-wicket.
News.com.au
03-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
What you missed overnight: Steve Smith's nightmare return, more struggles for Konstas, Green
Australia expected Steve Smith to bolster its batting, but the all-time great was among the top-order failures – but he partly had a wandering child to blame. Here's what you missed overnight. While you were sleeping, Australia's top order struggled once more – looking every bit as frayed as Pat Cummins' baggy green. Read on for the moments you missed overnight. Pat Cummins' missing baggy green is still missing. The Australian skipper again turned up to the toss wearing his old fraying cap that he had intended to replace ahead of the first Test only for the new one to go missing between the pre-series photo shoot and day one in Bridegtown. The hunt goes on. DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION It is no great secret that Steve Smith is finicky with his batting. It doesn't take much to unsettle him at the crease, and a wandering child behind the bowler's arm in the Grenada grandstand caught his eye. The child was eventually collected by an adult, but Smith never recovered. His return innings ended the very next ball, miscuing a ball that probably wasn't quite there to be pulled to deep backward square leg to make it a 3-3 collapse for Australia. NOT EASY BEING GREEN Sam Konstas had already lived dangerously to get to 25 before he tamely poked one from Anderson Phillip to wicketkeeper Shai Hope. And Cameron Green should have been out on the same score when John Campbell dropped a straightforward catch in the final over before lunch. And yet Green still couldn't even survive until the interval, tugging at a ball that moved away from him and going to Jayden Seales with the final ball of the session for 26, caught at gully by Roston Chase. ALMOST CAUGHT SHORT Things could have gone from bad to worse for Australia when Alex Carey was sent back halfway down the pitch after having a single turned down by Beau Webster on 10. Carey would have been long gone had Shamar Joseph's shy from midwicket been accurate but the Windies quick probably had more time than he realised.
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Is this the Caribbean's best golfing destination? Apes Hill in Barbados is golfing perfection from its stunning villas to its iconic Championship Course
Barbados is a golfer's paradise. Best known for its hospitable and welcoming people, stunning sandy beaches and tropical wildlife, golf has played a huge role in this beautiful island's heritage. It is thought that the sport was first played on the island during the late 18th century During the British global expansion, where members of the army and navy were first stationed on the island. Since then, Barbados has established itself as one of the most unique hotspots in the world for golf, with Apes Hill, standing out as one of Barbados' gems. The course is nestled into the Caribbean island's rich jungle just 13km north of Bridgetown at around about 1000ft above sea level. It is possibly one of the most unique and picturesque golf courses in the world. The club describes its courses as 'unforgettable', and having played a couple of rounds on both its Championship Course and its par three nine-hole track, I can safely say I haven't been able to stop talking about it. The defining feature of this stunning golf club is its setting. Designed by legendary architect Ron Kirby, Apes Hill's Championship Course feels like a swirling links track that is set in the heart of the Caribbean jungle. You'll find yourself traversing undulating fairways, sharp doglegs and raised greens, all while being surrounded by bearded fig trees, rich jungle and some unique wildlife, including Barbados' Green Monkeys, tropical birds and the occasional mongoose! In April, former Masters champion Ian Woosnam, the ambassador for the course, hosted the Legends Tour at Apes Hill - the first time the tour has returned to Barbados in 15 years. 'Ron [Kirby] has left an indelible mark on the place with a fantastic design on a spectacular piece of land - and you get these amazing panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea,' Woosnam says, speaking on the golf course. But there is something on offer for everyone at Apes Hill. While golf is the main draw, guests staying in one of the resort's beautiful villas can indulge in a ton of activities. Guests can bring their rackets and head out for a hit on the club's paddle or tennis courts. Apes Hill also offers a range of wellness programmes from sunrise yoga in the jungle to pilates overlooking the platinum West Coast. There is also a state-of-the-art fitness suite, and in the coming years, Apes Hill are planning to build an on-site wellness spa, as well as a beach club. So what makes Apes Hill just so special? The courses One of the Championship Course's greatest assets is just how diverse each hole is, which makes it a thoroughly enjoyable challenge that tests every element of your game. Situated across 500 acres of Waterhall and The Sugar Spring plantations, players will move through ravines, climb up ridges and have to contend with churning winds coming off the Atlantic during the front nine. Because of the undulating terrain, I often found I was playing my ball above or below my feet, which again added to the challenge and enjoyment of the course. Each hole comes with four tees, meaning that players of all ages and handicaps can play to their ability. At its longest distance, the black tees stretch the course to 7,041 yards in length, meaning it plays to about the same length as many courses you'll find on the pro tours. The front nine weaves its way around some of the resort's premium villas, and culminates in what's been dubbed 'Barbados' Amen Corner' - its 12th, 13th and 14th holes, which are simply a delight to play. They have been masterfully crafted to take into account the changing topography of Apes Hill. It begins with a raised tee box on the par three 12th hole, which challenges players to drop a wedge shot from around 130 yards out onto a sunken green. In the distance, you'll be able to marvel at the icy caps of waves crashing against the shore of the Barbadian coastline. Next is the stunning par four 13th. It's a narrow tee shot to start but opens up as you move down the fairway. A raised green sits up on the left side of the hill and is protected by a deep gorge, meaning a hooked approach shot will be punished. Lastly, my favourite hole, the par four 14th. It presents another narrow tee shot, with the fairway rolling around from right to left up to a raised green. But what is magical about this hole is the dense jungle that wraps around the fairway. A network of towering palm trees sprawl up the left side. On the right is a thick brush of bearded fig trees which wrap their way around a raised green. From here, the course provides yet another breathtaking view of the coastline. I tapped in my putt on the green and couldn't help but stop for a moment to take in the view. The final four holes equally prove to be a challenging test and include the also iconic par three 16th. Unlike the other Caribbean islands that were formed on a volcanic fault line, Barbados is situated on formed coral reefs and limestone deposits. You'll find outcroppings of captivating coral rock situated througout your journey around Apes Hill. From the back tees, players are forced to hit in from around 200 yards across a lake onto the green, which sits ahead of a cave. It is arguably one of the coolest natural features I've ever seen on a golf course and blends seamlessly in with the aesthetic of Apes Hill so well. I said this golf course was unique, right? Well, not many golf courses in the world boast a 19th hole - and no, I'm not talking about the bar. Did your match end in a tie? No matter. After coming off the par-five 18th, you have the option to settle the game on the par three 19th, a 100-yard hole that requires players to land their ball on an island green on the lake just behind the clubhouse. It's a superb and innovative addition and one that you'll have a lot of fun playing as well as watching too, as you catch up with friends after your round with an ice-cold rum punch in the bar that overlooks the green. The par three course, known as Little Apes, follows in suit of the Championship Course. Every hole is unique in its own way, with Apes Hill having also built replicas of some of the most iconic holes in the world into this superb track. One of those includes the 12th at Augusta, with Apes Hill also installing its very own version of Rae's Creek in front of the green. It is a fantastic place for golfers of all levels and ages to hone in on their approach play and putting. And like the Championship Course, you'll be able to soak up some stunning views out across the island and the resort. The Performance facility Speaking of practising, Apes Hill's state-of-the-art performance centre is a one-of-a-kind facility, where golfers can seek out lessons, hit balls on the range and get fitted for clubs. Jody Addison is the club pro and possesses an outstanding breadth of knowledge about the game, having worked in some of the world's most iconic courses, from the UK to Australia. For any level of player, the services on offer here are next to none. Jody provided us with a coaching seminar and showcased how he uses the performance centre's high-speed camera systems to analyse the different attributes of a person's swing. From there, he can adapt and tailor his advice to help players improve. It is an excellent facility that is both a great place to warm up before your round or spend an afternoon, working on your skills. Sustainability Another point to note about Apes Hill is the golf club's dedication and commitment to sustainability. Back in 2023, Apes Hill was crowned the World's Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility and it's easy to see why. The course superintendent Ed Paskins has done a outstanding job in cultivating and protecting the land that this track is built on. Ed and his staff have seeded a selection of drought-tolerant grasses, including Zorro Zoysia, on the course. Meanwhile, the fairways are watered using a 58million gallon rainwater reservoir situated on the property. The grass, combined with Apes Hills unique irrigation system, helps to reduce the course's water consumption. Less chemicals and fertilizers are also required for this grass, while hundreds of fruit and vegetable trees have been planted across the course. Many of those are harvested for produce which is used in the restaurant. The course has also partnered with local farmers, providing locals with 77 acres of land around Apes Hill to cultivate, while one of Ed's most exciting installations are his beehives. Bees help to promote pollination of the fruit trees dotted around the course, which include cherry, soursop and breadfruit trees. Apes Hill's commitment to sustainability doesn't stop there. Back at their state-of-the-art luxury villas, rainwater collection tanks are used to irrigate each villa's garden. The villas are also all constructed with sustainability in mind in order to save energy and help keep emissions down. The Villas and restaurant There are a number of ways guests can stay at Apes Hill, from purchasing their own villa to renting one of the Hill Top or Courtyard Villas around the resort. During our time at Apes Hill, we stayed in one of the Hill Top Villas. They are situated next to the par-three course and a stone's throw from the main restaurant. The villas are fully kitted out with absolutely everything you could possibly need. From a stunning kitchen area, complete with state-of-the-art units, to an al-fresco living space that includes its own infinity pool on the terrace, this is the ultimate place to relax. The Courtyard Villas are located on the golf course and provide an outstanding view of both the 18th hole and the coastline down towards the eastern side of the island. The Courtyard Villas are situated on two floors, with each coming with a private infinity pool, kitchen, and stunning outdoor living space. While guests are able to cook for themselves, there are a number of dining options available at Apes Hill. Perhaps the coolest is the dine-in option, where guests can hire one of the resort's professional chefs for an evening who will cater for your tastes in the comfort of your own villa. This was a thoroughly unique and brilliant experience, with the resort's chefs showcasing their exceptional culinary knowledge of both Caribbean and world cuisine. I also really enjoyed the wide range of food available at Apes Hill's 20th Hole restaurant. From breakfast to dinner, I found myself lost for choice with the stunning array of dishes on offer. Combining Caribbean delights with international delicacies, the 20th Hole restaurant is a sublime place to enjoy a meal. The final word For a resort of this sublime quality, Apes Hill doesn't grandstand. It is unpretentious, knowing of its class but at the same time is modest and quietly goes about its core business of making sure its guests are having an excellent stay. What stood out for me the most was just how welcoming and friendly the staff at the resort were. Their approachability elevated our stay to the next level and that made Apes Hill just a simply wonderful place to stay and play golf.
