Erich Anderson, Actor in ‘Friday the 13th’ and ‘Felicity,’ Dies at 67

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Netanyahu warns of ‘very intense’ action against Hezbollah in Lebanon, as talk of a new war intensifies.

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"Unacceptable": ENG Great Blasts IND vs IRE Pitch, Jaffer's 'Excellent' Dig

Former England captain Michael Vaughan on Wednesday upbraided the pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium here that is in use for the T20 World Cup match between India and Ireland, calling it a “sub-standard surface.” On a pitch that had plenty of bounce and seam, Indian bowlers, led by Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, bundled out Ireland for a paltry 96.

“Trying to sell the game in the states is great.. love it.. but for players to have to play on this sub-standard surface in New York is unacceptable…You work so hard to make it to the WC then have to play on this,” Vaughan wrote on his X handle.

Trying to sell the game in the states is great .. love it .. but for players to have to play on this sub standard surface in New York is unacceptable .. You work so hard to make it to the WC then have to play on this .. #INDvIRE

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 5, 2024

Wasim Jaffer also took a dis

This is an excellent pitch in New York. Provided the idea was to get the American audience hooked on to Test cricket disguised as T20. #INDvIRE #T20WorldCup

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 5, 2024

In fact, this was the second match in a row in New York a team was bowled out for a total less than 100.

On June 3, South Africa had fired out Sri Lanka for 77 en route their six-wicket victory.

The drop-in deck at the venue has been giving excess assistance to the pacers as South Africa's Anrich Nortje had grabbed four wickets, conceding a mere seven runs from his full quota of four overs, against the Lankans.

India will also play their next two matches at this venue -- against Pakistan on June 9 and against co-hosts USA on June 12. 

India's quartet of fast bowlers were simply menacing on a pitch offering variable bounce and seam movement dismantling Ireland for a lowly 96 in their opening T20 World Cup match here on Wednesday. Arshdeep Singh (2/35 in 4 overs), Mohammed Siraj (1/13 in 3 overs), Jasprit Bumrah (2/6 in 3 overs) and Hardik Pandya (3/27 in 4 overs) didn't give any breathing space to Irish batters who were made to look like novices in front of swing, seam and extra bounce that the four-pronged attack produced during the 14 out of 16 overs they bowled.

Such was their plight that none of the Irish batters save one --- Gareth Delany (26 n.o, 14 balls) could even cross 20-run mark individually. Delany's innings took them close to the 100-run mark.

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A ‘House of the Dragon’ Party With Not One Silvery Wig in Sight

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Who Did Steve Smith Predict As T20 World Cup Highest Run Scorer?

Australian cricket team talisman Steve Smith has tipped Virat Kohli to be the highest run-scorer in the ongoing 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. Kohli is in impeccable form, coming off the back of winning the Orange Cap in IPL 2024, and is one of the favourites to lead the run charts in the West Indies and the USA as well. Smith, who was not chosen in the Australia squad, picked another member of the famed "Fab 4" to score big in the Caribbean.

Speaking to ICC, Smith said, "My top run-scorer of the tournament will be Virat Kohli. He is coming off a terrific IPL and he is bringing in some great form and I think he will be the leading run-getter."

Virat Kohli is already the highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history, and would end up extending his records even further should he perform as well as Smith has predicted. He is currently on 1141 runs in 25 innings in T20 World Cups.

Compatriot and captain Rohit Sharma is not far behind Kohli, ranking fourth in the all-time run-getters list. He could climb up to second as well this year. The duo are set to open the batting for India, as they get underway against Ireland in New York on June 5.

Given the opponents India have been placed with in Group A, Kohli would fancy his chances to score runs. Kohli boasts 308 T20 World Cup runs against Pakistan, and has only been dismissed once against the men in green in these matches. The arch-rivals face each other on Sunday, June 9.

The veteran pair opening the batting would see Yashasvi Jaiswal losing out on a spot. Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar, however, had a different idea, where he said that he would like to see Jaiswal bat at no. 3.

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T20 WC: "Rohit Sharma Can Hold Team India Together", Says Aus Legend

Legendary Australian cricket team fast bowler Glenn McGrath has stated that the T20 World Cup 2024 will be a big test for India. Currently serving as the director of coaching at the MRF Pace Foundation, McGrath also said that the gap of five months since India last played a T20I would not affect the men in blue, as the players are coming fresh off the IPL. The Australian great also lavished praise on Jasprit Bumrah. The latter will lead India's pace battery in the West Indies and the USA, where the T20 World Cup is being held. "It (T20 World Cup) will be a big test for India," said McGrath, naming Australia, West Indies and New Zealand as tournament favourites alongside Rohit Sharma's team.

McGrath emphasised that Rohit Sharma will play a pivotal role in guiding India to glory.

"You need a team that is comfortable, set and confident. A lot of it is going to go around Rohit Sharma. He is a quality player and is experienced. You need someone to hold the team together," said McGrath.

Rohit's form tapered off towards the end of IPL 2024. However, his Mumbai Indians teammate Jasprit Bumrah picked up 20 wickets. McGrath said that Bumrah would need the right support if India are to go the distance this summer.

"He (Bumrah) is one bowler who the batters find difficult to play and get on top of, even in T20s," McGrath said. "It is also about who is going to take wickets around him," he added.

As predicted by many experts, Bumrah will likely be partnered by Arshdeep Singh if India opted to go with three spinners. Three-time World Cup winner McGrath spoke about the importance of good powerplay bowling.

"In T20s, you do not have much time to be ready. If bowlers take one or two overs to warm up, the game is already over," said McGrath. "If you've got a good opening-bowling combination, that is where you're going to win matches," he pointed out.

India play next on June 5, kicking off their 2024 T20 World Cup against Ireland in New York.

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China llega a la cara oculta de la Luna

By Yan Zhuang from NYT En español https://ift.tt/P2ewd0E