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The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Ben Duckett — redefining the rules and re-establishing himself
When the bell rings, it's not the size of the fighter that matters — it's the precision of the blows, the ability to absorb them, and the will to hit back harder. 835 runs in total — five centuries from the opposition. Every sign pointing towards collapse and defeat in a fourth innings chase. But in walked Ben Duckett — fearless and unfazed. In the opening round of the five-Test clash against a transitioning Indian team at Headingley, Duckett stepped in not merely to survive, but to counterpunch with fearless intent, flair, and nerve. While Jasprit Bumrah was doing Jasprit Bumrah things: testing techniques and rattling nerves, Duckett stood tall. ALSO READ | ENG vs IND Tests: Where is the sword-swishing, humming Jadeja? He didn't flinch. He fired back, landing clean, decisive strikes — 149 of them — each one shifting the momentum in England's favour. A mammoth 371 stared England down. Duckett didn't just hang in. He fought. He scored. He played with purpose. And how. There's always been a certain grace to left-handers — a quiet elegance, even in the way they leave a ball outside the off-stump. Think of David Gower's liquid timing, Alastair Cook's monk-like patience or Andrew Strauss' measured balance at the crease. A different kind of southpaw Duckett doesn't belong to that school. He's a different kind of southpaw — one built for tempo, not tradition. He rarely leaves anything outside off and when the ball enters his zone, his instinct isn't caution, it's to attack. Every swing he takes is charged with aggression. 'He is now England's answer to Virender Sehwag,' wrote former England player-turned-commentator-turned-coach David Lloyd in his Daily Mail column. It's hard to argue with that sentiment. Sehwag's arrival in Test cricket was thunderous. Handed a debut in the middle order against South Africa, he announced himself with a 105 before earning a promotion to the top. It was an inspired move by captain Sourav Ganguly and coach John Wright. They gave him what most players only dream of: freedom to play and to learn on his own terms. With that came the destruction of bowlers and, consequentially, of tradition. That elevation gave him the licence to attack, to play on instinct and, most importantly, to fail without the fear of being dropped. ALSO READ | Ind vs Eng Birmingham Test Day 1: Gill and Jaiswal drive India even as team selection grabs the spotlight All-out aggression Sehwag didn't just score runs; he dismantled attacks, instilled fear in bowlers and reshaped the way openers were viewed in the sport. He imposed himself, series after series. For Duckett, the journey to open for England began long before current head coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes entered the picture. It all started in 2016 with a stroke of bold 'intuition and chance' at Northamptonshire. The county side was then searching for an opener and coach David Ripley took a 'chance' by promoting Duckett, then a middle-order batter, to the top. This move would eventually transform his career. That same bold belief has come from 'Baz' McCullum and Stokes. In Duckett, they saw a disruptor — a player with the mindset to break patterns, not adhere to them. And like Ganguly and Wright did for Sehwag, they handed Duckett the keys to the top order. No overthinking, no axe hanging — just a license to play. The result? A left-hander who's now attacks just like what Sehwag once did. 'I didn't think I'd be an opening batter, but I'm enjoying the role', Duckett was quoted by ESPNCricinfo. 'I started my career batting lower down where you can get away with playing a bit loose. But I've batted better since I began opening, so I'm going to keep playing this way. I'm still trying to learn to play as straight as I can early on in my innings. 'If I'm going to the next step, I'm going to need to be technically better as an opener and maybe a bit more patient. But I've made things work so I'll try and carry it on', he added. "He's brilliant to watch" 🙌 Stuart Broad on the rise of Ben Duckett 📈 — Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 2, 2025 ALSO READ | ENG vs IND second Test: India's juggling act: prioritise batting depth or 20 wickets? Trial by fire It's hard to believe how it all began for the 30-year-old back in 2016 — a debut in Test cricket that was as fleeting as it was unforgiving. Thrown into the subcontinental furnace, he started brightly in Bangladesh, scoring two half-centuries in the ODI series. But that early promise quickly faded once he put on the Test whites. Facing India its backyard is an entirely different ball game and a fledgling Duckett was left overwhelmed. His tendency to rock back deep in the crease and play across his pads became a glaring flaw, one the Indian bowlers, particularly the spinners, exploited ruthlessly. Ball after ball, they exposed the glitch, reducing Duckett to a walking wicket. He was dropped just two Tests into England's eventual 4-0 series defeat — his final act, a 16-ball duck in Vizag. Vulnerable technique and the brutal reality of Test cricket had left him exposed. The door that once opened for him with enthusiasm shut just as quickly. As if his on-field struggles weren't enough, Duckett's behaviour beyond the boundary only added to his woes. During the 2017-18 Ashes tour of Australia, he found himself at the centre of a bizarre incident in Perth. He allegedly poured pints of beer over England's all-time leading wicket-taker James Anderson. What could have been shrugged off as immature banter quickly spiralled, with Duckett eventually sent home midway through the tour. For many, that would have been the end. Duckett, though, wasn't wired to disappear. He dug in. He rebuilt. He refined himself and let his bat do the talking. It taught him resilience, perspective, and the hunger to grab every chance that came his way. So when 'Bazball' and England called again in 2022, he returned, ready to rewrite his story and, this time, on his terms. A blistering 107 off 110 balls against Pakistan in Rawalpindi announced his arrival. It was a statement of fearlessness, it set the tone not just for his second coming but also for England's bold new era under McCullum. That knock came on Day 1 of a historic 506-run blitz — the most runs ever scored in a single day of Test cricket. Duckett's innings was a masterclass in pacing: sweep, reverse sweep, glide and repeat. Spin was dismantled, rhythm destroyed. The old Duckett was gone; this one is here to dominate. ALSO READ | India vs England Tests: 'All-rounders' don't look the part; back to the specialists, then Just the beginning Then came Rajkot, 2024. In a dust bowl, Duckett countered with audacity, smashing 153 off 151 balls enroute registering fastest Test century by an Englishman on Indian soil. Reverse sweeps off Ravichandran Ashwin, front-foot drives through cover and an innings played at a strike rate that left even the most seasoned spinners scrambling. Cook called it 'out of this world. And now, there's Headingley 2025. Chasing an imposing 371 against India, Duckett once again stepped in and turned up the heat. Bumrah was breathing fire as usual but the 30-year-old did not flinch. His innings wasn't built on recklessness; it was built on clarity. It tilted the balance and gave England the upper hand in round one of a five-Test saga. From being discarded in 2016 and being sent home in 2017 to now standing tall as one of England's most fearless Test openers, Duckett has seen it all. And if Headingley is any indication, the Nottinghamshire batter isn't done just yet. He doesn't just play the Bazball way — he is its very definition. Dynamic. Defiant. And nowhere near done.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Xiaomi made a cheap Ferrari EV. Who needs Porsche?
HighlightsXiaomi Corporation's luxury electric sport utility vehicle, the YU7, boasts an impressive driving range of up to 835 kilometers (519 miles) and received nearly 300,000 orders within the first hour of its launch, posing a significant threat to Western luxury automakers. The rapid innovation cycle and advanced technology offered by Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers like Xiaomi and Huawei Technologies Company challenge traditional Western brands, which may struggle to maintain their premium pricing and market position as consumer preferences shift toward advanced software and digital features. As luxury electric vehicle sales in China continue to rise, Western manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Porsche AG are facing difficulties due to high prices and limited product appeal, leading to significant dealership closures and a potential reassessment of their strategies in the Chinese market. Watching the launch last week of Xiaomi Corp.'s luxury electric sport utility vehicle, the YU7, stirred up two strong emotions: wonder at its impressive technology, and deep foreboding for the future of Western automakers. The YU7 is the complete package — a stylish and tech-laden SUV with up to 835 kilometers (519 miles) of driving range, all for an affordable price. The entry-level version costs just RMB 253,500 ($35,400). Xiaomi scores few points for design originality — the YU7 looks like a cross between a Ferrari Purosangue and a McLaren, while its first model, the sporty SU7 sedan, bears a striking resemblance to the Porsche Taycan. Even so, these are astonishing achievements for a smartphone company that entered the automotive industry just four years ago. I was not in the least surprised the YU7 received almost 300,000 orders within one hour. While the YU7 directly competes with Tesla Inc.'s Model Y in China and isn't available in the US or Europe for now, Western premium and luxury automakers with far higher sticker prices should fear the increasingly sophisticated EVs China is churning out. How will they compete once the growling combustion engines that define their brands disappear? Investors appear confident Ferrari will retain its cache. Indeed, it's fortunate that China accounts for less than 10% of the Prancing Horse's global sales, because the V12 Purosangue starts at around $430,000 and once customized costs far more. Porsche and Germany's other premium automakers don't appear as resilient. Offering a fake V8 engine noise as Mercedes-Benz Group does on the electric hypercar concept it teased last week won't suffice. Electrification, automated driving and digital connectivity are turning autos into cellphones on wheels. Hence consumer electrics companies like Xiaomi and Huawei Technologies Co. are pushing into the EV marketand thereby offering seamless digital ecosystems, making Apple Inc.'s failure to develop a car appear like an even bigger omission. The danger for luxury automakers is their products become commoditized. Rapid acceleration, a chief selling point of Western sportscar brands, is now commonplace in EVs: Xiaomi's cars have achieved some blistering lap times at the Nürburgring (the industry's benchmark). Meanwhile, China's faster innovation and product development cycles threaten to make manufacturers that can't iterate as quickly appear old hat. Consumer perceptions are also changing. In China at least, luxury is increasingly about offering advanced software, voice recognition and artificial intelligence. However, customers aren't necessarily willing to fork out a lot for these features. 'An Apple Watch can do everything better: It can do a thousand more things; it's a lot more precise; it can measure your heart rate. But nobody would pay $200,000 for an Apple Watch,' Bugatti-Rimac Chief Executive Officer Mate Rimac said last year, explaining why sales of the more than $2 million electric Nevera hypercar have been disappointing and why Bugatti's new $4.5 million hypercar, the Tourbillon , offers analogue instruments and a hybrid powertrain to retain exclusivity. Although EV sales are booming in China, the very top segment of the market remains comparatively small, in part because consumers can get good quality tech and interior comforts at much lower price points. (Geely's high-end EV brand Lotus Technology Inc. has been forced to pivot to hybrids rather than remain in its small niche, while Nio Inc. has moved downmarket with its Firefly and Onvo sub-brands.) I've been impressed by some of BMW AG's EVs, and it's expected to build on that foundation with its upcoming Neue Klasse technology. But other Western manufacturers' products often aren't good enough considering how much they cost. Mercedes-Benz Group AG is reportedly struggling to sell the $160,000 electric version of its iconic G-Class SUV, the G580, due in part to the 3085-kilogram (6,800-pound) vehicle's limited range and towing capacity; this has added to the German manufacturer's lengthening roster of EV flops. Eye-watering depreciation of luxury EVs like the Porsche Taycan is also deterring customers. No wonder Lamborghini doesn't plan to launch its first EV until the end of the decade, while Ferrari NV is reportedly delaying its second EV until at least 2028 (the first will go on sale next year after a protracted launch). But there are risks in feet-dragging: Imagine what Xiaomi, Aito, Maextro, BYD Co.'s Yangwang and their ilk will be capable of in five years? Porsche CEO Oliver Blume has said he doesn't consider Xiaomi to be a competitor and claims to be 'very relaxed' about its achievements on the racetrack. 'Customers who love the sportiness, the driving dynamics of Porsche stick to the brand,' he told analysts in March. Nevertheless, the Stuttgart-based automaker seems to have accepted its best days in China are over. Rather than cut prices, it's closing around one-third of its local dealers after the comparatively expensive electric Taycan and Macan failed to sell well. And Blume isn't ruling out giving up on selling EVs in China entirely. For now, the US is essentially off-limits to Chinese EVs due to a combination of import duties and cybersecurity rules. And while European tariffs aren't as high, Chinese luxury brands have made only limited inroads here so far. Consumer loyalty to long-established brands, the slower pace of electrification, and the difficulties of establishing sales and service networks offer Western automakers some protection at home. But in emerging markets — which Chinese automakers are now aggressively targeting — it's a different story. Ultimately, the only way for luxury automakers to sustainably defend their premium pricing in the era of electric and software-defined vehicles is to show they can exceed the best that China can offer. From what I saw last week, that'll be a very tall order.
The Star
24-06-2025
- The Star
RM6mil worth of drugs seized in raids
Major haul: Comm Kumar (third from right) with deputy police chief Deputy Comm Abdul Latiff Mehat (third from left) and other state police officers showing the seized drugs during a press conference held at the state police headquarters in Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star JOHOR BARU: Two Vietnamese women were among three suspects arrested by police, with over RM6mil worth of drugs seized during raids at a housing estate in Taman Mutiara Rini here. Johor police chief Comm Datuk M. Kumar said the state narcotics department together with Bukit Aman launched a special operation at two locations on June 14 from 7.30pm till 5am the following day. He said the first raid was at a terrace house which led to the arrest of a 45-year-old local man and a 34-year-old Vietnamese woman. 'The man had been renting the house since April 2023. We found an assortment of drugs in the house,' he added. Comm Kumar said the man led police to another terrace house nearby which was also rented by the syndicate. The second Vietnamese woman aged 23 was arrested there. 'All three tested positive for drugs,' he told a press conference at the state police contingent headquarters here yesterday. Comm Kumar said police seized 40.6kg of ecstasy powder, 1.3kg of ketamine and 368g of ganja at both locations which were valued at RM6.8mil. Besides the drugs, police also seized two cars, RM49,150, S$2,580 (RM8,835) and jewellery worth more than RM17,600. 'This brings the total value of all seized items to more than RM7.1mil. The syndicate has been using the two houses for processing and packaging as well as storing the drugs. 'We believe that the syndicate used social media to sell the drugs,' he said, adding that the suspects have been remanded until Thursday. He said the case was being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 6(3) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
The Citizen
08-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Merafong residents brace for major tariff hikes after municipal budget approval
Residents of Merafong are set to experience significant increases in municipal service charges from 1 July 2025, after the 2025/2026 municipal budget was officially approved during a Special Council Meeting on 28 May. The newly approved budget outlines steep hikes across various services: Water tariffs will rise by 15.30% Electricity tariffs will increase by 8–11%, depending on usage Sewerage services will go up by 9.5% Refuse removal will increase by 6% Sundry tariffs will also rise by 6% In addition, property rates for residents living in towns will rise by 5%, while agricultural properties and Public Service Infrastructure (PSI) will see a 3% increase. Mine property rates will rise by 4.4%. The total budgeted expenditure exceeds R2.7 billion, with the largest portion allocated to debt repayment, followed by spending on bulk purchases such as water and electricity. Employee-related costs are expected to total R466,720,835. Despite opposition from the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus), the budget was passed by majority vote. These increases are likely to place additional financial strain on residents already grappling with rising living costs. The municipality has defended the hikes as necessary to ensure service delivery and cover growing operational expenses. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Barnama
26-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
CPO Futures End Slightly Higher On Firmer Crude Oil Prices
Palm oil trader David Ng said CPO prices are recovering from previous losses, driven by better-than-expected export figures that have boosted market sentiment. KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- The crude palm oil (CPO) futures contract on Bursa Malaysia Derivatives closed marginally higher on Monday, supported by stronger crude oil prices. 'We see support at RM3,800 per tonne and resistance at RM3,950 per tonne,' he told Bernama. According to independent inspection company AmSpec Agri Malaysia, exports of Malaysian palm oil products for May 1-25 rose 7.3 per cent to 991,702 tonnes from 923,893 tonnes shipped during April 1-25. At the close, the spot month June 2025 contract rose by RM11 to RM3,835 per tonne, July 2025 increased by RM7 to RM3,843 per tonne, and August 2025 went up RM6 to RM3,833 per tonne.
