Latest news with #GeorgeBailey
The Advertiser
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
McSweeney the shining star as Sri Lanka A secure draw
Australia A and Sri Lanka A have ground out a tame draw at Marrara Stadium in Darwin, but the national selectors may have plenty to ponder for the Ashes. It probably was the assurance chief selector George Bailey was looking for - rather than the result - at the end of the four-day game in the Top End, as bat prevailed over ball in a timely reminder all may not be lost for Australia's top order this summer. In reply to Australia A's 486 after making 272 in their first knock, the Sri Lankans dug in to finish on 3-280 when the match was called on Wednesday afternoon. First-drop Nuwanidu Fernando made a superb unbeaten 104, including seven fours and three sixes, ably supported by Pasindu Sooriyabandara (56) and Pavan Rathnayake (56no). The Australian bowlers were unable to make major in-roads after securing the wickets of openers Lahiru Udara (17) and Kamil Mishara (35). Fernando and Sooriyabandara starred in a 113-run partnership for the third wicket, before the latter was caught by Nathan McSweeney off the bowling of Liam Scott. It gave the home side a glimmer of hope, but Rathnayake had other ideas, digging in with the centurion to snuff out any chance of an Australian victory. McSweeney's two catches - the other to dismiss Mishara off Mitchell Perry - were the highlight in the field for the hosts, but it was his timely innings of 94 that would have had Bailey's pen and paper ready. Such has been the batting woes of the Test team in the Caribbean, McSweeney's knock at No.3 was a statement of intent. McSweeney showed he was willing to fight to regain his place in the Test team after being dropped with scores of 10, 0, 9 and 4 in two Tests against India - against the world's best bowler in Jasprit Bumrah, who dismissed him on three of those occasions. The Queenslander grafted for his runs against Sri Lanka A, compiling his runs off 220 deliveries with only six boundaries. He was dismissed first ball on the third morning of play, just six shy of what would have been a most timely century. In contrast, Australia's current Test openers Usman Khawaja (47, 15, 16, 2, 23 and 14) and young Sam Konstas (3, 5, 25, 0, 17, 0) have struggled to get close to 50, with the brilliant, but ageing, left-handed Khawaja coming close in the first Test against the West Indies in Bridgetown. At 38 years and 210 days, Khawaja is struggling, but he's less under the microscope than young star Konstas, who is at the other end of a fledgling career. Alas, the innings may have earned McSweeney another crack at Test level, this time in the Ashes, where he could line up against another frightening bowler in Jofra Archer. Australia A and Sri Lanka A have ground out a tame draw at Marrara Stadium in Darwin, but the national selectors may have plenty to ponder for the Ashes. It probably was the assurance chief selector George Bailey was looking for - rather than the result - at the end of the four-day game in the Top End, as bat prevailed over ball in a timely reminder all may not be lost for Australia's top order this summer. In reply to Australia A's 486 after making 272 in their first knock, the Sri Lankans dug in to finish on 3-280 when the match was called on Wednesday afternoon. First-drop Nuwanidu Fernando made a superb unbeaten 104, including seven fours and three sixes, ably supported by Pasindu Sooriyabandara (56) and Pavan Rathnayake (56no). The Australian bowlers were unable to make major in-roads after securing the wickets of openers Lahiru Udara (17) and Kamil Mishara (35). Fernando and Sooriyabandara starred in a 113-run partnership for the third wicket, before the latter was caught by Nathan McSweeney off the bowling of Liam Scott. It gave the home side a glimmer of hope, but Rathnayake had other ideas, digging in with the centurion to snuff out any chance of an Australian victory. McSweeney's two catches - the other to dismiss Mishara off Mitchell Perry - were the highlight in the field for the hosts, but it was his timely innings of 94 that would have had Bailey's pen and paper ready. Such has been the batting woes of the Test team in the Caribbean, McSweeney's knock at No.3 was a statement of intent. McSweeney showed he was willing to fight to regain his place in the Test team after being dropped with scores of 10, 0, 9 and 4 in two Tests against India - against the world's best bowler in Jasprit Bumrah, who dismissed him on three of those occasions. The Queenslander grafted for his runs against Sri Lanka A, compiling his runs off 220 deliveries with only six boundaries. He was dismissed first ball on the third morning of play, just six shy of what would have been a most timely century. In contrast, Australia's current Test openers Usman Khawaja (47, 15, 16, 2, 23 and 14) and young Sam Konstas (3, 5, 25, 0, 17, 0) have struggled to get close to 50, with the brilliant, but ageing, left-handed Khawaja coming close in the first Test against the West Indies in Bridgetown. At 38 years and 210 days, Khawaja is struggling, but he's less under the microscope than young star Konstas, who is at the other end of a fledgling career. Alas, the innings may have earned McSweeney another crack at Test level, this time in the Ashes, where he could line up against another frightening bowler in Jofra Archer. Australia A and Sri Lanka A have ground out a tame draw at Marrara Stadium in Darwin, but the national selectors may have plenty to ponder for the Ashes. It probably was the assurance chief selector George Bailey was looking for - rather than the result - at the end of the four-day game in the Top End, as bat prevailed over ball in a timely reminder all may not be lost for Australia's top order this summer. In reply to Australia A's 486 after making 272 in their first knock, the Sri Lankans dug in to finish on 3-280 when the match was called on Wednesday afternoon. First-drop Nuwanidu Fernando made a superb unbeaten 104, including seven fours and three sixes, ably supported by Pasindu Sooriyabandara (56) and Pavan Rathnayake (56no). The Australian bowlers were unable to make major in-roads after securing the wickets of openers Lahiru Udara (17) and Kamil Mishara (35). Fernando and Sooriyabandara starred in a 113-run partnership for the third wicket, before the latter was caught by Nathan McSweeney off the bowling of Liam Scott. It gave the home side a glimmer of hope, but Rathnayake had other ideas, digging in with the centurion to snuff out any chance of an Australian victory. McSweeney's two catches - the other to dismiss Mishara off Mitchell Perry - were the highlight in the field for the hosts, but it was his timely innings of 94 that would have had Bailey's pen and paper ready. Such has been the batting woes of the Test team in the Caribbean, McSweeney's knock at No.3 was a statement of intent. McSweeney showed he was willing to fight to regain his place in the Test team after being dropped with scores of 10, 0, 9 and 4 in two Tests against India - against the world's best bowler in Jasprit Bumrah, who dismissed him on three of those occasions. The Queenslander grafted for his runs against Sri Lanka A, compiling his runs off 220 deliveries with only six boundaries. He was dismissed first ball on the third morning of play, just six shy of what would have been a most timely century. In contrast, Australia's current Test openers Usman Khawaja (47, 15, 16, 2, 23 and 14) and young Sam Konstas (3, 5, 25, 0, 17, 0) have struggled to get close to 50, with the brilliant, but ageing, left-handed Khawaja coming close in the first Test against the West Indies in Bridgetown. At 38 years and 210 days, Khawaja is struggling, but he's less under the microscope than young star Konstas, who is at the other end of a fledgling career. Alas, the innings may have earned McSweeney another crack at Test level, this time in the Ashes, where he could line up against another frightening bowler in Jofra Archer.
Miami Herald
10-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Big online investing firm collapses, files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The entire American economy has been built around being able to trust the banking system. You put your money and deposit your paycheck at your local bank (or maybe a national one), trusting that the money will be there when you need it. That's something that was perfectly explained in the classic film "It's a Wonderful Life," where Jimmy Stewart's George Bailey convinces his small town to support his bank even though it can't offer them cash as people fear the bank has become insolvent. Related: Amazon gives employees rude awakening with harsh policy change "No, but thinking of this place all wrong. As if I had the money back in a safe. The money's not here. Your money's in Joe's house...(to one of the men)...right next to yours. And in the Kennedy house, and Mrs. Macklin's house, and a hundred others," he shared. Basically, he argued that if everyone believed in the bank, it would be there. "Why, you're lending them the money to build, and then, they're going to pay it back to you as best they can. Now what are you going to do? Foreclose on them?" he asked. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter In the film, Bailey's personality stopped the run on the bank. Few, if any, banks have the cash on hand if a lot of customers want their money back at the same time, but we do have some more formal protection these days. Even when a specific banks fails, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) steps in. That agency insures deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank account. People want to disrupt the traditional banking and investing model, but that has proven hard to do. One holy grail in that area has been allowing regular folks into investing in companies before they go public. Previously, only rich people could do that. Linqto makes big promises on its website. First, it describes itself as "an intuitive platform offering early access to private tech companies, before IPO or liquidity." It also sells itself well. "Most U.S. companies with revenue greater than $100 million are privately held – leaving an untapped opportunity to capture potential growth in innovative and emerging fields. Investing in this broader set of private companies can act as a powerful portfolio diversifier that has been shown to enhance risk-adjusted returns," it added. The problem is that there's a reason only rich people had access to investments like these. Your money isn't in something like your neighbor's house; it's in a startup with a theoretical value. More bankruptcy: Iconic auto repair chain franchise files Chapter 11 bankruptcyPopular beer brand closes down and files Chapter 7 bankruptcyPopular vodka and gin brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Those values can become zero as soon as investors stop believing. Until a company makes money, its value comes from the number an investor is willing to accept as the value. That makes it a lot closer to buying Beanie Babies – which at least had scarcity for some models – than investing it in a business. There's a reason we have the current system of banks, private investing, and stock exchanges. It may not be perfect, but it's regulated. Most people understand that a bank account is safer than buying shares of even the bluest of blue chips, but even acquiring those shares is still much safer than investing in your buddy's new startup. Linqto has learned a hard lesson on the road to disruption: Every system flaw (like everyone not having access to pre-market investments) is a design feature, not a bug. Linqto, Inc., along with Linqto Texas LLC, Linqto Liquidshares LLC, and Linqto Liquidshares Manager LLC (collectively, "Linqto") has filed for voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. Linqto took this step to protect and maximize stakeholder value through a court-supervised restructuring and expects to continue operating throughout the restructuring process. "Despite reducing expenses, the only way forward is to seek court-supervised protection that will let us restructure the business into a profitable, law-abiding organization while resolving the ongoing regulatory investigations faster," said CEO Dan Siciliano. Had the company not filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, it would have had to close down. Related: Iconic furniture, mattress retailer files Chapter 11 bankruptcy "The company faces potentially insurmountable operating challenges as a result of serious alleged securities law violations and related ongoing investigations by the Division of Enforcement of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as well as other regulatory agencies. In addition, Linqto recently discovered several serious defects in the corporate formation, structure, and operation of the business that raise questions about what customers actually own and which management believes can only be fairly and effectively addressed through restructuring," it added. Linqto has received a commitment for debtor-in-possession financing of up to $60 million from Sandton Capital Partners, LP. Upon court approval, the additional liquidity from the DIP financing, combined with cash on hand, is expected to support critical business needs during these proceedings. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
The Australian
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Sam Konstas suffers fresh failure as Australia collapse v West Indies
To borrow a phrase from Paul Keating, Shamar Joseph did Sam Konstas slowly. Dropped twice on nought in Joseph's first over of Australia's second innings- making it five spills for the match off the star paceman's bowling - Konstas muddled his way to five over 53 minutes. There were a couple of wild dances down the wicket, pokes at balls not there to be poked, before the coup de grace: playing onto his stumps with an angled bat, once more unable to combat an inswinging delivery. SCROLL DOWN TO RE-LIVE THE DAY'S ACTION IN OUR BLOG It was cruel and unusual punishment for a player who despite undoubted prodigious talent is well short of being the finished article. Konstas' game has clear technical flaws, and his judgment is questionable. That shouldn't be a problem. Nineteen-year-olds are not meant to be ready. Growing pains are a real phenomenon. The issue is that the Test arena is not supposed to be the place where Australian cricketers learn their game. The idea is that the best XI gets picked. Development is to be done in domestic cricket, for Australia A, and in the nets. This is especially the case in the era of the World Test Championship. Sam Konstas bowled by Shamar Joseph as part of an Australain top-order collapse. Picture: AFP In December 2023, as debate raged as to whether David Warner should be given a farewell series against Pakistan, selection chairman George Bailey said: 'There's points on the line for each and every game. So our focus is very much on picking the XI that we think can do the job.' The panel is hoping for quick rewards from a player averaging less than 35 in first-class cricket, whose only two Sheffield Shield centuries came in the same game back in October. His Boxing Day feats will live long in Australian sporting lore, however that Konstas innings to tame Jasprit Bumrah could have ended several times in the first over alone. That half-century on debut stands as the exception, not the rule. Konstas' half-century on debut remains the outlier in his Test career. Picture: Michael Klein Still, having backed him for this series, it is hard to envisage the panel looking elsewhere for the next couple of Tests, even with Steve Smith's potential return. After all, Josh Inglis missed out in both innings too, as did Cameron Green. And very few players have looked comfortable batting on this unexpectedly difficult Kensington Oval wicket. Green was more assured than he had been in his first three innings since returning to international cricket, but still fell for 15, nicking Justin Greaves to first slip after surviving a line-ball DRS lbw call moments earlier. Inglis shouldered arms to a delivery nipping back from Jayden Seales on 12, paying the price. Usman Khawaja, though probably more convincing than he had been on day one, was hurried by Alzarri Joseph to fall the wrong side of an umpire's call lbw shout on 15, continuing a theme of the 38-year-old being undone by quality fast bowling. Justin Greaves (R) celebrates the dismissal of Cameron Green late on day two. Picture: AP Though Marnus Labuschagne is waiting in the wings, it is hard to envisage any change to the top six for the second Test save for the possible inclusion of Smith - convalescing this week in New York - at the expense of Inglis. Suddenly the Frank Worrell Trophy - held by Australia for three decades - is imperilled. And hopes of returning to the WTC final in 2027 would also take an early hit with defeat in the Caribbean. And no one needs to be reminded of an Ashes series on the horizon. This is looking like a rocky year for the Aussies.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pat Cummins delivers dagger to Marnus Labuschagne's hopes of return ahead of Ashes
Aussie captain Pat Cummins has claimed Cameron Green is set to lock down the No.3 batting position in the line-up ahead of the Ashes in a huge blow to Marnus Labuschagne after his axing. The selectors finally made the call to drop Labuschagne who has averaged only 16.16 in 2025 after also struggling in the recent World Test Championship two-year window. Labuschagne averaged 27.82 across the last 12 months and struggled for runs against India, Sri Lanka and then South Africa. The batter was promoted to opener in the WTC final in a bid to find a some form. But after failing again, the selectors finally opted to drop Labuschagne from the top order and Sam Konstas has moved in to replace him. Coach Andrew McDonald and George Bailey clearly see Labuschagne in their plans down the track, but he will have to bide his time back to domestic cricket and score some runs to regain his spot. However, Cummins has delivered a telling call on his former No.3 position ahead of the West Indies series. Cameron Green took Labuschagne's No.3 role against South Africa in the one-off Test match final and struggled having only scored four runs across the two innings. Green came under scrutiny for his technique with the likes of Damien Fleming suggesting he should move back down the order. "Cam Green, watch his technique, he's not technically efficient enough to bat at top 3 – these are specialist roles," Fleming said on SEN Radio. Although speaking ahead of the first ball on Wednesday, Cummins has revealed the team view Green as the long-term No.3 in the side. "We see that (No.3) as a long-term option," Cummins said. "Going in to last week, he's hitting the ball really well. He's moving really well. He had a Test match where it obviously didn't go to plan. The message is not to look too much into that. We're really happy with where his game is placed. I dare say he'll get a decent run at No.3." This could be considered as a blow to Labuschagne who now appears to be without a direct path back into the side. Konstas will be looking to cement his position at the top of the order, while Josh Inglis has been given a chance at No.4 with Steve Smith out injured. Smith will slot straight back in when fit and that leaves the opening role left with Travis Head and Beau Webster rounding out the top six. Konstas and Inglis will be looking to score some runs against a solid West Indies bowling attack and it could leave Labuschagne watching from the sideline when it comes to the Ashes later this year. "If there's an opening, we could see him kind of fighting his way back into the Test team at some point, but obviously the focus now is giving a couple of other guys a go," Cummins said in a blow to Labuschagne. "He's had a pretty good run and obviously didn't make the most of it as well as he would have liked, so (we're) offering that opportunity to the next couple of guys." 'It was good reflecting, having a bit of time off to strengthen my game up. I've been trying to focus on a few key areas with my batting coach, and I feel like I've come a long way, so hopefully I can display that in the next few Test matches.' RELATED: Alyssa Healy reveals retirement backflip in huge call on future South Africa get last laugh as Aussie sledge backfires badly A player looking to grab the opportunity is Konstas. Having returned to the team for the first time since the India series, Konstas admitted it's nice to back in the side and isn't taking it for granted. 'It's been good training with the whole group and getting to know everyone a lot more,' Konstas said from Barbados. 'Obviously it's a tough team to crack into as we've got legends of the game.'For me, hopefully I grab my opportunity because it's such a strong side and I'm very grateful for that. 'It's a dream come true to be honest, 19 years old, playing for your country, travelling the world. I'm very lucky to be where I am currently.'
Sydney Morning Herald
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
A century on debut, then dropped. How Inglis is approaching his next shot at Test level
Bridgetown: Josh Inglis says he's drawing confidence from a dream Test debut earlier this year but isn't treating this week's clash against the West Indies as a make-or-break audition to stay in Australia's XI. Inglis was told by chair of selectors George Bailey last week that he would play the first of three Tests in the Caribbean, with Marnus Labuschagne dropped and Steve Smith sidelined with a finger injury. As of Monday afternoon local time (Tuesday AEST), Inglis said he hadn't been told where he would bat, but expected to slot in at No. 3, 4 or 5. 'We'll work through that the next few days … and prep accordingly,' said Inglis of his spot in the order. 'I'm very happy to be back in the side. 'I wouldn't say I had a sense [of a recall]. You never really know, but obviously with Smudge [Smith] getting injured there was an opportunity for someone else to come in. Bails [George Bailey] obviously told me towards the start of the week and it's been nice to have that early and prep and make sure I'm ready to go.' Seldom do players make a hundred on debut and find themselves out of the team two matches later. That was Inglis' fate after a splendid century on a turning Galle pitch in late January. Coming in at 3-401, Inglis cracked 102 from 94 balls to become the first Australian male to make a Test century on debut since Adam Voges against the West Indies in 2015.
