Latest news with #ICCUnder-19CricketWorldCup


The Hindu
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Multi-sport talent Riley Norton leads South Africa to glory in World U-20 Rugby Championship after representing Proteas in U-19 Cricket World Cup
The 19-year-old dual-sport talent Riley Norton led the Junior Springboks to the World Rugby Under 20 Championship title on Saturday as South Africa defeated six-time champion New Zealand 23-15 to end a 13-year-drought. This was South Africa's second title, with the first one coming back in 2012. At the helm of the Junior Sprinboks' campaign was captain Norton, who represented South Africa at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup last year. Norton played five matches in South Africa's run to the semifinals, where it lost to India. In that tournament, Norton scored 50 runs with the bat, while also picking 11 wickets with his right-arm medium pace. Despite his promising cricket career, Norton recently pivoted to focus more on rugby, a sport where he has excelled. Following in the footsteps of his father, Chris Norton, who played for Maties Rugby from 1991 to 2003, Riley joined Maties Rugby this year while pursuing a B. Com Investment Management degree at Stellenbosch University. His leadership prowess has been particularly evident in the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship. As captain of the Junior Springboks, Norton guided his team through dominant performances, securing victories against Australia (73-17), defending champion England (32-22), and Scotland (73-14) in the group stage. His team then triumphed over Argentina 48-24 in the semifinal, before beating the Baby Blacks in the summit clash. 'I'm quite emotional, but I'm just so proud,' Norton was quoted as saying by SA Rugby Magazine. '... We had to show up physically. That's our DNA. That's where we South Africans get our passion and our energy from. The set-phase, the maul, the scrum, the hits – the guys did that for 80 minutes and that's where we get our DNA from. Of course (Vusi) Moyo with his unbelievable boot always putting us on the front foot and kicking those penalties, it's just unbelievable. 'The amount of support we received from South Africa, videos from our mates, people sending us messages and just backing us was just unbelievable. I'm so proud to be South African and we couldn't have done it without our fans back at home cheering us on every step of the way,' he added. Norton's story is an inspiring testament to elite talent knowing no boundaries, and his future in South African sport looks incredibly bright. Related Topics ICC Under-19 World Cup


The Hindu
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Who is Riley Norton? — South Africa U19 cricketer leads U20 Rugby team into World Cup final
After representing South Africa in the 2024 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, Riley Norton has now captained his nations' U20 Rugby team to the final of the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy. The 19-year-old is quickly becoming one of South Africa's most compelling young sporting talents, making headlines for his exceptional achievements across two major sports: cricket and rugby. In the 2024 U19 Cricket World Cup, he showcased his all-round abilities as a fast-bowling all-rounder, picking up 11 wickets at an average of 18.36 and maintaining a batting average of 50, being dismissed only once in three innings, helping South Africa reach the semifinals. Despite his promising cricket career, Norton has recently pivoted to focus more on rugby, a sport where he has also excelled significantly. Following in the footsteps of his father, Chris Norton, who played for Maties Rugby from 1991 to 2003, Riley joined Maties Rugby this year while pursuing a B. Com Investment Management degree at Stellenbosch University. His leadership prowess has been particularly evident in the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship. As captain of the Junior Springboks, Norton has guided his team through dominant performances, securing victories against Australia (73-17), defending champion England (32-22), and Scotland (73-14) in the group stage. They then triumphed over Argentina 48-24 in the semifinal, earning their spot in the final against New Zealand on July 20. The youngster represents a rare breed of dual-sport athletes, drawing comparisons to figures like Namibia's Rudie van Vuuren, who notably played in both the Cricket and Rugby World Cups. Norton's story is an inspiring testament to elite talent knowing no boundaries, and his future in South African sport looks incredibly bright.


India Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
Who is Riley Norton? South Africa's U19 all-rounder and U20 Rugby World Cup finalist
Barely a year after representing South Africa in the 2024 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, Riley Norton has now led the national team to the final of the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy. Norton captained South Africa to a dominant 48-24 victory over Argentina in the semifinal on Tuesday, July 15, underlining his credentials as a rare dual-sport talent capable of excelling at the highest levels in both cricket and was one of the standout players in the U19 Cricket World Cup, playing alongside the likes of Kwena Maphaka and Lhuan-dre Pretorius. While Maphaka and Pretorius have since gone on to make their senior international debuts for the Proteas, Norton has taken a different path, now finding himself at the centre of South African rugby's youth all-round cricketing skills were on display during the World Cup, where he picked up 11 wickets at an impressive average of 18.36. He was also effective with the bat, averaging 50 after being dismissed only once in the tournament. His best all-round performance came against Sri Lanka, where he scored an unbeaten 41 to steer South Africa to a respectable first-innings total before picking up four wickets to help bundle out the opposition for just 113. That win helped South Africa reach the semifinals of the competition. Norton's switch to rugby has been equally impactful. Leading the team in a global competition and now reaching the final signals his growing reputation in the sport. The 20-year-old's leadership and athletic versatility have drawn comparisons with other rare dual-sport athletes. His rise recalls names like Rudie van Vuuren of Namibia, who famously played in the 1999 Rugby World Cup and later dismissed Sachin Tendulkar during the 2003 Cricket World Africa will now prepare to face the final hurdle in Italy, with Norton at the helm in what could be a defining moment for a player who has already worn national colours in two sports at the junior level. His journey is quickly becoming one of the most fascinating sporting stories to emerge from South Africa in recent years.- Ends


Time of India
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Shubman Gill didn't study beyond Class 10 but his learning never stopped
Shubman Gill 'Every time I step on the field, I see it as an opportunity to improve.' At 25, Shubman Gill is regarded as one of Indian cricket 's most technically refined batters. With a poised on-field presence, measured innings construction and growing leadership responsibility, he represents the new face of Indian cricket. However, behind the clean cover drives and record-breaking partnerships lies a less publicised chapter of his life: One defined not by centuries but by a brief and disciplined encounter with formal education. Gill's educational trajectory stands in quiet contrast to the linear academic paths often expected of high-achieving individuals. In a system where academic continuity is frequently equated with success, his story raises a pertinent question: Can discipline, structure and intellectual growth be cultivated meaningfully, even when one exits the conventional route early? His journey suggests that learning, when anchored in purpose, can take many valid forms. Gill's conscious pause after a conventional start Gill completed his education up to Class 10 at Manav Mangal Smart School, a CBSE-affiliated institution in Mohali. Although he did not continue into higher secondary school, the structure and habits cultivated during those foundational years contributed significantly to the focussed athlete he would eventually become. From Fazilka to Mohali: Education on the sidelines Born in Fazilka, Punjab, Gill's early years were steeped in a rural environment where cricket was not easily accessible. His father, Lakhwinder Singh Gill, recognised his son's potential early and relocated the family to Mohali in pursuit of better training infrastructure. While cricket began to command increasing attention, education remained part of the framework for as long as feasible. Teachers at his school recall a student who, while often away for tournaments or practice sessions, maintained a sincere approach to academic requirements. His decision to conclude formal schooling after Class 10 was not made in haste. It was the result of growing national-level commitments, particularly around the time he began making significant strides in domestic cricket. By the age of 17, Gill had already been inducted into the India Under-19 setup and within a year, he would emerge as the highest run-scorer for India in the 2018 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. In this context, traditional classroom education became increasingly impractical. Yet his brief academic stint left behind more than just a certificate. The school environment instilled in him traits that continue to shape his sporting discipline: Routine, focus, self-assessment, and resilience. His approach to the game suggests an internalisation of learning practices typically fostered in formal educational settings. Whether analysing match footage, adjusting batting techniques based on opposition strategies, or maintaining a regimented daily schedule, Gill demonstrates habits consistent with long-term learners. Learning without a degree: Gill's lifelong classroom While Gill never pursued a college education, his career reflects a continuous engagement with knowledge. The professional athlete's life involves tactical learning, mental conditioning, data interpretation and performance psychology. In that sense, his classroom never entirely disappeared; it merely changed form. This transition from textbook to technique, from exams to execution, mirrors the lived experience of many young aspirants who move into unconventional careers after securing a foundational academic base. What distinguishes Gill's path is the balance it reflects. He did not abandon education at the first sign of sporting promise, nor did he allow academic obligations to impede critical developmental years on the field. Instead, he completed a meaningful stage of schooling before redirecting his focus entirely towards cricket. This measured approach is particularly instructive for students who find themselves at the intersection of multiple commitments. Gill's story is a portrait of mindful prioritisation, where learning continues beyond the school gates and where discipline acquired in classrooms translates into composure under pressure. For individuals navigating uncertain futures and multifaceted aspirations, Gill's trajectory is not just a testament to sporting excellence but also to the enduring value of foundational education, however brief it may seem. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!

Time of India
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
kl rahul: Latest News, Videos and kl rahul Photos
KL Rahul, born as Kannanur Lokesh Rahul, is an Indian cricketer who specialises in right-handed batting and wicket keeping (sometimes). In the domestic form of cricket, the Indian Premier League , he represents the Kings XI 2010, Rahul was a part of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup and he played his first international game against Australia in the 2014–15 Test series. The young player has a lot of credits to his name, such as being the second-fastest batsman to score 100 in Twenty20 and the second-fastest Indian player in all formats, to have scored a the 2018 IPL auction, he was bought by Kings XI Punjab team for Rs 11 crorer. In the team's initial match, during the season Rahul scored fastest 50 runs out of just 14 balls, which was the first-ever such ever in the history of IPL.