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RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Lions call on former captain Martin Johnson for second Test inspiration
If anyone can give this British and Irish Lions squad a sense of what to expect on Saturday, it's Martin Johnson. The former England head coach and captain was skipper when the Lions came to Melbourne in 2001 off the back of an impressive first Test win, only for the Wallabies to emphatically level the series. Four years earlier, Johnson was also captain of the great 1997 side, who clinched the series with a game to spare against the Springboks at Kings Park in Durban. And as the Lions look to make their own piece of history at the Melbourne Cricket Ground tomorrow, it was appropriate for the former captain to come in and pass on some words of wisdom. Johnson presented the squad with their jerseys ahead of Saturday's MCG Test, and spoke to the squad about what to expect, as someone who has been through both the highs and lows of Lions' tours. "The room was completely quiet for the whole time he was there and spoke. There were guys just staring up at him," scrum coach John Fogarty (below) said of Johnson's presentation. "He talked a bit about the Lions series they won [1997] and the Lions series they lost [2001] and the difference in either. "He spoke about how in the biggest games the fundamentals are incredibly important. There's going to be errors but not compounding errors on errors is a huge part of winning big games. It was really cool. "Maro [Itoje] asked him a question or two and then he handed out the jerseys. It has been such a privilege this whole journey to have someone like him come in and talk to the lads was another privilege. It's cool. Some of the current squad Henry Pollock, Fin Smith and Jamie Osborne weren't even born when Johnson captained the Lions on that 2001 tour, while many others were yet to even be walking or talking 24 years ago. However, Fogarty said the significance of having Johnson in camp wasn't lost on the younger crop. "They knew who he was for sure. "There was a bit of contemplation and reflection after he talked, which is a good thing. It is what you want. You don't just want to turn around and get your dinner. "There was a bit of thinking and there were conversations, but it was a quiet room because they wanted to listen to a guy they see as an icon. It was pretty cool. "He said it is the smallest of margins in the biggest of games [that matter]. "The error bit, what he is talking about there is being able to get back to neutral and talking about being in the moment. All that stuff is difficult when you're playing in front of 95,000 people in a stadium as iconic as this." While Johnson's game for the Lions in Melbourne in 2001, and the 2013 Melbourne Test, were both across town at the Docklands – now Marvel – Stadium, tomorrow's game will be played in a much grander setting, where an estimated 90,000 supporters will be packed into the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground. The MCG was looking spectacular on Friday afternoon as Fogarty spoke to the media pitchside, less than 24 hours after an AFL game on the same pitch between Hawthorn and Carlton. And the Lions assistant was blown away by the size and history of the venue. "What a stage, what a game it's going to be. "I have never watched cricket, never seen the game, we didn't play it when we were kids so I hadn't got a clue [about the MCG]. "Andy [Farrell] has been telling us: 'Wait until you see this'. When he got back from doing a recce he was 'Oh my God, this stadium, that stadium' but nothing landed until we walked out. "My brother Denis is over and he came to the game last night and was telling me it was going to be some stadium to play in, it is an amazing place. "I remember the first time I walked out to Croke Park when I was a kid and I was 'Oh God, look at this' so when we walked out you could see a lot of us looking around and going 'Jesus, this is bigger than anything we have been in before'. "Certainly for me it is bigger than anything I have been in before, it is an unbelievable privilege to be here, I know have said it a couple of times but I mean it. I feel unbelievably lucky, and the players are the same, to be able to do this stuff. It is not normal." There may be temptation to approach the game from a cold perspective, but Fogarty wants the players to embrace the occasion of playing a Lions Test in one of the world's most famous sporting venues. "You've got to lean in a little bit, don't you? "The boys are going to be building to 8pm, so we need to simmer away tomorrow so that we're at the right level when we arrive here and then we can hit the ground running and do things properly. "We're expecting an absolute battle, a war. But when you come here it makes it a bit more special because you understand what it's going to be like a little bit. "All the little things will matter tomorrow." Meanwhile, the Lions have confirmed that Ewan Ashman, Gregor Brown, Rory Sutherland and Darcy Graham have returned home after they were drafted in on a temporary basis to help with Tuesday's fixture against the First Nations and Pasifika XV. Irish pair Thomas Clarkson and Jamie Osborne remain with the squad.
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Shubman Gill minces no words after India fail to defend 371 vs England in his 1st Test as captain: 'Never a good sign…'
When you're defending 350 runs on the final day of a Test match, nine out of 10 times, the match ends up in the bowling team's favour – unless the opposition completely shuts shop and plays for the draw. But this England team is different. They believe in Bazballing their way out of trouble. Blame Ben Stokes as much as you want for his decision to bat first, but in the end, the England captain knew what his team was capable of batting last. For the second time in three years, England have chased down a total in excess of 370 against India, souring Shubman Gill's first Test as India captain. Shubman Gill lost his first Test as captain(AFP) India has only itself to blame. Lost a Test despite five individual centuries and letting the game slip away because of two lower-order collapses. Besides, who can forget the multiple dropped catches that hurt them dearly? Contrastingly, England were just the opposite, with their tail scoring vital runs and sneaking through the door whenever the opportunity arrived. After the match, captain Gill acknowledged the fighting spirit of his team, but agreed it didn't mask the lingering issues. "A brilliant Test, we had our chances. Drop catches, lower not contributing cost us. Yesterday, we were thinking of giving them 430, but our last wickets fell for 25. Even today, I thought we had our chances after the brilliant first wicket. Didn't go to hand. We spoke about the first-inns collapse, happens, we have to rectify that going forward. Chances don't come easy on wickets like this, but we have a young team. Learning one. Hope to improve that. The first session, we bowled spot-on. Didn't give away runs, but it's hard to stop runs once it gets old. Have to keep taking wickets when the ball got soft," Gill told Michael Atherton at the post-match presentation ceremony. If only… India dropped over six dropped catches, with Yashasvi Jaiswal emerging as the biggest culprit, putting down 4 chances – 3 in the first innings and 1 in the second. Couple that with the three dropped catches he suffered in Australia during the MCG Test, and it makes for a concerning picture. Besides, India lost its last 7 wickets for 41 in the first dig and 6/21 in the second, which robbed them of at least 100 runs in both innings. Had they held onto its catches and avoided the catastrophic lower-order collapse, who knows what the result would have been?
India Today
22-06-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Rishabh Pant after winning back Gavaskar's plaudits: Wanted to change in my comeback
Rishabh Pant was pleased to know that he managed to win back Sunil Gavaskar's respect following his century against England in the opening Test at Headingley, Leeds. The wicketkeeper-batter was pleased with his turnaround and mentioned how he wanted to work on a few aspects of his game since his 15-month absence from the sport after his life-threatening car vs IND 1st Test Day 3 Live Updatesadvertisement"It feels so good. I have worked on my weaknesses and tried to recover from setbacks. I wanted to change a few things in my comeback. I worked hard and focused to change some of this," Pant commented on Sony Sports. "More importantly, I have worked on being disciplined. It gives me a lot of satisfaction," he reaction to Sunny G's ', , ' comment #SonySportsNetwork #GroundTumharaJeetHamari #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia[England, India, Rishabh Pant] Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) June 22, 2025Sunil Gavaskar has been vocal about Pant's performances in Test cricket all throughout his career, and his comments went viral after his disappointing performance against Australia in the third Test at since then, with the added responsibilities as vice-captain, Pant managed to impress with a swashbuckling century, scoring 134 runs to push India's first-innings total to 471 runs. In his knock, he managed to play some wild shots, something that has become a habit when he goes big withadvertisementGavaskar's reaction after Pant's hundred had gone viral. It turned out to be a play on his critique in the MCG Test, where he said, "Yes, superb, superb, superb, absolutely terrific batting by the young man".BOWLERS YET TO STEP UPDespite the batting efforts, it seems as if the visitors may have come short considering the bowlers not being able to make much of an impact. It has been a one-man effort with Jasprit Bumrah being the major threat for the most add to their woes, the sunny weather has resulted in the bowlers not being able to get much movement as well once the ball for got worn will hope that they can bank on the second new ball to possible give them some a chance of turning things around and having a lead, going to the second Watch
News18
12-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
'Can't Believe You Are Done...': Ravi Shastri Leaves Heartfelt Message For Virat Kohli
Last Updated: Ravi Shastri expressed astonishment at Virat Kohli's retirement from Tests, praising his legacy and their successful partnership. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who had a brilliant coach-captain partnership with ace batter Virat Kohli, has expressed his astonishment at the latter retiring from Tests, besides thanking him for the amazing memories that he gave to everyone and to him individually as well. The 36-year-old Kohli, who admitted that it was not an easy call to make, turned up in 123 Tests for India, scoring 9230 runs with 30 centuries and 31 fifties at an average of 46.85. Kohli will now only be seen in ODIs, having already retired from T20Is in 2024 after having a crucial role in India's T20 World Cup victory over South Africa. 'Can't believe you are done. You are a modern-day GIANT and were a fantastic ambassador for Test match cricket in every way you played and captained," Shastri tweeted on Monday afternoon. Can't believe you are done. You are a modern-day GIANT and were a fantastic ambassador for Test match cricket in every way you played and captained. Thank you for the lasting memories you've given to everyone, and to me in particular. It's something I will cherish for life. Go… — Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) May 12, 2025 Shastri and Kohli's partnership took Indian Test cricket to massive heights. During the MCG Test in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the former had said that Kohli will play for another three to four years, but the star batter drew an early close to his career in the whites. Out of the 39 Tests which India played with Kohli as skipper and Shastri as coach, they won as many as 22 for a win percentage of 56.41. The side lost 13 Tests and drew four in this era. A closer look at how the side did in home and away Tests in this period shows that the home win percentage was almost 79% while the away win percentage was 44%. Since making his debut in 2011 as the nation's Test cap number 269, Kohli led India to the world number one position in the format and fetched a historic series win in Australia in 2018-19. Overall, India played 14 Tests at home during this period, winning 11, losing one and drawing two. First Published: May 12, 2025, 15:24 IST
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cooper Connolly's father in heartwarming revelation as Pat Cummins detail emerges
Aussie cricket fans are thrilled for young talent Cooper Connolly after the 21-year-old was handed his baggy green in Galle having fallen short of breaking Pat Cummins' bizarre record. After speculation Connolly could slot into the Aussie line-up for either Beau Webster or Todd Murphy for the second Test, it was the off-spinner to make way in a brutal axing on a wicket that should turn early. While it was unfortunate for Murphy, Connolly was thrilled with former Aussie opener Simon Katich presenting the Western Australian with his baggy green as his mother and father embraced their son. And the 21-year-old batter is tied second as the player with the fewest first-class matches to debut for Australia. Connolly has played just four matches for Western Australia - the same as Bill Watson - and only current Test captain Cummins and Tibby Cotter have played fewer before their debut. Connolly has impressed Australian selectors with the bat this summer having averages 61.80 in first-class cricket. Despite not taking a wicket, the young Western Australian has impressed selectors with his off-spin bowling. And he will act as a second left-arm spinner behind Matt Kuhnemann who took nine wickets in the first Test. Since the MCG Test against India, Connolly is Australia's fourth debutant in as many matches after Sam Konstas, Beau Webster and Josh Inglis. And speaking to Channel 7, Connolly's father Shane admitted he was so proud of his son having pushed him to strive for greatness. "We have always been hard on him, so we probably expected more than most from him," Shane said after the baggy green presentation. "People would tell us he was going to be ok, but we didn't believe all the rumours, so we just kept pushing him. We are probably his harshest critics and he understands that." Fans were thrilled for the youngster and praised the 21-year-old's rise amongst the Aussie ranks. Cooper Connolly is Australia's 471st Test cricketer - and it sounds like he's also finally lived up to his dad's expectations! 😉READ MORE: — The Roar (@TheRoarSports) February 6, 2025 Cooper Connolly gets his maiden Test cap with a first-class experience of only four matches! #SLvAUS — ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 6, 2025 Cooper Connolly's Test debut in his 5th first class match. Fewest first-class matches before Test debut by any Australian since Pat Cummins (3). For context, Sam Konstas (11) had almost 3x as much first class experience when he debuted on Boxing Day #SLvAUS @abcsport — Corbin Middlemas (@CorbinMiddlemas) February 6, 2025 Australia clearly wanted to add an extra batter to the line-up with the Galle wicket looking like it will turn earlier than the pitch used in the first Test at the same ground. And while Murphy can feel unfortuante to miss out, another player who is under immense pressure is Marnus Labuschagne. Australia made the call to keep Labuschagne in the starting XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka, despite struggling in recent months. The No.3 averaged averaged 25.8 at home against India. He also flopped in the first innings against Sri Lanka. While there were question marks over whether the 30-year-old would play the second Test in Galle, Labuscahgne lined-up with stand-in captain Smith suggesting a big score was only around the corner. "(Labuschagne) played nicely at the back end of the summer, he looked like he was putting the pressure on the bowlers a little bit more," Smith said ahead of the second Test. "The more difficult the wicket is in terms of how much it's spinning, the more aggressive you have to be with your batting and the more proactive you have to be. He understands that, he understands spin and angles as good as anyone. I don't think he's far away from a good score." While Labuschagne is safe for another Test, he does face pressure from the likes of Inglis, Cameron Green and Connolly. Green is shaping for a return to cricket before the ICC Test Championship Final. He will be returning as a specialist batter and selectors could see Labuschagne as a potential option to drop if he continues to fail. A big score from Connolly will also pile the pressure on the Queenslander as fans are starting to ask the question before the showdown against South Africa in the final.
