Latest news with #WorldCups
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Every Test like a knockout in WTC for Sri Lanka, says Dhananjaya de Silva
Colombo: Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva hailed the significance of the World Test Championship (WTC) after his side thumped Bangladesh by an innings and 78 runs at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) here to secure their first win of the current cycle. De Silva, reflecting on Sri Lanka's position in the global competition, acknowledged that with his team playing fewer Tests than most, every match takes on the feel of a knockout encounter. 'The WTC is like other World Cups — a lot of matches are like knockouts for us,' de Silva said after the victory. 'We've talked about how we win when we make the fewest mistakes, and we need those wins to get those extra points. In the last cycle, we made a few mistakes, and that's what cost us. Hopefully, we can correct that this cycle.' Sri Lanka, who are currently scheduled to play only a two-match series in this WTC cycle, relies heavily on the 'percentage of points won' system that allows teams with fewer matches to remain in contention for a top-two finish. De Silva underlined how the WTC had changed the mindset of his players. 'It's become a competitive trophy. We've even started thinking about our run rates in light of what's happening. The Championship is a great thing for Test cricket,' he said. 'We saw last time how well South Africa did and how they performed well recently, and they deserved to win it. They hadn't won an ICC trophy, and the Test Championship meant a lot to them. As a country, they can value that highly.' But while Sri Lanka's Test ambitions remain high, their schedule paints a stark picture — the team is not slated to play another Test until May 2026. For their red-ball specialists, this presents a unique challenge. 'We only have domestic matches,' de Silva said. 'Right now there's a One-day tournament, and after that, there will be a three-day tournament. There's also the National Super League. That's how we'll have to keep our form. Unfortunately, there are no Tests. We've made requests to SLC to play more Tests. I think they are talking about it with other teams. Even if we can play three or four extra Tests, we'll be able to continue the good things we're doing.' De Silva also shed light on the team's tactical evolution in the series against Bangladesh. Beyond scoring at a brisk pace, Sri Lanka's bowlers focused on building pressure with more maiden overs — an area the captain said they had specifically targeted. 'Whenever we come into a Test series, we have some key performance indicators,' he explained. 'One of the things we analysed this time was that our maiden percentage needed to be higher. So that's what we planned to do. We have to keep some pressure on the opposition in Tests, in order to get some wickets at the other end. I think our bowlers did that very well.'
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland legend Niall Quinn set to coach amateur Dublin football team
Ireland legend Niall Quinn will take on another new venture as he returns to the coaching sidelines for Blanchardstown based outfit Dublin Celtic. Quinn, who played 92 times for Ireland, including two World Cups, has been announced as Director of Coaching for thee AUL outfit with former Ireland Under 21 coach Ian Byrne named as Head Coach. The prolific ex-forward had an illustrious career, which involved stints with Arsenal, Manchester City, and Sunderland from 1985 to 2002. He also took a coaching role at the Black Cats after his retirement, and became manager of the side in 2006 for a short-term spell. Dublin Celtic announced the addition of Quinn and Byrne on their Facebook page on Friday. The forward scored 163 goals in 551 appearances at club level, and was a key part of the Irish side at Italia 90 and the 2002 World Cup. He famously scored against the Netherlands in Italia 90 to level that clash and send Ireland through. He'll hope he can make more memories with Dublin Celtic next season.
India Gazette
5 hours ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
'No pressure, only enthusiasm': Varun Tomar is excited for Shooting League of India
New Delhi [India], June 28 (ANI): Varun Tomar, a prominent Indian shooter who won a gold medal at the 2022 ISSF World Cup in Cairo, is poised to be one of the flagship players in the tournament and has expressed his excitement for the inaugural edition of the Shooting League of India (SLI). The first edition of the SLI is all set to kick off this year in Delhi. Aiming to help push shooting as a sport further into the Indian and global mainstream and provide increased exposure to the shooters, the buzz surrounding the tournament is starting to spread among the athletes, with more than 400 athletes from within India, and around the world having registered to partake in the inaugural edition of the tournament. Considered one of the best young shooters in the country, he is most prominently known for his role in helping secure India a quota in the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning a gold medal in the 10m air pistol event at the Asian Olympics Qualifiers in Jakarta. The shooter praised the increased exposure the Shooting League of India would bring to shooters and said as quoted from a press release by SLI, 'People would come to know us, and our personalities better, like we have seen with athletes from other sports like Neeraj Chopra, people would come to understand shooters more deepl.l' He also expressed his joy in playing in front of an Indian crowd, stating, 'Playing in front of an Indian crowd, in front of my own people, brings in a different kind of feeling for me, it requires a different mentality and mindset. There exists this added desire to do well in such an environment.' When asked if playing in India would bring about added pressure, he said, 'Not pressure, but enthusiasm.' The 21-year-old also hoped that the league would help expand the shooting community further, saying, 'Shooting is a great sport. India as a whole has a great shooting programme now and people also enjoy following the sport and our success. The league will present a great opportunity for people to gain an even more understanding about the sport and will help in increasing its popularity. The more people participate, the more competition will increase within India.' The 36-member Indian contingent recently delivered a successful performance at the 2025 ISSF World Cup in Munich, winning four medals - two gold and two bronze. India finished third in the overall medal tally, trailing only the People's Republic of China and Norway. He shed more light on the environment and reception towards the league among the shooting community, 'The environment is quite nice, positive vibes are flowing around the camp right now. There is a good feeling and excitement as the World Cups will be followed by the league, where we get to prove ourselves further.' He signed off by talking about how the league would bring about changes in the shooting culture, 'We play many World Cups, World Championships, and Asian Championships, but the league will have a different format, different selection policies. It will be a unique experience, a unique feeling, so we are all looking forward to the challenge.' (ANI)
Wales Online
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Shaun Edwards says Dan Biggar saved his career as world rugby has few things to say to star
Shaun Edwards says Dan Biggar saved his career as world rugby has few things to say to star World rugby legends paid tribute to Dan Biggar after the Wales star officially retired this week Former Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards (Image: ) The great and the good of world rugby have paid tribute to Dan Biggar upon his retirement - with Shaun Edwards saying the Wales legend saved his career. Biggar brought the curtain down on his playing days this week, posting on social media confirming "full time" had been called and his boots hung up for the last time. The 35-year-old announced in April that this would be his final season in rugby, finishing his career with club side Toulon. Biggar won 112 caps for Wales in a 15-year international career, becoming his country's most-capped fly-half, while he also starred in the Lions shirt. He bagged three Six Nations titles and featured in three World Cups for this country. Taking to Instagram, the Gorseinon product shared a photo of himself looking out over the empty field at Toulon's Stade Mayol and wrote: "Full-time. Grateful for every moment and ready for what's next." Now, some of the biggest names in the game have come together to offer up their own video tributes to the former Osprey. Article continues below "The bigger the moment, the better he played," Edwards began in a tribute video. "The bigger the game, the better he played." Arguably the world's best player Antoine Dupont said: "Hello Dan. Just a few words to simply congratulate you on your career you had. "Everything you did for Wales, the Lions and the rest of your career that we know. Congratulations on being the talented player you are with an incredible kicking game but also a very brave player." Content cannot be displayed without consent Fellow fly-half legend Jonny Wilkinson added: "Hey Dan, just a little message to say a massive congratulations for what is, for me, a monumental career." Former Wales and Lions team-mate Sam Warburton said: "Biggs! What a shift mate, two Lions tour, Test match tens, centurion for Wales. Legend mate." Fellow Ospreys hero Justin Tipuric added: "I just want to say massive congratulations on an unbelievable career." Leigh Halfpenny, who played alongside Biggar during the halcyon days for Wales, harked back to their time at Gorseinon RFC together. He said: "I remember the impact you had when you first joined us at Gorseinon, I could see you were going to be a special player from a young age." Neil Jenkins, who Biggar developed a close working relationship with during their Wales days, added: "Just want to congratulate you on a fantastic career mate and you wish you all the best in your retirement and I'm sure I'll catch up with you soon." The most poignant message was left to Edwards to deliver, with the former Wales defence coach going as far as to say Biggar saved his career at Twickenham in 2015, when Wales knocked England out of their own World Cup, thanks to some clutch kicking from the fly-half. Edwards: "He is the person that you would want to kick the goal to save your career, as he did with my career in 2015, England vs Wales, World Cup match. Article continues below "Johnny Sexton of Ireland. Owen Farrell of England. Dan Biggar of Wales."
Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Lions v Western Force referee Ben O'Keeffe faced scary toilet incident after game
Lions v Western Force referee Ben O'Keeffe faced scary toilet incident after game Ben O'Keeffe will be the man in the middle as the British Lions get their tour under way Down Under Rugby referee Ben O'Keefe The British & Irish Lions get their summer series under way Down Under on Saturday, with a match against Western Force the curtain-raiser for the tourists. Andy Farrell has rung the changes, making 13 of them to be exact, to the team that lost 28-24 to Argentina in Dublin last Friday. It is set to be a busy summer for Farrell and Co, with three Tests against the Wallabies the conclusion of a six-week tour. It all starts today though, with players looking to lay down Test match markers to the head coach. New Zealander Ben O'Keeffe has been tasked with maintaining order during the game. Here's everything you need to know about today's referee. Who is Ben O'Keeffe? O'Keeffe began his refereeing career at the age of 19, turning professional five years later, and last year he became New Zealand's most experienced Test referee in history. He has also received the New Zealand referee of the year award three times and has officiated at two World Cups. However, while he is recognised as one of the world's top rugby referees, O'Keeffe leads a very different life away from the rugby field. The 36-year-old is not just any ophthalmologist – he's an adept eye doctor with a knack for technology, having co-founded oDocs Eye Care with an ambition to thwart blindness. He previously said: "Certainly, no one can question my eyesight," recognising his expertise in the field. "I'm an ophthalmologist. I've been lucky enough to balance both careers over the last couple of years as being a professional referee has become a full-time commitment." Yet, O'Keeffe doesn't only rely on medicine and sports to fulfil his professional urges; he also offers cosmetic procedures. From his clinic in Auckland, he delivers anti-wrinkle treatments, including botox and Sunekos injections. In December, taking to Instagram, the multitalented referee shared: "Over the summer I use my medical skills as a doctor before rugby ramps up again. Anti-wrinkle treatment is here and I am happy to help you tailor the look that you want. Especially for the bro's who have never tried it and want to see what all the fuss is about #brotox". Aside from his varied career pursuits, O'Keeffe's personal life flourishes too. Last autumn, he proposed to journalist Wilhelmina Shrimpton during their getaway to South Africa. Shrimpton, a famous newsreader and scribe back in New Zealand, previously worked alongside O'Keeffe's sibling before turning her attention to following her now-fiancé on social media. "I've always wanted a family. I've always wanted a house where you can just settle down and be happy," O'Keefe said earlier in their relationship. "But I've always wanted to do that with the right person, so I've waited. Now I've found Wilhelmina, I'm sure all of that stuff will happen." Watch the Lions rugby tour on Sky Sports £35 Sky Get Sky Sports here Product Description Sky Sports is the exclusive broadcaster of the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with all three Tests and six warm-up matches available to enjoy with Sky's Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle. Scary encounter with fan in toilet On the field, O'Keeffe has been subjected to his fair share of criticism, enduring a particularly tough 2023 Rugby World Cup in Paris, which included a face-off with an irate supporter in a public lavatory. Tasked with officiating the highly anticipated quarter-final clash between South Africa and France, the Kiwi referee found himself in the spotlight despite the electrifying match finishing 29-28 to the Springboks. Some contentious moments stirred considerable controversy, including South African Eben Etzebeth staying on the pitch after a questionable tackle on Uini Atonio, Damian de Allende not being penalised for an alleged forearm strike to Antoine Dupont's head and Kwagga Smith not receiving a penalty following an illegal move that led to a pivotal turnover. At the end of the game, a visibly frustrated Dupont leveled criticism at O'Keeffe and his officials, stating: "It's hard to talk about these things because there's lots of disappointment and frustration. We could have had some penalties at crucial moments." Dupont further expressed frustration regarding the officiating in a match, adding: "I don't want to be a bad loser and moan about the refereeing but I don't think the refereeing was up to the level of what was at stake. It's not just one person, there are TMOs, assistant referees and they have time to review images as the game is going on. This doesn't take anything away from South Africa's performance, they played a great game." O'Keeffe responded to Dupont's remarks by understanding that they were made "in the heat of battle" and at "a very emotional time". Nonetheless, the backlash had a profound effect on O'Keeffe, with the subsequent days being quite harrowing as he faced hostility from supporters, leading to him feeling fearful in public places. In the RugbyPass feature 'Whistleblowers', O'Keeffe confessed it was "one of the toughest I've ever had in my life", adding: "I did feel scared around being in public, I just didn't want to lock myself in my room though. I was starting to second guess, like can I actually go out in public now? "In the meantime, I'm trying to prepare for the biggest game I've ever been involved in. It took me a lot to get my head in the right space. To be hated by a nation isn't nice." In a video series by the All Blacks on mental health and rugby, he later explained. "We knew as referees going into that game that there was going to be controversy no matter what. I guess I hadn't really prepared myself for the level of criticism and the onslaught that came in afterwards. Article continues below "I'd done the semi-final and I was actually in the bathroom and someone came up to me and asked me if I was Ben O'Keeffe. I said yes and he said 'look, I told my friends if I ever saw Ben O'Keeffe in real life I was going to kill him'. "I was in a corner of this bathroom, cornered by this person and three other people and I just got out of there. Those sort of moments really affected my mental wellbeing and my mental health. I started questioning myself again."
