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Australia thrashes India to seal championship title

By Lachlan Harper with AP

Australia‘s status as world Test champions has been confirmed in a comprehensive 209-run win over India at The Oval.

Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon were instrumental in Australia’s dominant bowling performance during the fourth innings, claiming three and four wickets each to bowl India out for 234.

The loss is India’s second in a World Test Championship final after a defeat to New Zealand in 2021.

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Travis Head finished player of the match after scoring 163 in the first innings and 18 in the second, with the middle order batsman referring to the win as “amazing”.

“There’s been a lot of hard work over two years, it’s been nice,” he said post-game.

Australia’s cycle for the WTC began in 2021, and since then the side has had to navigate a number of challenges, which included Andrew McDonald replacing Justin Langer as coach last year.

Watch every ball of the Ashes series live and exclusive on Nine and 9Now.

Head explained the side’s confidence in its game plan and systems they’ve was the catalyst for such a strong performance.

“Going to bed last night there’s a lot of what ifs,” he said.

“In the two years we’ve had some overs we had to grind out and over all the Test matches in the last two years we’ve come at moments, and come at crossroads in the morning of Test matches and bedded down and doubled down on our plans throughout that whole two years.

“We were able to do that again today and doubled down on them and reaped the rewards.”

On day five of the match, India required a world-record 444 and started the morning with hope at 3-164 with linchpin Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane in the middle.

But in the seventh over of the day, Kohli edged fast bowler Scott Boland to a great catch at second slip by Steve Smith and was gone for 49. Boland got Ravindra Jadeja in the same over.

Head, Smith put Aussies in control

India chased the match since the first morning and the demise of Kohli confirmed it was a matter of when, not if, Australia would become a first-time world Test champion.

Silence fell over the overwhelmingly pro-India crowd at The Oval along with an air of inevitability.

Rahane, on 20 overnight, reached 46 when he edged Starc behind and began a collapse of the last five India wickets in the 30 minutes before scheduled lunch.

Boland started Australia’s celebrations with his two wickets on the last day, and Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon also took two each in the morning, with the off-spinner claiming the final scalp of Mohammed Siraj. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey had four catches in the innings.

Australia will now attempt to retain the Ashes with a five-Test series against England. 

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Great Ashes moments since 1990: The centuries, wicket hauls, deliveries, catches and rescue missions that highlight cricket’s longest rivalry

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Manchester City thrashes Liverpool 4-1 to keep in touch with Arsenal at top of English Premier League

Manchester City thrashes Liverpool 4-1 to keep in touch with Arsenal at top of English Premier League

Manchester City thrashes Liverpool 4-1 to keep in touch with Arsenal at top of English Premier League

Manchester City on Saturday April 1,thrashed Liverpool 4-1 to keep Pep Guardiola’s men in contention for the premier league title.

 

Three second-half goals from City at the Etihad Stadium helped secure a  deserved win for the home team against a side that in the last three seasons had been City’s only challenger for the league title.

 

City were without 42-goal striker Erling Haaland, but despite that, Guardiola’s men responded quickly to Mohamed Salah’s 17th minute opener with goals from Julián Álvarez, Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gündogan, and man of the match, Jack Grealish.

 

Manchester City thrashes Liverpool 4-1 to keep in touch with Arsenal at top of English Premier League

 

Before this match, City needed to win to keep pace with league leader Arsenal. The Gunners also enjoyed a convincing win on Saturday, beating Leeds United 4-1 to maintain an eight-point advantage at the top of the table.

After the match, Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp blasted his players saying only four players were “ok”

 

Manchester City thrashes Liverpool 4-1 to keep in touch with Arsenal at top of English Premier League

Only four performances were Ok and that is very difficult,’ fumed Klopp. ‘The two midfielders Hendo (Jordan Henderson) and Fab (Fabinho) worked hard, Cody Gakpo and Alisson.

‘But if you want to get something here, 14 or 15 players have to be on top of their game and that was not the case.

“City could do what they wanted because the spaces were too big. We were lucky they didn’t score more than four.

“Not being good when you don’t feel 100 per cent is not possible in the Premier League.’

Klopp was particularly angry that having gone in level at half-time, Liverpool allowed City to go 2-1 ahead in the first minute after the restart when Riyad Mahrez crossed for Kevin De Bruyne.

Though Klopp didn’t name any individuals, he hinted that centre-halves Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate could have done more to put pressure on City.

“We didn’t even make a challenge. I have no clue why. If you are too deep and too passive City use it,’ said the German.

‘I don’t know 100 per cent if it was the team who started the second half like that or (certain) players.

‘We conceded two quick goals and it is super-difficult if not impossible to come back, but we can make it more difficult if we stick to the things we did in our good moments.

‘The difference in the end was massive. Wow, it’s not nice when their crowd are ‘Ole, Ole’ but it happens sometimes.’

Arsenal will play Manchester City at the Etihad on April 26, a match that will play a big role in deciding who wins the EPL, after which City will have only six fixtures remaining and Arsenal five.

 

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