In a series that might well mark the nadir of England’s Ashes history it has been difficult to pinpoint the actual lowest point, such is the glut of choice.
The second day of the Sydney Test, with the series already long since lost, threw up a variety of contenders all on its own.
Maybe the moment when Joe Root, the tormented touring captain, shelled a simple chance to catch Usman Khawaja at slip off the similarly afflicted spin-bowler Jack Leach. Or when, moments later, the wearying allrounder Ben Stokes went off the field to nurse a side injury.
Or perhaps, with England’s players now fully wilted, tailender Nathan Lyon launched Stuart Broad for six way back into the members’ seats and promptly scurried off in the same direction. Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain, had declared his side – with 416 for eight – had plenty enough in the bank.
Yet maybe none of those summed up the mess England are in quite so acutely as when Khawaja had been within a single of a stirring century on his comeback to the Australia side.
It was at that point at which Root deigned it time for Dawid Malan to have a bowl. Malan, a part-time leg-spinner with two Test wickets to his name, and a mere 63 in total across a 15-year first-class career.
This in a week when Bangladesh turned Test cricket upside down by toppling world champions New Zealand in their own backyard for the first time.
And while, simultaneously, India and South Africa are playing out a compelling Test at the “Bullring” in Johannesburg.
Then in the series that supposedly means the most, between the format’s oldest rivals, there was a bit-part spinner doling down some friendly lobs while a player – who was, it should be pointed out, at the non-striker’s end - was within reach of a ton.
Imagine if the roles were reversed. Cummins would have had the ball in the hand himself rather than tossing it to Steve Smith or David Warner, and tried to bomb the batter out.
As it was, Khawaja did not get on strike against Malan, but he did make it to three figures shortly after. It was the ninth time he has done so in Tests.
Those who witnessed his brilliant 141 for Australia to save the Dubai Test against Pakistan in 2018 must be wondering where he has been for much of the time since. This is his first Test since the 2019 Ashes.
As emotional as his century was on his return to the side, he will score far more taxing runs. For much of it, it appeared as though England had all but given up.
The Ashes claims to the pinnacle of Test cricket. At the moment it feels like an apology.
It is supposedly the only bilateral encounter with enough interest to regularly sustain a five-match series in the format. And, true, there were 25,000 in attendance for the second day running. But the way things are going, they would be better served dropping the fixture altogether, such is the mismatch.
At least Broad proved a point. The seam-bowler, who has cut a frustrated figure after being omitted twice in this series on pitches which would surely have suited him, took five for 101. It was his eighth Ashes five-wicket haul, which is the most by an Englishman in over 100 years. And yet he was overlooked twice in the series. Sigh.
Australia’s first innings tally was not a mammoth one by Test standards. Given what has gone before in this series, though, they probably feel capable of bowling out their opposition twice, or perhaps even three times, given the chance, before they have to bat again.
At least England were afforded at least one morsel of mercy late on when Zak Crawley was spared being dismissed for a duck. He was caught at slip off the bowling of Mitchell Starc, but the TV cameras picked up the fact the fast bowler had faintly overstepped.
Between Crawley and Haseeb Hameed, England made it through to stumps on 13 for no loss after five overs.
The End of Loneliness
Benedict Wells
Translated from the German by Charlotte Collins
Sceptre
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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360Vuz PROFILE
Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Roll of honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia Premiership season?
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Cup - Winners: Bahrain; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy - Winners: Dubai Hurricanes; Runners up: DSC Eagles
Final West Asia Premiership standings - 1. Jebel Ali Dragons; 2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins; 3. Bahrain; 4. Dubai Exiles; 5. Dubai Hurricanes; 6. DSC Eagles; 7. Abu Dhabi Saracens
Fixture (UAE Premiership final) - Friday, April 13, Al Ain – Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
Match info:
Leicester City 1
Ghezzal (63')
Liverpool 2
Mane (10'), Firmino (45')
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
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Company%20profile
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SPECS
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Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
The specs: 2018 Maserati GranTurismo/GranCabrio
Price, base Dh485,000 (GranTurismo) and Dh575,000 (GranCabrio)
Engine 4.7L V8
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Power 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 520Nm @ 4,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.3L (GranTurismo) and 14.5L (GranCabrio) / 100km
The%20Specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ELamborghini%20LM002%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205.2-litre%20V12%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20450hp%20at%206%2C800rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E500Nm%20at%204%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFive-speed%20manual%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100kph%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%209%20seconds%20(approx)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20210kph%20(approx)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYears%20built%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201986-93%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20vehicles%20built%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20328%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EValue%20today%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24300%2C000%2B%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Venom
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Cast: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed
Rating: 1.5/5