
I Dig Sports
TT Postscript: Roller-coaster 2-under 70, but even Tiger knows he's 'not going to win'
Published in
Golf
Saturday, 01 June 2019 08:25

DUBLIN, Ohio – If nine-hole rounds count for anything, Tiger Woods would be firmly in the mix at the Memorial. But they play all 18 at Jack’s Place, and a shoddy inward half cost Woods a chance to move up the leaderboard during the third round. Here are some thoughts from another stroll around the fairways and greens at Muirfield Village:
• For about two hours, it seemed like Woods might be on to something. He started his round with a hole-out birdie from the sand at No. 1, then added three more birdies over his first seven holes to get within three shots of the lead.
• But his round came apart on the 10th hole, where he needed two whacks to escape a fairway bunker en route to a double bogey. A near-shank pitch on No. 14 and a closing bogey on No. 18 meant that despite rolling in six birdies, Woods signed for a 2-under 70 that didn’t make a dent in the standings.
Full-field scores from the Memorial Tournament
Memorial Tournament: Articles, photos and videos
• After a round that included only one made putt over 10 feet, Woods’ lament was clear. “I’ve never seen a round that lipped out more shots than today,” he said. “Six or seven lip-outs today. It was unreal.”
• With the leaders just getting underway as he closed out his third round, Woods shared that he felt 70 was the highest score he could have possibly shot given his largely sound ball-striking. “The wind was a little bit tricky, but I was hitting it flush enough where I was getting through the wind,” he said. “I got nothing out of the round today.”
• The final stat line on a roller-coaster afternoon: 10 of 14 fairways, 13 of 18 greens in regulation and 28 putts.
• Woods feasted on the par-5s Saturday, rolling in three birdies. The only one he didn’t birdie was No. 11, where an errant drive resulted in him hitting his second shot back into play from off the cart path.
• Woods has won this event five times before, but he knows that chances for title No. 6 will have to wait at least another year after walking off the 18th green facing an eight-shot deficit and knowing it’s likely to increase by the end of the day. “I’m so far back, and there’s too many guys. I’m not going to win the golf tournament,” Woods said. “But hopefully I go out and play a positive round of golf tomorrow, and get something out of my round like I haven’t done the first three days.”
• The final round will mark Woods’ last competitive round until the U.S. Open. Coming off a disappointing missed cut at the PGA Championship, Woods is pleased with the progress he’s made as it pertains to his prep for a return to Pebble Beach later this month. “My game is right where I feel like it needs to be,” Woods said. “I hit a lot of good shots the last three days here and haven’t really scored like I’ve hit the golf ball.”
Tagged under

LONDON -- Chelsea are prepared to grant Maurizio Sarri's request to join Juventus, sources have told ESPN FC.
Sarri is understood to have told director Marina Granovskaia on Friday that he wanted to return to Italy and succeed Massimiliano Allegri, two days after the 4-1 win over Arsenal in the Europa League final -- his first major trophy.
- Miller: Chelsea's season a success, but doesn't feel like one
Sources told ESPN FC that Chelsea would not have been inclined to sack Sarri even if his side had lost in Baku, but were open to letting the head coach leave if he indicated a desire to do so and another club made an official approach to buy him out of his contract.
Sarri signed a two-year deal with an option for a third when he joined Chelsea from Napoli last summer, and compensation in the region of £5 million would be expected.
Chelsea's readiness to lose their coach is in part due to him having proved a divisive figure among fans despite leading the club to third place in the Premier League and two cup finals in his first season in England.
Juventus president Andrea Agnelli was pictured meeting Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck at the team hotel in Baku before the Europa League final, while Granovskaia also travelled to Azerbaijan.
Details of Sarri's move to Juventus remain to be finalised, but Chelsea will step up the search for candidates to succeed him.
Reports in Italy have mentioned Allegri as a potential option, while Chelsea gave Laurent Blanc significant consideration before appointing Sarri.
Frank Lampard is also likely to be considered after his promising first season in management at Derby, where his work developing Chelsea loanees Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori impressed at Stamford Bridge.
However, the uncertainty surrounding Chelsea's appeal against a two-window transfer ban could hinder their ability to attract high-profile names, while playmaker Eden Hazard is widely expected to move to Real Madrid.
Tagged under
Reyes, part of Arsenal's 'Invincibles', dies in crash
Published in
Soccer
Saturday, 01 June 2019 05:31

Former Sevilla, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid forward Jose Antonio Reyes has died in a car crash at the age of 35, his boyhood club Sevilla have announced.
In a statement, Sevilla said: "We couldn't be confirming worse news. Beloved Sevilla star Jose Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic collision. Rest in peace."
We couldn't be confirming worse news. Beloved Sevilla star José Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic collision. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/qeGl2nsi3c
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) June 1, 2019
Spanish newspaper Marca reported that the accident happened in his hometown Utrera, a province of Seville, on Saturday morning.
UEFA said a minute's silence would be observed at Saturday's Champions League final between Tottenham and Liverpool in Madrid.
Reyes made his debut for Sevilla aged 16 in the 1999-2000 season and moved to Arsenal in January 2004, winning the Premier League as part of the unbeaten "Invincibles" side.
He was sent off in extra time of the 2005 FA Cup final win over Manchester United and also lifted the Community Shield during his time at Highbury. His final appearance for the Gunners came in the 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League final.
Arsenal wrote on their Twitter account: "Everyone at Arsenal is devastated by the shocking news that our former player Jose Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic collision in Spain. Rest in peace, Jose."
Reyes, who won 21 caps for Spain, joined Real Madrid on loan later that year, winning La Liga, and then making a permanent move to Atletico Madrid -- with whom he won the Europa League twice -- a year later.
A loan spell at Benfica followed before Reyes returned to Sevilla, helping them to three consecutive Europa League triumphs and becoming the tournament's record winner with five overall.
He then went on to play for Espanyol and Cordoba before moving to Xinjiang in China and returning to Spain with Extremadura in January.
Spain captain Sergio Ramos, who played alongside Reyes at Sevilla, wrote on social media "I'm broken, destroyed, I have no words. All my love to his family. We'll always remember him. Rest in peace, brother."
Sevilla sporting director Monchi said: "It's impossible to believe this news, it's impossible to take in, how cruel. Rest in peace, Jose Antonio Reyes."
Reyes' final match was a 1-0 win at Alcorcon on May 18. Extremadura had been due to play at Cadiz on Sunday, but La Liga said: "Due to the death of Jose Antonio Reyes, the 7 games of match-day 41 of #LaLiga123, scheduled to be played this Sunday will now be postponed until Tuesday, June 4th at 9:00 p.m."
Tagged under

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane will start the Champions League final against Liverpool in Madrid, with Lucas Moura the unlucky man dropping to the bench.
Kane declared himself fit for the match after seven weeks out, leaving manager Mauricio Pochettino to decide whether to alter the Spurs' lineup that dramatically beat Ajax in the semifinals.
And Pochettino has opted to include the England captain, the club's leading scorer this season, which means Moura, who scored a hat trick against Ajax in the semifinal second leg, has to settle for a place on the bench.
#THFC: Lloris (C), Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Winks, Sissoko, Eriksen, Dele, Son, Kane. @WilliamHill latest (18+) https://t.co/1HRJd1Kg3B#UCLfinal ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/llnpxbjrdn
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 1, 2019
Kane, who has made a full recovery from an ankle ligament injury, is joined in the XI by Harry Winks. Neither player has played since the 1-0 Champions League win against Manchester City on April 9.
"We haven't had this situation this season [having everyone fit]," Pochettino told BT Sport ahead of the game.
"Sometimes this [squad selection] looks fair or unfair. We have a team to start, how it's going to finish I don't know.
"We could play 90 minutes or 120 minutes and of course we have amazing impact players like Lucas, like Fernando [Llorente], but it is not possible to put all, we can't start with 16, 17 players."
- Champions League final latest from ESPN FC
- Klopp doppelganger mobbed in Madrid
- Who qualifies for Europe from the Premier League?
Speaking on Friday, Pochettino had refused to be drawn on whether Kane would start or play a role off the bench and said he would not take a decision until after training.
"It's difficult to put yourself in my place," he said. "It's not going to be easy to take a decision and every game you need to take a decision.
"You can use only 11 players from the beginning -- that is the most painful situation. The whole squad will be on the pitch before the game tomorrow.
"Tomorrow is to show togetherness. Tomorrow will show football is a collective sport, the energy even from the players who do not play in the dressing room will be decisive."
As expected, Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino starts for Liverpool after coming back from a groin injury, with Divock Origi, who scored twice in the 4-0 semi-final, second-leg win over Barcelona on the bench.
Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1): Hugo Lloris; Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose; Harry Winks, Moussa Sissoko; Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen; Son Heung-min, Harry Kane.
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum; Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane.
Information from Reuters was used in this report.
Tagged under
Imran Tahir reflects on 'amazing journey' as he prepares for 100th cap
Published in
Cricket
Saturday, 01 June 2019 09:01

Imran Tahir's solipsistic wicket rampages are not everybody's cup of tea. Some might argue, with justification, that in a team sport such as cricket, the direction of travel in that moment of exquisite release after the snaring of an opposition batsman ought to be towards one's team-mates (including the chap who has often just held a catch for you) rather than towards the most sparsely populated corner of the outfield.
But then Tahir's career has been uniquely reliant on his own sense of direction - whether that means emigrating from his native Pakistan for the love of a good woman (as he did in the wake of the 1998 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa), or making his international debut for that newly adopted country at the age of 31, and at the 2011 World Cup in India to boot.
So you could forgive him his glee on Thursday morning, when he conjured up South Africa's undoubted highlight of an otherwise chastening tournament opener against England. Not content with becoming the first spinner (the first non-right-arm seamer, in fact) to bowl the opening delivery of a World Cup, he followed that up, one ball later, by stopping the previously rampant Jonny Bairstow dead in his tracks for a first-ball duck.
ALSO READ: Kagiso Rabada TCM interview
And so, while the wider focus for South Africa has to be on those inevitable early frissons of anxiety that only World Cup campaigns can cause, Tahir could be excused for taking a moment on the eve of the game to pause, to take stock, and to reflect on the prospect, unthinkable a decade ago, of playing in his 100th ODI.
"It feels really special," Tahir said. "It's been an amazing journey. I always dreamt that, but I never thought I will be here one day playing my 100th game for South Africa. It's an absolute honour and privilege, being given the opportunity by the lovely people from South Africa.
"I'm just really grateful to everybody, and I hope that from myself, that I give everything that I could for the country."
While he has clearly been living the dream for the past decade (and a pretty wild one at that, given that it began with him providing for his siblings by packing bags in a retail store in Lahore), Tahir knows that he is nearer the end than the beginning.
He turned 40 back in March, and at some stage in the course of the ten fixtures still available to South Africa in this tournament, he will call time on the 50-over leg of his international career at the very least. The World T20 in 2020 remains a plausible postscript for a player who will be returning to The Oval immediately after the World Cup to play for Surrey (his eighth county) in the T20 Blast.
"Obviously, if I look back, I'm really proud of myself," he said. "I'm the guy who come through a lot of hard patches, I've seen a lot of hardships. I lost my parents without them seeing me play international cricket. So these things are really special to me, and for my family.
"I have not seen my brothers or sisters in the last two years, so this country that I'm representing and every game I'm playing for is really important to me, and I'm really proud. I'm just really grateful to my family. They understand that, you know, I'm away from them, but there is an important reason for that."
Indeed there is. For all the talk of how the round-robin format of the 2019 World Cup can be forgiving to sides who make a slow start to the tournament, South Africa's itinerary is proof that there will be jeopardy at every step of the group stages. Defeat against Bangladesh - Champions Trophy semi-finalists and recent tri-series winners in Ireland - would leave them excruciatingly placed going into India's opening match in Southampton on Wednesday.
"Look, there is always a pressure if you play every game and especially when you are representing your country," said Tahir. "But you can take the pressure positively or negatively, and we are very positive. We have been beaten by a very good England team who has been dominating world cricket for a year or so, but we are going to learn from our mistakes."
Those mistakes, for the most part, were made by the batsmen whom Tahir admitted had allowed themselves to be rushed in the run-chase. Broadly speaking, their bowlers and fielders were exonerated after limiting England to a daunting but obtainable 311 for 9 - and Tahir was a key factor in that performance, thanks to that initial impact and the overall energy of his two-wicket display.
"I am the kind of guy who likes challenges and I like to think that my captain [Faf du Plessis] can give me a ball in any situation and I will be the first guy to say yes," he said. "It was a plan which I had been working on for the last year or so, so I think we knew that it was going to be pretty much a shock for everybody.
"It was a great challenge, bowling against two top players in world cricket who have been in form, and we were really pleased as a team with the way it came out."
The same strip will be in use for the Bangladesh match, which may tempt South Africa into a repeat performance (not that the man himself would be drawn). But whenever he enters the fray, you can be sure that further crucial breakthroughs will cause his team-mates to gravitate towards him once again ... wherever in the outfield his cavorting may carry him.
"I always look for one thing, and that's hard work and to never give up," Tahir said. "I know I'm the oldest guy on the team, which I'm really proud of, because playing on this team, you need to be very fit.
"I'm really enjoying my cricket. I'm enjoying my team-mates. I just hope as a team we have a great World Cup, like how we thought before we came to England."
Tagged under
'The problem is in our mind' - Karunaratne blames batsmen after bruising defeat
Published in
Cricket
Saturday, 01 June 2019 09:46

There was papare music enlivening the stands in Cardiff, hundreds of Sri Lankan flags aflutter, and raucous cheers for every Sri Lankan boundary. Fans had traveled hours to be at this match, filling out early morning trains from London, and booking out Cardiff hotels for the night.
It should have been a happy day out, but it was barely a half-day - Sri Lanka dusted off in emphatic fashion, in the space of 45 overs. There were even some reports of boos and hoots for their team, from the Sri Lankan sections of the crowd. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne - the only batsman to remain at the crease for more than 40 deliveries, made no excuses for his team. If spectators were angry, perhaps they had a right to be.
"Everyone came here to see a good match. They came from far away, spending their money. We needed to give them a good match. Losing is one thing, but we need to fight for the sake of the spectators. If you only make 130-odd, that's not a match," Karunaratne said after the bruising ten-wicket loss. "Personally, a lot of people had wished as well and urged us to do well in this first match. Everyone was looking forward to this game, and to playing well.
"If we had fought and made a good fist of this game and then lost, it wouldn't have been so hard to swallow."
"If we get it in our heads that we can't bat well here, we can't put the kind of score on the board that our bowlers can defend"
Sri Lanka are ranked ninth, and are nursing a woeful ODI record over the past two years. Karunaratne knows his team is not expected to challenge for the title. But the Test side he had led in South Africa earlier in the year was perhaps even more unfancied than this ODI side, beset as it had been by injury and inexperience. There, his team had somehow find the means to compete, and seized key moments in each of the Tests to turn the tide in their favour.
"There's a limit to our capabilities, and if you compare us with some other teams, realistically we are a side with limited talent," Karunaratne said. "But there's no reason why we can't win with what we've got. We really thank the spectators, and their support is really important to us. We've got eight games left now. We want to come back and fight. If we win one game, we'll build some momentum. The support that we get is vital, because it's just 15 of us in the squad, and 30 of us traveling together with the team. We need that support around us."
Sri Lanka's bowlers were unable to dent New Zealand, who sped to the meagre target at a rate of 8.47 an over, but it was at the batsmen's feet that Karunaratne laid almost all the blame. Especially crucial was the period between the ninth and 16th overs of Sri Lanka's innings, where they nosedived from 46 for 1 to 60 for 6. Yes, a green pitch and the skilful New Zealand seam bowling were challenges, Karunaratne said, but there was no excuse for a collapse quite that dramatic.
"Because there was a bit of grass on the pitch, we were on the back foot," he said. "The NZ attack is very good, but when Kusal Perera and I were batting, there wasn't too much seam and swing. But as soon as we went on the back foot, we couldn't play as well as we know we can.
"More than the conditions, the problem is in our mind. There was some quick bowling from them, but it's only with a few overs that they made it very difficult for us. If we had seen out those tough periods, we could have been in a better place. Even though it's not the kind of pitch that's conducive to 300 or 350, if we get it in our heads that we can't bat well here, we can't put the kind of score on the board that our bowlers can defend."
Tagged under
World record strip to be used for England-Pakistan match
Published in
Cricket
Saturday, 01 June 2019 10:35

Bowlers from both sides could be forgiven for letting out a little groan, or perhaps even clasping an imaginary hamstring strain, after news that Monday's match between England and Pakistan is to be played on a surface renowned for vast scores.
Yes, England's second World Cup game will be played on the same pitch on which they have twice broken the record for highest ODI score, amassing 481 for 6 against Australia last year and 444 for 3 against Pakistan in 2016. It is two away from the strip used on Friday, when Pakistan were bounced out for 105, and, in short, probably the best batting surface in the world for ODI cricket at present.
This tournament may prove just a little different, though. Early indications suggest the early starts - most matches begin at 10.30am to maximise the peak hours for an Asian TV audience - may have shifted the balance in such encounters just a little bit back towards the bowlers. Vast scores are still likely, but talk of reaching 500 may prove premature if the sides batting first have to adopt a slightly more circumspect start to their innings.
Perhaps the hostility of the bowlers may be a factor, too. Certainly, in the opening few games we have seen the short ball used a little more than was expected, and with some success. Not only were Pakistan blown away by West Indies, but Jofra Archer troubled several South Africa batsmen with his short ball. While bowling short is hardly revolutionary, it could a tactic that increases in prevalence again during this World Cup just as delivering wide yorkers or slower balls became features of previous tournaments. It is remarkable to think that some of the best seamers in the first three World Cups - Joel Garner, for example - rarely bowled a slower ball.
Given how Pakistan played - or didn't play - the short ball on Friday, there is sure to be some temptation for England to add Mark Wood to the attack that fared so well the previous day. Wood, who at his best is every bit as quick as Archer, bowled at full pace in training in Nottingham on Saturday and is said to be fit and available for selection. But Liam Plunkett, who would be the most likely candidate to make way for him, enjoyed a fine all-round game on Thursday and would be unfortunate to miss out. Neither Chris Woakes (five overs) nor Archer (seven) bowled their full allocation, so are expected to be fit and fresh to play again.
"I think playing Wood will be discussed," Graham Thorpe, the England batting coach, said. "We're aware of what went on here on Friday. We saw West Indies go pretty hard at Pakistan. The captain will make a call on it."
There is every chance England will be on the receiving end of some hostile fast bowling at some stage, too. While West Indies and Australia look especially capable of adopting such a tactic, there is plenty of pace in the Pakistan, squad. To that end, the England batsmen have faced a fair bit of Archer and Wood in the nets and appreciate that it is a tactic - like opponents opening the bowling with spin - for which they must be prepared.
"Wood and Archer let it go at our guys, too," Thorpe said. "It's good preparation for them. We talk about what you have to be good at and, generally, playing pace and spin is high on the agenda. We had spoken about the possibility of teams starting with spin. So sometimes in training, our players will start against spin and sometimes they'll start against pace. They have to be prepared for everything."
Despite the pre-tournament talk about huge totals, Thorpe was actually most impressed by the manner in which England adapted to a slightly more demanding surface in their first match. It is not a skill they have they have always shown, so to have managed it under pressure in such a high-profile game has given the side confidence.
"We've come a cropper a couple of times in the last year or two," Thorpe said. "And we've spoken about it. But you can talk about it all the time, you've got to put it into action as well. So it was pleasing we managed to adapt and the guys are really proud of that.
"We didn't quite unlock the door in terms of our batting at The Oval. We couldn't really let go, because we kept losing wickets at crucial times. We had to keep trying to put on those mini-partnerships and that was really good of us to do that.
"But this [Trent Bridge] has generally been a good ground to play at over the years. It has generally always been a good pitch. So the guys are excited. They are looking forward to it."
Well, the batsmen anyway. Despite the early starts and prevalence of the short ball, it still promises to be a tough game for bowlers.
Tagged under
David Warner marks international return with match-winning 89*
Published in
Cricket
Saturday, 01 June 2019 12:57

Australia 209 for 3 (Warner 89*, Finch 66) beat Afghanistan 207 (Najibullah 51, Rahmat 43, Cummins 3-40, Zampa 3-60) by seven wickets
Eleven years after winning the World Cricket League Division Five in the British Isles, Afghanistan completed a remarkable turnaround to make it to their second World Cup, also in the UK, but Australia captain Aaron Finch and his fellow opener David Warner rained on their parade, handing them a seven-wicket defeat.
In his first international game after serving a one-year ban for his role in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal, Warner was booed when he walked out to open Australia's 208 chase and later when he reached a half-century. Some fans even dressed up in sandpaper boxes. Steven Smith, if anything, drew louder and more persistent boos when he walked out at No. 4. But the two marked their reunion with a busy 49-run stand - highlighted by frenetic running - which hastened Australia's victory. Smith fell with Australia three away from victory, but Glenn Maxwell teed up the win with a first-ball four. Warner walked off, bat raised and unbeaten.
It was Mitchell Starc - another comeback man - who had laid down the marker with a thrilling first over, where he breached the 150kph barrier. The mean inswinger barged through the defences of Mohammad Shahzad, for a duck, and he backed it up with an even meaner stare.
In the next over, Pat Cummins had the other opener Hazratullah Zazai nicking off for a duck, too. Najibullah Zadran and captain Gulbadin Naib muscled 83 together off 77 balls after that, but Afghanistan's go-for-broke approach meant that they were dismissed for 207 with nearly 12 overs unused in their innings. In the end, they were left with a teasing thought: what might have been had they batted 50 overs and given their world-class spinners more runs to work with?
Watch on Hotstar (India only): Australia breeze past Afghanistan
In pursuit of a rather slim target, Finch went after both Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Rashid Khan to force Afghanistan into a corner. He deployed his signature giant stride and crunched 20 off ten balls from Mujeeb, hitting him out of the attack. By the time Rashid was introduced, Australia were 69 for 0 in 13 overs. Rashid's first two balls to Finch were carted for four and six, but three overs later Naib tricked Finch with a 111kph slower ball and had him holing out to deep cover.
At the other end, Warner reined himself in and took charge of the chase after Hamid Hassan - with his Rocky-style headband on and Afghanistan flag painted on his cheeks - harried the opener with pace. Pace like fire. Pace at 145kph. Pace that belied his near two-year absence from top-fight cricket.
Warner, though, saw off that fiery spell and built his innings with gentle little bunts and pushes. But there was one stirring moment when he swatted a slower ball from Dawlat Zadran over mid-off. Outside of that, it was his running between the wickets that stood out: he claimed nine twos and one three. After getting to his fifty off 74 balls, he grew more fluent, particularly against spin and ushered Australia home in fuss-free fashion.
Afghanistan had showed sparks of brilliance after choosing to bat first, but they could not sustain it for long enough. Rahmat Shah played some exquisite punches and flicks during his 43 while Najibullah unleashed unleashed a more brutal assault on Adam Zampa, slamming him for 4,4,6,6 in the 29th over. Naib had his share of fun, hitting Cummins and Nathan Coulter-Nile away to the leg-side boundaries. But just when the Najibullah-Naib stand was threatening to take the game away from Australia, Marcus Stoinis returned to the attack and bounced out both the set batsmen.
Rashid then cracked Stoinis for four boundaries in five balls to haul Afghanistan past 200. But, they continued to throw their bats and wickets away, folding in 38.2 overs. Zampa and Cummins, who wound up with three wickets each, cleaned up the tail and set the scene for Warner's match-winning return.
Tagged under

In his first international match after the one-year ban for ball tampering, David Warner carved out an unbeaten 89 off 114 balls to give Australia a seven-wicket win in their World Cup 2019 opener. The bowlers had bowled Afghanistan out for 207, and Australia chased that down in just 34.5 overs.
Warner, who was declared the Man of the Match, was tentative at the start of his innings before growing more assured. He admitted that his long absence from the 50-over format had played a part in his slow start.
"I think it was just nerves getting back into the camp, and getting back into the full intensity of training," Warner said at the post-match presentation. "I was a little bit more relaxed when Finchy (Aaron Finch) started going. But look, to come out here and bowl the way that we did, probably set the tone from Ball 1 for us with the bat… there is a great energy and a great buzz about this team at the moment.
"The way that I started out there - playing Twenty20 cricket over the last sort of 12 to 14 months - I hadn't really moved my feet at all. So to get back into rhythm out there, start moving in the right direction, getting my head over the ball - that was just great to get out there and do that. As a positive, for us, it's about getting past this first victory and move on to the West Indies."
Warner put on 96 in 16.2 overs for the opening wicket, with Finch smashing 66 off 49. But Warner ground his way through a patchy first half to ensure he was there at the end, earning praise from his captain and opening partner.
"I think he was struggling for the first half of his innings there," Finch said. "He struggled to time the ball and his feet weren't really going, so the fact that he kept hanging in there and hanging in there… you always have to remember that it's going to be harder for a new batter to come in. So that was great for him, to just keep on and do that job really well for us and be not out at the end."
Warner acknowledged the importance of the top order getting runs, with the trend so far in this World Cup being of the quicker bowlers scything through teams. "Us batters like to see that," Warner said. "We know the bowlers always say that one-day cricket is always a batsman's game. But two new balls over here, there's a bit of swing for the fast bowlers, but you saw out and out quicks going through the top order. For us as batters, we've just got to hold our nerve a little bit, play normal cricket shots and get into our innings."
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Tagged under

PARIS -- This was one deficit too big to overcome for Naomi Osaka, whose Grand Slam winning streak is over.
The No. 1-ranked Osaka couldn't muster a comeback after falling way behind yet again at the French Open, losing 6-4, 6-2 in the third round to No. 42 Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic on Saturday.
"I just feel like there has been a weight on me, kind of," said Osaka, who was seeded No. 1 at a major tournament for the first time.
She had won her past 16 matches at majors, allowing her to lift the trophies at the US Open last September and Australian Open in January. That run also included two victories at Roland Garros after trailing by a set and a break each time.
"I could see," Siniakova said, "that she's not so confident like she was."
But Osaka said Saturday that she felt tired and was dealing with a headache.
Her mounting mistakes just kept accumulating against Siniakova, who had never reached the fourth round in singles in 18 previous Slam appearances. She is better known for her doubles success, winning championships at the French Open and Wimbledon last year and topping the rankings.
She is the first woman ranked No. 1 in doubles to defeat the singles No. 1 in more than 30 years, according to the WTA: The last occasion was when Martina Navratilova beat Steffi Graf at the 1987 US Open.
"I mean, it's incredible. It's amazing. It's the thing I couldn't believe," said Siniakova, who will face 2017 US Open runner-up Madison Keys next. "It was my best tennis."
It decidedly was not Osaka's, who quickly gathered her things and headed to the Court Suzanne Lenglen locker room when the lopsided match was finished.
She wound up with a hard-to-believe 38 unforced errors; Siniakova made only 13.
And Osaka, so good lately at the biggest moments on her sport's biggest stages, wasn't able to come up with the goods on the hottest day of the tournament so far, with the temperature topping 80 degrees (approaching 30 Celsius).
One key statistic: Osaka compiled seven break points in the first set but failed to convert a single one. She was 0 for 4 on break chances when Siniakova served out that set, then never managed to earn one in the second.
Clay has never been Osaka's best surface. Her power game is served better by the speed of hard courts, in particular. That's why she still has not made it to the round of 16 at the French Open.
The first tennis player from Japan to be ranked No. 1 thought she was better suited to contend this time and spoke about eyeing a third consecutive major title -- and moving halfway to a true Grand Slam.
"It's weird, but I think me losing is probably the best thing that could have happened. I think I was overthinking this calendar Slam. For me, this is something that I have wanted to do forever," Osaka said. "But I think I have to think about it like: If it was that easy, everyone would have done it. I just have to keep training hard and put myself in a position again to do it, hopefully."
After going just 9-11 on clay over her career until this season, she was 9-1 in 2019 until Saturday's setback.
Osaka's exit, a day after No. 2 Karolina Pliskova lost, leaves defending champion Simona Halep, at No. 3, as the highest-seeded woman remaining. Halep needed only 55 minutes to get to the fourth round with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over No. 27 Lesia Tsurenko.
Keys, a semifinalist in Paris a year ago, advanced by beating qualifier Anna Blinkova 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-4.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Tagged under