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Rohit: 'More comfortable' with match simulation than practice match
"So we, as a management as well, we feel that rather than having that, the match simulation where the batters can spend more time in the middle, batting in the middle, and then the bowlers as well can bowl a lot of balls, so that is something that, we as a team feel more comfortable doing rather than playing a practice game because game time is not a problem. All of us have been playing a lot of cricket. So it's just about spending time in the middle."
"If a batter gets out, he has to sit in the dugout for the whole day, you know, and he doesn't get too much of batting done," Rohit said. "Whereas in match simulation kind of a thing, you know, the batters can go out and play 50-70 balls and then if you feel that he's had enough, we can retire him out and then get someone else in. So that is the plan.
"We want to maximise this three-day slot that we've got and I feel this is the best way to do it where the batters can have a lot of time in the middle and the bowlers at the same time can get their workload in terms of getting the number of balls bowled in the middle. So that was the idea and we will be.
"I think we'll be training at WACA, which is as close to Optus where you have that bounce and carry. So hopefully we can use those three days perfectly and maximise how much ever we can from our point of view."
Bills' Cooper, Benford sidelined with wrist injuries
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills will be without wide receiver Amari Cooper for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins.
Cooper has been ruled out of the game with a wrist injury suffered in last week's game vs. the Seattle Seahawks. He was limited in practice all week and has been wearing a wrap around his left hand.
"He's working through it. We'll see where it leads us. He's a pro," coach Sean McDermott said of Cooper's potential availability on Friday.
This will be the first game Cooper has missed as a Bill. He has played in the past two games since being traded from the Cleveland Browns.
The Bills will also be without starting cornerback Christian Benford, who is also dealing with a wrist injury. Kaiir Elam, the team's 2022 first-round pick, is expected to start in his place.
The Bills will have wide receiver Curtis Samuel (pectoral) for the game after he was listed as questionable and missed last week. Wide receiver Jalen Virgil was also elevated from the practice squad.
Nageeye, Chepkirui earn 1st NYC Marathon wins
NEW YORK -- Abdi Nageeye and Sheila Chepkirui used strong kicks in the final mile to pull away from their nearest competitors and both win the New York City Marathon for the first time Sunday.
Nageeye, who became the first runner from the Netherlands to win the men's race, was step-for-step with 2022 champion Evans Chebet before using a burst of speed heading into Central Park for the final time to come away with the win in 2 hours, 7 minutes, 39 seconds. Chebet finished 6 seconds behind.
"At the finish, I was like, am I dreaming? I won New York," Nageeye said.
He had run the New York race three times before, with his best previous finish coming in 2022, when he was third.
"I know the course," Nageeye said. "Today was two things: survive that race, and my race is after 36 [kilometers; 22 miles]. I was thinking like a cyclist, survive 36K and you're going to win."
Chepkirui was running New York for the first time and pulled away from defending champion Hellen Obiri in the women's race in the last stretch.
"Let me push the last mile, let me give it my best," the Kenyan said. "When we were around 600 meters to go, I said to myself I have to push harder. When I saw Hellen wasn't coming, I knew I was going to win and was so happy."
Chepkirui, who started to run marathons in 2022, won in 2:24.35. Obiri finished nearly 15 seconds behind.
Obiri was looking to be the first repeat champion since Mary Keitany of Kenya won three in a row 2014-16. Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya finished third, giving the African nation the top three spots.
Tamirat Tola, the men's defending champion and Paris Olympic gold medalist, finished fourth, right behind Albert Korir.
"I had a good year," Tola told The Associated Press through a translator. "I won the Olympics and then to come back to New York after that, you know it's a tough course. I know that I expended a lot of energy. Around the 33-kilometer mark I felt my muscle tighten and my muscles just couldn't handle it."
Tola, who set the course record last year, was looking to be the first back-to-back men's champion since Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya won in 2011 and 2013. The 2012 race was canceled because of Superstorm Sandy.
The top Americans finished sixth in both races. Conner Mantz led the men and Sara Vaughn the women. Vaughn was in the lead group heading into Mile 20 when they entered the Bronx before she dropped off the lead pack.
Vaughn was geared up to run Chicago before COVID-19 kept her from competing in that race. She was a late addition to this marathon.
The day got started with an upset in the men's wheelchair race as three-time defending champion Marcel Hug was beaten by Daniel Romanchuk, who won in 2018 and 2019. Susannah Scaroni won the women's wheelchair race. It was her second victory in New York, also taking the 2022 race and giving Americans winners in both events -- the first time that has happened.
The 26.2-mile course took runners through all five boroughs of New York, starting in Staten Island and ending in Central Park. This is the 48th year the race has been in all five boroughs. Before that, the route was completely in Central Park when it began in 1970. The first race had only 55 finishers, while more than 50,000 were expected to compete this year.
The weather was perfect to run in with temperatures in the lower 40s when the race started. Last year, it was 61 degrees when the race started.
Commanders rule out RB Robinson (hamstring)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. won't play Sunday against the New York Giants because of a hamstring injury. It's the second time in four games that Robinson has been inactive.
Robinson was limited in practice all week because of the hamstring injury, but there was optimism he would play Sunday. However, after he worked out earlier in the morning, the Commanders (6-2) decided he wasn't ready.
Robinson missed a Week 6 loss at the Baltimore Ravens while dealing with a right knee injury.
He leads Washington with 461 yards rushing and six touchdowns. He has averaged 4.6 yards per carry.
Washington elevated second-year back Chris Rodriguez Jr. off the practice squad Saturday afternoon in case Robinson couldn't play. Rodriguez can handle more of the power runs that Robinson often handled.
The Commanders also have Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols, both of whom have served more as third-down backs. Ekeler has run for 240 yards and caught 19 passes for 207 yards. McNichols has rushed for 163 yards and three touchdowns.
Swiatek shakes off rust to beat Krejcikova at WTA Finals
Iga Swiatek began her bid to regain the world number one ranking with a comeback success over Barbora Krejcikova at the WTA Finals.
Poland's Swiatek trailed the Wimbledon champion by a set and double break before regrouping to win 4-6 7-5 6-2.
This was the 23-year-old's first match since her quarter-final US Open exit in September and first under new coach Wim Fissette.
"At the beginning I felt a bit rusty but I'm happy that I found a way to play a bit more solid," said Swiatek.
She and Aryna Sabalenka are in contention to finish the year as the top-ranked player.
Defending champion Swiatek will need to win the title to replace Sabalenka, while the Belarusian needs to win all three round-robin matches, external or reach the final.
Coco Gauff takes on fellow American Jessica Pegula in the second Orange Group match later on Sunday.
The top two players from each group advance to the semi-finals. Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jasmine Paolini and Zheng Qinwen are in the Purple Group and play on Monday.
The tournament is being held in Saudi Arabia for the first time - a move which has been criticised by some because of the country's human rights record.
Mohamed ElShorbagy wins 50th tour title at China Squash Open
Ahead of his mens final bid after a still superb career, top seed Mohamed ElShorbagy, whose last title came at the 2023 Black Ball Open in his native Egypt, had spoken openly about what a 50th title would mean.
Number 50 is such a lucky number for me. I was World No.1 for 50 months and Ive been searching for that 50th title for a while now.
His aspiration turned a reality on Sunday as ElShorbagy duly won his half-century of titles and Malaysias Rachel Arnold won the biggest title of his career after victories over Egyptian duo Mohamed Abouelghar and Farida Mohamed in the China Open 2024.
The PSA Squash Tour Silver-level event, which returned to the calendar after a five-year absence, took place at the spectacular Shanghai Oriental Sports Center, which boasted four all-glass show courts and featured 48 of the worlds best squash players.
Despite going into the match with his unseeded opponent having won all eight of their previous meetings, World No.9 ElShorbagy will have been wary of the threat posed by Abouelghar after the World No.49 took out ElShorbagys younger brother, No.2 seed Marwan ElShorbagy, in the quarter-final and No.3 seed Eain Yow Ng in the semi-final.
The Beast, who won the China Open the last time it was contested in 2019, made his intent clear early on today, playing aggressively and keeping his opponent on the back foot as he moved into the lead with an 11-6 win in game one.
Game two was a more even contest, with both players having multiple game ball opportunities before Abouelghar eventually made the breakthrough 14-12 to restore parity.
In an at-times bad-tempered third game, ElShorbagy regained his lead with a convincing 11-7 win.
Abouelghar looked for all the world to have forced a fifth game when he went 9-3 up in game four.
Former World No.1 ElShorbagy, though, had other ideas and in a dramatic turnaround, the Englishman chipped away at Abouelghars lead and scored eight consecutive points to win 11-9 and add another chapter to his impressive record book.
This is my third title here and Ive had much luck here. Its title number 50 for me and Ill never forget the match today, ElShorbagy said. Its such a big win for me; Ive been looking for it for a while now and Im really proud to achieve title number 50 in my career.
Its been an emotional week. Id like to dedicate this title to my grandmother, who passed away a couple of months ago. Her birthday was two days ago and she would have been 95 years old and she always prayed for me and looked out for me and I really pushed hard today to dedicate this title to her. I know shes watching and is in a better place. This title is for her.
Arnold, meanwhile, completed a perfect week as the No.6 seed got the better of No.3 seed Mohamed to win a Silver-level title for the first time in her career.
The 28-year-old started the match with control and accuracy, moving Mohamed around well to take the opener 11-5.
The Egyptian improved in game two, but could not match Arnold, who doubled her advantage with an 11-8 win.
Despite the commanding lead, Arnold will have taken nothing for granted after watching Mohamed come back from two games and eight match balls down in her semi-final against Sivasangari Subramaniam, and she began the third game watchfully.
Both players were good value for 8-8 in game three as Arnold pushed for a historic victory and Mohamed bid to begin another epic comeback.
To the delight of a large portion of the crowd, it was the Malaysian who made the decisive contribution, holding her nerve to earn two championship balls at 10-8, which she converted at the first time of asking.
Afterwards, Arnold said: I felt really confident today. Going in, I just thought about it as another match and not as a big final. It doesnt feel real at the moment but Im really happy!
For everyone whos believed in me, thank you so much!
Result: China Open Womens Final
Rachel Arnold (MAS) bt. [3] Farida Mohamed (EGY) 3-0: 11-5, 11-8, 11-8 (28m)
Result: China Open Mens Final
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (ENG) bt Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY) 3-1: 11-6, 12-14, 11-7, 11-9 (58m)
Simeone's son Giuliano gets 1st goal in Atleti win
Sustained pressure paid off for Atlético Madrid as manager Diego Simeone's son Giuliano netted his first LaLiga goal and Alexander Sørloth also scored to secure a 2-0 win over Las Palmas in LaLiga on Sunday.
Atlético, third in the table with 23 points from 12 matches, have played one match less than second-placed Real Madrid, whose match at Valencia this weekend was postponed after deadly flooding in the eastern region.
"I'm very happy for my first official goal for Atlético Madrid but I also want to mention everything that's going on in Valencia. For the victims, I send all my strength and support," Giuliano Simeone said.
Nahuel Molina's 37th-minute long ball up the right flank helped Simeone beat the visitors' high defensive line and the 21-year-old sprinted towards the six-yard box and finished with his right foot past keeper Jasper Cillessen's outstretched leg.
Antoine Griezmann almost doubled Atlético's lead seconds before the break, but his left-footed effort from a Pablo Barrios cross came off the crossbar.
Things got worse for Las Palmas early in the second-half as Cillessen had to leave the field after getting injured while diving to block Molina's shot.
The hosts, who had 15 shots in the match while 18th-placed Las Palmas had one, doubled their lead in the 83rd minute from Sorloth's calm left-footed finish following Rodrigo De Paul's defence-splitting through ball.
Atlético continue their league campaign at Mallorca next Sunday, after Wednesday's Champions League clash at Paris Saint-Germain.
Solanke shines as Spurs come back to thrash Villa
Two second-half goals from Dominic Solanke and a sublime James Maddison free-kick helped Tottenham Hotspur come from behind to overwhelm Aston Villa 4-1 on Sunday and end the visitors' seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.
Spurs climbed to seventh in the table on 16 points, two points behind Villa who stayed fifth.
Unai Emery's Villa led at half-time through Morgan Rogers, but Spurs were level soon after the break when Brennan Johnson tapped in at the far post.
Solanke's two goals in four minutes, including a flowing team move finished off with a delightful dink over Emiliano Martinez, secured the win, before Maddison curled in a free kick in stoppage time.
Villa's goal punctuated a drab first half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Rogers poking home from a yard out after Lucas Digne's corner was flicked on into the six-yard box.
Spurs skipper Son Heung-min provided an assist on his return from injury, whipping an excellent outswinging ball across the goal for Johnson to slot home at the back post shortly after half-time.
Ange Postecoglou's Spurs had struggled to break Villa down in the first half, largely resorting to shots from distance, but they upped their intensity in the second period and two quick goals from Solanke sealed the win.
His first was a flowing one-touch team move, with Solanke latching onto Dejan Kulusevski's cute pass and chipping the ball over the onrushing Martinez.
A mistake by Villa defender Pau Torres set Spurs charging forward again with second-half substitute Richarlison squaring for Solanke to grab his second.
Maddison put the gloss on a fine display late on, caressing the ball around the Villa wall from 20 yards out and into the top corner past a helpless Martinez.
Whom should you start? Whom should you sit? To help you set your fantasy football lineups and avoid starting an offensive player who won't be in the lineup, we'll post fantasy-relevant updates and analysis here as NFL teams release their official inactives lists. Any rankings cited in this column come from our ESPN Fantasy staff ranks.
Official Sunday inactives should begin coming in approximately 90 minutes before the scheduled kickoff times: around 11:30 a.m. ET for the early games and 2:30 p.m. ET for the late-afternoon games.
Refresh often for the latest information.
1 p.m. ET games
Keaton Mitchell, RB, BAL: Knee -- OUT
Impact: He'll have to wait yet another week before getting a chance to spell Derrick Henry.
Amari Cooper, WR, BUF: Wrist -- Questionable
Impact: Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir could well get the majority of WR targets, with Cooper picking his spots.
Curtis Samuel, WR, BUF: Pectoral -- Questionable
Impact: Even if he plays, he's not likely to be on the field enough to matter for fantasy.
Jonathon Brooks, RB, CAR: Knee -- Questionable
Impact: Next week would be the last chance the Panthers have to activate the rookie if he sits this one out. Chuba Hubbard is expected to start again.
Tommy Tremble, TE, CAR: Back -- Questionable
Impact: He is looking likely to play and split targets with Ja'Tavion Sanders.
Adam Thielen, WR, CAR: Hamstring -- OUT
Impact: Why risk reinjuring him? Diontae Johnson is gone and Thielen might also be heading elsewhere with the trade deadline looming.
Xavier Legette, WR, CAR: Toe -- Questionable
Impact: He should be able to suit up and start opposite WR Jalen Coker.
Zack Moss, RB, CIN: Neck -- OUT
Impact: We knew his late-Friday add to the injury report spelled trouble. We will see a lot of Chase Brown.
Tee Higgins, WR, CIN: Quad -- Doubtful
Impact: Andrei Iosivas will most likely start alongside Ja'Marr Chase.
Charlie Jones, WR, CIN: Groin -- Questionable
Impact: His potential absence might put Trenton Irwin on the deep-league flex radar.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, DAL: Team decision -- OUT
Impact: The Cowboys are getting Rico Dowdle back and have elevated Dalvin Cook to take the place of Elliott, who did not travel with the team.
Stone Smartt, TE, LAC: Ankle -- Inactive
Impact: We're only talking about him so that we can report that fellow TEs Hayden Hurst and Will Dissly are not on this week's injury report.
DJ Chark Jr., WR, LAC: Groin -- Inactive
Impact: He was activated from IR but will apparently need more time. Quentin Johnston, who was removed from the injury report on Friday, will play.
Zamir White, RB, LV: Quad -- Questionable
Impact: While he may be able to play, Alexander Mattison is still expected to be the lead back here.
Drake Maye, QB, NE: Concussion -- Active
Impact: He has cleared the league's concussion policy and will start Sunday.
Kendre Miller, RB, NO: Hamstring -- OUT/IR
Impact: Alvin Kamara is pretty much the only healthy running back on the Saints' roster.
Jamaal Williams, RB, NO: Groin -- Doubtful
Impact: Fullback Adam Prentice might get some touches along with the practice-squad-elevated Jordan Mims.
Bub Means, WR, NO: Ankle -- OUT/IR
Impact: Returning QB Derek Carr may have to throw some to Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Cedrick Wilson Jr., WR, NO: Hip -- Questionable
Impact: Expect Mason Tipton to start alongside Chris Olave.
Greg Joseph, K, NYG: Abdomen -- OUT/IR
Impact: Welcome Jude McAtamney to the NFL.
Will Levis, QB, TEN: Shoulder -- Questionable
Impact: Although this is technically a game-time call, Mason Rudolph is expected to start again with Levis not at 100 percent.
Tyjae Spears, RB, TEN: Hamstring -- OUT
Impact: This is where we would normally say that Julius Chestnut will be the team's No. 2 RB ...
Tony Pollard, RB, TEN: Foot -- Questionable
Impact: ... but Chestnut might even have to start if Pollard, who did not practice all week, can't go.
Tyler Boyd, WR, TEN: Shoulder -- Questionable
Impact: Calvin Ridley (shoulder) was removed from the injury report and will play.
Brian Robinson Jr., RB, WAS: Hamstring -- Inactive
Impact: He had been limited all week in practice. Austin Ekeler gets a big boost in fantasy value.
4 p.m. ET games
Jordan Love, QB, GB: Groin -- Questionable
Impact: Most reports have been leaning toward Love starting Sunday.
Josh Jacobs, RB, GB: Ankle -- Questionable
Impact: He missed practice early in the week but appears to be in line to play.
Tank Bigsby, RB, JAX: Ankle -- Questionable
Impact: He's likely to get a lot of touches if he can go and Etienne cannot. Speaking of which ...
Travis Etienne Jr., RB, JAX: Hamstring -- Questionable
Impact: Etienne is a risky Week 9 start in fantasy as a late-window game-time call.
Gabe Davis, WR, JAX: Shoulder -- Questionable
Impact: Even after participating in practice all week, he's still going to be a game-time decision.
Christian Kirk, WR, JAX: Collarbone -- OUT
Impact: Limited all week long, it's also going to come down to the last minute until we know about Thomas.
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, JAX: Chest -- Questionable
Impact: Parker Washington and Tim Jones could be the only WR options for Trevor Lawrence this week.
Jordan Whittington, WR, LAR: Shoulder -- Questionable
Impact: He's only going to have fantasy value if one of the Rams' WR starters return to the sidelines due to injury ...
Puka Nacua, WR, LAR: Knee -- Questionable
Impact: ... and the fact Nacua is back on the injury report is scary. However, he did travel with the team and appears to be in line to play.
Dallas Goedert, TE, PHI: Hamstring -- OUT
Impact: Grant Calcaterra will start, but he is no Dallas Goedert.
Noah Fant, TE, SEA: Groin -- OUT
Impact: A trip to the IR is not currently planned, but it still might be Week 12 before we see Fant again.
DK Metcalf, WR, SEA: Knee -- OUT
Impact: It's looking like Metcalf may be on track to return to the field following next week's bye.
Sunday night game
T.J. Hockenson, TE, MIN: Knee -- Activated from IR
Impact: Hockenson will make his 2024 debut, but he may still need a week or two to get back to full speed.
Ireland's O'Mahony 'ready to go' against All Blacks
While Friday represents Ireland's first game since July, New Zealand will arrive in Dublin buoyed by a thrilling 24-22 victory over England on Saturday, with the win sealed only when George Ford's last-kick drop-goal attempt for the hosts sailed wide.
"That was some Test match, eh?" added Goodman, who has replaced Mike Catt on the Ireland coaching ticket this season.
"Fine margins and I think [New Zealand] showed how dangerous they can be from turnover, counter-attack rugby with some of the tries they scored there, the opportunities they created."
The win came at a cost for All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson with fly-half Beauden Barrett and hooker Codie Taylor both ruled out against Ireland with head injuries sustained in the game.
Barrett's absence will likely mean a return to the 10 jersey for Damian McKenzie, who started there during the Rugby Championship this summer, while Asafo Aumua came off the bench at hooker for 75 minutes against England.
"They've got some good cover there, obviously with McKenzie, who's been playing 10 for them most of the season and then Will Jordan at full-back," said Goodman.
"Asafo Aumua, coming in, played some pretty big minutes there and is a powerful runner. We know what he can do.
"So they've got great depth in all positions there so I'm sure they'll back those guys to do a job."