A’ja Wilson reaches 1,000 points becoming first WNBA player to do it in a season as Aces top Sun

A’ja Wilson reaches 1,000 points becoming first WNBA player to do it in a season as Aces top Sun
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson celebrates after becoming the first WNBA player to reach 1,000 points in a season, during the second half of her team's WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun on Sept. 15, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Las Vegas Sun via AP)
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Updated 16 September 2024
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A’ja Wilson reaches 1,000 points becoming first WNBA player to do it in a season as Aces top Sun

A’ja Wilson reaches 1,000 points becoming first WNBA player to do it in a season as Aces top Sun
  • Earlier this week, the Aces’ star broke the single-season scoring record that Jewell Loyd set last year

LAS VEGAS: A’ja Wilson became the first WNBA player to score 1,000 points in a season when she had 29 in the Las Vegas Aces’ 84-71 win over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday.
Wilson hit a pull-up from the elbow with 2 minutes left in the game to reach the mark. Earlier this week, the Aces’ star broke the single-season scoring record that Jewell Loyd set last year. Las Vegas called timeout about 30 seconds later and her teammates mobbed Wilson.
She then went out on the court and acknowledged a loud ovation from the crowd clapping her hands.
The Aces (25-13) hold a one-game lead over Seattle for the No. 4 seed in the playoffs and home-court advantage in that series. Las Vegas has won seven of its last eight games.
Connecticut (27-11) trails the Minnesota Lynx by two games for the No. 2 seed. The two teams play in Connecticut on Tuesday.
The Sun made just 4 of 16 from the field — 0 of 5 from 3-point range — in the third quarter as the Aces stretched an eight-point lead at halftime to 71-51 going into the fourth. Young’s pull-up jumper midway through the period made it 58-47 and Las Vegas led by double figures the rest of the way. Wilson was dominant at both ends, making 6 of 8 from the field and both of her 3-point shots while scoring 14 points with four rebounds and two blocks in the third quarter.
Marina Mabrey led the Sun with 18 points. Brionna Jones added 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting and nine rebounds and Tyasha Harris scored 16 points.
Jones is averaging 20.1 points per game on 66 percent (59 of 89) shooting in seven games during the month of September.
Kelsey Plum, who finished with 14 points, hit a 3-pointer to five the Aces the lead for good and spark an 11-1 run that made it 48-40 when she capped the spurt with a step-back jumper to close the first half.


Retiring cricketer Shakib apologizes for silence during Bangladesh protests

Retiring cricketer Shakib apologizes for silence during Bangladesh protests
Updated 33 sec ago
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Retiring cricketer Shakib apologizes for silence during Bangladesh protests

Retiring cricketer Shakib apologizes for silence during Bangladesh protests
  • Shakib is among dozens of figures from ousted Hasina’s party facing murder investigations for a deadly police crackdown on protesters
  • More than 700 people were killed in the unrest leading up to Hasina’s ouster, according to Bangladesh’s health ministry 

NEW DELHI: Retiring Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan has apologized for remaining silent during a student-led revolution but defended his contentious decision to serve the autocratic regime it toppled.
Shakib, 37, is among dozens of figures from ousted premier Sheikh Hasina’s party facing murder investigations for a deadly police crackdown on protesters during the summer uprising.
The former captain had been elected as a lawmaker earlier this year and served until parliament was dissolved after Hasina’s August resignation and exile to neighboring India at the peak of the unrest.
In a long note posted on his official Facebook page late Wednesday, Hasan said he was “sincerely apologetic” for not speaking up during the protests.
“I pay my respects to all the students who sacrificed their lives,” the note said.
“While nothing can fill the void of losing a child or a brother, I sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt by my silence. I too would have been upset if I were in your place.”
More than 700 people were killed in the unrest leading up to Hasina’s ouster, according to Bangladesh’s health ministry.
Shakib was playing in a domestic Twenty20 cricket competition in Canada as the regime collapsed and has not returned to Bangladesh since.
But he has toured Pakistan and India with the Bangladeshi team with the approval of the interim government established to govern the country after Hasina’s departure.
Shakib’s election to parliament in January came after a poll boycotted by Hasina’s opponents and criticized by observers as unfree and unfair.
He said he had decided to contest the vote because he wanted to “contribute to the development of my hometown.”
“It is difficult to directly play a part in the development of your area in Bangladesh if you don’t have a designated position,” he wrote.
Shakib announced his retirement from international cricket last month but said then that he wanted to play one last Test series at home, with South Africa slated to tour later this month.
He said in his Facebook post that he wanted the opportunity to “say goodbye” to all of his fans.
“You all know that I will soon be playing my last match,” he said. “I hope — not just hope but believe — that at my farewell hour, you will all be with me.”


Shakib apologizes for silence during Bangladesh protests

Shakib apologizes for silence during Bangladesh protests
Updated 26 min 48 sec ago
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Shakib apologizes for silence during Bangladesh protests

Shakib apologizes for silence during Bangladesh protests
  • Former captain had been elected as a lawmaker earlier this year and served until parliament was dissolved after Hasina’s August resignation and exile to neighboring India at the peak of the unrest

NEW DELHI: Retiring Bangladesh cricketer Shakib Al Hasan has apologized for remaining silent during a student-led revolution but defended his contentious decision to serve the autocratic regime it toppled.
Shakib, 37, is among dozens of figures from ousted premier Sheikh Hasina’s party facing murder investigations for a deadly police crackdown on protesters during the summer uprising.
The former captain had been elected as a lawmaker earlier this year and served until parliament was dissolved after Hasina’s August resignation and exile to neighboring India at the peak of the unrest.
In a long note posted on his official Facebook page late Wednesday, Hasan said he was “sincerely apologetic” for not speaking up during the protests.
“I pay my respects to all the students who sacrificed their lives,” the note said.
“While nothing can fill the void of losing a child or a brother, I sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt by my silence. I too would have been upset if I were in your place.”
More than 700 people were killed in the unrest leading up to Hasina’s ouster, according to Bangladesh’s health ministry.
Shakib was playing in a domestic Twenty20 cricket competition in Canada as the regime collapsed and has not returned to Bangladesh since.
But he has toured Pakistan and India with the Bangladeshi team with the approval of the interim government established to govern the country after Hasina’s departure.
Shakib’s election to parliament in January came after a poll boycotted by Hasina’s opponents and criticized by observers as unfree and unfair.
He said he had decided to contest the vote because he wanted to “contribute to the development of my hometown.”
“It is difficult to directly play a part in the development of your area in Bangladesh if you don’t have a designated position,” he wrote.
Shakib announced his retirement from international cricket last month but said then that he wanted to play one last Test series at home, with South Africa slated to tour later this month.
He said in his Facebook post that he wanted the opportunity to “say goodbye” to all of his fans.
“You all know that I will soon be playing my last match,” he said. “I hope — not just hope but believe — that at my farewell hour, you will all be with me.”


Beterbiev, Bivol hold open training sessions ahead of undisputed fight

Beterbiev, Bivol hold open training sessions ahead of undisputed fight
Updated 31 min 19 sec ago
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Beterbiev, Bivol hold open training sessions ahead of undisputed fight

Beterbiev, Bivol hold open training sessions ahead of undisputed fight

RIYADH: Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol held open training sessions for the media and fans here on Wednesday night ahead of their highly anticipated fight for all four light-heavyweight belts on Oct. 12.

Other fighters also held sessions for the “IV Crown Showdown” which is a part of Riyadh Season.

The main event is an intriguing matchup between two unbeaten fighters. Bivol is 23-0, 12 knockouts, while Beterbiev is 20-0 and boasts the only 100 percent knockout record for a reigning champion.

A final press conference is expected to be held today.

The training session, which started at 9 p.m. Saudi Arabia time, attracted a large number of boxing fans who gathered to watch their favorite fighters.

Britain’s Chris Eubank Jr. and Poland’s Kamil Szeremeta, as well as fellow Brits Fabio Wardley and Fraser Clarke, also held training sessions.

 


Mets advance on Lindor blast, Dodgers stay alive in Major League Baseball playoffs

 Mets advance on Lindor blast, Dodgers stay alive in Major League Baseball playoffs
Updated 38 min 27 sec ago
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Mets advance on Lindor blast, Dodgers stay alive in Major League Baseball playoffs

 Mets advance on Lindor blast, Dodgers stay alive in Major League Baseball playoffs
  • Lindor punched a 99 mph fastball 398 feet over the wall in center field, scoring Starling Marte, Tyrone Taylor and Francisco Alvarez
  • The New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers edged closer to advancing in the American League

NEW YORK: The New York Mets, fueled by Francisco Lindor’s grand slam, beat Philadelphia to advance in the Major League Baseball playoffs on Wednesday as the Los Angeles Dodgers stayed alive with an 8-0 victory over San Diego.

The Mets beat the Phillies 4-1 to complete a 3-1 triumph in their best-of-five National League division series, their latest come-from-behind victory sending them into the NL Championship Series against either the Dodgers or Padres.

The Dodgers, down 1-2 and facing elimination in San Diego, were fueled by homers from Mookie Betts, Will Smith and Gavin Lux as they forced a decisive Game 5 in Los Angeles on Friday.

Betts got things started, staking Los Angeles to a 1-0 lead with a first-inning homer that sailed into the Padres bullpen in left center field.

Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani drove in a run with a two-out single in the second, chasing San Diego starting pitcher Dylan Cease. Betts then smacked a run-scoring single off reliever Bryan Hoeing.

Smith piled on in the third with a two-run home run off Hoeing, who had given up a lead-off double to Max Muncy, and the Dodgers led 5-0 through three innings.

Muncy scored again on Tommy Edman’s sacrifice fly in the seventh and Gavin Lux jumped on the first pitch from Padres reliever Wandy Peralta to push the score to 8-0.

Dodgers starting pitcher Ryan Brasier and seven relievers combined to keep San Diego’s potent offense in check.

In New York, the Mets had left the bases loaded in both the first and second innings as Philadelphia starting pitcher Ranger Suarez kept them scoreless through 4 1/3 gritty innings.

New York trailed 1-0 and had loaded the bases again with no outs in the sixth when Lindor came to the plate against Phillies reliever Carlos Estevez.

Lindor punched a 99 mph fastball 398 feet over the wall in center field, scoring Starling Marte, Tyrone Taylor and Francisco Alvarez.

“I was just trying to get a good pitch to hit and bring one run in and it worked out and went over the fence,” Lindor told Fox television. “I wasn’t trying to be the guy.

“I was just trying to keep the momentum that the guys had,” added Lindor after the Mets booked their first NLCS appearance since 2015.

The New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers edged closer to advancing in the American League.

Giancarlo Stanton hit a game-winning solo home run in the eighth inning to lift the Yankees to a 3-2 victory over the Royals in Kansas City for a 2-1 lead in their AL division series.

Stanton drove in the game’s first run with a double in the fourth inning. The Yankees took a 2-0 lead on Juan Soto’s sacrifice fly in the fifth, but the Royals tied it up in the bottom of the frame.

Cue Stanton, who belted a pitch from left-handed reliever Kris Bubic 417 feet to put the Yankees back in front.

“This is what I came here for,” Stanton said of his 12th career post-season homer. “You’re not always going to be successful, but (you’ve) just got to keep working and put yourself in the best opportunity.

The Yankees will try to close out their series on Thursday, when the Tigers will try to eliminate the Cleveland Guardians.

“We need to wrap it up tomorrow, no wiggle room, and we’ve got to get it done,” said Stanton, who finished with three hits, drove in two runs and stole a base.

In Detroit, Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson drove in runs for the Tigers in a 3-0 home victory over the Guardians that put the Tigers up 2-1 in their series.

The Tigers, who missed the playoffs the past nine years, played their first post-season home game since 2014 before a record crowd of 44,885.

They opened the scoring in the first inning when Parker Meadows singled then scored on Green’s single.

Rogers delivered a double in the third and scored on Matt Vierling’s sacrifice fly and Torkelson doubled in a run in the sixth.


Root says ‘many more to get’ after continuing excellent form against Pakistan

Root says ‘many more to get’ after continuing excellent form against Pakistan
Updated 10 October 2024
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Root says ‘many more to get’ after continuing excellent form against Pakistan

Root says ‘many more to get’ after continuing excellent form against Pakistan
  • Root became England’s greatest Test match run-maker after scoring 176 unbeaten against Pakistan in Multan
  • With 12,578 runs, Root is now fifth in the list of all-time Test run-scorers with Sachin Tendulkar still on top

MULTAN: Joe Root said there are “many more runs to get” after he surpassed Alastair Cook to become England’s greatest Test match run-maker on Wednesday.
Root moved past Cook’s 12,472 runs when he drove Aamer Jamal for a boundary to reach 71 on his way to a brilliant 176 not out on the third day of the first Test against Pakistan.
The 33-year-old batted through the day in the heat and fought cramp to register his 35th Test century, taking England to 492-3 and within 64 runs of Pakistan’s first innings after an unbeaten 243-run stand with Harry Brook.
“(I feel) tired, more than anything. It’s been a long day,” said Root.
“I’m obviously proud, but still feel there’s plenty more left to do and many more runs to get.
“I’m sure I’ll look back at it at some point when I’m finished and be very proud of it.”
Root also put on century partnerships with Zak Crawley (78) and Ben Duckett (84), who came in at four after hurting his thumb while taking a catch to wrap up Pakistan’s innings late on the second day.
He and Brook (141 not out) then set about putting England in a strong position after two days of toil in the field, as Pakistan struggled for answers with the ball on a flat wicket in Multan.
“I think more than anything just the way we played today as a team is what stands out,” said Root.
“We’ve still got an opportunity to win the game, which is really exciting. Hopefully we can kick on tomorrow.”
Duckett, who combined with Root to add 136 for the third wicket, hailed the achievements of his team-mate.
“He (Root) is one of the greats of the game and certainly a great of English cricket,” said Duckett.
“He is extremely humble and those things don’t bother him and he wants to play for England as long as he can.”
With 12,578 runs, Root is now fifth in the list of all-time Test run-scorers. India’s Sachin Tendulkar sits at the top of the pile on 15,921.
“It’s just a pleasure to share the dressing room with him,” said Duckett. “He is probably still working as hard as he ever has, always grinding away in the nets.
“We make jokes that he says he is out of form and he is still getting hundreds, so it’s probably a good place to be in.”
Duckett revealed Root was fully aware of the milestone and backed him to set more records.
“He 100 percent was aware (of the record) but I think he made out that he didn’t have any idea,” said Duckett. “I did not know so I asked him and he told me, so he definitely knew.”
“When he is in good form, he cashes in and scores big and I hope it continues,” added Duckett.
“If he stays fit and stays on the park there is no reason why he can’t break more records. He is an incredible player and there are no signs of his form dipping.”
England batting coach Marcus Trescothick, a former opener who played 76 Tests, expressed his pride at Root’s accomplishments.
“We’re lucky enough to sit and watch history being made,” Trescothick told Sky Sports. “The way he goes about it, the work he puts in and continues to strive for greatness all the time.
“He’s been superb and think will continue to be superb for a number of years yet.”
Pakistan captain Shan Masood, who made 151 for the hosts in their first innings total of 556, tipped Root to eventually go past Tendulkar.
“Congratulations to Joe, but I personally want to hold this congratulations till he becomes the leading Test run-getter, which I’m sure he’ll achieve,” said Masood.
“He’s not only the best batsman I’ve come across in my life but one of the best human beings also.”