Ukrainian troops took back 4 villages in the south from Russian occupation, military source tells CNN

Ukrainian gunners prepare to fire with a self-propelled multiple rocket launcher at a position near a frontline in Donetsk region on August 27. Anatolii Stepanov/AFP/Getty Images

The White House says it has seen reports that Ukraine has begun a counteroffensive against Russian forces in southern Ukraine but does not want to comment further on specific Ukrainian military operations, John Kirby, the communications coordinator for the National Security Council, said.

Kirby did note, however, that regardless of the size, scale and scope of the latest counteroffensive, the Ukrainians “have already had an impact on Russian military capabilities.”

“Because the Russians have had to pull resources from the east simply because of reports that the Ukrainians might be going more on the offense in the south,” Kirby said. “And so they've had to deplete certain units …in certain areas in the East in the Donbass, to respond to what they clearly believed was a looming threat of a counter offensive."

Kirby also said that Russia “continues to have manpower problems” in Ukraine, and is trying to expand its recruitment of fighters inside Russia as well as “entice” some of their conscripts and contract soldiers to serve beyond their time frames.  

That is “because they are experiencing manpower challenges—manpower challenges that are not made any easier by the way they’ve had to respond to reports of a potential counteroffensive by the Ukrainians,” Kirby said.

Kirby also said that “the idea of going on the offense is not new to the Ukrainians.”

“Now I recognize that what we're talking about here is the potential for a major counteroffensive, which is different than going on the offense in a more localized way,” Kirby said. But he said Ukrainian forces “have been taking the fight to the Russians inside” Ukraine for quite some time now, including in the early months of the war around the capital Kyiv.        

“So, it’s not a new development for them to do this,” Kirby said.

What Russia is saying: Moscow on Monday acknowledged Kyiv’s counteroffensive in Ukraine’s south, but said the Ukrainian troops “suffered heavy losses” and “failed miserably” in their “attempted” offensive. 

Ukrainian forces on Monday “attempted an offensive in the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions from three directions,” the Russian defense ministry said in a statement, adding, "as a result of the active defense of the grouping of Russian troops, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine suffered heavy losses."

The ministry said that during the fighting, 26 Ukrainian tanks, 23 infantry fighting vehicles, nine other armored fighting vehicles were destroyed and two Su-25 attack aircraft were shot down.

“Another attempt at offensive actions by the enemy failed miserably,” it concluded.

#Ukrainian #troops #villages #south #Russian #occupation #military #source #tells #CNN https://www.globalcourant.com/ukrainian-troops-took-back-4-villages-in-the-south-from-russian-occupation-military-source-tells-cnn/?feed_id=17561&_unique_id=630d4606e093e

Recent Match Report - South Africa vs England 2nd Test 2022

England 111 for 3 (Bairstow 38*, Crawley 17*) trail South Africa 151 (Rabada 36, Anderson 3-32, Broad 3-37) by 40 runs

Already you can sense England warming to the thrill of the chase, and the second Test at Emirates Old Trafford isn't yet 90 overs old. On another flawed, but captivating day of vibes-driven Test cricket, Ben Stokes' men were handed an opportunity to reprise the match situations that led to their thrilling run of four victories against New Zealand and India earlier in the summer, and by the close of an 13-wicket day, that man Jonny Bairstow was just beginning to tick once again.

At stumps, South Africa's bowlers had chipped off three top-order wickets in reply to their own malfunctioning innings of 151 all out - with Kagiso Rabada's extraction of Joe Root for his third single-figure score of the series the stand-out dismissal of the day. But Bairstow, with a bristling 38 not out from 45 balls, provided the steadying hand that Zak Crawley needed to dig himself through to the close in an uncharacteristically dour 17 not out from 77 balls, to reduce the arrears to a mere 40 runs, and set up the match in the reactive fashion to which England have become rather attached.

For, in a deviation from the tactics that brought South Africa such rampant success in their innings victory at Lord's last week, Dean Elgar chose to bat first after winning the toss, despite cloudy overhead conditions and to the clear delight of his opposite number, Stokes, who gleefully confirmed he'd have bowled first anyway. By the time James Anderson had marked his 100th home Test with England's stand-out figures of 3 for 32, it was shaping up as a very good toss to have lost.

Elgar's logic had been dictated to a large degree by South Africa's team selection, with Simon Harmer restored to the XI as a second spin option alongside Keshav Maharaj, and given his prowess for Essex in the County Championship over the past five years, he could yet come into his own later in the match, on a ground where he has claimed 15 wickets at 17.60 in his three matches against Lancashire.

For the time being, however, Harmer has been limited to an exploratory final over of the day, while the absence of the lanky left-armer Marco Jansen looks like a potential oversight on a pitch offering consistent seam movement as well as extra bounce for England's quicks - not least the restored Ollie Robinson, who utilised his high release point to challenge both edges of the bat, and hinted at a renewed commitment to his fitness levels in the quickest spell of his Test career to date.

Though he claimed a solitary wicket in his first outing since the Hobart Test in January, Robinson was a handful in each of his 14 overs, spread across three spells, not least for the opener, Sarel Erwee. Despite his key contributions to the Lord's win, Erwee was never allowed to settle as Anderson and Robinson hounded him in a probing new-ball pairing, and after playing-and-missing relentlessly in an unconvincing 12-ball stay, Anderson found his inside-edge to carve an opening in the fifth over of the day.

Elgar fared little better, even after a reprieve on 10 when Robinson was denied a catch at short leg after overstepping. After taking 16 balls to get off the mark, Elgar had been limited to a solitary punched boundary through long-off when Broad - entering the attack as the hour mark approached - hit a good length outside off with a hint of away movement. Jonny Bairstow at third slip stooped low to gather, and South Africa's captain was gone for 12.

Ben Stokes appeals successfully for lbw against Rassie van der Dussen•Getty Images

Keegan Petersen connected with a trio of off-side boundaries - two of them firm cuts and one fat edge past the slips - in his innings of 21, but Broad's hungry introduction cut short his progress. This was the first time since the Cape Town Test of 2009-10 that he and Anderson had not shared the new ball when playing together, and in his third over, more steep bounce on a good length kissed the edge of the bat as Petersen got squared up with flat feet. Joe Root at first slip swallowed the edge to leave South Africa wobbing at 41 for 3.

Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen compiled the beginnings of a fourth-wicket stand to restore South Africa's hopes of reaching lunch without further damage. But Stokes, in a typically golden-armed intervention, had other ideas.

Stokes' first breakthrough was reminiscent of Ian Botham's maiden Test wicket in 1977 - a rank long-hop that deserved to get the treatment, but instead induced the error from the batter. Markram swung lustily across the line, but managed only a steepling top-edge to Foakes, running back towards fine leg.

One over later, van der Dussen was gone as well, to an each-way bet of an lbw decision from umpire Chris Gaffaney. The ball thumped the front pad very close to the inside edge, and carried through to the keeper. Van der Dussen reviewed, but the decision stood, with DRS returning an umpire's call verdict on both impact and the top of the leg bail.

It didn't take long after lunch for the wickets to flow again - two in two for Anderson, as first Harmer and Maharaj were nailed on the front pad for plumb lbws. Kyle Verreynne then became Broad's third, as he snicked another off-stump lifter through to Foakes for 21, but England's habitual struggles to see off the tail resurfaced before tea as Rabada took to the long handle with Nortje for company.

Straight after the break, however, Robinson earned his first wicket since the Hobart Test in January as Nortje was pinned plumb lbw, before Rabada - with only Lungi Ngidi for company - aimed a wild hack at Jack Leach to be caught at slip.

That left England with a full session in which to survive or thrive, and given neither of their efforts at Lord's had extended beyond 45 overs, there was no immediate guarantee that South Africa would not be batting again before the close. Sure enough, Alex Lees was caught behind in Ngidi's first over, before Ollie Pope's skittish attempts to force the pace came a familiar cropper at the hands of Nortje's genuine pace.

But it was Root's extraction, at 43 for 3 in the 14th over, that could truly have rattled England's cage. As at Lord's, his dismissal was prefaced by a loud groan of "oh no!" - such is the surety of his shot selection, he's equally sure when he's got his choices wrong - as Erwee at first slip juggled a full four times before clutching a precious chance to his chest.

Crawley by this stage was deeply entrenched on a dour 7 from 34 balls - a far cry from the flowing attributes for which he has been retained in the team. And yet, his innings was characterised first and foremost by good choices, a steadfast refusal to be lured outside the eyeline, and a blank-batted resolve to see off anything and everything that challenged the line of off stump.

He struck just one four in his first 69 balls - and that, off Ngidi, was a freebie into his pads - before picking off a sweep against Maharaj in the dying moments of the day. But, with the match situation set in stone by South Africa's early collapse, Crawley's lack of hurry was in itself a positive option, in the truest sense of the mindset shift that Brendon McCullum has set about instilling in his players.

It certainly offered Bairstow a bedrock from which to push into his own evening's work. This was not a return to the dashing displays that had lit up his efforts against New Zealand and India, but nor, in the circumstances, did it need to be. And yet, six peppered boundaries kept his innings ticking along at a strike-rate of 84, to ensure England as a whole were still easing along at a notch under four an over - and to ensure the sight of Broad in his pads on the pavilion balcony, ready to be unleashed as the "Nighthawk" if the need had arisen. In spite of the manifest flaws on display, they could not have dreamed of a match situation that plays more clearly to their strengths.

Andrew Miller is UK editor of ESPNcricinfo. @miller_cricket

#Match #Report #South #Africa #England #2nd #Test https://www.globalcourant.com/recent-match-report-south-africa-vs-england-2nd-test-2022/?feed_id=15804&_unique_id=6307e04beaf77

Eng vs SA, 2nd Test, Old Trafford - South Africa middle order 'under pressure' to score runs

South Africa's middle-order batters are "under pressure" to score runs at Old Trafford after none of them got an individual score over 25 at Lord's. While Test captain Dean Elgar supports backing the same batters who did duty in the first Test, he acknowledged that there needs to be more runs from them if South Africa are to play to their full potential.

"As long as we are still getting the results on our side, backing is extremely important for those guys. We have given them a decent run of late and I am sure they know they are under pressure to perform," Elgar said. "They are proper batters. They are here for a reason.

"If they are firing in the middle order and we conduct ourselves like we have been doing of late, our Test side can only grow. But they are here, they are being backed. I don't see a change. Consistency is key to success, and even consistency in selection. It's a tough series playing against England away from home. You need to back your horses that you've been backing for a while now."

South Africa have opted for Aiden Markram at No.4, Rassie van der Dussen at No.5 and Kyle Verreynne (who batted lower at Lord's after his grandfather took ill in the stands) at No.6. Between them, they scored 46 runs and, with Test vice-captain Temba Bavuma due to return from an elbow injury later in the year, could end up competing for two spots. The choice could become between Markram and van der Dussen, who have both had lean runs, and who selection convener Victor Mpitsang is particularly concerned about. Earlier in the week, Mptisang told South African media: "If they are putting up big numbers, and contributing it would help the conversation around them."

Markram has only recently moved into the No.4 role after effectively being dropped as an opener in New Zealand following a poor run. He had scored 140 runs at 15.56 in five Tests before that. But, Keegan Petersen contracted Covid-19 and missed the trip, which opened up a spot for Markram to bat at No.3. He scored 76 runs in four innings on that tour and 16 runs at No.4 at Lord's. Van der Dussen has done better, but only slightly. He has scored 233 runs in his last six Tests at 23.30 and has not scored a half-century since his unbeaten 75 in West Indies last year.

Verreynne is the player with a lot more slack. Not only is he the wicketkeeper and likely to be in that role for the long haul but he is one of only four South African batters to score a century in their last 11 Tests. His only serious competitor at the moment is Ryan Rickelton, though he is not thought to be South Africa's first-choice gloveman. While South Africa have won eight of those matches, they remain concerned with the line-up, especially in difficult conditions.

Though he has not said it outright, that was one of the reasons Elgar chose to bowl in cloudy, humid conditions at Lord's, even though he is usually a bat-first captain. England are expecting Old Trafford to present more challenges for batters with Ben Stokes explaining Ollie Robinson's selection as being due to extra pace and bounce in Manchester.

Elgar brushed that off as tactical talk, and, as he so often does, leaned on South Africa's stronger suit to counter that. "I love the mind games," he said. "If there is going to be extra pace and bounce, I am pretty sure our fast bowlers will extract it."

#Eng #2nd #Test #Trafford #South #Africa #middle #order #pressure #score #runs https://www.globalcourant.com/eng-vs-sa-2nd-test-old-trafford-south-africa-middle-order-under-pressure-to-score-runs/?feed_id=15559&_unique_id=630736ddddf5a

Thailand's south hit by multiple bomb, arson attacks

Fast News

Convenience stores and a gas station across three provinces in Thailand's south were targeted, lightly injuring at least seven, police and military stated.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks so far. (Twitter/@thestandardth)

Explosions and fires ripped through at least 17 locations in southern Thailand, authorities said, in what appeared to be multiple coordinated attacks that injured seven people.

The bombings and arson attacks happened on Wednesday after midnight and targeted convenience stores and a gas station across three provinces, lightly injuring at least seven, according to police and military statements.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks so far.

Provinces in southern Thailand along the border with Malaysia have seen a decades-long, low-level insurgency, in which the Thai government has battled shadowy groups seeking independence for the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and parts of Songkhla.

Disrupted peace talks

More than 7,300 people have been killed in the conflict since 2004, according to the Deep South Watch group, which monitors the violence.

Peace talks that began in 2013 have faced repeated disruptions.

Wednesday's attacks came after the Thai government earlier this year restarted discussions with the main insurgent group, the Barisan Revolusi Nasional, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

The government has said it is ready to talk to all groups.

READ MORE: How Patani-Malay Muslims refuse to be swallowed by Thailand's mainstream

Source: Reuters

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Match Preview - England vs South Africa, South Africa in England 2022, 1st Test

Big Picture

Amidst the tumult, a return to more familiar rhythms - albeit with the expectation of a modernist twist here and there. For five days this week, it might even be possible to pretend it is Situation Normal in the febrile world of international cricket, where a packed house at Lord's will burble and murmur in that inimitably disinterested fashion as England and South Africa do battle once again in the grandest old format.

It is rare, but hardly unique, for the Lord's Test - the traditional centrepiece of the English summer - to begin this late in the season. Last year's India Test got underway on August 12, an early indicator of the sport's direction of travel given the onset of the maiden season of the Hundred, while in 2017, West Indies became the first visiting team to play a Test at the ground in September.

But with the provisional dates for next summer's Ashes suggesting no August Tests at all for the first time in 139 years - thereby clearing the players' decks for full participation in the ECB's new centrepiece event - the challenge to an inherently insecure format seems especially real this year. Just as the County Championship has been condemned in recent years to the margins of the summer, so it seems the parent format is to be shunted the same way. The forecast week of rain, amid the hottest, driest summer on record, feels like an apt comment on such prioritisation.

All of which seems deeply ironic given the narrative of the summer so far. England's world-beating white-ball team has failed to win a home series for the first time since 2013, and while the Hundred has had its moments (where there's a Will, there's a way, as Messrs Smeed and Jacks can attest) it would take a well-remunerated cheerleading commentator to pretend that the contests we've so far witnessed have been the apogee of sporting endeavour.

No, the most visceral thrills and spills of the English summer so far have been invested in the red-ball game - specifically, four humdinging Tests against New Zealand and India, each of them capped by an eye-popping run-chase from an England side that has shed the reticence that condemned it to one win in 17 Tests in the preceding 18 months, and under the thrilling new management of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, has resolved to play like "rockstars".

Captain and coach aside, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root have been the pivotal figures of the renaissance - the former by taking McCullum's "see ball, hit ball" mantra as a personal call to arms, to blaze four centuries and an unbeaten 71 in his last five innings; the latter by embodying the true ethos of "Bazball" (to revert to the phrase that dare not be uttered within earshot of any participant), and seeing the art of Test-match batting as one of possibility and positivity, rather than a game of safety-first reticence.

"The Yorkshireman inside me is still saying 'dig in, play straight and get behind it'," Root said after his matchwinning 142 not out against India. "Then there's the captain on the other shoulder saying 'be a rockstar'. So you're fighting between the two of them, sometimes."

Quite apart from the entertainment that England's new attitude has offered, the imperative for such fireworks is equally plain to see. It's not simply the Hundred that is putting the squeeze on Test cricket - the explosion of franchise tournaments is turning the screw like never before, with Cricket South Africa's IPL satellite event and the oil-rich pickings of the UAE-based International League chief among them, meaning that the five-day game needs to adapt to survive.

Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum prepare for the first Test against South Africa•Getty Images

The format needs to be entertaining, both to encourage the best players to keep putting themselves forward to play it, but also to be recognisable to the coming generation that might not have the defensive techniques to dig out for a 180-over draw, but possess the range and power of strokes that might even make a 500-run chase seem attainable.

Such are the genre-busting issues that England's new approach has brought bubbling to the surface. Not that South Africa yet seems fully sold on such nonsense, of course. Dean Elgar, their hard-bitten captain whose nuggetty technique so resembles that of his forebear Graeme Smith, has spoken in withering terms about the "Bazball" phenomenon, and having played an integral part in two hugely impressive, albeit old-school, run-chases against India earlier in the year, he's well within his rights to point out that traditional Test values still have their place.

"I don't see that there's longevity in brave cricket," he told Wisden Cricket Monthly. "I see things evening out over time in Test cricket. Had New Zealand taken their opportunities, England would have come away with egg on their faces."

South Africa have every right to be ebullient. They are top of the World Test Championship table, and are full of confidence after a fine display in the preceding white-ball leg of the summer - not least from Rassie van der Dussen whose matchwinning 134 at Chester-le-Street epitomised the sort of measured aggression that this team are capable of bringing to all formats.

And yet, they come into this game off the back of a full-frontal Bazballing against England Lions at Canterbury - defeat by an innings after conceding 672 at close to a run a ball. As the Lions skipper Sam Billings put it afterwards: "You'd be pretty stupid to ignore that, if I'm honest. If that's not a wake-up call…. because we're not even the best XI."

Still, you'd back South Africa to take that indignity on the chin and process it - much as England themselves did in a similarly comprehensive A-team battering on their victorious 2004-05 tour, which the then-captain Michael Vaughan succinctly described as a "kick up the arse". That is what practice matches are for, after all. Dress rehearsals for the real thing. And, irrespective of the hype and drama flying around elsewhere in the world game, things don't get much more real than a Lord's Test at the height of the summer.

Dean Elgar trains with his South Africa team at Lord's•Getty Images

Form guide

England: WWWWL (last five completed matches; most recent first)
South Africa: WLWWL

In the spotlight

Forty and still fabulous, James Anderson will once again lead the line for England, as he takes the Test field for the 173rd time, including an incredible 27 matches at Lord's, which is more games on a single ground than many mighty players managed in their entire careers. Speaking on the eve of the match, Anderson struck a mildly lugubrious note as he reflected on the reality that he is the last of a breed - with the growth of T20 leagues, no-one else "will be stupid enough" to play until they are 40, he said (although he admitted his similarly one-formatted team-mate Stuart Broad would have a shot at it). But, having set up England's fourth victory of the summer with his 32nd Test five-for against India at Edgbaston last month, Anderson remains unchallenged as the kingpin of the attack, and moreover, he has bought into the new team ethos with unflinching enthusiasm. Incredibly, it is 20 seasons since his first Test encounter with South Africa.

Of all of the returnees to South Africa's Test fold post-Kolpak, none comes back with a reputation more enhanced than Simon Harmer's, at least in the eyes of his English opponents. Harmer's arrival at Essex in 2017 coincided with an exponential run of success for the then-newly promoted county - he has harvested a total of 354 wickets at 20.65 in the past six seasons, 28 five-fors, nine ten-wicket hauls, two County Championships titles and the Bob Willis Trophy in 2020. Oh, and he hit the winning runs in the T20 Blast final too. South Africa does not have a great reputation for spin bowling, but Harmer's attributes include height, aggression, a fierce ability to tweak the ball on any surface and a competitive edge that captains adore. His first-class record at Lord's, as it happens, is some way shy of his overall impact in England - just eight wickets at 40.12 in two visits. But he'll be itching to improve on that this week.

Team news

England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Alex Lees, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Jonny Bairstow, 6 Ben Stokes (capt.), 7 Ben Foakes, 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Jack Leach, 10 Matthew Potts, 11 James Anderson

England's solitary change from the Edgbaston Test is the return of Ben Foakes behind the stumps, in place of Sam Billings, the Lions captain, who had initially stepped into the wicketkeeper's role as a Covid substitute during the New Zealand series before keeping his place during Foakes' recuperation. "Everyone in the starting XI, the shirt is theirs at the moment," Stokes explained while announcing the team.

South Africa (probable): 1 Dean Elgar, 2 Sarel Erwee, 3 Keegan Petersen, 4 Aiden Markram, 5 Rassie van der Dussen, 6 Kyle Verreynne, 7 Keshav Maharaj, 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Lungi Ngidi, 11 Anrich Nortje

Kagiso Rabada underwent a fitness test on Tuesday and is due another check-up after straining the medial ligament on his right ankle. With Duanne Olivier already ruled out of the series with a torn hip flexor muscle, South Africa will be particularly keen for their attack leader to come through fit and firing, and signs were promising on match eve. Beyond that assessment, the main decision could come down to the selection of an extra batter if they choose to overlook the up-and-coming allrounder Marco Jansen. Ryan Rickelton has been in fine form in the Championship for Northamptonshire, although there's the outside chance that Khaya Zondo could be called up for his second cap, having not batted on debut against Bangladesh in April.

Pitch and conditions

Rain is in the offing after weeks of drought in London, with the contest set to traverse the downpours over the coming five days. That may, in turn, play a part in the conditions, with Lord's traditionally a venue where you look up, not down, at the toss. To date, the pitch looks fairly green, although a lot of that grass is likely to be removed before the first ball is bowled.

Stats and Trivia

Jonny Bairstow needs just six more runs to reach 1000 in Tests for the calendar year, having already scored six centuries in his haul of 994 at 76.46 in eight matches since the start of 2022.

Joe Root isn't far behind that tally himself. He has 927 at 61.80 in nine matches so far this year, including five centuries. With six Tests to come this year, against South Africa and Pakistan, he could yet surpass the six hundreds he made in 2021, although matching his England-record tally of 1708 could be a long-shot.

Dean Elgar needs 136 runs to become the eighth South African to reach 5000 in Tests.

Elgar is the only specialist batter in South Africa's ranks to have played a Test at Lord's, while Rabada and Keshav Maharaj are the only other survivors from their last appearance at the ground in 2017.

Tickets for the fifth day of the Test will be available for a donation of £5, via the Lord's website from 2pm on Wednesday. Proceeds will be split between two charities, the MCC Foundation and the Ruth Strauss Foundation.

The second day of the Test will once again be "Red for Ruth Day", when the ground will turn red in memory of Ruth Strauss, the wife of the former England captain, Andrew, who died of a rare form of lung cancer in 2018.

Quotes

"The opposition seem to be doing a lot of talking about it. We don't really speak about it that much. They've got a style of play, we've got a style of play." Stokes on Elgar's criticism of the term "Bazball"

"With all due respect, I am really not going to entertain that anymore. We've chatted about it long and hard. I just want to crack on with the cricket. I think the game deserves that respect. Mudslinging is a thing of the past for me and we are not going to go back and forth on that." Elgar's last word on the B-word

Andrew Miller is UK editor of ESPNcricinfo. @miller_cricket

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/match-preview-england-vs-south-africa-south-africa-in-england-2022-1st-test/?feed_id=11917&_unique_id=62fc532f747f4

Africa: South Africa's Defense Minister in Russia for Security Conference

Cape Town — South Africa's Defense Minister Thandi Modise has arrived in Russia for a Moscow-hosted conference on international security. The visit comes amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and as Russian forces there are occupying Europe's largest nuclear power plant. It also comes just days after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited South Africa in part to try to win more African support against Russia's invasion.

Despite South Africa repeatedly proclaiming its neutrality in the Russia/Ukraine war, several analysts say Modise's attendance at the 10th Moscow Conference on International Security shows the country is siding with Russia.

"We have not seen any condemnation of Russia, despite the dire impact of the war on the supply of goods and services in South Africa, said Ralph Mathekga, a political analyst at Geopolitical Intelligence Services. "And, also, when you look at attending a defense-kind of a forum in a moment such as this, I mean I cannot imagine any stronger indication of support of Russia," he said.

Mathekga believes it's a blow to South African-U.S. relations, considering U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited South Africa just last week.

"It actually says that South Africa is nailing its colors to the mast.," he said. "I think it was a frustrating visit for the secretary of state because South Africa did not hold back on their indication that they are not going to pick sides on this, they are not going to be bullied by global powers in their continued cold war as it's being called."

Mathekga warns that while South Africa may be willing to rely on its bigger partners in the BRICS alliance, namely China and India, to help it through these turbulent economic times, it should not ignore the reality that the European Union and America are two of its biggest trading partners.

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Sipho Mantula, a researcher at the Thabo Mbeki African School on Public and International Affairs, says it's likely South Africa couldn't ignore the invitation because of its status as a member of the African Union's Peace and Security Council.

He says Russia also has a close relationship with many African states whose freedom fighters it helped train during the 1960s and 1970s.

"The conflict of Russia and Ukraine is absent from this official program. The key issues that will come out will be around dealing with international global terrorism, the issues of the Middle East and North Africa," he said.

However, he conceded that while South Africa may call for peaceful negotiations to end the Russian/Ukraine war, the gathering in Moscow may be a sign of a potential military alliance.

"One will assume so because Russia is trying by all means to galvanize its support politically, economically, militarily. So one would assume that they are trying by all means because this is a very high-level technical meeting that is taking place. And one will assume yes, it is part of mobilizing allies, mobilize those who can say they are friendly states towards Russia," he said.

Defense Minister Modise is due to address the Moscow security conference Tuesday.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/africa-south-africas-defense-minister-in-russia-for-security-conference/?feed_id=11518&_unique_id=62fb3867768c6

England vs South Africa - James Anderson

James Anderson has expressed his sadness at Trent Boult's request to be released from his central contract to improve his availability to T20 leagues, and fears Test cricket will struggle in the changing landscape.

Following conversations with New Zealand Cricket, Boult and the board agreed to a parting of ways that by no means ends the 33-year-old's international career, but will see it significantly reduced. In lieu of regular appearances for the Blackcaps, his focus instead will be the franchise circuit, including two lucrative new additions in the UAE and South Africa.

NZC chief executive David White told ESPNcricinfo he does not believe this will have a knock-on effect to others within the New Zealand set-up. However Anderson, who turned 40 last month and will pick up his 173rd cap in the first Test against South Africa on Wednesday, believes Boult's decision is a seismic event given where cricket is headed. He expects more bowlers in particular to go down this path given the rewards on offer.

Asked if he was saddened by Boult's decision, Anderson admitted he was "because Test cricket will probably bear the brunt of it. The easiest thing to do for bowlers is bowl four overs or 20 balls. It takes nothing out of you. And if you're getting paid just as well, it probably makes sense. It will tempt more people than not.

"It is [a big deal that Boult made this choice] because he is such a high-profile international player and I can definitely see it happening more and more now, particularly with bowlers."

Boult's citation of the schedule and spending more time to his family is something Anderson can appreciate. He knows his workload, significantly eased due to playing no white-ball cricket for England since the 2015 50-over World Cup, has contributed to his longevity. Likewise for his opening partner Stuart Broad, who last represented England in the limited-overs format in an ODI against South Africa in January 2016.

"I think Broady will say the same: that we were fortunate our white-ball careers pretty much ended after that World Cup and we could focus on red-ball cricket. That worked out great for us. In the future, I can see it definitely being the other way round - with people picking and choosing their formats, tours, whatever it might be."

"I feel proud to have got to where I have," Anderson said, reflecting on his feat of endurance. "I feel fortunate as well that I've still got the love for the game and the desire to get better and still do the training and the nets and whatever else that comes with it. Because with a lot of people that's the first thing that goes, and that's when you start slowing down and winding down. But for me, I feel like that passion is still there. So I feel fortunate for that. I feel fortunate that my body's still functioning properly and allowing me to do the job that I love."

As for who will be the next player to join that age-bracket, Anderson suggested his long-term partner Broad, who is already 36. However, his follow-up of who else spoke of his view of the game at the moment - a time when the future feels far more relevant than the present:

"Definitely not after that because no-one will be stupid enough. Everything that has gone in the world with franchise cricket, the Hundred, short forms of the game, I can't see anyone wanting to play Test cricket for this long."

As for future-proofing Test cricket, while boards need to assume most of the responsibility for doing so - if they wish - Anderson believes the current players are the ones who must continue to do their bit. Since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes have taken over as head coach and captain of England's Test side, much has been made of how their style of cricket is making the longest format more attractive.

While most of that talk has been from English players, much to the derision of others, not least the Proteas who are motivated to burst the so-called "Bazball" bubble, the manner of four victories at the start of the summer against New Zealand and India has reignited the good feeling around the format. It is a responsibility Anderson feels should not be ignored.

"Even if we didn't play this way, I still think Test cricket is an amazing format. We've had some brilliant series and matches, not just involving us and between other teams around the world that have been brilliant to watch. So I hope people will see that and want to be a part of it, growing up wanting to play Test cricket.

"But, yes, 100 percent our job and responsibility as Test cricketers is to promote the game and encourage as many people as possible to watch it and play it when they get older."

Vithushan Ehantharajah is an associate editor for ESPNcricinfo

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/england-vs-south-africa-james-anderson/?feed_id=11364&_unique_id=62fac795c7927

Georgian government calls on peoples of Abkhazia, South Ossetia to build country together

TBILISI, Georgia

The Georgian government called Sunday on its “brothers” in its breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to work with it to build a single, peaceful democratic state.

In a statement marking the 30th anniversary of the start of the Abkhazia war, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said his government is in favor of a peaceful solution to the country’s longstanding problems with territorial integrity.

“I firmly believe that our peace policy, oriented towards mutual respect and dialogue, brings closer the day when we, together with our Abkhaz and Ossetian brothers, will continue to build a single, strong, peace-loving, democratic state that will create all the conditions for maintaining and strengthening the security, well-being and identity of every citizen,” said Garibashvili.

“The most dramatic event in our recent history, the confrontation between brothers, brought unjustified destruction, turned hundreds of thousands of people into refugees in their own homeland, and, the saddest thing, claimed the lives of many of our fellow citizens on both sides – soldiers and civilians,” he added.

A 13-month conflict erupted in August 1992 between the Georgian army and Abkhazian separatists supported by Russia.

In 2008, a five-day conflict referred to as the South Ossetia conflict broke out between Georgia and Russia over the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Tbilisi ultimately lost control of both areas and Russia later recognized them as independent states.

In response, Georgia cut off diplomatic relations with Russia, after which Switzerland took up the role of mediator country.

Both regions remain internationally recognized Georgian territories.

Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/georgian-government-calls-on-peoples-of-abkhazia-south-ossetia-to-build-country-together/?feed_id=11035&_unique_id=62f9da4a10053

AS IT HAPPENED | Miss South Africa 2022 pageant

Update: 20:55

Miss South Africa 2022 is Ndavi Nokeri.

The 23-year-old is from Tzaneen in Limpopo, has a BCom Investment Management degree from the University of Pretoria and is currently working for an asset management firm.

"Having the support of my province and its people means so much to me. They are the shoulders I am standing on today. I know that I have to show up 100 percent every time. I am proof that even someone from a small village and humble beginnings can achieve their ambitions and show that their dreams are valid," Nokeri said after making the top 10 finalists.

Miss South Africa 2022, Ndavi Nokeri. (Photo: Yolanda van der Stoep)

Ndavi Nokeri

Photo: Supplied by Miss South Africa

---

Update: 20:40

Miss South Africa top 2:

• Ndavi Nokeri 
• Ayanda Thabethe 

---

Update: 20:20

Miss South Africa 2022 top 3:

• Ndavi Nokeri 
• Lebogang Mahlangu
• Ayanda Thabethe  

---

Update: 19:45

Miss South Africa 2022 top 5:

• Luvé Meyer
• Ayanda Thabethe
• Lebogang Mahlangu
• Tamsyn Jack
• Ndavi Nokeri 

---

Update: 19:15

The top 10 finalists stun in their Thabooty's sponsored swimsuits.

---

The Miss South Africa 2022 finale is officially under way.

Tune in to watch reigning Miss South Africa 2021 and Miss Supranational 2022, Lalela Mswane, crown her successor during the live event at Sun International's SunBet Arena at Time Square, on M-Net (DStv 101) and the Miss SA app. 

READ MORE | When and where to watch the Miss SA 2022 finale

Saturday's pageant, which promises to be a "dazzling and entertainment-packed" show, kicked off with a glitzy red-carpet opening.

South Africa's finest walked the red carpet, including the all-female judging panel in the pageant.

Former South African Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela; reigning Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandu of India; former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi; former Miss World Rolene Strauss; award-winning investigative journalist Devi Sankaree Govender; Miss South Africa 1990 Suzette van der Merwe and actor, businesswoman, radio presenter, and TV personality Thando Thabethe will decide who this year's pageant queen will be.

Also posing on the red carpet was Miss SA afterparty host and pageant sponsor Bonang Matheba; performers Nadia Nakai and Boity Thulo, Miss Supranational 2022 Lalela Mswane and Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu.

SEE PICS AND VIDEOS HERE:

Stay tuned to Channel24 for live updates on the Miss South Africa 2022 finale.

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Source https://www.globalcourant.com/as-it-happened-miss-south-africa-2022-pageant/?feed_id=10650&_unique_id=62f894fbd0345

Kim Jong-un's sister warns South Korea of 'retaliation' over Covid

North Korea's Kim Yo-jong blames Seoul's propaganda leaflets for the country's Covid outbreak even as Pyongyang declares "shining victory" against the disease.

"It is very worrisome that South Korea is sending leaflets, money, sloppy brochures and items into our region," says Kim Yo-jong. (Reuters Archive)

The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has accused the South of causing a Covid outbreak in the country and warned of "retaliation", as Pyongyang declared "victory" over its outbreak.

Despite a ban that took effect in 2021, South Korean activists have for years flown balloons containing propaganda leaflets and US dollars over the border, which Pyongyang has long protested against.

On Thursday, Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, blamed these activities for the country's Covid outbreak, saying they were a "crime against humanity", the official Korea Central News Agency reported.

She said that many countries –– and the World Health Organization –– have acknowledged "the danger of spreading an infectious disease through contacting contaminated objects", according to the report.

"It is very worrisome that South Korea is sending leaflets, money, sloppy brochures and items into our region," she said.

Yo-jong warned that Pyongyang was considering "a strong retaliatory response", adding that if the balloons continued, "we will respond by eradicating not only the virus but also the South Korean authorities".

South Korea's unification ministry handling inter-Korean affairs expressed regret.

"We express strong regrets over North Korea repeatedly making groundless claims over the route of the Covid and making very disrespectful and threatening remarks," the ministry said in a statement.

'Shining victory' against Covid

North Korea has previously said that "alien things" near the border with the South caused the Covid outbreak in the isolated country, a claim that Seoul has rejected.

Seoul last month said there have been "no officially verified cases of Covid infections via post or materials".

Yo-jong's comments come as her brother declared a "shining victory" in the battle against Covid-19 after officials reported no new cases of the virus for nearly two weeks.

North Korea has one of the world's worst healthcare systems, with poorly equipped hospitals, few intensive care units, and no Covid-19 treatment drugs or vaccines, experts say.

Even Kim Jong-un apparently suffered from Covid, according to Yo-jong's comments.

Kim "was suffering from high fever during the days of this quarantine war, but he could not lie down for a moment as he was thinking about the people he was responsible for", his sister said.

Source: AFP

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/kim-jong-uns-sister-warns-south-korea-of-retaliation-over-covid/?feed_id=9299&_unique_id=62f47b68086d3

Death toll rises from flooding in South Korea, torrential rains lessen

At least nine people were killed and seven others missing in South Korea after intense downpours flooded major roads, metro stations and homes in the heaviest rainfall the country has ever recorded.

At least 17 people have been injured, and seven are missing. (Reuters)

Torrential rains that slammed South Korea's capital have diminished after killing at least nine people and damaging about 2,800 homes and other buildings.

More rain was forecast for Wednesday, but less than the heavy downpours on Monday and Tuesday that submerged some streets and buildings, trapping people in flooded apartments and stranding cars.

At least five people had been killed in Seoul as of early Wednesday, as well as three in the neighbouring Gyeonggi Province and one in Gangwon Province, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.

At least 17 people have been injured, and seven are missing.

Flooding in some buildings around the glitzy Gangnam district continued on Tuesday, while subway stations and several roads there had been blocked.

READ MORE: In pictures: Record rainfall floods South Korean capital, several dead

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=false[/embed]

Widespread damage

Data showed at least 2,800 public and private facilities had been damaged across South Korea, and more than 1,100 households had been displaced. 

Most highways and subway lines had been cleared by Wednesday.

The accumulated rainfall in Seoul since midnight on Monday stood at 52.5 centimetres as of Wednesday morning, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). 

In neighbouring Yangpyeong County, total rainfall hit 53.25 centimetres.

The KMA expects rain to continue in most parts of the country, with especially heavier rain in Chungcheong Province.

However, the agency predicted rainfall would gradually subside in many parts of the greater Seoul area and Gangwon Province.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol will preside over a meeting on Wednesday to discuss damage and countermeasures against flooding. 

Separately, the government and the ruling People Power Party are expected to hold an emergency meeting to discuss fiscal support for damage recovery.

Source: TRTWorld and agencies

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/death-toll-rises-from-flooding-in-south-korea-torrential-rains-lessen/?feed_id=8949&_unique_id=62f35e1554fc0

Reuters reveals South Korea doubles down on risky 'Kill Chain' plans to counter North Korea nuclear threat

Politics

25 July 2022, 8:26 pm. 1 minute

Reuters revealed South Korea is pouring resources into its strategy of deterring any North Korean nuclear attack by preparing for preemptive strikes, if necessary. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office in May, has publicly given new emphasis to the so-called “Kill Chain” system to counter a North Korean nuclear attack.

Article Tags

Topics of Interest: Politics

Type: Reuters Best

Sectors: Government & Public Services

Regions: Asia

Countries: North KoreaSouth Korea

Win Types: Exclusivity

Story Types: Exclusive / Scoop

Media Types: Text

Customer Impact: Important Regional Story

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/reuters-reveals-south-korea-doubles-down-on-risky-kill-chain-plans-to-counter-north-korea-nuclear-threat/?feed_id=8431&_unique_id=62f1c76e84335

Tonnes of South African fruit stranded at European ports

The EU introduced new plant and health safety requirements as ships were already at sea carrying hundreds of containers full of fruit to Europe, resulting in them being held up on arrival.

Europe is the largest market for South Africa's almost $2 billion citrus industry, accounting for 37 percent of all exports, according to the CGA. (AFP Archive)

Millions of boxes of oranges have been spoiling in containers stranded at European ports as South Africa and the European Union lock horns in a dispute over import rules.

South Africa, the world's second largest exporter of fresh citrus after Spain, filed a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) last month after the EU introduced new plant and health safety requirements that orange farmers say threaten their survival.

The measures came into force in July as ships were already at sea carrying hundreds of containers full of South African fruit to Europe, resulting in them being held up on arrival, South Africa's Citrus Growers' Association (CGA) says.

The EU rules aim at tackling the potential spread of an insect called the false codling moth, a pest native to sub-Saharan Africa that feeds on fruits including oranges and grapefruits.

The new measures require South African farmers to apply extreme cold treatment to all Europe-bound oranges and keep the fruits at temperatures of two degrees Celsius (35 degrees Fahrenheit) or lower for 25 days.

But the CGA says this measure is unnecessary as the country already has its own, more targeted way of preventing infestation.

READ MORE: Did agriculture get its start in Türkiye? This scientist believes so

'Discriminatory' measure

In its WTO complaint, South Africa argued that the EU requirements were "not based on science", more restrictive than necessary and "discriminatory".

South African citrus growers say the requirement puts undue extra pressure on an industry already in dire straits.

"This is going to add a lot of costs... and at the moment, that is what no grower in the world can afford," said Hannes de Waal, who heads of the almost 100-year-old farm Sundays River Citrus.

De Waal, whose company has orange, clementine and lemon trees straddling 7,000 hectares near the southeastern coast city of Gqeberha, said revenues were already squeezed by high shipping and fertiliser costs.

Freight costs have rocketed since Covid-19 struck, and so has the price of fertilisers due to the Ukraine conflict  — Russia being one of the world's largest producers.

READ MORE: Pesticide spraying drones to increase Turkish farmers’ income

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZJNXHBLvDE[/embed]

Source: TRTWorld and agencies

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/tonnes-of-south-african-fruit-stranded-at-european-ports/?feed_id=7745&_unique_id=62ef90cd4a633

Mobs hunt informal miners in South Africa after mass rape

Thousands of armed residents raid illegal mines and target workers, known as "zama zamas", in Kagiso township, as outrage widens over mass rape of eight women last week west of Johannesburg city.

Authorities say the situation has stabilised and 29 undocumented people had been arrested on charges of illegal immigration. (AFP)

Thousands of angry South African protesters have hunted down miners without permits, sealing makeshift shafts and burning houses, after the mass rape of eight women last week west of Johannesburg city.

Armed with machetes, golf clubs and hammers, mobs of residents on Thursday moved from one area to another on the fringes of the town's Kagiso township, trying to smoke out miners operating illegally in informal shafts.

The AFP news agency reporters at the scene saw residents torching a house thought to belong to a gangmaster.

Local television footage showed protesters using boulders to close makeshift mine shafts in a Kagiso district known as Soul City.

Police kept a distance and fired stun grenades from a helicopter to disperse the crowds.

Later in the evening, authorities said the situation had stabilised and 29 undocumented people had been arrested on charges of illegal immigration.

Police said a murder and public violence investigation was opened after the body of a man was found near the area in the morning.

It was not immediately clear if the death was linked to the protests.

Police Minister Bheki Cele has said informal miners commonly known as "zama zamas" –– believed to largely be undocumented foreigners –– were likely behind the attack on July 28 in the town of Krugersdorp.

'Zama zamas must go'

In an incident that has shocked the nation, which is usually numb to violent crime, a gang of gunmen forced their way into a music video shoot near a mine dump in Krugersdorp.

They robbed the crew and raped eight young models who were part of the cast.

Authorities have arrested more than 100 people since the assault –– most of them migrants for being in the country illegally, according to an AFP tally.

"The zama zamas must go, they are attacking our sisters," 39-year-old protester Daniel Nzuma told AFP.

Residents in the town around 30 kilometres west of Johannesburg blamed poor policing for the deepening illegal mining crisis.

Kagiso police "have failed", said Nzuma.

"The army must come and assist the police in this area to protect the community."

South Africa's commercial hub of around six million is built around mountainous dumps of soil and cavernous pits left behind by generations of mining companies that extracted gold during the 1880s gold rush.

Armed gangs of informal miners run rampages and battle for control of the abandoned shafts to exploit any remaining gold.

Source: AFP

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/mobs-hunt-informal-miners-in-south-africa-after-mass-rape/?feed_id=6707&_unique_id=62ec446527ec5

South Korea develops e-tattoo to track users health

Fast News

The tattoo's ink is non-invasive and made from particles based on gallium, a soft, silvery metal also used in semiconductors or in thermometers.

Water sprays on arm are seen with an electronic tattoo (e-tattoo) for the wettability test at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon, South Korea, July 26, 2022. (Reuters)

South Koreans may soon be able to carry a device inside their own bodies in the form of a bespoke tattoo that automatically alerts them to potential health problems, if a science team's project bears fruit.

Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in the city of Daejeon southwest of Seoul have developed an electronic tattoo ink made of liquid metal and carbon nanotubes that functions as a bioelectrode.

Hooked up to an electrocardiogram (ECG) device or other biosensor, it can send a readout of a patient's heart rate and other vital signs such glucose and lactate to a monitor.

The researchers eventually aim to be able to dispense with biosensors.

"In the future, what we hope to do is connect a wireless chip integrated with this ink, so that we can communicate, or we can send signal back and forth between our body to an external device," said project leader Steve Park, a materials science and engineering professor.

Such monitors could in theory be located anywhere, including in patients' homes.

The ink is non-invasive and made from particles based on gallium, a soft, silvery metal also used in semiconductors or in thermometers. Platinum-decorated carbon nanotubes help conduct electricity while providing durability.

"When it is applied to the skin, even with rubbing the tattoo doesn't come off, which is not possible with just liquid metal," Park said.

Source: Reuters

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/south-korea-develops-e-tattoo-to-track-users-health/?feed_id=5405&_unique_id=62e8984f16f0e

Moscow strikes Ukraine's south, drone hits Russian Crimean fleet

Fast News

Russia continues its attacks on Ukrainian territories while Kiev calls for civilians to leave the frontline Donetsk region as the fierce fighting continues on the 159th day.

Authorities in Ukraine's southern city of Mykolaiv said on July 31, 2022 that widespread Russian bombardments overnight had left at least one person dead, as Moscow continued to pummel the sprawling front line. (AFP)

Ukraine said the "brutal" shelling by Moscow so far of the southern city Mykolaiv killed a grain tycoon, as Russia claimed an attack from a drone wounded six personnel at the headquarters of its Black Sea fleet.

Russian bombardment of the eastern town of Bakhmut was intense after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for civilians to leave the frontline Donetsk region, which has borne the brunt of the Kremlin's offensive.

Russian authorities in the Crimean Black Sea peninsula — seized by Moscow from Ukraine in 2014 — said a small explosive device from a commercial drone, likely launched nearby, hit the navy command in Sevastopol.

The local mayor blamed "Ukrainian nationalists" for the attack that forced the cancellation of festivities marking Russia's annual holiday celebrating the navy.

"Today, one of the most brutal shellings of Mykolaiv and the region over the entire period of the full-scale war took place. Dozens of missiles and rockets."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Source: TRTWorld and agencies

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/moscow-strikes-ukraines-south-drone-hits-russian-crimean-fleet/?feed_id=4992&_unique_id=62e76bc46cc0a

Recent Match Report - South Africa vs England 3rd T20I 2022

South Africa 191 for 5 (Hendricks 70, Markram 51*, Willey 3-25) beat England 101 (Bairstow 27, Shamsi 5-24) by 90 runs

For the first time since 2013, England will end a home summer without winning a white-ball trophy. They lost both the ODI and T20I series to India, shared the ODI series with South Africa and were beaten 2-1 in the T20I series, after crashing to a big defeat in decider in Southampton.

England's batting was in the spotlight after they were asked to complete the highest successful chase at the Ageas Bowl in all T20s, and fell far short. They lost 10 wickets for 73 between the fourth and 17th over to hand South Africa's their second-biggest win after their 130-run victory over Scotland in 2009. It is also South Africa's first T20I series win in England and first white-ball series win in the country since 1998.

South Africa defended skilfully, as none of their bowlers conceded at more than six runs an over and Tabraiz Shamsi picked up a career-best 5 for 24 but their win was built on a big total. They accumulated steadily, from a strong powerplay of 53 for 1, through some fairly sedate middle overs (they scored 84 runs in 10 overs), before a flourish at the end. David Miller, in his 100th T20I for South Africa, led the late charge of 64 runs in the final five overs and shared in a 41-run fourth-wicket stand, in 23 balls, with Aiden Markram. South Africa's only six came in the penultimate over, testament to their ability to make use of a large outfield to find twos and the skill with which they found gaps for their 25 fours.

In his first appearance in this series, Markram scored his seventh T20I fifty, after Reeza Hendricks brought up his 10th, and third successive half-century in this series, to set South Africa up. Hendricks finished as the leading run-scorer in the series, with an average of 60.00. Shamsi, after a wicket-less first outing in Bristol, was the leading wicket-taker with eight at 12.50.

A valid question after that first over. David Willey was rotated out of the playing XI for the first two T20Is but made an immediate impact on his return when he removed Quinton de Kock with the third ball of the innings. Willey pitched it up from the get-go, de Kock defended, then he prodded and then he attempted a lazy drive, with no foot movement and dragged the ball on to his leg stump. For the third match in succession, de Kock was the first man out and he could so very nearly have been followed by Rilee Rossouw. Willey got the ball to move away from the left-hander twice and then to straighten and hit his back pad. Jos Buttler was convinced to review but ball-tracking showed it was just going over leg stump and Rossouw survived. Still, it was an impressive opening over, the first scoreless one of the series. Willey bowled three overs up front and returned at the death, where he took two wickets in the final over.

The two former Knights team-mates (the franchise that played out of Bloemfontein in South Africa) came together again for the first time in Cardiff, with 73 for the second-wicket, before they put South Africa on track with a 55-run stand in this match. Hendricks and Rossouw complement each other well, with Rossouw the more powerful hitter and Hendricks able to thread through gaps. Their right-left combination and athleticism between the wickets means they're constantly keeping the opposition attack on their toes. Rossouw was particularly severe on Chris Jordan, who he hit for four fours in the final over of the Powerplay in a demonstration of finesse - the dab through backward point - and luck - the chop past the stumps - and power - the back-to-back drills through the offside. Just as the pair looked fairly immovable, Moeen Ali drew Rossouw forward with a delivery that spun past the outside edge and bowled him. Strangely, that was the only over Moeen bowled.

And then Markram makes his point

England put the brakes immediately after the powerplay and South Africa went 6.2 overs without a boundary before Markram pulled Jordan through midwicket for four. In the same period, they only faced three dot balls. Markram was left out of the first two matches in favour of Heinrich Klaasen but showed why his presence in the middle-order is so essential to South Africa's line-up. He shared in an 87-run third-wicket stand with Hendricks, and a 41-run fourth wicket partnership with Miller to push South Africa over 180. Most of Markram's innings was about strike rotation, with 21 singles and five twos in his innings, reaching fifty from 36 balls.

Maharaj-Nortje one-two does for openers

South Africa made clever use of their left-arm spinner and fastest bowler in England's powerplay and both were rewarded with wickets. They shared the new ball for a combination of slow strangle on one end and absolute gas at the other, with Nortje reaching a pace of up to 93mph/149kph before Maharaj switched to Nortje's end. Buttler tried to make room for himself to cut Maharaj through the off side but sent a thick edge to Lungi Ngidi at backward point. Nortje then came back on, hurled down a 91mph/146kph fireball, Jason Roy swiped across the line, top-edged and de Kock did the rest. Roy averages 12.67 from six home T20Is this summer and last scored a fifty eight innings ago. Nortje went on to pepper Jonny Bairstow with quick ones and touched 94mph/151kph in that over.

He did it with the bat in Bristol, and scooped a spectacular catch in Southampton to all but end England's chances. Tristan Stubbs was at cover when Moeen hit Markram to his left, and seemed to have found a gap. Stubbs moved quickly and then launched himself full-length, stuck out his left hand and snatched the ball from almost behind him to leave England 59 for 4 after 10 overs. They needed 133 runs off the last ten overs and were bowled out in 17 overs.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/recent-match-report-south-africa-vs-england-3rd-t20i-2022/?feed_id=4831&_unique_id=62e6e7a262b5d

Commonwealth Games 2022: India to take on South Africa in badminton mixed team quarterfinals

India kicked off their campaign by blanking Pakistan 5-0 on the first day and carried the momentum on the second day as they outclassed Sri Lanka 5-0 before edging past Australia 4-1 to enter the quarters.

Ace India shuttler PV Sindhu in action during a CWG match. (Courtesy: AP)

HIGHLIGHTS

• India defeated Australia 4-1 in their final league match of mixed team event
• PV Sindhu and Kidami Srikanth comfortably won their matches against Australia
• India's quarter-final match against South Africa will take place on Sunday

India will take on South Africa in the quarter-finals of the badminton mixed team event in the ongoing Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Birmingham.

Having already secured their quarter-finals berth, the defending champions India continued their rampaging run as they defeated Australia 4-1 in their final Group A match of the mixed team competition on Saturday (July 30).

India kicked off their campaign by blanking Pakistan 5-0 on the first day and carried the momentum on the second day as they outclassed Sri Lanka 5-0 before edging past Australia to enter the quarters.

The World Championships silver medallist Kidambi Srikanth started India's fixture against Australia, defeating Lin Xiang Ying 21-14, 21-13 and handing India a 1-0 lead. The two-time Olympic medallist PS Sindhu doubled India's advantage as she beat Chen Wendy Hsuan-Yu 21-10, 21-12.

ADVANCES TO QF! @P9Ashwini/@buss_reddy continues India’s domination to clinch the XD tie against and finish the group-stage unbeaten.

Great job, champs! @himantabiswa | @sanjay091968 #IndiaPhirKaregaSmash#B2022#IndiaontheRise pic.twitter.com/KXIwc6MQwZ

— BAI Media (@BAI_Media) July 30, 2022

India took an unassailable 3-0 lead over Australia, with B. Sumeeth Reddy and Chirag Shetty sending off Tran Hoang Pham and Jack Yu 21-16, 21-19 in the men's doubles match.

Australia pulled one back in the losing cause as Hsuan-Yu Wendy Chen and Gronya Somerville defeated Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand 21-13, 21-19 in the women's doubles match.

India then finished off the day by winning the last match of the fixture, with B. Sumeeth Reddy and Ashwini Ponnappa beating Ying Xiang Lin and Gronya Somerville 21-14, 21-11.

India will take on South Africa in the quarter-finals on Sunday. The match will begin at 5.30 pm IST.

--- ENDS ---

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/commonwealth-games-2022-india-to-take-on-south-africa-in-badminton-mixed-team-quarterfinals/?feed_id=4551&_unique_id=62e5f8d5c8c4b