Frank Lampard gets the axe, Root leads England to series win, and more…6 min read
Reading Time: 4 minutesAdithya G
Here is the round-up of all the action from the world of sports last week.
Cricket:
England complete Lankan whitewash
The visiting English team conceded a 37-run first-innings lead despite another stunning century from their skipper Joe Root. However, their spinners bowled magnificently to set up a comfortable 6-wicket win. Their top-order chased down the target of 164 on a slow pitch countering the Sri Lankan slow bowlers with expertise. This performance will give immense confidence going into the series against India that commences on February 5.
For Sri Lanka, the stand out performers in the second Test were batsman Angelo Mathews and left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya. The veteran middle-order batsman smacked a classy half-century while the young bowler picked up ten wickets in the match, including a seven-wicket haul in the first innings.
Tigers knock the wind out of their opponents
A beleaguered West Indies team was thrashed by Bangladesh in the recently concluded ODI series. The Windies failed to surpass the score of 200 even in a single match and were beaten comprehensively by a spirited home team.
Off Spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz had a great series as he finished with seven wickets at an average of just 10.28.
The two teams will next face off in a two-match Test series that will begin on February 3.
UFC
Dustin Poirier defeats Irish superstar fighter
Irish superstar fighter Conor McGregor suffered a shock defeat against American fighter Dustin Poirier this past weekend. The 32-year-old Poirer entered the octagon as a heavy underdog and his tactic of using calf kicks to unsettle the ‘notorious’ McGregor worked like a charm. He had McGregor on the floor within 2min and 32 seconds of the second round and was declared the winner by Technical Knock Out or TKO.
Badminton
Carolina Marin claims Badminton Title In Bangkok
Thailand is hosting three consecutive badminton tournaments in a bio-secure coronavirus bubble, without spectators, to guard against the coronavirus outbreak.
Spain’s Badminton G.O.A.T, Carolina Marin made it two in two as she claimed her second Thailand Open badminton singles title. Marin, the reigning Olympic champion, smashed top seed Tai Tzu-ying for the second time in a fortnight. She is yet to lose a single game across the two tournaments.
Tai saved four match points but her comeback was too late as Marin sealed her victory 21-19 21-17
Shot Put
Ryan Crouser sets new Shot put world record
Olympic champion Ryan Crouser set a new world record in shot put with a throw of 22.82m, bettering a 32-year old record. He achieved this feat at the American Track League series opener in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Football
Liverpool and Arsenal knocked out of FA Cup
Two popular clubs were knocked out of the oldest football competition in the country. Liverpool lost to old foes Manchester United in a closely contested encounter while Southampton beat defending champions Arsenal.
Defender Gabriel inadvertently turned in Kyle Walker-Peters’ cross into his own net in the 24th minute which proved to be the winner.
It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded in 508 minutes as they suffered a first loss in seven matches.
Liverpool scored their first goal in five games to take the lead at Old Trafford before the home team equalized through young sensation Mason Greenwood. Man United took the lead early in the second half, through a clinical strike from Marcus Rashford but Liverpool restored parity with a well worked goal.
In the dying minutes of the game, Liverpool conceded a free kick which was converted by Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes with an expertly placed finish.
The Lampard dream comes to an end
Chelsea sacked Frank Lampard as the club’s head coach after a slew of poor results in the league. Chelsea are currently placed ninth in the table with 29 points. Former PSG manager, Thomas Tuchel is tipped to be Lampard’s successor at Stamford Bridge. Lampard, a club legend as a player, was appointed as Chelsea manager in July 2019.
Well, that’s all for this week, folks. Let the games continue, until next week!
Author’s Note: Adithya G is a freelance writer who is passionate about sports.
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