Sports
Left is sometimes right for Phillips | The Express Tribune
Glenn Phillips said his audacious switch-hitting show in a recent Super Smash match was no gimmick. Photo: AFP
WELLINGTON:
New Zealand batter Glenn Phillips said his audacious switch-hitting show in a recent Super Smash match was no gimmick but a tactical option he has honed for years to counter left-arm spin.
In last week’s match against Central Districts, Otago right-hander Phillips switched stance while off-spinner Dean Foxcroft was midway through his run-up, and hit the bowler for a four with what could have been mistaken for a full-blooded cover drive from a left-handed batter.
Jaws dropped further in the final over of the Otago innings when Phillips took up a left-hander’s stance even before left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox had begun his run-up and hit the bowler for a six.
“I do enjoy my left-handed batting training,” Phillips, who smashed an unbeaten 90 off 48 balls in the game, said before leaving for New Zealand’s white-ball tour of India on Tuesday.
“Obviously, I do it for multiple reasons. One, just to keep both hands and both sides of the brain working, but (also) for the opportunity to take down left-arm spin.”
England’s Kevin Pieterson pioneered switch-hitting, while Australian duo David Warner and Glenn Maxwell had it in their armoury but used it mostly to explore gaps behind or square of the wicket.
“I’ve always been able to bat left-handed. It’s something I’ve done since I was young,” Phillips said.
“I was going to switch when I was about 10-years-old and actually bat left-handed full time, but decided to stick with the right hand as it was.”
Teams often employ a left-arm orthodox spinner to take the ball away from a right-handed batter, especially in the 20-overs format.
Phillips said he even faced pacers in the nets with a switched stance to improve his left-handed batting.
“It’s been a few years since it’s really had a chance to come out … but for it to actually pay off, and for years of work to come out on the field was really (pleasing),” he added.
Sports
USA 2-0 Argentina (Mar 1, 2026) Game Analysis – ESPN
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lindsey Heaps had a goal and an assist, and Jaedyn Shaw also scored to propel the United States to a sixth straight shutout victory with a 2-0 win over Argentina in the SheBelieves Cup on Sunday.
The U.S. has outscored opponents 27-1 over its past seven games. Coach Emma Hayes’ squad hasn’t lost since falling 2-1 to Portugal in Chester, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 23.
Heaps scored from the top of the box in the 19th minute. Emma Sears worked the ball out of the left corner and into the box, then passed to a wide-open Heaps, who converted with her left foot. It was her 39th international goal, the most on the current U.S. roster.
Shaw found the back of the net from the top left corner of the box. Her right-footed shot curved toward the left post and into the net for her 10th international goal.
After Shaw scored, Lilly Reale was treated for a right leg injury and replaced by Emily Fox.
During stoppage time, Argentina’s Milagros Martín was assessed a yellow card for shoving Trinity Rodman in the back after she came on as a second-half substitute. Rodman was treated on the field in second-half stoppage time and did not return for the final minutes of the match.
The U.S. dominated possession, holding the ball 67.7% of the time. The Americans had three shots on target, while Argentina had just one on target against U.S. goalkeeper Claudia Dickey.
The SheBelieves Cup — a four-team round-robin that also includes Canada and Colombia — moves to Columbus, Ohio, on March 4, when the Americans will take on Canada. The Canadians beat Colombia 4-1 earlier Sunday.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this recap.
Sports
Riyadh’s King Fahd stadium to host 2027 Asian Cup final
KUALA LUMPUR: Riyadh’s King Fahd Sport City Stadium will host the opening and closing matches of next year´s Asian Cup, officials announced Monday, the football showpiece seen as a precursor for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia was awarded the World Cup but will first host the Asian Cup from January 7 to February 5, 2027.
“The King Fahd Sports City Stadium… will provide the backdrop for both the eagerly anticipated Final as well as the opening match, featuring hosts and three-time Asian champions Saudi Arabia,” the AFC said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur.
The 70,000-plus venue in Riyadh will also host four group stage battles, a round of 16 tie and a quarter-final match before the final in early February, the AFC added.
Popularly known as “The Tent” because of its roof, inspired by a traditional Bedouin dwelling, the stadium is the largest of the eight venues hosting the soccer showpiece.
Asian Cup matches will also be played in Jeddah and Al Khobar.
Match pairings and kick-off times will be confirmed at the AFC’s final draw on April 11 in Riyadh, the AFC said.
Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host, staged and won the Asian Cup two years ago.
The tournament was supposed to take place in China in 2023, but was moved out of the country because of the country’s Covid policies at the time.
Sports
Transfer rumors, news: Will Kane, Vinícius extend their contracts?
Bayern Munich want striker Harry Kane to sign a new contract, and Real Madrid want the same for star forward Vinícius Júnior. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades
TRENDING RUMORS
– Bayern Munich are ramping up their efforts to get striker Harry Kane to extend his contract, according to Fabrizio Romano, amid interest from clubs in the Premier League and Saudi Pro League. The 32-year-old, whose existing deal has just over a year remaining, has been inspired form this season as he closes in on Robert Lewandowski‘s infamous 41-goal single-season Bundesliga record.
– Vinícius Júnior remains in constant contact with Real Madrid over a contract extension with the club, reports AS. The 25-year-old has a deal that expires in 2027, and while he has been a key player for Madrid, there have been doubts over his future. Frustrations under former boss Xabi Alonso led to reports over a possible exit from the Bernabeu, with clubs from the Saudi Pro League and the Premier League linked with a switch. However, a recent uptick in form under Alvaro Arbeloa could see him extend his deal beyond next summer, with discussions ongoing.
– Manchester City are willing to break the world record transfer fee for a full-back in order to sign Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento this summer, according to TeamTalk. The existing record is Achraf Hakimi‘s £60-million move from Inter Milan to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. City have been impressed with Livramento’s form this season, and Newcastle are keen for the 23-year-old to extend his contract, which runs until 2028.
– Manchester United scouts have been left “impressed” by Stuttgart midfielder Chema Andrés, according to TeamTalk. The 20-year-old came through the ranks at Real Madrid, making three senior appearances for the Spanish giants, before moving to Germany in the transfer window for just £2 million. While United are joined by Arsenal, Manchester City and Newcastle in sending scouts to watch Chema, it is claimed that any deal is complicated by Real Madrid having a buyback clause worth £10 million.
– United are willing to move Mason Mount on this summer, according to Ekrem Konur. The midfielder has struggled to gain consistent minutes for the Red Devils since his £55 million move from Chelsea, with injuries plaguing his time at the club. With Mount approaching the final two years under contract at Old Trafford, an exit could be on the cards, with Aston Villa named as one of the teams showing interest.
OTHER RUMORS
– Newcastle are showing interest in Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi, who is set to be a free agent this summer when his contract with the Cherries expires (The Sun).
– Aston Villa are keen on a move for Nicolas Jackson this summer, who is expected to return to Chelsea at the end of his loan deal with Bayern Munich (Football Insider).
– Liverpool ace Alexis Mac Allister is fast becoming a top target for Real Madrid in the midfield this summer (TeamTalk).
– Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are monitoring a potential move for 19-year-old PSG midfielder Senny Mayulu, amid a contract stalemate (CaughtOffside).
– Fulham and West Ham are willing to meet AC Milan’s asking price for former Arsenal academy star Yunus Musah this summer, following the conclusion of his loan spell with Atalanta (Ekrem Konur).
– Manchester United are stepping up plans to sign a goalkeeper in the summer, with Andre Onana and Altay Bayandir free to leave the club in the upcoming transfer window (Football Insider).
– Nottingham Forest are not planning on triggering a permanent deal clause in the loan move for Lorenzo Lucca, with the striker expected to return to Napoli at the end of the season (Nicolo Schira).
– Barcelona are intending on sealing a new contract for Ferran Torres, with his current deal expiring in 2027, but talks are yet to open between the parties (AS).
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