The Timberwolves have managed to tame a difficult portion of the schedule with three straight victories that have come in varying forms. But one thing has been consistent throughout: Drama. Minnesota rallied in the fourth, then held on for dear life in the closing seconds of Sunday’s 112-110 victory over the San Antonio Spurs at Target Center. ADVERTISEMENT The Wolves’ last three wins have come by a combined nine points. San Antonio had the ball, down two with 13 seconds to play, but Jeremy Sochan’s 3-point attempt at the horn fell woefully short. After another stiflingly slow start — the Wolves trailed 21-10 at one point in the opening frame — the bench unit again breathed life into the operation with pace and intensity. Minnesota blitzed the Spurs 32-12 in the second quarter to take a 12-point advantage into halftime. San Antonio responded, though, taking an eight-point advantage early in the fourth quarter. But, for the third straight game, Minnesota was able to generate decent offense down the stretch to close a game out. It was largely done with defense down the stretch Sunday, as Minnesota induced a number of 3-point misses from Victor Wembanyama down the stretch. Wembanyama finished with 34 points and eight rebounds but also missed a critical free throw that would’ve tied the game with 18 seconds to play. Donte DiVincenzo continued his recent stretch of success. He followed up Friday’s 22-point showing in Houston by scoring 25 points Sunday. As he stood on the floor for a postgame, television interview, Target Center erupted into a “Donte!” chat. He smiled. A rough start now seems to be firmly played in his rearview mirror. ADVERTISEMENT “It’s special,” the wing noted. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .
Reichman Jorgensen Lehman & Feldberg Leads Suit Against South Coast Air Quality Management District's Effective Ban on Certain Gas AppliancesiOS 18.2 is nearing its public release and it's packed with AI features
During his first term, President-elect Donald Trump sought to put TikTok out of business. Four years later, he is vowing to save the viral video app as it quickly approaches a January deadline that could have the service banned in the U.S. While TikTok finds itself in a thorny spot in Washington, one possible way out is being increasingly discussed by longtime TikTok watchers: Trump extending the app's January divest-or-be-banned date and then leaning into his dealmaker image by attempting to broker a agreement for TikTok to be sold off. But according to analysts who study TikTok's battle with Washington, both the Chinese government and TikTok's Beijing-based owner ByteDance could be warming up to the idea of TikTok becoming majority-owned by an American company, or a group of U.S. investors. Experts told NPR that if China can extract some tariff concessions alongside a possible TikTok deal, officials there could become more receptive to a sale, something Beijing has long resisted. From TikTok crackdown to TikTok savior In his first term, Trump signed executive orders aimed at shutting down TikTok on national security grounds over its ties to China, but those efforts were blocked by federal courts. Now, Trump has changed his tune. Trump started telegraphing his about-face on TikTok back in March. In one post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote that outlawing the Chinese-owned video-streaming app would be a gift to Meta's Facebook. He called Facebook "a true Enemy of the People!" for "cheating" in the last election — a claim that has not been proven. Then in June, Trump's campaign joined TikTok in an apparent effort to connect with younger voters. Multiple reports have tied Trump's change of heart on TikTok to an effort to court billionaire Republican donor Jeff Yass, whose investment company, Susquehanna International Group, has a large stake in ByteDance , TikTok's Beijing-based owner. While Yass never publicly endorsed Trump, he funneled millions into groups including the super PAC Club for Growth that backed conservative policies in the 2024 election. A request for comment attempting to reach Yass through Susquehanna International Group was not returned. The Trump transition team did not return a request for comment about Yass, nor about any potential TikTok sale. In a March interview with CNBC, Trump said Yass had not brought up TikTok with him. A spokesman for TikTok referred NPR to a legal filing in its pending case against the Biden administration arguing that fully divesting from ByteDance is "not commercial, not technically, not legally" possible. Current and former members of the intelligence community in Washington view the Chinese Communist Party's potential influence over TikTok as a national security risk. "As long as TikTok is controlled by an entity under the jurisdiction of the CCP, it's not great for Americans," said Megan Stifel, the former director of international cyber policy on the National Security Council under President Obama. "TikTok should be viewed in terms of how it can be leveraged for untoward intentions and part of a broader canvass of data the CCP is constantly collecting." All eyes on outcome of TikTok legal battle over its fate ByteDance's ownership of TikTok has led to a bipartisan movement against it, with lawmakers and national security officials fearful that China could one day use the app to spread disinformation or to conduct mass surveillance. A federal law Congress passed in April stipulates that TikTok be banned by Jan. 19 unless ByteDance fully divests from it. The next day, Trump is set to be sworn into office. The ban, however, is not expected to take effect instantly. The law forces app stores controlled by Apple and Google to remove TikTok. It also makes it illegal for web-hosting services to support TikTok. The enactment and enforcement of these provisions could be delayed by the pending litigation or Trump taking action. Looming over all the talks about a possible TikTok sale is a court battle over the legality of the law. A panel of three judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard arguments in September from the Justice Department and lawyers for TikTok over whether the law is constitutional. The Justice Department argued that the divest-or-ban law is justified because Americans' data and views cannot be potentially vulnerable to decisions made by China, a foreign adversary of the U.S. But attorneys for TikTok say banning the app violates the free speech of millions of Americans, some of whom turn to the service to express their political views. Lawyers from both sides have asked the judges to make a decision by Dec.6. There could be a drawn-out appeals process. Either party can ask for an "en banc" review of the case, which means the case would be re-argued before all 11 judges on the D.C. appeals court. And from there, the matter can be appealed to the Supreme Court. But if the court overturns the law, the Trump administration may decide not to appeal, in line with the president-elect's new view that TikTok should not be banned. TikTok sale as possible trade bargaining chip? If the law is ultimately upheld, Trump may try to strike a deal that would spin the app off, and that agreement might become part of much larger trade discussions with China, according to Daniel Lyons, law professor at Boston College who specializes in internet law. "In his mind, it might be 'What are the benefits of a win on TikTok versus the cost of trade concessions?" Lyons said. James Lewis, a former diplomat now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, agreed that Chinese officials could entertain a sale if it becomes part of the larger trade debate. "If ByteDance can stay a passive owner, if the Chinese have some sort of degree of control over the algorithm, and TikTok can operate in the places it's allowed to operate now, it might be enough for them to swallow," he said. That's a lot of "ifs." It's unclear if the incoming Trump administration would allow for a sale in which ByteDance stayed a minority owner. And past proposals, including a pitch earlier this year from former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin to organize a group of investors to purchase TikTok without the recommendation algorithm that determines what people see on the app, have drawn deep skepticism from technologists, who point out that it's one of the app's most valuable assets. Still, China experts say Beijing may view a TikTok deal as leverage in trying to tamp down some of Trump's promised steep tariffs against the country. (On the campaign trail, Trump said he'd levy 60% percent tariffs on Chinese imports. In social media posts on Monday, he said it would be 10% .) "TikTok may be a bargaining chip both for the Chinese and the Trump administration when it comes to discussions around tariffs," said Emile Dirks, research associate at the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab who studies Chinese politics. "The question is what kind of relationship does the U.S. want to have with China? What kind of Chinese state influence, or Chinese corporate influence, is the country willing to accept?" While possible bidders, and TikTok's price tag, remain unknown, a surprise partnership between software giant Oracle and Walmart teamed up back in 2020 in a failed attempt to take over TikTok . Despite support from Trump, the deal fell through, as TikTok piled up victories in court and China opposed any sale. Experts say if bidders are sought, another joint corporate proposal is likely, given how expensive TikTok could be to buy. ByteDance has valued itself at $300 billion, making it the most-valuable private startup in the world. That's roughly double the worth of ChatGPT maker OpenAI. "I think there are people who are hoping for Trump to force a fire sale for TikTok and get it at a lower price," said Lewis, adding that "there will be a lot of China hawks in the administration who will be reluctant to give up much ground on TikTok." Best predictor of what will happen? Ask the Magic 8 Ball With 170 million users in the U.S., TikTok is a cultural and economic force, and is one of the most influential social media apps among young Americans. If a sale doesn't pan out, other options TikTok watchers are speculating about include Congress repealing the law — which currently appears unlikely, according to those close to the talks. Trump could also instruct his attorney general not to enforce the law, giving the company some breathing room. And finally, Trump could bless a $2 billion effort to wall off U.S. data from Beijing, known as Project Texas, in which Austin-based software and cloud-computing company Oracle would monitor TikTok's data flows and audit the app's algorithm. The plan was rejected by the Biden administration for falling short of full ByteDance divestiture. "The best predictor of what the new administration's policies will be on TikTok," said Lewis with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, "remains the Magic 8 Ball."Alones Creative Thesis Don't get lost in the noise of Intuitive Machines, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: LUNR ) new stock offering. Although investors should have some concern over dilution, the positive developments in the company highly outweigh the negatives. For the technicals, there are indications of Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Nearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have urged Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the government's files on former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard , Donald Trump's pick to be national intelligence director. The former officials, who served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, said they were "alarmed" by the choice of Gabbard to oversee all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. They said her past actions "call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus." A spokesperson for Gabbard on the Trump transition team on Thursday denounced the appeal as an "unfounded" and "partisan" attack. Among those who signed the letter were former Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, former NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller, former national security adviser Anthony Lake, and numerous retired ambassadors and high-ranking military officers. They wrote to current Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and incoming Republican Majority Leader John Thune on Wednesday to urge the closed briefings as part of the Senate's review of Trump's top appointments. They urged that Senate committees "consider in closed sessions all information available to the U.S. government when considering Ms. Gabbard's qualifications to manage our country's intelligence agencies, and more importantly, the protection of our intelligence sources and methods." The letter singles out Gabbard's 2017 meetings in Syria with President Bashar Assad, who is supported by Russian, Iranian and Iranian-allied forces in a now 13-year war against Syrian opposition forces seeking his overthrow. The U.S., which cut relations with Assad's government and imposed sanctions over his conduct of the war, maintains about 900 troops in opposition-controlled northeast Syria, saying they are needed to block a resurgence of extremist groups. Gabbard, a Democratic member of Congress from Hawaii at the time of her Syria trip, drew heavy criticism for her meetings with a U.S. adversary and brutal leader. As the letter notes, her statements on the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine have aligned with Russian talking points, diverging from U.S. positions and policy. Gabbard, throughout her political career, has urged the U.S. to limit military engagement abroad other than combatting Islamic extremist groups. She has defended the Syria trip by saying it is necessary to engage with U.S. enemies. In postings on social media earlier this year, she confirmed that the U.S. had for a time placed her "on a secret terror watch list" as a "potential domestic terror threat." She blamed political retaliation. Neither she nor U.S. authorities have publicly detailed the circumstances involved. Alexa Henning, a spokesperson for Gabbard with the Trump team, called the letter sent to the Senate leaders "a perfect example" of why Trump chose Gabbard for this position. "These unfounded attacks are from the same geniuses who have blood on their hands from decades of faulty 'intelligence,'" and use classified government information as a "partisan weapon to smear and imply things about their political enemy," Henning said. A spokesperson for Thune did not immediately respond to questions about the request.IT has been two years since Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was appointed the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia. If we rewind to before November 2022, not many would have bet that the Pakatan Harapan chairman and PKR president could be PM. Against all odds, the politician, who was one heartbeat away from becoming Prime Minister when he was Deputy Prime Minister and Umno deputy president in the 1990s, finally made it.
Bendigo's Andy Buchanan eyeing personal best in Valencia Marathon
Nearly half of American teenagers say they are online "constantly" despite concerns about the effects of social media and smartphones on their mental health, according to a new report published Thursday by the Pew Research Center. As in past years, YouTube was the single most popular platform teenagers used — 90% said they watched videos on the site, down slightly from 95% in 2022. Nearly three-quarters said they visit YouTube every day. There was a slight downward trend in several popular apps teens used. For instance, 63% of teens said they used TikTok, down from 67% and Snapchat slipped to 55% from 59%. This small decline could be due to pandemic-era restrictions easing up and kids having more time to see friends in person, but it's not enough to be truly meaningful. X saw the biggest decline among teenage users. Only 17% of teenagers said they use X, down from 23% in 2022, the year Elon Musk bought the platform. Reddit held steady at 14%. About 6% of teenagers said they use Threads, Meta's answer to X that launched in 2023. Meta's messaging service WhatsApp was a rare exception in that it saw the number of teenage users increase, to 23% from 17% in 2022. Pew also asked kids how often they use various online platforms. Small but significant numbers said they are on them "almost constantly." For YouTube, 15% reported constant use, for TikTok, 16% and for Snapchat, 13%. As in previous surveys, girls were more likely to use TikTok almost constantly while boys gravitated to YouTube. There was no meaningful gender difference in the use of Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook. Roughly a quarter of Black and Hispanic teens said they visit TikTok almost constantly, compared with just 8% of white teenagers. The report was based on a survey of 1,391 U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 conducted from Sept. 18 to Oct. 10, 2024.
Annual holiday light bike ride in Campbell River happening Dec. 7
Pak envoy to US called back for consultationsNCAA MEN’S HOCKEY: Breen’s natural hat trick helps No. 5 Maine drub RPIDuring his first term, President-elect Donald Trump sought to put TikTok out of business. Four years later, he is vowing to save the viral video app as it quickly approaches a January deadline that could have the service banned in the U.S. While TikTok finds itself in a thorny spot in Washington, one possible way out is being increasingly discussed by longtime TikTok watchers: Trump extending the app's January divest-or-be-banned date and then leaning into his dealmaker image by attempting to broker a agreement for TikTok to be sold off. But according to analysts who study TikTok's battle with Washington, both the Chinese government and TikTok's Beijing-based owner ByteDance could be warming up to the idea of TikTok becoming majority-owned by an American company, or a group of U.S. investors. Experts told NPR that if China can extract some tariff concessions alongside a possible TikTok deal, officials there could become more receptive to a sale, something Beijing has long resisted. From TikTok crackdown to TikTok savior In his first term, Trump signed executive orders aimed at shutting down TikTok on national security grounds over its ties to China, but those efforts were blocked by federal courts. Now, Trump has changed his tune. Trump started telegraphing his about-face on TikTok back in March. In one post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote that outlawing the Chinese-owned video-streaming app would be a gift to Meta's Facebook. He called Facebook "a true Enemy of the People!" for "cheating" in the last election — a claim that has not been proven. Then in June, Trump's campaign joined TikTok in an apparent effort to connect with younger voters. Multiple reports have tied Trump's change of heart on TikTok to an effort to court billionaire Republican donor Jeff Yass, whose investment company, Susquehanna International Group, has a large stake in ByteDance , TikTok's Beijing-based owner. While Yass never publicly endorsed Trump, he funneled millions into groups including the super PAC Club for Growth that backed conservative policies in the 2024 election. A request for comment attempting to reach Yass through Susquehanna International Group was not returned. The Trump transition team did not return a request for comment about Yass, nor about any potential TikTok sale. In a March interview with CNBC, Trump said Yass had not brought up TikTok with him. A spokesman for TikTok referred NPR to a legal filing in its pending case against the Biden administration arguing that fully divesting from ByteDance is "not commercial, not technically, not legally" possible. Current and former members of the intelligence community in Washington view the Chinese Communist Party's potential influence over TikTok as a national security risk. "As long as TikTok is controlled by an entity under the jurisdiction of the CCP, it's not great for Americans," said Megan Stifel, the former director of international cyber policy on the National Security Council under President Obama. "TikTok should be viewed in terms of how it can be leveraged for untoward intentions and part of a broader canvass of data the CCP is constantly collecting." All eyes on outcome of TikTok legal battle over its fate ByteDance's ownership of TikTok has led to a bipartisan movement against it, with lawmakers and national security officials fearful that China could one day use the app to spread disinformation or to conduct mass surveillance. A federal law Congress passed in April stipulates that TikTok be banned by Jan. 19 unless ByteDance fully divests from it. The next day, Trump is set to be sworn into office. The ban, however, is not expected to take effect instantly. The law forces app stores controlled by Apple and Google to remove TikTok. It also makes it illegal for web-hosting services to support TikTok. The enactment and enforcement of these provisions could be delayed by the pending litigation or Trump taking action. Looming over all the talks about a possible TikTok sale is a court battle over the legality of the law. A panel of three judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit heard arguments in September from the Justice Department and lawyers for TikTok over whether the law is constitutional. The Justice Department argued that the divest-or-ban law is justified because Americans' data and views cannot be potentially vulnerable to decisions made by China, a foreign adversary of the U.S. But attorneys for TikTok say banning the app violates the free speech of millions of Americans, some of whom turn to the service to express their political views. Lawyers from both sides have asked the judges to make a decision by Dec.6. There could be a drawn-out appeals process. Either party can ask for an "en banc" review of the case, which means the case would be re-argued before all 11 judges on the D.C. appeals court. And from there, the matter can be appealed to the Supreme Court. But if the court overturns the law, the Trump administration may decide not to appeal, in line with the president-elect's new view that TikTok should not be banned. TikTok sale as possible trade bargaining chip? If the law is ultimately upheld, Trump may try to strike a deal that would spin the app off, and that agreement might become part of much larger trade discussions with China, according to Daniel Lyons, law professor at Boston College who specializes in internet law. "In his mind, it might be 'What are the benefits of a win on TikTok versus the cost of trade concessions?" Lyons said. James Lewis, a former diplomat now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, agreed that Chinese officials could entertain a sale if it becomes part of the larger trade debate. "If ByteDance can stay a passive owner, if the Chinese have some sort of degree of control over the algorithm, and TikTok can operate in the places it's allowed to operate now, it might be enough for them to swallow," he said. That's a lot of "ifs." It's unclear if the incoming Trump administration would allow for a sale in which ByteDance stayed a minority owner. And past proposals, including a pitch earlier this year from former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin to organize a group of investors to purchase TikTok without the recommendation algorithm that determines what people see on the app, have drawn deep skepticism from technologists, who point out that it's one of the app's most valuable assets. Still, China experts say Beijing may view a TikTok deal as leverage in trying to tamp down some of Trump's promised steep tariffs against the country. (On the campaign trail, Trump said he'd levy 60% percent tariffs on Chinese imports. In social media posts on Monday, he said it would be 10% .) "TikTok may be a bargaining chip both for the Chinese and the Trump administration when it comes to discussions around tariffs," said Emile Dirks, research associate at the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab who studies Chinese politics. "The question is what kind of relationship does the U.S. want to have with China? What kind of Chinese state influence, or Chinese corporate influence, is the country willing to accept?" While possible bidders, and TikTok's price tag, remain unknown, a surprise partnership between software giant Oracle and Walmart teamed up back in 2020 in a failed attempt to take over TikTok . Despite support from Trump, the deal fell through, as TikTok piled up victories in court and China opposed any sale. Experts say if bidders are sought, another joint corporate proposal is likely, given how expensive TikTok could be to buy. ByteDance has valued itself at $300 billion, making it the most-valuable private startup in the world. That's roughly double the worth of ChatGPT maker OpenAI. "I think there are people who are hoping for Trump to force a fire sale for TikTok and get it at a lower price," said Lewis, adding that "there will be a lot of China hawks in the administration who will be reluctant to give up much ground on TikTok." Best predictor of what will happen? Ask the Magic 8 Ball With 170 million users in the U.S., TikTok is a cultural and economic force, and is one of the most influential social media apps among young Americans. If a sale doesn't pan out, other options TikTok watchers are speculating about include Congress repealing the law — which currently appears unlikely, according to those close to the talks. Trump could also instruct his attorney general not to enforce the law, giving the company some breathing room. And finally, Trump could bless a $2 billion effort to wall off U.S. data from Beijing, known as Project Texas, in which Austin-based software and cloud-computing company Oracle would monitor TikTok's data flows and audit the app's algorithm. The plan was rejected by the Biden administration for falling short of full ByteDance divestiture. "The best predictor of what the new administration's policies will be on TikTok," said Lewis with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, "remains the Magic 8 Ball." Copyright 2024 NPRThe San Francisco 49ers made it official that Dre Greenlaw will make his long-awaited return from a torn Achilles against the Los Angeles Rams, and the signs are that Nick Bosa will also be available for must-win primetime game. San Francisco confirmed hours before kickoff that linebacker Greenlaw, who suffered his devastating injury running onto the field in the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, had been activated from the PUP list to the 53-man roster. He takes the place of guard Ben Bartch, who has been placed on injured reserve. Star defensive end Bosa, meanwhile, was on Wednesday listed as questionable with the hip/oblique injuries that have seen him miss the last three games. But ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year is likely to make his return, though Bosa will test his injuries out pregame before a final decision is made. With the 49ers set to face a Rams offense that was red hot in Los Angeles' thrilling win over the Buffalo Bills last week, the emotional lift from Greenlaw's return and the pass-rushing prowess of Bosa could be huge in allowing San Francisco to slow down Matthew Stafford and Co. On the offensive side of the ball, the 49ers made an additional move, elevating running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn from the practice squad. Vaughn provides extra depth in the backfield with rookie starter Isaac Guerendo battling a foot sprain. Guerendo is expected to play. Israel Abanikanda, claimed off waivers last week after Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason suffered season-ending injuries, appears likely to once again be inactive as he acclimates to the offense. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.
In 2004, Sachin Tendulkar shelved the cover drive on his way to a famous unbeaten double century in Sydney. Virat Kohli may have to follow suit if he is to bow out of Test cricket on his own terms. At a glance, Kohli, 36, has the numbers of a player who is gone, but this is not one of the cases where if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck. Virat Kohli departs the MCG on Monday, caught in the cordon again. Credit: AP Unlike Rohit Sharma, whose game looks completely off, Kohli’s issue is a question of technique and temperament. Kohli is still in pristine physical condition. But while his eyes and reflexes may not be as sharp as they once were, it’s a lack of discipline that is hurting him most. Kohli’s career has been built on control, but he is now having trouble suppressing his natural urges, whether it’s ignoring hecklers in the crowd, picking blues with a teenaged debutant or, most obviously, balls outside off stump. All six of Kohli’s dismissals this series have come to catches behind the wicket. His unbeaten ton in the second innings in Perth, when India were already in an unassailable position when he batted, was as close to a junk-time Test century as you can get. His 100 not out is an outlier in a campaign that has also produced scores of 5, 7, 11, 3, 36 and 5. His series average of 27.83 is in keeping with the 31.32 he has averaged in 38 games since the start of 2020. If he was not Virat Kohli, he’d have been dropped a long time ago. The Australians would never say this publicly out of respect for Kohli, and probably fear of Mother Cricket, but they know they have Kohli’s measure. Bowl the ball in the fourth and fifth stump channel outside off, perhaps even wider, and wait for the nick to come. “Well that’s the line I’ve been talking about the whole series. Get it wide and get it full. That’s the sixth time Mitch Starc’s gotten Virat Kohli in Test cricket. The trap was set. The bait was thrown out there and the big fish has fallen for it,” former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said on Seven. With the exception of his century in Perth, when the fizz had gone from the game, the closest Kohli has come to resisting temptation came on the second day of this Test when he made the Australians bowl at him. By ignoring balls outside off stump, he dragged Australia’s lines closer to his pads and scored through the leg side. The drives he played were aimed as close to the bowler as he could instead of the gaping hole, greater than the length of a centre square in the MCG’s winter configuration, between mid-off and gully. His extravagant drive at Mitchell Starc from the final ball before lunch on Monday was directed through cover. Tendulkar, India’s last batting demi-god, provided the template for Kohli. Twenty-one years ago in Sydney, unhappy with being caught behind the wicket earlier in the series, Tendulkar did not hit a boundary through cover in his 241 not out. The plan was devised after a conversation with his brother, who told him his weakness was a matter of shot selection rather than technique. Loading “I need discipline to be in the driving seat,” Tendulkar said in an interview published on his Facebook page in 2021. “My natural instincts, they have to be sitting in the passenger’s seat. “I suddenly realised all the bowlers are bowling in that corridor on the sixth stump, not even fourth stump. If you are going to keep bowling away from me and frustrate me, I’m going to take on this challenge and frustrate you. It’s one versus 11, let’s see who loses patience first. I’m not going to play a single cover drive.” Steve Waugh did it with the hook shot, but warehousing a stroke that has produced so many runs for a batter requires the discipline of a monk. The confidence and self-belief that has driven Kohli through his career will tell him he still can play that shot well. The habits of a lifetime also die hard. “He’s done it so much over the years, its become muscle memory for him – cover drive, cover drive, cover drive,” former Australia opener Simon Katich said on SEN. Loading This should not be unfamiliar territory for Kohli. On his miserable tour of England in 2014 when he was tormented by James Anderson, Kohli was caught by the wicketkeeper or in the cordon in seven of his 10 innings. Four years later, he averaged nearly 60. The difference? “He left it a lot better and he was a lot more patient,” Anderson told the Test Match Special podcast in 2020. “He waited for you to bowl at him, and then he’s very strong off his legs so he could score freely.” Kohli knows what to do, it’s a matter of whether still can. News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Boxing Day Test Australian cricket Test cricket Virat Kohli India Sachin Tendulkar Andrew Wu writes on cricket and AFL for The Age Connect via Twitter or email . Most Viewed in Sport Loading
Salman Khan visits Jamnagar mall with Anant Ambani, Shah Rukh arrives in the city