Sports
The Two Men Who Finally Brought the Urn Home
Meet the cricketing legends!
This year, we will see two of sports’ oldest rivals square off as England prepare to host Australia in the 2023 Ashes Series. The rivalry is the longest and most storied in the history of international cricket, with perhaps India and Pakistan only coming close for pure ferocity. Over the years, we have seen some classic clashes between the duo, and the upcoming series promises to be no different.
The contest will get underway on June 16th, when Edgbaston hosts the first test. A week later, the pair will square off at Lord’s, which has been a happy hunting ground for the Aussies in recent times. The rest of the contest will take place throughout July, with Headingley, Old Trafford, and The Oval hosting the third, fourth, and fifth tests, respectively.
At present, the bookmakers are clearly anticipating a close series. Online cricket odds provided by Bovada currently make England narrow favorites, with Australia being the underdogs. A drawn series, which will see the tourists retain the urn.
And despite the long odds on the draw, it could be a wise bet. The last time the Ashes were contested on English soil, the series finished 2-2, following plenty of heroics from England’s Ben Stokes and Australia’s Steve Smith. And those two aren’t the only heroes who will feature in this article.
The Ashes is a contest in which heroes are made, icons that were previously unknown until bursting onto the scene in crickets’ greatest showdown. Over the years, several superstars have announced their arrival onto the sporting landscape and into the limelight. Let’s take a look at two of England’s finest from the iconic series contested in 2005.
Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff
For years, Andrew Flintoff had been the jewel in the crown of English cricket. In the build-up to the 2005 Ashes series, ‘Freddie’ had been likened to fellow iconic English all-rounder Ian Botham, but he hadn’t yet announced his arrival as one of his country’s greatest-ever sportsmen. That was all set to change mid-way through the 2000s.
Heading into the 2005 contest, England hadn’t lifted the famous tiny urn in almost two decades, with their last victory coming on Australian soil in 1987. The Baggy Greens would regain the urn on enemy territory two years later, and they would dominate in the seven series that followed, winning by a cumulative score of 28-7. But England had given a great account of themselves in the ODI series, which took place that year’s Ashes series getting underway, and hopes were high that they may finally get one over their oldest rivals.
Those hopes, however, were obliterated in the first test at Lord’s, one of cricket’s most iconic stadiums. Iconic Aussie pace bowler Glen McGrath whittled the hosts down to 21/5 in their first innings and they never recovered, eventually losing by 239 runs. But England were about to bounce back, and one man would be leading the charge.
In the second test at Edgbaston, Flintoff would score 141 runs across his two innings, as well as picking up seven wickets on his and his country’s way to tying up the series, winning man of the match honors in the process. His sportsmanship was on full display as well. When the last Australian wicket fell with the tourists just three runs away from victory, rather than celebrate with his team, Freddie went over to console Brett Lee, providing one of the greatest sporting images of all time.
The third test at Old Trafford would finish as a draw, but more Freddie heroics at Trent Bridge – including his maiden Ashes century – would give England a 2-1 series lead and leave them on the brink of immortality. They would secure the urn after drawing the fifth and final test at The Oval, and Freddie catapulted himself into icon-level status.
Kevin Pietersen
Prior to the 2005 Ashes getting underway, South African-born Kevin Pietersen had never played a test match for England. He had, however, shone in the one-day arena, smashing a bucket load of runs against the South Africans in Pietersen’s homeland. He would add further runs in the ODI series that took place prior to the test series against Australia getting underway.
As such, fans and the media put pressure on the ECB to ensure that Pietersen was selected ahead of long-time English batsman Graham Thorpe for the first test at Lord’s. They succeeded in their demands, and KP wouldn’t let them down. During that first test drubbing, the Hampshire batsman was the only man who gave a great account of himself, hitting half-centuries in both the first and second innings, and that was a sign of things to come.
His brilliant partnership with the blistering Flintoff in the second test at Edgbaston was crucial to his side’s success. He smashed 71 off just 76 balls, putting on a 103-run fifth wicket stand with the giant all-rounder, an essential partnership en route to a massive victory. Disappointment would, unfortunately, follow in the third and fourth tests, before KP showed his class in the fifth test at The Oval.
In his second innings, Pietersen would score his maiden test match century, and he wouldn’t stop there. He ended up with a brilliant 156 before he was eventually bowled out by the incomparable Shane Warne. But not before he had taken all hopes of an Australian victory out of the equation.
Have you ever heard of James Madison University? If so, you’ve probably heard about their team, James Madison Dukes. The university offers different teams, and each team, whether women’s or men’s, has their own respective programs.
The Dukes are known for their wit and great determination. They have a long history that dates back to the 90s. Are you ready to see the Dukes claim their throne in 2023-24 reason? If so, then continue reading to learn more about them!
Who Are the James Madison Dukes?
The James Madison Dukes is a different intercollegiate athletic team representing the James Madison University (JMU). The name “Dukes” came from the university’s second president, Samuel Page Duke. The James Madison Dukes play as members of the Sun Belt Conference, a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA Division I since 1976. They recently joined the conference back in 2022. Before this, the JMU was part of the Colonial Athletic Association or the Coastal Athletic Association.
If you’re interested in betting on the Dukes this 2023, check the James Madison Dukes odds and lines to get the best deals and cashback. Don’t worry since the James Madison Dukes is a team you should look out for, regardless of the sport. Continue reading to learn what sports are sponsored by the university.
Sports Sponsored
The James Madison University sports an 18-sport intercollegiate athletics program. Indeed, the most popular sports the university sponsors are basketball and baseball. However, you can support a great variety of sports at this university.
The men’s athletic programs include baseball, tennis, basketball, soccer, football, and golf. On the other hand, for women’s athletic programs, the university offers basketball, field hockey, soccer, cross country, tennis, swimming and diving, lacrosse, golf, softball, track and field, and volleyball. As you can see, this university has a wide range of women’s sports.
Continue reading about the notable sports in the JMU.
Men’s Basketball
The men’s basketball team at James Madison University was founded in 1945. However, the program wasn’t fully developed until the late 1960s when James Madison University became an official fully coeducational institution. The school’s team is a Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association member. As mentioned above, they joined the Sun Belt Conference on July 1, 2022.
Currently, the team is led by their head coach, Mark Byington. The Dukes play games in their home base at the on-campus Atlantic Union Bank Center, which can seat 8,500 fans.
The following are the players of the 2023-24 Men’s Basketball Roster of JMU:
- Xavier Brown – Guard
- Noah Freidel – Guard
- Raekwon Horton – Forward
- T.J. Bickerstaff – Forward
- Bryant Randleman – Guard
- Terrence Edwards Jr. – Guard/Forward
- Quincy Allen – Guard/Forward
- Justin Amadi – Forward
- Brycen Blaine – Guard
- Michael Green III – Guard
- Jaylen Carey – Forward
- Jarrell Pope – Guard
- Hollman Smith – Guard
- Julien Wooden – Forward
- Aidan Mckeon – Guard
- Jerrel Roberson – Forward
- Shane Feden – Forward
The following are the staff behind the wins of the men’s basketball team of JMU:
- Mark Byington – Head Coach
- Xavier Joyner – Assistant Coach
- Jon Cremins – Assistant Coach
- Matt Bucklin – Assistant Coach
Men’s Baseball
The James Madison Duke’s baseball team was founded in 1970 and played at Long Field at Mauck Stadium through the end of the 2009 season. After that season in 2010, the team opened play at the Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park, the school’s new softball complex. This magnificent field is the team’s home stadium, where great players train. Currently in his 8th season, the team’s head coach is Marlin Ikenberry, and Jeff Bourne is the athletic director.
The following are the top players of the 2023 Baseball Roster of JMU:
- Mike Mancini – Infield
- Ryan Cook – Right-Handed Pitcher
- Todd Mozoki – Right-Handed Pitcher
- Carson Bell – Infield
- Jaylon Lee – Outfield
- Mason Dunaway – Middle Infield
- Hunter Entminter – Right-Handed Pitcher
- T.R. Williams – Left-Handed Pitcher
- Aidan McDonald – Infield
- Coleman Calabrese – Infield
- Trevon Danny – Utility
The following are the staff behind the wins of the men’s baseball team of JMU:
- Marlin Ikenberry – Head Coach
- Michael Roberts – Assistant Coach
- Travis Ferrick – Pitching Coach
- Alex Raburn – Volunteer Assistant Coach
Women’s Basketball
The women’s basketball at JMU was founded in 1920. It’s one of the longest-running women’s basketball programs in the country. They even made it to the NCAA tournament several times, the most recent being in the 2013-14 season. The women’s team also made it to the WNIT six times.
The following is the official roster of the 2023-24 Women’s Basketball Roster of JMU:
- Peyton McDaniel – Guard
- Olivia Mullins – Guard
- Chloe Sterling – Guard
- Hevynne Bristow – Guard
- Amira Williams – Guard
- Ashanti Barnes – Forward
- Carole Miller – Guard
- Annalicia Goodman – Forward
- Jada Mills – Guard
- Mikaya Tynes – Forward
- Jamia Hazell – Guard
- Atiana Williams – Guard
- Steph Ouderkirk – Forward
- Kseniia Kozlova – Center
The following are the staff behind the wins of the Women’s basketball team of JMU:
- Sean O-Regan – Head Coach
- Neil Harrow – Associate Head Coach
- Lexie Barrier – Assistant Coach
- Kayla Cooper Williams – Assistant Coach
Final Thoughts
You can wager on the team now that you’ve learned about James Madison University and the Dukes. The university offers a great range of programs you can wager on, so keep your eyes on the Dukes!
Sports
Know If Precious Achiuwa Has a Girlfriend — Explore His Dating History
Precious Achiuwa is a very private person by nature.
Nigerian professional basketball player Precious Achiuwa has maintained a discreet stance on his personal life, particularly when it comes to his dating affairs.
Achiuwa has maintained a notable level of privacy concerning his romantic life during public interviews. A closer look at his Instagram reveals a deliberate absence of pictures featuring women.
His Instagram feed primarily focused on his professional journey. From on-court highlights to behind-the-scenes glimpses of his training regimen, Achiuwa’s social media presence revolves around his dedication to advancing his basketball career.
For instance, on July 27, 2022, the athlete shared a picture from one of his matches, accompanied by a caption that read, “Long Story Short… she manipulates my love oh.”
Precious Achiuwa is currently relishing his single life. (Source: Instagram)
As of now, the athlete is channeling his energies toward achieving success in his athletic pursuits rather than being involved in a serious romantic relationship.
Precious Achiuwa’s dating history
Achiuwa, mirroring his approach to his current relationship, maintains a discreet stance regarding his dating history. He has also not been publicly linked to any well-known personalities to date.
Likewise, owing to the basketball player’s consistent practice of keeping his personal and professional lives separate, he has successfully steered clear of any unwanted rumors.
Precious Achiuwa rarely discusses his parents in public
Precious was born on September 19, 1999, to his parents, Eunice Achiuwa and Donatus Achiuwa, both of whom were Pentecostal ministers. While the basketball player likely shares a close bond with his parents, he has chosen not to divulge much about his relationship with them.
Notably, he has not shared any pictures featuring his father or mother on his social media platforms, maintaining a level of privacy around his family life.
When it comes to siblings, Precious has five – three brothers named God’sgift, God’swill, Promise, and two sisters named Grace and Peace. The unique names of the basketball player’s siblings have caught the interest of many fans.
One social media user took to Reddit and humorously commented, “When the Heat selected Precious Achiuwa with the 20th pick I thought he had one heck of a name, but his siblings’ names are even more hilarious.”
Fans have expressed varied reactions to the unique names of Precious Achiuwa’s siblings. (Source: Reddit)
This comment gained traction, prompting numerous fans and followers to share their opinions in the comment section. One person stated, “I honestly thought this was a meme before checking,” while another expressed sympathy, saying, “Those poor kids.”
In response to these comments, someone defended the names, noting, “The amount of dumbass and culturally insensitive comments in this thread is crazy tbh.”
Similarly, another person provided cultural context, explaining, “Those are normal names in Nigerians. Most often, the apostrophes are omitted. So instead of God’s will, it becomes Godswill.”
Similar to Precious, his older brother, God’sgift Achiuwa, had a college basketball career at St. John’s from 2011 to 2014. While there is information available about God’sgift’s basketball journey, not much is known about the other three siblings.
Brief on Precious Achiuwa’s career
Precious’s journey in basketball began to take shape during eighth grade when he relocated to the United States. As a high school freshman, he showcased his skills at Our Saviour Lutheran School in Centereach, New York.
Transitioning to St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey for the next two years, the athlete became part of a nationally ranked basketball program, sharing the court with several NCAA Division I recruits.
In his junior season, his remarkable performance included averages of 18.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, and 2.2 steals per game, guiding his team to an impressive 28–2 record.
Entering his senior year, Precious made another strategic move, transferring to Montverde Academy in Florida, a renowned prep school with a top-tier basketball program that had secured the No. 1 national ranking in the previous season.
Leading Montverde with 14 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, he played a crucial role in guiding his team to the semifinals at the GEICO High School Nationals.
On May 17, 2019, Precious committed to playing college basketball for Memphis, aligning himself with head coach Penny Hardaway, former AAU teammate Lester Quinones, and the number one player in the 2019 class, James Wiseman.
The basketball player’s impressive journey continued as he was selected with the 20th pick in the 2020 NBA draft by the Miami Heat. On November 25, 2020, he took a significant step forward by signing his rookie scale contract with the Heat, marking the beginning of his professional basketball career.
Subsequently, on August 6, 2021, Precious was acquired by the Toronto Raptors, along with Goran Dragić, from the Heat in a sign-and-trade deal, with Kyle Lowry.
Sports
Richie McCaw Has Been Happily Married to His Wife Gemma McCaw since 2017
Richie McCaw and Gemma McCaw have been married for over 5 years.
Richie McCaw, the legendary retired New Zealand rugby player, has been enjoying a happy marriage to his wife, Gemma McCaw, since 2017.
Their love story began in January 2013 when reports surfaced that Richie had been in a relationship with Gemma, a talented hockey player, for the past six months. However, the details of their initial encounter and the exact timeline of their romance remain a mystery.
The couple revealed they have started a new chapter in their life when McCaw took to Facebook on January 12, 2016, to announce their engagement.
Richie McCaw with his wife Gemma McCaw. (Source: Instagram)
In his post, he shared, “Happy new year to everyone. I’ve had a fantastic start to 2016 and feel very lucky. Gemma said ‘yes’! It’s been great celebrating our engagement with friends and family in sunny central Otago.”
The pair exchanged vows in a beautiful ceremony on January 14, 2017, marking the commencement of a new chapter in their lives as a married couple.
Meet Richie McCaw’s wife Gemma McCaw
Gemma, formerly Gemma Flynn, is a talented New Zealand field hockey player, making significant strides in her career while proudly representing her nation on the international stage.
Born on May 2, 1990, in the vibrant city of Tauranga, Gemma is the youngest child and the sole daughter of her parents, Rob Flynn and Michelle Flynn.
Proudly embracing her Māori descent, she affiliates with the Te Arawa iwi, connecting deeply with her cultural roots.
Speaking of her educational background, she attended Tauranga Intermediate School and Tauranga Girls’ College. As she advanced in her academic pursuits, Gemma pursued sports science at Massey University.
Richie McCaw’s wife Gemma McCaw is a hockey player
Gemma is a professional hockey player, who competed for the New Zealand women’s national field hockey team, known as the Black Sticks Women, since 2008.
Her impressive career includes notable appearances at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics, as well as the 2016 Summer Olympics, despite her team missing out on the bronze medal in both 2012 and 2016 and thus coming fourth.
Despite the setbacks in the Olympic competitions, Gemma’s journey reached a turning point following the 2016 Summer Olympics when she decided to take an extended break from hockey, signaling a temporary pause in her illustrious career.
However, she made a comeback in November 2019. Just a few months later, in February 2020, she achieved a remarkable milestone, earning her 250th cap for the national team.
The hockey player had planned to compete in the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2020; however, she chose against it because of the COVID-19 pandemic delays.
Beyond the hockey field, she has been actively involved in various initiatives and campaigns. Notably, she played a prominent role alongside other celebrities such as Luuka Jones, Kane Williamson, Ria Hall, and Tiki Taane in the Bay of Plenty’s No Place Like Home tourist campaign, launched on January 25, 2016.
Moreover, she has also been an ambassador for the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation since October 2016 and also serves as a Sport New Zealand ambassador.
Richie McCaw and his wife Gemma McCaw share three children
Richie and his wife Gemma are the proud parents of three children, all beautiful daughters. They recently welcomed their third daughter Ella Mae McCaw on April 3, 2023.
The pair shared the pregnancy news on September 30, 2022, through an Instagram post, exclaiming their excitement about expecting their third child.
Fast forward to April 2023, in a heartwarming Instagram post, the couple introduced their newborn to the world, expressing their delight in the newfound moments as a family of five.
The pair wrote, “Meet our new baby girl, Ella Mae McCaw she was born on 3.4.23 weighing 7lb 10 oz and we are enjoying these precious moments as a family of 5,” accompanied by the picture of Richie with his newborn.
Grace, their second daughter, was welcomed into the world in May 2021, while Charlotte, the eldest, was born in December 2018.
The mother of three, Gemma has been candid about the challenges of balancing motherhood with her passion for the sport.
In an interview with Newstalk ZB in November 2019 via nzherald, Gemma shared her inner conflict and the sense of “unfinished business” that led her back to the field.
She recounted a pivotal moment when, four months after Charlotte’s birth, she played in a club hockey game, rekindling her passion for the sport.
Gemma went on to describe how this experience fueled her desire to play at a high level again, ultimately leading her to compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) and the Australian League.
A look at Richie McCaw’s legendary career
Despite having only played seventeen matches for Canterbury at the age of 20, Richie caught the attention of John Mitchell, the new All-Black coach, who selected him for the 2001 end-of-year tour to Ireland, Scotland, and Argentina.
The decision faced criticism, with former All-Black Josh Kronfeld expressing disbelief at picking players based on one NPC season. However, Richie quickly silenced doubters in his debut international test against Ireland at Lansdowne Road.
Despite a knock-on in his first touch and a halftime deficit, the All Blacks rallied in the second half to win 40–29, with Richie named man of the match.
In the lead-up to the 2003 World Cup, he played a crucial role for Canterbury, the Crusaders, and the All Blacks. The Tri-Nations title was retained, and the Bledisloe Cup returned to New Zealand after a victory against Australia.
His impressive performance earned him a spot in the 2003 World Cup squad, where New Zealand won all their pool games but suffered an upset defeat to Australia in the semi-finals.
While the Crusaders finished as Super 12 runner-ups in 2004, the now-retired player faced injuries and had to withdraw from matches. However, he returned to captain Canterbury and led the All Blacks in the end-of-season tour.
In 2005, Richie overcame head injuries to captain the All Blacks in a successful Grand Slam tour, defeating all four home nations. Despite his injury concerns, his exceptional performances led to his nomination for the 2005 IRB International Player of the Year.
In 2006, at the age of 25, he was named captain of the All Blacks. Under his captaincy, New Zealand emerged as the 2006 Tri-Nations champions and retained the Bledisloe Cup.
The success continued with victories against England, France, and Wales on the European tour. McCaw’s outstanding contributions earned him the 2006 IRB International Player of the Year award.
The 2007 World Cup brought both glory and heartbreak for Richie. While the All Blacks comfortably progressed through the pool stage, they faced an unexpected defeat to France in the quarter-finals, resulting in New Zealand’s earliest exit from a World Cup.
In 2008, he led the All Blacks to a remarkable season, winning every test he captained and reclaiming the world No. 1 ranking.
Moreover, he guided the All Blacks to triumphs in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, lifting the Webb Ellis trophy after a nail-biting final against France.
Under coach Steve Hansen, the All Blacks achieved a 100% winning record in the Rugby Championship and won the 2015 Rugby World Cup, with Richie captaining the team for the record-breaking 13th time in a World Cup match.
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