Author: catfish

MELBOURNE, Dec 26 (Reuters) – Marco Jansen and Kyle Verreynne dug in grimly and rode their luck as South Africa crawled to 144 for five at tea on day one of the second test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday.Towering all-rounder Jansen was 38 not out and wicketkeeper Verreynne on 40, the pair having built a 77-run partnership on a glorious afternoon in front a festive Boxing Day crowd.Having won the toss and reduced South Africa to 58 for four before lunch, Australia were largely frustrated through the session barring Mitchell Starc’s dismissal of Khaya Zondo for…

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Parishioners attend a Spanish-language Christmas Day Mass led by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, left, on Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer) Parishioners attend a Spanish-language Christmas Day Mass led by Archbishop Jose H. Gomez on Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer) A choir member sings at a Christmas Day Mass on Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown…

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Key eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureHere’s something for lunch. Scott Boland got things rolling today with the first wicket. Last year at the Boxing Day Test he won the Johnny Mullagh Medal for best on ground, named after the great Aboriginal cricketer of the 1800s. It was especially meaningful because Boland was the first Australian to win it, and was on debut as only the second Indigenous man to play a Test for Australia.Johnny Mullagh’s real name was Unaaramin. Last month I was in the Victorian country town of Harrow, where he was from,…

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A year ago, Josh Hazlewood handed Scott Boland his baggy green cap. On Christmas Eve, Hazlewood elected to withdraw from selection and allow Boland a free run at reprising his MCG destruction of England.Australia’s medical staff, selectors and captain Pat Cummins gave Hazlewood every chance with long bowling spells four and two days out from the MCG Test against South Africa, before the 31-year-old put his hand up on Christmas Eve to say he was not yet 100 per cent after a side strain.Scott Boland gets his baggy green cap from Josh Hazlewood before day one of the Third Test…

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Editor’s note: If you have a listing you would like included in our calendar, email [email protected], DECEMBER 26GROVELAND: Swing Dance Practice Mondays7-9 p.m., Veasey Park, 201 Washington StreetInfo: 978-521-9345 / www.veaseypark.orgTUESDAY, DECEMBER 27METHUEN: Blood Pressure ClinicTuesdays9-11 a.m., Methuen Senior Activity Center, 77 Lowell StreetCost: Free; donations always welcomeInfo: 978-983-8825NORTH ANDOVER: Wee Explorers (Ages 2-5)Tuesdays9:30-10:30 a.m., Stevens-Coolidge House Gardens, 153 Chickering RoadCost: $10 for child, free for adultRegister: 978-607-1133 / www.thetrustees.orgHAVERHILL: Classic Movie MatinessCome watch “A Christmas Story” (1983) starring Darren McGavin and Peter Billingsley.10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Haverhill Public Library, 99 Main StreetInfo: 978-373- 1586 / www.haverhillpl.orgLAWRENCE: Bilingual Story…

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In the New South Wales Southern Tablelands town of Braidwood, a literary treasure hunt craze is sweeping the streets. Key points:The hidden book trend in Braidwood has been going for three yearsBooks are hidden in nooks and crannies all over town for kids to findOnce found, children read the book, write their name in the cover and either re-hide it or pass it onKids find a book sealed in a plastic sleeve, take it home to read, write their name in it, and then re-hide it or pass it on to a friend.The books are hidden in shop windows, parks and around the…

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In at least five African countries, many people consider sports gambling as a way to get regular income. Some consider sports gambling a way out of poverty. But critics warn that sports betting in Africa is increasing while poverty, unemployment and a lack of industry rules remain big problems. In one example, a Ugandan health official was so sure Argentina would win its World Cup soccer game against Saudi Arabia that he bet $1,800. The money was loaned to him by officials from an amount meant to go to 243 people who had taken part in a polio vaccine campaign.…

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Things seemed normal for Cain Velasquez when he returned to his old Arizona State University stomping grounds. Even if only true for one night, that’s a whopper of a sentence considering where Velasquez was four weeks prior as Day 252 turned into Day 253 behind bars – with no guaranteed end in sight. Fast forward to Dec. 3 across state lines in the desert. Tempe, Ariz., was the scene of Velasquez’s return to pro wrestling and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. It all happened so quickly and unexpectedly. The event was announced without his participation initially, but his late addition after…

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Xbox Game Pass is the premier gaming service available on the market today, and though it largely caters to an adult audience, there are quite a few titles available in its vast library that are appealing to a younger audience. In fact, there’s a pretty vast selection of titles that kids of all ages are sure to find hours of enjoyment in. From brain-teasing puzzle-platformers to creatively stimulating sandbox titles, the best children’s games on Xbox Game Pass cover a wide spectrum of genres and gameplay styles. There should be something for just about everyone. Quite a few of the…

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