آس 90

The Phoenix Suns may have overlooked the San Antonio Spurs.

They blew a 20-point lead and had one of the most infamous late-game collapses that come to mind in recent NBA history, allowing back-to-back buckets in the final four seconds to lose a game.

It’s worth noting that the Suns were severely undermanned, though, as Devin Booker and Bradley Beal missed yet another game with an injured ankle and back, respectively.

That’s why Stephen A. Smith took some time on “First Take” to express his concerns about Beal.

“I’m a big Bradley Beal fan, but since 2019 he’s missed about 105 of the last 312 games. … I’m starting to get really, really concerned. I need to see this guy on the court.”

—@stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/n1fh1WMN18

— First Take (@FirstTake) November 1, 2023

He stated that he’s a big fan of the former Washington Wizards star, adding that he’s starting to get really worried about him and his health.

Smith pointed out the fact that Beal has only played in one-third of his games since 2019, adding that he’s played 92 combined games in the past two seasons.

The pundit also stated that despite all the talk about how the new-look Suns could look this season, this might as well be who they are if Kevin Durant doesn’t have his All-Star teammates by his side.

The Suns are doing the right thing by playing the waiting game with those injuries.

They need to make sure that both Booker and Beal are healthy for when it counts the most.

Then again, we’ve seen multiple superteams crumble under pressure because they don’t have enough time together and fail to develop chemistry.

Health is the only thing that could stand in this team’s way, and these early returns are far from encouraging.

NEXT: 
Frank Vogel Sounds Off On Referees Over Missed Call

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the Team India squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia, on Monday.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya along with Kuldeep Yadav have been rested for the first two games. In Rohit’s absence, KL Rahul will be leading in the first two matches.

Ravichandran Ashwin has been recalled in India’s ODI squad as wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been rested.

Squad for the 1st ans 2nd ODI:

KL Rahul (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja (Vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shardul Thakur, Washington Sundar, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Squad for the 3rd ODI:

Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya, (Vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel*, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj

*Axar Patel’s selection in the third and final ODI will be subject to fitness.

The three-game ODI series between India and Australia will begin on Friday in Mohali.

The ODI series will be the final games for Rohit Sharma’s side as well as Australia before the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 which gets underway on October 5 in Ahmedabad.

India have some injury concerns with Axar Patel ruled out for at least a couple of games, while Shreyas Iyer is also struggling to get back into the side after suffering from back spasms in the Asia Cup 2023 tournament.

A masterclass from Callum Flynn and George Greenway led the Hawks to the Disability Premier League trophy at Derby.

The pair put on 112 for the third wicket to overhaul the Pirates’ total of 156-6 and see their team home by eight wickets with over two overs to spare.

The Pirates would have been relatively happy at the interval, their competitive total owing in no small part to Jake Oakes who smashed 39 from just 10 balls – including five sixes off the last over – but Flynn and Greenwood were relatively untroubled throughout their partnership.

Flynn, who was awarded Player of the Match for his fine unbeaten 83, said: “It’s been a good tournament for the boys. We’ve won six from seven, we’ve only lost one group game, we took momentum into the final and we took the trophy home with us.

“We lost all the momentum in the final over of the first innings. It was actually kind of my idea to keep pace off the ball so I think I owed that to Alex [Hammond], to try and knock the runs off!

“The momentum swung all game, we had it all first innings and then lost it in that over but then we gained it back with the bat and kept our foot on their throat, took it to the Pirates, and won it with ease really.

“I think the DPL has been really good this year. It’s one of those tournaments where we’ll really see the development in four and five years’ time, when the lads and ladies start getting into international squads. In terms of instant success we’re getting there but in three, four or five years’ time, who knows where this could go. The money the ECB have put into it, and the backing they’ve given us, has been excellent.

“We can’t thank them enough for giving us a stage like this. Many years ago, disabled athletes didn’t get occasions like this – now we’re breaking down barriers and hopefully we keep breaking them down.”