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Collingwood v Port Adelaide, Lions v GWS, Bulldogs v North Melbourne, Eagles v Demons: AFL round 14 scores and stats

Melbourne forward Tom McDonald has kicked a slingshot goal with 26 seconds remaining to lift the Demons to a three-point win over West Coast at Subiaco Oval.

The Eagles were on track for victory when Lewis Jetta's behind extended the home side's lead to 16 points midway through the final quarter.

But McDonald booted the last two goals of the game to lift Melbourne to a 15.9 (99) to 14.12 (96) victory, ending their 17-game losing streak in Perth.

McDonald's last goal was particularly spectacular, with the 24-year-old connecting with the ball while being slung in a tackle by Jeremy McGovern.

McDonald finished with five goals and eight marks in a dazzling display.

But captain Jack Viney was arguably the man of the match — both for his performance and bravery.

Viney ran riot in the opening half with 23 disposals and a goal.

But his night looked over when he injured his right shoulder early in the third quarter after copping a heavy bump from Eagles skipper Shannon Hurn.

Viney went into the rooms for treatment, and returned to produce a scintillating final term to power his side to the win.

He finished with 38 disposals, nine clearances and a goal in Melbourne's first win in Perth since 2004.

Hurn was left dazed and confused with just minutes remaining when he was cleaned up by Viney as both players contested the ball.

Eagles defender Will Schofield was reported just moments after the halftime siren for catching Clayton Oliver in the face with an elbow.

Schofield jabbed at Oliver's chest with his fist, but his angled-up elbow made contact with Oliver's face.

It's the first time in 11 years the Demons have won four games in a row, with the latest victory boosting their win-loss record to 8-5.

West Coast are 7-6.

Former Roo Drew Petrie (four goals) played his best game for the Eagles, while Jeremy McGovern (three goals) was also influential.

But Jetta's miss — a set shot from 40m out directly in front — proved costly as the Demons mounted a fierce fightback in the final term to snatch victory.

The win was all the more meritorious given Melbourne were without co-captain Nathan Jones and the in-form Jack Watts.

They were dealt another blow when Christian Salem injured his hamstring in the second half, while Jeff Garlett looked to be carrying something.

Eagles throw it away as Dees win at the death

The Western Bulldogs are back in the AFL top eight after a controversial one-point win over North Melbourne at Docklands.

The Kangaroos were denied a goal late in the match and also potentially at three-quarter time on Saturday night as the Bulldogs won 15.17 (107) to 16.10 (106).

It was the Bulldogs' first win in three matches, while this is North's fourth loss this season by a goal or less.

The Bulldogs led by 26 points 11 minutes into the last quarter, but North roared back with the last four goals of the match.

Ben Brown marked and scored to put them ahead, but it was disallowed because a free kick was paid against the Kangaroos for a shepherd in the goal square.

North's Shaun Higgins then levelled the scores with a behind.

The Bulldogs moved the ball down the other end of the ground and Jake Stringer marked.

He kicked a behind with about a minute left and the Bulldogs hung on grimly for the win, putting them back in the top eight.

Higgins also could have reduced the margin to only seven points at three-quarter time when he had a set shot at goal.

But play-on was called because Higgins took too long to take his kick and Stringer mowed him down with a tackle.

It was that sort of night for North with the umpires — the free kick count was 16-4 in favour of the Bulldogs at halftime and 26-13 for the match.

While the 'Dogs had the rub of the green in the first half, North also paid for being second to the ball too often.

After an even start featuring three lead changes, the Bulldogs took control with three goals and led by 18 points at the first change.

That went out to 27 in the second term and the Bulldogs looked set to take control.

But the last goal of the first half and five goals to three in the third term kept North in the game, with the margin back to 13 at the last change.

Marcus Bontempelli starred for the Bulldogs and Liam Picken kicked three goals, while North's Ben Cunnington led their comeback with a massive last quarter that featured 12 disposals and two goals.

New Zealand beat British and Irish Lions 30-15 in first Test in Auckland

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New Zealand snuffed out the British and Irish Lions' hopes of a shock win with a ruthless display at Eden Park to take what looks like an iron grip on the three-Test series.

New Zealand beat British and Irish Lions 30-15 in first Test in Auckland

A breathless match had been poised at 13-8 at half-time, Codie Taylor's brilliant pick-up bringing the All Blacks' opening try before the Lions struck back with a wonderful length-of-field effort begun by Liam Williams deep in his own 22 and finished by Sean O'Brien.

But after the Lions had gone close early in the second period, the home side struck again through Rieko Ioane's try in the corner after more quick thinking and fast hands.

And the home side took control as the Lions' much-vaunted replacements struggled to make any impact, Ioane feasting off an error to race away for his second.

Led from the front in Auckland by the outstanding Kieran Read and with fly-half Beauden Barrett impeccable from the tee, landing six from six, this was the All Blacks every Lions supporter had feared, and Rhys Webb's late try was little consolation for the tourists.

Only once in their history have the Lions won a series in New Zealand, and never having lost the first match - the prospects are ominous with the world champions on this kind of form.

The second Test is in Wellington next Saturday with a match against Hurricanes before that on Tuesday (both 08:35 BST kick-offs).

After O'Brien's wonderful try on 35 minutes, arguably one of the greatest in Lions history, the tourists had dared to believe that they could pull off a huge upset at a stadium where the All Blacks have not lost since 1994.

But as on so many occasions in their six-year reign as world champions, Steve Hansen's men played at a level that no other team can match - dominant at the breakdown, incisive in attack, playing with both pace and precision.

The Lions never got close to the set-piece dominance they had hoped for after the tour wins over the Crusaders and NZ Maori, and while they made several line-breaks they again left points out there at the start of both halves.

Whether it would have made any difference had they crossed the try-line is questionable, the All Blacks able to accelerate away whenever required, scrum-half Aaron Smith another at the top of his game in a team that showed no sign of rustiness.

Gatland's selections justified

Williams' spectacular break for the Lions' first try, along with the swerve and pass of Elliot Daly that carried the move on, justified coach Warren Gatland's decision to change up his back three.

Ben Te'o also impressed at inside-centre while Jonathan Davies made several bullocking breaks, but Hansen's own big selections also paid off - Ioane showing remarkable pace to finish that brace of tries on his full debut, Read immense on his comeback from a thumb injury.

There were reasons for Lions optimism, not least the line-breaks made in the first 50 minutes, yet there were also too many errors, albeit brought about by sustained, heavy pressure.

Gatland may opt to start Maro Itoje - who came on for Alun Wyn Jones after 50 minutes - in next Saturday's second Test, but he will also know that precedent is against his men.

While Webb's late try kept the final margin below 20 points, this was a chastening experience for the Lions.

And, with the team that lost the first Test going on to take the series only four times in the 31 tours made by the Lions, history is now firmly against them.

What did the Lions make of it?

Lions head coach Warren Gatland: "No excuse in terms of the result. The All Blacks were very direct, better than us at the breakdown and we missed opportunities - all things we can fix.

"We created chances and shifted the ball pretty well. They didn't come out and play champagne rugby, they were very direct off nine. We were looking to get the upper hand up front, but in fairness to them they got it today."

Lions captain Peter O'Mahony: "We are happy with the opportunities we created. Our discipline wasn't where it should be, we conceded double figures in penalties.

"We have to regroup, have a good look at that and move on now. We have got to be a little bit more clinical, we are making some good breaks we just have to finish them off."

What about the experts?

Ex-Lions and England winger Ugo Monye: "You have to tip your hat to the All Blacks, the best team in the world just really hit their straps and hit the ground running.

"For all the brilliance we can talk about with the All Blacks - offload ability, X-factor skill, quality players - it came down to the sheer basics, their ability to get over the gain-line and efficiency at the rucks."

Former England fly-half Paul Grayson: "A chastening experience for the Lions players and management and no doubt the supporters as well.

"Up against an All Black team who continue to set the standards for all others to aspire to, they simply had no answer to some of the brilliance on display, and even though the Lions finished with a consolation score the inquest will be tough."

Teams:

New Zealand: B Smith; I Dagg, R Crotty, SB Williams, R Ioane; B Barrett, A Smith; J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, S Cane, K Read (capt).

Replacements: N Harris, W Crockett, C Faumuina, S Barrett, A Savea, TJ Perenara, A Cruden/L Sopoaga, A Lienert-Brown.

British and Irish Lions: L Williams (Wales); A Watson (England), J Davies (Wales), B Te'o (England), E Daly (England); O Farrell (England), C Murray (Ireland); M Vunipola (England), J George (England), T Furlong (Ireland); AW Jones (Wales), G Kruis (England); P O'Mahony (capt, Ireland), S O'Brien (Ireland), T Faletau (Wales).

Replacements: K Owens (Wales), J McGrath (Ireland), K Sinckler (England), M Itoje (England), S Warburton (Wales), R Webb (Wales), J Sexton (Ireland), L Halfpenny (Wales).

Without self-belief, you can't survive at international level: Smriti Mandhana

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At an age when most cricketers are just about finding their feet in the international arena, Smriti Mandhana has already established herself as an indispensable part of India's line-up.

She's living a life less ordinary. Mandhana vindicated the immense faith the team had shown in the (then) 19-year-old by recording her maiden ODI hundred against Australia in early 2016. Her efforts went in vain with India failing to keep the three-match series alive, but the Maharashtra opener had earmarked herself as the one to watch. A superlative century in alien conditions, her backfoot play and, prior to that, the contributions in a historic T20I series win, did not go unnoticed.

Without self-belief, you can't survive at international level: Smriti Mandhana

"I know what my goal is - to play for India - and that keeps me going."

Months later, when Mandhana signed up for the Brisbane Heat in the Women's Big Bash League, she acknowledged that her heroics Down Under would serve as a confidence boost. However, she also maintained that she wasn't one to rest on past laurels. "I just can't think that I have done well there. Every game for me is a new challenge. It does give you confidence, but I'll rather be like 'yeah, I have experienced success here but I want to better it'." she told Cricbuzz.

A forgettable WBBL debut and a tournament-ending injury isn't exactly how Mandhana would have imagined her season would pan out. But then, Murphy's law decided to catch up. The ACL tear and the subsequent surgery meant she would spend the next six months on the sidelines, and face a very real race against time to recover for what would be her maiden World Cup.

Rehabilitation took precedence over what would have otherwise been regular practice sessions, and some family time in Sangli. While comeback girl Punam Raut and teenage sensation Deepti Sharma racked up some serious runs to make use of the opportunity and cement their spots in the World Cup squad, Mandhana sweated it out at the NCA, even during weekends, to earn her place back. Once cleared to resume nets, every spare minute was poured into relentless practice to ensure she was match-fit by the time selection committee sat down to decide her fate.

As luck would have it, the left-hander was named in the 15-member squad despite not having played any competitive cricket in the months leading up to the World Cup.

"Everyone has certain goals for themselves, and you do go through such phases but you can't just forget your goals. If you are feeling down, your goal should keep you going. I know what my goal is - to play for India - and that keeps me going during the ups and downs," she pointed.

Mandhana was all of nine when she casually signed up for trials she came across in a newspaper advertisement. Even before she could realise, she was a part of the Maharashtra under-15 side. At 11, she was fast-tracked to the state under-19 side and four years later, to the senior team, crisscrossing the country in unreserved train compartments for the love of game. A stunning 155 on debut against the Saurashtra side not only put her on the map in the domestic circuit but also assured the youngster that her academic sacrifices were worth it after all.

"That knock gave me the confidence that yeah, I can do well at senior levels and there is a very good future for me in the game," Mandhana said, reflecting back.

Luckily for her, and for India, lack of sufficient age-group competition did not deter her progress. In two years' time, having consistently hit the headlines, Mandhana was one of the debutants in the new-look national side for the home series against Bangladesh. Since then, there has been no looking back.

The setback came early in the career, but fortunately again, the consequences were not drastic. Though the sub-par World T20 campaign in 2014 in Bangladesh did teach her that international cricket was all about survival of the fittest, unshakable confidence in her own abilities kept Mandhana going.

"I think without self-belief you can't survive a lot of international cricket, at that level. To be able to achieve your dream - any dream, not just cricket - you need self-belief to go all the way and perform," said the southpaw who has the only domestic one-day double-century to her credit.

Mandhana isn't a huge fan of revealing her goals, not until she's achieved them, but she lets you in on how she goes about setting her sights on bigger targets. "I definitely gauge my past performances. And for me, it is all about (trying) to better it. My aim is to keep improving and play better the next time I take field.

"After the Bangladesh World Cup, I had set a certain goal for myself that I had to be a better player next season. A more consistent performer. And I can say, I think, that last season went according to the plan."

There was a blip when another World T20 came around, this time at home, but Mandhana insisted that wouldn't overshadow what had been a run-filled year for her both in international as well as domestic cricket.

Insignificant returns in two successive World T20s could test anybody's temperament but even at 20, she has shown enough maturity to handle the failures admirably well. Well enough for her to not get overwhelmed by this another chance she's been offered, in 2017's showpiece event.

Mandhana showed no signs of rustiness on her return from injury. In the unofficial warm-up clash against West Indies, barely days after landing in England, she top-scored with an unbeaten 77 in India's 175-run chase. This was followed by a 56-ball 44 in the second of tournament warm-up against Sri Lanka. These two knocks have all but guaranteed her a spot in the playing XI. But the pressures of an international comeback - at cricket's greatest stage - will be a different ball-game altogether.

It is India’s first win over England in five years as they had all lost all six previous matches to the hosts.

Women’s World Cup: India beat England by 35 runs

India women’s cricket team launched their campaign at the ICC Women’s World Cup with a comfortable 35—run win over England, riding on superb batting display by the top—order, here today.

Put into bat, Smriti Mandhana struck a sizzling 90 off 72 balls in a dominating batting display as India posted an imposing 281 for three after being asked to bat.

Mandhana forged a 144—run opening wicket stand with Poonam Raut (86 off 134) before skipper Mithali Raj (71 not out) completed an unprecedented seventh consecutive half century in ODIs.

India then returned to dismiss England for 246 with 15 balls to spare to make a resounding start to their World Cup campaign at the County Ground here.

It is India’s first win over England in five years as they had all lost all six previous matches to the hosts.

Chasing 282 to win, England failed to build partnership with middle—order batswoman Fran Wilson (81 off 102) emerging as the highest scorer. Her run out proved turning point of the game since England looked crusing when she was at the crease.

Off—spinner Deepti Sharma took three wickets for 47 runs.

Tammy Beaumont (14) and Sarah Taylor (22) gave England a decent start adding 33 in 8 overs but Shikha Pandey removed the openers and Deepti Sharma dismissed Natalie Sciver (18) as England slipped to 67 for 3 in the 18th over.

Heather Knight (46) and Wilson took the team across the 100—mark. But Knight was back into the hut in the 32nd over after being run out by Harmanpreet Kaur.

Three overs later, Danielle Wyatt was caught and bowled by Sharma as England lost half their side.

Wilson then in company of Katherine Brunt (24) tried to keep them in the hunt as the duo added 62 runs but both of them were run outs to dash England’s hopes.

Earlier, Indian openers Mandhana and Raut batted for 26.5 overs. While Raut was solid at the other end, Mandhana was out to attack from the word go.

The southpaw’s onslaught began when she smashed Katherine Brunt for four consecutive boundaries in the fourth over.

Mandhana was a last—minute inclusion to the squad after she recovered from an Anterior Crucial Ligament (ACL) injury she suffered during the Women’s Big Bash in January.

The 20—year—old during her whirlwind effort showed what she was worth the selection.

She can hit not only the fours at will but also the big hits. Mandhana mostly stayed on the back foot in her free flowing knock. Her first six came as she sat back on backfoot to hammer it over wide long—on.

She was majorly responsible for giving India a flying start as the team reached 59 in 10 overs.

However, things slowed down in the next 10 overs with India reaching 97 for no loss in 20 overs. If it was not for that period, India could have easily crossed the 300—run mark.

Mandhana was dismissed in the 27th over, missing out on a well deserved century. Her innings comprised 11 fours and two sixes.

Captain Raj then joined Raut in the middle and carried on with her rich vein of form to take India to a competitive total.

Raj smashed eight fours in her 73—ball knock before getting out off the last ball of the innings.

Asus launches the VivoBook S510, an Ultrabook for those on a budget

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Price and style often go hand in hand when shopping for a new laptop. In general, the more money you’re willing to plop down for a machine, the better it’s going to look and feel. As Asus highlights with its latest Ultrabook, however, that doesn’t always have to be the case.

The Asus VivoBook S is an affordable machine that looks way more appealing than its price point would suggest. It features a modest 15.6-inch matte display with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 driven by either an Intel Core i5-7200U or Core i7-7500U processor, Intel HD graphics and 8GB (or up to 32GB) of RAM.

Asus launches the VivoBook S510, an Ultrabook for those on a budget

Local storage is handled by a 128GB M.2 SATA solid state drive and a 1TB 5,400 RPM hard drive although again, for a bit more coin, you can upgrade to a pair of 1TB SSDs (there’s also an SD card reader for easy expansion / file transfers).

Windows 10 comes standard, as does the 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 wireless connectivity and 42WHr, 3-cell li-ion battery. You also get a full complement of I/O ports including USB 3.1 Type-C, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, HDMI and a combination audio jack.

What sets the system apart from most budget laptops is the beautiful brushed aluminum chassis and slim measurements. The VivoBook S measures 14.2 inches wide and 0.7 inches thick with a bezel of just 0.3 inches which Asus says affords an 80 percent screen-to-body ratio.

Pricing starts at just $699 (Core i5, 8GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive) although I’d highly recommend springing for a model with a solid state drive (starting at $799). Systems are available as of writing from several retailers including B&H and Newegg as well as directly from Asus .

Action Launcher drops the “3” from its name as part of its big update

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Users of the popular Action Launcher 3 app can now download a major update. Not only does it have a bunch of new features, it also includes a new logo for the app and a new name. As shown above, the app is dropping the “3” part of its name and it will simply be called Action Launcher from now on.

Action Launcher drops the “3” from its name as part of its big update

The new version also has plenty of other additions, including one that developer Chris Lacy discovered while looking at the recent beta of Android O. You may remember that the beta version has a redesigned icon for its clock, but Lacy says he found it also supports an animated second hand in its code. That animation has now been added to the clock icon in the new Action Launcher update, and users can also check out that animation as a separate widget.

There are a ton of other new additions, improvements and bug fixes in the newly renamed Action Launcher update. Here’s the full change log:

• NEW: Action Launcher 3 has been renamed to Action Launcher, and has a shiny new icon to prove it!

• NEW: Use an animating, Android O-style clock icon for the Google Clock app (requires Lollipop or later). This animating clock is also available as a standalone widget.

• NEW: By default, all new installs of Action Launcher will use Pixel Launcher style All Apps, folders and everything in between.

• NEW: Many Pixel Launcher features that previously required Plus are now free for all users. Furthermore, the app is now far less aggressive in prompting users to upgrade to Plus.

• NEW: Full integration of Pixel Launcher’s UI styling for displaying App Shortcuts (previously known as Quickcuts). App Shortcuts display when long pressing an icon from either the desktop or All Apps list.

• NEW: App Shortcuts can be used in combination with Shutters and Covers.

• NEW: App Shortcuts can be dragged and placed as shortcuts on a home screen.

• NEW: Revamped appearance of the icon indicators for Covers, Shutters and App Shortcuts..

• NEW: Smartsize icon resizing is no longer a beta feature, and is enabled by default for all Plus users.

• NEW: Add animated caret indicator when opening/close Pixel style All Apps.

• NEW: Custom system fonts are correctly applied to labels on the desktop.

• NEW: The horizontal screen margin can be adjusted (via Desktop settings, phones only).

• IMPROVEMENT: Lots of polish to ensure the app’s look and feel mimics that of Pixel Launcher. Notable areas of focus include the padding of All Apps drawer and folder appearance.

• IMPROVEMENT: Optimizations to memory, battery usage and scrolling performance.

• IMPROVEMENT: Order the date and month displays on the date widget is correctly localized.

• IMPROVEMENT: The screen edge shadow no longer displays at the bottom of the screen when using a tinted dock.

• IMPROVEMENT: On first boot, the home screen animates smoothly on screen rather than having shortcuts snap on.

• IMPROVEMENT: Update translations.

• BUG FIX: Remove stutter first time All Apps drawer is opened.

• BUG FIX: Open folders display a shadow.

• BUG FIX: Fix aliasing on the icons of the first 3-4 shortcuts in a folder.

• BUG FIX: Improved support for tall devices like the S8 and G6.

• BUG FIX: Notification panel shortcut works on Galaxy S8.

• BUG FIX: Fix issue where removing the last shortcut from a Home screen page would sometimes also fail to also remove the now empty Home screen.

• BUG FIX: Fix issue where items could appear on the Quickbar multiple times.

• BUG FIX: Improve detection of App Shortcuts on pre-Android 7.1 devices.

• FIX: Misc. stability fixes.

Finally, if you have paid for both the older Action Launcher 2 and upgraded to the paid version of the older Action Launcher 3, Lacy says he will refund your Action Launcher 2 money if you contact him via email and provide him with the Gmail account that was used to buy both versions.

GET IT AT GOOGLE PLAY

ICC WWC 2017: Mithali Raj incident shows why women's cricket shouldn't be compared to men's game

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It is a question that I get asked a lot. The setting is usually family dinners, usually by uncles and aunties and other members of the genus oldfashionedica, species inquisitivica. Innocuous enough, right? Just table talk, between mouthfuls of home food that loosens jaws better than beer does. Nothing to write home about…

ICC WWC 2017: Mithali Raj incident shows why women's cricket shouldn't be compared to men's game

But when the same question was put to Mithali Raj, on the cusp of the biggest cricket tournament in the female game, it wasn’t innocuous, it represented something more insidious. So Raj put a question of her own across in reply.

“Do you ask that same question to a male cricketer?”

“Do you ask them who their favourite female cricketer is?”

Raj’s retort has gained quite a bit of traction in the media. News channels have picked it up. Amitabh Bachchan has tweeted about it. Raj herself, speaking on the eve of her match against England, downplayed it and chose to focus on the cricket.

“I didn’t intend to be arrogant, it was just something that came from the heart,” she said. “I felt it’s a stage for women cricketers, it’s our forum, so the questionnaire should be around women’s cricket and not men’s cricket.”

I would love to say that this kind of question was a one off. A cursory Google search will show you that it isn’t. For a collection of the choicest questions, head over to the #CoverTheAthlete video that points out the blatant sexism in sports media in the west. Closer to home, I direct you to our very own Kapil Sharma Show.

On the 100th episode of Kapil Sharma’s show, Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, Harmanpreet Kaur and Veda Krishnamurthy were invited as guests. It didn’t take long for the conversation to turn to their marriages; their cricketing achievements were conveniently sidetracked. Dance moves, possible Bollywood husbands, and sledging made the conversation though.

While Kapil isn’t exactly the gold standard of broadcasting, the fact that we have questions like the one Raj faced in 2017 underlines how far the perceptions surrounding women’s sport have to go. I could point you to a number of excellent articles on the topic: Andy Bull’s piece showing how hard women’s sport has had to fight, just to gain equal opportunity. Or Zenia D’Cunha’s article highlighting the bias we don’t even realise exists in media coverage. Personally I want to address something closer to my heart.

Direct comparisons.

One question I often asked in my career (thankfully, this one was actually about my career) was how fast I bowled. Between 105, 115 kmph I would say, and I would see the crestfallen look in most male eyes. A patronising ‘ah ok’ would usually follow. Most weren’t impressed, because they were comparing my speeds to the usual speeds found in male cricket.

I had introduced myself as medium fast, but I could see them categorising me under genus dibblyspecies dobbly.

ESPNCricinfo, the world’s leading cricket website, has Jhulan Goswami put down as a right arm medium bowler. Goswami regularly bowls in close to 120 kmph, and has even crossed that mark. That’s just a few clicks shy of Cathryn Fitzpatrick, considered the fastest ever. So how come we never call them fast bowlers, just medium pacers?

It’s because we compare female cricket directly with the men.

The same skewed view applies to scores. With 300 quickly becoming par — given a good batting wicket — in male cricket, scores of 200 and 250 in this World Cup will surely be looked down upon by some myopic viewers. But in truth, women’s cricket is steadily improving, with average run rates rising every year. In the 2013 World Cup, the average run rate crossed four an over for the first time in World Cup history, and this edition is likely to set the bar even higher. 2016 saw the highest average run rates in a calendar year ever (4.33).

So women’s cricket is pushing the envelope of its own existence. It is on the upward curve, it is a better sport than ever before if you would bother to put it up on its own pedestal, not side by side with the men.

In this world of short memory spans, we forget how in the 90’s, 250 was a winning score in male cricket. And then we neglect the head start — more like five body lengths start — that male sport has had over the centuries (if you aren’t convinced, read Bull’s article, if you haven’t already). Female cricket is evolving faster than male cricket in many ways: Women held the first ever World Cup in 1973, and they already have a Future Tours Program that provides context to bilateral ODIs, the ICC Women’s Championship.

Female cricket will always aspire to get better, and in many ways, better is more like male cricket, but that doesn’t mean we can compare them without context. Tennis has gone some way in recognizing the differences, without degrading them. Would you flay Serena Williams for serving 25 kmph less than Roger Federer? No. And yet all Grand Slams now offer equal prize money.

Perhaps hardcore feminists out there will not like my take on the issue. But for me, feminism in sport is more nuanced than absolute equality. We can have equality while acknowledging and celebrating differences. Different, yet equal. Athletes of each gender need to be appreciated separately for pushing the limits, even when those limits are not the same.

So when Shabnim Ismail and Katherine Brunt, and our very own Goswami run up to bowl in this World Cup, I hope the media, broadcasters, commentators and even viewers will call them right arm fast, not right arm fast medium. And if Raj and Co. chase more than 245, which is the current record high for India, let’s stand up and acknowledge it, the way we did when Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif chased 325 in this country.

It’s 2017, and we finally have a standalone female superhero movie. The World Cup showcases the superheroes of the female cricket. Let’s not blight our own eyes by comparing them to the men.

New Zealand beat British and Irish Lions 30-15 in first Test in Auckland

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New Zealand snuffed out the British and Irish Lions' hopes of a shock win with a ruthless display to take what looks like an iron grip on the three-Test series.

But after the Lions had gone close early in the second period, the home side struck again through Rieko Ioane's try in the corner after more quick thinking and fast hands.

And the home side took control as the Lions' much-vaunted replacements struggled to make any impact, Ioane feasting off an error to race away for his second.

Led from the front by the outstanding Kieran Read and with fly-half Beauden Barrett impeccable from the tee, landing six from six, this was the All Blacks every Lions supporter had feared, and Rhys Webb's late try was little consolation for the tourists.

Only once in their history have the Lions won a series in New Zealand, and never having lost the first match - the prospects are ominous with the world champions on this kind of form.

All Blacks close to their best

Gatland's selections justified

Williams' spectacular break for the Lions' first try, along with the swerve and pass of Elliot Daly that carried the move on, justified coach Warren Gatland's decision to change up his back three.

There were reasons for Lions optimism, not least the line-breaks made in the first 50 minutes, yet there were also too many errors, albeit brought about by sustained, heavy pressure.

Gatland may opt to start Maro Itoje - who came on for Alun Wyn Jones after 50 minutes - in next Saturday's second Test in Wellington, but he will also know that precedent is against his men.

While Webb's late try kept the final margin below 20 points, this was a chastening experience for the Lions in a game most felt they had to win to take the series.

Man of the match - Kieran Read

The New Zealand captain was relentless on his return to action, integral to a set-piece that was rock-solid, putting in the hit of the night on Lions fly-half Owen Farrell and producing a fabulous flick-pass from the ground in the build-up to his side's second try.

Teams:

New Zealand: B Smith; I Dagg, R Crotty, SB Williams, R Ioane; B Barrett, A Smith; J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, S Cane, K Read (capt).

Replacements: N Harris, W Crockett, C Faumuina, S Barrett, A Savea, TJ Perenara, A Cruden/L Sopoaga, A Lienert-Brown.

Replacements: K Owens (Wales), J McGrath (Ireland), K Sinckler (England), M Itoje (England), S Warburton (Wales), R Webb (Wales), J Sexton (Ireland), L Halfpenny (Wales).

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