Sports

The Satisfying Sound Of Silence: Cricket World Cup 2023

Published

3 years ago

November 21, 2023

By Musa Ehizoje Bodie

Australia’s Victory against India on home soil is damning evidence of why they are the best Cricket team in the world. They lost their last 2 matches in the 2019 world cup and their first 2 matches in this world cup which is the longest losing streak they have encountered in world cup history.

However, there is a popular saying that, allow Australia reach the semifinals, you may as well kiss the world cup goodbye and that is exactly what played out.

In their last group game, a masterclass from *Glen Maxwell* with 201 runs off 145 balls and a cramped left leg, produced the best individual score in a run chance since the history of the world cup to gift them a semi-final spot.

The Semi-final against South Africa was a repeat of 1999 world cup with the infamous *Alan Donald* scenario that can be likened to ‘’Lots wife’’ in the Bible who looked back why fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah’ and turned into a pillar of salt.

Fast forward 24 years later, Australia did just enough with *Josh Inglis* playing the Night watch man to see Australia home. A definition of cricket being a ‘’waiting-game’’ was displayed in the death when *Mitchel Stark* and *Pat Cummins* held on to a victory that will see South Africa wait for another 4 years at least. If there is a team that performs best under intense pressure, that will be Australia because they will play under their own steam and decide what is considered pressure or motivation and the deafening *‘Sound of Silence’* to a crowd of over 90,000 India supporters will be the second-best reward after the trophy itself and that is the story of the Cricket World Cup 2023.

This victory makes it 6 in 13 attempts and three times more than any other country, no wonder comments around the world have included “Heartbreak most poignant – in the dashed hopes of Captain Rohit Sharma and Coach *Rahul Dravid* of India”, ‘’Hard for me not to believe in Miracles – Marnus Labuschagne* of Australia’’, ‘’Australia saved the best for last – *Captain Pat Cummins* of Australia’’, ‘’These are the moments that you’ll remember for the rest of your life – *Travis Head*’’, Player of the final match with his brilliant 137 runs that ensured Australia went home with the trophy.

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Sports

PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Splashes Big Prize Money Ahead Of 14 November 2026 Race

Published

2 hours ago

October 25, 2026

The Gleamer

Top Three Elite Finishers To Earn $8,000, $6,000 And $5,000 Respectively

The organisers of the highly anticipated PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon have announced an attractive prize package for athletes across every category ahead of the race on 14 November 2026 in Abuja.

The prize announcement has been welcomed by athletes and coaches, as the event continues to establish itself as one of the leading road races in Nigeria. The race offers local athletes the chance to compete against international runners in front of a home crowd, while also earning meaningful rewards.

In the elite category, first place earns $8,000, second place takes $6,000, third place gets $5,000, fourth place receives $4,000, fifth place goes home with $3,000, sixth place earns $2,000, seventh place takes $1,000, and eighth place gets $500.

In the Nigerian category, first place earns ₦2,000,000, second place takes ₦1,500,000, third place gets ₦1,000,000, fourth place receives ₦500,000, fifth place goes home with ₦300,000, sixth place earns ₦200,000, seventh place takes ₦100,000, and eighth place gets ₦50,000.

According to the organisers, the prize structure reflects the commitment of PremiumTrust Bank to the growth of athletics in Nigeria and to the encouragement of home based athletes. The separate Nigerian category ensures that local runners are properly recognised and rewarded for their performance.

The half marathon, which covers 21 kilometres, remains an important event for long distance runners. It serves as a test of endurance and preparation, and it provides a competitive platform for athletes building towards major national and international competitions.

The race is expected to draw elite athletes, club runners, corporate teams, fitness enthusiasts and supporters from across Nigeria and beyond. The turnout is expected to be high, given the interest already shown since registration opened.

Organisers have advised interested runners to register early through the official registration portal of the race to secure their participation, as arrangements are being put in place for timing, security, medical support and traffic management on race day.

The prize money is now confirmed, attention will shift to the athletes as they complete their final weeks of training and preparations ahead of the race day.

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