*screams into the fabric of spacetime* SHAMY FANDOM AWAKEN 🤩🤩🤩🫨🫨🫨😍😍😍

btw, at the end i found the fic i was looking for and

sheldon?? is that you??

omg

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

…that’s my spot.🧍🏼‍♂️

India were bowled out for 36 in Adelaide only last week. Virat Kohli left home on paternal leave. Mohammed Shami was ruled out with an arm injury. Umesh Yadav incurred pain in his calf on day 1 of the second Test and was taken for scans. India were left crippled as many believed ahead of the start of the Boxing Day Test. Yet amid the adversities, Ajinkya Rahane-inspired India scripted a fightback of epic proportion, one that can surely find its place among their greatest wins, let alone a comeback, in Indian cricket history. What this win would eventually lead to will be unravelled over the next fortnight in Sydney, but it will be the magnitude of this comeback, in such a short span, that will be talked about for ages to come given that the last team to have suffered such a 36 all-out had an entire year to bounce back to victory. 

Boxing Day Test | 'Captain' Ajinkya Rahane etches his name in history, India extend MCG supremacy - In numbers

Boxing Day Test | ‘Captain’ Ajinkya Rahane etches his name in history, India extend MCG supremacy – In numbers

Image Source : AP Ajinkya Rahane celebrates his 12th Test century at the MCG on day 2 India were bowled out for 36 in Adelaide only last week. Virat Kohli left home on paternal leave. Mohammed Shami was ruled out with an arm injury. Umesh Yadav incurred pain in his calf on day 1 of the second Test and was taken for scans. India were left crippled as many believed ahead of the start of the Boxing…

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Avondale Powers To Premiership Title

Avondale have completed the 2019 season in emphatic fashion with a completely dominate 41 – 23 Grand Final victory over a gallant Shamrocks side at WIN Stadium. Despite being on the end of a horrendous penalty count and having two players spend ten in the Bin in the first half the Wombats powered to a three try lead at the break. Going on with things after the break putting on four more tries for a thirty point lead Avondale were never in danger of defeat at any stage of proceedings.

A gutsy Shamrocks outfit put in an eighty minute effort scoring three late consolation tries but could not compete with the Avondale power game up front. The big Avondale forwards provided plenty of go forward for the brilliant Wombat attacking machine to take full toll on the smaller Rocks outfit.

Wombat’s first try came after just two minutes of play on the back of a big run from Prop Anthony Amone. Amone charged through the Rocks line twenty out finding wingman Jesse Leng in support. Leng took play to within ten of the Rocks line passing back inside for Amone only to see the ball knocked down by a Shamrocks defender. The ball rolled into the Rocks in goal with Avondale Lock Kyle Moody winning the race to the ball to score.

On the back of a string of penalties Shamrocks spent a considerable portion of the next twenty minutes in the Avondale half. Unable to break the stoic Wombat defensive line The Rocks wisely settled for two penalty goals to take a 6 – 5 lead after twenty two minutes.

The lead was short lived when on their next visit into the Rocks half Prop Vaigafa Leota finished off a three phase attack on the Rocks line when running wide like a center he crossed for the Wombats second try. Leota missed the conversion as Avondale went back into the lead 10 – 6.

The Wombats played one short for the rest of the half as first Leota and then hooker Jeromy Cairns found themselves both in the Bin on the back of continuing penalties. In fact the side was two short for couple of minutes as both were on the bench at the same time.

On the back of more penalties, Shamrocks had field position for a lot of the remainder of the half but could not break through the outstanding Wombat defense.  Choosing to attack rather than take points from penalty goals the Rocks failed to rest the initiative from a committed Avondale side.

The Tuigamala brothers came to the fore in this period putting on one raid from a long way out that broke down just short of the Rocks line. Within minutes of half-time after another strong run from Amone, Allan Tuigamalla showed all his pace to score wide on the right. Leota missed his third conversion attempt but the Wombats went to the break 15 – 6 up.

In contrast to the first half it was Avondale who enjoyed a succession of penalties after the break which they took full advantage of to establish their supremacy. With prolonged possession the tries came. Putting an exclamation mark on a fine season Half-Back Andrew Duggan scored from a scrum when No.8 Tuu Taanoa broke with the ball and went to the blind linking with Duggan for the Half to score in the corner. Another missed conversion from the widest point by Allan Tuigamalla left the Wombats 20 – 6 in front.

Lock Kearin Jack got the next five pointer barging over from close range and then with about fifteen left on the clock Allan Tuigamalla finished off a lightning raid to score. Tuigamalla converted both the tries as the Wombats went out to an unassailable 34 – 6 lead.

Shamies earned some field position with a typical gutsy late effort with Lock Heath Mercer forcing his way over after a series of forward rushes from the never say die Rocks forwards. Minutes later however Wombats Kearin Jack scored his second from close range running off the back of a line out five out. With the try converted by Antonio Ale it was game over at 41 – 11.

Wombat center Nua Alone spent the last minutes of the match in the bin after a shoulder charge, as the energetic Rocks put on two late tries. Winger Luke Tonegato chased down a kick from twenty out to score and the Rocks finished with a penalty try on the bell after the Wombats collapsed a scrum on their line for the final 41 – 23 score-line.  

The seven tries to three score-line was a clear and fair indication of the Avondale supremacy on the day with the Avondale forwards led by Anthony Amone up front completely overpowering their smaller but none the less committed opponents. The Rocks played out the full eighty minutes but were clearly never in the hunt to take the title from a powerful clinical Avondale attacking performance.

The Geoff Shaw Medal for the Player of the Grand Final went to Andrew Duggan capping off a fine season from the Half Back. The power game of the Wombat Forwards laid the foundation for the win allowing the side to mount their best attacking form entertaining the strong WIN Stadium crowd. Along with Amone Wombats were well served up front by Vaigafa Leota, Locks Moody and Jack, Flanker Michael Malaki and the ever dangerous No.8 Tuu Taanoa. The freakishly talented Allan Tuigamalla proved a constant threat throughout the match working closely with brother Silipa at Fly-Half. Centers Andre Itula and Nua Alone caused the Rocks defense much angst providing many opportunities for the players around them throughout.

Shamrocks can hold their heads high in their 50th Anniversary year. Their Grand Final effort was full of merit as they put in a full eighty minute performance but were overwhelmed by a more powerful on song Avondale side. Prop Jesse Roche was inspirational up front in trying circumstances with Lock Mercer and center Dale Sullivan showing a strong preparedness to take on their opponents all day. An amazing run to the Grand Final in their Anniversary year will be proudly recalled in the years ahead and their effort on the big day much appreciated by their faithful supporters.

Avondale 41 (Kearin Jack 2 tries, Kyle Moody 1 try, Vaigafa Leota 1 try, Andrew Duggan 1 try, Allan Tuigamala 2 tries, 2 goals, Antonio Ale 1 goal)

Def Shamrocks 23 (Heath Mercer 1 try, Luke Tonegato 1 try, Thomas McDevitt 2 penalty goals, 1 penalty try)

Geoff Shaw Medal   Player of the Grand Final   Andrew Duggan - Avondale  

Lower Grade Results

2nd Grade

Shamrocks 33 (Tod McCole 2 tries, Kalem Smith 1 try, 1 penalty try, Ryan Schoupp 1 goal, 2 penalty goals, 1 field goal)

Def Bowral 20 (Mark Minter 1 try, Hunter Schrader-Wright 1 try, Mitch Wellman 1 try, 1 goal, Alex Debbs 1 penalty goal)

Player of The Grand Final              Ryan Schoupp         Shamrocks

3rd Grade

Vikings 28 (Mathew James 2 tries, Michael Henry 1 try, Mark Curtis 1 try, Michael Maidment 1 goal, 2 penalty goals)

Def Vincentia 21 (Cameron Dagger 1 try, Ava Raboitoga 1 try, Corey Wydell 1 try, Nathanial Hampton-Olive 3 goals)

Player of The Grand Final             Jared Constable       Vikings

ODI series: Tharanga seeks redemption against India

Sri Lanka are looking to new captain Upul Tharanga for redemption in the one-day international series starting Sunday against India after enduring a humiliating Test whitewash on home soil.

Tharanga will lead the islanders into the opening match of the ODI series in Dambulla, having been appointed limited-overs captain to revive the ailing team after their shock 3-2 loss to minnows Zimbabwe.

Angelo Mathews stepped aside as captain after that defeat, vacating the top job to Tharanga who takes the helm at a low point for Sri Lankan cricket, with a form slump and injuries dogging the beleaguered side.

Tharanga, 32, has urged fans to be patient, insisting the "rough patch" will pass for the 50-over 1996 World Cup winners.

"Sri Lanka have always been stronger in our white-ball format, and I am confident that we will come out strong and beat India," Tharanga said in a statement from Sri Lanka Cricket.

"We have the talent, we have the skill. We have been putting in the hard work, we just need the spirit, and for that we need your support too," added the left-handed batsman. Sri Lanka have recalled all-rounders Thisara Perera and Milinda Siriwardana. Left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara and paceman Vishwa Fernando, who were both part of the bowling attack in the Test series against India are expected to make their respective ODI debuts.

But the eighth-ranked ODI side do not have history on their side.

They were swept aside by India 5-0 in their last ODI series in 2014, and more recently bowed out of the Champions Trophy short-format contest in the first round.

India on guard 

India, whose last tour of Sri Lanka in 2015 ushered in a new era of supremacy for the top-ranked Test side, are looking to ride their sweep of Test victories into the shorter-format series.

The loss of their Champions Trophy title to arch-rival Pakistan was a bitter pill for India, and the two-time World Champions will be seeking a comeback in Sri Lanka.

Newly-appointed ODI vice-captain Rohit Sharma urged his men against becoming complacent, reminding them of their surprise loss to Sri Lanka in the opening round of the Champions Trophy.

"I have no idea about the squad for this ODI series, but what they had in the Champions Trophy was a very good side. They beat us quite comfortably," said Sharma.

"So you know in one-day cricket they are a very good team. We just got to do what we have been doing in the past few years."

The series offers India's second line of talent a moment in the spotlight with spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, and pacemen Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav, being rested by selectors.

Young spinners Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal are expected to make the starting lineup in one or more of the five matches. Uncapped quick Shardul Thakur may also get a look in.

India are scheduled to play a lone Twenty20 in Colombo on September 6 after the completion of the ODI series.

Squads

Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga (captain), Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Chamara Kapugedera, Milinda Siriwardana, Malinda Pushpakumara, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando.

India: Virat Kohli (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma (vice captain), Lokesh Rahul, Manish Pandey, Ajinkya Rahane, Kedar Jadhav, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur.

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Clan Politics of Somalia

By, Brianne Zamora     

     The Mayor of Mogadishu, written by Andrew Harding provides insight in new realm of clan politics. Clan politics meaning there is this sense of rivalry and power struggle among clans. Somalia a country that is located in Eastern Africa, is a country of homogeneity — having the same language, culture, religion, and identity. Somalia  “is a country of proudly independent families, deeply suspicious of outside authority, linked together horizontally by paternal bloodlines, clan allegiances, and carefully arranged marriages (Harding 14).

(Source: University of Texas Library)

     Although there is no ethnic conflict in Somalia due to the homogeneity, the country is plagued with clan conflict. The country is in deep turmoil trying to seek for a unified government. In Somalia among the clans there are three rival clans the Hawiye (the Arab Connection), Issaq (the first to want out), Darod (Together, but in Separate Ways) that are prominent (Mail & Guardian Africa). Within clan politics there is this notion of pragmatic balancing game which is “seeking protection from stronger groups and then shifting to balance them when one side becomes strong enough to threaten its partner’s autonomy” (Reno). Clans do not have distinct political ideologies but rather have clan loyalties. Their loyalty would sway from having loyalty to the government, to al-Shabab, to other clans, and subclans depending on what they wanted. This would serve as a way to balance the power of clans in Somalia.

(Source: NY Times)

     Now shifting focus to the book, the current president which was Siad Barre along with other “successive Somali governments had tried, since independence to shake off the influence of clans, to deny them any public role or space” (Harding 118). President Siad Barre attempted to unify Somalia by clearing all notions of clans and by stating that “they were all Somalis now. Nothing less” (Harding 119). Some Somalis embraced this new notion of post clan identity but to others this led to them “making euphemisms that made a game out of the whole process, and inadvertently strengthened the sense of clan as something secretive, something forced underground, a truth that would not die” (Harding 119). Due to the actions set by president Siad Barre led to the formation of opposition parties (Harding 120). The book talks about the struggle and violence occurring in the streets of Mogadishu in particular between the Darod and Hawiye. The Hawiye clan having allegiance to president Siad Barre. The outbreak had occurred and “tens of thousands of civilians — above all, the Darod who bore the brunt of the invading militias’ fury — began to flee. It became known as “clan cleansing,” as legitimate opposition to President Siad Barre curdled into battle for supremacy between the Hawiye and Darod” (Harding 130). For president Siad Barre “only blood counted when it came to his security” which was the Darod, which was now being pushed away by the Hawiye (Harding 119). This provides an insight as to how important clans are in relation to politics. Clans are able to incite political change and revolution against current power structures set in place.

(Source: CNN)

     Looking at the context it is clear as to why many Somali are fleeing Somalia due to the unstableness of the government and rivalry among its people. Many Somali people had no choice and many began to flee Somalia, “Somalia’s exodus began as an unobtrusive trickle” (Harding 115). This is the reason as to why Tarzan and Shamis left Somalia was due to the “political situation” (Harding 107).

Source: (Huffington Post)

     With the constant power struggle among clans, the future of Somalia largely depends on the clans. It is evident that clans play a pivotal role in many facets of Somali society. In Somalia, “a place that has teetered so long with no government, no police forces, few institutions and great uncertainty, clans function as a safety net, a social network — most people marry within their clan — a justice system and, most importantly, protection” (NY Times). It is clear that in order to attain political stability in Somalia, clans must not be forgotten or abandoned in the discussions like what president Siad Barre had done which led to further turmoil. Throughout history clans have played a major role and provided a great deal of influence on how society operates and functions in Somalia. In order to attain stability there has to be this sense of compromise among the clans and the government.

Sources:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/22/world/africa/22iht-somalia.4295219.html

http://mgafrica.com/article/2015-05-18-who-really-rules-somalia-the-tale-of-three-clans

http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/01/world/africa/al-shabaab-guide/

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/somalia.html

http://www.andrew-harding.com/

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/10/05/special-forces-strike-al-_n_4050542.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/01/world/africa/01somalia.html