1 day agoSouth TvComments Off on Pakistan use giant heaters to warm pitch before Third Test against England despite 30C temperature
PAKISTAN are using HEATERS to prepare the pitch for the Third Test — even though the temperature is 30 degrees.
It is the home team’s latest attempt to make sure the surface is a raging turner suited to their spin bowlers.
AFPPakistan installed two heaters to dry out the wicket[/caption]
AFPBen Stokes compared them to two umpires due to their positioning[/caption]
AFPPakistan hope a dry pitch will help their spin bowlers[/caption]
A pair of giant industrial fans have also again been employed to try to dry the 22-yard strip in Rawalpindi as much as possible.
They were used in the build-up to the Second Test in Multan, where England were beaten by 152 runs.
England captain Ben Stokes described the fans as being like a couple of umpires because they were positioned at the end of the pitch.
The heaters — three at each end and the sort you might use on a patio on a cool evening — are a new method for baking pitches.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood has already admitted that he is hoping for a dry surface. The more moisture sucked from the pitch, the more likely it is to turn.
The forecast for the next week in Rawalpindi is unbroken sun with the mercury reaching 30 degrees.
In Multan, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali became the first pair of spinners to share 20 wickets in a Test match since 1956 — when Jim Laker took 19 wickets and Tony Lock one against the Aussies at Old Trafford.
Stokes will hope to win the coin toss on Thursday morning so that England can bat first. He must also decide whether to draft in leggie Rehan Ahmed to add more spin options to the attack.
1 day agoSouth TvComments Off on Matt Smith gives concerning update on House of the Dragon series three
HOUSE of the Dragon fans are eagerly awaiting details about the show’s third season, but according to one of its stars, they may be waiting for a while.
During an appearance at New York Comic Con on Sunday, Matt Smith admitted that he is completely in the dark about upcoming plot points on the Game of Thrones prequel.
GettyMatt Smith was quizzed about the upcoming series of House of the Dragon at Comic Con[/caption]
HBOThe series has been renewed and will last four seasons[/caption]
GettyBut it appears many of the actors don’t know what’s coming next on the fantasy show[/caption]
Matt, who plays Daemon Targaryen in the hit HBO series, revealed that he has yet to see any scripts for the upcoming season.
He told panelists: “I’ve not heard hide nor hair. I don’t know about you guys. I’ve not heard a thing — have you?”
The actor was joined on the panel by co-stars Fabian Frankel (Criston Cole) and Tom Glynn-Carney (Aegon II Targaryen), who echoed similar sentiments.
Tom quipped: “Not a jot, not a letter. The longer they take, the longer we don’t have to read anything for a while.”
However, Fabian hinted at some insider knowledge, teasing: “I’ve heard some things that I couldn’t possibly share here.”
The uncertainty surrounding the third season comes after the second season wrapped up in August, following an eight-episode run that left fans desperate for more.
Despite the lack of clarity on season three’s script, House of the Dragon has been renewed for two more seasons.
Production for the third series is slated to begin in early 2025, and it will be released in 2026.
Showrunner Ryan Condal revealed in August that the series will conclude after four seasons.
While Ryan confirmed that pre-production work will continue this autumn, there’s still no official word on how many episodes season three will feature.
He admitted: “I haven’t had discussions with HBO about it.
“I would just anticipate the cadence of the show, from a dramatic storytelling perspective, will continue to be the same from season two on.”
Though the second season expanded the story beyond the Targaryens to include Winterfell and other key locations, fans have been left to speculate about where the narrative will head next.
Who stars in House of the Dragon?
A prequel to smash-hit fantasy series Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon premiered in August 2022. The show features an ensemble cast playing characters in the fictional setting of Westeros. Let's take a look at some of the famous faces in House of the Dragon.
Paddy Considine: Actor, director and screenwriter Paddy received the role of King Viserys I Targaryen in House of the Dragon and led the ensemble in sesason one. Paddy’s film credits include Hot Fuzz and The World’s End, while his other TV work ranges from Peaky Blinders, The Outsider and The Third Day. He is also known for his collaborations with director Shane Meadows.
Matt Smith: Matt became the youngest ever actor to play Doctor Who, when he nabbed the role as a 29-year-old in 2009. Now a few years removed from the beloved BBC show, he is now playing the unpredictable Prince Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon. Matt also starred as Prince Philip in The Crown, receiving a Primetime Emmy award nomination for his performance.
Olivia Cooke: From Oldham in Greater Manchester, Olivia Cooke has enjoyed success on both sides of the pond. She had a starring role as Emma Decody in Bates Motel from 2013 to 2017. Prior to starring as Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon, Olivia also appeared in period drama Vanity Fair and the sci-fi film Ready Player One, which was directed by Steven Spielberg.
Rhys Ifans: Before playing Ser Otto Hightower, Rhys Ifans was no stranger to blockbuster franchises. He’s played Xenophilius Lovegood in Harry Potter and Marvel Comics villain Dr Curt Connors/Lizard. He portrayed Mycroft Holmes in CBS series Elementary. Rhys also starred in films such as Notting Hill, Kevin & Perry Go Large and Enduring Love.
Emma D’Arcy: Before landing the role of Princess/Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, Emma had appeared as a main cast member in Wanderlust and Truth Seekers. Their film credits include 2020’s Misbehaviour opposite a cast including Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Greg Kinnear, Keeley Hawes, Jessie Buckley, Phyllis Logan and Lesley Manville.
