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The merits, or otherwise, of putting cricketers through military-style boot camps have been debated at length over the years. In 2010-11, James Anderson emerged from Englands camp in Bavaria with a broken rib, courtesy of a boxing match with the squads Terminator lookalike, Chris Tremlett.And four years prior to that, Shane Warne famously spat his dummy straight in the face of Australias then-coach, John Buchanan, after being subjected to three days in the Queensland jungle ahead of the 2006-07 Ashes. Midway through that trip (which led, coincidentally or otherwise, to a 5-0 series whitewash) he reportedly turned on his coach with the words: Im weak as piss, I hate your guts and I want to go home.Only time (and, perhaps, a few reveal-all autobiographies) will tell how some of the less naturally compliant members of Pakistans Test squad have taken to the events of the past few months, in which their preparations for a seminal tour of England have included beastings at the countrys Military Academy at Abbottabad, as well as intensive skills and acclimatisation camps in both Lahore and Hampshire.But on the opening day of the first Test at Lords, and in the captains maiden first-class innings on the most famous ground in England, Misbah-ul-Haq not only gave incontrovertible evidence of the benefits of such exhaustive preparations, he even displayed enough surplus energy to drop to his hands and knees after 154 balls of stereotypically frill-free accumulation, and reel off ten press-ups in tribute to the men who had helped make his innings possible.That was my promise to the army guys, Misbah said afterwards. We did a camp in Abbottabad before the skill camp in Lahore, and we used to do an honour code every time, we just stepped into the ground and did ten push-ups. And I promised them, if ever I score a hundred, I will definitely do that to remind you that we were there.He did admit, on the sly, that his drill sergeant might well have sent him back to do another set of ten, given that his arms were too bent first time around, but Misbahs gleeful team-mates on the visitors balcony had no such qualms about the performance their skipper had just put in.At the age of 42 years and 47 days, and having had nothing but a diet of limited-overs cricket for Islamabad to sustain him since his victorious performances in their most recent Test series against England in November, Misbah confirmed the wisdom of his decision to stay at his countrys helm by leading from the front in the most inspirational manner possible.In so doing, he rolled back Father Time himself - who was watching benignly from the top of the Tavern stand clock - to enter the sort of rarefied atmosphere that players of his age, and in this era, are simply not meant to reach. Among his many accolades, hes the oldest player to score a Test hundred since Patsy Hendren in 1934, and the oldest to do so at Lords since Jack Hobbs and Warren Bardsley traded scores in the 1926 Ashes Test.Obviously when you are playing competitive cricket you dont just think about your age, he said, but if you think you are [still] competitive you can take the challenge of playing that game. These records are always something special, and you are satisfied at getting these achievements, but the main thing is to perform for your team and country.He did that to supreme effect, and acknowledged the latter with a subtle salute towards the pavilion as he shuffled down the pitch after bringing up his three figures. That was for the flag, he later confirmed. And, notwithstanding the loss of two late wickets that allowed England to regain a measure of parity of a fascinating first day, his tenth Test hundred has established the sort of platform, at 282 for 6, that could yet allow Pakistans talented crop of bowlers to thrive in the second innings.Obviously you need at least 400, thats what we are looking forward to, Misbah said. We have to work hard tomorrow, so if we can bat more than a session we could really give us a big advantage. Here at Lords, the average score is around 400 in the first innings, so that could give us something to put pressure on England.Obviously, we worked really hard in terms of our fitness and skills, and in terms of acclimatising and coming here before [the start of the series], he added. All those aspects are really helping us. The batsmen are now adjusting to these conditions, they have got runs under their belts so they are confident, and now everyone is looking in good shape so that really helped us today.Despite the intensity of their preparations, Pakistans batsmen didnt all hit the ground running at the same speed - and it took a critical 148-run stand for the fifth wicket with Asad Shafiq to rescue their side from a post-lunch nadir of 134 for 4. Shafiq, who has been in promising form on the tour so far with scores of 80 and 69 not out in the first warm-up against Somerset, seemed set for a century until Chris Woakes disciplined line and waspish aggression caught him in two minds on 73.It would have been really nice for us if Asad and me could have batted the whole day, but then they just came back into the game so theres still a lot of hard work to do tomorrow, said Misbah. But Asad has been a star for us in the previous four or five years, hes the top player at No. 6, scoring so many hundreds and scoring consistently. Hes a special player and I think in future Pakistan will be looking to him.For the time being, however, Pakistan are looking no further than their leader, who will resume on the second morning on 110 not out, with a special place in history already confirmed following an innings that the man himself admitted was his best he has yet produced.Its a dream to play at Lords, and especially getting a hundred and my name on the honours board, he said. Its something special, and a century is always satisfying for a cricketer, but I rate this innings at the top in Test cricket especially. I am really happy about that. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! .Y. - Jerome Samson scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the St. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . Three came down to the fourth quarter while quarterbacks continued to shine in all four games; so important to the overall quality of the game. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . Most important, perhaps, it went off without a hitch. Organizers poked a little fun at the now-infamous opening ceremony gaffe that saw only four out of five snowflakes open up into rings, leaving the Olympics logo one ring short. Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! . - Connor McDavid scored 53 seconds into overtime as the Erie Otters came from behind to defeat the visiting Guelph Storm 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. KENT, Ohio -- While the nation counts ballots, No. 14 Western Michigan might be able to influence some voters Tuesday night.One of five unbeaten teams in the Top 25 , the Broncos (9-0) jumped three spots in the poll this week and have risen steadily despite minimal national attention. They will get a chance to showcase what theyre all about on election night in a televised game against Kent State (3-6), which has played better than its record.Theres a lot on the line as Western Michigan, No. 23 in the initial college football playoff ranking and the highest rated Mid-American Conference school in the AP poll since Ball State was No. 12 in 2008, plays its final road conference game.A victory would give the Broncos their first 10-win season in school history, extend their winning streak to 12 -- only top-ranked Alabama has a longer one -- and keep them in line for a major bowl bid. If Western Michigan wins its final three regular-season games and the MAC championship game, it would be in line to go to the Cotton Bowl, which reserves a spot for the highest-ranked, non-Power Five conference team.Dont tell any of that to Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck, who continues to preach his Row the Boat motivational mantra to anyone who will listen. Fleck has turned around a program that went 1-11 in his first season and may be college footballs best story in 2016.Were not even there yet, Fleck said. This is part of the journey. Were a long way away from our goal.A national title is out of the question, but that doesnt diminish what Western Michigan has done this season, which began with a 22-21 win over Northwestern. The Broncos also have a win over Illinois on their resume and have been gaining support as the season wears on.Theyve got a few NFL-caliber players on their roster, led by wide receiver Corey Davis, who is coming off a three-touchdown, 272-yard performance in a win over Ball State.Before the Ball State game, Fleck told Davis that he was going to be used heavily as Weestern Michigans coaches designed their game plan for him.ddddddddddddI told him this is going to be a huge day for you, if you prepare and get yourself ready and ready to have one of the best games youve ever had, Fleck said. And there it goes, 272 yards, three touchdowns and he left a lot of meat on the bone as well. He could have had 340 or 350 yards.Here are some other things to watch as the Broncos try to stay unbeaten:KENT COUNT `EM OUTKent States record could easily be reversed. The Golden Flashes have lost four games by a combined 15 points.They also wont be intimidated playing a ranked school as they know what its like to take on the best after traveling to Tuscaloosa in Week 2 and getting thrashed 48-0 by the Crimson Tide. But Kent State finally has some positive momentum after rallying from 14 down in the second half last week to win 27-24 at Central Michigan.DOMINANT DAVISAn All-American candidate, the 6-foot-3, 213-pound Davis has pro scouts buzzing. He leads the nation with 14 receiving TDs and hes on the verge of becoming the FBS career yardage leader.Davis needs to 209 yards for that mark and one TD to become the MACs career leader in touchdown catches.HOLLEY SUSPENDEDKent States defense took a major hit late Monday with the indefinite suspension of star senior safety Nate Holley.The school did not offer any details in suspending Holley, who leads the nation in tackles per game. His twin brother, Nick, took over at quarterback following early season injuries. The Holleys are one of six sets of twins on FBS rosters.Nick Holley, a former running back and wide receiver who hadnt played QB since his senior year at high school before making the switch, reminds Fleck of former Kent State quarterback Julien Edelman, now a wide receiver with the New England Patriots.---More AP college football coverage: Зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы увидеть ссылку! ' ' '