It was not the kind of return to action that Anriban Lahiri was looking for as he carded three-over 73 in the opening round of the Travelers Championship here.
     Former World No.1 Jordan made eight birdies against just one bogey to card seven-under 63 to take a one-stroke lead.
     Lahiri is lying way down and will need a strong second round to make the cut as 75 players are under-par.
     Lahiri once again was let down by the putter as he missed numerous inside 10 feet and even had a three-putt from inside 10 feet. He also missed at least other putts between 12 and 15 feet.
     Spieth's 63 was his lowest opening-round score on the PGA Tour. His previous low, a 64, came on three occasions.
     In the opening round, Spieth attacked the flag frequently and played exceedingly well. Spieth birdied five of the first eight holes and took sole possession of the lead on the final hole, hitting a wedge to 4 feet for birdie on the par-four 18th.
     The two-time major champion tied for .

Disappointing start by Lahiri, Spieth takes lead

PTI Automatic

Former India off-spinner Erapalli Prasanna today took a dig at Virat Kohli and said if the current skipper feels he is the "boss" of the Indian cricket then the team can do without a coach.
     Prasanna sounded cynical in his response when asked about the rift between Kohli and Anil Kumble, who quit as Indian cricket team coach recently.
     "Why do they require a coach, if the captain is the boss? I don't think they even need the services of batting or fielding coaches (Sanjay Bangar and R Sridhar)," the former spin great told PTI.
     Prasanna also questioned Kohli's captaincy abilities.
     "Kohli is undoubtedly a very good player but I do not know whether he is a good captain or not," he said.
     Kumble quit as India coach in the aftermath of their Champions Trophy final loss to arch-rivals Pakistan, stating that Kohli had reservations about his coaching "style" and their partnership was "untenable".
     The Indian team will be without a coach in the tour to the West ...

No need of a coach if Kohli thinks he is the boss: Prasanna

Indian boxing star M C Mary Kom's (51kg) comeback ended in heartbreak as she bowed out with a quarterfinal loss even as Ankush Dahiya (60kg) advanced to the last-four stage of the Ulaanbaatar Cup in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
     Mary Kom, who was returning to action after a one-year hiatus, went down by an unanimous decision to Korean Chol Mi Bang.
     The 34-year-old, a five-time world champion and an Olympic bronze-medallist, struggled to connect against her taller rival and was even warned once for excessive bending.
     Mary Kom would be going back to the light flyweight 48kg category after this to focus on the Asian Championships in November and the Commonwealth Games next year.
     However, Asian youth silver-medallist Ankush Dahiya and Priyanka Chaudhary (60kg) won their respective quarterfinal bouts in the men's women's draws to make the medal rounds.
     While Ankush outpunched Mongolia's Dulgunn Oyunchimeg, Priyanka got the better of Russia's Aleksandra Ordina.
     Ankush 

Mary Kom bows out, Ankush in semis at Mongolia boxing tourney

Bruised and battered after their shocking ouster from the title race, an inconsistent India would look for solace when they take on arch-rivals Pakistan in a 5th-8th classification match of the Hockey World League Semi-Final here tomorrow.
     India, ranked sixth in the world, crashed out of the podium race after suffering a 2-3 loss to 14th placed Malaysia in a quarterfinal match yesterday.
     The loss to Malaysia, their second in two months, would be hard to digest for Roelant Oltmans' men who have been trying hard to regain their place in the elite league of world hockey.
     The loss didn't make any difference to India's participation in this year's Hockey World League Final and next World Cup as being the hosts they are already assured of a place in the two events. Both events are to held in the Indian city of Bhubaneswar.
     The Indians, who were inconsistent throughout the tournament, should take the loss as a lesson and work on their mistakes.
     Even though India hold 

Inconsistent India eye redemption against Pakistan

Indian women's cricket team skipper Mithali Raj feels they should not be compared to their male counterparts and laments the lack of recognition despite representing a country where the sport reigns supreme.
     The veteran player came up with a snappy response when asked who her favourite men's cricketer was between India and Pakistan.
     "Do you ask the same question to a male cricketer? Do you ask them who their favourite female cricketer is?" she said to the scribe in question.
     "I have always been asked who's your favourite cricketer but you should ask them who their favourite female cricketer is."
     Raj was attending the opening dinner and media roundtable event on the eve of the Women's World Cup.
     Raj pointed out that the Indian women do not receive the same amount of publicity as the men.
     "There's a lot of difference because we are not a regular on television. Now the BCCI has made an effort that the last two home series have been televised and social media 

Still a lot of catch-up to do in terms of recognition: Mithali

Maria Sharapova will return to competitive tennis in July for two World Team Tennis matches.
     Sharapova recently returned to the WTA Tour after a 15- month doping ban. She is skipping Wimbledon because of an injured left thigh that prevented her from competing in qualifiers.
     Sharapova plans to play for the Orange County Breakers -- a team she has played for seven years - on July 16 and July 24.
     Sharapova had originally planned to return for a hard court tournament in Stanford, California, on July 31.
     The five-time major champion is ranked 179th in the world.

Sharapova to return in July for World Team Tennis matches

Batsmen Jeet Raval and Neil Broom and all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme have been included for the first time on New Zealand Cricket's list of contracted players for the 2017-2018 season.
     Fast bowler Doug Bracewell, off-spinner Mark Craig and recently-retired wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi are omitted after being included on the previous list. Veteran off-spinner Jeetan Patel, who was not contracted last season, has also announced his retirement from international cricket.
     Bracewell seriously injured his knee in December which prevented him playing for the rest of the season. He was also recently convicted for the third time of driving under the influence of alcohol, though New Zealand Cricket said that had no bearing on his omission from the new contract list which it announced today.
     Craig has also had injuries in recent seasons which have made it difficult for him to gain a regular place in the New Zealand team.
     Raval made a strong start to his international ...

3 changes to New Zealand Cricket contracts list

The Australian players' union called for "emergency mediation" today with Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland to rescue bitter pay talks before a looming June 30 deadline.
     The Australian Cricketers' Association said talks with the governing body, through CA's lead negotiator Kevin Roberts, had failed to achieve a breakthrough and players were frustrated at the impasse.
	   CA has threatened not to pay contracted players beyond the expiry of their current financial deal at the end of the month if they do not accept a new offer, which includes scrapping revenue-sharing arrangements that have stood for 20 years.
	   "With only seven days until the June 30 deadline, the ACA calls for emergency mediation to be conducted at CEO level," ACA president Greg Dyer said in a statement.
	   "With this the ACA continues to search for ways to resolve the dispute. We are motivated by a sense of duty to the game and its players and frustration at the current process."
	   Australian ...

Australia players urge 'emergency mediation' as deadline looms

Lalchand Rajput, head coach of Afghanistan which has been granted Test status by the International Cricket Council, heaped praise on the country's impressive leggie Rashid Khan and compared the bowler's raw talent to that of cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar.
      "He (Rashid) is the new kid on the block. He has natural abilities. There are certain people who have got natural abilities, like Sachin (Tendulkar) who was born to rule cricket. This boy definitely will rule the bowling. He is one of the pillars of Afghanistan cricket," Rajput told PTI here.
      "He bowls with pace and batsmen find it difficult to pick him," the former India Test opener said.
      The 18-year-old leggie was the cynosure of eyes during the last Indian Premier League edition where he played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad and grabbed 17 wickets in 14 matches to become the second-highest wicket taker in his team behind India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
      Rashid had made his debut for Afghanistan against Zimbabwe .

Rajput compares leggie Rashid to Tendulkar in raw talent

A strong tune-up notwithstanding, India will have their task cut out when they lock horns with title contenders England in the tournament- opener of the ICC Women's World Cup here tomorrow.
     India have had an impressive build-up to the 50-over showpiece, beating South Africa by eights wickets in the final of the Quadrangular series recently.
     The 2005 runners-up might have directly qualified for the World Cup 2017 had they played their three games against Pakistan in the ICC Women's Championship and not forfeited the six points.
     Having finished fifth on the table with 19 points, India had to go through the qualifiers in Sri Lanka where they went undefeated and won a thrilling final against South Africa by one wicket.
     India will be playing the tournament under the experienced Mithali Raj, who recently became the third player to lead her team in 100 ODIs.
     Raj, whose first target is to make the semi-finals, is coming off a record-breaking six successive half ...

India take on England in Women's World Cup opener

Indian Super League side Delhi Dynamos Football Club today signed a "technical partnership" deal with Doha's Aspire Academy of Qatar.
     The partnership will allow Aspire to share its expertise in areas such as scouting, training and sports science with Delhi Dynamos.
     In return, youth players from the Dynamos will join the "Aspire Residential Programme", which gives young footballers the chance to train and learn at the Doha academy.
     Anil Sharma, owner of Delhi Dynamos FC, said: "India and Qatar are two countries with close ties and it is only natural that there is a partnership between two organisations based in their respective capital cities."
     The state-funded Aspire Academy has scouted millions of players since being established in 2004 and has gained a burgeoning reputation for sporting excellence.

Dynamos sign "technical partnership" deal with Aspire Academy

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly today said it was Anil Kumble's personal decision to step down as head coach but refused to comment on the speculated rift with Virat Kohli.
     "He has resigned at the last minute, it's his personal decision. I don't want to talk on this matter," Ganguly, a member of the Cricket Advisory Committee formed to recommend the coach, said at CAB today.
     Kumble, in his parting statement, has said Kohli had reservations about his coaching 'style' and there partnership was untenable as he did not accompany the side in the ongoing tour to the West Indies.
     The BCCI has decided to invite more applications for the post of Indian team's coach to give the CAC a wide range of options for picking the suitable candidate who will be appointed before the tour of Sri Lanka next month.

It's Kumble's personal decision to step down: Ganguly

With Rohit Sharma rested for the West Indies limited-over series, India captain Virat Kohli said that Ajinkya Rahane will open alongside Shikhar Dhawan in the upcoming five-match ODI series starting tomorrow.
     Rohit, who opened for India along with Shikhar Dhawan in the just-concluded Champions Trophy in the United Kingdom, has been rested for the West Indies tour.
     The decision means that prolific youngster Rishabh Pant has to wait for his turn in the middle-order.
     Asked about opening combination, Kohli said:"We have Ajinkya who we had as a back-up opener in the Champions Trophy. He will start for sure with Shikhar Dhawan (in West Indies series). He is someone who has done well at the opener's slot."
     Opening is the slot that suits Rahane, feels his skipper.
     "He has batted in the middle order also but we see him to be more powerful in the opening slot, that is where he can play his game the best," Kohli said on the eve of the first ODI beginning here tomorrow.
  

Ajinkya will open in all 5 ODIs in Windies: Kohli

Following are some of the key decisions taken at the ICC Annual Conference.
     1) BCCI gets USD 405 million from revenues -- highest among full members with 22.8 percent share.
     2) Appointment of a Deputy Chairman, who shall assume the duties of Chairman, Shashank Manohar, when he is unable to fulfil his duties.
     3) Female Independent Director with full voting rights will be recruited to the ICC Board.
     4) Affiliate Membership has now been removed. Only Full and Associate Membership remain.
     5) All previously categorised Affiliate Members will now become Associate Members.
     6) Every Board Member - including Full Member and Associate Member Directors, as well as the Independent Chairman and Independent Director - will each have equal votes.
      7) A 2/3rd majority necessary for a resolution to be approved.
     8) In future, the Chairman of the Associate Members (who comprises one of the three Associate Member Directors) will also be required to be independent ..

ICC to have Deputy Chairman when Manohar is absent

Speaking for the first time, Virat Kohli today said that he will never reveal dressing-room details, in an apparent reference to the now retired coach Anil Kumble's statement that their partnership had become "untenable".
	Kumble stepped down a couple of days back due to differences with the India captain.
     Kohli said "he respects" Kumble's decision to quit and that there is highest regard for him as a player.
     "Obviously Anil bhai has expressed his views and he has taken a decision to step out and we will respect that decision. It's something that has happened right after the tournament," Kohli said on the eve of the first ODI against the West Indies.
	While he felt that Kumble is entitled to his opinion, in a roundabout manner, the skipper spoke about how dressing room details are sacred to him, which, at any cost, can't be shared with the public.
	"One thing for sure is that I have had 11 press conferences that have happened during the Champions Trophy. We have created a ...

Will never reveal dressing-room details: Virat Kohli

Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga faced an investigation today after he compared a government minister to a monkey following criticism that the country's cricketers were too fat.
     Sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said he ordered an inquiry after Malinga lambasted him for questioning the endurance of Sri Lankan players following their failure to reach the Champions Trophy semi-finals.
     "He is now under investigation for making statements to the media in breach of his contract with Sri Lanka Cricket (board)," Jayasekera told AFP.
     "In my criticism of the appalling fitness levels of our players, I did not name Malinga, but he has chosen to put the hat on and attack me publicly."
     Malinga told a television network the minister knew nothing about cricket.
     "I don't care about criticism from those who are simply warming chairs," he said. "What does a monkey know about a parrot's nesting hollow? This is like a monkey getting into a parrot's nest and talking about ...

Sri Lanka's Malinga in hot water over 'monkey' comment

England cricketing great Andrew Flintoff is to try his hand at a different type of live performance -- starring in a musical it was revealed today.
     The 39-year-old former England skipper -- who played 79 Tests and was man of the series in the epic English success in the 2005 Ashes series -- is taking the lead role of Kevin Chadwick in 'Fat Friends' on a tour of England.
     The curtain will go up on the show -- which was originally a hit TV show written by award winning writer Kay Mellor -- in Leeds, Yorkshire, in November.
     Flintoff -- who is affectionately known as 'Freddie' -- has also appeared in Mellor's TV drama 'Love, Lies and Records' due to screen on BBC.
     "Having had the pleasure of recently working on an episode of Kay's latest TV series, it's great to have the opportunity to work with her again," said Flintoff.
     "I loved the TV series and think Fat Friends - The Musical, is going to give people a great night out. I'm really looking forward to it."
     ...

Flintoff to tread the boards in musical

Brazilian international Oscar was banned for eight games today for triggering a spectacular mass brawl in the Chinese Super League between his Shanghai SIPG side and Guangzhou R&F.
     After the former Chelsea midfielder appeared twice to fire the ball deliberately at Guangzhou players on Sunday, he was rushed by several opponents. Oscar fell to the ground and a melee broke out around him.
     The Chinese Football Association issued lengthy bans to four players, including the 25-year-old Oscar, and fined him 40,000 yuan ($6,000).
     Oscar, who was not booked at the time of the scrap, is one of the most high-profile players in the Chinese Super League (CSL) after he joined SIPG for an Asian-record 60 million euros this season.
     But that has not saved him from the mammoth ban as the CFA said he was responsible for sparking the ugly incident just before half-time in the away league match.
     Oscar will not return to CSL action until late August. Among the games he will miss ...

Oscar gets eight-game ban over China brawl

A white cat named Achilles who normally keeps down mice at Saint Petersburg's famed Hermitage museum has begun work as the official forecaster for the Confederations Cup hosted by Russia.
     The cat --  hired in a blaze of publicity -- fastidiously chose between bowls of food decked with national flags on Thursday, picking between Australia and Cameroon which were to play later in the day.
     Australia came first by a whisker after Achilles jumped onto the bowl.
     He previously correctly predicted that Russia would beat New Zealand last week.
     Known as Akhill, the Russian name for Greek mythological hero Achilles, he is one of some 50 feline guardians at the revered classical art museum and former tsarist Winter Palace.
     The cats keep down vermin in exchange for lodgings in the cellar and have become a tourist attraction in their own right, featured on calendars. Staff periodically give away kittens with the sought-after Hermitage pedigree.
     "We chose Akhill for ...

Hermitage cat fur-casts winners in Confederations Cup

The ICC has decided not to interfere in modalities related to bilateral agreement involving two nations, a move that could prove to be handy for the BCCI, which has constantly been harangued by the PCB for "not honouring" a MoU signed in 2014.
     The Indian Cricket Board will now also be a part of the governance group, and more importantly, the ICC's Strategic Working group, which takes decisions on a lot of important commerce and finance related issues.
	These were agreed upon in the International Cricket Council's Annual Conference in London.
     The most important development was the ICC's non- interference in modalities related to bilateral series. This is being perceived as a move that will help them deal with the Pakistan Cricket Board "more firmly" on series related issues.
	According to ICC's amended constitution, the member nations will have full right to decide on bilateral series, itinerary and every other subsidiary details.
	"We can now decide whether we want to play ..

BCCI gains: final say on bilaterals, seat in Strategic Group

Virat Kohli retained the top spot among batsmen while India were placed third among ODI teams in the latest ICC Rankings issued today.
     Kohli leads South Africa's AB de Villiers by four points and he will aim to consolidate his number-one batting position and also help India reclaim the number-two ranking when he captains his side in the five-ODI series against the West Indies, starting tomorrow.
     Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan were at joint 10th in the list of batsmen while there were no Indians among top-10 bowlers and top-5 all-rounders.
     India (116 points) can leapfrog second-placed Australia (117 points) by a fraction of a point if the Kohli-led side win all the five matches of the ODI series against the West Indies.
     In contrast, if the West Indies win two matches in the series, then India will drop behind England in fourth place on 112 points. Victories in two matches will also lift the West Indies from 77 points to 81 points, thus, narrowing the gap with ...

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