Page 1120 - Sports
To hit or not to hit? Finch faces dilemma for Test debut
Hard-hitting Australian Aaron Finch has been a dominant opener in shorter forms of the game but admits he may have to curb his natural aggression if he makes his Test debut against Pakistan. The 31-year-old master-blaster has played 135 times for his country in the one-day and Twenty20 formats, earning a reputation as one of the world's fastest-scoring batsmen. But the burly right-hander has never played a Test. This is likely to change next month after he was a surprise call-up for Australia's two-Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, raising the dilemma of whether to stay true to his natural style or tone it down. He said on Monday it will depend where they want him to play. "Being aggressive has made me reasonably successful in international cricket in the two shorter formats so I suppose it depends where in the order they see me fitting in if there is a spot for me in the XI," he said. "If it's at the top, I think it's about playing your natural game, if it's ..
Getafe downs Sevilla 2-0
Getafe defeated host Sevilla 2-0 on two goals by Angel Rodriguez before the break and a winning attitude all the way through the match.
Sindhu, Srikanth battle fatigue with China Open title in sight
Top Indian shuttler PV Sindhu will have to find a way to battle fatigue if she has to continue her consistent run in international circuit and regain the China Open, beginning here Tuesday. Sindhu showed signs of fatigue during her second-round exit at last week's Japan Open, her first early loss since the first-round ouster from the Denmark Open last October. The 23-year-old Indian has been the most consistent this season with silver medals in all the major events this year -- the Commonwealth Games, the World Championship and the Asian Games. She also reached the finals at the India Open and Thailand Open. However, a hectic schedule left her with very little time to recover or savour the moment. The Olympic and world championship silver medallist had won the USD 700,000 China Open in 2016 and will be one of the favourites to secure the women's singles title at the BWF World Tour Super 1000 tournament. The third seeded Indian will start her campaign against Hong Kong's Cheung Ngan Yi
Japan's Osaka blames US Open tears on 'notorious' nerves
Naomi Osaka has put her US Open tears down to shredded nerves and her natural awkwardness, rather than the tantrum thrown by Serena Williams that overshadowed a historic Japanese win. The 20-year-old melted hearts when she burst into sobs as boos rang out following her emphatic 6-2, 6-4 thrashing of Williams in a controversial New York final a little over a week ago. But Osaka has refused to blame her childhood idol, who called chair umpire Carlos Ramos a "thief" in an astonishing rant triggered by a code violation for coaching that culminated in a docked game. "I feel like there was just a lot of emotions," Osaka said in Tokyo on Monday. "I couldn't really pinpoint it at the time, I just felt very overwhelmed." The row that erupted between Williams and Ramos polarised opinion and sparked a debate about sexism in tennis after the American fumed that the umpire would not have treated a male player in the same fashion. Osaka has stayed above the fray since becoming Japan's first Grand ..
Not over yet: Mercedes cautious despite Hamilton's Singapore 'stardust'
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said it was special to conquer "bogey track" Singapore but cautioned the F1 title race wasn't over yet after Lewis Hamilton's "stardust" propelled him to a potentially decisive 40-point lead over Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton raced to a stunning pole position which he converted into a dominant victory -- his fourth in five races -- to leave Ferrari, who seem to have the faster car, again scratching their heads with just six grands prix to go. Team principal Wolff said there was no mystery to Mercedes' form, it was all down to sheer hard work back at the factory and the track. "Singapore has been our bogey track for several years, so it is a special feeling to come here and win this race on pace," Wolf told reporters after Hamilton's pole-to-flag win and team-mate Valtteri Bottas's fourth place gave them a 25-point lead over Ferrari in the constructors' championship. "The entire team has worked so hard to understand the car and take steps forward, ...
Cyclist Yates wins 2018 Vuelta, Viviani earns final stage
United Kingdom cyclist Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) has been crowned champion of the 2018 Vuelta a España, while Italy's Elia Viviani (Quick Step) won the 21st and final stage, claiming his third victory in this year's edition of the race.
Need to be at our best to beat India, says Pakistan skipper Sarfraz
A comprehensive win over Hong Kong is a perfect start but Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed says his team will have to raise the game by several notches to outwit arch-rivals India in the much-awaited Asia Cup clash on Wednesday. Pakistan defeated Hong Kong by eight wickets Sunday night in the Asia Cup. Sarfraz said his team needs to iron out a few things before the clash against India. "As a captain, I saw a couple of things which we should work on. For us to go the distance in the tournament, we should have won this game (against Hong Kong) by nine or 10 wickets. "We also need to ball better with the new ball. We need to get early wickets with the new ball. It didn't swing for us with the new ball, that is alarming for us," Sarfraz said after the match. "We will work on it in our next practice session. It's a good win but to win against India we have to be at our best in all the three departments," he added. Left-arm pacer Usman Khan was the star performer for Pakistan and was adjudged
Resigned in best interest of Delhi cricket: Sehwag
Former India opener Virender Sehwag Monday said he resigned from the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association's cricket committee keeping the body's interests in mind. Sehwag, along with committee members Aakash Chopra and Rahul Sanghvi, had recommended the retention of Manoj Prabhakar as bowling coach but it wasn't ratified by the management. It couldn't be confirmed if that was the trigger for Sehwag's resignation. However, as per DDCA sources the trio's resignation was accepted because the state body will submit a new constitution as per Supreme Court orders in the next two days and fresh panels need to be appointed. When Sehwag was asked whether Prabhakar's non-appointment led to his resignation, he gave an open-ended reply. ''We had come together and given time and effort with the idea of contributing and helping in the improvement of Delhi cricket within the framework of our role as a cricket committee," Sehwag told PTI. ''However, looking at the best interest of Delhi Cricket, ..
Asia Cup: India's Hong Kong dress rehearsal before Pak test
A formidable India will be aiming to make short work of minnows Hong Kong in their Asia Cup opener Tuesday before getting battle-ready for their much-anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Wednesday. The match against Hong Kong will be an 'appetiser' before cricket junkies are treated to a lavish spread of main course which will be the Indo-Pak rivalry. Even without regular skipper Virat Kohli, the Indian side, led by Rohit Sharma, is an intimidating one in the limited-overs format. Although Rohit and his colleagues won't want to take Hong Kong lightly, in reality the match will only be a pre-cursor or a glorified dress rehearsal before they take on an in-form Pakistan the very next day. In the searing Dubai heat, where the mercury has risen up to 43 degree Celsius, the primary aim for the Men in Blue would be to get their combination right before the big game. Hong Kong lost their opener against Pakistan by eight wickets in a thoroughly one sided showdown where they could .
Ronaldo has sights on Champions League after drought breaker
After finally getting off the mark for Juventus in the league, Cristiano Ronaldo has his sights set on his favorite competition: the Champions League. Ronaldo was under pressure after three games without scoring for Juventus since his move from Real Madrid, but he broke his mini-drought with two goals in Sunday's 2-1 win over Sassuolo in Serie A. Next up for Juventus and Ronaldo is a trip to Valencia on Wednesday as the Champions League kicks off this week. "I feel like that's my home. It's the competition that I love the most," Ronaldo said. "Let's hope we have some luck, it will be a difficult group but I can't wait." Juventus has won the Serie A title for the last seven seasons and the league and Italian Cup double for the past four but has struggled to transfer that domestic supremacy to the European stage. Juventus hasn't won Europe's premier club competition since 1996, although it has reached the final twice in the past four editions. Splashing out a Serie A record 112 ...
Fallen giants Inter Milan still chasing Mourinho magic
Eight years have elapsed since Jose Mourinho's reign as Inter Milan coach ended on a historic high of Champions League glory, and the fallen Italian giants are still struggling to recapture that magic from Madrid. The Portuguese oversaw the most successful season in the club's history -- a 2-0 win over Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu completed the first treble of Serie A, domestic Cup and Champions League in Italian history. Since those days it has been lean times for the 18-time Italian and three-time European champions, with the only title of any sort a 2011 Italian Cup crown. Luciano Spalletti's side return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2010-2011 season on Tuesday when they host Tottenham at the San Siro. Expectations are high, but their return comes against a backdrop of continuing crisis as the Nerazzurri lie a lowly 15th with just one win and four points from four games. Inter, who finished fourth last season, had looked a serious rival to ...
Champions League return offers Salah stage to dispel second-season struggles
Mohamed Salah outshone Neymar and Kylian Mbappe on the Champions League stage last season, but as Paris Saint-Germain's star duo head to Anfield on Tuesday seeking to make amends, the Egyptian is struggling to match the heights of his debut campaign at Liverpool. Salah's failure to hit top form dates back to his last Champions League appearance four months ago. Back in May, Salah was on the crest of a wave as his 44-goal campaign had carried Liverpool to the Champions League final and ensured qualification for this season's competition. However, he lasted just 30 minutes in Kiev after injuring his shoulder when wrestled to the ground by Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos and the Spanish giants went on to lift the trophy in a 3-1 win. That started a difficult few months for Salah as he was also robbed of being 100-percent fit for Egypt's first World Cup in 28 years. Without their talisman, the Pharaohs were beaten by Uruguay in their opening game and his goals against Russia and Saudi ...
Barca desperate to make amends in Europe with memories of Rome still fresh
Almost exactly an hour after the final whistle, Barcelona posted a tweet: "Congratulations to @realmadrid for winning the 2017/18 Champions League title." Underneath some fans demanded the message be deleted immediately while others claimed it as a classy touch. "We are rivals, not enemies", one wrote. Meanwhile, Barcelona's key players - Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta - stayed quiet. Some had recently posted pictures of themselves surrounded by their families, with the World Cup just around the corner. But from the words that have been spoken since, and despite the club's stately message, it is clear Madrid's triumph hit home. Barcelona had failed and this made it even harder to bear. "Obviously it's infuriating (for us)," Suarez said in an interview with RAC1 earlier this month. "Madrid have won the Champions League in each of the last three years. They have made history and it's a thorn in our side." Chiefly, perhaps, because Barca will feel they were ...
Croatia beat US to set up Davis Cup final with France
Croatia will meet France in the Davis Cup final after defeating the United States 3-2 as Borna Coric triumphed in the decisive match in Zadar on Sunday. Coric defeated Davis Cup debutant Frances Tiafoe 6-7 (0/7), 6-1, 6-7 (11/13), 6-1, 6-3 to end a thrilling fightback by the Americans over the weekend. Croatia will play in their third final in November, after winning the 2005 title and losing in 2016 to Argentina. Croatia have now beaten the US in all five of their Davis Cup meetings. They also faced France in the final of this summer's football World Cup, with Les Bleus winning 4-2. Coric's victory followed Sam Querrey's surprise win over world number six Marin Cilic 6-7 (2/7), 7-6 (7/6), 6-3, 6-4 in Sunday's first match which hauled the visitors level at 2-2. Both Cilic and Coric had won their singles matches on Friday, before the US cut Croatia's lead to 2-1 as Mike Bryan and Ryan Harrison beat Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic in a dramatic doubles rubber on Saturday. Jim Courier's team .
French decathlete Mayer smashes world record
World champion Kevin Mayer set a new world record in the decathlon with 9,126 points at the Decastar meet on Sunday to eclipse Ashton's Eaton previous mark of 9,045. The Frenchman threw a personal best of 71.90 metres in the javelin in the penultimate event to leave him with the relatively simple task of needing to finish inside 4 minutes 49 seconds in the 1500 metres. The 26-year-old cruised home in 4:36 to become just the third decathlete to surpass the mythical 9,000-point barrier, joining double Olympic champion Eaton and Czech icon Roman Sebrle. "That was an incredible display of ability! I'm super happy for @mayer_decathlon & even more for the future of the decathlon," tweeted American Eaton, who retired from athletics last year. "Important thing to me has always been to keep pushing the limit and inspiring others to do the same. The more 9k can become commonplace the better." The 26-year-old Mayer missed out on adding the European title to his world crown and Olympic silver
Asia Cup: Pakistan register easy victory over Hong KOng
Pakistan kicked off their Asia Cup 2018 campaign on a winning note by beating Hong Kong by eight wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium here on Sunday.
We have to be at our best in all departments to beat India: Sarfraz
Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed on Sunday said his team will have to produce its absolute best in all three departments to outwit India in the six-nation Asia Cup ODI tournament. Pakistan defeated Hong Kong by eighth wickets to make a positive start to their campaign but Sarfraz pointed out a few things which his team need to work on before they clash with India on September 19. "As a captain, I saw couple of things which we should work on. We should have finished this match with 9 or 10 wickets and we need to ball better with the new ball. Ball didn't swing for us with the new ball, that is alarming for us," Sarfraz said after the match. "We will work on it in our next practice session. To win against India we have to be at our best in all the three departments," he added. Usman Khan was adjudged the Man-of-the-Match for his three wickets in an over that helped Pakistan bowl out Hong Kong for a paltry 116. Pakistan then scored 120 for 2 in 23.4 overs to win the match. "When I came to .
Ronaldo scores Serie A goal, Juventus' winning streak continues
Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first Serie A goal on Sunday, then went on to make it a brace as he led Juventus to a 2-1 win against Sassuolo, extending the Italian league leader's winning streak.
Asia Cup: Clinical Pakistan beat Hong Kong by 8 wickets
Usman Khan took three wickets before opener Imam-ul-Haq hit an unbeaten fifty as Pakistan notched up a dominating eight-wicket win over minnows Hong Kong in a group A match of the Asia Cup ODI tournament here on Sunday. Electing to bat, Hong Kong folded for a paltry 116 in 37.1 overs, courtesy Usman's 3 for 19 and two-wicket hauls by Shadab Khan (2/31) and Hasan Ali (2/19). Pakistan then returned to overhaul the target, scoring 120 for 2 in 23.4 overs, built mainly around opener Imam's 69-ball unbeaten 50 that was laced with three fours and a six. Chasing 117 to win, Pakistan made a good start with Imam and Fakhar Zaman sharing a 41-run partnership in 8 overs for the opening wicket. Pakistan lost their first wicket when Fakhar was caught by McKechnie off Ehsan Khan's ball in the 9th over. Imam and new man Babar then added 52 runs to take the team close to the target. Babar hit three fours and a six in his 36-ball 33 before being caught behind by Mckechnie for Ehsan's second ...
Pakistan beat Hong Kong by 8 wickets in Asia Cup
Pakistan defeated Hong Kong by 8 wickets in a group A match of the Asia Cup ODI tournament here on Sunday. Usman Khan (3/19) was the top wicket-taker, while Imam-ul-Haq (50 not out) top-scored to guide Pakistan to a dominating win. Brief Score: Hong Kong: 116 allout in 37.1 overs (Aizaz Khan 27; Usman Khan 3/19) Pakistan: 120 for 2 in 23.4 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 50 not out; Ehsan Khan 2/34).