Page 1244 - Sports
Desperate India set for reshuffle in do-or-die Test
Shaken by abject surrender in the first two Tests, a desperate India are expected to ring in a slew of changes as they aim at redemption against a rampaging England in a do-or-die third Test, starting tomorrow. For Indian team, the Trent Bridge Test will be their last chance to save the series after being outplayed in the first two Test matches -- by 31 runs Edgbaston and innings and 159 runs at the Lord's. Down 0-2 with only five and half days of competitive cricket in all, skipper Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri will be aiming to get the team combination right having bungled at the Lord's. As a result, India will play their 38th combination in as many matches that skipper Kohli had led. The most awaited change will be 20-year-old Rishabh Pant's imminent Test debut replacing a horribly out-of-form Dinesh Karthik, who might well have played his last international game in the longest format. With scores of 0, 20, 1 & 0 in four innings coupled with shoddy glovework meant that ...
Tendulkar terms Wadekar's demise as irreparable, personal loss
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar today paid rich tributes to Ajit Wadekar and said the demise of the former India captain was an "irreparable and personal loss" for him. Wadekar passed away at a South Mumbai hospital on August 15 at the age of 77 after prolonged illness. "This is an irreparable loss. I will say it is a personal loss. People know Wadekar sir as a great cricketer, but I was fortunate enough to see him as a great cricketer as well as a wonderful person. For me he was very important. Over the years our relationship grew stronger," Tendulkar said while paying his last respects to the departed soul here. Wrapped in the tricolour, Wadekar's body was kept at his Worli residence for people to pay their last respects ahead of his cremation to be performed later in the day at the Shivaji Park crematorium. Tendulkar fondly remembered Wadekar's contribution in shaping up his career. "Wadekar sir has a big contribution in my life, especially at a critical stage. I was a 20-year-old .
NFL players continue silent protests
Several players from the National Football League (NFL) did not take the field during the playing of American national anthem as they continued to stage silent protests against racial injustice and police brutality in the US.
After CWG setback, squash star Ghosal ready to hit top gear at Asiad
After enduring a disappointing Commonwealth Games (CWG) singles campaign, India's top-ranked squash player Saurav Ghosal feels he has recovered from the setback and is ready to put his best foot forward at the upcoming Asian Games.
Olympians Ross, Kocian say they are Nassar survivors
Olympic gold medal-winning gymnasts Kyla Ross and Madison Kocian said Thursday they were among the women and girls sexually abused by former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. Ross, an Olympian in 2012 and Kocian, who competed at the 2016 Rio Games, spoke on "CBS This Morning" and to other US media outlets, saying that they did not join more than 150 victims who confronted Nassar at his trial in January because they had not come to terms with the abuse. Both posted statements on their Twitter feeds saying they were proud and honored to join those who have come forward to demand change from USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic Committee. "I am honored to join that invincible army," said Ross, who won team gold at the 2012 London Games. Ross told CBS she was long "in denial" about what she experienced. "At 13, I thought it was a legitimate form of treatment. As years have gone on, after hearing impact statements, you realize what a terrible event has happened," she said. Ross said that ...
Sassuolo bag Barca's Marlon as Serie A transfer deadline looms
Barcelona and Brazil defender Marlon completed a move to Serie A side Sassuolo Thursday on the eve of the closure of the transfer window in Italy. The 23-year-old underwent a medical with the side from Modena agreeing a five-year deal worth 12 million euros (USD 13.6 million). Sassuolo will pay six million euros now and a further six million more if the Brazilian plays 50 games for the club with the Catalan giants retaining a buy-back option and 50 percent of any future fee. The former Brazil Under-20 international, who spent last season on loan at Nice, could make his Serie A debut at home to Inter this Sunday. Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina joined Napoli with Villarreal's Samu Castillejo and Genoa's Diego Laxalt completing medicals at AC Milan among a late flurry of action before the transfer deadline. Colombian international Ospina's arrival comes amid criticism from fans at the lack of spending by new coach Carlo Ancelotti's Serie A runners-up compared to champions Juventus who ..
Australia football boss Lowy to step down amid reform battle
Football Federation Australia chairman Steven Lowy said Friday he will not seek re-election later this year, in a shock decision that comes amid a reform battle that could lead to a takeover by FIFA. The world governing body has been pushing the FFA to expand its membership and adopt a more democratic governance model, or potentially face FIFA taking over the running of the game in Australia. Lowy, who took over in 2015 after his father Frank Lowy stepped down, said the suggested changes to give domestic A-League clubs more power would hand their foreign owners more control of the game at the expense of grassroots football.
Ronaldo set for Serie A debut amid sombre backdrop in Italy
Cristiano Ronaldo will make his much-anticipated Serie A debut for Juventus who open their campaign for an eighth straight Italian league title on Saturday against a sombre backdrop of a country in mourning following the Genoa bridge disaster. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was the star signing of the summer season arriving amid great pomp and ceremony following a 100 million euro (USD 117 million) deal from Real Madrid. But it could be a low-key start for the 33-year-old Portuguese superstar against minnows Chievo in Verona's Stadio Bentegodi on Saturday on a day of national mourning for the victims of the Morandi bridge tradegy in the north-western port city. The emotional impact of the disaster has led to the postponement of Serie A games involving local teams Sampdoria and Genoa who had been due to open their campaigns against Fiorentina and AC Milan. But all other games will go ahead starting on Saturday -- the day of the 38 victims' funerals -- with last season's top two teams
Tough start makes Arsenal's Emery evolution a slow burner
Unai Emery couldn't have asked for a tougher start to life as Arsenal manager as hot on the heels of defeat to Manchester City in his Premier League bow, the Gunners travel to Chelsea on Saturday. The task facing Emery to turn Arsenal merely back into contention for the top four, after missing out on the Champions League for the past two seasons, let alone title challengers was laid bare as City cruised to a 2-0 win at the Emirates. Reversing seasons of decline towards the end of Arsene Wenger's 22-year reign was never going to be a quick fix, particularly with Arsenal's spending over the summer not near the top of the Premier League arms race. Emery's decision to not start GBP 20 million new recruit Bernd Leno in goal was therefore even more of a surprise as Petr Cech kept his place. Veteran Cech, 36, struggled with Emery's demands to play out from the back against City and almost scored a comical own goal by passing the ball inches past his own post. Cech subsequently became ...
Ex Portugal boss Bento named as new South Korea coach
Former Portugal boss Paulo Bento will coach South Korea over the next four years through the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the Korea Football Association (KFA) announced Friday. Kim Pan-gon, a top KFA official in charge of finding a new coach, said that with "four years of patience and support" Bento will take the Taeguk Warriors to new heights. "Coach Bento fits the Korean football style as he pursues high-pressing games and tight defences denying opponents chances for counterattacks," Kim told journalists. He also praised Bento -- who took Portugal to the semi-finals of Euro 2012 -- for his strength in the knockout stages of competitions. "He is professional, charismatic and has passion and confidence," Kim said. Bento and his staff are scheduled to arrive in South Korea on Monday, the KFA said. Bento took the Portuguese reins in 2010 after four seasons in charge of Sporting Lisbon, but was sacked in 2014 after an ignominious home defeat to Albania. He later had stints in charge of ...
European champions Asher-Smith and Hughes face world's best
Britain's Dina Asher-Smith ruled the roost in the sprints at the European Championships, but on Saturday in front of an expectant British crowd at the Birmingham Diamond League meet she will see if she can beat the best in the world. The 22-year-old swept 100 metres, 200m and 4x100m relay titles in Berlin but the likes of Jamaican legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, in-form Ivorian Marie-Josee Ta Lou and Bahamas star Shaunae Miller-Uibo will oppose her over what should be a mouth-watering 200m. British track and field fans will be in for a treat as also present will be men's 100m champion Zharnel Hughes and 400m gold medallist Matt Hudson-Smith. However, like Asher-Smith, it is one thing to be European champion but throw the potent cocktail of Americans and Jamaicans into the sprint mix and the level of what is required to win goes up a level or two. Asher-Smith, though, has been bathing in plaudits all week with the likes of Michael Johnson predicting she can go on to win Olympic gold in
Snedeker fires rare 59 to seize PGA Greensboro lead
Brandt Snedeker became only the ninth golfer in US PGA Tour history to fire a 59 on Thursday, his 11-under effort putting him in the lead in the first round of the Wyndham Championship. Snedeker rolled in a 20-foot birdie putt at his final hole, the par-4 ninth, to join one of golf's most exclusive clubs. "To roll that putt in was such a cool feeling," said Snedeker, whose 10 birdies, six pars and one eagle virtually erased any memory of an opening bogey at the 10th hole. "I got so excited, goosebumps ... jumping around like I won the golf tournament and it's Thursday morning," Snedeker said. "I'll have to get the emotions in check this afternoon, get back to reality." Snedeker finished with 10 birdies, six pars and an eagle at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina. He improved on his career best of 61 -- which he has shot three times on tour -- and came up one shot shy of Jim Furyk's record low of 58 for a single PGA Tour round, achieved at the 2016 Travelers ...
Rain slows Djokovic in Cincy, Stephens ousted
Novak Djokovic's third-round struggle with defending champion Grigor Dimitrov was halted by rain, forcing the pair to come back on Friday at the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters. Officials called a halt to a frustrating day on which Roger Federer was never able to take the court for his third-round match against Leonardo Mayer. Wimbledon champion Djokovic is vying to break through for a first Cincinnati win after coming up empty in five finals. He lost the first set 6-2 and won the second 6-3 when rain stopped the contest for 90 minutes. When play resumed, Djokovic edged ahead 2-1 in the third, but another storm rolled in and organizers called a halt. Cincinnati remains the only one of the nine Masters 1000 events that the Serb star hasn't won. He has lifted trophies at least twice at each of the other eight events in the elite ATP series. Bulgaria's Dimitrov, who has won just one of eight prior encounters with Djokovic, prevailed easily in the opening set and broke early in the second ...
Serena talks about balancing motherhood and career
American tennis star Serena Williams, who is all set to be back on tennis court for the 2018 US Open, candidly speaks about her struggle to balance motherhood with her career.The 36-year-old, in length, talked about what she has been going through since giving birth to her daughter, Alexis Olympia, who turns one this September.Williams reflected on her remarkable journey to Wimbledon, where she reached the finals of the women's singles event before going down to Germany's Angelique Kerber in straight sets."I dedicated that to all the moms out there who have been through a lot. Some days, I cry. I am really sad. I have had meltdowns. It has been a really tough 11 months. If I can do it, you guys can do it too," E!Online quoted Williams as saying.When Williams was quizzed as to why she continues to play amid everything going on in her personal life, the former world number one said that she is not done yet.Admitting that it was quite 'difficult to leave' her daughter at home, Williams ..
Ghana reaches deal with FIFA to avert dissolution of FA
Ghana today backed away from controversial plans to dissolve its graft-ridden football federation, as it reached a deal with FIFA to clean up football administration in the country. Ghana's attorney general had taken steps towards dissolving the embattled Ghana Football Association (GFA) after an explosive documentary in June showed officials allegedly soliciting bribes worth millions of dollars. FIFA countered that it would work with Ghana to tackle corruption but would not allow the GFA's hasty liquidation. FIFA president Gianni Infantino met a senior delegation from Accra on Thursday with both sides agreeing to "establish a normalisation committee to replace the Executive Committee of the Ghana Football Association," a FIFA statement said. The committee will be staffed by people with "integrity and competence," it added. "Satisfied with the above measures, the Government of Ghana shall take steps to discontinue the process for the winding up of the Ghana Football Association," FIFA
Bayliss calls on Stokes to make public apology
England coach Trevor Bayliss has urged troubled all-rounder Ben Stokes to make a public apology after his acquittal for affray following his involvement in a brawl in Bristol last September. Stokes was cleared of any affray charges on Tuesday following a trial in Bristol Crown Court, putting an end to a court case that went on for nearly 11 months. Following his acquittal, Stokes, who had missed England's innings and 159-run win in the second Test against India at Lord's, was included to the 13-member team for the third Test starting on Saturday. Bayliss revealed today that Stokes had apologised to his team-mates in New Zealand earlier this year and said a public apology might be round the corner. "When he came out to New Zealand after the Ashes tour that he missed, he addressed the players in the changing room when he first arrived. So from our point of view, his contrition was evident for the boys in the team," Bayliss told reporters. "I think it was important to actually apologise .
Win hearts too: When Vajpayee told Sourav & Co before 2004 Pak tour
The ice-breaking tour of Pakistan by the Indian cricket team led by Sourav Ganguly in 2004 was possible only because of the efforts of the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who asked the players to win hearts too apart from matches, recalls former team manager Ratnakar Shetty. The Indian team toured Pakistan after 19 years and had stalwarts like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble and Virendra Sehwag. Shetty, the then team manager, remembers the meeting the team had with Vajpayee prior to their departure. "The tour happened just because of Vajpayee ji. He wanted relations to improve and cricket was a mode of doing that. The BCCI decided to sent the team after the approval of his government," Shetty told PTI. "Before we were to leave for Pakistan, we got a message from the PMO that the prime minister wants to meet the team. He spent an hour with the team and spoke to each and every member," he said. "There was a navy band in the garden which was playing ...
Somdev Devvarman predicts bright future for surfing in India
Putting his weight behind surfing, former India tennis star Somdev Devvarman on Thursday predicted a bright future for the new Olympic sport in India.
Hot stuff: China swim king Sun eyes Asian sweep
Brash, belligerent and often painted as swimming's big, bad wolf, Chinese giant Sun Yang will be looking to savage his rivals at the Asian Games. The triple Olympic champion is poised to swim the men's 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle in Jakarta -- and it would take an astonishing upset to deny him a gold medal sweep. No shrinking violet, Sun triggered a diplomatic row at the 2014 Asian Games by slamming Japan's national anthem as "ugly" after being ambushed by Kosuke Hagino in the 200m free in Korea. Sun was banned for three months in 2014 for taking trimetazidine, prescribed for a heart condition and which had only been included on the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of illegal substances four months earlier. Rival swimmers tore into Sun at the Rio Olympics in 2016, where Australian Mack Horton labelled him a "drug cheat" and Frenchwoman Camille Lacourt sniffed that Sun "pees purple". Sun then escalated the war of words by accusing Horton of "dirty tactics" after losing his ...
India improve to world no 96 in FIFA rankings
Indian football team today improved a spot to be placed at the 96th position in the latest FIFA world rankings. Stephen Constantine's men, who were ranked 97th in the previous week, currently share the 96th spot with Georgia after FIFA implemented a new ranking system called ELO where points will be added or subtracted to a national team's already existing total before a match. Defending champions India are currently preparing for the SAFF Cup to be held next month at Bangaldesh. The seven-time title holders are grouped with Sri Lanka (ranked 200) and Maldives (150) in Group B of the tournament. India's next big assignment is the upcoming AFC Asian Cup which kicks-off in January next year. They are placed in the Group A alongside hosts UAE, Bahrain and Thailand. At the top, world champions France have moved up six spots to be ranked first while Belgium are second. Brazil, Croatia and Uruguay complete the top five.