Page 140 - Sports
Play responsibly, avoid careless shots: Holder to batsmen
West Indies skipper Jason Holder has urged his batsmen to play more responsibly and take ownership of their innings after England thumped them by eight wickets in their World Cup clash at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.
Expats in UAE gear up for India-Pakistan WC match
Indian expats in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are gearing up for the World Cup clash between India and Pakistan in Manchester on Sunday, with some hoping that the match doesn't get washed away by the rain, the media reported on Saturday.
'The Big Bash' of the World Cup 2019 (Column: Close-in)
England's famous ground, the Old Trafford in Manchester, has been a historic venue for Indian cricket. There have been some wonderful moments and equally depressing ones as well. But, overall, India has come out with some magnificent performances there.
FIH Men's Series Finals: India secures finals berth after 7-2 win over Japan
India defeated Japan 7-2 in the semi-finals of the FIH Men's Series Final on Friday here at Kalinga Stadium.The all-Asian encounter started at a high tempo, as it took only 90 seconds for Japan to open their account after a great pass from Kenta Tanaka was converted into a goal by Kenji Kitazato. India immediately put pressure on Japan in an attempt to get a quick equaliser.After a great save from Yusuke Takano following a shot from Nilakanta Sharma and a missed opportunity by Gursahibjit Singh, the home team levelled the score with a penalty corner from Harmanpreet Singh, who celebrated his 100th cap in the best possible way.But Japan were determined to give a hard time to the 5th ranked team in the world. First, Kenta Tanaka, at the conclusion of one of his numerous fast runs, put the Indian defence under pressure. Then, in the 20th minute of the game, Kota Watanabe managed to hit the ball into the goal, making it 2-2.But once again, India reacted with no delay. First Ramandeep ...
CWC '19: Meme war intensifies ahead of Indo-Pak clash
As the much-anticipated India-Pakistan World Cup clash is inching closer, the social media war between cricket enthusiasts on either side of the border has amplified.Recently, a spoof video came out on social media duplicating what transpired when Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured by Pakistani troops. Countering this, an Indian fan uploaded an advertisement to keep the banter going ahead of the much-anticipated clash.In the ad, a Pakistani cricket fan wearing the team's jersey is sitting along with an Indian fan in a salon. The former gifts a handkerchief to the latter and when asked about the use of the hanky, the Pakistani supporter quips it will be helpful to wipe tears after India loses to Pakistan.A barber comes into the frame and begins shaping the Pakistani fan's beard similar to that of Abhinandan's. The Indian fan is then heard saying referring to the "hero's style" and hands back the handkerchief.The ad ends with the Indian supporter saying ...
India far better than Pakistan as a team: Kapil Dev
The "far better" Indian team has a much higher probability of winning against Pakistan in their forthcoming Cricket World Cup clash, said former India captain Kapil Dev on Friday."The Indian team is definitely far better. I am not saying because I am Indian. But I feel when I was playing the Pakistan team was much better than us. Today I can say that if they play 10 matches, India will win seven. What will happen that day God knows. I hope the players play to the best of their potential," Dev told reporters.Dev praised current India skipper Virat Kohli."I do not think so that I can compare myself with him, he is really good, he is number one player in the world and we are proud of our captain," he said.Eulogising pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who is in impeccable form, Dev said he hopes that the 25-year-old remains fit for another five years."When I saw him (Bumrah) for the first time, I did not expect him to have such an ability. I changed my word and I say God, he is really fantastic. From .
Look to learn by watching Kohli: Babar Azam
Two two days before the marquee India-Pakistan clash in the World Cup, highly-rated Pakistan batsman Babar Azam said on Friday that he always tried to learn from India skipper Virat Kohli.
CWC'19: England vanquishes West Indies by 8 wickets
Joe Root's ton helped England thrash West Indies by eight wickets in their clash at the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup at Rose Bowl Cricket Ground here on Friday.Chasing a modest total of 213 runs, England got off to a brilliant start as both the openers, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root, struck regular boundaries.Both kept the scoreboard running and stitched a 95-run partnership before Shannon Gabriel provided West Indies with their first breakthrough in the name of Bairstow (45) in the 15th over.Chris Woakes then came out to bat and joined Root on the field. Both played some scintillating knocks and proved too good for the Windies as no bowler managed to restrict them from scoring. Root scored his half-century and along with Woakes, added 104 runs on the board.The second breakthrough to West Indies was also provided by Gabriel, who got hold of Woakes (40) in the 32nd over. However, the match had already slipped away from West Indies' hands as England needed just 14 runs from 109 ...
Sri Lanka complain to ICC about 'unfair' pitches
Sri Lanka manager Ashantha de Mel on Friday complained to the International Cricket Council (ICC) about the "unfair" pitches provided for the island nation's matches in the ongoing World Cup so far.
India thrash Japan 7-2 to enter FIH Series final
India tore apart reigning Asian Games champion Japan 7-2 in a one-sided encounter to storm into the summit clash of the FIH Series Finals hockey tournament here on Friday, assuring themselves a place in the year end's Olympic qualifying event.
Root shows way as England thrash Windies by 8 wickets
England rode Joe Root's unbeaten 16th ODI hundred and brilliance of their fast bowlers to register a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over a listless West Indies in a lopsided World Cup encounter at The Rose Bowl here on Friday.
Pacers, Root set up England's overwhelming eight-wicket win over West Indies
Joe Root hit his second century of the tournament after England pace battery tormented the West Indies batsmen to set up a thumping eight-wicket win in their World Cup match here Friday. West Indies got a taste of their own medicine -- they had troubled the Pakistanis with bouncers in their only win thus far -- as the England pace battery unleashed fiery spells to bundle them out for 212 in 44.4 overs. England overhauled the target with remarkable ease, completing the win in 33.1 overs as Root remained unbeaten on 100, which came off 94 balls. In his 16th ODI hundred, Root found the boundary rope 11 times. West Indies owed their total to Nicholas Pooran (63), who chose the biggest stage to strike his maiden ODI fifty, and Shimron Hetmyer's (39) sensible batting on a pitch which had no demons. They added 89 runs for the fourth wicket but West Indies' big guns failed to fire. Extravagance, when the situation demanded patience, resulted in Chris Gayle (36) and Andre Russell (21) throwing
Current Indian team will beat Pakistan 7 out of 10 times: Kapil
World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev on Friday said the India are a far better side than Pakistan and he doesn't see Virat Kohli's team losing to the arch-rivals in their World Cup clash on Sunday. "The India-Pakistan match I have to keep my fingers crossed about it... I hope the players don't keep their fingers crossed... (laughs).. Just keep on playing. Looking at both the teams the Indian team is definitely far better. I am not saying because I am Indian," said Kapil here. "But I feel when I was playing the Pakistan team was much better than us. Today I can say that if they play 10 matches, India will win 7. India are far better than Pakistan... What happens that day God knows." On the rise of Indian fast bowling over the years, Kapil said if an Indian (Jasprit Bumrah) is the number one fast bowler in the world, it shows that "we have come a long, long way". "When you don't have something and you get it, you feel proud about that. That is what has happened to the Indian team in ...
CWC'19: Key players to watch out in Sri Lanka-Australia clash
Defending champions Australia will look to regain their winning streak by trouncing Sri Lanka in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup match on June 15 at The Oval.Earlier this week, Australia defeated their opponent Pakistan by 41 runs, prior to which they were defeated by India by 36 runs. Currently, Australia is at number two in the points table.On the other hand, Sri Lanka got off to a bad start in the World Cup as their last two matches were abandoned due to rain. In the four matches Sri Lanka has played so far, they only managed to win against Afghanistan, forcing them to settle for the fifth position in the team standings.Ahead of the crucial clash, here are some key players to look out for:Aaron FinchIn the four matches Australia has played so far, Finch contributed 190 runs with the bat and took one wicket against Pakistan in the last match. Australia's one-day stint saw massive improvement thanks to skipper Finch, who amassed 451 runs in five matches to guide his side ...
India maul Japan 7-2 to storm into final
India outplayed reigning Asian Games champion Japan 7-2 to storm into the summit clash of the FIH Series Finals hockey tournament here on Friday, assuring themselves a place in the year end's Olympic qualifying event. Returning to the side after a long injury lay-off, Ramadeep Singh (23rd, 37th minutes) finally got his mojo back with a double strike, while Harmanpreet Singh (7th), Varun Kumar (14th), Hardik Singh (25th), Gursahibjit Singh (43rd) and Vivek Sagar Prasad (47) also registered their name on the scoresheet. Japan's goals were scored by Kenji Kitazato (2nd) and Kota Watanabe (20th). India will face South Africa in Saturday's final while Japan will square off against USA in the third-fourth place play-off match. South Africa had earlier defeated USA 2-1 in the first semifinal. For the first time in the tournament, the Indian defence was literally tested as world no. 18 Japan gave a good account of themselves in patches. To the dismay of the home crowd, Japan took the lead in .
Babar Azam prepares for India clash by watching Kohli's batting videos
Pakistan batsman Babar Azam models himself on Virat Kohli and is preparing for Sunday's high-voltage World Cup clash between the arch-rivals by watching videos of the Indian captain. Babar, who scored a brilliant 63 in Pakistan's victory over England, is a key player for Pakistan as his side seeks its maiden World Cup win over India. "I watch his batting and the way he bats in various conditions and try to learn from them," Babar told reporters on Friday. "His (Kohli's) winning ratio is higher (for India) so I am trying to achieve that as well," the 24 year-old right-handed batsman said. Babar said his side would take inspiration from their Champions Trophy final victory over India two years ago. "The Champions Trophy win gave us confidence and will also help here as well because the team is mostly the same and that win is always an inspiration," he said. Pakistan suffered a 124-run defeat against India in the opening match of the Champions Trophy but hit back by crushing their ...
Sri Lanka complain to ICC about green pitches, inadequate training facilities and accommodation
Complaining of step-motherly treatment meted out to them in the ongoing World Cup, an exasperated Sri Lanka has expressed dissatisfaction at the types of pitches provided, inadequate training and transport facilities apart from below-par accommodation. Sri Lanka team manager Ashantha de Mel has written to the ICC, stating that Sri Lanka were made to play on two green decks in Cardiff, where they lost to New Zealand before defeating Afghanistan, whereas other teams who played on same venue were provided high-scoring pitches. De Mel said another green track awaits Sri Lanka ahead of their match against Australia on Saturday. "This is a World Cup where the top 10 countries are taking part and I feel that all the participants should be treated equally. "What we have found out is that for the four matches we have played so far at Cardiff and Bristol the ICC has prepared a green pitch, and at the same venues where the other countries have played the pitches are brown and favourable for high
Kothari's run ends at Pacific International billiards meet
Peter Gilchrist, a former multiple world billiards champion from Singapore, brought Sourav Kothari's run to a halt at the Pacific International snooker billiards championship played at the Yarraville Club here on Friday.
If we look back, it would be tough get out of the hole: du Plessis
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis on Friday said there is no point in looking back at their disappointing World Cup campaign thus far as they remain determined to win their remaining five games to stay alive in the competition. South Africa got their first point of the World Cup courtesy a washout against the West Indies. The no result came after three straight losses against England, Bangladesh and India. "We have to make sure we put all our energy and focus into what's coming up next. If we carry the ghosts of the last week with us, it's going to be tough to get out of the hole," du Plessis on the eve of the game against Afghanistan. "We can't be looking back. If we are looking back, we are almost going to float through this tournament and then we might win one or two or three games and we won't achieve what we want. We have been having conversations an making sure we are strong and we know what we need to do." The most pressing task for South Africa is to start winning so they ...
Domestic cricket is not the reason, says Rassie van der Dussen after Proteas' poor WC performance
After South Africa's dismal run in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, fans raised many questions over their performance but backing the domestic cricket in the country, Rassie van der Dussen said it is not the place to look at if they want to find some answers for the team's poor performance in the premier tournament.Van der Dussen has played first-class cricket all over the world. Therefore, when asked whether domestic cricket set-up in South Africa is adequate enough to prepare players properly for the international stages, Van der Dussen said that they have a 'very strong' domestic set up and further added that people can judge this by looking at him."I would say judge it on me, then. I think I've done okay in the last few games that I've played for South Africa. When teams lose people start looking for reasons why, but I don't think that's the place to look. We've got a very strong domestic set-up in South Africa and some really good players," Sport24.co.za quoted Van der ...