Page 1450 - Sports

ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Ticket demand sees new high

With less than a year left for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, excitement has hit the shores of England and Wales, with an exciting response in the first round of ticket ballots.Till now, over one million tickets have been applied. As a result, now 42 of the 48 matches will be balloted, read a statement.The Old Trafford fixture between India and Pakistan proved to be the most popular, receiving enough applications to fill Wembley Stadium twice over, closely followed by the final at Lord's on July 14."The response has been fantastic, not only domestically in England and Wales, but from fans around the world, which gives us enormous satisfaction as we work towards making this a truly global celebration of cricket," said ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Managing Director Steve Elworthy."We expected a high demand for tickets, so we are pleased we could reward the players, coaches, umpires and supporters who make up the Cricket Family via priority access. We look forward to seeing the excitement

Borna Coric wins Halle Open, defeats Roger Federer

Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer suffered a surprise defeat to Croatia's Borna Coric in the final of the Halle Open on Sunday.Coric, 21, won 7-6 (8-6) 3-6 6-2 to end the Wimbledon champion's run of 20 consecutive victories on grass.Federer, 36, was bidding to win the event for the 10th time and secure his 99th career title heading into Wimbledon next week.The defeat means Spain's Rafael Nadal will take over as world number one.Coric took a little over two hours to claim his first grass court title. This was his first victory over Federer in their third career match.The 21-year-old Croatian had started the tournament by beating world No. 3 Alexander Zverev of Germany, and finished by denying Federer his 99th career title.Coric became only the sixth player to defeat Federer in a grass court final, joining Novak Djokovic of Serbia, Britain's Andy Murray, Spain's Rafael Nadal, Germany's Tommy Haas and Australia's Lleyton Hewitt.

Praggnanandhaa's family feels 'proud' over his second youngest chess grandmaster title

Chennai-based Tamil Nadu R Praggnanandhaa, 12, has become the youngest Indian Grandmaster and the second youngest overall in Chess by earning his third Grand Master norm during the Gredine Open in Italy. His family is proud over his achievement."We never forced him to join the game. It is a joyous moment for all of us. We are proud of him," Praggnanandhaa father Ramesh Babu told ANI.He got his third Grand Master at the age of 12 years and 10 months.After being paired with Dutch Grand Master Roeland Pruijssers for the final round, Praggnanandhaa was assured of a third norm irrespective of the result of the match. He is placed joint-top on the table at the end of 8 rounds, with 6.5 points.Praggnanandhaa won his first Grand Master norm at the World Junior Championships in Tarvisio in November 2017. He achieved his second norm by winning the Herkalion Fischer Memorial Grand Master Norm tournament in Greece in April earlier this year.He missed out on becoming the youngest ever by three ...

Sri Lanka battle back against West Indies

Kemar Roach removed both openers but an unbroken 49-run third-wicket partnership between Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis has taken Sri Lanka to 75 for two in reply to the West Indies first innings total of 204 at the dinner break on the second day of the day/night third Test. Sri Lanka, who trail 0-1 in the series, will head into the final session with Gunathilaka (29 not out) and Mendis (22 not out) seeking to extend their effort which was essential after Roach's early burst with the new ball. While Shannon Gabriel struggled to find the control which brought him match figures of 13 for 121 in the drawn second Test in St Lucia, Roach was right on target and reaped immediate rewards at Kensington Oval in Barbados yesterday. Kusal Perera's vulnerability outside the off-stump was again exposed when the left-hander edged a delivery to wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich while Mahela Udawatte was palpably leg-before to another probing full-length ball, reducing Sri Lanka then to 16 for ...

Colombia beat Poland 3-0 to stay alive in FIFA WC

Yerry Mina, Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado's goals on Sunday revived Colombia's hopes of reaching the knockout rounds of the ongoing 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup after a 3-0 victory over Poland at the Kazan Arena here.Barcelona defender Yerry Mina scored the opening goal in the 40th minute as he powered a header beyond Wojciech Szczesny.This was followed by Falcao's first World Cup goal that came in the 70th minute of the game.The presence of James Rodriguez - fully fit again after a calf injury - vastly improved Colombia's link-up play following a below-par performance in their 2-1 defeat to Japan in the opening game.In the 75th minute, Rodriguez provided a smooth assist to Cuadrado to add a third goal that put the game well beyond Poland's reach.The win kept alive Columbia's chances of advancing from the group stage. They are on three points from two matches.Poland, who had been defeated by Senegal in their previous match, have no points and are now out of the tournament.The

Cilic beats Djokovic in final for Queen's Club trophy

Marin Cilic of Croatia came back strong to beat Serbia's Novak Djokovic in the final 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-3 for the Queen's Club trophy.

World Cup: Colombia thrash insipid Poland

Colombia thrashed Poland 3-0 in a Group H encounter of the FIFA World Cup here on Sunday.

Falcao, Cuadrado and Mina star as stylish Colombia break Polish hearts

Radamel Falcao, Yerry Mina and Juan Cuadrado scored their maiden World Cup goals as stylish Colombia boosted their last 16 hopes with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Poland. In a match destined to see the loser sent home after the group stages, Colombia overcame a nervous start against Adam Nawalka's men to move up to third place in Group H, one point behind Japan and Senegal. The disappointing Poland became the first European side eliminated from the tournament. The South Americans' bid for a place in the last 16 will be determined by the results from their final game with Senegal, who drew 2-2 with Japan earlier yesterday. Colombia's march to the quarter-finals in Brazil four years ago came thanks to James Rodriguez's six-goal tally for 'Los Cafeteros'. And days after a troublesome calf injury restricted him to a half-hour cameo role as 10-man Colombia stumbled to a 2-1 defeat against Japan, the Bayern Munich midfielder was back to his best. Starting alongside Juan Quintero and ...

Hamilton wins French GP, regains top spot in F1 driver standings

Defending Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton of Britain (Mercedes) won the French Grand Prix on Sunday, regaining the overall top spot in the 2018 drivers' standings from German driver Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari), who finished fifth.

Buttler century sees England to thrilling series sweep of Australia

Jos Buttler's superb 110 not out saw England to a dramatic one-wicket win over Australia in the fifth and final one-day international at Old Trafford today. Victory saw England complete their first 5-0 series sweep of Australia in any format in more than 140 years of international men's matches between the arch-rivals. Set just 206 to win, England slumped to 50 for five and 114 for eight. They were still 11 runs shy of victory at 195 for nine when Adil Rashid (20), who had helped Buttler add 81, was dismissed to leave England 195 for nine. But Buttler responded by hitting part-time seamer Marcus Stoinis for six to complete a hundred off 117 balls -- the first time the usually rapid-scoring wicketkeeper-batsman had faced more than 100 balls at this level. Last man Jake Ball held his nerve and Buttler won the match with nine balls to spare when he hit Stoinis for four. It was a win celebrated by raucous cheers from 23,500 capacity sun-drenched crowd, some of whom had previously enjoyed .

Japan 2-2 Senegal: Late Honda goal rescues Japan

Having shared four goals and the ensuing spoils equally at the Ekaterinburg Arena here on Sunday, both Japan and Senegal failed to cement their place at the top of Group H in the FIFA World Cup 2018.With victories against Colombia and Poland respectively, a win for either Japan or Poland would have near-guaranteed their place in the round-of-16.That prospect was looking very much like a reality for Senegal, who took the lead through Liverpool's Sadio Mane and then for a second time through 19-year-old Moussa Wague on 71 minutes after a brilliant Takashi Inui strike had levelled the game.However, Keisuke Honda, who was subbed on the 72nd minute, scored the decisive equalizer 12 minutes from time to ensure Japan went home with at least a point.Senegal started the game in the ascension, putting pressure on the Japanese back line from the off.They were duly rewarded at the 11-minute mark, although not without a slice of luck. A poor clearance attempt from a Wague cross by Genki Haraguchi .

Japan hold Senegal 2-2

Takashi Inui inspired Japan to come back from behind twice to hold Senegal 2-2 in a FIFA World Cup Group H contest at the Ekaterinburg Arena here on Sunday.

Buttler's masterclass helps England whitewash Australia

Jos Buttler's scintillating unbeaten century helped England whitewash Australia 5-0 as the hosts pipped the visitors by one wicket in the final match of the series at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground here on Sunday.

Tigers, Sparx on top at FIBA 3x3 Quest-India qualifiers

Bengal Tigers representing West Bengal and Ludhiana Sparx from Punjab emerged champions at the FIBA 3x3 Quest-India that concluded at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Sunday.

World Cup: Japan hold Senegal 2-2

Japan came back from behind twice to hold Senegal 2-2 in a FIFA World Cup Group H contest at the Ekaterinburg Arena here on Sunday.

Perfect Pakistan outplay Kenya in Kabaddi Masters Group A tie

Pakistan demolished minnows Kenya 43-21 in a Group B match of the Kabaddi Masters at the Al Wasl Sports Club here on Sunday.

King of Queen's! Cilic saves match point to beat Djokovic for title

Marin Cilic was crowned Queen's Club champion for the second time as the Croatian stunned Novak Djokovic with a dramatic fightback in his 5-7, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 victory on Sunday. Cilic was on the verge of a third loss in the Queen's final when Djokovic held a match point in the second set. But the world number six survived that threat and then stormed back from 4-1 down to take the second set tie-break. Inspired by that escape act, Cilic powered through the deciding set to leave Djokovic shell-shocked as he won the Wimbledon warm-up event for the first time since 2012. "It was a special win for me because last year I had a match point and didn't convert it," Cilic said. "It was a tough match but I have waited six years to get my hands on this trophy." Djokovic tried to stay upbeat, saying: "I have to congratulate Marin on a fantastic week. He deserved to win and came up with some big shots. "It's a tough loss for me. But I have to see the positive because I haven't played a final in ...

Buttler hundred guides England to 5-0 series sweep of Australia

Jos Buttler's unbeaten century on his Lancashire home ground saw England to a thrilling one-wicket win over Australia in the fifth one-day international at Old Trafford on Sunday. Victory gave England their first 5-0 series sweep of Australia, in more than 140 years of men's international cricket between the arch-rivals. England, set a mere 206 to win, slumped to 50 for five and then 114 for eight. They were still 11 runs shy of victory at 195 for nine when Adil Rashid (20) was out after sharing a stand of 81 with Buttler. But Buttler's 110 not out saw them win with nine balls to spare while last man Jake Ball held firm at the other end. Australia captain Tim Paine won the toss only to see his side dismissed for 205 in 34.4 overs. Off-spinner Moeen Ali took an ODI best four for 46 -- including two for none in three balls Travis Head (56) was the only batsman in the innings to pass fifty, with D'Arcy Short left stranded on 47 not out.

Falcons beat Challengers in UTT clash

Sanil Shetty and Bernadette Szocs hogged the limelight at the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) tie at the Thyagaraj Stadium here on Sunday, as they gave defending champions Falcons TTC a big 15-6 victory over Empowerji Challengers.

Pakistan, Korea secure easy wins to keep semifinal hopes alive

Pakistan and Korea secured easy wins over their respective opponents to open their accounts and keep their semifinal hopes alive in the Kabaddi Masters at the Al Wasl Sports Complex here today. In a group A match, Pakistan prevailed over Kenya 43-21 to finish the first leg matches with five points, as India led with 10 points. Korea demolished a helpless Argentina 72-16 in the first match of the day to open their account after going down to Iran in their tournament opener. In group B, Iran lead the table with 10 points, followed by Korea while Argentina are winless from two matches. The second and final leg will begin tomorrow with Iran taking on Korea, while India lock horns with Pakistan. Two teams from each group make the semifinals, slated for June 29, in the six-nation kabaddi meet that will conclude on June 30. Pakistan executed two all-outs en route to a 23-5 lead at half time as Kenya defence struggle to cope. Pakistan were also bolstered by the joining of their top two ...