Page 147 - Sports
It's Archer versus Gayle as England and West Indies renew rivalry
England and West Indies will carry their intense rivalry from the Caribbean into the Rose Bowl here Friday with Barbados-born pace sensation Jofra Archer adding spice to the World Cup contest. Both teams ended at 2-2 in their high-scoring five-match ODI series in February with one game being a washout. The series, which took place in the Caribbean islands, saw sensational performances from Chris Gayle, who smashed as many 39 sixes and amassed 424 runs in four innings. The 'Universe Boss' will be backing himself for an encore against England whose bowling attack has become more potent with Archer's addition. He has bowled with fire and venom so far in the competition and his face-off with Gayle is the one to watch out for. Archer, who has played his junior cricket in the Caribbean and qualified to play for England only in April, is a familiar figure for the West Indies camp and it knows what the 24-year-old is capable of. "To be honest, we knew Jofra for a long time. He is from ...
England aim to continue dominance against Windies (Preview)
Tournament favourites England will look to continue their dominance when they take on power-packed West Indies in their fourth encounter of the ongoing World Cup at The Rose Bowl, here on Friday.
Women's Hockey: Indian Juniors lose to Belarus Seniors
India's junior women's hockey team went down 1-4 to the Belarus senior women's team in the third match of the ongoing series. Belarus lead the series 2-1.
Ravi Shastri and support staff granted 45-day contract extension
India head coach Ravi Shastri and support staff have been given a 45-day contract extension after the ongoing campaign at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.Shastri and the support staff, including assistant coach Sanjay Bangar, bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar, will continue with their roles till the end of India tour of West Indies. The series comprising three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests will take place from August 3 to September 3."Yes, they have got 45 days extension till the end of the West Indies tour because the process will complete after the World Cup. There is no time in between so it doesn't make sense to do things in a hurry," a BCCI official told ANI.India have won its first two matches, defeating South Africa by six wickets and Australia by 36 runs, respectively. Later in the day at 3:00 pm (IST) the Virat Kohli-led team will take on New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
Foreigners dance on Bollywood numbers at WC
India have started their campaign in the ongoing World Cup in England and Wales in an emphatic manner winning both their opening encounters against South Africa and Australia.
Shuttler Lee Chong Wei announces retirement
Malaysian badminton player Lee Chong Wei, who has been battling cancer, on Thursday announced retirement from his 19-year long celebrated career.The 36-year-old, who was diagnosed with nose cancer last year, ended his career with three Olympic silver medals, three World Championship silver medals and 46 World Superseries titles under his belt.Lee's hopes of playing in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo became impossible. He took to Twitter and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all those who supported him in his journey."[Admin] Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei is heartened by all the heartfelt wishes received by so many people all over the world who have supported him in this journey. Thank you on his behalf for the #ThankYouLeeChongWei messages," the 36-year-old's tweet read.Indian shuttle queen Saina Nehwal shared an emotional message on Twitter."Really loved ur performances for many years @LeeChongWei .. ur great badminton legend and it's very sad to know that ur retiring ... I wish u the best .
India eyeing perfect game against Japan in semifinal of FIH Series Finals
A tricky opponent in Asian Games champion Japan is sure to test India but home advantage gives Manpreet Singh and his men the upper-hand in the semifinal of the FIH Series Finals hockey tournament here Friday. Even though they registered some big wins in the preliminary stages against lower-ranked opponents, the Indians, under new chief coach Graham Reid, are yet to showcase their perfect game on the turf. The finalists will qualify for the FIH Olympic Qualifiers to be held in October-November this year. India notched up 10-0 wins over Russia and Uzbekistan and scraped past Poland 3-1 in the pool stages. The performance of the Manpreet Singh-led side is far from impressive. While the midfield has done well under Manpreet, it is the finishing which is a cause of concern for the Indians. In all the three matches, India created innumerable scoring chances, but the strike force lacked the finishing touch. Barring Akashdeep Singh, no other striker has looked threatening in the tournament ..
India to begin Windies Tour from August 3
India will begin its ICC World Test Championship campaign with the two-Test series to be played in the West Indies in late August.
Badminton star Lee Chong Wei retires after cancer battle
Cancer-hit badminton star Lee Chong Wei announced his retirement Thursday, ending a brilliant career in which he collected a swathe of honours but never won a world or Olympic title. "My decision to retire is a heavy one. I really love this sport. But it is a demanding sport. I thank all Malaysians for the past 19 years," a teary-eyed Lee, 36, told a news conference. Lee, a father of two, was diagnosed with early-stage nose cancer last year and after intensive treatment in Taiwan, said he was keen to play again. But he hasn't trained since April and after missing a series of self-imposed deadlines to return to competition, his hopes of being eligible for next year's Tokyo Olympics were remote. The three-time Olympic silver medallist said he would now like to rest and spend time with his family, and even take his wife on a "honeymoon", a trip that has been delayed since their marriage in 2012.
Must improve fielding ahead of India clash, says Sarfaraz
Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed has warned his teammates to raise their fielding standards ahead of the crucial World Cup game against India following the side's sloppy display on the field against Australia. Put in to bat, Australia set a target of 307 on the back of a 146-run opening partnership between David Warner (107) and captain Aaron Finch (82). Chasing their second win of the tournament, Pakistan could only manage 266 falling to lose by 41 runs. "We made too many mistakes in all departments. I'm very disappointed with our fielding, it is not up to the mark or standard expected. We will have to work hard to improve on this before we play India, there can be no excuse," Sarfaraz said after the loss on Wednesday. Pakistan had upset tournament favourites England last week largely because Eoin Morgan's side produced a poor display in the field. But roles were reversed against Australia, as dropped catches, mis-fields and overthrows made a big difference in Pakistan's loss. Asif ...
Trevor Bayliss unimpressed with 'Sheldon Salute'
West Indies bowler Sheldon Cottrell has been creating a buzz in the ongoing World Cup, not just because of his brilliant bowling but for his flamboyant celebrations, known as the 'Sheldon Salute' which he does after taking a wicket.
Sania slams 'cringeworthy' ads ahead of India-Pak WC clash
Tennis star Sania Mirza is fed up of the "cringeworthy" advertisements which are hyping the World Cup encounter between India and Pakistan to be played in Manchester on Sunday.
India's tour of West Indies begins with two T20s in Florida
India will begin their World Test Championship campaign against the West Indies in a two-match series starting here on August 22 while the tour begins with a couple of T20 Internationals in Florida from August 3. The tour of West Indies will be India's sole away Test assignment in 2019. Besides two Tests and three T20s, both teams will also play a three-match ODI series during the five-week tour. The first Test, from August 22 to 26, will be played at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground here and the second one starts on August 30 at Sabina Park in Jamaica. The Tests open the new ICC World Test Championship which will be played over the next two years and has been introduced to give greater context and competition in the "Ultimate Test" of the game. "The West Indies and India have a long and colourful rivalry, and the MyTeam11 Series will bring more thrilling competition across every format of the game," said Cricket West Indies (CWI) Chief Executive Officer Johnny Grave on ...
I am pumped to be back: David Warner
In the first three games of the ongoing World Cup, David Warner scored runs but still one could make out that he was not at his absolute best.
Feared not scoring hundred for Australia again, says Warner
David Warner had feared not scoring a hundred in international cricket following his ball-tampering ban but the Australian opener dispelled those fears by making a match-winning 107 against Pakistan in the World Cup here. The dangerous opener has made a successful comeback alongside Steve Smith after serving a one-year ban for ball-tampering. Warner revealed his innings, which proved the foundation of Australia's 41-run win on Wednesday, filled him with both joy and relief after wondering whether he would ever get the chance to enjoy a similar moment ever again. "Yes, definitely, there was always that going through my mind," nodded the left-hander when asked about the possibility that his hundred in the Boxing Day Test against England in December 2017 might have been his last in the baggy green. "That's what drove me to keep being as fit as I can, to keep scoring as many runs as I can in the Twenty 20 tournaments I played in, and really enjoy playing in grade cricket. I think going ...
Finch relieved post Australia's nervy win over Pakistan
Australian skipper Aaron Finch was a relieved man after his team managed to survive and win a nervy World Cup fixture against Pakistan in Taunton.
Real Madrid sign Mendy to continue summer spree
Real Madrid continued their summer spending spree on Wednesday by completing the signing of left-back Ferland Mendy from Lyon. Mendy has signed a six-year contract with Madrid, who have now added four new players for next season following the arrivals of Eder Militao, Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic. Hazard was the most expensive of the quartet, joining in a deal that could reach up to 145 million euros, while Militao and Jovic each cost around 50 and 65 million euros respectively. The fee for Mendy was reportedly set at around 50 million euros, which would mean Madrid's summer spending is already worth around 300 million euros in total. "Real Madrid and Lyon have agreed the transfer of Ferland Mendy," an official club statement read. "The player will be contracted to Real Madrid for the next six seasons, until June 30, 2025." Mendy will be presented at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, June 19, and the 24-year-old may have to compete with the experienced Marcelo and talented Sergio ...
India to begin ICC World Test Championship against Windies
India will tour West Indies to begin its ICC World Test Championship campaign, starting August 22 across two venues.The five-week tour will see the teams competing in three T20Is and as many ODIs before testing themselves in two Test matches from August 22 to 26 at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua and from August 30 to September 3 at Sabina Park in Jamaica.The two Tests open the new ICC World Test Championship, which will be played over the next two years. It has been introduced to give greater context and competition in the ultimate test of the game, combining strategy, skill and endurance."The West Indies and India have a long and colourful rivalry, and the series will bring more thrilling competition across every format of the game. We'll be seeing some of the World's best players go head to head in T20Is, ODIs and then in the new World Test Championship. West Indies fans, young and old, will have the opportunity to see some incredible cricket," said Cricket West ...
Copa offers Chile's Sanchez chance to banish United woes
It's been an annus horribilis and a half for Chile's iconic leader Alexis Sanchez, who is known as the "Nino Maravilla" -- wonder-kid -- in his homeland. Chile's most capped player of all time and record goalscorer, Sanchez is so popular in the South American country that he even stars in a film about himself that was released in Chile last month. Having helped Chile win the last two Copa America competitions -- including the one-off 100-year celebration Centenario in the United States in 2016 -- a statue of him has even been erected in his home town Tocopilla. But it's been an otherwise dreadful last 18 months for the Manchester United winger on the pitch. And Sanchez will be desperate to prove he has much more to offer than his recent club form suggests. Since moving from Arsenal in January 2018, the vibrant and pacey forward has been a shadow of his former self. He scored 60 goals in 123 league games for the Gunners, almost one in every two matches, but that ratio has dropped to ...
Neymar rape accusations overshadow Copa America kick-off
Brazil should have been gearing up for another major home sporting spectacle with renewed optimism that star forward Neymar would help bring to an end a 12-year trophy drought. But instead, the Selecao's golden boy is dominating the build-up to a tournament he will miss due to an ankle injury for all the wrong reasons. Neymar is embroiled in a rape scandal in which he has been accused of forcing himself on a model he met through social media in a hotel room in the French capital, where he plys his club trade for Paris Saint-Germain. It's tarnished the festive atmosphere of South America's footballing showpiece with an ugly affair that shows no sign of going away, despite Najila Trindade Mendes de Souza's rapidly unraveling case. It all blew up on June 2 when Neymar published a seven-minute video on Instagram, where he had first been in contact with Trindade, revealing that he had been accused of rape. The scandal quickly snowballed and three days later, after a senior Brazilian ...