Page 1485 - Sports
Stokes and Woakes to miss rest of Australia ODI series
Talismanic England all-rounder Ben Stokes and paceman Chris Woakes will miss the remainder of the One Day International series with Australia the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced today. Stokes' hamstring injury -- which he suffered in the lead-up to the second Test with Pakistan -- the ECB says is progressing well and are hopeful the 27-year-old will be fit for the T20 series with India next month. England lead the five game series with Australia 2-0 with three matches remaining. "He can bat fully and is now able to run at 90 per cent capacity," read a statement from the ECB. "He will commence his return to bowling programme this week. "The plan is for Ben to continue his rehabilitation programme with the England squad during the 4th and 5th ODIs (against Australia on Thursday and Sunday) at Riverside and Old Trafford." Woakes, 29, injured a thigh muscle during the second Test with Pakistan at the beginning of June which the ECB say "was at least in part due to a ...
Spin rivals in South African squad
Spin rivals Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj were both included today in South Africa's squad for a five-match one-day international series in Sri Lanka starting next month. But there was no place for fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander, although selection convener Linda Zondi said both could be contenders for a place in South Africa's squad for the Cricket World Cup in England next year. "We are looking to broaden our talent pool," said Zondi. "Conditions in England are likely to be very different from those in Sri Lanka. We will be trying a lot of combinations before the World Cup." Imran Tahir, South Africa's leading one-day spinner, was not included for the Sri Lanka series but Zondi said this was because the selectors wanted to see left-arm wrist spinner Shamsi and orthodox left-armer Maharaj in action "so that we can get a clearer picture as to who our second-best spinner is." Both Shamsi and Test regular Maharaj were named last week in South Africa's squad for two ...
Psychic parrot tips Japan to fall off perch in Russia
Japan's hopes of winning their opening World Cup fixture tomorrow have been written off before a ball has been kicked -- by a chirpy parrot believed to possess psychic powers. The grey-feathered tipster called Olivia, who lives at Nasu Animal Kingdom in Tochigi prefecture, north of Tokyo, predicted that Colombia would beat Group H rivals Japan when they face off in Russia, local media reported today. Olivia, one of several animal psychics to have taken on the extra work in recent years, plucked a tiny Colombia flag with its beak and handed it to a zookeeper after briefly flirting with a third flag that represented a draw, according to Japan's Sankei News. "Hopefully he's got it wrong this time," zookeeper Nozomi Oikawa told reporters. "The parrot was hovering for a while so maybe it will be a close game." However, the odds are not good for Japan upsetting Colombia in Saransk as Olivia has an uncanny knack for being right. The 13-year-old bird successfully predicted six out of seven ...
South Africa rest Tahir for Sri Lanka tour
South Africa have decided to rest their top-ranked bowler Imran Tahir, for the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in July-August.
India set to play Saudi Arabia, China in run-up to AFC Asian Cup
The Indian football team is set to play international friendlies against higher-ranked Saudi Arabia and China in the run-up to next year's AFC Asian Cup, according to a top official of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The 2019 Asian Cup will be held from January 5 to February 1 across eight centres in four United Arab Emirates cities. India are clubbed with UAE, Thailand and Bahrain in Group A of the continental showpiece. Talks with both the federations are in advanced stages, AIFF general secretary Kushal Das told PTI. "We are in talks with them and it's almost 90 percent. We are trying to arrange one home and one away game around October-November," Das said. Saudi Arabia, who are participating in the ongoing FIFA world Cup in Russia, are currently ranked 67, while China are placed 75th. India are ranked 97th in the FIFA charts. The top 24 teams from all over Asia are drawn into six groups of four teams each. The top AIFF official said they are looking to arrange matches ...
Colombia look to ride Falcao, Rodriguez show against Japan (Preview)
Colombia will look to 2014 Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez and top scorer Radamel Falcao for inspiration when they take on Japan in their Group H FIFA World Cup opener here on Tuesday.
Portugal 'stronger than Morocco', says Andre Silva
Portugal striker Andre Silva believes the European champions are well equipped to beat Morocco ahead of their upcoming World Cup group stage clash in Moscow. "I think we are stronger than Morocco if we compare the two teams, but I'm not saying the game will be easy for us," Silva told reporters at Portugal's team base on Monday. "We cannot underestimate them and must have respect for any opponent. Any game at the World Cup is difficult." Silva came on as a late substitute in Portugal's 3-3 draw against Spain in their opening game in Group B, while a late own goal condemned Morocco to a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat by Iran. "They lost their first game but it happens and now they will focus on winning and will try their best," the AC Milan forward said. "They're used to playing against European teams and will do their all to get this victory." He added: "There are no favourites. Morocco have excellent players and the result of their game against Iran could have been different." Cristiano ...
Serbia's Kolarov given boxy Lada for World Cup goal
Serbia's Aleksandar Kolarov had a good day in Samara: he scored a magnificent World Cup goal and was presented with a Lada by the governor. The Roma defender struck a thunderous second-half free-kick that clinched Serbia a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica on Sunday. "Kolarov scored a wonderful goal and we gave him a prize -- a certificate for a Lada 4x4," acting governor Dmitry Azarov was quoted as saying by the Izvestia newpaper. "He was very happy and the entire team celebrated the news." There was no comment from any of the Serbian players about what they thought of the gift. The no-frills brand has been trying to improve its image after spending much of its history being the butt of jokes for its unreliability and outdated design. Lada was called Zhiguli in the Soviet era and is still produced in the Samara region by the VAZ factory.
Khawaja disappointed after being axed from ODI squad
Australian top-order batsman Usman Khawaja has expressed his disappointment after being dropped from the ongoing five-match ODI series against England.The left-handed batsman has a decent domestic cricket record and was more likely to be selected in the playing squad, especially when the likes of banned Steve Smith and David Warner are not playing.However, the national selectors had instead decided to give preference to Shaun Marsh, D'Arcy Short and Travis Head in the first squad to tour under new coach Justin Langer.Reflecting on the same, Khawaja insisted that though he was extremely shattered by the decision, he remained hopeful of getting a chance in the near future."I was extremely disappointed in all honesty. I've had a lot of chats to the selectors and a couple to JL (Justin Langer) about it. I was a bit disappointed but some things you can't control.So hopefully I'll get a chance over the next year," ESPNcricinfo quoted Khawaja, as saying.In the last four domestic seasons, ...
Halep stays atop of WTA rankings
Romania's Simona Halep remained on top of Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings released on Monday, ahead of the upcoming 2018 Wimbledon.
FC Goa sign midfielder Lenny Rodrigues
Indian Super League side FC Goa has roped in the services of midfielder Lenny Rodrigues ahead of the upcoming season. The 31-year-old Goan started his career in Goa with Fransa-Pax and developed further at local heavyweight clubs Salgaocar FC and Churchill Brothers SC. The lanky midefielder went on to represent the senior team of Churchill Brothers from 2008 to 2014 before moving to ISL franchise FC Pune City. After a couple of loan spells at Dempo SC, Mohun Bagan SC, and Bengaluru FC, the talented central midfielder made a permanent move to the ISL side Bengaluru FC. Rodrigues has also been a regular in the Indian national team, making his debut in February 2012 against Oman. It feels great to be back home and back to where it all started for me. I'm absolutely buzzing to play for a club like FC Goa and I cannot wait for the season to get started, Rodrigues said .
Where there is 'wheel' there is a way: Soccer fan cycles to
As Kerala is in the grip of World Cup fever, a football crazy fan from the state has cycled all the way to Russia to watch the tournament and realise his dream of meeting Argentina's living legend Lionel Messi. Clifin Francis, 28, flew to Dubai from Kerala on Febraury 23, bought a cycle, took a ship to the port city of Bandar Abbas, the capital of Hormozgan province on the southern coast of Iran, before embarking on his cycling odyssey to Russia. "I am very happy. It was a four-month-long journey," Francis told PTI from Tambov, a countryside town in Russia today. He said he had bought a ticket for the France-Denmark match on June 26 and was waiting to watch it with his fingers crossed. "Every day you meet new people, see new landscapes, new culture....," he said, adding both good and bad experiences came his way during the journey. Francis says though all his papers, including visa, were in order, he was denied permission to enter Georgia through Azerbaijan, forcing ...
Heath Streak joins Scotland as consultant for tri-series
Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak has been roped in by Cricket Scotland as a consultant for a short eight-day period, it was announced on Monday.
Federer reclaims top spot in ATP rankings
Switzerland's Roger Federer returned to top spot in the men's Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) world singles rankings released on Monday after he won his 98th career title in Germany.
Pakistan have fair chance to win 2019 World Cup: Waqar
Pakistan bowling great Waqar Younis believes the experience gained by the green brigade in English conditions will boost their confidence in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, starting May 30 in England and Wales.
Marc Marquez makes second-place finish in Catalunya MotoGP
Four-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez made a second-place finish in Catalunya Grand Prix, which enabled him to extend his championship lead to 27 points over runner-up Valentino Rossi.With a great start, Marc got into and through the first turn ahead of Jorge Lorenzo, who passed him on the following lap.Marc who, outside of two non-point-scoring finishes, has so far never finished worse than second this season, stuck to the countryman for the first 9 laps of the race, looking for a chance to fight for the win.After realizing that it was too risky maintaining Lorenzo's pace, he settled for the 20 points and a second-place position.After a good start from the fourth row, Dani Pedrosa was able to maintain a decent pace despite struggling with a lack of grip, defending fifth position over Maverick Vinales on the final lap.Reflecting on his performance, Marc Marquez said, "Today was a race where we had to manage as best as possible and I tried to be smart. Of course in the first laps I ...
Australia slip to 34-year low in ICC ODI rankings
Australia slipped to a 34-year low, dropping to the sixth position on the ICC's latest ODI rankings table after losing the opening two fixtures of the ongoing five-match rubber against England.
Chandimal pleads not guilty, hearing after end of 2nd Test
Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal has pleaded not guilty to breaching Article 2.2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct and, as such, match referee Javagal Srinath will hold a hearing following the conclusion of the second Test against the West Indies here on Monday.
Guenter extends contract at German club Freiburg
Freiburg have extended the contract with left back Christian Guenter, the Bundesliga football club has confirmed.
FIFA WC: Belgium to face debutant Panama in opener
Third-ranked Belgium will look to begin their campaign at the ongoing 2018 edition of the FIFA World Cup on a winning note when they square off with fairytale qualifiers Panama in their opening clash in Group G here at the Fisht Stadium on Monday.A star-studded Belgium side, which feature the likes of Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, are heading into the tournament on the back of their impressive results under manager Roberto Martínez.With Belgium's recent win coming in during their 4-1 friendly triumph over Costa Rica in Brussels, the Eden Hazard-led side are now unbeaten in 19 matches which is going back to almost two years.As far as their World Cup statistics are concerned, Belgium are also unbeaten in their last nine group games in the football showpiece event, including clinching their each of the past four.Additionally, the Belgium side are also yet to lose an opening World Cup match since slumping to defeat against host Mexico 2-1 in 1986.Going into the tournament, Belgium are .