Page 1494 - Sports

Warner to play Caribbean Premier League for St Lucia

Australian batsman David Warner will play for the St Lucia Stars in the Caribbean Premier League as he continues his attempt to rebuild his reputation after the ball-tampering scandal. The 31-year-old was handed a one-year ban from international and state cricket by Cricket Australia for his role in helping to devise a plan to rub sandpaper on the ball during a Test match against South Africa in March. Warner has already agreed deals to play in lower-level Australian grade cricket and at a tournament in Canada in July. The CPL announced on Saturday that the swashbuckling opener would replace his compatriot D'Arcy Short in the St Lucia side for their T20 event which runs from August 8 until September 16. "We are excited to bring David to the Saint Lucia Stars," said Stars general manager Mohammad Khan. "David is arguably one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era and a winning player. He is going to add a lot of value on the field and in the dressing room as we pursue our first CPL .

Murray to make comeback at Queen's - organisers

Former world number one Andy Murray will return to competitive action after almost a year's hiatus at next week's Queen's ATP tournament, organisers announced on Saturday. The 31-year-old Scot has not played a competitive match since he was knocked out of the Wimbledon quarter-finals last July, a hip injury ending his season. He underwent surgery on it in Australia in January after pulling out of the Australian Open. He has been practising regularly for the past fortnight and a final workout on Friday at Queen's Club convinced him to return. "Andy Murray has confirmed that he will play in the Fever-Tree Championships," the tournament said on its official Twitter account.

Morgan out as Australia bowl against England in 2nd ODI

England lost captain Eoin Morgan shortly before the toss in the second one-day international against Australia in Cardiff on Saturday as the Middlesex batsman was ruled out with a back spasm. Morgan's place in the side was taken by Sam Billings, with wicket-keeper Jos Buttler captaining the team as the 2019 World Cup hosts were forced into a late reshuffle after their three-wicket victory in the first of this five-match series at The Oval on Wednesday. Australia captain and wicket-keeper Tim Paine won the toss and opted to field in overcast conditions that promised to assist swing bowlers. The world champions also made changes, with fast bowler Billy Stanlake ruled out with a left big toe injury. Fellow quick Jhye Richardson, playing his second ODI, replaced Stanlake. Meanwhile Australia opted to play an extra batsman in D'Arcy Short, who was making his ODI debut after appearing in five Twenty20 internationals, with medium-pacer Michael Neser left out. Regular opener Aaron Finch was .

Costa finally making himself at home in Spain set-up

Diego Costa looked like a misfit at the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, where Spain's inability to accommodate the burly centre-forward contributed to their disastrous campaign. But on Friday in Sochi, his physical presence and penalty-box prowess worked a treat for the Spanish as they ended a chaotic week with a thrilling 3-3 draw against Portugal, Costa scoring twice. "Spain adapt to Diego Costa" was the headline in Spanish daily El Pais on Saturday, with new coach Fernando Hierro rewarded for his decision to select the Atletico Madrid man up front. The Brazilian-born Costa twice replied to Cristiano Ronaldo goals to haul Spain back on level terms on a muggy evening by the Black Sea. His first was classic Costa, as he left Pepe on the floor -- with more than a hint of a foul -- before bursting into the area and taking his time to pick his spot low in the bottom corner. Costa's second goal was a penalty-box effort at a set-piece, before he was taken off for the closing stages, replaced .

Man City send Angeliño to PSV Eindhoven

Manchester City defender Jose Angel Tasende, known as "Angeliño," is headed to PSV Eindhoven on a permanent transfer, the English Premier League (EPL) champions have confirmed.

Colombia's James, Barrios resume practice ahead of World Cup clash

Forward James Rodriguez and midfielder Wilmar Barrios were back training with the rest of the Colombian team four days before the side's 2018 World Cup opener against Japan.

King optimistic Spain will reach final

Spain's King has expressed optimism that the Spanish national football team will reach the final of the World Cup in Russia despite a 3-3 tie with Portugal in the first game.

Egypt coach laments Salah's absence against Uruguay

Egypt national football team coach Hector Cuper has lamented the absence of star forward Mohamed Salah from the Pharaohs' 2018 World Cup opener against Uruguay which ended in a 0-1 loss for the North African side.

Germany's Kimmich rejects comparisons with Lahm

German defender Joshua Kimmich has said he doesn't compare himself to the man who played his position in the Germany squad that won the 2014 World Cup, Philipp Lahm.

Germany's Merkel insists migration needs 'European answer'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is insisting that migration is "a European challenge that needs a European answer" amid a dispute over the issue inside her government and ahead of a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. Merkel is locked in a standoff with her interior minister, Horst Seehofer, over his demand for some asylum-seekers to be turned back at the border. Merkel opposes unilateral action, arguing that it would weaken the European Union. In her weekly video message Saturday, Merkel named migration as one of four major challenges to be addressed by German and French leaders when she meets Macron in Germany on Tuesday along with ministers from both governments. Other issues included foreign and defense policy and the future of the euro currency zone.

Indian eves pip Spain 3-2 in hockey

Registering their maiden win in the ongoing Spain tour, the Indian womens hockey team beat the hosts 3-2 in the third match at the Consejo Superior de Deportes hockey stadium here.

Granting Test status to Afghanistan a hasty decision: Azhar

Former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin has said that though Afghanistan are a good side, the International Cricket Council 's (ICC) decision to give them Test status at such initial stage was a 'hasty' one.Azharuddin's comment comes in the light of Afghanistan's crushing defeat by an innings and 262 runs at the hands of top-ranked India in their maiden Test match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.Talking to ANI, the 55-year-old said, "Afghanistan are good as a team but there is a difference between playing a one-day international and a Test match. I believe the ICC has taken a hasty decision giving them the Test status. The team should have been given more time. They experienced an embarrassing defeat against India. They were dismissed twice in a day."The former cricketer further believes that the historic Test would be a learning curve for the Afghanistan side, adding that the Asghar Stanikzai-led side should now focus on working harder and improving their game."They will

Golfer Vani Kapoor makes the cut at Czech Ladies Challenge

Indian golfer Vani Kapoor made the cut in the Axa Czech Ladies Challenge 2018 after shooting an even-par score in round 2 here at the Golf Resort Konopiste on Saturday.Vani's two-day combined effort of 3-under 141, saw her lie in 16th position after 36 holes of golf as she comfortably made the cut reserved for the top 36 ladies + ties, who will now go into the championship round later today.Vani's second round saw her hit two birdies on hole 3 and hole 16 respectively while two bogeys on hole 1 and 10 evened up her score at the end of the round.Carmen Alonso of Spain led the day with a score of 8-under par 136. A total 134 golfers were in the fray.

Bradburn interested in New Zealand coaching job

Former New Zealand off-spinner and current Scotland coach Grant Bradburn has expressed interest in taking up a coaching role for the Black Caps after Mike Hesson decided to stand down from his position due to personal reasons.

Jayaram sails into semifinals of US Open

Comeback man Ajay Jayaram stormed into the semifinals of the USD 150,000 US Open with a straight game win over Korea's Heo Kwang Hee in the BWF World Tour Super 300 tournament here. The 30-year-old Indian took half an hour to dispatch Hee 21-18 21-12 in a men's singles contest at the Fullerton Titan Gym. Jayaram, who was stretched in the first two rounds by Yun Kyu Lee and Ygor Coelho, will next face France's Mark Caljouw. Jayaram jumped to a 10-4 advantage in the opening round but Hee narrowed down the deficit to 9-10. However, the Indian again moved ahead slowly to 17-12 before comfortably grabbing the game. The second game seemed like an even contest where the duo fought hard for each point. Jayaram had a slender 5-3 lead but Hee shifted the momentum in his favour for sometime before the Indian reeled off five straight points to move to 13-8. Jayaram didn't let the advantage slip from there on and sealed the contest. It was a hamstring injury suffered during the Senior Nationals ...

Hierro happy despite Spain's 1st game draw in World Cup

Spain coach Fernand Hierro was left frustrated by the late Cristiano Ronaldo goal which denied his side a win against Portugal, but on the whole it was a positive evening for him in his first game in charge.

Warner to debut in Caribbean Premier League

Caribbean Premier League (CPL) outfit St. Lucia Stars have signed banned Australia batsman David Warner in their squad for the upcoming season beginning August 8, the West Indian club announced on Saturday.

FIFA WC: Argentina eye winning start against debutants Iceland

Lionel Messi-led Argentina will look to make an early statement when they cross swords with debutants Iceland in their opening match of the ongoing 21st edition of the FIFA World Cup here at the Spartak Stadium on Saturday.The two-time World Cup winners are heading into the showpiece event on the back of their poor form in the qualifying event, injuries and controversy.Heading into the tournament, the Argentina national football team, however, rely heavily on Messi as the Barcelona forward look to clinch his first international honour.Despite guiding Barcelona to La Liga and Copa del Rey title this season, Messi is yet to win a major international tournament.However, the 2018 edition could be the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's last World Cup appearance as he has recently hinted his retirement from international football after the tournament.Fifth-ranked Argentina, who are bidding for a first World Cup trophy since 1986, last came close to the trophy during the 2014 edition, but a 1-0 .

Real Madrid confirm deal for Brazilian teenager Rodrygo

Football Club Real Madrid have reached an agreement to sign Brazil under-20 forward Rodrygo Goes from Santos though he will not make the move to Spain until next year.

For Brazilian businesses, World Cup is time to slack off

When Brazil's team takes to the field at the World Cup, workers back home will down tools, pens and computers. With the time difference, the games in Russia will be shown either in the morning or afternoon -- office hours. But football is sacred in Latin America's biggest country and for many nothing will get in the way of watching the "Selecao's" games, starting this Sunday. According to the national shopkeepers' federation CNDL, 28 percent of service sector businesses will allow employees to stay away or to watch the games when Brazil plays. Seventeen percent have already prepared viewing areas at the work place. "It's practically impossible for people to concentrate on work during a Brazilian World Cup match," said Robson Melo head of Estante Magica, which publishes books by children and employs about 100 people in central Rio de Janeiro. Employees at the business have been given a mini-stadium experience featuring dozens of Brazilian flags hanging, artificial grass and pretend ...