Page 1574 - Sports

Root adamant of 'way forward' for England after Pakistan thrashing

England captain Joe Root insisted his side could bounce back in the second and final Test against Pakistan at Headingley next week after a humiliating loss in the series-opener at Lord's. Pakistan completed a nine-wicket win inside four days on Sunday as England suffered their sixth defeat in eight Tests. What made this latest reverse all the more embarrassing for England is that they are traditionally tough to beat at home in May, with many touring sides struggling to adjust when typically English conditions -- overcast skies and green-tinged pitches -- are at their most pronounced. Yet it was Pakistan, fresh from a trio of county warm-up matches and a five-wicket win over Test debutants Ireland in Dublin, who looked as if they were the home side. Their seam bowlers maintained a disciplined line and length as England, suffering their latest batting collapse, slumped to a meagre 184 all out in the first innings after Root won the toss. England's second innings was following a similar .

Aussie Power captures long-coveted Indy 500 win

Will Power became the first Australian to win the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, taking the chequered flag in America's fabled race on his 11th attempt. "Overwhelming. Amazing," Power said of his triumph on the 2.5-mile oval of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he was runner-up in 2015. "It's funny, you forget where you are, you're so immersed in the race," said Power, who crossed the line 3.1589 seconds ahead of pole sitter Ed Carpenter. "On the white flag lap I started screaming because I just knew I was going to win it. Unbelievable. Never been so excited." New Zealand's Scott Dixon, winner in 2008, was third, 2016 winner Alexander Rossi fourth and 2014 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay fifth. Power, the 2014 IndyCar Series champion, gave team owner Roger Penske a 17th victory in the Indy 500 -- the most for any owner. The victory was the 34th of Power's IndyCar career, tying him for eighth place on the all-time list with two-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Jr. For a driver who once ...

Sarfraz surprised but proud as Pakistan hammer England

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed said he felt both surprised and proud after his inexperienced side outplayed England during a dominant nine-wicket win in the first Test at Lord's. Victory, completed before lunch on the fourth day, put Pakistan 1-0 up in a two-match series ahead of the second Test at Headingley that starts on Friday. Pakistan's batsmen and bowlers applied themselves to the demands of playing an early season Test in English conditions far more effectively than the home side. They caught better too, with England dropping several chances. Man-of-the-match Mohammad Abbas led Pakistan's attack with an overall return of eight for 64, while four Pakistan batsmen hit fifties in a competitive first-innings 363. "Yes, I am very surprised," said Sarfraz. "If you look at the England team they are very experienced but I am proud of my players." Wicket-keeper Sarfraz led from the front in the field, holding an excellent diving catch to dismiss Dawid Malan on Saturday. It was one ...

Zidane a coaching great with third straight Champions League win for Madrid

Real Madrid manager and former French footballer Zinedine Zidane on Sunday joined coaching greats as Madrid won a third straight Champions League title against Liverpool.The 2016, 2017 and 2018 winners now have a place in the record books, along with Franz Beckenbauer's Bayern Munich, Johan Cruyff's Ajax, and Alfredo Di Stefano's Madrid.All these teams in the competition's history dominated their eras, and the same can be said about Zidane's Madrid.Nine players have started each of the last three finals - Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Henrique Casimiro, Marcelo Vieira, Keylor Navas, Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Karim Benzema.However, much of the credit for this victory must to go to Zidane.He himself admitted that he was not a tactical genius, but that is not what is required when you have so much talent in your squad. The Frenchman prefers to concentrate on honesty of effort, competitive spirit and enjoying the daily toil -- humble values not always ...

IPL '18: Who won what

After a long wait of six years, the Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy went to the league's most consistent team - the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).While the CSK won the Cup and our hearts too, it was Delhi Daredevils (DD), the team which ended eighth on the points table, that dominated the closing ceremony by winning three of the eight awards.DD's Rishabh Pant was named the Emerging Player of IPL 2018.Pant, who ended as the second highest run-getter in the tournament with 684 runs from 14 games, also won the most Stylish Player award.Meanwhile, DD's Trent Boult won the Perfect Catch award for his stunning one-handed catch of Royal Challenges Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli.Defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI), who could not make it to the play offs also this season, were given the Fairplay Award.Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) Sunil Narine struck twice as he grabbed the Super Striker and Valuable Player award.Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper Kane Williamson (735 runs) got the ...

French Open: Defending champion Ostapenko, Venus Williams crash out

Defending champion Jelena Ostapenko and American tennis star Venus Williams crashed out of the French Open in the first round itself, here on Sunday.Ostapenko was dethroned by 66th-ranked Kateryna Kozlova on the first day of the Roland-Garros. Meanwhile, Williams lost to Wang Qiang of China on Court Suzanne Lenglen.World number five Ostapenko slumped to a 7-5 6-3 defeat to Kozlova, who had won both the previous meetings in which the pair met.The Latvian was unable to repeat her heroics of 2017, when she became the first unseeded women's champion since 1933.Meanwhile, ninth-seeded American Venus Williams lost 6-4, 7-5 to Wang.Sunday's defeat was the fourth time Williams has lost in the first round of the French Open in her 21 appearances.

Watson has been a star performer: Stephen Fleming

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Head coach Stephen Fleming on Sunday heaped praises on Shane Watson for his power-packed performance, as the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title, defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets, here at the Wankhede Stadium."The opening spell, I thought was outstanding from the Sunrisers, so it was a real battle in the first four-five overs. But once Shane found a little bit of range, bit of rhythm, the boundaries aren't that big for power hitters like Watson, Brathwaite and Dhoni. He [Watson] kept patience, didn't give it away, he knew that his power game would get him out of trouble and it did in a spectacular fashion. He has been a star performer for us," Fleming told reporters in the post-match conference.Shane Watson helped the CSK chase down the 179-run target in 18.3 overs. He hit eight sixes and seven fours to reach the triple figure mark. His 117 is also the highest score ever made in an IPL ...

ICC probes pitch-fixing sting of 3 India Test matches

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday responded to a documentary by a Middle-East television channel alleging pitch doctoring and match fixing in three Test matches. The ICC's anti-corruption unit said that it is taking the allegations extremely seriously and an investigation is underway."The ICC has now had the opportunity to view the documentary into corruption in cricket and as we have previously stated, we are taking the contents of the programme and the allegations it has made extremely seriously. A full investigation led by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit, working with full cooperation from all Member countries identified in the programme, is now underway to examine each claim made," Alex Marshall, ICC general manager, anti-corruption unit said.He, however, requested the television channel to comply and share the un-edited video with the Council."We have been in ongoing dialogue with the broadcaster which has refused our continual requests to cooperate and share ...

3 India Tests under fixing scanner, BCCI says working with ICC

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday said that it has a zero-tolerance approach to any activity or act that brings the game of cricket to disrepute or mars the integrity of the game.The BCCI's anti-corruption unit is working closely with the International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-corruption unit on the alleged claims by a television channel, the body said in a notification.A Middle-East television channel recently carried out a sting operation which alleged pitch doctoring in three Test matches which India played.The matches in question are India vs Sri Lanka (Galle, July 26-29, 2017), India vs Australia (Ranchi, March 16-20, 2017) and India vs England (Chennai, December 16-20, 2016).While India won the match against Sri Lanka and England, the match against Australia ended in a draw.The channel also alleged the involvement of some Australian and England players in spot-fixing.The Indian connection to the latest scandal is a former Mumbai cricketer Robin ...

IPL'18: Watson powers CSK to 3rd title

Shane Watson's 117* powered the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title as they defeated the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets, here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.Having won the toss and electing to field first, the CSK restricted the SRH to 178 for 6 wickets.Skipper Kane Williamson, who has been on top of the batting table in this edition of the tournament, top scored for the SRH with 47 runs. Yusuf Pathan contributed with a quick 45.Shane Watson helped the CSK chase down the 179-run target in 18.3 overs. He hit eight sixes and seven fours to reach the triple figure mark. His 117 is also the highest score ever made in an IPL final.Watson shared a second-wicket stand of 117 with Suresh Raina as the duo made it look incredibly easy to chase down 179.It was the fourth time the CSK beat the SRH in four meetings this season.Meanwhile, Chennai, after six years won the coveted title.

Age is just a number, fitness matters: Dhoni

Dousing the debate between age and experience, Chennai Super Kings' skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni put "fitness" ahead of any other factor for success.

Pant named Emerging Player of IPL 11

Delhi Daredevils wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant was named Emerging Player of IPL 11 after the final here tonight. It was a double delight for Pant, who also received the Stylish Player Award. Pant ended as the second highest run-getter in the tournament with 684 runs from 14 games. Sunil Narine also picked up two awards -- Super Striker and Valuable Player. Among other awards, Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Kane Williamson (735 runs) got the Orange Cap while Kings XI pacer Andrew Tye (24 wickets) got the Purple Cap. Kiwi Trent Boult got the Perfect Catch award for his stunning one handed catch of Royal Challenges Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli. Defending champions Mumbai Indians, who could not make it to the play offs, were given the Fairplay Award. Awards: Man of the Match (Final) : Shane Watson Orange Cap (Most Runs) : Kane Williamson - SRH Purple Cap (Most Wickets) : Andrew Tye - Kings XI Punjab Emerging Player: Rishabh Pant - Delhi Daredevils Stylish Player : Rishabh Pant - Delhi .

Ricciardo wins Monaco Grand Prix, overcomes car trouble scare

Australian Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) crowned his great weekend at the Monte Carlo circuit by winning the Monaco Grand Prix.

We won the IPL defying all odds: Bravo

Back in the mix after a two-year hiatus and playing almost all of their home games away from home, Dwayne Bravo said Chennai Super Kings defied all odds to lift their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title thrashing Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets here on Sunday.

Watson blitz help Chennai clinch 3rd IPL title

Shane Watson was back to his brutal best as the opener's scintillating unbeaten 117 runs helped Chennai Super Kings lift their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title, thrashing Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in the summit clash here on Sunday.

Watson fires CSK to third IPL title

Chennai Super Kings completed a fairy tale comeback from disgrace to glory, clinching their third IPL title after imposing all-rounder Shane Watson single-handedly hammered Sunrises Hyderabad into submission with a blazing hundred in the final here today. Reinstated into the IPL after a two-year ban for their team management's role in the 2013 spot-fixing scandal, CSK outplayed SRH by eight wickets with Watson's unbeaten 117 off 57 balls in a high-pressure game being the icing on the cake. The Australian smashed as many as 11 fours and eight sixes enroute to this second hundred of the season as CSK raced home in 18.3 overs. SRH had posted a challenging 178 for six courtesy Kane Willamson (47 off 36) and Yusuf Pathan (45* off 25). The other in-form CSK batsman, Ambati Raydu, hit the winning four that led to wild celebrations. Watson also shared a 117-run partnership with Suresh Raina (32 off 24) for the second wicket, ensuring a smooth chase for CSK. Such was Super Kings' domination ...

IPL-Final: Chennai ride Watson ton to lift third IPL crown

Shane Watson notched up a brilliant century as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets in the final to lift the Indian Premier League (IPL) title here at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

BCCI's ACU working with ICC over pitch-fixing sting

Amidst a sting operation alleging pitch doctoring in Test matches in Galle, which also featured India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday said it has a "zero-tolerance approach" to any activity that brings the game to disrepute.

Tirop breaks course record, Kamworor registers third win in TCS World 10K

Agnes Jebet Tirop made it big this time as she bettered her Kenyan country-mate Lucy Kabuu's four year old course record by 27 seconds to win the women's race at the TCS World 10K marathon here today. As predicted the fast women's field also witnessed all top three podium finishers ran better than Kabuu's 2014 time of 31:46s today. Interestingly, the top Indian runner today, Sanjivani Jadhav, also improved the national best in 10K with huge margin as she clocked an impressive 33:38s while finishing 10th overall. Incidentally the previous Indian best (34:32s) was also logged at Bengaluru way back in 2009 by another Maharashtrian Kavita Raut. Swati Gadhave, who came nearer to the previous mark with a time of 34:45s here two years ago, finished 13th (second among the Indians) at 35:08s this morning. Sanjivani was a silver medalist in 10,000m at the World University Games last year. The elite women's race saw nine runners in the leading group until the half-way mark where five of them ...

Venus knocked out by China's Wang in first round

Former world number one Venus Williams suffered a shock defeat by Chinese player Wang Qiang in the French Open first round here today. The 37-year-old ninth seed was well short of her best as Wang claimed a 6-4 7-5 victory and gained a measure of revenge for her first-round loss to Venus at Roland Garros last year. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has now lost both her matches at major tournaments this year, having reached the Australian Open and Wimbledon finals in 2017. Wang, the world number 91, has never made the third round of a Slam, and will face Petra Martic of Croatia for a place in the last 32 after the biggest win of her career. World number nine Venus will now turn her attention to playing the doubles tournament with her sister Serena, who is competing in a Grand Slam event for the first time since last year's Australian Open after giving birth to her daughter.