Page 1617 - Sports

Ireland's Kevin O'Brien makes impressive entry in Test rankings

Ireland batsman Kevin O'Brien's brilliant score of 158 runs during his side's debut Test match placed him at the 66th spot in the latest ICC Test Player Rankings .The 34-year-old all-rounder produced a knock of 40 in the first innings and a valiant 118 in the second to help Ireland fight back after they were asked to follow-on, eventually losing their maiden Test match by five wickets against Pakistan at Malahide in Dublin .As a result, he is now standing with a total of 440 points in the ICC Test Player Rankings released on Wednesday.Opener Charles Bannerman of Australia has the best rating of 447 points in a team's debut Test, scoring 165 not out and four in the first ever cricket Test played between Australia and England in Melbourne in March 1877.Aminul Islam of Bangladesh (432 in 2001) and David Houghton of Zimbabwe (431 in 1992) are third and fourth in the list.Fast bowler Tim Murtagh has also made a fine start, entering in 67th position among bowlers after a match haul of six ..

Halep beats Osaka, advances to Italian Open 3rd round

Romania's Simona Halep on Wednesday defeated Japan's Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-0 to advance to the third round of the Italian Open, an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 clay-court tournament.

Nepal's Lamichhane added to ICC World XI against Windies

Nepal wrist-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, one of the brightest young cricketers on the circuit, has been added to the ICC World XI squad for the fund-raising Twenty20 International match against the West Indies at the Lord's on May 31.The match will be played at Lord's and all the proceeds will be used to redevelop the stadia in the Caribbean, which were damaged due to hurricanes last year.17-year-old Lamichhane will join a star-studded line-up, which also comprises Eoin Morgan (captain), Shahid Afridi, Tamim Iqbal, Dinesh Karthik, Rashid Khan, Mitchell McClenaghan, Shoaib Malik, Hardik Pandya, Thisara Perera and Luke Ronchi.Lamichhane was spotted by then Nepal coach Pubudu Dassanayake in 2014 and first represented Nepal in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2016 in which he took 16 wickets.In the historic MCC versus Nepal match at Lord's in July 2016, Lamichhane had figures of one for 25 as the visitors successfully defended 217 for eight, bowling out the hosts for 176 in 47.2 overs.The ...

Want to win titles at Chelsea, says Hazard

Star forward Eden Hazard has indicated that he will stay on at Chelsea only if the former English Premier League (EPL) champions build a squad strong enough to challenge for titles next season.

Vandana's brace guides India to 3-1 win over China in women's ACT

Vandana Katariya struck a brace as defending champions India stunned higher-ranked China 3-1 to continue their winning march at the fifth Asian Champions Trophy women's hockey tournament here today. Experienced forward Vandana sounded in the 4th and 11th minutes to hand her side a formidable lead early on before Gurjit Kaur converted a penalty corner in the 51st minute to seal the victory. China's lone goal came from the stick of Wen Dan in the 15th minute at the Sunrise Stadium. By virtue of this win, India are sitting pretty atop the standings with two victories from as many games. India had earlier defeated Japan 4-1 in their tournament opener. India will next play Malaysia in their next round-robin match tomorrow. The Malaysians got the better of Japan 3-2 in another encounter today. The tournament also marks the comeback of Sjoerd Marijne as the chief coach of the women's side after being at the helm of the men's team for little over seven months The 10th ranked Indians were on

Football Delhi to launch Pro League in October

Football Delhi, the governing body of the sport in the capital, is planning to launch a Pro League in October this year and a community league in January next year. In its Executive Committee meeting yesterday, Football Delhi, earlier known as Delhi Soccer Association, finalised and approved the Annual Calendar of football activities for the season 2018-19. The new season will kick off with the Golden League (U9 & U11 league), a mixed league involving boys and girls, in July. Football Delhi has already received entry of 200 teams till May 15. Football Delhi is also planning to organise Futsal competitions, starting December, besides organising an Amateur league for A and B Division clubs in August. To encourage the participation of corporates in football, Football Delhi would initiate a corporate league as well. In women's football, Football Delhi would launch a U15 School league for girls and a proper women's football league. Further to encourage participation of schools, ...

Waugh dubs India's refusal to play day-night Test as 'selfish'

Former Test batsman Mark Waugh has dubbed India's decision to not play day-night match against Australia as 'selfish' while adding that their move is holding back the future of the game.Earlier this month, Cricket Australia had confirmed that India would not play a day-night Test in Adelaide during their upcoming tour to Australia later this year.Australia had been trying to convince the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to play the opening match of their Test series at the Adelaide Oval under lights, but the visitors had eventually refused for a day-night affair.And Waugh believes the call was not just disappointing, but also a selfish one given the falling popularity of the longest format of the game around the world."It's a little bit selfish from India's point of view because we need to revitalise Test cricket. Day-night Test cricket in some countries is going to be one of those ingredients that could transform Test cricket back to where it should be," cricket.com.au ...

Asian Champions Trophy: Indian hockey eves beat China 3-1

Defending champions India continued their winning performance as they thrashed world number eight China 3-1 in their second round-robin match at the 5th Women's Asian Champions Trophy here at the Sunrise Stadium on Wednesday.India had earlier beaten Japan 4-1 in their opening match on Sunday.It was experienced forward Vandana Katariya who starred in India's victory as she scored double goals in the fourth and 11th minute that gave a formidable lead early on for the defending champions while Gurjit Kaur (51') was the other goal scorer for India.India were on attack mode right from the start. While a constructive defence against a strong Chinese squad was imperative, India showed zeal as they pushed for an early goal.It was impeccable team work between Lilima Minz, Navjot Kaur and Vandana that ensured India were put ahead of China by a goal in the fourth minute.An assist by Navjot to Lilima who used reverse shot to the post found a perfect deflection off Vandana's stick. Their second ...

Even China took note of Indian TT's golden show at CWG: Chief coach

The historic Commonwealth Games performance of the Manika Batra-led Indian women paddlers created such a buzz that even traditional powerhouse China came looking for the videos of their performance in the recent World Championships, says chief national coach Massimo Costantini. India delivered its best performance in table tennis at the CWG, bagging a record haul of eight medals, including a historic gold in the women's team and singles event in Games last month. It was largely made possible by Manika, who ended up winning four medals, the most by an Indian in Gold Coast. "We are getting a lot of respect from everyone. When we were playing China in the World Championships (earlier this May), they were very concerned about playing us. Some of the coaches like China's coach even asked for the video of the match in which India beat Singapore (to win the CWG gold)," India's Italian coach told PTI. Costantini, who also served as the chief coach of the national team from early 2009 till the

Rugby gains popularity in Kashmir

Previously cricket, football and martial arts caught the attention of people in Jammu and Kashmir, but now , the lesser known sport of rugby is gaining popularity across the Kashmir Valley.Like every sport, rugby too is popular among girls, some of whom have taken it up professionally.Coach Irfan Aziz Boota said a plan has been introduced to turn budding players into professionals."We are converting rugby into a professional sport, but our focus is to develop an academy and a rugby school. We plan to take in children to turn them into educated professional players," said Boota."Not only girls, but also boys from, schools, colleges and universities come to play this sport. Training camps such as these help us to increase our stamina and endurance," said rugby player Sabreena Khan."More and more girls are playing this sport, and for the longest time, we were waiting for these type of camps," said budding player Afreen Ali.So far, two girls from the state have been chosen as rugby ...

ICC Strategic Group report fears formation of rebel governing body

A breakaway rebel governing body, the proposed T10 format and lack of interest from broadcasters are among "18 threats" that international cricket faces right now, according to a report of the ICC's Strategic Working Group (SWG) which will discuss these issues with the BCCI here tomorrow. The report, which is in possession of PTI, claims to be a SWOT analysis of the issues confronting world cricket. The SWG comprises Cricket Australia's David Peever, BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, Singapore's Imran Khwaja, Cricket South Africa's Patricia Karambami, West Indies Cricket Board's Dave Cameron and women's representative Clare Connor. The Group will update BCCI office-bearers -- Acting President CK Khanna, Acting Secretary Amitabh Choudhary and Treasurer Aniruddh Chaudhry -- on global strategy for cricket. "Yes, there has been threat to ICC. A very well-known former cricket administrator (currently banned) along with an Indian TV channel and an Australian lawyer had approached a lot of players and ..

Indian paddlers' CWG showing has even forced China to take notice: Chief coach

The Indian women's team historic performance at the Commonwealth Games has even attracted the attention of table-tennis powerhouse China, says chief national coach Massimo Costantini. "We are getting a lot of respect from everyone. When we were playing China in the World Championships (earlier this May), they were very concerned about playing us. Some of the coaches like China's coach even asked for the video of the match in which India beat Singapore (to win the CWG gold)," India's Italian coach told PTI. India witnessed its best performance in table-tennis at the CWG, bagging a record haul of eight medals including historic gold in the women's team and singles event in Gold Coast Games last month. It was largely made possible by Manika Batra, who ended up winning four medals, the most by an Indian in Gold Coast. Costantini, who also served as the chief coach of the national team from early 2009 till the end of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, played a vital role in the squad's CWG ...

Ireland open to Pakistan tour if 'stars align'

Ireland are open to touring Pakistan if "all the stars align," the chief executive of men's Test cricket's newest nation has said. The Irish made their Test debut with a highly creditable five-wicket loss to Pakistan at Malahide Cricket Club, Dublin concluded Tuesday. After being made to follow-on, Ireland reduced Pakistan to 14 for three to give themselves hope of a remarkable win before their visitors managed to chase down a modest victory target of 160. The match further strengthened the cricket bonds between Ireland and Pakistan, which date back to when the non-Test nation knocked the subcontinental giants out of the 2007 World Cup with a stunning win in Jamaica. Pakistan became a no-go area for leading cricket teams after an attack by armed militants on Sri Lanka's team bus in Lahore in 2009, with the United Arab Emirates becoming the team's unofficial home. Zimbabwe became the first major international team to return to Pakistan in 2015, while April saw World Twenty20 champions .

Nepal tweaker Lamichhane added to ICC World XI squad

Nepal wrist-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane was on Wednesday added to the ICC World XI squad for the May 31 T20I against the West Indies.

New coach Mancini vows to bring Italy back to top

Roberto Mancini, 53, the new coach of Italy, which failed to qualify for next month's FIFA World Cup in Russia, has pledged to take the Azzurri back to the top.

Nepal teen spinner Sandeep Lamichhane added to ICC World XI

Nepal's teenage spinner Sandeep Lamichhane continued his rapid rise in international cricket as he was named in the ICC World XI squad to take on the West Indies in a charity T20 International on May 31. However, Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan has withdrawn from the game due to personal reasons, the ICC stated today without specifying the exact cause of his pullout. The 17-year-old Lamichhane, who is mentored by former Australian captain Michael Clarke, is currently playing in the Indian Premier League for the Delhi Daredevils. The charity match will be played at the iconic Lord's in London to raise funds for Caribbean stadia ravaged by hurricanes last year. Lamichhane will join a star-studded line-up, which also comprises Eoin Morgan (captain), Shahid Afridi, Tamim Iqbal, Dinesh Karthik, Rashid Khan, Mitchell McClenaghan, Shoaib Malik, Hardik Pandya, Thisara Perera and Luke Ronchi against the ICC World T20 champion side. The West Indian squad includes the likes of Samuel Badree, Carlos

Copa Libertadores: Delfin beat Group B leaders Atletico Nacional

A 19th-minute goal from Andres Chicaiza Morales gave Delfin a 1-0 win over Copa Libertadores Group B leaders Atletico Nacional and opened the way for both teams to qualify for the next round.

Algerian striker Belfodil joins Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim have completed the transfer of Ishak Belfodil from Belgian outfit Standard Liege, both football clubs have announced.

India beat China 3-1, remain unbeaten in women's ACT

Continuing its fine show at the Asian Champions Trophy Indian women's hockey team stunned higher-ranked China 3-1 to register their second consecutive win in the tournament, here today. Vandana Katariya (4th, 11th minutes) scored a brace while Gurjit Kaur struck the other goal from a penalty corner to ensure India's comfortable win over eighth-ranked China. China's lone goal came from the stick of Wen Dan in the 15th minute. By virtue of this win, Indian team is sitting pretty atop the standings with two victories from as many games. India, ranked 10th in the world, will next play Malaysia tomorrow. The Malaysians beat Japan 3-2 in another encounter. India had earlier defeated Japan 4-1 in their tournament-opener. The tournament also marks the comeback of Sjoerd Marijne as the chief coach of the women's side after being at the helm of the men's team for little over seven months.

Bremen sign midfielder Moehwald from Nuremberg

Werder Bremen have snapped up midfielder Kevin Moehwald from Nuremberg, the "Green-Whites" announced.