Page 163 - Sports
Estwick urges West Indies quicks to 'find their own identity'
West Indies assistant coach Roddy Estwick wants the current generation of Caribbean fast bowlers to carve out their own place in cricket history rather than just be compared to past greats. West Indies' pace attack of Oshane Thomas, Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Russell and Carlos Brathwaite have already made their presence felt at the World Cup, sparking memories of years gone by. When West Indies won the first two World Cups, in 1975 and 1979, they did so with some of the best fast bowlers cricket has known in Andy Roberts, Michael Holding and Joel Garner. Meanwhile, their World Cup match against South Africa on Monday takes place at Hampshire's ground in Southampton, where one of the entrance roads is named 'Marshall Way' in honour of two West Indies cricketers who played for the county -- batsman Roy Marshall and the unrelated fast bowler Malcolm Marshall. "We can't keep looking back," Estwick told reporters at Southampton on Sunday. "We've got to respect the past but this group of ...
Yuvraj may bring down curtains on his career
India's 2011 World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh has called a media interaction at a plush South Mumbai hotel Monday, triggering speculations that he may announce his retirement. One of India's greatest limited overs cricketers, Yuvraj has been seriously contemplating retirement from international cricket and pursue a freelance career in ICC approved foreign Twenty20 leagues. A senior BCCI official had recently told PTI that Yuvraj is thinking of calling it quits from international and first class cricket. "He would like to speak to the BCCI and get more clarity on plying his trade in tournaments like GT20 (Canada), Euro T20 Slam in Ireland and Holland as he has offers," a BCCI source privy to the development had said. While it is not officially confirmed yet whether Yuvraj will announce his retirement or not, but if he calls it quit, it should not surprise anybody. Yuvraj last played a Test in 2012 and ODI and T20 in 2017.
IAAF 'frustrated' as Russian ban upheld
The IAAF has been left "frustrated" by Russian back-sliding on issues critical to the country's reintegration into global track and field, a top official said Sunday. Rune Andersen, head of the doping task force for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), said he had recommended to the 27-strong IAAF Council, which duly followed his advice, that it uphold its ban on Russian athletes, first imposed in 2015 over mass state-sponsored doping. Andersen said Russia had paid out more than $3.2 million (2.8m euros) for the Task Force's work and had also committed to paying any more costs, so the "cost condition has been met". He added "progress has been made on the second outstanding issue," that of retrieving data and samples from a Moscow laboratory at the heart of the scandal. Those have been passed on to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), a watchdog founded by the IAAF to combat doping in the sport, and it will not be until they report back that they have ...
History man Nadal sweeps to 12th French Open and 18th Grand Slam title
Rafael Nadal swept to an historic 12th Roland Garros title and 18th Grand Slam crown on Sunday with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Austria's Dominic Thiem. The 33-year-old Spaniard becomes the first player, man or woman, to win the same Slam 12 times after seeing off a brave challenge from a weary Thiem in a repeat of the 2018 final. Nadal is now just two behind Roger Federer's all-time record of 20 majors and three ahead of Novak Djokovic who was knocked out by Thiem in the semi-finals. The world number two also took his Paris record to an astonishing 93 wins and just two losses having previously won the title in 2005-2008, 2010-2014, 2017 and 2018. Sunday's triumph confirmed the 'Big Three' stranglehold on the Grand Slams having shared the last 10 between them. It also gave Nadal an 82nd career title and 950th match win. In a 53-minute first set of brutal hitting and raw physicality, it was Thiem who broke first for a 3-2 lead. But the 25-year-old's joy was short-lived as Nadal ..
Nations League: England beats Switzerland, finishes third
England defeated Switzerland 6-5 in penalties in the third-fourth playoff match of the Nations League on Sunday to finish third in the tournament.England's Harry Kane made the first move in the match as in the second minute he made an attacking move but Switzerland's keeper Yann Sommer was up to the task and he made the save.Early signs in the match showed England were not afraid to play out from the back despite the two grave mistakes which cost them a final spot on Thursday against the Netherlands.Switzerland was not particularly pressing aggressively in the opening few minutes of the game.England created more chances in the first half, but Switzerland's defence line was up to the task and at the end of the half time the scoreline was 0-0.In the second half, Switzerland came out all guns blazing and they created a chance in the 56th minute of the match. Xherdan Shaqiri was leading the attacking lines but England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was up to the task and he made the save.In ..
India U-19 squad for Tri-series in England announced
The BCCI's junior selection committee Sunday picked a 18-member India Under-19 team for the one-day Tri-series in England starting July 21 with Uttar Pradesh batsman Priyam Garg as the captain. India will play against the U-19 sides of England and Bangladesh in the tournament. The team will leave for the UK on July 15 from New Delhi. The Squad: Priyam Garg (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Thakur Tilak Verma, Divyansh Saxena, Shaswat Rawat, Dhruv Chand Jurel (wk), Shubhang Hegde, Ravi Bishnoi, Vidyadhar Patil, Sushant Mishra, Rasik Salam, Sameer Rizvi, Pragnesh Kanpillewar, Kamran Iqbal, Priyesh Patel (wk), Karan Lal, Purnank Tyagi, Anshul Khamboj.
Hit on thumb, Dhawan skips fielding
India opener Shikhar Dhawan could not field after sustaining a thumb injury while batting during India's World Cup game against Australia here Sunday. Dhawan was hit on his left thumb by a delivery from Nathan Coulter-Nile and needed medical attention. Physiotherapist Patrick Farhart would check on him during breaks as he continued manfully, getting to 117 off 109 balls. With his finger taped, as a precautionary measure, he didn't take field during the Australian innings. It was Ravindra Jadeja who took field instead. Dhawan's good run in ICC tournaments continued as his stylish hundred formed the cornerstone of a fantastic batting display that powered India to a commanding 352 for five against.
Idemitsu Honda India team grabs two podium finishes
Riding into Day 2 of the Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship, the Idemitsu Honda India Racing team ended the Round 1 with two podium finishes in Pro-Stock 165cc category, here on Sunday.
Rabada urges South Africa to ignore off-field problems
Kagiso Rabada believes South Africa must put their off-field problems to one side as they look to revive their World Cup campaign against the West Indies at Southampton on Monday. A tough opening week in the round-robin group phase has left the Proteas with little margin for error after three straight defeats by England, Bangladesh and India left their semi-final hopes hanging by a thread. South Africa also saw senior fast bowler Dale Steyn ruled out of the World Cup through injury without bowling a ball. Meanwhile, a row has broken out over whether South Africa's selectors were right to reject star AB de Villiers's offer to come out of international retirement for the World Cup, with some arguing the star batsman had simply left it too late to make himself available. "There's just been a lot happening off the field and we are just looking to clear that out of our heads," said Rabada, the leader of the Proteas' attack in Steyn's absence. "But it has been enjoyable," added Rabada, ...
IAAF maintains suspension on Russia over doping
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) council on Sunday upheld a suspension imposed on the Russian Federation since November 2015 over allegations of state-sponsored doping.
Akash's header earns India 1-1 draw vs Bulgaria
Akash Mishra's perfectly-placed header earned India a well-fought 1-1 draw against Bulgaria in the last match of the group phase in the Granatkin Memorial Tournament at the Petrrovsky Stadium on Sunday.
Two Indians create world record in World Para Athletics Grand Prix
Indian para-athletes Sandeep Chaudhary and Sumit shattered two world records in men's F40-46/61-64 javelin throw category at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Grosseto, Italy on Saturday. Sandeep won the gold with a throw of 65.80m which is a world record in F44 category to which he belongs. He had also won the gold in this combined event in 2018 Asian Para Games. Sumit finished second in the combined event with a throw of 60.45m, which is also a world record in F64 category. Sundar Singh Gurjar, whose category falls in F46, finished third with a throw of 58.99m. "All the three have already qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics by virtue of their performance in the 2018 Para Asian Games. All the three are medal contenders in next year's Paralympics," Gursharan Singh, who is interim president of Paralympic Committee of India, told PTI. The F40-46/61-64 category relates to limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired range of movement. The athletes ..
Dhoni follows ICC's regulation, removes 'Balidaan Badge'
Abiding by the ICC's diktat, Mahendra Singh Dhoni was seen without the Army insignia on his wicketkeeping gloves as he took the field after India posted a mammoth 352/5 against Australia in a marquee World Cup clash at the Kennington Oval here on Sunday.
Bonansea fires Italy to last-gasp comeback win over Australia
Barbara Bonansea fired Italy to a remarkable comeback win over Australia after her brace, including a stoppage time winner, claimed a 2-1 Group C victory on Sunday. Juventus' Bonansea pounced on a dreadful first touch from Clare Polkinghorne to race through and level for the Italians 11 minutes after the break after hotshot striker Sam Kerr had rammed home the opener for the Matildas on the rebound from her own 22nd-minute penalty. Daniela Sabatino thought she had won it for Italy with nine minutes remaining when she finished well after hitting the post, only for her goal to be ruled out for offside. But Bonansea scored from a free-kick five minutes into added time to see the Italians home on their return to the World Cup after a 20-year absence. The three points puts Italy at the top of the group ahead of Brazil's clash with Jamaica later on Sunday. England also open their World Cup campaign with a Group D derby against Scotland in the day's late game.
Youth worlds medallist Bhavesh enters pre-quarters of Youth Nationals
Youth world bronze medallist Bhavesh cruised into the pre-quarterfinals of the men's 52kg with a comfortable victory at the 3rd edition of the Youth Men's National Boxing championship in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand. Bhavesh of SSCB defeated Bhumit Patel, who found himself at the receiving end of a flurry of punches from the 2018 youth worlds medallist. Following his footsteps was Aman in +91kg category. Aman, who is a Youth Asian bronze medallist last year, continued his fine run in the tournament. Aman has set up a pre-quarters clash against Delhi's Sunny Dabas. The highlight in the women's category was the match between Arpita Kushwaha of Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh's Deepika in 60kg. The Himachal pugilist went all out with her combination punches to send her opponent almost to the ropes and the referee had to stop the contest with a few seconds still on the clock in Round 2. In the 64kg women's bout, Saksham Singh got the better of Goa's Chotukumar Singh in an intense ...
Mumbai Mayor's Cup chess: Top seeds advance to 2nd round
Top seeds GM Iturrizaga Bonelli Eduardo and GM Amonatov Farrukh had an easy outing as they breezed past Indians Rishab Gokhale and Tushar Anand in a first-round match of the12th Mumbai Mayor's Cup International Chess Tournament 2019 here Sunday. GM Eduardochose a traditional approach and started the game with Anglo Indian English opening. Rishabh, playing with black, made a mistake on the 22nd move by playing Rxd4 and Eduardo took full advantage of it and in 36 moves Rishabh was forced to resign from the game, a media release said. In another match, defending champion GM Amonatov Farrukh started the game with a defensive Sicilian opening. Tushar made a mistake in the 18th move by playing RC2 and Farrukh forced him out of the game in less than 30 moves. The players in the open international section would be vying for the first prize of Rs 3 lakh from a total prize fund of Rs 14 lakh. Results Round 1: GM Iturrizaga Bonelli Eduardo (2637, VEN) bt Gokhale Rishabh ...
Ex-Afghan football chief faces arrest over sexual abuse
Afghan authorities on Sunday ordered arrest of former head of the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) over allegations of sexual abuse of female players, a day after FIFA handed him a lifetime ban from the sport.
Shahan, Mihir shine in National Karting C'ship
Agras Shahan Ali Mohsin and Bengalurus Mihir Avalakki stole the limelight in Round 1 of the Rotax Class of the JK Tyre-FMSCI National Karting Championship at the Meco Kartopia, here on Sunday.
Akash header earns India U-19 1-1 draw against Bulgaria
Akash Mishra's perfectly-placed header earned India a 1-1 draw against Bulgaria in the last match of the group phase in the Granatkin Memorial Tournament in St Petersburg Sunday. In the process, India finished the group with one point from three matches. They will now play two play-off matches to decide the final standings. Coach Floyd Pinto gave Sumit Rathi his first start of the tournament replacing Jitendra Singh as the central defender besides bringing Sanjeev Stalin back to the starting XI once again after the first game at the expense of Vikram Partap Singh. India could not have expected to concede an own goal so early but Mohammed Rafi's mistimed clearance went inside giving the European outfit a surprising lead in the seventh minute. India tried to build up the game from the midfield but the resilient Bulgarian defenders averted every danger that came their way. Bulgaria pushed India further trying to increase the lead but Detelinov's side-footer missed the target by a whisker
Dhawan, Kohli propel India to massive 352/5 against Australia
Shikhar Dhawan continued his love affair with ICC tournaments, as he cracked a hundred to lead India's superlative batting show and help the team post a mammoth 352/5 in 50 overs against Australia in a marquee World Cup clash at the Kennington Oval here on Sunday.