Page 167 - Sports
I've no idea, says Rohit on Dhoni glove controversy
India vice-captain Rohit Sharma Saturday refused to comment on the Mahendra Singh Dhoni gloves controversy, saying he has no idea whatsoever about the issue. "I have no idea about it at all," Rohit told reporters on the eve of India's World Cup clash against defending champions Australia on Sunday. "I am not the captain. I don't know what is happening with that and have nothing to say about it. Let's see what happens tomorrow." During India's opening World Cup game against South Africa in Southampton, Dhoni's green keeping gloves had a dagger logo embossed, which looked more like an Army insignia. The Indian cricket board (BCCI) had sought permission from the ICC to allow Dhoni to continue sporting the insignia but the World Governing body eventually cited regulations in denying the permission.
Roy's 153 sets up England's massive 106-run win over Bangladesh
Opener Jason Roy smashed his way to a sensational 153 as England scripted a dominating performance to hammer Bangladesh by 106 runs in a high-scoring World Cup match here Saturday. Sent into bat, England posted a massive 386 for six and then returned to dismiss Bangladesh for 280 in 48.5 overs, despite a superb hundred by all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (121). England thus registered their second win of the showpiece event, following the 14-run loss to Pakistan in the second match. They had beaten South Africa by 104 runs in the World Cup opener. Roy, who blasted five sixes and had 14 hits to the fence in his 121-ball innings, laid the foundation of the big score with two crucial partnerships -- 128 with opener Jonny Bairstow (51) and 77 with first-down Joe Root (21). Jos Buttler then scored a 44-ball 64 laced with four sixes and two fours and added 95 runs with skipper Eoin Morgan (35) as England posted the first 350 plus total of the tournament. It was also England's best World Cup ...
Dhoni gloves row: Rohit wants fans to wait and watch
India vice-captain Rohit Sharma on Saturday refused to comment on the Mahendra Singh Dhoni gloves controversy, saying it will be there for everyone to see whether the former captain sports the regimental dagger insignia on his keeping gloves during India's clash against Australia on Sunday.
FIH Men's Series Finals: Japan and USA set up a winner takes all encounter
Japan and USA both registered victories in their respective matches against South Africa and Mexico on Saturday and as a result, these two teams will clash with each other to grab the top spot in Pool B of the FIH Men's Series finals.Meanwhile, South Africa and Mexico will play to reach the cross-overs.The USA thrashed Mexico 9-0 whereas Japan defeated South Africa 2-0.After the win, USA's hockey player Paul Singh said that he is pretty happy with the team's result and also expressed his happiness on playing hockey in India."We just wanted to score scores in general. We are very confident as we trained pretty well going into this match. We wanted to press Mexico as we knew they would turn it over pretty early. It's a good result and zero goals against us show that our defence is pretty solid," Paul Singh told ANI."My mom and dad are from Punjab. My dad is from Ludhiana and My mom is from Jalandhar. I wish they would have come here to see my match. I love it in India and there was a ...
Like a 'hurricane': Djokovic blasts 'worst' ever conditions after Paris exit
Novak Djokovic said his shock Roland Garros defeat to Dominic Thiem, which ended his dream of becoming just the second man in history to hold all Grand Slam titles at the same time twice, was played out in "hurricane conditions". Thiem downed the world number one 6-2, 3-6, 7-5, 5-7, 7-5 to set up a repeat of last year's final against 11-time winner and defending champion Rafael Nadal. Djokovic, who was second best to Thiem when it came to mastering the gloom, wind and damp of Paris, was bidding to join Rod Laver in the Grand Slam history books. "When you're playing in hurricane kind of conditions, it's hard to perform your best," said an angry Djokovic. "It's really just kind of surviving in these kind of conditions and trying to hold your serve and play one ball more than your opponent in the court. "That's what it felt like playing yesterday. I don't want to point out some reasons or find excuses for this loss. I mean, he took it, he won it, and well done to him." The match had been
FIFA bans ex-Afghan football boss for life over sexual assault
FIFA on Saturday found the former head of the Afghanistan Football Federation, Keramuddin Karim, guilty of sexually abusing female players and banned him from the sport for life. Karim had been provisionally banned by FIFA's ethics committee following allegations made by five female Afghan players concerning acts of sexual assault committed between 2013 and 2018. The investigation by world football's governing body found Karim "guilty of having abused his position and sexually abused various female players, in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics." Afghan footballer Khalida Popal -- who reportedly had collected accounts from former teammates that included sexual violence, death threats and rapes -- applauded FIFA's decision but said it was only a "first step." "We are not done yet," she said on Twitter. "Football is not a place for abuse... Women should be protected," she added. Karim has previously denied the accusations, denouncing them as part of a "conspiracy" and "without ...
Neesham snares five as Kiwis pack Afghans for 172
All-rounder James Neesham returned career-best figures of 5/31 as New Zealand bundled out Afghanistan for a paltry 172 in 41.1 overs in a rain interrupted World Cup clash here on Saturday.
Spain and Portugal eye hosting 2030 World Cup
Spain and Portugal's football associations announced on Saturday they are looking into the idea of bidding to stage the World Cup in 2030, without Morocco who had earlier been cited as a potential partner. "After holding several meetings in recent weeks, the football federations of Spain and Portugal confirm that they will begin a thorough process of analysis on the possibility of presenting a joint bid to organise the 2030 World Cup," a statement said. "Both federations want to take the opportunity to communicate that the governments of both countries are adequately informed about the process, as they will play a fundamental part of their development," it added. The announcement comes after Spain prime minister Pedro Sanchez proposed in November a venture along with the north African country. Lisbon and Madrid have changed their position to focus on a bid without the Moroccans. The two countries had also looked at hosting the tournament in 2018 as well as in 2022. The South American .
Neesham's maiden fiver helps NZ bowl Afghanistan out for 172
New Zealand speedster James Neesham grabbed his maiden five-wicket haul as he ripped through the Afghanistan batting line-up to bowl them out for a paltry 172 in their World Cup match here on Saturday. Neesham, a batting all-rounder, rocked the Afghanistan innings by his incisive bowling and in the process returned with his career-best figures of 5/31 from his 10 overs. His earlier best was 4/42. Neesham's pace colleague Lockie Ferguson claimed four wickets for 37 runs to throttle the Afghanistan innings. Sent into bat, Afghanistan made a decent start with openers Hazratullah Zazai (34) and Noor Ali Zadran (31) putting on 66 runs between them. Hazratullah hit three fours in the first over bowled by Matthew Henry to show his intent. But New Zealand hit back when Neesham induced a mistimed slog from Hazratullah, with Colin Munro taking the catch on the boundary to end the opener's innings of 34 from 28 balls in the 11th over. Afghanistan wickets then began to fall in a heap once the ...
Ashleigh defeats Vondrousova to win Women's French Open title
Ashleigh Barty defeated 19-year-old Marketa Vondrousova 6-1, 6-3 in the final on Saturday to lift the Women's French Open title.As a result of this win, Barty has become the first Australian woman to win the French Open title since 1973.The 23-year-old Barty also becomes the first player from her country to win a major singles title since Samantha Stosur at the 2011 US Open.This was a first Grand-Slam final for both the tennis players. Barty was superior to the two finalists in the match that was played on Court Phillipe-Chatrier. The entire clash lasted for an hour and ten minutes.In the first set, the first serve was taken by Barty and she looked in good touch from the very start. She quickly took a lead of 30-0 but Vondrousova opened up with a forehand. But she failed to capitalise and an ace from Barty completed the hold.Australian Barty looked in ominous touch throughout the first set, not allowing the Czech Vondrousova to create any kind of momentum in the match. Barty just ...
Barty ends Australia's 46-year wait for French Open title
Ashleigh Barty ended Australia's 46-year wait for a French Open singles title on Saturday by thrashing nervous Czech teenager Marketa Vondrousova in a one-sided women's final. Eighth seed Barty got off to a strong start and never looked back, winning 6-1, 6-3 after only 70 minutes to claim her maiden Grand Slam title. The 23-year-old will rise to second in the world behind only Naomi Osaka when the latest rankings are released next week, after becoming the first Australian winner at Roland Garros since Margaret Court won the last of her five trophies in 1973. She will be best-ranked Australian woman since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1976. "It's unbelievable, I'm a little bit speechless. I played the perfect match today. I'm so proud of myself and my team, it's been a incredible two weeks," said Barty. "It's a special place for Australians here. Sam (Stosur) has done well here before and come so close. It's been a magical two weeks." Barty, who famously took a break from tennis to play .
Smith best batsman in the world: Finch
On the eve of their World Cup clash with India, Australia captain Aaron Finch on Saturday stoked fire by rating Steve Smith ahead of Virat Kohli as the best batsman in the world across all three formats.
Thiem ends Djokovic history bid, faces Nadal for Roland Garros title
Novak Djokovic's dream of becoming just the second man in history to hold all Grand Slam titles at the same time twice was crushed by Dominic Thiem at Roland Garros on Saturday. Thiem downed the world number one 6-2, 3-6, 7-5, 5-7, 7-5 to set up a repeat of last year's final against 11-time winner and defending champion Rafael Nadal. Djokovic, who was second best to Thiem when it came to mastering the gloom, wind and damp of Paris, was bidding to join Rod Laver in the Grand Slam history books. However, it's 25-year-old Austrian fourth seed Thiem who goes on to face Nadal where he will be buoyed by having defeated the 17-time major winner four times on clay in his career. He will also attempt to become just Austria's second Grand Slam men's champion after Thomas Muster won in Paris in 1995. Thiem did it the hard way, squandering a 4-1 final set lead and two match points before he sealed his place in the final. "It was an amazing match. It was my first five-set match at Roland Garros ..
Hit-Man's finishing act: If I don't do it after 200 games then when?
It's not the big hundreds but pulling off chases for his team gives more joy to Rohit Sharma, who says he is now experienced enough to do it consistently for India. The same batting approach was on display in India's tricky yet successful chase against South Africa and skipper Virat Kohli had rated his unbeaten 122-run knock as his best "ODI innings". So is it the vice-captaincy that has brought about this change? "I think I have played more than 200-odd games now. If I don't do it now, then when," the Indian vice-captain gave a cheeky reply. The experience of 207 matches is now paying off, he feels. "Experience teaches you a lot of things. That is something that has come into my game of late. Because you start the innings for your team, you want to make sure that you finish off the innings, as well. That gives you immense pleasure. "And when I did that in the first game, the satisfaction you get finishing the job is something else, rather than scoring a hundred and not finishing off .
Anand to clash with Ding Liren in Altibox Norway chess
Five-time World champion Viswanathan Anand will take on Ding Liren of China with white in the fourth round of Altibox Norway chess tournament here. After a terrible start that cost him a game in tiebreaker and another in regular time control, Anand bounced back by winning a tiebreaker against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France in the previous round and this could be his chance to make things even by winning the normal game against Liren. On two points from three rounds, Anand currently holds the eighth spot with seven rounds still to come. The win under normal games give two points while if the game is drawn a tiebreak game is played to determine the winner with black keeping draw-odds. If the game drags to Armageddon stage, Anand will have to win in order to stay in contention. Even as he started by winning a couple of Armageddon with huge luck, Carlsen came up with a resounding win over Alexander Grischuk of Russia in the previous round to find himself at the top of the tables. The ...
Thiem stuns Djokovic to set up final clash with Nadal
Dominic Thiem stunned Novak Djokovic in a five-set thriller to set up yet another French Open final against Rafael Nadal on Saturday.
USA thrash Mexico 9-0, Japan beat South Africa 2-0
The United States continued its fine form and thrashed Mexico 9-0 to register its second consecutive win at the FIH Series Finals hockey tournament here Saturday. In the first Pool B match between world no. 25 USA and their neighbours, ranked 39th, Michael Jr Barminski (3rd, 53rd minutes) and Sean Cicchi (37th, 52nd) scored two goals each for the winners. Julian Croonenberghs (14th), Tyler Sundeen (30th), who replaced regular skipper Ajai Dhadwal, Alberto Montilla (39th), Christian de Angelis (42nd) and William Holt (60th) were the other goal getters for the Americans. USA had earlier stunned South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener on Thursday, while Mexico had slumped to 1-3 defeat against Asian Games champion Japan. Later in the day, Tokyo Olympic hosts Japan scored two field goals through Kentaro Fukuda (26th) and Kazuma Murata (45th) to secure their second win in Pool B. USA and Japan will face off against each other on June 10 to decide the pool toppers, while South Africa take
Steve Smith is world's best batsman in all three formats: Finch
Virat Kohli is considered by many as the best batsman in contemporary cricket but Australia skipper Aaron Finch says it's his predecessor Steve Smith who is number one across all three formats. A day before Australia's World Cup encounter against India, Finch sounded quietly confident and his opinion seemed like sending out a strong message for the opposition. Asked what difference does Smith and David Warner's presence make, Finch said: "When you've got world-class players coming back into your side, it's unfortunate for the guys who have missed out and the guys who have played some really good one-day cricket in the past. But Steve is the best batter in the world in my opinion over all three forms of the game." Smith's batting in a tough situation against West Indies was an example how the world's best devises plans as per situation, said the skipper. "We saw Steve had a really clear plan. He got under the bouncer until he tried to play one around in the 33rd over, I think, and hit .
Innings against South Africa was one of my best, says Rohit Sharma
As India and Australia ready up to clash on June 9 in the World Cup, Men in Blue's vice-captain Rohit Sharma said that his innings against South Africa was probably one of his best in his career.His remarks come after Indian skipper Virat Kohli's remarks on the batsman's century. Kohli lauded Sharma for his knock and said it was Sharma's best innings in his opinion."I think it was a massive booster for me. All the cricketers want to start well in the World Cup. I felt it was not the way I would have liked to play. You have to respect the conditions, it was my one of the best innings that I have played," Sharma told reporters at the pre-match conference.Wicket-keeper batsman MS Dhoni's decision to sport the army insignia on his wicket-keeping gloves in the match against South Africa caused a huge stir worldwide. However, when Sharma was asked about his opinion, he replied that he is not the skipper of the team so he is not aware of Dhoni's gloves."I am not the captain, I have no idea ..
Thiem ends Djokovic history bid, faces Nadal in Roland Garros final
Novak Djokovic's dream of becoming just the second man in history to hold all Grand Slam titles at the same time twice was crushed by Dominic Thiem at Roland Garros on Saturday. Thiem downed the world number one 6-2, 3-6, 7-5, 5-7, 7-5 to set up a repeat of last year's final against 11-time winner and defending champion Rafael Nadal. Djokovic, who was second best to Thiem when it came to mastering the gloom, wind and damp of Paris, was bidding to join Rod Laver in the Grand Slam history books. However, it's 25-year-old Austrian fourth seed Thiem who goes on to face Nadal where he will be buoyed by having defeated the 17-time major winner four times on clay in his career.