Page 1808 - Sports
Isner stuns Del Potro to reach Miami final
John Isner produced a blistering Miami Open semi-final display against crowd favourite Juan Martin Del Potro to win 6-1, 7-6 (7/2) and snap the former US Open champion's 15-match winning streak. It was a phenomenal effort from the American who blasted down 13 aces and took just one hour and 23 minutes to floor Argentina's Del Potro and book his place in Sunday's final. Isner will meet world number five Alexander Zverev in the final after the German rolled over Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 in the other semi-final. "I have played a lot of big matches and not been able to get such a good start but I am playing some of the best tennis I have played in such a long time," Isner said. "I started the tournament well and I have improved with every game. I am super fresh and ready to go for the final." An exhausted Del Potro said he is looking forward to some much-needed time away from tennis before deciding on when to play next. Winning the final would have seen him climb to ...
Pakistan pioneers hail reverse swing as 'art' not 'cheating'
Pakistan's masters of reverse-swinging a cricket ball have unanimously defended it as an "art" which can be achieved without the tampering that ended in shameful bans for three Australian players. Steve Smith had to step down as Australia captain and David Warner as vice captain after they orchestrated ball-tampering through batsman Cameron Bancroft in the Cape Town Test against South Africa last week. Bancroft was found to have used a piece of sandpaper in an attempt to alter the condition of the ball while on the field to create swing for Australia's bowlers and deceive the South African batsmen. Cricket Australia came down hard, handing a one-year ban each to Smith and Warner and nine months to Bancroft for sullying the country's sporting image. In Pakistan, an internet meme swept social media appearing to show legendary pacemen Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis smiling over the incident -- with a caption that accused the Australians of being "amateurs" in their efforts to ..
De Grandhomme's 50 spearheads New Zealand fightback
Colin de Grandhomme posted his third half-century as he led New Zealand's fightback with BJ Watling in the second Test against England in Christchurch today. At tea on day two, New Zealand were 123 for five in reply to England's 307, with de Grandhomme and Watling having put on 87 for the sixth wicket. De Grandhomme was unbeaten on 53, with Watling on 40. After months of misery on the road, England felt their luck had turned as their bowlers followed up Jonny Bairstow's century to have New Zealand in strife at 36 for five. But de Grandhomme has played a forceful innings to keep New Zealand alive, with his 53 coming off 84 deliveries including six fours. Stuart Broad and James Anderson have taken all five wickets, while Bairstow continued to stamp his mark on the game with three catches behind the stumps to remove Tom Latham without scoring, as well as Jeet Raval and Kane Williamson. Broad has three for 33 while Anderson has two for 31. Having lost the Ashes series 4-0 in Australia and
Super Cup 2018: Chennaiyin FC to take on 'young' Aizawl FC
Chennaiyin FC coach John Gregory believes that the currently-crowned Indian Super League champions have come to Bhubaneswar with nothing but 'intention of winning' as the Chennai-outfit will open their Super Cup 2018 campaign against Aizawl FC on Sunday."The Super League season has ended. The euphoria of winning the final is already over and now we have another challenge right in front of us. We are a very professional outfit and we're back to the ground now to focus on this tournament starting tomorrow with every intention of winning."The Indian Super League (ISL) champions had played a pre-season friendly match against the previous I-League champions in October and Gregory mentioned that his team has knowledge of the Highlanders' capability on the pitch and how fierce the contest is going to be tomorrow."We played a pre-season game against them. We know a bit about them. They were very successful last season, became I-League champions. We are obviously aware of the fact that it's ...
Warner apologises for his role in ball-tampering scandal
Breaking silence over his role in the ball-tampering crisis, former Australia vice-captain David Warner apologised for betraying the people who supported him in his "journey as a cricketer"."To the fans and the lovers of the game who have supported and inspired me on my journey as a cricketer, I want to sincerely apologise for betraying your trust in me," he said during a press conference, two days after returning back to Sydney."I have let you down badly. I hope in time I can find a way to repay you for all you've given me and earn you respect again," he said, adding, "I apologise for my actions and take full responsibility for what happened on day three of the Newlands Test.""It (his mistake) is one I'll regret for as long as I live...I'm responsible for my own actions and the consequences that it brings...I failed in my responsibilities as vice-captain of the Australian cricket team," he further said.Warner, who has been suspended for a year from international and domestic matches .
David Warner issues tearful apology over ball tampering
Australian opener David Warner issued a tearful apology today for his part in the ball-tampering scandal during the third cricket test against South Africa last weekend, but left a lot of questions unanswered as to his actual role in the episode. Warner was one of three players banned for their involvement in the ball-tampering controversy on the third day of the test at Cape Town. Steve Smith, who also lost his captaincy, received a 12-month ban, as did Warner. Opening batsman Cameron Bancroft was suspended for nine months. Warner has been barred by Cricket Australia from ever holding a leadership position again. He did not say today whether he would appeal. He repeatedly apologised as he made his first public comments since the scandal broke, but did not address questions about his involvement, detail the roles of other teammates in the plot to cheat, or whether there'd been any previous attempts at ball tampering. "To all Australians, whether you're a cricket fan or not, I ...
Zimbabwe Cricket removes skipper Cremer, all coaching staff
Zimbabwe Cricket have sacked skipper Graeme Cremer and the entire coaching staff following an unsuccessful World Cup qualifier campaign.According to reports, Brendan Taylor is likely to take over the team's leadership, as per ESPNcricinfo.Not only head coach Heath Streak, batting coach Lance Klusener, bowling coach Douglas Hondo, fielding coach Walter Chawaguta, fitness coach Sean Bell and team analyst Stanley Chioza , all other coaching staff, including the Zimbabwe A coach Wayne James and Under-19 coach Stephen Mangongo have been booted out."Further to our discussions, please give your technical staff (and yourself included) until 3pm tomorrow to formally resign. After which time the technical team can consider themselves dismissed and relieved of their duties with immediate effect," said Zimbabwe Cricket MD Faisal Hasnain, through an email sent to Streak.However Streak and his staff refused to resign on the principle that they did not consider their overall work a failure.According
Rishabh Pant working on skills ahead of IPL 2018
Wicket-keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who did not enjoy memorable innings in the Nidahas T20 Tri-series, is now working to reform his skills with the help of Indian team's head coach Ravi Shastri ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).Pant, who has a record of slamming the fastest century by an Indian in first-class cricket during a Ranji Trophy match, scored only 23 and 7 in the two T20 matches in Sri Lanka before being dropped."I have worked on my skills and fitness. I have spoken to my coach Tarak Sinha a lot, spoke to Ravi Shastri after the recent Sri Lanka series and am trying to implement all that in my game," Pant told reporters here."We had a good interaction. The atmosphere in the dressing room was quite good. I got to learn a lot and with that, I will try to come back harder," the 21-year-old quipped.Pant, who has played legendary under Rahul Dravid in his previous stint with the Delhi Daredevils, will not look forward to getting new learnings from Australian great .
Century-making Markram piles on misery for embattled Australia
A career-best century by Aiden Markram added pain to an Australian side reeling from the ball tampering scandal on the first day of the fourth and final Test against Australia at the Wanderers Stadium on Friday. Markram made a flawless 152 before the beleaguered Australians fought back with four late strikes as South Africa finished on 313 for six on the best batting pitch of a series which South Africa lead 2-1. Markram, though, was the star on a day when players and spectators alike seemed to have tried to move on from the controversy and bad feeling which resulted in three Australian players, including sacked captain Steve Smith, being banned and banished for ball-tampering in the third Test at Cape Town last weekend. South African captain Faf du Plessis and new Australian skipper Tim Paine had a friendly chat before the toss and in an unusual move players of both teams lined up to exchange handshakes after the national anthems. Some fans could not resist poking fun at the ...
Absences will not affect Real Madrid, says Las Palmas coach
Las Palmas coach Paco Jemez on Friday downplayed the absence of players Real Madrid has suffered ahead of an upcoming La Liga football clash.
Barcelona head to Sevilla with unbeaten record on line
The last time a club was this close to an unbeaten season in La Liga, they came unstuck at Sevilla. Barcelona, with concerns over the fitness of Lionel Messi, travel to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium on Saturday, looking to extend their own undefeated run this term to 30 league games. It was Real Sociedad who had gone 32 without loss in the 1979-80 season, only two away from finishing the then 34-game season as invincibles. But, in the penultimate match, Sevilla snatched a 2-1 win thanks to Ricardo Bertonis double, his second an 83rd-minute winner. Sevilla would finish eighth that year, Sociedad second, one point behind Real Madrid. Barca will almost certainly not surrender the league title if history repeats itself this weekend, their 11-point lead over Atletico Madrid surely too wide a gap to close, but they would give up the chance of being the first side to end a 20-team La Liga season unbeaten. They are now three games away from matching Sociedads best ever single-season ...
SA-AUS SCORES
Scores at close of play on the first day of the fourth Test between South Africa and Australia at the Wanderers Stadium on Friday: South Africa, first innings D. Elgar c Sayers b Lyon 19 A. Markram c M. Marsh b Cummins 152 H. Amla c Handscomb b Cummins 27 A. de Villiers c Paine b Sayers 69 F. du Plessis lbw b Cummins 0 T. Bavuma not out 25 K. Rabada c Renshaw b Sayers 0 Q. de Kock not out 7 Extras (b8, lb6) 14 Total (6 wkts, 88 overs) 313 Fall of wickets: 1-53 (Elgar), 2-142 (Amla), 3-247 (Markram), 4-247 (Du Plessis), 5-299 (De Villiers), 6-299 (Rabada) Bowling: Hazlewood 18-3-60-0, Sayers 26-6-64-2, Cummins 19-3-53-3, Lyon 21-1-95-1, M. Marsh 3-0-23-0, Renshaw 1-0-4-0.
Three Uruguayan referees chosen for 2018 FIFA World Cup
A team of three Uruguayans have made the list of 36 referees and 63 assistants chosen for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, which kicks off in June.
Pak look to consolidate its numero uno T20I spot
Pakistan have the opportunity to firm up their position at the top of the ICC T20I Team Rankings in an upcoming three-match series against the West Indies, starting from April 1 in Karachi.A 3-0 victory will take the Sarfraz Ahmed-led side four points clear of Australia, who had closed in on them following a 2-0 series win over New Zealand last month. Pakistan and Australia are both currently on 126 points, with Pakistan ahead on decimal points.The Windies, who are currently in fifth position with 115 points, will slip to 111 points and seventh position, behind England and South Africa, in such a scenario.A 2-1 win for Pakistan will not change the position or points for either side while a 2-1 win for the Windies will pull Pakistan down to 123 points, just two more than third-placed India. The Windies will be on 119 points.In case the Jason Mohammed-led side are victorious by a 3-0 margin, they will overtake Pakistan with the teams finishing on 122 and 120 points, respectively.
'Chennaiyin FC to enter Super Cup with intent to win'
Chennaiyin FC coach John Gregory feels that after lifitng the Indian Super League (ISL) trophy, his side will look to repeat the honours when they have when they begin their Super Cup 2018 campaign against Aizawl FC on Saturday."The Super League season has ended. The euphoria of winning the final is already over and now we have another challenge right in front of us. We are a very professional outfit and we're back to the ground now to focus on this tournament starting tomorrow with every intention of winning," Gregory said.The ISL champions had played a pre-season friendly match against the 2017 I-League champions in October and Gregory mentioned that his team have knowledge of the Highlanders' capability on the pitch and how fierce the contest is going to be tomorrow."We played a pre-season game against them. We know a bit about them. They were very successful last season, became I-League champions. We are obviously aware of the fact that it's going to be a fiercely contested game ..
Jammu and Kashmir CA appoint Irfan Pathan as its coach-cum-mentor
The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) today appointed former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan as the coach-cum-mentor of its senior state side for the 2018-19 season. "He will be the coach-cum-mentor of our team for a period of one year," JKCA CEO Aashiq Bukhari said. The 33-year-old Pathan played 29 Tests, 120 ODIs and 24 T20 Internationals for India between 2003 and 2012. Pathan was captain of Baroda for the past two domestic seasons. On his arrival, Pathan interacted with the young cricketers at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium and told them to work hard on their game in order to reach the next level.
La Liga teams welcome back internationals as league action resumes
Spain's top flight sides were on Friday preparing for the first round of La Liga matches since last week's international break.
Santosh Trophy: Kerala beat Mizoram, will meet Bengal in final
Five-time champions Kerala edged out Mizoram 1-0 in the semi-final to book their berth in the final of the 72nd edition of the national championship for the Santosh Trophy at the Mohun Bagan Ground here on Friday.
IPL: Ex-Rajasthan co-owner Kundra moves SC to revoke life ban
Acting on a Right To Information (RTI) reply from the Delhi police giving him a clean chit, Rajasthan Royals former co-owner Raj Kundra on Friday revealed that he has filed a petition in the Supreme Court to revoke his life ban handed to him after he was found guilty in the 2013 IPL betting scandal.
Banished Kundra files petition in SC, hopes to overturn ban
Banned for life from cricket activities, former Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra today said he has filed a petition at the Supreme Court after Delhi Police gave him a clean chit in the Indian Premier League betting scandal. Kundra had filed an application under Right To Information at the Delhi Police who in their reply said there's "no evidence" of betting charges against him. "We have filed an application under RTI to Delhi police seeking whether there's any evidence against me on the alleged betting," Kundra told reporters on the sidelines of an Indian Chambers of Commerce programme. "The answer we got against the RTI is that they have no evidence against me, and I have nothing to do with betting. The RTI is available to all of you. Even you can file an RTI and see it." Kundra and then ICC chief N Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan were suspended from any type of cricket matches for life after they were found guilty of betting in the T20 tournament. The Supreme ...