Page 1819 - Sports
Maradona backs Argentina after Spain thrashing
Football legend Diego Maradona has taken to social media to express support for Argentina's national team following a 6-1 loss to Spain in Madrid.
Stephens cracks world top 10 with Miami semi-final run
American Sloane Stephens had cause for a double celebration after beating Germany's Angelique Kerber 6-1, 6-2 to set up a Miami Open semi-final clash with former world number one Victoria Azarenka. The US 13th seed's comprehensive triumph in tricky wind conditions over the former world number one ensured Stephens reached the last four at Key Biscayne for the first time. It also means the reigning US Open champion will finally be named in the world's top 10 when the WTA release their rankings next week. She will meet two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka for a place in Saturday's final after the Belarusian beat fifth-seeded Karolina Pliskova 7-5, 6-3. "I am so tired of hearing that I am number 11 in the world," said a smiling Stephens yesterday. "It's very exciting to get there, something I have wanted to do for a while. Getting into the top 10 is pretty special and something I have worked on for a long time." Azarenka, meanwhile, is enjoying her best tournament run since the ...
World Cup hopefuls Spain crush Argentina, Brazil edge Germany
Isco scored a hat-trick as Spain hammered an Argentina side without Lionel Messi 6-1 in a friendly, while Brazil defeated Germany 1-0 in their first meeting since the 2014 World Cup. Gareth Southgate's England were denied victory over Italy at Wembley after the visitors were awarded a disputed late penalty in a 1-1 draw following consulation with the video assistant referee. Spain underlined their status as chief contenders at this year's World Cup in Russia as they extended their unbeaten run under Julen Lopetegui to 18 matches in sensational fashion in Madrid. Diego Costa bravely forced home Spain's opening goal on 12 minutes and Isco doubled the lead before Nicolas Otamendi halved the deficit prior to half-time. The absence of Messi, left out of the squad by Jorge Sampaoli despite the coach insisting on Monday that his star striker was fit, was telling as Spain dominated the South Americans in the second half. Isco bagged his second on 52 minutes and Thiago Alcantara swiftly added .
Del Potro, Raonic advance, Cilic ousted by Isner at Miami
Juan Martin del Potro sent his devoted fans home happy by powering into the ATP Miami Open quarter-finals with a 6-4, 6-2 triumph over Serbian Filip Krajinovic. Roared on by a partisan crowd, the 29-year-old Argentinian recovered from 1-4 down in the first set to reel off nine games in a row on his way to a last-eight match with Canada's Milos Raonic today. Del Potro's welcome return to form and fitness saw him win the Indian Wells title and continue to impress at the last tournament in Key Biscayne before a move north to the NFL Miami Dolphins' home stadium next year. "Playing here they make it special for the South American players and I am trying to enjoy the last time playing in Key Biscayne," Del Potro said. "I know many Argentine fans live here and are so close. I will miss them." Windy conditions hampered players all day and the former US Open champion took time to find his groove in his first meeting with 27th-ranked Krajinovic. "The weather was so bad to play tennis. We ...
'Win, win, win' - How Lehmann ethos hurt Aussie cricket
Coach Darren Lehmann appears to have survived the ball-tampering scandal that has rocked Australian cricket, even as the win-at-all-costs mentality he instilled in the team comes under fresh scrutiny. Lehmann was hailed as a saviour when he took over in 2013, but critics now accuse him of overseeing a toxic culture that has dented the reputation of the famed Baggy Green cap. After being appointed, Lehmann's response when asked to list his top three priorities was telling: "Probably win, win, win, for a start," he told reporters. Cricket Australia (CA) had other ideas when it gave him the job. "Discipline, consistency of behaviour and accountability for performance are all key ingredients that need to improve," chief executive James Sutherland said at the time. "And we see that the head coach is ultimately responsible for that." If part of Lehmann's brief was to improve the Australian team's behaviour, there is little doubt he has failed. - 'Out of control' ...
Black Cap Astle out of second England Test
New Zealand leg-spinner Todd Astle will miss the second Test against England due to a side strain, team officials said today, with Ish Sodhi called in as a like-for-like replacement. Astle took three for 39 in the first Test and coach Mike Hesson said the timing of the injury was unfortunate. "Through some incredibly hard work, Todd's already overcome some injuries this summer, so for this to happen now is a cruel blow," Hesson said. Sodhi comes into the Test side after taking a career-best 12 for 62 for Northern Districts this week in the domestic competition. New Zealand won the first Test in Auckland by an innings and 49 runs. The second and final Test begins in Christchurch on Friday.
Ball tampering row: Cricket Australia's decision prompts reply from cricket world
Cricket Australia's decision in connection with the ball tampering scandal that has tainted the otherwise gentlemen's sports, has prompted the response from the cricket world.Cricket Australia (CA) on Tuesday announced that it has found skipper Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft guilty in the ball-tampering scandal, and suspended the trio for the fourth Test in Johannesburg, beginning Friday."Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft all charged after it was found they had prior knowledge of the ball tampering incident. No one else was aware," Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland told reporters here.Slew of former cricketers took to social media to express their disbelief at Sutherland's assertion that only three members of the Australian team knew what was going on.Former English cricketer Michael Vaughan tweeted, "Only 3 people knew ........ #MyArse.""Me thinks the Hole has just got a little deeper & bigger for Cricket Australia .....," he wrote .
Santosh Trophy: Kerala beat Bengal to finish top of Group A
K. P. Rahul's late strike helped Kerala edge past defending champions Bengal 1-0 and enter semifinals as Group A toppers in the national football championship for the 72nd Santosh Trophy on Tuesday.
Will talk to Sunrisers Hyderabad about Warner's captaincy: Rajeev Shukla
After Cricket Australia (CA) on Tuesday announced the suspension of skipper Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft from the fourth Test against South Africa, Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Rajeev Shukla said that the committee will talk to Sunrisers Hyderabad on their decision over Warner's captaincy."I think we should be announcing our decision by tomorrow after looking at the decision of Cricket Australia. We are also going to talk to Sunrisers Hyderabad that they should also consider about Warner being the captain," Rajeev Shukla told ANI.For the unversed, CA had announced that it has found Smith, Warner, and Bancroft guilty in the ball-tampering scandal, and suspended the trio for the fourth Test in Johannesburg, beginning on Friday."Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft all charged after it was found they had prior knowledge of the ball tampering incident. No one else was aware," Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland told reporters.Cricket
Australia's Smith, Warner, Bancroft suspended from Johannesburg Test
In wake of the ball-tampering controversy, Australian cricketers Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft have been suspended from the fourth Test against South Africa in Johannesburg, Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Tuesday.
Smith, Warner, Bancroft removed from fourth test
Cricket Australia (CA) on Tuesday announced that it has found skipper Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft guilty in the ball-tampering scandal, and suspended the trio for the fourth Test in Johannesburg, beginning Friday."Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft all charged after it was found they had prior knowledge of the ball tampering incident. No one else was aware," Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland told reporters here.Cricket Australia will announce sanctions on Smith, Warner, and Bancroft in the next 24 hours."Clearly we are not at all comfortable with what has taken place. Sanctions will be issued tomorrow and they will be significant," Sutherland said.After the CA investigation, all three players were found guilty of breaching article 2.3.5 of Cricket Australia's Code of Conduct and will fly home from South Africa on Thursday.Meanwhile, Darren Lehmann will continue to coach the team."Darren Lehmann has not resigned and will continue to ...
Unholy Trinity: CA sends back Smith, Warner, Bancroft home
The embattled trio of Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will be sent home in disgrace tomorrow as Cricket Australia came down heavily on their errant captain, his deputy and young opener for orchestrating a ball tampering conspiracy against South Africa, sullying the image of a cricket loving nation. However, chief coach Darren Lehmann has been given a clean chit for the time being, as Cricket Australia concluded its preliminary investigations today. Tim Paine will captain Australia in the final Test match with reinforcements in middle-order batsman Glenn Maxwell along with openers Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw scheduled to arrive tomorrow. "All three players (Smith, Warner, Bancroft) that have been reported will leave tomorrow. Renshaw, Maxwell and Burns will arrive in South Africa in the next 24 hours," CA chief executive James Sutherland told a packed media conference here this evening. "Time Paine has been officially appointed captain of the Test team," he ...
Unholy trinity: Smith, Warner, Bancroft sent back home
The embattled trio of Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will be sent home tomorrow, Cricket Australia announced here today in the wake of the premedicated ball-tampering conspiracy that has taken the cricket world by storm. CA CEO James Sutherland said Matthew Renshaw, Joe Burns and Glenn Maxwell will replace the three players charged in the Test squad, with Tim Paine officially named captain for the fourth Test. "All three players that have been reported will leave tomorrow. Renshaw, Maxwell and Burns will arrive in South africa in the next 24 hours," Sutherland announced at a packed media conference. Coach Darren Lehmann will continue in the position as he had no knowledge according to CA's preliminary inquiry. "Contrary to reports Darren has not resigned, he had no prior knowledge," said Sutherland. He added, "We are contemplating significant sanctions in each case of the three players. These sanctions will reflect the gravity of what occurred and the damage it has ...
Asian Cup qualifiers: India top Group A despite loss to Kyrgyzstan
India topped Group A of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers despite going down 1-2 to Kyrgyzstan in their last match at the Dolon Omurzakov Stadium here on Tuesday.
Starpick India launches online fantasy sports platform
UK-based StarPick Limited today launched StarPick India, the country's first international online fantasy sports platform,to offer a wide game portfolio. It has been co-founded by Ulf Ekberg, Trigam Mukherjee and Rohit Nair with their advisor and ace cricketers Jonty Rhodes and V V S Laxman. StarPick will offer the widest game portfolio from across the world, including cricket, kabaddi, European football, hockey, basketball, Formula 1, golf and bicycle racing, to name a few. Speaking to reporters, Muhkerjee said this platform was a digital extension of the sport where people not only watch, but actually get in and play it. "The people get to create their own team, get phantom money and start playing the virtual game, where the cost of the player depends on his past performance," he said. Sports fans would be able to choose their teams at a variable management fee from the pool of players based on their understanding and analytics of the game and win or lose based on the .
India lose 1-2 to Kyrgyzstan, 13-match unbeaten run ends
The Indian football team's 13-match unbeaten run ended as it lost 1-2 to an attacking Kyrgyzstan in an inconequential final group game of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign, here today. Anton Zemlianukhin opened the scoring for the hosts as early as the second minute and Mirlan Murzaev doubled the lead with his 72-nd minute strike. Jeje Lalpekhlua pulled one back for the visiting side by finding the back of the net in the 88th minute. India, who have already secured qualification to next year's continental showpiece, felt the absence of their key players, especially Sunil Chhetri. Playing in place of Chhetri, striker Balwant Singh was denied a goal twice in the space of 11 minutes. Rowlin Borges' free-kick came off the crossbar and fell to the Mumbai City striker who tapped it into the net but the flag had already been raised for offside. Then, he raced past his marker into the free space behind the home defence and slotted past Matiash but the referee had by then blown his ...
Sindhu suffers ankle sprain, to resume CWG training soon
Indian badminton ace P.V. Sindhu's right ankle injury, which she suffered during training on Tuesday, is "just a sprain", and she will resume training soon.
No Messi in starting 11 for Argentina vs Spain friendly
Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi was not included in a possible starting lineup for his national team's friendly match against Spain on Tuesday, according to a list on the Argentine Football Association website.
Maharashtra, Manipur boxers shine at Youth National Boxing
Maharashtra boxers continued their impressive run at the youth national boxing championship with Sakshi Gaidhani, Sanika Sasane and Nikita Rokade advancing to the women's quarterfinals at the national boxing academy here today. Girls from Maharashtra and Manipur stole the show, while Haryana boys too displayed their prowess in the ring on the fourth day of the National boxing championship. In the women's section, Maharashtra girls dominated the roaster as they won majority of their bouts. The only loss that came their way was when Sangeeta Rumale put up a fierce fight but couldn't overcome the challenge from Haryana's Shivani. Manipur's girls also had an easy day out as four of them booked their quarter final berths. In the men's department, Haryana's Pujilists stole the limelight as they registered emphatic victory in front of their home crowd. In the light welterweight category, Haryana's Mohit didn't give opponent from West Bengal any breathing space as he kept the pressure on his .
It is up to CA to decide on Smith, Warner: Rhodes
Former South Africa cricketer Jonty Rhodes today said it is up to Cricket Australia to take a call on Steve Smith and David Warner, who were involved in ball tampering in the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. "It is up to Cricket Australia to make a final decision on whether the players have brought disrepute to the game of cricket. And if the board feels that the players have breached their rules and regulations, then they should take a final decision to impose ban on them," he said here. Reports have emerged that Warner would be punished for his conduct during the Test match. Already young opener Matt Renshaw has flown to Johannesburg, indicating that Warner will also not be a part of the final Test. Rhodes said people are calling for handing them stringent punishment, but there are different sets of ICC rules and regulations, and ball tampering does not fall under such provisions. "People are calling out for handing it out tougher punishment for ball tampering, but it ..