Page 183 - Sports
Christchurch attacks 'gelled' Bangladesh, says Rhodes
Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes spoke of his respect for the way his players handled themselves after the Christchurch mosque attacks earlier this year. The team narrowly escaped the attacks that killed 51 people in New Zealand in March during their tour of the country. Rhodes is preparing his side to face New Zealand at the Oval on Wednesday after they beat South Africa in their opening World Cup match. "I have got so much respect for the players, the way that they have handled themselves after that event, the way that they have got themselves through it all," he said at his pre-match press conference. "They are just celebrating Eid now, the end of Ramadan. That's been tough for many of the boys. "The experience they went through, they went through together on that coach, and I think it somehow gelled them and I think that they have actually got solace from each other." "There's a lot of smiley faces at the moment, and going back to that day in Christchurch, I was thinking, how do we ..
West Indies quicks rekindle memories of World Cup glory
Jason Holder's West Indies are reviving memories of their World Cup glory days with a pace attack that has the ability to strike fear into opposition batsmen. The two-time champions opened their campaign at the tournament in England and Wales by skittling out Pakistan for just 105 at Trent Bridge as their quicks made good use of the bouncer. Oshane Thomas led the way with four for 27, while Andre Russell, Sheldon Cottrell and captain Holder provided good support as the West Indies cruised to a seven-wicket win. When West Indies beat Australia in the inaugural 1975 World Cup final at Lord's, their side included a four-man pace battery. And when they defeated England four years later in another Lord's final to retain their title, the West Indies did so with the original "fearsome foursome" of Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Colin Croft and Joel Garner. Nobody is suggesting the current line-up is yet in that class but the fact they bowled Pakistan out cheaply without Kemar Roach and ...
Semenya: IAAF to fight Swiss court testosterone ruling
The IAAF said Tuesday it will fight a Swiss court decision to suspend its rules obliging athletes, including double Olympic champion Caster Semenya, to lower their testosterone levels in order to compete in certain events. Switzerland's highest court on Monday temporarily suspended the IAAF rules following an appeal by Semenya, the South African who won the women's 800 metres at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. The athlete was contesting a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport which previously found that the rules were "discriminatory" but "necessary" to ensure fairness in women's athletics. "The IAAF will continue to fight for equal rights and opportunities for all women and girls in our sport today and in the future," the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said in a statement, adding that it was committed to the "full participation of women" in athletics. It said it would "seek a swift reversion of the super-provisional order moving forwards". The IAAF and
Ashes doubt for fatigued Australia Test opener Burns
Australia Test opener Joe Burns has been diagnosed with fatigue and burn-out stemming from a viral infection last year, throwing his chances of playing in this year's Ashes into serious doubt. The 29-year-old, who scored a career-best 180 during Australia's last Test in February against Sri Lanka at Canberra, called time on his stint with English county side Lancashire last month for "personal reasons". Queensland Cricket said in a statement he was dealing with "a protracted post-infectious fatigue disorder dating back to an October 2018 viral infection". Burns, who has played 16 Tests and was a contender to open with David Warner against England in the five-match series, is recuperating. "A definite prognosis for recovery is unavailable at present; however it is anticipated he will be fully available for cricket in the near future," added the statement. Whether he recovers in time for the first Test at Edgbaston on August 1 remains to be seen, but his problems could open to door for
Joshua to face Ruiz rematch before end of year: Hearn
Anthony Joshua will attempt to reclaim his heavyweight titles from Andy Ruiz Jr. before the end of year after activating a rematch clause in his contract, promoter Eddie Hearn said. In a brief post on Twitter, Hearn said Joshua had opted for an immediate rematch against Ruiz Jr, who shocked the boxing world with a seventh-round knockout of the British fighter on Saturday. "After meetings with AJ, (trainer) Rob (McCracken) and the management team in NY, we have today triggered the contracted rematch clause with Andy Ruiz Jnr," Hearn wrote. "The fight will take place in Nov/Dec at a venue to be confirmed shortly." Ruiz Jr. pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the history of the heavyweight division at Madison Square Garden on Saturday with his sensational stoppage of Joshua, the previously unbeaten WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight champion. The 29-year-old Ruiz started the fight as a massive 32-1 underdog but floored Joshua four times on his way to a win which upended the heavyweight ...
Relentless Federer-Nadal book epic French date
Spain's Rafael Nadal and Switzerland's Roger Federer overcame rains and opponents in the quarterfinals, setting up what is expected to be another epic showdown between them in the French Open semi-finals.
Di Maria will 'never close' Argentina door
Angel Di Maria has said he plans to continue playing with Argentina's national team, at least until the two-time world champions win a major title.
Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan in low-scoring clash
Averting what could have been an another upset in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Sri Lankan bowlers stepped up to salvage pride for their team as they succeeded in wrapping up minnows Afghanistan for 152 runs in 32.4 overs to set up a 34-run victory in the rain-affected clash at the Sophia Gardens here on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka beats Afghanistan at CWC despite batting collapse
Sri Lanka recovered from a dramatic batting collapse to knock over Afghanistan for 152 and seal a 34-run win for its first victory at the Cricket World Cup on Tuesday. The Sri Lankans imploded from 144-1 to 201 all out in an innings delayed by nearly three hours because of rain at Sophia Gardens in the Welsh capital. Chasing a revised target of 187 from a maximum 21 overs, Afghanistan slumped from 34-0 to 57-5 then battled back through a 64-run stand between Gulbadin Naib (23) and Najibullah Zadran (43). Sri Lanka again responded and took the final five wickets for 31 runs, with recalled seamer Nuwan Pradeep getting 4-31. The 1996 World Cup winner lost its opening group game to New Zealand by 10 wickets. Afghanistan has two defeats from two matches, after a loss to Australia on Saturday. The error-strewn match in Cardiff featured 52 extras - Sri Lanka's 35 was the second-highest scorer in the scorecard - to strengthen the feeling this was a contest between the two teams likely ...
D'souza wins Bengaluru leg of AVT Champions Tour
The two-day Bengaluru Leg of AVT Champions tour at the Eagle -- the golf resort -- here ended with former India international and Bengalurus own David DSouza walking away as the winner. Another local face G.S. Ravi was declared the runner-up.
Fans 'complain' of missing Kohli & Co in WC 2019
Considered favourites for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Team India are yet to kick off its campaign and fans on social media seem disheartened as they have not seen their 'Men in Blue' in action since May 30.
India beat Ireland 1-0 in final to claim U21 four-nation title
The Indian junior women's hockey team clinched the Cantor Fitzgerald U21 International 4-Nations title after beating Ireland 1-0 in the final here on Tuesday. The win meant India ended the tournament with an unblemished record. With three goals in four games, Mumtaz Khan finished as the highest goal scorer of the tournament. In a first quarter both teams played well and created few clear chances. Ireland won a succession of Penalty Corners right at the end of the quarter, but despite the pressure, India's defence ensured they went into the break goalless. The second quarter played out to a similar script but over the course of the period, India started asserting more. Ireland though were the ones creating all the PC chances. They had another midway through the quarter, but it was saved by Bichu Devi. Despite the quality of attacking play, it was the two defences that really stood out through the encounter. The teams went into half-time locked in a stalemate. India played to their plan
Rain suspends French Open Quarters
The French Open quarterfinal clashes between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Kei Nishikori of Japan, and Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland versus his countryman Roger Federer, were suspended on Tuesday due to rain.
Luka Jovic shifts to Real Madrid, to stay till 2025
Serbia forward Luka Jovic has signed a six-season contract with Real Madrid, the La Liga side announced here on Tuesday.
Nabi's four-fer folds Lanka at 201 in rain-hit contest
Despite a good start, the Sri Lankan middle-order failed to convert it into a good total as Afghanistan off-spinner Mohammad Nabi rattled their top-order to restrict them to 201 runs in the rain-affected match at the Sophia Gardens, here on Tuesday.
Will talk to Rabada man-to-man: Kohli
After Kagiso Rabada termed Virat Kohli as 'immature', the Indian skipper on Tuesday responded to the South African pacer's comment but meanwhile, also praised him.
Rabada's "Immature jibe": Kohli says he will discuss 'man to man'
Kagiso Rabada may have found Virat Kohli's on-field demeanour to be "very immature" but the Indian captain Tuesday showed enough maturity, refraining from getting into a war of words ahead of their World Cup encounter against South Africa. Rabada, in a recent interview to a cricket website, had recalled an incident during an IPL game when he felt that Kohli lacked maturity. "I was just thinking about the game plan, really, but Virat, he hit me for a boundary and then he had a word. And then when you give it back to him, he gets angry. I don't get the guy. Maybe he does it because it gets him going, but that comes across as very immature for me. He is a phenomenal player but he can't take the abuse," Rabada had said. When a South African scribe popped the question, Kohli first denied having any knowledge of the comment made by the Prateas speedster, but when probed further, the Indian skipper immediately doused the fire. "Well, I played against him many times and if anything needs to ..
Real Madrid snap up Serb starlet Jovic in transfer coup
Real Madrid said Tuesday they have signed 21-year-old Serbia striker Luka Jovic from German side Eintracht Frankfurt on a six-year deal for an undisclosed fee. "Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt have agreed the transfer of Luka Jovic, subject to a medical," Real said in a statement. "The player will be tied to the club for the next six seasons, until the 30th of June 2025," it added. Jovic scored 27 goals in all competitions this season, helping Frankfurt to the Europa League semi-finals and seventh place in the Bundesliga. He also made four appearances for Serbia, scoring one goal. His dazzling form put him on the radar of Europe's top clubs, with Spanish media quoting a price tag of 60 million euros ($67 million) while German media said Real will have paid out 70 million euros. Frankfurt's sporting director Fredi Bobic disclosed no financial details but suggested the size of the Madrid offer was just too big to resist. "In sporting terms, Luka Jovic is a big loss for us," he said .
All teams will give us tough fight: Manpreet
Indian hockey captain Manpreet Singh Tuesday said his side would expect tough fight from all the participating countries in the FIH Men's Series Finals which begins Thursday. Manpreet, who is leading the highest ranked team in the tournament, said the players worked on various aspects of their game ahead of the tournament. "We are ready for the tournament and expect every team to give a good fight as all of us are eyeing the Olympics," Manpreet said at the captains' press conference here. "After our Australia tour, when we assessed our performance we collectively felt that our finishing needed improvement. The past three weeks in Bhubaneswar has been very important for us in terms of getting these aspects right. We have also been working on different variations in penalty corners having three good dragflickers on our side." With their sights set on a top two finish which will enable them to make the next round of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic qualification, all eight participating teams -- ..
Rijiju promises to spark 'sporting revolution'
Newly appointed Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju on Monday promised to "bring a change" that would spark a "sporting revolution" in the country.