Page 1831 - Sports
India U-16 beat Hong Kong to win Jockey Youth Cup
India U-16 were crowned champions of the Jockey Cup International Youth Invitational Football Tournament after defeating hosts Hong Kong 4-2 in the final here today. A brace from Bekey Oram in the first half and goals from Rohit Danu and Lalrokima in the second-half settled the issue for India. This was the India's third consecutive victory in as many days. They had earlier defeated Chinese Taipei (4-0) and Singapore (3-1). The team coached by Bibiano Fernandes is presently unbeaten in 22 matches which includes friendly matches against National Youth Teams and International Club and Academy sides. The youth tournament was a part of a series of International exposure tours planned by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) along with the Sports Authority of India (SAI)to provide the best preparation for the squad in their quest to qualify to the next edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The tournament was an U-17 event where India fielded their U-16 national team. They have already ...
With less competition on offer, Mirabai set to win CWG gold
A World Championship gold medal making her an instant star last year, India's top weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu will start as overwhelming favourite to clinch the top prize in women's 48kg category at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast next month. Mirabai had won a silver in the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, having finished behind compatriot Sanjita Chanu, but in the four years since then the 23-year-old Manipuri has made rapid strides to reach a truly world class level. She lifted a total of 170 kg (75kg in snatch and 95 kg in clean and jerk) in Glasgow but three years later, she had a total lift of 194 kg (85+109) to win the gold in the World Championships in USA in November last, becoming only the second Indian weightlifter to achieve the feat. Before the World Championships, she had also won the Commonwealth Championships gold in Australia in July last year with a total lift of 189 kg (85+104). "The competition in CWG is less as compared to Asian Games or World ...
Smith, Warner to stand down for rest of Test
Steve Smith and David Warner will stand down as captain and vice-captain for rest of Australia's third Test match against South Africa, Cricket Australia said today as it investigates a ball-tampering scandal. There have been growing calls for Smith to be sacked as captain after he admitted being the mastermind of a premeditated plan to change the condition of the ball on the third day of the Test in Newlands on Saturday. "Following discussions with Steve Smith and David Warner they have agreed to stand down as captain and vice-captain respectively for the remainder of this Test match," CA chief James Sutherland said in a statement. Sutherland said Tim Paine would step in as acting captain for the remainder of the Test. "This Test match needs to proceed, and in the interim we will continue to investigate this matter with the urgency that it demands," he added. "Both Steve and David will take to the field today under Tim's captaincy." Sutherland earlier Sunday announced an ...
Wyatt ton powers England women to 7-wicket win over India
A whirlwind century by opener Daniellie Wyatt helped England pull off a record chase and crush India by seven wickets in their second T20 triangular series match here today. Half centuries by openers Smriti Mandhana (76 off 40 balls) and Mithali Raj's (53 off 43) balls helped the hosts post a mammoth 198 for four in 20 overs, India's highest score in T20. However, Wyatt's heroics made the chase a walk in the park for the visitors as they romped home with eight balls to spare. The earlier highest chase in women's T20 internationals was also by England, which came against Australia, in Canberra in 2017. Wyatt (124 off 64 balls) made her intentions clear, hitting three fours in the first over. With a flurry of boundaries and sixes, she forged a 61-run opening- wicket stand with Bryony Smith (15). Pacer Jhulan Goswami cleaned up Smith even as the visitors raced to 67/1 in the powerplay. But that did not deter Wyatt, the cynosure of all eyes at the Brabourne Stadium, as she brutally ...
We need to worry about lesser-known opponents at CWG: Prannoy
HS Prannoy is not worried about familiar foes such as three-time Olympic silver medallist Lee Chong Wei, and says it is the surprise element of the unheralded shutters, who could pose a bigger threat to his medal aspirations at next month's Commonwealth Games. Set to make his CWG debut, Prannoy said he is in good shape but would not take any player lightly, especially the lesser-known ones. "There are many players such as Rajiv Ouseph and Lee Chong Wei who have played in the past at CWG. But it is the others who we should be wary of. There are others who are actually good and can trouble you on certain days because you don't know how they play," Prannoy told PTI. Last season, Prannoy made the transition from a rare talent to an emerging star when he outclassed two stalwarts former world no 1 Chong Wei and Olympic gold medallist and two-time world champion Chen Long of China in successive days to reach the semifinals at Indonesia Super Series. His victories became part of the ...
Australian govt. wants Steve Smith to be removed as captain
In what seems to be an extremely shocking incident in international cricket in the recent times, the Australian government on Sunday asked Cricket Australia to remove Steve Smith as captain with immediate effect, after the Cape Town Test ball-tampering row.Australian Sports Commission (ASC) chief John Wylie, the ASC Board, and CEO Kate Palmer, essentially speaking for the Australian government have called for a severe action to be taken against everyone involved in the incident."The ASC condemns cheating of any form in sport. It expects and requires that Australian teams and athletes demonstrate unimpeachable integrity in representing our country. Given the admission by Australian captain Steve Smith, the ASC calls for him to be stood down immediately by Cricket Australia, along with any other members of the team leadership group or coaching staff who had prior awareness of, or involvement in, the plan to tamper with the ball. This can occur while Cricket Australia completes a full ...
Vettel holds off Hamilton to win Australian GP thriller
Sebastian Vettel won a thrilling duel with world champion Lewis Hamilton to steal the season-opening Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne today. The four-time world champion got the jump on the Mercedes ace off a miscalculation on the pit stop under Virtual Safety Car conditions and held off Hamilton for his second straight win in Melbourne and third overall. Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen resisted a challenge from Australian Red Bull racer Daniel Ricciardo to take third and join Vettel on the podium. "Obviously we were a little bit lucky today," Vettel said at the victory ceremony. "Lewis did a great lap yesterday and deserved pole and he drove a very good race, controlling in the beginning. "We got a bit lucky but we will take it. We're not yet where we want to be, I don't quite feel the car, but it gives us a good start, good wind and fresh motivation." It was Vettel's 48th win in his 200th grand prix and follows his earlier wins in Melbourne in 2011 for Red Bull and ...
Olympic legend Artayev suggests revamp plan for 'boring' international boxing
Amateur boxing desperately needs a revamped scoring system, says former Olympic champion and Kazakh legend Bakhtiyar Artayev who also feels that allowing professional boxers in Olympics and expanding women's events at the expense of men is a mistake. Artayev, the 2004 Athens Olympics welterweight champion and the best boxer of that edition, is currently the manager of Kazakhstan's World Series of Boxing (WSB) franchise -- the Astana Arlans. The Astana Arlans team was here for a WSB clash against India which the visitors won 3-2. Speaking to PTI, Artayev offered his ideas on how to make international amateur boxing "interesting" and also shed a critical light on some of the reforms that the International Boxing Association (AIBA) undertook in recent times. "If I was in the AIBA, I would suggest that we should have amateur bouts of five rounds each instead of the current three rounds. The judging is not at all interesting right now. It is the same that was in use when I was competing," .
Cricket Australia launches tampering probe
As Australian skipper Steve Smith and batsman Cameron Bancroft admitted to charges of ball-tampering during the third day of the third Test match at Newlands against South Africa in Cape Town, Cricket Australia on Sunday launched a formal investigation into the matter."We are extremely disappointed and shocked at what we woke up to this morning, and we are dealing with this issue with the utmost urgency and seriousness. We certainly don't have all of the evidence at hand and we need someone to go over there and talk to the relevant people involved to understand what happened and the detail, and then we'll make appropriate decisions as to next step," cricket.com.au quoted Cricket Australia Chief Executive James Sutherland as saying.In times that call for an immediate decisions on the future of Steve Smith and other members of the team's 'leadership group' that have been implicated in the acknowledged breach, Sutherland stressed the need for a due process to be followed."We're in the ...
Boult strikes as England lose Cook early
England were in immediate strife in their second innings as they battled to 38 for one at dinner on day four of the first Test, needing a further 331 to escape with a draw. After New Zealand declared their first innings at 427 for eight, a lead of 369, England faced a torrid 50 minutes before the dinner adjournment. Alastair Cook faced 11 balls and was gone for two, caught down the leg side by BJ Watling to give Trent Boult another scalp. Mark Stoneman and Joe Root both played and missed several times but were still there at the end of the session with 18 and 14 respectively. Boult, who took a career-best six for 32 in the first innings, was again near unplayable with one for four off five overs. There are 136 overs remaining for England to play through if they are to escape with a draw after their paltry 58 in the first innings of the rain-affected day-night Test. While the England batsmen looked unsure against the swing bowling of Boult and Tim Southee, a patient Henry Nicholls ...
Atherton says 'premeditated' Australia 'bang to rights' over ball-tampering
Michael Atherton said the "premeditated" nature of Australia's ball-tampering during the ongoing third Test against South Africa made it different from the "dirt in pocket affair" that blighted his career. Australia captain Steve Smith dramatically admitted his side were guilty of ball-tampering after the third day's play in Cape Town yesterday. He added the "senior leadership group" had spoken about breaking one of the Laws of Cricket during the lunch interval before team-mate Cameron Bancroft did so -- and then tried to hide his offence from the on-field umpires -- in the next session of play. Back in 1994, then England captain Atherton was seen taking dirt from his pocket and rubbing it on the ball during a Test against South Africa at Lord's. He was later fined 2,000 for failing to disclose the dirt to the match referee but remained as England captain despite calls for his resignation. But Atherton said the deliberate nature of Australia's actions, allied to the fact it involved a
Smith to stay captain while CA probes ball-tamper scandal
Cricket Australia said today that Steve Smith will remain captain while they investigate the ball-tampering scandal during the third Test against South Africa which has plunged the game into crisis. There have been calls for Smith to step down or be sacked over the premeditated plan hatched during the lunch break on Saturday's third day in Newlands, after the captain admitted being the mastermind. Chief executive James Sutherland said Sunday Cricket Australia were "extremely disappointed and shocked" but added that the governing body wanted to get a clearer picture of the facts before making any decisions. "I understand that that is not necessarily the fullness of response that everyone is looking for right now. But you will appreciate that there's an element of process that needs to be undertaken here," Sutherland told reporters in Melbourne. "We will work very hard over the next couple of days to get to the bottom of it -- to understand the big picture, to understand the detail and .
Cricket scandal: 'Cheats' -- tell me this is a bad dream, says ex-Aussie skipper Clarke
Former captain Michael Clarke said he wishes the ball-tampering scandal engulfing the current Australia side "is a bad dream", as former cricketers reacted by slamming the players involved. Batsman Cameron Bancroft and skipper Steve Smith admitted to ball-tampering after the third day of the third Test against South Africa on Saturday, launching cricket into possibly its greatest-ever crisis. "WHAT THE ........ HAVE I JUST WOKEN UP TO. Please tell me this is a bad dream," tweeted Clarke, who preceded Smith as Australia captain. Smith admitted that the "leadership group knew about it", saying they had hatched the plan during the lunch break to "get an advantage". Former England captain Nasser Hussain did not mince his words, telling Sky Sports News: "This was a pre-meditated attempt by the Australian team to cheat." Australian great Shane Warne said whoever told Bancroft to cheat had to be identified. "I feel a bit for Cameron Bancroft because I don't think he's taken it upon himself ..
Cricket fraternity expresses disappointment as Bancroft, Smith admit to ball-tampering
As Australian skipper Steve Smith and batsman Cameron Bancroft admitted to charges of ball-tampering during the third day of the third Test match at Newlands against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday, the cricket fraternity expressed shock and disappointment."WHAT THE ........ HAVE I JUST WOKEN UP TO. Please tell me this is a bad dream," wrote former Australian skipper Michael Clarke.WHAT THE ........ HAVE I JUST WOKEN UP TO. Please tell me this is a bad dream.— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 24, 2018Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Vaughan said that Smith and the entire team will have to bear the brunt of this particular incident in their careers."Steve Smith, his Team & ALL the management will have to accept that whatever happens in their careers they will all be known for trying to CHEAT the game ... #SAvAUS," wrote Vaughan.Steve Smith,his Team & ALL the management will have to accept that whatever happens in their careers they will all be known for trying ..
Federer says he won't play clay court season, skips French Open
Roger Federer won't go for a 21st Grand Slam title at the French Open, with the 36-year-old Swiss great saying he'll skip the clay-court season. Federer confirmed the plan after falling 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) to Australian qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round of the Miami Masters. "I decided not to play the clay season," said Federer, who won his 20th Grand Slam tournament at the Australian Open in January, but will lose the world number one ranking to Rafael Nadal after his shock defeat. It's the second straight year that Federer will forego a clay-court campaign. Last year after winning back-to-back tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami he took a break, returning in mid-June at the grass court tournament in Stuttgart. He lost his first match there, but went on to win at Halle and Wimbledon.
Federer to lose No. 1 ranking after shock loss to Kokkinakis
Roger Federer's latest reign atop the world rankings will end after the Swiss great's shock loss to Australian qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round of the Miami Masters. Kokkinakis, ranked 175th in the world, needed a wild card just to get into qualifying. But he showed nerves of steel in a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) triumph over 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer. "I was calmer than I thought," Kokkinakis said of the third-set tiebreaker. "Inside I was pretty happy, I was excited, but I kept pretty calm." Federer, who won his 20th Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open, regained the number one spot in February after winning the ATP title in Rotterdam but needed to reach the quarter-finals to remain at the summit. Instead he'll be replaced by Spain's Rafael Nadal when the rankings are released at the end of the tournament. "I deserve it after this match. That's how I feel. Just so bad," said Federer, adding that he "could never get to any level that I was happy with ...
Nicholls' century piles misery on England
Henry Nicholls posted his second Test century as New Zealand went to tea at 347 for seven and weighed up when to declare on day four of the first Test against England today. New Zealand's first innings lead has been extended to a formidable 289 in the day-night Test in Auckland. As Nicholls guided New Zealand through to the end of the first session of the day, captain Kane Williamson and coach Mike Hesson were working through the permutations of when to make England bat again with five sessions remaining. New Zealand resumed the day on 233 for four with no sign of the rain that washed out most of the previous two days. With the pitch browning off, New Zealand added 113 in the session which was extended by 30 minutes because of the time lost by the weather. Nicholls added 47 to his overnight 53 and has faced 229 deliveries in a marathon 349 minutes at the crease. BJ Watling progressed from 18 to 31 before he was the first wicket to fall when he was caught behind off Stuart Broad who ...
World number one Halep crashes out of Miami Open
World number one Simona Halep tumbled out of the Miami Open, falling 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 to Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska. The third-round defeat comes a week after Romania's Halep was toppled in the semi-finals at Indian Wells by Japan's Naomi Osaka, who went on to win the title in the California desert. With the first set in hand, the mercurial Halep was clearly frustrated when Radwanska dropped just four points in the opening four games of the second to seize a 4-0 lead. Halep reclaimed one break, but was broken again as Radwanska forced a third set, in which an early break put Halep up 2-0. The Romanian couldn't maintain the advantage, however, and her 44 unforced errors were too much to overcome as Radwanska won six of the last seven games to seal the victory. Radwanska, the 2012 Miami champion, hadn't posted back-to-back match victories since January. She next faces former world number one Victoria Azarenka, who rallied for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory over 20th-seeded Latvian Anastasija ...
Cape Town Test: Smith, Bancroft admit to ball-tampering
Australian skipper Steve Smith and batsman Cameron Bancroft admitted to charges of ball-tampering after the latter was found trying to change the condition of the ball by using a foreign object during the third day of the third Test match at Newlands against South Africa here on Saturday.Both Smith and Bancroft admitted the charges after the end of the day's play.According to the footage, a small, yellow object was seen in Bancroft's hands after he had worked on the ball, and he was also captured taking it from his pocket and seeming to place it down his trousers.It showed Bancroft seeming to rub the rough side of the ball, the opposite side to which he would usually be trying to shine on his trousers, as is permitted under ICC playing conditions, espncricinfo.com reported.He appeared to put the object down his pants apparently after being spoken to by the substitute Peter Handscomb, who had come on to the field after speaking to coach Darren Lehmann over the walkie-talkie.When ...
Best cricketing moment of my life: Karthik on last ball sixer
Few days after guiding India to a four-wicket win over Bangladesh to clinch Nidahas Trophy T20 tri-series, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik on Saturday described it as the "best cricketing moment of my life".Karthik, who remained unbeaten at 29, clinched the match on the final delivery at the R Premadasa Stadium last week, sending a flat six over the covers. His eight-ball knock included two fours and three sixes and he was adjudged Man of the Match.Reflecting on the same, the 32-year-old said he had received a lot of attention in the following days over his heroic performance, adding that he was now hopeful of a good sort of journey from here on."Initially, the first couple of days I have got a lot of attention. Now, the things are becoming normal. It's been a good few days. A lot of people have been sending me congratulatory messages. It's been really nice. Though at the back of my mind, I do feel strongly that there should be a start of something nice and a good sort of ..