Page 2166 - Sports
German-Russian man admits to Dortmund team bus bombing
A German-Russian man admitted today to carrying out a bomb attack on the Borussia Dortmund football team's bus in an elaborate bid to make a fortune on the stock market. "I deeply regret my actions," said the man, identified only as Sergei W. in keeping with German convention in court cases to protect the identity of defendants. In a statement handed to the court in the western German city, he insisted he did not aim to kill or hurt anyone. The triple blast last April 11 shattered the team bus's windows and left Spanish international Marc Bartra, 26, with a broken wrist, while a police officer suffered inner ear damage. Prosecutors say the three fragmentation bombs each contained up to a kilogramme (2.2 pounds) of a hydrogen peroxide mixture and around 65 cigarette-sized metal bolts, one of which ended up lodged in Bartra's headrest. After initial fears of a jihadist attack were dismissed, W. was arrested 10 days later. Police charged the 28-year-old electrical technician
Australia wrap up Ashes 4-0
Australia defeated England by an innings and 123 runs in the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney here on Monday to seal the series 4-0.The tourists were bowled out for 180, adding just 87 to their Day Four score of 93 for the loss of four wickets.England resumed play on the fifth and final day with Captain Joe Root batting on 42 and wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow on 17. Root, suffering from gastroenteritis, had to spend most of the morning in hospital, and when he resumed his innings, could not stay at the crease for long, and retired on 58.Bairstow was dismissed for 38, Moeen Ali for 13, Stuart Broad for 4, M. Crane for 2 and last man James Anderson for 2.Tom Curran remained not out on 23.Fast bowler Pat Cummins had match figures of 8-119.The final scores were Australia 649 for seven declared and England 346 and 180.
Pacers put India on cusp of famous win
Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah made full use of seaming conditions to put India on the cusp of a famous Test win in South Africa at lunch on day four of the series opener here. Shami and Bumrah shared three wickets each in the morning session on day four, effecting a South African collapse in which they lost 8 wickets for only 65 to be bowled out for 130 in the second innings. With home team extending the lead to 207 runs, India will have to chase down 208 for their third ever Test win on South African soil. Starting from day two overnight 65/2, the slide began in the second over of the morning. Shami had Hashim Amla (4) caught at gully with Rohit Sharma taking a low catch. The decision went up to the TV umpire but he didnt find conclusive evidence to overturn the soft signal. Four overs later, Shami sent back nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada (5), caught at second slip. In the 29th over then, when Bumrah had Faf du Plessis (0) caught behind off a snorter, South Africa were
'Injured' Lynn ruled out of England ODI series
Australian batsman Chris Lynn has been ruled out of the upcoming five-match ODI series against England due to a calf injury.The 27-year-old, who was recalled into the team after shoulder surgery ruled him out of the squad a year ago, sustained a calf strain during a Big Bash League (BBL) clash with the Perth Scorchers last week.Confirming the news, CA's head of sports science Alex Kountouris revealed that Chris initially complained the tightness in his calf during the domestic T20 match and now, the scans have confirmed that he was expected to remain out of action for three-to-four weeks."Chris initially left the field against the Scorchers complaining of tightness in his calf. He reported increasing discomfort over the 24 hours that followed and the Heat's medical staff made the decision to send him for a scan. That scan confirmed the injury, which is expected to prevent him from playing for three-to-four weeks," ESPNcricinfo quoted Kountouris, as saying."When Chris recovers, the ...
Azhar barred from attending HC SGM, ex-captain slams move
Controversy broke out at the Hyderabad Cricket Association after it barred Mohammad Azharuddin from attending its Special General Meeting, leaving the former India captain fuming. Azharuddin was initially not allowed to attend yesterday's SGM because of his alleged "association with an unofficial cricket body", HCA president G Vivek said here. "He was a proxy voter. That too, his card was signed by the suspended secretary," Vivek said. The SGM was convened to pass the Lodha Committee recommendations. Vivek alleged that Azharuddin, who was made to wait for an hour, was campaigning against the HCA by being associated as a brand ambassador of a cricket body not recognised by the BCCI. Only after the intervention of the Congress leader V. Hanumantha Rao, he was allowed to enter the venue. The HCA president said the Lodha panel recommendations were adopted at the meeting. He dismissed reports that not many members endorsed the move to bar Azharuddin at the meeting. "Until you .
Australia canter to 4-0 Ashes triumph
Australia coasted to a 4-0 Ashes win after thrashing England by an innings and 123 runs on the final day of the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here on Monday.
Goalkeeper Sreejesh returns to Indian hockey squad
Seasoned goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh returned to the Indian hockey squad after a gap of eight months as he overcame a knee injury. He was named on Monday in a young squad for the Four Nations Invitational Tournament in New Zealand starting on January 17.
Bangladesh to try cricket gamblers in special courts
Bangladesh will set up special courts at its cricket stadiums to try and convict any punters caught gambling during an upcoming international series, an official said today. Gamblers caught during the tri-nation series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe -- starting January 15 -- would be hauled from the stands and tried on the spot by judges in temporary courtrooms, a cricket board official said. "Betting will be treated as a public nuisance. Anyone found involved will be convicted and punished instantly in the stadium," Bangladesh Cricket Board chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury told AFP. The special courts will continue to target gamblers during Sri Lanka's tour of Bangladesh, which starts at the end of January after the tri-nation series. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will play two Test matches and two Twenty20 internationals. Gambling is illegal but rampant during cricket matches in Bangladesh, where punters exploit a brief delay between live play and the official broadcast
4 Kashmiri youths detained for playing Pak anthem before
The Jammu and Kashmir Police has detained four youths for allegedly playing the Pakistani national anthem before the start of a cricket match in Bandipora district of the state, the police said today. The players, participating in a local cricket match, were detained for questioning from Arin area yesterday, they said, adding police is on a lookout for the other participants of the game. In April 2017, a similar incident was reported from central Kashmir's Ganderbal district, where youths had played the Pakistani national anthem at the start of a local cricket match.
'Uncapped' Mavuta, Murray in Zimbabwe squad for B'desh tri-series
The uncapped pair of all-rounder Brandon Mavuta and wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Murray has been included in the 15-member Zimbabwe squad for this month's ODI tri-series in Bangladesh.The tri-series, which will also feature Sri Lanka, will begin on January 15 and run until January 27.Despite Zimbabwe recently winning their first ODI series against Sri Lanka in July, seven members of that squad have not been named for the upcoming tri-series.Besides the two former Zimbabwe Under-19 players, Blessing Muzarabani is also in line to make his ODI debut after being named in the squad, ESPNcricinfo reported.Muzarabani made his international debut for Zimbabwe during the pink-ball Test match against South Africa on the Boxing Day, when he finished wicket less in his 13 overs.The Graeme Cremer-led side, which will bank on the experience of Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Craig Ervine, Christopher Mpofu and Kyle Jarvis, are due to leave for Bangladesh on Tuesday.The Zimbabwe ...
Saurashtra score narrow win over Maharashtra
Bowlers helped Saurashtra successfully defend a small total and record an exciting four-run victory in the West Zone Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 league at the SCA stadium here today. Chasing Saurashtra's modest tally of 142 for 9, Maharashtra started well in their quest to score their second win on the trot in as many days before falling short, ending up at 138 for 7. Maharashtra, who defeated Gujarat in their opening game yesterday, began in right earnest when openers Ruturaj Gaekwad, top scorer with 41 in 27 balls, and Rahul Tripathi (20) put on 60 runs in 7.4 overs. But once Tripathi was dismissed by young Bhavnagar-born leggie Yuvraj Chudasama who also accounted for Gaekwad five runs later, Maharashtra lost their way. Ankit Bhawne, Naushad Shaikh and Nikhil Naik got the starts before departing. They were 123 for 4 at the beginning of the 19th over, lost Shrikant Mundhe to the second ball. Then, with 12 required in the final over, lost the wickets off the first and last ...
Real Madrid fall 16 points behind Barcelona in La Liga
Real Madrid managed to eke out a 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo away at Balaidos, remaining 16 points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, who won 3-0 at home against Levante.
PR Sreejesh back in India squad after injury lay-off
Former skipper and star goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has returned to the 20-member India squad announced by the Hockey India on Monday for the Four Nations Invitational Tournament in New Zealand starting on January 17.Sreejesh, missed some of the key tournaments in 2017 due to a knee injury, which he sustained in the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament last year.The 29-year-old will be joined by young goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak who was member of the 2016 Junior World Cup winning team. At one timeThe team will be led by 25-year-old midfielder Manpreet Singh while Chinglensana Singh Kangujam will shoulder the responsibility of vice captain.New inclusions in the team are forward Dilpreet Singh and midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad.The duo was rewarded for their promising performance at the 7th Sultan of Johor Cup last year where the team returned home with the Bronze medal.India will compete with Belgium, Japan and hosts New Zealand at Tauranga and Hamilton.India's defence features Rupinder Pal ...
Zimbabwe bowling coach Ntini says he was asked to quit
Former South African pacer Makhaya Ntini has revealed that he was asked to step down as the bowling coach of the Zimbabwe cricket team."The honest truth is that I didn't resign," ESPNcricinfo quoted Ntini, as saying.He added, "I received a text message from the MD saying that he would like to talk to me. He reminded me that we had a chat about four months ago regarding some of the players' unhappiness. Some of the players and the staff members went to see him and reported that they are not happy with the job I am doing and that the job that I was given was not meant for me."Ntini was then notified that he would not be part of Zimbabwe's Bangladesh tour and was asked to resign.Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) in an official statement said that they "reluctantly" accepted Ntini's resignation and acknowledged his immense hard-work."Makhaya's experience and immense knowledge of the game have helped to bolster the ZC national team into a competitive outfit that went on to record Zimbabwe's first ever
Ashes victory takes Aussies to third spot in ICC Test rankings
After sealing the Ashes 4-0, Australia have taken the third place in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Team Rankings, while England slipped to fifth position.Australia had entered the series in fifth position on 97 points, while England were in third place on 105 points.However, following a 4-0 series win, Australia have climbed to third place on 104 points, while England have dropped to fifth on 99 points.Australia are now trailing number-one ranked India (124 points) by 20 points, while they are seven points behind second-ranked South Africa (111 points).The top two ranked sides are presently involved in their three-Test series, which concludes in Johannesburg on January 28, following which the Test team rankings will be updated.Australia will now travel to South Africa where they play a four-Test series from March 1, while England's next series is against New Zealand from March 22 when they will play a two-Test series.In their home season, England will host Pakistan for .
I have got better at controlling my emotions: Nagal
He has realised the downside of having a fiery temper and steadily-rising tennis player Sumit Nagal is focussing on anger management to succeed, even though his mentor Mahesh Bhupathi feels a "feisty personality" is no crime if results are coming. Nagal achieved the biggest success of his career by winning the USD 100,000 ATP Challenger in Bengaluru, courtesy which he leapfrogged to the then career-best rank of 223. The hard-working 20-year-old from Haryana then qualified for the Tata Open Maharashtra, his maiden ATP World Tour event and in the latest rankings he is placed at a career-best 216. Nagal said his recent good performances have had a lot to do with hard yards put in for improvement in both physical and mental aspects of the game. "I have got stronger, compared to last year. Mentally, I am much much better. Last year, I lost many matches where I gave up or got mad for few minutes where I did not realise that I have already lost 4-5 games. "This year, it has got .
Ivelin Popov named Bulgaria's best footballer of 2017
Spartak Moscow midfielder Ivelin Popov has won the "Best Bulgarian Football Player of The Year" for the third consecutive time here.
Brazil striker Souza joins Sao Paulo
Brazil striker Diego Souza has joined Sao Paulo from their Brazilian top-flight football rivals Sport Recife.
World 1500m silver medallist Cheruiyot focused on CWG
World 1500m silver medallist Timothy Cheruiyot of Kenya will not be taking part in any competition until after the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia in April.
Sreejesh named in Indian team for tourney in New Zealand
Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh may feature in his first competitive event in eight months after being named in India's 20-member squad for a four-nation tournament in New Zealand. India will compete with Belgium, Japan and hosts New Zealand at Tauranga and Hamilton in the tournament, beginning January 17. The team will be led by 25-year-old midfielder Manpreet Singh while Chinglensana Singh Kangujam will be his deputy. Sreejesh, who missed some key tournaments in 2017 due to a knee injury, will be joined by young goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak, a member of the 2016 Junior World Cup winning team. Pathak was also part of the India A team which participated at the Australian Hockey League in September. New inclusions in the team are forward Dilpreet Singh and midfielder Vivek Sagar Prasad. The duo was rewarded for their promising performance at the Sultan of Johor Cup last year where the team returned home with the bronze medal. While Vivek had played an instrumental role in the