Page 219 - Sports

Ahead of India opener, Amla not fretting over his spot in playing XI

Hashim Amla is still not a certainty in the South African playing XI but the senior opener has made a case for himself with successive fifties in the warm-up games ahead of World Cup opener against India in Southampton on June 5. Amla, one of South Africa's greatest Test match players, scored 65 and 51 not out respectively in the two warm-up games against Sri Lanka and West Indies (rain affected) and will be keen to add to his tally of 27 ODI hundreds. However with young Aiden Markram in the side, there is competition as to who would open with Quinton de Kock. "Scoring runs is always important. Whether I make the playing XI or not is not up to me. I do what I can do and what happens after that is for the benefit of the team," Amla was quoted as saying by the ICC website. The veteran opener wants to make every opportunity count and that was the reason he opted out of a domestic T20 competition's knock-out rounds to prepare for the World Cup. "T20 is different to fifty-over cricket. I ..

Brathwaite ready to perform any role in World Cup

Carlos Brathwaite sees himself as a versatile all-rounder, saying he is ready to perform whatever role is required in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup."When chosen, my skillset suits bowling very tight in the middle, offering some support at the death and then with the bat picking up the slack. If I need to come in the last three or four overs to give us a boost to the total then fine... or the odd game where I can come in and play a longer knock, so I think it's about working on all facets of my game so my versatility makes me an asset that can be chosen at any point during the tournament," Cricket West Indies (CWI) quoted Brathwaite, as saying.The tall right-hander batted well last week when he scored 60 off 64 balls with five fours and three sixes against Australia in an unofficial pre-tournament fixture at the Nursery Ground."It's another challenge and whatever situation presents itself is for me to use my versatility again and to adapt to it. We may need another knock like against

Sachin passes dad's message of not taking short-cuts to son

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar says he followed his father's advice of not taking short-cuts in his journey and has passed on the same message to his son, who is a budding left-arm pacer. The cricketer's son, Arjun Tendulkar, played in the recently concluded T20 Mumbai League and shone with both ball and the bat. He was picked up by the Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburb for the T20 Mumbai League for Rs 5 lakh and also played in the semi-finals on Saturday held at the Wankhede Stadium. Asked if he advises his son on how to handle pressure, Sachin Tendulkar said, "He is passionate and I have not forced him for anything. I never forced him to play cricket. He earlier used to play football, then he developed interest in chess and now he is playing cricket." "I told him whatever you do in life, dont take a short-cut, which my father (Ramesh Tendulkar) told me, and I tell him exactly the same thing...you will need to work hard and then it is upto you how you fare," he told .

Variety in bowling makes India strong contender: Chappell

Former Australia skipper Ian Chappell believes the Virat Kohli-led India has variety in their bowling department, making them a strong contender to win the 2019 World Cup beginning May 30 in England and Wales.

Ronaldo not enough as Juve extend Italian domination but fall short in Europe

Massimiliano Allegri oversaw his final game as Juventus coach on Sunday, after guiding the team to an eighth consecutive Serie A title but paying the price for yet another Champions League failure despite the sensational signing of Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo was left out alongside a host of other starters as the Allegri era ended with the whimper of a 2-0 defeat at Sampdoria, having played 31 of 38 matches and closing the season as the team's top scorer with 21 league goals. But helping the team to another Serie A title was not why the 34-year-old was signed last summer. Ronaldo had spent nine glittering seasons at Real Madrid, lifting a fourth Champions League trophy in five seasons before moving to Italy. His arrival in Turin on a 100-million-euro ($115 million) deal, plus a reported 30 million euros a year, was hailed as "the deal of the century" by the Italian press. But after a season in which they were expected to sweep all before them Juventus have won less

Cech hopes to haunt Chelsea in Europa League final farewell

Petr Cech will bring down the curtain on a glittering playing career in strange circumstances as the Arsenal goalkeeper faces his former and potentially future employers Chelsea in the Europa League final on Wednesday. Cech, 37, enjoyed the best years of his career at Stamford Bridge, winning 13 trophies including four Premier League titles and the Champions League in 11 seasons with Chelsea before moving across London to Arsenal in 2015. And his close relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich looks set to see him return to the Blues in the coming weeks as the club's new sporting director. Cech lost his status as Arsenal's number one during Unai Emery's first season in charge, with Bernd Leno taking over in the Premier League since September, but the Czech veteran has started all of Arsenal's knockout games to reach the Europa League final. The success of Arsenal's season depends not only on lifting a first European trophy for 25 years in Baku, but also on ensuring Champions ...

Atalanta qualify for Champions League as Milan miss out

Atalanta won at Sassuolo on Sunday to secure their first ever Champions League spot and Inter Milan joined them while ensuring Empoli were relegated after a frantic second half in the San Siro. AC Milan ended up fifth despite winning at SPAL. Genoa and Fiorentina stayed in Serie A after a nerve-wracked goalless draw. The evening started with Inter, Atalanta, AC Milan and Roma battling for the two remaining Champions League spots and Empoli knowing that if they won they would survive. Because their ground is being redeveloped, Atalanta had to cede home advantage and play at Sassuolo where they quickly fell behind. Duvan Zapata levelled before half-time. After Sassuolo lost their scorer Domenico Berardi, who received a red card for his part in the mass brawl that ended the first half, Atalanta comfortably sealed third as goals by Alejandro Gomez and Mario Pasalic completed a 3-1 win. "It's been an extraordinary season," Atalanta president Antonio Percassi told Sky Sport. "My first hug ..

Stafanie, Fletcher shine, Windies Women beat Ireland by 64 runs

Skipper Stafanie Taylor's 75 from 53 balls before 4-14 from Afy Fletcher guided West Indies to secure a comfortable 64-run victory over Ireland in the opening T20I of the three-match series.West Indies elected to bat first on a cold Sunday at the YMCA Cricket Club. The Caribbean side were in early trouble when Hayley Matthews was run out at the non-striker's end for three. Britney Cooper was joined by Stafanie and the pair consolidated nicely, posting a 47-run partnership before Cooper fell for 20.Shemaine Campbelle and Stafanie then built the West Indies innings, sharing a 75-run partnership. Stafanie showed why she is one of the most feared batters as she sliced, cut and drove the ball around the ground. Shemaine had some brilliant strokes of her own, getting to 20.In the death overs, both Shemaine and Stafanie fell in quick succession of each other.Chasing a competitive total of 140, Kim Garth was the lone warrior from Ireland. The top-scorer Irish right-hander scored 46, including

Felt Niki Lauda was 'racing with me': Lewis Hamilton

After earning a hard-fought win in the Monaco Grand Prix, British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton said he felt three-time world champion Niki Lauda, who died last week, was with him during the course of the race.

Egypt's Zamalek wins 1st-ever CAF Confederation Cup

Egypt's football giants Zamalek won their first-ever CAF Confederation Cup title after a 5-3 penalty shoot-out win over Morocco's RS Berkane.

French Open: Federer returns with easy win, Kerber knocked out

Swiss tennis star Roger Federer made a triumphant return to French Open after three-year absence, easing past Italy's Lorenzo Sonego in straight sets in the men's singles first round, while fifth-seeded Angelique Kerber was shocked by Russian teenager Anastasia Potapova in the women's singles here.

North Mumbai Panthers crowned T20 Mumbai champions

North Mumbai Panthers were crowned champions of the second edition of the T20 Mumbai league here Sunday after they defeated Sobo Supersonics in the final by 12 runs. Skipper Prithvi Shaw's unbeaten 61 off 55 balls helped North Mumbai Panthers post a decent 143/7 on the board and later the pace duo ofAtif Attarwala (3/20) and Prathamesh Dake (3/19) ensured that the Supersonics were bundled out for 131. Shaw's stellar effort despite suffering an injury mid-way through the innings and his 67-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Shashikant Kadam (37 off 36b, 2x4, 1x6) rescued the Panthers's innings in front of a packed Wankhede Stadium. Shaw, who hit three fours and two sixes in his knock, made most of the lives which he got, courtesy sloppy fielding by the Supersonics fielders. Then Dake and Attarwala played their parts to perfection. Attarwala, the young left-arm pacer, got the prized scalp of Supersonics captain Jay Bista in the eighth over. Dake then brought the ...

Prajnesh crashes out in 1st round of French Open

India's Prajnesh Gunneswaran crashed out in the first round of the French Open men's singles after suffering straight sets defeat against Hugo Dellien of Bolivia. Prajnesh lost 1-6, 3-6, 1-6 against his opponent to draw curtains on his campaign here. He was the lone Indian to feature in the men's single main draw.

Upset Rashid claims Olympic chances hit as DGC not allowing practice

Indian golfer Rashid Khan, a two-time Asian Tour winner and the current leader on PGTI circuit, Sunday threatened to quit the sport and give up his Olympic dream if the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) doesn't allow him to use its facilities. The DGC is one of the most popular venues for international events, where Rashid has often come close to winning and played a lot as an amateur before turning pro in 2010. "It is important to practice to keep my game going well. I have been playing well, but I need to practice to keep it going," said Rashid, who was denied entry by DGC on Saturday. "I know I can make it to the Olympic team. But I am so disappointed and disheartened by this attitude of DGC. I will quit if this issue is not sorted out. They are ready to use it for entertainment purpose but not for sports. From IAS officers to other bureaucrats, they allow everyone to use the course but not golfers like us," he said. According to Rashid, a Supreme Court ruling of February 2017 allows them to ..

'On edge' Federer marks Paris return with victory, Kerber crashes

Roger Federer marked his return to Roland Garros after a four-year absence with a straight sets win over Italy's Lorenzo Sonego on Sunday, admitting he "felt on edge", as Angelique Kerber's hopes of completing a career Grand Slam suffered a quick kill. Federer, a 20-time major winner, hadn't played the tournament since 2015 when he reached the quarter-finals. However, on Sunday, it was as if the 37-year-old had never been away as he swept to a 6-2 6-4 6-4 victory in one hour 41 minutes on a packed, rebuilt Court Philippe Chatrier. It was his 60th successive first round win at a Grand Slam. "I felt on edge at the start, my heart was beating crazily," said Federer, who hailed the new-look stadium which has been 90% rebuilt in readiness for the installation of a retractable roof for 2020. "I felt great playing on this court. It looks very attractive, so congratulations to everyone involved. "Hopefully I can play here again for my next match." That match will be against German lucky loser

Hamilton wins Monaco GP to extend championship lead

Lewis Hamilton resisted intense race-long pressure on Sunday to secure a narrow, dramatic and emotional victory for a mourning Mercedes in the Monaco Grand Prix. The defending five-time world champion and current series leader, who came home less than a second ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, said he survived the Dutchman's late attacks by "fighting with the spirit of Niki (Lauda)". He lifted his red helmet in tribute to the three-time champion Austrian and non-executive chairman of Mercedes who died on Monday. Verstappen, who was involved a pit-lane collision during the race, was classified fourth after taking a five-second penalty. This elevated Sebastian Vettel to second for Ferrari and lifted the luckless Valtteri Bottas to third in the second Mercedes. "Lewis, it's James... Incredible drive," said Mercedes' strategist James Vowles before team boss Toto Wolff told him: "That was for Niki." "That was the hardest race I think I've had," said Hamilton. "I was fighting with the ...

Australia expected 'ruthless' England fans, says Lyon

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon insists his team were prepared for the "ruthless" reaction from England fans to Steve Smith and David Warner. Australia duo Smith and Warner were given a torrid time by the Southampton crowd during their World Cup warm-up victory over England on Saturday. It was the shamed pair's first appearance against the English since the end of one-year bans for their role in the sandpaper ball-tampering scandal in South Africa that plunged Australian cricket into crisis in 2018. There were audible boos, jeers and chants of "cheat", a soundtrack that Warner and Smith will need to get used to as the World Cup progresses and then gives way to the Ashes series against England. But neither man seemed to fret over the welcome, Smith with a match-winning 116 and Warner making 43, and Lyon was far from shocked by what he heard. "It was as expected - they're ruthless over here," he said. "I've had two Ashes tours and a one-day series over here and haven't experienced ...

Won't judge Indian team after just one bad game: Sachin Tendulkar

Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday said that he won't judge the Indian team just after one bad game, while referring to India's defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the opening warm-up match ahead of the upcoming Cricket World Cup."I won't judge the team after a single match. The tournament hasn't even started, it was just one warm-up match so let's give them time as they are trying combinations and lineups. They are looking at the aspects of different combinations which can work in those conditions," Tendulkar told reporters here.In the warm-up fixtures, Afghanistan stunned Pakistan on Friday as they defeated them by three wickets. Tendulkar said that Afghanistan is one team who can give a surprise in the World Cup and applauded their spin bowling attack."I think Afghanistan is one team who can give a surprise in the World Cup. Afghanistan has one of the best spin attacks in the world, so every team should watch out for them," Tendulkar said.The number-four slot in ..

Apurvi Chandela bags 10m air rifle gold in ISSF World Cup

World number one Apurvi Chandela bagged the women's 10m air rifle gold to get India's campaign off to a good start in the ISSF World Cup.Chandela's total score was 251 whereas China's Luyao Wang finished second with a score of 250.8, grabbing the silver medal.Olympic Gold Quest, a not for profit organisation with a mission to help Indian athletes win Olympic Gold medals, tweeted about Chandela's achievement."World number 1 @apurvichandela wins Gold in 10 m Air Rifle at @ISSF_Shooting World Cup in Munich!! @elavalarivan narrowly missed out and finished 4th," they posted on Twitter.China's Hong Xu took the bronze medal after registering a score of 229.4.India's Elavenil Valarivan finished fourth in the finals with a score of 208.3.Earlier this year, Chandela won the 10m air rifle gold following a world record score of 252.9 in the final at the New Delhi World Cup.Chandela also achieved the world number one ranking last week and she was the first to win the quotas for the 2020 Olympics ..

Officials in race against time to accomodate crowd at stadium

Five years and over 200 events later, the Indira Gandhi Muncipal stadium here will play host to the swearing in ceremony of Andhra Pradesh CM designate Y S Jaganmohan Reddy on May 30,but officials are in a race against time to accomodate the large number of people expected for it. A large number of YSR Congress Party supporters from all 13 districts of the state are expected to throng the venue that day. A senior YSR Congress party functionary said the stadium, which can accommodate only 25,000 people in the gallery, was chosen out of sentiment. "Y S R (Reddy's father Y S Rajasekhar Reddy) also took the oath at a stadium in Hyderabad. Security is also a reason for chosing this venue," he said, adding that party leaders have been advised not to bring too many people. Krishna District Collector A Md Imtiyaz told PTI that extensive arrangements have been made to accommodate around 40,000 people in the cricket stadium, including the ground. "To avoid over-crowding at the ...