Page 2215 - Sports
Melbourne, Dec 26 (AFP) Scoreboard at the close on day
Scoreboard at the close on day one in the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England in Melbourne on Tuesday: Australia first innings C. Bancroft lbw b Woakes 26 D. Warner c Bairstow b Anderson 103 U. Khawaja c Bairstow b Broad 17 S. Smith not out 65 S. Marsh not out 31 Extras (1lb, 1nb) 2 Total (3 wickets; 89 overs) 244 Fall of wickets: 1-122, 2-135, 3-160. Bowling: Anderson 21-8-43-1, Broad 19-6-41-1, Woakes 19- 4-60-1, Moeen 6-0-35-0, Curran 17-5-44-0, Malan 7-1-20-0.
Cruzeiro rule out move for Guangzhou playmaker Goulart
Cruzeiro have ruled out making a bid to sign Ricardo Goulart amid mounting speculation linking the China-based midfielder with their Brazilian football rivals Palmeiras.
Warner century after no-ball reprieve hands Aust solid start
David Warner posted a century after a no-ball reprieve and skipper Steve Smith was on track for four straight Boxing Day tons as Australia made a solid start to the fourth Ashes Test against England today. Warner received a massive let-off on 99 to claim his 21st Test hundred as an Australia side chasing a series whitewash took full advantage of winning the toss on an unresponsive Melbourne Cricket Ground drop-in pitch. The aggressive opener, who had been marooned in the 90s for over 40 minutes, was poised on 99 to bring up his century as he faced the last ball of debutant Tom Curran's fifth over. But instead Warner top-edged a catch to mid-on and walked off to the jubilation of the England team, only for replays to detect a no-ball for Curran overstepping, meaning Warner was called back to the crease. The next delivery Warner added further to the England team's dark mood when he raised his hundred off 130 balls with a flick off his hip and celebrated by leaping into the .
Ex-Uruguay captain Lugano 'closer' to Sao Paulo off-field role
Former Uruguay football team captain Diego Lugano has said that he is yet to decide whether to continue playing or join the backroom staff of his former club Sao Paulo, though he is "closer" to opting for the latter.
Azhar Mahmood backs Pak bowlers to deliver in New Zealand
Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood has backed his side's bowlers to adjust quickly to the windy conditions in New Zealand and deliver for the national side in the upcoming limited-overs series, beginning January 6 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.Talking about his team's preparation, the 42-year-old said that Pakistan were in good shape and were absolutely ready to give New Zealand a run for their money on their home turf."We have been training a lot and the players are in good shape and fit. They know they have to go to New Zealand and perform well for which they have prepared well," the Express Tribune quoted Mahmood, as saying.Though Mahmood admitted that Pakistani batting has repeatedly struggled in New Zealand, he believed that the onus would be on the bowlers to get accustomed to the conditions this time around."Pakistan batting has always struggled when they go out of subcontinent and the pitches of New Zealand are not easy, neither their weather conditions..The venues ...
Warner posts Boxing Day Test century after no-ball reprieve
David Warner was handed a no-ball reprieve before posting a century to put Australia in a strong position over England on the opening day of the fourth Ashes Test, here today. Warner, who had been marooned in the 90s for over 40 minutes, looked poised on 99 to bring up his century as he faced the last ball of debutant Tom Curran's fifth over. But Warner top-edged a catch to mid-on and walked off to the jubilation of the England team, only for replays to detect a no-ball for Curran overstepping and Warner was called back to the crease. The next ball Warner raised his hundred with a flick off his hip and celebrated by leaping into the air and ripping off his helmet to salute the huge Boxing Day crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia have already reclaimed the Ashes after taking an unassailable three-nil lead in the five-Test series and are chasing a 5-0 whitewash over the beleaguered tourists. At tea, Steve Smith was on five with Usman Khawaja on 10, and ...
Mutko suspends Russian football role to fight Olympic ban
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko, who has been hit with a lifetime ban from the Olympic Games over doping, said he is suspending his role as president of the Russian Football Union while he contests the ban in the Court of Arbitration for Sport. "I have decided to file the claim in the CAS tomorrow," he said. "So that our organisations are not disturbed during the legal investigation... I have asked to suspend my duties for up to six months," Mutko told journalists after a meeting of the RFU executive committee. He said that he will continue his duties in the government as well as preparing the World Cup which is being staged in Russia this summer until Russian leadership decides otherwise. "Regarding the issues of relationship with FIFA and the organising committee, as long as the president (Vladimir Putin) trusts me, I continue to work as deputy premier and oversee the preparations for the world championships," he said. He said he would "suggest" stepping ...
Melbourne Test: Rampaging Warner leads Aussies to dominant position at lunch
Swashbuckling Australian batsman David Warner scored a brisk half-century, as Australia cruised through the opening session, without losing a wicket, in the fourth Test here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).At lunch, on the first day, Australia were 102 for 0, with Warner on 83 and Cameron Bancroft on 19.Earlier, Australian captain Steve Smith won the toss for the very first time, since their tour of India in March this year and decided to bat first.The openers led by Warner and Cameron Bancroft gave the team a rapid start. With Warner playing the aggressive role, he was particularly harsh on those deliveries that were short or wide. The English bowlers, led by James Anderson and Stuart Broad, were punished by the left-handed batsman. Both of their economy rates' were above 3.Bancroft struggled initially with a barrage of short balls; however, he stayed put at the crease and supported Warner. The English bowlers, once again, struggled to get wickets, as they erred in their ...
Warner dominates as Australia capitalise on toss win
David Warner plundered England's bowling on a flat pitch to put Australia in a commanding position on the opening day of the fourth Ashes Test, here today. Warner capitalised on Australia winning the toss and had his first century of the series in sight after an ominous opening session. Australia have already reclaimed the Ashes after taking an unassailable three-nil lead in the five-Test series and are chasing a 5-0 whitewash over the beleaguered tourists. At lunch, Warner was on 83 from 93 balls with Cameron Bancroft providing the anchor role of the opening partnership on 19 with Australia 102 without loss. The Australian openers set up a platform with a steady opening hour, scoring 37 runs before breaking the shackles in the hour before lunch. Warner scored an unbeaten 87 in the second innings of the first Brisbane Test and was poised to surpass that in bat- friendly conditions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was the first toss captain Joe Root has lost in the ...
Russia's Vitaly Mutko steps down as president of Football Union
Russia's deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko on Monday said he is suspending his role as president of the Russian Football Union."I have decided to file the claim in the CAS tomorrow," The Straits Times quoted Mutko as saying.According to local Russian media, Vitaly Mutko announced the suspension from his post during Russia's RFS football federation executive board meeting.Mutko's announcement comes after he was banned for life from the Olympics this month by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over allegations that Russia created a "state-sponsored doping program."However, Mutko said that he will continue his duties in the government as well as preparing the World Cup which is being staged in Russia this summer."Regarding the issues of relationship with Fifa and the organising committee, as long as the president (Vladimir Putin) trusts me, I continue to work as deputy premier and oversee the preparations for the world championships," he said.The deputy prime minister had been ...
Cricket betting racket busted in Hyderabad, 4 held
Hyderabad's Mailardevpally Police on Monday busted a cricket betting racket and arrested four people in its connections.The accused were accepting cricket betting for India vs Sri Lanka matches that concluded in Mumbai on Sunday.The police also recovered a laptop, six mobile phones and Rs 10 lakh cash from their possession.The accused has been identified as P. Adinarayana, A Rajesh, P Raghunath Reddy and P Venkat Reddy.
India women to play ODI series against England
The Board of Cricket Council of India (BCCI) on Monday said the England Women's Cricket team that will tour India in March next year will play a three-match ODI series as part of a bilateral agreement between the two Boards."The ODI series between India Women and England Women will be played after the completion of the T20I series," stated BCCI.The tri-series commences from March 22 with the penultimate game being played on April 1, an official statement said.England, 50-over world champions, will then gear up for the ODIs. The first tri-series will be played on April 8. The second and third will be held on April 11 and 14 respectively.The venues for the matches are yet to be announced.
Sameer wins to put Mumbai Rockets ahead vs Dashers
Sameer Verma consolidated Mumbai Rockets position with a straight-game win over Wong Wing Ki Vincent of Delhi Dashers in the Premier Badminton League (PBL), here today. Sameer outplayed the Dashers' Trump player Vincent 15-11, 15-11 to not only fetch the additional point for his team but also pushed the Delhi team into negative territory. Ranked world No. 30, Sameer showed his mastery over the court, covering the angles well and toying with the higher ranked Vincent. His cross-court jump smashes were particularly effective, fetching him points almost at well. The 23-year-old Indian star wrapped up the first game in less than 20 minutes and seemed on his way to another facile win. But at 14-8, a few nerves surfaced and Vincent pulled back three points. But a perfect net drop gave Sameer a comfortable victory. Earlier, the South Korean-Malaysian duo of Lee Yong Dae & Tan Boon Heong drew on their vast experience to down the Russian pair of Ivan Sozonov & Vladimir ...
Rahul, Rohit rise in ICC T20I rankings
Indian batsmen Lokesh Rahul and Rohit Sharma have made substantial gains in the Twenty20 International (T20I) rankings following India's 3-0 series win over Sri Lanka.
India rise to 2nd place, Kohli slips to 3rd in T20 rankings
India captain Virat Kohli lost his pole position in the latest ICC T20 Rankings as his absence due to personal commitments led to loss of 48 ranking points. India's 3-0 win over Sri Lanka enabled them to move up from their pre-series tally of 119 points to 121 points. They have leapfrogged England, New Zealand and the Windies to move from fifth to second position in a list led by Pakistan with 124 points. Among Kohli, who was at the top with 824 points previously now has 776 points as he did not take part in the three-match series against Sri Lanka. As players lose two per cent of their rating points for each T20I missed, Kohli is now behind Australia's Aaron Finch (784) and WEst Indies opener Evin Lewis (780). India's KL Rahul gained significantly to be placed fourth in the table for his back to back half centuries in the just concluded series. In the bowlers' list, Jasprit Bumrah not playing the final T20 International saw him slip to third place behind Pakistan spinner
India to host England in 3-match women's ODI series
India's women's cricket team will play a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against England after the Twenty20 International (T20I) tri-series, featuring the two sides along with Australia in March in the country, it was announced on Monday.
Shastri confident ahead of South Africa tour
India have never managed a series win in South Africa, but coach Ravi Shastri is determined to rewrite the history books when the men in blue tour the country next month.
Indian women to host England in April
India will host England for three ODIs in April as part of the ICC Women's Championship, the BCCI announced today. The matches will be played on April 8, 11 and 14. The ODI series will be played after the T20 tri-series also involving England and Australia. India had narrowly lost to England in the World Cup final in June. It was announced earlier that India will host Australia for a three-match ODI series from March 12 to 18. India play their ICC Women's Championship opener in South Africa from February 5 to 10. They have not played since the loss in the World Cup final.
Can play for Italy, Juventus at 80: Buffon
Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon says he feels like a soldier while playing for his nation or club and he will play for them even at the age of 80, if required.
Indian Arrows and Shillong Lajong look to start afresh
Coming off reverses, both Indian Arrows and Shillong Lajong will look to start afresh when they lock horns in the I-League at the Ambedkar Stadium here tomorrow. Indian Arrows, after their stupendous 3-0 win against Chennai City FC in their opening fixture, experienced three consecutive defeats but coach Floyd Pinto feels these are just important lessons to learn. "Although we're coming to this game at the back of a few defeats, tomorrow we're going to start afresh. We would like to reiterate that those defeats always teach us some important lessons. We have to gather those and execute in the right way." "We are aware of earlier defeats but if you see our matches, our opponents could not run a riot against us. Yes, we conceded silly goals which cost us the matches but they have been very closely-fought contests until now," Arrows gaffer Pinto said at the pre-match press conference. He also stressed that the 'developmental process' is quintessential for these boys than ..