Page 242 - Sports
Everyone in team wants to impress Ponting: Finch
Australia captain Aaron Finch has admitted that the mere presence of Ricky Ponting in the dressing room and on the training track immediately lifts the morale of every member of the group as they look to defend their World Champions title in the upcoming World Cup beginning May 30 in England.
Amir, Wahab, Asif named in Pak's final World Cup squad
Fast bowlers Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Asif Ali have been named in Pakistan's final 15-man squad for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, beginning May 30 in England and Wales.Pakistan had the flexibility to finalise their line-up until May 22, but decided to lock their make-up on Monday following the conclusion of the One-Day International (ODI) series against England.From its provisional squad, which was announced on April 18, the selectors have replaced Abid Ali and Junaid Khan with Asif and Amir, who were both were named as additional players.Meanwhile, Wahab has been recalled to replace Faheem Ashraf. Yasir Shah is the fourth player to be released from the side after he was named as Shadab Khan's replacement for the series against England.Amir, who is presently in London and has fully recovered from chicken pox, and Wahab are expected to join the squad in Bristol on May 22. Both the players will be available for selection for the May 24 and 26 warm-up matches, before Pakistan ...
Shastri has done wonders by making Kohli the boss: Gaekwad
Rating each bowler a match winner, former India coach Anshuman Gaekwad said the kind of options this team is blessed with, India never had going into a World Cup.
Aamir, Wahab named in Pakistan's World Cup squad
Experienced left-arm pace duo of Muhammad Aamir and Wahab Riaz were included in Pakistan's final 15-member World Cup squad following their 0-4 loss to England in the ODI series. Both the bowlers were not included in the initial World Cup squad announced last month but Aamir, who is yet to recover from chickenpox, was named for the one-day series against England which Pakistan completed on Sunday. The selectors have axed allrounder Faheem Ashraf and left-arm pacer Junaid Khan from their initial World Cup squad to make way for the two senior players. The selectors had discarded Wahab from the tour to England but after the thrashing given to the Pakistani pacers in the one-day series they apparently had a change of mind. Wahab, who turns 34 next month, last played a one-day international for his country in the opening match of the 2017 Champions Trophy against India going for 87 runs without a wicket and than limping off with a injury. Since than the selectors have ignored him for ...
Mary, Nikhat headed for possible semifinal bout; 10 Indians assured of medals
Six-time world champion Mary Kom may have a possible semi-final face-off with Asian Championships bronze medallist Nikhat Zareen in 51kg in the second Indian Open boxing tournament, which got underway here Monday. As per the draw, released on Sunday, Asian Games gold medallist Amit Panghal (52kg) could have a hassle-free route to the final, where he is likely to take on Asian Games silver medallist Rogen Siaga Ladon of Philippines. As many as 10 Indian boxers are already confirmed of a medal each with six in men and four in women entering the semi-finals straightaway because of the smaller size of the draw. Brijesh Yadav and Sanjay are already in the 81kg semi-finals, and so are Naman Tanwar and Sanjeet in 91kg while Satish Kumar and Atul Thakur are in +91kg. In women's boxing, Lovlina Borgohain and Anjali are already assured of medals in 69kg while Bhagyabati Kachari and Saweety Boora are through to the last-four in 75kg by virtue of a first round bye. "We have at least a couple of ..
Paulinho endears himself to Chinese football with anthem sing-along
Paulinho has become the toast of Chinese football after the Brazilian fondly known as "Violent Bird" attempted to sing along in Mandarin to the national anthem before a game. The international midfielder was seen singing some of "March of the Volunteers" before Guangzhou Evergrande's 3-2 win at Wuhan Zall in the Chinese Super League (CSL). The 30-year-old, who was captaining Fabio Cannavaro's side, scored what turned out to be the winner on Friday to keep Evergrande in the title race with a third of the season gone. Television viewers and media were quick to praise the man affectionately dubbed "Violent Bird" because of his all-action style. Calling it an "unexpected move", Soccer News said: "The Brazilian followed the majestic melody. "It is not the first time he seriously sang the national anthem. In 2017, Paulinho had already begun to seriously participate. "But at that time he could only sing one sentence, 'March on! March on! On!'" Many people on Weibo, China's equivalent of ...
Can India replicate 1983 magic in England? (SWOT)
Team India, led by Virat Kohli, are among the top contenders for the upcoming World Cup slated to be held in England and Wales from May 30.
Develop thick skin to bowl on flat England pitches: Langer to his bowlers
The bowlers need to develop "thick skin" to counter flat wickets and fast outfields in England during the World Cup, reckons Australia coach Justin Langer. In the recent batsmen-dominated ODI series, hosts England and Pakistan put on board close to 350 runs in almost every match. Langer said the bowlers need to take the responsibility of stopping teams from posting huge totals. "There's a lot of talk about batting now in white-ball cricket, but our bowling is absolutely critical. In T20 it's absolutely critical and the same in ODI cricket. You're going to have a pretty thick skin to do well in international cricket, particularly on the flatter wickets and the fast outfields and the big squares we play on in England, said Langer. "They're going to have to have thick skin but they're physically tough and mentally tough and they'll be ready for it," he was quoted as saying by Australian media Langer also defended the decision to drop Josh Hazlewood from the World Cup squad, saying the ...
Real Madrid bids farewell to Keylor Navas
Real Madrid fans bid farewell to goalkeeper Keylor Navas just before the side's final La Liga game of the season against Real Betis.
Need to stop doing Superman things and cope with fear of failure: Du Plessis
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has urged his teammates to avoid doing "Superman things" and instead focus on overcoming the "fear of failure" ahead of the World Cup beginning May 30. South Africa have a reputation of losing big matches which has earned them the label of chokers. The Proteas are yet to reach the finals of the World Cup having been knocked out at the semifinal stage four times in the past. "In previous World Cups, we wanted to do Superman things. We thought we had to be more special, we had to do something more than we usually do, and we did not do what was good enough before," Du Plessis was quoted as saying by the ICC . "We haven't always got that right in the past, to play our best cricket at the World Cup, because we put so much pressure on ourselves. We want to just focus on enjoying our cricket," he added. Du Plessis, who will be competing in his third ODI World Cup, stressed on the need to be mentally prepared for the tournament which will be imperative for .
Kohli, Smith make the game look so easy, am a fan: Stokes (Lead, correction in Para-1)
The 2019 edition of the World Cup goes back home to where it all started in 1975 and the Englishmen will be hoping to finally add the coveted trophy to their cabinet as they host the top ten teams in world cricket. Interestingly, England go into the tournament as favourites and while many would think it is an added pressure, all-rounder Ben Stokes has his own take on the matter.
Tried copying Smriti Mandhana, didn't work: Riyan Parag
Seventeen-year-old batsman Riyan Parag, who rose to fame after he helped Rajasthan Royals beat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in one of their fixtures in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL), has admitted he admires leading woman batter Smriti Mandhana and tries to copy her style of batting.
Afghan coach Simmons to quit after World Cup
Former West Indies allrounder Phil Simmons will step down from his position as Afghanistan coach after the end of the ICC men's World Cup. Simmons, who took over the position in December 2017, said he has achieved his target of taking Afghanistan to the World Cup and the time is ripe for him to leave. "I have thought about it and I have actually given the ACB my notice that I will not be renewing my contract. I will move on to something different once my contract expires on July 15," Simmons told ESPNcricinfo. Simmons' contract with Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) runs until the end of the World Cup and he might have been given an extension given Afghanistan's rise under his guidance. "I signed up originally for 18 months and I think I have done a lot in this period. It is time for me to move on to something else now. To want to get to the World Cup - that was ACB's goal at the time they appointed me," Simmons said. "My goal is always to leave things better than when I joined: the way
Olympic 100 m record will even out in some time: Performance Enhancement Specialist (IANS Interview)
It's taken over 120 years to shave the Olympic 100 metres record from 11.4 seconds to the current 9.06 seconds and globally renowned Global Sports Scientist and Performance Enhancement Specialist Tim Gabbett says it's got to even out sometime.
AIFF condoles death of former FIFA panel referee
All India Football Federation (AIFF) condoled the death of former FIFA Panel Referee Shivappa Shetty, who passed away at 86.Shetty was hospitalised on Saturday evening on signs of food poisoning and later succumbed to a multi-organ failure on Sunday. He is survived by his wife, his two sons, and a daughter.He had served as an AFC instructor, an AIFF referees instructor, an AIFF match commissioner, an AIFF referee board member, as well as the President of the Bombay Referees Association.Shetty was instrumental in forming the Central Bank of India football team, besides being a notable player for the team. He had also acted as the sports general secretary for the organisation as well.AIFF President, Praful Patel in a statement said, "It is sad to hear that Shivappa Shetty is no more. His contribution to Indian Football will never be forgotten. I share the grief.""Shivappa Shetty will be alive in his achievements. He was a passionate and capable referee. Indian football owes him a lot. ..
Kohli, Smith make the game look so easy, am a fan: Stokes
The 2019 edition of the World Cup goes back home to where it all started in 1973 and the Englishmen will be hoping to finally add the coveted trophy to their cabinet as they host the top ten teams in world cricket. Interestingly, England go into the tournament as favourites and while many would think it is an added pressure, all-rounder Ben Stokes has his own take on the matter.
Pakistan's fielding a real worry for me: Mickey Arthur
After conceding a 0-4 series defeat against England, Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur admitted that his side did not perform well in the bowling and fielding departments which led to their loss in the five-match rubber.
England star Woakes glad World Cup picks not his problem
Chris Woakes said England's players faced a nervous wait as the countdown to the announcement of the World Cup squad entered its final phase. Tournament hosts England unveil their squad for the one-day international showpiece on Tuesday. England have yet to win a men's World Cup but they head into this year's edition as the number-one ranked side in ODI cricket. Pace-bowling all-rounder Woakes settled what little doubt there was around his place with a five-wicket haul as England beat Pakistan by 54 runs at Headingley on Sunday to complete a 4-0 series win. But David Willey, despite the variety he offers as a left-arm quick, has seen his place threatened by the emergence of newly-qualified Barbados-born fast bowler Jofra Archer. And back-up spinner and reserve batsman Joe Denly, could also be cut from the 17-man squad deployed against Pakistan when it come to England's final 15 for the World Cup, especially with Liam Dawson waiting in the wings as an alternative slow-bowling ...
England players will be wary of final selection phone call, says Woakes
England players will be waiting for that one phone call from the selectors to announce the final 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, said fast bowler Chris Woakes.England are expected to name its final 15-man squad at the Lord's on May 21."Everyone will be looking at their phones. Everyone will be wary of that phone call. Even if you feel like you've got a good chance to be in the squad until you hear it from selectors' mouths, it's not quite set in stone," ICC quoted Woakes, as saying.Woakes was adjudged Player of the Match in the fifth and final match against Pakistan for his five-wicket haul. The 30-year-old finished on top of the series bowling chart as he bagged 10 wickets in four matches at an average of 21.20."As a player, you're still probably a little bit on edge, particularly with these 16 and 17 players, because everyone has performed at some point over the series. In the last couple of years, people have put in strong performances. It's a tricky ...
Koepka avoids collapse to win PGA for fourth major title
Brooks Koepka held off a late charge from Dustin Johnson to capture his second consecutive PGA Championship on Sunday, completing a wire-to-wire victory for his fourth major title in nerve-wracking fashion. A near-collapse saw Koepka's record seven-stroke lead reduced to a single shot, but he withstood making four bogeys in a row on the back nine and another at 17 for an unexpectedly narrow triumph. "This is probably the most satisfied I've been with all the majors," said Koepka. "This one's definitely at the top of the list of how emotionally and how mentally spent I am." Koepka fired a four-over par 74 final round at windy Bethpage Black to finish 72 holes on eight-under 272 and defeat Johnson by two strokes, replacing him as world number one as a result. "I'm just glad we don't have any more holes to play," Koepka said. "That was a stressful round of golf." Bogeys by Johnson at 16 and 17 made the difference but Koepka made bogey at the par-3 17th, then escaped sand and weeds off ...