Page 273 - Sports
Current England team 'a tough one' to break into: James Vince
England opener James Vince on Saturday said the current England team have great players and it is not easy for any player to break into the team.Vince got a chance to play for England in the series against Pakistan as Alex Hales was axed from the team after testing positive for a recreational drug."It's the nature of the way the white-ball side has gone over the last three or four years. They've played some magnificent cricket and got to No.1 in the world, so it's been a tough team to break into," International Cricket Council quoted Vince as saying."When I have played, it's been to pop-in for a game, knowing that when the main guys are fit, I'd be out again unless I did something remarkable. All I can do is my best when I do play, and try to force my way into becoming a regular in the squad and then taking chances," he added.Vince was part of the playing XI for the one-off ODI against Ireland and the only T20I against Pakistan. He failed to leave a mark in the ODI but showed an ...
Watson thanked me for scoring quickly at the beginning before he got set: Du Plessis
Half-centuries from openers helped Chennai Super Kings post a six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals in IPL Qualifier 2 and Shane Watson thanked Faf du Plessis for scoring quickly in the beginning as he got time to get set. Chasing a modest target of 148, Du Plessis (50 off 39 balls; 7x4s, 1x60) and Watson (50 off 32; 3x4s, 4x6s) stitched 81 runs in 10.2 overs. "We spoke about it before the game - didn't have the best run in the last 5-6 games. We have a lot of confidence as a team to win a lot of big games -- so we draw confidence from that," said man-of-the-match Du Plessis. "We also know the strength of ours is getting those partnerships -- even if we go 3-4 overs without runs, we have a great lower and middle order to bring us back. "Watto (Watson) thanked me already for scoring quickly at the beginning before he got set. Hopefully we can both get them off the meat in the final right from the word go," he added. Watson, whose lack of runs was a concern before Qualifier 2, admitted ...
Mumbai have upper hand over Super Kings in clash of IPL giants
Familiar foes and the two most successful teams of the IPL -- Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings -- clash in a mouth-watering final here on Sunday, following a rather eventful season that produced some unprecedented moments on the field. It can't be disputed that Mumbai go into the final as the favourites, having beaten CSK as many as three times earlier in the tournament including in the Qualifier 1 at Chennai on Tuesday. However, statistics count for little going into the title fight with both teams being in the situation before multiple times. Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai can certainly take confidence out of the fact that they have won three out of the four finals they have been part of, including the two against CSK in 2013 and 2015. For three-time champions CSK, who have entered their eighth final, it has been another remarkable season after last year when they made a triumphant return having serving a two-year suspension. Whatever the outcome may be, the final here will add ...
CSK's confidence in big games helped us: Du Plessis
Faf du Plessis may have been in excellent form throughout the Indian Premier League (IPL) season but his opening stands with Shane Watson were dwindling in recent games due to the dry run that the latter has been experiencing. However, the pair broke the rut on Friday, putting up 81 runs as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) succesfully chased down a target of 148 set by Delhi Capitals (DC) to reach a record eighth final in 10 years.
Harbhajan Singh becomes third Indian to take 150 wickets in IPL
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) off-spinner Harbhajan Singh became the third Indian to claim 150 wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Friday.The bowler achieved the feat in the second qualifier against Delhi Capitals at Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.Delhi's Amit Mishra and Kolkata Knight Riders' Piyush Chawla are the other two Indians who have taken 150 wickets in the IPL.Mishra has taken 157 wickets from 147 matches whereas Chawla has taken 150 wickets in 157 matches.Singh had 148 wickets before the match against Delhi, but the bowler picked up wickets of Shikhar Dhawan and Shrefane Rutherford to reach the feat of 150 wickets.Chennai Super Kings reached the finals of the IPL as they defeated Delhi Capitals by six wickets on Friday.Chasing the score of 148, Chennai were provided with a solid base from both openers Faf Du Plessis and Shane Watson. Both the batsmen recorded 50 plus scores to ease the chase for the team.Ambati Rayudu and Dwayne Bravo
Harbhajan bowling with confidence: Lee
Former Australia speedster Brett Lee applauded Harbhajan Singh, saying that the veteran Indian off-spinner has shown a lot of confidence while bowling for Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL. Harbhajan, 38, has turned the clock this IPL season more than once, taking crucial wickets during the tournament to help CSK reach their record eighth final in 10 years. CSK were suspended for two years in between. "He exactly knows where to bowl for certain batsmen. His bowling was outstanding, he got some beautiful shape on the ball again. I love the revolutions of the ball," the Star Sports Select Dugout Expert, Lee said. "That tells us that he has good control on the ball. He is bowling with confidence," the former fast bowler added. Harbajan finished with figures of 31 for two in Qualifier 2 to help CSK restrict Delhi Capitals to 147 for 9 on Friday night and then the defending champions reached the target to win by six wickets. Two wickets in the game against Delhi meant Harbhajan became
Federer's clay comeback ended by Thiem in Madrid
Austria's Dominic Thiem had to save two match points in the second-set tiebreaker before pulling out a 3-6, 7-6 (13-11), 6-4 victory over Roger Federer at the Madrid Open.
Every individual took initiative & responsibility: Shreyas Iyer
Summing up Delhi Capitals' performance this season, skipper Shreyas Iyer said every player took initiative and responsibility before they fell just short of making their first ever IPL final, going down to Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 2 here. Playing under a new name in this edition, Delhi Capitals managed to turn their fortunes around with coach Ricky Ponting and advisor Sourav Ganguly at the helm. "There are a lot of positives to talk about. At the start of the season with half of us youngsters in the team (but) Ricky, Sourav Ganguly came in and gave their views regarding how we would be going this season. Everyone was really enthusiastic to take forward from there on. "The way we started...right from the Mumbai game, Rishabh (Pant) started with a great knock and from there on every individual took responsibility. In the league phase we did amazing. Last season was really disappointing for us and the way we came out this year, everybody took that initiative and responsibility ...
Hockey India names 18-member women's team for Republic of Korea tour
Hockey India has named an 18-member women's team for the Republic of Korea tour, which will begin on May 20 at Jinchun. The team will be led by Forward Rani and vice-Captained by goalkeeper Savita.The team had toured Spain earlier this year where they played bilateral series against the host nation. The team also went on their Malaysia Tour in April 2019 which saw them remain unbeaten against the Malaysian Women's Hockey team as they won four matches and drew one.The matches in Korea have been scheduled to allow the Indian team to prepare for the FIH Women's Series Finals Hiroshima 2019."I am happy with the return of experienced players like Rani and Gurjit Kaur in the squad and pleased that they are fully fit to play these matches. This tour will give us the chance to take a good final step against a strong opponent in our preparation for the FIH Women's Series Finals Hiroshima 2019," chief coach of the Indian team, Sjoerd Marijne said in an official statement on Friday."We have ...
Nadal blows away Wawrinka to reach Madrid semis
Spain's Rafael Nadal produced his best performance since the start of the clay court season to defeat Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka 6-1, 6-2 in the quarter-finals of the Mutua Madrid Open.
Madrid Open: Nadal enters semi-finals; Thiem knocks out Federer
Rafael Nadal on Friday progressed to the semi-finals of the ongoing Madrid Open by defeating Stan Wawrinka 6-1, 6-2 , while Dominic Thiem stunned Roger Federer in the quarter-finals with a 3-6, 7-6(11), 6-4 win.As a result of this win, Nadal would play his record 70th Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Masters 1000 semi-final and look to extend his record number of trophies at the elite level to 34."It was a very positive match. I'm very happy with the way that I played and in general terms, it was a great performance. I'm happy, it was an important moment for me and I'm really happy to be through this way," ATP quoted Nadal as saying.Meanwhile, Federer was left shocked as he was outclassed by Thiem in a match that stretched on for two hours and 11 minutes."The test today was huge and tomorrow is a different game, of course, but I was playing Novak last year, and two years ago, and he was not at his best, I guess. Now he is again. He's won the last three Grand Slams and he is ..
Klopp backs Liverpool for Premier League miracle
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool's astonishing European fightback proves his side will not give up hope of winning the Premier League until Manchester City have the trophy in their hands on Sunday. Klopp's team staged arguably the greatest comeback in Champions League history on Tuesday when they thrashed Barcelona 4-0 to overturn a 3-0 semi-final first-leg deficit. With an all-English Champions League final against Tottenham set for June 1, Liverpool can pour all their energy into one last push to win their first English title since 1990. The Reds are one point behind leaders Manchester City heading into their final game of the season against Wolves at Anfield. City will retain the title if they win at Brighton but a draw or loss for Pep Guardiola's men would open the door for Liverpool to be crowned champions if they defeat Wolves. Given Brighton's lowly position, the odds are firmly on a City coronation, but Liverpool boss Klopp says this week's astonishing Champions League drama showed
Thiem ends Federer's clay court return as Djokovic, Nadal edge closer to final
Dominic Thiem saved two match points and ended the first chapter of Roger Federer's return to clay court tennis with a come-from-behind 3-6, 7-6 (13/11), 6-4 win and reach the Madrid Open semi-finals. The 37-year-old Swiss had returned this week to the surface for the first time in three years -- his last clay court match was a loss to Thiem in Rome in 2016. While Federer was heading out, there were no such problems for top seed Novak Djokovic who made the last-four when Marin Cilic withdrew and Rafael Nadal, the second seed, who brushed aside Stan Wawrinka 6-1, 6-2 on Friday. Thiem, the 2018 Roland Garros runner-up and winner of the Barcelona title last month, prevailed in two hours 10 minutes against Federer having saved two match points in a 15-minute second set tie-break. He will on Saturday face world number one Djokovic, who advanced on a walkover when Cilic pulled out with a stomach virus. Five-time champion Nadal needed just over an hour to reach his 11th Madrid semi-final and
South Korea's Kang fires 61 to grab PGA Byron Nelson lead
South Korea's Kang Sung-hoon fired six birdies in a row on his way to a bogey-free 10-under par 61 Friday to grab a four stroke lead in the second round of the US PGA Byron Nelson tournament. Kang, seeking his first US PGA title, stood on 16-under 126 after 36 holes at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas, four strokes ahead of Matt Every and Tyler Duncan, who shot a 65 and 66 respectively. Aided by cool early conditions, the Dallas resident opened with a birdie, his approach at the par-five first landing inches from the cup. "It was perfect and awesome," Kang said. "I live in Dallas, about 30 minutes from the golf course, and I've never seen weather like this in May. I knew it was going to be cold and windy so I really tried to prepare for how far the ball was going to go this morning and it worked out great." Kang began his run of six birdies in a row at the par-four fifth, landing his approach inches from the cup. He sank a six-foot birdie putt at the sixth and one half as long at ...
'Humble' Aussies head to Gallipoli for World Cup inspiration
Australia's cricketers were headed Saturday to the battlefields of Gallipoli for inspiration to kick off a gruelling four-month tour taking in the defence of their World Cup crown and an Ashes series. The team, led by Justin Langer, flew out of Australia late Friday for a multi-day stop in Turkey before arriving in England for three warm-up games ahead of their opening World Cup clash on June 1. "Where we are right now, on the way to England for a long campaign representing our country, hopefully it will be a real catalyst for gelling together and success," Langer said about visiting the World War I site. Australia and New Zealand lost more than 10,000 men in 1915 when British and French troops landed on the Gallipoli peninsula in the Dardanelles Strait in Germany-allied Ottoman Turkey. It became a defining event for both nations, marking the first time these newly independent countries fought under their own flags. The Steve Waugh-led 2001 Ashes-winning side made a similar ...
Rahmat century leads Afghanistan to rain-hit win over Scots
Rahmat Shah hit 113 while Hashmatullah Shahidi and Mohammad Shahzad made half-centuries as Afghanistan defeated Scotland by two runs in a rain-hit ODI. Scotland made 325 for seven from their 50 overs with Calum MacLeod hitting 100 and captain Kyle Coetzer supporting him with 79. Afghanistan reached 269 for three with 31 balls remaining when rain forced the players off the field and they were eventually declared the winners on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method on Friday. Hashmatullah Shahidi finished with an unbeaten 59 while opener Mohammad Shahzad hit 55. The first match that was scheduled for Wednesday was called off without a ball being bowled because of rain. Afghanistan are one of just 10 teams taking part in the World Cup which gets underway in England and Wales on May 30. Brief scores: Scotland 325 for 7 (MacLeod 100, Coetzer 73) vs Afghanistan 269 for 3 (Rahmat 113, Hashmatullah 59 not out, Shahzad 55). Afghanistan won by two runs (DLS method).
CSK in the final because of bowlers: Dhoni
MS Dhoni said that the Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) bowling department should get the credit for getting the team to a record eighth Indian Premier League final in 10 years.
Indian Cricketer's 'WAGS' or 'Significant others' (Column: Close-In)
The recent announcement of a cricketers wife or girlfriend (WAGS) being allowed to join them during the World Cup has got peoples tongues wagging. The appropriate ruling, especially after the section 377 should have been "Significant Other". Virat Kohli, the Indian captain has been vociferous in the past, insisting that wives should be a part of an Indian tour overseas.
Harbhajan is bowling with lot of confidence: Lee
His age notwithstanding, Harbhajan Singh has shown what bowling with confidence can do, feels former Australia pace ace Brett Lee.
Australia's Big Bash League introduces contracting rule change
Australia's domestic T20 cricket competition known as the Big Bash League (BBL) confirmed a contracting rule change for its upcoming edition on Saturday.The competition's player contracting rules have been changed to allow every BBL club to contract up to six overseas players across the season, two more than the previous seasons.The clubs are entitled to have a maximum of two overseas players in their eighteen-man squad, but now they can nominate an additional four overseas players as the potential replacements throughout the course of the upcoming BBL tournament."At the conclusion of each season, we take the time to review what's working well and where we can make positive changes to the game and the fan experience. We've considered feedback from our fans and worked with relevant stakeholders of the game to implement changes that will continue to improve the competition in 2019/20," Cricket Australia executive general manager fan engagement Anthony Everard said in an official ...