Page 325 - Sports
Papua New Guinea achieves ODI status
Papua New Guinea (PNG) achieved their ODI status and a place in ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 after recording a comprehensive victory against already-qualified Oman in the World Cricket League Division 2.PNG needed to beat Oman and hope for the other results in the tournament to go their way in order to achieve the ODI status. The team was able to achieve its target with a 145-run victory over Oman, International Cricket Council (ICC) reported on Friday.Canada were also in with a chance to make it to the top four and achieve the ODI status, but they needed to restrict the US to under 212 runs in their run-chase. But in a tense finish, the US managed to score 215-9. Canada were able to win the match against the US by 40 runs but they were knocked out on the basis of net run rate.Namibia also made it to the top-four spot as they defeated Hong Kong by 151 runs. With the team's win, the group stage came to an end.PNG and Namibia will join Oman, the US, Scotland, Nepal and the UAE in the .
Dhoni's absence was a massive boost for us, admits MI skipper Rohit
Mahendra Singh Dhoni Friday didn't turn up for Chennai Super Kings due to fever and Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma said the veteran stumper's absence came as a "massive boost" for his side en route to their 46-run win in an IPL match here. Sans Dhoni, CSK failed to chase down 156-run target set by MI, bundling out for 109, their lowest total at home. "It was a massive boost that MSD (Dhoni) wasn't around. Because his presence does a lot for their team. When you don't have Dhoni when they're chasing the score, then it becomes difficult for them," Rohit said at the post-match presentation ceremony. "I'm sure his presence was missed by CSK. But he was sick, it's not in his control either," added the right-handed batsman, who struck 67, his first fifty of the season. Rohit said it was a blessing in disguise for him to lose the toss as they too would wanted to chase on what eventually turned out to be another slow Chepauk surface. "I thought it was better to lose the toss since we ...
Malinga's four-fer guides Mumbai to 46-run win
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) once again missed the presence of their regular skipper M.S. Dhoni as the defending champions had to taste a 46-run defeat against Mumbai Indians in their return fixture at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, here on Friday.
Rohit hits 1st fifty of IPL season as all-round MI beat CSK by 46 runs
Skipper Rohit Sharma hit his maiden half-century of the season as Mumbai Indians produced an all-round effort to register a convincing 46-run win over defending champions Chennai Super Kings in an IPL match here Friday. MI's win Friday ended CSK's winning streak of five games at home this season. The Rohit-led MI, a three-time champion, came up with an all-round performance to silence the Lions at its own den. Rohit top-scored with 67 from 48 balls with the help of six fours and three sixes to help MI post 155 for four on a slow and turning Chepauk surface after being sent into bat. And then MI bowlers led by Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga (4/37) bundled out CSK for 109 in 17.4 overs, the defending champions' lowest total at home. Besides Malinga, Krunal Pandya (2 for 7 in 3 overs) and Jasprit Bumrah (2 for 10 in 3 overs) did the damage. By virtue of this win, MI has jumped to the second spot in the table with 14 points from 11 games. Despite the loss, CSK still lead the chart with 16 ...
IPL 2019: MI beat CSK by 46 runs
Lasith Malinga's four-wicket haul helped Mumbai Indians (MI) beat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 46 runs in the ongoing 12th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday.Chasing a below-par 156, Chennai without its hero and captain of the ship MS Dhoni, continued to struggle. The host suffered an early blow in the very first over. Shane Watson (8) was caught by Rahul Chahar straight to short fine off Malinga.Murali Vijay, dropped on 12 at the point, and Suresh Raina tried to readjust Chennai but Hardik dismissed Raina cheaply for two, leading to a flurry of wickets. Vijay tried to shrug off pressure; however, his partner kept changing as Ambati Rayudu for naught, Kedar Jadhav (6) and Dhruv Shorey (5), all departed in quick succession.Ending the frustration of Mumbai to wrap up Chennai, Jasprit Bumrah delivered a slower ball to Vijay (38), who steered a cut-shot straight to Suryakumar Yadav at the point. Chennai known for its never-give-up attitude .
Mumbai Indians beat CSK by 46 runs
Mumbai Indians defeated Chennai Super Kings by 46 runs in an Indian Premier League match here Friday. Sent into bat, MI rode on skipper Rohit Sharma's 67, his first half-century of the ongoing IPL, to post 155 for four and then bundled out CSK for 109 in 17.4 overs. Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians: 155 for 4 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 67, Evin Lewis 32; Mitchell Santner 2/13). Chennai Super Kings: 109 all out in 17.4 overs (Murali Vijay 38; Lasith Malinga 4/37).
Ahead of World Cup, England's Alex Hales banned for recreational drug use
England's World Cup contender Alex Hales has been suspended for 21 days for failing a drug test. According to a report in the Guardian, Hales is currently serving a 21-day ban after returning a second positive test, having pulled out of Nottinghamshire's Royal London Cup campaign, shortly after the World Cup squad was announced, for undisclosed "personal reasons". Named last week in England's preliminary World Cup squad, Hales was found to be at variance with England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) recreational drugs policy for the second time in his career. The opener is understood to have tested positive for a recreational drug in recent weeks and his selection into the the provisional squad means the English selectors were not aware of transgression. Hales was suspended and fined by England last year after he and Ben Stokes were involved in a street fight outside a Bristol nightclub in September 2017. Hales drugs violation was detected after he underwent a routine hair follicle ...
Billings ruled out of England duty after dislocating shoulder
Sam Billings was ruled out of England's limited-overs matches against Ireland and Pakistan with a dislocated left shoulder on Friday. Wicketkeeper Billings was injured in the opening over of Kent's One-Day Cup match against Glamorgan on Thursday, his first appearance of the season for his county after a stint with the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. Surrey's Ben Foakes has been called into the England squad to replace him. Though not in the 15-man squad for the World Cup, Billings, who has played 15 one-day internationals, had been in line to face both Ireland in next Friday's one-off ODI and Pakistan in a Twenty20 match two days later. The 27-year-old now joins a list of injury concerns for head coach Trevor Bayliss which also includes Eoin Morgan, Jason Roy, and Joe Denly. With England's first-choice wicketkeepers Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow both being rested, Foakes is now in line to make his international white-ball debut. Kent announced Billings would require
Neymar banned for three Champions League matches over ref insult
Neymar was suspended for three Champions League matches by UEFA on Friday for insulting match officials following Paris Saint-Germain's shock Champions League loss to Manchester United. The Brazil star missed the 3-1 second leg last 16 defeat on March 6 through injury, but told match officials "to go fuck yourselves" on social media after watching on from the sidelines at the Parc des Princes. Neymar was found guilty of "insulting/molesting acts against match official", European football's governing body announced in a statement.
Rohit's 67 helps Mumbai post 155/4 vs Chennai
Some disciplined bowling by Chennai Super Kings restricted Mumbai Indians to a modest 155/4 as Rohit Sharma contributed with a 48-ball 67 in an Indian Premier League (IPL) contest at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here on Friday.
Rohit hits 1st fifty of IPL 2019, but Santner-led CSK bowlers keep MI under check
Skipper Rohit Sharma struck his first half-century of the season before Chennai Super Kings bowlers fought back brilliantly to restrict Mumbai Indians to 155 for four in an Indian Premier League match here Friday. Rohit top-scored for MI with 67 from 48 balls with the help of six fours and three sixes, but it was Kiwi left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner who starred with the ball for CSK with brilliant figures of 2 for 13 from his four overs. Sent in to bat by stand-in captain Suresh Raina after Mahendra Singh Dhoni was ruled out of the match due to fever, MI couldn't capitalise on a good start, faltering against some accurate bowling by the home team. From 103 for two in 13 overs, MI could only muster 52 runs in the final seven overs. The big-hitting Hardik Pandya (23 not out off 18 balls, 1x4, 1x6) and Kieron Pollard (13 off 12 balls, 2x4s) couldn't do much damage but still managed to get MI past the 150-run mark. Rohit led from the front with a typically elegant half-century, his ...
Cricket Australia-BCCI conflict spills over into Women's T20 Challenge
A conflict between Cricket Australia (CA) and the BCCI has led to reigning T20 World Cup champions Australia being left out of the upcoming Women's T20 Challenge.BCCI on Thursday announced the squads for Supernovas, Trailblazers and Velocity. The surprise, however, was the absence of Australia's cricketers including Meg Lanning, Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt and Beth Mooney, who came in a large contingent for the inaugural one-off exhibition match last year.The decision not to include Australian women in the tournament is part of a wider disagreement between the two boards that also featured the BCCI's insistence on CA honouring a touring commitment to play men's ODIs in India in January next year, leaving Australian broadcasters angry about an absence of one day cricket on the home calendar while also taking the nation's best players overseas in the midst of the Big Bash League, ESPNcricinfo reported.Moreover, it is understood that CA has been non-committal about the ...
Asian Wrestling C'ships: Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik settle for bronze
Asian Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat and Rio Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik settled for a bronze each at the Asian Wrestling Championships 2019 at Xi'an in China on Friday.Vinesh, who won the 2018 Commonwealth and Asian Games gold in 50 kg, decided to move up to 53 kg ahead of Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Even though the 24-year-old lost her quarter-final bout to Japan's Mayu Mukaida 0-10 by technical superiority verdict, she did get to play the repechage after Mukaida advanced to the final.She made the most of her second chance by beating Jo Cih Chiu of Taipei 6-0. In the bronze medal play-off, she prevailed over Qianyu Pang of China 8-1."I was competing in 53 kg at the Asian Championships after a long time. It would have been good to change the colour of the medal. Nevertheless, I am happy with the bronze especially after having been able to turn the tables on Pang this time," said Vinesh following the bout.In a tight match in 62 kg, Sakshi claimed the bronze with a 9-6 win over .
CA mixing men's and women's cricket unprofessional: BCCI
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) surprised all when it named the three teams for the Womens T20 Challenge, to be played in Jaipur from May 6, on Thursday night.
Arsenal need to build confidence, says Emery
Arsenal boss Unai Emery is seeking to rebuild the confidence of his players after consecutive defeats dealt a severe blow to their hopes of finishing in the Premier League's top four. The Gunners suffered a surprise 3-2 home loss to Crystal Palace last weekend before a 3-1 reverse at Wolves on Wednesday. The results leave Arsenal fifth in the table, a point behind London rivals Chelsea in the final Champions League qualification spot. Another tricky trip lies ahead with a game at Leicester on Sunday and Emery conceded he has had to lift his squad before heading to the King Power Stadium. "The first target is to recover our confidence," Emery said at his pre-match press conference on Friday. "We can build on this confidence each minute, each hour, each day, each week -- and above all we're training and we're looking for a big performance for the three points." Arsenal, who next week play Valencia in the Europa League semi-finals, have been impressive at home this season but their away .
Junior Girls National Football C'ships: Jharkhand, Haryana enter semifinals
Jharkhand and Haryana made their way into the semifinals of the Junior Girls National Football Championships 2019-20 with convincing wins over last year's finalists Manipur and Tamil Nadu respectively at the Rajarshi Shahu Stadium in Kolhapur on Friday.Sumati Kumar continued her free-scoring run, grabbing a brace in Jharkhand's 4-0 triumph against Manipur while Haryana captain Raveena played a starring role in her team's 4-0 win over Tamil Nadu.Jharkhand, who came into the quarterfinal on the back of scoring whopping 31 goals in their two group stage games, got the dream start against three-time champions Manipur as they opened the scoring in the second minute through Kuwari Indwar. The fans were still settling into their seats as Kuwari immaculately controlled a low cross from the left flank before shooting it past the opposing goalkeeper.The match became an open encounter from the start with Manipur fashioning chances through L. Kipgen and Shilky Devi midway through the first half ..
Chaoba Devi turns attention to FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup
After guiding Indian women's senior team to an unprecedented Round 2 of the AFC Olympic Qualifiers earlier this year, assistant coach Chaoba Devi Langam has now turned her attention the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.With India set to host marquee event next year, the top women's football coaches from across the country are busy scouting for the stars of tomorrow at the Junior Girls National Football Championship 2019-20 in Kohlapur."The U-17 World Cup will be huge for women's football in the country. We are scouting for players in the Junior Women's National Football Championship here, and we are hopeful that by the time they play the World Cup, they will reach a level where they can compete against the top teams from across the world," Chaoba said.The assistant coach believes that the young girls who are currently fighting it out for their respective states will need to be made ready for the U-17 Women's World Cup. However, once they are brought at par with teams at that level, they ...
Robben back in training, Ribery 'not yet 100 percent'
Bayern Munich stars Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben are on the mend, but both are likely to remain sidelined for Sunday's Bundesliga clash with Nuremberg, coach Niko Kovac said on Friday. Veteran wingers Robben and Ribery are both struggling with injuries as approach the end of their final season at Bayern. Robben has been out since November due to calf and thigh injuries, while Ribery missed Bayern's cup win over Bremen in midweek due to muscular issues. "Franck is getting better, but he is still not 100 percent," said Kovac at his pre-match press conference on Friday. Robben, meanwhile, trained with the team for the first time in nearly two months this week. "It is a first step," Robben told the club website. "I will only be happy when I have been with the team for one or two weeks and have played a few minutes in a game. So many people have said how much they want me to get back on the pitch." French midfielder Corentin Tolisso is also hoping to make a long-awaited return to ...
Emiliano Sala's father Horacio dies aged 58
The father of Emiliano Sala, Horacio, has died at the age of 58 following a heart attack, the mayor of the village where he lived said on Friday. His sudden passing comes just three months after his son, Argentina striker Emiliano, was killed when the aircraft he was travelling in came down in the English Channel. "Horacio's wife called me at five o'clock in the morning (0800 GMT). The doctors were already there, he never managed to get over the death of Emi," Progreso mayor Julio Mueller said. Emiliano, 28, was on his way to Cardiff City after the Premier League side had signed him for a club record USD 19.7million from Nantes. The pilot, David Ibbotson, also died in the January 21 tragedy.
Chelsea face tough task to match Liverpool and Man City quality: Sarri
Maurizio Sarri admitted on Friday Chelsea face a "very difficult" task to reach the levels of Premier League pacesetters Liverpool and Manchester City as he prepares his team to face Manchester United. The Italian believes the Blues must close the gap in a maximum of two seasons, though his position at Stamford Bridge remains under threat. Chelsea head to Old Trafford on Sunday, where the winners will take a significant step towards a top-four finish to secure Champions League qualification for next season. Sarri, 60, told reporters at his pre-match press conference the points tallies earned by Liverpool and Manchester City -- both closing on 90 points -- were "incredible" and said he wanted the chance to elevate Chelsea to that level. "It's incredible because Manchester City, in the last season, gained 100 points," said Sarri. "To gain 100 points in the Premier League is really incredible, really very difficult. "In this season, two teams, I think they will finish with about 97, 96, .