Page 360 - Sports
England Cricket Board name Cricket World Cup squad
The England Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday, named the fifteen-member preliminary squad for the upcoming Cricket World Cup.The board also announced the name of squads for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against Ireland and Pakistan.Joe Denly and Tom Curran have found themselves a place in the England World Cup squad. Denly hails from Kent whereas Tom Curran hails from Surrey.The much talked about pacer Jofra Archer has not found a place in the preliminary squad for the World Cup, however, he has been named in the squad for the ODI series against Ireland and Pakistan.The 24-year-old Archer has made it to England ODI team for the first time. He was born in Barbados but has an English father and holds a British passport. He completed a three-year qualification period on March 17."In line with ICC regulations, we have to name a preliminary squad of 15 for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup before April 23. However, all 17 players named in the Royal London ODI against Pakistan can stake a ..
Jan Oblak signs new contract with Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid goalkeeper, Jan Oblak, has signed a new four-year contract with the club, extending his contract to the summer of 2023.The Slovenian international, 26, is now tied to Atletico Madrid until he turns 30. Oblak has conceded just 21 goals in 32 La Liga games this season and has helped his side earn 18 league clean sheets.Oblak joined the club back in 2014 and since then he has recorded a hugely spectacular 115 clean sheets in just 203 games and also won the Spanish Super Cup, Europa League and UEFA Super Cup with the Rojiblancos.Atletico is currently second in La Liga in the 2018-19 campaign with 65 points and is nine points short from the league leaders Barcelona, having 74 points.However, Defender Lucas Hernandez has already agreed to an EUR80m deal to join Bayern Munich at the end of the season.Atletico Madrid will now face Eibar on April 20.
WC bound DK, Kuldeep will now play freely: Gurney
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer Harry Gurney believes that his skipper Dinesh Karthik and leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who have booked their places in the India World Cup squad, will now play more freely in the remaining games of the Indian Premier League.
Thorough study of candidates' profile most important in coach appointment: Bhutia
Former captain Bhaichung Bhutia Wednesday said "thoroughly studying the profile" of applicants must take precedence over other considerations such as nationality or stature in the appointment of the next Indian football coach. The salary of high-profile applicants was a major issue of deliberation during the All India Football Federation's technical committee on meeting Monday when they scrutinised 41 candidates for the vacant post of the national team coach. "Indian or foreigner, big names or small, they should not matter as much as the profile of the coach. In my opinion, thoroughly studying the profile of the coach is of utmost importance. That should be taken into considerations by the technical committee along with all others factors," Bhutia told PTI. The AIFF has received over 250 applications for the post of national team coach left vacant by Stephen Constantine. After examining their CVs based on various criteria, 41 names were forwarded to the technical ...
BFI Secretary General Kowli elected Asian Boxing Confederation's EC member
Boxing Federation of India (BFI) Secretary General Jay Kowli was Wednesday elected as a member of the Asian Boxing Confederation's (ASBC) Executive Committee here. Kowli was elected at the ASBC Congress here, polling 23 votes out of a total 36 Asian countries attending the event. The ASBC EC comprises 16 members in all and India was being represented by BFI President Ajay Singh for the past two years. Kowli is a veteran administrator, who has also been a former boxer and ring official. He has worked as a secretary general of the national federation in two different terms. The ASBC Congress was held just a couple of days before the Asian Championships, which will have simultaneous competition for men and women for the first time since its inception. The technical meeting and the official draw of the championship is scheduled to take place on Thursday. At Wednesday's Congress, the ASBC endorsed the International Boxing Association (AIBA) as "the one and only governing body of Olympic ...
Won't focus only on Kohli, AB: Gurney
Kolkata Knight Riders are not too concerned about the presence of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers in Royal Challengers Bangalore's ranks as they are focusing more on getting their IPL campaign back on track after a hat-trick of losses, left-arm seamer Harry Gurney said Wednesday. "In IPL whoever you play against, there are several world class players. RCB are no different. Kohli and de Villiers are obviously two of the best in the world. It's important not to underestimate the rest of the batting lineup," Gurney told reporters. "We will not rest on our laurels if we do get those two out early, because their lineup is full of very good players. So we won't focus only on them (Kohli and de Villiers), we will focus on all the batsmen," the left-arm seamer from Nottingham said. On tackling Kohli and AB, he said: "We will assess them in the same way that we do any opposition really. We got access to world class analysis at KKR. We will come up with our plans and hopefully try and restrict ..
East Bengal renews contract of Dika
I-League runners-up East Bengal on Wednesday renewed their contract with key midfielder Lalrindika Ralte for another two seasons. Popularly known as Dika, the 26-year-old Mizoram footballer has been a vital cog in East Bengal midfield. He had two assists in the I-League as the red-and-gold finished one-point behind Chennai City to settle for the second spot. Dika has expressed his happiness in continuing with the team and said he is "delighted to play under the able coaching and guidance of coach Alejandro Menendez". "I'm looking forward to a stellar season ahead," he said. In a process of team rebuilding, East Bengal have already renewed contracts with Brandon Vanlalremdika and Spanish defender Borja Gomez. East Bengal are eyeing to be part of the Indian Super League next season if the terms of bidding for it are financially acceptable.
FIH imposes hefty fine on Pakistan, PHF says it does not have funds to pay it
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has imposed a hefty fine of 170,000 euros on Pakistan Hockey Federation for not honouring the Pro League commitments but the cash-strapped PHF said it is in no position to pay the penalty. The PHF confirmed that the FIH this week imposed a fine of 170,000 euros on Pakistan at the last executive board meeting of the world body for not sending the national team for the Pro League matches in Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. PHF secretary general Shahbaz Ahmed said Wednesday that he has requested the FIH to reduce the fine and allow it to be paid in instalments. "I told the FIH members that when didn't have funds to send the team for the Pro League, how could we pay such a huge fine? I tried to convince the FIH members that they need to understand the crisis Pakistan hockey is going through and they should be at least giving us support instead of imposing any fines," Shahbaz said. "For the moment, I am relieved FIH didn't ban us but I will ...
'He is three dimensional': Twitterati hails R Ashwin
Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin rallied his troops to a 12-run victory over Rajasthan Royals at PCA Stadium in Punjab, on Tuesday.Ashwin, who attracted a lot of criticism after mankading Jos Butler, regained adulation from the fans after he showed a scintillating performance with the bat and the ball along with displaying prodigious captaincy skills.Ashwin scored crucial unbeaten 17 runs off just 4 deliveries and took two wickets by giving away just 24 runs which helped his side dominate the visitors.Twitter eulogised the 32-year old and because of his all-round display, some even called him 'three dimensional'.A user tweeted, "17 runs off 4 deliveries for Ravi Ashwin. I can't control this mancrush. A true captain that leads from the front. #IPL2019 #KXIPvRR #kxip."A user even compared him with the RCB captain Virat Kohli and wrote, "As a captain, Ashwin is a lot better than Kohli #KXIPvRR."Another user tweeted, "17 runs from 4 balls by captain Ashwin, he is giving 100% ...
Windies rope in Ramnaresh Sarwan to mentor batsmen
Former West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan has accepted the invitation of the country's cricket board to work as a mentor and provide batting tips to the Caribbean side's batsmen in the run-up to the tri-nation series in Ireland and the World Cup.
Super Cup may return as season opener in 2019-2020
The recently concluded Super Cup in Bhubaneswar was hardly a super show in the absence of seven I-League teams, but the tournament may return as the season opener (2019-2020) in September-October this year.
East Bengal hand contract extension to Lalrindika
City football giants East Bengal on Wednesday handed attacking midfielder Lalrindika Ralte, also known as Dika, a two-year contract extension.
Injured Neuer dismisses retirement rumours, eyes return
Injured Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer on Wednesday quashed rumours of his imminent retirement and says he wants to return in time to face RB Leipzig on the penultimate day of the Bundesliga season. "It is difficult to say when I will be back but I think Leipzig is a realistic target," he said at a press conference, with league leaders Bayern away to third-placed Leipzig on May 5. Neuer, 33, was substituted off during Bayern's 4-1 win over Fortuna Duesseldorf last Sunday after aggravating a recurring calf injury. The knock sees him sidelined at a crucial phase of the season, with Bayern seeking to stay a point ahead of Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga title race and bidding to reach the German Cup final. Neuer has had a relentless struggle with injury in recent years, and after the club announced that he would give a press conference on Wednesday, there was some speculation that he might be about to end his career. "We smiled about that," Neuer admitted when asked about the .
Punjab's Rahman, Henriques pick up injuries
Despite the 12-run victory over Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab faced two blows as Moises Henriques and Mujeeb Ur Rahman picked up injuries here on Tuesday.Henriques was due to make his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut for Punjab but worried his side by hurting his ankle during pre-game warm-ups.While Rahman bowled three overs in the game but felt discomfort in his shoulder after attempting to save a boundary in the second inning which brought in Sam Curran to the field as his substitute."Both players are awaiting further results to determine the nature of their injuries," wrote Punjab on their official website.Punjab will now visit Delhi to face Delhi Capitals on April 20.
Joe Denly, Tom Curran named in England's squad for World Cup
Both Joe Denly and Tom Curran have been included in the England World Cup squad announced by the England Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday. The board has announced the fifteen-member preliminary squad for the upcoming World Cup.The board also announced the squads for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against Ireland and Pakistan.Joe Denly and Tom Curran have found themselves a place in the England World Cup squad. Denly hails from Kent whereas Tom Curran hails from Surrey.The much talked about pacer Jofra Archer has not found a place in the preliminary squad for the World Cup, however, he has been named in the squad for the ODI series against Ireland and Pakistan.The 24-year-old Archer has made it to England ODI team for the first time. He was born in Barbados but has an English father and holds a British passport. He completed a three-year qualification period on March 17."In line with ICC regulations, we have to name a preliminary squad of 15 for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup before
Recent success of Men's Football has come through hard work and methodical planning: coach Shanmugam Venkatesh
Shanmugam Venkatesh, the India senior Football Men's team assistant coach on Wednesday said that the recent success for the football team has come through its hard work and methodical planning.The Indian football has boomed over the past few years enabling the team to climb over 70 places in the FIFA World rankings."Our team has improved a lot. But all of that that has only come through hard work, and methodical planning," All India Football Federation (AIFF) quoted Venkatesh as saying.Venkatesh is highly regarded in the dressing room both as a player and coach but the assistant coach said that it is unfair to compare players from different generations."It is unfair to compare the quality of players from different generations. I believe that quality is always there, and will always be there. But what makes the difference is how you groom the quality and help the footballer maximise his performance on match days," Venkatesh said."At the end of the day, you still have 23 of the best ...
Archer not in England's preliminary WC squad
Uncapped pacer Jofra Archer was the only surprise absentee from England's preliminary 15-man World Cup squad, although he was named in the team for warm-up games against Pakistan and Ireland.
Narwal targets all Junior & Senior world records by 2020
Promising Indian shooter Manish Narwal said he wants to have the Senior and Junior world records in his name by Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. "This is a challenge to myself to get all the World Records - Junior and Senior Qualification and Finals - by 2020. Winning the gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics is also a dream. And I will give my 100 per cent to achieve that," Narwal told Asian Paralympic Committee. The 17-year-old had narrowly missed out on a medal at the Al Ain 2019 World Shooting Parasport World Cup in February, despite having pulled off a Junior Qualification World record when he shot 579 points in P1 Men's 10 Air Pistol SH1 qualifying round. He eventually finished fourth in the finals. He was the silver medallist in the same event last year. "I was disappointed. I am learning to cope with all these setbacks. It's important to sometime forget the defeats and keep working towards bigger goals, like the World Championships and the Paralympics," said the shooter from ...
Ponting surprised at 'X-factor' Pant's exclusion
Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting is surprised that Rishabh Pant missed the bus to the World Cup in England and Wales, but adds it will be the perfect opportunity for the youngster to showcase his talent for DC in the Indian Premier League.
Ponting surprised at Pant's WC exclusion, says he could have been India's X factor
Australian great Ricky Ponting on Wednesday expressed surprise at Rishabh Pant's exclusion from India's World Cup squad, saying he could have been the X factor in the playing eleven. Ponting met Pant on Monday night, hours after the India squad was announced with Dinesh Karthik being preferred over the 21-year-old for the reserve wicketkeeper's slot. "Yes I was surprised when he was left out of the Indian squad. I thought he would be in and he would be in the starting eleven. I thought someone like him batting at four or five could have been that X factor and the difference between India and the other teams," said the Delhi Capitals head coach. Ponting had nothing but words of encouragement for the star Delhi Capitals player. "One thing we know about Indian cricket is that there is a lot of depth around in batting and this time Rishabh has missed out. Knowing what he is like and the talent he has, I would be surprised if he doesn't play in at least three World Cups before his career ..