Page 422 - Sports
IPL: Punjab, Delhi look to build on momentum (Preview)
After bagging morale boosting wins in their previous encounters, both Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) and Delhi Capitals (DC) will look to continue their ascendancy when they lock horns in an Indian Premier League (IPL) clash here on Monday.
Maxwell can become Virat Kohli, says Australia coach Justin Langer
Australia's all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been showing glimpses of excellence as he scored 71 and 98 in the third and fourth ODI against Pakistan to take his team over the line and he played a crucial role in taking the team out of dangerous positions. Justin Langer, Australia's coach on Saturday said that Maxwell has the potential to become a player like Virat Kohli."The challenge for him is, and I have said this to him, we have just seen Virat Kohli, who is an extraordinarily talented player - he averages 60 in ODI cricket. He is a great player, at the moment, in 99 games, Maxi averages 32 or 33. He can be Virat Kohli. He has got the talent to do that. The way he played [during] that T20 hundred in India, the way he played both T20s - we know he is a great T20 player," International Cricket Council (ICC) quoted Langer as saying."His next challenge is to become a great ODI player, and then potentially a Test player. So there is a huge upside for him, and while he keeps practicing ...
Gomes sees Olympic qualifiers as first challenge for Reid
Former hockey Olympian Marcellus Gomes saw the qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Games as the first major challenge for new national men's coach Graham Reid. Reid, an Australian, is set to take over as the coach of the senior men's team following the unceremonious exit of Harendra Singh from the post after the last World Cup in Bhubaneshwar. "The most important thing for him is to ensure that the team qualifies (for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics) and the qualifying round is important," said the former inside right after the inauguration of a synthetic hockey turf at the Don Bosco school in Matunga here. His former Mahindra team colleague and ex-India skipper M M Somaya felt that with Reid set to take charge, the Australian style of play could come into effect which would help the national team. "Graham Reid is an experienced coach and he will probably get some of the Australian style of play and that (could be) beneficial," said Somaya, who was member of the gold medal winning ...
Rabada's yorker to Russell will be "Ball of the IPL": Ganguly
Former India captain and Delhi Capitals advisor Sourav Ganguly termed Kagiso Rabada's match-winning yorker to KKR's Andre Russell as the "Ball of the IPL". With just 11 to get for a Super Over win, Kolkata Knight Riders sent in the rampaging Russell but Rabada, though under pressure, produced a fast inswinging yorker that castled the Jamaican. "Kagiso Rabada's Super Over and the ball that he bowled to Andre Russell is probably going to be the ball of the IPL. To bowl that kind of a delivery to Andre Russell, who is probably in the form of his life, is unbelievable," Ganguly told IPLT20.com. Rabada defended 10 runs in the Super Over to steer Delhi Capitals to a thrilling win and the former KKR captain termed the victory against his erstwhile franchise is as "special" as Delhi team has gone through prolonged rough patch over the years. "This team needed this win. They did not have a great season last year. It's a young team. These sorts of wins change the confidence. It is still a long .
Immigration is France's strength, feel its football officials
People occupying high offices in French football are firm believer of 'Black, Blanc, Beur', a phrase often used to celebrate the ethnically-diverse national team's 1998 World Cup triumph and the one last summer. Black is black, Blanc means white and Beur Arabic, implying that the players stay united on the field, irrespective of their origins and religions. People in high places believe that the French society is as accepting as its national team, ignoring the right-wing voices' sporadic outbursts against the country's immigration policies. Football took them from the streets of Paris' banlieues (suburbs) to the stadiums of Russia and when the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Paul Pogba flew back with the glittering World Cup trophy in their hands, it was hailed as the triumph of France's immigrants. "Immigration is not an issue, immigration is a chance, and we have big players from Africa. It is a chance for France to develop football. Mbappe is French. France is known for its acceptance, .
India could soon get a taste of French football
India could soon get a taste of French football with the organisers and title sponsor of Coupe de la Ligue "assessing options" to hold events related to the tournament. This was revealed by Arvind Poddar, chairman and managing director of Indian tyre manufacturing company BKT, which is the title sponsor of Coupe de la Ligue. "At this moment I can't go into the specifics. All I can say is that the French leagues' governing body (LFP) is looking to bring Coupe de la Ligue to India," Arvind told a group of Indian journalists here. "We are looking at various options and if they come to India, we'll assess," he added. Arvind said that LFP may also be looking at a tie-up with an Indian league in the near future. "It's not very clear whether they will be tying up with the Indian Super League (ISL). I know that they have had some meetings when their officials came to India in January. The agreement between LFP and BKT was reached in September last year. The association is for six years. The ..
I backed myself to bowl yorkers: Rabada
Slow balls and bouncers were "gamble balls" while a length ball would have been dispatched easily by big-hitting Andre Russell, so it was best to fall back on 'yorkers', explained Kagiso Rabada after leading Delhi Capitals to Super Over win over KKR, here. With just 18 runs required from 18 balls and later six from the final over, Rabada thought the game was done and dusted and he was sitting in his shorts, chatting with teammate Shikhar Dhawan. However, the Capitals could not score those six runs with a batsman like Hanuma Vihari playing aerial shots and getting caught when just two were needed off two. Entrusted with the job to defend just 10 runs in the Super Over, Rabada was pretty confident that bowling yorkers was the best option. "I thought, what do we bowl here? We could bowl bouncers. We could bowl slower balls. But it's risky. It's gamble balls. I wasn't really feeling (like) them on the day. On another day, I could have felt (like bowling) them. But today I felt (like ...
I've led a full life, no regrets at missing out on Padma Shri: Gurbux Singh (Where Are They Now)
(ATTN Editors: IANS is beginning a new series from March 31, 2019, titled 'Where Are They Now' that takes yesteryear legends down memory lane. This series will run every Sunday. Editor IANS)
Emery urges Suarez to take his chance as Arsenal chase top four
Unai Emery has challenged Denis Suarez to finally make an impact as Arsenal bid to climb back into the Premier League's top four against Newcastle on Monday. Suarez has struggled since his January loan move from Barcelona and the Spanish midfielder is yet to make a competitive start for the Gunners. But a series of impressive displays at Arsenal's recent training camp in Dubai could have earned the 25-year-old a chance to shine when Newcastle visit the Emirates Stadium. Suarez played the full 90 minutes and created a goal for Carl Jenkinson in Arsenal 3-2 friendly victory over Al Nasr. With Granit Xhaka facing a late fitness test and Lucas Torreira suspended, Arsenal boss Emery is encouraged by Suarez's timely improvement. "He is okay for starting in the first XI, to give us this impact," Emery said. "We are going to need everybody, every player for the next matches. "We decided to go away to train for four days and play a match in Dubai. But it's the same idea, the same ...
MI skipper Rohit Sharma fined for slow over rate
Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Rohit Sharma was fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during their Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in Mohali.
Tiger loses to Bjerregaard in WGC Match Play quarter-final
Tiger Woods won a dramatic morning showdown with Rory McIlroy only to be upset by Denmark's Lucas Bjerregaard in quarter-finals of the WGC Match Play Championship. Woods, a 14-time major champion seeking a fourth WGC Match Play title, defeated McIlroy 2&1 in a morning knockout match only to fall 1-up to the 50th-seeded Dane, dropping the 18th hole when he missed a four-foot par putt. "We read it inside left center and it went left," Woods said. "It was just one of those weird spots. It's match play. They are going to put the pins in difficult spots and we just have to make the shots." Bjerregaard, who will face US 23rd seed Matt Kuchar in a semi-final Sunday, marveled at his achievement and the crowds Woods drew to Austin (Texas) Country Club. "We had a great match. It's a shame it had to end like this," Bjerregaard said. "I enjoyed playing with him. It was a cool experience. To say I've beaten Tiger, it's right up there. "It's so different to what I've ever experienced before. ...
Proud Barty defeats Pliskova to capture WTA Miami Open title
Ashleigh Barty's transformation is complete after the Australian defeated Czech fifth seed Karolina Pliskova 7-6 (7/1) 6-3 to win the biggest singles title of her career at the WTA Miami Open. The 22-year-old Aussie quit tennis five years ago after finding the mental grind of the tour too much to bear, turning to professional cricket in a bid to find sporting happiness. Barty, however, knew she had the tennis skills to compete at the very top and after returning in February 2016, has taken her career to an elite level, culminating in her first-ever WTA Premier Mandatory title to follow on from the US Open doubles crown she won last September. Barty, a junior Wimbledon winner at age 15, will rise from 11th to number nine in the world rankings and become the first Australian woman since Sam Stosur in June 2013 to crack the top 10. "It feels like it's a long time ago now since I took the break and since I came back," said Barty, who also reached the doubles semi-finals at the Hard Rock ..
Kean steps up in Ronaldo absence to rescue Juventus against Empoli
Rising teenage star Moise Kean stepped up in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo to rescue a 1-0 win for Juventus against lowly Empoli as the champions opened up an 18-point lead at the top of Serie A. The 19-year-old -- who burst into the limelight during Italy's opening Euro 2020 qualifiers -- came on as a substitute in Turin and three minutes later scored his third league goal of the season after his double against Udinese earlier this month. "I am neither (Lionel) Messi nor Cristiano but one day I hope to become like them," said Kean. Juventus got back to winning ways after falling to their first league defeat of the season to Genoa before the international break. Second-placed Napoli travel to Roma on Sunday looking to close the gap to 15 points with nine games remaining. Ronaldo had been rested by Juventus against Genoa and the Portuguese star is now recovering from a right thigh injury picked up on international duty. Argentina striker Paulo Dybala also pulled up with a thigh ...
Australian bowlers deny 'false' Warner Test boycott reports
Australia's top bowlers Sunday lashed out at "false" and "inflammatory" claims they were planning a Test boycott if David Warner had not been kicked off the team in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal. Warner was widely seen as the instigator of the plot to use sandpaper to alter the ball during the third Test in Cape Town last year, with rookie opener Cameron Bancroft carrying out plan and then-captain Steve Smith turning a blind eye. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Friday that Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon all intended to pull out of the fourth Test if Warner was not removed. The newspaper, citing multiple sources, said it "highlights the extent of the fracture within the dressing-room in the immediate aftermath". But a statement from the quartet Sunday denied a boycott had been considered and, with Smith and Warner now free to play again after their one-year bans expired on Friday, the bowlers said they were focused on "moving forward". "The ..
Cheeky Messi magic keeps Barcelona 10 points clear in Spain
Lionel Messi continued his remarkable run of form as his second-half double, including an impudent free-kick, helped Barcelona continue their march towards the La Liga title with a 2-0 win over Espanyol. The visitors gave their city rivals a tough game at the Camp Nou, but Messi's chipped free-kick over the wall from 19 yards and a late second kept the reigning champions 10 points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who thrashed Alaves 4-0. Messi has now netted eight times in his last four games for Barca, and leads the way in the La Liga scoring charts with 31 goals, 13 ahead of teammate Luis Suarez. "I had no idea he would hit (the free-kick) like that," said Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde. "I would love to say that we had planned it, but it's not true, it's up to him. He didn't need my opinion and he scored." It was a fitting way for the Argentinian to mark his 675th Barcelona appearance, which moved him ahead of Andres Iniesta into second on the club's all-time list -- 102 ..
Was in shorts when told will bowl Super Over: Rabada
Kagiso Rabada was seated in the dressing room in shorts with opener Shikhar Dhawan for company as the Delhi Capitals (DC) looked to be cruising to a victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Feroze Shah Kotla here before a mini-collapse saw the game ending in a tie and the Super Over coming into effect.
IPL: Rohit Sharma fined for slow-over rate
Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma has been fined Rs 12 lakh for breaching IPL code of conduct as his team maintained a slow over-rate during their VIVO Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 match against Kings XI Punjab in Mohali on 30th March 2019."As it was his team's first offense of the season under the IPL's Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offenses, Sharma was fined Rs 12 lakh," according to a statement by IPL.Kings XI Punjab registered their second victory in this season of Indian Premier League (IPL) as they overpowered Mumbai Indians to win the match by eight wickets at PCA Stadium on Saturday.
Super victory for Delhi Capitals in Super over against KKR
Delhi Capitals did not disappoint fans at home as they won the match by three runs in an electrifying super over against Kolkata Knight Riders here on Saturday.Delhi posted a target of 11 runs in super over and the KKR was only able to score seven runs which handed over the victory to the host.Earlier, chasing a target of 186, Delhi's Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw opened the innings but got a quick blow as Piyush Chawla dismissed Shikhar Dhawan. After Dhawan's dismissal, skipper Shreyas Iyer came out to bat and joined Shaw.Both played some really quality shots and stitched an 89-run partnership before Iyer (43) was caught by Shubman Gill off Russell's delivery.Shaw was then joined by wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant, who was also sent to pavilion swiftly by Kuldeep Yadav. Shaw showed a flabbergasting form as he scored his career-best 99 runs but missed his maiden ton.Though Shaw's innings had set the stage for Colin Ingram and Hanuma Vihari, Vihari too was sent to the pavilion on .
We were not thinking of match going to Super Over: Iyer
Delhi Capitals captain Shreyas Iyer Saturday said that his side did not expect their IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders to go to the Super Over via which they eventually won. "Definitely a long day at the office. We didn't expect it to go that deep, expected us to finish it with an over to spare," Iyer said after his side won the match in Super Over. Chasing 186 for a win, the Delhi capitals could only score 185 for 6 to tie the match and take it to the Super Over. "Credit must go to Kuldeep Yadav for that over (last over)." Talking about his pacer Kagiso Rabada who bowled the Super Over brilliantly, Iyer said, "Kagiso and I had a chat before the super over and he told me that he would go for yorkers all through, first, second, third, every ball. It takes some special skill to execute that." On KKR's swashbuckling batsman Andre Russell who scored 62 off 28 balls, Iyer said, "You can't control Andre Russell when he gets going. Even his mistimes go for sixes and even the bowlers ...
Delhi beat Kolkata by three runs in Super Over
It was the perfect advertisement for T20 cricket as Delhi Capitals (DC) beat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by three runs in the Super Over after the match ended in a tie at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Saturday.