Page 437 - Sports
Australia's Graham Reid set to be appointed India's new men's hockey coach
Australian Graham Reid is set to be named the Indian men's hockey team chief coach till the 2022 World Cup after the national federation and the Sports Authority of India gave their go ahead to fill the position lying vacant for nearly three months. Reid's name was finalised in a meeting between Hockey India and SAI officials on Tuesday. He was picked over a number of candidates, including Jay Stacy, another Australian and a three-time Olympic medallist. Reid's name has been forwarded to the Sports Ministry for a final approval and according to a source in the ministry, an official announcement would be made by the end of this week. "Reid's contract is expected to be till 2022 but as has been case in the past, the NSF will review his performance after every tournament," the source told PTI. The Indian men's team is without a chief coach after the unceremonious sacking of Harendra Singh in January following a less-than-impressive quarterfinal exit at the World Cup in Bhubaneswar last ..
Former Australian spinner Bruce Yardley passes away
Bruce Yardley, the former Australian spin bowler, coach and, commentator passed away on Wednesday after a prolonged fight with cancer at the age of 71.Yardley was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and he succumbed to the battle in far north Western Australia, ESPN Cricinfo reported.The off-spinner played 33 Tests and seven ODI's for Australia between 1978 and 1983. He also enjoyed a long career at Western Australia.The biggest highlight of the off-spinner's Test career was the ten-wicket haul he took against the West Indies at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1982. The spinner took a total of 126 wickets in his Test career.Yardley was also renowned as a brilliant gully fieldsman and handy lower-order batsman. He even held the record for Australia's quickest half-century for 38 years after reaching the milestone from 29 balls against West Indies in 1978.His record was finally broken by David Warner in January 2017.Yardley, who took 344 wickets in 105 first-class matches, became Sri Lanka's ...
Manu Bhaker-Saurabh Chaudhary Smash World Record in 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team Match
The ace Indian pairing of Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary won the 10m Air Pistol mixed team match on day one of the ongoing 12th Asian Airgun Championship in Taipei's Taoyuan. The pair in the win smashed the qualification world record in the process.This win comes exactly after a month for the pair after winning an International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup stage gold medal.The pair shot a combined 784 in the qualification round, breaking the record set by Russians Vitalina Batsarashkina and Artem Chernousov at the European Championships five days back before going on to win the five-team finals with a score of 484.8.Hwang Seongeun and Kim Mose of Korea won silver with a score of 481.1 while Wu Chia Ying and Kou Kuan-Ting won Bronze for the host country with a score of 413.3.The second Indian team comprising of Anuradha and Abhishek Verma also reached the finals to finish fourth with a score of 372.1.Manu and Saurabh had previously won a gold medal in the same event at the ...
Manu Bhaker-Saurabh Chaudhary pair smashes world record for mixed team gold at Asian C'ship
Teenage Indian shooting stars Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary smashed the qualification world record before clinching the 10m air pistol mixed team gold in the 12th Asian Airgun Championship in Taoyuan, Taipei on Wednesday. Their feat came exactly a month after they won the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup stage gold in the same event in Delhi. The 17-year-old Manu and 16-year-old Saurabh shot a combined score of 784 in the qualification round, breaking the record set by Russians Vitalina Batsarashkina and Artem Chernousov at the European Championships five days ago. The Indians then went on to win the five-team final with a score of 484.8. Hwang Seongeun and Kim Mose of Korea won the silver with a score of 481.1 while Wu Chia Ying and Kou Kuan-Ting claimed the bronze for the host country with a score of 413.3. A second Indian team comprising of Anuradha and Abhishek Verma also reached the finals and finished fourth with a score of 372.1, the National Rifle ..
Roberto Bautista stuns Djokovic In Miami Open
Roberto Bautista Agut pulled the biggest upset in Miami Open as he defeated Novak Djokovic 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 on Tuesday (local time) to reach the quarter-finals."I played more aggressive. I tried to miss fewer balls, to be really concentrated on the beginning of the point with my serve, with my return. In the end, it worked well," Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) quoted Bautista as saying."It helped me at the end of the match, no? I had the confidence to play at a really high level at the end of the match, and I could close the match well with my serve," he added.After losing the first set, the Spaniard raised his level and aggression to triumph after two hours and twenty-nine minutes.It is Bautista's second three-sets victory against Djokovic this season, as he defeated the World number one in Doha to start off the year en route to lifting the trophy.Djokovic was pursuing a record seventh trophy in Miami, which would have broken a tie with former World number one Andre Agassi ...
We in CSK are not 60 year-olds, we are all 32, 35: Bravo
Dwayne Bravo has never understood the age-related fuss that crops up everytime Chennai Super Kings win a match because for him smart always trumps fast in any sport. CSK defeated Delhi Capitals in their second IPL match on Tuesday night and Bravo could barely hold back when the age question was thrown at him at the post-match press conference. "We are aware of our age. It's there and you can google it but that's nothing. We are not 60 year-olds, we are 35, 32-year-olds. We are still young, we look after our bodies and we have a lot of experience," Bravo hit back at the critics. It's the experience of handling crunch situations that makes CSK a cut above the rest with the "best captain in the world" leading the side, said Bravo, "In any sport, in any tournament, you just cannot beat experience. We know our weaknesses and we play smart and we are well led by the best captain in the world. And he (Dhoni) keeps reminding us that you know we are not the fastest team, but we can be the ...
Kotla wicket little better than Chennai: Watson
Chennai Super Kings opener Shane Watson was undoubtedly the difference between the two sides on Tuesday. While the Delhi Capitals batsmen failed to rise to the challenge of playing on the low and slow Kotla wicket, the Aussie hit a 26-ball 44 to put CSK's chase on the right path.
Mexico beats Paraguay 4-2 in a friendly match
Mexico defeated Paraguay 4-2 in a friendly match on Tuesday (local time) at Levi's Stadium in California and as a result of this win, the team has recorded their second consecutive win under manager Gerardo Martino.Jonathon dos Santos was finally able to score his maiden goal for Mexico as he netted the first goal of the match in his 40th appearance for his nation.Mexico claimed their victory on the back of a strong start, with a Gustavo Gomez own goal and Javier Hernandez strike following Dos Santos opener.Hernan Perez pulled a goal back for Paraguay in the second half, but the team was put on the backfoot after their player Miguel Almiron was handed a red card for a poor challenge on Mexico's Jose Juan Vasquez.Paraguay found a second goal when Derlis Gonzalez struck from inside the area in the 84th minute, but Luis Montes scored the all-important goal for Mexico in additional time sealing the victory for them.Mexico were seen clinical and they appeared to be more in control for a ...
Would have liked Dhawan to score quicker: Ponting
After a commanding win over Mumbai in their opening game of the season, Delhi Capitals lost to Chennai by six wickets on Tuesday and head coach Ricky Ponting feels that the team cannot over rely on Rishabh Pant, and the other batsmen too need to rise to the challenge of playing smart cricket.
Bautista Agut stuns top-ranked Djokovic in Miami
Novak Djokovic's pursuit of a record seventh Miami Open ATP title ended in dramatic fashion on Tuesday as Roberto Bautista Agut superbly recovered from a first set destruction to win 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 and book a place in the quarter-finals. The 30 year-old Spaniard may have beaten Djokovic on the way to winning the title in Doha earlier this year but 15-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic started like a train in this last 16 encounter before being amazingly reined back in. After just 25 minutes, Djokovic was 5-0 ahead and on cruise control, Bautista Agut severely struggling to keep the Serbian at bay. A short rain delay late in the second set allowed Bautista Agut to regroup, however. He returned a completely different player and at the end of an absorbing two hours and 29 minutes, it was the number 22 seed who will now meet defending champion John Isner for a place in the semi-finals. "Of course this is very special for me," said Bautista Agut. "I just tried to play aggressive." - Sluggish
Solskjaer boosted by Mourinho's work, claims Van Gaal
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's success at Manchester United is partly due to the work of his predecessor Jose Mourinho, according to former Old Trafford chief Louis Van Gaal. Solskjaer has made a remarkable impact since arriving as United's interim boss in December following Mourinho's sacking. The Norwegian has won 10 times in 13 Premier League games to put United back in the hunt for a top four finish, while leading them to the Champions League quarter-finals after a stunning victory over Paris Saint Germain. Van Gaal, who spent two seasons at United before being replaced by Mourinho in 2016, insists the Portuguese coach's tactics have laid the foundations for Solskjaer to build on. The 67-year-old Dutchman also suggested United played more exciting football in his time at the helm than they do now. Van Gaal's claims seem at odds with the more entertaining football played by United since Solskjaer started a reign that looks set to bring him the manager's job on a permanent basis. "The way ..
Morata double gives Spain victory over Malta
Alvaro Morata's remarkable revival continued on Tuesday as he scored twice for Spain in a 2-0 victory over Malta. After edging past Norway 2-1 on Saturday, Morata's double at the Ta'Qali stadium gives Spain two wins from two in Euro 2020 qualifying and the perfect start in Group F. Luis Enrique's side again showed the inability to convert possession into chances that clouded their early exit from last year's World Cup. But Morata's brace offers room for encouragement, the striker extending his return to form since he joined Atletico Madrid on loan from Chelsea in January. He has five goals in six games, his best return since September 2017, and has strengthened his case for a position that has proved so troublesome for Spain in recent years. "The boss knows how happy I am to be here and I am grateful to him," Morata said. "We want to qualify as soon as possible for the Euros so it was important to win today." Malta lie 182nd in FIFA's world rankings, between Liechtenstein and Macau. ..
USA draw 1-1 with Chile, remain unbeaten under Berhalter
Midfielder Christian Pulisic scored early but limped off with a quadriceps injury Tuesday as the United States remained unbeaten under coach Gregg Berhalter with a 1-1 friendly draw against Chile. Pulisic became the youngest American to score 10 international goals when he opened the scoring at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston in the fourth minute. Pulisic sprinted onto a neatly played ball from Gyasi Zardes, racing into the penalty area and beating goalkeeper Gabriel Arias. At 20 years, 189 days old Pulisic broke the US mark to double-digit international goals set by Jozy Altidore, who was 20 years, 337 days old when he scored his 10th US goal in October 2010. The lead lasted just five minutes as Oscar Opazo knotted the score at 1-1 with a left-footed blast in the ninth, completing a sequence that saw US defenders Omar Gonzalez and Matt Miazga beaten. Berhalter had enjoyed a perfect start since taking over as the fulltime coach in December last year, the most recent win a victory over
Quagliarella returns to make Italy history after stalker nightmare
Fabio Quagliarella attributed his new-found serenity after years of a stalker nightmare to his stunning form as the 36-year-old on Tuesday became the oldest player to score for Italy. The player from Castellammare di Stabia near Naples converted two penalties in a crushing 6-0 Euro 2020 qualifying win by the Azzurri over Liechtenstein in Parma. Italy top Group J with six points after also beating Finland 2-0 in Udine on Saturday with goals from youngsters Nicolo Barella, 22, and 19-year-old Moise Kean. Bosnia threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Greece and both are behind Italy on four points followed by Finland on three. Serie A top scorer Quagliarella has earned his recall to Roberto Mancini's new-look Italy thanks to his 21 goals in 28 league games, two more than Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has managed for Juventus. And he marked his return for the Azzurri after nearly nine years by converting a penalty on 35 minutes, adding a second, also from the spot, just before ..
Gabriel Jesus brace hands Brazil 3-1 win in Czech Republic
Substitute Gabriel Jesus scored twice in the closing minutes to help Brazil come from behind to beat the Czech Republic 3-1 in a friendly in Prague on Tuesday. The Manchester City striker first slammed home a cross from David Neres who had sprinted down the left flank following a superb pass from Danilo on 83 minutes. And then in the 90th minute, Jesus scored on a rebound of his own shot after a series of clinical passes inside the Czech box. The Czechs took the lead in the 37th minute when midfielder David Pavelka found himself in possession behind a leaky Brazil defence and slammed the ball in past Alisson. Roberto Firmino equalised four minutes after half-time, picking up a pass aimed at Czech sweeper Marek Suchy inside the box and firing home. "I'm super happy with Gabriel Jesus, I'm glad I gave him a chance in the second half," said Brazil coach Tite, praising the 72nd-minute substitute for his offensive drive. The Selecao dominated the opening minutes, but the Czechs soon ...
Not against rules to dismiss non-striker who leaves crease early: MCC on 'Mankad' controversy
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the arbiter of laws of the game, has stated that it is not against the Spirit of Cricket to run out a non-striker who is seeking to gain an advantage by leaving his/her ground early, in reference to the ongoing 'Mankad' controversy.Ravichandran Ashwin, the Kings XI Punjab skipper, dismissed Rajasthan Royals' Jos Buttler in their match earlier this week by removing the bails at the non-striker's end just as he was set to deliver a ball."The crux of the issue is when the non-striker can safely leave his/her ground, and what the bowler can do to effect this form of dismissal without courting controversy. To clarify, it has never been in the Laws that a warning should be given to the non-striker and nor is it against the Spirit of Cricket to run out a non-striker who is seeking to gain an advantage by leaving his/her ground early," the MCC said in a statement issued on Tuesday."Monday's incident could have been ruled out or not out, depending on how the .
I cannot fault Umar Akmal's attitude: Pak head coach Mickey Arthur
Mickey Arthur, Pakistan's head coach, on Tuesday said he could not fault the way Umar Akmal has returned to the team for the series against Australia, but the batsman needs to better his fitness to be in reckoning for the World Cup."I cannot sit here and fault the way he has come into the team, the way he has prepared, he has been very good. He has done a good job while being in this environment. He knows the standings are to be in this environment to be in contention for a berth going forward. I cannot fault his attitude," International Cricket Council (ICC) quoted Arthur as saying.Akmal has made his return to the team after two years. However the coach feels that the fitness of the batsman still remains an area for improvement, and he needs to pass the fitness test to be eligible for selection in the World Cup."The fitness has got better but he has work to do in fitness. The fitness test is on April 14 and to be eligible to go for the World Cup, you need to pass that fitness test," .
Sri Lanka Cricket releases Malinga for IPL
Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka's fast-bowler will now be available for the Mumbai Indians for the entire period of April as Sri Lanka Cricket granted the paceman permission to skip the domestic Super Provincial Cup ODI tournament, which he was earlier expected to take part in."SLC decided to give permission to Lasith Malinga to play in the ongoing IPL. The management decided to release Malinga from participating in the Super Provincial; since he would get an opportunity to play with much stronger opposition in IPL; which consist of international players," Sri Lanka Cricket posted on Twitter on Tuesday.This decision by the SLC comes on the back of intervention from Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), who wanted to ensure maximum availability of prominent overseas players in the IPL at least in the first half.However, Malinga is keen to participate in the domestic tournament, because as the captain of Sri Lanka's limited-overs team, he wants to have a close look at some of the ...
Wicket turned more than expected in 1st essay: Dhoni
It took Chennai Super Kings 19.4 overs to chase down Delhi Capitals' total of 147/6 in their Indian Premier League encounter at the Feroze Shah Kotla and skipper M.S. Dhoni said the wicket once again turned more than expected in the first innings -- just like at Chepauk in the opening game.
IPL2019: Chennai pull off neck-to-neck against Delhi
Chennai Super Kings defeated Delhi Capitals in the 12th Indian Premier League (IPL) match by six wickets at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi on Tuesday.Chasing a target of 148, Chennai faced an early dent as fast bowler Ishant Sharma struck Ambati Rayudu cheaply for five.Suresh Raina joined Shane Watson in the middle knowing the task at hand was an easy one. The duo smashed regular boundaries and stitched a 52-run partnership. Leg-spinner Amit Mishra registered his 50 wickets at the venue as Watson (44) was stumped off Rishabh Pant.Pant made no mistake as he caught behind Raina, who added a quick 18-ball 30. Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni in the middle joined 48 runs to almost take Chennai over the line.However, as the visitors required two runs to seal their victory, Jadhav (27) was caught behind by Pant. Dwayne Bravo finished off the game with a stylish boundary, while Dhoni remained unbeaten on 32.Earlier, Delhi had a sluggish start after opting to set the target. Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar .