Page 441 - Sports

England thrash Montenegro 5-1 in Euro 2010 qualifier

England bounced back from conceding an early goal to beat Montenegro 5-1 and maintain their excellent recent form.

Of Ashwin, Buttler and the spirit of 'Mankading'

Jos Buttler has now been 'Mankaded' twice in his senior competitive career while Ravichandran Ashwin has hit the 'Bull's Eye' in his second attempt after an aborted one seven years back. The two protagonists in the latest episode of 'Mankading and the ensuing Spirit of Cricket debate', have been there and done that. On February 21, 2012 during a Commonwealth Bank series game against Sri Lanka in Brisbane, Ashwin had 'Mankaded' non-striker Lahiru Thirimanne for backing up too far. However, seniormost player Sachin Tendulkar was seen having a word with stand-in captain Virender Sehwag, who then withdrew the appeal against Thirimanne. Ashwin was a junior player back then but believed that he was well within his rights to dismiss Thirimanne but seniors in the team thought otherwise. That his stand has remained the same was evident on Monday night when he 'Mankaded' Buttler at a critical stage of a high-stakes IPL encounter. As far as Buttler is concerned, he also has not deviated from his

Frances Tiafoe ends David Ferrer's Miami career

Frances Tiafoe defeated David Ferrer 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 on Monday (local time), ending the Spanish's career in Miami Open.As a result of this win, Tiafoe has progressed to the fourth round of the Miami Open for the second consecutive year."I am starting to get my rhythm again. I'm starting to play better. I'm starting to feel a little more confident each match," Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) quoted Tiafoe as saying.Tiafoe and Ferrer traded breaks early and the first set looked heading towards a tie-break. Tiafoe was in his chair, waiting for the 6-5 changeover when Ferrer's challenge was successful, making it deuce. Ferrer then broke and won the first set.Number 28 seed Tiafoe, however, came back strong after the first set and he was able to break Ferrer's 3-0 lead. Two more breaks in the final set ended Spaniard's 17-year tenure in Miami.Ferrer reached the final of Miami Open in which he lost to Andy Murray. Ferrer had previously said that he will be retiring in the month of ..

Kings XI Punjab face KKR in backdrop of Ashwin's Mankad moment

Skipper R Ashwin is in the eye of a storm after 'Mankading' a rival player but a winning start will keep Kings XI Punjab upbeat when they face home favourites Kolkata Knight Riders in an IPL fixture here Wednesday. It was Ashwin's mankading of Jos Buttler that had triggered a dramatic collapse with Kings XI Punjab restricting Rajasthan Royals to 170 for nine to notch up a 14-run win. Buttler was looking in imperious touch with 69 from 43 balls and Rajasthan well on course to overhaul the target of 185 but following the dismissal they went on to lose eight wickets for 62 runs to hand Kings XI Punjab their maiden win in Jaipur. Though the dismissal was within the rules of the game, it sparked a huge furore with spin legend and Rajasthan Royals brand ambassador Shane Warne labelling it as "disgraceful" and against the spirt of the game. With a debate raging over the runout, it remains to be seen how Ashwin and Co. start afresh in what will be their first away match of the season. Kings ..

Would it be okay if Stokes Mankaded Kohli: Warne

Kings XI Punjab skipper R. Ashwin might have called the decision to Mankad Rajasthan Royal's Jos Buttler instinctive, but that has not gone down well with RR brand ambassador and former Royals skipper Shane Warne.

It was instinctive, don't know from where understanding of spirit comes: Ashwin on 'Mankading'

Unapologetic about 'Mankading' Jos Buttler in an IPL match here, senior Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said his decision was "instinctive" and cricket laws should be reconsidered if what he did was against the 'spirit of the game'. Kings Xi Punjab captain Ashwin, in a match against Rajasthan Royals on Monday, 'Mankaded' rival batsman Jos Buttler, triggering a debate on 'spirit of the game'. In a first in 12 editions of the IPL, Ashwin ran out a rampaging Buttler, who was at the non-strikers' end, on his delivery stride in the 13th over, an action popularly known as 'Mankading'. TV replays showed that Ashwin had waited for Buttler to move out of the crease before removing the bails. "Look it was very instinctive. It wasn't planned or anything like that. It's there within the rules of the game. I don't know from where the understanding of the Spirit of the Game comes," Ashwin said at the post-match press conference. The mode of dismissal is permissible as per ICC Rule 41.16 of ..

Khawaja not worried about Warner's World Cup return

Australia's opening batsman Usman Khawaja on Monday said that he has not thought about the effect David Warner's return will have on his own chances of getting selected for the Cricket World Cup 2019."It's [World Cup] a long way away. For me, it's [about] the next three games, [Warner's return] is not something I have thought about at all. I am just enjoying playing one-day cricket," International Cricket Council (ICC) quoted Khawaja as saying.Khawaja was recalled for Australia's home series against India in January after a gap of nearly two years and the left-hander grabbed the opportunity with both hands scoring six-fifty plus scores in his last ten innings, including two hundred's. His terrific form adds to the selector's headache as they try to fit in both Warner and Smith into the World Cup squad.Australia's captain Aaron Finch has been in spectacular form in the first ODI matches of the five-match series, scoring two consecutive centuries. Khawaja said that he and finch ...

Medlife, Zoomcar, ixigo partner with GrabOn for Cricket Fantasy League

As India gears up for the 12th season of the grand cricket bonanza, GrabOn is back with the 5th edition of the fan-favourite event - Cricket Fantasy League #GrabTheCup.For the uninitiated, the basic aim of Fantasy Cricket League is to choose players from various participating teams, the points scored will depend upon the player's performance on the field. Unlike other fantasy leagues available in the market, the users don't have to deposit any amount to participate and win prizes. There are engaging activities like Match Predictor and Card-a-thon where players can earn easy points.This year's event is presented by Medlife and co-sponsored by Zoomcar UrbanTribe, ixigo, and Klook. Other partners who are part of the campaign are AppBrowzer, Ridex, Muze.fun and Coolwinks.com.As part of the campaign, the users will be able to participate and win exciting prizes such as product giveaways, vouchers, gift cards and more. Throughout the duration of Cricket Fantasy League, GrabOn plans to run ..

All eyes on Ashwin as KXIP take on KKR (Preview)

All eyes will be on R. Ashwin in the aftermath of the 'Mankading' controversy when Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) lock horns in an Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

Ashwin's actions speak for him: RR coach Upton lashes out

A livid Rajasthan Royals coach Paddy Upton said Ravichandran Ashwin's 'Mankading' of Jos Buttler in an IPL clash here is a "representation" of the kind of person that the senior India spinner is. In a first in 12 editions of the IPL, Kings XI Punjab captain Ashwin ran out a rampaging Buttler, who was at the non-strikers' end, on his delivery stride in the 13th over, a term popularly known as 'Mankading'. TV replays showed that Ashwin had waited to let Buttler move out of the crease before removing the bails. While Ashwin was well within his rights as per ICC's rule 41.16, according to which even a warning to the batsman is not necessary, the incident has sparked a a fresh dfebate on 'Spirit of Cricket'. "I think R Ashwin's action tonight speak for him and represent him when I looked up to the eyes of his teammates," a livid Upton said at the end of the match. Incidentally, Upton was the mental conditioning coach of the World Cup-winning 2011 side of which Ashwin was also a part. An ...

Ashwin's action was disgraceful and embarrasing: Warne on Buttler's 'Mankading'

Australian spin legend and Rajasthan Royals brand ambassador Shane Warne has come down heavily on Ravichandran Ashwin for 'Mankading' Jos Buttler in an IPL match here, calling his action "disgraceful" and against the spirit of the game. The incident happened Monday night when a desperate Kings XI Punjab skipper Ashwin ran out Rajasthan Royals' Buttler, who was at the non-strikers' end, without giving him any warning while bowling the 13th over of the match. Buttler was going strong at 69 off 43 balls and Rajasthan steady at 108-1 while chasing 185 but the dismissal proved to be a game-changer and Kings XI eventually defeated the Royals by 14 runs. Informally named after the legendary Vinoo Mankad, who first did it in 1947 against Australia, 'Mankading' is when a bowler dismisses a non-striker by removing the bails in the process of delivering the ball with the batsman outside the crease. Though this is a legally permissible dismissal, it is widely considered against the spirit of the .

It was not planned but very instinctive: Ashwin on 'Mankad' run out

Rajasthan Royals wicket-keeper-batsman Jos Buttler turned furious when he was sent back to the pavilion after Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin did a 'Mankad' run out to get him dismissed on Monday night.But the skipper has said that it was "not planned" but a "very instinctive" move on his part."Look, it was very instinctive. On my part, it was very instinctive. It was not planned or anything like that. It is there within the rules of the game. I do not understand where the spirit of the game comes, naturally, if it is there in the rules it is there," Ashwin said when asked about the controversy at the post-match ceremony."I do not understand the point of sporting or sportive in that point because it's rules. What applies to one man does not apply to everyone else," he added.Earlier, Ashwin noticed that Buttler was advancing out of his crease before he was releasing the ball, so he stopped in his action and removed the bails before lodging an appeal. The decision was left ..

KXIP want to win the IPL for the Universe Boss: Gayle

His 47-ball 79 helped Kings XI Punjab register a 14-run win over Rajasthan Royals in their Indian Premier League (IPL) game on Monday, but Universe Boss Chris Gayle is just getting started. Chief coach Mike Hesson wants Gayle to enjoy himself in the middle and the opener seemed to be doing just that at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.

Premier League managers can exploit VAR: analyst

Canny Premier League managers should be seeking to "manipulate" VAR technology to their advantage when it is introduced next season, according to analyst Rory Campbell. VAR (the video assistant referee system) was largely deemed a success at last year's World Cup in Russia and is being used in many domestic leagues including Spain, Italy and Germany. But England-based players have had a slow introduction to VAR, which has been used in the Champions League knockout phase and some FA Cup games this season but will be rolled out in the Premier League in the 2019/20 season. Campbell, who has worked with West Ham in the area of technical analysis, said managers should take the time to find out how the technology will impact the game and how they can stay on top of changes. "If I were a manager I would be putting in huge resources as to how we are actually going to manipulate VAR -- how we can understand how to use it to our benefit," Campbell said at last week's Betting on Football ...

France cruise past Iceland in Euro qualifying

Kylian Mbappe scored one and set up two more as France routed Iceland 4-0 at the Stade de France on Monday night to move to the top of Group H in Euro 2020 qualifying. The result gives France six points from their first two matches and puts them ahead Turkey, who also won 4-0 on Monday, on goal difference. "It was our objective to take six points but the manner was good as well," France manager Didier Deschamps told the post-match press conference. Deschamps praised his team's "offensive efficiency" against a "dense" Icelandic defence. "When the opponent plays very defensively it can be very difficult to find a way through so that was a good sign," said Deschamps, although he acknowledged that Icelandic fatigue near the end played a role. He added that he was pleased that all three strikers - Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Oivier Giroud - scored. "They are the champions of the world and you saw that today," acknowledged Iceland manager Erik Hamren. "Five shots on goal and they scored ..

Sterling calls for stadium bans as racist abuse overshadows 5-star England

Raheem Sterling believes UEFA should punish alleged racist chanting aimed at England players in Monday's 5-1 win over Montenegro in Podgorica with a stadium closure. Manchester City's Sterling celebrated the visitors' fifth goal by cupping his ears towards the home fans on a night when another impressive performance to start Euro 2020 qualifying by the Three Lions was overshadowed. "I just want to show them you need more than that to upset us and stop us," Sterling told Sky Sports. "It's 2019 now, I keep saying it. It's a shame to see this going on and we can only bring awareness to the situation. "It's now time for the people in charge to put a real stamp on it because you can fine someone, but what is that going to do? "You've got to make it a bit harder, punish fans that can't come to games. Do something that's going to make them think twice. If their team can't play with fans, it's going to be difficult." Sterling also tweeted a photo of his celebration with the message: "Best way

Federer wary of Medvedev after Miami victory

Roger Federer admits he faces a real battle to land the 101st title of his career with the in-form Daniil Medvedev next up after Serbian Filip Krajinovic was dispatched 7-5 6-3 on Monday at the ATP and WTA Miami Open. The Swiss superstar produced an excellent all-round performance despite being tested by the world number 103 who belied his lowly ranking by producing some excellent tennis during an exciting first set. Federer, however, stylishly weathered the storm to seal the win - the 52nd of his career in Miami - and set up an intriguing last eight match with the highly-rated Medvedev. The Russian, who is at a career high ranking of 15, saw off American Reilly Opelka 7-6 (7/5) 6-7 (5/7) 7-6 (7/0), and has won four ATP hard-court titles, including three since last August. Federer beat him twice last year but is already a fan. "He's clever how he plays the court because he can play it up and down, and he's unusual when he plays from back," said the Swiss, who hit 14 aces and won an ...

Ronaldo injured as Portugal held by Serbia

Captain Cristiano Ronaldo left the field with a thigh injury as Portugal drew 1-1 against Serbia in an Euro 2020 qualifier on Monday. Ronaldo was replaced after 30 minutes in Lisbon as Fernando Santos' reigning European champions drew for a second time in their opening two games of the campaign after they were held by Ukraine on Friday. There was no word whether the five-time Ballon d'Or winner would be fit for to play for his club Juventus in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Ajax on April 10. William Carvalho wasted the best of the early chances at Benfica's two-thirds empty Estadio da Luz. Serbia failed to clear the ball in the box before it fell to the unmarked Real Betis midfielder who's side-footed shot glanced past the post after five minutes. Ajax playmaker Tadic opened the scoring from the penalty spot two minutes later. Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio collided with an advancing Mijat Gacinovic in the box and Tadic tucked the spot kick away with ease to

Decision to Mankad Buttler was instinctive: Ashwin

It looked like a match that was being played out in the true spirit of the game till Kings XI Punjab skipper R. Ashwin decided to Mankad Rajasthan Royals batsman Jos Buttler at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium during their Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Monday.

Ashwin's 'mankading' act sends Twitterverse into a tizzy

Rajasthan Royals wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler's 'mankad' dismissal has left Twitterverse stunned, with many expressing disappointment over Kings XI Punjab's skipper Ravichandran Ashwin's "disgraceful act."During Monday's match, Ashwin noticed that Buttler was advancing out of his crease before he was releasing the ball, so he decided to stop in his action and removed the bails before lodging the appeal. The decision was sent to the third umpire, who decided to rule Buttler out.This decision by Ashwin to dismiss Buttler this way sparked outrage on social media and saw many current and former players express their angst."So disappointed in @ashwinravi99 as a Captain & as a person. All captains sign the #IPL wall & agree to play in the spirit of the game. RA had no intention of delivering the ball - so it should have been called a dead ball. Over to u BCCI - this a not a good look for the #IPL," Shane Warne wrote on Twitter."As Captain of your side - you set the standard