Page 462 - Sports
Proteas secure super over win over Sri Lanka
South Africa maintained their dominance over Sri Lanka but it took a super over to win the first T20I of the three-match series at Newlands.Chasing a target of 135 on Tuesday, David Miller guided the Proteas with a 23-ball 41. Having required 18 runs off the final four overs, South Africa lost five wickets for 17 runs to finish the match in a tie with fast bowler Lasith Malinga returning 2/11 in his four-over quota.Miller along with Rassie van der Dussen collected 14 off Malinga in the Super Over. In reply, Thisara Perera and Avishka Fernando could only manage to get five runs off leg-spinner Imran Tahir.Earlier, a 29-ball 41 from Kamindu Mendis helped Sri Lanka to post a respectable total as no other batsman could reach the 20-run mark.Fast bowler Dale Steyn dismissed Niroshan Dickwella from the second ball of the first over, which helped South Africa take control.South Africa, too, faced lusty blows before a 66-run partnership between van der Dussen and Miller that eased the side's .
South Africa beat Sri Lanka in Super Over after thrilling tie
David Miller shone with gloves and bat as South Africa beat Sri Lanka on a Super Over in a dramatic first Twenty20 international at Newlands. In the unaccustomed role of wicketkeeper, Miller held a catch and made a stumping as Sri Lanka were restricted to 134 for seven after being sent in. Miller then hit 41 off 23 balls but South Africa's lower order collapsed as the home side lost eight wickets and could only match Sri Lanka's total. Miller followed up with 13 runs as South Africa scored 14 off the Super Over, bowled by Sri Lankan captain Lasith Malinga. Sri Lanka could only manage five runs off Imran Tahir's over in reply. "We didn't handle it well with the bat in the last five or six overs but getting another opportunity in the Super Over I thought we handled it beautifully," said South African captain Faf du Plessis. Miller was handed the wicketkeeping gloves in preparation for his likely role as Quinton de Kock's back-up in the World Cup. He caught Niroshan Dickwella off Dale ...
Federer has mixed feelings about Miami Open venue
Swiss tennis player Roger Federer, who has played four Miami Open finals and won three, all on the old Crandon Park courts in Key Biscayne, said that he has "mixed feelings" with this year's move to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Ronaldo returns to Portugal squad since June
Juventus star and Portuguese national football hero Cristiano Ronaldo returned home to wear the western Iberian nation's team jersey for the first time since the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
'Roar of the Lion' is triumph of human spirit:Kabir
Filmmaker Kabir Khan, who is looking forward to the release of his documentary "Roar of the Lion" from Wednesday on Hotstar, has described it as a classic tale of triumph of the human spirit.
Mohammedan Sporting may take part in Super Cup
City football heavyweight Mohammedan Sporting SC in a letter to the Indian Football Association (IFA) on Tuesday expressed its interest to take part in the Super Cup, after several I-League clubs refused to play due to ill-treatment.
I will open in all IPL matches: says Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma, the captain of Mumbai Indians will open in all matches of this year's edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The batsman has said that he has decided to do so as he opens for India and the World Cup follows immediately after the IPL."But this year, I will open the batting for all the games, that is for sure. That (World Cup) is one of the factors but also keeping in mind that this is where I bat, that is my position when I play for India and that is where I have got a lot of success of late."The team does understand that, and as a team also the composition of the players we have right now, we have got some experience in the middle order so that allows me to go and bat at the top of the order. This season I will try and do that - open in every game possible," Sharma told reporters."I have in the past batted in the middle order and I've opened also in a few games so wherever the team requires me to bat I have to bat to get the right balance," he added.Sharma batted at
FIFA 'concern' over Bangladesh arrest
Football world's governing body FIFA is "following with concern" the detention of one of its officials for allegedly defaming the Bangladeshi prime minister, a FIFA spokesman said Tuesday. Mahfuza Akhter, a FIFA council member since 2017 and the national chief of women's soccer, was arrested on Saturday after a local football organiser accused her of making derogatory comments about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. A court in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka has granted her bail and she is expected to be released in a day or two, her lawyer said. Mahfuza in a press conference last month criticised Hasina for neglecting football in the cricket-mad country. In an email to AFP, a FIFA spokesman said they "have requested further details about the situation of Ms Mahfuza Akhter and are currently awaiting information from the Bangladesh Football Federation. "FIFA is monitoring this matter with concern and working closely with the AFC (Asian Football Confederation)". FIFA's statement came a day ...
Mehta stuns Advani to win CCI snooker crown
Indian Oil cueist Aditya Mehta produced a tremendous performance to stun arch-rival Pankaj Advani 7-3 in the final of the Rs 12.9 lakh CCI All India Open Snooker Championship here Tuesday. It was a great comeback for the lanky Mumbai-based Mehta, who has been struggling due to some health issues and has been playing with an unorthodox stance and cueing action. He did well to cruise to a 62-60, 0-91, 38-63, 37-70, 74-39, 79-7, 62-59, 84-13, 72-13, 65-19 victory. Mehta received the 'Champions' trophy and a handsome cheque of Rs 2 lakh, while Advani got the runners-up prize of Rs 1.30 lakh. Advani also pocketed Rs 25,000 for the highest break of 131 he had craftily constructed in the round of 64 match. The top-ranked Indian Advani showed promise at the start and on his second visit made a 53-run to gain the advantage, but a couple of visits later he fouled on the pink and Mehta did not waste time as he neatly rolled in a 56 break to take the opening honours. Bengaluru-based .
Kohli, Rohit & Bumrah in BCCI A+ list
Skipper Virat Kohli, batsman Rohit Sharma and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah have been included in the top category of the list central contracts of the Board of Control for India's (BCCI).
Spain midfielder Ruiz ruled out with flu for Euro qualifiers
Spain midfielder Fabian Ruiz has been hospitalised with flu and will miss the team's Euro 2020 match against Norway on Saturday. The Napoli player was suffering from a fever and left team-training Monday for treatment for flu symptoms, the Spain squad said in a statement. "If his condition improves he could leave the hospital sometime Tuesday and return to Napoli" for further treatment and convalescence at home, the statement added. Spain coach Luis Enrique has called Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid into the squad to replace Ruiz ahead of the Norway game in Valencia and the Malta match on March 26 in Ta' Qali.
Ronaldo joins Portugal camp for Euro 2020 qualifiers
Cristiano Ronaldo rejoined his Portugal team-mates on Tuesday ahead of the start of Euro 2020 qualifying this week following a nine-month absence from the national team. The 34-year-old Juventus forward was recalled by Portugal coach Fernando Santos for games at home to Ukraine and Serbia, having not played for his country since the 2018 World Cup. Ronaldo was rested for the last six Portugal games while he settled at his new club following his departure from Real Madrid last July. The reigning European champions, who are through to the UEFA Nations League final in June, kick off their Group B campaign in Lisbon on Friday against Ukraine before facing Serbia on March 25. "Cristiano adds quality to any team. It's a pleasure to play with him and he's very important for us," Portugal defender Joao Cancelo, Ronaldo's team-mate at Juventus, told reporters on Tuesday.
I have never had complaints about my batting slot: Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane has had issues about not getting enough chances in the limited overs format and doesn't want to put too much pressure thinking about the No 4 slot which is up for grabs in the Indian team. It is highly unlikely that he will be India's number four at the World Cup but India's Test vice-captain is keen to add on to his 90 ODIs. "I have never had complaints about my batting order and have performed anywhere I have batted. I don't want to put any pressure on myself by thinking about the No 4 spot in the Indian team. I understand that batting order depends on lot of things. For India, I am ready to bat at any position," Rahane said during a media conference organised by Rajasthan Royals. The Rajasthan Royals skipper is happy that Steve Smith is back in the Royals' fold and he can pick his brains on tactical matters. "It's good to have him (Smith) back as a Rajasthan Royals player. He is a quality player and it's always good to have him in your team. Also to pick his mind ...
Collective effort behind CSK's triumph in 2018 IPL
: Chennai Super Kings batsman Sam Billings Tuesday said collective effort was behind the team's triumph in the 2018 edition of IPL as different players stepped up at various occasions. "What stood out for me was that ours was a collective effort,"the England cricketer, who made his debut for CSK last season, was quoted as saying on chennaisuperkings.com. "Of course, there were a couple of standout performances like (Ambati) Rayudu's consistency and (Shane) Watson's brilliance. Although, actually, if you look at the different games that we won, it was different players at different times stepping up," Billings said. He said it was phenomenal team effort last year and hoped for more of the same this year. "It was phenomenal how much of a team effort it was. Hopefully, more of the same this year," he added. Billings is training with the rest of the squad at the M A Chidambaram stadium here ahead of the IPL-12 opener between CSK and Royal Challengers Bangalore on March ...
Credit to Narine for maintaining standard even after action change: KKR spin coach
Kolkata Knight Riders's spin bowling coach Carl Crowe on Tuesday lauded Sunil Narine for maintaining top standard despite having gone through action modification in recent years. Narine's action was found to be suspect a multiple times and had to undertake corrective measures under Crowe, who is now a part of Knights' set-up. In order to stay relevant as a T20 freelancer, Narine started opening the batting in Big Bash and subsequently for KKR in IPL with quite a bit of success. "Sunil couldn't play in the PSL (Pakistan Super League) due to a finger injury. But he looks in good shape and ready to go. I think his performance level has always been of high quality. Moreover, now he contributes with the bat too," Crowe, a former Leicestershire off-spinner, who had played a T20 for England said. Narine has been one of the chief architects behind the KKR's success in the Indian Premier League in 2012 and 2014 editions. The 43-year-old Crowe, who helped the West Indian modify his bowling ...
Sunil Narine has worked on 'hiding' the ball: Crowe
Sunil Narine, Kolkata Knight Riders' key spinner, has worked on "hiding" the ball from batsmen to keep the mystery despite the scrutiny of his action, spin bowling coach Carl Crowe said, here on Tuesday.
Para-shuttlers, swimmers shortlisted for TOP scheme
The Sports Authority of Indias (SAI) Mission Olympic Cell has selected five para-badminton players for inclusion in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Pant must finish more games for Delhi this IPL: DC CEO
It might be the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), but Delhi Capitals are starting afresh and CEO Dhiraj Malhotra says the most important aspect for the team is to build a fan base and a sense of loyalty among the cricket lovers in the Capital.
Kohli not shrewd franchise skipper, can't be compared to Dhoni, Rohit: Gambhir
Virat Kohli is not a "shrewd captain" who could be compared to his national team deputy Rohit Sharma or former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who have won three IPL titles each, feels former KKR captain Gautam Gambhir. The former India opener, who led Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL trophies in 2012 and 2014, feels that in result oriented franchise environment, Kohli has been "lucky" to have survived despite Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) never winning the coveted title in his eight years as skipper. "I don't see him as a shrewd captain. I don't see him as a tactful captain (tactician). And he hasn't won the IPL. So ultimately, a captain is only as good as his record," Gambhir told on host broadcasters' 'Star Sports' show 'GamePlan'. Gambhir's comments is specific to Kohli's success as a leader in IPL since he is the first captain who has led India to a Test series win on Australian soil. "There are people who have won the trophy three times. MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. So I think ..
KKR playing all games at home a 'miracle': CEO
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) CEO Venky Mysore on Tuesday hailed the Indian Premier League's (IPL) full schedule, terming the fact that all eight teams will be playing their seven home matches at their respective venues despite 2019 being an election year, a "miracle".