Page 518 - Sports
Management clear on me batting at number six, says Kedhar Jadhav
Kedar Jadhav, the Indian middle-order-batsman has credited the team management for his consistent performance."It is good to be consistently playing for India and doing well, everybody is encouraging towards me, irrespective of how many times I have got injured. Every time I have got fit, I have walked into the team," International Cricket Council(ICC) quoted Jadhav as saying."Credit goes to the captain and management for backing me in my difficult times and this is my time [to] pay back the confidence and faith they have shown in my difficult times."Jadhav was able to pick up the player-of-the-match award in Hyderabad on Saturday as he played a crucial knock of 81 not out stitching together a 141 run-unbroken stand with MS Dhoni enabling the Indian team to register a six-wicket win over the Aussies in the first ODI.There have been huge speculations regarding the Indian middle-order but Jadhav and Dhoni did enough to dispel those concerns in the first ODI of the five-match ...
China's Wang defeats Kenin to capture WTA Acapulco title
China's Wang Yafan rallied to capture her first WTA title on Saturday, defeating American Sofia Kenin 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 Saturday to win the Mexico Open women's crown. World number 65 Wang, playing in her first WTA singles final, outlasted the 35th-ranked American to claim her breakthrough title after two hours and 10 minutes. The 24-year-old from Nanjing seized a 2-1 lead in the final set by taking advantage of her third break-point chance in the game. Wang held on her first ace of the match for a 3-1 lead, but surrendered a break on her fourth double fault to allow Kenin to equalize at 3-3. After Wang held at love to 5-5, she reeled off the last four points of the 11th game to break Kenin and then held serve for the triumph. The 20-year-old American was denied her second career WTA title and second crown of the year after taking her first at Hobart in January. In the later ATP final, Australian Nick Kyrgios faced world number three Alexander Zverev of Germany. Giant-killer Kyrgios has ...
Barcelona beat Real Madrid to edge closer to La Liga title
Barcelona won their second Clasico in four days on Saturday and Real Madrid might have to win the Champions League if Santiago Solari is to be in charge for the next one. After knocking them out of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, Barca returned to the Santiago Bernabeu for a 1-0 victory that surely eliminates their greatest rivals from the title race too. Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos locked heads after Ramos flung an arm into Messi's face but, despite the scoreline and a few half-chances, that was about the most trouble Madrid caused. Messi would have been proud of Ivan Rakitic's delightful chip, a rare moment of precision that in the end settled another Clasico high on vigour but lacking in either real quality or rhythm. "What we wanted was to deliver our best and to inflict damage on our rival," Barca coach Ernesto Valverde said. "We have done that." The onus was on Madrid, not only to make amends for their defeat in midweek but to reduce the nine-point gap between them and La ...
Really impressed with Finch's captaincy: Coulter-Nile
Australia fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile is very impressed with Aaron Finch's captaincy and says the lack of runs has not affected his leadership. Finch has not been in good form even during the Australian summer and it has been continuing against India so far. "I've been really impressed with Finch. He actually hasn't been grumpy or angry or let anything overflow into the captaincy or around the boys. He's not been scoring the runs he wants to but he's been an absolute legend around the boys, Coulter-Nile said of Finch. Finch was put on the hot seat after Steve Smith and David Warner were suspended on charges of ball tampering in South Africa. Speaking about the first ODI, that Australia lost by six wickets, Coulter-Nile feels that they scored 20-30 runs short. "It was a close game. May be, we were 20-30 runs short. Again, a couple of half-chances we didn't take. I thought we bowled pretty well. It was a tough wicket. It would've been nice having a set batsman going into the last 10
Cricket lovely cricket (Column: Close-in)
The T20 format has brought a radical change in the way cricket is perceived and played at present. The art of stroke-play while batting has brought in innovative shots, showcasing how the game is progressing in all aspects. Corporates have followed two cardinal principles in creating a successful business. One being, "the customer is the king" and the other, "is that a customer is always right". Cricketers today have imbibed these mantras wonderfully well. They have realized the importance of playing to the gallery and the effect it would have in establishing them as a saleable and commercially viable brand. The corporate jargon of a "start-up" is very similar to a cricketer making his mark in the International world of cricket.
Boult's five-wicket haul helps New Zealand secure innings win against Bangladesh
Bangladesh put up a fight in the second innings of the first Test match but Trent Boult's five-wicket haul helped New Zealand secure a win by an innings and 52 runs in Hamilton on Sunday.Bangladesh was reduced to 126 for four on the third day, but Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah Riyad stitched together a partnership of 235 runs to delay the victory for the Kiwis.Mahmudullah struck his career-best score of 146 runs while Soumya Sarkar struck his first century in the Test format as he played a knock of 149 runs.The Kiwis had to toil hard on the fourth day as they had to wait for 42 overs before making a break-through. But once they did, the procession resumed as Boult recorded his eighth Test five-wicket-haul.It was in this match that the Kiwis posted their highest ever Test total of 715 for the loss of six wickets. Kane Williamson struck his second Test double century in this match."As a batting unit on that surface we wanted to bat long, was fortunate to help be a part of a number of ...
Lost decade: 10 years on, Pakistan still reeling from notorious cricket attack
Whenever umpire Ahsan Raza looks at his scars from the deadly militant attack on Sri Lanka's cricket team in Lahore, 10 years ago on Sunday, he shudders. Raza, 44, was lucky to survive the gun, grenade and rocket assault which changed not only his life, but also the landscape of cricket in Pakistan. Raza, then a reserve umpire for the second Test, was on his way to the Gaddafi Stadium with other match officials when the team bus just a few yards ahead of them came under fire, killing eight police and bystanders and wounding six others. Two bullets pierced his lungs and liver, and after emerging from a coma, it was nearly six months before Raza could walk again. "My wounds have healed but whenever I look at them I remember the gruesome incident," Raza told AFP. "Whenever someone mentions that incident I request him not to remind me of that tragedy." The attack proved a heavy blow to cricket-loving Pakistan: international games were suspended in the country, and a decade later most ...
New Zealand crush Bangladesh by innings after Boult bags five
Defiant centuries from Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah were in vain as Trent Boult's five-wicket haul gave New Zealand a crushing victory over Bangladesh in the first Test by an innings and 52 runs in Hamilton on Sunday. After the stubborn double-century partnership took Bangladesh 361 for four in their second innings, Boult opened the final chapter of the Test when he bowled Soumya for 149. It ended a 235-run stand with Mahmudullah for the fifth wicket and the Test was all over 68 runs later, just after tea on day four. Soumya made 149, his maiden century, in a heroic partnership with Mahmudullah who was the second to last batsman removed for 146, his fifth and highest century. The pair put on 235 for the fifth wicket only to be trumped by Boult's lethal spell after the second new ball was taken. The match had belonged to New Zealand long before they declared their first innings at a colossal 715 for six -- a first innings lead of 481 -- but Soumya and Mahmudullah were determined to ...
Gender equal football match in Kerala ahead of International Women's Day
In its bid towards spreading the message of 'gender equality' ahead of the International Women's Day on March 8, the Women and Child Welfare Department of Kerala has organised a football match on Saturday in which both school-going girls and boys participated in almost equal measures.Players include male and female students from different colleges of the state. It was organised at Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium here."It was a great initiative and girls are no less than boys by any means. We enjoyed playing with our male counterparts," said Subah S, a girl student."We have played various matches but playing with girls is my first experience. They played very well and football is not only a game of men," said Vineeth PB, student, Arts College, Trivandrum."The boys were very supportive and motivated us on the ground throughout the game," said Monisree Nair, a girl student."It is a part of Women's Day celebration that we have arranged gender-equal matches spreading the message of gender ...
Gayle and Thomas lead Windies to series-levelling thrashing of England
Oshane Thomas and Chris Gayle starred as the West Indies thrashed England by seven wickets in the fifth and final one-day international in St Lucia on Saturday to square the series 2-2. Thomas claimed five for 21 with the top-ranked tourists being demolished for 113 off 28.1 overs -- their lowest-ever total in an ODI against the Caribbean side -- just three days after scoring 418 in the fourth match in Grenada. Gayle signed off on his ODI career in the region with a blistering 77 off just 27 balls to catapult his side to victory with almost 38 overs to spare in reaching 115 for three off 12.1 overs. The 39-year-old was the obvious choice for the man-of-the-series award given his utter dominance with the bat in every innings of the four matches, scoring 424 runs at an average of 106, with 39 sixes. "At one stage, I thought this is going to be my last (ODI) innings in the Caribbean for the West Indies, so I thought I'd go out on a high," said Gayle. "We'll get a bit of respect going ...
ICC assures Members of robust security measures at Men's cricket World Cup 2019
The International Cricket Council (ICC) assured Members that it has a robust security plan in place for the Men's Cricket World Cup.The Board moved to reassure members around security ahead of ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019 in light of recent communication from the BCCI and confirmed that as is normal practice this will continue to be monitored through to the end of the event."ICC, in partnership with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has a robust security plan in place for the Men's Cricket World Cup. Should those authorities raise the threat level of the event based on intelligence, we will, of course, uplift our security commitment as appropriate," said ICC CEO David Richardson."We will continue to work with the ECB and our Members throughout the build-up to and during the tournament to keep everyone abreast of the situation," he said.The ICC concluded the 6 days of meeting in Dubai on Saturday.UAE and Scotland were selected as hosts of respective ICC Men's and Women's ...
CEO assures BCCI of proper security for WC, Kumble retained as Cricket Committee head
India's security concerns in the upcoming World Cup were taken note of and Anil Kumble was re-appointed as chairman of the Cricket Committee at the end of the International Cricket Council's latest round of quarterly meetings here on Saturday. The BCCI had expressed its concern about the safety and security of its players in the wake of the terrorist attack in Pulwama where more than 40 CRPF personnel were killed. The matter was placed at the ICC Chief Executives Meeting where CEO Rahul Johri was assured by his ECB counterpart Tom Harrison of all the measures being taken. On the concluding day of the board meeting, CEO David Richardson said: "As you would expect for a global sporting event, the ICC, in partnership with the ECB has a robust security plan in place for the Men's Cricket World Cup. "We work closely with the authorities in our host countries to ensure that the safety of players, officials and fans is a priority." Richardson said that security measures will be upgraded if ..
John Higgins enters semis in Indian Open snooker
Defending champion John Higgins of Scotland defeated Li Hang 4-3 to enter the semifinals of the 5th Indian snooker championship here saturday. Earlier he made it to the last eight, cruising past England's James Cahill 4-1 Saturday to reach the quarterfinals. Former World Champion Stuart Bingham of England went down by three frames to four to Lu Ning. Ning will take on Higgins in the last eight. Lyu Haotian (China) defeated Andy Hicks (England) by 4-1 and Li Hang (China) beat Englishman Sam Craige 4-2. In a hard fought match, Mark Davis (England) prevailed over Scotland's Graeme Dott 4-3 and Mathew Selt of England outlasted compatriot Oliver Lines 4-3. English cueist Anthony Hamilton continued his good form and won 4-2 against countryman Chris Wakelin. Belgian Luca Brecel, one of the pre-tournament favourites, bowed out, losing to 3-4 to Scottish player Scott Donaldson. In matches played on Friday, Luca Brecel made a break on 101 on the way to a 4-1 defeat of Andrew ...
Federer wins 'special' 100th title by beating Tsitsipas
Roger Federer wrote another "special" page of history as he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday at the Dubai Championships to win the 100th title of his career. The 20-time Grand Slam winner claimed a record eighth trophy at the Aviation Club. The Swiss second seed was untouchable throughout much of the 69-minute final as he gained revenge for his fourth-round Australian Open defeat by the 11th-ranked Greek youngster. "It's so special to win my eighth here combined with 100," Federer said. "I had tough opponents all the way through -- right up to Stefanos today. "He's already having a great career, the game is in good hands." Federer joins Jimmy Connors (109) as the only other man to have won 100 titles. His 99th trophy came last October at his home event in Basel. He missed out on his century at the Paris Masters, the ATP Finals and the Australian Open. Federer had to work hard this week, winning in three sets over Philipp Kohlschreiber and Fernando Verdasco. Tsitsipas ..
Mahrez fires City into top spot, Lloris saves Spurs in derby draw
Riyad Mahrez fired Manchester City back to the top of the Premier League as the champions won 1-0 against Bournemouth, while Hugo Lloris saved Tottenham in their draw with north London rivals Arsenal on Saturday. Pep Guardiola's side sit two points above Liverpool thanks to Mahrez's second-half winner at Dean Court. The only frustration for City in a hard-fought victory were injuries to Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones, which could significantly impact their bid to win an unprecedented quadruple. De Bruyne hobbled off after the Belgian midfielder suffered a non-contact injury in the first half. He has already been absent for long spells this season because of two different knee injuries. City, who are already without injured duo Fernandinho and Aymeric Laporte, also lost England defender Stones with an unspecified problem just after the interval. But, showing the depth of City's squad, it was Mahrez, who had come on for De Bruyne, who finally gave the champions the lead in the 55th ...
1st ODI: Jadhav, Dhoni star in India's six-wicket win over Australia (Roundup)
Kedar Jadhav sent a strong message to selectors before the World Cup with a street-smart 81 to guide India to a six-wicket win over Australia in the first ODI, here on Saturday.
Captain backed me in my tough phase, it's payback time now: Kedar
Virat Kohli has backed him to the hilt whenever he has had injury issues and Kedar Jadhav feels that it's "payback time" for all the faith that the Indian skipper and the team management showed in him. Jadhav has had multiple breakdown due to a dodgy hamstring which also included a near six month lay-off due to a surgery. "Obviously, the kind of confidence they have given has helped me deliver consistently. Credit goes to the captain and management for backing me in my difficult times and this is my time that I pay back to the confidence and faith they have shown in my difficult times," Jadhav said after his 81 not out powered India to a six-wicket victory against Australia in the first ODI. "Everybody has been encouraging towards me irrespective of how many times I have got injured you know. Every time I have got fit, I have walked into the team. That is the kind of confidence that the team management has in me," he spoke with a lot of gratitude. The pint-sized Maharashtra ...
Hyderabad ODI: Dhoni, Jadhav lead India to 6-wicket victory over Australia
Finishing in style with a four over mid-off, former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni led India to a 6-wicket victory in the first match of the ongoing 5-match ODI series against Australia on Saturday.India defeated Australia by 6 wickets with 10 balls remaining in the match, thanks to Kedar Jadhav's unbeaten 81 off 87 deliveries and Dhoni's unbeaten 59 off 72 balls. India now lead the series 1-0. Jadhav remained the player of the match after he played a double role at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium by first finishing at 7-0-31-1 with the ball and striking a crucial 81 with the bat.The 141-run partnership between Jadhav and Dhoni steered the home side to victory after the collapse of the initial batting lineup in quick succession. TIndian bowlers remained committed to their duties and restricted Australia to 236 runs in the first phase of the match.Australia lost successive wickets twice in the game. First, Usman Khawaja and Marcus Stoinis posted 87 to steady the innings after ...
Keeper Lloris secures Tottenham's 1-1 draw against Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris blocked a last-gasp penalty kick to maintain a 1-1 home draw in the north London derby against Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, collecting Spurs first point in three consecutive matches in the top English football league.
Vinesh moves into final after Dhanda's gold, Sakshi's silver
India's Vinesh Phogat displayed great form to make the 53kg finals with a win over world silver medallist Sarah Hildebrandt of USA at the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov wrestling in Ruse, Bulgaria Saturday. Playing in her first tournament after moving to the 53kg category, Vinesh defeated the American 4-2. Coming back strongly after Hildebrandt took an early lead, Vinesh completed a double leg to secure a takedown and tied things up at 2-2. Hildebrandt got hipped over by Vinesh who was in a defensive position and Vinesh scored the first period pin over Hildebrandt. On Friday night, Pooja Dhanda claimed gold in the 59kg category while Rio Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik settled for a silver medal in the 65kg category. In the men's freestyle, Sandeep Tomar lost his final bout in the 61kg category to finish with silver on Friday night. Vinesh had moved into the semifinals of the women's 53kg with a 9-4 win over American Amy Fearnside on Saturday, setting up a last-four clash with ...