Page 524 - Sports
Warner, Smith unlikely to play last 2 ODIs against Pakistan: Finch
The injured and banned duo of Steven Smith and David Warner are unlikely to take part in Australia's final two ODIs against Pakistan despite serving out their one-year ball-tampering suspensions during the series to be held in the UAE. After the conclusion of the ODI series against India, the defending World Champions will take on Pakistan in the five-match series with the fourth and fifth ODIs slated on March 29 and 31 respectively. Smith and Warner, both recuperating from elbow surgeries, will find their suspension end on March 29 but there are still serious doubts whether they will play the mega event or not. Smith has just started knocking and will take some more time to get fit. "I don't think David Warner or Steve Smith will play that game (March 29). I am not a hundred percent sure on that but I don't think they will play that last one or two games," Finch said on the eve of the first ODI. He also curtly put it when a reporter asked if he sees himself as a stand-in captain now .
India Open set to return for its ninth edition
After eight successful years, India Open is set to return for its ninth edition with some of the best names in the business, beginning on March 26.The marque tournament that was previously held at the Siri Fort Sports Complex for the last seven years will have a new address. The Indira Gandhi International Stadium (IGI), which in the past has hosted landmark sports events like the 1982 Asian Games and the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships will be the new home for the shuttlers in this edition.All the matches will be played at the K.D Jadhav Indoor Hall located within the IGI stadium."This tournament has been a great platform for the Indian players to contest against the best shuttlers from around the world. Historically India has registered good results and I'm confident our players will repeat the feat this year too; especially playing at a new and historic venue like IGI, it will be a great opportunity for the fans to experience the live action. I urge people to come in huge ..
Ready to bat at four if team requires, says Kohli
India skipper Virat Kohli on Friday said based on the requirement of the team, he will be "more than happy to bat at number four" in the World Cup, beginning May 30."I've batted a lot of times at number four. I don't necessarily try it out as I've done that a lot in the past. My game doesn't change much from number three to four because template is quite similar. In any given situation I try to play the game I know," Kohli said on the eve of ODI series against Australia.When asked whether the Indian Premier League (IPL) will influence the World Cup selection, Kohli said he doesn't see anything changing with how the IPL goes for any player."I don't see IPL influencing the World Cup selection. That would be very radical analysis. We need to have a solid team before we head into IPL. We need to be clear as to what we want during the World Cup. If one or two players don't have a good IPL season, it doesn't mean picture for World Cup will change," he pointed out.Talking about the bowling ..
Kapur, Chika placed T-27 after round 2 at NZ Open
Indian trio of Shiv Kapur, S Chikkarangappa and Ajeetesh Sandhu made the cut at the 100th New Zealand Open golf tournament here on Friday. Kapur shot two-under 69 at the Par-71 Millbrook Resort course after a two-under 70 at the Hills Course on Thursday, while Chikka shot three-under 69 at Par-72 Hills Course after one-under 70 at Millbrook Resort course. Both had totals of 139. Sandhu, who was three-under 69 at Hills on Thursday, shot even par 71 at Milbrook in second round for a total of 140 to lie Tied-44th. The cut fell at three-under and 62 players made it. Three Indians, Rahil Gangjee (142), Khalin Joshi (142) and Viraj Madappa (147) missed the cut. Asian Tour Qualifying school graduate Zach Murray continued his solid form by signing for a seven-under-par 65 at The Hills to seize the outright lead by five shots at the halfway stage. The 21-year-old Australian, who held a share of the overnight lead, stormed off the blocks quickly with an eagle-birdie start before adding five ...
Chennaiyin FC name squad for AFC Cup qualifying playoff
Two-time Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC have named a fit-again Dhanpal Ganesh in the 25-man squad for their 2019 AFC Cup qualifying playoff round against Sri Lanka's Colombo on March 6. Ganesh had missed CFC's entire ISL title defence due to a knee injury. This is Chennaiyin's debut AFC Cup campaign following their 2017-18 ISL title success and they are placed in the South Asian Zone of the competition. This qualifying tie against Colombo FC is for a place in the group stage of the 2019 AFC Cup. Colombo defeated Bhutan's Transport United 9-2 on aggregate in the preliminary round and will be hosting Chennaiyin in the first leg at the Colombo Race Course Ground in Colombo on Wednesday. Chennaiyin's home leg will be played in Ahmedabad on Wednesday March 13 2019. Australian Chris Herd, who joined CFC in the January transfer window, will be the club's Asian player in the qualifier with the Brazilian trio of Mailson Alves, Eli Sabia and Raphael Augusto being the other three ...
Focus on World Cup as one-day series starts
The Cricket World Cup looms large for both South Africa and Sri Lanka when they meet in a five-match one-day international series starting at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday. While South Africa will be keen to get back to winning form after shock losses to the Lankans in two home Tests, both teams appear to be undecided on their best 15 players for the World Cup in England and Wales, starting in May. South Africa have picked a 14-man squad packed with bowlers for the first three internationals, indicating the matches could help decide their best bowling combinations for the World Cup, while Sri Lanka have a squad of 17 players, two more than they can take to the global event. Both teams have moderate recent records. South Africa have won 12 and lost 10 matches since the start of 2018, while Sri Lanka have six wins, 13 losses and a no-result in the same period. Sri Lanka lost all three matches in New Zealand last month after veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga was appointed ...
India Open badminton to be held at IGI Stadium for first time
India Open will have a new address this time with Indira Gandhi International Stadium (IGI) set to host the ninth edition of the World Tour Super 500 badminton tournament from March 26 to 31. After eight successful years, the USD 350,000 tournament will return for its ninth edition with the best names in the business descending on the capital for the event. This marque tournament was previously held at the Siri Fort Sports Complex for the last seven years. The Indira Gandhi International Stadium (IGI) in the past has hosted landmark sports events like the 1982 Asian Games and recently, the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships. All the matches will be played at the K.D Jadhav Indoor Hall located within the IGI stadium. "Historically India has registered good results in this tournament and I am confident our players will repeat the feat this year too; especially playing at a new and historic venue like Indira Gandhi Stadium," BAI President Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The tournament ...
Kohli has 'no problem' batting at No 4; Maxwell to be promoted, says Finch
Getting the batting order right is every skipper's priority and rival captains Virat Kohli and Aaron Finch are open to minor rejigs going into the 2019 World Cup. While the Indian captain "is ready to bat at No 4" if the situation arises, his opposite number Finch made it clear that Glenn Maxwell will come up the order after playing a major part in the T20 series victory. Recently, India coach Ravi Shastri had indicated that Kohli could bat at No 4 in the World Cup and the skipper on Friday said that it's not a big deal as his "game template" doesn't change if he comes one place down the order. "If that's the requirement of the team at a particular stage in the game or before a particular game, I'm more than happy to do it. I've batted a lot of times at No 4, so I don't necessarily need to try it out because I've done that a lot of times in the past, Kohli echoed his coach's sentiment. The skipper made it clear that his style of batting won't change much from No 3 to 4. "My game ...
IPL will have no bearing on World Cup selection: Kohli
India captain Virat Kohli Friday said IPL performances will have "no influence" on the World Cup team selection, calling the speculation a "very, very radical analysis". With 12 to 13 slots more or less locked, India will be zeroing in on their last couple of slots for the World Cup, whichstarts May 30 in England, after the five games in the upcoming ODI series against Australia. "No, I don't see the IPL having any influence on World Cup selection. I think that will be very, very radical sort of analysis," the Indian captain, known for his forthright views, said on the eve of the first ODI here. There were talks that IPL could be a possible shoot-out between Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant for the second wicketkeeper's slot but Kohli said that one good IPL won't make much of a difference for any World Cup hopeful. "We need to have a solid team. Before we head into the IPL, we need to be absolutely clear of what team we want for the World Cup. I don't see anything changing on how the .
World No. 1 Naomi Osaka hires new coach
World number one Naomi Osaka hired Jermaine Jenkins, former hitting partner to Venus Williams, as her new head coach.The 21-year-old Japanese player took Twitter to confirm the hiring. "Had a great dinner with the team. Also taking this moment to thank Jermaine for joining us and coming on board lol," Osaka wrote.Jermaine, who is a former All American collegiate star at Clemson University, served with Venus from 2015 until the end of last season. His brother Jarmere is currently Serena Williams' hitting partner.Earlier in January, Jermaine was named as a national coach for women's tennis by the USTA Player Development.The reigning Australian Open champion's announcement comes two weeks after her decision to part ways with coach Sascha Bajin."After this tournament I would want to start looking at people. It is not really ideal to go to Indian Wells without a coach," Women's Tennis Association (WTA) quoted Osaka, as saying last week during the Dubai Tennis Championships.Jermaine will ...
Elbow feeling good, says Smith on returning to nets
Steven Smith returned to the nets for the first time since his elbow injury in an attempt to be fit for the 50-over World Cup, starting May 30.Australia right-handed batsman took Instagram to share a video of him having a hit. He can be seen donning a New South Wales shirt. "Great to have my first hit back today. The elbow is feeling good!" Smith captioned the post.Smith and David Warner are both coming towards the end of their 12-month suspension from the international cricket for the ball-tampering.The duo are eligible to return to Australia colours on March 29, which is the day of Australia's fourth ODI against Pakistan in the UAE, but Smith is unlikely to be ready for that while Warner could be overlooked even if he returns to playing by then with the Indian Premier League (IPL) that starts March 23, ESPNcricinfo reported."From all accounts they should both be ready for the IPL, which is really positive. Dave's [David Warner] probably a little more advanced but my understanding is
'Feeling good' - Smith back in nets after elbow surgery
Steve Smith has returned to the nets after elbow surgery, with Australia coach Justin Langer expecting the banned former captain and his deputy David Warner to be fit for the Indian Premier League. Smith went under the knife in January after being forced to drop out of the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 tournament with a ligament problem. He has been in a brace since, but picked up a bat again and had a session at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday. "Great to have my first hit back. The elbow is feeling good," Smith posted to his 1.4 million Instagram followers with a short video early Friday. Smith and Warner become eligible for international selection again on March 29 after serving year-long bans for their part in attempting to alter the ball during a Test against South Africa. Warner also returned home from Bangladesh with an injured elbow, though less serious than Smith. He too had surgery and was also at the SCG on Thursday. He crossed paths there with former South ...
Taking 'the Fizz' out - Bangladesh star saved for Wellington wind
As Bangladesh struggle in the first Test against New Zealand, any fans wondering about the whereabouts of their most exciting bowler now have their answer: he's being saved for the Wellington wind. Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes said he was reluctant to use Mustafizur Rahman in back-to-back Tests, and that the 23-year-old would be more effective in the notorious breezes of the New Zealand capital. At stumps on day two, Friday, and without having to face the fiery left-armer, New Zealand were 451 for four, 217 ahead of Bangladesh and with centuries from Tom Latham and Jeet Raval as well as an unbeaten 93 from captain Kane Williamson. Leaving out "the Fizz" may even have surprised captain Mahmudullah who on the eve of the Test in Hamilton said his ace bowler was "eager to perform and we are looking forward to it". But coach Rhodes has taken a long view and is preparing the speedster for the second Test next week in Wellington. "It's a real struggle for him to bowl in back-to-back Test ...
Libertad beat Nacional to qualify for Copa Libertadores Group H
Libertad qualified for the Group Stages of the Copa Libertadores, beating Atletico Nacional on penalties at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium here.
Dhoni gets hit on forearm during net session
Mahendra Singh Dhoni had an injury scare during the Indian team's net session on the eve of the ODI series opener against Australia here Saturday. Dhoni sustained an injury on his right forearm while taking throwdowns from team's support staff member Raghavendra. The former India captain had a long batting session at the nets and like all first team players was taking throwdowns after the formal session. It was one such delivery from Raghavendra that kicked up and Dhoni was hit on the right forearm. The veteran was in some pain and didn't bat after that as a precautionary measure. Whether the injury is serious enough to make him doubtful for the opening ODI couldn't be ascertained. A final call is expected to be taken by the evening. In case Dhoni is unavailable, then Rishabh Pant is expected to don the big gloves. That is the most likely option in case Dhoni fails to get fit in time. If the team management is keen on checking all the fringe batting options, then KL Rahul and Ambati ..
Kyrgios out-lasts Wawrinka to reach Acapulco semi-finals
Australian Nick Kyrgios, unfazed by stern words from vanquished Rafael Nadal, produced another gritty win over Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka to reach the semi-finals of the Mexico Open. A day after his dramatic comeback victory over 17-time Grand Slam winner Nadal, Kyrgios out-lasted Wawrinka 7-5, 6-7 (3/7), 6-4 on Thursday to book a meeting with either John Isner or John Millman for a place in the final. Third-seeded Isner and eighth-seeded Millman met in the final match on Cancha Central, where Kyrgios once again took a twisting path to victory. The drama started in the very first game, when Kyrgios took an awkward fall and badly scraped the knuckles of his racquet hand. As he received mid-game treatment the crowd grew restive, provoking the unpredictable Australian. With the problem tended to, Kyrgios closed out the game, the set going with serve until Kyrgios seized upon a couple of loose points from Wawrinka to gain the break and the set 7-5. A tense second set saw Wawrinka break ..
Tim Paine rested from Sheffield game
Australia Test captain and wicket-keeper Tim Paine has been rested by Tasmania for their Sheffield Shield fixture against Victoria after pulling up "a bit sore".Paine sustained the injury during a match against South Australia in Adelaide, which Tasmania won by six wickets. However, coach Adam Griffith stressed the injury is not serious, though it comes after the wicketkeeper was struck down by illness following the six-Text home summer against India and Sri Lanka - his maiden campaign on home soil as national captain, Cricket Australia reported."He is still getting over a really long summer, both mentally and physically. He just was not moving right in Adelaide, he was still a bit sore. It is more of a management thing - it is not a major injury or anything. The prudent thing for us to do with a lot of players - we have got four, maybe five shield games in a short space of time (after the Big Bash League break) - we want to make sure we are playing our best cricket at the end of the .
Finch will come good, says coach Langer
Australia head coach Justin Langer on Thursday backed captain Aaron Finch to "come good" during the five-match ODI series against India, beginning March 2.Finch's lean patch has raised concerns following his return of 5, 41, 11, 6, 6, 14 in his last five ODI series and 0, 8 in the recent two T20Is against India."He [Finch] is such a good player, such a good person, captain of the team, we know he will come good. We have just got to keep giving him plenty of care and support. We know he will come good. There is no more destructive player in the world - we talk about Maxy [Glenn Maxwell], Marcus Stoinis, a number of our players who can be so destructive - but when he is going, he is as destructive as a player as there is in white-ball cricket," ICC quoted Langer, as saying.Langer further said we will be patient with Australia captain as another important part about leadership is that Finch is really consistent."We have not seen any real change in his personality or his attitude around ..
Valencia enter Copa del Rey final
Rodrigo Moreno's goal early in the second half proved to be enough for Valencia to claim a 1-0 victory over Real Betis and win 3-2 on aggregate in their Copa del Rey semifinal tie.
Latham, Raval hit tons as New Zealand dominate Bangladesh
Centuries to Tom Latham and Jeet Raval, and the best opening partnership for New Zealand in nearly half-a-century left Bangladesh on the ropes on day two of the first Test on Friday. Kane Williamson, unbeaten on 93, added to the run-fest at Hamilton's Seddon Park in a century stand for the fourth wicket with Henry Nicholls. At stumps, New Zealand were 451 for four, leading by 217 with six wickets in hand. Latham made 161, Raval notched his maiden century with 132, while Nicholls departed two overs before stumps for 53. With the assistance of a flat track, Latham and Raval put on 254 for the first wicket -- the third-highest opening partnership by a New Zealand pair and their best since the record 387 set by Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis against the West Indies 47 years ago. Latham punished Sri Lanka for dropping him before he scored at the start of the innings. He occupied the crease for more than six hours, scoring freely around the ground and reaching the boundary with 17 fours as ..