Page 525 - Sports
The Pre-Test: India look for fringe benefits against Aus in final series before WC
The Indian cricket team will continue its experiments to figure out the final pieces of a jigsaw puzzle called the 'World Cup squad' when a five-match ODI series against Australia starts here Saturday. The team is slowly moving into the World Cup mode and even a 0-2 loss in the just-concluded T20 series won't see any shift in plans as far as skipper Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri are concerned. "Every team will look to fine-tune whatever they need to before the World Cup, and we'll keep doing that in the ODI series too, but we still want to win every match we play," skipper Kohli said after the Bengaluru T20 loss headlining his intention. There will be at least four players for whom the series will be like a 'pre test', a good score ensuring that they get 'admit cards' for the board exams. The four players in question are KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Vijay Shankar and Siddarth Kaul, who are fighting for two available slots in that UK bound 15-member squad. One man who will be keenly ...
Soumya gets revenge over NZ's Latham -- 161 runs after dropping him
Bangladesh's Soumya Sarkar finally got his revenge when he took the key wicket of New Zealand's Tom Latham on Friday -- 161 runs after dropping him on nought. The part-time bowler spilled a simple slips catch at the start of the New Zealand innings, allowing Latham to compile his giant score in the first Test in Hamilton. It left New Zealand at a dominant 333 for two on the second day of the Test, leading Bangladesh by 99 with eight wickets in hand. Latham is enjoying a purple patch of form with three centuries in his last four Test innings, and his latest knock was the fourth time in nine Test centuries that he has passed 150. On the second ball he faced, he survived an edge that flew straight to second slip where Soumya grassed the routine catch. Latham left that shot alone for another 246 deliveries before he poked at a wide delivery from Soumya and a diving Mohammad Mithun completed the dismissal -- also at second slip.
Proteas women to host Pakistan for limited-overs series
South Africa, known as the Proteas, will host Pakistan for eight limited-overs games, comprising three one-day internationals and five-match T20Is across five venues, beginning May 6.The series follows on from South Africa's 3-0 clean-sweep over Sri Lanka across both formats, while Pakistan's enjoyable historic 2-1 series win against West Indies in Dubai.South Africa are placed fourth with 13 points from 12 games in the ICC Women's Championship (IWC) log, one place above Pakistan who have 12 points from as many games.The last time the sides met, South Africa emerged the winners by three wickets in their opening fixture of the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup in England. Before that, it was again the Proteas who won the three-match ODI series by 2-1."After a successful home tour against Sri Lanka, we are pleased with the team's direction and welcome another challenging opponent to our shores in Pakistan. This tour will provide another ideal opportunity for the Proteas to contest for six the .
Valencia defeats Betis, will face Barcelona in Copa final
There will be no final at home for Real Betis. The team's Benito Villamarin Stadium in Seville will host the Copa del Rey final this season, but Betis won't be there after being eliminated by Valencia in the semifinals on Thursday. Valencia won 1-0 at home to reach the Copa final for the first time in more than a decade, where it will play Barcelona on May 25. Striker Rodrigo scored a second-half winner for Valencia, which advanced 3-2 on aggregate after a 2-2 draw at Betis three weeks ago. "We wanted to be in this final and we were confident that we had the team to make it," Betis defender Marc Bartra said. "Unfortunately, sometimes things don't go the way you expect in football." On Wednesday, four-time defending champion Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3-0 to advance to its sixth straight Copa final. Valencia, celebrating its centennial, hadn't made it to the final since it won the last of its seven Copa titles in 2008. "We played a very complete series and deserved to advance," ...
Jhonattan Vegas shoots 64 to take Honda Classic lead
A year ago at The Honda Classic, Jhonattan Vegas made seven birdies all week. He's off to a much better start this time. Vegas made six birdies and no bogeys Thursday, shooting a 6-under 64 to open a two-stroke lead after the first round. Lucas Glover bogeyed his finishing hole for a 66, leaving him tied with Zach Johnson, Ernie Els and Ben Silverman who went to college at nearby Florida Atlantic. "Hit my irons the best I've hit them all year and I've always liked this golf course," Vegas said. "It's kind of one of those courses that I think suits me. You have to hit the ball well and you have to get around really well. And then I made a few putts." Brooks Koepka, Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia were in a large group at 67, and defending champion Justin Thomas shot 68 after an eventful day that saw him play the last eight holes without a 9-iron after it bent when he hit it against a tree. "To feel like I gave quite a few back today and shoot 2-under par on this golf course, it's ...
Latham passes 150 as New Zealand dominate Bangladesh
New Zealand plundered their best opening partnership in nearly half-a-century on Friday as centuries to Tom Latham and Jeet Raval put Bangladesh on the ropes on day two of the first Test in Hamilton. Latham was not out 156, his ninth century, with Kane Williamson on 32 as New Zealand went to tea at 326 for one, a first-innings lead of 92 with nine wickets in hand. Raval ended a record barren run by completing his maiden century and went on to 132 before he was the first wicket to fall. Together, Latham and Raval stood in a 254-run partnership, the third highest by a New Zealand opening pair and the best since Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis's record of 387 against the West Indies 47 years ago. For 68 overs they caressed the ball to all points of the boundary and looked extremely comfortable with Raval cracking 19 fours and a six in his marathon innings before the elusive breakthrough came for Bangladesh. Captain Mahmudullah brought himself on for one over only and with his fifth ...
Barcelona eye double triumph over Real Madrid but defensive doubts remain
After knocking Real Madrid out of the Copa del Rey, Barcelona now have the opportunity to send their rivals packing in the title race too. Barca's 3-0 victory on Wednesday means Barca will return to the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday with a spring in their step, even if Madrid were the better side and had the better opportunities until the chaotic final 30 minutes, when a Luis Suarez double and Raphael Varane own goal gave victory to the Catalans. "They had more chances in the first half, it's true," said Gerard Pique. "But in the second we knew how to get at them. They left more space and in 10 to 15 minutes we scored three goals." A repeat this weekend in La Liga would leave Santiago Solari's side 12 points adrift of Barcelona, who would effectively have an extra point's advantage given their superior head-to-head record. That would be a gargantuan gap to make up with 12 games left. Atletico Madrid are closer, seven points back, and they still have to play Barca in April, albeit at ..
I-League: Churchill Brothers face Chennai City challenge to clinch title
Churchill Brothers FC Goa will take on Chennai City FC in the potential title-decider of the ongoing 12th edition of the I-league here at the Tilak Maidan on March 1.A win for the Coimbatore-based club is enough to win their maiden national league title in just four years of existence and besides Singaporean coach Akbar Nawas and a host of quality Spanish players, they would have to thank striker Pedro Manzi the most, one would want to believe.The Spanish sniper has been in phenomenal goal-scoring form in the league campaign overcoming a minor injury scare in between to score 19 times including four hat-tricks.In fact, it will be billed as a game between the two most prolific strikers of the league, Manzi's Trinidadian counterpart in the Churchill ranks, Willis Plaza, having netted 18 times for the 'Red Machines' this season. The two will be in a dogfight to finish with the maximum goals under their belt with just a game more to play.Churchill are placed fourth at the moment, with 31 .
ISL: FC Goa ease past Chennaiyin FC 1-0
FC Goa ran out 1-0 winners over bottom-placed Chennaiyin FC in an Indian Super League game at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, here on Thursday.
Holder suggests 'substantial minimum salary' to halt Kolpak exodus
West Indies skipper Jason Holder has suggested that the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Federation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA) should "institute a substantial minimum salary" to ensure players don't get lost to Kolpak cricket.Holder said that there is a need to find a way to keep the players for playing their country otherwise nobody will be able to hold them for a longer period."It's really sad to see another quality player lost to Kolpak cricket. Until something is properly done to keep players a little bit more grounded financially I don't know how much longer you can continue putting up the front. People still want to see international cricket being at the forefront. I just think, going forward, we need to find a way to keep players playing for their country so we can have an attractive product," ESPNcricinfo quoted Holder, as saying."Probably the ICC and FICA need to get together and institute a substantial minimum salary so that players will feel ...
Danielle Hazell named Yorkshire Diamonds head coach
English spinner Danielle Hazell, who recently announced her retirement from international cricket, has been appointed head coach of Yorkshire Diamonds County Cricket Club.The 30-year-old will take over the position with immediate effect so that she can be a part of Diamonds' squad selection process ahead of the 2019 Kia Super League.Hazell, who has spent around 10 years with the club, expressed delight over coming back to her "second home" and now she is looking forward to have some good experience with the team."There has been a lot of change for me over the last few months but it's great to have a new challenge ahead. I'm very much looking forward to getting started. I've spent many years here at Yorkshire, but have been away at Lancashire for the last year or so, so it's nice to come back with a completely different challenge in mind. I'm very happy with my decision to retire from the sport, I'm comfortable with it and I'm very much looking forward to what comes next," Yorkshire ...
We have talented players but they lack consistency: Mithali Raj on middle order woes
Indian women's cricket team ODI skipper Mithali Raj continued to stress on the middle order woes being faced by the team and hoped for some consistency from players in that position.Mithali said that the middle order players are talented and have even given good performances but lack consistency."We need to get our middle order sorted. We have talent but it is not consistent. They have been performing but have not been consistent. They need to perform at every opportunity given to play for India," Mithali said in a post-match press conference.The right-hand batswoman also spoke about Punam Raut being given the number three spot in the team. She asserted that since Raut is a top-order player, it was easier for her to settle in that position instead of the middle order.Moreover, they did not want to break the pair of Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues at the top, Mithali continued.India defeated England 2-1 in their ODI series but Mithali expressed disappointed as they could not ...
Akram, Aamir fail to strike compromise with PSL team for alleged misconduct
Former captain Wasim Akram and two current Pakistani cricketers -- Muhammad Aamir and Imad Wasim -- have failed to strike a compromise with Lahore franchise to avoid disciplinary action for their alleged indecent behaviour during a Pakistan Super League match. Akram along with Imad Wasim and Muhammad Aamir were accused of misbehaving with family members and senior media persons sitting in the Lahore Qalanders enclosure after the first Karachi and Lahore match. The Lahore franchise had alleged that the trio had used expletives, while Aamir had made indecent gestures with his fingers at the enclosure in which women and children were also seated. Akram claims that someone from the enclosure abused him and Karachi Kings team owner, Salman Iqbal during the first match to which he reacted strongly. Akram, who is director of the Karachi franchise, led a delegation to meet with the Lahore Qalanders management on Thursday at the Dubai international stadium to seek a compromise and end the ...
I-League: Indian Arrows conclude I-League campaign with victory over Mohun Bagan
Indian Arrows trumped former champions and hosts Mohun Bagan 3-1 in the ongoing 12th edition of the I-League clash to conclude their second season in the top-flight league with six wins at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Thursday.During the course of the campaign, Indian Arrows have beaten defending champions Minverva Punjab FC, Shillong Lajong (twice), Gokulam Kerala, and former champions Aizawl FC and Mohun Bagan.Both coaches Khalid Jamil and Floyd Pinto went for wholesale changes at the start of the game, making seven and six respectively, in a fixture essentially between two sides assured of a mid-table finish.The first half did not see the game reach great heights but the young Arrows certainly looked the more enterprising, creating several openings to score.The home team, though, took the lead in the 17th minute through Azharuddin Mallick after a move initiated by Sony Norde, saw the Hiatian winger play off Henry Kisseka, run in and cross from the left of ...
I-League: Aizawl FC register dramatic win over Gokulam Kerala
The 99th game of the ongoing 12th edition of the I-League season saw Aizawl FC come from behind and walk away winning against hosts Gokulam Kerala FC 1-3 here at the EMS Stadium on Thursday.Gokulam Kerala FC drew first blood through Marcus Joseph in the 9th minute before Aizawl restored parity in the 83rd minute through Paul Ramfanzauva who was also adjudged the eventual Hero of the Match.The Highlanders struck in quick succession twice through Mawpuia in the 88th minute and Kromah in the added time (90' + 6') to seal the game in their favour.In the must-win game for both the teams, the home side took to the attacks right from the start. Gokulam Kerala FC pressed hard with Marcus Joseph and Suhair VP in combination and looked threatening from the start.Gokulam Kerala FC who were finding their way into the Aizawl FC box in regular intervals couldn't find a way to convert the chances that came their way. However, Aizawl FC did try hard to create a few chances through Kromah and Dodoz ...
Goa seal second spot after securing a 1-0 win over Chennaiyin
FC Goa notched up a 1-0 victory over bottom-placed Chennaiyin FC to seal the second spot in the Indian Super League points table here Thursday. Goa now has 34 points, same as Bengaluru FC, but on head-to-head equation a tad behind on the table. With both BFC and FC Goa finishing their league engagements, it's clear now that the two will play their second-leg semi-final games at home on March 11 and March 12 respectively. Goa's star Ferran Corominas extended his lead to 14 goals in the race for Golden Boot award, scoring the winner for Sergio Lobera's team in the 26th minute. The loss saw Chennaiyin FC finish bottom of the league with just nine points from 18 games - the lowest tally ever managed by an ISL team. FC Goa dominated the ball with ease and forced Chennaiyin FC to defend deep and in numbers. Both teams went on to fashion several half chances but a goal remained elusive. It did come in the 26th minute for Goa when Ahmed Jahouh picked out Jackichand Singh's run into the ...
Pakistan leg of PSL is on schedule despite border tension: PCB
The Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani on Thursday said that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 4 matches scheduled for Lahore and Karachi would be held on schedule despite the uncertainty prevailing in the region due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Flanked by the owners of the six PSL franchises, Mani said after reviewing the situation it had been decided to hold the PSL matches on schedule in Pakistan from March 7 to 17, including the final in Karachi. "The franchise owners are in total agreement with this decision and even the overseas players who had initially agreed to play in Pakistan will be going with their franchises to Lahore and Karachi," he said. Due to the increasing tensions between India and Pakistan and fears of a conflict between the two nuclear armed nations, there were speculations that the Pakistan leg of the PSL would be held in Dubai. Asked if the PCB had consulted the government in this matter before taking the decision, Mani said it was ...
Sakshi stuns world champion Olli to enter Dan Kolov wrestling final
Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik stunned reigning world champion Petra Olli of Finland to enter the finals of the female 65g category freestyle at the Dan Kolov 2019 wrestling meet in Ruse, Bulgaria on Thursday. According to information received here, the Indian defeated Olli 4-1 in the semi-finals. Sakshi will next meet Henna Johansson of Sweden in the gold-medal clash on Friday. Sakshi has won a bronze medal in the 58kg category at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Finch will come good, just need to be patient, says Langer
Australia coach Justin Langer on Thursday promised unwavering support for out-of-form Aaron Finch, saying he has no doubts that the limited-overs skipper will soon find his mojo back. Finch's rough patch has extended to the T20s as he was out for zero and eight in the two T20Is which Australia won to claim their maiden series win in the shortest format in India. "He's such a good player, such a good person, captain of the team, we know he'll come good," Langer was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. "We just got to keep giving him plenty of care and support. We know he'll come good." Finch has not scored a fifty in his last 19 innings for Australia in limited overs cricket. However, Langer threw his weight behind Finch. "There's no more destructive player in the world we talk about 'Maxi' (Glenn Maxwell), Marcus Stoinis, a number of our players who can be so destructive but when he's going, he is as destructive as a player as there is in white-ball cricket," Langer said. "We know ..
SC reserves order on Sreesanth's plea against lifetime ban by BCCI
The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on a plea by former cricketer S. Sreesanth challenging the lifetime ban imposed on him by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for his alleged involvement in match fixing during 2013 IPL.