Page 592 - Sports
Ricky Ponting appointed Australia assistant coach for World Cup
Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has been named as assistant coach of the team for the upcoming 2019 cricket World Cup.The three-time World Cup winning captain, whose appointment came a day after David Saker resigned from the position of Australia's fast-bowling coach, will work with coach Justin Langer at the World Cup.Making the announcement, Cricket Australia (CA), in a statement, said that the changes in coaching structure will see Ponting working closely with the batsmen. The statement further stated that the changes would help batting coach Graeme Hick to focus better."Changes to the coaching structure (that) will see him focus on working closely with the ODI batting group. This appointment also provides an opportunity for Graeme Hick to focus on preparation for the Ashes," Cricket.com.au quoted interim high-performance executive general manager Belinda Clark, as saying."With two major events back to back we believe it is important to focus a number of staff specifically .
Jeremy wins second weightlifting medal for India in Thailand event
Youth Olympics gold medallist Jeremy Lalrinnunga Friday clinched a silver in men's 67kg category, fetching India's second medal in the EGAT's Cup International Weightlifting Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The 16-year-old Lalrinnunga lifted 131kg in snatch and 157kg in clean and jerk for a total of 288kg. The promising Mizoram weightlifter was, however, far behind the gold winner, Deni of Indonesia who lifted 303kg (132+171). Ruben Katoatau of Kiribati took the bronze with a total lift of 285kg (125+160). Lalrinnunga had won a gold in the Buenos Aires Youth Olympics in October last year in the 62kg category with a total lift of 274kg (124+150). This tournament is a silver level Olympic qualifying event, the points from which will be counted when the final rankings for Tokyo 2020 cut are done. Swati Singh and Kopparthi Shireesha finished sixth and ninth in 59kg category with total lifts of 195kg and 189kg respectively. On Thursday, world champion Saikhom Mirabai Chanu had won a .
Fed Cup: Kazakhstan blank India 3-0
India's aspirations of qualifying for the Fed Cup World Group were dashed after hosts Kazakhstan thrashed them 3-0 in a Pool A tie here Friday. Neither Ankita Raina nor Karman Kaur Thandi could win their singles rubbers losing to their respective opponents in straight sets and it will take some more time to realise their aspirations of making it among the elites. It was always an uphill task for the Indians to beat the higher-ranked home players but inspirational performance by Ankita against the same players last year had raised visions of an upset. The tie again began on a losing note when Karman failed to capitalise on her chances against Zarina Diyas in her 3-6 2-6 defeat. In a match that lasted an hour and 22 minutes, the lanky Indian had eight break chances but converted only two against the world number 96. Like Thursday, the team looked up to Ankita for an upset win against world number 43 Yulia Putintseva to stay alive but the home player quelled the late resistance from the
Paralympics lift Russia suspension to Kremlin 'delight'
The International Paralympic Committee said Friday it will conditionally readmit Russia by March this year, lifting a suspension imposed over a doping scandal. A Kremlin spokesman responded by saying Russia was delighted. "We are absolutely thrilled for our Paralympic athletes," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. "(Russia's President Vladimir) Putin has always shown them full and unconditional support. "We hope the constructive and transparent work will allow the Russian sports authorities to turn the page in their relations with international bodies." The IPC say the ban will be lifted by 15 March 2019, providing the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) adhere to a strict criteria. "In August 2016 the IPC suspended the RPC because it was necessary and proportionate to the situation we faced and essential to ensure clean sport," IPC president Andrew Parsons said in a statement. "Twenty-nine months later it is the IPC governing board's firm belief that keeping the RPC suspended is no .
Bengaluru FC eye play-off berth in match against struggling Chennaiyin FC
Table-toppers Bengaluru FC would eye sealing a play-off berth when they take on laggards Chennaiyin FC in an Indian Super League match here Saturday. Bengaluru had the opportunity to secure a spot in the knockout stage in the previous match against Kerala Blasters FC but a draw put paid to their hopes. The visiting team, boasting of the country's star striker Sunil Chhetri in its line-up apart from the likes of Miku, will pose questions to a struggling Chennaiyin defence, which has so far conceded 25 goals, the maximum by any side this season. While Bengaluru FC have been dominant like last season, defending champions Chennaiyin have been in woeful form, to say the least. The Chennaiyin defence has been at sixes and sevens and lapses have been far too many. In the previous game against FC Pune City, defensive errors proved costly as the team went down despite scoring first. The forward line has been struggling and the absence of Dhanpal Ganesh in the mid-field owing to an injury has ..
Fire in Brazil kills at least 10 in Flamengo youth football facility
Fire swept through a training facility for Brazil's most popular football club Flamengo Friday, killing at least 10 people, authorities said. The pre-dawn blaze in Rio de Janeiro hit a building that housed youth-category players aged 14 to 17, firefighters said. In addition to the deaths, three people were injured in the fire. The cause was not immediately known. Globo TV broadcast aerial footage of the fire, which it said had been brought under control after it burned for two hours. The fire broke out at 5 am in the Vargem Grande district of Rio in a modern facility where the top-flight professional Flamengo squad also trains, the news website G1 said. The dead were six players and four team staff, the channel Sportv said. The main team had been due to practice at the same facility later in the morning. Youth league teams also train at the facility, known as Ninho do Urubu. Flamengo is the most popular club in football-crazed Brazil. Distraught relatives rushed to the facility ...
Real Kashmir's home match against East Bengal postponed due to thick snow cover
The thick snow cover at the TRC Ground in Srinagar on Friday forced the postponement of Sunday's crucial I-League match between title contenders Real Kashmir FC and East Bengal. Real Kashmir and East Bengal were to clash in the match, where a lot is at stake for both the sides to remain in contention for the I-League title. However the ground condition has led to the postponement of the match. "Due to bad weather and pitch condition in Srinagar, our next match vs Kashmir FC on February 10 has been called off. New date of the match will be announced later," the East Bengal club said on its official Twitter handle. Real Kashmir co-owner Sandeep Chattoo uploaded a picture of the snow covered ground on his Facebook page. Real Kashmir are on 32 points from 16 matches while East Bengal have collected 28 from 14 matches. Real Kashmir's previous match against Gokulam Kerala on Tuesday was also played amid snowing and rain. The players had a really difficult time to play under the heavy ground
We aren't disappointed with T20 loss, learnt lessons: Harmanpreet
The Indian women's team captain Harmanpreet Kaur Friday conceded that New Zealand women deserved to win the T20 International series but said her "young" side gave a tough fight and learnt valuable lessons from the defeats. New Zealand beat India by four wickets in the second T20I to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The third match on Sunday in Hamilton has now been rendered inconsequential. "No doubt, New Zealand played better cricket than us and so they won. But I am not disappointed that we lost the series. We are here to play good cricket and we did that. We played really well, especially the bowlers," Harmanpreet said after the match. "We were defending 130-odd and it was difficult for the bowlers. They bowled really well and took the match to the last over. Overall, we played good cricket." She said it was a learning curve for a lot of players in the team. "We did not win the series but more than winning and losing, we learnt a lot. We have a very young ..
Fire in Brazil kills at least 10 in Flamengo youth football facility: reports
Fire swept through a training facility for Brazil's most popular football club Flamengo Friday, killing at least 10 people, news outlets said. The pre-dawn blaze in Rio de Janeiro hit a building that housed youth-category players aged 14 to 17, TV Globo said. It broadcast aerial footage of the fire, which it said had been brought under control.
Rohit, Krunal help India level T20I series 1-1
India defeated New Zealand by seven wickets in the second T20I, levelling the series 1-1 in style at the Eden Park in Auckland on Friday.Opener and stand-in-captain Rohit Sharma along with Shikhar Dhawan (30) gave a solid start to the touring side, India in the run-chase.The Hitman scored a quick fifty off 29 balls, becoming the leading run-scorer in the format along the way before giving a catch to Tim Southee off Ish Sodhi's delivery.Not letting go off the momentum set by the Hitman, former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rishabh Pant chased down the target with their unbeaten cameo of 20 and 40 respectively.With an unchanged team, the host New Zealand managed to put up a moderate score of 158 for the loss of eight wickets after opting to bat.New Zealand had a floppy start as their openers were dismissed in quick succession. Injecting some momentum, Colin de Grandhomme top-scored with his 28-ball 50, including four sixes and a boundary. While Ross Taylor missed out on his ...
We learnt from our mistakes in series opener: Rohit
India on Friday bounced back with a clinical performance in the second T20 International against New Zealand and stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma said it was a result of quickly learning from their mistakes. India suffered their biggest ever defeat in T20s in terms of runs at Wellington on Wednesday but the visitors went to the second game with the same team. The captain led from the front, scoring 50 off 29 balls to ensure a seven-wicket win for India, their first in a T20 on New Zealand soil. "Very pleased to see how we bowled, and we were quite clinical with the bat as well. We have quality in our side, but we executed our plans better today, after learning from our mistakes," said Rohit at the post-match presentation. "It's important to understand the mistakes that we made - it's been a long tour for everyone. So we didn't want to put a lot of pressure on the boys, just go in there with a clear mind." The series decider will be played at Hamilton on Sunday. "It's going to be a ...
BCCI set to conduct Women's T20 exhibition games during IPL 2019
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to conduct matches during the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a follow-up to last year's one-off exhibition game for women.The BCCI had organised a one-match Women's T20 Challenge at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in 2018. Taking the experiment forward, the board will conduct a set of matches.The planning of matches has been on for a few months now. However, staging a full-fledged T20 league like the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia or the Kia Super League in the UK may take some more time, given the concerns of the BCCI over the depth of India's domestic pool of players, ESPNcricinfo reported.There will be just two teams this year too, with the BCCI inclined to making the two sides play a best-of-three series. The teams' composition will be similar to that of men's event, with a maximum of four overseas players per side.Both the BCCI management and the Committee of Administrators have given ...
India defeat New Zealand to level T20I series
Skipper Rohit Sharma's quickfire half-century and useful contributions from Shikhar Dhawan (30) and Rishabh Pant (36 not out) saw India outplay New Zealand by seven wickets in the second Twenty20 International match here on Friday.
Shubhankar waiting to return to Mexico for WGC
Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma is eagerly waiting to return to the WGC-Mexico Championship to be held at Club de Golf Chapultepec in Naucalpan, Mexico from February 21 to 24. A year ago, the 22-year-old Panchkula-based star took the world by storm, grabbing the second and third-round leads against a star-studded field at Club Golf de Chapultepec before finishing tied ninth. Back from a three-week trip to the Middle-East, where he missed two cuts in three starts, Shubhankar returned to India and is back to his training base in Chandigarh. He will next travel to Mexico for the year's first World Golf Championships. While disappointed he failed to cross the finish line first, Shubhankar's valiant run in Mexico last year propelled him to global fame and set him off on an adventure of a lifetime where he featured in all four World Golf Championships plus the majors, won the Asian Tour Order of Merit title and was afforded the Arjuna award. As the 2019 season unfolds, Shubhankar targets a .
India level T20 series: Krunal restricts, Rohit blasts, Rishabh finishes
Mahendra Singh Dhoni watched from the 22 yards distance as his heir apparent Rishabh Pant showed spunk in a tricky situation, guiding India to a comfortable seven-wicket victory against New Zealand in the second T20 International here Friday. The chase was set up by skipper Rohit Sharma (50 off 29 balls) in company of Shikhar Dhawan (30, 31 balls) with a 79-run stand after Krunal Pandya got three wickets to restrict the hosts to 158/8. With whirlwind fifty, Rohit also became the top run-getter in the format, surpassing Martin Guptill. Dhoni, the original master finisher couldn't have been happier as he saw Pant control what could have been a tricky 159-run chase chase with an unbeaten 40 off 28 balls. The series is now tied 1-1 with the decider in Hamilton on Sunday. With the former India captain (20 no off 17 balls) playing the role of a mentor at the other end, the 44-run stand was very significant as Indian cricket slowly moves towards a change of guard in coming days. Pant's ...
Valencia salvage away draw with Betis in Copa del Rey tie
Valencia fell behind 0-2 to Real Betis in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie before rallying for a 2-2 draw.
2nd T20I: Grandhomme, Taylor help New Zealand post 158/8 vs India
All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme's brilliant half-century and Ross Taylor's disciplined innings helped New Zealand post 158/8 against India in the second Twenty20 International match here on Friday.
Former captain Ponting appointed Australia assistant coach for World Cup
Former national skipper Ricky Ponting was Friday recruited to work alongside coach Justin Langer, focusing mainly on the batsmen, for the looming World Cup in England where Australia will defend their title. The appointment of the vastly experienced Ponting, who played at five World Cups and won at three, comes a day after bowling coach David Saker quit. Cricket Australia said his addition as assistant coach would see him focus on working with the ODI batting group, while current batting coach Graeme Hick concentrates on preparing for the Ashes. Ponting is a close ally of Langer, who said he was thrilled to have his friend and former colleague back in the fold. "I know he will be a valuable mentor to not just the batting group, but the broader squad as we focus our attention on defending our World Cup title," said Langer. "Ricky and I have worked together with the Australian men's team in the past, he is an extremely driven coach who is fully invested in the players development and ...
2nd T20I: New Zealand post 158/8 vs India
All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme's brilliant half-century and Ross Taylor's disciplined innings helped New Zealand post 158/8 against India in the second Twenty20 International match here on Friday.
Mitchell's controversial LBW raises new debate on DRS
An inside edge was apparent even without the Hotspot technology but New Zealand batsman Daryl Mitchell fell to a contentious LBW call during the second T20 International against India which also triggered a debate on the spirit of the game. Mitchell, who made his debut in the first T20 in Wellington, was at the centre of a massive DRS controversy during the second game here. He was given out LBW to Krunal Pandya in the seventh over of New Zealand's innings by the on-field umpires and opted for a review on the insistence of his skipper Kane Williamson, who was at the non-striker's end. TV replays clearly showed there was an inside edge and a huge spot on the hotspot could also be detected as the ball passed the bat but he was still given out by third umpire Shaun Haig. "This is a horror decision," said the on-air commentators. Williamson expressed his dismay to the umpires and asked to Mitchell to stop. The situation became a little animated when former captain and wicketkeeper ...