Page 610 - Sports
New Zealand aim to end ODI series on a high (Preview)
On a high after comprehensively winning the penultimate fourth ODI, New Zealand, despite losing the series, will hope to end the five-match rubber on a high when they take on India in the final match at the Westpac Stadium here on Sunday.
Superior Italy breeze past India to qualify for Davis Cup Finals (Roundup)
India lived up to their doubles reputation, but were no match to their far superior Italy in the singles rubbers as they went down 1-3 in the Davis Cup World Group qualifier tie here on Saturday.
Hockey: India draw 1-1 with Ireland
After levelling the four-match series with hosts Spain, the Indian women's hockey team put up a determined performance to draw the first match against 2018 Women's World Cup silver medallists Ireland 1-1 here.
Smriti Mandhana becomes No.1 ODI batswoman
Smriti Mandhana has moved up three spots to attain the number one rank in the updated ICC ODI batting rankings, released on Saturday.After scoring her fourth ODI century and an unbeaten 90 in the three-match series against New Zealand, Mandhana now sits above the Australians Ellyse Perry and Meg Lanning.Mandhana, who has been in exemplary form in the one-day format, has scored two centuries and eight half-centuries in 15 games since the beginning of 2018.Completing the top five, New Zealand skipper Amy Satterhwaite, who smashed consecutive half-centuries in the series against India, flew up ten places to take the number four position, while Indian skipper Mithali Raj moved down a spot.Former New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates rose up one place to number six following her half-century in Hamilton, which propelled her side to victory in the third ODI against India.Lizelle Lee of South Africa, Tammy Beaumont of England, Stafanie Taylor of West Indies and Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka ...
Davis Cup: Bopanna-Sharan win doubles tie 2-1 to haul India back into contention
In-form doubles pair of Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan rallied from one set down to beat Italians Matteo Berrettini and Simone Bolelli 2-1 and haul India back into contention in the Davis Cup World Group qualifier tie here on Saturday.
Kazakhstan takes two from Portugal, closes in on Davis Cup finals
Kazakhstan's national tennis team won two matches against Portugal and is a step away from earning a berth in the Davis Cup finals in its new format, which will be held in Madrid's Caja Magica arena from November 18 to 24.
No grass effect: Italy beat India 3-1 to make World Finals
India lived up to their reputation in doubles but that was not enough as Italy secured a 3-1 triumph after winning the first reverse singles on Saturday to storm into the first-ever Davis Cup World Finals. Trailing 0-2 after losing the opening day's singles rubbers, doubles pair of Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan kept India's slender hopes alive by beating Simone Boelleli and Matteo Berrettini 4-6 6-3 6-4 in an one-hour 43 minutes battle. But it only delayed the world number 10 Italy's march into the Finals as world number 37 Andreas Seppi outclassed top-ranked Indian Prajnesh Gunneswaran 6-1 6-4 in 62 minutes in the first reverse singles to render the fifth rubber unnecessary at the Calcutta South Club. On a career high ranking of 102, Prajnesh had no chance in the first set and though the left-hander gave a better account of himself in the second set a share of 40 unforced errors dashed his hopes. World number 19 India will now compete in the Zone Group action later this ...
You haven't won the game until you get Dhoni out: Neesham
New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham Saturday heaped praise on Mahendra Singh Dhoni, saying that "you don't have the game won until you have him out." Before the ODI series in Australia, questions were raised over Dhoni's waning abilities with the bat but he silenced his critics with three back-to-back half-centuries. Before missing out on the third and fourth ODI against New Zealand due to hamstring injury, the 37-year-old scored an unbeaten 48 and behind the stumps, he remains as sharp as ever. "His record speaks for itself. He is a fantastic player. I know there were some noises in the Indian media if he should be in the World Cup squad or not. He has got that calm demeanour in the middle-order. When you are bowling to him, you know you have not got the game won until you get him out," said Neesham ahead of the fifth ODI. Talking about the final game of the ODI series, the New Zealand all-rounder, who is back after recovering from a hamstring injury, said he expects the ball to do
Davis Cup: India lose to Italy 1-3 in World Group qualifier tie
India lost their Davis Cup World Group Qualifier tie 1-3 to Italy after Andreas Seppi defeated Prajnesh Gunneswaran in the reverse singles here on Saturday.
Baby-faced assassins, hunky pin-ups light up Asian Cup
From a record-breaking Qatar forward born who just couldn't stop scoring to a reluctant Kyrgyz sex symbol, AFP takes a look at five players who lit up the Asian Cup: - Float like a butterfly - ========================== Qatar's Almoez Ali scored an eye-popping record nine goals at a single Asian Cup, surpassing Iran legend Ali Daei's tally of eight in 1996 with a wonder strike in Abu Dhabi that sparked a 3-1 upset over Japan in the final. The baby-faced striker had plastic bottles and shoes pelted at him after scoring in Qatar's 4-0 semi-final victory over hosts UAE, but had the last laugh as the 2022 World Cup hosts went on to lift the Asian Cup for the first time. The Sudan-born Ali had been under investigation by tournament organisers after Emirati football officials lodged a protest over his eligibility. He was cleared to play in the final hours before kickoff and scored an outrageous overhead kick before walking off with the player of the tournament award for good measure. - ...
Tennis Australia slams Tomic for 'deliberately damaging' Davis Cup
Tennis Australia accused firebrand Bernard Tomic on Saturday of deliberately trying to sabotage the nation's Davis Cup team in a nasty spat with captain Lleyton Hewitt and withdrew all support for him. Tomic launched an extraordinary attack on two-time Grand Slam champion Hewitt during the Australian Open last month, saying "no one likes him any more" while claiming he had ruined the national tennis system. He alleged there were deep divisions in the Australian men's game. Hewitt responded by washing his hands of the player, alleging he had been blackmailed and physically threatened by the combustible 26-year-old. Tomic's father John then said he planned legal action against Hewitt over an incident he claimed occurred in 2010 when his son was a Davis Cup debutant. Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley said he was "deeply disappointed with the ongoing disrespect from Bernard and his father". "Lleyton is right to say Bernard will not be considered for Davis Cup. Bernard does not meet the ..
'We move on' - Yoshida defiant after Asian Cup heartbreak
Japan captain Maya Yoshida promised the Blue Samurai would come back stronger after suffering a shock 3-1 defeat by Qatar in the Asian Cup final. A moment of magic from Qatar striker Almoez Ali after just 12 minutes stunned Japan in Abu Dhabi on Friday, before a brilliant second from Abdelaziz Hatim and a controversial late penalty gave the 2022 World Cup hosts a historic first Asian title. A distraught Yoshida blasted Japan's naivety after the game but refused to make excuses. "It's difficult to describe how it feels," he told AFP. "We were too passive, a bit naive and made so many mistakes. We conceded two goals at the beginning of the game which we shouldn't have -- we simply weren't good enough. "But they played well and deserve to be champions," added Yoshida. "No excuses, we move on." Japan briefly threatened to get back into the game after Takumi Minamino pulled a goal back on 69 minutes, only for Uzbek referee Ravshan Irmatov to award Qatar a penalty after a video review for a
Karunaratne stretchered off as Sri Lanka chase big Australia total
Opener Dimuth Karunaratne was stretchered off in a neck brace after being hit by a bouncer Saturday as Sri Lanka chased a massive Australian first innings total built on the back of three centuries. In overcast conditions, the home team resumed day two of the second Test in Canberra on 384 for four and extended their lead to a massive 534 for five when skipper Tim Paine declared. At stumps, Sri Lanka were 123 for three in reply with Kusal Perera on 11 and Dhananjaya de Silva not out one. Paine's declaration looked premature given the ease with which Sri Lanka's openers weathered the new-ball attack led by under-pressure Mitchell Starc. On a flat Manuka Oval track conducive to batting Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne saw off some lightning quick deliveries and a bouncer barrage and had built an 82-run stand before disaster struck. Playing in his 58th Test, Karunaratne was 46 not out when a rising Pat Cummins ball appeared to glance off his shoulder and onto his helmet, close to the ...
Sri Lanka's Karunaratne 'in no danger' after bouncer hit
Sri Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne was in "no danger" after being stretchered off in a neck brace following a nasty hit from a bouncer by Pat Cummins in the second cricket Test in Canberra on Saturday. Playing in his 58th Test, Karunaratne was 46 not out when the rising ball glanced off his shoulder and onto his helmet, close to the neck area. He slumped to the ground, dropping his bat as Australian players ran to assist. A doctor and physio sprinted onto the ground and called for more medics and after some 10 minutes he was put onto a stretcher and taken off the field on a golf buggy before being sent to hospital for checks. Coach Chandika Hathurusingha said he was "in good spirits" and in "no danger". "It was a bit scary at the start the way he fell back, but he was okay throughout, he was talking to the umpires and the physio," he said after play ended for the day. "It hit on the back of the neck so he is being assessed." Cricket Australia said he complained of pain in the neck ..
Greg Chappell set to retire from Cricket Australia
Greg Chappell, who is considered one of Australia's most influential voices in the field of cricket, is set to exit the stage as the selector and national talent manager following the end of the Ashes later this year.In the midst of extensive debate about the role of the national selection panel also comprising Trevor Hohns and Justin Langer, Chappell informed colleagues of his intention to depart Cricket Australia, ending his long and eventful involvement with the governing body, stretching over more than 30 years since his retirement from playing in 1984, ESPNcricinfo reported on Saturday.The 70-year-old served as a selector of the formerly known Australian Cricket Board from 1984 to 1988, 2010 to 2011 and 2016 until this year. He also worked as the head coach at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane before his appointment as Cricket Australia's national talent manager in 2010.In the wake of the Don Argus-led review, the former Australian player lost his place on the selection ...
Davis Cup: Bopanna-Sharan win doubles to keep India hopes alive
Living up to their reputation in doubles, Indian pair of Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan bounced back from one-set down to beat Italian combination of Simone Boelleli and Matteo Berrettini and stay alive in the Davis Cup Qualifiers here Saturday. In the must-win rubber, Bopanna and Sharan upped the ante by breaking newcomer Berrettini in the fourth game of the second set before sealing the issue 4-6 6-3 6-4 in an one-hour 43 minutes battle at Calcutta South Club. Making a comeback for the first time since 2012, southpaw Sharan complemented senior pro Bopanna and wrapped it up with a forehand volley winner in the end. Down 0-2 after losing their two singles rubber in the opening day, India will now look to make amends in the two reverse singles. "We had good understanding and kept fighting," Sharan said giving credit to his senior partner. Playing his third Davis Cup match, the Delhi lad said: "Yes, there was pressure playing for India. But it felt normal having Rohan by my side. I ...
Dhoni declared fit for fifth ODI
Former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has regained full fitness and will play the fifth and final ODI against New Zealand, India's assistant coach Sanjay Bangar confirmed on Saturday. India and New Zealand will meet for the final ODI at the Westpac Stadium here on Sunday. Although the visitors have sealed the series 3-1, they will look to bounce back after the eight-wicket defeat in the fourth ODI where they were bundled out for a paltry 92. India's most experienced ODI player was out of the last two games with a hamstring injury. "Yes, he is fit and will be playing the fifth ODI," Bangar told reporters on the eve of the game. The 37-year-old won the man of the series award in the recent three-match ODI series against Australia after scoring three fifties. He continued in the same vein in the ongoing series against New Zealand, scoring an unbeaten 33-ball 48 to take India to 324-4 in the second ODI. Dhoni's experience in the middle order was missed when India suffered a collapse in the .
Roma seeks to rebound after demoralising defeat, disappointing draw
A discouraged AS Roma squad is set to take on Milan in a Serie A match that will see the capital team welcome a chance to play at home and try to bounce back after the Romans' humiliating Italian Cup quarterfinal defeat to Fiorentina and their disappointing Serie A draw to Atalanta.
Injured Martin Guptill in doubt for fifth ODI against India
A lower back injury could rule New Zealand opening batsman Martin Guptill out of the fifth ODI against India at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington.The 32-year-old sustained the injury during fielding practice on the eve of the match."Martin Guptill is in doubt for tomorrow's fifth ODI against India after aggravating his lower back while fielding this afternoon," Black Caps, as the New Zealand team is called, tweeted on Saturday.Colin Munro has been recalled to the Kiwi squad in Guptill's absence. The middle-order batsman made 8, 31 and 7 in the first three ODIs and was dropped from the fourth game in Hamilton."He [Guptill] has been assessed by team physio Vijay Vallabh and will be reassessed tomorrow morning. Colin Munro will rejoin the ODI squad tomorrow morning."Having already won the five-match series 3-1, India will meet New Zealand for the fifth ODI on February 3.
Australia release Will Pucovski from Test squad over mental health concerns
Will Pucovski, the right-handed Australian batsman, has been released to return home from the ongoing Sri Lanka Tests after asking to continue his rehabilitation over mental health issues.The 21-year-old was left out of the XI for both the Brisbane and Canberra Tests, leaving him to travel back to Melbourne to recommence his recovery process from problems he faced earlier in the summer. "Will Pucovski has been released from the men's Test squad and will return home to Melbourne to continue managing his well being," ICC quoted team doctor Richard Saw, as saying in a release."He reported some challenges over the past few days, and the decision has been made that the best thing for Will's welfare is for him to return home to Melbourne," added Saw.This followed his withdrawal from the Victoria Sheffield Shield after scoring a double-century against Western Australia. Pucovski has been working with several experts on his health thereafter."Will has been proactive in this process and while