Page 738 - Sports
Pat Cummins calls captaincy idea "ridiculous"
Australia pacer Pat Cummins on Tuesday rubbished the suggestion that he will become the Test captain in future, calling the idea "ridiculous"."I think it is pretty ridiculous at the moment. We have obviously got 'Painey' (Tim Paine) at the moment who is doing a brilliant job and I think it is his for a long time now," Cricket Australia quoted Cummins, as saying."I feel like I am too busy in the game bowling and when I am batting putting all my effort into that. And when I am not doing it I am usually off with the fairies trying to recover. So, I don't think I would make a very good captain at the moment," he added.The 25-year-old, who rose to number three on the ICC Test bowling rankings, claimed a terrific six-wicket haul in India's second innings and scored 63 off 114 balls in Australia's second innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In spite of his heroic efforts, the hosts fell to a 137-run defeat to go 2-1 down in the ongoing four-Test series.Cummins, however, also said that a
Tons by Bharat, Bhui put Andhra in command vs Hyderabad
Centuries by K S Bharat (178 not out) and Ricky Bhui (129) helped Andhra take control against Hyderabad at stumps on day three of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group 'B' match here Tuesday. Talented young wicketkeeper-batsman Bharat hit 22 fours and two sixes in his 277-ball knock of 178 while Bhui struck 14 fours and two sixes in his 248-ball innings as Andhra scored 502 for 7 declared in 154 overs in reply to Hyderabad's 271. At end of the day's proceedings, Hyderabad was 33 for no loss, still trailing by 198 runs. Resuming at 207 for 3, Andhra dominated proceedings as Bhui and Bharat piled on the runs even as the Hyderabad bowlers wilted. The fourth-wicket partnership between the two produced 234 runs. Bharat led the run-scoring and was the more aggressive of the two, hitting shots all round the wicket. The pair took the total from 350 to 400 before the visiting side broke through when T Ravi Teja (2 for 101) dismissed Bhui, having him caught behind by K S K ...
What has been your vision for tennis in last 30 years? Somdev asks AITA
"What has been your vision for tennis in last 30 years," Somdev Devavarman asked the All India Tennis Association after pulling out of the planned Centre of Excellence in New Delhi due to a drastic budget cut. Former India player Somdev was supposed to head the Centre of Excellence. The Sports Ministry and AITA had agreed to invest Rs 20 crore to establish the Centre, on the lines of the Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad, but eventually the budget was brought down to Rs 10 crore. "We had made plans based on a budget that was agreed upon. We built the plan around that and if it does not follow through, then it's impossible," Somdev told PTI in an exclusive chat. "Tennis is a very international sport and to get best international expertise, you need to pay international rates." Somdev insisted that his own remuneration was not the bone of contention. "I was never doing it for salary and never got paid for it (devising a plan)...it was a passion project. Honestly I have no hard feelings but
ICC confirms direct qualifiers for T20 World Cup
The International Cricket Council on Tuesday confirmed the sides that have qualified directly for the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2020 to be held in Australia, based on the Twenty20 International (T20I) rankings as on December 31.
Dhanpal Ganesh signs new long-term contract with Chennaiyin FC
Chennaiyin FC midfielder Dhanpal Ganesh has signed a new three-year contract with the club, keeping him with the two-time Indian Super League champions till May 2022. "I am delighted to have renewed my contract with my home club. Chennaiyin FC have showed tremendous faith in me despite my knee injury, and I cannot wait to get back to the pitch and repay that faith," Ganesh said. "This season has not gone to plan yet, however we will focus ahead and aim to bounce back stronger in 2019 with plenty to play for including our historic AFC Cup campaign," said Ganesh. Ganesh was a pivotal figure in CFC's 2017-18 title-winning side, making 17 appearances and scoring two crucial goals. The hard-tackling central midfielder aided the backline formidably and helped them keep eight clean sheets enroute the ISL title. Ganesh has seven international caps to his name and he featured regularly in Indian national team head coach Stephen Constantine's plans in the road to the AFC Asian Cup 2019. Ganesh .
Captaincy calls "ridiculous", says Cummins
Australian pacer Pat Cummins on Tuesday called suggestions of him captaining the Test side "ridiculous" and instead backed skipper Tim Paine to lead the side for a long time. The 25-year-old was Australia's top performer with both the ball and the bat in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. He was the top-scorer in the second innings (63) and also picked up nine wickets in the match. "I think it's pretty ridiculous at the moment," Cummins was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia's official website cricket.com.au. Wicketkeeper Tim Paine was handed the job to lead Australia in the Test format after former captain Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner were banned for a year owing to their involvement in the infamous ball-tampering incident in March last year. "We've obviously got 'Painey' (Test skipper Tim Paine) at the moment who is doing a brilliant job and I think it's his for a long time now," Cummins said. After facing defeat in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and trailing 1-2 in ..
Siddle eyes berth in Oz T20 squad
Veteran Australian pacer Peter Siddle is eying a spot in the national T20 squad following a string of good performances in the Big Bash League.
Uruguayan newspaper gives football award to Martinez, Gallardo
Argentine player Gonzalo "Pity" Martinez and manager Marcelo "Muñeco" Gallardo were awarded the Rey de America football prizes by the Uruguayan daily El Pais, honouring them as the best player and best manager of 2018, respectively, for leading River Plate to the Copa Libertadores title.
Bumrah is nightmare to face but Pujara's runs made vital difference: Hodge
Former Australia cricketer Brad Hodge called Jasprit Bumrah "a nightmare to face" in an enormous compliment but picked Cheteshwar Pujara's runs at number three as the vital difference between the two sides. The final Test starts here on January 3, with India leading the four-match series 2-1. "Pujara has been the difference between the two sides. Both bowling units have looked strong. Barring the first session in Perth (where Australia scored 112-0), and Mayank Agarwal in Melbourne, all four openers have struggled," Hodge told PTI. "So, the number three position where Pujara has dominated, has been of importance. Not only has he not lost his wicket cheaply, but he has also taken time out of the game." India regained the lead with a 137-run win in the third Test Melbourne, with Pujara scoring a hundred in the first innings. "He also negated Nathan Lyon who bowled extremely well in Adelaide and Perth. So Pujara's importance cannot be ignored. He was left out of the first Test in ...
Kyrgios through to Brisbane 2nd round after victory over Harrison
Australia's Nick Kyrgios on Tuesday lived up to potential, defeating Ryan Harrison of the United States 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-6(5) at the first round of Brisbane International.
Nadal declares himself ready for his 2019 opening match
Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal on Tuesday said he was aiming to start the new year in style, ahead of his opening match at the Brisbane International.
We have 50-50 chance of making it to second round: Bhutia
Former captain Bhaichung Bhutia says India have a 50-50 chance of making it to the second round of the upcoming AFC Asian Cup. The continental tournament is starting from January 5 in the UAE and will be held till February 2. With Sunil Chhetri at the helm, Bhutia was asked about India's chances in the tournament. "I feel it's a good group to be in -- with Thailand, UAE and Bahrain. I think we have a 50-50 chance of making it to the second round," the 42-year-old Bhutia said. "It will all depend on the hard work the boys put in, and a little bit of luck. I urge the team to give their all, and leave no stone unturned. They should enjoy the atmosphere of being part of such a big tournament," he was quoted as saying by the All India Football Federation's official website. The Sikkimese Sniper, as he is fondly called for his exploits upfront in his heydays, is "lucky and privileged" to have played alongside both I M Vijayan and Chhetri. "I feel lucky and privileged to have played with ...
Venus wins three-set thriller against Azarenka
The ageless Venus Williams launched her 25th year as a professional by outlasting Victoria Azarenka in a three-set thriller on day two of the WTA Auckland Classic Tuesday. In the showdown between the two former world number ones, the 38-year-old Williams overcame Azarenka, nine years her junior, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3. The two hour 10 minute marathon was packed with power and precision, and in the end Azarenka's nine aces were not enough. Williams' superior accuracy in the opening stages gave her the first set, before Azarenka took the second by blasting winners as she moved her opponent from side to side. In the deciding third set there were two breaks by each player in the first six games before Williams opened a gap to go 5-3 up when Azarenka was wide with a cross-court forehand. The American then served for the match. "I love my job, I love what I do but tonight was not easy and maybe one of the toughest first rounds I've ever played," Williams said, adding it was what she needed to start .
South Africa and Pakistan face selection posers
South Africa and Pakistan must resolve selection headaches ahead of the second Test starting at Newlands on Thursday. South Africa's six-wicket win in the first Test at Centurion was set up by the bowling of Duanne Olivier, who had match figures of 11 for 96. Olivier got his chance because of an injury to Vernon Philander, who is fit again and will "definitely come back" to play at his home ground, according to captain Faf du Plessis. Philander has taken 49 wickets in nine Tests at Newlands at an average of 16.55. Despite his performance at Centurion, Olivier is unlikely to be picked ahead of Kagiso Rabada, who finished 2018 as the world's top-ranked Test bowler, or Dale Steyn, South Africa's all-time leading wicket-taker. Nor are South Africa likely to risk going into a Test at Newlands without spinner Keshav Maharaj. Which means Olivier will only play at the expense of a specialist batsman, with Theunis de Bruyn the most likely to make way. The case for South Africa picking five ...
Tim Paine's wife shares picture of 'Babysitter' Rishabh Pant
When Australian skipper Tim Paine offered Indian wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant to babysit his kids during their sledging session in the recently concluded Melbourne Test, nobody would have ever thought that this could be true.Seems like the on-field banter was taken way too seriously as Paine's wife Bonnie posted a picture of Pant with their kids and captioned it as 'Best Babysitter.'It was during India's second innings in the Melbourne Test that the banter between the two players started. India was struggling at 47 for 5 when Paine saw a perfect opportunity to intimidate the batsman."Tell you what big MS is back in the one-day squad. Should get this bloke down to Hurricanes. They need a batter. Fancy that extends you Aussie holiday, beautiful town Hobart too... get him a waterfront apartment. Have him over for dinner. Do you babysit? I can take my wife to the movies while you watch the kids," Paine told Pant.The Indian player responded back by calling Paine a "Temporary ...
India make direct qualification to T20 W
Indian cricket team on Tuesday made direct qualification to the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) men's Twenty20 World Cup 2020 which will be held in Australia.The confirmation was made by the ICC after taking into consideration the men's T20I team ranking. As per the qualification criteria set for the tournament, the host nation and the other nine top-ranked sides have ensured direct qualification.The top eight make it straight to the Super 12s stage while the remaining two will play in the group stage along with six other teams who will make it through from the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier in 2019. Four teams from the group stage will advance to the Super 12s.India, along with Pakistan, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies and Afghanistan, will start their campaign directly in the Super 12s.Former champions and three-time finalists Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, who are holding the ninth and tenth position, respectively in the ranking table, will have to ..
Peter Siddle eyes Australian T20I berth
Australian paceman Peter Siddle, who has a brilliant run in the ongoing season of the Big Bash League, wants to make a comeback in Australia's T20 international team.The 34-year-old said that he always had the skills of a T20I bowler but he never played enough so that he could cement his spot in the national side."I'd love to get back in the yellow-and-green for Australia in the shorter format. I think I did (always have T20 bowling skills) but I hadn't played enough to be able to bring them out," ICC quoted Siddle, as saying.Talking about the prospects of getting a chance in the Australian Test team for their upcoming Ashes series, the right-arm bowler said that his good show in England while playing for Essex has increased his chances of getting opted for the prestigious Test series."Last year, playing a full season gave me an opportunity to train and prepare for it. If you go back to a couple of years ago, you'd probably think I'd run my course and might not get that opportunity ...
NBA star Iguodala fined $25,000
Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala has been fined $25,000 for throwing the ball into the stands during a National Basketball Association (NBA) game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Sri Lanka, Bangladesh fail to secure direct qualification to T20 WC Super 12s
Former champions Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have failed to get direct qualification for the men's T20 World Cup's Super 12s owing to their low rankings and will have to fight for a place in a group stage competition in 2020. The International Cricket Council (ICC) Tuesday stated that top-ranked Pakistan, India, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, the Windies and an on-the-rise Afghanistan will start their campaign directly in the Super 12s. But former champions and three-time finalists Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will have to contend with the other six qualifiers in the group stage of the tournament, which will be held from October 18 to November 15, 2020. As per the qualification criteria, the top eight make it straight to the Super 12s stage while the remaining two have to play in the group stage along with teams, which will make it through from the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier in 2019. Four teams from the group stage will advance to the Super 12s. Sri Lanka captain Lasith ...
African runners dominate Latin America's biggest race
Ethiopia's Belay Bezahb and Kenyan runner Sandrafelis Tuei won the men's and women's divisions in the annual Sao Silvestre Road Race, the marquee competition of Latin American athletics.