Page 812 - Sports
Need to face challenge to get back: Mitchell Marsh on being dropped
After being dropped from the first Test against India, Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh on Tuesday stated that one has to face the challenge of getting back into the team."I was obviously very disappointed to miss out in the first Test, but I understood the reasons why. Ultimately, you've got two ways to go about it and enjoy the hard work, enjoy the challenge of getting back into that Test side," ICC quoted Marsh, as saying."Every Test match you miss out on is shattering. I got plenty of messages of support. I cop a fair bit but I do have a lot of people who care about me and always have support for me," he added.In spite of scoring 151 for Western Australia, Marsh was left out of the playing XI for the Adelaide Test. He then returned to captain Western Australia, but scores of 21 and 11 and just one wicket didn't strengthen his case for selection in the second Test at Perth, starting December 14.Marsh's numbers with the bat in the longest format have dipped significantly since .
Cricket's "Big Bash" dispenses with coin toss; will flip bat
Cricket Australia's so-called Big Bash League is set to dispense with the traditional toss of a coin to determine which team gets to choose whether to bat or bowl first at the start of the game. It'll be decided instead by the flip of a bat when the eighth edition of the domestic Twenty20 Big Bash League starts Dec. 19. Instead of heads or tails, the question asked of the visiting team captain will be "hills or flats," terms more synonymous with the homegrown rules of what Australians call backyard cricket. Kim McConnie, the head of the league, says the change "reflects what BBL is about." "Some people don't like change but I'd also challenge people to say when was the last time anyone watched the coin toss or really focused on it to a great extent?" McConnie was quoted as telling the Australian Broadcasting Corp. in an article published on the league's website. The bat used for the flip will be standard and supplied by the BBL. Twenty20 is the shortest format played in elite ...
LeBron's Lakers edge Wade's Heat in final meeting, 108-105
LeBron James hit his first free throw to put the Lakers up by two. Dwyane Wade sidled up to him before the second shot. "Bro, just miss it so I can shoot the game-winner," Wade said in the waning seconds of their last game together. "Me and you. One on one. Just let me shoot it and go for it." LeBron didn't miss. Dwyane didn't really expect him to. They still got that last showdown, one on one with the game on the line. Wade launched a 27-foot fadeaway jumper that didn't go down, and the buzzer eventually sounded on the Lakers' 108-105 victory over Miami on Monday night while they scrapped for one last rebound. To the final moment in their 16 seasons of simultaneous stardom, these rivals and teammates competed with passion and love. When it was over, they hugged and vowed to get together soon. "That's just us," James said. "Some people say you shouldn't be friends with your competitors. But even with our friendship, we competed against each other and we pushed each other." James ...
Archers Deepika, Das get engaged
Indian archers Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das exchanged rings in an engagement ceremony here, and they will tie the knot next year. Wearing a cream and green coloured 'lehenga-chunhi', the 24-year-old Deepika was seen performing a traditional puja with the 26-year-old Atanu at her Ratu-Chatti residence Monday. Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda and his wife Mira Munda were present on the occasion. After the engagement ceremony, both the archers told the media that 2019 will be a busy year, which will include the Olympic qualifications. "So we have decided to tie the knot around November next year," Das and Deepika, who were part of the Indian contingent at Rio Olympics, said. A former world number one and a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Deepika has slipped to no five currently. A two-time Olympian, Deepika has won three silver medals and one bronze in World Cup Finals but has repeatedly failed to make a mark at the Olympics. Kolkata's Das, who is world number 17, has been .
Dembele issue will be handled internally: Barça coach
FC Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has defended his player Ousmane Dembele -- who has come under fire for being late to several training sessions and other behaviour issues -- and said the French forward's case will be handled internally.
Kirstie Gordon to miss England's tour to India and Sri Lanka
Aberdeenshire-born spinner Kirstie Gordon is likely to miss England's tour to India and Sri Lanka with a stress fracture in her lower back.Expressing disappointment over Gordon's health, England women's head coach Mark Robinson said, "Kirstie has had a great start to her international career. So, this is obviously a setback for her but hopefully, the timeout will allow her to come back fitter and stronger."The 21-year old, who starred at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women's World T20, helped her side to reach the finals, where England came unstuck against Australia by 8 wickets.England's tour to India and Sri Lanka is slated to be held in February-March 2019.
Naomi Osaka's coach becomes first ever WTA Coach of the Year
Sascha Bajin, coach of the world number five Naomi Osaka, has become the first-ever recipient of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Coach of the Year Award.Heaping praise on Bajin for being the man behind Japanese star's victory in the US Open, WTA tweeted: "The first ever #WTA Coach of the Year award goes to the man behind @Naomi_Osaka_'s rise to @usopen champion! Congrats @BigSascha!"Thanking the team management and Osaka, Bejin in his reply wrote, "Aahhhh! I'm speechless and turning a bit red. Such an honor It wouldn't have happened without my team around me who did amazing work this whole year and Naomi who had the biggest part in all this. Easy to be a good coach when you have a great student. Thanks to you all."In their first year together, Bajin guided Osaka to reach new heights, as she won her career first WTA title at the Paribas Open (Indian Wells) and claimed her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open after defeating American tennis ace Serena Williams in a dramatic ...
Test rankings: Kohli's reign in danger
Indian captain Virat Kohli's reign as the top-ranked Test batsman is in danger after the updated International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings were released on Tuesday.The 30-year-old, who has held on to the top spot since the Edgbaston Test against England, could manage to score only three and 34 during the first Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval. As a result, Kohli has conceded 15 points to slip to 920 points, which has reduced his lead by seven points.The latest threat to the Indian captain is New Zealand's Kane Williamson. Following a stellar performance of 89 runs and 139 runs against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, the right-hander was richly rewarded with 37 points to leapfrog into the second position on a career-high 913 points.With Williamson breathing down Kohli's neck, the India captain will be under pressure to perform strongly with the bat in the second Test starting from December 14 in Perth.
Boca Juniors make quiet return to Argentina following Libertadores loss
Boca Juniors players returned quietly to Argentina after losing in the Copa Libertadores final in Madrid over the weekend to crosstown arch-rival River Plate.
Athletic beat Girona in new coach's debut
An Aritz Aduriz penalty in stoppage time gave Athletic Club a 1-0 victory over Girona in the home side's first match under new coach Gaizka Garitano.
Barcelona decide not to play La Liga game in US
The plans of the Spanish football league to play one game a season in the United States look to be in ruins after FC Barcelona said they were no longer willing to play what was scheduled to be the first game in early 2019.
Garcia named new Villarreal coach
Spanish top division club Villarreal has named Luis Garcia Plaza as their new coach after sacking Javier Calleja earlier in the day.
Boca Juniors confirm Gago Achilles tear
Boca Juniors midfielder Fernando Gago faces months on the sidelines after rupturing his right Achilles tendon during his team's Copa Libertadores final defeat to River Plate.
World Tour Finals: Tough road ahead for Sindhu; Sameer too eyes knockout berth
P V Sindhu's bid to end the season with a gold will be a tough one while debutante Sameer Verma too will need to produce his absolute best to make the knockout stage when the BWF World Tour Finals begins here Wednesday. Sindhu has been the most impressive among the Indian shuttlers as she claimed silver medals at all the major events -- Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Championship -- besides finishing runners-up at the India Open and Thailand Open. On Wednesday, the 23-year-old from Hyderabad, who had finished runners-up in the last edition at Dubai, will begin her quest to put a golden touch to her silver-filled cabinet. But the road to the women's singles title will be a stiff one, considering she has been clubbed in what can be called a 'group of death', which includes world no 1 and her nemesis Tai Tzu Ying, Japan's world no 2 and defending champion Akane Yamaguchi and her India Open conqueror Beiwen Zhang of USA. Only eight top players compete in the prestigious ...
It is frustrating, it's not perfect system: Paine on DRS
Australia Test skipper Tim Paine has questioned the decision review system, saying it has been "frustrating" to deal with the technology that is "not a perfect system". Australia endured some frustrating moments during their 31-run loss to India in first Test when a few decisions went against the hosts after reviewing the umpires calls. Umpire Nigel Llong had given Ajinkya Rahane out caught at bat-pad for 17 early on Sunday but the decision was overturned on review when replays indicated that the ball had hit the batsman's front pad outside the line of off stump and missed his bat and gloves. Similarly, Cheteshwar Pujara, who had scored a gritty 123 in the first innings, was adjudged out on eight and 17 to Lyon on Saturday but the dismissals were overturned. Replays found no contact with bat or gloves in his first dismissal and the second one was overruled as ball tracking suggested that the ball would have gone over the bails. "Look, it's (DRS) not a perfect system and I haven't got .
Perth will suit Australia more than India: Ponting
Australia might have been outwitted in the opening Test but former skipper Ricky Ponting believes the hosts will hold an edge over India in the second Test at the Perth beginning Friday. India defeated Australia by 31 runs in the first match to take a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series for the first time in 70 years. Ponting believes the nature of the new-look Perth pitch will suit the Australians. "I think Perth will definitely suit our guys a lot more than the Indian players, but the Aussies need to bounce back pretty quickly," Ponting told told cricket.com.au. Ponting said Australia need to find out their shortcomings quickly and learn from them after putting a poor show in the first Test. "They played pretty poorly this week and got within 30 runs. And that's not saying India played at their absolute best either, but they're absolutely capable," he said. "There's some positives to take from it but they've also got to take a good hard look at what they've done through this game and .
Pant pays rich tribute to Dhoni
India's new record-holder wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has described Mahendra Singh Dhoni as "the hero of the country" and said the former skipper taught him to be patient and handle pressure situations. Pant, on Monday, equalled the world record of most catches in a Test by a wicketkeeper, snaring 11 in India's 31-run win in the first Test against Australia. The 21-year-old is now level with Englishman Jack Russell (vs South Africa at Johannesburg in 1995) and South Africa's AB de Villiers (vs Pakistan at Johannesburg in 2013). He also eclipsed the India record of 10 catches in a game by Wriddhiman Saha. "He's (Dhoni) the hero of the country," Pant, who took six catches in Australia's first innings to equal Dhoni on that mark, told cricket.com.au. "I've learnt a lot from him as a person and as a cricketer as well. Whenever he's around, I feel more confident as a person. If I've got any problems I can share it with him and get a solution right away. "As a wicketkeeper and a player (he's .
Winners and losers as buoyant Bayern head to Ajax for showdown
Resurgent Bayern Munich head to Ajax for Wednesday's Champions League group showdown with clear winners and losers among the star-studded squad after Niko Kovac's decision to end rotation. "We want to keep going," said Leon Goretzka, now a firm fixture in central midfield alongside Joshua Kimmich with Bayern having won their last three games after Saturday's 3-0 league home win over Nuremberg. "Now we travel to Amsterdam and want to finish first in the group - that's important for us." Bayern need just a point at Ajax's Johan Cruyff Arena to win Group E with the Bavarian giants currently top of the table, two points ahead of their Dutch rivals, and both teams already into the last 16. A 5-1 thrashing of Benfica at the Allianz Arena a fortnight ago, with Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben both scoring twice, signified an end to the poor results of October and November which also saw Bayern slide down the Bundesliga table. Bayern have now clawed their way back up to third in the league
Van Dijk backs Liverpool to compete on multiple fronts
Virgil van Dijk insists Liverpool have a strong enough squad to maintain a challenge for both the Premier League and the Champions League. Jurgen Klopp's side went top of the English top flight with a 4-0 victory at Bournemouth on Saturday. But Liverpool will be eliminated from Europe's elite club competition if they fail to get the right winning result against Napoli at Anfield on Tuesday. Netherlands defender Van Dijk has acknowledged Liverpool will have no one to blame but themselves if they fail to qualify from Champions League Group C, having lost all three of their away games. Former Manchester United star Gary Neville, now a television pundit, suggested in September that Klopp did not have a squad capable of being competitive both domestically and in Europe, adding Liverpool should consider prioritising the Premier League. Klopp disagreed with that at the time, and Van Dijk is adamant he and his team-mates will be able to cope with the demands of the knockout stages from ...
Sterling has endured abuse for years, claims Neville
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville claims Manchester City star Raheem Sterling endured years of "vicious" abuse before the alleged racist slurs directed at him by Chelsea fans on Saturday. Sterling was subjected to reported racist abuse from Chelsea fans during City's 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have suspended four supporters while they continue their investigation into the incident. Neville, who worked with Sterling during his time as assistant to former England boss Roy Hodgson, says the abuse at Chelsea is far from the first time the City winger has taken the brunt of vitriolic public criticism. Neville revealed Sterling approached him for advice during Euro 2016 when abuse from fans and media for his poor performances became too much for him to take. "He came to see me one-on-one in 2016, I think it was three or four days before the Iceland game," Neville said on Sky Sport's Monday Night Football. "Before the tournament, he was getting so much stick. We were