|
|
|
|
|
Women soar as men take flight
McCullum is not corrupt, asserts NZC
Confident Knights await Super Kings
|
|
|
Manan gives Kings the wings
Mana Vohra, the Chandigarh boy, gave Kings XI another rousing start to put them on the victory path. PTI
Mumbai have it easy for a change
Kabaddi players go under the hammer today
Fans at risk from footie mania
Van Gaal confirmed as
Man U manager
India to bid for World seniors championships
Scott overtakes Woods as No.1
Pak cricket in crisis as court annuls several appointments
|
|
Women soar as men take flight
New Delhi, May 19 With that loss, the Indian men's upcoming tie against Germany would be merely of an academic interest, for Malaysia and Korea have stormed into the quarterfinals from Group C, bringing down curtains on the hosts and Germany's campaign. The women shuttlers, on the other hand, put in another dominating show to make the quarters for the first time since 2010. Riding high on confidence, they will look to put it across the much-stronger Thailand and top the group. Saina Nehwal warmed up for the tough battle ahead against current World Champion Ratchanok Intanon when she defeated Pui Yin Yip 21-9, 21-10 in just 35 minutes. The World No.8 continued with her rampaging form in the event, and accumulated point after point in a jiffy. "Beating Yip is not easy. She is quite an attacking player. It's good that I did not disappoint the home crowd. I played for my team and am happy with my performance," said Saina after the match. Asked about her upcoming contest against Intanon, Saina said: "When you are in form, when you are playing well, nobody knows what is going to happen. I am happy because I beat someone who is capable of beating me. It gives me the confidence to play against the top players and I will carry it to the match against Intanon," she added. The second tie saw Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa quelling the challenge of Hoi Wah Chau and Lok Yan Poon 21-17, 21-13 in yet another dominating show of attacking rallies and deceptive drops in the first doubles. In the second singles, World Championship bronze medallist P V Sindhu kept the slate clean for the hosts with a 21-8, 21-10 victory over Ying Mai Cheung. Sindhu hardly broke a sweat against her lesser-fancied opponent and gave India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the tie. However, the doubles pair of Siki Reddy and Pradnya Gadre suffered a reversal as they lost 14-21, 11-21 to Tsz Ka Chan and Ying Suet Tse in the fourth match. In the final match of the Uber Cup, P C Thulasi scripted a come-from-behind victory over Hung Yung Chan, defeating her 19-21 21-16 21-7 in little less than an hour to complete a 4-1 drubbing of Hong Kong. In the Thomas Cup, Kidambi Srikanth lost a hard-fought battle against Wan Ho Son in the first singles. Srikanth squandered a one-game advantage to go down fighting 21-17, 12-21, 18-21 to the World No. 9 Wan Ho Son. In the doubles rubber, B. Sumeet Reddy and Manu Atrri's 18-21, 17-21 loss to Yeon Seong Yoo and Yong Dae Lee made it 2-0 for the visitors. Captain Parupalli Kashyap returned to the centre court stronger after suffering a disastrous loss the other day as he defeated Dong Keun Lee 21-17 21-14 to make it 1-2 for the hosts. But the duo of Sa Rang Kim and Ki Jung Kim dashed the Indian hopes with a convincing 21-16, 21-16 win over Akshay Dewalkar and Pranav Chopra in the second doubles to take their team to the quarters. R.M.V. Gurusaidutt won the final men’s singles match against Hwang Jong Soo 24-22, 21-13, but by then it was already too late for India. RESULTS Thomas Cup: India lost to Korea 2-3 (K Srikanth lost to Wan Ho Son 17-21, 21-12, 21-17; Manu Atri—B Sumeeth Reddy lost to Yeon Seong Yoo —Yong Dae Lee 21-18, 21-17; P Kashyap beat Dong Keun Lee 21-17, 21-14; Akshay Dewalkar—Pranav Chopra lost to Sa Rang Kim — Ki Jung Kim 21-16, 21-16; RMV Guru Sai Dutt beat Hwang Jong Soo 24-22, 21-13) Uber Cup: India beat Hong Kong 3-1 (Saina Nehwal beat Pui Yin Yip 21-9 21-10; Jwala Gutta — Ashwini Ponappa beat Hoi Wah Chau — Lok Yan Poon 21-17 21-13; P V Sindhu beat Ying Mei Cheung 21-8 21-10; Siki Reddy N — Pradnya Gadre lost to Tzs Ka Chan — Ying Suet Tse 14-21 11-21)
|
|
McCullum is not corrupt, asserts NZC
NZC said it was “dismayed” that McCullum’s testimony to the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption unit had been leaked to the British media, saying the big-hitting Kiwi skipper was committed to cleaning up the game. “We can confirm that Brendon is NOT under investigation by the ICC and his testimony has actually been applauded by them,” it said in a statement. “NZC has 100 percent confidence in our captain and his role in tackling corruption.” Britain’s Daily Mail reported online on Monday that McCullum told investigators he was approached by a “world renowned former cricketer” twice in 2008, first in Kolkata ahead of the inaugural Indian Premier League, then during New Zealand’s tour of England later that year. McCullum reportedly said the former star, player X, whom he described as “a hero who became a friend”, offered him up to 107,000 pounds ($180,000) to underperform in matches. The New Zealander, who gained the national captaincy in late 2012 and this year became the first Kiwi to hit a Test triple century, said he was “shell shocked” at the approach and told investigators he had never fixed a match. “(X) said that the ‘Big Boys’ in international cricket were doing it and he didn’t want me to miss out,” the Mail reported. “I am sure that he mentioned names to me but I cannot remember, although I seem to think that X mainly mentioned Asian cricketers.” Player X is believed to be the same person who former New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent admitted to the corruption probe that he fixed matches for, it said. Vincent is believed to have agreed a plea bargain in the hope of avoiding a criminal prosecution for his involvement in and knowledge of spot-fixing in five or more countries between 2008-2012. Vincent was revealed last December to have been under investigation along with fellow New Zealanders Chris Cairns and Daryl Tuffey over allegations of match-fixing. He later confirmed he had been approached by bookmakers. — PTI
|
|
Confident Knights await Super Kings
Kolkata, May 19 With this being the last lap of a whirlwind league phase that began in the UAE, a team like Kolkata Knight Riders who relish the home conditions — the slow track complemented by a raucous crowd — will savour the homecoming more than anybody else. While the always-reliable wily spinner Sunil Narine — 15 wickets and most economical (6.09) — continues to be the most vital cog in their wheel, it`s the emergence of explosive batsman Robin Uthappa that has contributed immensely to the team. Consider this: Uthappa`s average in the India leg of this IPL is 54.16 from six matches — two half-centuries and four 40-plus knocks. He has scored 422 from 11 matches of which 325 have come in the India leg. The ploy to open the batting with Uthappa certainly has done wonders for the side while skipper Gambhir too has been contributing. And they would heave a sigh of relief after seeing Ryan ten Doeschate and `match-winner` Yusuf Pathan`s cool-headed unbeaten knocks to seal a seven-wicket win in Hyderabad in a last-over finish on Sunday. The senior Pathan was at his destructive best, smashing two sixes and as many boundaries in his 27-ball 38, while the Dutchman hit a six and a boundary with 10 required from the last over. The win was important as it put Kolkata two points clear of Bangalore and four against Hyderabad in the three-way race for the fourth spot in the play-offs. In such a scenario, Gambhir will be keen to guard the team against complacency as they take on two-time former champions Chennai, the most consistent side in the Indian Premier League, and who have virtually qualified for the play-offs. — PTI
|
|
Manan gives Kings the wings
New Delhi, May 19 Chasing 165 for victory, Punjab rode on a breezy 67-run opening stand between Virender Sehwag (23) and Manan Vohra (42 off 19 balls) to overhaul the target in 19.4 overs. Vohra dazzled with four fours and three sixes to entertain the packed house at the Kotla as the Punjab opening duo scored 66 runs in the powerplays. South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir (3/22) struck after the drinks -- in the seventh over -- to deny Vohra his fifty. But, Glenn Maxwell soon brought the crowd to its feet as the orange-cap holder effortless smashed Tahir for a huge six between mid-wicket and long-on. Feeling at home till now, Sehwag also tried to follow Maxwell and did hit a six but soon he chased one outside-the-off delivery to be caught at sweeper cover off Proteas off-spinner Jean-Paul Duminy. Maxwell's (14) stay was also short-lived as Tahir cleaned up the dangerman with a perfect googly and celebrated the prized wicket with a little run in the inner circle. But, Delhi were hungry for more as Duminy, from the other end, came around the wicket to fox an in-form David Miller (2) as the hosts sensed an upset with Punjab at 95 for four. Wriddhiman Saha (13) and Akshar Patel (42 not out) then stitched a 33-run fifth-wicket partnership to take Punjab closer to their target. With 38 runs required, Mohammed Shami sent back Saha to give some hope to the home crowd but Patel carried on sensibly. The left-hand batsman hit three boundaries off Wayne Parnell to ease the pressure as a happy George Bailey (6) watched from the non-strikers end. Bailey fell to Tahir's guile in the penultimate over but there was no twist in the tale as all-rounder Rishi Dhawan (8 not out) hit the winning runs off Parnell. — PTI SCOREBOARD Delhi Daredevils Kings XI Punjab |
|
|
Mumbai have it easy for a change
Ahmedabad, May 19 In reply, Royals never looked in the hunt and were eventually restricted to 153 for eight. Karun Nair with 48 off 24 balls was the lone ranger for the Royals. Brad Hodge (40) and James Faulkner (31) tried their bit but it was too late by then. It was a collective effort by the MI bowlers, led by senior pro Harbhajan Singh who outshone others with brilliant figures of two for 13 from four overs. Pragyan Ojha also did his bit with two for 30 from his four overs. Royals’ baffling decision to rest the performing trio of Ajinkya Rahane, Pravin Tambe and Steven Smith backfired as the team lost the necessary momentum going into the match. Roayls with 14 points from 12 games remain third in the table and firmly in the hunt. But back to back losses will certainly affect their chances of finishing in the top two which would have given them an additional game.
Unmukt Chand (2) finally got a game but could well be his last in the tournament. It was a rank bad delivery from Pragyan Ojha and Unmukt failed in his bid to play a proper pull-shot as Mike Hussey caught him at deep mid-wicket boundary. Shane Watson (5) did not get going as he misjudged the turn off an Ojha delivery and the ball ballooned up hitting the toe-end of the bat for Ambati Rayudu to take a simple catch at mid-on. Sanju Samson (2) also played early to a Krishmar Santokie slower as Rayudu took his second catch, reducing Royals to 42 for three. While Karun was playing his strokes at other end, Kevon Cooper was dismissed by Kieron Pollard’s brilliant effort. Cooper smashed a Harbhajan delivery to what appeared going for a six, but the giant Caribbean timed his jump to perfection as he plucked a one-handed catch. The momentum forced him over the ropes but he threw the ball inside just in time and then turned in a flash to dive back and complete a stunner as Cooper looked shell-shocked. — PTI SCOREBOARD Mumbai Indians Rajasthan Royals
|
|
Kabaddi players go under the hammer today
Mumbai, May 19 The teams are: Bangaluru Bulls (Bangalore), Jaipur Pink Panthers, Bengal Warriors (Kolkata), Puneri Paltan (Pune), Telugu Titans (Vishakapatnam), U Mumba (Mumbai) and yet-to-be-named outfits representing Patna (inducted instead of Chennai as announced earlier) and Delhi. The eight participating teams have been given an equal purse of Rs 60 lakh for Category A and B Players. The players been divided into three categories — A, B and C — by the Kabaddi Federation of India based on prior records and performances. The base price for category A players is Rs 4 lakh and bidding for category B players would begin at Rs 2 lakh while category C players would be allotted to teams through a double draw format. The twelfth and final player on the team will be chosen by the franchise as a ‘State Wild Card’ from a list provided by the association, said the release. The league, to be held from July 26 to August 31, is being organised by Mashal sports with the blessings of the International Kabaddi Federation and the Kabaddi Federation of India. — PTI |
|
Fans at risk from footie mania
Reality, as you may have guessed, is rather different from the Never Never Land of television ads. For hundreds of millions of fans, say experts, the World Cup will be a life-affirming fiesta but for others it will be unhealthy, painful or even lethal. Statistics show that football’s great parties are typically accompanied by a surge in heart attacks, suicide, depression, assaults, road accidents, binge-drinking and pigging out on artery-clogging, waistline-expanding junk food. “The biggest risk comes from emotional stress which builds up during the match,” said Jean-Francois Toussaint, director of France’s Institute of Sport Biomedical Research and Epidemiology (IRMES). “The risk is naturally greater when a fan’s team loses rather than when it wins because the cumulative stress is negative.” Investigators in the southern Germany city of Munich found that local hospital admissions for heart attacks or palpitations rose 266 percent on days when the national team were playing in the 2006 World Cup which was hosted by the Germans. Researchers at the University of Birmingham in central England even recommended that penalty shootouts be banned “on public health grounds” after discovering that the tally of heart attacks in Britain rose by a quarter on the day England lost on kicks against historic rival Argentina in 1998. In the northwestern English county of Lancashire, incidents of domestic abuse rose by 38 per cent when England’s team played and lost in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups, police reported. One of the big movers and shakers is hormones? and not just testosterone, found in both men and women, which is associated with aggression. — Agencies
|
|
Van Gaal confirmed as
Man U manager
The 62-year-old Dutchman signed a
three-year contract and will take over at Old Trafford after the World
Cup in Brazil, becoming the first United manager from outside Britain
and Ireland. United great Ryan Giggs will be his assistant.” To work
as a manager for Manchester United, the biggest club in the world, makes
me very proud,” Van Gaal said in a United statement. Van Gaal has
experience of coaching — and winning trophies — at some of the world’s
top teams, but even spells at Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich may not
prepare him for the rebuilding job required at United. The club has
been in a state of flux since the retirement of Alex Ferguson last May
after nearly 27 years in charge. Moyes, Ferguson’s successor, was
dismissed last month before the team went on to finish seventh — its
lowest placing since the Premier League’s inception in 1992. —
Agencies
Louis van Gaal * He is the current manager of the Dutch
national team. He was formerly coach for Ajax, Barcelona, AZ and Bayern
Munich. Before his career as coach, Van Gaal played as a midfielder for
Royal Antwerp, Telstar, Sparta Rotterdam and AZ. Van Gaal is also a
fully qualified gymnastics teacher. * Bayern Munich's president Uli
Hoeness once went on the record to say: “His problem is that Louis is
not God, but the father of God. Before the world existed, Louis was
already there.” * During his second spell at Barcelona, Van Gaal
was once challenged in the dressing room by players over whether or not
he had the guts to drop the club's big stars. He replied by dropping his
trousers in front of the assembled squad before yelling that yes, he did
have the balls, and here was proof. |
|
|
India to bid for World seniors championships
Tribune News Service This is one of most important questions doing the rounds at the Siri Fort Sports Complex, the venue for the Thomas and the Uber Cup. It seems the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has an answer to their query. The BAI has decided to bid for the BWF World Senior Championships 2017, for which the deadline for the submission of applications is Oct 31, 2014. Badminton is on its way up in India, what with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) identifying the country as a major commercial hub, and organising the Thomas Cup and the Uber Cup here for the first time. In March, India had played host to another major ranking event — India Open — to reaffirm the region’s growing stature in the sport. The BWF is seeking bids for the World Senior Championships, which determines the World Champions in five disciplines in 8 categories.
|
|
|
Woods last played in March and is out indefinitely following back surgery, making his fall from the top inevitable. The 33-year-old Scott is just the second Australian to reach the top ranking, following Greg Norman's final reign which ended in 1998. The 2013 Masters champion, Scott, ends Woods' stretch of 60 straight weeks at the top. Currently, the world golf rankings are particularly close with just one average point separating first (Scott) and fifth place (Matt Kuchar). Tigers’ No. 1 reign may have ended because of injury, but when he does return, despite his time out, Tiger won’t be holding back. — Reuters
|
|
Pak cricket in crisis as court annuls several appointments
Karachi, May 19 The judgement means all the decisions taken by Sethi-led Board now stand void, including the appointments of Moin Khan as chief selector and manager, Waqar Younis as head coach, Mushtaq Ahmed as spin bowling coach, Grant Flower as batting coach, Zaheer Abbas as principal advisor to chairman on cricket affairs and even termination of nearly 150 employees. The IHC in its judgement said it was necessary to suspend the government notification issued in February which brought Sethi in power at the expense of an elected Ashraf regime. The release of the detailed judgement saw Ashraf arrive at the Gaddafi Stadium to take charge with members of his governing board in tow. Ashraf told reporters after a meeting of the governing board members that it was time the government accept the court’s decision and respect it. “I respect the government and am keen to work with it but the decisions of the judiciary also must be respected and accepted,” he said. "I was legally elected chairman that is why the court restdored me not once but twice. I think Najam Sethi needs to now accept this position and do something else.” — PTI |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Delhi Daredevils suffered their seventh consecutive loss this season as they went down to table-toppers Kings XI Punjab by four wickets in their last game at Feroze Shah Kotla here today.
Chasing 165 for victory, Punjab rode on a breezy 67-run opening stand between Virender Sehwag (23) and Manan Vohra (42 off 19 balls) to overhaul the target in 19.4
overs.
Mumbai Indians kept their play-off hopes alive with a comfortable 25-run victory over Rajasthan Royals in a one-sided contest here today.
Batting first, MI scored a stiff 178 for three riding on half-centuries from Lendl Simons (62) and Mike Hussey (56).
In reply, Royals never looked in the hunt and were eventually restricted to 153 for eight. Karun Nair with 48 off 24 balls was the lone ranger for the Royals. Brad Hodge (40) and James Faulkner (31) tried their bit but it was too late by then.
If the TV commercials piggybacking on the World Cup are to be believed, watching a football match is fun, healthy and sociable. Slim young men and women spring up from the sofa like gazelles to celebrate a goal. If they lose, they commiserate peacefully with a rueful shrug. And, of course, they only consume alcohol and food in modest, balanced proportions.
Hamilton, May 19
Mumbai now have eight points from 11 matches.
Paris, May 19
Manchester, May 19
LONDON, May 19
Azarenka out of French Open