Briefly: Mohammed Shami likely to play for Bengal in Ranji Trophy

New Delhi

Senior speedster Mohammed Shami, who is undergoing rehabilitation after an ankle surgery, is likely to make a comeback to competitive cricket for his domestic side Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, and a potential international appearance later in one of the Test matches against New Zealand. It is understood that Shami will play either one or both of Bengal’s opening away Ranji match against UP on October 11 and the next one in Kolkata against Bihar on October 18.

Dubai

India to open Women’s U19 T20 World Cup with WI game

Defending champions India will open their campaign against West Indies in the second edition of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup to be played in Malaysia from January 18 to February 2 next year. India have been clubbed alongside Malaysia, West Indies and Sri Lanka in Group A. India defeated England to win the inaugural edition of the tournament in South Africa last year.

Melbourne

MCG to host Aus-Eng match to celebrate 150 years of Tests

Australia are set to host England in a stand-alone celebratory match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 2027 to celebrate 150 years of Test cricket. Test cricket was first played between Australia and England in March 1877. The 1977 Centenary Test was won by Australia, as they did the first-ever match, by 45 runs.

White Sulphur Springs (US)

Lahiri slips further down, Rahm takes lead

India’s Anirban Lahiri carded a below-par 1-over 71 in the second round to slip further down at the LIV Golf Greenbrier tournament here. From overnight T-38, Lahiri slid down to T-49 in the field of 54 players. Lahiri had two bogeys against one birdie despite favourable scoring conditions. Jon Rahm rose to the top of the leaderboard after a second-round 8-under 62. At 14-under, he leads by two shots entering the final round.

Berlin

Leverkusen win German Supercup on penalties

Bayer Leverkusen are taking their knack for late goals into the new season. Patrik Schick equalised in the 88th minute to secure a 2-2 draw and Leverkusen went on to defeat Stuttgart 4-3 on penalties in the German Supercup. Though it’s considered the least important title of the season, both teams played as if it were the last. It was the first German Supercup game without Bayern Munich since 2011.

Abha (Saudi Arabia)

Ronaldo scores but Al-Nassr lose in Saudi Super Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo is still waiting for his first domestic trophy in Saudi Arabia after Al-Nassr lost 1-4 to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored the opening goal just before halftime in the season’s curtain-raiser between Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal and runners-up Al-Nassr. However, the 39 year-old forward then cut a frustrated figure after Al-Hilal netted four times in a 17-minute span in the second half.

Paris

Niewiadoma wins first Tour de France Femmes title

Poland’s Katarzyna Niewiadoma won her first Tour de France Femmes title, fighting off the challenge of defending champion Demi Vollering on the Alpe d’Huez. Vollering won a dramatic final stage but not by enough to retain her crown. Niewiadoma crossed the line in fourth place and broke down in tears as she realised she had done enough to keep the yellow jersey by a margin of four seconds. Agencies

Providence (Guyana)

Maharaj helps SA secure 10th successive series win over WI

South Africa bowled out West Indies for 222 to secure a 40-run victory on Day 3 of the second Test after Keshav Maharaj wrapped up the win with his fifth wicket of the match. It was South Africa’s 10th consecutive Test series win against West Indies and was highlighted by Maharaj becoming South Africa’s most successful spinner in Tests with 171 wickets after taking his series tally to 13 when he had Jayden Seales out for the final wicket. That overshadowed a six-wicket haul by Seales in South Africa’s second innings as the tourists were dismissed for 246 after resuming on 223/5. West Indies were in big trouble on 104/6 before Gudakesh Motie and Joshua Da Silva put together a 77-run stand to give the hosts hope of a victory. But Maharaj accounted for them both and then surpassed Hugh Tayfield as South Africa’s most successful spinner. AP