Indian hockey men to finish year in 4th position
Lausanne
Indian hockey men to finish year in 4th position
The Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams will finish the year in fourth and ninth positions, respectively, after a major part of the year was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Belgium men’s and the Netherlands women’s teams will finish the year at the top of the world rankings.
London
Kallis made England batting consultant for Lanka tour
South African legend Jacques Kallis was today appointed as the batting consultant of the England team for next month’s two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka. The 45-year-old Kallis worked in a similar role with South Africa last year in the Test series against England. It is not yet known if Kallis’ appointment will extend to the marquee tour of India beginning February next year.
Hamilton
Pakistan captain Babar to miss first New Zealand Test
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been ruled out of the first Test against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui starting December 26 due to a fractured thumb. Opening batsman Imam-Ul-Haq will also miss the game after fracturing his left thumb during a net session. Mohammad Rizwan will become Pakistan’s 33rd Test captain when he leads the side in Babar’s absence.
New Delhi
HCA clinch Sood cricket title for 2nd consecutive year
A century by skipper Sumeet Verma (107 off 67 balls) helped Haryana Cricket Academy beat LB Shastri CC by four runs in the final of the 30th All India Om Nath Sood Memorial Cricket Tournament for the second consecutive year. Brief scores: Haryana Cricket Academy: 232/6 in 40 overs (Verma 107, Lohchab 65; Dixit 3/24); LB Shastri CC: 228/9 in 40 overs (Dahiya 64, Sudha 2/29). Agencies
New Delhi
Sindhu, Saina to compete for first time since Covid break
India’s top shuttlers PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal will be seen in action for the first time since the coronavirus-forced break when they compete in three upcoming tournaments in Bangkok, including the prestigious BWF World Tour Finals. With Olympics qualifications in mind, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) today announced an eight-member squad to participate in the three tournaments scheduled in January. Sindhu and Saina – along with B Sai Praneeth, Kidambi Srikanth, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Ashwini Ponappa and N Sikki Reddy — will begin their campaign at the Thailand Open from January 12. PTI
Margao (Goa)
ATK Mohun Bagan pip Bengaluru FC
David Williams struck a peach of a goal to open his account and help ATK Mohun Bagan beat heavyweights Bengaluru FC 1-0 in the Indian Super League here today. The Australian showed great control and composure to give ATK a 33rd-minute lead. The Mariners remained behind Mumbai City on goal difference despite being on 16 points from seven matches.
MANCHESTER
United hit Leeds for six
Manchester United crushed Leeds United 6-2 in the Premier League on Sunday. United’s win, with two goals each for midfielders Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes, sent Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side up to third on 26 points. Agencies
Melbourne
CA to honour Australia’s Indigenous pioneer
The player of the match in the upcoming Boxing Day Test between India and Australia will be awarded with the Johnny Mullagh Medal as a tribute to honour the captain of Australia’s first sporting team to tour internationally. Mullagh was the leader of the 1868 Aborginal tour to the United Kingdom. Mullagh, whose real name was Unaarrimin, captained the Indigenous squad on its 1868 tour and played in 45 of 47 matches. He was a skillful all-rounder. PTI
