Warne to coach Aussie spinners
Melbourne: Bowling great Shane Warne was on Thursday named as spin coach ahead of Australia’s World Twenty20 campaign starting in Bangladesh in March. Cricket Australia said the 44-year-old would support head coach Darren lehmann as a consultant, providing specialist training for the squad’s spinners. “We believe our national teams can really benefit from more specific skill-based coaching as and when it is needed,” lehmann said. “This will mean that from time to time we will enlist the support of experts in their craft to work with our players and share their experiences.”
Sunderland stun man United Manchester: Manchester United’s desperate season met with fresh degradation as they sensationally lost on penalties to Sunderland in the league Cup semi-finals at Old Trafford. Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, United levelled the tie through Jonny Evans’s 37th-minute header on Wednesday, only for Phil Bardsley to net a dramatic equaliser late in extra time with a low shot that squirmed past David de Gea. Improbably, United promptly went straight up to the other end and equalised through Javier Hernandez, for a 3-3 aggregate scoreline that sent the tie to penalties, but it was to prove a false dawn.
Messi sets up 4 in Barca’s 4-1 win
Barcelona: lionel Messi marked his 400th game for Barcelona with a master class of passing by setting up four goals to give Cristian Tello a hat-trick in a 4-1 win at levante in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarterfinal. Denied by the hosts in the first half on Wednesday, Messi withdrew into midfield to turn playmaker and place four precise passes behind the defense that led to an own goal in the 53rd minute and Tello’s treble in the 60th, 81st and 86th.
sanjay bangar in KXIP
Chandigarh: Kings XI Punjab have roped in former India all-rounder Sanjay Bangar as their assistant coach for the seventh edition of the Indian Premier league. Former Railways skipper Bangar has been instrumental in leading his Ranji team to victory at various platforms. Commenting on his appointment, Bangar said it would be a challenge for him to train the young cricketers for the upcoming season. “It will be interesting to have a new team this year and a great challenge and opportunity to train some of the young and inspiring cricketers. I am looking forward to working with the team and am sure they will please the fans in season 7 with their exceptional performance,” said Bangar.
MPCA secy in sexual case, out
Indore: Former Joint Secretary of Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) Alpesh Shah was arrested in connection with a case of sexual harassment of a young female cricketer here, official sources said on Thursday. The Tukoganj police arrested Alpesh on Wednesday and soon after released him on a bond of Rs 50,000. A case under section 354 of the IPC (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) had been filed against Shah on November 28 last year following a complaint filed by the 18-year-old victim.
Saina slips further to 9th rank
New Delhi: India’s Olympic bronze medallist shuttler Saina Nehwal dropped a place to be at ninth position, while P V Sindhu retained her 11th spot in the latest Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings issued on Thursday. The 23-year-old girl from Hyderabad is currently playing in the India Grand Prix Gold and she will be hoping for a strong finish in the tournament to climb the ladder once again. World Championship bronze medallist Sindhu, who also lost in the second round of Malaysian Open, however, managed to maintain No.11 ranking. On the other hand, top male shuttler Parupalli Kashyap jumped two places to be at No. 18, while Mumbai’s Ajay Jayaram moved up a place to be at 21th position.
Churchill-sporting in final
Kochi: Churchill Brothers and Sporting Clube de Goa will face each other in the summit clash of the 35th Federation Cup football tournament after notching up victories against Mohun Bagan and Dempo respectively here on Thursday. Churchill defeated Mohun Bagan 2-1 in the first semifinal while Sporting Clube de Goa emerged 3-2 victorious in extra time in an absorbing match against Dempo later in the day at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
PNS/Agencies