‘India experience will help in Delhi's revival’
Hyderabad: The Daredevils might have ended last in IPl VI but former India coach Gary Kirsten feels it is an opportunity for the beleaguered side to do well this season and said his experience with Team India will help him in his new role as head coach of the Delhi Franchise. "You got to come out and do work hard, give it your best shot. Sometimes, when the team has not done well, that is not a bad thing. Because, you have an opportunity to really improve. I am looking forward to the Delhi Daredevils having a successful future," said Kirsten, who had coached the Indian side to win the 2011 cricket World Cup. "There is lot of work we have to do, we have to put a squad together. We have to get lot of the pieces of the puzzle in place. I got a bit of experience in India. I am sure it is going to help me. But then, there is no guarantee out there, in terms of performance," he told reporters here.
Faulkner ruled out of South Africa tour
Sydney: All-rounder James Faulkner has been ruled out of Australia's Test tour of South Africa with a knee injury and is due to have surgery on Tuesday, cricket chiefs said. Australia are also sweating on batsman Shaun Marsh, who has a calf strain, and the fitness of paceman Jackson Bird. Marsh will not travel to South Africa as scheduled but will remain in Perth for further treatment, before a decision is taken on whether he will join the tour. Bird will also stay in Australia and return to bowling to determine if he has recovered sufficiently from back problems. Faulkner, who hurt his right knee in the final one-day international win against England in Adelaide on Sunday, will be replaced in the 15-man Test squad by Moises Henriques.
Korean olympics gold medalist lee banned
Kuala lumpur: South Korea's 2008 Olympic badminton gold medallist lee Yong-Dae and another player Kim Ki-Jung have been banned for one year for missing doping tests, the Badminton World Federation said on Tuesday. The 25-year-old lee won mixed doubles gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and took a bronze medal in the men's doubles in london in 2012. lee was expected to compete in the Asian Games in Incheon. "Their period of ineligibility is from 23 January 2014 to midnight on 23 January 2015, during which time the players cannot participate in any capacity in a competition," the federation said in a statement.
Silva's maiden ton puts Sri lanka in command
Dhaka: Opener Kaushal Silva hit a maiden Test century to lead a dominant batting display by Sri lanka on the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Tuesday. Silva scored 139 as the tourists reached 375-5 by stumps at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium, a lead of 143 over Bangladesh's first innings total of 232 with five wickets in hand.
Clarke opts out of IPl auction
Melbourne: Australia captain Michael Clarke has pulled himself out of Indian Premier league auction scheduled next month to take rest in view of important national assignments. According to a report in Sydney Morning Herald, the 32-year-old is intent on freshening his mind and body for the team's two major objectives next year: the 2015 World Cup, and the defence of the Ashes in England. Clarke will be leaving for South Africa tomorrow along with most of the Test squad for the three-match series against the Proteas. He will take a four-month break following the series against the world number one side.
PNS/Agencies