Tiwary, Pandey script India ‘A’ win
Darwin (Australia): Manoj Tiwary and Manish Pandey missed out on three-figure marks but their contrasting innings were enough to guide India ‘A’ to a comprehensive 70-run win over South Africa ‘A’ in the second match of the quadrangular series here on Tuesday. Tiwary blazed his way to a 73-ball 93 while Manish Pandey scored 91 off 108 balls as India ‘A’ piled up a commendable 326 for seven in 50 overs. In reply, medium fast bowler Dhawal Kulkarni ran through the middle-order claiming five for 54 as Proteas ‘A’ were all out for 256 in 47.1 overs.
‘Maria's comments not disrespectful’
New Delhi: Sachin Tendulkar on Tuesday said that he didn't find it disrespectful that Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova didn't know who he was as she did not follow cricket. "Sharapova's comments were not disrespectful. She doesn't follow cricket," a gentleman-like Sachin said in an interview to NDTV. Tendulkar fans reacted angrily on social media when Sharapova admitted during a post match press conference at the Wimbledon that she did not know who was Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar was in the Royal Box during the Championship alongside former England cricket captain Andrew Strauss. Sharapova's facebook and twitter account faced severe backlash though the Russian tennis ace kept silent.
Elbow surgery blow for Marsh
Sydney: Australian Test batsman Shaun Marsh faces four months out of action after a specialist on Tuesday recommended surgery for a persistent elbow injury. The left-hander is expected to go under the knife next week which rules him out of the upcoming tours of Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates, where Australia face Pakistan on neutral turf. But he should be back for the opening match of the four-Test series against India, which starts in Brisbane on December 4. “It’s a pretty significant injury. We don’t see it much in cricket; it’s more common in baseball,” Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said of the ligament issue. Marsh suffered the injury in the Indian Premier league.
NZ stops Basin Reserve fly-over
Wellington: New Zealand’s environmental watchdog stepped in on Tuesday to prevent a proposed fly-over in Wellington that would have threatened the historic Basin Reserve’s status as a Test cricket venue. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said keeping Test matches at New Zealand’s oldest cricket ground was a major factor in rejecting plans for an NZ$90 million (USD 78 million) fly-over next to the venue. “We found that the expert evidence pointed clearly to the conclusion that the project would constitute an inappropriate development within this significant heritage area of the city,” a four-person panel of assessors found in a 3-1 judgement. Experts including New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden had warned that traffic on the fly-over could prove a dangerous distraction to batsmen at the ground, jeopardising its Test status.
Dunga gets 2nd run as Brazil coach
Rio de Janeiro: Dunga won the World Cup as a player for Brazil and now the country is giving him a second chance to get the trophy as a coach. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) named Dunga, 50, to run the national team after luis Felipe Scolari's humiliation at the World Cup this month, including a devastating 7-1 defeat by Germany. Dunga was previously in charge from 2006 until 2010, when he paid the price for World Cup failure — Brazil were beaten in the quarter-final. He did win the 2007 Copa America and the Confederations Cup in 2009 however after he replaced Carlos Alberto Parreira. "Football has changed. It changes every moment and every day. We like to talk here about talent and playing off the cuff . But we also praise German organization. So we have to harness our talent with planning," Dunga said as he accepted the post on Tuesday.
Money not very good in ISl: Bhutia
Mumbai: Former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia is not particularly happy with the pay packages on offer in the much-awaited Indian Super league but insists that the event won’t be detrimental to the sport either. “I am definitely not happy with the money. I would want them to get much more than what they are getting right now, even with the ISl as well. I would have been happy if there was an auction and the players get more money. But it is a good start,” he said. The ‘Sikkimese sniper’ said he would have preferred an auction for the players as he wasn’t satisfied with the financial package which is between Rs15 lakh to Rs80 lakh.
Dwyer may retire soon
New Delhi: legendary Australian hockey player Jamie Dwyer is all set to call time on his illustrious career within next two months, ruling out any possibility of representing the ‘Kookaburras’ in their Champions Trophy defence in India later this year. Asked if the Indian hockey lovers would see him in action in December, Dwyer told PTI from Perth, “No I don’t think I am going to play in the Champions Trophy (in December this year). There are very mild chances of that. I am undecided at the moment (whether to retire from international hockey). I will make a decision in the next two months.” The 35th edition of prestigiuos FIH Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy will be held in Bhubaneswar, India from December 13 to 21 this year.