Former Test cricketer Milkha Singh passes away
Chennai: Former India cricketer A G Milkha Singh passed away at a hospital here on Friday following a cardiac arrest, family sources said. 75-year old Singh, who belonged to a family of cricketers, is survived by wife, a son and daughter. Son of legendary cricketer A G Ram Singh from Tamil Nadu, he played four Test matches in the early 1960s. A flamboyant left-hand batsman and a fine fielder, Milkha Singh made his Ranji Trophy debut at the age of 17 and played his first Test a year later. He had a fruitful career for the Madras team (now Tamil Nadu) in the Ranji Trophy. He scored over 4,000 runs in first-class cricket inclusive of eight centuries. His elder brother Kripal Singh, also played for the country, in 14 Tests. The brothers had played together in one Test against England in 1961-'62.
Back injury wrecks Coulter-Nile's Ashes chances
Sydney: Australian fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile will take a "short break" after suffering a fresh back problem, Cricket Australia said on Friday, probably ruling him out of the coming Ashes series. Coulter-Nile, 30, has a history of spinal stress fractures and the latest setback appears to end his chances of being a back-up to Australia's pace trio Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins against England. "Nathan experienced some pain in his back following the two-day tour match against England last week," CA's sports medicine manager Alex Kountouris said. "Subsequent scans have revealed an early stage aggravation of his old stress fracture. Whilst this is a setback, the good news is that it has been picked up early so we are only considering a short break from bowling while we monitor him."
Anderson replaces Stokes as England vice-captain
Adelaide: England's record bowler James Anderson was named as vice-captain for the Ashes series against Australia on Friday, replacing Ben Stokes who is suspended and under investigation over a nightclub brawl. Anderson, 35, who has 506 Test wickets, was promoted as understudy to captain Joe Root ahead of fellow paceman Stuart Broad and ex-skipper Alastair Cook. Coach Trevor Bayliss previously said he was planning for an Ashes series without Stokes, who is running out of time ahead of the first Test in Brisbane from November 23. Stokes remains at home awaiting the outcome of a police probe into his involvement in the brawl outside a Bristol nightclub on September 25. lancashire bowling great Anderson is embarking on his fourth Test tour of Australia.
Vani at tied-4th position in Indian open
Gurugram: Vani Kapoor put on a fine show as she finished the opening day at tied-4th place in the 11th Hero Women's Indian Open at the DlF Golf and Country Club here. Vani, who is playing her seventh Women's Indian Open but fifth as a pro, used her course knowledge to come back from being two-over after five holes to finish with 69. She had six birdies against three bogeys and was placed tied-4th along with five others. Vani was two shots behind leader Norwegian Marianne Skarpnord, who also had six birdies but only one bogey, the result of a three-putt on fifth, in her first competitive round at the Gary Player layout.
Haryana win 7 gold, 2 silver and bronze in boxing meet
Rohtak: Haryana won an impressive seven gold medals in the inaugural edition of the Junior Women National Boxing Championship that concluded here on Friday. Overall, Haryana finished with 10 medals — seven gold, two silver and one bronze. Punjab's pugilists notched up three gold and one bronze medal at the SAI National Boxing Academy. Haryana's gold rush started in the 48-kg category as Sangeeta outclassed Jharkand's Neha Tentulia. It continued with Meenakshi (50-kg) registering an emphatic win against Rajasthan's Arshi Khanum and Poonam (52-kg) defeating Manipur's N Baby Rosizana Chanu. Sanathoi Heman, another boxer from Manipur had to settle for a silver as Yogita (54-kg) defeated her in a one-sided affair. The fifth gold came Haryana's way in the 63-kg category when Vinka defeated Geeta Saji from Kerala. Raj Sahiba (70-kg) and Sushma (80-kg) completed Haryana's eight gold tally. Agencies