South Africa hammers Zimbabwe by innings in 4-day test
PORT ElIZABETH: South Africa stormed to an innings win over Zimbabwe on Wednesday, needing less than two days of the four-day test to dispatch the visitors. South Africa bowled the Zimbabweans out for 68 and 121 in the day-night match to win by an innings and 120 runs after making 309-9 declared batting first. Zimbabwe lost four first-innings wickets quickly under floodlights on day one, but didn't even make it to the night session on day two. South Africa collected another 16 wickets in less than two sessions on the second day at St. George's Park to romp to victory before the dinner break. Fast bowler Morne Morkel destroyed Zimbabwe's top and middle order in the first innings with his 5-21 from 11 overs. In the second innings, the Zimbabweans collapsed from 54-0 to 121 all out with left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj taking 5-59.
Dravid optimistic about Indian colts
Mumbai: U-19 chief coach Rahul Dravid's next aim is to see a few of the World Cup-bound colts included in the 'A' team within the next six to eight months. "The World Cup is an exciting challenge and provides a good opportunity for all these guys. There is a process now in place in Indian cricket — U-19 cricket to first-class cricket and then to India A and then the India national team, when the opportunity arrives," Dravid said at the pre-departure press conference of the India U-19 team. "I have been talking to these players about other formats as well. If they can make it to the India A team in 6-8 months, it will be great," the former India captain said.
Sindhu, Chris-Gabriella guide Chennai to a 4-3 win
New Delhi: Olympic silver medallist P V Sindhu notched up a thrilling three-game win in the women's singles as defending champions Chennai Smashers eked out a 4-3 win over Mumbai Rockets in the third Premier Badminton league (PBl) here on Wednesday. World Championship silver medallist Sindhu entertained the handful of badminton aficionados at the Siri Fort sports complex with a come from behind 12-15, 15-7, 15-9 win over Mumbai Rocket's Beiwen Zhang in an exciting women's singles match. World No 5 Son then scripted a win in Mumbai's Trump match to make it 3-2 in favour of his team. However, husband-wife combo of Chris and Gabriella Adcock staved off a spirited challenge from Mumbai's Gabriela Stoeva and M R Arjun 15-9, 13-15, 15-9 in a mixed doubles contest which was Chennai's Trump match to help their team notch up their maiden win in the season.
Bravo, Razzaq new joinees in St Moritz Ice Cricket
New Delhi: West Indies' Dwayne Bravo and Pakistan's Abdul Razzaq are the latest cricketers to join a host of former stars for the inaugural St Moritz Ice Cricket to be held in Switzerland from February 8-9. The other big names confirmed for the event are Virender Sehwag, Shoaib Akhtar, Mahela Jayawardene, lasith Malinga, Michael Hussey, Jacques Kallis, Daniel Vettori and many others. The unique two-day event is set against the serene and breath-taking backdrop of the Swiss mountains which will host two matches in two days.
Uncertainty looms large over badminton coach Mulyo
New Delhi: Uncertainty loomed large over the departure of Mulyo Handoyo with Badminton Association of India on Wednesday rubbishing reports that the Indonesian coach has decided to quit Indian badminton after a brief stint. A few days after Mulyo departed India for a vacation, reports emerged that the Indonesian is unlikely to come back and is set to join Singapore Badminton Association. However, BAI president Himanta Biswa Sarma seemed clueless about the news. "I am not aware of any such development," said Sarma when asked about the reports. BAI secretary Anup Narang too refuted the reports.