Briefly
Portugal suspends Ronaldo and initiates disciplinary proceedings
The Portuguese soccer federation has suspended Cristiano Ronaldo and initiated disciplinary proceedings against the player for walking out on the team. The federation said in a statement Saturday that the case has been referred to its disciplinary investigation committee and that its findings will remain confidential until its findings are determined.
The 41-year-old Ronaldo left the Portugal team camp during the international window in a dispute with new coach Jorge Jesus over a lack of playing time.
In the games Ronaldo was either an unused substitute or absent, Portugal won all three and his replacement Goncalo Ramos seized his chance by scoring three times.
Ronaldo ended the international break with a long post to his 679 million followers on Instagram, where he asked head coach Jorge Jesus to acknowledge a mistake in asking him to warm up on the sidelines and then not send them on the field against Norway. The Portugal coach did not acknowledge any mistake.
Ronaldo wrote that he expected a suspension under federation rules but promised his fans, “We will have one or more farewell matches.”
New Zealand pacer O’Rourke ruled out of India series
New Zealand pace bowler Will O’Rourke is the latest casualty ahead of the upcoming tour of India, with the 25-year-old set to miss the series as a precaution while continuing his rehabilitation from injuries to his left hamstring and calf.
The multi-format pacer returned to international cricket earlier this year after a back stress fracture kept him sidelined for seven months. However, he suffered a hamstring tear on the final day of the third Test against England before straining his calf during training in late August. New Zealand coach Rob Walter said the decision to keep O’Rourke out of the India series was taken in consultation with the player and the medical team, with the focus firmly on the team’s four-Test tour of Australia in December. New Zealand are scheduled to play five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests against India, with the series opening with a T20I in Christchurch on October 22.
“It’s obviously disappointing for Will to have to miss such a marquee tour at home against India,” said Walter.
Vaibhav in his prime, should play many matches: Sehwag
Former India opener Virender Sehwag traced his famed daredevilry in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s batting, and said the teen phenom should focus on stitching a long career for the country. Sehwag, owner of 17253 international runs, stands way ahead of the 15-year-old who has scored 246 runs from eight T20Is but at a blistering strike-rate of 186.
“Sooryavanshi is in his prime, and his thinking is somewhat similar to mine, that of hitting right from the first ball. Now, it is about when he gets the opportunity and how many matches he plays for India,” Sehwag said during a discussion at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s annual session here on Saturday.
The 47-year-old said age should not be a matter of concern if a player is good enough to handle top-flight cricket. “Look, if you are playing in an age-category, it makes sense - if it’s Under-19, your age should be under 19. But once you play the IPL or play for India, age doesn’t matter.
“A 38-or 40-year-old (Virat) Kohli is playing, and a 15-year-old (Vaibhav) Sooryavanshi is also playing. Then, performance matters,” Sehwag said.
The 2011 World Cup winner also lauded India captain Shubman Gill for his second career double hundred in ODIs.
Gill struck a 223 off 133 balls against the West Indies in the second one-dayer at Guwahati on September 30.
