Wawrinka spearheads Swiss
Paris: Stanislas Wawrinka, hotfoot from his Australian Open triumph, turns his mind to affairs of national importance this weekend as he leads Switzerland into battle against last season’s beaten finalists Serbia in the Davis Cup World Group first round. In last Sunday’s final in Melbourne, the new world number three captured his first Grand Slam title with a four-set upset of Rafael Nadal. Wawrinka told the Melbourne crowd he was looking forward to the tie against the weakened Serbs - as long as he survived his victory party. “Davis Cup, it’s really important for me. I’m really proud. It’s a big honour to play for my country. “I don’t know how I’m going to get there exactly, if I’m still going to be alive after tonight, but I’m going to go there... There’s a big chance I get drunk tonight....”
‘ICC politics will not disrupt Proteas’
Johannesburg: The South African cricket team will not allow the current boardroom politics at the ICC to disrupt their preparations for the coming tour by Australia, team manager Mohamed Moosajee has asserted. Australia will play three Tests and three T20 games starting February 12. Moosajee was commenting on a statement by Cricket South Africa (CSA), disputing a claim by the ICC that there had been unanimity in proposed changes in the structure of the international body. CSA was the first body, later joined by the Pakistan Cricket Board, to reject the ICC claim of unanimity over the proposals, which effectively hand over the world body’s control to India, England and Australia. “This is something that should not make us lose focus on the job at hand and we have full confidence that CSA officials will take decisions that are in the best interests of South African cricket,” ‘The New Age’ quoted Moosajee as saying.
UAE, Scotland qualify for 2015 World Cup
Wellington: Cricketing minnows the United Arab Emirates and Scotland secured berths at the 2015 World Cup on Thursday after taking the top two spots at a qualification tournament in New Zealand. Both teams finished the round robin phase of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup Qualifier on eight points after posting four wins and one loss, with the UAE’s superior run rate giving them the edge over Scotland. The results mean they will play in next year’s World Cup alongside superpowers of the game such as India and Australia. Scotland have featured in the World Cup twice before, in 1999 and 2007, while the UAE appeared in the tournament’s 1996 edition. The Scots qualified after beating Kenya by three wickets in their final match with just three balls to spare, while the UAE downed Namibia by 36 runs.
Saina 7th, Sindhu 10th
New Delhi: The victory at the Syed Modi International tournament in lucknow helped london Olympics bronze medallist Saina Nehwal to surge two places to reach the seventh position in the latest world badminton ranking, released in Kuala lumpur here on Thursday. The 23-year-old, who broke a 15-month title drought in lucknow after winning the Grand Prix Gold event, bagged 7000 ranking points and now has 59680 points from 14 tournaments. P V Sindhu, who finished runners-up at that tournament after losing the final to Saina, also broke back into the top 10 with 55752 ranking points.
HC asks Centre’s response on wrestler’s plea
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Thursday sought response from the Centre and Wrestling Federation of India on a plea of an Arjuna awardee former wrestler who as a coach of women’s team has been denied financial assistance for special training camp and ongoing international tournament in the US. Former grappler Kripa Shanker Patel alleged that though he was allowed by Sports Authority of India and the federation to accompany the team, he was asked to bear his own expenses for trip from January 14 to February 1. “let the counter come in, then only I will be able to decide the issue. The respondents (Centre, SAI and WFI) to file counter affidavit within four weeks,” the court said.