Umpires will be on air
Dubai: The fans will be able hear the conversation between on-field umpires and the TV umpire while arriving at a decision during the upcoming ODI series between Australia and South Africa as ICC has given a go ahead for the experiment. The umpire communications can be aired during umpire referrals, consultations and DRS player reviews. "This initiative is part of ICC's efforts to make umpiring more understandable to viewers and spectators. If the trial is successful, then the ICC may consider extending this to select matches during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015," an ICC release said.
Junior hockey team draws 3-3
Strattford (New Zealand): The Indian junior women’s team played out a high-scoring 3-3 draw with New Zealand in the fifth game of the six-match Test series here Wednesday. After leading 3-1 at the halfway stage, India conceded twice in the final six minutes to give away a certain win. The Indians showcased exceptional form throughout the match, save the last six minutes of the game. With three wins and two draws in the series, New Zealand have already claimed the series in their favour. India will now be taking on the hosts in the final game, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday.
ISl: highest attendance in Asia
New Delhi: The Hero Indian Super league at nearly its halfway mark, had achieved the rare milestone of having registered the highest average stadium attendance for any football league in Asia. At the completion of match 27 on November 9, the inaugural edition has had an average stadium attendance of 22,639, positioning ISl as the best attended league across Asia, ahead of China’s CSl, Japan’s J-league and South Korea’s K-league. The attendance in stadia across the country has also made India score globally amongst the best football leagues. ISl ranks the fifth highest football league in average attendance around the world, behind only Bundesliga, EPl, la liga and Serie A, and ahead of the USA’s popular MlS, French ligue 1 and Mexico’s liga MX. The average attendance ranks ISl as the 11th best attended leagues across any sport around the world.
Modi seeks damages from Cairns
Wellington: New Zealand cricket great Chris Cairns faced fresh legal issues on Wednesday with former Indian Premier league boss lalit Modi reported to be seeking more than £2.4 million ($3.8m) in damages and costs over a libel case. Modi has also applied to the High Court in london to have the libel verdict won by Cairns in 2012 set aside on the grounds of fraud, his lawyer Rajesh Vyakarnam said in an email to the New Zealand Herald.
Keshavan gets personal coach
New Delhi: India’s long-time flagbearer in luge sports, Olympian Shiva Keshavan, will have a personal coach for the first time in his 18 years of international career after former world champion Duncan Rennedy signed up with him for the next four years. “This winter could potentially be a turning point with Ex-Technical Director of the US luge Team and winner of 21 World titles, Duncan Kennedy, taking up the role of full-time Coach and Technician for Shiva for the next four years. This will be the first time in 18 years of representing India that Shiva will have a personal Coach,” read a press release. Keshavan will begin his quest with an eye on the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Peyongchang, South Korea.
Kohli, Dhawan in top-five
Dubai: Two Indian batsmen are now in the top five of the ICC ODI rankings, with Virat Kohli remaining at number three and opener Shikhar Dhawan climbing up the ladder to fifth after earning four places in the latest list issued here on Wednesday. Dhawan has moved up owing to his superb performance in the first three matches of the ODI series against Sri lanka. He has been the leading run-getter of the series so far with 283 runs at an average of 94.33. Meanwhile, the two South Africans — AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla — continue to occupy the top two positions in the batting table. In the ODI bowlers list, India’s medium pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar is now sharing the sixth spot with Mohammad Hafeez of Pakistan after moving up a place. Ravindra Jadeja, however, has dropped two places to be at number eight in the table, which is still headed by Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal.
Sachin’s views personal: Kapil
New Delhi: Cricket legend Kapil Dev on Wednesday refused to comment on Sachin Tendulkar’s claim that despite being one of the finest Indian all-rounders of all time, the former skipper was disappointing as a coach and said it was the legendary batsman’s “personal opinion”. “That’s his opinion. Everyone has a right to give his opinion and I respect everybody’s opinion. Good luck to him for his endeavour,” Kapil replied, when asked about Tendulkar’s remark in his book about his style of coaching.
Pak on verge of win over NZ
Abu Dhabi: Pakistan produced another ruthless performance to move to the brink of victory in the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. A ninth wicket stand of 36 in 14.5 overs between Mark Craig (27) and Ish Sodhi (27) delayed Pakistan’s victory on the fourth day at Sheikh Zayed Stadium but New Zealand were struggling on 174-8 after being set a daunting target of 408. Pakistan need just two wickets on the final day for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series while New Zealand still need 306 for an unlikely win on the fifth and final day. Spinners Zulfiqar Babar (2-30) and Yasir Shah (2-49) and seamer Rahat Ali (2-38) destroyed the New Zealand batting. Brief Scores — Pakistan: 566/3 decl and 175/2 decl (Mohammad Hafeez 101 not out; Ish Sodhi 2/66) lead New Zealand: 262 and 174/8 (Brendon McCullum 39; Zulfiqar Babar 2/30, Rahat Ali 2/38, Yasir Shah 2/49) by 305 runs.
Sachin pays tribute to forces
Kochi: Cricketing great Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday paid glowing tributes to the ‘discipline, dedication and selfless approach’ of the defence forces in the country. Just before the start of his Kerala Blasters and Mumbai city FC match at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, Tendulkar, joint owner of Blasters, paid tributes to the men in uniform. As the stadium roared and clapped, Tendulkar, who is brand ambassador of Indian Air Force, honoured two CISF personnel with him and said while we celebrate various festivals, these men are constantly working to make us secure.