Marsh ruled out of Sydney Test
Melbourne: Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh was on Saturday ruled out of the fourth cricket Test against India in Sydney after fresh scans revealed that his injured hamstring has deteriorated. Australia’s physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said Marsh’s injured hamstring would keep him out of the Sydney Test from January 6 and the focus is now ensuring his comeback in the upcoming ODI World Cup in February-March. “Mitchell Marsh had scans on his injured hamstring this morning after reporting some soreness yesterday. The scans confirm that he has suffered a setback in his rehab and will not be available for the Sydney Test match,” Kountouris said in a statement.
Hafeez to visit Chennai for testing
Islamabad: The Pakistan Cricket Board decided on Saturday to send only one of its two suspended offspinners, Mohammad Hafeez, to India next week for unofficial testing of his bowling action, while Saeed Ajmal will stay in Pakistan. Former test spinners Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed, who have worked with Hafeez, agreed that the offspinner should now be tested at an ICC-accredited laboratory in Chennai, India, before going to the world’s governing body for official testing. Ajmal will continue to work on his remodeled bowling action with Saqlain and a bio-mechanist at the National Cricket Academy in lahore.
Ankita wins maiden ITF title
Pune: Continuing her steady progress in the WTA circuit, India’s Ankita Raina overwhelmed British teenager Katy Dunne in straight sets in a one-sided final to lift her maiden $25,000 ITF singles title at the Deccan Gymkhana here on Saturday. The 21-year-old Ahmedabad-born player, who trains in this city, hardly broke a sweat while romping to a 6-2, 6-2 victory over her 19-year-old British rival in the NECC-ITF women’s tournament. This was the India no. 1 woman singles player’s maiden $25,000 title and the 294-ranked Ankita expressed her delight over becoming the first from the host nation to clinch a title in the tournament after 14 years.
Abhijeet best Indian in Al Ain Classic
al ain (UAE): Riding on three back-to-back victories, Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta emerged as the best performing Indian as he finished seventh in the Al Ain Classic International chess tournament that concluded here. Gupta, who started the tournament as the defending champion, lost his fifth and sixth round games but scored victories in the remaining and his last round win against Vadim Malakhatko of Belgium was particularly special. Gupta finished seventh overall with a tally of 6.5 points in all.
Sarita gunning for a rio medal
Kolkata: Overwhelmed by the support she received from Boxing India and her fellow countrymen including cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar while facing the prospect of a life ban, boxer l Sarita Devi hopes to make it count by winning a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. “I really thank Sachin Tendulkar, Boxing India and my fellow countrymen who stood behind me and gave me a second chance. I don’t want to let go their support in vain and win an Olympic medal,” Sarita Devi, who was handed a one-year ban by AIBA for showing dissent at the Asian Games Incheon in October, said.
Bengaluru vs Salgaocar in Fed Cup
Margao: Reigning I-league champions Bengaluru FC will start their campaign against Durand Cup champions and local giants Salgaocar in the opening encounter of the 36th Federation Cup football tournament that gets underway at Vasco’s Tilak Maidan. In another match, Mumbai FC will face Royal Wahingdoh FC in anorther group league match at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, later in the evening. Goa last hosted the Federation Cup tournament a decade back in 2004, which eventually turned out to be a grand success with a sold-out final. The winners will get a cash prize of `25 lakh while the runners-up will get richer by `15 lakh.
Chhetri AIFF’s Player of Year
Mumbai: National team captain Sunil Chhetri was on Saturday named the ‘AIFF 2014 Player of the Year’ for the second consecutive year. The 30-year-old Chhetri was chosen for the award on the basis of votes from coaches of I-league Clubs. He led Bengaluru FC to its maiden I-league title in the first year of its participation. Chhetri, who had also won the award in 2013 will be presented a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh besides a trophy, an AIFF release said. This is his third ‘AIFF Player of the Year Award’ in four years and fourth overall. In the process, he overtook legendary I M Vijayan’s feat of winning it three times.
Das surges ahead with timely 65
Kolkata: Shankar Das fired a timely seven-under 65 to surge ahead in round three of the `1.5 crore Mcleod Russel Tour Championship at the par-72 Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) on Saturday. Kolkata’s Das’ three-day total now stands at 13-under 203 and he enjoys a two-shot lead over his nearest rival Rashid Khan of Delhi, who collected 71 in the third round. Delhi’s Shamim Khan lies third at 10-under 206. Das’ third round effort, the day’s joint best score made him a strong contender in the Rolex Rankings race besides Rashid Khan and S. Chikkarangappa. Das is currently placed third in the rankings. Das (68-70-65), who was overnight tied sixth, shot his best score of the week as he came up with an eagle and eight birdies against three bogeys. Rashid Khan (71-63-71) had a relatively quieter day Saturday as he carded a 71.