England qualify for Euro 2016
Serravalle, San Marino: England became the first team to qualify for the 2016 European Championship by beating San Marino 6-0 on Saturday, with Wayne Rooney’s opening goal tying him for first place on the country’s all-time scoring list. Rooney set England on its way to a seventh straight win in Group E by converting a 13th-minute penalty to move onto 49 international goals — the same total as Bobby Charlton. An own goal in the 30th minute was followed by second-half goals from Ross Barkley, Theo Walcott (two) and Harry Kane, putting England through with three games to spare. Rooney was substituted in the 59th, denying him the opportunity to break Charlton’s record against San Marino’s part-timers. The next chance for Rooney to hold the scoring record outright should come Tuesday against Switzerland.
Real join drive to help refugees
Madrid: Spanish giants Real Madrid will donate one million euros ($1.1m) to help support projects for refugees in Spain, the club announced on Saturday. “Real Madrid states that it will donate one million euros to help refugees that will be hosted by Spain,” they said in a statement. The club will also provide sports kits for young refugees and make some of their facilities available to the commission charged with overseeing the hosting of those welcomed into Spain. The gesture is one of many by the world of sport in recent days to react to the European wide crisis. Bayern Munich said on Thursday they would also give one million euros and work with Munich authorities to set up training camps for children to receive German lessons, meals and football kits. The International Olympic Committee has also pledged to donate two million dollars in emergency funds.
Snehal lifts Mauritius Open
Mumbai: Pune girl Snehal Mane won her second ITF girls’ singles title in as many weeks in Mauritius on Saturday. The 16-year-old Maharashtra player claimed the title by winning the Mauritius Open ITF junior championships, a Grade 5 event, played at the National Tennis Center Petit Camp - Phoenix Phoenix in Mauritius. It was the second title in a row for the girl, who is a member of Maharashtra State lawn Tennis Association’s Vision Programme, in two weeks, said a media release issued by MSlTA’s secretary Sunder Iyer. Snehal, the fifth seed, bagged the crown by defeating sixth-seeded local girl Amelie Boy 6-3, 6-0 in just over an hour in the final. She added 30 points to her kitty.
Bangladesh A to tour India
New Delhi: The BCCI on Saturday announced a two-week tour of Bangladesh A team starting on September 16 which will feature three ‘One Dayers’ (list A) matches and a three-day game against India A in Bengaluru. After that Bangladesh A will play against Ranji champions Karnataka in a three-dayer at the Gangotri Glades in Mysuru from September 22-24. The tour will end with a three-day match against India A at the Chinnaswamy Stadium from September 27-29.
1500 free passes for Davis Cup
New Delhi: The Delhi lawn Tennis Association has decided to distribute 1500 free-entry passes on first come first serve basis for India’s Davis Cup World Group play-off tie against top seeds Czech Republic. The passes can be collected from the DlTA office from September 9 for the tie to be held at R K Khanna tennis stadium from September 18 to 20. The crowd support will be a key factor in the upcoming home tie as the cheering fans would spur the Indian players to do well against their higher ranked opponents.
Aus beat Eng in 2nd ODI
london: Australia won the second one-day international by 64 runs in a match overshadowed by the controversial dismissal of England’s Ben Stokes on Saturday. Steven Smith scored 70 and Mitch Marsh smashed 64 to help Australia reach 309-7 at lord’s. England was all out for 245 in 42.3 overs with captain Eoin Morgan top-scoring on 85. Stokes was out for 10 to the extremely rare “obstructing the field,” after driving the ball back to bowler Mitchell Starc, who tried to run the batsman out. Stokes used his hand to stop the ball and was given out in a decision which upset Morgan. Australia opener David Warner will miss the rest of the ODI series with a broken left thumb. He was struck by a rising delivery from Steven Finn. Aus lead series 2-0.
Brief Scores:
Australia: 309/7 (Smith 70, Mitchell Marsh 64, Bailey 54; Stokes 3/60, Finn 2/55) beat England: 245 (Morgan 85, Taylor 43; Cummins 4/56, Maxwell 2/44) by 64 runs.