Windies edge Zimbabwe to stay on WC course
harare: West Indies edged closer to a place in the 2019 World Cup when they defeated Zimbabwe by four wickets in the latest qualifying match on Monday. Chasing 290 to win, the two-time champions reached their target with six balls to spare after surviving a worrying mid-innings collapse. The West Indies lead the Super Sixes qualifying table with six points but will still need to avoid defeat against Scotland on Wednesday in their last pool match to be sure of a place in next year's finals. Zimbabwe, on five points, can still make the 2019 finals by beating the UAE on Thursday although the Scots, Ireland and Afghanistan all remain in contention for a spot in the showpiece in England and Wales.
MI replace jason Behrendorff
new delhi: The IPl Technical Committee has approved New Zealand's Mitchell McClenaghan as a replacement for Australian left-arm fast bowler Jason Behrendorff in the Mumbai Indian's squad. Behrendorff, who is suffering from a back problem, has been ruled out of this edition of the IPl. "In accordance with the Player Regulations, the Mumbai Indians were allowed to choose a replacement from the Registered and Available Player Pool," an IPl media release said. The Mumbai Indians subsequently picked McClenaghan at his base price of Rs one crore.
England women beat India A
mumbai: England women warmed up in style ahead of the upcoming T20 tri-series as they defeated India A by 45 runs in the first of the two practice games here on Monday. England women shone with both bat and ball as they looked to get used to the conditions. Besides England and hosts India, Australia are the other side in the tri-series. After posting a massive 176 for four, England women bundled out the hosts for 131 at the Brabourne Stadium.
Bengal blank Manipur; Kerala beat Chandigarh
kolkata: Bengal began their title defence with a 3-0 blanking of Manipur, while Kerala hammered Chandigarh 5-1 on the opening day of the national football championship for the 72nd Santosh Trophy here on Monday. Bengal, the record 32 times champions, constantly pressed on the attack as Sumit Das struck a double (sixth and 15th minutes) to give them a 2-0 lead at the break in a display of sheer dominance at the Howrah Stadium. Das scored off a corner from the rebound to open his account, while he added a second in nine minutes, heading home a Bidyasagar Singh's cross. Bidyasagar sealed the issue for Bengal with a 82nd minute goal.
KKR begin camp sans Karthik, Kallis
kolkata: Man of the moment Dinesh Karthik was yet to join as skipper of his franchise as Kolkata Knight Riders sweated it out in their first practice session ahead of the 11th season of Indian Premier league, here on Monday. The newly-appointed KKR skipper's sensational 28 not out from eight balls in their last-ball win over Bangladesh in the T20 Tri-Series final last night has given a big boost to the Kolkata franchise who have overhauled the squad for the 11th season. Karthik is expected to join the squad later this month along with coach Jacques Kallis.
Rabada to get ban appeal result by Wednesday
cape town: Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada will learn the result of his appeal against a ban for the remaining two Tests against Australia within 48 hours following a hearing on Monday, Cricket South Africa said. The hearing, via teleconference with judicial commissioner Michael Heron of New Zealand, lasted for more than five hours. Cricket South Africa said the International Cricket Council would announce the outcome by Wednesday, the day before the start of the third Test against Australia. The series is currently 1-1.