India restrict SA ‘A' to 246/8
bengaluru: South Africa 'A' wicketkeeper Rudi Second missed a century by six runs as India 'A' bowlers produced a disciplined performance to restrict the visitors to 246 for eight in the first 'unofficial' Test here. Pacers Mohammed Siraj (3/56), Navdeep Saini (2/47) and Rajneesh Gurbani (2/47) shared seven wickets between them, while leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal picked up one as India kept a tight leash on the South Africans, who opted to bat after winning the toss. Except for Second (94) and Sarel Erwee (47), none of the other South Africans could make a significant contribution. Coming out at the fall of Erwee with his team tottering at 93 for four, Second held the South Africa 'A' innings together before he was the last man out on the first day of the four-day game. He hit 12 boundaries in his 139-ball innings.
Barca agree to Vidal switch
barcelona: Barcelona has announced that they had reached an agreement with Bayern Munich to sign Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal in a deal reportedly worth 30 million euros. "FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich have reached an agreement for the transfer of player Arturo Vidal," said Barcelona on their website on Friday. "The agreement is for the next three seasons and is pending the medical examination that the player will undertake over the course of the next few days. "FC Barcelona will shortly inform everyone about the arrival of the player and the agenda of the presentation ceremony." Vidal will reportedly earn around nine million euros per season with the Spanish giants.
lahiri ties T-16 at WGC
akro: India's Anirban lahiri battled to an even-par 70 to slip to tied 16th spot after the second day of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational golf tournament here. Following on his first round score of five-under 65, lahiri is now five-under for 36 holes but slipped from overnight tied seventh to tied 16th. Overall, lahiri had three birdies and three bogeys for a par round at the Firestone Country Club on Friday. Meanwhile, young Shubhankar Sharma had a miserable second day at the event with a disappointing nine-over 79 that took him to 11-over 151. He was last at the 71st spot and had no birdies against nine bogeys on the second day.
Ireland enter hockey wcup final
london: Ireland won its second straight shootout to beat Spain on Saturday and advanced to an unexpected place in the final at the women's field hockey World Cup. After a 1-1 draw with Spain at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Ireland won the semifinal shootout 3-2, with Gillian Pinder scoring twice as the contest went to sudden death. Ireland has been the surprise package of the tournament after going in as the second lowest-ranked team then topping a group containing hosts England and India.The Irish made a dream start against Spain, with Anna O'Flanagan touching in a penalty corner after only three minutes. But Spain began to exert some concerted pressure and Alicia Magaz equalized in the 39th. That was the way it stayed until full time, meaning another shootout for Ireland following its quarterfinal victory over India. Agencies