Malinga to lead in NZ T20s
Colombo: Veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who recently retired from ODI cricket, will lead Sri Lanka in the three-match T20 series against New Zealand, beginning September 1 in Pallekele. Sri Lanka dropped former captain Angelo Mathews and all-rounder Thisara Perera from the team’s squad. Niroshan Dickwella, the left-handed wicket-keeper batsman, has been named as Malinga's deputy in the 15-member squad for the home series. All-rounders Angelo Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva and Priyamal Perera, wicket-keeper batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama and bowlers Suranga Lakmal, Jefferey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando and Kamindu Mendis, all of whom had toured South Africa, have been sidelined.
Nair misses ton by run
Bengaluru: Out-of-favour India batsman Karun Nair missed out on a century by one run but Himachal Pradesh's Ankit Kalsi made 106 before India Red were all out for 285 in their Duleep Trophy match against India Blue here on Saturday. India Red fought back to reduce their opponents to 74 for 3 in 24 overs at stumps, getting the key wickets of the highly-rated Shubman Gill (9) and in-form Ruturaj Gaikwad (37). Earlier, Nair's hopes of scoring a hundred were dashed when he was stumped by Snell Patel off left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar. Pathania was the best bowler for Blue with a haul of 4 for 55 from 32 overs, while Saxena took 3 for 57 and Aniket Chaudhary captured two wickets.
Lille confirm Sanches transfer
Munich: Bayern Munich's unsettled Portuguese midfielder Renato Sanches has signed a four-year contract with Ligue 1 side Lille, both clubs confirmed on Friday. The 22-year-old arrived in northern France on Friday to undergo a medical before closing the deal with a club who will compete in the Champions League group stage after finishing second in Ligue 1 last season. “We are very happy to have completed the signing of Renato Sanches, who is an exceptional player. He has an interesting profile which suits our project,” said Lille director general Marc Ingla in a statement on the club website. According to a source close to the club, Lille will pay in the region of 20 million euros ($22.1 million) to sign the former Benfica player.
Gokulam Kerala lift Durand Cup
Kolkata: Trinidadian forward Marcus Joseph led by example with a brace to inspire Gokulam Kerala FC to Durand Cup title in their debut campaign with a 2-1 win over 16-time champions Mohun Bagan at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday. Joseph converted a penalty in the 45+1st minute and doubled the lead with his menacing left-footer in the 51st minute. Terribly let down by their defence especially in the first-half, the Mariners stepped up the attack after the changeover and pulled one back through Salva Chamorro header from a Joseba Beitia free-kick in the 64th minute.