Cricket
Australia ‘A’ recover after Ojha strikes for India ‘A’
India ‘A’ left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha ( above ) struck thrice in quick succession but Australia ‘A’ recovered from the setbacks to reach 185/4 at stumps on Day 2 of the first four-day cricket match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here on Thursday.
The hosts managed to add only 90 runs before their first innings folded up 301 runs earlier in the day after resuming at their overnight score of 211/6.IANS
Kohli to play for India ‘A’ against Australia ‘A’
To prepare himself for the upcoming three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, India’s Test captain Virat Kohli ( right ) will represent the country’s ‘A’ side against Australia ‘A’ in the second unofficial four-day match starting from July 29 in Chennai.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Anurag Thakur announced here on Thursday that the ace batsman has requested the board that he be allowed to play in Chennai, where playing conditions are similar to those in Sri Lanka. Thakur said the board agreed to Kohli’is request.
The first Test against Sri Lanka starts on August 12 at Galle followed by two matches in Colombo. IANS
Pakistan announce England series in UAE
Pakistan cricket authorities on Thursday announced the itinerary for their neutral-venue series against England in the United Arab Emirates from October to November. The tour will begin with two warm-up games for the visitors followed by three Tests, four ODIs and finally three Twenty20s.AFP
Miandad urges Pakistan to chase consistency
Former captain Javed Miandad on Thursday urged Pakistan to focus on consistency after their one-day series win away to Sri Lanka.
“Our team is looking good now but we need consistent work on it because we should belong to the top four. Nine-eight in the rankings is not our position and for that consistent work is needed,” said Miandad, one of Pakistan’s greatest ever batsmen.AFP
KABADDI
Telugu Titans down Bengal for third win
Riding on captain Rahul Chaudhari’s ( right above ) superb last minute raid, Telugu Titans produced a spectacular recovery to snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat against Bengal Warriors for their third successive win in the Pro Kabaddi League at the Netaji Indoor Stadium here on Thursday.
The hosts dominated the proceedings and led 16-10 at halftime but crumbled under pressure in the last minute as the Hyderabad franchise raced to a 31-30 before wrapping the issue 32-30.PTI
Hockey
India jump to eighth spot in world rankings
Riding on their fourth-place finish in the Hockey World League (HWL) Semi-final, India leapfrogged South Korea to take the eighth spot in the latest International Hockey Federation (FIH) rankings released on Thursday.
Asian Games 2014 champions India have 1454 points, while the Koreans have 1413 points in the rankings released after the completion of the four events comprising the HWL semi-Finals - Buenos Aires and Antwerp (men); Valencia and Antwerp (women).
The Indian women’s team remained at 13. IANS
India goes down against China 2-4
After drawing level with Germany in their last game, India U-21 women’s team went down fighting against China 2-4 in the Volvo Invitational U-21 hockey Tournament here.PTI
CYCLING
Brilliant Bardet earns France second Tour stage win
Romain Bardet ( left ) gave France a second win in this year’s Tour de France as he showed his composed descending skills to clinch the 18th stage on Thursday.
The AG2r-La Mondiale rider, sixth overall in the Tour last year, timed his attack perfectly near the end of the long ascent to the col du Glandon before powering away from a breakaway group on the descent.Reuters
Formula One
Bianchi’s death overshadows Budapest build-up
The impact and legacy of Jules Bianchi’s death continued to reverberate through Formula One on Thursday as drivers, teams and other members of the paddock entourage arrived ahead of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
In a subdued atmosphere, just two days after the 25-year-old Frenchman’s funeral in his family’s home town of Nice, the routine of pre-race news conferences was overshadowed by memories of a driver regarded widely as a potential world champion.AFP
athletics
Bolt backs Farah
Usain Bolt said he had sympathy for his friend Mo Farah ( below ) following the furore surrounding doping allegations against Alberto Salazar, coach of the Briton.
“I’ve come through the ranks with Mo, so I’ve seen the work that he’s put in,” said the Jamaican sprint king on Thursday. “I’m sorry for Mo because every day I hear he’s in the papers and they’re trying to tear him down,” Bolt added.
“I just hope that he doesn’t take it too seriously and it doesn’t make him stress out.”AFP
I’m ready for Gatlin in Beijing: Bolt
Usain Bolt ( above ) insisted on Thursday he would be ready for the challenge of toppling the in-form American Justin Gatlin at the World Championships in Beijing next month.
“I never doubt myself,” he said. “I look forward to competition. Beijing is a month away I’m not worried about that. I’m trying to take it a step at a time.
“I’ve been doing good in training. Everything’s been going better. Hopefully I can go on the track and deliver.”AFP
