Start of a new Test era: Lee
Australia are at the start of a new Test era without long-time stalwarts Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, fast bowler Brett Lee has said. “It’s the start of a new era but it’s exciting times,” he said in Sydney. “In the hard Test matches, we’ve always been able to turn to Glenn or Shane to take a wicket and get that br-eakthrough, but now we haven’t got that.”
Camp shifted to Eden Gardens
The two-day conditioning camp for the Indian cricket team on November 2 and 3, ahead of the series against Pakistan, shifted to the Eden Gardens on Thursday, with the BCCI agreeing to defer a Ranji Trophy match clashing with the camp.
The camp was earlier scheduled to be staged at the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club, with the Eden slated to host the Bengal-Hyderabad Ranji Trophy elite division match from November 3-6.
“I managed to convince the BCCI that the camp should be held at the Eden to give the players the very best of infrastructural support before such an important series,” Cricket Association of Bengal president Prasun Mukherjee said.
Inzamam all set for ICL action
Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq confirmed his participation in the inaugural edition of ICL Twenty20 championship, starting on November 30.
Inzamam-Ul-Haq said, “It gives me great pleasure to play in the inaugural edition of ICL. I look forward to playing with promising youngsters from India and elsewhere along with some of my illustrious international counterparts with whom I have shared many exciting moments on the field.
FIA clears night F-1 in Singapore
Singapore will hold the first ever Formula One night race next year after the Federation International de L’Automobile (FIA), the sport’s governing body, gave the go-ahead, the race promoter said on Thursday, reports AFP from Singapore.
Singapore GP Pvt Ltd said the FIA gave its approval for the night race through the Singapore Motor Sports Council.
“We are well on our way to creating history. With two positive lighting tests under our belt, we are on track to delivering the first night race in Formula One history,” said Colin Syn, deputy chairman of Singapore GP. The inaugural Formula One Singapore Grand Prix will be held on September 28 next year on a street circuit of public roads around the city-state’s Marina Bay area.
Easy wins for Karnataka teams
Karnataka boys’ and girls’ teams notched up comfortable wins in the 16th Mini National (U-14) volleyball championships in Bhilwara, reports DHNS. The boys crushed Assam in straight sets, surging to a 25-16, 25-13, 25-11 victory, while the girls were equally untroubled in their 25-17, 25-13, 25-9 verdict over Bihar.
India 145th in FIFA rankings
India continue to hang on to their 145th position in the latest world rankings issued by the International Football Federation (FIFA) on Thursday, reports PTI from New Delhi.
The Indian team, which recently lost to Lebanon in the first leg of the World Cup qualifier, shares the spot with Antigua and Barbuda. The two sides tally an identical 156 points.
Argentina returned to the top of the world rankings by pushing Italy two places down to third place. Argentina climbed one spot after wins over Chile and Venezuela in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
India U-19 to tour South Africa
India will gear up for the under-19 cricket World Cup in Malaysia with a tri-series against Bangladesh and South Africa in Pretoria next January, reports PTI from New Delhi.
During the 16-day tour, they will play the other two teams twice before the final on January 8.
They will also take on their South African counterparts in two three-day encounters at Potchefstroom after the tri-series. The World Cup will be held in Malaysia from Feb 10.
Cash award for Yusuf Pathan
Gujarat Governor NK Sharma on Thursday presented a cheque of Rs 5 lakh to Yusuf Pathan for his performance in the final of the Twenty20 World Cup against Pakistan.
