The recent matches played in the country by England, Pakistan, West Indies and Ireland have seen all four teams scoring in excess of 300. It’s evident from these stats that this is going to be a run-filled World Cup. Only two batsmen have scored a double century in a World Cup match so far. Chris Gayle (215) and Martin Guptill (237) both achieved the feat during the ICC World Cup 2015....
India have always been very competitive in the World Cup. In particular, they have the second-best winning percentage (62.83%) in the big stage after Australia, who have a terrific win record of 75.30%. But this time, India has a superior unit when compared to other teams in all departments. But, there are areas of concern for the team, which will have to be addressed as soon as possible. Let us have a look at three things India lack ahead of the World Cup:...
The background India are currently playing a five ODI match series against Australia. This will be India’s last series before the mega event and so we could see a lot of experiments during the series. Its been a trend that the media house asking experts to pick the squad before the World Cup. The heart of the matter One of India’s leading website Cricbuzz put Mike Hussey in the selectors’ shoe to pice India’s 15 members for the World cup....
Both teams have had largely contrasting campaigns in the tournament so far. West Indies eased their way into the semi-finals by winning their first 3 matches; however, they received a jolt in the form of an upset at the hands of Afghanistan. India, on the other hand, were embarrassed by New Zealand in their first game but recovered brilliantly to win the next 3 matches to reach the semis....
The teams were chosen by a select group of former cricket stars and highly respected commentators* who were given the task of picking a balanced side for all conditions on the basis of performances in the tournament. Statistics were used but were not the sole basis for selections. The men’s team, including 12th man, contained four players from England, two players each from India and the West Indies, and one each from Australia, Bangladesh, New Zealand and South Africa, while the women’s team comprised four players from New Zealand, two players each from Australia, England and the West Indies, and one player each from Pakistan and South Africa....
There were concerns raised over the poor field ahead of the kick-off but Jamil chose not to complain. “We played here (Coimbatore) for the first time and there’s no complaint about anything. I’m very happy; it was a good result. They too tried hard. They are a good side,” said the former India international. He acknowledged that his team didn’t play the game with the same intensity as they did in the first half....
Commenting on the victory, East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan believed that the visitors had a brilliant first half. ‘‘We started off with a diamond formation. I think in the first half we were excellent. We played some good football and created two really good opportunities,’’ he said. Foreign assets Anselme, Plaza and Bukenya put in commendable performance with the first two having registered their names on the score sheet. Morgan stateed that the trio need to continue delivering their best in every game....
Mohammed Shahjahan opened the scoring for Delhi United by converting an 18th-minute penalty before Sunny Varun Thakur gave his side a 2-0 lead at half-time. Substitute Rungsing Muinao’s second-half strike (71’) sealed full points for the Delhi-based club. Lonestar, who had lost 2-1 against Real Kashmir in a derby before their 3-3 draw against visitors FC Pune City B team, are however not the only side without a win in the group....
Heynckes will begin his latest tenure on Saturday when Freiburg visit the Allianz Arena, as the Bavarians look to bounce back from consecutive league draws under the dismissed Carlo Ancelotti. Bayern go into the match five points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund after seven matches, and some have questioned whether the experienced coach will be up to the task. But Heynckes has no worries about his advancing years or the fact he has been out of coaching since 2013, claiming his mind is more important than his legs as a manager....
The Arsenal boss has been allowed to spend £70million in order to compete with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea. However, Robson has said that Arsene’s signings haven’t lived up to the hype and the former Arsenal and West Ham player expects the same this time. Stewart Robson told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show: “I’m not expecting any marquee signings at Arsenal. There’s a lot of talk about it but I don’t know if I would trust Arsene Wenger with that money....
The goalkeeper came under fire during the World Cup, making just one save for his country at Russia 2018 while a bad mistake allowed Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo to score in a 3-3 draw. De Gea has rediscovered his form since returning to United for the 2018-19 campaign, although he has only kept one clean sheet in five Premier League matches so far. And the 27-year-old, regarded as one of the finest keepers in the world, made it clear he is not bothered about opinions from outside his club....
Speculation is rife that Juventus defender and Italy international Bonucci is closing in on a shock move to Milan, with other reports claiming a rift between him and head coach Massimiliano Allegri. Bonucci’s agent refused to dismiss speculation on Thursday amid reports of a €40million fee for the 30-year-old – also a target for Premier League champions Chelsea and Manchester City – and the news has taken former Juve captain Del Piero by surprise....
McIlroy compiled a superb third round of 65 at Augusta National and will head into the last 18 holes trailing Patrick Reed by three strokes. In 2011, a 21-year-old McIlroy led by four shots at the same stage but fell apart spectacularly, shooting 80 to tumble down the leaderboard. However, the Northern Irishman has claimed four major titles since then and is understandably positive over his position this time around....
Butler – who is seeking a trade away from the Timberwolves – was not happy on Wednesday as he reportedly yelled at team-mates and team brass before leaving the court. According to reports, Butler scrimmaged with the Timberwolves’ third team and faced the team’s starters, while speculation claimed the former Chicago Bulls star taunted his team-mates by screaming “they soft”. Amid reported tension with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, some players were reportedly “distraught” and “speechless” by Butler’s actions, while others were motivated....
The Portland Trail Blazers advanced to the conference semi-finals in spectacular fashion on Tuesday, Lillard’s 37-foot buzzer-beater securing a 118-115 victory and a 4-1 triumph overall. Having gone 2-0 up in the series, the Trail Blazers were defeated in Game 3 – a contest that saw the Thunder’s Dennis Schroder imitate Lillard’s ‘Dame Time’ celebration by tapping his wrist. And those actions did not sit well with Lillard, who marked his remarkable game and series winner by waving to the Thunder bench before being mobbed by his team-mates....
Ozil: I really do care Still early days into his Anfield career, still fuelled by the promise of a highly productive pre-season, and with Luis Suarez still banned for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, the Spaniard had started in the 1-0 victory. Quite quickly though, things began to shift. Just over three weeks later, the great rivals clashed again in the League Cup, which signalled the return of the Uruguayan from suspension, with Aspas dropped to the bench and not called upon in the defeat....
Ibrahimovic, Sweden’s all-time top scorer with 62 goals, has been vocal in support of his homeland from his vantage point with his Major League Soccer club Los Angeles Galaxy – former England captain Beckham’s onetime MLS club. Ibrahim took to Twitter to challenge Beckham on the eve of the showdown in Samara, Russia. “Yo @davidbeckham if @england wins I buy you dinner where ever you want in the world, but if @swemnt wins you buy me what ever I want from @ikeasverige ok?...
Pogba & Ibrahimovic lead Worst Team of the Week The duo tussled more than once during the Premier League match at Old Trafford and were lucky not to be sent off in the first half. After Marcos Rojo saw his goal cancelled out by a Joshua King penalty, the game became even more heated as it approached half-time. Most notably, while Ibrahimovic was lying on the ground after a challenge, Mings stood on his head, though he insisted after the game that he did not mean to....
The Galaxy striker had a marvelous debut season with the team, scoring 22 goals and adding 10 assists in just 27 games for the club. Ibrahimovic’s season in Los Angeles also featured him netting his 500th career goal – one that has been nominated for MLS Goal of the Season. Though Ibrahimovic had an excellent debut campaign, it was not enough to get the Galaxy into the postseason after a final day defeat to the Houston Dynamo....
