Eeasy win for Waveriders in HIL opener
Mohali: Australia’s Jason Wilson scored a brace as last year’s runners-up Delhi Waveriders defeated hosts Punjab Warriors 3-1 in the opening contest of the second edition of the Hockey India League, here on Saturday. The Delhi side took the lead in the 29th minute through young striker Talwinder Singh’s field goal from the top of the opposition circle to stun the large number of home crowd present at the newly-built International Hockey Stadium. But Waveriders’ joy was shortlived as Affan Yousuf equalised for Warriors four minutes later by scoring from a goal-mouth melee. Wilson restored Delhi’s lead in the 47th minute with a strike from close range after he was set up by Akashdeep Singh. Minutes later, Punjab Warriors got a penalty corner but their star drag-flicker was off the target. Thereafter, the home pressed hard for the equalizer but the Waveriders defended stoutly to thwart any danger to their goal. The Waveriders sealed the contest in their favour when Wilson scored his second goal of the day just two minutes from the final hooter. The Waveriders will next travel to Ranchi where they will face holders Ranchi Rhinos on Monday, while Punjab Warriors will host Mumbai Magicians at the same venue on Sunday. With this win, the Sardar Singh-led Waveriders, last year’s most consistent team, have pocketed five points from the encounter, while the Warriors secured one point despite the loss because, as per the tournament rules, a defeat with goal difference of two or less will give the losing side one point. (PTI)
Bhullar finishes 22nd at Qatar Masters
Doha: Gaganjeet Bhullar rounded off the Qatar Masters with a creditable three-under 69 and finished tied 22nd in the second leg of three-event Middle East swing. Bhullar, who was in top-10 after the first day, ended at nine-under 279, even as Spaniard Sergio Garcia beat Finland’s Mikko Illonen in a play-off lasting three holes. Shiv Kapur shot a third successive 71 and finished tied 33rd, down nine places from his overnight 24th. Jeev Milkha Singh (68) moved up to finish tied 43rd after being 57th overnight. Bhullar had three birdies and no bogeys, while Kapur who looked set for a better finish, suffered a double bogey on 15th. Jeev also had a bogey-free 68 on Sunday, which should give him more hope for next week’s campaign in Dubai. Garcia, who won his last event of December 2013, has started 2014 well with a win in play-off over Mikko Illonen of Finland. Both finished at 16-under after Garcia carded a bogey-free seven-under 65 and Illonen shot six-under 66, which had seven birdies and one bogey. Garcia, lying at nine-under after three rounds had three birdies on front nine and four on back nine as he set the clubhouse target of 16-under after being tied 11th overnight. Illonen, 6th overnight, had a brave finish with three birdies in last five holes, including the 18th to get into the play-off. Garcia had an eagle putt from 30 feet on the third play-off and he managed a birdie, while Illonen, who hit his third shot 12 feet past the hole failed to get a birdie and former World No. 2 Garcia won the title to move into top-10 of World Golf Rankings once again. (PTI)
Skipper Clarke back for final ODI
Sydney: Australian skipper Michael Clarke will return for the final one-day match against England on Sunday, with coach Darren Lehmann warning the tourists will have gained confidence from their first win against the home team. After dominating England this summer, winning the Ashes 5-0 and taking the first three one-day internationals, Australia were outplayed in the fourth 50-over game in Perth on Friday, losing by 57 runs. “We didn’t bat very well last night, we certainly didn’t bowl well early… outplayed. So we need to bounce back to win,” Lehmann said on Saturday. Australia held an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match ODI series going into the Perth game and fielded an understrength side which was minus Clarke, keeper Brad Haddin, Shane Watson and David Warner who were all rested. George Bailey, who stood in for Clarke as captain on Friday, said it made a difference playing without them but defended Australia’s decision to rest the key players. (AFP)