Windies, England make QFs in U-19 WC
Dubai: England and the West Indies advanced to the quarterfinals of the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup when they comfortably won their decisive Group C and D matches on Tuesday. England overcame Sunday’s heart-breaking loss to Sri Lanka by bouncing back to defeat New Zealand by 115 runs here, while 2004 runners-up West Indies beat Canada by 63 runs in Abu Dhabi. In other matches, two-time runners-up South Africa recorded an easy seven wickets victory over neighbour Zimbabwe and 2000 finalists Sri Lanka defeated the hosts United Arab Emirates by eight wickets in Sharjah. These results mean that from Group C, South Africa and West Indies have progressed to the Super League quarterfinals while Canada and Zimbabwe will feature in the Plate Championship. From Group D, Sri Lanka and England will appear in the Super League quarters while New Zealand and the UAE will play in the Plate Championship. on Wednesday, the winners of the Pakistan-Scotland match will join defending champions India in the Super League quarterfinals from Group A, whereas any two teams from Afghanistan, Australia and Bangladesh can qualify for the Super League quarterfinals from Group B. (PTI)
Concussed McLaren out of 2nd Test
Johannesburg: South Africa all-rounder Ryan McLaren will miss the second Test against Australia with concussion following a crunching blow to his helmet from a Mitchell Johnson bouncer in the series opener. The South African team says McLaren was admitted to a clinic in Johannesburg with “mild concussion” a day after suffering the blow on Saturday, the fourth day of the first Test. He was discharged on Monday. South Africa team doctor Mohammed Moosajee said on Tuesday that McLaren had been experiencing headaches and nausea about 30 hours after being hit. South Africa say they will not call up a replacement for the second Test starting on Thursday at Port Elizabeth, relying on the remaining 14 players in the squad. (AP)
Gilchrist to reunite with Warne
London: Australia’s most successful wicketkeeper-batsman of all time, Adam Gilchrist, is the latest name to be added to the growing list of stars taking part in the MCC v Rest of the World match at Lord’s on July 5. Gilchrist will be reunited with former teammate Shane Warne in the Rest of the World line-up, which the spin legend will captain. Retired batting icon Sachin Tendulkar will also be seen in cricketing gears once again as he will lead the Marylebone Cricket Club in the one-day game to mark the bicentenary celebrations of the historic club. Fellow Australian Shaun Tait and New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori have also been confirmed for the match. (PTI)
Atletico midfielder Garcia signs new deal
Madrid: La Liga club Atletico Madrid announced that midfielder Raul Garcia has signed a contract extension to keep him at the Vicente Calderon Stadium until the end of June 2018. The move means that the midfielder, who was signed from Osasuna in 2007, will continue his career at the club he has looked like leaving a couple of years ago, when he returned to Osasuna on loan for the 2011-12 season. That campaign saw Garcia rediscover his form, scoring 11 goals in 33 appearances, and winning the confidence of Atletico coach Diego Simeone. Last season, Garcia was a key part of the Atletico squad, scoring nine goals in all competitions and this season he has been even more important with seven goals in La Liga, including the opening goal in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Valladolid. “I am very happy with the agreement, both the club and I wanted to reach it and I am very happy here. Now, I have to keep on working to try and reach our objectives,” said Garcia on the club website after putting pen to paper. Sporting Director Jose Luis Caminero said, “Raul has earned his new contact with his good work. He has been a very consistent player in recent seasons and he is one of the strongmen in the dressing room. He gives us as much in defence as in attack. We are very pleased with this agreement and we hope he carries on here for many years.” Garcia has made 259 appearances for Atletico in total, scoring 36 goals. (IANS)