South Africa, Lanka captains suspended for one match each
Chittagong: South Africa and Sri Lanka captains Faf du Plessis and Dinesh Chandimal were suspended on Friday for one match each, while their players have been fined. The both sides were findbecause of slow over-rates during their ICC World Twenty 20 Bangladesh 2014 Group 1 encounters at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium (ZACS) in Chittagong on Thursday, International Cricket Council announced on Friday. This was both captains’ second minor over-rate offences within a 12 month period in the same format, as South Africa was fined for being two overs short against New Zealand on March 24, 2014, and Sri Lanka was short by one over against New Zealand in Pallekele on November 21, 2013. A team captain found guilty of two minor over-rate offences in the same format of the game within a period of 12 months receives a one match suspension for the immediately subsequent match in the same format of the game. In accordance with Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel governing minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount. As such, the captains have been fined 20 per cent each of their match fees and their players have received 10 per cent fines. (PTI)
Oscar Pistorius murder trial adjourned until April 7
PRETORIA: The murder trail of Oscar Pistorius was adjourned on Friday until April 7, when the South African Paralympic and Olympic track star is expected to take the stand in his own defence in a high-stakes bid to prove his innocence and avoid life in prison. Judge Thokozile Masipa postponed proceedings for more than a week due to the illness of one of the legal assistants who has been sitting at her side throughout the trial, one of the most high-profile in South African history. Prosecutors took 15 days to lay out their case against the 27-year-old, arguing he deliberately killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine’s Day last year by firing four rounds from a 9 mm pistol through a closed toilet door. Several neighbours testified to hearing a woman’s terrified screams before a volley of shots, countering Pistorius’ assertions that he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder hiding in the toilet cubicle in the middle of the night. If found guilty of murder, Pistorius faces at least 25 years in prison. The trial has gripped South Africa and millions of athletics fans around the world who saw Pistorius as a symbol of triumph over physical adversity. The sprinter’s lower legs were amputated as a baby but he went on to achieve global fame as the “fastest man on no legs.” (Reuters)
Sanam replaces Yuki as playing member in Davis Cup squad
New Delhi: Sanam Singh on Friday replaced an injured Yuki Bhambri as a playing member in the Indian Davis Cup squad, which will take on Korea in a second round clash in the Asia/Oceania Group I contest next month. While practicing, Yuki hurt his left heel and has been advised rest for 10-12 days, which means he will not be able to participate in the April 4-6 tie in Busan. Sanam and Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan were part of the squad as reserve players. “Sanam Singh has been selected as playing member of Indian Davis Cup Squad for the upcoming Davis Cup tie against Korea Republic as Yuki Bhambri has shown his inability to participate due to injury. Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan would be the reserve,” an AITA release said. The winner of the tie will qualify for the World Group play-off tie, to be held in September. (PTI)