Another 1st round defeat for Somdev
London: There was no end to Somdev Devvarman’s woes as the Indian suffered his fourth straight first round defeat when he lost to Kenny de Schepper at the ATP Aegon Championships, here. Somdev, who has dropped out of top-100 following a string of poor performances, lost 6-4, 7-5 to his French rival in one hour and 15 minutes. Somdev did not get a single break point in the match and lost his serve twice. In a surprising and prolonged poor patch, Somdev has won only two matches on the ATP circuit in his last 10 tournaments. (PTI)
Former Aus cricketer Gilmour dies
Sydney: Swing bowling allrounder Gary Gilmour, who played 15 Tests for Australia between 1973 and 1977 and was one of the stars of the inaugural World Cup in 1975, died on Tuesday at the age of 62. Cricket officials said Gilmour battled health problems for several years and complications escalated after a recent fall.The left-armed Gilmour took figures of 6-14 against England in the 1975 World Cup semifinal. The then 23-year-old also claimed 5-48 in the final, which Australia lost to the West Indies. Gilmour underwent a liver transplant in 2005, when his former captain Ian Chappell led a number of former team mates in raising money for the operation. He is survived by his wife, Helen, two sons and a daughter. (AP)
Bowler takes four wickets in four balls
LONDON: South African seamer Alfonso Thomas became the first player in 14 years to take four wickets in four balls in the County Championship on Tuesday. Thomas, playing for Somerset on the third day of their match against Sussex at Taunton, bowled James Anyon, trapped Rory Hamilton-Brown leg before and had Ed Joyce caught behind for his hat-trick. And with the first ball of his next over the 37-year-old, who represented his country in one Twenty20 international in 2007, bowled Matt Machan off an inside edge. It left Sussex on 33 for five in their second innings although they steadied the ship to move to 104 for five after lunch, a lead of 29 runs. Gary Butcher, for Surrey against Derbyshire, was the previous player to take four wickets in four balls in a county match. (Reuters)
Villa sign former Eng midfielder Joe Cole
LONDON: Former England midfielder Joe Cole has joined Aston Villa on a free transfer, the Premier League club said on Tuesday. Cole, 32, has signed a two-year deal after being released by West Ham United. “This is a massive club and there’s a massive opportunity for the club to push on,” he was quoted as saying on BBC Sport. “I’ve been lucky enough to have a really good career but there’s still a lot more I want to achieve.” The London-born player, who won 56 caps for England, began his career at Upton Park before moving in 2003 to Chelsea, where he won three league titles. He joined Liverpool in 2010 but could not hold down a regular first-team place, and spent the 2011-12 season on loan at French club Lille. Cole is Villa’s second signing of the close-season, after Philippe Senderos on a free transfer from Valencia. (Reuters)