Sri Lanka seal thrilling win over England
Leeds: Sri Lanka beat England with just one ball to spare to win the second Test at Headingley by 100 runs on Tuesday and so take the two-match series 1-0. There were more than 20 overs remaining when England No 11 James Anderson came into bat but he survived for 55 balls on nought until, off the penultimate delivery of the match, he gloved paceman Shaminda Eranga to Rangana Herath at leg gully. Just as Sri Lanka had staved off defeat by one wicket in the drawn first Test at Lord’s, it seemed England might do likewise in Leeds. But Sri Lanka No 11 Nuwan Pradeep only had to survive five balls at Lord’s. Defeat was tough on England’s Moeen Ali who batted for six-and-a-half hours while making 108 not out – his maiden Test century. England, set 350 for victory, were bowled out for 249 on the final day as Sri Lanka won a Test on English soil for only the third time in their history following victories at The Oval in 1998 and Trent Bridge in 2006. England resumed Tuesday on 57 for five, having collapsed in the face of paceman Dhammika Prasad’s dramatic burst of four wickets for 15 runs on Monday. Brief scores: SL 1st inn: 257/10 (K Sangakkara 79; L Plunkett 5-64); Eng 1st inn: 365/10 (S Robson 127; A Mathews 4-44); SL 2nd inn: 457/10 (A Mathews 160; L Plunkett 4-112); Eng 2nd inn: 249/10 (M Ali 108*; D Prasad 5-50). (AFP)
Bengaluru FC retain coach Westwood
Bangalore: I-League champions Bengaluru FC have extended the contracts of head coach Ashley Westwood and the central defensive pair of John Johnson and Curtis Osano till the end of the 2015-16 season. “I am delighted and proud to be signing an extension of two years with the club and excited to carry on the dream and vision of the owners in making Bengaluru FC unique in Indian football. This club was all about long term planning and I’m looking forward to the next chapter and trying to defend the title,” said Westwood. The Englishman was the focus of praise from all quarters last season when he guided Bengaluru FC to the I-League title on debut, finishing four points above East Bengal. Johnson said: “I am delighted to have signed this new deal. It’s been a brilliant last season and I cannot wait to get back and start the new season. The club has been brilliant to me from Day 1 and I hope to repay Bengaluru FC and its fans with more success in the coming years.” (IANS)
Klinsmann denies a tie deal with Loew
Rio de Janeiro: US coach Jurgen Klinsmann has dismissed rumours that the Americans and the Germans would play for a draw in their last group game that would assure a smooth passage for both teams to the knock-out stage of the World Cup. A draw would ensure that Ghana and Portugal will leave Brazil regardless of the result of their game. Klinsmann denied that he has not entered into a pact with his compatriot and German coach Joachim Loew for a draw. Loew was an assistant to Klinsmann, who was the German coach in 2006. “That will not happen. Loew will do his job and I’ll do mine. Everyone will try to do what they have to do to reach the knockout stage,” Klinsmann said in a press conference on Monday. “I want to win because I do not think that we made for the draws, unless it happens like today, a goal in the last second. We will fight for the victory against Germany. That’s what we want, and then we’ll see how it goes,” said the German tactician. (IANS)
Courtois returning to Chelsea: coach
Rio de Janeiro: Belgium’s coach Marc Wilmots accidentally leaked the news during a private conversation that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will return to Chelsea. Wilmots was talking to former Liverpool manager and Frenchman Gerard Houllier, who was commentating on the World Cup matches. Wilmots told Houllier that “Courtois is going to Chelsea,” but both of them did not realise that a Belgian RTBF channel camera was around them and had picked up the conversation. What was a personal conversation took place in the Maracana Stadium here after Belgium’s last minute 1-0 win over Russia. Houllier went on and asked “What will happen to (Petr) Cech, will they sell him?” referring to Chelsea’s goalkeeper. Wilmots said it was possible. (IANS)