Bhuvneshwar hits the net
New Delhi: In a big positive for the Indian team management, pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled for around 30-35 minutes at the indoor nets in Manchester on Tuesday. While it is unclear if he will be in contention for the game against West Indies at Old Trafford on Thursday, the close to full run-up bowling session is an indicator that the hamstring niggle has improved.Speaking to IANS, sources in the know of developments said that while the pacer did start with a short run-up, there was a gradual increase in the run-up under the watchful eyes of physio Patrick Farhart. (IANS)
Lara admitted to hospital
Mumbai: Legendary West Indies batsman Brian Lara, who was on Tuesday admitted to a hospital here after he complained of chest pain, said he is fine and recovering, and will be back in his hotel on Wednesday.”I am fine. I am recovering and I will be back in my hotel room tomorrow,” Windies Cricket quoted Lara saying in a tweet.Lara was admitted to the Global Hospital in Parel at around 12.30 p.m., which was confirmed by the West Indies Cricket Board later in the afternoon.However, despite repeated attempts, the hospital declined to divulge details on the former cricketer’s medical condition, even as speculation was rife over his health status.Lara is currently in India working as a cricket expert for Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup. The former Caribbean batsman played 131 Tests for the West Indies and amassed 11,953 runs, while he scored 10,405 runs at 40.17 in 299 ODIs. (IANS)
Coutinho uncertain about future
Leeds: Amid all the speculation regarding Barcelona exit, attacker Philippe Coutinho said he does not know anything about his future. “I have a contract with Barcelona, it was always my will to succeed in this club, but now I am totally concentrated here [with Brazil] and about the future [with Barca] we do not know what will happen. Many things that come out in the media are simply not true but as for my future we do not know what is going to happen, that is the truth,” Goal.com quoted Coutinho as saying. Coutinho scored just five La Liga goals in his 34 appearances. Reflecting on his performance, the 27-year-old said: “Honestly, it wasn’t a good season. It didn’t produce what I wanted, it didn’t go as I hoped.”However, Coutinho wants his substandard performances serves as an example so that he can succeed in the future. (ANI)
Umtiti happy in Barca
Madrid: Barcelona’s French international defender Samuel Umtiti says he is happy at the club and is not looking to leave, despite rumours linking him with a move away from the Camp Nou.The 2018-19 campaign was a difficult one for Umtiti, despite winning La Liga with Barcelona and the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France, reports Xinhua news agency.After an impressive first season after joining from Lyon, Umtiti struggled with an ankle injury which seriously affected his fitness and form, to such an extent that this summer has seen rumours that Barcelona are looking to sell him.However, speaking to the website ‘Hypebeast’, Umtiti said he was positive that he was now on the road to recovering his best form. (IANS)