India’s ODI tour of New Zealand postponed to 2022
Wellington, Sep 16: India will not be touring New Zealand later in the year due to a packed calendar and COVID-19 related restrictions. India would have had to quarantine for 14 days to play three ODIs as part of the World Cup Super League. A New Zealand Cricket (NZC) spokesperson confirmed to Stuff that the India games will be played after the T20 World Cup in Australia next year. New Zealand are scheduled to tour India in November for two Tests and three T20s. New Zealand will be hosting Bangladesh, The Netherlands and South Africa in the summer besides the seven teams in Women’s World Cup in March-April. (PTI)
Women’s Big Bash League relocated to Tasmania
Hobart, Sep 16: The seventh edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) will start from Tasmania. The state will now host the first 20 matches of the season after Covid-19 outbreak led to border closures, forcing a change to the original schedule. The league will begin as scheduled on October 14. But instead of North Sydney Oval hosting the opening match between Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars, Hobart’s Blundstone Arena will now be the hosts. All eight teams will travel to Tasmania for the first 20 matches of the season to be played in Launceston’s University, Invermay Park and Blundstone Arena. (IANS)
Michael Holding announces retirement from commentary
New Delhi, Sep 15: West Indies great Michael Holding has announced his retirement as a cricket commentator, reported ESPNcricinfo. Holding has been one of the most influential and widely recognised voices in cricket. The 67-year-old has served for Sky Sports for over twenty years as a commentator broadcaster. As per the reports, “However, with age catching up and the increasingly busy cricketing schedules, Holding has decided to bid goodbye to his second innings, with 2021 being his last year in the commentary box.” (IANS)
Tom Blundell ruled out of Pak-NZ series due to injury
Lahore, Sep 16: New Zealand have suffered a setback ahead of Friday’s ODI series opener in Pakistan with wicket-keeper batsman Tom Blundell ruled out of the series because of an injury suffered during the preceding T20I series against Bangladesh. All-rounder Daryl Mitchell, who was going to join the side for the T20Is, will take over his place and will be available for selection once he completes the mandatory isolation period. Blundell sustained the injury in the fourth T20I against Bangladesh and the Blackcaps physio Nishil Shah explained the injury needed a concentrated period of rehabilitation. (IANS)
Chelsea defender Reece James says medals stolen in burglary
London, Sep 16: Reece James said thieves broke into his home and stole his Champions League winner’s medal while he was playing for Chelsea on Tuesday. The England international on Thursday posted a video showing four people apparently entering through the gates of his property, and he appealed for help to identify the culprits, writing on Instagram that there were already “firm leads.” Inside his safe were his Champions League winner’s medal and UEFA Super Cup winner’s medal earned with Chelsea this year alongwith a runner-up medal from this year’s European Championship with England. (AP)
Neeraj Goyat to compete in Amir Khan promoted fight night
New Delhi, Sep 16: Indian boxers, including the experienced Neeraj Goyat, will be seen in action at a ‘Fight Night’ promoted by British star Amir Khan on October 16 in Dubai. The event is being organised by Super Boxing League in association with the World Boxing Council. “The event, sponsored by Savy Capital, the crypto community partners, Bybit and Roy Blackstone, will for the very first time interweave the world’s fastest-growing crypto community with the world’s oldest and most efficient combat sport in the world,” a press release stated. (PTI)
AIBA announces hefty prize money for World C’ship winners
Lausanne, Sep 16: In a first, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) on Thursday announced a USD 2.6 million prize fund for next month’s world championships in Serbia where the gold-winners will walk away with a cheque of USD 100,000. The marquee event starts on October 24 in Belgrade. India will be represented by the gold-winners of its ongoing national championships. “The prize money fund has been set at USD 2.6 million. The prize for first place is USD 100 000 USD. Silver medallists receive USD 50 000, and both bronzes in each weight category receive USD 25 000,” read a statement from the governing body. (PTI)
Gaurika Bishnoi shines at Lavaux Ladies golf in Switzerland
Puidox (Switzerland), Sep 16: Golfer Gaurika Bishnoi was the best-placed Indian at tied 21st in the Lavaux Ladies Open on the LET Access Series here. Gaurika shot 1-under 71 with two birdies against one bogey. Among the other Indians, Amandeep Drall, who had a recent top-5 result, shot 1-over 73 and was tied 41st, while Ridhima Dilawari and Durga Nittur were 2-over 74 and tied 52nd. Vani Kapoor (75) was tied 57th and Asmitha Sathish pulled out. Anne-Sterre den Dunnen fired an opening round of 5-under 67 to take the lead on the first day. (PTI)
Kolkata-Gangtok relay flagged off
Kolkata, Sep 16: A relay race from Kolkata to Gangtok covering a distance of 685 kilometres in approximately 60 hours was flagged off here on Thursday. Eleven experienced runners from across the country have come together to be part of this non-stop day and night race titled ‘Kolkata Gangtok Chase’, according to a media statement. Each runner on an average would cover 62 kilometres approximately and would follow the route of Krishnanagar, Berhampore, Malda, Raiganj, Islampur and Siliguri before finishing off at Gangtok. The race hopes to promote health, fitness, mass education and the spirit of adventure. (PTI)