Kapp and Khaka rested for South Africa’s T20Is against England
CAPETOWN, Nov 11: Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka have been rested from South Africa’s three T20I matches against England, starting from November 24. The duo though will be back for the ODI leg of the multi-format series.Apart from the duo, Mieke de Ridder is also not a part of the T20I series, while young leg-spinner Seshnie Naidu will be completing her matric exams and would be aiming to represent South Africa in the 2025 ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia.In their absence, all-rounders Eliz-Mari Marx and Nondumiso Shangase find themselves in the T20I team, while Faye Tunnicliffe makes her return to the national squad for the first time since 2021.For the ODI series, experienced pacer Masabata Klaas is back after missing out on the T20 World Cup in the UAE last month. South Africa have also included fast bowler Ayanda Hlubi, marking this her first 50-over call-up since February’s tour to Australia.Left-handed batter Lara Goodall, who recently reached her 50th ODI cap in April, returns after missing the ODI series against India in June. In the current ICC Women’s Championship (2022-2025) standings, South Africa are fourth with 23 points from 21 matches, trailing England by five points with three matches to play for both teams. Top five sides, along with hosts India, will qualify automatically for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup. (IANS)
Manipur, Haryana enter Senior Men National Hockey QFs
CHENNAI, Nov 11: Manipur and Haryana qualified for the quarterfinals of the Hockey India Senior Men National Championship after convincing victories in their respective matches on the final day of the pool stage here on Monday.Manipur thrashed Assam 10-0 in Pool H with Laishram Dipu Singh scoring a hat-trick, while Haryana beat Mizoram 8-0 in Pool B, thanks to four goals from Rohit.Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey also made it to the last-eight stage from Pool A with 3-1 win over Chhattisgarh.Manipur will take on Punjab in the first quarterfinal, followed by the Haryana vs Maharashtra match. The third quarterfinal will be between Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh while the fourth will feature Odisha and Karnataka.All the four quarterfinal matches will be held on November 13. (PTI)
Skillhub Online Games launches inaugural Grandmasters series
NEW DELHI, Nov 11: The Skillhub Online Games (SOG) Federation on Monday unveiled the first edition of the SOG Grandmasters Series in a bid to promote skill-based mind sports and establish a competitive framework for the online gaming industry in India.For its inaugural event, the SOG Federation will host three skill-based mind sports: the Indian Chess Masters (ICM), Indian Chess Masters for Blind (ICMB) and Indian Rummy Grandmasters (IRG).After online qualifiers, “phygital” zonals — blending physical and digital presence– will begin with the South Zone on December 18-19 in Bengaluru, followed by other regions.To conclude the inaugural SOG Grandmasters, two zonal finalists from chess, two from blind chess and six from rummy will compete in the Nationals in early March 2025 in Delhi for their respective titles and a consolidated prize pool of more than Rs 2 crore. (PTI)