Manu, Vinesh, Avani nominated for BBC ‘Sportswoman of the Year’
NEW DELHI, Jan 16: Paris Olympics double medallist Manu Bhaker, two-time Paralympics champion Avani Lekhara and ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat are among five athletes nominated for the BBC ‘Indian Sportswoman of the Year’ award.Indian cricket team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and ace golfer Aditi Ashok are the two others shortlisted for the honour by an eminent jury of sports journalists and writers.The winner will be decided by public voting.The fans can vote for their favourite star on any of the language platforms of the BBC. The voting is open till January 31 and the winner will be announced on February 17.In addition, three other awards will be presented: Emerging Player of the Year award, to recognise the achievements of a young female athlete, Lifetime Achievement award, to celebrate a female sports veteran for their unparalleled contribution to sports, and Para Sportswoman of the Year award, to highlight excellence in para-sports. (PTI)
Ireland fined 10 per cent of match fee for slow over-rate vs India
RAJKOT, Jan 16: The Ireland women’s cricket team was on Thursday fined 10 percent of its match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate in the third and final ODI against India, which the hosts won by a massive 304 runs to make a clean sweep of the series.The hosts, powered by fine centuries from Smriti Mandhana (135) and Pratika Rawal (154) on Wednesday, scored a mammoth 435/5, the highest total by an Indian team — men’s or women’s — in ODIs.Ireland could only make 131 before getting bundled out in 31.4 overs.Match Referee G S Lakshmi of the ICC International Panel of Match Referees imposed the fine after Ireland were found to be two overs short of the required target after accounting for time allowances.The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Kim Cotton and Akshay Totre, along with third umpire Virender Sharma and fourth umpire Vrinda Rathi.“As per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five percent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl within the allotted time,” said ICC in a statement.“Ireland captain Gaby Lewis accepted the sanction and pleaded guilty to the offence, eliminating the need for a formal hearing,” ICC added. (PTI)
Odisha Warriors win in penalty shootout against Bengal Tigers
RANCHI, Jan 16: Jocelyn Bartram pulled off three saves to help Odisha Warriors beat Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers 3-2 in penalty shootout after their Women’s Hockey India League match ended 1-1 in regulation time here on Thursday.Baljeet Kaur (8th) struck for Odisha Warriors while Beauty Dungdung (16th) scored for Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers in the regulation time.Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers came close to taking the lead in the third minute as Ashley Hoffman played a pass from the goal-line. However, both Lalremsiami and Hannah Cotter missed the pass.Bengal Tigers won the first penalty corner, but Warriors goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram reacted well to stop Hoffman’s drag flick.Odisha Warriors took the lead against the run of play through Baljeet Kaur. Victoria Sauze slapped the ball towards the post from outside the circle, and Baljeet was at the right place to deflect the ball past Jennifer Rizzo into the goal. Tigers had the chance to equalise in the final minute of the first quarter as they won a penalty corner, but it went begging. The Tigers did not have to wait for long in the second quarter to get back on level terms as Beauty Dungdung received the ball in the circle and shot home.The Warriors gave away a needless penalty corner in the 27th minute after having six foreign players on the field instead of a maximum five. Bartram saved her side by keeping out Udita’s drag flick. (PTI)