South Africa appoint Shukri Conrad as all-format coach
CAPE TOWN, May 9: South Africa Test coach Shukri Conrad will take charge of the Proteas white ball teams until the 2027 ICC 50-over World Cup, the CSA announced here on Friday.Conrad, who has been coaching the SA Test side from 2023, succeeds Rob Walter, who resigned in April after the Champions Trophy.The 58-year-old’s first white ball assignment will be a T20I series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand in July.CSA Director of National Teams and High Performance, Enoch Nkwe commented: “Shukri’s track record with the red-ball team speaks for itself.“He has laid a solid foundation and instilled a strong identity within the Test environment. I’m excited to see him bring the profile and structure to the white-ball space.” Under Conrad’s guidance, South Africa have reached their first-ever World Test Championship final, and will face defending champions Australia for the title at Lord’s, London, from June 11 to 15.“I’m truly honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility of leading the national team across all three formats. I’m genuinely excited about the prospects that lie ahead. South African cricket has incredible white-ball talent. There’s a strong foundation to build on, and I believe we have what it takes to achieve something special,” said Conrad.During his tenure, Conrad will oversee two major white ball events – T20 World Cup 2026 in India and the 50-over World Cup 2027 on home soil. (PTI)
Aussie hockey player who tried to buy drugs at the Olympics returns
SYDNEY, May 9: Field hockey player Tom Craig was recalled to the Australian national team on Friday after serving a six-month suspension for trying to buy drugs at the Paris Olympics.The Australian player was stripped of his Olympic privileges when he was arrested in Paris following the side’s Games quarterfinal exit last year. He spent the night in a Paris jail after attempting to buy drugs but escaped without a fine or conviction.The 29-year-old Craig was later handed a 12-month suspension by Hockey Australia, of which six were suspended.That didn’t prevent him from playing overseas. Craig kept his contract in Germany where he pushed for a test recall under new Kookaburras coach Mark Hager.Craig, who has played 142 games for Australia, will remain in Europe ahead of the side’s next Pro League legs in Belgium, England and Germany.“Keeping the gratitude front of mind,” Craig said of his mindset during the suspension.“I can’t really put to words how grateful I am for everyone who’s supported me.” Craig won Olympic silver with the team in Tokyo four years ago. (PTI)
Djokovic to play at Geneva seeking first clay-court win this season
GENEVA, May 9: Novak Djokovic is coming to the Geneva Open for the second straight year as he seeks a first win on clay this season ahead of Roland Garros.Geneva oprganizers said Friday that Djokovic will play at the May 17-24 tournament, a last warmup event for players going to Paris for the French Open.The sixth-ranked Djokovic, seeking his 100th singles title on tour, has an 0-2 record in the European clay-court season after making quick exits at Monte Carlo and Madrid.The Geneva lineup includes No. 4-ranked Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud, the defending champion who has won three of the last four editions at the lakeside park club.Djokovic could again celebrate his birthday in Geneva as he turns 38 on May 22.Last year he was eliminated in the Geneva semifinals by Tomas Machac, then advanced through four rounds in Paris. He withdrew citing a knee injury ahead of meeting Ruud in the quarterfinals and lost his No. 1 ranking. (AP)
Bhullar, Chawrasia make cut in Japan, five other Indians miss
TOKYO, May 9: Gaganjeet Bhullar and SSP Chawrasia were the only Indians out of seven in fray to make the cut at the International Series Japan, here Friday.Bhullar, an 11-time winner on the Asian Tour, had four birdies against two bogeys in his 2-under 69 on the Par-71 course. He had 71 in the first round and is now 2-under for 36 holes and Tied-36th.Chawrasia (71) with three birdies and three bogeys was even par and T-52nd with rounds of 71-71 and an even par total.Meanwhile, Jeev Milkha Singh (73-70) missed the cut by one shot.Other missing out on weekend action were Yuvraj Sandhu (71-74), Rahil Gangjee (75-70), Ajeetesh Sandhu (73-72) and Shiv Kapur (73-74) as the cut fell at even par.Lucas Herbert protected his overnight lead despite a wobble in the middle of his second round, carding a two-under-par 69 to reach 11-under at the halfway stage.Another player who took advantage of the calmer morning conditions at the par-71 Caledonian Golf Club was Japan’s Yuta Sugiura (67).A second consecutive four-under round moved him to eight-under par total, and three behind the leader, where he was joined by South Africa’s Ian Snyman (66). (PTI)
India’s Aditi Ashok struggles in the first round at Mizuho
JERSEY CITY, May 9: Indian golfer Aditi Ashok endured a rough start at the Mizuho Americas Open, shooting a five-over 77 to finish T-113 after the opening round at Liberty National Golf Club here.Her round included two birdies, five bogeys, and a costly double bogey, leaving her in need of a strong second round to make the cut.Starting on the front nine, Aditi made three bogeys, on the first, second and eighth holes respectively.On the back nine, she dropped another shot on 11th hole before making a birdie on the 12th hole. The 13th hole was a double bogey, the 15th a birdie and the 16th another bogey.In 2025, Aditi has made cut at four of the five events she has played. She missed the cut at the Ford Championship. At the start of the week Aditi was ranked 95th in the CME rankings. (PTI)