Ravi Shastri met CoA to rule out Day-Night Test
MUMBAI: The newly proposed Test championship cycle of the International Cricket Council (ICC), which comes into effect post June 2019, does not include Day/Night or Pink Ball Tests over the next four years. The draft of ICC’s new Future Tours Program (FTP) — which has been designed keeping this Test cycle in mind — follows the same policies until 2023. Keeping this in mind, the Indian cricket board was busy contemplating not hosting a Test match under lights either at home or playing one on the tour of Australia later this year. The BCCI’s decision to avoid Day/Night Tests received a shot in the arm when coach of the Indian team, Ravi Shastri, recently met with the Committee of Administrators(CoA) supervising the affairs at the Board, and conveyed that the team needed more time to prepare for the concept of Test cricket under lights and therefore the decision to do away with the idea of hosting a Day & Night Test against West Indies in October was done away with. (TNN)
Two IPL play-off matches shifted to Kolkata from Pune
KOLKATA: The historic Eden Gardens will host two play-off matches that were originally scheduled in Pune, Indian Premier League governing council confirmed on Friday. “The GC has confirmed that Kolkata will host the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 on May 23 and 25 respectively,” IPL GC chairman Rajeev Shukla said. (PTI)
IPL 2018: Gayle has made my life easier, says opening partner Rahul
CHENNAI: Kings XI Punjabbatsman KL Rahul says opening the batting alongside an in-form Chris Gayle has made his life easier as opposition bowlers are always focussed on the big-hitting West Indian, which gives him time to build his innings. Rahul said he is enjoying his cricket now and learning from his flamboyant teammate Gayle, who “always plays with a big smile on his face and is a complete entertainer.” (PTI)
HS Prannoy moves to career-best 8th after Asia Championships bronze
NEW DELHI: HS Prannoy, the second-highest ranking Indian men’s singles player, has moved up two spots to a career-high No 8 in the latest reshuffling of the BWF world rankings. Prannoy, coming off his most successful year as a professional badminton player, had occupied the tenth spot in the men’s singles rankings for some time, and having last week claimed bronze at the Asia Badminton Championships, has moved to eighth. (TNN)
Ankita to play in French Open qualifying round
AHMEDABAD: Ankita Raina, the 193rd-ranked Indian, has given herself a chance to enter the main draw of the French Open at Roland Garros this year after being included in the list of qualifiers released by the WTA on Wednesday. (TNN)
Mourinho won’t block Faria if he wants top job
MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Jose Mourinhohas promised not to stand in the way of long-time assistant Rui Faria should he pursue ambitions of becoming a manager in his own right. United’s bitter rivals Liverpool secured their place in the Champions League final on Wednesday after a turbulent week that saw Jurgen Klopp’s assistant for the past 17 years, Zeljko Buvac, leave the club. (AFP)
LOCAL
Goa excels at Mini Football C’ship
PANJIM: Goa defeated Maharashtra 3-0 in U-17 category of the West Zone Mini Football Championship League, organised by Goa Minifootball Association (GMFA) in collaboration with Maharashtra Mini Football Association, at Parvati Chowgule College, Astro turf ground, on Thursday, Goa U-14 boys team defeated Mumbai in the finals via tie-breaker after both the teams were locked in a 1-1 draw at regulation time to be crowned champions. Goa bagged its third crown as Goa women defeated Maharashtra 3-0 in the women’s category.The chief guest for the closing ceremony Amjad Sayed congratulated Goa coaches Alfred Rodrigues and Stany Lobo along with their players for outstanding performance in the tournament. (HERALD)
Michel leads Royal Builders to victory
AMBELIM: Royal Builders defeated Skyla Strikers 3-2 via the tie-breaker in the Sevens Women’s Football Festival, organised by Goa Sevens and Ambelim Sports Club played at Ambelim Sports Complex, Ambelim, on Thursday.
Both the teams having lost their opening games brought in new feet to boost their line-up. Royal Builders brought in four players, with Mayflower Colaco, Daisy Crasto, Clency Miranda and Leincy Peixoto in the starting seven. On the other hand, Skyla Strikers brought in Cifa Lima and Medha Prabhu. Skyla Strikers were the first team to look at goal with Valanka D’Souza collecting the ball from midfield only to find her powerful strike hit the top of the crossbar in the 3rd minute. (HERALD)
Models Panjim blank Canacona
CHINCHINIM: Models Panjim blanked Canacona Sports Academy 3-0 to move into the final of the CRC Chinchinim Women’s Football Cup, played at CRC Chinchinim ground, on Thursday.
Models Panjim dominated the first half and netted two quick goals through Sabnam Fernandes in the 14th minute and Sushmita Jadhav in the 20th minute.
Down by two goals, Canacona tried to level terms but failed as Shina Barretto and Nikita Naik missed the net in the 24th and 26th minutes respectively.
With six minutes left for the final whistle, Sushmita Jadhav netted the third goal for Models Panjim with a snap shot. (HERALD)
St Savio’s SC advance
CANDOLIM: St Savio’s Sports Club defeated CDJ Ribandar 6-5 via the tie-breaker, in the Lakanpal Novino Soccer Cup, organised by Candolim Sports Club, at Dr Gustavo Monteiro ground, Candolim, on Thursday. Ribandar colts that took the lead in the 65th minute where Krishna Shirodkar scored off a free kick, 1-0. Five minutes later, St Savio’s managed to net the equaliser where a free kick from Runal was scored by Siddharth off a header.In the resultant tie-breaker, St Savio’s SC proved to be better shooters. (HERALD)
