Sreesanth stays back at NCA
Shanthakumaran Sreesanth’s comeback to international cricket might take some time yet after the Kerala paceman stayed back at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore instead of joining his India ‘A’ team-mates on the flight to Hyderabad, reports DHNS.
Sreesanth had been pencilled in to play in the two three-day games against Australia ‘A’, but missed the Bangalore fixture with a stiff back. With the second match due to begin in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Sreesanth’s attempt to follow the selectors’ diktat and prove his fitness by playing on the domestic circuit has hit another roadblock.
A side strain has kept the 25-year-old out of action since the final Test against South Africa in Kanpur in April, and this latest injury is bound to extend his rehab process.
Brazil swimmer gets life ban
Brazilian swimmer Rebeca Gusmao has been banned for life after twice failing a doping test, the Brazilian Confederation of Water Sports (CBDA) said on Friday, reports Reuters from Rio de Janeiro.
"The CBDA... has just received from the International Swimming Federation (FINA) the decision of FINA's Doping Commission, which has decided to suspend Rebeca Gusmao for life," the governing body said in a statement.
Gusmao was banned for two years in May after high levels of testosterone were found in a doping test taken on July 13 last year, the opening day of the Panam Games in Rio de Janeiro.
A hole-in-one festival!
Peter Tomasulo, Chris Stroud, Brian Stuard and Jonathan Fricke had holes-in-one on Friday in the second round of the Utah Championship, the first time in Nationwide Tour history that there have been four aces in a round, reports AP from Sandy in Utah. Tomasulo had the first ace, holing a 7-iron shot on the 203-yard second hole at Willow Creek Country Club. Forty minutes later, Stroud repeated the feat at the hole with a 6-iron.Stuard made the third ace of the day, holing a 7-iron shot at the 191-yard seventh. Fricke then aced the 176-yard fifth, also using a 7-iron.
Chargers’ probe into verbal spat
Taking serious note of the verbal spat between IPL team-mates Shahid Afridi and VVS Laxman, Deccan Chargers on Saturday said they would enquire into the matter to establish the facts, reports PTI from Hyderabad. Tim Wright, chief executive of Deccan Chargers, said necessary action would be taken after the inquiry.
NZ seal top spot in Oceania
New Zealand sealed the top spot in the Oceania World Cup qualifying competition with a 3-1 win over New Caledonia in Noumea on Saturday, reports Reuters from Sydney.
They advance to a two-leg playoff against the fifth-placed team from the Asian preliminaries late next year for a place in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
BPCL score over Namdhari XI
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) defeated Namdhari XI 5-2 on Saturday to secure their first victory in the ongoing 84th all-India MCC Murugappa hockey tournament, reports PTI from Chennai.
Amar Aiyamma scored three goals. He netted the first in the 28th, 29th and 58th minutes of play. Tushar Khandekar (49th) and Hari Prasad (69th) were the other scorers for BPCL. Malak Singh (53rd) and Karamjeet Singh (67th) were the scorers Namdhari XI.
