Author: SpogoNews Team

Sydney, Jan 5 (PTI) A ‘warrior’ that he is, David Warner has done everything to be ready and is likely to compete in the third Test against India, Australia head coach Justin Langer said on Tuesday and assured that lack of four-day cricket for the opener in the last few months is not a concern. Langer also announced that young batsman Will Pucovski will make his Test debut on Thursday. Both Warner and Pukovski, who was primed for Test debut in Adelaide, missed the first two Tests of the series due to a groin injury and concussion-related issues respectively. “Very…

Sydney, Jan 4 (PTI) Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley on Monday dismissed reports that the Indian team is reluctant to play the fourth Test in Brisbane because of stricter quarantine rules there. Hockley said the Indian cricket board was “fully across (and) supportive” of quarantine requirements in Queensland. “We speak to our counterparts at the BCCI daily,” he told reporters here. “We’ve had nothing formal from the BCCI to suggest anything other than they’re supportive. Both teams have wanted to play the schedule as we’ve set out,” he asserted. The third Test in the four-match series is scheduled to…

Melbourne, Jan 2 (PTI) David Warner is very happy for his Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate Thangarasu Natarajan’s Test call-up but he is “not sure” if the Tamil Nadu left-arm seamer can consistently hit one length, over after over, in the traditional format. Natarajan, after a hugely successful IPL, joined the Indian contingent as a net bowler but has subsequently risen up the ranks to make his ODI and T20 International debuts. Asked if Natarajan can translate his T20 success in the Test match arena, his IPL franchise captain gave an interesting reply. “Good question but I am not too sure. You…

Melbourne, Jan 2 (PTI) Once in a while, everyone is allowed a bit of slump in form and Steve Smith is no exception, feels David Warner, who can relate to his former skipper’s woes against India having endured a similarly wretched run during the 2019 Ashes. Smith has been in horrible form in the ongoing series with R Ashwin removing him twice and Jasprit Bumrah once. But Warner believes that it’s more about India bowling well then anything lacking in Smith’s approach as he has left no stone unturned in terms of preparation. “Steve Smith has been recently knocked off…

New Delhi, Jan 5 (PTI) South African Olympian Gregg Clark has been appointed as the new analytical coach of the Indian men’s hockey team till the Tokyo Olympic Games, Hockey India announced on Tuesday. Clark, who will join the national camp this month, had coached the Indian junior men’s team in 2013-2014 when it won the Sultan of Johor Cup and also participated at the 2013 FIH Junior World Cup in New Delhi. He was associated with the Canadian men’s team as Assistant Coach between 2017-2020. “I am really excited to join the Indian Men’s Hockey Team. Having worked with…

New Delhi, Jan 5 (PTI) Olympic-bound wrestler Bajrang Punia's training stint in the USA has been granted a one-month extension and will now go on till the first week of February, the Sports Authority of India said on Tuesday. Punia, who qualified for the Tokyo Games in the men's freestyle 65kg category, has been training at Cliff Kean Wrestling Club in Michigan since December 4. The additional one month training will cost Rs. 11.65 Lakhs and will be borne by the SAI. "This decision was taken at the Mission Olympic Cell meeting that took place last week," a press release…

Karachi, Jan 7 (PTI) The England women’s cricket team will travel to Pakistan for the first time in October this year for a limited-overs series when the men’s side will also be here for a white-ball series, the PCB announced on Thursday. The England women will play the two T20Is as double-headers alongside the men’s team on October 14 and 15 while the ODIs will be played on October 18, 20 and 22 October at the National stadium in Karachi. The men’s side will tour Pakistan for the first time since 2005. “World champions England accompanying their men’s side for…

Karachi, Jan 5 (PTI) Pakistan’s former pacer Aaqib Javed has lashed out at current national team head coach Misbah-ul-Haq, saying he wouldn’t get a coaching job even with a school side. Misbah is not suitable for the top job, Aaqib, who is presently the chief coach of Lahore Qalandars franchise in Pakistan Super League (PSL), told reporters in Lahore on Tuesday. “I think the people who gave the coaching jobs to Misbah and Waqar Younis should be held accountable as both of these former players don’t have any coaching experience,” he said. He pointed out that playing cricket and coaching…

Sydney, Jan 4 (PTI) Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley on Monday dismissed reports that the Indian team is reluctant to play the fourth Test in Brisbane because of stricter quarantine rules there. Hockley said the Indian cricket board was “fully across (and) supportive” of quarantine requirements in Queensland. “We speak to our counterparts at the BCCI daily,” he told reporters here. “We’ve had nothing formal from the BCCI to suggest anything other than they’re supportive. Both teams have wanted to play the schedule as we’ve set out,” he asserted. The third Test in the four-match series is scheduled to…

Rafael Nadal’s cousin and one of Toni Nadal’s three children, Joan Nadal Vives made his professional debut in a tournament ITF held in Manacor, to become the newest and youngest addition to the Nadal dynasty. He (Joan) was defeated by Turkey’s Kuzey Cekirge 6-1, 6-3 in the first round at the Rafa Nadal Academy facility, which was reminiscent of Rafael Nadal losing in straight sets to Guillermo Platel on his professional debut. One of two sons of Toni Nadal (Rafael Nadal’s former coach and uncle) the 16 year old previously featured at the J3 Manacor junior event, losing in the…