Djokovic returns to winning in Japan after US Open injury

TOKYO: World number one Novak Djokovic displayed steady recovery of his left shoulder injury Tuesday by defeating an Australian challenger at the Japan Open, his first competition since pulling out of the US Open.The experienced Serbian top-seed claimed a 6-4, 6-2 victory against 20-year-old Alexei Popyrin, who fought bravely at the Ariake Colosseum, a venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.Djokovic added his shoulder felt "good" and declared that he has set his eyes on an Olympic medal next year.Popyrin mixed big serves with delicate drop shots to stage courageous offensives against 32-year-old Djokovic.But Djokovic, taking part in a Japanese competition for the first time, kept his calm to always stay a step above the Aussie, never giving his opponent a break point, consistently playing at a "high-level" with "good intensity."Djokovic nailed seven aces, against eight by Popyrin, and managed to win points on 84 percent of his successful first serves.He finished the roughly 90-minute match by winning the final five games straight. He will now face Japanese wild card Go Soeda on Wednesday."Very pleased overall with the game," Djokovic said after the win.It was his first singles competition since he withdrew from his US Open fourth-round match against Swiss Stan Wawrinka due to a left shoulder injury.Djokovic said he has no immediate worries about his shoulder."I have not felt anything in previous days, including today on the match. So I am very pleased to say that I feel healthy," he said.When asked about his ambitions about winning an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo next year, Djokovic said it would be "a dream come true.""It definitely is one of the greatest wishes, if I can say so, the gold in the next season and the rest of my career," said Djokovic, a bronze medal winner at the Beijing Olympics in 2008."Hopefully I can get at least a step further in Tokyo. I still feel young in my body and my spirit as well. I still feel motivated to do great things on the court," he said.Meanwhile, Djokovic was marking his 271st week as the world´s number one, claiming the title of the third longest weeks in the top spot, and passing the record of American great Ivan Lendl.The Serbian is now chasing Pete Sampras with 286 weeks, and Roger Federer with 310 weeks.

from The News International - Sports https://ift.tt/2mCDJxJ

AB de Villiers to make Big Bash debut with Brisbane Heat

The 35-year-old prolific batsman will join the Heat for the second half of the eight-team competition that runs from December to February. — Photo: Cricket AustraliaSYDNEY: South African great AB de Villiers will make his debut in Australia's T20 Big Bash League during the 2019-20 season after signing with Brisbane Heat, the team announced Tuesday.The 35-year-old prolific batsman will join the Heat for the second half of the eight-team competition that runs from December to February.Coach Darren Lehmann said he was "over the moon" to have the opportunity to work with de Villiers for the first time."World class players don't just come along every day and to have a player of AB's stature and skill in the BBL is a fantastic outcome for everyone, not just the Heat," he said."He's a 360-degree player, great skills, outstanding temperament and an insightful leader."De Villiers played 114 Tests, 228 one-dayers and 78 T20s in a 14-year career for the Proteas before retiring from international cricket in 2018.He starred for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in this year's Indian Premier League, scoring 442 runs at an average of 44.20 with a rapid strike rate of 154.He said the decision to join the Heat for the BBL from January, including the finals should they qualify, was an easy one to make."They play the kind of brand that I want to be associated with. It's quite aggressive, they go after the attack, and I´m looking forward to going to the Gabba," de Villiers said."It's a beautiful cricket field. It´s a great wicket and games are always of a high quality."

from The News International - Sports https://ift.tt/2mzAsiv

India pick veteran Saha over young Pant for South Africa opener

Saha (pictured) gets a new chance because of the poor form of Pant. — Photo: AFPIndia on Tuesday brought Wriddhiman Saha back as wicketkeeper for the first Test against South Africa in a blow to the hopes of rising star Rishabh Pant.India´s captain Virat Kohli also gave a vote of confidence to Rohit Sharma, naming him opening batsman ahead of the start of the three-match series on Wednesday.The 34-year-old Saha last played a test more than 18 months ago in South Africa. He gets a new chance because of the poor form of Pant, who had been groomed as the long-term successor to legendary batsman wicketkeeper M.S. Dhoni.Saha lost his place through injury and Pant initially made the most of his opportunity to showcase his explosive batting talent."Saha is fit and fine to go. He is going to start the series for us. His keeping credentials are for everyone to see," said Kohli, whose side will beat Australia´s record of victory in 10 straight home Test series if they take this series."Saha was always the one we would back as a pure keeper in test cricket. He has done well under pressure situations in the past for us, so it was just about finding the right opportunity and the moment to bring him back in."He has done well with the bat whenever he has got a chance. It was unfortunate that he was out with an injury. According to me he is the best keeper the world. With these conditions he starts for us."The 32-year-old Sharma is another veteran looking to stake a new claim in Visakhapatnam after a stop-start career of 27 Test matches."Rohit is going to start for sure," Kohli told reporters, comparing Sharma´s ability to "demolish attacks" to that of Virender Sehwag.No ´baggage´ teamSharma, India´s limited-overs vice-captain, gets a new opportunity to seal a place as opener after Lokesh Rahul´s form dropped off."We have given people opportunities in the past... Rohit´s been in the Test set up for a long time it´s about providing him the opportunity to really find his game and find that template that he wants to in Test cricket," said Kohli."And we understand that if he does that, then our batting order at the top becomes more lethal. It´s difficult to have a player like him not to start every time."Kohli said two spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, would also be in the team along with two pace bowlers and all-rounder Hanuma Vihari.South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis is meanwhile looking to a new generation side to get over the nightmare 2015 tour of India when the Proteas lost a four-match series 3-0.Former captain Hashim Amla quit the game in August while bowler Dale Steyn gave up Tests."We struggled (in 2015) despite having an experienced line-up and now we have a young looking line up, there is no baggage," said du Plessis."These youngsters are motivated to do well in international cricket and this tour will be no different for them," the captain added."Time to grow new leaders, the next set of pacers the next set of Hashim Amlas."Du Plessis said the 2015 tour had taught him to handle top class spin bowling while the reverse swing shot can be a "real weapon" in South Asia.India XI for first Test: Virat Kohli (capt), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami

from The News International - Sports https://ift.tt/2ocf0Au

Azam, Shinwari make NSK honours board

The names of Babar Azam and Usman Shinwari, the stars of the show against Sri Lanka in the second ODI in Karachi, have been  added to the National Stadium's honours board.The PCB had recently installed the board at the venue, as is the tradition at prominent stadia around the world .The new board has names of all the players who pulled off major feats at the National Stadium over the years.The latest entries on the list are of Azam and Shinwari, the former who scored his 11th ODI ton on Monday and the latter's for bagging a five-wicket haul.

from The News International - Sports https://ift.tt/2no0JRe

Asif Ali fell sick during 2nd ODI against Sri Lanka: report

It remains unclear if Asif Ali will be available for the 3rd ODI. — Photo: FileMiddle-order batsman Asif Ali had fallen sick due to the intense heatwave  during the second ODI match between  Pakistan and Sri Lanka  on Monday, Daily Jang reported.The batter, who is a part of the ODI squad but was not picked for the match, fell sick and was taken to a temporary mobile  hospital assembled  in the National Stadium's  premises.Asif's condition improved shortly after being taken to the unit, the publication adds.It remains unclear whether or not Asif will be available for selection for the third and final ODI on Wednesday.

from The News International - Sports https://ift.tt/2oWwe5D

Pakistan to play limited-overs series against Netherlands, Ireland in 2020

The twin series will be held in the month of July 2020, before the national team's full tour of England. — Photo: FileThe Pakistan cricket team will play two limited-overs series in the Netherlands and Ireland next year, according to a spokesperson of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).The twin series will be held in the month of July 2020, before the national team's full tour of England.The team will first play a three-match ODI series in the Netherlands before jetting off for Ireland, where it will play a two-match T20I series.The twin series will be followed by Pakistan's tour of England, where the two sides are scheduled to lock horn in the first of their three-match Test series from July 30. An official announcement in this regard will be made at a later time, the PCB spokesperson added.Ireland is one of the 12 Full Members of the International Cricket Council, whereas the Netherlands is an Associate Member with ODI status.

from The News International - Sports https://ift.tt/2oLWkrF

Babar Azam feels elated after achieving milestones in front of home crowd

Babar Azam has surpassed Virat Kohli to become the third fastest player to reach 11 ODI tons.Photo: TwitterBabar Azam on Tuesday used his Twitter account to express his feelings about achieving two milestones in the second ODI against Sri Lanka in Karachi.More: Babar, Shinwari sizzle as Pakistan overcome spirited SL resistanceNot only did he became the fastest to score 1000 runs for Pakistan in a calendar year, the prolific batsman also left behind Indian great Virat Kohli in smashing 11 ODI centuries in just 71 innings .The Indian skipper took 82 innings to reach the milestone.In his tweet Babar Azam said he couldn’t ask for a better place to achieve the milestones than in front of “my own people in Karachi, Pakistan”.“What a game it was!” the batsman exclaimed.The flamboyant batsman concluded his Tweet with “RiseandRise and #Pakistan Zindabad” hashtag. With the help of a brilliant century from Azam and a five-wicket haul from fast bowler Usman Shinwari, Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the second day-night ODI.

from The News International - Sports https://ift.tt/2oRxU06