Aus A eves beat IND A BY 91 RUNS
Mumbai: Australia ‘A’ women cricket team crushed India ‘A’ by 91 runs in the opening match of the three -game ODI series here on Monday. Electing to bat at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra Kurla Complex facility, Australia ‘A' put up a decent 271/8 in their alloted 50 overs before bundling out the hosts for a meagre 180. For the visitors, Tahila McGrath top-scored with 58. The 22-year-old, during her 66-ball-knock, hit 10 fours and a six as she punished the India ‘A' bowlers. McGrath received good support from Heather Graham (48) and Naomi Stalenberg (47), who played their parts to perfection as they guided their team to a competitive total. While chasing, the Indian women made a mess of the target and were 55/6 at one stage. For the Aussies, skipper Strano, an off-break bowler, starred with the bowl, too, as she returned with fine figures of 3-23. Australia ‘A' are 1-0 ahead in series with the second ODI scheduled at the same venue on October 17.
Novak moves up in rankings
Paris: Novak Djokovic is closing in on Rafael Nadal's number one spot after winning the Shanghai Masters title, according to ATP rankings released on Monday. Nadal is struggling with a knee injury and has decided to sit out the current Asian segment of the ATP tour. Last week he joined the clean-up operation after deadly flash floods on his native Majorca. After his 6-3, 6-4 victory over Borna Coric in the Shanghai final on Sunday, Djokovic is just 215 points behind the Spaniard. While, Simona Halep has secured the year-end number one ranking in the WTA standings for the second year running. The Romanian spent 40 weeks at No 1 in 2018, a season that saw her win three titles from a tour-leading six final appearances, amassing a 46-11 win-loss record. This year Halep has won the Shenzhen Open, the Rogers Cup and her debut Grand Slam crown at Roland Garros.
Italy beat poland 1-0
Chorzow : Cristiano Biraghi snatched a late victory to give new Italy coach Roberto Mancini his first competitive victory and keep the Azzurri's Nations League hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Poland in their League A Group 3 clash here on Sunday. Defender Biraghi, 26, slid in the winner two minutes into injury time for his first goal for Italy in a game his team had dominated. The defeat ensured Poland were relegated to League B. It gives Mancini his first competitive victory since taking over as Italy coach last May, after the four-time world champions failure to qualify for the World Cup. "A new cycle has already begun," said Mancini "We dominated the game, we had to score the first goal, it would have been unfair to finish 0-0. "All the lads are trying to do their best. It's a good win in a very good game." Fiorentina defender Biraghi made the sign '13' with his hands when he scored, as he dedicated his first goal to former Italy and Fiorentina captain Davide Astori who died of a heart attack last March.
Johnson maintains top spot
Madrid: United States golfer Dustin Johnson continued to lead the World Golf Ranking released on Monday, followed by England's Justin Rose, as the top 10 players all held their positions this week. The majority of the top 10 spots were held by US golfers, including Brooks Koepka in third, Justin Thomas in fourth, Bryson DeChambeau in seventh, Rickie Fowler in ninth and Jordan Spieth in 10th. For the Europeans, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland came fifth, Francesco Molinari of Italy came sixth and Jon Rahm of Spain came eighth. Further down the rankings, Emiliano Grillo of Argentina jumped 13 places up to world No 49, after he tied for second at the CIMB Classic in Malaysia on Sunday behind first-placed Marc Leishman of Australia, who climbed to world No. 16 from No 24.
Vermaelen out with injury
Barcelona: Barcelona's Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen will be sidelined for around six weeks after picking up a right hamstring injury while on international duty, the Spanish giants said on Monday. The 32-year-old, who has been hit by a string of injuries since signing for the Catalan club in 2014, limped off the field in the second half of Belgium's 2-1 win over Switzerland in the Nations League on Friday. "Tests carried out this morning confirm that first team player Thomas Vermaelen has a right hamstring injury. He will be sidelined for approximately six weeks," the club said in a statement. The injury leaves Barcelona short of options in defence as the team is already without French centre-back Samuel Umtiti who has a knee injury, with only Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet at their disposal.
Sa world cup plan take shape
Cape Town: South Africa's time for experimentation ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup is coming to an end, according to coach Ottis Gibson. Speaking after rain washed out his team's final Twenty20 international against Zimbabwe in Benoni on Sunday, Gibson said a short limited overs tour of Australia, starting later this month, would be a crucial part of the build-up to next year's World Cup in England. "We want to go there with an attitude of trying to win," said Gibson. "The squad that we pick will reflect that and reflect our feeling on the formula and the way we want to play cricket." South Africa were seldom under pressure in three limited overs and two Twenty20 internationals against Zimbabwe but tried to play the kind of positive cricket that will be needed for more demanding encounters. "There is a lot being said about being positive. The key is having the will to stick with it even when things get tough," said Gibson.
