Canada overcame some early jitters with the bat to eventually win the battle of the associates by beating Kenya by five wickets and register their first win in the World Cup on Monday at the Feroz Shah Kotla.
Right-handed batsman Jimmy Hansra (70) and captain Ashish Bagai (64 not out) stitched together a 132-run partnership for the fourth wicket that sealed the Group A match for the North Americans.
They surpassed Kenya’s total of 198 with 27 balls to spare.
Hansra and Bagai consolidated hard after Canada were reduced to 48 for three and batted intelligently thereafter to wrest the control back in their hands, helped in part by a few dropped catches.
“I made sure I made them pay after the dropped catch. It was good to be positive at the start,” a content looking Hansra said. “I hit the shots that I was comfortable with, pushed the field back and rotated the singles in the middle.”
Paceman Henry Osinde took four wickets as Canada shot out the Africans for a paltry 198 runs after they opted to bat first on winning the toss.
The burly fast bowler got the ball to move a bit at the start to take three quick wickets in his opening spell and returned to add one more to his tally off his last over.
Medium pacers Harvir Baidwan and Rizwan Cheema also chipped in with two wickets apiece.
“The whole World Cup our bowlers have done a fantastic job and our fielding too. Our batting had let us down so I am happy that we worked things out today,” Hansra said.
Kenya had been bundled out for scores of 69, 112 and 142 — amassing just 323 runs in their last three outings before Monday and they once again got off to a sorry start and tottered at 57 for five at one stage.
However, a patient 52-run partnership between Tanmay Mishra (51) and captain Kamande for the sixth wicket weathered the storm and ensured respectability for the African nation.
Mishra also added 57 runs with Thomas Odoyo for the seventh wicket before he fell while trying to up the tempo.
Odoyo (51) looked the most fluent Kenya batsman on the pitch and with five boundaries and one six managed to take Kenya close to the 200-run mark.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely