CRICKET
Dhawan reported for action
India’s Shikhar Dhawan has been reported for a suspect bowling action and is to undergo tests within 14 days, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday. Dhawan, 30, an opening batsman who rarely bowls, was reported after India’s fourth Test against South Africa in New Delhi on Monday when the defiant tourists were attempting to salvage a draw. As South Africa stonewalled the India bowlers on the final day, frustrated India captain Virat Kohli brought on Dhawan, who bowled just three overs for nine runs. India eventually won the match by 337 runs and sealed the four-Test series 3-0. “Dhawan’s bowling action will now be scrutinized further under the ICC process relating to suspected illegal bowling actions,” the ICC said in a statement. Dhawan, who bowls off-spin, is to be allowed to play on until the results of the tests are declared, the sport’s governing body said. Dhawan has made 1,308 runs in 19 Tests, but has never taken a wicket from the nine overs he has bowled in those matches.
CRICKET
Philander to miss two Tests
South Africa paceman Vernon Philander is to miss the first two Tests against England because of injury, team officials said on Tuesday as the squad returned from their 3-0 hiding in India. Philander suffered a freak injury in a warm-up game of soccer before the second Test in Bangalore, going over on his left ankle and tearing ligaments. Hosts South Africa are hoping fellow fast bowler Dale Steyn is fit for their first Test against England in Durban that starts on Dec. 26. Steyn suffered a groin strain midway through the second Test in India and did not bowl again in the series. “We are all optimistic the bowlers will get their confidence back and the batters will do the job against England,” South Africa captain Hashim Amla said.
CRICKET
New IPL cities selected
India’s western cities of Pune and Rajkot are to provide the franchises to fill in for the suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) over the next two years. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said the new teams are to be temporary replacements after the Super Kings and Royals were suspended this year by an Indian Supreme Court-appointed committee over corruption and spot-fixing. New Rising Consortium-owned Pune and mobile phone manufacturer Intex-owned Rajkot were selected in a reverse-bidding process in which bidders were asked to discount their annual revenue share of US$6 million. New Rising gave up that revenue entirely and also committed to pay US$2.4 million per year to the BCCI. Intex are to pay US$1.5 million per year.
SOCCER
FIFA, Alibaba E-Auto ink deal
FIFA has signed an eight-year partnership deal with Alibaba E-Auto for the Club World Cup, reflecting China’s vast marketing potential. FIFA marketing director Thierry Weil yesterday announced the deal with the car manufacturing brand of Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba Group, the world’s largest online and mobile commerce company. Alibaba E-Auto branding are to have a strong presence at both stadiums for this year’s tournament, which is being held in Japan from today through Dec. 20. The Club World Cup features the top clubs from FIFA’s six continental confederations. European champions Barcelona and Copa Libertadores winners River Plate are the favorites to reach the final.
Taiwan’s men’s table tennis team won bronze on Saturday at this year’s International Table Tennis Federation World Team Table Tennis Championships in London, matching the country’s best-ever finish at the regular tournament. Consisting of Lin Yun-ju, Taiwan’s top-ranked player at world No. 7, Feng Yi-hsin, Kuo Guan-hong, Hong Jing-kai and Hsu Hsien-chia, the team won bronze after losing 0-3 to Japan in the semifinals. In the opening match, 24-year-old Lin played the first game against world No. 3 Tomokazu Harimoto 11-5, but ultimately lost the next three closely contested games 9-11, 10-12 and 10-12. Feng then faced world No. 8 Sora Matsushima in
Taiwanese fire dancer Yang Li-wei advanced to the final of Britain’s Got Talent this weekend after receiving a Golden Buzzer during her live semi-final performance. Yang, a member of Taiwan’s Coming True Fire Group, awed judges and audiences with a high-intensity fire performance featuring flaming umbrellas, fire swallowing and spinning metal structures balanced with her legs. Judge Simon Cowell praised Yang as a star, while guest judge KSI reacted with amazement before pressing the Golden Buzzer, sending her to the finals. The dance group wrote on social media that the Golden Buzzer was “the highest honor” on the talent show, adding: “Twenty-three years
As Super Rugby fast approaches its playoff season it finds itself racing toward a reckoning with many issues that threaten the southern hemisphere tournament. A group of stakeholders met in the New Zealand city of Christchurch late last month to address problems that are making the future of the 31-year-old competition increasingly tenuous. The discussion was made more urgent by the decision by the owners of Moana Pasifika to fold the Auckland-based club for financial reasons. That followed the closure of the Melbourne Rebels at the end of the 2024 season, likewise because of financial difficulties. Problems addressed included player retention as more
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, 29, has died, the NBA team said in a statement on Tuesday, while the family of Jason Collins, the first openly gay man to play in a major US pro sports league, announced the former Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets player had died after a battle with brain cancer. “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke,” the Grizzlies said in a statement posted on social media. “Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten.” The statement did not provide
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