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.
Spain are the favorites to win the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, but star player Aitana Bonmati’s illness ahead of the tournament raises another question mark around a side which, despite their obvious quality, are not unstoppable. Having claimed the last two Ballon d’Or awards, Barcelona midfielder Bonmati is the game’s biggest star at present, so her absence in the final days before the start of Euro 2025 is a major setback. The 27-year-old came down with a fever in training last week, and was subsequently hospitalized and diagnosed with viral meningitis. Bonmati was discharged on Sunday and joined up with
HSIEH ADVANCES: In the women’s doubles, Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei was to play in the second round last night, but Taiwan’s Ray Ho exited in the men’s doubles It is more than 10 years since Grigor Dimitrov reached his sole Wimbledon semi-final and back then it still seemed a reasonable bet that the Bulgarian once dubbed “Baby Federer” would win a Grand Slam title. There were semi-final runs at the US Open and Australian Open after that, but it has never quite happened and despite him still being ranked No. 21, it most likely never will. Dimitrov, 34, remains one of the most stylish players on the circuit though, with his elegant single-handed backhand and smooth all-court game a rare reminder of how tennis was before the power merchants turned
TAIWANESE WIN: Chan Hao-ching and Wu Fang-hsien and their partners won their first-round matches in the women’s doubles at the All England Lawn Tennis Club Late-night finishes and five-set matches are becoming a habit for Taylor Fritz at Wimbledon this year. On Wednesday, he wrapped up his win over Gabriel Diallo before the match was suspended — making sure the fifth-seeded American would not have to come back on court for a fourth straight day. Fritz overcame a bloodied elbow to win 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/0), 4-6, 6-3 on No. 1 Court a day after he finished off another five-set win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a match that was halted on Monday at about 10:15pm after Fritz forced a fifth set with Wimbledon’s 11pm curfew looming. He
Real Madrid’s FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund had taken three crazy turns during nine minutes of second-half stoppage time when Marcel Sabitzer chested the ball and sent a right-footed volley toward Thibaut Courtois’ post. Courtois leapt to his right, extended the long arm on his 2m frame and just managed to get his gloved fingertips on the ball, knocking it down. Courtois hit the ground as the ball bounded up. He looked skyward, planted his right hand to regain his balance, grabbed the ball with both hands on the second bounce and fell onto it with his chest. Sabitzer turned
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