CRICKET
Maharaj misses ton
Keshav Maharaj yesterday fell 16 runs short of a maiden Test century as South Africa’s tail-enders piled on the runs in the second Test against Bangladesh in Gqeberha. Maharaj’s 84 was his best in Tests, but he left disappointed after becoming Taijul Islam’s fifth victim, putting the hosts on 418-8. At tea on day 2, South Africa had been bowled out for 453, with Islam taking 6-135.
CRICKET
Chahal describes dangling
India bowler Yuzvendra Chahal says that he was dangled from a 15th-floor hotel balcony by a heavily drunk fellow player during the Indian Premier League in 2013. The incident happened during a get-together when the leg-spinner, who has played 61 one-day internationals for India, played for the Mumbai Indians. “So there was a player who was very drunk — and I won’t take his name — he was very drunk, he just called me aside and he took me outside and he hung me out from the balcony,” Chahal, now 31, said in a video posted by his current IPL team, the Rajasthan Royals. “I was holding on to him, with my arms around his neck. If I had lost my grip, we were on the 15th floor ... had there been a small mistake there, I would have fallen down,” he said. Chahal said that others rushed to his rescue. “I kind of fainted and they gave me water. Then I realised how responsible we need to be when we go anywhere,” he said.
BOXING
UK venue possible
Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn on Friday said that the UK is among the places being considered to host the Briton’s rematch against Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk, adding that the fight is to take place in June or July. “We’re in final negotiations for a couple of sites for either the end of June or early-to-mid-July,” Hearn told British media. “I reckon within two weeks we’ll have some news in terms of where that’s going to be.”
EUROPEAN SOCCER
Lorient thrash Saint-Etienne
Lorient on Friday conceded two early goals before thrashing AS Saint-Etienne 6-2 in Ligue 1 to move four points clear of the relegation zone. Mali striker Ibrahima Kone and Nigeria forward Terem Moffi both scored twice for Lorient. In Spain, Rafa Mir and Papu Gomez struck late as Sevilla bounced back from last week’s defeat against Barcelona with a 4-2 win over Granada to go second in La Liga. In England, Newcastle United moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
GOLF
Scheffler takes handy lead
Scottie Scheffler on Friday strolled off Augusta National with a five-under 67 to give him a five-shot lead, tying a Masters record after 36 holes. “I think I’m still playing against the golf course out there,” Scheffler said. “And there’s a bunch of other guys in he field. So I can’t be paying too much attention to them either way.” Scheffler is beating them all, along with an increasingly difficult Augusta National. He was at eight-under 136, five shots clear of defending champion Hideki Matsuyama (69), former champion Charl Schwartzel (69), former British Open champion Shane Lowry (68) and 18-hole leader Sungjae Im (74). Tiger Woods (74) was nine shots behind.
Brazil has four teams, more than any other country, in the expanded Club World Cup that kicked off yesterday in the US, but for SE Palmeiras, the competition holds a special meaning: winning it would provide some redemption. Under coach Abel Ferreira since 2020, Palmeiras lifted two Copa Libertadores titles, plus Brazilian league, cup and state championships. Even before Ferreira, it boasted another South American crown and 11 league titles. The only major trophy missing is a world champions’ title. Other Brazilian clubs like Fluminense FC and Botafogo FR, also in the tournament, have never won it either, but the problem for Palmeiras
Lionel Messi drew vast crowds and showed flashes of his brilliance when his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly as the revamped FIFA Club World Cup got off to a festive start on Saturday. Fans showed up en masse for the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, but Messi could not fully deliver, his best chance coming through a last-second attempt that was deflected onto the crossbar. Inter Miami next face FC Porto on Thursday in Atlanta, while Al-Ahly, who benefited from raucous, massive support, are to
Sergio Ramos on Tuesday outfoxed two Inter players and artfully headed home the first goal for Monterrey at the FIFA Club World Cup. The 39-year-old Ramos slipped through the penalty area for the score just as he did for so many years in the shirts of Real Madrid and Spain’s national team, with whom he combined smarts, timing and physicality. Ramos’ clever goal and his overall defensive play at the Rose Bowl were major factors in Monterrey’s impressive 1-1 draw against the UEFA Champions League finalists in the clubs’ first match of the tournament. “There is always a joy to contribute to the
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani on Monday wobbled through a 28-pitch first inning at home against the San Diego Padres in his first appearance on the mound since August 2023. Scheduled to throw as many as two innings, Ohtani went a single frame while allowing one run on two hits. He did not issue a walk nor strike out a batter. “Not quite happy with the results overall, but the takeaway for me is that I feel good enough to be able to make the next outing,” Ohtani said of his pitching performance. Ohtani still wound up with a positive impact
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