World T20 2016: ICC announce match-timings, warm-up match schedule

The afternoon matches will take place from 3 pm to 6 pm (IST), while the evening matches will be played from 7.30 pm to 10.40 pm.

However, the semi-finals and the final will be held from 7 pm to 10.10 pm.

The ICC has also announced the schedule of the warm-up matches.

Teams taking part in the first round will play their warm-up matches in Dharamsala and Mohali from 3-6 March, while sides featuring in the second round will play warm-up matches in Kolkata and Mumbai from 10-15 March.

Warm-up match schedule

3 Mar – Zimbabwe v local side, HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala (3 pm); Ireland v Hong Kong*, HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala (7.30 pm)

4 Mar – Netherlands v local side, Sector-16, Mohali (3 pm); Scotland v Oman*, IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali (7.30 pm)

5 Mar – Ireland v Zimbabwe, HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala (3 pm); Bangladesh v Hong Kong*, HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala (7.30 pm)

6 Mar – Scotland v Netherlands, Sector-16, Mohali (3 pm); Oman v Afghanistan*, IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali (7.30 pm)

10 Mar – New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (3 pm); India v West Indies, Eden Gardens, Kolkata (7.30 pm)

12 Mar – New Zealand v England, BKC, Mumbai (3 pm); Pakistan v local side, JU, Kolkata (15h00); India v South Africa, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (7.30 pm)

13 Mar – Australia v West Indies, Eden Gardens, Kolkata (7.30 pm)

14 Mar – England v local side, BKC, Mumbai (3 pm); Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Eden Gardens, Kolkata (3 pm)

15 Mar – South Africa v local side, BKC, Mumbai (3 pm)

*If Afghanistan, Hong Kong or Oman reach the second round of the Asia Cup, then their warm-up matches will be rescheduled accordingly.

South Africa vs England, 2nd T20I: AB de Villiers helps Proteas to easy series win

The tourists were bowled out for 171 in their last over and South Africa reached 172 with 32 balls to spare, wrapping up a comfortable win that stood in contrast to their narrow victory in Friday`s first encounter in Cape Town.

De Villiers broke his own record for the fastest half-century by a South African in a T20 International, trimming the mark from 23 to 21 balls.

Together with Hashim Amla, he enjoyed a first-wicket partnership of 125 to effectively seal victory before he was caught out on the boundary. Amla finished unbeaten on 69.

England were their own worst enemies when Eoin Morgan ran out in-form batsman Alex Hales with the score on 61, but a 96-run partnership between the England captain and Jos Buttler had guided the tourists to 157-3 in the 17th over.

They fell apart, however, when they then lost their last seven wickets for just 14 runs to leave South Africa with a modest target to chase at a ground where high scoring is the norm.

Sunday’s match ended England’s 10-week tour where they won the four-match test series 2-1 but surrendered a 2-0 lead in the ODI series to lose 3-2, before being beaten in both T20 internationals.

3G phone like Freedom 251 would cost Rs 2,300, finds telecom ministry

 

“The ministry has analysed the issue and it feels that such a device can be manufactured for about Rs 2,300,” sources said.

However, they refused to say if any action will be taken against the company in the matter.

Earlier this week, Noida-based firm Ringing Bells launched the world’s cheapest phone -- Freedom 251 -- priced at Rs 251, hogging limelight globally.

Indian Cellular Association, which represents the handset makers industry in India and has members like Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, Lava and Micromax, had also written to telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The body said the bill of material value for a product like this when sourced from the cheapest supply chain cost approximately $40 (Rs 2,700).

When translated into retail price after addition of applicable duties, taxes and distribution and retail margins, the cost of the product would be at least Rs 4,100, it added.

ICA requested the minister to get into the depth of the issue, saying the price could not be below Rs 3,500 even after a subsidised sale.

Ringing Bells, on its part, said the manufacturing cost of the phone is about Rs 2,500, which will be recovered through a series of measures like economies of scale, innovative marketing, reduction in duties and creating an e-commerce marketplace.

Apart from the jaw-dropping price, the company that was set up five months ago by Amity University graduate Mohit Kumar Goel, is also in the midst of controversy with analysts alleging that its maker has merely rebranded a device by its rival, Adcom.

Analysts allege that the design of Ringing Bells’ Freedom 251 handset resembles that of Adcom’s Ikon 4, which is already available in the Indian market at Rs 3,999.

Interestingly, most built-in app icons on the Freedom 251 seem to be a direct copy of icons on Apple’s iPhone, they added.

Despite the controversies, the device has continued to grab attention from consumers. Following a heavy demand, Ringing Bells suspended bookings for 24 hours on Thursday. It resumed bookings on Friday.

 

Europa League: Manchester United FC stunned in Denmark, Valencia give Gary Neville boost

 

Goals from the talented Pione Sisto and young Nigerian forward Paul Onuachu gave Midtjylland the victory in Herning after Memphis Depay had put a weakened United side ahead in the first leg of their last-32 tie.

That away goal gives United every chance of turning things around in next Thursday`s return at Old Trafford but the spectre of a humiliating exit hangs in the air at a time when Van Gaal`s side lag behind in their bid to finish in the top four of the Premier League.

The Dutch manager has admitted winning the Europa League may now be his side`s best chance of qualifying for next season`s Champions League and this latest setback will only increase the pressure on him.

He sent out a weakened side with Sergio Romero replacing the injured David de Gea in goal, and the likes of Paddy McNair and Donald Love featuring from the start against opponents who eliminated Southampton earlier in the competition, and Midtjylland deserved their win.

"It`s just not good enough. It`s not acceptable. It`s got to be a lot better," admitted United midfielder Michael Carrick, speaking to BT Sport.

"We didn`t really kick on after we scored. With a performance and a result like that we go home very disappointed."

Premier League title contenders Tottenham Hotspur fared better, coming away from their trip to Italy to face Fiorentina with a 1-1 draw that puts them in a strong position ahead of next week`s return.

Mauricio Pochettino sent out a strong side, albeit one missing first-choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and with Harry Kane on the bench.

And Spurs went in front in the 37th minute when Nacer Chadli converted from the penalty spot after Ben Davies was brought down by Nenad Tomovic.

However, Fiorentina, who sit third in Serie A, drew level just before the hour mark thanks to Federico Bernardeschi, whose long-range strike beat Michel Vorm with the aid of a deflection off Ryan Mason.

Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp`s return to Germany with Liverpool saw his side draw 0-0 with Bundesliga outfit Augsburg in Bavaria, leaving that tie finely poised.

Liverpool may regret not getting an away goal, but it could have been worse for them as substitute Ji Dong-Won hit the woodwork for the hosts late on.

"There`s no point getting carried away, 0-0 away from home isn`t a bad result, but we still have a lot of work to do," said Klopp.Valencia can already start looking forward to the last 16 after destroying Rapid Vienna 6-0 at the Mestalla to give under-fire coach Gary Neville a major boost.

Valencia were five goals to the good at the break with Santi Mina scoring two and Dani Parejo, Alvaro Negredo and Andre Gomes also on target. Substitute Rodrigo wrapped up the win late on.

Holders Sevilla have one foot in the last 16 after beating Molde of Norway 3-0 at the Sanchez Pizjuan with Fernando Llorente netting twice before Kevin Gameiro wrapped up the win.

Fellow Spaniards Villarreal beat Serie A visitors Napoli 1-0 via a late goal from Denis Suarez, and Athletic Bilbao completed a fine night for clubs from La Liga as they won 1-0 at Marseille thanks to a stunning volley by Aritz Aduriz, the veteran striker scoring his 26th goal of the season.

Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmind put themselves in a strong position against FC Porto as they beat the Portuguese giants 2-0 at the Signal Iduna Park thanks to a goal in each half from Lukasz Piszczek and Marco Reus.

Dortmund`s local rivals Schalke drew 0-0 with Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine while Bayer Leverkusen won 1-0 at Sporting Lisbon with Karim Bellarabi getting the only goal.

Anderlecht beat Olympiakos 1-0 as Serigne Mbodji got the only goal of the game in Brussels, while a late strike by Jean-Christophe Bahebeck, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, gave Saint-Etienne a 3-2 win at home to Swiss champions Basel.

Lazio came from behind to draw 1-1 with Galatasaray in Istanbul thanks to a Sergej Milinkovic-Savic strike, while Sparta Prague edged the Russians Krasnodar 1-0 and 2011 runners-up Braga beat Sion 2-1 in Switzerland.

Champions League: Cristiano Ronaldo breaks Roma resistance as Real Madrid claim vital away victory

 

The record 10 times European champions took the game to Roma, but were frustrated in the first half as the hosts kept men behind the ball, while looking to catch Real out on the break.

Ronaldo, however, ended their resistance just before the hour mark.

He audaciously controlled a fine pass from Marcelo on the left edge of the box, before unleashing a powerful, curling shot that deflected off Alessandro Florenzi and looped over keeper Wojciech Szczesny into the net.

The emphatic finish sparked a joyous celebration from the Portuguese who raced across to embrace coach Zinedine Zidane.

"It was a great match by him and the rest (of the team)," Zidane told beIN Sports.

"I`m happy (about the celebration) but above all because he scored," added the Frenchman, who was a Champions League winner with Real as a player in 2002 but was making his competition debut as coach.

"It`s been a very special day, we played well but it was a difficult match because they (Roma) played well."

Substitute Jese added the Spanish team’s second four minutes from fulltime with a solo run into the box and shot across the face of goal that flew inside the far post.

Two minutes earlier, Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas came out sharply to save at the feet of Stephan El Shaarawy after one of Roma’s fast and dangerous counter-attacks.

Ronaldo might have had a second goal a quarter of an hour from the end but his header at the far post was just wide from James Rodriguez’s superb cross.

Karim Benzema then saw his goalbound shot from another James cross hit Lucas Digne in the head.

At the other end, Roma substitute Edin Dzeko hit the side-netting with a header and Real were relieved when the home side were not awarded a penalty after a tackle by Dani Carvajal on Florenzi.

"It was our best performance of the season this evening against a top team," Florenzi told Mediaset.

"We`re bitter because we played really well and to see this score is not pleasing."

Real did not have a single shot on target in the first half, but twice had Raphael Varane to thank for coming to their rescue, as the centre back superbly intercepted a ball from Mohamed Salah to Diego Perotti, before blocking a shot by El Shaarawy.

Zidane remains unbeaten since he took over from the sacked Rafa Benitez early last month and the coach was given enthusiastic backing from Real defender Sergio Ramos.

"We`re all on the same wavelength as Zinedine Zidane, we`re very happy with him," Ramos said.

Zimbabwean Brian Vitori suspended for illegal bowling action

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday released a statement confirming the suspension.

"The International Cricket Council today confirmed that an independent assessment has found the bowling action of Zimbabwe’s Brian Vetori to be illegal and, as such, the left-arm fast bowler has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect.

"The assessment revealed that all variations of his deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations," the statement read.

It further stated that, the player can however "apply for a re-assessment after modifying his bowling action".

"In accordance with Article 6.1 of the regulations, Vetori’s international suspension will also be recognised and enforced by all National Cricket Federations for domestic cricket events played in their own jurisdiction, save that, with the consent of Zimbabwe Cricket, Vetori may be able to play in domestic cricket events played in Zimbabwe under the auspices of Zimbabwe Cricket.

"The player can apply for a re-assessment after modifying his bowling action in accordance with clause 2.4 of the Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions," it added.

Vetori, 25, was reported after the third T20I against Bangladesh in Khulna on 20 January 2016.

He has played four Tests, 19 ODIs and 11 T20s for Zimbabwe after making his international debut in August 2011.

Virat Kohli: Read how Delhi batsman smashed 'bouncers' related to his rumoured break up

 

The Delhi star, who was rested for the three-match T20I series vs Sri Lanka, was on Tuesday announced as the India brand ambassador of luxury watchmakers Tissot.

The reporters present at the event tried their best to ask Virat about his break up, but the star batsman smashed those 'bouncers' in style.

When he was asked about his take on relationships, Virat said, "I am not a relationship counsellor. So that's not a question you should be asking me. Ask a expert please. I am not a relationship counsellor sorry."

Kohli wasn't happy with another question when asked who he would gift this luxury watch to in Bollywood.

"I would gift it someone in my family first. I don't know why that question was the connect. Could be a cricket team member as well. Let's be professional and stick to what we are here for and not try to be swinging things in the other direction," Kohli concluded.

Kohli will now join the Indian team for the upcoming Asia Cup 2016 to be held in Bangladesh from February 24.

 

New Zealand vs Australia: Doug Bracewell ruled out of 2nd Test with shoulder strain

 

Already missing batsman Ross Taylor and spinner Mitchell Santner, the Black Caps said a scan had confirmed Bracewell injured his shoulder as the hosts fell to a heavy defeat in the first Test in Wellington.

"Doug has been a consistent performer for us this summer and put a lot of work into his game, so to miss out on the final Test against Australia is very disappointing for him and us," coach Mike Hesson said.

He said New Zealand would not call a replacement bowler into the squad for the second and final Test beginning in Christchurch on Saturday.

The New Zealanders are desperate to make amends for the defeat by an innings and 52 runs in Wellington, their worst home loss in 19 years.

Australia can seize top spot in the Test rankings from India with a win in Christchurch.

Virat Kohli: I am not a relationship counsellor, ask the expert please

During an event in Mumbai on Tuesday, where Kohli was announced as the India brand ambassador of a luxury watchmakers, the cricketer tried to duck all the questions related to relationships.

 

The 27-year-old has been in news of late for his reported breakup with girlfriend, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma.

According to a report in The Indian Express, when the cricketer was asked to name a Bollywood celebrity he would like to gift a watch to, he said, “I would gift it to someone in my family first. I don’t know why that question. What’s the connect? It could be a cricket team member as well. Let’s stick to what we are here for rather than trying to swing things in the other direction.”

And when he was asked about his take on relationships, the cricketer said, “Relationship with who? Anyone? I am not a relationship counsellor. So that’s not a question you should be asking me. Ask the expert please.”  

ICC World T20 2016: India-Pakistan encounter at HPCA will be high-scoring, says curator

 

The high-voltage Indo-Pak match is scheduled to take place on March 19 at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium.

“For Twenty20s, you know how the wickets are. This one will also be the same; it will be a batsman friendly wicket. The pitch is such that it will be a high scoring game,” HPCA chief curator Sunil Chauhan told IANS.

Chauhan further said that the outfield of the ground will be lightening quick.

“Currently, we are preparing the outfield. If you see the ground on February 28 or 29, you will see a lush green field unlike now,” added Chauhan.

Dharamsala is going to host six qualifying matches of the World Twenty20 from March 9 to 13 and two main tournament games.

Trans-Tasman rivals Australia and New Zealand will square off on March 18 followed by the India-Pakistan encounter.

 

Sania Mirza & Martina Hingis: On a roll, 'Santina' pair 5 matches away from creating history

 

The top-seeded pair continued their imperious form as they swept aside the Russian-Czech pair of Vera Dushevina and Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 6-1 in the finals to clinch the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy on Sunday. It was their 13th title in a row.

Earlier this year, the Indo-Swiss duo won their third consecutive women’s doubles Grand Slam title by lifting the Australian Open trophy.

While the talks of a career slam have already begun, not to forget, the Indo-Swiss pair is just five matches away from breaking the world record for maximum consecutives matches won in women's doubles.

Back in 1990, the dynamic duo of Jana Novotna and Helena Sukova won a whopping 44 matches in a row.

On January 13, The World No. 1 pair overcame Chen Liang and Shuai Peng 6-2, 6-3 in the quarterfinals of Sydney International Tennis tournament to equal world record set by Gigi Fernandez and Natasha Zvereva in 1994 of winning 28 consecutive matches.

Indian Premier League has got its share of bad name​: Mahendra Singh Dhoni​

 

"Lodha Commission has not given me the report. So you have to ask the BCCI (about what they plan to do," said Dhoni here today.IPL and controversies go hand in hand but Dhoni defended the cash-rich league.

"Yes, it (IPL) has got its share of bad name but you have to look at the positives as well. It is a platform where you can identify the players on the domestic circuit, gauge their performance throughout the season. It is also about how the young players handle pressure, you see youngsters embracing it. I think that is fantastic for Indian cricket. 

"Yes, money is a big factor. People talk about cricketers getting a lot of money. Yes, a lot of cricketers are getting a lot of money but at the same time, thousands and thousands of them are not."

Sanjiv Goenka, owner of new IPL franchise Pune Supergiants, sharing the dais with Dhoni, was also asked about his thoughts on brand IPL taking a hit.

"I have been asked this before. I am not going to comment about the past. We take it as it comes. We are not thinking beyond two years. An opportunity came to be associated with IPL for two years and we took it," said Goenka.

Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions have replaced the suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for the coming two seasons.