Bolton, spinners set up Australia's win
vadodara: Opener Nicole Bolton struck an unbeaten 100 off 101 balls after Australian spinners bamboozled the Indian batting to set up a crushing eight-wicket win in the opening game of the three-match series. Bolton's fourth ODI hundred ensured Australia reached a modest 201-run target in just 32.1 overs. The experienced Ellyse Perry (25 not out) hit the winning four. India would have been bowled out for far less if it was not for the 76-run partnership between Sushma Verma (41) and Pooja Vastrakar (51) for the eighth wicket, helping them muster 200 in 50 overs. Left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen led a stellar show from the Australian spinners, taking four wickets for 30 runs in 10 overs. Leggie Amanda-Jade Wellington picked up three wickets.
India top medals tally in ISSF World Cup
new delhi: A podium eluded them on the final day but India had done enough to finish their best-ever campaign at the ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico, at the top of the medals tally. In the skeet competition, the concluding event of year’s first International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup three Indian shooters were in the fray but Smit Singh shot 116 in the qualifying to be placed 15th, Angad Bajwa shot 115 to end in 18th spot while Sheeraz Sheikh secured the 30th spot with a score of 112. India, however, topped the medals tally for the first time in an ISSF competition with four gold, one silver and four bronze for a total of nine medals.
ICC refuses to recognise USACA events
dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday refused to give recognition to two bilateral series being planned by the expelled United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) with India. The USACA, which was expelled by the ICC in June 2017, recently announced plans to host the Indian women's and men's team for a bilateral T20I series each in April and May respectively. "Both the series are unsanctioned events within the ICC's regulatory framework and neither is recognised by the BCCI or ICC," an ICC media release said. ICC also stated that the participants of the event may be subject to disciplinary action. "In accordance with the ICC's regulations on sanctioning events, no person affiliated to a National Cricket Federation is permitted to participate in any disapproved cricket.”
Paytm signs as Umpire Partner for IPL
new delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday announced a partnership with Paytm as the Official Umpire Partner of the Indian Premier League for the next five years. Paytm is also the Title Sponsor of India Cricket. "Paytm are presently the Title Sponsors of India Cricket and the relationship has now been extended to the IPL. Both Paytm and BCCI share a strong bond and we will continue to provide great value to Paytm," Chairman IPL, Rajeev Shukla said. "We are delighted to be the IPL Umpire Partner for the next five years. Cricket has been a key element in Paytm's brand journey and it has worked brilliantly for our young brand," said Founder and CEO of Paytm, Vijay Shekhar Sharma.