GCA condoles death of cricketer Alok Shirodkar
PANAJI: Goa Cricket Association (GCA) has mourned the sudden demise of cricketer Alok Shirodkar, who succumbed to grievous injuries he sustained in an accident that took place last week. Alok represented Goa in the U-19 and U-23 BCCI cricket tournaments. “Alok will be missed for his enthusiasm on and off the field,” GCA president Suraj Lotlikar said in his condolence message.
Maradona to undergo surgery for blood clot on brain
BUENOS AIRES: Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona will undergo emergency surgery to remove a blood clot on the brain, his doctor said. The operation was expected to begin on Tuesday night after the 60-year-old was diagnosed with a subdural haematoma, a pool of blood between a membrane and his brain. Maradona’s personal physician, Leopoldo Luque, described the procedure at the Olivos clinic on the northern outskirts of Buenos Aires as “routine surgery”. “We are going to operate today. He is lucid, he understands, he agrees with the intervention,” Luque said.
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma maintain top two ODI spots
DUBAI: Star Indian batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have maintained their top two positions in the latest ICC ODI rankings for batters which got updated on Wednesday following the conclusion of three-match series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Meanwhile Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim has gained three spots to reach 49th position even as captain Babar Azam has bridged the gap a little with the Indian pair. Babar’s 221 runs, which include a knock of 125 in the third match on Tuesday evening, see him gain eight points though he remains in third position.
West Indies cricketer Marlon Samuels announces retirement
JAMAICA: West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels announced his retirement from professional cricket on Wednesday. Samuels, who top-scored in both of their World T20 final victories, last played for West Indies in December 2018 against Bangladesh. According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, Samuels had informed Cricket West Indies (CWI) about his retirement in June this year, confirmed CWI chief executive Johnny Grave. Samuels played 71 Tests, 207 ODIs, and 67 T20s at the international level, scoring 11,134 international runs including 17 centuries across all formats. He also has 152 international wickets to his name.
Luke Ronchi appointed New Zealand batting coach
AUCKLAND: Former wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi has been appointed New Zealand batting coach for the upcoming summer. He replaces the post left vacant by Peter Fulton in July. Ronchi — who played 4 Tests, 85 ODIs and 33 T20Is — joins head coach Gary Stead and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen in the New Zealand support staff. He has worked with the team regularly over the past two years, including the 2019 World Cup campaign in England and Wales where the team finished as runners-up.
IOA gen secy Rajeev Mehta tests positive for COVID-19
NEW DELHI: Indian Olympic Association secretary general Rajeev Mehta has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently undergoing home isolation. Mehta said he underwent a test after having fever last week and returned positive for the dreaded virus. He is undergoing self isolation at his Delhi residence. “Last week I was having fever and so I tested for COVID-19 and unfortunately the result was positive. The result came on Sunday,” Mehta told on Wednesday.
