Sydney

Wriddhiman Saha got valuable batting practice ahead of the first Test against Australia but his famed colleagues failed to bat long as India A’s warm-up game against Australia A ended in a draw here today. Medium-pacer Mark Steketee took 5/37 to put India in trouble at 127/6 and 143/9, but Saha top-scored with 54 to save the visitors from embarrassment.

Brief Scores: India A 247/9d (Rahane 117*) & 189/9d (Saha 54*); Aus A: 306/9d (Green 125) &52/1

New Delhi

Learning new things, says PV Sindhu on England trip

PV Sindhu has said her trip to England has helped her raise her fitness levels during the Covid-imposed shutdown of sport this year. The 25-year-old shuttler has spent the last few weeks in London working with sports nutritionist Rebecca Randell. She has also been training with Badminton England’s Toby Penty and Rajiv Ouseph at the National Training Centre.

New Delhi

BFI elections postponed

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) elections, which were to be conducted at its December 18 Annual General Meeting, have been postponed, after “a majority of the state associations” sought a postponement, citing the Covid pandemic. BFI needs to get its elections done by the end of this year to regain recognition from the Sports Ministry.

Wellington

Pakistan team released from managed isolation

The Pakistan cricket team has been allowed to leave managed isolation to begin preparations for the T20 and Test series against New Zealand. All members of the squad tested negative on the 12th day of 14-day isolation and will be allowed to train as a group. The exemption to train in smaller groups after the third day in isolation was revoked when players breached protocols by mingling in corridors and sharing food. Agencies