World Sports

New Zealand fan Michael Morton became $100,000 richer after making a one-handed catch in the crowd off a six hit by Kieran Powell of the West Indies during the fifth ODI between the West Indies and New Zealand in Hamilton.

Australian spin legend Shane Warne will reportedly work with the national team as a mentor for the side`s spinners in the lead-up to the World Twenty20 tournament in March, to be held in Bangladesh. The former leg-spinner will join the Australian staff in a consultancy role when the T20 squad assembles in South Africa after the upcoming Test series for three T20 internationals against the top Test team in the world. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Warne said that he is excited to be working with Australia`s spinners in South Africa and is looking forward to helping them with some intense bowling preparation ahead of the World Twenty 20, where they would specifically work on tactics and mindset. Hailing Warne, national head coach Darren Lehmann said that they are thrilled to have the spin great on board as he was a gifted cricketer and remains passionate about spin bowling, adding that as spin bowling will be critical to success during the World T20, so there...

Former cricketer Shane Warne has a tipsy solution - quite literally - to the current problems plaguing the Australian national team: shut the doors and bring on the booze! Warne, writing in UK's Daily Telegraph, says the fragile and fragmented team chemistry in the current Australian team can be repaired with music and alcohol rather than through stricter means. "As a leader I always thought if the boys weren't getting along or we weren't performing then the best thing to do was to lock everyone into a room with some music (and) alcohol. (Then) everyone have their say to each other . . ." Currently 2-0 down against India in the sub-continent, the Australian team's problems have not been restricted to on-field agonies alone. Coach Mickey Arthur has said that there is 'back-talk' and an attitude problem within the side. This after four players including vice-captain Shane Watson were axed because they failed to submit an assessment report to Arthur. Wa...

Indian middle-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara on Wednesday tied the nuptial knot with fiancee Puja Pabari, at a family function. The three-day wedding functions started last night with the 'Sangeet Sandhya'. The marriage rituals would take place this evening followed by a reception on Thursday. Puja belongs to Gujarat's Jamnagar district and is a management graduate. "Entire Indian team and the BCCI officials are invited," said Arvind Pujara, Cheteshwar's father. However, his teammates are not likely to attend, as they would be busy preparing for the series against Australia. Pujara did not play in the Irani Trophy match against Mumbai and also missed the Board President XI tie against Australia on account of his marriage. He won't have much time to spend with the wife as he would be joining the Indian team by February 15. Pujara has played nine Tests for India so far, scoring 761 runs with three hundreds at a healthy average of over 58.

Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been appointed as vice-president of India Cements, a company which is headed by BCCI President N Srinivasan. Dhoni, who recently resigned from Air India, is expected to play for his new employers in the BCCI Corporate Trophy which began today despite his earlier intention to take a break ahead of the important home series against Australia. India Cements are the owners of IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings of which Dhoni has been the captain since 2008 and Srinivasan is the Managing Director-cum-vice-chairman of the company. That Dhoni had joined the company had come to light when his name was included in the India Cements squad a few days back. A Chennai Superking official has confirmed his position in the company. The inclusion of Dhoni`s name in the India Cements squad for February 1-8 Corporate Trophy had come as a surprise since the Indian captain had expressed a desire to rest and had made himself unavailable for the Irani Trophy. ...

Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra were conferred the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army by Army Chief General VK Singh in New Delhi. Dhoni and Bindra have been bestowed the honour for their outstanding contribution in the field of sports and their commitment to Army on various occasions. 'Dhoni has set an example by his discipline and supreme dedication. His leading the team from the front, remaining ultra cool in adversities, maintaining excellent physical standards, and giving all credit to his teammates, is very synonymous to the Army way of leadership,' Army spokesperson said. 'Bindra is youth icon and his qualities as a valiant fighter, dedication, hardwork, supreme concentration and perseverance are synonymous to an Army leader,' the spokesperson added. 'It's a real honour as I always wanted to be part of the Indian Army. It's (joining the Indian Army) something that I always wanted to ac...

     Chris Gayle has yet again been overlooked by the West Indies selectors while picking the squad for the three-Test series against India, starting in New Delhi Nov 6.     The panel Monday decided to retain the 15-member squad currently playing in Bangladesh, with Lendl Simmons returning home to nurse a back injury.     Gayle remains estranged from the West Indies side following his dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) over his comments on a Jamaican radio station in May.     The WICB has demanded an apology from Gayle for his remarks, but the opener refused, wanting to know what he should he apologise for.     Gayle remains an enormously popular figure among West Indies fans, gaining loud cheers from spectators in Guyana, where he led Jamaica to the Clive Lloyd Trophy for winning the Regional Super50 tournament Saturday at the Guyana National Stadium.     West Indies ...

New Delhi: Chairman of selectors Krishnamachari Srikkanth may step down after he completes this three-year term this month, sources have told CNN-IBN. Srikkanth has told the Board of Control for Cricket in India that he is happy to exit after the completion of the term. The BCCI, however, will take a final call on whether they should give him a one-year extension. Former India all-rounder and south zone selector Roger Binny is the frontrunner to replace Srikkanth. The chief selector has been under the scanner and under pressure to quit after India's disastrous Test tour to England where India were whitewashed 0-4. However, it should be remembered that India's ascendency to the No. 1 Test spot and the 2011 World Cup win came during Srikkanth's tenure.

As the ‘God of Cricket' completes 38 years of a glorious life, we take a quick look at some accomplishments which separate him from the herd of mere mortals. Even now we are sure we have still missed many! It was his biggest dream ever since he started playing for India. In fact, for any cricketer this has to be the ultimate achievement and it was no different for Sachin Tendulkar. Having missed this glory for 21 years and five World Cups, Sachin finally won the World Cup in 2011, which perhaps was his last. ODI double century: One-day cricket had to wait for 39 years for its first double hundred and it was appropriate that it was crafted by the best blade. Sachin scored an unbeaten 200 runs against South Africa in Gwalior in February 2010. With this knock, Sachin broke the record of the highest One-Day International score of 194 runs held jointly by Pakistan's Saeed Anwar and Zimbabwe's Charles Coventry. Highest run getter in Test cricket: Sachin remains the highest run...