thursDAY, september 14, 2017
Windies not embarrassed to play World Cup qualifiers W
est Indies captain Jason Holder insists it would not be an embarrassment for the team to play in the 2018 ICC World Cup Qualifiers, should they fail an automatic spot. Taking part in the playoffs is a scenario that seems increasingly likely for the regional team, particularly after rain washed out Wednesday’s One Day International (ODI) against Ireland. In order to secure a spot among the top eight teams in the world before the September 30 cutoff date, the ninth place Windies must secure a 4-0 or 5-0 win over third ranked England in the upcoming series be- Jason Holder tween the teams. Despite insisting that the team is looking forward to the series, Holder seemed to accept that such a result was an unlikely scenario. “England are a quality cricket side and they are playing at home,” Holder told
Wisden India. “We’re at the stage where we are looking to turn a corner and qualify for the World Cup, whether we have to go through the qualifiers or qualify automatically. We’re excited about the series and hopefully we can play some good cricket,” he added. “It won’t be an embarrassment to play in the qualifiers. We are where we are and if we do have to play in them, we will take it one step at a time.” Windies are expected to fly to England on Thursday ahead of a one-off Twenty20 International at Chester-le-Street on Saturday. The ODI series starts on September 19 and runs until September 29. The ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 will feature the bottom four sides from ICC ODI Team Rankings, the top four sides from the ICC World Cricket League Championship and the top two sides from ICC World Cricket League Division 2. (Sportsmax)
Aguero reaches goals milestone as City thrash Feyenoord S
triker Sergio Aguero scored his 50th goal in European club competitions as Manchester City romped to a record 4-0 victory over Feyenoord in their Champions League Group F clash at De Kuip on Wednesday. Defender John Stones bagged a brace of headed goals and Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus netted the other as City inflicted the heaviest-ever home defeat in UEFA club football on the Dutch champions and former European Cup holders. Aguero reached his milestone with a typically clinical finish from Kyle Walker’s cross as City made a fast start to the game, scoring three times in the opening 25 minutes to stun their hosts and kill off the contest. Feyenoord, playing in the Champions League group stage for the first time in 15 years, never seriously troubled City goalkeeper Ederson who had recovered sufficiently to play, albeit with a rugby-style scrum cap, after receiving a boot to the face from Liverpool’s Sadio Mane in a 5-0 Premier League win
on Saturday. Stones had the visitors in front inside two minutes when he headed David Silva’s cross from a short corner through the legs of Feyenoord midfielder Tonny Vilhena at the back post. Vilhena had scored when Feyenoord claimed a 1-0 victory over Manchester United almost a year ago to the day in last season’s Europa League group stages, but this time was left red-faced by his inability to keep the ball out of the net. Aguero’s precise finish doubled City’s advantage eight minutes later as they peppered the Feyenoord goal with shots and starved the home side of possession. They were rewarded with a third goal when in-form forward Jesus tapped home after Benjamin Mendy’s fierce drive from outside the box was only parried by Feyenoord goalkeeper Brad Jones. The home defence stood like statues expecting an offside flag that was never lifted and replays showed the
Lakers to retire Bryant’s jerseys
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Bryant wore the 8 jersey for the first 10 years of his Lakers career before switching to the 24 jersey
he LA Lakers are to retire both of fivetime NBA champion Kobe Bryant’s number eight and 24 jerseys. Bryant, 39, retired in April 2016 after a 20-year career with the Lakers, scoring 60 points in his final game. He finished as the Lakers’ all-time point scorer and third on the NBA’s all-time list with 33,643 points. “I always dreamed of my jersey hanging in the Lakers rafters, but I certainly never imagined two of them,” said Bryant, who made his debut in 1996. The jerseys will be retired at a half-time ceremony on 18 December when the Lakers host the Golden State Warriors. Bryant is the 10th player to receive the honour, after Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Gail Goodrich, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal,
(Reuters)
Sergio Aguero
James Worthy, Jerry West and Jamaal Wilkes. “Kobe’s jerseys are taking their rightful home next to the greatest Lakers of all time,” said Lakers chief executive Jeanie Buss. Bryant wore 24 while playing at high school, before switching to 33. When he was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets and traded to the Lakers in 1996, he could not take the number 33 as it had already been retired for Abdul-Jabbar and 24 was already taken. He decided on number eight and won three NBA titles, before changing to 24 for the 2006-07 season, going on to win a further two titles. Bryant said at the time he made the change as he wanted a new number for the second half of his career. (BBC)
Paris to host 2024 Olympic Games P
match officials h a d made t h e correct call.
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a r i s and Los Angeles have been named as hosts of the 2024 and 2028 summer Games respectively by the International O l y m p i c Committee. Both cities OC President Thomas Bach (centre) announces the 2024 and 2028 hosts with had wanted to Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo (left) and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti Los Angeles hosted it in The Californian city wanthost the 2024 ed the earlier Games because event, before LA agreed to 1932 and 1984. Paris and Los Angeles of its readiness to host while wait an extra four years after the IOC made guarantees on had been the only two can- Paris said its prospective site didates for the 2024 Games for the Games would not be funding. The Paris Games, which after Hamburg, Rome and available for redevelopment had fallen short with bids for Budapest withdrew from the after 2024. IOC President Thomas 2008 and 2012, will mark 100 race.The IOC voted in June to years since it was last held in award the 2028 Games at the Bach said the votes for both same time as 2024. cities were “unanimous” (BBC) the French capital.