THE MIZORAM POST AIZAWL SUNDAY 27 JUNE 2021 SPORTS 3 Tough to beat India with this 3 teams vying for 2 spots in fragile England batting: Vaughan LONDON, JUNE 26 (AGENCIES) two changes," Vaughan told Fox Cricket. England will find it tough to beat India in the Vaughan said beating Australia in Australia five-Test series in August-September since their in the Ashes, which begins on December 8, will Copa America quarterfinals "batting line-up is fragile", said former captain be tough as well. "Australia will get 450-500 Michael Vaughan. Ahead of the World Test [runs]," he said. The former skipper wants Championship final between India and New some harsh calls to be taken ahead of the two Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela are in the fight for the last two spots in the Copa America quarterfinals. Zealand, England had lost the two-Test series at important series (against India and Australia). draw with Paraguay on Monday home 1-0 to the Black Caps. Before that they had "I'd bring in Dawid Malan back in at No. 3. to leave Chile in fourth place. lost a four-match Test series to India 3-1 in the Apparently, he is not popular but you know Chile has already played all of sub-continent. what, who gives a hoot if he scores runs, that's its four group matches. While there is hope that England would what I like to see. He's got a bit of experience; There were 166 known avenge the 3-1 loss to India in the upcoming he played well in Australia last time. COVID-19 cases at the Copa series which begins on August 4, Vaughan said, "I'd put him at No. 3, I'd put (Zak) Crawley America in Brazil, CONMEBOL "The batting line-up is fragile, it is as simple as in to open. I know that's a bit of fortune for said on Friday. that. (Jos) Buttler, (Ben) Stokes will come back Crawley because he hasn't got as many runs, but The figures included all in, (Chris) Woakes -- yes, they will improve the I think he can play. I'd leave (Rory) Burns, tests up to Monday, the same team but unless that batting line-up changes and Crawley, Malan, Root, Stokes, Ollie Pope at six, day the soccer body said 140 can learn and understand how to get big scores Buttler at seven, Woakes at eight. Will that be a people had been infected in against good bowlers, I can't see how they can good enough eight to get big, big scores? I think connection with the compete." it'd be a better chance than the seven I saw tournament. "It's going to be tough to beat India on these against New Zealand. They were very, very CONMEBOL said 22,856 shores, I can't see it unless they make one or fragile," added Vaughan. tests had been taken with people related to the tournament, and 0.7% of the Chennaiyin FC retain right- results came back positive. At the beginning of the week that figure was at 0.9%. back Reagan Singh till 2023 CONMEBOL works with Brazil’s health ministry to track CHENNAI, JUNE 26 (AGENCIES) gathering ISL experience. also like to thank all our cases. More than 510,000 Chennaiyin FC right-back Regan helped Chennaiyin FC supporters for the known people have died due Reagan Singh has signed a fresh keep six clean sheets in its 18 unconditional support," said to the coronavirus. contract that will keep him with games last season, also Reagan after signing the The statement also said the two-time Indian Super notching one assist while contract on Friday. most of the positive cases were League (ISL) champions till coming close to scoring on a "Reagan represents the of outsourced workers who 2023. The 30-year-old had few occasions. strength and toughness in our BUENOS AIRES, JUNE 26 Group B has Brazil with nine Ecuador needs to beat host three. were yet to be vaccinated. joined CFC from NorthEast "I feel proud to be part of squad. Having joined us with a Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela points, followed by Colombia and defending champion Group A has been decided CONMEBOL said it has no United FC ahead of the 2020- one of the most successful wealth of ISL experience are in the fight for the last two and Peru with four, Venezuela Brazil. Ecuador can still with Bolivia missing out after control over why those people 21 season in Goa. teams in the country. I believe already, he improved our spots in the Copa America at three, and Ecuador counting advance with a defeat as long three defeats. Argentina leads didn’t get their shots. Hailing from Manipur, I contributed well and defensive ranks last season, quarterfinals. The prize is likely two. Colombia is the only team as Venezuela fails to win with seven points, followed by Seventeen players have Reagan began his professional improved as a player in my first while also proving to be a Lionel Messi’s Argentina.The that has already played all of its against Peru and the goal Paraguay with six, Chile five, tested positive since the career at Royal Wahingdoh in season. My ambition now is to threat in the offensive areas. A top four in each group advance four group games. difference doesn’t change and Uruguay four. Whoever tournament began, and 15 of the I-League in 2012. After help the club lift their third ISL solid team player, we are to the knockout stage of the If Peru doesn’t lose to much. After three matches, the finishes in the fourth position them were available to their three years at the Shillong club, trophy, and the first of my absolutely delighted to extend troubled tournament in Brazil, Venezuela on Sunday it will Ecuadorians have minus one will face Brazil. national team after time in he signed for NorthEast United career. I will work hard and Reagan's stay with CFC," said rife with the coronavirus. advance for sure. and the Venezuelans minus Uruguay needs to beat or isolation, CONMEBOL said. FC, where he spent five years keep improving, and would CFC co-owner Vita Dani. Wrestler Medvedev one win away from Swimming Australia says bad Punia out for maiden grass-court title treatment a decades-long issue a week due to MALLORCA, JUNE 26 (AGENCIES) and one Grand Slam. It's going to be a special MELBOURNE, JUNE 26 by two-time Olympic silver medalist Australian trials, two-time Olympic knee injury Top seed, Russia's Daniil Medvedev, came back feeling (if I) win my first title on grass. I still Swimming Australia says unacceptable Groves in a series of social media gold medallist Emily Seebohm spoke NEW DELHI, JUNE 26 (AGENCIES) from a set down against Pablo Carreno Busta of don't have one on clay, even if I have one final. treatment of some swimmers is a posts.Groves withdrew from Australia’s of her mis-treatment. Freestyle wrestler Bajrang Punia Spain to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 at the Mallorca Adding these titles, especially on different decades-long problem amid media Olympic swim trials which finished in “A lot of people said that I wasn’t will take a week to recover from a Championships and book a spot in his first tour- surfaces, can help your confidence and it's just a reports that six former elite athletes Adelaide nine days ago, claiming there going to do it, I was too old, I needed knee injury sustained on Friday level grass-court final. great thing for your career," the Russian told will soon make public their were “misogynistic perverts in sport.” to lose weight, I needed to look during the Ali Aliyev wrestling The world No. 2 Russian has lifted all 10 of atptour.com after the match. experiences of abuse in the sport. Groves on Friday met with Swimming different,” Seebohm said after competition in the Russian city of his ATP Tour trophies on hard courts. He will get Medvedev, who also won in Marseille earlier Swimming Australia said in a statement Australia president Kieren Perkins and earning selection for her fourth Kaspiysk. the chance to add a grass-court title when he in the season, relied on his big serves to bail him Saturday that it is “deeply concerned chief executive officer Alex Baumann Olympics at next month’s Tokyo "My wrestler (Punia) is okay. takes on Sam Querrey of the United States in the out of tricky situations. He fired 10 aces and won and understands the gravity” of fresh to detail her concerns. Perkins and Games. SA has appealed to any Nothing to worry about. But he will final. The 33-year-old Querrey fired 18 aces past 81 per cent of points behind his first serves. "It claims of abuse within the sport after Baumann are both former Olympic concerned swimmers to come be off from mat training for nearly Adrian Mannarino of France en route to a 6-4, was not an easy match and it was in very hot meeting with former Olympic swimmer gold medallists in swimming, Perkins forward and will create an a week. But he will do upper body 6-3 victory. conditions. I think we were both struggling Maddie Groves. “We acknowledge for Australia and Baumann for Canada. independent all-female panel to training as we are in the final phase He saved the only break point he faced and physically in the third set. But I think it was a some members of the swimming “We have met with Maddie Groves investigate any incidents of abuse. “In of preparation for the Tokyo won 97 per cent of points behind his first serve high-quality match. community have experienced and had productive discussions,” SA the coming days, we’re due to Olympic Games," Shako Bentinidis, to seal the victory in an hour and 10 minutes. It was very important to start good in the sets; unacceptable behavior, some of this said. “The most important thing we are announce the chair of the Punia's personal coach, told the Medvedev, who is into his 18th career final, this is what I didn't manage to do in the first set. dates back decades,” SA said. working on right now is ensuring independent, female-led panel,” SA agencies on Saturday. The 27-year- improved to 25-7 on the season with his semi- I had a lot of opportunities to try to come back, The swimming association said it Australia has a safe swimming said. “We have pro-actively spoken to old freestyle wrestler from Haryana final win. but he was better. "This is where I was better in was unaware of the nature of the community.” Groves’ claims prompted a number of parents and swimmers has qualified for next month's "I know that I can play good on grass," the second and third set. It was a tight battle, claims from the six swimmers. Local other reports of poor culture in the across various levels of swimming and Tokyo Olympic Games in men's Medvedev said on Friday. "Unfortunately we don't and I'm really happy with the second and media said the swimmers will come sport, including incidents of fat- invited them to make submissions to 65kg freestyle event. have that many tournaments, only one ATP 500 especially the third set," he added. forward amid a controversy initiated shaming of female swimmers. At the this new panel.” Based out of Russian city of Vladikavkaz, Punia injured his right knee during a semi-final match Euro 2020: ‘Denmark set to make most of Dutch connection against Wales’ against Russia's Abdulmazhid Kudiev Sreejesh, Deepika recommended at the annual Ali Aliyev tournament. LONDON, JUNE 26 players who have gotten their “I wish the best for him, just not Punia was trailing 0-4 when he Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand is football upbringing here,” he tomorrow!” he added. was injured and expressed his for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna hoping his nation’s long love affair added. Hojbjerg doesn’t agree with inability to continue to fight. After NEW DELHI, JUNE 26 (AGENCIES) 2017.Deepika played a key role with Dutch football in general and The Danes beat Wales twice in Bale that Wales is the underdog on hurting his right knee, Punia Indian men's hockey team in the Indian women's team's Ajax Amsterdam, in particular, will the UEFA Nations League in 2018, Saturday, and goalkeeper Kasper limped off the mat, but Shako on goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and silver medal-winning performance stand to them when they take on but Hjulmand said that those Schmeichel has said that he and the Friday said that the injury isn't former women's player Deepika at the 2018 Asian Games and the Wales in their Euro 2020 last 16 results will count for nothing when Danes aren’t taking anything for serious. were on Saturday nominated by Asian Champions Trophy. game on Saturday. the two sides meet again. granted. "He (Punia) should be fine Hockey India (HI) for the Drag-flicker Harmanpreet The two sides meet at the Johan “It was a team that was “If you know anything about within a week," said Shako. Earlier prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Singh (100 international caps), Cruyff Arena where many Danes have somewhere else at the time when football, you know that the next this month, Punia and his coach Ratna award. Vandana Katariya (200 represented Ajax over the years, Denmark last met them. They were match is the most important. We had gone for a short training stint Men's team player international caps) and Navjot including playmaker Christian in the process of making some are not thinking about that match to Vladikavkaz to prepare for the Harmanpreet Singh, Vandana Kaur (150 international caps) Eriksen, who is recovering following changes. From there, they have had after the next one,” Hojbjerg said. July 23 to August 8 Tokyo Olympic Katariya and Navjot Kaur have been have been nominated for the a cardiac arrest against Finland in three good years,” Hjulmand Hjulmand believes his side is Games. The international wrestler nominated for the Arjuna Award, Arjuna for their consistent Denmark’s opening game. explained.One player who is still in now fully recovered from the shock had skipped the Poland Ranking while former India players RP performances in the last few years. “If any club outside the borders the setup is Gareth Bale, who has of Eriksen’s collapse. “We have Series held in Warsaw from June 8- Singh and Sanggai Ibemhal have Hockey India president has meant anything to Danish spent the last season playing gotten over a traumatic experience 13 to practice with top Russian been recommended for the Dhyan Gyanendro Ningombam, said, "It football, this (Ajax) is it. There is a alongside Danish midfielder and we know that we are warriors wrestlers and prepare for the Chand Award for Lifetime was a proud moment when Rani very big connection between Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at Tottenham — we went in there again that same Olympics. Achievement. won the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Hotspur in England. evening. We played against the "Good sparring partners play an Coaches BJ Kariappa and CR the Jakarta Asian Games and the Award last year and it is with great Denmark,” Hjulmand told a news “In the last ten years, not many strongest national team (Belgium) important role in polishing skills. Kumar have been nominated for gold-medal win at the 2019 FIH pride that we are recommending conference. people have done what he has a few days later,” Hjulmand said. Vladikavkaz has good facilities for the Dronacharya Award.Sreejesh Men's Series Finals in two of the finest hockey players the “Christian (Eriksen) left home done. Scored over 100 goals for “This team has shown mental wrestlers. There are good sparring played a key role in India's silver Bhubaneswar. country has seen -- PR Sreejesh when he was 16, and this is his Real Madrid. He’s a class player, a strength for several years, we know partners. I had also trained in medal-winning performance at Sreejesh is also the recipient and Deepika -- for the Rajiv second home. We also have great guy. One of the best players I that we just get stronger and Russia before the Asian Wrestling the 2018 Champions Trophy in of the Arjuna Award in 2015 and Gandhi Khel Ratna Award this (Kasper) Dolberg and (Nicolai) have played with,” Hojbjerg told stronger as time goes on,” he Championships," Punia had said Breda, the bronze-medal win at the Padma Shri Award in year." Boilesen — there are so many reporters. added. before going to Russia. Eastbourne: Jelena 21-yr-old from Bengaluru who blew whistle on Olympic qualifier MUMBAI, JUNE 26 April 13-17 Uzbekistan Open will be others and they don’t deserve sets up title clash Swimmer S P Likith heard the official’s Championships. “The first day at the this corruption,” he says. clipped voice loud and clear. He was heats, the scoreboard wasn’t This isn’t the first time Likith has telling Likith to write a letter declaring displaying, and the heat results on the taken on organisers. “In 2019, at the with Anett himself “mentally ill and deaf”. scoresheet were different, up to 5-7 All India University meet in Punjab… LONDON, JUNE 26 (since making a) final, so I'm Minutes earlier, the 21-year-old seconds, from the actual timings swimmers had the audacity to walk (AGENCIES) really happy to be in a final." national 100m breaststroke champion which everyone was recording up to officials and dictate what timing Former French Open The former Roland Garros from Bengaluru had been offered a manually. But I thought it must be a they wanted written. They would dive bribe to remain silent on his glitch and they would change it. That two seconds early, finish fifth, sixth champion Jelena Ostapenko champion hit nine winners allegations. didn’t happen,” recalls Likith, the and be awarded first place. I crashed of Latvia powered past and rattled off the first three This was one of the many bizarre World School Games bronze medalist that whole meet,” he recalls. Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina games to take a 3-0 double- sequences that played out at an of 2012. The Sports Minister was forced to 6-4, 6-1 to enter the break lead. But Elena international Olympic qualification “When I complained, they casually intervene, but that didn’t shield Likith Eastbourne International remained calm in the face of meet in Uzbekistan in April, when told me that this has been happening from the repercussions. “Local final and set up a clash with the barrage and clung on as Likith called out attempts by since 2000-2004. And they have swimmers got goons who parked Estonian Anett Kontaveit. Jelena seemed to lose the way. organising officials to manipulate race orders to ensure they send 10 Uzbeki themselves there and wouldn’t let me Anett advanced after Camila The Kazakh clawed her way timings to aid the home swimmers. swimmers to Tokyo,” he alleges. leave the hotel for the next three Giorgi of Italy retired due to back to 3-3 via two marathon This week, the tournament was He says the result of the 100m days,” he recalls. declared “invalid” by FINA, butterfly, with top Indian swimmer Likith says he watched his father a left thigh injury trailing 5- breaks. swimming’s world governing body, Sajan Prakash, was brazenly tampered work honestly, and move from being 4. "Anett, I know since and all the scores disappeared from with. But Likith’s first event went a helper at a transport company to Jelena struck 38 winners juniors. We have been playing official records. “Times from a pair without incident. “I didn’t face the becoming a real estate businessman. to 30 unforced errors, and a lot, maybe not so many of meets in Uzbekistan have been problem myself. But I saw it happen “Growing up, my house was tiny. I’ve finished the match without a matches but we practice removed from FINA’s official rankings to others. Many people don’t have the seen my parents struggle financially single double fault for the first sometimes together, in juniors, after allegations over timing fraud courage when it happens to them. I to secure my admission in a good came up with this idea to get me to myself. I know what is right, what is public school. Their parenting time since winning the 2019 and played even doubles. So I have been levied against that country,” am mentally strong. I knew I could give in writing that I was mentally ill wrong. I have parents who gave me a reportedfight for them,” he says. methods were strict. I was beaten up Luxembourg final. The result know her quite well. The last and deaf,” he alleges. good moral compass and I know they whenever I did something wrong. But puts the Latvian world No 43 couple of years, she's been swimmingworldmagazine.com. At his second event, the 200m He admits that he was frustrated can back me up,” he says. The April scandal and a breaststroke, Likith just stood on the that made me bullet-proof,” he says. into her ninth career final, playing very good," said Jelena at the inaction, and acted impulsively. After his return to India, Likith “If I’d kept quiet in Uzbekistan subsequent investigation put the focus diving block, touched the pad, “When I realised it wasn’t a glitch and uploaded YouTube videos of the fifth at WTA 500 level or about her opponent in the final. on Uzbekistan. The rankings of Uzbek and spoken of it now, everyone higher, and biggest since "We will have some good stepped out and dared the organisers if I didn’t get it out, nobody else tampered 100m free and breaststroke would’ve thought I’m bluffing. swimmers disappeared from the to say he had broken a world record would, I got triggered. I’ve seen many races, as evidence. “There are many There’s still no official statement. Miami 2018. rallies, I think. Just looking official listings. A previous event in in two seconds. "I'm really happy with the forward, it's great to be in the swimmers suppress their anger, which people who deserve to go to the They declared it invalid and will Uzbekistan also came under scrutiny. “That’s when the officials told me, isn’t good, and our mouths stay Olympics, and such corruption ruins move on. But the next time way I played this week, and final and just to enjoy it, The ripple effect impacted the Tokyo this is politics, you don’t get into it. sealed. I did what I had to do,” he years of hard work. Parents who put swimmers see this happen, they’ll every match I played better because as I said, grass court Games qualification timings of some They offered me money to shut up. says. everything into their children’s know they have a voice,” he says. and better," said Jelena in her season is very short. So I just Czech swimmers too, said the report. They said ‘we have to give an Likith says he was not afraid, and careers. My mother, a homemaker, And they won’t be threatened to sign post-match press conference want to enjoy it and to show my It wasn’t exactly a whistle that he explanation why you didn’t swim and would do the same again. “I have has woken up at 4.30 am for years to an undertaking declaring on Friday. "It's been a while best." blew, more a deafening conch, at the just stood there on the block’. So they nothing to fear. I can stand up for ensure my practice goes fine. There themselves deaf.