THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2015 SPORTS Kohli frustrated by S Africa Test wash-out BANGALORE: Indian captain Virat Kohli was left frus- series, will take the momentum into the third Test trated yesterday after the rain-ravaged second Test which starts in Nagpur on November 25. against South Africa robbed his team of a possible “Nothing has changed in the series,” the Indian series win. captain said. “We took the confidence from Mohali to The match ended in a dreary draw in Bangalore Bangalore and we had a good day’s play. “The team is as play was washed out for a fourth consecutive day in great mood and hopefully we won’t have any more after the hosts had gained the upper hand on the interruptions and the players can execute their skills opening day. The umpires called off the final day’s in Nagpur” The rained-off draw meant top-ranked play at 11:30 am (0600 GMT) due to a wet outfield at South Africa have played just seven days of interna- the Chinnaswamy stadium after incessant rains over tional cricket on the tour over the last month. Proteas the past week. There was action only on the first day skipper Hashim Amla, who was hoping to revive his on Saturday when South Africa were shot out for team after the embarassing defeat inside three days 214 after being sent in to bat and India replied with in Mohali, admitted his men had not batted well 80 for no loss. again. “I am very surprised we lost four days of cricket “It’s a pity we lost four days when we were in such here, I really didn’t think that would happen,” Amla a strong position,” Kohli said at the brief presentation said. “Unfortunately, we did not bat well but I think ceremony. “The bowlers did a commendable job by the Test was still in the balance after the first day bowling South Africa out in less than three sessions because a lot of time was left.” Amla said AB de Villiers which is something very rare. A lot of people were top-scoring with 85 on his 100th Test appearance was surprised when we decided to field first. “All credit to the highlight for his team in Bangalore. the bowlers. Bangalore is known for its runs but our “We are glad to share the moment with him,” he bowlers showed a lot of character.” BANGALORE: Captain of the Indian cricket Test team Virat Kohli waves to supporters after rains led to a said. “We have had a long lay-off and everyone is Kohli hoped his team, which won the first Test in draw of the second Test cricket match between India and South Africa at The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium keen to get back on the park in Nagpur and play bet- Mohali by 108 runs to gain the lead in the four-match in Bangalore yesterday. — AFP ter cricket.” — AFP Marsh, Pattinson, O’Keefe get Australia call-up for Adelaide SYDNEY: Top order batsman Shaun Marsh selector Rod Marsh said. “He has worked was called into the Australia squad for the incredibly hard and we are confident that third test against New Zealand on he is ready to perform at Test level if select- Wednesday along with pace bowler James ed.” Left-armer O’Keefe, 30, played his only Pattinson and left arm spinner Steve test against Pakistan last year and has been O’Keefe. included so Australia can pair him with off- Marsh comes in as a like-for-like replace- spinner Nathan Lyon if the Adelaide Oval ment for Usman Khawaja, who will miss the looks like being particularly conducive to Adelaide match with a hamstring injury, spin under the lights. while Pattinson replaces Mitchell Johnson, “We are unsure what conditions we will who retired at the end of the second test see there,” Marsh added. “Stephen was on Tuesday. included in our squad that was to go to Australia will take a 1-0 series lead to the Bangladesh and if he should get an oppor- Adelaide Oval for the world’s first day-night tunity, we think he will make the most of it.” test match, which starts on Nov. 27, after a Marsh gets another chance to prove him- 208-run win in Brisbane and a draw in self in test cricket after failing with a duck Perth. Seamer Peter Siddle, who was and a two when he batted at number four included in the squad for the first two tests during the fourth Ashes test earlier this year. but did not make the team, will be hoping The 32-year-old joins his all-rounder brother to join Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in the squad after a string of other candi- in the pace unit. dates to replace Usman Khawaja failed to Pattinson might get his chance to play a impress in Sheffield Shield matches over the first test in nearly two years, however, as he weekend. is more of a strike bowler and skipper Steve “Shaun was unlucky to miss out on the Smith has suggested Hazlewood might squad for the first two tests and since then need a rest to manage his workload. has scored consistently in Sheffield Shield, The 25-year-old right-arm quick bowler so we believe he deserves this opportunity,” has played just 13 tests since his debut said Marsh. Squad: David Warner, Joe against New Zealand four years ago as Burns, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith (captain), injuries have taken their toll. Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill “James has made a good return to (wicketkeeper), Peter Siddle, James (Sheffield) Shield cricket following his Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, injury and has earned this recall,” head Nathan Lyon, Steve O’Keefe. — Reuters Morgan feels wins augur well for England SHARJAH: England’s limited over captain Eoin “I thought the partnership between Buttler BOSTON: Mike Brown #18 of the San Jose Sharks defends Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins during the third period at TD Garden on Morgan said yesterday he believed victories in and Taylor was outstanding It’s a huge step for- November 17, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Sharks defeat the Bruins 5-4. — AFP the ongoing one-day series against Pakistan ward for us, particularly our middle order and augured well for his team, rebuilding after a dis- our batting unit having absolute clarity in what astrous World Cup earlier this year. we were doing and playing in the positive way Thornton, Marleau goals lead England were the only team amongst the in which we’re trying to improve the way we top eight which failed to qualify for the quarter- play all the time,” said Morgan. final in the 2015 World Cup held in Australia and Pakistan captain Azhar Ali rued the middle- Sharks to 5-4 win over Bruins New Zealand but have since beaten New order slump, in which they fell from 132 for two Zealand 3-2, before losing to Australia by the to 161 for eight before Wahab Riaz (33 not out) same margin at home. helped them get past the 200-mark. BOSTON: Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton stop on Jeff Carter in the shootout. goals on 26 shots before he was pulled. Calvin They are leading the four-match series “Things were going pretty well. The start was scored 25 seconds apart in the second period Pickard came on in the third period and against Pakistan 2-1 with a hard-fought six-wick- good until we lost a few wickets, then the run- to put the San Jose Sharks ahead in a 5-4win PENGUINS 4, WILD 3 stopped three of the four shots he faced. et win in the third game in Sharjah on Tuesday, a outs happened. I agree that the running over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday. Joe Evgeni Malkin scored two goals and picked victory described as “magnificent” by Morgan. between the wickets was not good,” said Ali. Pavelski got the scoring started 42 seconds up two assists for his first four-point game in PREDATORS 3, DUCKS 2 “It was a magnificent win, we look to the “As a team we are in the process of settling into the game for the Sharks and had two two seasons to lead the Penguins over James Neal and Miikka Salomaki gave next game to go on and win the series, we’ve down,” said Ali, appointed captain after the 2015 assists. Melker Karlsson had a goal and an Minnesota. David Perron and Beau Bennett Nashville the lead, and Pekka Rinne stopped earned the right to do that so hopefully we can World Cup when Misbah-ul-Haq retired from assist, also in the big second period when the also scored for Pittsburgh, which rode Malkin’s 38 shots to lead the Predators over the Ducks. produce another performance like that,” said one-day cricket. “Definitely when a team loses it Morgan ahead of the final match in Dubai is not a good feeling. And when the doubts sink Sharks capitalized on a string of Bruin penal- inspired play to win for just the second time in Shea Weber also scored as Nashville won for tomorrow. Chris Woakes took 4-40 as Pakistan, in then it is not a good feeling for the team and ties. Joonas Donskoi scored in the first period five games. Marc-Andre Fleury made 26 saves the third time in four games. Rickard Rakell sloppy with three run-outs, fell for 208 in 49.5 the country as well.