Kiwis trounce Indian eves, take 2-1 lead

Bengaluru

Half centuries by openers Suzie Bates and Rachel Priest and their 125-run opening partnership carried New Zealand to a comfortable six-wicket win over India for a 2-1 lead in their five-match One-day International series here on Friday. Skipper Bates (59) and Priest 64, after surviving a few close calls early in their respective knocks, demolished the Indian attack to set up the victory as the Kiwis overhauled the home team’s total of 182 for nine. India put up a seemingly challenging total as skipper Mithali Raj (30), Veda Krishnamurthy (61) and Deepti Sharma (22) held the innings together. However, the target proved grossly inadequate as Bates and Priest made light of the Indian bowling with their century-strong opening partnership. 

Brief scores: India: 182 for 9 in 50 overs (Mithali Raj 30, Veda Krishnamurthy 61, Sophie Devine 3 for 30); New Zealand: 186 for 4 in 45.4 overs (Suzie Bates 59, Rachel Priest 62).

Bengaluru 

Indian hoopsters make winning start 

Hosts India were off to a flying start in the fourth South Asian Basketball Association (SABA) Championship as they drubbed Nepal 90-37 and Bangladesh 122-39 to kick-start their bid to qualify for the Asian Championship later this year.

Though without their key starters Amritpal Singh, Amjyot Singh (both playing in Japan), and veterans Yadwinder Singh and Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, the hosts found their heroes in forwards Aravind Annadurai (Tamil Nadu), Aravind (Karnataka), and youngster Gurvinder Singh Gill.

London 

England not scared of Aussie bowlers: Stokes

England all-rounder Ben Stokes has insisted that his side will not be scared of the much-vaunted Australian bowling attack when they square off in the Ashes, starting on July 8 at Cardiff.  The 24-year-old said that although Australia have some quick bowlers, there was nothing to fear and the visitors were just normal blokes. The all-rounder said that he was ready to face whatever the visitors threw at him, insisting that he wouldn’t take a step backward step in the face of any intimidation.

London

Chelsea rope in Colombian striker Falcao on loan

Chelsea signed Colombian striker Radamel Falcao for a season on loan from French club Monaco on Friday. “I am very happy to be joining Chelsea and can’t wait to start training and help with our aim of retaining the league title and being successful in Europe,” Falcao said. Falcao, on joining Chelsea, reunites with former Atletico teammates Thibaut Courtois, Filipe Luis and Diego Costa, as well as international colleague Juan Cuadrado. — Agenices