SAFF U-18: India face Maldives challenge

Kathmandu
The Indian football team would be keen to sustain momentum as it take on Maldives in the semifinals of the SAFF U-18 Championships here tomorrow. India, who were held to a goalless draw by Bangladesh, accounted for Sri Lanka 3-0 in their last group league match, the last two goals coming in added time. Gurkirat Singh, who scored a brace against Sri Lanka, said that the mood in the camp is very positive.

Mumbai
Shafali can be the opener India are looking for: Mithali

India’s ODI captain Mithali Raj lavished praise on Haryana’s 15-year-old Shafali Verma and said the aggressive opener can serve the women’s team for a long time, if provided proper grooming and exposure. Rohtak’s Shafali, who replaced the recently retired Mithali in the T20 squad, earned her maiden call-up for the ongoing T20 series against South Africa. Though India won the opening game in Surat, Shafali was dismissed for a duck.

Melbourne
Oz search for new selector as Chappell set to retire

Former captain Greg Chappell will retire from his roles of Cricket Australia’s national talent manager and selector at the end of this month. Former wicketkeeper Graham Manou, who played one Test and four ODIs for Australia, is set to succeed Chappell as the new national talent manager. 

TAUNTON
Essex champions after rain-hit draw with Somerset 

Essex won their eighth English County Championship title and second in three years after a rain-hit final match against Somerset ended in a draw. Somerset needed victory to claim their first County title while the visitors required just a draw to secure the crown and, after the hosts were bowled out for 203, Alastair Cook's patient 53 off 148 balls put Essex in control of the match. Somerset spinners Jack Leach and Roelof van der Merwe sparked a collapse as the visitors were bowled out for 141 but, after Somerset chose to forfeit their second innings, former England captain Cook made 30 not out and the teams shook hands on a draw to leave Essex 11 points clear at the top.

Surat
2nd women’s T20I between India and SA washed out

The second women’s T20I between India and South Africa was washed out without a ball being bowled. — Agencies