SC hearing on Lodha Panel report deferred till Dec 9

New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Monday deferred till December 9 the hearing on a plea by the Justice RM Lodha Panel for the ouster of all the office-bearers of BCCI, its state associations and the appointment of former Home Secretary GK Pillai as an observer in the cricket body. The Bench of Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud deferred the hearing on the third status report filed by the Justice Lodha Committee  because Chief Justice TS Thakur, who heads the Bench, was on leave.

London
Sergio Aguero’s four-match ban confirmed    

Sergio Aguero’s four-match suspension has been confirmed by the Football Association following his dismissal in Manchester City’s loss to Chelsea. City striker Aguero was shown a red card for a dangerous two-footed foul on Chelsea defender David Luiz, which led to a bust-up between players and coaches from both teams in the final moments of Saturday’s Premier League clash at Eastlands. The Argentina international will now miss league fixtures against Leicester, Watford, Arsenal and Hull. Fernandinho was also sent off for shoving Cesc Fabregas during the incident, with City’s Brazilian midfielder banned for three matches, as indicated on the disciplinary pages of the FA website on Monday.

London
Iceland’s Gudjohnsen offers to play for Chapecoense

Former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen has offered to play for Brazilian team Chapecoense following the air crash in Colombia last week in which most of their players died. The 38-year-old Iceland international is a free agent after being released by Norwegian club Molde in August. “Out of respect I would play for @ChapecoenseReal if they have a place for me! If not just to play with @10Ronaldinho again,” Gudjohnsen said on Twitter. Ronaldinho, Gudjohnsen’s former teammate at Barcelona, also wants to help the stricken club.

Sydney
Maxi-Wade row should have been kept private: Warne

Legendary spinner Shane Warne said all-rounder Glenn Maxwell’s punishment for his remarks on teammate Matthew Wade should not have been made public. “I saw what Maxwell said, I think some of that stuff should have been private,” the 145-Test veteran said. “I don’t think that stuff should be made public. (Maxwell) is obviously just venting a bit of frustration. The way Steve Smith handled it in-house, I thought that was good. To me, Maxwell is a super talent, and for me, I’d like to see him in Australian colours in all the forms of the game,” he added.

SYDNEY
Munro looks to anchor innings, rather than explode

Aggressive batsman Colin Munro may have given an insight into New Zealand’s batting order tactics after they created a debate on Monday following their 68-run loss to Australia in the first ODI in Sydney. Munro did not come in until No. 6 and anchored the middle order on Sunday, scoring 49 runs from 59 balls before becoming the ninth wicket to fall. “It was a different sort of knock than I am used to playing,” said the 29-year-old. “Given that role to take it deeper into the innings suits my game and hopefully with a few extra batters around me ... I might be able to have a bit of a hit.” In effect Munro has taken over the role occupied by Ross Taylor, who is out for up to six weeks having undergone eye surgery last week. — Agencies