Here is Sportzwiki’s daily news round-up, featuring top sports news from around the world, on 9th November 2017. Here’s all the news from sporting events like cricket, football, badminton and boxing which took over the attention of all the sports enthusiasts.
Ashish Nehra throws his support behind MS Dhoni:
With MS Dhoni facing the heat for his place in the T20I team after his 37-ball 49 runs knock in the second game against New Zealand, former India pacer Ashish Nehra has leapt in his defence, saying the former India skipper should play as long as he wants and backed him to play till the T20I World Cup in 2020.
“He is one guy who is very honest with himself and the country. So, he should play. I see him even to play T20 World Cup in 2020. If I can be a fast bowler at the age of 39. So, with MS Dhoni and his fitness, he can play,” he told ANI.
Jake Ball suffers injury ahead of Ashes:
In a huge blow to England ahead of the Ashes starting later this month, fast-bowler Jake Ball suffered an ankle injury during the warm-up game against a Cricket Australia XI in Adelaide. The right-arm pacer could bowl only four balls of his fourth over before hurting his ankle during his delivery stride. The 26-year old subsequently collapsed in a heap before limping off the field.
Earlier this week, pace-bowler Steven Finn was also ruled out of the five-Test series with a knee injury. Toby Roland-Jones, who impressed against South Africa, is also not a part of the series with a stress fracture in the lower back.
Saina and Prannoy lift senior national titles:
Saina Nehwal defeated firm favorite PV Sindhu while HS Prannoy also stunned Kidambi Srikanth to lift the singles title in the Senior National Badminton Championship on Wednesday.
Saina beat Olympic and World Championship silver medallist Sindhu by 21-17, 27-25 while Prannoy saw off top seed World No 2 Kidambi Srikanth 21-15, 16-21, 21-7.
Mary Kom wins Asian Championship for the 5th time:
In a remarkable achievement, Olympic bronze medallist MC Mary Kom defeated Kim Hyang Hi of North Korea 5-0 in Ho Ch Minh to win gold in Asian Championship.
The 34-year old, the mother of three, fought in her favored 48kg category after five years to win the title. This was Mary Kom’s first gold medal since 2012.
FIFA World Cup playoffs:
With an eye on the World Cup spot for the first time since 1986, Northern Ireland will take on Switzerland on Thursday for the first leg of their World Cup qualifying two-leg playoff.
In an another game, Croatia will host 2004 Euro Champions Greece as both the teams will be looking to get the better of each other to make in to Russia next year. Both teams were at the 2014 World Cup, but only one will make it to the upcoming World Cup.