Here is Sportzwiki’s daily news round-up, featuring top sports news from around the world, on 15th January 2018. All the news from sporting events like cricket, football, and tennis which took over the attention of all the sports enthusiasts.
Virat Kohli lead India’s charge:
Leading his side from the front, Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 85 to lead his side’s reply in the second Test against South Africa in Centurion. India were 183 for 5 at stumps on day two, still trailing the hosts’ first-innings total of 335 by 152 runs. Giving Kohli company was Hardik Pandya on 11.
Earlier in the day, India had bowled out the hosts for 335 inside the first session after they started the day on 269 for 6.
England open Under-19 World Cup campaign with win:
Will Jacks and Harry Brook scored unbeaten half-centuries to help England ease past Namibia in ICC Under-19 World Cup clash at the Queenstown Events Centre on Monday (January 15). Chasing 197, England reached home in just 24.1 overs.
Opting to bat, Namibia got off to a steady start with Jurgen Linde (16) and Lohandre Louwrens (24) scoring 42 for the first wicket in 9.4 overs. But once the opening stand was broken, the African country kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and were restricted for 196 for 9 in the allotted 50 overs.
In reply, England openers Savin Perera and Tom Banton added 55 runs for the first wicket before Namibia dismissed both of them in quick succession. However, Jacks and Brook shared an unbeaten stand of 130 for the third wicket to ensure England started their campaign with a win. Jacks scored an unbeaten 44-ball 73 while Brook remained not out on 59 off just 48 balls.
Bangladesh register their second win in World Cup:
Riding on Towhid Hridoy’s century, Bangladesh consolidated their position at the top of the Group B table with their second win of the Under-19 World Cup. The Asian country defeated Canada by 66 runs at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval.
Batting first, Towhid Hridoy hammered 122 as Bangladesh posted 264 for 8. In reply, Canada fought hard with Arslan Khan making 63 but could only manage 198 all out.
Australia Open 2018: Venus Williams dumped out by Belinda Bencic:
For the first time since 1997, there will no Williams sister in the second round of Australia open after Venus Williams was stunned by Switzerland’s 20-year-old Belinda Bencic on Monday. Serena Williams had pulled out of the year’s first grand slam following the birth of her daughter.
The fifth seed and last year’s finalist lost the game in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5 against the world number 78 in just under two hours on Rod Laver Arena.
Venus was not the only high-profile American woman to lose in the first round. U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens was the first American to fall, losing 2-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2 to No. 34-ranked Zhang Shuai. She was followed by Williams and No. 10-seeded CoCo Vandeweghe who lost 7-6 (4), 6-2 loss to Timea Babos.
In men’s section, Bulgaria’s world No.3 Grigor Dimitrov breezed through his opening round in straight sets, beating Austrian qualifier Dennis Novak 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 in 98 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
Liverpool ends Manchester City’s unbeaten run:
A rampant Liverpool ended Manchester City’s 22-match unbeaten run with a thrilling 4-3 win over Pep Guardiola’s men at Anfield on Sunday.
Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain’s low drive gave the Reds an early lead, but City were level before half-time through Leroy Sane. Jurgen Klopp’s men then all but put the game to the bed by scoring three times in a rousing eight-minute spell in the second half to go 4-1 up with Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohammad Salah finding the back of the net. City tried their best to get something from the game by scoring two late goals but the home side clung on to get all the three points and condemn the visitors to their first loss this season.
In another game, Arsenal top-four hopes were dealt a huge blow after they lost 2-1 away to Bournemouth. After a goalless first half, Hector Bellerin had given the visitors the lead in the 52nd minute. However, the Cherries scored twice in four minutes to complete a memorable come-from-behind win. Callum Wilson hit the equaliser in the 70th minute before Jordan Ibe scored the winner four minutes later.
Football transfer round-up:
Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez is set to complete a £350,000-a-week switch to Manchester United in the next 48 hours. The Chilean was left out of the squad for Gunners shocking 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth before manager Arsene Wenger admitted he expected the striker to leave the club within 48 hours.
According to reports, United have edged ahead of bitter city rivals and league leaders Manchester City in the race to sign the former Barcelona man. United are reportedly prepared to match Arsenal’s £35million valuation this month, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan likely to leave Old Trafford for the Emirates.
Borussia Dortmund star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been reportedly lined up by Arsenal to replace Sanchez.