Creme de la creme of snooker for Indian Open

October 13, 2013

Snooker_for_IndianNew Delhi, Oct 13: The in-form duo of Pankaj Advani and Aditya Mehta will shoulder the Indian hopes when 64 of the world's leading professionals compete in the country's richest and biggest major ranking snooker event -- the 300,000 pound Indian Open -- starting here tomorrow.

The first of its kind wevent to be held in India, featuring five former world champions, will be payed out from October 14 to 18 at the Le Meridien hotel.

Advani and Mehta are expected to provide some cheer for the Indian fans. The two have had a good run this season on the pro tour with some eye-catching victories that won them the attention of the snooker connoisseurs.

The Bangalore-based Advani begins his campaign with a match against World No.29 Marcus Campell in the first round, while Mumbai's Mehta, gold medallist at the Columbia World Games, will take on 2002 World champion Peter Ebdon in his opening round.

Advani, ranked 70, was a quarter-finalist at the Paul Hunter Classic in Germany where he beat the likes of Higgins and Ryan Day before losing to Selby.

The 27-year old Mehta, ranked 72 in his fourth season on the pro circuit, has had wins over legendary Jimmy White and Jamie Cope besides a gold medal at the World Games and also beat World No.8 Ricky Walden while qualifying for the International Championship.

The high quality field is headed by World No.1 and top ranked Neil Robertson, the 31-year old from Australia who is a winner of the 2010 world championship. Also in the fray are four other former World champions in John Higgins (1998, 2007, '09, '11), Mark Williams (2000, '03), Ken Doherty (1997) and Peter Ebdon (2002).

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Agencies
January 14,2020

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News Network
May 5,2020

May 5: Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar says he is interested in becoming India's bowling coach if there is an offer, asserting that he is capable of grooming "more aggressive, fast and talkative" pacers.

Akhtar expressed his willingness in an interview on social networking app 'Helo'.

Asked if he would like to be associated with the Indian bowling unit in future, he responded in the positive. India's current bowling is Bharat Arun.

"I will definitely. My job is to spread knowledge. What I have learned is knowledge and I will spread it," Akhtar said.

One of the fastest bowlers to have played the game, he added, "I will produce more aggressive, fast and more talkative bowlers than the current ones who will tell-off the batsmen in a way that you will enjoy a lot."

He said he has always wanted to share his knowledge among budding cricketers and that he is looking to produce more aggressive bowlers.

He also added that he would like to "coach" IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, for whom he has played in the cash-rich T20 league's inaugural edition.

The former pacer also spoke about his early interactions with Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar in the 1998 series.

"I had seen him but didn't know how big a name he was in India. In Chennai, I got to know that he was known as a god in India.

"Mind you, he is a very good friend of mine. In 1998, when I bowled as fast as I could, Indian public celebrated with me. I have a big fan following in India," Akhtar said.

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Agencies
March 14,2020

Sydney, Mar 14: New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson has been placed under 24-hour isolation amid the fears of coronavirus after he reported a sore throat following the first ODI of the ongoing three-match series against Australia in Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) which the hosts won by 71 runs.

"In accordance with recommended health protocols, Lockie Ferguson has been placed in isolation at the team hotel for the next 24 hours after reporting a sore throat at the end of the first ODI," said New Zealand Cricket in a statement.

"Once the test results are received and diagnosed, his return to the team can be determined," it added.

The first ODI of the Chappell-Hadlee series was played in front of empty stands as the spectators were not allowed to be at SCG as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier, Australian fast bowler, Kane Richardson was also tested for the coronavirus, after suffering from a sore throat on Thursday. That saw him left out of the squad for Friday's game but the test was negative.

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