SPORTS

Hailu's world under-20 indoor 1,500m record ratified
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The Ethiopian middle-distance runner clocked her record-breaking time at the World Athletics Indoor Tour meeting in Lievin on February 19 last year, setting her fourth personal best within three weeks. The race was won by her compatriot, world bronze medallist Gudaf Tsegay, but Hailu put up a good fight.
Smith surprised after being picked as Australia's best of the year
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This is the third time he is winning the prestigious medal. He was pipped by David Warner by one vote last year.The right-handed batsman made the most runs for Australia across all formats in the voting period with 1,098 at an average of 45.75. The effort was built on four half centuries and four centuries.
India waste two reviews early as England pile on agony
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India took reviews in the 108th and 109th overs but both of them were turned down.In the 107th over, off-spinner R Ashwin appealed for leg-before as the ball popped up and fell wide of wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant. Replays clearly showed the ball had hit the gloves before popping up in the air.
1st Test: Root, Stokes take England to 355/3 at lunch on Day 2
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Stokes, who took guard at the start of the second day's play after opener Dominic Sibley was dismissed in the last over of the first day, made his unbeaten 63 off 98 deliveries with two sixes and nine fours.The England big-hitter survived a couple of chances with off-spinner R Ashwin dropping a tough chance off his own bowling and Cheteshwar Pujara dropping him at mid-wicket off the bowling of left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem.
Arjun Tendulkar registers in IPL auction after Mumbai debut
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The left-arm seamer made his debut for Mumbai senior team in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament last month and picked two wickets in two matches.Arjun took one for 33 in four overs against Puducherry in Mumbai's six-wicket loss and one for 34 in three overs in Mumbai's eight-wicket loss.
Starc opts out of IPL auction, Smith sets base price at Rs 2 crore
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Starc, who has played just two seasons of the T20 tournament in 2014 and 2015, had a lacklustre summer against India in Test series picking 11 wickets across four Tests at an average of 40.72. He was the only bowler in Australia camp to leak over three runs an over in the series against India. There was speculation that he would command a big price at this year's auction.
Fitness, technique helps Root get back among 'Big Four' batsmen
IANS -
Root, 30, who hit 228 and 186 in the two Tests in Sri Lanka prior to Friday's knock, had an ordinary last year in which he scored just four half-centuries in 13 Test innings. At the moment his average is 50.16.Root, who had earlier said that Kohli, Smith, and Williamsonabove are above him, has come roaring back and is looking to regain his place among the 'Big Four'.
Wasteful Chennaiyin held to goalless draw by Bengaluru
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Bengaluru interim coach Naushad Moosa rang in two changes to the team that beat SC East Bengal in the previous match as Erik Paartalu and Parag Srivas were given starts. Manuel Lanzarote was handed his debut for Chennaiyin while Anirudh Thapa and Enes Sipovic returned. Chennaiyin dominated possession and forced Sandhu into making a number of saves during the first half at the Fatorda Stadium.
To get a 100 in 100th Test is special but hope more follows: Joe Root
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"It's an unusual-looking surface but it played pretty well... I was just trying to get used to the surface, get used to the bounce. And as I got in, I found it easier. The longer you are in, the easier it becomes. It was about trying to build a partnership and take it as deep as we could into the day," said Root after the first day's play.
Zverev, Struff seal Germany's spot in ATP Cup semis
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Zverev partnered JanLennard Struff to register a 764, 57, 107 win in the deciding doubles rubber against Djokovic and Nikola Cacic. Struff was Germany's hero, having earlier won the No. 2 singles against Dusan Lajovic, before teaming with Zverev to seal the tie for Germany 21, knocking out the defending champion.
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