T20 WC: Australia elect to field against Oman in last league match

New Delhi, Aug 12 (IANS) An independent Regulatory Commission by the Football Association (FA) has imposed an eight-week suspension and mandatory face-to-face education programme on David Coote for a breach of FA Rule E3.

It was alleged that, contrary to FA Rule E3.1, the referee acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words about Jurgen Klopp in a video that was recorded around July 2020 and appeared on social media in November 2024.

It was also alleged that his actions constitute an ‘Aggravated Breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as they included a reference – whether express or implied – to nationality.

Rule E3 deals with improper conduct that brings the game into disrepute, including insulting words or behaviour, while it also covers actions that question the integrity of match officials.

UEFA suspended Coote following investigations after a video of the Englishman snorting ‘white powder’ while officiating at Euro 2024 last summer came to light. Following an investigation, Europe’s football governing body suspended the disgraced referee from officiating any UEFA games until June 30, 2026.

However, Coote was cleared of charges by the FA following an allegation that stated that Coote had discussed giving a yellow card before a Championship match between Leeds and West Brom in 2019. The 42-year-old was questioned about a yellow card he showed to Leeds player Ezgjan Alioski during the Leeds United versus West Bromwich Albion game in October 2019.

Coote had denied any allegations and released a statement claiming he had always upheld the integrity of the game.

“Whatever issues I may have had in my personal life, they have never affected my decision-making on the field. I have always held the integrity of the game in the highest regard, refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability,” read the statement.

–IANS

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Colombo, Oct 21 (IANS) Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first against South Africa in the 22nd match of the Women’s World Cup here at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

South Africa, already assured of a semifinal berth, will look to extend their four-match winning streak when they face Pakistan, who are still searching for their first win of the tournament. The Proteas, sitting third with eight points from five games, have bounced back impressively after their opening defeat to England.

In contrast, Fatima Sana’s side, languishing at the bottom with just two points from rain-affected matches, must halt South Africa’s momentum to keep their slim semifinal hopes alive.

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, after winning the toss, said, “We are going to bowl first. The pitch looks like a good one. The weather is as well. Diana and I are the two frontline pacers, and then we have a good spin attack. Four spinners, to be exact. Everything depends on this game. We need to be calm and composed. We have to be more calm and composed against South Africa. We will try to win. Same team for us.”

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt said, “Not the worst thing to bat first. We have done well chasing through the competition. Obviously, the last time we batted first in this tournament didn’t quite go according to the plan.

“We have already qualified for the semi-finals. It will be a good thing to test ourselves today. Really proud of the group for how we managed to bounce back. We have put that performance behind us. Hopefully, we put in a better performance today batting first. Just one change. Ayabonga Khaka comes in for Masabata Klaas.”

Playing XIs:

Pakistan Women: Muneeba Ali, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Ameen, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana (c), Sidra Nawaz (wk), Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal

South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Karabo Meso (wk), Chloe Lesleigh Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Nondumiso Shangase, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba

–IANS

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Ahmedabad, Dec 19 (IANS) Powered by scintillating half-centuries from Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya, India posted a formidable 231/5 in their 20 overs in the fifth T20I against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday.

In an innings where umpire Rohan Pandit and a camera operator took some blows on separate occasions, the pair added 105 runs for the fourth wicket, with Varma making 73 off 45 balls and Pandya hammering 63 off 38 deliveries, including getting his fifty in just 16 balls, the second fastest half-century hit by an India men’s batter in T20Is.

Sanju Samson, stepping in for the injured Shubman Gill, made an attractive 37, while Abhishek Sharma chipped in with a brisk cameo of 34 in a 63-run opening stand. Suryakumar Yadav’s lean run continued as he fell for five, but Varma and Pandya made up for it with some audacious clean hitting.

Shivam Dube provided the finishing touches by hitting a four and six in the final over, as India crossed the 230-run mark. For South Africa, seam-bowling all-rounder Corbin Bosch was the standout bowler with 2-44, but on a whole, the Proteas were unable to contain India’s batting surge, as the hosts are in a strong position to push for a series-clinching win.

Pushed into batting first on a black soil pitch, India made a brisk start by racing to 25/0 in two overs as Abhishek repeatedly pierced the off-side field against Marco Jansen for three fours in the second over, before Samson ended it with a trademark loft over mid-on for six.

There was concern for South Africa early on when wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock injured his finger while collecting the ball in the opening over. Despite visible discomfort, he continued behind the stumps after receiving treatment, even as Samson matched Abhishek stroke for stroke, unfurling elegant drives and punches down the ground to reach 27 off 13 balls.

After the opening pair went past fifty of their partnership, South Africa finally broke through when Abhishek gloved a bouncer down leg from Bosch to de Kock, who completed the catch despite not appealing for it initially.

South Africa turned to spin after the powerplay, introducing Donovan Ferreira and George Linde. But India continued to score freely, as Varma and Samson freely picked boundaries. Linde, however, struck in his second over, by castling Samson with a delivery that pitched on leg and clipped off-stump.

Suryakumar’s lean run persisted as he fell for five, caught at mid-off off Bosch, ending the year without a fifty in T20Is. From 115/3 in the 12th over, India’s innings was given a turbo boost by Pandya and Varma, who counter-attacked in blazing fashion to add quick runs. Pandya blazed his way to 31 off seven balls – hitting a six and four off Bosch, before taking down Linde with a four and two sixes.

While Varma reached his half-century with a fluent punch against Lungi Ngidi for four, Pandya’s assault continued as he smashed Bosch for a four and two sixes to bring up a 16-ball fifty, the second-fastest by an Indian in T20Is.

His knock, coming at a strike rate of 252, was eventually cut short when he picked out deep midwicket off Ottniel Baartman in the penultimate over. Two balls later, Varma’s knock ended in dramatic fashion when he was run out for 73. Dube, however, finished with a flourish, striking a six and a four to push India past 230-mark.

Brief Scores: India 231/5 in 20 overs (Tilak Varma 73, Hardik Pandya 63; Corbin Bosch 2-44, Ottniel Baartman 1-39) against South Africa

–IANS

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