'You're rubbing shoulders with AB (de Villiers) and Virat (Kohli) for two months, talking to them while watching other games. It's just the greatest learning experience that any player could ask for.'
Having seen extreme poverty in Baracara to enjoying the financial windfall that comes with the IPL, Shamar Joseph has indeed come a long way.
A back injury has forced Russia's Dinara Safina to pull out of next month's Brisbane International, one of the main lead up events to the Australian Open.
This court artist sketch shows Mohammed Haneef, who was granted bail by the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday in Brisbane, Australia.
Defending champion Federer, battling a flu bug according to the local media, was made to work hard by his Bulgarian opponent before the Swiss master prevailed 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-4 at the Pat Rafter Arena. "It was tough. Grigor's a great shotmaker, the future's ahead of him in the game," Federer said after setting up a semi-final against Austrian youngster Dominic Thiem.
Apart from Renshaw's inclusion in place of Warner, there are no changes to the squad which beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the third and final test to sweep the series 3-0 last week.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley confirmed on Wednesday that the 2008 champion will receive a wildcard entry into the main singles draw for the tournament, which starts in Melbourne on January 20.
Rohit Sharma's second successive century was once again overshadowed by Australia's collective batting might as the hosts continued their dominance over Indian bowlers to notch up a seven-wicket victory in the second One-Day International in Brisbane.
'I do think, though, that Twenty20 cricket should become franchise dominated'
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams are among a number of players who will feature in an exhibition match ahead of this month's Australian Open to raise funds for bushfire relief efforts, organisers announced on Wednesday. All funds raised from the two-and-a-half hour event on January 15 at Rod Laver Arena -- called AO Rally for Relief -- will be donated to the relief cause with tickets priced at A$54 ($37.09).
Former world number one Amelie Mauresmo upset top seed Ana Ivanovic 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the semi-finals of the Brisbane International on Thursday.
With fire in their bellies, former Grand Slam champs Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are targetting a fresh return to the tennis courts in 2017.
Wen Johnson (24) had intruded into the pitch at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium just before the drinks break in the final at around 3pm, but was immediately apprehended by security personnel as he approached batter Virat Kohli.
The American world number one extended her winning streak over the Russian to 14 matches.
Victoria Azarenka's Australian Open preparations were complicated on Friday when "a bad pedicure experience" forced the World No. 1 to withdraw from her Brisbane International semi-final against Serena Williams.
"There was extra bounce and occasional excessive seam movement. The odd delivery also kept low on the second day, making it very difficult for batters to build partnerships."
'>'God, thank you for bringing me here safely. I am so happy and I feel so blessed with friends and family, especially you Lord.'
Maria Sharapova's pain at losing a 14th straight match to nemesis Serena Williams will be eased by the thought that she can compete at the highest level again after being sidelined for four months with a shoulder injury.
World number two Maria Sharapova will doubtless be anxious to settle a few scores at the year's first major -- the Australian Open.
India batter Suryakumar Yadav had his first practice session Down Under in Brisbane on Sunday, and the batter said his main focus going into the nets was to assess the conditions.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is looking to become a permanent member of the Olympic Movement following the inclusion of T20 cricket in the programme of 2028 Olympics, its chairman Greg Barclay said on Monday.
Australia's gruelling summer conditions claimed three more victims on Monday when Vera Zvonareva, Victoria Azarenka and Marion Bartoli all pulled out of the Sydney International because of injury and illness.
Serena Williams credited a more subdued lifestyle on Tuesday for the current form which has put her on track to succeed fellow-American Chris Evert as the oldest world one in women's tennis.
Mohammed Shami was named as the replacement for the injured Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup.
Kim Clijsters may have eased through the draw so far, but her experience on important points, knowing when they were and how to win them also helped her against Daniela Hantuchova.
Former world number one Serena Williams suffered an injury scare less than two weeks ahead of the Australian Open on Wednesday when the American was forced out of the Brisbane International with a badly twisted ankle.
Australia will play host to a Twenty20 international game against the Rest of the World squad during the Super Series down under
Kim Clijsters avoided following US Open champion Sam Stosur out of the Brisbane International tournament when she beat Iveta Benesova 6-3, 6-2 on Thursday to advance to the semi-finals.
Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Brisbane International with an ankle injury but the former world number one still expects to be fit for the Australian Open next month.
The other key issues to be taken up at the summit, which is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will include raising the global GDP by an additional 2 per cent in the next five years and boosting infrastructure sector funding.
Australian Open holder Djokovic will make his ATP Cup debut for Serbia against South Africa in Brisbane on Saturday while Nadal will lead Spain into action against Georgia in Perth on the same day.
With the hope that 2017 will be a prosperous and peaceful year, Indian sports personalities took to Twitter to wish their fans a Happy New Year.
Leander Paes has preferred the Brisbane International over India's only ATP event, the Chennai Open, and the fans will definitely miss him, but tournament organisers said they have learnt to live without India's most celebrated player.
Fast bowler Mohammad Wasim also returned to the World Cup squad after recovering fully from a side strain he suffered during the Asia Cup.
India will face defending champions Australia and New Zealand in their ICC T20 World Cup warm-up games on October 17 and October 19 respectively.
Belgium's Justine Henin made a triumphant return to professional tennis with a 7-5, 7-5 win over Russia's Nadia Petrova in the Brisbane International first round on Monday.
The time away from tennis has helped Justine Henin "grow up" as an individual and the former world number one is confident she is returning to the tour a better player.
Novak Djokovic's preparations for the defence of his Australian Open title suffered an unexpected setback on Tuesday when the Serb was knocked out of the Brisbane International in the first round. The 21-year-old world number three lost his debut match at the brand new Pat Rafter Arena to former training partner Ernests Gulbis of Latvia 6-4, 6-4.
Former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis crashed out of the Brisbane International on Monday with a first round loss to Finland's Jarkko Nieminen. Baghdatis, who developed a cult following in Australia during his fairytale run to the 2006 Australian Open final, squandered an early lead to lose 5-7, 6-1, 6-4.
Haneef was arrested by Australian police after a tip-off from their British counterparts about his possible connection to bomb attacks in London and Glasgow.
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