BITS AND PIECES

BITS AND PIECES

Australia batting coach Hick defends misfiring Warner

DHARAMSALA, India: Australia opener David Warner will assess his performance after failing yet again to improve his poor away record in the Test series against India, batting coach Graeme Hick said on Monday.

Warner averages nearly 60 at home but the number drops below 35 when the 30-year-old left-hander is batting abroad.

Fourteen of his 18 centuries came on home soil and the opener managed just one fifty in his eight innings in India.

“Obviously David will be very disappointed with his aggregate on tour,” Hick told reporters after the third day’s play in the fourth and final Test at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.

“He was desperate to have a very big tour and to have a very big influence here. Whether he put himself under a bit too much pressure to do so, only he can answer that.

“He will reflect on it, as champions do, and feel and assess it himself. But without a doubt, he is one of our major players and you would have hoped for a little bit more from him.”

Warner scored 56 in the first innings and six in the second and has struggled against the Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

“It is tough up front (with) Jadeja bowling into the rough and Ashwin bowls really well at him. (They) certainly questioned him,” Hick said.

“That’s the beauty of the game, it puts these challenges up between great players and makes it very interesting to watch. David will obviously be very disappointed with the way things have gone,” added the former England Test batsman. —Reuters

Lee Mi-Rim runs away with LPGA Kia Classic

LOS ANGELES, California: South Korean Lee Mi-Rim fired seven birdies in a seven-under par 65 on Sunday to post a record-equalling triumph in the LPGA Kia Classic in Carlsbad, California.

Lee’s 20-under par total of 278 matched the tournament record set by Cristie Kerr in 2015 — when the American powered past Lee for a two-shot victory.

Determined not to be disappointed again, overnight leader Lee opened her round with a birdie and birdied every other hole on the front nine as she pulled away from the field.

She finished six strokes in front of compatriot Ryu So-Yeon, who carded a 66, and American Austin Ernst, who posted a 67.

She claimed her third LPGA Tour victory and her first since winning twice in her rookie season of 2014.

Her total could have been even more impressive. At 16 she left an eagle attempt short, and she had a good look at a long birdie at the last.

Throughout much of the round it was Ryu giving chase.

She started the day five strokes off Lee’s lead, but pulled within three shots with three holes to play.

Although she was unable to convert several birdie attempts on the back nine, world number five Ryu said she was encouraged by her performance. “I think everything is right there,” Ryu said. “I just need to keep it patient and need to trust myself I’m good. Even though I haven’t won any tournament I just cannot really blame anything. I felt like everything is pretty great.”

Ernst had five birdies in her bogey-free effort. She started the day four off the lead and said she kept an eye on the scoreboard — where she saw Lee racing away from the field.

Subh-e-Nau organises Clay Court Tennis C’ship from April 7

KARACHI: Subh-e-Nau is organising Subh-e-Nau National Clay Court Tennis Championship at Pakistan Tennis Federation Complex in Islamabad from April 7.

Players will be seen in action in six categories: Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Ladies Singles, Boys Juniors U18 and Boys U14.

Mahvish Chishtie, a former national champion, will be the tournament director.  Finals will be played on April 12.

Raza cruises into tennis tourney final

KARACHI: Raza Sawani beat Amin Shafi in straight sets to qualify for the final of Pakistan National Junior Tennis Championship under-18 singles at Karachi Gymkhana here on Monday.

Raza faced little resistance from Amin and recorded a convincing 6-3, 6-0 victory.

In boys under-14 semi-finals, Rayyan Jawwad overcame Mahatir Mohammad by 6-2, 7-5.  Aashish Kumer also registered 6-2, 7-5 win against Yahya Ethasham.

In boys under-12 semi-final, Taha Amman blanked Hassan Jamal recorded an immaculate 6-0, 6-0 victory.