GROIN INJURY MAY FORCE DALE STEYN OUT OF ACTION
CAPE TOWN: South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn could be set for another stint on the sidelines after picking up a groin injury in a County match on Monday. The 35-year-old was unable to complete his 11th over for Hampshire against Nottinghamshire at Southampton and was forced to leave the field. Steyn has had a horrible run of injuries over the last two years, hampering his bid to become South Africa’s record Test wicket-taker, though he did equal the record in Sri Lanka last month. Steyn and Shaun Pollock have each taken 421 Test wickets. A serious shoulder injury kept him out for most of last year before a heel problem sustained in his comeback Test against India in February sidelined him once more.
Afghanistan see off Ireland in first T20 BELFAST: Hazratullah Zazai smashed a blistering 74 as Afghanistan beat Ireland by 16 runs in the opening T20I at Bready Cricket Club near Derry on Monday. The tourists posted 160/7 batting first after rain had reduced the match to 18 overs a side. Ireland fell short on 144-9, as star spinners Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman taking five wickets between them. Afghanistan will take a 1-0 lead into Wednesday’s second match of the three-game series, as they look to deny fellow new Test nation Ireland revenge for being pipped to qualification for next year’s World Cup.
Axar Patel shines on County debut for Durham NEW DELHI: India’s Axar Patel made a splash in his debut appearance for Durham, scoring a 99-ball 95 and scalping three as his side thrashed Glamorgan by an innings and 30 runs in a County Championship match at the Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Axar’s 2/10 in the first innings helped Durham restrict Glamorgan to 154, before the all-rounder played an attacking innings, studded with 12 fours and two sixes, to help his side take a 141-run lead. The 24-year-old took another wicket in the second innings as Durham registered a big win.