Aussies out to spoil Williamson and Southee’s 100th Test
Kalyanpur enters the quarterfinals in Kish Island
Zhang's lifts repeatedly found the lines, while Sindhu missed time and again. Soon the American reestablished a fivepoint lead at 1611 before grabbing eight game points. The Chinese converted when Sindhu sprayed into net again.
Zhang had good control over her shots as she led 30 with a couple of lovely drops in the second game. Sindhu managed to level things at 44 before pouncing on a weak return near the net to go 64 up.
Sindhu soon started dictating terms in the rallies to move to 95 with her steep returns troubling Zhang. The Indian held an 117 lead at the break. Sindhu opened an eightpoint gap with an overthehead smash which was followed by a cross hit.
The Indian moved to 11 game points with another precise return at the back and roared back into the contest when Zhang tossed one out.
Two smashes helped Zhang take a 42 lead in the decider but Sindhu made it 55 after winning a 34shot rally.
Zhang’s strokes were choppy as Sindhu moved to 85 before grabbing an 117 advantage.
Sindhu held on to the fourpoint lead at 1713 with another overthehead smash.
A drop shot gave Sindhu six match points and she sealed it when Zhang made a net error.
In women’s doubles, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand beat Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto 1621, 2119, 2117 in the first round.
Karthik.
Seamer Mitchell Starc said Australia’s bowlers aim to ensure New Zealand worldclass batsman Kane Williamson doesn’t stay long at the crease on his 100th Test appearance.
Both Williamson and New Zealand Test captain Tim Southee will play their 100th Test. Starc says the Australians want Williamson removed quickly.
“During the game, (the aim is) to make it as short as possible,” Starc told reporters on Wednesday when asked about Williamson’s milestone. Anytime you can get one of the best batters in the world out is always a nice little touch. The sooner the better.”
Williamson, who has chalked up nearly 9,000 Test runs, had a torrid time in the first game against Australia.
Starc said specialist spinner Lyon, who finished with ten wickets on the green wicket in Wellington, has a plan up his sleeve for Williamson.
“Nathan mentioned the other day he has worked something out, so we might just toss him the ball and let him go,” Starc joked.
The Australian paid tribute to the two New Zealanders’ lengthy careers.
“For Kane and Tim, it’s a huge milestone this week,” Starc added. “Especially for Tim we all know how taxing it can be as a fast bowler on the body, so to play 100 Tests is a huge achievement. I’m sure they will both enjoy the week. ”
Adil Kalyanpur defeated Fadi Bidan of Lebanon 63, 36, 63 in the prequarterfinals of the $15,000 ITF men’s tennis in Kish Island on Thursday.
Adil also made the doubles quarterfinals with Ishaque Eqbal.
The results:
$15,000 ITF, Sharm El Sheikh: Doubles, quarterfinals: Men: Petr Biryukov & Amr Elsayed (Egy) bt Ali Habib (GBR) & Madhwin Kamath 61, 64; Women: Jian Ibrahim & Sandra Samir (Egy) bt Mirjana Jovanovic (Srb) & Prathyusha Rachapudi 62 (retired).
$15,000 ITF men, Kish Island: Prequarterfinals: Adil Kalyanpur bt Fadi Bidan (Lbn) 63, 36, 63; Gabriel Donev (Bul) bt Ishaque Eqbal 61, 60; Doubles, prequarterfinals: Ishaque Eqbal & Adil Kalyanpur bt Dragos Cazacu & Gheorghe Schinteie (Rou) 63, 60.