Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has said that the Indian team under Virat Kohli has the “best chance to beat Australia” in the absence of their premier players Steve Smith and David Warner. Cricket Australia’s board has resolved to respond to the call to lift the bans on Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft by next week, but indications are they are not ready to bring the trio back to international cricket early.“This is like the Indian team not having Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. It’s a huge factor,” said Ganguly. “It’s a great moment for Indian cricket. This is their best opportunity to beat Australia,” the former India captain added.Having suffered defeats in their earlier overseas Test series in South Africa and England, Virat Kohli and his try will try and salvage some pride if they manage to win in Australia.

Depleted Warriors down Hawks

Jonas Jerebko recorded a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double in place of suspended Draymond Green, helping the Golden State Warriors pull away from the Atlanta Hawks for a 110-103 victory in Oakland. The Hawks led by as many as six points in the first half and 58-53 early in the third period before Jerebko, Klay Thompson and Quinn Cook drilled 3-pointers in a 17-2 flurry that turned the game for good in Warriors’ favour. Results: Cleveland 113 bt Charlotte 89; Houston 109 bt Denver 99; Golden State 110 bt Atlanta 103.

AFC warns Iran over interference

The Asian Football Confederation has warned Iran that they could face sanctions ahead of January’s Asian Cup over government interference in their national football association. It follows the Iranian parliament passing a law barring the employment of retirees in government, state or public institutions which use state funds or facilities. Local media reported that the law applied to the current president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) Mahdi Taj and a number of other board members. The AFC said in a statement issued  that they were “closely monitoring the current issues” and that the FFIRI stressed that it was a non-governmental organisation.

Anand seals blitz title in style

Wins at home after 16 years

Legendary Viswanathan Anand stepped it up in grand style to win the inaugural Tata Steel Chess India Blitz Tournament beating overnight leader Hikaru Nakamura in the play-off in Kolkata. Placed fourth after the first leg, the 48-year-old had a dream run on the final day to secure six wins and three draws in the nine rounds to draw level with the world No 3 American Nakamura to force a play-off. In the tworound play-off, which was faster than blitz in a reduced time format of a three-minute game, Anand won with white pieces, before drawing with black to seal the issue 1.5-0.5.

Bob Melvin, Braves’ Brian Snitker win Managers of the Year

Oakland Athletics skipper Bob Melvin and Atlanta Bravesmanager Brain Snitkerwere named the Managers of the Year for the 2018 season. Melvin received the American League award while Snitker took home National League honors, courtesy of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Snitker, 63, led the Braves to a 90-72 record in 2018. The Braves were 59-65 in his first season and improved to 72-90 in 2017, before making the 18-win jump this season. Melvin, 57, has been a skipper for 15 seasons, spending his last eight years with the Athletics. The 2007 National League Manager of the Year and 2012 American League Manager of the Year led the Athletics to a 97-65 finish in 2018, his highest win total as a manager.

Mystery lung problem forces former Oz all-rounder Hastings to retire

Former Australia all-rounder John Hastings has retired from all cricket, citing the risks posed by a bleeding lung condition that has confounded doctors. The 33-year-old, whose final international was a one-day match against New Zealand in 2017, stopped playing last month and revealed that he was coughing up blood when bowling in domestic cricket. Hastings told media  media that doctors were unable to guarantee he would not have a fatal bleed when playing, forcing his retirement. “There was just a lot of grey area surrounding long-term health, whether it was causing any damage, and if there was any potential to have a fatal bleed on the field,” Hastings said. “They just really couldn’t say yes or no. And I wasn’t happy with that.”