Harbhajan, Srinath get MCC life membership

London: India’s Harbhajan Singh and Javagal Srinath have been awarded life membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), joining 16 other cricketers who were given the honour this year. The MCC, based at Lord’s, is the custodian of cricket laws. Harbhajan and Srinath both enjoyed fine international careers. Harbhajan is India’s third-highest wicket-taker in Tests with 417 dismissals in 103 Tests and more than 700 plus international wickets across formats. Srinath, currently an ICC Elite Panel Match Referee, is one of India’s greatest fast bowlers with 315 ODI wickets and 236 Test victims.

Stockholm

Indian women ready for Swedish friendly

With three recent international wins under its belt, a confident Indian women’s football team will take on Swedish top-tier league side Hammarby IF in a friendly match here on Wednesday. This is the first of the two friendlies the Indian team will play in the Scandinavian country. As part of preparations for next year’s women’s AFC Asian Cup, the Indian women played four matches recently — they beat UAE 4-1, lost 0-1 to Tunisia, then beat Bahrain 5-0 and Chinese Taipei 1-0.

London

Last-gasp Lacazette earns Arsenal draw with Palace

Substitute Alexandre Lacazette struck with the last kick of the game to give Arsenal a rollercoaster 2-2 home draw with Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Monday after the visitors had fought back from a goal down. Superb second-half goals from Christian Benteke and Odsonne Edouard had turned the match on its head after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave Arsenal an early lead but Palace were denied a win as Lacazette netted at the death.

Melbourne

Unvaccinated players will not get visa for Australian Open?

Unvaccinated tennis players are unlikely to get a visa to travel to Australia and play in the Australian Open Grand Slam, a government official said. “…if they did get a visa they’d probably have to quarantine for a couple of weeks,” Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews said. Andrews made the comments after men’s world No. 1 and defending champion Novak Djokovic declined to reveal his vaccination status.

Lausanne

AIBA introduces belts, white gloves for World C’ships

The international boxing association (AIBA) has decided to introduce commemorative belts and white gloves, instead of the traditional red and blue, during the upcoming men’s World Championships in Belgrade, calling the move a symbol of “fresh start”in the controversy-marred sport. Agencies