Germany central defender Jerome Boateng returned to training today after overcoming a muscle injury, and appeared fit for Sunday&#39;s Euro 2016 round of 16 clash against Slovakia. 
 
Boateng picked up a calf muscle injury towards the end of their 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland this week, and his participation on Sunday was in doubt. 
 
He did not train with the team on Friday, undergoing an individual session involving cycling and jogging, and seemed fit on Saturday, as Germany prepare for their departure to Lille later in the day. 
 
The 27-year-old, who has resumed his World-Cup winning partnership in central defence with Mats Hummels, has helped the world champions keep a clean sheet in all three of their group stage matches in the tournament so far. 
 
The winner of the round of 16 match will next play either Italy or Euro holders Spain in the quarter-finals. 
 
(Reuters)

Boateng injured his calf towards the end of their 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland and his participation on Sunday was in doubt

Germany central defender Jerome Boateng returned to training today after overcoming a muscle injury, and appeared fit for Sunday's Euro 2016 round of 16 clash against Slovakia. Boateng picked up a calf muscle injury towards the end of their 1-0 victory over Northern Ireland this week, and his participation on Sunday was in doubt. He did not train with the team on Friday, undergoing an individual session involving cycling and jogging, and seemed fit on Saturday, as Germany prepare for their departure to Lille later in the day. The 27-year-old, who has resumed his World-Cup winning partnership in central defence with Mats Hummels, has helped the world champions keep a clean sheet in all three of their group stage matches in the tournament so far. The winner of the round of 16 match will next play either Italy or Euro holders Spain in the quarter-finals. (Reuters)

Germany's Jerome Boateng back in training for Slovakia game

Spain&#39;s right back Juanfran says his costly penalty shootout miss in Atletico Madrid&#39;s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid has made him a better player at Euro 2016. 
 
Less than three weeks have passed since the veteran&#39;s spot kick hit the post and Cristiano Ronaldo converted the winning penalty for Real Madrid. 
 
Juanfran started in Spain&#39;s 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic in Group D on Monday and is expected to be in the lineup again when the champions take on Turkey on Friday. 
 
&quot;I&#39;ve always overcome difficult times,&quot; the 31-year-old told Marca. &quot;I knew this would make me stronger, even from a personal standpoint. I&#39;m better than I was and after that final, I&#39;m ready for anything.&quot; 
 
&quot;I will never forget it but you learn to live with it. Each game represents a re-match and Monday&#39;s game was a new opportunity for me.&quot; 
 
Juanfran says he has received nothing but support since the setback to Real and even the sales of his Atletico jersey have increased. He is convinced the national team has the potential to win a third straight title. 
 
&quot;We are our biggest opponents and it all depends on the hunger we have,&quot; he said. &quot;If we want to reach the final and we are convinced of it and we give all that we have then, we will make it.&nbsp;We need work, show humility and the quality will do the rest.&quot; 
(Reuters)

The Spanish right back is convinced that the national team has potential to win a third straight title

Spain's right back Juanfran says his costly penalty shootout miss in Atletico Madrid's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid has made him a better player at Euro 2016. Less than three weeks have passed since the veteran's spot kick hit the post and Cristiano Ronaldo converted the winning penalty for Real Madrid. Juanfran started in Spain's 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic in Group D on Monday and is expected to be in the lineup again when the champions take on Turkey on Friday. "I've always overcome difficult times," the 31-year-old told Marca. "I knew this would make me stronger, even from a personal standpoint. I'm better than I was and after that final, I'm ready for anything." "I will never forget it but you learn to live with it. Each game represents a re-match and Monday's game was a new opportunity for me." Juanfran says he has received nothing but support since the setback to Real and even the sales of his Atletico jersey have increased. He is convinced the national team has the potential to win a third straight title. "We are our biggest opponents and it all depends on the hunger we have," he said. "If we want to reach the final and we are convinced of it and we give all that we have then, we will make it. We need work, show humility and the quality will do the rest." (Reuters)

I am ready for anything, says Spain's Juanfran

UEFA said today that it regretted the unrest on the streets of Lille overnight on the eve of the Euro 2016 soccer match between England and Wales, but it stopped taking any action to punish fan violence. 
 
French riot police charged and used tear gas to disperse rowdy English soccer fans on yesterday night. Police said about 50 people were hurt during Wednesday, 16 of whom were hospitalised. 
 
&quot;UEFA regrets the skirmishes which occurred in Lille last night. Police forces made several arrests and were quick to restore order and keep the situation under control,&quot; said UEFA, European soccer&#39;s governing body,in their statement. 
 
It made no reference to any action it might take. 
 
After violence in the Mediterranean port of Marseille before and after England&#39;s 1-1 draw with Russia on Saturday, UEFA warned England that a repetition of fans&#39; violent behaviour could see the team expelled. 
 
UEFA also told Russia that it would be disqualified if there was repeat of their fans&#39; violent behaviour, which included attacks on England supporters in the stadium as the match ended. 
 
Lille was seen as a potential flashpoint for trouble, with Russia also playing in the northern town on Wednesday. The Russians lost 2-1 to Slovakia. 
 
England&#39;s match with Wales in the same Euro 2016 group was due to take place in nearby Lens later on Thursday. 
 
One England fan complained that police had over-reacted on Wednesday night. 
 
&quot;This is a bunch of good fans having a good time. What&#39;s happening is the police are trying to enclose people,&quot; he told Reuters. &quot;It&#39;s not hooliganism at all, it&#39;s just a bunch of guys having a good time, having a good drink, that&#39;s it.&quot; 
 
Separately, police in Lyon in southeast France said two fans suffered stab wounds in a fan zone there. 
 
Lyon police said one of those wounded, a Frenchman, had told them that one of his attackers wore an Albania football shirt. 
 
France beat Albania 2-0 in another of Wednesday&#39;s games. 
 
Marseille police also said a further 20 Russian fans were to be expelled from France, while three others were to go on trial. 
(Reuters)

After violence in Marseille, UEFA warned English fans that repetition of hooliganism can disqualify England from the event

UEFA said today that it regretted the unrest on the streets of Lille overnight on the eve of the Euro 2016 soccer match between England and Wales, but it stopped taking any action to punish fan violence. French riot police charged and used tear gas to disperse rowdy English soccer fans on yesterday night. Police said about 50 people were hurt during Wednesday, 16 of whom were hospitalised. "UEFA regrets the skirmishes which occurred in Lille last night. Police forces made several arrests and were quick to restore order and keep the situation under control," said UEFA, European soccer's governing body,in their statement. It made no reference to any action it might take. After violence in the Mediterranean port of Marseille before and after England's 1-1 draw with Russia on Saturday, UEFA warned England that a repetition of fans' violent behaviour could see the team expelled. UEFA also told Russia that it would be disqualified if there was repeat of their fans' violent behaviour, which included attacks on England supporters in the stadium as the match ended. Lille was seen as a potential flashpoint for trouble, with Russia also playing in the northern town on Wednesday. The Russians lost 2-1 to Slovakia. England's match with Wales in the same Euro 2016 group was due to take place in nearby Lens later on Thursday. One England fan complained that police had over-reacted on Wednesday night. "This is a bunch of good fans having a good time. What's happening is the police are trying to enclose people," he told Reuters. "It's not hooliganism at all, it's just a bunch of guys having a good time, having a good drink, that's it." Separately, police in Lyon in southeast France said two fans suffered stab wounds in a fan zone there. Lyon police said one of those wounded, a Frenchman, had told them that one of his attackers wore an Albania football shirt. France beat Albania 2-0 in another of Wednesday's games. Marseille police also said a further 20 Russian fans were to be expelled from France, while three others were to go on trial. (Reuters)

UEFA "regrets" overnight soccer violence ahead of England-Wales match

Zimbabwe have appointed Graeme Cremer as captain of a 16-man squad named on Thursday for the two-test series against New Zealand starting next week. 
 
The 29-year-old spinner replaces Brendan Taylor in the role for Zimbabwe&rsquo;s first test since they lost three matches in Bangladesh in late 2014. 
 
Four uncapped players &ndash; Chamu Chibhabha, Prince Masvaure, Peter Moor and Taurai Muzarabani were selected in the squad for the matches in Bulawayo. 
 
The first test begins next Thursday and the second on Aug. 6. 
 
It will be the first test at the Queens Sports Club in almost five years since New Zealand won a one-off match there by 34 runs in November 2011. 
 
New Zealand play Zimbabwe A in a three-day practice match at the Harare Sports Club on Friday before flying to Bulawayo. 
 
Squad 
 
Graeme Cremer (captain), Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Hamilton Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Peter Moor, Richmond Mutumbami, Taurai Muzarabani, Njabulo Ncube, Donald Tiripano, Sean Williams. 
 
(Reuters)

The 29-year-old spinner replaces Brendan Taylor in the role for Zimbabwe?s first test since they lost three matches in Bangladesh in 2014

Zimbabwe have appointed Graeme Cremer as captain of a 16-man squad named on Thursday for the two-test series against New Zealand starting next week. The 29-year-old spinner replaces Brendan Taylor in the role for Zimbabwe’s first test since they lost three matches in Bangladesh in late 2014. Four uncapped players – Chamu Chibhabha, Prince Masvaure, Peter Moor and Taurai Muzarabani were selected in the squad for the matches in Bulawayo. The first test begins next Thursday and the second on Aug. 6. It will be the first test at the Queens Sports Club in almost five years since New Zealand won a one-off match there by 34 runs in November 2011. New Zealand play Zimbabwe A in a three-day practice match at the Harare Sports Club on Friday before flying to Bulawayo. Squad Graeme Cremer (captain), Sikandar Raza Butt, Regis Chakabva, Brian Chari, Tendai Chatara, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Craig Ervine, Hamilton Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Peter Moor, Richmond Mutumbami, Taurai Muzarabani, Njabulo Ncube, Donald Tiripano, Sean Williams. (Reuters)

Cremer named Zimbabwe captain for test return

West Indies vice-captain Kraigg Brathwaite has admitted that his side will face an uphill task against overwhelming favourites India and insisted that the hosts will need to produce an all-round performance to begin the four-match series on a winning note. 
 
The 23-year-old opener observed that his side&#39;s batsmen need to be perseverant on sluggish surfaces while bowlers need to be disciplined in terms of line and length to maintain stranglehold over the Virat Kohli-led side in the opening Test starting at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground today. 
 
&quot;I think the main thing with these pitches in the Caribbean is patience and I think once we carry that both facing their pacers and spinners we will make some big targets. You know it`s important for that first innings total,&quot; Brathwaite was quoted as saying by the WICB website. 
 
&quot;Will need that 300 and above and once we do that we put ourselves in a good position to go forward in the game positively. Looking at their batting again it`s not going to be easy but we are accustomed to these conditions so we know once we get our lengths right and we bowl to some specific field. We will be good,&quot; he said. 
 
Brathwaite, however, said he was satisfied with the performance of bowlers and batsmen during the camp session in Barbados last weekend. 
 
He said, &quot;The bowlers got some good spells and the batsmen got some good spells from the bowlers and the assistant bowlers that came and help. Also I think the guys are looking well coming from that camp. I think we are ready for this series&#39;&#39;. 
 
The opener also stated his primary motive will be to provide a solid foundation for his side so that middle order batsmen can capitalise on it to post big totals. 
 
(ANI)

The opener stated his primary motive will be to provide a solid foundation for his side so that middle order batsmen can capitalise on it

West Indies vice-captain Kraigg Brathwaite has admitted that his side will face an uphill task against overwhelming favourites India and insisted that the hosts will need to produce an all-round performance to begin the four-match series on a winning note. The 23-year-old opener observed that his side's batsmen need to be perseverant on sluggish surfaces while bowlers need to be disciplined in terms of line and length to maintain stranglehold over the Virat Kohli-led side in the opening Test starting at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground today. "I think the main thing with these pitches in the Caribbean is patience and I think once we carry that both facing their pacers and spinners we will make some big targets. You know it`s important for that first innings total," Brathwaite was quoted as saying by the WICB website. "Will need that 300 and above and once we do that we put ourselves in a good position to go forward in the game positively. Looking at their batting again it`s not going to be easy but we are accustomed to these conditions so we know once we get our lengths right and we bowl to some specific field. We will be good," he said. Brathwaite, however, said he was satisfied with the performance of bowlers and batsmen during the camp session in Barbados last weekend. He said, "The bowlers got some good spells and the batsmen got some good spells from the bowlers and the assistant bowlers that came and help. Also I think the guys are looking well coming from that camp. I think we are ready for this series''. The opener also stated his primary motive will be to provide a solid foundation for his side so that middle order batsmen can capitalise on it to post big totals. (ANI)

It's not going to be easy against India, says West Indies Vice-Captain Brathwaite

Milos Raonic made Roger Federer feel his age at Wimbledon on Friday as the Canadian sharp-shooter bombarded Centre Court with a succession of 140 mph missiles to flatten the seven-time champion and reach his first grand slam final. 
 
Raonic appeared to be down and out as he trailed Federer by two-sets to one and 15-40 in the fifth game of the fourth set, but somehow he managed to cling on for a 6-3 6-7(3) 4-6 7-5 6-3 win, and became the first Canadian man to reach a major final. 
 
&quot;It&rsquo;s an incredible comeback for me,&quot; said the sixth seed, who will be seeking to win his first grasscourt title when he meets 2013 champion Andy Murray on Sunday in a repeat of last month&#39;s Queen&#39;s Club final.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I was struggling throughout the third and fourth sets, he was playing some really good tennis and just on a little opening I managed to turn it around and finish it off in a great match.&nbsp;I showed a lot of emotion today, always positive, and that&rsquo;s what got me through. Mentally I had one of my best matches in my career and I think that&rsquo;s what made the biggest difference.&quot; 
 
Federer, who had survived a five-set thriller two days ago against Croatian Marin Cilic, added: &quot;He fought. He believed, like I did against Cilic. Credit to him for hanging in there.&quot; 
 
 
STAYING POWER 
The Swiss had come into the tournament with &quot;no idea&quot; about his own staying power as he had been forced to miss last month&#39;s French Open with a back injury. 
 
Some of those questions were answered when he recovered from two sets and three match points down to beat Cilic, but many pundits believed Raonic&#39;s younger limbs would deliver the knockout blow as two days was not enough for a 34-year-old&#39;s body to recover from such a taxing showdown. 
 
Yet, incredibly, it was Raonic, 25, who appeared to be heading for a second semi-final defeat in three years against Federer as the third seed surged ahead and earned two break points in the fifth game of the fourth set. 
 
Raonic kept his wits about him to save both, and he survived a third in the ninth game as his thunderbolt serve got him out of trouble again. 
 
When Federer moved to 40-0 in the 12th game, the contest was poised to enter a fourth-set tiebreak. But two days after the Swiss boldly stated that &quot;my second serve has always been there for me,it never lets me down&quot;, guess what? It let him down. 
 
Two successive double faults brought Raonic to deuce and while Federer saved two set points -- with an unreturnable serve and a volley winner, his luck ran out on the third. 
 
A blazing backhand passing shot had Raonic pumping his fists towards his support box as a shell-shocked Federer, who had come back from two sets and three match points down to beat Cilic on Wednesday, was left wondering how the set got away from him. 
 
&quot;Federer had it all going his way, but you couldn&#39;t script that this would go on and on,&quot; exclaimed Raonic&#39;s grasscourt mentor John McEnroe. 
 
MENTAL SCARS 
The 17-time grand slam champion, who was about to contest his 10th set in three days, called on the trainer to massage his aching limbs back to life, but it was the mental scars that could not be rubbed away. 
 
Four games into the final set, with the score at deuce, Federer rolled his left ankle as he lunged after a flying forehand winner from Raonic and found himself sprawled face down on his beloved turf. 
 
He lay still for what seemed an eternity before getting back to his feet and then slumped into his chair rather than heading for the baseline.&nbsp;The crowd started to chuckle, wondering if Federer was staging a sit-in protest, but in fact he had called on the trainer again to manipulate his left knee and leg. 
 
The Swiss, chasing a record-extending 11th appearance in the final, managed to save that break point but Raonic refused to let him off the hook and four points later the Canadian had the break for 3-1 as he ended a dazzling net exchange with a rasping crosscourt passing shot. 
 
From them on there only seemed to be one winner and, after firing down 23 aces, with his fastest serve being clocked at 144 mph, Raonic bagged a place in the final when Federer floated a tired forehand long to end the three hours 25 minutes duel. 
 
&quot;This one clearly hurts, because I could have had it. I was so, so, close,&quot; summed up Federer after coming off second best for the first time in 11 Wimbledon semi-final appearances. 
 
(Reuters)

Federer, the 17-time Grand Slam champion, rolled his ankle as the young Canadian fired down 23 aces

Milos Raonic made Roger Federer feel his age at Wimbledon on Friday as the Canadian sharp-shooter bombarded Centre Court with a succession of 140 mph missiles to flatten the seven-time champion and reach his first grand slam final. Raonic appeared to be down and out as he trailed Federer by two-sets to one and 15-40 in the fifth game of the fourth set, but somehow he managed to cling on for a 6-3 6-7(3) 4-6 7-5 6-3 win, and became the first Canadian man to reach a major final. "It’s an incredible comeback for me," said the sixth seed, who will be seeking to win his first grasscourt title when he meets 2013 champion Andy Murray on Sunday in a repeat of last month's Queen's Club final. "I was struggling throughout the third and fourth sets, he was playing some really good tennis and just on a little opening I managed to turn it around and finish it off in a great match. I showed a lot of emotion today, always positive, and that’s what got me through. Mentally I had one of my best matches in my career and I think that’s what made the biggest difference." Federer, who had survived a five-set thriller two days ago against Croatian Marin Cilic, added: "He fought. He believed, like I did against Cilic. Credit to him for hanging in there." STAYING POWER The Swiss had come into the tournament with "no idea" about his own staying power as he had been forced to miss last month's French Open with a back injury. Some of those questions were answered when he recovered from two sets and three match points down to beat Cilic, but many pundits believed Raonic's younger limbs would deliver the knockout blow as two days was not enough for a 34-year-old's body to recover from such a taxing showdown. Yet, incredibly, it was Raonic, 25, who appeared to be heading for a second semi-final defeat in three years against Federer as the third seed surged ahead and earned two break points in the fifth game of the fourth set. Raonic kept his wits about him to save both, and he survived a third in the ninth game as his thunderbolt serve got him out of trouble again. When Federer moved to 40-0 in the 12th game, the contest was poised to enter a fourth-set tiebreak. But two days after the Swiss boldly stated that "my second serve has always been there for me,it never lets me down", guess what? It let him down. Two successive double faults brought Raonic to deuce and while Federer saved two set points -- with an unreturnable serve and a volley winner, his luck ran out on the third. A blazing backhand passing shot had Raonic pumping his fists towards his support box as a shell-shocked Federer, who had come back from two sets and three match points down to beat Cilic on Wednesday, was left wondering how the set got away from him. "Federer had it all going his way, but you couldn't script that this would go on and on," exclaimed Raonic's grasscourt mentor John McEnroe. MENTAL SCARS The 17-time grand slam champion, who was about to contest his 10th set in three days, called on the trainer to massage his aching limbs back to life, but it was the mental scars that could not be rubbed away. Four games into the final set, with the score at deuce, Federer rolled his left ankle as he lunged after a flying forehand winner from Raonic and found himself sprawled face down on his beloved turf. He lay still for what seemed an eternity before getting back to his feet and then slumped into his chair rather than heading for the baseline. The crowd started to chuckle, wondering if Federer was staging a sit-in protest, but in fact he had called on the trainer again to manipulate his left knee and leg. The Swiss, chasing a record-extending 11th appearance in the final, managed to save that break point but Raonic refused to let him off the hook and four points later the Canadian had the break for 3-1 as he ended a dazzling net exchange with a rasping crosscourt passing shot. From them on there only seemed to be one winner and, after firing down 23 aces, with his fastest serve being clocked at 144 mph, Raonic bagged a place in the final when Federer floated a tired forehand long to end the three hours 25 minutes duel. "This one clearly hurts, because I could have had it. I was so, so, close," summed up Federer after coming off second best for the first time in 11 Wimbledon semi-final appearances. (Reuters)

Raonic ends Federer's run to reach first major final

India fast bowler Mohammed Shami has offered positive feedback on the pink ball in Indian conditions, after it was used on an experimental basis during a domestic game at Eden Gardens. 
 
In April, India&#39;s cricket board decided that one game of an upcoming three-test series against New Zealand would be a day-night affair, pending trials of the pink ball. 
 
The 26-year-old, who picked up five wickets playing for Mohun Bagan in the day-night final, said South Asian conditions favoured swing with the pink ball, which was an exciting prospect. 
 
&quot;With red or white balls, there was some visibility problem as it took (on) the colour of grass,&quot; he was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India. 
 
&quot;Definitely I will prefer this (pink) ball, this is much better. The biggest plus point is (the swing) under lights, what else does a bowler want? It&#39;s challenging for both batsmen and bowlers. 
 
&quot;If we can maintain the dryness, I&#39;m sure it will reverse. It did (reverse), I noticed.&quot; 
 
Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha echoed Shami&#39;s sentiments but said pace would prove challenging for batsmen. 
 
&quot;Every ball is swinging a bit either way which was never the case with the red (ball). The visibility is perfect,&quot; Saha told PTI. &quot;But batsmen will have problem if a pacer consistently bowls at 140 km per hour.&quot; 
(Reuters)

In April, India's cricket board decided that one game of an upcoming three-test series against New Zealand would be a day-night affair

India fast bowler Mohammed Shami has offered positive feedback on the pink ball in Indian conditions, after it was used on an experimental basis during a domestic game at Eden Gardens. In April, India's cricket board decided that one game of an upcoming three-test series against New Zealand would be a day-night affair, pending trials of the pink ball. The 26-year-old, who picked up five wickets playing for Mohun Bagan in the day-night final, said South Asian conditions favoured swing with the pink ball, which was an exciting prospect. "With red or white balls, there was some visibility problem as it took (on) the colour of grass," he was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India. "Definitely I will prefer this (pink) ball, this is much better. The biggest plus point is (the swing) under lights, what else does a bowler want? It's challenging for both batsmen and bowlers. "If we can maintain the dryness, I'm sure it will reverse. It did (reverse), I noticed." Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha echoed Shami's sentiments but said pace would prove challenging for batsmen. "Every ball is swinging a bit either way which was never the case with the red (ball). The visibility is perfect," Saha told PTI. "But batsmen will have problem if a pacer consistently bowls at 140 km per hour." (Reuters)

Indian pacer Shami gives the thumbs up to pink balls for day-night tests

Japan striker Takashi Usami, one of the country&#39;s most coveted players, is set to join German Bundesliga side Augsburg, his J-League club, Gamba Osaka said today. 
 
The 24-year-old, who helped Gamba achieve a domestic treble in 2014 and has previously had spells at Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim, will play his final J-League game at home to Nagoya Grampus this weekend. 
 
Usami joined German giants Bayern on loan as a teenager in 2011 amid much fanfare in Japan, scoring six goals in 18 appearances but ultimately failing to force his way into the side for Bundesliga games. 
 
The former J-League young player of the year subsequently moved on to Hoffenheim, where he endured a season of frustration before returning to Osaka, helping them return to the top flight after a season in division two. 
 
Augsburg, who finished 12th in the Bundesliga last season, currently have three South Korean internationals on their books, including former skipper Koo Ja-Cheol and former Sunderland striker Ji Dong-Won. 
 
(AFP)

Takashi Usami joined Bayern Munich on loan as a teenager in 2011 amid much fanfare in Japan, scoring six goals in 18 appearances

Japan striker Takashi Usami, one of the country's most coveted players, is set to join German Bundesliga side Augsburg, his J-League club, Gamba Osaka said today. The 24-year-old, who helped Gamba achieve a domestic treble in 2014 and has previously had spells at Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim, will play his final J-League game at home to Nagoya Grampus this weekend. Usami joined German giants Bayern on loan as a teenager in 2011 amid much fanfare in Japan, scoring six goals in 18 appearances but ultimately failing to force his way into the side for Bundesliga games. The former J-League young player of the year subsequently moved on to Hoffenheim, where he endured a season of frustration before returning to Osaka, helping them return to the top flight after a season in division two. Augsburg, who finished 12th in the Bundesliga last season, currently have three South Korean internationals on their books, including former skipper Koo Ja-Cheol and former Sunderland striker Ji Dong-Won. (AFP)

Japan striker Usami set for Augsburg switch

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir became the first South African to claim seven wickets in a One-Day International as the Proteas demolished West Indies in St Kitts on Wednesday. 
 
Tahir served up a rich variety of deliveries to claim 7-45 from nine overs as the South Africa won by 139 runs, dismissing the bewildered West Indies for 204 in 38 overs at Warner Park. 
 
Earlier, Hashim Amla scored 110 off 99 balls to notch his 23rd career ODI century, sharing an opening partnership of 182 with Quinton de Kock (71) to set the visitors on their way to a formidable 343-4. 
 
West Indies made a bright start in reply with openers Johnson Charles and Andrew Fletcher compiling a quickfire 69 before the latter holed out at deep mid-wicket for 21 from the last ball of the ninth over to give Tahir his first wicket. 
 
The result was never in doubt once Charles, who scored 49, was sent packing in the 13th over. 
 
Tahir&#39;s haul included the scalp of World Twenty20 hero Carlos Brathwaite, who was clean bowled by a wicked googly for a golden duck. 
 
In his 58th match, Tahir became the fastest South African bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets, and the fourth quickest overall. 
 
Tahir said he had not realised he needed only two wickets to crack the century until a pre-match phone call came from his wife. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m grateful she reminded me,&quot; the 37-year-old said. &quot;I&#39;m really pleased.&quot; 
 
West Indies captain Jason Holder offered no excuses. 
 
&quot;We weren&#39;t good enough today and were totally outplayed. We didn&#39;t bowl well, especially the first 10 overs,&quot; he said. 
 
South Africa&#39;s victory leaves the triangular series evenly poised, with the Proteas, West Indies and Australia all on two wins from four matches. 
 
South Africa, thanks to two bonus points, lead the standings with 10 points, followed by Australia on nine and West Indies on eight. 
 
The series shifts to Barbados for three more matches from Sunday and the hosts face the biggest challenge if they are to make the June 25 final. 
 
&quot;Probably one (victory) out of two games will be enough for us to go to the final,&quot; said South African captain AB de Villiers. 
(Reuters)

In his 58th match, Imran Tahir became the fastest South African bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets, and the fourth quickest overall

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir became the first South African to claim seven wickets in a One-Day International as the Proteas demolished West Indies in St Kitts on Wednesday. Tahir served up a rich variety of deliveries to claim 7-45 from nine overs as the South Africa won by 139 runs, dismissing the bewildered West Indies for 204 in 38 overs at Warner Park. Earlier, Hashim Amla scored 110 off 99 balls to notch his 23rd career ODI century, sharing an opening partnership of 182 with Quinton de Kock (71) to set the visitors on their way to a formidable 343-4. West Indies made a bright start in reply with openers Johnson Charles and Andrew Fletcher compiling a quickfire 69 before the latter holed out at deep mid-wicket for 21 from the last ball of the ninth over to give Tahir his first wicket. The result was never in doubt once Charles, who scored 49, was sent packing in the 13th over. Tahir's haul included the scalp of World Twenty20 hero Carlos Brathwaite, who was clean bowled by a wicked googly for a golden duck. In his 58th match, Tahir became the fastest South African bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets, and the fourth quickest overall. Tahir said he had not realised he needed only two wickets to crack the century until a pre-match phone call came from his wife. "I'm grateful she reminded me," the 37-year-old said. "I'm really pleased." West Indies captain Jason Holder offered no excuses. "We weren't good enough today and were totally outplayed. We didn't bowl well, especially the first 10 overs," he said. South Africa's victory leaves the triangular series evenly poised, with the Proteas, West Indies and Australia all on two wins from four matches. South Africa, thanks to two bonus points, lead the standings with 10 points, followed by Australia on nine and West Indies on eight. The series shifts to Barbados for three more matches from Sunday and the hosts face the biggest challenge if they are to make the June 25 final. "Probably one (victory) out of two games will be enough for us to go to the final," said South African captain AB de Villiers. (Reuters)

Tahir spins South Africa to victory over West Indies

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