QPlay: WI Pick Squad, Bolt On for Rio but More Golfers Pull Out

All the latest sports stories in The Quint’s morning wrap.

Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli during a training session in Bengaluru before leaving for the West Indies tour (Photo: AP)

1. West Indies Call up Chase, Drop Ramdin for India Series

Uncapped batsman Roston Chase has been included in the West Indies’ 12-man squad for the four-test series against India, while veteran wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin correctly predicted his exclusion.

Ramdin, who was replaced as captain by Jason Holder last year, tweeted he would not make the squad — despite his last two test innings of 59 and 62. Shane Dowrich will take his place.

The first test starts July 21 in Antigua.

The West Indies Cricket Board also announced Monday that fast bowler Jerome Taylor has retired from test cricket. The 32-year-old right-arm quick took 130 test wickets at an average of 34.46.

2. Kohli has Created a Positive Environment in The Team: Mishra

(Photo: AP)

Hailing Test skipper Virat Kohli’s positive mindset, leg-spinner Amit Mishra on Monday said the Delhi batsman has infused a new and positive environment into the Indian cricket team.

“(Virat) Kohli is a positive person and he has created a similar positive environment within the team. He always supports me. There are no boundaries. Whenever I want to share something with him, I am free to express my opinion,” Mishra, who is presently away in West Indies for the Test series told bcci.tv.

“He tells me, “You’re a wicket taking bowler and that is what you must do. You stay positive and stick to your strengths. Do not think about anything else”.

3. Euro Champions Portugal Return Home

Thousands of fans greeted Euro 2016 champions Portugal as they landed in Lisbon on Monday, chanting the name of goal hero Eder, whose extra-time screamer sealed the 1-0 victory over France.

After travelling in a plane named after the late striker Eusebio, coach Fernando Santos and captain Cristiano Ronaldo were greeted by rapturous applause from the 5,000-strong crowd as they lifted the country’s first major trophy aloft.

They were due to meet President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who said he would honour them with an award for distinguished acts of public service.

“I have to praise everyone. I will commemorate them with the Order of Merit of Commanders - that is a decree that has never been given to the national team,” he told broadcaster RTP.

4. Despite Injury, Bolt Named on Jamaican Olympic Team

(Photo: AP)

The Jamaican Olympic Committee released its delegation for next month’s Rio Games on Monday, and Usain Bolt is among the selections even though an injury kept him from formally qualifying at his country’s national championships.

Bolt is listed as a qualifier in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and 4x100-meter relay. He has six Olympic gold medals, sweeping those events at the Beijing Games in 2008 and the London Games in 2012.

Bolt withdrew from Jamaica’s national meet on July 1 with a slight tear in his left hamstring, doing so just before the 100-meter final. The 100 and 200 world-record holder is scheduled to compete in London on July 22 to confirm his fitness level for the Rio Games.

5. Jordan Spieth to Skip The Olympics

Jordan Spieth withdrew from the Olympics on Monday. From left are 2016 file photos showing Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jason Day, all four players have pulled out of the Rio Games. (Photo: AP)

Jordan Spieth withdrew from the Olympics on Monday, leaving golf without its top four players when the sport returns to the games for the first time since 1904.

The decision was announced by International Golf Federation President Peter Dawson.

Spieth is the latest golfer to say he was not going to Rio, telling the IGF it was for “health reasons.” He had until midnight Monday in Scotland to decide.

Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy previously withdrew, all citing the Zika virus. Day and Johnson have said they plan on having more children, while McIlroy is engaged and said he would soon be starting a family.

6. Maria Sharapova To Miss Rio Olympics

Maria Sharapova will miss next month’s Rio Olympics after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday decided to defer its decision on the Russian multiple grand slam champion’s appeal against a two-year doping ban until September.

Sharapova was seeking to have her ban, which was imposed on her by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in June, wiped out or reduced and a decision was initially expected to be announced by July 18.

The postponement of the ruling came as Sharapova and the ITF needed more time to “complete and respond to their respective evidentiary submissions”, the CAS said in a statement.