Cricket: West Indies versus India third ODI

West Indies keep series alive

West Indies recorded their first tour victory over India by capturing the third One Day International match played at Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad by 16 runs.

In the day to night encounter, India won the toss, leaving the West Indies to bat. The West Indies posted 260 runs for the loss of five wickets in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to 58 runs by Marlon Samuels, 41 runs not out from Captain Darren Sammy and 40 runs not out from Andre Russell.

India in their reply was bowled out for 244 runs in 46.5 overs. "Man of the Match" pace bowler Ravi Rampaul produced a fine opening spell, claiming three wickets in eight overs and then returning to wrap up with the final match wicket in his ninth over. Rampaul finished with four wickets for 57 runs. The only Indian batsman to offer any resistance was Sharma, who made 95 runs before being run out.

Soccer: World / Brazil

The Great Dr. Socrates passes on

Soccer fans, former and current players alike are mourning the death of the former captain of the 1982 and 1986 Brazilian national team, "Dr. Socrates." Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff said Brazil lost "one of its most cherished sons."

"On the field, with his talent and sophisticated touches, he was a genius," she said in a statement. "Off the field ... he was active politically, concerned with his people and his country."

Former president of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also expressed his sadness for the loss.

"Socrates' generous contribution to Corinthians, to football and to the Brazilian society will never be forgotten," said Silva, an outspoken fan of Corinthians, the club where Socrates thrived in the 1980s.

"Socrates seemed like a player from another era," former Italian forward Paolo Rossi told the ANSA news agency. "You couldn't place him in any category – on the pitch and even more so off it. Everyone knew about his degree in medicine and he had a lot of cultural and social interests as well. He was unique from every point of view."

For us at the sports desk at the National Weekly, we will always remember that wonderful right footed strike against Russia in Brazil's opening World Cup match in 1982; that gentle side footed strike to beat Italian goal keeper Dino Zoff on his near post in Brazil's final game of the World Cup 1982. And of course his penalty kick against Poland in 1986, that nestled in the top right hand corner of the net after taking three steps to the ball – the most effortless penalty ever seen in a World Cup match.

The Albert Einstein hospital said in a statement that Socrates died of septic shock. [Full name] Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, he is survived by his wife and six children. Rest well great one.

Soccer: CONCACAF Women U-17

"Soca Princesses" capture CFU title

Trinidad and Tobago's "Soca Princesses" defeated arch rival Jamaica 1-0 to capture the Caribbean Football Union trophy with a goal from Canada-based Diarra Simmons in the 65th minute.

Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago with continue to the next round with The Bahamas, who defeated Guyana by a similar 1-0 score line for the third place advance to the final stage of the CONCACAF Under-17 World Cup tournament. Bahamas' goal was scored by Keisha McCartney in the 43rd minute.

The "Soca Princesses" have so far scored 58 goals in total during their qualification campaign and have yet to concede a single goal.

Basketball: NBA /Miami Heat

Heat seeks Christmas Day revenge

The Miami Heat will open their 2011-12 season against defending NBA champions Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Miami will want to send an early message – we are back and nobody can stop us now. Let's see what the Big Three and company have in store for us.

They will play their opening home game on December 27, 2011 against division rivals Boston Celtics. What a way to start the season!