De Villiers keeps Broad ball-tampering issue alive

Deepak Jain>Thu, Jan 07 10 01:09 PM

London, Jan 7 (ANI): To keep pressure on the England team even though match officials said that there was no evidence of ball tampering, South African cricketers are continuing to make an issue of the television footage.

Middle-order batsman AB de Villiers said "it is not on to climb on to the ball with your spikes." This is what Stuart Broad was filmed doing on Tuesday morning.

"It was a little bit naughty. Although I wouldn't say that he deserves to be banned, I do think it should be looked at - definitely," The Telegraph quoted, De Villiers, as saying.

De Villiers's frustration can be well reflected after South Africa decided not to file a written complaint.

According to Dr Mohammed Moosajee, South Africa's team manager, they took advice from match officials before deciding to let the matter drop.

"There was a concern raised about the condition of the ball. If you looked at TV footage you could clearly see that there was an indentation on the ball, and there were marks that went across," Moosajee said.

"It was taken up to the match referee, Roshan Mahanama, who then looked into the matter and said he was quite happy that no further action needed to be taken. And we accepted that," he said.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by the International Cricket Council, South Africa's failure to put in an official charge by the start of play means that the issue is now closed.

But De Villiers seems to clearly disagree with South Africa's team policy. "I think there should be a formal complaint with a ball that was reversing after that incident. There was clearly a piece of the leather off the ball after he stepped on it and it is not the first time that it happened." (ANI)

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Alarm bells are ringing for Red Devils

Deepak Jain>Thu, Jan 07 10 12:53 PM

India, Jan. 6 -- Manchester United one of the biggest club in the world. The name itself gives goose bumps to rivals when they face Red Devils. But lately their on filed performance has been off colour. Though they are just 2 points behind the League leader Chelsea and there is still a long way to go before the season ends, yet consistency level this season has been well below their own mark. They are no more the menacing rivals as they were in the last season where they could destroy opponents at will. Last Sunday when they played Leeds United in FA Cup, it was like a reality check; they were shown the exit doors at their own home turf. This season United have already lost 3 matches at home in all the four competitions. The stadium a symbol of Red Devil's dominance and considered to be a citadel once has been conquered by the teams which are no patch on the caliber and class of Red Devils. There is always the danger of extreme reaction when the team has produced a string of bad results and inconsistent performance. The team has, it seems, lost the X factor. United fans, manager and players are not used to having such a depressing season; they are addicted to success. The team is really low on confidence and many former United legends have blamed it on lack of leaders like Steve Bruce, Roy Keane, Andy Cole, David Beckham. Except for Wayne Rooney, no player is interested in giving their lives on the pitch. All other players are interested in doing their job, which means staying on the pitch for 90 minutes regardless how pathetically they are performing. (for ex Nani, Anderson, Carrick) The fact is that Ferguson's men have been struggling for fluency and that attacking play which we are accustomed of seeing since last so many years. Still there is no sense of urgency even after losing 5 times half way this season as compared to 5 loses in whole of the last season. Man united coach Alex Ferguson needs to make good use of the January opening in the transfer market if he wants to turn the tide. However, he has already told that United are in no need of any fresh player. Soccer pundits feel that this smugness will cost Mr. Ferguson dearly. There are still world class players who are available in transfer market such as Frank Ribery, David Villa, David Silva and many more, but despite having funds to scout the transfer market in his pocket, Fergie refuses to budge from his position and says current squad is good enough to win title. However, results don't support his assertion. At Old Trafford being good is not good enough, you have to be the best if you have to play for Red Devils, so I guess hair drying treatment could be out any time by the manager and player should pull up their socks if they have to be remembered in the history of Manchester United.

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Malaysia circuit extends MotoGP deal

Deepak Jain Thu, Jan 07 10 12:49 PM

Organisers of the Malaysian MotoGP, Moto2 and 125cc races are to agree a five-year extension to continue hosting the event and will secure a place for a local rider to compete in the championship until 2015.

The deal to be signed with rights holders Dorna, subject to ministry approval, is a further boost for the sport in Malaysia, with the expected announcement of a team from the Southeast Asian country competing in the 125cc class.

"If we agree to the deal with Dorna, it comes with the understanding that we will have a Malaysian rider competing until 2015," Razlan Razali, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chief executive officer, told the Malasian Star newspaper on Thursday.

"The aim is to develop young talent to participate in future world championships. After all, what is the point of having a Malaysian Motorcycle GP with no promising local talent coming up?"

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Felicitation controversy mars opening day

Deepak Jain>Thu, Jan 07 10 12:43 PM

Guwahati, Jan. 6 -- The opening day of any national championship is normally a story of one-sided matches with out-of-court happenings taking centre-stage. The start to the 74th Senior National Badminton Championship here on Wednesday was no different with Jwala Gutta alleging that the organisers and the Badminton Association of India (BAI) were not giving doubles players their due. The organisers had initially planned to felicitate only Saina Nehwal for her achievements last year by handing over the keys of a swank car to the Indonesia Open champion. But Jwala's outburst on Tuesday night and the passive support from some other doubles players was enough for the Assam Badminton Association (ABA) to hurriedly add the mixed doubles pair's (Jwala and V. Diju) name to the list. The duo was given a purse of Rs one lakh each. Jwala, however, did not turn up for the ceremony and Diju also received her cheque. ABA secretary Omar Rashid played down the issue but confirmed that the decision to felicitate Jwala and Diju came was an afterthought. "Ideally, it's our prerogative to decide whom we should felicitate. But since they made an issue, we decided to honour their sentiments."

The only category that saw a close contest was mixed doubles. Fourth seed Pranav Chopra (Air India) and Maharashtra's Prajakta Sawant warded off the challenge from qualifiers Alwyn Francis and P. Jyotsna 21-18, 21-9. Jwala and Diju strolled through their opening round tie with an easy win over Saurabh Aggarwal and Abhilasha Tewari.

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Pak CJ orders inquiry into finances of PCB

Deepak Jain>Wed, Jan 06 10 05:56 PM

A fresh problem awaits Pakistan Cricket Board after the nation's Chief Justice (CJ), Chaudhary Iftikhar Muhammad has directed the National Accountability Bureau to hold an independent inquiry into the allegations of financial mismanagement against the PCB.

Disposing off an application filed by a PCB employee Razaullah Khan, who had pleaded to the Chief Justice to take sue motto notice of the financial irregularities unearthed by the Auditor General of Pakistan in an audit of the board accounts between 2003 and 2008, Iftikhar Chaudhary asked the NAB to hold an inquiry into the matter.

Razaullah, an old cricket administrator, pointed out in his application that although the Auditor General had raised serious objections in his audit report and even though Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had issued a directive for an inquiry into the allegations, nothing has been done about the matter till now.

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Pak CJ orders inquiry into finances of PCB

Deepak Jain>Wed, Jan 06 10 05:53 PM

A fresh problem awaits Pakistan Cricket Board after the nation's Chief Justice (CJ), Chaudhary Iftikhar Muhammad has directed the National Accountability Bureau to hold an independent inquiry into the allegations of financial mismanagement against the PCB.

Disposing off an application filed by a PCB employee Razaullah Khan, who had pleaded to the Chief Justice to take sue motto notice of the financial irregularities unearthed by the Auditor General of Pakistan in an audit of the board accounts between 2003 and 2008, Iftikhar Chaudhary asked the NAB to hold an inquiry into the matter.

Razaullah, an old cricket administrator, pointed out in his application that although the Auditor General had raised serious objections in his audit report and even though Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had issued a directive for an inquiry into the allegations, nothing has been done about the matter till now.

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Indians chill out indoors at team hotel

Deepak Jain Wed, Jan 06 10 05:29 PM

Dhaka, Jan 6 (PTI) Indian cricketers enjoyed the rest day by chilling out in the confines of the team hotel as going outdoors being not advisable due to security concerns. The team did not have a practice session today ahead of their crucial second match against Bangladesh tomorrow. The players had light workouts at the hotel gymnasium in the morning and in the afternoon they hung out at the poolside and at a couple of showrooms in the hotel. Yuvraj Singh had a long swimming session at the pool at the ground floor of the hotel and that was the best shot the few Indian cameramen covering the tri-series got today. Ashish Nehra, Gautam Gambhir and Amit Mishra, besides maverick pacer S Sreesanth, spent some time at the poolside with the Delhi trio seen having a great time among themselves with animated conversations. Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Yuvraj, Sreesanth and Mishra shopped at the musical outlet at the ground floor. The shop owner said they bought mostly DVDs of English movies and chocolates. Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara also came down in the evening to buy some DVDs and CDs and had a chat with Mishra, who was already there to buy his choice of DVDs. Sangakkara came without any security personnel around him even though the Sri Lankan team has come here with their own security experts.

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Jayawardene, two others flown in to prop up Lanka

Deepak Jain Wed, Jan 06 10 05:09 PM

Philem Dipak Singh Mirpur (Bangladesh), Jan 6 (PTI) Three Sri Lankans cricketers, including former captain Mahela Jayawardene, were flown in today to prop up a side which is struggling to put 11 fit men together in the ongoing cricket tri-series. Sri Lanka team manager Brendon Kuruppu said besides Jayawardene, who was part of the Sri Lankan team that played an ODI series in India last month, the other two players are uncapped wicket-keeper batsman Lokuge Dinesh Chandimal and left-handed batsman Mahela Udawatte. Kuruppu said Chamara Silva and Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, who were injured during Sri Lanka''s opening match against Bangladesh, would return home while in-form opener Tillakaratne Dilshan would stay back despite the groin strain he suffered during his match-winning knock of 104 against the hosts. "Jayawardene, Chandimal and Udawatte have arrived here, while Silva and Pushpakumara will return home. We are hoping that Dilshan will be okay and will play a part in some point of time in the tournament, which is why we have kept him here," Kuruppu told PTI. "Dilshan though is unlikely for our next game (against Bangladesh on January 8)," he added.

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25 Football World Cup matches to be broadcast in 3D

Deepak Jain>Wed, Jan 06 10 04:39 PM

London, Jan 6 (ANI): Viewers will be able to watch 3D broadcast of part of the 2010 football World Cup matches after sports broadcaster ESPN decided to film 25 of the matches in 3D in South Africa.

After years of technology experts predicting that 3D would take off, it is for the first time that a 3D broadcast will be seen in anyone's home. he announcement was made as television companies prepare to unveil their latest 3D sets at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, The Telegraph reports.

The likes of Sony, LG and Samsung are all expected to announce that 3D televisions will be available for sale in the United States and Britain in a matter of months.

It is unclear when the ESPN broadcasts will be available outside of the US, but an ESPN spokesman said it was unlikely to be available to British viewers until after the World Cup.

Viewers will not only need to invest in an expensive new television, they will also need to wear special dark glasses to enjoy the full experience. (ANI)

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Azad rails DDCA for entangling Kotla fiasco in wordweb

Deepak Jain Wed, Jan 06 10 04:23 PM

New Delhi, Jan 6 (PTI) Lashing out at the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) for using the "poor pitch" argument to save Ferozshah Kotla from a ban, former Test player Kirti Azad today said the body is trying to justify its failure by engaging in a "legal war of words". "As a cricketer, I fail to understand what is the difference between a poor pitch and an unfit pitch. I find it strange that DDCA wants the ICC to allow international matches at a poor pitch, if we accept their plea," Azad said. The Kotla is facing the prospect of a ban after the an India-Sri Lanka one-dayer at the stadium had to be abandoned due to a dangerous pitch. Azad, who stormed out of the DDCA AGM a few days ago on the matter, said DDCA''s failure is "unforgivable" and the body should pay for the embarrassing fiasco. "It''s strange that while experts and players like Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh and even Mahendra Singh Dhoni find the pitch unplayable, the administrative bosses try to justify their failure," he said through a written statement. The former India cricketer also said that he would soon meet Sports Minister M S Gill and demand that the government make it mandatory for all the Sports Federations to appoint 50 percent ex-sportsmen in their Executive.

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Force India eyes top half in 2010 Championship

Deepak Jain>Wed, Jan 06 10 04:09 PM

On a high after last season's fairytale show, Force India has set itself a target of finishing in the top half of the Formula One championship this year.

In an interaction with journalists, Force India driver Adrian Sutil and Chief Operating Officer Otmar Szafnauer said the team would have to be regularly among the points this season so that they finish inside the top 5-6 in the Constructor's Championship table.

"We finished 2009 well, that's why it's important to continue the trend. We have to be competitive and point-scoring is the main goal," Sutil said in a matter-of-fact manner.

"It was in the second half last season that we started doing well and we have to continue that trend," said the lanky German driver, who would spearhead Force India's campaign this season.

Szafnauer put it more succinctly when he said the team would hope to finish in the top half.

"It's crucial to continue the same kind of performance and maintain the same level. I say so because the closer we get to the front of the grid, the tougher it is to take those further steps," said the Romania-born electrical engineer.

"However, our goals would be to be a regular point-scorer and to get as high as possible in the championship table. Depending on how many teams compete, we want to be in the top half anyway, above the middle," he said.

"In 2009, although we were very good in the end, we finished just one place ahead of the bottom. We want to do better this time and be in the top half this year," said Szafnauer.

Asked if Force India would miss Giancarlo Fisichella, who earned the team's first point and podium in Belgian Grand Prix last year, Otmar said Formula One is not just about the drivers.

"Fisi had a world of experience but our drivers (Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi) have been with the team for a while. Our team is not about one racing driver but 288 people. Although he was very talented, I think will be very good without him," said Szafnauer who has worked with Jaguar and Honda in the past. Sutil, meanwhile, felt Fisichella's exit actually augured well for him.

"He was good for the team but once he left, I took the chance. I thought now I will show the world what I can do. It increased my responsibility but not in the negative sense," Sutil said.

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Wenger tells Arsenal players momentum is with them to win Premier League

Deepak Jain>Wed, Jan 06 10 03:59 PM

London, Jan 6 (ANI): Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has declared war on Chelsea and Manchester United by telling his players that the momentum is with them at present to win the Premier League.

The Gunners will move to within one point of leaders Chelsea if they beat Bolton. And Wenger is convinced that his team have the advantage over their title rivals after completing a 10-point turnaround during the holiday period.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti recently claimed that Wenger was a good magician for predicting the Blues' Christmas collapse.

"One month ago we were a long way from the top teams, but now we have momentum on our side and the chance to keep that going. I said when we lost to Chelsea at the end of November that they would drop some points, but I never expected it to happen so quickly," The Sun quoted Wenger, as saying.

"One month has given us a good springboard to go even further. Why should we stop here when we have taken so many points from our opponents? We refused to give up. The mental strength and solidarity of my players has been tested and they have come through it.

"Now I know that within our team we have a great hunger for success. We are a team that has grown up together and now we want to win things together. What was most important was how we responded to the opportunity to come back when the other teams dropped points," he said.

"We have put ourselves in a better mathematical situation and we must keep up that momentum by being consistent. We are on a good run and we want to test the resistance of the other teams. We have a good opportunity to get close to Chelsea and we want to take it," Wenger added.

Wenger is aware his young team have little experience of going the distance. But he is adamant his youngsters are better equipped this time.

"I believe we can cope with all the demands, especially with Gael Clichy, Cesc Fabregas and Nicklas Bendtner soon coming back from injuries. The title race will be different because there are six or seven teams challenging for the top four," he said. (ANI)

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Jeev looking for double celebration

Deepak Jain Wed, Jan 06 10 03:39 PM

Chonburi (Thailand), Jan 6 (PTI) Ace Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh is anticipating a double celebration this month with a Royal Trophy triumph followed by the birth of his first child. His wife, Kudrat, is expecting their first baby at the end of January and although Jeev is reluctant to be away from home he could not resist the chance to represent Asia against Europe. "This is an exciting time for me and while I am on such a high about things, I am hoping it will transfer over to my golf, so that I can have as great a week," said Jeev who will be an important cog in the Asia''s title defence against Europe in the fourth edition of the event which gets underway at the Amata Spring Country Club on Friday. "We still have a few weeks before the baby is due and everything seems to be going fine, so I was very keen to play here," he said. According to Jeev, Asia''s triumph augured well for the golfers from this continent. "It was so important for Asia to win last year, because that victory has done wonders for the profile of the Event. That result helped to establish it as a great and fiercely-fought Competition. .

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Beckham's AC Milan stint to seal his England ticket for 2010 World Cup

Deepak Jain>Wed, Jan 06 10 03:23 PM

London, Jan 6 (ANI): Ace midfielder David Beckham is certain of his ticket to the England team for the 2010 World Cup after being promised regular first-team football with AC Milan.

Beckham is back in Italy for a second loan spell and could play for the Rossoneri against Genoa at the San Siro tonight.

England boss Fabio Capello warned Beckham that he needs to be playing regularly in Europe if he is to make the squad for South Africa. But Milan coach Leonardo revealed that he expects Beckham to be more than just a bit-part player as AC Milan.

Beckham made 20 appearances under Carlo Ancelotti in last season's loan stint with Milan. Although Ancelotti is now at Chelsea, it appears his successor is happy with the loan deal, The Sun reports.

"We have a lot of matches and he will have a lot of football over the next few months. David will have plenty of opportunities because there is no doubt he is going to be an extremely important player for us over the rest of the season," Leonardo said.

"Not many English players do well in Serie A. That is true. But Beckham has adapted his life here. He has created a good relationship with everyone. He trains hard, he sacrifices himself. He works hard and does everything we ask. It is impossible for a player like him not to be successful," he said.

"He is always motivated which is very special. We have created a good relationship with him from the last time. I genuinely believe David feels at home here, which is important. David has been here over a week now and he has not lost his condition since playing in the US," Leonardo added. (ANI)

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Sportech to relaunch football pools in tabloids

Deepak Jain Wed, Jan 06 10 02:29 PM

British sports betting games the football pools and Spot the Ball will be revived in the redtop newspapers after gaming business Sportech signed a new deal with Trinity Mirror.

Sportech, which currently operates the pools online and via newsagents, betting shops Ladbrokes, and a network of home visitor collectors, said on Wednesday it would reintroduce the game in the national Daily Mirror from January.

"Many of the readers of The Daily Mirror will have played, or known, the Classic Football Pools and Spot the Ball in the past, and we are pleased to be able to introduce these traditional games," said Sportech CEO Ian Penrose.

The pools is a game where players guess the outcome of football matches, scoring points for draws, while in Spot the Ball players guess the location of the ball from a stock photo with the ball erased.

The original pools operator, Littlewoods, was formed in 1923 and bought by Sportech in 2000.

Sportech shares were up 1.8 percent at 57.8 pence at 08:06 GMT.

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Briatore's lifetime ban for fixing Formula One race lifted

Deepak Jain>Wed, Jan 06 10 01:53 PM

London, Jan 6 (ANI): Former Renault boss Flavio Briatore, who was banned from Formula One for fixing the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, has had his lifetime ban lifted, plunging the sport into chaos.

The Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris ruled that the Italian's ban for fixing was illegal.

But Briatore's friend and grand prix supremo Bernie Ecclestone said that Briatore will not attempt a comeback, and warned the Crashgate scandal is not over yet.

Team chief Briatore had ordered Nelson Piquet Jnr to crash to help fellow Renault driver Fernando Alonso win the race, The Sun reports.

Ecclestone, a member of the World Council, which banned Briatore, said: "It's not over by a long way. Just because a bloody judge has said what he's said doesn't make any difference.

"The court said it was wrong, so the FIA can start all over again and it will go on and on,' he said.

Briatore, 59, is manager to double world champ Alonso, now at Ferrari, and Red Bull's Mark Webber.

The decision means he is free to continue in his role as co-owner of Championship outfit QPR with Ecclestone.

Brazilian Piquet blew the whistle on the scandal after being sacked last July for poor results.

He revealed Briatore and technical director Pat Symonds ordered him to crash, forcing the safety car on, which helped Alonso win as his rivals had to pit. (ANI)

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Sunburnt Murray leads Britain to second win in Perth

Deepak Jain>Wed, Jan 06 10 01:49 PM

Andy Murray misjudged the strength of the Perth sun but timed everything else to perfection as he led Britain to a 2-1 win over Germany to move a step closer to the final of the Hopman Cup mixed team event on Wednesday.

Laura Robson pushed Sabine Lisicki before going down 7-6 6-3 in the women's singles rubber but the world number four trounced Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4 6-1 before teaming up with the teenager to win the deciding mixed doubles 6-3 6-2.

Victory over Russia in their final round-robin match on Friday would ensure Britain's place in the final of the traditional Australian Open warm-up event.

Following on from his routine win over Andrey Golubev in Britain's win against Kazakhstan on Monday, Murray looked sharp from the start and was far too good for Kohlschreiber.

Murray has vowed to become more aggressive in 2010 and the Scot was true to his word as he stormed 4-1 clear thanks to some crisp hitting.

PERTH HEAT

The only blip came when he dropped his serve in the seventh game and Kohlschreiber levelled at 4-4, but he broke again to win the set and then roared through the second set in just 17 minutes.

After cruising through his two singles matches this week, Murray admitted that the scorching Perth weather was causing him as much trouble as any of his opponents.

"My back is on fire," he told reporters. "I practised yesterday with my shirt off and I got so, so burnt.

"(But) I served really well and didn't really give him too many chances on my serve. I think that was the main difference."

Robson gave world number 22 Sabine Lisicki a real fright with a performance way above her 15 years.

The Briton served for the first set at 5-4 but a touch of inexperience let the German back in and though Robson led the tiebreak 5-4 with a mini break, Lisicki pinched it 7-5 and then took the second set by virtue of three breaks to one.

When it came to the mixed doubles, Robson more than held her own as she and Murray romped to their second victory in three days to clinch victory.

Murray had joked that his back was sore after the first match because he had carried Robson, but the 15-year-old said she had got her own back this time.

"You know I think I did," Robson said.

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Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates 2010 - with grapes!

Deepak Jain>Wed, Jan 06 10 01:39 PM

London, Jan 6 (ANI): Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo welcomed the New Year by posing with a big bunch of grapes.

Ronaldo, 24, who was posing for a publicity photograph, was taking part in a Spanish custom, which required him to scoff a grape in between the chimes of midnight on New Year's Eve in Spain, reports the Sun.

Dressed in classic black tie, the winger went on to toast the start of the new decade with a glass of fizz.

The footie found Premier League glory with champions Man Utd. (ANI)

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