Smith doubtful for 2nd India-SAfrica test

Published Sat, Feb 13 10 01:29 PM

Kolkata, Feb. 13 -- South Africa captain Graeme Smith is in doubt for the second test against India starting Sunday, with the visitors needing only a draw to clinch a series victory and reclaim top spot in the world test rankings. Smith injured the little finger on his left hand during catching practice on Friday. A scan showed ligament damage that could threaten his participation in the Eden Gardens test. "There has been considerable swelling," media spokesman Michael Owen-Smith said. "We have to wait for the next 24 hours to see how things are." Smith was expected to test out the injury at a net session on Saturday. South Africa won the first test at Nagpur by an innings and six runs, but India will be strengthened by the return of some players from injury for the upcoming test. V.V.S. Laxman, who was a late withdrawal from the series opener, will be back, while pace bowler S.Sreesanth was included in the 15-man squad named Saturday, along with Dinesh Karthik and Suresh Raina. Those making way from the first test's 15-man squad were wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha and the pace duo of Sudip Tyagi and Abhimanyu Mithun. South Africa thought the wicket at Eden Gardens would suit the Indian spinners while negating its own pacemen led by Dale Steyn, but ground curator Prabir Mukherjee said the "wicket will be sporting one _ it would last for five days." Mukherjee denied that he received any official instruction to make the pitch a turning one to help India's chances of victory. Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) which oversees Calcutta matches, said "even if any instructions do come it is not possible to change the nature of the pitch overnight." A draw will be of no benefit to India, whose current hold on the No.1 ICC ranking was under severe threat. "We have got no choice but to go for a win," India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said. "Whatever be the condition here we will giving it our best shot. No matter how disappointing the loss at Nagpur was, it is time now to move ahead." ___ Squads: India : Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Murali Vijay, Sachin Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman, Subramanium Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Zaheer Khan, S.Sreesanth, Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ozha, Dinesh Karthik and Suresh Raina.

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Smith in doubtful for 2nd India-SAfrica test

Published Sat, Feb 13 10 01:25 PM

Kolkata, Feb. 13 -- South Africa captain Graeme Smith is in doubt for the second test against India starting Sunday, with the visitors needing only a draw to clinch a series victory and reclaim top spot in the world test rankings. Smith injured the little finger on his left hand during catching practice on Friday. A scan showed ligament damage that could threaten his participation in the Eden Gardens test. "There has been considerable swelling," media spokesman Michael Owen-Smith said. "We have to wait for the next 24 hours to see how things are." Smith was expected to test out the injury at a net session on Saturday. South Africa won the first test at Nagpur by an innings and six runs, but India will be strengthened by the return of some players from injury for the upcoming test. V.V.S. Laxman, who was a late withdrawal from the series opener, will be back, while pace bowler S.Sreesanth was included in the 15-man squad named Saturday, along with Dinesh Karthik and Suresh Raina. Those making way from the first test's 15-man squad were wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha and the pace duo of Sudip Tyagi and Abhimanyu Mithun. South Africa thought the wicket at Eden Gardens would suit the Indian spinners while negating its own pacemen led by Dale Steyn, but ground curator Prabir Mukherjee said the "wicket will be sporting one _ it would last for five days." Mukherjee denied that he received any official instruction to make the pitch a turning one to help India's chances of victory. Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) which oversees Calcutta matches, said "even if any instructions do come it is not possible to change the nature of the pitch overnight." A draw will be of no benefit to India, whose current hold on the No.1 ICC ranking was under severe threat. "We have got no choice but to go for a win," India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said. "Whatever be the condition here we will giving it our best shot. No matter how disappointing the loss at Nagpur was, it is time now to move ahead." Squads:

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Ashwell Prince, A.B. de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Jean-Paul Duminy, Alviro Petersen, Mark Boucher, Paul Harris, Johan Botha, Ryan McLaren, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn and Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

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Former Man U team-mate warns Becks of rough ride ahead of dream Old Trafford clash

Published>Sat, Feb 13 10 01:11 PM

London, Feb 13(ANI): AC Milan midfielder David Beckham has been warned by former Manchester United team-mate Teddy Sheringham that his dream clash at the Old Trafford will be a rough ride.

Sheringham reckons that United will unveil anti-Beckham tactics against their former hero in Tuesday's Champions League quarterfinal first-leg tie with Milan.

"Alex Ferguson knows everything about him. I'm sure he will make sure Patrice Evra plays right against him," The Sun quoted Sheringham, as saying.

"Beckham is still a fantastic crosser of a ball and United will be out to deal with him," he added.

Sheringham also believes that Beckham will go to this summer's World Cup finals, even if he fails to regain his regular starting role with the Italian giants.

"I don't think Fabio Capello will think of starting Beckham in the finals, so as long as he plays some games for AC I think he'll be OK," he said.

Beckham had earlier said that he was looking forward to be playing against the club where he won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and one Champions League trophy in a glorious ten-year period.

"The thing is with Manchester United and AC Milan, they have terrific respect for each other. That's between the managers, the players, the fans and the clubs. Emotionally, it is going to be very difficult after not playing there for seven years, but it is something I can't wait for now. To be back in that stadium will be fantastic," Beckham had said. (ANI)

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Capello worried over Rooney's huge burden at Man United

Published>Sat, Feb 13 10 12:59 PM

London, Feb 13(ANI): England football manager Fabio Capello has told his Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson to rest Wayne Rooney more often so that he is at his best during the World Cup in South Africa this summer.

Capello knows that he needs all his best players fit for the World Cup to have any chance of winning the tournament.

"Please, rest him sometimes. He plays every game. I need him more fresh to play in the World Cup," The Telegraph quoted Capello, as having said to his Manchester United counterpart.

Capello's request carried heightened worry after reports of Chelsea defender Ashley Cole's injury.

He further said he will also talk to Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, and ask him to keep his players fresh.

"Rooney is in a magical moment now, but he is not the only one who is important for me and plays so much. John Terry and Frank Lampard play every game too - I will have to speak to Carlo Ancelotti about that," Capello said. (ANI)

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Malik says no to T20 captaincy

Published>Sat, Feb 13 10 12:22 PM

Lahore, Feb.13 (ANI): Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has clarified that he has no desire to lead the national squad in the ICC T20 World Championship, which is scheduled to be played in May in the Caribbean.

Malik has conveyed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt that he is no longer interested in captaining the side.

Malik would be leading Pakistan in two T20 internationals against England in Dubai later this month in the absence of regular skipper Shahid Afridi, who has been banned on ball tampering charges.

According to sources, Butt had called Malik to discuss names of 30 probables for the forthcoming T20 World Championship, but the later advised him to consult fridi.

"I have no interest in the captaincy of Pakistan.I just want to play and play well, do well and help Pakistan win matches," The Daily Times quoted Malik, as saying.

Malik, who led the side in all three formats of the game till February last year, but was sacked following a home series defeat against Sri Lanka, criticized his teammates for the recent poor show.

He said players must stop making excuses and give their hundred percent for the country.

Taking a dig at captain Mohammed Yousuf, Malik said Pakistan was totally different side in the last two matches of the disastrous tour Down Under.

"If you compare the spirit in the first seven matches on the Australian tour to the spirit you saw in the last two matches, what was the difference? Wasn't it a totally different side? And who wasn't playing in those last two games?" he said.

Yousuf didn't play the fifth and final ODI at Perth and he is not a part of Pakistan's T20 team.

Yousuf had earlier blamed Malik and the Akmal brothers for creating disturbances in the dressing room. (ANI)

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ICC proud of IOC recognition

Published>Fri, Feb 12 10 06:10 PM

Dubai, Feb.12 (ANI): The International Olympic Committee session in Vancouver, Canada yesterday approved its Executive Board's decision to convert the 'provisional' recognition of the ICC to 'full recognition'.

Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive, said: "The ICC is extremely proud of the recognition given to our great sport by the IOC which we always considered to be our first step in becoming a part of the Olympic family.

"At this stage no consideration or decision has been made regarding participation or applying for approval to participate in the Olympic Games," he added. (ANI)

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FIH to continue with video umpire referrals in World Cup

Published>Fri, Feb 12 10 06:00 PM

New Delhi, Feb 12 (IANS) The International Hockey Federation (FIH) will continue the use of video umpire team referrals at the Hero Honda FIH World Cup, beginning here from Feb 28.

Under the current procedure, umpires may refer decisions to the video umpire when they are not convinced that they have taken, or are able to take, the correct decision relating to the awarding or disallowing goals, FIH said in a statement Friday.

In addition, and on the basis of the trial that was undertaken at the ABN AMRO Champions Trophy in Melbourne, Australia at the end of last year, each team will be allowed one team referral during the match (i.e. including any extra time periods and penalty stroke competitions).

If a referral is upheld, the referring team will retain its right of referral.

There is a slight change to the video umpire procedures following the Melbourne trials.

'Now any player, who is on the pitch at the time of the incident (rather than just the captain), can request a team referral. The player must indicate to the umpire that he wishes to use his referral. He must do so immediately after the incident or decision which is to be referred as well as confirming this verbally to the umpire,' FIH said.

The umpire will then request video umpire assistance and relay the necessary information by radio. The normal video umpire procedures will then be followed.

Ken Read, FIH Competitions Committee Chairman and Hero Honda FIH World Cup Tournament Director, said: 'We learned a lot about the team referral procedures in Melbourne. As a result we are confident that our experience from the Champions Trophy will help ensure that the system will be of real assistance in reducing any major umpiring errors which may impact upon the result of matches'

The team referrals trial provide for a wider range of referral possibilities than for the umpire referrals, but are restricted to decisions within the 23-meter area relating to the award (or non-award) of goals, penalty strokes and penalty corners.

The award of personal penalty cards may not be the subject of a team referral.

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France roundup-Bordeaux look to end rough patch

Published Fri, Feb 12 10 05:13 PM

Brief news before Ligue 1 before this weekend's matches.

* Off-form Girondins Bordeaux will be without their influential international midfielder Alou Diarra still nursing a groin injury for Sunday's home game against St Etienne.

The French League leaders slumped to a 4-2 defeat at Stade Rennes last weekend and were beaten 2-0 at home to Monaco in a French Cup match on Wednesday.

"We had planned to be in great shape in February, obviously we are not," Girondins coach Laurent Blanc said.

"We are not going to change everything and burn what we worshipped. But I'm waiting for a reaction from the whole team."

"We are going through a rough patch," said defender Matthieu Chalmet. "We must now prove what we are really worth. We know we have to bounce back."

* Monaco striker Chu Young-park is out after straining a thigh muscle during the 2-0 victory at Girondins Bordeaux on Wednesday. Nigeria's Moussa Maazou, who joined the principality club during the winter break, is almost certain to start up front against Olympique Marseille.

* After a 3-1 defeat at Racing Lens in a French Cup match, Olympique Marseille had more bad news with Brazilian striker Brandao sidelined by a left thigh injury for three weeks.

* Struggling Paris St Germain are without a victory in their last four league matches but striker Ludovic Giuly said the club's poor results stemmed primarily from "bad luck".

"When we concede a goal it looks like we are not capable to react," Giuly said. "Now our aim is to be in the first half of the table by the end of March."

Paris St Germain have slipped to 15th place in the standings after their 3-0 home loss to Lorient last weekend.

Young striker Stephane Sessegnon is suspended for the visit to Nancy on Saturday.

* Fourth-placed Olympique Lyon will miss Cameroon midfielder Jean Makoun through suspension.

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Brit fans angry over FA's "over the top" rules to tackle racism

Published>Fri, Feb 12 10 02:41 PM

London, Feb 12(ANI): British football fans have been angered by the Football Association's (FA) plans to bring in "over the top" rules to tackle racism in the game.

The new 10-point plan includes measures to get more Muslims and Jews playing the game, and policy makers want mascots who run out at England matches to be from ethnic minorities.

John Mann, head of the task force dealing with the issue, also said more needs to be done to weed out bigots from the game.

"In 2010 it is not acceptable that any footballer can be abused because of their race or religion at any level of the game," The Daily Star quoted Mann, as saying.

"Nor is acceptable than any part of football be prepared to excuse or ignore such prejudice. Progress has been rapid and real, but more is needed," he added.

However, critics said fans should be proud that the England team contains many black players with rich cultural backgrounds.

"We have come on leaps and bounds since the 1980s. The England team is about half black and half white and supporters no longer see a player by his colour," said Jon Keen, member of the Football Supporters' Federation.

"Supporters now police themselves - we don't need a raft of new rules and regulations," he added.

Other recommendations include introducing a hotline so that fans can text in on match days to complain about racist language from people sitting near them.

Meanwhile, an FA spokesman said that the report has been received and it is being considered. (ANI)

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English players can skip WC over security fears

Published>Fri, Feb 12 10 02:31 PM

Mumbai, Feb. 11 -- So far, the hockey World Cup was largely about an India team split wide open by the issue of who should be captain. On Thursday, security fears ensured that the tournament continues to be in the news for the wrong reasons. England have made participation optional for players and staff because they think India may not be safe. A top team official said pulling out of the tournament, where they play Australia on the opening day on February 28, is an option. Just like they did at the World Badminton championships in Hyderabad last year. "We are going to be part of an event where security is an issue. Staff and players have been briefed and we have given individual choice to players and staff if they wish to attend the World Cup or not," the team's high performance director David Faulkner said. England Hockey (EH) has sought detailed information from FIH, hockey's world body, on specific issues like security arrangements for the team on arrival and transportation plans at the team hotel and the venue. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Faulkner said they are waiting for details about security. "We would like to see what the finer details of the plans are, what would be there on the ground when it comes to the team's security." Faulkner said they are in touch with the British High Commission in New Delhi for inputs. "We have ourselves put in place some processes. We have done lot of work in this regard." Faulkner said no deadline's been set for a final decision. "We still have a week's time before the team leaves for Doha for a final camp. There is some time and we are hopeful of getting the details soon." That England aren't the only ones talking about security is apparent from FIH arranging for a 'full security briefing" for all 11 participating teams. "We are in constant contact with the teams and the authorities in New Delhi regarding security issues since we allocated the Hero Honda FIH World Cup to India in 2007. We also have planned a full security briefing to the participating teams in the next few days," said Arjen Meijer, FIH's communications manager. Sports ministry officials too confirmed teams' concerns. "We will soon reply to their concerns and I am confident they will be satisfied," said an official who can't be quoted be cause he isn't authorised to speak to the media. Should a team still pull out, the FIH said the show will go on.

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Sirsa stadium impresses players

Published>Fri, Feb 12 10 02:25 PM

Sirsa, Feb. 12 -- Forty-five days! No, we aren't talking about the documentary on Demon Hunter, a famous band. It's actually the number of days Shah Satnam ji cricket stadium was built in. Back in 2004, the now lush green stadium was a wasteland on the outskirts of Sirsa. But when Dera Sacha Sauda, a religious sect based in Sirsa, decided to convert it into a cricket stadium, the task took mere 45 days. On the 46th day, the stadium hosted an Indo-Pak veteran's match. Interestingly, the stadium with a seating capacity of 35,000 came up without any expenditure. The followers of the sect came out in hordes for 'kar sewa'; little concrete was used, except in the pavilions and the recently constructed stands, and that, too, was provided by builders without charging a penny. The wicket at the stadium has been prepared as per the BCCI guidelines. "We water the wicket regularly, roll it and take care of the grass throughout the year," said Charanjit Singh, the curator. No wonder, the stadium has left the players impressed. "We look for certain things like good wicket, good playing conditions and decent accommodation. "This place has everything," said Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya. "It would be wrong to compare it with the CCI or Mohali. We are happy with whatever they have," he said. Besides, he said, the crowd here's so disciplined. The stadium has hosted Ranji matches and a few List A matches in the last five years. Delhi face Punjab Delhi will take on Punjab in their next match on Friday. Punjab, who lost the first game against Haryana by just one run, are bringing in Mayank Sidana to strengthen their batting. "It seems even 300 is not safe on this wicket," said Punjab coach Bhupinder Singh (Sr). For Delhi, a medium-pacer will have to make way for Ashish Nehra, who has joined the team for the next match. Squads

Punjab - K Goel (captain), R Inder Singh, S Sohal, U Kaul, V Bhalla, M Singh, B Sharma, R Sharma, M Sidana, M Gony, J Singh, L Ablish, H Chawla, T Kohli, H Bansal, R Golu.

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Rajasthan cricket body secy raided

Published>Fri, Feb 12 10 02:11 PM

Jaipur, Feb. 12 -- The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday raided the office and residences of senior IAS officer and Secretary of the Rajasthan Cricket Association Sanjay Dixit and a suspected criminal in a passport verification case. The raids were conducted at five places - three in Jaipur, one in Todaraisingh in Tonk district and another in Lucknow, a CBI official said. Dixit, who is also the director of horticulture department and secretary of the Rajasthan Tennis Association, allegedly used his office for verifying Ranjeet Singh Panwar's certificate. Panwar, who is a suspected criminal according to the city's Mahesh Nagar police station, secured his passport on July 5, 2007 on the basis of this verification certificate. He was nabbed at the Delhi airport the same year while trying to go to China with a delegation, the official said. Dixit was secretary in the horticulture department in 2007. A minister in the state government had allegedly intervened for issuance of the certificate by Dixit.

CBI teams led by Superintendent of Police R.D. Kallia are conducting extensive searches in Dixit's office in the state secretariat, his residence in Gandhinagar locality and at a place in Lucknow, he said. Raids were also underway at Panwar's Todaraisingh house in Gopalpura area here.

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Don't expect a rank turner at the Eden Gardens

Published>Fri, Feb 12 10 01:55 PM

Kolkata, Feb. 11 -- National attention seems to have shifted to the pitch where the second Test between India and South Africa will be played from Sunday. India must win to level the series and everybody is keen to know how the 22-yard strip behaves. Or, to be specific, whether it offers turn. The pitch at Eden Gardens hasn't, of late, had bowlers looking forward to it with great expectation. Statistics show that India have won three of the last five Tests here. But the last one came close to five years ago and since then, the only Test and most first-class games have seen an excruciating struggle for wickets even on the final day. It's been a pitch where the wicketkeeper usually collects the ball from below his waist once it loses shine. True, a Morne Morkel hasn't bowled here but those who have, found it hard to extract bounce despite bending their backs. The ball has swung a bit in the morning, but afterwards, there has been no noticeable movement off the surface. Spinners, who are expected to play a big role if India are to win and retain their No. 1 Test ranking, too have had a tough time. The ball has turned Day II onwards but the slowness of the surface have helped batsmen recover after being beaten in the air and made sure that they could readjust, often playing on the back foot. Zip off the pitch has been conspicuous by its absence. Veteran curator Prabir Mukherjee promised a "sporting" pitch. He said it would be an "even and firm surface which will last five days". Till Wednesday, the pitch was watered regularly and the heavy roller used which means it would be flat and the upper crust is unlikely to loosen. The amount of water reduced and lighter rollers came into play from Thursday, which indicates that a late effort to provide turn has started although chances of seeing puffs of dust or the ball spinning alarmingly are minimal. In Ranji Trophy parlance, such a track would be called one of first-innings lead rather than where an outright result is likely. The official stand of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is it has not received any instruction. "We have not heard from the Board or from the team management about laying a pitch that would offer turn. Neither do we intend to think on those lines," CAB president Jagmohan Dalmiya told HT. Apparently, the CAB is not willing to risk preparing a rank turner and draw the ire of the International Cricket Council because the Eden Gardens is scheduled to host World Cup matches next year. Beyond this, there is an anecdote. In 2004, when Dalmiya was the Board president, Nagpur had laid out a pitch where conditions blatantly favoured the visitors. Now, with Manohar heading the Board, Dalmiya hasn't gone out of his way to prepare a pitch that would help India in a key match.

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Cricket can join brigade to jump into Olympic bandwagon

Published>Fri, Feb 12 10 01:51 PM

Cricket was cleared to pursue its bid to be included in future Games after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rubberstamped the sport's recognition on Thursday.

Cricket, powerboating and sports climbing became the latest sports to be officially recognised by the IOC, a status necessary before launching a bid to become part of the Olympic programme.

"The session gave definite recognition to the three federations," IOC spokesman Mark Adams told reporters.

The three sports can now bid to join the 2020 Olympics as the programme is always determined seven years in advance.

Golf and rugby were latest inclusions in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games when an IOC session voted them in last year.

The decision about new sports for the 2020 Games will be taken at the IOC session in Buenos Aires in 2013 where the host country will also be picked.

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Force India goes quicker in pre-season test

Published>Fri, Feb 12 10 01:41 PM

Jerez (Spain), Feb 12 (IANS) As lap times tumbled on a sunny and warm day, Force India's Vitantonio Liuzzi delivered one in 1 minute 20.754 seconds to occupy fifth slot on the time charts on the second day of the pre-season Formula One test session here.

With the wet weather over, the teams could get going with their day's programme Thursday without a hitch. The morning's programme concentrated on aero development while the afternoon's running included comparison runs of the new Bridgestone tyre compounds available this year.

Reviewing his 80-lap session, Liuzzi said: 'I think that we can be pretty happy about today. We covered a lot of laps and a lot of the test items we wanted to. For sure we still have to look into a few more areas but overall the car is responding well and reacts to all the changes.

'We tested different settings and different conditions and overall it was always positive, so I have to say we can be really satisfied about how it's going. The team did a good job and now we have to keep pushing for the next days of testing as we still have to extrapolate the best out of the car.'

The quickest of the day was Japanese Kamui Kobayashi in a BMW Sauber who clocked 1:19.950 around the 4.423-km circuit, ahead of Sebastien Buemi of Toro Rosso (1:20.026) and World champion Jenson Button of McLaren (1:20.618).

Meanwhile, seven-times World champion Michael Schumacher, on a comeback after a three-season break, was sixth fastest in his Mercedes GP car with a timing of 1:21.083 as he completed 124 laps.

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