Tiger's latest 'lover': 22-year-old neighbour

Published>Thu, Apr 08 10 12:24 PM

A 22-year-old woman has come forward to claim that she bedded Tiger Woods - having sex with him on a couch near where a crib for one of his kids had been placed.

According to 'The National Enquirer', Raychel Coudriet was 14 when she first met the golfer as she lived close to his house and later had a one-night stand with him.

The tabloid claims the encounter left Coudriet "shaken and humiliated" when it took place last year on a couch in his office just a mile from his Florida home, reports The New York Post.

"I felt used and violated, like I meant nothing to him but a night of casual sex," Coudriet said, a source told the tabloid "I just wanted to dig a big hole, crawl in and die."

"The two of them had sex on a couch for hours - right next to a crib for Tiger''s children," added the source. "The crib made Raychel feel guilty - that she was having sex with a married man with children. But she was smitten."

The girl reportedly told friends that Woods did not use a condom.

Source: Web Search

After Malik, Asif faces legal trouble from ex-lover

Published Thu, Apr 08 10 11:40 AM

Lahore, Apr 8 (PTI) Hell has no fury like a woman scorned and after Shoaib Malik, another top Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Asif is learning it the hard way as he has been taken to court by a former lover over a financial dispute. While Shoaib has managed to get out of his marriage controversy with Indian girl Ayesha Siddiqui in Hyderabad, Asif is in trouble with his former girlfriend, actress Veena Malik. Veena has served a legal notice on Asif after two cheques he gave her to settle an outstanding money dispute bounced. "He gave me two cheques amounting to 11.3 million rupees as part of an agreement to clear an amount of nearly 18 million rupees that he owes me," Veena said. "But both cheques bounced and I had no alternate but to send him the legal notice as he is not even taking our calls now," she added. Veena demanded her money back from Asif after he recently entered into wedlock with another girl chosen by his family. The news of the marriage stung Veena who had been going steady with Asif for more than a year and claims to have stood by him in his most difficult period of life when he was serving a ban for a doping offence. "He had promised me that once he returned to play for Pakistan he would clear up my money but unfortunately he has not done that," she said. "The cheques that bounced were for payments of Rs 3.9 and rs 7.4 million each," she said. Shoaib, who is in India to wed tennis star Sania Mirza, was making headlines after being accused of marrying and dumping Ayesha without divorce. The dispute was finally settled when Shoaib gave Ayesha a divorce yesterday despite maintaining all along that he never committed himself to the girl who was making these allegations.

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Down but not out just yet: Shoaib Akhtar

Published Thu, Apr 08 10 11:30 AM

Karachi, Apr 8 (PTI) Age is catching up, fitness was never his strength and he has lost his central contract as well but controversial pacer Shoaib Akhtar insists he is not done just yet and would make an international comeback soon. The 34-year-old said he would be using the domestic Pentangular Cup one-day tournament as a platform to convince the selectors that he is ready to resume playing international cricket. The fast bowler has been named in the Federal Areas team for the tournament starting April 17. "I am thankful to the board for giving me this opportunity to prove myself again and I want to give it my best effort," Akhtar said. He also made it clear that people who were writing him off are making a mistake. "One of the reasons for my struggle with fitness and form in the last few series I played was because of the knee problem I had. I just never got the time to get it operated upon," he said. "But now that the surgery has been done and the rehabilitation process has also gone well, I am back to my top fitness and the knee problem is no longer a hindrance in my giving my best on the field," he added. Akhtar, who has taken 178 Test and 223 one-day wickets, said he was hoping to make a comeback to the team for the tour to England where Pakistan will play against Australia and the hosts. "The England tour would be the perfect place for me to comeback as it has good conditions for bowling and the best facilities for a bowler coming back from an injury," he said. Akhtar said he was confident of convincing the selectors about his pace and experience in the two tough Test series against Australia and England. The fast bowler has not played for Pakistan since May 2009 when he played against Australia in Dubai. Since then injuries and disciplinary issues have kept him out of the national team. "Playing for Pakistan again is a big challenge for me now and I want to be successful," he added. The fast bowler was not given a central contract recently by the board.

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Keep aside talk on Kotla

Published Thu, Apr 08 10 11:24 AM

India, April 7 -- Two home matches in a row have become must-win games for us. At this stage, when you play teams that are below you in the table, you want to get points on board. If we can get the right results, we'll be through to the semis before we play our final three away games. After the last game in Delhi, a lot of things were said about the pitch at the Ferozeshah Kotla. My comments have been interpreted in different ways but basically what I had said was that there should be no appreciable change in the nature of a surface in the course of a 40-over game. The toss should not become too crucial and the pitch should not be a big factor in a T20 game. We could have conceded 20 runs less and made a better show of the chase. Having said that, the wicket really slowed down, and this is not something you expect in a T20 game. I have always enjoyed bowling at the Kotla. My comments need not have triggered off the reactions that they did. Back to the present. We've reached a stage where at least six teams are in with a chance of making the last four. Apart from Mumbai, the runaway team this season, the others are in with a chance of going all the way. Every team will want 14-16 points to be sure. In our case, we don't want to be in a stage where the last two ties of the league phase become a must-win scenario. We'd rather make these two home matches count and have 14 points in the bag. Speaking of pitches, the surface at the Chinnaswamy Stadium has been a good one. Having played on this all through, it will be an advantage for us if we can make it to the semifinals.

If it means someone doesn't get a bat, then so be it. What's important is that we win.

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U.S striker Ching hoping to be back for World Cup

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 11:30 PM

United States striker Brian Ching is hopeful he can recover from a hamstring injury in time to get ready for June's World Cup finals.

Houston forward Ching suffered the injury in an MLS game against Real Salt Lake last week and faces around a month out of action after a scan showed tearing.

"The MRI (scan) revealed a little bit more than a mild tear. They said the tear was on the surface of the muscle, but it was a long tear. I'm thinking three to four weeks, but it may be longer," the player told Major League Soccer's website (mlssoccer.com)

The U.S. faces the Czech Republic on May 25 and then Turkey four days later in pre-World Cup friendlies.

While not a guaranteed starter, Ching has featured in qualifying and with Charlie Davies having been sidelined following a car crash, the U.S are short of options in attack.

Head coach Bob Bradley has to submit his preliminary squad of 30 players by May 11 - when Hawaiian Ching could still be out of action.

"Hopefully I can get back on the field as quick as I can and get back up to fitness and that's all I can do at this point," said Ching.

"My goal is to get back by the end of April, early May, because I feel that would give me the best chance to get back on the World Cup team and, of course, help the (Houston) Dynamo."

"The hamstring injury has set me back and has hurt my chances a little bit for the World Cup, which is frustrating.

"I spoke with one of the assistant coaches [of the U.S. team] who inquired about how bad it was ...I think being back at the end of April, beginning of May is pretty realistic," he said.

Ching was part of Bruce Arena's squad at the World Cup in Germany in 2006 but did not feature.

The U.S face England, Slovenia and Algeria in group C at the finals in South Africa.

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Possibility of DNA test made Shoaib to divorce Ayesha?

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 10:58 PM

Hyderabad, Apr 7 (PTI) The possibility of a DNA test may have made Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik to finally divorce Ayesha Siddiqui. Police is understood to have sounded Malik about the DNA test after Ayesha reportedly gave more material to buttress her case. Ayesha claimed that she had married 28-year-old Shoaib in 2005. Shoaib admitted to the ''nikahnama'' but claimed that he had been tricked into the marriage. Sources close to the Siddiqui family said that Ayesha was upset with Shoaib calling her an elder sister while addressing the media along with Sania. It was only after that incident that Ayesha came out with more material about her relationship with the Pakistani cricketer, they said. Shoaib is all set to marry Sania on April 15.

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Indian women shine in Invitational Lawn Bowls event

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 10:54 PM

New Delhi, Apr 7 (PTI) Indian women outshone their male counterparts by winning four out of six matches in three categories on day two of the eight-nation Invitational Lawn Bowls tournament here today. At the end of Day Two, after round four, Indian women''s singles and pairs team held fifth position while for triples they were at fourth position. Men''s singles, pairs and triples teams are now at seventh, eighth and sixth position respectively. In the first session today, Indian women''s singles team beat Scotland in tie-breaker after being locked 1-1 (4-11, 12-9) and then won against Australia 9-8, 7-4 in the second session. The women''s triples team lost to New Zealand in tie-breaker after being locked 1-1 (3-7, 7-5) in the first session but came back strongly in the third session to beat Northern Ireland 8-6, 13-3. The Indian women''s pairs team beat New Zealand in tie-breaker after being locked 1-1 (16-1, 4-12) in the second session and then again won against Northern Ireland 10-3, 13-2 in the third session. Indian men, on the other hand, won two out of six matches in three categories. In the men''s singles India lost to Australia 1-17, 5-9 in the first session but made a comeback in the second session to beat South Africa in a tie breaker after being locked 1-1 (15-7, 5-7). The Indian men''s pair team lost both their matches today first to South Africa 3-8, 5-14 in the second session and then to New Zealand in tie breaker in the third session. In the men''s triples, India lost to South Africa 4-11, 6-9 in the first session but beat Scotland in tie-breaker in the third session. .

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Mancini pledges future to Manchester City

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 10:50 PM

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is already making plans for next season and has denied media reports he will return to Italy to coach Juventus.

Mancini told City's website (www.mcfc.co.uk) he gave an interview to an Italian newspaper last week which then linked him with a move to Serie A but said he had no plans to go.

Juve sacked Ciro Ferrara in January and appointed Alberto Zaccheroni until the end of the season. With the post soon to become vacant again, Mancini's name came up as a candidate.

"I did give an interview, but I never said I wanted to go to Juventus," Mancini said on the Premier League club's website.

"Manchester City is my club and I have a contract here for three and a half years. I am already planning for next season, which will start on July 5 when the players come back after the summer.

"For us it's more important that we finish well this season, and we must concentrate 100 percent to get fourth place because we have six games that are very difficult.

"After that, we can think about the future -- we already have some players in our minds who can be good for next season."

Mancini saw City move into fourth place in the standings, which brings a Champions League playoff spot for next season's competition, after a 6-1 win at Burnley on Saturday.

That victory, coupled with a defeat for Tottenham Hotspur and a draw for Liverpool, left the world's richest club in pole position to clinch fourth spot with just six matches to play.

Mancini took over from Mark Hughes in December and, although results have since been mixed, the club's billionaire Arab owners will be delighted if the Italian manages to get the team in a position to have a crack at the Champions League.

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Divorce certificates of Shoaib, Ayesha issued

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 10:24 PM

Hyderabad, Apr 7 (PTI) The divorce certificates of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and Ayesha Siddiqui, the Hyderabadi girl whom he married seven years ago, were issued by Wakf Board institute here this evening. The former Pakistan captain today signed papers to divorce Ayesha, after a compromise was brokered by city-based Muslim community leaders, who held hectic negotiations since yesterday. The ''talaqnama'' between Shoaib and Ayesha was submitted at the Darul Qazzat Golconda after which the Golconda Qazi, under whose jurisdiction tennis star Sania Mirza''s residence falls, issued the divorce papers, sources said. Darul Qazzat Golconda is an institute under the state Wakf board which performs marriages and issues divorce certificates apart from counselling. The divorce would now finally enable Shoaib to marry Sania, whose wedding is scheduled on April 15 here.

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Knight Riders score 181/3 against Delhi Daredevils

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 10:20 PM

Kolkata, April 7 (IANS) Kolkata Knight Riders posted 181/3 against Delhi Daredevils in their Indian Premier League game at the Eden Gardens here Wednesday.

Skipper Sourav Ganguly scored a 46-ball 56 (8x4, 1x6) and added 94 for the opening wicket with Chris Gayle, who got 40 off 21 balls (5x4, 2x6).

Angelo Mathews 46 not out (28 balls, 3x6) and Manoj Tiwary 26 not out (18 balls, 1x4, 1x6) played some scintillating shots towards the end as they stitched together an unfinished fourth wicket stand of 70 to set the visitors an asking rate of 9.1 runs per over.

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Run rate would prove handy in close race to semis: Lumb

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 10:10 PM

Jaipur, Apr 7 (PTI) After guiding Rajasthan Royals to a massive nine-wicket triumph over Kings XI Punjab, Michael Lumb said the runrate acquired from today''s win will hold them in good stead if the race to the semifinal gets close. Lumb bulldozed the Kings XI Punjab bowlers with a 43-ball 83 to help Rajasthan overhaul the 154-run victory target with five overs to spare. "The massive win today would certainly help us in the run for the semifinal. We were able to push up our run rate which would prove handy in case of close race," said Lumb after the match. On course for a well-deserved hundred, Lumb played a risky shot to hole out in the deep but the English player said he was more worried about the runrate than his personal score. "It was disappointing not to get a hundred especially after being so close to it but I was not looking at the scoreboard instead the run rate was on my mind," he said. Lumb also heaped praise on his opening partner Naman Ojha and said he is a fine player. "I think he is awesome. He strikes the ball very well and takes away pressure away from me," he said. Stating that the absence of South African Captain Graeme Smith was blessing in disguise, Lumb said that the south Paw is a great batsman. "He is a great batsman. When he left the question of filling his shoe was important. I was lucky to get the opportunity and since then I am trying to make use of it," He said. "I have not been kicking good starts but I had stepped in today with a mind set of playing more balls. It worked and I was able to play a good innings," He added. Humble in victory, Lumb said he was not intentionally severe on S Sreesanth and it was just another bad day for the Kings XI Punjab bowler. "Sreesanth is a great bowler and he can bounce back any time but I was able to hit him for few runs today. I would not agree that it was the weakest I had faced in IPL. It was just not their day," He said. Regarding leaving out Morne Morkel and Shaun Tait out of the playing XI today, Lumb said, "The pitch looked slow and it appeared that it would get low and assist spinners in the second half and that is why the selectors left them out." "Jaipur has been lucky for us before. We were happy to come here and more after winning such an emphatic victory," he added.

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Thai duo win in Asian Under-21 Snooker

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 09:54 PM

Indore, Apr 7 (PTI) Thai duo of Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon and Pchara Mayone scored convincing victories on the first day of the Asian Under-21 Snooker Championships here today. Thanawat beat Taha Yassin Mohamed of Iraq 3-1 while compatriot Mayone defeated Lu Hai Quing of China by an identical margin. In other matches, Karam Fatima of Syria got the better of Emad Adnan Daham of Iraq 3-2 while Wong Yun Shing of Hong Kong scored a 3-1 victory over Rayan Somaratne of Sri Lanka at Yeshwant Club here. The Asian Billiards Championships is also being held here simultaneously. The championships, being organised by Madhya Pradesh Billiards and Snooker Association, was declared open by BCCI Joint Secretary Sanjay Jagdale in the presence of Billiards and Snooker Federation of India and MPBSA officials. Results: Group A: Chua Weisheng Javier (Singapore) W/O MTM Najurudeen (Sri Lanka). Group B: Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon (Thailand) beat Taha Yassin Mohamed (Iraq) 3-1 (62-26, 77-17, 50-60, 71-45) Group D: Wong Yun Shing (Bahrain) beat Rayan Somaratne (Sri Lanka) 3-1 (67-19, 73-35, 41-65, 87(43)-09) Group E: Karam Fatima (Syria) beat Emad Adnan Daham (Iraq) 3-2 (25-52, 66-25, 63-25, 49-64, 76-41) Group G: Pachara Mayone ( Thailand ) beat Lu Hai Quing (China) 3-1 (40-63, 81(56)-13, 95(55)-34, 84(46)-52).

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Flamengo Libertadores match postponed due to killer storm

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 09:50 PM

Flamengo's Libertadores Cup match against Universidad de Chile has been put back to Thursday due to a torrential rainstorm in Rio de Janeiro that has so far claimed around 100 lives, the state government said.

The storm, that started on Monday, caused the Maracana river to break its banks and flood the pitch of the city stadium where the Group Eight match was to have been played on Wednesday evening.

Brazilian champions Flamengo are one point behind their Chilean opponents, who lead the group standings.

Argentine striker Ezequiel Miralles scored twice as Chile's Colo Colo won 3-2 away to Deportivo Italia of Venezuela in a Group Seven match at the Olimpico in Caracas on Tuesday.

Miralles could have had a hat-trick but his 73rd-minute penalty was saved by goalkeeper Jose Fernandez.

Brazil's Cruzeiro and Velez Sarsfield of Argentina are top of Group Seven with 10 points apiece with one match to go. Colo Colo are third on seven points.

With the postponement in Rio, the only match going ahead on Wednesday was Uruguayan champions Nacional's visit to Deportivo Cuenca of Ecuador in Group Six.

Nacional are joint leaders with Argentina's Banfield but the Uruguayans have a match in hand. Both teams are five points ahead of bottom side Cuenca.

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Mumbai FC hold leaders Mahindra to goal-less draw

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 09:24 PM

Mumbai, Apr 7 (PTI) Leaders Mahindra United dropped two crucial points as a relegation-threatened Mumbai FC held them to a goal-less draw in the 20th round I-League match at the Cooperage ground here today. The draw gives title contenders Dempo, who are now two points behind Mahindra, a chance to reclaim the top position by beating East Bengal later in the week. Mahindra currently have 37 points from 20 matches with the help of nine wins and 10 draws. Mumbai FC have 21 points from 20 games. Playing the match without injured strikers Abhishek Yadav, Kayne Vincent and Dane Pereira, Mumbai FC defence led by Subhas Chakraborthy and Bernard Achaw did well to keep their rivals at bay. The first real chance came in the 33rd minute when Mahindra''s Muritala Ali ran with the ball from the middle. But with a defender in front of him, Muritala could not get the timing of his shot right as rival goalkeeper Nidhinlal A C blocked it easily. Minutes before the first half, Mahindra had another opportunity but a header by skipper N Ajayan off a Steven Dias corner went over the bar. With nothing much happening in the first half, Mahindra introduced Svetozar Mijin in the second half in the place of Paresh Shivalkar. .

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Japan booed off after 3-0 Serbia drubbing

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 09:20 PM

Japan's players were booed off the pitch after slumping to a 3-0 defeat by Serbia in a World Cup warm-up game on Wednesday.

Forward Dragan Mrdja scored twice for the lively Serbs, by far the hungrier of the two South Africa-bound teams in a match for which neither coach had a full-strength side available.

"We did exactly what we knew we couldn't afford to by conceding an early goal," Japan captain Yuji Nakazawa told Reuters.

"We know we're going to face even more dangerous players at the World Cup in June. We just have to take this loss on the chin and move forwards."

Mrdja put Serbia ahead in the 15th minute with a clinical left-foot finish after bursting clear, 10 minutes after hitting the post from a similar position.

He smashed the ball home again from close range in the 23rd minute after Japan goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki had blocked his initial shot for his second goal in three internationals.

Midfielder Nemanja Tomic curled in a free kick on the hour mark, triggering jeers among the 46,000 crowd in Osaka which intensified as Japan trudged off after the final whistle.

ANTIC HEADACHE

"There was plenty of quality tonight for (Serbia coach Radomir) Antic to consider when he chooses his World Cup squad," Serbia assistant coach Radovan Curcic told reporters.

"The players showed they will soon be competing for places with the senior players."

The Japanese offered little to suggest they will achieve the semi-final target set by coach Takeshi Okada for the World Cup.

"I honestly thought we would be better than that," a glum Okada told reporters. "There wasn't the motivation there should be when you wear the Japan shirt. For that I apologise.

"We had 70 percent of the possession but did nothing with it. It has underlined how reliant we are on our top players."

Serbia were as solid in defence as they were menacing in attack, goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic making an astonishing fingertip save from Shinji Okazaki with the score at 1-0.

"We were poor. We had no rhythm," said Japan playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura. "We need to go back to basics."

Japan have been drawn alongside Netherlands, Denmark and Cameroon in Group E at the World Cup finals while Serbia face Germany, Australia and Ghana in Group D.

Source: Web Search

Sports going to be next big value creator: Mallya

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 09:10 PM

Bangalore, Apr 7 (PTI) UB Group Chairman and owner of Royal Challengers, Bangalore, Dr Vijay Mallya today said that sports is a great investment and would be "the next big value creator". "India''s young demographic, coupled with exciting sporting events, are going to drive sports as a great value creator. Sports has generated huge interest and publicity related income," he told reporters here. Asked about his satisfaction with his sporting ventures, he said, "We have made the right investment at the right time." "If there is an IPL equivalent football tomorrow, I will be the most happiest person in the world", he said. On his son Siddharth joining in, Mallya said he was expected to join UB as deputy general manager (deputy general manager, USL). He said Siddarth was interesteed in marketing and "IPL would be a good window to learn and go up the learning curve". Siddharth''s passion for cricket and the fact that he (Mallya) himself could not be there at all sporting events and a combination of various factors had him roping in his son. On Anil Kumble, he said, "Our faith in Anil Kumble is well reposed".

Source: Web Search

Japan booed off after 3-0 Serbia drubbing

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 08:50 PM

Japan's players were booed off the pitch after slumping to a 3-0 defeat by Serbia in a World Cup warm-up game on Wednesday.

Forward Dragan Mrdja scored twice for the lively Serbs, by far the hungrier of the two South Africa-bound teams in a match for which neither coach had a full-strength side available.

"We did exactly what we knew we couldn't afford to by conceding an early goal," Japan captain Yuji Nakazawa told Reuters.

"We know we're going to face even more dangerous players at the World Cup in June. We just have to take this loss on the chin and move forwards."

Mrdja put Serbia ahead in the 15th minute with a clinical left-foot finish after bursting clear, 10 minutes after hitting the post from a similar position.

He smashed the ball home again from close range in the 23rd minute after Japan goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki had blocked his initial shot for his second goal in three internationals.

Midfielder Nemanja Tomic curled in a free kick on the hour mark, triggering jeers among the 46,000 crowd in Osaka which intensified as Japan trudged off after the final whistle.

ANTIC HEADACHE

"There was plenty of quality tonight for (Serbia coach Radomir) Antic to consider when he chooses his World Cup squad," Serbia assistant coach Radovan Curcic told reporters.

"The players showed they will soon be competing for places with the senior players."

The Japanese offered little to suggest they will achieve the semi-final target set by coach Takeshi Okada for the World Cup.

"I honestly thought we would be better than that," a glum Okada told reporters. "There wasn't the motivation there should be when you wear the Japan shirt. For that I apologise.

"We had 70 percent of the possession but did nothing with it. It has underlined how reliant we are on our top players."

Serbia were as solid in defence as they were menacing in attack, goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic making an astonishing fingertip save from Shinji Okazaki with the score at 1-0.

"We were poor. We had no rhythm," said Japan playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura. "We need to go back to basics."

Japan have been drawn alongside Netherlands, Denmark and Cameroon in Group E at the World Cup finals while Serbia face Germany, Australia and Ghana in Group D.

Source: Web Search

Sreesanth may pay dearly for 'clapping' at umpires

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 08:30 PM

Jaipur, April 7 (IANS) Kings XI Punjab's medium pacer Sreesanth, it seems, has failed to learn from his past mistakes and was again staring at a penalty in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match after his sarcastic clappping at the umpires and Rajasthan Royals batsman Michael Lumb here Wednesday at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium.

The incident took place in the third over when an erratic Sreesanth, who conceeded 40 runs from three overs, was called for two no balls and was hit by Lumb for a four in the free-hit. This infuriated the bowler who first clapped at Lumb and then at the umpires.

Sreesanth's teammate Yuvraj Singh was not pleased with his antics and immediately walked up to him and asked the bowler from Kerala to mend his ways.

Last October, Sreesanth was given a 'final warning' by the Indian cricket board to mend his on-field behaviour, failing which he would be suspended from domestic matches.

For record, in the first edition at home Sreesanth was slapped by Harbhajan Singh and that left the medium pacer crying on the field. Sreesanth was left with a warning while Harbhajan was suspended from rest of the tournament.

Sreesanth returned to the national team last year after a long injury lay-off and had vowed to control his emotions on the field.

Source: Web Search

Brett Lee retains Cricket Australia contract

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 08:10 PM

Fast bowler Brett Lee has retained his Cricket Australia contract for 2010-11 but fellow pacemen Stuart Clark and Nathan Bracken were among five players dropped from the 25-strong list released on Wednesday.

Batsmen Brad Hodge and David Hussey and wicketkeeper Graham Manou also lost their central contracts.

The selectors have stuck by Lee, 33, who has retired from test cricket, despite injuries and poor form. He has been selected in the squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies starting on April 30.

"I suppose it's a leap of faith, but a leap of faith in a player who's taken 300-odd test wickets and has been one of our best, so we're giving him that opportunity," chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch told reporters on Wednesday.

Lee, who took 310 wickets in 76 tests, is currently playing for Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League in a bid to find form following a lengthy recovery from surgery in December for an elbow injury.

The five promoted players are pacemen Ryan Harris and Clint McKay, wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine, all-rounder Steven Smith and batsman Adam Voges.

Contracted players will receive a minimum retainer of A$200,000 dollars ($186,000) plus match fees, tour fees and prize money.

Source: Web Search

Scoreboard: Kings XI Punjab vs. Rajasthan Royals, IPL

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 07:54 PM

Jaipur, April 7 (IANS) The following is the scoreboard of the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium here Wednesday.

Kings XI Punjab:

Manvinder Bisla c Fazal b Watson 20 (14 balls, 4x4)

Mahela Jayawardene c Warne b Dole 44 (33 balls, 4x6, 6x1)

Kumar Sangakkara c Pathan b Trivedi 9 (7 balls, 4x1)

Yuvraj Singh b Dole 28 (16 balls, 4x1, 6x3)

Irfan Pathan not out 24 (23 balls, 4x1)

Ravi Bopara run out (Jhunjhunwala/Fazal/Ojha) 8 (11 balls)

Piyush Chawla c Jhunjhunwala b Trivedi 10 (15 balls)

Bipul Sharma not out 1 (1 balls)

Extras (lb 2, w 7) 9

Total (for six wickets in 20 overs) 153

Fall of wickets: 1-29 (Bisla, 3.3 overs), 2-52 (Sangakkara, 6.1), 3-108 (Yuvraj, 11.3), 4-109 (Jayawardene, 11.5), 5-128 (Bopara, 15.2), 6-149 (Chawla, 19.2)

Bowling:

Aditya Dole 4-0-36-2

Shane Watson 4-0-19-1

Yusuf Pathan 4-0-26-0

Siddharth Trivedi 4-0-22-2

Shane Warne 3-0-42-0

Faiz Fazal 1-0-6-0

Rajasthan Royals:

Michael Lumb c Chawla b Bopara 83 (43 balls, 4x16, 6x2)

Naman Ojha not out 44 (37 balls, 4x4 6x1)

Yusuf Pathan not out 21 (13 balls, 6x2)

Extras (lb 2, w 4, nb 3) 9

Total (for one wicket in 15 overs) 157

Fall of wickets: 1-109 (Lumb, 9.3 ov)

Bowling:

Sreesanth 3-0-40-0

Ramesh Powar 2-0-18-0

Juan Theron 2-0-23-0

Piyush Chawla 4-0-27-0

Bipul Sharma 1-0-12-0

Irfan Pathan 1-0-17-0

Ravi Bopara 2-0-18-1

Toss: Kings XI Punjab, who chose to bat

Points: Rajasthan Royals 2, Kings XI Punjab 0

Umpires: S. Ravi and Shavir Tarapore

TV umpire: Billy Doctrove (West Indies)

Match referee: S. Venkataraghavan

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Martina Navratilova has breast cancer - report

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 07:50 PM

Martina Navratilova, one of the finest female tennis players of all time, has been diagnosed with breast cancer, she has told U.S. online magazine People.

"I cried," the report quoted Navratilova, 53, as saying about the moment in February when a biopsy came back positive after a routine mammogram revealed a cluster in her left breast.

"It knocked me on my ass, really. I feel so in control of my life and my body, and then this comes, and it's completely out of my hands."

Wednesday's report said she would begin six weeks of radiation therapy in May following minor invasive surgery called a lumpectomy and the prognosis for survival was extremely good.

She was diagnosed with a non-invasive form of breast cancer, the report said, called ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, which in her case had not spread to the breast tissue.

"It was the best-case scenario you could imagine for detecting breast cancer," Mindy Nagle, a good friend of Navratilova, told the magazine.

Shelley Hwang, a breast surgeon at UC San Francisco, said DCIS strikes almost 70,000 American women annually and accounts for about one-fifth of all new diagnosed breast cancers.

"The prognosis of someone with DCIS is excellent," she told the magazine (www.people.com). "There's only a one percent chance anyone with this diagnosis would die of breast cancer."

The nine-times Wimbledon champion, who still plays tennis and ice hockey and competes in triathlons, said she was lucky, as she had not been getting regular check-ups.

"I went four years between mammograms. I let it slide. Everyone gets busy, but don't make excuses. I stay in shape and eat right, and it happened to me. Another year and I could have been in big trouble."

Czech-born Navratilova, who became a U.S. citizen in 1981, won 18 grand slam singles crowns.

Source: Web Search

Rajasthan Royals beat Kings XI by 9 wickets

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 07:40 PM

Jaipur, April 7 (IANS) Rajasthan Royals defeated Kings XI Punjab by nine wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium here Wednesday.

Royals restricted Kings XI to 153 for six in 20 overs and then riding on Michael Lumb's 83 and Naman Ojha's unbeaten 44 made 157 for one with five overs to spare.

Source: Web Search

Tejas Ravichandran shocks another Grandmaster

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 07:24 PM

By Our Chess Correspondent Dubai, Apr 7 (PTI) Tejas Ravichandran scored his second consecutive victory over a Grandmaster opponent, defeating local stalwart Salem Saleh in the second round of the Dubai International Open chess tournament here. After a memorable victory against Sergey Volkov of Russia, Ravichandran continued the good work and has thus far recorded the best performance of his young career. Third seed Grandmaster Parimarjan Negi also scored a fine attacking victory over Ghane Shojaat of Iran to be amongst 32 leaders after the second round of the 45,000 USD prize money tournament. The Indians had a decent outing with 2008 World junior champion Abhijeet Gupta also recording an easy victory over Women Grandmaster Myroslava Hrabinska of Ukraine. Parimarjan found faults in black''s position quite early from a French defense opening and went for a direct attack against the king. Shojaat came up with his share of counter play on the queen side but by the time he could get his pieces to strike it was already too late. Parimarjan crashed through the king side with his queen and rook and it was all over for the Iranian. Parimarjan said after the match that at some point he thought black had real counter play. "He (Ghane Shojaat) could have maintained the tension by holding on to his king side instead of letting my pawns roll, in this case the game was dynamically balanced," said Parimarjan, the second youngest Grandmaster ever in the history of the game. Former World Junior girls'' champion D Harika scored a very quick victory to stake her claim as the best woman player in the event. On the receiving end was Abdulrahman Al Yafee of Uae who lost a piece early and never recovered. It turned out to be a good day for under-14 world champion Padmini Rout as she played out a draw with higher rated Grandmaster levan Pantsulaia of Georgia. Up against a Caro Kann defense, Padmini maintained the balance for a long time to force the split of the point. Amongst other Indian in the fray, International Master Eesha Karavade and Ramnath Bhuvanesh went down fighting against the Azerbaijani duo of Gadir Guseinov and Eltaj Safarli. IM Sahaj Grover scored an easy victory against Saleh Naif of UAE while M Shyam Sundar did well to hold Tamaz Gelashvili of Georgia in a complicated affair. .

Source: Web Search

Navratilova diagnosed with breast cancer - report

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 07:10 PM

Martina Navratilova, one of the finest female tennis players of all time, has been diagnosed with breast cancer, she has told U.S. magazine People.

"I cried," the report quoted Navratilova, 53, as saying about the moment in February when a biopsy came back positive after a routine mammogram revealed a cluster in her left breast.

"It knocked me on my ass, really. I feel so in control of my life and my body, and then this comes, and it's completely out of my hands."

The report said she will begin six weeks of radiation therapy in May and the prognosis for survival was extremely good.

Source: Web Search

Japan booed off after 3-0 defeat by Serbia in warm-up

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 06:50 PM

Japan's players were booed off the pitch after their team slumped to a 3-0 defeat by Serbia in a World Cup warm-up match on Wednesday.

Forward Dragan Mrda scored twice for the Serbs, by far the hungrier of the two teams heading to South Africa in June, in a game where neither coach could field a full-strength side.

Mrda opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a clinical left-foot finish after bursting clear 10 minutes after hitting the post from a similar position.

He smashed home his second goal from close range in the 23rd minute after Japan goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki had blocked his initial shot at the near post.

Midfielder Nemanja Tomic curled in a free kick on the hour mark, triggering jeers among the 46,000 crowd in Osaka which intensified as Japan trudged off after the final whistle.

Japan will face Netherlands, Denmark and Cameroon in Group E at the World Cup finals while Serbia have been drawn with Germany, Australia and Ghana in Group D.

Source: Web Search

Precise iron play will be key: Bhullar

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 06:30 PM

Yangon (Myanmar), Apr 7 (PTI) Rising Indian golf star Gaganjeet Bhullar, who will make his debut at the USD 300,000 Air Bagan Myanmar Open tomorrow, feels precise iron play will be the key factor to victory this week. "You have a lot of back stops on the green and the fairways are wide. But you still need to keep the ball on the fairway. The key is to hit more greens in regulation because it is not easy around the greens," said the 21-year-old, who finished sixth in last week''s SAIL Open in New Delhi. Winner of Asian Tour International in Thailand, Bhullar is riding on a wave of confidence and is hoping to continue his stellar run when he tees off at the Pun Hlaing Golf Club. Myanmar Open, which is making a return to the Asian Tour Schedule after a four-year hiatus, boosts of a strong field featuring 12 of the top-20 players from the Order of Merit. Thailand''s Thaworn Wiratchant, Chinese Taipei''s Lin Wen-tang, American Jason Knutzon, Japanese star Hideto Tanihara, Andrew Dodt of Australia and Richard Karlberg of Sweden are amongst those looking to sparkle in the event. Gaganjeet Bhullar believes winning a second Asian Tour title has inspired him to shoot for more glory, especially with the strong support that he is receiving back home. "After I won my first tournament, all the mental blockages were totally gone and I was a different person after that. That led to my second title and winning so early in the season gives you a huge boost in confidence. "When I go back to India, people start recognising me on the golf course. It is not pressure at all and when people come up to ask me for an autograph, it inspires me to do better in my career," added the young Indian. Myanmar''s hopes will rest on Zaw Moe, who is recovering from a bout of illness and the golfing star said the local players were excited to feature in their national Open after the four-year break. "It is really exciting for the local players to play in an Asian Tour tournament. It helps develop the sport in the country and I''m definitely looking forward to playing my best this week," said Moe, who has won once on the Asian Tour. PTI ATK

Source: Web Search

Wayne Rooney wept during son's birth, says Coleen

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 06:12 PM

London, April 7 (ANI): English footballer Wayne Rooney's wife Coleen has revealed that her husband wept during the birth of their son.

According to Hello! magazine, Rooney, 24, who also kept a bedside vigil in hospital, sleeping on the floor, cried when he first saw Kai.

"He filled up. I think he was in shock," the Sun quoted Coleen, 24, as telling the mag.

"Wayne's a natural with the baby. He's so patient.

"He doesn't really change the nappies, but he feeds him and puts him to sleep," she added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Udupa takes lead in blind chess

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 05:54 PM

Mumbai, Apr 7 (PTI) Former champion Srikrishna Udupa of Karnataka crushed his 11th round opponent Swapnil Shah of Maharashtra in 22 moves to take the sole lead in the GTLF 11th National A Chess Championship for the Blind at the Andheri Sports Complex here today. The comprehensive win boosted Udupa''s points tally to 8.5, half a point ahead of Darpan Irani of Gujarat who drew with state rival Ashvin Makwana, with four rounds to go in the tournament. In a symmetrical queen pawn opening, Udupa expanded his central battle field by pushing his pawn to e4 square. His opponent Shah squandered his queen for a knight in return and resigned. Youngster Irani, playing against the French defence of Makwana, tried his best to break free of shackles created by a bad bishop but in vain. His knight appeared powerful but his opponent forced a draw on the 42nd move. In other matches, seasoned Maharashtra players - holder Rajesh Oza and Madan Bagyatkar - bounced back into the reckoning by humbling Akilesh Srivastava of Delhi and Darshan Patil of Gujarat respectively. The duo is sharing the fourth place with seven points each, the same as Tamil Nadu schoolboy T Sai Krishna who drew with Maharashtra''s Amit Deshpande after the 50th move.

Source: Web Search

Players will forgive Tiger, but WAGS may not!

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 05:50 PM

London, Apr.7 (ANI): Ryder Cup star Colin Montgomerie fears that winning over the wives and girlfriends of fellow golfers will be far more difficult for numero uno Tiger Woods, as they are also friends of his wife Elin and will take a dim view of his sordid affairs.

The Sun quoted European captain Monty, as saying: "Tiger's problem, certainly as far as the team room is concerned, will be the attitude of the other wives and girlfriends. They are friends of Elin and they will sympathise with her over what has gone on."

Monty's words were echoed by Woods' ex-coach, Butch Harmon, who said the WAGS will never forgive him.

Harmon, who guided Woods for 11 years before being dumped in 2004, said: "I think he will have more of a problem with the players' wives. They are not going to give him any welcome after what he's done. It's more likely to be the cold shoulder and stern looks." (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Sania to be Shoaib''s ''second wife''

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 05:40 PM

Hyderabad, Apr 7 (PTI) It''s official now: Indian tennis star Sania Mirza will only be the ''second wife'' of Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik. As per the Hanafi School of Islamic tradition, Sania becomes the second wife of Malik as he has divorced his "first wife" Ayesha Siddiqui. Irrespective of whether they are married or not, Ayesha naturally became Malik''s first wife now that he had divorced her. This makes Sania his second wife as per Hanafi tradition," Major G M Qadri, who was one of the mediators in the Ayesh-Malik divorce deal, pointed out today. Both the Siddiquis and the Maliks follow the Hanafi tradition. Meanwhile, there was intense speculation about a "huge some" changing hands for the settlement. But Abid Rasool Khan, at whose residence the press conference was held, said "There was no monetary issue involved except Rs 15,000 under the Sharia." PTI DBV VSC SC

Source: Web Search

Players will forgive Tiger, but WAGS may not!

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 05:24 PM

London, Apr.7 (ANI): Ryder Cup star Colin Montgomerie fears that winning over the wives and girlfriends of fellow golfers will be far more difficult for numero uno Tiger Woods, as they are also friends of his wife Elin and will take a dim view of his sordid affairs.

The Sun quoted European captain Monty, as saying: "Tiger's problem, certainly as far as the team room is concerned, will be the attitude of the other wives and girlfriends. They are friends of Elin and they will sympathise with her over what has gone on."

Monty's words were echoed by Woods' ex-coach, Butch Harmon, who said the WAGS will never forgive him.

Harmon, who guided Woods for 11 years before being dumped in 2004, said: "I think he will have more of a problem with the players' wives. They are not going to give him any welcome after what he's done. It's more likely to be the cold shoulder and stern looks." (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Shoaib Malik agrees to divorce Ayesha Siddiqui, Mehr settled at Rs.15K

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 05:20 PM

New Delhi, Apr 7 (ANI): Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik on Wednesday divorced Hyderabad's Ayesha Siddiqui, who had earlier claimed that they had both got married in 2002.

A compromise between the Maliks and the Siddiquis, community leaders said. Shoaib signed the talaq nama (divorce papers) after leaders said that the public splashing and scrutiny of the episode had brought a bad name to the community.

The police complaint against Shoaib was taken back and it was greed that the cricketer would pay a maintenance amount of s.15, 000 paid to Ayesha as per Islamic law

Ayesha's mother expressed relief and said her daughter had finally received justice.

"My daughter wanted a divorce without money and that has happened. Malik has come clean and I am very happy and relieved that finally he gave a divorce. The charges on him have been withdrawn. The complaint application has been withdrawn," she added

On Tuesday, Shoaib put up a united front with his fiancie and tennis star Sania Mirza before the media, firmly denying his marriage to Ayesha.

The Siddiquis had along maintained that Ayesha had married the Pakistani cricketer in 2002 through a telephone nikah, and had even produced the official registration document, and asked Malik to officially acknowledge the marriage and clear his name before marrying Sania.

With the divorce through, Shoaib's marriage to Sania is expected to now take place as scheduled on April 15 in Hyderabad. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Old Trafford aura will help Reds make it to Champions League semi-finals

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 04:54 PM

London, Apr.7 (ANI): Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson is convinced that the combined force of the Red legions inside Old Trafford, one of the world's greatest stadiums, will make the difference in ensuring his team's entry into the Champions League semi-finals.

"Old Trafford has that suction behind the goal. In the Stretford End in the second half, the ball gets sucked into the net. Those last-minute goals, there are too many to count. But it's not by accident. It's the way we play. It's amazing. But it's not always the team. The fans sometimes make it happen," The Sun quoted Ferguson, as saying.

It will be a packed house as United aim to overcome a first-leg deficit in the knockout stages for only the second time in seven attempts.

Ferguson said: "This is a chance to get to the semi-finals and that is an incentive. Most people would think we have a good chance and the tie is certainly not over. There is still work to be done but the away goal makes a difference, especially in the modern game. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Sangakkara wins toss, Punjab to bat

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 04:24 PM

Jaipur, Apr 7 (PTI) Kings XI Punjab skipper Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and opted to bat against Rajasthan Royals in their Indian Premier League match at Swai Man Singh Stadium here today. Punjab have brought back paceman S Sreesanth in place of Shalabh Srivastava. The hosts have also made one change, replacing Morne Morkel with Adam Voges. Teams: Rajasthan Royals: Shane Warne (C), Michael Lumb, Shane Watson, Yusuf Pathan, Naman Ojha, Faiz Fazal, Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, Adam Voges, Abhishek Raut, Siddharth Trivedi and Aditya Dole. Kings XI Punjab: Ravi Bopara, Manvinder Bisla, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan, Juan Theron, Piyush Chawla, S Sreesanth, Bipul Sharma and Romesh Powar.

Source: Web Search

Michael Clarke's mystery blonde revealed

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 04:10 PM

Melbourne, April 7 (ANI): The woman photographed with Australian cricketer Michael Clarke waiting for a taxi outside Ravesi's Hotel in Bondi has been identified as a Canadian tourist, called Jacqueline Adama.

Adama has spent the past few years touring Australia with her equally pretty identical twin sister Michelle, the pair landing twin jobs as barmaids at Justin Hemmes' hot city nightspots Establishment and Ivy, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Meanwhile, Clarke's ex Lara Bingle has also parked rumours that she's found a new partner.

The model was spotted with an unknown man with dark long hair in a BMW. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Pak tennis champs miffed with govt's refusal to award them prize money

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 03:40 PM

Islamabad, Apr.7 (ANI): The Pakistan Tennis Federation's (PTF) request to honour players who won the Davis Cup tie against Hong Kong last month and helped the country qualify for the semi final in Group II of the tournament has reportedly been rejected by the government.

"The PTF had written a letter to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani requesting him to host a reception in the honour of national tennis players and awarding them 10 million rupees as prize money. But this request has been rejected," The Daily Times quoted sources privy to the issue, as saying.

A senior PTF official, who refused to be named, said the government's step motherly treatment would only disappoint players, and force young hopefuls desist from taking tennis seriously.

"We have received a letter from the ministry today in which they said that they are not in a position to award tennis players. This is an action that would surely disturb our players," the official said.

He said the monetary help from the government would have helped players meet their expenditures.

"Our demand of 10 million rupees was not only to get cash awards for our players but also to meet other expenditures because lack of international tournaments in Pakistan has forced the PTF to ace financial crunch. We are in a dire need of government assistance to get out of these crisis," the official said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Marathon to provide fund for kidney research

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 03:24 PM

Abu Dhabi, April 7 (IANS/WAM) An international marathon to be held in New York City May 15 will raise funds for a kidney research centre in Abu Dhabi.

The Zayed International Charity Marathon will be launched in New York by General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and the deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The UAE embassy in Washington D.C., which is organising the event in the memory of the founder of the UAE Armed Forces Officers' Club, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, also announced a special incentive for the runner who breaks the world record.

--IANS/WAM

pm/dg

Source: Web Search

Dilshan diagnosed with gall bladder stones

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 03:00 PM

Kolkata, April 7 (PTI) Delhi Daredevils Sri Lankan recruit Tillakaratne Dilshan was today diagnosed with stones in his gall bladder after the cricketer was rushed to the hospital on complaint of severe abdominal pain. However, a team official said that the Lankan batsman does not have any plans to go under the knife immediately and would take a call later. "He woke up with severe pain around 3 am in the morning. We took him to a hospital where the x-ray revealed stones. But there are on plans to remove the stones now," the official said. "He has been given some medication as of now. There is nothing much to worry and he is doing fine," he added. Dilshan has been out of Daredevils scheme of things off late after scoring just 32 runs from the four matches he played for the Delhi outfit this season.

Source: Web Search

Tiger Woods uses cell phone on Augusta greens to help fellow golfer

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 02:54 PM

London, April 7 (ANI): With the ongoing sex scandal surrounding him, professional golfer Tiger Woods' every move has come under scrutiny, right up to him taking his cell phone out during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament.

Woods, 34, was spotted using his cell phone on the 10th green at Augusta on April 6 during a practice round with Mark O'Meara, a friend and former Masters champion. He was helping me with my putting," the BBC quoted O'Meara as insisting.

"I had a loop in my putting stroke. He wanted to film my putting stroke," he stated.

But being caught with one may have also violated club policy at Augusta National, which bans cell phones on the course.

"We ask players not to use their cell phones," club spokesman Steve Ethun said.

"We would make exceptions if players were using any kind of recording device during a practice round," he added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

When Woods' minder mistook fan for his porn star mistress Joslyn James

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 02:40 PM

London, April 7 (ANI): Minders guarding Tiger Woods made a boob when they confronted one of his fans - and accused her of being his porn star mistress.

The boob came as the golfer did a practice round at Augusta, Georgia, reports the Sun.

One of his bodyguards mistook an attractive fan for X-rated actress and striptease dancer Joslyn James and approached her asking: "Excuse me, ma'am - are you the stripper?"

The fan was left shocked until the bodyguard realized his gaffe and apologized. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

South Africa goalkeeper Baron to miss World Cup

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 02:30 PM

South Africa goalkeeper Emile Baron will miss the World Cup finals after being told his injured shoulder needed surgery, his club said on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old, who was in the running for the host nation's number one spot, suffered the injury in training with the squad in Brazil last month.

It was initially hoped he would heal in time for the June 11-July 11 World Cup but doctors recommended surgery last week and have now told Baron and his club he will not be ale to play until July, SuperSport United officials told Reuters.

Baron, who previously played at Norwegian club Lillestrom, has six caps for South Africa and returned to the national squad after a six-year hiatus.

He also helped SuperSport win the South African championship for a third successive year.

Source: Web Search

RCB look to brighten semifinal hopes against DC

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 02:24 PM

Virtually out of contention for a semifinal berth, title holders Deccan Chargers would be hoping to redeem some pride while Royal Challengers Bangalore have everything to play for when the two teams take on each other in an Indian Premier League match here on Thursday.

Deccan's semifinal hopes in the IPL III were dealt a blow after the Hyderabad outfit slumped to five loses on the trot to find itself struggling at the bottom half of the tally with just six points from nine outings.

The Kumar Sangakkara-led side, however, would be hoping to return to winning ways on Thursday at floodlit M Chinnaswamy Stadium to give them an outside chance of progressing to the semis.

If the must-win situation against the formidable Royal Challengers was not a herculean task, the defending champions will also have to ensure victory in all the remaining four matches after tomorrow to keep their hopes alive in the Twenty20 tournament.

However, looking at the form and morale of the team such a proposition looks highly unlikely. Deccan this season were completely undone by its top players' inability to finish the games.

Skipper Adam Gilchrist, Herschelle Gibbs and Andrew Symonds have failed to deliver when it mattered most for the team. Young Rohit Sharma has been their batting mainstay, but with very little support from the other end his efforts have invariably gone in vain.

Royal Challengers, on the other hand, are placed in the third spot in the points table behind Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils and a victory on Thursday would do a world of good for the Bangalore side.

Anil Kumble's brigade which has garnered 10 points from nine games so far, will have to come up trumps in front of the home crowd to consolidate their position in the tournament.

RCB will have to win at least three of its remaining five games to make the semifinal cut, especially with Chennai Super Kings (10 from 10) and Rajasthan Royals (10 from 10) snapping at its heels in the points table.

As IPL III enters the defining stage, only Mumbai Indians (14 from nine) and Delhi Daredevils (12 from nine) seemed assured of a place in the last-four. But if forms were to be the barometer, RCB should call the shots in Thursday's crucial tie even though in cricket's shortest format anything could happen.

Robin Uthappa has been in blistering form and his brutal power-hitting has destroyed the analysis of bowlers like S Sreesanth, Lakshmipathy Balaji and Australian Brett Lee.

If Uthappa, Jacques Kallis, Manish Pandey and Virat Kohli were not enough a worry for Deccan, returns of Ross Taylor, Kevin Pietersen and Cameron White have empowered RCB's batting department.

Bangalore's bowling department will be at the safe hands of experienced Kumble and South African pacer Dale Steyn. If Steyn is lethal upfront, Bangalore's bowling at the middle is at the hands of master craftsman Kumble, who has proved in the tournament that he had not lost his guile.

Source: Web Search

Oz cricket boots out the old

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 02:20 PM

Cricket Australia has been strict enough with legends like Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh and even with Alan Border not to mention others, so the steps taken yesterday were far from causing much controversy.

Batsman David Hussey and pacemen Nathan Bracken and Stuart Clark have lost their Cricket Australia contracts along with Brad Hodge and wicketkeeper Graham Manou to make way for five new players for 2010-11.

The newcomers announced Wednesday were fast bowlers Ryan Harris and Clint McKay, wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine, allrounder Steven Smith and batsman Adam Voges.

Those five all started the 2009-10 period without CA contracts, but picked them up by the end of the season after receiving sufficient upgrade points during that time.

Veteran paceman Brett Lee retained his contract, despite his recent injury and form struggles. He will likely play only limited-overs and Twenty20 matches.

Source: Web Search

Ill Armstrong pulls out of Circuit de la Sarthe

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 02:10 PM

American Lance Armstrong has pulled out of the Circuit de la Sarthe four-day race because of illness, his RadioShack team said on Wednesday.

"He is not starting today's (second) stage because of gastro enteritis," RadioShack spokesman Philippe Maertens told Reuters.

Seven-times Tour de France champion Armstrong is now due to fly back to the United States.

Source: Web Search

British shops set to net a record 1.5 billion pounds World Cup bonanza

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 01:40 PM

London, Apr 7 (ANI): Cashing in on the 2010 World Cup bonanza, shops in Britain are set to net a record 1.5 billion pound bonanza.

Experts predict it will bring the "feel good" factor back to the High Street where nearly 70,000 jobs have gone in the past two years.

Maureen Hinton, a retail analyst with Verdict Research, said: "The World Cup will be a huge out-of-the-ordinary boost."

Tesco is already expecting to sell 300,000 televisions, 800,000 flags and 500,000 official England footballs, The Sun reports.

Retail boss David Potts believes the tournament in South Africa will generate sales 20 per cent higher than in 2006, when the competition was held in Germany.

He claimed there were already signs that shoppers were feeling a bit more confident.

Potts added: "Once we get past the Election and further along the road to an economic recovery, people will be in the mood to party."

Tesco kicks off its World Cup campaign in stores on St George's Day, after replacing Sainsbury as the "official supermarket" of the England team, The Sun reports.

Liverpool star Steve Gerrard's wife Alex Curran has helped the Tesco design a new eco-friendly "Bag for Life". (ANI)

Source: Web Search

France's Renard quits as Zambia coach

Published Wed, Apr 07 10 01:30 PM

Zambia coach Herve Renard has resigned two months before the end of his contract, the country's Football Association (FAZ) said on Wednesday.

Renard's departure from his first senior role comes after media reports have linked him with the vacant coaching job of Angola.

"Renard handed in his letter of intent to be excused as he stated his desire to pursue other professional interests elsewhere," FAZ spokesman Eric Mwanza said in a statement.

"FAZ and Renard therefore amicably agreed on the way forward. In view of this development, FAZ's consultations and efforts to have him extend his contract have been suspended."

The 41-year-old led Zambia to the African Nations Cup quarter-finals in January, their first appearance in the last eight in 14 years.

Renard's record with Zambia, who he took charge of just under two years ago after a spell as assistant coach with Ghana, was 14 wins, 10 draws and 10 defeats in 34 matches.

The Frenchman played for Cannes in his homeland before working as assistant to compatriot Claude LeRoy in China, England and with Ghana's Black Stars.

Source: Web Search

Brilliant Messi takes holders Barca to semis

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 01:10 PM

Lionel Messi netted a brilliant first-half hat-trick and added a late fourth to fire holders Barcelona past Arsenal into the last four of the Champions League on Tuesday.

If it was Barca's team play that ripped the Londoners to shreds in the first hour of last week's first leg, it was the sublime talent of the Argentina international that propelled Pep Guardiola's side to a 6-3 aggregate victory and set up a last-four clash with Inter Milan.

Arsenal grabbed a shock lead through Nicklas Bendtner in the 18th minute but from then on it was all about Messi, the 22-year-old scoring goals of sheer class in the 21st, 37th and 42nd minutes to all but kill off the visitors' hopes.

With two minutes of normal time remaining, Messi completed his virtuoso display with a fourth after pouncing on a rebound to drill the ball low through the legs of Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.

'SPECTACULAR FASHION'

The fourth took his tally in the competition to eight, putting him top of the scoring chart, and added to the FIFA World Player of the Year's 26 La Liga goals this season.

"We started badly but ended in spectacular fashion," a euphoric Messi told Spanish television. "I am very pleased but the important thing is that the team keeps winning."

Barca seized early control of possession at a packed Nou Camp and Messi tested Almunia with a fierce drive in the fourth minute and sent a curling strike whistling just over the crossbar shortly after.

It was a sign of what was to come but the visitors silenced the home fans in the 18th minute with a breakaway goal.

Abou Diaby robbed Gabriel Milito in midfield and as the Barca players appealed for a foul Theo Walcott raced clear on the right and set Dane Bendtner up to score at the second attempt past Victor Valdes.

The goal seemed to fire Barca into action and they were level within three minutes when Messi picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area and lashed a shot through a crowd of defenders into the top corner.

He made no mistake with a cool finish high into the net from close range after Pedro's smart layoff to put Barca ahead on the night and his third goal shortly after was the pick of the four.

Seydou Keita nodded the ball into his path, catching the Arsenal defence flatfooted, and as Almunia advanced to meet him Messi scooped the ball over the Spaniard and into the empty net.

As Arsenal tired, Messi struck again in the 88th minute, twisting one way and another through a crowd of defenders before beating Almunia for a fourth time.

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'Stunned' Waqar says players responding well due to hefty fine, bans imposed by PCB

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 12:54 PM

Lahore, Apr.7 (ANI): Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis is thrilled with the response of players during the ongoing training camp here, but said he believed that it is due to the ban and hefty fines imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on some of the senior players last month.

"I have been receiving tremendous response from the players since day one of the training camp, and it has stunned me absolutely," Waqar said.

"Most probably, it is the result of the fines and punishments handed to seven leading players by the Pakistan Cricket Board recently in the aftermath of their poor show in Australia," he added.

Waqar said he has worked with the national squad in the past, but never seen such a committed response from the players.

"Though I have had my association with the national team in the past as bowling coach and as a player, I have never seen this kind of interest and commitment from the players," The Dawn quoted Waqar, as saying.

Commenting on Pakistan's chances of retaining the World T20 title, Waqar put his weight behind the spinners in the squad, and said they would play a crucial role in helping the team defend the title.

"We have variety of all types of bowlers but I think we have an edge in the spin department and we will be depending upon our spinners to play a key role in team's success to defend the title," he said.

He pointed out that slow bowlers like Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez could inflict heavy damage on the best batting line up in the world. (ANI)

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Pak to bank on spinners for defending World T20 title: Waqar

Published>Wed, Apr 07 10 12:50 PM

Lahore, Apr.7 (ANI): Defending champions Pakistan would be banking upon its spinners to retain the ICC T20 World Championship, coach Waqar Younis has said.

Waqar said he believed that the team had spinners who could pocket the coveted title for a second consecutive time.

"We have variety of all types of bowlers but I think we have an edge in the spin department and we will be depending upon our spinners to play a key role in team's success to defend the title," Waqar told reporters on the sidelines of the ongoing training camp at the National Cricket Academy here.

He pointed out that slow bowlers like Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez could inflict heavy damage on the best batting line up in the world.

Waqar said he was pleased with the response of players during the ongoing training camp, adding that if they maintained the same momentum, Pakistan would surely lift the T20 title.

He said it was probably due to the recent fine and punishment imposed on players by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that the cricketers were responding well in the camp.

"I have been associated with the team in the past and I have never seen that high level of interest shown by players in training and fitness and I believe it is a very good sign because total commitment and promise is needed to achieve our set goals in the Cup," The Daily Times quoted Waqar, as saying. (ANI)

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