Coleen Rooney feeling broody

Published>Sat, May 01 10 04:08 PM

London, May 1 (ANI): Just six months after the birth of baby Kai, Coleen Rooney is saying that she wants more babies with hubby Wayne.

Talking at the Philip Armstrong fashion show in Liverpool, the proud mother showed off a photo of Kai, which she has as her iPhone screensaver.

"I've really started getting used to being a mum now and I absolutely love it," the Mirror quoted her as saying.

"I wasn't scared about having a baby at all because I've been surrounded by babies all my life.

"But it's just a case of getting used to it and not having as much sleep and getting into routines.

"I definitely want more children. Not right at this minute, but maybe in a year or so. I'm not rushing back to work either, I'm just enjoying being a mum," she added. (ANI)

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Govt sanctions Rs 1.50 lakh for former chess player

Published Sat, May 01 10 03:58 PM

New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) Sports Minister M S Gill today sanctioned an aid of Rs 1.50 lakh for former chess player Nasar Ali Syed from the National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons. "Dr M S Gill, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports has sanctioned an ex-gratia assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh from National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons to Nasar Ali Syed, a former chess player who is living in indigent condition," a Ministry release said. Syed had played chess at national and international level from 1967-1969. "Taking into consideration his financial position, the Sports Minister has sanctioned ex-gratia payment of Rs 1.50 lakh to Syed," the release said. Under the Scheme of National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons, the Ministry provides lump sum financial assistance to outstanding sportspersons of the past, who are facing financial distress. During the last three years, the Ministry has extended ex-gratia financial assistance to 18 former sportspersons living in indigent circumstances, the release said.

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Cricketer Ojha to marry May 16

Published>Sat, May 01 10 03:48 PM

Bhubaneswar, May 1 (IANS) Indian cricketer Pragyan Ojha is all set to tie the knot in his home state Orissa May 16, his family said Saturday.

The left arm spinner will marry Karabee Baral, a post-graduate in micro biology, at Hotel Mayfair Lagoon in Bhubaneswar.

Ojha, who represented India at the under-19 level, and Karabee met a year ago at a function, Ojha's family sources told IANS.

A member of the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Ohja was the leading wicket taker in the just ended IPL-3.

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Uthappa, Tiwary for Manjrekar double wicket tourney

Published Sat, May 01 10 03:38 PM

Mumbai, May 1 (PTI) Robin Uthappa and Saurabh Tiwary, two batsmen who shone during the Indian Premier League for their respective franchises, would take part in the Vijay Manjrekar memorial single wicket cricket tournament organised by the Shivaji Park Gymkhana here on May 9. Tiwary''s Mumbai Indians teammates Shikhar Dhawan and Ambati Rayudu, along with India discards Sanjay Bangar and Ramesh Powar are to play in the tournament carrying a total prize money of Rs 3.42 lakh, according to the organisers. The winning player would take home Rs 60,000 and the runner-up Rs 40,000. A day earlier another former Test stalwart who played for the famous cricket cradle which is celebrating its centenary year, Ramakant Desai, would be remembered. A double wicket tournament conducted in his name in which local cricketers would fight it out for the winning pair''s top prize of Rs 75,000 out of a total prize pool of Rs 2.45 lakh would be held on May 8. According to the Gymkhana''s secretary Dr Vikas Dubewar, the occasion would be used to honour past cricketers who have represented it in local tournaments over the years.

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French footie Franck Ribery's underage hooker strips on talk show!

Published>Sat, May 01 10 03:08 PM

London, May 1 (ANI): The hooker, who French footballer Franck Ribery bedded while she was still underage, is said to have worn a bikini to a talk show and then removed the top.

Zahia Dehar, who wore only a tiny swimsuit on the TV show, did a sexy dance with two hunky male models, before disappearing into a box on the set with one, reports the Sun.

The Moroccan-born beauty then emerged back on the set sans her bra and covering her breasts.

Her male friend was seen wearing the bikini top. (ANI)

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Paes-Dlouhy ousted from Rome Masters

Published Sat, May 01 10 02:56 PM

Rome, May 1 (PTI) Leander Paes and Lukas Dlouhy crashed out of the ATP Rome Masters 1000 after being handed a straight-set defeat by the seventh seeded Polish-Austrian pair of Lukasz Kubot and Oliver Marach in the quarterfinals here. The Indo-Czech combination went down 3-6 4-6 in 76 minutes. The Polish-Austrian duo converted four of the seven break point chances they created to prevail in the contest. Paes and Dlouhy, winners of the Miami Masters, had not played a single ball in the tournament before yesterday''s match as they got a bye in the first round and were given a walkover in the pre-quarters.

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Thoroughly prepared opponents would target Pak during World T20 : Sohail

Published>Sat, May 01 10 02:48 PM

Islamabad, May 1 (ANI): Former Pakistan opener Aamir Sohail has warned that opponents would target the defending champions during the ICC T20 World Champions as they would have thoroughly scrutinised Pakistan's strengths and weaknesses.

"The Pakistan team will have come up in plenty of team meetings and there will have been plenty of conversations about the reigning champions," Sohail said.

"Last time around in England, Pakistan surprised a number of their opponents, with the likes of Mohammad Aamer being a relative unknown, but this time around Pakistan's opponents will have done their homework and will target Afridi's team," he added.

Sohail said that though Pakistan would be missing plenty of players who were part of the victorious team last year, all-rounder Shoaib Malik, who has been banned for a year by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), would be missed most.

"Malik is a T20 specialist and on Caribbean wickets he would have been ideal. Yes, he'll be missed this time around," PakPassion.net quoted Sohail, as saying.

The explosive former opening batsman said Pakistan should look to play according to a gameplan, which should be to play cautiously for the first few overs and preserve wickets rather than trying to blast their way through right from the word go.

"Pakistan need to try and target 150 as a par score if they bat first. If they target a score of 150, then there is every chance that they could exceed that total especially with wickets in hand and lower order big hitters like Afridi and Razzaq at the crease," Sohail said.

Pakistan would begin their campaign at the World Championship against an unpredictable Bangladesh side at St Lucia on Sunday (May 2). (ANI)

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Liverpool will betray history if they don't beat Chelsea, says expectant Fergie

Published>Sat, May 01 10 02:38 PM

London, May 1 (ANI): Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has said that ace rivals Liverpool will be betraying the history of their club if they do not do everything to beat Chelsea on Sunday.

Many United fans fear that Liverpool will not have the same desire to beat Carlo Ancelotti's players knowing that it could all but hand their rivals a record 19th Premier League title.

"I think Liverpool will do their best on Sunday, they have to. Great clubs don't throw their histories away, they don't throw their traditions away for one game," The Sun quoted Ferguson, as saying.

"They have been in 11 European finals and won 18 titles. That is a fantastic history and you don't throw that away. Do you think their fans want to go home saying their team capitulated and didn't even try? Of course not," he said.

Ferguson pointed to the situation on the last day of the 1994-95 season as an example of what Liverpool is about.

They beat Blackburn at Anfield knowing that could hand United the title.

"In 1995 it was exactly the same, the similarities were there. We depended and hoped on Liverpool producing and we got that.

"Their manager Roy Evans talked to me and said 'You have to earn the right to win the title' and that stands today," he said. (ANI)

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Get back to best for selection, Lee told

Published Sat, May 01 10 02:28 PM

Melbourne, May 1 (PTI) His career graph sliding due to constant injury breakdowns, Australian pacer Brett Lee has been told by chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch to produce his absolute best on return from the latest arm injury to have any chance of being picked again. Hilditch conceded that the 33-year-old Lee was rushed back too early after recovering from an elbow surgery that took over eight weeks to heal. "He can come back from injury, he came back to pretty much his best the last time. This elbow injury has obviously been a big setback. With the benefit of hindsight he might have tried to come back too early," Hilditch was quoted as saying by ''The Australian Associated Press''. "Really, now he''s going to have a hard rehab program to get back to his best if that''s what he wants to do. He''s got to see what his rehab is like and needs to get back to his best - but he needs to be back to his best," he added. Lee was picked for the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies despite concerns about his fitness and ultimately had to be replaced by Ryan Harris owing to an arm injury. "I acknowledge that at the time it was a little bit of a gamble. We needed him to play eight or nine IPL games to get ready, which he had in front of him," Hilditch said. "Then he had the thumb injury which impacted his preparation. That was disappointing. In the end, the result doesn''t impact on this tournament, Ryan will be here, he was very close to selection in the first squad," he added. Lee''s latest injury is his fifth since December 2008 in a long list that includes ankle, elbow and other niggles. Team physio Alex Kountouris, however, hopes to see Lee back in action in another five weeks. "He has got to see what his rehab is like and needs to get back to his best. If he gets back to his best he will be a very potent weapon for us. He has been a great bowler for Australia. "Really this is now in the hands of how he comes back from this injury," he said.

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South Africa agrees to play 'home' series against Pakistan in UAE

Published>Sat, May 01 10 02:18 PM

Lahore, May 1 (ANI): South Africa has agreed to play a Test and one-day international series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in October (UAE), following an agreement between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket South Africa (CSA).

A PCB official said cricket authorities of both countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the series, and other dates would be finalised soon.

"South Africa has agreed to play at Abu Dhabi and Dubai and we are also considering to hold matches in Sharjah," The Daily Times quoted the official, as saying.

He said that the proposed series would include three Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20 match.

South African had earlier refused to tour Pakistan due to the precarious security situation in the country. (ANI)

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Pak players have learnt their lessons from Australia tour: Waqar

Published>Sat, May 01 10 02:08 PM

St. Lucia, May.1 (ANI): Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis believes that his side's laid back attitude, which was one of the prime reasons behind their disastrous performance during the Australia tour, has now been replaced by a 'new spirit of determination'.

"I've seen the change from Australia to Pakistan. The boys have really started responding. In Australia I was part of the team and the boys were a little laid back, not really bothered," Waqar said.

He said there has been a noticeable change in the attitude of the players, and they want to prove a point after the whole controversy which followed the winless tour Down Under.

"I don't know if it's got anything to do with the bannings or what, but they have really started pushing themselves.I wouldn't say they're scared but they've probably started thinking it's a professional game and they get paid for it and there's a country's (honour) at stake," The News quoted Waqar, as saying.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had slapped hefty fines and imposed bans ranging from a year to an indefinite period on players, including former skippers Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan, after an enquiry committee blamed them for infighting during the Australia tour.

Waqar also believes that Afridi is the right man to lead the side, despite him being fined and banned for his shocking ball chomping act during the last one-day international against Australia.

"I think so, he has probably realised and he wants to do more, and I think he is the best choice as captain. He is an all-rounder and he leads from the front," he said.

"He is bowling superbly, he is a match-winning bowler. And with his quick 30-odd off 10 balls or whatever, that really puts the game in your favour," Waqar added. (ANI)

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Afridi backs out-of-form Hauritz for place in final eleven

Published>Sat, May 01 10 01:48 PM

St.Lucia, May.1 (ANI): Pakistan T20 skipper Shahid Afridi has backed Australia's out of form off spinner Nathan Hauritz for a place in the final eleven in the opening match against the defending champions, saying slow bowlers are likely to play an important role on the sticky Caribbean wickets.

Hauritz is almost certain not to be included in the team for Australia's opening match at the ICC World T20 Championship against Pakistan, as he went wicket less in both practice games.

Australia's chief selector Andrew Hilditch has already hinted that leg-spinning all-rounder Steve Smith and captain Michael Clarke could fill in the spinner's role, but Afridi, who took 4-24 in a splendid display of spin bowling in a warm-up match against Zimbabwe, has suggested that the Kangaroos should go with regular spinners.

"I think you should go with regular spinners on this track, it's not easy to bowl spin, you should be very focused," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Afridi, as saying.

"I'm not saying it's totally a spinning track, if you've got a good experienced spinner they know how to bowl and where to bowl. I think he's been doing well for the last couple of months and I think on this type of track he will be very difficult for the opposition," the swashbuckling all-rounder added.

However, Hilditch is confident that with a formidable three-man pace attack of Mitchell Johnson, Dirk Nannes and Shaun Tait, Aussies bowlers would be able to restrict opponent batsmen.

"This is pretty close to the balance of the side we wanted.We've obviously got a good pace attack and we're going to use that in these conditions and in Barbados as well. We think we're pretty well placed with spin bowling," Hilditch said.

"Steve Smith did a really good job,we got good spin out of Michael Clarke and David Hussey as well, and of course Nathan Hauritz, and when the conditions are spin-friendly we've got the opportunity to play more spinners," he added. (ANI)

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Chennai Super Kings give Fleming new three-year contract

Published>Sat, May 01 10 01:38 PM

Wellington, May 1 (ANI): IPL champions Chennai Super Kings have rewarded former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming by giving him a new three-year contract.

"Chennai have been good to me and I'm totally committed to them and I've had no discussions with New Zealand Cricket whatsoever," Fleming told The Dominion Post upon his return from India.

"This is perfect to keep me in the game. It is my drug to a degree so I can do this, do it well, and coaching Twenty20 is a much different job to coaching a national side that has three facets [test, one-day and Twenty20]," he said.

Fleming is disturbed at the possibility of spot fixing in the Indian Premier League, but says he has seen nothing untoward at Chennai.

Spot fixing involves trivial incidents within the match, such as a bowler delivering consecutive wides, which may have no ultimate influence on the result.

There are suggestions that spot fixing took place in the IPL in South Africa last year and in India last month, Stuff.co.nz reports.

"I need to see how, when and what. I'm tired of hearing the speculation. There is obviously something there (to warrant an investigation) but I need to see something," Fleming said.

The next assignment for Fleming is to coach Chennai for the Champions League in South Africa due to be held in September. (ANI)

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Lee must get back to his best to resume career: Hilditch

Published>Sat, May 01 10 01:18 PM

Melbourne, May 1 (IANS) Australian chief selector Andrew Hilditch has told injured pacer Brett Lee that he must be back to his best form if he wants to resume his international career.

Hilditch defended his decision to select Lee for this year's World Twenty20 saying he does not regret handing the paceman a national contract for this year.

An injury plagued Lee Wednesday flew home from the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean after straining a muscle near his right elbow.

'If he gets back to his best he will be a very potent weapon for us, he's been a great bowler for Australia,' Hilditch was quoted as saying in The Age. 'Really this is now in the hands of how he comes back from this injury.

'He's got to get this injury treated, he's got to see what his rehab is like and needs to get back to his best.'

There was much speculation whether Lee would make the top 25 list after his retirement from Test cricket but he was retained to play Twenty20s and one-dayers. Because of his recent injury record, Lee has been out of the one-day international side.

Lee's returned from the elbow operation to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he broke a thumb and had limited game time.

'We didn't have much of an opportunity to see the IPL, we would have liked to see more but the reality is you have to pick the squad on March 30 so we only got to see the one IPL game,' Hilditch said.

'I acknowledge that at the time it was a little bit of a gamble, we needed him to play eight or nine IPL games to get ready, which he had in front of him.

'Then he had the thumb injury which impacted his preparation, that was disappointing.'

Lee's manager Neil Maxwell said Lee planned to force his way back into the 50-over side for the June-July tour of England - where they will also play Pakistan.

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Clarke asks 'match winner' Warner to play fearlessly, emulate Hayden

Published>Sat, May 01 10 01:08 PM

Sydney, May 1 (ANI): Australian skipper Michael Clarke has asked opener David Warner to play fearlessly and take a big swing at the ball whenever he likes, regardless of the cost, to pull off a performance equivalent to all-time great Matthew Hayden's.

Warner is Australia's in-form batsman for their opening World Twenty20 clash with Group A rivals Pakistan on Sunday.

Clarke told Warner to take Australia to a winning position as quickly as he can, hopefully inside six overs.

Warner has already scored 72 from 49 balls and 51 off 41 deliveries in Australia's warm-up matches against Zimbabwe and Windward Islands, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Clarke has also challenged Warner to pull off a performance equivalent to all-time great Matthew Hayden, who was the leading run scorer (659 at 73.22) in the 2007 one-day World Cup in the Caribbean where Australia went through undefeated.

"He's the type of guy that sees it and hits it and he's full of confidence. He plays a huge part, like Matty Hayden used to for us. Within six overs, we can have a real firm grip on the game if Davey goes off. He takes a lot of risks and there are times when he doesn't perform," Clarke said.

"He's a huge part of our team and I'm trying to give him the freedom to do exactly what he's done in the last two games. To walk out, see the ball and hit the ball. Not be too concerned if he misses out a couple of times just keep playing his way. He's a match winner," Clarke said.

Clarke said Warner and opening partner Shane Watson can take Australia towards a winning total against a Pakistani attack. (ANI)

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Afghan bowler compares his team's meteoric rise to boxing underdog Rocky Balboa

Published>Sat, May 01 10 12:58 PM

Melbourne, May 1 (ANI): Afghanistan fast bowler Hamid Hassan has compared his team's rise to play the ICC Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean to the deeds of Hollywood's boxing underdog Rocky Balboa.

Afghanistan debuts against India at St Lucia tonight, and it would be worth staying up late to watch the match.

"In every division, we just win by one run or one wicket. Every game for us is a thriller, like a horror movie, suspense and everything. Trying and trying, and then winning," said Hassan.

"It's like a dream for us. We are still not believing we are in the Twenty20 World Cup and we have ODI status, so this is a big achievement in my life," The Age quoted him, as saying.

Hassan defied his father; an educated man from Jalalabad, to practise in secret after the family escaped the conflict in its troubled homeland to live in Peshawar, Pakistan, when he was a boy.

"My dad didn't want to allow me to play cricket, he was very angry, because he wants me to become a doctor or lawyer. I play for one year in secret, nobody knows," Hassan said.

Hassan hopes his history of defiance will continue in the Caribbean, where the cricket world will be introduced to a team that over the past two years has enjoyed a heart-warming rise from division five of the ICC-funded associate nations to a place among the top sides. (ANI)

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Fergie, Benitez criticize Premier League for timing of end-of-season fixtures

Published>Sat, May 01 10 12:52 PM

London, May 1 (ANI): Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and his Liverpool counterpart Rafa Benitez are at war with the Premier League over their end-of-season fixtures.

The United coach is annoyed that Chelsea will face Liverpool just three days after the Kop's gruelling Europa League defeat by Atletico Madrid.

And Anfield boss Benitez insists Manchester United have an unfair advantage in the title race because they do not kick off until Sunday evening.

By then Manchester United will know the result of the Chelsea's lunchtime game at Anfield, The Sun reports.

"I was surprised. In Spain the last two fixtures for all teams kick-off at the same time. That way, everyone will be in the same position. But over here it is different and everybody will know what is going on," Benitez said.

Chelsea is a point ahead of United with just two games left. Victory at Anfield will mean United must win at Sunderland.

"To have to play a lunchtime kick-off after a Thursday game is not fair to the English teams. It happens time and time again. It's happened to us and it's happened to the rest of them," Ferguson said.

"We don't have that big a congestion of fixtures that we can't help a team out by one day.

"We would have preferred them to play for 90 minutes on Thursday and I have always said that I don't think teams get the proper help when they are in Europe. You are then depending on the resilience of the players," he added. (ANI)

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