Atwal tied 22nd, Jeev misses cut at Texas Open

Published Sun, May 16 10 10:36 AM

San Antonio (Texas), May 16 (PTI) Arjun Atwal returned a subdued even-par 70 to slip to tied 22nd but it was curtains for Jeev Milkha Singh as he missed the cut despite an improved show in the second round of the Valero Texas Open golf tournament here. Atwal''s two-day total stands at three-under 141 after he found a birdie and a bogey in the second round, which was suspended by a day due to bad weather. After remaining even-par in a blemishfree front-nine, Atwal found his first and only birdie of the day on the 10th hole. But a bogey on the 13th left him even-par for the round. In contrast, Jeev, who fell short of the cutline by just a stroke, endured an eventful day. Jeev struck two birdies against one dropped shot in the front nine to make the turn one-under. The back-nine turned out to be a disappointing one as he stumbled to two bogeys and a double bogey against just one birdie to drop out of contention. At the top, it was a four-way tie for the lead with Matt Jones (71), Brett Wetterich (68), Jimmy Walker (67) and James Nitties (67) having totals of seven-under 137 after two rounds.

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Atwal 22nd, Jeev misses cut

Published>Sun, May 16 10 09:46 AM

San Antonio (US), May 16 (IANS) Arjun Atwal had a sedate day with just one birdie and one bogey, both on back nine to finish with a 72 that saw him drop from tied seventh to tied 22nd at the end of 36 holes in the Valero Texas Open Saturday.

A late bogey on 16th saw Jeev Milkha Singh miss the cut by one shot in the rain-hit event, which will see 36 holes Sunday. Jeev was three-under with an eagle on par-5 12th and then found the bogey on 16th to miss the cut.

Jeev earlier had birdies on second, sixth and 11th and bogeys on fourth and tenth.

Atwal had a birdie on 10th and bogey on 13th.

Jimmy Walker and James Nitties got on a roll, and the soaked Valero Texas Open course dried out. Walker and Nitties shot 5-under 67s Saturday for a share of the lead at 7 under with Brett Wetterich (68) and Matt Jones (71) at TPC San Antonio, where the Oaks Course soaked up a drenching that will make for a 36-hole finish Sunday.

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Australia seek treble as England bid to end wait

Published>Sun, May 16 10 09:08 AM

Australia seek a world title treble while England will be chasing a first global one-day trophy when the old enemies meet in Sunday's Twenty20 World Cup final in Barbados.

Australia already own the titles in the 50-over World Cup and the Champions Trophy but England have failed to land a prize in the 35 years since the International Cricket Council began global one-day events.

An exciting tournament will end at the Kensington Oval with the two best teams meeting in a fixture given added spice by the ancient rivalry between Australia and England.

While Australia have dominated the Twenty20 throughout, they will face an England team that has looked more together, focused and talented than any they have assembled in recent years.

However, as skipper Paul Collingwood has frequently noted, that progress will count for little if they return home from the Caribbean empty-handed again.

"We haven't won anything yet -- that's the thing. We've got to a final but it means nothing until we win a World Cup," he told reporters. "Until we do that we're going to keep our feet on the ground."

Collingwood hinted he would field the same team that comfortably beat Sri Lanka in their semi-final on Thursday.

That will mean a first taste of Australian pace bowling for young openers Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb.

POSITIVE APPROACH

The pair have kick-started England's innings well throughout the tournament and despite the threat posed by the pace of Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes, Collingwood said he would not ask his openers to change their positive approach.

"We've got a plan of action against every team and right the way through the tournament we have been very aggressive and I don't want to change our mindset going into the final," said the captain.

"The guys are going to go out with confidence and belief and keep doing the things they have been doing well throughout this tournament."

Australia have looked the most powerful outfit in the event although they needed a rescue act from Mike Hussey, who struck a brilliant 60 in 24 balls, to get past Pakistan in Friday's semi-final.

Michael Clarke's men will be favourites largely due to their strength in depth and experience in big matches.

Clarke, though, said the form book counted for little in the compressed action of Twenty20.

"People would have thought we were the favourites on Friday and we nearly got beaten," he said. "The fact is that we've got two wonderful cricket teams who've played fantastic Twenty20 cricket throughout this tournament.

"We have come a long way in this form of the game. But we didn't come here to make the final, we came here to win the final.

"There's no doubt we'd be much happier leaving Barbados with that one last trophy we don't have just yet," added Clarke.

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Experience gives Aussies advantage says Clarke

Published>Sun, May 16 10 08:46 AM

Australia captain Michael Clarke believes his team's superior big match experience will give them a "huge advantage" in Sunday's Twenty20 World Cup final against England.

Seven of the likely Australian starting line-up have featured in a World Cup or Champions Trophy final while England skipper Paul Collingwood is the only from his team to have played such a game -- back in 2004.

"The guys who have taken part in big cricket matches -- it doesn't necessarily have to be a final -- have a huge advantage," said Clarke.

"There were probably guys in our squad that were picked not only because they are great Twenty20 players but have experience as well, World Cup experience, big test match experience.

"Having a few senior players around will help the youngsters control their emotions."

The four Australians without final experience are 20-year-old leg spinner Steve Smith, left-arm pace bowler Dirk Nannes and Twenty20 specialists Dave Warner and David Hussey.

The other big difference between the two line-ups is that England's features three South African-born players and an Irishman in their top five batsmen.

Collingwood is the only player born in England in that top order, a dominance by foreign born players that would be hard to imagine for an Australian team.

"Never say never," said Clarke with a grin when asked if such a scenario would be possible.

"I haven't seen it yet in my career, though. But if you asked the guys playing in that England team if they're proud to be a part of that side I'm certain they'd say yes.

"Kevin Pietersen's got the Lions tattooed on his arms, so he's obviously very proud of playing for England.

"Every single player in that England team will come out and try their best, as will we," said the Australia skipper.

Australia reached the final thanks to an astonishing comeback against Pakistan in St. Lucia on Friday and Clarke said rather than put that game aside, he wanted his team to remember what it showed about them.

AMAZING GAMES

"I don't think I want the guys to forget that. I think that memory will stick in my mind for the rest of my career. It's one of the most amazing games of cricket I've been involved in," he said.

"I think we need to understand and accept that game's gone. But just keep in the back of your mind that what we showed the other day could happen out here as well."

Mike Hussey hit 60 off 24 balls as Australia hit 23 off the last over to win their semi-final against Pakistan in dramatic style, having looked out of the game.

"In our minds, we need to be very confident that we're never out of the game, we always have a chance," he said.

"There will certainly be tough times in the game tomorrow. We're going to be under pressure, not be getting as many wickets as we'd like or as many runs off a certain over or certain bowler.

"But the acceptance is that, with our team, we can chase whatever total, or bowl a team out for what we need," he said.

Clarke said though that he was under no illusions that his team would need to be at their very best against England.

"England are a very good team, they have shown that in this tournament they have beaten a lot of good teams and will be tough to beat tomorrow," he said.

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Crop of good hope

Published>Sun, May 16 10 05:48 AM

A new set of players gets ready to don the India blazer, fingers crossed, as their big chance comes calling. Adityaand Devendra Pandey look at the two upcoming tours that will fuel the dreams of more hopefuls

IT'S a 15-minute autorickshaw ride from Jaidev Unadkat's house to the city market, but it takes him a few extra in the evening rush. The threewheeler snakes and slides its way through the bustling Porbandar traffic, just in time for Unadkat's appointment with Solanki's, the local tailors.

The measuring tape is out almost immediately, shaping up the length, breadth and girth of the Saurashtra cricketer. Not much is said in between, but the tailor realises the significance of the moment. He is told that the measurements marked at the back of his receipt book will soon result in a navy blue blazer?with an India A logo sewn on the breast pocket.

In January, Unadkat had his first coat stitched for the under-19World Cup. Just four months later, the India A jacket is on its way. For the 19-year-old cricketer, the rise has been rapid, almost exponential.

"My aim was to find a place in Saurashtra's Ranji squad for the next season; India A wasn't even in the scheme of things," Unadkat says. "But the selectors are performance-oriented these days. Things have moved at such a rapid pace that I'm already there."

Just like with Unadkat, things are changing at a rapid pace in Indian cricket.

Quick change of guard

The two tours?the national team going Zimbabwe and the India A side to England ? scheduled for the coming month will witness the fierce speed with which the generations change hands.

First, Suresh Raina?an IndiaAregular till not too long ago ? will lead a new-look Team India in the absence of most senior members. Though that is a temporary move lasting only the length of the tour, the selectors have shown faith in a talented set of youngsters who could eventually re-format the national side.

The other bold move has been the restructuring of the India A team. In an attempt to fast-track plenty of careers into the big league and form a reserve pool for national selection, the tried and tested fringe players have been given the boot, while players ? mostly youngsters ? have been given the nod based on performance rather than perceived ability.

Regulars like Parthiv Patel, Irfan Pathan, R P Singh, Mohammad Kaif and Munaf Patel, who used to find a refuge with the A side, have been overlooked.

From the last India A match, played back in October 2008, three have graduated to the senior team, while only two names have been repeated. Raina, Murali Vijay and Ashok Dinda are now key members of the national team's Zimbabwe tour, while Wriddhiman Saha and Cheteshwar Pujara are India A's current deputy and captain, respectively.

At 21, Pujara is seen as the next big hope. Rocking the domestic scene with two triple centuries in his debut season, Pujara put Saurashtra back on the cricketing map. With an insatiable hunger for runs and an ability to spend long hours at the crease, the batsman's grooming for Test cricket recently rose by another notch.

"I have been in the reckoning for a while, so I am pleased to get the India A call-up," he says. "But to be selected as captain is an even better feeling."

The suddenness, though, doesn't affect Pujara. "There is always immense pressure to perform, and whether you play for India A in England or domestic cricket in India, it's the same," he says.

"The aim is to enjoy it when they come. It (England tour as skipper) will be challenging because I haven't been assigned a task like this before. It's a big opportunity."

Although the runs have flown thick and fast off his blade in Indian conditions, Pujara says the real challenge lies in alien settings. "I have been consistent on the domestic circuit for the last three seasons but the test lies ahead. The conditions will be a stark contrast to what we have here, and so will be the bowling attack. Scoring well in England will boost my confidence. The key is to adjust quickly and play my natural game."

Age on their side

Like Pujara, Abhinav Mukund's domestic scores have been closely followed by the selectors. But the long backlog of players on the fringe forced the Tamil Nadu opener to wait for his India A opportunity, until this sudden revamp.

"My under-19 World Cup batch was an extremely talented bunch," Mukund, 20, says. "Players like Virat (Kohli) and (Ravindra) Jadeja were bound to get into the Indian team quickly. The others, like (Manish) Pandey, (Saurabh) Tiwary and I, had to wait longer. But with runs under our belt, it was bound to happen."

Have the youngsters entered at the cost of some of the senior peripheral players? "I don't think so," Mukund says.

"Players who are past 25 or 26 have not been ignored; they are already established cricketers and some of them have

already made their Test debut. The selectors view this squad as the future generation. I'm happy age is on my side." While the likes of Mukund and Pujara had the attention of the selectors because of consistent performances on the domestic circuit, others have shot to fame through the IPL. One such cricketer is Naman Ojha. A sterling IPL III season by the Madhya Pradesh wicketkeeper forced the selectors to take notice, and Naman now finds himself as the back-up to Dinesh Karthik in the national team.

However, he realises it will take more than just 377 runs for a franchise side to seal his India spot on a permanent basis.

"Playing for India is not a joke. The situation is simple?thosewhodo well will stay; those who don't will go home," Naman says. "Sheer dedication got us here.

It's time to repay the selectors' faith."

The big reshuffle

While some familiar Team India names now form the core of the India A side, many who made their bones in the lower category, such as Naman, will go to Zimbabwe in national colours.

Naman will now rub shoulders with his surname-sake Pragyan Ojha. Having spent the better part of last year in and out of the national team, Pragyan believes opportunities like these come rarely. He says these are two of the most important tours in recent past.

"We will get to gauge how the youngsters perform at the biggest stage," he says. "Personally, a good show will help me cement my place."

The cement though was never laid for a few players, who now return from the oblivion. Having warmed TeamIndia benches on separate tours, Dhaval Kulkarni, Sudeep Tyagi, Manoj Tiwary, Abhimanyu Mithun and Wriddhiman Saha lace the India A side, while Pankaj Singh returns to the senior team after two years. It may seem like a demotion after having found space in the Indian dressing room but with one Test and five ODIs between the six of them, it is yet another chance to prove their mettle.

None of those ODIs belong to Mithun, while one belongs to Tiwary? who never played again after his miserable debut against Australia in 2007.

Back from the oblivion

"Opportunity has come knocking again and I'm sure there will be pressure on me to perform. I keep reminding myself that I'm just a step away from the senior side. I'm eager to make a comeback ? it's time to start afresh," Tiwary says, with a slightly tragic drone in his voice.

Mithun, though, breaks the self-pity mould. Despite being dropped from the Indian side without a single appearance, the Karnataka fast bowler, who scalped 46 wickets in his debut Ranji season, feels it was for a good cause. "Being dropped from the Indian team was the best thing that happened to me because I learned the difference between the domestic and international levels," he says.

So how does he plan to get better this time around? "I'm going to Australia on the Border-Gavaskar scholarship. My stint there will also help me understand foreign conditions better," Mithun says.

But compared to some others, such as Kulkarni and Pankaj, Tiwary will feel blessed. The only time Kulkarni stepped on the field during India's tour of New Zealand in 2009 was with a couple of water bottles. Ditto for Pankaj, but on the tour to Australia.

"Nothing substantial has happened after I was dropped without a game," the Mumbai fast bowler says. "I even started missing the cut for the Board President's XI. This is a small opening, and if I do well, there is a bright future." Pankaj is more philosophical: "People used to ask me why I was dropped without being given a game. Back then, I didn't have an answer. Now I can tell them with pride that I'm back. It will be an honour to wear the team jacket again."

For the wide-eyed hopefuls, the measurements for the blazers will change as their young frames fill out with age. But what they would hope to retain is the stitch on the breast pocket with the national cricket emblem.

JUST A STEP AWAY

On the long ladder to the national team, a stint with India A is the final step. A look at a few of the fast-tracked careers.

ROBIN UTHAPPA (2006): On his India A debut, the Karnataka opener scores 116 against Netherlands A, destroying their bowling attack in the EurAsia Series in Abu Dhabi. In the next game against Pakistan A, he hammers 52.

A few weeks later, he gets 86 on his ODI debut against England in Indore.

MS DHONI (2004): The world gets its first glimpse of Dhoni's savagery when he rips apart Kenya and Pakistan A in Nairobi. His scores read 70, 120, 119* and 78. Three months later, the senior Pakistan team are at the receiving end in Vishakapatnam, when Dhoni, in his second ODI, becomes the top-scorer for an Indian wicketkeeper with 148.

AAVISHKAR SALVI (2003): With an action notoriously similar to Glenn Mc- Grath, Salvi scalps two back-to-back five-wicket hauls against Guyana and Jamaica in March 2003. A couple of months later he debuts for India. Salvi is unable to recreate the same magic, though, as he plays only four ODIs.

AJIT AGARKAR (1998): The pacer sends shock waves through Pakistan as he picks up half-a-dozen wickets in an innings twice, and another five-for. He also gets a 109 against Peshawar in March 1998, in the same game as his 6/75. A week later, the Mumbai bowler makes his debut against Australia. He then goes on to become the fastest to snare 50 wickets in ODIs.

VINOD KAMBLI (1993): Although Kambli had already made it to the ODI team in 1991, a stint with the India A side at the SAARC quadrangular series gave him the required impetus to receive his first Test call. The stylish southpaw made both Pakistan A and Sri Lanka A pay at Dhaka, before doing the same to the England and Zimbabwe Test sides with back-to-back double centuries in his first three Tests.

THE USUAL SUSPECTS

With the selectors shining the spotlight on the youth, the regulars have been left out in the cold.

The tried and tested may yet make a return to the A side, but their inconsistency has been punished. A look at players who have dominated India A over the last decade

MUNAF PATEL

Fast, tall and lethal was how Munaf was described during his India A days. A regular bowler in the side between 2004 and 2006, Munaf featured in almost all India A games played during the period.

However, the Baroda pacer never featured since, although he toggled in and out of the Indian team. India A continued to host and tour games until 2008, without the pacer.

RP SINGH

Before the left-arm seamer?known in the domestic circuit for his immaculate swing?burst onto the international scene against Zimbabwe in 2005, he had played one India A game. After that, the Uttar Pradesh bowler featured in 10 of 11 matches that the A side played in 2006, before disappearing from the scene altogether.

PARTHIV PATEL

The most regular feature of the India A side, the Gujarat wicket-keeper had played almost all India A matches since 2006. Parthiv's constant run in the A side also directly coincided with a certain MS Dhoni in the national team. With Dinesh Karthik being preferred over Parthiv as the reserve stumper, India A had been Patel's lone solace until the IPL.

MOHAMMAD KAIF

Although he made his A debut back in 1998, Kaif had given Parthiv Patel company almost step-instep since 2006. The face of the India A side since falling out of favour with the national team the same year?he hasn't played an ODI or a Test since '06?the Kaif wall had stood sturdy in the A side all the way until the last A game in 2008.

IRFAN PATHAN

The fall of Irfan Pathan has been a tragic one. Once considered the future of the Indian pace attack, Irfan had been a part of the A side since his form spiralled out of control. Although comebacks to the senior team were frequent in the beginning, the rate dropped quite drastically over the years.

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Federer, Nadal line up dream final in Madrid

Published>Sun, May 16 10 04:46 AM

Madrid, May 16 (DPA) Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will renew their rivalry a year after their last meeting as both played through in three sets Saturday into an all-star final at the Madrid Masters.

Top seed Federer, who paved the way to a 2009 French Open title by beating Nadal in Madrid three weeks previously, could line up to repeat history after defeating Spain's hustling David Ferrer 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

Federer won a dozen of the last 16 points as he beat Ferrer for the 10th time without a loss in little more than two hours, striking 38 winners and finishing with his eighth ace on the only match point.

'I thought I served really well tonight,' Federer said. David is one of the best returners in the game - he fought like crazy. I was worried.'

Nadal rallied 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over compatriot Nicolas Almagro and is poised - with a finals victory - to return to second in the world on the ATP rankings list behind Federer, replacing Serb Novak Djokovic.

Nadal stands one victory away from a record 18th career trophy at a Masters 1000 event, with Andre Agassi on 17 and Federer at 16.

Nadal leads Federer 9-2 on clay but believes his rival is in the driving seat for the early evening final, which will conflict with a key Spanish football match.

'He's playing really well, and conditions here are perfect for him,' Nadal said. 'He can win a lot of free points with serve and forehand. This court is perfect for him. He is the favourite here, for sure.'

Federer is looking to earn his second title of the year after the Australian Open and prime his clay campaign for a trophy defence starting May 23 at Roland Garros.

'It's very strange that we have not played in a year,' Federer said.

'I'm really looking forward to playing Rafa again. It's exciting for tennis that we can face off again. I was hoping something like this would happen in Madrid. I feel my game is coming together. I'm looking forward to the final a lot.'

Nadal dropped his first set of the week against the 35th-ranked Almagro, but calmly responded by putting his game back together to take the victory.

'The match was very close to getting away from me in the second set,' Nadal said. 'My serve was terrible in that first set, very strange.'

'Getting into another final is a huge joy,' he said. 'It's been a long spring on clay and being in this final is a dream for me. Whatever happens tomorrow, this has been very good. Never in my wildest dreams could I have thought of winning two Masters 1000s and getting to the final of a third.'

The 23-year-old is a perfect 14-0 on clay for 2010 after his victory, which included 16 winners and six service breaks of Almagro, whose unforced error count mounted to 37, mainly in the last two sets.

In women's play, Venus Williams will face Aravane Rezai after the French player advanced in 24 minutes when Czech Lucie Safarova quit with a hamstring problem after losing the first set 6-1 in 24 minutes.

Safarova won just six points out of 16 in her abbreviated loss, a day after ousting 14th seed Nadia Petrova.

Williams turned in a ruthless performance to reach her first clay final of the European spring 6-3, 6-0 over outclassed Israeli Shahar Peer.

The American fourth seed - set to become second in the world Monday behind her sister Serena - now stands 5-0 without the loss of a set against the world number 22 Peer, who never stood a chance in the hammering.

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Chelsea win dramatic Cup final to seal Double

Published>Sun, May 16 10 12:26 AM

Chelsea overcame a resilient Portsmouth side, who made a mockery of their pre-match billing as lambs to the slaughter, to win a dramatic FA Cup final 1-0 and clinch their first League and Cup Double on Saturday.

Didier Drogba maintained his remarkable knack of scoring at Wembley Stadium with the winner from a 59th minute free-kick after Chelsea had hit the woodwork five times in the first half while Frank Lampard missed a late penalty.

In an astonishing match of twists and turns, Portsmouth's Kevin-Prince Boateng, who had scored from the spot in the semi-final at Wembley, saw his 56th minute penalty saved.

The triumph gave Chelsea a second straight FA Cup final victory, after they beat Everton last season, and was a third success in four seasons for the west London side.

It was Chelsea's sixth FA Cup triumph and fifth in 13 years as they became the seventh English club to win the double and the first team since Arsenal in 2003 to retain the trophy.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, who has won the Double in his first season in England, told reporters afterwards: "Its a fantastic victory for me, I am very happy.

FANTASTIC SEASON

"We won't do anything special to celebrate, I will follow my players and my friends. Wine, sure, champagne. It is right to have a celebration, the team had a fantastic season."

"It has never happened in my career to hit the bar or post five times in one half... and we didn't start too well in the second half but I was not worried because we were in control of the game and had chances to score."

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant said: "It was a very difficult season. It is a season I will not forget. I have won a lot of games in my life, trophies and everything, but this was unbelievable. We always played against the odds."

In the first final between the champions and the bottom team in the top flight, Chelsea dominated the first half but were thwarted on five occasions when Drogba (twice), Frank Lampard, Salomon Kalou and John Terry all hit the bar or post.

Despite the pressure on their team, Portsmouth's incredibly vociferous fans made the greater noise inside the sun-drenched stadium and stayed to applaud their players even after defeat.

The match only turned Chelsea's way when Boateng's penalty, awarded after Chelsea's Brazilian substitute Juliano Belletti brought down Aruna Dindane, was saved by Petr Cech's legs.

Drogba fired home a 25-metre free-kick three minutes later that went in off the inside of a post to maintain his record of scoring in all of the six competitive matches he has played for Chelsea at Wembley -- three semi-finals and three FA Cup finals.

Lampard fired wide from the spot in the 88th after Michael Brown clattered into him but Chelsea had already just about done enough to become the seventh club in English history to win the Double, the 11th time the feat has been achieved.

OVERWHELMING FAVOURITES

Chelsea were quoted at 5-1 on to beat Portsmouth who are in administration, have debts of 138 million pounds ($201.2 million) and finished bottom of the Premier League.

Some pundits had predicted a record FA Cup final victory following Chelsea's 8-0 trouncing of Wigan Athletic when they clinched the league title at Stamford Bridge last Sunday.

But Portsmouth, many of whose players may have been playing their last match for the south-coast club because of the financial problems and relegation, weathered the storm and at times dominated Chelsea for possession and passing.

However, the Londoners had only one first half scare with Cech producing a reflex save to deny Frederic Piquionne.

Pompey's first close shave came after 14 minutes when Lampard shot against the outside of David James's left-hand post with a 25-metre drive.

Kalou was guilty of one of the most blatant misses in any Cup final after 27 minutes when he shinned an Ashley Cole cross against the bar in front of an open goal from four metres.

Chelsea captain Terry and Drogba, twice, also hit the woodwork before halftime.

The Ivory Coast striker, who will lead his country at this year's World Cup finals, showed his utter frustration by smacking the post with his hand.

Chelsea had four other chances in the opening period but needed a stunning reflex save from Cech to keep out an instinctive close-range effort from Piquionne after 22 minutes.

Portsmouth had the brighter start in the second period but there was an air of inevitably about the outcome once Boateng saw his penalty saved and Drogba scored.

The icing on the cake for Chelsea's England defender Ashley Cole was a place in the record books as he climbed the steps to the Royal Box and collected his sixth FA Cup winners' medal.

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Memorable FA Cup final caps incredible English season

Published>Sun, May 16 10 12:14 AM

Mega-rich Chelsea beat impoverished Portsmouth 1-0 to win the FA Cup and claim the Double on Saturday but that was about the only predictable outcome of a remarkable afternoon at Wembley.

Chelsea, who lifted the Premier League title last week with an 8-0 win over Wigan Athletic, were odds-on favourites and some pundits predicted they could beat the record winning Cup final margin of 6-0 set when Bury beat Derby County 107 years ago.

Portsmouth had other ideas and weathered a ferocious onslaught in the first half with plenty of help from the Wembley woodwork which Chelsea hit five times in 30 minutes.

They restricted the champions to a single goal but that was enough for the west London side to lift the FA Cup for the sixth time to retain the trophy they claimed last year.

In a way the twists and turns of the final reflected in 90 minutes the twists and turns of the domestic season, which saw the lead in the title race change more than 20 times before Chelsea pipped Manchester United by a point to become champions.

The winning goal finally came after 59 minutes when Didier Drogba smashed home a free kick from 25 metres that this time hit the post and went in with David James helpless.

YELLOW BOOTS

The goal came just three minutes after Portsmouth midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, whose yellow boots dazzled in the Wembley sunshine but failed to blind keeper Petr Cech, saw his penalty saved by the Chelsea stopper's feet.

But the Portsmouth fans, whose club have gone through five owners and an administrator this season, been docked points and suffered relegation with debts of 138 million pounds ($201.2 million), never stopped cheering.

Their cries of "Play Up Pompey" rang around Wembley, drowning the cheers of the Chelsea fans, who became more anxious and withdrawn as the match went on. They could not relax, even after their team had taken the lead.

The stadium was awash with the blue-and-white of both teams but it was the flag-waving Pompey section that became increasingly animated as the absorbing game ebbed and flowed.

As Portsmouth manager Avram Grant said afterwards: "If anyone ever doubts if it is good to buy this club, it is a good club. If you see the fans today, no competition, they won the final by far."

The football was not that great but the tension was tangible as Chelsea edged closer to their first double and Portsmouth tried to salvage some silverware from their most traumatic season.

SCUFFED SHOT

Chelsea had a chance to wrap it up when their England international Frank Lampard was awarded a penalty with two minutes to go but the occasion even got to the normally unflappable midfielder who scuffed his shot wide.

It was not Chelsea's most embarrassing moment of the day though -- that belonged to Salomon Kalou who somehow shinned the ball against the bar just four metres from an open goal in the first half, one of the worst misses in any FA Cup final.

On the touchline Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti and Chelsea's former coach Grant extolled one last effort from their men.

Ultimately Chelsea held out, collected their medals and danced with the Cup as Portsmouth's players, many if not all of whom had played their last match for the club, cheered their fans then collapsed on the field in dismay.

Grant, Chelsea boss when they lost the Champions League final to Manchester United on penalties two years ago, was widely acclaimed by both sets of fans after the match.

His future is as uncertain as Pompey's who could yet start next season with a 17-point penalty in the Championship (second division) if they do not come out of administration soon.

On the day, though, balance sheets and finances, tax demands and missed wage payments were far from anyone's mind.

Although an intriguing final ended in a predictable triumph for the favourites, Portsmouth's unquenchable spirit should helpt them through the tough times that are still ahead.

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Astarloza banned for doping offence, says will appeal

Published Sun, May 16 10 12:06 AM

Mikel Astarloza has been suspended for two years following a positive test for the banned blood-booster erythropoietin (EPO), the Spanish rider said on Saturday.

"I want to publicly announce that I have received a letter from the RFEC (Spanish federation) notifying me that I am officially suspended until June 26, 2011 for having broken International Cycling Union (UCI) rules," he said on his website (www.astarloza.com).

"I maintain that I have done nothing wrong... I will appeal this suspension to the relevant authorities," he added without elaborating further.

Euskaltel-Euskadi rider Astarloza tested positive for the banned blood booster EPO in an out-of-competition test collected last June and was provisionally suspended on July 31.

He won the 16th stage of last year's Tour de France, finishing 11th overall.

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Webber emulates Brabham with Monaco pole

Published>Sat, May 15 10 11:46 PM

Australian Mark Webber looked forward to picking up the baton from compatriot and Formula One great Jack Brabham after putting his Red Bull on pole position for Sunday's showcase Monaco Grand Prix.

The 33-year-old's second pole in the space of a week continued his team's stranglehold on the top slot, with Renault-powered Red Bull chalking up six out of six this season.

Webber secured it by three tenths of a second from Poland's Robert Kubica in a Renault, with Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel pushed into third place in Saturday's qualifying at the harbourside circuit.

"The first lap went ok, I brushed the Armco (barriers) pretty hard at the start of the second sector...I finished that one and then went for another. It just all came together," said the Australian, winner in Spain from pole last weekend.

The pole at the most evocative race in Formula One was the fourth of Webber's career and the first at Monaco by an Australian since triple world champion Jack Brabham in 1967.

Brabham, now the oldest surviving champion at 84, also took his first F1 win in Monaco in 1959 -- the only time an Australian has won on the unforgiving streets of the Mediterranean principality.

"I wouldn't be here without Jack Brabham," said Webber, reminded of the fact. "My Dad followed Jack when he was a young boy and that started I suppose the dream in the Webber household.

"Jack is an absolute legend of the sport and he's been very good to me over the years...of course it's an honour to get the pole today but it would be the biggest highlight of my career if I can join him tomorrow."

ALONSO ABSENT

Ferrari's Brazilian Felipe Massa completed the second row in fourth place.

His team mate Fernando Alonso, a two times Monaco winner, watched qualifying from the garage after wrecking his car in final practice. The Spaniard, second in the championship behind McLaren's Jenson Button, will start from the pit lane.

"This is the worst possible place to have to start from, given that overtaking is always problematic," said Alonso.

"It was my mistake but it was also very unlucky, because with an impact at 90 (kph) you don't normally write off a chassis."

World champion Button, last year's winner on the metal-fenced streets with Brawn GP, just sneaked through to the third and final phase of qualifying and secured eighth slot on the grid.

The Briton was unhappy with Massa however, accusing the Brazilian of impeding him.

"He backed off to get a clear lap for the next lap and he cost me time, so what happened can't be any clearer. I don't know what he was thinking," he said. "He obviously wasn't looking in his mirrors...he blatantly slowed me down."

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 winner, qualified fifth with Germany's Nico Rosberg alongside for Mercedes and back in front of team mate Michael Schumacher -- who said the younger German had also cost him a quick lap.

Schumacher, a five times winner in Monaco and making a comeback at the age of 41 and after three years out, qualified seventh.

Fears that qualifying could be crash-strewn and chaotic, with three much slower new teams on the track and expanding the field to 24 cars since last year's race, proved unfounded.

The only casualty was Renault's Russian Vitaly Petrov, who slewed into the barriers at Ste. Devote in the second session and starts 14th.

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Pakistani cricketer Kaneria held for match fixing

Published>Sat, May 15 10 11:36 PM

London, May 15 (ANI): Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, and young pacer Mervyn Westfield were arrested by Essex police for alleged match fixing.

The Police accused the duo for being allegedly involved in fixing a match of Essex's Pro40 against Durham held September 2009.

Both the Essex cricketers were questioned at Brentwood police station on Friday before being released on bail until September 15, pending further inquiries, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.

Both the players are free to play cricket for their club side or for the country as neither of them has yet been charged with any offence.

Although Kaneria's performance in the match against Durham is not under scrutiny, he is alleged to have introduced Westfield, whose performance against Durham is under the microscope, to an illegal bookmaker. (ANI)

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Rosberg apologises to frustrated Schumacher

Published>Sat, May 15 10 11:26 PM

Nico Rosberg apologised to a frustrated Michael Schumacher on Saturday after the seven times world champion complained he had been slowed by his Mercedes team mate in Monaco Grand Prix qualifying.

Rosberg was outqualified for the first time by the 41-year-old in Spain last weekend but turned the tables on his fellow German by taking sixth place on the starting grid for the season's most glamorous race with Schumacher seventh.

"I have to say from my perspective that all of our colleagues drove very fairly. The only car that blocked me was my team mate," Schumacher told television reporters after the session.

"It's a shame but there you go. It happened in quali three (the third phase) when there were only 10 cars on the track."

Rosberg, son of Finland's 1982 world champion Keke, told reporters he had apologised for a situation that Mercedes said was their fault rather than the driver's because they sent him out at the wrong time and the radio had failed as well.

"I feel extremely frustrated about today because we had a good car all weekend and as a team we didn't perform well in Q3," said team principal Ross Brawn.

"There was a problem with Nico's car getting out of the garage," he explained.

"The last thing we wanted was to have our two cars on the same piece of track... the plan was to split them but when we came to release Nico's car we had a problem with releasing it. It left the garage 20 or 30 seconds later than we planned.

"So then we had both cars together and Nico was getting squeezed," added Brawn. "I think Michael was annoyed after the second or third lap... when I explained to him what happened he was OK, just frustrated.... we cocked up."

Schumacher, making his comeback after three years in retirement, has won five times in Monaco and a sixth win would equal the record of the late Brazilian Ayrton Senna.

"I don't think it would have been my quickest lap time anyway but it would have been a banker and that was my aim -- to put a banker in and then go obviously full attack for the last lap," said Schumacher of the incident.

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Indian shooters harassed in Dorset ISSF World Cup

Published Sat, May 15 10 11:08 PM

New Delhi, May 15 (PTI) The Indian shooting contingent, partcipating at the ISSF World Cup in Dorset, UK today allged that they were harrased by the organisers which forced the team manager M Padmanabhan to shot off a letter to the High Commission in London. In his letter to the Indian High Commissioner in London, Padmanabhan brought to light the harassment the shooters encountered at the hands of transport department officials. According to the letter, released by the National Rifle Association of India, ace trap shooter and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Manavjit Singh Sandhu was insulted by the transport supervisor Mike. "Our Indian shooters were in the process of boarding the bus from the ranges to the official hotel when the driver slammed the door shut on the Indian shooter waiting outside and left him at the range. When the other shooters on the bus strongly objected, the driver turned back and went to the supervisor of the transport dept, Mr Mike. "Mr Mike then returned to the bus and yelled and screamed at our shooters and insulted them. He was very very rude and threatened the team with dire circumstances. He then addressed our Indian World Champion and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Mr Manavjit Singh and told him to get off the bus. He refused saying that the bus was the official transport and not his personal vehicle. Mr. Mike then threatened him by saying that the Indian Team will not be allowed to take the bus tomorrow morning," Padmanabhan wrote in his letter. "Two days earlier the same transport department had forced our two women shooters, Ms Shreyasi and Ms Shagun to get off the bus. They were humiliated thus in front of all other competing nations," the letter said. Padmanabhan has requested the High Commission to take up the matter with the Organizing Committee so that Indian shooters do not have to face more embarrassment. "We are feeling very harassed and cannot believe that we are being treated this way. We request that you may take this matter up with the Organising Committee of the ISSF World Cup, Dorset. We are feeling very insecure, insulted and threatened in the current atmosphere and the shooters will be unable to give their best at their events," Padmanabhan signed off. PTI SSC AT

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Unpaid dues: ICL officials face legal action

Published>Sat, May 15 10 10:46 PM

Chandigarh, May 15 (IANS) A court here Saturday issued notice to three officials of the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) for not paying the Rs.700,000 dues of a local hotel.

Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO), a semi-government corporation here, had filed a complaint in the court alleging that the ICL authorities had not paid the dues of hotel Mountview where the teams had stayed in 2008.

Mountview is a five-star hotel run by CITCO.

'Out of the bill of Rs. 11 lakh, ICL officials have not paid nearly Rs.700,000. We had intimated them through mails, calls and even sent them various reminders. But they have not paid the money till date,' a CITCO official said Saturday.

'They asked us provide them detailed bills that we had submitted to them before January 2010. After seeing no developments, we had to approach the court.'

Chief Judicial Magistrate J.S. Sidhu Saturday issued notice to chief of accounts department, manager accounts and assistant vice president of Essel group that started the ICL.

The court has sought their reply July 26.

The first edition of the ICL, which was not recognized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was held in November-December 2007.

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Geetu Anna Jose leads Super Girls to title

Published Sat, May 15 10 10:22 PM

Mumbai, May 15 (PTI) International Geetu Anna Jose scored 35 points to lead Super Girls to a crushing 80-59 title win over Wonder Girls in the women''s final of the Lakadawala Developers-Mastan Basketball Pro League at Mastan YMCA here today. Following the win, Super Girls pocketed Rs one lakh as prize money, while the runner-up''s got richer by Rs 75,000. The six-foot-two centre Geetu was unstoppable as she broke the shackles of the defence with ease and scored with fade aways and jump shots. Assisting her were Kokila Subramani and R Smruthi, who not laid it up for Geetu, but also scored regularly to finish with 13 points each. Besides top scoring with 35 points, Geetu also made useful contributions in the back with four rebounds, five turnovers and six blocks. Only P Anita, Geetu''s teammate in Southern Railway, kept the fight going for Wonder girls, scoring 22 points. She also made five turnovers and eight rebounds. Results: Women''s final: Super Girls 80 (Geetu Anna Jose 35, S Kokila 13, R Smruthi 13) bt Wonder girls 59 (P Anitha 22). PTI VKV AT SSC

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Unpaid dues: ICL officials face legal action

Published>Sat, May 15 10 10:16 PM

Chandigarh, May 15 (IANS) A court here Saturday issued notice to three officials of the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) for not paying the Rs.700,000 dues of a local hotel.

Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO), a semi-government corporation here, had filed a complaint in the court alleging that the ICL authorities had not paid the dues of hotel Mountview where the teams had stayed in 2008.

Mountview is a five-star hotel run by CITCO.

'Out of the bill of Rs. 11 lakh, ICL officials have not paid nearly Rs.700,000. We had intimated them through mails, calls and even sent them various reminders. But they have not paid the money till date,' a CITCO official said Saturday.

'They asked us provide them detailed bills that we had submitted to them before January 2010. After seeing no developments, we had to approach the court.'

Chief Judicial Magistrate J.S. Sidhu Saturday issued notice to chief of accounts department, manager accounts and assistant vice president of Essel group that started the ICL.

The court has sought their reply July 26.

The first edition of the ICL, which was not recognized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was held in November-December 2007.

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Rpting after correction in opening para

Published Sat, May 15 10 10:06 PM

Triple jumper Renjith wins gold Kochi, May 15 (PTI) Star athlete Renjith Maheshwari of Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) stole the limelight with a meet record in the Men''s triple jump (rpt triple jump) event at the National Open Athletics Championship here today. Renjith, who holds both the National and Meet records, did not face much of a problem before clinching the gold medal with a leap of 16.97m, bettering his own meet record of 16.68m set in 2009 at Bhopal. The national record also stands in his name at 17.04m created in 2007. Amarjeet Singh, also from RSPB, with 16.18m took home the silver while B Bhaskar of Tamil Nadu laid his hands on bronze at 15.91m. Defending champion RSPB''s domination was such that they won four golds, five silver and five bronze in the nine events held today. Favourite and international star Seema Antil of Haryana, won the Women''s Discus throw rather comfortably without any challenge. She threw the discus to 53.05m to clinch the gold, while Parwathi Seth and Amanpreet Kai, both from RSPB, with 49.49m and 44.09m, settled for second and third places respectively. Railways athletes made a clean sweep in the Men''s 400m Hurdles winning all the three medals, with national record holder Joseph Abraham at 50.67 secs bagging the gold, and Satender Singh at 50.99 secs and Avin A Thomas at 51.02 secs finishing at second and third position. .

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New Zealand rugby apologises to excluded Maori players

Published Sat, May 15 10 09:46 PM

An apology from South Africa's sports minister to Maori players excluded from All Blacks teams during the apartheid era has prompted the New Zealand Rugby Union to issue their own apology, months after it was first mooted.

"Today, on behalf of the New Zealand Rugby Union, we wish to say sorry first and foremost to those Maori players who were not considered for selection for teams to tour South Africa or to play South Africa," NZRU acting chairman Mike Eagle and CEO Steve Tew said in a joint statement on Friday.

"We apologise to the families of those players and to the wider Maori community who were affected directly or indirectly by the decisions taken to not include Maori players for those teams and tours.

"It was a period in which the respect of New Zealand Maori rugby was not upheld and that is deeply regretted.

"We also wish to take the opportunity to apologise to New Zealand as a whole for the division that rugby's contact with South Africa caused across the country over many years."

South Africa sports minister Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile apologised to Maori players left out of tours to the country in 1928, 1949 and 1960 in an open letter published in a New Zealand newspaper at the weekend.

The letter followed growing calls from Maori groups demanding an apology from the NZRU as the country celebrates the centenary year of the first official Maori rugby side.

Stofile's apology was also echoed on Thursday by a statement from the South Africa Rugby Union (SARU).

SARU president Oregan Hoskins said the debate in New Zealand had prompted discussions in South Africa.

"A number of Maori rugby players became innocent victims of the racist ideology of our former government, a policy that oppressed the daily lives of all black South Africans," Hoskins said in a statement posted on the union's website (www.saru.co.za).

"Those policies also denied thousands of talented black sportsmen and women the opportunity to compete for selection for South Africa's national sports teams."

"As the current guardians of the game of rugby union it is therefore appropriate that we take this opportunity to apologise to those Maori players who may have been excluded from selection and to the offence this may have caused to the Maori community."

The NZRU said they had first considered the issue last year, ahead of the anniversary, but had been advised against issuing an apology by the New Zealand Maori Rugby Board.

"The NZMRB's advice was that an apology might have the effect of unfairly condemning past Maori administrators and that it was more appropriate to focus on the present and the celebration of the New Zealand Maori centenary year.

"However, we acknowledge the steps taken by the South African Rugby Union and by the South African Minister for Sport and Recreation in response to these issues."

Former All Black and Maori player Bill Bush welcomed the apology but questioned its timing.

"I attended the ... launching of the celebrations of 100 years of Maori rugby a couple of months ago along with a lot of other Maori rugby players," he told Radio New Zealand.

"All the politicians were there, the hierarchy from the NZRU were making the announcement.

"It's a shame that they didn't do it then."

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My team preparing to add more to my reply: Modi

Published>Sat, May 15 10 09:36 PM

New Delhi, May 15 (IANS) After handing over his reply to the Indian cricket board's chargesheet, suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi said Saturday his team is readying to add more to the already voluminous response.

Modi said that he will soon hold a press conference on the issue.

'I will do a press conference at an appropriate time. Its best to allow my colleagues time to go thru my reply. We spent weeks putting it,' Modi tweeted hours after his lawyer Mehmood M. Abdi submitted six cartons of documents to BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty at the Board headquarters in Mumbai.

'When anyone is falsely accused - it is their duty to respond and not react. So one responds by making all that. The reply is by my last count around 15000 pages. The Team may have added more. Or getting ready to add more as we print thousands of mails.'

'Now that the reply is done. 2nd reply still to be worked on. I plan to reply to that shortly. Just got into Monaco to enjoy the F1 tomorrow. Will spend it with friends and family,' Modi said.

Abdi submitted a voluminous reply to the chargesheet slapped on Modi by BCCI over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the cash-rich IPL.

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India crush Egypt 7-1, to meet Korea in Azlan Shah final

Published>Sat, May 15 10 09:22 PM

Drag-flicker Dhananjay Mahadik scored a hat-trick as defending champions India crushed Egypt 7-1 to enter the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament.

Mahadik (34th, 40th, 42nd minute), skipper Rajpal Singh (44th), Rupinder Pal Singh (48th), Tushar Khandekar (49th), Sarvanjit Singh (70th) scored for India in what was a must-win match, while Abd El Hakim Ahmed (68th) was the lone Egyptian goal-getter.

India will take on Korea in the summit clash tomorrow.

India had earlier made six appearances in the final of the tournament and ended on the victorious side on four occasions in 1985, 1991, 1995 and 2009. They had lost to Argentina in the 2008 title clash by a golden goal.

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Kaneria and Mervyn arrested in Essex for spot-fixing

Published Sat, May 15 10 09:08 PM

London, May 15 (PTI) Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, and young pacer Mervyn Westfield have been arrested by Essex police for alleged spot-fixing in Essex''s Pro40 match against Durham last September. Both the Essex cricketers were questioned at Brentwood police station yesterday before being released on bail until September 15, pending further inquiries, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph. Both the players are free to play cricket for their club side or for the country as neither of them has yet been charged with any offence. Although Kaneria''s performance in the match against Durham is not under scrutiny, he is alleged to have introduced Westfield, whose performance against Durham is under the microscope, to an illegal bookmaker.

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Team Manager submits T20 World Cup report to BCCI

Published>Sat, May 15 10 08:36 PM

Mumbai,May 15 (ANI):After the unceremonious exit of the Indian cricket team from the T-20 World Cup tournament held in West Indies,manager of the team Ranjib Biswal today submitted a report to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in Mumbai.Biswal met Ratnakar Shetty,Chief Administration Officer of BCCI and submitted a report on the performance of the Indian team in the tournament.He also played down speculations regarding an ugly incident in West Indies where six members of the Indian team,reportedly,got into a scuffle with some fans at a local pub after the last match.

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Modi files voluminous reply to BCCI chargesheet

Published>Sat, May 15 10 08:16 PM

Mumbai, May 15 (IANS) Lalit Modi, the suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) Commissioner, Saturday submitted a voluminous reply to the chargesheet slapped on him by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over alleged irregularities in the functioning of the cash-rich league.

Modi's lawyer Mehmood M. Abdi submitted six cartons of documents, with over 9,000 pages, to BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty at the Board headquarters here.

Abdi said a team of eminent lawyers, including Ram Jethmalani and Harish Salve, prepared the reply.

'It has been a teamwork and we are confident that we have been successful in preparing the reply.

'The charges were based on allegations and gossip. The BCCI can never prove it. We are confident that all the charges against Modi will be dropped. In fact, BCCI president Shashank Manohar is a well-known lawyer and it will take him only a few hours to go through the reply. It can be done even today,' Abdi added.

Asked about the contents of the reply, Abdi said: 'We cannot reveal anything about the documents. It is for you to impress upon the authorities (BCCI) and ask them to share the reply with you. But there are some interesting perspectives of the issues and controversies.'

'The showcause was of 35 pages. Our report (reply) is of 159 pages and there are around 8,500-9,000 pages of written documents along with it. Two sets have been prepared, one has been sent to Mr. Manohar and one to BCCI secretary Mr. N.Srinivisan. Professor (Ratnakar) Shetty has received the documents.'

'We have addressed all the charges. There is nothing left to be answered from our side. We want all the charges against Mr. Modi to be dropped and he should be reinstated as IPL chairman and commissioner.'

Abdi said that Modi had asked for more documents to formulate his reply but BCCI could not provide them.

'Mr. Modi has been writing to BCCI to supply the documents that they (BCCI) will rely on. In response, BCCI provided some documents and we came back to BCCI for more documents because there was nothing new in it. Two days back BCCI wrote back to rely on documents supplied.'

'Charges were made on Mr Modi's behavioural conduct based on hearsay and gossip. BCCI has not been able to substantiate it. Mr Modi told BCCI: 'I reserve the right cross examine about the allegations.''

'He has even tried to explain the oral allegations,' said Abdi, who flashed a victory sign before leaving the BCCI headquarters.

Shetty said he has received the documents.

'We have not gone through the number and pages and BCCI will follow the procedures and duly respond.'

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Webber takes pole for Monaco Grand Prix

Published>Sat, May 15 10 07:48 PM

Monte Carlo, May 15 (DPA) Mark Webber of Red Bull will start from pole position in the Monaco Grand Prix after holding off the challenge of Renault's Robert Kubica to finish fastest in Saturday's qualifying session.

The Australian, who also won last week's Spanish GP, clocked 1 minute 13.826 seconds for the 3.340-kilometre street circuit to grab his third pole of the season and fourth overall.

Kubica will start from second on the grid after registering a time of 1:14.120 minutes, followed by Sebastian Vettel in the second Red Bull and Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

Red Bull have now claimed top spot on the grid for all six races so far this season while Renault engines occupy the top three places for Sunday's race.

'Today's lap just all came together, nice clean exits,' said Australia's Webber.

'Three Renault engines and to get pole at Monaco is a nice feeling.'

Kubica was fastest in the final free practice session but had to yield to Webber's superior pace in qualifying.

'This was a good effort for us, the team and myself,' said the Pole, adding that he thought the result was the best his team could have expected.

'So far, so good. When you are so close it's better to finish first but we have to be happy.'

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton had to be satisfied with fifth place while team-mate and championship leader Jenson Button qualified down in eighth spot behind Mercedes pair Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher.

Meanwhile, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso will have to start from the pit-lane after crashing out in final free practice earlier in the day.

The two-time world champion crashed into the barriers at Massenet 23 minutes into the hour-long session and was unable to repair the damage to his car in time to register a lap time in qualifying.

Defending world champion Button leads the 2010 standings with 70 points from Alonso (67) and Vettel (60) after five of 19 season races.

'Around here it counts a lot to have driveability,' said Vettel.

'I'm looking forward to tomorrow, it's a long race and lots of things can happen.'

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Clash between old foes in World Twenty20 final

Published>Sat, May 15 10 07:08 PM

Bridgetown (Barbados), May 15 (IANS) Spurred by their come-from-behind victory against Pakistan, Australia will challenge the might of England in what in expected to be an engrossing battle between the two arch-rivals for the World Twenty20 crown here Sunday.

Australia and England are deserving finalists, being the most consistent performers in the 15-day tournament. For a while, it seemed Pakistan would overpower Australia Friday for the final berth, but Michael Hussey's sensational unbeaten 60 off 24 balls, that included three sixes off the last over, helped them chase down a mammoth 192.

So far, the two teams were known to have made light of the shortest format of the game. The Test matches and Ashes rivalry holds more importance. But this time round, Australia and England have shown they can be equally good in the slam-bang version.

Australia, who have won the ODI World Cup four times, is still to lay their hands on the World Twenty20 trophy while for England it holds a different importance. The inventor the gentleman's game is still to win any World Championship title.

Like the Super Eights, the wicket is expected to help the pace bowlers, and both sides are packed with quality bowlers.

It will, thus, be a test for the batsmen to show their skills on a bouncy Kenisngton Oval track which proved to be the burial ground for the sub-continental teams.

The Australian fast bowling trio of Dirk Nannes, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson can make life difficult for England batsmen. Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom and Tim Bresnan are equally capable of challenging the Australians.

Kevin Peitersen will be England's trump card while Australia will look up to Michael Hussey.

Australia captain Michael Clarke has already said they would love to get rid of Peitersen as early as possible.

Pietersen, who returned after the birth of his son, led the way for England with 201 runs at an average of 67.

'Kevin Pietersen's coming back to form plays a huge part,' Clarke said.

'He (Pietersen) is a wonderful player in all three forms of the game. He'll be a big part of the final. If we can get him out early it will hold us in good stead.'

But the sterngth of this England side is that they do not rely on one or two players. Their new opening combination of Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb has given them quick starts and Eoin Morgan and Luke Wright have held the fort in the middle order. Paul Collingwood himself is in good touch.

Australia's opening pair of David Warner and Shane Watson is equally dangerous. The middle order has been bit shaky but Cameron White and Hussey have made up for their lack of runs.

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Brit Muslim boxer involved in brawl ahead of title fight

Published>Sat, May 15 10 02:26 PM

London, May 15 (ANI): WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan was dragged away by his throat in a shocking mass brawl at the weigh-in for tonight's title fight with Paulie Malignaggi.

Kahn was caught in a huge bust-up at the 1,000 pounds-a-night at Essex House Hotel in New York, The Sun reports.

Malignaggi's promoter Lou DiBella raged: "Did you see this s**t, my guy got roughed up. If there's one more incident of this kind, he won't be fighting on Saturday. That's a promise. The weigh-in was closed to the public yet Khan had so many people there shouting and screaming."

Around 50 noisy Khan fans packed into the Petit Salon at the Essex House Hotel and pumped up the volume as Khan and Malignaggi deliberately touched foreheads and aimed verbal abuse at each other, The Sun reports.

Suddenly the violence exploded and it descended into a mass brawl with Khan fans trying to wade in.

Malignaggi tumbled into the hoardings and Khan was surrounded by people from his promoters, Golden Boy, and then led him away, The Sun reports.

Anthony Cantanzaro, Malignaggi's manager, shouted: "Khan's people came in and started fighting on the stage."

Malignaggi said: "If Golden Boy had done this like they were supposed to do, there would have been none of this. There was shoving and then suddenly all hell broke loose." (ANI)

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Burglars threatened to take Gerrard's kids away

Published>Sat, May 15 10 02:22 PM

London, May 15 (ANI): Burglars warned the wife of England footballer Steven Gerrard that they would take her kids in a terrifying raid on their home.

The Liverpool Crown Court was told that Alex Curran confronted the masked gang, who demanded she hand over jewellery and the contents of a safe.

Details of the ordeal emerged after Martin Wilson, 22, changed his plea and admitted the burglary following legal arguments, The Telegraph reports.

Graham Pickavance, for the prosecution, told the court the robbery took place in December 2007 as the Reds captain led his team to victory in a Champions League game against Marseille.

Curran, 27, had remained at the home in Formby, Merseyside, with their two children, Lilly-Ella and Lexie, now aged six and four, and their nanny Lyndsey Johnston.

Pickavance described the mansion as secured by high walls, a fence and electronically controlled gates, The Telegraph reports.

Police caught up with Wilson by analysing the use of his mobile phone, the court heard.

The defendant is serving six years and eight months in jail after admitting conspiracy to burgle at Liverpool Crown Court last June, The Telegraph reports. (ANI)

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PCB mulling IPL-like T20 tournament in UAE

Published>Sat, May 15 10 02:16 PM

Lahore, May 15 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly mulling to launch a T20 cricket tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the lines of the much famous Indian Premier League (IPL), and the proposal has already been approved by President Asif Ali Zardari, who is the PCB's chief patron.

According to well-informed sources in the PCB, the board had sent a proposal of starting a T20 tournament in association with Abdul Rehman Bukhatir's led Bukhatir group of companies.

"President Asif Zardari has given his consent to the proposal," The Daily Times quoted sources, as saying.

The proposed league, named the Middle-east Cricket League (MCL) is likely to be launched in October, and the matches would be played in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

"The concept is the same as the IPL. The cricket league will have franchised teams around five or six who will be allowed to sign on and play overseas players," sources added.

Sources said that efforts were on to get clearance and support from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its member boards and try to find a window for the MCL later this year.

Bukhatir has been associated with cricket for the past many years, and is primarily know for his Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) venture in Sharjah.

The CBFS series was suspended in 2003 following a match-fixing scandal. (ANI)

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Driver with biggest balls will win in Monaco: Hamilton

Published>Sat, May 15 10 02:06 PM

London, May 15 (ANI): Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton, who is hoping to win his second Monaco Grand Prix, has said that the driver with the biggest balls should come out on top in Monaco.

The Briton triumphed in Monaco in 2008.

"Here you are always on the edge and think if you brake a little bit too late, you'll be in the barrier. This is a track where you really have to have serious confidence in your car.

"When you say people outside of F1 could never understand what it feels like to drive around a track, this is the place where you really could never get anywhere near to understanding," The Sun quoted Hamilton, as saying.

"There is nowhere else you could experience anything close to what we experience here. And even when you are away for a year you seem to forget how crazy this race is.

"There is a certain buzz and special atmosphere here. When you have a good car here it just feels phenomenal - and this car feels light years ahead of last year's car," he said.

Hamilton heads into the race 21 points behind title pacesetter Button after his cruel tyre failure in Barcelona last week.

But Hamilton is confident he can still regain his drivers' crown this year, despite lying sixth in the standings going into the sixth round of the 19-race season.

"I don't feel I'm at the point where I need to turn it around as such because what needs turning around is just my fortunes. We've got the pace and the speed to get better results than we have been getting. We have the power in our hands," he said.

Hamilton's biggest threat could come from former teammate Fernando Alonso, who dominated Friday's practice sessions for Ferrari. (ANI)

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PCB mulling IPL-like T20 tournament in UAE

Published>Sat, May 15 10 01:36 PM

Lahore, May 15 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly mulling to launch a T20 cricket tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the lines of the much famous Indian Premier League (IPL), and the proposal has already been approved by President Asif Ali Zardari, who is the PCB's chief patron.

According to well-informed sources in the PCB, the board had sent a proposal of starting a T20 tournament in association with Abdul Rehman Bukhatir's led Bukhatir group of companies.

"President Asif Zardari has given his consent to the proposal," The Daily Times quoted sources, as saying.

The proposed league, named the Middle-east Cricket League (MCL) is likely to be launched in October, and the matches would be played in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

"The concept is the same as the IPL. The cricket league will have franchised teams around five or six who will be allowed to sign on and play overseas players," sources added.

Sources said that efforts were on to get clearance and support from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and its member boards and try to find a window for the MCL later this year.

Bukhatir has been associated with cricket for the past many years, and is primarily know for his Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) venture in Sharjah.

The CBFS series was suspended in 2003 following a match-fixing scandal. (ANI)

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Beckhams 'proud owners of love-themed artworks worth 30m'pounds

Published>Sat, May 15 10 01:22 PM

London, May 15 (ANI): David and Victoria Beckham have amassed a huge collection of "love-themed" art paintings and sculptures worth a whopping 30 million pounds in their various homes.

The couple's homes in London, Milan and LA adorn artworks by Damien Hirst, Sam Taylor Wood, Banksy and other artists.

"Victoria is a mover and shaker in much more up market circles nowadays and likes being a 'collector'," the Mirror quoted a source as saying.

"She is even in talks with a museum to showcase some of their pieces.

"All their pieces are love tokens - presents given from David or Victoria to the other one for birthdays, Christmases, anniversaries and other special occasions.

"One of the works includes a Hirst bull's heart enshrined in silver with scalpels exploding from it whilst another, given from David to Victoria for Christmas, is an Emin-designed strip of neon lights spelled out to read 'Forever yours,'" added the source. (ANI)

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Coach Flower asks KP to control bad temper ahead of T20 final

Published>Sat, May 15 10 01:08 PM

Sydney, May 15 (ANI): England coach Andy Flower has put his star batsman Kevin Pietersen on notice, urging him to control his temper before and during the World Twenty20 final against Australia.

Pietersen, who travelled back to London for the birth of his son and returned in time to score an unbeaten 42 from 26 balls in England's semi-final win over Sri Lanka on Thursday in St Lucia, is known to have a short fuse.

Pietersen knows that Australia is gunning for him.

Pietersen was seen giving his teammates stick for their sloppy fielding during the Sri Lanka match, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

"There is a fine line between demanding high standards of your fielders which is a healthy place to be for a side and then stepping over that line into a petulant world, and a world that damages the team in any way," Flower said.

"We are constantly on at our guys to stay the right side of that line," he said.

Flower said he was always confident Pietersen could skip a game in the Super Eights and slot neatly back into the side without drama.

"We were quite lucky with the way it fell but I suppose we got two good results in the first two Super Eights games so we made our own luck," he said. (ANI)

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Wedding bells for Glenn McGrath, Sara Leonardi?

Published>Sat, May 15 10 12:36 PM

Melbourne, May 15 (ANI): Aussie cricketer Glenn McGrath seems well on the way of walking down the aisle with Sara Leonardi, as he recently met his new lady love's dad, who was visiting from Sicily.

And, according to Confidential, Leonardi's mother is set to arrive in Australia in the coming weeks.

"We're just really happy at the moment. We're just two adults having a great time," the Daily Telegraph quoted Leonardi as saying.

However, McGrath did not spill any beans regarding a possible wedding.

"There would have to be an engagement first," he said on the subject. (ANI)

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