England's chances of retaining Ashes high: Tendulkar

Published>Wed, Jun 16 10 12:21 PM

London, Jun 16 (ANI): Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar has favoured England beating Australia to retain the Ashes, and has picked Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan, and Graeme Swann to play key roles in their victory.

Going by the record books, England's recent performances in Australia have been poor, with their last Ashes triumph-taking place there in 1986-87.

Tendulkar said England had a reason to be upbeat. "I think England have a good chance of retaining the Ashes," he said.

"The key members for England will be Pietersen and Morgan, and in the bowling department Swann. Then after that you have the experience of Andrew Strauss, so they can do something special in Australia," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Tendulkar, as saying.

England batsman Kevin Pietersen is also confident that they can deliver another blow to their archrivals morale after beating them in the final of the ICC World Twenty20.

England regained the Ashes on home soil in 2009 and still has plenty of cricket before the first Test in Australia on November 25, with the visit of Pakistan as well as a one-day series against Bangladesh.

"It would have been nice only to play them again on November 25 after we beat them in Barbados. But if we play the way we played in the Caribbean then we're moving in the right direction," SKY News quoted Pietersen, as saying.

"A lot of our good players and experienced players are coming to the party and we're all dovetailing with each other. If one guy doesn't do well another guy does. The key to beating Australia is for all 11 to dovetail together - or all 12, 13, 14 even 15 if they get an opportunity to come in," he said.

"Everyone talks about this word consistency but we've been doing it for a while and we have had some good results in the last 18 months so we want to continue that," Pietersen said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Waqar blames bowlers for letting Lankan batsmen off the hook

Published>Wed, Jun 16 10 12:07 PM

Dambulla (Sri Lanka), Jun.16 (ANI): Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has blamed his bowlers for the 16-run defeat against Sri Lanka in the opening match of the Asia Cup here.

Interacting with reporters during the post-match press conference here, Waqar blasted his bowlers for letting off the hosts after having reduced them to 160 for seven.

"They (Sri Lanka) were 160 for seven but we let them off the hook and gave away too many runs. That is what hurt us eventually," The Daily Times quoted Waqar, as saying.

Waqar praised skipper Shahid Afridi for his captain's knock of 76-ball 109, but added that he should continue in the same mould for the rest of the tournament.

"Afridi batted without fear by moving down the track and dealt with (Muttiah) Muralitharan the way he should be. That is the way he bats. I have seen him do this in the past. I would like to see him continue to bat in the same fashion," he said.

Though comeback man Shoaib Akhtar picked up three wickets in the match and bowled quick, Waqar was not all that impressed with the pacer's performance, and said that the Rawalpindi Express has lost his steam.

"But I think Akhtar is not really the Akhtar that we want him to be. He is still a long way from what we expect him to be," he said.

Despite the youngsters, particularly the two debutants Umar Amin and Shahzaib Hasan, failing to impress, Waqar said that the team is in a process of rebuilding, so the team management has decided to continue playing young players.

"We are in the rebuilding process. So we will continue to blood young players. We know that they (Shahzaib and Amin) suffered from nerves in their first game. It is tough out there, but that is how you play international cricket," he said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Suazos' injuries remain focus of Chile vs Honduras

Published>Wed, Jun 16 10 11:47 AM

The main focus ahead of the World Cup match between Chile and Honduras has been on injuries to the two opposing strikers named Suazo.

Chile's Humberto Suazo was top scorer in the South American qualifiers with 10 goals but injured his left thigh two weeks ago.

The initial prognosis was that the Zaragoza striker would be sidelined for three weeks, but his recovery has been quicker than expected and coach Marcelo Bielsa said he would be available for Wednesday's opener.

For Honduras, Genoa forward David Suazo also has a right thigh injury but - unlike his namesake - seems unlikely to have shaken off the problem in time.

Regardless of injuries, Chile will be favorite to make a winning start at the Mbombela stadium after finishing just a point behind Brazil in the South American qualifiers and holding the No. 18 world ranking, 20 spots above Honduras.

Chile defender Gonzalo Jara, who plays for English club West Bromwich Albion, said the key would be making sure Chile plays to its strengths. "We know that individually (Honduras) have got players who can change a game and they are also a very strong team physically, but I think the most important thing for us is to try to impose ourselves on the match," Jara said.

As well as Humberto Suazo, who won the Mexican title with Monterrey in 2009 before moving to Spain's Zaragoza, Bielsa can also call on forwards Matias Fernandez and Alexis Sanchez. After three seasons at Villarreal, Fernandez moved to Sporting Lisbon last year and has rediscovered the form that earned him the nickname "Matigol" for his exploits with Chilean club Colo Colo.

Also a creative forward, Udinese's Sanchez plays in a slightly wider role but still managed to contribute three goals in qualifying.

With Switzerland next up on June 21 and Spain to follow on June 25, Chile needs a positive result from the Honduras match to stand a realistic chance of progression. There is one further motivation for starting with a win: it's 48 years since the South American side last tasted victory in the World Cup, going 13 matches since beating Yugoslavia to finish third in 1962 when it hosted the tournament.

In it's first World Cup appearance since 1998, Chile will be hoping to end that run as soon as possible.

Honduras, on the other hand, has never won a World Cup match. The only other Honduras qualified for the finals was in 1982 when it held Spain and Northern Ireland to draws but lost to Yugoslavia to finish bottom of the group.

Some claim the side will struggle to do better this time round, but a sprinkling of players from Europe's top leagues means Honduras has reasons for optimism. Defender Maynor Figueroa plays at Wigan alongside Hendry Thomas, while Tottenham paid a reported 12 million pounds to sign midfielder Wilson Palacios in January last year. As well as David Suazo, Julio De Leon and midfielder Edgar Alvarez also play in Italy, with Torino and Bari, respectively.

"Favoritism is off the pitch," defender Sergio Mendoza said. "Nobody can say you are a favorite and somebody else is a Cinderella. I think we all deserve respect."

Figueroa said the Honduras players were enjoying the experience. "We're very close now," he said. "We're about to make our dream come true."

Honduras' Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda has already surpassed expectations by taking his team to the finals. The key now is to keep the dream alive as long as possible.

Source: Web Search

Manohar, Sri carrying on vendetta: Modi

Published Wed, Jun 16 10 11:37 AM

Suspended IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi on Tuesday submitted his reply to the third show cause notice issued to him by the BCCI alleging irregularities in awarding theatrical rights during the third season of the Twenty20 event, his legal counsel said.

"Modi e-mailed his reply to the BCCI tonight. I will submit the hard copy of his reply to the Cricket Board tomorrow," Modi's legal counsel Mehmood Abdi said here.

Abdi also indicated that Modi has demanded recusal of BCCI President Shashank Manohar and Secretary N Srinivasan from participating in any disciplinary proceeding against him in his reply to the third show cause notice.

"Modi has reiterated his demand for recusal of both Srinivasan and Manohar. The trail of showcause notices issued to Mr Modi shows that the Honorary Secretary is misusing his position in the BCCI to settle personal scores with him," Abdi said.

"There is a continuous issuance of show cause notices wherein the allegations are wholly misconceived and irresponsible. The notices are being issued despite full knowledge that no material warranting their issuance existed.

"In the interest of justice and fairplay it is incumbent upon Srinivasan to totally exclude himself. The BCCI President (Manohar) may consider recusing himself from all proceedings involving Mr Modi in present and future," Abdi added.

With regard to the third show cause notice issued to Modi, Abdi said the BCCI had not done its homework properly. "It seems that in the BCCI somebody has not done the homework properly, otherwise the matter would not have necessitated any show cause.

It's a matter of routine internal procedure and record. Still we are submitting our explanation covering all the angles and concerning all the issues," he said.

"Though I don't want to trivialise the issue, still with a view to slap another show cause notice, a mountain has been made out of molehill," Abdi added.

Source: Web Search

Spain opens World Cup campaign against Switzerland

Published>Wed, Jun 16 10 11:27 AM

European champion Spain will be one of the last two teams in action in the opening flight of group matches, a position the perennial World Cup underachiever also hopes to be in at the end of South Africa 2010.

Spain takes on Switzerland in Durban on Wednesday knowing that if it plays to its vast potential it can add the world title to its 2008 European Championship crown.

"Spain performed excellently in the qualifying campaign but a World Cup is different," goalkeeper Iker Casillas said Tuesday in reference to his team's perfect qualifying record. "We come with a lot of hope and desire to be world champions. If we play our game then we can win it."

While big predictions have weighed down Spain in the past, now the team made up almost entirely of stars from Barcelona and Real Madrid is enjoying them.

Coach Vicente del Bosque was just trying to mind the euphoria that has come with the team's tag as a favorite. "There's extraordinary optimism. But many make it sound like Spain has a direct route to the final and it's not like that," Del Bosque said. "We're not on this highway of thought that everyone seems to be on. If you want to achieve something you have to achieve it with work and by being a great athlete."

Both Spain and Switzerland have had a long wait to get their World Cup campaigns under way. They'll be the last teams to play their first games in South Africa when they meet at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Even with the benefit of watching their rivals' and having extra days to heal injuries, Casillas remained unsure over whether Spain is better now than two years ago. "Let me answer that on July 11 (after the final)," the Spain captain said. "It all depends on the results. If we don't win the World Cup then it will be all for nothing."

For Switzerland, the Group H match still comes too soon, with its experienced captain Alex Frei and West Ham midfielder Valon Behrami both out injured.

"I have decided that Alex Frei is not yet fit to play," said coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, adding that he would also leave out Behrami in an attempt to have both players fit for the following match against Chile.

Hitzfeld dismissed speculation that Frei's World Cup is already over because of a right ankle injury as "absurd." Frei, whose 40-goal international tally is a Swiss record, was hurt in the final squad practice before flying to South Africa last week. Behrami strained a left thigh muscle in Switzerland's final warmup game on June 5.

Striker Frei may not have been busy anyway against Spain, as Switzerland will need all its defensive skills to contain Vicente del Bosque's attacking team and its swift passing game. "We've spent a lot of time analyzing them and we know their play from the last Euro and World Cup," Del Bosque said. "We have enormous respect for them."

Spain has not advanced past the World Cup quarterfinals since it's best finish - fourth - in 1950.

And while Switzerland has injury worries, Spain's talented squad is at near full strength, with Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta declared fit by Del Bosque.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is recovering from a right leg injury and may not start but could come off the bench. In that case, Del Bosque will likely start Villa as a lone striker in front of a five-man midfield made up of Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, David Silva and Sergio Busquets along with either Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Jesus Navas or Pedro Rodriguez.

Spain's defense should contain Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique as centerbacks with Sergio Ramos and Joan Capdevila as fullbacks, and Casillas in goal. Spanish players say they are expecting a tough game against a

defensive Switzerland.

"There's no such thing as a small rival - even the most modest teams can surprise you," Casillas warned. "Our rivals are more prepared now than ever, ready to take advantage of any error." Casillas believes South Africa could be the moment to shine for this generation of Spanish talents after so many previous letdowns.

"All these players make this such a good team - it's more than a team, its a family like we've said a long time now," Casillas said. "We're harvesting the fruit of what we sowed years ago."

Source: Web Search

Manohar, Sri carrying on vendetta: Modi

Published Wed, Jun 16 10 10:51 AM

Suspended IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi on Tuesday submitted his reply to the third show cause notice issued to him by the BCCI alleging irregularities in awarding theatrical rights during the third season of the Twenty20 event, his legal counsel said.

"Modi e-mailed his reply to the BCCI tonight. I will submit the hard copy of his reply to the Cricket Board tomorrow," Modi's legal counsel Mehmood Abdi said here.

Abdi also indicated that Modi has demanded recusal of BCCI President Shashank Manohar and Secretary N Srinivasan from participating in any disciplinary proceeding against him in his reply to the third show cause notice.

"Modi has reiterated his demand for recusal of both Srinivasan and Manohar. The trail of showcause notices issued to Mr Modi shows that the Honorary Secretary is misusing his position in the BCCI to settle personal scores with him," Abdi said.

"There is a continuous issuance of show cause notices wherein the allegations are wholly misconceived and irresponsible. The notices are being issued despite full knowledge that no material warranting their issuance existed.

"In the interest of justice and fairplay it is incumbent upon Srinivasan to totally exclude himself. The BCCI President (Manohar) may consider recusing himself from all proceedings involving Mr Modi in present and future," Abdi added.

With regard to the third show cause notice issued to Modi, Abdi said the BCCI had not done its homework properly. "It seems that in the BCCI somebody has not done the homework properly, otherwise the matter would not have necessitated any show cause.

It's a matter of routine internal procedure and record. Still we are submitting our explanation covering all the angles and concerning all the issues," he said.

"Though I don't want to trivialise the issue, still with a view to slap another show cause notice, a mountain has been made out of molehill," Abdi added.

Source: Web Search

'World Cups are won by all 23'

Published>Wed, Jun 16 10 10:47 AM

Johannesburg, June 16 -- To ask a 69-year-old man whether it went in may not seem proper but Geoff Hurst doesn't seem to mind. His eyes light up at the question. "I can't believe that you asked me this," he said with the seriousness of a stand-up comedian. "It did. We all live by our beliefs and this is mine. The Germans had equalised at 2-2 and it was a big blow. Nothing is ever shown to suggest that the ball hadn't crossed the line. I saw my striking partner Roger Stewart raise his hand. He thought it went in otherwise he would have chased the ball. His instinctive reaction made me believe that it was in," said Hurst, scorer of the only hattrick in a World Cup final. The issue of the World Cup's most debatable goal settled, Hurst was lobbed another contentious issue by HT and again the knight ("call me Geoff, only my children call me Sir Geoffrey") was unfazed. Hurst said he didn't know that England goalie David James had said the 1966 final was "rubbish" but that if the Cup winners were to play Fabio Capello's team, it would be very close. "I would say 1-1. Only that most of us are 70. And you can only compare the teams if they win it." "I don't go along with it (James' comment) generally. We played in our time with as much aggression and physical fitness. And remember, tackle from behind was then allowed," Hurst, speaking here on the sidelines of a McDonalds programme said. Talking about another debatable strike, one from the hand of Thierry Henry, Hurst again spoke of doing things instinctively. "I know I've been guilty of doing that. I once scored six goals in a game and one of them was with my hand. But I said I was sorry afterwards. I've scored some perfectly good goals which referees have disallowed. "Henry too apologised and though I am very disappointed for the Irish, I think we should move on. The difference between that and another handball goal that hurt us in 1986 was that, forget being contrite, he said it was the 'Hand of God.'

"And who knows Michael Dawson (Ferdinand's replacement) might just turn out to be a star. I am a great example of someone who came on late. Martin Peters too. The only player England can't do without is Wayne Rooney," he said.

Source: Web Search

Lakers and Celtics all square in classic NBA finals

Published>Wed, Jun 16 10 10:27 AM

Back at home and back in form, the Los Angeles Lakers thumped the Boston Celtics 89-67 on Tuesday to force the NBA Finals series to a seventh game.

Led once again by Kobe Bryant, the Lakers rebounded from their losses in the last two games in Boston to square the best-of-seven series at 3-3 and ensure the title will be decided by a sudden-death game between the sport's two fiercest rivals at the Staples Center on Thursday.

The Lakers, who have already won 15 NBA titles, including last season, saved their best performance for when it mattered, keeping the series alive with the biggest winning margin of the finals to regain the momentum with the home court advantage.

Bryant, chasing his fifth NBA title in a decade with the Lakers, has been a tower of strength throughout the series and he produced again on Tuesday with 26 points and 11 rebounds.

Spanish forward Pau Gasol contributed 17 points and 13 rebounds and Ron Artest added 15 as the Lakers squared the best-of-seven series at 3-3 and ensured the title would go down to the wire.

The Celtics failed to reach the same standards they produced in the last two games to move within sight of a record 18th title, and were outplayed from start to finish.

They suffered an early setback when centre Kendrick Perkins sprained his knee in the first quarter when he fell awkwardly, and trailed by 10 at the end of the first period.

Perkins did not return and was due to undergo tests on Wednesday to determine whether he can play in Game Seven.

The margin blew out to 20 points at halftime and 25 at the last intermission as their confidence began to wane.

The Celtics managed just 28 from 84 off the floor and 60 percent of their free throws while the Lakers shot 33 from 79, including six of 19 three-pointers.

Guard Ray Allen top scored with 19 points while Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo all made double figures for Boston.

Source: Web Search

This is Africa and it rocks to the World Cup tunes...

Published>Wed, Jun 16 10 10:08 AM

India, June 16 -- "This is Africa", repeated the Zulu witchdoctor at the opening ceremony of the World Cup. The atmosphere at this WC is unique in many ways. It is unlike the one I played in Italy in 1990,or all the other ones I attended as a spectator or commentator. There is a unique energy and excitement in the air, as Africans celebrate their coming of age. This WC is not just about football or sports, it's about young African boys clutching their gold tickets for the opening game as if it was dearer than gold. It's about fans from all over Africa painting their faces and bodies in their team colours. It's about all of Africa pouring into the streets of Accra, Nairobi, Lagos, Abidjan, Maputo, Dakar and all the other African capitals to witness the opening of an event that celebrates the entire continent. The Cup opened fittingly with a splendid goal from the young, Siphiwe Tshabalala, born in Phiri, in the heart of Soweto. Despite all the warnings that stadiums would not be ready or that there would be rampant crime, the World Cup has opened with splendid fanfare, colour and life. Crime is as prevalent in the streets of New York, Rio, or even Amsterdam. The vibes here are incredible with happy, excited people, enjoying the biggest party of the century. The pros greatly outweigh the cons here. As I comment on the games for ESPN in Senton, Johannesburg, I can only marvel at how this country has been transformed by its people and its 90-year-old leader Nelson Mandela. In 1987, I dedicated the Golden Ball trophy I won as the footballer of the year to Mandela, who was serving a 25-year sentence in Robben Island. At the time few people in Italy, where I was playing, had even heard of him. In 1988, I even sang an anti-apartheid song in a shaky voice, called, "South Africa" with a reggae band called Revelation Time. Many years later, when I came to South Africa to meet Mandela, he said to me, "Ruud, now I have a lot of friends, but when I was inside, you were one of the few!" Over the next 23 years, I often visited the country and met the great man, celebrating the birth of a new nation. It was another senseless tragedy that he had to lose his beloved granddaughter, 13-year-old Zenami on the very eve of the opening ceremony, in a crash.

Source: Web Search

Wage dispute takes sheen off World Cup

Published>Wed, Jun 16 10 09:47 AM

Johannesburg, June 16 -- The World Cup got dragged into a wage dispute between security stewards and their employers leading to protests in Durban and a strike in Cape Town, which forced police to use its trainees in the game between Italy and Paraguay on Monday. On Tuesday morning, some 2000 stewards protested outside the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban and asked FIFA to confirm what they should be paid for the tournament. FIFA have said they won't get involved in this employer-employee dispute. This was after a communique from the organising committee that said FIFA has asked the South African Police Service (SAPS) to take over security operations at Cape Town's Green Point Stadium and in Durban until further notice. FIFA's request follows stewards leaving their posts after a wage dispute with their employers, Stallion Security Consortium. This private company is also responsible for Soccer City and Ellis Park, the city's two World Cup venues. Another company provides stewards in Polokwane, Nelspruit, Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Rustenburg. "All stadiums are being monitored on an individual basis and the risk of strikes is being assessed at each of the stadiums," said Rich Mkhondo, spokesman of the local organising committee. "Any strike action is the legitimate right of the participant and we are not going to get involved," he said. "The games will be held on time and they will end on July 11, 2010." On Monday, SAPS removed 500 striking workers out of the Green Point Stadium. Hours later in Durban, some 150 stewards started singing and dancing outside the stadium before moving downtown to register their protest.

A protest leader though said they don't want to inconvenience visitors and pledged to protect them even if they were on strike and barred from the venue.

Source: Web Search

Modi to reply today

Published>Wed, Jun 16 10 09:17 AM

Mumbai, June 16 -- Lalit Modi's reply to the third show cause notice issued to him by the BCCI, which was supposed to be submitted till Tuesday night, will now be submitted at the BCCI headquarters on Wednesday.

The third show cause notice, issued on May 31, dealt with financial irregularities while awarding the theatrical rights and those for the commercial shown mid-over throughout IPL-III.

Source: Web Search

FACTBOX - France v Mexico

Published Wed, Jun 16 10 09:02 AM

France play Mexico in their second Group A match of the World Cup on Thursday.

Where: Peter Mokaba stadium, Polokwane

Capacity: 45,000

When: Thursday June 17, 2030 local (1830 GMT)

Referee: Khalil Al-Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia)

World ranking: France 9, Mexico 17

Teams: Likely formation, shirt numbers, age, caps, goals:

France (4-2-3-1) Mexico (4-3-3)

1-Hugo Lloris 23-12-0 1-Oscar Perez 37-53-0

2-Bacary Sagna 27-21-0 16-Efrain Juarez 22-20-0

5-William Gallas 32-82-5 4-Rafael Marquez 31-92-11

3-Eric Abidal 30-49-0 2-Francisco Rodriguez 28-49-1

13-Patrice Evra 29-31-0 3-Carlos Salcido 30-74-6

14-Jeremy Toulalan 26-35-0 6-Gerardo Torrado 31-115-6

19-Abou Diaby 24-6-0 12-Paul Aguilar 24-11-2

21-Nicolas Anelka 31-68-14 5-Ricardo Osorio 30-77-1

7-Franck Ribery 27-46-7 17-Giovani Dos Santos 21-27-5

15-Florent Malouda 30-55-3 9-Guillermo Franco 33-22-7

12-Thierry Henry 32-122-51 11-Carlos Vela 21-29-9

Also available:

16-Steve Mandanda 25-13-0 13-Guillermo Ochoa 24-37-0

4-Anthony Reveillere 30-6-0 23-Luis Michel 30-4-0

6-Marc Planus 28-1-0 15-Hector Moreno 22-10-0

17-Sebastien Squillaci 29-20-0 8-Israel Castro 29-31-1

22-Gael Clichy 24-4-0 18-Andres Guardado 23-57-8

18-Alou Diarra 28-25-0 19-Jonny Magallon 28-52-3

8-Yoann Gourcuff 23-21-1 20-Jorge Torres 22-8-0

10-Sidney Govou 30-47-10 7-Pablo Barrera 22-21-3

9-Djibril Cisse 28-39-9 21-Adolfo Bautista 31-37-11

11-Andre-Pierre Gignac 24-14-4 10-Cuauhtemoc Blanco 37-119-38

20-Mathieu Valbuena 25-2-1 22-Alberto Medina 27-56-6

14-Javier Hernandez 22-13-7

Trainer - Raymond Domenech Javier Aguirre

Injured - 23-Cedric Carrasso 28-0-0 None

Suspended - None None

Changes:

* France coach Raymond Domenech is expected to revert to his usual 4-2-3-1 formation with Jeremy Toulalan and Abou Diaby playing in front of the defence. Nicolas Anelka could switch to the right wing, leaving his place up front to Thierry Henry.

* Mexico coach Javier Aguirre will probably keep faith with his starting front three of Guillermo Franco, Carlos Vela and Giovani Dos Santos.

Key stats:

* France have never lost to Mexico in six matches, scoring 15 and conceding only four.

* France and Mexico are two of nine teams at the World Cup who took part in the inaugural tournament in 1930.

* If France win, Domenech will become the most successful France coach ever in terms of victories with 42, one more than Michel Hidalgo (1976-84).

Previous meetings:

13.07.30 Montevideo France 4 Mexico 1

19.06.54 Geneva France 3 Mexico 2

13.07.66 London France 1 Mexico 1

31.08.96 Paris France 2 Mexico 0

03.06.01 Ulsan France 4 Mexico 0

27.05.06 Paris France 1 Mexico 0

GROUP A STANDINGS

P W D L F A PTS

South Africa 1 0 1 0 1 1 1

Mexico 1 0 1 0 1 1 1

Uruguay 1 0 1 0 0 0 1

France 1 0 1 0 0 0 1

Past results

June 11

South Africa 1 Mexico 1

Uruguay 0 France 0

Group fixtures

June 16

South Africa v Uruguay, Pretoria 1830 GMT

June 22

Mexico v Uruguay, Rustenburg 1400 GMT

France v South Africa, Bloemfontein 1400 GMT

- - - -

Source: Web Search

Assam boxer Thapa, Indian sports new hope

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 09:22 PM

Guwahati, June 15 (ANI): The northeast has contributed greatly to the success of Indian sport, and a new addition to this great tradition is Assamese boxer Shiva Thapa.

Seventeen-year-old Thapa, hails from Birubari in Guwahati District and has raised hopes in the Indian sporting arena.

He first donned boxing gloves at seven and has now won several national and international titles.

In 2008, he won the Hyder Aliyeve Cup in Russia and bagged a bronze at World Junior Boxing Championship in Armenia in 2009.

Shiva recently also won silver at the World Youth Boxing Championship in Baku, Azerbaijan.

For his success, Shiva was felicitated by the Assam Olympic Association in Guwahati.

"The Assam Olympic Association is giving its warm wishes to Shiva Thapa for his incredible achievement. We are very proud of him," said Hemanta Kalita, General Secretary, Assam Olympic Association.

"Last year, he was not being able to win but this time he got silver medal, which is a matter of pride for Assam and the country. We are proud of him," Kalita added.

A student of class XII, Shiva balances his rigorous training schedule at the Army Sports Institute in Pune and his studies as well.

Like every young boxer, he too hopes of win an Olympic medal for the country.

"I have qualified the Youth Olympic Games of Singapore. I am trying very hard, and for that we are having training camps at the Army Sports Unit in Pune under chief coach, G.Manmohana," said Thapa.

"For the first two months,we are going to have training camp there. Here I tried my level best and got silver, but in the Youth Olympic Games of Singapore, I will try my level best to bag a gold," he added.

He idolizes Mike Tyson, and feels that skills and intelligence have equal importance in a physical sport like boxing.

His list of idols also include sportspersons from the northeast like MC Mary Kom, Dingko Singh, L Sarita Devi and Som Bahadur.

Shiva's achievements are now serving as an inspiration to many youngsters in Assam. By Peter Alex Todd (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Jayaram prevails in Asian Junior chess

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 09:18 PM

Chennai, June 15 (IANS) Defending champion Ashwin Jayaram of India, employing the Sicilian defence, defeated compatriot Pratik Patil to take full points in the first round of the Asian Junior chess championship, here Tuesday.

Meanwhile, world Under-10 silver medalist Murali Karthikeyan caused a buzz when he drew with IM norm holder Swayams Mishra.

In the girls section, top seed WIM Padmini Rout beat Homa Alavi while Candidate Master Bhakti Kulkarni overcame Aparajita Gochchikar.

Source: Web Search

Sreesanth does a u-turn, says will continue to play for Kerala

Published Tue, Jun 15 10 09:08 PM

Thiruvananthapuram, June 15 (PTI) Temperamental paceman S Sreesanth today said he will continue playing for the Kerala Ranji team, hinting he has buried his differences with the state cricket association over the captaincy issue. Sreesanth had threatened to switch allegiance after being ignored for the captaincy of state Ranji team. "I always want to represent Indian team as a Keralite and I will continue to play for Kerala," he told reporters on the sidelines of a book release function here. "I only mentioned my opinion during an interview and nothing more to be attributed to it," Sreesanth added. Kerala Cricket Association had recently named all-rounder Raiphy Vincent Gomes as the captain for the upcoming domestic season and selected 25 probables for the team, including Sreesanth. The pacer said he was working hard to make a comeback to the national side. "Series and matches are coming and I am working hard to be part of the team. God willing and with the blessing of well-wishers, I am sure that I will be part of Indian team soon," he said. The youngster said he would join a training camp at National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. Sreesanth received a copy of novel ''Cricket'' written by K L Mohana Verma from former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor on the occasion.

Source: Web Search

Indian team departs to Colombo for Asia Cup

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 08:52 PM

Mumbai,June15 (ANI):The Indian cricket team departed for Colombo for the Asia Cup tournament from Mumbai on Tuesday.India will be keen to experiment following a disappointing tour of Zimbabwe while Sri Lankan skipper Sangakkara wants his men to live up to their favourite billing just eight months before the 2011 World Cup. With Sri Lanka co-hosting the World Cup with India and Bangladesh,organisers hope fans will not shun the matches like they did when the previous edition was held in Pakistan.

Source: Web Search

South African unions take aim at "fascist Mexico"

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 08:48 PM

Leading South African unions called on Tuesday for worker protests at Mexico games during the World Cup Finals to highlight what they called "fascist regime" treatment of a fugitive Mexican miners' leader.

"The primary purpose is to send a message, not disrupt," Oupa Komane, deputy general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), told a news conference.

Mexico, which opened its campaign with a 1-1 draw against host South Africa, has its next World Cup appearances against France in Polokwane on June 17 and Uruguay in Rustenburg on June 22.

Both cities are in South Africa's northern mining belt, and members of the NUM and other unions nearby would be urged to protest at the games, mainly by waving placards, Komane said.

POLITICAL PROTESTS

The tournament, the first on African soil, has mostly been free of political protests while some local labour groups have used the threat of strikes during the sports spectacle to press for higher wages.

A joint statement from the NUM and other unions claiming as many as 2 million members also called for a march to the Mexican embassy in Pretoria on June 28 in support of Mexican mining union leader Napoleon Gomez.

Gomez is accused by the Mexican government of skimming off millions of dollars into private bank accounts. He fled to Canada in 2006 after being ousted as miners' leader, but his supporters say the government orchestrated his downfall to install a more cooperative replacement.

He has since been re-elected but the government refuses to recognise his position.

The South African union statement described the corruption charges as trumped up and said it was vital for all workers to unite against "the continued onslaught and terror unleashed by the fascist and counter-revolutionary Mexican regime".

South African unions were a major driving force in the struggle against apartheid and even though white-minority rule ended in 1994 they remain an extremely powerful social force.

Unions demanding an 18 percent pay hike threatened a walkout this week by up to 16,000 workers at power utility Eskom, a move that could affect power supply during the World Cup.

Last week, hundreds of Mexican federal police backed by helicopters smashed a three-year strike at country's largest copper mine, enraging the mining union.

Source: Web Search

Smooth sailing for favourites in Asian Junior Chess

Published Tue, Jun 15 10 08:22 PM

Chennai, June 15 (PTI) World Under-10 silver medalist Murali Karthikeyan caused a upset holding higher rated and IM norm holder Swayams Mishra to a draw in a first round tie of the Asian Junior Chess Championships here today. The opening day, otherwise, yielded results on the expected lines with favourites led by top seed B Adhiban having a smooth sailing. Karthikeyan adopted the classical Queens'' Gambit declined variation and accepted hanging pawns. Though he lost a pawn on the queenside and was staring at defeat, he managed to create complications in a Knight ending and created a dangerous passer on the queenside. In the end, it was Mishra who had to play carefully to hang on to a draw. Adhiban and strong contender M R Lalith Babu employed the Caro Kann defence to outplay their rivals Kaushik and Akash respectively while Defending Champion Ashwin Jayaram played Sicilian defence against Pratik Patil to score a full point. Grandmaster norm holder and strong contender Vaibhav Suri pulled out of the event citing personal reasons. In the girls category, the top seed and hot favourite WIM Padmini Rout won pawns at will against her opponent Homa Alavi to win her opening tie while Candidate Master Bhakti Kulkarni too had an easy outing against Aparajita Gochchikar. Young Ivana Maria Furtado, twice silver medalist in World Championships, held her higher rated opponent WFM Nakhbayeva Guliskhan of Kazakhstan to a creditable draw. Yet another youngster G Lasya drew her game against higher rated Khadamelsharieh Sarasadat. In the lone upset in the girls side, Supriya Joshi outwitted her higher rated rival J Saranya.

Source: Web Search

England not amused by Beckenbauer criticism

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 08:08 PM

Hamburg, June 15 (DPA) England was not amused Tuesday by some harsh words on their World Cup team from Franz Beckenbauer. But some of its commentators had to concede that the German football icon was not entirely wrong.

'Beckenbauer's arrogant assessment cranks up the pressure ahead of a possible last-16 meeting with the Germans,' moaned The Sun, as a column from Beckenbauer for DPA created a storm.

'Beckenbauer, a World Cup winner as a player and boss, is clearly no fan of the England team and hopes his savage attack will get under their skin in a pre-meditated mind games move,' the tabloid said.

In the DPA World Cup column, Beckenbauer found no kind words for England after their opening 1-1 draw with the United States.

'What I saw of the English against the US had very little to do with football. It looked to me as if the English have gone backwards into the bad old days of kick and rush,' said Der Kaiser Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup as a player and coach.

'I am not sure if coach Fabio Capello can still change much there. The English are being punished for the fact that there are very few English players in the Premier League as clubs use better foreign players from all over the world,' Beckenbauer wrote.

British daily The Times said that Beckenbauer was not wrong with the latter assessment.

'The England manager will agree with Beckenbauer's comment about the lack of talent at his disposal, having bemoaned the fact that barely a third of the players who started games in the Premier League last season were English,' said The Times.

'But he is certain to be irked by the disparaging remarks about his team's style of play,' the highbrow paper said.

The Daily Mail echoed this: 'Capello has also complained that he is forced to select from too small a pool, but the Italian will not appreciate criticism when he received praise for the way he revived his squad and secured qualification.'

The Daily Telegraph pointed out that others in the football community rate England highly.

'Nevertheless, Beckenbauer's claims, which may also be regarded as part of the propaganda of the World Cup finals, run contrary to the general perception in world football of the job that Capello has done with England.

'Respected coaches such as Marcello Lippi, who leads world champions Italy into this tournament, have hailed his impact, rating England among the 'four or five' teams who can win the World Cup,' said the Telegraph.

England have to prove their class on Friday against Algeria while Germany play Serbia the same day, coming off a sensational 4-0 drubbing of Australia in their opener which drew lots of praise - including from the British press.

England and Germany could meet in the round of 16.

Source: Web Search

New Zealand grab last-gasp equaliser

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 07:48 PM

New Zealand defender Winston Reid headed an equaliser in the dying seconds to earn a 1-1 draw with Slovakia and secure his country's first ever World Cup point in their Group F opener on Tuesday.

Fullback Reid popped up to glance a header past Jan Mucha that went in off the foot of the post to bring the All Whites level after Robert Vittek had put Slovakia in front five minutes after halftime in what had been a fairly pedestrian contest.

Until New Zealand's late strike Slovakia, making their World Cup debut as an independent nation, had seemed set to top the group ahead of world champions Italy and Paraguay who drew 1-1 in the group opener on Monday.

Vittek scored when he met a diagonal Stanislav Sestak cross with a powerful header from 10 metres after Reid had missed the ball completely in the cold and windy conditions at the Royal Bafokeng stadium.

It was a rare moment of quality in a dreary game during which New Zealand, using a 3-4-3 formation, largely frustrated the cautious Slovaks who appeared reinvigorated after advice at the interval about how to approach the second half.

The Slovaks lifted their tempo and pushed forward more aggressively from then on and gave New Zealand few chances to regain a foothold in the game, their superior technique and movement giving them control of possession.

Slovakia had enjoyed most possession in an opening half littered with errors as the conditions made it difficult for both teams. Few chances were created but New Zealand's good organisation enabled them to stay in contention.

Chris Killen and Shane Smeltz had chances but shot wide for the All Whites, while Sestak and Vittek did the same at the other end where New Zealand goalkeeper Mark Paston looked shaky. He miskicked once and made other errors of judgement.

A square free kick to Slovakia captain Marek Hamsik, after a foul by Tony Lochhead on Erik Jendrisek, saw the playmaker fire in a 25-yard shot that Paston saved just before the break.

It was one of few bright moments in a tight game in which the Slovaks struggled for a breakthrough until Vittek's goal.

But just when it seemed they had secured the points Reid struck to help atone for his earlier mistake and it was the New Zealand players who were celebrating at the end.

Source: Web Search

US to become one of top five nations in soccer watching

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 07:22 PM

New York, June 15 (ANI): The United States is set to become one of the top five nations in the world for soccer-watching, according to a British sports marketing firm.

It would join soccer-mad countries Brazil, Germany, Indonesia and China as the biggest TV audiences for the game that has been -- at best-a second-tier sport here.

The United States, ranked No. 23 in 1991 and No. 8 in 2006, will jump over Britain and France, says Kevin Alavy, director of Initiative Futures Sport + Entertainment, a London-based research firm.

The New York Post quoted Alavy as saying some 13 million viewers saw the US team tie England last Saturday in a surprising result that is still grabbing headlines for a botched play by the British goalkeeper.

"That's very strong," Alavy says of the total.

In Britain, where soccer is by far the No. 1 sport, viewer estimates are about 15 million for Saturday's match.

If the US team does qualify for the single-elimination second round, audience figures here will climb sharply.

"The US has become the single most-lucrative market," Alavy says. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Serbia's confidence low ahead of Germany match

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 07:08 PM

Serbia's 1-0 defeat by Ghana in their opening Group D World Cup match has rocked the team and dented their confidence ahead of the crunch match with Germany, winger Milan Jovanovic said on Tuesday.

The Serbians must avoid defeat against Germany in Port Elizabeth on Friday to stand a realistic chance of advancing to the last 16 and Jovanovic acknowledged it would be a tall order.

"The setback has affected our confidence because we expected to win the game against Ghana and most of us found it difficult to come to terms with the fact that we let ourselves down," Jovanovic told a news conference.

"We lost to a team which is not in our bracket in terms of quality and we now have to make amends against one that is superior, which is going to be very difficult.

"The Germans were as impressive as ever in their 4-0 rout of Australia, they were firing on all cylinders like a well-oiled machine and we'll have to play almost beyond our limits to beat them."

Serbia's coach Radomir Antic is unlikely to make sweeping changes but will have to reshuffle his back four after central defender Aleksandar Lukovic was sent off against the Ghanaians.

He is likely to introduce Neven Subotic, who plays for German side Borussia Dortmund, while midfielder Nenad Milijas could be dropped after a poor performance against Ghana.

Milijas said the busy group stage schedule, leaving no time to lament over early setbacks, could play into Serbia's hands as they brace themselves for the clash with the three-time World Cup winners.

"We have to forget what happened against Ghana as quickly as possible and we should benefit from having to turn our attention to the game ahead, we have to pull our socks up and come out swinging against Germany.

"Hesitation crept into the team during the Ghana game as we struggled to match our qualifying performances and we have to rediscover that form very quickly.

"Germany are obviously the favourites but we are hoping that our trademark defiance and the stinging criticism we took after losing to Ghana will inspire us to better things."

Source: Web Search

Sri Lanka set Pakistan 243 to win

Published Tue, Jun 15 10 06:52 PM

Dambulla, June 15 (PTI) Electing to bat, Sri Lanka scored 242 for nine against Pakistan in the Asia Cup opener at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium here today. Brief Score: Sri Lanka: 242 for nine in 50 overs. (Angelo Mathews 55 not out, Mahela Jayawardene 54, Kumar Sangakkara 42; Shoaib Akhtar 3/41, Mohammed Aamer 2/57).

Source: Web Search

South Africa agencies defy warning, buy tickets

Published Tue, Jun 15 10 06:48 PM

South African government agencies have spent about 11 million rand ($1.5 million) in public funds for World Cup tickets despite warnings on wasteful expenditure, the opposition Democratic Alliance said on Tuesday.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, who is trying to enforce discipline for ministries overseeing Africa's largest economy as it emerges from its first recession in 17 years, warned last month such spending would be considered "irregular ... and fruitless and wasteful expenditure".

The opposition party also provided documents from the agencies presented to parliament in response to questioning to support its claims.

"The purchase of World Cup tickets by government departments ... is not an acceptable way for government departments to be spending their budgets," Tim Harris, a DA member of parliament said in a statement.

The South African Treasury has no power to intervene and was looking for the auditor-general to investigate the spending when it conducts 2009/2010 financial year audits, local media reported.

Source: Web Search

India to play T20 match in FIFA World Cup stadium in Durban

Published Tue, Jun 15 10 06:08 PM

Johannesburg, Jun 15 (PTI) Come January 9, 2011 and Indian cricket team will play a Twenty20 International against South Africa at the the FIFA World Cup stadium in Durban. The Moses Mabhida Stadium, where Germany pounded Australia 4-0 in a World Cup match on Sunday, will host the only Twenty20 International match of the series, Cricket South Africa announced. In another significant development, CSA decided the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg will not host any Test match when the Indians arrive here in December for a full series, also featuring three Tests and five ODIs. Instead of Wanderers, Centurion will host the first Test from December 16, while Kingsmead, Durban (Dec 26-30) and Newlands, Cape Town (Jan 2-6) will host the two other matches. Kingsmead also hosts the first ODI on January 9, followed by matches in New Wanderers Stadium (Jan 15), Newlands in Cape Town (Jan 18), St George''s Park in Port Elizabeth (Jan 21) and SuperSport Park in Centurion (Jan 23). It will be the first time in almost two decades that there will be no Test match at Wanderers during the cricket season. CSA chief executive Gerald Majola, however, dismissed speculation that South Africa''s premier cricket venue was being penalised for threatening to act against CSA last year in a spat over the IPL contract with the local cricket authority. CSA had at that time threatened to remove all international games from the Wanderers as the stadium owner, Gauteng Cricket Board, had challenged the terms of CSA''s contract with the IPL when the second edition of the Twenty20 league took place here. The dispute was resolved only after the Sports Minister intervened. "It''s purely because the first Test will be played just before Christmas in the holiday season that a decision was taken that Centurion would be a better place for it than the Wanderers, as it will attract more spectators," Majola told the Afrikaans daily ''Beeld'' today. "If the Test was played around the middle of January, as we would have liked, it would have taken place at the Wanderers, but India was not prepared to stretch the tour out for so long," Majola added.

Source: Web Search

Webber disappointed over Canadian GP's mechanical and tyre problems

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 05:38 PM

London, June 15(ANI): Red Bull Formula One racing driver Mark Webber has expressed disappointment after mechanical problems and a tyre raffle robbed him of the championship drivers' standing lead.

Webber had crashed out of last month's Turkish Grand Prix and finished fifth in Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix, while McLaren's Lewis Hamilton won both races.

It means that he has now dropped from the outright lead to six points behind Hamilton and three behind McLaren's Jenson Button.

"Tyres played a huge role in the race today and, in the end, we did the best we could. I have mixed emotions after the penalty this morning. I had a good first few laps at the start, but that took its toll on the first set of tyres, so I needed to pit a little earlier than I would have liked," Stuff.co.nz quoted Webber, as saying.

"In the second stint I was ahead and was monitoring the gap to Lewis. I was moving away a bit at the start, as he was pacing to get to the finish. I was trying to keep my pace constant but in the end the tyres didn't want that pace and they go away from you it's virtually, impossible to keep the tyres from degrading here, no matter how slow you drive," he added.

Webber further said that he is hoping for a better display to grab back his lead at the European Grand Prix in Valencia on June 27.

"In the end it wasn't really a surprise to come back out from my second pit-stop in fifth, as I knew people in front had been packed up tightly behind Lewis. We then turned the car down to save it for the next race," he added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Slovakia's Jendrisek in for injured Stoch

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 05:28 PM

Slovakia picked an attacking side to face New Zealand in their Group F opener on Tuesday with the injured Miroslav Stoch replaced by forward Erik Jendrisek.

Jendrisek will join Robert Vittek and his regular strike partner Stanislav Sestak in a three-pronged attack. Stoch misses out after picking up an injury in training earlier this week.

New Zealand's combative midfielder vice-captain Tim Brown also did not make the starting lineup after failing to recover in time out from a broken shoulder.

Shane Smeltz, Rory Fallon and Chris Killen will play up front in the All Whites' first finals since their debut in 1982, with Tony Lochhead, Simon Elliot and Leo Bertos in midfield.

Both coaches -- Ricki Herbert and Vladimir Weiss -- return to the tournament after representing their countries as players, Weiss for the former Czechoslovakia. Weiss's son, also Vladimir, occupies his usual place in midfield.

Source: Web Search

Queen''s Guest wins The Gulf of Mannar Plate

Published Tue, Jun 15 10 05:22 PM

Udhagamandalam, Jun 15 (PTI) Queen''s Guest ridden by S Rajendra claimed the Gulf of Mannar plate, the chief event of the races held here today. The winner, owned by M A M R Muthiah, is trained by R Foley who ended the day with a tally of six winners. Jockey G Ross rode two winners. Six winners obliged in a card of nine events. Treble: Nil PTI CORR RC BS

Source: Web Search

Modi to reply to BCCI's third notice

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 05:08 PM

Mumbai, June 15 (ANI): Suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) Commissioner Lalit Modi is expected to submit his reply to the third show cause notice of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Modi's legal counsel Mehmood Abdi said Modi, who is presently in Europe, would send his reply online and the hard copy will be given to the BCCI subsequently.

The BCCI has issued notice to Modi alleging irregularities in the awarding of theatrical rights during the third season of the IPL T20 tournament. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Fatherhood 'sobers' down 'wild partying' man Pietersen

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 04:37 PM

London, Jun 15 (ANI): England batsman Kevin Pietersen, who is known for his wild partying, has sobered down since becoming a father.

Speaking for the first time about parenthood, Pietersen said: "Changing nappies at 5am still drunk is probably not the best thing in the world so I haven't had any nights out as a dad - only a couple of sedate dinners."

To be by wife Jessica's side for the birth of son Dylan, Pietersen flew back from the World Twenty20 tournament in Barbados before flying back again to beat Australia in the final.

"We have a very understanding child who realises his parents need their beauty sleep. He is eating well, sleeping well and has been a good little man," The Mirror quoted Pietersen, as saying.

"I love every single second of it and. Jess has been a brilliant mum. You couldn't ask for anything better," he added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Dutch sub Afellay living his dream

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 04:28 PM

Johannesburg, June 15 (DPA) The Dutch World Cup team won, but it is yet to live up to the reputation of playing fast attacking combination football.

The closest they got to the traditional style in their 2-0 win over Denmark was late in the second half after Eljero Elia and Ibrahim Afellay came on as substitutes.

However, PSV Eindhoven attacking midfielder Afellay tried to downplay his own contribution.

'I don't want to say whether the substitutions made a difference, that is up to the journalists to say,' he said.

The 24-year-old, who is yet to score an international goal and has been used mainly as a substitute, said playing at the World Cup was like a dream come true.

'I enjoy it very, very much. I think that the World Cup is something that everybody dreams about when you are young and now to play at this level is just terrific.

'This is the level you want to play, it does not matter whether you are a young or an old player, everybody wants to play well and be at the World Cup.'

When asked whether he was hoping to feature more prominently in the team, given his performance, he said that it was a decision the coach would make.

'I try my best and then I see what will come from that,' he said.

The Utrecht born player of Moroccan descent, who was called up for international duty by both Morocco and Netherlands, said that the players were greatly encouraged by all the support they had in the stadium.

'When you see the fans, all wearing the orange, you think you are playing at home. The atmosphere is very very good and that gives the players a good feeling.'

He said that he believed the fact that they were one of the favourites was both positive and negative.

'Of course the fact that we are one of the favourites gives some pressure, but it also gives confidence.

'But I think that not only we have a good team, there are a lot of good teams at the World Cup, so we will see what will happen.'

Source: Web Search

Yuvraj vows to come back fitter

Published Tue, Jun 15 10 04:24 PM

New Delhi, Jun 15 (PTI) Shown the door for slump in form and criticised for poor fitness, Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh today said he would come back stronger to answer his detractors with some of his trademark explosive batting. The left-handed swashbuckler was dropped from the Indian team for the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka after a string of poor performances, including the Twenty20 World Cup debacle. His fitness was also criticised after the T20 World Cup and Yuvraj said he has been sweating it out at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore to get back in shape. "I has been tough for me but I am working on my body. I have been working on my fitness for the past 15 days. There were injuries in the past one year and they took time to settle down," Yuvraj said. "It has been a tough year but things are getting better now. I would be back with the best of my form and fitness. The bat should always do the talking," he added. Out of favour he might be with the selectors but Yuvraj has got the backing of his teammates with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and senior players like Virender Sehwag throwing their weight behind him. "It''s nice to see the support of the boys. It just shows the camaraderie in the team. I am doing my best to come back," he said. "As a young kid you always dream of playing for India. That (India) logo on your head is what it is all about. I will also forever cherish that logo," he told ''Times Now''.

Source: Web Search

Too many T20 matches will result in 'overkill': Anderson

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 04:08 PM

London, Jun15 (ANI): To keep the growing interest in Twenty20 cricket intact, England fast bowler James Anderson has warned that too many matches of the shortest form of the game could result in a 'overkill'.

Anderson said playing too many Twenty20 matches could result in an overkill for supporters if organisers try to adjust the games into the county season.

"Twenty20 is growing all the time, but there is a bit of a danger of playing too much of it," The Times quoted Anderson, as saying.

"The danger is overkill with Twenty20 cricket because we've seen in county cricket this season that they're playing 16 games over the next three or four weeks. I've played in one and been to another and the crowds have been a bit lower than normal, so there's a danger of playing too much," he said.

Anderson however said that the growing popularity of the shortest form of the game would not threaten the status of Test matches.

"Test cricket is still really well followed. We're still selling out the whole ground for Test matches," he said.

Anderson also admitted that his confidence had been "dented" by not being picked to play in England's World Twenty20 campaign triumph last month. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Button eyes McLaren one-two finish at British GP

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 03:36 PM

London, June 15(ANI): Reigning Formula One champion Jenson Button has said that he is looking forward for a McLaren one-two finish at next month's British Grand Prix with team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

The British Grand Prix will be held at the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire on July 11.

"When was the last time we had British drivers first and second in the championship?" The Sun quoted Button, as saying.

Button, who trails Hamilton by three points in the championship drivers' standings, further said that he would try to grab the lead at the European Grand Prix.

"I don't know how it will go at Valencia, but I'd love to be leading going into the British GP. The same for Lewis," he added.

The 30-year-old has had to settle for second best in the last two races in Turkey last month and Canada on Sunday, as Hamilton grabbed the glory with victory.

The back-to-back one-two finishes means the McLaren team is now 22 points clear of Red Bull in the constructors' table. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Japan's poet coach keeps focus on task ahead

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 03:26 PM

Japan coach Takeshi Okada has maintained a Zen-like calm in the face of a storm of criticism in the build-up to the World Cup.

But he wasted no time in reflecting on Japan's surprise 1-0 victory over Group E rivals Cameroon on Monday and instead zeroed in on the next game against the Netherlands.

"Tired, to be honest, that's what I felt. Our players have done a good job but what we have to do against the Netherlands was the immediate thought that I had after the game," he told reporters after the final whistle blew.

Keisuke Honda's 39th-minute strike secured Japan's first World Cup victory on foreign soil and followed a barren spell in which they had scored just one goal in five matches. They had even been booed by the own normally polite fans.

Okada, who writes poetry and says he wants to retire and be a farmer after this tournament, was pilloried for eschewing Japan's usual attack-minded style and building on the defence.

His prediction that the Blue Samurai would reach the semi-final was mocked as a poet's idle dreaming.

Following the Cameroon win, he is calling for more steel from his players in the Netherlands match.

"Our defence have done well but we need to be more aggressive to go up in the next game. This is the first win for us on foreign soil, but this is not an achievement for us at all, what is coming next is the point."

Okada had pushed midfielder Honda up into the lone striker's role and it paid off when he slotted in the ball at close range from Daisuke Matsui's cross. The coach also seemed to have transmitted some of his cool to the blonde-dyed player.

"When I was able to make that goal the position and the ball was very good. I told myself to be calm enough to make it because recently we have had these chances and missed them," Honda told reporters.

"Recently our team has not been delivering very good results and to be honest the mood was not the best but with our coach as the focus of our team we have delivered our best and this very good result today."

KUDOS TO DEFENCE

Japan can also take heart from a superb performance in defence by Yuji Nakazawa and Brazilian-born Tulio, who were unphased by Cameroon's powerfully-built three-man strike force and neutralised Samuel Eto'o.

Honda paid tribute to his teammates.

"Our defence has been constantly good in recent matches and today it went well. I really appreciate the efforts made by our the defence."

Japan take on group favourites the Netherlands -- who beat Denmark 2-0 in their opener -- in Durban at the weekend. The decisive battle for the Blue Samurai is likely to be the meeting with the Danes in Rustenburg on June 24.

Even Japan's ruling Democratic Party, which also been under fire recently, took heart from the performance.

"Instead of being disheartened by harsh criticism, the coach, players and fans joined as one to seize victory," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Motohisa Furukawa said in Tokyo.

"This cabinet also wants to join as one team, listen to the voice of the people and achieve solid results."

Japan's only two previous victories in the finals came in 2002 as joint hosts of the tournament with South Korea.

Source: Web Search

Aussies will be rusty against Ireland: White

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 03:08 PM

Sydney, Jun 15 (ANI): Australian batsman Cameron White has accepted that the players will be rusty against Ireland after more than a month off, and added that the team will be fully geared up to tackle England when they renew their rivalry in the first of five ODIs in Southampton.

Australia meets Ireland in a one-day international at Clontarf on Thursday and the players are still acclimatising after arriving in Dublin last Saturday.

They trained for 75 minutes on Monday, completing only fielding drills, but will have their first hit in the nets during a more demanding session on Tuesday.

"There probably will be a little bit [of rustiness], no doubt against Ireland. The important thing is by the time were down to Southampton we should be up and going and ready to go," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted White, as saying.

White said the break would pay off in the long term as it had given the squad the chance to freshen up for the six-week long tour of the British Isles.

"The three or four weeks that everyone has had since the (Twenty20) World Cup will be good and hopefully we can hit the ground running," he said.(ANI)

Source: Web Search

Sangakkara wins toss, Lanka to bat against Pakistan

Published Tue, Jun 15 10 02:56 PM

Dambulla, June 15 (PTI) Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and opted to bat against Pakistan in the Asia Cup opener at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium here today. All rounder Farveez Maharoof and paceman Lasith Malinga are back to the Lanka side, the defending champions. The duo had skipped the recent tri-series in Zimbabwe. For Pakistan pace duo of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Asif are making a comeback and young batsman Umar Amin will make his debut. Teams: Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (C), Tillkaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedara, Angelo Mathews, Fareveez Maharoof, Nuwan Kulasekara, Muttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga. Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (C), Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Shahzaib Hasan, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer, Umar Amin and Shoaib Akhtar. PTI AT

Source: Web Search

North Korea face Brazil in daunting return

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 02:46 PM

Secretive North Korea make a first return to the World Cup since 1966 on Tuesday but could hardly face a bigger challenge than five-times champions Brazil.

Hoping to recapture the form that famously took them to the quarter-finals in England back then, the ultra-defensive North Koreans have been training together for four months on a tour across three continents from Sri Lanka to Venezuela.

As with most aspects of their hermetic communist-run nation, mystery surrounds the tournament's lowest-ranked team.

The North Koreans do, however, have a reputation for fitness, speed on the break and defence at all costs.

That could be a worry for Brazil, who have developed solidity but lost some flair under coach Dunga, and even at home failed to breach the defensive walls of lowly Venezuela, Colombia and Bolivia in World Cup qualifiers.

"Nobody talks about them but they play good football," said Ivory Coast manager Sven-Goran Eriksson of North Korea.

Ivory Coast are in the same Group G and hope captain and inspirational striker Didier Drogba will declare himself fit to take on Portugal and their wing wizard Cristiano Ronaldo in another match on Tuesday.

Drogba has a fractured forearm and may wear a cast.

North Korea are not the only underdogs hoping for a shock.

New Zealand and Slovakia face off in the opening game, both dreaming of becoming the World Cup's surprise package.

Better known as a rugby nation, New Zealand's All Whites are hoping to do better than their only previous appearance at a World Cup when they lost all their group games in 1982.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it?" said coach and former All Whites defender Ricki Herbert, remembering how he swapped shirts with Brazil's Socrates after a 4-0 drubbing.

Playing their first World Cup as an independent nation, Slovakia's coach Vladimir Weiss also has past experience in the tournament. He was part of the Czechoslovakia team that reached the quarter-finals in Italy in 1990.

Weiss's son, by the same name, is in his squad, and he has promised to be extra-tough on him in training to avoid any accusations of favouritism.

JAPANESE JOY

Only Germany have really sparkled so far in the early games of the first World Cup on African soil, their young side's 4-0 hammering of Australia sending a shudder through rivals.

Netherlands have a talent-packed team, but with winger Arjen Robben missing through injury, they failed to shine in a prosaic 2-0 win over Denmark at Soccer City on Monday.

Other European heavyweights, Italy, followed their tradition of slow starts with a 1-1 draw against Paraguay on Monday, the ageing "Azzurri" team coming from a goal down to avoid an upset.

African nations have registered only one win so far, Ghana beating Serbia on Sunday to spark parties across the continent.

Another of Africa's best hopes, Cameroon, were surprisingly humbled on Monday by Japan, who beat them 1-0 in their first World Cup finals victory on foreign soil despite a dire string of results in pre-tournament warmups.

"To be honest the mood was not the best but ... our team delivered our best," goalscorer Keisuke Honda said.

His heroics sent fans wild at home, with papers full of pictures of Honda on the shoulders of team mates as if the Asian nation had won the cup itself. "Honda's Victory Bullet," screamed the Sankei Sports in adulation.

Off the pitch, hosts South Africa are delighted at the smooth running of a tournament doommongers said they would be unable to handle.

The only serious problem in the first four days came when police teargassed stewards protesting over wages in the coastal city of Durban after the Germany-Australia game on Sunday.

Controversy is growing among players and coaches alike over the World Cup's new ball, called the Jabulani after the Zulu word for celebrate. Crosses, free-kicks and long-range shots have been skying over their targets, and players are nervous.

"The ball is tricky and not just for the keepers but for all the players," Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen said after his team's defeat to Netherlands, adding altitude was a factor too.

Debate will not go away either over the ubiquitous local vuvuzela trumpet, which creates a deafening wall of sound like a gigantic swarm of bees inside stadiums.

Supporters say it is an essential part of local culture, while critics hate the vuvuzela for drowning out crowd chants, preventing communication between players and coaches, and creating a din that has many reaching for earplugs.

Organisers have ruled out a ban, however.

"As our guests please embrace our culture, please embrace the way we celebrate," said Rich Mkhondo, a spokesman for the local World Cup organising committee.

Source: Web Search

Adidas says it warned teams about 'Jabulani' ball

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 02:16 PM

Sydney, June 15 (ANI): Sports goods manufacturer Adidas has defended the design of its new Jabulani ball, and said the balls were supplied to all countries in February, giving time to teams to adjust to it.

The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Adidas spokesman Thomas Schaikvan, as saying that complaining countries like England only had themselves to blame as they had not practised enough with it.

"There are players who play in leagues with other balls, there are players who have not played in the Africa Cup of Nations, and players from other federations who have not practised with the ball. These are the players who take the most amount of time to get used to it," Schaikvan said.

Schaikvan said the Jabulani ball had been used extensively in Germany's Bundesliga as well as by France and Argentina - who are sponsored by Adidas - and other leagues such as Austria, Switzerland, Portugal and United States.

The ball was also tested by Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan.

Schaikvan said there had been no complaints, but conceded that altitude in South Africa was undoubtedly a factor.

"We presented the technology and underlined the requirement to get used to it because it is a different ball and a different technology," Schaikvan said.

He added: "At the same time we also supplied all the federations with the balls."

The use of the Jabulani is clearly tied to sponsorship deals so the Premier League is prevented from using it because it has its own contract with Nike. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

'Comeback-kid' Hamilton feels 'stronger than ever' after Canadian GP win

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 02:12 PM

London, June 15(ANI): McLaren Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton, who has rocketed to the top of the drivers' standings after winning Sundays' Canadian Grand Prix, has vowed to stay ahead of the pack and regain the championship title.

Hamilton's 13th career win gave him a three-point lead over team-mate Jenson Button, with former championship leader Red Bull's Mark Webber three points back.

"This victory was as good a win as I've ever had. I feel stronger than ever," The Sun quoted Hamilton, as saying.

"It was a case of staying out of trouble, getting through the traffic as quickly as possible, not making mistakes. It was one of the biggest challenges of my career."

"It has been a long time since I was leading the championship, but now this is where you really have to knuckle and grind, brush it down to the bone. This is where you can make a difference," he added.

Hamilton further reckons that winning the trophy this year with so many former champions in the field would be a massive achievement.

"This year you have got so many great drivers who are all at their best - all driving good gear. To win it this season I guess really does show your talent," Hamilton said.

The 25-year-old also said that he feels that he has been consistent this year, just like when he won the title in 2007.

"Look at my consistency in 2007 in those first few races. I feel I've had that, perhaps even a little bit more this year, but it has not shown up as much as it did then. In 2007 it was just Ferrari so it was much easier to maintain that consistency," he added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Adidas says it warned teams about 'Jabulani' ball

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 02:08 PM

Sydney, June 15 (ANI): Sports goods manufacturer Adidas has defended the design of its new Jabulani ball, and said the balls were supplied to all countries in February, giving time to teams to adjust to it.

The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Adidas spokesman Thomas Schaikvan, as saying that complaining countries like England only had themselves to blame as they had not practised enough with it.

"There are players who play in leagues with other balls, there are players who have not played in the Africa Cup of Nations, and players from other federations who have not practised with the ball. These are the players who take the most amount of time to get used to it," Schaikvan said.

Schaikvan said the Jabulani ball had been used extensively in Germany's Bundesliga as well as by France and Argentina - who are sponsored by Adidas - and other leagues such as Austria, Switzerland, Portugal and United States.

The ball was also tested by Chelsea, Real Madrid and AC Milan.

Schaikvan said there had been no complaints, but conceded that altitude in South Africa was undoubtedly a factor.

"We presented the technology and underlined the requirement to get used to it because it is a different ball and a different technology," Schaikvan said.

He added: "At the same time we also supplied all the federations with the balls."

The use of the Jabulani is clearly tied to sponsorship deals so the Premier League is prevented from using it because it has its own contract with Nike. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Germany has advantage playing with 'controversial' Jabulani ball: Carragher

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 01:48 PM

London, Jun 15 (ANI): England defender Jamie Carragher, who watched Germany crush Australia 4-0 on Sunday night, has said that Germans have an advantage in the World Cup as they have been playing with the controversial Jabulani ball since January.

German clubs in the Bundesliga sponsored by adidas have been playing matches with the ball since January 1, but the English Premier League uses a Nike ball because of its commercial tie-ups.

"It gives them an advantage. That is obvious. The ball is very different. Every training session we do we always start by passing 30 or 40 yards to each other just for that reason alone," said Carragher.

"I am sure it has helped Germany. It is an advantage of course. We were watching the game and I had two or three texts about it," the Daily Express quoted him, as saying.

"When you are creating a ball for the World Cup the idea is to create more goals. But every cross I have seen has been over-hit. It goes over the back post. I haven't seen anyone get a free-kick over the wall yet. It just seems to sail straight over the bar.

"People thought there would be more goals but, apart from Germany, I don't think there have been too many goals," said Carragher.

Carragher's view was backed by a spokesman for adidas, who claimed the countries who have had the most problems are those who have not practised long enough with the Jabulani ball. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

ngland has players to win 2010 World Cup: Mourinho

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 01:38 PM

London, Jun 15 (ANI): Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, who is also known as the 'Special One', has said England has the players to win the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"England has experienced players. With John Terry - their best defender - and Frank Lampard, who is out of this world, as well as Wayne Rooney up front, they are one of the candidates," Mourinho said.

Earlier, football legend Franz Beckenbauer also known as Der Kaiser has increased the pressure on The Three Lions by saying that their coach Fabio Capello, had taken the team backwards.

Germany put up a spectacular show crushing Australia 4-0 on Sunday in sharp contrast to England's dismal 1-1 draw against the US.

Beckenbauer, who led Germany to World Cup glory in 1974, said: "It looked to me as if the English have gone backwards into the bad old times of kick and rush.

"What I saw from their 1-1 draw against the USA had very little to do with football. And I am not sure if the England coach Fabio Capello can change much."

"The English are being punished for the fact there are very few English players in Premier League clubs as they use better foreign players from all over the world," The Sun quoted Beckenbauer, as saying. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

One day cricket may be on way out in India, New Zealand and Australia

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 01:22 PM

Wellington, JUne 15 (ANI): Cricket fans in New Zealand and Australia are showing a greater preference for Twenty20 cricket rather than 50-over cricket.

According to the New Zealand Herald, Australia, the second most important cricket playing country in the world, will next season ditch 50-over games domestically and experiment with a 40-over, two-innings format.

The move follows on from the decision in England to abandon 50-over county cricket in favour of 40-over contests.

With India in love with Twenty20s, it now means that in the three most powerful cricket nations in the world, 50-over cricket is non-existent on a domestic level.

As former New Zealand great Martin Crowe commented on Twitter yesterday: "The fact that Cricket Oz will being [sic] in 40 overs each with 2 inns each is a concession that ODIs are dead. Their experiment will be the end."

It's quickly being assumed that the 2011 World Cup will be the last played under the 50-over format and that the 2015 event in New Zealand and Australia could mark a sea-change.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland, in announcing the changes, accepted that one-day cricket was almost certain to change by 2015.

Even staunch traditionalists like Australian captain Ricky Ponting can see the merit in change.

"Everyone in Australia noticed last year that the 50-over game probably struggled a little bit in Australia with the popularity of 20-over cricket around the world, so I'm open to looking at ways to improve it," he said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Pietersen confident of beating Australia in ODIs ahead of Ashes

Published>Tue, Jun 15 10 01:08 PM

London, Jun 15 (ANI): England is ready to have a mental edge over Australia by defeating them in the forthcoming one-day international series ahead of the Ashes.

England batsman Kevin Pietersen is confident that they can deliver another blow to their archrivals morale after beating them in the final of the ICC World Twenty20.

England regained the Ashes on home soil in 2009 and still has plenty of cricket before the first Test in Australia on November 25, with the visit of Pakistan as well as a one-day series against Bangladesh.

"It would have been nice only to play them again on November 25 after we beat them in Barbados. But if we play the way we played in the Caribbean then we're moving in the right direction," SKY News quoted Pietersen, as saying.

"A lot of our good players and experienced players are coming to the party and we're all dovetailing with each other. If one guy doesn't do well another guy does. The key to beating Australia is for all 11 to dovetail together - or all 12, 13, 14 even 15 if they get an opportunity to come in," he said.

"Everyone talks about this word consistency but we've been doing it for a while and we have had some good results in the last 18 months so we want to continue that," Pietersen said.

Going by record books, England's recent performance in Australia has been poor, with their last Ashes triumph there in the 1986-87 tour.

Pietersen insisted that it was important that England's Twenty20 win over Australia did not come in favourable home conditions.

"It's a huge boost to beat Australia away from England and it's something we haven't done for a long time. They always beat us in Australia and they beat us in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy (in South Africa) too.

"Whenever I've played Australia away from home we've never really come up trumps but to win (the World Twenty20) the way we did - I think India were only team we didn't get to beat on the big stage... that will give us a lot of confidence," Pietersen added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

India aim to end 15-year title drought at Asia Cup

Published Tue, Jun 15 10 12:52 PM

Joseph Hoover Dambulla, Jun 15 (PTI) A rejuvenated India would aim to redeem their tarnished pride and end a 15-year-old jinx when they start their Asia Cup cricket campaign against Bangladesh at the Rangiri Dambulla ground here tomorrow. Hurting from their debacles in the ICC Twenty20 World Cup (West Indies) and the tri-series in Zimbabwe, Mahendra Singh Dhoni''s men would be desperate to win back the confidence of fans after being accused of being more loyal to their IPL teams than the country. The Asia Cup title, which they last won in 1995, will be the perfect balm to calm frayed nerves and bury the ghosts of the recent past. Unlike in the West Indies and Zimbabwe, India have a near full-strength team to achieve what they have set out for. Except for Sachin Tendulkar, who opted to spend time with his family, and Yuvraj Singh, dropped for poor form, India more or less have the nucleus of the 2011 World Cup team here. Virender Sehwag''s return provides the firepower to the batting which had been rudderless without substantial starts at the top of the order. The Delhi marauder, who was nursing a shoulder injury, is arguably one of the most feared batsman in international cricket capable of demolishing any attack on his day. Dhoni would be looking forward to fireworks from his deputy to reignite the confidence of his beleaguered legion. If Sehwag can provide a blistering start in the company of Gautam Gambhir, the rest of the batting, propped up by the youthful exuberance of Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should be capable of holding its own in the four-nation event. Dhoni would also be itching to set the record straight, especially after his leadership was questioned in the immediate aftermath of the Twenty20 World Cup. He might bat up the order, probably at four or five, depending on the start provided by the top-half. More PTI JH PM MRM

Source: Web Search