Parimarjan loses to Tomashevsky, slips to bottom of table

Wed, Jul 21 10 10:53 AM

From Our Chess Correspondent Biel (Switzerland) Jul 21 (PTI) Parimarjan Negi slipped to the bottom of the points table after going down to second seed Evgeny Tomashevsky in a hard-fought second-round contest of the Young Grandmasters tournament in the 43rd Biel Chess Festival here. With his second loss in as many games, the Indian who is the second youngest Grandmaster ever in the history of the game, is last in the 10-player field as of now. In the first round, Parimarjan had lost to Maxim Rodshtein of Israel. Russia''s Tomashevsky emerged as joint leader on 1.5 points along with Rodshtein and Wesley So of Philippines on a day that saw the other four games reaching peaceful draws albeit after tough fights and high quality games. Top seeded Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France, Fabiano Caruana of Italy, Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son of Vietnam, Anish Giri of Holland and Dmitry Andreikin of Russia share the third spot on one point each having drawn both games played so far while David Howell of England is sole ninth after he opened his account with a draw. With seven rounds still remaining in the category-17 tournament, Parimarjan will be hoping to open his account in the next round when he gets his first white in the event. The Indian faces Caruana in his third outing. Back to back black games are difficult and yet if a player draws number five in a ten-player field, it is mandatory to have two black games in the first two rounds. Parimarjan got the ill-fated number in the draw of lots and the first two games have not gone well despite him showing a new idea early in the opening. Tomashevsky went for one of the topical variations in the Queen''s gambit declined and it as early as on the 10th move that Parimarjan came up with a new idea and equalised subsequently. On the 17th move, the Indian gave a temporary pawn sacrifice and when he recovered it five moves later, the experts believed it was a "no-problem" position. .

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Sex scandal rocks Indian Hockey

Wed, Jul 21 10 10:47 AM

Bhopal, July 21 -- Hockey India has set up a four-member committee to probe an alleged sex scandal involving members of the support staff of the Indian women's hockey team during the recent exposure tours of China and Canada. The committee, comprising Rajeev Mehta, member of HI executive board, former captains and government observers Ajit Pal Singh and Zafar Iqbal and Sudarshan Pathak, member of Delhi Hockey, has been asked to probe allegations of sexual misconduct included in an anonymous email sent to HI three days ago, exposing the scandal and seeking action against the chief coach and the support staff. A copy of the said mail is with HT. The mail alleges a videographer with the team on the China and Canada tour of bringing girls to his hotel room and also includes some photographs of a person, alleged to be the said videographer, in a compromising position. The mail also accuses another member of the support staff of seeking favours from the players. A meeting of the committee was held on Monday while another is scheduled on Wednesday. Zafar Iqbal has been made convener of the inquiry committee, HI secretary-general Narinder Batra told HT over phone from Delhi.

Meanwhile, RK Naidu, in-charge director of SAI Centre, Bhopal, said the team had left for Delhi on Tuesday morning to take part in the Women's Asian Champions Trophy scheduled in Busan, from July 27 to 31.

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A guard of honour for Murali

Wed, Jul 21 10 10:21 AM

Galle, July 21 -- When Muttiah Muralitharan crossed the boundary line to bat, 10 minutes before tea, Harbhajan Singh was relaxing at third man. Though the Indian offie had preferred to rest at the boundary instead of joining his teammates in celebration when Lasith Malinga was dismissed, Bhajji ran towards the rest of the lot as he saw Murali - playing his last Test - marching towards the crease. The Indian team's guard of honour coincided with a 21 canon salute to the most successful bowler in cricket's history. And the Galle District Cricket Association had another round of 21 shots as Murali entered the field along with his teammates. This time, the budding cricketers from Galle joined with the Sri Lankan cricketer to express their respect for Muralitharan. All they want from their favourite son is seven more wickets in the next two days, which will not only help Sri Lanka to victory but also take Muralitharan to the never-before attained mark of 800 Test wickets. Lost valuables Though there was hardly any dark cloud in the sky as both the teams arrived at the Galle International Stadium on Tuesday, a wet outfield delayed the start of play by half an hour. It meant that the Indian team had enough time for a warm-up session and a prolonged fielding session. Just when the players were making their way to the dressing room before the start, most of the players were seen searching for something in the outfield. That something turned out to be VVS Laxman's gold pendant, which went missing during the fielding drills. Even though the pendant could not be found, the stylish batsman will not rue the loss if he can lead India's mission to avoid a defeat in the series opener. Replacements Jaidev Unadkat and Umesh Yadav, the two young bowlers called in as net bowlers before the series, returned to India on the opening day of the Test. But Tuesday marked the arrival of two others from India, though they will not be seen on the field.

Both Bhave and Hirwani will return home after the second Test. Hirwani is slated to return to Dambulla for the tri-series along with chief selector K Srikkanth.

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Venues for inter-collegesports finalised

Published>Wed, Jul 21 10 05:37 AM

The Sports Department of the Bharatiya Vidyapeeth University announced the allotment of venues for the 2010-11 Intercollegiate sports season, with five different institutions around the city being selected to host various sports.

The College Of Physical Education has been selected to host the Kho-Kho, Cross Country Running, Weight Lifting, Softball and Athletics tournaments, while the Boxing, Wresling, Judo and Cricket championships will be hosted by the College of Engineering, Pune.

The Hockey and Badminton competitions will be held at the Y.M. College, as will Swimming and Kabaddi.

The Homeopathic Medical College will play host to teams from all over the city in the Football, Chess and Handball events.

The final college which was selected as a venue for the remaining events I.M.E.D Pune, where the Table Tennis, Basketball and Volleyball competitions will be held.

The season will start with the Swimming competition on August 4, and will conclude with Cricket on October 23, with all the remaining events taking place in between.

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Heat add Juwan Howard for back-up role

Wed, Jul 21 10 05:17 AM

Free agent Juwan Howard has signed with the Miami Heat as a reserve forward, the NBA team said Tuesday.

Howard, a veteran of 16 NBA seasons, averaged six points last season with the Portland Trail Blazers.

"He is a perfect fit behind Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem," Heat president Pat Riley said in a statement.

Howard has a career average of 14.3 points and 6.5 rebounds with seven different teams.

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Sexual harassment allegations rock Indian women's hockey

Published>Wed, Jul 21 10 12:27 AM

New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) Indian women's hockey was rocked by allegations of sexual harassment Tuesday after a player accused a team official of demanding sexual favours from her during an overseas tour.

The woman player, whose identity has not been disclosed, has sent a written complain to Hockey India (HI).

In another shocking revelation, the women's team's videographer Basava Raja was also filmed with call girls in compromising positions during the overseas tour of China and Canada.

HI secretary-general Narinder Batra said: 'These are shocking allegations and we are going to take strong actions if these allegations are proved true. We have formed a four-member body and they will meet on Wednesday to investigate the charges.'

'Strict action will be taken against the videographer if the charges are proved true,' Batra added.

Former India captains Ajit Pal Singh and Zafar Iqbal are a part of the panel. Sudarshan Pathak and Rajeev Mehta are the other two members of the panel.

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Women Hockey member alleges sexual harassment

Wed, Jul 21 10 12:11 AM

New Delhi, July 20 (PTI) Indian Hockey was rocked by a fresh controversy today with a member of the women''s team sending a written complaint alleging sexual harassment against one of the coaching staff. The women member alleged that one of the coaching staff had asked for sexual favours and used vulgar language during a recent Canada and China tour. Following the complaint, Hockey India has set up a four-member committee to probe the allegation, Hockey India general secretary Narendra Batra said. The committe comprises Rajiv Mehta, as its chairman and former players Zaffer Iqbal and Ajit Pal Singh and Sudharsan Pathak, Batra said. .

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Armstrong steals show on classic Pyrenees climb

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 11:37 PM

Lance Armstrong stole the show during the picturesque 199.5km 16th stage of the Tour de France won by France's Pierrick Fedrigo in Pau on Tuesday.

The seven-times champion, whose hopes of an eighth Tour win were dashed after a crash in the Alps during stage eight, proved he was still a force to be reckoned with when he attacked from the gun in Bagneres de Luchon and stayed at the front all day.

The American sprinted in the final stretch but, at nearly 39, was forced to let Fedrigo, compatriot Sandy Casar and Spain's Ruben Plaza battle it out for the day's laurels.

While Armstrong finished sixth in the stage, six minutes and 45 seconds ahead of the peloton, Fedrigo gave France a sixth stage win in this Tour ahead of compatriot Casar.

Tour leader and holder Alberto Contador of Spain retained his eight-seconds overall lead from Luxembourg's Andy Schleck as the two favourites preserved energy for a potentially decisive showdown at the top of the Tourmalet in Thursday's 17th stage.

The long ride celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first stage in the Pyrenees and included the four climbs on the course that year, Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet and Aubisque.

Fittingly Armstrong, the most celebrated rider on the Tour who came back after battling near-fatal cancer to win a record seven titles from 1999 to 2005, took centre stage while rivals Contador and Schleck played second fiddle at the back.

"It was hard from the start," said Contador. "On the first climb there were only a handful of guys left in the peloton. Afterwards, we worked to maintain the overall positions and we were able to do that."

FULL GAS

Armstrong decided to leave his mark on his last Tour.

"I planned to attack. I knew straightaway on Peyresourde that it would be difficult and that a group was going to go away," he said. "It was full gas all day."

On the four climbs of the day, the Texan brought back memories of his glory days as he raced flat out with his black and red jersey wide open to his chest.

He was instrumental in the first break of the day, which involved almost all the disappointments of this edition -- Briton Bradley Wiggins, Czech Roman Kreuziger, Canada's Ryder Hesjedal and Spain's Carlos Sastre.

"It was more than a group because you had these guys -- Kreuziger, Hesjedal -- who were not GC (general classification) contenders but close enough. I knew that the peloton would not sit and let them go," Armstrong said.

But while the main pack, led by Contador's Astana team mates, worked to rein in so many great riders, they let Armstrong go when the decisive break took shape at the foot of the Tourmalet.

VETERANS AFFAIR

As befits a 100-year-old climb, the move was a veterans affair as it involved three of the four older riders in the bunch, Armstrong, Horner and France's Christophe Moreau, who was first to the top of the Tourmalet and Aubisque passes.

In the finale, only nine riders remained in the leading group, with a solid lead of almost nine minutes over the peloton.

"Lance had worked hard all day and he told me it would be difficult for the stage win," said his team manager Johan Bruyneel.

Spain's Carlos Barredo tried to part with his breakaway companions in the last 25km, only to be caught under the red flame marking the last km.

Armstrong raised himself up on his pedals and tried to go for the sprint but was forced to bow to his younger rivals.

Fedrigo was fastest, snatching the third Tour stage of his career.

"I thought I was about to miss my Tour as I was not feeling too well. Now this is a great moment, especially for the team," said Fedrigo, whose Bbox team mate Thomas Voeckler won the 15th stage.

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Showman Berlusconi orders new Milan coach to play his way

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 11:17 PM

Silvio Berlusconi has shown new AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri who is the real boss at the club by demanding his team play with more than one upfront this season unlike last term.

In an extraordinary news conference on the first day of pre-season training, the Italian prime minister and Milan owner fielded every question and left former Cagliari coach Allegri and several team members to sit there in total silence.

Berlusconi reeled off a succession of gags but he was far from joking when he told the new coach what tactics he should use after falling out with last term's coach Leonardo as Milan again ended the campaign without a trophy.

"We don't want to see just one forward upfront. To win you have to score. To have chances you've got to have forwards close to the goal," Berlusconi told a packed room on Tuesday, adding he had not gone to the San Siro at times last year because he was so angry with the tactics.

"I appreciated Leonardo a lot but I disagreed with him in how he fielded the team. Ronaldinho must play on the shoulder of the strikers even if he has a tendency to drift left."

Brazilian Ronaldinho has been linked in the media with a move away but Berlusconi was adamant the playmaker was staying.

"He is the No. 1 attraction at Milan," he said, "Ronaldinho does not want to leave. I'm sure he is happy to stay."

The futures of restless midfielder Gennaro Gattuso and forward Klaas Jan Huntelaar look less certain however as Milan look to bring in more creativity upfront and inject much-needed youth into the ageing side.

"I would be happy for Gattuso to stay but we are not against people saying they want to leave," Berlusconi added. "We can't exclude (the sale of Huntelaar) even if we are convinced of his qualities as a main striker."

FANTASY BUYS

The 73-year-old, who arrived by helicopter, welcomed tacit new signings Mario Yepes, Marco Amelia and Sokratis Papastathopoulos but was lukewarm over Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic possibly coming back to Italy with Milan.

"I don't know how well he'd fit into the Milan dressing room," he said of the former Inter Milan player.

Thousands of fans turned up to see Milan, third in Serie A last term, return to training and some banners were critical of Berlusconi for not investing in the squad like in the past.

The tycoon reckoned the squad could compete with any other but accepted spending had been reined in because of the global economic crisis and said he would not be making "fantasy buys" even if the financial picture was improving.

He again denied he was close to selling the club, saying no one suitable had come forward, but acknowledged that at some stage he would have to let the club go.

Floating Milan on the stock market was ruled out, however.

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Romario attends closing ceremony of Friendship Cup

Tue, Jul 20 10 10:57 PM

Kolkata, July 20 (PTI) Brazilian football star Romario today paid a visit to the city along with his companion Branco, leaving thousands of fans mesmerised at the Police Athletic Club ground here. In the city with another Brazilian ace Branco for Bengali TV reality show, Romario, the 1994 World Cup Golden Ball winner, took part in the closing ceremony of the Kolkata Police Coca-Cola Friendship Cup that saw participation from 6,000 players from 462 teams. Eight players have been selected from the meet who will be given special training at German club FC Bayern Munich. Addressing the crowd in Portugese through an interpretor, he said: "It''s a great pleasure to be here. My congratulations to the players who will go to the FC Bayern Munich. "I am honoured to be part of this. In my capacity, I would like to contribute a minimum possible amount for the kids who need so much," he concluded before leaving the arena with a standing ovation from the football-crazy Kolkata crowd that included former Olympians Sailen Manna, PK Banerjee, Chuni Goswami among others. Earlier commissioner of police Gautam Mohan Chakraborty announced Rs 40,000 for the treatment of ailing former Indian player Mohammad Abdus Sattar who is suffering from dementia. PTI TAP ATK

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France's Ribery placed under judicial investigation

Tue, Jul 20 10 10:51 PM

French soccer international Franck Ribery was placed under judicial investigation on Tuesday for soliciting sex with an under-age prostitute, the Paris public prosecutor's office said.

Police investigating a prostitution network earlier questioned the Bayern Munich winger at the Paris vice squad headquarters for several hours.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a 45,000 euro fine ($58,390), although a conviction hinges on proving that the accused knew the minor's age.

Ribery's lawyer said he did not know the girl at the centre of the probe was under 18 at the time.

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SPORT-STATS

Tue, Jul 20 10 10:37 PM

Galle, July 20 (PTI) Statistical highlights on the third day of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka here today. # During his last four outings, Sehwag has registered two hundreds and and one innings of 80-plus - 109 at Nagpur & 165 at Kolkata - both against South Africa and 85 not out against Sri Lanka at Galle. # The first Indian to amass 500 runs is Sehwag - 528 at an average of 88.00 in five Tests, including two hundreds and three fifties. # Rahul Dravid''s tally of 12 dismissals as ''run-out'' is exceeded only by Ricky Ponting (13). # In an India-Sri Lanka Test match in Sri Lanka, 400 (404) have been made in a day''s play for the first time. # Tharanga Paranvitana, with his 111 off 233, has equalled Sanath Jayasuriya''s feat for the highest individual innings for Sri Lanka against India at Galle. Jayasuriya had posted 111 in August 2001. # Pragyan Ojha, could not take a single wicket in a Test innings for the first time. # Herath became the first number eight Sri Lankan batsman to register a fifty against India at Galle. # Herath''s aforesaid knock is the second best by number eight batsman for Sri Lanka against India. Samaraweera had posted an unbeaten 103 at Colombo (SSC) in August 2001. # Herath''s excellent unbeaten 80 is his best innings in first-class cricket. # Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Nayan Mongia, with 18 dismissals each, now share a record for most dismissals for India against Sri Lanka in Tests. # Lasith Malinga (64) has registered his career-best innings in Tests/First-class cricket - his maiden fifty - surpassing his 42 not out against Australia at Hobart in November 2007. # Mithun''s excellent figures of 4/105 are the second best by an Indian pacer at Galle. Javagal Srinath (5 for 114 in August 2001) is the first and only Indian fast bowler to capture five wickets in an innings at this venue. # Virender Sehwag, in three successive innings at Galle, has recorded 201 not out and 50 in 2008 followed by 85 not out. # Sehwag''s runs'' tally of 336 (ave.336.00) in three innings is the highest by an Indian player at Galle. No other Indian has aggregated 200 at this venue. # In fact, Sehwag is the first player to complete 300 runs against Sri Lanka at Galle. # Sehwag''s 22nd Test fifty is his third against Sri Lanka. # Prasanna Jayawardene and Rangana Herath have shared a seventh wicket partnership of 49 - Sri Lanka''s highest against India at Galle. # Lasith Malinga and Herath have added 115 for the eighth wicket - Sri Lanka''s highest against India, eclipsing the 48 between Aravinda de Silva and Muttiah Muralitharan at Colombo SSC in August 1997. .

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Sabade to lead Rugby team in Asian Womens 7s

Tue, Jul 20 10 10:21 PM

Mumbai, July 20 (PTI) Skipper Avani Sabade will lead a 12-member Indian Rugby team to participate in the prestigious Asian Women''s 7s Tournament in Guangzhou, China that gets underway on Saturday. The Indian eves will leave for China tomorrow to take part in the two-day event which will see the participation of thirteen other international teams. India will face tough opposition from some of the top teams in the world like China, Thailand, Phillipines, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore in the tournament, which is a Test Event for the upcoming Asian Games in November. The team consists of Sabade, Surabhi Date, Vahbiz Bharucha, Niharika Dal, Gayatri Salunke, Neha Pardeshi, Ketaki Khare, Tapsi Nandi, Sutapa Das, Priyanka Mandal, Kalpana Das and Sangeeta Bera. "It is a great honour to lead the national women''s rugby team again. It is a huge privilege for the team to represent India at such a prestigious tournament. The team is confident of playing well and doing the country proud. We have gone through practice sessions at Balewadi stadium and are set to give a tough challenge to the opponents," Sabade said. Thirty participants were shortlisted from the top performers at the All India Inter Club Rugby7s here in June. PTI ATK

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Hockey India sticks to own constitution, Stokes to contest elections

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 09:37 PM

New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) In a set-back for the sports ministry, the returning officer for Hockey India (HI) elections Tuesday allowed the national body's interim president Vidya Stokes to contest the July 28 elections.

HI secretary general Narinder Batra informed the returning officer R.C. Chopra that they are not going to follow the election guidelines set by sports ministry as they are not looking for government grants.

Government observer S. Mendiratta informed the sports ministry joint secretary Injeti Srinivas that HI, which is registered under Societies Registration Act, will follow their by-laws for the elections.

The sports ministry is now waiting for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) slated for July 28.

Talking to IANS, Srinivas said: 'The returning officer was told about the HI constitution by officials, who are not elected members. We have taken note of it. It is now for the AGM to decide what they want. If they don't want to follow our guidelines for the elections then we will de-recognise Hockey India.'

During the scrutiny former India captain and Olympian Pargat Singh, a candidate for the president's post, objected to the nomination of Stokes, who is well above the maximum age of 70 set by the ministry.

Stokes, who was not present during the scrutiny, was represented by HI secretary Narinder Batra and her legal counsel. Batra, who is also contesting for the post of secretary general, informed the returning officer and Stokes couldn't turn up due to heavy rains in the city.

'Pargat Singh objected to the nomination of Vidya Stokes on the ground that she was above the age of seventy and, accordingly, could not stand for election to the post of president, as per the guidelines of the government. Narinder Batra admitted that Stokes was above the age of seventy, but countered the objection of Shri Pargat Singh and his counsel stating that the elections to the Hockey India were to be held in accordance with the constitution and by-laws of Hockey India, which is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act and that there was no age limit,' Mendiratta wrote in his letter to Srinivas.

'They (HI) further submitted that the guidelines of the sports ministry were only meant to be followed by those sports federations, which were seeking financial aid and other facilities from the government and that those guidelines were not applicable to such sports federations as were not soliciting any such grant or facility. Both of them categorically made a statement before the returning officer that the Hockey India was not asking for any financial grant or facilities from the government,' Mendiratta added in his letter.

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IOCL advance into Murugappa Gold Cup hockey semis

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 09:07 PM

Chennai, July 20 (IANS) Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) eased to a 3-0 win against Hockey India Juniors to advance to the semi-finals of the 86th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament here Tuesday.

The experienced IOCL did little of note barring the three goals they scored through Deepak Thakur (1st minute), Hamza Mujtaba (49th) and Roshan Minz (64th) as it was the Colts who played better but lacked the experience and the muscle to convert their chances.

IOCL, with nine points, are assured of a semi-final berth while the Juniors remained on four points from three outings.

Earlier, Punjab National Bank surged back into contention with a comfortable, if not commanding, 3-0 win against Southern Railway for their second win in three outings.

Thakur's stunner in the very first minute when the wily former India star put home a pass from Mujtaba, promised plenty of action from IOCL, but then the Juniors showed a lot of character to shrug off the setback.

The Colts, in fact, dominated the proceedings with some eye-catching ball rotation marked by one touch passing to trouble IOCL. However, for all the pretty moves they made, the Juniors were rather shoddy at the finish where their poor passing and positional play let them down.

IOCL had their moments but schoolboy goalkeeper Naveen Kumar stood up well to the onslaughts with quality saves before the oilmen breached the defence with an indirect penalty corner conversion by Mujtaba and then Minz cut in from the right to find the boards for the third goal.

Goals by Jalwinder Singh (34th), Bruno Logun (42nd) and Nitin Kumar (65th) set up the PNB victory while local champions Southern Railway looked woefully ill-equipped in the defence and crashed to their third consecutive defeat.

In fact, all the three PNB scorers were left free to receive passes from the right wing. Logun found Jalwinder in front of the goal for a deflection before himself knocking in a Yudhvir Singh cross and a Jalwinder-pass put Nitin in possession for the third goal.

Southern Railway did make a few penetrations, but the forwards were far too slow in the striking zone to be effective and repeatedly bungled when in position to make an attempt.

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T20 format destroying Test cricket, says Yousuf

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 08:51 PM

Karachi, July 20 (IANS) Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf feels the Twenty20 format is damaging Test cricket.

'Test cricket is being affected by Twenty20 because it is attracting youngsters, which is not in the best interest of the game,' Yousuf was quoted as saying by InfoT20.com.

The batting maestro said the format is all about hitting and the technique has nothing to do with this style of the game.

'Players just come and try to hit, it's not the game we know since decades. I am not asking to stop Twenty20, my point is the format should not be given hype as it is getting these days,' he said.

Yousuf is one of the world's most prolific batsmen in Test and one-day cricket but he has never been considered for national duty in the Twenty20 format. However, Yousuf did feature in T20 games in the rebel Indian Cricket League for a couple of seasons.

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Getting Sehwag early will be crucial for us: Herath

Tue, Jul 20 10 08:27 PM

T V Sriram Colombo, July 20 (PTI) Getting the wicket of "dangerman" Virender Sehwag early tomorrow will be crucial for Sri Lanka''s chance of winning the first cricket Test, according to spinner Rangana Herath, who stole the spotlight today with an unbeaten 80. "There can be a result. But Sehwag is the danger man. If we can get him early tomorrow we are in the game," Herath said after the third day''s play. Tailenders Herath and Lasith Malinga (64) batted briliantly to help Sri Lanka rattle up a mammoth first innings total of 520 for eight declared. The hosts then left India gasping at 140 for three. "We (Sri lanka) are on top now. So we will try to get two or three early wickets so that we are in the game. If we can get two or three wickets we can prevent India from avoiding the follow on. So we can go for that as well," Herath said. "If we get two or three wickets tomorrow morning we can restrict India to about 250 to 300. That is what we want," he added. Herath praised opener Sehwag and VVS Laxman but reckoned that the former may prove to be a big threat for his team''s chances tomorrow. "Laxman and Sehwag batted really well. At the same time the bowlers have also done well. If they make one mistake everything will be gone. So we hope to get two or three wickets early tomorrow," he pointed out. The 32-year-old spinner was also happy with his performance with the bat but said he never thought about getting a hundred although he had the opportunity today. "I am happy with the way I batted. This is my highest in the first class and Test cricket. I did not think of 100. I just wanted to get on and score some runs. Murali told me that he could stay with me if I can get a hundred," he said. "I and Malinga did not devise any strategy while batting. We just concentrated on getting the runs. Batting was difficult. The first 10 to 15 overs was hard. I realised it was not easy to negotiate the turn and bounce," he added. Herath also praised retiring spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for taking the prized wicket of Sachin Tendulkar. "I think Murali bowled really well today. Murali got Sachin out so that is a good advantage for us," he said. PTI TVS ATK MRM

Source: Published>

Sabade to lead Indian rugby team for Asian 7's tourney

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 08:07 PM

Mumbai, July 20 (IANS) A 12-member Rugby India team, led by Avani Sabade, will leave Wednesday for the Asian Women's 7s tournament in Guangzhou, China.

The tournament July 24-25 is a test event for the Asian Games in November.

'The team is confident of playing well and doing the country proud. We have gone through practice sessions at Balewadi stadium and are set to give a tough challenge to the opponents,' Sabade said.

Surabhi Date, Vahbiz Bharucha, Niharika Dal, Gayatri Salunke, Neha Pardeshi, Ketaki Khare, Tapsi Nandi, Sutapa Das, Priyanka Mandal, Kalpana Das and Sangeeta Bera are other members of the team.

They will be accompanied by coach Usaia Buimuiwai, manager Leena Bal and physio Jyoti Purohit.

Apart from India, thirteen other international teams will compete in the tournament including China, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

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Cracker of a farewell for Murali at Galle

Tue, Jul 20 10 07:27 PM

Galle (Sri Lanka), Jul 20 (PTI) Firecrackers went off in the stadium as Muttiah Muralitharan stepped out to bat in his swansong Test and players from both India and Sri Lanka also did their bit to make the spin wizard''s farewell match a memorable affair. The rain-marred match has risen in profile as it is Muralitharan''s final Test at the end of which, he would bid adieu to his 18-year-old career. The weathergods dampened the atmosphere on the first two days but when Muralitharan finally got a chance to come on the field to bat, firecrackers went off in the stadium to salute the veteran off-spinner. The emotional quotient rose further when the visiting Indian players, in a touching gesture, formed a guard of honour as Muralitharan stepped out, a rare sight for a number 10 batsman. Muralitharan also got pats on his back from the Indians, who tried to make the occasion special for the Lankan, just eight shy of touching the 800-wicket mark. The warmth did not end at that and when the Indian innings began, it was the Sri Lankans who formed a guard of honour for their legendary teammate after stepping out to field.

Source: Published>

Scoreboard: India vs Sri Lanka, Day three, First Test

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 07:17 PM

Galle (Sri Lanka), July 20 (IANS) Scoreboard on the third day of the first cricket Test between India and Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium here Tuesday.

Sri Lanka (first innings):

Tharanga Paranavitana c Dhoni b Sharma 111

Tillekratne Dilshan c Dhoni b Mithun 25

Kumar Sangakkara c Tendulkar b Sehwag 103

Mahela Jayawardene lbw Sharma 48

Thilan Samaraweera lbw Mithun 0

Angelo Mathews c Laxman b Sharma 41

Prasanna Jayawardene lbw b Mithun 27

Rangana Herath not out 80

Lasith Malinga c Harbhajan Singh b Mithun 64

Muttiah Muralitharan not out 5

Extras: (b-2, lb-9, nb-5) 16

Total: (for eight wickets in 124 overs) 520

Fall of wickets: 1-55 (Dilshan, 10.1 overs), 2-236 (Sangakkara, 61.1), 3-259 (Paranavitana, 69.2), 4-260 (Samaraweera, 70.4), 5-322 (M Jayawardene, 87.5), 6-344 (Mathews, 91.6), 7-393 (P Jayawardene, 97.6), 8-508 (Malinga, 120.6)

Bowling:

Ishant Sharma 28 5 145 3

Abhimanyu Mithun 28 3 105 4

Harbhajan Singh 30 4 98 0

Pragyan Ojha 28 1 115 0

Virender Sehwag 10 0 46 1

India (first innings):

Gautam Gambhir lbw b Malinga 2

Virender Sehwag not out 85

Rahul Dravid run out (Malinga/Mathews) 18

Sachin Tendulkar lbw b Muralitharan 8

V.V.S. Laxman not out 18

Extras: (lb-1, w-1, nb-7) 9

Total: (for three wickets in 29.4 overs) 140

Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Gambhir, 0.2 overs), 2-68 (Dravid, 12.2), 3-101 (Tendulkar, 20.4)

Bowling:

Lasith Malinga 9 0 40 1

Chanaka Welegedara 4 0 34 0

Rangana Herath 6.4 1 25 0

Angelo Mathews 3 0 9 0

Muttiah Muralitharan 7 1 31 1

Umpires: Daryll Harper (Australia) and Rod Tucker (Australia)

TV umpire: Tyron Wijewardene (Sri Lanka)

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (Zimbabwe)

Source: Web Search

Kapil Dev motivates media volunteers of Commonwealth Games

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 07:09 PM

NOIDA (Uttar Pradesh), July 20 (ANI): Motivating over 250 media operations volunteers of Common Wealth Games, Delhi 2010 during their second phase of training, former cricketer Kapil Dev called on them to perform their duties with responsibility and ensure that the Commonwealth Games changes the face of the country as well.

Highlighting the responsibilities of the volunteers he said that each press operations volunteer may have to look after three to four media person everyday.

Volunteers have to deal with them with a smile on their face, which can change negative behavior into pleasant behavior.

"We have a rich culture but not many people know that. With your smile, with your own strength, do the work assigned to you in the best possible manner. We are making the change already in the world but this Commonwealth Games is going to make so much difference that you cannot even imagine at this stage," Dev said.

"We are depending upon you so work really hard with passion. You may not be able to see even one sports event; your job is to look after media people who are coming to the country; your job is to sacrifice your own ambition at that moment and try to work for the country. Only passionate people will come out with flying colors", he added.

He also called upon the volunteers to always greet visitors with " NAMASTE" and promote Indian culture

Highlighting what is expected of press operations volunteers during Commonwealth Games, Rajya Sabha lawmaker Tarlochan Singh said: "The volunteers must realize that they have chosen to act as volunteers on their own; their duty will be assigned by the people in charge of each operation. Majority of the volunteers may not even get a chance to even see the Games; they may be asked to stand outside the stadiums."

"You are lucky because press operations volunteers are required in the press blocks of all the 17 stadiums and secondly, you will get an opportunity to work in the press centre at Pragati Maidan; you might be deputed in the hotels assigned for the media. We are expecting over 2, 000 media people and among them will be 700- 800 foreign journalists. Your duty is to look after them. Now time has come when we all should unite, be optimistic and see that the Games are the best games," he added.

Sharing his experiences during various football tournaments, Mr. Novi Kapadia- Sports Commentator attributed the success of World Cup Football Cup to volunteers since most of the media people's major impression of a country or city was through the volunteers. He stressed on the fact that media just like players, is also under immense pressure to perform and volunteers play a very crucial role in ensuring that media people meet their deadlines and go back with reasonably happy memories of India.

Sharda Ugra- Deputy Editor, Sports, India Today, said "Commonwealth Games is a very big deal not only for athletes and spectators but also for press without which a multi-disciplinary game cannot really become the big event that it is. The games will introduce you for the first time to journalists who will be much older to you.

She added: "Journalists are often impatient, cranky, grumbling; they have their deadlines to meet so they want information on time".

Advising volunteers on how to conduct themselves during the games, she said, "Whatever you are told to do, pay attention to that. Timing is very important for a journalist; whatever you are suppose to do make sure it is done on time. Don't hang around. Be punctual and make sure that by the time first journalist comes in everything is set. Keep the information ready for the journalists and if you don't know anything, check with your supervisor and hen give the correct information." (ANI)

Source: Web Search

India 140/3 on third day

Tue, Jul 20 10 07:03 PM

Galle, July 20 (PTI) India were 140 for three in their first innings at stumps on the third day of the first cricket Test against Sri Lanka here today. Virender Sehwag was unbeaten on 85 and VVS Laxman was on 18 when stumps were drawn. Sri Lanka declared their first innings at 520 for eight. Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 1st innings: 520 for 8 decl in 124 overs. India 1st innings: 140 for three in 29.4 overs (Virender Sehwag 85 batting, Muttiah Muralitharan 1/31).

Source: Published>

India pushed to the wall as Lanka pile up mammoth total

Tue, Jul 20 10 06:57 PM

T V Sriram Galle (Sri Lanka), Jul 20 (PTI) India were left with an arduous task of batting their way to safety after losing three key wickets in the rain-hit first cricket Test against Sri Lanka who took firm control of the game by scoring an imposing first innings total of 520 for 8 declared here today. The hosts relied on the the heroics of their tailenders Rangana Herath (80 not out) and Lasith Malinga (64) to rattle up a mammoth total before declaring their innings at tea and shut a struggling India out of the game. Herath and Malinga turned out to be the unlikely batting heroes as the islanders recovered from a few early jolts and had the visitors in trouble by the end of the day by dismissing Gautam Gambhir (2), Rahul Dravid (18) and Sachin Tendulkar (8). Virender Sehwag (85), who payed with his usual flamboyance, and VVS Laxman (18) ensured that there were no more setbacks as they took the score to 140 for three at close on the third day with the hosts still trailing by 380 runs. With two days left in the match and the pitch at the Galle International stadium expected to deteriorate, the Indians need to bat out of their skin to ensure that Muttiah Muralitharan''s swansong Test ends in a draw. The day clearly belonged to the hosts as they not only consolidated their position by amassing a huge score but also scalped three prized wickets. While Gambhir perished in Malinga''s first over, Dravid was run out trying to go for a cheeky single. But the biggest blow for the visitors came when Tendulkar was trapped leg before by Muralitharan. Earlier, the Indians managed to claw back into the game to some extent in the pre-lunch session as they evicted Tharanga Paranavitana (111), Thilan Samaraweera (0), Mahela Jayawardene (48) and Angelo Mathews (41). But the late order belligerence of Herath and Malinga took the game completely away from the Indians. After the second day was completely washed out, play resumed today after an hour''s delay with Sri Lanka at 256 for two and the Indians managed to get a few quick wickets in the opening session. Ishant, who has been struggling for quite some time, tasted his first success when he induced a nick from centurion Paranavitana which went straight to wicketkeeper Dhoni. Paranavitana (111) poked at the moving delivery off the backfoot and the diving Indian skipper made no mistake. Debutant Abhimanyu Mithun then struck another blow to the Lankan line-up when he had new batsman Thilan Samaraweera (0) trapped leg before. More PTI TVS MRM

Source: Published>

India 140/3 on third day

Tue, Jul 20 10 06:51 PM

Galle, July 20 (PTI) India were 140 for three in their first innings at stumps on the third day of the first cricket Test against Sri Lanka here today. Virender Sehwag was unbeaten on 85 and VVS Laxman was on 18 when stumps were drawn. Sri Lanka declared their first innings at 520 for eight. Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 1st innings: 520 for 8 decl in 124 overs. India 1st innings: 140 for three in 29.4 overs (Virender Sehwag 85 batting, Muttiah Muralitharan 1/31).

Source: Published>

Martin gets 'surprise' New Zealand Cricket contract renewal

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 06:47 PM

Auckland, July 20(ANI): Veteran fast bowler Chris Martin is among the 20 players, who have been handed New Zealand Cricket contracts for another year.

New Zealand coach and selector Mark Greatbatch said that despite being plagued by injuries, Martin still has plenty to contribute in the Test cricket arena.

He said that Martin has been retained, as the selection panel including skipper Daniel Vettori, Glenn Turner and John Wright, felt that he had another good 12 months of Test cricket in him.

"We think it is very easy to look in isolation at one or two Test matches at the end of summer, when he himself said those performances weren't at the level he wanted to aspire to," Stuff.co.nz quoted Greatbatch, as saying.

Greatbatch said that Martin's successes last summer, when he took 20 Test wickets, should not be overlooked.

"So, we still feel that he is going to help us in test cricket for the next 12 months. We expect him to step up further this year," he added.

The contracted players are: Brent Arnel, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Gareth Hopkins, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Tim McIntosh, Andy McKay, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori, B.J. Watling and Kane Williamson. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Swann charged with drink-driving

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 06:41 PM

London, July 20(ANI): England off-spinner Graeme Swann has been charged with drink-driving, Nottinghamshire Police said.

The 31-year-old was arrested after being stopped by officers in the West Bridgford area of Nottingham on April 2.

"Graeme Swann, 31, of West Bridgford, was charged on June 8 with driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level was above the limit," Sky News quoted a police spokeswoman, as saying.

He is due to appear before Nottingham magistrates on August 16. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Loew stays on as Germany's coach until Euro 2012

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 06:39 PM

Hamburg, July 20 (DPA) Joachim Loew Tuesday renewed his contract as Germany's coach until Euro 2012, less than a fortnight after leading a young and widely acclaimed team to third place at the football World Cup.

German football federation supremo Theo Zwanziger told a news conference at the Frankfurt DFB headquarters that Loew, general manager Oliver Bierhoff, assistant coach Hansi Flick and goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke had put pen to paper earlier in the day.

'I have good news for all German football fans that we have renewed the contracts ... Joachim will continue his great work. We have young and talented players and we have the coach who fits this team,' said Zwanziger.

Loew said: 'We have a very good basis of young players who can blossom further. We see great potential. The motivation is extremely high to further develop this team.'

Loew, 50, became assistant coach under Juergen Klinsmann in 2004 and was promoted to head coach when Klinsmann stepped down after coming third at the 2006 home World Cup.

He led Germany to the Euro 2008 final where they lost against Spain. At the recent World Cup in South Africa, Loew's young team claimed big wins over Australia (4-0), England (4-1) and Argentina (4-0) before losing in the semifinals to eventual champions Spain.

With captain Michael Ballack and others injured, youngsters like Mesut Oezil, 21, and Thomas Mueller, 20, rose to the occasion as Germany impressed with fast attacking football. Mueller became tournament top scorer and was named best young player.

Zwanziger and the vast majority of the German football community had asked Loew to stay on and to further develop the team, which appears to have a bright future.

But Loew had his future open through the World Cup after earlier contract talks broke down in February when Loew and Bierhoff, who has been on the job since 2004, were unhappy that details were leaked to the media.

The final decision was reached Friday when Loew, Bierhoff, Flick and Koepke met to discuss the future. Loew and Zwanziger said that the deals were then finalised from Saturday onwards without major complications.

'Thanks to the excellent youth sector of the Bundesliga clubs and the junior DFB teams we are convinced that the national team can further raise its international value with modern and attractive football,' said Loew.

Germany's next match is an August 11 friendly in Denmark and Euro 2012 qualifying starts in September 3 with a game in Belgium. Germany's other opponents are Turkey, Austria, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, with only the group winner qualifying directly for the finals in Poland and Ukraine.

Ballack, 33, who missed the World Cup with an ankle injury and has moved from Chelsea to Bayer Leverkusen, was among those who welcomed the contract renewal.

'I am happy that the whole team continues. It is done a great job. The team has faith in Joachim Loew,' said Ballack.

But Loew neither wanted to promise Ballack a swift return into the team nor that he would be captain again. Philipp Lahm wore the armband at the World Cup and said he would not volunteer to give it up again.

'Michael was always an important and a player of outstanding merit. But for me it is important that he gets into a rhythm again and gets over his injury. Then we will talk,' Loew said.

'The (captain's) decision is with the coach. I have not reached a final decision yet ... I will make the announcement before nominating the team for the Denmark game.'

Source: Web Search

Dean hid fact that he was married: Kerri

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 06:07 PM

Dean Jones' ex-mistress has claimed that the former cricketer lied about his marital status when they began their decade-long 'on-and-off' affair, which has left his reputation in shreds.

Revealing her identity, international flight attendant and part-time model Kerri-Anne Hamilton said she tried to end the "secret affair" which began in 1998 and led to the birth of a child, Koby, after knowing three months into their relationship that Jones was married.

"Back in 1998 it was a bit like we're in the dark ages; there was no Google, no Internet ... the only information I would get was from people I asked," said Hamilton from Sydney at Channel Nine Network's programme 'A Current Affair'.

"I changed my phone number, I wouldn't take his calls, I did many many things to end it through the years but he just dangled the carrot," Hamilton said in a paid interview, according to 'The Australian'.

The affair began 12 years into Jones' 24-year marriage. In August last year, Hamilton gave birth to the child, but she denied the conception was planned.

"It couldn't be further from the truth. I was working as an international flight attendant -- I was lucky to know what week we were in let alone anything to do with a making-baby cycle," said Hamilton, now 35.

She also claimed that Jones first tried to run away from owning up the child after he was asked for child support payments and that led to the break-up some two years ago.

"He ran away from it, thought he was above it, thought he didn't have to help me at all ... that he's the victim," Hamilton said.

She also insisted that Jones' wife had no knowledge of the affair.

"Absolutely not. It was a secret," she said.

Faced with a public expose by Channel Nine, Jones had disclosed that he fathered a child outside his marriage after an "on-and-off relationship" with a Sydney woman.

"Following an on-and-off relationship with a woman, a child was conceived and subsequently delivered," Jones had said.

Jones, who was stripped off the 2007 Victorian Father of the Year award after the expose, has two daughters - Phoebe, 19, and Isabella, 14 -- with his wife Jane.

He played 164 ODIs between 1984 and 1994, scoring 6068 runs at an average of 44.61. He also appeared in 52 Tests between 1984 and 1992, scoring 3631 runs at an average of 46.55.

Source: Web Search

French footie stars Ribery, Benzema questioned in under-age sex inquiry

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 05:37 PM

London, July 20(ANI): French footballers Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema have been reportedly questioned by the police, as part of an investigation into an alleged under-age prostitution ring.

They were questioned at the request of an investigating magistrate looking into allegations that a Paris nightclub gave access to under-age girls working as prostitutes.

One of the young women who allegedly met the players at the club has already testified to the investigators that she had relations with the two players when she was still under age, The Telegraph reports.

Both players have denied any wrong-doing.

Ribery had earlier said that he had sex with the woman, but insists he did not know she was a minor.

Under French law, paid sex with someone under the age of 18 is regarded as sex with a minor, and punishable by three years in jail and a fine of 45,000 euros. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Gazza accused of 'groping shopgirl'

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 05:23 PM

London, July 20 (ANI): Former football legend Paul Gascoigne, or Gazza as he is popularly known, has been accused of groping a chemist.

Rowena Ross, 22, said Gascoigne reeked of booze when he walked into her store near the clinic where he was having treatment.

"He seemed quite merry. He hugged me and then put his hand on my breast. He was giggling. I didn't say anything," The Sun quoted Ross as saying.

Sam Bishop, 24, who lives near the Bournemouth clinic, bought Gazza some lager after bumping into him in the street.

"He asked me to buy him two cans of Stella and put them in a bag behind the wall of an empty house.

"When I'd done it I had to give him a thumbs-up to let him know it was there. I didn't know he was in rehab or I wouldn't have bought them," he said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Contador regrets benefiting from Schleck problem

Tue, Jul 20 10 05:17 PM

Alberto Contador has expressed regret over how he snatched the Tour de France yellow jersey after benefiting from his closest rival Andy Schleck's mechanical problems during Monday's 15th stage.

In a video sent to the media issued later on Monday, the defending champion from Spain said: "There is a problem with the circumstances.

"The race was on and maybe I made a mistake. I'm sorry. I'm disappointed in the sense that for me fait play is very important, as I did in the stage of Spa."

In the stage to Bagneres de Luchon, Luxembourg's Schleck attacked on the climb to the Port de Bales and Contador was countering the move when the Saxo Bank rider's chain slipped off.

He went past and eventually crossed the line 39 seconds before Schleck, who said Contador, Russian Denis Menchov and Spaniard Samuel Sanchez, who joined forces with the Astana leader, had shown a lack of fair play.

Contador now leads Schleck by eight seconds going into Tuesday's 16th stage from Bagneres de Luchon to Pau.

Source: Published>

Ribery, Benzema quizzed in under-age sex probe

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 05:07 PM

French police questioned soccer internationals Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema on Tuesday as part of an investigation into an alleged under-age prostitution ring, a legal source said.

The footballers were detained at the request of an investigating magistrate probing allegations that a Champs Elysees nightclub provided clients access to minors working as call girls, the source close to the inquiry said.

One of the young women who is alleged to have met clients at the club had already testified to investigators earlier in the year that she had relations with the two players when she was still under age.

If they are charged and convicted of soliciting and paying for sex with a minor, the pair face three years in jail and a fine of 45,000 euros (58,000 dollars), but only if it is proved they knew she was under-age.

A grim-faced Ribery arrived at the headquarters of the Paris vice squad with an acquaintance but refused to answer questions from reporters.

Boulogne-born 27-year-old midfielder Ribery plays for Bayern Munich in Germany and was a member of France's ill-fated squad at this month's 2010 World Cup in SouthAfrica, which went out in the first round.

Real Madrid striker Benzema is only 22, but missed out on this year's French team, despite playing in much of the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Ribery has previously confirmed to police that he had sex with the young woman, but insists he did not know she was a minor. Benzema has not publicly addressed the allegations.

The young woman, Zahia Dehar, is now 18 years and four months old. She has been questioned by police and gave a tell-all interview to the news and gossip weekly Paris Match after the scandal erupted.

She described selling sexual encounters to Ribery in 2009 and to Benzema in 2008, while she was under-age, and with a third French player, 30-year-old Panathinaikos winger Sidney Govou, in March, when she was an adult.

Dehar has also said the players did not know she was a minor. In France the general age of consent is 15 years, but in the case of prostitution a young person remains a minor until he or she reaches 18.

The footballers became caught up in the investigation after detectives probing rumours of a vice ring bugged the Zaman Cafe, an expensive nightspot just off Paris's most glamorous street, the Champs Elysees.

Source: Web Search

Ponting wants decision review system in Tests

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 04:57 PM

Melbourne, July 20 (IANS) Australian captain Ricky Ponting Tuesday said the International Cricket Council (ICC) should ensure the decision review system is used in every Test series.

The referral system is not used in Australia's current two-match series against Pakistan in England as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was not prepared to meet the additional costs involved.

Ponting feels there should be some consistency in the execution of the review system.

'Look I got my point across at the referees' meeting before this series ... I just think probably even the ICC could have stepped in on this occasion,' Ponting was quoted as saying in the Herald Sun.

'It is a financial thing at the end of the day, that is the reason we are not using it.

'So I thought the ICC could have come in and done something about it but it has not eventuated and that is just the way it is. So we just have to get on with it.

The ICC's main stumbling block has been boards negotiating what they consider to be their fair share of costs involved in the use of the technology.

'It was brought in as compulsory in Test cricket 12 months ago now, so I thought if it was ever left up in the air someone should have stepped in and made sure it actually happened,' Ponting said.

India are also opposed to the video review system and are likely to rule out its use in the October Test series against Australia.

Source: Web Search

Dean Jones didn''t tell me he was married, claims ex-mistress

Tue, Jul 20 10 04:37 PM

Melbourne, July 20 (PTI) Dean Jones'' ex-mistress has claimed that the former cricketer lied about his marital status when they began their decade-long ''on-and-off'' affair, which has left his reputation in shreds. Revealing her identity, international flight attendant and part-time model Kerri-Anne Hamilton said she tried to end the "secret affair" which began in 1998 and led to the birth of a child, Koby, after knowing three months into their relationship that Jones was married. "Back in 1998 it was a bit like we''re in the dark ages; there was no google, no internet ... the only information I would get was from people I asked," said Hamilton from Sydney at Channel Nine Network''s programme ''A Current Affair''. "I changed my phone number, I wouldn''t take his calls, I did many many things to end it through the years but he just dangled the carrot," Hamilton said in a paid interview, according to ''The Australian''. The affair began 12 years into Jones'' 24-year marriage. In August last year, Hamilton gave birth to the child, but she denied the conception was planned. "It couldn''t be further from the truth. I was working as an international flight attendant -- I was lucky to know what week we were in let alone anything to do with a making-baby cycle," said Hamilton, now 35. She also claimed that Jones first tried to run away from owning up the child after he was asked for child support payments and that led to the break-up some two years ago. "He ran away from it, thought he was above it, thought he didn''t have to help me at all ... that he''s the victim," Hamilton said. She also insisted that Jones'' wife had no knowledge of the affair. "Absolutely not. It was a secret," she said. Faced with a public expose by Channel Nine, Jones had disclosed that he fathered a child outside his marriage after an "on-and-off relationship" with a Sydney woman. "Following an on-and-off relationship with a woman, a child was conceived and subsequently delivered," Jones had said. Jones, who was stripped off the 2007 Victorian Father of the Year award after the expose, has two daughters -- Phoebe, 19, and Isabella, 14 -- with his wife Jane. He played 164 ODIs between 1984 and 1994, scoring 6068 runs at an average of 44.61. He also appeared in 52 Tests between 1984 and 1992, scoring 3631 runs at an average of 46.55.

Source: Published>

Sri Lanka declare first innings at 520/8

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 04:17 PM

Galle (Sri Lanka), July 20 (IANS) Sri Lanka declared their first innings at 520 for eight against India at tea on the third day of the first cricket Test at the Galle International Stadium here Tuesday.

Tharanga Pranavitana was the top scorer with 111 while Kumar Sangakkara made 103. Rangana Herath was unbeaten on 80.

Source: Web Search

Sri Lanka score 520/8 at tea against India

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 04:07 PM

Galle (Sri Lanka), July 20 (IANS) Sri Lanka were 520 for eight in their first innings at tea on the third day of the first cricket Test against India at the Galle International Stadium here Tuesday.

Rangana Herath was batting on 80 and Muttiah Muralitharan, playing his last Test match, was on five at the tea break.

Source: Web Search

India drub France 6-0 in second hockey Test, clinch series

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 03:53 PM

New Delhi, July 20 (IANS) In-form dragflicker Sandeep Singh converted three penalty corners as India pummelled France 6-0 in the second hockey Test and clinched the three-match series at the French National Institute of Sports and Physical Education (INSEP) in Paris.

India will play the third and last final Test Wednesday before leaving for Holland for the last leg of their European tour.

Sandeep scored in the 12th, 37th and 47th minute, with captain Rajpal Singh (39th), Mohd. Amir Khan (55th) and Hari Prasad (58th) the other scorers Monday.

India, who scraped past the French 4-3 in the first Test Sunday, dominated from the start with superb ball control and possession.

Sandeep was quick to put India ahead early and the visitors ended the first-half leading 1-0.

Sandeep increased the lead soon after the break sinking one past France goalkeeper Matthias Dierckens after Gurbaj Singh, Ravi Pal and Dharamvir Singh had done the spadework.

An unmarked Rajpal made it 3-0 after being set up by Vikas Pillay.

Sandeep added to the French misery when he shot home his third goal after Hari Prasad was obstructed by skipper Francois Scheefer. Amir, with a deft reverse deflection after combining in a swift counter attack with Bharat Chikara, soon made it 5-0.

India wrapped up their goal burst three minutes later when Hari Prasad struck the sixth goal with Khandker, Pillay and Danish Mujtaba ripping the French defence.

Source: Web Search

No need to spend big to regain Premier League: Ferguson

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 03:41 PM

London, Jul 20 (ANI): To regain the Premier League title, Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson believes he does not need to spend a big amount on signing new players.

Ferguson has so far spent just 16 million pounds this summer on two youngsters, Chris Smalling and Javier Hernandez, while their neighbouring rivals Manchester City have splashed nearly 77 million pounds.

United fans believe that the club's massive 716.5 million pounds debt run up by the Glazer family is restricting Ferguson from signing new players.

"I can't speak for other clubs but we're comfortable with the squad we've got. I've bought players at the right time of the season and we are quite happy with that," The Sun quoted Ferguson, as saying.

Defender Smalling, 20, came from Fulham for 10 million pounds, while Mexican strike ace Hernandez, 22, was a six million pounds buy from Guadalajara.

Hernandez will join up with the squad next week, while Smalling is already settling in with his new teammates. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Kazakh bookmakers furious with Octopus Paul for their low profits

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 03:37 PM

London, Jul 20 (ANI): Bookmakers in Kazakhstan are furious with Paul the Octopus, who may have achieved a legendary status in Spain, for their low World Cup profits.

The Kazakhstan Association of Bookmakers has complained that its members made less than half of their expected profits after too many punters put their faith in the miracle octopus, rather than relying on their own predictive powers," The Telegraph reports.

According to Kazakh newspaper Liter, they made a wafer-thin margin of 670,000 pounds on 44 million pounds in bets placed.

Earlier, a Russian betting firm had said that they would like to pay Paul the Octopus a good salary to be their bookmaker.

Soviet Sport newspaper reported that Bet League company offered 5,000 dollars a month for the octopus who gained its fame by correctly predicting the results of all Germany's games at the World Cup.

The company said their specialists receive around 3,000 dollars a month but they are willing to pay more for Paul.

The company said they are ready to buy Paul at a price of 100,000 Euros.

Paul now is the star attraction at the Sea Life oceanarium in the German city of Oberhausen. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Kumble loses I-phone, credit cards at stadium

Tue, Jul 20 10 03:27 PM

Bangalore, July 20 (PTI) A practice session at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here cost former Indian captain and spin wizard Anil Kumble dearly as he lost his bag containing cash and other valuables. Kumble''s bag containing his Apple i-phone, credit cards and cash went missing yesterday, the police said today. Captain of Indian Premier League team Royal Challengers'' Bangalore, Kumble had left his bag, which also had four credit cards, one debit card, three club cards, two airways cards of Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines along with Rs 3,000 cash, on the ground when he went for practice yesterday. But he found it missing when he came back, police told PTI. "While other players had also left their bags on the ground, it was only Kumble''s bag which was missing," police said. A complaint has been registered in this regard in Cubbon Park Police station and is being investigated.

Source: Published>

ICC should ensure DRS in every Test: Ponting

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 02:53 PM

The powerful Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) might have opposed the idea but Australian captain Ricky Ponting wants the ICC to ensure implementation of the Decision Review System (DRS) in every Test match.

The DRS, which allows teams to challenge on-field umpires' decision, has been a contentious issue ever since its introduction as some cricket boards are not keen on sharing the cost of installing the technology required for it's implementation.

The financially powerful BCCI has, however, refused to give any reason for opposing the system.

Australia are currently playing a Test series against Pakistan in England without DRS as the cash-strapped PCB has refused to share the cost.

The Aussies are likely to play against India in October without DRS again but will have the system in place when they take on England in the Ashes series.

And Ponting said such inconsistency should be avoided and urged the ICC to step in.

"Look I got my point across at the referees' meeting before this series. I just think probably even the ICC could have stepped in on this occasion," Ponting was quoted as saying by the 'Australian Associated Press'.

"It is a financial thing at the end of the day, that is the reason we are not using it. So I thought the ICC could have come in and done something about it but it has not eventuated and that is just the way it is. So we just have to get on with it," he added.

Ponting said the issue was of getting used to the system which cannot happen if it was used in one series and then dumped for another.

"You do get used to playing a certain way and having some decisions sent back for referral but that is what we have got," he said.

"It was brought in as compulsory in Test cricket 12 months ago now, so I thought if it was ever left up in the air someone should have stepped in and made sure it actually happened," added Ponting.

Source: Web Search

Hussey strongly opposes changes to ODI format

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 02:23 PM

Sydney, Jul 20 (ANI): Australian batsman Mike Hussey has strongly opposed cricket Australia's plans to change the oldest limited-overs format.

Cricket Australia's plans to convert the second half of the Ford Ranger Cup competition from two 50-over innings to four 20-over innings have been opposed in the name of tentative innovations.

CA chief executive James Sutherland has used his recent visit to England to brief a delegation of top Australian players, including Hussey.

The veteran revealed the feedback has been far from universally positive about the idea of recalling a star batsman for a second stint in the middle, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

"I don't think it's right because one of the great challenges about batting is you get your chance and if you get out first ball [you learn to] appreciate your wicket so much. If you know you've got a second chance it doesn't sit right with me," he said.

"It's more for the fans really [than the game], more for the entertainment value. If there's someone like a Chris Gayle who obviously draws a lot of people to the game if he does happen to get out first ball at least some of the population - certainly not our fielding team - will be happy that he'd get another chance. But I must admit it doesn't quite sit right with me."

Hussey's objection is that the changes to the 50-over domestic competition are being contemplated for the season leading up to the 2011 World Cup, even though the intent is to implement them once the squad for the sub-continent tournament has been decided.

Hussey, ranked the No.3 batsman in one-day internationals, said he was comforted that even though the dominant view of the players did not match the marketing-focused plans of CA that the administration was still factoring in their opinions. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Afridi could lose one-day, T20 captaincy after leaving team in lurch in England

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 02:17 PM

London, July 20 (ANI): Shahid Afridi's abrupt retirement from Test cricket, leaving the team in lurch during the ongoing England tour, has compelled Pakistani selectors and the team management to rethink their decision to continue with the flamboyant all rounder as captain of the one-day and T20 teams.

Afridi announced his retirement soon after Pakistan lost the first Test match against Australia at Lord's by 150 runs, saying he did not have the temperament to play Test matches, something which didn't go down well within the team management, including manager Yawar Saeed, coach Waqar Younis and also PCB chief Ijaz Butt.

PCB officials, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, said that Afridi's decision has infuriated the management and that his one-day and T20 captaincy is also under threat.

"If he wanted to quit as the Test captain, there were better ways of doing that. What happens in between we don't know about that. Currently, we are focussing on the Test series," The News quoted the official, as saying.

Speculations are rife that the PCB is even contemplating to hand back the captaincy of shorter versions of the game to Shoaib Malik, or even to Salman Butt, depending upon his performance in the Test series.

"It all depends on the success in the remaining Tests. A good performance could see newly appointed captain Salman Butt dictating terms. A successful captain holds the power in Pakistan cricket," the PCB official said.

"Butt, who is a favourite amongst PCB officials for being educated and well behaved, could well take over as Pakistan's future captain in all forms of cricket if his team performs well in England," team insiders added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

ICC launches online competition to suggest names for ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 mascot

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 02:07 PM

Dubai, July 20 (ANI): The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced it is presenting cricket fans with a unique opportunity to play a part in ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 by inviting them to propose a name for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 mascot, an elephant.

Cricket fans can make their suggestions between 20 to 27 July, 2010 with the ICC announcing the winning name of the mascot at a launch in Colombo, Sri Lanka to mark '200 days to go' to the first match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 which will be played in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 19 February 2011. The ICC Cricket World Cup final will be in Mumbai on 2 April 2011.

The mascot's key characteristics are: Young, enthusiastic and determined; thinks cricket is the most fun game in the world; loves playing street cricket-would play 24/7 if he could; worships his cricket heroes, their technique, skill and character; understands there is a lot to learn, work's hard at it, step by step; learning to master the art of concentration; dreams of playing in the ICC Cricket World Cup...one day and age: 10 (human years)

Suggestions should be sent to mascot@icc-cricket.com. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Sri Lanka 361-6 v India - lunch

Tue, Jul 20 10 01:57 PM

Sri Lanka were 361 for six wickets at lunch on the third day of the first test against India at the Galle Stadium on Tuesday.

Scores: Sri Lanka 361-6 (T. Paranavitana 111, K Sangakkara 103) v India

Source: Published>

Kewell extends Galatasaray stay for one more year

Tue, Jul 20 10 01:37 PM

Australian international Harry Kewell has ended speculation linking him with a move home to the A-League by agreeing a one-year contract extension with Turkish side Galatasaray.

A brief statement on the Galatasaray website (www.galatasaray.org) on Monday said that the 31-year-old would officially sign the deal after a routine medical.

The former Liverpool and Leeds United winger joined the Turkish side in 2008 but suffered a lengthy, injury blighted spell last season.

Australian media had speculated that Kewell, sent off for deliberate handball in his only 24 minutes of action at the World Cup last month, was set to join A-League side Gold Coast United.

Source: Published>

Ishant strikes, Lanka 361 for 6 at lunch

Tue, Jul 20 10 01:27 PM

Galle (Sri Lanka), Jul 20 (PTI) Off-colour pacer Ishant Sharma finally struck form with a three-wicket haul as India came back strongly to leave Sri Lanka 361 for 6 in their first innings at lunch on the third day of the rain-hit first cricket Test here today. After the second day was completely washed out, play resumed today after an hour''s delay with Sri Lanka at 256 for two. Ishant, who has been struggling for quite some time, tasted his first success when he induced a nick from centurion Tharanga Paranavitana which went straight to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Paranavitana (111) poked at the moving delivery off the backfoot and the diving Indian skipper made no mistake. Debutant Abhimanyu Mithun then struck another blow to the Lankan line-up when he had new batsman Thilan Samaraweera (0) trapped leg before. The ball that slanted in late caught Samaraweera unawares and the Hawkeye showed the it may have just kissed the top of the middle stump. Samaraweera had earlier got a reprieve when Rahul Dravid dropped a sitter off the bowling of Mithun at first slip. The outside edge looped up and carried straight into the Dravid''s lap but failed to stick. However, former Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene took a measure of the Indian fast bowlers as he cut a Mithun bouncer over the slip cordon for a boundary. Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews sought to accelerate the score in the rain-marred Test. Jayawardene later got the benefit of the doubt when his attempted sweep popped into Gautam Gambhir''s hand at short leg. The third umpire ruled that the ball had bounced before carrying to Gambhir. Sri Lanka''s 300 runs came in 348 minutes in 81.4 overs. Dhoni decided to bring back the fast bowlers in pursuit of further wickers as both Mathews and Jayawardene showed little difficulty in playing the spinners. Ishant was unlucky not to get early breakthroughs as he troubled the batsmen but finally got Jayawardene who missed an attempted flick and was given LBW out. Jayawardene''s 48-run knock was laced with six hits to the boundary. Ishant then got Mathews as he nipped an away going delivery to be neatly taken by Lakshman at second slip. Prasanna Jayawardene (20) and Rangana Herath (0) were at the crease when the break was taken.

Source: Published>

Sri Lanka make 361/6 against India at lunch

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 01:07 PM

Galle (Sri Lanka), July 20 (IANS) Sri Lanka made 361 for six in 93 overs in the first innings at lunch on the third day of the first cricket Test against India at the Galle International Stadium here Tuesday.

Prasanna Jayawardene was batting on 20 while Rangana Herath was yet to open his account when the umpires called for lunch.

Source: Web Search

Ijaz hints at Mohammed Yousuf's return to Pak squad

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 12:57 PM

London, July 20 (ANI): Pakistan assistant coach Ijaz Ahmed has hinted that the team management is seriously considering recalling former captain Mohammed Yousuf for the ongoing England tour.

Following the unexpected Test retirement of skipper Shahid Afridi last week, speculations were rife that the troubled Pakistani team management would recall either of the two former captains-Mohammed Yousuf or Younis Khan, both of whom were banned 'indefinitely' by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after the winless Australia tour earlier this year.

Interacting with media persons at Headingly, Ijaz said Yousuf could replace Afridi but the team management is yet to take a final call on the issue.

"Yousuf can replace Afridi but the management haven't decided yet who will come.t could come out in a couple of days," said Ijaz.

"These are the only two players we are talking about, Younis Khan and Yousuf. Let's see, it might be decided about Yousuf. Yousuf might be coming here," he added.

Backing the selectors decision to promote Salman Butt from vice-captain to captain of the squad, Ijaz said that the left-hand opener has matured greatly over a period of time, and expressed hope that he would be able to manage things at the top level.

"He was the vice-captain as well. I hope he can manage this.We have done a lot of talking to him and he has played really well and is shaping up well. I think he is getting mature and now he has got the responsibility as well. I think he will come good for that," The Daily Times quoted Ijaz, as saying. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Axe 50-over cricket to save fast bowlers getting extinct like 'dinosaurs': Imran

Published>Tue, Jul 20 10 12:53 PM

Sydney, Jul 20 (ANI): Pakistani cricket legend Imran Khan has suggested axing 50-over cricket as a way to ease the unprecedented stress on fast bowlers so that they do not become an extinct species like dinosaurs.

The former Pakistan captain, who in 1992 led his country to World Cup glory, made these remarks while giving the annual Cowdrey Lecture at Lord's in London on Monday.

"Maybe we should eliminate 50-over cricket and just have Twenty20 cricket and Test cricket. I don't believe Test cricket is the same standard as before," Imran said.

Imran said the way the international game was structured puts "tremendous pressure" on bowlers.

"The stress on fast bowlers is incredible. But cricket without fast bowling is never going to be the same standard if a batsman doesn't test himself against fast bowling. I saw (Australia's) Shaun Tait bowl in the Twenty20s and I thought an alien had come in - you suddenly saw batsmen hopping about,' he said.

The 57-year-old Imran, who since retiring from cricket has entered politics, was at Lord's last week to see Pakistan lose the first of their two-Test series against Australia by 150 runs, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Commenting on Shahid Afridi's retirement from Tests after just one game back as Pakistan captain, Imran said Afridi was an example of a fine Twenty20 player who lacked the temperament for the five-day format.

"The only test of a cricketer is the Test match because his talent and technique is tested. In Twenty20, if you are very talented you can get away with it, but a good Twenty20 cricketer will not necessarily excel in Test cricket," Imran said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search