Chowrasia, Kapur make cut despite ordinary Rd2 in Sweden

Sat, Jul 24 10 12:27 PM

Stockholm, July 24 (PTI) Indian golfers SSP Chowrasia and Shiv Kapur turned in over-par cards of 73 and 75 respectively but still managed to make the cut for weekend action after the second round of the Nordea Scandinavian Masters golf tournament here. While Chowrasia was tied 38th with a total of even-par 144, Kapur was a couple of strokes behind his compatriot at tied 66th. It was a topsy-turvy day for Chowrasia, who sunk in five birdies but ended up negating them with six bogeys. One-under at the turn after sandwiching a bogey in between his two birdies, Chowrasia played out a roller-coaster back nine. There were birdies on the 11th and 15th but bogeys on the 10th, 13th, 14th and 17th denied him an under-par card. Kapur was even more off-colour as he managed just two birdies against five bogeys. Off the blocks with a birdie on the first, Kapur let it slip thereafter and bogeys on the fourth, seventh and eighth had him two-over at the turn. Things didn''t improve much in the back nine either as he ended up conceding two strokes against just one birdie, on the 15th. Top of the table, Korean K J Choi (67) grabbed the lead with a total of nine-under 135. Swede Richard S Johnson (66) occupied the second spot a shot behind Choi.

Source: Published>

Tiger Woods' 'mistress' Rachel Uchitel 'addicted to alcohol'

Published>Sat, Jul 24 10 12:17 PM

New York, July 24 (ANI): Tiger Woods' highest-profile former mistress, Rachel Uchitel, is addicted to alcohol, it has emerged.

Uchitel is also addicted to the prescription sleeping pill Ambien, according to RadarOnline.com.

The former event planner and New York nightclub hostess is set to star on U.S. television show "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" alongside the actor Jeremy London, reports the New York Post.

She was the first woman linked to Woods when sex scandal claims began to appear in the U.S. media.

According to a "well-placed source": "Rachel is dealing with addiction issues with not only pills, but alcohol."

The source also said that Uchitel was battling "intimacy issues relating to love and sex." (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Jeev, Atwal make cut at Canadian Open

Sat, Jul 24 10 12:07 PM

Ontario (Canada), July 24 (PTI) Jeev Milkha Singh slipped 16 places to tied 53rd after returning a modest even-par 70 while Arjun Atwal also just about managed to make the cut with an identical card in the second round of the RBC Canadian Open golf tournament here. A 10th tee starter, Jeev''s two birdies against an equal number of bogeys took his overall total to two-under 138. Atwal was a stroke adrift at tied 68th after bartering two birdies for two bogeys. Off to a subdued start, Jeev stumbled to his first bogey on the 16th to make the turn one-over. But his front nine turned out to be slightly better as he fetched birdies on the second and sixth holes before closing it off rather disappointingly with a bogey on the ninth. Atwal had a similar day but he managed to spread his birdies and bogeys evenly on each nine. On top of the leaderboard, American Dean Wilson (65) and South Africa Tim Clark (64) shared the lead at 10-under 130. PTI PM AT

Source: Published>

Tiger Woods' 'mistress' Rachel Uchitel 'addicted to alcohol'

Published>Sat, Jul 24 10 11:43 AM

New York, July 24 (ANI): Tiger Woods' highest-profile former mistress, Rachel Uchitel, is addicted to alcohol, it has emerged.

Uchitel is also addicted to the prescription sleeping pill Ambien, according to RadarOnline.com.

The former event planner and New York nightclub hostess is set to star on U.S. television show "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" alongside the actor Jeremy London, reports the New York Post.

She was the first woman linked to Woods when sex scandal claims began to appear in the U.S. media.

According to a "well-placed source": "Rachel is dealing with addiction issues with not only pills, but alcohol."

The source also said that Uchitel was battling "intimacy issues relating to love and sex." (ANI)

Source: Web Search

New Zealand's Anderson declines ICC nomination

Sat, Jul 24 10 11:21 AM

Former New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chairman John Anderson has declined an offer to be the new nominee for the vice-presidency of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in place of John Howard, NZC said on Saturday.

Howard, the former Australian prime minister, was the initial selection of NZC and Cricket Australia (CA) for the post but his candidacy was rejected by the ICC executive board late last month for undisclosed reasons.

The ICC vice president, chosen by the two countries this year under an international rotation system, will become the world governing body's president in 2012.

"In the light of the ICC's rejection of the nomination of John Howard, I approached Sir John Anderson to assess his availability for the role," NZC chairman Alan Isaac said in a statement. "Unfortunately Sir John advised me that he is not available to be considered as a possible nominee.

"The NZC Board respects Sir John's position and acknowledges the outstanding contribution he has made to game of cricket. We have recommenced discussions with Cricket Australia around a proposed a way forward."

Anderson chaired NZC for 13 years from 1995 to 2008 and also represented New Zealand on the ICC board.

CA and NZC have until Aug. 31 to come up with a new nominee.

Source: Published>

WC hero Paul the Octopus 'to become silver screen legend'

Published>Sat, Jul 24 10 10:57 AM

London, July 24 (ANI): Paul the Octopus, who rose to fame with its incredibly accurate predictions of World Cup 2010 match results, is all set to become a part of the showbiz.

Filming of 'The Murder of Paul the Octopus' has already finished in South Africa and post-production work is well under way.

The film, which is expected to be hit theatres in August, has been produced by China Film Group Corporation and Beijing Filmblog Media Company.

However, Paul, who has gone into retirement, was not available to star in the movie so the director used a body double.

According to Sky News, the film will focus on Paul's amazing winning streak and explore "how the octopus acquires the ability and discuss his possible fates". (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Anderson turns down NZC offer for ICC post

Sat, Jul 24 10 10:37 AM

Wellington, July 24 (PTI) The International Cricket Council today received another setback in its search of a new Vice President as New Zealand administrator John Anderson has refused to take up the job. After rejection of former Australian Prime Minister John Howard''s candidature last month, the ICC had asked the cricket Boards of Australia and New Zealand to re-nominate a person. The New Zealand Cricket checked with Anderson, originally their first choice for the job, but the administrator turned down the offer. "In light of ICC''s rejection of the nomination of John Howard, I approached Sir John Anderson to assess his availability for the role. Unfortunately Sir John advised me that he is not available to be considered as a possible nominee," NZC Chairman Alan Isaac said in a statement. "The NZC Board respects Sir John''s position and acknowledges the outstanding contribution he has made to game of cricket. We have recommenced discussions with Cricket Australia around a proposed a way forward," he added. As per ICC''s rotation system, it is New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Australia''s turn to jointly nominate a Vice-President candidate to the ICC. Both the boards jointly nominated Howard in February but his candidature was blocked by strong Asian-African bloc and the ICC was forced to drop his nomination. To become an ICC Vice President, a candidate needs to secure seven votes in the Executive Board of the world governing body. India''s Sharad Pawar became the ICC President for a two-year term at the last Executive Board meeting in Singapore last month.

Source: Published>

Malinga rested, Mendis likely to replace Muralitharan

Sat, Jul 24 10 09:57 AM

Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who helped bowl his side to a 10-wicket victory over India in the first test on Thursday, has been rested on medical advice for the second test that starts on Monday.

Malinga was rested on the advice of team physiotherapist Tommy Simsek after the bowler complained of stiffness in his right knee, chairman of selectors Aravinda de Silva said.

The 26-year-old, who only returned to the test arena at Galle after having last played a test match in Dec. 2007 because of an injury to the knee, took five for 50 in India's second innings that helped his side to a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

"We have to be cautious with Malinga. He was not feeling quite fit to go through a five-day test. He complained of stiffness in his knee," said De Silva.

Malinga will be replaced by Dilhara Fernando.

Ajantha Mendis who took six for 67 in a three-day game against India but was overlooked for the first test, was named in the 16-man squad and is likely to take the now retired Muttiah Muralitharan's position.

Muralitharan retired after he took his 800th test wicket with his final delivery at Galle.

Former captain Mahela Jayawardene was named as Kumar Sangakkara's vice-captain to replace Muralitharan.

"We want Mahela who has a good cricket brain to be part of the decision-making in the middle," said De Silva.

Sri Lanka squad: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Tharanga Paranavitana, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Prasanna Jayawardene, Ajantha Mendis, Dilhara Fernando, Chanaka Welegedara, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Thilina Kandamby, Dammika Prasad, Lahiru Thirimanne, Nuwan Pradeep.

Source: Published>

Hadwin leads Canadian charge as Weir makes early exit

Published>Sat, Jul 24 10 08:37 AM

Mike Weir's 20th Canadian Open ended in a disappointing early exit on Friday, leaving it to PGA Tour debutant Adam Hadwin to lead the home grown charge into the weekend.

For nearly two decades, Weir has been the golfer Canadians had pinned their hopes on to become the first home grown winner of the national championship since Pat Fletcher in 1954.

Few of those Canadian Opens ended in more disappointment as Weir slumped to a second round four-over 74 and a two-round total of six-over 146 to finish ahead of only 11 players.

With Weir gone, the spotlight shifts to Hadwin, a 22-year-old Canadian Tour rookie.

Playing in his first PGA Tour event, Hadwin has delivered a fearless performance carding rounds of 68 and 66 to leave him the best-placed Canadian sitting on six-under 134 and four shots behind co-leaders Tim Clark and Dean Wilson.

"This right here is my dream," a beaming Hadwin told reporters. "When I get out on the golf course it's all business but off the course I kind of have to pinch myself and think is this really real. Am I really doing this right now."

Hadwin is just one shot ahead of Stephen Ames, the four-time winner on the PGA Tour, who has moved into contention with rounds of 67 and 68.

Jon Mills also survived the one-under cut but for most Canadian golf fans the weekend will not be the same without Weir.

A dejected Weir, who has now missed the cut in three of his last four starts including the British Open, refused to blame a bout of tendonitis that flared up earlier in the week and forced the 2003 Masters champion to wear a brace on his right arm.

"I just played poorly," shrugged Weir. "No excuses I just didn't play well.

"If you're driving the ball into the fairway you can score, if you're hitting it where I was you can't."

The pressure on the diminutive left hander to deliver on home turf and end a 56-year drought has grown and having just turned 40, the expectations this year seemed to weigh heavier as he struggled with tendonitis and form.

"When you have great support like that you want to give a better show," said Weir. "The fans are great, I want to play well for them. I was trying as hard as I could and just struggled.

"I'm at point in my game right now where I'm just struggling.

"Everyone goes through it at some point in their career. You just have to keep fighting and work your way out of it.

"No one is immune."

Source: Web Search

Clark puts familiar face on Canadian Open leaderboard

Published>Sat, Jul 24 10 08:17 AM

Tim Clark finally put a familiar name atop the Canadian Open leaderboard on Friday grabbing a share of the second round lead with Dean Wilson after a bogey free six-under 64.

Until the South African's name popped up late in the day to help push unheralded American Brent Delahoussaye from top spot, the $5.1 million event had been dominated by unknown names and faces.

Even Wilson, a journeyman American whose only PGA Tour win was in 2006, would qualify for celebrity status on a mostly anonymous leaderboard as many of the tournament's bigger names were near the bottom, with Briton Paul Casey, American Sean O'Hair and Canada's Mike Weir all failing to make the cut.

For the second consecutive day Wilson returned a five-under 65 to leave him level with Clark on 10-under 130.

Delahoussaye, who fired a course record 62 to secure a two shot overnight lead, slipped back with a one-under 69 to sit one stroke off the pace alongside compatriot Steve Wheatcroft (66).

"I certainly didn't expect to be scoring on this course," said Clark, who collected his maiden PGA Tour win earlier this year with a victory at the Players Championship.

"I felt like it was going to be pretty tough but I've been hitting the driver pretty well and driving the fairway I think is huge on this golf course."

Overnight rain that delayed the start of second round play for two hours left St. George's Golf Club defenceless with soft welcoming greens and lift, clean and place rules in effect allowing golfers to attack the pins.

Kevin Sutherland took full advantage of the conditions shooting an eight-under 62 to match Delahoussaye's first round.

Sutherland mixed seven birdies with an eagle and a bogey to help undo some of the damage of an opening round 73 to move into contention five shots behind the leaders.

The Stanley Thompson-layout with its tree-lined fairways, jungle like rough and undulating greens had been expected to provide a tricky test with many in the field predicting a score of between 10-to-12-under-par would be good enough to win.

"If you're driving the ball in the fairway, with the greens being soft it's not that hard," said Sutherland. "But if you get in the rough, it's going to beat you up.

"I got off to an unbelievable start, when you're five-under after four holes it leads to a pretty good day usually."

It was anything but a good day for Casey, who was unable to carry any momentum from his British Open third place finish, returning a three-over 73 to miss the cut by two shots.

O'Hair joined Casey on one-over 141 after limping to a second round 71, while Weir slumped to a four-over 74 and two-round total of 146.

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Bryant has successful arthroscopic knee surgery - Lakers

Sat, Jul 24 10 06:57 AM

Kobe Bryant has undergone successful arthroscopic knee surgery and is expected to be fit for a pre-season training camp in September, the Los Angeles Lakers said on Friday.

The two-time NBA Finals' MVP underwent surgery on his right knee last week, the team said on their website (www.nba.com/lakers).

"Bryant is currently undergoing rehab and is expected to be fully recovered prior to the start of the Lakers training camp on Sept. 25," the team said.

The guard had surgery on the same knee in 2003 and 2006.

Source: Published>

HI panel draws no conclusions

Published>Sat, Jul 24 10 05:23 AM

The four-member enquiry committee formed to look into the charges of sexual harassment against former national women's hockey chief coach MK Kaushik completed its report on Friday and submitted it to Hockey India. Though it was expected to state their recommendations on the case in the report, sources said the committee had only given a factual account of the case, citing both the complainant's and the defendant's written explanations, without drawing any conclusions.

The panel comprised of Sudarshan Pathak, Hockey India member Rajiv Mehta and government observers Zafar Iqbal and Ajitpal Singh. Chairman of the inquiry panel Mehta said the committee received testimonies from both the parties ? Kaushik and complainant Ranjitha Devi ? and no other evidences were required. "We have had lots of testimonies from both the parties as well some other players and manager of the team Madhu Yadav and we don't need to talk to any individual further. We have given our report," he said.

Sources said the panel had only stated the facts of the case. Citing the Supreme Court judgement in the Vishakha vs state of Rajasthan case, the panel claimed inability to take or even recommend any action. "The onus is now on the sports ministry and the Sports Authority of India to take any action they deem fit, since Kaushik is on deputation with them. The enquiry committee has only submitted its findings without expressing its own views," a source said.

For its part, Hockey India said it would forward the report to the Sports Authority of India for any further action. "We have received the report from the committee. We will study and discuss the report thoroughly and accordingly give our recommendations and submit it to SAI tomorrow," HI secretary general Narinder Batra said. However, sources said that the report had, in fact, been already submitted to the SAI officials, who in turn had sent it further to the Sports Ministry. "With the weekend coming up, they had to do it today only, otherwise it would have been delayed till Monday. So it was decided to hand over the report today itself," a Hockey India source said.

However, there is still no clarity on who would be the final deciding authority on the entire issue. A ministry official said: "The SAI also reports to the ministry only. But the ministry has its own committee to look into such matters also. Once we see the entire report and go through it, we will decide whether the ministry should look into it or ask SAI to constitute its own probe committee. Whatever happens, it will be in line with the Supreme Court guidelines."

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Brazil snubbed as club refuse to release Ramalho

Published>Sat, Jul 24 10 03:57 AM

Five-times world champions Brazil were snubbed on Friday when they offered Muricy Ramalho the vacant coach's job, only for his club Fluminense to say he would not be released.

Ramalho, who has considerable domestic success but little international experience, sat down for talks on Friday morning with Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president Ricardo Teixeira, who praised the gruff 54-year-old's track record.

But hours later, Fluminense said that they wanted Ramalho to see out his contract, which runs until 2012.

"Muricy is going to continue at Fluminense, fulfilling his contractual commitments," club president Roberto Horcades told reporters.

Ramalho would have replaced Dunga, who left following the country's quarter-final defeat to the Netherlands in South Africa this month.

Brazil will now have to continue their search for a coach who they hope can lead them to a sixth World Cup title when they host the tournament in 2014.

The favourites are Corinthians coach Mano Menezes and former Brazil, Portugal and Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, currently with Brazilian side Palmeiras.

Fluminense's move is almost unprecedented as Brazilian clubs are usually happy to oblige if their coach is picked for the national team.

Ramalho took over at Fluminense in April and on Thursday night his side beat Cruzeiro 1-0 to go top of the Brazilian championship.

Horcades praised Ramalho for not leaving the club.

"People with Muricy's standards are necessary in football," he said.

The down-to-earth Ramalho won three consecutive Brazilian championship titles with Sao Paulo between 2006 and 2008, although he was never able to win the South American Libertadores Cup, the region's equivalent of the Champions League.

In four attempts under Ramalho, Sao Paulo finished once as runners-up, lost twice in the quarter-finals and once in the round-of-16.

In the year before joining Sao Paulo, Ramalho also led Internacional to second-place in the Brazilian championship.

Dunga was criticised for producing a Brazil team which lacked style but Ramalho might not have been much different. His Sao Paulo teams were renowned for being physically robust, strong in defence but not especially attractive to watch.

Asked about his team's unattractive style, he famously replied: "The supporters pay to see a football match and the team win.

"If you want a show, go to the Municipal Theatre."

Source: Web Search

Competitive balance could be loser if James starts trend

Published>Sat, Jul 24 10 03:17 AM

The NBA could be in danger of losing its competitive balance if outstanding players such as LeBron James continue to join forces to form super teams, according to some leading experts in sports management.

James may have started a disturbing trend when he plotted with former Olympic team mates Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh this month to sign as free agents with the Miami Heat, New York University sports management professor Robert Boland told Reuters.

"You have to be careful about furthering the gap between the haves and have-nots," the New York University professor said in a telephone interview on Friday.

"One of the big concerns is players don't want profit maximisers, they want market maximisers. It's a concern for the union and to teams, because it means certain teams will not get free agents."

James, who left Cleveland, former Toronto player Bosh and Wade, who chose to return to Miami, all signed for less money in order to help the Heat stay under the league's salary cap.

"Probably one thing the league would want to do is pass rules that players shouldn't be colluding with one another or talking about leaving their team too early like Chris Paul is talking about now," Boland said about the New Orleans guard.

Paul, who has two years left on his contract, has given the Hornets a short list of teams he would like to be dealt to. One of them is the New York Knicks, who Denver's Carmelo Anthony has said he would like to join as a 2011 free agent.

LEGAL PROBLEMS

"If Chris Paul is plotting to be in New York with Amar'e (Stoudemire, recently signed by the Knicks) and Carmelo in a year that's what we're afraid of," said Bill Sutton, professor at University of Central Florida's DeVos Sports Business program and a former NBA marketing executive.

Keeping players from hatching plans could be difficult.

"It's hard to know how leagues could address this legally," said Rick Horrow, a sports lecturer at Harvard Law School.

"Lawyers, executives, anybody in any walk in life talks to fellow employees about how they can approve their lot in life. It's hard to imagine a league could ever prohibit players from talking to each other and maximise whatever leverage they have," Horrow said.

Craig Esherick, assistant professor of sports management at George Mason University and a former Georgetown University head basketball coach, said Miami's dream team could be good for the NBA in the short term but questioned the long-term effect.

"If they end up winning seven, eight NBA championships, you could face an issue that they're so dominating that fans could lose interest. But that's down the road," Esherick said.

"Short term, it's a good thing for the league. It will be interesting to see them play next year. Miami is going to be motivation for every team that comes to town."

Former NBA greats Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson both criticised James for leaving his Cleveland hometown.

Six-times NBA champion Jordan told reporters: "There's no way...I would've ever called up Larry (Bird), called up Magic and said, 'Let's get together and play on one team.'"

Image consultant Mike Paul said times have changed.

"There's too much crying over changes that always happen in sports," Paul told Reuters. "LeBron is in a different generation than Michael. It's time to pass the baton."

Source: Web Search

Coe says 2012 project is creating and saving jobs

Published>Sat, Jul 24 10 01:37 AM

The 2012 London Olympics project is bucking the recession by creating and safeguarding jobs in vulnerable economic times, Games organising committee chairman Sebastian Coe said on Friday.

The British coalition government has cut 27 million pounds ($41 million) from the Olympic budget as part of its wide-ranging austerity measuers to tackle Britians's budget deficit.

"Every government department has been told they have to lose 25 percent of their budget over the next four years. So you recognise we are in a different monetary and fiscal era," Coe told reporters in a conference call.

"I would argue that more than ever the spin off from the games, 6.5 billion pounds worth of construction, the 10,500 people that are currently being employed in the Olympic park and the 700 million pounds we have earned this year by going to the market, these are sums of money and economic activity that has not only created but has most crucially safeguarded jobs in very vulnerable economic times.

"The value for money and the rate of return on investment, particularly given the fragility of the economy is one that as an economist I would be happy to defend and regularly do.

"So we have to continue to make very strong arguments that this is a project of national enormity."

Coe said the banking crisis and the ensuing world recession led to a collapse in confidence in Britain's national institutions, especially among the young.

But the Games chief, who said London 2012 would unashamedly target young people, is convinced the Olympics can re-engage the disaffected and help rebuild lost trust.

"The economic crisis was not just about banking and bank restructuring," he said. "It precipitated a monumental collapse in confidence in our institutions particularly among young people.

"I have always sensed that the Olympic movement has an opportunity to recalibrate some of our values and set them in the current context of friendship, respect, courage and determination."

Although he remains confident the games are on track financially and will be delivered on time, the double Olympic 1,500 metre champion used an athletics analogy to describe the importance of the current phase in the build up to 2012.

"It's like the killing zone in the 800," he said. "Everything you do in the back straight determines the platform you create in the finishing straight.

"I broke 13 world records, and I don't intend to break the 14th by being the first president of an organising committee not to have it ready on the day we're supposed to."

Source: Web Search

Pakistan in sight of upset victory

Published>Sat, Jul 24 10 12:57 AM

Opener Imran Farhat's 67 in 95 balls put Pakistan on course for a comfortable win over Australia on the third day of the second test at Headingley on Friday.

Pakistan, chasing 180 for victory, reached 140 for three in 37 overs to edge nearer to their first test victory over the Australians in 15 years.

A Pakistan win would also deny Australia an eighth straight test win.

Azhar Ali was 47 not out and Umar Akmal was on two when the players left the field despite bright sunshine.

Left-arm fast bowler Doug Bollinger claimed the late wickets of Farhat, who was bowled, and Umar Amin for a duck. Both wickets fell caught behind with the score on 137 to give Australia a glimmer of hope.

Australia, skittled for just 88 on the opening day, fared better second time around.

Resuming at 136 for two on Friday, Steven Smith scored an enterprising 77 off just 100 balls between lunch and tea, with nine fours and two sixes, to boost Australia's hopes after Michael Clarke made 77 and captain Ricky Ponting 66. But their first innings may ultimately have cost them.

Pakistan, who will hope to banish the painful memory of Sydney in January when they were bowled out for 139 when chasing 176, began their run chase nervously.

Farhat was dropped by Shane Watson at first slip, spilling a routine catch at chest height to his right that he palmed and then grasped at as the ball escaped him.

Australia did break through soon after when Pakistan lost their dependable skipper Salman Butt for 13, caught at second slip off Ben Hilfenhaus.

Ponting was let down by his bowlers - Mitchell Johnson in particular, whose spray-gun accuracy continued to disappoint. Watson, who claimed a test best six for 33 in Pakistan's first innings, allowed ten runs off his fourth over, including two leg-glanced boundaries by Farhat to ill-directed balls outside leg stump.

Even the Australian fielding was ragged at times as Hilfenhaus's fumble on the third man boundary cost two after an Ali cut off leg-spinner Smith.

Farhat raised his half-century with a square cut off a short and wide Johnson delivery for one of his nine boundaries.

The various momentum swings in the day were appreciated by a crowd that had swelled from the first two days when empty seats were widespread at the neutral venue.

The East Stand was two thirds full as fans basked in the sun -- a far cry from the overcast conditions of the first two days when the ball dominated bat.

Source: Web Search

Pakistan v Australia - second test scoreboard

Sat, Jul 24 10 12:37 AM

Scoreboard at the close of the third day of the second test between Pakistan and Australia at Headingley in Leeds, England, on Friday.

Australia first innings 88

Pakistan first innings 258 (Watson 6-33)

Australia second innings (overnight 136-2)

S. Watson b Umar Amin 24

S. Katich b Mohammad Aamer 11

R. Ponting c Kamran Akmal b Mohammad Aamer 66

M. Clarke c Kamran Akmal b Mohammad Asif 77

M. Hussey c Umar Akmal b Mohammad Aamer 8

M. North b Mohammad Aamer 0

T. Paine c Azhar Ali b Danish Kaneria 33

S. Smith b Umar Gul 77

M. Johnson lbw b Mohammad Asif 12

B. Hilfenhaus c Umar Akmal b Danish Kaneria 17

D. Bollinger not out 0

Extras (b 4, w 2, lb 10, nb 8) 24

Total (all out; 95.3 overs) 349

Fall of wickets: 1-15 2-55 3-144 4-158 5-164 6-217 7-246 8-283 9-320 10-349

Bowling: Mohammad Aamer 27-6-86-4, Mohammad Asif 26-4-83-2, Umar Gul 15.3-1-80-1 (5nb), Umar Amin 6-1-12-1 (2w), Danish Kaneria 21-2-74-2 (3nb)

Pakistan second innings (target: 180 runs)

Imran Farhat b Bollinger 67

Salman Butt c Clarke b Hilfenhaus 13

Azhar Ali not out 47

Umar Amin c Paine b Bollinger 0

Umar Akmal not out 2

Extras (lb 6, nb 5) 11

Total (3 wickets; 37 overs) 140

Still to bat: Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Aamer, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Asif

Fall of wickets: 1-27 2-137 3-137

Bowling: D. Bollinger 8-1-37-2 (3nb), B. Hilfenhaus 6-1-16-1 (1nb), M. Johnson 9-1-39-0 (1nb), S. Watson 5-1-18-0, S. Smith 9-2-24-0

- - - -

Source: Published>

Oosthuizen rallies after slipping off pace

Published>Sat, Jul 24 10 12:19 AM

British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen was still in the hunt for a Scandinavian Masters title on Friday to follow his first major win despite slipping off the second round lead at one stage.

The 27-year-old South African dropped five strokes off the pace but recovered gamely to card a two-under-par 70 and trail front-runner K.J. Choi of Korea by only two shots.

Choi took the halfway lead with a five-under-par 67 which moved him to nine-under 135.

Swede Richard S. Johnson stepped into second place in the afternoon with a 66 that left him a stroke adrift of Choi and a shot in front of Oosthuizen.

Oosthuizen lost ground badly when he hit into the lake at the par-three 17th, his eighth hole, to run up a double-bogey and his putting was nowhere near the standard of St Andrews or the first round in Sweden.

"I didn't putt as well as I have been doing and missed a few right-to-left putts, so I'll be practising those," Oosthuizen told reporters.

"All of us misjudged the wind on the 17th and it proved costly for me. After that it was fine, though, and I hit two good shots on 18."

Leader Choi, seeking a second European Tour title to go with seven wins on the U.S. PGA Tour, holed a 25-foot birdie putt and slotted home from 10 feet for his eagle. However, he twice missed putts of around two feet as his form on greens continued to vary.

He is tinkering with a putting action from outside his right hip, once favoured by Sam Snead, having seen the seven-times major champion using the action in a 1968 magazine.

Choi tried it in last week's British Open but missed the cut and he said he was loath to use it this week.

"The greens are too sloping here to use that method," he told reporters. "I'm very confident with my swing, though, and I just have to stay patient on the greens."

Johnson, who won the 2008 U.S. Bank tournament on the U.S. PGA tour, is struggling in his fifth year in America, lying 161st in the FedEx Cup standings.

He is showing a liking for playing in his home country, though, after giving himself an unusual preview of the Bro Hof Slott course.

"I came here a couple of weeks ago and they wouldn't let me play off the back tees, which made me a bit angry," Johnson told reporters.

"But I shot eight-under off the yellow tees and that was good for me in the end because it gave me confidence for making birdies here."

Argentine Rafa Echenique (69) joined Oosthuizen in third place late in the day.

Source: Web Search

McLaren will race with new floor and diffuser

Published>Sat, Jul 24 10 12:15 AM

McLaren will go ahead and race with their new aerodynamic package in Sunday's German Grand Prix, team principal Martin Whitmarsh said on Friday.

Formula One's championship leading team had to abandon plans to introduce the new 'blown diffuser' and floor at the previous British Grand Prix after problems emerged in Friday practice at Silverstone.

However after a wet session at Hockenheim, followed by a largely dry afternoon stint, Whitmarsh told reporters the gremlins appeared to have been overcome.

"Based on the data, we will be running it," he said of the blown diffuser, a system which blows the hot exhaust gases down to the floor of the car and out through the rear structure to create added grip.

"The data that I saw from P1 (first practice), albeit wet, was that the main vehicle airflow, the gas flow from the exhaust, temperatures, the performance and pressure tapping velocities were what we expected them to be.

"So unless something else has come to fruition, which I don't think it has, then we should have the confidence that this floor will do either everything we expect it to or most of what we expect it to," he added.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton is leading the championship after 10 races, with team mate and reigning champion Jenson Button 12 points behind in second place.

Hamilton crashed in Hockenheim's first practice, while Button was third in the same session, and was sidelined for much of the afternoon while mechanics rebuilt his car.

Whitmarsh said "some more bits and pieces" were being flown in and both cars would be in identical trim for qualifying and the race.

The two drivers tried out different parts on Friday as part of scheduled tests.

Whitmarsh said he had been pleasantly surprised by the peformance of the tyres after fears that the super-soft option would not stand up to much punishment.

"I have to say the tyres appear to be much less dramatic than the tyre engineers were predicting," he added.

"So the option tyre which was anticipated to be very short duration, held in much better than anyone predicted so I think that has been the biggest surprise here today.

"I think this weekend appears after one day to be far more similar in characteristics to the previous weekends than we expected."

Source: Web Search

Pakistan 258 & 140-3 v Australia 88 & 349 - close

Fri, Jul 23 10 11:57 PM

Pakistan were 140 for three wickets, chasing 180 for victory, at the close of the third day of the second test against Australia at Headingley in Leeds, England, on Friday.

Scores: Australia 88 & 349 (R. Ponting 66, M. Clarke 77, S. Smith 77) v Pakistan 258 (S. Watson 6-33) & 140-3 (I. Farhat 67)

Source: Published>

McLaren will race with new floor and diffuser

Published>Fri, Jul 23 10 11:17 PM

McLaren will go ahead and race with their new aerodynamic package in Sunday's German Grand Prix, team principal Martin Whitmarsh said on Friday.

Formula One's championship leading team had to abandon plans to introduce the new 'blown diffuser' and floor at the previous British Grand Prix after problems emerged in Friday practice at Silverstone.

However after a wet session at Hockenheim, followed by a largely dry afternoon stint, Whitmarsh told reporters the gremlins appeared to have been overcome.

"Based on the data, we will be running it," he said of the blown diffuser, a system which blows the hot exhaust gases down to the floor of the car and out through the rear structure to create added grip.

"The data that I saw from P1 (first practice), albeit wet, was that the main vehicle airflow, the gas flow from the exhaust, temperatures, the performance and pressure tapping velocities were what we expected them to be.

"So unless something else has come to fruition, which I don't think it has, then we should have the confidence that this floor will do either everything we expect it to or most of what we expect it to," he added.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton is leading the championship after 10 races, with team mate and reigning champion Jenson Button 12 points behind in second place.

Hamilton crashed in Hockenheim's first practice, while Button was third in the same session, and was sidelined for much of the afternoon while mechanics rebuilt his car.

Whitmarsh said "some more bits and pieces" were being flown in and both cars would be in identical trim for qualifying and the race.

The two drivers tried out different parts on Friday as part of scheduled tests.

Whitmarsh said he had been pleasantly surprised by the peformance of the tyres after fears that the super-soft option would not stand up to much punishment.

"I have to say the tyres appear to be much less dramatic than the tyre engineers were predicting," he added.

"So the option tyre which was anticipated to be very short duration, held in much better than anyone predicted so I think that has been the biggest surprise here today.

"I think this weekend appears after one day to be far more similar in characteristics to the previous weekends than we expected."

Source: Web Search

Tired nude climber rescued from cliff face

Published>Fri, Jul 23 10 10:47 PM

Warstein (Germany), July 23 (DPA) A nude climber stuck halfway up a cliff face in the pitch dark had to phone police officers, who shone a spotlight on him so he could find handholds to lower himself down, police said Friday.

The 47-year-old man was unable to explain why he had drunkenly stripped off at dusk Thursday, packed all his clothes in his rucksack and headed up the 40-metre quarry wall in Warstein, 100 km east of Dusseldorf.

Clinging to a ledge, he became too weak to proceed and could not get dressed for fear of falling. Hours later, becoming both very cold and sober, he managed to get out his mobile phone and contact the police.

Police took him to hospital as a precaution, in case he had

suffered from exposure.

Source: Web Search

'Pakistan tennis suffering because of cricket board'

Published>Fri, Jul 23 10 10:37 PM

Karachi, July 23 (IANS) A senior tennis official has demanded that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) bail the country's tennis federation out of a serious financial crisis.

Khawaja Saeed Hai, Pakistan's tennis legend, wants the country's cricket chiefs to 'compensate other sports', stressing that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should take the responsibility for making the country a no-go zone for visiting sportspersons.

'It's because of the PCB that other sports like tennis are suffering greatly in our country,' Hai told The News in an interview.

Hai, a senior vice president of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF), said the terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore in March 2009 has proved to be a fatal blow for sports in Pakistan.

'It's because of the cricket board's failure to ensure fool-proof security to Sri Lankan cricketers that foreign sportsmen have stopped coming to our country,' said Hai, one of the most successful tennis players produced by Pakistan.

'PCB officials promised best possible security for the Sri Lankan team but all their promises proved to be hollow. It's because of them that other sports like tennis are in a terrible shape in Pakistan.'

Foreign teams have refused to come to Pakistan after the Lahore incident that left five people dead and several Sri Lankan players injured.

Hai, who featured in the main draw of three successive Wimbledon championships from 1954 through 1956 and also reached the third round of French Open, said that tennis is the worst hit of all the sports.

'Before (the Lahore incident) things were looking good for Pakistan tennis. But now things are really looking bleak because foreign teams are not ready to visit Pakistan any more.'

Because of the security issue, Pakistan have been forced to give up their hosting rights in three consecutive Davis Cup events in the recent past. They were forced to travel to New Zealand and play their 'home' tie there earlier this month and lost 2-3 in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania zone semifinals.

'We could have won easily had the tie been held in Lahore,' said Hai, Pakistan's chief selector.

Hai said that the PTF) has almost gone bankrupt because of the scrapping of home Davis Cup ties. 'The PTF has to spend millions on sending its Davis Cup teams abroad while in the past it used to make big profits by hosting such matches at home.

'I would ask the PCB chiefs to compensate the PTF by providing it monetary assistance so that Pakistan tennis can stay afloat.'

Source: Web Search

Diego Forlan to visit Kolkata

Published>Fri, Jul 23 10 10:17 PM

Kolkata, July 23 (IANS) After former World Cup stars Romario and Branco, it is now the turn of a current football celebrity Diego Forlan to visit Kolkata at the month end.

The Uruguayan, who received the golden ball as the best player in the just concluded football World Cup, would arrive in the city July 30 to participate in a show by a newly-launched Bengali entertainment channel Mahuaa Bangla.

'Forlan will arrive July 30 and stay here till August 1. He will participate in a reality show being organised by the channel,' said event promoter Celebrity Management Group executive director Bhaswar Goswami.

Goswami refused to divulge further details about Forlan's visit.

Forlan had played a key role in Uraguay's fourth finish in the World Cup in South Africa. He scored five goals in the tournament.

Earlier this month, Mahua Bangla had brought former Brazilian football stars Romario and Branco for a football talent hunt show, 'The Match'.

Source: Web Search

Azaruddin denies 'romantic' relation with badminton player Jwala

Published>Fri, Jul 23 10 09:57 PM

New Delhi, July 23 (ANI): Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin and Congress MP from Moradabad on Friday rubbished all rumours about his romantic relationship with the ace badminton, Jwala Gutta, by describing her as just a "good friend."

As per some media reports, Azharuddin has been dating Jwala and is on the verge of filing for divorce from his wife of 14 years Sangeeta Bijlani within a week.

During a press conference, Azaruddin termed all such reports as baseless and in bad taste.

"These reports are completely rubbish, baseless and are in bad taste. I am very hurt by all these. I know Jwala, she is a good friend of mine and to write such reports which are completely false and fabricated is disgusting," he said.

The former Indian skipper Azaruddin further said that such things are motivated by people in the Badminton Association of India, who want to tarnish his image since he tried to contest for the presidential elections last month.

"I think they should look into their homes first before casting aspersions on others and make such allegations," he said.

"Jwala is a very good player and she is a great prospect for the country. She has been doing well and will win many medals for the country in future. So I just want to request everybody to just leave her alone and not get her into this cheap controversy," Azaruddin said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

BCCI invites bids for TV broadcasting rights till 2014

Fri, Jul 23 10 09:51 PM

Mumbai, Jul 23 (PTI) The Cricket Board (BCCI) today invited bids for television broadcasting rights for the coverage of home matches to be played by India till December 2013. The bid documents have been made available from today upon payment of Rs five lakh, BCCI said in an advertisement published in a national daily. The bidding parties will need to fulfil the eligibility criteria and other requirements as specified in the bid document. The last date for bid submission is July 30. The bids are likely to be opened on July 31, when the BCCI Working Committee meeting is schedule, a BCCI official said.

Source: Published>

Sutil fastest in opening practice session at Hockenheim

Published>Fri, Jul 23 10 09:27 PM

Hockenheim (Germany), July 23 (IANS) Force India's Adrian Sutil was the fastest in the opening practice session of the German Grand Prix here Friday.

The 27-year-old German confidently negotiated the drenched track to top the time sheets at 1:25.701 seconds, more than one second ahead of Ferrari's Felipe Massa (+1.149 sec). British driver Jenson Button (+1.235 sec) came third in the practice.

'I think it's going to be a nice weekend. I always look forward to it. It is a good circuit (Hockenheim) to drive, one of my favourites. With Michael back I think we will have a lot of people in the stadium, and even if it's not completely full there's always a great atmosphere,' Sutil said.

Hockenheim will be a home race for Sutil, Vettel and Schumacher and the organisers think they will attract a decent crowd on the race day.

Source: Web Search

Go for all-night work: Dikshit directive for finishing CWG

Fri, Jul 23 10 09:07 PM

projects New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI) Scrambling to complete several key projects linked to the Commonwealth Games, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today ordered various agencies concerned to work "day and night" to finish works within the final deadline of August 31. With just 71 days left for the mega sporting event and many of the key projects running behind schedule, Dikshit directed PWD, MCD, NDMC, DJB, Delhi Development Authority and several other agencies to also deploy additional workforce to complete work at the earliest. "I have instructed the agencies to work during night also wherever it is necessary. We have already obtained permission from police for that," Dikshit said later. Asking the agencies to strictly comply with the August 31 deadline, she told them that only plantation and carrying out finishing touches will be allowed in the month of September. Facing the heat for unfinished projects, Dikshit, during a pep talk with PWD engineers yesterday, had asked them to "rise to the occasion" and promised to reward them with one month''s salary for completing the works on time. The city government had undertaken projects worth over Rs 10,000 crore to improve infrastructure in the capital for the sporting extravaganza. The pressure on it to complete the works has been growing with each passing day as most of the projects, including the Barapullah Nalla project, considered very important, already missing several deadlines. The Barapullah Nalla elevated road between Sarai Kale Khan and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main venue of the event, is being built to provide uninterrupted traffic flow from Games Village to the stadium. The Organising Committee had earlier this month expressed its dissatisfaction over slow pace of work and requested Dikshit to complete the projects at the earliest. In today''s meeting, Dikshit also asked the agencies to remove all the construction wastes by August 10. Dikshit told the department heads that if any digging of road and footpath was required after August 10, then the agency concerned will have to restore it in earlier form immediately. Talking to reporters, she said main objective of the meeting was to ensure effectively coordination among various agencies and overcome obstacles coming in the way of accomplishing the projects. The NDMC told the meeting that restoration of Connaught Place will be completed by August 31. The agency is refurbishing Connaught Place at a total cost of Rs 700 crore. In the meeting, Traffic Police submitted a comprehensive list of pedestrian crossings. The MCD, NDMC and PWD have been told to paint the crossings at the earliest. PTI MPB

Source: Published>

Kapil in Australia tomorrow to bring Indian migrant''s ashes

Fri, Jul 23 10 08:51 PM

Melbourne, Jul 23 (PTI) Legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev will be in Australia tomorrow to fulfil the last wish of an Indian migrant who died more than six decades ago. Kapil will land in Warrnambool in southwestern Victoria tomorrow to collect the ashes of one Pooran Singh and take them to India for immersion in river Ganges. He will also attend a ceremony organised by the Victorian Sikh Community on Sunday to collect the ashes. Pooran, who migrated to Australia 111 years ago, had wished that his ashes be immersed in River Ganges. Alice Guyett-Wood, owner of the funeral company which took care of the ashes for the last 63 years, said, "it is fantastic and an emotional moment for us to have his last wish fulfilled." Pooran was cremated in June 1947 with his relatives in India being notified of his death by telegram. Ever since, Singh''s ashes have been kept safe by an Australian family funeral company Guyett''s Funerals in Warrnambool. Although no one has come forward to collect the ashes, they have been preserved for their final journey to India and accorded pride of place at the Warrnambool cemetery. Pooran was 30 when he left India and landed on Australian soil in 1899. He worked as a hawker, selling goods laden in his horse-drawn cart, travelling from one country town to the other. He had left his family behind in Punjab and spent the remaining 47 years of his life in Victoria. He died in 1947 at the age of 77. Pooran had instructed that he be cremated and not buried. His body was sent to this city as it had the only crematorium in Victoria at that time. Alice said the ashes were passed from generation to generation and she and her brother took care of them after her father Jack Guyett died in 1986. "We didn''t have the authority to dispose them off, so we just held them. We were not able to locate his relatives," she said. She said the wagon used by Pooran for selling goods is now showcased in Flagstaff Hill. Pooran''s Warrnambool base was a farm owned by John and Vera Moore known as Glenmore. Moore was one of the executors of his will, ensuring that his estate was distributed to a few Warrnambool residents and to his four nephews in India. His son John Moore is the fourth generation of the family to own the property today. Moore had kept the wagon at his property in Glenmore before donating it to Maritime Museum.

Source: Published>

Sangakkara feels ICC ranking system not "fair"

Fri, Jul 23 10 08:37 PM

Galle (Sri Lanka), July 23 (PTI) Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara has criticised the ICC ranking system as "unfair" even though the island nation was in the sight of becoming the top Test side after they spanked India in the first match here. Asked whether the players take seriously a system that has India at number one despite not having won a series in Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka since 1993, Sangakkara said, "You should have asked that question to Haroon Lorgat (ICC chief executive) who was here." "If rankings can''t be understood by the public, the players, or the administrators, what''s the use of having rankings? If you want rankings, they should count towards playing a Test championship," he said. Sangakkara said for the ICC ranking system to be acceptable, the FTP should be "fair" with each side playing each other at least once, home or away. "Rankings need to be fairly done. A fair FTP is the first step towards having proper rankings. Once every two years each side should play each other at least once, home or away. That''s how you get a fair deal when it comes to Test cricket," he said. Sri Lanka themselves were ranked number two last year without having won a Test in India, Australia and South Africa, a spot they lost after their away loss to India. About his own side''s dismal record in the three countries ranked higher than them, Sangakkara said, "I don''t think we have played enough Test cricket away. Two Test matches here, two Test matches there, I think that''s not good. We need to play Tests regularly. "We have a very good balanced attack, pace and spin. From 2006 to 2009 we have done well. We have won in New Zealand, in England, and in Pakistan. South Africa, Australia and India are the three places that we need to win. We need to play often in those places," said the suave Lankan skipper. Interestingly, the current Test ranking system does not give extra weightage to victories away from home. The rating points earned or conceded are calculated based on the difference between where the teams stood before the start of the series.

Source: Published>

Sutil quickest in 1st free practice session

Fri, Jul 23 10 08:21 PM

Hockenheim, Jul 23 (PTI) Force India''s Adrian Sutil today set the fastest time in the wet opening practice session for Sunday''s German Grand Prix at the Hockenheim circuit here. In a morale boosting start to his first home race, the 27-year-old German completed 20 laps and was the fastest with a timing of 1:25.701 seconds. Ferrari''s Felipe Massa, one second behind Sutil, was at number two and was followed by McLaren''s Jenson Button. Sutil''s teammate Vitantonio Luizzi (2.599secs) also displayed good driving skills in wet conditions and was ninth fastest after 19 laps. Heavy overnight rains and downpour immediately before the session necessitated extreme wet tyres for all the teams. Both the Force India drivers did well on their opening run with Sutil going great guns. When the rain eased and a drier line emerged, the pair changed to the intermediates and Sutil immediately went quickest. Tonio improved to ninth overall after struggling a little bit with the rear end grip.

Source: Published>

Delhi eyeing last 16 berth

Fri, Jul 23 10 07:47 PM

Kolkata, July 23 (PTI) Delhi registered their second consecutive win with a 2-0 victory of Uttar Pradesh to inch closer to pre-quarterfinals of the 64th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy at Khardah Stadium here today. Delhi now lead Cluster V with six points from two matches and require a draw against Madhya Pradesh on July 25 to seal a last 16 berth. In another match of the same cluster, Madhya Pradesh defeated Arunachal Pradesh 3-1 at Howrah Stadium to score their first win. In a Cluster VI match, Chhattisgarh rode on a Wasim Raza strike in the 31st minute to beat Sikkim at Mohun Bagan ground here. Both Delhi and UP had wins against their respective opponents in their first matches and they began on a watchful note and the first half remained goalless. Tuishim Mashangva gave Delhi the lead in the 60th minute while Bhuvan Joshi converted a penalty in the 78th minute to shatter UP''s hopes. Javed Manihar struck twice in the 82nd and 90th minutes while Neelesh Pilai scored the first goal in the 61st minute to help Madhya Pradesh record their first win. Rallo Raj Kumar reduced the margin for Arunachal Pradesh with a 85th minute goal.

Source: Published>

CM tells agencies to work through the night at CWG sites

Fri, Jul 23 10 07:21 PM

New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI) With pressure mounting on the Delhi government to complete Commonwealth Games'' projects, a jittery Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today ordered agencies concerned to work through the night to finish work at the sites on time. At a high-level meeting, Dikshit told PWD, MCD, NDMC, DJB and several other agencies to deploy workforce during the night also to complete the projects before the final deadline of August 31. "I have instructed agencies to work during night also where ever it is necessary. We have already obtained permission from police for that," Dikshit said after the meeting. Other officials attending the meeting said, Dikshit directed all the agencies to "work very hard" and strictly meet the final deadline. The Chief Minister, during a pep talk with PWD engineers yesterday, had promised to reward them with one month''s salary, for completing the projects being undertaken by the department on time for the mega-sporting event. The pressure on the city government to complete the infrastructure projects has been growing with each passing day, as only 71 days are now left for the sports extravaganza. Several key projects including work on Barapullah Nallah elevated road are running behind schedule.

Source: Published>

Ribery depressed but not worried about future

Fri, Jul 23 10 07:17 PM

France forward Franck Ribery, placed under judicial investigation by French authorities this week on suspicion of soliciting sex with an under-age prostitute, is depressed but not worried about his career.

"There are moments in life that are stressful and depressing. This is definitely one of those moments," the Bayern Munich playmaker told the German tabloid Bild newspaper in an interview published on Friday.

But he added: "No, I'm not worried for my future or my career, neither in the national team nor with Bayern. I'm convinced I'll win back the trust of people who maybe doubt me at the moment."

Ribery, along with France team mate Karim Benzema, who was also placed under investigation, faces months of uncertainty.

They will have to wait for police to unravel a prostitution ring centred around a night club in Paris's Champs Elysees district, the first stage of a criminal investigation that can lead to charges.

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

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

Ribery, who took part in a disastrous World Cup campaign in South Africa when France were knocked out in the first round, said it was hard for him to concentrate on football.

"At the moment, it's a bit difficult for me," he said.

"I hope that the discussions around my private problems and my injuries will soon come to an end.

"The most important thing for me is the football.

He added: "I must get past this low point. I'm a player who is very much in the public eye, about whom everything gets reported and who everyone knows. I must live with that."

Ribery thanked the Bundesliga champions for their support.

"The whole club has stood unconditionally behind me. That is something which will make me never forget Bayern Munich.

Source: Published>

The Chakori Trophy won by Clarion Call

Fri, Jul 23 10 06:51 PM

Pune, Jul 23 (PTI) Hot favourite Clarion Call, trained by Dallas Todywalla and ridden by jockey S Zervan, bagged The Chakori Trophy, feature event on second race day of the Pune meeting held today. Trainer Dallas Todywalla scored a good treble while Narendra Lagad and Bezan Chinoy scored a good double on a day. PTI COR DVP VKV

Source: Published>

India stare at defeat

Fri, Jul 23 10 06:07 PM

Galle, July 22 -- A day when Virender Sehwag joined Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Azharuddin in an elite list of Indians who have scored at least 20 Test hundreds, India were left staring at defeat. Muttiah Muralitharan lit up his final Test with a five-wicket haul that triggered a collapse and allowed Kumar Sangakkara to enforce the follow on.

VVS Laxman and M.S. Dhoni, India's last recognised pair, are at the crease, and it will take a miracle, or bad weather, to save India.

Source: Published>

Pak's current pace attack best since 'Wasim-Waqar' era?

Published>Fri, Jul 23 10 05:51 PM

London, July 23(ANI): Journalists covering the second Test between Pakistan and Australia being played at Headingley reckon that Pakistan's current bowling attack is the best pace combination since the retirement of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

After three innings with the ball - the two at Lord's and the one on the first day at Headingley - Pakistan's pace trio of Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif and Gul has taken 23 wickets between them from 146 overs.

"We saw at the Lord's in the first Test that Pakistan bowlers are capable of bowling a side out, but we never thought they would skittle out such a powerful batting lineup under the three-figure mark," The News quoted Jesse Hogan, cricket correspondent of 'The Age', as saying.

Hogan, who is a self-confessed fan of Akram, also said that he could see glimpses of the great all-rounder in Aamer.

"Wasim has been my favourite cricketer. The way he bowled during his career was just marvellous. I see glimpses of that quality in Aamer. Since he is inexperienced at times he gets carried away. His bowling in the second innings at Lord's was not that impressive," he added.

Senior freelance journalist Qamar Ahmad said that the attack would serve the country for years to come.

"They have combined well and seem to be the answer to Pakistan's long standing question as to who would replace the Ws," Ahmad said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Schleck wins Tour battle; war may be Contador's

Published>Fri, Jul 23 10 05:47 PM

Defending champion Alberto Contador can't quite sit back and enjoy his third victory in the Tour de France - he still has to ride a time-trial - but on Friday he will happily let the spotlight fall on the race's sprinters.

Contador did the hard work a day earlier, sticking with his biggest rival Andy Schleck and retaining the leader's yellow jersey in Thursday's 17th stage, even if Schleck finally won the day atop the famed Col du Tourmalet.

Contador maintained his eight-second edge over the Luxembourg rider, a lead that is expected to widen when the Spaniard tackles a discipline that is his specialty: Saturday's time-trial.

Schleck had estimated he needed to open at least a one-minute lead on Contador, but failed to pick up any time in the final mountain stage of this year's race.

Friday's 18th stage is completely different, and offers no opportunity for either rider to gain ground on the other over a flat 198 kilometers (123 miles) from Salies-de-Bearn to Bordeaux.

The first of the major jerseys has been decided - Anthony Charteau of France is the King of the Mountains - and Schleck has the white jersey for best young rider all but locked up. Friday will give a big indication of who's going to win the green jersey as best sprinter.

Thor Hushovd of Norway holds that jersey, leading Italy's Alessandro Pettachi, with Britain's Mark Cavendish also in the hunt for the stage win and hoping to claim the green in Paris.

Hushovd has one stage win already, Pettacchi two and Cavendish three. But it's not just about winning stages - there are points for lower positions, and for intermediate sprints during the race.

"I am coming out of the Pyrenees stronger," said Hushovd, who achieved a coup in the big mountain stage on Tuesday when he managed to stay with the peloton and finished 10th, picking up sprint points and regaining the green jersey while his rivals languished far behind the pack.

"I have the green jersey on my shoulders and I don't want to give it up. Bordeaux will be a sprint and I have to be very attentive. The best way to defend the jersey would be to win the stage," he said.

Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong finished Thursday's stage 4:12 behind the leading duo in 17th place. The Texan is in 23rd place overall - 37:58 behind Contador.

Riders will be hoping for better weather on Friday. Thursday's stage to the Col du Tourmalet, seen by many as the most prestigious of the event, took place in fog and rain that at times was torrential. The riders also had to deal with streakers, sheep in the road and overenthusiastic fans running alongside the bikes.

Contador did what he needed to do, and appeared to let up at the end, almost handing Schleck his second stage win of the Tour.

"He was really so strong and at the end, the sprint for me was not the most important thing," Contador said. "Today, the most important thing for me was not to lose time." Although Schleck insisted he still had a chance, he was also looking to the future.

"I've got everything that it takes, I've got the best skills to win the Tour. Maybe next year, maybe two years, but I want to win it, that's for sure," he said.

Source: Web Search

Kapil Dev to receive ashes of Indian Sikh migrant on Sunday

Published>Fri, Jul 23 10 05:37 PM

Melbourne/New Delhi, July 23 (ANI): Former Indian cricketer Kapil Dev will receive the ashes of Indian immigrant Pooran Singh for relocation to his homeland 63 years after he died.

The event will take place on July 25 (Sunday) at the Warrnambool Cemetery, Otway Road, Warrnambool. It will be preceded by a lunch hosted by Victoria's Sikh community at the Warrnambool Football Club on Hyland Street, Warrnambool.

The ceremony will be followed by an interview and picture opportunities with Kapil Dev, Harmel Uppal (Pooran's great-nephew), Alice Guyett-Wood (from the funeral home) and Manpreet Singh, SBS Punjabi Radio.

The Victorian Sikh community will then bid farewell to Pooran ingh's ashes7

It maybe recalled that in 1899, 30-year-old Pooran Singh left his family in Bilga, a village in Punjab, to immigrate to Australia.

He worked as a hawker, selling goods laden in his horse-drawn wagon, travelling from one country town to the other. He spent the remaining 47 years of his life in country Victoria, dying in 1947 in Warrnambool, aged 77 years, single and childless.

He left instructions to be cremated, and so Guyett's Funerals in Warrnambool sent his body to Melbourne, to what was the only crematorium in Victoria at that time. His ashes, contained in a plastic cylinder, were mailed back to the funeral home.

As Pooran's last wish was that his ashes be returned to India and immersed in the River Ganges, Guyett's Funerals kept his ashes for 63 years in case family members came to claim them. In the late 1980s the Warrnambool Cemetery Trust gave them pride of place in a niche in the Warrnambool cemetery wall.

Alice Guyett-Wood told the Punjabi radio show SBS that before her father Jack Guyett died in 1986, he expressed regret that Guyetts Funerals had been unable to fulfil Pooran's wish.

As well as being broadcast on SBS Radio, this moving story was published in an Indian newspaper on June 25, attracting the interest of legendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev. In an interview with SBS Punjabi Radio journalist/presenter Manpreet Singh, Kapil Dev expressed his willingness to travel to Australia to collect Pooran Singh's ashes and return them to his family.

Pooran's living relatives were traced to a village in Punjab, where they still live in the house that was built with the money Pooran bequeathed to them. The house in the village Uppal Bhopa still bears the inscription "Pooran Singh (brother of Sultani Ram) of Australia"

Then, the story was picked up in England where Harmel Uppal, one of Pooran Singh's great-nephews, lives.

Since the story was first broadcast many Warrnambool locals have come forward with personal memories of Pooran Singh, photographs of the much-loved Indian hawker, and even his horse wagon has been found, fully preserved.

Pooran's ashes will travel back to India a day after the ceremony, accompanied by Kapil Dev, Harmel Uppal and SBS broadcaster Manpreet Singh. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Indian TT star Sharath Kamal moves to tougher German league

Published>Fri, Jul 23 10 05:27 PM

New Delhi, July 23 (IANS) After winning back-to-back US and Egypt Open titles earlier this month, India's top table tennis star Sharath Kamal is moving to Germany from Spain in his bid to break into the top-20 of the world rankings.

The lanky Chennai player feels that the German league is a lot more competitive and has better-ranked players. He has signed a 10-month contract with German club Grafelfing Munich after playing in Spain for four years.

Currently ranked 76th, Kamal's calculation is that he should be 39th when the new rankings are announced in the first week of August, coinciding with the start of the German league.

'My contract in the Spanish league expired a few months ago. I will be moving to Germany and it gives me a chance to play with top players and the competition will be much tougher compared to what I encountered in the Spanish league,' Kamal told IANS on the phone from Patiala, where he is training with the Commonwealth squad.

Kamal's recent good showing came in the wake of his disappointing defeat in the semifinals of the Indian Open in June when he was beaten by a higher-ranked German and eventual winner, Dimitrij Ovtcharov.

Kamal said he would be losing out monetarily by going to Germany, but the competition there would compensate enormously.

'Money is important in any professional sportsman's life, but I am prepared to lose out a bit for better exposure to competitive table tennis. I can still sustain myself and pay for my visits home.'

However, in terms of sponsorship, he has not been able to cash in on his two titles and the consequent rise in the rankings.

'As of now, I am only getting support from the government and it's for the whole team, and not for me alone,' said Kamal.

He does not see the lack of support as a deterrent. He is in perfect shape for the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games and is confident of defending his title.

'I am playing the best table tennis of my life at the moment. Our national coach Massimo Constantini and his support staff have been of great help in the last couple of years. We expect tough competition from teams like Singapore but I am confident I will be able to defend my title,' said Kamal.

After the Patiala camp, Kamal and his teammates will be going to China and then to Europe for further training in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games.

Source: Web Search

Blast from the past

Fri, Jul 23 10 05:07 PM

India, July 23 -- That was the first legal delivery he bowled - that's my personal opinion. - Dion Ebrahim reacts to the orthodox legbreak he received from Muttiah Muralitharan on the first day at Bulawayo. He was handed a one-Test ban for his observation. Yes. They proved it in Perth, too, with that [biomechanics video] thing. - The Australian prime minister John Howard's reply when asked whether Muralitharan throws. Throw, throw, throw the ball, gently down the seam / Murali, Murali, Murali, Murali, chucks it like a dream / Bowl, bowl, bowl the ball, gently through the air / Murali, Murali, Murali, Murali, here comes Darrell Hair ... No Ball! - The Barmy Army serenades Muttiah Muralitharan to the tune of "Row Row Row..." A ****ing cheat, a ****ing chucker

Murali will complete 1000 Test wickets, but they would count as mere run-outs in my eyes.

Source: Published>

Negi wants to be the coach

Fri, Jul 23 10 04:57 PM

New Delhi, July 23 -- Hockey India (HI) has begun looking for a replacement for embattled women's hockey coach Maharaj Kishan Kaushik whose resignation was accepted by its president, Vidya Stokes, on Thursday. According to media reports, former India goalkeeper, Mir Ranjan Negi is leading the list of possible contenders even though HI officials dismissed having approached Negi. "We have a panel of five to six candidates and are currently going through the selection process. I don't know from where Negi's name has come up. I can tell you his name is not among those we are considering. We will announce a new coach in the next 4-5 days," said Narinder Batra, secretary-general, Hockey India. Negi though confirmed his interest in the job. In a telephonic conversation with HT, he said that his bio-data was with HI officials and that he would accept HI's offer to coach the team if approached. "It is a very critical time for women's hockey. The pressure is enormous, nothing like I have ever seen. However, I am confident that I can fit into the role even though this is the worst crisis ever," he said.

Sources have revealed that HI will go for a total overhaul of the team set-up as the players have expressed lack of confidence in assistant coach Vasu Thapliyal and manager Madhu Yadav also.

Source: Published>

Glorious 800-wicket Test finish for Murali

Fri, Jul 23 10 04:53 PM

Galle, July 23 -- The cricket world will remember this day as the one on which its greatest offspinner rolled his arm over for the last time in Tests. It was a day rich in emotion and scripted perfectly, as Muttiah Muralitharan ended his career by picking up his 800th Test wicket with the last ball he bowled. But, in rather typical fashion, the affable Sri Lankan turned it into a day in which he honoured those who taught him the game, and showed that he is not short of gratitude. Among his special invitees were Sunil Fernando, who coached him in school, and Daryl Foster, who worked with him first at Kent and then in western Australia's biomechanics lab when accusations of chucking were being hurled at him. Murali's family was there too: parents Sinnasamy Muttiah and Lakshmi, Chennai-born wife Madhimalar and son Naren, along with his brothers Shashi, Prabhu and Shree. The significance of the day was lost on young Naren but the others were delirious with delight. "It was very, very important to him that the whole family be present to watch him today," Madhimalar told the Hindustan Times as the presentation ceremony unfolded after the game. "It's his milestone and you can imagine how much we wanted to be here for him."

Source: Published>

Olympian boxer Jitender Kumar recommended for Arjuna award

Fri, Jul 23 10 04:47 PM

New Delhi, Jul 23 (PTI) Beijing Olympics quarter-finalist Jitender Kumar and former women''s world champion Lekha K C are among the three pugilists recommended by the Indian Boxing Federation for this year''s Arjuna awards. N Usha is the third boxer recommended by the IBF for the awards which would be given away on the August 29 -- the National Sports Day. While Lekha clinched the middle weight gold in the 2006 edition of the World Championship held here, Usha has been a two-time silver medallist in the same event. "All three of them have performed well in the past three years and we thought they are the best contenders from boxing for the Arjuna award," Indian Boxing Federation Director A S Dagar told PTI. Both Lekha and Usha had been recommended last year as well but Jitender ''s name has been nominated for the first time. "It is a huge honour for me to be recommended for this award. I hope I get it," said Jitender, a two-time Asian Championship bronze medallist, who created quite a flutter at the 2008 Beijing Olympics by fighting his quarterfinal bout with 10 stitches on his chin. The 22-year-old Harayana boxer was also a bronze medallist in the 2008 World Cup held just a few months after the Olympics. He was recently signed up by the World Series of Boxing''s Indian Franchise Videocon for the professional-style tourney starting November 19. Jitender first came into limelight by winning the bronze medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. He competed in the fly weight 51kg division at that time but has now jumped to the bantam weight 56 kg division. Part of the core group preparing for this year''s Commonwealth Games, Jitender is currently training in Patiala and recently underwent a minor surgery on his injured jaw. IBF has also recommended the names of three coaches -- Shiv Singh, G Manoharan and I Venkateshwara Rao -- for the Dronacharya awards. While Singh is currently in the coaching staff of senior men''s team, Manoharan has been grooming boxers at the youth level. Rao has been coaching the Indian women boxers. Boxing, a fast-emerging sport in the cricket-obsessed country, got its first ever Khel Ratna awardees last year through Olympic and World Championship bronze medallist Vijender Singh and four-time women''s world champion M C Mary Kom, who shared the honour with wrestler Sushil Kumar.

Source: Published>