Weary Wawrinka pleased with progress at U.S. Open

Published>Fri, Sep 10 10 08:57 AM

A weary Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland was disappointed to fall short of his first grand slam semi-final appearance on Thursday but took comfort by his string of success at the U.S. Open.

Wawrinka, who had logged the most court time of any of the quarter-finalists after taking 12 hours 27 minutes to get through his first four matches, fell 3-6 7-6 3-6 6-3 6-3 to 12th-seeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny.

The hard-hitting Swiss said he had learned a lot on court at the U.S. Open.

"Just after the match it's always difficult," he said. "But I think today Mikhail was playing very good. I tried my best. I tried to fight on all the match, but was too much."

The 25th seed reached his first grand slam quarter-final with a four-hour 38-minute, five-set victory over 20th-seeded American Sam Querrey after eliminating fourth seed Andy Murray in four sets that took nearly four hours of work.

"I think I give everything today, and I try, I try, for sure," the 25-year-old said. "I made some big mistakes, but after four hours you're really tired. I was tired."

After losing in the first round of the U.S. Open last year, Wawrinka said he would take a lot from his rousing run.

"If I go back, I'm very pleased with the tournament," he said after bowing out in another four-hour struggle. "I know especially against Andy Murray was I think my best match, and I was playing really, really strong," he said about the 6-7 7-6 6-3 6-3 win against the fourth-seeded Briton.

"For the rest of the season and for sure next year, it's gonna be, I hope, more tournaments with that level."

A tiring Wawrinka conceded his tactics and behavior were not always his best, referring to a few ill-timed drop shots he floated over the net that turned into winners for Youzhny and the rackets he slammed to the court in frustration.

"It's not always easy to think and to play the right drop shots or to play the good point and not to break the racket," he said. "But after the match, I just know that I try everything. I think he was just a little bit better today."

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Holders Dutch to meet Argentina in hockey final

Fri, Sep 10 10 07:57 AM

Olympic and world champions Netherlands will meet hosts Argentina in the women's hockey World Cup final on Saturday.

It will be a repeat of the Champions Trophy final in Nottingham in July when Argentina beat the Dutch 4-2 for their third successive title.

The Dutch, six times World Cup winners, reached their fourth successive final when they beat England 4-3 on penalty strokes after a 1-1 draw on Thursday.

Argentina, who won the 2002 final against Netherlands in Australia, went through with a 2-1 victory over Germany in the second semi-final.

Netherlands, who scored 25 goals in five pool matches compared to only seven by England, were held scoreless in the opening half for the first time in the tournament.

A hard-working English side went ahead in the 56th minute with a goal by Hannah McLeod from a cross from the right by Crista Cullen.

The Dutch, who had more possession but were kept out by a stern English defence, equalised within five minutes when top scorer Maartje Paumen converted a penalty corner to take her tournament tally to 11.

Dutch goalkeeper Joyce Sombroek made two saves from penalty strokes to one by her opposite number Beth Storry before Kim Lammers converted the stroke that decided the match for the Netherlands.

AYMAR LEAD

Argentina went ahead in 25th minute when captain Luciana Aymar, six times world player of the year, ran through from midfield, went right and shot low across goalkeeper Kristina Reynolds for her fifth goal of the tournament.

Rosario Luchetti added to the lead with seven minutes remaining when, on her knees close to goal, she diverted the loose ball past Reynolds after the keeper had blocked a shot.

Germany's top scorer Maike Stoeckel pulled one back with less than two minutes remaining, the first goal conceded by Argentina in five matches since their opening 5-2 win over South Africa.

England and Germany will play for the bronze medal on Saturday, also a repeat of the Nottingham third place playoff won by England.

Earlier, Japan beat Spain 2-1 in the playoff for 11th place in the 12-nation tournament. Kaori Chiba scored the winner two minutes from time.

Source: Published>

Holders Dutch beat England in shootout, reach hockey final

Fri, Sep 10 10 07:17 AM

Olympic and world champions Netherlands reached their fourth successive women's hockey World Cup final when they beat England 4-3 on penalty strokes after a 1-1 draw on Thursday.

The six-times champions, who scored a massive 25 goals in five pool matches compared to only seven by England, were held scoreless in the opening half for the first time in the tournament.

A hard-working English side went ahead in the 56th minute with a goal by Hannah McLeod from a cross from the right by Crista Cullen.

The Dutch, who had more possession but were kept out by a stern English defence, equalised within five minutes when Maartje Paumen converted a penalty corner to take her tournament tally to 11.

Dutch goalkeeper Joyce Sombroek made two saves from penalty strokes before Kim Lammers converted the stroke that decided the match for the Netherlands.

Hosts Argentina were playing Germany in the other semi-final later.

Earlier, Japan beat Spain 2-1 in the playoff for 11th place in the 12-nation tournament. Kaori Chiba scored the winner with her fifth goal two minutes from time.

Source: Published>

Youzhny wears down Wawrinka, into semi-finals

Published>Fri, Sep 10 10 06:57 AM

Mikhail Youzhny of Russia wore down marathon man Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in five sets on Thursday and advanced to the U.S. Open semi-finals.

The 12th-seeded Russian trailed two sets to one before coming back to claim a 3-6 7-6 3-6 6-3 6-3 victory in a gruelling groundstroke battle on another cool, blustery day on Arthur Ashe centre court.

"It was tough conditions," Youzhny told reporters. "You understand you can beat him and he can beat you. I just tried to play every point."

Wawrinka, seeded 25th, was coming off a five-set win over 20th-seeded American Sam Querrey in the fourth round following a nearly four-hour long upset of British fourth seed Andy Murray and in the end could not keep pace.

Youzhny, who also reached the semi-finals at the 2006 U.S. Open, will play the winner of the quarter-final between top-seed Rafa Nadal and fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.

Wawrinka, who had spent the longest time on court among the quarter-finalists at 12 hours 27 minutes, looked like he was running out of steam, struggling with his movement and wearing a bandage on his left knee and a wrapping on his right thigh.

After dropping the fourth set and having his serve broken in the opening game of the final set he was on the ropes.

The game Swiss, playing his first grand slam quarter-final, made one last surge, breaking back to level it 2-2, reaching double break point after winning a stinging exchange of volleys at the net.

At that point, Youzhny, 28, called out the trainer to retape a toe on his right foot and when play resumed he quickly broke right back as Wawrinka double-faulted and then struck a backhand wide on break point.

The Russian gave Wawrinka no more hope, holding at love to make it 5-3 and then savoring victory after the 25-year-old Swiss weakly netted a backhand to end the four-hour match.

"It was good result but now you're in semi-final," said Youzhny. "I want more."

Wawrinka, who teamed up with Roger Federer to win 2008 Olympic gold in doubles at Beijing, blasted 13 aces but also committed seven double faults and 71 unforced errors that neutralised the 48-35 advantage he registered in winners.

After a second-set tiebreaker went 9-7 in favor of the Russian, Wawrinka broke a sloppy Youzhny at love for a 2-0 lead in the third set and served out to lead two sets to one.

Youzhny returned the favor with a love-break in the second game of the fourth set and went on to force the fifth set.

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INTERVIEW - Man City can feed off England success - Johnson

Published>Fri, Sep 10 10 06:17 AM

The success of Manchester City players on the England stage can help the club achieve their ambitions and dispel the notion that it is all about money, winger Adam Johnson said on Thursday.

Six players in the England team that beat Switzerland 3-1 on Tuesday in a Euro 2012 qualifier were from the world's richest club, who are aiming to break into the Premier League top four.

"Playing for the club with five other England lads, it's great going back to the team after two good wins," Johnson told Reuters in an interview at the premiere of a film about the club's 2009-10 season called "Blue Moon Rising".

"I think it's only going to help me as a player, help me progress."

A year ago, the 23-year-old was plying his trade in the English second division with Middlesbrough. Now he is basking in the glory of two goals in two international appearances.

"Playing for your country is the biggest honour of all and to score for your country at Wembley -- it doesn't get any bigger than that for me," he said, referring to his goal in the 4-0 victory over Bulgaria last week.

SPENDING SPREE

Like goalkeeper Joe Hart, who has staked his claim for the England number one jersey, Johnson was not one of City's big-name signings in a spending spree of around 300 million pounds ($464.2 million) since the club was taken over in 2008 by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates.

"I think it's just a credit to City obviously for getting the English players in," said Johnson.

"A lot of the players -- I mean Joe Hart came from Shrewsbury -- and we've obviously progressed ourselves at the club and I think it's not necessarily all about the money.

"We've acquired some great English players and they're playing so well at the minute that they deserve a place in the England squad," he added.

"It's still early days but I think with the squad we have we can go as far as we want."

City have four points from three games this season after beating Liverpool but losing to Sunderland. It is a similar pattern to last season.

"I think we fared well against the top teams, I think it was obviously the lower teams in the league I think we struggled with, some of the times maybe we should have had the three points wrapped up and we dropped points," said Johnson.

"We just need to win more games.

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Kuchar lets play do talking at BMW Championship

Published>Fri, Sep 10 10 05:57 AM

A red-hot Matt Kuchar birdied his final hole to take a one shot lead in the opening round of the BMW Championship on Thursday while a baffled Tiger Woods watched his Cog Hill magic disappear.

Playing on the same course he won the U.S. Amateur title in 1997, Kuchar was feeling the Cog Hill vibes on a sunny late summer morning mixing an eagle, six birdies with a bogey for a seven-under 64 and a one stroke advantage over Ryan Moore.

"I've got good memories of this place, so it continued to go well for me today," said Kuchar, who cut his interview short because of a bout of laryngitis. "I was driving it well. I was actually doing everything well. It felt very good."

A five-time winner on the suburban Chicago layout, Cog Hill had also been a happy hunting ground for Woods, but the world number one played like was seeing the course for the first time on Thursday opening his title defence with a two-over 73.

Heading to Celtic Manor for the Oct. 1-3 Ryder Cup, Kuchar may well be the in-form player for the United States with eight top 10s in his last 10 starts, including a win at the Barclays that helped put him firmly atop the FedEx Cup standings.

Channeling the spirit of Bobby Jones wearing a sweater and tie, Ryan Moore rocketed into contention firing a Cog Hill record 29 on the back nine.

One over through 10, Moore drained seven birdies over his last eight holes, including five straight to finish, for a six-under 65 total.

Briton Ian Poulter began his day with a double-bogey but recovered to shoot a five-under 66 to sit alone in third with South African Retief Goosen and South Korean Charlie Wi one shot further adrift after returning a 67.

Poulter's Ryder Cup team mate Luke Donald was also in contention after opening with a three-under 68 but Rory McIlroy had a day to forget stumbling to a five-over 76.

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Indian Grand Prix right on track

Published>Fri, Sep 10 10 05:37 AM

The nearly 12 km ride from Greater Noida to seemingly nowhere on a barely motorable road sums up India's journey from absolutely nowhere to the Formula One map: full of obstacles. Nonetheless, three years after the Indian Grand Prix was conceptualised, the destination seems closer than ever.

On Wednesday, motor sports' world governing body, FIA, officially awarded the country a race scheduled for October 30 next year ? although subject to the completion of circuit ? and a day later, a renewed sense of urgency was palpable at the site of construction. Earth movers and dumpers choked the road at ground zero, while the contractors screamed instructions at their subordinate workers. Off the main road and through the paddy fields, a muddy path ? having caved in at places due to heavy rains ? leads to a vast mound of earth. It's one of the elevated parts of the proposed circuit, and here the first layer of the track is being laid. A dream is finally taking shape.

It has been over one year since the construction started, and the project was mired in controversies, ranging from Suresh Kalmadi's son being one of the stakeholders in JPSK ? the firm that signed contract with the FIA to build the track ? to the sports ministry refusing to recognise F1 as a sport. The company initials have now changed from JPSK to JPSI (Jaypee Sports International).

But Kalmadi still continued to cast a shadow over the project, albeit indirectly. The negativity surrounding the delays to the CWG projects meant there were doubts over India's readiness over hosting an F1 race. The fears are still there.

"People are a bit sceptical of India's ability to host international events. I genuinely hope that the Commonwealth Games, once it's running, shows that India is able to host international events," said Mark Hughes, vice president (operations) of JPSI.

For now, it's a race against time for Hughes & Co., as FIA is scheduled to make an inspection in May 2011. The senior official, who was the operations head of the circuit at Bahrain, however remains confident.

"What will probably happen is that we will have to do some finishing touches after that and they will come back and that process has to finish by the end of July. We may be a little delayed but we will still get through that process," Hughes said.

Optimism is at an all time high, as far as the track is concerned. Motor Sports Council of India chairman Vijay Mallya, who was at the FIA meeting in Paris on Wednesday, believes that the deadlines will be met.

"In my capacity as chairman of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India and a member of the FIA World Motor Sports Council, this is a dream come true," said Mallya, who also owns India's first Formula One team Force India.

"From the regular reports I have received, construction is in full progress and the track with considerable supporting infrastructure will be ready well in time for the 2011 event."

When complete, the track will be 5.4km long and the complex will accommodate nearly 1,20,000 spectators. According to JPSI, the track's combination of straights, corners and elevation changes has been designed to allow high speeds.

From a vantage point on the mound, one can see another structure coming up: the paddock. The glass and steel facade is some way off and the only people swarming its terrace aren't exactly high net-worth individuals, but laborers. For now, all one can hear is the construction din, but the roar of an F1 engine is not too distant now. (With inputs from Reuters)

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Qureshi aims to serve up peace at U.S. Open

Published>Fri, Sep 10 10 04:37 AM

Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi only took up tennis to avoid doing homework, but now the doubles specialist is a household name back home with his exploits at the U.S. Open and his bid to broker peace.

The 30-year-old lost in the finals of the mixed doubles on Thursday but will get another shot at his first grand slam when he teams up with India's Rohan Bopanna in the men's doubles final against the top-seeded Bryan brothers on Friday.

Qureshi and Bopanna have been trying to use their tennis partnership to promote more peaceful relations between India and Pakistan.

The pair wear sweatshirts emblazoned with the slogan "Stop War, Start Tennis" and there has been talk of a match being played across the India-Pakistan border.

"I've always said there's no reason the Indians and Pakistanis can't get along with each other," said Qureshi.

"We always said sports can reach places where no religion or politics or politician can reach. If you can change a few people's minds on the Indian or Pakistani side, I think it's a great thing."

Qureshi has already given the people of Pakistan something to cheer about amid catastrophic flooding in recent months which killed more than 1,700 people, displaced millions and caused an estimated $43 billion in damage.

"It's been hard times for Pakistan especially in the last two months so to be able to help send some positive news back each day has been fantastic," he said.

Pakistan has been also been crying out for some positive sporting news following the investigation into cricket trio Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir for their alleged involvement in a spot-fixing scandal.

"Pakistan is a cricket-mad country so tennis cannot compete, although I've been trying to make it compete for 14 years," said Qureshi, himself a massive cricket fan.

Of the cricket scandal, he added: "The investigation is obviously still going on but watching the videos of what happened and hearing their voices, it looks like they were part of it. If it's proved, it's going to be a big setback."

Whatever the result in Friday's final, Qureshi can expect to receive the sort of adulation previously reserved for cricketers when he returns to Pakistan.

Big screens have been set up across Pakistan for spectators to watch his matches while Qureshi received a call from Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani ahead of this week's finals.

"People recognised me a bit before now," said Qureshi, who whipped Pakistan into a sporting frenzy last year after beating Roger Federer in a doubles match in Switzerland.

"When I beat Roger Federer, that was huge news for people back home, even people who didn't know that much about tennis. But I think it might be crazy when I get back."

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Durant masterclass fires U.S. into semis

Fri, Sep 10 10 03:57 AM

A masterclass performance by forward Kevin Durant steered the United States into the world championship semi-finals with an 89-79 victory over Russia on Thursday.

The Americans next face Lithuania who brushed aside Argentina 104-85 after hitting eight three-pointers from nine attempts in the first half on the way to a staggering 32-point lead at the end of the third quarter.

The U.S. and Lithuania will meet in the opening game of Saturday's double-header, with hosts Turkey taking on Serbia in the other match for a place in Sunday's final.

Oklahoma Thunder's Durant scored 33 points and grabbed five rebounds as the U.S. overcame a spirited challenge by the Russians who led 35-30 in the second quarter.

A 12-0 American run following a timeout swung the pendulum and the tournament favourites never looked back, taking a commanding 79-61 lead after a Durant three-pointer early in the final period.

"It was a tough game and you have to give credit to Russia for playing hard for 40 minutes straight, but we are now looking forward to moving on," Durant told a news conference.

"We had to make corrections at halfttime and made it tougher for their guard on pick-and-roll plays, while we penetrated their zone at the other end and got a lot of shots at the rim."

Russia's American coach David Blatt praised the U.S. team for quickly adapting to international rules while making the best use of their skills.

"They recognised and realised how to play the European game and at the same time still maintained the elements and the advantages the American player and the American game has to offer," Blatt said.

ARGENTINA MELTDOWN

Having reached the last eight with a 5-1 record after playing some wonderfully entertaining basketball, Argentina were blown away by an athletic Lithuanian team who had seven players in double scoring digits.

Simas Jasaitis led the way with 19 points, shooting four of seven from three-point range, Linas Kleiza added 17 and nine rebounds and Martynas Pocius and Tomas Delininkaitis chipped in with 16 each.

Argentina forward Carlos Delfino enjoyed a game-high 25 points but the tournament's top scorer Luis Scola, tightly marked throughout the contest, was limited to 13 after making only five of his 16 field goals.

Lithuania led 85-53 after the third quarter and although the Argentines staged a brief fightback to cut the deficit to 92-75, they could not stop the 2003 European champions from going through.

"We prepared physically and mentally, especially mentally and made the best use of more resources on the bench," Lithuania coach Kestutis Kemzura said.

"We started aggressively in defence and one of the key moments was stopping Scola and his pick-and-roll connection with guard Pablo Prigioni.

"This is a real achievement for our team," added Kemzura, whose new-look side were not given much of a chance after several regular starters pulled out of the 24-team tournament.

Source: Published>

Text message brings U.S. Open title for Bryan and Huber

Published>Fri, Sep 10 10 03:17 AM

A text message brought American duo Bob Bryan and Liezel Huber together for only the second tournament in their career and ended with them winning their second grand slam at the U.S. Open on Thursday.

Last year's French Open champions reunited at Flushing Meadows to beat Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Kveta Peschke 6-4 6-4 for the mixed doubles title but the pair only reunited after Huber contacted her former playing partner in the build-up to the tournament.

"I sent him a text saying we need to get in the draw and that was it," said Huber after winning the sixth grand slam doubles title of her career.

The pair were all smiles in their one-hour, seven-minute match in very blustery conditions in Arthur Ashe Stadium, which Bryan revealed was the secret to their success.

"You have to keep it light hearted in the whole situation and I think the smiles are what got us through," said the 32-year-old, who took his tally of grand slam wins to 15 in the process. "It's kind of like, yeah, smiles."

Czech Peschke and Pakistan's Qureshi joined forces at the tournament for the first time after a last-minute agreement to play, but the unseeded duo had no answer to the aggression of the number one seeds.

Bryan, who will face Qureshi again in Friday's men's double final with his twin brother Mike, put his trademark chest-bump celebrations on hold for his partnership with Huber, much to the South African-born player's delight.

"He wants to chest bump, chest bump, chest bump and I'm like 'no, don't chest bump me'." said Huber. "We don't chest bump - I'm just scared I will hurt myself."

Instead, Bryan lifted his playing partner into the air as they celebrated the first title of this year's U.S. Open.

After the match, Bryan revealed he and his brother would be making a donation to the Pakistan Flood Relief Fund following the recent catastrophic floods in Qureshi's home country.

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Portugal sack coach Queiroz, says federation

Published>Fri, Sep 10 10 02:17 AM

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz was sacked by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) on Thursday in the wake of his six-month ban for insulting anti-doping agents before this year's World Cup.

"Given recent events, the FPF directors decided unanimously to settle (end) Carlos Queiroz's contract with immediate effect," FRF president Gilberto Madail told a news conference.

"This decision has been communicated to Carlos Queiroz, who will receive the reasons for the decision first hand," he added.

The federation had given the coach, who had two years left on his contract, a one-month ban in late August but Portugal's anti-doping authority later extended that to six months.

Queiroz admitted exchanging harsh words with anti-doping doctors during their surprise visit to Portugal's training camp in May.

However, the coach said he was simply expressing his annoyance at having his players' rest disturbed and had vowed to appeal the ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Madail said the FPF will begin searching for a replacement to take charge of the team before next month's Euro 2012 qualifiers at home to Denmark and away to Iceland.

Portugal are second from bottom of Group H with one point from their first two qualifiers having lost 1-0 in Norway on Tuesday following a 4-4 draw at home to Cyprus on Friday.

Their poor start occurred with the team's key player, winger Cristiano Ronaldo, missing because of an ankle injury and with the banned Queiroz having to watch from the stands.

Agostinho Oliveira, who took charge as interim coach, said the controversy surrounding Queiroz was not the reason for the team's poor performance in their opening match.

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Massa says lucky to get away with Spa start

Fri, Sep 10 10 01:57 AM

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa has said he was fortunate to get away with a false start at last month's Belgian Formula One Grand Prix, blaming the incident on the low seat position in his car.

Video footage taken from the crowd and posted on the internet after the race at Spa clearly showed Massa's car was positioned well ahead of the line on the starting grid that it should have been behind.

The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) is investigating why no race officials or rival teams noticed the issue but said there was no possibility of the Brazilian losing his fourth place finish.

"Usually I'm the lowest guy in the car. I didn't see the line very well. I was lucky," Massa told reporters ahead of Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.

Source: Published>

French FA rejects Evra's appeal against five-match ban

Fri, Sep 10 10 01:37 AM

France World Cup captain Patrice Evra's five-match ban for his role in the team's revolt in South Africa has been ratified by the appeals commission of the French Football Federation (FFF), the ruling body said on Thursday.

The Manchester United defender was among four players punished last month after the France team boycotted a World Cup training session in support of striker Nicolas Anelka, who had been sent home for insulting then-coach Raymond Domenech.

Anelka was banned for 18 matches, Evra for five, Franck Ribery for three and Jeremy Toulalan for one. Evra was the only one who appealed.

Source: Published>

Rival teams backed Ferrari in team orders case

Published>Fri, Sep 10 10 12:57 AM

Ferrari escaped a points deduction for manipulating July's German Grand Prix because of past inconsistencies in policing the rules and support from rival teams, Formula One's governing body said on Thursday.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) published the reasoning behind its decision to uphold a $100,000 fine for Ferrari while lifting the threat of further punishment for the use of banned 'team orders'.

The move was criticised by some, including Red Bull principal Christian Horner, for setting a dangerous precedent for the rest of the season.

The FIA document released at the Italian Grand Prix revealed that Williams and Ferrari-powered Sauber had both written in support of the Italian team.

It also emerged that Brazilian Felipe Massa, who was told to let team mate Fernando Alonso past to win at Hockenheim, had been put at an engine-power disadvantage prior to the incident.

The FIA made clear that it believed Ferrari had carried out an illegal action, despite the Italian team's lawyer Nigel Tozzi seeking to make a distinction between orders and strategy, but felt it could not justly impose a further sanction.

An FIA-appointed reporter had recommended the possible withdrawal of points from both team and drivers, the sanction to be suspended for 2010 and then lifted providing there was no recurrence.

"The judging body of the WMSC (world motor sport council) noted the uncertainty and complexity surrounding the ban on team orders, and the difficulties of detecting and policing," the document said.

"It became common ground during the hearing that the drivers should not be penalised, and with the ambiguities in the rule recognised it would not be appropriate to increase the overall penalty."

SUPPORTING LETTERS

Tozzi pointed out that Frank Williams and Peter Sauber had written letters making the argument that Formula One was a team sport, there was a risk of team mates colliding in such circumstances and the rules needed revising.

Ferrari argued that McLaren had not been punished at the 2008 German Grand Prix when Heikki Kovalainen allowed eventual winner Lewis Hamilton to overtake him with only nine laps remaining.

The team also argued that a message to both McLaren drivers at this year's Turkish Grand Prix to "save fuel" had constituted a coded instruction to maintain their one-two positions.

Massa was told four times over the radio that "Fernando is faster than you" before being asked to confirm he had understood the message. He then slowed and allowed his team mate past.

The FIA said Ferrari's argument that Alonso was quicker did not appear to stand up.

"Ferrari's drivers reduced their engine speed at the request of their respective race engineers," it said. "Then Mr Fernando Alonso increased his engine speed without Mr Felipe Massa's being informed.

"Alonso was therefore benefiting from a definite performance advantage over Mr Felipe Massa in the moments preceding the contentious overtaking."

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French FA rejects Evra's appeal against five-match ban

Fri, Sep 10 10 12:21 AM

France World Cup captain Patrice Evra's five-match ban for his role in the team's revolt in South Africa has been ratified by the appeals commission of the French Football Federation (FFF), the ruling body said on Thursday.

The Manchester United defender was among four players punished last month after the France team boycotted a World Cup training session in support of striker Nicolas Anelka, who had been sent home for insulting then-coach Raymond Domenech.

Anelka was banned for 18 matches, Evra for five, Franck Ribery for three and Jeremy Toulalan for one. Evra was the only one who appealed.

Source: Published>

IOC, U.S. Olympic Committe closer to financial deal

Fri, Sep 10 10 12:19 AM

A long-standing financial row between the U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee over revenue sharing looks on course to be settled after both sides agreed to speed up talks for a deal.

The two sides have been at odds for years over what the IOC has said were far too large amounts of money from broadcasting and sponsoring deals flowing to the USOC based on old contracts.

"The IOC and the USOC have reached agreement on a significant financial contribution from the USOC to resolve the Games' costs issue," the IOC said in a statement.

"During a very productive and amicable meeting at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore last month, the two sides also agreed to establish a process to accelerate talks on the outstanding issue of revenue sharing."

"The agreement followed fruitful discussions in Denver, Colorado, last year and at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games this February. The IOC and USOC delegations have pledged to continue working in a constructive manner and in a spirit of good faith and cooperation," it said.

The IOC had wanted to balance the scale of funds as international federations and national Olympic committees, especially hard hit by the credit crunch, were complaining about the large share given to USOC.

Some IOC members had called the amounts "immoral" while USOC had refused to budge.

Based on deals signed years ago, the USOC was getting more from the North American broadcasting rights deal and the IOC top sponsors programme than all other 200-plus Olympic committees put together.

The revenue sharing row was seen as a major factor in Chicago's first-round elimination in the vote for the 2016 Games despite the presence of U.S. President Barack Obama in Copenhagen for the election in October last year.

"I am pleased that our relationship has progressed to the point where we can begin to make significant headway on a number of issues that have been a point of contention between the USOC and the IOC," said USOC chairman Larry Probst.

"This agreement demonstrates that when people work together constructively to develop innovative solutions to challenging problems, the future of the Olympic Movement will benefit," he said.

Source: Published>

Celebrities, commoners to receive Queen's Baton in Mumbai

Published>Fri, Sep 10 10 12:15 AM

Mumbai, Sep 9 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan will lead celebrities, sportspersons and industrialists in welcoming the Queen's Baton Relay for the Commonwealth Games, when it reaches here from Pune Friday, officials said Thursday.

Besides Chavan, Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Sports Minister Suresh Shetty and union Minister of State for Communication and Information Technology Gurudas Kamat and sports officials and members of the State Olympic Association shall be present on the occasion.

Olympian Dhanraj Pillay, Commonwealth chess champion Praveen Thipsay, Arjuna Award winners Kamlesh Mehta, Rachita Mistry, Joachim Carvalho, Adil Sumariwala, M.M. Somaiya, Dronacharya awardee Raghunandan Gokhale, and chess champ Bhagyashree Thipsay will also be present.

Industrialists Ratan Tata and Adi Godrej are also likely to join the official function to be held at the historic Gateway of India in south Mumbai.

The baton entered the state from Goa and went to Kolhapur, the erstwhile princely region of southwest Maharashtra and from there it went to Pune.

From Pune, the baton will arrive here by road at Karanje Naval Jetty at Uran in Navi Mumbai.

After the official function and a cultural program at the Gateway of India, it will be taken to the Chowpatty promenade and finally the rally will culminate at the Mumbai University campus in south Mumbai by 2 p.m.

Next the baton relay will go to the Union Territory of Daman & Diu and then Baroda in Gujarat next Monday.

Source: Web Search

F1 drivers welcome expanded calendar

Published>Thu, Sep 09 10 11:37 PM

Formula One drivers welcomed next season's record 20-race calendar on Thursday while recognising it was also likely to put even more of a burden on tired mechanics.

The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced on Wednesday that next year's championship would start in Bahrain on March 13 and run through to Brazil on Nov. 27.

That will be the latest end to a season since 1963, when there were just 10 races and the championship started at the end of May.

"For the mechanics it's a lot longer and we don't have test teams as such any more so these guys are working very long hours and they are very busy throughout the season," McLaren's world champion Jenson Button told Reuters at the Italian Grand Prix.

"So yes, it is tough on the whole team. But I'm guessing it helps with the sponsors because Formula One will be watched in more countries and especially in India and Korea.

"I'm sure it's good for the sport and good for the sponsors to be racing in more countries, different cultures."

India will make its debut, providing the circuit passes an official inspection, in October next year while the current 19 rounds are all retained.

BETTER STRUCTURED

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, who clocked up his 300th race in Belgium last month, said next year's calendar was far better structured than the 2010 version which ends with Brazil and Abu Dhabi on successive weekends.

The 2011 version has Japan and South Korea back to back in October with two-week gaps between the final three in India, Abu Dhabi and Brazil.

The events also flow better together in the second half of the year, with a geographical progression from Singapore through the Far East and back via India and the Middle East to South America.

"It's much better to go and have two weekends racing in Asia than to fly to Brazil and then go back to Abu Dhabi," said Barrichello.

"I've always said I wished to have 30 races and no testing, because it would be more cost effective and we would have more pleasure," added the 38-year-old Williams driver.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso saw a benefit for those drivers who were paid bonuses for every point scored, as Button was last year with champions Brawn GP.

Australian Mark Webber, second in the current standings for Red Bull, was also pleased to have yet another race in Asia with nine of next year's rounds now in the Far or Middle East.

"I think I'll have to get a house in Australia because there's a lot of races in that part of the world," the British-based driver told reporters.

Seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher, whose comeback with Mercedes after three years out has been less than stellar as he comes to terms with very different tyres and equipment, said the expansion was positive.

"It's more fun to have more races than more tests," the former Ferrari driver said. "Nevertheless some tests would be appreciated as well."

Source: Web Search

England to send 371-strong contingent to CWG

Thu, Sep 09 10 11:27 PM

London, Sep 9 (PTI) Fear of a dengue epidemic in the Indian capital notwithstanding, England today said that they would be sending a 371-strong contingent of athletes to next month''s Commonwealth Games. England''s chef de mission Craig Hunter has briefed the athletes and advised them to wear long-sleeve tops, trousers and issued with mosquito (repellent) sprays for protection during the October 3-14 event. "It is monsoon season now but they anticipate that the season will be over by the time of the Games. The problem with Dengue fever is standing water and the sun needs to come out for it all to dry up," Hunter quoted as saying in The Telegraph. "We have briefed all the sports and given them an insight into the challenges they face but our athletes are well prepared," he said. Dengue cases climbed to 1,580 today with 68 more patients testing positive in the national capital. "There was never any doubt (of England not going to the CWG)," Hunter said. Although England''s athletes would be treated to a "unique and fascinating Games" the team would still offer advice to those seeking to venture outside the athletes village. "The great thing about the Commonwealth Games is that it offers such diverse culture," he said.

Source: Published>

Gill launches "Shera" song to celebrate enthusiasm for Commonwealth Games

Published>Thu, Sep 09 10 10:37 PM

New Delhi, Sep. 9 (ANI): Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Dr. M.S. Gill launched the song 'Shera' at a glittering ceremony here on Thursday.

Produced by Vikramjit Singh Sahney and Raksha Dhawan the song is composed by Jeetu J and sung by Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Shibani Kashyap and Milind. he song has been produced and presented to Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi by Sun Foundation, a charitable institution.

Dr. Gill said that music is an integral part of any games and the song on Shera will appeal to both Indian and International audiences.

"I am delighted to be the part of the launch of Shera song. Music is an integral part of any games. I am happy that Punjabi community has come forward with this song on Shera. I personally liked the song and each song has its different mood and characteristics," said Dr. Gill.

"The Shera song is a beautiful blend of Punjabi tune with balance of Hindi and English lyrics. The song will appeal to both Indian and International audience. The soul of this song is rooted in our cultural heritage of Punjab. Let the people listen to the song and decide," he added. ikramjit Singh Sahney appealed everyone to unite and make the Games a success.

"Patriotism is an emotion and attitude. It's a sense of belonging. It is a time for all of us to play a part. India is a land of promise and passion. Let's unite once again and make the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi a success," said Sahney.

The composer of the song has mentioned that the proceeds from the sale of this song will be donated to the government for the welfare of sports.

Shera is the mascot of the Commonwealth Games and exhort everyone to 'come out and play' and make the Games a grand success. He also remind of the depleting numbers of his species and the fragile environment he lives in and our responsibility towards the protection of his race and his ecosystem. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Reigning Commonwealth 400m champion to miss Delhi Games

Published>Thu, Sep 09 10 10:07 PM

London, Sep 9 (IANS) Australia's John Steffensen, the reigning Commonwealth Games 400 meters champion, Thursday pulled out from the Oct 3-14 event over a four-year-long feud with Athletics Australia (AA) and accused them of jeopardising athletes' careers.

Steffensen said AA ignored his complaints for over four years and he is forced to boycott the Delhi Games, for which he was training from the last two years.

The 28-year-old holds a grievance against AA after his request to seek an exemption from the national championships earlier this year after undergoing a major back surgery.

AA said Steffensen could have an exemption but informed him that his selection would not be guaranteed because he was one of four athletes who had qualifying times for three positions in the team in the 400m.

'This is the toughest decision I've ever had make,' Steffensen was quoted as saying by the Telegraph.

Steffenson, the gold medallist in 4x400m relay in the Melbourne edition lashed out at the approach of the athletics body.

'Athletes are getting bullied, dictated to, copping decisions that are essentially jeopardising careers. I explained the surgeons' findings and they (AA) effectively said 'too bad, run'.' Steffensen said.

'This decision is going to cost me money, my reputation will take a hit and my chance of ever winning consecutive Commonwealth golds is gone. I love Australia. I love running for my country. But by sacrificing two years of my own preparations for these Games, I hope people understand how passionate I am about creating change for athletics in this country.'

AA chief executive Dallas O'Brien said he is yet to receive any formal notification of Steffensen's withdrawal.

'We would be disappointed if Steffensen will not available to represent Australia in the 400m and the 4x400m relay in New Delhi,' O'Brien said in a statement.

Source: Web Search

Sania, Bhupathi congratulate Bopanna and Quershi

Thu, Sep 09 10 09:57 PM

New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) As history beckons Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, who are just one win away from winning the US Open, Indian tennis fraternity today showered encomiums on the Indo-Pak pair for their incredible run at last Grand Slam of the season. Bopanna and Qureshi have made the Grand Slam finals for the first time in their career and are also the first Indo-Pak pair to do so. India''s number one female tennis player Sania Mirza congratulated the pair on her twitter page and told them to give it all in the final. "Great day for sport and Indian sport today..a biiiggg congraulations to @rohanbopanna and aisam for making the finals! "One more to go boys, and create more history in many many ways..all the best:)," she tweeted. "Sports and love can bring ANYTHING together..who would have thought Indians and Pakistanis would be cheering for the same team to win!," she wrote in another tweet. The 16th seeds will take on Americans Bob and Mike Bryan, whom they had beaten recently in an ATP tour event in Washington. Seasoned Indian pro Mahesh Bhupathi expected the final to be a blockbuster. "Here is a stat. The only team the Bryans have lost to this summer are the Indo Pak express. Talk about a blockbuster on Friday!!," he wrote. Talking about the Indo-Pak connection, Bhupathi wrote,"An Indian and a Pakistani will together play for the US Open doubles title friday. Tennis might be the answer:)All aboard the Indopak express!." Bhupathi. In a lighter vein, Somdev said if Bopanna will miss Sunday''s practice in Chennai, he will complain to Davis Cup Captain S P Misra.

Source: Published>

Asif considering political asylum, PCB says trio will come back

Published>Thu, Sep 09 10 09:47 PM

London/Lahore, Sep 9 (IANS) Fearing a violent backlash at home, Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Asif, one of the three players accused of spot-fixing, is considering seeking political asylum in Britain, but Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt said Asif along with Test captain Salman Butt and pacer Mohammad Aamer will come back to the country.

Ijaz in a press conference in Lahore said that fast bowler Wahab Riaz will, meanwhile, be questioned by the Metropolitan police in London Sep 14 in connection with the spot-fixing scandal that has rocked world cricket.

'They were interviewed for nine hours. There are no police charges against them nor have their movements been restricted. If there was anything against them they would have been arrested. They did not arrest them. We have informed the police that they will be travelling back to Pakistan in the next few days,' Ijaz said.

'Police have also asked that Wahab Riaz should be made available to them for an interview on Sep 14 and we have arranged for the interview in London,' he said.

Riaz will be the fourth Pakistani player to be questioned by the Metropolitan police after the International Cricket Council (ICC) provisionally suspended Salman, Asif and Aamer last week.

Asif fears that match fixing allegations could make him the potential target of dangerous criminal gangs linked to the illegal betting underworld.

The Daily Telegraph reported that the Pakistan bowler had a 35-minute meeting with an immigration lawyer last Friday. During the meeting, he told the lawyer that he feared the allegations of spot-fixing in the fourth Test match against England could make him the target of dangerous criminal gangs linked to the illegal betting underworld.

The newspaper said that the 27-year-old fast bowler asked an intermediary to arrange a meeting with the lawyer in London last week, and the meeting apparently took place Friday in a Pakistani restaurant in Southall, west London.

'He didn't say anything about asylum at first. He just said, 'What's the way to stay?' Then we told him there's the student way - you can come here to study - or you can apply for a work permit. But then he asked about asylum,' the daily quoted a lawyer, who arranged the meeting, as telling it on the condition of anonymity.

British tabloid 'News of the World' alleged that the three players took bribe for bowling deliberate no-balls during the Lord's cricket Test against England.

Ijaz said that PCB was not in a position to launch its own inquiry since the case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police and the Scotland Yard in London.

'We are also concerned about this and we also have zero tolerance on corruption. We cannot launch a parallel investigation because the matter is already under investigation. Rest assured, we will leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of the issue.'

'We wrote a letter to ICC on behalf of the players but they want individual replies from the players which will be given to them in the allowed 14 days. On the fourth day of the Lord's Test Yawar Saeed (team manager) called me and said police have warrants to search the players' rooms. On Friday the players were interrogated for nine hours but no charges are levelled against them,' said Ijaz.

Meanwhile, the ICC has now asked Salman and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal to hand over their phone records during the World Twenty20 in the Caribbeans.

The Daily Telegraph reported that the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has asked Salman and Akmal to provide the mobile phone numbers they used and records of calls made during the tournament in May.

The demand was made in a letter sent to the pair at the end of last month's Oval Test against England, a week before the spot-fixing expose in the News of the World.

In the same letter, the ACSU also asked the duo to provide similar details for the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka in June.

The daily also reported that the ICC has informed Akmal that he is also under investigation but remains part of the Pakistan squad for the NatWest Series against England.

Salman, Akmal and Aamer were members of the Pakistan team that lost in the final over of a remarkable semi-final against Australia in St. Lucia when Mike Hussey hit three sixes in four balls to win the match.

How could Pakistan lose a winning match when comfortably placed, perplexed watchers of the game have since asked.

Salman and Akmal also opened the batting in a Super-Eight match against England that they lost in the tournament. During that match Pakistan spilled three catches, of which two very simple ones by off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, and they missed a run-out against Kevin Pietersen as he guided England to victory.

Pietersen was comfortably beaten by a throw from point when on 64 but, despite collecting the ball cleanly, Akmal missed the stumps.

Source: Web Search

Job to he helpful for KKR in long run : Whatmore

Thu, Sep 09 10 09:37 PM

Kolkata, Sep 9 (PTI) Former Sri Lankan coach Dav Whatmore today said his new job to groom Bengal''s junior cricket would be helpful for Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knight Riders in the long run. The 1996 World Cup winning Sri Lankan coach, who is also has the same role in the Shah Rukh Khan-owned side in IPL, said his presence would lead to a union of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and KKR. "For an IPL team to be good, a state''s Ranji side too has to excel with quality players. My presence here may lead to a union of CAB and KKR. The union will certainly produce excellent results," Whatmore said. The Aussie, however, said that his job would not be to groom young talents for KKR. "My job is to to ensure that CAB has more players that can strengthen the reserve bench. Whether these young players turn out for KKR or not is not the point. "The reason for me being here is to share my knowledge in an effort to make youth cricket stronger and ready to take on uncertainties in future." His priority would be to spend maximum time here, he said. "Proper youth development requires training youngsters about maintaining their focus, making them understand that its they who should take responsibility themselves. We also have to educate them on anti-doping and anti-corruption." PTI TAP PC ATK

Source: Published>

Asif considering political asylum, PCB says trio will come back

Published>Thu, Sep 09 10 09:27 PM

London/Lahore, Sep 9 (IANS) Fearing a violent backlash at home, Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Asif, one of the three players accused of spot-fixing, is considering seeking political asylum in Britain, but Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt said Asif along with Test captain Salman Butt and pacer Mohammad Aamer will come back to the country.

Ijaz in a press conference in Lahore said that fast bowler Wahab Riaz will, meanwhile, be questioned by the Metropolitan police in London Sep 14 in connection with the spot-fixing scandal that has rocked world cricket.

'They were interviewed for nine hours. There are no police charges against them nor have their movements been restricted. If there was anything against them they would have been arrested. They did not arrest them. We have informed the police that they will be travelling back to Pakistan in the next few days,' Ijaz said.

'Police have also asked that Wahab Riaz should be made available to them for an interview on Sep 14 and we have arranged for the interview in London,' he said.

Riaz will be the fourth Pakistani player to be questioned by the Metropolitan police after the International Cricket Council (ICC) provisionally suspended Salman, Asif and Aamer last week.

Asif fears that match fixing allegations could make him the potential target of dangerous criminal gangs linked to the illegal betting underworld.

The Daily Telegraph reported that the Pakistan bowler had a 35-minute meeting with an immigration lawyer last Friday. During the meeting, he told the lawyer that he feared the allegations of spot-fixing in the fourth Test match against England could make him the target of dangerous criminal gangs linked to the illegal betting underworld.

The newspaper said that the 27-year-old fast bowler asked an intermediary to arrange a meeting with the lawyer in London last week, and the meeting apparently took place Friday in a Pakistani restaurant in Southall, west London.

'He didn't say anything about asylum at first. He just said, 'What's the way to stay?' Then we told him there's the student way - you can come here to study - or you can apply for a work permit. But then he asked about asylum,' the daily quoted a lawyer, who arranged the meeting, as telling it on the condition of anonymity.

British tabloid 'News of the World' alleged that the three players took bribe for bowling deliberate no-balls during the Lord's cricket Test against England.

Ijaz said that PCB was not in a position to launch its own inquiry since the case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police and the Scotland Yard in London.

'We are also concerned about this and we also have zero tolerance on corruption. We cannot launch a parallel investigation because the matter is already under investigation. Rest assured, we will leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of the issue.'

'We wrote a letter to ICC on behalf of the players but they want individual replies from the players which will be given to them in the allowed 14 days. On the fourth day of the Lord's Test Yawar Saeed (team manager) called me and said police have warrants to search the players' rooms. On Friday the players were interrogated for nine hours but no charges are levelled against them,' said Ijaz.

Meanwhile, the ICC has now asked Salman and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal to hand over their phone records during the World Twenty20 in the Caribbeans.

The Daily Telegraph reported that the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has asked Salman and Akmal to provide the mobile phone numbers they used and records of calls made during the tournament in May.

The demand was made in a letter sent to the pair at the end of last month's Oval Test against England, a week before the spot-fixing expose in the News of the World.

In the same letter, the ACSU also asked the duo to provide similar details for the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka in June.

The daily also reported that the ICC has informed Akmal that he is also under investigation but remains part of the Pakistan squad for the NatWest Series against England.

Salman, Akmal and Aamer were members of the Pakistan team that lost in the final over of a remarkable semi-final against Australia in St. Lucia when Mike Hussey hit three sixes in four balls to win the match.

How could Pakistan lose a winning match when comfortably placed, perplexed watchers of the game have since asked.

Salman and Akmal also opened the batting in a Super-Eight match against England that they lost in the tournament. During that match Pakistan spilled three catches, of which two very simple ones by off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, and they missed a run-out against Kevin Pietersen as he guided England to victory.

Pietersen was comfortably beaten by a throw from point when on 64 but, despite collecting the ball cleanly, Akmal missed the stumps.

Source: Web Search

Alonso says team orders row is in the past

Published>Thu, Sep 09 10 09:17 PM

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso has tried to consign Formula One's 'team orders' controversy to the past and said on Thursday the title would be in no way diminished if he won it.

Asked at his team's home Italian Grand Prix whether he felt any relief the sport's governing body had decided to impose no further punishment on Ferrari, the Spaniard shrugged his shoulders.

"It's something that is the past for us and we need to concentrate on Monza," said the double world champion. "It's something we have talked about already too much.

"I am happy to see the FIA (International Automobile Federation) will go deep into the rules and try to clarify (them).

"There is no special feeling, nothing to say," added Alonso.

"The decision was something we were waiting for and were ready to respect, whatever it was ... we respect the decision, we keep everything as it was, points etc, so nothing changed for us."

Ferrari were fined $100,000 by stewards at Hockenheim in July for ordering Brazilian Felipe Massa to let team mate Alonso overtake and win the German Grand Prix in a one-two finish.

FIA COUNCIL

The FIA's world motor sport council decided at a hearing in Paris on Wednesday to impose no further sanctions on the team but to review the rule that bars the use of such orders.

The decision kept Alonso's title hopes alive, although he is 41 points adrift of McLaren's overall leader Lewis Hamilton with six races, or 150 points, remaining.

Asked whether he would consider the title to be on a par with his other two if he won it this season, Alonso did not hesitate: "Yes," he replied. "You win the title, you win the title."

Asked later for his definition of a worthy world champion, and the ingredients that made one, Alonso smiled at the same old question served up in a different way.

"Whoever is first at the end, it is because he had more points than the others," he said. "It happens in all sports and this is the way it was in the history of Formula One and football, in Premier League, in tennis as well.

"I am sure you are talking about the decision of yesterday, but you have to respect it, guys, and be calm. Respect everything as we do and don't worry."

Source: Web Search

England need to maintain winning momentum till WC: Broad

Thu, Sep 09 10 09:07 PM

Dubai, Sep 9 (PTI) England have to continue with their winning momentum, they have grabbed in the ODI series against Pakistan, ahead of the 2011 Cricket World Cup, feels fast bowler Stuart Broad. 24-year-old Broad, who has been one of the stars of England''s successful run with the white ball, said conditions in Indian sub-continent will be difficult during the World Cup and so it is important to maintain high standards on the run-up. "I think we''re in a really good place as the England cricket team at the moment. We''ve played successful Twenty20 cricket in the past two games and also in the World Twenty20," Broad said. "It is important for us to keep the standards high, which we have set this summer. We''ve got about 13 or 14 games before the ICC (Cricket) World Cup and we know what an important tournament that is. "We know it is tough playing cricket in India as it is different conditions to what we are used to as an England team but it is still good practice winning and working on power plays and that sort of stuff,'' he added. Broad said the good form has made the England cricketers a confident lot. "We''re a confident side and it is certainly up to us to transfer that form in the two Twenty20s into this one-day series and into Australia and the World Cup as we know how key momentum is in one-day cricket," he said. Broad believes it would be a fantastic experience playing in the World Cup in the sub-continent. "We all know as international cricketers what an exciting place the sub-continent is to play cricket. The passion in the stands is great to see and the crowds are always really excitable and it is a fantastic experience to play in," he told ICC Cricket World audio show this week.

Source: Published>

Muthiah can raise cricket board's issue, apex court told

Published>Thu, Sep 09 10 08:57 PM

New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) The Supreme Court was Thursday told that former Board of Control for Cricket in India president A.C. Muthiah under the cricket body's rules was its administrator and entitled to move the court to check any irregularity in its functioning.

The court was told this in the course of the hearing of petitions moved by Muthiah seeking the removal of the BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan allegedly involved in a conflict of interest.

Muthiah's plea before the Madras High Court was declined on the grounds of his locus standi in the matter.

Senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for Muthiah told the apex court bench of Justice J.M. Panchal and Justice Gyan Sudha Misra that Srinivasan was involved in a conflict of interest.

He said Srinivasan was the secretary of the BCCI and also the vice-chairman and the managing director of India Cement company - the owner of IPL team Chennai Super Kings.

The court was told that this was specifically barred under the BCCI rules until they were amended to rescue Srinivasan from conflict of interest situation.

Referring to the manner in which the rules were watered down to mitigate the conflict of interest, Singhvi said that this was recommended by a committee that was mandated only to frame rules to prevent doping, racial discrimination and use of abusive language in the game.

The mandate of the committee remained 'untouched and unaddressed', he said.

The senior counsel told the court that his client has even challenged the amendment to the BCCI rules which were affected after Muthiah wrote to the board about the untenable position of Srinivasan.

Seeking directions of the court, Singhvi said: 'We have demanded an inquiry against Srinivasan and till that was completed he should stay away from the BCCI.'

When Singhvi told the court that Srinivasan should not continue with the BCCI even for a day, Justice Panchal said that if the apex court were to decide this question then what would be left for the trial court to do.

Source: Web Search

Despite monsoon, CWG preparations in full swing: Gill

Published>Thu, Sep 09 10 08:51 PM

New Delhi, Sep 9 (IANS) Sports Minister M.S. Gill Thursday said preparations for the October Commonwealth Games were in full swing despite the unusual monsoon playing spoilsport.

Gill met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the morning and discussed the Games preparations at length. He also visited two of the Games venues.

'There was a Cabinet meeting in the morning. I had detailed discussion with the Prime Minister. I visited the Nehru Stadium after that and it is ready. The helium balloon is ready,' said Gill after launching the song on Shera, the official mascot of the Commonwealth Games.

'I also went to the swimming pool complex. The scoreboards have been placed. The work is complete there as well. The Indian swimmers will start practising there from tomorrow. The work at the Yamuna Sports Complex owned by the Delhi Development Authority is also near completion,' said Gill.

'I had a discussion with the prime minister on the arrangements made for the 12,000 athletes and officials who will stay at the Games Village. Ten people have been specially assigned to oversee the Games preparations. The work will be done before the athletes arrive.'

The sports minister said heavy rains in the last two weeks have affected the pace of work at the venues but was hopeful the weather will change in the next ten days.

'The month of August was unusually wet. The normal monsoons are likely to be there by Sep 20. It rained in this month as well. But we expect the weather to be fine by Oct 3.'

He also announced that the money earned from the Shera song will go to the national sports development fund.

'I like the song. I am not going to compare it with A.R. Rahman's theme song. The people of India will decide. The money earned from the Shera song will be put into the National Sports Development fund,' said Gill.

Source: Web Search

Kalmadi, Gill assure no need to press panic button

Published>Thu, Sep 09 10 08:37 PM

New Delhi/Pune, Sep 9 (IANS) With incessant rains causing havoc with the final leg of preparations for the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games, Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi and sports minister M.S. Gill Thursday insisted there was no need to press the panic button, even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to visit the Games Village Tuesday to take stock of the situation.

The prime minister's visit to the Village -- with the Games barely 21 days away -- comes in the wake of apprehensions expressed over its readiness as the first contingent of officials and athletes from 71 participating teams is expected to arrive Sep 16.

A government source told IANS the prime minister is reviewing the entire Games preparedness at a high-powered meeting Friday.

The source pointed out that though the village will be officially opened Sep 21, it is expected to be fully operational Sep 16, two days after the prime minister's visit.

This is the prime minister's second visit to a Commonwealth Games site. He had earlier inspected the facilities at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies and track and field events, on Aug 29.

Kalmadi said the preparations for the final phase are in full swing.

'There are no issues before us. Everything is being done in proper manner,' Kalmadi said in Pune during the arrival of the Queen's Baton relay there.

On the charges of corruption that have been levelled against the Games organising committee, Kalmadi said he is ready for any probe and is accountable for the Rs.1,600 crore the CGOC has taken as loan from the government.

'I am ready for any probe, any judicial probe. I am only accountable for the Rs.1,600 crore the organising committee has taken on loan and not the Rs.40,000 crore spent on infrastructure and other projects. We have got a good broadcast deal. The Games will be even shown in America for the first time,' Kalmadi said.

Gill said he met the prime minister in the morning and discussed the Games preparations at length.

Gill said they are hoping there will be clear skies when the Games start.

'The month of August was unusually wet. The normal monsoons are likely to be there by Sep 20. It has rained in this month as well. But we expect the weather to be fine by Oct 3,' said Gill, after the launch of the song on Shera, the official mascot of the Games, in New Delhi.

'There was a Cabinet meeting in the morning on the Commonwealth Games. I had detailed discussion with the Prime Minister. The position is that Nehru Stadium is ready. The aerostat balloon is ready. I also went to the swimming pool complex. The scoreboards have been placed. The work is complete there as well. The Indian swimmers will start practising there from tomorrow. The Yamuna Sports Complex owned by the Delhi Development Authority is also near completion.'

'I also had a discussion with the Prime Minister on the arrangements made for the 12,000-plus athletes who will stay at the Games Village. Ten people have been specially assigned to oversee the preparations. The work will be done before the athletes arrive.'

CGOC secretary general Lalit Bhanot said all venues are ready.

'International bodies (concerned) have certified that all venues are fit to host events,' Bhanot said in an interaction with reporters.

'Though there was some delay in the completion of some venues, every stadium is completely ready now,' he stated.

Chef-de-mission of the Indian contingent Bhubaneswar Kalita said that chefs-de-mission of all the participating teams are impressed with the venues.

'I too have been regularly visiting the venues,' he added.

To a query about the reported flood threat following the release of 600,000 cusecs of water in the Yamuna from a barrage in Haryana Wednesday, Kalita said that all necessary steps have been taken in this regard.

'We have been in touch with government agencies. Everybody is on alert and all necessary steps have been taken,' he stated.

Source: Web Search

Three cricketers will come back but Riaz will be interrogated: Butt

Published>Thu, Sep 09 10 08:27 PM

Lahore, Sep 9 (IANS) Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt said Thursday that the three tainted cricketers -- Test captain Salman Butt and pacers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif -- will come back to the country while fast bowler Wahab Riaz will be questioned by the Metropolitan police in London Sep 14 in connection with the spot-fixing scandal that has rocked world cricket.

'They were interviewed for nine hours. There are no police charges against them nor have their movements been restricted. If there was anything against them they would have been arrested. They did not arrest them. We have informed the police that they will be travelling back to Pakistan in the next few days,' Butt said.

'Police have also asked that Wahab Riaz should be made available to them for an interview on Sep 14 and we have arranged for the interview in London,' he said.

Riaz will be the fourth Pakistani player to be questioned by the Metropolitan police after the International Cricket Council (ICC) provisionally suspended Salman, Asif and Aamer last week.

British tabloid 'News of the World' alleged that the three players took bribe for bowling deliberate no-balls during the Lord's cricket Test against England.

Butt said that PCB was not in a position to launch its own inquiry since the case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police and the Scotland Yard in London.

'We are also concerned about this and we also have zero tolerance on corruption. We cannot launch a parallel investigation because the matter is already under investigation. Rest assured, we will leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of the issue.'

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended Butt, Aamer and Asif.

'We wrote a letter to ICC on behalf of the players but they want individual replies from the players which will be given to them in the allowed 14 days. On the fourth day of the Lord's Test Yawar Saeed (team manager) called me and said police have warrants to search the players' rooms. On Friday the players were interrogated for nine hours but no charges are levelled against them,' said Butt.

Source: Web Search

Oz defence officials seek Indian Army''s assurance on CWG

Thu, Sep 09 10 12:57 PM

Melbourne, Sep 9 (PTI) Australia''s defence officials have sought assurances from the Indian Army about the security of of Australian athletes during the Delhi Commonwealth Games next month. The chief of Australia''s Defence Force Angus Houston met Indian Army chief General V K Singh last month and the issue of security at the Commonwealth Games came up for discussion. "The Chief of Defence Force and the Chief of Army discussed a wide range of issues during General Singh''s visit," the Defence spokesman was quoted as saying by ''The Daily Telegraph''. "During General Singh''s visit the Chief of the Defence Force sought an assurance that the security for the Commonwealth Games would be effective. General Singh provided an overview of the security capability that would be in place for the Games and gave an assurance that appropriate actions were being taken to counter the risk," he added. Apart from Houston, Australia''s Chief of Army Ken Gillespie, and secretary of the Defence Department Ian Watt, also met General Singh in Canberra. "There were no discussions between the Chief of Defence Force and the Chief of Army with General Singh that linked our contribution in Afghanistan with the Commonwealth Games," the spokesperson said. The Games, scheduled from October 3 to 14, have been marred by construction delays and corruption allegations. There were security concerns as well but they have gone down considerably in the past few months.

Source: Published>

Pak bookies rake in cash on England match

Published>Thu, Sep 09 10 12:53 PM

In a tiny room overlooking a slum, four men work a dozen or so phones, struggling to keep up with calls from Pakistanis placing illegal bets on a cricket match in England.

Some phones are rigged to tape-recorders to ensure that gamblers do not renege on their wagers later on.

The men are small-time gangsters, but sit on the lower rungs of something much larger: an underworld betting industry that spans the cricket world and has been implicated in a match-fixing scandal engulfing Pakistan's national team.

While there is little by way of evidence, these Lahore bookmakers and others close to the trade say notorious Indian crimelord Dawood Ibrahim sits atop the global syndicate. The United States accuses Ibrahim of supporting al-Qaeda and funding attacks in India.

The bookmakers said fixing in the sport, especially in the Pakistani team, had been common for years.

Such is the variety of bets available on every aspect of the game - not just the outcome - a player can perform to order and not necessarily affect the result.

Knowing what will happen in any match can be extremely valuable information to gamblers and bookies.

"Almost each match is fixed in some department,"

said one of the bookies, who asked to be identified only as "PK." He added, however, that neither he nor his customers was aware of this information, suggesting scams on that scale went far higher up the syndicate.

"It goes right to the top," he said.

Business was brisk yesterday night, when Pakistan's disastrous tour of England hit a new low as Shahid Afridi's depleted lineup was bowled out for 89 - its worst total ever in a Twenty20 international - and ultimately lost by six wickets.

Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were suspended by the International Cricket Council last week for allegedly being involved in "spot fixing" after a British tabloid newspaper sting uncovered evidence that some players were being secretly paid to deliver no-balls at set times.

The invitation was given by the bookmakers to see them at work for Tuesday's match.

PK and his fellow bookie, "Amer," insisted that their real names not be used or their faces photographed or filmed because their work is illegal.

And this is despite warnings of a crackdown on illegal gambling by Pakistani authorities and the International Cricket Council.

Source: Web Search

Oz defence officials seek Indian Army''s assurance on CWG

Thu, Sep 09 10 12:37 PM

Melbourne, Sep 9 (PTI) Australia''s defence officials have sought assurances from the Indian Army about the security of of Australian athletes during the Delhi Commonwealth Games next month. The chief of Australia''s Defence Force Angus Houston met Indian Army chief General V K Singh last month and the issue of security at the Commonwealth Games came up for discussion. "The Chief of Defence Force and the Chief of Army discussed a wide range of issues during General Singh''s visit," the Defence spokesman was quoted as saying by ''The Daily Telegraph''. "During General Singh''s visit the Chief of the Defence Force sought an assurance that the security for the Commonwealth Games would be effective. General Singh provided an overview of the security capability that would be in place for the Games and gave an assurance that appropriate actions were being taken to counter the risk," he added. Apart from Houston, Australia''s Chief of Army Ken Gillespie, and secretary of the Defence Department Ian Watt, also met General Singh in Canberra. "There were no discussions between the Chief of Defence Force and the Chief of Army with General Singh that linked our contribution in Afghanistan with the Commonwealth Games," the spokesperson said. The Games, scheduled from October 3 to 14, have been marred by construction delays and corruption allegations. There were security concerns as well but they have gone down considerably in the past few months.

Source: Published>