Monday, October 4, 2010

Torres among withdrawals for injury-hit Spain

Published>Mon, Oct 04 10 07:57 PM

Fernando Torres, Pedro and Jesus Navas have all been forced to pulled out of Spain's squad for their Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland, the Spanish FA said on Monday.

With Spain already missing key midfielder Xavi, coach Vicente del Bosque chose to call up four players, with Bruno Soriano and Borja Valero of Villarreal and Valencia's Aritz Aduriz and Pablo Hernandez joining the squad.

Striker Torres suffered a groin strain in Liverpool's 2-1 home defeat to Blackpool on Sunday, while Pedro has been ruled out for three weeks with a thigh muscle injury picked up during Barcelona's 1-1 draw at home to Real Mallorca.

Navas was a late withdrawal from Sevilla's squad to play Atletico Madrid on Sunday, suffering from a thigh muscle injury.

Del Bosque has opted for four relative newcomers with his replacements, rewarding players from Valencia and Villarreal for their flying starts to La Liga. The clubs lie first and second respectively after six matches.

Aduriz, a powerful 29-year-old centre forward, has yet to win a cap, while his team mate, winger Pablo, has two caps and one goal to his name.

Villarreal midfielder Bruno made his international debut with Spain in Mexico back in August, while former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Valero is uncapped.

The world champions, who won their opening Group I game 4-0 in Liechtenstein, take on Lithuania in Salamanca on Friday and travel to play Scotland in Glasgow the following Tuesday.


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Universal ''love'' theme for closing ceremony: Bharat Bala

Mon, Oct 04 10 07:39 PM

Smitha Manidharan and Annie Samson New Delhi, Oct 4 (PTI) After a spectacular opening of the Commonwealth Games Ceremony, creative director Bharat Bala promises an equally memorable farewell to the Games with performances that incorporates love and fond memories of India which athletes and visitors can take away with them. "We have a lot to offer. While the opening ceremony was based on traditional Indian culture and heritage, the closing ceremony will be an entirely different show based on the universal theme of love," Bharat Bala told PTI. Film director Bharat Bala, who included 1000 drummers from different regions of the country, various folk dancers, yoga, and other traditional Indian themes, has lined up an equally spectacular closing show that includes martial art forms from across India. "At the closing ceremony, the mood will be different. The idea is that athletes would be leaving for their homes and we want them to carry something good for their families," Bala said. Talking about his preparations he said,"I was watching the show on TV from a TV control room and it captured a lot of emotions of the performers close up. Immediately after the show I started receiving sms and calls from people in Canada, Australia, new Zealand, England... Seattle and San Francisco. It was amazing." The Opening Ceremony he says was also made possible only because performers, school children, creative and production team that came together with 50 per cent audience of Delhi that filled the stadium. "The energy of the 60,000 people radiated to us," he adds. While Oscar winning A R Rahman who composed and sang the official CWG anthem "Jiyo, Utho Bado Jeeto" (Live, Rise, Ascend, win) as well as child tabla prodigy Keshav wont be present, the Rs 38 crore helium aerostat that hogged the limelight during the three hour long opening ceremony would return for the closing ceremony too. "The aerostat helped it to make the ceremony a spectacle with its installation of tree, yoga...all gave it a grand look." "When we designed the concept for the opening ceremony something was missing. An infrastructure should allow you to do lighting and use other technology, something different had to be done. It is then Mark Fisher gave the idea for aerostat," says Bala. The aerostat which has mirrors fixed to its bottom to reflect the performances had in between developed a snag which prompted many safety concerns.


Source: Published>

Swimmer Khade laments lack of resources in India

Mon, Oct 04 10 07:27 PM

New Delhi, Oct 4 (PTI) Swimmer Virdhawal Khade rued the absence of proper infrastructure in the country after the Indian team of Khade, Aaron D''Souza, Arjun Jayaprakash and Anshul Kothari finished a lowly sixth in the the 4x400m freestyle relay at the Commonwealth Games here today. "It''s very difficult to be a swimmer in India. There are very few resources, it is very tough," Khade said. Earlier, the quartet made Commonwealth Games history when they made the cut in the qualifiers. Led by its biggest hope, Khade, the Indian team clocked 3:28.06s at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Aquatics Complex to make its maiden cut in the event.


Source: Published>

Complaints of faulty scales mar CWG boxing weigh-in

Mon, Oct 04 10 07:21 PM

New Delhi, Oct 4 (PTI) The official weigh-in ahead of the Commonwealth Games boxing event turned out to be a stormy affair with an angry Australian team claiming that the scales gave faulty readings, a charge refuted by the Technical Delegate overseeing the competition. The two-hour weigh-in held this morning became chaotic after the Aussies raised complaints about the scales being used which, according to them, gave inconsistent readings. "All the coaches, not just Australia, were complaining about the scales. The scale was faulty because it showed one of our boxers overweight by 700gm, he went for a run, came back and found himself 300gm overweight. He went for another run, came back and found himself over one kg overweight. How can that be possible?" Australian Press Attache John Gatfield, who was present at the weigh-in, told PTI. "It started at 8am and by 9am it was clear that the scales were faulty and it was clear to not just Australia but others also including Scotland, Nigeria and England. They were very angry," Gatfield said. Gatfield said with the scales at the venue giving incorrect readings, the boxers had to work out more to make the cut for their respective categories. When contacted, the English team, however, refused to comment on the matter. But the Technical Delegate for the event Ray Silva, who is responsible for conducting the entire exercise, said the weigh-in went off without any glitch. "Everything was OK. Today was not the competition weigh-in. Today was a general weigh-in in which the boxers are put into their respective categories. The competition weigh-in is tomorrow morning when the bouts will start and it is here that the boxers have to weigh according to the category they are in. It is routine stuff," Silva told PTI. The CWG Competition Manager for boxing, Lenny D''Gama said Australians did have some complaints but they have been sorted out. "It''s a problem everytime a boxer goes overweight but they were shown the machines and everything was explained to them and there is no problem now," he said. The Indian boxers chose to remain mum on the matter and none commented on the controversy.


Source: Published>

India's TT couple feel it will be tough at CWG

Published>Mon, Oct 04 10 07:17 PM

New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) India's table tennis couple Soumyadeep Roy and Poulomi Ghatak feel the competition at the Delhi Commonwealth Games is tougher than the last edition in Melbourne in 2006.

Soumyadeep, a member of the Melbourne gold winning men's team, said teams like Australia, England, New Zealand have improved in the last few years and it will be a tough task for India to defend the top honours at home.

'We are taking one match at a time. Look at the top seeded Singapore team. They are so strong. Australia and England are also tough opponents. But I believe we have it in us to win the gold in our own country,' Roy told IANS.

Singapore squad has been strengthened by the entry of Chinese recruit and World No. 17 Gao Ning. Australia have William Henzell in their ranks, a silver medallist in the Melbourne Games.

England, led by World No.129 Paul Drinkhall, are capable of posing a stiff challenge to the hosts, if they come across each other in the knock-out stages. India are being led by World No.41 Sharath Kamal and are seeded second in the tournament.

Soumyadeep's fiance Poulomi, a six-time national champion, said it would not be easy even for the women's team to defend the bronze medal.

'The competition is a lot tougher this time. We are no way near Singapore's calibre. The Aussies, the English and the Malaysians are all playing well. If we manage a bronze, we should be happy with it,' Poulomi told IANS.

'If we want to win a gold or silver we have to come out with an extraordinary performance,' she said.


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Complaints of faulty scales mar CWG boxing weigh-in

Mon, Oct 04 10 07:11 PM

New Delhi, Oct 4 (PTI) The official weigh-in ahead of the Commonwealth Games boxing event turned out to be a stormy affair with an angry Australian team claiming that the scales gave faulty readings, a charge refuted by the Technical Delegate overseeing the competition. The two-hour weigh-in held this morning became chaotic after the Aussies raised complaints about the scales being used which, according to them, gave inconsistent readings. "All the coaches, not just Australia, were complaining about the scales. The scale was faulty because it showed one of our boxers overweight by 700gm, he went for a run, came back and found himself 300gm overweight. He went for another run, came back and found himself over one kg overweight. How can that be possible?" Australian Press Attache John Gatfield, who was present at the weigh-in, told PTI. "It started at 8am and by 9am it was clear that the scales were faulty and it was clear to not just Australia but others also including Scotland, Nigeria and England. They were very angry," Gatfield said. Gatfield said with the scales at the venue giving incorrect readings, the boxers had to work out more to make the cut for their respective categories. When contacted, the English team, however, refused to comment on the matter. But the Technical Delegate for the event Ray Silva, who is responsible for conducting the entire exercise, said the weigh-in went off without any glitch. "Everything was OK. Today was not the competition weigh-in. Today was a general weigh-in in which the boxers are put into their respective categories. The competition weigh-in is tomorrow morning when the bouts will start and it is here that the boxers have to weigh according to the category they are in. It is routine stuff," Silva told PTI. The CWG Competition Manager for boxing, Lenny D''Gama said Australians did have some complaints but they have been sorted out. "It''s a problem everytime a boxer goes overweight but they were shown the machines and everything was explained to them and there is no problem now," he said. The Indian boxers chose to remain mum on the matter and none commented on the controversy.


Source: Published>

India spank Kenya 5-0 in CWG team event

Mon, Oct 04 10 06:57 PM

Amit Kumar Das New Delhi, Oct 4 (PTI) Ace shuttlers Chetan Anand and Saina Nehwal led from the front as India took less than an hour to inflict a humiliating 5-0 defeat on Kenya in a lopsided match of the preliminary stage of Group D in the badminton mixed team event of the Commonwealth Games at Siri Fort here today. Chetan started the proceedings for India, streamrolling Victor Odera Munga 21-7 21-13 in 14 minutes in men''s singles, while Saina then swelled the lead to 2-0 with a thumping win over Joseph Mercy Mwethya 21-11 21-4 in the women''s singles in just 11 minutes. Indian men''s doubles pair of Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas then zoomed past Victor Munga and Patrik Kibet 21-5 21-5 to hand the home team an easy win over the African outfit in 12 minutes. With the last two matches becoming redundant, Aparna Balan clubbed with Aswini Ponnappa and took another 11 minutes to teach the Kenyans a lesson in badminton during their 21-8 21-6 win over Joseph and Anitah Bushuru in the women''s doubles. Mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju then spanked Anna Njambi Ng''ang''a and Frederick Choube 21-8 21-5 in another 11-minute match as India wrapped up a 5-0 win over Kenya in just 59 minutes. Opening the innings for India, Chetan quickly moved to 2-0 and then soon zoomed to 8-2. Victor was simply no match for the lanky Indian as he pocketed six straight points to move from 11-6 to 17-6 before wrapping it up at 21-7. The next game, Victor tried to make a match but he didn''t even come near to posing any threat and was soon sidelined by the smashing Chetan. "It was an easy match, on expected lines. Hope to reach finals, lets see what happens," he said. Saina, who conceded two game points to Mercy when she was 20-9 before wrapping it up in quick time, also felt that India should ideally reach the finals. "It was an easy match. There are a little wind in the stadium and the shuttles are a little different then Asian Badminton Championship. Team match is a good way to warm up for the singles. I hope we reach the quarterfinals. Hopefully we will play Canada in quarters and England in Semis," she said. Jwala-Diju also had a field day as they never looked in trouble. "It was a comfortable match to start with but it would get difficult as the tournament progresses. Finals should be on the cards for the team," Jwala said. In the other matches, New Zealand beat Jamaica 5-0, while earlier in the morning session, Malaysia beat Isle of Man 5-0, Australia defeated seychelles 5-0, Singapore thrashed Nigeria 5-0 and Canada beat Uganda 5-0.


Source: Published>

Silver, bronze India's first medals in CWG 2010

Published>Mon, Oct 04 10 06:47 PM

New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) Women weightlifters gave India its first medals in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Soniya Chanu winning a silver and Sandhya Rani Devi the bronze in the 48kg category here Monday. The table tennis women's team began on a winning note and there was mixed luck in tennis while the swimmers crashed out.

Chanu had a total lift of 165 kg. She lifted 73 kg in snatch and 94kg in the clean and jerk section.

Sandhya Rani had a total lift of 165kg (snatch 70kg, clean and jerk 95 kg).

The gold, the first medal of CWG 2010, went to Nigerian Augustina Nwaokolo, who also set a Commonwealth record. She had a total lift of 175kg, with 77kg in the snatch and 98kg in the clean and jerk sections.

The women's table tennis team had an easy match against the Sri Lankans, beating them by 3-0 at the Yamuna Sports Complex in less than an hour.

Shamini Kumaresan won the first singles 11-9, 11-9, 11-7 against Vithanage Gonapinuwala.

In the second match, India No.1 Mouma Das defeated Badu Manniku 11-4, 11-5, 11-4 while Veteran Poulomi Ghatak won the third beating Kavindi Sahabandu 11-8, 11-8, 11-7.

India's coach Bhawani Mukherjee said it was a good warm-up before the tougher tie against New Zealand.

The women's team, bronze medallists four years ago, is grouped with Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Group D. They are seeded seeded fourth in the tournament.

Rohan Bopanna defeated Ugandan Robert Buyinza 6-1, 6-4 in the first round of the men's singles tennis event at the R. K. Khanna stadium on a bright and clear morning.

However, Rohan Bopanna and Nirupama Sanjeev lost 6-3, 3-6 and 6-3 to highly fancied Australian pair Anastasia Rodionova and Paul Hanley in the mixed doubles first round.

India's men's 4x100 metres freestyle relay swimming team qualified for the finals but finished sixth, as they had in the heats at the at the S.P.Mukherjee Aquatics Complex.

In the men's 50m backstroke, Badrinath Melkote clocked 27.52 secs to qualify for the semi-finals, but couldn't move any further.

Indian swimmers also failed to qualify in the women's 200m freestyle, men's 400m freestyle, women's 200m individual medley, men's 200m butterfly and women's 50m breaststroke.

Women's hockey matches also started Monday with Coetzee Pietie marked her return from retirement by slamming four goals as South Africa pounded Trinidad and Tobago 12-0 in pool A.

Pietie, the 32-year-old forward and penalty-corner specialist, came out of a self-imposed five-year absence from competitive hockey and showed she was none the worse for it by slotting home the goals as the South Africans ran riot at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

'Everything went to plan today (Monday) and it is a privilege to score a hat-trick in an international match,' said Pietie, who showcased her versatility with two penalty-corner conversions and as many field goals.

New Zealand overcame first match nerves to post a 5-1 win over Wales in their opening pool B match.


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Hilfenhaus haul leaves first test in balance

Mon, Oct 04 10 06:37 PM

Ben Hilfenhaus took three wickets in the final session on the fourth day to leave India reeling at 55 for four in pursuit of 216 to win the first test against Australia on Monday.

Hilfenhaus dismissed Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina in taking three for 22 in seven overs to turn the match on its head after Indian pacers Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan skittled the tourists for 192 in their second innings.

Australia, who had a slender 23-run first innings lead, resumed on a positive note but Sharma removed three top order batsmen in the morning and Khan, who took five wickets in the first innings, mowed down the lower order to put India in command.

Shane Watson top-scored for Australia with a 59-ball 56 but only three of his compatriots managed double digit scores.

Sharma and Khan got three wickets apiece, while spinner Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha shared the rest.

Watson dominated an 87-run opening partnership with Simon Katich (37) before Sharma, who missed much of the first innings action with a troubled knee, struck.

In his eventful third over, Sharma removed Watson with his first delivery, had Ricky Ponting (4) caught at square leg off his fifth ball and Michael Clarke dismissed with the next, though umpire Billy Bowden ruled the latter a no-ball after consulting the third umpire.

The lanky paceman returned to send down a sharp bouncer in his next over which an evasive Clarke (4) could only glove to fall caught behind.

India's Vangipurappu Laxman may be forced to bat lower down the order again after he came in at number 10 in the first innings because of a bad back.


Source: Published>

India tottering at 55 for four in chase of 216

Mon, Oct 04 10 06:27 PM

Kushan Sarkar Mohali, Oct 4 (PTI) Poor shot selection and an umpiring error today put India in dire straits as they were left tottering at 55 for four chasing a victory target of 216 against Australia on the penultimate day of the first cricket Test here. Indian top order batsmen squandered the advantage their bowlers gave them today by bundling out Australia to 192 in just 60.5 overs at the PCA stadium here. But an intriguing last day is on cards as Sachin Tendulkar stands between an Australian victory and India retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Sachin, who missed a century by just two runs in the first innings, looked composed during his 25-ball unbeaten 10 and will be the man who has to score the bulk of the remaining 161 runs if India to win the Test. Gautam Gambhir (0), who was given leg before to Ben Hilfenhaus, should consider himself distinctly unlucky. He was done in by a Billy Bowden howler as television replays showed that the ball got a thick inside edge before hitting the pads. Virender Sehwag (17) and Suresh Raina (0) were out to short pitched stuff. Rahul Dravid (13) got a good away-going delivery from Doug Bollinger which kissed the edge of his bat to Tim Paine''s gloves. Sehwag just poked at a rising delivery from Hilfenhaus which was gleefully accepted by Mike Hussey at gully. Raina, known for his susceptibility against deliveries rising from back of the length, took his eyes off and the leading edge flew to Marcus North standing at wide third slip. Inexplicably, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni chose to send Zaheer Khan as nightwatchman when Australian pacers were spitting fire instead of coming in himself. It was, however, a clinical performance by the bowling quartet of Ishant Sharma (3/34), Zaheer Khan (3/43), Harbhajan Singh (2/40) and Pragyan Ojha (2/59) that seemingly put India in the drivers'' seat before the Australian bowlers pegged back the Indians in the final hour of the day. If the Australian bowlers brought them back into the match, their batsmen earlier could not capitalise from a position of a strength. Openers Shane Watson (56 from 59 balls) and Simon Katich (37 from 118 balls) put on 87 runs in 18 overs as Australia threatened to set a formidable target. But suddenly, from 87 for no loss, Australia crumbled to 192 all out in 60.5 overs. Ishant Sharma rocked the Australian top-order in a two over spell, removing dangerous Watson, skipper Ricky Ponting (4) and his deputy Michael Clarke (4). After that the hosts controlled the proceedings. .


Source: Published>

Liverpool boss Hodgson admits his side facing relegation scrap

Published>Mon, Oct 04 10 06:07 PM

London, Oct 4 (ANI): Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has admitted that his side is in a relegation scrap following their defeat over Blackpool at Anfield.

lackpool delivered the latest hammer blow to Hodgson as the Seasiders brilliantly clung to a 2-1 win at Anfield as Liverpool followed their recent Carling Cup humiliation against Northampton Town with another shocker, The Sun reports.

worried Hodgson accepted the fact that Liverpool is dangling dangerously at the wrong end of the table, as his side is now third from the bottom of the Premier League

It's seven games gone and there are 31 left, which is an awful lot of games, but the fact is that when you are in the relegation zone you are in a relegation battle. Things look bleak and really, really bad. It's really difficult for me to put a brave or bright face on it," the paper quoted Hodgson, as saying.

There is a lot of work to do and there are a lot of things to sort out. But I can only take heart from the fact that the spirit is still there. It's a bad day, a very bad result and a great day for Blackpool - but they're great result is our nightmare result," he added.

he Liverpool coach further said the Blackpool played better than his side in the first half.

"I don't know if the early injury blow to Fernando Torres had a psychological effect but I don't think so. We knew they were an offensive team and we knew if we got hold of the ball there'd be chances to play the ball into midfielders and that's what happened - but we didn't use it well," said Hodgson

"There will be lots of theories won't there? My theory is no better than anybody else's. It's been strange - the early part here was not that bad. We had some very good results in Europe but the last couple of games have been really, really bad," he added. (ANI)


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Del Potro falls at first hurdle in Tokyo

Mon, Oct 04 10 05:57 PM

Former U.S. Open champion Juan Martin del Potro's inauspicious return from a long injury-lay-off continued on Monday after he was bounced out of the Japan Open in the first round for the second year running.

The towering Argentine fell to sixth seed Feliciano Lopez of Spain in a 6-3 6-0 thrashing six days after crashing out of the Thailand Open at the first hurdle.

Del Potro, who won last year's U.S. Open but had been sidelined since January with a wrist injury, made his comeback in Bangkok last week and looked no less rusty in Tokyo.

A red-hot favourite for the Japan Open title last year, del Potro was humiliated by a qualifier in the first round.

World number one Rafa Nadal heads this year's field at the $1.1 million Japan Open along with American Andy Roddick and 2009 Tokyo winner Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Seventh seed Ernests Gulbis of Latvia suffered an 6-3 6-4 upset at the hands of Russian Dmitry Tursunov in the first round on Monday.

Spain's Daniel Gimeno-Traver beat Argentine Eduardo Schwank of Argentina 6-4 6-4.

Nadal faces world number 63 Santiago Giraldo of Colombia in his Japan Open debut on Tuesday.


Source: Published>

Kiwi squash coach doesn't see withdrawal of main player as major setback

Published>Mon, Oct 04 10 05:47 PM

Wellington, Oct 4 (ANI): New Zealand squash coach Anthony Ricketts doesn't see main player Shelley Kitchen's withdrawal from the Commonwealth Games as a major setback to the team's medal hopes.

Kitchen, Northland's squash star, was a late withdrawal from the Games team, suffering from pleurisy after a belated comeback to the sport following the birth of hers and Ricketts' child, Amalia.

Her place has been taken by Matamata world No 51 Kylie Lindsay. Kitchen won a women's doubles silver medal and singles bronze at the 2006 Games in Melbourne, NZ Herald reports.

"On a personal note I'm obviously disappointed for Shelley. Potentially this was her last Commonwealth Games and, having come back from having our little bubba girl, she's got right back into the mode and was going to be tough to beat," Ricketts said.

"She was valuable to us in the women's singles and doubles, as well as the mixed, but Jaclyn (Hawkes) and Joelle (King) and both experienced, and we were probably never going to be that successful if we were reliant on one player anyhow,' he said.

Kitchen's no-show left Jaclyn Hawkes seeded seventh in the singles, with she and world No 20 Joelle King ranked fifth in the women's doubles field. Hawkes and Campbell Grayson are also seeded fifth in the mixed doubles. (ANI)


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New Zealand cyclist assures others of high security at CWG

Published>Mon, Oct 04 10 05:37 PM

Wellington, Oct 4 (ANI): New Zealand cyclist Eddie Dawkins can assure others that security forces in New Delhi are on high alert.

The sprinter was doing a few training laps at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex when he ran over a cricket.

With his speed hovering on 70km/h and upwards of 240psi of pressure in the tube, the cricket was more than enough to disturb the equilibrium.

"Fortunately I didn't come off. It was probably the training I did doing skids as a kid that helped," Dawkins joked.

The next part had the potential to be not quite so amusing.

"All these soldiers came running into the middle of the velodrome because it sounded like a gunshot," NZ Herald quoted him, as saying.

The 21-year-old is part of a track team that is expected to be New Zealand's most prolific medallists at these Games. Where once Dawkins was the sprint team, he is now joined by a group of young riders including Simon van Velthooven, Ethan Mitchell and Sam Webster. (ANI)


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Tiger Woods voted worst love rat of the century

Published>Mon, Oct 04 10 05:27 PM

London, Oct 4 (ANI): Disgraced golfer Tiger Woods has been voted the worst love rat of this century in a poll.

Woods, who recently divorced Elin Nordegren after a string of affairs, topped a poll of famous cheats with 30 per cent of women's votes, reports News of the World.

England striker Wayne Rooney, who romped with a hooker while Coleen was pregnant, came second with 23 per cent and Ashley Cole was third with 15 per cent.

Boyzone singer Ronan Keating was fifth-with nearly a third voting him most unexpected love rat.

It's not just celebs at it-nearly half of men surveyed admitted they would stray if they were certain not to get caught, and 28 per cent of women said they'd do it, too.

The poll, by extra-marital dating agency Illicit Encounters, revealed more than two-thirds have at least one friend who's cheated and a quarter have helped hide a pal's affair.

Just nine per cent of men and six per cent of women say they could forgive a straying lover.

Rosie Freeman-Jones of Illicit Encounters said: "Celebrities have more opportunity but ordinary people have had affairs since the dawn of time." (ANI)


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Dravid has rediscovered form via Twenty20 cricket: Roebuck

Published>Mon, Oct 04 10 05:21 PM

Sydney, Oct.4 (ANI): There was a time, when the Australians could not help feeling that Indian middle-order batsman Rahul Dravid had lost the ability to hit the ball. They felt he looked exhausted while batting for an eternity, and it was only his awesome record at the crease that alone protected him from the condemnation.

Not anymore, feels columnist Peter Roebuck. According to him, his participation in Twenty20 cricket over the last three years has rejuvenated him.

"Far from withdrawing, Dravid has rallied so impressively that all talk of ditching him has ceased. He has looked slim, alert and accomplished. It's been an impressive comeback. But, then, sport is about the rise and fall of man," says Roebuck in a column for the Sydney Morning Herald.

Roebuck says that exposure to 20-over cricket has given India's most cerebral of batsman a new lease of life.

"Obligated to represent Bangalore by contract and by a sportsman's natural desire to be in the thick of the action, Dravid has developed a variety of improvised strokes, and before long, was playing his part in his team's triumphs," Roebuck says.

He has been hitting the ball again, and scampering between wickets and clouting rude boundaries. The confidence has returned, and he has remembered that cricket is just a game.

Roebuck says that Dravid's batting has not changed much over the years.

"His success has always depended not so much on style or shot selection as precision," says Roebuck.

Roebuck concludes by saying that Dravid's name ought to be mentioned whenever talk turns to the great batsmen of the era and adds that he endures because he respects the game and its skills. (ANI)


Source: Web Search

Tiger Woods voted worst love rat of the century

Published>Mon, Oct 04 10 05:17 PM

London, Oct 4 (ANI): Disgraced golfer Tiger Woods has been voted the worst love rat of this century in a poll.

Woods, who recently divorced Elin Nordegren after a string of affairs, topped a poll of famous cheats with 30 per cent of women's votes, reports News of the World.

England striker Wayne Rooney, who romped with a hooker while Coleen was pregnant, came second with 23 per cent and Ashley Cole was third with 15 per cent.

Boyzone singer Ronan Keating was fifth-with nearly a third voting him most unexpected love rat.

It's not just celebs at it-nearly half of men surveyed admitted they would stray if they were certain not to get caught, and 28 per cent of women said they'd do it, too.

The poll, by extra-marital dating agency Illicit Encounters, revealed more than two-thirds have at least one friend who's cheated and a quarter have helped hide a pal's affair.

Just nine per cent of men and six per cent of women say they could forgive a straying lover.

Rosie Freeman-Jones of Illicit Encounters said: "Celebrities have more opportunity but ordinary people have had affairs since the dawn of time." (ANI)


Source: Web Search

Dravid has rediscovered form via Twenty20 cricket: Roebuck

Published>Mon, Oct 04 10 05:07 PM

Sydney, Oct.4 (ANI): There was a time, when the Australians could not help feeling that Indian middle-order batsman Rahul Dravid had lost the ability to hit the ball. They felt he looked exhausted while batting for an eternity, and it was only his awesome record at the crease that alone protected him from the condemnation.

Not anymore, feels columnist Peter Roebuck. According to him, his participation in Twenty20 cricket over the last three years has rejuvenated him.

"Far from withdrawing, Dravid has rallied so impressively that all talk of ditching him has ceased. He has looked slim, alert and accomplished. It's been an impressive comeback. But, then, sport is about the rise and fall of man," says Roebuck in a column for the Sydney Morning Herald.

Roebuck says that exposure to 20-over cricket has given India's most cerebral of batsman a new lease of life.

"Obligated to represent Bangalore by contract and by a sportsman's natural desire to be in the thick of the action, Dravid has developed a variety of improvised strokes, and before long, was playing his part in his team's triumphs," Roebuck says.

He has been hitting the ball again, and scampering between wickets and clouting rude boundaries. The confidence has returned, and he has remembered that cricket is just a game.

Roebuck says that Dravid's batting has not changed much over the years.

"His success has always depended not so much on style or shot selection as precision," says Roebuck.

Roebuck concludes by saying that Dravid's name ought to be mentioned whenever talk turns to the great batsmen of the era and adds that he endures because he respects the game and its skills. (ANI)


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Australian squash stars happy with Squash venue

Mon, Oct 04 10 05:03 PM

New Delhi, Oct 4 (PTI) Australian racqueters have given the Commonwealth Games Squash venue at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here a thumbs-up. "The venue here is amazing. It''s a state-of-the-art complex with 12 squash courts. We are enjoying the atmosphere," Australian number two Cameron Pilley said. The Australian team had a three-day training camp in Dubai before flying into Delhi late on Friday. Melbourne''s Melody Francis said she was pleasantly surprised by the athletes'' village and the venue. "The village is huge we have a great view of a temple outside the village which is lit up beautifully at night. The squash arena is also good and we are hoping for some great contests ahead," she said. Australian number one David Palmer was also upbeat. "First impression (venue) is very good," he said. "Since we arrived everything went very smoothly. Overall everything is good." Yamba''s Donna Urquhart said the players were being well looked after. "The atmosphere is great and everyone is friendly and helpful," Urquhart said. "The accommodation is okay and same with the food. The squash stadium is fantastic, especially the glass court arena; can''t wait to play on it." PTI SHN AH


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