Pietersen sulking over ban on WAGs during Ashes

Mon, Nov 01 10 12:06 PM

London, Nov 1 (PTI) The ban on England players'' wives and girlfriends until six weeks into the Ashes has not gone down too well with mercurial batsman Kevin Pietersen, who is said to be sulking at the prospect of having to stay away from his family. Pietersen has already made his disagreement with team director Andy Flower''s decision by stating that, "This is not something I''m going to comment on. It will get me into trouble." "They''re due to arrive on December 10 or 11. Will I be counting down the days? Definitely. In the last couple of days Dylan has just started to try to sit up. Those are the kind of things you miss, like when he starts crawling, and that''s never nice," Pietersen was quoted as saying by ''The Daily Mail''. "It''s not something I''m looking forward to." The Ashes start on November 25 in Brisbane and Pietersen said he would respect Flower''s decision despite not agreeing with it. "I didn''t react well when I heard, but it''s not something I''m prepared to get involved in. I respect Andy Flower''s decision. I have to," he said. England captain Andrew Strauss, meanwhile, maintained that the temperamental batsman has agreed to abide by the diktat. "Kevin is more than welcome to his opinion. We spoke to him about it and he put his views across. He understands where we came from and that the decision has been taken for the best interests of the side and he''s more than happy to abide by it," Strauss said before the team left for Australia. "We, as a group, are not anti-family at all. They provide some normality in what is a very abnormal situation. "I would never argue that the families are a distraction but, leaving no stone unturned, if one player is kept up the night before the first Test by a jet-lagged kid, that is not giving ourselves the best chance," he added.

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Ashes 2010: Cook confident of England win against 'humbled' Australia

Published>Mon, Nov 01 10 11:44 AM

Perth (Australia), Nov. 1 (ANI): England opener Alastair Cook has expressed confidence about his team's chances of defending The Ashes Down Under in the wake of Australia losing the first of its two Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Australia was humbled conclusively by seven wickets with 21 balls remaining..

"As a side we're in far better place," The Telegraph quoted Cook, as saying after a gentle training session.

Cook added: "We're a great unit with two great leaders in Andy Strauss and Andy Flower but what we've been through in terms of those tough Test matches when we've hung on - at Cardiff and the two in South Africa last winter - show that that spirit is there.

"When the going gets tough, and we've been outplayed, we are still a tough team to beat. That is going to be crucial over here," he said.

Cook believes the mix of effervescent youth and grizzled experience can help achieve the success that has eluded England teams here for almost a quarter of a century.

"We've got that blend of those who've been before and newcomers who can approach the thing with a fresh mind," Cook said.

He added: "Hopefully, that great balance in the side can deal with past failures and put them right."

With 60 Tests to his name, Cook is now in the first camp, the memory of how not to tour Australia imprinted on his mind from four years ago following a fiery rite of passage (it was his first year in international cricket). He did make one Test hundred, at Perth, but a Test average of 26.2 against the Australians overall suggests the trauma of that first encounter has stayed with him.

"The one side I haven't played as well against are Australia. I've got that point to prove over the next three months. But I was 21 four years ago and it was a tough learning curve, especially to be pitched in as opener after Marcus Trescothick suddenly went home," he said. (ANI)

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Inter and Real lead push for early qualification

Published>Mon, Nov 01 10 11:18 AM

Inter Milan, Real Madrid and company will put their faith in attacking football again this week as Europe's leading lights seek early qualification for the Champions League knockout stages.

Seven teams can progress to the last 16 with two matches to spare after a series of open displays showed that cagey wins and strategic draws are out of vogue in the group stages of the world's elite club competition.

Inter beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 at home in a remarkable Group A game last time, and if the holders beat the English club on Tuesday they will go through irrespective of Werder Bremen's result against Twente Enschede.

Rafael Benitez's team was 4-0 up in 35 minutes two weeks ago before Gareth Bale's hat-trick for Spurs. And although the Inter coach will want his injury-hit side to tighten up defensively at White Hart Lane, there is a sense that attack is now the best form of defence.

Jose Mourinho was defensive at times last season, when he led Inter to the Champions League title, but his Real Madrid side came out all guns blazing at home to AC Milan last month to record an easy 2-0 win.

The Portuguese could be planning an attacking return to the San Siro on Wednesday given that Real know a fourth successive Group G win would put them through to February's first knockout round.

The form of Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored two more goals in Saturday's 3-1 win at Hercules, is a reason for optimism for the nine-times winners -- as well as Milan's 2-1 home defeat by Juventus in Serie A this weekend.

"I'm in great form and having a phenomenal run," Ronaldo told reporters.

MAESTRO MESSI

Lionel Messi is having a personal battle with Ronaldo to see who can light up La Liga the brightest, and the rivalry could carry through to the Champions League with the Barcelona maestro looking as dangerous as ever.

Two goals sealed Barca's home win over FC Copenhagen in their last Group D game, and the Argentine was prominent again on Saturday with another brace in the 5-0 humbling of Sevilla.

A victory in the Danish capital on Tuesday will herald Barca's progression from the group stage, and a possible rest for Messi in the last two group matches.

Last season's runners-up, Bayern Munich, were lax in defence during the 3-2 win over CFR Cluj a fortnight ago, continuing the overall theme this term, but that result means a top-two finish in Group E could be assured with a point in Wednesday's return.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Olympique Lyon also have nine points from a possible nine, with Arsene Wenger's side topping the scoring so far with a whopping 14 goals. Progression awaits this week for all three if they win, while a draw may suffice for the French club.

"We have matured," Wenger said, adding that Cesc Fabregas is a slight doubt for Wednesday's Group H game at Shakhtar Donetsk.

"You can see that when it doesn't work for us, the players remain calmer than before."

Group F leaders Chelsea host Spartak Moscow on Wednesday; on Tuesday, Group B leaders Lyon travel to Benfica of Portugal.

Manchester United are the only group leaders who will not be able to seal their last-16 spot this time, but a win at Turkish champions Bursaspor, who are set to host their biggest ever match, would go a long way to securing qualification.

United striker Wayne Rooney misses out again with an ankle injury.

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Mazembe humble Esperance 5-0 in first leg of final

Mon, Nov 01 10 10:56 AM

TP Mazembe Englebert took a giant step towards retaining their African Champions League title when the Democratic Republic of Congo club beat Tunisia's Esperance 5-0 in the first leg of the final on Sunday.

Ngandu Kasongo and Given Singuluma both scored twice in Lubumbashi as Mazembe delighted their home fans.

Alain Kaluytika scored the other in a one-sided win that put Mazembe in an almost unassailable position for the second leg in Tunis on November 13.

Mazembe, who needed the away goals rule to win last year's Champions League, benefited from the sending-off midway through the first half of Esperance defender Mohamed Ben Mansour.

Yet by then they had the lead courtesy of Kasongo's 19th-minute opener.

There was controversy as Esperance protested that the ball had not crossed the line when Kasongo rose to head home a free kick.

Kaluytika converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time after being brought down in the Esperance area, before Singuluma snatched both his goals in a four-minute spell after the interval.

Singuluma's first came with a 55th-minute header and his second in the 59th minute from a low shot.

Kasongo completed the scoring with 15 minutes left.

Mazembe's triumph last year came four decades after their success in the competition in 1967 and 1968.

In 1968 Mazembe beat Etoile Filante of Togo 5-0 in the first leg of the final and went on to win 9-1 on aggregate.

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Heartbreak for Sitwala, loses to Russell in World Pro final

Mon, Nov 01 10 10:52 AM

Leeds, Nov 1 (PTI) Indian billiards player Dhruv Sitwala''s hopes of winning his maiden World Professional title came crashing down today after he lost his summit clash to nine-time champion Mike Russell of Qatar at the Northern Snooker Centre here. Sitwala, who made a surprise entry into the final by defeating two compatriots -- last year''s winner Pankaj Advani in quarters and Geet Sethi by one point in semifinal, played well throughout the final and constructed four century breaks against nine-time professional champion, including one accounting for 281 to win 1204-1738. On the other hand, green baize veteran Russell finally got back his crown which he lost last year to Advani, who had become the second Indian after Sethi to win the elusive title. Sitwala, the 2007 IBSF World Billiards runner-up, played confidently and with consistency against his much fancied rival and scored breaks of 65, 107, 122, 97, 103, 90, 281 in his 45 visits to the table. Russell, gunning for his 10th Pro title, came out with five century breaks against Sitwala, including one accounting for 450. Russell''s prolific break building and his ability to uncork big breaks were on display once again in the final against the Mumbaikar, who showed great promise and fluency in his shot selections during the five-day-long tournament. In the five-hour final of the Time format, Russell cracked breaks of 198, 115, 174 and 92 in the first session while in the second, he came out with breaks of 450, 95, 184 and 94. Sitwala, on the other, managed to score 65, 107, 122 and 97 in the first session and 103, 90 and 281 in the second half of the game. Russell had won with authoritative dominance against England''s David Causier in the semifinal, recording breaks of 109, 305, 295, 101 and 371 while Sitwala edged past Sethi, winning by a solitary point. Sitwala had lost his first match of the championship to compatriot Ashok Shandilya but managed to win all other group matches. Russell, on the other, continued his form from two amateur world titles he won two months back and won his 10th professional title. He lost one match in league stage against England''s Robert Marshall.

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NZC GM Geoff Allott quits over Bangladesh humiliation

Mon, Nov 01 10 10:06 AM

Wellington, Nov 1 (PTI) New Zealand Cricket''s General Manager Geoff Allot today said he would step down from his post at the end of this month in the aftermath of the Black Caps'' humiliating 0-4 ODI series loss to Bangladesh recently. Allott, who has been associated with the team for two years, had the responsibility to oversee the development of a long-term high-performance strategy. But he developed differences with NZC over how the plan should work and said the 0-4 drubbing in Bangladesh last month only highlighted them. "It became evident during my work on that strategy that New Zealand Cricket may require a different allocation of resources within high performance in the future," Allott was quoted as saying by the local media here. "This was reinforced to me during the recent review following the Bangladesh tour. "I believe our elite athletes and teams need a combination of the best available high performance expertise and the knowledge of cricket experts who understand the technical aspects of the game," he added. Allott said his plans for Daniel Vettori''s men, who are currently touring India for a Test and ODI series, are different from NZCs. "On that basis the High Performance structure that I consider is best for cricket''s future would be different to the current structure and with a different allocation of resources. I have effectively restructured myself out of a job, but I truly believe this to be in the best interests of cricket. "This was a difficult decision for me to make because I am passionate about the game that has given me so much. After a break with my family, I will consider several other opportunities that exist, both inside and outside of cricket," he said. NZC CEO Justin Vaughan lauded Allott''s contribution in shaping the team. "Geoff has made an enormous contribution to cricket in New Zealand. He was instrumental in the negotiation of the ground-breaking eight-year agreement with the NZ Cricket Players Association and has lead the development of the high performance strategy with the unique insights that a former international cricketer can bring to the process," he said. PTI PM

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Buddle blinder gives Galaxy victory at Seattle

Mon, Nov 01 10 09:56 AM

A looping long range effort from Edson Buddle gave the Los Angeles Galaxy a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders in the first leg of their MLS Cup Western Conference semi-final on Sunday.

Buddle turned and fired a 35 metre effort past the helpless Sounders goalkeeper Kasey Keller in the 38th minute to give the Galaxy a precious away victory ahead of the second leg in Los Angeles on Sunday.

It was the American international's 17th goal of the season and silenced most of the 35,000 supporters at Qwest Field.

Los Angeles midfielder Juninho wasted a glorious chance to double the advantage in the 85th minute when he screwed his left foot shot from inside the penalty area wide after a neat passing move from the Galaxy.

The Sounders did have their chances in the match and were denied a lead after just 32 seconds when Steve Zakuani found the net only to be ruled offside.

The first-leg advantage means the Galaxy will be heavy favourites to advance to the Western Conference final and play either FC Dallas or defending MLS Cup champions Real Salt Lake.

Dallas take a 2-1 lead to Utah for the second leg of their semi-final on Saturday.

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Jones reflects on doping scandal, prison in new book

Published>Mon, Nov 01 10 08:56 AM

Disgraced Olympic sprinter Marion Jones apologizes repeatedly in a new memoir over the doping scandal which ended her Olympic career, but she doesn't expect her staunchest critics to ever see the "big picture."

"I can help one million kids not make bad decisions in their lives, and those critics will still be talking about performance-enhancing drugs because that's the bubble they live in," said Jones, who is opening up in her book "On the Right Track" and a new TV documentary on U.S. sports channel, ESPN.

"I've paid the consequences for my lie, and now I want to help people not make certain choices," she told Reuters.

Jones won three gold and two bronze medals for the United States at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where she was the golden girl of the Games with a smiling face that was perfect for television. But she was forced to return the medals after admitting she lied about using performance-enhancing drugs, though she has never admitted to knowingly doing so.

"On the Right Track," just published by Simon and Schuster imprint Howard Books, traces Jones' fall from grace -- including a six-month prison sentence and 48 days in solitary confinement stemming from a fight with a fellow inmate -- and her comeback as a professional basketball player.

A documentary, "Marion Jones: Press Pause," will air November 2 on cable's ESPN network.

Once hailed as the fastest woman in the world, Jones for years claimed she was not doping. In 2008, however, she admitted lying to investigators when denying that she knowingly took the banned substance tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) before the 2000 Olympics. She was sentenced to six months at Carswell federal prison in Fort Worth -- a women's prison that she writes could "deaden the spirit."

"I'm the type of person, I like to be in control. I like to know what's going on and I like to prepare," she said. "In terms of perks, I certainly got none."

Her husband Obadele Thompson, a former Olympic sprinter, visited her often, but Jones did not allow her two children because she didn't want them to see their mother behind bars.

VIOLENT, FILTHY PRISON

Jones describes prison as violent and filthy, but also where she bonded with some of her fellow inmates and learned how to bake. Shortly into her sentence, she writes that she was attacked by a fellow inmate in a dispute over laundry duties.

"I felt like my life was in danger. And I just lost it. I hit her in the face with my cooler and kicked her in the ribs," she writes.

While Jones says she fought in self-defence and suffered no injuries, the other woman was "bruised and bloody." Jones was given more than a month in "the hole," or special housing unit, which she writes was, "like the next stop to hell."

Since her release from prison, Jones gives inspirational talks where she advises young people to "take a break" before making a potentially bad decision, and she said she is using her book tour to advocate for prison reform.

"Because I lived it and I lived with those women, I realize that they are not being given the resources to succeed when they are released," she said.

Jones, who at 35 still has an athlete's physique, also wants to revive her sports career. In March, she signed a contract to play with the WNBA's Tulsa Shock.

"I have reached the pinnacle of my track and field career," she said. "Now I am trying to get to the pinnacle of my new sports career -- basketball."

"I don't think I've realized my potential in this sport yet," she said.

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Lorenzo completes Portuguese hat-trick

Mon, Nov 01 10 08:36 AM

MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo won the Portuguese Grand Prix from pole position for the third year in a row on Sunday after a battle with Yamaha team mate Valentino Rossi.

Outgoing champion Rossi led from the fourth lap, despite Spaniard Lorenzo taking the top slot on the grid after a rain-hit qualifying, but was passed by his team mate after 17 of the 28 laps at Estoril.

Lorenzo, who won the title in Malaysia this month, then powered away to take his first race win since the Czech Grand Prix in August and eighth of the season by an 8.629-second margin.

Honda's Andrea Dovizioso finished third behind fellow Italian Rossi.

"I got a great start and was in the lead but eventually Valentino overtook me and then off he went. He had a better pace than me then and I couldn't go with him," said Lorenzo.

"As the track got drier I found my pace improving and then step-by-step I closed the gap and was able to get past him."

Australian Casey Stoner crashed out after four laps when he lost the rear of the Ducati and slid into the gravel trap at turn 13.

American Ben Spies, on the Tech3 Yamaha, suffered a dislocated left ankle when he fell on his way to the starting grid.

RECORD TALLY

With one race remaining, Lorenzo has an unassailable 358 points and is on course to overhaul Rossi's 2008 record tally of 373 in a single season.

Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, who returned after missing the last three races due to injury, finished eighth and has 236 points with Rossi on 217 and in with a chance of taking the overall runner-up slot in the final round in Valencia next weekend.

Yamaha completed the triple crown of team, rider and manufacturer's titles.

In the Moto2 class, Germany's Stefan Bradl won from the third row of the grid, with Alex Baldolini of Italy taking his first world championship podium in second place in his 143rd start.

Turkish rider Kenan Sofuoglo, making his grand prix debut, led the race by more than six seconds at one point before finishing fifth.

Spain's Marc Marquez took his 10th win of the season in the 125cc category, coming from the back of the grid in a re-started race. He leads the championship by 17 points from compatriot Nicolas Terol.

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On a lively wicket, RP Singh could be key

Published>Mon, Nov 01 10 06:22 AM

Rudra Pratap Singh bowled from a shortened run-up during practice at the Victoria Park. At 24, he has age on his side, but not form and has lost a bit of confidence. It has been over a year since RP Singh played for India.

The Champions Trophy game against Pakistan at Centurion in September last year being his last. Nowadays, when the selectors sit down to pick a team, RP Singh's name isn't considered anymore.

The wicket rolled out at the venue for the Group B Elite game should bring a smile to RP Singh's face.

A green top was on display on the eve of the game and the nature of this wicket is unlikely to be altered going into Monday. It is the kind of strip which will enable RP Singh, who has the ability to swing the ball both ways, to display his skills and in the process bag wickets.

After getting back among the wickets during the Challenger Trophy, RP Singh will be eyeing this Ranji season to prove that he hasn't lost his swing or skill. On paper, RP Singh will be part of a formidable domestic bowling line-up which will include Praveen Kumar, Bhuvnesh Kumar, Sudeep Tyagi and left-arm seamer Shalabh Srivastava.

Punjab on the other hand are light on the bowling front and could be exposed. Manpreet Singh Gony, the side's highest wicket-taker last season, and Love Ablish haven't been picked. Bharat Loomba, Harmeet Singh Bansal and Navdeep Sidhu comprise the less experienced Punjab medium-pace attack.

Sidhu, incidentally, could make his debut on Monday.

Punjab coach Bhupinder Singh Sr believes that the the young pacers must make the best use of the lively wicket. "The only worry is our pace bowling. All the pacers are young and comparatively inexperienced. I want them to capitalise on the conditions. The wicket is bowler friendly. In place of playing two spinners we may add all-rounder Karan Goel to the side," Singh said.

Uttar Pradesh coach Gyanendra Pandey confirmed that his team would stick to a five-bowler strategy with Piyush Chawla and Praveen Gupta handling the spin department.

On the batting front, much would be expected from Yuvraj Singh, who will join the team on the morning of the game, while Uttar Pradesh's Mohammad Kaif and Tanmay Srivastava, who made a century in the Challenger Trophy, will need to be in fine form.

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Rodriguez snatches Liverpool win, Newcastle rout

Published>Mon, Nov 01 10 12:36 AM

Maxi Rodriguez scored four minutes from time to earn Liverpool a 1-0 win at Bolton Wanderers which lifted them out of the Premier League relegation zone on Sunday.

The Argentine midfielder latched on to a Fernando Torres backheel to secure a first away league win of the season for the 18-times champions who had again looked totally bereft of attacking ideas.

That was not the case at St James' Park where Newcastle United chalked up their biggest home win over local rivals Sunderland for more than half a century when they thrashed the 10-man Wearsiders 5-1 with a hat-trick from captain Kevin Nolan.

Liverpool had won their last seven games against Bolton but were desperately short of class at The Reebok.

They defended well, particularly in holding off the muscular presence of striker Kevin Davies, but created little in attack with Joe Cole having another miserable day and Torres also out of touch.

However, with a goalless stalemate looming, the Spain forward opened up the home defence with a deft backheel through his marker's legs to send Rodriguez through to poke the ball under Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Liverpool's second successive win lifted them from 18th to 12th on 12 points, 13 behind leaders Chelsea who won 2-1 at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

"It's nice to be out of that bottom three, we've been in there a while so it's been difficult to look at the table," Liverpool centre back Jamie Carragher told Sky Sports.

"It was a tough game, not a great performance but we dug in."

Newcastle matched the four-goal margin of their 6-2 victory over Sunderland in 1956.

PROFESSIONAL FOUL

Although the visitors had Titus Bramble sent off after 53 minutes for a professional foul they were already 3-0 down.

Nolan put Newcastle two up with goals after 26 and 34 minutes and Shola Ameobi's penalty made it 3-0 at the break.

Ameobi added his second after 70 minutes after barnstorming striker Andy Carroll's header came back off the bar and Nolan nodded in the fifth five minutes later.

Darren Bent got Sunderland's goal in the dying minutes.

"It's fantastic, that hat-trick will live with me forever," said Nolan.

The morale-boosting victory came at the end of a week when Newcastle manager Chris Hughton had been subjected to media speculation that his job was on the line, forcing the club to issue a statement of support.

Hughton said: "We knew how big a game it was and you can see what it means to the fans. It was a fantastic team performance with some outstanding individual performances. We had that quality in front of goal today.

"It's been a tough week, but a very, very good day."

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce apologised to the fans on the club's website (www.safc.com).

"We've let ourselves down and it couldn't have happened at a worse place," he said. "We were beaten well and truly, we were naive and didn't handle the occasion at all."

Aston Villa and Birmingham City drew 0-0 in the day's other derby.

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Melzer beats lucky loser to retain Vienna Open

Mon, Nov 01 10 12:20 AM

Juergen Melzer came from a set down to beat lucky loser and fellow Austrian Andreas Haider-Maurer and defend his Vienna Open title on Sunday.

The world number 12 battled to a 6-7 7-6 6-4 win in just under three hours to notch the third ATP title of his career.

Haider-Maurer, ranked 157th, only qualified as a replacement for fifth seed Ernests Gulbis after the Latvian withdrew for personal reasons.

He then beat 43-year-old Thomas Muster -- making his ATP comeback after an 11-year absence -- in the first round on the way to his first ATP final.

Haider-Maurer won the first set in a tiebreak, clinching it at the fifth attempt after Melzer saved four set points and wasted one himself.

The 23-year-old broke serve at the start of the second set and had a chance to serve for the match at 5-4. But he lost his nerve as he twice double-faulted and allowed Melzer to break.

Melzer won the tiebreak and broke in the seventh game of the third set to wrap up the first all-Austrian final since 1988.

"Andi was the better player at the start but I think I deserved the win in the end," said Melzer.

Source: Published>

Dortmund stun Mainz to reclaim top spot

Mon, Nov 01 10 12:16 AM

Teenager Mario Goetze scored one goal and set up the other as Borussia Dortmund won 2-0 at Mainz 05 on Sunday to leapfrog their opponents at the top of the Bundesliga.

The 18-year-old Germany under-21 midfielder showed why he is one of the most promising prospects in the league when he weaved his way into the box and wrong-footed keeper Christian Wetklo with a clever low drive in the 26th minute.

Goetze turned provider in the 67th minute, flicking on a through ball for Paraguay international Lucas Barrios to round Wetklo for his fifth league goal of the season.

Mainz, lacking their usual offensive spark, had Eugen Polanski's penalty saved by keeper Roman Weidenfeller in the 48th minute.

Dortmund equalled a club record with their fifth successive away win. Their fifth straight away victory from the start of the season is also a Bundesliga record.

They are top with 25 points from 10 games, and Mainz are second on 24.

Bayer Leverkusen occupy third place on 18 points following their 1-0 win over Schalke 04 on Saturday, but they could be overtaken by Hoffenheim, who host Hanover 96, later on Sunday.

LUCKY BREAK

"We applied our game plan very well against a tough opponent," said Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp, who had spent 18 years as a Mainz player and coach.

"The saved penalty was a key moment. We had luck on our side there. As for the Bundesliga title, we are giving it exactly zero thoughts at the moment."

It may have been a sentimental return to Mainz for Klopp but his team was in no mood for nostalgia.

Dortmund quickly took the initiative and missed three excellent chances after only 20 minutes.

Mainz keeper Wetklo then miskicked a pass from teammate Nikolce Noveski and watched the ball roll just wide of his own goal.

Goetze, a product of Dortmund's youth academy, gave the visitors a deserved lead with a fine solo run, shaking off three defenders before slotting home.

Dortmund did not ease off, hitting the post with Barrios eight minutes later with Mainz's defence in tatters.

The hosts did get a chance to level in the 48th minute but Weidenfeller saved Polanski's penalty.

Wetklo made two spectacular saves to deny Mats Hummels and Shinji Kagawa from close range before Barrios made sure of all three points for Dortmund with a fine finish.

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Clijsters beats Wozniacki to win WTA Championships

Sun, Oct 31 10 11:56 PM

Belgian Kim Clijsters captured the season-ending WTA Championships with a 6-3 5-7 6-3 victory over world number one Caroline Wozniacki on Sunday.

Clijsters, who won the tournament for a third time after her victories in 2002 and 2003, was playing in her first event since winning the U.S. Open in September following an operation to remove a mole from her right foot.

She pocketed almost $1.5 million in prize-money for winning the title in the Qatari capital.

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Lazio go clear, Sampdoria win without Cassano

Published>Sun, Oct 31 10 11:36 PM

Shock leaders Lazio moved four points clear at the top of Serie A after a backs-to-the-wall 1-0 win at Palermo on Sunday, their fourth away victory in a row.

Defender Andre Dias scored against the run of play with a superb volley from a free kick after 27 minutes.

Sampdoria dropped Antonio Cassano after he swore at the club's president last week, and his team mates laboured to a last-gasp 1-0 victory at Cesena in his absence.

AC Milan's 2-1 defeat by Juventus on Saturday meant Lazio, relegation candidates last term, would stay top whatever the result in Sicily, but they still threw bodies in the way of practically every shot Palermo could muster.

The highly rated Argentine playmaker Javier Pastore had missed a good early chance for the hosts and almost scored when Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera struck a clearance against him.

Palermo piled on the pressure again in the second half after Lazio's Giuseppe Biava was dismissed for a second yellow card after 77 minutes, but Muslera and his defence held out to leave Lazio on 22 points from nine games.

Second-placed Inter Milan won 1-0 at Genoa on Friday.

"We still lack 18 points to reach the famous 40 mark and maybe safety (from relegation), and once we reach that we'll see," Lazio's cautious coach, Edy Reja, told Sky.

Next weekend Lazio face city rivals AS Roma, who will be without captain Francesco Totti after he was sent off in Roma's 2-0 win over Lecce on Saturday.

NAPOLI FIFTH

While Lazio hope to sustain an unlikely title challenge with a modest squad, Sampdoria are poised to play without their banished talisman Cassano for the foreseeable future.

They missed his creative ideas in victory at Cesena, where Giampaolo Pazzini grabbed the winner in injury time.

Cassano, who had appeared to have outgrown his bad-boy image, was dropped and disciplinary proceedings were brought against him after he swore at club president Riccardo Garrone.

The Italy forward, whose Azzurri future is also unclear if he does not play, has apologised, but whether he will be sold in January or brought back into the fold remains to be seen.

Cassano has occasionally been compared to Diego Maradona, given their gifts and flaws, but to Napoli fans no one will come close to the Argentina great.

Maradona's former club celebrated his 50th birthday this weekend with a 1-0 win at Brescia, where Argentine striker Ezequiel Lavezzi fittingly grabbed the second-half winner, in heavy rain, to send the Naples side up to fifth.

Another skilful but troubled footballer, Adrian Mutu, is set to return from a nine-month drugs ban in Fiorentina's match at Catania later on Sunday despite being investigated by police after allegedly punching a barman last week.

In other games, Udinese continued their rise up the table with a 2-0 win at bottom side Bari. Fellow strugglers Bologna lost 2-0 at Cagliari and Parma drew 0-0 with Chievo.

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Nolan hat-trick helps Newcastle thrash Sunderland 5-1

Published>Sun, Oct 31 10 11:16 PM

Newcastle United had a day to savour on Sunday as they chalked up their biggest home win over local rivals Sunderland for more than half a century when they thrashed the 10-man Wearsiders 5-1 in the Premier League.

Captain Kevin Nolan led the way with a hat-trick as Newcastle matched the four-goal margin of their 6-2 victory in 1956.

Although Sunderland had Titus Bramble sent off after 53 minutes for a professional foul they were already 3-0 down in a one-sided encounter.

The result was all the more surprising in that it came after Newcastle had lost two and drawn one of their previous four home league games this season while Sunderland had lost only one league game this season.

It also came at the end of a week when Newcastle manager Chris Hughton had been subjected to media speculation that his job was on the line forcing the club to issue a statement of support.

Nolan put Newcastle two up with goals after 26 and 34 minutes while Shola Ameobi's penalty made it 3-0 at the break.

Ameobi added his second after 70 minutes after barnstorming striker Andy Carroll's header came back off the bar and Nolan nodded in the fifth five minutes later.

Darren Bent got Sunderland's goal in the dying minutes.

"It's fantastic, we got lucky with a couple of goals but we worked so hard today," Nolan told Sky Sports.

"That hat-trick will live with me forever."

Hughton said: "We knew how big a game it was and you can see what it means to the fans.

"It was a fantastic team performance with some outstanding individual performances. We had that quality in front of goal today."

"It's been a tough week, but a very, very good day."

The day's other derby in the Midlands between Aston Villa and Birmingham was of a very different order as the two teams fought out a dull goalless draw.

Later on Sunday Liverpool visit Bolton Wanderers.

Source: Web Search

Masterly McDowell reigns in Spain

Sun, Oct 31 10 10:56 PM

Briton Graeme McDowell continued his golden season by winning the Andalucia Masters on Sunday to put pressure on European money-list leader Martin Kaymer.

U.S. Open champion McDowell closed with a three-over 74 for a three-under 281 total in difficult conditions at Valderrama to win by two strokes from compatriot Gareth Maybin, Dane Soren Kjeldsen and Irishman Damien McGrane.

The first prize of 500,000 euros ($694,000) almost halves the amount the second-placed McDowell trails money-list leader Kaymer who finished down the field in a tie for 21st place.

There are four more events to come before Europe's number one is crowned following the Dubai World Championship at the end of November.

McDowell, who claimed the winning point for Europe at the Ryder Cup earlier this month and also won the Welsh Open at the same Celtic Manor venue in June, signalled his intentions in Spain by grabbing the lead early in the week.

He shared the lead with fellow Northern Irishman Maybin going into the final round but, with strong winds sending scores soaring, McDowell found the going as tough as anyone on the last day.

Despite making three significant par saves by the 14th McDowell was overtaken by McGrane at the short 15th when his rival chipped in from sand for a birdie.

McGrane's one-shot lead was short-lived, however, as he double-bogeyed the 16th and then ran up a second straight six by bogeying the 17th.

With McGrane out of contention, McDowell held off playing partner Maybin when both bogeyed the par-four last.

Source: Published>

Haryana gears up to honour CWG athletes Monday

Published>Sun, Oct 31 10 10:38 PM

Chandigarh, Oct 31 (IANS) The Haryana government has made elaborate arrangements in Sonepat district to felicitate the Commonwealth Games (CWG) participants and medallists at the 'Chak de Haryana - Chak de India' function Monday.

'There is huge enthusiasm in people and we are expecting a large number of spectators from across Haryana. Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will be the chief guest at the rally,' a government spokesperson said here Sunday.

'A big LCD screen would be put up. Players will come along with their families to attend this function,' he added.

Besides, all the Arjuna Award winners and the Bhim awardees from Haryana would also attend the function.

All CWG participants from the state will be awarded Rs.2 lakh each. Players who won gold, silver and bronze medals would be awarded Rs.15 lakh, Rs.10 lakh and Rs.7 lakh respectively.

Besides, each gold medal winner will get a Maruti SX-4 car worth over Rs.8 lakh, silver medal winners would get Maruti Swift Desire worth Rs.6 lakh and bronze medal winners would get a Wagon-R worth Rs.3.5 lakh.

Athletes from Haryana had bagged 32 medals, raising India's medal tally to 101 in the Oct 3-14 Games. India ranked second behind Australia in the medals tally.

Source: Web Search

ICC''s decision evokes mixed reactions in Pak cricket community

Sun, Oct 31 10 10:26 PM

Karachi, Oct 31 (PTI) The ICC''s decison to reject Salman Butt and Mohammad Aamer''s appeals against their suspensions for alleged involvement in spot-fixing has evoked mixed reactions from the cricket community in Pakistan, with former leg-spinner Abdul Qadir terming the whole process as "farce". "It is total farce. If the ICC wasn''t interested in revoking the suspensions, why go through this farce at all?" Qadir questioned. Qadir lashed out at the ICC for its double standards, in a thinly-veiled reference to Indian batsman Suresh Raina, who was also suspected of having links with a woman alleged to have worked for a bookmaker during the team''s tour of Sri Lanka. "The Sri Lankan board even sent a report to the Indians about it but nothing has been done so far and the matter was hushed up by the ICC and Raina continues to play," Qadir said. "As things stand there is suspicion about Raina''s links with the woman and the same is the case with our players against whom nothing has been proved. Yet they remain suspended and the Indian batsman is free to play on," the former leggie said. "I say bring Raina also into the dock," he added. The ICC code of conduct commissioner Michael Beloff today rejected the appeals of Test captain Butt and young left-arm pacer Aamer. Fast bowler Asif had also challenged the suspension, but withdrew his appeal later. After the tribunal''s decision, quite a few former players said they had felt all along that until the spot-fixing allegations against the players were cleared, the suspensions would remain in place. Former captain Rashid Latif told PTI that until Scotland Yard submits its findings into the case to the ICC, suspensions of all the three players should be removed. "The real issue remains the spot-fixing allegations and I think until Scotland Yard submits its findings, the ICC should remove these suspensions. "I know it must be disappointing for the players to not have their suspensions removed but they must now prepare for the full hearing because the spot-fixing allegations are serious ones," said Latif. Former captain Asif Iqbal said the outcome of the tribunal hearing was expected. "What worries me is the long time taken in the hearing, which indicates the anti-corruption unit must have submitted plenty of evidence and brief to the commissioner," Iqbal said. He also noted that the ICC only imposed the suspensions because the Pakistan Cricket Board didn''t withdraw the trio from the tour of England when the allegations first surfaced. PTI Corr SHN AH

Source: Published>

Bopanna-Qureshi end runners-up at St.Petersburg Open

Published>Sun, Oct 31 10 10:06 PM

Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi missed out on capturing their second ATP title of the season after losing the fiercely fought final of the St. Petersburg Open to Daniele Bracciali and Starace Potito.

The second seeded Indo-Pak pair fought gallantly before losing 6-7 (6) 6-7 (5) to their unseeded Italian rivals in one hour and 36 minutes.

The Indo-Pak Express though earned 150 ATP ranking points each which will help them stay in contention for a place in the season-ending and prestigious World Tour finals.

They are standing seventh in the top-ranked teams in the world and need to remain in top-eight to qualify.

With this defeat, Bopanna and Qureshi have now lost six of the seven ATP finals this season.

They won their first title in February at Johannesburg and have lost all six finals they made after that.

They lost the summit clashes of the US Open and New Haven event in August, Atlanta event in July, Nice event in May and Morocco event in April.

Source: Web Search

Westwood to take over from Woods as world No 1

Sun, Oct 31 10 09:56 PM

Briton Lee Westwood is to take over as world number one when the new rankings are published on Monday after Ryder Cup team mate Martin Kaymer finished down the field at the Andalucia Masters.

Westwood ended Tiger Woods's unprecedented 281-week reign at the top of the rankings after German Kaymer finished with a closing 75 for a seven-over-par tally of 291 at Valderrama on Sunday.

Kaymer, who needed to finish in the top two here to become world number one, was always up against it after opening his campaign with rounds of 72, 74 and 70.

Westwood did not play in Andalucia because he was at home resting his injured calf.

"Of course I'm disappointed," Kaymer told reporters. "I thought if I had a fast weekend I could still play a role but I missed too many putts.

"You have to accept it isn't your week. I don't think trying to get to number one played any part.

"It was in the back of my mind but I didn't play differently, any more aggressively or defensively. I liked the challenge (of trying to get to number one) and I think I'll have another chance in the next few weeks," added Kaymer.

"Lee deserves it, he's one of the greatest guys on the European Tour. I played with him in the Ryder Cup (this month) and he showed me around. I'm very happy for him."

Source: Published>

Defending champs Mumbai to face Saurashtra

Sun, Oct 31 10 09:22 PM

Mumbai, Oct 31 (PTI) A cracker of a contest is on the cards as reigning champions Mumbai, who are aiming for a hat-trick of Ranji Trophy title, begin their campaign against Saurashtra in the elite group A division match at the Mumbai Cricket Association''s Bandra-Kurla Complex ground here tomorrow. Mumbai, who won the previous two editions despite shaky beginnings, would look to change history and begin on a good note. On paper, the hosts boast of a strong batting-order with the likes of skipper Wasim Jaffer, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma and Abhishek Nayar in their ranks. Team India discard Ajit Agarkar too came good on crucial occasions with the bat last year. The bowling is expected to revolve around the experienced duo of Agarkar and off-spinner Romesh Powar, with Dhaval Kulkarni and Iqbal Abdullah likely to share the burden. However, taming Saurashtra, who have reached the two previous semi-finals, would be a tough proposition despite the visitors lacking the services of star batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, who is away on national duty. The visitors will depend on the likes of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, the experienced Sitanshu Kotak and the impressive Sandip Jobanputra. .

Source: Published>

MP to face Goan challenge in Plate division match

Sun, Oct 31 10 09:16 PM

Indore, October 31 (PTI) Aiming elevation into elite zone, hosts Madhya Pradesh will begin their campaign against Goa in the Group A Plate division at the Holkar Stadium here tomorrow. The hosts had missed the bus last year with rain acting spoilsport in many of their matches. "Our aim is to play in the elite group and every Ranji Trophy match is equally important. We have to take this match as a knock out match, which would help us in achieving our goal," MP skipper Devendra Bundela said. "Our players are doing well and all are in good form. We will be playing with three seamers and two spinners. The wicket is lush green and it will be helpful for the medium pacers to take advantage of the green top," he added. Goa skipper Sagun Kamat said though he had a good squad at his disposal, his team would not underestimate Madhya Pradesh, which is playing on homeground. "Our team is well balanced and we will go for win," he said. Squads Madhya Pradesh: Devendra Bundela(c), Naman Ojha, Jalaj Saxena, Abbas Ali, Mohnish Mishra, Harpreet Singh, Murtaza Ali, Zafar Ali, Amarjeet Singh, Asif Ali, T Sudheendra, Ishwar Pandey, Ankit Sharma, Rameez Khan and Anand Rajan. Goa: Shagun Kamat(c), Shadab Jakati, Swapnil Asnodkar, Vaibhav Naik, Rahul Keni, Ajay Ratra, Vidyut Shivramakrishnan, Amit Yadav, Harshad Gadekar, Sourabh Bandekar, Robin D'' Souza, Sherbahadur Yadav, Ryan D''Souza and Advait Katkar.

Source: Published>

TN to open Ranji campaign against Assam

Sun, Oct 31 10 09:06 PM

Chennai, Oct 31 (PTI) Keen to break their two-decade old title drought, former champions Tamil Nadu will start as favourites when they take on Assam in their Ranji Trophy opener here tomorrow. Even as both teams looked geared up for the match, rain could play spoilsport. It has been raining here over the past few days and the met department''s forecast was not positive. Tamil Nadu boast off a strong batting and bowling line-up and the blend of youth and experience gives skipper Dinesh Karthik hopes. To realise the dream of winning the trophy however, Tamil Nadu will have to learn to sustain its intensity session after session. Last year, after topping the group, they were knocked out in the quarter-finals stage by Delhi. "Rain gods permitting and if the players perform to their potential, I do not see why we can start the season with an outright win," Karthik said. Tamil Nadu will miss the services of dashing opener Murali Vijay, on national duty for the Test series against New Zealand. The opener has been doing well in Test matches in recent times and his presence would have been a big boost for the hosts. Tamil Nadu looks a far more balanced unit compared to Assam, who have three guest players including captain Amol Mazumdar, Dheeraj Jadhav and Sridharan Sriram in their ranks. Tamil Nadu''s batting would revolve around Subramaniam Badrinath, Abhinav Mukund, S Anirudha, Arun Karthik and Dinesh Karthik, while their bowling would be taken care of by medium pacers Lakshmipathy balaji, C Ganapathy, Yo Mahesh and spinners R Ashwin and young Aushik Srinivas. Assam''s bowling would be looked after by medium pacers Abu Nechim Ahmed, Dhiraj Goswami and off-spinner Arlen Konwar. PTI RE RC AH

Source: Published>

MP to face Goan challenge in Plate division match

Sun, Oct 31 10 08:52 PM

Indore, October 31 (PTI) Aiming elevation into elite zone, hosts Madhya Pradesh will begin their campaign against Goa in the Group A Plate division at the Holkar Stadium here tomorrow. The hosts had missed the bus last year with rain acting spoilsport in many of their matches. "Our aim is to play in the elite group and every Ranji Trophy match is equally important. We have to take this match as a knock out match, which would help us in achieving our goal," MP skipper Devendra Bundela said. "Our players are doing well and all are in good form. We will be playing with three seamers and two spinners. The wicket is lush green and it will be helpful for the medium pacers to take advantage of the green top," he added. Goa skipper Sagun Kamat said though he had a good squad at his disposal, his team would not underestimate Madhya Pradesh, which is playing on homeground. "Our team is well balanced and we will go for win," he said. Squads Madhya Pradesh: Devendra Bundela(c), Naman Ojha, Jalaj Saxena, Abbas Ali, Mohnish Mishra, Harpreet Singh, Murtaza Ali, Zafar Ali, Amarjeet Singh, Asif Ali, T Sudheendra, Ishwar Pandey, Ankit Sharma, Rameez Khan and Anand Rajan. Goa: Shagun Kamat(c), Shadab Jakati, Swapnil Asnodkar, Vaibhav Naik, Rahul Keni, Ajay Ratra, Vidyut Shivramakrishnan, Amit Yadav, Harshad Gadekar, Sourabh Bandekar, Robin D'' Souza, Sherbahadur Yadav, Ryan D''Souza and Advait Katkar.

Source: Published>

Tendulkar, Sushil, Mary Kom honoured at Sahara Award function in Mumbai

Published>Sun, Oct 31 10 08:38 PM

Mumbai, Oct.31 (ANI): Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, wrestler Sushil Kumar and weightlifter M C Mary Kom were presented the 'Cricketer of the Year', 'Sportsman of the Year' and 'Sportswoman of the Year' awards, respectively here at the Sahara Indian Sports Awards 2010 function.

Various sportspersons were honoured at the function that was organized here on Saturday and lasted till late night.

Tendulkar received the trophy from former Indian cricket team skipper Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid here on Saturday.

Having also been presented the 'Icon of the Millennium' award, Tendulkar said that it always felt great to do well for his country. "I am feeling great. We always aim to do well whenever we are playing. But when we give in our best and India emerges victorious then one feels great," said Tendulkar.

The former captain of national women cricket team, Mithali Raj, received the award of Best Women cricketer of the year.

The Indian Davis cup team was named the 'Team of the Year.'

The Sahara India chairman, Subroto Roy on his occasion said that the awards night was a celebration of sports in India after the success of recently concluded XIX Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

"These are not glamour awards. We are just fulfilling our responsibility of congratulating our sports heroes and it is a thanksgiving gesture to the true heroes of this country," he said.hooter Gagan Narang, who picked up four gold medals in the Commonwealth Games, and woman archer Deepika Kumari, who bagged two gold medals at the Games won the Special Outstanding Performance of CWG awards (male and female).

India's famous decathlete Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, who made to the finals of the 100m hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, was presented the Legends Honour award.

Meanwhile, presence of Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan added to the glamour quotient at the awards night, as he performed and invited the sportspersons to groove with him on the dance floor.

"I came here because these are sports awards and I am honoured to be a part of them. I had fun, I hope people had fun. I got to meet all of the greatest Indian sports people. Normally, we only meet Indian cricketers, but this time I got the opportunity to meet Mary Kom, Ashwini (Ashwini Ponappa), and so many other wonderful sportsperons," said Shahrukh Khan.

"Players like Sushil, Rajpal Singh, Sandeep Singh, Dhanraj Pillai, Gavaskar sahib, so it was great to meet such sporting personalities under one roof," he added.

The over three-hour long show had its usual dash of dance and fun, the surprise element being Sania Mirza, who not only compered but danced as well at the awards function. Also dancing on the stage were cricketer Sreesanth and CWG doubles Gold Medallist Jwala Gutta.

Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha was also present at the occasion besides other Bollywood personalities. By Raziq Khan (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Ghosh wins Ceat Race

Sun, Oct 31 10 08:22 PM

Kolkata, Oct 31 (PTI) Amittrajit Ghosh today won Eastern India''s 400m Ceat Drag Race - Wheels War II - in the 1601-2000cc modified category at Rajarhat New Town here today. Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer, Amittrajit had a timing of 13.03 seconds to defeat Soham Hazra with relative and lifted the Wheels War Trophy. "I was expecting to win. I am happy to have won. I will head to Bangalore for National Championship in December," Ghosh said after his triumph. Hazra however had some consolation winning the modified 1401-1600cc category on his Maruti Baleno. In the 1601-2000cc Stock Car category, Akshay Khatry driving a Chevrolet Cruz got the better of Ajgar Ali with a timing of 16.63 seconds. In the upto 1000cc modified category, Subhobroto Sen on Maruti Zen won with a timing of 19.22sec, while Aparup Saha emerged fastest in the modified 1001-1200cc category on his Hyundai Santro with a timing of 19.03 secs. Pushpak Ghosh won the modified 1201-1400cc category with a timing of 18.70 defeating Ajgar Ali. Approved by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) and Calcutta Motor Sports Club (CMSC), Wheel War II was held on a flat 400m stretch tarmac at Rajarhat New Town. PTI TAP PR SHN

Source: Published>

Tiger's tenure at the top about to end - for now

Published>Sun, Oct 31 10 08:16 PM

Tiger Woods's record run of more than five years as world number one will end with a whimper rather than a bang on Monday when Lee Westwood, as is widely expected, takes over at the top for the first time.

Neither player is competing in tournament golf this week and the second-ranked Briton will almost certainly depose Woods with the 14-times major champion having lost more world ranking points this year than anyone else has earned.

Martin Kaymer has an outside chance to topple Woods from his perch but the German needs to finish inside the top two at this week's Andalucia Masters in Spain to reach the game's summit.

World number three Kaymer was a distant nine strokes off the pace going into Sunday's final round at Valderrama, a tall order which makes Westwood, who is at home in England nursing a calf injury, virtually certain to take over at the top.

Whatever happens at the Andalucia Masters, Woods will surrender the top spot on Monday and Europe will be able to celebrate its first number one since Nick Faldo in January 1994.

Woods has been the game's leading player for the last 281 weeks, and a total of 623 in his career, but he will slip back largely due to a self-imposed break of five months that preceded a truncated season of mainly mediocre form.

The American's private life unravelled amid sordid revelations of serial philandering at the end of last year, an unexpected chain of events that led to the break-up of his marriage and erratic tournament golf.

His aura of invincibility on the golf course was severely dented and he ended his 2010 PGA Tour campaign without a single victory for the first time since joining the circuit in late 1996.

NEW ERA

Although Woods has previously surrendered top spot to Ernie Els, David Duval and Vijay Singh, many fans sense the game is entering a new competitive era with young guns such as Kaymer, Rory McIlroy and Hunter Mahan riding high in the rankings.

At the very least, fans can expect a riveting battle for the label of world number one over the coming months with at least seven players vying for the honour.

Adding further spice to the mix is the fact that the world's top four - in no particular order - of Westwood, Kaymer, Woods and Phil Mickelson will be competing in next week's big-money WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai.

"The battle for world number one has become very fluid," Ian Barker, the European Tour's director of information services who manages the official rankings, told Reuters.

"The top four are all playing for the next two weeks with all of them at the HSBC before Lee, Martin and Phil compete at the Barclays (Singapore Open) and Tiger defends the JBWere (Australian) Masters."

Asked if he expected the volatility at the top of the rankings to continue until at least next year's U.S. Masters in April, Barker replied: "I believe so yes.

"And you can certainly factor in Steve Stricker and Jim Furyk as well. They would each have had a shot at number one on Monday had they played this week.

"You can also add anyone else in the current top 12, if any of them can pick up a couple of quick big wins in 2011. It promises to be very volatile."

Source: Web Search

Lee looks to extend his career with place in World Cup squad

Sun, Oct 31 10 08:06 PM

Melbourne, Oct 31 (PTI) Injury-prone pacer Brett Lee has vowed to fight his way back into the Australian squad for the 2011 cricket World Cup on the sub-continent. Lee said he is desperate to be part of team''s World Cup campaign in February-March next year and will look to extend his career if mind and body are willing. "That''s definitely what I''m aiming for, that''s the reason I''m training so hard," Lee was quoted as saying by the Sunday Telegraph. On the comeback trail after an elbow injury, Lee had played a crucial role in the Blues'' six-wicket win over Queensland in their one-day match at the Gabba, taking 2-43 off nine overs. Lee had also been supported by skipper Ricky Ponting, who had expressed his desire to have him in the squad for the World Cup in the sub-continent. 33-year-old NSW quick was ignored for the one-off twenty20 international against Sri Lanka though the cricketer made a successful comeback for his domestic team after a six-month layoff with an injury. He was also dropped from the national one-day squad for next month''s three-match series against the Lankans. He will not play his next limited-overs match until November 26 and the pacer believes the long-gap will not help him regain his lost touch at the earliest. "I''ve got a few weeks off, which is not ideal preparation," said Lee, who retired from Test cricket earlier this year. "It''s disappointing but it''s the way it goes. They told me they wanted me to play some more cricket. Unfortunately I don''t have any more cricket to play. I would have loved to have been playing [for Australia], I''m not, so it''s back to the drawing board and keep trying to do well whenever I get the opportunity. "In a NSW or Australian set-up, if I never have to bowl a red ball again I''ll be happy," he signed off.

Source: Published>

Adventure athlete Sean Burch sets world record

Sun, Oct 31 10 07:52 PM

Kathmandu, Oct 31 (PTI) Adventure athlete Sean Burch has set a world record by becoming the fastest man to trek through Nepal. Burch trekked through high altitude peaks across the Great Himalayan Trail in 49 days, six hours and eight minutes. He travelled 1,250 miles, took millions of steps and tackled elevation gains/losses of over 500,000ft. The historic trek aimed at promoting mountain tourism in the country, was facilitated by the Nepal Trust and Nepal Tourism Board. Burch started his high altitude trekking from eastern Nepal''s Ilam district and ended in Darchula in the far west after climbing an altitude of, in some points, 6,000 metre. Blinding snowstorms, one of worst monsoons in Nepal''s history, landslides, high altitude, leeches, hypothermia and extreme daily mental and physical exhaustion were some of the obstacles Burch faced during the expedition. Burch crossed 18 districts and broke the previous world record, set in 2003, by 19 days. Normally it takes 157 days of trekking to complete the distance. U D adventurist Burch, was felicitated for his trek in a function organised by the Nepal Tourism Board here today. Burch, also an Everest summiteers,is a world renowned multi-world record holder (with 6 world records) in extreme adventure sports and active explorer. Some of the world records set by him include the fastest Winter Ascent of Mt. Fuji, Japan (4:05:42); scaling of 63 unclimbed peaks in 23 Days; Solo; Tibet and fastest ascent of Mt. Kilimanzaro (5:28:48). To a question as to why he had chosen Nepal for the expedition, Burch said, "I loved the country and wanted to see the entire country from Tibet in the north to India in the south, east and west.

Source: Published>

Ashes series in Australia, World Cup to test England team's abilities: Collingwood

Published>Sun, Oct 31 10 07:38 PM

Perth, Oct 31(ANI): England all-rounder Paul Collingwood has said that the current tour of Australia and next year's World Cup will be the ultimate experience for the Andrew Strauss-led squad.

"There are no bigger prizes than the Ashes and the World Cup that are up for grabs between now and April and we are fully aware of the words of our captain Andrew Strauss that 'people only remember winners'," Collingwood wrote in an article for the Daily Mail.

"I consider it not only a challenge and a true test of what we are about and how good we are, but also a privilege and, right now, I wouldn't swap my life for the world. But there is no doubt that the opportunity carries a price tag."

"For all the team, it is six weeks away from the family before they come out to join us in early December, after the second Test in Adelaide," he added.

The England team arrived in Australia on Saturday aiming to be the first team since Mike Gatting' 1986-87 team to win the urn Down Under.

The first of the five Ashes Tests will be held at the Gabba in Brisbane from November 25 to 29.t will be followed by Tests in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.he tour also has two Twenty20 internationals and a seven-match ODI series. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Smith's approach to cricket inspires Oz spinner O'Keefe

Published>Sun, Oct 31 10 07:22 PM

Perth, Oct 31(ANI): Australian spinner Stephen O'Keefe has said that fellow teammate Steve Smith's approach to cricket has had a positive impact on his preparations for being an international bowler.

O'Keefe is in Australia's Twenty20 squad for today's match against Sri Lanka in Perth.

"I went to India with the NSW team [for the Champions League] to watch and learn how Nathan Hauritz and Steve Smith bowled and how they go about their business," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted O'Keefe, as saying.

"I really liked Steve's attitude towards the game. It was as if he was just going out to play a backyard contest against his mates or brother ... amazing, really ... and he really gets you into that contest."

"Steve has that bit of arrogance about him and it rubs off on everyone else in the team. He has an amazing approach even though he's only 21," he added.

O'Keefe was called up to the Australian Test team to replace injured Hauritz for the series against Pakistan in England, but the 24-year-old did not play in the Tests.

He made his Twenty20 international debut against Pakistan in Birmingham where he captured 3-29. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Sitwala to take on Russell in World Pro Billiards C''ship final

Sun, Oct 31 10 07:06 PM

Leeds, Oct 31 (PTI) India''s Dhruv Sitwala pipped five-time winner Geet Sethi by a point to sail into the finals of the World Professional Billiards Championship for the first time in his career, where he will meet veteran and title favourite Qatar''s Mike Russell. In the semifinal between the green baize maestro Sethi and 2007 IBSF World Billiards runner-up Sitwala, played at the Northern Snooker Centre here, a massive miscalculation in the end moments of the game cost Sethi the match by a solitary point 980-979, when it could easily have been a tie. Nine-time World Billiards Champion Sethi came to the table with a little over four minutes remaining, following a missed square middle bag loser from Sitwala. Racing around the table and fighting to get position, Sethi pulled off some pressure shots, only to miss count the number of red''s from the spot right at the death to trail by three points with seconds remaining. A terrific screw loser from Sitwala''s cue ball into the green side top bag kept him at the table to the sound of applause for the shot and as the clock signalled the completion of stipulated time, Sitwala raised his cue in the air while taking the applause from the fans. Sitwala, during his 43 visits to the table, constructed two century breaks accounting for 138 and 116 while Sethi also managed to cross the 100-mark barrier on two occasions (107 and 167). Sitwala had registered a hard fought 723-608 victory over the reigning champion Pankaj Advani in the quarterfinals of the event while Sethi, making his 19th appearance at the event, scored an emphatic 959-445 win over Singapore''s Peter Gilchrist to sail into the semifinals of the event. In the other semifinal between nine-time champion Russell and England''s David Causier, the former outplayed the latter by 246 points (1525-1279) to set up date with Sitwala in the summit clash. The first session was completely dominated by Russell, who was on an unfinished break of 271 and enjoying a margin of 273 points when clock stopped. The final score at the end of first session was Russell (551 + 271 unfinished) and Causier (549). In the second session, Russell and Causier were locked in a fierce battle with both looking to manufacture century breaks. Russell had the first laugh with a break of 101 but Causier soon followed him with a break of 76 and 101. He then went on to score 78 and 199 much to the dislike of title favourite Russell. In the end, Englishman''s efforts fell short as Russell scored a superb break of 371 to cement his place in the finals of the five-day-long event. In the quarterfinals, Russell had defeated India''s Rupesh Shah 995-496 with the help of big century break of 589 while Causier had emerged victorious against another Indian Saurav Kothari 1356-499, scoring six century breaks, maximum in the tournament so far, in 41 visits to the table.

Source: Published>

Book by Gibbs exposes dark side of South African cricket

Sun, Oct 31 10 07:02 PM

Johannesburg, 31 Oct (PTI) Stories about sexual orgies, marijuana sessions and the dominance of a group of senior players in South Africa cricket squad have been exposed in out of favour opener Herschelle Gibbs'' autobiography, which is releasing tomorrow. The weekly ''Sunday Times'' carried excerpts from Gibbs'' book, a day before its release. The book graphically details the sexual exploits of the controversial player who has been in trouble for his late night binges and drunken driving charges, as well as leading players in smoking pot in the West Indies. Gibbs, who just last week confessed that he would have to work very hard to return to the national squad, could also incur the ire of fellow players after writing in his book that the Proteas are dominated by a clique of older players. "The team has been criticised for being run by a group of senior players - Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, and more recently, A B de Villiers," Gibbs wrote. "This inner circle splits the team in two and makes any chance of developing true team spirit among the Proteas impossible," said Gibbs, adding that former national coach Mickey Arthur had often bowed to them after trying to take them on. "Simply put, without Graeme''s backing, he didn''t have much influence over the guys. In the end, Graeme was simply too powerful." Gibbs also disclosed how the squad never regained its spirit after former captain Hansie Cronje, now deceased, got a life ban following his admission to match-fixing that was first uncovered by Indian authorities. "Things were never the same. I sympathised with Shaun Pollock (who took over from Cronje). He had a tough time filling Hansie''s shoes and gluing the team together. But the Proteas never had that same togetherness under Polly (Pollock). He never socialised with boys too much." Gibbs was one of the co-accused with Cronje and Henry Williams, after allegations of match-fixing in Nagpur. He was suspended for six months after that, but still respects the late South African skipper. "(Despite) the cloud that hangs over his legacy, I can tell you that Ive never played with anyone who possessed such a die-hard attitude to winning," Gibbs stated. The poor performance of the national team in recent years also came under fire from Gibbs, who was himself blamed for contributing to that. "We''ve got to admit that the Proteas have underachieved in international cricket over the past decade." Gibbs summed up his own indiscretions, which included a confession to pulling out some of his wife Tenielle Povey''s hair while he was driving during a fight. "As explosive as my batting can be, it hasn''t quite matched the pyrotechnics of my life off the field," Gibbs wrote.

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Karthikeyan finshes 15th in NASCAR World Truck Series

Sun, Oct 31 10 06:56 PM

Talladega (USA), Oct 31 (PTI) A crash in the fag end prevented Narain Karthikeyan from finishing the race but the Indian still managed a 15th position in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, at famous Talladega Superspeedway here. Karthikeyan, India''s first Formula One driver, did not go the full distance because of the crash with four laps to go but was classified in 15th position. Karthikeyan, who drives for Starbeast Motorsports, began the race at 14th on the grid and quickly jumped four spots within five laps. On lap 23, the first caution came out for a wreck between drivers Justin Lofton and Jeffery Earnhardt. Under caution, the trucks came in for pit stops. Karthikeyan took four tyres and fuel. On lap sixty, Max Papis, driver of the truck number nine, spun on the front stretch. This caution enabled Karthikeyan to make another pit stop, changing two tyres and adding fuel. With twenty-three laps left in the race, there was another caution due to contact between drivers Chris Fontaine and Timothy Peters. While several of the trucks came into the pits for a third round on pit stops, Karthikeyan stayed out on the race track to gain track position. With four laps to go, the fifth caution flag was dropped when Ron Hornaday''s truck flipped over on the race track. Karthikeyan and several other trucks were unable to avoid the wreck, including Todd Bodine, the championship points leader. "It felt great running 6th during the race. The speed and the bump drafting is incredible, because all of the trucks are racing so close to each other. "We averaged roughly a speed of 300 kph every lap. We were running so well until those last few laps when there was a wreck in front of me and we got caught in it. This weekend overall was great. My crew was so helpful in teaching me the tricks of racing at a superspeedway. It was definitely very different than anything I''ve ever raced at. The banking is unbelievable," Karthikeyan said after the race. "Narain was running in the top ten for a majority of the race and was progressing quickly. He certainly has learned how to navigate himself around this 2.66 mile superspeedway," team owner Miguel Abaroa said.

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ICC hearing is a farce, says angry Qadir

Sun, Oct 31 10 06:46 PM

Karachi, Oct 31 (PTI) Former Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, has called for the International Cricket Council to deal evenly with its member boards as he felt that the parent body was being biased towards PCB. The former chief selector was reacting to the announcement by Micheal Beloff who heads the ICC code of conduct commission that the provisional suspensions on Pakistani cricketers, Salman Butt, Muhammad Aamir and Muhammad Asif would remain until a full hearing by an independent tribunal. Butt and Aamir appeared before Beloff with their lawyers in Dubai on Saturday and Sunday for their appeals hearing which were rejected. Asif had earlier withdrawn his appeal against the suspensions imposed by the ICC. Qadir said he was surprised by the ICC tribunal decision to not allow the players to resume their cricket career. "It is total farce. If the ICC wasn''t interested in revoking the suspensions, why go through this farce at all?" he questioned. Qadir lashed out at the ICC for its double standards pointing out that Indian batsman, Suresh Raina was also suspected of having links with a woman who was working for a bookmaker during the tour to Sri Lanka. "The Sri Lankan board even sent a report to the Indians about it but nothing has been done so far and the matter was hushed up by the ICC and Raina continues to play," Qadir said. "As things stand there is suspicion about Raina''s links with the woman and the same is the case with our players against whom nothing has been proven yet they remain suspended and the Indian batsman is free to play on," the former leggie said. "I say bring Raina also into the dock," he added. He lamented that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had failed completely in protecting its players and providing them support. "If the PCB had been pro-active from the start we would not have reached such a stage where we have lost the services of two of our best bowlers and our test captain and opener," he said. The legal advisor of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Tafazzul Rizvi said the hearing was held under the ICC anti-corruption laws and the players could now only appeal when a full hearing was held by the ICC code of conduct commission. "This hearing was called by the ICC to give the players a chance to appeal against the suspensions on them. But the case of full spot fixing allegations would be dealt with when the full hearing is held," he said. .

Source: Published>

Book by Gibbs exposes dark side of South African cricket

Sun, Oct 31 10 06:36 PM

Johannesburg, 31 Oct (PTI) Stories about sexual orgies, marijuana sessions and the dominance of a group of senior players in South Africa cricket squad have been exposed in out of favour opener Herschelle Gibbs'' autobiography, which is releasing tomorrow. The weekly ''Sunday Times'' carried excerpts from Gibbs'' book, a day before its release. The book graphically details the sexual exploits of the controversial player who has been in trouble for his late night binges and drunken driving charges, as well as leading players in smoking pot in the West Indies. Gibbs, who just last week confessed that he would have to work very hard to return to the national squad, could also incur the ire of fellow players after writing in his book that the Proteas are dominated by a clique of older players. "The team has been criticised for being run by a group of senior players - Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, and more recently, A B de Villiers," Gibbs wrote. "This inner circle splits the team in two and makes any chance of developing true team spirit among the Proteas impossible," said Gibbs, adding that former national coach Mickey Arthur had often bowed to them after trying to take them on. "Simply put, without Graeme''s backing, he didn''t have much influence over the guys. In the end, Graeme was simply too powerful." Gibbs also disclosed how the squad never regained its spirit after former captain Hansie Cronje, now deceased, got a life ban following his admission to match-fixing that was first uncovered by Indian authorities. "Things were never the same. I sympathised with Shaun Pollock (who took over from Cronje). He had a tough time filling Hansie''s shoes and gluing the team together. But the Proteas never had that same togetherness under Polly (Pollock). He never socialised with boys too much." Gibbs was one of the co-accused with Cronje and Henry Williams, after allegations of match-fixing in Nagpur. He was suspended for six months after that, but still respects the late South African skipper. "(Despite) the cloud that hangs over his legacy, I can tell you that Ive never played with anyone who possessed such a die-hard attitude to winning," Gibbs stated. The poor performance of the national team in recent years also came under fire from Gibbs, who was himself blamed for contributing to that. "We''ve got to admit that the Proteas have underachieved in international cricket over the past decade." Gibbs summed up his own indiscretions, which included a confession to pulling out some of his wife Tenielle Povey''s hair while he was driving during a fight. "As explosive as my batting can be, it hasn''t quite matched the pyrotechnics of my life off the field," Gibbs wrote.

Source: Published>

ICC hearing is a farce, says angry Qadir

Sun, Oct 31 10 06:22 PM

Karachi, Oct 31 (PTI) Former Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, has called for the International Cricket Council to deal evenly with its member boards as he felt that the parent body was being biased towards PCB. The former chief selector was reacting to the announcement by Micheal Beloff who heads the ICC code of conduct commission that the provisional suspensions on Pakistani cricketers, Salman Butt, Muhammad Aamir and Muhammad Asif would remain until a full hearing by an independent tribunal. Butt and Aamir appeared before Beloff with their lawyers in Dubai on Saturday and Sunday for their appeals hearing which were rejected. Asif had earlier withdrawn his appeal against the suspensions imposed by the ICC. Qadir said he was surprised by the ICC tribunal decision to not allow the players to resume their cricket career. "It is total farce. If the ICC wasn''t interested in revoking the suspensions, why go through this farce at all?" he questioned. Qadir lashed out at the ICC for its double standards pointing out that Indian batsman, Suresh Raina was also suspected of having links with a woman who was working for a bookmaker during the tour to Sri Lanka. "The Sri Lankan board even sent a report to the Indians about it but nothing has been done so far and the matter was hushed up by the ICC and Raina continues to play," Qadir said. "As things stand there is suspicion about Raina''s links with the woman and the same is the case with our players against whom nothing has been proven yet they remain suspended and the Indian batsman is free to play on," the former leggie said. "I say bring Raina also into the dock," he added. He lamented that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had failed completely in protecting its players and providing them support. "If the PCB had been pro-active from the start we would not have reached such a stage where we have lost the services of two of our best bowlers and our test captain and opener," he said. The legal advisor of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Tafazzul Rizvi said the hearing was held under the ICC anti-corruption laws and the players could now only appeal when a full hearing was held by the ICC code of conduct commission. "This hearing was called by the ICC to give the players a chance to appeal against the suspensions on them. But the case of full spot fixing allegations would be dealt with when the full hearing is held," he said. .

Source: Published>

Lee-Ann paces herself for Indian Open golf with Suzhou title

Published>Sun, Oct 31 10 06:18 PM

Gurgaon, Oct 31 (IANS) South Africa's Lee-Anne Pace grabbed her second straight title in as many weeks at the Suzhou-Taihu Ladies Open and perfectly warmed-up for the upcoming Women's Indian Open.

Pace won in a four-way playoff with the US's Hannah Jun, Paraguay's Julieta Granada and the Netherlands' Christel Boeljon at the Suzhou-Taihu International Golf Club.

Pace will be competing in next week's Korean Ladies Open in Cheju Island before coming to India. Paraguay's Julieta Granada, who was tied for second, is also scheduled to play in India.

Tied on fifth place with a score of 212 were Wales' Becky Brewerton, Rebecca Coakley of Ireland and second round leader Dewi Claire Schreefel of the Netherlands.

Other players with good finishes included two-time Indian Open winner, Phatlum Pornanong. She was tied eighth along with Korean Jeehae Lee and Kylie Walker of Wales, who will also tee up in Gurgaon.

India's Smriti Mehra tied for 55th, while young Sharmila Nicollet missed the cut.

The Hero Honda Women's Indian open will be held at the DLF Golf and Country Club from Nov 11-13. As many as 123 players from 26 countries will participate in the event.

Pace, scheduled to play for the first time in the Women's Indian Open, which has a record purse of $ 300,000, the highest ever for women's professional golf event in India, ended the three-round tournament with identical five-under 211. Hannah, Pace and Granada finishing the final round with a 68 while Boeljon signed off with a one-over 73. Pace won the second play-off hole.

Her win not only gave her back-to-back titles but also extended her lead on the Henderson Money List after she picked up another Euros 30,000 winner's purse. Last week at the Sanya Ladies Open, she also won the event to pocket a similar amount.

'To say that I was not nervous would be lying, but I managed to keep my calm and not get affected. I started looking at the people and admiring young children who were looking at us play and it help soothe my nervousness. I played really good today and I hope to carry my form to Korea and India,' said Pace.

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Chelsea must improve performance to maintain Premier League top spot: Ancelotti

Published>Sun, Oct 31 10 05:18 PM

London, Oct 31(ANI): Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti admits that his team must move up the gears if they want to retain the Premier League title.

Ancelotti's comment comes after Chelsea fought back from a goal down to defeat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at Ewood Park.

"To win here was important because they were better. We were not great. Blackburn put us under some pressure and we were not able to play our football," the Sun quoted Ancelotti, as saying.

"It is very important to win here to maintain our position at the top. We are in good condition now and I hope we improve on this victory," he added.

Chelsea currently has a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table. (ANI)

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'Skilful' Broad, the biggest threat to Australia during Ashes: Adams

Published>Sun, Oct 31 10 05:08 PM

Auckland, Oct 31(ANI): Former New Zealand all-rounder Andre Adams has said that England fast bowler Stuart Broad would be the 'biggest threat' to Australia during the upcoming Ashes series.

Adams, who plays for Nottinghamshire along with Broad, said that the 24-year-old's fighting qualities would strengthen the English attack.

"He's going to be the biggest threat to Australia. Stuart is a skilful bowler; he swings the new ball away [from the batsman] and the old ball in. He's awkward, he'll get a lot of bounce and, believe me, he definitely won't give up," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Adams, as saying.

Adams further said that Broad deserved his tag as the next big thing of English cricket.

"If he has a good spell Stuart can take the game away very quickly We've seen it before with the likes of Brett Lee, Andrew Flintoff, while Simon Jones was another who did for brief periods ... If you have a fast bowler who can take the game away, he becomes a key," Adams said.

"The English attack will surprise the Australian public. They'll actually challenge, they won't be the underdogs because they're mentally on top - they won the Ashes and the one-day series," he added. (ANI)

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ICC rejects appeals of Salman Butt and Mohhamed Aamer

Sun, Oct 31 10 04:52 PM

Dubai, Oct 31 (PTI) The ICC code of conduct commissioner Michael Beloff today dismissed the appeals of Pakistani cricketers Salman Butt and Mohammad Aamer against their suspensions for alleged spot-fixing. The world governing body of the game had suspended the three Pakistani cricketers last month when a British tabloid claimed that they were involved in spot-fixing. The players had appealed against the suspension but Mohammed Asif had withdrawn his appeal. "Having considered every aspect of the case I dismiss their appeals and they remain suspended," Beloff told reporters outside the ICC headquarters here. The rejection of appeals means that all three cricketers will have to appear before a ICC code of conduct commission. "The players have denied the charges, but they will remain suspended before a code of conduct commission is formed to hear the case," Beloff added. The code of conduct commissioner chose not to speak if the Pakistani cricketers were guilty. "It was not up to me to decide whether they committed any crime, the commission will establish their guilt and if they are found guilty then they will be given punishment as per the ICC code of conduct," Beloff said. The two cricketers were accompanied by their lawyers -- Butt by Khalid R Anjha, a former Law Minister, and former Pakistan player Aftab Gul, while Aamir was with Shahid Karim. More PTI AT MRM

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''I am clean, not bothered by undercover or overcover agents''

Sun, Oct 31 10 04:46 PM

Mumbai, Oct 31 (PTI) Wielding the mike with as much gusto as he does the bat, dashing Indian opener Virender Sehwag today said he was least concerned about a radical move by the cricket authorities to send undercover agents to players posing as illegal bookmakers. "I am not bothered whether they are undercover or overcover. I am clean. Only those who have something to hide need be concerned. I know my role and goals," said Sehwag at a media conference today. He was reacting to Australian media reports saying that the International Cricket Council was considering such a plan to root out allegations of corruption that has rocked Pakistan cricket. The ICC agents will approach cricketers to see if they report the encounters and players who do not report the approaches would be penalised under the anti-corruption code, with sanctions ranging from warnings to fines and suspensions, an Australian newspaper had reported. "We are thinking of setting up our own approaches to players, to see if they report it, we will think out of the box," ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat told the newspaper adding that it was only a tentative plan. Sehwag was effusive in his praise of Gary Kirsten, who was recently hailed by his idol Sachin Tendulkar, and said the former South Africa opener never tried to change his style of batting and always encouraged him. (More) PTI SSR VKV PM

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