Ponting to miss final ODI against Sri Lanka to prepare for Ashes

Published>Sat, Nov 06 10 12:22 PM

Melbourne, Nov 6 (ANI): To help Ricky Ponting prepare for the upcoming Ashes series, the selectors have rested the Australian skipper from Sunday's final ODI against Sri Lanka.

Ponting made just 10 in his side's 29-run loss to Sri Lanka at the SCG on Friday night, giving the tourists their maiden series win on Australian soil.

The rain-affected match was also Australia's seventh straight defeat in all forms of the game dating back to July.

Ponting, who also missed Wednesday night's one-wicket loss at the MCG, will now head to Tasmania to prepare for the Tigers in a Sheffield Shield match against Queensland.

The Shield clash at Bellerive Oval does not start until Wednesday, but Australia's selectors have opted to give him plenty of time to prepare for the crucial Ashes series, which start with the first Test at the Gabba on November 25.

"As the series against Sri Lanka has been decided the (selectors have) an ideal opportunity to provide Ricky with two solid weeks of red-ball cricket," said full-time selector Greg Chappell.

"This allows him what we believe to be the best preparation to lead the Australian Test match team in Brisbane for the first Ashes Test match," he said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Oz cricketers need to stop navel gazing and turn poor form around: Roebuck

Published>Sat, Nov 06 10 12:16 PM

Sydney, Nov.6 (ANI): After being handed out a one-day series lost for the first time on Australian soil by Sri Lanka, the Australian cricket team would do well to heed legendary cricketer Sir Garfield Sobers words that "no cricketer is truly down in the dumps until he is thinking himself there", says columnist Peter Roebuck.

Sobers is said to have conveyed this to a forlorn and struggling young Australian cricketer.

Roebuck says David Boon realised that his attitude had become a liability and promptly set about rebuilding his game. A glorious career followed.

"Now the Australians need to take heed of those words. The first step to turning things around is to start thinking constructively. Navel gazing does not get the job done. The second and equally crucial step is to recognise and confront clear weaknesses. Burying heads in sand is no use," he says in his Sydney Morning Herald column.

According to Roebuck, Australia played some poor cricket at the SCG on Friday that led to their 29-run loss to Sri Lanka.

"Sri Lankan supporters blew instruments and waved flags but local enthusiasts stayed away. The Australians need to win them back and that will require intense effort," he says.

"None of the bowlers caught the eye. None of the pacers exploited the conditions or moved the ball around enough to trouble capable batsmen or kept a tight enough line and length to put them under pressure," he adds.

"Ricky Ponting is doing his utmost to hold this side together but needs more help from his friends. He can decide tactics and set fields and inspire by example, but the rest is out of his hands," Roebuck said. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Waqar lauds his batsmen as Pak levels series against SA 2-2

Published>Sat, Nov 06 10 12:08 PM

Dubai, Nov 6 (ANI): Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis is all praise for his batsmen, who chased down a challenging 275-run target by South Africa to square the series 2-2, and set up a tantalising series decider on Monday.

Younis' men recorded their second win in the five-match series with a narrow one-wicket victory, as Zulqarnain Haider clipped the winning runs off the penultimate delivery, The News reported.

Appreciating the batsmen's' performances, Younis said, "The best thing about the batting was we did not allow them to get on the top of us. We just made sure that we kept the momentum going and made sure the run rate would not climb on us. This is probably the major reason why we got home.

"This is a great boost for the team. Since that performance of Razzaq in the second ODI, we have been really doing well. We missed out closely in the previous match but we did well here and it's a great moment for the boys," he added.

Younis Khan provided a vital innings as he struck 73 from 115 balls to edge Pakistan towards South Africa's total of 274.

The coach praised Younis, saying, "He is a great player. He has the experience with him. More than playing a great knock he said that staying at the crease at that stage was important. That is what helped Pakistan build the innings.

Pakistan tail-end batsmen Haider and Wahab Riaz held their nerves after Razzaq's dismissal to pull off a sensational one wicket win for their team.

"Even Haider was good today. He might not be a batsman who can hit the ball hard but he can stick around there and play when it matters," he added.

Younis admitted that the fielding is still a cause of concern ahead of the final ODI, but added that it is showing continual signs of improvement.

"The boys were really good on the field today," he said, adding, "I won't say they were at their best but compared to our fielding standards in all the previous matches the boys really did well last night."

Earlier, Graeme Smith played a captain's knock of 92 to steer South Africa to a challenging 274-6, but once again his team choked in the final moments despite having grabbed all top wickets.

The win helped Pakistan level the series 2-2 and set up an intriguing fifth and final match here on Monday. (ANI)

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Indian Rowing team eyes gold in Asian Games

Published>Sat, Nov 06 10 10:52 AM

Hyderabad, November 6 (ANI): The members of Indian Rowing team expressed their confidence in winning gold medals in the upcoming Asian Games while wrapping up their last sessions of practice in Hyderabad on Thursday. Ismail Baig, India's rowing coach, said that the team is confident of a much better performance than the last edition of the Games in Doha. This time a total of 28 athletes, including men and women, have undergone rigorous practice session at the Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad.

Source: Web Search

Somdev out of singles, wins in doubles

Sat, Nov 06 10 10:22 AM

Charlottesville (USA), Nov 6 (PTI) Second seed Somdev Devvarman suffered a shock defeat at the hands of lower-ranked Australian Chris Guccione to bow out of singles but progressed to the doubles semi-finals of the ATP Challenger event here. The 92nd ranked Somdev lost his quarter-final 6-7 (4) 3-6 to world number 444 Guccione. Qualifier Yuki Bhambri has already crashed out, ending India''s challenge in the singles event of the USD 50,000 hard court tournament. Somdev though advanced to the doubles semifinals along with partner Treat Conrad Huey with a 7-6 (4) 4-6 12-10 win over second seed Australians Stephen Huss and Peter Luczak. They next face the local pair of Robert Kendrick and Donald Young, who shocked third seed South Africans Izak van der Merwe and Rik de Voest 6-4 4-6 10-6 in their quarterfinals.

Source: Published>

Austin praises bold Fed Cup gamble by U.S.

Published>Sat, Nov 06 10 07:56 AM

United States captain Mary Joe Fernandez has gambled boldly with her selections for the opening singles against holders Italy in the Fed Cup finals, a move applauded by former world number one Tracy Austin.

Outranked and under-strength, the home team have pitted untried teenager Coco Vandeweghe against French Open champion Francesca Schiavone in the first match on Saturday before Bethanie Mattek-Sands takes on Italy's Flavia Pennetta.

The choice of the 18-year-old Vandeweghe ahead of the higher-ranked and more experienced Melanie Oudin came as a surprise for many, but not for Austin.

"I wasn't shocked because Coco has had a strong summer and into the fall she has been winning a lot of matches, chunks of matches," Austin told Reuters after Friday's draw ceremony.

"Melanie's game, matching up against Schiavone, is a difficult match-up because both players are more on the slider's side but Schiavone has a bigger game. So therefore you might as well put Coco in there."

The six-foot one-inch (1.85m) Vandeweghe reached her first WTA quarter-final by upsetting Wimbledon finalist Vera Zvonareva at the San Diego Open in August. She also got to the last eight in Tokyo last month.

"Coco's tall, she's got a big serve, she's got a massive forehand and can come to the net," said Austin, a child prodigy who became the youngest U.S. Open champion in 1979 aged 16.

GETTING HOT

"She can get really hot so there is more of a chance there for the U.S. to come up with a win."

In the absence of the injured Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, Mattek-Sands is the highest-ranked player on the U.S. team and Austin felt her bold playing style could also give the hosts a welcome boost.

"Like Coco, Bethanie is very aggressive," Austin said. "They both really take chances and so they have to be on their game to come up with the wins. But they have the weapons.

"They will serve and volley, they will get to the net and finish points off. They've got a massive upside. If they come out and play their game and the Italians are a little bit tired, it could be a good day for the Americans."

While world number seven Schiavone and 23rd-ranked Pennetta heavily outrank Mattek-Sands (58th) and Vandeweghe 114th, Austin feels the Italians could lack a bit of match energy after playing at the WTA Tour championships in Doha.

"Maybe they are going to be a little tired and fatigued," said Austin, who represented the U.S. in 14 Fed Cup matches. "It's a long season and some of our young ladies have had a little more time to kind of get geared up.

"But it's going to be an uphill battle for the United States. It's important for the home crowd to be very vocal and be behind their team."

Source: Web Search

Shooting: Zende bags 2 medals

Published>Sat, Nov 06 10 06:18 AM

Gaurav Zende, member of the Deccan Pistol and Rifle Club - affiliated to the Maharashtra Rifle Association, won two gold medals in the junior and senior category at the air pistol event.

The Maharashtra Rifle Association conducted the 14th Cat S J Ezikiel memorial Maharashtra state shooting championship from October 25 to 31 at Mumbai.

A release issued here said that Zende created a record score of 376/400. The achievement is unique as he was competing with shooters from the National Defence Academy and Army.

He qualified for the pre national tournament and is training under national player Tosif Sayyed.

The club members train at the Balewadi Shooting complex which has helped improve their performance.

Among the shooters who have qualified for the All India G V Mavlankar shooting championship includes Harish Walke, Amit Moghal, Daidipya Ghodnadikar, Kamlesh Sonawane, Nikhil Moharir, Yashodhan Mane, Raviraj Shinde and Hrishikesh Pundlik, the release added.

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Levski Sofia defender in tears after own goal record

Published>Sat, Nov 06 10 05:56 AM

Levski Sofia defender Ivo Ivanov shed tears of despair when he put the ball into his own net 14 seconds after coming on as a substitute during their Europa League game against Lille to set a curious record.

The Bulgarian soccer website www.bgfootball.eu said Ivanov scored the fastest own goal by a substitute in European club competition on Thursday with some statisticians claiming it was the quickest ever own goal by a player coming off the bench.

Ivanov headed the ball into the Levski net in the 87th minute with his first touch to level the scores at 2-2 just six minutes after Vladimir Gadzhev had put the home side ahead.

"This is the worst moment of my life," Ivanov, who replaced Macedonian international Darko Tasevski, told Reuters on Friday.

"I still don't have any explanation. I just wanted to clear the ball but I connected awkwardly with my head and it went in. It was so painful to see.

"But I want to express my admiration of my team mates, coaches and the incredible fans, of course, as they supported me in this difficult time," said 25-year-old Ivanov, who joined Levski from Beroe Stara Zagora in June.

Levski fans chanted Ivanov's name after the final whistle while he was wiping tears from his eyes.

Sporting Lisbon top the standings in Group C with nine points from four matches, followed by Lille on five. Levski and Belgium's Ghent have four points each.

"No one should blame Ivanov," said Levski sporting director Gerogi Ivanov. "This is part of the game. He has to overcome this difficult moment and we're here to help him."

Ivanov was instrumental in helping Beroe win the Bulgarian Cup last season and was named Best Bulgarian Defender for 2009.

He made his Bulgaira debut as a second-half substitute in the 4-1 win away to Malta in a friendly last November.

British record books claim Torquay United central defender Pat Kruse scored the fastest own goal in history -- taking only eight seconds to find his own net against Cambridge United in a Fourth Division match in January 1977.

Source: Web Search

FC United shock Rochdale with controversial FA Cup win

Sat, Nov 06 10 04:56 AM

FC United, the semi-professional team formed by disillusioned Manchester United fans, beat Rochdale 3-2 to secure a memorable FA Cup victory on Friday.

The side from the seventh tier of English football, founded after United's takeover by the Glazer family, reached the second round with a dramatic late winner by Michael Norton.

The FC United number nine appeared to kick the ball out of Rochdale keeper Josh Lillis' hands before tapping into an empty net but referee Geoff Eltringham allowed the goal to stand.

The visitors took the lead before a crowd of just over 7,000 with a neat chip from Nicky Platt before Jake Cotterill doubled their advantage thanks to a thunderous long-range shot.

Their League One (third division) opponents pulled a goal back when Anthony Elding headed home from close range and looked to have earned a replay when Craig Dawson headed an equaliser with 13 minutes to play before Norton's added time winner.

Source: Published>

No letting up for adrenalin-pumped Djokovic

Published>Sat, Nov 06 10 04:16 AM

Excitable world number three Novak Djokovic celebrated as if he had won a Grand Slam tournament during and after his 6-2 6-3 demolition of qualifier Robin Hasse at the Swiss Indoors on Friday.

The Serb's clenched-fist celebrations after almost every point looked strangely out of place against an opponent ranked 63 places below him who offered little in the way of resistance.

"Any match is important, regardless of whether it's a grand slam or an ATP 250 or 500 tournament," titleholder Djokovic told bemused reporters when asked if it had all been a little over the top.

"I always try to perform my best on court, that's what it's all about."

The win earned Djokovic a semi-final against his Serbian Davis Cup team mate Viktor Troicki, who swept past Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4 6-2.

The two Serbs met in the first round at the U.S. Open in September where Djokovic, who last year beat Federer in the final to deny him a fourth successive title in Basel, came from two sets to one down to avoid a shock defeat.

They have also propelled Serbia to the Davis Cup final where they will be at home to France.

"He has a big serve, he loves fast courts and it's going to be a difficult match," said Djokovic, while adding that it was the Davis Cup which really mattered.

Top seed Federer duly made sure of his semi-final place by strolling to a 6-3 6-2 win over wild card Radek Stepanek.

In contrast to Djokovic, the unflappable Swiss, yet to drop a set, looked almost bored as he reeled off the games without facing a break point.

Federer will play Andy Roddick in the semi-final after the American, seeded four, halted David Nalbandian's progress, winning 6-4 6-4 in the only one of Friday's games to provide any sort of real contest.

The Argentine, recovering from a series of injuries, has risen to 29th in the ranking and is aiming to get back into the top 10 next year.

Source: Web Search

Ibrahimovic fights with AC Milan team mate in training

Sat, Nov 06 10 03:36 AM

AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic came to blows with team mate Oguchi Onyewu in training on Friday and the pair had to be separated by the rest of the squad.

"The fight was animated, but the incident is over. The two players cleared up their disagreement," Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani was quoted as saying on the italian club's website (www.acmilan.com)

"I'm happy when I see players pumped up, I'm happier seeing fiery training sessions than boring ones."

Reports said Sweden's occasionally combustible Ibrahimovic, an August signing from Barcelona, rashly tackled United States defender Onyewu from behind.

The American, who missed a year of action with a knee injury and has not featured for Milan this term, reacted angrily and the duo grappled before being pulled apart.

Milan, who have again been inconsistent this term in Serie A and the Champions League, visit Bari in Serie A on Sunday.

Source: Published>

Patient Younus leads Pakistan to frenetic win

Sat, Nov 06 10 03:16 AM

Veteran Younus Khan scored a patient 73 to lay the foundations for what turned into a frantic one-wicket victory for Pakistan with just a ball to spare in the fourth one-day international against South Africa on Friday.

Chasing a formidable 275 for victory, Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals.

But they always maintained the required run rate with almost everybody contributing to a run chase which levelled the series at two-all after the teams produced a thrilling finish for the third match in a row.

It should have been so much more comfortable for Pakistan who needed 64 to win from the final 10 overs with five wickets intact and a batting powerplay to come.

But Morne Morkel claimed the pivotal wickets of Younus and Abdul Razzaq (33) to spread panic in the Pakistan camp.

It was left to a mad scramble by tailenders Wahib Riaz, who belted two vital fours in an innings of 18 from 10 balls, and wicket keeper Zulqarnain Haider (19 not out) to help Pakistan cross the line.

Captain Graeme Smith (92) anchored the Proteas' innings on his return to the side after missing the last two games with a hand injury.

With useful contributions of 49 from AB de Villiers and 36 from JP Duminy there was a sense that Pakistan would struggle to compete having limped to just 226 in a losing cause on the same pitch two days earlier.

However, captain Shahid Afridi hammered 29 from 25 balls to give the innings a boost in the usually quiet middle overs and, while Pakistan were good value for their victory in front of a near capacity and partisan 20,000-strong crowd, South Africa will question another highly undisciplined bowling effort.

It included 12 wides and figures of 10-0-79-1 for Dale Steyn playing his first match for two months following injury.

The decider in the five-match series will be played at the same venue on Monday.

Source: Published>

Vettel beats Webber in Brazil GP practice

Published>Sat, Nov 06 10 02:36 AM

Sebastian Vettel replied to Mark Webber's accusations of Red Bull favouritism on Friday by beating his team mate in practice for what could be a title-deciding Brazilian Grand Prix.

Vettel kept Webber second on the timing screens both morning and afternoon, a day after the Australian had described himself as an 'inconvenient' contender and accused the championship-leading Formula One team of emotionally favouring their young German.

Vettel's subsequent remark, to German television, that "If Mark needs help then he should take the medical car" hardly improved relations.

However, on another dominant day for the team, both played down the spat with the Australian also nipping paddock speculation at Interlagos that he could walk out at the end of the season.

"It was a good Friday and we got through everything we wanted," said Webber, last year's winner at the Sao Paulo circuit whose ramshackle facilities regularly serve up one of the best races of the season.

"We're not too sure what will happen weather-wise (on Saturday) but we're pretty quick and the car works well in all conditions, so we should be set for a good result."

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who leads Webber in the championship by 11 points and could clinch his third Formula One title if results go his way on Sunday, was third fastest in the afternoon after an engine problem in the morning.

RAIN EXPECTED

Ferrari, who have been managing the Spaniard's engines carefully for months after early-season problems, were unconcerned and said that unit had reached the end of its programmed life.

Alonso was 13th fastest in the morning with Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa 14th.

"For us, it will be important to stay ahead of the McLarens and the other teams who on this track could be in the mix," declared Alonso.

"By that I mean Renault, Williams and Mercedes. Then, the forecast is for rain tomorrow and anything could happen."

The Spaniard recognised that Red Bull, with Vettel desperate to win after engine failure while leading in South Korea left the young German 25 points behind him with just two races remaining, looked very much the team to beat.

Vettel's best time of one minute 11.968 seconds was 0.104 quicker than the best effort by Webber. The difference between the two in the first session was nearly half a second.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, third in the championship challenge and 21 points behind Alonso, was third and fourth respectively.

"The car felt good today, I'm getting everything out of it, but I still felt it needs just a little more downforce," said the Briton, who won his 2008 title in Brazil.

"Still, I'm optimistic for qualifying tomorrow, especially if it rains. This year's car is much better than last year's car in the wet, so I feel confident that if it rains we should be able to fight for the front row."

Team mate and world champion Jenson Button, the fifth driver still in mathematical contention but 42 points off the pace on his return to the track where he won the title with Brawn last year, was fourth and seventh.

Renault's Russian rookie Vitaly Petrov spun into the tyre barriers with eight minutes of the morning session remaining while Sauber's Japanese Kamui Kobayashi also went off at Ferradura with a puncture.

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Liverpool owner backs Hodgson for now, makes no promises

Sat, Nov 06 10 12:36 AM

Liverpool owner John W. Henry declined on Friday to give any guarantees about under-fire manager Roy Hodgson's long-term future but said there were no immediate plans for change.

The American, who took over the Premier League club last month, was similarly non-committal about plans for a new ground, saying it could take another two years before the Merseyside club decided whether to build a new stadium or expand Anfield.

Asked if Hodgson, under pressure after a poor start to the season, was the right man for the job, Henry told Sky Sports News: "He certainly is at this point.

"I can't make any promises about the future for anything in the organisation because two months ago I didn't know that much about English football," added Henry, whose New England Sports Ventures (NESV) also owns baseball's Boston Red Sox.

"We tend to stay with our managers and our general managers. Roy didn't build this team so I think he has been unfairly criticised this year.

"I think it is my role at this point to support him in every way, to make sure he has the resources to accomplish what he wants to accomplish. There is no change that is imminent."

He promised investment in the squad but did not give any clue as to how much money Hodgson, at Anfield since July, might have to spend in the next transfer window.

Decisions on buying players would be taken collectively by the manager, new director of football strategy Damien Comolli and the board, Henry said.

"We need to invest in this team," he said, adding that Liverpool were well placed to compete financially with the top clubs but needed "to work on the football side".

"Our long term objectives are to be able to compete... with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea. We have to be able to be competitive with them at the top of the league every year," he said.

"In order to do that we have to build a long-term strategy, you can't do things for the short term. Some things were done before we came in that were stop gaps for the short term, we've got to change that."

He said the introduction of financial fair play rules next year, which encourage clubs to live within their means, meant Liverpool would need to increase their revenue to buy players.

"You cannot sustain a club for the long term by borrowing to buy players," he said. "It means we have to create revenues worldwide.

"Obviously, if you build a stadium there is debt involved in that -- even Arsenal had to borrow to build Emirates."

A decision on whether to build a new ground was some way off though, with Henry saying it took three years to decide what to do about the Red Sox's stadium when he first took over.

"Hopefully, within a couple of years, we'll have a decision on which way we're going to go," he said. "But I don't want to set a hard-fast time limit on when we make that decision."

His refusal to hurry was in contrast to the previous owners, with former co-owner George Gillett promising work on a stadium would start within 60 days of his and Tom Hicks's 2007 takeover.

Liverpool, who are 13th in the table after an improvement in fortunes lifted them out of the relegation zone, face a stiff test on Sunday when they host leaders and champions Chelsea.

Source: Published>

I will do the right thing for McLaren, says Button

Published>Sat, Nov 06 10 12:20 AM

If Formula One world champion Jenson Button has to help McLaren team mate Lewis Hamilton's title challenge in Brazil this weekend, it will be his own decision.

The Briton, who won the crown with Brawn GP at Interlagos last year, must win Sunday's race to have any chance of retaining it this year.

Button is fifth overall, 42 points behind Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and 21 adrift of Hamilton with two races remaining.

"I have a chance to still win the world championship, it's a very small chance, but because it's a small chance I've got to go hell for leather, give it all I can and enjoy it," he told Reuters.

"I've got to finish first. You can't finish second. It's not like I'm racing one other guy, I'm racing four other guys and if one has a bad race, maybe the others won't."

Red Bull's Australian Mark Webber is second overall, 11 behind Alonso, with his German team mate Sebastian Vettel 25 points off the lead.

Button made clear that, should he be out of the title reckoning and also in a position to help his team mate, he would do so. But there would be no question of surreptitious -- and banned -- 'team orders'.

"I want to win the championship. I don't want anyone else to win the championship," said the 30-year-old.

"But if I suddenly were to find myself in a position where I can't win it, you are a team and you do what you think is right...I will never be ordered to do anything, but I will do what I think is right.

"I would not be ordered. (team principal) Martin (Whitmarsh) knows I'm intelligent enough to make my own decision, and the right decision."

WEBBER SITUATION

Button's attitude contrasted to that of the Red Bull pairing, whose relationship has become increasingly strained.

Webber said on Thursday that he felt the team favoured Vettel emotionally and described his own title tilt as "inconvenient".

Button, far more relaxed than this time last year and enjoying being out of the main spotlight with all the burden of expectation, expressed sympathy for the Australian.

"I think we've all found ourselves in a situation where we don't feel happy within a team, where you don't feel that you're really wanted within that team," said the Briton, who was dropped by Renault in 2002 to make way for Alonso.

"So yeah, it must be tough (for Webber).

"At my previous team, for me it was so important to be involved with that team, and to feel part of the team, and for the mechanics and engineers to actually want you to be a part of that team, and be very sad to see you go," he said of Brawn.

"That is important to me, to know you are wanted.

"I had that there, and I was worried that, moving teams, I wouldn't have that, but I found it very quickly and I feel very at home here," continued Button.

"But not having that must be tough, and I'm only going on what I read and hear what Mark says, but he doesn't look like he's very loved there and that must be tough and a difficult position to be in."

Source: Web Search

Team India celebrates Diwali at Parthiv''s house

Sat, Nov 06 10 12:16 AM

Ahmedabad, Nov 5 (PTI) Away from their families, players of the Indian cricket team today celebrated Diwali at the residence of Gujarat Ranji skipper Pathiv Patel here. India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Suresh Raina, VVS Laxman and others were spotted at Parthiv''s house. Dhoni and Raina were seen bursting fire crackers on the terrace of Parthiv''s house, along with other members of the team. India and New Zealand players are engaged in a Test series. Parthiv has been out of the Indian team for over two years and has been leading the Gujarat Ranji Trophy team where he as a player has performed well, despite the team''s inconsistent performance. Meanwhile, a few Kiwi players and their family members also celebrated the festival of lights at their hotel. Wives and children of the Kiwi players were seen burning sparklers and other fire crackers.

Source: Published>

Titleholder Rezai suffers big Bali loss

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 11:38 PM

Titleholder Aravane Rezai, still struggling to recapture her glittering form from earlier in the year, suffered a heavy 6-1 6-2 loss to Russia's Alisa Kleybanova in the quarter-finals of the Tournament of Champions on Friday.

Kleybanova now faces Daniela Hantuchova in the semis after the Slovak defeated Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer 6-4 7-6.

Rezai's scoreline suggested an overwhelming victory by Kleybanova, but most of the games were closely contested.

The defending champion and number two seed was playing her first match of the tournament but managed to convert just one of eight break points. The powerful Kleybanova won six of nine.

The Frenchwoman's defeat was not unexpected.

After winning a major title in Madrid by beating Justine Henin, Jelena Jankovic and Venus Williams, and then qualifying for the Tournament of Champions by winning the Swedish Open shortly after Wimbledon, her career has since stalled.

She had failed to win back-to-back matches in her previous eight tournaments and her loss to Kleybanova was her fifth opening round defeat in nine events.

Rezai blamed a lack of confidence, the result of her being distracted by her brother's recent illness.

She told reporters: "I'm a little bit down in my confidence because I lost a lot of matches during the end of the season. I didn't play well today at the important points and that's why the score is like this."

The 23-year-old plans to return home and immediately begin working on her game for next season with an ambition of reaching the top 10 in 2011.

Hantuchova, runner-up to Lindsay Davenport in 2007, got the best of an untidy match with Wickmayer who complained about spectator noise and several times smashed her racquet to the ground.

The Slovak served for victory at 5-4 but dropped her serve to love before clinching the tiebreak when her opponent struck her eighth double-fault.

Source: Web Search

Team India celebrates Diwali at Parthiv''s house

Fri, Nov 05 10 10:36 PM

Ahmedabad, Nov 5 (PTI) Away from their families, players of the Indian cricket team today celebrated Diwali at the residence of Gujarat Ranji skipper Pathiv Patel here. India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Suresh Raina, VVS Laxman and others were spotted at Parthiv''s house. Dhoni and Raina were seen bursting fire crackers on the terrace of Parthiv''s house, along with other members of the team. India and New Zealand players are engaged in a Test series. Parthiv has been out of the Indian team for over two years and has been leading the Gujarat Ranji Trophy team where he as a player has performed well, despite the team''s inconsistent performance. Meanwhile, a few Kiwi players and their family members also celebrated the festival of lights at their hotel. Wives and children of the Kiwi players were seen burning sparklers and other fire crackers.

Source: Published>

Ponting baffled by Australia's poor form

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 09:56 PM

Australia captain Ricky Ponting is baffled by his team's poor run of form but concedes the "doom and gloom" around the team will only be dispelled when they start winning again.

Australia were outplayed by Sri Lanka in the second of three one-dayers on Friday to lose their seventh straight match in all forms of the game, just 20 days before the start of the Ashes series against England.

"There's a lot of doom and gloom around about this team and about Australian cricket, I think we all feel a lot more positive inside the dressing room compared to what it looks like from the outside," Ponting said.

"But we can change what it looks like from the outside by starting winning games, we're all very aware of that.

"That's why I'm a bit disappointed about the result tonight, I would have thought the guys would have bounced back a bit better, but we've got another chance on Sunday."

Ponting missed Wednesday's opening defeat to Sri Lanka to attend his grandmother's funeral and will skip the final match of the series in Brisbane on Sunday to return to Tasmania and prepare for a domestic match, Cricket Australia said.

"As the series against Sri Lanka has been decided (we have) an ideal opportunity to provide Ricky with two solid weeks of red-ball cricket," said selector Greg Chappell.

"This allows him what we believe to be the best preparation to lead the Australian test match team in Brisbane for the first Ashes test match."

Ponting said he did not think the approach of the Ashes was behind the poor run of form.

"I don't think any of the guys are feeling under pressure or anything like that, I can't put my finger on why our performances haven't been better," he said

"Our mood's fine but for some reason our skills are letting us down at key times."

Returning to the theme, he conceded that perhaps the team had been guilty of "thinking too far ahead".

"Listen, the Ashes are a fair way away yet and we've got to stop talking about it and thinking about it," he added.

"We have to make sure that we're looking at Sunday first and foremost and turning our fortunes around there, then we worry about the next game after that."

England began their first tour match against Western Australia in Perth on Friday and the Australia captain said he would be keeping track of how they were getting on ahead of the Ashes opener in Brisbane, starting on Nov. 25.

"We'll keep a close eye on what they're doing and we'll be well-prepared for Brisbane," he said.

Source: Web Search

PCB demand explanation from players for breach of code

Fri, Nov 05 10 09:38 PM

Karachi, Nov 5 (PTI) The Pakistan Cricket Board has shot letters to three players -- Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Akhtar and Fawad Alam -- demanding explanation for indiscipline during the ongoing One-day series against South Africa. Sources say the players can be fined heavily for their breaches of the contract. Sources said team manager Intikhab Alam has issued notices to the three players in Dubai. "Razzaq has been asked to explain his comments after his century in the second match when he indirectly criticized the team management and coaches while Akhtar and Fawad have been sent notices for violating curfew hours on the tour," the source said. He said the new code of conduct clauses in the players'' contracts stipulates that they have to adhere to every rule and no player was allowed to break curfew timings or give statements against the team management. PCB''s legal advisor Tafazzul Rizvi said the action taken by Intikhab Alam was in line with the new zero tolerance policy of the board on issues of discipline and the central contracts. "The issue is that these clauses were there in the players contracts before also but no one really implemented them. But now the board has given strict instructions to the manager he has to enforce the clauses in letter and spirit and not tolerate any violations from anyone," Rizvi said. He made it clear that if the manager didn''t penalise the players then the board would take action against him. "The board now wants a clear cut culture in the team of players and officials adhering to the code of conduct for them," he added. In the past the board has allowed players to get away with violations of their contracts like giving unauthorized interviews, appearing on television shows and breaking curfew hours but after the recent England tour where the image of Pakistan cricket took a beating after the spot-fixing scandal emerged, apparently the PCB has got tougher.

Source: Published>

PCB to send notice to Arthur for match-fixing comments

Fri, Nov 05 10 09:22 PM

Lahore, Nov 5 (PTI) The Pakistan Cricket Board has threatened legal action against former South African coach Mickey Arthur, who had said that they suspected Pakistan''s involvement in match fixing in 2007. Arthur had recently said he and his teammates suspected that an ODI against Pakistan in 2007, which they won, was fixed as their rivals lost the match from a winning position. The PCB said in a statement that it would ask Arthur to share any evidence in this regard and if he was unable to do so, they reserved the right to start legal proceedings against him. "PCB has decided to immediately serve a legal notice on Micky Arthur asking him to share with PCB any evidence in this regard," the statement said. "If the evidence is not provided, PCB and Pakistani players reserve the right to initiate legal proceedings against Micky Arthur not limited to seeking unqualified apology," it said. PCB''s legal advisor, Tafazzul Rizvi said the board would be pursuing the matter with Arthur rigorously because he had indirectly said Pakistani players were involved in match fixing. "It is a serious allegation on his part and the onus is now on him to prove it, we can''t allow just anyone to make such damaging statements about our players and cricket and get away it. He must now come up with the evidence or face legal proceedings," he said. Arthur has already said that they did not have evidence about the fixing. "There was a strong suspicion of match-fixing and it took some of the gloss off the series win," Arthur had told website News24. Rizvi said the board has already consulted its international lawyers and would send the notice to Arthur by Monday. He said the PCB has a zero tolerance policy towards corruption in Cricket and will deal with any news concerning Pakistani Players with utmost importance and due care. Pakistan''s former skipper Shoaib Malik, who was captain in that particular game, also described Arthur''s claims as ridiculous before leaving for Hong Kong to play in the super sixes tournament. Pakistan cricket has been hit hard by fixing claims over the years and at present three of their top players, Salman Butt, Mohammed Asif and Mohammad Aamer stand suspended by the ICC for alleged spot fixing during the recent tour to England. PTI Corr AT

Source: Published>

Sutil sets ninth fastest in first free practice session

Fri, Nov 05 10 08:52 PM

Sao Paulo, Nov 5 (PTI) Force India''s Adrian Sutil today set the ninth fastest time while his teammate Vitantonio Liuzzi was 16th fastest in the first free practice session for Sunday''s Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos circuit here. Both Sutil and Liuzzi took 29 laps each in the 90-minute session and tested several updates in their cars for the penultimate race of the season. Red Bull''s Sebastian Vettel was fastest with a timing of 1:12.328 and was followed by his teammate Mark Webber (+0.482secs). McLaren''s Lewis Hamilton was third (+0.517secs). Sutil (+1.590secs) took little over one second from the leader Vettel while Liuzzi (+2.159secs) was behind further. PTI AT

Source: Published>

PCB threatens legal notice against South Africa's Arthur

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 08:06 PM

Karachi, Nov 5 (IANS) Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Friday threatened to sue former South Africa coach Mickey Arthur who alleged that he suspected that a 2007 match between the two countries in Lahore was 'fixed'.

PCB in a stern statement said Arthur should either back his claims with proof or face legal action.

'PCB has noted with concern the statement of former South African coach Mickey Arthur insinuating that a One-day International played at Lahore between Pakistan and South Africa in 2007 was fixed. PCB has decided to immediately serve a legal notice on Mickey Arthur asking him to share with PCB any evidence in this regard,' said the statement.

The statement added that Pakistani cricket players reserve the right to initiate legal proceedings against Mickey Arthur, 'including but not limited to seeking unqualified apology, retraction and damages'.

'PCB reiterates that it has a zero tolerance towards corruption in cricket and will deal with any news concerning Pakistani players with utmost importance and due care,' the statement concluded.

Pakistan lost that match following a dramatic collapse to hand South Africa a 3-2 series triumph.

Batting first, the South Africans scored 233 for nine in their 50 overs and in response Pakistan seemed set for a series-winning triumph at 149 for two.

But the hosts lost their last eight wickets for just 70 runs allowing the Proteas a 14-run victory.

'There was a strong suspicion of match-fixing and it took some of the gloss off the series win,' Arthur said in an interview this week.

'We did not have any proof, but when you have been involved in the game long enough you know when something is not right,' he said.

Shoaib Malik, who was the Pakistan's captain in the match, has rubbished Arthur's claims.

'His claim is ridiculous and I don't understand why after all these years he suddenly remembered this now,' the all-rounder said in an interview before leaving for Hong Kong where he will be leading Pakistan in the Hong Kong sixes.

Pakistan cricket is going through a turmoil because of a spot-fixing scandal involving three of the leading players - Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif.

The trio were provisionally suspended by the ICC Sep 2 after being accused of accepting bribes from match-fixers during the fourth Test against England at Lord's.

If proved guilt, the three players could be banned for life. The trio, however, maintain that they are innocent.

Source: Web Search

Australia lacks bowling talent: Murali

Fri, Nov 05 10 07:36 PM

Melbourne, Nov 5 (PTI) Legendary Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan today said Australia does not have enough fire in its bowling unit, which is the reason for its extended poor run and may also dent chances in the upcoming Ashes series against England. Australia today suffered its sixth defeat in a row in all forms of game as they lost to Sri Lanka by 29 runs to surrender the three-match One-day series. "At the moment, Australia is a bit down because of lack of talent," Murali, who has scalped 1300-plus wickets in his career, told Sydney Morning Herald. "You need to take 20 wickets, so you need a spinner to get two or three wickets and also one or two strike bowlers. "[Mitchell] Johnson is a good bowler on song, but then he goes off form. That does not help them. [Glenn] McGrath was always tight, and he had [Jason] Gillespie and [Brett] Lee as well. So they are struggling in the bowling. The batting is not bad," he added. Muralitharan believes the team who wins the first Ashes Test will eventually win the series. "England is in high mood, but luck can change quickly. Things can go wrong in one match, and suddenly the pressure is on you. Whoever wins the first Test is going to win the series. The team that has its nose in front does well here," said Murali, who played his last competitive match in Sydney against Australia today. The first Ashes Test gets underway on November 25 at Brisbane.

Source: Published>

Bowlers need to work hard to get wickets: Harbhajan

Fri, Nov 05 10 07:06 PM

Ahmedabad, Nov 5 (PTI) Indian bowlers will have the luxury to defend a huge first innings total but wicket won''t be easy to come by since the Motera strip was not offering much help, said star of day Harbhajan Singh, who shone with the bat with a sparkling half-century. The Indian spinner played a crucial role to lift India to 487 runs in the first Test against New Zealand with his career-best knock of 69 but is naturally unhappy over losing an opportunity to score his maiden Test century. "I am disappointed (in not getting a hundred). Some of my senior mates also told me this was a good chance I have missed. But I am happy to have contributed with the bat and made some runs after being out cheaply in my last two innings (against Australia)," said the off spinner. Asked about his aggressive approach while batting, he said that was the only way he knows to play. "I can''t play any other way. I go for my shots. I tried to play quietly for the first seven or eight runs and then played my shots. Whenever I have got opportunity with the bat or ball I have tried to give it my best shot," he said after striking three sixes and five fours in his 97-ball innings. The off-spinner said the Indian bowlers must stick to plans to get wickets as the track was not much of a help. "We have the runs on the board now but we need to work very hard and bowl to a plan. Their two best batsmen are at the crease with Jesse Ryder and Daniel Vettori to follow and the wicket is very slow and not offering much help as the ball is not turning much," he said. He was referring to Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor who will resume Kiwi innings tomorrow. The Black Caps are 69 for two, still trailing by 418 runs. The Indian tweaker said the key was to get both of them early tomorrow. "Perhaps if we can dismiss them within the first hour, we can get at the other batsmen. But they are a capable side," he said. Harbhajan also praised New Zealand bowlers, especially Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori, for the way they restricted the Indians to within the 500 mark. "At one stage they had only three (frontline) bowlers. Daniel bowled very well, varying his pace and flight. Full credit to their bowlers," he said. Vettori bowled a marathon 54.5 overs and took 4 for 118 and off spinner Jeetan Patel complimented him with figures of 3 for 135 and his victims included stalwarts Sachin Tendulkar and V V S Laxman.

Source: Published>

Sri Lanka beat Australia in second ODI by 29 runs

Fri, Nov 05 10 07:02 PM

Sri Lanka beat Australia by 29 runs under the Duckworth/Lewis method in the second of three one-day internationals at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.

Score: Sri Lanka 213-3 in 41.1 overs (Upul Tharanga 86 not out) v Australia 210 all out in 37.4 overs.

Source: Published>

West Indies players asked to go through board to play IPL

Fri, Nov 05 10 06:38 PM

St John''s (Antigua), Nov 5 (PTI) The West Indies Cricket Board, acting on BCCI''s advice, has asked its cricketers who wish to play in the next three seasons of the IPL to approach the league through WICB and not through agents or directly. The cricketers have been asked to submit their expressions of interest to the WICB by November 9. On receiving the expressions of interest, it will create a register of West Indies players interested in participating in the league, and submit the same to the BCCI and the IPL. "The BCCI/IPL will then enter the names into the IPL auction register and send it to the respective IPL franchises," a WICB media release stated. "Each franchise will select the players they would like to be entered into the auction. The BCCI/IPL will then notify the WICB of all West Indian players selected and the WICB will notify those players," it added. "The BCCI/IPL will send all agreements to the WICB and the WICB will bear sole responsibility for issuing these to the players for their review and acceptance or otherwise. The BCCI/IPL, as per its IPL rules, will not have any communication with player agents or managers and will only deal directly with the national boards/associations." Player who fail to adhere to these rules would be withdrawn from the IPL auction register. The clause is applicable to all West Indian players -- those who are contracted to the WICB or those who have played for the country. List of West Indies players who played in the IPL: Adrian Barath, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Kemar Roach, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Dwayne Smith, Jerome Taylor.

Source: Published>

Somdev in quarters of US Challenger, Yuki bows out

Fri, Nov 05 10 06:22 PM

Charlottesville (USA), Nov 5 (PTI) India''s Somdev Devvarman sailed into the singles quarter-finals but teen Yuki Bhambri crashed out of the ATP Challenger event in Charlottesville here. Somdev asserted his supremacy over Australia''s Greg Jones, whom he had beaten in the Commonwealth Games final to win gold medal, with a 6-3 6-3 win in the second round. The second seed Indian will now fight it out with another Australian Chris Guccione for a spot in the semifinals. However, it was all over for qualifier Yuki, who put up a brave fight against sixth seed Marinko Matosevic before losing 6-7 (2) 2-6 in his second round. Somdev advanced to the doubles quarter-finals along with partner Treat Conrad Huey with a 6-3 7-5 win over local wild cards Alex Bogomolov Jr. and Alex Kuznetsov in the opening round of the USD 50,000 hard court event.

Source: Published>

India gain upper hand in first test

Fri, Nov 05 10 06:18 PM

New Zealand face a tough task to make inroads into India's first innings total of 487 on a fast-deteriorating pitch after reaching 69 for two at the close on the second day of the first test on Friday.

The tourists slumped to 27 for two before Brendon McCullum (38 not out) and Ross Taylor (18 not out) ensured there were no further losses.

India, resuming the second day on 329 for three, took their total towards 500 thanks to a career-best 69 from spinner Harbhajan Singh.

Harbhajan (69) hit five boundaries and three mammoth sixes after the hosts had lost five wickets for 29 runs, all of them going to the spinners led by captain Daniel Vettori who picked up three.

Deliveries from Vettori, playing his 100th test, were seen to jump and turn sharply and the New Zealand batsmen may struggle against the Indian spinners Harbhajan and Pragyan Ojha.

Left-arm spinner Vettori added to his overnight scalp of centurion Virender Sehwag by dismissing India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan in the post-lunch session.

Off-spinner Jeetan Patel, who was torn apart by Sehwag on the first day, picked up the prized wickets of Sachin Tendulkar (40) and Vangipurappu Laxman (40) and also dismissed Ojha. Debutant Kane Williamson accounted for Suresh Raina (three).

Source: Published>

Bhupathi-Mirnyi, Bopanna-Qureshi score wins in Valencia Open

Fri, Nov 05 10 06:08 PM

Valencia (Spain), Nov 5 (PTI) Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi advanced to the semifinals while Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi sealed a quarter-final berth in the Valencia Open. Third seeds Bhupathi and Mirnyi beat Czech Frantisek Cermak and Slovakia''s Michal Mertinak 6-3 6-7(6) 10-6 in the quarter-finals. Fourth seeds Bopanna and Qureshi recorded a 7-6(6) 4-6 14-12 win over Pablo Cuevas Uruguay and Argentine Juan Monaco in the opening round of the euro 1,357,000 hard court event. Bhupathi and Mirnyi will next face top seeds Lukasz Kubot of Poland and Oliver Marach of Austria. Bopanna and Qureshi will take on Spaniards Marc Lopez and David Marrero in the second round.

Source: Published>

United to send Rooney to U.S. for week of conditioning

Fri, Nov 05 10 05:56 PM

Manchester United will send injured forward Wayne Rooney to the United States for a week of intense conditioning away from the media spotlight, the club's assistant manager Mike Phelan said on Friday.

The England striker will miss Saturday's home Premier League game against Wolverhampton Wanderer and Wednesday's derby at Manchester City.

"He is going on Saturday and will return the following Saturday," Phelan told a news conference.

"It might be in the interest of him and the club to have a change of scenery. He has had a lot of attention lately so we are going to give him the best possible opportunity that we can to be in good shape when he returns."

Rooney, who has been in the headlines for several months in the run-up to signing a five-year deal to stay at Old Trafford because of allegations about his private life and his poor form, has been struggling with an ankle injury.

Source: Published>

Australian bowling lacks talent: Murali

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 05:52 PM

Sydney, Nov 5 (IANS) Sri Lanka spin king Muttiah Muralitharan feels the current Australian bowling attack lacks talent but tipped the team who wins the first Ashes Test to seal the series.

Muralitharan, who is playing his final competitive One-day International (ODI) in Sydney, said the Kangaroos still have depth in the batting department but don't have bowlers who can take 20 wickets in a Test match.

'At the moment, Australia is a bit down because of lack of talent,' Murali was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

'You need to take 20 wickets, so you need a spinner to get two or three wickets and also one or two strike bowlers. (Mitchell) Johnson is a good bowler on song, but then he goes off form. That does not help them. (Glenn) McGrath was always tight, and he had (Jason) Gillespie and (Brett) Lee as well.'

'So, they are struggling in bowling. The batting is not bad,' said the man who has taken a staggering 1300-plus wickets in international cricket.

The 38-year-old legend, however, believes the Ashes down under will be a close contest between the arch-rivals England and Australia.

'It is difficult to say. England is in high mood, but luck can change quickly. Things can go wrong in one match, and suddenly the pressure is on you. Whoever wins the first Test is going to win the series,' opined Murali.

The first Test kicks off Nov 25 at the Gabba.

Source: Web Search

Scoreboard: India vs New Zealand, First Test, Day two

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 05:08 PM

Ahmedabad, Nov 5 (IANS) Scoreboard on the second day of the first cricket Test between India and New Zealand here Friday:

India (first innings):

Gautam Gambhir b Ryder 21

Virender Sehwag b Vettori 173

Rahul Dravid b Martin 104

Sachin Tendulkar c & b Patel 40

V.V.S. Laxman lbw b Patel 40

Suresh Raina c McCullum b Williamson 3

Mahendra Singh Dhoni c Watling b Vettori 10

Harbhajan Singh c Hopkins b Vettori 69

Zaheer Khan b Vettori 1

Pragyan Ojha lbw b Patel 11

S. Sreesanth not out 2

Extras: (b-5, lb-2, w-1, nb-5) 13

Total: (all out in 151.5 overs) 487

Fall of wickets: 1-60 (Gambhir, 11.6 overs), 2-297 (Sehwag, 74.2), 3-317 (Dravid, 83.2), 4-383 (Tendulkar, 114.4), 5-392 (Raina, 119.5), 6-392 (Laxman, 120.2), 7-410 (Dhoni, 123.5), 8-412 (Khan, 127.1), 9-478 (Ojha, 145.5), 10-487 (Harbhajan Singh, 151.5)

Bowling:

Chris Martin 24 5 75 1

Hamish Bennett 15 2 47 0

Daniel Vettori 54.5 12 118 4

Jesse Ryder 17 4 56 1

Jeetan Patel 29 6 135 3

Kane Williamson 12 0 49 1

New Zealand (first innings):

Tim McIntosh c Dhoni b Khan 0

Brendon McCullum not out 38

Bradley-John Watling b Ojha 6

Ross Taylor not out 18

Extras: (b-1, lb-6) 7

Total: (for two wickets in 28 overs) 69

Fall of wickets: 1-8 (McIntosh, 2.4 overs), 2-27 (Watling, 9.1)

Bowling:

Zaheer Khan 7 4 14 1

S. Sreesanth 6 1 21 0

Pragyan Ojha 10 3 15 1

Harbhajan Singh 5 2 12 0

Toss: India, who chose to bat

Umpires: Steve Davis (Australia) and Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka)

TV umpire: Shavir Tarapore

Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)

Source: Web Search

Bradman's backyard bat expected to fetch $15,000-$20,000

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 04:52 PM

Sydney, Nov 5 (IANS) Sir Donald Bradman's backyard bat will be auctioned Sunday and is expected to fetch anything between $15,000-$20,000.

The bat which Bradman used for playing backyard cricket at his Adelaide home is termed as 'perhaps the ultimate backyard bat' by sports memorabilia experts.

The willow was not only tested by the great Bradman but also by the other contemporaries such as Keith Miller and Lindsay Hassett during their visits to Bradman's Holden Street home in Adelaide.

Tom Thompson, who published Bradman's memoir 'Farewell to cricket' recalls the time when he and many others flocked the legendary batsman's home after a Test match and would start belting around with the backyard bat.

'When there was an Adelaide game, everybody would go back and play in Bradman's backyard. It was a fun thing,' Thompson was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

'The only rule that I was ever told by Bradman was that over the fence was definitely out and you could not play. He called them 'ill-considered shots'. It was all about control and precision. With Bradman there was always rules,' he said.

The three-quarter sized backyard bat was produced by the British firm Sykes for young cricketers in 1936 and was signed by Bradman in the ownership position of the upper-left, reverse.

Source: Web Search

Ashley Cole caught in nightclub scuffle

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 04:38 PM

London, Nov 05 (ANI): English footballer Ashley Cole was caught in a scuffle as he left a club with two short-skirted WAG wannabes.

As pals screamed at onlookers outside London's trendy Alto club in Soho, Cole, 29, was seen leaving with the two girls, who as soon as they realised they had been spotted, tried to rush off, covering their faces.

Cole stayed behind and an angry mob of pals launched a salvo of abuse at waiting photographers, with some having to be pulled back by bouncers during the heated exchanges.

It was only when a passing police car turned up that things cooled down.

"Ashley wasn't involved in any of the real rowing. He tried to distance himself from it by moving away and talking on his mobile phone," the Daily Star quoted an onlooker as saying.

"But interest peaked when he first emerged with the two girls. They wore tight, short skirts and had that typical WAG look about them. They dashed off as soon as they realised they'd been clocked," the onlooker added. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Brit football club to become first to offer university degree for game

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 04:26 PM

London, Nov 05 (ANI): A football club in Britain is set to become the first to offer a university degree about the game.

Burnley FC is to offer students the football-focused course, which will include studying core topics of football finance, football law, stadium management, new stadia, and commercialism in football.

It has teamed up with an un-named private university in London with The Championship club bosses hoping to attract students from across the world.

The degree is the dream of operational director Brendan Flood, and will be run by Philip Wilson, who has completed a three-year Football Industries MBA at the University of Liverpool.

Lectures and seminars will take place at Burnley's football stadium Turf Moor facilities and the cost of the BA (Hons) degree is expected to be around 3,200 pounds.

"Clearly we're not a rich club, but we have always been a smart club, and this is a way of bringing in secondary income streams to keep up with other clubs," the Daily Mail quoted Championship Club chief executive Paul Fletcher as saying.

"We are running this as a business, not an extension of the Government education arm, and we feel it is appealing to anyone who wants to get involved in the football industry.

"Our rates will be on a par with what students already have to pay to do similar courses. We may even be a little bit less expensive.

"But our unique setting adds to the appeal as well.

"Not only are we one of the founder members of the Football League, but we are sitting right in the middle of a host of Premier League clubs, and students would be learning while overlooking a green pitch," he stated. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Webber hits out at Red Bull for favouring teammate Vettel

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 04:22 PM

Sydney, Nov 5 (ANI): Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber has hit out at his Red Bull team for favouring his teammate Sebastian Vettel.

Webber lies second in the drivers' championship, 14 points ahead of his teammate with two races left.

Webber told The Guardian that his success this season has been inconvenient for his team.

"I think I wasn't supposed to be in the hunt at all, so it's been maybe quite inconvenient, but I've enjoyed every minute of it," Webber said.

Red Bull have denied all season that they favour Vettel, but, when asked if his team was behind his younger teammate, Webber said: "F---ing obvious, isn't it? Of course.

"When young, new charges come on to the block that's where the emotion is. That's the way it is," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

Webber, who is 11 points behind Ferrari's Fernando Alonso in the drivers' standings, said he did not expect Vettel to support him at the Interlagos track this weekend.

Webber courted controversy in July after winning the British Grand Prix by publicly accusing his team of favouritism after a new wing was removed from his car and fitted to Vettel's. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

New Zealand spinners bowl India out for 487 in first innings

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 04:18 PM

Ahmedabad, Nov 5 (IANS) Harbhajan Singh slammed a half-century before New Zealand spun India out for a first innings total of 487 at tea on the second day of the first cricket Test here Friday.

New Zealand spinners continued to trouble the Indian batsmen in the second session of the day. Skipper Daniel Vettori (4-118), who is playing is 100th Test, led the way by snaring three wickets post lunch, on a slow track.

Harbhajan's 97-ball 69, with five fours and three sixes brought India close to a 500-plus total. His 66-run parternship with fellow spinner Pragyan Ojha was the only resistance Indian tail provided against the New Zealand attack.

Vettori struck soon after the lunch with swift dismissals of Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (10) and Zaheer Khan (1). Dhoni inside-edged a catch to Bradley-John Watling at forward short leg while Zaheer was bowled out.

Vettori and off-spinner Jeetan Patel (3-135) then ran through the Indian tail. Harbhajan was the last Indian wicket to fall and Vettori's fourth victim when he was caught behind attempting a late cut. The tea was immediately called.

Earlier, a late three-wicket burst by New Zealand spinners restricted India to 392 for six at lunch.

Sachin Tendulkar (40) and V.V.S Laxman (40) began cautiously and the fourth-wicket pair added 66 runs. But Patel and Kane Williamson picked Tendulkar and Suresh Raina in quick succession to turn the heat on India.

When Patel trapped Laxman leg before on the last ball before lunch, the Black Caps had taken their third wicket for a mere nine runs in the the first session of the day.

Resuming at 329 for three, Tendulkar and Laxman added another 54 runs without any hiccups. Tendulkar, who is eyeing is 50th Test century, got out to a rather soft dismissal when he returned an easy catch to Patel off his own bowling and the visitors broke into celebrations.

The New Zealand attack, which was handed a brutal treatment by the first day centurions Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid, bowled a far more disciplined line in the morning and were aptly rewarded. Debutant Hamish Bennett, who strained his groin Thursday, however, could not take to the field.

Source: Web Search

Races put off to November 9

Fri, Nov 05 10 04:08 PM

Bangalore,Nov5 (PTI) In view of the inclement weather and resultant underfoot conditions,the stewards have decided to postpone to November nine the first day of the Bangalore Winter Meeting scheduled today.

Source: Published>

Australia's cricket superpower role not in crisis: Warne

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 03:38 PM

Sydney, Nov 5(ANI): Former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne believes that reports of Australia's death as a cricket superpower are greatly exaggerated, and predicted that they will win the upcoming Ashes series.

"Australia aren't playing as well as they'd like, but a crisis is when you haven't got good players. But don't tell me Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Peter Siddle aren't good," the Daily Express quoted Warne, as saying.

"Australia will win because our bowlers know the conditions here better," he added.

The 41-year-old further criticized Andrew Strauss-led England team saying that they possess the "wrong attitude".

"I sense for the first time in a long while the English attitude is different - more sarcasm, lip and arrogance. And if England come over with the wrong attitude it could end in tears," Warne said.

England have arrived Down Under to defend the urn they claimed with a 2-1 success on home soil last year.

Australia have not lost an Ashes series Down Under since 1986/87, but have been struggling in recent months and suffered a 2-0 Test whitewash on their recent tour of India. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Bopanna-Qureshi duo advance to quarterfinals in Valencia ATP championship

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 03:08 PM

Valencia (Spain), Nov 5(ANI): The tennis duo comprising Rohan Bopanna of India and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan has advanced into the quarterfinals of the ATP World Tour Championship men's doubles event in Valencia, Spain.

Bopanna and Qureshi defeated the pair of Jaun Monaco of Argentina and Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay 7-6, 4-6, 14-12 in one hour and 35 minutes in their pre quarterfinal match, the News reports.

The 'Indo-Pak Express' will now face the all-Spanish duo of Marc Lopez and Davis Marreo in the last eight.

A good showing in Valencia could help Aisam and Rohan finish among the world's top eight doubles team this year and help them make the cut for the year-end Masters in London next month.

The pair had progressed to the quarterfinals of the ATP Kremlin Cup last month, where they were defeated by Janko Tipsarevic and Viktor Troicki. (ANI)

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India all out for 487 at tea

Fri, Nov 05 10 02:58 PM

Ahmedabad, Nov 5 (PTI) India were all out for 487 in their first innings at tea on the second day of the first Test against New Zealand here today. Brief Scores: India: 487 all out in 15.5 overs (Virender Sehwag 173, Rahul Dravid 104, Harbhajan Singh 69; Daniel Vettori 4/118, Jeetan Patel 3/135).

Source: Published>

Current Pak team not good enough for international cricket: Mudassar Nazar

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 02:46 PM

Dubai, Nov 5(ANI): Former Pakistani opening batsman Mudassar Nazar insists that the recent poor results of the national team reflects that the team is not one of the best outfits in recent times.

Pakistan currently trails the five-match ODI series being played against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates 2-1.

"Every time we lose we look for excuses, that the spot-fixing allegations are affecting the players, there are groups in the team and this and that happened, but the fact is that the team is not good enough," the Daily Times quoted Mudassar, as saying.

Mudassar, who is currently a coach at the ICC Global Academy in Dubai, also made it clear that there were problems with the composition of the ODI team for the series against South Africa.

"You need more impact players in the team, players who are different in style, method and the way they approach the game. That is the key to success," Mudassar said.

"Winning or losing is a habit, and unfortunately, we have lost so many times that it has become a habit for our team. It is never easy to get out of this habit and, for this to happen, some of the senior players need to put up their hands and take on the responsibility," he added.

He further rubbished reports that there were groups and differences in the team.

"They are people, who, whenever they want to change the captain or have changes in the team, go on about differences in the team. I think 90 percent of the time this is not correct," Mudassar said.

"We are losing because we are not playing well and are not good enough at the moment." He added. (ANI)

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Football managers pace 25 miles a season during games, reveals study

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 02:08 PM

London, Nov 05 (ANI): A new study has revealed that top Premiership managers cover more than 25 miles a season just pacing up and down during games.

According to research, the most successful managers, competing in the Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup on top of Premier League fixtures, can be expected to cover 25.1 miles per season, which is equivalent of 117 times around a football pitch.

The study, carried out to mark the release of computer game Football Manager 2011, involved examining footage of the biggest names in football management.

Researchers analysed the number of steps taken by Premier League bosses when pacing about the technical area, travelling to and from the dugouts and sidelines and shifting nervously while watching their side take on the top teams.

"People assume that once a football match starts, the manager just sits back and watches the action unfold," the Sun quoted Miles Jacobson, studio director of Football Manager 2011, as saying.

"However, the modern manager is so passionate about the game and under more pressure than ever to achieve the best results that more often than not they are found pacing anxiously up and down or jumping from the dugout in excitement at a goal or frustration at what they deem to be a poor refereeing decision," he stated.

The study found that Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Mick McCarthy covers the greatest distance while watching his side play, pacing an average distance of 36.1 miles in the Premier League season alone, the equivalent of walking from London to Luton.

Hot on the heels of McCarthy, Premiership managers Chris Hughton, of Newcastle United, Stoke City's Tony Pulis, Steve Bruce, of Sunderland, and Blackpool boss Ian Holloway were found to be some of the most energetic team leaders. (ANI)

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'Recuperating' Tanvir dropped from Pak squad for South Africa Test series

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 01:56 PM

Lahore, Nov 5(ANI): Pakistani fast bowler Sohail Tanvir has been dropped from the Test squad for the upcoming series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates.

Tanvir was named in the Test squad announced last month, but the selectors had made it clear that his trip would be subject to fitness, as the left-arm fast bowler was recovering from a knee operation.

"The medical advice on Tanvir is that he needs to be given more time to complete his rehabilitation process and he will not be joining the Test squad," the Daily Times quoted a selector, as saying.

Misbah-ul-Haq was earlier appointed as captain for the series in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.isbah is the fourth Pakistan Test captain this year after Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi and Salman Butt.

The team will also see comebacks of fast bowler Mohammad Sami, leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and opening batsman Taufiq Umar.

Kamran Akmal is out due to injury, while Zulqarnain Haider has been retained in the team for his fighting 88 runs in his debut and only match against England.

Pakistan Test squad for South Africa series:

Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Imran Farhat, Taufeeq Umar, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Yousuf, Umar Akmal. Azhar Ali, Saeed Ajmal, Danish Kaneria, Abdur Rehman, Zulqarnain Haider, Umar Gul, Tanvir Ahmed, Mohammad Sami and Wahab Riaz. (ANI)

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ODI call-up not precursor to Ashes berth: Ferguson

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 01:38 PM

Sydney, Nov 5 (ANI): Callum Ferguson, who replaced injured Shaun Marsh in Australia's limited overs squad, doesn't consider his ODI call-up a precursor to an Ashes berth.

Downplaying the significance of his one-day selection, Ferguson said: "It's a different format altogether."

"One-day cricket is completely different from Test cricket but it's another chance to represent the country and an opportunity I'm extremely proud of.

"... Any runs are always good, they help strengthen your cause no matter where you are trying to get to, but it really is a completely different format," The Sydney Morning herald quoted Ferguson, as saying.

Ferguson averaged over 46 in 25 one-dayers for Australia until October last year, when he underwent a knee reconstruction.

"It has been a while. It (the injury) gave me a chance to assess where I was at with my career, it was a long time on the sidelines but it gave me a chance to look at my game and see where I could improve," he said.

"I'm hoping throughout that period I was able to recognise a few of my weaknesses and work on them," Ferguson said.

"The 25 games I played for Australia were the time of my life and it was something I was desperately keen to get back to," he added. (ANI)

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Prior wants England to get into winning habit early on Ashes tour

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 01:26 PM

London, Nov 5 (ANI): England wicketkeeper Matt Prior has targeted a winning start to inspire a run of success on the challenging tour of Australia.

England plays their first warm-up match on Friday against Western Australia

"Winning is a habit, and the quicker you can get into that habit, the better," The BBC quoted Prior, as saying.

"First and foremost, we want to win the game. It's dangerous to go down the line of a warm-up or practice match. It is a first-class game, and we'll take it very seriously," he said.

England was beaten by 166 runs in a one-day match against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra during their last visit to Australia in 2006/07.

However, this time England plays three first-class matches with South Australia and Australia A still to come before the first Test begins in Brisbane on November 25.

Western Australia will be led by Marcus North, who is not 100 percent certain of his own place in the Test team, but enhanced his chances with a century in the second Test against India last month to end a run of low scores. (ANI)

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Indian Rowing team eyes gold at Asian Games

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 01:22 PM

Hyderabad, Nov 5 (ANI): The members of Indian Rowing team have expressed confidence of winning gold in the upcoming Asian Games in China.

Rowing coach Ismail Baig said that the team is confident of giving a much better performance than the last edition of the Games in Doha.

"We are in the last stage for the preparations of the Asian Games; we will be leaving for China on November 7. We have been preparing for it since four years and we did not perform well at the Asian Games in Doha. This time our target is to anyhow win gold and maximum number of medals," said Baig.

This time a total of 28 athletes, including men and women, have undergone rigorous practice session at the Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad.

Members of the national squad said that they expect their hard work to pay off at the games.

After the spectacular display in the XIXth Commonwealth Games, the Indian athletes are confident of delivering their best in the ensuing XVI Asian Games to be staged at China's Guangzhou city.

"The aim of all the train has been towards the Asian Games though we had one or two events in the middle and we really expect to come with a medal this time all the girls, we have trained extremely hard and all of us are expecting to out with a medal," said Priya, women's rowing team member.

The Sports Ministry on Thursday cleared a record-843 member Indian contingent, including athletes and officials, to participate in the forthcoming Asian Games, to be held from November 12 to 27.

The Indian contingent will comprise of 360 men athletes, 349 women athletes, 127 coaches, 44 managers, a team of doctors and other sports officials.

Ace shooter Gagan Narang, who picked up four gold medals in the Delhi Commonwealth Games, will be the flag bearer at the XVI Asian Games.

In the last edition of Asiad at Doha, India sent 432 athletes to compete in 31 disciplines and finished with a total of 53 medals - 10 gold, 17 silver and 26 bronze.

The Asian Games, held once in four years, is the second mega multi-sport event after the Olympics.

The 16-day-long sports event would feature 42 sports, including 28 Olympic sports and 14 non-Olympic sports and also athletes from 45 nations would be participating. (ANI)

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New Zealand peg back India with three quick wickets

Fri, Nov 05 10 01:18 PM

New Zealand spinners picked up three quick wickets to peg back India late in the first session on day two of the opening test on Friday.

Off-spinner Jeetan Patel, who was picked apart by centurion Virender Sehwag on the first day, picked up the prized wickets of Sachin Tendulkar (40) and Vangipurappu Laxman (40) while debutant Kane Williamson accounted for Suresh Raina (three).

India added only 63 runs in the early session to stand at 392 for six wickets at lunch on day two. Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (nought) was at the crease after Laxman fell in the last over of the session, out leg before to Patel.

Tendulkar and Laxman stitched together a partnership of 66 runs for the fourth wicket before Tendulkar offered a simple return catch to Patel.

New Zealand, hit by a groin injury to debutant paceman Hamish Bennett, hope to dismiss the Indian tail quickly as the pitch at the Sardar Patel Stadium deteriorates quickly.

Deliveries from New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori were seen to jump and turn sharply during the early session, and the tourists' batsmen may struggle with the pitch against Indian bowlers Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha.

Source: Published>

Becks dismisses US citizenship rumours

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 12:52 PM

London, Nov 5 (ANI): Former England captain David Beckham has dismissed reports that he wants US citizenship, insisting he is still very much an Englishman.

"You may have seen some recent quotes attributed to me. Just to be clear - I'm happy living in America but have no intention of becoming a US citizen," the Sun quoted him as saying.

"I'm English and proud to be. That will never change," he said.

It had been reported that Beckham, who has been living in Los Angeles since 2007, had said "it would be nice" to get citizenship in the States.

However, his latest comments end such speculation.

He currently lives in Beverly Hills with wife, Victoria, 36, and their three sons, Brooklyn, 11, Romeo, eight, and Cruz, five. (ANI)

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Lunch scoreboard: India vs New Zealand, First Test, Day two

Published>Fri, Nov 05 10 12:46 PM

Ahmedabad, Nov 5 (IANS) Scoreboard at lunch on the second day of the first cricket Test between India and New Zealand here Friday:

India (first innings):

Gautam Gambhir b Ryder 21

Virender Sehwag b Vettori 173

Rahul Dravid b Martin 104

Sachin Tendulkar c & b Patel 40

V.V.S. Laxman lbw b Patel 40

Suresh Raina c McCullum b Williamson 3

Mahendra Singh Dhoni batting 0

Extras: (b-5, lb-2, w-1, nb-3) 11

Total: (for six wickets in 120.2 overs) 392

Fall of wickets: 1-60 (Gambhir, 11.6 overs), 2-297 (Sehwag, 74.2), 3-317 (Dravid, 83.2), 4-383 (Tendulkar, 114.4), 5-392 (Raina, 119.5), 6-392 (Laxman, 120.2)

Bowling:

Chris Martin 21 4 70 1

Hamish Bennett 15 2 47 0

Daniel Vettori 42 10 82 1

Jesse Ryder 13 2 48 1

Jeetan Patel 20.2 3 102 2

Kane Williamson 9 0 36 1

Toss: India, who chose to bat

Umpires: Steve Davis (Australia) and Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka)

TV umpire: Shavir Tarapore

Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)

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