Erratic Jeev ends tied 55th at Reno-Tahoe Open

Mon, Jul 19 10 02:07 PM

Reno (USA), Jul 19 (PTI) Jeev Milkha Singh dropped six bogeys in a wretched front nine to return his worst card of the week -- a five-over 75 -- and sign off a disappointing tied 55th in the Reno-Tahoe Open golf tournament here. The seasoned Indian ended his campaign with a total of five-over 293. The 10th tee starter began well by striking a birdie on the 11th but that was to be the lone bright spot in his card. One-under at the turn, Jeev was undone by a string of dropped shot starting on the first hole itself. He stumbled to five more bogeys -- on the third, fourth, sixth, eighth and ninth to round off a disappointing day. American Matt Bettencourt (68) clinched the title with a total of 11-under 277, while his compatriot Bob Heintz (69) finished a stroke adrift at the second spot.

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Pakistan team will bounce back in Headingley Test: Waqar

Published>Mon, Jul 19 10 01:37 PM

London, July 19(ANI): Pakistan coach Waqar Younis is confident that his team will bounce in the second Test match against Australia, starting at Headingley from Wednesday.

Waqar said that a couple of solid innings at Lord's could have changed the course of the series.

"There is a very thin line between win and loss and I still believe that with a bit of better luck and grabbing opportunities we could have nullified 150 runs deficit," The News quoted Waqar, as saying.

"We have got players who can seriously challenge Australia and those who have failed to make their mark in the first Test will hopefully give their best at Headingley," he added.

Waqar further praised the outgoing skipper Shahid Afridi, saying that he took over the captaincy when there was no other suitable option.

"I think he has done his job and filled that gap. He successfully played his role as a captain," he added.

He also has high hopes from the new captain Salman Butt, and said: "He is the coolest of the players in the team and knows well what to do and what not to. I think he would be a successful captain as he has all the qualities to do justice with his position." (ANI)

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North, Watson Lords performance shows depth of Oz Test attack: Ponting

Published>Mon, Jul 19 10 01:27 PM

London, July 19 (ANI): Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting is of the view that the bowling performance of all-rounders Marcus North and Shane Watson in the recently concluded Lords Test against Pakistan, highlights the increasing versatility of the squad's bowling attack in the run-up to this year's Ashes series.

Watson claimed five wickets in the first Pakistani innings for about 40 runs, while North chipped in with a match winning six-wicket haul in the second. Pakistan lost the Test by 150 runs on the fourth day.

"Things are coming together nicely. Without being silly, we've all got one eye on stuff that's happening later in the year and these steps this week have been good ones in the right direction as far as keeping on improving our Test cricket," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Ponting, as saying.

"We've got a few more Tests to play yet, but things are going well for us. The encouraging sign for us is having that depth, so if injuries or form or whatever plays a part, we know we've got a real good core group of players that are going to lead Australia forward in all forms of the game," Ponting added.

North is the fourth member of Australia's top six to have picked up a five-wicket bag in Test cricket, joining Watson (5-40), Simon Katich and Michael Clarke.

"I certainly don't think that I'm a No.1 spinner or anything like that, but I feel comfortable in the role I can play for Australia," North said.

"I feel that given the ball I can contribute, I'm not just there as a spare part. I feel I can genuinely be a wicket-taking option and complement the other bowlers around me," he added.

With Steve Smith in the line-up, Australia boasts the ultimate in variety in its spinning ranks.

The young New South Welshman bowls leg-spin, North is an off-spinner while Clarke (left-arm finger spinner) and Katich (left-arm wrist spinner) complete the set.

On the quick bowlers, Ponting said they must show more patience in the second and final Test at Headingley, starting Wednesday.

"I really think it was a fact of both those guys really trying too hard knowing the conditions offered quite a bit for the faster bowlers," he said. (ANI)

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Is golf is giving up on Tiger Woods?

Published>Mon, Jul 19 10 01:21 PM

London, July 19 (ANI): Tiger Woods is in grave danger of becoming just another golfer, and he realizes it.

After yet another false start at the British Open, Woods admitted: "That has been the story of my week. As soon as I got something going, I would somehow find a way to stop the momentum."

"I knew the start I needed and, after pulling back two shots on the first three, I needed to keep it going. But that didn't happen," The Sun quoted him, as saying.

"I drove the ball great all week but, other than the first day, I did not putt well at all. You just can't expect to win tournaments if you three-putt nine or 10 times. No one can win doing that. So I have to clean that up before I tee it up again," he added.

People within the game are starting to question whether Woods' career will ever recover from the self-inflicted wounds.

It was once assumed it was only a matter of time before Tiger overtook Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major titles. Yet that is no longer such a formality, as Woods wonders where his next big win is coming from.

For the first time in his professional career, he has not landed a single event all season and the last of his 14 majors came more than two years ago.

Despite all his problems, Woods is still the biggest draw in golf and clinging to his world No 1 spot.

If anything, recent events have only added to his legend and, while he may no longer be unassailable, a multi-million dollar industry depends on his presence at these events. (ANI)

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Ex-Liverpool boss blames Rooney for England's WC loss

Published>Mon, Jul 19 10 01:07 PM

London, July 19 (ANI): Ex-Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has blamed Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney for England's shocking World Cup performance.

Fabio Capello's side crashed out of the tournament with a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Germany in the second round.

"Probably the key to understanding why England didn't perform at the World Cup is that the top players didn't do as well as we could expect them to," The Sun quoted the French coach, as saying.e added: "I'm thinking mainly about Wayne Rooney. He's an outstanding player but whether he was tired or wasn't in good shape I don't know. If Rooney, who for me is a top player and finisher, had scored a few more goals maybe..."

"England was also unlucky because of the goal that was disallowed against Germany. It was a good goal," he said. (ANI)

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Rain delays second day's play in Galle Test

Published>Mon, Jul 19 10 12:57 PM

Galle, July 19 (IANS) Continuous rains delayed the start of the second day's play in the first Test match between India and Sri Lanka here Monday.

The heavy overnight rains left the outfield soggy, forcing a late start for the second successive day. The start of play on the opening day Sunday was delayed by 30 minutes and it was called off because of bad light with 22 overs still to be bowled.

Curator Jayananda Warnaweera said play could begin only after lunch. The overcast conditions are likely to truncate the five-day Test.

Sri Lanka, batting first, were 256 for two wickets when play was halted on day one, with Tharanga Paranavitana batting on 110 and Mahela Jayawardene eight.

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Overnight rain delays second day's start

Published>Mon, Jul 19 10 12:27 PM

Overnight rains delayed the start of the second day of the first cricket Test between India and Sri Lanka here on Monday.

Heavy rains lashed Galle last night and made the entire outfield wet, which was more than enough for a delayed start for the second consecutive day

Even though there were no rains in the morning, wet outfield forced the covers to stay on at the Galle International Stadium and according to the curator Jayananda Warnaweera, play can begin only after lunch.

The opening day's play yesterday, was also delayed by 30 minutes due to wet ground conditions.

Weathermen have predicted overcast conditions on all five days of the match, which, incidentally, is veteran Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan's swansong Test.

After the opening day's play in which only 68 overs were bowled, Sri Lanka were in a comfortable position at 256 for two with Tharanga Paranavitana unbeaten on 110 and Mahela Jayawardene on 8 occupying the crease.

Captain Kumar Sangakkara (103) also notched up his 22nd century on Sunday, that came off just 145 balls.

The toothless Indian bowling attack was taken for a ride by the Sri Lankans batters with only debutant Abhimanyu Mithun (1/41) and Virender Sehwag (1/23) managing wickets.

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