Smith doubtful for 2nd India-SAfrica test

Published Sat, Feb 13 10 01:29 PM

Kolkata, Feb. 13 -- South Africa captain Graeme Smith is in doubt for the second test against India starting Sunday, with the visitors needing only a draw to clinch a series victory and reclaim top spot in the world test rankings. Smith injured the little finger on his left hand during catching practice on Friday. A scan showed ligament damage that could threaten his participation in the Eden Gardens test. "There has been considerable swelling," media spokesman Michael Owen-Smith said. "We have to wait for the next 24 hours to see how things are." Smith was expected to test out the injury at a net session on Saturday. South Africa won the first test at Nagpur by an innings and six runs, but India will be strengthened by the return of some players from injury for the upcoming test. V.V.S. Laxman, who was a late withdrawal from the series opener, will be back, while pace bowler S.Sreesanth was included in the 15-man squad named Saturday, along with Dinesh Karthik and Suresh Raina. Those making way from the first test's 15-man squad were wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha and the pace duo of Sudip Tyagi and Abhimanyu Mithun. South Africa thought the wicket at Eden Gardens would suit the Indian spinners while negating its own pacemen led by Dale Steyn, but ground curator Prabir Mukherjee said the "wicket will be sporting one _ it would last for five days." Mukherjee denied that he received any official instruction to make the pitch a turning one to help India's chances of victory. Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) which oversees Calcutta matches, said "even if any instructions do come it is not possible to change the nature of the pitch overnight." A draw will be of no benefit to India, whose current hold on the No.1 ICC ranking was under severe threat. "We have got no choice but to go for a win," India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said. "Whatever be the condition here we will giving it our best shot. No matter how disappointing the loss at Nagpur was, it is time now to move ahead." ___ Squads: India : Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Murali Vijay, Sachin Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman, Subramanium Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Zaheer Khan, S.Sreesanth, Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ozha, Dinesh Karthik and Suresh Raina.

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Smith in doubtful for 2nd India-SAfrica test

Published Sat, Feb 13 10 01:25 PM

Kolkata, Feb. 13 -- South Africa captain Graeme Smith is in doubt for the second test against India starting Sunday, with the visitors needing only a draw to clinch a series victory and reclaim top spot in the world test rankings. Smith injured the little finger on his left hand during catching practice on Friday. A scan showed ligament damage that could threaten his participation in the Eden Gardens test. "There has been considerable swelling," media spokesman Michael Owen-Smith said. "We have to wait for the next 24 hours to see how things are." Smith was expected to test out the injury at a net session on Saturday. South Africa won the first test at Nagpur by an innings and six runs, but India will be strengthened by the return of some players from injury for the upcoming test. V.V.S. Laxman, who was a late withdrawal from the series opener, will be back, while pace bowler S.Sreesanth was included in the 15-man squad named Saturday, along with Dinesh Karthik and Suresh Raina. Those making way from the first test's 15-man squad were wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha and the pace duo of Sudip Tyagi and Abhimanyu Mithun. South Africa thought the wicket at Eden Gardens would suit the Indian spinners while negating its own pacemen led by Dale Steyn, but ground curator Prabir Mukherjee said the "wicket will be sporting one _ it would last for five days." Mukherjee denied that he received any official instruction to make the pitch a turning one to help India's chances of victory. Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) which oversees Calcutta matches, said "even if any instructions do come it is not possible to change the nature of the pitch overnight." A draw will be of no benefit to India, whose current hold on the No.1 ICC ranking was under severe threat. "We have got no choice but to go for a win," India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said. "Whatever be the condition here we will giving it our best shot. No matter how disappointing the loss at Nagpur was, it is time now to move ahead." Squads:

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Ashwell Prince, A.B. de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Jean-Paul Duminy, Alviro Petersen, Mark Boucher, Paul Harris, Johan Botha, Ryan McLaren, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn and Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

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Former Man U team-mate warns Becks of rough ride ahead of dream Old Trafford clash

Published>Sat, Feb 13 10 01:11 PM

London, Feb 13(ANI): AC Milan midfielder David Beckham has been warned by former Manchester United team-mate Teddy Sheringham that his dream clash at the Old Trafford will be a rough ride.

Sheringham reckons that United will unveil anti-Beckham tactics against their former hero in Tuesday's Champions League quarterfinal first-leg tie with Milan.

"Alex Ferguson knows everything about him. I'm sure he will make sure Patrice Evra plays right against him," The Sun quoted Sheringham, as saying.

"Beckham is still a fantastic crosser of a ball and United will be out to deal with him," he added.

Sheringham also believes that Beckham will go to this summer's World Cup finals, even if he fails to regain his regular starting role with the Italian giants.

"I don't think Fabio Capello will think of starting Beckham in the finals, so as long as he plays some games for AC I think he'll be OK," he said.

Beckham had earlier said that he was looking forward to be playing against the club where he won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and one Champions League trophy in a glorious ten-year period.

"The thing is with Manchester United and AC Milan, they have terrific respect for each other. That's between the managers, the players, the fans and the clubs. Emotionally, it is going to be very difficult after not playing there for seven years, but it is something I can't wait for now. To be back in that stadium will be fantastic," Beckham had said. (ANI)

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Capello worried over Rooney's huge burden at Man United

Published>Sat, Feb 13 10 12:59 PM

London, Feb 13(ANI): England football manager Fabio Capello has told his Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson to rest Wayne Rooney more often so that he is at his best during the World Cup in South Africa this summer.

Capello knows that he needs all his best players fit for the World Cup to have any chance of winning the tournament.

"Please, rest him sometimes. He plays every game. I need him more fresh to play in the World Cup," The Telegraph quoted Capello, as having said to his Manchester United counterpart.

Capello's request carried heightened worry after reports of Chelsea defender Ashley Cole's injury.

He further said he will also talk to Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, and ask him to keep his players fresh.

"Rooney is in a magical moment now, but he is not the only one who is important for me and plays so much. John Terry and Frank Lampard play every game too - I will have to speak to Carlo Ancelotti about that," Capello said. (ANI)

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Malik says no to T20 captaincy

Published>Sat, Feb 13 10 12:22 PM

Lahore, Feb.13 (ANI): Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has clarified that he has no desire to lead the national squad in the ICC T20 World Championship, which is scheduled to be played in May in the Caribbean.

Malik has conveyed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt that he is no longer interested in captaining the side.

Malik would be leading Pakistan in two T20 internationals against England in Dubai later this month in the absence of regular skipper Shahid Afridi, who has been banned on ball tampering charges.

According to sources, Butt had called Malik to discuss names of 30 probables for the forthcoming T20 World Championship, but the later advised him to consult fridi.

"I have no interest in the captaincy of Pakistan.I just want to play and play well, do well and help Pakistan win matches," The Daily Times quoted Malik, as saying.

Malik, who led the side in all three formats of the game till February last year, but was sacked following a home series defeat against Sri Lanka, criticized his teammates for the recent poor show.

He said players must stop making excuses and give their hundred percent for the country.

Taking a dig at captain Mohammed Yousuf, Malik said Pakistan was totally different side in the last two matches of the disastrous tour Down Under.

"If you compare the spirit in the first seven matches on the Australian tour to the spirit you saw in the last two matches, what was the difference? Wasn't it a totally different side? And who wasn't playing in those last two games?" he said.

Yousuf didn't play the fifth and final ODI at Perth and he is not a part of Pakistan's T20 team.

Yousuf had earlier blamed Malik and the Akmal brothers for creating disturbances in the dressing room. (ANI)

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ICC proud of IOC recognition

Published>Fri, Feb 12 10 06:10 PM

Dubai, Feb.12 (ANI): The International Olympic Committee session in Vancouver, Canada yesterday approved its Executive Board's decision to convert the 'provisional' recognition of the ICC to 'full recognition'.

Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive, said: "The ICC is extremely proud of the recognition given to our great sport by the IOC which we always considered to be our first step in becoming a part of the Olympic family.

"At this stage no consideration or decision has been made regarding participation or applying for approval to participate in the Olympic Games," he added. (ANI)

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FIH to continue with video umpire referrals in World Cup

Published>Fri, Feb 12 10 06:00 PM

New Delhi, Feb 12 (IANS) The International Hockey Federation (FIH) will continue the use of video umpire team referrals at the Hero Honda FIH World Cup, beginning here from Feb 28.

Under the current procedure, umpires may refer decisions to the video umpire when they are not convinced that they have taken, or are able to take, the correct decision relating to the awarding or disallowing goals, FIH said in a statement Friday.

In addition, and on the basis of the trial that was undertaken at the ABN AMRO Champions Trophy in Melbourne, Australia at the end of last year, each team will be allowed one team referral during the match (i.e. including any extra time periods and penalty stroke competitions).

If a referral is upheld, the referring team will retain its right of referral.

There is a slight change to the video umpire procedures following the Melbourne trials.

'Now any player, who is on the pitch at the time of the incident (rather than just the captain), can request a team referral. The player must indicate to the umpire that he wishes to use his referral. He must do so immediately after the incident or decision which is to be referred as well as confirming this verbally to the umpire,' FIH said.

The umpire will then request video umpire assistance and relay the necessary information by radio. The normal video umpire procedures will then be followed.

Ken Read, FIH Competitions Committee Chairman and Hero Honda FIH World Cup Tournament Director, said: 'We learned a lot about the team referral procedures in Melbourne. As a result we are confident that our experience from the Champions Trophy will help ensure that the system will be of real assistance in reducing any major umpiring errors which may impact upon the result of matches'

The team referrals trial provide for a wider range of referral possibilities than for the umpire referrals, but are restricted to decisions within the 23-meter area relating to the award (or non-award) of goals, penalty strokes and penalty corners.

The award of personal penalty cards may not be the subject of a team referral.

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