Afro-Asian bloc rejects John Howard''s bid for ICC presidency

Published Wed, Jun 30 10 12:27 PM

Melbourne, June 30 (PTI) Six leading cricket boards have signed a letter rejecting former Australian Premier John Howard''s candidature for the post of ICC vice-president, according to a media report here. Howard''s nomination was to be discussed at the ICC Executive Board meeting in Singapore from today. "While an official decision will not be reached until later today at the International Cricket Council''s executive board meeting in Singapore, the former Prime Minister was rejected overnight by the majority of Test-playing countries," a report in the Australian claimed. Howard needs seven of the 10 votes to become Vice President but could muster support from only Australia, New Zealand and England. It means that all the Asian nations -- India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh -- and South Africa have united to oppose Howard''s elevation to the post, effectively ending his hopes of becoming ICC President in 2012. "The letter also opposed Howard, who is in Singapore, addressing the executive board," the report adds. Howard was the joint candidate from Australia and New Zealand as per the rotational policy.

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Tiger Woods denies he has differences with long-term caddie Steve Williams

Published>Wed, Jun 30 10 12:07 PM

Washington, June 30 (ANI): World No.1 golfer Tiger Woods has rubbished speculation that he is having differences with his longtime caddie Steve Williams.

The rumours were sparked by Woods' comments after he finished fourth at the US Open at Pebble Beach, when he said: "We made three mental mistakes. The only thing it cost us was a chance to win the US Open."

According to Fox Sports, Woods was forced to deny rumors at a press conference ahead of his defence of the AT and T National tournament in Pennsylvania this weekend.

"There's no tension there, not at all," Woods said.

"You guys are reading way too much into it.

"I was asked what happened out there, and I made three mental mistakes - three mistakes I don't normally make.

"Do Stevie and I make mistakes on the golf course? Of course we do. We're not perfect. We made mistakes at the wrong time. It happens.

"Hopefully, that won't happen this week and we can win an event."

Woods and New Zealander Williams have worked together since 1999. (ANI)

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Howard fails in bid to become ICC VP over 'widespread opposition'

Published>Wed, Jun 30 10 11:23 AM

Sydney, June 30(ANI): Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard has reportedly failed in his bid to become the International Cricket Council (ICC) Vice-President.

The ICC executive board, currently meeting in Singapore, was expected to announce its official decision on Thursday, but it is believed that six of 10 Test-playing countries have rejected Howard's candidacy.

He required the support of at least seven nations to earn the job.

Howard's only supporters were Australia, New Zealand and England, reinforcing the power of the Afro-Asia vote in world cricket, The Australian reports.

Zimbabwe, which had been one of Howard's most vocal opponents, did not sign the letter.

Under a rotational five-region electoral process, Howard was the joint candidate from Australia and New Zealand.

The ICC Vice-President serves a two-year apprenticeship before becoming president of the game's organising body.

If elected, Howard would have been the top administrator of cricket in 2012.

Earlier, it was reported that South Africa and Sri Lanka were not keen for Howard to assume the role, while Zimbabwe was uncommitted.

The Indian board had not made its intentions public, but it was a given fact that whichever way they vote, the Pakistan and Bangladesh boards will follow.

Cricket Australia had told their Zimbabwean counterparts that if they do not support Howard's bid they would not host the bilateral A-series next year that would help the African nation re-enter top level Test cricket.

Howard's defeat leaves the future of the vacant vice-presidency uncertain, though the it is being said that former New Zealand board chairman Sir John Anderson might be put forward as a more acceptable candidate. (ANI)

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Spain beat Portugal in a thriller

Published>Wed, Jun 30 10 11:17 AM

A goal by striker David Villa earned Spain a 1-0 win over neighbors Portugal and a World Cup quarter-final place after an entertaining match on Tuesday in which the Portuguese also created several chances.

The alert Villa struck the winner after 63 minutes when he fired the ball into the net off the underside of the bar after his first effort was blocked by excellent goalkeeper Eduardo, having been set up by Xavi's clever back-heel in the area.

Portugal right back Ricardo Costa was sent off in the 90th for catching Spain defender Joan Capdevila in the face with an elbow as the pair tussled on the edge of the area.

Spain, the European champions, will meet Paraguay, who earlier won a penalty shootout against Japan after a 0-0 draw, in the last eight at Ellis Park on Saturday.

"We felt comfortable but you have to be careful because things can change quickly," said coach Vicente del Bosque. "We know we're working well, we want to create a bit of history."

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz added: "Spain were much more effective moving the ball around. We were looking for chances on the counter-attack. We had our chances -- we just didn't score.

"We showed ambition and desire to win but it just wasn't possible. We'll have to come back stronger.

STRONG START

Spain had started the Iberian clash stronger, dominating possession in the early moments, with forwards Fernando Torres and Villa forcing Eduardo to palm away three long distance efforts from the left wing in the first seven minutes.

Portugal right back Ricardo Costa composed himself after a torrid start but his side were still unable to keep possession. The Spanish, however, did not make use of their control, rarely able to send a decent ball into the box.

Portugal's first chance came in the 20th minute. After good play from lively left back Fabio Coentrao, Tiago's drive was punched high by Iker Casillas and the Spain keeper did well to beat the tall Hugo Almeida to the ball as it came down.

Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo had been lively, though mostly ineffective, but nearly scored a stunning goal with a fierce, swerving free kick from almost 40 meters that hit a confounded Casillas in the chest and arms and flew to safety.

Portugal almost went ahead five minutes after halftime, Almeida winning some space on the left and attempting to feed the incoming Ronaldo, but his cross deflected off Carles Puyol's knee and flew inches wide of the Spanish post.

Torres was not providing the sort of menace expected of him, and he was replaced in the 58th minute by Fernando Llorente, who took only two minutes to create danger, his flying header from a Sergio Ramos cross kept out by Eduardo.

Spain came close once more moments later when Villa sent a curling shot just wide, but the lethal striker was not to be denied and he grabbed his fourth goal of the tournament -- to become joint top scorer -- with his next effort.

Portugal failed to respond immediately and almost suffered again after 70 minutes when Ramos beat Coentrao and fired a low diagonal shot that was tipped for a corner by Eduardo.

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Full list of World Cup quarter-finalists

Published>Wed, Jun 30 10 10:57 AM

Johannesburg, June 30 (DPA) List of teams that have qualified for the quarter-finals of the World Cup:

Uruguay

Ghana

Germany

Argentina

Holland

Brazil

Paraguay

Spain

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Technology-shy FIFA loses out when it comes to fair play

Published>Wed, Jun 30 10 10:47 AM

FIFA's refusal over the years to use technology to help decide on close calls has left soccer isolated in major international sport, clinging to the idea that human error is somehow preferable to computer-backed truth.

While other sports have happily embraced the use of video replays or infrared systems to review goals and other close calls, earlier this year soccer's governing body ruled out the use of any such system for the foreseeable future.

The issue came into sharper focus than ever after decisions, shown by instant replays to be incorrect beyond any reasonable doubt, altered the balance of Sunday's two World Cup second round matches.

First it was a shot from Frank Lampard that clattered against the German crossbar and bounced down well over the line when England, chasing a comeback, were 2-1 down. Germany, clearly rattled at the time, went on to win 4-1.

In the later game at Soccer City, Mexico had been enjoying the better of the game against Argentina when Carlos Tevez scored from a clearly offside position, setting Diego Maradona's side on their way to a 3-1 win.

Tracking the ball

Tennis and cricket are among the sports to have happily introduced infrared systems to track the ball, while rugby, NBA basketball and American football use video replays.

The current debate in MLB baseball is not whether the limited use of video to check questionable home runs should be scrapped but rather expanded to cover the sort of mistake that denied Armando Galarraga a perfect game.

At the Olympics, freeze-frames help decide places on the track, Formula One motor racing uses video and technical analysis to make calls long after the race is over, often affecting the results, and the list of sports embracing technology goes on and on.

By no means do all World Cup players support the idea of using video evidence or other technology with some believing that luck evens itself out over time.

Germany midfielder Sami Khedira, who played in the England game, told a news conference: "We are quite happy the way it is because in the long run these things get balanced out. It's all part of the game and part of the emotion."

Plenty of people involved in the sport would clearly welcome it, however, including Khedira's team mate Miroslav Klose. "If technological solutions are there they should be used," Klose said. "I'm not talking about TV evidence. I'm more talking about a chip in the ball or goal-line cameras. You see it in tennis and other sports, why not football?"

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Big stars line up with Vijender, Akhil for Delhi franchise

Published>Wed, Jun 30 10 10:37 AM

Home-grown stars Vijender Singh and Akhil Kumar will be joined by international heavyweights like World Championship silver medallist Roman Kapitonenko of Ukraine and Olympic bronze winner Bahodirjon Sultonov and Beijing Olympics semi-finalist Abdelhafid Benchabla of Algeria, in the Indian team for the World Series of Boxing this November.

Kapitonenko and Sultonov were among the nine international boxers that the team signed up at an auction held in London on Monday night.

The Delhi franchise has already signed up five Indians - Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh, Commonwealth games gold medallist Akhil Kumar, Commonwealth champions Jai Bhagwan and Dinesh Kumar and Olympic quarter-finalist Jitender Kumar -for the professional-style event scheduled to start from November 19.

The International Boxer Draft allowed the 12 WSB teams to select from a pool of 175 boxers from 64 countries to complete their squads of national boxers. Under WSB rules, each team must comprise a minimum of three foreign boxers in the five weight classes (54kg, 61kg, 73kg, 85kg, 91+kg).

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