Legends of Sports

James Pattinson aims for Tri-Series return

2012-02-02T09:42:00.002+05:30

Victorian fast bowler James Pattinson is targeting a return to the Australia side during this month's Commonwealth Bank Series. Pattinson announced himself as a star of the future earlier this summer with 25 Test wickets in four matches at 18.12 but has had to sit out the final two matches against India after scans showed he was developing the early stage of a stress fracture in his left foot. The 21-year-old said the injury had healed quicker than predicted.

"The recovery is going really well at the moment. I am about three weeks away from coming back," Pattinson told."I've had no pain in my foot since I've got back. The first couple of days it was a bit tender and sore but now it's fine. I haven't felt it for almost two and a half weeks."I am back running and doing some bowling so confidently I will be back about halfway through the one-day series. "Hopefully we get into the finals and I will be right for them."

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First T20 - Australia vs India

2012-02-01T08:57:00.004+05:30

The first T20 not only pits two very different sides against each other, compared to those that played in the Tests, it also takes India and Australia to a fully new venue for international cricket. The stadium, at Home bush in Sydney's west, was built for the 2000 Olympics and has a far greater capacity than the SCG.

Appropriately enough it will host a new-look Australia team under the captaincy of debutant George Bailey. The 40-year-old spinner Brad Hogg will make his comeback after a vintage movement from him in the Big Bash League, while the fast bowler James Faulkner could be in line for his debut. David Warner and Shaun Marsh are the only men in the squad who took part in the Tests against India.

The visitors have more of a crossover from the Test series. A 17-strong party has assembled for the T20s and the triangular one-day series that follows, including comparatively inexperienced men like Rahul Sharma and Manoj Tiwary, but who will get the nod for the first match remains a mystery. Both sides are also hoping to use the series to narrow down their list of potential players for the World T20, to be held in Sri Lanka in September.

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Laxman,McCullum get maximum reserve price at IPL auction

2012-01-31T10:04:00.002+05:30

VVS Laxman, S Sreesanth and Brendon McCullum - all part of the now defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala in the 2011 IPL - have dominating the highest reserve price of US$ 400,000 in the final auction shortlist for the 2012 season. The Kochi trio joins England off spinner Graeme Swann, who is yet to feature in the IPL, as the four players to command the maximum base price in the 144-strong list. On January 20, the BCCI had released an opening list comprising of 183 players, who hadn't contribute in earlier seasons of the IPL. That has been pruned further by the IPL organisers based on the feedback received from the franchises.

The Kochi players, who weren't part of the earlier list, were expectedly included, and the entire roster of players will go under the hammer on February 4 in Bangalore. "The shortlist comprises some outstanding cricket talent," the IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said. "Given that it was prepared on the basis of the opinion of the franchises themselves, the stage is set for an exciting and eventful player auction, this Saturday. The franchises purchased the bulk of their respective squads in 2011.

Their plan at the upcoming auction will be to bring in some players who can make a difference to their prospects in the competition. The auction will mark the formal opening of IPL 2012." In all, 16 Kochi players feature in the list including the newly-appointed Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene (reserve price US$ 300,000) and the retired off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (US$ 200,000). India allrounder Ravindra Jadeja was pegged at a surprisingly low US$ 100,000. Tamim Iqbal was a notable addition, and will be the only Bangladesh player in the auction, at a reserve price of US$ 50,000.

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Peter Forrest in Aus Squad for Tri-series

2012-01-30T09:02:00.003+05:30

Shaun Marsh has been dropped on form, Peter Forrest important to national duty for the first time and Ryan Harris given the chance to resume his ODI career following the announcement of Australia's squad for the triangular ODI series against India and Sri Lanka. Brad Haddin has been rested from the first three matches of the series, his place taken by Matthew Wade. Marsh has been sent back to domestic ranks to find some form with the bat after a wretched Test series against India.

There was no place either for the young NSW allrounder Steve Smith, who will need to think on stronger performances in the Sheffield Shield before he can return, despite his haughty ranking in last year's round of Cricket Australia contracts. "Peter Forrest, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade, Dan Christian and Clint McKay are in form and will have a opportunity to either prove or further prove themselves on the international stage," the national selector John Inverarity said.

"We have not at this stage named a vice-captain for the first three games with Brad resting and Shane Watson still unavailable while he fully his recovery from injury, and will assess that position when the squad assembles. Peter Forrest, in great form for Queensland and also for his BBL side this summer, comes into the group but will remain available for the PM's Xl game in Canberra this Friday, where he is vice-captain to Brad Haddin.

ODI Squad:

Michael Clarke (capt), David Warner, Ricky Ponting, Peter Forrest, Daniel Christian, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Matthew Wade, Brett Lee, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Doherty, Clint McKay, Mitchell Marsh.

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McCullum to lead NZ for ODI&T20 Series

2012-01-28T09:38:00.003+05:30

Brendon McCullum will lead New Zealand in the ODI and T20 series against Zimbabwe, in place of Ross Taylor who has been ruled out due to a calf injury he sustained during his century in the only Test in Napier. The hosts have picked four uncapped players left-arm seamer Michael Bates, leg spinner Tarun Nethula, allrounder Andrew Ellis and wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Latham in the ODI squad. Also in the squad is Dean Brownlie, who played in the Tests in Australia.

Latham, who plays for Canterbury, is the top run-getter in the Ford Trophy, New Zealand's domestic List A competition, averaging 62 in five matches. Bates, who was part of the Auckland Aces team that won the HRV Cup, the domestic T20 competition, was the second-highest wicket-taker in the competition. Nethula has a good first class record thus far, with 17 wickets in 11 games and Ellis is skilled, having played for Canterbury for 10 years.

New Zealand have picked Auckland all rounder Colin de Grandhomme and left-arm spinner Ronnie Hira for the T20 leg of the tour on the back of performances in the HRV Cup. The players missing from the ODI and T20 line-ups are left-arm spinner Luke Woodcock and seamers Andy McKay and Graeme Aldridge, who had toured Zimbabwe last year.

New Zealand ODI squad: Brendon McCullum (capt), Michael Bates, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Andrew Ellis, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Tarun Nethula, Rob Nicol, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson.

New Zealand T20 squad: Brendon McCullum (capt), Michael Bates, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Colin de Grandhomme, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Ronnie Hira, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson.

Yuvraj Singh likely to miss IPL - Season 5

2012-01-27T08:59:00.003+05:30

Star Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh is unlikely to play in the fifth edition of Indian Premier League due to treatment of his non-malignant lung tumour and might be out of spirited cricket for about six months. According to sources close to the cricketer, Yuvraj is presently in the United States for treatment of his tumour and once it is removed, the recovery process will start.

"Yuvraj went to UK and from there has travelled to the United States for an advanced treatment. The oncologists who will be treating him in the US will take a call on whether he would undergo surgery or any other form of treatment. But that's for sure, he won't be playing in the IPL," said a source. The fifth edition of the IPL starts on April 4 and Yuvraj who captained Pune Warriors in the last edition may only get fit before the home series against New Zealand.

"Yuvraj is an asset and no one would want to see him rush his comeback. He knows that Indian team still needs his services and won't rush his comeback. The recovery might take considerable amount of time, may be upto six months. Therefore, ideally one can expect his comeback when New Zealand are in India, in August this year,". The lung tumour has kept Yuvraj out of action since he played the second Test match in Kolkata back in November last year.

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Second Test - Pakistan vs England

2012-01-25T09:23:00.003+05:30

The two previous Tests here have both ended in draws and have produced three double centuries at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. It is exciting to note that, in both instances, Pakistan's captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, won the toss and inserted the opposition. On the first occasion, South Africa combined 584 but not before they had been 33 for three, while on the second occasion, Sri Lanka was dismissed for 197. If there is any life to be exploited in the pitch, it might well be in the first few hours.

Much of England's success in recent years has come against sides that have imploded: India, Australia and Pakistan come to mind. All were in change and all capitulated under pressure. Pakistan is unlikely to do that. Pakistan play, on the whole, solid, sensible cricket. In the first Test, they were successful through bowling straight, playing straight and displaying discipline and patience in all departments. They applied the pressure and England buckled.

In the likes of Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Umar Gul and the underrated Abdur Rehman, Pakistan have mature cricketers who know what it takes to prosper at this level. Besides, in Saeed Ajmal and Younis Khan, Pakistan is blessed with a sprinkling of genius. Ajmal was particularly impressive in Dubai. His use of the crease, his variations in pace and his subtle turn in each direction, presented huge problems for England. How they combat him in Abu Dhabi may well prove crucial.

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Jayawardene to lead Sri Lanka for tri series

2012-01-24T09:04:00.005+05:30

Tillakaratne Dilshan resigned as Sri Lanka captain from all three formats; the country's new selection panel selected former captain Mahela Jayawardene in his place to lead the ODI squad to Australia for the tri-series in February concerning the hosts and India. Angelo Mathews remains the vice-captain of the 15-member squad which also includes Dilshan.

Jayawardene was ODI captain from 2004 till 2009. He resigned in 2009, saying he wanted his successor to have enough time to build the team for the 2011 World Cup. Kumar Sangakkara took over from Jayawardene but stepped down after leading Sri Lanka to the final of the World Cup. Dilshan led Sri Lanka for nine months after the World Cup, but resigned on Monday following series defeats in both Tests and ODIs in all his four assignments.

Jayawardene has led Sri Lanka in 97 ODIs, winning 57 and losing 35. Farveez Maharoof, the bowling allrounder, and Chanaka Welegedara, the fast bowler, were recalled after having last played an ODI for Sri Lanka back in June 2010. The duo was the only changes from the squad for the recent ODI series in South Africa, in place of Kosala Kulasekara and Dilhara Fernando.

ODI squad

Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Angelo Mathews (vice-capt), Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Farveez Maharoof, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekera, Chanaka Welegedara, Dhammika Prasad

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Lyon in Australia line-up for fourth Test

2012-01-23T09:32:00.002+05:30

Off spinner Nathan Lyon has been included at the expense of fast bowler Mitchell Starc in Australia's line-up for the fourth Test against India starting on Tuesday. Starc was one of a group of four quicks selected for the third Test in Perth, where the Australians won by an innings and 37 runs in two-and-a-half days to take a 3-0 lead in the four-match series. Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and Ryan Harris, all more skilled quick bowlers than 21-year-old Starc, have kept their places in an otherwise unchanged side for the match.

Starc has been named Australia's 12th man and will expected be released to play for the Sydney Sixers against the Perth Scorchers in Saturday's final of the Twenty20 Big Bash League. Captain Michael Clarke said Australia had selected what they considered their best XI for usually batsman-friendly conditions at the Adelaide Oval and were determined to complete a 4-0 sweep of the Test series.

"We think that is the best XI to give us every chance to win this Test match," Clarke said. "I think the experience of the other three quicks will play a big part in these conditions." "The wicket looks really good and I think reverse swing is going to play a huge part in this Test match." Conditions at the Adelaide Oval are expected to be more favorable to batting than the lively wicket at the WACA, with spin coming into play later in the test.

Australia squad: Ed Cowan, David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke (captain), Mike Hussey, Brad Haddin, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Lyon. 12th man: Mitchell Starc.

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Tennis News - Easy win for Clijsters

2012-01-20T17:56:00.002+05:30

Defending champion Kim Clijsters moved through to round four of the Australian Open on Friday after beating Daniela Hantuchova 6-3 6-2. After a irregular first set, the Belgian 11th seed elevate her game to advance in 75 minutes. "The second set was much better," she said.

"In the first I was certainly struggling to get a feel for it. It felt like a long break as well, I had a day off yesterday and a night match today so I had to find my aggressive footwork."But I was able to win the significant points and when you aren't playing well it sometimes comes down to playing the important points well. "The second set was much better and I am pleased I finished better than I started."

RCB retain Chris Gayle for IPL-5 Season

2012-01-20T09:17:00.001+05:30

Royal Challengers Bangalore has finally managed to retain the explosive Chris Gayle in their squad for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. Gayle, one of T20 cricket's biggest draws, came in as replacement for Dirk Nannes last season and helped the team to the final. Gayle was on a one-year contract with the Vijay Mallya-owned franchisee. He had not been picked at the last auction because of a lack of clarity on his availability. However, RCB mentor Anil Kumble pulled off a coup of sorts by signing him on mid-season and Gayle promptly turned the club's fortunes around.

With his signing, or re-signing, with RCB having been in limbo for a while, most of the teams were banking on his availability at the February auction. According to IPL rules, RCB, though, had first right of refusal and the deal was clinched with just one day left for the transfer window to close. RCB were able to retain Gayle, who was being chased most by Mumbai Indians, only after they bought out the contract of South African batsman Jonathan Vandiar.

IPL rules allow each team to sign a total of 11 foreigners only, one up from last season, and now Vandiar must come back into the IPL fray through the auction if he so chooses. Last season Gayle had been signed on for $560,000 and that's the price he will officially continue to get. This, of course, means RCB will go into the auction with that amount deducted from the total purse of $2 million. Sources hinted that Gayle would earn "much, much more" for support purposes.

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T20 : BPL players auction on today

2012-01-19T09:37:00.002+05:30

The scenery of cricket in Bangladesh is set to be altered on January 19, when 180-odd cricketers go under the hammer during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) player auction in Dhaka. The prospect of Chris Gayle, Shahid Afridi and Kieron Pollard being fought for by the six BPL franchises, who can spend up to $2 million each, is thrilling, but it is the potential for a few Bangladesh cricketers to change their fortune through extraordinary riches that will bring fervor to the event.

On Thursday morning, the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, the venue for the auction, will be buzzing with organisers, team owners and the media. The "open bidding" conducted by Cyrus Madan - better known in India as a horseracing expert and commentator will take place behind closed doors. Each franchise will have six representatives seated at different tables, as it is for the IPL. It begins at 10.30 am and will be telecast live on Channel 9, a Bangladesh television channel.

The six franchises were bought for prices vary between $1.01 million and $1.2 million, with SQ Sports picking up Chittagong for the highest value during the auction on January 10. SQ Sports had before run the Chittagong Tigers side in the Port City Cricket League. Orion Group bought the Khulna franchise for $1.10 million, Shakib Al Hasan's presence as the icon player being the drawing card for a leading industrial corporation.

The BPL governing council released a list of 176 players, both international and local, a week ahead of the auction but are likely to update both sets before the hammer falls. Afridi, Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Abdul Razzaq are the marquee names up for auction at a base price of $100,000. Some of the other players in the auction are Scott Styris, Shoaib Malik, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis and Azhar Mahmood. Gayle, Dirk Nannes and Herschelle Gibbs will be available for a few matches.

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Golf : Wagner moves up in world rankings

2012-01-18T09:39:00.002+05:30

American Johnson Wagner has jumped 106 places on the world rankings to 92nd with his success at the Sony Open in Hawaii. South African Branden Grace has made almost as big a leap by taking the Joburg Open. He rises from 258th to 164th.
Latest leading positions:

1 Luke Donald 10.05pts, 2 Lee Westwood 7.78, 3 Rory McIlroy 7.53, 4 Martin Kaymer 6.32, 5 Steve Stricker 5.92, 6 Webb Simpson 5.37, 7 Adam Scott 5.33, 8 Dustin Johnson 5.17, 9 Charl Schwartzel 5.08, 10 Jason Day 4.91,11 Matt Kuchar 4.69, 12 Nick Watney 4.61, 13 Graeme McDowell 4.54, 14 KJ Choi 4.50, 15 Phil Mickelson 4.27, 16 Justin Rose 3.84, 17 Sergio Garcia 3.78, 18 Hunter Mahan 3.75, 19 Ian Poulter 3.74, 20 Paul Casey 3.64

Other leading Europeans:

21 Alvaro Quiros, 28 Robert Karlsson, 29 Simon Dyson, 33 Martin Laird, 35 Thomas Bjorn, 37 Anders Hansen, 40 Francesco Molinari, 41 Fredrik Jacobson, 44 Peter Hanson, 45 Miguel Angel Jimenez, 49 Darren Clarke, 50 Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, 59 Matteo Manassero, 64 Joost Luiten, 65 Alexander Noren, 67 Edoardo Molinari, 76 Nicolas Colsaerts, 77 Pablo Larrazabal, 81 Carl Pettersson, 87 Paul Lawrie, 89 Padraig Harrington, 90 Gregory Havret, 94 David Lynn, 96 Jamie Donaldson, 98 Richie Ramsay, 100 Michael Hoey

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South Africa beat Sri Lanka in third ODI

2012-01-18T09:24:00.001+05:30

A half-century from Faf du Plessis led South Africa a series-clinching success in the third one-dayer against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Chasing 267 to win, the home team was 179 for five after 34 overs when rain ended play. According to Duckworth-Lewis method, South Africa was four runs ahead of Sri Lanka, giving them an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

The 27-year-old Du Plessis lifted South Africa from 52 for three with 72 off 74 balls, the highest of his three half-centuries, before he became the second batsman to be run out in the innings as he unsuccessful to beat a throw by Angelo Mathews. Captain AB de Villiers then took over with an aggressive 39 not out off 36 deliveries.

Earlier, fast bowler Lasith Malinga put Sri Lanka on top by clean bowling Graeme Smith for two and Colin Ingram for 13. Sri Lanka totaled 266 for nine after winning the toss. Their top four all scored more than 30 but only opener Upul Tharanga (58) managed a half-century. Nuwan Kulasekara provided some momentum in the closing overs with 40 off 38 balls. The fourth match is in Kimberley on Friday.

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Tennis News :Stosur out of Australian Open

2012-01-17T16:04:00.002+05:30

Samantha Stosur was the first major victim at the Australian Open after the home hope was neglected out in straight sets by Sorana Cirstea. The US Open champion was her own worst enemy as she slumped to a 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 defeat against the Romanian. Stosur, the No.6 seed, was guilty of making 33 normal errors and was on the back foot for long periods. Stosur had been aiming to become Australia's first women's champion since Chris O'Neil beat Betsy Nagelsen in 1978.

The 27-year-old has never looked relaxed dealing with the prospect at Melbourne Park, failing to make in past the fourth round since her debut in 2002. Cirstea, who has never made it beyond the second round in Melbourne, took the first set on a tie-break and then broke Stosur to love in the opening game of the second. Stosur lastly began to find her range and a brilliantly powerful cross-court sweep set her up to break back, and despite a double fault, she held her serve in the next game to lead 2-1.

However, that was the last real occasion the vocal Australian crowd had reason to cheer. Rather than capitulating to her higher-ranked challenger, Cirstea dug deep and fought back with brilliant execution. The 21-year-old, who daunted with her looping forehands and work at the net, finally clinched her place in the second round with her fourth match point."Probably the whole of Australia hates me right now," Cirstea said.

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Sachin and Zaheer back to the ODI Squad for tri-series

2012-01-17T08:55:00.003+05:30

Sachin Tendulkar has been picked in India's limited-overs squad for the first time since the World Cup. He will stay on after the Test series in Australia for the one-day tri-series that also features Sri Lanka. Praveen Kumar, the India medium-pacer who missed the Tests due to a fractured rib, is also a part of the 17-man limited-overs squad. India will play two Twenty20 internationals in Australia followed by the ODI tri-series, which will be played from February 5 to March 8.

The rest of the limited-overs squad is like to the one that was picked for the fourth and fifth ODIs against West Indies at home in December last year. Irfan Pathan, who played his first international for India in more than two years during that series, has retained his place in the squad. Zaheer Khan, who like Tendulkar has not played an ODI since the World Cup final, will also stay on for the limited-over games. Umesh Yadav and R Vinay Kumar make up the rest of the fast-bowling section.

Rahul Sharma, the leg spinner who impressed during the series against West Indies, has been chosen as the second spinner alongside R Ashwin. Manoj Tiwary scored his maiden ODI hundred in the fifth ODI against West Indies and is part of the squad again. Parthiv Patel has been picked as the reserve wicketkeeper despite his poor run with the bat in recent ODIs. Ravindra Jadeja, who has occupied the all rounder’s spot in the limited-overs side since the one-day leg of the tour of England, has also been selected.

Squad: MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Manoj Tiwary, Parthiv Patel (wk), Zaheer Khan, Umesh Yadav, Irfan Pathan, R Vinay Kumar, Praveen Kumar, Rahul Sharma, R Ashwin

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Upsetting story of Jordan Jefferson

2012-01-13T12:46:00.002+05:30

For those disturb about college football coaches outlawing players' use of Twitter, let the hurtful story of Jordan Jefferson be a cruel lesson in realism.

Alabama annihilate LSU 21-0 in Monday night's BCS Championship game, but that was nothing compared to the butchering that took place on social media. Jordan Jefferson's poor performance as LSU's quarterback was the meeting point of much Twitter revulsion from bitter Bayou Bengals fans. Jordan was 11-of-17 passing for just in 53 yards and he struggled to move the ball on the ground with 15 yards speeding up on 14 carries. Even before the Game ended, Jordan Jefferson became the target of disgraceful venom on the micro blogging site that included threats and racial slurs sent to his page, according to WDSU-TV.

Jordan Jefferson decided to close his Twitter account @JJefferson9.

The hate-Tweets are too disgusting to print here, but Homer Bush of the Twitter account @sportsfeeder1 shed some light on some of the worst offenders. Jefferson's last tweet was eight days ago, when he commented on "Passing up my neck of the woods," according to messages saved at Topsy.com

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Biggest Win for South Africa in ODI History

2012-01-12T08:43:00.002+05:30

South Africa's season of strange results formed another jaw-dropper as Sri Lanka subsided to 43 all out, their lowest total in one-dayers. Sri Lanka's 258-run defeat in Paarl was the third largest in ODI history, giving AB de Villiers the perfect start to his captaincy. They ran up 301 after winning the toss. Hashim Amla highlighted why he's the world's top-ranked ODI batsman with his ninth century, and was supported by the Jacques Kallis provided the early momentum before de Villiers produced the most easy innings of the match to power South Africa on a pitch where both seam and spin proved elusive in the afternoon.

Lasith Malinga underscored his value to Sri Lanka, with a five-for that reined in South Africa towards the end of the innings, but his genuine efforts proved moot as Sri Lanka lost five wickets in five overs to effectively end the contest. Two South African bowlers with points to prove were given the new balls and they snuffed out the battle even before the main man Dale Steyn was called on. Morne Morkel, coming off an uncaring Test summer, started the collapse in the first over as Upul Tharanga attempted a leaden-footed slap which ended as a low catch at backward point.

The alarm bells were truly buzzing when Dinesh Chandimal struggled to get bat on ball, inside-edging an accurate Tsotsobe three times before nicking a loose drive onto the stumps. Morkel then almost killed off the game in the fifth over: Kumar Sangakkara's attempted upper cut gave de Villiers his second catch, and two balls later Angelo Mathews' awkward fend at a short ball popped to midwicket. At 241 for 2 after 40 overs, South Africa seemed headed for at least 320. A Kulasekara yorker, though, removed the rampant de Villiers, before Malinga worked his magic to rip through the lower middle order.

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Football:Bayern Munich beat India in Bhutia's farewell match

2012-01-11T08:41:00.001+05:30

Bhaichung Bhutia's farewell match finished in an expected defeat, but the Indian legend was given a rousing farewell by the crowd, even as German giants Bayern Munich outclassed India 4-0 in an exhibition tie at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday. Thomas Muller scored a brace, while Mario Gomez along with Bastian Schweinsteiger netted a goal each, as the Bavarians established their advantage without having to break a sweat.

However, after conceding four goals in the first half, the Indians gave a much better account of themselves in the second period by denying the German side any further success, although Bayern also eased off after several first-team players were substituted. Coach Jupp Heynckes made numerous changes at the break, substituting Arjen Robben, Philipp Lahm, Rafinha and Muller, though Franck Ribery came off the bench.

Earlier, the German side happening with most of their first eleven, apart from Ribery, and toyed with the Indians, attacking almost at will. It was no shock then that Bayern opened the scoring as early as the 14th minute through Gomez, who tapped in a Robben pass past Indian goalkeeper Karanjit Singh. Muller then scored two in the space of nine minutes, first nodding home without any challenge near the far post off a cross from the right by Robben in the 29th minute, before slotting home again from an help by Toni Kroos in the 37th minute.

With all the action taking place in their half, Indian forays forward were few and far between, with all emphasis on defending and trying to contain the dominant Bayern stars. Bhaichung made a determined attempt from 30 yards out, but the ball sailed into the crowd. However, the quality of their opponents shone through and it was Schweinsteiger's turn to join the act with a beauty in the 43rd minute.

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Venus williams out of Australian Open

2012-01-10T09:24:00.002+05:30

Venus Williams has quit from the Australian Open for health reasons. The 31-year-old, a finalist in 2003, has not played a spirited match since pulling out of last of last year's US Open in August after being diagnosed with Sjorgen's Syndrome, an auto-immune disease. She announced on her website on Monday: "I regret to announce that I am withdrawing from the 2012 Australian Open.

"After several months of preparation and treatment, I am making steady progress to top competitive form.”My diet and fitness routine have allowed me to make great strides in terms of my health and I am very close to being ready to return to WTA contest."I have every intention to return to the circuit in February."Although Williams, who is now 100th in the rankings, has not played competitively since August, she did play some show matches at the end of last year.

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Messi wins World Player of the Year award

2012-01-10T09:21:00.001+05:30

Lionel Messi‘s exploits with Barcelona won him the World Player of the Year award for an extraordinary third year in a row on Monday at the age of 24. The Argentine swept home with 47.88 percent of the votes in the survey among national team coaches, captains and selected media, getting the trophy from former Brazil striker Ronaldo, himself a three-times winner of the award though not successively. Although FIFA scheduled only the players’ nationality when they published the full results, it was clearly Messi‘s stunning performances for Barcelona which earned him the plaudits.

Messi, followed by Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona team mate Xavi in the poll, was last season’s top scorer in the Champions League with 12 goals in Barca’s successful campaign and net 31 times as they won La Liga. Messi of Argentina, FIFA World Player of the Year holds his FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011 trophy next to singer Shakira during the FIFA Ballon d'Or 2011 football awards ceremony in Zurich. By contrast, he was severely criticized after Argentina, hosting the Copa America, went out in the quarter-finals to Uruguay in July.

Meanwhile, Uruguay’s exploits in winning the Copa America failed to earn them a proposal in the coach and players’ shortlists, or even a mention in the team of the year. Uruguay coach Oscar Washington Tabarez was fifth in the coach of the year poll, won by Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola. Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson was second and Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho third. Former France skipper Michel Platini said afterwards Messi would still have to shine for Argentina before he could be measured among the greats.

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Get better your physical strength by using punching bags

2012-01-09T12:05:00.002+05:30

Boxing is one among the toughest game you could ever come across at any given day. It is a very risky sport but quite amazing as well, as it is played with a lot of spirit and dedication.

Canvas Boxing Heavybag

A professional boxer is not ready within a single day. So if you aspire to become a professional boxer, you need to train very hard right from your childhood itself. It takes years of hard work, practice, will power and determination for you to reach the highest of levels, particularly in boxing. You have to get ready yourself both mentally as well as physically. You also need to practice harder with the suitable boxing equipment like boxing gloves, boxing mitts, boxing shoes etc., in order to safeguard your health. Boxing safety accessories are a must at any cost when it comes to boxing. You should never ignore them, and failing to do so could lay severe cost or catastrophes.

Punching bags are a very significant boxing accessory that plays an essential role in a professional boxer’s practice sessions. It is great boxing equipment for fitness strength training. They are not only used in boxer’s training sessions but also in gyms for working out, carrying out physical exercises etc. They are mainly used in boxing sessions for improving the boxer’s agility, stamina, power, punching technique and strength. Typically boxers and other athletes move around these punching bags swiftly, punching them as hard as possible, ducking rebounds etc which allows them to build their physical strength and stamina. How these punching bags develop your strength and technique is further elaborated below.

Hitting the bags stands out to be as one of the best physical exercise anyone could ever get. It helps you to get better your strength, stamina and agility as you move quickly around the bag punching it for several hours.
The same method mentioned above allows you to build your endurance and fitness as you duck, sway, move away and block the swinging bag for several hours to build your reflexes and endurance.
Punching these bags using numerous techniques or methods allows you to work out on different muscles of your body. Maintaining the same for several hours will wear you out and help you develop as an athlete.
The boxing attires used during training enhance your training as they are quite comfortable and suitable. They help you to focus and think well which shapes up your mind.
Training in rounds helps to build your strength and agility better instead of going at it in one shot.
While punching, use your entire body weight and not just your fists. This leads to overall workout of your body.
Using your legs correctly, jumping and moving swiftly warms up your muscles and act quickly as well. This surely adds to your agility and reflective nature.
This bag could be punched using any technique which will help you to work out very different muscles of your body. This helps trainers to teach boxers different combos and punching techniques.

Murray beat Dolgopolov in Brisbane International

2012-01-09T09:09:00.002+05:30

Andy Murray warmed up for the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 16, with a strong 6-1, 6-3 victory over third-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov in the Brisbane International final. Murray, who won his 22nd ATP title, has lost the past two Australian Open finals and is 0-3 in major finals. Ana Ivanovic’s Australian Open preparations hit another obstacle when she lost to Lucie Safarova, 7-6 (5), 6-2, in the first round of the Sydney International.

Ivanovic lost to Kim Clijsters in the second round last week in the Brisbane International and will have had only three competition matches going into the Australian Open. Fourth-seeded Milos Raonic beat top-seeded Janko Tipsarevic, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4), in the Chennai Open final in India, earning his second career title. Raonic hit 35 aces in a match that did not include a break of serve.

Boxing Apparel, Cheap Shot Put

Pietersen moves to Delhi Daredevils for IPL-2012

2012-01-09T09:01:00.003+05:30

England batsman Kevin Pietersen has transferred to Delhi Daredevils from Deccan Chargers for the 2012 season, the IPL has confirmed. Pietersen is the third player to switch teams during the transfer window, after Dinesh Karthik and R Sathish. "We are pleased to add Kevin to our line-up. He brings rich experience and a fiery quality to our batting and can be a more than handy off spinner as well," said TA Sekhar, GMR Sports' Head. "We are sure that Kevin will help us to be very spirited this season and the Delhi Daredevils fans will enjoy this addition."

Pietersen was earlier part of Royal Challengers Bangalore and had captained the team for a few games in 2009. He was acquired by Deccan Chargers during the 2011 player auctions but could not play as he was getting better from a double hernia. Pietersen, currently in the UAE for England's away series against Pakistan, said he was looking forward to the challenge of being part of a new setup.

"I am looking forward to a wonderful time with the Delhi Daredevils," Pietersen said. "It will be a great experience to be playing in the same squad as Sehwag." The first window for trading between IPL franchises closes on January 20. There will be another short window for trading after the February 4 auction in which the players of now concluded franchise Kochi Tuskers Kerala will be sold. The competition will run from April 4 to May 27, 2012.

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Dinesh Karthik moves from KXIP to Mumbai Indians

2012-01-06T09:16:00.002+05:30

Dinesh Karthik, the Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper, will move from Kings XI Punjab to the Mumbai Indians in the first important transfer ahead of the IPL's fifth season. Karthik was bagged by the Mumbai Indians for a hidden sum. A BCCI insider said it was easily the highest sum paid to buy a player from another team in the history of the IPL. In exchange for Karthik, allrounder R Sathish will go to Kings XI.

Kings XI had spent $900,000 on Karthik during the January 2011 auction, making him the second-most costly player in their squad, behind David Hussey and joint with Captain Adam Gilchrist. Though the IPL and both franchises have been muted about the trade, it is understood that Mumbai have paid anywhere between $2-2.5 million for Karthik. According to IPL rules, 20% of the profit made in a trade - in this case believed to be between $1.1-1.6 million - goes to the player with the rest going to the franchise selling him.

Sathish, who does not have an India cap, will be paid Rs 30 lakhs by Kings XI according to IPL rules. Despite having a power-packed squad, Mumbai Indians have struggled to find a full-time wicketkeeper. When the trading window opened on December 15, 2011, Mumbai Indians right away declared their interest in Karthik. Kings XI have Gilchrist as their first-choice wicketkeeper and Haryana's Nitin Saini in reserve, which would have made it easier for them to take the large amount offered for Karthik.

Karthik spent the first three IPL seasons at the Delhi Daredevils but they did not retain him for next season. Kings XI grabbed him at the auction, doubling the $525,000 Delhi had bought him for in 2008. Karthik was the first-choice wicketkeeper for the Daredevils but had to play as a batsman for Kings XI. The first window for trading between IPL franchises closes on January 20. There will be another short window for trading after the February 4 auction in which the players of now terminated franchise Kochi Tuskers Kerala will be sold.

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Mpofu out of New Zealand tour

2012-01-05T09:36:00.002+05:30

Zimbabwe has recalled Brian Vitori, Shingirai Masakadza, Graeme Cremer and Stuart Matsikenyeri for the tour of New Zealand. Southpaw seamer Vitori missed the home series against the same opposition due to a shin injury, right-arm fast bowler Masakadza last played during the World Cup in early 2010, leg-spinner Cremer has put a serious knee injury behind him and batsman Matsikenyeri also makes a return after two years on the sidelines.

The extended, 20-man squad is without the services of medium-pacer Chris Mpofu, who was forced to pull out of events with a lower back injury. Tendai Chatara has been named as Mpofu's replacement. As a result Chris will no longer be a part of the camp and will miss the tour. New Zealand and Zimbabwe will meet for a one-off Test, which starts on 26 January, followed by three ODIs and two T20Is.

Squad: Brendan Taylor, Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Chamunorwa Chibabha, Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Kyle Jarvis, Hamilton Masakadza, Shingirai Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Keegan Meth, Forster Mutizwa, Njabulo Ncube, Raymond Price, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, Malcolm Waller.

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Nuwan Kulasekara included in squad for ODIs

2012-01-04T09:05:00.002+05:30

Nuwan Kulasekara, the Sri Lanka fast bowler, will join the squad for the ODI series in South Africa after four months on the sidelines. Lasith Malinga, Upul Tharanga and Kosala Kulasekara will also be part of the one-day leg of the tour, while Chanaka Welegedara, Kaushal Silva, Thilan Samaraweera, Tharanga Paranavitana, Dimuth Karunaratne and Kanishka Alvitigala will not be concerned after the Test series concludes. Sri Lanka picked a different spin attack to the one they played against Pakistan in the UAE, their previous one-day series.

Suraj Randiv, Jeevan Mendis and Seekkuge Prasanna, who were in the squad against Pakistan, were left out, with the selectors sticking with Rangana Herath and Ajantha Mendis, who are already in South Africa. Nuwan Kulasekara, who has not played for Sri Lanka since picking up an injury in their home ODI series against Australia in August, was initially set to join the squad for the second and third Tests in South Africa. Sri Lanka's sports ministry, however, vetoed his selection and the uncapped Kanishka Alvitigala was picked instead.

Alvitigala did not get a game in the Test series and has now been replaced by Kulasekara. Malinga, who is retired from Test cricket and Tharanga were the probable additions to the squad in South Africa. Herath, who is measured more suitable to Tests, was kept for the ODIs after he took nine wickets in Sri Lanka's upset of South Africa in Durban. Ajantha Mendis, meanwhile, did not play a Test but was picked in the ODI squad after being dropped for the series against Pakistan.

Squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), Angelo Mathews (vc), Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Kosala Kulasekara, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath, Dhammika Prasad, Dilhara Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanne

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Serena beat Chanelle in Brisbane

2012-01-03T09:22:00.002+05:30

Serena Williams made a winning return to action on Monday when she beat Chanelle Scheepers 6-2 6-3 in the first round of the Brisbane International. The 30-year-old, playing for the first time since the US Open final, finally overpowered the South African to set up a clash with Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia. Williams was broken in her first service game before settling down, requiring just 68 minutes to advance with Scheepers not helping her cause by serving eight double faults.

That was certainly not easy, I think she played really well," Williams said. "I didn't expect that." Top seed Samantha Stosur also breezed into the second round of the Brisbane International. Home hope Stosur, ranked sixth in the world, eased to a 6-2 6-3 win over Anastasiya Yakimova. Ana Ivanovic set up a second round meeting with Kim Clijsters as she eased past Tamira Paszek of Austria 6-3 6-3.

In other matches, second seed Andrea Petkovic overcame a mid-match slump to see off the challenge of Israel's Shahar Peer, the German ultimately pulling through 7-6 1-6 6-3.Seventh seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova also went through after her opponent Polona Hercog was forced to retire in the second set with the score 6-1 4-1.

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Third Test - South Africa vs Sri Lanka

2012-01-03T09:10:00.003+05:30

South Africa haven't won their previous four home Test series, but a disappointment to close out this one will cause the most criticism. While the other contests were against teams near the top of the rankings, this one is against a side that was under pressure to find its feet in Test cricket after the leaving of Muttiah Muralitharan. A series that was probable to be all one-way traffic is now level at one-all, with Sri Lanka having already achieved their pre-tour ambition of winning a Test in South Africa.

After basking in one of their greatest Test victories, Sri Lanka have now scaled up their goal to a series win in South Africa. The Durban success came about through important contributions from many of their players - Thilan Samaraweera and Kumar Sangakkara making hundreds, Chanaka Welegedara and Rangana Herath taking five-fours, and Dinesh Chandimal scoring essential half-centuries in each innings. That's something they need to repeat in Cape Town if they are to pose a challenge to South Africa, who remain favourites despite the Durban debacle.

The return of Vernon Philander, whose accurate swing bowling has brought him four five-wicket hauls in three Tests, is a cause of cheer for the home side. Sri Lanka, though, have several injury worries - Chandimal is stressed with an elbow problem and a final call on his availability will be taken on Tuesday, while their quickest bowler Dilhara Fernando is also uncertain after suffering knee pain. It has been more than a decade since Sri Lanka played a Test in Cape Town, but their previous match at the venue remains their biggest defeat in Tests.

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Whatmore steps down as KKR Coach

2012-01-02T08:27:00.002+05:30

Dav Whatmore has resigned as head coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders IPL team. Whatmore is the favourite to become the next coach of Pakistan, and cited his incapacity to discharge his duties with the Knight Riders as he pursues an international role. The PCB has invited Whatmore to Pakistan in the second week of January to discuss his appointment, and the Knight Riders spoken their support of his desire to coach a national team again. Whatmore is a former coach of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

"We have been most supportive of Dav’s keen interest in pursuing an international coaching role and wish him the very best," Venky Mysore, the chief executive of the Knight Riders, said. "His choice to resign is to ensure that Kolkata Knight Riders are able to plan for the transition and we thank him for that. We also thank him for all his assistance over the past two years" Whatmore’s possession with the Knight Riders lasted two seasons. In his first year, they completed sixth out of eight teams but a totally revamped side under captain Gautam Gambhir reached the knockouts in 2011 before losing to the Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator.

"The team has progressed in the right direction and as always, I wish the team continued success and look forward to them progressing to silverware in 2012," Whatmore said in a statement. Many thanks to those who have supported and believed in me." The Knight Riders have begun a search for a new head coach and would like to have a alternate named before the IPL player auction on February 4. "The head coach is a very important role," Venky Mysore, the franchise's chief executive, told. "It is significant that the coach has ownership of things."

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Cricket Review of Year 2011

2011-12-31T10:44:00.005+05:30

It has been another action-packed year in the world of cricket.

Test team of the year - England

England started the year by finishing their first Ashes win in Australia for 24 years and finished it holding top spot in the ICC Test rankings. Andrew Strauss' men went unbeaten in eight Tests, compiling a record of six wins and two draws, including a 4-0 series whitewash of India, the previous No.1 side.

One-day team of the year - India

India's year was full of highs and lows, none higher than their World Cup victory on home soil. After dethroning three-time defending champions Australia in the quarter-final, Dhoni's men held their nerve to see off neighbours Pakistan in the semi-final and Sri Lanka in the final. India had an overall 15-2 win-loss record at home in ODIs during the year, including a 5-0 whitewash of England.

Best innings - Virender Sehwag, 219, Indore

For the second year in a row, an Indian batsman produced a new benchmark in the 50-over game. Opener Virender Sehwag beat team-mate Sachin Tendulkar's 200 with an innings of 219 against West Indies in Indore on December 8. Sehwag hit 25 fours and seven sixes during his 149-ball knock, even declining the offer of some flowers on reaching his double century from a man who ran out to the middle.

Best series - Australia in South Africa

A bit of a stretch to call two Tests a series but Australia's short visit to South Africa served up a pair of exciting matches. The Proteas took the opener by eight wickets in Cape Town after tumbling Australia to 21-9 in their second innings. Australia 'recovered' to 47 all out to avoid the lowest score in history and set South Africa 236 for victory, a target they achieved thanks to centuries from Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla.

Thrilling Match - New Zealand win in Hobart

New Zealand had not won a Test in Australia since a Richard Hadlee-inspired success in Perth in 1985. Step forward Doug Bracewell, nephew of former off-spinner and coach John, to bowl the Black Caps to a seven-run win in Hobart in December, Australia's first defeat at the venue. Chasing 241, Australia was all out for 233 with rookie seamer Bracewell claiming 6-40. Bracewell's efforts gave New Zealand a share of the series although were not enough for the man-of-the-match award, which went to Australia opener David Warner for his 123 not out!

Rahul Dravid - The fire still burns bright for India's veteran number three, who passed 1,000 Test runs during the calendar year.

Chennai are IPL champs

Played less than a week after India conquered the world in Mumbai, the IPL botched to create the usual hype and buzz. Chennai did stutter in the middle but they won all their home games, thus ensuring there was no real threat to their title defence. Suresh Raina and R Ashwin kept up the good work and proved to be trusted associates to the skipper as Chennai successfully defended the IPL crown on home turf.

Mumbai, champion of champions

Mumbai Indians qualified for the Nokia Champions League T20 for the first time in 2011 with the usual suspects, CSK and RCB. However, the Ambani-owned team was dealt a massive blow when Tendulkar was ruled out of the tournament. Harbhajan Singh, who had a tumultuous stint as stand-in skipper in the inaugural IPL, was again asked to lead the side. But this time, the Indian off-spinner was a changed man, more developed and able.

Elgar, Kleinveldt in South africa ODI Squad

2011-12-31T10:11:00.003+05:30

Dean Elgar, the uncapped left-handed batsman, and seamer Rory Kleinveldt have been included in South Africa's 14-man squad for the first two ODI’s against Sri Lanka. The series will also be the first chance for AB de Villiers as captain after injury meant he missed the matches against Australia. Elgar, the Knights opening batsman, is the only rookie in the squad. Kleinveldt has already represented South Africa in two Twenty20 internationals, the latest one during the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.

The squad includes three changes from the one that faced Australia at home recently. De Villiers will take over the wicket keeping duties from Mark Boucher next to his captaincy duties, while Elgar swap batsman David Miller and the selectors chose to switch leg spinner Imran Tahir for Kleinveldt. "We have chosen a squad of 14 for the first two games only," Andrew Hudson, the Cricket South Africa's selection convener, said. "Those members of the squad who are not involved in the final Test match in Newlands next week will be released to play for their franchises before the squad assembles on January 9.

"There have been a number of batsmen performance good form in domestic cricket, and Elgar fully deserves his chance," Hudson added. "He was the leading run-scorer in the One-Day Cup (567 runs) and also had the best average (81). In addition he gives us very useful bowling options as a left-arm spinner. "Kleinveldt played a significant role with the ball in helping the Cobras to win the One-Day Cup and he also has a lot of possible as a lower-order power hitter." Kleinveldt was the second-highest wicket-taker for the Cobras, taking 13 wickets in nine matches.

ODI squad

AB de Villiers (capt & wk), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, JP Duminy , Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Jacques Kallis, Rory Kleinveldt, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe

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Biggest Win for SriLanka in Second Test

2011-12-30T09:16:00.003+05:30

Sri Lanka scored their ninth Test match win outside the sub-continent and most likely the most significant ever, when they outclassed South Africa by 208 runs with a full day to spare in the second Test on Thursday. It was a dramatic fightback by the tourists, who lost the first Test by an innings, and they now go to the third Test match starting at Sahara Park Newlands on Tuesday with everything to play for. Having broken their Test match losing streak in South Africa, they will now believe they can go one better and win their first series here.

“Sri Lanka outplayed us in every department on a pitch that suited their style of play,” South African captain Graeme Smith said. “We were poor from day one and we now need to find a way to bounce back in the third Test.” South Africa, set a victory target of 450, again produced a unsatisfactory top order performance and at one stage it looked as though they might be bowled out for less than their first innings record low-score of 168.AB de Villiers (69 off 141 balls) and Dale Steyn (43 off 125 balls) delayed the predictable with a seventh wicket stand of 99 before the end came quickly against the second new ball.

The fading light caused Sri Lanka to bowl with their spinners but man of the match Rangana Herath would most likely have bowled in any event. The harder ball gave him a bit more pace and bounces off the pitch and he completed with an innings return of 5/79 and a match return of 9/128. Sri Lanka produced nearly all the stand-out cricket in the match with Thilan Samaraweera and Kumar Sangakkara both scoring centuries, debutant Dinesh Chandimal getting half-centuries in both innings and both Chanaka Welegedara and Herath claiming five-wicket hauls.

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Bangladesh Premier League starts on Feb 9

2011-12-29T09:18:00.004+05:30

The first edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will kick off on February 9, 2012 with the final to be played on February 29. The 20-day tournament will feature six teams that will play each other twice each in a round-robin format over 33 matches to be held in Chittagong and Dhaka. Teams will be allowable to field five foreign players in their XIs, as opposed to four in the IPL. Adam Gilchrist, Mathew Hayden, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Kamran Akmal and James Anderson are among at least 25 foreign players who have made them offered for the competition.

"The main thing is the Bangladesh players have to be available," Arun Lal, a consultant to Game on Sports. As in the first season of the IPL, each team will have an icon player. The Bangladesh Cricket Board announced that Tamim Iqbal will be the icon player for Chittagong, Mohammad Ashraful for Dhaka, Alok Kapali for Sylhet, Shahriar Nafees for Barisal, Mushfiqur Rahim for Rajshahi and Shakib Al Hasan for Khulna. The players will be paid 5% more than the amount received by the highest paid player of each franchise.

The franchise auction will take place on January 5, either in Dhaka or the sea-side town of Cox's Bazar. Companies wishing to bid for a franchise will submit their offers on the same day, and bids will be opened in front of all those present, with the franchises going to the highest bidder. The player auction is planned to take place 10 days later. Each team will have to spend a minimum of US $2 million and can spend up to an utmost of $5 million. However, India's domestic 50-over competition begins on February 20 and therefore could restrict Indian participation.

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Ganguly wants BCCI's stand on DRS

2011-12-28T09:41:00.003+05:30

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has backed Indian Cricket Board`s part in refusing to use the controversial Decision Review System. Ganguly, who had played the series against Sri Lanka in 2008 when the DRS was first used on trial basis, said that the problems of the technology were very obvious as India could manage to get only one of their 20 referrals right."We had a terrible experience with that, in that first series in Sri Lanka. From that point of view, we had our issues," said Ganguly.

The BCCI has always been against the DRS and its concerns improved during this year`s tied World Cup match against England when an lbw appeal and then a referral against Ian Bell was rejected. While a Hawk-Eye replay showed that the delivery would have hit the stumps, the Indians were irritated when the referral was quashed on the grounds Bell had been struck more than 2 metres from the stumps, the distance at which the technology wanes and accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

"DRS should be introduced if it`s correct. We were in England in the summer and it wasn`t foolproof," Ganguly was quoted. India agreed to use a modified DRS, apart from lbw appeals, against England but choose to oppose it totally along with Hot Spot and Eagle Eye for the ongoing four-match Test series in Australia. Mike Hussey (0) and Ed Cowan (68) fell to controversial decisions on the opening day of the first Test yesterday and since then voices in Australia have been growing in bashing the BCCI for rejecting the system.

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Cummins may miss IPL 5 Season

2011-12-28T09:30:00.002+05:30

Forced to miss the ongoing Test series against India due to a foot injury, youngster pace sensation Pat Cummins has indicated that he might withdraw from the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League next year. The 18-year-old fast bowler said that he is in no mood to concession his Australia career for the Twenty20 league and would take a call on his contribution before the IPL auction in February next year.

Asked if the injury had forced him to change about his maiden IPL turn next April, Cummins said, "It probably does. I've said the whole time that playing for Australia is my number one goal. "I don't want anything to impact on that. Looking to the future, I might have to reconsider my options." Cummins has luxury to pull out of the IPL before the auction or on the eve of the competition itself. "The auction is in early February and I've got all the way until then to pull out," he said.

"Even if I didn't have the injury, this is always something that will cause debate. I'm still young, and I'd love to play as many Tests as possible. But it is only four overs a game," Cummins was quoted as saying in the Australian Associated Press. Cummins is probable to return in the Big Bash League for the Sydney Sixers on January 18, but his chances of playing the fourth and final Test against India in Adelaide is very slim.

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Yahyah pleased to lead Selangor

2011-12-26T15:49:00.002+05:30

Captain Amri Yahyah is sure that he can shoulder the burden of leading Selangor's frontline in the absence of forward Lelo Mbele. The Malaysian giants look set to be without Congolese import Mbele - who was signed despite arriving in Kuala Lumpur injured - for the start of the new M-League season, leaving former Malaysia international Yahyah and just arrived R. Surenden as the club's principal strikers along with two other new workers in the shape of Famirul Ashraf Sayuti and Wan Mohd Hoesne Wan Hussain.

"Mbele's absence will be felt but we have enough strikers in the squad as replacements. If I am chosen to play upfront, I will be ready to shoulder the responsibility," the 30-year-old told. "With or without Mbele, we must do our best and win trophies this season. We cannot play the blame game or make excuses if we fail. As captain, I want my teammates to give 100 percent all through the season." After last season's despair, Amri is worried for the club to return to winning ways.

"It is important that we get a good start. We were unsuccessful not to win titles last season and I hope it will be better this season," Yahyah declared."We have quite a number of new players in the squad and all of them are responding well in training and friendlies. We are getting better and everyone is joyful to play under new coach Irfan Bakti," he added. Selangor, 32-time winners of the Malaysian Cup, start their new home season away to Negeri Sembilan on January 10, and will also characteristic Lebanese defender Ramez Dayoub who signed from Myanmar's Magway.

Discus throw, Cheap Shot Put

Second Test - South Africa vs Sri Lanka

2011-12-26T09:00:00.002+05:30

For a team that has almost always been near the summit of the Test rankings, South Africa's recent home record is amazingly ordinary - no series wins in more than three years. Their performances at Kingsmead in that period are similarly bleak losing to each of the other major contenders for the title of world's best Test team. Graeme Smith and his side get the chance to erase both those blots this week as they take on a rambling Sri Lanka.

After subsiding for below 200 in both innings of the first Test, the Sri Lanka batsmen won't be overly excited at the sight of a green-tinged track. In a bid to bolster the batting, Sri Lanka are think over bringing in highly rated wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal in place of Kaushal Silva, who hasn't had the best of times in his three matches as substitute for regular glove man Prasanna Jayawardene.

Sri Lankan cricket is the number of Tests they have gone without a victory since the retirement of their greatest player, Muttiah Muralitharan, last year. That now stands at 15, but almost as upsetting is that in only two of those matches have Sri Lanka managed to bowl out the opposition twice. Adding to the troubles on the field, are the many problems off it. A bankrupt board which is under pressure to pay player salaries, and has forever postponed its domestic matches.

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Shakib moves to No.1 spot in Test allrounder

2011-12-23T10:25:00.003+05:30

Shakib Al Hasan, the former Bangladesh captain, has become the No. 1 Test allrounder in the latest ICC rankings following his outstanding performance against Pakistan in Mirpur. Shakib's rise finished Jacques Kallis' extended hold on the position.

Shakib became the first Bangladesh player to score a hundred and take five wickets in an innings during a Test, and his 144 and 6 for 82 won him the Man-of-the-Match award. The century was Shakib's second in Tests and it lifted his average to 34.68. He averages 31.36 with the ball and has 96 Test wickets.

Kallis, who made 31 and went wicket less in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Centurion, was the No. 1 allrounder for 369 days and will have the chance to regain the top position during the final two matches of that series in Durban and Cape Town. Daniel Vettori, Shane Watson and Stuart Broad complete the top all rounders list in Test cricket.

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Sixteen teams battle for two spots in World T20

2011-12-22T09:02:00.004+05:30

Sixteen Associate and Affiliate teams will battle for two available spots in the 2012 World Twenty20 during a 72-match qualifying tournament in the UAE from March 13 to 24. The teams are divided into two groups of eight with the top three in each group having a opportunity to win a place in the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.

The top two teams of each group will meet in the first qualifying final with the winner certain a place at the World Twenty20. The loser of that match will play in the second qualifying final against the winner of a series of play-off matches. The winners of both qualifying finals will meet in the tournament final in Dubai.

The winner of the tournament will be pooled with Australia and West Indies in group B of the World Twenty20, while the other team will be in group A with defending champions England and 2007 winners India. Afghanistan and Ireland made it from the qualify tournament in 2010, with Afghanistan winning the contest by eight-wickets.

Group A: Afghanistan, Netherlands, Canada, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Bermuda, Denmark, Nepal.

Group B: Ireland, Kenya, Scotland, Namibia, Uganda, Oman, Italy, USA.

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Nuremberg stunned by Greuther Furth in DFB Pokal

2011-12-21T10:29:00.002+05:30

Greuther Furth knocked their more memorable neighbours Nuremberg out of the DFB Pokal with a 1-0 win at the Frankenstadion on Tuesday night. The second division side, who have been on the brink of endorsement to the top flight year-on-year for nearly a decade, booked their place in the quarter-finals thanks to Edgar Prib's goal in the 15th minute. The lesser-known side from just outside Nuremberg handles to hold on to their win despite playing the last 25 minutes with 10 men after Bernd Nehrig was sent off.

They were joined in the last eight by Bavarian rivals Bayern Munich, who needed a last-gasp goal from Arjen Robben to see them to a 2-1 win against second division hosts Bochum. Giovanni Federico put Bochum ahead in the first half at the Ruhrstadion, but Toni Kroos levelled early in the second half. However, their passage to the quarter-finals was preserved with the last kick of the game as Robben prohibited the tie from going into extra time.

Extra time and penalties were wanted to find a winner between second division leaders Fortuna Dusseldorf and defending Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund, who unsuccessful to find a goal between them over 120 minutes. But Thomas Broker missed his side's next penalty, with Dortmund net all five of their kicks to win 5-4. Hoffenheim saw off Bundesliga rivals Augsburg 2-1 in front of just over 10,000 fans at the Rhein-Neckar Arena - a record low crowd for the stadium in Sinsheim.

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Hughes dropped, Hilfenhaus back in Australia Squad

2011-12-21T08:59:00.002+05:30

Phil Hughes and Usman Khawaja have been dropped and former captain Ricky Ponting has gained another reprieve and been integrated in Australia’s 13-man squad for the first test against India beginning December 26, 2011. Batsmen Ed Cowan and Shaun Marsh and paceman Ben Hilfenhaus were added to the squad named Wednesday. Cowan won a call-up for the first time after scoring centuries in his past four games, with the ongoing Chairman’s XI match against India in Canberra.

Marsh returns after recovering from a back injury suffered during the recent tour of South Africa. Fast bowler Hilfenhaus was recalled after some strong recent form at the domestic first-class level. All-rounder Shane Watson remains sidelined through injury while Dan Christian is in the squad and could make his debut.

Squad: Michael Clarke (capt), Ed Cowan, David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Daniel Christian, Brad Haddin, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon

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Football : David Villa undergoes surgery

2011-12-20T08:54:00.002+05:30

Barcelona striker David Villa has undergone surgery on his broken shinbone and, as expected, is set to be sidelined for between four and five months. The 30-year-old Villa suffered the injury during the first half of Thursday's Club World Cup semi-final win over Al-Sadd in Japan. Barca announced last week that Villa, who returned to Spain on Friday, was likely to be not present for up to five months, and that timescale remained the same following his operation today.

A statement on the Barca website read: "David Villa has had his broken left tibia operated on this afternoon by Dr Ramon Cugat and Dr Ricard Pruna."The player will remain in hospital for three or four days and the recovery time will be between four and five months."That means Spain's all-time record scorer is likely to miss the popular of Barca's La Liga and Champions League battle’s but could yet be fit for Euro 2012.

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Mohsin continue as a interim coach

2011-12-20T08:51:00.002+05:30

Mohsin Khan will continue as temporary coach of Pakistan for the series against England next month, Zaka Ashraf, the PCB chairman has said. The choice to carry on with Mohsin, who is also the head of selectors, has been made because the PCB is yet to recognize and hire a full-time coach. "The current coaching team will continue to work for the England series as well," Ashraf said. "We have yet to take a decision on the appointment of the new coaching staff.

It is not my call to name a coach as I have appointed a specialist team of former Test cricketers to decide. I have told them to find the best candidate." The England series will be Mohsin's third assignment as national coach. He was first appointed acting coach after Waqar Younis stepped down citing medical reasons in August. The PCB had been probable to name their new coach following the Bangladesh series. Ashraf did not provide a reason for the delay.

The search committee was formed in late August to find Waqar's successor and though it arrived at a shortlist of five candidates a month later, no full-time trainer has yet been appointed. The committee was constituted by the previous PCB chairman Ijaz Butt but the process was delayed as Butt finished his three-year tenure and was replaced by Ashraf in October. England will play three Tests, four one-day internationals and three Twenty20s on their two-month tour of the UAE.

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Pakistan players to play in Bangladesh T20

2011-12-19T09:10:00.002+05:30

Pakistan Cricket Board has allowed nine of it's top players to sign up for the Bangladesh Twenty20 premier league ahead of the all significant series against England in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. As many as five players from the national side with Younis Khan, Muhammad Hafeez, Abdul Rehman, Shoaib Malik and Imran Farhat have been allowed to sign up for different clubs in the league, which starts from December 26.

Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanvir and Wahab Riaz, who are presently out of the team, are the other players who have been given a go-ahead to play in the league. "Yes some of the players will not return home with the team from Dhaka this month and will stay back to play a few match of the Bangladesh premier league before they join the team for the England series," ."The players are being paid well by the clubs in the league and some clubs are also involved in signing up Abdul Razzaq and Umar Gul," he said.

Cricket analysts, however, questioned the understanding behind allowing the players to sign up for the league before the England series. "The Pakistan team will hardly have 12 to 13 days, after returning home, before they go to the UAE for the England Tests. In this period obviously a training camp will be held and there is a possibility that the board might appoint the new coaching staff headed by Dav Whatmore," an analyst said. He pointed out; in contrast, England team will be reaching UAE on January 3 to prepare for the Test series.

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Afghanistan to play first ODI against Pakistan

2011-12-17T10:27:00.003+05:30

Afghanistan will play their first one-day international against a Test-playing nation when they meet Pakistan in Sharjah on February 10. The match will take place three days before the first match of the limited-overs leg of Pakistan's series against England in the UAE. Afghanistan played India and South Africa during the World Twenty20 2010, but in ODIs they have only faced relates and Affiliate teams.

Pakistan and Afghanistan's cricketing associations have grown over 2011. In May, Afghanistan became the first international team to tour Pakistan since the attack on Sri Lanka's team bus in March 2009. They played three 50-over matches against Pakistan A. There was also an attempt to include Afghanistan in Pakistan's domestic Twenty20 competition but that did not appear.

Cricket was made popular in Afghanistan by refugees who spent years living in Pakistan when Soviet troops invaded their country in 1979. Afghanistan cricket has progressed amazingly in the last three years. In 2009, they finished fifth in the World Cup Qualifiers and earned ODI status later in the year. In 2010, they won the qualifying tournament for the World Twenty20, giving them the chance to play in the main tournament, and also won the Intercontinental Cup, a first-class tournament. They are currently ninth on the ICC rankings for Twenty20 teams.

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Trott signs 3 year deal for Warwickshire

2011-12-16T09:23:00.003+05:30

England batsman Jonathan Trott has signed a new three-year deal with Warwickshire. The 30-year-old, who was born in Cape Town, joined the Bears in 2002 and struck a record 245 for the second XI on debut. He followed this by recording a century on his County Championship debut against Sussex in 2003, but truly hit the headline when he made 119 on his Test debut to help England beat Australia in the deciding match of the 2009 Ashes.

He has now scored six Test centuries and was newly named the ICC player of the year after him and Warwickshire team-mate Ian Bell helped England turn into the number one-ranked Test team. "It's been fantastic to be part of the Warwickshire team for the last 10 years," Trott told the club website. "We've got an exciting young squad that's capable of testing for trophies, an skilled and innovative coaching team, and some of the best facilities in world cricket. I'm looking forward to many more years here at Edgbaston."

Warwickshire director of cricket Ashley Giles added: "Jonathan has made a massive impact at Warwickshire since joining the club.”He's popular with everyone and we're all delighted that's he's gone on to achieve so much with England over the last few years. "Having two of the world's top 10 batsmen (Jonathan and Ian Bell) training here with the squad since us ongoing our pre-season programme has been great for the younger members."

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First Test Preview : South Africa vs Sri Lanka

2011-12-15T09:15:00.002+05:30

When discussion turns to contenders for the top spot in Test cricket, South Africa feature highly in the debate. Everything suggests that should be well within their grasp. Sri Lanka have had a poor 2011 since reaching the World Cup final and have suffered three successive series defeats; against England, Australia and Pakistan. Although each was only a 1-0 margin there was a clear gap between them and their opposition. It's a void that they'll struggle to thin against South Africa.

There was always going to be a tough period in Sri Lanka's history when Muttiah Muralitharan departed the scene and the bowling attack is thin. However, in many ways the bigger concern is the form of the top order. With the honourable exception of Kumar Sangakkara the big names have failed to fire constantly. More is needed from Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera.

It will be a severe challenge for them against Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, who made an inspiring start to his Test career against Australia. They will be looking forward to the prospect of testing out the Sri Lankan batsmen on a bouncy, green Centurion pitch. South Africa, though, have to take this series by the scruff of the neck if their reputation isn't to suffer. They have not always coped well when prospect have been high.

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Djokovic and Kvitova named world champions for 2011

2011-12-14T09:04:00.003+05:30

Novak Djokovic and Petra Kvitova have been named the International Tennis Federation's world champions for 2011. Djokovic was a clear winner of the award having won three of the four Grand Slam titles and completed the year as world number one. The women's award was a closer fight, but Wimbledon champion Kvitova, who also helped the Czech Republic win the Fed Cup, beat year-end number one Caroline Wozniacki to the crown.

Djokovic, who ends a seven-year domination of the award by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, said: "I am proud to have been named the ITF world champion for 2011.”Starting with victory in last year's Davis Cup final, this has been an almost perfect 12 months for me. I have always dreamed about becoming the best in the world, and to have won three Grand Slam titles and ended the year as number one is very special."

Kvitova, whose win at the season-ending WTA Championships saw her finish the year as world number two, said: "I will cherish this award, which is the cherry on top of a great year."It was a dream year and something I will never forget."ITF president Francesco Ricci Bitti said: "Both Novak Djokovic and Petra Kvitova have managed to combine strong performances for their country with exceptional individual records.

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Marsh ruled out of first Test against India

2011-12-14T08:42:00.003+05:30

Australia were dealt a blow when opener Shaun Marsh was ruled out of the first Test against India as he is yet to recover from his lower back injury. Marsh has been almost ruled out of the first Test, starting December 26 and Shane Watson has been brought to Melbourne early to assess his fitness. Hopes that Marsh, who is averaging 56.80 after just three Tests, would return at the MCG from the lower back injury he continued last month in Cape Town.

"While we are hopeful, Shaun's chances of recovering suitably in order to be considered for the first Vodafone Test against India are considered unlikely at this stage," Howard said in a CA statement. Watson, who was improving from his hamstring problem and a minor calf muscle strain, is unlikely to be able to bowl even if he is passed fit to return in the first Test. He has also not played any spirited game in more than a month. Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey are though likely to retain their places despite their poor recent form.

The 30-year-old Watson hurt his hamstring in Australia's Test victory in Johannesburg last month and a mild calf strain last week further delayed his comeback. "At the moment things are progressing well. Hopefully if everything continues to go well I'll definitely be fully fit to play on Boxing Day," Watson was quoted as saying by 'Sydney Morning Herald'. Coach and selector Mickey Arthur said the time had come for a decision to be made about Watson's long-term position in the batting order.

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Top 5 Run Scorers in ODI'S

2011-12-13T17:28:00.003+05:30

Top 5 Run getters in ODI'S

No	Player Name	Team	Runs	Opposition	Place
1	Virender Sehwag	India	219	West Indies	Indore
2	Sachin Tendulkar	India	200*	South Africa	Gwalior
3	Charles Coventry	Zimbabwe	194*	Bangladesh	Bulawayo
4	Saeed Anwar	Pakistan	194	India	Chennai
5	Sir Viv Richards	West Indies	189*	England	Manchester

Tennis: Cilic out of Chennai Open

2011-12-13T17:10:00.005+05:30

Two-time winner Marin Cilic of Croatia has been ruled out of the 2012 Chennai Open, India's only ATP World Tour event, due to an injury. The 17th edition of the competition will be held at the SDAT Tennis Stadium from January 2 to 8 and will see in action an inspiring line-up of Indian and international players including world No.9 Janko Tipsarevic and world No.10 Nicolas Almagro, defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka and former champion Xavier Malisse.

World number 21 Cilic, winner of the important the singles title in 2009 and 2010, suffered a patella tendon injury which has ruled him out of the Chennai tournament as well as the season's first grand slam, the Australian Open. With this withdrawal, Karol Beck of Slovakia, ranked no.
100 will be a part of the singles main draw at the event, considered to be South Asia's premier.

"Having started the previous five seasons at the Chennai Open, the city is a home away from home for me. Only an injury could have kept me away from the Chennai Open," the left-handed Cilic said. "Thankfully, I am recovering well from the patella tendon injury and I'll surely be back next year. I wish all the participants the best for the tournament. I'll be following it closely,” Cilic, a crowd favourite at Chennai, was aiming to become the first singles player to win the competition on three occasions.

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Second Test - Thrilling Win for New Zealand

2011-12-13T09:47:00.003+05:30

New Zealand has won a thriller after shocking Australia by a 7 run win. Captain Ross Taylor dedicated this win as a Christmas gift to long-suffering fans. A 21-year-old hero, Doug Bracewell did it for the kiwis in his fourth match picking six crucial wickets. The New Zealanders were thrashed by nine wickets in the series-opening match at Brisbane last week and were facing a 2-0 series defeat when Australia was cruising at 159-2 chasing 241 to win the second test.

Ponting (16), current skipper Michael Clarke (0) and veteran Mike Hussey (0) just before lunch swung the momentum determinedly in New Zealand’s favor after the series seemed to be traveling away from them. Brad Haddin survived the hat-trick ball but the three quick strikes gave New Zealand the upper hand with Australia having a longer-than-usual lower order. Bracewell was so excited he dropped a curse word into a live interview, but quickly regained his calm.

The Australians had resumed on the fourth day at 72 without loss and didn’t add a run before Phillip Hughes (20) was dismissed by Chris Martin for the fourth time this series. “Disappointed, no doubt,” Clarke said of the outcome. “We were pretty conflicting throughout this whole test. Want to pay a lot of credit to David Warner, scoring his first test match hundred was outstanding today. And Nathan Lyon, the way he hung in there, if a few of us batters showed the character and courage that he did today, we wouldn’t be standing here with the same result.”

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IPL-5 has 76 games, Kochi players up for auction

2011-12-12T09:29:00.003+05:30

The player’s auction for the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League will be held in late January or early February and the teams will play their games on a home-and-away basis, with each of the nine franchises playing 16 games. The change means that the cash-rich Twenty20 competition reverts back to its original format, where all the teams played each other twice. In the upcoming season, each team is now going to play eight home games. The nine franchises will go into the auction having an extra salary cap of USD two million to spend on players.

The players from the Kochi Tuskers Kerala franchise, which was terminated by the BCCI in September this year, will be part of the auction. The decisions were taken at the IPL governing council's meet on Saturday. The IPL GC has also increased the number of players in each team from 30 to 33. The number of foreign players in each team will be 11 instead of 10, while two more Indian players can be added to each team's schedule. However, the number of foreign players that can be part of the final XI will remain at four.

There will also be an additional four play-off matches, to be held in Bangalore and Chennai that will take the total tally of matches in the tournament to 76. The IPL-5 season will begin in Chennai on April 4 and the final will be played at the same venue on May 27, 2012. "The trading window will open on December 15, 2011 and will run through to January 20, 2012. There will be a short second trading window after the players' auction," informed Shukla. The trading regulations will be as per previous seasons.

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India beat WI and seal the series

2011-12-09T10:55:00.003+05:30

Match Photos:

Sehwag's Unforgettable Double Hundred in ODI's

Virender Sehwag reacts after getting to a double-ton

Virender Sehwag is pumped up after his one-day double-ton

Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag added 176 runs

Virender Sehwag scored a blistering 219 as India clinched the ODI series against West Indies with a convincing 153-run win in the fourth one-dayer to take an unassailable 3-1 lead. Denesh Ramdin threw away a possible maiden ODI century, being last man out as he wildly slog-swept Suresh Raina to be caught for 96, but no other batsmen put up much of a fight. Chasing a enormous target of 419, West Indies were bowled out for 265 in 49.2 overs.

Ramdin was the single fighter in the visitors’ innings. Lendl Simmons (36), Marlon Samuels (33) and allrounder Andre Russell (29) got starts but could not convert them into big knocks. Ravindra Jadeja (3 for 34), debutant spinner Rahul Sharma (3 for 43), part-timer Suresh Raina (2 for 17) and R Ashwin (1 for 59) accounted for nine wickets. Sharma, who has been touring with the side for almost two months, was chosen over the recalled Irfan Pathan and totally foxed West Indies after Sehwag's murderous assault had already demoralized them.

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Football Preview - Hertha Berlin vs Schalke

2011-12-08T18:17:00.003+05:30

Schalke coach Hub Stevens has praised his former club Hertha Berlin ahead of his return to the capital on Friday night. Stevens coached Hertha in 2002 and 2003 and he silent knows the club ladder well, although his precedence on Friday is taking the Royal Blues up to second in the Bundesliga table. "Hertha are enjoying a good season and the team is showing great morale," the Dutch coach told. "Their general manager Michael Preetz was a player under me back then and he and the rest of the management are doing a good job."

Markus Babbel is presently in charge of the capital club and has a good connection with Schalke's director of sport Horst Heldt, who is looking forward to meeting him again. "We go back a long way," Heldt said. "When he played for Bayern Munich, I was playing for 1860 Munich and we clashed in many a derby.”Later, I was manager in Stuttgart and he was our coach there. "We get on very well, but that friendship will be put to one side during the 90 minutes and I hope that we get the three points from Berlin."

Babbel's relationship with Hertha's current general manager Michael Preetz appears rather more strained though. Babbel has yet to commit to a new contract beyond the end of the season and Preetz is reported to have given him and taunt to make up his mind. "Before the second half of the season gets under way, the question will be answered one way or another," he told. No questions about Babbel's future were asked at the pre-match press conference.

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Fourth ODI - India hope to seal the series

2011-12-08T09:58:00.003+05:30

India has an incomplete business before they launch their excitedly awaited tour Down Under. The West Indies are proving too sticky for the Indians and they need to be on the guard, lest the visitors run away with the series. Stand-in captain Virender Sehwag knows well that his team needs to deliver the knockout punch in the fourth one-day international at the Holkar Stadium on Thursday, rather than leave the fate of the five-match series to the final game in Chennai.

India could have been tempted to bring in Ajinkya Rahane, but with still a lot at stake in the series, they may well stick with Gambhir. Besides the poor form of the top-order, another area of concern for India has been their bowling at the death. The bowlers have leaked runs, enabling the West Indies to come back strongly. First it was Ravi Rampaul's heroic blitz at Visakhapatnam and then Captain Darren Sammy's cameo in Ahmedabad that sent the rival bowling in disarray.

"We have let the West Indies off the hook during the slog overs. We need to tighten things and not give their batsmen too many opportunities with loose balls. Hopefully, the bowlers have learnt their lessons and will give an improved display," Viru said on the eve of the tie. India has had an inexperienced bowling attack in the first three games, but with the return of Irfan Pathan things should look up, particularly in the final overs. Though he lacks pace, the Baroda left-arm seamer is a crafty customer and has the skill to keep a check on the free-flowing Caribbean batsmen.

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Group E: Chelsea beat Valencia by 3-0

2011-12-07T17:24:00.002+05:30

Chelsea avoided the impossible on Tuesday as Andre Villas-Boas sacrificed his ideals for a place in the Champions League knockout phase. With the Blues in danger of crashing out of Europe's premier club contest before Christmas for the first time, manager Villas-Boas discarded the cavalier tactics that have been the seal of his supremacy in what was the club's final Group E game against Valencia.

The counter-attacking approach paid off spectacularly as Chelsea emerged from the brink of elimination to top the group thanks to a brace from the excellent Didier Drogba, a goal from Ramires and Bayer Leverkusen's failure to win at Genk. That meant the Blues avoided a last-16 clash with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, although they would happily have taken that ahead of a game Villas-Boas had frequently billed as "life or death".

The 34-year-old last night refused to tolerate the prospect of failure, something he was nevertheless adamant would not cost him his job. Seemingly backed to the hilt by billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, Villas-Boas flexed his muscles this week by banishing Nicolas Anelka and Alex from his first-team squad and he was ruthless again on Tuesday by axing Frank Lampard from his starting XI. It was not the first time Lampard had been left out this season but the midfielder's omission was debatably the most significant of his entire Chelsea career.

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Final ODI - Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 58 runs

2011-12-07T17:20:00.002+05:30

Pakistan spinners reveled in caring environment to crush Bangladesh by 58 runs in the third one-day international and wrap up a 3-0 series win. The tourists, bowled out for a modest 177 in the one-day international, hit back to dismiss Bangladesh for 119 on a wicket that turned and bounced at Chittagong. Shoaib Malik marked his 200th one-day look with three wickets for six runs in four overs and fellow off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez picked up three for 27 as the Tigers were bowled out in 38 overs.

It was Pakistan's 28th win in 29 one-dayers against Bangladesh, boosting the confidence of Misbah-ul-Haq's men ahead of the two-Test series starting on Friday. Bangladesh was sailing smoothly at 1-69 in the 20th over when five wickets stopped for 14 runs to allow Pakistan to bounce back in the match. "This was a really tough game," said a relieved Misbah. "But when there is self-belief you manage to get through.”Our bowlers did wonderfully well but we need to improve our batting.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim blamed his team's batting for the series whitewash. "Our bowlers did well all through the series, but our batsmen let us down," he said. "Hopefully we will overcome this loss and do better in the Test matches." Bangladesh lost opener Tamim Iqbal off the first ball of the innings, bowled by Hafeez, before Shahriar Nafees and Mahmudullah put on 69 for the second wicket.

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Irfan Pathan returns to ODI Squad

2011-12-06T10:19:00.003+05:30

Abhimanyu Mithun, the Karnataka fast bowler, has been named as Praveen Kumar's replacement in India's Test squad for their tour of Australia. Irfan Pathan, the Baroda all rounder, has been picked for the last two one-dayers against West Indies, marking his return to the international group after more than two years.

After Praveen was ruled out of the Tests with a cracked rib, the selectors had to add another seamer to the 17-man squad for Australia and the place was probable to go to either one of Mithun, Vinay Kumar or Irfan Pathan. Mithun got that spot, but a place in the ODI squad was vacated because Umesh Yadav is departing for Australia early. Irfan's performances in the ongoing domestic season have been satisfied with that spot for the final two one-dayers.

Irfan has not played for India since 2009, but drew notice because of his performance in this season's Ranji Trophy, in which he is the leading wicket-taker in the Elite division, having taken 21 wickets in three games. Mithun took six wickets in three Tests on the tour of Sri Lanka in July 2010, his debut series.

India squad for last two ODIs: Virender Sehwag (capt), Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Parthiv Patel (wk), Rohit Sharma, Vinay Kumar, Irfan Pathan, Abhimanyu Mithun, Varun Aaron, R Ashwin, Manoj Tiwary, Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina, Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Sharma

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India aim to seal the series against West Indies

2011-12-05T09:18:00.001+05:30

Third ODI Preview

With a 2-0 lead in hand, India are definitely on course to record a second consecutive one-day series triumph at home as they take on West Indies in the third ODI of the five-match series at the Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium in Motera on Monday. Although it has not been without some hiccups, the hosts look all set to hand out another defeat to the visiting side and take a winning 3-0 lead at the ground where they dethroned 2007 champions Australia on March 24 on their way to grabbing cricket's most popular crown - the World Cup.

The Virender Sehwag-led hosts have shown very good tenaciousness in the face of deep trouble to win the first two games of the series at Cuttack and Vishakhapatnam. They struggled to overcome a very modest target of 212 set by the Windies in the first ODI and then failed to deliver the knock-out blow when they had the visitors on the hop at 170 for 9 in the second match. On the first occasion, India rescued by the last wicket pair of Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav.

In the second game too India allowed Ravi Rampaul to smash a world record score for a no. 10 batsman, 86 not out in 66 balls with six sixes and as many fours, to help his team accumulate a tough 269 after they were 170 for 9 through a fighting, incomplete last wicket stand of 99 with Kemar Roach who made 24 not out. It needed a determined and tenacious stand of 163 runs between young guns Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to guide India to a victory after they were in difficulties at 84 for 3.

Hurdles

Athletic News

Second ODI - Bangladesh vs Pakistan

2011-12-03T12:39:00.002+05:30

Bangladesh performance has been just as hopeless as Pakistan's has been dominant. The depth in the pace attack that gave Pakistan that extra benefit against Sri Lanka in the Test series has been complemented superbly by their spinners in the limited-overs formats. Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez have outshone their Bangladesh counterparts, whose over-reliance on Shakib Al Hasan's all-round abilities can only take them so far.

The slow and low tracks in Mirpur may have muffled Pakistan's batting, but it's done worse for the hosts. Their captain Mushfiqur Rahim said: "I have not experienced what home advantage is in the last two series, to be honest with you. When you talk about home advantage, you expect to be playing on pitches you are known with, so you know what a good total would be, be it 240 or 150." But he was also prompt to point out that his batsmen "lacked application".

The pitches so far may not have been to their liking, but they've still played to Bangladesh's strength - spin. They've just been up against opponents who, apart from being significantly superior, have exploited those circumstances better. Not many expected Bangladesh to cause an upset against an opponent that is on a high, but not many would have thought they'd surrender this badly at home. With four games still left over on the tour, their batsmen, particularly, need to step up as no one's exposed the difference between the teams as glaringly as they have.

Shotput Technique

Tennis News

India beat West Indies & lead the series 2-0

2011-12-03T10:45:00.003+05:30

The West Indians are slipping, then fighting back and even getting close to victory in the ongoing ODI series but are then running out of ideas. Chasing 269, the hosts completed with 270/5 with 11 balls to spare. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma showed that the future of Indian cricket is safe in their willows. Coming together at 84/3, the duo made sure that there were no Cuttack-like hiccups or a close nail-biting finish by stringing jointly a 163-run partnership for the fourth wicket that snuffed out the Windies challenge.

Kohli enhanced his qualifications by notching up his second century at the venue. The Delhi batsman was hardly in trouble as he stroked 14 boundaries in his 123-ball 117 but will be unhappy with his dismissal. Rohit, who made a match-winning 72 in the previous game but rued the fact that he was not in the middle to finish the game, showed that he is a quick learner. Rohit unbeaten 90 (98b; 7x4, 2x6), was in superb touch from the word go. His timing was near perfect and shot selection was above reproach.

More highly, he was at the wicket when the winning runs were scored by Ravindra Jadeja. If the evening session was sans much drama, the first session didn't have a dull moment as fortunes swung to and fro. Sammy was expecting one of his lead batsmen to take up the challenge and give his side a defendable total but at 170/9, all his dreams once again lay crushed and the visitors looked headed for a huge defeat. No. 10 bat Ravi Rampaul threw caution to wind as he smashed career-best unbeaten 86 (66 balls, 6x4, 6x6) to take his side to 269/9.

Kettlebells

Athletic News

Rafael Nadal ready for Davis Cup clash

2011-12-02T09:29:00.003+05:30

Rafael Nadal is first up against Juan Monaco as Spain face Argentina in the Davis Cup final. The Seville fight starts on Friday with the Nadal-Monaco clash then followed by David Ferrer taking on Juan Martin Del Potro. Saturday sees the doubles take centre stage as Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco line up for the hosts against David Nalbandian and Eduardo Schwank. Sunday's final two singles rubber sees the overturn of Friday's action with Nadal v Del Potro and Ferrer v Monaco.

Del Potro insists the mind scars suffered by Argentina in their 2008 Davis Cup final defeat to Spain have healed and hopes it will be fourth time lucky for the South Americans this weekend. Argentina exhausted arguably their greatest chance to land the sport's biggest team prize as Spain emerged victorious when the title match was played on an indoor court in Mar del Plata three years ago. Del Potro told reporters: "That is in the past, totally in the past. After that final, we grew up, I've better my game a lot and now we have another chance.

"We are very calm within the team and trying to do everything okay to be ready to fight. "To me, every final is different. Here it's different players, different surface, and different stadium and this time Spain is the favourite. "It's going to be different than Mar del Plata, if we are in good shape and remain focused." Argentina skipper Tito Vazquez raised a few eyebrows when he selected Monaco as one of his singles picks alongside Del Petro. Monaco will open the final against Nadal with the former world number one keen to dispel the theory he was lacking motivation.

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Cricket News

Second ODI - India vs West Indies

2011-12-02T08:40:00.002+05:30

As the tour moves to the YS Rajasekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, the contest between the teams - which seemed rather expected to begin with - has acquired a more exciting taste following a couple of overexcited finishes in the lead-up to this game. A draw with the scores level in the third Test and a nail-biting finish in Cuttack, during which Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav provided an insight into the details of human behaviour under pressure, have spiced up a home season characterized by one-sided contests and poor crowds.

A high-scoring venue, teams have gone past 250 in each of the six ODI innings here - twice while chasing effectively. Indian top order will not want to fall victim to the "soft dismissals" that their captain Virender Sehwag criticized them for after the Cuttack game. Even more so for West Indies. They were troubled by India's seamers in Cuttack, but are now at a venue where the bowlers' skills and variations have been of partial value in past games.

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Manchester City face Liverpool in semis

2011-12-01T09:41:00.003+05:30

The Carling Cup final will feature an npower Championship team after the semi-final draw inclined Crystal Palace and Cardiff against each other. Palace beat an inexperienced Manchester United team 2-1 after extra-time at Old Trafford on Wednesday night to reach the last four while Cardiff had beaten Blackburn 24 hours earlier.

The Londoners will play the first leg at home before going to Wales for the return and the victors will face the winners of Manchester City against Liverpool. The ties will be played in the weeks commencing January 9 and January 23.Eagles boss Dougie Freedman told "It's going to be a very complicated tie for us."Cardiff are an exceptional team with good quality players and it's probably made it a harder draw for us."

Carling Cup semi-final draw

1. Manchester City v Liverpool

2. Crystal Palace v Cardiff City

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First Test - Australia vs New Zealand

2011-12-01T09:17:00.003+05:30

Australia is still favourites in this Test and should win the series. But New Zealand has a sniff. They haven't won a Test in Australia in 26 years, back when Richard Hadlee was at his peak and Allan Border's Australians were stressed at the start of their innovation phase. New Zealand are far from their peak right now they almost lost to Zimbabwe a month ago and be seated eighth on the Test rankings - but Australia are not far from their mid 1980s position. They are coming off a fine victory in Johannesburg less than a fortnight ago, but at least three of the men who played in that win are out of this Test, including the Man of the Match Pat Cummins.

Australia will play at least three debutants at the Gabba. David Warner will open in the nonappearance of Shane Watson; James Pattinson is expected to share the new ball with Peter Siddle; and either Mitchell Starc or Ben Cutting will come on at first change. The captain Michael Clarke even oblique that there was a chance all four fast men might play if the pitch looked as "green and juicy" on the morning of the match as it did two days before. There is also a new coach, Mickey Arthur, who has spent barely a week in the job and is still finding his feet.

Not that New Zealand is much more settled. This will be the second Test for the fast bowler Doug Bracewell and the batsman Dean Brownlie, while the wicketkeeper Reece Young is also in his first year of Test cricket. Like Australia, New Zealand have a new selection panel, installed by their director of cricket, John Buchanan, a man who coached four of the opposition players during his time in charge of Australia. But Ross Taylor's side is still learning how to win - they have won only four of their past 28 Tests.

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Manchester City beat Arsenal at Carling Cup

2011-11-30T09:33:00.005+05:30

Sergio Aguero came off the bench to fire Manchester City into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup with a 1-0 win at Arsenal. Both teams had made sweeping changes, but in spite of industry from Arsene Wenger's young side - with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain again producing an impressive display - it was big-spending City who had the edge as £35million Argentina striker Aguero slotted home with seven minutes left following a sweeping counter-attack.

The Barclays Premier League leaders will now turn their attentions to securing safe passage into the latter stages of the Champions League next month after the depth of Roberto Mancini's squad again paid dividends. There was a compliment to late Wales manager Gary Speed, with the away fans spontaneously singing his name followed by applause. Samir Nasri, on his first return since an acrimonious £24million summer transfer, was booed.

The former Gunners midfielder's first touch was dully booed, before chants of "you only left for the money" rang out around Emirates Stadium. City winger Adam Johnson's 25-yard effort dipped just over before Arsenal broke down the left through Oxlade-Chamberlain. Park Ju-young, who scored in the last round against Bolton, arrived on cue at the far post, only for reserve keeper Costel Pantilimon to make a brilliant reaction save to his left.

Goals: Aguero 83.

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Thrilling Win for India in First ODI

2011-11-30T09:20:00.002+05:30

Rohit Sharma made a successful comeback and helped India come back from the jaws of an embarrassing defeat. The one-day thriller at Cuttack was so much like the gripping stuff dished out at the Mumbai Test which preceded this series. And that India crossed the finishing line at the Barabati Stadium, something which they failed to do at the Wankhede, was because of the nature of the last Indian pair Umesh Yadav (6 not out) and Varun Aaron (6 not out).

When Umesh’s boundary brought the winning runs for the home team, an ecstatic Rohit was visibly the happiest man, jumping with unrestrained joy. The one-wicket win was as much India’s as Rohit’s. Returning to international cricket after an almost three-month injury lay-off because of a cracked finger, Rohit played a stellar 72-run innings and broke the hearts of the West Indies players who, perhaps, surpassed their own prospect and put up an excellent bowling performance.

When Vinay Kumar departed, India was unfaithfully placed at 201 for nine. The target was 11 steps away, but with Yadav and Aaron in charge, it was actually an Everest to climb. But that sports involve not only skill, but also heart was once again shown by this brave-heart pair. It was a low day for the top-order of either side. If the West Indies had slumped to 52 for three during their innings, the Indians gave them a strong competition in weakness as they were reduced to 59 for five during the reply.

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Praveen Kumar ruled out of Australia Tests

2011-11-29T17:54:00.003+05:30

Praveen Kumar's injury is worse than at first feared, and the Indian fast bowler will now miss the entire one-day series against West Indies as well as the Test series in Australia that follows it. Kumar, 25, was initially ruled out of the first three ODIs of the ongoing five-match series because of a chest injury. However, a further scan on Monday revealed that the Indian fast bowler has a cracked rib, after the report of his tests came through on Tuesday.

He has also been battling against a frequent elbow problem, which kept him out of his team's successful 50-over World Cup campaign at home earlier this year. Kumar is expected to recover in 5-6 weeks, and has thus been ruled out of India's forthcoming games. Abhimanyu Mithun, 22, had already been called up to replace him in the squad for the opening three ODIs. His replacement for the Australia tour will be named on December 5, when the selectors meet in Ahmedabad to pick the Indian team for the last two ODIs against the West Indies.

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First ODI - India vs West Indies

2011-11-29T10:11:00.002+05:30

India's previous home one-dayer took place in front of a sparse crowd at the Eden Gardens, reinforcing fears over the amount of cricket being played, but with Tuesday's match taking place at the smaller cricketing centre of Cuttack, a jam-packed stadium is expected. Even though the biggest crowd-pullers like MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar are missing, tickets sales at the Barabati Stadium have been brisk, and even the practice sessions drew plenty of spectators.

A full-strength India would be expected to roll over West Indies at home, but they are missing at least four of their headliners. In addition, they have lost the most skilled bowler in their squad, Praveen Kumar - he was ruled out of the first three one-dayers with an injury. That means the most tested of the quicks is Vinay Kumar, all of 11 one-dayers old, giving the stand-in captain Virender Sehwag something of a challenge.

India are also missing two of their finishers, MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, giving the likes of Rohit Sharma an audition for a permanent place in the hugely spirited middle order. West Indies are boosted by the arrival of Kieron Pollard, an impact player who can quickly transform matches, and Lendl Simmons, their most consistent one-day batsman of the year. Sunil Narine, the alternative Trinidad & Tobago off spinner whose variations mystified batsmen in the Champions League T20, could also pose problems in his first outing in international cricket.

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Boxing: Groves strike by hand injury

2011-11-25T08:49:00.003+05:30

George Groves has been enforced to withdraw from his bout at the Liverpool Echo Arena on December 9 because of a hand injury. The 23-year-old, who has enjoyed an astral year with wins over huge rival James DeGale and Paul Smith, suffered the injury in a training session this week in London and he has now been ruled out of his next contest - for which an opponent had yet to be named. DeGale's WBO Intercontinental title against Jose Maria Guerrero will now caption the bill and a further fight could be added to the card.

He said: "I'm really gutted as I was coming along nicely in training and on course for the fight in a couple of weeks' time."The injury is a setback and I really required to end the year with four good wins."I'm sorry that my fans won't be able to see me in action, but I'll back early next year and ready to kick of 2012 with bang as I continue towards further titles."Groves' manager and trainer Adam Booth was also disappointed at the news.

"Obviously we are all disappointed as George was looking forward to getting back into the ring again so quickly after his great win over Paul Smith."At this stage of George's career it would be crazy to cooperation him and carry an injury of that nature into the fight."He's been advised to rest it for now and we'll seek further medical guidance next week."

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T20 Preview - Pakistan vs Sri Lanka

2011-11-25T08:25:00.002+05:30

Twenty20 might have turn out to be the origin of everything that is bad about cricket, but the international Twenty20 game has had roughly no role to play in that development. Consider these stats: we have had 32 Tests so far in 2011 and 139 ODIs - a number inflated by the World Cup, no doubt - but only a small 19 Twenty20 internationals. The next edition will be held in September 2012 in Sri Lanka, and teams will want to start sketch up plans now, after a year conquered by the World Cup and a clutch of marquee Test series.

Sri Lanka hasn’t looked like winning everything in the longer formats since the World Cup. Indeed, they have lost all their Test and ODI series since then. However, in that same period, they have been victorious in Twenty20s, and are in the middle of an inspiring sequence of five successive wins. They will be worried to extend that run and build momentum in the lead-up to the World Twenty at home, even as they seek succour from their reversals in the other formats.

Pakistan has always overcome in Twenty20s, a six-match losing run last year despite. They have won the World Twenty20 once, and made the final and the semi-finals on the other two occasions. Their fortunes next year will hinge on how the team responds to Misbah-ul-Haq's leadership. His safety-first method has been an clear success in the Test and ODI versions, but it remains to be seen whether it will work in Twenty20s.

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Pakistan beat SriLanka in Final ODI

2011-11-24T09:28:00.002+05:30

Skipper Misbah-ul Haq and Umar Akmal hit half centuries to help Pakistan upstage Sri Lanka by three wickets in the fifth and final day-night international at Abu Dhabi Stadium on Wednesday. Misbah hit an striking 66 while Akmal completed on an unbeaten 61 to help Pakistan made light work of the Sri Lankan total of 218/9 as they reached home in 47.2 overs to take the five-match series 4-1.The victory, which followed a 1-0 win in the three-Test series, lifted Pakistan to fifth in the International Cricket Council's one-day rankings.

Misbah added 62 for the third wicket with Younis Khan (34) after Pakistan lost openers Mohammad Hafeez (14) and Asad Shafiq (26) in a shaky start. Even when leg-spinner Jeevan Mendis detached Younis and Shoaib Malik both trapped leg-before off successive deliveries, Misbah and Akmal made sure Pakistan ended on the winning side. Misbah, who hit five fours during his 99-ball knock, found an able ally in Akmal, who helped his skipper add 84 for the fifth wicket before the Pakistan skipper miscued a reverse sweep off Mendis, who finished with 3-36.

Akmal, who hit eight boundaries during his fiery 60-ball knock, made sure Pakistan did not lose track by hitting the winning boundary."We batted poorly throughout the series and that's why we lost," said Dilshan, under whom Sri Lanka have lost three one-day series. "I am disappointed and we didn't do well in batting either." Earlier, Kumar Sangakkara scored 78 and Angelo Mathews made 61 during their innings-repairing fifth-wicket stand of 118 before Sri Lanka faltered, with only a late-order batting fightback helping them to a spirited total.

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Group D: Real Madrid beat Dinamo Zagreb

2011-11-23T09:28:00.003+05:30

Real Madrid wrapped up top spot in Champions League Group D in forceful fashion on Tuesday night by thrashing Dinamo Zagreb 6-2.The Spanish giants stormed into a 3-0 lead over Dinamo Zagreb inside nine minutes with goals from Karim Benzema, Jose Callejon and Gonzalo Higuain, and Mesut Ozil made it four before 20 minutes were up. Callejon and Benzema struck again after the interval and Madrid could have had even more goals, while late strikes from Dinamo's Fatos Beqiraj and Ivan Tomecak gave a merely beauty effect to the score line.

The opener came after just 83 seconds as Benzema tucked away Ozil's cut-back to round off a flowing team move. The France striker then laid the ball off for Callejon to rifle home the second from the edge of the box and there were still only nine minutes on the clock when Higuain netted a appetizing third. Racing into the right side of the penalty area, the Argentinean confused defender Leandro Cufre with a sharp turn before producing a deft finish over wrong-footed keeper Ivan Kelava.

Higuain then fired Fabio Coentrao's cross over the bar before Luis Ibanez had shell-shocked Dinamo's first real effort, curling a free-kick over. Benzema was off target from distance but Real's fourth was not long in coming, Ozil finishing calmly after Kelava parried Higuain's drive. Kelava remained insolent in the face of the onslaught, saving with his feet to deny Coentrao and then tipping Benzema's shot over. Dinamo sought to get themselves on the score sheet as half-time approached but Jorge Sammir fired over after Benzema only half-cleared Mehmed Alispahic's corner and Ibanez then shot directly at keeper Antonio Adan.

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Ajantha Mendis return to the Test Squad

2011-11-23T09:17:00.002+05:30

Ajantha Mendis has been included in Sri Lanka's 16-man Test squad for the tour of South Africa in December ahead of Suraj Randiv. There was no place for the experienced batsman Thilan Samaraweera, who continues to be ignored after having been axed for the Pakistan series as well. The squad also contains fast bowler Dilhara Fernando in place of the injured Dhammika Prasad. Fernando, Chanaka Welegedara, Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal complete the Sri Lanka pace attack with Rangana Herath the second spinner.

Samaraweera's exclusion for the second straight tour puts a question mark over his career. Duleep Mendis, Sri Lanka's chairman of selectors had earlier said Samaraweera would not figure in the long-term plans of the selectors who intended to give more chances to youngsters. Sri Lanka familiar to his absence against Australia by batting the captain Tillakaratne Dilshan in the middle order while Lahiru Thirimanne opened with Tharanga Paranavitana

Wicketkeeper Kaushal Silva, who made his Test debut in that series, has been included in place of the injured Prasanna Jayawardene. Allrounder Kosala Kulasekara lost his spot to Thisara Perera while the batsman Dimuth Karunaratne was also included. Sri Lanka plays three Tests in South Africa followed by a five-match ODI series. The first Test starts in Centurion on December 15.

Sri Lanka squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), Angelo Mathews (vice-capt), Tharanga Paranavitana, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva (wk), Lahiru Thirimanne, Dimuth Karunaratne, Chanaka Welegedara, Dilhara Fernando, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Thisara Perera, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath

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Athletic Bilbao beat Sevilla in Spanish League

2011-11-22T18:01:00.003+05:30

Athletic Bilbao continued to climb up the table with a 2-1 victory away to Sevilla on Sunday which put it in sixth place of Spanish League. Marcelo Bielsa's side has now gone 11 matches victorious following a slow start to the battle under the Chilean coach which took it six attempts to register its first win in the La Liga. Since then it has not looked back and fully deserved the three points against a Sevilla side which has not won in five games and is just a point above Athletic.

Andoni Iraola gave Athletic the lead after just five minutes and while Sevilla hit back through Jesus Navas after a headed knock down from Frederic Kanoute, the visitor was in charge. In particular Sevilla was verdict it hard to cope with Athletic's physical threat although the winner came from a move with the ball on the ground as Iker Muniain found Oscar de Marcos who scored from close range.

Earlier, Sporting Gijon came from behind to beat Getafe thanks to a late Nacho Novo winner. Oscar Trejo equalised a Nicolas Miku goal in first half time and then a minute from the end Novo headed in a second. Osasuna drew 0-0 with Rayo Vallecano while it was also goalless between Real Sociedad and Espanyol, which moved onto the outer edge of the European places with 17 points.

The results:
Spanish League: Real Sociedad 0 drew with Espanyol 0; Sporting Gijon 2 (Trejo 45+5, Nacho Novo 90) bt Getafe 1 (Miku 35); Osasuna 0 drew with Rayo Vallecano 0.

Sevilla 1 (Jesus Navas 14) lost to Athletic Bilbao 2 (Iraola 6, de Marcos 71). Atletico Madrid 3 (Pizzi 69, Adrian 74, Ribas 83) bt Levante 2 (Torres 72, Ruben Suàrez 90+2).

Italian League: Roma 2 (Pjanic 24, Gago 53) bt Lecce 1 (Bertolacci 60).

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Third Test - India vs West Indies

2011-11-22T09:15:00.002+05:30

India has beaten only two series. It's an amazing statistic given how progressively difficult India have become to defeat at home. Only South Africa have beaten India in a Test at home in more than five years, yet a whitewash has barely ever been a thought in recent times. A mix of flat tracks and slow starts has denied India complete domination even while being kings of their castle.

In this series against West Indies, though, India overcame the slow start in Delhi and the flat track in Kolkata. They now stand on the cusp of that indefinable whitewash, just like they did in 2002-03 against the same opponents, the last time India went into the last Test with the opportunity of a clean sweep. India fell behind in that Eden Gardens Test back then, and Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman forced a draw on the final day.

They won't want to leave the job unfinished this time. When West Indies went to Pakistan in 1997-98, they had been whitewashed only once, that too in their first series, back in 1928. In less than 14 years since that Pakistan tour, they have added six to that tally. Times have been worried, but West Indies have gone six years without getting whitewashed. They will need their best cricket to avoid another.

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Pakistan beat Sri Lanka and clinches the Series

2011-11-21T12:06:00.001+05:30

All-rounder Shahid Afridi scored a half-century before taking five wickets to steer Pakistan to a hard fight 26-run win in the fourth day-night match over Sri Lanka at Sharjah stadium on Sunday. Afridi helped Pakistan recover from a struggling 120-7 to 200 all out with a 65-ball 75 before he derailed Sri Lanka by taking 5-35 to dismiss them for 174 in 45.2 overs, giving his team an unquestionable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. The victory leaves the fifth and final game at Abu Dhabi on Wednesday as unimportant. The sides will also play a Twenty20 international at Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara had set Sri Lanka on course for a comfortable win with a 102-run fourth wicket stand after Sri Lanka were struggling at 53-3 with Upul Tharanga (16) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (11) gone by the eighth over. With 46 needed for victory Sangakkara, who hit six boundaries during his 103-ball knock, was bowled by Afridi for 58 and Saeed Ajmal accounted for Angelo Mathews in the next over.

That triggered a collapse in which Sri Lanka lost their last seven wickets for 19 runs. It integrated all of Afridi's wickets in a sensational display of leg-spin bowling. The 31-year-old thus became the only man in one-day cricket to hit a half century and take five wickets in the same match on two occasions. Jayawardene, who made 55, fell in the 44th over which left Sri Lanka with no chance to get the win they were seeking.

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Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in Third ODI

2011-11-19T10:35:00.003+05:30

Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 21 runs in their third one-day international on Friday at the Dubai International Stadium to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Pakistan builds upon an opening stand of 151 between Mohammad Hafeez and Imran Farhat to reach a total of 257-8 off its 50 overs. Hafeez cracked nine fours and a six in a top score of 83 off 101 balls, while left-hander Farhat struck six fours and a six in 70 off 82 deliveries. Sri Lanka was bowled out for 236 off 48.5 overs with off-spinner Saeed Ajmal (3-42) and pacer Umar Gul (3-48) share their nerve at key moments.

Captain Tillakaratne Dilshan hit 64 and fellow expert Kumar Sangakkara contributed 45. Dilshan brought up his fifty off 62 balls but was soon involved in a mix-up with Sangakkara which changed the course of the match. Afridi soon provided the key scalp of Dilshan, who was unsuccessful to deflect a wide ball back onto his leg stump as he tried to sweep. Veteran Mahela Jayawardene became the ninth player to pass 10,000 runs in one-day cricket when he reached 13 and shared a restorative stand of 35 with Dinesh Chandimal.

But Ajmal's first strike was a crucial one, with Jayawardene stumped for 17 after slick work by wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed. Chandimal, contributed 31 off 47 deliveries before he also fell to Ajmal, slicing a catch to extra cover at 186-5 in the 40th over. Angelo Mathews held jointly the lower order but only Jeevan Mendis (19 off 15 balls) could supply any significant resistance. Mathews was left 32 not out after Gul returned to seal the victory for Pakistan with the wickets of Seekkuge Prasanna and Dilhara Fernando.

Earlier, Pakistan seemed set for a bigger total following Hafeez and Farhat's opening stand, only for Sri Lanka to hit back in the latter half of the innings through leg-spinner Prasanna (2-39) and pace ace Lasith Malinga (2-57). Younus Khan's 42 off 52 balls ensured the hosts would get to a competitive total.

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Rohit replaces Yuvraj for Third Test

2011-11-18T09:27:00.004+05:30

Rohit Sharma will replace Yuvraj Singh in India's team for the third and final Test against the West Indies, beginning in Mumbai, on November 22.Middle-order batsman Sharma was rewarded for reliable performances in the domestic circuit. In the only change in the squad that won the second Test at the Eden Gardens on Thursday by an innings and 15 runs, the selectors drafted him in place of the Punjab batsman, who scored only 66 runs in the three innings he played in the first two Tests of the ongoing series.

With spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha doing well, Harbhajan Singh was again overlooked. Yuvraj scored 23 and 18 in the first Test at the Ferozshah Kotla, while 25 was that entire he could gather on a batting paradise at the Eden Gardens. The leaving out could well mean curtains for the soon-to-be 30 southpaw who won the Player of the Tournament award in the last World Cup. Rohit has been rewarded for back-to-back centuries against Railways and Rajasthan in the Ranji Trophy.

While the elegant batsman scored 175 on a turner at the Karnail Singh Stadium in Delhi, he smashed a quickfire 100 against Rajasthan in Mumbai's last Ranji match. Rohit missed out on a Test cap in 2010 after a freak injury while playing football during practice at the VCA ground in Jamtha an hour before the Test against South Africa could begin. With the No 6 slot vacant, it will be a tussle between Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit.

The squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag , Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman , Rohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma, R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Umesh Yadav, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Sharma, Varun Aaron.

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Fellaini signs new Everton agreement

2011-11-17T17:45:00.002+05:30

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini has signed a new five-year contract which ties him to the club until the summer of 2016. Conjecture over the Belgium midfielder's future had been growing over current weeks even though he had 18 months remaining on his existing deal. But Toffees manager David Moyes was always positive he could keep the 23-year-old on board. "We are delighted to have protected the services of Marouane for the long term," chief executive Robert Elstone told.

Elstone added: "As everyone is aware these negotiations have been ongoing for some time but both parties remained positive that we would reach agreement.”Marouane has been a hugely important player for Everton since his arrival in 2008 and we hope that remains to be the case for the next five years." Fellaini signed from Standard Liege for £15million in 2008 and has impressed in central midfield this season, having overcome injury troubles in the past two seasons.

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Narine, Mohammed selected for India ODIs

2011-11-17T10:03:00.002+05:30

The Trinidadian top-order batsman Jason Mohammed and spinner Sunil Narine - were the new faces in West Indies' 15-man squad for the five-match ODI series in India. Both did well in the current Regional Super50 limited-overs competition, paving the way for their insertion. Mohammed won the Player of the Tournament honours in addition to the Richie Richardson Trophy after topping the run-charts with 227 runs in five outings.

Haynes also said that Narine's steady development over the past year earned him a spot. "Sunil bowled well in the Indian circumstances in Champions League for Trinidad and Tobago and then in the Super50 he was exceptional," Haynes said. "Batsmen have difficulty reading him and we thought that he is deserving of his selection to show his value against international batsmen.

"He is also a capable lower-order batsman who can give the team 30 to 40 runs and overall we are impressed with the way he approaches batting both for Trinidad and Tobago and in the recent West Indies A Team match in St Lucia." Darren Sammy will lead the West Indies side in the series, which kicks off on November 30 in Cuttack. Chris Gayle continual to miss out on selection, while Dwayne Bravo, who was dropped on form for the Bangladesh tour, was also left out.

Squad: Darren Sammy (capt), Adrian Barath, Darren Bravo, Danza Hyatt, Anthony Martin, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Kieran Powell, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons

Nadal & Federer in same group at ATP Tour Finals

2011-11-16T09:27:00.005+05:30

Andy Murray will face World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the group stages of the ATP World Tour Finals, following Tuesday's draw in London. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, who comes into the week-long occasion on the back of competition victories in Basel and Paris, are in Group B. In doubles, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi and debutants Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi were placed in different groups.

Paes and Bhupathi, who will maybe part ways next season, have been positioned in Group A along with Mike and Bob Bryan of the United States. Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau and Jurgen Melzer and Philipp Petzschner are the other two pairs in Group A. Bopanna and Qureshi will fight it out with Michael Llodra and Nenad Zimonjic and two further teams in Group B. Daniel Nestor and Max Mirnyi and Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski are the other two pairs in Group B.

The draw - Singles:

Group A:Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych.

Group B:Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Mardy Fish.

Doubles:

Group A:Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan, Mahesh Bhupathi/Leander Paes, Robert Lindstedt/Horia Tecau Jurgen, Melzer/Philipp Petzschner.

Group B:Michael Llodra/Nenad Zimonjic, Daniel Nestor/Max Mirnyi, Rohan Bopanna/Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, Mariusz Fyrstenberg/Marcin Matkowski.

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Ennis targets 2017 World Championships

2011-11-15T09:05:00.002+05:30

Jessica Ennis may extend her career after London's successful bid to stage the 2017 World Championships. The Sheffield heptathlete had intended to retire after the 2016 Rio Olympics. But Ennis, 25, who won gold at the Worlds in Berlin in 2009 and silver in Daegu this year, says the statement could see her carry on a further year. She told : "The fact that there will now be a World Championships on home soil the next year will maybe change my thinking.

"I hope [31] is not too old and there is still some life in my bones. Ennis, who has been a key figure in the promotion of the London 2012 Olympics, believes the physicality of her regulation will take its toll. She said: "."I will be 31 and nearing retirement by the time the 2017 World Championships come around."I hope that is not too old and that there is still some life in my bones.

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Sri Lanka beat Pakistan and level the series

2011-11-15T08:59:00.003+05:30

Upul Tharanga made 77 and fast bowler Lasith Malinga claimed three wickets on Monday to lead Sri Lanka to a 25-run win over Pakistan to level the ODI series at 1-1.

Tharanga and Mahela Jayawardene (50) ensured Sri Lanka reached 235-7 in the second match. Pakistan spinners Saeed Ajmal ended with 3-61 and Shahid Afridi 2-35. Malinga took two wickets in his first over in capturing 3-31 as Pakistan was bowled out for 210 off 46.3 overs, with Umar Akmal (91) the only Pakistani batsman to score more than 30.

Pakistan's chase was quickly spoiled by the Malinga, who removed Mohammad Hafeez and Younis Khan by catches from wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara. Perera put Pakistan in further peril at 11-3 when he claimed Imran Farhat to a plumb lbw decision. Captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Akmal brought their side back into contention in a fourth-wicket stand of 64. Fernando broke through to tilt the balance again when he trapped Misbah in front.

Abdul Razzaq's run out, difficult a risky second to deep mid wicket, put Sri Lanka more on top at 102-5 in the 27th over. Umar Gul was another lbw victim and the match seemed over at 169-8. But Afridi gave Pakistan a shine of hope with a short cameo of 29 off 14 balls, striking three fours and a six.

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Bopanna-Qureshi win Paris Masters title

2011-11-14T09:16:00.002+05:30

Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi won their first ever ATP Masters tournament after thrashing away the challenge of Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut in straight sets in the final on Sunday. The seventh seeded Indo-Pak pair took just 65 minutes to defeat the French wild cards entries 6-2, 6-4 and pocket their third title of the season. They had won the Gerry Weber Open at Halle and the Stockholm Open before this occasion.

Bopanna and Qureshi, who have already experienced for the season finale in London, earned 1000 ranking points each and split euro 134,500 as prize money. Bopanna and Qureshi created chances in a jiffy and broke their rivals in the third and fifth games to open up a complete 4-1 lead in the opening set within 20 minutes into the match. Twice they were down 0-30 but did not lose control over the set and comfortably sealed it.

Benneteau and Mahut, who had stunned top seeds Mike and Bob Bryan en route to the final, gave a better account of them in the second set but could not stop the in-form Indo-Pak Express from lifting the title. A good battle followed in the second set as the two pairs were locked 4-4.But Bopanna and Qureshi broke Mahut when the Frechman dedicated his second double fault in the ninth game, sixth overall, to offer a break chance. The Indo-Pak Express then served out the match in the next game after a few nervous moments.

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Second Test : India vs West Indies

2011-11-14T09:05:00.003+05:30

After being down and out in the first innings in Delhi, India came out combating in their second essay to script a complete victory on a spin-friendly wicket. Where Pragyan Ojha spun the visitors out with his orthodox left-arm spin in the first innings, it was Ravichandran Ashwin who tied the opposition in knots with his off spinners and carom balls in the second. Kolkata, which usually favours spinners like most other Indian tracks, it will once again come down to the clash between the two Indian spinners and the inexperienced West Indies batsmen.

The pace duo of Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav may end up performing a supporting role like they did in the first Test. As all the Indian batsmen, barring Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni, spent substantial time in the middle it's hard to see any changes in the batting department. But for Yuvraj, the next four innings, or the next two, depending upon his performance, could well decide how his Test future pans out.

Darren Bravo, another batsman in the Windies top order, is due for runs. And considering the skills and Lara-like demeanour the Trinidadian possesses, he will be eager to get going in Kolkata. Ravi Rampaul, despite having a good last year, could be the only causality in the West Indies camp, with the more sharp Kemar Roach waiting in the wings.

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Most Run Scorers in Test matches

2011-11-10T10:46:00.003+05:30

Tendulkar, needing just one more century to score an extraordinary 100 international hundreds, completed 15,000 runs during his unbeaten 87-ball knock. The master batsman, the world's leading scorer in both Test and one-day cricket, looked at the sky and raised his bat before being congratulated by team-mate Rahul Dravid and the West Indies players.

Top 5 Run getters in Test

Player Name	Team	Matches Played	Runs	Best
Sachin Tendulkar	India	182	15048	248*
Rahul Dravid	India	158	12860	270
Ricky Ponting	Australia	155	12495	257
Brian Lara	West Indies	131	11953	400*
Jacques Kallis	South Africa	146	11947	201*

Kean signs with Blackburn

2011-11-10T10:31:00.002+05:30

Blackburn boss Steve Kean has signed a new contract at Ewood Park, according to sources in the UK. The 44-year-old's job has been on the line after an unsatisfactory start to the Barclays Premier League season. The Rovers are now second-bottom after gaining just six points in the opening 11 games. Demonstrations against Kean by a section of Blackburn fans have piled additional pressure on the English coach.

And not even a ban against the demonstrations could stop them as they hired an aircraft to display a banner "Steve Kean Out" during Saturday's defeat to Chelsea. Now according to The Daily Mirror, the club's Indian owners have handed Kean the strongest possible vote of assurance by handing him an improved contract. Kean's previous contract would last till 2013 and the new deal is believed to have given him better terms. The move is likely to enrage the Rovers fans, which are expected to show their displeasure.

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Collins to Miss Norway match

2011-11-09T10:31:00.002+05:30

Wales will again be with no James Collins when they face Norway at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday after the Aston Villa defender withdrew from Gary Speed's squad. Collins, 28, has not played for his country since the 2-0 Euro 2012 qualifying defeat against England in March, and withdrew from last month's meetings with Bulgaria and Switzerland due to a knee problem.

And Collins, who has seen Cardiff young person Darcy Blake impress in his absence, will be missing this weekend after the Football Association of Wales exposed the list of withdrawals from Speed's original 24-man panel on their website.

Collins, David Vaughan and Boaz Myhill are the other players to pull out, with Bristol City defender Lewin Nyatanga and Crystal Palace goalkeeper Lewis Price being called in to the squad. The FAW later announced that West Ham midfielder Jack Collison had turn out to be the fifth player to remove from the squad.

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First Test - South Africa vs Australia

2011-11-09T10:24:00.003+05:30

The series was press to two matches from the original three by the Champions League Twenty20 and South Africa's want to play T20 internationals in addition to ODIs. Australia have won a majority of the series between the two sides, but South Africa have also landed abundance of blows, not least in 2008 when they became the first team to win a series in Australia since 1993. Australia reacts by winning the return series in 2009, with a formula not different to the one that will be utilized this time.

As in 2009, Australia will enter the series with a less inspiring team on paper but a little more match hardness than their opponents, who have not played a Test since January. The agile captaincy of Australia's new leader Michael Clarke will provide another rich sub-plot. At the top of the order, Phillip Hughes will want to follow his memorable debut in that series, though mindful that South Africa' bowlers now have a far better idea of how to bowl to him.

Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting will also want runs after a quiet series in Sri Lanka, while Shaun Marsh can stamp himself firmly on the No. 3 spot by performing with same assurance to that he showed on the subcontinent. With the ball Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson appear an ideal duo for Clarke to attack with, but questions remain over how they will be augmented, with the energy of Peter Siddle challenging against the sly mediums of Trent Copeland. Nathan Lyon has a mid-term mortgage on the spinner's spot, provided he can keep contributing.

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Lampard geared up for Spain test

2011-11-08T10:10:00.002+05:30

England midfielder Frank Lampard is looking forward to the extremely anticipated friendly clash against Spain on Saturday. It will be an acid test for Fabio Capello's men as they come up against the reigning world and European champions at Wembley. But Lampard, who has silenced his critics with an inspiring run of form for Chelsea, cannot wait to face the Spaniards."Spain is a great team with so many great players. So the skill of taking them on at Wembley will be fantastic for us," the 33-year-old was quoted.

"It will be a terrific test against such a quality side and such brilliant individuals."But if we can put in a top performance - as I'm sure we can - it can give us a real boost for what's in store at the European Championship finals next summer."Asked if the racist row saga concerning John Terry will affect the Three Lions, Lampard just brushed it off."You have to get used to off-field situations like this - it comes with the country of playing for a top club like Chelsea and representing England.

"What you need to do is trying and keeps out of anything controversy it is. You must remember it's what matters on the pitch that's the most significant."That's what most people react to and that's what I will keep trying to do for club and country."Lampard also reiterated his want to play for England for as long as he can. He stressed: "England will always matter so much to me. I love playing for my country, I always have done."It doesn't matter if I'm on the bench or in the squad. I will always be there if selected."Lampard has 89 caps and 22 goals for England.

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Pakistan take series after third test ends draw

2011-11-08T09:55:00.003+05:30

Pakistan extended their inspiring run in Test cricket since the spot-fixing scandal deprived them of three first-choice players, secure a series win over Sri Lanka on a rare rain-hit day in Sharjah. Properly, Misbah-ul-Haq, the man who took over as captain and give a backbone to a team that was in disorder last year, remained unbeaten to ensure there were no implosions and confirms the draw.

The result extends Sri Lanka's winless streak to 14 Tests, again stress their struggle to come to terms with the loss of Muttiah Muralitharan. They give up a lack of killer nature by batting on the final day of this must-win Test, despite a three-hour rain delay. They were 237 ahead by stumps on the fourth day, adequately large lead in a match where the run-rate had been around two-and-a-half over the first four days, but they weren't confident enough to declare at the start of play when 67.2 overs remained.

Pakistan needed a high-octane start if they were to make a serious tilt at the target of 255 in 61 overs. Pakistan was 20 for 0 midway through the fifth over, but their momentum was taken away by a direct hit from substitute Lahiru Thirimanne at midwicket, which caught Hafeez short. It was at ease for Pakistan in the end, with Shafiq and Misbah stonewalling 16 overs in the fading light. Misbah even shared a light-hearted moment with Sangakkara as the match wound down, for a laugh imitating a left-hand batsman.

Sri Lanka 413 (Sangakkara 144, Dilshan 92, Ajmal 4-132) and 181 for 6 dec (Paranavitana 76*, Sangakkara 51) drew with Pakistan 340 (Younis Khan 122, Misbah 89, Azhar 53, Welegedara 5-87) and 87 for 4

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New Zealand beat Zimbabwe in thriller

2011-11-07T09:48:00.003+05:30

New Zealand 426 (Guptill 109, Mpofu 4-92) and 252 for 8 dec. (R Taylor 76, Jarvis 5-64) beat Zimbabwe 313 (Sibanda 93, Vettori 5-70) and 331 (Taylor 117, Bracewell 5-85) by 34 runs

The currently unranked Zimbabwe went at the world No. 8 New Zealand ruthlessly on a fifth day saturated with Test-match brilliance, but they ran out of steam radically after tea to lose by 34 runs. It was a crushing result for the hosts who went for a win in a condition that would have forced many of the Test elite sides to play safe. Their spark was lit by Brendan Taylor, who hurries up to his third century in seven innings.

Taylor's brilliance put Zimbabwe on pole position at tea, but the game turned on its head once he exited after the break. Doug Bracewell and Daniel Vettori barged through, as Zimbabwe capsized from 265 for 3 to 331 all out, with less than six overs left in the match. The force was with Zimbabwe at tea, with the target down to 101 off a possible 29 overs. New Zealand's shoulders had visibly drooping a little earlier.

Taylor had cut Chris Martin uppishly to deep cover where BJ Watling dived forward to scoop it inches from the ground, but it was not possible to say from the camera angles on offer whether it was a clean catch. Incredibly, Taylor holed out to the same fielder in the first over after the break, and this time Watling pouched it clearly.

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Querrey beat Tsonga in Valencia Open

2011-11-04T10:08:00.002+05:30

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga suffered a blow in his offer to be eligible for the ATP World Tour finals when he was knocked out of the Valencia Open by Sam Querrey. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga suffered a blow in his bid to qualify for the season-ending ATP World Tour finals when he was knocked out of the Valencia Open at the second round stage by Sam Querrey.

Second seed Tsonga could have leapfrogged Tomas Berdych into sixth place in the standings with a good run in Spain but was left to rue missed chances after his 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 defeat. Querrey, the world number 116, needed just one hour and 17 minutes to complete his passage to the quarter-finals where he will face sixth seed Juan Martin Del Potro, who beat South Africa's Kevin Anderson 6-4 6-4.

Former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero reached the last eight for the first time in seven years with a topsy-turvy 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-2 win over Alex Bogomolov Jr in a match featuring 13 breaks of serve. Next up for Ferrero is Juan Monaco, who swept to the side Fabio Fognini 6-3 6-1. Last year's beaten finalist Marcel Granollers came from behind to reach the last eight with a 3-6 6-3 7-5 win over Marin Cilic.

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Ben Stokes ruled out for six months

2011-11-04T09:52:00.003+05:30

Ben Stokes, the England and Durham all rounder, will be out of cricket for around six months after undergoing surgery on his right index finger in the USA. He is probable to return to action for the start of the 2012 County Championship season.

Stokes had picked up a complex fracture displacement in his finger during a County Championship match between Durham and Lancashire in May and had undergone surgery then, but his finger failed to heal totally despite wide rehabilitation and he was unable to resume bowling.

In the meantime, he made his England debut, in an ODI against Ireland in August, and played four matches during the home one-day series against India. He was left out of the squad for the tour of India so that he could undergo the surgery, and will now be out for six months.

The initial healing phase following the operation will be about three months and then there will be a additional three months of graded recovery and rehabilitation. The lay-off means Stokes will miss England's series against Pakistan in the UAE early next year. "My priority now will be to work hard on my rehabilitation over the next six months," Stokes said. "I want to make sure I am fully fit and available to start next season."

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