We are extremely proud of Olympic recognition:
By IANS,
Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) Friday said it is extremely proud of the recognition given to it by the International Olympic Council (IOC).
The IOC in Vancouver Thursday approved its executive board's decision to convert its �provisional' recognition to �full recognition'.
Applauding the move, ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "The ICC is extremely proud of the recognition given to our great sport by the IOC, which we always considered to be our first step in becoming a part of the Olympic family."
Doubts over Sahara buying debt-ridden Liverpool
By IANS,
New Delhi : The British media is abuzz that Indian business tycoon Subrata Roy is interested in buying English Premier League club Liverpool, but no-one is prepared to believe that he will invest in a debt-ridden football club.
Lord Triesman, the Football Association chairman, has already warned that debts in the English football are up to $4.4 billion and are "at high risk levels" in a global economic crisis.
But despite these warnings, Roy is ready to increase the pace of his bid for Liverpool, The Times, London, reported Wednesday.
Goal gush in Delhi Hockey World Cup
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Hockey World Cup here has already seen several high-scoring matches, and it is turning out to be the most prolific for the goals struck.
After 24 games, 133 goals have been scored, at an average of 5.54 goals a match, said an official release.
The figure eclipses the 1994 World Cup average of 4.98 goals a match.
Only two games in the competition have been drawn, and both involved defending champions Germany. They were held 2-2 by Korea in their opener, and the Netherlands forced them to an identical result in another Pool A match Sunday.
Exciting clash among table toppers in IPL
By IANS,
New Delhi : The standings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) will undergo a major change at the top Friday when Chennai Super Kings take on Delhi Daredevils at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
The Super Kings have kept a clean slate from their four matches and are sitting right at the top with eight points. Daredevils follow closely in second place with three wins from four outings and have six points.
If Daredevils manage a win against the Super Kings then the Delhi team will move right at the top on the basis of a better run rate.
Double victory for Malaysia in squash open
By NNN-Bernama
Petaling Jaya : It was an all Malaysian affair in the finals of the CIMB Malaysian Open squash championships as Nicol Ann David and Mohd Azlan Iskandar defeated their respective opponents to clinch a double victory for Malaysia.
Malaysia's squash queen Nicol retained her championship title for the third year running while for Mohd Azlan it was his second win, the first time in 2004.
Petaling Jaya : It was an all Malaysian affair in the finals of the CIMB Malaysian Open squash championships as Nicol Ann David and Mohd Azlan Iskandar defeated their respective opponents to clinch a double victory for Malaysia.
Malaysia's squash queen Nicol retained her championship title for the third year running while for Mohd Azlan it was his second win, the first time in 2004.
India’s Sania Mirza enters Stanford semis
By IANS
Stanford : India's Sania Mirza has ensured her semi-final ticket for the $600,000 Bank of the West Classic tournament with a straight-sets victory over Patty Schnyder of Switzerland.
Unseeded Mirza downed fourth-seeded Schnyder 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 for her second straight upset this week, reported Fox Sports on its website.
She bounced sixth-seeded Tatiana Golovin of France in the second round.
Mirza will clash with eighth-seed Austrian Sybille Bammer in a semi final.
Stanford : India's Sania Mirza has ensured her semi-final ticket for the $600,000 Bank of the West Classic tournament with a straight-sets victory over Patty Schnyder of Switzerland.
Unseeded Mirza downed fourth-seeded Schnyder 7-6 (7-2) 6-1 for her second straight upset this week, reported Fox Sports on its website.
She bounced sixth-seeded Tatiana Golovin of France in the second round.
Mirza will clash with eighth-seed Austrian Sybille Bammer in a semi final.
German referee dies as javelin pierces his throat
By IANS,
London: In a tragic incident in Germany, a 75-year-old referee died of injuries sustained when he was speared through the throat with a javelin at an athletics meet.
World Cup scoreboard: Bangladesh vs West Indies
By IANS,
Dhaka : Scoreboard of the World Cup Group B match between Bangladesh and West Indies here Friday:
Bangladesh:
Tamim Iqbal c Sammy b Roach 0
Imrul Kayes c Thomas b Sammy 5
Vengsarkar wants to quit, BCCI asks him to wait
By IANS
New Delhi/Kolkata : Indian cricket seems headed for a bigger crisis as chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar has told the cricket board that he wants to quit his post.
Even as Vengsarkar is said to be adamant on resigning, the board is trying to buy time by asking him to stay on till the team selection for the third Test against Pakistan and also for the upcoming tour to Australia.
Weightlifting body looks for loan to pay doping fine
By IANS,
New Delhi : Miffed at the indifference of the sports ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) Saturday said it is being forced to look for financial assistance from other sources to pay off the hefty fine the international federation has imposed for doping sanctions.
The IWLF took this stand a day after the sports ministry's joint secretary Injeti Srinivas again reminded the IOA and Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) of their "primary obligation" to ensure that all teams participate in the Games.
Hockey India at last pays players Rs 1 crore
By IANS,
Pune : The national hockey players and the support staff were Monday given a cheque of Rs.1 crore as match fees and incentive bonus for their performance last year.
The players, who have been in training here for the World Cup, had last week boycotted the national camp, demanding all outstanding payments. They wanted Rs 4.5 lakh each for their last year's performance.
National team sponsors Sahara had agreed to release Rs. 1 crore immediately for distribution among the players.
Scoreboard: Australia vs South Africa, Day Four, Third Test
By IANS,
Sydney : Scoreboard on the fourth day of the third and final cricket Test between Australia and South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground here Tuesday.
Australia (1st innings) 445
South Africa (1st innings) 327
Australia (2nd innings, overnight 33/0)
Matthew Hayden b Morkel 39
Simon Katich lbw b Steyn 61
Ricky Ponting b Morkel 53
Michael Hussey not out 45
Michael Clarke c Amla b Harris 41
Extras (b 8, lb 9, nb 1) 18
Total (for four wickets dec) 257
Fall of wickets 1-62 (Hayden, 16.5 overs), 2-134 (Ponting, 36.4), 3-181 (Katich, 50.5), 4-257 (Clarke, 67.3)
Beijing to standardise 5,174 public toilet plates
By Xinhua,
Beijing : Beijing is to standardise the city's toilet direction plates ahead of the Olympic Games, according to Beijing Youth Daily. The plates, already in use in some places, feature white male and female characters on a blue background, the paper quoted officials with the city government.
Beijing, with 5,174 public toilets, has outpaced New York, London and Tokyo and become the world's No. 1 metropolis as far as public toilets are concerned. The Olympic Games will be held Aug 8-24.
* - *
Nigeria mobilises athletes for medals
Aussies can’t bowl sides out twice: Harbhajan
By IANS,
New Delhi : Harbhajan Singh has always relished taking on the combative Australians and the Indian off-spinner could not hide his happiness at the Baggy Greens surrendering the Ashes to England.
"Mubarak ho! (Congratulations)," replied Harbhajan, in his inimitable style, when asked to react on Australia's loss to England and their slide to fourth position from the top of the Test rankings.
"They have been a dominant side in world cricket for a long time. It's good that other teams are challenging them. England played really well and they deserved to win."
Bopanna, Qureshi reach doubles quarterfinal at Dubai
By IANS
Dubai : Wild card Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi defeated Igor Andreev of Russia and Paul-Henri Mathieu of France in straight sets to advance to the quarterfinal of Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships Wednesday.
The Indo-Pak duo, playing their third career ATP tournament, notched up a 7-5 6-4 win against Andreev and Mathieu in the first round.
Bopanna and Qureshi will next meet Daniel Nestor of Canada and Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia.
India win toss, opt to field against Pakistan
By IANS
Gwalior : India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to field against Pakistan in the fifth and the final One-day International of the Indian Oil Cup here Sunday.
Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Signh, Rudra Pratap Singh and Zaheer Khan sit out while Praveen Kumar, Rohit Sharma, Murali Kartik and Sreesanth get a chance for the day and night encounter at Sawai Man Singh stadium. For Pakistan, Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan are rested while Imran Nazir and Yasir Hameed come in. India have already won the series 3-1
Teams:
Maldini to sit out of Champions League semi-final
By Xinhua
Rome : AC Milan captain Paolo Maldini will have to sit out the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals against Manchester United Wednesday due to a left knee injury.
"Maldini will remain in the team's training camp even though he's not available for tomorrow's game," coach Carlo Ancelotti told a Milan Channel late Tuesday.
Maldini worsened a knee problem in the first leg last week, which United won 3-2.
Tiger Woods commercial with dead father causes controversy
By DPA,
Augusta (Georgia): Tiger Woods could probably use all the friends he can get right now, but using his late father Earl may be a step too far.
In the build-up to the US Masters, Earl Woods has been used in a Nike commercial that features Woods looking at the screen and listening to the voice of his late father.
The commercial, which ends with the image of the famous Nike swoosh, has caused consternation, with many feeling it is in bad taste, not least in the light of the sex scandal that has swarmed Tiger Woods.
Vikram Mathias of Red Rooster tops in Nashik
By IANS,
Nashik : Vikram Mathias (co-driver PVS Murthy) of Team Red Rooster Racing completed a resounding overall victory in the Speed's Rally of Maharashtra, the fourth round of the Speed Indian National Rally Championship, here Sunday.
For 34-year-old Mathias, the reigning National champion who clocked one hour, 23 minutes, 12 seconds, success was a long time coming following retirements in the previous three rounds.
No one ready to pay full sponsorship of Team India: Sahara
By IANS,
New Delhi : Sahara India said Monday that no corporate was ready to shell out more than 50-60 percent of the current value of the sponsorship of Indian cricket team.
Delhi Daredevils set 119-run target for Punjab
By IANS,
New Delhi : Delhi Daredevils scored 118 runs for the loss of four wickets in their rain-truncated Indian Premier League (IPL) match with Kings XI Punjab here Saturday evening.
After choosing to bat first, Skipper Virender Sehwag led from the front with 51 (not out) from 26 balls, ably supported by in-form opener Gautam Gambhir (40 off 28 balls).
After rain interrupted the play, the match was reduced to 11 overs a side.
Final Scoreboard – Deccan Chargers vs. Delhi Daredevils
By IANS,
Hyderabad : The following is the final scoreboard of the seventh match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket tournament between Deccan Chargers and Delhi Daredevils at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here Tuesday.
SCOREBOARD
Match No.7, Twenty20, Indian Premier League, Deccan Chargers vs. Delhi Daredevils, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad, April 22
Deccan Chargers innings:
Adam Gilchrist b Asif 8
Yalaka Venugopal Rao c Dhawan b Maharoof 14
V.V.S. Laxman b Asif 2
Andrew Symonds c Karthik b Maharoof 12
PCA to look for new cricket coach
By IANS,
Chandigarh : The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) is looking for new coach after former Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam, who was to return for a second stint this season, was appointed Pakistan's national coach Saturday.
"PCA will conduct a meeting Monday and will announce the name of the next coach of Punjab's cricket team for the forthcoming season," G.S. Walia, the joint secretary PCA, told IANS.
I have couple of years of cricket left in me, says Sourav
By IANS,
London : For those who are tempted to pick up their notepads and pens and write Sourav Ganguly's cricketing obituary, do it at your own peril. The former India captain is not finished yet and said he has no plans to retire.
Sourav was not included in the Rest of India squad for Irani Trophy Monday, triggering speculation whether it is the end of road for India's most successful Test captain.
Saina beats Yihan Wang to storm into All England semis
Birmingham: Leading Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal got the better of China's former world champion Yihan Wang 21-19, 21-6 to march into the semifinals of...
Jaarsveld to fly in as cover for Smith
By IANS,
Sydney : Vaughn Bernard van Jaarsveld will fly in as a stand by option to South African skipper Graeme Smith, whose elbow injury might keep him out of next week's Sydney Test.
Smith, who made 48 and 101 in his side's six-wicket win in the first Test in Perth last week, has lined up for the second Test in Melbourne but only after having further treatment on his elbow.
Jaarsveld, 23, a hard-hitting left-hander, will arrive here Sunday. The uncapped player was originally scheduled to land with the one-day squad in the second week of January.
FIFA to cooperate with Brazilian authorities to stop black marketing
Rio de Janeiro: FIFA has announced it will fully cooperate with the local authorities to stop World Cup tickets being sold on the black...
India win two silvers, two bronzes in Asian athletics
By IANS
Doha : Indian athletes won two silver and two bronze medals in the Asian Athletics Indoor Championships here Friday.
Amarjeet Singh cleared 16.26 meters on his last jump to clinch the silver medal in the men's category and Chatholi Hamza came second in 3:41.18 seconds in men's 1,500 metres final.
In the women's 400 metres final, Kaur Mandeep came third in 54.28 seconds and Leelavath Veerappan also won the bronze by clocking 9.21 seconds in the women's 60m hurdles.
Canadian visa for Kerala arm wrestlers rejected
By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : Hopes of taking part in the World Championships appear to have dashed for three Kerala arm wrestlers, whose visa applications were rejected last week by the Canadian Embassy in Delhi.
The three arm wrestlers are part of the 13 member Indian team and were looking at participating in the 30th World Championship, to be held in Canada next week.
The three members - Shibu S. Ravi, a porter, Shoukat V.T., an autorickshaw driver and Sajish P.V., a private firm's employee - raised Rs.200,000 each from various sponsors.
India beat Sri Lanka, becomes No.1 test team
By IANS,
Mumbai: India defeated Sri Lanka in the third and final test match here Sunday to claim the series 2-0 and became the number one test team in the International Cricket Council's rankings.
Bopanna-Qureshi in Helsinki Challenger doubles final
Helsinki (Finland), Nov 28 (IANS) India's Rohan Bopanna and Pakistan's Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi have entered the doubles finals of the ATP Challenger here.
The third-seeded India-Pakistan pair rallied to beat the wilcard pair of Karol Beck of Slovakia and Jiri Krkoska of the Czech Republic 3-6, 7-5, 10-3 here Friday.
Bopanna-Qureshi next play the winner of the match between top seeds Henri Kontinen and Jarkko Nieminen of Finland and Germany's Phillip Marx and Slovakia's Igor Zelenay.
Charges against Harbhajan can’t be dropped now: ICC
By PTI
New Delhi : India's decision to drop charges against Australian Brad Hogg may have raised hopes of a similar reprieve for Harbhajan Singh but the ICC Monday made it clear that the case against the Indian off-spinner cannot be withdrawn at this stage.
According to ICC rules, a charge cannot be withdrawn once an Appeals Commissioner has been appointed.
Speculation over Tendulkar meeting Eden curator
By IANS,
Kolkata: In a sensational disclosure, a Bengali daily Saturday claimed that the Indian team sent Sachin Tendulkar with a request to Eden Gardens curator Prabir Mukherjee that he should shave the grass off the pitch for the second cricket Test between India and South Africa, starting Sunday, but it was politely turned down.
The veteran curator, however, categorically denied meeting Tendulkar.
Himachal to host two IPL matches in April 2010
By IANS,
Shimla : Himachal Pradesh will host two Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket matches in Dharamsala in April 2010, an organiser said Monday. This is the first time that the IPL matches have been allotted to the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA).
"Two IPL matches will be played at the International Cricket Stadium in Dharamsala April 16 and 18," HPCA president Anurag Thakur told IANS.
"The first match would be played during the day and at night, while the second one on April 18 would be played during the day," he said.
Final scoreboard: India vs. South Africa, First Test
By IANS,
Nagpur : Final scoreboard of the first cricket Test between India and South Africa here Tuesday.
South Africa first innings: 558/6 declared
India first innings: 233 all out
India second innings (following on, Overnight 66/2):
Gautam Gambhir b Morkel 1
Virender Sehwag c Smith b Steyn 16
Murali Vijay c Morkel b Harris 32
Sachin Tendulkar b Harris 100
Subramaniam Badrinath c Boucher b Parnell 6
Mahendra Singh Dhoni c de Villiers b Harris 25
Wriddhiman Saha lbw b Steyn 36
Harbhajan Singh lbw b Parnell 39
‘Jiyo India’, Bhopal celebrates India’s win
By IANS,
Bhopal: The youth of Bhopal, the City of Lakes, came out on the roads on jeeps and bikes to celebrate India's semifinal triumph over arch-rival Pakistan Wednesday night.
WTA may have to find a new sponsor
By IANS,
London : The Women's Tennis Association (WTA), which became the richest association in women's sport three years ago with Sony Ericsson as its title sponsor, is waging a losing battle to convince the mobile telephone company to renew its contract.
The joint-venture company, which had signed a $93.3 million deal with the WTA, has two more years of its contract to run, and it is highly unlikely to go beyond 2010, reports The Guardian.
Fifth day’s India-Bangla play delayed further
By Qaiser Mohammad Ali
IANSChittagong : Play was further delayed due to soggy ground conditions on the fifth and final day of the first India-Bangladesh Test here Tuesday.
Pro-China feelings in Hong Kong hit new peak before Beijing Olympics
By IANS,
Hong Kong : Patriotism towards China has hit a new peak in Hong Kong ahead of the Beijing Olympics with nearly four in every 10 people considering themselves Chinese rather than Hong Kongers, according to a survey released Wednesday.
The figure in the six-monthly poll by the University of Hong Kong is the highest recorded since the former British colony reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.
Loew could spring a few surprises when naming Euro squad
By DPA,
Berlin : Germany coach Joachim Loew refuses to rule out including a couple of unexpected players when he names his squad for the upcoming Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland.
Even David Odonkor, a shock selection by Juergen Klinsmann for the 2006 World Cup, is still in the frame for a place at Euro despite missing much of the season through injury and not playing for Germany since the 3-0 defeat to the Czech Republic last October.
Instead of India, Sri Lanka cricket team may tour Pakistan
By P. Karunakharan, IANS,
Colombo : Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Friday confirmed that it had received an invitation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to undertake a tour in place of India and said it was willing to help Pakistan "in the hour of need".
Beijing’s Olympic efforts an inspiration, says Manmohan
By IANS
Beijing : China's massive preparation to host the Olympics this year is a source of inspiration for India, which will host the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here Sunday.
Manmohan Singh made the remarks while visiting an exhibition centre near the National Stadium, nicknamed the Bird's Nest, in the north of the Chinese capital, the Xinhua News Agency said.
The centre showcases scale models of the Bird's Nest, 'Water Cube', or the National Aquatic Center, and other Olympic venues.
Sri Lanka bombs rebel targets, 37 combatants die
By IANS,
Colombo : Sri Lankan fighter jets and helicopter gunships Monday targeted suspected Tamil Tiger bases as advancing troops killed at least 32 guerrillas in the war-torn north, the authorities said Monday.
The government said that the air force bombed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) positions at Nachchikuda in the rebel-held Kilinochchi district.
The Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said that security forces also killed at least 32 Tamil Tigers while losing five troopers during sporadic gun battles Sunday in northern Wanni region.
Major incentive for golfers on Asian Tour
By IANS
Singapore : Golfers playing on the Asian Tour will now have half their prize money won at HSBC Champions, US Open and the Open Championship added to the Asian Tour's Order of Merit, the regional body announced here Tuesday.
Asian Tour executive chairman Kyi Hla Han said that 50 percent of players' earnings from the three events would be included in the earning race, which is the Order of Merit from this season onwards.
Maharashtra lawmakers fume over not getting World Cup tickets
By IANS,
Mumbai : Maharashtra's 367-odd lawmakers are a glum lot - they have been denied tickets to watch the ICC World Cup India-Sri Lanka final in the Wankhede Stadium Saturday.
Cricket betting racket busted, one held in Chandigarh
By IANS,
Chandigarh : Police Monday claimed to have busted a cricket betting racket and arrested a man here while he was accepting bets for the India-Ireland World Cup match.
Can Daredevils dare the Royals?
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Indian Premier League (IPL) spotlight, with all its glitz and glamour, will turn to the historic Ferozshah Kotla stadium here as Delhi Daredevils host Rajasthan Royals in the Twenty20 bonanza Saturday.
Delhites will be feted to a heady cocktail of cricket and entertainment under the newly installed floodlights at the refurbished stadium.
The Daredevils, owned by GMR Group and led by powerhouse Virender Sehwag, boasts of names like Glenn Mcgrath and Daniel Vettori. At the other end will be the enchanting Shane Warne marshalling the underdog Royal's team.
IOA to conduct fresh elections for IWF
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Tuesday said fresh elections will be held for the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) after its executive board stepped down taking "moral responsibility" for the series of doping violations.
The International Weightlifting Federation's executive board will meet in Korea Wednesday on the sidelines of the ongoing World Championships to hear the cases of six Indian lifters returning positive in out-of-competition tests by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA).
Guptill, McIntosh take New Zealand to 159/2
By IANS,
Hyderabad : Martin Guptill and Tim McIntosh struck half centuries to guide New Zealand to 159 for two at tea on the first day of the second cricket Test against India here Friday.
Kolkata race course gallops back to life
By Aparajita Gupta, IANS,
Kolkata: There was a time when the Kolkata Race Course was the place to be seen every weekend. In the last couple of decades that became a distant memory as the crowds drifted away with the flight of big business out of this metropolis. But with the state's financial situation somewhat improving, crowds are back and the 189-year-old course is galloping to runaway growth.
Pakistan drop opener at last minute over health problems
By IANS,
Karachi : Pakistan cricket selectors Sunday were forced to replace opening batsman Nasir Jamshed with Khurram Manzoor in its 15-man squad for the three-match One-day International series against the West Indies just hours before the team's departure to Abu Dhabi.
"We have decided to bring in Khurram Manzoor in place of Nasir Jamshed because he (Nasir) fell sick this morning," said Zakir Khan, Pakistan Cricket Board's Director of Cricket Operations.
Boxing gold for Enkhbat and Zou
By DPA,
Beijing : Badar-Uugan Enkhbat of Mongolia outclassed his Cuban opponent to take gold in the men's bantamweight (54kg) boxing final Sunday while China's Zou Shiming claimed victory in the light flyweight (48kg) division after Serdamba Purevdorj retired injured.
Enkhbat was never really bothered by Yankiel Leon Alarcon, running out an easy 16-5 winner.
United return to top in Premiership
By DPA
London : Champions Manchester United returned to the top of football's English Premier League after a Cristiano Ronaldo double gave them a 2-0 win over Portsmouth at Old Trafford.
The Portugal forward Wednesday scored both goals in the space of four first-half minutes - 10 and 13 - and United ran out comfortable winners to join Arsenal on 57 points but go above them on goal difference.
Indian board needs to follow the Australian example
By Ashis Ray, IANS
Manchester : The survival of those who have been running the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for decades has been directly dependant on its financial success.
Only then can they distribute largesse, which in turn fetches them votes for elections. It's a rotten system, wholly against India's national interest.
Redemption time, as Team India leaves for English tour
By IANS
New Delhi : The Indian cricket team will be looking to redeem itself when it leaves for an 81-day tour to face South Africa in three one-dayers in Ireland and England in three Tests and seven one-day internationals.
Kings XI Punjab fined for slow over rate
By IANS,
Mohali : Kings XI Punjab has been fined by the Indian Premier League (IPL) for maintaining a slow over rate during the match against Rajasthan Royals here Wednesday night.
At the end of the match, Kings XI Punjab were assessed to be one over behind the required rate after allowances were taken into consideration.
Australian Noffke mulls joining IPL, ICL
By IANS,
Melbourne : After being left out for the India tour, Australian medium pacer Ashley Noffke is peeved with the selectors and is contemplating to join the T20 Indian Premier league (IPL) or even the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL).
The 31-year-old Noffke had an outstanding 2007-08 season for Queensland. He topped the Australian first-class wicket-takers list with 51 wickets and scored 741 runs at 46.31. But inexperienced Victorian paceman Peter Siddle was preferred to Noffke for the India tour. Siddle was also impressive with his 33 wickets.
Scoreboard: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab, IPL
By IANS,
Mohali : The following is the scoreboard of the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium here Saturday.
Kolkata Knight Riders:
Chrish Gayle c Bisla b Srivastava 14 (12balls, 4sx3)
Sourav Ganguly c Chawla b Pathan 50 (40 balls, 4sx6, 6sx1)
Mandeep Singh c Lee b Srivastava 4( 7 balls, 4sx1)
Manoj Tiwary not out 75 (47 balls, 4sx8, 6sx2)
David Hussey b Chawla 3 (5 balls)
Angelo Mathews c Lee b Pathan 19 (11 balls, 4sx2)
Wriddhiman Saha not out 0
Afridi prefers Rajasthan Royals and Knight Riders
By IANS,
Sydney : Pakistan's Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi is hoping to get an Indian Premier League (IPL) stint this year with either Rajasthan Royals or Kolkata Knight Riders.
Afridi, who played in the first IPL season for Deccan Chargers, said that Royals, who won the inaugural IPL and Shah Rukh Khan's Knight Riders are his preferred teams.
IPL probe only if cheerleaders complain: Pandove
By IANS,
Mohali (Punjab) : The Board of control for cricket in India (BCCI) has said a probe would be initiated by the Indian Premier League (IPL) into a racism charge by two cheerleaders only if they officially complain to IPL commissioner Lalit Modi.
"We have not received any complaint from any cheerleaders that they were asked to leave by the Mohali-based Kings XI Punjab franchise recently because of the colour of their skin," BCCI joint secretary M.P. Pandove said here.
Gandhi’s Pietermaritzburg misses the Cup fever
By Abhishek Roy, IANS,
Pietermaritzburg : Amidst the hysteria of World Cup football, the historical railway station of Pietermaritzburg, from where Mahatma Gandhi began his journey towards immortality, lies desolate and virtually forgotten.
When the whole of South Africa is drowned in the euphoric madness of the World Cup, even its ripples are not felt in Pietermaritzburg, the capital of Kwazulu Natal province, that lies just 80 km from Durban, one of the nine World Cup venues.
India beat Sri Lanka by four wickets
By IANS,
Perth : India defeated Sri Lanka by four wickets in the second ODI of the tri-series at the WACA Ground here Wednesday.
English Carling Cup football third round results
London, Sep 27 (Xinhua) Following are the results of English Carling Cup third round matches played Wednesday:
Blackburn Rovers 3-0 Birmingham City
Manchester United 0-2 Coventry City
Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Middlesbrough
Aston Villa 0-1 Leicester City
Hull City 0-4 Chelsea
Sheffield Wednesday 0-3 Everton
West Ham United 1-0 Plymouth Argyle
World Cup tips from famous finance houses
By DPA,
Sydney : A World Cup treat for researchers at the big investment banks is trying to pick a winner on company time.
Australia's Lowy Institute looked at predictions from JPMorgan Chase & Co, Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Swiss-based UBS Securities and an assessment appeared on the think- tank's website Monday.
The institute's Mark Thirlwell said the qualitative analysis was not absolutely serious and came with the standard financial disclaimer that previous performance should not be taken as a guide to future performance.
Choi, Wi joint seventh as Mickelson leads Northern Trust golf
By IANS
Pacific Palisades (US) : Korea's Charlie Wi and K J Choi both have posted an even-par 71 to share the seventh place, seven strokes behind leader Phil Mickelson of the US at the end of the second round of Northern Trust Open here.
Wi, winner of the 2006 Maybank Malaysian Open, Saturday started his round with a disappointing front nine after recording three costly bogeys. The Korean, however got his game under control on the back nine with two birdies and an eagle to finish on a 209 total.
Corus chess – Moves from games of Indian players
By IANS
Netherlands : The following are the moves of games played by Indians in the fourth round of the 70th Corus Grandmasters chess tournament at the De Moriaan Hall in Wijk Aan Zee.
Following are the moves
Anand (Ind) v Adams (Eng)
Corus A, Round 4
Luis Suarez banned for nine matches, four months
Rio de Janeiro: Uruguay striker Luis Suarez Thursday was banned for nine games and four months by world body FIFA for biting Italian defender...
Bhupathi, Vizner reach Montreal Masters doubles final
By IANS
Montreal : India's Mahesh Bhupathi partnered Pavel Vizner of the Czech Republic to shock top seeded Americans Bob and Mike Bryan and advance to the doubles final of the Montreal Masters.
Bhupathi and Vizner, seeded eighth in the event, won 6-2, 4-6, 12-10 Saturday after saving two match points in the match tie-break that has replaced the deciding third set in the ATP Masters Series events this season.
Ahead of Olympics, Beijing says goodbye to ‘Chinglish’
Beijing, Sep 29 (Xinhua) With the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games less than a year away, the Chinese are waging a war on baffling English translations popularly known as 'Chinglish' as part of the capital's facelift.
A sign warning of a wet floor in a Beijing shopping mall was translated as 'The Slippery Are Very Crafty', and a theme park dedicated to China's ethnic minorities had been called 'Racist Park'.
Morgan condemns IPL on proposed deal with SLC
By IANS,
London : International Cricket Council's (ICC) President David Morgan has condemned Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi's offer of $40 million to cash strapped Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for the long term release of their players for IPL next year.
Morgan in an interview to The Daily Telegraph, said the deal Modi proposed to Sri Lanka last week was "quite unacceptable behaviour against the background of Sri Lanka's signed agreement with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)".
Challenger Trophy: Rohit stars in India Red victory
By IANS,
Cuttack : Rohit Sharma stroked an emphatic unbeaten century to guide India Red to a five wicket win over India Green in the N.K.P. Salve Challenger Trophy here Friday.
Rohit's strokeful 117 saw India Red cross the 261 run target with one over to spare at the Barabatti Stadium. The Mumbai batsman was well supported by Murali Vijay (45) and Abhishek Nayar (34).
India Red, who lost their first match against India Blue, thus kept themselves in the hunt for a place in the final Sunday.
India Green would take on India Blue Saturday to decide the finalists.
Internet users favour Brazil to win World Cup
By DPA,
Frankfurt : Brazil is overwhelming choice of internet users to win the World Cup, according to a global survey released by the research group Nielsen.
Some 34 percent of those quizzed saw the five-time world champions reclaiming the title in South Africa. Among Brazilians, 86 percent saw their team winning the final on July 11.
Argentina, England, Germany and the US, all tied for second with each earning approval from 9 percent of those surveyed. Only 6 percent believe titleholders Italy will retain their crown.
2008 Olympic Torch Tours New Delhi
By Prensa Latina,
New Delhi : Despite the attempts by Tibetan groups to interrupt the event and call the attention, the 2008 Olympic Games torch had its tour on this capital Thursday along historical Rajpath Avenue.
The reiterated protesting actions in the last days and even Thursday in other zones of the capital, together with the threatening by followers of the Dalai Lama to interrupt the event, forced the Indian government to take intense security measures.
207 countries to watch English Premier League matches
By IANS
London : With television contracts in 207 countries, English Premier League (EPL) chief executive Richard Scudamore is convinced the competition is robust enough to prosper despite the loss of Thierry Henry's star quality.
After 15 highly successful seasons, the top flight is about to enter a new era with new television and radio partners besides Sky and BBC, reports EPL's official website.
With TV contracts extending into an incredible 207 countries, it is little wonder images of EPL stars are so visible around the globe.
London : With television contracts in 207 countries, English Premier League (EPL) chief executive Richard Scudamore is convinced the competition is robust enough to prosper despite the loss of Thierry Henry's star quality.
After 15 highly successful seasons, the top flight is about to enter a new era with new television and radio partners besides Sky and BBC, reports EPL's official website.
With TV contracts extending into an incredible 207 countries, it is little wonder images of EPL stars are so visible around the globe.
IOC President Bach arrives in Nanjing
Nanjing (China) : International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach arrived here Wednesday to attend the Youth Olympic Games starting Saturday.
Bach is expected to...
Hockey World Cup: Germany outclass England to enter final
By IANS,
New Delhi: Eyeing a hat-trick of titles, Germany outclassed England 4-1 to cruise into the final of the Hockey World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Thursday.
Jan-Marco Montag and Oliver Korn gave Germany a 2-0 lead before Richard Smith converted a penalty corner for England to reduce the margin.
However, Germany's Martin Haner slotted home to make it 3-1 before the half-time.
Two-time champions Germany added one more through Linus Butt in the second session to put it well beyond England.
Morris to broker peace between Pietersen and Moores
By IANS,
London : England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) managing director Hugh Morris will hold urgent talks with captain Kevin Pietersen and coach Peter Moores to resolve a power struggle in the national team.
Speculation is rife that Pietersen is even thinking of quitting captaincy five months into the job as relationship between him and Moores has broken down. Morris may have to abandon his planned holiday next week to consult senior figures around the England dressing room.
Wrestlers attack scribes after cancellation of event
By IANS
Ludhiana : Last minute cancellation of an international wrestling tournament Thursday led to unruly scenes at a press conference called by the organisers here.
The much publicised tournament, featuring wrestlers from abroad, was organised by the Universal Wrestlers and had to be called off after district authorities in Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Patiala denied them permission to hold the tournament.
The organisers had sold the tickets to the event even though they didn't have the necessary permission from the authorities.
Portugal goalkeeper Quim ruled out of Euro with broken wrist
By DPA,
Geneva : Portugal goalkeeper Quim won't play any part in Euro 2008 after fracturing his right wrist in training on Friday, the team's medical staff confirmed Saturday.
The 32-old-old Quim, who plays for Benfica and has been capped 26 times by Portugal, was understudy to first-choice goalkeeper Ricardo for his country's opening game later Saturday against Turkey and is said to be devastated by the injury.
Bhupathi-Knowles through to Memphis tennis final
By IANS
Memphis (US) : Top seed Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles of Bahamas advanced to the final of $769,000 Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and Cellular South Cup here with a facile 7-6 (11-9), 6-2 win over American-Russian duo of Jim thomas Us and Igor Kunitsyn here Saturday.
Bhupathi-Knowles pair, who made a semi-final appearance at the seasons opening Grand Slam, the Australian Open, will face Thai brothers Sanchai and Sochat Ratiwatana in the finals.
West Indies to host World Twenty20 in 2010
By IANS,
Mohali (Punjab) : West Indies will host the World Twenty20 in 2010 instead of a Champions Trophy, it was announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) here Saturday.
ICC chief executive officer Haroon Lorgat told reporters here that the decision was taken to avoid crowding of Champions Trophy and the World Cup.
West Indies were originally scheduled to host a Champions Trophy but the ICC board agreed it would switch to the shorter format to achieve a better mix of tournaments.
Mohinder Amarnath, Shastri join IPL Governing Council
By IANS,
New Delhi : Former India Test cricketer Mohinder Amarnath has been named member of the Governing Council (GC) of India Premier League (IPL).
Tennis teams for CWG, Davis Cup to be selected Friday
By IANS,
New Delhi : The teams for the Davis Cup World Group tie and the Commonwealth Games will be picked Friday by the selection committee and executive committee of All India Tennis Association (AITA).
The selection committee will also decide the probables for the November Asian Games.
India will be playing the Davis Cup World Group play-off tie against Brazil in Chennai Sep 17-19 before the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games here.
CWG is beyond the reach of smaller nations
By Veturi Srivatsa,
What is the relevance of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) in the 21st century? This question pops up every four years, more so in the last two decades.
Indian pacers have England reeling at 169/7
By IANS
Nottingham : Indian bowlers took full advantage of the conditions to reduce England to 169 for seven wickets on the rain-affected opening day of the second Test here Friday.
Left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan was the pick of the pacers as he took three wickets for 50 runs. He could have got at least one more but for the dropped catch by Sachin Tendulkar, who had earlier taken two off his Mumbai teammate's bowling.
Nottingham : Indian bowlers took full advantage of the conditions to reduce England to 169 for seven wickets on the rain-affected opening day of the second Test here Friday.
Left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan was the pick of the pacers as he took three wickets for 50 runs. He could have got at least one more but for the dropped catch by Sachin Tendulkar, who had earlier taken two off his Mumbai teammate's bowling.
Paes catches up with Bhupathi winning his 11th major
By IANS,
Melbourne : India's Leander Paes and Cara Black of Zimbabwe overwhelmed Ekaterina Makarova of Russia and Czech Jaroslav Levinsky 7-5, 6-3 to clinch the Australian Open mixed doubles title at the Melbourne Park here Sunday.
It was top seeded Paes and Black's second title together as they broke free of their back-to-back losses in the Wimbledon and the US Open last year. The pair had won the 2008 US Open in their first major as a team.
Fulham midfielder out of Iranian team for 3 months
By IANS,
Tehran : Fulham's Iranian midfielder Ashkan Dejagah will not be able to be part of the Iranian national football team at least for three months due to a injury.
MCG pitch not a fast, bouncy one, says Tendulkar
By IANS
Melbourne : Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar Thursday joined the debate over the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch, stating that the wicket here is much slower and has less bounce than usual Australian pitches.
"The wicket here is not a faster one. The ball is coming slow of the deck and even the bounce is also not good enough. Batting is getting tougher as the match progresses," said Tendulkar after the second day's play. He was at his natural best Thursday scoring 62 off just 77 balls,
Symonds and Clarke patch up at cocktail party
By IANS,
Melbourne : Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke chose a cocktail party to patch up and strengthen their strained bond of friendship.
Symonds is back in the Australian ranks after he was sensationally sent home from a one-day series in Darwin in September by a leadership group featuring vice-captain Clarke for the infamous "gone fishing" controversy.
The allrounder said earlier this week that his once great friendship with Clarke was "not what it was" after hitting rock bottom during the Bangladesh series.
Scoreboard: India vs. Australia; Third Test, Day Two
By IANS,
New Delhi : Scoreboard at stumps on the second day of the third cricket Test between India and Australia at Feroz Shah Kotla here Thursday:
India:
Gautam Gambhir b Watson 206
Virender Sehwag lbw Lee 1
Rahul Dravid c Hayden b Johnson 11
Sachin Tendulkar c Haddin b Johnson 68
V.V.S. Laxman not out 200
Sourav Ganguly c Ponting b Katich 5
Mahendra Singh Dhoni c Haddin b Waston 27
Anil Kumble lbw Johnson 45
Zaheer Khan not out 28
Extras (b 6, lb 8, w 2, nb 6) 22
Total (for seven wickets in 161 overs) 613
Sania cruises to second round, Somdev crashes out of US Open
By IANS,
New York : India's Sania Mirza cruised to the second round of the women's singles while Somdev Devvarman crashed out in the opening round of the US Open tennis men's singles event.
Sania, ranked 160, beat Portugal's Michelle Larcher de Brito 6-3, 6-2 in one hour and 17 minutes here Monday. She next plays 20th-seeded Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Ranji Final: Bowlers put Karnataka on top against Mumbai
By IANS,
Mysore: Bowlers put Karnataka on top on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai, bowling out defending champions for 233 at Gangothri Glades Cricket Ground here Monday.
Karnataka seamers R. Vinay Kumar (4-61) and Abhimanyu Mithun (3-56) shared seven wickets between them after Mumbai decided to bat first.
Karnataka were 15 for one when the stumps were drawn, with opener K.B. Pawan (2) and night watchman Vinay at crease.
Delhi Commonwealth Games projects running on time: Gill
By IANS,
New Delhi : Sports Minster M.S. Gill and Indian Olympic Association (IOA)president Suresh Kalmadi Thursday were at pains to explain that construction work for the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games projects is on schedule and there is no threat to it.
Sehwag’s dismisal was the turning point, says Pollock
By IANS,
Mumbai : A beaming Shaun Pollock credited teamwork for the shocking win of Mumbai Indians over Delhi Daredevils by 29 runs in a Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match here Sunday.
Daredevils captain Virendra Sehwag, top scorer with 40, bemoaned the lack of application from his batsmen that saw them fall short of a modest total of 162.
Enraged Prabhjot shows middle finger to booing crowd
By IANS,
New Delhi : Striker Prabhjot Singh lost his cool and showed his middle finger to an irate crowd that booed the players after India lost to Argentina 2-4 to finish eigth in the 12-team Hockey World Cup here Friday.
As the Indian players came for the post-match presentation at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, some fans started to abuse them. Minutes later, captain Rajpal Singh and Prabhjot rushed to argue with the spectators on the other side of the fencing.
Indian cricketers will get VVIP security, assures Pakistan
By Omar Khalid, IANS,
Karachi : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Wednesday rejected speculations that its home series against India early next year could fall victim to the prevailing security situation in the country and said the Indian cricketers will be provided VVIP security during the tour.
Speculations were rife in local media reports Wednesday that the PCB is considering the idea of playing the series in India to avoid it from getting scrapped.
But a top PCB official told IANS that India has confirmed the itinerary of the tour to be held January-February next year.
China sets conditions for Olympic protestsBy Bill Smith
By DPA,
Beijing : China has set tough conditions including a minimum notice of five days for any group wanting to protest at three designated parks during the Beijing Olympics, state media said Monday.
Chinese applicants must visit city police in person and provide them with their identity details as well as the purpose, time and route of the protest, copies of posters and slogans to be used, the estimated number of participants and the use of any equipment, the official China Daily said.
Chitra wins 400m gold in Asian athletics
By IANS
New Delhi : Chitra K. Soman gave India its first gold medal of the 17th Asian Athletics Championship when she won the women's 400 metres race beating Japan's Asami Tanno in Amman Friday.
Chitra clocked 53.03 seconds while Asami finished in 53.20s, according to Athletics Federation of India.
Mgnaka of Sri Lanka had a time 54.11 sec to clinch the bronze medal.
"It was quite windy at the 200m mark and it made me tired by the time I came on the final straight," Chitra said.
New Delhi : Chitra K. Soman gave India its first gold medal of the 17th Asian Athletics Championship when she won the women's 400 metres race beating Japan's Asami Tanno in Amman Friday.
Chitra clocked 53.03 seconds while Asami finished in 53.20s, according to Athletics Federation of India.
Mgnaka of Sri Lanka had a time 54.11 sec to clinch the bronze medal.
"It was quite windy at the 200m mark and it made me tired by the time I came on the final straight," Chitra said.
Footballer Barreto detained at Kolkata airport
By IANS
Kolkata : Mohun Bagan striker Jose Ramirez Barreto was detained Thursday at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) airport here for carrying around $18,000 without any valid papers.
Official sources said the customs authorities detained Barreto after he failed to produce the papers for carrying so much money.
Mohun Bagan sources confirmed the detention. However, both club secretary Anjan Mitra and football secretary Debashis Dutta were unavailable for comment.
Points table after Monday’s IPL match
By IANS,
New Delhi : Kolkata Knight Riders are the only team to have won both their matches and have four points, while Delhi Daredevils, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers, Bangalore have two points each, though Daredevils and Super Kings have played only one match each in the Indian Premier League.
The standings after Monday's match have been tabulated under matches played, won, loss, points and net run rate:
Teams P W L Pts NRR
Kolkata Knight Riders 2 2 0 4 +3.764
Delhi Daredevils 1 1 0 2 +2.253
Chennai Super Kings 1 1 0 2 +1.650
Royal Challengers 2 1 1 2 -3.423
President hails Sania win
New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday congratulated Sania Mirza for winning the Wimbledon Grand Slam women's doubles title along with Martina Hingis.
In a...
Punjab to have new job policy for sportspersons
Chandigarh : The Punjab government will launch a new job policy for sportspersons bringing laurels to the state by registering victories at international events,...
Cricket champions bat for HIV prevention at ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
By Aslam Chandio, TwoCircles.net,
Islamabad: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has launched a new edition of its HIV awareness campaign, THINK WISE in partnership with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). During the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Australia and New Zealand, cricket stars will unite to support the initiative, which has been active since 2003.
Fielding still a concern for Dhoni
By IANS,
Bangalore: Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said Sunday though their bowling is slowly improving in the 2011 World Cup, the fielding continues to be a cause of worry.
Rahul Bakshi wins India leg of Faldo Series Golf
By IANS
Kolkata : Chandigarh's Rahul Bakshi won the India leg of the Faldo Series Asia Golf (FSA) at The Tollygunge Club here with a three-under 141 Tuesday.
The 17-year-old Bakshi, starting the second day two shots off the pace after a level-par 72 on day one, added a three-under 69. He carded the day's lowest round of the tournament. He finished one shot ahead of Wasim Khan, 17, and will now travel to the FSA grand final, hosted by Faldo at Mission Hills Golf Club in China from Dec 12-14.
Top stars fail to draw crowds at Corporate Trophy cricket
By IANS,
Mohali : Despite the presence of stars like Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh, the Indian cricket board's Corporate Cup turned out to be a damp squib failing to attract crowd at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium here.
The PCA Stadium that offers best facilities in the country was nearly empty during the weekdays while just 700-800 fans turned up Sunday at the 30,000 seater stands.
At the start of the series, PCA officials expected a good response from public since leading cricketers were turning out for their employers.
No Zimbabwe in team sports at Beijing Games
By Xinhua
Harare : Zimbabwe will not be represented in any of the team sports at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing after the national women's hockey side ended the African Zone qualifying tournament winless in Nairobi, Kenya, last weekend, The Herald reported Thursday.
The Zimbabwe women's side found the going tough in the week-long tournament where they only managed to score one goal and conceded 14 in four matches against hosts Kenya, Namibia, South Africa and Ghana.
Harare : Zimbabwe will not be represented in any of the team sports at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing after the national women's hockey side ended the African Zone qualifying tournament winless in Nairobi, Kenya, last weekend, The Herald reported Thursday.
The Zimbabwe women's side found the going tough in the week-long tournament where they only managed to score one goal and conceded 14 in four matches against hosts Kenya, Namibia, South Africa and Ghana.
FIA set to hear Hamilton appeal
By DPA,
Paris : Lewis Hamilton and his McLaren-Mercedes team enter Monday's appeal against a Belgian Grand Prix penalty in a confident mood, with the British Formula One driver declaring himself "not guilty."
Hamilton is expected to appear in Paris before the appeals court of the ruling body FIA to plead his case.
A lot is at stake for Hamilton, who, if successful, would stretch his world championship lead over Ferrari driver Felipe Massa from one to seven points ahead of the final four season races.
For two Indians, World Cup work is paid holiday
By IANS,
New Delhi : The Mundhras are fond of travelling to watch sport anywhere. Be it the Olympics, the FIFA World Cup or the Cricket World Cup, Om Prakash and Premlata try not to miss them.
The Mundhra couple from Nagpur has another Indian for company, Gopal Ghosh from soccer-mad Kolkata. Mudhra and Ghosh are among the 11 lucky volunteers picked from India for doing sundry jobs during the World Cup. While the whole world is busy enjoying football, the two will be busy with their designated work.
England outclass New Zealand, qualify for semis with Pakistan
By IANS,
Gros Islet (St Lucia) : England relied on its new found batting prowess and self-confidence to beat New Zealand by three wickets, knocking them out of the World Twenty20.
Chasing 150 to win, England lost some quick wickets in the middle overs but Eoin Morgan (40) and Luke Wright (20) once again came good with a 52-run stand. Tim Bresnan then made an unbeaten 23 of 11 balls to take England home with five balls to spare.
France confirms intention to bid for Euro 2016
By DPA,
Paris : The French Football Federation (FFF) has confirmed that it intends to bid for the right to host Euro 2016.
In a statement posted on the FFF's website Friday, the federation said a confirmation letter would be sent European football's governing body UEFA before the application deadline of March 9.
"We are going into to this with the objective of winning," said FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes.
It had been rumoured that France would look to co-host the event with Italy but the FFF have plumped instead for a solo bid.
ECB offers to host Pakistan-Australia Test series
By IANS
Lahore : The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has come forward to host the postponed Australia-Pakistan Test series.
If the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) accepts the offer to play Australia in England in July, two of the three Test matches would be held in London and one in another city.
The Dawn reported that the ECB had verbally offered $10 million to the PCB for each Test match.
Serena Williams stays on top of WTA rankings
By DPA,
Berlin : Australian Open champion Serena Williams stayed on top in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings published Monday.
Williams tops the list with 9,195 points ahead of Russian Dinara Safina (6,480) and US Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark who improves a place to third (5,995).
WTA top 10 as of February 8 (previous ranking in parenthesis):
1. (1) Serena Williams, United States, 9,195 points
2. (2) Dinara Safina, Russia, 6,480
3. (3) Caroline Wozniacki, Denmark, 5,995
4. (4) Svetlana Kuznetsova, Russia, 5,861
Tight security in Birmingham but business as usual in Edgbaston
By IANS,
Birmingham : Despite widespread riots in the city of Birmingham, it will be business as usual at Edgbaston where England take on India in the third cricket Test match later Wednesday.
2010 Games budget now stands at Rs.230 bn: study
By IANS
New Delhi : The 2010 Commonwealth Games will cost the government exchequer around Rs.230 billion ($5.70 billion) as against the initial estimate of Rs.17.72 billion, according to an independent study released Monday.
"In 2002, the Indian bid for the CWG was $422 million (Rs.1,772 crores)," said the study report, "How much does national prestige cost?", complied by Hazards Centre and released here.
Tottenham sack Jol and his assistant
By IANS
London : Struggling English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that the club took the decision to sack manager Martin Jol and his assistant Chris Hughton.
After a confusing Thursday night at White Hart Lane in which a 1-2 UEFA Cup defeat to Spanish outfit Getafe was largely overshadowed by rumour and counter-rumour concerning Jol, the north London club have moved to clear up the circumstances surrounding the Dutchman's departure.
India-Australia Test match scoreboard – Stumps Day One
By IANS
Sydney : Opening day's scoreboard Wednesday of the second Test match between India and Australia being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Scoreboard:
2nd Test, Day I, India vs. Australia, Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Jan 2
Australia 1st innings
Phil Jaques c Dhoni b R.P. Singh 0
Matthew Hayden c Tendulkar b R.P. Singh 13
Ricky Ponting lbw b Harbhajan Singh 55
Mike Hussey c Tendulkar b R.P. Singh 41
Michael Clarke lbw b Harbhajan Singh 1
Andrew Symonds batting 137
Adam Gilchrist c Tendulkar b R.P. Singh 7
Bradd Hogg c Dravid b Kumble 79
Saina in semis, assured of maiden Worlds bronze
Jakarta : Indian badminton ace Saina Nehwal came out with a sensational performance on Friday to enter her maiden women's singles semifinal at the...
India’s Ashis Roy completes 102nd marathon
By Arun Kumar, IANS,
Washington : With no plans to hang his boots as yet, India's grand old marathon man Ashis Roy has completed his 102nd marathon in Potomac River Run Marathon here on a hot sultry Sunday.
At 77, the oldest participant in the 26.2-mile marathon out and back twice along the scenic C&O Canal Towpath near here, Roy finished with a "not so good" timing of 6 hours 37 minutes and 42 seconds as running on a sand and gravel path he developed big blisters on his left heel.
IPL scoreboard: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs. Rajasthan Royals
By IANS,
New Delhi: The scoreboard of the Indian Premier League Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals at the Ferozeshah Kotla here Wednesday.
Sunrisers Hyderabad innings:
Asian Cup stokes the embers of Indonesian nationalism
By Dewi Kurniawati, DPA
Jakarta : With their country wracked by continuous accidents and natural disasters, terrorism, bird flu, inflation and endemic corruption, Indonesians need a reminder of how their diversity can turn into a proud, cheerful celebration.
Sourav, Gul star in Knight Riders turnaround
By IANS,
Kolkata : Sourav Ganguly and Umur Gul scripted a sensational victory for Kolkata Knight Riders defeating Kings XI Punjab by thee wickets in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Eden Gardens here Sunday night.
Chasing a target of 175, Kolkata Knight Riders were at the deep end at 112 for six before Gul (24 off 11) and Ganguly (86 not out off 53) turned the tables in the last five overs with some incredible hits. The duo blasted 43 runs off just 18 balls littering the Eden Gardens with fours and sixes and finished the match with two balls to spare.
Manipuri Muslim Students organize Annual sports meet at Delhi
AL-Ameen football club posed with the trophy
By TCN News,
Delhi: Delhi Association of Manipuri Muslim Students (DAMMS) organized its 10th Annual Sports Meet here...
Olympic Committees for Unity in Beijing
By Luis Enrique Gonzalez, Prensa Latina
Beijing : The 16th General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) being held in the Chinese capital called for unified support for the coming Olympic Games.
In the first debates, representatives of the 205 ANOC member countries asked to support China during the organization of the games, without interference or political campaigns.
"We definitely say no to any boycott, and yes to the Olympic Games," ANOC President Mexican Mario Vazquez Rana told press.
Ireland eyeing IPL franchise?
By IANS,
London : Ireland is looking for a franchise either in the proposed English Premier League (EPL) or the Indian Premier League (IPL) to be part of the Twenty20 cricket revolution.
Cricket Ireland has come to realise this revolution that is bringing in unprecedented riches into the game and chief executive Warren Deutrom says either the EPL or the IPL could be the most visible entry-point for his country.
Deutrom has drawn up a blueprint which wants Ireland to be one of the three guest teams the English Cricket Board is considering introducing to its domestic Twenty20.
India on top as 15 wickets crash in Perth Test
By IANS
Perth : Indian pacers, led by Rudra Pratap Singh, rocked Australia to snatch a 118-run first-innings lead and then consolidated it by the close of play on the second day of the third Test here Thursday. India now have an overall lead of 170 runs with nine second innings wickets intact.
Greece looking for a better show at Beijing
By Gong Bing, Xinhua,
Beijing : Greece, host nation of the 2004 summer Olympics, finished 15th on its home soil thanks to a performance of mythic proportions. Will such a dream story continue in Beijing? At least Greece hopes so.
In the past several Olympics, Greece showed its strength in the events including weightlifting, athletics, sailing and gymnastics. In 1996, Greece won four gold and four silver medals, five of which came from the weightlifting. In 2000, Greece snatched four golds, six silvers and three bronzes. Five medals came from weightlifting and four from the athletics.
Warne’s IPL success proves a point
By IANS,
Melbourne : Shane Warne is four months shy of his 39th birthday. He is playing a game suited to kids, not old men, a game where anything less than the best spin bowling is chopped up like dog meat.
Yet he has turned the Indian Premier League on its head.
Warne's mentor Ian Chappell was quoted as saying in Herald Sun that Warne's IPL success proved that he could have been a great Australian captain.
"Larrikins make good captains because they are risk-takers," Chappell said.
Business lessons from Rajasthan Royals
By IANS,
New Delhi : Indian Premier League champions Rajasthan Royals not only made a mockery of their underdog tag, but also showed that money prowess alone cannot ensure success in sports.
The Emerging Media Group, who owns Rajasthan Royals, was the lowest bidder and paid $65 million to become the least expensive franchise in the eight-team IPL. It also bought the least expensive players during the IPL auction but it fetched them handsome dividends.
Webley-Smith favourite to win second $10,000 ITF tournament
By IANS,
New Delhi : Top seed Emily Webley-Smith of Britain will be the favourite to win the second of the back-to-back 10,000 women's International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament that begins at the DLTA complex here Monday.
The 25-year-old Webley-Smith did not drop a set on course to her title win last week and also claimed the doubles title with Uzbek Alexandra Kolesnichenko, whom she beat in the singles final.
Sri Lanka named back-up venue for ICC Champions Trophy
By IANS
Dubai : Sri Lanka has been named as an alternate venue for the 2008 International Cricket Council's (ICC) Champions Trophy, which is to be held in Pakistan September 19-27.
"As of now, the ICC Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan in September, subject to a full and independent assessment of the security situation in June," ICC president-elect David Morgan said at a press conference here Tuesday after the meeting of its executive board.
Indian cricket fans burn effigy of Pakistani president to condemn attack
By IANS,
Ranchi : Fans of Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni Tuesday burnt an effigy of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and condemned the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Pakistani city of Lahore.
Hundreds of cricket lovers of the Dhoni Fans Club gathered near the Albert Ekka roundabout and shouted slogans like "Pakistan Murdabad, Zardari hai hai, Taliban hai hai" (condemning Pakistan, Zardari and the Taliban).
Sialkot Stallions win Pakistan’s premier T20
By IANS,
Islamababd : Sialkot Stallions won Pakistan's prestigious national Twenty20 cricket tournament beating Karachi Dolphins in the final at Rawalpindi near here.
Australian Open: Paes-Dlouhy seeded third, Bhupathi-Mirnyi fourth
By IANS,
Melbourne : India's Leander Paes and Czech Lukas Dlouhy have been seeded third and India-Belarus pair Mahesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi fourth at the Australian Open men's doubles.
Paes and Dlouhy play Czech pair Leos Friedl and David Skoch in the opener, while Bhupathi and Mirnyi, who rejoined in November, take on Michael Kohlmann of Germany and Jarkko Nieminen of Finland in the first round.
Also in the fray, are Somdev Devvarman and Prakash Amritraj. They face Americans James Cerretani and Travis Rettenmaier in the first round.