Thursday, October 28, 2010
Russia's 2018 World Cup bid chief has sent a letter to England's bid team hoping to put to rest "any misunderstanding" between the two rivals. 
Germany's '54 World Cup win maybe drug-tainted: study
West Germany's 1954 World Cup-winning team, feted as the men who helped put a nation back on its feet after World War Two, may have been boosted by a secret doping programme, according to a new university study
Michael Owen's injury-interrupted season will be back on hold for a few weeks more after suffering a hamstring problem, the Manchester United striker said on Wednesday. 
Coach Jose Mourinho was happy despite Real Madrid being held to a 0-0 draw at Segunda B (third tier) Real Murcia in a King's Cup last 32, first leg on Tuesday. 
CA prepares to axe a selector
Cricket Australia will decide which of Merv Hughes, Jamie Cox or David Boon will be sacked as a national selector at a board meeting on Friday.
Greg Chappell has recently joined the group in his new role as Cricket Australia's national talent manager, and he has become the first full-time selector on the panel headed by Andrew Hilditch.
The board is keen to keep the national selection panel to four members and as chairman, Hilditch is contracted until the end of the World Cup and will retain his job. He said while it was a shame one of his colleagues would miss out, he understood that a five-man group was not ideal.
"That will be a pity," Hilditch told reporters in Adelaide, reports ESPNcricinfo.
"I think all the selectors have performed really well. I have been a selector with a panel of three, and a panel of four, and a panel of five - four seems, I'd have to accept, it's the right number."
The selectors have not had an easy time over the past few seasons, as retirements and injuries have forced them to try out plenty of new faces. Since the start of 2008, they have handed baggy greens to 18 new players, compared to the eight Test debutants who were picked in the previous three years, and Australia have slipped to fifth on the ICC Test rankings.
If a 'last-in first-out' policy is used, it will mean trouble for Cox, the former Tasmanian batsman who replaced Allan Border on the selection panel in 2006. Cox was the selector on duty when Australia lost the Ashes at The Oval last year, and he later took responsibility for not picking Nathan Hauritz on the spin-friendly pitch.
There have also been concerns over a potential conflict of interest for Cox, who is employed as South Australia's director of cricket, and a similar issue surrounds Boon, who works for Cricket Tasmania.
Questions were raised over Hughes when it emerged he did not have pay television connected at his home, which meant he could not watch overseas tours or domestic games unless he was at the ground.
Hughes has also been in the firing line for juggling his job as a selector with his role in leading supporter tours to watch the Australians play.
Hilditch has not escaped criticism either, and in early 2009 he was photographed walking his dog on the beach instead of watching the Test team, which was struggling against India at the SCG.
Hilditch will address the board before it makes its decision, but he insisted the call would be solely in the hands of the directors. The other major discussion expected at Friday's board meeting concerns the potential for privately owned teams in the new domestic Twenty20 tournament Australia are hoping to launch next summer.
It is likely that eight city-based teams will replace the existing state sides for the Twenty20 competition, and the locations for the new teams should be decided early next year. There has been interest from private investors keen to own a side, but the board is yet to decide whether such franchising will be introduced.
Greg Chappell has recently joined the group in his new role as Cricket Australia's national talent manager, and he has become the first full-time selector on the panel headed by Andrew Hilditch.
The board is keen to keep the national selection panel to four members and as chairman, Hilditch is contracted until the end of the World Cup and will retain his job. He said while it was a shame one of his colleagues would miss out, he understood that a five-man group was not ideal.
"That will be a pity," Hilditch told reporters in Adelaide, reports ESPNcricinfo.
"I think all the selectors have performed really well. I have been a selector with a panel of three, and a panel of four, and a panel of five - four seems, I'd have to accept, it's the right number."
The selectors have not had an easy time over the past few seasons, as retirements and injuries have forced them to try out plenty of new faces. Since the start of 2008, they have handed baggy greens to 18 new players, compared to the eight Test debutants who were picked in the previous three years, and Australia have slipped to fifth on the ICC Test rankings.
If a 'last-in first-out' policy is used, it will mean trouble for Cox, the former Tasmanian batsman who replaced Allan Border on the selection panel in 2006. Cox was the selector on duty when Australia lost the Ashes at The Oval last year, and he later took responsibility for not picking Nathan Hauritz on the spin-friendly pitch.
There have also been concerns over a potential conflict of interest for Cox, who is employed as South Australia's director of cricket, and a similar issue surrounds Boon, who works for Cricket Tasmania.
Questions were raised over Hughes when it emerged he did not have pay television connected at his home, which meant he could not watch overseas tours or domestic games unless he was at the ground.
Hughes has also been in the firing line for juggling his job as a selector with his role in leading supporter tours to watch the Australians play.
Hilditch has not escaped criticism either, and in early 2009 he was photographed walking his dog on the beach instead of watching the Test team, which was struggling against India at the SCG.
Hilditch will address the board before it makes its decision, but he insisted the call would be solely in the hands of the directors. The other major discussion expected at Friday's board meeting concerns the potential for privately owned teams in the new domestic Twenty20 tournament Australia are hoping to launch next summer.
It is likely that eight city-based teams will replace the existing state sides for the Twenty20 competition, and the locations for the new teams should be decided early next year. There has been interest from private investors keen to own a side, but the board is yet to decide whether such franchising will be introduced.
Bollinger faces tight race for Ashes
Melbourne, Oct 27 Doug Bollinger will have only one match to prove his fitness ahead of the first Ashes Test after Cricket Australia confirmed he won't start bowling again until next week.
Bollinger suffered a stomach muscle strain during the first Test in India, following a controversial preparation that involved him playing Twenty20 instead of first-class cricket, reports ESPNcricinfo.
He arrived in India two days before the first Test, having been told by Cricket Australia to stay in South Africa until his Champions League Twenty20 campaign ended.
The team physio Alex Kountouris said Bollinger was now expected to make his comeback in a Sheffield Shield game for New South Wales starting only eight days before the Ashes begins.
"On returning to Australia, he had scans that have cleared him of any significant muscle injury," Kountouris said.
"As such he will commence bowling next week and is likely to be available for selection for the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield game for New South Wales against Tasmania starting Nov 17."
The Blues have a Sheffield Shield match starting this Sunday and another beginning on Nov 10, but Bollinger is not expected to be rushed back for either of those games. However, Simon Katich, who has been recovering from a thumb injury, should be available for the second of those fixtures, which will give him two matches before the Gabba Tests.
"Simon Katich injured a thumb ligament prior to the first Test in India," Kountouris said.
"Since returning home, he has seen a specialist who advised him take a short break from batting and then return to training. As such, he has not batted since returning from India but will do so next week."
The fast bowler Ryan Harris could also be in the mix for the Brisbane Test, having made what Kountouris called 'good progress' from the knee surgery he had in July.
Harris had been hoping to make his comeback for Queensland at the start of the summer, but is now expected to play a Futures League game next week and, provided he suffers no setbacks, he should play one or two Sheffield Shield matches before the Ashes.
Bollinger suffered a stomach muscle strain during the first Test in India, following a controversial preparation that involved him playing Twenty20 instead of first-class cricket, reports ESPNcricinfo.
He arrived in India two days before the first Test, having been told by Cricket Australia to stay in South Africa until his Champions League Twenty20 campaign ended.
The team physio Alex Kountouris said Bollinger was now expected to make his comeback in a Sheffield Shield game for New South Wales starting only eight days before the Ashes begins.
"On returning to Australia, he had scans that have cleared him of any significant muscle injury," Kountouris said.
"As such he will commence bowling next week and is likely to be available for selection for the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield game for New South Wales against Tasmania starting Nov 17."
The Blues have a Sheffield Shield match starting this Sunday and another beginning on Nov 10, but Bollinger is not expected to be rushed back for either of those games. However, Simon Katich, who has been recovering from a thumb injury, should be available for the second of those fixtures, which will give him two matches before the Gabba Tests.
"Simon Katich injured a thumb ligament prior to the first Test in India," Kountouris said.
"Since returning home, he has seen a specialist who advised him take a short break from batting and then return to training. As such, he has not batted since returning from India but will do so next week."
The fast bowler Ryan Harris could also be in the mix for the Brisbane Test, having made what Kountouris called 'good progress' from the knee surgery he had in July.
Harris had been hoping to make his comeback for Queensland at the start of the summer, but is now expected to play a Futures League game next week and, provided he suffers no setbacks, he should play one or two Sheffield Shield matches before the Ashes.
ICC hopes India will adopt referral system
Mumbai, Oct 27 The International Cricket Council (ICC) is hoping to convince India to adopt the Umpire Decision Review System as part of the world governing body's push to make the practice a mandatory feature of all
Test series.
At present, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not believe the system that allows players to challenge and overturn umpires' decisions is accurate enough and have opposed its use.
However, ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat has expressed confidence that India would soon agree to use the system when the BCCI fully understood its benefits.
"The majority of players across the world are convinced by the applications of the system and I am sure that in due course the BCCI will feel the same," Lorgat told reporters on Wednesday.
"At the moment, they still have doubts about the system which we will certainly try and convince them of," he added.
"I am confident that the BCCI will join us on a visit to Australia to inspect the technical applications of the system and see the merits of it.
"We will try to convince them rather than instruct them."
Speaking at a function to announce an ICC sponsorship deal, Lorgat said the governing body believed it was best to maintain the status quo of allowing the host board in a bilateral series to decide whether or not to use the review system.
"There were a lot of issues before we could make it mandatory. When there will be competing suppliers available with sufficient equipment, we can then consider making it mandatory," he added.
India opted against the system in the recent two-Test series against Australia, while South Africa are trying to convince the BCCI to let them use it when the Proteas host a three-Test series in December
Test series.
At present, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not believe the system that allows players to challenge and overturn umpires' decisions is accurate enough and have opposed its use.
However, ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat has expressed confidence that India would soon agree to use the system when the BCCI fully understood its benefits.
"The majority of players across the world are convinced by the applications of the system and I am sure that in due course the BCCI will feel the same," Lorgat told reporters on Wednesday.
"At the moment, they still have doubts about the system which we will certainly try and convince them of," he added.
"I am confident that the BCCI will join us on a visit to Australia to inspect the technical applications of the system and see the merits of it.
"We will try to convince them rather than instruct them."
Speaking at a function to announce an ICC sponsorship deal, Lorgat said the governing body believed it was best to maintain the status quo of allowing the host board in a bilateral series to decide whether or not to use the review system.
"There were a lot of issues before we could make it mandatory. When there will be competing suppliers available with sufficient equipment, we can then consider making it mandatory," he added.
India opted against the system in the recent two-Test series against Australia, while South Africa are trying to convince the BCCI to let them use it when the Proteas host a three-Test series in December
IPL 4 to have eight teams
The BCCI have informally charted out a backup plan for the IPL should the Kochi franchise consortium be unable to settle their ownership dispute within a month.
A BCCI official present at the meetings told ESPNcricinfo that should the Kochi franchise have to be terminated within a month, "there will be a tender issued for a new franchise once the termination is finalised."
It is reliably learnt that the BCCI is keen on having eight teams compete in IPL 4. The governing council kept the worst case scenario around the Kochi deadlock in mind at the Nagpur meeting in which BCCI president Shashank Manohar declared that the franchise would get 30 days to sort out its differences. An official said, "informal discussions took place to decide on the roadmap in case Kochi fails and they were told that was one option."
The official also said it was "definite" that there would be an eighth IPL team, instead of seven. The number of teams would automatically impact on the number of matches and from them, the television revenue to be earned by the IPL, a percentage of which is distributed among the franchises, forming a bulk of their annual revenues.
The date of the next player auction was not discussed in Nagpur. The official said, "unless the teams are decided the players cannot be picked."
Under the original franchise agreements, player contracts were valid only for three years with the majority of players going into the central auction pool before the fourth season.
The auction was first expected to take place first in August and later in November, but it now appears likely to be postponed again. A franchise official has said that the BCCI has told them unofficially that the auction will take place in January. BCCI president Shashank Manohar, speaking to ESPNcricinfo last week had said, "An auction can take place at any time - all that has to be ensured is that players are available and signed on seven days before the first game."
In September, the BCCI had drawn up a new IPL schedule involving ten teams and 74 matches with play-offs but in just over a month, terminated the Rajasthan Royals and King's XI Punjab franchises.
A BCCI official present at the meetings told ESPNcricinfo that should the Kochi franchise have to be terminated within a month, "there will be a tender issued for a new franchise once the termination is finalised."
It is reliably learnt that the BCCI is keen on having eight teams compete in IPL 4. The governing council kept the worst case scenario around the Kochi deadlock in mind at the Nagpur meeting in which BCCI president Shashank Manohar declared that the franchise would get 30 days to sort out its differences. An official said, "informal discussions took place to decide on the roadmap in case Kochi fails and they were told that was one option."
The official also said it was "definite" that there would be an eighth IPL team, instead of seven. The number of teams would automatically impact on the number of matches and from them, the television revenue to be earned by the IPL, a percentage of which is distributed among the franchises, forming a bulk of their annual revenues.
The date of the next player auction was not discussed in Nagpur. The official said, "unless the teams are decided the players cannot be picked."
Under the original franchise agreements, player contracts were valid only for three years with the majority of players going into the central auction pool before the fourth season.
The auction was first expected to take place first in August and later in November, but it now appears likely to be postponed again. A franchise official has said that the BCCI has told them unofficially that the auction will take place in January. BCCI president Shashank Manohar, speaking to ESPNcricinfo last week had said, "An auction can take place at any time - all that has to be ensured is that players are available and signed on seven days before the first game."
In September, the BCCI had drawn up a new IPL schedule involving ten teams and 74 matches with play-offs but in just over a month, terminated the Rajasthan Royals and King's XI Punjab franchises.
BCCI and Modi fail to reach compromise
Indian Supreme Court has been told that attempts to find a compromise between the BCCI and former IPL chairman Lalit Modi have failed.
According to PTI, the court had given both sides until Oct 21 to work out a solution over the composition of the committee investigating charges levied against Modi.
Ram Jethmalani, who is representing Modi in the case, said that attempts to find a solution failed despite the best efforts of those involved. The next hearing will be held on Nov 11, reports ESPNcricinfo.
At the first hearing on Oct 21, the court had offered two suggestions for the compromise: to increase the size of the existing committee or have its three members stay away from the league's governing council, which is authorised to look into the disciplinary committee's report on Modi.
The disciplinary committee currently comprises IPL chairman Chirayu Amin, BCCI vice-president Arun Jaitley and Jyotiraditya Scindia, the president of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association.
Modi had filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking the removal of Amin and Jaitley from the disciplinary committee. Modi's plea for the recusal of these two members, on grounds of bias against him, had been rejected by the Bombay High Court in September.
The BCCI had suspended Modi immediately following the conclusion of IPL 3 in April and charged him with financial irregularities relating to the bidding process for IPL franchises, the mid-over ad sales and the sale of theatrical rights. He was also charged with colluding to set up a rebel league in England.
Modi has denied all the charges and repeatedly accused BCCI president Shashank Manohar and the president-elect N Srinivasan of harbouring personal grudges against him.
According to PTI, the court had given both sides until Oct 21 to work out a solution over the composition of the committee investigating charges levied against Modi.
Ram Jethmalani, who is representing Modi in the case, said that attempts to find a solution failed despite the best efforts of those involved. The next hearing will be held on Nov 11, reports ESPNcricinfo.
At the first hearing on Oct 21, the court had offered two suggestions for the compromise: to increase the size of the existing committee or have its three members stay away from the league's governing council, which is authorised to look into the disciplinary committee's report on Modi.
The disciplinary committee currently comprises IPL chairman Chirayu Amin, BCCI vice-president Arun Jaitley and Jyotiraditya Scindia, the president of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association.
Modi had filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking the removal of Amin and Jaitley from the disciplinary committee. Modi's plea for the recusal of these two members, on grounds of bias against him, had been rejected by the Bombay High Court in September.
The BCCI had suspended Modi immediately following the conclusion of IPL 3 in April and charged him with financial irregularities relating to the bidding process for IPL franchises, the mid-over ad sales and the sale of theatrical rights. He was also charged with colluding to set up a rebel league in England.
Modi has denied all the charges and repeatedly accused BCCI president Shashank Manohar and the president-elect N Srinivasan of harbouring personal grudges against him.
Easy T20 win for Protea
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Beach cricket at Cox's Bazar
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010
world cup list
Date and Time | Match | ||
Sat Feb 19 | 1st match - India v Bangladesh Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur | ||
Sun Feb 20 | 3rd match - Sri Lanka v Canada Hambantota International Cricket Stadium | ||
Sun Feb 20 | 2nd match - Kenya v New Zealand MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai | ||
Mon Feb 21 | 4th match - Australia v Zimbabwe Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad | ||
Tue Feb 22 | 5th match - England v Netherlands Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur | ||
Wed Feb 23 | 6th match - Kenya v Pakistan Hambantota International Cricket Stadium | ||
Thu Feb 24 | 7th match - South Africa v West Indies Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi | ||
Fri Feb 25 | 9th match - Bangladesh v Ireland Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur | ||
Fri Feb 25 | 8th match - Australia v New Zealand Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur | ||
Sat Feb 26 | 10th match - Pakistan v Sri Lanka R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | ||
Sun Feb 27 | 11th match - India v England Eden Gardens, Kolkata | ||
Mon Feb 28 | 12th match - Netherlands v West Indies Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi | ||
Mon Feb 28 | 13th match - Canada v Zimbabwe Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur | ||
Tue Mar 1 | 14th match - Kenya v Sri Lanka R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | ||
Wed Mar 2 | 15th match - England v Ireland M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore | ||
Thu Mar 3 | 17th match - Canada v Pakistan R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | ||
Thu Mar 3 | 16th match - Netherlands v South Africa Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh | ||
Fri Mar 4 | 19th match - Bangladesh v West Indies Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur | ||
Fri Mar 4 | 18th match - New Zealand v Zimbabwe Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad | ||
Sat Mar 5 | 20th match - Australia v Sri Lanka R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | ||
Sun Mar 6 | 21st match - India v Ireland M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore | ||
Sun Mar 6 | 22nd match - England v South Africa MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai | ||
Mon Mar 7 | 23rd match - Canada v Kenya Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi | ||
Tue Mar 8 | 24th match - New Zealand v Pakistan Pallekele International Cricket Stadium | ||
Wed Mar 9 | 25th match - India v Netherlands Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi | ||
Thu Mar 10 | 26th match - Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe Pallekele International Cricket Stadium | ||
Fri Mar 11 | 28th match - Bangladesh v England Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong | ||
Fri Mar 11 | 27th match - Ireland v West Indies Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh | ||
Sat Mar 12 | 29th match - India v South Africa Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur | ||
Sun Mar 13 | 30th match - Canada v New Zealand Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | ||
Sun Mar 13 | 31st match - Australia v Kenya M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore | ||
Mon Mar 14 | 33rd match - Bangladesh v Netherlands Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong | ||
Mon Mar 14 | 32nd match - Pakistan v Zimbabwe Pallekele International Cricket Stadium | ||
Tue Mar 15 | 34th match - Ireland v South Africa Eden Gardens, Kolkata | ||
Wed Mar 16 | 35th match - Australia v Canada M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore | ||
Thu Mar 17 | 36th match - England v West Indies MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai | ||
Fri Mar 18 | 37th match - New Zealand v Sri Lanka Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | ||
Fri Mar 18 | 38th match - Ireland v Netherlands Eden Gardens, Kolkata | ||
Sat Mar 19 | 40th match - Bangladesh v South Africa Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur | ||
Sat Mar 19 | 39th match - Australia v Pakistan R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | ||
Sun Mar 20 | 41st match - Kenya v Zimbabwe Eden Gardens, Kolkata | ||
Sun Mar 20 | 42nd match - India v West Indies MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai | ||
Wed Mar 23 | Quarter Final - TBC v TBC Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur | ||
Thu Mar 24 | Quarter Final - TBC v TBC R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | ||
Fri Mar 25 | Quarter Final - TBC v TBC Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur | ||
Sat Mar 26 | Quarter Final - TBC v TBC Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad | ||
Tue Mar 29 | Semi Final - TBC v TBC R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | ||
Wed Mar 30 | Semi Final - TBC v TBC Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh | ||
Sat Apr 2 | Final - TBC v TBC Wankhede Stadium, Mumba | ||
Flower backs Zimbabwe Test return
Grant Flower, who has returned to a player/coach role with Zimbabwe after calling time on his career with Essex, believes the country's tabled return to Test cricket next year is coming at the right time.
"You just never know if you're not given the opportunity, and I think next year is the right call," Flower told ESPNcricinfo.
"It's time to start that process again."
"I'm not sure [if Zimbabwe are ready for Tests], is the honest answer," he said.
"But we didn't know if we'd be ready originally, when we were first given Test status. People wrote us off then, and our first-class structure then wasn't as good as it is now.
"It was either we sink or swim, to grab a cliché, and we just had to get on with it. We didn't have much depth, but we did alright with it. We got a Test victory probably quicker than any other nation, from what I can recall. Certainly New Zealand and Bangladesh."
Flower, who played in Zimbabwe's inaugural Test against India in 1992, argued that while the current seam attack might initially struggle at Test level the resurgence of the country's first-class structure would stand what would essentially be a fledgling Test side in good stead.
"I think there might still be a few questions about our quick bowling, we don't have too much depth there. In the batting area we've got a bit more depth, more potential, from what I've seen and what I've heard from other people. But our first-class structure is stronger now than it has been in the past, and that can only help."
Zimbabwe's ineffectual pace attack was the most disappointing feature of their winless tour of South Africa in October, and Flower suggested that it was one area which needed particular attention ahead of the World Cup in February next year.
"I think most of the guys are there and thereabouts. I don't think there'll be too many major changes for the World Cup from what I've seen. You've got to back what you're good at, and at the moment our spinners are the main thing.
"But you've got to have some back-up with the seamers, because a lot of teams will see that spin is our main area and attack the spinners, so you've got to have back-up plans. You've got to have guys that can reverse swing the ball. In those sorts of conditions reverse swing plays a big part, so you've got to have seamers that are skilled enough to do that."
"You just never know if you're not given the opportunity, and I think next year is the right call," Flower told ESPNcricinfo.
"It's time to start that process again."
"I'm not sure [if Zimbabwe are ready for Tests], is the honest answer," he said.
"But we didn't know if we'd be ready originally, when we were first given Test status. People wrote us off then, and our first-class structure then wasn't as good as it is now.
"It was either we sink or swim, to grab a cliché, and we just had to get on with it. We didn't have much depth, but we did alright with it. We got a Test victory probably quicker than any other nation, from what I can recall. Certainly New Zealand and Bangladesh."
Flower, who played in Zimbabwe's inaugural Test against India in 1992, argued that while the current seam attack might initially struggle at Test level the resurgence of the country's first-class structure would stand what would essentially be a fledgling Test side in good stead.
"I think there might still be a few questions about our quick bowling, we don't have too much depth there. In the batting area we've got a bit more depth, more potential, from what I've seen and what I've heard from other people. But our first-class structure is stronger now than it has been in the past, and that can only help."
Zimbabwe's ineffectual pace attack was the most disappointing feature of their winless tour of South Africa in October, and Flower suggested that it was one area which needed particular attention ahead of the World Cup in February next year.
"I think most of the guys are there and thereabouts. I don't think there'll be too many major changes for the World Cup from what I've seen. You've got to back what you're good at, and at the moment our spinners are the main thing.
"But you've got to have some back-up with the seamers, because a lot of teams will see that spin is our main area and attack the spinners, so you've got to have back-up plans. You've got to have guys that can reverse swing the ball. In those sorts of conditions reverse swing plays a big part, so you've got to have seamers that are skilled enough to do that."
Clarke not looking for a rest
Michael Clarke does not want to reduce his workload even though he is one of the few Australian players appearing in all three formats. Clarke arrived back from India on Tuesday morning and will fly to Perth on Friday to lead his men in the Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka on Sunday.
"I'd really like to be available for all games, all forms for Australia, no doubt," Clarke said after landing in Sydney, reports ESPNcricinfo.
"I think my body is in a pretty good place at the moment."
Clarke captains the Twenty20 side and led the one-day outfit in the 1-0 loss to India, while Ricky Ponting, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson were rested. There are no signs of giving Clarke a break ahead of the Ashes and he hit some form in the only fixture in India that wasn't rained out. He posted 111 off 139 balls in Visakhapatnam but it wasn't enough to prevent defeat.
"I haven't scored as many runs as I would like, so the only way to do that is to get out there in the middle and I'd love to be doing it for Australia," Clarke said.
"So hopefully I'll be fighting fit and I'll play every game available."
"I'd really like to be available for all games, all forms for Australia, no doubt," Clarke said after landing in Sydney, reports ESPNcricinfo.
"I think my body is in a pretty good place at the moment."
Clarke captains the Twenty20 side and led the one-day outfit in the 1-0 loss to India, while Ricky Ponting, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson were rested. There are no signs of giving Clarke a break ahead of the Ashes and he hit some form in the only fixture in India that wasn't rained out. He posted 111 off 139 balls in Visakhapatnam but it wasn't enough to prevent defeat.
"I haven't scored as many runs as I would like, so the only way to do that is to get out there in the middle and I'd love to be doing it for Australia," Clarke said.
"So hopefully I'll be fighting fit and I'll play every game available."
Platini not convinced by technology
London, UEFA president Michel Platini believes football has not done enough to help referees but remains adamant that video technology is not the solution.
Refereeing performances have come under increased scrutiny in recent times, with cameras picking up incidents the referee has not seen, but FIFA and UEFA remain reluctant to provide officials with technological solutions, reports Soccernet.
Platini admits referees cannot be expected to get every decision correct, but feels the introduction of goal-line assistants - as seen in the Champions League - offers a better solution.
"This is the story of a referee: he is always under pressure because he is one man," Platini told scottishfa.com.
"In tennis, there is one umpire but 12 people who have a say around a much smaller playing area.
"In a beautiful world, you respect the decisions of a referee, even when he has made a mistake. We have Fair Play and Respect campaigns but it seems we are still a long way off from achieving a good understanding.
"One referee is not enough, not in the modern era where you have 20 cameras. It is unfair: the cameras can see everything but the referee only has one pair of eyes. Every time he makes a mistake, those cameras are there to focus on it.
"It is why for the past ten years I have asked to change the job of the referee, to help improve the situation and to give the referees better support."
He added: "These people are going to make mistakes and to be a referee I think you have to be a masochist. The system is bad and I have known this for 40 years.
"The referee has to be helped by the clubs, the fans, by players, by the media and also by the authorities - everyone has a responsibility.
"It is why we have added two assistants for Champions League games this season. It is a logical step with so many cameras that can pick up incidents: the more eyes there to assist the referee, the better the chance of spotting those incidents."
Platini said that he believes the use of technology would lead to "PlayStation football
FIFA, Kenya govt order probe into stampede deaths
Nairobi, Oct 25 World governing body FIFA and the Kenyan government have ordered investigations into a stampede at a match in Nairobi in which eight fans were killed, officials said on Monday.
"FIFA officials called me yesterday and ordered that thorough investigations be conducted to establish the cause of the deaths," Football Kenya Limited chairman, Mohammed Hatimy, told reporters.
The stampede occurred during Saturday's Kenyan Premier League match between traditional rivals Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards at Nyayo National stadium when hundreds of fans surged towards one of the gates. Six people died at the scene and two more died in hospital later.
Prime minister Raila Odinga visited injured fans at the Kenyatta National Hospital where he said the government had ordered investigations be concluded in seven days to establish the cause of the deaths.
"It is very unfortunate to lose football lovers in such a manner. All entry points should have been opened for ease and systematic entry of the large number of fans," Odinga said on Sunday.
"FIFA officials called me yesterday and ordered that thorough investigations be conducted to establish the cause of the deaths," Football Kenya Limited chairman, Mohammed Hatimy, told reporters.
The stampede occurred during Saturday's Kenyan Premier League match between traditional rivals Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards at Nyayo National stadium when hundreds of fans surged towards one of the gates. Six people died at the scene and two more died in hospital later.
Prime minister Raila Odinga visited injured fans at the Kenyatta National Hospital where he said the government had ordered investigations be concluded in seven days to establish the cause of the deaths.
"It is very unfortunate to lose football lovers in such a manner. All entry points should have been opened for ease and systematic entry of the large number of fans," Odinga said on Sunday.
World Cup winners Spain have seven players featured in a 23-man shortlist for the FIFA Ballon d'Or unveiled by soccer's governing body and France Football magazine on Tuesday. 
England's 2018 World Cup bid team lodged a formal complaint with FIFA on Tuesday against the chief of rivals Russia who later offered to apologise to them for the "misunderstanding" over critical comments attributed to him. 
David Beckham plans to see out the final year of his Los Angeles Galaxy contract and still believes he has an England future at the age of 35. 
Blackburn Rovers hope the sale of the club to Indian conglomerate Venkys will be completed in November with the investors expecting to seal a 46 million pound ($73.04 million) deal for the Premier League side. 
Monday, October 25, 2010
Spinning Webber fastest in South Korea
Championship leader Mark Webber led a trio of Formula One title rivals at the top of the practice timesheets after a slippery first day at South Korea's new circuit Friday.
The Australian spun his Red Bull off at turn 12 before returning to the track and immediately setting the fastest lap of the day, one minute 37.942 seconds, in the afternoon session.
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, second in the championship with Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel and 14 points adrift, was 0.190 slower after lapping only 15th fastest in the first session on a dusty surface.
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, fourth in the title battle and 28 points behind Webber, was third fastest after setting the pace before lunch with a best lap of one minute 40.887 seconds.
In a measure of how competitive the field is, four teams filled the top four places with Poland's Robert Kubica fourth in second practice for Renault.
Vettel was seventh, the position Webber occupied in the morning.
McLaren's Jenson Button, the reigning champion, mirrored his overall championship position by ending both sessions in fifth place.
The Briton's car had to be doused with fire extinguishers during the second session as the rear overheated but there was no significant damage and he was able to get back on track.
EAGER FANS
A decent turnout of fans, many of them schoolchildren getting their first taste of Formula One, watched as drivers struggled to stay on a dusty track that has yet to witness any actual racing.
Hamilton only ventured out late in the morning, but it was not long before he lit up the timing screens with the fastest times through all three sectors.
Vettel then delivered a late quick lap with faster times through the more twisty second and third sectors.
The struggling Hispania team suffered setbacks in both sessions, with Brazilian Bruno Senna careering off the track with an apparent rear suspension failure in the morning and Sakon Yamamoto hitting the wall and stalling in the later stint.
Drivers sent up regular puffs of dirt as they carved through the final corner of an anti-clockwise circuit that had resembled a building site only days earlier.
Although grip levels improved throughout the morning, conditions were treacherous with the pit lane giving particular cause for concern.
Mercedes chief strategist James Vowles told the BBC that they were treating the track like "a living entity."
"Every time the drivers go out the track will feel different. The pit lane is very dirty and we are a little bit concerned. In eight years of doing this, it is the worst I have seen," he added.
Finland's Heikki Kovalainen, for Lotus, had the honour of being the first Formula One driver to venture out on the hastily-completed track, which had its final layer of asphalt laid down only two weeks ago.
The Australian spun his Red Bull off at turn 12 before returning to the track and immediately setting the fastest lap of the day, one minute 37.942 seconds, in the afternoon session.
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, second in the championship with Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel and 14 points adrift, was 0.190 slower after lapping only 15th fastest in the first session on a dusty surface.
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, fourth in the title battle and 28 points behind Webber, was third fastest after setting the pace before lunch with a best lap of one minute 40.887 seconds.
In a measure of how competitive the field is, four teams filled the top four places with Poland's Robert Kubica fourth in second practice for Renault.
Vettel was seventh, the position Webber occupied in the morning.
McLaren's Jenson Button, the reigning champion, mirrored his overall championship position by ending both sessions in fifth place.
The Briton's car had to be doused with fire extinguishers during the second session as the rear overheated but there was no significant damage and he was able to get back on track.
EAGER FANS
A decent turnout of fans, many of them schoolchildren getting their first taste of Formula One, watched as drivers struggled to stay on a dusty track that has yet to witness any actual racing.
Hamilton only ventured out late in the morning, but it was not long before he lit up the timing screens with the fastest times through all three sectors.
Vettel then delivered a late quick lap with faster times through the more twisty second and third sectors.
The struggling Hispania team suffered setbacks in both sessions, with Brazilian Bruno Senna careering off the track with an apparent rear suspension failure in the morning and Sakon Yamamoto hitting the wall and stalling in the later stint.
Drivers sent up regular puffs of dirt as they carved through the final corner of an anti-clockwise circuit that had resembled a building site only days earlier.
Although grip levels improved throughout the morning, conditions were treacherous with the pit lane giving particular cause for concern.
Mercedes chief strategist James Vowles told the BBC that they were treating the track like "a living entity."
"Every time the drivers go out the track will feel different. The pit lane is very dirty and we are a little bit concerned. In eight years of doing this, it is the worst I have seen," he added.
Finland's Heikki Kovalainen, for Lotus, had the honour of being the first Formula One driver to venture out on the hastily-completed track, which had its final layer of asphalt laid down only two weeks ago.
Duminy, de Villiers solid for SA
Africa racked up a monstrous 399 for 6 in the third ODI, Jean-Paul Duminy and AB de Villiers both racing to centuries in the course of a record-breaking 219-run stand for the 3rd wicket as the runs flowed without cease.
The cracks in Zimbabwe's brittle attack had been in evidence on the unforgiving tracks encountered in Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom, but the visitors' bowlers finally crumbled completely in Benoni,
Duminy and de Villiers' partnership lasted 31.4 overs at just under seven-an-over as they shared 11 fours and seven sixes, with no bowler spared, before a tiring de Villiers finally departed for a 99-ball 109.
Duminy added three further boundaries and had raced to 129, his highest score in ODIs, before he left the field with the score well past 300. Together they had surpassed the previous South African record for the 3rd wicket, de Villiers and Zimbabwe also having been involved in the previous effort, and was also the third highest overall for South Africa in one-dayers.
Any hope that humid conditions at the start and patches of green on the wicket might assist the seamers soon evaporated as Ian Nicolson - in just his second match in national colours - came in for some fearful punishment from South Africa's batsmen, his first two overs being spanked for 32.
The treatment of his new-ball partner Shingi Masakadza was not nearly as harsh, but captain Elton Chigumbura was still forced to turn to spin as early as the sixth over.
The change brought immediate results, Prosper Utseya luring Graeme Smith out of his crease with a wonderfully flighted offspinner and Hashim Amla suffering his first failure of the series as a lifter on off stump from Masakadza found a thin edge, and South Africa were pegged back to 59 for 2 after an electric start.
Zimbabwe were visibly lifted by the breakthroughs, but Duminy and de Villiers soon wrested the initiative back for South Africa as they took up the offensive with great vim and vigour. Nicolson's return to the attack was greeted with a volley of rifling strikes through the off side, and Graeme Cremer's third over was spanked for 18 as the batsmen matched each other shot for shot in a race to fifty.
Duminy got there first - from his 53rd ball - but de Villiers' half-century took just one delivery longer and as their partnership developed, the chance of a gettable total for the Zimbabweans began to evaporate. In a display of imperious, almost bored power-hitting, no bowler was spared.
Hamilton Masakadza, the eighth bowler tried by a desperate Chigumbura, finally brought an end to the torment as de Villiers set himself to thrash a sixth six but a skewed top edge landed safely in the hands of the younger Masakadza, running in from the deep midwicket boundary. Duminy departed soon after, but the left-handed trio of Albie Morkel, David Miller and Colin Ingram prolonged the assault.
Morkel re-discovered his big-hitting form with an uncompromising 37 from 21 balls, and Ingram crunched 20 from just seven deliveries before he sliced Chigumbura to backward point, where Cremer ultimately held a juggled chance. Miller took the score to the brink of 400 with a boundary from the final ball to finish unbeaten on 33, and it will take a stupendous - not to mention record-breaking - effort from Zimbabwe to even get close to this target.
The cracks in Zimbabwe's brittle attack had been in evidence on the unforgiving tracks encountered in Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom, but the visitors' bowlers finally crumbled completely in Benoni,
Duminy and de Villiers' partnership lasted 31.4 overs at just under seven-an-over as they shared 11 fours and seven sixes, with no bowler spared, before a tiring de Villiers finally departed for a 99-ball 109.
Duminy added three further boundaries and had raced to 129, his highest score in ODIs, before he left the field with the score well past 300. Together they had surpassed the previous South African record for the 3rd wicket, de Villiers and Zimbabwe also having been involved in the previous effort, and was also the third highest overall for South Africa in one-dayers.
Any hope that humid conditions at the start and patches of green on the wicket might assist the seamers soon evaporated as Ian Nicolson - in just his second match in national colours - came in for some fearful punishment from South Africa's batsmen, his first two overs being spanked for 32.
The treatment of his new-ball partner Shingi Masakadza was not nearly as harsh, but captain Elton Chigumbura was still forced to turn to spin as early as the sixth over.
The change brought immediate results, Prosper Utseya luring Graeme Smith out of his crease with a wonderfully flighted offspinner and Hashim Amla suffering his first failure of the series as a lifter on off stump from Masakadza found a thin edge, and South Africa were pegged back to 59 for 2 after an electric start.
Zimbabwe were visibly lifted by the breakthroughs, but Duminy and de Villiers soon wrested the initiative back for South Africa as they took up the offensive with great vim and vigour. Nicolson's return to the attack was greeted with a volley of rifling strikes through the off side, and Graeme Cremer's third over was spanked for 18 as the batsmen matched each other shot for shot in a race to fifty.
Duminy got there first - from his 53rd ball - but de Villiers' half-century took just one delivery longer and as their partnership developed, the chance of a gettable total for the Zimbabweans began to evaporate. In a display of imperious, almost bored power-hitting, no bowler was spared.
Hamilton Masakadza, the eighth bowler tried by a desperate Chigumbura, finally brought an end to the torment as de Villiers set himself to thrash a sixth six but a skewed top edge landed safely in the hands of the younger Masakadza, running in from the deep midwicket boundary. Duminy departed soon after, but the left-handed trio of Albie Morkel, David Miller and Colin Ingram prolonged the assault.
Morkel re-discovered his big-hitting form with an uncompromising 37 from 21 balls, and Ingram crunched 20 from just seven deliveries before he sliced Chigumbura to backward point, where Cremer ultimately held a juggled chance. Miller took the score to the brink of 400 with a boundary from the final ball to finish unbeaten on 33, and it will take a stupendous - not to mention record-breaking - effort from Zimbabwe to even get close to this target.
Paul Gascoigne arrested in drugs swoop
Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne spent the night in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of drugs offences, police sources said Friday.
Gascoigne, 43, was detained on suspicion of possessing a class A substance following a police search at a property in North Tyneside, north-east England.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Lazio player is waiting to be sentenced in a separate incident. He was warned just days ago that he faced jail after admitting drink driving.
"A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a class A drug," Northumbria Police said in a statement.
"A second man, aged 43, was later arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs.
"Both men are still in custody and inquiries are on going."
Gascoigne, whose personal problems including mental illness have been widely covered in the media since his retirement from the game, also played for Newcastle United, Middlesbrough and Rangers.
He famously cried after being booked in the 1990 World Cup semi-final against West Germany, a punishment which would have ruled him out of the final if England had won a match they eventually lost in a penalty shootout.
Gascoigne, 43, was detained on suspicion of possessing a class A substance following a police search at a property in North Tyneside, north-east England.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Lazio player is waiting to be sentenced in a separate incident. He was warned just days ago that he faced jail after admitting drink driving.
"A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a class A drug," Northumbria Police said in a statement.
"A second man, aged 43, was later arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs.
"Both men are still in custody and inquiries are on going."
Gascoigne, whose personal problems including mental illness have been widely covered in the media since his retirement from the game, also played for Newcastle United, Middlesbrough and Rangers.
He famously cried after being booked in the 1990 World Cup semi-final against West Germany, a punishment which would have ruled him out of the final if England had won a match they eventually lost in a penalty shootout.
Australia coach backs Nathan Hauritz
Tim Nielsen, the Australia coach, has defended offspinner Nathan Hauritz following his disappointing returns in the ongoing tour of India by suggesting a lack of bounce could be the reason and backing him to be well-prepared for the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.
Hauritz was ineffective against India's batsmen in the Tests, averaging 65 for his six wickets, and went wicketless in his team's five-wicket defeat in the second ODI in Visakhapatnam, cricinfo reports.
"His performance is better in Test cricket than what he has done here in India," Nielsen told reporters in Margao, the venue of the third and final ODI on Sunday. "We have talked quite a bit since the end of the second Test. (He's) started getting used to the conditions. He hasn't got the assistance here he gets in Australia, probably because of the slowness of the wickets and the lack of bounce.
"The Indian spinners put a lot of top spin on the ball to try and get the ball to bounce. In Australia the wickets are harder and we probably concentrate more on sidespin. It's a big difference when you play in these conditions, something Nathan has to do to get adjusted to the playing conditions here."
Hauritz was Australia's best bowler in the home Test series against Pakistan in 2009-10, where he picked up 18 wickets, and Nielsen said he had a chance to return to form ahead of the Ashes. "It was a massive learning curve for him. He's a better bowler as a result of it," Nielsen said. "He's got two-three Sheffield Shield matches and that should help him prepare well for the first Test."
Instead, Nielsen said, the inexperience of Australia's fast-bowling attack was a bit of a concern. Two seamers - John Hastings and Mitchell Starc - made their debuts in the Visakhapatnam game, while their partner Clint McKay was still new to international cricket. "If we lack anything it is the experience in the fast bowling group that we had in the past," Nielsen said. "When we won the Champions Trophy in South Africa last year we had (Peter) Siddle, Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson as our first three bowlers. That makes it a lot easier when bowlers four and five come into the attack.
"We have Starc, Hastings and Mckay who have played very little international cricket. It puts pressure on our middle bowlers. Probably it was a little bit evident the other night when we did not take early wickets."
When asked if the results on this tour had affected Australia's World Cup preparation, Nielsen said: "We are not panicking at all. We understand we haven't got the results we would have liked but we have been very competitive. If you add the loss of (Ricky) Ponting, (Mitchell) Johnson, (Shane) Watson, (Michael) Hussey, (Shaun) Tait, (Brett) Lee to this one day side, we would take this side."
It has been raining in Goa over the last couple of days and Nielsen expected the pitch to play slow on Sunday. "I'm not sure it has seen a lot of sunshine," Nielsen said. "I don't think it will be a hard, fast, bouncy wicket. Still (there are) two days to go. They can roll a bit more tomorrow, if the sun comes out. The wicket may be a bit slow but it could be a good batting wicket."
Nielsen confirmed Callum Ferguson would replace Michael Hussey in the middle order. Hussey has returned to Australia to represent his state side Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield.
Hauritz was ineffective against India's batsmen in the Tests, averaging 65 for his six wickets, and went wicketless in his team's five-wicket defeat in the second ODI in Visakhapatnam, cricinfo reports.
"His performance is better in Test cricket than what he has done here in India," Nielsen told reporters in Margao, the venue of the third and final ODI on Sunday. "We have talked quite a bit since the end of the second Test. (He's) started getting used to the conditions. He hasn't got the assistance here he gets in Australia, probably because of the slowness of the wickets and the lack of bounce.
"The Indian spinners put a lot of top spin on the ball to try and get the ball to bounce. In Australia the wickets are harder and we probably concentrate more on sidespin. It's a big difference when you play in these conditions, something Nathan has to do to get adjusted to the playing conditions here."
Hauritz was Australia's best bowler in the home Test series against Pakistan in 2009-10, where he picked up 18 wickets, and Nielsen said he had a chance to return to form ahead of the Ashes. "It was a massive learning curve for him. He's a better bowler as a result of it," Nielsen said. "He's got two-three Sheffield Shield matches and that should help him prepare well for the first Test."
Instead, Nielsen said, the inexperience of Australia's fast-bowling attack was a bit of a concern. Two seamers - John Hastings and Mitchell Starc - made their debuts in the Visakhapatnam game, while their partner Clint McKay was still new to international cricket. "If we lack anything it is the experience in the fast bowling group that we had in the past," Nielsen said. "When we won the Champions Trophy in South Africa last year we had (Peter) Siddle, Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson as our first three bowlers. That makes it a lot easier when bowlers four and five come into the attack.
"We have Starc, Hastings and Mckay who have played very little international cricket. It puts pressure on our middle bowlers. Probably it was a little bit evident the other night when we did not take early wickets."
When asked if the results on this tour had affected Australia's World Cup preparation, Nielsen said: "We are not panicking at all. We understand we haven't got the results we would have liked but we have been very competitive. If you add the loss of (Ricky) Ponting, (Mitchell) Johnson, (Shane) Watson, (Michael) Hussey, (Shaun) Tait, (Brett) Lee to this one day side, we would take this side."
It has been raining in Goa over the last couple of days and Nielsen expected the pitch to play slow on Sunday. "I'm not sure it has seen a lot of sunshine," Nielsen said. "I don't think it will be a hard, fast, bouncy wicket. Still (there are) two days to go. They can roll a bit more tomorrow, if the sun comes out. The wicket may be a bit slow but it could be a good batting wicket."
Nielsen confirmed Callum Ferguson would replace Michael Hussey in the middle order. Hussey has returned to Australia to represent his state side Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield.
Rooney stays at Man U
Wayne Rooney performed a stunning U-turn on Friday by signing a five-year contract to stay at Manchester United and end a week of bombshells with yet another shock.
The England striker had looked destined to leave Old Trafford in the next transfer window after saying on Wednesday that he wanted to quit because of United's lack of clout in the transfer market.
He attributed his change of heart to manager Alex Ferguson, whom Rooney called a "genius" and said had convinced him that he belonged at United.
"I'm delighted to sign another deal at United. In the last couple of days, I've talked to the manager and the owners and they've convinced me this is where I belong," Rooney said in a statement.
"I'm signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history -- which is the reason I joined the club in the first place."
Ferguson, who spoke of his shock earlier this week at Rooney's wish to leave, had been locked in talks with chief executive David Gill to sort out what he said was in danger of becoming a 'saga'.
His bemusement turned to delight on Friday with the announcement of a deal that would keep Rooney at the club until at least June 2015.
"It's been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United. I said to the boy that the door is always open and I'm delighted Wayne has agreed to stay," Ferguson said in the statement.
"Sometimes, when you're in a club, it can be hard to realise just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand. I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.
"I'm pleased he has accepted the challenge to guide the younger players and establish himself as one of United's great players. It shows character and belief in what we stand for."
The news stunned the footballing world, with former United player Lou Macari telling Sky Sports News: "I thought it was April 1. Nothing has shocked me more in football ever than this week."
The England striker had looked destined to leave Old Trafford in the next transfer window after saying on Wednesday that he wanted to quit because of United's lack of clout in the transfer market.
He attributed his change of heart to manager Alex Ferguson, whom Rooney called a "genius" and said had convinced him that he belonged at United.
"I'm delighted to sign another deal at United. In the last couple of days, I've talked to the manager and the owners and they've convinced me this is where I belong," Rooney said in a statement.
"I'm signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history -- which is the reason I joined the club in the first place."
Ferguson, who spoke of his shock earlier this week at Rooney's wish to leave, had been locked in talks with chief executive David Gill to sort out what he said was in danger of becoming a 'saga'.
His bemusement turned to delight on Friday with the announcement of a deal that would keep Rooney at the club until at least June 2015.
"It's been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United. I said to the boy that the door is always open and I'm delighted Wayne has agreed to stay," Ferguson said in the statement.
"Sometimes, when you're in a club, it can be hard to realise just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand. I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.
"I'm pleased he has accepted the challenge to guide the younger players and establish himself as one of United's great players. It shows character and belief in what we stand for."
The news stunned the footballing world, with former United player Lou Macari telling Sky Sports News: "I thought it was April 1. Nothing has shocked me more in football ever than this week."
Four-goal Ronaldo lights up Bernabeu
Cristiano Ronaldo lit up the Bernabeu with a brilliant four-goal performance in Real Madrid's 6-1 drubbing of struggling Racing Santander on Saturday.
The Portuguese eclipsed Lionel Messi's double in Barcelona's 2-0 win at Real Zaragoza earlier in the day and helped restore Real's one-point lead over their arch rivals at the top of La Liga.
Real have now scored 16 times in three La Liga outings and former Inter Milan and Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho already appears to be working his magic after only a few months in the Spanish capital.
Ronaldo is La Liga's top scorer with nine goals, including eight in his last three games in the competition.
"It's great to score four and help out but the main thing is the team," the winger said in a television interview.
"As the coach said the other day, we can't be too euphoric because there is still a long way to go in the season."
Although Real have yet to play any of their potential rivals, they are in the sort of devastating form that could end Barca's two-year grip on the title and next month's "Clasico" between the teams can gauge how far Mourinho's team have come.
Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain opened their account in the 10th minute and Ronaldo followed up with two smart finishes in the 15th and 27th.
He completed his hat-trick two minutes into the second half and scored a fourth from the penalty spot in the 55th before Mesut Ozil made it 6-0 eight minutes later.
Racing, down in 16th position, pulled one back in the 73rd when a shot by Papakouli Diop went in off Markus Rosenberg's back.
Unbeaten Real have 20 points from eight games.
Valencia are fourth on 16 after they slipped to a second straight defeat, losing 2-1 at home to Real Mallorca in Saturday's late match while Villarreal (16) and Atletico Madrid (13) will try to keep pace with the leaders when they clash on Sunday.
FLAILING ARM
Earlier, Messi registered his second double in a row to give Barca victory against 10-man Zaragoza at the Romareda.
Fresh from his two goals against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday, the Argentine broke the home side's stubborn resistance with a clinical finish in the 42nd minute.
Spain striker David Villa, playing against one of his former clubs, took out three defenders with a surging run and knocked the ball into space for Messi to send a low shot past keeper Toni Doblas.
Zaragoza's Leonardo Ponzio was shown a straight red card two minutes after the break when he appeared to catch Daniel Alves with a flailing arm before Messi took his tally to five in six league matches in the 66th.
Seydou Keita and Andres Iniesta had efforts on goal but the ball eventually fell to World Player of the Year Messi just inside the penalty area and he lashed it into the net.
Villa almost made it three when his swerving shot hit the post in the 87th.
"The Romareda is a difficult place to come and we were up against a strong and aggressive side," Messi said. "We need to continue in the same vein."
Zaragoza remain rooted to the bottom on three points.
The Portuguese eclipsed Lionel Messi's double in Barcelona's 2-0 win at Real Zaragoza earlier in the day and helped restore Real's one-point lead over their arch rivals at the top of La Liga.
Real have now scored 16 times in three La Liga outings and former Inter Milan and Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho already appears to be working his magic after only a few months in the Spanish capital.
Ronaldo is La Liga's top scorer with nine goals, including eight in his last three games in the competition.
"It's great to score four and help out but the main thing is the team," the winger said in a television interview.
"As the coach said the other day, we can't be too euphoric because there is still a long way to go in the season."
Although Real have yet to play any of their potential rivals, they are in the sort of devastating form that could end Barca's two-year grip on the title and next month's "Clasico" between the teams can gauge how far Mourinho's team have come.
Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain opened their account in the 10th minute and Ronaldo followed up with two smart finishes in the 15th and 27th.
He completed his hat-trick two minutes into the second half and scored a fourth from the penalty spot in the 55th before Mesut Ozil made it 6-0 eight minutes later.
Racing, down in 16th position, pulled one back in the 73rd when a shot by Papakouli Diop went in off Markus Rosenberg's back.
Unbeaten Real have 20 points from eight games.
Valencia are fourth on 16 after they slipped to a second straight defeat, losing 2-1 at home to Real Mallorca in Saturday's late match while Villarreal (16) and Atletico Madrid (13) will try to keep pace with the leaders when they clash on Sunday.
FLAILING ARM
Earlier, Messi registered his second double in a row to give Barca victory against 10-man Zaragoza at the Romareda.
Fresh from his two goals against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday, the Argentine broke the home side's stubborn resistance with a clinical finish in the 42nd minute.
Spain striker David Villa, playing against one of his former clubs, took out three defenders with a surging run and knocked the ball into space for Messi to send a low shot past keeper Toni Doblas.
Zaragoza's Leonardo Ponzio was shown a straight red card two minutes after the break when he appeared to catch Daniel Alves with a flailing arm before Messi took his tally to five in six league matches in the 66th.
Seydou Keita and Andres Iniesta had efforts on goal but the ball eventually fell to World Player of the Year Messi just inside the penalty area and he lashed it into the net.
Villa almost made it three when his swerving shot hit the post in the 87th.
"The Romareda is a difficult place to come and we were up against a strong and aggressive side," Messi said. "We need to continue in the same vein."
Zaragoza remain rooted to the bottom on three points.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Duminy, de Villiers solid for SA
South Africa racked up a monstrous 399 for 6 in the third ODI, Jean-Paul Duminy and AB de Villiers both racing to centuries in the course of a record-breaking 219-run stand for the 3rd wicket as the runs flowed without cease.
The cracks in Zimbabwe's brittle attack had been in evidence on the unforgiving tracks encountered in Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom, but the visitors' bowlers finally crumbled completely in Benoni,
Duminy and de Villiers' partnership lasted 31.4 overs at just under seven-an-over as they shared 11 fours and seven sixes, with no bowler spared, before a tiring de Villiers finally departed for a 99-ball 109.
Duminy added three further boundaries and had raced to 129, his highest score in ODIs, before he left the field with the score well past 300. Together they had surpassed the previous South African record for the 3rd wicket, de Villiers and Zimbabwe also having been involved in the previous effort, and was also the third highest overall for South Africa in one-dayers.
Any hope that humid conditions at the start and patches of green on the wicket might assist the seamers soon evaporated as Ian Nicolson - in just his second match in national colours - came in for some fearful punishment from South Africa's batsmen, his first two overs being spanked for 32.
The treatment of his new-ball partner Shingi Masakadza was not nearly as harsh, but captain Elton Chigumbura was still forced to turn to spin as early as the sixth over.
The change brought immediate results, Prosper Utseya luring Graeme Smith out of his crease with a wonderfully flighted offspinner and Hashim Amla suffering his first failure of the series as a lifter on off stump from Masakadza found a thin edge, and South Africa were pegged back to 59 for 2 after an electric start.
Zimbabwe were visibly lifted by the breakthroughs, but Duminy and de Villiers soon wrested the initiative back for South Africa as they took up the offensive with great vim and vigour. Nicolson's return to the attack was greeted with a volley of rifling strikes through the off side, and Graeme Cremer's third over was spanked for 18 as the batsmen matched each other shot for shot in a race to fifty.
Duminy got there first - from his 53rd ball - but de Villiers' half-century took just one delivery longer and as their partnership developed, the chance of a gettable total for the Zimbabweans began to evaporate. In a display of imperious, almost bored power-hitting, no bowler was spared.
Hamilton Masakadza, the eighth bowler tried by a desperate Chigumbura, finally brought an end to the torment as de Villiers set himself to thrash a sixth six but a skewed top edge landed safely in the hands of the younger Masakadza, running in from the deep midwicket boundary. Duminy departed soon after, but the left-handed trio of Albie Morkel, David Miller and Colin Ingram prolonged the assault.
Morkel re-discovered his big-hitting form with an uncompromising 37 from 21 balls, and Ingram crunched 20 from just seven deliveries before he sliced Chigumbura to backward point, where Cremer ultimately held a juggled chance. Miller took the score to the brink of 400 with a boundary from the final ball to finish unbeaten on 33, and it will take a stupendous - not to mention record-breaking - effort from Zimbabwe to even get close to this target
The cracks in Zimbabwe's brittle attack had been in evidence on the unforgiving tracks encountered in Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom, but the visitors' bowlers finally crumbled completely in Benoni,
Duminy and de Villiers' partnership lasted 31.4 overs at just under seven-an-over as they shared 11 fours and seven sixes, with no bowler spared, before a tiring de Villiers finally departed for a 99-ball 109.
Duminy added three further boundaries and had raced to 129, his highest score in ODIs, before he left the field with the score well past 300. Together they had surpassed the previous South African record for the 3rd wicket, de Villiers and Zimbabwe also having been involved in the previous effort, and was also the third highest overall for South Africa in one-dayers.
Any hope that humid conditions at the start and patches of green on the wicket might assist the seamers soon evaporated as Ian Nicolson - in just his second match in national colours - came in for some fearful punishment from South Africa's batsmen, his first two overs being spanked for 32.
The treatment of his new-ball partner Shingi Masakadza was not nearly as harsh, but captain Elton Chigumbura was still forced to turn to spin as early as the sixth over.
The change brought immediate results, Prosper Utseya luring Graeme Smith out of his crease with a wonderfully flighted offspinner and Hashim Amla suffering his first failure of the series as a lifter on off stump from Masakadza found a thin edge, and South Africa were pegged back to 59 for 2 after an electric start.
Zimbabwe were visibly lifted by the breakthroughs, but Duminy and de Villiers soon wrested the initiative back for South Africa as they took up the offensive with great vim and vigour. Nicolson's return to the attack was greeted with a volley of rifling strikes through the off side, and Graeme Cremer's third over was spanked for 18 as the batsmen matched each other shot for shot in a race to fifty.
Duminy got there first - from his 53rd ball - but de Villiers' half-century took just one delivery longer and as their partnership developed, the chance of a gettable total for the Zimbabweans began to evaporate. In a display of imperious, almost bored power-hitting, no bowler was spared.
Hamilton Masakadza, the eighth bowler tried by a desperate Chigumbura, finally brought an end to the torment as de Villiers set himself to thrash a sixth six but a skewed top edge landed safely in the hands of the younger Masakadza, running in from the deep midwicket boundary. Duminy departed soon after, but the left-handed trio of Albie Morkel, David Miller and Colin Ingram prolonged the assault.
Morkel re-discovered his big-hitting form with an uncompromising 37 from 21 balls, and Ingram crunched 20 from just seven deliveries before he sliced Chigumbura to backward point, where Cremer ultimately held a juggled chance. Miller took the score to the brink of 400 with a boundary from the final ball to finish unbeaten on 33, and it will take a stupendous - not to mention record-breaking - effort from Zimbabwe to even get close to this target
Friday, October 22, 2010
Zimbabwe look for consolation win
Zimbabwe's wait to beat South Africa in their own backyard in an ODI in a bilateral series continues, with Friday's encounter providing their last chance on this tour.
It has nevertheless been an encouraging performance from the visitors, despite their failure to win a game. They have performed decently with the bat, and Brendan Taylor's unbeaten 145 in the first ODI must rank as one of the finest innings in unsuccessful chases, reports cricinfo.
However, despite Zimbabwe proving to be much more than season-opening sparring partners for South Africa, there has been a sense of inevitability about the results.
The Zimbabwe bowling has been a huge letdown - in fact it's been little more than fodder for Hashim Amla and company, who have twice reached 200 for the loss of only one wicket. It's not that Elton Chigumbura, the Zimbabwe captain, hasn't tried.
He's shuffled his attack around, using eight bowlers in both matches, and even opened with offspinner Prosper Utseya, but South Africa haven't looked in the remotest of discomfort. A four-day break would have given Chigumbura more time to mull over his options, considering this is Zimbabwe's last ODI before the World Cup. He would also like his batsmen, including himself, to capitalise on the numerous starts they have managed, and support Taylor and Tatenda Taibu.
Graeme Smith's concerns are different. Not satisfied with winning the series, he wants his bowlers and fielders to take care of the "little things" ahead of tougher challenges against Pakistan and India. Tomorrow is another opportunity for his back-up bowlers to stake claims for World Cup spots before the regulars come back.
It has nevertheless been an encouraging performance from the visitors, despite their failure to win a game. They have performed decently with the bat, and Brendan Taylor's unbeaten 145 in the first ODI must rank as one of the finest innings in unsuccessful chases, reports cricinfo.
However, despite Zimbabwe proving to be much more than season-opening sparring partners for South Africa, there has been a sense of inevitability about the results.
The Zimbabwe bowling has been a huge letdown - in fact it's been little more than fodder for Hashim Amla and company, who have twice reached 200 for the loss of only one wicket. It's not that Elton Chigumbura, the Zimbabwe captain, hasn't tried.
He's shuffled his attack around, using eight bowlers in both matches, and even opened with offspinner Prosper Utseya, but South Africa haven't looked in the remotest of discomfort. A four-day break would have given Chigumbura more time to mull over his options, considering this is Zimbabwe's last ODI before the World Cup. He would also like his batsmen, including himself, to capitalise on the numerous starts they have managed, and support Taylor and Tatenda Taibu.
Graeme Smith's concerns are different. Not satisfied with winning the series, he wants his bowlers and fielders to take care of the "little things" ahead of tougher challenges against Pakistan and India. Tomorrow is another opportunity for his back-up bowlers to stake claims for World Cup spots before the regulars come back.
Paul Gascoigne arrested in drugs swoop
Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne spent the night in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of drugs offences, police sources said Friday.
Gascoigne, 43, was detained on suspicion of possessing a class A substance following a police search at a property in North Tyneside, north-east England.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Lazio player is waiting to be sentenced in a separate incident. He was warned just days ago that he faced jail after admitting drink driving.
"A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a class A drug," Northumbria Police said in a statement.
"A second man, aged 43, was later arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs.
"Both men are still in custody and inquiries are on going."
Gascoigne, whose personal problems including mental illness have been widely covered in the media since his retirement from the game, also played for Newcastle United, Middlesbrough and Rangers.
He famously cried after being booked in the 1990 World Cup semi-final against West Germany, a punishment which would have ruled him out of the final if England had won a match they eventually lost in a penalty shootout.
Gascoigne, 43, was detained on suspicion of possessing a class A substance following a police search at a property in North Tyneside, north-east England.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Lazio player is waiting to be sentenced in a separate incident. He was warned just days ago that he faced jail after admitting drink driving.
"A 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a class A drug," Northumbria Police said in a statement.
"A second man, aged 43, was later arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs.
"Both men are still in custody and inquiries are on going."
Gascoigne, whose personal problems including mental illness have been widely covered in the media since his retirement from the game, also played for Newcastle United, Middlesbrough and Rangers.
He famously cried after being booked in the 1990 World Cup semi-final against West Germany, a punishment which would have ruled him out of the final if England had won a match they eventually lost in a penalty shootout.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Indian victory
India 292 for 5 (Kohli 118, Raina 71*, Yuvraj 58) beat Australia 289 for 3 (Clarke 111*, White 89*, Hussey 69) by five wickets
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ICC rankings not true reflection of form: Hussey
Australian batsman Mike Hussey has rejected the ICC`s Test rankings, which place his team at fifth, saying that the Aussies are "definitely better than that and the system is not a true reflection of their form."
Australia dropped to an all-time low of fifth after being blanked 0-2 in the just-concluded Test series against India but Hussey said the side does not deserve to be number five.
"I don`t think we`re the fifth-best team in the world. I don`t think that`s a true reflection of our team, we`re definitely better than that," Hussey said.
"With the new Test championship coming in, that will probably give a better indication of where teams are at, and a better understanding of where teams are ranked.
"I don`t think about being fifth-best team in the world, I don`t necessarily agree with that," he was quoted as saying.
The proposed Test Championships, if contested now, would not feature Australia because the side is not inside the top-four bracket.
"We need to get up to make sure we`re fourth to get into that. We`ve got a couple of years to continue the curve of getting better every time. I think our team is getting better all the time," Hussey said.
"I have a strong belief in the personnel we`ve got, and the plans and processes we`ve put in place, that if we stick to what we know and don`t get affected too much by the outside influences, I firmly believe we`ve got a great chance to play some excellent Test cricket in the next year," he added.
The 35-year-old also dismissed talk of any possible retirement plans after next year`s World Cup in the sub-continent.
"I don`t feel the talk. I`ve always made a conscious decision to not take much notice of what goes on outside the team, I don`t read a hell of a lot of press, I don`t watch the TV that much," he said.
"I must admit last summer I found it a lot harder to get away from that because there seemed like a lot of speculation. But certainly watching guys like Sachin Tendulkar play so well at 37, Steve Waugh played very well later in his career, Matthew Hayden played brilliantly, Justin Langer - there`s so much evidence of players playing very well, well past 35," he added.
Hussey said as long as he has the faith of captain Ricky Ponting, he is not bothered about what is written about him in the press.
"I`m going to keep believing in myself, and I feel like I`ve still got the faith of Ricky, the coaching staff and the selectors. As long as I keep believing that, I still feel like I`ve got a lot to offer."
PTI
Australia dropped to an all-time low of fifth after being blanked 0-2 in the just-concluded Test series against India but Hussey said the side does not deserve to be number five.
"I don`t think we`re the fifth-best team in the world. I don`t think that`s a true reflection of our team, we`re definitely better than that," Hussey said.
"I don`t think about being fifth-best team in the world, I don`t necessarily agree with that," he was quoted as saying.
The proposed Test Championships, if contested now, would not feature Australia because the side is not inside the top-four bracket.
"We need to get up to make sure we`re fourth to get into that. We`ve got a couple of years to continue the curve of getting better every time. I think our team is getting better all the time," Hussey said.
The 35-year-old also dismissed talk of any possible retirement plans after next year`s World Cup in the sub-continent.
"I don`t feel the talk. I`ve always made a conscious decision to not take much notice of what goes on outside the team, I don`t read a hell of a lot of press, I don`t watch the TV that much," he said.
"I must admit last summer I found it a lot harder to get away from that because there seemed like a lot of speculation. But certainly watching guys like Sachin Tendulkar play so well at 37, Steve Waugh played very well later in his career, Matthew Hayden played brilliantly, Justin Langer - there`s so much evidence of players playing very well, well past 35," he added.
Hussey said as long as he has the faith of captain Ricky Ponting, he is not bothered about what is written about him in the press.
"I`m going to keep believing in myself, and I feel like I`ve still got the faith of Ricky, the coaching staff and the selectors. As long as I keep believing that, I still feel like I`ve got a lot to offer."
PTI
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