World Cup dream behind Beckham's Milan stay

LONDON: David Beckham has revealed his dream of playing for England in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa was the motivation behind his desire to stay with AC Milan.

After weeks of negotiations, Beckham has extended his loan with Milan from Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy until the end of the Italian season in an attempt to prove to England coach Fabio Capello that he can still perform at the highest level.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is desperate to have one last crack at winning the World Cup in next year's finals, but he had been reduced to a bit-part role for England since his move to America.

His switch to the San Siro has kept Beckham in Capello's thoughts and he made a record-equalling 108th England appearance in last month's friendly against Spain.

Beckham, 33, will return to California to see out the rest of the MLS season after finishing Milan's campaign. He is set to return to Italy for the 2009-10 season, providing him with a platform to impress Capello, and he believes staying with Milan will help his England ambitions.

"There's a few reasons for staying with Milan. One is I'm playing with one of the biggest clubs in the world and with some of the best players in the world. I'm passionate about that," Beckham said.

"Obviously the one everyone talks about is it gives me a chance to play in the 2010 World Cup. I personally have to do everything I can to be involved in that.

"Everyone knows how passionate I am about playing for my country and if this gives me a better chance of being involved in that squad that's great."

Negotiations for Beckham to stay were slowed after Milan baulked at the size of transfer fee demanded by Galaxy, thought to be around 12 million euros.

Beckham hinted that reports he paid $3 million to make up the difference between the fee Galaxy wanted and the price Milan were prepared to pay were on the mark.


Beckham paying from pocket to stay in Milan
"I've done really well in my career and played for so many great clubs. I've been able to help myself stay in Milan, if I can put it that way. That is the big thing for me," he said.

"It's never been about money for me. It's been about football and my passion for the game. Hopefully this has shown it.

"Everybody knew how much I wanted this to happen and how much I wanted to stay and play my football in Milan. Obviously the Galaxy and Milan have been great.

"I want to stay in Milan to help the club qualify for the Champions League.

"It also gives me a chance to go back to LA and finish the season. It is something I am very committed to. Then after that we will see."

Beckham insisted his move to California has not been a mistake.

"People have always asked me if I've regretted my decision. Throughout my career I've never wanted regrets and I've always said no," he said.

"At the time I felt it was the right thing to do. I've had two great years with the Galaxy. We might not have been successful on the field but statistics show the game has grown.

"If we continue to have the success we've had with attendances and the interest in the game, that will be positive and a sign that the game is moving forward."

Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World-Cup-dream-behind-Beckhams-stay/articleshow/4246946.cms

Paes returns to top five in ATP rankings

NEW DELHI: Sania Mirza's WTA rankings improved marginally this week and the Indian ace was 87th in singles and 71st in doubles in the latest list issued on Monday.

The numero uno Indian woman player, who will play at Indiana Wells this week, has 726 points in singles and 1382 points in doubles.

In the ATP rankings, India's new tennis poster boy Somdev Devavrman had his ranking unchanged at 150 with 546 points

In doubles, Leander Paes (6940) returned to the top-five after gaining a place but his compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi (6325) slipped a rung to eighth.

Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Paes-returns-to-top-five-in-ATP-rankings/articleshow/4246773.cms

Sania's athleticism impresses Agassi's trainer

BANGALORE: Gil Reyes, the much-acclaimed trainer of Andre Agassi, who put Indian ace Sania Mirza through the paces at his Las Vegas base, gave the 22 -year-old's physical condition a thumbs-up.

Reyes said he was impressed with the Hyderabadi's physical prowess. "I've enjoyed working with Sania. I'm truly impressed with her athleticism. She has natural athletic ability," he said.

"Professional tennis has become quite physical and adding strength and power - specially speed, movement and court coverage - to a natural athlete like Sania could improve her tennis."

Sania, ranked 87 in the world, has been planning the trip to Las Vegas for quite sometime now.

She managed to take a week off her tight schedule between tournaments in Dubai and Indian Wells, California for this weeklong stint.

"Even before I met him I knew he was one of the best in his profession," Sania said.

"After my stint with him, I realized that apart from being the best, he's also the most wonderful human being."

Sania is returning to professional tennis after spending most of the 2008 season on the sidelines due to a wrist injury because of which she hasn't been able to push herself as much as she'd like to.

However, with a mixed doubles Grand Slam title in Melbourne and an appearance in the singles final in Pattaya, Sania has shown form.

But there's plenty of work ahead. This week in Indian Wells, starting March 11, she defends 65 points from her fourth-round showing last year.

"It's important to respect Sania's recent wrist injury and not force the issue. However, she has been training her lower body with great focus and intensity," Reyes said.

Reyes hopes to work with Sania again in the future.

"I hope that her schedule will include many days at my training centre. I believe that by adding greater physical capabilities to her abundant tennis talent, Sania will enjoy a successful career as a professional athlete," he said.

When Sania met Steffi Graf

Las Vegas, for Sania Mirza, was a week of heavy work and a chance meeting. The Indian star ran into her childhood idol, the legendary German Steffi Graf, at Gil Reyes' training centre and was at a loss for words.

"I'd just finished practice and was walking back to the car with my father, we were going back to the hotel. That's when I spotted Steffi coming my way. She was just a few yards away. She was coming in for a hit herself," an excited Sania said.

"I've always been a great admirer of Steffi," said Sania, who like her idol enjoys dominating matches with her forehand. "I felt like a fan when I met her. This was my first meeting with her. She was so nice," Sania said of Graf.

"She introduced herself and enquired about my practice session. I just about managed to mumble something."

Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Sanias-athleticism-impresses-Agassis-trainer/articleshow/4245915.cms

Chanderpaul, Nash rattle England with tons

Port of Spain: The fifth and final Test match between the West Indies and England looked set a for a draw as the Windies reached 519-7 at tea on the fourth day here on Monday.


The hosts, in reply to England's 546-6 declared in the first innings, were trailing by 27 runs at tea break with Shivnarain Chanderpaul unbeaten on 133.


West Indies, resuming from overnight score of 349-4 reached 433 without losing any more wicket at lunch. As English bowlers were toiling to get any breakthrough, BP Nash fell in the middle session after a hundred. He was caught by Collingwood off Broad for 109 that included 17 fours in the 257-ball knock.


The Windies lost two more wickets in the session in Hinds and Ramdin. Hinds was stumped for 23 off Swann while Andersen trapped Ramdin leg before for 15.


However, England's bid for a series-levelling win now look difficult with only four sessions of game left.

Source:http://cricketnext.in.com/news/chanderpaul-nash-rattle-england-with-tons/38917-13.html

Set back for SA as Kallis, de Villiers perish

Durban (South Africa): Aussie seamers Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle struck early blows to reduce South Africa to 280 for four on the fifth and final day of the second Test here on Tuesday.

Chasing 546 for a series squaring victory, the Proteas progressed to 267 before Johnson had Jaques Kallis caught by his skipper Ricky Ponting for 93.


With the tourists expected to wage an all-out assault on the South African batsmen at the start of the final day, the other overnight South African batsman AB de Villiers (84) was waging a grim battle with jean-Paul Duminy (5).


The South Africans are trying to prevent Australia from taking a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series.


Kallis, who was dropped off the first ball he faced, made 84 not out and De Villiers 68 not out as South Africa reached 244 for two at the close of play.


sOURCE:http://cricketnext.in.com/news/aussies-set-to-mount-early-assault-on-proteas/38946-13.html

No dates yet but two new venues confirmed

Mumbai: IPL commissioner Lalit Modi on Tuesday did not give out the dates for the second edition saying they were still being "fine tuned", but confirmed Ahmedabad and Visakhapatnam as the two new venues of the tournament.


Addressing a press conference here, Modi said: "The schedule is being fine tuned. You have to understand that one game moved has a domino effect."


He added that there was also the likelihood of adding Dharamshala and Nagpur as other venues.


The opening and closing ceremonies, he said, will be held at the D Y Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai, but the Mumbai Indians are expected to play all their seven home games at the Cricket Club of India.


With lots of questions raised about security, Modi said the IPL had decided in favour of a central security system.


Last year, the teams were responsible for their own players' security, he said adding that the security budget "has gone up by 10 times since last year".


"We are in touch with the police commissioners of the states as well for security.


"We have approached the state government for dates when matches should not be held. The IPL will be coming out with a revised schedules with plugging new dates. Ninety per cent of schedules have been cleared. One state has asked for one date to be changed. We are waiting for five states to get back to us with their confirmation," Modi said.


He added that the IPL had already got clearances from all states "in principle" and that the final schedule will be announced "when we get written confirmations".


Modi also confirmed that Chennai Super Kings will not be playing their seven home matches at Chennai and an alternate venue was being worked out.


Asked about whether inaugural IPL champions Rajasthan Royals will get to play in Jaipur, he said: "Yes, they will play there, Rajasthan was the first state to confirm in writing. The Rajasthan government has approved the schedule in writing."


The IPL commissioner rubbished reports of security concerns having been raised by foreign players and said, "No foreign players have contacted IPL about their apprehensions on security."


He added that IPL's security experts had been instructed to be in touch with the board of other countries and "brief them of our security steps".


During the course of the press conference, Modi also unveiled the new DLF IPL logo and shared details of the proposed 30-minute opening ceremony.


Asked about political advertising in the IPL, Modi said: "IPL will not take any political advertising in any form."

SOURCE:http://cricketnext.in.com/news/no-dates-yet-but-two-new-venues-confirmed/38952-13.html

Ahmedabad, Visakhapatnam to host IPL matches too

MUMBAI: The second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will also see matches in Ahmedabad and Visakhapatnam in addition to the eight cities where they were held last year, IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi said Tuesday.

Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh is also being considered as a new venue, Modi told a press conference here.

Besides these three cities, the IPL governing body is evaluating other possible venues such as Nagpur, he added.

Last year, matches in the first edition of IPL were held in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, New Delhi, Chandigarh and Jaipur.

Modi reiterated that the IPL would start next month though fears had been expressed about availability of security personnel since the general elections would be held in April-May.

But the IPL chief declined to provide the new dates for the matches. "We are still working on the revised schedule. It is a cumbersome process," he said.

Modi added that the opening and the closing ceremonies of the Twenty20 league will be held at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

Soruce:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4249259.cms

IPL security budget has gone up 10 times: Modi

NEW DELHI: The opening ceremony of the second season of IPL will be held at the DY Patil stadium in Mumbai said IPL commissioner Lalit Modi while addressing a press conference in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Fire dancers will perform in opening ceremony which will be 30 minutes long, the IPL chief said.

Modi, while unveiling the new logo for IPL second edition said, Ahemdabad and Vishakhapatnam are the two new cities that will host the IPL matches, while confirmation is still awaited from Dharamshala and Nagpur.

Modi said IPL has the highest concentration of world class players.

Modi added that despite recession, IPL has contracted revenue of Rs 10,790 cr this year and $15 million spent on second IPL auction.

Modi informed that 7 Mumbai Indian matches will be played at Cricket Club of India.

"Players security last year was the responsibilty of the team. This time security will be managed centrally", Modi said adding that IPL is working closely with the state governments on the security aspect and security budget has gone up 10 times from the last season, which will take foolproof measures.

"IPL dates are still being fine-tuned as we are waiting response of the five states", Modi added.

Source:http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/IPL-security-budget-has-gone-up-10-times-Modi/articleshow/4249141.cms

Tendulkar ruled out of Hamilton ODI

HAMILTON: In a setback to the Indian team, in-form Sachin Tendulkar was on Tuesday ruled out of the fourth One-dayer against New Zealand due to an abdomen injury but the premier batsman has promised to play the fifth and final match.

Tendulkar had suffered a painful blow from Blackcaps fast bowler Iain O'Brien during the second ODI at Wellington.

Despite stiffness in the abdomen region, he played the third game and aggravated the injury while scoring a magnificent century, his 43rd in limited overs cricket.

An MRI done on Monday at a hospital in Christchurch revealed that there had been traces of internal bleeding, ruling him out of Wednesday's match in Hamilton.

"The report has indicated there has been internal bleeding in the stomach. But I should be ready to play in the next couple of days," said Tendulkar.

"It is painful that I have to miss a game when there has been good momentum. I have been hitting the ball well."

The master batsman will sorely miss on-field action as he has been in prime from, strumming up scores of 20, 61 and 163 retired hurt for an aggregate of 244 runs.

In 20 years of international cricket, this is possibly the first instance that the Mumbaikar has suffered internal bleeding to a blow with a cricket ball.

Tendulkar's chest had been peppered with bouncers in the Caribbean. But despite suffering clots on the rib-cage, he had braved to take on Mervyn Dillon's artillery in the 2002 series against the West Indies.

His ankle, elbow, back, foot and little finger have troubled him one time or the other during his illustrious career.

But this is the only instance when internal bleeding has stopped him from playing, frustratingly when he has been producing delectable symphonies at the crease.

"I would not know if this has been the worst. But it has caused me discomfort. The abs are really stiff," he said.

Only a braveheart, or one so committed as he is, could have played an innings of such calibre and intensity with the enormity of injury he was carrying.

"It got very difficult as the innings wore on. At one stage, I felt a twitch. It would have been great to go on and complete a double hundred, which was on my mind, but the body could not take it any more," said Tendulkar.

It is learnt that the team wanted him to go continue and score a double hundred. In fact, he had been offered a runner as well. But Tendulkar had put team before self, deeming it would benefit the side if he retired.

The team management felt that it is better he rests as the Test matches where around the corner.

Even if he misses the fifth ODI at Auckland, the master batsman will be ready and kicking for the first Test at Hamilton on March 18.

Source:http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Tendulkar-ruled-out-of-Hamilton-ODI/articleshow/4248550.cms