Mumbai, March 10: Players’ security during the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be centrally monitored by the league’s governing council and will be handled in consultation with the reputed South African security agency Nicolas Steyn. Nicolas Steyn had been incharge of security at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and the 2007 Cricket World Cup and will also be responsible for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Announcing the consultant Tuesday, IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi also told reporters that Ahmedabad and Visakhapatnam will be additional venues while Dharmasala and Nagpur were also being considered for hosting some matches. The two new venues are in addition to the existing eight - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Mohali. Modi promised the best possible security arrangements for the IPL's second edition, saying that there would be no comparison with the security provided for the Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore last week when they were ambushed by terrorists.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
No need for extra motivation against Nadal: Federer
INDIAN WELLS (California): Refreshed after taking a break to resolve a lingering back injury, Roger Federer is eager to resume his rivalry with Rafael Nadal at the Indian Wells ATP tournament starting on Thursday.
Federer, sidelined since losing last month's Australian Open final to the Spaniard, said he was more motivated than ever to end a losing streak of five matches against Nadal.
The Swiss world number two, a three-time champion at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, is seeded to meet top-ranked Nadal in the tournament final.
"I love playing matches against him, especially those five-setters, seeing if I can hang with him physically without a problem," Federer told reporters on Wednesday. "He's the greatest challenger I've ever had."
"I am really motivated because I don't know how much better he can play. I don't know how much better I can play but I am right there and he's playing the tennis of his life."
Federer was unable to seal a record-equalling 14th grand slam singles title after losing to Nadal in a five-set thriller at Melbourne Park, but he was largely pleased with his performance.
"I thought I played a great match for four-and-a-half sets," the 27-year-old said. "I guess I let go a little bit at the end. He looked tired and I couldn't take advantage of it.
"I think I played great off the baseline, I just didn't serve great and I think that cost me the match also.
"He's a great player at the moment," Federer said of the Spanish left-hander, whose last three victories against the Swiss have come in grand slam finals.
"He has proved himself on all surfaces now and I guess it all started for him when he beat me comfortably at the (2008) French Open. He forgot how it feels losing and I had lost to him a couple of times before that."
Federer said he would continue working with Swiss Davis Cup captain Severin Luthi as his part-time coach after an experiment last month with Australian Darren Cahill had been abandoned.
"I am very happy with Severin," he added. "We have been working the last one-and-a-half years together, so nothing really changes. I just continue with the great team that I have."
Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/?frm_TOIHome_top
Federer, sidelined since losing last month's Australian Open final to the Spaniard, said he was more motivated than ever to end a losing streak of five matches against Nadal.
The Swiss world number two, a three-time champion at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, is seeded to meet top-ranked Nadal in the tournament final.
"I love playing matches against him, especially those five-setters, seeing if I can hang with him physically without a problem," Federer told reporters on Wednesday. "He's the greatest challenger I've ever had."
"I am really motivated because I don't know how much better he can play. I don't know how much better I can play but I am right there and he's playing the tennis of his life."
Federer was unable to seal a record-equalling 14th grand slam singles title after losing to Nadal in a five-set thriller at Melbourne Park, but he was largely pleased with his performance.
"I thought I played a great match for four-and-a-half sets," the 27-year-old said. "I guess I let go a little bit at the end. He looked tired and I couldn't take advantage of it.
"I think I played great off the baseline, I just didn't serve great and I think that cost me the match also.
"He's a great player at the moment," Federer said of the Spanish left-hander, whose last three victories against the Swiss have come in grand slam finals.
"He has proved himself on all surfaces now and I guess it all started for him when he beat me comfortably at the (2008) French Open. He forgot how it feels losing and I had lost to him a couple of times before that."
Federer said he would continue working with Swiss Davis Cup captain Severin Luthi as his part-time coach after an experiment last month with Australian Darren Cahill had been abandoned.
"I am very happy with Severin," he added. "We have been working the last one-and-a-half years together, so nothing really changes. I just continue with the great team that I have."
Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/?frm_TOIHome_top
I am ready to win, says Tiger Woods
MIAMI: Tiger Woods has set his sights on victory at this week's WGC-CA Championship despite making his first appearance in a strokeplay event since his astonishing playoff win at the US Open nine months ago.
The world number one shut down his 2008 season in mid-June to have reconstructive knee surgery before returning to the PGA Tour at last month's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.
"I'm ready to win, yeah," Woods told reporters with a steely glint in his eye after playing a practice round with Canadian Mike Weir at the Doral Golf Resort on Wednesday.
"That's why I'm here. (It) feels good to be back here. This golf course is playing just in great shape right now. The greens are perfect and the fairways are great.
"It was fun to get back out there, get a practice round under my belt and get ready for tomorrow."
Although a little wary of how he will adjust to the rigours of strokeplay competition, Woods has a remarkable record at the WGC-CA Championship with six wins at six different venues in nine starts.
On top of that, the 33-year-old has always loved playing at Doral, posting three victories here among six top-10s in just six appearances for an aggregate 89-under-par total on the flat, palm tree-lined layout.
"Certain golf courses just fit your eye," Woods said. "This golf course, ever since I played here in '98 for the first time, it just fit my eye. Even after the re-design, it still fit my eye."
In his hotly anticipated return to the game in the Arizona desert two weeks ago, Woods was encouraged by his form despite losing to South African Tim Clark in the second round.
"Everything was better than I thought," the 14-times major winner said. "It was a big shot of confidence for me to get out there and play again and feel physically sound.
"I thought I would be a little more sore but recovery from day to day has been great. It couldn't have been more positive, except for getting beat in the second round. But from a physical standpoint, it was better than I thought."
Asked to assess his readiness for Doral, Woods replied: "Well, I don't know. I haven't played a strokeplay event yet so it's kind of hard for me to give you a number on that. Physically, I feel good.
"But getting into a strokeplay event and where you're not playing an opponent and you're playing the golf course again; I'll have a better idea when the tournament is done.
"I just need rounds under my belt and this week will be a very positive week for me. Four rounds and no cut, which is exactly what I need."
Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/I-am-ready-to-win-says-Tiger-Woods/articleshow/4253133.cms
The world number one shut down his 2008 season in mid-June to have reconstructive knee surgery before returning to the PGA Tour at last month's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.
"I'm ready to win, yeah," Woods told reporters with a steely glint in his eye after playing a practice round with Canadian Mike Weir at the Doral Golf Resort on Wednesday.
"That's why I'm here. (It) feels good to be back here. This golf course is playing just in great shape right now. The greens are perfect and the fairways are great.
"It was fun to get back out there, get a practice round under my belt and get ready for tomorrow."
Although a little wary of how he will adjust to the rigours of strokeplay competition, Woods has a remarkable record at the WGC-CA Championship with six wins at six different venues in nine starts.
On top of that, the 33-year-old has always loved playing at Doral, posting three victories here among six top-10s in just six appearances for an aggregate 89-under-par total on the flat, palm tree-lined layout.
"Certain golf courses just fit your eye," Woods said. "This golf course, ever since I played here in '98 for the first time, it just fit my eye. Even after the re-design, it still fit my eye."
In his hotly anticipated return to the game in the Arizona desert two weeks ago, Woods was encouraged by his form despite losing to South African Tim Clark in the second round.
"Everything was better than I thought," the 14-times major winner said. "It was a big shot of confidence for me to get out there and play again and feel physically sound.
"I thought I would be a little more sore but recovery from day to day has been great. It couldn't have been more positive, except for getting beat in the second round. But from a physical standpoint, it was better than I thought."
Asked to assess his readiness for Doral, Woods replied: "Well, I don't know. I haven't played a strokeplay event yet so it's kind of hard for me to give you a number on that. Physically, I feel good.
"But getting into a strokeplay event and where you're not playing an opponent and you're playing the golf course again; I'll have a better idea when the tournament is done.
"I just need rounds under my belt and this week will be a very positive week for me. Four rounds and no cut, which is exactly what I need."
Source:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/I-am-ready-to-win-says-Tiger-Woods/articleshow/4253133.cms
Kallis to captain South Africa in third test
JOHANNESBURG: South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis will captain the side in the third Test against Australia next week.
Kallis replaces Ashwell Prince, the official vice-captain, who was recalled to the team after captain Graeme Smith broke his finger in the second Test in Durban.
Smith suffered the injury while batting in the first innings of a match South Africa lost by 175 runs to go 2-0 down in the series with one Test left.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) said Kallis was taking over "...to allow Prince to concentrate on his new position of opening batsman."
Prince has represented his country in 47 Tests but never as an opener.
CSA also said it would consider hosting the Champions Trophy in September once it receives an official invitation from the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Executive Board.
The ICC's Chief Executive's Committee recommended to its board that South Africa be invited to host the tournament instead of Sri Lanka for weather reasons
Source:http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Kallis-to-captain-South-Africa-in-third-Test/articleshow/4253260.cms
Kallis replaces Ashwell Prince, the official vice-captain, who was recalled to the team after captain Graeme Smith broke his finger in the second Test in Durban.
Smith suffered the injury while batting in the first innings of a match South Africa lost by 175 runs to go 2-0 down in the series with one Test left.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) said Kallis was taking over "...to allow Prince to concentrate on his new position of opening batsman."
Prince has represented his country in 47 Tests but never as an opener.
CSA also said it would consider hosting the Champions Trophy in September once it receives an official invitation from the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Executive Board.
The ICC's Chief Executive's Committee recommended to its board that South Africa be invited to host the tournament instead of Sri Lanka for weather reasons
Source:http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Kallis-to-captain-South-Africa-in-third-Test/articleshow/4253260.cms
South Africa may host Champions Trophy: ICC
NEW DELHI: South Africa may replace Sri Lanka as the venue of the Champions Trophy tournament later this year, the International Cricket Council said on Wednesday.
A teleconference between members of the ICC's chief executives' committee, comprising representatives of the 10 Test nations, concluded that South Africa would provide better weather conditions than Sri Lanka in September-October.
A final decision on the twice-postponed tournament, the second biggest after the World Cup, will be taken by the ICC's Executive Board in Dubai on Monday.
The committee recommended the tournament be switched to South Africa because "it was felt that it would be too great a risk to stage the tournament in Colombo at a time of year when there was a distinct possibility of rain," ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in a statement.
"This was especially relevant given the length of this year's Champions Trophy has been reduced to 12 days, part of our desire to make it a short, sharp event, as on that basis there would be no room for reserve days.
"South Africa was a successful and excellent host of the ICC World Twenty20 at much the same time of year two years ago and the weather pattern in the area around Johannesburg in September and October is stable and ideal for cricket.
"The meeting therefore agreed it would be prudent to look to hold the tournament in South Africa, subject to agreement over financial arrangements."
The eight-nation tournament was originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan last year, but was put off by a year and then taken away from the strife-torn nation due to security concerns.
The teleconference came just over a week after a deadly attack on the Sri Lanka team in the Pakistani city of Lahore that killed eight people and injured seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach.
Sri Lanka, the original reserve venue, was also thrown in doubt due to the seasonal wet weather in the months of September and October when the tournament is due to be held.
The previous Champions Trophy was held in India in 2006 and won by Australia.
Source:http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/South-Africa-may-host-Champions-Trophy-ICC/articleshow/4252845.cms
A teleconference between members of the ICC's chief executives' committee, comprising representatives of the 10 Test nations, concluded that South Africa would provide better weather conditions than Sri Lanka in September-October.
A final decision on the twice-postponed tournament, the second biggest after the World Cup, will be taken by the ICC's Executive Board in Dubai on Monday.
The committee recommended the tournament be switched to South Africa because "it was felt that it would be too great a risk to stage the tournament in Colombo at a time of year when there was a distinct possibility of rain," ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in a statement.
"This was especially relevant given the length of this year's Champions Trophy has been reduced to 12 days, part of our desire to make it a short, sharp event, as on that basis there would be no room for reserve days.
"South Africa was a successful and excellent host of the ICC World Twenty20 at much the same time of year two years ago and the weather pattern in the area around Johannesburg in September and October is stable and ideal for cricket.
"The meeting therefore agreed it would be prudent to look to hold the tournament in South Africa, subject to agreement over financial arrangements."
The eight-nation tournament was originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan last year, but was put off by a year and then taken away from the strife-torn nation due to security concerns.
The teleconference came just over a week after a deadly attack on the Sri Lanka team in the Pakistani city of Lahore that killed eight people and injured seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach.
Sri Lanka, the original reserve venue, was also thrown in doubt due to the seasonal wet weather in the months of September and October when the tournament is due to be held.
The previous Champions Trophy was held in India in 2006 and won by Australia.
Source:http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/South-Africa-may-host-Champions-Trophy-ICC/articleshow/4252845.cms
Sangakkara appointed Sri Lanka skipper
New Delhi: Kumara Sangakkara will lead Sri Lanka in the World T20 Championship in England later this year.
Sangakkara has been Sri Lanka's vice-captain for three years and succeeds Mahela Jayawardene, who stepped down as captain at the end of the two-test series in Pakistan that was abandoned last week after terrorists attacked the team's bus in Lahore.
Muttiah Muralitharan has been appointed his deputy in the provisional 25-member squad announced by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board's selection committee.
Sri Lanka do not have any international fixtures until the World Twenty20 tournament which begins on the June 5.
Source:http://cricketnext.in.com/news/sangakkara-appointed-sri-lanka-skipper/38998-13.html
Sangakkara has been Sri Lanka's vice-captain for three years and succeeds Mahela Jayawardene, who stepped down as captain at the end of the two-test series in Pakistan that was abandoned last week after terrorists attacked the team's bus in Lahore.
Muttiah Muralitharan has been appointed his deputy in the provisional 25-member squad announced by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board's selection committee.
Sri Lanka do not have any international fixtures until the World Twenty20 tournament which begins on the June 5.
Source:http://cricketnext.in.com/news/sangakkara-appointed-sri-lanka-skipper/38998-13.html
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