A high-five for Paes-Bhupathi in Chennai

Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi capped a glorious reunion on Sunday by winning their fifth Chennai Open doubles title.

In a thrilling final, the top seeded Indian pair shrugged off a late charge to beat the unseeded Dutch-American combination of Robin Haase and David Martin 6-2, 6-7 (3), 10-7 to win their 24th title (in their 34th final) together.

The triumph, in front of a vociferous capacity crowd, was their first in Chennai in nine years. The duo had won three straight titles between 1997 and 1999 and added to their collection in 2002.

"What is important is that we won," said Bhupathi, in the post-match conference.

Paes did the elaboration bit.

"The level of tennis improved remarkably in the second set. We had no break points in that having broken them twice in the first," explained Paes, adding, "That showed how much they improved their game.

"We had to change our thought process and go back to teamwork to ensure the match went in our favour."

Pakistan-born Tahir added to S Africa's WC squad

STAFF WRITER 15:21 HRS IST

Johannesburg, Jan 10 (AP) Imran Tahir's hopes of playing for South Africa at the cricket World Cup were boosted today when the Pakistan-born legspinner was added to a provisional squad for next month's tournament.

Cricket South Africa said the 31-year-old Tahir, a former Pakistan A international, has replaced batsman Jonathan Vandiar in its 30-man preliminary squad for the February 19-April 2 event in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh - where spin bowling on slow, turning wickets is likely to be crucial to teams' hopes.

CSA said Vandiar had withdrawn "gracefully" from the 30-man squad to allow Tahir, an impressive performer in South African domestic cricket this season, to take his place.

"We feel that we need to widen our bowling options," said CSA selection convener Andrew Hudson. "I have discussed the matter with Jonathan and I would like to express my gratitude to him ...

Hope India are not embarrassed in Asian Cup, says Constantine

NEW DELHI: Former India football coach Stephen Constantine hopes the world No. 142 are not embarrassed by the big teams like Australia, South Korea and Bahrain in the Asian Cup.

Constantine, who led India to their famous LG Cup victory in Vietnam in 2002, said it would be tough for India to qualify for the next stage from Group C, where they are clubbed with two World Cup teams.

"I would like to say that they are going to do well, but looking at the group they are in (Group C along with Australia, Bahrain and South Korea) it is going to be a very difficult task for them. I only hope that they don't get embarrassed," he said.

Constantine advised the Indian team not to play a defensive game as they have nothing to lose.

"They will have to work very, very hard to close down their opponents and not sit back and try and defend for 90 minutes as that would, I feel, be a major mistake," Constantine was quoted as saying by ESPNStar.com.

"India have nothing to lose, in as much as nobody expects them to qualify for the quarterfinals. So, if they can show some spirit and go down with a fight, that would be a real plus," he added.

"They must fight for everything until the final whistle, keep their concentration, avoid silly mistakes and work together. They have been together for a long time so there is a great team spirit and a will to succeed. India must also ensure that if they go a goal down they continue to work," Constantine said.

Read more: Hope India are not embarrassed in Asian Cup, says Constantine - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/asian-cup-2011/Hope-India-are-not-embarrassed-in-Asian-Cup-says-Constantine/articleshow/7253922.cms#ixzz1AdcSYy8O

Lee may quit if not selected for World Cup

MELBOURNE: The Australian pace veteran Brett Lee on Monday hinted that an end to his cricketing future could be anytime near if he was overlooked by the selectors for the upcoming cricket World Cup in the sub-continent.

Lee while expressing his desire to lead the Australian bowling attack during the mega event said, "I hope that I am in it, and want to lead the attack for Australia."

Lee, who has already announced retirement from the Test cricket, was last month named in the provisional 30-man squad which is supposed to be altered to a 15 member unit during this month.

The fast bowler however remains positive of making a comeback in the ODI side after being overlooked by the selectors for the series against Sri Lanka earlier.

"Hopefully I can bring some experience and different blood back in the team. I'm ready to play, and if I'm chosen, it will be great; if [not] I'll work out plan B," Lee told Sydney Morning Herald.

The 34-year-old, who was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders for the IPL 4, insisted that he has recovered from the injury that kept him out of Twenty-20 World Cup in West Indies earlier last year and said that he was feeling better than ever.

"I've been bowling 12 overs each match in the 45-over competition, which is more overs than I could bowl in a 50-over match," he said while elaborating on his stint with the New South Wales.

"I'm really happy with the way the ball has been coming out ... It's easier on my body not bowling five days straight," Lee said.

The speedster added, "My pace is back to 150km/h so I'm really happy with where it is at. I don't look at [myself being] 34 and think I'm past it. I think there are a few good years ahead of me."

Lee, who is supposed to stage a comeback against a spirited English side during the Wednesday's T20 international, has been an important component in shaping Australia's fortunes in the 50-over game.

Kangaroos have won 11 of their 13 ODIs in late 2009 while Lee was at the peak of his form but could only manage to triumph in nine of 21 games while the speedster was sidelined.

Read more: Lee may quit if not selected for World Cup - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/icc-world-cup-2011/top-stories/Lee-may-quit-if-not-selected-for-World-Cup/articleshow/7252845.cms#ixzz1AdYeAahL

Ashes victory: The five best jokes at Australia's expense

MELBOURNE: The Australian cricket teams endured a humiliating defeat against England in the Ashes series, and naturally have been subjected to both ridicule and jokes.

Here, according to the Telegraph, are five best jokes.

1) What do you call an Australian with 100 by his name? A bowler.

2) Why can't Aussies open bottles? Because they don't have any openers.

3) What do you call an Australian with a bottle of champagne in his hand? A waiter.

4) What do you call a world class Australian? Retired.

5) What do you get if you cross the Australian cricket team with an Oxo cube? Laughing stock.

Read more: Ashes victory: The five best jokes at Australia's expense - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/series-tournaments/ashes-2010-yearn-for-urn/top-stories/Ashes-victory-The-five-best-jokes-at-Australias-expense/articleshow/7251843.cms#ixzz1AdYSb0je

Christian surprised at his fat IPL paycheque

MELBOURNE: Daniel Christian is struggling to come to terms with his fat Indian Premier League (IPL) paycheque of $900,000.

The medium fast bowler, who is also a useful hard-hitting batsman, is rated highly in Australia but many were dumbfounded by the price he fetched.

The 27-year-old, who has played just three Twenty20 internationals, moved to South Australia from New South Wales and it paid dividends as he gave some sterling performances and was selected for Australia's Twenty20 squad last year.

Christian had a base price of just $50,000, but Chargers won him only after paying 18 times his initial price, having seen off an intense bidding from Delhi Daredevils and new franchise Kochi.

The coaches of all three teams - Darren Lehmann (Chargers), Geoff Lawson (Kochi) and Greg Shipperd (Delhi Daredevils) - bidding for Christian are Australians who have seen him play for New South Wales.

"It'd be nice to earn those kind of figures in a full career. Its been a funny afternoon, to say the least," Christian reacted on his sudden fortune.

"It just goes to show how big the game is in India for that kind of money to be thrown around for guys. It's hard to comprehend over here but over there they're fanatical," he was quoted as saying in the Australian media.

He said that former Australian player Lehmann must have played an important role in his IPL selection. "Knowing 'Boof' (Lehmann) and having played with Boof has played a part in that for sure."

Christian said he would have been satisfied with even a far lesser amount.

"Compared to the other guys, I was just hoping to get picked up and play a part in it, so to go for $900,000, words can't really describe it,"

"I've had a good few months in state cricket, and by the look of things there's Deccan, Kochi and Delhi who were pretty keen to use my services," he said.

"By the look of the way the auction went yesterday, it looked like a bit of emotion gets involved with some of the owners. I'm lucky enough to be on the receiving end of that."