I followed my heart, says Kaka

MILAN: Brazilian superstar Kaka has revealed that he followed his heart in choosing to stay at AC Milan rather than take up an offer of a reported 15 million euros a season to join Manchester City.

Milan president and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi announced the news late on Monday to end one of the most dramatic transfer sagas of all time. Moneybags City, owned by the Abu Dhabi Group, had bid a reported world record 100 million euros for the former World Player of the Year and Milan gave the 26-year-old permission to talk to the English Premier League club.

But Kaka has told Milan's official TV channel that the Italian giants' fans had played a significant role in convincing him to stay. "All the messages I received convinced me to choose with my heart and I think in the end that's what I did. It was definitely not a financial decision," he said.

"There were bits of information, claims, a lot of speculation which over these last few days even created a bad impression of my father. That's not the case, I've never argued with my father. I always make decisions within the family, my wife has also been wonderful, she helped me a lot and has always supported me in my decisions. My family have been great and never tried to push me one way or another. In the end it is my history which has been decisive, where my legacy is and where in reality my heart is."

Kaka denied that he was using the interest from City to try to get a pay rise at Milan, where he is already supposedly the second highest paid player in Italy behind Inter Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

"There have also been claims made that every time offers are made for me it's because I want to renew my contract," he added. "That's not true. Every time a team has come and proposed something to me it's Milan who have tried to please me. For this I have to thank everyone who works at Milan."

Kaka, somewhat diplomatically, described Berlusconi and Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani as incredible people and thanked Milan's technical director and his compatriot Leonardo, a former player at the club.

"He is more than a friend, someone who is always close by," he said. "Right now I don't want to change anything, I want some peace and quiet."

A devout evangelical Christian who removes his jersey to display a T-shirt bearing the message 'I Belong to Jesus' whenever Milan win something, Kaka revealed he had prayed a lot over these last few days. "It was an emotional and unforgettable night," he said about Monday. "My team-mates have been great, they supported me, they touched me."

Fans who on Monday had protested against the proposed sale outside Kaka's home and Milan's headquarters on Monday quickly began celebrating. "He's staying with us, he's staying with us," went up the cheer after news broke that the Brazilian had rejected City.

Berlusconi, who had previously said Milan could not stand in Kaka's way with such a sum of money on the table, praised the attacking midfielder for rejecting financial riches. "We're all delighted," he said. "But he didn't want to leave even for a perfect offer from Manchester (City) and he said no without even knowing what the offer was. Hence, he is staying with us and we can't be anything but delighted because money is important but there are other things more important than money."

And the Italian prime minister insisted Milan had never accepted City's bid.

"No, we told Kaka to think about it, as we did with (Andrei) Shevchenko (when he joined Chelsea), we said we didn't want to prohibit someone from considering an offer that was double what Milan could pay, also because it was clear we could not make a counter offer because had we, we would have had to do likewise with all the other players and that wouldn't have been logical or in our budget. Kaka never expected us to make an offer and as a fan I have to say I'm delighted."

Galliani for his part said Milan's fans had to thank Berlusconi for not taking the money on offer. "Once more the fans should thank president Berlusconi for his economic strength," he said.

"Because there was a strong temptation in front of us and a number that was a stratospheric world record."

Source; http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/I_followed_my_heart_says_Kaka/articleshow/4006977.cms

Nadal blows Rochus off court

MELBOURNE: World number one Rafael Nadal sent out an ominous warning to his rivals when he blew Belgium's Christophe Rochus off court 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.

The Spaniard was in devastating form, serving 10 aces and blasting 44 winners in a virtuoso display of power and precision.

Rochus was almost reduced to a spectator at times as Nadal's ground stokes either landed deep in the corner or hugged the sidelines.

When the Belgian tried something different and came forward to the net, Nadal's passing shots whistled by, leaving Rochus either stranded on the service line or lunging at thin air.

Nadal broke Rochus three times in the first set and barely conceded a point off his own serve as he won the set 6-0 in only 19 minutes.

Rochus finally got on the scoreboard in the ninth game of the match, but with his first serves hovering just below 180kmh and his second serves barely passing 130kmh, every service game was a struggle.

The second set lasted just 10 minutes longer than the first but at least Rochus began to get into the match.

However, Nadal was never in danger and he broke Rochus another two times in the third to take the match in a lightning quick 77 minutes.

Nadal, who took over from Roger Federer as world number one during 2009, said he felt little different coming to the year's first Grand Slam as the world's best player.

"I feel the same -- I am just trying to play my best tennis," he said.

"All that's changed is a number." He said he had been happy being number two and now he was just as pleased being in the top spot. "But in tennis your career continues -- you can't just stop (because you're number one)," he said.

Soruce: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ruthless_Nadal_blows_Rochus_off_court/articleshow/4007958.cms

Man United tap Sahara for sponsorship deal

NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW: Imagine the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney turning out to play for their club with the name of an Indian company prominently emblazoned on their shirts.

This is no idle fantasy. Manchester United, the world's biggest football club, has reportedly approached the Sahara group for a sponsorship deal.

Sources said the club has been seeking sponsors and has sent a proposal to Sahara - which supports the Indian cricket team - for sponsoring the team's shirt.

Abhijit Sarkar, the head of Sahara's corporate communication, confirmed receiving the proposal but declined to comment further.

When TOI contacted Man U, a club official said, "We have been in touch with a lot of sponsors and hope to strike something in the near future."

Currently, American International Group (AIG) has a contract for sponsoring Man U shirts for £56.5 million (about Rs 415 crore). The four-year deal began in 2006.

But with AIG being hit hard by the financial meltdown, the deal appears to have run into trouble. That could explain Manchester United's search for new avenues of sponsorship.

Sahara keen on Man U proposal

World's premier football club Manchester United has sent a proposal to Sahara group for sponsoring the team's shirt.

According to sources, Man U's commercial director Richard Arnold has sent a proposal letter to the Lucknow-based group along with a host of related material like the club T-shirt with Sahara logo and a detailed dossier displaying pictures of Ronaldo and Rooney wearing T-shirts with the company name.

Sahara currently pays BCCI more than Rs 400 crore for shirt sponsorship of Team India for January 2006 to December 2009. The original amount was Rs 313 crore for three years, but the payout increased after the Indian board decided to play more One-day and Twenty20 matches.

This is the first time that any English football club - leave alone Man U, which has around 333 million fans worldwide - has looked to an Indian firm for sponsorship. Evidently, Sahara India's association with Indian cricket and hockey teams for more than a decade attracted the attention of Man U's bosses.

Sources in Sahara said they were keen on opening a dialogue with Man U but officials were tightlipped on proposal details.

"We have a healthy partnership with BCCI and the Indian Hockey Federation. Our foray into sports sponsorship has been very fruitful. But I can neither confirm nor deny the latest Man U move at the moment," said a top Sahara official.

Sources said Sahara wants the English club to first come to India and play a few matches. If Sahara does put its name on the Man-U shirt it will join the likes of AIG, Vodafone and Sharp who have done so earlier.


Sponsor Team Deal amount
Sahara Indian cricket team Over Rs 400cr
Tamoil Juventus 15m pounds a year
BenQ Real Madrid 14m pounds a year (2006)
T-Mobile Bayern Munich 11.4m pounds a year
Samsung Chelsea 10m pounds a year
Emirates Arsenal 100m pounds
AIG Man United 14m pounds a year
Carlsberg Liverpool 8m pounds a year

Arsenal amount also includes a 15-year stadium naming rights and eight-year team’s shirt deal

Source: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/eplarticleshow/4004105.cms

Murray eyes top spot in six months

MELBOURNE: Britain's Andy Murray on Tuesday said that his sublime form could make him world number one in six months as he targets a maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne.

Murray, 21, reached the Australian Open second round after just 12 games when veteran Romanian Andrei Pavel pulled out injured with the scores at 6-2, 3-1, and later quit.

The result means Murray has already bettered last year's first-round defeat to eventual finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as he hunts the first British Grand Slam win since 1936.

The Scot is currently the hottest player in world tennis, defeating all his fellow top-four players over the past year and reaching his first Grand Slam final at the US Open.

"I'd obviously love to be number one. I'm sure all players would at some point in their career. But I'd want to try and win a Slam first. I think that's the next step for me," he said.

"But if I play well the first six months of this year, I don't have a whole lot of points to defend. So there is a chance that I'd do it.

"I'm going to have to play like I did for the second part of the year last year. I'm going to have to do the same in the first part of this year, try and be very consistent."

Despite searing heat on Rod Laver Arena, Murray was coasting through the match after breaking twice to take the opening set in 31 minutes.

Pavel, playing in his 10th Australian Open and the second oldest man here at 34, called for treatment on his long-standing back injury between sets and lasted just four more games before pulling out, grimacing with pain.

Murray said it was a "shame" the Romanian's career was over. But he was glad to limit his playing time on Rod Laver Arena as temperatures soared to 40 C (104 F) in bright sun.

"Even when you sit down at the change of ends, you're expecting to go and chill out a little bit in the shade and it's roasting even when you're just sitting there," he said.

"That was tough. And if you have a long point, you can feel your feet burning a little bit."

The Florida-based Murray admitted he wasn't sure how he would cope with the conditions in a longer match but hoped his playing style, which relies heavily on drop shots and changes of pace, would help.

"I've trained as hard as I could and prepared very well. But when it's as hot as this, I don't know," he said.

"I think you just got to trust the work that you put in, you know, is good enough. When it's this temperature everyone's going to feel it. You just have to try and make your opponent do more running than you."

Murray won back-to-back Masters series titles either side of the US Open last year, taking his total to five for the season and his ranking to fourth, both British records.

He has already beaten Nadal and 13-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer in a six-match unbeaten run this year, raising hopes that the 73-year British Slam drought may be nearly over.

Soruce: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4004965.cms

I am ready to take on Nadia, says Sania

NEW DELHI: Sania Mirza survived a late onslaught from world number 61 Marta Domachowhska to set up a second-round clash with Russian 10th seed Nadia Petrova in the women's singles of the Australian Open, in Melbourne and Sania says 'she is ready'

Speaking exclusively to TIMES NOW, Sania said, "I am playing well, serving well and my forehand is back as before. I am not thinking about the match and am ready to take on Nadia."

On beating Domachowhska, she said, "It is 1-all now. She beat me once and I beat her now."

The unseeded Indian battled past the Pole 6-1, 6-4 in the first round. Nadia beat Kazakhstan Yaroslava Shvedova 6-3, 7-6 (3) in her opening round match.

Sania, playing her first singles match of the season after a long injury-lay off, was happy with her comeback match.

"It was a great way to begin after such a long break. I've not played a match in almost six months now. I'm just happy to have come through," she said after the match. Sania raced away with the first set in just 25 minutes, breaking the Polish player thrice.

The Indian led 2-0 in the second set before Marta stepped on the gas, winning four games on the trot, breaking Sania in the third and fifth games.

From a comfortable 2-0, Sania found herself trailing 2-4 in no time.

Under pressure, the 22-year-old Hyderabadi got her act together and went on to win the next four games to seal the issue.

Sania broke Marta in the eighth and 10th games in the process.

Sania had lost to Marta in 2003 in their first meeting and now the head-to-head record stands at 1-1.

Source: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4004876.cms

Murray, Williams sisters take easy route as Open sizzles

MELBOURNE: Andy Murray and the Williams sisters took the easy route at the Australian Open on Tuesday, breezing into the second round in furnace-like conditions.

As temperatures soared past 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), fourth seed Murray barely broke a sweat against Romanian Davis Cup captain Andrei Pavel who retired with a back injury when the Scot was leading 6-2, 3-1.

Second-seeded Serena Williams was equally comfortable in her 6-3, 6-2 mauling of China's Meng Yuan, not needing the ice vests offered to players between games in such sizzling heat.

Matching her sister, sixth seed Venus barely broke stride as she sauntered past Germany's Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-3.

While they cruised, Russian fourth seed Elena Dementieva survived a gruelling test before grinding down Germany's Kristina Barrois in three sets, while Polish ninth seed Agnieszka Radwanska became the biggest casualty so far.

Australian hope Lleyton Hewitt joined Radwanska on the scrap heap after slumping in five sets to Chilean 13th seed Fernando Gonzalez.

Murray is now undefeated in six matches this season as he goes in search of Britain's first Grand Slam title since 1936.

"Obviously you don't want to finish a match like that. Andrei's been having problems with his back for a year," said the world number four.

"It's unfortunate I had to stop but I felt like I was hitting the ball well. I guess if you want to do well in the tournament, it's good to conserve some energy. Hopefully that was a good thing."

The Scot, who was coasting through the match after breaking twice to take the opening set in 31 minutes, is the form player of recent months and is seen as a real chance to win his maiden Grand Slam title.

The experienced Williams is looking for her 10th major crown and her fourth in Melbourne.

Only a few select women, including Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, have won more major titles than the formidable 27-year-old.

Forgoing her usual flashy outfits for a nondescript dark blue number, the American powered past Meng in just 75 minutes.

"I think I hit some pretty solid shots, sometimes I even went for some shots just to try something different," she said, downplaying the effect of the heat.

"There wasn't so much humidity out there, the dry heat is actually better than the humidity. But it was definitely extreme conditions."

Venus, who has yet to lift the Melbourne title, was untroubled by Kerber.

"I'm feeling the best that I can and I'm glad to be in the second round," she said.

Dementieva is widely regarded as a dark horse for the championship after already winning two titles this year.

But the Beijing Olympic gold medallist was pushed to the limit in the 7-6 (7/4), 2-6, 6-1 win, emerging victorious to take her recent unbeaten run to 11 matches.

"I'm just happy to survive," she said.

Other players to progress included 13th seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, while China's unseeded Peng Shuai sent Italian 28th seed Francesca Schiavone packing. Wimbledon semi-finalist Zheng Jie beat France's Camille Pin.

Amelie Mauresmo, the champion in 2006, showed no signs of the thigh strain that forced her out of the Brisbane International in her 6-4, 6-3 win over Olga Govortsova.

On the men's side, French sixth seed Giles Simon quiety went about his business to beat unseeded Spaniard Pablo Andujar in straight sets.

World number one and top seed Rafael Nadal plays later on Tuesday.

Source: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4004841.cms

Murray, Williams sisters take easy route as Open sizzles

MELBOURNE: Andy Murray and the Williams sisters took the easy route at the Australian Open on Tuesday, breezing into the second round in furnace-like conditions.

As temperatures soared past 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), fourth seed Murray barely broke a sweat against Romanian Davis Cup captain Andrei Pavel who retired with a back injury when the Scot was leading 6-2, 3-1.

Second-seeded Serena Williams was equally comfortable in her 6-3, 6-2 mauling of China's Meng Yuan, not needing the ice vests offered to players between games in such sizzling heat.

Matching her sister, sixth seed Venus barely broke stride as she sauntered past Germany's Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-3.

While they cruised, Russian fourth seed Elena Dementieva survived a gruelling test before grinding down Germany's Kristina Barrois in three sets, while Polish ninth seed Agnieszka Radwanska became the biggest casualty so far.

Australian hope Lleyton Hewitt joined Radwanska on the scrap heap after slumping in five sets to Chilean 13th seed Fernando Gonzalez.

Murray is now undefeated in six matches this season as he goes in search of Britain's first Grand Slam title since 1936.

"Obviously you don't want to finish a match like that. Andrei's been having problems with his back for a year," said the world number four.

"It's unfortunate I had to stop but I felt like I was hitting the ball well. I guess if you want to do well in the tournament, it's good to conserve some energy. Hopefully that was a good thing."

The Scot, who was coasting through the match after breaking twice to take the opening set in 31 minutes, is the form player of recent months and is seen as a real chance to win his maiden Grand Slam title.

The experienced Williams is looking for her 10th major crown and her fourth in Melbourne.

Only a few select women, including Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, have won more major titles than the formidable 27-year-old.

Forgoing her usual flashy outfits for a nondescript dark blue number, the American powered past Meng in just 75 minutes.

"I think I hit some pretty solid shots, sometimes I even went for some shots just to try something different," she said, downplaying the effect of the heat.

"There wasn't so much humidity out there, the dry heat is actually better than the humidity. But it was definitely extreme conditions."

Venus, who has yet to lift the Melbourne title, was untroubled by Kerber.

"I'm feeling the best that I can and I'm glad to be in the second round," she said.

Dementieva is widely regarded as a dark horse for the championship after already winning two titles this year.

But the Beijing Olympic gold medallist was pushed to the limit in the 7-6 (7/4), 2-6, 6-1 win, emerging victorious to take her recent unbeaten run to 11 matches.

"I'm just happy to survive," she said.

Other players to progress included 13th seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, while China's unseeded Peng Shuai sent Italian 28th seed Francesca Schiavone packing. Wimbledon semi-finalist Zheng Jie beat France's Camille Pin.

Amelie Mauresmo, the champion in 2006, showed no signs of the thigh strain that forced her out of the Brisbane International in her 6-4, 6-3 win over Olga Govortsova.

On the men's side, French sixth seed Giles Simon quiety went about his business to beat unseeded Spaniard Pablo Andujar in straight sets.

World number one and top seed Rafael Nadal plays later on Tuesday.

Source: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4004841.cms

India beat Argentina, take 2-0 lead

MAR DEL PLATA (Argentina): India registered their second successive win, defeating Argentina 3-2 in the keenly-contested second hockey Test at the Es tadio Panamericano on Tuesday to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

India, who made a comeback to international hockey after almost a year, beat Argentine 2-0 in the first Test on Monday.

Centre-forward Shivendra Singh (12th min), Prabhjot Singh (40th min) and captain Sandeep Singh (59th min) scored the goals for the visitors while Mario Almada (13th) and Pedro Ibarra (46th) found the net for Argentina.

Eight-time Olympic champions, India, started from where they left yesterday and launched a flurry of attacks on the Argentine goal from the word go.

Indian forward line of Prabhjot, last match's goal scorer Deepak Thakur and Shivendra continuously unnerved the experienced Argentine defence with frequent raids while Tushar Khandker was exemplary on the left flank.

As early as in the fourth minute, India had a chance of taking the lead but Argentina goalkeeper Juan Manuel Vivaldi saved Shivendra's deflection from a Prabhjot set up.

For the second consecutive day, the Indian mid-fielders and linkmen Vikram Pillay, Rajpal Singh and VS Vinaya were outstanding at their work, setting up the forwards with accurately measured passes.

The constant pressure on the Argentina goal finally bore fruit in the 12th minute when Shivendra deflected home from a Sandeep set piece to give India a 1-0 lead after Argentine medio Tomas Argento obstructed Thakur just outside the box.

However, the lead was shortlived as the hosts equalised in the very next minute through wily Almada who was lurking dangerously around the Indian striking circle and was quick to wrong foot the Indian defence.

Source: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_beat_Argentina_take_2-0_lead/articleshow/4005796.cms

Milan are considering Kaka offer, says club TV channel

MILAN: AC Milan are considering an offer from Manchester City for Brazil playmaker Kaka, the director of the club's in-house TV channel said on Thursday.

"There's an offer for Kaka from Manchester City and it is being considered by Milan," channel director Mauro Suma said.

"Considered does not mean decided or accepted. We are not faced with a decision made or a done deed. There are still hours and days ahead."

A Milan spokesman said Suma's comments were not an official statement by the Serie A club.

Media reports have said City, the richest club in the world after being taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group, have bid more than 100 million pounds ($146.2 million) for the 26-year-old.

City manager Mark Hughes told reporters on Thursday that a deal to sign Kaka was still on for the Premier League club.

"It has been well documented that we have expressed an interest in signing the player," he said.

Soruce: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/eplarticleshow/3986314.cms

Harbhajan rescues India after Johnson wrecks top order

Tendulkar, playing his first competitive match since the Test series in Sri Lanka in August due to a shoulder injury, was greeted by an ear-splitting roar from some 35,000 home fans.

He opened his account by slashing Lee to the point boundary, but was lucky to survive the next over when he was stranded down the wicket as Clarke's throw narrowly missed the stumps.

Tendulkar had another escape before he had reached double figures, pushing a short ball from Johnson just out of the reach of debutant Cameron White at short point.

Johnson, however, had the final say as Tendulkar patted a slower delivery straight to White in the same position to leave India on 94-3.

Venkatsai Laxman, another veteran fighting to retain his place in the Test side, failed to score as he edged Johnson to wicket-keeper Brad Haddin.

Scoreboard
Australia 1st innings 430
(S. Katich, 66, R. Ponting 123, M. Hussey 146, Zaheer Khan 5-91, I. Sharma 4-77)
India 1st innings (overnight 68-0)
G. Gambhir lbw b Lee 21
V. Sehwag c Hayden b Johnson 45
R. Dravid lbw b Watson 51
S. Tendulkar c White b Johnson 13
V. Laxman c Haddin b Johnson 0
S. Ganguly lbw b Johnson 47
M. Dhoni b Clarke 9
H. Singh c Haddin b Watson 54
Zaheer Khan not out 35
A. Kumble not out 0
Extras (b24, lb9, nb5) 38
Total (for eight wickets) 313
Fall of wkts 1-70, 2-76, 3-94, 4-106, 5-155, 6-195, 7-232, 8-312
Bowling
Lee 21-5-49-1 (nb1), Clark 17-3-58-0, Johnson 20-4-62-4, Watson 15-3-37-2 (nb3), White 13-2-39-0, Clarke 15-2-35-1
Overs 101

Tailender Harbhajan Singh proved India's unlikely batting hero after Mitchell Johnson put Australia in charge of the first cricket Test here on Saturday.

Harbhajan smashed 54 as India, replying to Australia's first innings total of 430, recovered from 155-5 to 313-8 by stumps on the third day at the Chinnaswamy stadium.

Zaheer Khan chipped in with an unbeaten 35 during an eighth-wicket stand of 80 with Harbhajan as the last three Indian wickets plundered 158 runs after the famed top order had been decimated by Johnson.

The tall 26-year-old from Queensland claimed three wickets for 19 runs in the morning session to reduce India to 106-4 and left the hosts in danger of being asked to follow-on.

Harbhajan hit five boundaries before he was caught behind off Shane Watson just before stumps.
The four-pronged Australian pace attack of Johnson, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark and Watson prospered in their first Test appearance on Indian soil with sustained hostile spells.

The bowlers won a fascinating contest against India's veteran batsmen on a dual-paced wicket where deliveries rose alarmingly or keep low at times.

Rahul 'the Wall' Dravid, who had a brick wall unveiled in his honour by the local cricket association before the match, made 51 and retiring former captain Sourav Ganguly scored 47.

Sachin Tendulkar, needing 77 runs to overtake retired West Indian Brian Lara as Test cricket's highest run-scorer, was dismissed for just 13.

Dravid fell two balls after recording his 53rd Test half-century, trapped leg-before by Watson.

Left-handed Ganguly, who will retire from international cricket after the series, held fort for three hours before Johnson had him leg-before soon after tea for his fourth wicket.

India lost openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag in the first five overs after the hosts resumed at the overnight score of 68 without loss.

Gambhir was leg-before to Lee for 20, while Sehwag edged a wide ball from Johnson to lone slip Matthew Hayden after making 45.
Source: www.cricbuzz.com

India start well after Hussey's stubborn century

India made a spirited reply to Australia's 430 in the first Test here on Friday, reaching 68 without loss in their first innings by the close of the second day's play.

Openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir negotiated a tricky 18.1 overs before heavy rain brought an early end to the day's play that was marked by a solid century from the ever-reliable Michael Hussey.

The consistent left-hander shored up Australia's first innings with a gritty 146 before he was last man out soon after tea.

Sehwag began in his typical aggressive style, smashing seven boundaries against the four-man Australian pace attack on the way to 43 not out. His Delhi teammate Gambhir was unbeaten on 20.

India will resume on Saturday looking to build a sizeable total of their own on a wicket that is still batsman-friendly but could keep low later in the match.

Hussey, who averages an astonishing 70.60 in 26 matches after making his Test debut three years ago aged 30, has already scored nine hundreds and as many half-centuries in his remarkable career.

Entering the fray just before tea on the first day, Hussey batted for seven hours, hitting 15 boundaries and a six to frustrate India's hopes of terminating the innings early.

Hussey said the team's total had given the tourists a chance to put the Indians under pressure.

"I think it will definitely be harder to bat on as the Test match wears on," the 33-year-old said.

"It is already very dry and there are a lot of cracks in it. One can never really feel 'in' on it.

"You feel there is just enough variable bounce there to keep all the bowlers interested, particularly our fast bowlers."

Indian left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan, who bowled Hussey, finished with five for 91, while new-ball partner Ishant Sharma had figures of four for 77.

There was no joy, however, for the spinners. Indian captain Anil Kumble had unflattering figures of 0-129 from 43 overs while Harbhajan Singh went for 1-103 from 41.

Australia, who resumed on their overnight score of 254-4, lost all-rounder Shane Watson in the third over of the day, bowled off-stump by a sharp inswinger from Sharma.

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin put on 91 for the sixth wicket with Hussey, contributing 33.

Sharma removed Haddin and debutant Cameron White in the space of three overs after lunch but Brett Lee (27) helped Hussey along by adding 59 for the eighth wicket.

Sharma had Haddin and White caught in the cover region off deliveries that came off the barren pitch slowly, an indication that batting may become difficult as the Test progresses.

Hussey, who was on 49 when Watson was out, took charge with three boundaries off Zaheer, two of them exquisite cover drives and the third a ferocious pull to square-leg.

Zaheer claimed the last three Australian wickets in the space of 14 runs after tea, shattering the stumps of Lee, Mitchell Johnson and finally Hussey.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting Thursday notched his 36th career Test century, just three behind record holder Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 39.

The visitors were helped along towards their big total by shabby Indian fielding, highlighted by retiring former captain Sourav Ganguly letting the ball pass through his legs at mid-off.

Ganguly, 36, said on Tuesday he will retire from international cricket after the four-Test series ends.
Scoreboard
Australia 1st innings
M. Hayden c Dhoni b Zaheer 0
S. Katich c Dhoni b Sharma 66
R. Ponting lbw b Harbhajan 123
M. Hussey b Zaheer 146
M. Clarke lbw b Zaheer 11
S. Watson b Sharma 2
B. Haddin c Laxman b Sharma 33
C. White c Harbhajan b Sharma 6
B. Lee b Zaheer 27
M. Johnson b Zaheer 1
S. Clark not out 0
Extras b1, lb10, nb3, w1 15
Total for all out 430
Fall of wkts 1-0, 2-166, 3-226, 4-254, 5-259, 6-350, 7-362, 8-421, 9-429
Bowling
Zaheer 29.5-4-91-5 (nb1, w1), Sharma 30-7-77-4, Harbhajan 41-8-103-1, Kumble 43-6-129-0 (nb1), Sehwag 6-0-19-0 (nb1)

India 1st innings
G. Gambhir not out 20
V. Sehwag not out 43
Extras b4, nb1 5
Total for no loss 68
Bowling
Lee 5-1-12-0 (nb1), Clark 7-1-28-0, Johnson 4.1-0-23-0, Watson 2-1-1-0
Source: www.cricbuzz.com

Shoaib enjoys winning Pakistan return

Controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar marked his return to international cricket by taking two wickets to help Pakistan to a 35-run win over Canada in the four-nation Twenty 20 tournament here on Friday.

Shoaib, who last played for the national team against India last December before a spectacular fallout with the Pakistan Cricket Board, struck in his first over when he removed Abdool Samad and Mohammad Iqbal.

The 33-year-old finished with 2-11 although he suffered the indignity of being pulled for six by Rizwan Cheema.

Pakistan opener Salman Butt was man of the match for his 74 off 56 balls as the Asian giants made a modest 137-7 before Canada were restricted to 102 for 9.

Cheema and Manoj David added 52 for the third wicket to give Canada hope but once David was removed by Umar Gul, the home side lost their next six wickets for just 37 runs.

Pakistan were made to work for their runs and when skipper Shoaib Malik (9) was dismissed, they were 63 for 3 following the losses of debutant Shoaib Khan (9) and Younis Khan (13).

Butt's contribution was decisive with Misbah-ul-Haq (17) the next highest scorer.

Sri Lanka's latest spin sensation Ajantha Mendis took three wickets and was named man of the match as his side clinched a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe.

Mendis finished with 3-15 from three overs after ripping the heart out of the Zimbabwe middle order including dismissing Prosper Utseya with his 'carrom ball', which turns away from the right-handers.

Tatenda Taibu, the former captain, finished on 45 to push Zimbabwe to 106-8 off 17 overs in match shortened by the damp outfield at the King's City venue.

Sri Lanka openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Udawatte put on 36 in four overs, before Udawatte was caught behind.

Left-arm spinner Ray Price bowled an economical spell which yielded two wickets including debutant Jeevantha Kulatunga and Dilshan.

Thilina Kandamby and skipper Mahela Jayawardene were both run out as Zimbabwe reduced the Asian side to 77-5 before Chamara Kapugedera and Farveez Maharoof saw their side home.

On Saturday, Canada face Zimbabwe while Sri Lanka tackle Pakistan.
Source: www.cricbuzz.com

Stanford 20/20 goldrush gets go-ahead

The 20-million-dollar Stanford 20/20, the world's richest cricket match which had been in danger because of a bitter row over commercial rights, will go-ahead as planned, organisers said on Thursday.

The match, between the Stanford Supertars and England, had been thrown into doubt after a High Court hearing had backed objections made by West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) sponsors Digicel.

The telecommunications company argued that the WICB had entered an agreement with Stanford that "wholly compromises the exclusive rights granted to Digicel as principal sponsors of West Indies cricket".

That legal decision meant that either the match would have to be called off or that the Stanford Superstars side would be weakened by the withdrawal of most of the leading West Indian players.

But the match, the highlight of the week-long Stanford Super Series, will now take place as scheduled on November 1 after talks between the two sides proved successful.

Sir Allen Stanford, the man behind the cricket revolution in the Caribbean, said: "I am pleased with both parties' solution-oriented approach and most importantly that this matter has been finally resolved.

"We look forward to welcoming fans from around the world to the Stanford Cricket Ground to enjoy a fantastic week of cricket."

Reports in the Caribbean media earlier Thursday claimed a "commercial agreement" had been reached after a trans-Atlantic telephone conversation between Stanford and Digicel's Irish boss Denis O'Brien.

"Digicel is delighted to confirm that negotiations have been successful and that arrangements have been put in place to allow for the Series to continue for at least the next three years," said a statement.

"As such, the match scheduled between the West Indies and England on November 1 will now proceed.

"Digicel has at all times supported the Stanford initiative and from the outset sought a negotiated compromise with the relevant parties."

England all-rounder Paul Collingwood said he was looking forward to the match.

"It's going to be interesting, it's going to be certainly a good spectacle," said Collingwood.

"I'm sure there will be a lot of pressure on the day."

The row over the match began when the WICB originally agreed to make all their players available to play for Texan billionaire Stanford's select side.

But Digicel went to the High Court in a bid to establish that, as the contracted official sponsor of the WICB until 2012, it enjoyed commercial rights associated with a game that was, in effect, a West Indies XI v England.

The High Court upheld that argument and ruled that the Board would be in breach of its contract with Digicel if it sanctioned the match without granting commercial rights to its sponsor.
Source:www.cricbuzz.com

I didn't like the way I was dropped - Ganguly

day after announcing his retirement from international cricket, Sourav Ganguly has spilled the beans on his reasons for retiring."I didn't like the way I was dropped from Irani Trophy and that is when I decided to quit. To be honest, I felt I'd two outstanding years except the Sri Lanka series. It took me around 2 weeks to come to this decision," he said.Ganguly also said his family has been supportive of his decision. "I didn't want to create a big fuss over this. I know my family will be disappointed but I had to do this sooner or later," he said.When asked why he was subject to the most scrutiny of all the senior players, he responded, "Probably people didn't like my face." He dismissed any rumours about him intending to carry on for two more years. "I've not said anywhere that I wanted to play for two years. It was picked from an interview a year ago after I played against Pakistan," Ganguly said. Ganguly also said that he wanted to keep the announcement low-key with the series as a priority. "I didn't want to make much of a fuss and that's why I announced it at the end of the press meet because the series is more important," Ganguly said.He recalled his favourite moment as his debut test. "That has to be my first Test at Lords," he told reporters.

Soruce: www.cricbuzz.com

Ponting ends India lean trot with crafty century

Skipper Ricky Ponting ended his run drought on Indian soil with a superb century as Australia came back strongly after a shock start in the first Test on Thursday.

Ponting hit 123 to steer the tourists away from the first-over dismissal of Matthew Hayden to a more comfortable 254-4 by stumps on the opening day at the Chinnaswamy stadium here.

Ponting, who won the toss and elected to take first strike in good batting conditions, put on 166 for the second wicket with Simon Katich after Hayden was caught behind off the third ball of the match by Zaheer Khan.

Left-handed Katich justified his selection ahead of Phil Jaques by following up back-to-back centuries on the preceding tour of the West Indies earlier this year with a dour 66.

Ponting added 60 for the third wicket with Michael Hussey (46 not out) before he was trapped leg-before by Harbhajan Singh in the final session, the ninth time the Australian captain has fallen to the off-spinner.

Zaheer trapped Michael Clarke leg-before with the second new ball in the day's last over, at which time the umpires called off play.

Ponting set aside a disappointing average of 12.27 in eight previous Tests in India to compile his 36th career Test century, just three behind record holder Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 39.

"It was nice to get some runs today," said the skipper, whose 200th Test innings made him only the fourth Australian after Allan Border and the Waugh brothers, Steve and Mark, to achieve the feat.

"As I have said since I have been here, I have been working really hard and I have made no secret of it that my record here has been poor, and I want to rectify that.

"Today is one step in the right direction and it was nice get the team into a good position, but one innings does not make a tour. I have got a few more yet to play.

"At no stage today did I put any extra pressure on myself to play different shots or combat anything the bowlers were doing.

"It was all about watching the ball and playing it on its merits and trusting my defensive technique more than anything."

Ponting's 16th century as captain enabled him to stamp his authority at the start of his team's defence of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the four-Test series.

The only time Ponting looked in trouble was when India appealed for a return catch as the batsman, then on 110, drove a half-volley back to bowler Anil Kumble, the Indian captain.

With no TV review system in place for the series, umpire Rudi Koertzen consulted his colleague Asad Rauf before turning down the appeal, indicating Ponting had played the ball down into the ground.

Indian seamer Ishant Sharma applauded Ponting's knock, saying "all good batsmen go through a rough patch, but they come out of it because they are so good.

"But the fourth wicket in the last over has evened up things a bit. It was a very good effort on our part to concede just 254 runs in the entire day on a good batting wicket."

Sharma ended Katich's vigil just before tea when the batsman poked at a ball outside the off-stump and the edge was easily taken by wicket-keeper Mahendra Dhoni.

Scoreboard
Australia 1st innings
M. Hayden c Dhoni b Zaheer 0
S. Katich c Dhoni b Sharma 66
R. Ponting lbw b Harbhajan 123
M. Hussey not out 46
M. Clarke lbw b Zaheer 11
Extras lb5, nb2, w1 8
Total for four wickets 254
Fall of wkts 1-0, 2-166, 3-226, 4-254
Bowling
Zaheer 17.2-4-39-2 (nb1, w1), Sharma 16-3-49-1, Harbhajan 25-6-71-1, Kumble 27-4-84-0, Sehwag 4-0-6-0 (nb1)

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Sehwag says no to 'catches pact' with Aussies

Aggressive Indian opener Virender Sehwag said Tuesday he was against a "catches pact" with Ricky Ponting's Australia in the upcoming Test series after bitter memories of the last tour Down Under. "We suffered the most in the catches pact during the last series," Sehwag told ESPN-STAR Sports ahead of the four-match series starting in Bangalore on Thursday. "There is no point in having such an arrangement when the Australians are claiming one-bounce catches. We'd have won the Sydney Test if they hadn't claimed catches off half-volleys in that game." The Sydney Test ended the pre-series captains' agreement on taking the fielder's word on disputed catches, but Ponting recently said he was still open to the idea. "I will have a think about it and see if I think it is the right idea to bring it up again," Ponting had said. "Anil was the one who did not want that after the Sydney Test for one reason or the other. We will have a chat (before this series) and it's important to us Australians to play the game in the right spirit and embrace the culture." The Sydney match also almost saw Anil Kumble's Indians pull out of the series after a string of controversial umpiring decisions. The tourists agreed to continue only after the International Cricket Council pacified them by standing down West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor from the subsequent Perth Test. Sehwag said the hosts held an edge in the coming series as they had a balanced bowling attack. "Bangalore, Mohali and Nagpur (venues for Tests) have offered good bounce in the past and we can take advantage of these conditions with tall, fast bowlers," he said. "If we have spinning tracks, we have the spinners to extract advantage. Their spin department is weak and there is a wide possibility we can win the series either 3-0 or 3-1." Australia are hoping to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy they won by an identical 2-1 margin in the last two series in 2004 and earlier this year.

Soruce: www.cricbuzz.com

Ganguly announces retirement

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said Tuesday he would retire from international cricket at the end of the upcoming four-Test series against Australia."This will be my last series," Ganguly, 36, told reporters after a training session ahead of the first Test starting in Bangalore on Thursday."I've decided to quit. These four test matches will be my last. Before coming here, I spoke to my team-mates and hopefully I will go out with a winning knock."More to follow...

Soruce: www.cricinfo.com

Bangladesh name three newcomers

Bangladesh have included three youngsters to boost their depleted squad for an upcoming one-day series against New Zealand, selectors announced here.

Opener Imrul Kayes, middle-order batsman Naeem Islam and paceman Mahbubul Alam Robin were the newcomers in a 14-man squad for the three-match series starting here on Thursday.

The trio, belonging to the country's cricket academy, had consistently done well in domestic leagues and on overseas tours over the past one year, chief selector Rafiqul Alam told AFP.

"Kayes and Naeem are talented young batsmen while Robin has proved his worth as a medium-fast bowler. We have high hopes on them," he said.

The squad contains none of the 13 players who recently defected to the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL), including seven current or former internationals.

The selectors also recalled wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim, ignored for a recent one-day series in Australia, and fit-again seamer Syed Rasel.

Alam said the inexperienced squad was capable of causing an upset in the series.

"We hope we can win at least one match in the series," he said.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has banned 13 players, including former captain Habibul Bashar, for 10 years for joining the ICL.

Daniel Vettori's New Zealanders will also play two Tests.

Bangladesh squad: Mohammad Ashraful (capt), Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehrab Hossain, Naeem Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmud Ullah Riyad, Abdur Razzak, Syed Rasel, Shahadat Hossain, Mahbubul Alam Robin.
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Ntini and Nel dropped from ODI squad

South Africa dropped fast bowlers Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel from the one-day squad to play Kenya and Bangladesh later this month, with an eye on the 2011 one-day World Cup.

Ntini has been a permanent fixture in both the test and one-day squads for the best part of a decade but, like Nel, is 31-years-old and is deemed unlikely for the next World Cup.

"That has to be our focus now, building a squad for the 2011 World Cup is the priority," national coach Mickey Arthur told Reuters on Tuesday after the squads were named.

Veteran batsman Herschelle Gibbs was included in the one-day team, despite a disappointing performance in the recent tour of England.

"Herschelle still has that X-factor," said Arthur. "He still has the ability to win matches for us. We usually win if Herschelle does well."

The Proteas are due to play two one-day internationals against Kenya and a Twenty20 international, three ODIs and two tests against Bangladesh.

South Africa included uncapped all rounders Ryan McLaren and Rory Kleinveldt, chosen for the Twenty20 game, in the limited overs squads.

Off spinner Johan Botha has been made vice-captain.

"Johan is to be congratulated on his promotion and he will, in all probability, captain the side in the two matches against Kenya as we only expect Graeme Smith to recover from injury in time for the series against Bangladesh," Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola told a news conference.

South Africa's test squad contains 13 of the players who triumphed 2-1 in England in July and August, with Nel and second spinner Robin Peterson missing out.

Test squad: Graeme Smith, (captain), Neil McKenzie, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher, JP Duminy, Paul Harris, Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, Monde Zondeki.

One-day squad: Smith (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Amla, Kallis, Duminy, De Villiers, Justin Ontong, Albie Morkel, Ryan McLaren, Morne Morkel, Johan Botha, Steyn, Zondeki.

Twenty20 squad: Smith (captain), Loots Bosman, De Villiers, Gibbs, Duminy, Ontong, Botha, Rory Kleinveldt, McLaren, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Steyn.

Soruce: www.cricbuzz.com

Afghanistan and Hong Kong keep perfect records

Afghanistan's push towards a place at the 2011 World Cup continued on Sunday when they thrashed Jersey by 124 runs to make it two wins in two matches in the World Cricket League Division Four.

Batting first, Afghanistan made 203 for 9 in 50 overs and then bowled out Jersey for 79, a performance which delighted their coach, Kabir Khan.

"Everybody is very happy as we have taken one step closer to the final and the team has played very well," he said.

"Bowling wise, I am really happy and our fielding was excellent again today. We do need to work on our batting but I was not worried because I knew 200 runs would be a winning score on this wicket."

The top two sides in the six-nation tournament here will ensure spots in Division Three with the leading two nations there progressing to the final World Cup Qualifier in April 2009.

Left-arm spinner Nadeem Ahmed took 4 for 19 as Hong Kong also maintained their unbeaten record as they defeated hosts Tanzania by 134 runs after the home team were bowled out for 121 chasing 256.

Hong Kong's batsmen rattled up 255 with man of the match Moner Ahmed top scoring with 66 while skipper Tabarak Dar chipped in with 60. Italy's opener Andy Northcote enjoyed an eventful day in his side's 254-run thrashing of Fiji.

Twenty-five year-old Northcote, who shared an opening stand of added 140 with Thushara Kurukulasuriya (73), was five runs short of century when he collapsed with heat exhaustion. He bravely carried on to reach the three figures but retired soon after.

Italy reached 318 for 5 and then dismissed Fiji for 64.

Source: www.cricbuzz.com