Saina Nehwal off to winning start in World Championship

Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Aug 12 (PTI) Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal hardly showed any fatigue from a recent bout of chickenpox as she stormed into the pre-quarterfinals of World Badminton Championships with a straight-game victory over Russian Anastasia Prokopenko here Wednesday.

The 20-year-old, who was laid low by chicken pox just a few days before the championship, outplayed her rival 21-10 21-17 in 27 minutes in the women's singles second round.

The local favourite faces Bulgarian Petya Nedelcheva Thursday.

Among other Indians, men's doubles pair of Akshay Dewalkar and Jishnu Sanyal squandered a position of strength to go down 21-17 13-21 18-21 against 16th seed Vitalij Durkin and Alexandr Nikolaenko of Russia in 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, top seed Mi Zhou of Hong Kong beat Kiwi Michelle Chan Ky 21-11 21-15, while men's number one seed Chong Wei Lee beat Ola Fagbemi of Nigeria 21-11 21-14.

Anwar likely to get a key position with Pak team

Anwar likely to get a key position with Pak team

Karachi, Aug 12 (PTI) Former Pakistan captain Saeed Anwar is all likely to get a key position with the national cricket team after the left-handed opener today held a discussion with the PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt in Lahore.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said Butt met with Anwar and discussed how his services could be utilised by the national team.

"The PCB Chairman and Saeed (Anwar) will meet again in the coming week to discuss the plan in detail," the board said.

Butt, however, thanked Anwar for offering to assist the PCB and Pakistani players.

"I am thankful for Saeed's encouraging response and I am sure Saeed will be able to contribute a lot to Pakistan cricket," he said.

Anwar, a stylish left handed opener, has largely remained out of the limelight since his retirement in 2003 as he has devoted most of his time to religious activities. .

Zimbabwe refuses to send under-19 team to Pakistan

Zimbabwe refuses to send under-19 team to Pakistan
Karachi, Aug 12 (PTI) The volatile security situation in Pakistan continues to scare away foreign cricket team and even Zimbabwe today turned down an invitation to send its under-19 team to the trouble-torn country.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said Zimbabwe had security concerns about playing in Pakistan after which it was decided to send the Pakistan under-19 team to the African country later this year.

PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt said former England skipper Tony Greig's proposal to arrange a World XI tour of Pakistan has been rejected due to the huge costs involved.

"Yes, we did receive a proposal from Tony Grieg regarding a World XI team tour to Pakistan. Having evaluated it, we concluded that the costs were too high and perhaps the timing of the tour would not have served the purpose for us," Butt said in statement.

None tested positive in IPL: Modi

While Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi declared on Tuesday that no cricketer had tested positive for any banned drugs in the second edition of the T20 League held in South Africa in April-May. Modi’s reaction came in the wake of reports from South Africa that the country’s fast bowler Dale Steyn failed a drug test as a result of taking painkillers to recover from an injury during the IPL.Modi, reacting to this development, told reporters that he knew of this development from news wires just before addressing a press conference at the conclusion of IPL’s Governing Council meeting on Tuesday. (PTI)

Dale Steyn failed drug test during IPL 2: CSA

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 11: South African fast bowler Dale Steyn failed a drug test as a result of taking painkillers to recover from an injury during the second Indian Premier League, his cricket board said on Tuesday.

Cricket South Africa Chief Executive Gerald Majola said Steyn was found to have morphine level slightly above the normal because of the painkillers he took and CSA has submitted a report in this regard to the IPL authorities.

Steyn failed drug test during IPL 2: CSA

toi

JOHANNESBURG: South African fast bowler Dale Steyn failed a drug test as a result of taking painkillers to recover from an injury during the second Indian Premier League, his cricket board said on Tuesday.

Cricket South Africa Chief Executive Gerald Majola said Steyn was found to have morphine level slightly above the normal because of the painkillers he took and CSA has submitted a report in this regard to the IPL authorities.

"We are aware of the result and submitted a report immediately to the IPL on why this has happened," Majola said.

"There was a marginal increase in the presence of morphine in the sample and that was due to painkillers he took during that period. We are awaiting a reply from the IPL authorities," he said.

Steyn was out of action for most of the IPL in South Africa in April-May due to a thumb injury and played only three matches for Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Dr Mohammad Moosajee, South Africa's team doctor and a member of CSA's medical committee, however, said Steyn would not face any action as it was not a drug violation but an adverse analytical finding.

"This is not a doping violation as such but an adverse analytical finding, which is different," Moosajee said.

"Dale is known to have a history of chronic migraines and he suffered a thumb injury too during the IPL and he was on Myprodol, a painkiller that contains codeine", he said.

"Codeine converts to morphine within the body and that led to the adverse finding. Dale had taken the painkiller on the day of the test and the morphine level in his sample was found to be slightly higher (1.1 to 1.3 microgram per ml) than the 1 microgram per ml that is permitted," Moosajee explained.

"This is a matter between the IPL franchise and IPL but since Dale is also a CSA-contracted player, we were informed and we are now assisting in the process. We have sent a detailed report to the IPL and are awaiting a reply. We are confident that he will be cleared."

Codeine does not figure in the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) list of prohibited substances but morphine has been classified under narcotics.

Moosajee said there was some confusion regarding the name of the drug he was using as mentioned in the Theraupatiuc Use Exemption form because the brand name of the painkiller is different in South Africa.

Players are expected to fill these TUE forms before a test so that the testers are aware of the medication the player is under.

"This also led to miscommunication in the Theraupatiuc Use Exemption (TUE) form that the player submitted before the test," Moosajee said.

Steyn is the second fast bowler after Pakistan's Mohammad Asif to come under scrutiny for a failed drug test in the IPL. Asif was banned for one year after testing positive for nandrolone, which is a banned substance, in the inaugural IPL season last year.

TOI

Michael Schumacher calls off Formula One comeback

LONDON:

LONDON: Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher has cancelled his plans to return to Formula One because of fitness concerns, the German driver said on Tuesday.

"I really tried everything to make that temporary comeback possible, however, much to my regret it didn't work out," he said in a statement on his website.

"Unfortunately we did not manage to get a grip on the pain in the neck which occurred after the private F1-day in Mugello, even if medically or therapeutically we tried everything possible."

The 40 year old had been expected to drive for Ferrari at the European Grand Prix at Valencia on Aug. 23 with Felipe Massa recovering from a fractured skull.

Schumacher hurt his neck in a motorcycle accident on a racetrack earlier in the year and had admitted he was still struggling with the injury.

"The consequences of the injuries caused by the bike accident in February, fractures in the area of head and neck, unfortunately have turned out to be still too severe," said Schumacher.

"That is why my neck cannot stand the extreme stresses caused by Formula 1 yet. These are the clear results of the examinations we did on the course of the past two weeks and the final examination yesterday afternoon."

His surprise return to Formula One after retiring at the end of 2006 was seen as a major boost to the sport, which in recent months had been plagued by negative news headlines.

"I am disappointed to the core," Schumacher added.

"I am awfully sorry for the guys of Ferrari and for all the fans which crossed fingers for me. I can only repeat that I tried everything that was within my power. All I can do now is to keep my fingers crossed for the whole team for the coming races."

Italy's ANSA news agency reported that official reserve Luca Badoer would now drive for Ferrari in Valencia.

The 38-year-old Italian started 49 races for Scuderia Italia, Minardi and Forti without scoring a point between 1993 and 1999.

TOI

Ramprakash set for Test return?

Mark Ramprakash,

LONDON: Surrey batsman Mark Ramprakash, who has been in top form for the past three years and averages more than 100 in the county championship this
season, could be recalled for the fifth and final Ashes Test.

Geoff Miller, the national selector, refused to rule the 39-year-old out of contention, while Surrey's manager Chris Adams has described him as "the best batsman available for England."

"I'm not ruling anybody out," Miller told BBC. "What we have to do as selectors is measure the quality of what they are doing in domestic cricket and whether they can do it internationally. There's a lot more pressure in Test cricket, it's a different game altogether."

Ramprakash played 52 Tests for England with the last coming in 2002. "If I was an England selector picking my best side, he'd be in it," Surrey's cricket manager Chris Adams was quoted as saying in a cricket website "He is playing the best cricket of his life. He has done so for three years. I believe strongly he has been the best batsman available for England for those three years."

Ramprakash averages 42.40 against the Australians as against his overall average of 27.32.

TOI

Australian Cricketers' Association backs BCCI's stand against WADA

MELBOURNE

MELBOURNE: Australia's cricketers applauded the BCCI's stance this week to remove themselves from the World Anti Drug Agency's strict anti-doping code, and the Australian Cricketers' Association declared that it wanted an end to the controversial new code because it was too intrusive.

Under the code, athletes must declare to WADA three months in advance where they will be for an hour each day.

The ICC is a signatory to the WADA code and Australia's top cricketers have been subjected to whereabouts reporting since July.

Indian cricketers have rebelled against the new regime and persuaded the BCCI to withdraw from the code. The ICC sent representatives to India last week in an unsuccessful bid to prevent the powerful Indian body from breaking away.

Australian Cricketers' Association chief Paul Marsh said: "'Cricket Australia has been aware of our concerns for some time. The whereabouts provisions are less than satisfactory."

The protest from Indian layers has sparked hopes that cricket might go its own way. "The Indians are taking on WADA here and we are watching with interest," The Age quoted Marsh, as saying.

The ICC announced on Friday that it had formed a working group that would "'work to resolve the India players' concerns and report back to the ICC Board at the earliest opportunity."

Source:TOI

Australian Cricketers' Association backs BCCI's stand against WADA

MELBOURNE: Australia's cricketers applauded the BCCI's stance this week to remove themselves from the World Anti Drug Agency's strict anti-doping
code, and the Australian Cricketers' Association declared that it wanted an end to the controversial new code because it was too intrusive.

Under the code, athletes must declare to WADA three months in advance where they will be for an hour each day.

The ICC is a signatory to the WADA code and Australia's top cricketers have been subjected to whereabouts reporting since July.

Indian cricketers have rebelled against the new regime and persuaded the BCCI to withdraw from the code. The ICC sent representatives to India last week in an unsuccessful bid to prevent the powerful Indian body from breaking away.

Australian Cricketers' Association chief Paul Marsh said: "'Cricket Australia has been aware of our concerns for some time. The whereabouts provisions are less than satisfactory."

The protest from Indian layers has sparked hopes that cricket might go its own way. "The Indians are taking on WADA here and we are watching with interest," The Age quoted Marsh, as saying.

The ICC announced on Friday that it had formed a working group that would "'work to resolve the India players' concerns and report back to the ICC Board at the earliest opportunity."

Sania battles into Vancouver semi-finals

NEW DELHI

NEW DELHI: India's Sania Mirza faced a tough fight from Canada's Rebecca Marino before winning the quarter-final match of the $75,000 International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament in Vancouver.

According to information received, top seed Sania won 7-6 (2), 6-7 (3), 6-4 against the 18-year-old Marino in the Canadian city Friday night.

In the semi-final, Sania will meet the winner of the all-Canadian match between Sharon Fichman and wild-card holder Marie-Eve Pelletier.

Hyderabad gears up for World Badminton C'ship

STAFF WRITER 21:35 HRS IST
Hyderabad, Aug 7 (PTI) The city is all set to hold the prestigious World Badminton Championship as players from countries across the world have started pouring here.

Players from twelve countries have already reached the city for the mega event and another set of platers from twelve countries would reach the city tonight, Punnaiah Choudary, the Organising Secretary of WBC told PTI.

Top players like Peter Hoeg Gade of Denmark, Lin Dan and Tine Rasmussen have already arrived and the visitors are happy with the arrangements and hospitality, he added.

The seven-day championship will be held at the Gachibowli stadium from Monday.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Police is also busy making tight security arrangements for the high-profile event.

Siddle, Clark put Aussies on top in fourth Test

Scorecard

LEEDS (England): Peter Siddle took his Test-best figures and Stuart Clark marked his return to international cricket with three wickets as Australia bowled out England for just 102 at Headingley on Friday.

England, who won the toss, were routed on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test with Siddle taking five wickets for 21 runs in 9.5 overs and Clark three for 18 in 10 as Australia looked to level the five-match series at 1-1.

Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, then made 78, before falling short of his third hundred at Headingley in as many Tests, to help his side to 196 for four at stumps - a lead of 94.

Michael Clarke was 34 not out and Marcus North seven not out after Ponting and opener Shane Watson shared a second-wicket stand of 119.

Clarke was hit flush on the helmet by a Stephen Harmison bouncer on 27 and then, after several minutes of treatment, survived a huge appeal for caught behind following another short ball from the Durham quick.

Australia were on the verge of building an impregnable lead when fast bowler Stuart Broad took two wickets for four runs in six balls to have both Ponting and Michael Hussey lbw.

Australia, who had lost three wickets for 18 runs in 19 balls in total, were then 151 for four.

But that was nothing compared to England's collapse.

Clark took three wickets in quick succession as England, who won the toss, slumped to 72 for six at lunch before Siddle polished off the tail with four wickets for three runs in 14 balls.

Matt Prior (37 not out) and opener Alastair Cook (30) were the only England batsmen to make it into double figures in an innings that featuring four noughts and lasted less than 34 overs.

Clark, after Australia dropped off-spinner Nathan Hauritz, made a dramatic return in what was his first Test in nine months after an elbow injury and selectorial preference had kept him out.

The 33-year-old upheld his reputation for economical accuracy by taking three wickets for five runs in 21 balls.

England, already in trouble, succumbed to Siddle, in only his 11th Test, after lunch.

The 24-year-old Victorian, on a hat-trick when he bowls in England's second innings, surpassed his previous Test-best of five for 59 against South Africa at Sydney in January

Watson completed his third Test fifty in as many innings after being recalled during the drawn third Test at Edgbaston.

But fellow opener Simon Katich was out for nought when Harmison, in for Andrew Flintoff after the pace bowling all-rounder's knee injury ruled him out, struck fourth ball to have him caught by Ravi Bopara at short backward square.

Watson and Ponting took advantage of a succession of poor deliveries and played stylishly as they built a first innings lead before Watson was lbw to Graham Onions for 51.

Ponting, once again booed to the middle by some fans despite pleas by administrators, had previously pulled Onions's first ball for six and next ball struck him for four, with 17 runs coming off the Durham quick's first over.

But his tendency to play across his front pad undid him when he was lbw to Broad having faced 100 balls with a six and 12 fours in a dominating innings.

Earlier, England captain Andrew Strauss, fortunate not to be lbw first ball after having to request a toss delay when Prior suffered back spasms while playing football in the warm-up, fell for three when was brilliantly caught one-handed above his head by third slip North off Siddle.

And 11 for one became 16 for two when struggling No 3 Bopara carelessly guided Ben Hilfenhaus to gully.

Paul Collingwood was out for a duck after edging an away-swinger from Clark, in after Australia dropped off-spinner Nathan Hauritz and went with a four-man pace attack, to Ponting at second slip.

Left-hander Cook, who resisted for 104-minutes then fell to a good length Clark ball as Ponting's prediction that England's top-order would struggle without Kevin Pietersen, ruled out after the hosts' second Test win with an Achilles injury, came true.

Hockey World Cup 2010 rescheduled

Hockey World Cup 2010 rescheduled

CHENNAI: The Hero Honda hockey World Cup to be held in Delhi next year has been advanced by a week and will now be held Feb 28 to March 13, according to a press release from the Federation Internationale de Hockey (FIH), on Friday.

The reason assigned is to ensure a "better worldwide promotion of FIH's showcase event", the release stated.

The new schedule will avoid a clash of the World Cup dates with a couple of major tournaments, notably Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket.

The World Cup will see the best 12 teams of the world in action at the National Stadium in New Delhi.

Canada, Korea, South Africa and hosts India have already qualified for the World Cup. The qualifying process to identify the other seven teams will conclude in November 2009, the release added.

TOI

India beat Belgium to win Test series

three-match hockey series

BRAXGATA (Belgium): Arjun Halappa and Dhananjay Mahadik sounded the board as India beat Belgium 2-0 in the final Test to clinch the three-match hockey series 2-1 on Friday.

After losing the opener on Tuesday, India bounced back winning the second Test 4-3 and the visitors scored once in each half through Halappa (31st minute) and Mahadik (60th) to win the series.

The Indian midfield sparkled with swift rotations and overlaps which bewildered the Belgians.

Gurbaj Singh, Sardar Singh, Mahadik and Prabodh Tirkey kept a steady flow of passes among themselves and frequently stepped up the pace to set up attackers Rajpal Singh, SV Sunil, Tushar Khandker and Shivendra Singh.

India made their intentions amply clear with onslaughts from the start of play as the forwards penetrated in Belgium's danger zone repeatedly.

They were awarded their first penalty corner in the fifth minute when the ball was carried in the circle, but goalkeeper Vincent foiled Sandeep Singh's flick.

India eventually got the better of the Red Lions with a display of well manouevered skills and position interchanges.

They took the lead through a classic foray from the left flank where Khandker and Prabhjot moved in tandem at the baseline to set up Halappa who tapped past the hopelessly unbalanced Vincent.

Belgium got two penalty corners before the break but Vikram Pillay rushed out to abort the first one, while Adrian D'souza gloved away the second.

The second half saw the Indians again in full steam as their midfield not only denied Belgium space but also built effective turnovers.

India scored their second goal in the 60th minute from a penalty corner as Sandeep pushed the ball to Mahadik atop the circle. The 26-year-old Army man from Bangalore then unleashed an accurate low flick to the goalkeepers right to ensure victory.

India later left for Barcelona to begin the third leg of their Europe tour with a three-Test series at Terassa against world number four Spain.

TOI

Team for CT, Lanka tour to be picked on Aug 16

Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 6 (PTI) Indian squad for next month's triangular ODI series in Sri Lanka and ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa would be picked on August 16 in Chennai.

"Both the teams would be selected in Chennai on August 16. But the dates of the preparatory camp for the players are not yet finalised. It would be done in a short-while," BCCI sources told PTI.

The tour of Lanka features a tri-series, also involving New Zealand from September 8-14 with the teams playing each other once leading to the final.

Champions Trophy is to be held from September 22 to October 5 and all the teams have already short-listed 30 players which is to be pruned to the final squad of 15.

Hockey: India beat Belgium 4-3, level series

BRAXGATA

BRAXGATA (Belgium): Captain Sandeep Singh starred with two goals as India beat Belgium 4-3 in the second hockey Test to level the three-match series in the second leg of their ongoing European tour.

Sandeep sounded the board in 32nd and 64th minute while Hari Prasad (8th) and Rajpal Singh (55th) scored one each for India. Belgium scored through Tom Boon (4th), Cedric Charlier (11th) and Jeff Thys (18th).

India had lost the first encounter 3-6. India brought back goalkeeper Adrian D'souza, Sardar Singh, Rajpal, Gurvinder Chandi and Bharat Chhikara into the starting lineup on Wednesday, while Sandeep also recovered from flu to take the field.

The match began on an aggressive note as India tried to break the ice in the second minute, but Chandi's attempt was padded away by Belgium custodian Vincent.

Belgium earned their first penalty corner two minutes later when Sardar Singh playing as the freeman, committed a defensive error.

Resultant flick struck V S Vinaya leading to a penalty stroke which was converted by Boon to give Belgium the lead in fourth minute.

India fought back soon but couple of attempts for the equaliser by SV Sunil and Shivendra Singh were off the target.

However, Hari Prasad found the mark in eighth minute to level the score.

Belgium were back on their toes and sparkled with off-the-ball running and overlaps. Their efforts soon paid dividends as a faulty clearance by Sandeep was intercepted by Charlier who beat D'souza from the top of the circle to give Belgium the lead again in 11th minute.

The tally was further increased after seven minute after Jeff Thys got past both Vikram Pillay and Gurbaj Singh and beat D'souza low to his right.

India regrouped themselves and initiated onslaughts to reduce the margin. However, penetrations from Sunil and Rajpal Singh bore no fruit as Belgium captain Xavier Reckinger and Vincent stood tall.

However, India scored their second goal in the 32nd minute when Sandeep sank a penalty corner to the right of Vincent. Bharat Chhikara missed an open chance immediately after the break when he failed to latch to a Rajpal cross.

India, trailing 2-3 during the breather, again lost an opportunity midway in the second half when Chandi missed after a Sunil setup, but Rajpal Singh made amends as he flicked past Vincent from a penalty corner in the 55th minute.

India's match winner came from their last penalty corner after Chandi was fouled in the 64th minute. Sandeep fired home with aplomb to round off the tally in India's favour.

The third and final Test will be played on Friday.

TOI

Sania moves to second round in Vancouver

VANCOUVER

VANCOUVER: Targetting her second consecutive singles title, top seed Sania Mirza faced stiff resistance from American Mallory Cecil before snatching a hard earned win in the first round of the ITF women's tournament.

Sania, edged past 410-ranked Mallory 6-4, 7-5 in her opening match of the $75,000 hard court event.

Sania will next face American Laura Granville, who advanced to the second round after her Japanese opponent Aiko Nakamura opted out of contest during the third set. Nakamura was leading 4-3 in the decisive set when she opted out of contest.

Granville had lost the first set 2-6 but stretched the match to third set after winning the second 6-3. Sania had won Lexington Challenger event recently.

TOI

Sachin Tendulkar targets 15,000 Test runs

NEW DELHI:

NEW DELHI: Even after scoring close to 30,000 international runs ever since he started his career, Sachin Tendulkar feels he has not done enough as a batsman.

"I am not pleased yet with what I have done," said Tendulkar, who has scored a record 12,773 from 159 Tests at an average of 54.58 and 16,684 runs from 425 ODIs.

The 36-year-old Tendulkar, in an interview to Wisden Cricketer magazine, said he is now aiming to touch 15,000-run mark in Tests.

"Sunil Gavaskar has told me that I have to get to 15,000 runs. He said he would be angry with me and would come and catch me if I didn't. I admire him so much and to score that many would be a terrific achievement, but that is not the only aim," he said, adding that "to win the World Cup in 2011" is his another ambition.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting, 34, is close to Tendulkar's Test mark with 11,193 Test runs so far.

Tendulkar, earlier described as second best cricketer after Don Bradman in the history of the game by Wisden, said that if anyone comes close to his style of batting is his teammate Virender Sehwag.

"I would say Virender Sehwag comes closest to my style," he said.

Australian great Bradman saw himself in Tendulkar and the Indian batting legend was also the only modern player to figure in his all-time XI.

Tendulkar admitted that thinking of life without cricket after retirement scares him.

"It's a scary thought. It has been there for my whole adult life, it will be difficult, I have been around for a long time, I can imagine when I finish I will long to face just 10 more balls but you have to move."

He, however, said time has not come yet to hang his bat. "I will know when it is the right time, I won't have to be dragged away. I am the person who will make the decision and I will know whether I still belong."

Tendulkar also revealed how he endured pain while batting in the recent past.

"I always play in pain, all the time. I played with a broken finger for the last three months, but you know when pain is manageable or not, and most of the time I can do it.

"I can still do what I did when I was 25 but the body is changing, so your thought process has to change too. I have had to change how I think, which is about taking less risk," he said.

TOI

Eight franchises for premier league, T20

Eight franchises for premier league, T20

Bangalore, Aug 5 (PTI) Karnataka State Cricket Association tonight announced eight franchises for Karnataka Premier League, a Twenty20 tournament on the lines of India Premier League.

The following were the eight highest bidders : Brigade Enterprises Limited (Bangalore Urban team), Mel Mont Constructions Pvt Ltd (Bangalore Rural), S Shivashankarappa (Hubli-Dharwad), Subhas Enterprises (Belgaum), Siresh Auto Pvt Ltd (Mysore), Fizza Developers & Inter Trade Pvt Ltd (Mangalore), Vivid Kreation (Gulbarga) and Jayaprakash Hegde K (Shimoga).

The sealed bids were opened this evening, KSCA Officials said. The minimum bid price for prospective franchises was set at Rs 20 lakh.

The tournament is slated to be staged at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here from September 12 to 27. Meanwhile, the player auction is scheduled to be held on August 14.