Beckham to return to AC Milan in Jan

Milan: England midfielder David Beckham will return to AC Milan on loan in January after the Italian club reached an agreement with Los Angeles Galaxy on Monday.

Beckham played for Milan for six months from January 2009, scoring two goals in 18 matches in a successful bid to win his place back in England's national squad.

"I had to give myself the best chance to play in the World Cup and playing on loan with Milan will help me do that," Beckham told Milan's Web site. "I enjoyed my last experience in Milan a lot and I can't wait to meet the team and the staff again.

"I have to thank (Los Angeles owner) Tim Leiweke and (Los Angeles coach) Bruce Arena for having given me this opportunity. I remain close to Los Angeles Galaxy and Major League Soccer and I care about football's development in the United States.

"Now I am completely concentrated on finishing this season in the best way with my club by winning the MLS Cup."

Negotiations for Beckham to return had been ongoing between Milan and the Galaxy for a number of weeks.

"We are delighted to see David Beckham back in the red-and-black shirt after his splendid experience last season," AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said on the club's Web site.

"We are sure that this period in Europe will help him make it to the next World Cup, and after that his career with Los Angeles Galaxy. We must thank them for agreeing to this deal." In March 2009 against Slovakia, during his time with Milan, Beckham became England's second most capped player when he broke Bobby Moore's record of 108 international appearances.

Currently, Beckham has played 115 internationals, with only former goalkeeper Peter Shilton ahead of him with 125.

It was England manager Fabio Capello who pushed Beckham to join a European club on loan in early 2009 to maintain his fitness during Major League Soccer's offseason.

Originally, it was scheduled to be a three-month agreement until the start of the MLS season. But such was his success that both Beckham and Milan sought to extend the loan period till the end of the European season.

Having helped Milan reach the Champions League, Beckham returned to the Galaxy to receive a hostile reaction from some supporters and criticism in print by teammate Landon Donovan.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder did little to smooth relations when he confronted some abusive fans after.

Soruce:http://www.financialexpress.com/news/beckham-to-return-to-ac-milan-in-jan/536622/

Gayle back as Windies for Australia tour

Bridgetown

Bridgetown (Barbados): Chris Gayle was reinstated as West Indies captain to lead a full-strength squad on a three-test tour of Australia later this month.

The 30-year-old Jamaican was appointed on Monday after he and other leading players had withdrawn from a home series against Bangladesh in July and the Champions Trophy in September due to a long-standing contract conflict with the West Indies Cricket Board.

Only four players that made themselves available during the strike action - allrounder Darren Sammy, batsman Travis Dowlin and fast bowlers Kemar Roach and Gavin Tonge – were selected to tour Australia from November 18.

Gayle, who has played 82 tests, will open the batting with 19-year-old Adrian Barath, the only player in the squad without international experience.

Barath, from Trinidad & Tobago, had been chosen in a 13-man squad for the test series against Bangladesh before the dispute between WICB and the West Indies Players' Association.

Jerome Taylor returns to lead the pace attack, and will be aided by Ravi Rampaul, Roach and Tonge.

Taylor's usual new ball partner, Fidel Edwards, has been forced to miss the series after injuring his knee while playing for Deccan Chargers during last month's Champions League in India.

Shivnarine Chanerpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and allrounder Dwayne Bravo are also back from strike action.

Australian-born Brendan Nash will return home for the first time as a West Indies player since making his debut 18 months ago.

The squad:

Chris Gayle (captain), Adrian Barath, Sulieman Benn, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Travis Dowlin, Brendan Nash, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Jerome Taylor, Gavin Tonge.

Agassi doping case not a dead issue: WADA

World Anti-Doping Agency

New York: The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) wants to investigate whether any charges can be brought against Andre Agassi following his admission that he lied after taking crystal meth in 1997 and failing a drugs test.

Agassi's revelations in extracts of his autobiography "Open", published last week in 'The Times' newspaper in Britain, stunned the tennis world and cast a shadow over the eight-times grand slam champion's glittering career.

"He took something from the banned list in 1997, we can't do much about that because it's outside the statute of limitations, the eight-year bar," WADA director general David Howman said on Sunday.

"Two things need a little bit more inquiry, if he's lied, and he's confessed he lied, so he's obviously lied and he lied under oath then I think that warrants further investigation to see whether there might be any other charges.

"We all know about Marion Jones, she lied to a tribunal, it can't just be one of those things you get away with," he added in reference to the American sprinter who served a six-month prison term for lying to federal prosecutors about her drug use.

"The second issue is, he had a lawyer represent him, does his lawyer know that he was lying?

"Maybe something can be done in relation to that."

After failing a drugs test, Agassi wrote a letter to the ATP asking for leniency because he had accidentally drunk a "spiked soda" belonging to his assistant.

Agassi received no punishment from the governing body of men's tennis.

WADA has an eight-year limit on punishment for doping offences but last week former Ukraine pole vaulter Sergei Bubka, a committee member on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said Agassi should be penalised for taking banned substances.

"It may not be something the ATP has any jurisdiction over. It may be that some other agency has to look at it," Howman said. "We just don't rely on sport to sanction for doping offences.

"These things have to be pursued," Howman added. "You don't just take them at face value, that it's outside the eight-year limit so nothing can be done. You've got to say maybe something else can be done."

Vancouver Winter Games torch relay diverted

STAFF WRITER 14:39 HRS IST

Victoria(British Columbia), Oct 31 (AP) Protesters forced the 2010 Vancouver Games torch relay to be diverted from its planned route, hours after organisers kicked off what is supposed to be the longest domestic torch relay in Olympic history.

Several hundred protesters, angry that billions are being spent on the Olympics instead of housing and health care, blocked Victoria city streets for hours yesterday, preventing the torch from passing by Government House and forcing organisers to reroute.

Relay organisers attempted to drive the torchbearers around the demonstration. Instead, they were taken several miles away to Victoria's waterfront.

Then, more than a half-dozen participants lined up side-by-side along the road, where they passed the flame from torch to torch without running their segments.

The run resumed with a short relay to the day's final stop, the provincial legislature.

Australia win toss, elect to bat

STAFF WRITER 14:13 HRS IST

New Delhi, Oct 31 (PTI) Australian captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat against India in the third one-dayer at Feroze Shah cricket stadium here today.

India are unchanged for the match but injury-hit Australia have been forced to bring in debutant Graham Manou to replace regular wicketkeeper Tim Paine, who broke his finger during the second ODI in Nagpur.

All-rounder Moises Henriques has replaced Shaun Marsh and Doug Bollinger comes in for Ben Hilfenhaus for the visitors.

The series is currently level 1-1.

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (c), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma.

Australia: Ricky Ponting (c), Shane Watson, Cameron White, Mike Hussey, Adam Voges, Moises Henriques, Mitchell Johnson, Graham Manou, Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger.

Irfan not to play against Delhi in Ranji match

STAFF WRITER 15:42 HRS IST

Vadodara, Oct 31 (PTI) After missing Irani Trophy and Twenty20 tournaments earlier this year, medium pacer Irfan Pathan has preferred opted out of the first Ranji Tie against Delhi beginning here November 3 due to a knee injury.

He has been replaced by Shatrunjay Gaekwad, who had been dropped from the initial team announced by the selection committee of Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) a couple of days ago.

In irfan's absence, Connor Williams will lead the team and Pinal Shah would be his deputy.

The team: Connor Williams (Capt), Satyajit Parab, Yusuf Pathan, Jacob Martin, Azhar Bilakhia, Pinal Shah(V. Capt, WK), Rakesh Solanki, Shatrunjay Gaekwad, Rajesh Pawar, Sankalp Vohra, Ketan Panchal, Swapnil Singh, Salim Yusuf Veragi, Ajitesh Argal and Murtuja Vahora.

Brett Lee out of India series, returns to Australia

STAFF WRITER 19:37 HRS IST

New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) Injury-ravaged Australia's campaign in the ongoing one-day series against India received a body blow today with pace spearhead Brett Lee ruled out of the remainder of the series because of an elbow injury.

The 32-year-old would return home midway through the series to consult specialists, the team management said in a statement.

Lee was unable to complete his 10-over spell during the first ODI against India in Baroda and was not available for selection in the second match of the series in Nagpur.

Today, he had a light practice at the Ferozeshah Kotla and captain Ricky Ponting said he was 85 percent fit.

"Brett's elbow injury has not responded as well to treatment as we would have liked and therefore a decision has been made to send him home to consult with an elbow specialist," team physiotherapist Kevin Sims said.

Less ODI would prolong Tendulkar’s career: Border

NEW DELHI, Oct 29: Sachin Tendulkar should cut down on his limited over appearances to prolong his Test career, feels former Australia captain Allan Border. "I have high esteem for Tendulkar and his achievements in international cricket. But I think, it would be better for him to appear in fewer limited over matches, including one-dayers. It would help him to prolong his Test career," Border said. Border, who made 11,174 runs for Australia from 156 Tests, feels Tendulkar’s ability to handle pressure is the mantra behind his success in international cricket. "Representing your country for 20 years in international arena is not a small achievement. There is always a lot of pressure on an international cricketer and I must say Tendulkar has managed it beautifully," Border said. Tendulkar, who has till date scored 12,773 runs from 159 Tests, since making his debut against Pakistan in Karachi way back in 1989. "Like many others, his career was also disturbed by injuries. But even after many ups and downs, Tendulkar still has the same passion and love for the game," said Border, who is here as the brand ambassador of Airtel Delhi Half Marathon to be held on Sunday. "Tendulkar is a player who always looks for improvement. It would be very difficult for others to climb to his stature," the former left-handed batsman said. Border also expects a keen contest between India and Australia in the ongoing seven-match ODI series, but feels the hosts have the momentum after last night’s comprehensive win. "After thrashing Australia in the second match, India certainly has gained the momentum. But both the teams are evenly powerful and I expect a close finish, probably a 4-3," the 54-year-old Aussie said. Riding on skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s breathtaking 107-ball 124, India crushed Australia by 99 runs to claw their way back into the series, which is now levelled at 1-1. "India would have a slight edge because they know the environment. And it is always difficult to deal with so many injuries while playing such a long series. It’s very important to keep the key players fit," Border said. Australia’s injury woes deepened when wicketkeeper Tim Paine was ruled out for the rest of the series after he broke his finger during the second ODI in Nagpur. "The team (Australia) is still going though a transition period after retirements of players like Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Justin Langer. It is always difficult to fill the void," Border said. He also lavished praise on India captain Dhoni for his leadership qualities. "Dhoni is a aggressive captain and he has brought about that attitude in the squad. He is leading by example like what he did in the last match. He is also getting support from his team-mates," Border said. (PTI)

India win by 99 runs

NAGPUR, Oct 28: Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni struck a breathtaking 124 as India put up an all-round display to crush Australia by 99 runs in the second one-dayer to level the seven-match series 1-1, here tonight.
Dhoni smashed a 107-ball 124 to guide India to a record 354 for seven, the highest against Australia, after they were sent in to bat before the home team bowlers bundled out the visitors for 255 in 48.3 overs at VCA Stadium at Jamtha, to cancel out their narrow four-run loss in Vadodara on Sunday. Besides tearing visiting attack to shreds to notch up his fifth ODI ton in 147 matches, Dhoni clobbered two century stands 119 with Gambhir for fourth wicket and 136 with Raina for the fifth, pushing India score past earlier highest against Australia 315 all out in Bangalore in March 2001. The Australian bowlers felt the full fury of Dhoni’s blade after Gambhir was run out just before the mandatory change of ball. Dhoni joined forces with another left-hander Raina, who struck one six and six fours, to simply tear the Aussie attack to ribbons with a partnership of 136 in only 96 balls.

Matthaeus rejects coaching job

Hamburg, Oct 28: Former Germany captain Lothar Matthaeus has turned down an offer to coach Argentina’s Racing Club, it was reported on Wednesday. Germany’s Bild newspaper said Matthaeus (48), informed the club of his decision in an SMS short text message. The report quoted Juan Cobian, an adviser involved in contract negotiations, as saying Racing had fulfilled all of the former player’s demands. “Then came the rejection during the night by SMS. That was ridiculous. We are all disappointed,” he was quoted as saying. Racing Club president Rodolfo Molina had said on Saturday that Matthaeus was due to arrive “next week” and to take over from Ricardo Caruso Lombardi, who resigned a fortnight ago. Matthaeus captained Germany to the 1990 World Cup title and is the nation’s most-capped player with 150 matches. As a coach he won league titles with Partizan Belgrade and Red Bull Salzburg and has also worked in Hungary, Israel and Brazil. (IANS)

Beckham certain to return in January: Milan

MILAN: David Beckham will definitely return to AC Milan on loan in January, chief executive Adriano Galliani said on Monday.

The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder, who wants to play in Europe to try to secure his place in England's World Cup squad, had previously said the deal was 95 percent done.

"It's 100 percent certain. The only thing that is missing is the signatures but the agreement is complete," Galliani told Italy's Sky television.

Beckham is expected to stay at the San Siro from January until the end of the Serie A season in May, just as he did this year.

He has previously said he intends to go back to Galaxy following June's World Cup in South Africa, if selected by England coach Fabio Capello.

Media reports had linked the former Manchester United player with a return to the Premier League but the 34-year-old had always said another stint at Milan was his preferred option.

TOI

National school games from Oct 26

STAFF WRITER 18:44 HRS IST

Panaji, Oct 24 (PTI) The Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Goa will conduct the 55th National School Games in football, baseball and taekwondo for the year 2009-10 from October 26 to 30 at the Nehru stadium, Fatorda.

Addressing a press conference, Susan D'Souza, Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Goa said in all 24 states will participates in different categories.

She said Goan boys and girls have been undergoing rigorous training for the last 15 days and hoped that they would bring laurels to the state.

Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Manipur, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Bihar have so far confirmed their participation in the event, stated Suzan.

Schiavone wins Kremlin Cup

MOSCOW, Oct 25: Italy’s Francesca Schiavone won just the second title of her career on Sunday by defeating Olga Govortsova of Belarus 6-3, 6-0 in the Kremlin Cup final.

The 29-year-old veteran, ranked 24th in the world and seeded eighth in Moscow, won in one hour 17 minutes to record her second win in three head-to-head meetings with Govortsova.

The finalists traded breaks throughout a closely-fought first set, but it was Schiavone, the 2005 runner-up here, who was the more consistent.

Oz pip India to go 1-0 up in the series

Praveen, Harbhajan heroics in vain • Ponting and Co solid with bat VADODARA, Oct 25: Praveen Kumar and Harbhajan Singh’s batting heroics took India agonisingly close to a sensational win before the hosts slumped to a four-run defeat against Australia in the first match of the seven-ODI series on Sunday. At 201 for seven in their pursuit of a 293-run victory target, India seemed heading for a comprehensive defeat before Praveen (40 not out) and Harbhajan (49) came up with a defiant 84-run stand off 57 balls for the eighth wicket that nearly took them home. Much to the disappointment of the crowd, India eventually managed 288 for eight, put together by cameos from Gautam Gambhir (68), Virat Kohli (30), MS Dhoni (34), Praveen Kumar and Harbhajan. Earlier, Ricky Ponting (74) led from the front and was amply supported by Mike Hussey (73), Tim Paine (50) and Cameron White (51) as the visitors rattled up 292 for eight after opting to bat first on a featherbed track. Faced with the daunting task of scoring at 5.86 per over, the star-studded Indian line-up came a cropper against some disciplined bowling and tight fielding to be left struggling at 201 for seven with the last 10 overs remaining. Harbhajan and Praveen brought down the target to 30 from the last 15 balls and then nine from the last six. But once Harbhajan departed off the second ball of the final over from Peter Siddle, India lost the momentum and Australia stopped the hosts four runs short of their total. Earlier in the innings, Gambhir played the sheet-anchor’s role after the cheap dismissal of openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar to top-score with 68 off 85 balls with six fours and a six in it. Dhoni and Kohli, surprisingly promoted to number four in the batting order, made starts before getting out when in their 30s. After being 167 for three in the 35th over, the Indians lost three quick wickets - Gambhir, Suresh Raina (9) and Dhoni - while adding only 19 runs and it became 201 for seven at the fall of Ravindra Jadeja in the 40th over. Harbhajan and Praveen kept the hosts in the hunt with some lusty hits to raise visions of a come-from-behind victory, but in the end it proved of no avail. With this win, Australia surged to their second successive victory at this venue over the home team, having beaten the hosts by nine wickets in 2007 at this ground. The thrilling victory put the visitors 1-0 up in the series ahead of the second day/night encounter at Nagpur on October 28. Though India came close, their top-order batting, bowling as well as fielding were thoroughly exposed by the Australian team which is riding on a high after whipping England 6-1 and then retaining the Champions Trophy in South Africa. Scorecard Australia: Shane Watson lbw b Nehra 5; Tim Paine c Dhoni b Sharma 50; Ricky Ponting lbw b Jadeja 74; Cameron White c Raina b Nehra 51; Michael Hussey c Kohli b Sharma 73; Adam Voges c Gambhir b Harbhajan 3; James Hopes run out (Sehwag) 14; Mitchell Johnson not out 14; Brett Lee b Sharma 0 Extras: (b-0, lb-2, nb-2, w-4) 8 Total: (for eight wickets in 50 overs) 292 Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Watson, 1.2 overs), 2-102 (Paine, 18.6), 3-151 (Ponting, 29.3), 4-227 (White, 42.2), 5-233 (Voges, 43.5), 6-256 (Hopes, 46.3), 7-291 (Hussey, 49.1), 8-292 (Lee, 49.6) Bowling: Praveen Kumar 10-0-77-0 (2w); Ashish Nehra 10-0-58-2 (1nb); Ishant Sharma 10-0-50-3 (1nb); Harbhajan Singh 10-0-57-1 (2w); Ravindra Jadeja 9-0-39-1; Suresh Raina 1-0-9-0 India: Virender Sehwag c Paine b Lee 13; Sachin Tendulkar c Ponting b Watson 14; Gautam Gambhir lbw b Johnson 68; Virat Kohli c Watson b Voges 30; Mahendra Singh Dhoni c Lee b Watson 34; Suresh Raina c & b Johnson 9; Ravindra Jadeja lbw b Hauritz 5; Harbhajan Singh b Siddle 49; Praveen Kumar not out 40; Ashish Nehra not out 2 Extras: (lb 10, w 14) 24 Total: (For eight wickets in 50 overs) 288 Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Sehwag, 4.2 overs), 2-45 (Tendulkar, 8.1), 3-103 (Kohli, 20.4), 4-167 (Gambhir, 34.1), 5-183 (Raina, 36.3), 6-186 (Dhoni, 37.2) 7-201 (Jadeja, 39.5), 8-285 (Harbhajan Singh, 49.2) Bowling: Brett Lee 6-0-28-1; Peter Siddle 9-0-55-1 (3w); Shane Watson 10-0-70-2; Mitchell Johnson 10-0-59-2 (5w); James Hopes 2-0-10-0; Adam Voges 4-0-22-1; Nathan Hauritz 9-1-34-1 (PTI)

add add * Chawla signs up with Surrey for 2010 county season

STAFF WRITER 9:34 HRS IST

London, Oct 22 (PTI) After a successful stint with Sussex, young Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has now signed up with the Surrey County Cricket Club for the 2010 English domestic season.

The 20-year-old took 36 wickets for Sussex last season at an average of 27.25, a performance that made an impression with Surrey manager Chris Adams.

"There were two clear objectives in picking our overseas signing for next season. I wanted the player to be of true International class and I wanted them to be able to commit to spending the vast majority of their season with us ? Piyush fulfills both requirements handsomely," Adams said in a statement.

"There is a fine spin tradition at Surrey which runs from Jim Laker and Tony Lock to Ian Salisbury, Harbhajan Singh and Saqlain Mushtaq and I hope our latest arrival will one day take his place alongside those names," he added.

Nimbus bags TV rights from BCCI for four more years

STAFF WRITER 17:26 HRS IST

Mumbai, Oct 20 (PTI) Nimbus Communications has bagged the broadcast rights from the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) for the four years, starting April 2010, for Rs 2000 crore.

Nimbus are the existing right holders for which they had paid the Board USD 612 million and the deal comes to a close next March.

As per the deal, finalised by the BCCI's marketing committee that met today, Nimbus would be paying Rs 31.5 crore per international match - ODI, T20 or Test, according to sources.

The committee also decided to float fresh tenders for the team sponsorship rights that's currently with Sahara, the sources added.

Abhijeet and Rahul share lead at Chandigarh Open

STAFF WRITER 16:57 HRS IST

Chandigarh, Oct 20 (PTI) Local lad Abhijeet Chadha and Noida's Rahul Bajaj returned identical even-par 72 cards to share the lead after the opening round of the Chandigarh Open here today.

Just one shot behind the leaders were Tarundeep Chadha and last year's runner-up Vikram Rana.

Further a stroke behind were Chandigarh's Angad Cheema and Akshay Sharma, and Kapurthala's Imamul Haque as they returned a matching two-over 74 card at Chandigarh Gold Club.

"The greens are just not up to the mark and that was causing a lot of problems. Considering the wind and the unpredictable greens, I think even par is a good round out here this week," said Abhijeet.

Patel elected as AIFF pres, Dasmunsi honorary pres

STAFF WRITER 19:25 HRS IST

New Delhi, Oct 20 (PTI) Union Minister Praful Patel was today formally elected as the president of the All India Football Federation, thus bringing curtains to ailing Priyan Ranjan Dasmunsi 20-year reign as the head of the AIFF.

Patel, the civil aviation minister in the UPA government at the centre, was elected to the top post unopposed at the Annual General Body meeting of the AIFF at its headquarters here.

Patel was working as acting president of the AIFF since Dasmunsi suffered a cardiac arrest last October.

"I really thank everyone for the support that you have offered to me and I hope we all will work together for the upliftment and development of the game in the country," Patel said in a statement issued by the AIFF.

Dasmunsi held the post of AIFF president since 1988 before encountering the heart-attack, which made him bed-ridden.

Asif barred entry in UAE for NZ ODI

Karachi, Oct 19: Pakistan will not be able to take their key strike bowler Mohammad Asif to UAE for a limited-overs series against New Zealand next month because of the pacer’s detention in Dubai last year over possession of a banned substance.

Ijaz Butt, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, said on Monday that Asif cannot be a part of the Pakistan team as he will not be allowed entry into the UAE.

"Asif cannot play in the series against New Zealand because he cannot go to UAE. He was deported from Dubai (last year) and according to regulations he cannot enter there," said the PCB chief.

Somerset did not deserve to be in semis: Langer

Hyderabad, Oct 19: Former Australian opener Justin Langer has said that his Somerset side did not deserve to reach the semi-finals of the Twenty20 Champions League after their six-wicket defeat to New South Wales. Somerset’s top order failed to fire as they limped to 111-7 - a total the Blues eased past with 49 balls to spare. Departing skipper Langer managed just five in the final competitive game of his 19-year career. "We have been outplayed for a lot of the tournament. I've played for a long time and I know it’s time," the Daily Express quoted Langer, 38, as saying. (Agencies)