Harbhajan and co. aim to bowl over girls with dance

Showbusiness and cricket have long been passions in India. Now the two are joining forces in a new television show that pairs well-known stars with their sporting counterparts in a dance contest. "Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena", loosely translated as A Cricketer and A Maiden, follows a similar format to the popular British variety show "Strictly Come Dancing", where celebrities team up with ballroom dancing professionals. Former England opening batsman Mark Ramprakash and fast bowler Darren Gough have both won that series, showing nifty footwork and a previously hidden talent for the Tango, Foxtrot and Cha Cha Cha. Attempting to do something similar are fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, spinner Harbhajan Singh, swing bowler Irfan Pathan, wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, former slow bowler Nikhil Chopra and former batsman Vinod Kambli. Their partners will be stars of the large and small screen Surveen Chawla, Mona Singh, Ashima Bhalla, Nigar Khan, Barkha Bisht and Shama Sikander. But instead of ballroom, they will be swinging to popular tracks in an hour-long show from next Friday and Saturday on the cable-satellite channel Colors, in the hope of winning a 54,000-dollar top prize. Casting a careful eye over their efforts will be former Pakistan all-rounder Wasim Akram, who with the former Miss Universe-turned-Bollywood star Sushmita Sen and the studio audience will vote on the couples' efforts. Television advertisements for the show have already begun running, with the cricketers, dressed in maroon silk shirts, throwing shapes with their partners. Colors head of programmes Ashvini Yardi said in a statement: "We've all grown up idolising our cricketing heroes. I am sure that after 'Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena', we'll be practising their steps as well." England's Gough won "Strictly Come Dancing" after being left out of the national side in 2005. But there is no danger of Harbhajan being double-booked for the upcoming three-Test series against Australia starting early next month: the dance show is recorded.

Source: www.circbuzz.com

Tendulkar says Australia now India's major rivals

Batting superstar Sachin Tendulkar said that India's rivalry with Australia was now even more intense than with long-time arch-enemy Pakistan. Ahead of Australia's four-Test tour to India, which opens on October 9 in Bangalore, Tendulkar said he expected a fiercely competitive series between two teams who have battled for superiority over recent years. "I think it (India v Australia) has become bigger largely because of the competitiveness," Tendulkar said. "All the series between us from 2001 onwards have been very keenly fought and have been very close ones." In the ill-tempered 2007-2008 series in Australia, India lost the first two Tests but recorded a prized victory over the home team in the third Test in Perth. "We have gone to Australia and beaten them," Tendulkar stressed. "We have been able to surprise the Australian team and that's what the Australian public likes: competition and high standards of play. They love to see challenges and competitiveness. "The fan following for the India-Australia series has definitely increased as compared to say 15 years ago," he added. The "little master", now aged 35, is closing in on Brian Lara's record for the most runs ever scored in a Test career, but said statistics were not his priority. "I don't think much about records. I want to enjoy my game. If players focus on their performance, records automatically fall into place," said Tendulkar, speaking to reporters in New Delhi. "I focus on playing the game well. If it (the record) comes in doing so I will be happy," added the ace batsman, who is only 76 runs short of overtaking Lara's mark of 11,953 runs. India's last tour of Australia was marked by personal insults between teams, and allegations of racial abuse and bad sportsmanship. But Tendulkar said he did not expect a repeat of such problems during the upcoming series. "Talking on behalf of the Indian team, I can say we will play hard but fair and I feel the Australians also will do so," he said.

Source: www.circbuzz.com

SL lifts domestic ban on 'rebel' ICL players

Sri Lanka will re-admit players aligned with the unauthorised Indian Cricket League into domestic cricket, officials said on Friday, in a move that defies the world cricket establishment. "Players will be allowed to play for their respective clubs and share their expertise, but cannot represent the country," Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) media manager Shane Fernando told AFP. The SLC had last year banned its five ICL players -- Marvan Atapattu, Russel Arnold, Upul Chandana, Avishka Gunawardena and Saman Jayantha -- from playing any official cricket matches. The decision comes two days after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) joined its counterparts from other countries in banning 13 players, including former captain Habibur Bashar, who has signed up with the ICL. The ICL, bankrolled by India's largest listed media company Zee Telefilms, was launched last year in a direct conflict with the powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The BCCI not only barred any ICL player or official from taking part in official cricket, but also convinced other boards to take similar action against their 'rebel' players. The Indian board also started its own lucrative Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition, featuring the world's top stars, to counter the ICL. Not surprisingly, ICL officials welcomed Sri Lanka's decision. "This is a step in the right direction," ICL business head Himanshu Mody told the Cricinfo website. "We hope that this decision will pave the way for Sri Lankan cricketers to play both for the ICL and their country in the near future." The ICL's first season last year comprised Twenty20 and 50-overs-a-side matches between eight teams that included a mix of international players and domestic Indian cricketers. Among the top stars aligned with the ICL are retired former Test captains Brian Lara of the West Indies and Inzamam-ul Haq of Pakistan, besides fiery New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond and veteran Chris Cairns. The Dhaka Warriors will be added as the ninth team in the second season starting on October 10.

source: www.circbuzz.com

Right decision to tour India:Ponting

Melbourne: Captain Ricky Ponting has defended Cricket Australia's decision to go ahead with India tour despite recent bomb blasts in New Delhi, saying the the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and independent security experts have given them green signal.
Terming the decision 'serious', Ponting told the Australian, "Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have obviously been in very close contact with CA over the last few days.
"As we all know and has been outlined already, these are very different circumstances between India and Pakistan right at the moment and the Board has made that very clear."
He added that both as captain and player of the team he is comfortable to visit India on the advice of CA and the Australian Cricketer's Association.
The skipper also welcomed volatile all-rounder Andrew Symonds decision to return to the game as a better person.
"I actually think there were some really positive signs over the last couple of days with Andrew," said Ponting.
"He's fronted the media and admitted that there's some room for improvement in certain parts of his life," he added.

Source: www.mid-day.com

B'desh upbeat despite exodus as NZ loom

Bangladesh are confident the exodus of players to the unofficial Indian Cricket League (ICL) would not cripple the national team in next month's home series against New Zealand, a cricket official said on Thursday. Former Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar and 12 other leading players signed for the Twenty20 league on Tuesday. The board has said it would slap 10-year bans on those playing in unofficial tournaments. "No doubt it is a setback for us," Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) media chief Ahmed Sazzadul Alam told Reuters. "But we are confident that we have enough players in the pipeline to fill the void. Bangladesh, who play three one-dayers and two tests against New Zealand, have only won one of their previous 53 tests (47 defeats) since making their debut in 2000. "The players waiting in the pipeline are equally talented," Alam said. "The only thing we will be missing is the experience of a few players." Among those who have signed up for the ICL, only Alok Kapali, Farhad Reza and Dhiman Ghosh were in the Bangladesh squad which played three one-dayers against Australia this month. Batsmen Shariar Nafees and Aftab Ahmed played in the previous test series, at home against South Africa in February. At least seven contracted players including Bashar, Nafees and Aftab have put in requests for retirement with BCB without giving any reason. Alam said many key players had not joined ICL. "Most of the players like Mohammad Ashraful, Mashrafe Mortaza, Sakib Al Hassan, Tamim Iqbal, Abdur Razzak and Shahadat Hossain who are regulars in the national team, are still with us. "Our bowling department is not at all affected with their departure." New Zealand arrive in Bangladesh on Sept.30 and play two ODIs in Dhaka on Oct. 9 and 11 with the final game in Chittagong on Oct.14. The tests will be played in Chittagong and Dhaka from Oct.17 and 25 respectively. The BCB officials are also hopeful its depleted team and the Australian test tour of India happening around the same period would not affect the interest in the Bangladesh series and its income.

source: www.circbuzz.com

Racism row will not mar tour - Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar is confident that the racism row that marred India's tour of Australia in January will not cast a shadow on next month's test series against the world's top-ranked team. "I don't think there is any friction between us," Tendulkar told reporters on Thursday. "As far as the Indian team is concerned, we would want to be competitive but play in the right spirit. I am very sure that the Australians would want to do the same thing." India threatened to pull out of the series in Australia after spinner Harbhajan Singh was initially found guilty of racially abusing all-rounder Andrew Symonds in the acrimonious second test in Sydney. A standoff between the teams ended after the charge was downgraded on appeal to using abusive language and the bowler let off with a fine. Australia won the series 2-1. Symonds was omitted from the touring squad named on Friday after missing a compulsory team meeting to go fishing. "I do agree they don't happen every weekend," Tendulkar said of the row. "But such things have happened in the past as well." Australia arrive this month in India ahead for the four-match series which begins on Oct. 9 with the first test in Bangalore. Tendulkar, who returns from his latest injury layoff in a premier domestic game next week, played down talk that the tourists were a weak unit. SERIOUS FORCE Australia named uncapped leg-spinner Bryce McGain, who could make his test debut at the age of 36, and offspinner Jason Krejza in the squad to replace retired Stuart MacGill. "As we all know it (Australia) is the number one team in the world. They will come here with serious force," Tendulkar said. "They still have a lot of experienced players in the team. It is not that it is a completely transformed side with no senior players in the team," he added. Tendulkar put the rivalry against Australia over the one against neighbours Pakistan. "I think it has become bigger only because of the competitiveness," he said. "All the series we have played in the recent past, taking from 2001, they have all been close ones. "Australians like good standard of play, and they enjoy healthy competition. We were able to surprise them on occasions."

Souce: www.cricbuzz.com

Cricket South Africa president quits

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Cricket South Africa (CSA) president Norman Arendse stood down on Wednesday, a year into a three-year spell at the head of the governing body. Arendse's resignation, which he announced at a news conference, comes with CSA set to merge their professional and amateur arms into one body on Sept. 26. They will hold fresh elections to choose officials and Arendse was being challenged for the presidency by Mtutuzeli Nyoka, head of cricket for the Gauteng province. Announcing his retirement, Arendse blamed a lack of support from CSA chief executive Gerald Majola and the 11 provincial affiliates and anti-transformation forces for his demise. "Although I was returned unopposed as president of CSA in August 2007 for a three-year term, I never at any stage enjoyed the full trust and confidence of the CEO, and all 11 affiliates," he said. "The CEO is of the view that the president is merely a ceremonial head there to preside over meetings, and to attend matches and functions. "By contrast, I hold the view that the CEO is employed by the Board, and is accountable to it," Arendse added. "As a consequence of these sharply contrasting positions, the relationship between the CEO and I has broken down irretrievably." Majola denied there was any personal enmity between himself and Arendse, in a statement released by CSA later on Wednesday. "The differences between us were of management style, and hardly irretrievable in my view. "We will thus continue our vision of making South African cricket a truly national sport of winners. We face the future with vigour and confidence," Majola said. Arendse added that he believed the affiliates who did not support him were against the transformation of the game to reflect the demographics of the country. MOST UNHEALTHY "Historically, the 6:5 split in South African cricket has bedevilled the administration of the game... and has reared its ugly head again. Currently six of the 11 affiliates appear not to support me as president. "The manipulation of this situation ... is most unhealthy, and detrimental to the game. "Since unity in 1992, those affiliates who continue steadfastly to support me... have traditionally been the affiliates that are supportive of transformation in cricket as they come from the non-racial fold. "The other affiliates have battled to come to terms with transformation and, in some instances, transformation is completely lacking and remains a foreign concept. "The charges against me appear to be my transformation agenda, and my demand of the CEO that he be accountable to me in my representative capacity as the president of the Board. "I plead guilty to both charges, and have nothing to say in mitigation of sentence," Arendse, who is a lawyer, said. Arendse said he will also step down from all his positions with the International Cricket Council, which is the sport's world governing body. Arendse has been involved in three selection disputes with the South African national team that have brought him into conflict with Majola.

soruce: www.circbuzz.com

Bangladesh T20 rebels banned for 10 years

Bangladesh cricket chiefs said on Wednesday that 13 players who opted to compete in the unauthorised Indian Twenty20 league will be banned for 10 years. The Indian Cricket League (ICL) unveiled late Tuesday its new Dhaka Warriors team in New Delhi, which comprises 11 Bangladesh internationals reportedly earning 200,000 dollars each over a three-year period. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) held an emergency meeting Wednesday and decided to ban the players for joining the unapproved league for 10 years, BCB spokesman Rabeed Imam said. "We don't have full reports of who have joined the ICL. But today, the board has decided that whoever has joined the unapproved league would be automatically banned for 10 years," he said. The board was also considering legal action against the 13 for breaching International Cricket Council rules, he added. At least seven of the 13 players informed the BCB they were retiring from Bangladesh cricket, citing personal reasons. The 13 players announced for the Dhaka Warriors include former captain Habibul Bashar and senior team-mates Shahriar Nafis, Dhiman Ghosh, Mohammad Rafique and Alok Kapali. The others are Aftab Ahmed, Farhad Reza, Manjural Islam, Mabud Chowdhury, Mahbubul Karim, Mohammad Sharif, Mosharraf Hossain and Tapash Baisya. Players aligned with the ICL -- bankrolled by India's largest listed media company Zee Telefilms -- are banned from playing official domestic and international cricket. The meeting was held a day after the board announced it would not accept the players' retirements. Earlier Wednesday, Bangladesh's Australia-born coach Jamie Siddons, who joined the cricket minnows a year ago, denied the sport was in crisis. "We can't afford to lose that many players on a regular basis. We'll replace these guys with young players but my biggest concern is that the ICL will come knocking again next year," Siddons told AFP via telephone from Australia. Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful told the leading Bengali language newspaper 'Prothom Alo', in an interview published Tuesday that he was offered a 700,000-dollar contract to play in the ICL, which he declined.

source: www.cricbuzz.com

ESS pay $1bln for Champions League rights

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - ESPN Star Sports will shell out nearly $1 billion for the commercial and marketing rights for the Twenty20 Champions League. The inaugural tournament will be held Dec. 3-10 with $6 million in prize money. It will feature eight teams, two each from Australia, India and South Africa and the champions from the England and Pakistan domestic leagues. Organisers said on Thursday the broadcaster had bid $900 million for a 10-year deal, plus some $75 million for marketing. "The commercial rights were won by ESPN STAR Sports with a bid of $975 million (including $75 million for marketing the tournament)," they said in a statement. "This makes the Champions League Twenty20 the highest value cricket tournament on a per game basis." The Australian, Indian and South African boards will jointly organise the Champions League, an off-shoot of a lucrative Indian version launched this year. "We are absolutely delighted that after a fair and transparent process, we have what we believe to be the best commercial deal for the inaugural Champions League season and for cricket fans across the world," Lalit Modi, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president said in the release. Organisers plan to expand the field to 12 teams next year.

source: www.cricbuzz.com

Chanderpaul tops list of ICC award winners

West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul was named as the 2008 International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricketer of the Year at an awards ceremony here on Wednesday. The 34-year-old left-hander, a mainstay of his side's batting for over a decade, was chosen ahead of his three fellow nominees - Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene, South Africa skipper Graeme Smith and Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn. During the voting period, the gritty Guyanese played eight Test matches, scoring 819 runs at an average of 91.00, including three centuries and six fifties, all of which were against the top seven teams in the world. "I am honoured to be given this prestigious award tonight and I am very thankful to God for blessing me with the talent that I have," Chanderpaul said upon receiving his award. Chanderpaul, who follows India's Rahul Dravid, all-rounders Andrew Flintoff (England) and Jacques Kallis (South Africa), the joint winners in 2005, and two-time ICC Cricketer of the Year Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, in taking the award, also played 13 ODIs during the voting period.
He finished top of the averages with 74.75 having scored 598 runs, a haul that included a century and five fifties. He is currently ranked number one in the ICC Test batting rankings and sixth in the list for ODI batsmen. There was a consolation for Steyn when the paceman was named Test player of the year. During the 12-month voting period, Steyn took 86 wickets at an average of just 18.10 in the 14 Test matches he played. No other bowler took more than 58 wickets in the same period and he was the only bowler to earn an average less than 21.50 (of those who played more than three matches). "I have had a pretty decent year I suppose but I didn't think about winning this award until the past few days," said Steyn. "I don't really know how I feel. Perhaps tomorrow morning it will have sunk in for me because obviously this is a huge award and it's massive for me," added the bowler, who recently helped South Africa win their first Test series in England since 1965.
India's Mahendra Singh Dhoni was named as the one-day player of the year, while his team-mate Yuvraj Singh won the inaugural international Twenty20 performance of the year award after striking six sixes off an over from England quick Stuart Broad during last year's World Twenty20 in South Africa. Sri Lanka's 'mystery' spinner Ajantha Mendis was chosen as the emerging player of the year while England captain Charlotte Edwards was named as the women's player of the year. Australia's Simon Taufel, the only man ever to win his award, was named as umpire of the year for the fifth time in a row. Dutch all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate won the Associate player of the year award for those outside the Test elite. Sri Lanka, for the second year in a row, won the spirit of cricket award presented to the team which, in the opinion of the ICC elite panels of umpires and match referees, has best conducted itself on the field. Chanderpaul and Steyn also featured in the ICC Test team of the year chosen by the ICC selection panel chaired by former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd and including Australia batting great Greg Chappell, recently retired South Africa all-rounder Shaun Pollock, Sidath Wettimuny, the former Sri Lanka opener and former Bangladesh batsman Athar Ali Khan. Australia fast bowler Brett Lee was the only player included in both the ICC's Test and one-day teams of the year.

source: www.cricbuzz.com

Dhoni and Yuvraj win ICC awards

India one-day captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was named the International Cricket Council (ICC) 2008 one-day international player of the year here on Wednesday. At the same awards ceremony, Dhoni's India team-mate Yuvraj Singh became the inaugural winner of the Twenty20 international performance of the year. Dhoni beat fellow nominees Sachin Tendulkar, Australia quick Nathan Bracken and Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf to win the award. During the voting period, Dhoni played 39 ODIs and scored 1,298 runs at an average of 49.92 and at a rate of 82.46 runs per 100 balls faced. In that time he hit a century and nine fifties. The wicket-keeper also made 62 dismissals (46 catches and 16 stumpings) in the same period. Dhoni, currently ranked as the world's best ODI batsman, said: "I am really happy to get this - it's a great privilege. "Also, it feels great to know that I am the first Indian player to get this particular award and it's very special because now I am in the company of a lot of other good cricketers. "Some fantastic players have won this award in the past and to be mentioned in their company is truly a humbling experience for me." Yuvraj's award was recognition for the batsman's feat in hitting six sixes off an over from England fast bowler Stuart Broad during the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa last year, which India eventually won after defeating Pakistan in a thrilling final. It was the first time a player had hit six sixes in a single Twenty20 international over. Herschelle Gibbs did it in an ODI during the last year's World Cup in the Caribbean while West Indies great Garfield Sobers became the first man to achieve the feat in a first-class match back in 1968. "I would like to thank the ICC for recognising the performances of the players - it's an important aspect of the year for us," said Yuvraj. "After the fifth six in that over I remember having butterflies in my stomach and I knew that if I managed to hit it for six it would be very special. It was a great feeling when I saw the ball go over the boundary."

source: www.cricbuzz.com

Federer, Djokovic book US Open rematch in semis

New York: For Roger Federer to win his fifth US Open title in a row, the Swiss second seed must prove he still has what it takes to beat Novak Djokovic, this time in a semi-final rematch of last year's final.
Twelve-time Grand Slam winner Federer and Serbian third seed Djokovic, the reigning Australian Open champion, advanced to a Saturday semi-final replay of their 2007 title showdown with impressive quarter-final triumphs Thursday.
Federer advanced to his 18th consecutive Grand Slam semi-final and stretched his US Open win streak to 32 matches by defeating 130th-ranked qualifier Gilles Muller 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) to end the Luxembourg left-hander's dream run.
"I'm happy to keep the semi-final streak alive. That's a huge streak for a long time," Federer said. "I'm really happy with my mindset going into the semi-finals. I'm happy to take it to the final four one more time."
Federer, who last missed a Slam semi-final at the 2004 French Open, has a 6-2 career record against Djokovic, including a 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 victory in last year's final.
"He's an absolute favorite in that match," Djokovic said. "I lost to him last year. For him it's a big challenge to go back to number one. For sure it's going to be a great match."
Djokovic eliminated US eighth seed Andy Roddick 6-2, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) in Thursday's other Arthur Ashe Stadium quarter-final, the Serbian spurred on by Roddick's jokes to the crowd two nights earlier about Djokovic claiming several injuries.
"Andy said I have 16 injuries. Obviously I don't," Djokovic said, drawing boos from a crowd dominated by Roddick supporters.
"Like it or not, it's like that," Djokovic said. "They are already against me because they think I'm faking everything."
"That was not nice to say in front of this crowd that I have 16 injuries and I'm faking it. The momentum is not nice."
It will be the first healthy meeting of Federer and Djokovic since last year at Flushing Meadows.
Djokovic beat Federer in straight sets in the Australian Open semi-finals on the way to his first Slam title, but Federer said he was ill, and Djokovic retired against Federer in an April semi-final on Monte Carlo clay.
Saturday's other semi-final will send British sixth seed Andy Murray against Spanish world number one Rafael Nadal, who seeks his third Slam crown in a row after beating Federer in the French Open and Wimbledon finals.
"Hopefully I can take it one more step than I did at the French Open and Wimbledon," Federer said.
The Swiss ruled the rankings for 237 weeks until last month, when Nadal ended his reign before capturing singles gold at the Beijing Olympics.
"You could see why he was number one," Muller said. "Every time the score was tight he came up with the better shot."
Federer, 27, has not lost at the US Open since David Nalbandian beat him in the fourth round in 2003. But his aura of invincibility has been punctured this year after seasons of utter domination.
"It's not too much about Roger's invincibility. He's human," Muller said. "Everyone knew he had a tough year. He struggled a little bit. It's more the belief I had in myself, the confidence that I could beat him.
"I could have won the two tie-breakers for sure. I just wasn't so lucky."
Federer won the only break of the match in the ninth game of the second set on a forehand winner. Muller denied Federer on three break points in the third set on the way to a tie-break, then grabbed a 4-1 edge before Federer rallied.
"I'm happy I was able to come back and pull it out because it looked like it was going to go four," Federer said. "When you are down you try to fight and that's what I tried to do out there."
Muller, who twice rallied to win here after losing the first two sets, upset Russian fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko in the fourth round to become the second qualifier in the US Open final eight after France's Nicolas Escude in 1999.
"A lot of people think I should be happy but I'm disappointed because I feel like I had my chances and I didn't take advantage of them," Muller said.
Djokovic made the most of his chances to down Roddick, who was two points from forcing a fifth set until he double faulted twice to give the Serbian his only break point of the set, which Djokovic converted on a backhand lob winner.
Each man held once more to set up the tie-breaker, which went to 5-5 before Roddick netted a backhand volley to give Djokovic match point. The Serbian smacked a service winner and Roddick wass done after two hours and 34 minutes.
Djokovic broke Roddick in four of his first eight service games, providing the margin for claiming the first two sets, but Roddick held serve his next nine chances to set up the fourth-set drama.
Roddick's fifth loss in seven US Open quarter-finals ensured American men would equal their longest Slam title drought at 21 events, matching a five-year hex that the late Arthur Ashe ended by winning the 1968 Wimbledon title.

source: www.mid-day.com

No time to celebrate: Paes

Mumbai: Leander Paes moved a step closer to a grand double after clinching the US Open mixed doubles title yesterday. The celebrations though, will have to wait. For, Paes is set to partner Lukas Dlouhy in men's doubles final tonight.
"Sadly, there's no time to celebrate as the doubles final is less than 24 hours away. So, no party tonight… we'll celebrate tomorrow. Hopefully, it will be a double delight," Paes told MiD DAY from New York.
The 35-year-old, who was partnered by Zimbabwe's Cara Black (29), defeated Britain's Jamie Murray and American Liezel Huber 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 in the final.
Paes and his Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy have already made it to the men's doubles final and will face brothers Mike and Bob Bryan of the US.
Paes, who won the Wimbledon alongside American Lisa Raymond in 1999 and the Wimbledon and Australian Open crowns in 2003 with US star Martina Navratilova, said: "It was a tough match. No final is easy. The joy of finally winning a mixed doubles title at US Open is fantastic. I have lost two mixed finals here previously."
Paes, pairing with American Meghann Shaughnessy had lost last year's final to Max Mirnyi and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
In 2001, Paes and Lisa Raymond fell in the final to Australians Todd Woodbridge and Rennae Stubbs.
"Cara played really well and backed me up just when I needed it. She had a couple of fantastic reflexes at 6-4 in the second set. I knew we would win it then," he said.
Paes also added: "Cara's been wanting to partner me for quite sometime. Thankfully, we met a few months ago and got together," Paes said.However, the Paes hopes to carry on with Black for some years now. "We will play together through this season and next as well," he signed off.

source: www.mid-day.com

Kirsten faces BCCI backlash

The Cricket Board today took strong exception to coach Gary Kirsten's comments in the media that Mahendra Singh Dhoni was ready for Test captaincy and asked the South African to concentrate on his job only.
BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah has categorically told Kirsten to avoid airing his personal views in media and focus on his job of coaching.
"As per the rules and regulations, Kirsten should not have spoken such things in the media, it is not his job. We have the selectors to decide who should be the captain," Shah told reporters.
"His job is to coach the Indian team and not give interviews on the selection matters or the captaincy. His comments have not gone down well with those concerned because he is an important member of the support staff. But I will still give him a benefit of doubt," Shah said.
He also dismissed the notion that Kumble should hang up his boots.
"Anil is a great cricketer and he knows well when to quit. As long as he is in form, I don't think the selectors are going to drop him," he said.
Kirsten had told a television channel earlier this week that ODI skipper Dhoni was ready to take over the Test captaincy from Anil Kumble.
"He (Dhoni) is ready for it (Test captaincy) but there is no need to rush as of now. Anil (Kumble) has done an exceptional job, he is a great leader and he is toiling in many overs for India. He is prepared to do 30 overs in a day. But he is on the other side of the physical side of the game.
Shah said Kumble was doing well and the selectors were not contemplating any change at the helm of the Test team.
"Anil Kumble is a great cricketer. He knows when he should bow out or give up the captaincy. Right now he is bowling very well and the selectors will never drop him or change the captaincy," he said.
When asked if Yuvraj Singh, who is struggling with the bat, should take a break from international cricket, the Board secretary expressed hopes that the left-hander would soon rediscover his form.
Shah further added that the decision to include or exclude a player from the team was that of the selection committee.
"Our selection committee has been doing the job with great responsibility. Let them select the team," Shah added.

source: www.mid-day.com

Paes hopes to repeat 1999 Wimbledon feat

New York: Nine years after his twin crowns at Wimbledon, Leander Paes is hoping history to repeat itself at the US Open.
Having reached the finals of both men's and mixed doubles of the US Open, Paes is recalling the 1999 Wimbledon and reckons this is going to be special for him.
"I think 2008 in New York is going to be special," said the ace, after he and his Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy thumped Argentine pair Maximo Gonzales and Juan Monaco 6-2, 6-0 in just 46 minutes to storm into the men's doubles final.
The former Davis Cup captain and his Zimbabwean teammate Cara Black have already made it to the mixed doubles final.
In 1999, Paes had partnered Mahesh Bhupathi and Lisa Raymonds to win the men's doubles and mixed doubles crowns at Wimbledon.
"I was much younger back then," said Paes, recalling the feat.
"As you get older, I push my body to new limits and try to raise the bar a few more times," he said.
Paes was particularly happy with the show against the Argentines and said, "When you finish a semi-final of a Grand Slam in 46 minutes, you're always happy.
"It was one of the fastest matches I had in my career. The balls looked like watermellons out there."
Made to play twice on Tuesday, Paes was also happy to get some rest before turning up for the mixed doubles final.
"They made me play twice and I was scheduled early. Now I can go back and relax," he said.
On his partnership with Dlouhy, Paes said, "It's going very well right now. Lukas is crazy just as I am. He's also very hard working. That's why it's working out so well."
Though he cherishes all his Grand Slam titles, Paes insists the highlight of his career is the bronze medal he won in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
"Nothing will ever better my Olympic medal," he said.
"Let me remind you it was in the singles. That's the epitome of my career," Paes added.

source: www.mid-day.com

Kaif takes a stance, a new one!

BANGALORE: It Takes Two! India A's Mohammad Kaif (left) and Robin Uthappa share a light moment at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore yesterday. pic/Vinod Kumar TEven before the India A vs Australia A three-day game began, Mohammad Kaif could be seen trying to adjust his stance.Methodically, he wanted his left shoulder to point towards mid-off so that it would open up shots on the off side for him. He was seen practicing for hours trying to get the shoulder in the right position.Two days agoFor the last two days, Kaif showed how much of a difference the change in stance has made to his batting. He was the only batsman on show from both sides, who was timing the ball sweetly and driving the cherry through the off side with comfortable ease.Gone are those jittery movements he would make before facing the bowlers that made him appear nervous and edgy.With rain affecting the first two days of the match, India A were finally bundled out for 284. In reply, Australia A were 113 for 8.Most batsmen struggled to adjust to the up and down nature of the wicket here at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, but Kaif made it look as though the pitch had no demons.Three bad shotsHe played only three bad shots in his 204-ball 94 and one of them resulted in his dismissal. While attempting to heave Marcus North for a six, he was caught at deep mid-on.With one more three-day game against Australia A to be followed by two four-day games against New Zealand A, if Kaif continues to bat the way he did here, chances are he could well be a contender for a place in the Test series against Australia.

Source: www.mid-day.com

Symonds' absence might reduce tension: Kirsten

Andrew Symonds' likely absence may leave Australia short on experience when they tour India next month but at the same time, it might ease tension in the high-profile series, reckons India coach Gary Kirsten.
Symonds has had a stormy relation with both the Indian players and the crowds. Booed and barracked in India, he also figured prominently with Harbhajan Singh in the Sydney racism row last summer.
Nursing a hurt ego after Cricket Australia downgraded the racism charges against Harbhajan, Symonds is cooling his heels after he was sent back home for preferring a fishing trip to a compulsory team meeting.
Though the volatile all-rounder is likely to miss the India series, Kirsten feels it might help in reducing the tension that of late surrounds an Indo-Australian series.
"There is a lot of hype around him and the quality of player that he is, and also I gather there is a lot of tension around from what happened in the last series," Kirsten was quoted as saying by The Age.
"To not have him around...does that alleviate it? Does it make it better? I don't know the answer. But I don't think it takes the gloss off the Test series," said the South African.
"One thing we must always be aware of is the game is bigger than the individual," Kirsten added.
Should Symonds miss the tour, Kirsten said, Australia would have to draft in inexperienced players and India would do everything to capitalise on that.
"To not have those types of individuals means they are going to be replaced by more inexperienced players, so we will hopefully be able to exploit (that)," said Kirsten, pointing out that the Aussies would no more have Adam Gilchrist in the ranks as well.
"We all know with the Australian set-up that they always replace those individuals with quality players, but in the heat of Test match battle sometimes experience counts for a lot," he said.
Australia will announce the team for the four-Test series in India next week and though Shaun Marsh and David Hussey are knocking on the selectors' door, the final shape of the squad remains unclear.
CA has already sent selector Jamie Cox to India to monitor the performance of Australia A spinners Beau Casson, Bryce McGain and Jason Krezja and assess if they merit a place in the senior squad.

source: www.mid-day.com

Sri Lanka ready to host Champions Trophy

With the International Cricket Council finding it tough to convince apprehensive cricketers on touring Pakistan for next month's Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka on Friday said it is ready to hold the tournament even at a short notice.

"We are ready to hold the Champions Trophy as we are the alternate venue for the tournament," Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Executive Duleep Mendis said.
Sri Lanka Cricket officials feel that all the grounds are in good condition as the Indian cricket tour is currently taking place.

source: www.rediff.com

Zaheer Khan helps India pull level

Dambulla: Inspired by a game-breaking spell from Zaheer Khan, India clinched a low-scoring contest here at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium on Wednesday, evening the five-match series at 1-1 — an eventuality that had appeared remote after Sri Lanka’s overwhelming win in the first ODI.
After M.S. Dhoni won the toss, Zaheer extracted Sri Lanka’s three best batsmen — Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Sanath Jayasuriya — to help India bowl the host out for 142 in 38.3 overs.
The left-armer, who finished with four wickets for 21 runs, was well supported by his new-ball partner, Praveen Kumar, who scalped three.In trouble
The chase of 143 appeared in the brambles, when Nuwan Kulasekara removed Irfan Pathan, opening in place of Gautam Gambhir (stiff neck), and Suresh Raina before the lunch break, and again when Thilan Thushara’s double strike left India on 75 for five.
The men who stepped up were Virat Kohli, Dhoni and debutant S. Badrinath. Kohli’s 37 was a fighter’s innings, not always pretty or technically assured, but combative as a bulldog. His partnerships of 36 with Yuvraj Singh and 23 with Dhoni, while not substantial, nudged India closer.
The 19-year-old Kohli handled Mendis positively, thinking little of crashing the mystery spinner through the off-side or slog-sweeping him over mid-wicket.
But Kohli drove lazily to cover and Rohit Sharma got his front foot too far across, as left-armer Thushara — brought on to switch Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan around — rocked India.Coming good
Dhoni, who promoted himself, and Badrinath, who has done everything asked of him — and then some — before national selection, set about chipping away at the runs needed.
The pair hared between the wickets, judging their ones and twos adeptly. Dhoni’s show of responsibility, while admirable, was expected; he has nervelessly controlled several chases in his young career.
Badrinath was a revelation: his exploits at the domestic level and on ‘A’ tours have been impressive, but never before will he have faced the intense pressure of an international razor-edge chase or the unique challenges posed by Mendis and Murali.
The sixth-wicket partnership of 60 brought India to within eight runs of victory. But Dhoni (39) was bowled off the inside edge when Dilhara Fernando found some reverse swing, and it was left to Badrinath to guide the tail through. Mendis spread panic when he trapped Harbhajan in front, but Zaheer applied himself, and capped a remarkable day.Touch of magic
India needed a touch of magic to begin things, particularly after Monday’s mauling, and Zaheer provided just that. Through a spell of controlled, first-rate seam bowling, the left-armer tore the heart out of Sri Lanka’s batting.
The ball that started it was a rip-snorter, flawless in length, and cutting into the left-handed Sangakkara at pace to hit the off-stump.
Impeccable deliveries slanted across the right-hander accounted for Jayawardene and Kapugedera, procuring edges to first slip and wicketkeeper Dhoni respectively.
Praveen chipped in with Chamara Silva’s wicket, getting one to bounce on the right-hander. Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan attempted to steady the pitching ship — with Sri Lanka at 11 for four — but Zaheer cranked one through Jayasuriya’s defensive hop, striking the left-hander’s pad, and half the home side had been returned to the pavilion in fewer than 14 overs.
When Badrinath ran in from square-leg to complete a splendid catch diving forward, ridding India of the dangerous Dilshan, Dhoni’s men had Sri Lanka on the mat at 44 for six.Fight-back
But here occurred one of those curious things that that seem to happen often in cricket. The side on top let up just a bit, the one pinned discovered the virtue of common sense, and a fight-back was on.
Kulasekara and Thushara were the men who made the most of India’s generosity, although it must be said that the touring side had its share of ill-luck, some of it its own making. Dhoni has excellent instincts as a leader, but why he fancied Yuvraj’s left-arm slows for two overs — to open fields — one will never know.
Kulasekara, on eight, was caught plumb in front by a Munaf off-cutter, but umpire Gamini Silva turned the appeal down, leading to the seamer venting his frustration.
On 13, the right-hander edged Harbhajan to Rohit Sharma’s right at slip; the one-handed grab wasn’t sufficient.
The left-handed Thushara was impressive, lofting the quicker bowlers over the in-field and back-cutting Harbhajan for a fine 44.
Praveen broke the 74-run stand, feeding each partner a slower ball.
Thushara dragged the off-spinner to deep mid-wicket; Kulasekara shovelled the back-spun delivery to short mid-wicket.
India had some trouble shifting the last two wickets before Harbhajan, who had limped off after catching Mendis off his doosra, returned to dismiss Fernando.
SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka: S. Jayasuriya lbw b Zaheer 13, K. Sangakkara b Zaheer 2, M. Jayawardene c Yuvraj b Zaheer 2, C. Kapugedera c Dhoni b Zaheer 0, C. Silva c Kohli b Praveen 0, T. Dilshan c Badrinath b Pathan 16, N. Kulasekara c Badrinath b Praveen 25, T. Thushara c Kohli b Praveen 44, A. Mendis c & b Harbhajan 0, D. Fernando c Kohli b Harbhajan 12, M. Muralitharan (not out) 11; Extras (lb-6, w-11): 17. Total (in 38.3 overs): 142.
Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Sangakkara), 2-10 (Jayawardene), 3-10 (Kapugedera), 4-11 (Silva), 5-33 (Jayasuriya), 6-44 (Dilshan), 7-118 (Thushara), 8-118 (Kulasekara), 9-122 (Mendis).
PP1 (1-10): 14/4; PP2 (11-15): 24/1; PP3 (16-20): 10/1.
India bowling: Praveen 10-2-34-3, Zaheer 9.5-3-21-4, Munaf 6-1-24-0, Pathan 5-0-21-1, Harbhajan 5.4-0-26-2, Yuvraj 2-0-10-0.

India: I. Pathan c Sangakkara b Kulasekara 5, V. Kohli c Kapugedera b Thushara 37, S. Raina lbw b Kulasekara 1, Yuvraj lbw b Mendis 20, M.S. Dhoni b Fernando 39, Rohit lbw b Thushara 0, S. Badrinath (not out) 27, Harbhajan lbw b Mendis 1, Zaheer (not out) 2, Extras (b-3, lb-4, nb-2, w-2): 11. Total (for seven wickets in 39.4 overs): 143.
Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Pathan), 2-16 (Raina), 3-52 (Yuvraj), 4-75 (Kohli), 5-75 (Rohit), 6-135 (Dhoni), 7-139 (Harbhajan).
PP1 (1-10): 29/2; PP2 (11-15): 25/1; PP3 (16-20): 21/2.
Sri Lanka bowling: Kulasekara 9-2-26-2, Thushara 7-1-32-2, Mendis 10-1-22-2, Fernando 5-0-25-1, Muralitharan 8.4-0-31-0.

source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/21/stories/2008082151152000.htm

Jamaica's Bolt gets gold, breaks record

A sprint double was all too predictable. To make the Olympics absolutely special, Usain Bolt added a world record double Wednesday by winning the gold medal in the 200 meters.Already well ahead coming off a tight bend that was supposed to be his only challenge, the Jamaican didn't coast for the first time in the games and bettered the world record of Michael Johnson one that even the track great considered still out of reach.With his time of 19.30 seconds, he sliced .02 off the mark dating to the 1996 Atlanta Games. And, incredibly, he cut his personal best by a massive .37."I'm shocked. I am still shocked," Bolt said. "I have been aspiring to the world record for so long."On the eve of his 22nd birthday, one full of historic hyperbole, Bolt won by the biggest margin since the 200 came on the Olympic scene 108 years ago. In a sport dominated by hundreds of seconds, he beat the field by two-thirds of a second."Everything came together tonight and I just blew my mind and blew the world's mind," he said.All too far behind him, defending champion Shawn Crawford went from fourth to taking silver in 19.96 after both Churandy Martina of the Netherlands Antilles, the original runner-up, and Wallace Spearmon were disqualified for running out their lane. A second American, Walter Dix, got bronze.Never letting up, Bolt dipped at the finish line and once he saw the record was gone, he fell to the track, his giant legs and arms pointing every which way."He is Superman 2," Johnson said on the BBC said after he saw his record fall.No way, said Bolt."I'm Lightning Bolt. I'm not Flash Gordon or anybody," he said. "My name is Lightning Bolt."If swimming had Michael Phelps, track has Usain Bolt and the games are so much the better for it.And on another sultry evening where nothing seems to go wrong for the overpowering Jamaicans, Melaine Walker beat Sheena Tosta of the United States in an Olympic record of 52.64 seconds to win the 400 hurdles.When the reggae blared again, it was clear it had become the theme song of the Bird's Nest."I am glad to know he is from Jamaica and that he is supernatural," Walker said of Bolt.In another final which turned into a one-man show, Bolt was his showboating best again. It turned him into the first man ever to break the world marks in both sprints at an Olympics. Not even Carl Lewis or Jesse Owens could do that.No one could blame him for the hot-dogging dances after such a performance.All from a man that was a virtual unknown outside his Caribbean island nation ahead of this season.He had coasted to a world record of 9.69 in the 100 on Saturday but had promised to keep on running this time, knowing Johnson's record was one of the most exalted in the sport.But nothing is beyond this dangly carefree Jamaican despite an Olympic diet of chicken nuggets.Less than an hour before his oversized performance, he was fooling and frolicking with his coach in the stadium tunnel, all grins and banter. While others pump themselves up with screams of encouragement, slapping their faces to get the adrenaline going, there is nothing like a joke for Bolt.Playing to crowd, he was smoothing his closely cropped pate, wiped those imaginary drops of tension from his brow before beating his yellow shirt again, and ready he was.It was unlike anything seen in the sport."He got an incredible start. I just went 'Wow,'" said Johnson, a man known for his calm composure. "It was a much more amazing start than he got in the 100 meters and then his turn was just absolutely fabulous."Starting in lane 4, he always had a good view of American rivals Walter Dix and Wallace Spearmon in the outside lanes. Crawford was just inside the towering Jamaican. It was all irrelevant.With the 4x100 relays coming up over the weekend, the Jamaican could become the most successful track athlete of the games.In the battle for sprint supremacy it was Jamaica 3, United States 0. And the Jamaican women were ready to make it worse on Thursday in the 200.Defending champion Veronica Campbell-Brown and Kerron Stewart had the fastest times in qualifying for the final, ahead of their U.S. rivals Muna Lee and two-time world champion Allyson Felix.In the absence of injured hurdler Liu Xiang, China got an unexpected chance to cheer when Zhang Wenxiu won bronze in the hammer throw behind champion Aksana Miankova of Belarus and Yipsi Moreno of Cuba.Looking for a long-distance double, 10,000 champion Kenenisa Bekele easily advanced into Saturday's final of the 5,000, letting his U.S. rival Bernard Lagat take the third heat.Surprisingly, Bahrain's Rachid Ramzi, who won the 1,500, passed on his chance for a double and was a nonstarter in the race.With Liu injured, chief rival Dayron Robles continued his smooth way toward gold, clearing the hurdles with aplomb to qualify in 13.12 seconds. He was joined by U.S. rivals David Oliver and David Payne.With Bolt the undisputed hero, Lyudmila Blonska could well become track's villain of the games if a doping violation is confirmed Thursday.The International Olympic Committee said Wednesday that the heptathlon silver medalist, who finished second to Ukrainian teammate Nataliia Dobrynska on Saturday, was under investigation.If confirmed, Blonska would become a repeat offender and kicked out of the sport forever. The 30-year-old Ukrainian served a doping suspension for the steroid Stanozolol between 2003-05.

Source: http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/showsports.aspx?id=SPOEN20080062343&ch=8/20/2008 11:54:00 PM#