Bolt says 2016 Olympics may be his last

LAUSANNE: Jamaican triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt said on Tuesday he may end his record-breaking career after the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

"My aim is to go to two more Olympics." he said. "I probably will retire in Brazil, 2016. I will probably stop then."

The Olympic and world 100 and 200 metres champion and world record holder was speaking during a question-and-answer session with 400 sport and business executives.

They almost filled a business school auditorium to hear the outgoing Jamaican offer light and serious comments for nearly an hour.

Bolt, who turns 24 in August, said he might even try a new event like the long jump or 400 metres for his final act.

"If you continue to break records, then you are pretty much going to get bored after a while," he said. "You can't really accomplish anything else. I want to be a legend in sports."

"After the world championships and the Olympics in London, I probably will try something else."

Both his coach Glen Mills and many fellow-Jamaicans have hoped for several years that the lanky Bolt would try the 400 but he has always resisted.

Bolt said his main goal at the moment was to stay undefeated since there were no world championships or Olympics this year.

He is currently recovering from a strained Achilles tendon and will run a 100 metres at the Lausanne Diamond League meeting on Thursday, stepping down from a previously announced 200.

"The doctor does not want him to risk running the turn," manager Ricky Simms said.
TOI

Holland beat Uruguay to reach World Cup final

CAPE TOWN: Playmaker Wesley Sneijder inspired Netherlands to a 3-2 victory over battling Uruguay on Tuesday that sent them back to the World Cup final after a 32-year wait where they will play in an all-European clash.


Sneijder, scorer of both goals in the 2-1 quarter-final win over Brazil, was on target in the 70th minute to put the Dutch 2-1 ahead before Arjen Robben got a third three minutes later.

Maximiliano Pereira grabbed a second goal for Uruguay in added time but despite a late spell of pressure from the South Americans it was too late to stop the Dutch marching on.

Netherlands progress to their third World Cup final with the win setting up a showdown with either Spain or Germany.

"First final since '74 and '78, that came up in my mind in the second half," said Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk. "It's so very special and as a small country we can be so proud."

"After the second and third we should have scored a fourth. That would have prevented that final phase. But this is a World Cup. It doesn't matter how you do it it's all about the result."

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez told a news conference: "I'm very proud of my players... our opponents were better when it came to scoring goals against us. We went very far, no one expected that, so that helps the sadness of the defeat."

Midfielder Egidio Arevalo added: "We had a good World Cup. A lot of years have passed since we've done so well."

Uruguay last reached the World Cup semifinal in 1970.

The first half at Green Point Stadium ended 1-1 after superb long-range strikes from left back Giovanni van Bronckhorst for Netherlands and forward Diego Forlan for the Uruguayans.

EARLY CHANCE

Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera handed the Dutch an early chance when he failed to hold Robben's cross and the ball fell to Dirk Kuyt but he fired over the bar.

Robben had a shot blocked by his own player before Van Bronckhorst put the Dutch ahead in the 18th minute with a powerful, rising shot which went in off the far post.

The goal sparked the Uruguayans -- missing striker Luis Suarez through suspension and captain Diego Lugano through injury -- into life and they began to attack with more purpose.

They levelled four minutes before halftime when Forlan collected a pass, cut inside his marker and scored with a long-range shot that caught goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg wrongfooted although he did get a touch.

The Dutch had more possession after the break but it was Uruguay who created the better openings.

Alvaro Pereira's chip was headed off the line by Van Bronckhorst and Forlan's curling free kick forced Stekelenburg to turn the ball away at the foot of his near post.

Robben then wasted a golden chance for the Dutch when he fired wide when a rebound landed on his weaker right foot.

But Sneijder put the Dutch back in front with a shot through a forest of legs for his fifth goal of the tournament to become joint top scorer with Spain's David Villa.

Three minutes later, Robben scored with a perfectly placed downward header after Kuyt's cross from the left and although Uruguay got a second goal through Pereira the Dutch triumphed.

European champions Spain play Germany in Durban in the other semifinal on Wednesday with the winners playing Netherlands in Sunday's World Cup final at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

It will be Europe's 10th World Cup win in 19 finals but the first by a European side outside their own continent.

The Dutch lost both their previous finals in 1974 and 1978 to hosts West Germany and Argentina respectively.

Brazil and Argentina are the only teams to have won the trophy on a foreign continent with Brazil successful in Sweden in 1958, Mexico 1970, the United States in 1994 and Japan in 2002, while Argentina won in Mexico in 1986.

A European victory in Sunday's final at Soccer City, Johannesburg, means they will have 10 World Cup successes, one more than South America.

Paes-Black win Wimbledon mixed doubles title

LONDON: Leander Paes notched up his 12th Grand Slam title after he and his Zimbabwean partner Cara Black clinched the Wimbledon mixed doubles championship with a straight set victory on Sunday.

Last year's runners-up and second seeds Paes and Black beat 11th seeds South African-American pair of Wesley Moodie and Lisa Raymond 6-4, 7-6 (5) in the finals.

With this win, Paes now have 12 Grand Slam titles -- six men's doubles and six mixed doubles Grand Slam crowns -- one more than his estranged men's doubles partner and fellow Indian Mahesh Bhupathi.

Paes and Black, who put up an impressive performance coming into the final, broke their rivals thrice and pocketed the first set 6-4 in just 37 minutes.

The first set featured as many as five breaks of serve, including one for every player in the first five games.

The second set, which turned out to be a grueling affair, saw both the parties held their serves, although both Black and Raymond each struggled in one game.

The Indo-Zimbabwean pair had earned a break point in the seventh game but couldn't convert it. In the next game, Wesley and Lisa also failed to covert a break point as the set went into a tie-breaker after a 6-6 stalemate.

In the thrilling tie-breaker, the South African-American pair moved into the 4-2 lead but Paes and Black made a successful comeback with some sharp returns and surged ahead 6-5 before the Indian sealed the resounding victory with a volley at the net.

Paes and Black had each won the title before with different partners.

Paes has lifted the trophy twice previously - with Martina Navratilova in 2003 and Lisa Raymond in 1999 - while Black won it with brother Wayne in 2004.

TOI

Dhoni continues to lead the ICC ODI batsmen ranking

Dhoni continues to lead the ICC ODI batsmen ranking

DUBAI, July 4: India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is set to start a new innings after marrying childhood friend Shakshi Singh Rawat in Dehradun, continued to top the ICC ODI batsmen chart released on Sunday.

With 807 ratting points, Dhoni is just two points ahead of South Africa's AB de Villiers in the list, which also has Sachin Tendulkar in the sixth spot.

Among others, Australia's vice-captain Michael Clarke has climbed 10 places to the 15th position, just ahead of teammate Shane Watson who has improved his ranking by two places.

England's Paul Collingwood has improved his ranking by two places after his series contribution of 209 runs against Australia, while Andrew Strauss has moved to 39th spot after scoring 191 runs in the series.

However, Kevin Pietersen has slipped five places to 33rd spot after managing just 95 runs.

In the rankings for ODI bowlers, Australia fast bowlers Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris and England's off-spinner Graeme Swann have achieved career-best rankings after rocketing into the top 20 bracket.

For his nine wickets in the series, Bollinger has been rewarded with a jump of 10 places which puts him along side Kyle Mills of New Zealand in fifth position, while Harris has vaulted 21 places to claim 15th spot following his series haul of 10 wickets.

Swann, who grabbed eight wickets in the series, has leaped 15 places to sit in 17th position. He is the third England bowler inside the top 20 behind Stuart Broad (eighth) and James Anderson (13th).

With England winning the five-ODI series 3-2 which concluded at Lord's on Saturday, Strauss's side gained one place in the ICC ODI Championship to reach the fourth position just behind India, while Australia retained its position at the top of the table.

Daniel Vettori of New Zealand leads the bowling table from Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan while Nuwan Kulasekara of Sri Lanka is third. (PTI)

Netherlands stun Brazil to enter semifinals

PORT ELIZABETH: If this was the game Johan Cruyff would not pay to go and watch, he has a bleak future on Wall Street. Little Wesley Sneijder, the shortest man on the field, soared over Brazil's tall, hulking defenders to turn an encounter that seemed to be headed Brazil's way into that classic we had all put our money on.

In a second half that was whizzing past like a blur, two goals within a quarter of an hour by the intelligent, peppy Dutch No. 10 derailed the Brazilian freight-train that had threatened to mow down everything in its path at the World Cup here. The Brazilians are now headed home, while coach Dunga, who controversially substituted beauty for efficiency and snubbed Ronaldinho, has almost certainly reached the end of his tenure. Asked about his future, he tersely told reporters, "We knew when I started that I would be here for four years."

Dunga had taken over after Brazil crashed out in the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup, and surely expected to improve on that showing here. But Sneijder had other plans. Fifty minutes into the game, a goal down and the Brazilians all over the Dutchmen, the Inter Milan playmaker showed great intuition - schooled no doubt from the Milan club training sessions - when he floated a harmless ball long into a crowded Brazilian area.

It was not the Jabulani that wobbled in the air this time, it was Brazil's cocky-looking Julio Cesar, the least busy man in all of the southern hemisphere these past three weeks. Sneijder's club colleague panicked, came off his line early and was blinded by an equally enthusiastic Felipe Melo, who came in his path, and the ball nestled into the net. One-all. Game on! The Dutch had seized the initiative, and never gave it back.

A quarter of an hour after he had provided Sneijder with the opportunity, Arjen Robben again emerged from under the skin of the Brazilians for a brief instant. His record-high irritability index intact, this time he saw his corner flicked on by the head of the tireless, but that most un-Oranje of Dutchmen, Dirk Kuyt. The ball flew past the raised heads of Juan, Lucio and Maicon, who were so tutored in the game of the plain pattern that they marked Van Bommel and Andre Ooijer, the tall Dutchmen, and forgot to mark this little ferret running around their legs. A neat header in and suddenly, it was such an uphill battle for Dunga's Brazilians.

Had he prepared his team for such a situation in which they were down and fighting their way up, the Brazilian coach was asked later. "We never prepare our teams to lose," was his terse reply. But the truth was that in going forward all the time, it is possible that Dunga's Brazil did not know how to come back. And football at the highest level demands that of you. Their famed composure suddenly looked so fragile when Sneijder led the assault upon Mt Brazil here. Their misery was compounded when, with 10 minutes to go, Felipe Melo, him of the wafer-thin temperament, stomped on Robben's leg after the ball had passed them by.

Did Robben ask for it? His endless needling of the Brazilians was going to reach flashpoint, but like guile in football does to you, it was Brazil that fell for it. "Go and see what Felipe Melo has done to Robben's leg," the Netherlands' normally unflappable coach Bert Van Marwijk told a journalist later. "Brazil should be ashamed of it," he added. How different the story was only 45 minutes ago. Van Marwijk himself admitted that a mere 1-0 at the culmination of a 45-minute Brazilian onslaught gave them hope. Else, the story could have been so different.

Brazil, in their away Blue, donned also the attacking idea of their famed rivals, surprising many. Outraged at this impostor-act, the Orange-men led by Sneijder set about teaching the South Americans a lesson and wrested the game away from them. In this see-saw battle, Robin van Persie and Robben were profligate, an extravagance the Brazilians would certainly punish.

They did, though a goal was a result of a strange Dutch disjointedness, and a defensive error by John Heitinga who stopped chasing Robinho when he watched Robben was on his heels. When his ball tore through the Dutch fabric and found Robinho, it was the last contribution by Melo in the clash. The Dutch reply was credited to him and then came the card against Robben.

But, it could have been so different.

Kaka showed he had the muscle and the stomach for a fight, when he fought off the advances off Nigel De Jong and Mark van Bommel. Once he had the lumbering Dutchmen out of the way, he grew in strength, taking control of the midfield and the onus of creativity from Sneijder, his opposite No 10, to put up a show of their vintage game. Just before the break, Dani Alves almost did a Pele from 1970 when he set up the locomotive-like Maicon without looking up. The thunderous shot by the Brazilian right back was narrowly out.

But it was the flying save by Maarten Stekelenburg half an hour in the game to a Kaka lob that was to prove the turning point as far as the Dutch were concerned.

TOI

Uruguay in WCup semifinals for 1st time since '70

STAFF WRITER 9:8 HRS IST

Johannesburg, Jul 3 (AP) Uruguay reached the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1970, beating Ghana 4-2 on penalties after the last African team in the tournament was denied victory by a cynical handball and a missed penalty in the last seconds of extra time.

The two-time champion Uruguayans advanced to face the Netherlands in the semifinals after Sebastian Abreu casually chipped the last penalty straight down the middle to secure the win, after a 1-1 draw following 120 minutes of play last night.

Asamoah Gyan had a chance to secure Africa's first ever World Cup semifinal spot for Ghana, but he hit the crossbar with a penalty after Uruguay forward Luis Suarez was sent off for handling the ball on the line.

"I think I made the best save of the World Cup," Suarez said, labeling it "the hand of Suarez.

ICC to reduce number of teams in 50-over World Cup

SINGAPORE: The International Cricket Council said it may consider increasing the number of participating teams in the World Twenty20 while reducing the number in the 50-over World Cup.

The working groups of the Chief Executive Committee and the Governance Review Committee, which met during the two-day ICC Executive Board meeting, have discussed many a measures to revamp international cricket and have been asked to submit a final proposal in this regard in September.

"Although we have made good progress, this exercise requires more work. We know there are exciting opportunities to protect and promote all three formats but we must exercise patience as we consider all aspects in introducing context and content in international cricket," ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in an ICC statement.

"There is clearly an appetite from all quarters to examine the make-up of the ICC Cricket World Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 and seek the best balance between excellence and development. In terms of the number of participating teams, it is possible that the World Cup could be reduced and the World Twenty20 expanded," he said.

The ICC also announced that the next Twenty20 World Cup will be held in Sri Lanka in 2012 while the 2014 edition of the event will be hosted by Bangladesh.

The ICC also awarded the 2013 Women's World Cup and the Champions Trophy the same year to India and England respectively, apart from naming Australia and New Zealand as the joint hosts for the 50-over World Cup in 2015.

Among other decisions, the game's governing body also exonerated Australian umpire Daryl Harper for the faults he committed while officiating a South Africa-England Test at the Wanderers in January this year.

"The preliminary findings of Advocate Brent Lockie and ICC Cricket Committee chairman Clive Lloyd acknowledge that the technology failure at the time adversely impacted on the information received by the third umpire Daryl Harper while making his decision.

"The ICC and the England and Wales Cricket Board agreed that the third umpire in the match, Daryl Harper, was entirely blameless due to this technical failure," the statement said.

The ICC also said that it was keen to continue with the Decision Review System and want it to be used in the 2011 World Cup in the sub-continent and also in Test matches.

"I am encouraged by everyone's ongoing willingness to improve the future application of DRS," Lorgat said.

TOI

Flying Dutchmen undaunted by Brazil

Flying Dutchmen undaunted by Brazil

Coach Dunga has a few injury and suspension worries. Ramires is suspended while Elano has been confirmed to be out with an ankle injury.

Felipe Melo is training normally but he may not start on Friday afternoon. Daniel Alves will be the replacement for Elano while Josue or Kleberson will be drafted in as replacement for Ramires.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Bastos; Gilberto Silva, Josue; Alves, Kaka, Robinho; Luis Fabiano

The Dutch have no injury concerns. Arjen Robben will start again and coach Bert van Marwijk is unlikely to chance his lineup. In a 4-2-3-1 formation, Mark van Bommel and Nigel De Jong will be the two central midfielders entrusted with the task of protecting the back four and breaking Brazilian moves while Arjen Robben and Dirk Kuyt will be the two widemen with Wesley Sneijder playing through the middle.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg, Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst; Van Bommel, De Jong; Robben, Sneijder, Kuyt; Van Persie

PORT ELIZABETH, July 1: The impressive Dutch march through the World Cup finals might hit a brick wall on Friday when they meet a Brazil side in startling form and looking everything like becoming champions for a sixth time.

Netherlands have their sights set on lifting the trophy themselves but coach Bert van Marwijk faces a tactical dilemma for a quarterfinal in Port Elizabeth against a team that has mercilessly punished their opponents, whatever their approach.

With three forwards, Chile boldly attacked the Samba Boys in their second round encounter but lost 3-0 after being torn to shreds by a side that looked close to flawless in all areas of the pitch.

Likewise, putting up the shutters in defence does not seem to work much either, with the likes of the brilliant Kaka, Robinho and Luis Fabiano relentlessly chipping away.

Coach Dunga, who was captain when Brazil beat Netherlands in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, said their opponents were technically strong and his team had to be prepared.

However, accommodation arrangements and an unfamiliar training venue seemed to be more of a concern to Dunga than the threat of Brazil's in-form and confident opponents.

“It interferes with things,” he said. “We will have to share a hotel with more people, there will be more confusion, and we will have to overcome this situation. Now, we are going to move to another reality,” he said.

Elano will be missing on Friday with a bruised ankle sustained during Brazil's game with Ivory Coast and Dani Alvez will likely fill the void, as he did against Chile.

Felipe Melo has an ankle injury and his replacement Ramires is suspended for two yellow cards, meaning Josue will likely get a start against the Dutch.

Netherlands have won all four of their matches and Arjen Robben's early goal on his return from injury in their 2-1 win over Slovakia has given the team a major lift.

They have endured criticism about dull play but winger Ryan Babel insisted the Dutch had so far faced opponents who had used negative tactics and Brazil's attacking flair would bring the best out of them.

“We play our better games against teams that want to play football as well and on Friday, Brazil is not going to wait,” he said.

Van Marwijk believes his team can go all the way having been in control in their group matches. He will be expecting something entirely different against Brazil, however.

“Perhaps we might be the underdogs for the first time in South Africa. We are confident but the Brazilians also convey this confidence. It’s almost like they’re invincible,” he said.

“But we’re here for one reason, to get the big prize. We have to believe in it,” he said. (Agencies)

Pawar new ICC president, world cricket divided over Howard’s rejection

Pawar new ICC president, world cricket divided over Howard’s rejection

Singapore/Melbourne, July 1: Indian Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Thursday took over the reins of the International Cricket Council (ICC) on a day when the game’s governing body stood divided in two blocks following the rejection of former Australian prime minister John Howard's nomination for the vice president's post. Pawar, however, attempted to downplay the brouhaha.

Cricket Australia (CA) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC), which floated Howard's nomination, were left seething in anger as the strong African and Asian block, including the Indian cricket board, opposed Howard’s candidature at the ICC executive board meeting on Wednesday. Only England, Australia and New Zealand supported Howard, thus forcing the ICC to ask CA and NZC to withdraw his nomination.

Howard was adamant, saying he was not withdrawing his nomination. “I won’t be withdrawing,” the Australian media quoted Howard as saying on Thursday.

Pawar, 69, who took over as ICC president from David Morgan Thursday, had openly backed Howard for the job but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) backtracked, rejecting Howard's candidature.

No reason was provided for the rejection of Howard's nomination, though it is understood that his opposition to Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe and his outspoken views on Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan's controversial bowling action were some of the reasons behind his rejection.

Pawar, 69, who became the second Indian after Jagmohan Dalmiya to occupy the top ICC post, sought to downplay the issue.

“What is the political connotation? There is no question of political connotation,” Pawar said at a press conference in Singapore.

“No, I don’t think so at all (that there will be a divide). We have discussed the matter individually and collectively with everybody including Australia, England and New Zealand also. We took a collective decision," Pawar told Indian news channel CNN-IBN in an interview.

“I’m not worried because it's a democratic organisation. According to the ICC constitution if any four members oppose a proposal, it cannot be passed. That's why we have requested Australia and New Zealand to give a second thought and come out with a new proposal," he added.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said the Council is not obliged to spell out the reason for Howard's failed nomination.

“The ICC does not have give those reasons. There were not sufficient number of directors in support of the nomination, (it) did not go to a vote and the outcome was to request Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket to reconsider their nomination," Lorgat said.

The ICC has asked Australia and New Zealand to nominate a new candidate by the end of August.

“We (will) wait for their recommendation," Pawar said.

Had Howard been elected, he would have succeeded Pawar as ICC president in 2012.

Not mincing words, CA chairman Jack Clarke said he felt "gutted and deeply disappointed".

“If you keep having processes that don't work, or are not allowed to work, I am not too sure where they go from there. John wasn't putting his hand up for this job, he was asked by us,” added Clarke.

“You hope it doesn't affect the relationship but it obviously puts a block there for a while and makes you wary."

Although Clarke did not blame India for Howard's rejection, he reasoned the country's financial clout in the ICC had guided the outcome.

“In any business model where a company has 75 per cent of the income, it’s not an ideal model,” he said. “But that is not India’s fault ... it’s a powerful bloc but it’s a reality of life,” Fox Sports quoted Clarke as saying.

New Zealand Cricket chairman Alan Isaac found the rejection of Howard's nomination unacceptable. "We have been unable to get a reason for the lack of support for our nomination and it's just not acceptable," Isaac said.

Pawar's overwhelming support in BCCI has waned after his support of Lalit Modi during the Indian Premier League controversy, and with the latest row over Howard, the veteran politican will have much in hand during his tenure.

Should CA and NZC decide to admit defeat on Howard, it is likely that former NZC and ICC administrator John Anderson would be sought again, having lost out to the former Australian prime minister in a selection process that was hotly-debated by the two countries.

Former ICC CEO Malcolm Speed said Howard was rejected because of his opposition to Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe.

“Rest assured, he (Howard) was not rejected because of his lack of experience as a cricket administrator, his strong opposition to Robert Mugabe's disastrous regime in Zimbabwe or his outspoken views about Muttiah Muralitharan's controversial bowling action. There is more to it than that,” Speed said in his column in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Speed also alleged Pawar knows little about cricket administration.

“The man who is to be the next ICC president, Sharad Pawar, is the Minister for Agriculture in the Indian government - a serious full-time job, feeding 1.2 billion people. He is a good and fair man but he will be working part-time as ICC president and, take it from me, he knows little about cricket administration,” Speed said. (IANS)

IPL teams under scanner over 'service tax evasion'

NEW DELHI: After the Income Tax department asked for over Rs 600 crore from the Indian cricket board (BCCI) as tax, the service tax department, another arm of the finance ministry, has slapped as many as 32 showcause notices on Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises for alleged duty evasion to the tune of nearly Rs 64 crore.

The total collection of service tax by the department during the third season of IPL was Rs 29 crore. This was almost half of what it was during IPL-2 which was held in South Africa. In the second season of IPL, the service tax collection was Rs 64 crore. The total collection made by service tax authorities in the first season was only Rs 81 lakh.

While investigative agencies are yet to conclude probe on the remittances and shareholding pattern of these franchises, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) constituted a team to review payments received from IPL on suspicion of evasion. Commissioners in different zones were asked to look into the accounts of these franchises and seek details of their earnings and expenditure.

Sources said service tax authorities in Bangalore had issued a maximum of 14 showcause notices for estimated ‘evasion’ to the tune of Rs 8.85 crore. The highest ‘evasion’ of Rs 37 crore, however, has been detected in the Mumbai region.

The notices were issued to franchises after tax officials accounted for all services provided by various stakeholders. Service tax is levied on franchise fees paid by eight franchises to BCCI, remittances made to UK-based IMG for management and business consultancy services, on payments received by franchises on sale of advertisement space and on income from the sale of game rights.

Sharad Pawar is ICC president

NEW DELHI: Former BCCI president Sharad Pawar has been formally inducted as the International Cricket Council (ICC) president on Thursday.

The former Board of Control for Cricket in India president has taken over from David Morgan as the ICC chief.

Pawar thus became the second Indian to head the ICC after Jagmohan Dalmiya.

The Union Agriculture Minister has the top job in hand as the sub-continent countries to host the 2011 World Cup.

Saina not worried about ranking

Saina not worried about ranking

Hyderabad, June 30: After notching up a hat-trick of international titles, Saina Nehwal is in no hurry to become the numero uno badminton player in the world and now wants to do well in forthcoming World Championships and Commonwealth Games in October. “This year there is the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and also the Asian Games. So I will be working towards that. I did not expect to reach number three ranking, but have reached there and I am quite confident I can also reach number one position. But before that, it is important for me to play well in the World Championships and the Delhi Commonwealth Games,” Saina told PTI.

Saina, who pocketed the hat-trick of titles by defending the Indonesian Open Super Series trophy in Jakarta recently, also made it clear that she had never set deadlines for improve in the world ranking.

“I did not keep a target to reach number three. I thought by this year end I may be at number four or five, but I have reached number three so fast. So, I can be number one or may go down also because I am not playing so many tournaments,” she pointed out.

The 20-year-old, however, feels that there is enough space for further improvement. “A player is never perfect. You have to work hard to keep on improving every time. I have to improve my defence, net, backhands and forehands. I should work on the areas where I am weak,” she said. “The coaches are finding something special. They will try to improve and tell me to learn something new. Right now, I am not thinking of what to do. The plan is to start (practice) from the next week. (PTI)

Irfan Pathan in small screen cameo

New Delhi, June 30: Indian cricketers Parthiv Patel and Irfan Pathan are set to make a cameo appearance on the small screen with SAB TV’s comedy show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. The show has the Gokuldham Premier League (GPL) - a cricket tournament - and the cricketers will be joining the cast for one episode each. They will cheer the two teams of GPL. While Patel will be seen Thursday, Pathan will make an appearance on the episode to be aired July 7, said a press statement from the channel. “Taarak Mehta... is a complete family entertainment serial. It is one of the only TV shows that all of us enjoy watching together as a family. Daya bhabhi is definitely my favourite character in the show. I love her innocence and spirit,” said Pathan. Patel too is excited about being on the show. “I am thoroughly enjoying the GPL season running on the show and very curious to find out who among the teams will win,” he said. The show is based on a popular column called Duniya Ne Undha Chasma written by Gujarati writer Taarak Mehta. (IANS)

My contract renewed with AIFF till 2013: Houghton

NEW DELHI: The controversy surrounding India football coach Bob Houghton's resignation is finally over with the Briton himself announcing that he has struck a deal with the AIFF to continue till 2013.

"I have signed a contract till 2013," Houghton, who had threatened to resign in May after he learnt that the AIFF was looking for a new coach after the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar, said at a press conference on the eve of national team's departure for a two-month training tour of Portugal.

"My plan is to stay after Asian Cup. But like any other coach it's never look beyond a big tournament," said the Briton, tongue in cheek, referring to the continental event which will be a tough test for him and his players.

Houghton is not new to controversy, including the latest resignation drama which hit the headlines two months back, and today also he hit out at the clubs for hampering in the development of Indian football.

He at first expressed satisfaction that the clubs have allowed the players to prepare exclusively for the Asian Cup. But later, he practically laid the blame for national team's poor world ranking to the club bosses.

"There has not been much change in Indian football in the last four years of my coaching career here. The national team's performance depends on the I-League and domestic structure and the clubs do not want to change," he said.

One of the reasons for the sorry state of affairs, Houghton felt, was the composition of the AIFF Executive Committee which has club presidents as its members.

"The Executive Committee has presidents of big clubs as members. So, for example, when I want I-League players not to play in the local leagues, these members don't agree. Ultimately, they take decisions and have voting rights," said the experienced coach.

"I have had several confrontational meeting with the club officials in these four years. I ask them how is that your clubs are more than 100 years old but India are languishing below 130 in FIFA rankings," Houghton, who took over as coach in June 2006, said.

He touched upon his oft-repeated lack of infrastructure in the country and said nothing much will change without addressing this problem.

"I was in Qatar during the Asian Cup draw ceremony and the stadia there were fabulous with all the state-of-the-art facilities. In India we don't have anything. Take the case of Delhi. Ambedkar Stadium is a good venue for the national team but where are the training grounds? During the Nehru Cup last year, the teams had to train at school grounds," he said.

Houghton and 28 national players are leaving at wee hours on Thursday for Portugal for the training tour as part of their preparations for Asian Cup in Qatar next January.

TOI

Mumbai Indians take on Highveld Lions in CLT20 opener

MUMBAI: Indian Premier League 3 runners-up Mumbai Indians, led by batting great Sachin Tendulkar, will face South Africa's Highveld Lions in the opening match of the Airtel Champions League Twenty20 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on September 10.


Mumbai Indians and IPL's third-placed outfit Royal Challengers Bangalore have been placed in Group B along with Highveld Lions, South Australia Redbacks, and West Indies' representative to be determined in late July.

IPL champions Chennai Super Kings, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, are in Group A alongside the Twenty20 champions from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, the organisers announced on Tuesday.

The final would be held at the Wanderers on September 26 while Durban and Centurion have been awarded the semifinals on September 24 and 25 respectively.

The 10 competing teams have been divided into two groups of five for a round robin phase before the top two teams from each group progress to the semifinals.

Matches have been evenly distributed across the four venues with each hosting at least five fixtures, including the final, the organisers said.

All 23 matches in the tournament would be broadcast in prime time in India starting at 5pm or 9pm IST, as per the schedule.

Group A - Chennai Super Kings, Warriors, Victorian Bushrangers, Wayamba Elevens, Central Stags.

Group B - Mumbai Indians, Highveld Lions, South Australian Redbacks, Royal Challengers Bangalore, West Indies Domestic T20 Champions (To be confirmed)

The complete schedule (all times IST):

Sep 10: Mumbai Indians vs Highveld Lions, Johannesburg 9 pm.

Sep 11: Warriors vs Wayamba Elevens, Port Elizabeth 5 pm; Chennai Super Kings vs Central Stags, Durban 9 pm.

Sep 12: Highveld Lions vs South Australian Redbacks, Centurion 5 pm; Royal Challengers Bangalore vs WI team, Centurion 9 pm.

Sep 13: Warriors vs Victorian Bushrangers, Port Elizabeth 9 pm.

Sep 14: Mumbai Indians vs South Australian Redbacks, Durban 9 pm.

Sep 15: Victorian Bushrangers vs Central Stags, Centurion 5 pm; Chennai Super Kings vs Wayamba Elevens, Centurion 9 pm.

Sep 16: Mumbai Indians vs WI team, Durban 9 pm. Sep 17: South Australian Redbacks vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Durban 9 pm.

Sep 18: Warriors vs Central Stags, Port Elizabeth 5 pm; Chennai Super Kings vs Victorian Bushrangers, Port Elizabeth 9 pm.

Sep 19: Highveld Lions vs WI team, Johannesburg 5 pm; Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Durban 9 pm.

Sep 20: Victorian Bushrangers vs Wayamba Elevens, Centurion 9 pm.

Sep 21: South Australian Redbacks vs WI team, Johannesburg 5 pm; Highveld Lions vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Johannesburg 9 pm.

Sep 22: Wayamba Elevens vs Central Stags, Port Elizabeth 5 pm; Chennai Super Kings vs Warriors, Port Elizabeth 9 pm.

Sep 23: Rest day

Sep 24: Semifinal 1, 1st Group A vs 2nd Group B, Durban 9 pm.

Sep 25: Semifinal 2, 1st Group B vs 2nd Group A, Centurion 9 pm.

Sep 26: Final, Johannesburg 9 pm.

TOI

Australia's Howard fails in ICC leadership bid

SINGAPORE: Former Australia prime minister John Howard has failed in his bid to become the next vice-president of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The 70-year-old Howard had been nominated for the position by Cricket Australia (CA) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC), who have been asked to put forward another candidate by the ICC.

The decision was made on Wednesday at the week-long ICC executive board meeting in Singapore.

"Following lengthy consideration it was recognised that the nomination put forward by Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket did not have sufficient support within the ICC Board. No vote was taken," the sport's governing body said in a statement.

"Under the ICC's regional rotation process... Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket were invited to re-nominate a candidate by August 31, 2010."

Under ICC rules, the vice-president would serve for two years then become president in 2012.

CA and NZC issued a joint statement after the announcement expressing their disappointment at the decision.

"We jointly nominated Mr Howard as a candidate as he possesses significant leadership and administrative skills," CA chairman Jack Clarke and NZC chairman Alan Isaac said in the statement.

"We believe cricket needs to continue to seek excellence and dispassionate independence in the game's global governance.

"We remain convinced it is reasonable for his nomination to be supported by the ICC Executive Board and we are deeply disappointed by the position taken at today's meeting."

The nomination of Howard, who lost the 2007 Australian federal election and retired from politics, had been contentious with earlier newspaper reports indicating that six of the 10 major cricket nations at the Singapore meeting had signed a letter opposing him as a candidate.

Only Australia, New Zealand and England had supported him, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian reported on their websites.

In the weeks leading up to the Singapore gathering, the Australian media suggested Howard would struggle to seal the nomination.

One of the reasons given was his criticism of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's regime when he was Australian Prime Minister, with both South Africa and Zimbabwe expected not to give him support.

Sri Lanka cricket authorities had also expressed reservations about his nomination because he did not have the necessary cricketing administrative background.

He also won few friends in Sri Lanka after he questioned the bowling action of test wicket record holder Muttiah Muralitharan.

Howard was also the subject of a public battle between CA and NZC for the nomination, with New Zealand wanting to nominate their former chairman John Anderson for the position before they agreed to Howard.

TOI

Indo-Pak face off promises electrifying contest

DAMBULLA: It will be a battle of attrition when arch rivals India and Pakistan resume their high-voltage cricketing rivalry after eight months in an Asia Cup match on Saturday.

The battle lines have been drawn for what is regarded as most sought-after match in world cricket, which dwarfs the interest evinced even in the Ashes series between England and Australia.

Though the wicket is not ideal for an ODI, it should produce an electrifying contest as Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Shahid Afridi's men fight for supremacy at the Rangiri Dambulla international stadium.

The last time the teams met across the square, Pakistan had the measure of India in the Champions Trophy in South Africa last September and Dhoni's legion would be aching for revenge.

Pakistan are known to be dangerously volatile when put in a do-or-die situation, as is the situation now after they lost their first match to Sri Lanka.

A determined and aggressive Afridi could spoil India's party if he cuts loose in the middle, as he did against the Lankans.

The Akmal brothers, Umar and Kamran, are immensely capable of turning the match on its head when the chips are down. Salman Butt and Shoaib Malik also have the reputation to destroy any attack on their day.

But man to man, India have a superior batting unit. Unlike Pakistan, India have a deep batting line-up, with Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan capable of pulling their side out of crisis.

But it will be interesting to see how Virender Sehwag responds to the Pakistan challenge. On return from a shoulder injury, he made 11 against Bangladesh, struggling to move back and across the stumps during his 14-ball tenure at the square.

Gautam Gambhir worked hard for his 82 against Bangladesh, but would carry the confidence of spending time in the middle into the game against Pakistan.

A determined Dhoni was also among the runs (38 not out in 45 balls). Gambhir and Dhoni's form aside, India would need significant contributions from Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to win this game.

Both teams have a reasonably good bowling line-up. If Shoaib Akthar, who hobbled out with a strained left knee after a practice session, finds the rhythm which had deserted him in the game against Lanka, it would be an intense contest in the middle.

The Rawalpindi Express could be very effective against the Indian batters who have struggled against the short-pitched ball.

The wicket may not assist his pace, but he can certainly extract bounce to trouble Gambhir, Raina and Rohit.

"When it comes to 50-overs cricket, we have more options against the short ball. We don't have to play at each ball. We can either leave it or jab for a single. It is up to the individuals to cope up with it," said Dhoni.

Talking about the Shoaib Akthar factor, the Indian captain said, "It will be a good contest. Akthar can be affective as he can bowl quick. But we will see how the boys cope against him."

Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer could also pose problems if they back their ability to move the ball with accuracy. As in the match against Sri Lanka, Afridi and Malik will share the spin bowling responsibilities, unless Pakistan replace old and slow Abdul Razzaq with off-break bowler Saeed Ajmal.

On the Indian bowling front, there is a cloud over Ahsish Nehra's fitness, but the team is yet to take a call on his availability.

"Nehra is not 100 per cent fit. We will take a call tomorrow," said Dhoni.

In Nehra's absence, Zaheer Khan would have to shoulder the responsibility of the Indian attack which has been far from impressive in the recent past. But Zaheer did look sharp and mean during India's six-wicket win over Bangladesh.

If Praveen Kumar, who has been given more opportunities than his performance would command, does not deliver, the national selectors would do well to look at younger and better replacements for future national assignments.

Harbhajan Singh, who has been bowling well of late, and Ravindra Jadeja will have to back the fast bowlers if India are to come away with the honours.

Despite the intensity of the contest, Dhoni felt they would have to take every match they play seriously.

"We have to take every game seriously as it is. We have to play to win," said Dhoni.

If India beat Pakistan tomorrow, they will sail through to the finals, leaving Pakistan to play out an inconsequential match against Bangladesh.

But if Pakistan trounce India, they can hope to qualify for the June 24 title clash by extracting the bonus point against Bangladesh.

Teams (From):

India: M S Dhoni (capt), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Pragyan Ojha, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, Asish Nehra, Ashok Dinda, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sourabh Tiwari.

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (capt), Salman Butt, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Asad Shafiq, Imran Farhat, Kamran Akmal, Mahammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif, Saaed Ajmal, Shahzaib Hassan, Shoaib Akthar, Shoaib Mallik, Umar Akmal, Umar Amin.

TOI

Hopes springs as Aussies survive Ireland scare

All-rounder James Hopes took career best figures of five wickets for 14 runs as Australia came through some nervy moments to beat Ireland by 39 runs in a one-day international here on Thursday.

World champions Australia, in the first match of their British Isles tour, were held to 231 for nine in 50 overs at Clontarf.

Opening batsman and wicketkeeper Tim Paine, only on tour after Brad Haddin was ruled out with an elbow injury, top scored with 81.

Ireland openers William Porterfield and Paul Stirling then shared a stand of 80 in 11 overs to spark thoughts of a shock win in what was Australia's first match at this level since playing New Zealand in March.

But Ireland's innings fell away, with medium-pacer Hopes doing the bulk of the damage as the hosts were bowled out for 192 with eight overs to spare.

"When we turned up today we knew there was a good chance that Ireland were going to come out and give us a good run," Hopes said.

"We hadn't played any one-day cricket for a while since New Zealand and we got off to a sluggish start.

"Fortunately we brought it back in the middle overs and you could look at it that we got out of jail." Set 232 on a slow pitch, Ireland's first-wicket duo raced off at seven runs an over.

When Ryan Harris, who had been hit for 16 in his first over, dismissed Stirling for a run-a-ball 36, Ireland had 80 on the board and were on course for a huge upset.

However, the wickets of Porterfield, an English county professional with Gloucestershire, for 39, from 42 balls, and Gary Wilson of Surrey followed in successive overs.

Instead of expressing the freedom the openers had shown, Ireland's middle order tried to consolidate and they lost their way.

The turning point was the introduction into the attack by Australia captain Ricky Ponting of Hopes.

Taking pace off the ball and bowling outswingers, Hopes appeared fortunate to get the wicket of Alex Cusack for 30, awarded a leg before decision when the ball seemed to be going over the top.

But after that the 31-year-old Queenslander was virtually unplayable and his five wickets helped reduce Ireland to 156 for nine.

Frustrated Ireland captain Porterfield added: "It was ours to lose and we let it slip. It's pretty disappointing from the position we were in." John Mooney hit five fours in his 38 but, trying to keep the strike, he was last man out in the 42nd over.

Both Harris and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz finished with two for 40.

Earlier, Paine's 122-ball innings was the backbone of Australia's total after Ponting won the toss.

Paine was at the wicket for all but six overs of the innings as Australia failed to assert their superiority over the top-ranked Associate nation.

Of the rest of the Aussie line-up, Ponting (33) and Cameron White (42) both got in but did not cash in on good starts and when White was out at the end of the 38th over, Australia were 152 for four.

It was the perfect time for Michael Hussey to enter the fray but the Aussie 'finisher' managed only eight off 17 balls before he was caught off a skyer at mid-wicket, the first of three catches for Niall O'Brien off his brother Kevin's bowling.

But the 79 runs Australia scored from the last 12 overs proved to be more than enough as they avoided an embarrassing loss ahead of their five-match one-day series against England, which starts at Hampshire's Rose Bowl ground on Tuesday.

© AFP

Pietersen to leave Hampshire

Kevin Pietersen will leave county side Hampshire at the end of the season, the England batsman announced Thursday.

The 29-year-old South Africa born shotmaker wants to spend more time at his London home with wife Jessica and the couple's son.

Pietersen, who made his name in English cricket with Nottinghamshire, played for southern club Hampshire for the first time in two years in their Twenty20 match against London-based Surrey on Sunday.

Given Pietersen is an England centrally contracted player and a mainstay of the side in all three international formats, the chances of any county club seeing much of him in the next few seasons would appear slim.

"I have not had much opportunity to play for Hampshire but I want to thank the players, staff, chairman and fans, for the support I have had during my time at The Rose Bowl," Pietersen said.

"Hampshire is a great club and I wish them well for the future."

Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove added: "Given England's critical dependence on KP in all forms of cricket, we have not seen anything like as much of him as we would have liked over the past six years.

"He remains, however, a fantastic player and we wish him continued success wherever he plays and, in particular, we wish him, Jessica and Dylan every happiness."

England open their five-match one-day international series against Australia at The Rose Bowl on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka bat against Bangladesh in Asia Cup

ri Lanka's captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and elected to bat against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup limited-overs tournament on Friday.

Sri Lanka, who won their first match against Pakistan, need a victory to virtually assure themselves of playing the final on June 24.

Bangladesh are in a must-win situation after losing to India.

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza, Naeem Islam, Syed Rasel, Shafiul Islam.

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Chanaka Welegedara, Chamara Kapugedara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan.

Umpires: Billy Bowden (NZL) and Bruce Oxenford (AUS)

TV umpire: Ahsan Raza (PAK).

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)