England, Ireland, West Indies and Proteas score victories in warm up games

England, Ireland, West Indies and Proteas score victories in warm up games

Kamran, Malik lift Pakistan over India in practice match 

COLOMBO: Kamran Akmal smashed an unbeaten 92 off 50 balls as Pakistan came from behind to defeat India by five wickets in a warm-up match for the World Twenty20 on Monday. Pakistan, chasing India’s commanding 185-3, appeared to be out of contention when they lost five wickets by the 12th over with just 91 runs on the board at the Premadasa stadium. But Akmal and former captain Shoaib Malik turned the game around with a brilliant unbroken stand of 95 off 46 balls that helped Pakistan beat the shell-shocked Indians with five balls to spare. Akmal plundered six sixes, including the winning shot off seamer Irfan Pathan which sailed over the cover fence. Malik remained unbeaten on 37 off 18 balls.

Virat Kohli had earlier top-scored for India with 75 not out, while off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin claimed four wickets for 23 runs. Some 3,000 Sri Lankan fans watched the arch-rivals battle out in the middle in the only warm-up match to be beamed live by the host broadcasters of the World Twenty20 that opens on Tuesday. “We knew that if India could post a huge total, so could we,” said Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez. “Kamran was exceptional, and Malik’s experience also helped.” Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said the batting worked well, but the bowlers needed to contain runs on the easy-paced wickets. “It was not really a bad game for us,” he said. “We have got to work on a few things with our bowling.” India and Pakistan are drawn in different groups for the preliminary league, but are seeded to meet in the Super Eights round in Colombo on September 30.

England, Ireland, West Indies and Proteas emerge victorious: In other matches, England beat Australia by nine runs, Ireland pipped Bangladesh by five runs, the West Indies slammed Afghanistan by eight wickets and South Africa overcame New Zealand by nine runs. Reigning champions England piled up 172-6 after being sent in to bat, with opener Alex Hales top-scoring with 52 off 38 balls. Luke Wright hit a 29-ball 35 and Eoin Morgan scored a brisk 30 from 16 balls.

Australia managed only 163-6 in reply against the tight England bowling despite a polished 71 off 51 balls from Michael Hussey, who hit five sixes. England, who take on Afghanistan in their opening match in Colombo on Friday, play another practice match against Pakistan on Wednesday. A middle-order collapse saw Bangladesh go down to Ireland despite Shakib Al Hasan’s hurricane 52 from 23 balls that was studded with three fours and five sixes. Ireland made 164-6 after being asked to take first strike, with Paul Stirling hitting a 41-ball 71 with five fours and as many sixes. Ed Joyce scored 39 from 36 balls. Shakib and Tamim Iqbal (35) took Bangladesh to a comfortable 105-2, before four wickets fell for 21 runs to allow Ireland to bounce back.

West Indies opener Chris Gayle warmed up for the tournament with an unbeaten 65 off 48 balls as the West Indies eased past Afghanistan’s modest 122-7 in the 16th over. New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor hammered seven sixes in an unbeaten 75 from 42 balls, but could not prevent South Africa from carving out a nine-run victory. South Africa rode on captain AB de Villiers’ 54 to make 186-6 before four wickets from Dale Steyn restricted the Black Caps to 177-8. afp

Hosts Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe in opener

World Twenty20 explodes into action today

HAMBANTOTA: The World Twenty20 Championship explodes into action on Tuesday (today) in tropical Sri Lanka with no runaway favourite and upsets likely in cricket’s shortest and least predictable form. At least half of the 12 participating nations will consider themselves strong contenders to lift the trophy in Colombo on October 7, with the others hopeful of living up to the event’s reputation for shocks. From defending champions England, the powerful West Indies and formidable South Africa to Asia’s top three – former winners India and Pakistan, and Sri Lanka – the field is strong and deep.

The others won’t be taken lightly either, if a string of sensational results in the tournament’s three previous editions are any indication. While many purists are unconvinced by Twenty20, and fear the impact on Test cricket, there’s no doubting its entertainment value. India, initially reluctant to embrace the newest format, won the inaugural event in South Africa in 2007 under rookie skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni after senior pros Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly opted out. It was in the same tournament that Zimbabwe stunned Australia, Bangladesh upset the West Indies, and India brushed aside England, South Africa, Australia and Pakistan in successive games to grab the title.

Pakistan won the second edition in England in 2009, a tournament that made a stunning start when the Netherlands, a non Test-playing nation, upset the hosts by four wickets in front of a packed house at Lord’s. England claimed the 2010 title in the Caribbean, but it was Australia’s amazing win over Pakistan in the semi-final that remained the talking point. With 34 needed from the final two overs, Michael Hussey smashed 38 off 10 balls to take Australia home with one delivery to spare. Only last week, Australia trounced Pakistan by 94 runs to avenge two successive defeats against the same opponents. “It’s the sort of format where nothing can be taken for granted,” said India’s Dhoni. “We have seen one ball change the whole game. “The idea is to do well for all the 40 overs. That is all that matters.” The 12 sides have been divided into four pools for the preliminary league, with the top two from each advancing to the Super Eights round. If the seedings go to plan, fans can expect high-voltage action in the Super Eights – a week-long race to the one-off semis and final in the Sri Lankan capital. England, the West Indies, Sri Lanka and New Zealand are seeded to meet in group one of the Super Eights, with the top two teams making it to the semi-finals.

Group two is already being billed as the “Group of Death”, with arch-rivals India and Pakistan seeded to face Australia and South Africa. Sri Lanka’s frontline batsman Kumar Sangakkara cautioned rivals not to expect spin-friendly pitches at the three venues in Colombo, steamy hill town Pallekele and Hambantota, site of a major new port. “Be ready for a stiff breeze in Hambantota, swing and seam in Pallekele and a good batting surface at the Premadasa (stadium) in Colombo,” the veteran batsman-wicketkeeper said. “Each venue will have a different challenge and sides will have to adjust accordingly. It will make the tournament more exciting.” England are out to prove they can defend the title without star batsman Kevin Pietersen, the man of the tournament in 2010 who has been axed from the national team on disciplinary grounds.

The West Indies are touted as potential champions, with explosive batsmen in Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Marlon Samuels, and a wily spinner in Sunil Narine. The men to watch out for are plenty. Australian spinner Brad Hogg, aged 41, and South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis, 37 next month, will look to rubbish the theory that Twenty20 is a young man’s game. Ace Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh is assured of a warm welcome from the stands, having battled cancer earlier this year to return to the big stage. Also vying for the spotlight will be prolific Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal, dashing Australian opener David Warner, local boy Lasith Malinga, England’s Jonny Bairstow and South African Richard Levi. afp

Groups :

Group A: England, India, Afghanistan

Group B: Australia, West Indies, Ireland

Group C: Sri Lanka, South Africa, Zimbabwe

Group D: Pakistan, New Zealand, Bangladesh

Schedule with pakistan standard time (pst) :

Sept 18: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, Hambantota at 7:00 pm (PST)

Sept 19: Australia v Ireland, Colombo at 3:00 pm (PST)

India v Afghanistan, Colombo at 7:00 pm (PST)

Sept 20: South Africa v Zimbabwe, Hambantota at 7:00 pm (PST)

Sept 21: New Zealand v Bangladesh, Pallekele at 3:00 pm (PST)

England v Afghanistan, Colombo at 7:00 pm (PST)

Sept 22: Sri Lanka v South Africa, Hambantota at 3:00 pm (PST)

Australia v West Indies, Colombo at 7:00 pm (PST)

Sept 23: Pakistan v New Zealand, Pallekele at 3:00 pm (PST)

England v India, Colombo at 7:00 pm (PST)

Sept 24: West Indies v Ireland, Colombo 7:00 pm (PST)

Sept 25: Pakistan v Bangladesh, Pallekele at 7:00 pm (PST)

Super-Eights

Group one: A1, B2, C1, D2

Group two: A2, B1, C2, D1

Sept 27: C1 v D2, Pallekele at 4:00 pm (PST)

A1 v B2, Pallekele at 7:00 pm (PST)

Sept 28: D1 v C2, Colombo at 3:00 pm (PST)

B1 v A2, Colombo at 7:00 pm (PST)

Sept 29: A1 v D2, Pallekele at 3:00 pm (PST)

C1 v B2, Pallekele 7:00 pm (PST)

Sept 30: B1 v C2, Colombo at 3:00 pm (PST)

D1 v A2, Colombo at 7:00 pm (PST)

Oct 1: B2 v D2, Pallekele at 3:00 pm (PST)

A1 v C1, Pallekele at 7:00 pm (PST)

Oct 2: B1 v D1, Colombo at 3:00 pm (PST)

A2 v C2, Colombo at 7:00 pm (PST)

Semi-finals

Oct 4: Group one winners v Group two runners-up, Colombo at 6:30 pm (PST)

Oct 5: Group one runners-up v Group two winners, Colombo 6:30 pm (PST)

Final

Oct 7: Final, Colombo 6:30 pm (PST)

Australia crush Pakistan in final Twenty20

Australia crush Pakistan in final Twenty20

DUBAI: Australia brought Pakistan down to earth with a thumping 94-run defeat in the third and final Twenty20 international at Dubai Stadium here on Monday. Chasing a daunting 169-run target, Pakistan were all out for 74 -- the joint lowest by a Test playing country in all Twenty20s – for their biggest defeat in the history of the shortest form of the game.

Only Nasir Jamshed (17), Yasir Arafat (15) and Abdul Razzaq (13) could reach double figures as Australian paceman Mitchell Starc (3-11) and Pat Cummins (3-15) ran through the Pakistan batting line-up. Pakistan, who won the first match by seven wickets and the second in Super over, never looked the same side as they lost wickets at regular intervals, the first five falling by the sixth over with the score on 19. Razzaq and Arafat shared the highest partnership of the innings with 20, taking Pakistan past the lowest total in all Twenty20 -- 67 by Kenya against Canada in Belfast in 2008. Pakistan’s previous biggest defeat in Twenty20 internationals was by 48 runs, against England at The Oval in 2009. India were also dismissed for 74 by Australia at Melbourne in 2008.

Earlier Warner made a 34-ball 59 with six sixes and a four and Watson hammered five sixes and a boundary during his 32-ball 47 to put on Australia’s best opening stand of 111 in all T20s after they were put into bat. The Australian openers went berserk from the eighth over when Watson hit Shoaib Malik for three towering sixes and from the other end Warner hit left-armer Raza Hasan for as many sixes in the ninth. Even the successful Saeed Ajmal was hit for two sixes as Australian openers hit nine sixes in the space of 19 balls, bringing the second fifty off just 15 balls. Paceman Arafat, who replaced Sohail Tanveer as the only change to the line-up, had both the openers in successive overs to put brakes on the Australian innings, finishing with 2-30. Glenn Maxwell chipped in with a 20-ball 27 with three fours and six. Ajmal finished with 2-19, taking his tally to 60 wickets -- the most by any bowler in Twenty20 cricket. The two teams now head to Sri Lanka where the fourth edition of the World Twenty20 begins from September 18. afp

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England star Anderson slams former skipper Vaughan

England star Anderson slams former skipper Vaughan

LONDON: England pace bowler James Anderson has launched a scathing attack on the captaincy of Michael Vaughan, who led his country’s successful bid to regain the Ashes in 2005. Vaughan was widely regarded as a fine leader after revitalising England in the run-up to their first Test series win over old rivals Australia in 18 years. But Anderson, who didn’t feature in the 2005 Ashes after losing his place in the England team, claims Vaughan lacked the ability to talk to his players as individuals and left him feeling “alone and isolated” when he needed support.

Writing in his autobiography, an excerpt of which was published in the Mail on Sunday, the 30-year-old, who is now a key member of the England bowling attack, talked about his relationships with Vaughan and Nasser Hussain, another former national team captain. “My relationship with Nasser was good on and off the field. The same could be said of my relationship with Michael Vaughan, captain during my early England years, since his retirement. Unfortunately, despite our cordiality now, I didn’t enjoy Vaughan as a captain,” Anderson said.

“As a young fast bowler, you need to know that your captain has his arm around your shoulder, if not physically, then metaphorically. Unfortunately, that is not something I ever felt playing under Vaughan. I actually felt alone and isolated when I most needed support. Prime example of that was my recall for the fourth Test against South Africa at the Wanderers in 2005. I had spent the first three Tests on tour out of favour. My tour was one big net, and because I had been so far removed from selection, I wasn’t even thinking about playing. When preferred to Simon Jones, I was underprepared. It was five months since my last first-class action. I didn’t bowl very well. Although I started okay as first change, it wasn’t long before I began dragging the ball down short and wide. I got clattered everywhere and was soon shot of confidence. Vaughan asked: ‘What’s up, mate? Radar gone?’ ‘Yeah, I think it has,’ I said, desperate for some backing. All I received was a pat between the shoulder blades and an instruction to ‘keep going’.”

Anderson believes Vaughan’s failure to communicate well was largely ignored because he was in charge of so many good players that the team’s results kept the spotlight off the captain. “A good captain should know how to talk to his team as individuals. I don’t think Vaughan ever had that in him – a major reason I’ve not held him in as high regard as others have,” Anderson added. “He was not as good a captain as others made out. He was captain of a truly great team in 2005.” afp

Golf : Australia’s Griffin wins in South Korea

Golf : Australia’s Griffin wins in South Korea

SEOUL: Australia’s Matthew Griffin scored the biggest win of his professional career with a single stroke victory at the Charity High1 Resort Open in South Korea on Sunday. The 29-year-old led by two overnight but held his nerve in a topsy-turvy final round for an even-par 72 to give him a nine-under total of 278 and the winner’s cheque of around $178,000.

Kang Kyung-nam, who shot 68, and Park Sang-Hyun, on 71, both from South Korea, pushed Griffin all the way, to finish joint second on 279. Kim Bi-o, winner of two events on the OneAsia circuit already this year, was a shot further back. His hopes of an unprecedented third OneAsia title on home soil came unstuck with two wayward shots on the par five 13th, although he salvaged a bogey with a breathtaking 60-foot putt.

“I am really, really thrilled,” Griffin said after his victory. “This is what I have worked for all my life, so it is absolutely amazing to finally get there. “This is immense. It gives me a lot of security and it also repays the faith that my supporters and sponsors have shown in me over the years.” Griffin, once ranked the third-best amateur in the world, was a relative latecomer to the professional ranks and only scored his first four-round victory at the South Pacific Open in New Caledonia last year. He is a natural left-hander who plays the game right-handed. He dedicated his victory to Peter Beck, a friend and mentor who caddied for him occasionally in his amateur and professional days, who died in 2010.

Park was left ruing his missed opportunity, saying: “Very disappointed, that’s the only thing I feel right now. I sort of think that somehow I was meant to be second in this tournament.” afp

Formula One : Hamilton wins Italian Grand Prix

Formula One : Hamilton wins Italian Grand Prix

MONZA: McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton added the Italian Grand Prix to his list of Formula One victories on Sunday while Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso stretched his overall championship lead to 37 points with third place. Mexican driver Sergio Perez denied Alonso second place, overtaking the Spaniard seven laps from the finish in his Ferrari-powered Sauber in Ferrari’s backyard. Hamilton’s third win of the season, and 20th of his career, lifted the 2008 champion to second in the overall standings with seven races remaining. Alonso has 179 points, Hamilton 142 and Lotus’s Kimi Raikkonen 141.

“It’s been fantastic to win here. I’m just so happy for my team, it’s been a fantastic day,” said Hamilton, who had added the Italian flag colours to his helmet for a race at one of Formula One’s most historic and evocative circuits. “Fernando is a two-time world champion so I’m very happy for him too,” he said of his former McLaren team mate after McLaren’s third win in a row. Champions Red Bull had a nightmare afternoon in the sunshine with both Sebastian Vettel, the reigning champion, and Australian Mark Webber retiring late in the race while in scoring positions. Vettel, who had been Alonso’s closest rival in the standings before the start, retired six laps from the finish and slipped to fourth overall with 140 points.

Button retires: The German had already taken a drive-through penalty after pushing Alonso wide on to the gravel and grass as the Spaniard tried to overtake out of the first Lesmo curve. “Okay, that’s enough now,” Alonso said over the team radio. McLaren’s Jenson Button, winner in Belgium last weekend and runner-up in Monza for the past three years, pulled over on to the grass along the pit straight and retired on the 33rd of the 53 laps while in second place. While Hamilton celebrated his first victory at Monza, the big winner was Alonso who got the loudest cheer of the afternoon when he appeared on a podium suspended over the track and above a red sea of fans roaring their support and unfurling a giant Ferrari shield.

The Spaniard, who failed to score in Belgium after being shunted out at the first corner, had started 10th after a mechanical problem had denied him a likely pole in Saturday’s qualifying. “It was a difficult race, starting from 10th, but we knew we had maybe the quickest car this weekend,” said a beaming Alonso, who also addressed the crowd in Italian to another explosion of approval after being interviewed on the podium by former Ferrari champion Niki Lauda. “A perfect Sunday because the win was out of reach...it’s much better than expected.” Lauda took his hat off, literally, to Perez for another astonishing drive by the 22-year-old.

“It’s unbelievable to have a podium for my team at Monza. It’s very special. I went for prime tyres at the start and I decided to stop late. That gave me very fresh tyres at the end. It’s unbelievable,” said Perez. Ferrari’s Felipe Massa finished fourth, denied a first podium since 2010 by team orders that obliged him to let Alonso through on lap 40. The Brazilian had seized second from Button at the start, before the Briton regained his place, and was second again after Button retired.

Raikkonen, Ferrari’s 2007 champion, finished fifth with former Ferrari great Michael Schumacher sixth and his Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg seventh. Britain’s Paul Di Resta was eighth for Force India with Japan’s Kamui Kobayashi giving Sauber a double scoring finish in ninth and Brazilian Bruno Senna 10th for Williams. The start, always a cause for concern at the fastest circuit on the calendar, was clean with the first big incident coming on lap nine when Toro Rosso’s Jean-Eric Vergne lost control and skidded across the track, lifting slightly into the air. He walked away afterwards. reuters

Tennis : Hot-stuff Djokovic sets up Murray US Open final

Tennis : Hot-stuff Djokovic sets up Murray US Open final

NEW YORK: Defending champion Novak Djokovic swept into his third consecutive US Open final, setting up a title showdown with Britain’s Andy Murray, with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over Spain’s David Ferrer on Sunday. Ferrer had led 5-2 in the first set overnight when the semi-final was suspended due to violent storms which battered New York, but Djokovic thrived under clear blue skies on Sunday, allowing the Spaniard just eight more games. The victory gave the second-seeded Serb a year-leading 60th win and extended his winning run at hardcourt Grand Slams to 27 matches. Djokovic will be aiming for a sixth major in Monday’s final while third-seed Murray, who trails the Serb 8-6 in career meetings, is bidding to become Britain’s first men’s Grand Slam champion since Fred Perry in 1936.

Victory by the Serb in the championship match would mean 30 out of the last 31 majors have been won by either Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal. “We were all praying for less wind today. He handled it better than I did yesterday but I came into today a different player,” said Djokovic. “Against Andy, there will be no clear favourite. He’s going for a first Grand Slam and will be very motivated. Hopefully we will both come up with our best tennis.”

Ferrer quickly wrapped up the opening set on Sunday’s resumption before Djokovic, who hadn’t dropped a set in the tournament, made the fourth seed pay, racing into a 5-0 lead in the second, even saving three break points in the fifth game in the process. Ferrer, playing in his second US Open semi-final and bidding to make the final at a major at the 40th attempt, saved three set points in the seventh game before the champion levelled the semi-final.

The world number two, who had been unsettled by Saturday’s storm-filled skies, broke in the opening game of the third set as the faster, hotter conditions played into his hands. Ferrer briefly rallied for 2-2 before the Serb broke again for 4-3, going on to serve two love games to take the set with a fifth ace of the contest. Two more comfortable breaks allowed Djokovic to sweep to a 3-0 advantage in the fourth set as Ferrer wilted under a relentless barrage of pinpoint groundstrokes. It was all over when Djokovic confidently put away a forehand volley.

Earlier on Saturday, Olympic champion Murray, trying to become the first British man to win a Grand Slam title since 1936, withstood blustery conditions to beat Tomas Berdych and reach the US Open final. Third seed Murray advanced by defeating the Czech sixth seed 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (9/7). “It was brutal,” Murray said, after a tornado warning had been issued earlier in the day. Some of the hardest conditions I have ever played in, and I come from Scotland so that’s saying something.” Trying to end a British men’s Slam drought dating to Fred Perry’s 1936 US title, the lanky 25-year-old Scotsman battled through brutal winds to reach his fifth career Grand Slam final, his second in a row after falling at Wimbledon. After collecting an Olympic crown last month, avenging his Wimbledon final loss to Roger Federer in the final, this might at last be Murray’s moment. Murray and his coach, eight-time Grand Slam champion Ivan Lendl, are the only Open-era players to drop their first four Grand Slam finals, Murray losing at the 2008 US Open, 2010 and 2011 Australian Opens and last June at Wimbledon. Despite wicked breezes, Murray connected on 74 percent of his first serves and won 73 percent of those points while making only 20 unforced errors to 64 for Berdych. afp

Too much media hype can be disastrous

Too much media hype can be disastrous

By Zakir Hussain Syed

The pakistan Under-19 cricket team have returned home after the poorest ever performance by any Pakistan team in the history of this event. I realise and understand that victory and defeat are part of all sports and one should take them in their stride but if the performance is below even the worst expectations, it is time to look into realities of such disappointments. The Pakistan U-19 team were managed by Haroon Rashid, a former Test cricketer and now a full time employee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), with Sabih Azhar of Islamabad Cricket Association as the coach.

There was lot of publicity before the departure as to how the team had prepared for this event. This team were sent well in advance of the tournament to ‘acclimatise.’ Their victory against their Australian counterparts in a three-match practice series before the actual event was projected as if half the battle had already been won.

I just could not rationalize projection of the team members praying or fasting. They are Muslims and there is nothing extraordinary in what they were doing. The Pakistan hockey teams and players, right from the days of Brig Hamidi, have always been very particular about their prayers but this religious duty by hockey stars was never publicized.

A victory at the start of the tournament was made to look a big achievement with special praise for coach Sabih Azhar. However, the biggest claim from coach Sabih Azhar came before the match against their Indian counterparts just before EID when he said that the team would give the nation a ‘good news’ obviously implying that their victory against the Indians was almost guaranteed! This did not happen and thus the ‘good news’ never materialized. In fact the defeat against India was the beginning of an unprecedented downhill slide in which the Pakistan U-19 squad ended up in their worst and lowest ever position in this event since its inception.

Sports events and teams invariably get decent publicity in the press but what was the need to carry a non stop projection of the team and coaches! It certainly has backfired. This is precisely what happened when the proposed home series against Bangladesh was constantly given non stop projection. I was the only one to sound a word of caution at that time saying that a three or four days visit was never going to be an earth shattering event and should therefore not be projected the way it was being done. The proposed tour was then canceled on a flimsy pretext thereby causing immense disappointment.

There have been newspaper stories about U-19 team management dictating strategy from outside including instructions to let fast bowlers bowl all their overs during the middle of the innings against India and also field placing suggestions. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) must look into all these stories and get to the root cause of this debacle. In any case full time employees of PCB should never be sent as coaches and managers simply because in case of their failure, their very credibility and competence becomes questionable. Let Haroon Rashid and Sabih Azhar submit their tour report and then a committee, preferably headed by Javed Miandad, hold an in depth meeting with the team management to find out what exactly went wrong. It is only when failures are analyzed scientifically that future improvements can be ensured.

(Zakir Hussain Syed is Pakistan’s internationally renowned sports administrator, sports broadcaster and sports analyst)

Whatmore happy with Pakistan’s progress as final Twenty20 today

Whatmore happy with Pakistan’s progress as final Twenty20 today

DUBAI: Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore on Sunday said he was happy with the team’s progress in the shortest format of the game ahead of this month’s World Twenty20, saying the team was responding well. Pakistan pulled off a sensational super over win against Australia in the second Twenty20 here on Friday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with the final match also in Dubai on Monday. Whatmore said it was good to have wins on the board. “I am very much delighted,” Whatmore told reporters.

“We can’t do any more than to win two out of two, it was an exciting finish but it’s good to have the experience of the super over leading up to the World Twenty20.” The 58-year-old former Australian batsman said his team responded well after losing the preceding one-day series 2-1. “We played consistent cricket and the players have responded well after the ODIs because there was just one day in between the change of the format,” said Whatmore, who took over in March this year. “There is a very strong bond between the players, that’s very good and they support each other and are ready to play for each other and for the country,” said Whatmore, who also coached Sri Lanka to the 1996 World Cup title.

Whatmore said he was sure of the team’s combination for the World Twenty20, where Pakistan is in Group D along with Bangladesh and New Zealand. “I am sure of the combination. We certainly need to know the conditions in Kandy where our first two matches are to pick the best combination. We don’t have easy opponents because we think all the teams are tough,” said Whatmore. Whatmore hinted Pakistan might not risk Shahid Afridi on Monday after the allrounder injured his left hand in the third one-day but was confident off-spinner Saeed Ajmal will recover from a shoulder problem.

Australian batsman Cameron White said his team was preparing well for the World Twenty20 despite dropping in the rankings below Ireland. “The bigger picture from the preparation point of view is that we are experiencing tough conditions and similar conditions to what we are going to experience in Sri Lanka,” said White, former Twenty20 captain. “Obviously we have not been winning, but we have made great steps from the first game to the second and I think we are heading in the right direction. From a prepration point of view it is fantastic,” said White. afp

Bolt rounds off amazing season with victory

Bolt rounds off amazing season with victory

BRUSSELS: Jamaican sprint sensation Usain Bolt overcame a terrible start to round off his season with a victory in 9.86sec in the 100m at the Diamond League meet here on Friday. Bolt’s reaction time out of the blocks left him chasing St Kitts and Nevis veteran Kim Collins in front of a packed King Baudouin Stadium. Fresh from claiming a second successive treble gold medal haul at the London Olympics, Bolt’s pick-up was also slack, but his trademark strong drive phase saw him surge past the rest of the field.
The towering Jamaican even had enough room to ease up a full 10 metres from the line before quickly undoing the laces of his spikes and hurling them into the crowd. Bolt’s compatriots Nesta Carter (9.96) and Kemar Bailey Cole (9.97) finished in second and third positions. “I’m just happy to have got through the season,” said Bolt. “The key coming here was for the fans and just to get through injury free. “Coming into this, I did a start yesterday and I said to my coach I’m so tired. I went through the motions, it was an okay race - I didn’t lose. “To go to the Olympics and push yourself drains you mentally because at the start everyone was saying you’ll lose, so you push yourself. “Mentally you’ve got to be in the game. The Olympics are a big stage and you don’t want to make mistakes so you push yourself mentally and physically, and at the end of the season, the level goes down fast.”
Bolt played down fears that he would be overwhelmed by his return to Jamaica after his amazing season. “When I’m at home, I’m always at home, chilling. Over time it (the attention) will calm down, I’ll be alright,” said the Jamaican, who was to play a DJ gig in the Belgian capital before leaving Europe. Bolt’s training partner Yohan Blake, double sprint silver medallist in London, failed to upstage the master, also coached by Glen Mills. Blake, who has not raced Bolt since the London Games, was eyeing Bolt’s world record of 19.19sec in the 200m, having previously run 19.26sec on this track. After nailing the bend, Blake faded slightly at the bell to win in 19.54sec, still the ninth fastest time in history. “I came off the turn, felt no one beside me and couldn’t push it,” said Blake. “I’ll focus next time and get some more out of it. “I came off the turn wanted some more push, but I was running too close to the line. Next year, I’ll be coming back strong.”
The stage had been set for Bolt and Blake’s exploits by Olympic champion Aries Merritt of the United States, who clocked a stunning world record of 12.80sec to win the 110m hurdles. Merritt smashed the previous record of 12.87sec set by Cuban Dayron Robles in June 2008 in Ostrava, Czech Republic. “I was just trying to get under 13sec to cap off a good season,” said Merritt. “I can’t believe I ran that fast! “What is this time I’m seeing?! I’m in shock,” he joked. Merritt added: “I’m finally living up to my potential after a lot of injuries... with people telling me to go and get a proper job. “It’s the first season I’ve been able to put it together. It’s the best season ever. “I have no memories (of the race), but I think it was perfect. I had a good start and I wasn’t as high over the hurdles” as he had been in recent performances.” The 27-year-old Merritt, who ran 12.92sec to win the Olympic title in London, bolted out of the blocks and by the fourth hurdle was ahead of the strong field. Fellow American Jason Richardson finished second in 13.05sec, with Jamaican Hansle Parchment completing the podium in 13.14sec, to mirror the medal positions from the London Games last month. afp

Pietersen left off England contract list

Pietersen left off England contract list

LONDON: There was no place for Kevin Pietersen among the 10 England players awarded central contracts on Friday by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the 2013 season. Pietersen has been in England exile since being dropped following the second Test against his native South Africa in Leeds last month. But the ECB did not completely close the door on Pietersen being added to the list for what will be an Ashes year, saying in a statement Friday: “In respect to Kevin Pietersen discussions are on-going and they remain private.”
Officials, already frustrated by availability rows, were furious when it emerged Pietersen had sent “provocative” texts to South African players – some allegedly critical of then England captain Andrew Strauss. That meant the 32-year-old batsman missed the final Test against the Proteas at Lord’s and the subsequent one-day series, which ended in a 2-2 draw with one no-result after the tourists’ seven-wicket win at Trent Bridge on Wednesday. Pietersen, who last month reversed his retirement from limited overs internationals, will also miss England’s defence of their World Twenty20 title in Sri Lanka later this month, despite being man of the tournament when they won the 2010 edition in the Caribbean. Strauss announced his retirement last week, although he insisted it had nothing to do with the latest row involving Pietersen, his predecessor as England skipper.
Alastair Cook, already leading the one-day side, was named as the new Test captain. He now has a role in deciding Pietersen’s future, although there appears to be little time for the ECB and the player to reach agreement if, as anticipated, the squad for the tour of India starting in November is announced next week.
Pietersen has been contracted to the ECB since 2006 and is in the top bracket of the pay scale, with a deal reportedly worth £250,000 a year in basic salary but rising substantially with win bonuses and appearance fees. The contract ties the player to the board and he can only play in tournaments such as the Indian Premier League with a release agreement from the ECB. afp

Imran stunned by Ajmal’s omission from ICC awards

Imran stunned by Ajmal’s omission from ICC awards

DUBAI: Cricketing legend Imran Khan led a protest of former Pakistan captains over off-spinner Saeed Ajmal’s omission from a list of annual awards, terming it a great injustice. The wily spinner was not included in a shortlist of four players for the best Test player of the year category in the International Cricket Council (ICC) annual awards to be held in Colombo on September 15.
A 32-man independent jury comprising former players, officials and journalists provoked anger in Pakistan after omitting Ajmal from the shortlist, Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, Australian Michael Clarke and South Africans Vernon Philander and Hashim Amla. Ajmal, 34, took 72 wickets in 12 Tests from August 2011 to July this year, including 24 wickets in a 3-0 rout of then world ranked number one England in January-February. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) earlier this week lodged a protest with the ICC demanding a review of the shortlist but the game’s governing body rejected it. The PCB said it was considering boycotting the ceremony. Khan said Ajmal’s omission was unjust.
“It is a great injustice to a player who is a match winner in all formats of the game and his omission was surprising,” Khan told reporters during the second Twenty20 match between Pakistan and Australia here on Friday. Another former captain Ramiz Raja said Ajmal was hard done by the jury. “I feel that Ajmal was hard done by the jury and it is a serious case for review because if performers are not picked then the credibility (of awards) is missing,” Raja told AFP. Raja said an award is an honour for the player. “It’s a great honour for the player to win an award and it hurts not only Pakistan but the whole community,” said Raja, now a renowned commentator. Former captain and coach Waqar Younis said he didn’t understand the system. “I don’t know how this system is working,” said Waqar of the process. “Maybe the system needs to be reviewed because 32 people are too much. “On the basis of performance you can’t overlook Ajmal and it comes as a great surprise to me.” afp

Kallis leads South Africa to victory against England

Kallis leads South Africa to victory against England

CHESTER-LE-STREET: Jacques Kallis guided South Africa to a seven-wicket win over World Twenty20 champions England in the first Twenty20 international at Chester-le-Street on Saturday. The Proteas were in trouble at 29 for three, chasing a seemingly modest 119 for victory. But opener Kallis, returning to international duty after being rested from the drawn one-day series between the two countries, made 48 not out of 44 balls with seven fours.
Together with left-hander JP Duminy (47 not out) he shared an unbroken stand of 90 in 91 deliveries as the Proteas, who won with an over to spare, went 1-0 up in a three-match series ahead of this month’s World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka. South Africa saw hard-hitting opener Richard Levi caught in the slips off Jade Dernbach and Twenty20 international debutant Faf du Plessis lbw to fast bowler Steven Finn. De Villiers, who helped Hashim Amla add 172 in South Africa’s seven-wicket win in the fifth one-day international at Trent Bridge on Wednesday which squared that series at 2-2, was then caught behind by Craig Kieswetter, a former Proteas junior international, off South Africa-born seamer Dernbach for 10. South Africa were now 29 for three and England, all but out of the contest at the mid-innings break, were now very in the game.
But if South Africa could produce one decent partnership bat they would win and in world-class all-rounder Kallis and left-hander Duminy they had the men for the job in the absence of the rested Amla. England Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad, like Kallis rested from the one-dayers, brought back Finn in a bid to break the stand but to no avail. Ultimately England’s 118 for seven -- their third lowest total in this format – did not give their bowlers enough of a score to defend. Spin bowling, long regarded as the the Proteas’ Achilles heel, accounted for four England wickets with off-break bowler Johan Botha (two for 19) and left-armer Robin Peterson (two for 27), strking after de Villiers won the toss.
Meanwhile ever-reliable fast bowler Dale Steyn took one for 13 in his maximum four overs. At 85 for seven, England were in danger of posting their worst Twenty20 total before an unbroken stand of 33 in 27 balls between Broad and Graeme Swann, who both finished on 18 not out, gave them a foothold in the match. No England batsman made more than opener Kieswetter’s 25. England’s collapse started with a needless run out. Alex Hales, who made an England Twenty20 best 99 against the West Indies in June after replacing the still exiled Kevin Pietersen, charged down the pitch for a non-existent single and, turning back, was run out by Kallis’s direct hit on the stumps. Kieswetter then fell when he was plumb lbw to Botha’s first ball.
And Ravi Bopara, who averaged just 5.50 with the bat during the one-dayers fell cheaply in familiar fashion when he edged a good length Steyn delivery to Botha at slip. Botha then struck again when he bowled dangerman Eoin Morgan for 10, after the former Ireland left-hander bottom edged a pull-sweep. Peterson bowled Jos Buttler before fellow young gun Jonathan Bairstow holed out off paceman Albie Morkel. Then a well-judged catch by Kallis saw Peterson dismiss Patel. The series continues in Manchester on Monday. afp

Amla achieves eighth best rating of 901

Amla achieves eighth best rating of 901

Ajmal becomes number-one ranked ODI bowler

Staff Report

LAHORE: Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has moved up two places to replace teammate Mohammad Hafeez as the number-one ranked bowler in the ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers. The latest rankings released on Thursday incorporate both the Pakistan-Australia and England-South Africa ODI series. Saeed was the highest wicket-taker in the series against Australia. He picked 10 wickets at an economy rate of 3.41 with an average of 9.9 in the series. His overall rating of 759 is his career-best. Meanwhile, Hafeez has slipped to second position in the bowlers’ table. Hafeez achieved his career-best rating of 762 during the series, but finally ended at 747. However, Hafeez has moved up a place to second in the ICC Player Rankings for all-rounders with a career-best rating of 413. South Africa paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe, who headed the bowlers’ table before the two series began, is now ranked third.

Other bowlers dropping down the rankings include Morne Morkel in fifth (down by one), Steven Finn in sixth (down by one), Shahid Afridi in 19th (down by three), Tim Bresnan in 38th(down by six) and Sohail Tanvir in 56th (down by nine). South Africa paceman Dale Steyn has re-entered the top 10 in the bowlers’ table. He has moved up four places to 10th.

Steyn’s teammate Robin Peterson, who was the highest wicket-taker on either side in the series against England with seven wickets, has moved up 12 places to a career-best 29th. Peterson’s overall rating of 575 is his career-best.

The other bowlers to make upward movements include Mitchell Johnson in 18th (up by one) Wayne Parnell in 44th (up by 16), Abdur Rehman in 61st (up by 12), Mitchell Starc in 76th (up by 55), Jade Dernbach in 79th (up by 10), Ravi Bopara in 80th (up by 27) and James Pattinson in 87th (up by 47).

ODI batsmen: South Africa’s Hashim Amla, who was the highest run-getter on either side in the series against England with 335 runs, has consolidated his position as the number-one ranked batsman, followed by Virat Kohli in second position and AB de Villiers in third. Amla’s overall rating of 901 is the highest of his career and is the eighth best in history. Jonathan Trott in fifth (up by two) and Michael Clarke in seventh (up by one) have also made gains in the top ten of the latest batting table. Michael Hussey, meanwhile, is now tenth in the table, moving up four places. The other batsmen to make upward movements include Eoin Morgan in 13th (up by five), Ian Bell in 32nd (up by five), Mohammad Hafeez in 42nd (up by one), Craig Kieswetter in 43rd (up by five), George Bailey in 49th (up by 21), Azhar Ali in 52nd (up by 21), Asad Shafiq in 55th (up by seven) and Nasir Jamshed in 78th (up by 35). Pakistan wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal has re-entered the rankings at 78th.

England captain Alastair Cook has moved down two places to eighth. The other batsmen losing ground include Jean-Paul Duminy in 22nd (down by three), Graeme Smith in 26th (down by five), Misbahul Haq in 28th (down by one), David Hussey in 34th (down by two), David Warner in 36th (down by one), Shahid Afridi in 44th (down by two), Ravi Bopara in 49th (down by five) and Francois du Plessis in 73rd (down by 10). The ICC Player Rankings for all-rounders is still headed by Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan.

Anderson called up to England’s T20 squad

Anderson called up to England’s T20 squad

LONDON: England pace bowler James Anderson has been called into his country’s squad for the Twenty20 series against South Africa as cover for Steven Finn. Anderson has not played for England in the shortest form of the game since his appearance against South Africa in a match at Centurion in November 2009. The 30-year-old is not part of the England squad for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament that starts in Sri Lanka later this month.

But Finn missed the final one-day international against the Proteas in Nottingham on Wednesday after being hampered by a stiff back and that convinced the selectors to draft in Anderson. The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed the news of Anderson’s call-up in a statement: “James Anderson has been called into the squad for the T20 series against South Africa as cover for Steven Finn who has a stiff back.” England face South Africa in three Twenty20 internationals, the first is at Durham on Saturday, the second at Old Trafford on Monday and the third at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

England legend Flintoff aims to become boxer

England legend Flintoff aims to become boxer

LONDON: Andrew Flintoff made his name by smashing sixes and taking wickets during a memorable career as English cricket’s premier all-rounder and he will get the chance to deliver some more knock-out blows after revealing his plan to become a professional boxer. Flintoff, who was forced to quit cricket due to a series of injuries, is set to fight in a heavyweight bout at Manchester’s MEN Arena on November 30 and is being trained by former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan and McGuigan’s son Shane in preparation for the bout.

The 34-year-old’s experiences as a budding fighter are being turned into a two-part television documentary called The Gloves Are Off and he can’t wait to step into the ring after missing the buzz of professional sport since his retirement from cricket in 2010. “This is an amazing opportunity to try a sport that I love, to be tutored by a man I respect and admire and, at the age of 34, the chance to become a professional sportsman again,” Flintoff said. “It’s a huge challenge – probably the biggest I have ever undertaken, especially in such a short time-frame. “I have a long road ahead and a lot of work in front of me. The stakes are high.” Flintoff still needs to be granted a licence by the British Boxing Board of Control before he can fight and Robert Smith, the organisation’s general secretary, said the former Lancashire star had not yet gone through the application process.

However, the licence application process normally lasts anything up to six weeks, giving Flintoff enough time to apply in the near future and fight on the November date. Flintoff, who became a global cricket icon after helping England beat Australia to win the Ashes in 2005, would not be the first professional sportsman to undertake a boxing career with no experience. Former Sheffield United footballer Curtis Woodhouse made his boxing debut in 2002 and has won 16 of his 20 contests. Flintoff played in 79 Tests and 141 one-day internationals for England and is widely regarded as one of his country’s best ever all-rounders. afp

Pakistan could boycott ICC awards over Ajmal omission

Pakistan could boycott ICC awards over Ajmal omission

Staff Report

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf has reopened the debate surrounding off-spinner Saeed Ajmal’s exclusion from the International Cricket Council (ICC) awards shortlists by hinting that Pakistan’s players could boycott the awards function, to be held in Colombo on September 15, as a ‘robust protest.’ The ICC, responding to the PCB’s protest on Monday, had ruled out a rethink and the matter seemed to have ended there.

However, Ashraf’s comments suggest that the issue is still alive for Pakistan. “We are facing a lot of pressure from the public and from our former players to push for his inclusion,” Ashraf was quoted as saying. “I think the ICC should check whether the independent jury is coming up with the best name and they should not give away the due right of any player in the world. If anyone else has more wickets than Ajmal, then we are ready to withdraw our concern and instead we will support their pick. But this isn’t reflecting well of the ICC and they should rectify it. Meanwhile we probably have to give a second thought to even boycott the function as a robust protest.”

Ajmal was in the longlist for the award this year but missed out when an independent 32-member jury, that included former Pakistan captain Aamer Sohail, nominated Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara, South Africa fast bowler Vernon Philander, Australia captain Michael Clarke and South Africa opener Hashim Amla for Test Cricketer of the Year. Ajmal took 72 Test wickets between August 4, 2011 and August 6, 2012 – the qualifying period for the award – including 24 at 14.70 as Pakistan swept aside England, the then No. 1 side in the world, 3-0 in January. He has climbed to No. 3 in the ICC Test bowling rankings and is the highest ranked spinner. After the PCB lodged the protest, the ICC refused to reconsider Ajmal’s case, saying it had no authority to change the results of the academy. The process was monitored by the independent auditor Ernst & Young, and the longlist was prepared by a five-member selection panel headed by Clive Lloyd and included Clare Connor (England), Tom Moody (Australia), Carl Hooper (West Indies) and Marvan Atapattu (Sri Lanka).

Football : European nations shift focus to 2014 World Cup

Football : European nations shift focus to 2014 World Cup

PARIS: With the dust having settled on a memorable Euro 2012, the old continent’s attention now turns towards the qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, which begins in earnest on Friday. The major nations, led by reigning world and European champions Spain and a Germany side supposedly about to hit their peak, are all expected to be at the finals two years from now, but none can take their place for granted.

At least one major name always fails to qualify – much-fancied Russia missed out on South Africa 2010 while, four years earlier, Greece were the European champions but still finished fourth in their qualifying group. And the Netherlands failed to make it in 2002. The man who presided over that failure, Louis van Gaal, has just returned as coach of the Oranje after Bert van Marwijk stood down in the wake of a disastrous showing at Euro 2012. Van Gaal’s return to the helm began with a 4-2 friendly defeat to Belgium last month, and the Dutch kick-off their Group D campaign with a tricky home clash against Turkey. With only one automatic qualification slot available in each group, and the eight best runners-up advancing to play-offs, Van Gaal knows the margins between success and failure can be fine, but he is relishing the task. “This is the challenge which I have been waiting for,” he proclaimed after his appointment in July.

New France coach Didier Deschamps will be well aware of the pitfalls that await him in Group I, a five-team section also containing Spain. Les Bleus’ first competitive fixture under Deschamps is against Finland in Helsinki. “The mission is a difficult one but the objective is exciting,” said the man who lifted the World Cup as a player in 1998. “In a five-team group, it is vital that you take as many points as possible and I know full well that we cannot afford to drop many before we play Spain, who are, logically, the big favourites to win the group. The two, who met in the quarter-finals at Euro 2012, with La Roja winning 2-0, clash in Spain in October, before the return at the Stade de France in March. Far from lacking in motivation after three consecutive major tournament triumphs, Spain, who kick-off their campaign in Georgia on September 11, could be even stronger thanks to the return after a broken leg of David Villa. “Once he is fully fit he will be very important for us,” said midfielder Xabi Alonso of Spain’s all-time leading marksman, while coach Vicente Del Bosque describes Villa as “our most reputable goalscorer.”

Germany are looking to bounce back from the heartache of their Euro 2012 semi-final defeat to Italy, but anything less than first place in Group C for them would be a major surprise, even if they must come up against Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden, Ireland and Austria. “There was huge disappointment after the Euro exit, after the game against Italy. But our fans know that there is no guarantee to win a title,” insisted Loew. You can usually be guaranteed to see Germany qualify for major tournaments, though -- they have only ever lost twice in 74 World Cup qualifiers, and that formidable record is unlikely to be threatened when they entertain the Faroe Islands in Hanover on Friday. Meanwhile, Italy are out to build on a run to the final of Euro 2012 that restored a nation’s pride in the Azzurri. However, Cesare Prandelli’s side will come up against Euro quarter-finalists the Czech Republic in Group B, as well as Denmark, and veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is wary of their threat.

“On paper, we should be the favourites to win our group, but behind us there are three or four teams who are capable outsiders and we will need more than just commitment to make sure we beat them,” he said. The notoriously hard-to-please English media will closely scrutinise Roy Hodgson’s performance in charge of the national team after he commendably took them to the last eight at Euro 2012 just weeks after being appointed. Hodgson must successfully integrate young talent into his squad and make sure England negotiate Group H, which also contains Euro co-hosts Poland and Ukraine, as well as Montenegro, who gave them a scare in European Championship qualifying. Elsewhere, Portugal and Fabio Capello’s Russia will go head-to-head in Group F, and this may be the time for a Bosnia-Herzegovina side led by Vedad Ibisevic and Edin Dzeko to make it to a major tournament after coming up just short more than once in recent years. And, after a decade of failure, the time has surely come for Belgium – blessed with talents such as Eden Hazard and Marouane Fellaini – to make their return to the big time. afp

Tennis : Serena, Sharapova through to US Open semi-finals

Tennis : Serena, Sharapova through to US Open semi-finals

Roddick and Federer bow out

NEW YORK: Roger Federer was knocked out of the US Open on Wednesday when he lost a quarter-final thriller to Tomas Berdych just hours after his old rival Andy Roddick bid a tearful farewell to his tennis career. Federer was unable to conjure up any of his old magic as Berdych stormed to a surprise victory 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, handing the world number one his earliest exit from Flushing Meadows in nine years. Federer could not hide his disappointment after arriving in the Big Apple full of hope following his win at Wimbledon in July.

“There were so many moments I thought, man, it’s just not happening for me,” said the five-times US Open champion. “It was just a very disappointing match for me.” Roddick made his final appearance at Arthur Ashe Stadium when he lost to Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth round, while Andy Murray and Maria Sharapova both dug themselves out of trouble to stay alive on a drama-charged day at the last grand slam of the year.

Tournament favourites: Only Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic had an easy time, both romping to comfortable victories to enhance their status as the favourites for the singles titles. Djokovic was in complete control of his fourth round match against Stanislas Wawrinka, leading 6-4, 6-1, 3-1, when the Swiss called it quits in one of five matches that were held over from Tuesday because of rain. “I really don’t know exactly what it was but by the look of it, I think it was probably a dizziness or something,” said Djokovic, the only man yet to drop a set in the tournament.

Sharapova needed all her fighting qualities to come from behind and beat Marion Bartoli of France 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and reach the semi-finals for the first time since she won in New York in 2006. Bartoli led 4-0 overnight and wrapped up the first set when play finally resumed after another morning shower but Sharapova regained her composure to win the next two and book a semi-final against world number one Victoria Azarenka. “It’s so long since I’ve been back to this stage at the US Open. A little bit of luck always helps,” the Russian said. Williams, full of confidence and self-belief, demolished Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic in less than an hour to raise hopes of an American winner after Roddick departed.

“I feel like I’m going to get more focused and serious and start playing Serena tennis in the next couple of rounds, if I get to play two rounds. That’s my goal,” she said. Williams will play Italian Sara Errani in Friday’s semis after she defeated her doubles partner Roberta Vinci 6-2, 6-4. “A quarter-final with your best friend, of course, is difficult,” said Errani. “We know each other very well, we’ve played together many times, so it was strange to see her on the other side of the net.”

Amazing comeback: Olympic champion Murray produced an extraordinary turnaround to beat Croatia’s Marin Cilic 3-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-0 on a gusty Louis Armstrong court. The Scot lost the opening set then fell two service breaks down at 5-1 in the second, before rallying back to win, reeling off the last 11 games in a row. Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic beat German Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 7-6, 6-2 and will face Spain’s David Ferrer in Thursday’s quarters. Djokovic will square off on Thursday night with the towering Argentine Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, while Murray faces Berdych, who has been a thorn in Federer’s side before, most famously in 2010 when he beat the Swiss master at Wimbledon.

“There is something in my game that he doesn’t like and it makes him struggle a bit, I would say, and maybe bring him out of his comfort zone that he always likes to be on court,” Berdych said. Roddick, the face of US men’s tennis for most of the past decade, was reduced to tears after losing 6-7, 7-6, 6-2, 6-4 to Del Potro. With his parents and wife watching from the stands, the 2003 champion said he was leaving the game with no regrets after 13 years as a professional. “I’ve loved every minute of it,” he said. “It’s been a road, a lot of ups, a lot of downs, a lot of great moments.” reuters

England's Pietersen hits maiden Twenty20 ton in IPL

Kevin Pietersen scored 103, his first Twenty20 century, as he led the Delhi Daredevils to victory over the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League.

The England batsman hit his ninth six straight back down the wicket to score the winning runs and lift his side to the top of the IPL standings. 

Pietersen, 31, needed only 64 balls to bring up three figures.

"This is absolutely amazing, this is what dreams are made of," said Pietersen, whose previous best was 79.

"You come here as an England player and it's very, very intimidating but to come here and have all these fans cheering for you is very special."

The win sends Delhi above the Rajasthan Royals, having played a game fewer, while Deccan are rooted to the bottom.

Pietersen felt compelled to defend his decision to play in the IPLfollowing suggestions he should be resting before the international summer in England.

Andrew Strauss out for duck for Middlesex against Durham

England captain Andrew Strauss was dismissed for a second-ball duck as Middlesex's County Championship clash with Durham finally got under way.

Strauss was bowled through the gate by Graham Onions from only the second ball of the morning and the match.

The entire first day was washed out at Lord's, although Durham won the toss and put Middlesex in between showers.

Strauss has been freed up to play three Championship games before the first Test against West Indies in May.

He struggled with the bat during the winter and averaged only 26.4 during the five Tests against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

New Zealand's James Franklin joins Essex for T20

Essex have signed New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin as their second overseas player for this summer's FL t20 campaign.

The 31-year-old is currently appearing for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. 

He will join Australia paceman Peter Siddle at Essex for the start of the English Twenty20 competition in June.

"He is a genuine all-rounder in this format and adds further quality to the squad," said coach Paul Grayson.

Franklin, a left-handed batsman and seam bowler, has played previously for Glamorgan and Gloucestershire.

He has made made 66 runs in four innings in the current IPL tournament and averages 15 from 18 international Twenty20 innings, as well as taking 49 wickets at an average of 35.71.

"We are delighted to welcome James to the club. He obviously has huge county cricket experience having played here a few seasons," added Grayson.

"Franklin has shown his ability in the 20-over format of the game with his outstanding IPL record."

Force India miss Bahrain Grand Prix second practice run

Force India chose not to run their cars in the second practice session at the Bahrain Grand Prix so they could return to their hotel before dark.

The decision came after four team mechanics narrowly avoided being hit by petrol bombs during a clash between protesters and police on Wednesday.

Team boss Bob Fernley said: "We have to ensure the crew are comfortable."

In a separate incident on Thursday, Sauber became the second team involved in a roadside incident.

A bus containing 12 Sauber mechanics took to the hard shoulder after encountering a burning bottle in the road and seeing masked men running towards their lane.

Sauber confirmed that nobody from the team was hurt and they did not regard it as an attack on their vehicle.

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone said he had offered Force India a police escort from the track following their incident on Wednesday.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Ecclestone said: "I said if they were the slightest bit concerned, whatever time they would normally leave the circuit, I will be here and travel in their vehicle back to the hotel, without any escort or police.

"If they want an escort, they can have police, I am happy to travel without. I don't think they have any need to be concerned."

Ecclestone and the Bahrain Grand Prix organisers have worked hard to present the Gulf state as safe.

The incident on Wednesday came as the Force India team members were returning from the track to their hotel at about 2000 local time on the main highway from the track to the capital, Manama.

Ecclestone said he did not want to comment on the incident because he was not there.

He insisted it was "absolutely 100%" the right decision to go to Bahrain, pointing to recent riots in Spain and crime in Brazil as examples that other countries had problems.

Asked if he felt Bahrain were blurring the boundaries between sport and politics by using a "UniF1ed" slogan to promote the grand prix, Ecclestone said it was "not for us to decide how somebody wants to use the race. We're not here to give an opinion on how this country should be run - or any other country".

Fernley told BBC Sport Force India fully supported the Bahrain Grand Prix but safety was paramount.

He said: "We are doing the best we can to make sure the crew is safe. There will be protests, it was an unfortunate incident and when it happens to your team you have to deal with it in a proper manner.

"We were the only team affected. Sometimes emotions and logic don't add up."

Asked how he felt about the teams being told Bahrain was safe, Fernley said: "We all know there is a very slight risk with coming here."

Not all the teams are staying in central Manama - McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes are all in a resort complex about 3km from the track.

Knicks Say Goodbye to New Jersey

NEWARK — The Knicks packed their jerseys and their high-tops, boarded a bus and crossed the Hudson River one final time Wednesday night, not to pay their last respects to the Nets of New Jersey, but to bury them, without sentiment or sympathy.

Enlarge This Image

Barton Silverman/The New York Times

Carmelo Anthony, who scored 33 points, shooting over the Nets’ Gerald Wallace, who scored 21.

In the semi-historic final meeting between teams labeled as “New Jersey” and “New York,” the Knicks did not even permit their putative rivals the courtesy of a home-court advantage.

The cheers, the chants and most of the points belonged to the Knicks, in a 104-95 victory that was never close or compelling. The Knicks sped to an early 21-point lead, survived a sloppy second half and rode Carmelo Anthony’s 33 points to the final buzzer.

And with that, an era of sorts came to an uninspiring end. The Knicks will not play another game in the Garden State. The Nets, after 35 years in New Jersey, are heading to Brooklyn next fall, where they will play in the new Barclays Center.

The Nets can only hope that a more supportive crowd awaits them across the East River. On Wednesday, the Prudential Center was filled with Knicks fans, who booed Kris Humphries, serenaded Anthony with “M.V.P.” chants and roared at every Knicks basket.

“I thought we were at the Garden for a minute,” J. R. Smith, a New Jersey native, said with a chuckle. “I was looking for Spike. The fans were unbelievable.”

Anthony again paced the Knicks, crossing the 30-point plateau for the fourth time in five games. Tyson Chandler added 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Smith had 15 points as the Knicks (33-29) moved four games over .500 for first time this season and secured their hold on seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

The Philadelphia 76ers kept the pressure on, improving to 32-30 with a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks have a one-game lead, with four to play. They also put more distance between themselves and the Milwaukee Bucks (29-32), who lost to the Washington Wizards.

The lottery-bound Nets fell to 22-41, despite 21 points from Gerald Wallace and a stronger second half.

The Knicks played without Baron Davis, who was felled by a stomach virus, leaving Mike Bibby — their 33-year-old, third-string point guard — to run the offense. Bibby finished with 8 points and 8 assists.

Amar’e Stoudemire missed his 13th straight game, though it was probably his last as a spectator. The Knicks expect to have him back when they play in Cleveland on Friday — “I’m hoping,” Coach Mike Woodson said.

That would give Stoudemire four games to get reacclimated before the playoffs start. In Stoudemire’s four-week absence, Anthony has become the indisputable focal point of the Knicks, returning to the dominant form he showed for years in Denver.

“I expect him to continue to play that way,” Woodson said. “He’s not only playing well, but he’s making guys around him play better, too. That’s the sign of a great player in our league. I’m happy for Melo because there’s been a lot of heat on him, when he came to New York.”

There was no heat at the Prudential Center, only adoration. Anthony chuckled at the “M.V.P.” chants, though, saying: “It felt good. I’m not the M.V.P.” He threw his support instead to his friend LeBron James and also mentioned Kevin Durant and Tony Parker as candidates.

At times, this felt like a preseason game, full of makeshift lineups and (in the Nets’ case) obscure names. At one point in the second quarter, the Knicks’ lineup featured Toney Douglas, Josh Harrellson, Bill Walker and Steve Novak — a group that probably had not played together since early January.

Sundiata Gaines and Jordan Williams started for the Nets, in place of the injured stars Deron Williams and Brook Lopez. The Nets’ injured list ran five deep, with three players (Lopez, Jordan Farmar and Damion James) out for the rest of the season.

But then, the Nets’ season ended long ago, amid a torrent of defeats and the failure to make a trade for Dwight Howard — the superstar center they so badly need to complement Williams and keep him happy.

It remains unclear whether Williams will make the pilgrimage to Brooklyn, or what the Nets will look like when they get there. But when these teams meet again, it will be in a New York City borough, as true crosstown rivals.

“I’m sure there’s enough people throughout New York, Manhattan, all through the boroughs, that can support them,” Woodson said with a smile. “I’d like to think that we’re still the best team, the Knicks, and I think we’ll continue to get our support as well.”

REBOUNDS

Jared Jeffries was held out of the game because of a flare-up in his right knee. Jeffries has been bothered by chronic soreness in the knee for more than two months and has already missed 12 games because of it. He has been playing under a 15-minute limit. ... Baron Davis played Tuesday night in the Knicks’ victory over the Boston Celtics despite nausea and what he described as migraine headaches and joked afterward, “I thought I was going to die.” Davis also aggravated his left hamstring injury in that game and had his leg heavily taped afterward. But Mike Woodson said it was the illness, not the hamstring, that kept him out Wednesday.

Only one statistic matters for Chelsea: One chance, one goal

Chelsea fans taunted their Barcelona counterparts with chants of “Jose Mourinho” as they made their way out of Stamford Bridge only 90 minutes away from the Champions League final.

This added insult to the injuries felt by those clad in Catalan colours, who cheered the sight of the defeated Mourinho as images from Real Madrid’s loss against Bayern Munich in the other semi-final flashed on to big screens before kick-off.

Barcelona’s long game was to face Mourinho in the final in Munich next month – and inflict painful defeat on the man who has been a past nemesis. But Chelsea threw those plans into doubt.

Not only do Mourinho’s Real now face a fight to reach their destination, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is in a similarly hazardous position after Didier Drogba gave Chelsea a 1-0 lead to take to the Nou Camp on Tuesday.

Thumbs-up: Didier Drogba scored the only goal as Chelsea defeated Barcelona at Stamford Bridge. Picture: Getty

For all the mentions of Mourinho, this was a night of triumph for Chelsea’s caretaker manager Roberto di Matteo - complete with a nod to the past in their resilience, determination, discipline and downright defiance of the odds.

If Mourinho had presided over this performance rather than Di Matteo, it would no doubt have been lauded as a defensive masterclass and a result fashioned around meticulous preparation.

Barcelona enjoyed a 72% share of possession. Chelsea’s Juan Mata received the ball nine times in his 76 minutes on the pitch compared with Xavi’s 133 times in 87 minutes. Barcelona had 24 attempts on goal and Chelsea had only one shot on target throughout a long evening of attrition.

And for all the small details and fine margins that will always shape games at this stage of the Champions League, this was the only statistic that mattered. One shot. One goal. Now there may be one last tilt at glory in a tournament that has made a habit of inflicting pain on this particular Chelsea side.

Guardiola may be a purist with Barcelona’s principles in his DNA but he is also a realist as he swept aside statistical analysis to state: “The game is about putting the football in the goal. It is the most difficult thing in the game.”

Chelsea took their one chance, providing the platform for the possibility of reaching asecond Champions League final after the return in Barcelona.

Guardiola insists Chelsea are now favourites and statistically - that word again - they are, because they hold an advantage and have not conceded an away goal. Barcelona, however, will still have real confidence that this defeat will be a passable obstacle en route to Munich.

The easy option is to suggest Chelsea simply rode their luck, hung on and will meet the full force of European football’s artists in the Nou Camp. Some of this is true but any side that beats Barcelona should not see their achievement downgraded. Plenty have tried and failed - many miserably.

Guardiola was swift to point out that the second game is no easy task for Barcelona. He hinted at a greater sense of adventure and risk-taking, words that may just encourage Chelsea as they know the value of an away goal in Spain.

Chelsea will have to produce all they did at Stamford Bridge and more besides – but at least they travel to Catalonia with a precious lead to protect, presumably in the same manner they did on Wednesday.

Of course Chelsea enjoyed good fortune as Alexis Sanchez hit the bar early on and Pedro struck the base of a post in the closing seconds. Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas also wasted a perfect opportunity to mark his return to London with a goal and saw another shot cleared off the line by Ashley Cole.

These are facts of life when facing Barcelona. They will dominate possession, create chances and exert physical and mental stress on you with such sustained force that the chances are you will break.

At these pressure points, as Chelsea demonstrated, the key is not to panic, not to make that vital mistake – then take the opportunity when it presents itself.

Chelsea did this, which makes it such a victory to be cherished. No-one should underestimate a win against Barcelona by any side and certainly not one in a Champions League semi-final.

Di Matteo demanded two “perfect” performances to reach the final. This was not perfect but it contained enough of the old Chelsea steel to get the job done.

And while the smart money remains on Barcelona to win through, Chelsea showed they have a template that will serve them well when the sides meet again. They also have a result that will give them genuine hope of getting through.

Di Matteo acknowledged that Barcelona present a unique challenge with their tiki-taka passing game and the world-class talents of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta. He agreed they needed to be patient, disciplined and clinical in all parts of the pitch.

Chelsea also had their individual heroes, especially in defence. Goalkeeper Petr Cech was equal to all Barcelona’s best efforts, Ashley Cole and John Terry were simply outstanding, while Gary Cahill can take his self-belief and confidence to a new level when he reflects on the maturity of his performance.

In midfield, once again proving he is a bargain among the more expensive pieces, Chelsea found a stabilising influence in the ever-reliable Ramires. The Brazilian is moving away from his status as an unsung hero, rightly winning the plaudits of Stamford Bridge after doing so much more than set up Drogba’s winner.

And then there is Drogba himself. Part-drama queen – some of his theatrics bordered on high farce – and part attacking monster, ready and willing to rough up any defence. Yes, he embarrassed himself and irritated Barcelona with the trademark amateur dramatics, but he is still a force to be reckoned with and justified Di Matteo’s key decision to prefer him to Fernando Torres.

Di Matteo can also take huge credit. He got his tactics and choices spot on, his game plan backed by the organisation, especially in defence, that fashioned this win. Chelsea now need to do it all again on Tuesday – but suddenly the weight of pressure has switched to Barcelona.