99 years ago, Indian football's moment of glory

A golden moment in Indian football may sound like an oxymoron to generations fed on a healthy diet of sleek soccer, most recently at the FIFA World Cup. Where the only Indians were those cheering in the stands.

But 99 years ago today, India won its first battle for Independence on the football field.

It was as exciting a game as any played today by players who cost their clubs millions. Perhaps more, because Mohun Bagan played that day with freedom on the mind.

The British team was one goal ahead. Mohun Bagan captain Shibdas Bhaduri scored an equalizer. Then, with just two minutes to go, Abhilash Ghosh hit the second goal to defeat East Yorkshire 2-1.

"Indian football was born on 29 July, 1911, and at the same time India got a taste of Independence", says Anjan Mitra, Mohun Bagan secretary.

Chuni Goswami, a former Mohun Bagan captain says, ""It was the spirit, I am sure, not the equipment. There were no boots...barefeet...and the boys were not very strong compared to them. I am sure it was a sense of freedom fighting that carried them for the whole match."

In these parts the story is part of folklore.

"After Mohun Bagan won the 1911 shield, someone asked, when will that British flag come down. An Indian pundit said, it will come down when Mohun Bagan wins the shield the next time. Incidentally, Mohun Bagan won the shield in 1947, the year of Indian Independence," notes Sanmit Sarkar of the Sabuj Maroon Swapno fan club.

The Mohun Bagan club was born in north Kolkata and the field where the team first played is now lost to high-rises. But the spirit of July 29, 1911, is alive, the club shall have you know.

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/sports/99-years-ago-indian-football-s-moment-of-glory-40645?cp

Delhi HC raps Centre over status of Hockey India

The Delhi high court today came down heavily on the Central government for not complying with its order regarding recognition of Hockey India (HI) and said that elections in it might be postponed.

Despite the high court's order that HI is a private body and Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) the only recognised body of the sport, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said that both IHF and HI are recognised bodies.

Furious over the stand taken by the government, justice S Murlidhar said that it's a breach of the court's order and directed the government to issue fresh letter clarifying its stand by this evening.

The court directed the joint secretary (Sports) Injeti Srinivas to appear before it at 3 pm with a clarification on government's stand regarding status of HI.

The court also made it clear that the elections in HI will not be allowed if the confusion persists.

The high court yesterday said the government should not associate itself with the HI elections as it is a private body and held that the IHF is the only recognised body for the sport in the country.

The court had said that the election will be held only when the confusion regarding its status is cleared.

It had also asked the government to withdraw its observer appointed to monitor the HI election.

The high court had on May 21 set aside the Centre's decision to de-recognise the IHF and the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) de-affiliation of the Federation.

Source http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_delhi-hc-raps-centre-over-status-of-hockey-india_1415823

Hockey coach snubbed again by players

After MK Kaushik's weak attempt to save face, players have hit back at the sacked hockey coach. Speaking exclusively to TIMES NOW, the hockey players have said that they signed the letter in support of Ranjitha willingly and that at no time were they under any pressure.

T H Ranjitha, who had accused the coach of harassment has also come out and slammed Kaushik, saying that the girls knew the pressure she was under.

She said, "Coach Kaushik is lying. I am telling the truth. All girls have signed the letter as they support me & understand the pain I am going through. All girls know what I went through was wrong & signed that letter willingly in my support."

Supporting Ranjitha, team member Deepika Murthy said, "Coach is not a women to understand the things that has happened to her. We have seen the plight Ranjitha has gone through. We don't want such things to happen in our camp. We made it clear then and there in the camp that we are all with Ranjitha and we trust her."

Meanwhile, Ashunta Lakra, another strike player added, "There was no pressure. Ranjitha told us what she had to go through. We just wanted to support her."

Source http://www.timesnow.tv/Hockey-coach-snubbed-again-by-players/articleshow/4350400.cms

Live updates: Sri Lankan batsmen pile on the runs

Consolidation was the name of the game for Sri Lanka in the second session of the second Test against India at the SSC ground in Colombo on Monday.

At tea (after 62 overs), they had reached 235 for one.

Both Paranavitana (89 not out) and Sangakkara (80 not out) were toying with the Indian bowling attack, that looked vapid to say the least.

The home team began on a steady note before Tillekaratne Dilshan (54) cut loose.

The opener smashed Abhimanyu Mithun through extra cover for his first boundary before hitting four successive fours in the next over by Ishant Sharma.

Ishant was largely ineffective in his opening spell, his figures reading 6-1-39-0. Mithun, on the other hand, was impressive, having Paranavitana in all sorts of trouble early on.

Dilshan became quiet for some time before hitting three boundaries in a Mithun over.

Harbhajan Singh was introduced into the attack in the 18th over and Dilshan cut his first delivery to the point boundary to bring up a well deserved half century.

The right-hander was dismissed in the very next over, Ojha having him caught by VVS Laxman at short extra cover.

The opening wicket partnership yielded the home team 99 runs. However, Dilshan's dismissal came against the run of play.

Kumar Sangakkara announced his arrival with a couple of boundaries off Ojha.

At lunch (after 29 overs), the hosts had reached 128 for one.

Soon after resumption Paranavitana completed his fifth Test fifty with a single off Sehwag.

And while he held fort and one end, Sangakkara cut loose on the other.

It didn't take long for the latter to complete his half-century, a boundary followed by a single to mid-on (off Ishant) ensuring him his second 50-plus score of the series - after his hundred at Galle.

And the captain's confidence brushed in on Paranavitana as well, the opener coming down the track and smashing Harbhajan for a maximum to help his side cross the 200-run mark, while also ensuring the 100-run stand for the second wicket.

Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and not surprisingly elected to bat first.

"It's usually a fantastic wicket but we have to do saome hard work early on and pile on some runs," said Kumar Sangakkara, the captain of the home team.

His opposite number, Mahendra Singh Dhoni , was not all perturbed.

"There'll be a bit more bounce for the bowlers," he observed.

Sri Lanka had as many as four changes in the side, bringing in Dhammika Prasad, Dilhara Fernando, Ajantha Mendis and Suraj Randiv in the side.

For Randiv, it was a debut Test appearance.

The visitors also had a couple of changes in their line-up, Murali Vijay coming in place of an injured Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina making his Test debut, replacing Yuvraj Singh.

Source http://cricket.rediff.com/report/2010/jul/26/live-updates-india-vs-sri-lanka-second-test-colombo.htm

Muttiah Muralitharan reaches 800 Test wickets in final Test for Sri Lanka

Muralitharan needed two more scalps to conquer one of the most unlikely landmarks in sport and secured the record when Mahela Jayawardene caught Pragyan Ojha at first slip.

The popular Sri Lankan, playing his last Test before retirement, was then carried off the pitch by his team-mates with 95 runs needed to win the first Test.

Resuming the final day at 181 for five, India were powerless to prevent the Sri Lanka bowlers running through their middle order.

And India's hopes of salvaging a draw were given a rude jolt in only the second over of the day, as Lasith Malinga sent in a yorker which shattered skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's middle and leg stumps.

Muralitharan, 38, reached number 799 of his Test career as he trapped new man Harbhajan Singh for eight leg-before with a peach of a doosra delivery.

But India's tailenders showed stubborn resistance in the afternoon session as Sharma led the way with a 100-ball rearguard knock.

The dark clouds came and went as Muralitharan entered his 45th over of India's second innings. The wait was soon over.

Source http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/srilanka/7903986/Muttiah-Muralitharan-reaches-800-Test-wickets-in-final-Test-for-Sri-Lanka.html

India and Holland to host 2011 Champions Trophies

The six-nation event is scheduled to be played in December and mark the third time eight-time Olympic gold medallists India have played host after Chennai in 2005 and Madras in 1996.

Reigning Olympic champions and 2010 Champions Trophy runners up Holland meanwhile, will stage the women's at the end of June next year. It will be the sixth Champions trophy to be played on Dutch soil.

A statement from the FIH said: "After the success of the Hero Honda FIH World Cup in March this year, the FIH has decided to return to India in 2011. Olympic and World Champion Netherlands will host the women’s FIH Champions Trophy next year, with the tournament being completed by the end of June 2011.

"For both FIH Champions Trophies, the exact dates and place will be decided in the coming weeks. The FIH will allocate its other World Level events for 2011 and the tournament from 2012 onwards in the coming months."

England men get their 2010 Champions Trophy campaign underway in just under two weeks. Munchengladbach, Germany will host this year's tournament.

Joining England on the roster are Spain, Germany, New Zealand, Holland and defending champions Australia.

Source http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/hockey/7902195/India-and-Holland-to-host-2011-Champions-Trophies.html

Kambli stunned by Sachin using blood in biography

Vinod Kambli is surprised by childhood pal and batting star Sachin Tendulkar's decision to have his blood used on a page of his autobiography to be released in February next year.

Sachin Tendulkar's childhood friend Vinod Kambli was surprised that the batting maestro agreed to have his blood used on a page of a special, limited edition of his biography to be released in February, 2011.

"I am taken aback," said Kambli, after he was informed about Tendulkar's blood being used in the book.

"This is something you could have expected from a Vinod Kambli and not Sachin Tendulkar," he said.

The Guardian newspaper quoted publisher Kraken Media's chief executive Karl Fowler as saying, "The signature page will be mixed with Sachin's blood - mixed into the paper pulp so it's a red resin. It is what it is - you will have Sachin's blood on the page."

However, the London-based publishers did not elaborate on the blood aspect when contacted.

According to a report, only 10 copies of the Blood Edition will be printed and they are already sold. The proceeds will go to Tendulkar's charity foundation for a school to be built. "I am touched by Sachin's gesture. It is a very noble one for a great cause and I would like to help in any way possible," said Kambli.

"Talking about blood, you know, I have never seen Sachin shed blood," said Kambli, who was known to be one part of a mischievous pair. "I only watched on television how he got injured on his debut tour of Pakistan in 1989-90."

The 852-page special book reportedly weighs 37 kilos and measures half a metre square. It costs 49,000.

The publishers will print around 1,000 copies of another edition priced between 1,300 and 1,900. The height will be the same as the Blood Edition but will have 75% of previously unpublished material as well as his DNA profile. A smaller edition is being planned too and will cost between 130 and 190.

"From speeding balls to incessant travel, movement has been the only constant in my professional life," Tendulkar says in a press release.

"Seeing that captured in static images at such large scale and high quality is a real treat and makes this unique project all the more special. I can't think of a better way of displaying my life and career than in an Opus."

Tendulkar, who is Galle for the opening Test against Sri Lanka, was unavailable for comment.

Read more at: http://cricket.ndtv.com/storypage.aspx?id=SPOEN20100147190&cp

India beat France 4-3 in first hockey Test

Ace drag-flicker Sandeep Singh continued his red-hot form and struck twice as India defeated France 4-3 in the keenly-contested first hockey Test at the National Institute of Sport and Expert Performance (INSEP) in Paris.

India struck goals through Sandeep, who converted two penalty corners in the 12th and 65th minute, Tushar Khandker (5th) and captain Rajpal Singh (69th), while Fredric Soyez scored a hat trick (6th, 51st and 68th) for France in the first game of the three-match series on Sunday.

High on confidence after their 2-0 series win over Belgium last week, the Indians began aggressively and nearly took the lead in the third minute but for Dharamvir Singh, who fumbled inside the circle.

But two minutes later, India surged ahead when Khandker sailed the ball into the net past French goalkeeper Mathias Dierckems after he was set up by Rajpal.

France retaliated back a minute later and drew parity when Soyez encashed on a defensive lapse by Sarvanjit Singh and Danish Mujtaba to put the ball into the net past Indian goalkeeper Bharat Chetri.

The Indians, however, were not pegged back by the French goal as they continued to attack. The visitors missed a few good scoring chances with Mandip Antil, Amir Khan and Dharamvir guilty of shooting wide off the target.

India got its lead back in the 12th minute through Sandeep, who sounded the board with a fierce drag-flick from the team's first penalty corner, earned after Amir was blocked inside the circle by French defender Thibaunt Blondel.

After the change of ends, France played full court in search of the equaliser but the Indian backline of Gurbaj Singh, Bharat Chikara and Dhananjay Mahadik stood tall to foil their attempts.

However, a brilliant Soyes made it 2-2 for the hosts in the 51st minute after wrong footing Sandeep.

It was roller-coaster of a match which saw pendulum swinging from one side to the another till the very last minute.

With five minutes from the end, India took the lead again after Sandeep converted his and the team's second set piece of the day, only to see France claw its way back into the match through Soyez, who scored his hat-trick in the 68th minute from a shot corner

But Rajpal broke the hearts of the home team when he found the match winner seconds from the hooter.

Source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/hockey/India-beat-France-4-3-in-first-hockey-Test/articleshow/6186772.cms

Oosthuizen moves clear in British Open

South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen took the early second round lead in the British Open here on Friday defying heavy rain and cold conditions to move ahead of overnight leader Rory McIlroy.

The 27-year-old from the Western Cape coastal town of Mossel Bay started the day in second place at seven under par, two behind the young Ulsterman.

But three birdies in a row from the fifth hole saw him move ahead with 21-year-old McIlroy not due out till the afternoon.

Ooosthuizen, who missed the cut in his three previous Opens, reached the turn in 33 to remain at 10 under.

Tiger Woods of the U.S. hits his tee shot on the 16th hole during a practice round for the British Open golf championship on the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, July 12, 2010.

The 1989 champion Mark Calcavecchia also made a move in early play Friday with four birdies to get to six under through 13, while American Ricky Barnes moved to seven under after five holes with an eagle at the par-five fifth.

McIlroy's opening day, nine-under par 63 was the lowest first-round score in the 150-year history of the championship and matched the best score ever recorded in a major.

Yet it could have been even better were it not for a botched five-footer on the 17th, the Road Hole.

McIlroy was one of 45 players in the field of 156 to better 70, although that was five fewer than at Turnberry last year, when conditions toughened considerably over the weekend.

The early starters on Friday were once again greeted by benign seaside conditions and little wind to trouble their progress around a near defenceless Old Course.

But that changed dramatically after about an hour's play as heavy rain began to fall and temperatures plummeted.

McIlroy, looking to make it back-to-back major wins for Ulstermen following close friend Graeme McDowell's breakthrough win in the US Open at Pebble Beach last month, said he was hoping for more testing conditions.

"I wouldn't mind the wind to blow a bit, just so long as it stays dry," he said after recording his best ever score at St Andrews.

"It's very special this year being at St Andrews, 150 years and everything. I think it deserves a bit of good weather. I don't mind a bit of wind, but as long as it stays dry."

Tied on six-under after the first round were five players, including born-again John Daly, who lit up the opening day at the Home of Golf with his best display in years and the kaleidoscopic nature of his trousers.

Daly was due out around midday, with tournament favourite Tiger Woods not in action until 2:20 p.m.

Woods was contented with his opening effort of 67, which included just the one bogey, again at the Road Hole.

"I'm getting better every week. I'm hitting shots that I haven't hit in a long time. It's building," was his assessment of his current form.

The fallen American superstar is aiming to become the first player to win the Open at St Andrews three times in a row and he is also looking to record his 15th win in a major and close in on the record 18 titles held by Jack Nicklaus.

Also out early Friday was European number one Lee Westwood, who defied a torn calf muscle to record a five-under 67, and world number two Phil Mickelson, in a battle to make the cut following a disappointing opening 74.

Source http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ixnvLu9VPx0ke3GNRiAK2RjWSFXg

Tiger Woods begins 2010 British Open with bright shirt, par at gray St. Andrews

Tiger Woods tees off on the second hole during the first round of the 2010 British Open Championship on the Old Course, St Andrews in Scotland. Tiger Woods parred his opening hole on a still morning at the 139th British Open, seeking to use his favorite course on the planet to end a season-opening winless streak that matches the longest of his career.

Attired in a bright fuschia shirt – but no rain jacket yet on a day expected to bring more bucketfuls of rain – Woods was given an understated British greeting upon his introduction at the Old Course.

One voice was heard shouting "One time!" as the conflict-ridden golfer ripped a long iron down the left side of the wide first fairway. A wedge brought Woods within 18 feet of the pin, and he took two swipes with his new putter to complete the par.

Woods is seeking his first victory of 2010, producing a wide mix of results since his April return from a self-imposed hiatus to undergo counseling amid a sex scandal. He has two fourth-place finishes in majors, but also a missed cut and nothing else higher than 19th.

Woods found himself paired for the first two rounds Justin Rose, perhaps the Open's hottest entrant with two PGA Tour wins in the past six weeks. Rose also parred No. 1, as did third member Camilo Villegas.

John Daly, who won the 1995 Open at St. Andrews, grabbed the early lead at 5-under through eight holes. One shot back were German pro Marcel Siem (through 12) and Australia's John Senden (through 11).

Source http://www.latimes.com/sports/tiger-woods-british-open-2010-update-20100715,0,6543220.story

Dhoni signs Rs 2.1 billion endorsement deal

MS Dhoni has signed a a three-year endorsement deal worth approximately Rs 2.1 billion ($ 42 million) with a sports marketing agency. The deal surpasses the three-year deal worth Rs 1.8 billion ($38 million) that Sachin Tendulkar signed back in 2006.

Dhoni will be represented by a joint venture between Rhiti Sports Management run by Arun Pandey, a former Indian first class cricketer, and advertising agency Mindscapes. The venture will be responsible for the gamut of Dhoni's endorsements, from brand associations to digital rights, as well as his presence on social networking sites. Mindscapes was already managing Dhoni's endorsements prior to the deal, but not the rest of his properties.

Rhiti Sports General Manager Sanjay Pandey confirmed the deal to Cricinfo, saying it was signed about a week ago.

According to the Economic Times, Rhiti and Mindscapes snapped Dhoni ahead of a number of other agencies such as IMG, Percept Group, PMG (promoted by Sunil Gavaskar) and the World Sport Group. The Indian captain currently endorses 22 brands, including PepsiCo, Reebok, Aircel, and Godrej.

Dhoni is said to charge up to Rs 60 million( $1.3 million) an endorsement per year and according to Forbes magazine, took home $10 million last year, $8 million of which came from endorsements, making him the world's highest earning cricketer. An agency typically gets a percentage of the total endorsement value of its client.

With the World Cup being held in the India next year, Dhoni's brand value stands to increase as companies will want to take advantage of the publicity the event is bound to attract. He had signed with Mindscape last year after ending his previous deal with sports management firm Gameplan Sports in 2008. Rhiti Sports also manages fellow Indian cricketers R P Singh and Harbhajan Singh.

Source http://www.cricinfo.com/india/content/current/story/467115.html

World Cup squad returns to Spain in triumph

Spanish supporters in Madrid celebrate their team's World Cup win.

The Spanish royal family and government welcomed the country's World Cup-winning soccer team home Monday and emphasised that the players' work projects the best image of Spain.

The Royal Palace and the prime minister's offices in La Moncloa was dressed in red and yellow to receive the world champions, before they began their triumphal passage through the streets of Madrid led by coach Vicente del Bosque and captain Iker Casillas.

In the Palace's columned hall, King Juan Carlos thanked the members of the squad for 'making the best dreams reality' and for being examples of 'sportsmanship, nobility, good play and teamwork'.

A large part of the activity at the ceremony fell to Leonor and Sofia, the young daughters of Crown Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia, who, dressed in team jerseys, were able to touch the World Cup trophy and bestow the medals presented to the team members.

Spain won the World Cup for the first time by beating the Netherlands 1-0 in an ill-tempered final Sunday in Johannesburg with an extra-time goal from Iniesta.

The members of the squad, wearing their uniforms, presented the king with a jersey bearing all their signatures, the same gift that they made a little later to Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

From the Royal Palace, the team went to La Moncloa, where several thousand people, among them government officials and their relatives had gathered to honour them.

After hoisting the trophy above his head, going up onto the stage set up in the gardens and bowing to Casillas cheered on by the public, Zapatero said that the success had brought forth 'the united strength of all Spaniards so that the best image of Spain shines throughout the world'.

'They won by being the best, by playing as a team, by (playing a) clean game and by that good attitude and knowledge... on the field and off the field,' the prime minister said of the team.

Zapatero personified the success of which he spoke in Andres Iniesta, the player who scored the winning goal in the final, for playing good soccer and his human qualities, and also in Del Bosque for his 'strength, temperance and serenity' in representing with dignity all Spaniards.

Del Bosque had broadened the team's success 'to the entire soccer family', from the most humble club to the biggest, and he shared the moment with his son Alvaro, who has Down's syndrome.

Fulfilling the promise that Del Bosque had made, Alvaro received the trophy from the players when he arrived at Moncloa and after that he boarded the bus with his father and the entire team to make their triumphant tour through Madrid.

After the ceremonies at the Royal Palace and La Moncloa, the champions set out for a massive victory celebration in central Madrid.

Source http://sify.com/news/world-cup-squad-returns-to-spain-in-triumph-news-international-khnmucgheaf.html

World Cup 2010 - Howard Webb: Hero or villain?

Webb set a record by showing 14 yellow cards and a red in Spain's bad-tempered 1-0 win against the Netherlands.

The Rotherham official came under fire from both sides. Spanish pundits were outraged by his failure to send off a Dutchman before the 117th minute, with sports daily Marca calling him "abysmal".

Meanwhile, Holland were furious about two key decisions just before the winning goal. Dirk Kuyt stormed: "I know you cannot blame others, but the referee favoured Spain. We had many more yellow cards than we deserved. That ultimately cost us the cup."

Webb was roundly booed as he and his assistants Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey received their medals after the game.

The British press were kinder, with The Sun claiming: "Webb kept his head while players lost theirs."

Is the criticism justified, or did the players give him an impossible job?

Here is a look at all the big decisions:

15' Robin van Persie booked for a heavy challenge on Joan Capdevila. Good decision

16' Carles Puyol booked for a tackle from behind on Arjen Robben. Good decision

22' Mark van Bommel booked for a bad tackle from behind on Andres Iniesta. Borderline red, should at least have been a final warning. Should then have gone for persistent fouling, and kicking the ball into a prone Xavi.

23' Sergio Ramos booked for a tit-for-tat trip on Dirk Kuyt. Good decision.

28' Nigel De Jong booked for planting his studs into Xabi Alonso's chest. Bad decision. A clear red card for an appalling challenge.

42' Wesley Sneijder not booked for planting his studs in Sergio Busquets's thigh.

54' Giovanni van Bronckhorst booked for a block on Sergio Ramos. Tame by this game's standards, but probably correct.

56' Johnny Heitinga booked for a strong challenge on David Villa. Good decision.

67' Joan Capdevila booked for a cynical foul on the marauding Robin van Persie. Good decision.

84' Arjen Robben booked for mouthing off to the referee. We don't know what Robben said, but he protested furiously.

92' Spain penalty appeal for an alleged foul by Joris Mathijsen on Xavi. Replays showed Xavi kicked Mathijsen and Webb got it right.

109' Johnny Heitinga second yellow card for pulling back Iniesta. Good decision, even though Iniesta made the most of it.

112' Gregory van der Wiel booked for a trip on Iniesta. Borderline, fairly tame.

114' Arjen Robben not shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away after being correctly flagged offside.

115' Spanish goal-kick after Arjen Robben's free-kick takes a big deflection off the wall, and Iker Casillas also gets a touch. Terrible decision, how did referee and linesman both miss that?

116' Furious Dutch claims of a foul on Eljero Elia in the build-up to Iniesta's goal. Good decision by Webb, the substitute went down much too easily.

116' Half-hearted appeals for offside against both Cesc Fabregas and Iniesta for the goal. Both good decisions.

117' Andres Iniesta booked for removing his shirt after scoring. Good decision - the rules are the rules. But sad that Iniesta's tribute to Espanyol captain Dani Jarque, who died last year, earned the same punishment as De Jong's assault.

117' Joris Mathijsen booked for protesting Iniesta's goal by slamming the ball into the ground. Good decision

120' Xavi booked for kicking the ball away. Good decision.

Webb and his assistants did get most of the big decisions right, but that does not mean the referee had a good night. He failed to take firm control of the game, something at which he usually excels. His determination to keep 22 players on the pitch was clear early on, and both sides – particularly the Dutch - exploited that.

Perversely, Webb's lenient approach led to more cards than if he had made it clear he would not stand for any nonsense. Nobody likes to see a red card early in a big game, but if De Jong or Van Bommel had gone, you would need a particularly perverse mindset to blame the referee and not the players.

Source http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/12072010/58/world-cup-2010-howard-webb-hero-villain.html

There will no Murali like bowler in next 100 years: Saqlain

Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan said he had been thinking of retirement for some time

Paying glowing tribute to retiring Muttiah Muralitharan, former Pakistani star Saqlain Mushtaq on Friday said the Sri Lankan spinner was the best of his era and world cricket may not see a bowler like him in next 100 years. Murali, as he is called fondly, will call it quits after playing the first Test against India, starting July 18 in Galle.

"I have no doubt in my mind he was the best spinner of his generation. A champion bowler no matter what some people say. I am sure many batsmen would have heaved a sigh of relief knowing he is going to retire now," Saqlain, also a champion off-spinner of his time, said.

"You can learn a lot from just watching him bowl and his videos are a must see for young spinners. To be honest I don't think in the next 100 years, cricket is going to see a spinner of his caliber," Saqlain, who is now settled in England, said.

Although Murali, eight wickets shy of incredible mark of 800 wickets, will not play Test cricket he assured his side to play in the 2011 World Cup.

Saqlain said that he spent many hours with Muralitharan discussing the art of spin bowling and found him to be an amiable and honest man.

"The best thing about him is that he had no pretensions or airs about him and I am sure even after retirement he will be around to help and guide the youngsters aspiring to be successful slow bowlers," he hoped.

Saqlain said that the greatest thing about Murali was that despite the controversies surrounding his action he kept fighting hard and became a great spinner.

"In all fairness I don't think his action is suspect. The fact is that when the ICC cleared his action why should anyone have even raised questions about his action," he said.

Source http://www.hindustantimes.com/There-will-no-Murali-like-bowler-in-next-100-years-Saqlain/Article1-569610.aspx

Why our cricketers settle down with girls next door?

Until she became Mahendra Singh Dhoni's wife on Sunday, 21-year-old Sakshi Singh Rawat was just a girl next door.

After being linked with a bevy of Bollywood beauties, Captain Cool chose to settle down with a regular girl. And this seems to be the way our cricketers like it. Unlike sportsmen abroad, our men in blue like to keep it real and regular when it comes to choosing their spouses.

Wives and girlfriends or WAGs of high-profile football players might be a cult community on foreign shores, but the better halves of sport stars in India are far from the glitterati.

Sakshi is the kind of girl any man would like to take home to meet his mother. Five years younger than Dhoni, the hotel management graduate has a similar family background as her husband.

The quintessential small-town girl is not fiercely celebrity-oriented and has all the ingredients that make her affable and amiable.

She, like other cricket wives - Anjali Tendulkar, who's a doctor; Aarti Sehwag, a homemaker; Vijeta Dravid, a doctor; Sailaja VVS Laxman, a software professional - fits the non-glamour, homely variety.

There is a stark contrast between them and WAGs abroad, who move around in their Louboutin heels and Dior dresses. They are usually seen cheering their men while sipping martinis, but wives of Indian cricketers are on the other extreme.

Whenever they are spotted, they are seen in Indian clothes and the look is completed by sindoor and mangalsutra. You would hardly ever spot a cricketer's wife at a match.

These star cricketers have the moolah and fame, or simply put all it takes to attract any pretty young thing they want.

So what makes them choose these regular, homely types over and above the celebrity swish set?

Image consultant Dilip Cherian deconstructs the trend. "First, unlike footballers who are aggressive and flamboyant, cricketers like to maintain a gentle and mild image. Hence you won't see them publicly revel in parties or hang out with girls.

"Second, cricketers in India still mainly belong to the middle class. They carry that sensibility even after being exposed to glamour. No matter who they might get drawn to temporarily, in their hearts they want to bring home a girl of their mother's choice."

As far as Dhoni's Casanova image was concerned (he was linked with several Bollywood hotties such as Deepika Padukone, Asin, Priyanka Chopra and starlet Lakshmi Rai), his non-flashy, hush- hush wedding with a small-town girl is a bit surprising.

But as we now know, all famous cricketers have taken the same route and Dhoni has also followed a predictable pattern.

Adman Prahlad Kakkar thinks all the alleged link-ups could most likely be a publicity gimmick planted by actresses and models.

"Stars love publicity and a link-up with a cricketer gives them their press space. Cricketers, like most young men, love chilling out with actresses and models. But it's only a matter of time when they realise how incompatible their worlds can be in the long run. Any which way, it's bound to be a short-term thing," he says.

Source http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/104453/Sports/why-our-cricketers-settle-down-with-girls-next-door.html

Del Bosque offers no clues over Torres selection

(From L) Germany's midfielder Mesut Oezil, striker Lukas Podolski, and defender Per Mertesacker perform stretching exercises during a training session at the Northlands School in Durban July 6, 2010, on the eve of their 2010 World Cup semi-final match against Spain

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque declined to reveal whether he will keep faith with misfiring striker Fernando Torres in the European champions' World Cup semifinal showdown against Germany on Wednesday.

Torres has started every one of Spain's matches in South Africa except the opening Group H defeat to Switzerland, when he came on as a substitute, but has yet to find the net after returning from knee surgery shortly before the tournament.

"Tomorrow we will know who will be in the starting 11," Del Bosque said at Tuesday's news conference at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium, where the Spanish and Germans will meet in an eagerly anticipated repeat of the Euro 2008 final.

"The pressure on Torres won't influence him because he's used to playing at the top level and is a player who is steeped in football," he added.

"We'll play with those who we believe will be the most important and well suited to the occasion."

If Del Bosque decides to leave Torres on the bench, he has plenty of quality to draw from as a replacement.

Creative midfielders Cesc Fabregas and David Silva could come into a 4-5-1 formation with the in-form David Villa, who is the tournament's top scorer with five goals, as a lone striker.

Pacy forwards Pedro and Jesus Navas or powerful striker Fernando Llorente, who was widely praised for his performance
after replacing Torres in the second half of the 1-0 second-round win over Portugal, are also waiting in the wings.

At an earlier news conference, midfielder Andres Iniesta said Wednesday's match would be "completely different" to the Euro 2008 final, when Torres scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory for Spain in Vienna.

"It was a different situation with different characteristics in 2008," Iniesta said.

"I think both teams are coming into this match in good form and the desire to get to the final is huge," he added.

Source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football-world-cup/news/Del-Bosque-offers-no-clues-over-Torres-selection/articleshow/6137200.cms

Link-up reports upset Sakshi kin?

A packed cricket calendar for the Indian team in 2011 and astrological advice led to MS Dhoni's wedding, which was solemnised in Dehradun on Sunday, getting fast-tracked. It was initially planned for 2011. The packed international schedule next year would have made it difficult for Dhoni, who's crucial for India in all three formats, to make time for a wedding.

Apparently, Sakshi's family was also not comfortable with the gossip surrounding Dhoni's link-ups with various Bollywood and south Indian actresses. Though Dhoni never commented on these link-ups, that only fuelled speculation further.

Though the couple had been together for almost three years, both the engagement and wedding caught the media by surprise. In fact, even among cricketers, Dhoni's close friend R P Singh was the only one who knew about the wedding in advance. Even Harbhajan Singh got to know of it only on Friday — a day before Dhoni got engaged, the source said.

It's quite clear that Dhoni and the two families succeeded in their objective of keeping the entire affair under wraps, which is mean achievement.

R P Singh, who is training in the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, took leave days in advance to be there at the ceremony. The wedding, for which only a few close family members and friends were invited, was a simple affair minus any alcohol.

Source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Link-up-reports-upset-Sakshi-kin/articleshow/6132865.cms

British Grand Prix 2010: Lewis Hamilton prepares to race in front of his father

Happier times: Lewis Hamilton with his father, Anthony, before the split

But he is likely to eschew the paddock in favour of a place in the grandstands as the rift with his son slowly heals.

It is another positive sign in a season that is rapidly turning around for Hamilton. After a bumpy start, the 25 year-old has won two of the last three grands prix and goes into Sunday's race leading the championship by six points from team-mate Jenson Button.

The rapprochement with his father is clearly another weight off Hamilton's shoulders. Anthony was the rock on which Lewis's career was founded. He quit work and took on multiple part-time jobs to fund his son's karting career and until this season had not missed one of his son's races in any category.

Although their split was painted as amicable, with Anthony wanting to pursue other business interests and Lewis wanting time and space to grow, it rapidly became obvious the pair had fallen out. Hamilton Snr was understood to have been upset by the sudden jettisoning.

They did not speak after Hamilton was pulled over by Australian police in March for dangerous driving, and even now Hamilton will only admit they are in contact on a "messaging" basis.

"Everything is not 100 per cent in the past but we are definitely continuing to build on our relationship and things are moving slowly in the right direction," he said. "We are letting things take their time and move naturally rather than forcing things. It's generally positive. He's always sending me positive messages before the races."

Hamilton feels the time apart has been hugely beneficial, adding that he is "proud" of the way he has managed himself in the interim. "Bit by bit I'm working on things, on different areas which I didn't necessarily understand before," he said. "It's not like I've suddenly grown up. I'm still learning so many things but I'm taking the reins and controlling things."

Hamilton has ruled out managing himself on a full-time basis but does not appear in any rush to find a replacement for his father. A frequent visitor to the United States, where his girlfriend lives in Los Angeles, the suggestion is that he would like to break into the American market. However, he said it was unlikely he would engage an American agency.

"They are not involved in F1 and don't know about it," he said. "I hope there may be companies over there interested in signing me, in terms of endorsements. I love the States but that is not something that is going to draw me or make any difference to what decision I make."

For the moment, Hamilton is not looking beyond Sunday's race, which he feels he stands an excellent chance of winning. He is unlikely to be sent on his way, though, by his father who for many years gave his son a special pre-race handshake.

"I don't think it's necessary but if he happens to be on the grid, then great," Hamilton said. "It's something we did in the past and it will always remain something special but I think the way things are right now work very well for me.

"I've told him he can choose whether he wants to come into the paddock or not. He can go and experience something different because he has always watched it on the TV or from the paddock. In Montreal I had some of my friends and family in the grandstand at Turn One and they had the best experience. Hopefully he will have a good view from the grandstand and watch it from there."

Source http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/lewishamilton/7871146/British-Grand-Prix-2010-Lewis-Hamilton-prepares-to-race-in-front-of-his-father.html

Paes, Black in Wimbledon mixed doubles semis

Leander Paes and Cara Black will clash with the Czech pair of Lukas Dlouhy and Iveta Benesova in the semis.

India's Leander Paes and his mixed doubles partner Zimbabwean Cara Black advanced to the Wimbledon's finals on Thursday.

Second seeds Paes and Black beat the Australian-Taiwanese pair of Paul Hanley and Chan Yung-Jan 6-4, 6-7 (7/4), 6-3 in the third quarter final.

With the win Paes and his partner set a semi-final clash with his doubles partner Lukas Dlouhy and his Czech mate Iveta Benesova

The ninth seeded Dlouhy and Benesova beat the Russia pair of Dmitry Tursunov and Vera Dushevina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Paes and Black were the runners-up in the tournament last year and have the 2008 US Open the 2010 Australian Open crown to their name.

Source http://sports.rediff.com/report/2010/jul/02/paes-black-in-wimbledon-mixed-doubles-semis.htm

I would love to be number one this year: Saina

Way ahead of the targets she set for 2010, Indian badminton ace Saina Nehwal today said she is now aiming to be the world number one by the end of this year.

"I wanted to be in the top-five bracket by this year end.

but I have already reached the number three ranking. I reached my targets very fast in my career. So number one is also not far. I would love to reach there by this year end," Saina said on the sidelines of a felicitation function by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) here.

"This year my aim is to do well in the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and also the Asian Games. I have to put in a lot of hard work and I am confident of doing well," she added.

Source http://www.ptinews.com/news/755702_I-would-love-to-be-number-one-this-year--Saina