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2008-05-09T08:29:00.001+05:30

New Zealand have a capable team, talented enough to match, but not powerful enough to regularly dominate, an Australian or Indian team. They need a special player to help nurture them.

The New Zealand team is currently in England, currently playing warm-up games, with games already played against the MCC, Kent and Essex.

Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum, the captain and vice captain of the team recently arrived in England, after playing in the Indian Premier League. The other three frontline players, Jacob Oram, Ross Taylor and Kyle Mills, also played in the IPL, have been in England with the rest of the team to finish their warm-up games.

They commence the Test Series against England, to run for three matches, at Lord’s on May 15. New Zealand are typically slow starters on tour, and the need to impress and sustain some momentum is crucial as the English are a far superior team on home soil.

But the New Zealanders are missing one crucial ingredient in their quest - a world-class player. I believe that the squad is capable, with solid batsmen, economical bowlers, and a world-class spinner in captain Daniel Vettori.

The most logical trade would be for Australia to have their highest-ranked non-Test player to ply his trade for New Zealand. This is a valid request. The relationship between the countries in sport is constant. Some would credit the emergence of Australian Rugby Union down to their constant fixtures against New Zealand's domestic and national teams.

Others would claim that the Kiwi’s evolution as a Rugby League power is due to their participation in the Australian NRL. The netballers now compete in a regular Trans-Tasman tournament, and the elite domestic soccer tournament – the A league, has a team from New Zealand participating in their competition.

Furthermore, Australia has an embarrassment of riches in cricketing talent. New Zealand does not, and it would benefit the might of the Baggy Green to have their closest geographic rival stronger for the inclusion of one of their players.

By the same token, we could also have a retired Test player compete in the New Zealand squad for a fairly comfortable “retirement package”, something to match the Indian Premier League salaries.

Not only would this benefit the Australians, it would naturally promote the New Zealand team. Naturally, they would become more competitive, especially considering that outside of Zimbabwe, they have a weak domestic structure that cannot compete with the likes of Australia, England or the sub-continental nations.

It would also profit the players in the Kiwi test team itself. The benefit of having the presence of a top-level player would be that the players around them would be stronger for it. If it was a non-Test, top-level player – Simon Katich, the forgotten son of Australian test cricket? – and the highest scoring state run scorer in 2007 would be a brilliant addition.

If it was a retired player, I think Justin Langer would serve an appropriate swansong as the new opener of the New Zealand cricket team. But, I think that one man would like the novelty of playing for his old foes, and would work well with the New Zealanders to strengthen the ability to his old Trans Tasman rival; Shane Warne. He would make a marvellous addition to the New Zealand Test team. And he has quite a handy record in England to assist the Kiwi’s to a solid Test series victory.

Warne could think of it as a pseudo Ashes series.....

http://www.sportingo.com/cricket/a8560_shane-warne-man-who-could-help-new-zealands-cricketers-hit-opponents-six

IPL 'incredible experience', has helped mend ties: Hayden

2008-05-05T19:40:00.001+05:30

IPL 'incredible experience', has helped mend ties

After experiencing a fortnight of glitz and glory in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Australian cricketers say playing on the same side with Indian players has helped mend strained relations.

"It's been an incredible experience. It's been one that's broken down the cultural barriers that perhaps existed through the course of this summer but also, more than anything, it's been a hell of a lot of fun to play in," Australia's star batsman Matthew Hayden, who played for Chennai Super Kings, told reporters in Brisbane.

After a summer of discontent which led to souring of ties between players from the two sides, Hayden was not having the last laugh at Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh's suspension for slapping India team mate S. Sreesanth.

"I think it was a pretty disappointing thing. I just think we've all tried to move on from anything to do with taking a backward step in the way last summer went on," Hayden said.

Hayden was charged with a breach of the Cricket Australia Code of Behaviour for calling the controversial spinner "obnoxious little weed".

Earlier, Harbhajan was banned for three Tests after Australian players gave evidence that he called Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds a 'monkey' during the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground in early January. His charge was reduced on appeal.

As Australians switch to the Test mode, training at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane, Hayden said he needed to make "big adjustments" to be prepared for the West Indies tour that will have three Tests and five One-Day Internationals.

Besides Hayden, other Australians who played in the IPL include Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Cameron White, Michael Hussey, Symonds and retired greats Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and spin wizard Shane Warne.

Australian opener Phil Jaques is also hoping to one day play for the glamorous competition. He told reporters: "I would have loved to be a part of it."

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1162788

Pele, George Best, Stanley Matthews: What made them great?

2008-04-15T10:40:00.000+05:30

It's easy to name the obvious - but harder when you look deeper into what the obvious consists of.
How do you define greatness in a footballer? We all know the so-called great names of the game, past and present, Pele, Stanley Matthews, George Best, Johan Cruyff, Maradona and latterly Gary Alexander of Leyton Orient (only joking), Thierry Henry and Kaka. Of course there are hundreds of others who would make any list which even rival fans would have to agree on. Unlike cricket, where greatness can be measured in stats (and I doubt any player will ever reach Don Bradman’s near 100 average in Tests) and aside from goalscorers, it’s hard to define greatness through the record books. I know our friends over the pond define everything by stats - you watch a baseball game on TV and you know how many hot dogs the pitcher ate in 10th grade. But if you want to define a great defender, for instance, it’s near impossible to do so by stats, so you are reliant on that old chestnut of opinion. I suppose you could argue that market forces can define greatness. If X is sold for X million then he must be a great player. I think it’s fair to say that high-profile transfers like Juan Sebastian Veron and Sergei Rebrov, to name but two of many, disprove this theory. Because football is such an easy game to follow (which is one reason why it is the greatest game on earth), it is easy for a fan to form an opinion. And it makes for great banter in the boozer. I do think, however, that before you can make a call on a player’s greatness, you have to see him live and not just on TV. The camera does not capture what a player does off the ball, which for me is one of the key issues of a player’s make-up, and you need the overall context of the entire pitch and the player’s contribution within it to form a judgement. With this in mind, here are my unscientific parameters for forming an opinion on what makes a great player. If the player matches these criteria, he can be chalked up. The question then is, which players actually do match the criteria? I am not naming names - you can easily fit any of your heroes into each category below. But that does not mean they pass the overall greatness test; to do so they would have to comfortably fit in each category. 1. Physical strength: A key element but more so in the English game which tends to be more "full-on" than, say, Spain and Italy.2. Speed: This attribute is by no means confined to strikers; overlapping full-backs come to mind. 3. Technical skill: Say no more.4. Intelligence: Yes, great players are highly intelligent, not in the academic sense but in an understanding-the-game sense. And in England, where the pace of the game is so quick, being able to literally think on one's feet is crucial. 5. Ability to hold the ball and distribute: This one is crucial. Any pub player, myself included, who has had a go up front will know how difficult it is to collect a pass, hold the ball with your back to goal and distribute while a participant from the Ultimate Fighting Championship is bearing down on you. 6. Ability with feet and head: Take a clipboard to a game and keep count of the minutes the ball is in the air. Heading is absolutely crucial. The player with magic in his boots who is also a superb header of the ball is a cut above the rest. Enter George Best. 7. Self-discipline: Some greats don’t make this category so lose out overall. It’s crucial because if a defender can psyche up a striker to make up for lack of talent, the result is an early shower. We know who these players are. 8. Outrageous talent: The defence-splitting pass, the creative decision within a mili-second; the sublime chip; making the unexpected happen. 9. The work ethic: Read Stanley Matthews’ autobiography The Way It Was (a must-read for all fans) you will understand how much work goes into becoming a great player. Yes, you may be blessed with talent but to get anywhere in life, you have to develop that talent. There are one or two greats who are not on my list because they do not fall into this category. 10. Being a team player: Football is a team game and although individual brilliance can turn a game, ability to fit in and work within a team's demands is a must. So, which players past and present fit into these categories? Or maybe you have some categories of your own to add or subtract.

http://www.sportingo.com/nostalgia/a3383_pele-george-best-stanley-matthews

2008-04-15T10:37:00.000+05:30

Edwards, Rowley, Law, Best, Cantona, Ronaldo - how do you pick Man United's greatest team?
Lifelong Red Devils fan PHIL SMITH's Old Trafford memories go back to the Busby Babes and even earlier. For footballing icons and legends, look no further.
Apart from doodling on beermats, discussing the local talent, chucking a few aimless darts and trying to convince everybody daft enough to listen that today’s beer isn’t half as good as the stuff we used to drink as lads, you can guarantee that pub conversations will invariably switch to football before the night is out.Tickets for the match on Saturday? Who should be dropped? Who shouldn’t? Who are they going to sign next? When is the manager going? Then, when you think you’ve solved all the club’s problems, somebody comes up with: ”Eh, who would you have in your best team of all time?” Settle down for a lock-in!After reading the Sportingo article on Alan Sugar selling all his shares at Tottenham and the author’s idea of the club’s WORST team (to go alongside their worst chairman), I thought I’d attempt the impossible: Picking Manchester United’s greatest team of all time. Easy? Try it!Trouble is that since my childhood recollections of United during the World War II years when they played at Maine Road because of air-raid damage to Old Trafford, the goalposts have been moved a few times. It’s doubtful if any sport on earth has undergone such explosive change.Many will argue that some of the changes have not been for the better, but having witnessed the metamorphosis from 2-3-5 through 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 and 4-4-1-1 to 4-4-2, I have to say that the game today is faster and far more entertaining than it was in “the good old days".But how do you put players like Johnny Carey, Duncan Edwards, Paddy Crerand, Jack Rowley, Eric Cantona, George Best, Bobby Charlton and Cristiano Ronaldo into the same team under any particular playing system or formation?So I’ve gulped down a couple of Parecetamol and taken the easier option by picking three teams - starting with players from the 50s and 60s playing in the good old 2-3-5 formation. And I’m claiming a few substitutes - even though they were unheard of in those days. How about this line-up for starters?Harry Gregg; Johnny Carey, Roger Byrne; Duncan Edwards, Jackie Blanchflower, Nobby Stiles; Jimmy Delaney, Jack Rowley, Tommy Taylor, Stan Pearson, Charlie Mitten. Subs: Dennis Viollet, Bill Foulkes, Johnny Giles, Eddie Colman, David Pegg.Now I’m claiming a spot of journalistic licence here because I wanted to produce a team to suit 4-3-3 from United players in the late 60s, 70s and early 80s. And remember this was a period when the Old Trafford management merry-go-round was in full swing; Sir Matt Busby, Wilf McGuinness, Frank O”Farrell, Tommy Docherty, Dave Sexton and Ron Atkinson were all at the helm at one time or another.Anyway, how’s this for a 4-3-3 winner: Alex Stepney; Noel Cantwell, Gordon McQueen, Ian Ure, Tony Dunne; Paddy Crerand, Samy McIlroy, Martin Buchan; Bobby Charlton, Denis Law, George Best. Subs: Lou Macari, Willie Morgan, Brian Kidd, Stuart Pearson, Steve Coppell.If you think that was tough, try the Sir Alex Ferguson era from 1986 through to the present day. Old Trafford, by now, is a stadium fit for kings, and that crown-like Premiership trophy has made its home there for nine years out of the last 14. But what about the players who have become legends, icons, millionaires even?!Ferguson has shaped three great teams during his reign, and this is my very humble effort at trying to name but one in 4-4-2 formation:Peter Schmeichel; Gary Neville, Steve Bruce, Jaap Stam, Dennis Irwin; David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs; Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney. And how about a few subs: Eric Cantona (tough call against Ronaldo), Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Bryan Robson, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

http://www.sportingo.com/football/a3645_edwards-rowley-law-best-cantona

Thirty years on, and Man United hero Lou Macari is still a student prince

2008-04-15T10:35:00.000+05:30

The little Scot whose goal won the FA Cup for United in 1977 works in the media these days. And the pressure is a lot less than it was living in the shadow of Best, Law and Charlton.
The build-up to the 1977 FA Cup Final was one of the most intense ever. Liverpool were, at the time, aiming to win an unprecedented treble. Standing in their way were their fiercest of rivals, Manchester United. The game was evenly poised at a goal apiece when, in the 58th minute, United’s Jimmy Greenhoff battled for the ball with Tommy Smith. The loose ball fell to Lou Macari, who from ten yards hit a low shot which deflected off Greenhoff past Liverpool goalkeeper Ray Clemence and into the net. It turned out to be the winning goal and was the most important in Macari’s career. He returned to Manchester a hero and recalls: “Obviously, when people think of the luck we got in ‘77, they talk about the winning goal. But at the time I honestly believed I had hit the ball as cleanly as I could and that it had just sailed into the net.” Thirty years later Macari, now a presenter on MUTV, sits in front of a group of students at the University of Staffordshire. Relaxing in his chair, he looks around the room at the group of would-be sports journalists who are about to question him. He has given up his time to participate in a press conference about his career as a player and manager and to answer questions about his experiences in the media.
Born in Edinburgh, on June 4, 1949, Macari began his playing career at Celtic before moving to Manchester United, where he was on contract between 1973 and 1983. Small in build but skilful in the air, he scored 97 goals for United in 373 appearances. In 1984, he entered the world of management when he took charge of Swindon Town. His career then took him to West Ham, Birmingham, Stoke City (twice) and most recently Huddersfield, who he left in 2002. Since then he has been a regular pundit on Sky Sports as well as working for MUTV and, having spent time on either side of the press/player divide, he provides the students with valuable insights into the profession they wish to enter. The questions thrown at him are varied in subject, from the current proposals to scrap draws in the Football League to the problems currently facing West Ham. However, it is when reminiscing about his days as a player that Macari looks most at ease. Recalling training-ground anecdotes of George Best and talking about how journalists and players often shared a pint or five after matches, he says: “George was probably better than I had realised. Even in training you weren’t able to get the ball off him. For his size he was so strong on the ball that he would actually knock you over.” Asked who he thinks should replace Sir Alex Ferguson when he decides to bring an end to his distinguished career at Manchester United, Macari hesitates, seemingly assessing who the likely candidates are. After careful consideration he decides that Ferguson is irreplaceable, declaring: “I’m confident enough to say that whoever the next manager is, in the eyes of the public he will seem a bad choice. Whoever comes in isn’t going to equal what he [Ferguson] has done; they are onto a loser. I was going to say it would be a hard act to follow but actually it will be impossible.” Macari thinks that the best time to lead the club would be after the next manager has been and gone, as by then the shadow of Ferguson may have diminished slightly and expectations will be more manageable. Talking about the success of Ferguson and the difficulties his successor will face trigger memories of the similar situation Macari found himself in when he first arrived at Old Trafford. At that time the great side that had lifted the European Cup five years previous, was breaking up and Macari felt that he and the others who joined the club around that time faced an impossible task.“The unfortunate thing about any player joining when I did was that the crowd at Old Trafford had become used to watching George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton,’’ he said. ‘’New recruits were bought in and I was one of them. There was unbelievable pressure on you to perform to their level. But no matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t.” As the conference finishes, Macari is asked to sign autographs by many of the students. Perhaps without the aid of that deflection 30 years ago, many of them would never have heard of him - but we all know that it’s by such fine margins that sporting heroes are made.

http://www.sportingo.com/football/a3711_thirty-years-man-united-hero

Bravehearts of the Kop: Liverpool's greatest Scottish XI

2008-04-15T10:33:00.000+05:30

Anfield has been blessed with impressive contributions of many nationalities, but the impact of Scottish players and managerial staff is unequalled.
Liverpool FC have been blessed with the impressive contributions of many nationalities down the years, but the impact of Scottish players and managerial staff is arguably unequalled. Quite simply, without the Scottish influence, Liverpool would never have become the successful world-class club it is today. In fact, take away the Scottish inspiration from the club and Liverpool would, in all probability, be, err…Everton! And what could be worse than that?The Scottish influence on Liverpool began decades before proud Scot Bill Shankly revolutionised the club. In 1892, self-made Irish businessman John McKenna was appointed manager of the club and immediately drafted 13 Scottish professionals into the team. The impact was immediate. Liverpool won the Lancashire League in their first season, and were elected to the Football League Second Division for the 1893-94 season. Liverpool’s Scottish all-stars ended the season unbeaten as Second Division champions, and were promoted to the First Division, the highest level of English football at that time.
Over the years, more and more Scottish players arrived at Anfield, including the likes of club legend Billy Liddell, whom many people still believe is the greatest player to ever turn out for the club, Bill Dunlop, who won two league titles, Tommy Lawrence, who had over 300 games between the sticks and Willie Fagan, who played with Shankly at Preston North End prior to moving to Liverpool. Then, in 1959, the most important moment in Liverpool footballing history arrived when Shankly was appointed Liverpool manager. The impact Shankly had on shaping the philosophy and winning mentality of Liverpool cannot be overstated - he built the foundations upon which all of Liverpool's success in the second half of the 20th century was based. The Scottish players just kept on coming, with the likes defensive giant Ron Yeats, goal-scoring legend Ian St John, powerful striker Bobby Graham and ex-Rangers player Willie Stevenson becoming important components of Shankly's resurgent team, helping the club to win a plethora of trophies. After Bob Paisley took over at the helm the roll-call of Scottish greats continued with the arrival a triumvirate of true Liverpool legends, Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen and Graeme Souness, three players who were instrumental in Liverpool’s domestic and European domination of the 70s and 80s. During the exciting tenure of Dalglish, Hansen and Souness, Liverpool amassed an incredible 26 trophies, including nine league titles and three European Cups. No other period in Liverpool history was this successful, and it is doubtful if the same success will ever be replicated again, in England or indeed anywhere. Given the incomparable impact of Scottish players and managers on Liverpool’s outstanding success, it is perhaps ironic that the club’s decline at the came at the hands of Souness, one of its most inspirational figures. The rot was arguably already setting in under the stewardship of King Kenny, but Souness, with his poor signings (Paul Stewart?) and exclusion of quality players like Peter Beardsley, was instrumental in the club’s downward spiral at the beginning of the 1990s. Sadly, Scottish influence has waned at Anfield over the last 15 years, with only Gary McAllister and Dominic Matteo making a significant impact at Liverpool in recent years. This is a real shame given the fact Liverpool’s history is built on the shoulders of Scottish players and their grit, skill, determination and excellent leadership and motivational ability. Here is my all time Scottish XI: Tommy Lawrence; Steve Nicol, Alan Hansen, Ron Yeats, Bill Dunlop; Willie Stevenson, Graeme Souness (c), Peter Cormack, Billy Liddell; Kenny Dalglish, Ian St John. Subs: Bert Slater (GK), Willie Fagan, Gary McAllister, Donald McKinlay, Jimmy McDougall.Total appearances combined: 10,705: Total goals combined: 1396.

http://www.sportingo.com/nostalgia/a6028_bravehearts-kop-liverpools-greatest-scottish

Arsenal may have lost this Manchester United battle, but the war rages on

2008-04-15T10:23:00.000+05:30

Arsene Wenger's young Gunners lost their heads during the title run-in, but this author thinks there's plenty to suggest they'll bounce back even stronger next time around.
Looking back on Arsenal's match with Manchester United on Sunday, it's hard not to have some sympathy. But once again, despite their excellent performance, the Gunners faltered. And the reason is that they lost their cool.
It was always going to be a tough job for Arsene Wenger to rebuild his entire team when veterans Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg, Patrick Vieira, Sol Campbell and Lauren all left the club. With little money to spend, he has been pretty much forced to give first-team places to a bunch of emerging youngsters from different parts of the world.
Despite the many comments to the contrary, Wenger proved that he is an ingenious craftsman. During the current Premier League campaign Arsenal have shone brilliantly to keep the sprits of their fans high.January's Africa Cup of Nations could not halt their early winning streak. However, injuries to players such as Robin Van Persie and Eduardo have played their part in adversely affecting the psychological composure of the players.
Lately, Arsenal’s frustrations have become all too obvious - even the usually-pragmatic Wenger has boiled over. They started to lose their grip with the 4-0 defeat at Old Trafford in the FA Cup. It was a serious psychological blow and the starting point for a succession of draws and defeats.
The only sign of a comeback was against Bolton when they showed they still have what it takes - even when playing with only ten men.
Arsenal could not keep up their form basically because of their desperation to win. With the pressure mounting from disgruntled fans, the Gunners' intensity has adversely affected their ability to play the free-flowing Football they are famous for.
It is almost like they have been trying too hard.
Such desperation to win will only trigger frustration - as evidenced by a recent explosion in the amount of yellow and red cards. On Sunday six yellow cards were shown to Arsenal players and just two to Man United.
This glut of bookings can be attributed to psychological frustrations emanating from their desperation to win. The Arsenal players should be trying to demonstrate their fighting spirit in a more relaxed way.
The memory of the great "Invincibles" team from 2003-04 will remain indelibly stamped in the mind of every Arsenal fan. And yet the present-day young Gunners look even more stylistic and spectacular at times.
What they are lacking is a brilliant striker in the Henry mould and a bit more strength in the defensive line. Arsenal could have comfortably won the match against United if Emmanuel Adebayor had only kept his cool in his one-on-one with Edwin Van der Sar. And they had the chances to score at least two more.
But as soon as they took the lead, the psychological tension kicked in. And when United equalised from the penalty spot there was only going to be one winner. The leveller only further triggered frustrations for Arsenal - as proved by a reckless kick from the usually-placid Aleksandr Hleb. Once again, the Gunners had lost their heads.
But they are still young - they will learn. This campaign has been captivating and, no matter what happens between now and the end of the season, Arsenal have made great strides. Next season they will only continue to close the gap on United and Chelsea.
They may have lost this battle but for me, the war is far from over.

http://www.sportingo.com/football/a8125_arsenal-may-have-lost-this-manchester-united-battle-but-war-rages

Cricket's the loser as Aussie legend Adam Gilchrist says farewell

2008-04-15T10:16:00.001+05:30

The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batsman changed the face of the game and he will be hard to replace.
"Adam Gilchrist is one of the greatest entertainers ever to grace a cricket ground anywhere in the world. You know when he enters the ground to bat you are about to see a show. Even when he gets out early it is usually doing something flashy. The cricket world will be poorer for his retirement but it has been richer for having been able to witness his awesome skill with both bat and gloves"
That's what the much-acclaimed cricket writer Peter Roebuck had to say about Gilchrist, the world's best wicketkeeper-batsman.The gentleman cricketer has announced his retirement from all forms of the game after the end of the forthcoming CB series.Wicketkeepers were traditionally, players who can score a workmanlike 30-40 odd runs apart from their prime duty. But all that changed with the entry of Gilchrist. He changed the way cricketing teams around the world looked at their wicketkeeper-batsmen. He introduced a new breed of cricketer who, apart from keeping wicket, could also contribute handsomely with the bat. Gilchrist revolutionised cricket like no other player had in the game's history.
He is a swashbuckling and flamboyant batsman apart from being a very able keeper. Despite being no well received when he replaced Ian Healy, he soon had the crowds on his side with some innings' that turned matches upside down. The very fact that people now talk of wicketkeeper-batsman and not about wicketkeepers speaks volumes about impact this great player has had on cricket.He was very much instrumental in Australia's reign at the top over the last decade. He made it look as though the Aussies were playing with 12 men all the time. His aggressive batting meant that the Aussies scored fast and put the opposition on the back foot. He attacked with such flair that it demoralised the opposition, and he is by far the best example for the theory that "attack is the best defence".He is one of the three players to be a part of the team that won the last three World Cups and he did his bit in securing victories with fine half centuries in the 1999 and 2003 finals and single-handedly turning the match in 2007 with a fine century. He is the only wicketkeeper all-rounder, performing incredibly both with the bat and gloves and would easily find a place in the pantheon of the great all-rounders.The CB series will be the last time we can get a glimpse of those swashbuckling shots or those acrobatic takes behind the stumps. But, as correctly pointed out, his departure will make the cricketing world that much poorer.Never in recent times has a retirement of a player brought tears to people across the globe.Will we get one more Gilly, one who is as entertaining and lovable as this bloke?I don't think so.Mate ,we will miss you.

http://www.sportingo.com/cricket/a6835_what-stumping-batsman-crickets-loser

Sachin Tendulkar the greatest cricketer of all time

2008-04-15T10:12:00.001+05:30

The 16-year old boy from Mumbai has grown to become a sporting legend. His stats speak volumes, but it is the way he has carried the hopes of a nation while humbly taking apart the best bowling attacks in the world that defines his greatness.
This is a story of a 16-year-old boy with stars in his eyes, fire in his belly and huge talent to boot. And now there is a man who has completed 16,000 runs in ODIs and who still has stars in his eyes, fire in his belly and huge talent to boot. This is a story of transformation of a boy into a legend who for 18 years has brought a smile to the faces of a billion of his countrymen time and again. This is the story of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. This is a dedication to the master. Tendulkar began his international cricketing journey at 16. And what a baptism by fire it was. Not everyone can claim to face the likes of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Abdul Qadir in their own backyard and come out with accolades and a smile. He then played one of the finest innings by an Indian in England to help save a Test. And then came the thunder Down Under. Tendulkar tamed the Aussie attack on a pacy Perth wicket to announce his arrival as one of the best that there ever will be. He scored a magnificent hundred on the world’s fastest wicket when most of his illustrious and experienced team-mates were run over by the Australians. Even before he came of age, he had become the premier batsman in India. He took up yet another challenge when he was asked to open the innings in ODIs. And the rest is history. Over 400 ODIs and 140 Tests later he has reached a level that only the true sporting greats like Michael Jordan, Bjorn Borg or Tiger Woods ever reached. He has scored over 27,000 runs in international cricket and has 80 centurues. But it is not the stats that are so important - Tendulkar’s greatness goes much beyond the figures. Viv Richards was a great batsman, but he had Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes and Clive Lloyd for back-up. Ricky Ponting has had the consistency of Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey and the Waughs. Jacques Kallis has Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith.But Tendulkar played most of the '90s as the premier batsman in the side and in foreign conditions and carried the burden of the expectations of millions of his countrymen. It is only in the last few years that he has got the support from other batsmen. In this regard, only Brian Lara can compare. And Tendulkar never let the rigours of cricket wipe the smile off his face. To date he remains a humble person. The stars of the game rate him as one of the best, the commentators too. And the greatest player in the history of the game, the late Sir Don Bradman, acknowledged Tendulkar as the best batsman he had seen and the one who came closest to his own technique and style of play. Enough said.Tendulkar has been a great ambassador of the game playing in the true spirit, always giving his all on the field, making friends with the opposition off it, staying away from controversy and taking bad decisions in the right way. Importantly, he still retains a childlike enthusiasm for cricket exemplified when he goes out to bat. You can see he enjoys playing the game.The little master has taken the art of batting to a supreme level. There will be those who will come and set new records. But I don’t think any other cricketer can come close to the genius of Tendulkar. He may or may not be knighted or awarded the Bharat Ratna, but for me and millions of his fans worldwide he will always remain the simple, humble boy from the by-lanes of Mumbai who played hard and fair for his country a game that he loved and lived for. I am sure even Tendulkar would be have been happy with just that. That he became one of the greatest ever in the process is a bonus.

http://www.sportingo.com/cricket/a6918_sachin-tendulkar-greatest-cricketer

'Ordinary chap' Gilchrist scaled a cricket Everest

2008-04-15T10:05:00.000+05:30

The Aussie keeper-batsman's retirement is a big loss to cricket. Here was a true sporting hero whose immense skill and wonderful sportsmanship reminded us of a time when 'win at all costs' was not even in the language.
When Sir Edmund Hillary conquered Everest in May 1953, he told the world: “You don’t have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things – to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated.”
A huge deal of modesty, from a man with such heroic stature and achievement, Hillary went where no one else has gone. On January 25, 2008 Adam Gilchrist, playing in his 96th Test, broke the world record for the most dismissals by a wicketkeeper. A day later he decided to retire from all forms of international cricket.
On that day he told the cricketing world, in Hillaryesque fashion, that he made a mistake during the match against India (dropping VVS Laxman) and decided it was time to go. “I’ve lost my competitive edge” he said. An extremely honest comment from a man who, like Hillary himself, has achieved so much in one lifetime.
Does his retirement mean that many unconvincing wicketkeepers should retire? The mistakes made by some Englishmen over recent years we have come to expect more than feel surprised when a catch goes down. A bit harsh, you may be asking yourself, but we are talking of a man who has climbed the mountain of Test cricket and has been upon its summit since.
Gilchrist was a man who changed cricket forever. With a record 414 dismissals, 17 Test centuries, 5,570 runs at an average of 47.60 he was a model player for all sportsmen to aspire to. Ever since his arrival into Test cricket in 1999, every international side have been trying to find their own version of Gilchrist. They have all failed because there isn’t another Adam Gilchrist, a player who was steady and faultless behind the stumps and who could score runs at an alarming rate and change the course of a game.
His diligence to walk, whether adjudged out or not, is a great example of a sporting hero in today’s cut-throat world of win at all costs.
So what have we learned? To be a great sportsman doesn’t necessarily mean you win everything. It requires that little bit extra. Sportsmanship, courage, pride and flair to make sport what it is - entertaining. Gilchrist certainly provided that. His philosophy on batting was to ‘just hit the ball’ and it worked well, with Gilly scoring at a tempo of nearly a-run-a-ball in test cricket and being compared to the great Sir Vivian Richards.
Sporting fans need heroes. Do you consider Roger Federer to be a hero? Maybe, but apart from winning what is he known for? John McEnroe did not win everything in tennis but he had character, something to get people talking down the local on a Sunday afternoon.
And that’s exactly what Gilchrist did. An attitude of hit everything but not give a damn about the averages and those people in Oxford blue shirts who stand on the boundary and pencil in every time he gets out on 37 whilst shaking their heads.
He is a hero - an ordinary chap - and a damn fine cricketer.

http://www.sportingo.com/cricket/a7014_ordinary-chap-gilchrist-scaled-cricket

Are we witnessing the end of Australia's cricket domination? Don't bet on it!!

2008-04-15T09:48:00.001+05:30

The Aussies' world No. 1 ranking may be under threat from India and South Africa, but don't imagine Ricky Ponting and Co will surrender it without a fight. There's still a lot of fight in the Baggy Greens.
Is this really the beginning of the end? Is this longest period of dominance in modern cricket history really over? Have Australia, finally, fallen off the perch that they have defended so imperiously for the best part of two decades?
Certainly, if you believe the pundits, the crown has slipped; the throne has been vacated and cheekily occupied by a team of fresh-faced usurpers from the sub-continent. Whether this is a permanent abdication, however, remains to be seen.Anyone with an attention span longer than the average four-year-old will remember that these same questions were asked at the end of the Ashes tour, when England also beat the Aussies 2-0 in the finals of the tri-series. They will also remember that Australia went on to dominate their third consecutive World Cup. It is dangerous to read too much into these things.This time, however, the signs are slightly more concerning. The summer was proceeding according to plan up until the Sydney Test against India. After securing an unlikely, if controversial, victory in the dying minutes of that game, Australia’s confidence should have been sky high.What no-one expected, however, was the storm that erupted in the wake of that game. The Australian side was viciously attacked by the foreign and domestic media, former cricket stars and even the Australian government. These were unchartered waters for players who had been feted as national heroes for their entire careers.There has been enough written about the goings on in that Test and we will never know what really happened out on the field, but the reaction rattled the Aussies. Suddenly, everything was brought into question, not only their ruthlessness on the field, but also their personal integrity.The attacks on Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke were unprecedented, with both players openly called cheats simply for adhering to a pre-tour agreement of claiming catches. It is clear that the view of these incidents depends greatly on the colour of the flag that they are viewed through, but it is unfair in the extreme to suggest that either of these players deliberately claimed a catch they knew to be grounded.Nevertheless, the criticism hurt, and the effects were felt through the rest of the summer. Suddenly, there were glimpses of self-doubt, a fragility that was previously unseen and the Indian team masterfully exploited that.The loss in the tri-series will see the Aussies lose the top spot in the ICC one-day rankings to South Africa. However, it would be wrong to read too much into that. The loss came at the end of a long summer – in more ways than one – and there is too much talent left in the team to write them off just yet.It is easy to see, from the comfort of a lounge chair, where the Aussies went wrong in the finals of the tri-series. Obviously, the fragility of the batting line-up was the crux of the problem and, disappointingly, the batsmen fell prey to the same issues as in England in 2005 – a complete inability to play swing bowling with any degree of comfort.Add to that the determination to dominate the bowling at all costs and you have a recipe for disaster. The lack of respect that the Australian batsmen show for anyone who bowls at less than 130km/h has caused them problems. Ponting’s choice to play aggressive pull shots less than 10 balls into his innings has seen him depart early on numerous occasions throughout the one-dayers. The same can be said for Clarke, Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds.The Bhajji factor has also had an impact. Such is the determination of players, particularly Symonds and Matthew Hayden, to “destroy” Harbhajan Singh, resulted in their untimely departure on a number of occasions. Overall, Bhajji probably won the battles over the summer, although his personal reputation has taken a big hit.There are plenty of things for the Australian cricket team to ruminate on as they decide how to recover from this summer. There is certainly a need for changes to be made to their on-field performances, not just in cricketing terms.
But there is no need for panic.There is still the nucleus of a very good side and they should still win many more games than they lose. The trick is that they now have to earn their victories the hard way, through hard work and dedication. The rest of the world now knows that they are fallible and this side no longer instils fear in their opponents.Interesting times ahead or, as Bob Dylan would have put it: 'The times they are a changing'. Maybe.

http://www.sportingo.com/cricket/a7337_we-witnessing-end-australias

Aussies in a spin without the genius of Shane Warne

2008-04-15T09:43:00.001+05:30

Shane Keith Warne made an unassuming entry into Test Cricket in 1992, replacing Peter Taylor and taking 1-150 and recording match figures of 1-228 – admittedly against the Indians, the premier players of spin.
His haul of 7-52 against the West Indies in 1992 at Melbourne cemented his place in the team and from there the legend grew ... from the 'ball of the century' that bowled Mike Gatting in The Ashes series of 1993 through to the unchallenged period of dominance of the Baggy Greens throughout the nineties and into the new millennium.
Warne’s impact was the revival of what was regarded as a dying art in the world of cricket after the golden era of pace bowling, with Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee the pre-eminent Australian strike bowlers, and, of course, the fearsome attack of the West Indians.
Despite off-Field notoriety – bookmaker controversies, banned substances and numerous infidelities – Warne was the only bowler to be counted among the five Wisden players of the century.
It is unlikely the world will ever see his like again. However, Australia appears to be without any real frontline spin options and this will be an issue in the future.
Stuart MacGill, with more than 200 Test wickets to his name, has lived under the shadow of Warne, and despite strong recent domestic form, he is 37 years old and has consistently struggled with fitness. However, he is the only frontline spin option selected by Cricket Australia on the list of their 25 centrally contracted players. Brad Hogg, the preferred option recently as the starting Test spinner, has now retired.
Promising but terribly inconsistent spin options Cullen Bailey and Dan Cullen have both been dropped from the frontline contracts after poor domestic form.
Beau Casson, a solid all-rounder and 'chinaman' bowler, seems to be in the forefront of Australian selectors' mind, having been named in the squad to tour the Caribbean in the coming months and been awarded a Central CA contract despite a less than impressive 2007. Victorian Bryce McGain, a solid finger spinner, is an option, but as he is in his mid-30s he is not considered a viable alternative by selectors.
Australian Test captain Ricky Ponting has admitted that there will need to be a stronger focus on his part-time options, namely Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds – both certainties in the Australian XI, but not first-choice or strike spin options.
Australia still remains as powerful as ever with strong batting options and an excellent pace battery led by Brett Lee – believed by many to be the world’s premier pace bowler. But it seems they have consigned themselves to having no real spin option at all and life without Warne could be grim, as now the Baggy Greens have shown the world their Achilles heel.

http://www.sportingo.com/cricket/a8056_aussies-spin-without-genius-shane-warne

Don't like Ricky Ponting? Text ASHES05! (An Interesting News!!)

2008-04-15T09:41:00.000+05:30

Those conniving Aussie cricketers are at it again, with a new form of cricket designed to intimidate opponents. The SMS (Sledging Messenger Service) is particularly worrying.
'The Aussies are to trade in their green-and-gold strip for a black-and-white zebra-stripe outfit based on San Quentin Prison circa 1930'
Aussie cricketers are planning to rebrand international cricket as Australian Rules Cricket (ARC).ARC will showcase the Australian dominance of the sport and is a total breakaway from the old-school dictates of the MCC and ineffective ICC.With the IPL, ODIs and Twenty20 challenging Test cricket for a share of fans, the Aussies have come up with something new for the ballpark - ARC, or Test cricket with a bit of Aussie finesse.The game's major features include Jerry Springer-like sledging with replays and a live broadcast daytime soap series called 'Judge 'n Jury', which delicately brings out the convict in Aussie players.And Ricky Ponting's boys are to trade in their green-and-gold strip for a black-and-white zebra-stripe outfit based on San Quentin Prison circa 1930.
Viewers at home are to be drawn into the game with live voting. The third umpire is to be replaced with a premium number line 0891 GIVE-DA-FINGA, and batsmen will also benefit from televison quiz-show technology as seen on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire with phone-a-friend options (that might be difficult for Matthew Hayden) to aggrieved batsmen.The Aussie public will be able to manipulate fielding positions with live, real-time chats with Ponting and a new SMS (Sledging Messenger Service) will be providing the technology to permit spectators to sledge an opposing batsman.The Aussie brains trust believes that ARC is the future of the cricket park and an effective knockout blow to IPL, BCCI, ICC and MCC (and of course CIA, FBI).Cricket fans are unsure whether the Aussies are on the right track. But fools are often tolerated in April.

http://www.sportingo.com/cricket/a7964_dont-like-ricky-ponting-text-ashes

Has Wenger passed his 'buy-by' date at Arsenal?

2008-04-15T09:19:00.001+05:30

Unlucky, bad management, or are they looking for divine intervention? Whatever the reason, the Gunners' trophy cabinet has been locked for three years.
'Not since the arrival of Sol Campbell has Arsene actually bought a player who has added a sense of defensive stability to his team and whose presence has actually intimidated opponents'
I’m fascinated when theology gets intertwined with sports. "God has forsaken us," claimed a clergyman over Sunday drinks about his favourite team Arsenal. "Perhaps God is testing us," piped in one in his congregation.I was mum on the discussion, but I couldn’t help thinking that really, God helps those who help themselves. Lately, Arsenal have done nothing to help themselves. One talks about faith being the cornerstone of every religion. In particular, the fans based their belief in a manager who has delivered so much over the last ten years and who’s promise has led to the catchphrase "Arsene knows" as an encouragement to those who would sway to remain faithful over the course of another trophyless season.I would admit that it is difficult to maintain the faith in Arsene Wenger. Has he taken the Gunners as far as he can go? It seems even the most loyal have broken rank. Lately, Arsene’s own players have questioned his tactics, his over-reliance on a handful of players to deliver a season without a contingency plan and most of all, his unwillingness to spend to strengthen his squad.This is not the first time he has been questioned over the latter flaw.For all of Arsene’s ability to spot talent, he has had an extremely poor record in spotting defensive talent. Not since the arrival of Sol Campbell has Arsene actually bought a player who has added a sense of defensive stability to his team and whose presence has actually intimidated opponents. Along the way, he has dished out the likes of Oleg Luzhny, Igor Stepanovs and Nelson Vivas – all disasters in their own right and all who have contributed to the demise of the team in one way or another. Now to those names can be added Philippe Senderos and Armand Traore.The common string among all of them is that Arsene has constantly defended the lot, playing them in sometimes crucial games, whereupon their mistakes have costs the team dearly. In all those cases, he stubbornly stood by his players in a show of almost blind faith.And as reward he is now left with an Arsenal defence that, in so many recent games, has conceded a goal through indecision or unassured defending within five minutes of being given the cushion of the team having taken the lead. And this perversion has extended up through the spine of the team. Whereas the combination of Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini have proven potent over the course of the first half of the season, they are now looking tired and jaded. Aleksandr Hleb, brilliant for most of the campaign, is looking ineffective and his tendency to over-play and attempt the over-elaborate pass is crippling his team. Yet, at no time has Wenger changed the axis of his midfield built around these three players. When circumstances has forced him to do so, it has backfired on him spectacularly; reeking of a battle plan ill-prepared for contingencies. Neither Denilson, Gilberto, Abou Diaby and even Theo Walcott have proven good enough replacements.Amid all of this, Arsene has gone on record several times in the recent past about his willingness to accept failure in his quest to build the perfect, entertaining team. What fan is willing to pay ever-inflating Ticket prices to see his team play pretty Football but end up losing? People love winners. They can’t stand losers no matter how pretty they look.I enjoy watching Arsenal play, but I’d swap the bravado for a cold, hard, gritty 1-0 win. I survived through the George Graham era where Spurs were playing some exquisite football and Arsenal were playing route-one football. But no one remembers who formed the backbone of the Spurs team whereas the antics of Michael Thomas THAT night at Anfield will live forever.The bottom line is this: For all of Arsene Wenger’s virtues, he is flawed. His stubbornness is making Arsenal the laughing stock of English football. He has drained the notorious Arsenal spirit to overcome all odds with a frail ego and fortitude that of late has seen more collapses than triumphs. His blind faith in his team has led to the culture of Senderos and Traore – forgiveness with one good game despite ineptitude in several before or even after that.The goal of Arsene Wenger is for his team to play well. Winning is not a priority. If it were, he would have done something about his defence a long time ago instead of continually buying attacking outfield players. He would have cultivated a team built around defending leads, not around prancing all over the pitch and allowing the likes of Birmingham to grab a late late equaliser. And he would have allowed Didier Drogba to peg his team back once, but never again and again and again.I read that this summer, Arsene Wenger has proclaimed that his chequebook is closed. He maintains the belief in his team despite their capitulation this season. Maybe it’s just his ego. He wants to show the football world that, with little money, he is capable of building a young team capable of winning everything. Maybe it’s his ego that is now preventing him from seeing the obvious – that he can’t.Or if you believe in theology and the way this season has echoed seasons past, or that most of Wenger’s targets have caused his demise – Dirk Kuyt, Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Owen Hargreaves, all once Arsenal targets who have all scored crucial goals against them – really, God is teaching Arsene a lesson. Arsene, you really don’t know.The one common thread in all mythology is that a hero always knows when to die. And a god always knows when to come back from the dead. Arsene Wenger should depart while he is still on top. While the fans still remember him for what he has done and not what he is doing now.I would be the first to write the eulogy on the Arsene Wenger era and the Camelot that it was and promised to be.But, like the clergyman said, the signs are obvious. God has forsaken Arsenal.God needs to come back to Ashburton Grove. And, given the task at hand of rebuilding a highly promising team but with a frail ego and a deflated morale, who better than one who has done it once before with a team across the City of London? One who has been dead but who is itching to come resurrect once more.Who better than the Special One?If he were to grace the hallowed halls at the Emirates Stadium, I’m sure theologians will have a Field day about the chosen one leading the children to the Promised Land.

http://www.sportingo.com/football/a8119_has-wenger-passed-his-buyby-date-arsenal

Liverpool's title agenda: Two more players and freedom for Rafa

2008-04-14T18:32:00.001+05:30

It’s a mixed bunch, and that witty and dry goal-scoring machine said it best to his chortling and cackling Scottish red chum: "It’s a funny old game, Saint." To which Ian St John usually replied: "Ha ha, you kill me Greavsie!"
That’s what this current Liverpool side do to teams in Europe anyway, metaphorically speaking of course. They kill the opposition.It’s a very mixed bag of Football tactics that Rafael Benitez uses. Liverpool play to their strengths at certain times of the game. It really makes quite simple sense. The backbone structure and set-up is there but it is all so easily twisted and changed and moulded into something else when required.The defence is solid but just in case there are errors, Rafa has Javier Mascherano guarding and watching and sweeping and mopping. Not only that, Mascherano can pick out a bloody good pass. If he can’t find anyone, then Steven Gerrard is the link in the chain before unleashing Fernando Torres.If that fails, then a bit of a hoof up the park for maybe Peter Crouch to latch on to. Xabi Alonso is there to add a bit of class and panache when needed. Ryan Babel can come on and be just as effective as Theo Walcott can for Arsenal. Just ask Cesc Fabregas about his pace.There really could only be a couple more signings to go before Liverpool become Premier League title material. All of the statements at the beginning of the article can be ticked “yes” for Liverpool - in the Champions League, that is. They’re different in the Premier League and all of the ticks turn into crosses. It’s baffling, isn’t it? Well, I’m not so sure. The rotational system favoured by Benitez (which isn’t as wholesale as people go on about) is unfortunately not Premier League friendly. The same system of football is used by Liverpool but with players (in no way bad) who are fractionally less limited, aware and inferior to those who perform it to a tee.Miniscule things that may not be noticed immediately during a fast-paced match. A mistimed pass here that could have sent Torres through. A cross that went into row Z rather than on to Dirk Kuyt’s head. Inches, millimetres, they all add up. Liverpool’s luck has been fed to them in the Champions League. They have had very little in the Premier League. Where would the fans want all of their luck placed? Who knows? At this moment in time it’s the Champions League because the race for the Premier League was over long ago. It has been for some time now.If Liverpool were where Chelsea are in the league right now, would we see a different and very stretched Liverpool side? Surely Benitez has not been gambling on the Champions League success keeping him his job until he finds the right squad to challenge on all fronts?Has he convinced the money men that he can guarantee fourth place and Champions League glory until he finally works out his master plan for a serious and sustained attack on the one trophy the board, the fans and the players find so elusive that it's becoming more coveted than the Holy Grail? You can’t blame or slate Benitez for sending his team out to play in a certain way. Like everyone in life, he has targets and deadlines to meet. He is doing his job the way that he sees fit. Sometimes it ain’t pretty to watch but at least in Champions League terms it has been effective.Arsenal play lovely, attractive football and I would rather watch them than Liverpool. But look what it’s got them this season. Barring a miracle, absolutely nothing. Sir Alex Ferguson, well what can you say? He rules the Premier League and has done for years. He knows how to win a League title and the Champions League.Contrary to popular belief, Benitez does not chuck all of his eggs in one basket. I’m sure it’s his intention to win the Premier League at the start of every season. To win everything. Like all top managers.I simply think that he has not found HIS full and complete team yet. Liverpool should/will give him the time

http://www.sportingo.com/football/a8102_liverpools-title-agenda-two-more-players-freedom-rafa

First Sachin Tendulkar interview(1989)

2008-04-09T13:57:00.001+05:30

The First Ever Interview of the Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar as 15 year old in the year 1989

A tale of two terrors!!

2008-04-08T18:14:00.000+05:30

The story of Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli has come to mean several things to Indians. It is a tale of conservation and flamboyance. Of focus and distraction. Of what can be and, sadly, of what might have been. But there was a time when faith in their abilities was absolute. They played for no-one but themselves, and that was enough for a city that needed a new generation of heroes. This is a story about the days when the two broke a record, and shattered the wills of many along the way.
It was not unusual to hear Tendulkar's name in random conversations on the local Bombay trains in 1988. His run-making for Shardashram Vidyamandir School was extraordinary, and though he had not played first-class cricket yet, there was an aura about him. We often say that the country expects him to score a century in every game. Back then, his team knew he would score a hundred every time he batted. Kambli, on the other hand, was as likely to score a flashy fifty as a brilliant 150. He was a star, but hadn't quite captured the attention of people. But there was no doubt that these two were the most dominant in a school team considered the best in India at the time.
So it came to be that on February 23, if St Xavier's High School had any chance of getting to the finals of the Lord Harris Shield Tournament, they first had to get past Tendulkar and Kambli. The start was good. Shardashram lost Rupak Mulyet early, and Atul Ranade a while later. By this time, Kambli was comfortable with the bowling, and Tendulkar walked out to bat. History will tell you that Kambli outscored Tendulkar by only 23 runs, but the effect his innings had was more lasting: word spread from Azad Maidan, through Khao Galli, by the nearby stations of Churchgate and Victoria Terminus to the rest of Bombay and India. The word was that Shardashram had another prodigy.
Tendulkar had scored a double-hundred in the quarter-finals, and here too, he was expected to make an impact. A crowd gathered, as it always did when he batted. In Khao Galli, the nearby street where the teams snacked during breaks, the food vendors demanded to know his score. One of them had offered Tendulkar a free meal each time he scored a century.
Both buddies went at the ball harder and harder, and runs came at six an over. Consider the final score. In 120 overs, Shardashram scored 748 runs and lost only two wickets. By no means was amassing runs at this rate an unfamiliar feeling. Shardashram routinely put up large scores and shut out the opposition. And this bowling attack was going to worry nobody. Tendulkar and Kambli's relaxed demeanour resulted in a frantic pace that went on for more than a day.
Among many fine strokes that were played in their innings, one stood out: a drive from Tendulkar that sped past the bowler, gathered pace as it hurtled by the fielder, and went so far that Shardashram earnestly wondered if they should lend the fielder a scooter to fetch the ball. The boys from St Xavier's had not been on a field for this long, nor with such little success. The pressure told, and Sairaj Bahutule, who later played for India, had to convince his bowlers to return on the second day. The batsmen had overwhelmed the team, and one of the players was in tears.
Tendulkar ended the day on 192, and Kambli was ten runs behind. Ramakant Achrekar, their stern coach, explained to Tendulkar that the team should declare first thing in the morning. The next day, with Achrekar far from the ground, Tendulkar put on his pads and Kambli followed suit. They weren't done with St Xavier's yet. Everyone in the tent - which doubled up as a dressing-room - had heard the coach's words, but Tendulkar was a megastar. The players just kept quiet. Amol Muzumdar, all of 13 years old and padded up since the fall of the first wicket, wondered if he'd ever get to bat. He had spent a day warming up, going for net practice to remain focussed, returning to see the two still batting, repeating this several times. But the two took advantage of Achrekar's absence and kept on batting. Other matches stopped as players wandered over to watch the show.
At lunch, selectively acting on Achrekar's instructions from the previous day, Tendulkar rang him up from Khao Galli and informed him the score was seven hundred and something, and that Vinod was on 349. He wisely kept his own score to himself, and instead told Achrekar that Kambli wanted to reach his 350. Almost innocently, he passed the phone to the horrified Kambli. The innings was declared immediately. Tendulkar was on 326, and the stand was worth 664 runs. No one knew, at least for a while, that a new record had been written.
St Xavier's came out looking as if they had been through a war. Of all the bowlers they could possibly be harassed by, Kambli, who took six wickets, did them in. Tendulkar bowled a few overs, and made haste for the other end of Azad Maidan with Muzumdar the next day, where the two played another match.
Tendulkar averaged over a thousand for the tournament, and went from game to game until he made it to the Indian team. And Kambli kept on shining till the brightness could no longer be ignored. In the grand scheme of things, this was only one match, and only one record. What made the record special was that these guys were kids. What made it memorable was that these kids were friends who didn't want the fun to end.

http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/135328.html

Sachin Tendulkar on a roll(Video with a song)

2008-04-08T16:08:00.001+05:30

Amazing Shots of Sachin and Awesome and Inspiring Music at the Background

Liverpool and Arsenal lock horns for the third and final time of their trilogy at Anfield !!!

2008-04-08T15:39:00.000+05:30

The tie is delicately balanced after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Emirates Stadium and at the weekend both sides drew 1-1 again in the Premier League to ensure the third stalemate of the season between the pair.
Something will have to give at Anfield with Arsenal needing to score to keep alive their Champions League dreams, while a goalless draw will be good enough to see Liverpool reach their third semi-final in four seasons in Europe's premier competition.
Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant misses out against his old side after picking up a hamstring problem in Saturday's 1-1 draw in North London.
Long-term absentees Daniel Agger and Harry Kewell remain sidelined for Rafa Benitez's men.
Javier Mascherano is set to return to the starting line-up after being suspended for the Premier League clash at the weekend.
Benitez has hinted Peter Crouch could start after impressing at the weekend at Emirates Stadium, but the Spaniard is likely to continue with Fernando Torres in attack with Steven Gerrard supporting him in an advanced role.
Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel are expected to return to the starting XI after being rested at the weekend.
Jamie Carragher could revert to central defence alongside Martin Skrtel after starting the first leg at full-back with Sami Hyypia making way.
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has made the trip to Merseyside, but remains a major doubt with a thigh problem he sustained in the first leg.
Abou Diaby is available for Arsene Wenger after missing Saturday's league clash through suspension.
The game has come too soon for Bacary Sagna, while Tomas Rosicky could be ruled out for the rest of the season.
Eduardo da Silva, Johan Djourou and Alexandre Song are all still sidelined for The Gunners.
Emmanuel Adebayor, Alexander Hleb, Gael Clichy and Philippe Senderos are all expected to return to the starting XI after being rested at the weekend.
Liverpool trio Gerrard, Carragher and Fabio Aurelio and Arsenal quintet Clichy, Denilson, Adebayor, Hleb and Eboue are all walking a disciplinary tightrope with one more booking ruling them out of the first leg of the semi-final.

http://www.skysports.com/football/match_preview/0,19764,11065_2969486,00.html

Arsenal strengthens links with Kroenke!!

2008-04-08T15:22:00.000+05:30

Arsenal has strengthened its ties with American businessman Stan Kroenke and set up a partnership with his soccer club Colorado Rapids.
Kroenke owns a 12 percent stake in the Gunners and has now bought 50 percent of Arsenal Broadband Limited, giving his company an interest in the club's Web site and Internet rights.
The Gunners said Monday the primary aim of the linkup with the Rapids was to build the Arsenal brand in the United States while helping improve the MLS team and supporting American grass-roots soccer.
Arsenal also said it had intensified its commercial relationship with Kroenke's Sports Enterprises, based in Denver.
"We have held constructive and fruitful discussions with Stan Kroenke over the past year and are excited by the prospect of further developing our mutual commercial projects with KSE," said Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman.
Kroenke also owns the NBA's Denver Nuggets, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and the NFL's St. Louis Rams.

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/7997372/Arsenal-strengthens-links-with-Kroenke

harsha on sachin

2008-04-08T12:11:00.001+05:30

Sachin a man miles ahead than others in his thinking

Miracles really DO happen - An Interesting Article!!!!!

2008-04-08T11:02:00.002+05:30

To 99 per cent of football supporters it is the impossible dream - the day the unsung club you have followed all your life reach the FA Cup Final. The dream has just come true for Sportingo's Gerry Horsfield after 50 years.
Anyone who supports one of the Big Four would not have the faintest understanding of what this article is about. These sentiments are meant for the millions of fans of little clubs who dream of achieving real glory but know it can never happen. The words are aimed at those fans who know their team can never hope to challenge for the Premier League title or reach the FA Cup Final.Because miracles really DO happen and the impossible dream really can come true. I know. It happened to me today.Fifty years ago, as a 12-year-old schoolboy, I stood on the terraces at Ninian Park and watched Cardiff City for the first time in the old Second Division. We lost 1-0 (to Barnsley, would you believe) but I was hooked. I was a Bluebirds fan for life and I lived for the day they would rule the football world.It was a scenario painted at lesser clubs up and down the country year upon year. The youngster going to watch his local team for the first time - and becoming a totally committed fan for the rest of his days, through thick and thin or, in many cases, thin and thinner.
It was a scenario painted at lesser clubs up and down the country year upon year. The youngster going to watch his local team for the first time - and becoming a totally committed fan for the rest of his days, through thick and thin or, in many cases, thin and thinner.Unless, of course, you were one of those people who jumped on the ladder of success and big-time fame by deciding to support Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal or some other remote moneybags giant miles and miles from home with whom you had absolutely no logical tie. Other than to become a serial winner without putting any effort in, that is.What the big-time Charlies will never experience is the feeling I have tonight, knowing that my beloved Bluebirds will be contesting the 2008 FA Cup Final against Portsmouth at Wembley on May 17.Never mind the rest of the football world, I cannot believe a single Cardiff fan out there believed before the third round that there was any way we could reach the English game's biggest showpiece final this year - or any other, for that matter. Certainly not until some moneybags Yank hands over £200m to manager Dave Jones to buy new players!You see, for 50 years my football world had been a dream. A dream of what just MIGHT have been, but realistically never would be. The euphoria of winning promotion to the old First Division in 1960 is probably the nearest thing I had ever experienced to true football euphoria before.OK, there have been one or two magic moments, like reaching the European Cup Winners' Cup semi-final in 1968 and knocking Leeds United out of the FA Cup a few years ago when they were top of the Premiership and we were two divisions below.But the two impossible dreams I always held closest to my heart were challenging for the English League title and seeing my heroes take the field for a Wembley FA Cup final.
During the three seasons we were in the top flight in the early 60s, I genuinely believed a Wembley date was a possibility - particularly after we signed aging Welsh legends John Charles and Ivor Allchurch. But once we tumbled back into the second flight and proceeded to freefall into the depths of the lower divisions in the 80s and 90s, we were more often than not out of contention even before the big boys came in at the third-round stage.In fact, until this season, the best I can recall is us reaching the fifth round three times in 50 attempts!I wouldn't have put a penny on us getting that far this season, either - even after drawing unknowns Chasetown and little Hereford away from home in the third and fourth rounds.I mean, what chance do a side full of free transfers, old stars in their dotage and kids, assembled for a pittance by a manager whose job was under threat as recently as last November, have of competing with the Big Four and their cronies? How many of the players who saw off Middlesbrough in the quarter-final and Barnsley in today's semi could a Man United or Arsenal fan name? Just three, I'll wager - Jimmy, Floyd and Hasselbaink!Any Cardiff City fan, on the other hand, could almost certainly name the entire Man united squad without too much trouble. Huge names, huge salaries, huge transfer fees...and as genuinely Manchester United as their hundreds of thousands of Cockney and Irish fans.Barnsley fans, I salute you, along with the supporters of 80 or more other Football League clubs. You were unlucky to lose to Joe Ledley's super early goal and are what football support is really about - not jumping on the bandwagon of success.Local boy Ledley will inevitably now be swallowed up by one of the megabucks giants, along with our other star players like centre-back Roger Johnson and 17-year-old midfielder Aaron Ramsey. And we'll undoubtedly go on being a selling club rather than a buying one, with no real chance of ever getting right up there with the top Prem clubs.But Jonesy and his boys proved to me today that whether you support Lincoln City, Mansfield, Southend, Darlington, Rotherham or whoever, your football fantasies really CAN come true.It really doesn't matter to me what happens on May 17 as long as we put on a good show against Pompey. Because after 50 years of dreaming the impossible dream, I am finally living it. And I'm not yet convinced that I'm not asleep...
http://www.sportingo.com/football/a8012_remember-fa-cup-manchester-united-chelsea-arsenal-liverpool-fans

Great for India if Sachin plays the 2011 WC: Sohail

2008-04-08T11:00:00.001+05:30

Sachin Tendulkar’s desire to play in the 2011 World Cup to realise his "unfulfilled dream" of winning the coveted trophy for the country has evoked encouraging reactions from some former cricketing greats.
Aamir Sohail, former Pakistan captain commented, “It’s great news for India, if Sachin wants to play in the 2011 World Cup. He is a great player and his commitment to the Indian team can never be questioned.”
Peter Kirsten, former South African cricketer mentioned that it would be fantastic if Sachin could play his sixth World Cup in a row. “World cricket needs a guy lie him,” Kirsten said. “I was just chatting with Gary a few days ago and he seems to be completely enthralled working with a guy like Sachin.”
When inquired if it would be realistically possible for Sachin to realise his ‘unfulfilled dream’, Sohail replied, “It shouldn’t be a problem. He just needs to maintain his fitness levels to last till the 2011 World Cup.”
“Why not, if he keeps himself fit,” answered Kirsten. “It would be ideal for a player of Sachin’s caliber to win the World Cup and retire. He deserves to end his career on a high note.”
But with younger players coming in, would Sachin fit into the scheme of things in 2011? “I believe you can’t shed your class players for the younger lot. From what I know, even the younger guys gel well with him and enjoy working with the great batsman,” Kirsten retorted.
Kirsten, however, was quick to add that it was up to the Indian team management to prolong Sachin’s career and keep him fit till the 2011 World Cup. “If he is 38-39 by then, he could still play. I played the 1992 World Cup at the age of 37. I have every admiration and hope that he lasts till the 2011 World Cup.”

http://www.cricketnirvana.com/features-article/2008/April/features-article-20080407-14.html

Good news over Ferdinand injury

2008-04-08T10:11:00.000+05:30

Sir Alex Ferguson is set to look to Gerard Pique to solve the defensive crisis caused by Rio Ferdinand's injury.
Ferdinand left Middlesbrough yesterday with his left foot in a protective plastic casing and although scans today have revealed no broken bones, United have not given any indication on when he is likely to be fit.
That means he is doubtful for Roma's visit on Wednesday and the Premier League clash with Arsenal on Sunday.
'Rio went for a scan on Monday and we can confirm that he has not suffered any break,' said a short club statement.
Ferguson has used Pique sparingly this season but has been hugely impressed by the 21-year-old Catalan in two recent appearances.
Pique steadied the ship when he came on for Ferdinand during the 2-2 draw against Middlesbrough.
He was also hugely impressive standing in for the England defender against Bolton last month when he came up against Kevin Davies, one of the most physical strikers in the Premier League, and emerged on top.
Ferguson said: 'Pique came on and did brilliantly [against Middlesbrough]. He was marvellous. The lad's a terrific player and I think that actually helped us.
'We've got great confidence in the lad and he's come through very well.'
Ferguson's side are already missing Nemanja Vidic, who has been sidelined for three weeks with a knee injury, and keeper Edwin van der Sar admitted the Serbian's absence caused problems during the 2-2 draw at the Riverside.
Van der Sar said: 'Of course we miss him, he is a very important player for us.
'It is no coincidence that with Vidic absent we had some problems but the players who came in did okay.'
John O'Shea had initially replaced Vidic but with Middlesbrough causing United problems, Ferguson shifted Wes Brown to centre-back and is likely to play him and Pique together against Roma.
United should still be confident of seeing off Roma, especially with their 2-0 advantage from the away leg, but Arsenal on Sunday will be a different proposition especially now the tension has been ratcheted up.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=523627&cc=4716

Canny Liverpool show why Arsenal are football's biggest snobs

2008-04-08T10:06:00.001+05:30

Arsene Wenger has been complaining about Liverpool's defensive tactics in the first two of the teams' three-game match-up. The Gunners' boss should realise that teams are coming to the Emirates to get a result, not as bit players in a staged performance.
Are Arsenal becoming snobs? The general consensus coming out of Arsenal HQ on the matter of the Liverpool triple header is that although the Merseysiders have bettered them so far by sneaking off with an away goal in last week’s European encounter and holding the Gunners to a 1-1 draw in their Premier League match-up – they have done so through a sly use of Football’s dark arts.
That Liverpool turned up for both north London fixtures prepared to defend, was somehow an underhanded way of playing, according to many Gooneristas. Even Cesc Fabregas lamented: "We want to play football and attack. Just because the other team refuse to play, we don’t have to do the same thing."
Earlier in the season we didn’t hear a peep out of the Arsenal players, but now that they are losing they toss out the allegation that even when they do lose (or in these two cases, draw) they only do so because other teams play rough and defensive football. The implication is obvious – Arsenal think that it is tantamount to cheating to play negative football against them.
Arsenal are fast becoming footballing snobs who play on an imaginary elite Field of one. In their world they are superior to everyone else – and even when they lose they still win, because they play the beautiful game, and attack with panache and style.
The problem I have with this is that everybody prefers open and stylish attacking football, but if that style is too refined to mix it with more defensive methods (like those used by Rafa Benitez's Liverpool) then it doesn’t deserve to be successful. Wenger seems to think that despite its huge problems (lack of consistency, no 'Plan B', inability to grind out results) his method is still the best, protected by his belief that he is pleasing the footballing gods.
It is highly ironic that Arsene Wenger seems to be the most fervent follower of the famous Danny Blanchflower quote: "The great fallacy is that the game is first and last about winning. It is nothing of the kind. The game is about glory, it is about doing things in style and with a flourish, about going out and beating the other lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom."
Arsene’s snobbish refusal to rough it with the riff-raff, and his insistence on only playing the right way, has already cost Arsenal the league. All the signs are that vain Wenger wants to succeed only with beautiful football and his refusal to sign the players needed in January because he could’t find anyone suitable were ridiculous.
Does he really expect us to believe that there wasn’t a single player worthy of being signed for Arsenal in January? The sooner Arsene wakes up and adds some sandpaper to his Continental silk, the better

http://www.sportingo.com/football/a8017_canny-liverpool-show-why-arsenal-footballs-biggest-snobs

Knight Riders music video!!!

2008-04-08T09:40:00.002+05:30

Bollywood Badhshah Sharukh Khan releases his team knight riders' music video at a function in kolkatta.
Drawing inspiration from the ‘Chak De’ song, which has become a fans’ anthem in cricket and hockey games, Shah Rukh Khan has released this music video as their teams theme music for the upcoming IPL matches, which is going to start from this month of april.
http://www.cricketnext.com/videos/30665/srk-releases-knight-riders-music-video.html

Sachin looking forward to carrying Olympic torch

2008-04-08T09:25:00.000+05:30

India's cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar said Monday he would be a part of the Beijing Olympic torch relay in the Capital April 17.
Tendulkar, however, refused to comment on the controversy surrounding the protests, but said that he was looking forward to carrying the torch.
"It is a great honour for me. I grew up watching the Olympics and I am looking forward to carry the torch," Tendulkar said.

Sachin loss a massive blow - Smith

2008-04-07T14:18:00.001+05:30

South Africa captain Graeme Smith believes how India go about replacing the injured Sachin Tendulkar will be a key factor in the third Test.
The 34-year-old batsman will miss the Kanpur encounter, which gets under way on Friday, with the groin problem which kept him out of the second Test defeat to the Proteas in Ahmedabad.
"The fact that people ask the question itself shows what a big loss it is for the Indian team," Smith responded when asked to gauge the impact of Tendulkar's absence.
"Sachin has got a stature and an aura in this team and is a terrific player. So, it is a massive loss for India and how they replace him is the key."
Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Niranjan Shah confirmed in a statement on Saturday that the 'Little Master' would not be fit for the third Test.
He said: "Sachin is making good progress in his recovery, but he has not recovered sufficiently to be available for the third Test.
"Sachin has a rehabilitation programme to continue with and will be monitored closely."
Smith, meanwhile, is hoping his team's victory within three days in the second Test will give them the mental edge in Kanpur.
"Hopefully we have given them a few psychological blows which worked for us in this Test match," the skipper told Times Now.
"Kanpur will be a different battle altogether. There will be a different surface and as a team we will have to face different challenges."
Smith was delighted with his team's effort in Ahmedabad, where they outclassed their hosts from first ball to last to go 1-0 up in the three-Test series following the drawn opener in Chennai last month.
"We dominated from ball one right to the end," he said.
"It was a terrific effort from everyone. Everything worked for us - we got the ball in the right areas, we executed our game plans well and everything came off in that first innings.
"I think, once you bowl out a side for 76, you have got them on the ropes and then it is just about keeping them there and knock them out as the Test match goes on. We did that and it was an emphatic win."

http://www.espnstar.com/cricket/indvrsa/newsdetails.cmd?id=7036376

Man City 0-2 Chelsea: Blues roll on

2008-04-07T14:13:00.000+05:30

Salomon Kalou gave Chelsea reason to smile again as they closed in on Manchester United at the top of the table.
Kalou extended their lead in the second half to narrow the gap to two points at the top of the table.
United face Middlesbrough tomorrow but Chelsea gave a warning they are hot on their heels.
It was just the response coach Avram Grant was looking for after the disappointing Champions League quarter-final, first leg defeat by Fenerbahce in midweek.
With Arsenal having to settle for a draw against Liverpool, Chelsea were aiming to take advantage and got off to the perfect start by taking the lead after only six minutes.
Michael Essien raced forward for the visitors and slipped a pass to Nicolas Anelka on the right.
He swept it into the area and City skipper Richard Dunne got his bearings wrong, toe-poking his attempted clearance beyond goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Chelsea kept up the pressure and Anelka scampered away in the 12th minute but as he shaped to shoot Nedum Onuoha made a crucial block.
City responded two minutes later and Michael Johnson got into a good position only to fire his effort over the bar.
Then Martin Petrov rattled a shot wide and Benjani Mwaruwari headed high over the bar while Gelson Fernandes found the arms of Carlo Cudicini with his effort in the 21st minute.
City were beginning to set the tempo and carved out a number of chances in the space of a few minutes to rattle their high-flying opponents.
Benjani and Stephen Ireland linked up in the 28th minute only for the Republic of Ireland midfielder's effort to be blocked.
Then Petrov thumped in a fierce drive that was superbly tipped away by Cudicini at the post.
Chelsea again found themselves on the back foot and Ashley Cole hacked the ball off the line in the 31st minute, the England defender showing good awareness after Johnson's effort had been deflected to leave Cudicini stranded.
Chelsea hit back and Kalou got clear only to send a shot wide of the post. It was a brief respite as Ireland sent a shot into the goalkeeper's body after 38 minutes.
Petrov then found the wrong side of the post with a neat inswinging free-kick and City were growing in confidence.
Chelsea had lost some of their momentum and Grant made a change in the 51st minute, bringing on Joe Cole for Wright-Phillips.
They immediately looked more threatening and Kalou extended their lead two minutes later with a cool finish.
He latched onto a through ball from Essien and rounded Hart to find the corner for his 11th goal of the season .
Anelka almost added a third in the 55th minute only for his header to come back off the bar following a cross from Lampard.
City were forced to make a change in the 58th minute when Onuoha was stretchered off after suffering a shoulder injury in a fall.
He was replaced by Sun Jihai as they attempted to try to peg back Chelsea's lead.
The title chasers, however, were looking dangerous every time they broke forward.
Anelka got clear down the left in the 63rd minute and picked out Kalou but his effort was blocked by Gelson Fernandes.
Petrov almost pulled a goal back with a fine free-kick that was just off target.
Chelsea, though, never looked like giving up their two-goal advantage and got the result they wanted.
City, however, are in free fall and have now won only once in seven games.

http://www.espnstar.com/epl/newsdetails.cmd?id=7036317

Tendulkar: I want to continue playing till 2011 WC

2008-04-07T14:11:00.000+05:30

Sachin Tendulkar, who did not play in the Ahmedabad Test against South Africa said he would want to consider his career options from now on.
Tendulkar told a TV channel: “Winning the World Cup is certainly still an unfulfilled dream and I would love to play in it.”
The Master Blaster said he was enjoying playin cricket even after close to two decades:"I am enjoying my cricket at the moment, but don’t want to think too much into the future. I have been playing almost non-stop for 20 years and want to focus only on the present.”
Tendulkar also introspected on the Harbhajan Singh controversy in Australia: "I defended Harbhajan because he had never said what he was accused of and I felt that if we players don’t defend him this time, then when will we stand by him? It was not just important for us as cricketers, but it was important for all Indians staying abroad, not just in Australia.”
“I just felt that Harbhajan was a teammate who needed support and I should take the lead," he added.

http://www.espnstar.com/cricket/newsdetails.cmd?id=7036348

Man United: Rio injury worry for Red Devils

2008-04-07T14:02:00.000+05:30

Rio Ferdinand has given Sir Alex Ferguson another defensive headache after leaving the Riverside with his foot in a protective case following Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.
United can ill afford to lose Ferdinand for long with fellow centre-back Nemanja Vidic out for three weeks and some crucial matches coming up in the Premier League and Champions League.
The draw with Boro sees United just three points ahead of Chelsea, and they have to face Arsenal next weekend before going to Stamford Bridge on April 26.
Ferdinand limped off during the match and left the stadium with his foot in a plastic case, as a precaution.
Ferguson said: "Hopefully it's not serious with Rio but he was limping for too long.
"The danger was to keep carrying on with him when he was limping he was not playing at his full performance level."
It looks unlikely that Ferdinand will play in the Champions League second leg against Roma, especially with Gerard Pique impressing Ferguson as a replacement for the England defender.
"Pique came on and did absolutely terrific, he was absolutely marvellous and I think that helped us actually," added Ferguson.
United had taken the lead at an icy Riverside courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo's 37th goal of the season but two goals from Brazilian striker Afonso Alves put Boro ahead.
It was left to Wayne Rooney's late deflected effort to secure a share of the spoils - and Ferguson admitted United had flirted with defeat.
He added: "We could have lost the game there's no question, they had some chances and at times our defending was a bit haphazard I thought.
"But at other moments we could have won the game because some of the quality of our football was terrific.
"At 1-0 we looked very strong, and were controlling the match and Wayne Rooney was unlucky to be given offside when he was clear through - it wasn't offside.
"They changed the formation back to 4-4-2 got an equaliser and I thought it was a great game of football after that. It was end to end and both teams deserve great credit for producing a game of football like that at this time of year.
"At times we played some fantastic football but in the context of the game Middlesbrough also produced some great moments and it was just a fantastic game."
Ferguson insisted United had showed they will keep fighting every inch of the way for the title.
He said: "The nature of the club is that we never give in and that's a great quality to have at this time of year.
"It sends out a signal to everyone, and our players and fans in particular, that we will never give in. We will be stretching ourselves in every game as long as we can.
"That point could be important, absolutely. Our goal difference is good obviously, but we cannot take anything for granted.
"I said some weeks ago consistency will win us it and I think the most consistent team will do that and I hope that it's us."
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate said the result had thrown open the title race again.
Southgate said: "I'm not bothered who wins but the pleasing thing is that we have shown we can compete with the three best football teams.
"United and Arsenal are better to watch but Chelsea have a resilience. We have thrown it open a bit which is good for the league."
Alves' goals were his first for the club and Southgate was thankful that "lift-off" had finally been achieved.
He added: "From his point of view, and the team and the fans we have been working for lift-off.
"Last week he was bright and that was the first time we have created chances for him. We have seen on the training ground that he's an excellent finisher.
"His finishes here were outstanding, and he has given everyone a glimpse of what he can do."
Southgate said Middlesbrough had come close to inflicting a defeat on the league leaders.
"We had them rattled, we had them on the back foot," he said.
"We responded very well to going a goal behind and right to the end had chances.
"We have played simple but effective football and have asked questions. That is the thing I'm always saying to the players about the top teams - can they defend? A lot of teams don't ask those questions."
Southgate and Ferguson clashed on the touchline briefly but the Boro boss said there was no problem between the two managers.
"I was complaining about one of the decisions and he was saying it was justified.
"I think it's important I don't back down in those situations but I have complete respect for him."

http://www.espnstar.com/epl/newsdetails.cmd?id=7036437

Massa heads Ferrari one-two to revive title hopes and F1 Driver Rankings!!

2008-04-07T13:52:00.000+05:30

Felipe Massa needed a win in Bahrain, and all weekend he looked like a man who had come to get it. When the red lights went out at the start, he lit off from the front row of the grid, and that was all she wrote as he dominated in style for Ferrari.BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica lost second place to Kimi Raikkonen on the third lap, and from then on, pit stops apart, it was an easy one-two for Ferrari.The start also set the pattern for McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton. He was very slow away, and ended the opening lap in 10th place. Then he clobbered the back of Fernando Alonso’s Renault, and the resultant pit stop for a new nose put him into a cycle of running a heavy fuel load in traffic for the rest of a frustrating afternoon in which he took only 13th place and lost his world championship points lead.In Ferrari’s wake, BMW Sauber showed that they had the speed to beat McLaren, Nick Heidfeld pushing hard after his team mate to take fourth place, having set fastest lap at one stage before Heikki Kovalainen annexed it during an undramatic drive to fifth in a McLaren that simply wasn’t fast enough.Toyota’s Jarno Trulli grabbed sixth and held on to it comfortably from Red Bull’s Mark Webber and Williams’ Nico Rosberg, who completed the points scorers.Alonso survived his brush with Hamilton to take 10th place, unable to stay with ninth-placed Timo Glock in the second Toyota, and by the finish he had a hungry Rubens Barrichello breathing down his neck in the Honda. The Brazilian had earlier fought with and beaten fast-starting Giancarlo Fisichella, who took 12th ahead of Hamilton for Force India.Kazuki Nakajima was a lacklustre 14th for Williams, ahead of Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Bourdais and the battling Super Aguri teamsters Anthony Davidson and Takuma Sato. David Coulthard was delayed in an early incident and finished 18th for Red Bull, ahead of Adrian Sutil in the second Force India.Toro Rosso’s Sebastian Vettel retired on the first lap with a mechanical problem following a bump from behind, while Jenson Button’s hopes were dashed by the need for a pit stop for damage repair at the end of the opening lap, and another after a passing move on Coulthard went drastically wrong.The other non-finisher was Nelson Piquet, whose Renault succumbed to mechanical problems.The result puts Raikkonen into the lead of the world championship for drivers with 19 points, ahead of Heidfeld on 16, Hamilton, Kubica and Kovalainen on 14, and Massa on 10. In the constructors’ chase, BMW Sauber lead with 30, ahead of Ferrari on 29 and McLaren on 28.

DRIVER RANKINGS AS ON APRIL 7, 2008

Pos Driver Nationality Team Points

1 Kimi Räikkönen Finnish Ferrari 19
2 Nick Heidfeld German BMW 16
3 Lewis Hamilton British McLaren-Mercedes 14
4 Robert Kubica Polish BMW 14
5 Heikki Kovalainen Finnish McLaren-Mercedes 14
6 Felipe Massa Brazilian Ferrari 10
7 Jarno Trulli Italian Toyota 8
8 Nico Rosberg German Williams-Toyota 7
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2008/4/7607.html

Serena Williams defeats Jankovic for Miami title

2008-04-07T13:48:00.000+05:30

Serena Williams screamed at herself, broke her racket and then finally finished off Jelena Jankovic 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 Saturday for her fifth title at the Sony Ericsson Open.
Williams survived some shaky play down the stretch and an improbable comeback by Jankovic, who trailed 5-3 in the second set. Williams closed out the elusive victory on her eighth championship point with an overhead slam.
"It definitely got tough," Williams said during the trophy ceremony. "I think maybe I got a little tight and put too much pressure on myself."
Williams arrived at Key Biscayne a trimmer player, thanks to a recent rigorous training regimen, and needed to be in top condition in the 2 1/2-hour final. Both players held up well in the 85-degree sunshine, and some of their best rallies - one lasting 26 shots - came in the final few games.
Williams, who grew up in nearby Palm Beach Gardens, also won the tournament in 2002-04 and 2007. She matched Steffi Graf's record of five women's titles here, while Andre Agassi won the tournament six times.
"The Serena and Steffi Open," Williams said. "I love Steffi Graf. She's a great champion and was my role model. To even be compared to her is awesome."
Rafael Nadal and Nikolay Davydenko each will seek a first Key Biscayne title when they meet in the men's final Sunday.
Williams improved to 14-1 this year, with her only loss to Jankovic in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. At first it appeared the final might not last an hour.
Williams dominated for a set and a half, and she was three points from victory in the second set when she began spraying nervous shots, while Jankovic started to play better. Williams lost her serve at love for 5-all, then double-faulted to lose set point and forced a third set.
"I was thinking, 'Maybe she's going to be nice to me," Jankovic said.Even the pro-Williams crowd applauded the dogged effort by Jankovic, who had rallied from a 5-1 deficit in the third set to win her opening match. And there was more drama to come.
Angered by her lapse, Williams raced to a 5-0 lead in the third set but again wavered. She had her first championship point in the next game, another at 5-1 and three more at 5-2. Williams twice exhorted herself with screams but lost that game, then slammed her racket against the concrete and sent it skipping into the side wall, which drew jeers from the crowd.
Jankovic saved two more match points in the next game before Williams closed out the victory with her 51st winner. She also had 52 errors.
"She was just too strong," Jankovic said. "She's a great champion. All the credit to her."
Williams, who improved to 47-5 at Key Biscayne, won $590,000. Jankovic received $295,675.

http://www.tennis.com/news/news.aspx?id=124382

Davydenko defeats Nadal for Miami title

2008-04-07T13:44:00.000+05:30

Nikolay Davydenko began the Sony Ericsson Open in a supporting role, competing on smaller courts while the likes of Roger Federer and Andy Roddick slugged it out in the stadium.
But on Sunday, it was Davydenko holding the championship trophy to cheers from a sellout crowd. He beat Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-2 and became the first Russian man to win Key Biscayne.
``For me it's mostly crazy,'' he said.
In recent months, Davydenko has been best known for an ATP investigation into heavy wagering on a match he lost last August at an obscure tournament in Poland. He retired in the third set, citing a foot injury, and says he did nothing wrong.
He has accused the ATP of dragging out the investigation, but it proved not to be a distraction at Key Biscayne.
``It's not every day in my mind,'' he said. ``It's in my mind if you ask me about this. ... I don't think about the investigation. It should be my lawyer thinking, and my manager.''
There was no question about his effort against Nadal. Davydenko broke at love to take the lead for good at 4-3 in the first set, and in the second set he lost only two of 19 points on his serve to pull away.
When the No. 4-seeded Davydenko belted one final forehand winner on championship point, he grinned and shook his fists, then punched the air.
Davydenko overcame a match point in the second round against Ernests Gulbis and became the fourth ATP player in 2008 to win a title after facing match point. He beat Roddick in the semifinals.
``He's playing unbelievable tennis,'' the No. 2-seeded Nadal said. ``People like to write more about Roger, about me, about Andy. People outside tennis can think different about Nikolay, but we know he's a very, very good player.''
Davydenko is ranked fourth and has finished each of the past three years in the top five. But he has yet to reach a Grand Slam final, and the Key Biscayne title was only his second in a Masters Series event.
He also won a U.S. tournament for only the second time, and he laughed when asked if the accomplishment will make him famous.
``Famous? Here? Yes, I would say if I would like to be famous, I need to win tournaments here,'' he said. ``For beginning of tournaments I don't want to play on center court. It was good for me to play on court one or grandstand, and to feeling little a bit more confidence.''
Davydenko quickly became comfortable with a new racket model he tried for the first time at Key Biscayne. He used the same racket in all six matches.
``I have only one,'' he said. ``Surprising I didn't break a string. Warm up and play match, warm up and play match, every match, and I finish with the racket. I'm going to keep forever this racket.''
In the final, that racket delivered serves at up to 132 mph, allowing the 5-foot-10 Davydenko to win five service games at love. He totaled 19 winners and had only 12 unforced errors, and his penetrating groundstrokes to the corners repeatedly made Nadal hit shots late and wide.
The speedy Davydenko also came forward to win 17 points at the net.
``I can't play better today, because he played at an unbelievable level,'' Nadal said.
Nadal has yet to win a title this year as the tour switches to clay, his favorite surface. He'll try for his fourth consecutive French Open title beginning next month.
``I think soon I am going to win a title,'' Nadal said. ``I hope so.''
Davydenko should be a factor on clay, too, as the race tightens atop the men's rankings.
``Maybe something changes with my tennis here in Miami,'' he said. ``The clay court season's coming now, and for me it should be different tennis. Maybe I feel more confidence, because I beat very good guys here.''
Davydenko improved to 12-3 in ATP finals, matching Thomas Muster (44-11) for the best winning percentage in the Open era. He also won $590,000 to Nadal's $295,675.

http://www.tennis.com/news/news.aspx?id=124386

Sachin Ruled out of 3rd Test and Ishant and Munaf back for third Test ,Powar Included as Cover for Kumble!!

2008-04-07T13:40:00.000+05:30

Sachin Tendulkar is yet to recover from his groin injury that kept him out of the ongoing second Test against South Africa in Ahmedabad and will also miss the third Test in Kanpur, starting on April 11.
The Indian board confirmed this in a release and added that he would continue with his rehabilitation program. "This decision has been taken to give Sachin the opportunity to make a full recovery from this injury," the release said. "Sachin has a rehabilitation program to continue with and will be monitored closely."
Tendulkar didn't appear fully fit during the first Test in Chennai and missed part of the action on the first, second, fourth days. He didn't take the field on the fifth day and was rested for the next Test.
There was an injury concern over Tendulkar even before the start of the series. Tendulkar was advised two-weeks rest after the Australia tour and the then physio, John Gloster, in his fitness report, warned against the injury entering a chronic phase.
Tendulkar will now be expected to be fully fit ahead of the inaugural Indian Premier League, starting on April 18.

Ishant Sharma and Munaf Patel have been included in the 16-member Indian squad for the third Test against South Africa in Kanpur. Offspinner Ramesh Powar has also been recalled as a cover for Anil Kumble, who is suffering from a groin injury, while RP Singh has been dropped after his lacklustre performance in the first two Tests.
Both Ishant and Kumble will undergo fitness tests on April 10, after which two players will be omitted from the squad. Two members of the selection committee will travel to Kanpur a couple of days before the match to help prune the squad to 14.
Ishant had missed the first two Tests due to an inflammation to his big toe and a finger injury, both sustained during India's recent tour to Australia. If he passes the final fitness test, his presence will significantly boost an Indian pace attack which has been a distant second-best to the South African fast bowlers in the two Tests so far - Sreesanth and RP have taken three wickets compared to 26 by their South African counterparts.
Kumble's groin injury, though, is a big worry for the Indians, who must win in Kanpur to avoid a series defeat. His four wickets in this series so far has come at an exorbitant average of 60.25, making it one of his worst home series so far. Harbhajan Singh has done much better, with 12 wickets at 33.33, and if the pitch in Kanpur is a turner, Piyush Chawla could come into the picture as well.
Powar is a surprise inclusion, especially after his disappointing domestic season. He ended with 25 wickets in ten games and was left out of the West Zone side that played in the Duleep Trophy. He was chosen ahead of Yusuf Pathan and Mohnish Parmar, two offspnners who have better performances to show from the season.
India's bigger failure in Ahmedabad, though, was the batting, which remains unchanged for Kanpur. With Sachin Tendulkar still unavailable, Yuvraj Singh or Mohammad Kaif might make it into the XI to bolster a line-up that collapsed to 76 all out in 20 overs on the opening day in a performance that virtually sealed the result.
Squad Wasim Jaffer, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Irfan Pathan, Anil Kumble (capt), Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Ramesh Powar, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Munaf Patel.

http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/345135.html
http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/indvrsa/content/current/story/345258.html

Sarwan ton helps West Indies square series!!!

2008-04-07T13:37:00.000+05:30

Each time West Indies or Sri Lanka took the upper hand in the second Test in Trinidad, the other team clawed back to bring the match into balance. It took an innings of exemplary application from Ramnaresh Sarwan to decisively swing the closely-fought contest towards West Indies on the fourth day, and his partnership of 157 with Shivnarine Chanderpaul levelled the series, ensuring Sri Lanka's quest for a maiden series triumph in the Caribbean remained unfulfilled. The six-wicket win was West Indies' first at the Queen's Park Oval since 2000.
A target of 253 over two days with ten wickets in hand wasn't the most daunting but only twice had teams chased higher totals to win in Trinidad. Add to that the unpredictably of the West Indian batting order, the Chaminda Vaas-Muttiah Muralitharan factor and the task was anything but simple. The fourth day began with Sri Lanka taking early wickets before Sarwan started the recovery effort, single-handedly at first, later finding a steady partner in Chanderpaul, who remained unbeaten on 86 at the end.
Sri Lanka were banking on the wizardry of Muralitharan to run through the batting order but he was blunted by Sarwan and Chanderpaul's patient approach. Not until the final stages did Sri Lanka's bowlers give it up but the pressure created by Vaas and Muralitharan was not sustained by the inexperienced support cast of Thilan Thushara and Ishara Amerasinghe, which allowed the batsmen to score steadily without having to look to hit boundaries.
It was fitting that Sarwan sealed victory with a hundred because he had scored three consecutive half-centuries in the series. West Indies needed a century from one of their batsmen and Sarwan did not throw it away after passing fifty. He started fluently, flicking and cutting Thushara to the boundary, and eventually hit him out of the attack by taking three fours - two straight drives and a leg glance - off his eighth over. Against Vaas, Sarwan stayed in his crease and gave himself time to drive the ball through the off side while his team-mates struggled on the front foot.
He was reprieved early in his innings by Tillakaratne Dilshan, who missed the stumps at the non-striker's end with Sarwan well short. Had he hit, one sensed that the chase would have been over, for apart from Sarwan's fluent innings the batsmen looked edgy. Even Chanderpaul had testing moments against Vaas, who caught the left-hander by surprise with a couple of deliveries that reared sharply off a good length.
The pair steered West Indies to 93 for 3 when rain forced the umpires to take an early lunch, giving Vaas and Muralitharan an hour to recharge. On resumption, they offered few scoring opportunities but Sarwan and Chanderpaul were up for the challenge. Chanderpaul concentrated on rotating the strike, often moving forward and across to work the ball through the leg side for singles and twos. He had a calming influence on Sarwan, who brought up his fifty with a slog-swept four followed by a cut towards point, and talked him through lapses in concentration such as a slash past the slips off Amerasinghe.
Sarwan used the cut effectively against the fast bowlers, forcing Mahela Jayawardene to put a fielder on the point boundary and successfully negotiated the threat posed by Muralitharan; he consistently worked him for ones and twos and occasionally moved out of his crease to hit him over midwicket or drive him straight down the ground. Sarwan was more positive as he moved towards his hundred, swatting Thushara twice from outside off stump to the wide mid-on boundary and the Trinidad crowd grew louder as they sensed a West Indian win.
A significant psychological barrier was crossed when Chanderpaul drove a full toss from Amerasinghe to the cover boundary to bring the runs required below 100. Another shower made the players take tea early, with Sarwan on 95, but when play resumed he reached his tenth Test hundred by sweeping Muralitharan to the long-leg boundary. By then, Chanderpaul was doing most of the scoring, repeatedly cutting and driving Vaas and Amerasinghe through the off side. Sarwan was eventually caught at bat-pad off Muralitharan for 102 but, with only 23 to get, the match was nearly won.
The game looked like it would be a lot closer during the morning session when West Indies' openers, Chris Gayle and Sewnarine Chattergoon, began tentatively. West Indies lost Gayle on 23 when he tried to slog Thushara. The ball moved away from him and the outside edge flew over point where Dilshan ran backwards to take the catch. Chattergoon fell in the next over, misjudging the line of a straighter one from Vaas and was trapped plumb in front.
At 24 for 2, Marlon Samuels joined Sarwan and they added 49, although Samuels looked out of sorts. He moved too far across his stumps against Vaas and survived several lbw shouts when the ball swung back and hit his pads. He eventually spooned a slower one to Malinda Warnapura at point. The match was in the balance at 73 for 3 but the three-hour partnership between Sarwan and Chanderpaul shut Sri Lanka out of the contest.
http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/wivsl/content/current/story/345336.html