S P O R T S

Tendulkar torments Zimbabwe

Nagpur, February 23 Sachin Tendulkar returned to haunt Zimbabwe producing yet another majestic knock which placed him third in the list of highest century makers and his team in a commanding position in the first cricket Test against Zimbabwe here today.	India’s batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar who scored an unbeaten 137 runs for a single on the second day of the 1st Test against Zimbabwe at Nagpur on Saturday. — PTI photo
Friend banned Gavaskar comments Zimbabwe bowlers clueless against Tendulkar A captain is only as good as his team, is an old saying. It doesn’t only mean the skill level of the players in the team but also their temperament as well as the cricketing intelligence that can make such a huge difference to the performance of the team.

England level series
Auckland, February 23
England had to withstand a bombardment from Chris Cairns, Chris Harris and Andre Adams before securing the fourth one-day international against New Zealand by 33 runs today to square the five-match series at 2-2.

Fastest-ever double ton by Gilchrist
Johannesburg, February 23
Adam Gilchrist hit the fastest recorded double century in Test cricket as Australia declared on a record 652 for seven on the second day of the first Test against South Africa here today.

Tennis star Martina Hingis (R) and her mother Melanie Molitor walk towards the 10th Green to view Sergio Garcia and Scott McCarron play their third round match of the Accenture World Match Play Championship in Carlsbad, California, on Friday. — Reuters James Blake returns a shot between his legs during his quarterfinal match against Tommy Haas at the Kroger St. Jude tournament in Memphis, Tenn, on Friday. Blake, the tournament's eighth seed, upset the top-seeded Haas 6-3, 6-1. — AP/PTI

India pull off epic win over England
Eindhoven, February 23
India pulled off an epic 3-2 win over second-seeded England here today to move into the semifinal stage of qualifiers for badminton’s prestigious Thomas Cup. The highest quality contest of the tournament so far hinged on young Nikhil Kanetkar’s victory over Michael Edge in the final rubber of the match.

India start quest for glory amid high hopes
Kuala Lumpur, February 23
Amidst high expectations, India’s voyage in quest of lost glory begins tomorrow as the 10th men’s hockey World Cup unfolds at the National Hockey Stadium, Bukit Jalil, here. 

• Path to World Cup

WORLD CUP DIARY
Malaysia told to bury ghost of ’75
Malaysia’s 0-2 defeat in a warm-up tie against Germany not withstanding, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah met the national team at Bukit Jalil on Friday to wish the team good luck.

Arjun Atwal takes one-stroke lead
Singapore, February 23
India’s Arjun Atwal, boosted by long putts on 17 and 18, fired a five-under-par 67 to take a one-stroke lead after the third round of the Singapore Masters at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club today.

Meham overall champions
Rohtak, February 23
Meham emerged overall champions of the district rural sports meet which concluded at Chottu Ram Stadium here today. Meham and Lakhanmajra were declared joint winners of the Kabaddi (women) whereas in men’s section the crown of Kabaddi champions went to Meham.

North favourites
Una, February 23
North Zone are favourites as they clash with Central Zone in a crucial tie of the Deodhar Trophy to be played here tomorrow. North Zone had chalked up a facile eight-wicket victory against West Zone and spilt points with East Zone after rain halted play.

In video

The inaugural match of the "Raymond Trophy" for the first Commonwealth Cricket Tournament-2002 got underway at New Delhi's Dhyan Chand National Stadium. (28k, 56k)

Tendulkar torments Zimbabwe

Nagpur, February 23
Sachin Tendulkar returned to haunt Zimbabwe producing yet another majestic knock which placed him third in the list of highest century makers and his team in a commanding position in the first cricket Test against Zimbabwe here today.

The master batsman notched up his 28th Test century and remained unbeaten on 137 as India reached 437 for five by the end of third day’s play today. Only Sunil Gavaskar (34) and Don Bradman (29) have scored more Test hundreds than Tendulkar.

The hosts now enjoy a lead of 150 runs over Zimbabwe’s first innings score of 237 with five wickets remaining. All-rounder Sanjay Bangar was giving Tendulkar company on 22 at stumps.

Tendulkar batted throughout the day after India resumed at the overnight 209 for two and got good support from Rahul Dravid, skipper Sourav Ganguly and later Bangar.

Tendulkar, who had scored 201 not out against Zimbabwe at this very ground in 2000, was looking set for his third career double century.

For Zimbabwe, left-arm spinner Ray Price claimed four wickets for 130 runs from his 58 overs. The visitors suffered a setback when one of their leading bowlers Travis Friend was barred from operating further in the innings after he sent a delivery over the batsman’s head for the second time. Friend was warned by umpire S. Venkataraghavan when he had committed the mistake, though inadvertently, for the first time yesterday against Shiv Sunder Das.

V.V.S Laxman was the only real failure on a day when every single batsman on display chipped in with useful contributions. The Hyderabad batsman, who was dropped for the one-day series against England earlier this year, managed only 13 during his 32-run fifth wicket stand with Tendulkar.

It was slow progress for India for most of the day. Dravid and Tendulkar found the going tough initially before the master batsman, who hadn’t scored yesterday, got his rhythm going.

Tendulkar scored his first boundary after facing 20 balls when he drove Price off the backfoot through the cover region. Soon after, he square cut Friend and flicked Heath Streak to mid-wicket fence for two more fours.

Zimbabwe took the new ball after the sixth over this morning with the Indian total reading 219 for two.

Dravid, who was batting on 57 yesterday, was the only batsman to fall in the morning session when he dragged a short and wide delivery from Streak on to his stumps. The ball kept very low and Dravid went for a cut but only managed an inside edge which crashed into the stumps. Dravid made 65 with eight fours and added 38 runs for the third wicket with Tendulkar.

India took lunch at 274 for three with Ganguly playing a patient innings in the company of Tendulkar. Keen to get a big score, Ganguly was very cautious in his shot selection, even giving a lot of respect to the two left-arm spinners — Price and Grant Flower — a breed he generally treats with contempt. He played a few fine strokes, a delicate late cut against Grant Flower being the pick of his shots, before temptation got the better of him. After making 38 with seven fours, Ganguly charged forward to Price in a bid to hoist him over long-on but only managed to give a catch to Grant Flower.

Tendulkar, in the meanwhile was determination personified, as he negotiated the Zimbabwe bowlers with utmost concentration, never giving them any chance to get the better of him.

He produced some glorious cover drives and scored fluently on both sides of the wicket as India took tea at 363 for four.

Zimbabwe (1st innings): 287

India (1st innings):

Das c Campbell b Price 105

Dasgupta b Price 33

Dravid b Streak 65

Tendulkar batting 137

Ganguly c G. Flower b Price 38

Laxman c Rennie b Price 13

Bangar batting 22

Extras (b-14, lb-2, nb-3, w-5) 24

Total (for 5 wkts, 164 overs) 437

FOW: 1-79, 2-209, 3-247, 4-344, 5-376.

Bowling: Streak 29-9-74-1, Watambwa 22-6-61-0, Price 58-17-130-4, Friend 22-3-61-0, G. Flower 28-8-77-0, Gripper 5-0-18-0. PTI

Friend banned

Nagpur, February 23
Zimbabwean all-rounder Travis Friend was today banned by the umpires from bowling in the first innings, as he delivered two beamers to the Indian batsmen here, becoming the second bowler in cricketing history to face such a ban.

Friend, who was issued a warning yesterday by umpire S Venkatraghavan for bowling a beamer to S. S. Das, was today banned from continuing his spell for the rest of the first innings for bowling one more beamer at Sachin Tendulkar.

Yesterday, Travis’ beamer was ducked by Das, after which umpire Venkatraghavan issued him a warning during his third over and declared the delivery a no ball. The umpire informed leg umpire David Shepherd and Zimbabweab captain Stuart Carlisle of the warning.

However, on repetition of the same feat today, on the first ball of his 23rd over, which was again termed as no ball by the same umpire, he was banned from continuing further in the innings. UNI

Gavaskar comments
Zimbabwe bowlers clueless against Tendulkar

A captain is only as good as his team, is an old saying. It doesn’t only mean the skill level of the players in the team but also their temperament as well as the cricketing intelligence that can make such a huge difference to the performance of the team. The Zimbabwe captain, Stuart Carlisle is an inexperienced captain and he needs all the help from his more experienced teammates, especially tactically. One is not sure that he got it, for there was no way an experienced captain would have taken off Raymond Price particularly after he got two deliveries in the same over to jump and turn to Sachin Tendulkar when the little champion was not yet off the mark. Instead of carrying on with Price, the Zimbabwe captain, Carlisle took the second new ball and that was that as Tendulkar got stuck in and went to yet another century in Test cricket. One can understand Carlisle taking the new ball if it was a McGrath or Gillespie that he could throw the cherry to but it was only Streak, Watambwa and Friend.

Though Streak got Dravid dragging a ball onto his stumps he never really looked like troubling the Indian batsmen. Friend has once got Tendulkar out to a bouncer and if he thought that it was a weakness then he may have changed his mind by now. The little champion toyed with the bowling hitting drives through mid-wicket to deliveries pitched outside the off-stump and then playing similar deliveries through the covers just to show that he could do it any which way he wanted. Not just the Zimbabwe captain but even his bowlers had no answers to the broad blade that he presented. They can console themselves with the knowledge that they are not alone and it has happened to better teams and better bowlers before them. The one big plus was the fielding. They have always been superbly athletic fielders and the unflagging enthusiasm that they showed even towards the end of the day was testimony to their commitment to the task on hand.

Rahul Dravid missed out on a century but he seems to get a little overawed when Tendulkar is at the other end and his open admiration for the little champion sometimes makes him forget that he too is a wonderful player. Still a good long knock in the middle after the lay-off will give him confidence for the sterner battles to follow. Ganguly too tossed it away after doing the hard work of settling down and looking well set. He might do well to reflect if as captain he would have been happy if another batsman had got out in the manner that he himself did.

With the ball turning appreciably and also bouncing a bit, India are well placed to win this Test for they have in Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, two spinner who need only a hint of help to destroy the opposition. Harbhajan wicketless in the first innings will no doubt want to leave his imprint on the game and Kumble needs no second invitation when the pitch is offering turn. India have much ground to recover after their performances against England and they need all the confidence before embarking on the tours to West Indies and England and the one sure way to do that is to beat Zimbabwe convincingly in both the Tests as well as the one-dayers that follow.

England level series

England captain Nasser Hussain dives to stop New Zealand's Chris Cairns from hitting a boundary during their one-day match at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. — Reuters photo

Fastest-ever double ton by Gilchrist

Johannesburg, February 23
Adam Gilchrist hit the fastest recorded double century in Test cricket as Australia declared on a record 652 for seven on the second day of the first Test against South Africa here today.

Gilchrist reached his 200 off 212 balls when he whipped the first ball he faced after tea to the square leg boundary off Jacques Kallis to beat the previous fastest double century in terms of balls faced.

Ian Botham needed 220 balls to reach the mark for England against India at the Oval in 1982, though Don Bradman made a double century in 214 minutes for Australia against England at Leeds in 1930 but the number of balls was not recorded — Gilchrist took 290 minutes to reach 200.

Chasing this huge total Sough Africa were 111 for 4 at close.

Australia (1st innings)

Langer lbw b Donald 28

Hayden c Boucher b Nel 122

Ponting c Boucher b Nel 39

M. Waugh c Boucher b Ntini 53

S. Waugh c Gibbs b Kallis 32

Martyn c Kirsten b Kallis 133

Gilchrist not out 204

Warne c McKenzie b Boje 12

Lee not out 4

Extras (b-2, lb-14, w-4, nb-5) 25

Total (for 7 wkts dec) 652

Fall of Wickets: 1-46, 2-113, 3-224, 4-272, 5-293, 6-610, 7-643.

Bowling: Donald 15.2-2-72-1, Ntini 33-8-124-1, Kallis 24-1-116-2, Nel 30.4-6-121-2, Boje 35-4-153-1, McKenzie 8-0-50-0.

South Africa:

Gibbs lbw Warne 34

Kirsten c Warne b McGrath 1

Prince n.o. 47

Kallis c Warne b Lee 3

McKenzie c Gilespie b McGrath 16

Dippenaar n.o. 2

Extras: 8

Total: (for 4 wkts): 111

Bowling: G McGrath 10-0-27-2, J Gillespie 9-0-41-0, Brett Lee 6-0-18-1, S Warne 7-0-19-1. AFP

India pull off epic win over England

Eindhoven, February 23
India pulled off an epic 3-2 win over second-seeded England here today to move into the semifinal stage of qualifiers for badminton’s prestigious Thomas Cup.

The highest quality contest of the tournament so far hinged on young Nikhil Kanetkar’s victory over Michael Edge in the final rubber of the match. Kanetkar sealed victory for India after prevailing in straight games, winning 7-2, 7-3, 7-1.

Abhinn Shyam Gupta won the opening rubber for India at Eindhoven’s Indoor Sport centrum, downing Mark Constable in a gruelling five-game battle, 7-5, 6-8, 8-7, 0-7, 7-4.

England levelled the match in the first doubles rubber before Chetan Anand rescued his singles rubber against Andrew South, pulling back from two games down to win 1-7, 4-7, 7-3, 7-3, 7-4.

Then Julian Robertson and Ian Sullivan beat Jaseel P. Ismail and Arvind Bhatt in another five-game thriller, 4-7, 7-5, 7-5, 5-7, 7-2 to leave the match poised at two-all.

But Kanetkar held his nerve to close out the decisive singles rubber against Edge and India moved into the weekend’s semifinals as they seek a berth in the eight-nation finals in Guangzhou, China in May. AFP

India start quest for glory amid high hopes
Amardeep Bhattal
Tribune News Service

Kuala Lumpur, February 23
Amidst high expectations, India’s voyage in quest of lost glory begins tomorrow as the 10th men’s hockey World Cup unfolds at the National Hockey Stadium, Bukit Jalil, here. Seen as dark horses at hockey’s biggest extravaganza, India under the command of Olympian Baljit Singh Dhillon are expected to make a winning start against Japan. Recent results, including those pertaining to the World Cup qualifiers and the Champions Challenge Trophy, are also pointers in this direction.

But coach Cedric D’Souza, is not taking any team for granted. Talking to The Tribune at the Concorde here, Cedric admitted that every team had come well prepared. “Nevertheless we are ready for the challenge. Although I do not believe in giving bombastic statements, yet I can say with confidence that we have left no stone unturned in our preparations. The boys have had adequate exposure and hard work has gone into ironing out the grey areas. But in every game situation, there are variables beyond one’s control. We only hope that our efforts bear fruit and we will take every match as it comes,” Cedric said.

However, all eyes are on the Germans, under the charge of Bernhard Peters. Penalty corner specialist Michael Green, skipper Florian Kunz, and opportunist Oliver Domke will be the players to watch, as Germany, having already won the prestigious Champions Trophy, and the Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament, launch their campaign for the ever-elusive gold in the World Cup with a match against Argentina tomorrow.

Defending champions Holland, too, are brimming with confidence. Skipper Jeroen Delmee, Bram Lomans, Jaap Buma, and Erik Jazet are expected to play a key role as the Dutch, under the watchful eyes of Joost Bellaart look destined to make the semifinals.

Australia, who won the gold at London, are also capable of upsetting the form books. They recently finished runners-up in the six-nation tournament here with experienced players like Troy Elder, Matthew Smith and Daniel Sproule leading the Aussie charge. Pakistan, with the best record of four gold medals in the World Cup, though among the front-runners, are placed in a comparatively difficult pool and have a tough task against Germany and Holland besides others.

Nevertheless, the title win in the six-nation tournament here last month have boosted their confidence. Skipper Sarwar Mohammed, veteran Shabaz Ahmed, and penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas are once again expected to shape the team’s destiny aided by expert tips from coach Hanif Khan.

South Korea, Spain, Argentina, Malaysia, England, New Zealand and Poland also have the credentials to give the favourites a run for their money.

India’s journey to the World Cup was certainly not a cakewalk. The Indians were rather lucky to get through in the qualifiers. The rejoicing that followed the victory over Canada in the decider perhaps conveyed the sense of despair over the inconsistent performance at Peffermil.

Ever since, the players have gone through a tough grind and subsequent results have been encouraging. In the Champions Challenge Trophy held here in December, India finished on top and the ‘man of the final’ was none else than Indian captain Baljit Singh Dhillon.

The exclusion of junior World Cup captain Gagan Ajit Singh has been somewhat surprising, since he possessed remarkable shooting skill inside the striking circle but then it is the coach who is seen as the best judge.

Nevertheless, in the team finally selected, Olympians Dhanraj Pillay and Baljit Dhillon, along with Sabu Varkey , symbolise experience, efficiency and enterprise in the forward line with Daljit Dhillon waiting in the wings. The combination of Deepak Thakur and Prabhjot Singh reflects the aura of youth which crafted a red letter day in the junior World Cup at Hobart last year. Midfielders Bipin Fernandes and Arjun Halappa can supplement the attack from the midfield leaving enough scope for coach Cedric D’Souza to maintain the required level of vibrancy in the attack. Thirumalvalavan and Sukhbir Gill constitute a pillar of strength in the midfield which will be sustained by Ignace Tirkey and Baljit Saini.

Penalty corner specialist Jugraj Singh in the defence is bound to receive more than the usual attention but a lot will also depend on the seasoned Dilip Tirkey and Lajrus Barla and the young Kanwalpreet Singh, who will marshall the deep defence. The following is the schedule for the opening day in running order: Cuba v Korea; England v Poland; Pakistan v South Africa; Belgium v Spain; Germany v Argentina; Netherlands v New Zealand; Japan v India; Malaysia v Australia.

The India-Japan match is billed for 5.35 p.m. IST.

Path to World Cup

India qualified for the 10th men’s hockey World Cup by finishing fifth in the qualifying tournament at University Sports Centre, Peffermil (Edinburg) July last year.

In the tournament, India beat Wales 2-1 but lost to New Zealand 0-1 in the second encounter. Later, India beat Egypt 3-1 but lost to Argentina 3-5. Thereafter, India went on to beat Japan 2-0 but once again lost to Poland 1-2. In the last two matches, India managed to beat Canada and Japan 2-1 and 4-3, respectively.

WORLD CUP DIARY
Malaysia told to bury ghost of ’75
Amardeep Bhattal

Malaysia’s 0-2 defeat in a warm-up tie against Germany not withstanding, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah met the national team at Bukit Jalil on Friday to wish the team good luck.

The Deputy Prime Minister met each player and handed over the official attire. “I told them to play hard and make the nation proud of them. Now is the time to bury the ghost of 1975,” he said. Incidentally, Malaysia’s best showing has been the fourth position in 1975.

***

Malaysia’s coach Paul Lissek is in mourning. A few days back he lost his mother and had to rush to Germany for her funeral. He is expected to arrive today and will immediately get busy with the crucial briefing with his players. Malaysia are due to meet Australia on the opening day tomorrow.

***

The pressure of the World Cup is not only on the competing teams but also on the kitchen staff at the Concorde where the players have been lodged. Executive chef Arthur Heng has to ensure that at least 1500 eggs, 40 kg of sausages, and 60 loaves of bread besides pastries and other bakery items are served for breakfast. Lunch and dinner require 300 kg of chicken, 250 kg of lamb, 200 kg of beef, 100 kg of prawns, and 250 kg of fruits. “The players favour carbohydrates and as such rice is in demand,” Mr Heng revealed.

***

“Nothing is going to stop Pakistan this time,” asserts the veteran Shahbaz Ahmed, who will be playing his fifth World Cup from tomorrow. “We have a solid side for the tournament although we are in a tougher draw. I love playing for my country and I am ready to give my best for Pakistan,” he added. Shahbaz had led Pakistan to the title victory in the 1994 edition at Sydney.

Standing 2.0 m in his socks, German star Florian Kunz is a towering figure indeed. He captained Germany to victory in the 1994 junior World Cup but a misunderstanding with Lissek marked his exit from the national team. However, he was granted a second chance in April, 1999 and he went on to become the top player in the team. In the Champions Trophy, Kunz almost single- handedly took the Germans to victory at Rotterdam. “My patience paid off,” said a beaming Kunz during a brief chat yesterday. Kunz turned 30 on Friday.

Arjun Atwal takes one-stroke lead

Singapore, February 23
India’s Arjun Atwal, boosted by long putts on 17 and 18, fired a five-under-par 67 to take a one-stroke lead after the third round of the Singapore Masters at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club today.

Atwal, a European Tour rookie, mixed seven birdies with two bogeys to move to 10-under 206, one ahead of overnight leader Nick O’Hern of Australia, who could only manage a level-par 72.

American Jim Johnson also carded a 72 for third place on 208 while six-times major winner Nick Faldo slipped back into a share of seventh at 210 after a 73.

The 28-year-old Atwal, who has won three titles on the Asian PGA Tour, holed putts from 25 and 15 ft at the last holes for a bogey-birdie finish to preserve his one-shot advantage.

“I was really lucky with the long putts on 17 and 18,” he said. “Christophe Pottier was putting on the same line and I made adjustments after he missed both.”

The Indian birdied the second and the fifth before dropping a shot at the sixth.

Four more birdies followed, between the ninth and 15th, to restore his position at the top of the leaderboard but he was fortunate to escape with a bogey at the par-three 17th after his two-iron off the tee found the water. Reuters

Meham overall champions
Our Sports Reporter

Rohtak, February 23
Meham emerged overall champions of the district rural sports meet which concluded at Chottu Ram Stadium here today. Meham and Lakhanmajra were declared joint winners of the Kabaddi (women) whereas in men’s section the crown of Kabaddi champions went to Meham. In wrestling (58 kg) Sandeep of Meham defeated Yashpal of Lakhanmajra. Sanjay of Sampla finished third in this event. In 67kg weight category Manjit of Meham overpowerd Kapil of Sampla. In above 67 kg category Sampla’s Ravinder finished first by defeating Sandeep of Rohtak. In the women section, Rohtak’s Poonam trounced Promila of Meham in the 54 kg category. Meham’s Savita finished third. In 63 kg catetory of women wrestling, Anita (Lakhanmajra), Neelam (Rohtak) and Suman (Meham) got first, second and third spot, respectively. In 63 plus category, Geeta of Lakhanmajra and Suman of Meham were the winners and runners up respectively.

In 100 m race Meham’s Promila finished first ahead of Suman of Rohtak to finish first. In 800m Bhawna of Rohtak, Teenu and Rekha of Meham remained first, second and third. Savita of Rohtak block won the 1500 m event.

The Results: High Jump (women): 1 Savita (Rohtak), 2 Manjit (Meham), 3 Praveen (Meham)

Shot put (women): 1 Renu Bala (Meham) 2 Neelam (Rohtak) 3 Sangeeta (Meham)

Men’s 100m: 1 Ramesh (Kalanaur) 2 Devdutt (Rohtak)

Men’s 400m: 1 Ramesh (Kalanaur) 2 Joginder (Rohtak), 3 Naveen (Rohtak)

Men’s 800m: 1 Rajesh (Sampla), 2 Ravinder (Rohtak), 3 Joginder (Rohtak)

Men’s 5000m: 1 Anil (Meham), 2 Subhash (Meham), 3 Harinder (Rohtak)

Men’s High Jump: 1 Pradeep (Rohtak), 2 Vajayveer (Rohtak) 3 Devender (Lakhanmajra)

Men’s discuss throw: 1 Satish (Kalanaur), 2 Satnarain (Kalanaur), 3 Kuldeep (Rohtak)

North favourites
Ravi Dhaliwal

Una, February 23
North Zone are favourites as they clash with Central Zone in a crucial tie of the Deodhar Trophy to be played here tomorrow. North Zone had chalked up a facile eight-wicket victory against West Zone and spilt points with East Zone after rain halted play. Gagan Khoda has been declared fit and is expected to open the innings, forcing either of the openers Jyoti Yadav or J.P. Yadav down the order. Both teams will announce their final eleven tomorrow morning.

The teams: North Zone: Vijay Dahiya (capt), Munish Sharma, Sandeep Sharma, G. Gambhir, D. Mongia, Yuvraj Singh, Sangram Singh, Shafiq Khan, Ajay Ratra, Sonu Sharma, A. Bhandari, A. Nehra, Amit Sharma, Vineet Sharma.

Central Zone: G. Khoda (capt), Jyoti Yadav, M. Kaif, J.P. Yadav, M. Kartik, Raja Ali, N. Ojha, D. Bundela, Tejinder Singh, R. Kanwat, Harvinder Singh, S. Srivastva, Anoop Dave.

SPORTS BRIEFS

RIDE ON HEADS
PARK CITY: Bobsleigh riding is not always a straight 40 or 50-second shot down an icy course. Sometimes you tumble and sometimes your body bears the brunt of the ride. The crews of the four-man sleds of the US Virgin Islands and New Zealand both had the unpleasant experience of spending about half their speedy ride down the icy serpentine course at the winter games on their heads on Friday. Both teams lost control as they careened down the bobsleigh track in the first of two runs and tipped over mid-way down the course. Reuters

BECKHAMS’ CHILD
LONDON: Manchester United and England star David Beckham and his pop star wife Victoria are expecting their second child in September, it was announced on Friday. In a statement the couple said: “Brooklyn is also really looking forward to having a little brother or sister to play with.” AFP