S P O R T S

India-Lanka-NZ Tri-Series
India make merry
Dambulla, August 16
India's bowlers and Virender Sehwag led India's recovery from a dispiriting defeat against New Zealand in the tournament opener, helping their team overpower Sri Lanka and secure a bonus point to leave each of the three sides with a win at the end of the first round of matches.
Sri Lanka’s Chamara Kapugedera is bowled by Ravindra Jadeja in Dambulla on Monday. — PTI

Injuries not because of overwork: BCCI
New Delhi, August 16
The Cricket Board to strongly today denied receiving any complaint from Indian cricketers about a cramped calendar and said the growing list of injuries was not because of overwork. “I have not received any letter from any player. Mr (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni has written no letter to me.

England squad unchanged for 3rd Test
London, August 16
England has retained the 12-man squad that won the first and second Test against Pakistan for the third match of the series at The Oval, starting on Wednesday. "We were delighted with the way the team performed at Edgbaston in the second Test," The Daily Times quoted Geoff Miller, England national selector, as saying.

Ponting says Australia can regain Ashes 5-0
Melbourne, August 16
With paceman Glenn McGrath retired, it appears Ricky Ponting has taken on the role of making the bold prediction of Australia's regain the Ashes from England with a 5-0 series sweep.

Kumble to work with South African spinners
Chandigarh, August 16
Some of South Africa’s leading and up and coming spin bowlers will get a rare opportunity to spend quality time in the company of former Indian leg spinner, Anil Kumble, who will be in the country next week to take part in a coaching clinic in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Late mistake saves Arsenal from defeat London, August 16 Arsenal equalised in the last minute of normal time to force a 1-1 draw at Liverpool as both teams finished with 10 men in their opening Premier League match of the season on Sunday. Liverpool’s maxi Rodriguez (L) fights for the ball with Arsenal’s Theo Walcott at Anfield on Sunday. — AFP

World heptathlon champ pulls out London, August 16 England’s world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis and 800m world championship bronze-medallist Jenny Meadows have joined the growing list of star athletes pulling out from the the controversy-ridden Delhi Commonwealth Games. As England gears up to name its CWG athletics team on Wednesday, stars continue to opt out of the Games to nurse injuries and avoid exhaustion.

Maradona interested in Villa job!
London, August 16
Former Argentina coach Diego Maradona is eying a return to management by replacing Martin O'Neill as Aston Villa's next manager. "Diego is very attracted to English football and the way of life in your country and I know he would be very willing to move there, especially at a big club like Aston Villa," The Sun quoted his European spokesman Walter Soriano, as saying.

Federer beaten for Rogers Cup!
Toronto, August 16
Andy Murray beat Roger Federer to retain the Rogers Cup title in Toronto on Sunday. Murray has now won seven of his 12 matches against Federer. The Briton followed up Saturday's semi-final win over world number one Rafael Nadal with a 7-5 7-5 defeat of 16-time Grand Slam champion Federer, the BBC reports.

India win Bee’s International 7’s Rugby Tourney Chandigarh, August 16 India won the Prestigious English Inter Club Rugby tournament at the ancestral home of Barbarians Rugby. The tournament included top English club teams like Yorkshire all stars, British Asian Rugby Association, the Bees & the Indian Rugby team who will be hosting the Commonwealth Games.

The Indian rugby team in England.

India-Lanka-NZ Tri-Series
India make merry

Dambulla, August 16
India's bowlers and Virender Sehwag led India's recovery from a dispiriting defeat against New Zealand in the tournament opener, helping their team overpower Sri Lanka and secure a bonus point to leave each of the three sides with a win at the end of the first round of matches.

MS Dhoni's luckless run with the toss continued, but Kumar Sangakkara's decision to bat gave India first use of favourable conditions on a breezy, overcast Dambulla day that their bowlers cashed in on. Sehwag then followed up with a steady innings that erased the pressure created by early wickets and steered India to what was, in the end, a comfortable win.

Earlier, Indian pacers and spinners exploited the bowling friendly conditions alike to shot out hosts Sri Lanka for a low 170. Skipper Kumar Sangakkara's decision to bat backfired as Indian bowlers were all over the hosts right from the first ball when Upul Tharanga was cleaned bowled by Praveen Kumar. Had Suraj Randiv (43) and Nuwan Kulasekara (22) not played defiant knocks down the order, the hosts innings would have been wearing a more miserable look. They put up a 39-run stand, highest of Lankan innings, for the eighth wicket to help Sri Lanka go past the 150-mark. Tillakaratane Dilshan (45) was the only top-order batsman who showed stomach for fight but fell while going for an extravagant shot when situation demanded patience. The Pace trio of Kumar (2/20), Ishant Sharma (2/32) and Ashish Nehra (1/39) blew away the host top-order to start the devastation of the Lankan innings.

The spinners - Pragyan Ojha (3/36) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/34) - joined the party and broke the back of the Lankan innings with lethal blows. In an ominous start for home side, Opener Tharanga and his teammates were shell shocked when a swinging first ball of the match by Praveen Kumar uprooted the stumps. The heavy conditions were ideal for bowling and Indian pacers rose to the occasion. — Agencies

Scoreboard

Injuries not because of overwork: BCCI

New Delhi, August 16
The Cricket Board to strongly today denied receiving any complaint from Indian cricketers about a cramped calendar and said the growing list of injuries was not because of overwork. “I have not received any letter from any player. Mr (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni has written no letter to me. I have not seen what he has said in the press conference and before making a comment I have to see what he has said,” BCCI secretary N Srinivasan said.

Asked if the growing injury list of the Indian players was because of being overworked, Srinivasan said, "If some one falls down and gets injured that doesn't mean (they are overworked)", he said. Srinivasan was responding to recent reports that the Indian players had sent an SOS to the Board, requesting it to cut down on the matches and do away with meaningless series.

Even skipper Dhoni had recently talked about the workload on his bowlers in a press conference. However, BCCI Media and Finance Committee chairman Rajiv Shukla Board said the Board was not forcing any player to play in case of fatigue or injury.

“If any player is feeling tired or fatigued or if he feels that he would not be able perform due to some illness then he must inform the selector,” Shukla told reporters outside the Parliament.

“BCCI policy is very clear. We will give the player rest. We are not forcing any player to participate in the series,” Shukla asserted. He denied that the BCCI has received such a letter and rejected reports that the players are unhappy with the scheduling.

“We have not received any letter from any player saying that players are unhappy or complained about the schedule is absolutely wrong. There is no truth in it,” he said. “The international calender is like that. But still we are working it out,” he added. — PTI

England squad unchanged for 3rd Test

London, August 16
England has retained the 12-man squad that won the first and second Test against Pakistan for the third match of the series at The Oval, starting on Wednesday. "We were delighted with the way the team performed at Edgbaston in the second Test," The Daily Times quoted Geoff Miller, England national selector, as saying. "To put together dominant performances in back-to-back Test matches is a credit to the team's hard work, but the key remains consistency throughout the duration of the series," he added.

Fast bowler Tim Bresnan, who was the 12th man in sides that won the first Test at Trent Bridge by 354 runs and the second Test by nine wickets at Edgbaston last week, was retained as the bowling cover. "Tim Bresnan hasn't been named in the squad, but will provide bowling cover just prior to the Test before returning to play for Yorkshire in their County Championship match against Durham," Miller said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has suffered a setback with wicketkeeper-batsman Zulqarnain Haider being doubtful due to a finger injury. The third Test should see the return of former captain and veteran middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf.

He was recalled ahead of the defeat at Edgbaston, but was not selected after only arriving in England the day before the match. England squad: Andrew Strauss (captain), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wkt), Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Steven Finn. Bowling cover: Tim Bresnan. — ANI

Ponting says Australia can regain Ashes 5-0

Melbourne, August 16
With paceman Glenn McGrath retired, it appears Ricky Ponting has taken on the role of making the bold prediction of Australia's regain the Ashes from England with a 5-0 series sweep.

"It's absolutely possible, there's no reason why not," the Australia test captain told reporters Monday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he was meeting with Cricket Australia officials to map out preparations for the Ashes series starting November 25 in Brisbane. "It's all in our hands," Ponting added. "It's how well we play and how well we take charge of different situations. We've learned from a lot of the mistakes that we've made." McGrath said ahead of the 2005 series in England that Australia would win 5-0. But Australia lost 2-1, giving England its first Ashes series victory since Australia reclaimed the old urn under Allan Border in 1989. — AP

Kumble to work with South African spinners
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 16
Some of South Africa’s leading and up and coming spin bowlers will get a rare opportunity to spend quality time in the company of former Indian leg spinner, Anil Kumble, who will be in the country next week to take part in a coaching clinic in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Kumble will be joined by Proteas stars and fellow spinners, Paul Harris and Johan Botha, as a host of franchise and up and coming spinners receive first hand coaching from one of the best bowlers of all time.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) CEO Gerald Majola said: “Anil Kumble is a living legend, and CSA is honoured that he has accepted our invitation to come out to South Africa and work with tomorrow’s stars. We will also invite some of our women cricketers, young batsmen and wicket keepers, who we believe, will benefit from the experience.

“CSA is encouraged by the progress made by our High Performance team, and we are confident that this visit is going to boost the good work being done in the spinning department.”

The spinning clinic, which will also be attended by CSA’s High Performance spinning coaches, Shafiek Abrahams, Harry Shapiro and Paul Adams, will run alongside the second CSA Annual Conference, which will take place from August 21 in Sandton.

The CSA Annual Conference brings together the entire cricket family. The Conference will also include the 2010/2011 Season Launch on Friday, August 20, and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, August 21.

Late mistake saves Arsenal from defeat

London, August 16
Arsenal equalised in the last minute of normal time to force a 1-1 draw at Liverpool as both teams finished with 10 men in their opening Premier League match of the season on Sunday.

Liverpool's England midfielder Joe Cole was sent off for a clumsy challenge on his debut but the home team went ahead just after halftime when striker David Ngog lashed the ball past goalkeeper Manuel Almunia on his near post.

Arsenal equalised when Marouane Chamakh headed against the post and Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina spilled the rebound into the net with just 15 seconds of normal time remaining. Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny, also making his debut, was sent off seconds from the end of stoppage time for a second yellow card following a handball.

Cole was dismissed just before halftime for a high tackle on Koscielny near Arsenal's corner flag. It was the first sending off of his career and he will miss Liverpool's next three games. Liverpool hit back just hafter halftime, however, when Ngog, who scored three goals against Rabotnicki in the Europa League qualifying round, struck again to the delight of his new manager Roy Hodgson.

Despite their numerical advantage, Arsenal did not seriously threaten until the 86th minute when Reina made a stunning save from substitute Tomas Rosicky, tipping his 15-metre drive over the bar.

But four minutes later the Spaniard was at fault when a cross from Rosicky was headed against the post by Chamakh and although the rebound flew straight into Reina's hands he could only 
push the ball back into his net. — Reuters

World heptathlon champ pulls out

London, August 16
England’s world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis and 800m world championship bronze-medallist Jenny Meadows have joined the growing list of star athletes pulling out from the the controversy-ridden Delhi Commonwealth Games. As England gears up to name its CWG athletics team on Wednesday, stars continue to opt out of the Games to nurse injuries and avoid exhaustion.

Ennis is the women's world and European heptathlon champion. She has not specified the reasons for her decision to pull out of the Delhi event, the build-up to which has been marred by corruption allegations and construction delays. Ennis won the heptathlon gold in Berlin world championships last year and added another in the European championships in Barcelona early this month.

She also won a pentathlon gold in the world indoor championships in Doha in March this year. Also to her credit is a heptathlon bronze in the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Meadows, who has opted out to rest the Achilles injury which hampered her this season, is a 2009 World Championships bronze medallist in women's 800m.

She also won a 800m bronze in the European Championships this year and was a silver medallist in this year's World Indoor Championships in Doha. But England's selectors are still confident of naming a strong squad for the event.

Fabrice to compete

Melbourne: Australian world indoor long jump champion Fabrice Lapierre today made up his mind to take part in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi after initial reluctance to travel to India. The 26-year-old Lapierre had said after Diamond League circuit event in London yesterday that he was in two minds about whether to go to India as October is his lay-off time and he was concerned of security situation and infrastructure problems.

However, he has now made up his mind and reassured Athletics Australia High Performance Manager Eric Hollingsworth that he will line up on the sub-continent. "The comments I made in London came across much stronger than I intended," Lapierre said in a statement released today.

‘Ulterior motive behind criticism’

Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief executive Perry Crosswhite, who was a strong critic of India's preparedness for the CWG for a long time before changing stance, says he suspects constant criticism of the Games' organisers a part of a concerted campaign to stop or relocate the event from Delhi.

Lisa in two minds

London: England's star middle distance runner Lisa Dobriskey says she is keen to defend her 1500m Commonwealth Games gold in Delhi but an injury-hit season has left her in two minds. The 26-year-old, who is also a silver medallist from last year's World Championships, did not have a very good European Championship campaign failing to win a medal. — PTI

Maradona interested in Villa job!

London, August 16
Former Argentina coach Diego Maradona is eying a return to management by replacing Martin O'Neill as Aston Villa's next manager. "Diego is very attracted to English football and the way of life in your country and I know he would be very willing to move there, especially at a big club like Aston Villa," The Sun quoted his European spokesman Walter Soriano, as saying.

"If the owner Randy Lerner wants to make him a serious offer, I'm sure he'd get a very positive response," he added.

It would require Maradona to beat Martin Jol, Sven Goran Eriksson and caretaker-boss Kevin MacDonald to land the post. Lerner is seeking a new permanent manager at Villa Park after Martin O'Neill quit just days before the start of the new Barclays Premier League season. Kevin MacDonald was in caretaker charge as Villa began the new campaign with a convincing 3-0 win against West Ham. — ANI

Federer beaten for Rogers Cup!

Andy Murray reacts after beating Roger Federer on Monday. — Reuters

Toronto, August 16
Andy Murray beat Roger Federer to retain the Rogers Cup title in Toronto on Sunday. Murray has now won seven of his 12 matches against Federer. The Briton followed up Saturday's semi-final win over world number one Rafael Nadal with a 7-5 7-5 defeat of 16-time Grand Slam champion Federer, the BBC reports. The Scot sealed victory in just over two hours for his first title of 2010.

"It's so tough closing out a match against Roger. It was incredibly difficult conditions for both of us," Murray was quoted, as saying. Murray had to deal with a succession of rain interruptions that meant the match started 15 minutes late and was played out over three and a half hours.

Federer has been struggling for consistency. Not many players have beaten Nadal and Federer in a row. The victory also ended a three-match losing streak against Federer, taking Murray into a 7-5 lead in meetings between the pair. — ANI

India win Bee’s International 7’s Rugby Tourney
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 16
India won the Prestigious English Inter Club Rugby tournament at the ancestral home of Barbarians Rugby. The tournament included top English club teams like Yorkshire all stars, British Asian Rugby Association, the Bees & the Indian Rugby team who will be hosting the Commonwealth Games. India is in the United Kingdom as part of their 10-day training program before the Commonwealth Games kick off.

India beat the Favorites Yorkshire Select Green in the finals 26-24. The Indian team were trailing 21-24 but were able to score a try in the final minute before the hooter went off. The Indian Rugby team was undefeated in the league stage and had a thrilling match against the host side Bradford and Bingley (The Bees), in which India that was initially trailing 11-14 emerged victorious in final minutes of the match by scoring a try just as the hooter went off with a final score 0f 16-14.

The tournament had 2 leagues of 4 teams, each playing each other. Then the level teams in each league will play each other to get final standings. The top team from each league played in the Finals. The Indian Rugby team seniors were in Light Blue jersey and the Indian Rugby 'A' team were in Dark Blue jersey.

BRIEFLY

Salman with a shirt!

Pakistan's captain Salman Butt prepares to throw a ball during a training session before the third cricket test match against England at the Oval in London on Monday. — Reuters

‘Chelsea will do the double’
London: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has warned rivals that his players are ready to win the Double again by repeating last season's success. "Our aim is to do better if it is possible. We have started better than last year, showing more confidence, and I think we can do better," Ancelotti said. He insisted that his players can set the early pace and stay top until the end, The Sun reports. — ANI

PCB rejects Latif's proposal
Islamabad: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has turned down a proposal by former captain Rashid Latif to host an ODI series against Afghanistan in October. Latif said that he was aiming to help encourage the Afghanistan cricket team, "but the proposal has been turned down because the PCB says the team is busy in the coming months." The former wicketkeeper-batsman is currently the batting coach of the Afghanistan team, which qualified for this year's Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies. — ANI

Lee finds rocker rival AB
Sydney: Australian cricket Brett Lee's status as cricket's ultimate rock star is facing stiff competition from South African cricketer AB de Villiers. De Villiers has released a CD that is being liked by the people of South Africa. His album is also being marketed to millions of potential listeners on the addictive Internet game site, Stick Cricket, reports The Sydney Morning Herald. — ANI

Cole 'worst role-model for kids'
London: Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole has topped the poll for being Britain's 'worst role model for kids. The 29-year-old footballer achieved the infamous feat after it appeared that he has gone back to his old habits. He was pictured sneaking into London's May Fair Hotel with lapdancer Sarah Purnell, 23. 65 percent of Brits said that they would hate for their children to look up to him, reports The Daily Star. — ANI

Becks upset over sis news
London: English footballer David Beckham was upset and baffled after he came to know that his eldest sister was claiming state benefits. The 35-year-old sports star has always helped provide for 38-year-old sister Lynne, 38. She is in such awful financial crisis that that she is claiming 164 pounds a week in handouts. — ANI

Somdev close to top-100
New Delhi: Somdev Devvarman jumped eight places to climb to 103 in the latest ATP singles ranking, issued on Monday. Somdev had entered the top-100 for the first time in his career two weeks back. In the doubles chart, Leander Paes (6) and Mahesh Bhupathi (8) and Rohan Bopanna (33) maintained their rankings. Meanwhile, in the WTA chart, Sania Mirza slid to 155 after a two slot loss. — PTI

Ashok Chakra for sports doctor
NEW DELHI: President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil bestowed the gallantry award Ashok Chakra on Maj. Laishram Jyoting Singh of Indian Army posthumously on the occasion of Independence Day yesterday. An unarmed Major Singh had grappled with a suicide bomber to save the lives of six of his colleagues when their army camp in Kabul (Afganistan) was targeted by a suicide bomber on February 26, 2010. — TNS