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In-form Sangakkara slams unbeaten 222
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Bowling to Indians 'ultimate challenge' for a spinner: Monty
Beckham’s American adventure begins
Atwal tied 56th
Michael Chopra signs on for Sunderland
Clijsters dodges media with dawn wedding
Prakash in last 8
Manpreet enters shot put final
Archers book 3 Olympic berths
Playgrounds in Patiala vanishing
Hans record fine victory
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England Lions roar on Day One
Chelmsford, July 13 Zaheer Khan was the most successful Indian bowler with figures of 3-99 from 19 overs. The Lions were reduced to 225 for 7 at one stage, but a 129-run eighth-wicket stand between Bresnan and Stuart Broad (50) put them back on track. Broad was dropped twice, first by Mahendra Dhoni — the batsman was then yet to open his account — and then by Ramesh Powar, and India had to pay the price for the dropped chances. Earlier, despite losing captain Andrew Strauss (1) and Owais Shah (11) early in their innings, the Lions scored at a brisk pace in the opening session, evident from the run rate of 5.12. Denly, the 21-year old batsman from Kent, batted with great confidence to pick up some gorgeous boundaries in front of the wicket and also off his pads as the Indian bowlers pushed too many deliveries at his pads which he despatched with relish. His 83 came off 90 balls with 16 fours. Strauss had little hesitation in batting first after he won the toss and there was little indication of the things to come as both S. Sreesanth and Zaheer started impressively under overcast conditions. Zaheer, in fact, gave the Indians a perfect start when he sent Strauss’ off stump cartwheeling to a ball that came in sharply and beat his defence as he went for an expansive drive. Shah looked to play too many shots and he paid the penalty when he hooked a short one from Sreesanth straight to Zaheer at long leg. He batted for 33 minutes, faced 22 balls and hit two fours. Trott then joined Denly but he was more of a spectator to his colleague from Kent, who showed scant respect for the Indian bowlers. Zaheer faced Denly’s ire in his fifth over which cost him 21 runs as Denly despatched him to the ropes five times. He brought up his 50 with a flick off Ishant Sharma and he celebrated it with a smashing cover drive off the pacer. Scoreboard England Lions (1st innings) Strauss b Zaheer 1 Denly st Dhoni b Powar 83 Shah c Zaheer b Sreesanth 11 Trott c Ganguly b Zaheer 46 Bopara c Karthik b Tendulkar 29 Ambrose c Dhoni b Zaheer 4 Rashid c&b Powar 0 Bresnan not out 116 Broad c Yuvraj b Sreesanth 50 Tremlett not out 8 Extras (b-8, lb-2, nb-21) 31 Total (8 wkts, 90 overs) 379 FoW: 1-14, 2-62, 3-142, 4-174, 5-184, 6-185, 7-225, 8-354. Bowling: Zaheer 19-5-99-3, Sreesanth 17-0-62-2, Ganguly 6-2-16-0, Ishant 12-1-61-0, Powar 25-1-96-2, Tendulkar 9-0-24-1, Yuvraj 2-0-11-0. — Agencies
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In-form Sangakkara slams unbeaten 222
Kandy, July 13 Sangakkara followed his 200 in the second Test in Colombo with a superb 222 not out from 277 balls, an innings that included 28 stylish boundaries. The 29-year-old left-hander, playing on his old school ground, punished Bangladesh’s bowlers in partnership with his captain Mahela Jayawardene, who scored a brilliant 165. The pair compiled a marathon 311-run stand for the third wicket as Sri Lanka plundered 470 runs from 98 overs in the day to finish on 500 for four. Sangakkara’s double ton was the sixth of his 67-match Test career, a record bettered by only Englishman Wally Hammond (seven), West Indian Brian Lara (nine) and Australian great Don Bradman (12). “It’s nice to be in the company of Bradman, Hammond and Lara, but I think I’ve got a long way to go,” Sangakkara told journalists. But he added: “When it comes to achievements and when it comes to scoring runs, I’ve a lot more work to do.” Scoreboard Bangladesh (1st innings) 131 Sri Lanka (1st innings) Vandort b Rasel 43 Tharanga lbw Rasel 12 Sangakkara not out 222 M. Jayawardene c Ashraful b Rasel 165 Silva run out 25 Dilshan not out 17 Extras
(b-4, lb-2, w-2, nb-8) 16 Total (4 wkts, 107 overs) 500 Fall of wickets: 1-47, 2-74, 3-385, 4-445. Bowling: Mortaza 24-2-125-0, Rasel 31-1-104-3, Hossain 16-1-71-0, Rafique 14-1-72-0, Ashraful 12-0-74-0, Imran 10-0-48-0.
— Reuters
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Bowling to Indians 'ultimate challenge' for a
London, July 13 “I asked Sachin to sign that ball and it's so precious I keep it in my bedroom. That's one of my most treasured moments, and always will be,'' Monty said. The ball was signed by the Sachin himself with the inscription ''Once in a blue moon!” The 25-year-old, who claimed his first 10-wicket haul during the third Test victory over the West Indies recently, concedes it will be ''the ultimate challenge'' for a spin bowler to bowl to the Indians, who he regards as the best players of spin in the world. Inspite of being ranked sixth in the world, the 'Sikh of Tweak' thinks he has a long way to go before he can be considered one of the best bowlers in the world. ''They (Indians) are the best players of spin bowling in the world and we have a tough series ahead. It was hard in India where the ball turns a lot. However, it will be even tougher here, where it doesn't turn so much. ''I see it as the ultimate challenge for a spinner, breaking through the India batting in English conditions,'' he adds.
''I am told I am among the top 10 bowlers in Test cricket, but I still have a lot to learn,'' a humble Panesar said. ''I just feel lucky to be where I am and a lot of people have helped me along the way. But, to be honest, I feel more like a baby than a top 10 bowler, with so much still to learn,'' he said. The Northamptonshire player, who was back in his home town of Luton for an Npower promotion admitted, ''Yes, it would have been nice to play in the same side as my hero, Sachin Tendulkar, but I always wanted to play for England.'' About his maiden wicket of Tendulkar in Test cricket, Panesar said, ''It was my childhood dream to play for England. When I played in Nagpur and captured the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar I couldn't believe it.'' ''But I don't know whether I will be in awe of them as much as I was when I made my England debut last year,” Monty said.
— UNI
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Beckham’s American adventure begins
Los Angeles, July 13 The England midfielder, one of the world's most marketable sports figures, has joined Los Angeles Galaxy from Spanish giants Real Madrid on a lucrative deal that will earn him an estimated $250 million over five years. Beckham, casually dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved black shirt, and his wife Victoria, wearing a black dress and her trademark sunglasses, waved and smiled at a crowd of around 300 crammed outside the airport terminal. Accompanied by security officials, the celebrity couple did not speak to the fans and made their way down a staircase and on to a barricaded sidewalk before being driven off in a black Lincoln Navigator. The Beckhams' sons -- Brooklyn, 8, Romeo, 4 and Cruz, 2-½ years old -- were escorted out of the airport via a different route. The hype has escalated ever since the January announcement that Beckham was moving to Major League Soccer (MLS) and his hotly anticipated arrival has already given the American game much-needed credibility and plenty of buzz. Although the former England captain himself has never claimed he can become the saviour of U.S. soccer, he is determined to make a difference. Culture change
"I'm not silly enough to think I'm going to change the whole culture, because it's not going to happen," Beckham said in this week's edition of Sports Illustrated magazine where he is pictured on the front cover. "But I do have a belief that soccer can go to a different level, and I'd love to be a part of that. It's not a big brand thing, it's about me being the ambassador for MLS. "If I can make people more aware and make kids realise that you can go into higher levels and make a great living from playing soccer, that's what I'm going over there to do." However, Beckham faces an uphill task with his new club who have won only three of their first 12 MLS games this season to languish second bottom in the Western standings. Rubbing salt into those wounds was Galaxy's failure to reach the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open Cup after losing 1-0 at the lowly Richmond Kickers on Tuesday. Beckham, 32, will be officially introduced as a Galaxy player on Friday at the team's home stadium in Carson, California. He is scheduled to report for training the following Monday before making his first appearance for the Galaxy in an exhibition match with FA Cup holders Chelsea on July 21.
— Reuters
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Iraq upset sluggish Australia
Bangkok, July 13 Nashat Akram scored from a free kick in the first half after a howler from goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, and Hawar Mulla Mohammad and Karrar Jassim Mohammad finished off the Australians after the interval.The Socceroos had briefly drawn level through when their captain Mark Viduka scored early in the second half, but were totally outplayed by a team who had to train and play qualifiers in neutral Jordan because of the war in their homeland. The Iraqis, who have reached the quarter-finals at the last three Asian Cups, moved to the top of the Group A standings with four points from two games.Thailand also have four points, while Oman and Australia have a point each. The Australians, making their first appearance at the Asian Cup and regarded among the title favourites, can still advance to the next phase if they win their last pool match against co-hosts Thailand on Monday. They would also need a favourable result in the other match between Iraq and Oman. The Australians had promised to atone for their lacklustre display in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Oman but gifted Iraq the lead in the 21st minute. Akram delivered a seemingly innocuous free kick straight at Schwarzer but instead of catching the ball, the Middlesbrough keeper was distracted by the presence of Saleh Sadir and watched in horror as the ball floated past him into the net.
— Reuters
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Jeev braces up for challenge
Kuala Lumpur, July 13 Jeev said he tried to motivate himself to make fewer mistakes in adverse situations. The Asian Tour No 1, who finished 37th on his US Masters debut in April and improved by a notch at the US Open last month, will make his fifth Major appearance at Carnoustie in Scotland. "The US Open was some experience. It was the toughest Major I have ever played in my life. It was a true test of patience. I just hung in there and the greens were so tough, even tougher than Augusta National," he said. After a relatively quiet start to the year, Jeev, who bagged four titles last year and topped the Asian Tour Order of Merit, feels he is finally hitting his stride, with three top-20s recently boosting his confidence ahead of the year's third Major. He said those performances were just the tonic needed ahead of Carnoustie, which last hosted the British Open in 1999 and saw Paul Lawrie of Scotland winning in a play-off after finishing 72 holes in six-over-par 290. "I am feeling good. I have just had to deal with a few minor injuries. I am looking forward to the Open, I have never played in that before so I am excited. I have played at Carnoustie at the Dunhill Links previously and I enjoyed the course. "The rough was not up then but for the Open, it will certainly be up. It will be a great test of golf," he said. The 35-year-old is not too worried about the side effects of playing 40 weeks a year. "You do get injured but these are all big tournaments now ... I haven't thought about taking a rest! "The good thing is that I feel I am playing well again. The injuries have kept me from practising harder and while expectations have been higher after last year's success, I am going out there with the intention to just play golf," he said. Jeev said he did not put himself under any unwanted pressure on the golf course. "I have got the experience and it will be just a matter of going out there and enjoying every moment and see what comes my way," said Singh. — PTI
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Atwal tied 56th
Chicago, July 13 The Orlando-based Indian seemed to start off from where he left just a few days ago, reeling off successive birdies on the first two holes, but his erratic nature came back to haunt him as he went on to drop three bogeys on the third, sixth and ninth holes. He then gained a stroke on the first hole of the back nine before dropping his fourth bogey of the day on the 11th hole. Atwal, however, salvaged some pride by firing two birdies, including one on the last hole. Meanwhile, a double bogey on the third hole spoilt Indian-born Swede Daniel Chopra’s show as he shot an even-par 71 to be placed 76th. Chopra managed only a couple of birdies in a sedate opening round for him. American Neal Lancaster fired a seven-under-par 64 to grab a one-shot lead ahead of nine-time Tour winner Kenny Perry, who shares the second place with fellow Americans Paul
Stankowski, Duffy Waldorf, Jason Dufner and Scott Gutschewski. —
UNI
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Michael Chopra signs on for Sunderland Sunderland, July 13 The striker moved from League Championship side Cardiff, where he was the second top scorer with 22 goals in 42 games. He joins Greg Halford and Russell Anderson as new recruits at Sunderland, which is managed by former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane. “He’s a natural goal-scorer who will bring competition with our other quality strikers to the side,” Keane said. — AP
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Clijsters dodges media with dawn wedding
Brussels, July 13 ''Kim choose such an early hour because she wanted her marriage to American Brian Lynch to be conducted within a small circle of people,'' a statement on
Clijsters' Web site (www.kimclijsters.be) said. The 24-year old Belgian, who retired in May to focus on her private life and is expecting her first child, had planned to marry in the town hall of her home town Bree yesterday but she left hoards of journalists with a fruitless stake-out.
— Reuters
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Prakash in last 8
Newport, Rhode Island, July 13 The US-based Indian capitalised on mistakes of the American wildcard and broke his opponent four times to win the match 6-4, 6-3 in one hour 22 minutes and make into the last eight of an ATP Tour event for the first time.— UNI
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Manpreet enters shot put final
New Delhi, July 13 Manpreet finished fourth in her group, which was led by Germany’s Samira Burkhardt, who recorded an effort of 15.20m. However, Manpreet was way off her personal best of 14.49m as well as her season’s best of 14.42m. Her best attempt came on her second throw, while she managed only 12.96m and 12.91m in her first and third efforts, respectively. Manpreet followed in the footsteps of MR Poovamma, who made it to the final of the girls’ 400m yesterday with a personal best of 55.15 seconds.
— PTI
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Archers book 3 Olympic berths
Leipzig, July 13 Putting behind their disappointment in the individual elimination round yesterday, the Indian trio of Dola Banerjee, Bombayla Devi and Chekrovolu Swuro were bang on target today and beat the fifth-seeded Russian women 206-198. Later, the Indian women lost to Britain in the quarterfinals. Earlier, in the team compound event, the trio came close to an Olympic qualification but lost out to France in the pre-quarterfinals. There are 40 Olympic berths on offer at the World Championship, which ends on Sunday, and with the top eight teams taking up a total of 24 berths, only 16 remain in the individual event for those who have not already qualified.
— UNI
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Playgrounds in Patiala vanishing Patiala, July 13 The first big playground to face the axe was the City High School ground. Spread over an area of four football fields, old-timers recall how several competitive matches were played here. The ground, which now houses the multi-storeyed structure of the Punjab languages department, has played host to many matches featuring test cricketers like Mohinder Amarnath and his sibling Surinder Amarnath. Interestingly, at that time their father - the legendary Lala Amaranth - was posted in the Patiala State Sports Department, which later merged into the Pepsu Sports Department. The ground also played host to numerous hockey and football matches with Punjabi football legends Inder Singh and Jarnail Singh gracing the ground with their presence. The police line ground in Ragho Majra was the next to face the axe. Apart from a police station, a residential colony has also mushroomed in the ground. National hockey camps, prior to the 1956 Melbourne, the 1960 Rome Olympics and the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games, were held here. Prominent among those players who have played in the ground were legends like Major Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh (senior), Dharam Singh, Charanjit Singh and Ashwani Kumar. Udham Singh, the grand old man of Indian hockey, also displayed his hockey prowess on this very ground. These days, whatever space is lying vacant is being used by vendors as the town's main vegetable market is just a stone's throw away from the ground. Next came the turn of the Master Tara Singh Park, which used to cater to the sporting needs of institutions like Sewak Jatha High School and the Government Girls School (No. 32). The annual sports’ meets of these schools and other inter-school meets used to be held here. Now what have come up are a PSEB sub-station-cum-complaint centre and a massive water tank. Another example is that of the playground of B.N Khalsa School, located on the Sirhind road, where commercial structures and a residential colony have come up on either side. The Arya Samaj ground, which was used by children of the SDSE school to play hockey and cricket matches during the 50s and 60s, is now filthy with the construction of a water tank. Sports psychologists say that the lack of proper playing facilities is proving detrimental to the interests of children. What takes the cake is the fact that whatever little space is left for sports is being taken up for jamborees like melas and functions, even government-sponsored ones. The Polo Ground is one such example. Whenever politicians deem it fit, they hold their rallies and other public functions in this ground. Sadly, even religious functions are held at the Polo Grounds. A former Olympian opined that although nothing can be done to save those grounds where structures have come up, the least the administration can do is earmark a particular venue for public functions as the Chandigarh administration has done by setting aside the Sector 17 Parade Ground for non-sports activities.
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Hans record fine victory
New Delhi, July 13 The highlight of the match was a hat-trick by Vinita Baloni. Anuradha Bisht added the fourth goal. Nancy Gupta reduced the margin for the losers. Hans Club had whipped Garhwal Heroes 5-0 in the inaugural match late last evening.
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