|
|
|
|
|
Tainted stars sprint away from doping charges
Best phase of my career: Rohit
Afridi’s boom-boom show
|
|
|
Review the review system, Australia moans after defeat
‘Batsmen need to do more’
Big
Ticket India Under-19 Squad
Mickelson wins Scottish Open
Chris Froome frustrated with doping talk
|
|
Tainted stars sprint away from doping charges
Jamaica, July 15 JADCO did not name the athletes but reports say they include former men's 100m world record holder Powell, Olympic silver medallist Sherone Simpson and Central American and Caribbean Senior Games discus champion Allison Randall. Although the three have refuted the claims that they have used Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED), the results mean that they have been provisionally banned from competition until they face a disciplinary hearing. “I have never knowingly or willfully taken any supplements or substances that break any rules. My attitude towards doping regulations and testing is well-known and I willingly give samples whenever requested. This result has left me completely devastated in many respects,” said Powell in a statement. “Personally, however, this result comes at a greater cost. I write this statement knowing fully that my family, friends, fans and country will be disappointed at this latest development. I am reeling from this genuinely surprising result.” Powell and Simpson had tested positive for a stimulant 'oxilofrine' (methylsynephrine), while Randall had returned a positive for Hydrochlorothiazide, which is a diuretic that can be used as a masking agent for the use of other more powerful drugs. Simpson was part of the Jamaican team that set a new national record 41.41 seconds in the 4x100m relays while taking silver at the London Olympics last year. She said it was “a very difficult time for me... As an athlete, I know I am responsible for whatever that goes into my body”. Simpson has apologised to family, fans and sponsors. “l am deeply sorry for any hurt or embarrassment this positive test may (have) caused”. In protesting her innocence, Randall said she could not afford the cost of PEDs and in an interview with the Jamaica Observer Sunday said she was “embarrassed and shocked” and had never heard of the substance before. “I have not intentionally taken any banned substance. I have been vigilant with everything I consume, so I am extremely shocked and surprised by this incident,” said the American-born, Randall. “I do not have the desire, nor the means to cheat. I have never even seen steroids and don't know the first thing about them,” he said. — Agencies
|
|
Best phase of my career: Rohit
New Delhi, July 15 “From the point of view of consistency, this has certainly been the best phase as an international cricketer. I am enjoying my new role as an opener. That I have been successful and my contribution has helped the team's cause makes it even more satisfying. I am hoping to keep up the good work,” Sharma said. In the 12 matches since he was asked to open, the 26-year-old Mumbaikar has scored five half-centuries apart from two near-50 scores and Sharma attributes it to his sound technique. “I was always confident about my technique. The opener's job is specialized one but I always knew that I could hold my own if I am given an opportunity at the top of the order. Also I have opened a couple of times in T20's for India, so it wasn't an entirely new experience,” said Sharma, who scored a match-winning 83 against England in Mohali, on his maiden appearance as an opener. On his own admission, the offer to open the innings came suddenly to him. “I wasn't exactly surprised but I knew that it would be challenging. But then in life, when challenges are thrown at you, you should believe in your instincts and go for it. The innings of 83 against England wasn't the best but certainly an effort that proved to be a morale booster for me,” stated Sharma, who has scored 2459 runs in 98 ODIs with two centuries and 17 half-centuries. Asked about the change in ODI opener's role since two new balls are being used, he admitted that it is indeed a big challenge. “The opener's role with two new balls coming into play has changed. It's no longer going after the bowling from the word 'go'. There are a few shots which should be avoided during the initial overs”, he said. For example, when the ball is pitched up, one would love to play drive but now it is better to be a bit watchful. Having said that, I am not saying that one shouldn't play his natural game,” Sharma explained. He has faced scathing criticism and intense media scrutiny after the initial failures but nothing has perturbed him. “When people said a lot of things, I was not really disturbed as I knew my ability. My job is to focus on my game and I try to do that. I can't stop someone from writing whatever he feels like. I would rather concentrate on my job and that is to score runs.” Sharma has captained Mumbai Indians to their maiden IPL triumph and leading the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Lasith Malinga has certainly helped him grow as a cricketer. “I won't say that leading someone like Sachin Tendulkar or Ricky Ponting made me conscious but certainly more responsible. The moment you become captain, you not only have to lead by example with your own performances but also be responsible for field placings and bowling changes. Responsibility always makes you a better cricketer,” he opined. — PTI
|
|
Georgetown, July 15 Omitted from his country's failed Champions Trophy campaign, the mercurial all-rounder returned the best-ever ODI bowling figures by a Pakistani, and the second best overall, in snaring seven for 12 to rout the home side for just 98 off 41 overs after having top-scored with a typically swashbuckling 76 in the visitors' total of 224 for nine yesterday. “I try hard and I back myself and I want to thank people back home," said Afridi. “It's not time for me to just survive in the team, but to give a lot to the team. I tried to stay positive. Whenever I got the ball in my zone I went for it. And what a pitch it was for me to bowl on. I just kept it simple, and it worked." This match represented yet another stunning spike in the 17-year international career of Afridi whose ability to delight and entertain with his extravagant manner has often been overshadowed by an almost chronic failure to deliver at the most critical of times. Fortunately for Pakistan, this was not one of those times and his impact on the match started with his domination of a 120-run sixth-wicket partnership with his captain, Misbah-ul-Haq (52), the pair rescuing their team from the depths of 47 for five after gangling fast-medium bowler Jason Holder had wrecked the top order in finishing with the excellent figures of four for 13. While Misbah laboured towards yet another workmanlike half-century, occupying 121 deliveries, Afridi's knock was a hurricane by comparison, decorated by five sixes and six fours off just 55 deliveries. — Agencies Brief scores Pakistan: 224/9; 50 overs (Afridi 76, Misbah 52; Holder 4/13) beat West Indies: 98 all out; 41 overs (Samuels 25; Afridi 7/12, Irfan 2/17)
|
|
Review the review system, Australia moans after defeat
Nottingham, July 15 The DRS, roundly criticised throughout the seesawing clash over five days, ultimately decided the match in Nottingham on Sunday when the technology picked up a nick from wicketkeeper Brad Haddin that umpire Aleem Dar had failed to detect.The caught-behind decision captured Australia's final wicket and justly handed England a 1-0 lead in the five-test series, but the manner of victory left many purists cold. It also left local media seething after England tail-ender Stuart Broad was allowed to remain at the crease when Dar missed a thick edge, a costly oversight that Australia were unable to appeal, having used up their DRS quota. “What a tragedy that this brilliant first test ended with the umpire decision review system making the final decision,” Malcolm Conn said. England name unchanged squad for second Test England named an unchanged 13-man squad for the second Ashes Test. Steven Finn looked out of sorts and could be replaced by Tim Bresnan or Graham Onions, but Lord's is his home ground. — Reuters
|
|
Nottingham, July 15 The tourists came close to a stunning win in the first Test at Trent Bridge before Ashes-holders England scraped home by 14 runs yesterday to go 1-0 up in this five-match series. Australia`s tenth wicket pair were responsible for 228 runs at Trent Bridge, including a world record stand of 163 in the first innings that featured teenage debutant Ashton Agar`s 98 -- the highest score by a Test No 11 -- after they had collapsed to 117 for nine. There was an improved showing second time around but had it not been for wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin`s 71 at number seven and yet more tailend resistance, England`s margin of victory would have been greater. This Ashes series was always likely to hinge on the performance of Australia`s top order and Lehmann, himself a former Test batsman, was in no doubt of what was required. “Our tail has done really well over a period of time now but it`s time for the batters to make sure they`re making the runs,” he said. “I think we only batted for 64 overs in the first innings and 110 in the second. “We`ve got to be reversing that about, batting for 120 overs plus in the first innings of a game and making our runs there,” said Lehmann, brought in just 16 days before the Ashes after South African coach Mickey Arthur was sensationally sacked by Cricket Australia.— PTI
|
|||
|
Big
Ticket India Under-19 Squad 17-yr-old J&K player Shubham follows in Parvez Rasool’s footsteps, makes it to India U-19 squad Gaurav Kanthwal/TNS
Chandigarh, July 15 Excerpts: How are you preparing for the tour. What are your expectations? I am trying to improve on my fitness, concentration and patience. I want to be mentally stronger to handle situations better. I think I am little circumspect facing in-swinging balls. I spend a considerable time in nets facing quicks. I am not putting myself under undue pressure so I don’t want to expect too much. Just want to play hard, perform to my potential.
I started playing at the age of 9-10. Just like all boys do, I too had a lot of interest in cricket and played all the time. It was only after I played for the state in Under-16 in 2007 and did well that I got serious about playing cricket and started aiming to play for India. Parental support must have been a big factor in your growth as cricketer. Tell us about your background? I am the first one from our family to take up sports as a career. My father is a teacher posted in DIET, Jammu. Seeing my interest in the game, my father encouraged me and accompanied me to the ground almost everyday. Such is his passion for cricket that he, at times, allows me compromise on my studies but not on the game. Despite being the only child, he never put pressure on me and supported me in pursuing my dream. He is my mentor and coach as well. J&K has very few players who have represented India at any level. Does motivation and training become difficult? Not much. Though it is difficult, places like Delhi, Mumbai have much more competition and the quality of players is higher. Skill wise they may not be superior but mentally they are much stronger. At times, you feel a bit of inferiority complex and self doubts creep in. But ultimately it all boils down to your hardwork, self-belief and confidence. Luckily, I have been scoring runs in most of the tournaments. That gives you a boost. Parvez Rasool and now you, it looks like J&K has started producing quality cricketers? What has brought about this change? Cricket is picking up in J&K fast. Players are getting more chances to show their ability. The team selection is based on merit and the competition is growing fast. Bishan Singh Bedi has motivated youngsters a lot. After Sri Lanka tour, what is your next target? I want to be in India team for Under-19 World Cup and carry on from there.
|
|
Edinburgh, July 15 The 43-year-old Mickelson finished with Grace on 17-under-par on Sunday, while Sweden’s Henrik Stenson tied with Denmark’s J.B. Hansen for third place on 15-under-par, and Scotland’s Martin Laird finish fifth tied with Northern Irishman Gareth Maybin and England’s John Parry, all on 14 under.The four-day event started on July 11 at the four-year-old Castle Stuart Golf Links at Balnaglack Farmhouse, which will host the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open within the next three years after the tournament moves to Royal Aberdeen in 2014, reports Xinhua. Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond came to Castle Stuart Golf Links to support the event and hailed the Scottish Open as a “great vote of confidence in golf and the people of the Highlands in their ability to stage major international events”. Woods drawn with McDowell, Oosthuizen
Tiger Woods has been drawn to play alongside former U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell and South African Louis Oosthuizen in the first two rounds of this week's British Open at Muirfield. The trio will tee-off on Thursday. Rory McIlroy has been grouped with Phil Mickelson and Hideki Matsuyama. Woods played nine holes in practice on Sunday. — Agencies |
|
Subathu boys lose
Chandigarh, July 15 Shazir Piam of State Bank of Trivandrum scored both the goals (40, 86 min) for the winning team. Rajkot XI's foreign recruit Jaul scored the first goal for team in 24th minute. Johnson scored the second goal in the 32nd minute, while Eblander pumped in the third in 56th minute. Arjun scored the lone goal for hosts Greenland Club. Earlier, Greenland Club had defeated Vinay Club, Chennai 12-1 on Saturday. Aqib Javed and Chandan scored four goal each in the win. But Vikrant Rana drew the first blood.
|
|||||
|
Chris Froome frustrated with doping talk
Ventoux, July 15 Froome tightened his grip on the yellow jersey by winning stage 15 on one of the most feared climbs in world cycling yesterday, capping a brilliant ride with late attacks that pulled him clear of Alberto Contador and his last remaining challenger on the mountain Nairo Quintana. But the performance was last night being compared to those of Lance Armstrong and Froome yet again faced questions, having answered them all week since taking the yellow jersey. “I just think it's quite sad that we're sitting here the day after the biggest victory of my life talking about doping,” Froome said. — Agencies
|
|||||
Indian boxers win nine medals in Serbia Abhijeet wins C’wealth chess championships Nobbs returns to India to settle dues
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Completed a memorable sweep of sprint tiltes at the 2007 world championships in Osaka when he won the 100 and 200 metres and was part of America's triumphant 4x100 metres relay team. Tested positive for a unidentified substance in an out-of-competition test in May this year.
When and how did you start playing cricket?
