Yuvi confident of keeping the title

Yuvraj Singh admits to only a quiet confidence as India put the finishing touches to the ICC World T20 preparations.

Yuvraj headlined the early stages of India's run to the title in the inaugural staging of the tournament in South Africa two years ago, by hitting England's Stuart Broad for six sixes in one over.

That was payback for conceding five himself to England's Dimitri Mascarenhas in a one-day international at The Oval shortly beforehand.

Coming good with ball too

 

Yuvraj, however, has since uncovered the knack of taking Twenty20 hat-tricks in his guise as captain of Indian Premier League franchise Kings XI Punjab.

There can be little doubt then that the 27-year-old knows a thing or two about how to perform with bat and ball in the shortest form of the game.

He knows, too, though that Twenty20 can be notoriously unpredictable - and that is perhaps why he is taking nothing for granted as India look to build on an encouraging warm-up campaign when they take on Bangladesh in their opening Group A fixture at Trent Bridge on Saturday night.

"We are pretty confident, but the thing is the Twenty20 format is a very unpredictable one," he told the International Cricket Council's Cricket World audio show.

"You never know what is going to happen. But India have a very solid team, and we are very confident about defending it."

IPL stint will help

Yuvraj is convinced that those players coming straight from the recently-concluded second edition of the IPL, in South Africa, will hold a significant advantage over their opponents.

"The World Cup comes at the right time after the IPL," he add.

"We've had enough games to practise in the Twenty20 format.

"But it's not only Indians - other players all around the world also have that advantage.

"I think everybody will have had the practice to come and play the Twenty20 World Cup."

T20 is good fun

As for his own Twenty20 prowess, Yuvraj explains much of it has to do with pure enjoyment of the format.

"It is good fun. There is not much time to play yourself in - you have got to start from ball one," he said.

"To hit six sixes is great when you think about it - but to take two hat-tricks is amazing for a part-timer like me. That's quite funny. I'd be happy with one."

Warning for Broad

As for Broad, Yuvraj is pleased to see he has recovered so impressively from his Durban mauling - but appears keen to renew hostilities when the opportunity arises. "Anybody can have a bad day, and Stuart has been doing really well for England," he said.

"I'm sure we're going to be in the battle once again."

Australia send Symonds home

Andrew Symonds' international career appears over after he was sent home from ICC World T20 due to an "alcohol-related incident".

Symonds, 34 next week, was due to fly back to Australia at the first opportunity after contravening the self-imposed guidelines set upon his return to the green and gold ranks earlier this year.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland termed the development, which included more than one breach in the past few days, as the "final straw" on Thursday.

His disciplining is the latest in a string of career indiscretions, including being banned for two matches during the 2005 Ashes tour for turning up for a one-day international against Bangladesh in Cardiff inebriated.

"There are a number of his own commitments that he has broken over the last 24-48 hours," said Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

 

"They are not anything we forced upon him, they were his own commitments, that he was going to live by around the team and they were team rule breaches.

"There was more than one thing that happened and from me, I think it's best just leaving it at that."

Some of Australia's players watched the State of Origin rugby league match between Queensland and New South Wales late Wednesday morning and Symonds was at a charity dinner with his team last night but not at this morning's net session at the Oval.

CA to help in rehab

Sutherland, who announced Symonds' release from Australia's 15-man squad from Melbourne, said: "The breach of team rules of itself was not a major offence but was in effect the final straw after a series of previous indiscretions and in the light of the undertakings Andrew had given.

"I am disappointed in Andrew, but I am also disappointed for him after all the work he has done with Australian cricket's support in the last year - and CA will be encouraging and supporting him with continuing rehabilitation on his return home."

Symonds was named in Australia's list of centrally-contracted players for 2009-10 last month but the annual deal, which kicks in from June 30, is now under review.

Final straw

He was on his last chance after the Darwin fishing saga in August last year, during which he missed a team meeting ahead of the one-day series against Bangladesh, and led to him being thrown out of the squad.

In January this year, Symonds conceded alcohol was playing a big part in his life during an apology for the drunken slur he aimed at New Zealand's Brendon McCullum during a radio interview - he was hit with a fine of approximately £2,000.

He was reprieved in early April when he was named in Australia's preliminary 30-man squad for this current tournament and was also recalled for the one-day series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

Missed opportunities

"I don't think Cricket Australia could have done any more for him, to tell the truth," said Ponting, who was part of the four-man leadership group that recommended Symonds' release to their bosses back home.

"He has been stood down on a number of occasions, he has been working through some processes off the field over the last 12-18 months to make himself better in different aspects of his life.

"I don't think he was rushed back in but unfortunately, both for him and us, he has come back in and this has happened again. He has had plenty of opportunity, that's for sure."

Ponting, who backed Symonds' claims as a player in the past, informed the Australian team of the decision before Thursday's practice.

"Little incidents like this that happen certainly don't have the best outcome on the whole group," Ponting said.

Looking ahead

"This decision is about having the best team environment we can possibly have and giving ourselves the best opportunity of bringing on the next generation of Australian players.

"There's no such thing as a curfew in the Australian cricket team.

"You don't need curfews around good teams. That's what being part of the team's all about, having respect for yourself and your team-mates, and not disrespecting the opportunity you've got as an Australian player."

Australia must now nominate a replacement player, who will then have to be ratified by the event technical committee: a process which is expected to take place in the next 24 hours.

Symo still valuable

But Symonds' on-field value is indisputable - he commanded a $ 1.35 million Indian Premier League price tag last year and was part of Deccan Chargers' title-winning side a matter of weeks ago.

"He will be difficult to replace but we have got what we've got now," Ponting said.

"It is no good worrying about that any more, he's ruled out of this squad and we have to find someone who can have the same kind of impact on a game as what Andrew Symonds can.

"That is the challenge that lies ahead for our group now.

"It throws the balance a little bit in our side. We will probably have to re-jig things and look at things in a slightly different way but the beauty of our team is we have a lot of flexibility."

Bopara: India will be a big threat

In an exclusive interview to espnstar.com, England star Ravi Bopara speaks about his side's chances in the ICC World Twenty20.

Q. What are the chances of theEngland team in the Twenty 20 World Cup Tournament?

A. The experience of playing in the Indian Premier League would definitely help the England team to do well in the competition. England should really do well.

Q. Is it the only reason for which you think England would do well?

A. We have not always lived up to our potential as a Twenty20 team so far but we have played well in 20-over internationals in England. I am confident we would do well this time.The key thing for this competition has to be the way we have been playing lately. We are also banking on the winning streak.

Q. Ravi, you are a superstar now!

A. I can't help that. But I am enjoying my cricket. I know people have a lot of expectations from me. I will try my best to live upto those expectations.

Q. What did you do extra for this tournament?

A. Extra practice in the quick-fire version of the game is very important. I tried to do that to be in a good shape.

 

Q. Did IPL teach you anything?

A. Of course. Even though the English counties are playing Twenty20 for the last six years, I must confess that I learnt a lot from mixing with various international cricketers who took part in the IPL. I learnt about tactics,preparations and how they can make a big difference to a side.

Q. Which team can bring a threat to England in the ICC World Twenty20?

A. India. They have got a balanced side. Their cricketers have gained enough confidence from IPL.

Q. How will you prepare for the Ashes?

A. I do not want to invite any kind of pressure for this great series. I would try to concentrate on the basics and would try to be calm and realxed. But for the time being, I am only concentrating on this ICC World Twenty20.

Bald Amitabh Bacchhan

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2009

Bald Big B | Bald Bachan | Bald Amitabh

Yes, this is Amitabh Bachchan. You’d be excused for doing a double take, but chinta not – he hasn’t actually shaved off his hair. This is the much-protected, top secret look that he’s sporting in the the Balki-directed movie, Pa. The film is being shot in Delhi, and Big B’s son Abhishek is also part of the cast and in the city. The father-son duo has been shooting for Pa amid tight security – and secrecy

Holland edge out Scots in a thriller

Holland wrap up their preparations for the ICC World T20 with a nail-biting seven-wicket win over Scotland at the Oval.

Click here for Scorecard

A 105-run second-wicket partnership from Alexei Kervezee (62) and Bas Zuiderent (44) ensured the win for the Dutch, who were chasing 128, in the final over.

Scotland, started their innings brightly but could not maintain their quick start as they stumbled to 128 for nine thanks to impressive bowling from Edgar Schiferli (three for 33) and Mudassar Bukhari (two for 27).

Kyle Coetzer looked in good form at the crease, making 39 from 28 balls, but struggled to find a good batting partner with Fraser Watts the only other man to make 20.

The re-introduction of paceman Dirk Nannes to the Dutch attack pegged Coetzer back before he was removed by Pieter Seelaar in the 15th over and Scotland stumbled to their total of 128.

Holland, who play England in the tournament's curtain-raiser on Friday, began their reply in a disappointing fashion when Calum MacLeod dismissed Darren Reekers for four in the first over.

Kervezee and Zuiderent quickly regained the initiative for the Dutch though, as they reached 50 in the ninth over thanks to some wayward bowling from Gordon Drummond and Craig Wright and some lax fielding.

Hamilton then effectively introduced spinners Majid Haq and Glenn Rogers to slow Holland's run rate down as they struggled to get the ball off the square.

Kervezee sensed the Dutch were falling behind and began to open his shoulders in the 13th over when he found the boundary twice off Craig Wright including one huge six over mid off.

He reached his 50 the following over off 50 balls while Zuiderent kept his nerve at the other end as Jeroen Smits' side reached 100 in the 16th over.

Majid Haq then caught and bowled Kervezee in the 17th over to leave Holland requiring 18 off 22 balls. Zuiderent was caught by Watts off Wright in the final over with Holland four runs but Dan van Bunge (four not out) kept his nerve to hit the winning runs with three balls to spare.

Rohit stars in India's win over Pakistan

Rohit Sharma's 80-run blitzkrieg guides India to a nine-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC World T20 warm-up tie.

Click here for Scorecard

Rohit Sharma tore apart Pakistan's bowling attack as India reached the target with three overs to spare in their final warm-up match.

Chasing 159, Rohit and Gautam Gambhir (52 not out) raised 140 runs in just 16 overs for the opening stand to slam the door on Pakistan and India cruised to 159/1 in 17 overs to complete a facile win.

Click here for all the action as it unfolded

Rohit's was a sublime 53-ball knock, bejewelled with nine fours and two sixes. In contrast, Gambhir played the second fiddle to perfection and was unbeaten after a 47-ball knock that included five hits to the fence.

Earlier, Pakistan got off to a flier before suffering a mid-innings slump even though they eventually reached a competitive 158 for six, thanks to cameos from Ahmed Shehzad (25), Younis Khan (32), Misbah-ul Haq (37 not out) and Yasir Arafat (25 not out).



But with Gambhir getting his mojo back and Rohit continuing his purple patch, India's chase was off to a rollicking start and they never relaxed their grip.

Gambhir flicked the first ball from Umar Gul for a delectable four and ended the over in similar fashion.

Rohit, meanwhile, was not ready to be outshone. 

Accordingly, Gul was hit over mid-on for a four, Yasir Arafat was dispatched in the stands for the first six of the match before copping two fours in his next over. Shahid Afridi also found himself at the receiving end of Rohit's wrath when the batsman smote him over midwicket for a huge six.

Though Rohit eventually fell in the 16th over, by then it was just a matter of formality for India.

Earlier, Pakistan got off to a flier but India's disciplined bowling unit staged a remarkable comeback to restrict them to 158 for six.

Despite losing an early wicket, Pakistan cruised to 45 in just over four overs before losing three wickets without a single run added to the score.

After winning toss, Pakistan captain Younis Khan sent out teen twins Shahzaib Hasan (0) and Ahmed Shehzad (25) to open the innings but Hasan was back in the hut soon after Praveen Kumar's fifth legitimate delivery pegged back his off-stump.

Shehzad's too could have been a brief stay but Harbhajan Singh grassed a sitter at mid-wicket off RP Singh when the batsman was on five and India were made to pay for the clanger.

Shehzad shed all inhibitions and went after the Indian bowlers and suddenly it was raining boundaries at The Oval. 

RP Singh copped two in the same over and Praveen didn't escape unscathed either as Shehzad pulled and drove with elan. Shehzad's aggression proved contagious as Kamran Akmal (19) too started freeing his arms to good effect.

It was probably too good to last and Pakistan lost three wickets over five balls with Suresh Raina in the thick of action.

An airborne Raina first did a Jonty Rhodes to swoop on a ball and hit the stumps to remove Akmal and then placed himself under Shehzad's miscued skier in the same Ishant Sharma over.

Shahid Afridi's was a blink-and-miss stay as the swashbuckling right-hander bottom edged Irfan Pathan and Mahendra Singh Dhoni took a diving catch to remove him for a golden duck.

Shoaib Malik (14) started well before Pragyan Ojha snared the former captain in his first over and Pakistan were without their top half when the score reached 63.

Younis (32) and Misbah (37 not out) raised 50 runs in 7.3 overs but boundaries had dried up by then. Harbhajan got rid off Younis but Misbah and Arafat (25 not out) threw their bat at everything to push the score past the 150-mark.

The Teams:

Pakistan: Shahzaib Hasan, Ahmed Shehzad, Younis Khan*, Kamran Akmal†, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Yasir Arafat, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Aamer, Fawad Alam, Sohail Tanvir

India: MS Dhoni, G Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, RA Jadeja, PP Ojha, IK Pathan, YK Pathan, SK Raina, I Sharma, RG Sharma, RP Singh, Yuvraj Singh,Praveen Kumar

Man United announce Aon deal

Manchester United have confirmed they will team up with Aon from the start of the 2010-11 season.

The giant American company's brand name will feature on the club shirt for four years.

No terms of the sponsorship deal have been announced but the deal is thought to be worth about £80 million.

United chief executive David Gill said: "We are delighted to be entering such an important relationship with a company of the stature of Aon and to have its logo adorn our shirts from the start of the 2010-11 season."

Hughes eyes Man United's Tevez

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has revealed that the Eastlands club are interested in bringing in Carlos Tevez.

Tevez's future has been scrutinized recently as his two-year loan at Manchester United is coming to an end.

The Red Devils have the choice of signing the striker due to a clause on the deal, though they are allegedly not keen on paying for the amount that the Argentine striker is priced at.

Reports from England indicate that Man City are ready to table a bid for Tevez and Hughes has confirmed that he is interested in getting the forward.

"Carlos Tevez is a good player. If good players become available then obviously every manager is interested," Hughes told Sky Sports News.

Hughes added in the interview that Daniel Sturridge could depart from the City of Manchester Stadium.

Chelsea have been in the frame to snap up the young striker, who has failed to sign a new deal with the Sky Blues.

Hughes admits the youngster is now on his own as he is now free from any playing contract.

"We are not in a position to dictate that [Sturridge's future] really," added Hughes. "We have offered Daniel a deal that we think is at the level he should be at."

"He is in a strong position because he is in the last year of his contract"

"He is keeping his options open, which he has done for quite some time, we just have to wait and see."

"Obviously I have made my intentions very clear to him I would like him to stay but it may be out of our hands."

Williams ousted by Kuznetsova

Serena Williams' hopes of landing a second French Open title were dashed as she lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarter-finals.

The American second seed came back from a set down and saved two match points before eventually folding 7-6 (7/3) 5-7 7-5 after two hours and 47 minutes' action on Suzanne Lenglen court.

Seventh seed Kuznetsova will meet 30th seed Sam Stosur in the semi-finals, the Australian having earlier brushed past teenager Sorana Cirstea 6-1 6-3.

Williams, the 2002 champion here, won just two points in the opening three games as she was broken twice to fall 3-0 down, and she quickly found herself 5-3 behind.

The 10-time grand-slam winner upped her intensity when it came to crunch time, winning three successive games for 6-5 but squandering a set point in game 12.

She played a poor tie-break, though, as she slipped 6-1 down and despite saving two set points, Kuznetsova's forehand winner on the run brought her the set.

The Russian started the second set like she did the first, and a lucky net cord earned her an early 3-0 cushion.

Serving for the match at 5-3, Kuznetsova - by now covered in red dust after a heavy fall in the seventh game - choked.

Williams seized the initiative and won four games on the bounce, sealing the set with an ace, to take it to a decider.

She then took a 3-1 lead in the third but Kuznetsova broke back in the sixth game, as a result of a dreadful drop-shot attempt by her opponent, and strode into a 5-4 lead.

The 2004 US Open champion squandered two match points in game 10 with a backhand then forehand long but in Williams' next service game, Kuznetsova clinched victory when the American skewed a backhand wide.

Kuznetsova is the second Russian to make the semi-finals, along with compatriot Dinara Safina, the top seed and title favourite.

She is the only player to defeat Safina on clay this year.

Doubles specialist Stosur had earlier dismissed the unseeded Cirstea in straight sets in a battle between two players making their debuts in a grand-slam quarter-final.

The Australian raced into a 3-0 lead and after her 19-year-old opponent was broken again, Stosur wrapped up the first set at the first time of asking.

World number 41 Cirstea stunned fifth seed Jelena Jankovic in round four but she struggled badly in blustery conditions on Philippe Chatrier court.

The Romanian improved in the second set but was still broken twice as Stosur eased through.

Federer through to the last four

Roger Federer made his 20th consecutive grand-slam semi-final with a straight-sets victory over France's Gael Monfils.

The Swiss, bidding to claim his first Roland Garros title and complete his haul of all four Majors, was in solid form as he swept to a 7-6 (8/6) 6-2 6-4 win on Philippe Chatrier court.

The victory not only moves Federer, the runner-up here the past three years, a step closer to greatness but it will also give him new-found belief after a topsy-turvy campaign at this year's Roland Garros.

Federer looked much more in control of his game today compared to two days ago, when he had to come back from two sets and 4-3 down to defeat Germany's Tommy Haas.

His forehand was back working, his error count was lower and although 11th seed Monfils gave him a decent workout, the contest never lived up to the pre-match hype.

The Swiss, a 13-time grand-slam winner, was forced to save break points in the first and 11th games as an evenly-fought first set went to a tie-break.

After two mini-breaks each, Federer clinched it when he swatted home a forehand volley at the end of a riveting rally.

The former world number one, a four-set winner over Monfils in the 2008 semi-finals here, was even more consistent in the 28-minute second set.

Again his forehand and serve were hitting the spot and he broke twice to take the set and leave an off-key Monfils with a mountain to climb.

The Frenchman called for the doctor prior to the start of the third set, a stomach problem appearing to be the issue. The same doctor would be summoned again at the end of the third game, with the set going with serve with Monfils 2-1 ahead.

The atmosphere by now was somewhat stale and Federer gradually applied the pressure. In game nine, Monfils saved a first break point but on the second the remaining French hope in the men's singles slammed a forehand into the net.

That proved decisive and Federer held comfortably in the next to ease to only his second straight-sets victory this tournament.

He will meet either Juan Martin del Potro or Tommy Robredo in the last four knowing that not only has no-one left in the draw beaten him on clay, but also that his arch-rival Rafael Nadal - toppled in the fourth round - can no longer prevent him winning the title.

Pakistan on the look-out for revenge

McLaren-Mercedes' Norbert Haug has admitted that the team has all but lost the F1 Driver’s Championship this season.

Speaking to the press in a conference call on Tuesday, Haug discussed prospects for the upcoming season and took a realistic look at the champions' performance so far this year.

"It would be bizarre to speak of defending our title. Why should we think about it when we are not competitive?"

McLaren won the 2008 Driver's Championship thanks to Briton Lewis Hamilton, and were close challengers for the Constructor's title as well, finally finishing second.

Contrastingly, this season they have been well off the pace, notching up a pitiful 13 points from the first six races, in a season completely dominated by Brawn GP (86 points).

Despite the fact that 11 races remain this season, Haug has written off the chances of his team to recapture last season's glory.

However, he remained positive about McLaren's chances next year, saying that he sees the team as race-winning contenders "when the catch-up process is completed."

The motorsport executive also admitted that he hopes to see a satisfactory compromise to the budget-cap dispute that has rocked the sport.

"We can only talk about an agreement when everything has been settled", he cautioned, but said he hoped to see the 10 teams from this year back on the 2010 roster when it is announced on June 12^th.

Haug also expressed his fears about the 6 potential new teams that have applied for an F1 license, sharing doubts that they would match up to the required standards. 

Haug added that Mercedes, who also provide engines for Brawn and Force India, are ready in principle to help new teams, but not at all costs.

"Formula One is not a charity, this must be clear," he said.

Pakistan on the look-out for revenge

MS Dhoni would need pluck to score a consolation win against Pakistan in the warm-up match of the ICC World Twenty20.

India lost the first sparring match of the warm-ups to New Zealand on Monday and are up against an opponent who consider themselves unlucky to lose in two previous encounters between the two sides.

Both the previous ties were in the inaugural edition in 2007 and India could cross over the finish line by a matter of chance.

Indians prevailed in the first through a 'bowl-out' after the two sides had tied at the same score.

In the 2007 final match in Johannesburg, Pakistan were just a stroke away from victory when Misbah-ul Haq's scoop off Joginder Sharma landed in short fine-leg S Sreesanth's hands.

Pakistan would be determined to settle the score for they might not get another opportunity to get even with the Indians unless both sides make it to the finals this time also.

Indians would be resigned to leaving out Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag on the bench as both are battling shoulder injuries.

They would be keen though to play Yuvraj Singh who is just about coming to terms with a bout of food poisoning, as disclosed by skipper Dhoni on Monday night.

Indo-Pak tie will raise money

An exclusive live TV screening of India-Pakistan T20 warm-up game, will raise money for the benefit of a Lancashire cricketer.

The television screening of the match, hosted by Indian cricket legend Farokh Engineer, will raise money for the benefit of Lancashire cricketer Gary Keedy.

Keedy will join Engineer during the event

Engineer, who played first-class cricket for Lancashire and is a widely respected figure here, will host the exclusive screening of Wednesday's match at the Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester.

Gary Keedy, 44, was voted the best county player never to have played for England by 'All out Cricket' in 2006.

He will also join Engineer during the event.

The event has aready attracted considerable interest from sponsors HSBC and the local Asian Image newspaper and going to be a of mix business networking with a celebration of Asian culture.

Tickets for today's India-Pakistan warm-up match were sold out within 48 hours, but fans anticipating a tough contest plan to celebrate the event in homes, pubs and other public places.

"The event will be spectacular"

Along with the screening game, corporate guests will be entertained with Bhangra dancing and traditional Asian live performances.

"The Asian business community is very strong in the North West and we are keen to reach out and engage with these important members of the region's economy," Andrew Ryder of HSBC said.

"This event is the ideal opportunity to create a perfect blend of captivating cricket as well as showing what HSBC can offer its personal and business customers alike."

The event is a part of Keedy's benifit year, twelve months high profile sporting events, and will raise money for him and his nominated charities.

"Farokh Engineer is a cricketing legend and I'm honoured he will be hosting the event. Pakistan vs India is always a great game and with the added musical and dance twist, the event will be spectacular," Gary Keedy said.

The event will raise money for British Asian Trust. Individual tickets for the event are available at 50 Pounds and a table of ten is available for 450 Pounds.