Sportingsparks: 09/18/10

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Warriors aim to seal semifinal spot

South African club Warriors are the outright favourites to win the first game of the Saturday double-header when they take on Central Stags, who with two straight losses in their two games are searching for their first win in the tournament.

The Stags were thrashed by the Chennai Super Kings in the opening game, but then staged a strong comeback in their second match against the Australian T20 champions Victoria Bushrangers as they managed to stretch their trans-Tasman rivals.

The team has been plagued with a poor batting display and have been over-reliant on skipper Jamie How, who starred with a briliant 77 in the previous game. The knock, however, did not seem to inspire the rest of the batsmen, who will have to come good if they are to give themselves a chance of a win on Saturday.

The Stags' bowling too has been nothing to write home about. Doug Bracewell and company have seemed to be on track in the first few overs, but have buckled under pressure and have been expensive at the death. They surely are the underdogs but if they can draw on their never-say-die Kiwi spirit, they may actually be able to spring a surprise at the St George's Park.

The home side Warriors on the other hand have emerged as a contender for the title after having comprehensively beaten Wayamba Elevens in their opening game and having upset the Bushrangers in their next game. The win against the Aussie club must have given the Warriors a fillip and they will look to carry on this momentum and seal a semi-final spot with a third straight win on Saturday.

Pacer Rusty Theron has been the pick of the bowlers for the Warriors and has been superbly supported at the other end by Makhaya Ntini, Lonwabo Tstosobe and Nicky Boke.

Their batting, though, has been a bit of concern as they have looked to be over-reliant on Davey Jacobs and Mark Boucher. And Saturday's match is the perfect game to get the batting in order, especially before their final league game against the Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday.

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Valencia could be back by February

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Antonio Valencia could be back in action by the end of February.

"You can never be 100% accurate in these situations and it is a bad injury, but we are looking at the end of February, which is better than we thought on Tuesday," said the United boss.

"The operation has been successful and the break was clean, which was the major concern for us at the time," he said.

"He is a strong boy, who is very positive about it.

"Being positive helps you in these situations, so we are very hopeful we will get him back then."

"Antonio had a great season last year," he said.

"He was a great signing for us. He is a young player who has been improving all the time.

"It is a blow losing good players but in the context of the kind of squad we have, we should be able to cope with it.

"You always fear when you have a good player out of your team it is going to be a loss.

"But having players like Nani, Ryan Giggs and Park Ji-sung, plus Gabriel Obertan and Bebe means we have options."

"There is a mental part to it," he said.

"Take the example of Alan Smith. When Alan got his bad injury in that cup tie against Liverpool, he was so positive.

"He sat in that treatment room at Anfield so nonchalant and relaxed about it.

"Yet you look at his ankle and think 'God almighty'.

"That attitude definitely helped him."

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Boxer Mary Kom in World Championship final

M C Mary Kom continued her chase for a historic fifth successive World Championship gold by becoming the only Indian boxer to enter the finals of the event with a thumping win in the last-four stage here.

Mary Kom (48kg) defeated Alice Kate Aparri of Philippines 8-1 in the semifinals to assure herself of at least a silver in the sixth edition of the event.

The former Khel Ratna awardee will now face old rival Steluta Duta of Romania who defeated Kazakhstan's Nazgul Boranbayeva 10-5.

"I am very happy to have come so far. I will do my best to win a gold even this time but I am not thinking too much about it because I need to focus on my game. If I fight well, I will win," the diminutive 27-year-old, who clinched a silver in the inaugural edition and hasn't settled for anything less then a gold ever since, told PTI.

In Friday's bout, Mary Kom was slow off the blocks and was in fact down 0-1 in the first round.

"I did not attack much in the opening round. I was just observing her. I needed to be patient before going for all-out attack," she said.

"I wouldn't say it was a very easy bout but it was not too tough either. I covered up the points in the third round. I am confident about myself and that helps," Mary Kom said.

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Redbacks beats B'lore by 8 wickets

Dazzling batting display by Daniel Harris and skipper Michael Klinger ensured the third consecutive victory for the South Australia Redbacks as the Adelaide-based team outplayed the Royal Challengers Bangalore by eight wickets at the Kingsmead on Friday.

Both the Redbacks' openers left no stone unturned in punishing the Challengers' bowlers, who looked clueless facing the onslaught by Aussie openers. Klinger was especially ruthless as he hit 69 in just 57 deliveries.

Harris, too, matched his partner shot-by-shot and scored 57 off 38 balls. Not bowlers but a misunderstanding in running between the wickets sent Harris back to the pavilion.

Anil Kumble foxed Graham Manou but it was already too late for Bangalore to make anything out of the remaining game.

Earlier, the Royal Challengers got a big jolt before the start of the match as sore back made the first-match hero Jacques Kallis miss out Friday's game after Anil Kumble won the toss and decided to give his batters an opportunity to use the fresh Kigsmead wicket.

The team from Bangalore got off to a terrible start as Manish Pandey and Robin Uthappa got out as soon as Challengers' innings got underway. But blitzkriegs from Dillon du Preez and Ross Taylor helped Royal Challengers Bangalore finish with 154.

Daniel Christian did bulk of the damage for the Redbacks as the all-rounder took four crucial wickets. Shaun Tait and Gary Putland also finished with two wickets each.

Ross Taylor's big hitting (46 off 28) lit up the Kingsmead stadium after early blows - Pandey and Uthappa - rocked the RCB. Rahul Dravid, too, fell after scoring just 4 off 11 balls.

The decision to bring back Shaun Tait for a one-over spell proved to be a masterstroke by Michael Kllinger as the speedster got Ross Taylor caught behind and put brakes on Bangalore's scoring.

After Taylor's dismissal, Preez (46 off 25), together with Cameron White, gave Challengers the much-needed spark. White also contributed with 25 off 29.

Kallis' injury disturbed Bangalore's team composition, forcing Kumble to bring in Manish Pandey to replace the world's best all-rounder at the top of the order, while Vinay Kumar also got a game in place of Nayan Doshi.

Redbacks, riding on back-to-back victories, fielded the same side.

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Rafael Nadal latest photos

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Somdev, Bopanna lose, India down 0-2 against Brazil

India's hopes to re-enter the Davis Cup World Group suffered a big jolt as the hosts conceded a 0-2 lead against Brazil, following defeats of Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna in the action-packed singles rubbers on the opening day of the play-off tie, on Friday.

Running high on emotions, both the matches lasted over four hours and went to the wire as players from the two teams fought tooth and nail till the last point, in a stunning display of stamina and hunger for win.

Bopanna squandered three match points in the final set to lose the first singles 7-6 (2), 6-7 (7), 5-7, 6-4, 8-10 to world number 27 Thomaz Bellucci.

Gritty Somdev put up a valiant fight but could not level the tie for India as he lost 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(3), 2-6, 4-6 to Ricardo Mello, who is ranked 38 places above him at 75.

"The lack of playing singles matches made the difference today. There was definitely a chance but lack of singles for past years made the difference. I made him play as much as I could but he came up with some big points at crucial hours," Bopanna said after the match.

Before that Bopanna was also comfortably placed to win the second set tie-break as he was up 5-2 but allowed Bellucci to make a comeback and lost the set.

At the start, Bopanna used his lethal serve and big strokes quite effectively and was also aided by some erratic shot-making by lean-built Bellucci.

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John Parry to the fore in Austria

Graeme McDowell was upstaged by John Parry, who carded a second-round 67 to take the lead at the Austrian Open in Atzenbrugg.

The 23-year-old Challenge Tour graduate had a flawless round with five birdies to take top spot by one shot, but he admitted there was plenty of golf left to be played.

"It's a bit early to be looking at leaderboards - we're only in the second round," said Parry, a Walker Cup team-mate of Rory McIlroy.

"It is a lead, though, so I'm happy going into the weekend in front. I'd always prefer to be in the lead than not."

"I still feel young in myself, but there are many young Spanish guys coming up now and already have their cards," said the 33-year-old, who could not match his opening 66 as he signed for a 71.

"I need to fight this year and that's what I'm doing."

"It's very much the old cliche of a game of two halves, this golf course," McDowell told europeantour.com.

"This front nine's quite tricky and you've got to drive the ball unbelievably well to have any chance of making birdies.

"On the back nine it's a lot more three woods and hybrids off the tees which offers you a few more opportunities and I think the greens are a little flatter as well.

"I think I'm two over par for the front nine and nine under par for the back nine overall so I certainly know where I need to make up some shots on the weekend."

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Pedrosa on top at Aragon Grand Prix

Dani Pedrosa continued his superb recent form by topping the practice timesheets during today's running ahead of the inaugural Aragon Grand Prix.

The 24-year-old Spaniard, boosted by signing a new two-year deal with Honda on Thursday, won the last two races in Indianapolis and Misano and he topped the first of Friday's two sessions near Alcaniz, setting a best time of one minute 50.506 seconds.

"We are lacking a bit of grip but I hope we can improve our setting more tomorrow so we can make another step," he said.

"Unfortunately it rained this afternoon but it was good to get the chance to try our wet setting and it seems our bike was okay in these bad conditions.

"It was good to have two practice sessions today; even though the overall amount of time is the same over four days, four separate sessions makes it easier to get to know the circuit and what we need in order to be fast here."

The new circuit met with almost universal approval from the riders and teams, with Tech 3 Yamaha racer Spies among those enjoying the new challenge.

The Texan said: "I really like the track. It has got some good elevation changes that make it pretty cool and the first couple of corners remind me of Istanbul Park (in Turkey) on the video game. You know it is a fun track when you want to stay out and ride and that's how I felt today.

"I was pleased with progress in the dry this morning and I'm really happy with how it went in the rain."

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Chamakh improve for his further season

Marouane Chamakh maintains there is still more to come from him after an impressive opening to the season.

"I still have plenty of room for improvement, but I think I have something to offer to the team. Things are going just fine at the moment," Chamakh told www.fifa.com.

"I have settled in quickly and things couldn't have gone much better from that point of view.

"I gave myself six months or maybe even a year to settle down here and I am ahead of schedule in that respect.

"I am delighted with how it is going, although training has been very tough for me.

"I don't think I have ever worked as hard as this physically, but here I am experiencing everything I had envisaged about Arsenal and the English league.

"The atmosphere in the stadiums, the open and attacking football and the standard of the team are just amazing.

"I am getting involved in the games and am scoring too.

"I just want to do my bit in each game and to help the team win."

"It's crazy to hear such stories, I can completely dismiss it," Bendtner told www.Sporten.dk.

"I have been worried during the injury spell, but there has never been mentioned that it could stop my career.

"I can't understand where this rumour comes from. It's nasty and quite shocking."

While a date has not been set for his return, Bendtner remains positive for the season ahead.

"I am looking forward now and there is a lot to look forward to," he said.

"I am expecting to be fit for a comeback within a not too distant future, but I have not set a date.

"Arsenal and I have worked out a timetable which I am following, but we are keeping the details to ourselves."

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Stranger sent me gifts says Irfan pathan

The corruption scandal that has rocked international cricket is finding an echo in India as well with out-of-favour pacer Irfan Pathan claiming that he was sent expensive gifts by a “stranger”, suspected to be a bookie, during a series.

Although he did not disclose when exactly the incident happened and which team he was playing against at that time, Pathan said expensive gifts were sent to his hotel room during the series and he reported the matter to the team manager.

“I was in a team hotel when a stranger approached me. He sent three expensive gifts to my room. He later sent me two more expensive gifts, things I couldn’t afford,” the 25-year-old, whose last Test appearance for India was in April 2008 against South Africa, told a TV channel.

“I thought it was wrong as I didn’t know this person. I reported it to the team manager who then alerted the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit Officer,” he recalled. The pacer, whose career has been hit by injuries and a slump in form, was last seen in an ODI in February 2009 against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

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ICC investigation launches at third Pak-Eng match at Oval

The match-fixing scandal continued to haunt world cricket with the ICC today launching an investigation into Friday''s Pakistan-England ODI after reports emerged that certain scoring patterns in the game were rigged by "illegal betting syndicates in India and Dubai." The ICC probe follows claims by British tabloid ''The Sun'' that bookies knew details of Pakistan''s innings before the match even began and it had given the evidence to the game''s governing body ahead of the game.

"The ICC has launched an investigation into activities that took place during the third One-Day International between England and Pakistan at The Oval, London, on September 17," the governing body said. "Following information received by the ICC from a British newspaper and its source, the ICC now believes a full investigation is warranted," it added.

" "Illegal bookies in India and Dubai apparently knew in advance what would happen so they could launch a betting coup. But The Sun''s undercover team was able to pass details to ICC inspectors before the match began," the report said.

"We therefore feel it is incumbent upon us to launch a full inquiry into this particular game although it is worth pointing out at this stage that we are not stating as fact that anything untoward has occurred. Only in the fullness of the investigation can that be established.

"We thank The Sun newspaper for its information and cooperation in this regard and we will work with its staff and sources to ensure the full truth surrounding this match is ascertained," he added. .

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Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood ruled out of India tour

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood was today ruled out of next month''s Test series against India due to a back injury, prompting the selectors to bring in Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson as stand-by players. "Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of Australia''s Test squad for the VB Tour of India after confirmation he has developed the early stages of a low back bone stress injury," Cricket Australia said in a statement.

"The National Selection Panel announced Hazlewood''s Blues teammate Mitchell Starc and Victorian James Pattinson will act as standby players for Hazlewood," it added. Pattinson is currently with the Victorian squad playing in the Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa and will remain with the Bushrangers until their finals chances are determined.

"During the past week, Josh Hazlewood developed low back pain while bowling in preparation for the upcoming VB Tour of India Test series," Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said. "His symptoms were consistent with a low back bone stress injury and scans have confirmed the early stages of a low back stress fracture," he added.

"As such, he has been withdrawn from the Test series, as he will require a period of rest from bowling to allow the bone stress to resolve." NSP Chairman of Selectors Andrew Hilditch said the two players chosen to be on standby have done well during their stint at the Australian Center of Excellence.

"Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson are two fast bowlers who made a significant impression during their time at the Cricket Australia Center of Excellence this year. "We are adding these two standby players to ensure we have adequate cover for the tour game being played before the first Test.

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