Ryder rookies out to extent Fedex bid

Ryder rookies out to extent Fedex bid

Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler, now on countdown to the Ryder Cup, have some important business to take care of first.

The US Tour rookies tee off at Cog Hill in Illinois in the third of the four FedEx Cup play-off events, but are not certain yet to be part of the final leg in a fortnight's time.

"It just came down to feelings - I had a gut feeling about Rickie," said America's captain.

"He has a good Walker Cup record - 7-1. He's a very good player.

"I think he can handle it and that's why I picked him.

"I think he's a very mature young man who has had experience in international play and has got a very steady head on his shoulders."

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Pietersen to prepare for Ashes in South Africa

Pietersen to prepare for Ashes in South Africa

Out-of-form England batsman Kevin Pietersen is seeking permission to join South African provincial team Kwazulu-Natal Inland to prepare for the Ashes, the England and Wales Cricket Board said.

Pietersen wants clearance from Cricket South Africa to return to his former home to play for Kwazulu-Natal Inland in two four-day matches in October.

The 30-year-old England star was born in Pietermaritzburg, where Kwazulu-Natal Inland is based.

"I'm extremely keen to get as much cricket as possible under my belt before a challenging and exciting winter,"

Pietersen said yesterday. "My sole focus is to continue playing a leading role for England and joining Natal is the perfect opportunity to prepare in excellent conditions immediately before the Ashes.

"These two matches would enable me to work on my game against the Kookaburra ball in southern hemisphere conditions which is the ideal preparation for Australia."


"We are well aware of Kevin's attention to detail and thoroughness when it comes to preparation and he would gain a great deal from working on his batting against tough opposition in South Africa.

"Kevin's commitment and desire to work on his batting and play a significant part in a successful England team is unquestioned."

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Ferrari escape further punishment

Ferrari escape further punishment

Ferrari have avoided further punishment following a hearing into their use of prohibited team orders at the German GP.

"The judging body of the World Motor Sport Council held an extraordinary hearing in Paris on 8 September 2010 to examine this matter.

"After an in-depth analysis of all reports, statements and documents submitted, the judging body has decided to confirm the stewards' decision of a 100,000 US dollars fine for infringing article 39.1 of the Sporting Regulations and to impose the payment of the costs incurred by the FIA.

"The judging body has also acknowledged that article 39.1 of the Sporting Regulations should be reviewed and has decided to refer this question to the Formula One Sporting Working Group."

"Now, all the team's efforts will be focused on the next event on track, when the Italian Grand Prix takes place at Monza this weekend."

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, who was one of the 26 members of the Council to review the case, had stated the teams should be allowed to run their organisations as they see fit.

As team orders have existed throughout F1 history, it would appear they now stand on the brink of again being legalised.

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Ronaldo sets and returns to clash against Ajax.

Ronaldo sets and returns to clash against Ajax.

Real Madrid's injured star Cristiano Ronaldo could return for their UEFA Champions League clash against Ajax next Wednesday.

The former World Player of the Year suffered an ankle injury in Real's Primera Division opening round goalless draw against Real Mallorca.

The injury forced the Portuguese to miss Portugal's disastrous Euro 2012 qualifying matches against Cyprus and Norway where they drew 4-4 and lost 1-0 respectively.

But Ronaldo has targeted his club side's clash with Ajax as a possible return date.

"I feel better and we'll see how it (the injury) develops," he told reporters.

"I'm still not perfect but almost at one hundred per cent. I'll return as soon as possible, maybe in two days I can rejoin the squad."

"I believe I can be ready for the match against Ajax."

Real have been drawn in UEFA Champions League Group G alongside AC Milan, Auxerre and Ajax

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Daniel Vettori says player who cheated banned for the cricket

Daniel Vettori says player who cheated banned for the cricket

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori said on Thursday any player caught cheating should be banned from cricket for life to protect the game's integrity.

Vettori's comment follow the suspension of three Pakistan players — captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif — for allegedly bowling deliberate no-balls in a Test against England at Lord's last month.

"If they are proved, those allegations, then it has to be the harshest possible (punishment) and that's a life ban," Vettori told Radio New Zealand.

"Whenever incidents like (these) recently have come under the spotlight then people are going to question every single game that Pakistan played in," Vettori said.

"The key for cricket is to clean it up as quickly as possible, so that people don't turn up at the game and think there's something going on. Cricket needs to be squeaky clean." Pakistan are scheduled to tour New Zealand in December.

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Djokovic beats Gael Monfils and advanced to the semifinals.

Djokovic beats Gael Monfils and advanced to the semifinals.

In a wind-marred, sloppy and slightly surreal encounter on an afternoon, in which the swirling gusts inside Arthur Ashe Stadium became not just a factor, but a protagonist, Novak Djokovic solved the riddle better than Gael Monfils and advanced to the semifinals with a 7-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory.

"I don't think the crowd enjoyed the tennis so much," he added.

"That windy, never," said Monfils when asked if he'd ever played in windier conditions. "Wind like this for me is very tough. I have a big swing, and as you can see, my adjustment is not that good sometime."

The Serb fittingly broke serve for the seventh time to close out the match, as Monfils lunged awkwardly at a forehand and sent it soaring out of court. Djokovic is now 5-0 in career head-to-head matchups with Monfils.

Djokovic, who has so far flown under the radar for a third seed, will meet either Roger Federer or Robin Soderling in the semifinal. If Federer, it would be their fourth consecutive meeting at the US Open, all in either the semis or final.

The Serb is so far without a victory.

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Motivation not a problem for Button

Motivation not a problem for Button

Jenson Button insists he has lost none of his motivation to succeed since becoming Formula One world champion.

"I'm still going into every practice session, qualifying and race with the same hope I can win that race.

"And you can never get bored of winning. It's just such an amazing feeling when you cross the line and you've beaten the other 23 cars on the grid.

"It's a very special feeling that will never stop, that will always be there, that I always want to win.

"I know I'm just as passionate about it now as I was last year, and that's because I don't think there is a driver here who works any harder than me.

"I can't imagine putting in any more time and effort than I already do, and being passionate about it makes you care about which direction you take.

"I don't just rock up and hope we've a good car. I'm part of the process, the same as Lewis."

"If you speak to the people I work with, they'll tell you how dedicated I am and how much time I put in to developing the car, not just for the latter part of this year, but also next year and future years," added Button.

"I don't just sit and wait for the car to be built, jump in and go around. I put a lot of time and effort in to making sure the team listen to what I have to say.

"A driver's opinion is important. It's not everything, but it is important, not just for what we do at a weekend, but the direction we take with next year's car.

"I need to be pushing on with that because in two months' time it will be too late because we're already working on next year's car.

"You've got to be opinionated, and I am."

"No British driver has ever won it back to back. That's a goal to go for," said Button.

"But also, winning the world championship once is the most amazing feeling, and I want to see what it feels like it to win it twice.

"At the moment there are only two guys on the grid who have won it twice (Schumacher and Alonso), and it would be immense to win it two years running with two different teams."

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