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Latest Information on sports world, sports worldwide, sports news, sports games like Tennis, Cricket, Olympics, Football and many more games...Australian player unease over Pakistan tour
2007-12-30
Several Australian players may withdraw from next year's tour to Pakistan even if Cricket Australia's security team gives a positive account after its February pre-tour inspection, according to reports here.
The assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and subsequent unrest -- as well as uncertainty over scheduled January 8 elections -- have placed a question mark over the tour.
Australia are due to play three Tests, five one-day internationals, and a Twenty20 match in Pakistan in March and April.
The decision could be made for the players if the votes does not go ahead, with Cricket Australia unlikely to approve the tour if the polls are postponed and political instability continues, reports said.
Test all-rounder Andrew Symonds voiced his concerns over touring Pakistan, but reports said another Australian Test player revealed that security fears are widespread throughout the team.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the player told The Sydney Morning Herald there was a possibility that a number of players would withdraw even if Cricket Australia gives the go-ahead.
"People are concerned, there is no doubt about it," the player said. "These are genuine concerns, and there are obviously a few issues to sort through.
"It would be naive to think that everybody was rosy with going. Some people are going to have stronger opinions on it than others.
"Cricket Australia are going to send a security delegation, and we will all be very interested in what they have to say, but in the end it's an individual decision, and I don't think you could say 100 percent that every individual is going to be OK with it."
"We're all aware of what's going on at the moment, and there is obviously a fair bit of time before the tour, so things could calm down," the player went on.
"Quite a few of the boys have been there before, either with the national team or on A-team tours, so there's a bit of knowledge about what lies ahead.
"Having said that, the landscape has changed quite a lot since Australian teams were there, so we'll just have to wait and see what information comes back from CA."
Australian Cricketers' Association chief executive Paul Marsh said he will brief the players on the crisis in Pakistan while they are in Sydney for this week's second Test against India.
Marsh said each player was legally entitled to make an individual decision about touring Pakistan without breaching his contract, as leg-spinner Stuart MacGill did in withdrawing from the 2004 tour of Zimbabwe for moral reasons.
"We want to reach a collective decision but the players obviously have that ultimate right," the players' union chief said.
"We would rather it's a one-in, all-in either way, but if a player comes to us and says that if the tour was to proceed they don't want to go, then we would support that and we believe the players are entitled to do that.
"The players have the right to make a decision. If Cricket Australia decided the tour should proceed, the players will obviously then be faced with the decision, do we go or do we individually or collectively decide not to go?"
However, Marsh said Cricket Australia and the ACA had a track record of making the right calls about security and it was premature to make a decision on Pakistan.
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Bangladesh vs New Zealand - 31st Dec 07
2007-12-30
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| Batting: Bangladesh Innings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Fall Of Wickets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/3 (Junaid Siddique, 2.6 ov.), 2/41 (Tamim Iqbal, 15.3 ov.), 3/44 (Mohammad Ashraful, 17.4 ov.), 4/46 (Tushar Imran, 18.5 ov.), 5/73 (Aftab Ahmed, 28.2 ov.), 6/74 (Shakib Al Hasan, 28.5 ov.), 7/78 (Mushfiqur Rahim, 30.1 ov.), 8/85 (Farhad Reza, 32.5 ov.), 9/93 (Mashrafe Mortaza, 36.6 ov.), 10/93 (Abdur Razzak, 37.5 ov.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling: New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Batting: New Zealand Innings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Bowling: Bangladesh | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The Teams |
| New Zealand: Jamie How , Brendon McCullum (w) , Peter Fulton , Scott Styris , Ross Taylor , Jacob Oram , Mathew Sinclair , Daniel Vettori (c) , Kyle Mills , Michael Mason , Chris Martin , Mark Gillespie (sub) , Jeetan Patel (sub) Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal , Junaid Siddique , Mohammad Ashraful (c) , Aftab Ahmed , Tushar Imran , Shakib Al Hasan , Farhad Reza , Mushfiqur Rahim (w) , Mashrafe Mortaza , Abdur Razzak , Shahadat Hossain , Javed Omar (sub) , Mehrab Hossain jnr (sub) , Syed Rasel (sub) , Nazmul Hossain (sub) , Rajin Saleh (sub) , Sajidul Islam (sub) |
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India ready to snatch series from Ponting –it is about time for India to establish as cricket supreme
2007-12-30
The warm up match is on. India is settling down in Australia to create a history. This is perhaps the biggest challenge Aussies and Ponting are facing in Cricket. They are nervous. They know they face a team India that is comprised of young energy and heavy end experience.
A team where captaincy rotates with out politics, a team with virtually no coach but performs fantastic is always difficult to beat. Indian cricket team now is programmed to win. They play as a team. They dream as a team.
The way India handled Pakistan, gives a big headache to the Aussies especially Ponting. There is one in three chance that Aussies will perform miserably in the series against Indians. Indians are also eager to throw Ponting back the misbehavior and all anti-India clamor.
The spirit is similar to that of Kapil Dev's team that won World Cup.
India lost Sourav Ganguly (59) early and reached 133 for four during a brief session on day two as rain continued to plague their warm-up match against Victoria here on Friday. At the warm up match I had the opportunity to talk to team members of India. They are all ready to take on the Australians.
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Yuvraj Singh was astonished as the umpires hand went up
2007-12-30
Yuvraj Singh was astonished as the umpires hand went up. The sound came from bat hitting pad and the ball was inches away from the bad. Yuvi looked at the umpire again and again. But Ponting's ugly cheating machine was turned on as Indians tried to play cricket. Aussie TV commentators made fun how the Aussies ‘got' the Indians. Cheating is nothing new of Ponting and the Australians. But cheating of this magnitude is rearely seen - it is a day time robbery.
BCCI has to be careful. India has the right to take appropriate step s to stop cheating.
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India set to Aussie challenge of 499 to win – all eyes on Dravid Saurav and Sachin
2007-12-30
India has done it before. Can India do it again? The Aussie captain challenged India with a straight 2-day 499 targets to win. It is do or die battle for Indian batting. India is 6 runs for no loss at the end of the day.
All eyes are on Dravid, Saurav and Sachin. Can they deliver?
Indian team bowled well but Aussies were able to gain runs at brisk rate on the third day. There are two days left and 493 runs to win. If India can do it, it will be world record.
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Eriksson happy with draw
2007-12-30
Sven-Goran Eriksson said he was happy after watching Manchester City hold Liverpool to a goal-less draw to go into the New Year still unbeaten at home.
City had to hold firm, with captain Richard Dunne outstanding as Liverpool had the better of the play and the game's few chances.
Dunne had to clear a parried Dirk Kuyt header off the line with five minutes to go, while on 47 minutes, Spanish striker Fernando Torres had two great chances but could not score.
City's resolute defending helped them claim the draw which keeps them in fifth place in the league, just a point behind fourth placed Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Praising his players, Eriksson said: "I think we defended very well. (It was) a good game, not a lot of chances for neither team.
"We were tired at the end. I think it means a lot - Liverpool had one more day, we had one day less between this game and the last game we played.
Happy
"But I am happy - one point, which is good. A clean sheet, which is good against a team like Liverpool.
"We suffered at the end but we did well, very well."
He denied that the way he had set up his team meant that his priority was not to lose, saying: "We always try to win."
The City boss added the only reason why striker Rolando Bianchi was left on the bench as they wanted pace up front.
"We hoped to beat them in pace with Stephen Ireland, Vassell and Petrov. We didn't but we were very close to come through many times and that was the plan but we defended well, that was good."
Asked if he was disappointed that they hardly made Liverpool keeper Reina make a save, he said: "Of course - we always try to do that but (we are) not disappointed.
"When you play like we did and the other team is Liverpool you can't be disappointed.
Win
"We are not 100 per cent happy because we wanted to win the game but, anyhow, I think the boys did very well."
Asked if the performance showed they can contend with the top four and they are now knocking on the door, the Swede joked: "Good question - middle of January, ask me again!"
Eriksson said "we are going to do something" when asked about the transfer window.
"I don't know if it is going to happen from the first week of January but it will happen," he said, although he did not wish to name his targets.
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Hughes delight with win
2007-12-30
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes was pleased his side were able to battle from going a goal behind to secure a 2-1 win over Derby.
Roque Santa Cruz and David Bentley scored after Derby had gone ahead through Matt Oakley.
Rovers were relieved to see Derby miss a penalty when they were 1-0 down, but Hughes was happy with his team.
"There was shades of the last few games but once again we have shown great character, a great response from us and we got into the lead for the first time for many weeks and I think in the end that relaxed us and enabled us to see the game out," he told Sky Sports.
"We had a number of chances and could have finished it off earlier but there is always a threat if they hit a long ball in the box and until the whistle goes you are never sure but we are delighted with that win."
Bentley praise
Hughes was full of praise for Man of the Match Bentley - and he suggested that was party down to their decision to withdraw him from the England squad for last's summer European Under-21 Championship.
"He is playing exceptionally well at the moment, you can see in his general play and the influence he is having on the game," he said.
"In the summer we made the decision for the benefit of David he needed to get some rest because he had a hard season and now we are reaping the benefits and David is as well."
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Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was not too downhearted after team failed to close gap
2007-12-30
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was not too downhearted after his team failed to close the gap on the league leaders by collecting three points at Manchester City.
Despite having the better of the play and the game's best chances, Liverpool were held to a goalless draw as City remained resolute, with captain Richard Dunne outstanding.
Dunne had to clear a parried Dirk Kuyt header off the line with five minutes to go, while on 47 minutes, Spanish striker Fernando Torres had two great chances.
The draw sees Liverpool stay in fourth place in the Premier League, ten points behind leaders Arsenal, but with a game in hand.
Despite failing to break City down, Benitez could not criticise his players.
Good
"It was a good game, good effort. The team was playing really well, creating chances and normally with these games you finish winning but today we couldn't."
Benitez added his team had their chances to win and in the last 15 minutes were on top of City.
"I think that the keeper and the defenders were really good because we had some good chances," the Spaniard added.
"We had our chances, we were creating a lot. Away against City, they have this fantastic record, it wasn't easy and we did a good job."
Asked if he was comfortable about Liverpool's position in the table after seeing his team fail to close the gap with the leaders further, he said: "Not really, we want to progress in the table but today I think you can not say anything to the players .
Accuracy
"I think they were working really hard and playing well and creating chances.
"That is football - you must keep going, trying to do the same and with more accuracy."
Asked about possible activity in transfer window, Benitez confirmed Liverpool have some targets and it is not a question of money.
"I think we will bring the players that we need, maybe one, maybe two," he said. "We are very close".
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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his players
2007-12-30
Fergie warns players - Ferguson says he will axe stars if they misbehave
Last updated: 30th December 2007
Ferguson is thought to be unhappy after the club found itself in the headlines for the wrong reasons following the players' Christmas party earlier this month.
The wily Scot admits controlling players has grown more difficult, but he insists he will not tolerate any of his players tarnishing the image of the club.
"Football has changed but you cannot lose your control," said Ferguson.
Changes
"We make changes here at Manchester United when we see anyone interfering with that control. When we see this it's time for them to go."
"Times have changed for me as a manager.
"But this club is based on everyone together. When anyone starts going off at tangents you have to make changes."
Ferguson also hit out at the celebrity culture within football in the modern game.
"What annoys me about some footballers today is the personal glory thing," added Ferguson
"They score a goal and knock players out of the road so they can get personal gratification and play to the fans.
"The present day footballer needs to be noticed with his ear-rings and tattoos. But people in general need to be noticed, it's not just footballers.
"They don't go to small, intimate restaurants, they go to places that are big and bright where you are seen and get noticed. It is difficult to control."
Ferguson, who celebrates his 66th birthday on New Year's Eve, says he has no plans to retire from football as he believes the current United squad is the best he has ever had.
Retirement
"Absolutely no doubt about that, retirement is not on the agenda," he said.
"The potential of this group of players is the best I have ever had. There is great enthusiasm about the place, a great team spirit and a good drive.
"We are going for three trophies and there is a great enthusiasm, drive and consistency about the place. I think we can handle anything."
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Twelve Days of Christmas - Test Match Special over past 6 weeks in Sri Lanka
2007-12-30
Instead of the Twelve Days of Christmas, I offer you my 12 top memories from producing Test Match Special over the past six weeks here in Sri Lanka.
1) The sight of groups of Buddhist monks clambering onto the roof of a nearby building to watch as Muttiah Muralitharan took his world record breaking wicket at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy.
I will, of course, be telling my grandchildren that I witnessed history, although to be honest at the exact moment when Murali bowled Paul Collingwood to reach the special landmark I was messing around in my kit bag trying to find an extra microphone for the lunchtime guest.
2) Matthew Hoggard leading the pack of England players as they searched for a snake discovered just beyond the boundary edge at the Colombo Cricket Club during England's opening warm-up match.
3) Finding out that Steve Harmison's entry into that same warm-up match was delayed because his favourite pair of bowling boots had gone missing in transit. Even if you are a top international cricketer, your luggage can still go awol. He certainly made the most of them once they arrived, producing some hostile spells during the Tests in Colombo and Galle.
4) The exceptionally helpful team working for Ten Sports and Sky Television. You may imagine that radio and television are great rivals and wouldn't dream of helping each other, but that is far from the truth and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for all the assistance they gave us throughout the tour.
5) The honours board located next to our commentary position in Kandy which marked the winners of "The Best Physique Contest" with a special prize awarded to the "Muscular Boy". The name JP Agnew appeared below in handwriting which looked suspiciously like that of Angus Fraser.
6) Mahela Jayawardene - a brilliant and prolific batsman who is wonderful to watch and one of the most helpful players to deal with off the field. I must also say that the England team and management were great to work with throughout the tour. The sight of Graeme Swann always smiling whenever he came onto the field, despite the obvious disappointment of not being selected to play his first Test, symbolised the excellent spirit in the squad.
7) Never getting tired of cracking the same joke - "Presumably you are about to give us a couple of verses of "Waterloo" and "Dancing Queen" - whenever our excellent Sri Lankan commentator Roshan Abeysinghe was about to broadcast (think about it !).
At least Roshan did not actually try singing on air unlike Simon Hughes. The "analyst" is a highly talented man, but I doubt we will see him performing on the next series of "The X Factor" after his never to be forgotten version of "In the Bleak Mid-winter".
8) Simon Hughes discovering that one of the prisoners who helped prepare the ground at Kandy was a huge fan of Jonathan Agnew's bowling - "I remember seeing him playing here....great bowler". The person who responded by suggesting that perhaps that was why he was locked up shall remain nameless.
9) The moment when comedy writer and actress Ruth Jones, who joined us for a "View from the Boundary" in Galle, discovered that Jonathan Agnew's cat had been named after her character Myfanwy in "Little Britain". She is of course in very good company following on from the Pekinese dog Aggers owns by the name of Hoggard.
10) Bees stopping play in Kandy. The amazing sight of players and umpires alike diving to the floor as a swarm of bees suddenly appeared in the middle of the pitch. A few cruel journalists suggested that it was England's first collapse of the tour.
11) The Galle Elephant. Our commentary position at Galle allows a wonderful view over not only the famous Dutch fort, but also the road that circles around the edge of the ground. Henry Blofeld would love the constant mix of buses and tuk tuks but he would have been in raptures at the sight of a huge elephant standing perfectly still as it was transported on the back of a lorry. Mike Selvey immediately asked if it was a trunk road.
12) All that went before was put into context by the highly emotional interview Jonathan Agnew conducted with Charlie Pelham and Spencer Crawley, two of the Harrow cricketers who were preparing to play a match at the Galle stadium when the 2004 tsunami struck. It is difficult to comprehend what they went through that day and it is amazing how they and so many others have since been able to make positive contributions to improve the lives of those Sri Lankans that suffered from the disaster.
Finally, I would like to thank all of you who have listened over the past month or so, especially to those of you who have been with us hiding under the bedclothes in the early hours of the morning - just one more 3.55am alarm call for you and you can have a lie in ready for Christmas.
May I take this opportunity to wish all Test Match Special listeners a very merry Christmas and best wishes for 2008. And thank you to all of you who have written, e-mailed, texted or contributed to the TMS blog. I am sorry we can't get all of them mentioned on the programme, but we really appreciate you getting in touch.
If you're hungry for more cricket, don't worry because we are just a few weeks away from bringing you more live coverage from England's tour of New Zealand. TMS will have commentary on all the matches, the first of which takes place on the 2nd of February.
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England series rankings - 187
2007-12-30
Truth be told, England have been pretty much outplayed by a superb Sri Lanka side on their home soil, conceding the series 1-0 despite battling for a draw in the final Test.TMS analyst Simon Hughes has given his marks out of 10 for the England players. Do you agree with them?
Michael Vaughan - 6/10
Failed to convert despite making several promising starts. In patches he batted so fluently he looked like he was trying to regain his one-day international place!
I was a little disappointed with his captaincy which was a little formulaic at times.
Alastair Cook - 7/10
Continued his batting education and finally managed to convert a good start with a match-saving century at Galle. But he needs to work on his fielding especially close to the wicket.
Ian Bell - 7/10
The stylist of the team looking at ease against all types of bowling. His two innings at Kandy were particularly impressive. However, if I were to be critcal I'd say his main fault is that he continues to give his wicket away when he is well set.
Kevin Pietersen - 4/10
His dismissal in Colombo, flashing at a wide one from Chaminda Vaas, underlines the pressure of expectation he feels to dominate. But he has been unable to do so here as he would have liked. Was out-thought by Murali and Jayawardene in the second innings at Galle to complete his first Test series without scoring a single half-century.
Paul Collingwood - 7/10
Workmanlike as ever and marshalled the lower order very well on a couple of occasions, but nothing spectacular. Bowling was useful at times.
Ravi Bopara - 3/10
Got himself into the side by showing real promise and energy at the start of the tour with batting, bowling and fielding. But unfortunately at the moment he looks well out of his depth at Test level symbolised by his chaotic first-ball dismissal in the second innings at Galle.
Matt Prior - 5/10
Held his own with the bat and kept pretty well in the first two Tests. But he had a shocker with the gloves at Galle and may soon be jettisoned.
Ryan Sidebottom - 6/10
He kept running in willingly in alien conditions and was unlucky with dropped catches off his bowling. But apart from in Colombo he rarely struck gold and looked very tired by the end. On the plus side he batted with guts.
Steve Harmison - 8/10
Shades of his best in his later bowling in Colombo where he dragged life out of a dead pitch and never stinted from effort. Could not have done much more.
Matthew Hoggard - 7/10
Bowled superbly in Kandy to reduce Sri Lanka to 44-5 , but then he suffered a recurrence of his back injury and was not as effective when he returned.
Monty Panesar - 4/10
Found the going hard against expert players of spin and struggled with rhythm and the burden of expectation.
James Anderson - 4/10
Difficult to judge on just one appearance. But he didn't seem to have any weapons that could make an impact and couldn't contain the Sri Lankan batsman.
Stuart Broad - 4/10
Enthusiastic but needs more strength and penetration to perform at this level.
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England outplayed by Sri Lanka - 117
2007-12-30
England outplayed by Sri Lanka (117)
22 Dec 07, 11:26 AM
Saved predominately by the weather, England managed to hobble home with just one Test defeat against Sri Lanka but, as anyone who saw the series would verify, that was not a fair reflection of the balance between the two teams.
Sri Lanka is not an easy place to tour. Hot and humid, the only real preparation for playing cricket here is by playing cricket here.
It seems no matter how much time you spend running and pumping iron in the air conditioned gym, nothing comes remotely close to matching the exertion of bowling or batting for long periods.
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FA Cup - Wolves to help Chasetown prepare
2007-12-30
| Wolves to help Chasetown prepare | ||
The Staffordshire side will use the facilities at Compton the day before the game, which is on 5 January. "This is the best Christmas present we could have wished for," Chasetown manager Charlie Blakemore told the Wolves website. "It adds to the magic of the FA Cup and it will be another great memory for the lads to take away from our cup run." | ||
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Liverpool held by gritty Man City
2007-12-30
Manchester City survived a second-half onslaught to prevent Liverpool ending 2007 with three league wins in a row.Fabio Aurelio came closest to scoring in a cagey first half, his long-range strike tipped over by City's Joe Hart.
Fernando Torres squandered two good chances and Hart palmed away a fierce effort from Yossi Benayoun as the Reds poured forward after the interval.
Dirk Kuyt had a glorious opportunity in the 87th minute but Hart and Richard Dunne combined to clear his header.
It meant Liverpool will go into the new year 10 points behind leaders Arsenal, with a game in hand.
Their previous clash against Manchester opposition, a 1-0 defeat by United, had finished with searching questions being asked about their title credentials.
This time they will be wondering how they failed to see off a City team that could not get close to the fluency they began the season with.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez again shuffled his pack, making five changes to the team that stole three points at Derby in their last outing.
And with the hosts in the middle of an uncertain spell, following two successive draws in the league and a Carling Cup exit, both teams struggled to establish any attacking rhythm early on.
Indeed, considering the talent and reputations on display, the first quarter was surprisingly bereft of genuine quality.
 | If it wasn't for Dunne, we would've won 3-0 |
The first shot on target arrived after 25 minutes - a Harry Kewell strike collected by Hart at the second attempt - but it appeared to spark the game briefly into life.
A brave block from Jamie Carragher in the box denied City's subdued playmaker Elano a clear opening and Michael Ball deflected Kuyt's effort wide at the other end.
Reds defender Aurelio then twice came close to embarrassing Hart with two long-range strikes: the first bounced just past the post, while the second was helped over by the England Under-21 keeper's fingertips.
The game needed perking up and Liverpool did their best to break the deadlock with a flurry of chances in the opening 20 minutes of the second half.
Aurelio surged down the left and his cross fell at the feet of Torres, who shot tamely at Hart, with a fourth goal in three Premier League games beckoning.
Steven Gerrard then played the Spanish striker through after Stephen Ireland gave away possession, only for Torres' effort to roll wide after squirting through Hart's legs.
Although City were being roared on by the majority of a record Eastlands crowd all the action was taking place in their goalmouth.
Gerrard, who had gone close with a free-kick, strode through acres of space and the ball was worked through to Benayoun before the Israeli international unleashed a stinging drive that Hart palmed behind.
City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson replaced the off-colour Elano with Rolando Bianchi in a bid to ignite his team into action but his defensive players continued to be overworked.
Liverpool fans and Benitez were fuming when Dunne appeared to haul down Torres with the in-form forward in full flight.
Torres was then booked for a challenge on Micah Richards and the visitors' frustration was complete when the ball was worked back into the box after an Aurelio corner.
With the goal gaping, Kuyt failed to get enough power on his header, Hart clawed it away and Dunne hacked away from under the bar.
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Horse Racing - 45-year-old jockey had license revoked
2007-12-30
Agent urges disgraced Valenzuela to retire
45-year-old jockey had license revoked after being arrested for DUI
 ARCADIA, Calif. - Jockey Patrick Valenzuela, whose license was revoked by the California Horse Racing Board on Friday after a recent charge of driving under the influence of alcohol, should retire and not attempt another comeback, according to his agent, Tom Knust. Speaking on Friday, hours after Valenzuela learned his conditional license was revoked for a DUI in Upland, Calif., on Dec. 20, Knust said that the 45-year-old jockey has been battling weight problems in recent months. Knust said he advised Valenzuela to quit riding after a 29-year career that includes a victory in the 1989 Kentucky Derby aboard Sunday Silence and seven wins in Breeders' Cup races. Valenzuela had been riding under a conditional license issued by the racing board that mandated random drug testing. The license dictated that he abstain from consuming or possessing alcohol or entering "a public place where alcohol is the principal commodity for sale or use," according to a statement released by the racing board Friday. Because of the DUI, Valenzuela may be unable to gain another racing license in California. "The chances of him riding again are very slim," Knust said. "My suggestion to him was he's got to live and pay bills and he's got a family to support. He may have to look at other career opportunities. "The weight deal is a big thing for him. Trying to diet all the time and reduce, I think with some people it's too much pressure. Maybe he puts too much pressure on himself." Knust said that Valenzuela has had significant trouble trying to keep his weight close to his riding assignments. "I think he'd be a lot happier human being if he wasn't riding," Knust said. "There has to be a better way to live than the way he's living. I think he knows that he screwed up. I know the weight thing has been a big problem for him. It's unfortunate." Valenzuela did not return a phone call seeking comment. Valenzuela's career has been plagued by substance-abuse problems that have led to numerous interruptions. Valenzuela returned to riding in November after an 11-month break because of knee and rib injuries. Since returning to riding at Zia Park in New Mexico on Nov. 3, and shifting his tack to Hollywood Park on Nov. 17, Valenzuela had won 12 races from 106 mounts. |
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NFL - NBA - NHL - MLB - PGA - NASCAR
2007-12-30
Blazers run away to 13th straight victory
Roy, Outlaw spark late 21-0 run against 76ers
 Don Ryan / AP Portland forward Travis Outlaw throws down a dunk over Philadelphia forward Rodney Carney on Sunday. |
PORTLAND, Ore. - While Brandon Roy is Portland's top scorer, the Trail Blazers look to Travis Outlaw in the fourth quarter.
Outlaw, a reserve, was 1-for-7 from the floor for the first three quarters, but took over in the fourth as the Blazers went on a 21-0 run to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 97-72 on Sunday for their league-leading 13th straight win.
Outlaw finished with 12 points, 10 of them coming in the fourth quarter. And it's becoming a familiar pattern for the 6-foot-9 forward, who seems to always jump out to a slow start, but still ranks third on the Blazers with an average of 14.6 points during the streak.
"I always tell Travis at the beginning of the fourth quarter that it's a new game: 'Come out and do what you do,"' Roy said. "He's tough to guard because if you put somebody small on him he can shoot right over the top and if you put a big man on him he can drive around him. Travis really gives us a threat in the fourth quarter."
Roy had 22 points to lead the Blazers to their second-longest winning streak in team history. Portland won 16 straight in the 1990-91 season.
Trailing 63-59 in the third quarter, the Blazers went on (18-12) to hold the 76ers scoreless over the next 8:21. Philadelphia scored just nine points in the fourth quarter.
Outlaw sealed the game with an acrobatic dunk, bringing his arm around 180 degrees over Rodney Carney and stuffing the ball to make it 82-66.
Outlaw said the last time he tried to dunk on Carney he got blocked.
"I thought, 'Oh no, here we go again,"' Outlaw said. He joked that he'd probably replay tape of the play "about 30 times."
James Jones also had 12 points for the Blazers. Steve Blake added 11.
Andre Iguodala had 24 points for the 76ers, and Andre Miller added 17 points and 11 assists. The loss snapped a three-game winning streak.
The Blazers will try to extended the streak on Monday when they visit the Utah Jazz, but they'll be without coach Nate McMillan, who is attending a funeral. Assistant coach Dean Demopoulos will take over in his absence.
The youngest team in the NBA, Portland started its run with a Dec. 3 victory at Memphis after going 5-12 to start the season. Ten of the team's 13 victories have come at the Rose Garden, where the Blazers are 15-3.
"I don't think I've been with a team that's done this," McMillan said. "This is difficult to do in this league, to go on this type of streak."
The Blazers led by as many as five points in the first half until Louis Williams' 3-pointer for Philadelphia tied it at 25. The 76ers could not pull ahead and Portland re-took the lead with Channing Frye's layup and Sergio Rodriguez's 3-pointer.
Philadelphia was undeterred, going on a 14-2 run - capped by Iguodala's dunk - to lead 45-36 at the half.
Miller, who went 0-for-6 from the floor in the first quarter, had 11 points in the second for the 76ers.
Philadelphia pushed its lead to as many as 11 in the third quarter, but the Blazers chipped away, closing to within 61-59 on Blake's 3-pointer.
After Williams made a layup for the 76ers, Jones made three straight free throws for Portland to narrow it to 63-62 at the end of the third quarter - the first points of the 20-0 run.
Roy, last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, has scored 20-plus points in 10 of the Blazers' games during the streak, and has been honored as the NBA's player of the week twice during the span.
The current streak surpasses a 12-game winning streak the team had in 2001-02. Current 76ers coach Maurice Cheeks was head coach for Portland at the time.
"They're a great bunch, this is a great place to play and a great place to coach," Cheeks said. "If you've got good guys and you're playing good basketball, it's going to be like this."
Gordan Giricek, who was traded to the 76ers on Saturday by the Utah Jazz for Kyle Korver, was with the team but didn't play. Giricek had fallen out of favor with Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. He averaged 4.3 points in 22 games for Utah this season and has a career average of 9.8 points in six seasons.
Notes: The Blazers honored team founder Harry Glickman during the game as part of a season-long celebration of the team's history. Glickman, who retired in 1994, said he was encouraged by the way the young Blazers were bringing back fans that had fallen away during the so-called "Jail Blazers" era. "I think they're pointed in the right direction," Glickman said. "They've done a good job in turning it around." ... Rodney Carney made his fourth straight start for the 76ers.
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Australian Sports Tours - Domestic One Day Internationals
2007-12-29
Domestic One Day Internationals
2007/08
This summer's One Day International Cricket will commence with the 3 match Commonwealth Bank Chappell - Hadlee Trophy, which will see old rivals Australia and New Zealand battle it out to take home the honours. The last series between these two teams produced some unbelievable contests and none better than in the last two games where New Zealand twice chased scores of over 330 runs to claim victory and the series.
Commonwealth Bank Chappell-Hadlee Trophy
Commonwealth Bank Series
*Australian Sports Tours selling all packages to Melbourne, Sydney and Perth in conjunction with Events Worldwide. |
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List of Sports and Games
2007-12-29
This system has a disadvantage because some sports may fit in more than one category. Here they are only listed in one.
Basketball
Football
Archery
Swimming
Skeet Shooting
Wrestling
Pool Playing
Synchronized Swimming
Volleyball
Badminton
Baseball
Boxing
Canoeing
Cycling
Tennis
Gymnastics
Hockey
Karate
Hang Gliding
Parachuting
Water Skiing
Down Hill Skiing
Cross Country Skiing
Water Polo
Bowling
Racket ball
Darts
Foosball
Decathlon
Hunting
Speed Skating
Figure Skating
Handball
Rowing
Sailing
Synchronized Swimming
Table Tennis
Triathlon
Weight Lifting
Crochet
Horseshoes
Bocce Ball
Soccer
Rugby
Motorcycle Racing
Automobile Racing
Aquatics
Archery
Equestrian
Fencing
Judo
Modern Pentathlon
Rowing
Taekwondo
Biathlon
Bobsleigh
Curling
Ice Hockey
Luge
Golf
Roller Skating
Surfing
Scuba Diving
Mountaineering and Climbing
Squash
Sumo Wrestling
Wushu
Chess
Netball
Kayaking
Snowshoeing
Mountain Biking
Sprint Running
Cross Country Running
Power Walking
Snow Sledding
Paint ball
Rock Climbing
Hiking
Roller Skating
Ice Skating
Fishing
Water Tubing
Boomerang
Cricket
Cheerleading
Jai Alai
Fencing
Paddle Ball
Lacrosse
Pétanque
Skateboarding
Tchoukball
Track and Field
Bird Watching
Horseback Riding
Prospecting
Snow Biking
White Water Rafting
Water Snorkling
Dog Sledding
Sport Fishing
River Rafting
Whale Watching
Sky Diving
Camping
Inline Skating
Metal Detecting
Bull Fighting
Falconry
Dog Training
Rodeo Riding
Snow Boarding
Shuffle Board
Flag Football
Fox Hunting
Model Flying
Remote Control Boating
Medicine Ball
Hot Air Ballooning
Wheelchair Basketball
Caving
Diving
Modern Dance
Classical Dance
Para Gliding
Knee Boarding
Yachting
Land Sailing
Jump Roping
Sombo
Tug of War
Wind Surfing
Yoga
Stunt Plane Flying
Train Collecting
Biathlon
Log Rolling
Tree Topping
Body Building
High Jump
Long Jump
Snooker
Contents [hide]
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[edit] Air sports
- Aerobatics
- Aerials
- Ballooning
- BASE jumping
- Hang gliding
- Parachuting
- Paragliding
- Red Bull Air Race
- Wingsuit flying
- Sky diving
- Bungee jumping
[edit] Animal sports
- Angling
- Bull riding
- Bull fighting
- Dog sports: See List of dog sports
- Camel racing
- Elephant polo
- Ferret legging
- Hamster racing
- Pigeon sport
- Sport fishing
- Surf fishing
- Equestrianism
- Steeplechase
- Equestrianism
- Thoroughbred racing
- Western Pleasure
- Harness racing
- Pato
- Polo
- Chilean rodeo
- Buzkashi
- Dressage
- Hunter-jumpers
- Combined training
- Vaulting
[edit] Athletics (track and field)
- Cross-Country
- Jumping
- Triple jump
- Long jump
- High jump
- Pole vault
- Gymnastics
- Throwing
- Discus
- Hammer throw
- Javelin
- Atlatl
- Shot put
- Race walking
[edit] Boardsports
Sports that are played with some sort of board as the primary equipment.
[edit] Combat sports Generally sports in which athletes fight or combat each other, usually one-on-one.
[edit] Court sports Other than Racquet sports
[edit] Cycling Sports using bicycles or unicycles.
[edit] Electronic Sports Sports played with information technology and usually based on simulations:
[edit] Endurance sports
[edit] Entertainment sports | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[edit] Gymnastics
[edit] Miscellaneous
[edit] Motor vehicle racing
[edit] Multiple sports
[edit] Racquet (or racket) sports Sports where a player use a racquet (or racket) to hit a ball or other objects.
[edit] Radiosport
[edit] Skating sports
[edit] Snowsports
[edit] Sled sports
[edit] Strength sports Sports mainly based on sheer power.
[edit] Major Strength Sport Requres skill, power (more importantly), balance and athletic ability:
[edit] Table sports
[edit] Target sports Sports where the main objective is to hit a certain target.
[edit] Team sports Sports that involve teams.
[edit] Water sports Sports that are played in, on or near the water: (see List of water sports)
[edit] Windsports Sport which uses wind:
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Australia v India test series december 2007 photo gallery
2007-12-29
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Former sports presenter Des Lynam has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours
2007-12-29
| Profile: Des Lynam | ||
Former sports presenter Des Lynam has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours list. "This has been a splendid surprise and I feel truly privileged," Lyam said of the honour. Lynam, 65, fronted sports programmes such as Match of the Day and Grandstand on the BBC for more than 20 years until he defected to ITV in 1999. He began as a radio presenter in Sussex in the 1970s after quitting a job selling insurance. He left ITV in 2004, and since then he has hosted The World's Greatest Sporting Legend for Sky One and BBC One's coverage of the 60th anniversary of VE Day. He has also hosted a talk show on BBC Radio Five Live. Lifetime achievement Four years ago the Royal Television Society gave Lynam its lifetime achievement award and he has twice won Bafta's Richard Dimbleby Award for his contribution to factual television. And he named his autobiography after an endearing remark he made while introducing an important daytime football match during the World Cup in 1998. "Good afternoon," he said, raising an eyebrow slightly.
In late 2006, Lynam announced that he was stepping down as host of Channel 4's Countdown quiz show. Lyman had taken on the role in October 2005 after the sudden death of long-time host Richard Whiteley. Together with co-star Carol Vorderman, Whiteley had been the face of the words and numbers game for 23 years. Lynam said in 2005 that Channel 4 had approached him "out of the blue". "I was flattered and surprised to be asked to present Countdown - a show of which I have always been a fan," he said. In stepping down from the job, Lynam said the long commute to the tapings in Leeds from his home in West Sussex was taking its toll. | ||
Lynam was one of the faces of sport on the BBC for two decades
Lyman stepped down as host of Countdown in December 20060 Comments | Link to This | Back to top
Former Blair spokesman honoured
2007-12-29
| Former Blair spokesman honoured | ||
Tom Kelly, who worked in Downing Street from 2001 until this year, becomes a Companion of the Order of the Bath. He replaced the better-known Alastair Campbell as Mr Blair's spokesman, having been director of communications in the Northern Ireland Office. Mr Kelly was recently appointed as group director of public affairs by the British Airports Authority. Difficulties During his time in Downing Street, he was seen a more low-key character than Mr Campbell. Perhaps Mr Kelly's most difficult moment came during the "cash-for-honours" affair, when he failed to tell the press that Mr Blair was being interviewed by the police, having not been told himself. Among his duties in his new job is handling publicity surrounding the controversial planned expansion of Heathrow. Mr Kelly worked for the BBC in Belfast and London before joining the civil service. | ||
Mr Kelly replaced the more flamboyant Alastair Campbell0 Comments | Link to This | Back to top
Snooker star Higgins gets honour
2007-12-29
| Snooker star Higgins gets honour | |||
The "Wizard of Wishaw" ended a nine-year wait for his second world title in May, and capped a successful year with an honour he never expected. The 32-year-old said he was "stunned" because not many people involved in snooker had been given honours. However, Higgins insisted the MBE was no indication he was in the twilight of his career. Higgins, who picked up his first world title in 1998, is one of only five players who have won the title on more than one occasion at the Crucible in Sheffield. He said: "When I was asked if I'd like to receive an MBE, I was just stunned. "As a snooker player you don't expect awards like these.
"I'm just delighted. It's fantastic, a great thing to have." Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, John Parrott and Jimmy White have been honoured with MBEs previously, with Davis also receiving an OBE. Higgins said: "There's not many in snooker who have got such an honour. "It's a good thing for the sport that it is getting recognition." "I'm looking forward to the trip to Buckingham Palace now. I'll make sure my wife gets a new dress and hat and it'll be great to take the kids along in kilts." He added: "The people who have been awarded MBEs have maybe gone downhill a little bit afterwards. "I don't know if they think I'm going downhill but I hope I'm not. "I plan to be around quite a while longer." | |||
John Higgins won the world title for the second time earlier this year
It's a good thing for the sport that it is getting recognition 
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England rugby coach Brian Ashton and retired former skipper Jason Robinson are among the sport stars
2007-12-29
England rugby union coach Brian Ashton and retired former captain Jason Robinson are among the sportsmen and women featured in the New Year Honours.Ashton, who guided England to the World Cup final in October, is made an MBE and ex-Sale skipper and rugby league great Robinson becomes an OBE.
Brendan Foster, the 1976 Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist and founder of the Great North Run, is appointed CBE.
Snooker star John Higgins is made an MBE and broadcaster Des Lynam an OBE.
Gordon Taylor, the long-serving chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, is made an OBE, as is former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson for charitable services through the Willow Foundation.
| 606: DEBATE What do you make of the choices? Are there any worthy names left off? BBC Sport's Rob Hodgetts |
Peter Jones, the former chairman of the Horserace Totalisator Board (the Tote), is appointed CBE for services to racing.
Brian Cookson, president of the British Cycling Federation, is made an OBE, as is Mick Gault, who won 15 Commonwealth Games medals in shooting.
MCC head coach Clive Radley, ex-runner Derek Ibbotson and Frederick Seaward, head groundsman at Wimbledon, are all made MBEs.
| This award is not just for me, but for all who have been involved and helped me throughout my rugby career Brian Ashton |
After a mixed year and a poor start to the World Cup, including a 36-0 thrashing by South Africa in the pool stages, Ashton's men staged a defiant comeback, beating Australia and hosts France to reach the final, where they went down narrowly to the Springboks.
Ashton was reappointed England coach on an indefinite contract following a comprehensive post-World Cup review.
"I am honoured and privileged to receive an MBE," he said.
"This award is not just for me, but for all who have been involved and helped me throughout my rugby career."
 Foster equalled the 10,000m world record in 1978 |
Robinson, 33, had already been made an MBE after helping England to win the rugby union World Cup in 2003.
He made 281 appearances for Wigan and won 12 Great Britain caps before switching codes to join Sale Sharks in 2000.
The full-back, wing and occasional centre won the first of his 51 England caps the following year. He scored the only try in England's World Cup final victory in Sydney and was made captain in place of the injured Jonny Wilkinson in 2004.
Robinson, nicknamed "Billy Whizz", retired from Test rugby in 2005 but was persuaded to return by Ashton at the beginning of 2007 through to the end of the World Cup.
Robinson also skippered Sale to the Premiership title in 2006, and was selected for two Lions tours.
Ashton said of Robinson: "He has contributed so much to both union and league. I am delighted for him. He thoroughly deserves his OBE."
Foster, who will be 60 on 12 January, was made an MBE 31 years ago in recognition of his achievements in athletics, including his Olympic bronze in Montreal, where he was the sole British track medallist.
He also broke the two-mile world record in 1973 and the 3,000m record in 1974, as well as clinching European 5,000m gold in 1974 and Commonwealth Games 10,000m gold in 1978.
| I'm delighted at receiving the CBE but I would like to share this award with the 900,000 runners who have made the Great North Run such a huge success Brendan Foster |
After retiring from athletics following the 1980 Moscow Olympics, he forged a successful career as an administrator and broadcaster, but is most proud of the Great North Run, which he established in 1981.
"I'm delighted at receiving the CBE but I would very much like to share this award with the 900,000 runners of all abilities who over the years have made the Great North Run such a huge success," said Foster.
"Never in my imagination did I or my co-organisers realise that, after 12,500 finishers at the first event what now seems a lifetime ago, it would become so immensely popular."
The 32-year-old Higgins, nicknamed "the Wizard of Wishaw", turned professional in 1992 and won the world title in 1998 and 2007, as well as losing in the 2001 final to Ronnie O'Sullivan.
 Higgins won the world title in 1998 and 2007 |
"When I was asked if I'd like to receive an MBE, I was just stunned," said Higgins.
"As a snooker player you don't expect awards like these. I'm just delighted. It's fantastic, a great thing to have."
Veteran commentator Lynam, 65, is honoured for nearly four decades of broadcasting on sport for both the BBC, ITV and most recently Setanta. He also presented Channel 4's Countdown series for a year.
"This has been a splendid surprise and I feel truly privileged," he said.
| I've been in football for more than 70 years and I've thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it Ivor Powell |
The 63-year-old Taylor has worked for the PFA full time for the last 27 years since he succeeded Cliff Lloyd as secretary in 1980.
He said: "This is a nice honour for me personally and it is also lovely recognition for the PFA in our centenary year."
Kate Allenby, who won modern pentathlon bronze in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, is made an MBE for services to sport alongside Ivor Powell, the world's oldest active football coach.
The 91-year-old, a professional with Aston Villa, QPR and Blackpool and the winner of 14 Wales caps, has worked as a football coach at the University of Bath for more than 30 years.
"I've been in football for more than 70 years and I've thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it," said Powell, who had legendary Blackpool winger Stanley Matthews as the best man at his wedding.
"I'm 91 and I've still got something left in me to give. I'll stay in the game as long as I'm enjoying it."
Another veteran football coach honoured with an MBE is former Sheffield United and England goalkeeper Alan Hodgkinson.
Now 71, he has worked as goalkeeping coach with England, Scotland, Manchester United, Rangers, Manchester City, Everton, and currently Oxford United.
Recipients of honours are nominated by government departments, private sector organisations and individuals, and decisions are made by committees within the Cabinet Office.
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NFL Official fined game check for inappropriate contact with Barnett
2007-12-29
The NFL has fined official Jim Quirk a game check -- $8,150 -- for inappropriate contact with Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Barnett on Sunday.
Barnett
Quirk was summoned to NFL offices Friday to meet with commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL executive vice president of football operations Ray Anderson. In determining the penalty, the league took into account previous incidents, including Quirk's contact Dec. 16 with Atlanta Falcons fullback Jason Snelling on a kickoff return.
Goodell has informed Barnett and Packers head coach Mike McCarthy of the punishment. Barnett's agent, Chuck Price, who had planned to file a grievance with the NFL over Quirk's behavior, told ESPN's Chris Mortensen, "This action is more than satisfactory. There is now no reason to pursue a grievance."Quirk aggressively grabbed Barnett around the neck and pulled him to the ground during Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. McCarthy was critical of Quirk following the incident.
"I'll tell you what, I've never seen anything like that in all my years," McCarthy said. "I didn't see the whole thing but I thought the official was totally out of line the way he grabbed Nick around the neck and pulled him out of there.
"There was a lot going on throughout the game on both sides of the ball after the play was over. Their offensive line was getting after Nick a bunch down the stretch. And that goes on in these types of games. I didn't see all of it but I saw the end of it. I thought it was totally unprofessional. I thought it was totally out of hand," McCarthy said.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello has said McCarthy would not be disciplined for his remarks.
Neither Barnett nor McCarthy was available for comment Friday afternoon.
" Our organization has already addressed that issue and moved on to the Detroit game," Packers spokesman Jeff Blumb said.
Chris Mortensen covers the NFL for ESPN. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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FIA accepts McLaren apology over Ferrari data
2007-12-28
FIA accepts McLaren apology over Ferrari data
McLaren admitted on Thursday that an FIA investigation has revealed Ferrari data to have been more widely disseminated within the British team than they had previously thought. McLaren's move follows their receipt of a report produced by the FIA's technical department concerning the squad's 2008 car. |
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