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2008-01-08
Australian Tour for Indians
BONDING SESSION: The Indians, leaving behind the controversies surrounding them, relax with a game of beach volleyball at the Bondi beach in Sydney on Tuesday.
Canberra: The International Cricket Council (ICC) softened its stance on Tuesday, removing umpire Steve Bucknor from the third India-Australia Test and appointing a Code of Conduct Commissioner to hear the appeal against Harbhajan Singh's three-Test ban.
The moves have allowed room for manoeuvre out of the impasse the incidents of the second Test had led to.
With the hearing unlikely before the third Test, scheduled to be played at Perth from January 16, India will have the option of selecting the off-spinner.
The ICC Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed, said, "It is accepted that Steve (Bucknor), and his on-field colleague Mark Benson, did not have good games by their very high standards and we feel that given the added pressure and attention Steve's presence would have at the third Test, it is better for the match and for Steve himself if he does not take part."
Neither Bucknor nor Benson will stand in any of the remaining matches.
Bowden to stand
Billy Bowden will replace Bucknor and partner Asad Rauf at Perth.
Bowden and Rauf will also officiate in the fourth Test at Adelaide as originally scheduled.
Speed denied, however, that the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) protest against Bucknor and Benson had influenced the decision.
It may be recalled that just a day ago, the ICC had refused to entertain a change in umpires.
"It is important to stress that Steve (Bucknor) has not been replaced due to any representations made by any team or individuals," said Speed.
"The ICC remains the sole body responsible for the appointment of umpires and no team has the right to object to any appointment.
The decision by the ICC to replace Steve for this match was made in the best interests of the game and the series."
Madugalle for Perth
The ICC announced that chief referee Ranjan Madugalle will travel to Perth to help match referee Mike Procter and the two captains re-build an atmosphere of trust.
"We are bringing Ranjan in as a facilitator in an effort to prevent any ill-feeling that may have been present at the Sydney Test from rolling over to Perth," Speed said.
"Ranjan will remind the captains and other players of their responsibilities to conduct themselves in line with the Spirit of Cricket."
Drawing a parallel to the 2006 Oval Test, the only forfeited match in Test history, Speed said, "What we've seen over the last week is a lot of criticism of umpiring decisions, a lot of ill feeling. We could have taken a heavy-handed approach, a letter-of-law approach (as in 2006).
"But what we need to do is alleviate some of the tension focussed on this match. One of the things we need to do is bring in a new umpires' team. This gives us an opportunity to move on."
Judge to be appointed
Speed said a "very senior judge" will be appointed in the next 24 hours to hear the appeal against the finding that Harbhajan was guilty of making a racist remark to Andrew Symonds. "That involves some 10 players and officials," he said.
"Some of them are in Canberra, some of them have gone home. They'll be gathering in Perth ahead of the Test some time next week. I simply don't know whether it will be able to happen before that Test."
Harbhajan will be able to play pending the verdict of the appeal, which Speed confirmed would include re-telling of the evidence Procter heard at the SCG on Sunday night. Harbhajan had denied using the word "monkey" in Procter's hearing.
Hogg chargedMeanwhile, Australian spinner Brad Hogg has been charged under Level 3 of the ICC's Code of Conduct by Indian team manager Chetan Chauhan following an alleged incident during the final day of the second Test at Sydney.
Hogg has been accused of making an offensive remark to Indian captain Anil Kumble and vice-captain M.S. Dhoni during India's second innings on Sunday.
The preliminary date for the hearing is set for January 14 in Perth.
The alleged offence has been reported under paragraph 3.3 of the Code of Conduct which refers to players or team officials ‘using language or gestures that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, gender, colour, descent, or national or ethic origin.'
The penalty for a Level 3 offence is a ban of between two and four Test matches, or four and eight one-day internationals.
Welcome diversion
Meanwhile the Indian team, under instructions from the BCCI to stay in Sydney until further instructions, kept itself occupied with sessions in the gym.
The ‘team-bonding session' at Bondi, organised by trainer Gregory King, included a spot of volleyball, a trip to the life-guard tower, an optional swim, and a few stress-relieving giggles.
The move made eminent sense as it offered a change of scenery and an opportunity for fitness work. As Mike Brearley pointed out, few things so drain the mind as the confines of a hotel room.
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Sports deptt officer misbehaves with journo covering PHL
2008-01-08
CHANDIGARH, December 29: A senior officer of Chandigarh's sports department allegedly misbehaved with a news agency journalist covering the Premier Hockey League (PHL), leading to protests by scribes here on Saturday.Journalists were up in arms against Joint Director Sports J P S Sidhu for his alleged "misbehaviour" with a journalist from a premier news agency last night.
The incident took place after Chandigarh Dynamos beat Sher-e-Jalandhar last night. The journalist headed for the parking area after filing his match report but was asked by a security guard to leave the stadium premises immediately.
The scribe reported the matter to the concerned officer who put the entire blame on organisers - ESPN and Leisure Sports Management - maintaining that the two companies had specifically asked the sports department here to get the stadium vacated by one and all by 2015 hours.
"Such a statement by the responsible officer who is at the helm of affairs of the event was unwarranted as the matches end by 1945 hours or at times 2030 hours and it takes media persons some time to file match reports," the protesting journalists, who will boycott all the functions of Chandigarh Sports Department, said.
When Sidhu was ghearoed by journalists Saturday at the entrance of the stadium he said that he had removed the gate keeper from duty for his misbehaviour.
"I have shunted out the gate keeper from duty this morning for his misbehaviour," the officer told reporters.
Meanwhile, representatives and senior office bearers of Chandigarh Sports Journalist Association, Chandigarh punjab Union of Journalist, Electronic Media Association and Punjab Chandigarh journalist association condemned the "behaviour and attitude" of the concerned officer.
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Steve Bucknor has been playing against India
2008-01-08
Steve Bucknor has been playing against India for a long time""They should use technology more and allow batsmen to ask for the third umpire"
"The Australian fielders, more or less, they cheated"
CHENNAI: "Atrocious... A horror show... The Australians are playing with thirteen players. It seems like the umpires are also on their team."
The city's cricket enthusiasts are up in arms against the poor umpiring decisions in the second Test between India and Australia, which ended with defeat for the Indians on Sunday.
More than nine thousand km away from the Sydney Cricket Ground, many ardent fans in Chennai woke early on Sunday morning to track the final hours of the tense contest, only to be left disappointed by umpires Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson.
"I don't know whether they did it on purpose or whether they went to sleep, but the Indian team should make a complaint. This happens only when India plays in foreign lands," said retired banker V. Ramanan.
Businessman T.S. Narayanaswamy had delayed his return from Tirupati to Chennai in order to watch the match, but was left fuming at the way the umpires cost India the Test. "Steve Bucknor has been playing against India for a long time. He actually seemed quite enthusiastic to put up his hands [to signal a wicket] with a smile on his face," he said.
Dearth of good umpires
"There is a dearth of good umpires. They should use technology more and allow batsmen to ask for the third umpire," he added.
"If it hadn't been for the wrong decisions, India would have easily won the match," said a disappointed A. Hashwanth, who avidly followed the match despite preparing for Class 12 examinations.
Apart from the umpires, he was most indignant at Australian captain Ricky Ponting and fielder Michael Clarke who appealed against Saurav Ganguly despite the fact that the catch was not cleanly taken. "The Australian fielders, more or less, they cheated," he said.
Blatant mistake
Architect John S. Rajan agreed. "Rahul Dravid's dismissal was a blatant mistake. Adam Gilchrist was in a perfect position to know that the bat was nowhere near the ball and still, without even batting an eyelid, he started jumping up and down. That kind of aggressive appealing just puts pressure on the umpires," he said.
In the face of such dishonesty, it was ridiculous that umpire Mark Benson had then taken Ponting's word on the Ganguly catch, rather than consulting his colleague at square leg or the third umpire, said Mr. Rajan.
Pat for Indians
His mother, who watched the match with him, gave credit to the Indians' attitude. "They reacted very graciously, without making a fuss, unlike how the Australians acted," she said.
"They proved they were the better team, integrity-wise," said software professional Gokulakrishnan T.G. "There are more important things than winning."
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Bucknor would not be - umpire third Test in Perth
2008-01-08
Bucknor won't umpire third Test in Perth
January 8, 2008 - 5:21PM
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Umpire Steve Bucknor will not stand in the third cricket Test between Australia and India in Perth, International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Malcolm Speed said on Tuesday.
Bucknor will be replaced by New Zealand's Billy Bowden.
India had demanded Bucknor be stood down from the Test following their anger towards his performance in the second Test in Sydney.
Umpiring was one issue India were unhappy with following that match, along with the three-Test suspension imposed on spinner Harbhajan Singh.
Speed acknowledged some people would be unhappy given India had requested Bucknor be stood down.
"I can understand that people will take that view," he said.
"It is an extraordinary set of circumstances and we want to take some of the tension out of the situation."
Harbhajan was on Monday suspended for three Tests after he was found guilty of racially abusing Australia's Andrew Symonds in Sydney by calling him a "monkey".
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended its tour pending the outcome of Harbhajan's appeal hearing.
But Speed could not say when that hearing would be held.
He was hopeful it would be held before the next Test, starting on January 16.
If the hearing was not held before then, he said, Harbhajan would be eligible to play in Perth.
Speed was hopeful India's tour would continue, but could not guarantee that.
Speed said the ICC needed to take a "pragmatic view" towards the issue, and needed to be "flexible" to resolve the crisis.
He was confident Bucknor, 61, would umpire again at Test level.
Speed said match referee Ranjan Madugalle, the former Sri Lankan captain, would also be appointed as a mediator between the Australian and Indian sides.
Meanwhile, a racism hearing against Australian spinner Brad Hogg will also go ahead, after the Indians alleged he called captain Anil Kumble a "bastard" in Sydney.
Hogg's hearing will be heard some time before the third Test by match referee Mike Procter.
Speed said Procter and an ICC-appointed code of conduct commissioner would re-hear the Harbhajan case, with the witnesses to be again called.
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End of Steve Bucknor Cricket Umpiring Career
2008-01-08
End of Steve Bucknor Cricket Umpiring Career
SYDNEY: Removal of Steve Bucknor from the remainder of the India-Australia series marks a low in the career of cricket's senior most international umpire known as "Mr Slow Death".
Now approaching 62, the West Indian who has officiated in 120 Tests, the most by an umpire, and 167 ODIs, has umpired all the five World Cup finals since 1992.
The Jamaican who was a football referee before turning to cricket, takes time to decide before nodding his head and raising his finger which has earned him the nickname of "Mr Slow Death".
Unfortunately for Bucknor, due to retire in May 2011, the second Test between India and Australia turned out to be a disaster because he became 'finger-happy' while dealing with appeals against the Indians, earning him the dubious distinction of being the first umpire ever to have been replaced.
Bucknor first rubbed India the wrong way back in 1992-93 when he refused to refer a Jonty Rhodes run out when the third umpire was introduced for the first time in cricket's history.
Sachin Tendulkar has twice found himself at the receiving end of Bucknor's blunders in 1999 and 2005 and the Jamaican also angered the Indians in the 2003-04 series in Australia with his series of judgmental errors.
After replays often exposed his lack of consistency in making the decisions, Bucknor in 2006 alleged that the broadcasters were doctoring images to make the umpires look bad in public eye.
The West Indian was also one of the umpires, who were responsible for the farcical end to the 2007 World Cup final where Ricky Ponting's men beat Sri Lanka in semi-darkness and amid utter confusion.
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Ailing Federer withdraws from Kooyong
2008-01-08
MELBOURNE, January 7: World number one Roger Federer has withdrawn from the Kooyong Classic, the warm-up event for next week's Australian Open, because of a stomach virus.In a statement, the Swiss said he had to miss the event in order to recover in time for the defence of his Australian Open title at Melbourne Park.
"After arriving in Australia last Friday, I came down with a terrible stomach virus on Saturday and it continued to get worse over the weekend," Federer said.
"After trying to practise on Saturday afternoon, I went to see the doctors and they immediately performed a series of tests. The doctors have advised me that I should take a couple of days off and recuperate so that I am able to be 100 percent for the start of the Australian Open.
I hope to resume practice by the middle of the week."
A replacement for Federer has yet to be named.
German Tommy Haas also withdrew from the eight-man exhibition event on Monday, having failed to recover in time after recent shoulder surgery.
The former world number two, who still hopes to be fit for the Australian Open, will be replaced by Russian world number four Nikolay Davydenko in the Kooyong event.
The season's opening grand slam event begins next Monday.
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Womens World Cup Qualifier shifted from Pak to SAfrica
2008-01-08
Women's World Cup Qualifier shifted from Pak to SAfrica
DUBAI, January 8: Security concerns and impending elections in Pakistan forced the ICC to shift the Women's cricket World Cup qualifiers from Lahore to Western Cape, South Africa.
The Qualifier event, scheduled to be staged in Lahore Pakistan from February 18-24, will now take place in the Stellenbosch district of the Western Cape on the same dates.
"The decision was arrived at following independent security reports and extensive discussions by ICC management and the ICC Women's Committee," the ICC said in a statement.
The tournament was originally scheduled in Lahore last November but was postponed for security reasons until after the proposed election date of January 8.
But with the rescheduling of elections for February 18, the eight-team event was moved to South Africa.
Bermuda, Ireland, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, South Africa and Zimbabwe will compete for the two places up for grabs in the 2009 Women's World Cup in Australia.
"It is unfortunate that the timing of the event ended up clashing with the elections and forcing us to change the venue," said ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed.
"We remain committed to international cricket being played in Pakistan but, sadly, events beyond the control of the ICC and the PCB have conspired against us on this occasion."
"The safety of all participants is our number-one priority and on the basis of the independent advice we have received as well as the material concerns expressed by many of the participating countries we concluded it was not appropriate to stage the tournament at this time," he added.
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Pakistan to host Zimbabwe
2008-01-08
Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe Cricket Match Schdule
KARACHI, January 8: Pakistan will host Zimbabwe for a five-match One-day series and a four-day game later in January, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Tuesday.
According to a revised itinerary, the Zimbabwean team will arrive in Pakistan on January 12 and will now play one four-day game and five One-day matches. A three-day match earlier scheduled was scrapped to shorten the tour.
The tourists will open the One-day series in Karachi instead of Hyderabad.
Itinerary:
Jan 12: Arrival
Jan 14-17: Four-day game vs Patron's XI, Karachi
Jan 21: 1st ODI, Karachi (day/night)
Jan 24: 2nd ODI, Hyderabad
Jan 27: 3rd ODI, Multan (d/n)
Jan 30: 4th ODI, Faisalabad (d/n)
Feb 2: 5th ODI, Sheikhupura.
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How Australia bribes cricket umpires to reign the world of cricket
2008-01-08
The Indian team has finally exposed Aussie vulgarism and umpire bribing infrastructure. India went down 2-0. But Australia finally got exposed as a racist cricket team without any sense of real ‘cricket'.
Bribing the umpires and playing illegal cricket is nothing new for Aussies. The country has shown the white supremacy characteristics in dealing with terrorism, bribed cricket umpires to win matches, stole world cup cricket through match fixing.
The way Aussie cops dealt with Indian doctor Haneef was shameful. The racism was clear and blunt. The same happened in world cup cricket and now in the current series.
Dealing with Al-Queda is nor easy. Dealing with Australian racist elements is not easy either. Historically Australia has shown again and again little respect for decency in cricket. It is sad how this country is trying achieve and maintain supreme spot by lynching Indian cricket team by hook or crook.
< Shame on Australia! Shame on Australian cricket! Shame on Howard! Shame on Ponting! Shame on ICC for not being able to deal with state sponsored match fixing by Australia.
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Pennetta stops Sania in Hobart
2008-01-08
January 09, 2008 10:48 ISTIndia's Sania Mirza was knocked out of the Moorilla Hobart International, as she went down in three sets to Flavia Pennetta of Italy on Wednesday.
Sania, seeded sixth, lost 5-7, 6-1, 3-6 to Pennetta in the quarterfinal of the WTA tournament.
The 21-year-old Indian had reached the final four of the event in 2007, losing to top seed Anna Chakvetadze 6-4, 6-1 in the semi-final.
Pennetta will play the winner of the quarterfinal match between Eleni Danilidou of Greece and Australian wild-card Casey Dellacqua.
Results:
2-Vera Zvonareva (Russia) beat Elena Vesnina (Russia) 6-3, 6-3
Flavia Pennetta (Italy) beat 6-Sania Mirza (India) 7-5, 1-6, 6-3
Ashley Harkleroad (U.S.) beat Edina Gallovits (Romania) 6-4, 6-4
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Phoenix say goodbye to playoffs - Soccer News
2008-01-08
The Wellington Phoenix's slim chances of making the A-League playoffs were extinguished in Wellington last night when Sydney FC beat them 2-0.
The result put Sydney level with Queensland Roar and Central Coast at the top of the table, although the other two teams can go ahead again in their matches this weekend.
The Phoenix needed to win all three of their remaining matches to make the top four.
Despite creating plenty of chances last night, they could not hammer home a goal and were downed by two goals late in the match.
Despite the best efforts of Vaughan Coveny, who caused the Sydney defence plenty of headaches, too many Phoenix crosses failed to find their mark and too many shots at goal lacked sufficient intent to trouble Sydney goalkeeper Clint Bolton.
The first Sydney goal came in the 79th minute, when Terry McFlynn - in his 50th A-League appearance - backheeled an innocuous ball from Utuk Talay into the goal.
Any chance the Phoenix had disappeared four minutes later when Alex Brosque skilfully scored the second.
He took a high ball into the danger zone from Talay on his left foot and glided it past goalkeeper Glen Moss.
The frustration for the Phoenix boiled over in the last few minutes of the game, when Ross Aloisi brought down Talay in a crude sliding tackle.
He was shown a red card by referee Ben Williams barely eight minutes after coming off the substitutes bench.
The Phoenix play Melbourne next Friday, and the Central Coast Mariners on January 19.
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Soccer - Upsets in FA Cup
2008-01-08
High-flying Everton were knocked out of the FA Cup 1-0 by third division Oldham Athletic in the third round this morning (NZ time), becoming one of four Premier League sides to go out to lower league opposition.
Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers were the other upset victims, while Havant & Waterlooville carried the minor league flag into Monday's fourth-round draw after snatching a late 1-1 draw at third division leaders Swansea.
Holders Chelsea beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 at home while last year's runners-up Manchester United went through with a 2-0 success at Aston Villa.
Everton are one of the form teams in the Premier League and their only two defeats in their last 17 games came at the hands of Manchester United and Arsenal.
However, Oldham added their name to that elite list thanks to Gary McDonald's 25-metre strike at the end of the first half, with Everton hitting the post in the last minute.
"To come to a Premier League ground against a team who are really flying at the moment was a great performance," Oldham boss John Sheridan told Sky Sports.
"I told the players to really enjoy the occasion, because things like this might not happen to them again. I was so pleased and proud of them."
Coventry, 17th in the Championship (second division) and in severe financial trouble, won 4-1 at Blackburn with two goals by Michael Mifsud and one each from Elliott Ward and Dele Adebola.
"Every one of us played with his heart and gave his best to ensure we got the result," Maltese striker Mifsud told Sky Sports.
Third division Huddersfield were also celebrating after a 2-1 home win over Birmingham, while Bolton, having rested Nicolas Anelka and most of the rest of their leading players, lost 1-0 at home to Sheffield United.
An 87th-minute equaliser by Rocky Baptiste earned Havant their replay against a Swansea side who had scored 20 goals in their previous six games.
Southern League midland division Chasetown, one of the lowest-ranked teams ever to reach the third round, led second division Cardiff City before losing 3-1, while Conference side Cambridge United also led at Wolverhampton Wanderers but lost 2-1 after an 88th-minute goal.
Chelsea were well below their best but went through with an own goal by QPR goalkeeper Lee Camp, while Manchester United beat Villa in the third round for the fourth time in six years thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and lively substitute Wayne Rooney in the last nine minutes.
In other all-Premier games Tottenham Hotspur, who beat Reading 6-4 last week, drew 2-2 with them at White Hart Lane, West Ham United and Manchester City drew 0-0 at Upton Park while Wigan Athletic won 3-0 away to Sunderland, whose performance left manager Roy Keane "ashamed."
Arsenal and Liverpool are both in action tonight (NZ time), away to Burnley and Luton Town respectively, while struggling Newcastle United face a tough trip to Stoke City.
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second-string Arsenal side proved strong enough to secure a 2-0 victory
2008-01-08
A second-string Arsenal side proved strong enough to secure a 2-0 victory at Championship (second division) club Burnley overnight (NZ time) and with it a place in Monday's FA Cup fourth-round draw.The Premier League leaders won with goals by in-form striker Eduardo da Silva and Dane Nicklas Bendtner after Burnley had a man sent off on the hour.
Liverpool, though, were held to a 1-1 draw at cash-strapped third division side Luton Town, while Derby County and Fulham both came from behind to draw 2-2 with Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol Rovers respectively.
Later on Sunday, Newcastle United faced a tough trip to Stoke City hoping to avoid the fate of Everton, Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers, all victims of upsets by lower league sides on Saturday.
At Turf Moor, Arsenal's unfamiliar line-up had an early scare when Kyle Lafferty hit the bar with a header after five minutes.
However, they went ahead four minutes later when Eduardo latched on to a long ball from Kolo Toure and finished with all the calmness that has brought him 11 goals this season.
Lafferty was sent off for a bad tackle on Gilberto Silva after an hour and Arsenal settled it when Eduardo set up Bendtner 15 minutes from time.
"They gave us a real game, they missed that header and we took our first chance," Arsene Wenger told the BBC.
Of prolific Brazil-born Croatian striker Eduardo, the Arsenal manager said: "You give everybody six months when they come to England, it takes five or six months to adapt."
It was a rip-roaring tie at Luton even if the goal count did not match Liverpool's 5-3 win at the same stage two years ago.
Liverpool looked short of confidence and were hanging on somewhat before a defensive blunder let in Andriy Voronin and when his shot was parried, Peter Crouch was on hand to tuck the ball in after 74 minutes.
The lead lasted only three minutes though as John-Arne Riise put through his own net trying to hold off Dave Edwards to earn a desperately-needed replay for Luton, who have barely had enough money to pay their players in recent weeks after going into administration.
Luton were one of four teams from the lower half of the third division who played Premier League opposition over the weekend and none of them lost.
On Saturday, Oldham upset Everton 1-0 and Huddersfield beat Birmingham City 1-0 while on Sunday Bristol Rovers led twice at Fulham through Danny Coles and Craig Hinton before David Healy and Danny Murphy made it 2-2.
At Derby, early defensive blunders gifted goals to Mark Beevers and Marcus Tudgay for Wednesday, sixth to last in the second division, but Kenny Miller and Giles Barnes levelled it for the Premier League's bottom club before halftime.
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Soccer - Chelsea grab late winner
2008-01-08
LONDON - A last-minute own goal by Joleon Lescott handed holders Chelsea a 2-1 win over Everton in the first leg of their League Cup soccer semifinal last night (NZT).
Chelsea went ahead in the 26th minute when France winger Florent Malouda, playing his first game after two months out injured, threaded the ball to Shaun Wright-Phillips and the winger curled it into the net off the post.
But Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, who leaves this week to join Nigeria's squad in Ghana for the African Nations Cup, was sent off in the 56th minute for a studs-up tackle on Phil Neville.
Everton equalised eight minutes later through Aiyegbeni Yakubu before Lescott headed into his own net in the second minute of injury time.
The second leg at Everton is on January 23. North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham play the first leg of the other semifinal tonight (NZT), with the final at Wembley on February 24.
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Tennis - Federer and Henin rule in a bizarre year
2008-01-08
Federer Photos Sports Tennis World
Tennis: Federer and Henin rule in a bizarre year
2:30PM Thursday December 20, 2007
By Pritha Sarkar
Roger Federer and Justine Henin were the predictable heroes in what turned out to be one of the most unpredictable tennis seasons on record.
They swept all before them to once again rule the tennis world in 2007, winning five of the eight grand slams on offer between them, but their achievements were overshadowed by a multitude of plots that came to the fore.
The genteel sport of tennis has been left reeling over the past four months with allegations of match-fixing, gambling, doping and even poisoning hitting the headlines.
The scourge of corruption that has blighted sports such as soccer, cricket and horse-racing, surfaced in tennis.
A match between world No 4 Nikolay Davydenko and lowly ranked Argentine Martin Vassallo Arguello in Poland in August was voided by British online betting exchange Betfair because of unusual betting patterns, raising suspicions of match-fixing.
Russian Davydenko, who retired hurt from the match, denies any involvement.
But since then, a procession of male players, including Wimbledon doubles champion Michael Llodra, have said they were offered money to throw matches. All added they had rebuffed the offers.
For Davydenko, who usually struggles to get any global exposure or even a shirt sponsor despite his high ranking, being in the spotlight proved to be an uncomfortable experience.
"I am disappointed because I'm a top player and people are talking (about it) not only in Russia, in my country, (but) also talking everywhere in the world," he said.
Tennis great Billie Jean King said the threat of match-fixing was one of the pitfalls of modern sport.
"People follow the money in sports. In the '60s nobody cared because there wasn't any money," the American said.
The tennis bodies - the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the men's ATP and women's WTA governing associations and the four grand slam events - reacted quickly to the threat by joining forces to set up an 'integrity unit'.
Under the scheme, players have 48 hours to report any suspicious behaviour or risk sanctions.
While no player has so far been found guilty of corruption, little-known Italian Alessio Di Mauro became the first professional to be banned (for nine months) and fined US$60,000 ($80,558) for gambling in the sport.
Di Mauro escaped a more severe penalty as he was found to have bet only on other players' matches.
An incredulous Martina Hingis could not be bothered to hang around and see what punishment would be meted out to her after she was notified that she had failed a drugs test at Wimbledon.
"I have been accused by an outsource testing company of taking cocaine...I find this accusation so horrendous, so monstrous, that I have decided to confront it head-on," Hingis, the winner of five grand slam titles, said, fighting back tears.
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Murray confident of standing the heat in Australian challenge
2008-01-08
Murray confident of standing the heat in Australian challengeBy Derrick Whyte
Published: 09 January 2008
Andy Murray hopes a revamped training programme will help him cope with the searing heat in Australia over the coming month.
 The British No 1 is in Melbourne to play in the invitation-only Kooyong Classic, a round-robin tournament featuring five of the world's top 10 players, after which he will head to the Australian Open beginning in the same city on Monday. |
With temperatures predicted to be in the low 40s Celsius this week, the local conditions will obviously play a part. But Murray, who has a new coaching staff of fellow Scot Miles Maclagan, Louis Cayer and Leon Smith - with Matt Little, Jez Green and Andy Ireland taking care of fitness - is confident he will cope. "We always expect it to be hot here," said the 20-year-old, whose opening match against the former world No 1 Marat Safin is scheduled to take place this afternoon local time.
"I trained for four weeks in Florida before going back home for Christmas so I tried to get some training in the heat. But I've been doing Bikram yoga, which is in a 42-degree room, so hopefully I'll be used to it."
Murray comes into the event having won the Qatar Open by beating Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland to win his fourth career title last week. "I feel good," the world No 9 said. "I started well last year as well, making the final there [Qatar] so it has been nice with my new team around me."
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Scottish Cup
2008-01-07
 |  | East Fife 1-2 Brechin City A late Charlie King goal gives Brechin victory in the Scottish Cup third-round replay at Bayview. |
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 My Sport Have your say on your team's chances in the Scottish Cup | |  Glass sees final as turning point  | |  Nicholson proud of cup hat-trick |
Junior club Girvan will host senior neighbours Stranraer in the second round of the Scottish Cup.
The tournament has welcomed junior sides for the first time in its long history and the four teams chosen all eased through the first round.
Glasgow outfit Pollok face a trip to Third Division Montrose.
Aberdeenshire club Culter will entertain Vale of Leithen, while Linlithgow Rose are at home to East of Scotland league side Spartans.
Arbroath are at home to Elgin City, while Forfar take on Dumbarton in two all-Third Division ties.
Albion Rovers host Burntisland Shipyard and Stenhousemuir make the trip south to face Threave Rovers.
East Stirlingshire will meet the winners of the Clachnacuddin v Edinburgh City replay.
 Linlithgow Rose hammered Newton Stewart 6-0 in the previous round |
Third Division leaders East Fife visit Inverurie Loco Works.
Until now, 'non-league' sides given places in the competition were from the Highland League and Scotland's amateur leagues.
But this season it has also been opened up to the champions of the three semi-professional regional junior superleagues and the Junior Cup winners.
Scottish Cup -second round draw
Whitehill Welfare v Golspie Sutherland
Buckie Thistle v Nairn County
Clachnacuddin or Edinburgh City v East Stirlingshire
Cove Rangers v Keith
Edinburgh University v Deveronvale
Linlithgow Rose v Spartans
Montrose v Pollok
Forfar Athletic v Dumbarton
Inverurie Loco Works v East Fife
Selkirk v Dalbeattie Star
Albion Rovers v Burntisland Shipyard
Culter v Vale of Leithen
Girvan v Stranaer
Arbroath v Elgin City
Threave Rovers v Stenhousemuir
Annan Athletic v Fraserburgh or Huntly
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Defiant Luton force Reds replay
2008-01-07
Football News
Tussle ... Luton's Calvin Andrew and Liverpool's Sami Hyypia . Pic: AFP
Defiant Luton force Reds replay
LIVERPOOL were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup third round as League One Luton rose above their status to give Rafa Benitez's side an almighty scare.
Although Peter Crouch put Liverpool ahead late in the second half at Kenilworth Road, Luton snatched an equaliser through John Arne Riise's own goal.
A money-spinning replay at Anfield was the least Kevin Blackwell's team deserved for a heroic display and it can't come soon enough for a club teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.
Liverpool's inconsistent effort did nothing to erase the suspicion that they are drifting towards an anti-climatic campaign which could see the end of Benitez's reign.
Benitez awoke on Sunday to renewed reports that his fractured relationship with Liverpool's American owners is increasingly likely to lead to his departure at the end of the season.
But he was insistent after the match that he would love to stay Anfield.
"It's very clear. I love the club, I love the fans, I want to stay," he said.
"I have two more years on my contract and if I can stay for more will be really happy."
Benitez admitted his side had been below their best and said: "They worked hard but when you score a goal you have to use your experience. We conceded in three minutes and that was really disappointing.
"It was really difficult because the other team were very physical. But it is the FA Cup. Ask Everton, Bolton and Blackburn about it after they lost."
Blackwell added: "My team went out and did a job and made Liverpool look poor. We edged them in the chances and with a bit more guile we would have won the game quite comfortably."
The Spaniard's failure to mount a serious challenge for the title for a fourth successive year has already given owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett plenty of rope to hang him with, so he could hardly afford the indignity of an Cup embarrassment as well.
Benitez, who was already without injured captain Steven Gerrard, still felt confident enough to rest Fernando Torres and Jose Reina.
That belief looked well-founded in the first minute, as Crouch's flick gave Ryan Babel the chance to surge past two defenders, bringing a fine save from Dean Brill.
But despite only being paid two weeks wages in the last two months due to their dire financial plight, Luton's players have maintained a creditable commitment to the cause.
Their fervour would have earned Blackwell's side an early lead if Dave Edwards had kept his composure when he burst through on goal. Instead the midfielder shot too close to Charles Itandje and Calvin Andrew hooked the rebound over.
With England coach Fabio Capello watching from the stands, Crouch had a chance to underline his international credentials. The striker's astute flick gave Dirk Kuyt a clear sight of goal, only for the Dutchman to balloon his shot high and wide.
For Luton, Darren Currie's sublime pass picked out Drew Talbot and he raced clear of Sami Hyypia, cut back inside the defender before testing Itandje with a low cross-shot at the near post.
Crouch combined with Kuyt to create two chances in quick succession but the England forward couldn't find the net on either occasion.
Liverpool eventually made the breakthrough in the 74th minute.
Andriy Voronin seized on a moment's hesitancy by Chris Perry and, although Brill blocked the Ukrainian's shot, Crouch was perfectly placed to tap the rebound into the empty net.
Luton could have crumbled but they rose to the challenge and levelled three minutes later.
Talbot whipped in a cross that flashed across goal towards Edwards. Riise got there first but succeeded only in diverting the ball into his own goal.
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McGrath a little nervous
2008-01-07
McGrath a little nervous
January 07, 2008
NERVOUS isn't a word one associates with Glenn McGrath, but the legendary paceman admits feeling a few butterflies as he prepares to make his swansong for NSW in their Twenty20 match against Queensland.
McGrath has logged almost 1,000 days of international cricket prior to his retirement from top flight competition after last year's World Cup.
The 37-year-old bowler will participate in the inaugural Indian Premier League competition starting in April.
However, he will have one final hitout for NSW Tuesday at ANZ Stadium.
"I'm a bit nervous, probably more nervous than I've ever been preparing for a match," McGrath said.
McGrath, who played in Australia's first two Twenty20 games, had no desire to bowl the longer spells demanded by Test and conventional one-day cricket.
"I've watched the Test match and the one-dayers and there's no desire to get out there and play (those) again," McGrath said.
"To me, four overs is the maximum I want to play in a game of cricket these days, so I'm really looking forward to the challenge of both tomorrow night and in India."
McGrath described his state of fitness as "not too bad".
"I thought I'd be struggling a bit, I came in and had another bowl on the second day of the Test here in the (SCG) nets," McGrath said.
"I was surprised how good I felt and the ball came out pretty well, so we'll just see what happens tomorrow night."
McGrath was notorious for being a batting tail ender, but hoped to gain promotion in the order Tuesday night.
McGrath has never actually batted for NSW in any form of limited overs cricket.
"There's been talk that I'm moving up the order," McGrath said.
It will also be his first game at ANZ Stadium.
Asked if he could see international matches moved to that venue, McGrath said he was very much a traditionalist and would hate to see cricket not be at the SCG, which he rated as his favourite ground.
Both teams enter Tuesday's game desperate for a win with NSW on two points and Queensland one, trailing Tasmania six and Victoria and WA, both on four.
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India suspend tour of Australia
2008-01-07
Cricket News Jan, 2008 Ind Vs Aus
Heat ... Effigies and pics of Bucknor and Benson burn in India. Pic: AFP
India suspends tour of Australia
THE Indian cricket board (BCCI) flexed its muscle in sensational fashion by suspending its team's tour of Australia pending the outcome of Harbhajan Singh's appeal. Video
Harbhajan's three-Test suspension for calling Symonds a "monkey" during the stormy SCG Test has triggered one of the most explosive developments in Australian sporting history.
The cash-rich BCCI risk a fine of up to $US2 million ($A2.3 million) for pulling out of the tour and could be liable to reimburse Cricket Australia for any losses incurred.
"The tour is on technically," said team spokesman M.V Sridhar in Sydney.
The side had been scheduled to head to Canberra but instead were ordered to remain in Sydney until the BCCI send further instructions.
The decision followed a turbulent 24 hours after Australia's dramatic victory over India at the SCG as relations between the two cricketing superpowers reached breaking point.
Harbhajan's punishment was the final straw for the embattled tourists who trailed in their four-Test series 2-0.
Skipper Anil Kumble provocatively accused the Australians of not playing in the spirit of the game after the SCG Test and BCCI big wigs have called on umpire Steve Bucknor to be scratched from the third Test in Perth scheduled to start Wednesday week.
They may get their wish with Bucknor likely to be rubbed out of the WACA clash.
The Indian camp intends on submitting its appeal against Harbhajan's suspension after launching a blistering attack on the findings from the International Cricket Council's six hour hearing overnight.
"The Indian Board realises the game of cricket is paramount but so too is the honour of the Indian team and for that matter every Indian," the BCCI said in a statement.
"To vindicate its position, the Board will fight the blatantly false and unfair slur on an Indian player.
"The board will appeal to the ICC to review the decision of the match referee and suspend its operation until the appeal is disposed of."
The tourists have argued Harbhajan's hearing was a case of the word of the Indian players against that of the Australians.
In such a situation, they believe the spinner should not have been found guilty.
The latest developments clearly caught Cricket Australia off guard with a spokesman saying that high-level CA officials were unaware of the tour suspension despite having been in contact with BCCI president Sharad Pawar.
"Cricket Australia have not been advised to this affect and so are not in a position to comment at this stage," the CA spokesman said.
CA chief executive James Sutherland earlier tried to ease fears regarding the tour's future with the Indians due to play an ACT Invitational XI this week in Canberra.
"BCCI president Sharad Pawar made a commitment overnight (that the tour would continue) and that's good enough for me," Sutherland said.
Sutherland said CA was supportive of the "hard but fair" way Australia played, but was hopeful Ponting and Kumble could meet to discuss their sides' differences of opinion.
"Cricket Australia supports the Australian team in its endeavours to play the game as best they possibly can," he said.
"It's always been the Australian way to play the game of cricket hard but fair."
Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said any boycott would be an extreme measure.
"They're entitled to do whatever they think is appropriate at the time, but for me that would be a little bit extreme," Ponting said before the tour was suspended.
The Indians have also lodged an official complaint against Australia's Brad Hogg for abusive language towards Kumble during the second Test.
Not that it should bother the Australian selectors too much.
The legspinner failed to fire on a crumbling final day SCG pitch and was tipped to make way for speedster Shaun Tait in Perth anyhow.
The Indians have two more Tests and a triangular one-day international tournament scheduled this summer with Sri Lanka.
The ugly developments have been predictably met with scenes of anger in the Indian streets with the burning of effigies of umpires Bucknor and Mark Benson along with protesters labelling Ponting a "cheat".
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Tour at risk after Harbhajan ban
2008-01-07
 Fans in India have been burning images from the Sydney Test |
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has told its players to stay in Sydney rather than travel to Canberra for a tour match on Thursday.
Harbhajan was banned for making a racist remark during their tempestuous defeat to Australia in the second Test.
He was found guilty of breaching the players' code of conduct.
Report: India tour of Australia at risk Interview: BCCI chief administrator Ratnakar Shetty
The International Cricket Council held a four-hour hearing after the Test finished on Sunday, finally announcing their verdict deep into the night in Australia.
Australia's players had claimed that Harbhajan called Australia's Andrew Symonds a "monkey" during an on-field incident.
Match referee Mike Procter said he was satisfied Harbhajan had used the word - though neither of the two umpires heard the remarks - and that "he meant it to offend on the basis of Symonds' race or ethnic origin".
| BCCI statement |
All-rounder Symonds, 32, is the only non-white player in the Australian side.
The BCCI's statement said: "The Indian Board realises the game of cricket is paramount but so too is the honour of the Indian team and for that matter every Indian.
"To vindicate its position, the board will fight the blatantly false and unfair slur on an Indian player."
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland, who is expecting the tour to continue as scheduled, has proposed a peace meeting between captains Ricky Ponting and Anil Kumble to try to resolve the escalating crisis.
| 606: DEBATE We have the threat of a tour being abandoned and once again the ICC has been plunged into a crisis BBC Sport's Oliver Brett |
And BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said a decision on when the players would leave Sydney and resume training would be made at a meeting on Tuesday at 0700 local time (2000 GMT Monday).
Earlier, India team manager Chetan Chauhan said he believed Harbhajan had been harshly treated.
"I told the match referee this is wrong. There was no conclusive evidence from the Aussie side," he said.
And BCCI spokesman Ratnakar Shetty told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Harbhajan says he did not say what has been alleged.
"The match referee has made his case based on hearsay. I don't understand how he arrived at his conclusion.
"Sachin Tendulkar also refused to accept that [Harbhajan] said that word."
Harbhajan was accompanied at the hearing by Chauhan, assistant manager Dr MV Sridhar, captain Anil Kumble and Tendulkar.
If he was to lose the appeal he would miss the two remaining Tests in Australia, and one further match.
| Australians are no angels, but that's no excuse for what happened Tony Greig Former England captain |
The 27-year-old has played for India since 1998 and has taken a combined total of almost 450 international wickets in all forms of the game.
He was batting with Tendulkar when the incident took place during Friday's play at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
It prompted Australian captain Ricky Ponting to complain to on-field umpires Mark Benson and Steve Bucknor, who subsequently laid a charge under section 3.3 of the code of conduct.
The section refers to the use of "language or gestures that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, gender, colour, descent, or national or ethic origin".
The ICC says it has a zero-tolerance policy towards racism.
Former England captain Tony Greig said a bitter rivalry between Australia and India had developed over recent series, and that players had been warned to be careful about what they said.
Greig told the BBC: "Australians are no angels - you only have to speak to some Indians and some Sri Lankans to know they have dished out plenty themselves.
 Symonds watches as Harbhajan bowls during day four |
"That's why India are saying: 'Who are the Australians to talk on this issue?'
"But that's no excuse for what happened and everyone's on notice. This has grown over a period of time."
The third Test between Australia and India is due to begin in Perth on 16 January.
India have reacted to Harbhajan's ban by lodging their own complaint against Australia's Brad Hogg for allegedly making an abusive comment to one of their players, according to some reports.
Harbhajan is the first player punished for a racist remark since South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs was suspended for three matches in January 2007.
He was caught on a stump microphone talking about Pakistan fans.
In 2003, Australia's Darren Lehmann was suspended for five one-day matches after he was found guilty of shouting a "racially-motivated obscenity" in a match against Sri Lanka.
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Furious Clemens swears he never used steroids
2008-01-07
Furious Clemens 'swears' he never used steroids
A furious and frustrated Roger Clemens told Mike Wallace of the CBS show 60 Minutes that the steroids and human growth hormone accusations he's enduring are 'ridiculous.' He also 'swears' he never used any banned substances.
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An outdoor game of a different kind
I think that a Montreal vs. Colorado game in Montreal would be cool. Colorado could wear their old Nordiques jerseys.
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Big-money college sports don't pass the test
I think the underlying issue in this topic is why people attend higher learning: is it to earn an education as a means to a better-paying job, or a means to the big leagues in sports to a better-paying job?
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Aussie cheating machine continues to work - umpire Mark Benson denied India
2008-01-04
Shame on Australia! Shame on Australian cricket! Shame on Ponting the cheat master of world cricket.
Shame Shame Shame !!!
Ponting was on 17, when umpire Benson seemed to have made a big deliberate mistake. It takes a few decisions like this to win the game.
The Indian bowlers, led by RP Singh bowled superbly through the first hour, maintaining a consistent and nagging line and length. Australia started feeling the Indian bombardment. India quickly captured two wickets and was ready to take revenge for the first test. But there came Australia's secret weapon - the deliberate favoritism of the umpires.
Australia was at 27/2 when Hayden fell. Michael Hussey then joined skipper Ricky Ponting as the pair looked to consolidate after the loss of the two early wickets. Ponting was absolutely lucky to survive a certain caught behind appeal from Sourav Ganguly as the ball took a meaty edge going down the leg side to wicketkeeper Dhoni. Television replays confirmed the edge and it looked as if umpire Mark Benson denied India their third wicket of the morning session. At the end of the day Aussie cheating paid off. Aussies ended with 376 for 7 and Andrew Symonds not out 137.
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Sydney Test - India 532 Australia 13-0 at close
2008-01-04
Sydney, January 4: : Australia were 13 without loss in their second innings at close on the third day of the second Test match against India at the SCG in Sydney on Friday.Phil Jacques (8) and Matthew Hayden (5) were at the crease as Australia trails by 56 runs.
Brief Scores:
Australia 463 and 13 for no loss in five overs.
India 532 all out.
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Serbia to meet US in Hopman Cup final
2008-01-04
Top seeds Serbia shrugged off Jelena Jankovic's ongoing injury in Perth on Thursday to clinch a Hopman Cup final showdown with United States.
Serbia beat Argentina 2-1 to finish top of Group A while the US, led by Serena Williams, whitewashed hosts Australia 3-0 to win Group B.
World number three Jankovic, who hurt her right leg on Wednesday, could not complete her singles match with Gisela Dulko as Argentina went 1-0 up against the Serbs.
Novak Djokovic, the men's world number three, levelled the contest with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Juan Ignacio Chela before Jankovic returned to help Serbia win the mixed doubles 6-1, 3-6, 7-6.
"I have a superman partner and I want to thank him for giving such an effort," Jankovic told reporters.
"The injury is actually worse today, I think it's really inflamed. I am having a really hard time on the court and I really shouldn't be here but I will try as hard as I can."
Jankovic sported heavy strapping to her right thigh but looked a little more agile against Dulko than she had on Wednesday.
The Serb won the first set 12-10 on a tiebreak before quitting after being broken in the second game of the second set.
In the same group, Tatiana Golovin crushed Hsieh Su-wei 6-1, 6-1 before Arnaud Clement beat Lu Yen-hsun 7-6, 6-4 as France defeated Chinese Taipei 3-0.
HOSTS BEATEN
Earlier, former world number one Williams put the second-seeded Americans one up on Australia with a 6-2, 7-6 win over Alicia Molik before Mardy Fish overcame Peter Luczak 7-6, 7-6.
Williams and Fish then outclassed Molik and Luczak 6-2, 6-3 in the mixed doubles.
"I served really well today," said Williams. "Alicia has one of the best serves in women's tennis but I think I returned well and everything is coming together well."
In the other Group B match, Czech Republic defeated India 2-1.
Lucie Safarova held off Sania Mirza to put the Czechs ahead with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 victory before boyfriend Tomas Berdych triumphed 6-4, 6-0 against Rohan Bopanna.
Mirza and Bopanna took their Hopman Cup mixed doubles record to six wins out of six with a 6-3, 6-2 victory.
"It's a shame we didn't get to the final but at least we kept our unbeaten record," Mirza said.
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