KARACHI: Pakistan one-day captain Shahid Afridi and head coach Waqar Younis have been summoned as witnesses by the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption tribunal which will consider spot-fixing allegations against three Pakistan players. Suspended test captain Salman Butt and pace bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir are due to appear before the three-member tribunal in Doha from January 6-11. The trio were suspended by the ICC in September while touring England with the national team after a report in the News of the World newspaper alleging they had taken bribes to arrange...
Published On: 2011-01-02

SYDNEY: Batsman Usman Khawaja and spinner Michael Beer will make their debuts for Australia in the final Ashes Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground, captain Michael Clarke said on Sunday. Pakistan-born Khawaja will become the first Muslim to play Test cricket for his adopted country, while Beer will get his debut after playing just seven first-class matches for Western Australia. Khawaja will step into the demanding number three batting position, up to now occupied by Ponting. Michael Clarke, standing in as captain for the injured Ricky Ponting, said selectors had chosen to use...
Published On: 2011-01-02

CHENNAI: World number six Tomas Berdych stands in the way as Croatia's Marin Cilic attempts to start the new year in style by winning a third successive title at the ATP Chennai Open. The lanky 14th-ranked player goes into the 450,000-dollar season-opener from Monday hoping the winning streak of 2009 and 2010 continues for another year in the southern Indian coastal city. The confidence gained by winning in Chennai last year helped the big-serving Cilic reach his first Grand Slam semi-final at the Australian Open and break into the top 10 in February. But the 22-year-old failed to maintain ...
Published On: 2011-01-02

LONDON: Former England captain David Beckham could be set for a sensational return to English football after Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp confirmed he would try to land the midfielder on a short-term loan. Redknapp revealed on Friday he would ask club chairman Daniel Levy to persuade Los Angeles Galaxy to lend the 35-year-old to Tottenham until the start of the Major League Soccer season in March. The Spurs boss denied the move was designed simply to produce the commercial revenue that Beckham’s signing could bring. Redknapp, who has guided Spurs to the knockout round of the Cham...
Published On: 2011-01-02

CAPE TOWN: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said today that his team were ready to make history when they face South Africa in the series-deciding third and final Test starting at Newlands on Sunday. “The good thing with this side is that we know why we can win a series in South Africa,” said Dhoni. India were in the same situation four years ago when they came to Newlands with the series level at one-all — but Dhoni said the mood in the side was much more confident this time around. South Africa won by five wickets on that occasion and India have yet to win or even shar...
Published On: 2011-01-02

SYDNEY: Australia’s new Test captain Michael Clarke casts a genial and polite image, yet he polarises opinion among the country’s cricket followers. Clarke, 29, has stepped into the hot seat replacing injured skipper Ricky Ponting for Monday’s final Ashes Test against England. The Ashes are gone, but Australia have the motivation of drawing the series with England if they can regroup after their massive loss in the fourth Melbourne Test and win in Sydney. Clarke now has the responsibility of partly restoring Australia’s battered prestige if he can raise the troops f...
Published On: 2011-01-02

WEST BROMWICH: Wayne Rooney began 2011 in style here today, scoring one goal and making another as Premier League leaders Manchester United secured a 2-1 win at West Bromwich Albion. Rooney’s third-minute header — his first goal in open play since March — gave United an early lead but Albion were soon level through James Morrison’s stunning half-volley. The home side were unfortunate not to end the half ahead after being denied a clear penalty for a foul by Gary Neville on Graham Dorrans. However, they were awarded one in the second half when Rio Ferdinand caught Jer...
Published On: 2011-01-02

LONDON: Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp admitted on Friday that the club’s chairman Daniel Levy has told him to make a big-money signing during the January transfer window. Levy is ready to reward Redknapp for his impressive reign at White Hart Lane by allowing him to splash out on the kind of world-class talent that could aid his club’s bid for glory in the Premier League and Champions League. However, although Redknapp would love to reinforce his squad, he insists finding the right players is proving difficult. Fergie recalls stars LONDON: Sir Alex Ferguson has recalled two of...
Published On: 2011-01-02

KARACHI:Pakistan one-day captain Shahid Afridi and head coach Waqar Younis have been summoned as witnesses by the International Cricket Council (ICC) anti-corruption tribunal which will consider spot-fixing allegations against three Pakistan players. Suspended test captain Salman Butt and pace bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir are due to appear before the three-member tribunal in Doha from January 6-11. The trio were suspended by the ICC in September while touring England with the national team after a report in the News of the World newspaper alleging they had taken bribes to arrange...
Published On: 2011-01-01

CAPE TOWN: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said on Saturday that his team were ready to make history when they face South Africa in the series-deciding third and final Test starting at Newlands on Sunday. "The good thing with this side is that we know why we can win a series in South Africa," said Dhoni. India were in the same situation four years ago when they came to Newlands with the series level at one-all - but Dhoni said the mood in the side was much more confident this time around. South Africa won by five wickets on that occasion and India have yet to win or even share ...
Published On: 2011-01-01