ICC honours Cricketers

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was named ODI Player of the Year. He also features in both Tests and One-day International Cricket Council (ICC) World Teams of the Year as wicketkeeper and captain. Opening batsman Gautam Gambhir won the best Test Player of Year award, and also features in the World Test Team of the Year. Australian fast bowler Johnson bagged the most coveted Cricketer of Year Award. Australian fast bowler, Peter Siddle won the Emerging Player of the Year award. Sri Lanka's opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan has won the Twenty20 International. The New Zealand cricket team was named as the recipients of the Spirit of Cricket Award. Besides Dhoni and Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar also featured in the world Test Team of the Year. Spinner Harbhajan Singh was named twelvth man of the squad. The World ODI Team of the Year has three Indians in Dhoni, Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh. Earlier, Rahul Dravid (2004), Andrew Flintoff of England and South Africa's Jacques Kallis (joint winners in 2005), Ricky Ponting of Australia (2006 and 2007) and West Indies Shivnarine Chanderpaul (2008) were given these top awards.

Sachin’s idea – Will save ODI format ?

Sachin Tendulkar has given a suggestion over the future of the 50-over game. To save One-Day Internationals from extinction, revamp them by giving both sides two innings of 25 overs each. Think of it as a sort of 'Test T-25'!. Tendulkar said such a split would ensure increased excitement and closer games, since it would negate the luck factor of the toss and ensure a level playing field for both sides in case of day-night games, when batting becomes difficult under lights. "Today, we can tell the result of close to 75% of matches after the toss. We know how conditions will affect the two teams. But it (splitting the game into two innings) is not too dependent on the toss because, (if) for example it's a day-night match, then both the teams will have to bat under lights. In those 25 overs you can use your 10 wickets the way you want. Suppose if it rains, then (also) you can plan," Tendulkar said.  But Kapil Dev opposed this idea and he wants to be continued in a same format. Let see what the future decides…

New Zealand sealed T20 series in Sri Lanka

                   

Having been beaten soundly in the Test series, New Zealand gained confidence after a second consecutive 20-over victory over Sri Lanka. Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder's clinical hitting and Nathan McCullum's teasing offspin drived New Zealand to victory and handing Sri Lanka their fourth Twenty20 loss in a row. Brendon McCullum and Ryder were badly out of form during the Test campaign, but showed both courage and muscle during an 84-run opening stand in 62 deliveries. In Srilankan side, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara were the only batsmen to reach decent scores.  There were no fireworks from Tillakaratne Dilshan who was expected a lot. Sanath continued his bad form and new comer also didn’t shine losing three early wickets for 11 runs. Bond completed the dénouement with 3 for 18 who was well supported by  Nathan McCullum. Jesse Ryder claimed both the Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards.

INDIA won Nehru Cup in football

                                 

India's win at the Nehru cup football clash has appear as some array of absolution for Indian ambition babysitter Subrata Paul. The man of the bout accolade for accepting crafted India's celebration over Syria was added than a bald antic accomplishment for the 23-year-old. This adolescent man has already accomplished added than what best players do in a career. When Paul said he thanked God for his adeptness to comedy so able-bodied that acute Monday, best bodies revisit the appalling moment this adolescent lad had witnessed in 2004 in Goa. A 19-year-old Subrata had approved to stop the aggressive footballer Cristiano Junior from scoring in the Federation Cup final in Goa. Junior tragically died and Subrata was devastated. But the goalkeeper somehow confused on and begins the adventuresome ness to angle beneath the bar afresh to attending a striker in the eye. Paul's assistant Sunil Chhettri says that Paul's appearance and backbone has appear animated through. And he didn't let the drillmaster or his aggregation bottomward throughout the tournament earnimg the applause of his team-mates. Subrata Paul has consistently had to prove himself as a footballer and as an alone on the football pitch. But his abundant appearance in the finals of the Nehru Cup ability aloof advice him vanquish old demons and move on to a brighter future.

ENGLAND win back the ASHES

Its a great time for England as they won the ASHES which is considered to be the most precious one even one step ahead higher than the world cup. After a long struggle England managed to lead the series 2-1. The final match decides the fate of the trophy which was over ruled completely by england over aussies. Flintoff leads England off with a stump in hand, leads them up the race to healthy applause. There's Kevin Pietersen in the dressing rooms, the whole England squad looks to be there, they've all played a part. The Man of the Match is Stuart Broad, he was the one who changed the game dramatically in one spell during the first innings. While England's Man of the series is Andrew Strauss for his brilliant batting and splendid captaincy-nominated by Tim Nielsen. For Australia, Michael Clarke for his dominating batting is the Man of the seriesnominated by Andy Flower. The Compton-Miller Medal goes to the player who has had the biggest impact on the series, goes to Andrew Strauss.

Broad: Greatest day of your career? 'By far'. Yea thank god, he says when Athers asks no bragging rights from the old man anymore in the family. 'No-one can replace Fred. He's been a fantastic servant to England cricket and as an up and coming allrounder it's been fantastic to play with him'.

Clarke: I would give the Mos award back for a different result today. Full credit to Eng, they have played really well throughout the series. Congrats to Freddie on a fantastic career and hope to see him in the ODIs soon. The run-outs topped the series off for us. That is the greatest learning curve about this game, just when you think you are doing OK it comes back and smacks you on the backside.

Ponting: We've given our all through the series but unfortunately it hasn't been good enough. Full credit to Andrew Strauss, he's led his side well through the series and deserves all the awards that has come his way. Eng have won some really crucial moments this series, they won the big moments and deserved to win the series. We knew that the result at Cardiff was crucial then as well and There's been countless opportunities for us throughout the series to put our stamp on the series and we haven't been able to do it. I have no idea(when asked if there will be questions about his captaincy). Will have a few questions to answer tonight and once I get back home. I wont take too many special memories from the Oval, this is one place I haven't got too many good memories. But who knows, With us losing here I might even see if I can make it back here for one more go in 2013.

Jamaicans stays top in Athletics

Usain Bolt made it three out of three as he helped Jamaica claim gold in the 4x100 metres relay at the world championships on Saturday in the second-fastest time ever run. Their victory in 37.31 seconds was bettered only by their winning time of 37.10 at last year's Beijing Olympics. Its a great night for the Jamaican sprinters after the women won the 4x100 gold and both 4x400 teams qualified for final. It might not have attracted the same publicity as Bolt's heroics in the 100 and 200 but it earned a gold medal and the same $100,000 cheque. Bolt is now triple world and Olympic champion, five of the titles achieved with world records.He said his tiredness was to blame for Jamaica's narrow failure to break their world record but described winning three world golds as wonderful. "I'm proud of myself and the relay is always fun, much better than running alone," he said. Asked if he was a legend, he added. "I don't think so. Year after year I have to become champion and champion again." Trinidad & Tobago took silver in 37.62, a time only ever bettered by Jamaica and the U.S., while Britain won bronze in 38.02.

NARAIN KARTHIKEYAN

                         

Narain Karthikeyan is a famous Indian Sports Personality. He is the first Formula One driver from India. He was born in Jan 14th 1977 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Narain Karthikeyan got his motivation in motor sports from his father because his father was former Indian National Rally Champion (INRC). Narain Karthikeyan fabricated his admission at the British Formula Three Championships in 1998 with Karlin Motor action Team and had a moderately acknowledged spell with them for the abutting three years. He managed to accomplish two 3rd abode finishes in the final two contest of the season, by aggressive alone in 10 rounds, at Spa Francor Champs and Silver Stone and accomplished 12th overall. In 1999, he connected the Championship finishing the belvedere bristles times including two wins at Brands Hatch Race. He additionally had two poll positions, three fastest laps and two lap annal during the division and accomplished in the 6th position amid 30 drivers in the Championships. The aforementioned year, he able in the 6th position in the Macau Grand Prix and accomplished 6th in the additional leg of the race. In the year 2000, he connected in the British F3 Championship and accomplished 4th in all-embracing standing, and additionally took pole position and the fastest lap in the Macau Grand prix. He additionally took the belvedere of the International F3 contest at Spa Francor Champs, Belgium as able-bodied as in the Korean F3 Super Prix. Narain has a appear a continued way and has fabricated the country appreciative by accomplishing his ultimate ambition of acceptable India's aboriginal Formula one racer. He afresh opened a motor antagonism academy 'Speed NK Racing' in Coimbatore and is accomplishing his bit to alternation adolescent Indian chase drivers to breach into the big league.

Sehwag threatens DDCA

A serious issue that sets into fire at present is sehwag's comment to the media blaming DDCA (Delhi and District Cricket Association) sports committee members regarding their task in selection process. Indian opener Virender Sehwag has threatened to quit the Delhi Ranji team, alleging interference in selection matters by the DDCA Sports Committee members.Sehwag, who is currently in Bangalore undergoing rehabilitation for his injured shoulder, has been told to put his decision on hold till he meets the DDCA president Arun Jaitley. The meeting is likely to take place on August 27 or 28 to discuss the matter. The explosive right-hander has threatened to leave the team for Haryana, saying that he is frustrated with the interference in selection matters. Gautam Gambhir and Ashish Nehra supported Sehwag's comments who are also ready to leave from Delhi to Haryana team. The DDCA's Sports Secretary Sunil Dev said "He wants to bring Mayank Tehlan and Pradeep Sangwan into the team. But since the Delhi team is well set, it is not possible. That is the reason why he is making such threats,"

COVENTRY shares with ANWAR

Finally after 12 years, a new man Charles Coventry of Zimbabwe who equals Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar record (194 out against India) and scored marvelous 194* runs against Bangladesh during the fourth ODI of the series in Bulawayo. He started of the innings at no.3 and reached his century ony in the 38th over of the match with 110 balls. After reaching 42nd over of the match, Coventry made all the balls to cross the fence where he reached 180 runs in 47th over of the match as the Zimbabwe’s crowd was excited and awaiting to see their country men scoring double hundred in ODI cricket. But Unfortunately, Coventry couldn’t score his double hundred as he remained unbeaten on 194 runs of 156 balls with 16 fours and 7 sixes which puts their team total as 312 runs for 8 wickets. Chasing a huge total of 313, Opener Tamim Iqbal of Bangladesh provided a good start with 154 runs (138 balls) guided their team to victory Bangladesh lead the five match series 3-1 against Zimbabwe. Man Of Match award - Charles Coventry and Tamim Iqbal (shared) .

Yusuf questions Irfan's exclusion

Yusuf Pathan, the India allrounder, has said his brother Irfan has been left out of the 30-man Champions Trophy pool for non-cricketing reasons. He said "Irfan's performance was always up to the mark. He has not been left out because of his performance. Everybody has seen what is happening. What will I comment. It is for the media to react and comment on what is happening."

Irfan's last one-day appearances for India were in the series in Sri Lanka, where he took four wickets but leaked 7.06 runs an over in two matches. What has also hurt his chances of making the national side is that his batting has fallen away in ODIs - he hasn't scored a half-century ifor the past 3 years. He was also part of three games during India's dismal World Twenty20 campaign, but picked up only one wicket and didn't contribute much with the bat either. He hasn't been a part of the Test side since the home series against South Africa in April 2008.

Both the BCCI and chief selector Kris Srikkanth declined to comment on Yusuf's statements.I feel its an useless comment. Its not good to say these comments when his brother has not performed in any forms of cricket.

LARA set for T20 debut

There isn’t much that Brian Lara hasn’t done on a cricket field but taking part in a Twenty20 match is one of them. He played 131 Tests and 299 ODIs but no Twenty20s – international or domestic. That will change next month when Lara leads a Trinidad & Tobago side against a West Indies XI in a charity Twenty20 match. really its going to be a big entertainment and lot of fans eagerly waiting to look at his batting.The West Indies XI will be led by Chris Gayle, who had opted out of the series against Bangladesh because of a dispute over player contracts with the West Indies board. The proceeds from the event will go to the Pearl and Bunty Lara Foundation, West Indies Players Association's Development Fund and other players' charities.

Sourav's Second Innings

Sourav Ganguly has been named captain of his franchise Kolkata knight Riders (KKR) once again for the upcoming IPL season. Meanwhile Former Indian coach John Wright has been named as the coach for the KKR. Good Luck Ganguly for his 2nd innings as a captain. This decision has been taken after a long discussion between ganguly and sharukh. Lets look at the result at the end of IPL-3

Gautam Gambhir # 1 spot in Test Rankings

Gautam Gambhir has become the first Indian batsman in over four years to head the batting rankings in test matches.Yousuf, who had returned to the batting table last week in number-one position after his century in the first Test at Galle, scored only 10 and six in the second Test and, as such, he has dropped four places to fifth position. Pakistan captain Younus Khan was able retain his second position in the rankings but by conceding 12 points following scores of 0 and 82, he has fallen nine points behind Gambhir who has gone ahead of both the Pakistan batsmen without hitting a ball for the first time in his 25-Test in which he has scored 2,271 runs at an average of over 54.

Gambhir’s 847 points is relatively low for a number-one position in modern times as usually a batsman nearer to the 900-point mark goes to the top. The 27-year-old left-handed opener is the first India batsman after former captain Rahul Dravid to top the batting chart. Dravid had briefly become the number-one batsman after hitting centuries in each innings (110 and 135) of the Kolkata Test against Pakistan in March 2005. Dravid had first achieved the top batting ranking in January 1999 and has been number-one for 36 Tests between 1999 and 2005.

Sachin Tendulkar is the other India batsman in the last 15 years who has topped the batting chart. He first led the table in November 1994 while last time he occupied the number-one position was in August 2002 after the Leeds Test against England. Overall, Tendulkar has been the number-one batsman for 125 Tests between 1994 and 2002. The other India batsmen to have achieved number-one positions in their careers are: Gundappa Viswanath (seven matches in 1975), Sunil Gavaskar (46 matches between 1978-80) and Dilip Vengsarkar (17matches)

$4 million prize money for Champions Trophy

The prize money for the Champions Trophy has increased nearly four times, with US$4 million on offer for the tournament to be played from September 22 to October 5 in South Africa. The format has also been revamped, with only eight instead of ten teams participating. Centurion and Wanderers will host all 15 games between them.

The teams have been divided into two groups of four each and the top two from each will qualify for the semi-finals. India and Pakistan find themselves in the same group, along with Australia and West Indies. Group B includes South Africa, England, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. The hosts will play Sri Lanka in the opening game in Centurion.

Haroon Lorgat, the chief executive of the ICC, said the significant increase in prize money was just the first in a series of innovations that the ICC would announce in the run-up to the Champions Trophy. He added, "We are extremely grateful to South Africa for stepping in to host the event after it was postponed last year because of security concerns in the original host country, Pakistan, and we are also grateful to our members for finding a slot for it in what is a busy year for the global game."

Flintoff ends England's 75-year wait

Andrew Flintoff broke England's 75-year Lord's curse with his first five-wicket haul since the Ashes-clinching Oval Test of 2005. It was, unquestionably, a performance that delivered England to a 1-0 series lead heading into Edgbaston. England’s Victory was sealed 17 minutes before lunch when Graeme Swann pegged back Johnson middle stump with the Australian total at 406. Though Austalia lost 5 wickets for 128, haddin and Clarke took the team towards a safer position. They stick on to the game with their terrible batting performance remains unbeaten throughout the day with a ton in clarke’s account and haddin with solid 80 runs at the end of the day 4.

But only a famous exit from Lord's would do for "Super Fred", and England's allrounder duly obliged with the wicket of Brad Haddin from his fourth ball of the day. Things have changed in the day 5, where Australian batsmen started losing their wickets soon after the match starts. Johnson's early exchanges inspired little confidence that he would be the man to steer Australia to an improbable victory. Johnson half-ducked, half-stabbed at his first delivery from Flintoff and edges off the bowling of Flintoff and Stuart Broad fell inches in front of the slips, and Johnson may well have found pavilion-bound had Flintoff not overstepped before wrapping him on the pads with a straight full-toss that struck in line. Thus the victory fell over England and now leading the series 1-0.

Chaminda Vaas to retire from Tests

Chaminda Vaas, the Sri Lanka fast bowler, has announced he will retire from Tests after the third match against Pakistan in Colombo starting Monday. He said he will continue to play one-dayers and Twenty20s till the 2011 World Cup. "I am officially retiring from Test cricket after the third Test against Pakistan, but will continue playing one-day and Twenty20 matches till the 2011 World Cup," he told.

In 110 Tests he has taken 354 wickets at 29.40 after making his debut against Pakistan in 1994 - the second-highest Sri Lankan wicket-taker - along with 400 one-day wickets. Vaas also has 3085 Test runs at 24.48, including a century. Though Chaminda Vaas is a great bowler and one of sri lanka's greatest fast bowlers but he cannot be called a legend. He does not have the quality to be called a legend in any form of the game. People like Richard Hadlee, Dennis Lillee, Anil Kumble and Muttaiah Muralitharan can be called legends but certainly not Chaminda Vaas. Anyway hats off to him. Well done Chaminda…

German MotoGP 250cc result

1. Marco Simoncelli (Italy) Gilera 27:11.034

2. Alex Debon (Spain) Aprilia 27:11.513

3. Alvaro Bautista (Spain) Aprilia 27:11.562

4. Hiroshi Aoyama (Japan) Honda 27:11.900

5. Hector Barbera (Spain) Aprilia 27:12.294

6. Hector Faubel (Spain) Honda 27:17.006

7. Aleix Espargaro (Spain) Aprilia 27:19.755

8. Thomas Luethi (Switzerland) Aprilia 27:19.796

9. Raffaele De Rosa (Italy) Honda 27:30.210

10. Roberto Locatelli (Italy) Gilera 27:38.984

11. Alex Baldolini (Italy) Aprilia 27:40.635

12. Lukas Pesek (Czech Republic) Aprilia 27:49.333

13. Shoya Tomizawa (Japan) Honda 28:02.974

14. Jules Cluzel (France) Aprilia 28:03.953

15. Bastien Chesaux (Switzerland) Honda 28:17.820

Worst Media Blooper

Times Of India shamelessly published a news saying Vinod Kambli in a TV interview said Sachin let him down when he could have helped him to make a comeback to the Indian team.This made a huge headlines and worst reality show is that no one even confirmed the news and this is shameful from a national media because the truth is it was a and Vinod Kambli was asked some questions and he was connected to lie detector and the lie detector showed that he answered negatively for those questions asked by the particular reporter.Now this is ridiculous.Because the lie detector narco analysis is just to frighten criminals but they have not cracked a single case including the Abdul Karim Telgi stamp paper scam.So its just a gimmick and if this finds a place in national newspaper I am afraid there is no need for media.

There can't be a humble person than Kambli and he has every right to file a defamation suit against all people who shamelessly tarnished him and trying to create ripples between one of the natural pairs in Indian cricketing history.Forget all these is this the way you treat a national icon like Sachin by accusing a friend as a traitor.

Tata Sports tries to rope in Ganguly

Tata Sports Club is trying to rope in Sourav Ganguly for the BCCI’s inaugural Corporate tournament in the first week of September. The former India captain is an employee of Tata Tea and should he be free of commitments, he may turn out for the Bombay House team after many years. Ganguly is expected to get back to the team management in a few days.

“We are talking to him to ascertain his availability. We have many current and past players, mainly in Mumbai and Jamshedpur. Dilip Vengsarkar and Milind Rege are also with the Tata Group and we will give shape to the team,” said Prakash Puranik, Cricket Secretary and Joint Secretary, Tata Sports Club.

The BCCI has estimated an expenditure of around Rs. 5 crore for the tournament. Though the Sahara group has offered to be the title sponsor, the BCCI may conduct the competition using its resources. The running costs of the tournament, except the travel expenses of the teams, will be borne by the BCCI.

ICC launched 2011 World Cup with fanfare

World Cup 2011 is hosted in the sub continent. They launched here with all the fanfare by the ICC.The sound and laser show that showcased the key moments of all the previous World Cups was a breathtaking affair. Pawar the chairman of the World Cup Organising Committee said that the tickets price are at affordable prices. The Mumbai Wankhede Stadium would host the final match of the World Cup. He added, "The Indian board has decided to keep the rates of the tickets low to encourage the student community. We don`t want to make too much money out of gates. This has come after what we saw in the West Indies (during the 2007 World Cup)," He also said that Pakistan, which would not hold any matches, would continue to be part of the organizational set-up. He added, "I`m upset that a major partner Pakistan is not organising a match due to unfortunate circumstances. They will be very much part of the organising committee and would help organize the World Cup in a dignified manner,". Zakir Khan the PCB cricket operation manager also took part in the ceremony.

Beckham and Donovan make peace

David Beckham and Landon Donovan have ended their recent dispute as the England star Beckham resumed training at his US club Los Angeles Galaxy. Donovan recently accused Beckham of a lacking team spirit in a book. Beckham named the statements unprofessional on the week. Beckham, 34, said that the problems were resolved during a meeting of the two players in the presence of coach Bruce Arena. He said the meeting went "very well" but did not give more details. Donovan said he regretted "the way that I went about this process and I also regret some of the things I said."

Beckham joined the Galaxy on a five-year contract from Real Madrid. The BBC quoted him as saying that he aimed to fulfil the deal, but there is also the possibility that he will return to Milan next year - or even to the Premier League where he played for Manchester United 1995-2003. "Never say never. I would definitely consider it. When I left (for Madrid) my heart was in Manchester - I couldn't see myself playing against United. Now I wouldn't rule it out," Beckham said. Beckham is England's most-capped player with 112 appearances. He aims to make the squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, for which England are all but qualified. (dpa)

Flintoff to retire from Test cricket

Andrew Flintoff has announced that he will retire from Test cricket at the end of this Ashes summer. He will be available for Twenty20 and ODI cricket and is expected to be fit for second Test against Australia. Flintoff has missed 25 of England's last 48 Tests through a variety of injuries, suffered another fitness scare on the eve of the Lord's Test.

"It's not something I have just thought of overnight, it's something that's been on my mind for a while regarding this series," said Flintoff. Also he added "I've had four ankle operations and knee surgery, so my body is telling me things, and I'm actually starting to listen. I can't just play games here and there while waiting to be fit. For my own sanity, and for my family's, I've got to draw a line under it. I've been going through two years of rehab in the past four, which is not ideal."

Since the 2005 Ashes, he has averaged 28.25 with the bat and 34.68 with the ball in 23 Tests (both figures down on his overall Test record of 31.69 and 32.51), and he has not managed a century or five wickets in an innings in any series since then. In the 25 matches that Flintoff has missed since 2005, England have won 12, drawn 10 and lost on only three occasions. In the 23 matches in which he has been present, those numbers are almost exactly reversed - won 3, drawn 7, lost 13.