South Africa set for tense finale | |||||
First Test, Johannesburg (day four, close):
South Africa need a further 276 runs on the final day to win the first Test against Australia after reaching 178-2 at stumps on day four in Johannesburg. The hosts, chasing a world record 454 for victory, lost Neil McKenzie (35) and skipper Graeme Smith (69). But Hashim Amla (43) and Jacques Kallis (26) remained unbeaten at the close. Earlier, Kallis struck three times in six balls as Australia collapsed from 99-1 to 207 all out in their second innings, despite Phillip Hughes' 75. South Africa will go into the final day boosted by the knowledge that they scored 414-4 - the second-biggest successful pursuit in Tests - to win the first Test against Australia in Perth in December. But they will have to beat the record for the highest chase, which was set by West Indies in 2003 and stands at 418, and cope with a pitch that is starting to show variations in bounce.
Australia coach Tim Nielsen said he expected his side to win the match. "I can't see anything else but us winning and then the mental state of this young team will be over the top," he said. "We are definitely in the driving seat and I'm very proud of the team." But South Africa spinner Paul Harris said: "We can certainly draw on the experience of Perth. "The pitch here isn't as flat as the one at Perth and the target is a bit larger but the guys have felt a lot more comfortable batting in the second innings than they did earlier in the match. "Once you have got in, it is possible to get a big score but the secret is to get started because wickets have tended to fall in clumps." All-rounder Kallis brought his side back into the match as South Africa claimed eight wickets in the morning session as Australia slumped from 51-1 to 174-9.
Kallis, who had been restricted to bowling just eight overs in the first innings, removed Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey with successive deliveries in his first over. He then took a sharp catch to dismiss Michael Clarke in the next over from Harris. Kallis saw off Marcus North with a ball that kept low and bowled the Test debutant. Hughes, who scored a duck in his first Test innings, made a gutsy 75 before Harris had him brilliantly caught at leg-slip by AB de Villiers. Makhaya Ntini took three more wickets before Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus put on 33 runs for the last wicket. Smith and McKenzie gave the hosts a solid start before McKenzie fell to Mitchell Johnson and Smith pulled Hilfenhaus to mid-on. South Africa will have 98 overs to win on Monday but their main priority will be to prevent Australia winning the match. Australia, meanwhile, have asked seam bowler Brett Geeves to join their squad as cover for Doug Bollinger, who is suffering from a strained stomach muscle. Geeves, 26, played a one-day international against Bangladesh last year, but has yet to appear in Test cricket. | |||||
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Cricket Test: South Africa set for tense finale
Football Carling Cup: Man Utd win Carling Cup shoot-out
Page last updated at 17:44 GMT, Sunday, 1 March 2009 |
Man Utd 0-0 Tottenham (aet) | ||||
Man Utd win 4-1 on penalties  Manchester United celebrate winning the Carling Cup Manchester United completed phase two of their bid to secure an historic haul of five major trophies in a season as they beat Spurs on penalties in the Carling Cup final. United, with the Club World Cup already won, emerged victorious from another shoot-out after an encounter low on quality finished goalless after extra-time. Goalkeeper Ben Foster, given a Wembley opportunity as manager Sir Alex Ferguson rested Edwin van der Sar, was United's hero with a stunning save from Aaron Lennon in normal time. Foster distinguished himself with a superb save from Jamie O'Hara's spot-kick, and when substitute David Bentley missed, Spurs' fate was sealed as Anderson confirmed United's victory. Cristiano Ronaldo struck an upright seconds from the end of normal time as both defences dominated a final in which clear-cut opportunities were at a premium. Ryan Giggs, Carlos Tevez, Ronaldo and Anderson were successful for United from the spot in the shoot-out, but only Vedran Corluka scored for Spurs. Keeper Foster, 25, whose fledgling career has been dogged by injury, will have hugely impressed watching England coach Fabio Capello - who is not exactly blessed with quality keepers as he plans for next year's World Cup. There was to be no repeat of Spurs' win against Chelsea in last year's final, with boss Harry Redknapp also denied another Wembley win after lifting the FA Cup with Portsmouth last season.
It capped an almost perfect weekend for United, with their position at the top of the Premier League strengthened after Liverpool's defeat at Middlesbrough and another piece of silverware on its way to Old Trafford. Ferguson will now turn his attention back to winning the title once more and progressing in the Champions League and FA Cup. This was not United at their vintage best, with too much below-par passing, but once again they showed that winning mentality when it mattered and when the pressure was at its most intense. Ferguson kept to his promise to maintain faith with youngsters Darron Gibson, Danny Welbeck and Jonny Evans - but his hopes of calling on Wayne Rooney were dashed after the England striker was ruled out by a virus. Spurs counterpart Redknapp was spared a selection dilemma when Jonathan Woodgate was ruled out by an Achilles tendon injury, allowing Michael Dawson to partner Ledley King in defence. Gibson almost made a stunning early impact with a rising 25-yard drive that sailed just over the angle of post and bar with Heurelho Gomes beaten. Keeper Gomes was called into action again after 15 minutes when he dived low at the near post to turn away Nani's effort as United dominated the opening skirmishes. Aaron Lennon's pace offered Spurs plenty of hope, and it needed a timely intervention from Rio Ferdinand to clear his cross after Corluka played him in with a pass inside Patrice Evra. In an enterprising opening, Ferdinand's dipping volley landed just over the bar with Gomes again struggling to make the save. As the early life went out of the final, Spurs were able to establish a foothold and create a series of promising openings down the flanks, only to fail to find the decisive final ball. Spurs had successfully kept Ronaldo at arm's length, while youngster Welbeck was having a tough time making an impact in the face of the physical presence of Dawson and King. Indeed, it only took Ferguson only 10 minutes after the break to decide to remove Welbeck and introduce Anderson into midfield. And United came within inches of breaking the deadlock on the hour when Tevez was just off target as he tried to divert Evans' shot past Gomes. Ronaldo's frustration was plain to see when he was booked for diving by referee Chris Foy in the 66th minute as he tumbled in a collision with Spurs captain King just inside the area - a decision that was a desperately close call.
Foster justified his inclusion with a stunning save from Lennon after 70 minutes after Benoit Assou-Ekotto's cross found him in space 12 yards out. The United keeper's opposite number Gomes had been well protected, but he was called in to action to collect a shot from Anderson at the second attempt. John O'Shea, who had been fortunate to escape a second yellow card for a tackle on Luka Modric that went unpunished, was replaced by Nemanja Vidic as Ferguson stiffened up United's central defence. Ronaldo almost won the cup for United in the dying seconds of stoppage time when he cut inside and lashed in a shot that bounced off the upright with Nani unable to turn in the rebound. It meant extra time - and the inevitable introduction of Ryan Giggs for the tiring Gibson. Lennon had been at the heart of most of Spurs' best moments, but he had run himself to a standstill and it was no surprise when he was replaced by Bentley 10 minutes into extra-time. As fatigue sent in among both sets of players, it was going to take a mistake or a moment of inspiration to decide the destiny of the cup in the closing stages. Modric almost provided it after 115 minutes with a run into the box that ended with Foster saving well with his legs from Darren Bent. And Evra almost did likewise at the other end with a shot that was just over the top as Gomes could only look on. It was the last meaningful action as a final that was high on endeavour but low on moments of genuine quality went to penalties. Giggs gave United the perfect start in the shoot-out, and Foster set up the win with a fine save from O'Hara's spot-kick. Tevez and Corluka exchanged successful penalties, but Bentley sent his wide after Ronaldo had slotted his away. Anderson stepped forward to complete the formalities and United had achieved the second part of their pursuit of the five major trophies on offer to them this season. Man Utd: Foster, O'Shea (Vidic 76), Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Ronaldo, Scholes, Gibson (Giggs 91), Nani, Tevez, Welbeck (Anderson 56). Booked: O'Shea, Ronaldo, Scholes. Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon (Bentley 102), Jenas (Bale 98), Zokora, Modric, Bent, Pavlyuchenko (O'Hara 65). Att: 88,217. Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside). | ||||
All Sports News At a Glance
02.03.09
All Sports News:
Super Cup March 11-27
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has decided to launch its mega tournament Super Cup on March 11.
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has condoled the death of BDR Director General Major General Shakil Ahmed, other army officers, jawans and all loss of lives in Wednesday's mutiny at the BDR headquarters.
The global anti-doping body Saturday endorsed a one-year ban placed on Pakistan's Mohammad Asif, saying it will not appeal against the punishment.
Rafael Benitez came close to conceding defeat in the Premier League title battle after a shock 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough left Liverpool struggling to keep leaders Manchester United within sight.
Juventus edged Napoli 1-0 on Saturday to keep their Serie A title hopes alive by cutting Inter Milan's lead at the top to six points.
Andrey Voronin hit his fourth goal in four games on Saturday to help put Hertha Berlin back on top of the Bundesliga as the leaders sealed a 2-1 win over bottom club Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand insists Jose Mourinho has what it takes to succeed Alex Ferguson as the Red Devils' manager, in an interview due out Thursday.
Real Madrid reduced the gap on bitter rivals Barcelona at the top of the Spanish League table to four points on Saturday when substitute Guti and veteran skipper Raul scored in a 2-0 win at Espanyol.
Strugglers Valenciennes scotched Lille's attempts to have a say in the French title race on Saturday with a 2-0 success which denied the former a temporary share of second place in the table.
It is expected that some important decisions would be taken in the Bangladesh Cricket Board's (BCB) next meeting on Wednesday.
Kumar Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera notched brilliant hundreds to help Sri Lanka recover from early wobbles on the opening day of the second Test against Pakistan here Sunday.
The sixth round of the Premier Division Cricket League resumes today after a three-day national mourning break following the mutiny at the BDR headquarters in Pilkhana.
England's bid for a series-levelling victory over West Indies ran into Ramnaresh Sarwan who fashioned his third hundred of the series in the fourth Test on Saturday.
The National Bank Dhaka Metropolis Premier and First Division Volleyball Leagues will start tomorrow at the Volleyball Stadium.
South Africa made a confident start in their second innings as they set out to salvage the first Test against Australia at the Wanderers Stadium here on Sunday.
Novak Djokovic closed up a little on Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at the top of the world rankings by winning the 12th title of his career in the Dubai Open on Saturday.
Graeme Swann has admitted that Ramnaresh Sarwan has become a thorn in England's side after the West Indies batsman struck his third hundred of their Test series on Saturday.
In the lead-up to the Johannesburg Test AB de Villiers spoke of his desire to become the best batsman in the world. It's a bold ambition for a player currently sitting 21st on the ICC's Test batting rankings. But for a man who has just turned 25 and has enjoyed the most prolific year of his career, it's a commendable aspiration.
The Indian board's plan for six of its cricketers to turn out in New Zealand's domestic competition ahead of the Tests is in doubt with the New Zealand players' body saying it will not pull Indian Cricket League (ICL) players out of state squads to facilitate the games.
The 30th Parachute National Women's Chess Championship will resume today with the seventh round of the competition at the Bangladesh Chess Federation hall-room.
Barclays English Premier League: Chelsea Clinch it Late- Rafa's race all but run
Barclays English Premier League
Chelsea Clinch it Late
Rafa's race all but run
Rafael Benitez came close to conceding defeat in the Premier League title battle after a shock 2-0 defeat at Middlesbrough left Liverpool struggling to keep leaders Manchester United within sight.
The demoralising defeat at the Riverside allowed Chelsea, who snatched a last-gasp winner against Wigan, to move into second place on goal difference.
But the real winners were champions Manchester United, who now stand seven points clear of both their closest rivals with a game in hand.
"Before the game it was very difficult (to catch United), now it will be more difficult," Benitez admitted before bemoaning the poor finishing that had cost his side the chance of victory.
"You have to take your chances if you want to win these games," he said. "The first 30 minutes we had five chances and we didn't score a goal. It has been a problem during the season and today has been the same."
Three days after beating Real Madrid in the Bernabeu, Liverpool were brought back down to earth with a painful bump as a Xabi Alonso own goal and a second-half strike for man-of-the-match Tuncay Sanli gave Boro their first league win since November 9.
Chelsea's late show epitomised the battling spirit they have rediscovered since Guus Hiddink's arrival as temporary manager but the Dutchman is not optimistic about the chances of chasing down United.
"Let's be realistic," he said. "We are depending on the loss of points of Man United and we must win our games. United is very stable but, as long as it is possible, we don't give up."
United did not have a league game at the weekend because of Sunday's League Cup final date with Tottenham, which will see Sir Alex Ferguson's side attempt to claim their second trophy of the season following their triumph in the World Club Championship in Japan in December.
Arsenal were jeered off the pitch by their own supporters after a 0-0 draw at home to Fulham -- their fifth straight draw in the league and a fourth consecutive goalless stalemate.
If Aston Villa can beat relegation-threatened Stoke on Sunday, the Gunners will find themselves eight points adrift of a top four finish with only 11 games left to close the gap.
"We dropped two points we basically couldn't afford to drop today," acknowledged Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger whose side now look as if they may have to win this year's Champions League if they are to return to the tournament next season.
Chelsea had been far from convincing early on but they seized control of the match midway through the opening period thanks to a John Terry volley that was deflected into the net off Emerson Boyce.
Olivier Kapo claimed a 82nd-minute equaliser for Wigan who were left aggrieved over what they felt was a push by Frank Lampard on Mario Melchiot just before he headed in the winner.
"It was a blatant push and the referee was only ten yards away," fumed Wigan boss Steve Bruce. "Sometimes you go to these big clubs and the amount of decisions that go against the smaller clubs is unbelieveable. It really is."
Australia midfielder Tim Cahill helped Everton move to within two points of fifth-placed Arsenal with a headed opener in a 2-0 win over bottom side West Brom.
Cahill's eighth goal of the season came late in the first half at Goodison Park and Louis Saha sealed the points with a sublime second after the break, leaving the Baggies winless in eight matches and looking doomed to an immediate return to the Championship.
ICL T20 Cricket- India face ICL block
India face ICL block
The Indian board's plan for six of its cricketers to turn out in New Zealand's domestic competition ahead of the Tests is in doubt with the New Zealand players' body saying it will not pull Indian Cricket League (ICL) players out of state squads to facilitate the games.
On Friday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had withdrawn Sachin Tendulkar and Dinesh Karthik at the last minute from a charity match involving ICL player Hamish Marshall.
"There's no way we'd stand for that," New Zealand Cricket Players' Association chief Heath Mills was quoted as saying in the New Zealand Herald. "They're New Zealanders and they're perfectly entitled to play in a domestic league in their own country. We will not accept players being stood down because of the petty politics of another country."
Also, if the BCCI maintains its tough stance on the ICL it cannot allow its players to join teams that field players from the banned league -- this includes Canterbury (Shane Bond and Chris Harris) and Auckland (Daryl Tuffey). Tuffey is the only one to have played the four-day State Championship so far this season.
LFP: Real keep up chase
LFP
Real keep up chase:
Real Madrid reduced the gap on bitter rivals Barcelona at the top of the Spanish League table to four points on Saturday when substitute Guti and veteran skipper Raul scored in a 2-0 win at Espanyol.
Espanyol, who had defeated Barcelona last weekend, were in charge at the Olympic Stadium through Ivan de la Pena's promptings in midfield, but their inability to create clearcut chances was to prove crucial.
An impressive run from De la Pena from the midfield and a strike from Nene, which went close, were all that Espanyol had to show for their possession in the first half.
Real soaked up the pressure before Guti put them ahead from a free-kick conceded after a rare attack in the 67th minute.
He curled a left-footed shot from 30 yards into the top corner and five minutes later Raul slotted home to give Real the three points and extend their winning run to ten matches.
Real coach Juande Ramos singled out Guti for special praise.
"We knew that the game was not going to be easy but we were very motivated," said Ramos whose team had been stunned by a home midweek Champions League defeat to Liverpool.
"There was little difference between the teams in the first half but after the break Guti changed the match and after his goal Espanyol had to take risks which led to the second goal."
Espanyol coach Maurico Pochettino felt his side deserved more.
"We knew that the only way they would get a goal would be from something like a set-play. It was the only way they could break us down," said Pochettino.
"We tried to play football and we had chances to score but the game changed with the free-kick. In basically one and half chances they have scored two goals against us."
Earlier, a Frederic Kanoute brace helped Sevilla come from behind to beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 in a dress-rehearsal of the Copa del Rey semifinal on Wednesday.
Sevilla are third in the table, but 13 points behind leaders Barcelona.
Mali international striker Kanoute scored either side of half-time to see off the challenge of Bilbao who took the lead through Inaki Gabilondo.
Both sides started with weakened sides but while Sevilla were dominating it was Gabilondo who made the breakthrough after the visitors' defence made a hash of clearing a corner and the left-winger fired home from 12 yards.
Kanoute deservedly brought the sides level, bringing the ball down inside the area before beating the keeper in the 38th minute.
Just before the hour mark, he calmly finished in the corner as Sevilla continued to take the game to Bilbao whose coach Joaquin Caparros defended his decision to leave out players with on eye on the Spanish Cup.
"I had to rest them for Wednesday so that they would be fresh but still we had options in the game. We had possession but we committed two silly mistakes," he said.
Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez said: "Our intention was not to think about Wednesday, we are an ambitious team and we have set ourselves targets in the league which we have to achieve."
On Sunday, Barcelona face Atletico Madrid and midfielder Yaya Toure feels it's imperative they don't allow any more points to slip away.
"We cannot allow Real to make any ground on us. Our last three games have been difficult for us in the way that the opposition have played," he said.
Elsewhere, Villarreal will be looking to consolidate their Champions League place when they face Real Betis, while misfiring Valencia aim to pick up ground with a win against Valladolid.
At the other end of the table Numancia are in deep trouble and have asked for a big crowd to get behind the players against Deportivo La Coruna.
Mallorca, who have put together back-to-back wins, know that a further victory against Sporting Gijon could take them clear of the relegation zone.
Football: Bundes Liga-Voronin at it again
Bundes Liga
Voronin at it again:
Andrey Voronin hit his fourth goal in four games on Saturday to help put Hertha Berlin back on top of the Bundesliga as the leaders sealed a 2-1 win over bottom club Borussia Moenchengladbach.
The Ukrainian striker, on loan from Liverpool, hit a first-half goal, which showcased his excellent finishing, before Hungary midfielder Pal Dardai put Hertha 2-0 up at half-time.
United States midfielder Michael Bradley converted a penalty for Moenchengladbach on 69 minutes after Hertha's Germany defender Arne Friedrich brought down international teammate Marko Marin in the area.
Berlin now have a one-point lead, but their stay at the top could only last 24 hours as second-placed Hamburg face fifth-placed Wolfsburg on Sunday.
"I would have taken this result before the match without a second thought," admitted Hertha coach Lucien Favre.
"We knew that Moenchengladbach would be hard to beat and it was important that we led them.
"They came back at us when they were 2-0 down, so it was no surprise it was closer at the end.
"But it was very important for us to get a win after last weekend's defeat at Wolfsburg."
Third-placed Hoffenheim missed out on the chance to claim top spot when they were held 0-0 at Borussia Dortmund.
Both sides were reduced to ten men when Hoffenheim midfielder Tobias Weis retaliated after being brought down by Dortmund's Sebastian Kehl.
Weis was shown a straight red while Kehl was shown his second yellow.
After both sides heroics in Europe in midweek, Bayern Munich on Sunday travel to face Werder Bremen, who are without goalkeeper Tim Wiese, while Bayern are missing striker Luca Toni and defender Daniel van Buyten.
Bayern stunned Sporting Lisbon 5-0 in the Champions League Round of 16 on Wednesday, while Werder Bremen knocked AC Milan out of the UEFA Cup the following day.
Defending champions Munich are now five points behind Hertha in fourth and badly need a win after three defeats in their last four games while Bremen are down in 11th.
Relegation candidates Bochum escaped the bottom three after a 3-2 win over fellow strugglers Energie Cottbus who drop into the danger zone.
Bochum's Austrian defender Christian Fuchs equalised with a direct free-kick on 54 minutes before French defender Marc Pfertzel converted an 80th-minute penalty to give Bochum three much-needed points.
Struggling Schalke 04 allowed a late equaliser from Eintracht Frankfurt to threaten to share the points before Germany defender Heiko Westermann volleyed into an empty net in the 83rd minute.
The 2-1 win moves Schalke up to seventh in the league with Frankfurt now 13th.
Bayer Leverkusen were shocked by a 1-0 defeat at Hanover which leaves them sixth in the table, while Hanover are 12th.
Cricket Test: Twin ton-up Sri Lanka take first day honours
Twin ton-up Sri Lanka take first day honours:
Kumar Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera notched brilliant hundreds to help Sri Lanka recover from early wobbles on the opening day of the second Test against Pakistan here Sunday.
Samaraweera followed his 231 in the drawn first Test in Karachi with a superb unbeaten 133 while Sangakkara scored 104 as the tourists recovered from 35-2 to reach 317-4 after Pakistan won the toss and put their opponents in.
Pakistan had exploited the early life from a green-looking Gaddafi Stadium pitch by removing openers Malinda Warnapura (eight) and Tharanga Paranavitana (21) and then had the prized scalp of skipper Mahela Jayawardene (30).
But left-hander Sangakkara and Samaraweera settled down gradually and benefited from some sloppy work by Pakistan fielders who dropped two crucial catches -- one off each batsman.
For Pakistan, pace spearhead Umar Gul (3-67) provided breakthroughs but the Sangakkara-Samaraweera pairing foiled all the home team's attempts until their 204-run stand for the fourth wicket was broken with the second new ball.
Sangakkara snicked to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal in Yasir Arafat's second over with the new ball. Sangakkara hit eight boundaries during his 334-minute stay.
Sangakkara said he was shocked at Pakistan's decision to field first.
"I was surprised to be put into bat," said the 31-year-old. "The pitch looks a good batting strip and once we lost three wickets it was a case of batting sensibly. We did that and now hope when Pakistan bats, the pitch turns more."
Samaraweera had hit 19 boundaries off 205-balls when bad light stopped play 3.2 overs early. Tillakaratne Dilshan was unbeaten on three.
When Samaraweera came to the crease, Sangakkara was unbeaten on 32 but the right-hander outscored his partner, hoisting Shoaib Malik towards mid-wicket for his 14th boundary to reach his ninth Test hundred.
An over later, Sangakkara took two runs to complete his 18th Test hundred.
Both Sangakkara and Samaraweera were lucky as Sangakkara, on 55, was dropped by close-in fielder Faisal Iqbal off Malik.
Samaraweera also benefited from a dropped catch when, on 68, he edged leg-spinner Danish Kaneria but Akmal failed to hold on to the snick.
In the first session Gul removed both the openers in the space of 19 runs. Off the last delivery of the fifth over Gul had Warnapura caught in the slip by Misbah-ul-Haq.
Gul struck again when Paranavitana, who had a miserable debut with nought and nine in Karachi, played straight to gully where Malik took a smart catch.
Jayawardene, playing his last Test as skipper, added 61 for the third wicket with Sangakkara before Gul struck again. He had Jayawardene caught behind off a moving delivery soon after lunch.
Jayawardene, who hit 240 in Karachi, hit five boundaries.
Both teams made one change from their first Test line-up. Pakistan gave a Test debut to Mohammad Talha in place of Sohail Khan, while Sri Lanka made a tough call by excluding veteran paceman Chaminda Vaas and brought in Thilan Thushara.
Talha struggled with his line and went wicket-less in his 11 overs.
Cricket Test: Ramnaresh Sarwan hit a magnificent 291
Page last updated at 21:44 GMT, Sunday, 1 March 2009 West Indies v England 4th Test Barbados, 26 Feb-2 March 2009 |
| Fourth Test, Barbados (day four, close): England 600-6 dec & 6-0 v West Indies 749-9 dec
Ramnaresh Sarwan hit a magnificent 291 to lead West Indies to their best-ever score in Barbados on day four of the fourth Test against England. Sarwan shared a sixth-wicket stand of 261 with Denesh Ramdin as the home side reached 749-9 declared, their third highest total on any Test ground. Skipper Chris Gayle called a halt when Ramdin was bowled for 166 by Graeme Swann, who had figures of 5-165. Trailing by 149, England then survived two overs to end play on 6-0. The tourists must now look to avoid potential embarrassment on the final day, knowing their chance of a series-levelling victory has gone, having lost the opening game in Jamaica. Resuming on 398-5, West Indies soon collected the three runs they needed to avoid the follow-on. And as the morning session wore on, a run-out appeared the most likely way England would bag a wicket as Sarwan and Ramdin played seam and spin with equal ease, their only cause for alarm coming when their calling went awry. Sarwan reached the second double century of his Test career with a top edge for four off Jimmy Anderson. And he greeted the introduction of Stuart Broad with a glorious cover drive for four. England wasted their one remaining referral of the innings when Ryan Sidebottom's appeal for an lbw against Sarwan was turned down - a decision upheld by the TV umpire because the ball had pitched outside leg stump.
The tourists had cause to rue their haste when Ramdin, on 32, survived an appeal for a catch down the leg-side by keeper Tim Ambrose off Paul Collingwood - a decision they could not contest - despite replays suggesting the ball had flicked the inside edge. Collingwood was arguably England's best bowler during a lengthy spell either side of lunch, mixing up off and leg cutters with an occasional quicker delivery. But Sarwan and Ramdin were in no mood to give away their wickets on such a benign surface. A long hop from Ravi Bopara in the afternoon session was despatched by Sarwan to bring up 500 for West Indies, and two runs off Collingwood carried him to 250. Andrew Strauss rotated his bowlers at regular intervals, but England looked drained of inspiration. It was not until the arrival of the third new ball that they posed any significant threat. Although Ramdin brought up his century with a tickle to fine leg, the partnership came to an end when Sarwan, having cracked the previous ball for four, was bowled through the gate by a perfect inswinger from Sidebottom. Strauss and Kevin Pietersen were quick to shake Sarwan's hands as he walked off to a deserved ovation after an 11 hour 40 minute innings, although his feelings must have been mixed having come so close to joining Brian Lara, Garfield Sobers, Gayle and Lawrence Rowe on the list of West Indies batsman to post a triple century. Despite his departure, England's torment continued as Taylor, buoyed by a recent hundred in New Zealand, adopted an aggressive approach for the start of his innings. An attempted bouncer from Sidebottom was deposited into the Greenidge and Haynes stand with a resounding thwack from the blade of his bat, and he later repeated the stroke off the same bowler before hammering a full toss square for four. Taylor's third six was another clean hit, this time back down the ground off a slower ball from Bopara, and he reached his fifty by cutting Swann behind square for four.
Ramdin continued on remorselessly past 150 and Sulieman Benn launched Swann over mid-wicket for four before he was caught behind for 14 trying to pull a rising delivery from Anderson. The innings came to an end when Ramdin, after facing 268 balls and hitting 20 boundaries, tried unsuccessfully to angle Swann into the off-side and was bowled. It left England facing an anxious few minutes against Fidel Edwards and Daren Powell armed with the new ball. But, although the former in particular found more zip than the England attack, Strauss and Alastair Cook saw off the danger with relative comfort. |
Bangladesh Football: Super Cup on March
Super Cup March 11-27:
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has decided to launch its mega tournament Super Cup on March 11.
Scheduled for a March 6 start, the eight-team event has been delayed by five days due to the recent massacre at the Bangladesh Rifles headquarters.
The country's governing body of football, which wants to make this big-budgeted tournament a success, believes that the current situation would calm down by the time the top eight teams of the recently concluded B. League lock horns for the Tk one-crore championship prize.
"We have considered the current situation before taking this decision. That's why we have delayed it. Now we are eying to complete the tournament by March 27 because we have no other option," said BFF member and tournament committee chairman Harunur Rashid after yesterday's BFF executive meeting at the BFF Bhaban.
"All the clubs have started preparation and some of them have also recruited new foreign players for the tournament. Also, we have to give the national team enough preparation time under the new coach (Edson Dido Silva) for next month's AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers at home," said the ex-BFF general secretary defending their decision.
Some claimed that with the unrest virtually coming to an end, the tournament could have been started on schedule.
But BFF president Kazi Salahuddin thinks otherwise.
In reply to a question from reporters whether the federation had any directive or suggestion from the government about the delay, Salahuddin said: "Our own conscience told us not to start it now. It is just a tournament and there is no harm in delaying it for a few days. I hope that this small period will help people calm their grievances," said the BFF president.
Salahuddin also dismissed ideas that the timing of the event clashing with Pakistan's tour of Bangladesh will affect the tournament.
"We are not competitors with cricket but if someone says so, there is no need to lose before start of the game. There is no need to play if we are going out with negative minds.
"Two games have different flavours and I believe both have separate fans too. It would also be a test for us as we would be able to know where we actually stand.
"We need at least five days for promotion of the tournament through media. We could not take preparations for the past few days, so we need that time now," he said explaining why the BFF could not stick to the original starting schedule of March 6.
"We still have nine days and hope there would be enough time to make people aware (of this tournament)."
The BFF has already engaged an event management firm for the Super Cup and there would be songs and video footages of domestic football for advertisements.
Not only big prizes for teams -- the winners take Tk one crore and the runners-up Tk 25 lakh -- booters would also be encouraged. It was learned that the most valuable player will receive a car.
The tournament committee, meanwhile, has finalised the format and bylaws and sent it to the clubs.
According to the B. League standings, champions Abahani will be pitted against Sheikh Russel, Chittagong Mohammedan and Rahmatganj while runners-up Mohammedan lead the other group involving Brothers Union, Farashganj and Chittagong Abahani.
The top two teams from each group will play in two-legged semifinals for a final berth while the remaining four compete for the Plate trophy.
Posts
