Liverpool are definitely back in the title race with five goals at Anfield against a shell-shocked Aston Villa side.
Liverpool 5-0 Aston Villa
Liverpool Starting Line-up: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard, Kuyt, Riera, Torres.
Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Hyypia, Agger, Lucas, Ngog, El Zhar.
Aston Villa Starting Line-up: Friedel, Reo-Coker, Cuellar, Davies, Luke Young, Milner, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Heskey, Carew.
Subs: Guzan, Agbonlahor, Delfouneso, Knight, Salifou, Shorey, Gardner.
Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)
Manchester City 1-0 Sunderland
Man City Starting Line-up: Given, Richards, Onuoha, Dunne, Zabaleta, Wright-Phillips, Elano, De Jong, Kompany, Robinho, Bojinov.
Subs: Hart, Garrido, Fernandes, Evans, Etuhu, Berti, Bellamy.
Sunderland Starting Line-up: Fulop, Bardsley, Collins, Ferdinand, McCartney, Edwards, Whitehead, Leadbitter, Murphy, Malbranque, Jones.
Subs: Gordon, Cisse, Yorke, Reid, Davenport, Healy, McShane.
Referee: Steve Tanner (Somerset)
Wigan 1-0 Hull
Wigan Starting Line-up: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Boyce, Figueroa, Watson, Brown, Scharner, N'Zogbia, Rodallega, Mido.
Subs: Kingson, Pollitt, Edman, Cho, Zaki, De Ridder, Kapo.
Hull Starting Line-up: Duke, Ricketts, Zayatte, Turner, Dawson, Mendy, Marney, Kilbane, Geovanni, Manucho, Fagan.
Subs: Myhill, Doyle, Barmby, France, Garcia, Halmosi, Folan
Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands)
Winger Antonio Valencia has been struggling with a hamstring problem over the last couple of months and is a slight doubt for Wigan.
Midfielder Lee Cattermole serves the second game of a four-match suspension.
Hull captain Ian Ashbee is out with a hamstring injury while centre-backs Michael Turner and Anthony Gardner sat out training on Friday and are 50/50.
Kevin Kilbane and Dean Marney, who were cup-tied and suspended respectively against Arsenal, return to the squad.
Matchday squad
Wigan (from): Kirkland, Melchiot, Scharner, Bramble, Figueroa, Watson, N'Zogbia, Valencia, Kapo, Zaki, Mido, Pollitt, Edman, Brown, Boyce, Rodallega, Sibierski, De Ridder, Koumas.
Hull (from): Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Gardner, Dawson, Mendy, Kilbane, Marney, Zayatte, Garcia, Geovanni, Manucho, Cousin, Barmby, Fagan, Folan, Featherstone, Hughes, France, Duke.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
IPL will probably be played in England or South Africa, in the wake of a tussle between the Government and BCCI.
The BCCI took the surprise decision on Sunday after the Union Home Ministry and some state governments had told the organisers that it may not be possible to provide adequate security for the 45-day tournament whose dates clash with the Lok Sabha polls.
Even a rescheduling of the matches and change of some venues had not satisfied the security establishment which had heightened concerns after the Lahore terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team.
Determined to go ahead with the tournament which involves big money -- some estimates putting the figure at close to Rs 10,000 crores mainly in TV rights and sponsorships -- the BCCI threw a googly at the government by taking the tournament out of the country.
After the meeting of the BCCI working Committee attended among others by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, the BCCI President Shashank Manohar told a press conference that they were forced to take the tournament out of the country because of the government's attitude.
"Apologies to the people of India"
The decision to shift the Twenty20 tournament out of the country was taken at the BCCI's emergency Working Committee meeting to take a final call on the cash-rich event which had run into rough weather because of security apprehensions.
"Because of the attitude of the government that they are not ready to spare security forces for the cricket tournament, we are forced to take the decision to move the event out of India," BCCI President Shashank Manohar told a press conference.
IPL officials set to leave for England
"So the Board has decided to take the tournament out of the country. We are in discussion with other Boards who are willing to host the event. I apologise to the people of India for moving the tournament out," Manohar said.
"But we're are going ahead with the event so that they can at least watch the event on television," Mahohar added.
"Schedule to be out by Monday evening"
Modi: Final IPL dates and venue on Monday evening
IPL Commissioner and Chairman Lalit Modi said that the new dates and the venue will be decided on Monday evening.Modi said the number of matches, format and timing of the event will remain unchanged and the organisers would not tinker with the "integrity of the tournament".
"Dates and timings of the matches will remain the same. The Indian audiences can watch the matches at 4 pm and 8 pm IST as they did in the inaugural season," Modi said.
"Revenue cannot be an issue, the 59-match tournament will remain as 59-match tournament. The issue is the integrity of the tournament.
Manohar expressed displeasure at state governments' attitude
"We want to ensure the quality which we deliver and it cannot be compromised. We have to deliver the world standard event," he said.
Manohar also expressed his displeasure at the state governments' attitude, saying Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra Government changed there stance at the last moment.
"The AP government revoked its earlier permission... And Maharashtra Chief Minister wrote a letter that we can't host matches in that state until May 13. We had scheduled 18 matches for Maharashtra," he said.
Asked if franchise were also taken into the confidence before taking the decision, Manohar said "the franchise would want the tournament to go ahead".
BCCI will not hold a truncated event, says Modi
Meanwhile, a BCCI press release, said it was not possible to hold the event on any other dated that the original schedule due to busy international calender.
"The BCCI is conscious of the general elections, which will be held between April 16 and May 13, 2009. The BCCI has had several discussions with the Ministry of Home Affairs on the scheduling of IPL matches.
"...It is pertinent to understand that within the present International calendar of events, there is no other window for IPL to be played during this year. Immediately after conclusion of the IPL, the teams will play in England on May 25 for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup commencing from June 2.
Flintoff disappointed with IPL switch
"After the ICC Twenty20 World Cup, the Indian team will play four ODIs in the West Indies after which, the team will tour Zimbabwe for a tri-series involving Zimbabwe and South Africa.
"In September, India would play Champions Trophy in South Africa, following which would be the Champions League. Between October 2009 and March 2010, there are three home series against Australia, Sri Lanka and South Africa," it said.
The release also said the tournament provided a large revenue last year so, it would not hold a truncated event.
"The experience of the first IPL has shown that apart from providing employment at the various venues, IPL has also contributed close to Rs. 100.0 crores to the exchequer.
"The BCCI, therefore, is not in a position to either play a truncated IPL or to cancel the 2nd edition of the IPL... The BCCI is left with no other option but to conduct the Indian Premier League in another country."
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson acknowledged his team were not good enough as they 2-0 lost at Fulham.The defeat, on the back of last week's 4-1 home reverse against Liverpool, means the Barclays Premier League leaders have suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time in 147 games.
After Danny Murphy (penalty) and Zoltan Gera had scored in each half to condemn his team to a 2-0 defeat, Ferguson said: "In the first half we never got started.
"They were lively and got stuck in and we respect that - they lost 4-0 to us a couple of weeks ago. But it's disappointing we didn't meet the challenge.
"If you lose games in March and April it can cost you. Fortunately we have a slender lead at the moment but not a lot and I'm hoping we come back from the internationals back to our best."
Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney were both sent off by referee Phil Dowd - Scholes in the 17th minute for handling a Bobby Zamora header on the goal line and substitute Rooney for a second bookable offence.
The latter dismissal frustrated Ferguson, who added on MUTV: "Did he (Rooney) throw the ball at the referee? The ball was thrown direct to where the free-kick was being taken - did it hit the referee? No.
"He threw it because he wanted to get the game going. What can you say about that?
"There wasn't a bad tackle in the game but John Pantsil was booked in the first half for nothing - it was just a tackle. Tackling isn't always perfect - I thought it was totally unfair.
"But there's no point talking about the referee - we didn't play well enough to win the game in the first half and that's why we lost it.
"In the second half I thought we did really well - they kept going and credit to them.
"But we're home to Aston Villa in our next game - and that will be crucial."
Lucy Doolan made the first breakthrough for New Zealand, getting rid of England opener Sarah Taylor for 39.
Taylor and Caroline Atkins got England off to a flier in their pursuit of the 167 runs to win the World Cup.
Aimee Mason cleaned up Claire Taylor for 21 before Doolan struck to remove Caroline Atkins and Charlotte Edwards, leaving England in a bit of a whole.
Lydia Greenway had a sudden loss of blood, gifting her wicket to Mason while Beth Morgan got herself run out in a silly fashion, leaving the England innings in tatters.
New Zealand are 166 all out
A fine bowling performance by Nicky Shaw has helped England hold New Zealand to an attainable total of 166 in the ICC Women's World Cup final in Sydney.
Shaw took four wickets for 34 runs in 8.2 overs as New Zealand were bowled all out in 47.2 overs to leave England needing 167 runs to become world champions for the first time in 16 years.
In today's final, which pits England against the same opponents they beat to the crown in 1993, New Zealand were struggling early on after Caroline Atkins caught Suzie Bates at mid on off Shaw for two, then on the next ball Amy Satterthwaite went for a golden duck when she was caught behind by Sarah Taylor to leave the White Ferns on 49 for three.
Only captain Haidee Tiffen had put up much of a fight by this point, hitting 30 runs off 56 balls, but when she too was caught behind by Sarah Taylor off Shaw New Zealand were left on 62 for four and looking on the verge of collapse.
But Sarah McGlashan (21) pushed the score up slightly before Lucy Doolan led an eighth-wicket stand of 63 with Nicola Browne to give the score some shine at 164/8.
Doolan hit 48 off 57 balls, while Browne was the last to go when she was bowled LBW by Shaw after hitting 25 runs off 78 balls.
Laura Marsh got two out for 34 runs as all of England's bowlers took at least one wicket.
The Toss
New Zealand have won the toss and elected to bat first against England in the finals of the ICC Women's World Cup.
TeamsEngland: Sarah Taylor (W), Caroline Atkins, Claire Taylor, Charlotte Edwards (C), Lydia Greenway, Beth Morgan, Nicky Shaw, Holly Colvin, Laura Marsh, Katherine Brunt, Isa GuhaNew Zealand: Haidee Tiffen (C), Kate Pulford, Suzie Bates, Amy Satterthwaite, Sara McGlashan, Aimee Mason, Abby Burrows, Sarah Tsukigawa, Lucy Doolan, Sophie Devine, Rachel Priest (W)
Didier Drogba has received a caution for allegedly throwing a coin at Burnley fans during a match in November.The 30-year-old star went to a London police station on Friday and was cautioned for common assault.
The Chelsea star was said to have thrown the coin after he was on the receiving end of at least one missile during the Carling Cup fourth round tie at Stamford Bridge.
The incident took place when Drogba scored his first goal of the season after 27 minutes of the game.
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "On December 2, police interviewed a 30-year-old man under caution, by prior arrangement, in connection with an incident at the Chelsea v Burnley match at Stamford Bridge on November 12.
"He did not attend the police station and was not arrested.
"The matter was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for their consideration, and on their advice the man attended a central London police station yesterday and was cautioned for common assault."
Burnley won the match on penalties.
Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid finish off formalities as India win the first Test against New Zealand by a thumping margin of 10 wickets.
Harbhajan Singh scalped six wickets to guide India to their first Test triumph on New Zealand soil in 33 years as the visitors spanked the Kiwis by 10 wickets in the first cricket Test to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series here today.The Indian off-spinner produced a devastating spell to rip through the New Zealand middle-order with figures of six for 63 as the home team folded up for 279 in their second innings.Brendon McCullum (84) and Daniel Flynn (67) stood bravely amid the ruins as the Kiwis just about managed to avoid the ignominy of an innings defeat, taking a 38-run lead.The Indians rattled up the required runs in 5.2 overs to wrap the Test, just before close of play, with a full day to spare.Match in ImagesThe Indian dressing room erupted in joy as Gautam Gambhir (30) scored the winning runs to keep them on course for a historic triumph on New Zealand soil where there last won a series way back in 1968 under the captaincy of Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi.This is India's first Test win in Kiwi backyard since their eight-wicket win at Auckland in 1976 when the three match-series was drawn 1-1.The two teams will now travel to Napier for the second Test, beginning March 26.The Hamilton momentsMcCullum and Iain O'Brien (14) frustrated India with their gritty 76-run partnership for the ninth wicket which proved crucial in saving defeat by an innings margin. New Zealand were at 199 for 8, still needing 43 to make India bat again, but McCullum braved the odds with his pugnacious knock, his 13th half century, taking him past 2000 runs in Test cricket.O'Brien also showed gumption and character while frustrating the Indians for 100 minutes but eventually fell to Harbhajan when gobbled up by VVS Laxman at silly point.Set a feeble target of 39 to win, India romped home with Gambhir and Rahul Dravid (8)-- opening in place of Sehwag -- polishing off the runs.Top Performer: Harbhajan SinghThe architect of India's emphatic victory today was Harbhajan, who grabbed his 23rd five-wicket haul and also his best overseas figures.The Kiwis began the day on a stoic note with the left-handed Flynn and Ross Taylor determined to spend time in the middle.The twosome raised hopes of a Kiwi fightback in the first hour with their resilience before Taylor slashed Munaf Patel straight to Virender Sehwag at gully.Jesse Ryder, perhaps emboldened by his maiden Test hundred in the first innings, began on an aggressive note, hitting Patel uppishly through covers and followed it up with robust pull shots off Zaheer Khan.