Tim Henman is surrounded by a gaggle of children and is handing out free rackets. It is like watching a bizarre Christmas scene, except Santa is wearing whites. “You can only have one if you look at me in the eye and say, ‘Thank you’,” he says.
The former British No 1 always insisted that he wanted to “give back” to the game, but who knew he meant it so literally? At 34, Henman has slipped effortlessly into retirement. Golf, skiing holidays, three daughters and two labradors have taken up the bulk of his time, with his rackets left to gather dust in a corner.
But a return to action was accelerated by an invitation to play at the opening of Wimbledon’s Centre Court roof last month and the grass appears to have given him itchy feet.
As he hollers instructions at a tennis centre in North London, it is clear that, after 21 months of peace and quiet, Henman has lost none of his passion. This is where he belongs and it does not come as a huge surprise that, with the pre-Wimbledon hype flowing in his veins, the former world No 4 is exploring avenues back into the game.
The offers are not in short supply — exhibition matches, the Masters Tour, grassroots initiatives and BBC commentary work — but the opportunity that gets Henman’s eyes shining brightest is the potential of a career in coaching.
“I’m already very involved, but not officially involved,” he says. “I still speak to Paul [Annacone, his former coach and head of men’s tennis at the LTA] every week about men’s players. I go and watch, but I don’t have any specific involvement. For sure, that would be an area where I would like to give back, try and help some of those guys who are coming from the junior game into the professional game. I always keep an eye on them.”
Never one for hyperbole, Henman is playing down his involvement. He has been hitting with leading juniors at the Win Tennis Academy in Bisham Abbey, Buckinghamshire, for months and his phone calls to Annacone are more daily than weekly.
Mike Walker, who runs Win Tennis, described Henman’s input as “absolutely invaluable”. Walker said: “He is an exceptional role model and any input is of huge benefit, not only to the kids but also the coaches.”
One player who has caught his eye is Daniel Evans, the 18-year-old from Birmingham, who has recently been signed up by Patricio Apey, the former agent of Andy Murray. Evans has the highest ranking in the world for his age group and Henman is convinced that he is going places.
“He’s already 300 [in the world], so he’s a long way ahead of where I was [at that age],” he says. “I practise with Dan a bit, so it’s the same with Andy [Murray]. I have always been there to pass on any advice.”
Murray apart, the British women are in an unfamiliar position this year of having greater prospects at Wimbledon than their male counterparts. Anne Keothavong has broken into the world’s top 50 while Elena Baltacha and Katie O’Brien are knocking on the door of the top 100. It is a situation that should redden the cheeks of the men’s contingent and Henman is not about to start making excuses.
“The British women have done really well and all credit to them,” he says. “If you go back five years, it was terrible. There were no prospects. All credit to Anne, she was at 150-200 in the world for a long time, but she worked really hard and to suddenly get through to the top 50, it’s fantastic.
“The reality is that some of the men aren’t good enough. They don’t have the ability to be top-class players. I think the biggest issue is maximising potential and too many British players in the past haven’t done that.”
One Alex Bogdanovic, a perennial underachiever, springs instantly to mind. “Alex has the ability to be a top-50 player, but mentally and physically he hasn’t been good enough,” Henman says. “I have spoken to Paul a lot about him and he says ‘Boggo’ has turned the corner and changed his attitude. He probably hasn’t had the results to show for it yet, but if he keeps working hard and doing the right thing, I can’t believe that he can’t get his ranking up again.”
Henman’s brood alone could increase the potential of the next generation, but he is reluctant to point daughters Rosie, Olivia and Grace in that direction, largely because of the scrutiny it might provoke. “Part of me hopes they don’t play,” he says. “If one or all of them wanted to play, then of course I’d support them, but part of me hopes they do something different.”
Tramlines to sidelines: former players who switched roles
Brad GilbertThe American coached Andre Agassi to six grand-slam titles in an eight-year partnership and Andy Roddick to the US Open in 2003. Personality clash brought a premature end to his spell with Andy Murray.
Miles MaclaganA Great Britain Davis Cup player who specialised in doubles. Became Murray’s coach at the beginning of last year.
Magnus NormanThe former world No 2 has joined forces with Robin Söderling, his Swedish compatriot, the beaten French Open finalist last month.
Thierry ChampionA former quarter-finalist at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, the Frenchman is best known for his work with Gaël Monfils. They split in 2006.
¤ Tim Henman is an ambassador for the HSBC Road to Wimbledon National 14 and Under Challenge. For more information please visit wimbledon.org/roadtowimbledon
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Rafael Nadal pulls out of Wimbledon with knee problems
Beneath the surface of the “toughest decision” of Rafael Nadal’s career was the realisation that for all the staggering bravado of his tennis and the many honours that it has brought him, the world No 1 and Wimbledon champion has long been asking more of his body than it was able to give in return.
The moment that Nadal, a six-times grand-slam champion, walked into the Wimbledon press room last night with a stern-looking Ian Ritchie, the All England Club chief executive, we knew that the game was up. For only the second time in the modern era, after the retirement from deep-seated shoulder problems of Goran Ivanisevic, the 2001 champion, the men’s singles title will not be defended by its holder. Nadal tried to put a brave face on it.
Although the 23-year-old Spaniard long contended that those who believe his style of play and remarkable on-court attitude would be his physical undoing were seriously misjudging his fortitude, even he had to admit yesterday that he had “made mistakes”.
Asked to elaborate, he said: “Maybe I played too much, you never know. The truth is that sportsmen always play in pain, you don’t know where the limit is and where you can get to. I think I have reached that limit right now. I need to reset and come back stronger.”
The enduring wish of those who follow this sport must be that with a period of rest, with the right treatment — he is in brilliant hands — and with tons of patience, Nadal can do just that.
But we return to the dilemma faced by all players, that racket technology has advanced beyond all recognition — that new strings are coming on to the market that will induce yet more spin — and that unless a halt is called soon, the choice that the best player in the world has had to make will become a disastrous norm. If Nadal’s broken heart stands for anything, it is that the tennis authorities must make a stand — now.
The Wimbledon Championships have been dealt a shattering blow. When the champion arrived in London on Tuesday, he was fighting an uphill battle to be fit. Tests in Barcelona after his premature exit from the French Open, where he lost to Robin Söderling in the fourth round, had shown that he was suffering from oedemas in both knees. Nadal was not his usual upbeat self and Toni Nadal, his coach and uncle, cut a resigned figure. Two matches at Hurlingham, both of which he lost, only added to his anxiety.
“I tried everything, I worked hard in the last week, I tried to arrive here in my best condition,” he said. “It is my nature to start a tournament like this one, one that is one of the most special in my heart, only if I have a chance to win. This is one of the toughest decisions of my career and the situation makes me sad. There was no option.
“I have arrived at one of the most important moments of my year with the worst feelings. I had physical problems at Roland Garros and now I have to miss Wimbledon, too. It is tough to accept. I have amazing memories of this tournament, last year was one of the best moments of my life, this is one of the most special tournaments always. I want to come back with 100 per cent mentality and physically because it is very difficult to play well like this.”
The most immediate beneficiary is Andy Murray, the British No 1, who becomes the highest-ranked player in the top half of the draw. One by one as the names were drawn into his section, we ticked them into the box marked “very beatable”. Robert Kendrick, the American ranked No 76, comes first, then either Ernests Gulbis, of Latvia, or Riccardo Ghedin, an Italian qualifier, while Taylor Dent, an American and his probable third-round foe, has spent much of the past couple of years in a body brace, unable to move, the effect of back surgery.
For the most part, rational commentators do not look beyond the first round of any tennis tournament, and as for peering into the second week, that is asking for a poke in the eye. But with Murray on the verge of this Wimbledon, now that he has become a figure of such genuine respect, the urge is irresistible and there was a real feeling of “OK, bring it on” when the draw was completed.
Kendrick has won a single set from Murray in their three meetings — in the first round of the 2006 US Open — and on grass a month before that, when he was a genuine novice, the Scot beat him 6-0, 6-0 in Newport, Rhode Island. It was said, perhaps, that Kendrick had turned up at the Newport Casino, which is the tournament’s home, expecting to indulge in a game of craps and, well, that’s how his game turned out. Murray clearly has his number.
Source:The times
The moment that Nadal, a six-times grand-slam champion, walked into the Wimbledon press room last night with a stern-looking Ian Ritchie, the All England Club chief executive, we knew that the game was up. For only the second time in the modern era, after the retirement from deep-seated shoulder problems of Goran Ivanisevic, the 2001 champion, the men’s singles title will not be defended by its holder. Nadal tried to put a brave face on it.
Although the 23-year-old Spaniard long contended that those who believe his style of play and remarkable on-court attitude would be his physical undoing were seriously misjudging his fortitude, even he had to admit yesterday that he had “made mistakes”.
Asked to elaborate, he said: “Maybe I played too much, you never know. The truth is that sportsmen always play in pain, you don’t know where the limit is and where you can get to. I think I have reached that limit right now. I need to reset and come back stronger.”
The enduring wish of those who follow this sport must be that with a period of rest, with the right treatment — he is in brilliant hands — and with tons of patience, Nadal can do just that.
But we return to the dilemma faced by all players, that racket technology has advanced beyond all recognition — that new strings are coming on to the market that will induce yet more spin — and that unless a halt is called soon, the choice that the best player in the world has had to make will become a disastrous norm. If Nadal’s broken heart stands for anything, it is that the tennis authorities must make a stand — now.
The Wimbledon Championships have been dealt a shattering blow. When the champion arrived in London on Tuesday, he was fighting an uphill battle to be fit. Tests in Barcelona after his premature exit from the French Open, where he lost to Robin Söderling in the fourth round, had shown that he was suffering from oedemas in both knees. Nadal was not his usual upbeat self and Toni Nadal, his coach and uncle, cut a resigned figure. Two matches at Hurlingham, both of which he lost, only added to his anxiety.
“I tried everything, I worked hard in the last week, I tried to arrive here in my best condition,” he said. “It is my nature to start a tournament like this one, one that is one of the most special in my heart, only if I have a chance to win. This is one of the toughest decisions of my career and the situation makes me sad. There was no option.
“I have arrived at one of the most important moments of my year with the worst feelings. I had physical problems at Roland Garros and now I have to miss Wimbledon, too. It is tough to accept. I have amazing memories of this tournament, last year was one of the best moments of my life, this is one of the most special tournaments always. I want to come back with 100 per cent mentality and physically because it is very difficult to play well like this.”
The most immediate beneficiary is Andy Murray, the British No 1, who becomes the highest-ranked player in the top half of the draw. One by one as the names were drawn into his section, we ticked them into the box marked “very beatable”. Robert Kendrick, the American ranked No 76, comes first, then either Ernests Gulbis, of Latvia, or Riccardo Ghedin, an Italian qualifier, while Taylor Dent, an American and his probable third-round foe, has spent much of the past couple of years in a body brace, unable to move, the effect of back surgery.
For the most part, rational commentators do not look beyond the first round of any tennis tournament, and as for peering into the second week, that is asking for a poke in the eye. But with Murray on the verge of this Wimbledon, now that he has become a figure of such genuine respect, the urge is irresistible and there was a real feeling of “OK, bring it on” when the draw was completed.
Kendrick has won a single set from Murray in their three meetings — in the first round of the 2006 US Open — and on grass a month before that, when he was a genuine novice, the Scot beat him 6-0, 6-0 in Newport, Rhode Island. It was said, perhaps, that Kendrick had turned up at the Newport Casino, which is the tournament’s home, expecting to indulge in a game of craps and, well, that’s how his game turned out. Murray clearly has his number.
Source:The times
Step aside Madonna, the Catalans are here
The curious and famous of Barcelona have gathered to watch Catalans Dragons take on Warrington Wolves.
The influence of Barcelona, winners of football’s Champions League, is profound in a city steeped in the round-ball game and which will get only its second glimpse of rugby league at the Olympic Stadium, where the curious gathered to watch Warrington Wolves train yesterday.
Joan Laporta, the Barcelona president, is expected to join a crowd of up to 20,000 for the engage Super League fixture this evening between Catalans Dragons and Warrington, which is akin to a papal blessing in these parts.
Barcelona is not quite virgin territory for the pioneering code, Huddersfield (before their days as the Giants) having played a game there against XIII Catalan in 1993. It is only in the past two years, though, that the sport has started to put down roots in Spanish Catalonia — a direct consequence of the Dragons’ appearance in the 2007 Carnegie Challenge Cup final.
League has been part of French Catalonia fabric since the 1930s, but the Catalan spirit crossed national boundaries with the Dragons’ march on Wembley. The result was a nine-team competition based in and around Barcelona that has just completed a second short season, while a thriving league scene exists in six regional universities.
Small acorns, perhaps, but ones that should get a growth spurt with Catalans having moved the Warrington fixture from their Perpignan base to Barcelona — which is unlikely to be a one-off event — and the symbolic significance of a warm-up match between a Catalonia representative team and the Czech Republic.
The Dragons are taking 13,000 supporters with them on the two-hour trip across the border into Spain, whose “sang et or” (blood and gold) colours have drawn instant recognition in the Catalan capital. Less so the primrose and blue sported by 1,500 Warrington followers, who nevertheless are playing their own part in spreading league’s word.
Spanish television is broadcasting the match and considerable interest was generated when Catalans held an open training session at the stadium on Tuesday. “Rugby league is relatively new to Spanish Catalonia but the overall Catalan influence cannot be underestimated,” Christophe Levy, the Catalans general manager, said. “Whatever the sport, there is a passion there. When the Dragons team were presented to the crowd at the Nou Camp after Wembley two years ago, that was the point at which league in Spain began to take off.
“It is important we try and spread our influence. Perpignan has a population of around 100,000, but the Barcelona catchment area is three million and if this match is the success we hope, we’d like to think we’ll be back. It’s very much a rugby party that we see as Catalans’ version of the Super League Magic Weekend. We’ve sold over 1,000 tickets locally, but when the people see the league colours and the people, more will turn up, I think.”
Espanyol FC’s move away from the stadium overlooking the city has left its owners looking for different uses. The appearance by Warrington and Catalans has been shoehorned in between Madonna and AC/DC concerts, but the ground itself looked ill-prepared for a rugby match. The in-goal areas consist of half grass and matting, and groundstaff yesterday were replacing areas of turf — areas that will need addressing if Barcelona is going to be a regular staging post.
“All I know is that it’s a privilege to be here,” Tony Smith, the Warrington coach, said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to spread the gospel to a new country and audience. The players are thoroughly enjoying a new environment and culture. We’re here to win, sure, but we’re also here to put on a spectacle.”
¤ Castleford Tigers gained revenge for their Carnegie Challenge Cup defeat by grinding out their first win away to Huddersfield for five years last night, beating the Giants 13-6. The Tigers produced a huge defensive effort after Kirk Dixon, the right wing, touched down on four minutes and they moved into a 12-0 half-time lead.
Hull earned their first home win in 16 weeks to end a recent run of poor form and nervously overcome Salford City Reds 14-12. Victory was built on first-half tries from Gareth Raynor and Motu Tony.
Source:The times
The influence of Barcelona, winners of football’s Champions League, is profound in a city steeped in the round-ball game and which will get only its second glimpse of rugby league at the Olympic Stadium, where the curious gathered to watch Warrington Wolves train yesterday.
Joan Laporta, the Barcelona president, is expected to join a crowd of up to 20,000 for the engage Super League fixture this evening between Catalans Dragons and Warrington, which is akin to a papal blessing in these parts.
Barcelona is not quite virgin territory for the pioneering code, Huddersfield (before their days as the Giants) having played a game there against XIII Catalan in 1993. It is only in the past two years, though, that the sport has started to put down roots in Spanish Catalonia — a direct consequence of the Dragons’ appearance in the 2007 Carnegie Challenge Cup final.
League has been part of French Catalonia fabric since the 1930s, but the Catalan spirit crossed national boundaries with the Dragons’ march on Wembley. The result was a nine-team competition based in and around Barcelona that has just completed a second short season, while a thriving league scene exists in six regional universities.
Small acorns, perhaps, but ones that should get a growth spurt with Catalans having moved the Warrington fixture from their Perpignan base to Barcelona — which is unlikely to be a one-off event — and the symbolic significance of a warm-up match between a Catalonia representative team and the Czech Republic.
The Dragons are taking 13,000 supporters with them on the two-hour trip across the border into Spain, whose “sang et or” (blood and gold) colours have drawn instant recognition in the Catalan capital. Less so the primrose and blue sported by 1,500 Warrington followers, who nevertheless are playing their own part in spreading league’s word.
Spanish television is broadcasting the match and considerable interest was generated when Catalans held an open training session at the stadium on Tuesday. “Rugby league is relatively new to Spanish Catalonia but the overall Catalan influence cannot be underestimated,” Christophe Levy, the Catalans general manager, said. “Whatever the sport, there is a passion there. When the Dragons team were presented to the crowd at the Nou Camp after Wembley two years ago, that was the point at which league in Spain began to take off.
“It is important we try and spread our influence. Perpignan has a population of around 100,000, but the Barcelona catchment area is three million and if this match is the success we hope, we’d like to think we’ll be back. It’s very much a rugby party that we see as Catalans’ version of the Super League Magic Weekend. We’ve sold over 1,000 tickets locally, but when the people see the league colours and the people, more will turn up, I think.”
Espanyol FC’s move away from the stadium overlooking the city has left its owners looking for different uses. The appearance by Warrington and Catalans has been shoehorned in between Madonna and AC/DC concerts, but the ground itself looked ill-prepared for a rugby match. The in-goal areas consist of half grass and matting, and groundstaff yesterday were replacing areas of turf — areas that will need addressing if Barcelona is going to be a regular staging post.
“All I know is that it’s a privilege to be here,” Tony Smith, the Warrington coach, said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to spread the gospel to a new country and audience. The players are thoroughly enjoying a new environment and culture. We’re here to win, sure, but we’re also here to put on a spectacle.”
¤ Castleford Tigers gained revenge for their Carnegie Challenge Cup defeat by grinding out their first win away to Huddersfield for five years last night, beating the Giants 13-6. The Tigers produced a huge defensive effort after Kirk Dixon, the right wing, touched down on four minutes and they moved into a 12-0 half-time lead.
Hull earned their first home win in 16 weeks to end a recent run of poor form and nervously overcome Salford City Reds 14-12. Victory was built on first-half tries from Gareth Raynor and Motu Tony.
Source:The times
Sacred Kingdom can strike for Hong Kong in Golden Jubilee
Rob Wright reckons speedy foreign raider can take centre stage on the final day of Royal Ascot and fancies 25-1 chance in the Wokingham.
The speedy Sacred Kingdom, trained in Hong Kong by Ricky Yiu, is strongly fancied to land the group one Golden Jubilee Stakes (3.45) today.
Scenic Blast, the Australian raider, put up a brilliant display to take the week's other group one speed test and Sacred Kingdom arrives here with similarly strong credentials. Rated the best sprinter in the world in 2007, he lost his form last year after being injured but still shared top spot in the rankings with Marchand D'Or.
Sacred Kingdom has bounced back to his best this term and showed a good turn of foot to beat Rocket Man by a neck, with Diabolical a further 3 lengths back in third, in the group one International Sprint in Singapore last month. That was his first venture outside Hong Kong and, according to his trainer, he is relishing his new roving role. “He's travelled well and looks terrific. It looks like he's enjoying this trip even better than the one to Singapore,” Yiu said.
Blessed with a high cruising speed, Sacred Kingdom should be able to track the front-running J J The Jet Plane before cutting him down in the closing stages.
Pick of the home team is Kingsgate Native. He won this race 12 months ago when trained by John Best and was retired to stud. However, having failed to get any mares in foal, Kingsgate Native was returned to training with Sir Michael Stoute and, despite his lengthy absence from the track, he has to be respected.
Jimmy Styles and Genki both have solid claims in the Wokingham Stakes (4.25), but Exclamation is a better value option at a general 25-1. Lightly raced, he ran a cracker when third to Evens And Odds on his penultimate start at Newmarket and was unsuited by softer ground when below par at Newbury last time. The lightning fast surface here will be more to his liking and he can bounce back to form.
Dansant is better known for his exploits on the all-weather, but can spring a surprise in the Hardwicke Stakes (3.05). He showed that he is just as effective on turf when a close fourth to Sixties Icon in group three company at Goodwood last August, despite appearing not to handle that undulating track, and looked as good as ever when defying a penalty to win a listed race at Kempton Park in March. He goes well when fresh, so a three-month break is not a concern, and rates the best bet of the day at the 10-1 offered by totesport.
Heron Bay has not got his head in front since landing the King George V Handicap here two years ago, but has come down the weights as a result and can finally take advantage in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (5.00). Formerly trained by Geoff Wragg, he has been tried over shorter in two runs since joining Chris Wall, shaping as though retaining his ability on each occasion. Under more suitable conditions, he rates a fair bet at 22-1 with totesport.
Shakespearean should relish a step up to seven furlongs for the Chesham Stakes (2.30), while Tasheba can take the Queen Alexandra Stakes (5.35). Formerly trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, he showed useful form for Nicky Henderson over hurdles during the winter and can continue his improvement back on the level.
Source:The times
The speedy Sacred Kingdom, trained in Hong Kong by Ricky Yiu, is strongly fancied to land the group one Golden Jubilee Stakes (3.45) today.
Scenic Blast, the Australian raider, put up a brilliant display to take the week's other group one speed test and Sacred Kingdom arrives here with similarly strong credentials. Rated the best sprinter in the world in 2007, he lost his form last year after being injured but still shared top spot in the rankings with Marchand D'Or.
Sacred Kingdom has bounced back to his best this term and showed a good turn of foot to beat Rocket Man by a neck, with Diabolical a further 3 lengths back in third, in the group one International Sprint in Singapore last month. That was his first venture outside Hong Kong and, according to his trainer, he is relishing his new roving role. “He's travelled well and looks terrific. It looks like he's enjoying this trip even better than the one to Singapore,” Yiu said.
Blessed with a high cruising speed, Sacred Kingdom should be able to track the front-running J J The Jet Plane before cutting him down in the closing stages.
Pick of the home team is Kingsgate Native. He won this race 12 months ago when trained by John Best and was retired to stud. However, having failed to get any mares in foal, Kingsgate Native was returned to training with Sir Michael Stoute and, despite his lengthy absence from the track, he has to be respected.
Jimmy Styles and Genki both have solid claims in the Wokingham Stakes (4.25), but Exclamation is a better value option at a general 25-1. Lightly raced, he ran a cracker when third to Evens And Odds on his penultimate start at Newmarket and was unsuited by softer ground when below par at Newbury last time. The lightning fast surface here will be more to his liking and he can bounce back to form.
Dansant is better known for his exploits on the all-weather, but can spring a surprise in the Hardwicke Stakes (3.05). He showed that he is just as effective on turf when a close fourth to Sixties Icon in group three company at Goodwood last August, despite appearing not to handle that undulating track, and looked as good as ever when defying a penalty to win a listed race at Kempton Park in March. He goes well when fresh, so a three-month break is not a concern, and rates the best bet of the day at the 10-1 offered by totesport.
Heron Bay has not got his head in front since landing the King George V Handicap here two years ago, but has come down the weights as a result and can finally take advantage in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (5.00). Formerly trained by Geoff Wragg, he has been tried over shorter in two runs since joining Chris Wall, shaping as though retaining his ability on each occasion. Under more suitable conditions, he rates a fair bet at 22-1 with totesport.
Shakespearean should relish a step up to seven furlongs for the Chesham Stakes (2.30), while Tasheba can take the Queen Alexandra Stakes (5.35). Formerly trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, he showed useful form for Nicky Henderson over hurdles during the winter and can continue his improvement back on the level.
Source:The times
Earl's Court and Olympia enter boxing venue debate
Olympic boxing could be held at Earl's Court or Olympia in 2012 after the sport's governing body objected to the relocation of the event from East London to Wembley Arena.
The idea has been proposed as a solution to the escalating row between the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) and the London 2012 organising committee over a cost-saving measure to move boxing out of the ExCeL centre.
The relocation would allow Olympic organisers to scrap a £40million temporary venue next to the O2 Arena, southeast London, which would have staged badminton and rhythmic gymnastics. Those sports would be moved into ExCeL.
The AIBA described the move this week as “unacceptable” because of the journey times from the Athletes' Village in Stratford for nearly 300 boxers.
Officials took up to three hours to reach Wembley on test runs. London organisers hope to convince them that journey times would be cut substantially during the Games by dedicated Olympic lanes and traffic-light phasing.
Boxers, coaches and officials could also use a nearby hotel for overnight their accommodation and weigh-ins before bouts. But the issue has become a sticking point and the AIBA is adamant that London organisers revert to the original venue. It will be discussed by the Olympic board today.
The International Olympic Committee, which is preparing to allow women's boxing to be contested for the first time in 2012, wants a quick resolution.
The Royal Albert Hall, which this year regained its entertainment licence after a ten-year hiatus and has hosted bouts involving Henry Cooper Joe Bugner, Frank Bruno and Lennox Lewis, was briefly considered but ruled out for being too small. It would also be staging the Proms at the same time of year.
There are similar size constraints at Olympia while Earls Court is already hosting volleyball.
Source:The times
The idea has been proposed as a solution to the escalating row between the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) and the London 2012 organising committee over a cost-saving measure to move boxing out of the ExCeL centre.
The relocation would allow Olympic organisers to scrap a £40million temporary venue next to the O2 Arena, southeast London, which would have staged badminton and rhythmic gymnastics. Those sports would be moved into ExCeL.
The AIBA described the move this week as “unacceptable” because of the journey times from the Athletes' Village in Stratford for nearly 300 boxers.
Officials took up to three hours to reach Wembley on test runs. London organisers hope to convince them that journey times would be cut substantially during the Games by dedicated Olympic lanes and traffic-light phasing.
Boxers, coaches and officials could also use a nearby hotel for overnight their accommodation and weigh-ins before bouts. But the issue has become a sticking point and the AIBA is adamant that London organisers revert to the original venue. It will be discussed by the Olympic board today.
The International Olympic Committee, which is preparing to allow women's boxing to be contested for the first time in 2012, wants a quick resolution.
The Royal Albert Hall, which this year regained its entertainment licence after a ten-year hiatus and has hosted bouts involving Henry Cooper Joe Bugner, Frank Bruno and Lennox Lewis, was briefly considered but ruled out for being too small. It would also be staging the Proms at the same time of year.
There are similar size constraints at Olympia while Earls Court is already hosting volleyball.
Source:The times
Phil Mickelson makes flying start at US Open
American, whose wife is suffering from cancer, receives a hero's welcome and responds with some sparkling golf
It was anticipated that Phil Mickelson would receive a hero’s welcome at this US Open, but what happened on the Black course at Bethpage State Park yesterday exceeded expectations. New Yorkers, who had taken him to their hearts in 2002, when he was the runner-up here to Tiger Woods, excelled themselves as they showed their support for the player and, indirectly, for his wife, Amy, who is about to begin treatment for breast cancer.
Mickelson was given ovations on every tee and as he left every green. Buoyed by this support, he responded with some sparkling golf — and some that was not so sparkling. The world No 2 had said that he hoped he would play well, but with all that was going on in his life now he could not be sure. Apart from losing a ball with a wild drive from the 13th tee, he took advantage of having his first round delayed from Thursday by going round in 69, one under par.
Good as that score was for Mickelson, it was five strokes more than Mike Weir’s remarkable 64, one of the best first rounds in US Open history and ten strokes fewer than Woods, the defending champion. Weir had one double-bogey, nine pars and eight birdies, which, wrung from a course that is very, very difficult, must have made him feel like a man who had got away with a bank robbery.
Weir’s play overshadowed a 66 by Peter Hanson, of Sweden, while elsewhere the day resembled a walk down memory lane with former winners of the tournament. David Duval, who last had a top-ten finish in any tournament in 2002 and is ranked 882nd in the world, showed some of the form that won him the 2001 Open. His 67 was the same score as Todd Hamilton, the 2004 winner at Royal Troon.
You can set your watch by Graeme McDowell. Come a major championship and he will be there atop the leaderboard after the first round. That is where he was on the Thursday evening of the 2006 Open at Hoylake and that was where he was on the Thursday evening of last year’s Open at Royal Birkdale, too.
And for a while yesterday, after the rain-interrupted first round of the US Open had begun again, there was McDowell in his customary position once more. “I am fascinated by the challenge of major championships,” McDowell said after his 69. “It is what we measure our games by. Pinehurst in 2005 was my first major championship and I was frozen, like a deer in a car’s headlights. I was probably two out of ten at coping then. Now I would give myself five out of ten. I am starting to get my head around these things. Guys like Tiger and Padraig Harrington have learnt how to do it and prepare mentally for it.”
McDowell’s reference to Woods and Harrington was understandable. Between them, the world Nos 1 and 11 have won three of the past four major championships, but for all that they have 17 major championships between them, the two were well outscored by the Northern Irishman yesterday.
Harrington was already four over par when he and Woods picked up where they had left off the previous night and for Harrington, things did not get much better. He finished with a 76. Harrington says he has to improve what has been the bedrock of his success, the short game. “Putting is the weak link,” he said, though to this observer it was his game from tee to green that let him down.
Friends and family are concerned that his tinkering either has gone on too long in 2009 or is not working. He has missed the halfway cut in three of his past four tournaments in the United States and in the 3 Irish Open at County Louth golf club, too.
Woods was level par with four holes remaining. It had been a mixed round to that point but on a course as wet as this one, even though some of the holes had been shortened because of the rain, this was only to be expected.
Woods was not concerned at his slow start nor his poor finish, although when he saw how those players who played their entire round yesterday had received such an advantage, he might have reconsidered his position. Even for a man such as he, making up ten shots on Weir is asking something.
First-round scores .
United States unless stated; * denotes amateur
64: M Weir (Can).
66: P Hanson (Swe).
67: D Duval, T Hamilton, R Barnes.
68: R Mediate.
69: G McDowell (N Ire), D Weaver, L Glover, D Toms, A Scott (Aus), P Mickelson, S O’Hair.
70: I Poulter (GB), J Brehaut, *C Tringale, J Edfors (Swe), R Moore, D Smail, *K Stanley, S García (Sp), S Hansen (Den), R Fisher (GB), F Funk, O Wilson (GB).
71: F Molinari (It), M Sim (Aus), J Leonard, K Sutherland, J Mallinger, T Murphy, A Kim, C Villegas (Col), T Lehman, K Perry, A McLardy (SA), B Snedeker, M Kuchar.
72: V Singh (Fiji), R Sabbatini (SA), J Furyk, K J Choi (S Kor), B Curtis, B Watson, L Westwood (GB), *B Martin, A Yano, D Johnson, R McIlroy (N Ire), H Mahan, T Levet (Fr), R Blaum.
73: S Stricker, J Merrick, C Wittenberg, G Ogilvy (Aus), A Romero (Arg), B van Pelt, T Clark (SA), H Stenson (Swe), R Spears, P Tomasulo, S Allan (Aus), *N Taylor (Can), B Baird, J J Henry, J B Holmes, A Quirós (Sp), N Watney, R Goosen (SA), J Rose (GB), S Cink, J-F Lucquin (Fr), B Gay, *T Alexander, M Welch, R Jacquelin (Fr), B Mayfair, S Stefani, G Woodland.
74: C Kirk, R Pampling (Aus), T Woods, J P Hayes, Á Cabrera (Arg), *B Burgoon, G McNeill, A Parr (Can), Bae Sang Moon (S Kor), C Bowden, L Donald (GB), J Kamte (SA), M Laird (GB), D Clarke (N Ire), S Ames (Can), D Batty (Aus), C Yancey.
75: C Wi (S Kor), Z Johnson, R Allenby (Aus), P Casey (GB), R Imada (Japan), S Khan (GB), M Bettencourt, G Fernández-Castaño (Sp), C Pettersson (Swe), C Lowe, D Stiles.
76: B Crane, K Duke, M Kaymer (Ger), E Romero (Arg), H Slocum, P Harrington (Ire), *V Snyder, C Beckman, D J Trahan, S Appleby (Aus). C Stroud, C Beckstrom, *M Nagy, *C Klaasen.
77: R Bland (GB), M Campbell (NZ), M Á Jiménez (Sp), A Que (Phil), J M Lara (Sp), N Tyler, K Yokoo (Japan), S Gutschewski, C Schwartzel (SA).
78: J M Singh (India), C Jensen, *D Erdy, S Dyson (GB), *R Fowler, J McCumber, K Silva, M Miles, J Nitties (Aus), E Els (SA), M Jones (Aus), C Beljan.
79: E Axley, B Weekley, G Kraft, S Kai (Japan).
80: *D Kittleson, C Campbell, A Svoboda, S Farren, S Conway. 81: D Horsey (GB), *S Lewis, *K Peterman.
83: *J Brock.
Source:The times
It was anticipated that Phil Mickelson would receive a hero’s welcome at this US Open, but what happened on the Black course at Bethpage State Park yesterday exceeded expectations. New Yorkers, who had taken him to their hearts in 2002, when he was the runner-up here to Tiger Woods, excelled themselves as they showed their support for the player and, indirectly, for his wife, Amy, who is about to begin treatment for breast cancer.
Mickelson was given ovations on every tee and as he left every green. Buoyed by this support, he responded with some sparkling golf — and some that was not so sparkling. The world No 2 had said that he hoped he would play well, but with all that was going on in his life now he could not be sure. Apart from losing a ball with a wild drive from the 13th tee, he took advantage of having his first round delayed from Thursday by going round in 69, one under par.
Good as that score was for Mickelson, it was five strokes more than Mike Weir’s remarkable 64, one of the best first rounds in US Open history and ten strokes fewer than Woods, the defending champion. Weir had one double-bogey, nine pars and eight birdies, which, wrung from a course that is very, very difficult, must have made him feel like a man who had got away with a bank robbery.
Weir’s play overshadowed a 66 by Peter Hanson, of Sweden, while elsewhere the day resembled a walk down memory lane with former winners of the tournament. David Duval, who last had a top-ten finish in any tournament in 2002 and is ranked 882nd in the world, showed some of the form that won him the 2001 Open. His 67 was the same score as Todd Hamilton, the 2004 winner at Royal Troon.
You can set your watch by Graeme McDowell. Come a major championship and he will be there atop the leaderboard after the first round. That is where he was on the Thursday evening of the 2006 Open at Hoylake and that was where he was on the Thursday evening of last year’s Open at Royal Birkdale, too.
And for a while yesterday, after the rain-interrupted first round of the US Open had begun again, there was McDowell in his customary position once more. “I am fascinated by the challenge of major championships,” McDowell said after his 69. “It is what we measure our games by. Pinehurst in 2005 was my first major championship and I was frozen, like a deer in a car’s headlights. I was probably two out of ten at coping then. Now I would give myself five out of ten. I am starting to get my head around these things. Guys like Tiger and Padraig Harrington have learnt how to do it and prepare mentally for it.”
McDowell’s reference to Woods and Harrington was understandable. Between them, the world Nos 1 and 11 have won three of the past four major championships, but for all that they have 17 major championships between them, the two were well outscored by the Northern Irishman yesterday.
Harrington was already four over par when he and Woods picked up where they had left off the previous night and for Harrington, things did not get much better. He finished with a 76. Harrington says he has to improve what has been the bedrock of his success, the short game. “Putting is the weak link,” he said, though to this observer it was his game from tee to green that let him down.
Friends and family are concerned that his tinkering either has gone on too long in 2009 or is not working. He has missed the halfway cut in three of his past four tournaments in the United States and in the 3 Irish Open at County Louth golf club, too.
Woods was level par with four holes remaining. It had been a mixed round to that point but on a course as wet as this one, even though some of the holes had been shortened because of the rain, this was only to be expected.
Woods was not concerned at his slow start nor his poor finish, although when he saw how those players who played their entire round yesterday had received such an advantage, he might have reconsidered his position. Even for a man such as he, making up ten shots on Weir is asking something.
First-round scores .
United States unless stated; * denotes amateur
64: M Weir (Can).
66: P Hanson (Swe).
67: D Duval, T Hamilton, R Barnes.
68: R Mediate.
69: G McDowell (N Ire), D Weaver, L Glover, D Toms, A Scott (Aus), P Mickelson, S O’Hair.
70: I Poulter (GB), J Brehaut, *C Tringale, J Edfors (Swe), R Moore, D Smail, *K Stanley, S García (Sp), S Hansen (Den), R Fisher (GB), F Funk, O Wilson (GB).
71: F Molinari (It), M Sim (Aus), J Leonard, K Sutherland, J Mallinger, T Murphy, A Kim, C Villegas (Col), T Lehman, K Perry, A McLardy (SA), B Snedeker, M Kuchar.
72: V Singh (Fiji), R Sabbatini (SA), J Furyk, K J Choi (S Kor), B Curtis, B Watson, L Westwood (GB), *B Martin, A Yano, D Johnson, R McIlroy (N Ire), H Mahan, T Levet (Fr), R Blaum.
73: S Stricker, J Merrick, C Wittenberg, G Ogilvy (Aus), A Romero (Arg), B van Pelt, T Clark (SA), H Stenson (Swe), R Spears, P Tomasulo, S Allan (Aus), *N Taylor (Can), B Baird, J J Henry, J B Holmes, A Quirós (Sp), N Watney, R Goosen (SA), J Rose (GB), S Cink, J-F Lucquin (Fr), B Gay, *T Alexander, M Welch, R Jacquelin (Fr), B Mayfair, S Stefani, G Woodland.
74: C Kirk, R Pampling (Aus), T Woods, J P Hayes, Á Cabrera (Arg), *B Burgoon, G McNeill, A Parr (Can), Bae Sang Moon (S Kor), C Bowden, L Donald (GB), J Kamte (SA), M Laird (GB), D Clarke (N Ire), S Ames (Can), D Batty (Aus), C Yancey.
75: C Wi (S Kor), Z Johnson, R Allenby (Aus), P Casey (GB), R Imada (Japan), S Khan (GB), M Bettencourt, G Fernández-Castaño (Sp), C Pettersson (Swe), C Lowe, D Stiles.
76: B Crane, K Duke, M Kaymer (Ger), E Romero (Arg), H Slocum, P Harrington (Ire), *V Snyder, C Beckman, D J Trahan, S Appleby (Aus). C Stroud, C Beckstrom, *M Nagy, *C Klaasen.
77: R Bland (GB), M Campbell (NZ), M Á Jiménez (Sp), A Que (Phil), J M Lara (Sp), N Tyler, K Yokoo (Japan), S Gutschewski, C Schwartzel (SA).
78: J M Singh (India), C Jensen, *D Erdy, S Dyson (GB), *R Fowler, J McCumber, K Silva, M Miles, J Nitties (Aus), E Els (SA), M Jones (Aus), C Beljan.
79: E Axley, B Weekley, G Kraft, S Kai (Japan).
80: *D Kittleson, C Campbell, A Svoboda, S Farren, S Conway. 81: D Horsey (GB), *S Lewis, *K Peterman.
83: *J Brock.
Source:The times
Sebastien Vettel takes pole as Button falters
Sebastian Vettel will start from pole for tomorrow's British Grand Prix after crushing his rivals in qualifying, leaving championship leader Jenson Button down in sixth.
Vettel finished nearly four tenths of a second quicker than Rubens Barrichello in his Brawn GP, and Mark Webber who missed out on an all-Red Bull Racing front row by 0.012secs.
Lewis Hamilton, who thrilled his fans a year ago at Silverstone with a storming win in the wet, qualified 19th as his wretched season slipped to a new low.
Button was left languishing by almost 0.8secs behind Vettel as the Briton also has Toyota's Jarno Trulli and Kazuki Nakajima in his Williams ahead of him, the Japanese qualifying a career high of sixth.
For the 29-year-old, who goes into the sell-out race at Silverstone tomorrow with a 26-point lead in the championship after winning six of this season's first seven races, it was his worst qualifying run of the season.
As for Hamilton, it was a day to forget, with his chances wrecked by an accident late on in the initial 20-minute qualifying run by an accident involving friend Adrian Sutil in his Force India.
Sutil at least climbed out of the cockpit of his car unharmed in the wake of a shunt that saw him slam sideways into a tyre wall.
Entering Abbey, Sutil suffered a brake issue as his car careered across the grass and then gravel before finally hitting the tyres.
The force of the impact was such Sutil bounced off the wall before finally coming to rest.
It was a couple of minutes before the German clambered away from the wreckage before then being taken to the track medical centre for examination where he was given the all clear.
The accident immediately led to the session being red flagged with just 24 seconds left, ending Hamilton's prospects of completing one final hot lap.
It left the 24-year-old stranded 19th, with only Sebastien Buemi slower in his Toro Rosso, and a slow-down lap in which the Briton waved to his fans on his return to the pits.
"I did the best I could," reflected Hamilton, who has now failed to make it into Q2 for the last three races.
"I was pushing on that last lap, as hard as I could, but it was nothing special. We were just dead slow.
"The race is over, but we'll keep fighting and hopefully put on a good show for the fans.
"I've had incredible support from them. They're the ones that really get me through it."
Behind Button, the top 10 is completed by Williams' Nico Rosberg, Timo Glock for Toyota, the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso for Renault.
A number of big guns were knocked out in the 15-minute Q2, led by Ferrari's Felipe Massa who starts 11th when he appeared on course to make the top 10 at least.
BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica qualified 12th, followed by the McLaren of Heikki Kovalainen, Nelson Piquet in his Renault - out-qualified by team-mate Alonso for the 26th consecutive race - and the second BMW of Nick Heidfeld.
Ahead of Hamilton and Buemi in the final five are Force India's Giancarlo Fisichella, Sebastien Bourdais in his Toro Rosso and Sutil.
After clinching the fourth pole of his career, third of the year and second in a row, Vettel said: "It's been a fantastic weekend so far from beginning to end.
"All the parts we have brought here seem to be working well, so we have made a good step forward. But when it comes to qualifying there is tension there, you try to do your best and you try to get a good feeling.
"In Q3 I had the lap of the weekend. From beginning to end it was very close to being perfect. I brought the lap to the chequered flag, and I was surprised by how quick I was at that stage, yet it was enough to get pole."
Vettel, who is 32 points behind Button in the standings, is at least relieved to have the Briton some way behind him. "He has the advantage, quite a comfortable gap," added Vettel. "We are here to win races, we're in the best position tomorrow, and it's good he is not sitting with us [Barrichello and Webber]. But even though he is starting sixth, he can still come back and score a lot of points."
Source:The times
Vettel finished nearly four tenths of a second quicker than Rubens Barrichello in his Brawn GP, and Mark Webber who missed out on an all-Red Bull Racing front row by 0.012secs.
Lewis Hamilton, who thrilled his fans a year ago at Silverstone with a storming win in the wet, qualified 19th as his wretched season slipped to a new low.
Button was left languishing by almost 0.8secs behind Vettel as the Briton also has Toyota's Jarno Trulli and Kazuki Nakajima in his Williams ahead of him, the Japanese qualifying a career high of sixth.
For the 29-year-old, who goes into the sell-out race at Silverstone tomorrow with a 26-point lead in the championship after winning six of this season's first seven races, it was his worst qualifying run of the season.
As for Hamilton, it was a day to forget, with his chances wrecked by an accident late on in the initial 20-minute qualifying run by an accident involving friend Adrian Sutil in his Force India.
Sutil at least climbed out of the cockpit of his car unharmed in the wake of a shunt that saw him slam sideways into a tyre wall.
Entering Abbey, Sutil suffered a brake issue as his car careered across the grass and then gravel before finally hitting the tyres.
The force of the impact was such Sutil bounced off the wall before finally coming to rest.
It was a couple of minutes before the German clambered away from the wreckage before then being taken to the track medical centre for examination where he was given the all clear.
The accident immediately led to the session being red flagged with just 24 seconds left, ending Hamilton's prospects of completing one final hot lap.
It left the 24-year-old stranded 19th, with only Sebastien Buemi slower in his Toro Rosso, and a slow-down lap in which the Briton waved to his fans on his return to the pits.
"I did the best I could," reflected Hamilton, who has now failed to make it into Q2 for the last three races.
"I was pushing on that last lap, as hard as I could, but it was nothing special. We were just dead slow.
"The race is over, but we'll keep fighting and hopefully put on a good show for the fans.
"I've had incredible support from them. They're the ones that really get me through it."
Behind Button, the top 10 is completed by Williams' Nico Rosberg, Timo Glock for Toyota, the Ferrari of Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso for Renault.
A number of big guns were knocked out in the 15-minute Q2, led by Ferrari's Felipe Massa who starts 11th when he appeared on course to make the top 10 at least.
BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica qualified 12th, followed by the McLaren of Heikki Kovalainen, Nelson Piquet in his Renault - out-qualified by team-mate Alonso for the 26th consecutive race - and the second BMW of Nick Heidfeld.
Ahead of Hamilton and Buemi in the final five are Force India's Giancarlo Fisichella, Sebastien Bourdais in his Toro Rosso and Sutil.
After clinching the fourth pole of his career, third of the year and second in a row, Vettel said: "It's been a fantastic weekend so far from beginning to end.
"All the parts we have brought here seem to be working well, so we have made a good step forward. But when it comes to qualifying there is tension there, you try to do your best and you try to get a good feeling.
"In Q3 I had the lap of the weekend. From beginning to end it was very close to being perfect. I brought the lap to the chequered flag, and I was surprised by how quick I was at that stage, yet it was enough to get pole."
Vettel, who is 32 points behind Button in the standings, is at least relieved to have the Briton some way behind him. "He has the advantage, quite a comfortable gap," added Vettel. "We are here to win races, we're in the best position tomorrow, and it's good he is not sitting with us [Barrichello and Webber]. But even though he is starting sixth, he can still come back and score a lot of points."
Source:The times
Carlos Tevez to leave Manchester United
Carlos Tevez will leave English Premier League champions Manchester United, the club have confirmed.
Tevez's two-year loan deal was set to expire this month because United have been unable to agree a transfer fee with the group of investors who own the economic rights to the Argentine forward.
United offered Tevez a new five-year deal that would have made him one of the highest-paid players at Old Trafford, but said he turned it down.
A statement from Manchester United said: "Following contact received from Carlos Tevez's advisors last night, in advance of the deadline the Club set for concluding negotiations, Manchester United announces that Carlos will not be signing a new contract with the club.
The club agreed to pay the option price of £25.5 million and offered Carlos a five-year contract which would have made him one of its highest-paid players.
"Disappointingly, however, his advisors informed the club that, despite the success he has enjoyed during one of the club's most successful periods, he does not wish to continue playing for Manchester United.
"The club would like to thank Carlos for his services over the last two seasons and wishes him good luck for the future."
The decision paves the way for Tevez, who has been linked to a number of top flight clubs in England including Liverpool and Manchester City, to relaunch his career in the Premier League.
Despite playing a leading role in United's success last season, regularly being used as a substitute, the Argentine complained of not playing enough.
Source:The times
Tevez's two-year loan deal was set to expire this month because United have been unable to agree a transfer fee with the group of investors who own the economic rights to the Argentine forward.
United offered Tevez a new five-year deal that would have made him one of the highest-paid players at Old Trafford, but said he turned it down.
A statement from Manchester United said: "Following contact received from Carlos Tevez's advisors last night, in advance of the deadline the Club set for concluding negotiations, Manchester United announces that Carlos will not be signing a new contract with the club.
The club agreed to pay the option price of £25.5 million and offered Carlos a five-year contract which would have made him one of its highest-paid players.
"Disappointingly, however, his advisors informed the club that, despite the success he has enjoyed during one of the club's most successful periods, he does not wish to continue playing for Manchester United.
"The club would like to thank Carlos for his services over the last two seasons and wishes him good luck for the future."
The decision paves the way for Tevez, who has been linked to a number of top flight clubs in England including Liverpool and Manchester City, to relaunch his career in the Premier League.
Despite playing a leading role in United's success last season, regularly being used as a substitute, the Argentine complained of not playing enough.
Source:The times
Sri Lanka into World Twenty20 final
Brit Oval (West Indies won toss): Sri Lanka beat West Indies by 57 runs .
Tillekeratne Dilshan has every chance of being named the player of the World Twenty20 tomorrow when Sri Lanka and Pakistan contest the final at Lord’s, a game full of pathos coming little more than three months after their Test match in Lahore was abandoned after the terrorist attack on the touring team.
Going into the last match, Dilshan is the leading run-scorer with 317, has hit 18 more fours than his nearest rival — 46 to the 28 of Jacques Kallis — and came last night within a few feet of extending the best individual innings of the competition into its first century from the final ball against a powerless attack.
It was not so much the “Dilscoop” as the Dildrive, Dilpull and Dilcut that did for West Indies. Dilshan’s unbeaten 96 came from 57 balls, while the 63 faced by his colleagues produced only 62 runs. The comparison would be even starker but for a cameo of 12 runs from four balls by Angelo Mathews at the finish of the innings.
Dilshan seemed to be playing a different game, dominating a first-wicket stand of 73 with Sanath Jayasuriya. Later, Chamara Silva contributed 11 of a 50-run partnership. Dilshan twice hit Dwayne Bravo for three fours in an over, slogging only once he started to tire.
West Indies found hope when Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena all self-destructed in the eleventh and twelfth overs, but Dilshan carried on regardless, almost hitting Chris Gayle, the West Indies captain, for the six he needed to complete three figures at the end.
Gayle knew that West Indies needed early runs before Sri Lanka turned to spin. He cannot have expected that Mathews would be the executioner, leaving the reply teetering at one for three after six balls as Xavier Marshall and Bravo edged on unsure whether to play or leave, and Lendl Simmons was bowled leg stump. Gayle carried his bat for 63 from 50 balls, but none of his colleagues attacked Muttiah Muralitharan with equal conviction.
Sangakkara, the Sri Lanka captain, praised his team’s mental toughness. “Terrorism can happen to anyone and it happened to us,” he said. “I think it’s great the way the guys have gone out, showed no fear and focused on cricket. I think this is a fitting reward.”
It was not all sweetness and light. Sangakkara was fined 10 per cent of his match fee and the rest of his side 5 per cent because Sri Lanka were judged to have fallen an over short of completing their allocation in time.
Sri LankaT M Dilshan not out 96S T Jayasuriya c Taylor b Bravo 24*†K C Sangakkara c Pollard b Bravo 0D P M D Jayawardena c Chanderpaul b Pollard 2L P C Silva c Ramdin b Benn 11J Mubarak c Sammy b Taylor 7A D Mathews not out 12Extras (lb 3, w 3) 6Total (5 wkts, 20 overs) 158I Udana, S L Malinga, M Muralitharan and B A W Mendis did not bat.Fall of wickets: 1-73, 2-73, 3-77, 4-127, 5-134.Bowling: Sammy 4-0-19-0; Taylor 4-0-31-1; Bravo 3-0-32-2; Benn 4-0-24-1; Gayle 3-0-35-0; Pollard 2-0-14-1.
West Indies*C H Gayle not out 63X M Marshall b Mathews 0L M P Simmons b Mathews 0D J Bravo b Mathews 0S Chanderpaul lbw b Mendis 7R R Sarwan c Mathews b Muralitharan 5K A Pollard st Sangakkara b Muralitharan 3†D Ramdin c Jayawardena b Udana 9J E Taylor c sub b Muralitharan 2D J G Sammy c Mubarak b Mendis 1S J Benn b Malinga 0Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 7, nb 1) 11Total (17.4 overs) 101Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 4-43, 5-64, 6-75, 7-86, 8-95, 9-97.Bowling: Mathews 4-0-16-3; Udana 3-0-20-1; Malinga 2.4-0-24-1; Mendis 4-0-9-2; Muralitharan 4-0-29-3.Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pakistan) and R E Koertzen (South Africa).TV umpire: D J Harper (Australia).Match referee: A G Hurst (Australia).Reserve umpire: A M Saheba (India).
Source:The times
Tillekeratne Dilshan has every chance of being named the player of the World Twenty20 tomorrow when Sri Lanka and Pakistan contest the final at Lord’s, a game full of pathos coming little more than three months after their Test match in Lahore was abandoned after the terrorist attack on the touring team.
Going into the last match, Dilshan is the leading run-scorer with 317, has hit 18 more fours than his nearest rival — 46 to the 28 of Jacques Kallis — and came last night within a few feet of extending the best individual innings of the competition into its first century from the final ball against a powerless attack.
It was not so much the “Dilscoop” as the Dildrive, Dilpull and Dilcut that did for West Indies. Dilshan’s unbeaten 96 came from 57 balls, while the 63 faced by his colleagues produced only 62 runs. The comparison would be even starker but for a cameo of 12 runs from four balls by Angelo Mathews at the finish of the innings.
Dilshan seemed to be playing a different game, dominating a first-wicket stand of 73 with Sanath Jayasuriya. Later, Chamara Silva contributed 11 of a 50-run partnership. Dilshan twice hit Dwayne Bravo for three fours in an over, slogging only once he started to tire.
West Indies found hope when Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena all self-destructed in the eleventh and twelfth overs, but Dilshan carried on regardless, almost hitting Chris Gayle, the West Indies captain, for the six he needed to complete three figures at the end.
Gayle knew that West Indies needed early runs before Sri Lanka turned to spin. He cannot have expected that Mathews would be the executioner, leaving the reply teetering at one for three after six balls as Xavier Marshall and Bravo edged on unsure whether to play or leave, and Lendl Simmons was bowled leg stump. Gayle carried his bat for 63 from 50 balls, but none of his colleagues attacked Muttiah Muralitharan with equal conviction.
Sangakkara, the Sri Lanka captain, praised his team’s mental toughness. “Terrorism can happen to anyone and it happened to us,” he said. “I think it’s great the way the guys have gone out, showed no fear and focused on cricket. I think this is a fitting reward.”
It was not all sweetness and light. Sangakkara was fined 10 per cent of his match fee and the rest of his side 5 per cent because Sri Lanka were judged to have fallen an over short of completing their allocation in time.
Sri LankaT M Dilshan not out 96S T Jayasuriya c Taylor b Bravo 24*†K C Sangakkara c Pollard b Bravo 0D P M D Jayawardena c Chanderpaul b Pollard 2L P C Silva c Ramdin b Benn 11J Mubarak c Sammy b Taylor 7A D Mathews not out 12Extras (lb 3, w 3) 6Total (5 wkts, 20 overs) 158I Udana, S L Malinga, M Muralitharan and B A W Mendis did not bat.Fall of wickets: 1-73, 2-73, 3-77, 4-127, 5-134.Bowling: Sammy 4-0-19-0; Taylor 4-0-31-1; Bravo 3-0-32-2; Benn 4-0-24-1; Gayle 3-0-35-0; Pollard 2-0-14-1.
West Indies*C H Gayle not out 63X M Marshall b Mathews 0L M P Simmons b Mathews 0D J Bravo b Mathews 0S Chanderpaul lbw b Mendis 7R R Sarwan c Mathews b Muralitharan 5K A Pollard st Sangakkara b Muralitharan 3†D Ramdin c Jayawardena b Udana 9J E Taylor c sub b Muralitharan 2D J G Sammy c Mubarak b Mendis 1S J Benn b Malinga 0Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 7, nb 1) 11Total (17.4 overs) 101Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-1, 3-1, 4-43, 5-64, 6-75, 7-86, 8-95, 9-97.Bowling: Mathews 4-0-16-3; Udana 3-0-20-1; Malinga 2.4-0-24-1; Mendis 4-0-9-2; Muralitharan 4-0-29-3.Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pakistan) and R E Koertzen (South Africa).TV umpire: D J Harper (Australia).Match referee: A G Hurst (Australia).Reserve umpire: A M Saheba (India).
Source:The times
South Africa v Lions - first Test - live!
Latest score - South Africa 26 Lions 21
3.43pm: South Africa 26 Lions 21 Jones converts!
3.42pm: South Africa 26 Lions 19 ...and Phillips races in from nowhere! He punches the ball away when he'd be better served taking it back to Stephen Jones, ready for the conversion.
3.41pm: The Lions are working so, so hard now...
3.38pm: Ugo Monye collects on the left, and Steyn tackles him and knocks the ball out of his hands, right on the line.
3.37pm: Penalty to the Lions, and they decide to go quickly and run in, all of a sudden enthused and infused with energy.
3.35pm: South Africa 26 Lions 14 The conversion makes the scoreline look slightly more respectable.
3.33pm: South Africa 26 Lions 12 After a period of Lions pressure, Tom Croft gets his second try of the afternoon, after a great run from Roberts.
3.29pm: O'Driscoll chips it sneakily out to Bowe on the right, but he can't gather.
3.24pm: And now Habana is taking on Bowe, as they both career out of play, into touch and into the hoardings.
3.18pm: And so the penalty is given to South Africa, because Rees punched a man on the ground, and that is, of course, foul play.
3.16pm: Bowe makes a break for it, and then tosses it back, with nobody claiming it. The referee awards a penalty for a knock-on and then Bryan Habana decides to have a scrap with Rees.
3.29pm: O'Driscoll chips it sneakily out to Bowe on the right, but he can't gather.
3.24pm: And now Habana is taking on Bowe, as they both career out of play, into touch and into the hoardings.
3.18pm: And so the penalty is given to South Africa, because Rees punched a man on the ground, and that is, of course, foul play.
3.16pm: Bowe makes a break for it, and then tosses it back, with nobody claiming it. The referee awards a penalty for a knock-on and then Bryan Habana decides to have a scrap with Rees. 3.11pm: Phillips lunges for the line, and the referee asks for clarification. Phillips loses the ball; Botha can't hold it, and Mears tries to put it down, but it's not given and it's a scrum.
3.08pm: South Africa 26 Lions 7 Pienaar converts.
3.07pm: South Africa 24 Lions 7 There is absolutely no way back for the Lions now. South Africa are simply too powerful, and this time it's Brussow who touches down.
3.04pm: South Africa are positively rampant, moving the Lions back by about 20 metres.
3pm: The teams assemble on the pitch ready for the second half, and with the Lions ready to put plan B into action.
2.49pm: And that's the last action of the half. The Lions have been cruelly awoken by the world champions so far.
2.48pm: Pienaar misses that kick from an acute angle. For the Lions, Byrne's gone off with a heel problem, and is replaced by Kearney.
2.46pm: The Lions have not been doing well in the scrums today, and yet again it's a penalty to South Africa after they fail to bind properly. 2.45pm: The referee apologises to Jones as he stops the game rather than letting the advantage accrue after a knock-on. Too late, though. It's a scrum.
2.43pm: South Africa 19 Lions 7 A great kick from Pienaar, looping nicely over the bar.
2.41pm: Another penalty to South Africa, this time for the Lions not releasing. Paul O'Connell is given a stern talking-to by the referee.
2.40pm: South Africa 16 Lions 7 Pienaar has more luck than his team-mate, not having to rely on sheer blast power and thus kicking with increased accuracy.
2.39pm: Pienaar's turn to kick, and he prepares himself with several muttered words of encouragement.
2.35pm: Terrible kick from Steyn - several metres wide.
2.31pm: South Africa 13 Lions 7 And the kick goes over.
2.30pm: South Africa 13 Lions 5 O'Driscoll cuts through, passing to Croft about ten yards from the line just before he's taken down. Croft does the rest, despite Steyn's best efforts.
2.28pm: South Africa 13 Lions 0 And he gets it.
2.27pm: South Africa get a penalty for the dangerous tackle, and Steyn is going to take it.
2.25pm: Du Preez is hit by Jenkins, and clatters to the ground, landing heavily on his shoulder.
2.22pm: Jones misses his second penalty. 2.21pm: The Lions have a spell of great running play, but South Africa reclaim possession, before Habana is halted by Jenkins.
2.20pm: Possession is slightly in the Lions' favour (55%), but frankly that means nothing when the Springboks are taking all their opportunities.
2.17pm: South Africa 10 Lions 0 Ruan Pienaar gets his second kick of the afternoon over, and this is ominous for the Lions.
2.13pm: Bryce Lawrence has absolutely no idea what his television-watching colleague is telling him. It is classic.
2.11pm: Ugo Monye takes a great ball from O'Driscoll and uses his explosive pace to cross the line, but De Villiers' arm is very much in the way as he touches down. The referee refers the decision...
2.09pm: South Africa 7 Lions 0 And Pienaar converts.
2.08pm: South Africa 5 Lions 0 John Smit charges over the line. The Lions were defending with utter desperation, and the try was inevitable.
2.06pm: Jones has the height and the distance but not the positioning.
2.05pm: Penalty to the Lions for offside. Stephen Jones throws an advertising hoarding out of the way, readying himself for the run-up.
2.04pm: De Villiers goes in with a shoulder on O'Driscoll, who kicks well upfield.
2.03pm: Here we go! South Africa kick off!
2pm: Time for the singing - the Lions don't seem to know whether they are going to have their arms round each other in fraternal solidarity, or put their arms straight down in front of them.
1.58pm: The flags are flying, and the teams are trotting up the tunnel. The home side take to the pitch to a huge roar from the crowd.
1.55pm: Seven Sharks starting today at the Absa Stadium, their home ground.
1.30pm: Good afternoon, everyone, and here are the teams for this afternoon's match -
South Africa: F Steyn, Pietersen, Jacobs, de Villiers, Habana, Pienaar, du Preez, Mtawarira, du Plessis, Smit, Botha, Matfield, Brussow, Smith, Spies.
Replacements: Steenkamp, Carstens, Bekker, Rossouw, Januarie, Fourie, M Steyn.
Lions: Byrne, Bowe, O'Driscoll, Roberts, Monye, S. Jones, Phillips, Jenkins, Mears, Vickery, A Jones, O'Connell, Croft, Wallace, Heaslip.
Replacements: Rees, A Jones, O'Callaghan, M. Williams, Ellis, O'Gara, Kearney.
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Source:The times
3.43pm: South Africa 26 Lions 21 Jones converts!
3.42pm: South Africa 26 Lions 19 ...and Phillips races in from nowhere! He punches the ball away when he'd be better served taking it back to Stephen Jones, ready for the conversion.
3.41pm: The Lions are working so, so hard now...
3.38pm: Ugo Monye collects on the left, and Steyn tackles him and knocks the ball out of his hands, right on the line.
3.37pm: Penalty to the Lions, and they decide to go quickly and run in, all of a sudden enthused and infused with energy.
3.35pm: South Africa 26 Lions 14 The conversion makes the scoreline look slightly more respectable.
3.33pm: South Africa 26 Lions 12 After a period of Lions pressure, Tom Croft gets his second try of the afternoon, after a great run from Roberts.
3.29pm: O'Driscoll chips it sneakily out to Bowe on the right, but he can't gather.
3.24pm: And now Habana is taking on Bowe, as they both career out of play, into touch and into the hoardings.
3.18pm: And so the penalty is given to South Africa, because Rees punched a man on the ground, and that is, of course, foul play.
3.16pm: Bowe makes a break for it, and then tosses it back, with nobody claiming it. The referee awards a penalty for a knock-on and then Bryan Habana decides to have a scrap with Rees.
3.29pm: O'Driscoll chips it sneakily out to Bowe on the right, but he can't gather.
3.24pm: And now Habana is taking on Bowe, as they both career out of play, into touch and into the hoardings.
3.18pm: And so the penalty is given to South Africa, because Rees punched a man on the ground, and that is, of course, foul play.
3.16pm: Bowe makes a break for it, and then tosses it back, with nobody claiming it. The referee awards a penalty for a knock-on and then Bryan Habana decides to have a scrap with Rees. 3.11pm: Phillips lunges for the line, and the referee asks for clarification. Phillips loses the ball; Botha can't hold it, and Mears tries to put it down, but it's not given and it's a scrum.
3.08pm: South Africa 26 Lions 7 Pienaar converts.
3.07pm: South Africa 24 Lions 7 There is absolutely no way back for the Lions now. South Africa are simply too powerful, and this time it's Brussow who touches down.
3.04pm: South Africa are positively rampant, moving the Lions back by about 20 metres.
3pm: The teams assemble on the pitch ready for the second half, and with the Lions ready to put plan B into action.
2.49pm: And that's the last action of the half. The Lions have been cruelly awoken by the world champions so far.
2.48pm: Pienaar misses that kick from an acute angle. For the Lions, Byrne's gone off with a heel problem, and is replaced by Kearney.
2.46pm: The Lions have not been doing well in the scrums today, and yet again it's a penalty to South Africa after they fail to bind properly. 2.45pm: The referee apologises to Jones as he stops the game rather than letting the advantage accrue after a knock-on. Too late, though. It's a scrum.
2.43pm: South Africa 19 Lions 7 A great kick from Pienaar, looping nicely over the bar.
2.41pm: Another penalty to South Africa, this time for the Lions not releasing. Paul O'Connell is given a stern talking-to by the referee.
2.40pm: South Africa 16 Lions 7 Pienaar has more luck than his team-mate, not having to rely on sheer blast power and thus kicking with increased accuracy.
2.39pm: Pienaar's turn to kick, and he prepares himself with several muttered words of encouragement.
2.35pm: Terrible kick from Steyn - several metres wide.
2.31pm: South Africa 13 Lions 7 And the kick goes over.
2.30pm: South Africa 13 Lions 5 O'Driscoll cuts through, passing to Croft about ten yards from the line just before he's taken down. Croft does the rest, despite Steyn's best efforts.
2.28pm: South Africa 13 Lions 0 And he gets it.
2.27pm: South Africa get a penalty for the dangerous tackle, and Steyn is going to take it.
2.25pm: Du Preez is hit by Jenkins, and clatters to the ground, landing heavily on his shoulder.
2.22pm: Jones misses his second penalty. 2.21pm: The Lions have a spell of great running play, but South Africa reclaim possession, before Habana is halted by Jenkins.
2.20pm: Possession is slightly in the Lions' favour (55%), but frankly that means nothing when the Springboks are taking all their opportunities.
2.17pm: South Africa 10 Lions 0 Ruan Pienaar gets his second kick of the afternoon over, and this is ominous for the Lions.
2.13pm: Bryce Lawrence has absolutely no idea what his television-watching colleague is telling him. It is classic.
2.11pm: Ugo Monye takes a great ball from O'Driscoll and uses his explosive pace to cross the line, but De Villiers' arm is very much in the way as he touches down. The referee refers the decision...
2.09pm: South Africa 7 Lions 0 And Pienaar converts.
2.08pm: South Africa 5 Lions 0 John Smit charges over the line. The Lions were defending with utter desperation, and the try was inevitable.
2.06pm: Jones has the height and the distance but not the positioning.
2.05pm: Penalty to the Lions for offside. Stephen Jones throws an advertising hoarding out of the way, readying himself for the run-up.
2.04pm: De Villiers goes in with a shoulder on O'Driscoll, who kicks well upfield.
2.03pm: Here we go! South Africa kick off!
2pm: Time for the singing - the Lions don't seem to know whether they are going to have their arms round each other in fraternal solidarity, or put their arms straight down in front of them.
1.58pm: The flags are flying, and the teams are trotting up the tunnel. The home side take to the pitch to a huge roar from the crowd.
1.55pm: Seven Sharks starting today at the Absa Stadium, their home ground.
1.30pm: Good afternoon, everyone, and here are the teams for this afternoon's match -
South Africa: F Steyn, Pietersen, Jacobs, de Villiers, Habana, Pienaar, du Preez, Mtawarira, du Plessis, Smit, Botha, Matfield, Brussow, Smith, Spies.
Replacements: Steenkamp, Carstens, Bekker, Rossouw, Januarie, Fourie, M Steyn.
Lions: Byrne, Bowe, O'Driscoll, Roberts, Monye, S. Jones, Phillips, Jenkins, Mears, Vickery, A Jones, O'Connell, Croft, Wallace, Heaslip.
Replacements: Rees, A Jones, O'Callaghan, M. Williams, Ellis, O'Gara, Kearney.
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Source:The times
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