Sports News in Detail

Cricket News

Pakistan loses 2011 World Cup

Pakistan has lost the right to host games in the 2011 World Cup because of ongoing security fears in the region.

The decision was taken at an International Cricket Council (ICC) executive board meeting on Friday and relates to the "uncertain security situation" in the country.

Pakistan had been due to co-host the event with India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and the ICC said they would press ahead with the matches in those countries.

ICC president David Morgan said after the meeting in Dubai: "It is a regrettable decision but our number one priority is to create certainty and... deliver a safe, secure and successful event.

"The uncertainty created by events in Pakistan created a huge question mark over our ability to do just that."

At least seven Pakistanis were killed and six Sri Lanka players were injured during an armed attack on the visitors' team bus as they travelled to a Test match in Lahore at the start of March.

"It is extremely regrettable that the board has had to take this decision given the passion the people of Pakistan have for the game of cricket and for the ICC Cricket World Cup," Morgan added.

"It is highly unlikely that we will have the security clearance between now and the start date in 2011 for Pakistan to host international tournaments.

IPL's safari set to begin in South Africa

Cape Town:

Defying all odds, the second edition of the cash-awash Indian Premier League, a heady cocktail of cricket and entertainment, gets underway in its adopted home with a mouth-watering double header in Cape Town on Saturday.

It will be a double delight at the Newlands Stadium with back-to-back matches featuring some of the best contemporary cricketers in this slam-bang version of the game.

Under the iconic Sachin Tendulkar, Mumbai Indians will lock horns with last year's runners-up Chennai Super Kings, led by the charismatic Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

And before the crowd actually catch some breath, maverick England batsman Kevin Pietersen will lead Bangalore Royal Challengers onto the field, hoping to shed last year's laggard's tag.

The task would be easier said than done because Rajasthan Royals, under the wily Shane Warne, would be hoping for an encore and the defending champions would definitely love to start their campaign on a winning note on Saturday.

More than any team, it, however, would be a triumph of the indomitable spirit of the organisers when the 59-match razzmatazz finally rolls off the block tomorrow.

Considering how the league's fate hung in balance after its dates clashed with India's general election and the Home Ministry back home cited its inability to provide security for the tournament, IPL authorities have moved mountains to make the entire thing possible.

IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi and his team burnt midnight oil first to find a base away from India and then making the necessary arrangements befitting an event of such stature.

Tennis News

Roger Federer free to honeymoon after losing to Stanislas Wawrinka at Monte Carlo Masters

April 17, 2009
Roger Federer was left free to enjoy the rest of his honeymoon when he was knocked out of the Monte Carlo Masters by Swiss compatriot and Olympic gold medal winning partner Stanislas Wawrinka.

World No.2 Federer, without a title in 2009 and desperately short of form and confidence, went down 6-4 7-5 to the No. 13 seed in the third round.

Federer, who got married to long-time girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec at the weekend, had originally decided to skip this event, but accepted a late wildcard in the hope of finding his claycourt game in the run-up to the French Open.

On a day when start of play was delayed by five hours because of rain, Spaniard Fernando Verdasco crushed compatriot David Ferrer 6-2 6-1 while German Andreas Beck saw off Juan Monaco from Argentina 3-6 6-2 7-5.

Venus Williams fails to fire or progress in Charleston clay event

April 17, 2009
Wimbledon champion Venus Williams has crashed out of the Charleston WTA claycourt tournament, losing 6-4 7-6 to German Sabine Lisicki.

No.2 seed Williams sent down five double faults and showed the same weaknesses in her game that were obvious in her three-set struggle against India's Sania Mirza in Wednesday's second round.

Defeat meant Venus was unable to keep the title in the family after sister Serena won here in 2008.

Lisicki will tackle either Viktoriya Kutuzova from Ukraine or Russian Elena Vesnina in the last eight.

"It's a great victory beating Venus Williams. She's just a great champion. I still can't really believe I won," Lisicki said.

"It's one of my biggest wins. I think my win against Lindsay Davenport was really big as well, representing my country and beating her in my very first Fed Cup experience.

Williams was not the only big name to struggle with No.3 seed Vera Zonareva, and No.4 seed Nadia Petrova, both of Russia, crashing out.

Zonareva lasted just two games against France's Virginie Razzano before being forced to abandon with an ankle injury.

The Russian sustained the injury when she fell stretching for a ball out wide at 1-1 and was taken away in tears on a golf buggy.

Petrova was outlasted 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 by Melina Czink of Hungary who will play France's sixth seed Marion Bartoli for a place in the last four.

Bartoli eased past America's Melanie Oudin 6-4, 6-1.

No.1 seed Elena Dementieva of Russia coasted into the last eight with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Varvara Lepchenko of the United States.

Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray through in Monte Carlo Masters

April 17, 2009
Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray concluded rain-interrupted matches held over for a day at the Monte Carlo Masters, with the world No.1 winning his 24th straight match on clay.

The No.1 seed, in the chase for a fifth consecutive trophy at the Country Club, completed a 6-3 6-0 rout of Ecuadorian Nicolas Lapentti after the pair played one game on a rainy Thursday evening.

Murray finished his own job to reach his first career quarter-final on clay as he defeated Italian Fabio Fognini 7-6 (13-11) 6-4.

The No.4 seed Scot is now bearing down on No.2 ranked Roger Federer in the ATP rankings after the Swiss crashed out to compatriot Stan Wawrinka in the third round.

Murray will later play either Nikolay Davydenko or David Nalbandian as that pair play another delayed third-round contest. Nadal takes on Croatian Ivan Ljubicic, a winner over Italy's Simone Bolelli 7-5 7-6 (7-2).


Football News

Man United's Alex Ferguson continues war of words with Rafa Benitez

April 17, 2009
Sir Alex Ferguson continued his on-going feud with Premier League title rival Rafa Benitez on Friday after calling the Liverpool manager "arrogant".

The long-serving Manchester United manager made the comment as he made his final preparations ahead of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final with Everton at Wembley.

Benitez once enraged Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton after labelling them a "small club".

But Ferguson could not resist bringing up the comment in having another dig at Benitez at his press conference at United's Carrington training ground.

"They are a big club and David Moyes, the manager, is doing a great job," Ferguson said.

"He (Benitez) called them a small club, which points to his arrogance."

Ferguson then accused the Spaniard of showing contempt to Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce during Liverpool's 4-0 victory at Anfield last Saturday.

Sir Alex claimed Benitez made a signal indicating the game was over after Fernando Torres had scored his, and Liverpool's, second goal in the 33rd minute.

"I don't think any other Liverpool manager would have done that," Ferguson said.

"That kind of contempt ... it's beyond the pale. I don't think Sam Allardyce deserved that."

Ferguson has been involved in a three-month war of words with Benitez since the Liverpool manager accused the long-serving Old Trafford manager of being a whinger in January.
The United manager immediately hit back by accusing Benitez of allowing the pressure of the title race to get to him.

United are one point ahead of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League as the season reaches an exciting climax, although Ferguson's side have the edge as they have one game in hand.

Meanwhile, Ferguson has warned his players not to underestimate the challenge they face against Everton as he bids to guide United to a sixth FA Cup triumph in 23 years in charge at United.

Everton are without a major trophy for 14 years while United are chasing a possible quintuple this season.

Having already secured the League Cup and FIFA Club World Championship, the Premier League leaders face a Champions League semi-final with Arsenal.

But Ferguson believes Everton are ``hungry'' for success and will present his side with a formidable challenge.

"My problem on Sunday is that we are facing a hungry team," he said.

"They want to win a trophy but we have got to make sure we are on top of our game.''

Fernando Torres hints he's ready to sign long-term deal to stay at Liverpool

April 17, 2009:Fernando Torres has hinted he is ready to commit his long-term future to Liverpool after revealing how much he loves life at Anfield.

Torres has been touched by the affection shown to him by Liverpool fans since moving to Merseyside from Atletico Madrid in 2007.

The 25-year-old, who has scored 47 times in almost two seasons with the Reds, is idolised just as much as local heroes Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher and is keen to repay their faith.

It is believed Torres is in the early stages of negotiations over a contract extension and a new deal could be concluded in the close-season.

"I would love to remain at Liverpool for many seasons to come. I feel at home here. I still have this season plus another four years left to run on my contract," Torres said on his website F9T

"The club has been brilliant with me and I owe the fans a lot. They took to me as if I was one of their own. They treat me in the same way they do Gerrard or Carragher, it is unbelievable.

"I hope to repay their warmth by giving them a Premier League title because it has been a long time since the club last won the league.

"I do not have a buy-out clause in my contract, you do not get them in England. Both teams have to reach an agreement before a player can leave his club to sign for another."

Spain striker Torres certainly won't be joining Real Madrid if he ever does quit Anfield. He is regarded as an Atletico icon after his spell at Real's city rivals and dismissed any suggestion he could one day play at the Bernabeu.

"Real Madrid are not the biggest team in the game. They are a big club but so are Barcelona, AC Milan, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan," he said.

"It is not a team that interests me and, because of the time I spent at Atletico Madrid, the opposite could be said. I just cannot see myself playing for Real Madrid.

"In a few years' time I would like to play in Serie A. I would then have played in the three biggest leagues in European football: Spain, England and Italy."

Sports News In Detail

An unlikely end to a thrilling Sunday at Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP)—There were so many ways this most thrilling of Masters could have ended.

What if Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson had carried their duel into a playoff? Now that would have turned Augusta National upside down.

Or how about Kenny Perry, the ultimate grinder, winning his first major at an age when most players are prepping for the senior tour? Boy, that would have been something.

Instead, it was a burly man from Argentina who crafted an ending no one could have envisioned. Down at the 10th green, long after Woods and Mickelson had headed for exits and dragged many of the patrons with them, Angel Cabrera barely beat the setting sun with a gimme of a putt as Perry looked on helplessly.

OK, it wasn’t Hollywood.

But Cabrera sure earned it.

When his swing got loose and produced two straight bogeys on the front side, he hung in there. When he faced a two-stroke deficit with two holes to play, he didn’t give up. And, most impressively, when his first tee shot of the sudden-death playoff rolled to a stop behind a big tree on the first playoff hole, he never lost hope.

“I only had a spot like this big”—meaning tiny—“and only trees, so I’ve got to put it through there, that’s it,” Cabrera said, a translator relaying his words. “Easy as that.”

Cabrera somehow hooked his ball around one tree and past several more, getting it back to the fairway. Then he knocked it up on the green, 8 feet behind the hole, and made the putt to save a remarkable par. Perry messed up his approach and had to settle for par, too. The third member of the playoff, Chad Campbell, missed his 6-footer and the race was down to two.

Only one more hole was needed. Perry found mud on his ball in the middle of the 10th fairway, and his shot veered left of the green. Cabrera knocked his below the hole and—for perhaps the first time all day—he was finally the one in command. Perry’s chip raced past the flag, and he missed the putt coming back.

Perry didn’t even get a chance to finish. Cabrera’s putt stopped next to the hole. He marked it, took a quick look to make sure there was nothing on it, and calmly delivered the winning stroke on his second career major.

At Oakmont two years ago, Cabrera stared down Woods and Jim Furyk to win the U.S. Open. Now he has joined the green jacket club and wiped out any perception that his first major title was a fluke.

“I was happy with my game and I had confidence,” Cabrera said after a closing 71 left him at 12-under 276. “I was just trying to enjoy the moment.”

He wasn’t the only one. From the time Woods and Mickelson stepped to the tee, sharing a firm handshake and icy stare, there was a sense this would finally be the day the Masters delivered an Augusta-like finish. Another day broke warm and sunny. The flags drooped limply atop the scoreboard. The greens were still soft and inviting after a fierce storm a couple of nights earlier.

This was finally a Sunday for some fireworks, and they were soon going off all over the course.

The main event was Woods vs. Mickelson, or so it seemed most of the day. Mickelson scored the early blows, delivering six birdies before the turn for a record-tying 30. Woods bounced off the ropes with a 30-footer for eagle at No. 8. They both had a shot as they headed to Amen Corner, trailed by a gallery that grew to 10-deep in spots.

“It was fun,” Mickelson said. “We’ve had some good matches in the past. I’m usually on the wrong end of it, but it was fun playing with him.”

The script began to unravel at No. 12, the devilish little hole known as “Golden Bell.” Mickelson pulled out a 9-iron and took a tentative swing. The ball checked up short of the flag, spun backward and didn’t stop rolling until it splashed in Rae’s Creek. Mickelson wound up with a double bogey, which seemed to suck all hope out of his game.

“The ball went in the water,” Lefty said, “and I stopped making putts.”

A 4-footer for eagle at No. 13 missed the cup by a good inch or two— basically an airball for someone of his caliber. His last opportunity faded away when a 5-foot birdie try slid by the cup at 17. A bogey at the final hole left him with a 5-under 67, three shots shy of the first three-man playoff since 1987.

Woods was one stroke out of the lead after he planted his tee shot next to the flag at No. 16, producing his third birdie in four holes. But golf’s greatest closer couldn’t finish the comeback. His last two tee shots were both wide and outside. He slammed another shot off a tree. A bogey-bogey finish left him one stroke behind Mickelson and tied for sixth, his worst finish at Augusta since 2004.
Padraig Harrington of Ireland hits down the first fairway during the third round of the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Saturday, April 11, 2009.


He’s now gone four years without a green jacket, the longest drought of his Masters career.

“I was right there,” Woods said. “I hit a good tee shot down 17, the wind just held it just enough, wouldn’t let it cut back, and I was dead from there.”

At least he has a Masters title—four of them.

Perry headed to the penultimate hole with a two-stroke lead and seemed the most unlikely guy on the course to let it slip away. He had gone 22 holes since his last bogey, and merely needed a nice, safe finish to add some green to his wardrobe.

Then, he seemed to realize just what was happening. His hands got a little sweaty, his arms a little shaky. He was caught up in the moment, and it got to him.

“I can’t stop my right hand when I get a little nervous,” Perry conceded. “It wants to shoot a little bit and I can’t calm it down.”

He knocked his second shot at 17 over the green and took bogey. He tried to calm down, kept telling himself he still had a one-stroke lead. He just had to get through one more hole to become the oldest player to capture a major, some four months older than Julius Boros when he won the 1968 PGA Championship.
Padraig Harrington of Ireland checks his course notes with his caddie Ronan Flood on the first fairway during the third round of the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Saturday, April 11, 2009.

But Perry put his tee shot into a bunker. He scattered the gallery on the left with his second shot. A delicate chip left him with a 15-foot putt for the win. But it crept up short of the hole—the tentative stroke of an average golfer who choked, Perry’s own brutal assessment of the miss.

“I had that putt everybody makes,” he said. “Mark O’Meara has made it. Tiger made it. I knew exactly what it did, and I hit it easy. I mean, I just hit it bad.”

This was Perry’s second heartbreak in a major. In 1996, he squandered another lead on the 72nd hole at the PGA Championship, then lost in a playoff to Mark Brooks.

Perry knows this might be his final chance.

“It just seems like when I get down to those deals, I can’t seem to execute,” he moaned in his Kentucky drawl. “Great players make it happen, and your average players don’t. That’s the way it is.”

Angel Cabrera wins 3-way playoff at Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Angel Cabrera won a three-way playoff on the second extra hole after taking advantage of a late collapse by 48-year-old Kenny Perry, who lost a two-stroke lead with two holes to play with back-to-back bogeys. That caused a three-way playoff that included Chad Campbell, who was eliminated on the first playoff hole.

Cabrera's victory is his second major, following his 2007 triumph at the U.S. Open. It comes 41 years after another Argentine, Roberto de Vicenzo, appeared to win the Masters but was later penalized two strokes for signing an incorrect scorecard. That goof gave the 1968 Masters to Bob Goalby.

Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods roared into contention but came up short. Mickelson tied the tournament record with a 6-under 30 on the front nine before settling for a 5-under 67 that left him in fifth place.

Woods finished off a 68 with back-to-back bogeys that left him tied for sixth.

Cricket News


Third One Day International Cape Town:
South Africa 289-6 (A B de Villiers 80, J H Kallis 70, M G Johnson 4-34) v Australia 264-7 (J R Hopes 63 no, C J Ferguson 63)
South Africa beat Australia by 25 runs

South Africa recorded a 25-run win in the third One-Day International against Australia in Cape Town to go 2-1 ahead in the five-match series.

The Proteas managed to post a total of 289-6 that proved just out of reach for the tourists, despite a defiant 63 not out from James Hopes.

The all-rounder belted five fours to equal his career-highest score, though it was not enough to steer his side to an unlikely victory after they had collapsed to 114-5.

Solid contributions

Solid contributions from Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers, who shared a century stand for the third wicket, had helped the hosts set their opponents a demanding target.

The pair had come together with the score at 50-2 after Herschelle Gibbs had holed out to deep mid-wicket off the bowling of Nathan Bracken.

Graeme Smith had earlier departed for eight when he became the first of four victims for the impressive Mitchell Johnson.

However, the left-arm paceman received little support from his fellow bowlers, Hopes coming in for the most punishment as his eight wicketless overs went for 64.

Kallis eased his way to 70 off 86 deliveries before giving his wicket away when he pulled a long hop from Brett Geeves straight to Hopes at mid-wicket.

Johnson ended de Villiers' stay at the crease on 80, deceiving the right-hander with a superb slower ball that took a leading edge and looped straight to mid-off.

Despite the loss of two batsmen when well-set the Proteas made full use of their five-over batting powerplay in the closing stages of their innings.

JP Duminy contributed 32 off 26 balls before Albie Morkel (29) and Mark Boucher, who finished unbeaten on 28 from just 15 deliveries, added 53 in a hurry.

Australia's reply suffered an early blow when Brad Haddin was run out with the score on 30. Skipper Ricky Ponting failed to make the most of several let-offs, including being dropped twice in successive balls, as he made only 20.

Spun out

The right-hander chipped a return catch back to Johan Botha, as South Africa's spinners turned the screw in the middle overs.

Roelof van der Merwe picked up 3-37 off his 10 overs while Duminy's occasional off-spin claimed the key wicket of David Hussey (20).

Callum Ferguson's 63 off 68 balls kept Australia just about alive, Hopes helping him add 97 before a floodlight failure forced a stoppage in play.

The game was eventually able to get back underway and South Africa comfortably held on to clinch a crucial victory to go ahead in the series ahead of Monday's fourth ODI.

Football News

Chelsea v Liverpool

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is winning his battle to be fit for the Champions League clash with Chelsea as he recovers from a groin injury.

The Reds will also have midfielder Javier Mascherano back from suspension.

Chelsea will be without centre-back and skipper John Terry, who is suspended after being booked during the Blues' 3-1 first-leg victory at Anfield.

Ricardo Carvalho will be joined by Alex in the centre of the Blues defence but Jose Bosingwa (hamstring) is still out.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez revealed that Gerrard was responding well to treatment ahead of the match at Stamford Bridge, with the Reds facing a major uphill battle to overturn the 3-1 deficit from the first leg.

"Steven is getting better, he has been working with the physio and will train later today (Monday)," he said.

"We will then discuss the situation with the doctors, but Steven will travel with the party to London and I will make a decision tomorrow (Tuesday).

"We are 3-1 down and we know that everything can change if we have Steven in the side and he plays well."

Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink is hoping his side can continue where they left off at Anfield and maintain their impressive form under his stewardship.

"It is important that we take the momentum gained from winning at Anfield into this game and keep our level of performance up," he said.

"There is a fantastic spirit around this club at the moment - everyone believes in what we can achieve this season and it is exciting to be a part of that.

"But we must not lose our focus for one game or one minute and that means each game is as important as the next one. We have the same aim, which is to try and win all of them."

BIG MATCH STATS

Liverpool and Chelsea will face each other for the 10th time and in the fifth consecutive season in the Champions League. Only Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have met more often in the CL (12 times).

The first leg ended in a 1-3 win for Chelsea. Branislav Ivanovic scored twice in his second CL appearance.

Chelsea knocked Liverpool out of the CL in last year's semi-final: 1-1 and 3-2 AET.

In 2004-05 and 2006-07 Liverpool eliminated Chelsea in the last four of Europe's premier club competition.

Liverpool have failed to score in three of their previous four CL matches at Stamford Bridge. Last season they scored twice in their 3-2 defeat after extra time at Chelsea. Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel providing the goals.

This will be their 24th meeting in five seasons in all competitions and their fourth clash this term. Liverpool have already done the double in the Premier League (0-1 at Stamford Bridge and 2-0 at Anfield), but Chelsea lead 10-7 over the piece, with six draws.

CLUB FORM

CHELSEA

Can reach the semi-finals of the CL for the third consecutive season and the fifth time in the last six seasons.

Won their last seven CL home matches.

Strong favourites following the 1-3 triumph over Liverpool at Anfield. Sides winning the first leg 1-3 away, historically have a 97% chance of advancing in European competition.

LIVERPOOL

This is their 300th match in European competition. They have won 169, lost 64 and drawn 66.

Won the last two CL away matches and undefeated in four.

Scored at least once in each of their last 19 CL matches; last failed to score on 3 November 2007 at home against Olympique Marseille, losing 0-1.

Four of 151 teams losing their home leg 1-3 in Europe have recovered and moved on, most recently VfB Stuttgart against Feyenoord in the 1998-99 Uefa Cup.

KEY PLAYER NOTES

Petr Cech, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba have played in all of Chelsea's nine CL matches against Liverpool.

John Terry has also played all nine previous matches against Liverpool but he will be suspended for this match.

Didier Drogba has scored in each of Chelsea's last four CL matches. If he nets against Liverpool he will equal the CL record for scoring in most consecutive matches. It has been achieved on eight occasions; the most recent by Liverpool's Steven Gerrard in 2007-08.

Drogba is the top scorer against the Reds in this competition, with three goals.

Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka played for Liverpool from December 2001 until June 2002.

Anelka and Ashley Cole will face suspension if they receive a yellow card.

Gerrard has scored seven goals in this season's CL for Liverpool, one less than top scorer Lionel Messi.

Gerrard needs two goals to equal Manchester United's Paul Scholes as English CL top scorer with 21 goals.

Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have played in all of Liverpool's nine CL matches against Chelsea.

Javier Mascherano is available after suspension.

Alvaro Arbeloa and Andrea Dossena will be suspended if booked.

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS FACTS

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink have both won the CL, or its equivalent, once as a manager. Both successes came after a penalty shoot out in the final.

Benitez and Hiddink have faced each other once, before last week's quarter-final first leg. Benitez coached La Liga side Extremadura when Hiddink's Real Madrid came to visit on 31 October 1998. Real won the league match 1-5.

The pair have also both worked as head coach of Valencia.


Tennis News

Murray preparing for clay test
Andy Murray is looking forward to the clay court season which gets under way with the Monte Carlo Masters this week.

The world number four has hired former dual French Open runner-up Alex Corretja to help with his preparations as he looks to up his game on the slowest surface of all.

The Scot has never got past the last eight in a clay court event and while he has improved a good deal since this time last year, Murray is leaving nothing to chance.

"I haven't hit a ball on clay since the French (Open) last year," Murray said. "So it's getting used to sliding, not being 100 percent sure under your feet, takes a bit of time but I'm hitting the ball well.

"I don't think your game needs to change that much. If you look at Federer, I don't watch him on clay and think he's playing completely different to how he does on the other courts.

"You can play a similar game style. It's just the movement and the mental side, repeating your patterns of play three or four times instead of twice to win your points. I find the whole thing pretty challenging but good.

"You can't get out of trouble with big serves or one or two groundstrokes, you need to repeat things over and over.

"Physical strength is important because on clay you need to be consistent with your mentality, with your strokes. It's like you panic if you are feeling a little bit tired...and on clay that's obviously more important than on the other surfaces because the points are longer.

"I think (Rafael) Nadal is probably is going to win the majority of the tournaments, but I think guys like (Juan Martin) Del Potro and (Gael) Monfils will come through and win some big matches."


Relief for Hewitt after win

Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt clinched his first title in more than two years on Sunday with a 6-2 7-5 victory over Wayne Odesnik in the US Men's Clay Court Championship in Houston.

The Australian, battling his way back up the rankings after undergoing hip surgery last year, appeared set for a three-set battle with the American making his first appearance in an ATP final.

Odesnik led 5-3 in the second set but Hewitt broke back twice to clinch victory in just over two hours.

"This is what all the hard work is for, to play weeks like this and have this kind of feeling at the end," Hewitt said. "It makes going through the surgery and all the hard work worth it.

"It's a big day to win a clay court event. I feel every year I'm getting better on clay. Now I'm looking really forward to the French Open - with a good draw I think I can do some damage there."

The 28-year-old cruised through the first set and took a 3-0 lead in the second without much opposition from Odesnik.

The American rallied by breaking Hewitt in the fourth game of the second set, then withstanding five break points to hold his serve in the fifth.

Two more breaks saw Odesnik win five games on the bounce before the world number 88 finally stopped the rot, clinching the match on a forehand error.

"Clay is a tough surface to close players out," Hewitt added. "I was playing great tennis up to that point (3-0, second set), but he's a tough player and he doesn't give you any cheap points out there. He makes you work for all of them.

"I felt I was able to put pressure on him up to that stage. Even though he got back in that second set every game he won, I had game points. It could easily have been 6-1 in the second set."

IPL Cricket News

Fleming eyes IPL crown

Stephen Fleming believes the Super Kings can enjoy another successful run in the 2009 Indian Premier League (IPL).

Chennai departed for South Africa on Wednesday for the second edition of the lucrative Twenty20 tournament having lost out to the Rajasthan Royals in the final of the inaugural competition under the coaching reins of former South Africa skipper Kepler Wessels.

Wessels parted ways with the team at the end of the 2008 tournament, but new player-coach Fleming is confident his remaining South African contingent can take the team to top this time round.

"Coaching is a new challenge for me and it is something that I am looking forward to with great confidence," the former New Zealand captain said.

"Our core team remains the same and we look to another successful run in this year's tournament too.

"The fact that we have a fair number of South African cricketers in our team will hold us in good stead.

"Their input and feedback to the rest of the players will prove to be invaluable."
Preparations

The Chennai team will have a short six-day training camp in Durban before travelling to Cape Town for their first match against the Mumbai Indians on April 18.

And Super Kings' head of operations Kasi Viswanath says the party will be ready for anything by time skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, England star Andrew Flintoff and New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram join the team in Cape Town on April 15.

"We are ready for the big occasion," he said. "We have set our preparations in place with the aim of making the semi-finals as our first target.

"Dhoni as well as the overseas players have been involved in international matches for their respective countries and have the experience to straight away go into the matches.

"They will also have a little time off with their families before plunging into the IPL."

Abdulla joins King's XI

King's XI Punjab have strengthened their squad for the 2009 Indian Premier League season with the signing of Yusuf Abdulla.

The left-arm seamer made his international Twenty20 debut for South Africa against Australia last month, claiming 1-16.

He has been drafted in by the King's XI to replace the West Indies' Jerome Taylor, who has had to withdraw due to injuries sustained in a car accident.

"I got a call from Tom Moody (Punjab coach) the day after my debut asking if I was interested," Abdulla said.
Opportunity

"I'm quite excited about the upcoming challenge. The IPL is in town and this is a good opportunity for me, hopefully I can do well.

"I'm familiar with the wickets, and that can play to my advantage."

Abdulla, who plays his domestic cricket for the Dolphins, was on the final IPL shortlist earlier this year but was not signed by any team.

"He's a talented bowler, and it was a good opportunity for us to get some local talent into our squad," Punjab assistant coach, Dave Nosworthy, said.

"It's exciting to have the IPL in the country, and hopefully we'll perform to our capabilities and keep the crowds entertained."


Flintoff - IPL will help fitness

Andrew Flintoff insists his stint in the Indian Premier League will help his bid to reach peak condition for the hectic Test summer ahead.

The Lancashire all-rounder has only just returned from England's tour of the Caribbean, but will soon jet off to South Africa for two-week spell with the Chennai Super Kings with whom he will earn US dollars 1.5million on a pro-rata basis depending on the number of matches he plays.

Some observers have voiced concerns over the wisdom of England players participating in the competition - Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Owais Shah and Ravi Bopara will also take part - ahead of a summer that features test series against West Indies and Australia and also the ICC World Twenty20 tournament.

However, Flintoff, who has only recently returned from injury, believes his time in the IPL will actually prove beneficial to his fitness.

"It's been frustrating with the hip injury, thigh injury and getting hit on the thumb just before the end of the tour of the West Indies and I think the IPL will be good for me," he stated.

"There are a few people putting it down but keeping playing should help me out a lot. When I stop and start is when my body is at its most vulnerable.

"I know I'm only bowling four overs a game, but it will give me a chance to work on my game in between games going into a Test series and I will be working with top facilities out in South Africa.

"It is a long schedule and everyone is looking forward to the Ashes and making sure everyone is fit for that but I've stressed all along that we have to perform in all the games we're playing.

"From my point of view, although it's been frustrating I've had four or five weeks when I've not played because I've been injured so I'm probably fresher than a lot of the lads.

"If I'm asked whether I'm jaded in September I'll probably be on my knees but at this moment in time I'm looking forward to getting on with it."
Spying

Additionally, Flintoff - who boasts MS Dhoni, Matthew Hayden and Jacob Oram amongst his Chennai team-mates - is hopeful that the competition will also allow him to gain vital knowledge on some of the world's top Twenty20 performers and their methods ahead of the World Twenty20 which gets underway in England in June.

"The Twenty20 World Cup is going to be huge and international Twenty20 cricket is going to become bigger and bigger," he added.

"While I'm out there I'll be watching the likes of Dhoni, who has played a lot of it, and Hayden who had a good IPL last year. I will be speaking to a few of the Indian guys and see if I can pick their brains.

"I think you'll find players helping each other out and talking to each other, but the flip side of that is that other sides have England team-mates so you have to be a bit cautious about what you're saying.

"Ultimately, it's all about playing for England and by passing on a bit of information about one of your players could be to the detriment of this team and that's something you can't do."

Sport News in Detail

Angels mourn death of rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Hours after pitching his best game yet in the major leagues, Los Angeles Angels rookie Nick Adenhart was killed by a suspected drunk driver, leaving his teammates and fans stunned he won’t be around to fulfill the promise he had shown.

The Angels planned to pay tribute to the 22-year-old pitcher before Friday night’s opener of a three-game series against Boston in Anaheim. They will wear a patch or emblem on their jerseys the rest of the season to honor him.


The team postponed Thursday night’s series finale against Oakland to mourn Adenhart, who was killed along with two other passengers in a car crash early Thursday in neighboring Fullerton.

The car they were riding in was broadsided in an intersection by a minivan that apparently ran a red light, police said.

Andrew Thomas Gallo, 22, of Riverside, was driving on a suspended license because of a previous drunk driving conviction. Preliminary results indicated Gallo’s blood-alcohol level was “substantially over the legal limit” of .08 percent, police Lt. Kevin Hamilton said.
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Gallo was booked into jail on three counts of murder, three counts of vehicular manslaughter, felony hit-and-run and driving under the influence of alcohol. No bail was set.

Fans paid their respects outside Angel Stadium on Thursday as news spread of Adenhart’s death. They placed flowers, baseballs, posters and Rally Monkeys at a makeshift memorial on the pitcher’s mound on the replica brick infield near the stadium gates.

After 17-year-old Kayla McGuire laid her flowers next to the others, she and two friends stood silently staring at the display.

“It’s sad,” she said. “He was a rookie who could have had a really good future.”

Her friend, Rachael Watson, also 17, said, “It was a big shock. He was here pitching yesterday, six amazing innings, had a really good game. Today, he’s gone.”

Chris Burns, 41, who watched Wednesday night’s game on TV, said, “There’s a real sense of loss. To come here and be with others who are grieving at the same time is comforting.”

His 20-year-old son Matt said, “He was only two years older than I am. That puts it in perspective for me.”

A poster read, “No. 34, You are one more Angel in heaven.” Scribbled on a baseball was, “Now you play for another Angels team.”

Inside the clubhouse, the team met privately to remember Adenhart, who made the major league opening day roster for the first time in his career after overcoming a devastating elbow injury and subsequent surgery in 2004.

“A lot of these guys in here have never lost anybody in their family that’s close to them. I hate that this happened, but this is part of life. This is the real deal,” outfielder Torii Hunter said. “That’s why you’ve got to kiss your kids, kiss your family every day when you get up in the morning and before you leave for work.”

Adenhart was killed hours after making his season debut with his father in the stands, throwing six scoreless innings against the Oakland Athletics. The Angels ultimately lost the game, 6-4.

“It is a tragedy that will never be forgotten,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Adenhart’s father, Jim, a retired Secret Service agent, walked onto the field in the empty stadium Thursday and spent several moments alone on the pitcher’s mound. Wearing a red sweatshirt in the team’s color, he briefly covered his eyes with one hand.
A minivan is taken away as Fullerton, Calif., police officers survey the scene of a car accident Thursday, April 9, 2009, in Fullerton, Calif., that claimed the life of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two other people.
A minivan is taken away as Ful…
AP - Apr 9, 7:38 pm EDT

Jim Adenhart also spoke during the clubhouse gathering.

“He just wanted to say thank you for the opportunity, thank you for raising his kid in minor league ball on up through the system in the Angels’ organization,” Hunter said.

Adenhart died in surgery at a hospital. Henry Pearson of Manhattan Beach, a 25-year-old passenger in the car, and the driver, 20-year-old Courtney Stewart of Diamond Bar, were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Stewart was a student at nearby Cal State Fullerton, where she was a former cheerleader.

Another passenger, 24-year-old Jon Wilhite of Manhattan Beach, was in critical condition, although he was expected to survive, a hospital spokesman said. Wilhite played baseball from 2004-08 at Cal State Fullerton.

Stewart’s mother said Adenhart and the others had gone dancing at a club about a block away from the crash site.

At the ballpark Wednesday night, Adenhart made just his fourth major league start and left with a 4-0 lead, before the bullpen gave away what would have been his second big league win.

This undated photo provided by Cal State Fullerton on Thursday, April 9, 2009, shows former student athlete Jon Wilhite in his Titan baseball uniform. Wilhite, 24, was in critical condition Thursday, recovering from injuries suffered in the early-morning hit-and-run accident that killed Los Angeles Angels' pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others including Cal State Fullerton student Courtney Stewart, in Fullerton, Calif.


During Thursday’s closed-door session, “we were just kind of reminiscing about what Nick brought to the team, to the clubhouse,” Hunter said.

“He was a very funny kid and he’s going to be missed,” he said. “Every time you come to the stadium and you go in that clubhouse, you’re looking at Nick Adenhart’s locker.”

Adenhart had made a slow climb to reach the majors.

He hurt his pitching elbow two weeks before the June 2004 major league draft, when he was projected as a top-five pick out of Williamsport High in Maryland.

The setback dropped him to the 14th round, where the Angels selected him anyway. He had Tommy John surgery—a reconstructive operation on an elbow ligament—later that month and spent most of next four seasons in the minors.

Adenhart had a 9.00 ERA in three starts for the Angels last season, but Scioscia said last month the right-hander had worked hard over the winter and arrived at spring training with a purpose.

He was made the No. 3 starter as the season began this week because of injuries to John Lackey, Ervin Santana and Kelvim Escobar, all of whom are on the disabled list.

AP Sports Writer Ken Peters in Anaheim, Calif., contributed to this report.

Proteas cruise in Cape Town


10th April 2009:Third One Day International
Cape Town
South Africa 289-6 (A B de Villiers 80, J H Kallis 70, M G Johnson 4-34) v Australia 264-7 (J R Hopes 63 no, C J Ferguson 63)
South Africa beat Australia by 25 runs

South Africa recorded a 25-run win in the third One-Day International against Australia in Cape Town to go 2-1 ahead in the five-match series.

The Proteas managed to post a total of 289-6 that proved just out of reach for the tourists, despite a defiant 63 not out from James Hopes.

The all-rounder belted five fours to equal his career-highest score, though it was not enough to steer his side to an unlikely victory after they had collapsed to 114-5.

Solid contributions from Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers, who shared a century stand for the third wicket, had helped the hosts set their opponents a demanding target.

The pair had come together with the score at 50-2 after Herschelle Gibbs had holed out to deep mid-wicket off the bowling of Nathan Bracken.

Graeme Smith had earlier departed for eight when he became the first of four victims for the impressive Mitchell Johnson.

However, the left-arm paceman received little support from his fellow bowlers, Hopes coming in for the most punishment as his eight wicketless overs went for 64.

Kallis eased his way to 70 off 86 deliveries before giving his wicket away when he pulled a long hop from Brett Geeves straight to Hopes at mid-wicket.

Johnson ended de Villiers' stay at the crease on 80, deceiving the right-hander with a superb slower ball that took a leading edge and looped straight to mid-off.

Despite the loss of two batsmen when well-set the Proteas made full use of their five-over batting powerplay in the closing stages of their innings.

JP Duminy contributed 32 off 26 balls before Albie Morkel (29) and Mark Boucher, who finished unbeaten on 28 from just 15 deliveries, added 53 in a hurry.

Australia's reply suffered an early blow when Brad Haddin was run out with the score on 30. Skipper Ricky Ponting failed to make the most of several let-offs, including being dropped twice in successive balls, as he made only 20.

Spun out

The right-hander chipped a return catch back to Johan Botha, as South Africa's spinners turned the screw in the middle overs.

Roelof van der Merwe picked up 3-37 off his 10 overs while Duminy's occasional off-spin claimed the key wicket of David Hussey (20).

Callum Ferguson's 63 off 68 balls kept Australia just about alive, Hopes helping him add 97 before a floodlight failure forced a stoppage in play.

The game was eventually able to get back underway and South Africa comfortably held on to clinch a crucial victory to go ahead in the series ahead of Monday's fourth ODI.


KP makes Wisden XI


10th April 2009:Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has been named in Wisden's first ever Test match Dream XI.

The Hampshire star, who averages 51.09 with the bat at Test level, is the only England player to make the grade, though, slotting in at number five.

India's Virender Sehwag and South Africa captain Graeme Smith are the openers followed by Australia skipper Ricky Ponting at number three.

India's master batsman Sachin Tendulkar is at number four followed by Pietersen and West Indies lynchpin Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the wicketkeeper, while India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, Australia left-arm seamer Mitchell Johnson, South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn and India's Zaheer Khan make up the tail.

Sehwag is not only number one by virtue of his position in the batting order but for good measure is identified as the sixth player to be recognised as the Leading Cricketer in the World.

Campbell leads, Woods lurking at Day 2 of Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP)—Larry Mize has teed off in the first group at Augusta National, quickly suffering a setback in his hopes of putting up another surprising score in the second round of the Masters.

The 50-year-old Mize, who won the Masters in 1987 and shot a 5-under-par 67 in the opening round, started Friday’s play with a double-bogey 6 at the first hole.

Chad Campbell takes the lead into second round after the best start in Masters history. He birdied the first five holes Thursday on his way to a 65. Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan are both one stroke back after opening with 66s.

Tiger Woods is five strokes off the lead in the quest for his fifth green jacket. Expect lots of nostalgia on the course today as Gary Player and Fuzzy Zoeller play the Masters for the final time.

World Sports News

India 349/5 at stumps, lead by 531 runs

April 05, 2009 (New Delhi):India opener Gautam Gambhir's (167) extraordinary show with the bat powered India to a respectable total of 349/5 in their 2nd innings before bad light forced stumps on Day 3 of the final Test against the Kiwis.

In the morning, Gambhir on 9, and middle-order batsman Dravid on 28, kicked off Day 3 with the overnight total of 51/1. Gambhir looked confident as ever and started off well while the latter seemed to be in his usual sticky form.

Soon, Delhi batsman scored 51 runs off 76 balls and gave the required momentum to the Indian innings. Dravid followed patiently and completed his fifty runs in the 41st over with a classy shot off to the boundary. It was 57th addition to his Test half-century stack and with this effort, India crossed 150-run mark.

Both the batsmen not only saved the wickets in the first session but also played some nice strokes in and outside the boundary to take the visitors to 170/1 in the lunch break, adding another 119 runs to the overnight lead of 233.

Soon after the break, Gambhir smashed Southee's delivery off for a four to craft a well-deserving 6th Test century of his career. What a confident way to bring up the three-digit mark, similar to the one he hit against Australia in Delhi to get his ton.

An over later, Daniel Vettori scalped Dravid with the help of a superb take by wicketkeeper McCullum. The agile keeper moved to his left in anticipation of Dravid's sweep shot that eventually ended in his gloves.

India stood strong at 184/1 when Sachin Tendulkar came in to bat in place of Dravid, who has been consistent enough throughout the series, yet again showed his mettle.

What was being considered as master blaster's last Test innings in New Zealand, didn't prove to be a treat for the Kiwi fans. Vettori struck for the second time to cut short Tendulkar's (9) outing when he was caught at slips by diving Taylor.

VVS Laxman, who is in his top form, then joined Gambhir at the crease. Expectedly, VVS batted well to support Gambhir playing at 121 at the other end.

Laxman played patiently to open his account while Gambhir was seen racing towards his 150 runs and achieved the landmark in Vettori's over, claiming an average of 77.6 in Tests.

His splendid display with the bat triggered India to 269 at the loss of 3 wickets by tea break.

Laxman's resilience, once again, came handy for India as the right-hander raised his 39th Test half-century in the 87th over of the day. A stylish boundary from his bat got him to the mark.

And as Gambhir looked set to hit his double hundred, New Zealand pacer spoiled his party and came to the rescue for the Kiwis. The quickie caught the aggressive batsman plumb in front of the wickets to send him back on 167 runs off 257 balls. Yuvraj Singh stepped in next.

Yuvraj had just initiated his innings when Laxman (61) was removed by O'Brien. The pacer struck for the second time to clean bowled the classy batsman. Skipper Dhoni then came in at a time when India's position was already strengthened by some excellent knocks.

The left and right hand combination of Yuvraj (15*) and Dhoni (16*) batted till the time bad light forced stumps on third day.

On Day 2, riding on Zaheer Khan's 5-wicket haul, India wiped off Kiwi batting order for 197 and batted in their 2nd innings to score 51 at the loss of 1 wicket. New Zealand pacer Chris Martin got the breakthrough for his side to send back Virender Sehwag (12).

India dominated the second day to sweep all 10 Kiwi wickets that led to their 2nd innings batting in the last hour of the game. Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag opened the innings to extend their lead of 182 runs. But Sehwag's reckless display with the bat, yet again, saw him going back to pavilion in the second over.


Australia regain No.1 spot in ODI rankings

April 05, 2009 (Dubai):Australia has regained the number-one spot in the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship after defeating South Africa by 141 runs in the first ODI of the five-match series in Durban on Friday.

Australia, which surrendered its top position to the Proteas after stand-in captain Johan Botha inspired his side to 4-1 victory in Australia earlier this year, had started the series trailing Graeme Smith s side by one ratings point. And such is the competitiveness at the top of the table that victory in the first ODI has given Australia a swing of three points as it now sits on 125 with South Africa on 123.

ICC Rankings

However, South Africa still has a chance to finish the series in number-one position if it wins the series 3-2 or better. On the other hand, to return home with the number-one tag Australia needs to win the series 3-2 or better while a 4-1 victory will put it on 127 ratings points and will drop South Africa to third position behind India on 121.

England's 3-2 victory over the West Indies has earned Andrew Strauss' side one ratings point as it closes the gap with fifth-placed Pakistan to just three. The West Indies has stayed in eighth position on 92.

Meanwhile, Sachin Tendulkar vaulted two places to 11th spot, gathering 703 points with an average of 44.37, in the ODI batsman ranking, which is led by Team India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Dhoni retained the top slot with 815 points in his kitty, while left-hand batsman Yuvraj Singh (5th), Virender Sehwag (7th) and Gautam Gambhir (17th) slipped down by one rung each, an ICC release said.

Left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan, who figures 15th after sliding down by one step, is the only Indian among the top-twenty ODI bowlers. Zaheer has an economy rate of 4.86.

The bowlers' list is headed by Sri Lanka pacer Nuwan Kulasekara.

Yuvraj with 340 points maintains his fourth place in the list of top-five all-rounders, which has Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh on the top.

Button wins again in curtailed Malaysian GP

(CNN) -- Briton Jenson Button recorded his second consecutive Formula One victory for Brawn GP at the weather-affected Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.


Jenson Button mastered the wet conditions at Sepang, leading the field when the race was abandoned.

Button, who had qualified in pole position, was leading on the 33rd of 56 scheduled laps when the race was stopped after a thunderstorm broke at the Sepang International Circuit.

With the torrential rain refusing to relent and darkness descending on the track due to the late starting time, organizers eventually decided not to restart the race, awarding half-points to the top eight finishers.

Nick Heidfeld benefited from a decision to run a heavy fuel load as he finished second for BMW Sauber while fellow-German Timo Glock was third in his Toyota after a strong run in intermediates during a period before the heavens fully opened.

Jarno Trulli was fourth in the second Toyota, with Brawn GP's Rubens Barrichello fifth and Mark Webber sixth for Red Bull.

World champion Lewis Hamilton was seventh for McLaren with Nico Rosberg eighth for Williams. It was the first race to be red-flagged for rain since the 1991 Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide.

The result maintains Brawn's dream start to Formula One as Button leads the driver standings with 15 points, five ahead of team-mate Barrichello.

Rosberg got a great jump at the start, accelerating past Glock and Trulli and passing Button on the inside of the first corner.

Button looked out of sorts early and dropped to fourth after also being passed by Trulli and Fernando Alonso in the first complex of corners.

He regained third place from Alonso at turn 13 but it was Rosberg that held a 1.2-second lead over Trulli at the end of the opening lap.

Heikki Kovalainen was an early casualty, spinning his McLaren out on turn five of the first lap when something appeared to break on the back of his car, while Robert Kubica, who had started slowly in his badly-misfiring BMW Sauber retired on the second when his engine gave out.

Rosberg had opened a 3.3-second lead when he came in for his first pit stop on the 15th lap, handing the lead to Trulli, with Button in hot pursuit in second.

Trulli went into the pits at the end of the 17th lap handing the lead over to Button, who ran a fastest lap of 1:36.041 to maintain first place when the first sequence of pit stops ended.

The rain arrived on lap 22, bringing most of the field in for a change to wet tires and Hamilton was the biggest beneficiary as his first fuel stop helped to elevate his McLaren up to sixth place.

The Brawn had enjoyed little testing in wet conditions but Button showed his mastery of the conditions by opening up a 24.6-second lead over second-placed teammate Barrichello by lap 25.

But Glock was flying in his Toyota, moving up through the field rapidly on intermediate tires. Having swallowed up many of the other runners, the German took the lead when Button came in to the pits to change from wets to intermediates on lap 29.

It proved an untimely decision for the Brawn GP driver as the heavens opened up immediately after forcing Button into the pits for a fourth time to change back to wets but with Glock also stopping for wets, he managed to emerge from the pits in first place.

The rain intensified and Giancarlo Fisichella, Sebastian Vettel and Sebastien Buemi spun out in the treacherous conditions.

The safety car was deployed soon afterwards before the cars were red-flagged on lap 33 with Button leading from Glock in second and Heidfeld in third. Trulli was fourth at the stoppage with Barrichello fifth, Hamilton sixth, Rosberg seventh and Webber eighth.

With the rain refusing to relent and darkness approaching, the decision was made, 50 minutes after the stoppage, not to restart with half-points awarded to the top eight finishers. The results were counted back to the end of the 31st lap with Heidfeld taking second and Glock third behind Button

Soccer News


Late Benayoun strike puts Liverpool on top

(CNN) -- Substitute Yossi Benayoun scored in the second minute of injury time to give Liverpool a 1-0 win at Fulham to claim top spot in the Premier League ahead of Manchester United.

Benayoun cropped up for what could prove to be a vital goal in the title race.

Israeli international Benayoun smashed a right-foot shot past home goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to leave his side two points clear of United, having played two games more.

Champions United, who have stumbled to successive defeats in the league to arch-rivals Liverpool and Fulham, play Aston Villa on Sunday.

Chelsea, who beat Newcastle 2-0 earlier on Sunday, have also moved into the title picture, but it is Liverpool who are mounting the strongest challenge to the reigning champions.

Before the international break they had scored 11 goals in their last three league games and thumped Real Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League, but Saturday's late kickoff looked set to end in a frustrating draw despite total domination.

Liverpool hit the woodwork four times through Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso and Andrea Dossena twice with Schwarzer also pulling off a string of fine saves.

Roy Hodgson's Fulham, who have proved a thorn in the side to the top four sides this season, offered little attacking threat but looked set to ride their luck as the game wore on.

Just after the hour mark, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, seeing the possibility of extra points being squandered, threw on Dutch international Ryan Babel in place of Dossena.

Before the end Benayoun, who scored a crucial goal in the away leg of the Real Madrid tie, also came on for Dirk Kuyt.

It proved an inspired decision as he burst into the box to finally beat Schwarzer and send the Liverpool fans home happy.

"Now you're going to believe us, we're going to win the league," they chanted as their team hit the top again having thrown away the advantage they held at the start of the year through poor form in January and February.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said the win put further pressure on United.

"It's a massive three points -- we knew a defeat or a draw was no good for us," he told Setanta Sports.

"We had to let United know they are in for a title fight until the end.

"There were times towards the end when I thought it was not going to be our day.

"But Yossi popped up with a fantastic strike and I thought it was the least we deserved," he added.


Tennis News

Injury-hit Serena beaten in Miami final

(CNN) -- An injury-hampered Serena Williams slumped to a straight sets defeat to Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the final of the WTA Tier One tournament at Key Biscayne in Florida.


The strapping on Serena's thigh is clearly visible as she poses before the start with Azarenka.

Williams played with heavy strapping on her left thigh, clearly struggling with her movement in Saturday's final as Azarenka took ruthless advantage for a 6-3 6-1 win.

The 19-year-old Azarenka has charged up the WTA world rankings this year with two victories in lesser-rated tournaments and only two defeats.

The first came to Williams in the fourth round of the Australian Open where the mixture of a stomach ailment and heat exhaustion forced her to retire when leading by a set although trailing in the second.

Williams went on to take the first grand title of the season and move to top spot in the world rankings, but her bid for a sixth victory at this week's prestigious tournament hit the buffers.

A series of tough three-setters, including a semifinal win over sister Venus, had clearly taken their toll on Williams, but despite her incapacity she moved an early break ahead to lead 3-2 in the opening set.

But it proved a temporary reprieve as Azarenka started finding the lines with excellent ground strokes and took the next four games to close out the opener.

Williams was clearly a spent force and after bravely holding her service at the first opportunity was broken as Azarenka took a 3-1 lead.

A further break saw the lead stretch to 5-1 with Azarenka serving for the biggest title of her career.

Williams briefly rallied to save a match point and then force a break point, but it was only a temporary reprieve as a weak shot into the net on the second championship point handed her opponent victory after 72 minutes.

"I'm not one to make excuses, the better player won today," said Williams as she collected the runners-up trophy.

Azarenka, who will move up to eighth in the rankings after the victory, said her improved form this year was down to more self confidence.

"I just think I have improved everything since last year and started believing in myself a bit more," she said.

Williams must now hope she recovers in time to defend her title in the Family Circle Cup in Charleston in a fortnight as she bids to hold on to her top ranking

Sports News Worldwide

India battle back at Basin

Third Test Match,Wellington - Day One,India 375-9 (S R Tendulkar 62, Harbhajan Singh 60, M S Dhoni 52) v New Zealand

India finished day one of the third Test against New Zealand on 375-9 thanks to a thrilling final-session fightback in Wellington.


Needing a win in the match to square the series, home captain Daniel Vettori threw caution to the wind in opting to bowl first at the Basin Reserve.

The aggressive policy paid off when they reduced the tourists to 204-6, despite yet another half-century from Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag's quick-fire 48.
Recovery

However, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni led a lower-order recovery as 185 runs were scored for the loss of four wickets after tea.

Harbhajan Singh helped himself to 60 before becoming the third victim for Chris Martin, who had earlier removed Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid (35).

India had raced out of the blocks with a stand of 73, Sehwag leading the onslaught with seven fours and a six until he edged Iain O'Brien through to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.

Opening partner Gautam Gambhir fell two runs later - trapped lbw by James Franklin - but a third-wicket partnership of 90 put the visitors in a strong position.

Tendulkar coasted to his 53rd Test 50 alongside Dravid, who enjoyed a lucky escape when he was caught off a no-ball bowled by Franklin.

However, New Zealand seized control by claiming four wickets for 39 runs either side of the tea interval.

Collapse

Martin tempted Tendulkar to edge through to McCullum and then the returning Tim Southee, recalled to the attack in place of spinner Jeetan Patel, removed VVS Laxman for four.

Jesse Ryder chipped in with the scalp of Yuvraj Singh (nine) and when Dravid pulled Martin straight to square leg, India had lost half their side in a hurry.

Returning to the side after missing the Test in Napier with a back problem, Dhoni began the recovery with an 89-ball 52 that was eventually ended when he skied Southee down to O'Brien at fine leg.

By then he had already helped put on 79 though with Harbhajan, who smacked seven fours and a six in his entertaining innings.

Zaheer Khan chipped in with a rapid 33 while Ishant Sharma and Munaf Patel had reached 15 and 14 respectively when stumps were drawn after an absorbing opening day.


Windies 'will play' fifth ODI

England arrive in St Lucia with a series-deciding win in their sights after the West Indies players called off their threatened boycott.


Negotiations between the West Indies Cricket Board and West Indies Players' Association have brought the two sides closer and although a resolution has still to be agreed, captain Chris Gayle is happy that progress is being made.

The players are seeking a better infrastructure and payment schedule in domestic cricket and the international players were prepared to follow their first-class counterparts in strike action.

"They are having discussions at the moment but we will be playing this match," explained Gayle. "Based on what we've heard, things seem to be breaking down properly and hopefully it will all finish off well.

"There's a possibility things won't finish today but at least we're getting somewhere so basically we've agreed to play tomorrow.

"If I wasn't going to be playing in the game I wouldn't be here in St Lucia, I'd be at home.

"We're totally focused even though a lot of things have been happening off the field.

"We're here to play cricket. We've been in these positions before and the players are not affected by this and hopefully we can finish off the series on a high."

England recorded their first victory of a cheerless winter in Guyana with the aid of a much-needed assist from Windies head coach John Dyson, who farcically miscalculated the winning Duckworth-Lewis total.

However, local hero Shivnarine Chanderpaul ensured the scores were level when both teams arrived at the Kensington Oval in Barbados with an unbeaten century.
Winning formula

Both sides then exchanged blows in Barbados as the captains led from the front. Windies skipper Chris Gayle smashed a brutal 80 off just 43 balls in the third ODI before Andrew Strauss responded in kind with an unbeaten 79 to set-up a winner-takes-all decider on Friday.

Injury concerns to key players Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen threatened to hamper England's chances heading to St Lucia, but they have been cleared for action following medical scans.

Pietersen left the field on Sunday when he suffered a back spasm while bowling, and Flintoff injured his left thumb attempting a sharp return catch.

With both cleared to play England are likely to stick with the winning formula from the previous match, however significant contributions from both Flintoff and Pietersen will be key to the tourists hopes of victory.

Pietersen has averaged just 10.66 in the ODI series so far, while Flintoff is yet to register a run with the bat and has taken just one wicket in the two matches he has featured in.

England have never beaten the West Indies in a ODI at the Beausejour Cricket Ground, however the venue proved a happy hunting ground in the 2007 World Cup with two wins from the two pool matches played here.

West Indies have to decide whether to go for the spin option of Sulieman Benn, or boost their firepower with the addition of Ravi Rampaul.

Benn has come into the squad for injured fellow left-arm spinner Nikita Miller (side strain), while pace powler Rampaul was in the squad for both matches in Barbados, but did not play.

West Indies (from): Chris Gayle (capt), Lionel Baker, Sulieman Benn, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Fidel Edwards, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Dale Richards, Darren Sammy, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons

England (from): Andrew Strauss (capt), James Anderson, Gareth Batty, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Steve Davies, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid, Owais Shah


Australia bring back Symonds

Andrew Symonds has been included in Australia's preliminary squad for this year's ICC World Twenty20.

A season blighted by injury, poor form and controversy means the influential all-rounder has not played for his country since the Boxing Day Test against South Africa.


But despite his past problems, which culminated in the 33-year-old enrolling in counselling, he has been named in a 30-man party for the tournament in England.

"I'm grateful that I've got the chance to get back to playing for Australia again," Symonds said.

"Hopefully, the boys go well in South Africa on Friday and for the rest of the series because I'd love to be back in the rooms with them again sometime down the track."

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said the selectors had been advised Symonds had reached a point in his counselling where it was appropriate to consider him for international selection, subject to fitness and form.

"Cricket Australia and Andrew have been speaking, as have members of the team leadership group, and we are satisfied he is committed to doing the things needed of an Australian international cricketer," Sutherland said.

Chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch, added:" At his best Andrew is one of the most dynamic Twenty20 players in the world and his progress will be monitored leading up to the selection of the final 15."

Batsman Brad Hodge is another to be recalled, while recovering players Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson and Shaun Marsh have also been included.

There are three uncapped players in the squad in Western Australian spinner Aaron Heal, Victoria batsman Rob Quiney and South Australia wicketkeeper Graham Manou.

The final squad will be whittled down to 15 by May 5.

Australia squad: Nathan Bracken, Michael Clarke, Callum Ferguson, Brett Geeves, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Shane Harwood, Nathan Hauritz, Aaron Heal, Moises Henriques, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Hodge, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Jason Krejza, Ben Laughlin, Brett Lee, Graham Manou, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Rob Quiney, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White.



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Gerrard extends Liverpool deal until 2013

Liverpool's Premier League title push was given a boost on Friday with the news that club captain Steven Gerrard has agreed a two-year extension to his contract.



The 28-year-old's current deal was due to expire in 2011 but has committed to the club until 2013, with reports suggesting that his weekly wage will increase from £110,000-a-week to £150,000.

Reacting to the news, manager Rafael Benitez, who himself recently agreed a new deal tying him to Anfield until 2014, told the club's website: ''This is fantastic news for the club. Steven has once again shown his commitment and it was an easy deal to agree.

''As soon as we offered him the option he said yes. There were no problems at all. He wants to stay for life.

''This deal sends out another clear message that we are moving forward as a club. To know we have a player of Steven's quality with us for many more years is a great boost for the club and the fans.

''He is clearly a player who inspires those around him and even though he is playing very well at the moment, I still think his best years are ahead of him.''

Liverpool are currently second in the Premier League, a point behind Manchester United and could go top on Saturday if they avoid defeat at Fulham, at least until Manchester United play Aston Villa on Sunday.

The Anfield club are chasing their first title for 19 years and if successful would extend their record of English top flight titles to 19, however if United clinch the championship this season they would equal Liverpool's current record of 18 trophies.

Speaking recently, Gerrard said: ''I'm really happy at the club at the moment, in fact I have never been happier at any time throughout my career and I would happily sign for life.

''I am playing in a top team, I am playing with world-class players and I believe that with this manager, going forward, we can be successful.''

Liverpool face Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday in first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Meanwhile on Friday Gerrard pleaded not guilty to a charge of affray at Liverpool Crown Court in relation to a bar brawl last December.

The incident at the Lounge Bar nightclub in Southport occurred after Gerrard's two-goal man-of-the-match performance in a 5-1 win over Newcastle United on December 28th.

Gerrard denied involvement in the incident which resulted in 34-year-old company director Marcus McGee requiring hospital treatment for facial injuries.