Stories

News.com.au Faulkner: I don?t like Windies team March 26, 2014 06:36PM View as multiple pages AUSTRALIA‘S comeback kid James Faulkner, once fined for screaming an obscenity at Calypso cool cat Chris Gayle, freely admits he doesn‘t like the West Indies team.

And the all-rounder will be doing everything possible to get under their skin as Australia‘s World T20 campaign goes on the line in Dhaka on Friday night.

―I don‘t particularly like them,‖ Faulkner said of the West Indies team.

―You have to do things to get under their skin and try and irritate them to try and get them off their game.

―Players do that to me and I do it to other players. It‘s a fact of the game. A lot of it is played in your mind.

―If you can do something to upset somebody and upset their team, it goes a long way towards doing well as a group.‖

The potential sledging barrage from the 23-year-old all-rounder, set to play his comeback game from knee surgery, will add extra spice to what is almost certainly a knockout game for Australia.

Last year Faulkner was fined 10 per cent of his match fee at a one-day match in Canberra after giving Gayle a strong verbal send-off after dismissing him.

The lingering tensions could also make for some interesting byplay around the breakfast bar at the Australian team hotel, where Gayle and the West Indian team are also staying.

―I haven‘t seen him (Gayle) … I‘ll say hello though,‖ Faulkner says.

―I‘m always polite. But I won‘t be saying ‗hello‘ if I‘m playing Friday.

―There‘s a few players I would like to knock over and more importantly I‘d like to beat them. I‘m looking forward to it.‖

Faulkner, the all-rounder from Tasmania, has impressed everyone in Australian cricket with his almost 24-7 rehab regime since having knee surgery following the summer‘s final one-day against England.

There have been many nights he has gone to bed with his knee in an ice machine and he virtually swore off alcohol to give his knee the best chance of a quick recovery.

―I have been lucky enough that Cricket Australia gave me one of them (ice machines) for a few weeks,‖ Faulkner said.

―Once I started bowling I was icing it probably five or six or seven times a day.

―I thought I would do anything I could do to get myself back for the World Cup, that‘s what you want to play as a young kid, and hopefully I‘m in a position where I can be a part of this one at some stage.‖

Faulkner won a place in the heart of Australian cricket lovers when he became a matchwinner with the bat at the Gabba in January, scoring 69 at No.9 as Australia chased down 300 against England.

He is currently regarded as a bowling all-rounder, with his crafty fast-medium pace, but revealed an ambition to bat much higher up the order in all formats.

―I think my one-day batting has really come along,‖ he said.

―I am batting at seven or eight at the moment and in all seriousness I want to be batting up the order at some stage in my career in one day cricket and likely Test cricket as well.

- Ben Dorries in Dhaka #############################33333333333333333333333 News.com.au 2014 IPL should be scrapped? March 27, 2014 12:43AM View as multiple pages THE former boss of Indian cricket believes match-fixing allegations surrounding the Indian Premier League are so serious that the billion-dollar tournament must be scrapped this year.

Shashank Manohar, the former BCCI president, has called for the IPL to be suspended ―until the faith of the people in the integrity of the game is restored‖.

Already, world cricket‘s most powerful man, N Srinivasan, has asked by the Indian Supreme Court to step aside to ensure a fair hearing into IPL corruption allegations.

Indian board president Srinivasan has been caught up in the betting and corruption scandal due his son-in-law, Gurunath Meiyappan, who was a team official of Chennai Super Kings.

The BCCI has been pleading with the court not to release a sealed report which allegedly contains serious information about fixing at the IPL and potentially other cricket events.

A committee, headed by former Punjab Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal, has named in its report six prominent ―Indian capped‖ players, including one who is allegedly part of the current team.

Manohar, who was succeeded as president by Srinivasan — has called for all IPL matches to be investigated and the competition suspended this year.

―The Supreme Courts observation is that there are very, very serious allegations made in the report and unless the BCCI president steps down, no fair probe can be conducted,‖ Manohar said in a statement.

―I had said long back, when the scandal broke, that all IPL matches should be investigated.

―In view of the serious allegations, regarding betting, spot-fixing and match-fixing, the public at large has lost its faith in IPL games.

―Considering the latest developments in the BCCI, it is my considered opinion that until the faith of the people in the integrity of the game is restored, the IPL tournament for the year 2014 should be suspended.‖

- Ben Dorries in Dhaka ###################3333333333333333333333333 News.com.au South African Prince quits cricket March 27, 2014 08:40AM View as multiple pages

FORMER South Africa batsman Ashwell Prince has announced his retirement from professional cricket.

Prince, who featured in 66 Tests for the Proteas over the course of a nine-year international career, revealed his last match in South Africa will be in a domestic first-class match for the Warriors, while his last official match is likely to be for English county Lancashire later this year.

The 36-year-old hit 3,665 runs at an average of 41.64 in his Test career, which included 11 hundreds.

His record against Australia wasn‘t great, averaging 34 over 12 Tests, although one of the best knocks of his career came against the Aussies in Cape Town in 2009, where he stroked a classy 150 to help the Proteas claim victory.

Prince also played 52 one-day internationals, averaging 35, and one T20 international.

―I am looking forward to a new phase in my life and am very grateful for the opportunities that cricket has afforded me,‖ Prince said.

―I am thankful that I have had a wonderful career from a sport that I love and thank everyone that has been involved in any way over the past 19 years of my career.‖

Interestingly, Prince has stated one of his post-playing career aims is to establish a football academy for young people in his hometown of Port Elizabeth. #####################333333333333333333333 Sport24 Amla: What‘s the alternative?

View 12 comments Comment By: Rob Houwing, Sport24 chief writer 2014-03-26 23:08 Cape Town – It is just a little strange that strengthening numbers of people seem to believe Hashim Amla, one of South Africa‘s long-time bedrock batsmen across the formats, isn‘t suited enough to Twenty20 and should be shelved with some haste.

Yes, it is almost certainly the landscape to which his very cultured skills are the least geared, but to suggest that he play no further part in the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh would be shortsighted in the extreme.

There is one particularly powerful reason: the very composition of the 15-strong Proteas squad at the event.

In short, there is no other genuinely specialist, trustworthy frontline batsman to replace him, and the SA tail as presently constituted is uncomfortably long anyway with Dale Steyn the No 8 in both group matches (one win, one loss) so far.

As indicated at the outset of the tournament, the South African ―reserves‖ thus far are overwhelmingly made up of bowlers, one or two of whom can hold a bat: Wayne Parnell (the closest to an all-rounder), Aaron Phangiso and Beuran Hendricks.

The only batsman among the spare options is Farhaan Behardien, but he has not yet registered a heavy score in 12 T20 internationals – his best is 31 not out – and he has been tried in every slot between Nos 4 and 7, which is not suggesting massive confidence in his ability to be a meaningful factor.

Perhaps the 30-year-old from the Titans will eventually surprise everyone, but with few of the established senior batsmen in truly good touch right now, dropping a heavyweight like Amla, for all his T20 imperfections, would be a big call.

No, a very big call.

Besides, it would also be crazy to under-value the role he played in the thrilling two-run victory over New Zealand earlier this week to inject fresh life into the Proteas‘ challenge.

He looked scratchy and uncomfortable for some time in his knock of 41 (it seemed slow, yet was still above run-a-ball), but he was just as influential as JP Duminy during their seven-over alliance in rebuilding a wobbling SA innings.

The Proteas, remember, had slipped to a dangerous 42 for three -- in what would develop into a high-scoring clash -- when key character AB de Villiers lost his balance against Nathan McCullum to be bowled for just five.

So the partnership for the fourth wicket of 55 between Amla and Duminy, at just under eight runs to the over even if the latter was main aggressor, became a vital device in South Africa‘s eventual triumph.

I do not believe Amla can be ―hidden‖ anywhere else in the Proteas‘ order – that might be a more feasible plan if they boasted better batting security right down to the bowels – and my recommendation for remaining matches is the status quo: Amla and Quinton de Kock to open.

If someone like De Villiers suddenly finds his known, magical touch to complement the inspired form being exhibited by Duminy, the entire SA innings ought to look greatly more cohesive and zestful.

With arguably better-than-par totals of 160 for eight against Sri Lanka and then 170 for six against the Black Caps, it is not the batting that needs wholesale remedial attention in this Proteas side: certain seamers are skating on thin ice.

No, as you were, Hash ... ########################333333333333333333 Sport24 Reds keep title dream alive

Comment 2014-03-27 00:34 Liverpool - Daniel Sturridge has scored his 20th goal of the campaign as Liverpool kept the pressure on their Premier League title rivals with a 2-1 home win over Sunderland on Wednesday.

The England striker netted Liverpool's second goal of the game at Anfield three minutes into the second half after captain Steven Gerrard had given the hosts a 39th-minute lead with a fine freekick.

Sturridge's goal meant that he and Luis Suarez have now both scored 20 league goals this season -- the first time two Liverpool strikers have achieved that feat since Ian St John and Roger Hunt in the 1963-64 campaign.

Sunderland pulled a goal back through South Korean midfielder Ki Sung-yueng to ensure a tense finale, but Liverpool held their nerve to record a seventh successive league win.

The victory enabled the Reds to regain second spot in the table, a point behind leaders Chelsea, although Manchester City -- two points back in third place -- have two games in hand on the teams above them.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers named an unchanged starting line-up from his side's 6-3 victory at Cardiff City, while Sunderland counterpart Gus Poyet made five changes to the team beaten 2-0 at Norwich City.

With three centre-backs in a 5-3-2 system, the visitors' intentions were clear as they packed men into the middle of the pitch, restricting Liverpool to efforts from distance in the opening stages.

Striker Luis Suarez curled an early free-kick from a dangerous position over the crossbar, but the Black Cats kept their shape and organisation to reach the half-hour mark without their ranks being breached.

Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole, snapping at the heels of anything in a red shirt, was particularly impressive, shielding the defence as the visitors held Liverpool at bay.

Having equalled Robbie Fowler's Premier League record of 28 goals in a season for the club against Cardiff on Saturday, Suarez looked a likely source for the breakthrough.

And after threatening with a shot after a jinking run, the striker won the free kick that yielded Liverpool's opening goal.

The Uruguay international was brought down by Santiago Vergini as he headed towards goal, with the Sunderland centre-back fortunate to escape with just a yellow card.

Gerrard stepped up from just outside the 18-yard box and fiercely bent the ball into the top-right corner of the net, past the despairing dive of goalkeeper Vito Mannone.

Sunderland registered their first meaningful effort on goal just before half-time when a deflected Connor Wickham shot forced Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet to scramble across goal and push the ball past the post.

But the momentum was all Liverpool's and they doubled their lead three minutes into the second half with a goal from Sturridge, who curled the ball into the top left corner from the edge of the area, via a deflection off Wes Brown's knee.

Sunderland, fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table, showed plenty of heart and the impressive Cattermole rattled the crossbar with a swerving shot in the 70th minute.

Moments later Sturridge did the same for the hosts at the other end, but it was Sunderland who pulled a goal back with 14 minutes left to leave Anfield sweating.

Adam Johnson's corner was allowed to bounce inside the box and fellow substitute Ki bundled the ball into the net with a stooping header.

The nervous tension that had Anfield on edge in the opening half hour returned, and the ground held its collective breath when Sunderland captain John O'Shea got on the end of a late corner, only to flick the ball wide.

AFP #####################333333333333333333 Sport24 Maradona wants date with Pep

View 1 comments Comment 2014-03-26 18:15

Berlin - Diego Maradona would like to watch how Pep Guardiola trains his Bayern Munich team and said the freshly crowned Bundesliga champions would be unbeatable if they had Lionel Messi as well.

"I would like to work for a week at Guardiola to watch him in training. I would be very happy to visit Bayern Munich," the former Argentina star player and coach Maradona told Wednesday's edition of German weekly Sport Bild.

The 53-year-old said that the Bundesliga has reached the same level as the Spanish Liga and believes that Guardiola "sensed this development early and is now utilising it at Bayern."

Munich won the treble last season and on Tuesday clinched the 2014 league title in record time with seven games to spare. Maradona singled out Bayern and Germany captain Philipp Lahm, saying that he "makes the difference."

Maradona, whose national team coaching career ended after a 4-0 quarter-final defeat against Germany at the 2010 World Cup, said the Bayern team will be "perfect" once Polish striker Robert Lewandowski arrives in summer from Borussia Dortmund.

He added that only one player could top that up, compatriot Messi whom Guardiola coached during his term at Barcelona,, in an all but unlikely scenario of going to Munich as well.

"Lewandowski and Messi? Then everyone else would play for second place. In every competetion, in every league," he said.

"And if Bayern buy Messi I will become Guardiola's assistant coach."

SAPA ####################3333333333333333333

Sport24 England ready for SL onslaught

View 2 comments Comment 2014-03-26 21:00 Dhaka - England's batsmen are adequately prepared for the challenge of facing maverick Sri Lankan bowlers Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis in Thursday's vital World Twenty20 match, all-rounder Ravi Bopara said on Wednesday.

England were unfortunate to lose to New Zealand om the Duckworth-Lewis scoting method in Saturday's rain-ruined super 10 match and the 2010 champions need to beat in-form Sri Lanka in Chittagong to remain in control of their destiny in the tournament.

They face a difficult task against Sri Lanka, who are top of Group One after Angelo Mathews, Malinga and Mendis helped dismiss the Netherlands for a record-low total of 39 in Monday's nine-wicket romp over the tournament minnows.

Bopara attributed the Dutch rout to their inexperience and said England were better prepared for Malinga, whose sling-shot action makes him difficult to read, and the mystery spin bowling of Mendis.

"I didn't expect them (Netherlands) to be bowled out for 39 but Sri Lanka are tough customers, especially if you haven't played them before," Bopara told the England and Wales Cricket Board website (www.ecb.co.uk).

"I don't think the Netherlands have played much against Sri Lanka but we've seen a lot of their cricketers.

"We've played against Malinga quite a bit, we've played Mendis, we've played most of them actually, so we'll be a little bit more prepared."

Having beaten both South Africa and the Netherlands, Sri Lanka can probably afford to relax in Chittagong but Bopara knows England have no such luxury.

"It is a must-win game for us. I don't think we know about the mathematical side of it: we have to win," Bopara said.

"Winning against Sri Lanka would be a big thing for us, a big confidence boost and that's how we're looking at it.

"The belief is still high in this team. We've done a lot of good things in the last few games, although we haven't won a lot of games the boys are getting better at their skills."

Compared to other line-ups such as Australia and the West Indies, England are low on batting firepower and Bopara is aware that coming out at number six, he will be relied on to clear the ropes early in his innings.

"I'm going to face roughly between 10-20 balls, at most, batting at number six so I need to be ready to hit a six after my third or fourth ball," he said.

"I have been lying in my bed at times and thought: why don't I just hit the first ball for six? More often than not, the bowler just wants to land it on a length and hopefully get a dot, so it's probably the best ball to hit out of the park.

"It is a mental approach, definitely. But I have thought about it. You never know. I might do it tomorrow, if I get a bat."

Reuters ####################33333333333333333333 Sport24 Sri Lanka eye World T20 semis

View 1 comments Comment 2014-03-26 14:28 Chittagong - Sri Lanka will target a place in the semis in their match against England in Chittagong, as action resumes after a day's rest in World Twenty20 on Thursday.

A win will establish Sri Lanka's position in Group One. South Africa, in the same group, will also seek an easy win against the Netherlands, on Thursday.

However, Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal said his side will not take anything for granted.

"England are a good T20 side and we have special game plans for them but we are never going to underestimate them," said Chandimal, whose team beat South Africa by five runs in their opening match.

They then crushed the Netherlands by nine wickets after demolishing them for 39 all out -- the lowest-ever total in Twenty20 internationals.

"To win the first match was important for our team and it is that momentum we carried into the second game and that is very important," said Chandimal.

"We know if we win one of our last two games we can make it to the semi-finals, but we are looking to win both."

England's middle-order batsman Ravi Bopara said his team is looking forward to the challenge.

"It is a must win game for us," admitted Bopara. "We have to win, winning against Sri Lanka would be a big thing for us, which will be a big confident boost and that's the way we are looking at it."

Bopara said England will be up to the challenge of facing paceman Lasith Malinga.

"It is tough to hit Malinga," said Bopara of the slinger Malinga, regarded as one of the best death over bowlers.

"I think the best way to approach him is trying to deflect him past the gaps, and hope to get some bat on it to square, he does a very good slower ball."

South African paceman Dale Steyn admitted the mood was different after a narrow two-run win over New Zealand.

"I think the camp would have been completely different for us had we lost the game (against New Zealand)," said Steyn, who defended seven runs in the last over.

"We lost the first and won the second, so its going to be like a win (means) everything from now on."

The Netherlands captain Peter Borren vowed his team will show improvement.

"I look at our top order and we have guys there who can really play and have played at this level and done fine before," said Borren, whose team remarkably beat much fancied Ireland by chasing 190 in under 14 overs to qualify for Super-10.

"I know this team can play, I believe in this team and I hope we can show that in the next three games. It certainly won't be a case of damage limitation.

Title-holders the West Indies beat hosts Bangladesh in the only match in Group two on Tuesday.

Top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals. The final will be played in Dhaka on April 6.

AFP ###################33333333333333333 Sport24 Bangladesh flag ban slammed

Comment 2014-03-26 11:26 Karachi - Former Pakistani players on Wednesday hit out after Bangladesh banned their own fans from waving non-Bangladeshi flags at the ongoing World Twenty20 tournament.

Hosts Bangladesh issued the order after an outcry over images of locals waving Pakistani flags during the recent Asia Cup.

Bangladesh was part of Pakistan before the 1971 war of independence, in which it says three million people were killed - most at the hands of the army of the Islamic republic and its allied militias.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) made the ruling on Tuesday, on the eve of the country's 44th independence day.

Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad said the move violated the spirit of the game.

"I am surprised at the decision," Miandad said. "Cricket is a game which harbours sportsman spirit and this decision violates that spirit."

Another former captain, Mohammad Yousuf, urged the BCB to rethink.

"I am sure that the BCB will take this decision back because it defies logic and I am sure the International Cricket Council will seek some explanation," Yousuf said.

Yousuf, who played 90 Tests and 288 ODIs for Pakistan, said he had always been warmly received in Bangladesh.

"I have seen the home fans want to support Pakistan whenever their own team is not competing against us," he said.

Younis Khan, another former captain, agreed Bangladesh should reconsider their decision.

"It is against the spirit of the game as you cannot stop anyone from supporting his favourite team," he said.

Bangladesh and Pakistan face each other in a potentially crucial World T20 group match in Mirpur on Sunday.

AFP ######################3333333333333333333 Sport24 Cibulkova ousts Radwanska

Comment 2014-03-26 22:43 Miami - Australian Open runner-up Dominika Cibulkova rallied to beat third-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 Wednesday and reach the semi-finals of the Miami Masters.

The 10th-seeded Slovakian next faces either second-seeded Li Na of China or Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki.

Li beat Cibulkova in the Australian Open final and won the rematch in the quarter-finals at Indian Wells earlier this month.

One semi-final has already been set, with world number one, top seed and defending champion Serena Williams due to take on fourth-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova.

Results on Wednesday from the ninth day of the WTA and ATP Miami Masters (x denotes seeded player):

Women:

Quarter-finals: Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x10) bt Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x3) 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3

AFP ######################333333333333333333333 Sport24 R&A set to open up to women

Comment 2014-03-26 15:48 London - One of the last bastions of all-male sporting privilege is set to fall after the Royal & Ancient Golf Club had announced on Wednesday it has recommended its members should vote in favour of women being allowed to join the club in a ballot to be held on September 18.

The 260-year-old ruling body of golf, based at the St Andrews course in eastern Scotland, has come under increasing commercial and political pressure to remove its 'men-only' rule.

Its decision to put the issue to a vote of its 2,500-strong membership represents a major change for an organisation which had previously defended its policy on the grounds that it was a private club.

However, a two-thirds majority will be required to change the club's rules at the September vote.

"Members of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, the founding club of The R&A, will vote on a motion to admit women as members," a spokesman said Wednesday.

"The club's committees are strongly in favour of the rule change and are asking members to support it. The vote is scheduled to take place in September of this year."

The vote will be strictly concerning membership of The R&A. The Old Course at St Andrews, where the club has its headquarters, is a public course over common land where women have always been welcome to play.

British government sports minister Helen Grant, responding to the R&A decision, said she hoped it would signal an end to the "anachronistic" single-sex stance common to many golf clubs.

"This is welcome news from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and I urge its members to follow their Committees' recommendations and vote 'yes' for women members," Grant said.

"It would mark a step in the right direction for the sport and I would hope encourage the remaining golf clubs that still have anachronistic single-sex member policies to follow suit." AFP #####################33333333333333333 Stuff Lawyer's arrest rocks Cairns SARAH HARVEY Last updated 14:00 27/03/2014

Former NZ cricketer, Chris Cairns, denies allegations of match fixing when they surfaced 2013

Chris Cairns CHRIS SKELTON/Fairfax NZ Chris Cairns has said he's hurt by the allegations. Related Links Cairns: I'm 100 per cent in the dark over inquiry Chris Cairns investigated for matchfixing Chris Cairns' lawyer 'appalled and disgusted' Cairns still in the dark over ICC investigation Frustrated Cairns waits in limbo on investigation Leave my ex-wife out of it, Chris Cairns asks Chris Cairns hits out at former team-mates, NZC Nash goes in to bat for embattled Chris Cairns

Cricket Black Caps' ICC Trophy saved after earthquake Bidwell: Sights, smells and sounds of Chittagong Restrained Gayle represents big gamble for Windies Firebirds snatch defeat from the jaws of victory Jesse Ryder on song for Otago Volts in Dunedin Wizards down Northern Districts for top spot Lightning won't strike twice for Black Caps White Ferns go two from two at T20 World Cup West Indies crush Bangladesh to revive hopes Ifs and buts as Wellington Firebirds await fate Chris Cairns says he has been rocked by the overnight arrest of a lawyer who was a key witness in his London High Court defamation trial over allegations of match-fixing.

Cairns also confirmed to Fairfax Media the International Cricket Council (ICC) and police have been in contact with him for the first time since fresh allegations of match-fixing emerged in December.

The Telegraph today reported Andrew Fitch-Holland, a longtime close friend of the former Black Caps cricketer, had been arrested on Tuesday (UK time) and charged with perverting the course of justice.

London's Metropolitan Police told the paper the charge related to a civil case in the High Court.

Scotland Yard would not confirm details when contacted by Fairfax Media but said a 49-year-old man was being held on a charge of perverting the course of justice.

Cairns won a libel trial against Indian cricket powerbroker Lalit Modi in 2012 over claims of corruption in the now-defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL). Cairns was awarded $174,000 in damages and Modi was ordered to pay Cairns' legal bills of $774,000.

Fitch-Holland appeared in the court case and confirmed Cairns' version of events that he was sacked by the ICL Chandigarh Lions team not for match-fixing, but because he failed to disclose an injury.

Cairns said the pair last spoke last week "regarding other projects" and he became aware of his arrest only through news reports.

"I don't have the detail of Andrew's situation and it's inappropriate for me to comment on someone else's legal situation," Cairns said.

"What I would like to say, though, is that I hope people keep an open mind with regards to what this is about. There is a process to go through and that's an important fact to remember."

The Telegraph also said officers from Scotland Yard were understood to be in New Zealand conducting further inquiries.

Cairns confirmed ICC and police had contacted him and that he was willing to co-operate.

International media reports late last year named Cairns alongside fellow former Black Caps Lou Vincent and Darryl Tuffey as the subjects of an ICC investigation into allegations of matchfixing. Tuffey and Vincent have said they were co-operating with the ICC's anti-corruption unit.

Cairns said he had been in contact through "solicitors from both parties".

He was unsure when he would actually meet investigators.

"We are working through the requirements of that now," he said.

Cairns, who has long protested his innocence said despite the developments he was pleased he had finally been contacted by investigators.

"It's pretty complex. But what I would like to reiterate is that I'm actually glad that people are finally talking to me after four months. It was December 5 when this broke and they are now engaging.

Ad Feedback "At least now we can hopefully get this matter resolved."

Cairns said he is still not aware of what details investigators were seeking.

"There's no detail yet. We know they want to engage but as of yet, we don't have either an agenda or detail as regards to what they want to talk about."

The former champion all-rounder remained in a combative mood and repeated his vow to clear his name.

"I've said this countless times and I'll say it again – I've got nothing to hide.

"We will go through whatever process that is required. We don't know what that process is because we don't have the facts about what's going on. We are still wanting to find that out but at least they are engaging.

"This entire process, it's the first thing we think about in the morning and the last thing we think about at night.

"It's been extremely distressing for my family."

- © Fairfax NZ News

#####################3333333333333333333 Bbc Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray at Sony Open in Miami

World number two Novak Djokovic beat defending champion Andy Murray in a high-quality Sony Open quarter-final. Djokovic, 26, won their first meeting since last July's Wimbledon final 7-5 6-3 to end Murray's reign in Miami. Continue reading the main story ― Maybe the rule is that you are not allowed to pass on his side with the racquet. I'm not sure ‖ Novak Djokovic A poor umpiring call saw the players in discussion at the net in the 12th game of the first set, before Murray dropped serve and berated the official. The defeat means Murray, 26, will slip to eighth in the world next week - his lowest ranking since 2008. Djokovic goes on to face Roger Federer or Kei Nishikori in the last four, while Murray must focus on Britain's Davis Cup tie in Italy next month. He also hopes to replace his now former coach Ivan Lendl, who was watching from the stands in Miami, before the French Open begins at the end of May. Despite the defeat, the Scot played arguably his best tennis since winning Wimbledon and undergoing back surgery in September. Djokovic proved too strong, however, serving superbly on his way to a ninth consecutive win as he looks to back up his victory in Indian Wells earlier this month. A gripping first set of fluctuating fortunes ended in controversy after 53 minutes, with a rattled Murray dropping serve to love following a disagreement with the umpire. Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic's shot over the net towards the end of the first set caused controversy A replay on the stadium video screen showed Djokovic had clearly played a volley with his racquet over the net on the first point at 6-5. That prompted Murray to approach the net and question his opponent, but the umpire insisted the Serb's racquet had not crossed the net when it made contact with the ball. The next three points raced away from Murray, who headed to his chair and told the official: "You're having a laugh, you can see it on the replay. He [Djokovic] said his racquet was over the net!" Match stats Murray

Djokovic

Match time: 1hr 30mins 1 Aces 7 5 Double faults 3 1/2 Break points won 3/6 65% 1st serves 72% 64% 1st serve wins 72% 47%

2nd serve wins 55% 27% 1st return wins 35% 44% 2nd return wins 52% 56 Total points 70 It appeared to sharpen Murray's focus early in the second set and, after a stunning backhand winner from well outside the tramlines made it 2-2, he finally broke serve in the following game with some fierce hitting. The Wimbledon champion had finally wrestled the initiative, but he handed it straight back in a sloppy game that included two double-faults. Djokovic had offered up just two break points and made around 80% of his first serves for much of the match and he would not give Murray another glimpse at a break as he rolled through four straight games to seal victory. Asked about the incident in the 12th game, Murray said: "I'm not angry. It maybe had a slight bearing on that game, but I was still up a break in the second set." Djokovic appeared not to be aware that the rules state a player cannot play the ball with their racquet on the opponent's side of the net. "Look, it might be my mistake," said the six-time Grand Slam champion. "I think I crossed the net with the racquet. I didn't touch the net. "Maybe the rule is that you are not allowed to pass on his side with the racquet. I'm not sure. You tell me.''

In the women's draw, Australian Open finalist Dominika Cibulkova saved three match points before beating third seed Agnieszka Radwanska 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-3, and she will face Caroline Wozniacki or Li Na in the last four. ####################333333333333333333333 Bbc Sevilla 2-1 Real Madrid Sevilla 2 Bacca 19′, 72′ Real Madrid 1 Ronaldo 14′ FT 90 +4 HT 1-1 Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo 26 March 2014 Last updated at 23:16 GMT Share Facebook Twitter print Real Madrid suffered their second La Liga loss of the week and lost ground in the title race with a 2-1 defeat at fifth-placed Sevilla. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with a deflected free kick for Real, who were beaten by Barcelona on Sunday. Madrid missed a host of chances, which included Ronaldo hitting the post before the break. Real Madrid's remaining games

29 March v Rayo Vallecano (h) 5 April v Real Sociedad (a) 12 April v Almeria (h) 27 April v Osasuna (h) 4 May v Valencia (h) 7 May v Real Valladolid (a) 11 May v Celta de Vigo (h) 18 May v Espanyol (h) Carlos Bacca equalised and superb play from Ivan Rakitic created Bacca's second. The visitors still had their chances to take at least a point, with Ronaldo and Gareth Bale spurning chances. The defeat, coupled with wins for Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, means Carlo Ancelotti's side have dropped to third in La Liga. They are three points behind leaders Atletico, who defeated Granada 1-0, and two below Barcelona, who beat Celta Vigo 3-0, with eight games to play. It is the first time Real have lost two successive league matches since May 2009. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti: "In one sense the defeat could be deserved because we didn't prepare well for the counter-attack which Sevilla had and they scored two goals. "We conceded two goals in the same way on the counter-attack when we needed more balance. "We need to concentrate on our own games, it is true we have lost two games in a row and that is not good at this point in the season. "We need to believe that we can win it still. We are three points behind Atletico and two behind Barcelona, everything is still possible." ###########333333333333333333333 The nation Miandad urges Pakistan to relive spirit of 1992 WC

March 27, 2014

Miandad urges Pakistan to relive spirit of 1992 WC For news details visit : http://www.nation.com.pk/sports/27-Mar-2014/miandad-urges-pakistanto-relive-spirit-of-1992-wc

For news details Read on : Miandad urges Pakistan to relive spirit of 1992 WC

AGENCIES ISLAMABAD -Former Pakistani cricketer Javed Miandad has asked the players to develop winning spirit by reliving the 1992 world cup. Former Great Javed Miandad urged to feel the heat of the 1992 World Cup saying the same spirit and confidence is needed in the team to triumph in the Twenty-20 CWC. Miandad, who was also part of the 1992 WC victory, said he remembers in 1992 when the national team arrived back he heard people enchanting that this was the second victory in the history of the country after 1947 when it came into being.―1992 WC is lesson for everybody and our national team should learn from it and play with the same spirit,‖ he said. He warned the Pakistan team to keep in mind the run rates averages as it will matter a lot if Pakistan gets a tally with other teams on the table to move ahead in the tournament. ―In 1992 Pakistan got lucky to move into the semi-finalsas in their final group match they were fortunate to scrape a point from the washed-out match against England eventually finishing one point ahead of Australia with an inferior run-rate,‖ he said. Miandad said for victory Pakistan needs to keep its batting order consistent and advised the bowlers and fielders to stop runs. Former cricketer M Yousuf believes the only teams which can trouble Pakistan are India and Sri Lanka. ―Pakistan are the favorites to win this event and the only teams I see can trouble Pakistan are India and Sri Lanka,‖ he said. Yousuf said Bangladeshi pitches suit Asian sides a lot and there is a fair chance for any Asian team to win it. ―Pakistan should stick to the basics and play positive cricket,‖ he said.

Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar said Pakistan will make it to the semi-finals easily. ―Pakistan defeated the tough Australia team and should win the remaining matches,‖ he said. Shoaib said if Pakistan don‘t play silly cricket, there should be no stopping them. ―The table is still wide open and Pakistan has a great chance,‖ he said. Shoaib said he also doesn‘t see India losing any matches, so they should be through as well. ―I am hopeful that India and Pakistan will meet in the final again,‖ he said. ########################33333333333333333333333