Sport

Nikolay Davydenko and Marin Cilic fall but Roger Federer marches on

www.guardian.co.uk - Kei Nishikori beats Cilic, Richard Gasquet sinks Davydenko The favourite Roger Federer untroubled by Andreas BeckThe early exits of the ninth seed, Andy Roddick, and Tomas Berdych (7) yesterday, followed by Nikolay Davydenko (6) and Marin Cilic (11) today, have breathed unexpected life into this US Open. Yet the focus remains trained on the man favoured to win it, Roger Federer.Even when he is playing nobody, Federer is somebody. The second seed strolled past Brian Dabul in the first round and was equally relaxed in beating Andreas Beck 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. Progress does not come more serene.The heat has provided the X-factor in several matches, testing fitness and commitment to the limit. No result is taken for granted. Today Cilic seized up with cramp and went out in five tough sets to Japan's Kei Nishikori; Richard Gasquet, untroubled, accounted for Davydenko 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.While local audiences clearly bemoan Roddick's loud departure more, Berdych's loss was a greater shock, those of Davydenko and Cilic about on a par. Gasquet, a player nowhere near as reliable as this New York weather, would be lethal if he could find some consistency.After the abrasive Roddick had foot-faulted and mouth-faulted his way out of his own national tournament last night against the more thoughtful Janko Tipsarevic (the Serb reads Nietzsche and has a tattoo that whispers: "Beauty will save the world"), the Americans looked to reformed lard-arse Mardy Fish.He did not let them down. Fish clearly has put his many wasted years behind him and looked convincing in beating the Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas in exactly two hours to reach the third round.Fish, who outlasted Murray in Cincinnati before reaching the final there against Federer, did his bit for Uncle Sam. He dropped serve early but broke back twice to take the first set, then eroded Cuevas's confidence to win 7-5, 6-0, 6-2.Fish, who is asked at every press conference about his impressive loss of two stones since last September, looks more dangerous than in his precocious youth. His backhand is lethal. He is serving big aces (although his first percentage is down to 52) and he actually likes talking about his fitness. Few here have handled the heat better, apart from maybe Murray who, oddly, wobbled in their Ohio quarter-final."There's a lot of people that have talked about my summer and how well I've played," Fish said. "To be honest, I felt like I've been the underdog most matches in my career. This is the spot that I want to be in. You want to be the favourite and winning a lot. I have played well here the past couple times. I've got a really good opportunity."He is, sadly, burdened by the pre-tournament endorsement of the Guardian as the best outside bet in the field. Punters tempted to lay off ought to do so before Fish collides with Federer, which could not happen before the semi-finals.Federer, lurking like a basking shark on the other side of the draw, knows he will not have either Rafa Nadal or Andy Murray to deal with until the crunch on Sunday week (perhaps neither of them) but, in the meantime, next up he has either Guillaume Rufin or Paul-Henri Mathieu, the Frenchmen who were beating each other up on court four, as the shadows grew across Flushing Meadows. The Swiss could not have asked for a quieter start.Roger FedererUS Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Hull KR miss out on Lee Radford but move closer to signing Willie Mason

www.guardian.co.uk - North Queensland Cowboys forward would be major coup Hull KR unable to persuade Radford to leave rivals Hull FCHull KR have failed to persuade Lee Radford to cross the city next season, but are close to announcing one of the biggest overseas signings in Super League history. Willie Mason, the hulking North Queensland Cowboys forward who has long been established as one of the most colourful personalities in the Australian game, is thought to have agreed terms to play at Craven Park next season, with an announcement expected in the next few days.Mason, a 30-year-old who won 23 Test caps for Australia, is best known in this country for flooring Stuart Fielden during the 2006 Tri-Nations series - and for the expletive-laden appearance at the disciplinary hearing that followed. He has always been keen to play in England and Hull KR were pushing at an open door with two of his former Sydney Roosters team-mates, Mark O'Meley and Craig Fitzgibbon, already settled in the city after a season with Hull FC.Mason is now almost certain to make his Rovers debut against them as a Hull derby will be included in the opening round of fixtures at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff next February. Radford will line up alongside O'Meley and Fitzgibbon in black and white, rather than in red and white with Mason, after signing a new two-year contract with Hull that will also involve coaching the club's under-15 team.Radford, 31, was Hull's captain when they lost at Wembley in the 2008 Challenge Cup final but was replaced this season by Sean Long, who will return to their team for Saturday's home game against Leeds after two months out with an elbow injury. Long is set to resume his half-back partnership with another former international, Richard Horne, who is also back in the squad for a game that Hull must win to secure a place in the top four.Wigan will be presented with the League Leaders' Shield as reward for finishing top of the table after Friday's home game against Bradford, when their Australian wing Pat Richards needs 15 points to break Andy Farrell's Super League record of 388 in a season. But the game at The Stoop is arguably more significant, with last weekend's Challenge Cup winners Warrington needing a convincing win to boost their points difference as they battle with St Helens for home advantage in the first round of next weekend's play-offs - and Quins expected to make an announcement that will ease fears over their future.The game will be a celebration of 30 unbroken years of professional rugby league in London since Fulham played their first game at Craven Cottage in September 1980, and Harlequins will field a record number of seven players who have come through their own junior ranks after calling up Joe Ridley, a 19-year-old from Colchester, to replace the injured Danny Orr. It will also be Brian McDermott's last game as the Harlequins coach before he returns to Leeds to work with Brian McClennan next season.Hull KRRugby leagueAndy Wilsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby league)

US OPEN 2010: Roger Federer dispatches Andreas Beck in straight sets

www.dailymail.co.uk - Roger Federer enjoyed another comfortable victory to secure his place in the third round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows on Thursday. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Dustin Brown would 'dread' a life like Andy Murray's

www.dailymail.co.uk - Blockbooking a set of hotel rooms in Manhattan amounts to relatively small change for Andy Murray, whose back-up team ensure every detail is catered for in his bid for the US Open title. Dustin Brown has a friend who coaches him gratis when he can, and the Jamaican, 25, is accustomed to travelling around the European circuit in a camper van to cut costs. More... (Tennis)

Pakistan win despite Lewis Gregory's triple-wicket maiden for Somerset

www.guardian.co.uk - Pakistan 264; Somerset 256-9 Pakistan won by eight runsPakistan's squad for the first Twenty20 international against England in Cardiff on Sunday was officially down to 13 players after the withdrawal of the three players under suspicion of involvement in the spot-fixing scandal. Pessimists reckoned that ten players was more accurate. Reinforcements may be urgently needed.Abdul Razzaq did not bowl after injuring his back and must be the most serious doubt for Sunday, Umar Akmal was struck in the face in the nets before start of play and there was also talk that Wahab Riaz had a dodgy shoulder, not that it was possible to ascertain how bad this was as Somerset's stand-in captain, Peter Trego, refused to let him bowl on the grounds that he was a substitute.Trego's stance might not have shown much sympathy to a touring side in turmoil, but it was based on good principles. Lewis Gregory, an 18-year-old from Plymouth, pulled off a triple-wicket maiden on debut - such things are the stuff of legend - and if Trego had allowed a Pakistan substitute to bowl, Gregory's heroics would have been expunged from the records. He would not have deserved that.Razzaq fell first ball of the over to James Hildreth's excellent catch in the deep, Umar Gul edged the fourth ball to the wicketkeeper and Saeed Ajmal was lbw to the last."I was worried about the legitimacy of the game," Trego said. "My understanding of it is that the game started as a List A game - and to my knowledge, you're not allowed to play 12 players in a List A game. I was concerned if we played 12 it would be deemed a friendly and that Lewis would lose his four wickets."Lewis would be savage if he got those figures taken away from him. A triple-wicket maiden inside a powerplay - fair play to him."Pakistan's 264 owed everything to a fourth-wicket stand of 169 in 31 overs between Shahzaib Hasan and Fawad Alam. At 199 for three, and 65 needed at nine an over, Somerset had a chance of an upset but Trego was stumped, the lower order fell away and Zander de Bruyn's unbeaten 122 from 142 balls was to no avail.CricketPakistan cricket teamSomersetDavid Hoppsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Poll: Will Leicester retain the Premiership title?

www.guardian.co.uk - England's domestic rugby union season starts tonight, just over three months after Leicester won the Premiership play-off final. Will the Tigers repeat that success in the face of competition from Bath, Saracens and others? More... (Rugby union)

The Aviva Premiership and Magners League season review: Let's get up and running!

www.dailymail.co.uk - When the Aviva Premiership and Magners League campaigns begin this evening, it marks the start of a hugely significant, high-stakes season, leading into the World Cup in a year’s time. More... (Rugby union)

Club-by-club guide to the new Aviva Premiership season

www.dailymail.co.uk - Will defending champions Leicester be able to the modern era's first Premiership hat-trick? Find out who will be pushing them all the way... and more. More... (Rugby union)

Top-rated Harbinger sold to Japan in multi-million deal to race as a stallion

www.dailymail.co.uk - Harbinger, rated the best horse in the world after his stunning 11-length victory in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July, has been sold to stand as a stallion in Japan. More... (Horse racing)

Hotspots: All the best bets and tips for Friday, September 3

www.dailymail.co.uk - Don't miss a trick from the day's racecards as award-winning tipster Sam Turner - assisted by Racemail's stable of speculators - imparts his sage-like knowledge. More... (Horse racing)

Darren Pattinson injury adds to Nottinghamshire's bowler shortage

www.guardian.co.uk - Pattinson sprains ankle as Durham fight back England call up Ryan Sidebottom for one-day dutyIt is a good job Nottinghamshire have a decent cushion at the top of the Championship table, because they are starting to run out of bowlers. Ryan Sidebottom has almost certainly made his last appearance for the county having been called away, after two days of this game, on England one-day duty for the next two weeks, and his nominated replacement, Darren Pattinson, then sprained an ankle bowling his first ball in Durham's second innings.The over had to be completed by Andre Adams as Pattinson left the field for treatment. Although the best-known former Grimsby roofer in history returned for another crack after lunch, he could manage only two feeble overs that went for 26 before calling it quits. With Charlie Shreck and Andy Carter also injured, and Stuart Broad otherwise engaged, Notts could well be down to three fit seamers not only for the rest of this match but for next week's game against title rivals Yorkshire at Trent Bridge.However, they are only a reasonable batting performance away from a draw here that would secure nine points and extend their lead over second-placed Somerset to 25, with Yorkshire a further three points back.So draws from their remaining two games, against Yorkshire and then Lancashire at Old Trafford in the last round of matches starting on Monday week, would almost certainly be enough to regain the Championship title they last won in 2005.Pattinson played his part with the bat as they restricted Durham to a first innings lead of 29, resuming the innings Sidebottom had started late on Wednesday and blocking sensibly for most of the morning session until he was last out for a season's best 19. That allowed the three remaining fit seamers - Paul Franks, Adams and Luke Fletcher - to play some shots as Notts added 84 for the last three wickets after Steven Mullaney had gone to Liam Plunkett in the first over of the day.The admirable Adams then dismissed Durham's left-handed openers cheaply, but Gordon Muchall took the game away from Notts with his attack on the hobbling Pattinson after lunch. The tall 27-year-old, who was in line for a new contract before this innings even though he has still to fulfil his potential consistently in the nine seasons since he made his debut, raced to 50 from 52 balls and completed his 10th first-class century with his 16th boundary.Durham will resume on the last day with a lead of 308 after Dale Benkenstein and Ian Blackwell each reached 50, but the injury that has ruled Mark Davies out of their attack for the rest of the match is likely to rule out any bold declaration by the champions, who are not yet mathematically safe from relegation.Warwickshire took a huge step towards avoiding the drop by polishing off Kent to complete their second consecutive victory. The England Lions seamer Chris Woakes ended with match figures of 11 for 97 in addition to making two crucial contributions with the bat as the Bears climbed 18 points clear of Kent, who are now in the relegation zone with Essex.NottinghamshireDurhamCricketAndy Wilsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Ryan Moore returns to action but accepts that title chance has gone

www.guardian.co.uk - The champion jockey was unplaced on two rides as he came back from a three-week absenceNo one expected Ryan Moore to celebrate his return to race-riding after three weeks on the sidelines by high-fiving a long line of punters as he left the weighing room but, even by his standards, his afternoon here was distinctly low-key. The one bright moment came as he walked into the paddock for his first ride of the day."Don't smile, Ryan," Frankie Dettori called out breezily as they trotted past the press corps and, just for once, the champion jockey found it difficult to do anything but.For any punters still clinging forlornly to short-priced bets on Moore for the jockeys' title, though, this was the day when all hope seemed to evaporate. Moore's two rides on the card were both unfancied in the market and both failed to trouble the judge.Caraboss, an 8-1 chance owned by the Queen, did at least make it into fourth place in division two of the fillies' maiden, but Tale Untold, at 20-1, was only fifth of eight in the Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes half an hour later.Despite his three previous titles, the championship has never been an over- riding priority for Moore, who was struggling to keep up with Paul Hanagan even before he suffered a wrist injury in a post-race fall at Windsor on 9 August.With his services likely to be required in America for the Breeders' Cup in the final week of the turf season, he would need to build a secure lead by the end of October and, even if Sir Michael Stoute's stable explodes into form, just bridging the 33-winner gap to Hanagan would be an immense task.But Caraboss did not hint at a sudden spate of winners from Freemason Lodge - indeed Stoute, for all the lucrative heroics of Workforce and Harbinger, has saddled saddled just 17 winners since the end of June.Moore, who spoke briefly to reporters afterwards, has apparently accepted that his title race is run. "It appears that way," he said. "It's not that I don't rate championships, I wouldn't say that, but I guess I'll just keep doing what I usually do."Moore tried to reduce the swelling on his injured wrist and accelerate his recovery using a cryogenic chamber at a specialist centre in Tring."I was down in Tring for about 10 days," he said. "The treatment helps to keep your fitness up because you do a bit of training afterwards and it gives you a bit of a boost, so it's easier to work after you've had the treatment. I've been riding out for the last week and a half now. It's good to be back."Moore would not be drawn, though, on who he expects to succeed him as champion in what looks like a straight race between Hanagan and Richard Hughes. "It's two months away," he said, "and anything can happen in racing."It felt like high summer at Salisbury, but the results did not match the fine weather, with 33-1 chances successful in both divisions of the maiden and Margot Did, the hot favourite for the Dick Poole, edged out by a nose and a neck behind Brevity in a race that never quite unfolded as Hayley Turner, Margot Did's rider, would have liked.Dettori later failed to deliver on an even-money chance as Khawlah, whose relatives include Sea The Stars, started slowly and finished fast but too late in division two of the maiden.Both Shim Sham and Brevity are trained by Brian Meehan, who could be a man to follow closely over the next few weeks. "The spring was tough, but they're coming through now," Meehan said. "I think my two-year-olds are very special. I thought we had a hell of a bunch last year but they're even better this year."Horse racingRyan MooreGreg Woodguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Horse racing)

Pakistan put spot-fixing allegations to one side with Somerset warm-up win

www.dailymail.co.uk - Pakistan overcame setbacks on and off the field to beat Somerset by eight runs in a limited-overs warm-up match at Taunton. But the side suffered two injury blows. More... (Cricket)

England according to the Capello Index - with Luke Varney up front!

www.dailymail.co.uk - Who is right: Fabio Capello or the Capello Index? The web ranking which bares his name if not his blessing features just six of his squad in its top 24 Englishmen. More... (Football)

West Ham's Kieron Dyer banned from driving for six months

www.dailymail.co.uk - West Ham midfielder Kieron Dyer has been banned from driving for six months after he was caught speeding. He was also handed a hefty fine. More... (Football)

Jose Mourinho admits he's REAL disappointed at missing out on Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Adebayor

www.dailymail.co.uk - Jose Mourinho has revealed his disappointment at failing to sign a new striker after weighing up bids for Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Adebayor. More... (Football)

Tottenham new boy Rafael van der Vaart insists he is no Real Madrid reject

www.dailymail.co.uk - Rafael van der Vaart maintains he was no failure at Real Madrid - but will not take a place in the Tottenham team for granted because of the 'sensational players' at White Hart Lane. More... (Football)

Accused Pakistan trio Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer insist they are innocent

www.dailymail.co.uk - Cricket's huge scandal took a new twist today when the Pakistan High Commissioner cast doubt on the video footage that sparked the allegations over fixing. More... (Cricket)

Magners League's expansion threatens to 'burn out' players

www.guardian.co.uk - Ospreys coach Sean Holley is warning that the Magners League, with two Italian sides joining in, will lengthen injury listsThe Magners League has an Italian flavour this season with Aironi and Treviso joining the 10 Celtic sides in the tournament but Sean Holley, the head coach of the champions, Ospreys, fears the increased fixtures will accelerate player burn-out.Ospreys boast a glut of current Welsh internationals but with Wales facing a potential 20 Tests in the next 12 months and the region fighting on three fronts, Holley, who is already without two of his Lions, Mike Phillips and Ryan Jones, who were injured on Wales's summer tour to New Zealand, is concerned that too much is being asked of players."Alun Wyn Jones has not had a summer off since he started playing professional rugby: you have to ask at what point is he going to break down," says Holley. "There has to be an answer, but I think it is down to the powers-that-be, not coaches."It is a huge worry. I am constantly having 15 guys on the long-term injury list and that has a lot to do with the length of the season. I would guess that Mils Muliaina will play half the number of games in the build-up to the World Cup compared to Tommy Bowe."At one point in the season a particular player could play consecutive weeks in the Magners, the LV Cup, the Heineken Cup and on the international scene. Four different competitions in four weeks. Four different balls at four different venues. You have to ask yourself is that conducive [to their wellbeing]?"Ospreys start the defence of their title tomorrow night against Ulster at Ravenhill, while the side they defeated in the play-off final in Dublin, Leinster, travel to Glasgow. The four Saturday matches are all evening kick-offs with Aironi, who include the former English Premiership players Ludovic Mercier and Julien Laharrague in their back division, have not been given the gentlest of welcomes. They have to travel to Munster for a 7.30pm kick-off at Musgrave Park. Treviso are at home to the Scarlets.The Aironi No8, Nick Williams, spent two seasons with Munster. "You get to understand how the name of Munster strikes apprehension in the minds of opponents," he says. "During my time there I quickly appreciated that I was part of an historic club."One positive for us going into the game is our unpredictability. Munster have never seen us play. If we can disrupt their set-pieces and contest the breakdown, we can go a long way. Pre-season went well and the boys just have to get a feel of the competitiveness of the league."Leinster lost their head coach, Michael Cheika, to Stade Français at the end of last season. His replacement, the New Zealander Josef Schmidt, has moved in the opposite direction having been backs coach at the French champions, Clermont Auvergne."As fantastic as Michael Cheika was, a change is probably good for the squad," says the Leinster and Ireland centre, Brian O'Driscoll. "A new man has come in, thrown new ideas at us and challenged us in different ways. No player knows it all, no matter how experienced he is: you need to keep learning until the day you retire and it has been nice to hear a different voice."Five teams have won the league, three from Ireland, Munster, Leinster and Ulster, and two from Wales, the Scarlets and Ospreys. Cardiff Blues, the Amlin Challenge Cup holders, have made taking the title a priority."We have always placed an emphasis on the league because we quickly realised its potential," says Holley. "We have won it three times and it is nice to be able to say that. Dai Young [the Blues' head coach] can't. I think given his long tenure there he would be really desperate to win it."Young is. "The league has always been important to us, but it will be a major focus this year," he says. "In the past, it has been a qualification tool for Europe rather than something we have set out to win, if I am honest. Now we are determined to be in the play-offs at the end of the season."The Blues, armed with the Scotland fly-half, Dan Parks, start off at home to Edinburgh. Scotland has yet to provide a champion and Glasgow and Edinburgh both lost players in the summer, Ally Hogg, Kelly Brown and Jim Hamilton moved to the Premiership while Parks pitched up in Cardiff.However, Sean Lineen, the Glasgow coach, says: "It is the most satisfying pre-season I have had as a coach. We have a new training centre and our warm-up games taught us a lot. We had 2,500 at Firhill for one game last month, a number we had not attracted in August before. They made a lot of noise and it is important we give them reason to do that against Leinster."The introduction of the Italian sides means that, more than ever, the season will be a test of resources with most of the sides involved likely to lose large numbers of players during the international windows in November and February/March.It is one reason why a strong start is imperative. Edinburgh, who have Chris Paterson back at full-back, may have one of the most demanding matches on the opening weekend, but they have won in Cardiff on their last three league visits and they at least know all about Parks.Magners LeagueRugby unionPaul Reesguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

Magners League's expansion threatens to 'burn out' players | Paul Rees

www.guardian.co.uk - Ospreys coach Sean Holley is warning that the Magners League, with two Italian sides joining in, will lengthen injury listsThe Magners League has an Italian flavour this season with Aironi and Treviso joining the 10 Celtic sides in the tournament but Sean Holley, the head coach of the champions, Ospreys, fears the increased fixtures will accelerate player burn-out.Ospreys boast a glut of current Welsh internationals but with Wales facing a potential 20 Tests in the next 12 months and the region fighting on three fronts, Holley, who is already without two of his Lions, Mike Phillips and Ryan Jones, who were injured on Wales's summer tour to New Zealand, is concerned that too much is being asked of players."Alun Wyn Jones has not had a summer off since he started playing professional rugby: you have to ask at what point is he going to break down," says Holley. "There has to be an answer, but I think it is down to the powers-that-be, not coaches."It is a huge worry. I am constantly having 15 guys on the long-term injury list and that has a lot to do with the length of the season. I would guess that Mils Muliaina will play half the number of games in the build-up to the World Cup compared to Tommy Bowe."At one point in the season a particular player could play consecutive weeks in the Magners, the LV Cup, the Heineken Cup and on the international scene. Four different competitions in four weeks. Four different balls at four different venues. You have to ask yourself is that conducive [to their wellbeing]?"Ospreys start the defence of their title tomorrow night against Ulster at Ravenhill, while the side they defeated in the play-off final in Dublin, Leinster, travel to Glasgow. The four Saturday matches are all evening kick-offs with Aironi, who include the former English Premiership players Ludovic Mercier and Julien Laharrague in their back division, have not been given the gentlest of welcomes. They have to travel to Munster for a 7.30pm kick-off at Musgrave Park. Treviso are at home to the Scarlets.The Aironi No8, Nick Williams, spent two seasons with Munster. "You get to understand how the name of Munster strikes apprehension in the minds of opponents," he says. "During my time there I quickly appreciated that I was part of an historic club."One positive for us going into the game is our unpredictability. Munster have never seen us play. If we can disrupt their set-pieces and contest the breakdown, we can go a long way. Pre-season went well and the boys just have to get a feel of the competitiveness of the league."Leinster lost their head coach, Michael Cheika, to Stade Français at the end of last season. His replacement, the New Zealander Josef Schmidt, has moved in the opposite direction having been backs coach at the French champions, Clermont Auvergne."As fantastic as Michael Cheika was, a change is probably good for the squad," says the Leinster and Ireland centre, Brian O'Driscoll. "A new man has come in, thrown new ideas at us and challenged us in different ways. No player knows it all, no matter how experienced he is: you need to keep learning until the day you retire and it has been nice to hear a different voice."Five teams have won the league, three from Ireland, Munster, Leinster and Ulster, and two from Wales, the Scarlets and Ospreys. Cardiff Blues, the Amlin Challenge Cup holders, have made taking the title a priority."We have always placed an emphasis on the league because we quickly realised its potential," says Holley. "We have won it three times and it is nice to be able to say that. Dai Young [the Blues' head coach] can't. I think given his long tenure there he would be really desperate to win it."Young is. "The league has always been important to us, but it will be a major focus this year," he says. "In the past, it has been a qualification tool for Europe rather than something we have set out to win, if I am honest. Now we are determined to be in the play-offs at the end of the season."The Blues, armed with the Scotland fly-half, Dan Parks, start off at home to Edinburgh. Scotland has yet to provide a champion and Glasgow and Edinburgh both lost players in the summer, Ally Hogg, Kelly Brown and Jim Hamilton moved to the Premiership while Parks pitched up in Cardiff.However, Sean Lineen, the Glasgow coach, says: "It is the most satisfying pre-season I have had as a coach. We have a new training centre and our warm-up games taught us a lot. We had 2,500 at Firhill for one game last month, a number we had not attracted in August before. They made a lot of noise and it is important we give them reason to do that against Leinster."The introduction of the Italian sides means that, more than ever, the season will be a test of resources with most of the sides involved likely to lose large numbers of players during the international windows in November and February/March.It is one reason why a strong start is imperative. Edinburgh, who have Chris Paterson back at full-back, may have one of the most demanding matches on the opening weekend, but they have won in Cardiff on their last three league visits and they at least know all about Parks.Magners LeagueRugby unionPaul Reesguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz suspended for six months after disrupting anti-doping test

www.dailymail.co.uk - Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has been suspended for six months after the country's Sports Institute ruled that he disrupted an anti-doping test ahead of the World Cup. More... (Football)

Steven Gerrard calls on England to show fans how much it means after World Cup flop

www.dailymail.co.uk - England captain Steven Gerrard has called on England to make a statement of intent in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday night. More... (Football)

Wolves winger Stephen aiming for October debut

www.dailymail.co.uk - Wolves winger Stephen Hunt has returned to light training after a foot injury and is hoping to be fit to make his debut for the club next month. He joined in the summer. More... (Football)

FIFA farce as World Cup flop Wayne Rooney is described as 'outstanding'

www.dailymail.co.uk - Wayne Rooney may have been viewed as one of the biggest disappointments of the World Cup but FIFA's technical experts have praised him. More... (Football)

Barcelona's Javier Mascherano wants trophies after barren four years with Liverpool

www.dailymail.co.uk - Javier Mascherano has left Liverpool with a parting shot by insisting he can’t wait to win things at the ‘best club in the world’ following an austere four years in England. More... (Football)

West Bromwich's Joe Mattock walks free from court after pleading guilty to affray

www.dailymail.co.uk - West Bromwich player Joe Mattock was given a suspended sentence for punching two men and two women in a nightclub in Leicester. He can now resume his career. More... (Football)

Ashes blow for Graham Onions as bowler is ruled out for nine months

www.dailymail.co.uk - England bowler Graham Onions will have surgery on his back next week and is expected to be ruled out of all cricket for up to nine months, the ECB have announced. More... (Cricket)

Pakistan betting scandal: Analysis of what the high commissioner said

www.guardian.co.uk - Wajid Shamsul Hasan's statement had to play well domestically while also satisfying ECB and ICC demands to omit the playersThe Pakistani high commissioner, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, has said that the three players at the centre of the spot-fixing allegations - Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt - are "extremely" disturbed by events in the last week and that they would not be in the right frame of mind to play again in England this summer. It was a carefully thought-out statement. During the last 24 hours Hasan has had to find a way of pleasing the people back in Pakistan while also responding to pressure from the England and Wales Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council to make sure that the three players did not play on.AnalysisFollowing the late-night intervention of the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt, who appeared to upset the pathway to the carefully negotiated solution desired by the ECB and the ICC, talks continued well into the night. The high commissioner had to find a formulation of words that would play well domestically - backing the players in their claims of innocence - while also satisfying ECB and ICC demands to omit the players from the rest of the tour. It was always assumed that the escape route Pakistan would use would be to blame the pressure on the players for the decision to omit them. But Hasan went further by using emotive language to described the "mental torture" affecting the players.The statement"The three players have said they are extremely disturbed with what has happened in the past week specially with regard to their alleged involvement in the crime. They mention that they are entirely innocent in the whole episode and shall defend their innocence as such. They further maintain that on account of the mental torture which has deeply affected them all they are not in the right frame of mind to play the remaining matches. Therefore, they have requested the PCB not to consider them for the remaining matches till their names are cleared."Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketOwen Gibsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan betting scandal: An analysis of what the high commissioner said

www.guardian.co.uk - Wajid Shamsul Hasan's statement had to play well domestically while also satisfying ECB and ICC demands to omit the playersThe Pakistani high commissioner, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, has said that the three players at the centre of the spot-fixing allegations - Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt - are 'extremely' disturbed by events in the last week and that they would not be in the right frame of mind to play again in England this summer. It was a carefully thought-out statement. During the last 24 hours, Hasan has had to find a way of pleasing the people back in Pakistan while also responding to pressure from ECB and ICC to make sure that the three players did not play on.AnalysisFollowing the late night intervention of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt, who appeared to upset the pathway to the carefully negotiated solution desired by the ECB and the ICC, talks continued well into the night. The high commissioner had to find a formulation of words that would play well domestically - backing the players in their claims of innocence - while also satisfying ECB and ICC demands to omit the players from the rest of the tour. It was always assumed that the escape route Pakistan would use would be to blame the pressure on the players for the decision to omit them. But Hasan went further by using emotive language to described the "mental torture" affecting the players.The statement"The three players have said they are extremely disturbed with what has happened in the past week specially with regard to their alleged involvement in the crime. They mention that they are entirely innocent in the whole episode and shall defend their innocence as such. They further maintain that on account of the mental torture which has deeply affected them all they are not in the right frame of mind to play the remaining matches. Therefore, they have requested the PCB not to consider them for the remaining matches till their names are cleared."Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketOwen Gibsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Video: Andy Roddick 'stupefied' by umpire after defeat at US Open 2010

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Graham Onions faces a further nine months out with back surgery

www.guardian.co.uk - England bowler to have surgery next week 'I'm devastated but determined to overcome this setback'The England fast bowler, Graham Onions, faces a further nine-month lay-off after the England and Wales Cricket Board announced that he will undergo surgery next week in a bid to overcome the back injury that has ruled him out of this winter's Ashes series.Attempts by England's medical staff to solve Onions's long-standing stress fracture without an operation have proved unsuccessful. Onions will undergo surgery next Monday and cannot realistically expect to return until midway through next summer. He first experienced discomfort in the nets on England's tour of Bangladesh and left the tour without playing a game.The ECB's chief medical officer, Dr Nick Peirce, said: "Graham has been suffering from ongoing discomfort due to stress fractures on both sides of his back. We have thoroughly exhausted all avenues of conservative treatment and rehabilitation with surgery very much seen as a last resort. Unfortunately, Graham has not responded to these forms of treatment and as a result we have no option left but to undertake a course of treatment involving surgery."The surgery Graham faces is a relatively significant operation and his rehabilitation will see him ruled out of all cricket for approximately up to nine months. His rehabilitation will be overseen and carried out by the ECB medical team in conjunction with the medical staff at Durham."England have long accepted that they will contest the Ashes without Onions. They discounted him from their plans three months ago, but the player himself remained committed to proving his fitness. Only now has realisation dawned as to the full extent of his injury."I'm shattered to have been ruled out of the Ashes with the prospect of a lengthy recovery period," he said. "After experiencing the euphoria of being part of an Ashes winning England team last year I was determined to get myself fit for selection ahead of this winter's tour of Australia. Unfortunately, that's not to be and even though we have tried every possible form of treatment, surgery is the only option left."While I'm devastated to be facing such a long lay-off from cricket I'm determined to overcome this setback and make sure I get back bowling again next year and work my way back into the England calculations."England Cricket TeamCricketDavid Hoppsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Video: Pakistan trio dropped from limited-overs fixtures at their own request after spot-fixing allegations

www.guardian.co.uk - The Pakistan high commissioner has stressed the innocence of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, and spoken of their 'mental torture' More... (Cricket)

Jose Mourinho insists his Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is an honest player

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Bebe blunder! Manchester United could have had £7.4m signing for £125k

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Tottenham told need to make a 'better offer' for South African defender Bongani Khumalo

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The Firing Line: Alex McLeish's final straw

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Blackburn striker Benjani slams Manchester City and claims players are only motivated by money

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A club-by-club guide to the Premiership season

www.guardian.co.uk - Shaun Edwards makes his predictions on the teams and players to watch in the Guinness PremiershipShaun Edwards More... (Rugby union)

Pakistan betting scandal: An analysis of what Giles Clarke said

www.guardian.co.uk - The most intriguing part of Giles Clarke's statement was his call for a 'proper plan' to exist for Pakistan cricket Analysis: What Yawar Saeed saidGiles Clarke, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, today responded to the news that Pakistan would not pick the three players at the centre of the spot-fixing allegations: Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.Analysis The ECB was desperate not to appear triumphalist after its repeated demands for the withdrawal of the three Pakistan players from the one-day series. Clarke, however, does not do false modesty. He made his announcement with a certain hauteur. He received no questions because it was known that questions would not be tolerated.The ECB had been disturbed by Ijaz Butt, the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, repeating his assertion on BBC News on Wednesday night that the players would not be suspended unless they were found guilty. This seemed to clear the way for them to return to play the one-day series.A series of late-night phone calls followed during which it was again made clear that the ECB expected the Pakistan board to find a way to exclude the players while the allegations against them were examined.The most intriguing part of Clarke's brief statement concerns his call for a "proper plan" to exist for Pakistan cricket. Clarke is likely to press from within the ICC for support for Pakistan cricket, including the return of tours to the country, to come hand in hand with stronger safeguards against illegal betting scams.His challenge will be to do this without stirring old anti-colonial sentiments. Shortly before Clarke appeared before the cameras, the Pakistan sports minister, Ijaz Jakhrani, was interviewed on the Indian news channel CNN-IBN and warned that the entire thing could be an anti-Pakistan plot.Cricket does not have a deal at the moment. It has a truce.The statement"The England and Wales Cricket Board welcomes the announcement of the Pakistan Cricket Board's squad for the NatWest T20 and NatWest ODI series. We look forward to an extremely competitive series, full of excellent cricket and we can assure cricket fans across the country in the most competitive spirit long associated with contests between England and Pakistan."As chairman of the ICC's Pakistan task team, I look forward to working with Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, Ijaz Butt, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and everybody involved in Pakistan cricket in taking forward cricket in Pakistan so that a proper plan exists for the whole of Pakistan cricket, given all the many and varied issues which have addressed it. We naturally have many challenges at ICC to face. Cricket fans across the world can be assured that we will be doing so."Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketDavid Hoppsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan betting scandal: An analysis of what the tour manager said

www.guardian.co.uk - Yawar Saeed chose his words carefully when he said Asif, Amir and Butt were being 'replaced' rather than 'suspended'Yawar Saeed, the Pakistan tour manager, was the first to reveal that the three players at the centre of the spot-fixing allegations - Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir - would not play in the remaining matches of the tour of England. Here is an analysis of what he said - and why he had to be careful about what he said - as well as the full transcript.AnalysisSaeed was in a tricky situation. He had to announce the withdrawal of the three Pakistan cricketers from the squad and yet he was aware of legal advice that he should not use the word "suspended" under any circumstances.He therefore chose to talk only of replacements. His evasion briefly invited a conspiracy theory that Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir might try to return for the ODIs. That theory was scotched when the Pakistan High Commisioner, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, suggested they had requested to withdraw from the tour because of the "mental torture" they had suffered.Saeed would also have been aware of the likely outcome to the cricketers' meeting with the Pakistan High Commissioner - that they would proclaim their innocence.The interviewYawar Saeed For the two T20s the squad will remain what it is here this morning, i.e. 13 people. Once we have played those two T20 games, for the ODIs subsequently we will be asking for replacements to make up the squad of 16 again.Question So the three of them won't be rejoining the party?YS No commentQ And the others will not take any part in the rest of this tour?YS I have just spoken in English. We will ask replacement to make up the squad of 16.Q Have they been suspended?YS No, no, no.Q Will they be staying in England?YS They are still here. I cannot answer anything on their behalf because negotiations, ehm, investigations are being made by Scotland Yard, ICC and others. All I am talking about is the team I am managing and the team today is 13 and will become 16 with replacements.Q Are you relieved?YS There is nothing else - I have always been in relief.Q Who made the decision that they will not be rejoining the squad?YS I don't think I would like to give all on who is telling me what to do?Q Have they withdrawn themselves?YS No they have notQ Are they in a fit state to play cricket?YS Please ask them. (Ijaz Butt, the chairman of the PCB, later suggested in London that they were not in the right state of mind).Q So they will not rejoin the squad at all?YS Shall I repeat it again? Today 13, we will get another three replacements to make 16. Very simple.Q Are they out of the five one-dayers as well?YS I will repeat it for the fourth time. As of now we are 13, after the T20s we will ask for three replacements for the five ODIs which will be 16 again.Q From Pakistan?YS Naturally not from any other country, good God.Q How difficult is it for the 13 left here without the other three?YS One has to play without a lot of guys, a lot of great guys have come and gone, the game must go on. Cricket must be played at its best.Q How much pressure have you been put under as tour manager?YS Not at all, I do my job, the job is to ride the pressure not to be under the pressure. I am not in a position to discuss politics.Q Has this been done for the integrity of world cricket?YS Why can't we wait until the investigations are over? Why do we jump for everything? If they are innocent they will play. Let's wait till the decision is made.Q Who will be the replacements? Is Younis Khan a contender?YS We haven't decided yet. All Pakistani cricketers are contenders.Q Can I ask you again who made the decision they would not play?YS I'm not going to stand here and say who rings me and who tells me. All I'm saying as a manager is this is the 13, and we'll ask for another three.Q You were told what to do?YS Everyone is told what to do yes? Why not keep it simple? This is the squad for T20s. We'll get another three replacements for 50-50. Any complex issue cannot be made easy within 10 minutes of press. Let's please wait for the decisions to come.Q Who made the decision?YS I have made the decision. Is that a good answer? Thank you very much.Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketDavid Hoppsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan cricketers innocent of spot-fixing, says high commissioner

www.guardian.co.uk - Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, who have been dropped from tour, face top officials over betting allegationsThe Pakistani high commissioner said today he believed the three players under investigation for spot-fixing were innocent, after talking to them in London about the allegations.Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, who will take no further part in the tour of England, had been summoned to explain themselves to commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan, and the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ijaz Butt.After the meeting, Hasan read out a statement saying the men maintained their innocence but had requested their own removal from the remaining matches because of the "mental torture" they had faced.In response to a question he said: "I believe in their innocence."When pushed on why he believed they were innocent, he said: "Because they have not been proven guilty."Hasan said the players were "extremely disturbed with what has happened in the past week".While speaking Hasan was persistently asked by Pakistani journalists, who believe the team is the victim of a conspiracy: "What about India?"The three players were met by a media scrum as they arrived at the high commission this morning in four-wheel drives with blacked out windows, and required a police escort to the building.The Pakistani team manager, Yawar Saeed, said earlier that the players would miss all remaining matches of the tour. Replacements will be called up for the five-match one-day series against England but not for the two Twenty20 matches.The players' removal from the squad will come as a relief for the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), who will be hoping the move takes the heat off the rest of the tour and stems any protests by fans.Giles Clarke, ECB chairman and chairman of the ICC's Pakistan taskforce, welcomed the announcement that the players would play no further part and said he hoped the remaining matches would be played in a "competitive spirit"."I look forward to working with Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, and Ijaz Butt, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, and everyone involved in Pakistani cricket in taking forward cricket in Pakistan so that a proper plan exists for the whole of Pakistani cricket," he said.The focus will now return to the ICC investigation, although officials will not be interviewing the players until they get the go-ahead from the police. That is likely to be tomorrow at the earliest, which is when the police are next due to question the players.Ever since the allegations broke, Pakistani officials have maintained that the players would not be removed from the team until wrongdoing had been proved. Hasan denied today that they had come under any pressure from either the ICC or the ECB to pull them out of the tour.Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketPakistanHaroon SiddiqueDavid HoppsOwen Gibsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Somerset cricket fans unperturbed by Pakistan spot-fixing scandal

www.guardian.co.uk - The betting allegations involving Pakistan players has not put off fans attending today's tour match against SomersetWhile the players at the centre of spot-fixing claims faced officials in London, fans in Somerset were simply hoping for a good - and straightforward - game of cricket.Most spectators arriving at a sun-drenched County Ground in Taunton, where Pakistan are taking on Somerset, said the scandal had not dampened their enthusiasm for the sport.Martyn White, 74, from Great Wishford, near Salisbury, who is a season-ticket holder at both Somerset and Hampshire, said: "The scandal has not put me off coming - I am just interested in the game itself."I don't believe corruption to be widespread, but strong punishments should be handed out to those caught out."Obviously we don't know what kind of pressure players are under, but if these three cricketers are found guilty then they should be banned for life. But even if there are future scandals it won't put me off going to matches - I have already booked to watch England in Australia this winter."And I don't think it will affect the atmosphere here in Taunton today - I think people just want to see a good game of cricket in the sunshine."Pakistan fan Beenish Faridi, 27, said the allegations would be "very bad for cricket" if they proved to be true, but was still hopeful her heroes would be vindicated.The stay-at-home mother, who is originally from Lahore but now lives in Taunton, said: "I'm still feeling very excited, and I'm still here to support Pakistan. We were really upset initially by the allegations, but it's not proven yet and we can't condemn the whole team if a few players have done something."We feel that there might be some conspiracy involved - there are lots of possibilities. Until they are proven guilty, they are still innocent to me."But if it's true that will tarnish the sport and will be very bad for cricket and for Pakistan. That should not be happening, and we are hoping so much that it is wrong. At first we felt really bad and ashamed, but there is no proof yet and we are here to support the full team."The other players are still playing and we should encourage them to keep their morale."Angela Dawson, 53, said she was extremely saddened by the newspaper allegations - but felt 18-year-old Mohammad Amir should not be banned for life if found guilty because of his age. The training consultant from Churchinford, Somerset, said: "I have been looking forward to this game for ages. The match-fixing allegations do look pretty damning, but it definitely did not stop me turning up today."The worst thing about the scandal is that one young, talented cricketer in Mohammad Amir has been caught up in it. He's only 18 and I don't think he should be banned for life if found guilty - people should not judge him too harshly."Ross Henley, 44, a civil servant from Taunton, added: "I think we need to wait until the results of that investigation before making any opinions about the game, and whether it has been tarnished or not."We've got a fantastic set-up here in Somerset and we'll give both teams a good welcome. The scandal doesn't put me off going at all. I think a lot of people in Taunton and Somerset were greatly looking forward to this fixture and a good day's cricket."I don't think it will affect the play - in fact I think it will make no difference at all. You only have to speak to people in the local area to know how excited everyone still is."All us supporters just want to concentrate on the cricket - we're expecting a bumper crowd. I'm still just looking forward to a great day's cricket."Pakistan cricket betting scandalCricketPakistan cricket teamPakistanSteven Morrisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Cricket fans in Taunton unperturbed by spot-fixing scandal

www.guardian.co.uk - The spot-fixing scandal involving three Pakistan cricketers has not put off fans attending today's match against SomersetWhile the players at the centre of match-fixing claims faced officials in London, sports fans in Somerset were simply hoping for a good - and straightforward - game of cricket.Most fans arriving at a sun-drenched County Ground in Taunton, where Pakistan are taking on Somerset, said the scandal had not dampened their enthusiasm for the sport.Martyn White, 74, from Great Wishford, near Salisbury, who is a season ticket holder at both Somerset and Hampshire, said: "The scandal has not put me off coming - I am just interested in the game itself."I don't believe corruption to be widespread, but strong punishments should be handed out to those caught out."Obviously we don't know what kind of pressure players are under, but if these three cricketers are found guilty then they should be banned for life. But even if there are future scandals it won't put me off going to matches - I have already booked to watch England in Australia this winter."And I don't think it will affect the atmosphere here in Taunton today - I think people just want to see a good game of cricket in the sunshine."Pakistan fan Beenish Faridi, 27, said the allegations would be "very bad for cricket" if they proved to be true, but was still hopeful her heroes would be vindicated.The stay-at-home mum, who is originally from Lahore but now lives in Taunton, said: "I'm still feeling very excited, and I'm still here to support Pakistan. We were really upset initially by the allegations, but it's not proven yet and we can't condemn the whole team if a few players have done something."We feel that there might be some conspiracy involved - there are lots of possibilities. Until they are proven guilty, they are still innocent to me."But if it's true that will tarnish the sport and will be very bad for cricket and for Pakistan. That should not be happening, and we are hoping so much that it is wrong. At first we felt really bad and ashamed, but there is no proof yet and we are here to support the full team."The other players are still playing and we should encourage them to keep their morale."Angela Dawson, 53, said she was extremely saddened by the newspaper allegations - but felt 18-year-old Mohammad Amir should not be banned for life if found guilty because of his age. The training consultant from Churchinford, Somerset, said: "I have been looking forward to this game for ages. The match-fixing allegations do look pretty damning, but it definitely did not stop me turning up today."The worst thing about the scandal is that one young, talented, cricketer in Mohammad Amir has been caught up in it. He's only 18 and I don't think he should be banned for life if found guilty - people should not judge him too harshly."Ross Henley, 44, a civil servant from Taunton, added: "I think we need to wait until the results of that investigation before making any opinions about the game, and whether it has been tarnished or not."We've got a fantastic set-up here in Somerset and we'll give both teams a good welcome. The scandal doesn't put me off going at all. I think a lot of people in Taunton and Somerset were greatly looking forward to this fixture and a good day's cricket."I don't think it will affect the play - in fact I think it will make no difference at all. You only have to speak to people in the local area to know how excited everyone still is."All us supporters just want to concentrate on the cricket - we're expecting a bumper crowd. I'm still just looking forward to a great day's cricket."Pakistan cricket betting scandalCricketPakistan cricket teamPakistanSteven Morrisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Michael Kightly ruled out out of Wolves' 25-man squad

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David Weir and Kenny Miller to start for Scotland in Lithuania

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Blackpool hoping Ghana World Cup goalkeeper Richard Kingson will provide safe hands for Seasiders

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DAVID MILNES' GALLOPS BLOG: Midday looking impressive ahead of Longchamp high noon with old foe Sariska

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Pat Richards and Adrian Morley cross swords in battle for Man of Steel | Andy Wilson

www.guardian.co.uk - Wigan's left wing only 15 points from Super League record Image of Adrian Morley with Challenge Cup may tilt voteEven out on the left wing, Pat Richards will be the centre of attention when Wigan complete an outstanding season that few would have predicted with a home game against the Bradford Bulls tomorrow evening. Richards, the tall Australian wing with strong Irish links and who is in his fifth year with the Warriors, needs 15 points to set a new record for the 15 seasons since the switch to a summer Super League in 1996.The record is currently held by Andy Farrell, an all-time Wigan great, who scored 388 points from 164 goals and 15 tries in the 2001 season. Richards may have some way to go to match Farrell's place in the cherry-and-white pantheon, but he must already go down as one of their better overseas signings, joining a distinguished recent list including such luminaries as Dean Bell, John Ferguson, Gene Miles and Brett Kenny.However as a wing, even a very good one, would he be a worthy successor to Farrell as the second Wigan player to be crowned Man of Steel in the Super League era? Or, to put it another way, is he the best wing since Martin Offiah, who made such an impact in his first season in league after joining Widnes from Rosslyn Park in 1987-8 that he became the first and so far only specialist to win the award since it was introduced in 1977? Joe Lydon played a fair amount on the wing when he became the eighth Man of Steel, in 1984, but Widnes also used him at full-back that season - as Wigan have Richards this - and he had switched inside to centre when he scored the two spectacular tries against Wigan at Wembley that probably sealed it for him.Farrell won the award, given to the player who "makes the greatest impact on a Super League season" in 1996 and 2004, when it was determined by an anonymous panel drawn from the media with a bit of expert advice. Now it is the players who make the decision themselves, in a secret ballot that will be completed in the next few days, with one of the disadvantages of the new system being that no play-off performances can be taken into account.Richards is widely seen as the frontrunner. Wigan's assistant coach, Shaun Wane, joked that he is in "a shortlist of one", but that was a throwaway comment, because it is hard to remember a season in which there have been so many strong contenders.There are no guarantees that Richards will even be crowned Wigan's player of the year, as he recognised himself when replying to a recent tweet from Offiah suggesting he had the Man of Steel award wrapped up. "Thanks mate but I can't go past @sam_tomkins or @seanol15," said patrichards5, the latter a reference to the loose forward Sean O'Loughlin, who has epitomised the extra aggression that Wigan have shown this season while retaining his clever play-making abilities.In the last month alone, Tomkins has scored the try of the season (against Warrington) and produced the most thrilling individual performance I've seen (at Hull KR), and if the Man of Steel award were determined by pure edge-of-the-seat excitement, then it would be a toss-up between his recent brilliance at full-back, and Kyle Eastmond's early-season exuberance at scrum-half for St Helens.But I don't reckon the gnarled old Super League pros will be as easily wowed, either by England's brightest young talents, or the prolific Richards out wide. After making an Aussie full-back (Brett Hodgson) the Man of Steel last year, they might be a bit reluctant to vote for another former Wests Tigers glory boy (not an appropriate description for either Hodgson or Richards, but you get the point).In addition to O'Loughlin, there are four more strong homegrown contenders who have been outstanding for the two teams who have pushed Wigan the hardest at the top of the table.James Roby and James Graham are both previous winners, in 2007 and 2008 respectively, but they have arguably been even better this year than they were then in sustaining the challenge of a Saints team so badly affected by injuries.Across the M62 at Warrington, while Lee Briers and Michael Monaghan have been consistently crafty and watchable, it is the forwards Ben Westwood and Adrian Morley who are the most likely Man of Steel contenders. Westwood, who joined the Wolves as a centre from Wakefield but has become a non-stop second-row, was the ultimate unsung hero until he took over the goalkicking duties from Briers in recent weeks, regularly earning plaudits from the coach Tony Smith when us ignorant journalists had hardly noticed him.But Morley is a likelier candidate. He has been one of British rugby league's leading forwards for 14 years now, since he toured Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand as a teenager, and became one of a select band to make a big impression in Australia during four seasons with the Sydney Roosters.He appeared in three consecutive Grand Finals for the Roosters, standing up to the New Zealand Warriors enforcers in their only win, and has played in two Super League Grand Finals - losing with Leeds in 1998 before joining Bradford in 2005 for a brief stint that ended in victory over the Rhinos. Last Saturday he enjoyed a third Challenge Cup-winning final at Wembley, but like his old friend Keiron Cunningham, he has never won a major individual award.In previous years, when the media made the decision, cup performances were not permitted to be taken into account. But now the players are not instructed to make that distinction, and any of them who voted this week will have had the image of Morley lifting the Challenge Cup fresh in their mind.It is arguable that Richards has made a more obvious impact on the Super League season with his 27 tries and 133 goals. But Morley would nevertheless be a popular and deserving Man of Steel.That award won't be announced until Grand Final week at the end of the month, but the Engage Dream Team will be revealed next Monday, following the completion of the regular season. After taking on board your suggestions when I asked for a bit a of help a few weeks ago, here's the Guardian Dream Team - with a couple of late changes, as Thomas Leuluai nips in ahead of Michael Dobson at scrum-half, and Sam Tomkins has to be split between full-back and stand-off.Your thoughts on any of the above, plus any nominations for coach or young player of the year (must have been 21 or under at the start of the season), and any Cup final reflections, are welcome as ever below.1 Wellens (St Helens)/S Tomkins (Wigan); 2 Briscoe (Hull), 3 King (Warrington), 4 Senior (Leeds), 5 Richards (Wigan); 6 S Tomkins (Wigan)/Brown (Huddersfield), 7 Leuluai (Wigan); 8 Morley (Warrington), 9 Roby (St Helens), 10 Graham (St Helens), 11 Westwood (Warrington), 12 J Tomkins (Wigan), 13 O'Loughlin (Wigan).Rugby leagueChallenge CupSuper LeagueAndy Wilsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby league)

Alan Curbishley enters Aston Villa race

www.dailymail.co.uk - Alan Curbishley has emerged as one of the candidates to succeed Martin O'Neill as Aston Villa manager. The former West Ham boss was interviewed by Villa on Wednesday. More... (Football)

Wigan newboy Franco Di Santo insists he had no choice but to leave Chelsea

www.dailymail.co.uk - Wigan's new striker Franco Di Santo claims Chelsea forced him to leave the club in the search for regular football. The 21-year-old has signed a three-year deal with the Latics. More... (Football)

Newcastle defender Sol Campbell insists he still wants to play for England again

www.dailymail.co.uk - Sol Campbell has not given up hope of playing for England again. The 35-year-old made his first appearance for the Magpies in the reserves' 3-1 win over Sunderland. More... (Football)

US Open 2010: Order of play, Thursday

www.guardian.co.uk - The fourth day of the 2010 US Open sees, among others, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in actionOrder of play for Thursday 2 September, with play on all courts starting at 4pm BSTArthur Ashe StadiumSabine Lisicki (Ger) v (7) Vera Zvonareva (Rus),(1) Caroline Wozniacki (Den) v Chang Kai-chen (Tpe),Andreas Beck (Ger) v (2) Roger Federer (Swi),Iveta Benesova (Cze) v (14) Maria Sharapova (Rus),Philipp Petzschner (Ger) v (3) Novak Djokovic (Ser)Louis Armstrong Stadium11.00: Pablo Cuevas (Uru) v (19) Mardy Fish (US),(11) Svetlana Kuznetsova (Rus) v Anastasija Sevastova (Lat),(4) Jelena Jankovic (Ser) v Mirjana Lucic (Cro),Peter Polansky (Can) v James Blake (US)Grandstand 11:00: (18) Aravane Rezai (Fr) v Beatrice Capra (US),(6) Nikolay Davydenko (Rus) v Richard Gasquet (Fr),(5) Robin Soderling (Swe) v Taylor Dent (US),Bethanie Mattek-Sands (US) v Andrea Petkovic (Ger)Court 4 11:00: Julia Goerges (Ger) v (15) Yanina Wickmayer (Bel),Andreas Seppi (Ita) & Simone Vagnozzi (It) v Ryan Harrison (USA) & Robert Kendrick (US),Paul-Henri Mathieu (Fr) v Guillaume Rufin (Fr),Akgul Amanmuradova (Uzb) v (31) Kaia Kanepi (Est),(1) Liezel Huber (US) & Bob Bryan (US) v Su-Wei Hsieh (Tpe) & Bruno Soares (Br)Court 6 11.00: Dominika Cibulkova (Svk) v Kateryna Bondarenko (Ukr),Thiemo de Bakker (Neth) v Ivan Dodig (Cro),Lauren Herring (US) & Grace Min (US) v Dominika Cibulkova (Svk) & Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Rus),(9) Cara Black (Zim) & Anastasia Rodionova (Rus) v Victoria Azarenka (Blr) & Dinara Safina (Rus)Court 711.00: Chan Yung-jan (Tpe) v Tamira Paszek (Aut),Lourdes Domínguez Lino (Sp) v Urszula Radwanska (Pol), (13)Jürgen Melzer (Aut) v Ricardas Berankis (Ltu),Patty Schnyder (Swi) & Agnes Szavay (Hun) v (8) Anabel Medina Garrigues (Sp) & Yan Zi (Chn),(5) Lisa Raymond (US) & Rennae Stubbs (Aus) v Maria Kondratieva (Rus) & Vladimira Uhlirova (Cze)Court 8 11:00: (21) Albert Montañés (Sp) v Carsten Ball (Aus),Sara Errani (It) & Roberta Vinci (It) v Carly Gullickson (US) & Chelsey Gullickson (US),Martin Damm (Cze) & Filip Polasek (Svk) v Sergiy Stakhovsky (Ukr) & Mikhail Youzhny (Rus),(13) Robert Lindstedt (Swe) & Horia Tecau (Rom) v Robby Ginepri (US) & Ryan Sweeting (US)Court 1011:00: Eric Butorac (US) & Jean-Julien Rojer (Ant) v (2) Daniel Nestor (Can) & Nenad Zimonjic (Ser),Jamie Hampton (US) & Melanie Oudin (US) v Jill Craybas (US) & Sloane Stephens (US),Marc Gicquel (Fr) & Gaël Monfils (Fr) v Bradley Klahn (US) & Tim Smyczek (US),Melanie Oudin (US) & Ryan Harrison (US) v Andrea Hlavackova (Cze) & Michal Mertinak (Svk),Anne Keothavong (GB) & Anastasija Sevastova (Lat) v Timea Bacsinszky (Swi) & Tathiana Garbin (Ita)Court 1111:00: (22) María José Martínez Sánchez (Sp) v Patty Schnyder (Swi),Arnaud Clement (Fr) v Eduardo Schwank (Arg),Yvonne Meusburger (Aut) v (23) Maria Kirilenko (Rus),Ricardo Mello (Br) v (22) Juan Carlos Ferrero (Sp)Court 1211:00: Anna-Lena Grönefeld (Ger) & Mark Knowles (Bah) v Nicole Gibbs (US) & Sam Querrey (US),Florian Mayer (Ger) & Rogier Wassen (Neth) v Johan Brunstrom (Swe) & Travis Parrott (US),Jelena Kostanic Tosic (Cro) & Romina Oprandi (It) v (6) Vania King (US) & Yaroslava Shvedova (Kaz),Carsten Ball (Aus) & Chris Guccione (Aus) v (11) Julien Benneteau (Fr) & Michael Llodra (Fr)Court 1311:00: Kei Nishikori (Jpn) v (11) Marin Cilic (Cro),(25) Alexandra Dulgheru (Rom) v Sofia Arvidsson (Swe),Kevin Anderson (SA) v (26) Thomaz Bellucci (Br),(9) Agnieszka Radwanska (Pol) v Shuai Peng (Chn)Court 14 11:00: Alicia Molik (Aus) & Francesca Schiavone (Ita) v Polona Hercog (Slo) & Petra Martic (Cro),Andrey Golubev (Kaz) & Denis Istomin (Uzb) v Daniele Bracciali (It) & Potito Starace (It),Frederico Gil (Por) & Daniel Gimeno-Traver (Sp) v Xavier Malisse (Bel) & Olivier Rochus (Bel),Aravane Rezai (Fr) & Yanina Wickmayer (Bel) v Alona Bondarenko (Ukr) & Kateryna Bondarenko (Ukr)Court 1511:00: Edina Gallovits (Rom) & Klaudia Jans (Pol) v Natalie Grandin (SA) & Abigail Spears (US),Vera Dushevina (Rus) & Sania Mirza (Ind) v (11) Alisa Kleybanova (Rus) & Ekaterina Makarova (Rus),Petra Kvitova (Cze) & Stefanie Voegele (Swi) v (4) Kveta Peschke (Cze) & Katarina Srebotnik (Slo),Juan Ignacio Chela (Arg) & Pablo Cuevas (Uru) v Teymuraz Gabashvili (Rus) & Feliciano López (Sp)Court 1611:00: Philipp Marx (Ger) & Igor Zelenay (Svk) v Daniel Brands (Ger) & Simon Greul (Ger),Jonathan Erlich (Isr) & Jordan Kerr (Aus) v (8) Julian Knowle (Aut) & Andy Ram (Isr),Michaella Krajicek (Neth) & Marie-Eve Pelletier (Can) v (13) Monica Niculescu (Rom) & Shahar Peer (Isr),(6) Elena Vesnina (Rus) & Andy Ram (Isr) v Raquel Kops-Jones (US) & Eric Butorac (US)Court 17 11:00: Benjamin Becker (Ger) & Leonardo Mayer (Arg) v Leos Friedl (Cze) & Dusan Vemic (Ser),(12) Marcel Granollers-Pujol (Sp) & Tommy Robredo (Sp) v Santiago González (Mex) & Travis Rettenmaier (US), (1) Gisela Dulko (Arg) & Flavia Pennetta (It) v Arantxa Parra Santonja (Sp) & Renata Voracova (Cze),(7) Chan Yung-jan (Tpe) & Zheng Jie (Chn) v Eleni Daniilidou (Gre) & Tsvetana Pironkova (Bul)US Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US Open 2010: Order of play Thursday

www.guardian.co.uk - The fourth day of the 2010 US Open sees, among others, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in actionOrder of play for Thursday 2 September, with play on all courts starting at 4pm BSTArthur Ashe StadiumSabine Lisicki (Ger) v (7) Vera Zvonareva (Rus),(1) Caroline Wozniacki (Den) v Kai Chen Chang (Tpe),Andreas Beck (Ger) v (2) Roger Federer (Swi),Iveta Benesova (Cze) v (14) Maria Sharapova (Rus),Philipp Petzschner (Ger) v (3) Novak Djokovic (Ser)Louis Armstrong Stadium11.00: Pablo Cuevas (Uru) v (19) Mardy Fish (USA),(11) Svetlana Kuznetsova (Rus) v Anastasija Sevastova (Lat),(4) Jelena Jankovic (Ser) v Mirjana Lucic (Cro),Peter Polansky (Can) v James Blake (USA)Grandstand 11:00: (18) Aravane Rezai (Fra) v Beatrice Capra (USA),(6) Nikolay Davydenko (Rus) v Richard Gasquet (Fra),(5) Robin Soderling (Swe) v Taylor Dent (USA),Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) v Andrea Petkovic (Ger)Court 4 11:00: Julia Goerges (Ger) v (15) Yanina Wickmayer (Bel),Andreas Seppi (Ita) & Simone Vagnozzi (Ita) v Ryan Harrison (USA) & Robert Kendrick (USA),Paul-Henri Mathieu (Fra) v Guillaume Rufin (Fra),Akgul Amanmuradova (Uzb) v (31) Kaia Kanepi (Est),(1) Liezel Huber (USA) & Bob Bryan (USA) v Su-Wei Hsieh (Tpe) & Bruno Soares (Bra)Court 6 11.00: Dominika Cibulkova (Svk) v Kateryna Bondarenko (Ukr),Thiemo De Bakker (Ned) v Ivan Dodig (Cro),Lauren Herring (USA) & Grace Min (USA) v Dominika Cibulkova (Svk) & Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Rus),(9) Cara Black (Zim) & Anastasia Rodionova (Rus) v Victoria Azarenka (Blr) & Dinara Safina (Rus)Court 711.00: Yung-Jan Chan (Tpe) v Tamira Paszek (Aut),Lourdes Domínguez Lino (Spa) v Urszula Radwanska (Pol), (13)Jürgen Melzer (Aut) v Ricardas Berankis (Ltu),Patty Schnyder (Swi) & Agnes Szavay (Hun) v (8) Anabel Medina Garrigues (Spa) & Zi Yan (Chn),(5) Lisa Raymond (USA) & Rennae Stubbs (Aus) v Maria Kondratieva (Rus) & Vladimira Uhlirova (Cze)Court 8 11:00: (21) Albert Montanes (Spa) v Carsten Ball (Aus),Sara Errani (Ita) & Roberta Vinci (Ita) v Carly Gullickson (USA) & Chelsey Gullickson (USA),Martin Damm (Cze) & Filip Polasek (Svk) v Sergiy Stakhovsky (Ukr) & Mikhail Youzhny (Rus),(13) Robert Lindstedt (Swe) & Horia Tecau (Rom) v Robby Ginepri (USA) & Ryan Sweeting (USA)Court 1011:00: Eric Butorac (USA) & Jean-Julien Rojer (Aho) v (2) Daniel Nestor (Can) & Nenad Zimonjic (Ser),Jamie Hampton (USA) & Melanie Oudin (USA) v Jill Craybas (USA) & Sloane Stephens (USA),Marc Gicquel (Fra) & Gael Monfils (Fra) v Bradley Klahn (USA) & Tim Smyczek (USA),Melanie Oudin (USA) & Ryan Harrison (USA) v Andrea Hlavackova (Cze) & Michal Mertinak (Svk),Anne Keothavong (Gbr) & Anastasija Sevastova (Lat) v Timea Bacsinszky (Swi) & Tathiana Garbin (Ita)Court 1111:00: (22) Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (Spa) v Patty Schnyder (Swi),Arnaud Clement (Fra) v Eduardo Schwank (Arg),Yvonne Meusburger (Aut) v (23) Maria Kirilenko (Rus),Ricardo Mello (Bra) v (22) Juan Carlos Ferrero (Spa)Court 1211:00: Anna-Lena Groenefeld (Ger) & Mark Knowles (Bah) v Nicole Gibbs (USA) & Sam Querrey (USA),Florian Mayer (Ger) & Rogier Wassen (Ned) v Johan Brunstrom (Swe) & Travis Parrott (USA),Jelena Kostanic Tosic (Cro) & Romina Oprandi (Ita) v (6) Vania King (USA) & Yaroslava Shvedova (Kaz),Carsten Ball (Aus) & Chris Guccione (Aus) v (11) Julien Benneteau (Fra) & Michael Llodra (Fra)Court 1311:00: Kei Nishikori (Jpn) v (11) Marin Cilic (Cro),(25) Alexandra Dulgheru (Rom) v Sofia Arvidsson (Swe),Kevin Anderson (Rsa) v (26) Thomaz Bellucci (Bra),(9) Agnieszka Radwanska (Pol) v Shuai Peng (Chn)Court 14 11:00: Alicia Molik (Aus) & Francesca Schiavone (Ita) v Polona Hercog (Slo) & Petra Martic (Cro),Andrey Golubev (Kaz) & Denis Istomin (Uzb) v Daniele Bracciali (Ita) & Potito Starace (Ita),Frederico Gil (Por) & Daniel Gimeno-Traver (Spa) v Xavier Malisse (Bel) & Olivier Rochus (Bel),Aravane Rezai (Fra) & Yanina Wickmayer (Bel) v Alona Bondarenko (Ukr) & Kateryna Bondarenko (Ukr)Court 1511:00: Edina Gallovits (Rom) & Klaudia Jans (Pol) v Natalie Grandin (Rsa) & Abigail Spears (USA),Vera Dushevina (Rus) & Sania Mirza (Ind) v (11) Alisa Kleybanova (Rus) & Ekaterina Makarova (Rus),Petra Kvitova (Cze) & Stefanie Voegele (Swi) v (4) Kveta Peschke (Cze) & Katarina Srebotnik (Slo),Juan Ignacio Chela (Arg) & Pablo Cuevas (Uru) v Teymuraz Gabashvili (Rus) & Feliciano Lopez (Spa)Court 1611:00: Philipp Marx (Ger) & Igor Zelenay (Svk) v Daniel Brands (Ger) & Simon Greul (Ger),Jonathan Erlich (Isr) & Jordan Kerr (Aus) v (8) Julian Knowle (Aut) & Andy Ram (Isr),Michaella Krajicek (Ned) & Marie-Eve Pelletier (Can) v (13) Monica Niculescu (Rom) & Shahar Peer (Isr),(6) Elena Vesnina (Rus) & Andy Ram (Isr) v Raquel Kops-Jones (USA) & Eric Butorac (USA)Court 17 11:00: Benjamin Becker (Ger) & Leonardo Mayer (Arg) v Leos Friedl (Cze) & Dusan Vemic (Ser),(12) Marcel Granollers-Pujol (Spa) & Tommy Robredo (Spa) v Santiago Gonzalez (Mex) & Travis Rettenmaier (USA), (1) Gisela Dulko (Arg) & Flavia Pennetta (Ita) v Arantxa Parra Santonja (Spa) & Renata Voracova (Cze),(7) Yung-Jan Chan (Tpe) & Jie Zheng (Chn) v Eleni Daniilidou (Gre) & Tsvetana Pironkova (Bul)US Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

Scott Carson released from England squad following family bereavement - Scott Loach called up

www.dailymail.co.uk - Goalkeeper Scott Carson has been released from the England squad to play against Bulgaria. Watford's Scott Loach has been called up from the Under 21s as his replacement. More... (Football)

Meireles is the man! Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz tips new signing Raul to reign at Anfield

www.dailymail.co.uk - Carlos Queiroz is tipping Raul Meireles to help bring the glory days back to Liverpool. The ex-Manchester United assistant believes he has what it takes to succeed. More... (Football)

Shane Warne wants life bans for match-fixing in cricket

www.guardian.co.uk - Former spinner calls on ICC to flex its muscles '[Pakistan players] should be thrown out if found guilty'Any players found guilty of being involved in match-fixing or any other form of illegality related to gambling in cricket should be banned for life, the former Australian spinner Shane Warne has said.The News of the World last weekend made allegations that the Pakistan bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were asked to bowl no-balls during their Fourth Test against England at Lord's."If it is true and they have been found [guilty of] match-fixing and throwing games and spot-betting with the no-balls and stuff, if that's the case they should be thrown out," Warne said today. "If it's fixed by players, they should be banned for life. Anyone who's involved should be thrown out."The ICC have to flex their muscles and just go after Pakistan." Warne, who was fined for admitting he had taken money from an Indian bookmaker for providing pitch and weather information in 1994, said he had been shocked by the latest allegations, especially since the International Cricket Council had instituted an anti-corruption unit."I thought that the game was clean now with the anti-corruption people there," Warne added. "[But] if you look back over the incidents they've had in the past, you'd have to say no, they haven't really flexed their muscles. So you'd hope that at this stage they can flex their muscles and show that they do run the game."Shane WarnePakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Stoke City's Eidur Gudjohnsen wants football not the high life

www.dailymail.co.uk - Eidur Gujohnsen has revealed it was an easy decision to swap the cosmopolitan lifestyle in Monaco for a return the Premier League with Stoke City. More... (Football)

Accused Pakistan trio Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer pulled from England tour

www.dailymail.co.uk - Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed has confirmed Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer will play no further part on the current tour of England. More... (Cricket)

Australia give chance to teenage paceman Josh Hazlewood for their pre-Ashes tour of India

www.dailymail.co.uk - Teenage paceman Josh Hazlewood has received a shock call-up to the Australia Test squad to tour India next month, alongside fellow quick Peter George. More... (Cricket)

Lazio to make new bid for Manchester City's Roque Santa Cruz

www.dailymail.co.uk - Lazio are considering making another attempt to sign Manchester City's Roque Santa Cruz in January after a move for the Paraguay striker broke down on deadline day. More... (Football)

Pakistan cricket trio dropped from England tour

www.guardian.co.uk - Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, who are under investigation for spot-fixing, to miss rest of tourThe three Pakistan cricket players under investigation for spot-fixing will play no further part in the rest of the tour of England, the team manager said today.Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir will miss the Twenty20 and one-day international series against England, Yawar Saeed said.The players will not be replaced for the two Twenty20 matches but they will be replaced for the one-day series.Saeed made a statement in Taunton, where Pakistan are due to play Somerset today.Butt, Asif and Amir had already been ruled out of the Somerset match as they were summoned to appear at the Pakistani High Commission in London today to answer the allegations that first ran in the News of the World on Sunday.More details soon ...Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamPakistanCricketHaroon Siddiqueguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Phillip Hughes returns but Brad Haddin still out for Australia

www.guardian.co.uk - Phillip Hughes returns for two-Test series in India Brad Haddin making progress but should make AshesThe opening batsman Phillip Hughes has returned from a dislocated shoulder but the wicketkeeper Brad Haddin remains unavailable for Australia for the two-Test series in India next month.Hughes dislocated his shoulder while boxing in a training session and had surgery in May while Haddin has had an elbow tendon injury and been out of action since the World Twenty20.Tim Paine, who replaced Haddin for Australia's matches against Pakistan in England, has retained his place. "Brad Haddin is making good progress with rehabilitation of his elbow tendon injury," the Australian team physio Alex Kountouris said."He is due to commence restricted batting in the next few weeks but will not be available to play in the Test component. He is on track to be available for club cricket and for New South Wales with the possibility of being available for selection in the India or Sri Lanka one-day international series."The fast bowlers Peter George and Josh Hazlewood were both included for the series, with the first Test in Mohali on 1-5 October and the second Test in Bangalore starting on 9 October."India is ranked No1 in Test cricket and there is no harder assignment in Test cricket at the moment than playing India on their home soil," the national selection panel chairman, Andrew Hilditch, said.Hilditch said the 15-man squad reflected their satisfaction with the progress of the team over the past year. "The Australian team had a very successful home summer last year and an away series win against New Zealand," he added."While it was disappointing to draw the series in England against Pakistan, the squad reflects the good performances of the team over the last 12 months as we continue to prepare for the Ashes."Australia squad to face India Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Peter George, Nathan Hauritz, Josh Hazlewood, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Marcus North, Tim Paine, Steven Smith, Shane WatsonAustralia cricket teamCricketguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Tottenham striker Robbie Keane turns down £8m Besiktas move

www.dailymail.co.uk - Robbie Keane rejected the chance to join Turkish side Besiktas in an £8million deal. The Turkish transfer window did not close until 5pm on Wednesday night. More... (Football)

Somerset v Pakistan - live! | David Hopps and Andy Wilson

www.guardian.co.uk - The latest news from Taunton and the betting scandal Hit the auto-update button for the latest posts Updates also from Andy Wilson at Durham v Notts Watch the latest county cricket highlights here10.28am: The Pakistan team manager, Yawar Saeed, has confirmed tha the Test captain, Salman Butt, and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer will play no further part on the current tour. Saeed, speaking from Taunton where Pakistan play Somerset today, said: "The T20 squad will remain what it is here this morning, ie 13 people. When we play the one-day internationals we will be asking for replacements to make the squad up to 16. The (three) players have not been suspended." 10.21am: The latest from our sports news correspondent Owen Gibson: The Pakistan team manager in Taunton says they will call up 3 replacements for Amir, Asif and Butt for the one day series - seems they won't play. Sighs of relief from ECB and ICC no doubt. Still no sign of Amir, Asif and Butt outside the Royal Garden Hotel in High St Ken ... At least one of the players has just emerged from the underground carpark in a people carrier with blacked windows and diplomatic plates.10.17am: It's also day three of the week's Championship games today. Well, those that didn't experience a 40-wicket frenzy inside a day and a half that is. At Chester-le-Street Durham are making Notts work hard to take their County Championship title. Andy Wilson is there for the resumption. And Kevin Pietersen's 38 in a CB40 Second Division match made waves yesterday. Here's Barney Ronay's report.10.16am: Pakistan's Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer - the Pakistan players at the centre of spot-fixing allegations - will miss the Twenty20 and one-day international series against England, Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed has just said.10.15am Morning. The most eagerly awaited 50-over warm-up game in yonks takes place today. Journalists have been bedding down at Taunton Holiday Inn for days in anticipation of seeing Pakistan play their first game since the Lord's Test fizzled out so awfully on Sunday. Mr Hopps will be in the maelstrom.And, 162 miles away in London, Pakistan's captain Salman Butt and the bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir are meeting the Pakistan high commissioner, the Pakistan Cricket board and lawyers to discuss the spot-fixing allegations. Owen Gibson will have the latest from the Kensington hotel. Meanwhile, Marina Hyde has penned her view on spot-fix-gate.County Championship Division OneCounty Championship Division TwoCricketAndy WilsonDavid HoppsOwen Gibsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan betting scandal - today's events as they happened

www.guardian.co.uk - Breaking news: Pakistan trio dropped from England tour News, reaction and updates from Taunton and London Hit the auto-update button for the latest posts Updates also from Andy Wilson at Durham v Notts Watch the latest county cricket highlights here10.15am Morning. The most eagerly awaited 50-over warm-up game in yonks takes place today. Journalists have been bedding down at Taunton Holiday Inn for days in anticipation of seeing Pakistan play their first game since the Lord's Test fizzled out so awfully on Sunday. Mr Hopps will be in the maelstrom.And, 162 miles away in London, Pakistan's captain Salman Butt and the bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir are meeting the Pakistan high commissioner, the Pakistan Cricket board and lawyers to discuss the spot-fixing allegations. Owen Gibson will have the latest from the Kensington hotel. Meanwhile, Marina Hyde has penned her view on spot-fix-gate.10.16am: Pakistan's Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer - the Pakistan players at the centre of spot-fixing allegations - will miss the Twenty20 and one-day international series against England, Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed has just said.10.17am: It's also day three of the week's Championship games today. Well, those that didn't experience a 40-wicket frenzy inside a day and a half that is. At Chester-le-Street Durham are making Notts work hard to take their County Championship title. Andy Wilson is there for the resumption. And Kevin Pietersen's 38 in a CB40 Second Division match made waves yesterday. Here's Barney Ronay's report.10.21am: The latest from our sports news correspondent Owen Gibson: The Pakistan team manager in Taunton says they will call up 3 replacements for Amir, Asif and Butt for the one day series - seems they won't play. Sighs of relief from ECB and ICC no doubt. Still no sign of Amir, Asif and Butt outside the Royal Garden Hotel in High St Ken ... At least one of the players has just emerged from the underground carpark in a people carrier with blacked windows and diplomatic plates.10.28am: The Pakistan team manager, Yawar Saeed, has confirmed that the Test captain, Salman Butt, and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir will play no further part on the current tour. Saeed, speaking from Taunton where Pakistan play Somerset today, said: "The T20 squad will remain what it is here this morning, ie 13 people. When we play the one-day internationals we will be asking for replacements to make the squad up to 16. The (three) players have not been suspended." 10.33am: Andy Wilson at Chester-le-Street writes: After the dramatic Second Division game between Derbyshire and Gloucestershire demanded most attention during the last couple of days, the focus now switches back to the battles at the top and bottom of the Championship elite.The leaders Nottinghamshire are locked in an intriguing game with Durham here at the Emirates ICG (where calling the Riverside by its correct new title secured free flapjacks for tea yesterday), but the first result will come from Edgbaston. Kent will resume their second innings on 131 for five, still needing another 163 to beat Warwickshire, who must therefore be strong favourites to secure a second consecutive victory that would strengthen their unlikely survival bid.The Bears looked dead and buried when they folded against Notts at Trent Bridge a few weeks ago, but if they do win today they would pull 18 points clear of Kent, and also climb above Hampshire and Durham - although all three of those counties would retain a game in hand. Unless Hampshire can mount a strong fightback against Lancashire at Aigburth, where they have a first innings deficit of 238 to wipe out, their game against Kent at Canterbury next week is now looming as another relegation crunch.Hampshire then end the season against Warwickshire at the Rose Bowl. It would be hard to come up with a stronger argument for the two-division structure, when it produces so many meaningful games at the business end of the summer. Fingers crossed that this glorious September weather can last for another couple of weeks.10:34am: The three Pakistani players at the centre of cricket's betting scandal have been left out of the one-day series against England, writes David Hopps in Taunton. Yawar Saeed, the team manager, announced before Pakistan's one-day warm-up against Somerset at Taunton today, that Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir will play no further part in the tour. Conspiracy theorists still suspect otherwise. Every sentence uttered by Saeed was examined for hints that they might rejoin the tour at some stage. Even in the volatile and shifting world of Pakistan cricket, it sounds like a conspiracy theory too far. "For the two T20s the squad will remain what it is at Taunton this morning ie 13 people," said Saeed. "Once we have played those two T20 games, for the ODIs subsequently we will be asking for replacements to make up the squad of 16 again." "I can make no statement on their behalf. Investigations are being made by Scotland Yard and ICC and others. All I am talking about is the team that I am managing. And the team is today 13 and will become 16 again with replacements."10.40am: Our sports news correspondent Owen Gibson tweets: So, as expected, a slightly confusing compromise has been reached. Pak statement vague for obvious reasons.10.40am: So we're flitting from hard news to county cricket whimsy and back again today. It was a busy day on the county blog yesterday, and a triple century of comments below the line to boot. One poster's cameo encapsulated the frustration of following your county side from afar. With Kent's No7 Geraint Jones negotiating his way to the close against Warwickshire at Edgbaston, Veriditan wrote in successive comments:6:42PM: Two balls to survive tonight. C'mon, Jonesy...6:46PM: What? Another over? I smell doom!6:49PM: G Jones lbw b Woakes 41 89 3 1. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrghh11am: Giles Clarke, the chairman of the ECB, has just announced that he "welcomes the announcement" from the Pakistan Cricket Board. He added, with a straight face, that he is looking forward to the forthcoming ODI series being playing "in the spirit" that matches between England and Pakistan are always played in. We'll have the full statement shortly.11.05am: More from our sports news correspondent: Pakistan High Commission officials handing out copies of a Roy Greenslade piece about the Fake Sheikh's methods. Interesting.11.19am: Pakistan are batting first at Taunton after Somerset won the toss. England's Craig Kieswetter takes his place at the top of the hosts' order. Shahid Afridi is the Pakistanis' captain.11.44am: Owen Gibson in Kensington tweets: Barriers belatedly erected outside high commission. People carrier in situ preparing to whisk players away. Scrum of snappers poised.11.58am: These are the scenes outside the high commission, as tweeted by Owen Gibson.12.05pm: The Pakistan high commisioner, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, has told reporters that the players suspected of spot-fixing, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, have been "extremely disturbed" by events during the last week. The players say they are "entirely innocent" and are "not in the right frame of mind to play cricket" having been "deeply affected" by the allegations. The commissioner added that the players are " innocent until proven guilty" and will "go to a court of law to defend themselves as such".12.12pm: The Pakistan team manager, Yawar Saeed, has clarified that the players have not been suspended from the series but have requested not to play in the remaining Twenty20 and one-day international matches. Saeed said 13 players will be available for the two Twenty20 matches before three replacements arrive to bolster the squad for the five-match one-day series. No word yet on who the replacements will be.12.16pm: Is this issue still a matter of sporting integrity or one of international politics, following the media scrum that met the players earlier? Here's Giles Clarke's response to the ommissions of the three players and the rest of the series:"We can assure cricket fans across the country that the matches will be played in the most competitive spirit long associated with contests between England and Pakistan. I look forward to working with Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, Ijaz Butt, the chairman of the PCB, and everybody involved in Pakistan cricket in taking forward cricket in Pakistan so that a plan exists for the whole of Pakistan cricket, given all the many and varied issues which it's up against."No specific mention of the plans announced last month for an ICC World XI to play a match in Pakistan.12.21pm: Shahid Afridi, the player who has been plunged in to the media hornets nest as captain of the limited-overs side, said: "Obviously, if they have done something bad, you need to give them a punishment. But I think we are still waiting for the results. It will be a really tough series and I think everyone is trying to focus on the cricket now. We are here to play some good cricket. We are trying to make our squad better."12.30pm: Pakistan have reached 114-3. Here's more from Owen Gibson tweeting from Kensington:Back to staring at a door, waiting for the players to emerge. Some #PAK conspiracy theorists convinced the whole thing is an Indian plot.12.42pm: Here are Peter Trego's thoughts on the ommission of the three players: "I suppose maybe taking those guys out of the equation for a while, until that's finalised, is probably the best thing for cricket. If there's a cloud hanging over [the series], it's probably going to detract from the actual competition."Talking of clouds, here's the weather forecast for Sunday.1.05pm: A summary of today's news so far from Haroon Siddique, David Hopps and Owen Gibson.1.17pm: Police in yellow jackets, Sky Sports reporters in suits, journalists in shirts, photographers in T-shirts, the engine of a car with blacked-out windows revving outside the high commission but still no sign of the players at the centre of the allegations on a sunny day in Kensington. Meanwhile Steven Morris has been in Tauton this morning asking the watching fans for their reaction to the events of the past week. Unsurprisingly, they're more interested in the cricket. One said: "I don't believe corruption to be widespread, but strong punishments should be handed out to those caught out. Obviously we don't know what kind of pressure players are under, but if these three cricketers are found guilty then they should be banned for life. But even if there are future scandals it won't put me off going to matches - I have already booked to watch England in Australia this winter. And I don't think it will affect the atmosphere here in Taunton today - I think people just want to see a good game of cricket in the sunshine." You can read the full story here.1.20pm: Back in the serene world of county cricket, there is nevertheless some news to report, chips in Andy Wilson from Durham. Warwickshire have beaten Kent, but only after a last-wicket stand of 67 between Martin van Jaarsveld and Matthew Coles that may have had a few Bears buttocks clenching. The margin of victory was still a comfortable 95 runs, and the win lifts Warwicks well out of the relegation zone, while leaving Kent deeper in the mire. Neil Carter grabbed the last wicket of Coles to give the rejuvenated South African five for 60 in Kent's second innings, but Chris Woakes was the Bears' match-winner with match figures of 11 for 97 from 29 overs, in addition to two crucial contributions with the bat.More whimsical stuff for county blog regulars here in the north-east, where Darren Pattinson has been the central figure of the morning session. He came into the match halfway through as the nominated replacement for Ryan Sidebottom, who has joined the England squad in Cardiff, and therefore resumed Sidebottom's innings at 11am. He batted rather well, too, scoring only 19 but playing a sensible supporting role to allow Paul Franks, Andre Adams and Luke Fletcher to throw the bat as Notts added 84 for their last three wickets after Steven Mullaney had gone in the first over to Liam Plunkett. But after being last out, Pattinson's opening spell lasted a single ball - he twisted his ankle on the crease, and had to hobble off to be replaced by an old-fashioned 12th man who isn't allowed to bat or bowl.Durham are 12 without loss at lunch, extending their lead to 41, but Notts will be happy enough with six bonus points from the game so far that extend their lead at the top to a minimum of 22 over Somerset.1.31pm: It seems the waiting media scrum, including our man in Kensington Owen Gibson, have been duped by the Pakistan high commission security staff, as the players have apparently left the building and returned to their hotel after passing into an adjoining building while the media's attention was diverted by the high commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan leaving via the main exit, holding a cigar. It brings to mind this Sigmund Frued quote: "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."1.33pm: David Hopps has analysed the carefully chosen words of Yawar Saeed, the Pakistan tour manager.1.46pm: Back in Taunton, Somerset have finally taken the wicket of Shahzaib Hasan. The tourists are now scuttling past 238-4.1.47pm: And another! Shahid Afridi's gone for two.1.53pm: And another! Fawad Alam's gone for 97. Another wicket for Mark Turner.1.56pm: David Hopps has been running a fine-tooth comb through what the key players (apart from, of course, the actual players) said this morning. Here's his analysis of the words of Giles Clarke. And here's a taster:The most intriguing part of Clarke's brief statement concerns his call for a "proper plan" to exist for Pakistan cricket. Clarke is likely to press from within the ICC for support for Pakistan cricket, including the return of tours to the country, to come hand in hand with stronger safeguards against illegal betting scams2.00pm: And another! Abdul Razzaq for two. Five overs left.2.04pm: And another! Umar Gul's gone for nought.2.06pm: This has been quite a flurry. Saeed Ajmal's gone, also for nought. Lunch anyone?2.11pm: Away from the excitement surrounding KP's debut, an unhappy Surrey fan has spoken. Here's a taster:"I accept that the policy of playing Schofield at 7 has reaped rewards in certain games this season but it has relied on massive starts from the openers by and large. On a wicket on which Schofield's bowling was never likely to keep the runs down he should've been dropped in favour of the extra batsman - Jason Roy - who gives us some firepower lower in the order. Spriegel and Hamilton-Brown, the sixth and seventh bowlers respectively, bowled 8 overs between them in any case."2.15pm: Pakistan all out for 264. I think we'll have a summary of events at Taunton for you shortly.2.30pm: Meanwhile the Press Association has some details of a rare Warwickshire win today:Chris Woakes completed the best all-round performance of his career as Warwickshire saw off relegation rivals against Kent inside three days in a vital County Championship Division One clash at Edgbaston. The 21-year-old England Lions seamer took 11 wickets in a match for the first time and also contributed 81 with the bat to give his side victory by 95 runs after less than two hours' play on the third morning. Neil Carter reached 50 Championship wickets for the first time in 10 county cricket seasons and in all the new-ball partners shared 19 as Kent were dismissed for 111 and 228. In the two innings eight batsmen were out for ducks, although Martin van Jaarsveld redeemed himself with a century from 147 balls at the second attempt. 2.33pm: For those who haven't seen it yet, Australia named this 15-man squad overnight for the two-Test series against India next month, their last Tests before the Ashes: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Peter George, Nathan Hauritz, Josh Hazlewood, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Marcus North, Tim Paine, Steven Smith, Shane Watson3.29pm: England bowler Graham Onions will have surgery on his back next week and is expected to be ruled out of all cricket for up to nine months, the England and Wales Cricket Board have announced.3.39pm: Mr Hopps has filed on that Graham Onions story. Here's a sneak preview of his news piece that will go live shortly:The England fast bowler, Graham Onions, faces a further nine-month lay-off after the England and Wales Cricket Board announced that he will undergo surgery next week in a bid to overcome the back injury that has ruled him out of this winter's Ashes series. Attempts by England's medical staff to solve Onions' long-standing stress fracture without an operation have proved unsuccessful. Onions will undergo surgery next Monday and cannot realistically expect to return until midway through next summer. He first experienced discomfort in the nets on England's tour of Bangladesh and left the tour without playing a game. The ECB's chief medical officer, Dr Nick Peirce, said: "Graham has been suffering from ongoing discomfort due to stress fractures on both sides of his back. We have thoroughly exhausted all avenues of conservative treatment and rehabilitation with surgery very much seen as a last resort. Unfortunately Graham has not responded to these forms of treatment and as a result we have no option left but to undertake a course of treatment involving surgery. "The surgery Graham faces is a relatively significant operation and his rehabilitation will see him ruled out of all cricket for approximately up to nine months. His rehabilitation will be overseen and carried out by the ECB medical team in conjunction with the medical staff at Durham." England have long accepted that they will contest the Ashes without Onions. They discounted him from their Ashes plans three months ago, but the player himself remained committed to proving his fitness. Only now has realisation dawned as to the full extent of his injury. "I'm shattered to have been ruled out of the Ashes with the prospect of a lengthy recovery period," he said. "After experiencing the euphoria of being part of an Ashes winning England team last year I was determined to get myself fit for selection ahead of this winter's tour of Australia. Unfortunately that's not to be and even though we have tried every possible form of treatment, surgery is the only option left. "While I'm devastated to be facing such a long lay off from cricket I'm determined to overcome this setback and make sure I get back bowling again next year and work my way back into England calculations." 3.48pm: The Pakistan high commissioner has stressed the innocence of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, and spoken of their 'mental torture'3.50pm: Tea at the Emirates ICG, where Durham are 170 for two, and now have a lead of 199, writes Andy Wilson. Gordon Muchall has batted as well as I've seen him, putting the boot into a Notts attack effectively reduced to three seamers by Darren Pattinson's injury with an unbeaten 87.Dale Benkenstein reached a more restrained half century from 71 balls just before the interval, but the cricket has been overshadowed by the Graham Onions news Hoppsy has just written about. Only yesterday evening Durham's director of cricket Geoff Cook had been hoping that Onions may be able to play some lower level cricket before the end of this season. Now he is facing a major operation that will extend his period of inactivity to up to 18 months.6.10pm: Apologies for dimished coverage of Somerset v Pakistanis - our at-ground team are knee-deep in writing news stories and all sorts. The Pakistanis won by eight runs, despite an unbeaten 122 from Zander de Bruyn. Kamran Akmal snared two stumpings and a catch. More to follow in a bit.6.20pm: Stumps at Chester-le-Street. Durham 279 for five, so they lead Notts by 308 runs with five wickets - and one day - remaining.6.37pm: Here's an update from Liverpool where Australia Test squad member Phil Hughes has been looking "uncomfortable at the crease":Hampshire, led by Jimmy Adams' second successive century, are making Lancashire fight hard to wrap up victory at Liverpool. Adams, 29, battled for the whole of day three to back up his seven-hour 196 against Yorkshire at Scarborough last week with 109 not out off 283 balls as he wiped out a first-innings deficit of 238. Left-handed Adams and Michael Carberry resumed this morning on 15 for none but partnerships of 73 inside 31 overs between Adams and Neil McKenzie for the third wicket and 78 inside 24 for the fifth with Sean Ervine held the hosts up. The visitors closed on 275 for five from 103 overs and lead by 37. Carberry was first to go when he fell trying to pull Kyle Hogg. He could only get a top edge which looped to wicketkeeper Gareth Cross to leave his side at 45 for one in the 22nd over of the innings. Phil Hughes - called into the Australian squad for next month's tour of India this morning - looked uncomfortable at the crease for the second time in the match as he made only 12 before he was caught at first slip off the bowling of Gary Keedy. Hughes made room outside leg stump to try to cut the left-arm spinner but was undone by a turning delivery which he could only edge into his pads. Paul Horton did the rest. Adams played solidly - as the situation dictated - but was strong against the short ball as he hit 12 boundaries. McKenzie was also patient but he was one of two wickets to fall in the afternoon session to Tom Smith (three for 56 from 23 overs). Having offered a half chance to Mark Chilton at point on 21, McKenzie edged Smith behind for 31 off 111 balls. And when James Vince saw his off stump travel five balls later, Hampshire were 140 for four in the 61st over. Ervine, perhaps not surprisingly, played the most attacking innings of the day. He hit six boundaries in his 48 off 70 balls and survived a massive caught behind shout off the bowling off Smith just two balls before he was ousted. He hit a disdainful four through mid-wicket the ball after the appeal but then immediately edged Smith to Horton at first slip to leave the scoreboard reading 218 for five in the 85th over. While Lancashire were a bowler light due to Glen Chapple's calf strain, there was also less in the pitch for the bowlers. Adams, who passed 1,000 four-day runs for the season in the first innings, reached three figures off 273 balls after he had taken his side into the lead. It took him 91 balls to get through the eighties and nineties. Wicketkeeper Michael Bates will join him at the crease in the morning on 27 not out.6.59pm: OK, that's it above the line. The comments will stay open below the line for more chat into the evening. Stay tuned to the site for a Taunton report from Mr Hopps. We're back again in the morning to see what happens at Chester-le-Street, which will bring Notts level with Somerset on games played and clarify the County Championship equation for next week. Cheers all.County Championship Division OneCounty Championship Division TwoCricketPakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamAndy WilsonDavid HoppsOwen Gibsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan betting scandal - live! | David Hopps and Andy Wilson

www.guardian.co.uk - Breaking news: Pakistan trio dropped from England tour News, reaction and updates from Taunton and London Hit the auto-update button for the latest posts Updates also from Andy Wilson at Durham v Notts Watch the latest county cricket highlights here11.19am: Pakistan are batting first at Taunton after Somerset won the toss. England's Craig Kieswetter takes his place at the top of the hosts' order. Shahid Afridi is the Pakistanis' captain.11.05am: More from our sports news correspondent: Pakistan High Commission officials handing out copies of a Roy Greenslade piece about the Fake Sheikh's methods. Interesting.11am: Giles Clarke, the chairman of the ECB, has just announced that he "welcomes the announcement" from the Pakistan Cricket Board. He added, with a straight face, that he is looking forward to the forthcoming ODI series being playing "in the spirit" that matches between England and Pakistan are always played in. We'll have the full statement shortly.10.40am: So we're flitting from hard news to county cricket whimsy and back again today. It was a busy day on the county blog yesterday, and a triple century of comments below the line to boot. One poster's cameo encapsulated the frustration of following your county side from afar. With Kent's No7 Geraint Jones negotiating his way to the close against Warwickshire at Edgbaston, Veriditan wrote in successive comments:6:42PM: Two balls to survive tonight. C'mon, Jonesy...6:46PM: What? Another over? I smell doom!6:49PM: G Jones lbw b Woakes 41 89 3 1. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrghh10.40am: Our sports news correspondent Owen Gibson tweets: So, as expected, a slightly confusing compromise has been reached. Pak statement vague for obvious reasons.10:34am: The three Pakistani players at the centre of cricket's betting scandal have been left out of the one-day series against England, writes David Hopps in Taunton. Yawar Saeed, the team manager, announced before Pakistan's one-day warm-up against Somerset at Taunton today, that Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir will play no further part in the tour. Conspiracy theorists still suspect otherwise. Every sentence uttered by Saeed was examined for hints that they might rejoin the tour at some stage. Even in the volatile and shifting world of Pakistan cricket, it sounds like a conspiracy theory too far. "For the two T20s the squad will remain what it is at Taunton this morning ie 13 people," said Saeed. "Once we have played those two T20 games, for the ODIs subsequently we will be asking for replacements to make up the squad of 16 again." "I can make no statement on their behalf. Investigations are being made by Scotland Yard and ICC and others. All I am talking about is the team that I am managing. And the team is today 13 and will become 16 again with replacements."10.33am: Andy Wilson at Chester-le-Street writes: After the dramatic Second Division game between Derbyshire and Gloucestershire demanded most attention during the last couple of days, the focus now switches back to the battles at the top and bottom of the Championship elite.The leaders Nottinghamshire are locked in an intriguing game with Durham here at the Emirates ICG (where calling the Riverside by its correct new title secured free flapjacks for tea yesterday), but the first result will come from Edgbaston. Kent will resume their second innings on 131 for five, still needing another 163 to beat Warwickshire, who must therefore be strong favourites to secure a second consecutive victory that would strengthen their unlikely survival bid.The Bears looked dead and buried when they folded against Notts at Trent Bridge a few weeks ago, but if they do win today they would pull 18 points clear of Kent, and also climb above Hampshire and Durham - although all three of those counties would retain a game in hand. Unless Hampshire can mount a strong fightback against Lancashire at Aigburth, where they have a first innings deficit of 238 to wipe out, their game against Kent at Canterbury next week is now looming as another relegation crunch.Hampshire then end the season against Warwickshire at the Rose Bowl. It would be hard to come up with a stronger argument for the two-division structure, when it produces so many meaningful games at the business end of the summer. Fingers crossed that this glorious September weather can last for another couple of weeks.10.28am: The Pakistan team manager, Yawar Saeed, has confirmed tha the Test captain, Salman Butt, and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer will play no further part on the current tour. Saeed, speaking from Taunton where Pakistan play Somerset today, said: "The T20 squad will remain what it is here this morning, ie 13 people. When we play the one-day internationals we will be asking for replacements to make the squad up to 16. The (three) players have not been suspended." 10.21am: The latest from our sports news correspondent Owen Gibson: The Pakistan team manager in Taunton says they will call up 3 replacements for Amir, Asif and Butt for the one day series - seems they won't play. Sighs of relief from ECB and ICC no doubt. Still no sign of Amir, Asif and Butt outside the Royal Garden Hotel in High St Ken ... At least one of the players has just emerged from the underground carpark in a people carrier with blacked windows and diplomatic plates.10.17am: It's also day three of the week's Championship games today. Well, those that didn't experience a 40-wicket frenzy inside a day and a half that is. At Chester-le-Street Durham are making Notts work hard to take their County Championship title. Andy Wilson is there for the resumption. And Kevin Pietersen's 38 in a CB40 Second Division match made waves yesterday. Here's Barney Ronay's report.10.16am: Pakistan's Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer - the Pakistan players at the centre of spot-fixing allegations - will miss the Twenty20 and one-day international series against England, Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed has just said.10.15am Morning. The most eagerly awaited 50-over warm-up game in yonks takes place today. Journalists have been bedding down at Taunton Holiday Inn for days in anticipation of seeing Pakistan play their first game since the Lord's Test fizzled out so awfully on Sunday. Mr Hopps will be in the maelstrom.And, 162 miles away in London, Pakistan's captain Salman Butt and the bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir are meeting the Pakistan high commissioner, the Pakistan Cricket board and lawyers to discuss the spot-fixing allegations. Owen Gibson will have the latest from the Kensington hotel. Meanwhile, Marina Hyde has penned her view on spot-fix-gate.County Championship Division OneCounty Championship Division TwoCricketAndy WilsonDavid HoppsOwen Gibsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

US Open 2010: Kim Clijsters progresses but wants improvement

www.guardian.co.uk - Kim Clijsters beats Australian Sally Peers 6-2, 6-1 Venus Williams made to work in win against Rebecca MarinoThe reigning champion Kim Clijsters said her game was still a work in progress despite easing into the third round of the US Open with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over the Australian Sally Peers.Clijsters has lost just eight games so far at Flushing Meadows but admitted there was plenty of room for improvement after dropping her serve twice against the qualifier.The 27-year-old Belgian only got 51% of her first serves in and committed 21 unforced errors. "I just had to find my footing again a little bit," said Clijsters, who is seeded second this year behind Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki, the player she beat in last year's final."I felt as the match went on I got to read her game a bit better and moved a bit better, but I still have a little further to go before I play my best tennis."Earlier on the third day Serbia's Ana Ivanovic revealed she feels close to rediscovering the form which made her world No1 after cruising into the third round. Ivanovic dropped only five games in beating Ekaterina Makarova in the opening round and lost just three as she thrashed China's 21st seed Jie Zheng 6-3, 6-0.The 22-year-old, who has dropped to 40th in the world rankings because of injuries and a loss of form, had lost two of her previous three matches against Zheng, including at Wimbledon in 2008 when Zheng was ranked 133rd and Ivanovic No1."I remember a couple of years ago when I was here and I was saying, even though I'm No1 I don't feel I'm playing as No1," Ivanovic said. "But now I feel like I'm playing like a top-10 player, I have confidence that I can beat these players. That's huge for me."The third seed Venus Williams was pushed all the way by Canadian qualifier Rebecca Marino, the two-time champion eventually recording a 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 victory.Williams will face another qualifier in the third round after Mandy Minella, the world No185 from Luxembourg, dispatched the 32nd seed Tsvetana Pironkova for the loss of just four games."It was challenging, not just with the conditions, but also my opponent. She served so well and mixes up her shots," Williams said. "It seemed like every time I had an opening she came up with a big serve, so I guess I now know what it's like to play myself."Elsewhere, the French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, the sixth seed, hammered Maria Elena Camerin 6-2, 6-1, while the 24th seed Daniela Hantuchova came from a set down to beat the American Vania King 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.The No12 seed Elena Dementieva had an easier time in seeing off Austria's Sybille Bammer 6-3, 6-4, while the 20th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova also advanced to the third round with a 6-2, 6-4 win over India's Sania Mirza.But the former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli, the 13th seed, lost in straight sets to fellow Frenchwoman Virginie Razzano, who will play Ivanovic in the third round.The fifth seed Samantha Stosur, runner-up in the French Open this year, also advanced with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over fellow Australian Anastasia Rodionova.US Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

The Breakdown | Premiership returns with salary cap fears and a fight for popularity | Paul Rees

www.guardian.co.uk - Paul Rees offers his thoughts on the new rugby union campaign in the first Breakdown column of the seasonWhat a difference a year makes. Last season's Premiership started amid a storm about spots of blood but it is cricket currently hogging the spotlight with claims of spot-fixing. Rugby union has enjoyed a quiet off-season in Britain, and well deserved after the Bloodgate and drug brouhahas last year and the investigation into allegations of r@pe made against some members of the England squad in New Zealand in 2009, which were proven to be unfounded.Unlike football, rugby union does not suffer from transfer madness in the summer, primarily because very few transfer fees are paid. Players tend to move on when their contracts are up and usually conclude deals at the start of a calendar year when those with less than six months to go on their deals are free to talk to other clubs.There is no rugby equivalent of the football transfer deadline day that gets Sky Sports News so excited. Deal or no deal, voices rise higher than sums paid. Rugby union only commands such attention when shabby cheating is exposed or political wars are fought and its lack of self-generating momentum media-wise will make it hard for Premier Rugby to achieve its dream of overtaking football's Championship in terms of popularity.For all the talk of increased interest and record attendances, the fact remains that the three northern clubs in the Premiership - Sale, Leeds and Newcastle - have, between them, an average gate that is less than Leicester's. The Tigers, who announced this week that they were back in profit, may be an unfair example, but the statistics betray a tension that the game will need to address in the coming years.The salary cap has helped Newcastle and Sale remain relatively competitive, even if they were fortunate that Worcester ended last season so tamely. The likes of Leicester and Northampton have long argued that the cap either needs to be radically reviewed or abolished and they can expect to be joined by Saracens and Bath at least.It may be that, in time, the cap is set to a maximum percentage of turnover rather than be operated at a common, fixed level. If, the argument goes, there is a considerable disparity in income, why should spending on wages be equal?That assumes that all 12 clubs reach the cap's limit. Leeds didn't last season: as the promoted club, they received less in central funds than the rest, as Exeter will this season, but the danger for Newcastle and Sale, unless they increase their turnovers, is that they will overreach themselves just trying to keep up in an era when banks are reluctant to lend.They have both got rid of high earners in the last 15 months, the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Carl Hayman, Luke McAlister, Sébastien Chabal and Juan Fernández Lobbe all earning their livings abroad. None was replaced in kind and there is the danger with clubs like Leicester, Northampton, Gloucester and Harlequins all improving their facilities in recent years, soon to be joined by Bath while Saracens have expanded their fanbase by regularly playing at Wembley, the cap will not prevent the Premiership becoming a two-tier tournament.Exeter have already complained that their funding this season is unfair because it is set at a lower level than the rest. The flip side is that if they are relegated at the end of the campaign, a parachute payment will ensure that they receive considerably more money than any other club in the Championship, but their complaint is a fair one.If the point of a salary cap is to achieve a levelling out, should some be more equal than others? Exeter at least start their first campaign in the top flight on Saturday at home to Gloucester before what is expected to be a sell-out crowd at Sandy Park.The fixture schedule has proved more beneficial than the funding system. Not only do the Chiefs have a West Country derby before their faithful, but Gloucester have not often travelled well in the last couple of seasons. Leeds took a while to get going last season, but they were helped by the negative mindset that clotted the game then which meant that failure to score tries was not necessarily a disadvantage.The emphasis this campaign will be on using the ball, not kicking it away. Leicester, Saracens and Bath finished last season in style and they can be expected to be the pace-setters this time. Northampton will be with them if they attack more from outside-half.England are talking about showing more ambition and they have the players to sustain a faster game. A year from now the World Cup will be about to start: the latter stages of the tournament are not generally a showcase for adventure, but the mistake after 2007 was to use England's final two matches in France as evidence that the game was badly in need of repair.Never mind what had gone before, not least the quarter-final between New Zealand and France and Fiji's campaign, the consequent meddling cost the game a couple of years when its splendid diversity should have been talked up. The Tri-Nations has shown it is back where it was and it is now up to Europe to grasp the baton.REFEREEING THE BREAKDOWNThe Magners League also starts tomorrow night, augmented by the presence of two Italian teams which will add to the diversity of the tournament, if not the number of away supporters on the terraces.It has spent its existence in the shadow of the Premiership in terms of national media coverage. The lack of relegation has removed fear of failure but it has also taken away a hook. The Scarlets failed to qualify for the Heineken Cup at the end of the season, rescued by Cardiff Blues winning the Challenge Cup and creating an extra vacancy for a Welsh team in the main event, but what was that compared to the prospect of one of the most famous names in the world game losing their status?A perennial debate is which league is better. The Magners is regarded as more conducive to risk, because there is no trap-door, while the Premiership is hailed for its intensity and competitiveness.The Scarlets' Scotland wing, Sean Lamont, who joined the region last season from Northampton, believes that the importance of winning deters Premiership sides from being creative. "Teams look to attack and be entertaining in the Magners because there is no relegation," he argues. "There are more attacking opportunities in the backline. The threat of relegation in the Premiership makes the playing style different."There has been a crucial difference between the leagues: the way the breakdown has been refereed, last season's crackdown on attacking teams notwithstanding. Defenders have long been given more latitude in the Magners, prompting more turnovers and counter-attacking, as the first year of the Anglo-Welsh Cup showed.Time was when defences in the Premiership only had the chance of relief at the breakdown if a tackled player was blown for holding on; otherwise it was a case of a wave of recycling until a mistake was made.Referees have been directed this season to show no tolerance to defenders who go off their feet after a tackle or enter a ruck from the side. It has to be policed properly so that defenders who do stay on their feet are allowed to compete for the ball and force a turnover.It is a question of balance, something that was missing last season and in previous years in the Premiership. Now teams are not afraid to counterattack, they have to be allowed the means to do so.THE HENSON CONUNDRUMIt remains to be seen whether Gavin Henson will appear in the Magners League this season or ever again. He has been hawked around the Premiership, nearly 18 months since he last played before taking an extended sabbatical.He is on unpaid leave from Ospreys, where he is under contract until the end of the season. Henson is said to be ready to return to the game, but he has made no contact with his region who, understandably, are not prepared to release him for nothing.Henson has not spoken to the media so suggestions there is a stand-off are speculative. His continued absence is a waste, not least to Wales whose defence has been porous in his long absence.Who gains from his continued isolation? Perhaps the Welsh Rugby Union could buy out his contract, get him fit again and then place him in sides, such as the Barbarians, to get him battle-hardened ahead of the Six Nations and beyond?IN PRAISE OF ... RICHIE McCAWNew Zealand's Tri-Nations title is a tribute to their captain, Richie McCaw, surely the leading player in the world game and the most influential.His detractors cry cheat because of what, they maintain, he gets away with at the breakdown, but the same used to be said of Neil Back, various Scottish back rows and most Welsh sevens. And then comes France.McCaw is better than most at understanding referees and knowing what he can get away with. He is simply a remarkable player, one of the best of any generation.Rugby unionPaul Reesguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

US Open 2010: Andy Roddick crashes out after tirade at line judge

www.guardian.co.uk - Roddick loses 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 to Janko Tipsarevic Tomas Berdych beaten in straight sets by Michael LlodraThe former champion Andy Roddick crashed out of the US Open in the second round - but did not go quietly as he ranted at the officials over a foot fault.Roddick was serving at 5-2 down in the third set against Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic when a line judge called the fault on what would have been an ace.The ninth seed appeared to ask the female official if it was his right foot which caused the fault and was told it was, when in fact it was his left foot which touched the line. "Not once in my career has my right foot gone in front of my left foot, never. That is unbelievable," Roddick complained. "Why don't you get some umpires who know what they are doing? 1-800-rent-a-ref."The 28-year-old's tirade went on for some time, although he stopped short of the infamous foul-mouthed outburst by Serena Williams which occurred during last year's semi-final against Kim Clijsters.However, he did tell the umpire Enrique Molina "I think you and I both know that's ridiculous," as he left the court to change his shorts after the fourth set. Tipsarevic won that set 6-3 and went on to seal a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) victory to book his place in the third round.Roddick admitted he had gone "too far" with his tirade, adding: "I wasn't upset with the call, I just expect my umpires to know their left foot from the right foot. The stubbornness ... I let mine get in the way. I got called for two others after that and have no issue with it. In the moment I was just stupefied."It's the fact I couldn't get her to admit it wasn't the right foot which infuriated me, the lack of common sense was unbelievable to me. We have got to be able to have a test like 'Point to your right foot, point to your left foot, now call lines'."In hindsight did I let it go too far? Probably. It was probably a correctable mistake and I let it get to me more than I should have."However, Roddick refused to blame his defeat on the incident, which came just two days after he celebrated his 28th birthday with a comfortable victory in the first round. "I was down 5-2 in the third set already, if anything it shifted the energy a little bit and after that I played OK," he added."It had zero impact in the match, it's not like I was up. I'm sure a lot's going to get written about it but the actual impact on the match was close to zero. At that point any change in energy was a good change for me. He [Tipsarevic] played great tonight. He played very high risk and executed for four sets. I kept telling myself this has to have an expiration date on it but unfortunately I needed another set for that. He deserved to win tonight."The Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych also crashed out of the US Open, the Czech losing his first-round match against France's Michael Llodra.The world No35 Llodra just missed out on being seeded for the main draw, but proved why he was a player many of the seeds wanted to avoid with a 7-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory.The 30-year-old left-hander had lost in the first round in 22 of his previous 36 grand slam singles events, but drove the seventh seed Berdych to distraction with his serve-and-volley tactics."I don't know whether I played well or not," complained Berdych, who knocked out the defending champion Roger Federer in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon but lost in straight sets to Rafael Nadal in the final. "I had no chance to play on my terms. I don't see what I could have done better or differently."Llodra will play Victor Hanescu in the second round after the unseeded Romanian beat Carlos Berlocq of Argentina 6-2, 6-4, 6-3.The 15th seed Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia was beaten in four sets by 18-year-old American qualifier Ryan Harrison. "The weather was my biggest enemy today," admitted 31-year-old Ljubicic. "Throughout my career I [have] struggled with the heat. Today was no different."I sweat a lot and I just feel really bad. I mean, I can't move. It gets to me really quickly actually. Already in the first set I was struggling with it. It's really a physical problem."US Open tennisAndy RoddickTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Kim Clijsters eases into third round

www.dailymail.co.uk - Reigning champion Kim Clijsters insisted her game was still a work in progress despite easing into the third round of the US Open with a 6-2 6-1 victory over Australian Sally Peers. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Andy Roddick out after clashing with line judge

www.dailymail.co.uk - Former champion Andy Roddick crashed out of the US Open after ranting at a line judge who called a foot fault against him. Roddick lost to Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic. More... (Tennis)

Alex McLeish furious following rift with Birmingham board on £1m deal

www.dailymail.co.uk - Alex McLeish has fallen out with his Birmingham board after being accused of greed over contract talks. McLeish is furious about a jibe by vice-chairman Peter Pannu. More... (Football)

Ricardo Rocha turns down offers from Germany and Portugal to rejoin Portsmouth

www.dailymail.co.uk - Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill has persuaded Ricardo Rocha to rejoin the club. The 31-year-old defender had offers from Portugal and Germany. More... (Football)

Mikel Arteta will never be called up by England

www.dailymail.co.uk - Mikel Arteta will never play for England. Fabio Capello had spoken to Everton’s Spanish midfielder about the prospect of representing the national team. More... (Football)

Tottenham new boy Rafael van der Vaart hails his 'beautiful' move after sealing switch from Real Madrid

www.dailymail.co.uk - Rafael van der Vaart completed his after-hours transfer to Tottenham and then spoke of a ‘beautiful’ future together. Spurs will pay Real Madrid £8.7million for the Holland playmaker. More... (Football)

Revealed: The incredible rise of a lost street kid who is now... Manchester United's new Bebe

www.dailymail.co.uk - Manchester United’s new £7.5m forward flew from England to Lisbon with his Old Trafford team-mate Nani on Sunday morning, following his first call-up to the Portugal U21 squad. More... (Football)

RYDER CUP 2010: Lee Westwood set to miss all tournaments before Celtic Manor

www.dailymail.co.uk - Westwood will play no competitive golf between now and the Ryder Cup. When he steps on to the first tee at Celtic Manor, it will be 74 days since he completed a tournament. More... (Golf)

Pakistan betting scandal: Mohammad Asif axed from Bollywood film

www.dailymail.co.uk - The backlash against Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif has begun. Aamer has been sacked by his kit sponsor, while Asif's proposed role in a Bollywood film is in jeopardy. More... (Cricket)

Blackburn and Leeds lead race for former Stoke midfielder Amdy Faye

www.dailymail.co.uk - Blackburn and Leeds are showing interest in former Stoke midfielder Amdy Faye who is a free agent after being released in the summer. More... (Football)

England v Bulgaria: Sportsmail takes a look at the story so far

www.dailymail.co.uk - England fans can expect better weather on Friday than in November 1979, when more than 83,000 turned up at Wembley, only for the game to be put back 24 hours because of fog. More... (Football)

Southampton linked with Paul Hart and Phil Brown

www.dailymail.co.uk - Paul Hart and Phil Brown are early contenders for the vacant manager's job at Southampton. Chairman Nicola Cortese is ready to risk the wrath of supporters. More... (Football)

Coventry to complete signing of Marlon King after impressive trial

www.dailymail.co.uk - Coventry City are to complete the controversial signing of Marlon King after he impressed on trial at the club. Sportsmail first revealed Coventry's interest in July. More... (Football)

Manchester City defender Micah Richards pulls out of England U21 squad for crucial Euro qualifiers

www.dailymail.co.uk - Micah Richards is the latest key player to pull out of the England Under-21 squad for their crucial final two European Championship qualifiers. More... (Football)

Welsh FA considering John Toshack's plea to move England game away from Millennium Stadium

www.dailymail.co.uk - John Toshack is heading for a confrontation with his bosses at the Welsh Football Association after asking for the Principality's clash against England to be moved. More... (Football)

Hereford winner Am I Blue to be investigated by BHA

www.dailymail.co.uk - The BHA have launched an investigation into the monster gamble on Hereford winner Am I Blue. The four-year-old filly landed the Wyvern Ices Handicap Hurdle by 19 lengths after being backed down from 25-1 to 5-1. More... (Horse racing)

Kevin Pietersen apologises for Twiiter outburst - and then makes sorry start for Surrey

www.dailymail.co.uk - Kevin Pietersen showed glimpses of his best form at The Oval but the dropped England batsman's Surrey debut still ended in disappointment as he fell short of making his first limited-overs half-century in almost four months. More... (Cricket)

England's women seal place in Rugby World Cup final after beating old foes Australia

www.dailymail.co.uk - England's women reached the World Cup final after beating Australia 15-0 at the Twickenham Stoop on Wednesday night. More... (Rugby union)

US OPEN 2010: Elena Baltacha misses out on date with Kim Clijsters after second round defeat to Petra Kvitova

www.dailymail.co.uk - Elena Baltacha missed out on an expected third round meeting with defending champion Kim Clijsters when she was sent packing from the US Open by Petra Kvitova. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: SW19 finalist Tomas Berdych crashes out in first round at Flushing Meadows

www.dailymail.co.uk - Tomas Berdych became the biggest casualty of the US Open so far, the seventh seed crashing out of the US Open in the first round to France's Michael Llodra. More... (Tennis)

US OPEN 2010: Andy Murray eases to first round win over Lukas Lacko

www.dailymail.co.uk - Andy Murray coasted into the second round of the US Open with a comfortable straight sets win over Lukas Lacko. Murray will next play Jamaican Dustin Brown. More... (Tennis)

Rio Ferdinand ready for Manchester United return after successful reserves run-out

www.dailymail.co.uk - Manchester United reserve team boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer declared Rio Ferdinand ready to make a first-team return after the defender came through the Oldham clash. More... (Football)

England to face New Zealand in women's World Cup final

www.guardian.co.uk - England defeat Australia 15-0 on back of pack Fiona Pocock, top try-scorer, a doubt for SundayEngland's women last night emulated the men's side who 19 years ago reached the final of their home World Cup across the road from here at Twickenham. On Sunday Catherine Spencer's side will face New Zealand, who have won the last two World Cups and looked formidable in defeating France 45-7 in their semi-final earlier in the evening."This has prepared us perfectly for the final against New Zealand," said Spencer. "It would be great to beat them on home soil and I definitely believe we are good enough to do it. I really believe there is more to come from this unit."If the women are to go one better than England's men in 1991 and knock the Black Ferns off the top of the tree, they will have to subdue the extremely quick New Zealand backs but the hosts were impressive here in a fast, physical encounter.The only shadow over the evening was an injury to the left-wing Fiona Pocock who midway through the first half was prevented from scoring England's second try by a thumping tackle from her opposite number, Nicole Beck that sent the Richmond player hurtling into the advertising hoardings. Pocock left the field on a stretcher and her injured knee will make England's top try scorer in the tournament a doubt for Sunday.England's pack are the best in this tournament and they showed their strength early on with the Australian scrum forced into reverse gear and Spencer, the No8, crashed over for the first try. England dominated territory with some astute kicking from their fly-half Katy McLean and it was no surprise when they scored a second, the pack surging forward to give the full-back Danielle Waterman the chance to squeeze home in the corner.Twelve points up at the break, England continued to dominate territory but some handling errors and a raft of baffling substitutions, including that of the playmaker McLean, prevented them putting the game beyond the Australians' reach.England's cause was not helped when the Worcester flanker Heather Fisher was sent to the sin-bin 12 minutes from the end as her side continued to get on the wrong side of the New Zealand referee Nicky Inwood. Australian substitute Ruan Sims was also shown a yellow card for infringing at a ruck and Alice Richardson further punished her side with a penalty in front of the posts.England will be encouraged by their win over New Zealand when the sides met last year and in Maggie Alphonsi they have an outstanding flanker and Spencer said: "We can improve collectively and individually and an England-New Zealand final is a really exciting prospect."England D Waterman (Worcester); C Barras (Saracens), E Scarratt (Lichfield), A Richardson (Richmond), F Pocock (Richmond); K McLean (Darlington), A Turner (Richmond); R Clark, A Garnett, R Crowley (Lichfield), T Taylor (Darlington), J McGilchrist (Wasps), H Fisher (Worcester), M Alphonsi (Saracens), C Spencer (Bristol, capt). Subs M Stainford (Wasps) for Pockock (22), S Hemming (Bristol) for Croker (45), B Essex (Richmond) for Taylor (55).Tries Spencer, Waterman. Con McLean. Pen RichardsonAustralia T Brown (Queensland U); K Giteau (Tiggeranong), S Williams (Royals), C Campbell (Easts), N Beck (Sydney Univ); T McGann (Newcastle U), C Soon (Warringah, capt); D Meskell (Warringah), S Poluleuligaga (Wests), L Morgan (Royals), C Ross (Warringah), K Porter (Wests), R Trethowan (Narromine), A Hargreaves (Sydney U), D Hodgkinson (Cottesloe). Subs R Clough (Cottlesloe) for Porter (57).Referee: N Inwood (New Zealand)Rugby unionIan Malinguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Rugby union)

Hotspots: All the best bets and tips for Thursday, September 2

www.dailymail.co.uk - Don't miss a trick from the day's racecards as award-winning tipster Sam Turner - assisted by Racemail's stable of speculators - imparts his sage-like knowledge. More... (Horse racing)

Starspangledbanner ready for Haydock after passing gallops test

www.guardian.co.uk - Chestnut declared likely runner by trainer Aidan O'Brien Fame And Glory misses Irish Champion in favour of Prix FoyStarspangledbanner is likely to take his chance in Saturday's Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock after pleasing his trainer, Aidan O'Brien, in a gallop yesterday morning. The chestnut's chances appeared to be improved by the news that Paco Boy will not be among his rivals this weekend.A cautious O'Brien insisted his plans had not yet been finalised, but conditions will suit his runner and he is understandably keen to add to the two Group Ones the horse has already won in Britain this year. "At the moment, we're looking at coming," O'Brien said. "If everything's OK in the morning, he'll be there."The trainer added that Rip Van Winkle, Cape Blanco and Beethoven are likely to represent him in the Irish Champion Stakes on Saturday. Fame And Glory is likely to be saved for the Prix Foy the following weekend.Meanwhile, connections of Paco Boy have decided against tackling top-class sprinters at Haydock with a horse who normally races over a mile. "It now looks almost certain that we are going to give the Sprint Cup a miss and wait for the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp on Sunday," said his trainer, Richard Hannon.Hannon pointed out that the field for the Moulin will probably be limited to single figures and will not include the crack French miler Goldikova, who is being saved for next month's Prix de la Forêt. Makfi, who beat Paco Boy at Deauville last month, may line up but Hannon feels his horse could turn the form around on a sounder surface.There was positive news of the Derby winner, Workforce, who has not raced since flopping in the King George in July. The colt, who has done little on the gallops since then, did a steady piece of work yesterday and there is now "a reasonable chance" that he will run again this year."It was nothing searching but he moved nicely and was stretching out well over the ground," said a spokesman for his owner, Khalid Abdulla. "If he were to go for the Arc, I would think he would have a racecourse gallop beforehand."Ryan Moore, Workforce's regular rider, is finally expected to return to the saddle at Salisbury today, having been sidelined for three weeks by a badly bruised wrist.There will be no repeat of the stunt by Irish bookmakers Paddy Power which saw a giant sign bearing their name dominate the Cheltenham skyline during the March Festival. The firm has agreed with the course not to do it again and has extended its sponsorship at the track's November meeting until 2012.Horse racingAidan O'BrienChris Cookguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Horse racing)

Scots warn Lithuania not to target David Weir

www.dailymail.co.uk - Scotland assistant Peter Houston has warned Lithuania they will be wasting their time targeting veteran David Weir’s lack of pace, because he tried it himself in his role as Dundee United manager - and failed. More... (Football)

Victoria Azarenka taken to hospital after collapsing at US Open

www.guardian.co.uk - Belarussian diagnosed with concussion No10 seed taken off court in wheelchairThe No10 seed, Victoria Azarenka, was taken to hospital after collapsing on court during her second-round US Open match against Gisela Dulko today. Azarenka slumped to the ground while 1-5 and 15-30 down on the Grandstand court and, after receiving medical treatment, was taken off in a wheelchair.It was initially thought the high temperatures were to blame but Azarenka said she had injured herself before going out on court."I was warming up in the gym prior to my match when I fell while running a sprint," she said. "I fell forward and hit my arm and head. I was checked by the medical team before I went on court and they were courtside for monitoring. I felt worse as the match went on, having a headache and feeling dizzy. I also started having trouble seeing and felt weak before I fell. I was taken to the hospital for some medical tests and have been diagnosed with a mild concussion."The Belarussian appeared to struggle in the third game when the trainer was called. She received treatment for an apparent arm injury but complained of blurred vision, too. It became increasingly clear that the 21-year-old was in difficulty. Then, while serving for the fourth time in the match, she collapsed on the baseline. Brian Earley, the tournament referee, said later: 'She is having diagnostic testing and it does not seem to be primarily a heat-related illness.'Caroline Wozniacki has so far justified her top seeding after making short work of the American wild card Chelsey Gullickson, winning 6-1, 6-1. The 20-year-old Dane, runner-up to the Belgian Kim Clijsters here last year, never lost serve in the 61-minute rout.US Open tennisTennisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Tennis)

County break will give Kevin Pietersen a chance to regain his swagger | Mike Selvey

www.guardian.co.uk - Come the Ashes the struggling England batsman should have his touch and confidence restoredKevin Pietersen may not have expressed it in the most elegant terms but he was certainly not wrong. It has been quite a comedown from the lofty heights of Mount Olympus to the second division of the County Championship. From Kensington Oval to Kennington Oval in the blink of an eye.A little under four months ago, in Bridgetown, I sat transfixed and watched as Pietersen systematically brutalised Dale Steyn, the best fast bowler in the world, with pyrotechnic strokeplay of the highest order. It mattered not that it was Twenty20. This was one of the most scintillating passages of play I have seen, up there with the evening I witnessed at close hand Jeff Thomson, ferociously fast, and Viv Richards, immense, in single combat.Move on then to Lord's last week. All the hours of practice (and there is none more diligent in that regard) counted for nothing as he flayed wildly at his first delivery from Mohammad Amir, edged and made his way back to the dressing room.It was the stroke of a desperate man, who has done what he can to reverse the tide of his form and had finally settled on what he might have seen as the only course left open to him: give it a go.Two years ago, at Edgbaston, Paul Collingwood found himself in a similar situation, survived the chance that might have seen him reduced to the ranks, discovered an inner calm and made a career-saving hundred.If Pietersen had made proper contact with what was little more than a wide half-volley, then who knows what might have followed. Perhaps there was an inevitability about it. Maybe fate was intervening and saying that there is nothing to be gained from papering over the cracks.It presented a dilemma to the England management, though, for under the circumstance there were two courses of action open to them. On the one hand, they could rationalise that they have a batsman of the highest calibre, going through a difficult period against high- class bowling in helpful conditions, and that sooner rather than later everything would come around.With two Twenty20 matches in particular, but then five one-day internationals to follow - albeit the form of the game in which he has suffered most since losing the England captaincy at the start of last year - here was an opportunity for him just to go out and give it a belt, without the possible repercussions were he to take such a cavalier approach into Tests.But then again, in both an individual and team context, how much leeway is it reasonable to allow someone before it becomes counterproductive? Alastair Cook, for example, has survived through some difficult times, while Ian Bell was sent back to county cricket. The answer lies not just in the ability of the player concerned but in his personality, too.In Pietersen we have someone whose cricket is almost driven by the internal engine of his ego. No one can match his strut. Underlying it, though, say those who know him best, is an insecurity that ultimately (and uncharacteristically) manifested itself in his soul-bearing interview on Sky last week where he made it plain that his confidence was shot. When the cock of the walk is reduced to that, it really is time to sit up and take notice.His continuing presence in the glare of the international arena, especially for a tournament that does not really matter a huge amount in the scheme of things, would serve no real purpose. Andy Flower has made the right call. What Pietersen needs now is not the intensity of competition but the chance to feel his hands again, even if it is in a less challenging environment.Are there any real doubts that by the middle of November Pietersen will once more be in a fit and proper condition physically and mentally to be a thorn in Australian sides? He will have two championship matches for Surrey and three proper warm-up games in Australia before the first Test in Brisbane that starts on 25 November. No one-day cricket will interfere with the preparation.By then surely he will have rediscovered that state of mind where instinct, his strongest suit, is not taken over by indiscretion. As always there has to be a happy medium. We cannot, in one instance, marvel at some of the more outrageous aspects of his play, those that elevate him above the norm, and then castigate him for his excesses or lack of responsibility when these very extravagances fail him.As with, say, David Gower, we need to recognise and accept him for what he is while not trying to make him what he is not. The break now will do him nothing but good: an opportunity to take stock. He will be stronger for it. If anyone outscores him this coming Ashes series, then my bet is they will have played exceedingly well to do so.Kevin PietersenSurreyCricketMike Selveyguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

The drama of Mohammad Amir should have more than one act | Marina Hyde

www.guardian.co.uk - The truth behind spot-fixing can be stranger than fiction and happy endings are rareSport is about stories. The reason no one cared when Matt Le Tissier used his autobiography to confess spot-fixing was because his story was over. The heartbreak of Mohammad Amir being implicated in the Pakistan spot-fixing scandal is of course that his story was only just beginning, and even old hands instinctively romanticise the narrative of sport. For how many tens of millions of cricket fans did Nasser Hussain speak on Sunday morning, when he admitted his immediate thought on hearing of the allegations was "please don't let it be the young lad"?We can't help but see sport like this, which is why fixing lends itself so evocatively to fiction. In the Godfather Part II, the Chicago Black Sox scandal serves as a character note for the mesmerically amoral Hyman Roth, who declares: "I've loved baseball ever since Arnold Rothstein fixed the world series". Rothstein was the mafia gambler on whom Fitzgerald based the minor character of Meyer Wolfsheim in The Great Gatsby, who is casually introduced to the narrator as "the man who fixed the World's Series.""The idea staggered me," the narrator relates. "It never occurred to me that one man could start to play with the faith of fifty million people - with the single mindedness of a burglar blowing a safe. 'How did he happen to do that?' I asked after a minute. 'He just saw the opportunity'," is Gatsby's affectless reply.Perhaps inevitably, taking poetic licence with sport fixing doesn't limit itself to art. Even in the realm of reality, fact tends to blur with fiction. There is no contemporaneous record of the words "Say it ain't so, Joe" ever being uttered, though that has not stopped the supposed child's inquiry of the disgraced Shoeless Joe Jackson having passed into legend.Despite the intense public attention on the grand jury investigation into the eight White Sox players accused of throwing the 1919 World Series, the only report that resembles the story was featured in a single Minnesota paper, which claimed Jackson emerged from the courthouse into a crowd of "several hundred youngsters, aged from 6 to 16". (Very cinematic.) According to the paper's account, "one urchin stepped up to the outfielder, and, grabbing his coat sleeve, said: 'It ain't true, is it Joe?' 'Yes kid, I'm afraid it is,' Jackson replied. The boys opened a path for the ball player and stood in silence as he passed out of sight. 'Well, I'd never have thought it,' sighed the lad." Forgive the cynicism, but I can't help suspecting that sleeve-tugging urchin was about as real as the convenient "onlookers" and "close pals" that populate today's tabloid stories.Yet though it may not be literally true, the youngster's tragic disillusionment has echoed down the years because it carries a psychological truth. Into this canon of truths literal and psychological we may induct the News of the World's revelation that Mazhar Majeed, the alleged middleman of this latest scam, roused the teenage Mohammad Amir out of his bed on the eve of a Test match, and called the young prodigy a "fucker", before informing him his instructions would keep till morning anyway. It is the sort of detail that if it hadn't happened, one would have had to make up.One piece of Shoeless Joe testimony that is undeniable, because it appears on the stenographer's record, has the player's wife finding out about his involvement when a team-mate entered their hotel room and threw $5,000 on the bed. "She felt awful bad about it," reveals Jackson, "and cried about it for a while."I first read that years ago, and ever since have had the most vivid picture of a scene, imagining Katie Jackson staring at the bundle of money and crying for the loss of the hero she married. All surmise, of course. She was probably crying out of fear he'd be caught - but our imaginations fill the gaps. We instinctively map narratives onto what we see and hear because we want - need - to experience sport as a story.A melee of co-dependent and antagonistic people will have to decide whether they want Pakistan's current story to have the scorched-earth ending of a Shakespearean tragedy, where none of the main characters are left standing, or whether a more modern tale of redemption is possible. For me, sport will be better if a way is found for Mohammad Amir to go on to take 600 Test wickets as a symbol of reformation. You don't have to be soft hearted or "soft on crime" to wish for this. You just have to dream of seeing the second act.Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketMarina Hydeguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

US Open tennis: Day 3 action

www.guardian.co.uk - We bring you the best images from day 3 at Flushing Meadow as Andy Murray continues his quest to land his first Grand Slam title More... (Tennis)

US Open 2010: Day three

www.guardian.co.uk - We bring you the best images from the third day at Flushing Meadows as Andy Murray continues his quest for a grand slam More... (Tennis)