THE SPORTS UPDATES: 2010

Shoaib Malik ban withdrawn

A PCB appeals tribunal lifted the one-year ban imposed on former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, clearing the decks for the controversial all-rounder's return to international cricket. The appeals judge said that Malik, who was accused of being a "negative influence" in the past, was a changed man now.

Former High Court judge Irfan Qadir's decision came at the National Cricket Academy where he held his hearing in which Malik was represented by his lawyer.

The judge also reduced a fine on Malik from Rs two million to Rs one million.

"The board's legal advisor has reported to me that after monitoring Malik in the last three months they feel he has improved his behavior and attitude," Qadir told reporters.

"I have decided to uphold his appeal and lift the ban as the purpose of disciplinary action against players was to make them rethink about their careers," he said.

Malik, who is in Dubai after his marriage to Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, hailed the Qadir's decision, saying the ban was a slur on his career.

"The purpose of my appealing to the board was to clear this stigma against my name. The ban was a stigma for me and my family," Malik told 'Geo News'.

Malik was banned for indiscipline during Pakistan's disastrous tour of Australia during which the team was whitewashed in all three formats of the game.

The 28-year-old has already been included in the list of 35 probables for next month's Asia Cup and the tour of England after that.

Malik was accused of promoting infighting in the team and was even called a "termite" by one of the inquiry committee members during the initial hearings, the video recordings of which were leaked to the media a few days ago.

The video recordings of the hearings revealed that most of the players including captain Shahid Afridi, former coach Intikhab Alam and manager Abdul Raquib blamed Malik for fanning intrigues and creating disharmony in the team.

PCB legal advisor Talib Rizvi said the ban was lifted because the board wanted these players to represent the country again after they reformed themselves.

Rizvi said Malik is free to represent the country again.

The judge had also scheduled a hearing for Younus Khan whose lawyer Ahmed Qayyum was present at the hearing but could not give a decision after Qayyum refused to accept a decision behind closed doors and wanted the media to attend the proceedings.

Rizvi said the appeals judge has now scheduled the hearing for Younus, Afridi and the Akmal brothers on June 5.

The appeal of Rana Naved is due to be heard on June 19 but he is not included in the list of probables for the coming tournaments.

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Friday, June 4, 2010 0 comments

11 lessons from the World T20

It's been less than a year since the previous last World T20, and already another edition of the tournament is complete. This time, it wasn't a case of much of the same, as two teams who had not progressed to the final in either of the previous versions of the competition, got all the way to that magical podium. In fact, the tournament gave rise to a treasure chest of new information, adding to the already cluttered library of cricketing facts. In keeping with traditions of the beloved sport, here's 11 lessons from the latest World Cup:

1. Afghanistan are the strongest of the minnows and they've just started:

Besides the Cinderella story of a cricket team who emerged from a war zone and fought their way from Division five to qualifying for one-day international status and the World T20, this team has real talent. They were never expected to make it to the Super Eights but put on an impressive display against the two major powers they were up against in the group stages. Afghanistan bowled particularly well against South Africa, restricting them to 139 for seven. Hamid Hassan showed all the makings of a future great with his three for 21.

Like most of the newer teams, they were most vulnerable against the short ball. That said, Afghanistan put on more runs than Ireland and Zimbabwe in their two matches, although the latter two did have rain affected games.

The only way they can get better, is through constant competitive cricket. Worryingly the number of teams putting their hands up to go and tour Afghanistan still stands at zero, never mind that they don't have a stadium that's good enough to play in. The ICC will have to make a big effort to organise tours of Afghanistan away from home (Dubai has been bandied about as a possible venue) and who knows, in 20 years, they could have a Lankan style story to add to their fairytale?

2. India and Pakistan should not play major tournaments in the Caribbean:

While the new Asian team on the block was stunning everyone with their progression, two of the oldest were on a hiding to nothing. That's a bit harsh on Pakistan, perhaps, who did make it to the semis but their record of two wins in five matches is hardly anything to boast about. They were incredible against South Africa and unlucky against Australia but were also responsible for their own downfall. Pakistan suffered some severe inconsistencies and the absence of key personnel and can probably be considered fortunate that they managed to find a squad of players who were not banned by the PCB to pitch up.

India also had just two victories but didn't even advance as far as the Super Eight stage. In both 2009 and 2010 editions of the World T20, they've been forgettable and both times, came into the competition off the back end of an IPL season. Their last outing to the West Indies was also embarrassing (2007 World Cup) and they have a lot of soul searching to do in multi tournament events.

3. Some good things come from the IPL:

Of course the IPL should not only be berated for tiring players out, but celebrated for giving them an opportunity to show off their abilities and earn subsequent reward. Dirk Nannes, the competition's leading wicket taker, made a name for himself in the IPL. Kevin Pietersen found form in IPL 3 which carried over in a big way to the World T20 and the Murali Vijay earned a place for himself in the Indian squad with his performances in IPL3.

4. Proper cricketing shots still have their place:

One of the men whose prolific form from the IPL also translated into World T20 success was Mahela Jayawardene. The difference between him and many other twenty-over batsmen is that Jayawardene has yet to become a bludgeoning beast. He has kept his finesse, elegance and class and still managed to end up as the tournament's highest scorer. He scored a scintillating century in the IPL to tease our taste buds and then served it up again against Zimbabwe.

5. Just because the pitches are slow doesn't mean quicks can't get wickets:

It wasn't just a tournament for the batsmen. Twenty-over cricket seems to have evened out into a fair contest between bat and ball. Just ask Shaun Tait, Dirk Nannes and Mitchell Johnson. They three made merry, albeit more so on the bouncier Barbados track, but also extracted something out of the St Lucia surface. Ashish Nehra, Ryan Sidebottom and Morne Morkel all had varying degrees of success, proving that the pacemen were not left out of the spinners' party.

6. South Africa are going backwards:

Not everything about the tournament could be a smiling positive and for the Proteas is certainly wasn't, and they didn't even choke. They were never playing good enough cricket to do that. South Africa came into the event as a favourite and once again disappointed. They have now gone 12 years without ICC silverware and the pressure from the public is mounting for a change in just about anything. Graeme Smith offered absolutely no excuses, saying his men simply weren't good enough. They looked unprepared, particularly in batting-wise and will need to focus on a personnel adjustment and building a solid, specialised twenty-over squad.

7. New Zealand are perennial bridesmaids

Maybe because they are called Black Caps, they never want to wear a white dress, but these days brides appear in other colours too. The have managed to escape South Africa's fate of being labelled chokers, but they have earned the ignominy of being second-best all the time. This time, they were bamboozled by England in the super eights. While they have a good side on paper, they seem to lack a special spark - something they will want if anyone is to ever lift their veil and plant a big, fat trophy in their arms.

8. Australia don't have to be the best at everything:

And thank goodness for that! The World T20 crown is still evading them and all the rest of the cricketing world can say is long may it continue. On a serious note, Australia have made some sincere steps to take the shortest format of the game seriously and with a new side and a changed attitude, they will continue to be in contention for the prize in the future.

9. England can win the game they invented:

It took long enough but finally England have managed to capture first prize in the sport they take credit for pioneering. Ironic then, that four of their winning party aren't even English. None of that seemed to matter when Paul Collingwood hit the winning runs and the squad stormed the field. How very unEnglish to run about like a bunch of buffoons, and how very heart-warming to see years, no decades, of hard work finally paying off.

10. Tournaments don't have to be long and boring:

Pay attention to this one Lalit Modi or whoever takes over from you. In two, relatively short weeks, this tournament was history. In fact, it could have been less if the pesky group stages were left out of it. Yes, ICC, we understand why you need to have them and they do bring success (refer to number 1), so we won't complain too much. The point is that having a short, sharp tournament meant almost all of the games were contextually meaningful, no one forgot who the team in blue was (as happened in the IPL with three of eight teams wearing the same colour) and by match 17 weren't we all wishing for a countdown to the end. Next year's IPL is predicted to have 94 matches. Spare us.

11. And lastly, to the weather gods: stay away from twenty-over cricket:

The Duckworth Lewis system doesn't work for it. Enough said.

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Only 10 teams for this year's CL

There will be only 10 teams in this year's Champions League as opposed to the 12 that participated in the inaugural edition in 2009, after the English Cricket Board(ECB) expressed their inability to participate as their domestic season clashed with the tournament's dates.

English teams were forced out after their cricket board refused to adjust the dates of their domestic season to avoid a clash with the lucrative league. The England and Wales Cricket Board had preponed the dates after being requested by the BCCI initially.

But when the Indian Board rejigged the CLT20 dates for a second time, the ECB said it was left with no room to make adjustments again.

The tournament is a joint venture between the cricket board of India (BCCI), Australia (CA) and South Africa (CSA).

Already 9 of the ten teams for the tournament in South Africa, scheduled between September 10 and 26, are confirmed. Only the 10th team is to be known and that will be confirmed once the West Indian domestic Twenty20 competition ends in July. The tournament will feature 23 matches (the same number as 2009), with the format, schedule and venues to be decided in the coming weeks.

"The fact that only a third of last year's field have re-qualified to play for the US$2.5-million first prize demonstrates the evenness of Twenty20 competitions around the world and the desperation of teams to compete at the world's most prestigious domestic event," N Srinivasan, the BCCI secretary, said. "There is no doubt that the Champions League Twenty20 has improved the quality of domestic Twenty20 cricket around the world and motivated teams in all countries to strive for a coveted place at the tournament."

CA chief executive officer James Sutherland said the tournament provides youngsters the opportunity to rub shoulders with the bigwigs of world cricket.

"The chance for these players to display their skills on the world stage and further their claims for national selection is a source of great pride for Cricket Australia and the other founding members," Sutherland said.

CSA chief executive Gerald Majola said, "The Airtel Champions League Twenty20 will reinforce South Africa's reputation as an ideal host for international sporting events.

The teams that have already qualified for the 2010 CLT20 are: Chennai Super Kings (India), Mumbai Indians (India), Royal Challengers Bangalore (India), Victorian Bushrangers (Australia), South Australian Redbacks (Australia), Warriors (South Africa), Highveld Lions (South Africa), Central Stags (New Zealand) and Wayamba Elevens (Sri Lanka

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Lalit Modi strikes again

Lalit Modi, the now suspended IPL commisioner has again hit back at the BCCI as he has raised a number of issues which point fingers directly at the BCCI. These are some of the salient points that he has fired in the 12 page E-mail that he has sent to the BCCI top brass.

* The BCCI president, Shashank Manohar and it's secretary, N Srinivasan should be removed from the panel that has been set-up to probe the charges leveled against him. Modi feels that having Manohar and Srinivasan in the panel is a clear case of bias as both have conflict of interests against him.

* An independent body, preferably with a retired Supreme Court judge as it's head should be set-up to probe the charges leveled against him.

* The BCCI president, Shashank Manohar knew about the TV deals that were clinched during the IPL.

* Manohar wanted the wanted the IPL bid process cancelled and asked me to accept the bid by the Kochi franchise even after the deadline.

* Manohar spoke to Congress MP and former minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor on the Kochi bid.

* Manohar used my phone, e-mail to contact Sahara Group and Dainik Bhaskar on bids. Manohar was fully aware of details of TV rights to Sony-MSM. I have documentary evidence to support the latest charges.

* Manohar should be cross-examined as a witness.

* N Srinivasan, the BCCI secretary, sought wrong benefits for the Chennai Super Kings. He also wanted handpicked umpires for the Chennai Super Kings matches and did not want Kieron Pollard to play for the Mumbai Indians.

* BCCI was also aware of the fact that Manoj Badale represented the Jaipur IPL franchise. Jaipur IPL, the company that owns the Rajasthan Royals team, is reportedly proposing to give a stake in the team to Badale-promoted Emerging Media IPL.

* I do not have any personal interest in the Rajasthan Royals franchise.

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It's over for Rio

Ferdinand: heartbreak for skipper

England captain Rio Ferdinand has suffered World Cup heartache just seven days before the tournament kicks off.

Sky sources reported on Friday afternoon that the Manchester United defender would not take any part in the World Cup after injuring his knee in a training session.

The problem arose when Ferdinand was involved in what coach Fabio Capello described as a "minor tackle" in England's first training session after arriving at their Bafokeng Sports Centre base in South Africa.

He was immediately rushed to hospital for scans on his knee and after leaving hospital on crutches, Sky Sports News broke the story that the national team captain would play no part in England's World Cup bid.

With Tottenham's Michael Dawson flying out to replace Ferdinand, several former England players were quick to give us their views on what the news means for Capello and his squad...

Terry Butcher (England 1980-1990)

"It's a massive blow. He's captain of his country, he's the heart of that defence and he's a leader. He's been highly quoted about this World Cup and how there are no excuses, how it's about making amends for previous debacles, so for him to be out is a hammer blow really. It's something England could well do without. I've never heard of injuries in training before the tournament - I know competition is fierce but it's obviously too fierce!

"Capello's plans have gone up in smoke really and now (Michael) Dawson's coming out - I think he should have been there to start with - but Ledley King has to be the main man now. For me, he's the one that should step in; whoever's going to come in then England have to make sure they help his recuperation by putting on a good performance and once he's gone, getting back down to business, back down to training and hope they do well. It is a blow though, because of his experience; he's played in three World Cups - this was his fourth - and he is one of those big players, one of those big-game players."

Bryan Robson (England 1980-1991)

"It's the biggest disappointment you can receive as a player. To miss a World Cup when you've been building up to it all year will be a massive disappointment to Rio, but injuries happen in football. It's unfortunate for Rio, but now Ledley King, Michael Dawson and Matthew Upson, get their chance.

"I think Rio was a little bit concerned about his back which he had problems with in the early parts of the season, and that's why he was relieved because his back seemed to be ok and he was going in fully fit into the World Cup. So to go into a tackle in training and injure his knee is a big blow for the lad and England. He will be missed and it would have been a great achievement to have played in four World Cup finals.

"I think Fabio Capello already made his decision that Rio was going to be captain and Steven Gerrard would take over if anything was to happen to Rio, so I think that decision has already been made. He's proved with Liverpool [he has the right temperament], he's captained England before and I've said that if Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard are at the top of their game then England have a great chance of doing very well at this World Cup. So this might just inspire Steve to get to his top form and lead by example. It might just be the boost he needs as well."

Alan Mullery (England 1964-1971)

"We will miss him, there's no doubt about that, because he's an outstanding footballer but he's been a little bit restricted this season with his injuries. Ledley King has had a knee injury but has still played more games than Rio this season. When you are not 100 percent pukka and fit other injuries do happen; the boy's had really bad luck with the injuries he's had. Another injury is not good for the boy, it's not good for his confidence but if there are any pluses I'd be delighted if Michael Dawson goes to the World Cup as his replacement.

"I've seen Ledley play two games in a week so there's no reason why that can't happen again but if Michael Dawson goes there's no reason why he can't get in the side either; he and Ledley have played very, very well for Tottenham this season. Then again you've got Matthew Upson there too - so there is still a very good choice of central defenders available to England. Matthew Upson has played with John Terry on numerous occasions for England so I shouldn't think there is a major problem with Rio missing out. If it had been Wayne Rooney I would have been screaming my head off!"

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Ferdinand Factfile

1978: Born November 8, Peckham. Cousin of England international Les Ferdinand.

1995: Turns professional with West Ham after coming through the youth ranks with the London club.

1996: May - Makes Hammers debut as a second-half substitute in 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

November - Loaned out to Bournemouth.

1997: February - Scores his first goal for the Hammers in a 2-1 defeat at Blackburn.

November - Becomes youngest defender to play for England when he makes his debut against Cameroon at Wembley.

1998: Named in Glenn Hoddle's England squad for the World Cup finals but does not play in France.

2000: Left out of the England squad for Euro 2000 by Kevin Keegan. Smashes

British transfer record with £18million move to Leeds United in November.

2002: Scores first England goal in 3-0 win over Denmark in World Cup second round.

July 21 - Leeds agree £30million fee with Manchester United for Ferdinand, making him the world's most expensive defender.

2003: May - Picks up a Premier League winner's medal as United finish five points clear of Arsenal.

October 6 - Reported to the Football Association for failing to attend a drugs test.

October 7 - Left out of England squad for crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey because of drugs controversy.

October 29 - Charged with misconduct by the FA for "the failure or refusal by a player to submit to drug testing as required by a competent official".

December 18 - Independent three-man panel find the case against Ferdinand proven and impose an eight-month ban and £50,000 fine.

2004: January 20 - Ferdinand begins his ban.

September 20 - Returns in 2-1 Premier League win over Liverpool at Old Trafford.

2005: May 21 - Season ends in disappointment with FA Cup final penalty shootout defeat to Arsenal, leaving United without a trophy.

July 3 - United chief executive David Gill defends Ferdinand against allegations of disloyalty for his failure to sign new £100,000-a-week extension to his contract.

August 8 - After being booed by United supporters in pre-season games in Japan,

Antwerp, Clyde and Peterborough, Ferdinand agrees new four-year deal.

December 14 - Scores his first United goal in 4-0 victory over Wigan.

2006: February 26 - Wins League Cup as United beat Wigan 4-0 at the Millennium Stadium.

June - Represents England at World Cup in Germany.

2007: May 6 - United win Premier League title. But later in the month, they lose 1-0 to Chelsea in the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley.

November 21 - Absent through injury as England lose 3-2 to Croatia at Wembley and fail to qualify for Euro 2008.

2008: March 26 - Captains England for the first time and wins his 65th cap in

1-0 defeat in France.

April 18 - Agrees new five-year contract with Manchester United believed to be in the region of £130,000 a week.

May 11 - United wrap up back-to-back Premier League titles.

May 15 - United confirm Ferdinand has signed his new deal, which will keep him at the club until 2013.

May 21 - Ferdinand captains United to a dramatic Champions League final victory over Chelsea as the Red Devils prevail in a penalty shoot-out in Moscow.

August 19 - Ferdinand loses out to John Terry in the duel to become England captain as Fabio Capello elects to retain the Chelsea defender as his on-field leader. Ferdinand is named as vice-captain by the Italian.

October 11 - Ferdinand is named captain of England in the absence of the injured Terry and responds by hitting the opening goal in a 5-1 win over Kazakhstan in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

2009: May 16 - Ferdinand and his United team-mates wrap up a third successive Premier League title.

May 27 - Ferdinand is part of the United team which suffers a 2-0 defeat against Barcelona in the Champions League final.

2010: February 5 - Ferdinand, as vice-captain, takes over from Terry as England skipper after the Chelsea defender is stripped of the post by Capello following allegations about Terry's private life.

March 1 - United win Carling Cup with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa but

Ferdinand misses out with a back injury..

June 1 - Named in England's final 23-man World Cup squad.

June 4 - Ruled out of the tournament, and replaced by Michael Dawson, after injuring ligaments in his left knee in training.

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Uneasy rider

It was impossible not to watch Ivan Basso win a truly extraordinary Giro d'Italia without mixed feelings.

Basso is, arguably, the first rider of the modern era to serve a doping ban and return to his previous level. A case could also be made for Alexandre Vinokourov, though Basso's status as a Grand Tour winner makes him unique.

Basso with his second Giro d'Italia trophy

Previously, the Italian's 2006 Giro victory represented the pinnacle of his career, the peak he'd been ascending gradually towards for several seasons, mainly in the shadow of Lance Armstrong, to whom he'd finished second at the 2005 Tour de France.

A year later, he was expected to step into Armstrong's shoes. A crushing win in the Giro was mission partially accomplished; phase two would be the Tour. It had Basso's name written all over it.

Some credit to Basso, though. He at least admitted his crime - sort of - and he pledged to come back clean. He enlisted the help of Aldo Sassi, a coach whose reputation hasn't been besmirched, and posted his blood values online.

And then, 48 hours before the Tour began in Strasbourg, Basso's world and reputation unravelled in dramatic fashion. In a few hours he went from Tour favourite to being smuggled out of his hotel like a common criminal.

He was bundled into a car, and driven back to Italy, the decision to expel him having been taken by his team, CSC, on the basis of information they had linking him to Operación Puerto, the Spanish blood doping investigation.

Yet, bizarrely, he wasn't initially punished. On the contrary, he signed for Armstrong's old team, Discovery Channel, for 2007. But all the time the net was closing and in the spring, with the Italian Olympic committee (CONI) dogged in their pursuit of riders implicated in Operación Puerto, Basso was presented with the DNA evidence that proved his guilt. Finally he confessed, but to attempted doping - to intending to cheat - rather than actual doping.

That's been his line ever since. He insists his 2006 Giro win was honest. The issue some have with this is that his victory there was so dominant - he had almost ten minutes on José Enrique Gutiérrez, who was also implicated in Operación Puerto - that it raises the question: why, when he was in the form of his life, did he feel it was necessary to seek extra, illegal help?

Some credit to Basso, though. He at least admitted his crime - sort of - and he pledged to come back clean. He enlisted the help of Aldo Sassi, a coach whose reputation hasn't been besmirched, and posted his blood values online.

Sassi, who also coaches Cadel Evans, told Cyclingnews last week that, "if either Ivan or Cadel win the Giro, we'll have the proof that you can win without doping. I totally trust them."

Throughout his ban, Basso insisted he would reach his previous level, to prove it was possible to win major races clean.

Now, you could argue, he's done that. But you didn't have to be a cynic, as you watched Basso's wonderful performance on stage 14 to the summit of Monte Grappa, to recall 2006, and to be struck by an uncomfortable sense of déjà vu.

It was the first time, since his comeback last year, that he resembled the Basso of old. The problem is that, for many, that expression, "the Basso of old," will provoke an ambiguous, or uneasy, reaction.

That's the problem with doping - or attempted doping. The culprit forfeits the right to the benefit of the doubt.

We should be reassured by Sassi's words, and by much else that has happened to clean up the sport - including the expulsion, on the eve of the Giro, of Basso's Liquigas team-mate Franco Pellizotti, on the basis of information from his biological passport.

And it was a great Giro from a racing point of view, from the flat, incident-strewn stages of northern Europe, to the carnage created by the Tuscan dirt roads, to the mass escape in the torrential rain on a marathon stage eleven to L'Aquila.

It's remarkable to remember that Basso seemed out of it after that eleventh stage - and he struggled on the dirt roads, too. But he was brilliant as the race reached its final, critical phase in the mountains. Ultimately, he deserved to win. It's just a shame his victory couldn't be enjoyed and appreciated with unqualified admiration.

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Monday, May 31, 2010 0 comments

My first World Cup

It's not long until the World Cup kicks off - and our panel of experts are here to tell you exactly what you can expect in South Africa.

Here on skysports.com, we've brought together the studio stars of Soccer Saturday - Jeff Stelling, Matt Le Tissier, Paul Merson, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas - to share their thoughts on football's showpiece tournament.

Eusebio: one of Thommo's stars of 1966

In the coming days they'll bring you their tips on the players and teams to look out for in South Africa - as well as debating some of the big World Cup talking points.

But first they'll share their memories of the World Cups of yesteryear...

skysports.com: Right then lads. Let's take a trip down memory lane. Tell us about the first World Cup you can remember...

THOMMO: The first World Cup I remember was 1966. I was only about 12 at the time so I didn't go to any of the games but it was great because Goodison Park held quite a lot of the games and so you still felt like you were really a part of it on Merseyside.

JEFF: It would have to be 1966 and it's been all downhill from there of course! I remember watching the World Cup final at my home in Hartlepool on a black and white TV but the game that sticks out is the one between North Korea and Portugal. North Korea were 3-0 up and ended up losing 5-3 and it's one which I will never forget because it was just so amazing at the time.

THOMMO: I also remember North Korea and one name that always sticks out is a guy called Pak Doo-Ik. I remember watching him score against Italy in one of the group games and his name has always stuck with me. That and of course the great name of Eusebio who melted the hearts of everybody. Those are the things that really made the whole tournament so magical along with England winning.

CHARLIE: The first World Cup I remember with vigour was 1970 in Mexico. It was a football education for me at eight years of age and I remember sitting there feeling blessed to be watching it. I was a Celtic fan and they won the European Cup in 1967. I was fortunate enough to go and see them play Leeds, the best team in England back then, so I had seen some great European games at Celtic Park. But to watch international football was a total fascination for me at that time. I just remember total flamboyant football. I recall England were the holders and had a fabulous team, the Germans were talking about revenge for 1966 and Italy were a champion side. But Brazil were the star turn; everything they did was about pass and move and style.

LE TISS: For me it was Argentina 1978. I remember the ticker-tape reception the Argentina team would get in Buenos Aries when they stepped onto the pitch. They'd throw loads of tape and toilet rolls onto the teams as they walked out - and that was my one abiding memory apart from Archie Gemmill's goal for Scotland against Holland. England hadn't qualified so I was supporting Scotland - I support all the Home Nations at World Cups and that was a great goal, even though Scotland didn't get through.

MERSE: For me it was 1978 as well. I remember watching the final of 1974, but 1978 was the one for me when Argentina won it. My main memory is the way Mario Kempes used to run off when he scored. I was a big football fan anyway, but that tournament showed me that the World Cup is the ultimate.

LE TISS: The other thing I remember about that tournament was Argentina needing to win by four goals against Peru to get through to the final and they ended up winning 6-0. Even as a young lad I was a bit suspicious about that...

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On Real radar?

Lampard: Would he link up with Mourinho at Madrid?

Drogba: Would he link up with Mourinho once again?

Cole: Would he link up with Mourinho at Madrid?

2 of 3

Donovan Naidoo (Real Madrid fan) says...

Why pick from England? Why not get players from elsewhere, France, Portugal?now that he has got spending power he may choose to buy Miguel Veloso or Lucas Podolski.I don't think there is anything wrong with the attack. Xabi Alonso needs some central midfield support otherwise the back line is the big issue. Scored more goals than Barca in La Liga so goals are not an issue. Defensive play may be what is needed cos Real look terrible defending. I think Maicon and possibly Lucio. A central midfielder like Miguel Veloso, Esteban Cambiaso,John O Mikel...in the vein of Claude Makelele who was a big influence on the plays at Chelsea.Same with Cambiasso. I would rather take John Obi Mikel than Lampard anyday...don't need attacking options. Granero,Benzema,Higuan, Ronaldo, Kaka, my favourite Van Der Vaart....these guys are brilliant in attack.

Posted 15:27 31st May 2010

Brian Hamill (Celtic fan) says...

Most of the players mentioned there are quite old, with no resale value and not too many years left at the top. I'd like to see Jose looking at slightly younger players, since he has signed a 4 year deal. It would be great to see Sneijder and Robben back at the Bernabeu and given the chance they deserved but didn't get first time around.

Jack Burton (Chelsea fan) says...

I'm a chelsesa fan and i would love to see Real snap up some of chelsea's old boys. Lamps and co are sick players but after looking at who ancelotti would like to sign this transfer window, i think he could find the players that could fill the gaps if they leave and further more build a club for the future so we won't always hav to rely on Abramovich's checkbook.

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Five-star Finn inspires England

Finn (5-87) celebrates the wicket of Mushfiqur at Lord's

Steven Finn claimed a five-wicket haul on his first Test appearance at Lord's as England eased to an eight-wicket win over Bangladesh on day five.

Resuming the final day with all three results still possible, England dismissed the tourists in the morning session before chasing down the 160-run target on the verge of tea.

Pace rookie Finn (5-87) snared overnight duo Shakib Al Hasan (16) and Junaid Siddique (74) in successive overs and Bangladesh's hopes of saving the match were effectively over when Mushfiqur Rahim became his fifth victim of the innings.

Tim Bresnan (3-93) then returned to dismiss Rubel Hossain and Mahmudullah just minutes before lunch.

Captain Andrew Strauss (82) then led the way in knocking off a modest target to ensure England kicked off the summer with a win.

Pressure

Sixth-wicket pair Siddique and Shakib safely negotiated the opening 40 minutes against the second new ball, however the pair had no answer to Finn with drinks on the horizon.

The 21-year-old seamer made the breakthrough when Shakib cut a long-hop fiercely but straight to Eoin Morgan at backward point.

Siddique then fell when he could only chip a slower, fuller delivery from Finn straight to a leaping Bresnan at wide mid-off.

The end of his 162-ball stay opened the way for England to dispose of the tail and knock off the runs required with minimal pressure on time or wickets.

Finn took his fifth wicket of the innings and ninth of the match with a superb delivery which bounced and shaped away from Bangladesh wicketkeeper Mushfiqur, the ball taking the edge to present Matt Prior with a regulation catch.

Mahmudullah offered some rearguard resistance and Finn was denied the chance to become the first Englishman to take a 10-wicket haul in Tests at Lord's since Ian Botham in 1978 when he was replaced by Bresnan.

Generous

The Yorkshireman returned to remove Rubel and then finished off the innings when Mahmudullah (19) slashed through to Prior.

England openers Strauss and Alastair Cook got the run chase off to a flyer, putting on 50 from 37 balls as they capitalised fully on some generous gifts from the Bangladesh pacemen.

Cook (23) was unfortunate to be adjudged lbw pushing forward to Mahmudullah and Strauss then fell 18 runs short of his century when he edged opposite number Shakib through to Mushfiqur.

However, South Africa-born duo Jonathan Trott (36no) and Kevin Pietersen (10no) saw England home on the brink of tea.

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Steven Finn rattles Bangladesh on rain-hit day

Bangladesh 237 for 7 (Mahmudullah 7*, Shahadat 3*, Finn 4-75) trail England 505 by 268 runs

Steven Finn removed Mushfiqur Rahim with the second new ball, England v Bangladesh, 1st Test, Lord's, May 29, 2010

Steven Finn made the most of the 28.5 overs allowed by rain and bad light on the third day at Lord's to further enhance his reputation with three wickets as Bangladesh limped to 237 for 7 under overcast skies. With James Anderson bowling himself back into rhythm, claiming a confidence-boosting brace, it was tough for the visitors who had performed so admirably on Friday but are still 69 runs away from saving the follow-on.

English bowling attacks always look far more threatening when they have overhead conditions to help them and they were transformed from the below-par performance of the previous afternoon. Finn was given his favoured Pavilion End and reaped the rewards by causing continued problems with his bounce, while Anderson began to rediscover his outswinger.

With a view to the future it was Finn's performance that was most eye-catching. Significantly he was handed the second new ball and struck with his second delivery to remove the stubborn Mushfiqur Rahim as one nipped between bat and pad, not dissimilar to now Glenn McGrath, Finn's idol, took many of his wickets at Lord's.

It wasn't until 3.20pm that the players managed to take the field and England were clearly keen to take advantage of the conditions, but had also talked about their tactics as the lengths were much better. Finn, operating from the end where he does most of his bowling for Middlesex, struck in the fourth over when Junaid Siddique - after a resilient 58 - couldn't withdraw his bat in time; a problem caused by the extra bounce.

Mohammad Ashraful, who was dropped for the series in Bangladesh a couple of months ago, came in at No. 5 and opened his account with a positive square drive before being unluckily sent on his way. Finn nipped a ball back into his pads and Asoka de Silva answered the bowler's appeal though subsequent replays showed it was missing leg.

At the Nursery End Anderson continued to battle against himself following an inactive three-weeks in the Caribbean which has left him short of bowling. However, slowly he began to rediscover the outswinger which barely made an appearance the previous day and produced a lovely delivery which went away from Jahurul Islam to nick the outside edge.

Shakib Al Hasan, short of match practice after suffering chicken pox at the start of the tour, began in positive fashion but had to be very watchful as conditions continued to aid the bowlers. Tim Bresnan replaced Finn after a seven-over spell and was much improved as he found a fuller length to regularly beat Mushfiqur's outside edge.

It was Anderson, though, who made the next breakthrough when Shakib's concentration wavered and he pushed hard outside off stump to a ball that moved away. Matt Prior made a hash of a simple catch, but fortunately for the wicketkeeper Andrew Strauss was on hand at first slip to pouch the rebound much as Graeme Swann had been in the World Twenty20 final when Craig Kieswetter spilled an edge. However, given the scrutiny on Prior's place it won't be a good idea to do it too often.

Mushfiqur, five years after making his debut on this ground as a 16-year-old, gave another demonstration of the technique that makes him Bangladesh's most solid batsman. But in gloomy light after tea he couldn't keep out Finn's excellent start with the new ball during a seven-ball period between stoppages. Jamie Siddons, the Bangladesh coach, was clearly annoyed by the umpire's judgement on the light as the players left the field again after the wicket.

Play resumed for another nine deliveries - three of which Shahadat Hossain swung wildly at to suggest he wasn't keen on the fight - and although England were denied the chance to wrap up the innings they will be confident of putting Bangladesh back in again on the fourth day.

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Sunday, May 30, 2010 0 comments

Dilshan falls after fluent half-century

Dilshan falls after fluent half-century

25 overs Sri Lanka 100 for 3 (Mathews 18*, Kapugedera 0*, Dilshan 61) v India
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Tillakaratne Dilshan showed signs of returning to form and pushed Sri Lanka to 100 for 3 at the end of 25 overs in Bulawayo. It was an interesting first half of the play. The overnight rains meant the pitch had enough moisture in it to help both the seamers and spinners. The medium-pacers got just enough movement and also exploited the two-paced nature of the wicket and the spinners found generous turn to keep the batsmen quiet.

The situation demanded that the batsmen show self restraint and Dilshan did exactly that to slowly shake off his poor form. It wasn't the Dilshan that we have come to know. He hit his first boundary off his 35th ball and it wasn't until his 50th delivery that he chose to rush down the track to play one a big shot. It was his abstinence against the new ball that really stood out. There weren't many flamboyant on-the-up hits, dashes down the track and attempts to force the pace. He did try to play couple of aggressive shots against the new ball but when he found that he was mis-timing them, he quickly changed tack and started to work the angles.

Dilshan broke free against a slower one from Ashok Dinda in the tenth over and started to find his fluency. He chose to play close to the body against the spinners - Pragyan Ojha and Amit Mishra. He used his feet to either go back or fully forward to drive and punch the spinners. He lifted Ojha for a massive six over long on and cut the errant Ravindra Jadeja for couple of successive fours in the 22nd over.

It was all looking good for Sri Lanka but Dilshan ran himself out in the 24th over to allow India to come back into the game. He turned Mishra to midwicket and hesitated before deciding to go for the single but couldn't beat the throw from Rohit Sharma.

Additionally, there was further drama, a touch comic in nature, when novice captain Suresh Raina forgot to tell the umpires that he wanted to take the bowling Powerplay after the tenth over though he had a field set that met the requirements of the Powerplay. He realised his error later much to the amusement of Dilshan and the bewilderment of his team-mates and took the Powerplay in the 18th over. It didn't turn out to be a costly mistake as this pitch demanded that the fielding captain attack with close-set fields.

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