Cricket; Bollywood actress quizzed by ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit

NEW DELHI: A little-known Bollywood actress who was linked to cricket match-fixing allegations by Britain’s Sunday Times has said she was quizzed for two-and-a-half hours by the sport’s governing body.

Nupur Mehta, who has denied any wrongdoing, told Tuesday’s Times of India that she met with Alan Peacock, an official from the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), at a Mumbai hotel.

The Sunday Times in March said Indian bookmakers had hired an unidentified Bollywood actress to lure cricketers into both match-fixing and spot-fixing, and used Mehta’s photograph to illustrate the story.

Mehta told the Times of India she had been “given a clean chit by the ICC”after meeting with Peacock on Monday.

“They are satisfied with the answers I have provided,” Mehta told the newspaper.

“I have many friends who are cricketers and with whom I socialise…I also know a lot of international cricketers.”

The ICC declined to confirm the meeting, saying that it does not comment on the activities of its anti-corruption unit.

Mehta, who has only won small roles in Hindi films, has denied any links to bookmakers and has threatened to sue the Sunday Times over its report.

India is seen as the international centre of illegal gambling on cricket, with huge sums waged on results and on specific periods of play.

Five Indian cricketers were suspended during the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) season after a TV sting claimed to unearth evidence that no-balls could be arranged to order.

The report targeted fringe players and provided no proof of corruption within IPL games, but it re-focused fears about the impact of illegal gambling on the sport.

Cricket; Former test opener Katich quits Australian cricket

SYDNEY: Simon Katich is retiring from Australian first class cricket to spend more time with his family, the former test opener announced on Tuesday.   

The 36-year-old, who scored 4,188 runs in 56 test at an average of 45.03, was at the centre of a major row last June when he was dumped by Cricket Australia from the list of centrally contracted players.

Katich, who scored 10 test centuries for his country, in part blamed bad blood emanating from a 2009 dressing room confrontation with Michael Clarke, who was made captain last March, for his omission.

The gritty lefthander was reprimanded for those comments in December and played no part in Australia’s drawn series against New Zealand and whitewash of India in the domestic summer.

Katich, who also played 45 one-day matches for Australia, conceded last year that his international career was over and in October gave up the captaincy of New South Wales.

“Simon Katich wishes to advise that he has decided to retire from first class cricket in Australia,” read a statement from England where Katich is playing country cricket with Hampshire.

“With a young family and a desire for an extended time at home, Simon has decided it is time to reassess his priorities.”

Katich scored 5,309 runs at an average of 61.73 in 10 seasons with New South Wales after moving to Sydney from his native Western Australia.

“Simon’s contribution to New South Wales cricket was quite simply outstanding,” said Cricket New South Wales chief Harry Harinath.

“In his 10 years with our state he brought a passion, dedication and commitment that was admired by everybody.

“Not only was he a superb batsman, with a state and international record to rival the best, but he was a brilliant leader who was respected by all that played with him.”

Cricket; PCB mulls cost factor before finalising venue

MUMBAI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is most likely to finalise its venue for the forthcoming matches against Australia on Tuesday, chairman Zaka Ashraf said.

Speaking from Lahore on Monday, he said: “We have discussed the matter with Intikhab Alam and both countries, Malaysia and the UAE have 50-50 chances to host the matches.”

“We are considering the cost factor and the detailed report has been submitted to the finance department for evaluation,” he added.

“Malaysia is cheaper than the UAE,” Intikhab, who was also impressed with the facilities in Kuala Lumpur, said.

If cost factor is the main criteria, Malaysia may be chosen. Only the broadcasting factor may come in its way in that case, it is learnt here.
Intikhab didn’t visit any of the three venues in the UAE as all the three venues — Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi — had been seen by him in the past.

He had, however, visited the ICC headquarters and met ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat, cricket operations general manager Dave Richardson, and Zahid Noorani, the Ten Sports official.

It is not clear whether the PCB would announce the venue on Tuesday before being approved by Cricket Australia.

Snooker; Ranking snooker set to cue off today

KARACHI: The third Jubilee Insurance ranking snooker championship cues off at the Karachi Gymkhana on Tuesday with 32 players vying for honours.

Despite being defeated 4-7 by the promising Asjad Iqbal in the final of fourth NBP Cup two weeks before, national champion Mohammad Asif has maintained his top ranking.

On the other hand, Asjad has leaped 14 places to occupy second slot in the latest rankings. Previously, he was ranked 16th.

The president of Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA), Alamgir Shaikh, spelt out details at a press briefing held at Karachi Gymkhana on Monday.

Also present on the occasion were chairman of the PBSA, Asghar Valika, managing director of Jubilee Insurance, Tahir Ahmed, PBSA officials Javed Karim, Munawwar Hussain Shaikh, and president of Karachi Gymkhana Ali Rahim.

Speaking on the occasion, Valika, who relinquished PBSA presidentship after serving for two decades, said sponsorships play a vital role in the uplift of any sport and Jubilee Insurance has become synonymous with snooker; filling the vacuum created by former sponsor.

He complimented his able successor for carrying forward the circuit despite financial constraints.

In his speech, Tahir Ahmed reiterated to launch an under-15 snooker contest or which he has already allocated funds.

Alamgir threw light on the progress of setting up an academy in the city, in correspondence with Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) pertaining to affiliation, employment of players, inviting foreign coaches, and on the show cause notices issued to Shehram Changezi and Mohammad Sajjad for breaching of players’ code of conduct.

Taking advantage of the briefing, he refuted certain allegations levelled against the PBSA and clarified the position.

“We’ve distributed the calendar to the media in January which envisaged national and international events and are going accordingly,” he said while defending PBSA.

Meanwhile, two players namely Farhan Khan and Shafiullah, both from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, were dropped out at the eleventh hour after confirming their entries. They were replaced by Suneel Shahani and Kashif Khan respectively from Sindh.

Following are the pools:

Group ‘A’: Mohammad Asif (Punjab), Mohammad Majid (Punjab), Mohammad Nazeer (Punjab), Mohammed Jawed (Punjab), Farrukh Usman Brohi (Sindh), Bilawal Agha (Sindh), Mohammad Asif Toba (Punjab), Umair Alam (Sindh).
Group ‘B’: Asjad Iqbal (Punjab), Vishan Gir (Sindh), Shahid Aftab (Punjab), Shehram Changezi (Punjab), Mohammad Yousuf (Punjab), Mohammad Afzal (Punjab), Suneel Shahani (Sindh), Javed Ansari (Sindh).
Group ‘C’: Sultan Mohammad (Sindh), Abdul Sattar (Sindh), Mohammad Imran (Punjab), Sohail Shehzad (Sindh), Imran Shehzad (Punjab), Shah Khan (KP), Mohammad Akmal (Sindh), Mohammad Bilal (Punjab).
Group ‘D’: Mohammad Sajjad (Punjab), Naveen Perwani (Sindh), Khurram Hussain Agha (Sindh), Sharjeel Mehmood (KP), Abu Saim (Punjab), Farhan Noor (Punjab), Kashif Khan (Sindh), Mohammad Ishtiaq (Sindh).

Tuesday’s fixtures:
Mohammad Asif v Umair Alam, Asjad Iqbal v Javed Ansari, Sultan Mohammad v Mohammad Bilal, Mohammad Sajjad v Mohammad Ishtiaq at 10:00am; Mohammad Majid v Mohammad Asif Toba, Vishan Gir v Suneel Shahani (Sindh), Abdul Sattar v Mohammad Akmal, Naveen Perwani v Kashif Khan (Sindh) at 12:00noon; Mohammad Nazeer v Bilawal Agha, Shahid Aftab v Mohammad Afzal, Mohammad Imran v Shah Khan, Khurram Hussain Agha v Farhan Noor at 2:00pm; Mohammad Jawed v Farrukh Usman Brohi, Shehram Changezi v Mohammad Yousuf, Sohail Shehzad v Imran Shehzad, Sharjeel Mehmood v Abu Saim at 4:00pm.

Football; Point apiece as England, France draw cagey opener

DONETSK: France came from behind to force a 1-1 draw with England on Monday as a cagey Euro 2012 opener between the Group D rivals ended in a stalemate.

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott headed England into a 30th-minute lead to leave Roy Hodgson’s men dreaming of the perfect start to their campaign on a sweltering night at the Donbass Arena.

But Lescott’s City team-mate Samir Nasri struck back with a 39th-minute equaliser, lashing a low shot from outside the area to give France a share of the points and extend Les Bleus unbeaten run to 22 games.

A cagey opening period saw both sides begin cautiously, and it was 11 minutes before anyone got a shot on goal with Nasri’s low shot flying just wide of Manchester City team-mate Hart’s post.

Yet England seemed far from cowed by the occasion, and should have taken the lead four minutes later after Ashley Young slipped in James Milner with a lovely through pass that caught France square.

The Manchester City midfielder rounded Hugo Lloris with his first touch but then failed to find the net from a tight angle.

Moments later Yohan Cabaye tested Hart from long range, the City keeper diving to his left to stop his low strike.

Meanwhile Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, a surprise starter on the left side of midfield ahead of Stewart Downing, enjoyed a confident start, dispossessing Adil Rami early on and producing one memorable jinking run.

England’s bright opening yielded its reward on 30 minutes with the breakthrough coming from a set-piece.

Captain Steven Gerrard swung in a pinpoint free-kick from the right flank and Lescott took advantage of acres of space afforded him by Alou Diarra to head past Lloris from close range.

Yet the England goal was the cue for a period of dominance from France which lasted until the half-time whistle.

Diarra almost made immediate amends with a header of his own, Hart parrying high after the defensive midfielder met Nasri’s pinpoint freekick.

In the ensuing scramble Franck Ribery headed back across goal but Diarra’s second effort went wide.

A French equaliser seemed on though and it arrived through Nasri six minutes from half-time, the forward taking advantage of an English side standing too deep to squeeze a ferocious shot just inside Hart’s post.

England seemed content to slow the pace of the game in the second half, and passed confident without ever threatening France.

Gradually however France’s superior technique began to tell, and England spent long periods of the closing minutes on the back foot.

Real Madrid Karim Benzema, well shackled by Scott Parker for much of the match, forced a fine low save from Hart on 65 minutes.

Benzema, who had drawn a booking for Ashley Young on 71 minutes then went close again, curling a shot goalwards which Gerrard headed behind for a corner.

But though England seemed to be tiring rapidly in the final stages, France were unable to find the winner as the match wound down, with Benzema’s late strike parried by Joe Hart.

England will face Sweden in Kiev on Friday in their second game while France face Sweden in Donetsk.

Cricket; ICC fine Ramdin over Richards protest

BIRMINGHAM: West Indies wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin has been fined 20 percent of his match fee for celebrating his hundred in the third Test against England here at Edgbaston with a protest against Caribbean cricket great Vivian Richards.

Upon reaching the landmark on Sunday’s fourth day, Ramdin held up a piece of paper with the words: ‘YEA VIV, TALK NAH’.

That was in response to comments from West Indies great Richards who, commentating on this series for BBC Radio, said Ramdin had “deteriorated in such a big way” and looked a “totally lost guy” after making just one and six during a nine-wicket defeat in the second Test at Trent Bridge, a result that gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead in this three-match series.

But at Edgbaston on Sunday, Ramdin made 107 not out and shared an extraordinary last-wicket stand of 143 with Tino Best, whose 95 was the highest innings by any No 11 batsman in a Test match.

Ramdin admitted he’d been “emotional” after play on Sunday as he sought to defuse any lingering tension with former West Indies captain Richards, one of cricket’s greatest batsmen.

But after the third Test was drawn — Monday’s final day became the third out of five to be washed out without a ball bowled — match referee Roshan Mahanama announced he’d taken disciplinary action under the International Cricket Council code of conduct after charges were laid by on-field field umpires Tony Hill and Kumar Dharmasena and third umpire Aleem Dar, as well as fourth official David Millns.

“It is important that we do not allow a precedent to be set with such a premeditated celebration by Mr Ramdin,” Mahanama said in an ICC statement.

“We all understand the importance of celebrating a milestone, however, one should not use that time as an opportunity to hit out at one’s critic or send messages to the world.

“Former Sri Lanka batsman Mahanama added: “I hope Mr Ramdin has learnt his lesson from this incident and that we will not see such behaviour by him or any player in the future when celebrating an achievement within a game of international cricket.”

West Indies captain Darren Sammy, responding to Mahanama’s move, said:“Denesh and I spoke and he said in the media yesterday (Sunday) that his emotions got the better of him.

“We as a West Indian team have a lot of respect for our past players, especially somebody so great as Sir Viv. I know Ramdin will probably have a word with him, no love lost, and we can continue respecting our great past players.”

Sammy said this wasn’t the first time Ramdin had carried a message with him.

“His first (Test) hundred, a couple of years ago against England, he had a note so probably he should bat with more notes in his pocket.”

But Richards didn’t see any funny side to Trinidad keeper Ramdin’s actions, telling the BBC’s Test Match Special on Sunday: “It’s like in a football match … if you are losing 5-0 and you score a goal in the 90th minute, you shouldn’t be running around jumping for joy.

“I wouldn’t be happy with that. I set my standards a bit higher.”

Cricket; Rain delays final day of England-Windies Test

BIRMINGHAM: Rain delayed the scheduled 11am local time (1000GMT) start in the final day’s play in the third Test between England and the West Indies at Edgbaston here on Monday.

England were 221 for five in reply to West Indies’ first innings 426, a deficit of 205 runs and needing a further 56 to avoid the follow-on, in a match where the first two days had been washed out completely.

Ian Bell was 76 not out and nightwatchman Steven Finn nought not out.

West Indies’ total owed much to Tino Best’s whirlwind 95, the highest score ever by a Test match No 11 batsman.

Best, in his first Test in nearly three years, faced just 112 balls with a six and 14 fours on Sunday’s fourth day.

Together with wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin, who made 107 not out, Best shared a partnership of 143 – the third highest 10th wicket stand in Test history and a West Indies record.

And, before Sunday’s close, fast bowler Best removed both England captain Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Bairstow.

England lead this three-match series 2-0.

Football; Cautious France wary of England in Group D

KRAKOW: France have a long unbeaten record to protect as they seek to confirm their renaissance under coach Laurent Blanc by winning Group D to sweep into the quarter-finals at Euro 2012.     

But Blanc knows they face a familiar obstacle in old foes England, however their opponents may have been recast by new manager Roy Hodgson, and has wisely been cautious ahead of their group-opening clash in Donetsk on Monday.

It is a fixture to remind him it is much too early for the cockerels to crow before his team face England and unpredictable co-hosts Ukraine plus durable Sweden in a tricky group.

Bitter memories of France’s discordant early exit from the 2010 World Cup finals, as well as happier times, may serve him well if reminders about unity and concentration are required.

Inspired by Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane respectively, France won the Euros at home in 1984 and in neighbouring Belgium and Netherlands in 2000 – triumphs that leave them trailing only three-time winners Germany in the tournament’s history.

This week, they completed their preparations with a 4-0 warm-up victory over Estonia to stretch their unbeaten run under 1998 World Cup winner Blanc to 21 games, including 15 wins.

But Blanc, who had a brief spell in the Manchester United defence in the twilight of his own distinguished playing career, knows and understands English football.

“They are not at full strength, but what concerns me is that England will play in a certain style,” he said. “We are going to have to be extremely strong physically. That is going to be a difficult match.”

OLD ENEMIES

Strong in defence and blessed with gifted forwards in Franck Ribery and Samir Nasri, and a fine striker in Karim Benzema, France should be favourites, particularly as England are depleted by injuries and Wayne Rooney’s suspension.

Blanc recognises, however, that nothing can be taken for granted in clashes between such old enemies.

“England will give everything because, when there are French against English, it raises the game above the normal international match,” he said. “But we don’t fear them more than any other team.”

Despite being without striker Rooney for their first two games, as well as injured defender Gary Cahill and midfielders Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry, England are determined to progress and justify their FIFA ranking as the fourth best team in Europe and sixth in the world.

England’s best showing at the European Championship was as losing semi-finalists at home in 1996. After two wins in warm-ups under Hodgson, they enter the tournament with confidence.

“We know we can get a result against France and it is a great opening fixture for us,” said winger Stewart Downing. “We are not afraid of anybody.”

Ukraine are coached by former Soviet Union winger Oleg Blokhin who guided them to the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals in his previous spell in charge.

Having lost 2-0 in their final warm-up game against Turkey on Tuesday, after a stomach bug swept through their squad, they are expected to struggle in their opener against Sweden despite home advantage in Kiev.

“I used to be an unpredictable player and I’m an equally unpredictable coach,” said Blokhin, declining to reveal if he will rely on captain Andriy Shevchenko to inspire both team and crowd. The striker’s young Dynamo Kiev club mate Andriy Yarmolenko is a more likely threat.

Sweden, under low-key coach Erik Hamren, will similarly hope for inspiration from moody striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a player capable of dazzling moments but often simply frustrating, to add penetration to a solid team built to protect an ageing defence.

Cricket; Ramdin tries to make peace with Viv Richards

BIRMINGHAM: West Indies wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin tried to play down his angry gesture towards former captain Viv Richards after scoring a century in the third test against England on Sunday.    

“Sir Viv had said something in the press and I think I got a bit emotional and it came out the way it did,” Ramdin told reporters as he read from a brief statement.

“Having said that, he’s a legend of the Caribbean and I still look up to him.

“If I see him anywhere, I’ll still call him out and have a drink with him. His statement was a bit hurtful to me, I worked hard and I proved the critics wrong.”

Ramdin revealed that he wrote his message on Saturday morning before he went out to bat as a source of motivation.

Ramdin scored 107 not out in an astonishing 10th-wicket partnership of 143 with Tino Best and on reaching three figures he unfurled a handwritten note from his pocket.

He held it aloft towards the commentary box where Richards, one of the Wisden almanac’s five cricketers of the 20th century, was working for BBC Radio.

The note read: ‘Yeah Viv Talk Nah’ as if to suggest that Richards can no longer criticise him after his latest effort.

Ramdin, recalled for this series, has now made two centuries in 45 tests and averages 23.84.

Richards criticised the West Indies batting after a poor performance in the second test at Trent Bridge, in which England went 2-0 up in the three-match series. He was quoted as saying that Ramdin had “deteriorated in such a big way and looked like a totally lost guy”.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Richards, responding instantly on Sunday.

“If you are good enough, the chances certainly are you are going to get it done. Let’s not forget it’s in a losing cause. Scoring a hundred when you are the team winning, that’s excellent stuff. He should be quite happy, and humble in himself.

“(But) if you are losing 5-0 in a football match and you score a goal in the 90th minute, you shouldn’t be running around jumping for joy. I wouldn’t be happy with that. I set my standards a bit higher. I’m glad he got the motivation to get himself going.”

Ramdin’s actions were also criticised by former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding.

“Why should a sportsman be trying to demonstrate out on a field, hitting back at some critic?,” Holding said in his commentary on Sky Sports. If you have made a hundred runs you have done what you are being paid to do.

“If I was the manager of the team I would be having a word with that player and he would be getting a fine. I am not saying this because he (Richards) was my former captain – that is simply unbecoming behaviour from a player.”