New Delhi, Aug 17: Veteran Indian batsman VVS Laxman is contemplating retirement by the end of the India-New Zealand two-match Test series, according to reports.

Laxman, who made his Test debut in 1996 against South Africa, is hurt by reports suggesting that by continuing to play for India he is blocking the chances of youngsters.

As per reports, the 37-year-old was not even keen on playing the two Tests against New Zealand but then he seemed to have agreed to play in the two matches and then bid adieu on the advice of his well-wishers.

The stylish right-hander is expected to make a formal announcement either tomorrow or the day after. Agencies

BANGALORE, Aug 17: He does not quite know how it can be worked out but former India captain Rahul Dravid wants an arrangement in which the world’s best cricketers can play in the Indian Premier League without compromising on representing their country in the Test arena.

“I’m not sure what the solution to it is exactly but I would love to be in a situation where the best players can play the IPL as well as represent their country in Test cricket,” Dravid, who led Rajasthan Royals in the previous IPL, said.

“People like Chris Gayle and Kevin Pietersen are fantastic for Test cricket as they are for IPL and T20 cricket. And they have a short window in which to show us their talent,” he added.

“At the end of the day this is the game for the fans. The best players should represent their country — it is not only about the people who come to the ground. It is also for the young boys and girls who passionately follow their country in Test cricket. It is hard and disappointing when the best players don’t turn up to play for their country.”

Dravid insisted that there is need for a compromise formula.

“The reality is the IPL is an important tournament and people do want to play it,” Dravid was quoted as saying on BBC’s Test Match Special at Lord’s during the third Test between England and South Africa.

“And we are probably coming to a stage where maybe a time will come (when) there will need to be give-and-take — whether it is finding a window, or, whether making the tournament a little shorter,” he added.

Asked if the IPL, which lasts for close to two months, was responsible for Kevin Pietersen falling out with the ECB and losing support from his teammates, which led to him missing the Lord’s Test, Dravid said he was not sure whether the mega-event was responsible for the situation.

Dravid, however, said that a solution was necessary as the IPL would continue to clash with the start of the England cricketing summer and the longest version of the game could not afford to lose big names like Pietersen and Chris Gayle.

“There are some positives with the IPL and you have to understand that if the top players in the world want to play it and people want to watch then there is got to be some thing good about it is as well,” Dravid, who is in London to attend the MCC cricket committee meetings, said.

“It does effect the England season particularly, and, especially since traditionally the English season has been the same for many, many years. So it is challenging that a little bit. In time we are getting to that stage where all of us want the best players playing (Test cricket).

“We all want Chris Gayle playing for West Indies whenever West Indies play a Test match. None of us want to see a situation today where a great player like Kevin misses out today for whatever reasons and I don’t want to get into that. But it is disappointing. The game is a loser when the top players don’t play Test cricket,” he added.

Pietersen had stirred a controversy in April this year when he said England were jealous of the IPL and then a month later, he retired from limited-overs cricket, saying he wanted to focus only on Tests.

But the ECB central contracts state that any player who makes himself unavailable for either format of limited-overs cricket is automatically ruled out of selection for both ODIs and T20s. Agencies

New Delhi, Aug 17: India’s Olympic medal winners, along with several other members of the contingent that participated in the London Games, met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi at the PM’s residence on Friday.

Silver medallists - shooter Vijay Kumar and wrestler Sushil Kumar - and the bronze-medallists - woman boxer M C Mary Kom, shuttler Saina Nehwal, shooter Gagan Narang and wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt - were hosted by Singh at his residence at the 7, Race Course Road here.

Also present at the ceremony were Indian Olympic Association’s Acting-President V K Malhotra, Secretary General Randhir Singh and Singh’s wife, Gursharan Kaur and other IOA officials.

The medallists posed for pictures with Singh and Sonia. The PM also mingled with the other members of the Indian contingent including the archers, some shooters, boxers and rowers who returned from the British capital after participating in the July 27 to August 12 Games.

The athletes were joined by their coaches and other support staff as well at the ceremony.

Members of the Indian contingent also met BJP leader L K Advani at his residence. Agencies

New Delhi, Aug 17: Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Friday presented a cash reward of Rs 30 lakh to Vijay Kumar, who won a silver medal in the 25-metre rapid fire pistol event at the London Olympics.

The minister, at a brief ceremony, congratulated Vijay Kumar who was Thursday promoted to the rank of Subedar Major in the Indian army.

The minister also lauded the armed forces for having scouted and nurtured talent in various sporting disciplines, and for providing coaching using state-of-the-art infrastructure.

The ceremony was attended by Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne and several other senior officers of the armed forces and the defence ministry.  (IANS)

Mumbai, Aug 17: Yuvraj Singh, who will make a comeback for India in next month's World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, revealed he had doubts whether he would play international cricket again after being diagnosed with cancer.

"It feels good to be back. It has been a tough two months of training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore. I never thought I would get a chance again (to play international cricket)," Yuvraj said during the unveiling of India's new T20 attire at a five-star hotel in Mumbai yesterday.

The southpaw underwent chemotherapy in the United States before returning to India in April. Yuvraj last played international cricket in November 2011 during the Test series against West Indies at home. He was one of the architects of India's maiden World T20 victory in 2007 and Player of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup.

Yuvraj vowed to go all out in his comeback game against minnows Afghanistan in the World Twenty20 opener on September 19.

"I am a bit nervous. I don't know how I will do on that day. I want to go all out in my first game," he said.

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who will be gunning for his second World T20 crown as captain, said Yuvraj's comeback was important for the team and also for the dressing room. "Yuvi is an important character. Without him, the dressing room is quite boring. Virat (Kohli) was doing his bit, but it is good to have him again. They (Yuvraj and Kohli) may be so-called raggers, but it helps youngsters get comfortable faster in the team," said Dhoni.

Dhoni also said that the one-and-a-half-month break has rejuvenated players. "The break was really nice. We are ready for the new season, both mentally and physically. There's a lot of cricket, but it is important to focus on what we will be doing every 15 days," he said.

Meanwhile, dashing opener Virender Sehwag was effusive in praise of the new jersey that has the Indian flag close to the cricketers' heart. "I am very happy that the national flag is close to our hearts. It will make us more patriotic," said Sehwag. Agencies

New Delhi, Aug 17: India’s Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal on Friday said her medal at the London Games would motivate her to attain greater heights in badminton.

At a ceremony organised here by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Samsung India to felicitate the 2012 Olympic medallists, she said she wanted to bring more laurels to the country and do one better in Rio four years from now.

“This medal will provide me with the motivation to do bigger things. When I play in the next Olympics I don’t have the pressure of not winning a medal and that would lessen the burden,” Saina said.

“I hope I stay fit and bring more glory to my country. I have a few tournaments coming up, I will concentrate on doing well there first.”

Saina said she had still to overcome the Chinese barrier and the challenges would be much tougher in the days to come.

“In London I beat one Chinese and lost to one. There were only four Chinese in the Olympics while in the super series and other tournaments there would be close to 10 of them, so there are tougher days ahead.”

Also present at the ceremony, bronze medallist shooter Gagan Narang said his aim was also to carry on till the next Olympics and bring home a medal of a different hue.

“I am extremely happy. I narrowly missed out on a medal in Beijing and I had my own demons to overcome. I have finally done that.

“But this is just the starting point for me. I am looking forward to Rio. Hopefully we can hear the national anthem the next time I am on the podium,” said a beaming Narang.

Other medallists Sushil Kumar (silver, wrestling), Vijay Kumar (silver, shooting), M.C. Mary Kom (bronze, boxing) and Yogeshwar Dutt (bronze, wrestling) also made an appearance. The two silver medallists were given a cash award of Rs.15 lakh each while the bronze winners were given Rs.10 lakh each. IANS

LAHORE, Aug 17: Controversial former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar threw his hat into the ring on Friday to become Pakistan’s next bowling coach.

Pakistan have been hunting for a bowling coach since appointing Australian Dav Whatmore as head coach in March, with former Essex pacer Ian Pont the leading contender.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) set up a three-man committee to find a suitable candidate but so far nothing has been finalised.

“I am ready to be the bowling coach for Pakistan,” Akhtar, 37, told reporters. “If the PCB contacts me then I will offer my services.”

The pacer, whose career was plagued by fitness and discipline problems, retired from cricket after the World Cup last year and has since been involved in business.

He took 178 wickets in 46 Tests and 247 in 163 one-day internationals.

“It’s an honour to serve the country and it can be done by helping the upcoming bowlers. It will give me a chance to pay back what the country has given me,” said Akhtar.

Pakistan face Australia in a limited-overs series in the United Arab Emirates from August 28, with three one-day internationals and three Twenty20s.

Akhtar said Pakistan will miss fast bowler Umar Gul, not selected for the ODIs.

“Both Gul and Brett Lee will be missed in the series,” said Akhtar. “But it will be a good series and bowlers will play a key role in the series.”

Lee, considered as quick as Akhtar, retired from international cricket last month. Agencies

Cincinnati, Aug 17: Sixth seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna moved into the men's doubles quarterfinal here at the Cincinnati Masters tennis after receiving a walkover.

Dutch Robin Haase and Juan Monaco of Argentina did not take the court giving the win to the Indian pair on Thursday.

They will next take on Poland's Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski, who are seeded third, for a place in the last four. The Polish pair also got a walkover in the second round when compatriot Lukasz Kubot and Serbian Janko Tipsarevic did not take court.

Earlier, fifth seeds Leander Paes and Czech partner Radek Stepanek lost their pre-quarterfinal match to the Croatian-Brazilian pairing of Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo 3-6, 6-4, 5-10.

Bhupathi and Paes were the defending champions. However, they decided not to play with each other. IANS

New Delhi, Aug 17: Winning an Olympic medal may remain an unfulfilled dream for Sania Mirza but the Indian tennis ace is not losing sleep over it and would continue to push her battle-hardened body to win one or two Grand Slam titles before ending her career.

A few things are certain to change in Sania's career, post Olympics as she will not be seen competing in the singles events on the WTA Tour from now on and doubles is all she will play.

Her Grand Slam winning mixed doubles combination with Mahesh Bhupathi is also under doubt since the two players have not spoken yet about continuing their partnership.

In a few days when the US Open begins in New York, we will get to know if Sania and Bhupathi will come together as team after their friendly relationship was hit by selection controversy ahead of Olympics.

Another motivation is to get back to top-10 in the ranking ladder and improve on her career-best rank of seven. Agencies

KOLKATA, Aug 17: The essence of being Mahendra Singh Dhoni is set to cross the boundaries of cricket as the India team captain on Friday became the first Indian cricketer to announce his own signature brand of international perfumes.

“The development of the new line builds on my own preferences for fragrances that remain fresh and have an international appeal,” Dhoni said in a statement.

“I am confident that the range will appeal to those who seek fragrances that are long-lasting and refreshing,” he added.

The Indian captain will be personally involved in the creation, formulation and development of the M S Dhoni line of fragrances, which caters exclusively to men.

The launch makes Dhoni the first-ever Indian cricketer to have his own line of fragrances and is expected to be introduced in India, the UAE and the rest of the world before the end of the year. Agencies

Canberra, Aug 17: Dipika Pallikal on Friday became the first Indian to enter the semifinals of a Gold Series event when she recorded a straight sets win over Amanda Sobhy in the Australian Squash Open, here. Dipika recorded a convincing 11-5, 11-7, 12-10 win over her American rival, who had earlier caused a major upset by beating world number three Jenny Duncalf.

“Yesterday, I started slow but today I paid special attention to warming up well before the match. I started well and in the first two sets I was 6-0 and 6-1 up against Amanda,” Dipika said.

She will now meet world number four Laura Massaro from England. Agencies

LONDON, Aug 17: Fast bowlers Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn reduced an England side without dropped star batsman Kevin Pietersen to 94 for four at tea on the second day of the third Test against South Africa at Lord’s on Friday.

That left England 215 runs adrift of the tourists first innings 309.

England, however, like South Africa, were staging something of a recovery from 54 for four — remarkably both sides lost their fourth wicket on the same score.

Ian Bell was 20 not out and Jonathan Bairstow 19 not out, with their stand now worth 40.

South Africa, 1-0 up in the three-match series, only have to avoid defeat at Lord’s to replace England as the world’s top-ranked Test side.

England axed Pietersen, despite his superb 149 in the drawn second Test at Headingley, because the South Africa-born shotmaker sent “provocative” text messages, believed to be critical of his team-mates, to Proteas players.

But without him, England saw Steyn take two wickets for one run in four balls and Morkel two for three in 11 in ideal sunny batting conditions.

Morkel struck first when, off the last ball before lunch, he bowled England captain Andrew Strauss, playing his 100th Test and 50th as skipper on his Middlesex home ground, between bat and pad with a well-directed delivery from around the wicket.

That meant Strauss would have to wait to see if he could join South Africa captain Graeme Smith in scoring a hundred in his 100th Test after the Proteas skipper achieved the feat in an innings victory in the series opener at The Oval.

Steyn then removed Jonathan Trott, lbw on review, and Alastair Cook, well caught by Jacques Kallis at second slip, for single figure scores.

James Taylor was then caught by first slip Smith off tall paceman Morkel, and Bairstow, recalled in place of Pietersen, walked out with England in a dire position.

Bairstow had managed just 38 runs in his first three Tests, all against the West Indies, earlier this season, before he was dropped after struggling against the short ball.

South Africa posted a short leg and Bairstow had an uncomfortable start, with his first boundary a streaky edge through the slips.

Earlier, Vernon Philander’s maiden Test fifty helped South Africa past the benchmark total of 300 after they started Friday on 262 for seven.

His 61, the joint top score of the innings along with that of JP Duminy, enabled South Africa to recover from the shock of seeing Middlesex fast bowler Steven Finn, who finished with four for 75, rip through their top order.

Philander, 46 not out overnight, shared several useful lower order partnerships as he completed a 75-ball fifty, including five fours, having surpassed Thursday his previous Test best of 29 against New Zealand at Wellington in March.

His more than three hours of resistance ended when he was last man out, stumped slogging at off-spinner Graeme Swann. Agencies

Moscow, Aug 17: Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o is doubtful for Anzhi Makhachkala’s next Russian football league game against Zenit St. Petersburg Saturday after coming down with a cold, Anzhi coach Guud Hiddink said on Friday.

Eto’o skipped an open training session held Friday at Anzhi’s training base outside Moscow.

“He has a cold and we’ve decided that it’s better for him to skip the training session,” Hiddink said. “Tomorrow we’ll see whether he is able to play against Zenit.”

Eto’o’s strike partner Lacina Traore, a summer signing from FC Kuban, is an injury doubt as he tries to recover from a thigh problem, Hiddink said.

Midfielder Odil Akhmedov trained separately from the team Friday, and is set to travel to Germany to see doctors about a leg injury. “On Sunday, Odil will go to Germany, where he will receive medical consultation from German professors,” Hiddink said. Anzhi is fifth in the Russian Premier League, while Zenit top the table after winning all of their first four games. IANS

Sydney, Aug 17: Australian pacer Brett Lee  has said he will be more than happy to mentor Jamaican sprint star Yohan Blake in the art of fast bowling if he joins him at the Sydney Sixers for the Big Bash Twenty20 competition.

Blake is hopeful of getting a start in the Australia's  Big Bash League with the Sydney Sixers, and would love to face Lee in the nets. Blake is the target of an audacious approach after revealing he would like to play cricket, while it can also be revealed that Lee attempted to lure Usain Bolt  before Shane Warne  made an approach to the world's fastest man, The Daily Telegraph reports.

"I'm happy to mentor Yohan in fast bowling, as long as he teaches me how to run 100 metres in 10 seconds," said Lee, the son of a sprinter. "He is one of the greatest sportsmen in the world and he'd bring colour and international exposure to the Big Bash League, it'd be fantastic," he said. Agencies

LONDON, Aug 17: The world cricket committee of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), who are English cricket's original law makers, has suggested that the first ever day/night Test match should be held in India , or in the Indian subcontinent, where attendance during Test matches is currently recorded as being on the lower side.

"The committee suggests that the first day/night Test Match should be played in a country where attendances are currently poor, at grounds and times when there is little dew, and at an accessible venue," The Nation quoted the MCC, as saying during its annual meeting.

Clearly, a day/night Test has to take place in a drier and warmer part of the year.

The MCC went on to say: "The committee believes that, if white clothing is considered a necessity for Test Matches, the pink ball, now much improved is the best option. The committee also believes that a Test Championship will provide a better context for interest in Test cricket."

Lahore, Aug 17: Pakistan's discarded wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider could be debarred from playing domestic cricket after his latest outburst against the national team stumper Kamran Akmal.

"The legal department in the board is having a look at Zulqarnain's message on his Facebook account and his subsequent comments in the media on Kamran Akmal," a source from the Pakistan Cricket Board said.

Zulqarnain Haider"In all likelihood, the board will be issuing a show cause notice to Haider through its disciplinary committee to explain his position even though he is not a contracted player with them," he said.

The source pointed out that when the board removed Haider's ban and allowed him to resume playing domestic cricket he was also put on a probation watchlist.

The PCB had also arranged for a sports psychologist to hold counselling sessions with Haider last month.

Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shahzad and Muhammad Aamir were the other players selected for the counselling sessions with Dr Maqbool Babri.

Haider in his latest outburst on Wednesday threatened to make startling revelations about corruption in the Pakistan team after claiming that Kamran was not cleared by the ICC for selection in the national team

The selectors recalled Kamran for the series against Australia  and the Twenty20 World Cup after seeking clearance from the board because of the suspicions surrounding his links to bookmakers.

Kamran made a comeback to the national team after last playing in the 2011 World Cup.

The interesting thing is that last year, when the disciplinary committee of the board fined and pardoned Haider they announced that he had no proof of any wrongdoing against any player or official of the PCB and had withdrawn all his allegations. Agencies

London, Aug 17: The English Premier League (EPL) kicks off its 2012-13 edition on Saturday and holders Manchester City start as the bookies favourite to retain their title.

EPL Chief Executive Richard Scudamore has no doubt that the Premier League will continue to capture people's imaginations around the world when the 21st season kicks off on Saturday.

"It will have its critics, but it will have more people following it, there'll be more debate in workplaces on Monday morning, and it'll be football again," he was quoted as saying by Daily Mail.

The Premier League had a thrilling title race last year, going down to the wire before Manchester City clinched it in the stoppage time of their last game against Queens Park Rangers after trailing 1-2. They needed a victory to stop Manchester United, who had already beaten Sunderland, from snatching the title to extend their record to 20 titles.

City are the 5-4 favourite, with William Hill and Ladbrokes, to retain its title, meaning a successful $4 bet will bring in $5 plus the original stake. Manchester United is the 9-4 second choice ahead of European champion Chelsea at 5-1.

The programme begins with seven games but the champions City start with a game against newly promoted Southampton Sunday, with United completing the opening round of games at Everton Monday.

The biggest news on the eve of the league is that Dutch striker Robin van Persie, the league's top scorer last season with 37 goals, has quit Arsenal to join United for a reported fee of 24 million pounds ($36.2 million).

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said he had to trade the 29-year-old because he only had a year remaining on his contract and he had refused to sign a new one.

Arsenal though have already made some key signings. They brought in German striker Lukas Podolski from Cologne and also last season's French league top scorer Olivier Giroud from Montpellier.

The Gunners, who are also expecting to lose midfielder Alex Song to Barcelona, have roped in Spanish international Santi Carzola.

Chelsea have also made changes to their squad. They would be without their prolific striker Didier Drogba, who left in the summer to join Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua. The London club though made some big buys.

Belgian Eden Hazard joined the Blues in a deal worth 32 million pounds. He will be joined by German Marko Marin and another promising Brazilian youngster Oscar dos Santos Emboaba.

In the last ten years, Manchester United won the title five times, Chelsea thrice, Arsenal once and Manchester City their first last year. Agencies

The last 10 winners of the English league:

2011-12 - Manchester City

2010-11 - Manchester United

2009-10 - Chelsea

2008-09 - Manchester United

2007-08 - Manchester United

2006-07 - Manchester United

2005-06 - Chelsea

2004-05 - Chelsea

2003-04 - Arsenal

2002-03 - Manchester United

CINCINNATI, Aug 17: Olympic champion Andy Murray was sent crashing out of the Cincinnati Masters on Thursday, going down to a shock 6-4, 6-4 defeat at the hands of French lucky loser Jeremy Chardy.

Murray, the defending champion at this US Open warm-up event, won just one match in Toronto last week before withdrawing with a knee injury but he looked impressive in his Cincinnati opener against Sam Querrey on Wednesday.

However, he was distinctly under-cooked against Chardy and his 16th unforced error of the second set sent the Frenchman into the last eight.

Murray became Chardy’s second seeded victim of the week after beating Andy Roddick, another two-time Cincinnati winner, in the first round.

Meanwhile, the recent exertions of winning Wimbledon and a pair of Olympic gold medals appeared to be catching up with Serena Williams as the fatigued second seed stumbled through into the quarterfinals.

Williams, 30, scratched her way to a 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Urszula Radwanska.

The Polish challenger, younger sister of top seed Agnieszka Radwanska, led twice in the opening set but was unable to overpower the American.

“I was tired out there,” confessed Williams, who has never won this hardcourt event.

Williams, who lost serve four times while breaking her opponent on six occasions, said she is not at 100 per cent.

“I was holding back a bit and struggling with some aches and pains like every athlete,” admitted Williams.

Top seed Agnieszka Radwanska beat American Sloane Stephens 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 while fourth seed, and former Wimbledon winner, Petra Kvitova advanced over China’s Peng Shuai, 6-2, 6-2.

German fifth seed Angelique Kerber beat Czech Andrea Hlavackova 6-4, 7-6 (7/5).

In the men’s event, 2009 US Open winner Juan Martin del Potro, who missed 2010 due to right wrist surgery, had troubles with his left wrist, requiring taping on his arm in the worst moments of his 7-6 (7/2), 2-6, 6-1 defeat of Serb Viktor Troicki.

American 10th seed Mardy Fish continued to perform well on his home cement courts, beating Czech Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-3 with seven aces and 23 winners in 90 minutes.

On the otherhand, four-time champion and top seed Roger Federer turned in another flawless performance to ease past Australian teenager Bernard Tomic, 6-2, 6-4, unleashing 27 winners at the Cincinnati Masters on Thursday.

“Overall I’m happy, but it’s hard to judge my game in these quick conditions,” said the Olympic silver medalist.

“I’m especially happy with my ball-striking, though my serve was a bit off. Overall it was a good performance, I’m playing as well as I want to right now.” AFP

MADRID, Aug 17: Rafael Nadal, who pulled out of the US Open due to injury, should be ready for the Davis Cup semifinal between Spain and the United States next month, the tennis ace’s coach and uncle said on Thursday.

The Spaniard withdrew on Wednesday from the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the season, which starts in New York on August 27, because of his continuing battle with knee tendinitis.

“It was the right decision. This pause will further prolong his career and, possibly, he will have no more problems in the future,” Toni Nadal said, adding the goal is to work for a “full recovery”.

Nadal, the world number three, won a record 7th French Open title in June but he crashed out in the second round at Wimbledon in a shock upset against Czech Lukas Rosol.

Shortly after the 26-year-old pulled out of the London Olympics because of the long-standing problem with his knees and subsequently withdrew from ATP Tour events in Toronto and Cincinnati.

But Toni Nadal said he was confident that his nephew would be ready to take part in the September 14-16 Davis Cup semifinal between Spain and the United States in the northern Spanish city of Gijon.

“There is a month to go and we hope that he will be fine, if not technically, at least physically,” he said.

“After Wimbledon we decided to rest a few days and then work on strengthening his quadriceps but it was difficult.”

“We eventually managed to boost a bit of his strength but at the end of the training sessions he continued to feel discomfort and his recovery was not enough to face such a hard competition as the US Open.”

“Now we are training normally, but it is not the same as competing four hours a day during a tournament,” the coach added. AFP

BARCELONA, Aug 17: One cyclist will be chasing an elusive victory, another starting the long road back from doping disgrace when the Spanish Vuelta starts on Saturday in Pamplona.

Christopher Froome is seeking to go one better after finishing second in the Tour de France behind Sky teammate Bradley Wiggins. He was also runner-up in last year’s Vuelta.

“This race is definitely a great opportunity for me,” Froome said. “I will do my part and I know the rest of the team is ready. I’d certainly love to win a Grand Tour after finishing second in the last two I’ve done.””

Froome’s main challenger is likely to be Alberto Contador, who will be competing in his first major race since serving a doping ban that cost him his third Tour title.

Contador, who won the Vuelta in 2008, completed the ban earlier this month after testing positive for the banned stimulant clenbuterol during the 2010 Tour. Having not raced for over a year, he then used the seven-day Eneco Tour in Belgium and the Netherlands to warm up for the Vuelta with his Team Saxo Bank.

Contador, who denies he doped, said he had been affected by the ban and was eager to compete again.

The 67th edition will be based in northern Spain and will take riders through 3,360 kilometers (2,050 miles) divided into 21 stages, including two rest days. The race ends on Sept. 9 in Madrid. This is the second straight year the Vuelta will pass through the Basque Country after a 33-year absence due to political unrest related to Basque separatist group ETA.

Riders will face 13 mountain stages, six of which have summit finishes, including three straight over stages 14-16. The penultimate stage finishes in a 7,380-foot (2,249-metre) climb at the Bola del Mundo outside the Spanish capital. The course has just one individual time trial, coming in the 11th stage. This will be Contador’s first competition in front of his home fans since the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected his claim that contaminated beef caused his positive test in 2010. He was subsequently stripped of his Tour title from that year, leaving him with two victories in cycling’s premier event. The 29-year-old rider remains a popular, if now questioned, sports figure in Spain. Agencies

TOWNSVILLE, Aug 17: The West Indies under 19 cricket team recovered quickly from an early slump against Zimbabwe to register their third straight win in the ICC Youth World Cup in Australia.

Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite scored a composed and responsible half century to lead a recovery and steer the young Caribbean side to a comfortable six wicket victory at Endeavour Park here on Thursday.

With the victory, the West Indies finished on top of Group C and will now face New Zealand in the second quarter-final on Monday.

Chasing 149 to win, Braithwaite batted to the end to be unbeaten on 70 as West Indies finished on 150 for the loss of four wickets in the 36th of the 50 overs allotted.

Earlier, the West Indies made a bright start as their bowlers restricted the Zimbabwe batsmen.

The leading wicket takers were Jerome Jones, Justin Greaves, and Kyle Mayers who all snared two scalps each.

However, Hosein finished with impressive figures of two wickets for 16 runs and three maiden from his 10 overs.

Hosein also captured the prized wicket of Malcolm Lake who hit a terrific 118 against India in his last match.

Lake’s innings against the West Indies ended on 31 runs after 45-balls when he offered Hosein a simple caught and bowled chance. IANS

LONDON, Aug 17: Jamaican sprint sensation Yohan Blake says he bowls faster than Olympic champion Usian Bolt and that there is a “real possibility” that he could debut his international cricket career in Australia this summer.

“I bowl around 85-90 mph, which is definitely quicker than Usain,” said Blake.

“He would probably get more bouncers than me because he is taller but I am definitely faster than him,” said Blake nicknamed “The Beast”.

Olympic silver medalist in the 100 and 200 metres, Blake is being considered for playing in the Twenty20 Big Bash League (BBL).

“I would like to see T20 as an Olympic sport and I would definitely want to play in that I could do that as well as run the 100m, 200m and the relay.”

Blake, who recently expressed his desire to play international cricket is being pursued by the Sydney Sixers.

Blake, who beat Bolt in both the 100m and 200m in his country’s Olympic trials in June, says he practices his batting on a regular basis.

“I love cricket, more than I love athletics,” said Blake, a guest of honour at Lord’s for the first day of England’s final test with South Africa and who rang the bell to start play.

“It is a possibility and definitely one I hope comes true,” he said during the tea interval.

Blake, who lists cricket as his first love after athletics, played a Twenty20 match for Kingston Cricket Club in the Jamaican league prior to the Olympics and claimed an astonishing 4 for 10.

Australian agent Tony Connelly is reported to be brokering the deal between Blake and the Big Bash after seeing the sprinter’s comments.

“Usain might run quicker but Yohan is a faster bowler,” Connelly said. “He always dreamed of playing cricket for the West Indies so the Big Bash is his chance to play with the world’s best.”

Blake and his manager are now working out if he will be free to play BBL games this summer amid his sprint commitments.

The Sixers are hoping to offer him their final overseas marquee contract which can be tailored to a deal for a specific number of matches.

“For one he is a great athlete, and yes he would be a marketer’s dream, but from all reports he can actually play cricket and that’s better than anything else,” Sixers chief executive Stuart Clark said.

“If he can do what he says he can do, and I have no reason to disbelieve him, Yohan would be a marquee player for me to sign. I would definitely be considering it.”

The approach to Blake is being revealed days after Olympic 100 and 200 metres gold medalist, Usain Bolt, revealed Shane Warne had asked him to play in the BBL. IANS

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug 17: Nine-time world MotoGP champ Valentino Rossi says he and Jorge Lorenzo can put their past differences aside and will have no problems coexisting as teammates with Yamaha.

“It will be interesting,” said Rossi, who is in Indianapolis to prepare for Sunday’s race at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The 33-year-old Italian rider revealed last week he would rejoin Yamaha at the end of the season after an unsuccessful spell at Italian manufacturer Ducati. The move to Yamaha will re-unite Rossi with Spain’s Lorenzo, who currently leads the MotoGP championships by 23 points after five wins in the first 10 races of the 18-race series.

“Now the situation has changed a lot compared to the past and compared to 2008 when Jorge arrived at Yamaha,” Rossi said.

“Now he’s the No. 1 on the team, and our relationship is good. I have respect for him, and he has respect for me. So I think we can stay together.”

Rossi said his break with Ducati was “a great pity for me and Ducati and all our fans, but especially for the guys that worked with me on this project.”

“We try to be competitive — an Italian rider with an Italian bike — but unfortunately it hasn’t happened,” Rossi said.

“These two seasons have been very difficult and we have struggled a lot. We were not able to improve our speed and our performance and to fight for the good positions.”

Lorenzo said he welcomed Rossi back into the fold, while also acknowledging that the two did not always see eye-to-eye.

“I think it’s interesting to see how we can handle Valentino and me on the same team and on the same bike,” Lorenzo said. “For me, it’s a great pleasure to be teammates with him again.”

The Spaniard said he had never been in favor of putting up a wall between them in the garage.

“I always say the wall is a stupid thing,” Lorenzo said. “It doesn’t make sense for anything. No wall is OK for me and I think for Vale this time.”

Rossi’s last victory was in October 2010 in Malaysia and he is currently eighth in the world championship classification.

Yamaha Motor Racing said Rossi had signed up to race for them for the 2013 and 2014 seasons, renewing an association that saw him finish in the top three for seven consecutive years — a period that included four titles. AFP

MANCHESTER, Aug 17: Robin van Persie became the latest big-name player to slip from Arsenal’s grasp when the Netherlands striker completed his move to Manchester United on a four-year deal on Friday.

Van Persie agreed personal terms and passed a medical examination to complete a transfer that is believed to have cost United about 24 million pounds ($38 million).

“I am looking forward to following in the footsteps of so many great strikers, bringing my experience and playing my part to help the team compete for the biggest trophies in the game,” Van Persie said. “I can’t wait to get started.” While Arsenal will be happy to have recouped such a big fee for a 29-year-old player who has had many injury problems in his eight years at the club, Van Persie’s departure nevertheless deprives manager Arsene Wenger of his captain and the league’s top scorer last season with 30 goals.

In fact, Van Persie becomes the fifth Arsenal captain to leave the club since 2004, after Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, William Gallas and, in the preseason of 2011, Cesc Fabregas. Van Persie’s future at Arsenal has looked bleak ever since he issued a statement on his personal website last month saying he disagreed with the direction the club was heading. The London team hasn’t won a trophy since 2005, when it beat United on penalties to capture the FA Cup.

Manchester City and Juventus initially showed interest in Van Persie, but Ferguson maintained his pursuit of the Dutchman, who could now make his debut against Everton in United’s Premier League opener at Goodison Park on Monday.

Van Persie will join an attacking unit at Old Trafford that already includes Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez. Dimitar Berbatov is also still at United, but is likely to leave to make way for Van Persie.

He is United’s third signing of the preseason, after Japan playmaker Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund and midfielder Nick Powell from English lower-league team Crewe Alexandra. Agencies

LONDON, Aug 17: Arsene Wenger has named Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen as Arsenal’s new captain following Robin van Persie’s move to Manchester United.

Vermaelen has already skippered Arsenal at various times over the last two seasons and, with previous captain van Persie on the verge of completing his switch to Old Trafford, the centre-back will now wear the armband on a permanent basis.

Wenger, speaking at a press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday’s Premier League opener against Sunderland, also confirmed that Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta will be Arsenal’s new vice-captain.

“The new captain is Vermaelen and the vice-captain is Arteta,” Wenger said.

“Vermaelen was the previous vice-captain, so it is a quick decision. I think we have many potential captains in the squad, but at the moment it will be like that.”

Vermaelen joined Arsenal in a £10 million ($15.7 million) transfer from Ajax in July 2009 and has made 67 Premier League appearances for the Gunners. AFP

LONDON, Aug 17: Arsene Wenger admitted on Friday that Cameroon midfielder Alex Song could be the next Arsenal star to leave the Emirates Stadium after Robin van Persie’s exit.

Asked if it was possible the 24-year-old could leave and if other players would arrive to replace Song and van Persie, Arsenal manager Wenger said: “Both can happen.

“This decision on Song is not made. No bid has been made. I cannot tell you more.”

Wenger was desperate to hang onto van Persie after the Dutch forward scored 37 goals in all competitions last season and he has admitted his sale was a “bitter pill” to swallow.

But the Frenchman is rather more relaxed about the prospect of losing Song, who emerged a key figure in the central midfield holding role last season.

Wenger believes he already has enough quality in midfield to cope without Song and, speaking at his press conference ahead of Saturday’s Premier League opener against Sunderland, he said: “Midfield is a different area because we have nine or 10 midfielders of top-class quality.

“Just today we have six or seven midfielders available, plus Jack Wilshere and Emmanuel Frimpong who are coming back.”

“Abou Diaby is available again, Mikel Arteta, Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain now plays central midfield — this is an area we have much more freedom to make decisions.”

While Wenger is frustrated to have lost van Persie just 12 months after Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri engineered moves to Barcelona and Manchester City, he knows he had no choice but to sell as the striker had only one year left on his contract.

It was unthinkable to lose the £24 million transfer fee that United have agreed to pay for van Persie, even if it meant strengthening one of Arsenal’s main rivals for silverware.

Wenger believes the recent additions of strikers Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski plus Spain midfielder Santi Cazorla should ensure the Gunners remain a force to be reckoned with. AFP

BUENOS AIRES, Aug 17: Soccer legend Diego Maradona’s son has reportedly signed with Argentine fourth division side Porvenir.

Diego Armando Sinagra joins the club from ASD Quarto, a regional club near Naples in southern Italy. Porvenir coach Luis Ventura said the 25-year-old would have to earn his place in the team.

“It’s obvious that the Maradona name is an attraction,” Ventura said.

“I want to see him because his last name is Maradona, I won’t deny it, but I don’t choose them by players’ names. I just select the team that I think is strongest and gives us the best chance of winning,” he said.

Diego Junior is understood to have little or no contact with his father. His mother is former model Cristiana Sinagra, whom Maradona met during his playing days with Napoli.

Diego Junior has little of the soccer talent of his father but was a member of Italy’s team at the 2008 beach volleyball World Cup in France.

“I love Argentine soccer and to play there is something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said. IANS

LONDON, Aug 17: Stoke manager Tony Pulis remains hopeful that former Manchester United striker Michael Owen will opt to move to the Britannia Stadium.

Owen is available on a free transfer after being released by United at the end of last season and Pulis has spent the last few months trying to persuade the former England, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Real Madrid star to join his team.

The 32-year-old’s wage demands have made it difficult for Stoke to do a deal and Pulis knows he would probably have to sell one of his current strikers to free up cash for Owen, yet he believes the move could still happen.

“Michael hasn’t gone anywhere and it’s still a possibility,” Pulis said on Friday. “There’s still stuff happening and going on. Whether we can do a deal or not is another matter.

“I’ve always said he’s a good player and someone I think people in the club would like to have around. He’s a great professional as well and Crouchy ( Peter Crouch) has shown what great professionals can do for the football club.”

Stoke have already signed three players — winger Michael Kightly, midfielder Jamie Ness and defender Geoff Cameron — during the close-season.

Pulis is willing to wait until late in the transfer window, which shuts on August 31, before ruling out a deal for Owen.

We’re still looking to do some business if we can, and we always tend to do our business at the back end of the transfer window,” he added. AFP

LONDON, Aug 17: Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez says he is in the best condition ever ahead of the new season and is ready to help Manchester City defend its Premier League title.

Tevez said on Friday that “for the first time in four or five years I have had a full month of preseason training” because of national team duties with Argentina and so “I am feeling in very good shape.”

City begins its season on Sunday against newly promoted Southampton. Brendan Rodgers’ first league match as Liverpool manager is at West Bromwich Albion, which plays its first league game under Steve Clarke, an assistant to Rodgers’ predecessor, Kenny Dalglish. Manchester United’s season starts on Monday at Everton. AP

LONDON, Aug 17: Angered over the transfer of Robin van Persie to Manchester United, Arsenal fans vented their fury on the striker’s wife.

Van Persie’s wife Bouchra, 28, was blitzed with abusive Twitter messages after the 24 million pound deal.

While some fans posted videos of them burning their van Persie shirts on YouTube, many directed their fury at Bouchra.

The mother-of-two was branded a gold-digger and threatened by sick supporters blaming her for the switch to their title rivals.

Three months ago Bouchra said she hoped the footballer would stay in London to avoid disrupting the children’s schooling.

But the abuse horrified many other Arsenal fans who tweeted support for Bouchra. Agencies

MADRID, Aug 17: The Spanish league season kicks-off this weekend with Barcelona star Lionel Messi insisting it is not just a battle between himself and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“With Cristiano I have absolutely no problem. All that is said about us is to do with the press who want us to have our own personal battle but I have never competed with him or fought him,” said the 25 year-old current holder of the FIFA Ballon d’Or. “I just try to do my job in the best way possible to win trophies for my national team and Barcelona”, he continued after scoring in Argentina’s 3-1 win over Germany on Wednesday night.

The two players were neck-and-neck in the goalscoring charts last season, with the Argentinian hitting 50 in the league compared to Ronaldo’s 46, with an incredible 73 in all competitions for Messi and 60 for the Madrid star.

Madrid finished the season nine points clear of a Barca side that still managed to lift 4 titles in what was to be Pep Guardiola’s last season of a hugely successful time for the Catalans. The two giants kick-off the new campaign on Sunday with home games against Valencia and Real Sociedad, with one eye on their two-legged Spanish Super Cup encounter over the next two weeks.

The first-leg is in the Camp Nou next Thursday before the return game in Madrid 6 days later. Barca begin a new era under Tito Vilanova, Pep Guardiola’s assistant for four seasons, with virtually the same squad as last term.

Spain left-back Jordi Alba is until now the only arrival from Valencia but more may follow. Carles Puyol is available for Sunday after a knee injury that kept him out of Euro 2012 and David Villa is almost back from the fractured tibia that saw him sit out most of last season, but he is not expected to be pushed into action immediately.

Madrid have also changed very little a team that brought to an end Guardiola’s three consecutive titles with a record 100 points and 121 goals.

Ronaldo will be backed once again by Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain to provide the firepower for Jose Mourinho’s team.

Valencia, however, ended last season third for the third successive year and will provide a severe test in Madrid’s opening defence of the title.

New coach Mauricio Pellegrino will be able to choose from four new signings, including Mexican Andres Guardado and former Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago.

Forward Roberto Soldado, the highest-scoring Spaniard with 17 goals last season, should shake off a niggling injury in time.

Also on Sunday, Europa League winners Atletico Madrid start their campaign at last season’s surprize package Levante, with a growing injury list ahead of next week’s UEFA Super Cup tie with Chelsea.  Belgian goalkeeper Thibaud Courtois returned with damaged ribs from international duty and is a doubt, while international full-back Juan Francisco Torres — “Juanfran” — twisted a knee in Spain’s game in Puerto Rico and is definitely out. AFP