beauty of nature

India recovers from early scare to beat England

An unbeaten 98 from Saurabh Tiwary made sure that India’s final preparation for the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup passed without hiccup on Wednesday as the youngsters saw off their English counterparts at the Royal Military College, Kuala Lumpur, by six wickets.

But it was far from straightforward for the side being coached by Dav Whatmore. Chasing England’s total of 219-8, India lost its first three wickets for just seven runs as pacers Steven Finn and James Harris made early inroads.

But then a 134-run partnership between Saurabh and Tanmay Srivastava calmed India’s nerves and ensured a relatively trouble-free run-chase from then on. Saurabh’s 98 not out came off 115 balls and included 11 fours and three sixes.

Earlier, England’s Dan Redfern and Ben Brown shared a 113-run partnership for the sixth wicket after a shaky start had reduced the 1998 champion to 95-5. But captain Virat Kohli (2-40) and all-rounder Tanmay (2-36) made sure England’s total never got too high.

Meanwhile, defending champions Pakistan made up for their first warm-up defeat to England with a five-wicket defeat of Bangladesh at Club Aman.

Ahmed Shahzad (79 not out) anchored the innings as Pakistan successfully chased Bangladesh’s total of 203 all out. Shahzad shared an impressive opening partnership of 89 with Umer Akmal – younger brother of Pakistan senior wicketkeeper Kamran – and in reality, the chase was never in doubt as Iman Wasim’s team was always ahead of the rate.

Elsewhere, Host Malaysia put in a good all-round team effort to beat East Asia-Pacific qualifier Papua New Guinea by 59 runs at Kilat Cricket Club.

Muhammad Faizal scored 63, including five fours and two sixes, as Malaysia reached 201-7 after its 50 overs. Faizal was assisted along the way by Mohamad Norwira, who made a crucial 40 to set up what was no more than a par score.

Led by Willie Gavera, who took 2-21 off 10 overs, PNG’s bowlers impressed with their ability to restrict the opposition batsmen.

But Malaysia’s attack showed more penetration and snaffled important wickets at key times. Muhamad Nik Azril took 3-17 off 10 overs while Mohammad Kasman (2-18) and Sarvana Raj (2-20) also did their bit.

Only Jason Kila dug in for PNG as he made 38 before edging one from Raj to the wicketkeeper Mohammad Shafiq.

In the last warm-up game of the day at Selangor Turf Club, a fine knock of 98 from George Worker and then a six-wicket haul from Nick Beard made sure of a comfortable victory for New Zealand over Ireland.

Only an aggressive knock of 72 off 50 balls from Ireland’s Paul Stirling caused the junior Black Caps any trouble as the Irish crumbled to 133 all out, chasing New Zealand’s mammoth total of 314-9. By way of consolation for Stirling, he got the news today that he had been called up to the senior Ireland squad for its upcoming ODI series in Bangladesh, which starts after the conclusion of the U/19 CWC.

Pattana to host international

Asian Tour Senior Vice President Gerry Norquist announced today that the highly rated Pattana course, which was one of the venues used for the Qualifying School in 2006, has been selected for the full-field US$300,000 Asian Tour event.

The tournament will also showcase 15 stars from the Japan Golf Tour through sponsor’s invitations, said Norquist.

The new tournament will serve as another opportunity for Asian Tour stalwarts to make their mark in the new 2008 season, which is poised to surpass 30 events with over US$38 million in total prize money.

“We are delighted to welcome Pattana Golf and Sports Resort as the host venue for the inaugural Asian Tour International,” said Norquist.

“Pattana boasts of some wonderful facilities and its championship course will provide a great challenge to the players. The golf club successfully staged our Qualifying School previously and the players will be eager to return to the venue for the Asian Tour International.”

The Asian Tour International will be the focal point for golf in Chonburi, which is located near the resort city of Pattaya, with many of Thailand’s top stars tipped to lead the local brigade in search for glory.

During the week, the players will enjoy top-class facilities that include a gymnasium, clubhouse, massage room, sauna, spa and a variety of restaurants.

Pattana Golf and Sports Resort Vice President Thawee Jarungsathitphong said: “We are looking forward to the inaugural Asian Tour International. It is an honour that we have been selected ahead of many other fine golf clubs for this new tournament and we will endeavour to prepare our championship course to its best.

“Golf in Thailand has enjoyed many great achievements over the last few years through the successes of players like Thongchai Jaidee, Prayad Marsksaeng, Thaworn Wiratchant, Chapchai Nirat and Chinnarat Phadungsil and we hope to see another local Thai winner emerging at Pattana Golf and Sports Resort in March.”

ajith

McNamee testify at hearing

Clemens vehemently denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs, a claim initially made by McNamee in the Mitchell Report, but McNamee, the star pitcher's former trainer, maintained that he injected Clemens numerous times with steroids and human growth hormone.One of the two men essentially lied under oath to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which could refer the matter as a criminal case to the US Justice Department."Somebody's not telling the truth today," said Representative Mark Souder. "It's better not to talk about the past than to lie about the past."McNamee revealed in the Mitchell Report that he injected Clemens with steroids and HGH at least 16 times between 1998 and 2001.Sporting a navy suit and red tie, Clemens continued to refute his former employee's allegations."I have never taken steroids or HGH," Clemens said. "No matter what we discuss here today, I am never going to have my name restored."With his reputation - and perhaps his personal freedom - at stake, Clemens stuttered during the early portions of the hearing, when he was questioned about sworn testimony provided by Andy Pettitte.Clemens' former teammate and training partner, Pettitte said in an affidavit that the seven-time Cy Young Award winner admitted to using HGH in a conversation which occurred 10 years ago.Rather than attacking Pettitte's testimony, Clemens danced around the issue, constantly saying that the New York Yankees lefthander "misremembered" the context of their conversation."Andy Pettitte is my friend," Clemens said. "He was my friend before this. He will be my friend after this. I think Andy has misheard - I think he misremembers our conversation."Clemens received mixed messages from the committee, some of whom offered backhanded words of praise. When Clemens said he was a forgiving person, Washington DC Democrat Eleanor Holmes Norton said, "Mr Clemens, I'm sure you're going to heaven."But Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat, offered damaging commentary in the afternoon session of the hearing."It's hard to believe you, sir," Cummings said. "I hate to say that. You're one of my heroes. But it's hard to believe you."With his wife and attorneys seated behind him, Clemens was situated only one seat apart from McNamee in the same room which held the March 2005 hearing involving Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and Jose Canseco.Wearing a grey suit and thin-framed glasses, McNamee claimed in his opening statement that he injected the star pitcher with performance-enhancing drugs more times than he originally claimed in the Mitchell Report."What I did was wrong," McNamee said. "I want to apologise to the committee and the American public for my conduct. I have helped taint the national pastime. I hope my testimony today helps me become part of the solution."

beauty

Korean teenager eyes LPGA titl

The 19-year-old, already the most dominant player ever seen on the Korean circuit, began the SBS Open at Turtle Bay with a simple statement, that, if all the predictions in her home country are correct, could signal the start of a legendary international career."I think I am ready to win on the LPGA," said the diminutive girl who has smashed almost every KLPGA record in just two seasons, having won 10 of the 19 events she entered in 2007.What should make her words even more chilling to the world of women's golf is that her statement is no arrogant, trash-talking boast. It's based on some simple facts."I was sixth at the US Open last year and third at the Evian Masters. I only need to improve a little to win," she said."Last year playing abroad was unfamiliar. I was still nervous being in international tournaments. I'm still a little nervous, but I'm still nervous when I play in Korea, it's just people think I'm not because I keep winning. I've played enough tournaments now and I'm ready to win."Shin will only have limited opportunities to make her prophecy come true. After this event she plans a three-day holiday here – "beaches and shopping" – before heading directly to Singapore to begin preparing early for the HSBC Women's Champions. While she's playing under a sponsor invite at the SBS Open, she earned her place in the Champions field through her runway win on the KLPGA Order of Merit. But she says she'll only play another five or six international events this year, with her focus being what she plans to be her final year on the KLPGA.

Barca already eyeing Euro final

The Spanish giants face a first-leg match against Gordon Strachan's side at Parkhead next Wednesday, before the return match takes place at the Nou Camp on March 4.

Confident Xavi has set his sights on Barcelona being crowned champions of Europe, which would compensate if they are pipped to the Primera Liga title by current leaders Real Madrid.

The playmaker insists the Nou Camp giants are determined to go all the way to the May 21 final in Moscow.

"We know that it is difficult for us in the league. There is a big gap of eight points, but we will not throw in the towel," Xavi told Barca TV.

"As for the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, we expect to reach the finals."

Xavi also warned that 17-year-old Bojan Krkic, who is likely be involved against Celtic, should not be labelled a world-beater yet.

The young forward has featured in five of Barca's six Champions League games so far, and will be seeking his first goal in the competition next week against the Hoops.

But Xavi stressed: "Everyone has said that he can make history. We should be very careful and remember that he is still young.

Barton and Bowyer in the clear

West Ham midfielder Bowyer was dismissed on Saturday by referee Mark Clattenburg for an alleged two-footed tackle on Biringham captain Damien Johnson in the Barclays Premier League clash at Upton Park.Barton, meanwhile, was involved in an incident with Shaun Maloney during Newcastle's 4-1 defeat at Aston Villa on the same day, when television pictures appeared to show him lashing out at the Villa forward.But neither will face a suspension or any kind of sanction after the FA decided that no punishments were necessary in both cases.The FA have upheld West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer's appeal against the the decision of referee Mark Clattenburg to send him off in Saturday's Barclays Premier League match against Birmingham and the player's three-match suspension is withdrawn.Hammers manager Alan Curbishley revealed straight after the 1-1 draw with Blues that he had asked Clattenburg to reconsider his decision on the tackle, two minutes from the end of the match at Upton Park.The London club lodged an official appeal before yesterday's noon deadline and the case was heard by the FA at Soho Square this lunchtime.Officials sided with West Ham and have overturned Bowyer's dismissal for 'serious foul play', meaning an automatic three-match ban will no longer apply.Barton has also escaped punishment after TV replays of his tussle with Maloney were deemed "inconclusive".Referee Lee Mason did not see the incident at the time but after reviewing footage of the first-half clash he could not say whether it would have warranted a red card.he issue has, therefore, been dropped by the FA, meaning Barton is free to continue playing for the struggling Magpies.

nature

working hard

Massa remains upbeat

The Brazilian, who has spent the past two days testing at the Sakhir circuit, had his running cut short when his engine failed while conducting a race simulation.

However, the problem was not Massa's first of the week as he also suffered a hydraulic problem 24 hours earlier.

Nevertheless, despite his two breakdowns, Massa remains confident that any reliability issues the new F2008 might have will be resolved before the season begins in Australia next month.

"It was a positive day, even though I didn't complete the race simulation because of an engine problem," he told the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper.

"It's been taken off the chassis to investigate.

"The feeling is that it's not a serious failure, and that it's possible to solve it before the Australian GP.

"We would all have preferred to finish the grand prix , but it's better for the problems to come up now and not in the first GP, as in 2007 and at my disadvantage."

Less than five weeks away from the start of the new season, the Ferrari driver reckons the new F2008 will be one of, if not the, car to beat in Melbourne.

"I like the car: it's not yet the definitive one for the first GP, but the performance and the reliability are excellent,"

Harrison plans top play in 2008

peculation has been rife that Harrison, one of several veterans on the Patriots' defence, would retire this off-season following the team's stunning loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.ut Harrison, 35, is leaning towards returning for the final season of his current contract, according to a Monday report in the Boston Herald.Right now, at this point, I feel like I'm going to honour the last year of my contract," the four-time All-Pro safety told the Herald."Everyone's asking me about retirement. I don't know what to say about it. I haven't said anything publicly about wanting to retire or anything like that."I'm very hungry to get back to working out and be a part of this team, and try to win another championship."It might have been a different story had the Patriots completed an unbeaten 19-0 season.But the 17-14 loss to the Giants evidently left Harrison with unfinished business."It's not a good feeling," he said. "So I'm going to take some time off to let my body rest, then I'll be back in the gym in two or three weeks. I'll be back, rejuvenated and ready to go."Harrison will be heading in to his 15th season in 2008. He had 68 tackles, two sacks, and one interception in 2007.

Stevens' belief not shaken by Italian slog

For the second successive Six Nations game, England appeared hell-bent on clutching defeat from the jaws of victory.Their second-half implosion against Wales nine days ago when they blew a 13-point lead and lost 26-19 was almost mirrored by events at Stadio Flaminio.This time, a 20-6 interval advantage virtually disappeared against a country who had never beaten England in 13 previous attempts.Stevens and company held on to triumph 23-19, but as in the Wales encounter, England only scored three second-half points.Next up are Six Nations favourites France in Paris, whose victories over Scotland and Ireland were delivered with a ruthless streak so lacking from England's armoury at the moment.But Bath prop Stevens said: "I believe we can still win this Six Nations."If we go to Paris and Edinburgh and win there as well, we then finish at home against Ireland, and it could still turn out to be a championship where nobody gets a Grand Slam."We are a new team, and a team forced to make a lot of changes through injury. Winning in Rome is no longer anything like a gimme.ond half could hav been better. But we've won away from home and we can build on this."Head coach Brian Ashton has 12 days to formulate battle-plans for Stade de France, scene of England's World Cup semi-final victory over the tournament hosts last autumn.France, rejuvenated under new coach Marc Lievremont, will be thirsting for revenge, while England have only beaten Les Bleus once in Six Nations history on their own turf, a 15-9 triumph eight years ago.Ashton's first task must be to filter through the caogue of injuries and illness that affected his selection options for Rome.Centre Mike Tindall and flanker Tom Rees are certain to miss England's remaining Six Nations fixtures, while wing David Strettle has little chance of being involved as he recovers from a second serious foot injury this season.