Virat, Rohit upstage Rampaul; India go 2-0 up in Vizag


VISAKHAPATNAM, December 2, 2011 (AFP) - Virat Kohli smashed a robust 117 to power India to a five-wicket win over the West Indies in the second one-day international on Friday despite Ravi Rampaul's record tail-end knock.
Rampaul cracked 86 not out, the highest score by a number 10 batsman in one-dayers, to help the tourists post a challenging 269-9 in the day-night match in Visakhapatnam.
India were struggling at 84-3 before passing their opponents' total with 11 balls to spare for a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, with Kohli hitting 14 fours in a 123-ball knock for his eighth one-day hundred.

Kohli received valuable support from Rohit Sharma, who scored a solid 90 not out for a second successive half-century. The pair put on 163 for the fourth wicket to shape India's 11th successive one-day win at home.
The West Indies were in deep trouble at 63-5 after being put in to bat in overcast conditions, but Rampaul and opener Lendl Simmons (78) helped their team set a stiff target.
The previous highest score by a number 10 batsman in one-dayers was an unbeaten 73 by Pakistan's Mohammad Amir against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi in 2009.
Rampaul gave a superb display of power-hitting during his 66-ball innings, as he bludgeoned six sixes and as many fours and put on 99 with Kemar Roach (24 not out), the third-highest stand for the last wicket in one-dayers.
The West Indies were 149-8 in the 31st over before adding 120 runs for their last two wickets to frustrate India.
Rampaul, a left-handed batsman and right-arm paceman, and Roach returned to trouble India with the ball as they removed Gautam Gambhir and Parthiv Patel to reduce the hosts to 29-2 before rain stopped play for nearly 40 minutes.
Roach struck with his second delivery when he accounted for Patel, who was caught by skipper Darren Sammy at second slip, while Gambhir fell to a superb one-handed catch by Adrian Barath in the covers off Rampaul.
Skipper Virender Sehwag was dropped twice during his 35-ball 26 before being caught by Andre Russell at long-off off part-time spinner Marlon Samuels, but Kohli and Sharma ensured the victory with a big stand.
Indian pacemen Umesh Yadav grabbed three wickets and Vinay Kumar two to do the early damage.
Simmons steadied the innings with a 56-run stand for the sixth wicket with Kieron Pollard (35), who was adjudged caught by wicket-keeper Patel off the gloves after smashing spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for two successive sixes.
Simmons was the ninth man to be dismissed, run out while coming for a second run after hitting one six and eight fours in his 10th half-century in one-day internationals.

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India vs West Indies: Hosts look to continue dominance in ODIs







After thrashing the West Indies in the Test series, India would look to continue their domination over the Caribbean side when the two teams clash in the opening match of One-Day cricket series at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Tuesday. 

India are a dominant force in the 50-over format and the world champions would aim for no less than a 5-0 whitewash, which they had inflicted on a strong England side recently.

With Mahendra Singh Dhoni getting the much-needed rest ahead of the gruelling tour of Australia, Virender Sehwag will lead the side and he will be seen in action in this format for the first time since the memorable World Cup win on April 2.

Having missed out on the One-day series in England because of hearing problem, Sehwag returned in the just-concluded Test series with his sparkling form intact even as a big score eluded him.

The 33-year-old Delhi player has led the side in seven matches, winning four of them, though he is yet to get a half-century as a captain with 44 as his best score.

When Sehwag last captained India in place of Dhoni, the side had chased down Sri Lanka's 316 in Kolkata in 2009.

Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma will form the three pillars of the Indian middle order and with the trio in fine form, the hosts can be assured of a good show from them.

Raina, who turned 25 yesterday, is among runs having scored his personal best of unbeaten 204 against Punjab in a Ranji Trophy match recently.

The stylish southpaw who has centuries in all the three formats will look to make it count with an in-form Kohli. 

Fresh from his 175 against Railways and 100 vs Rajasthan in the recent Ranji Trophy matches, Rohit is also back in the one-day fold after missing out on England tour due to injury.

Following a double century and century in two matches, Bengal skipper Manoj Tiwary too retains the place alongside Ajinkya Rahane, even though the duo may not get a chance to figure in the XI till India seal the series.

In absence of Dhoni, Parthiv Patel will be the man in charge behind the stumps while the middle order will also miss another star player in Yuvraj Singh who is battling a non-malignant tumor in his lung.

But even without the star powers of Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj and Dhoni the Indian batting will remain India's main strength.

In fact, India have the prowess to bat as deep as number nine with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and off-spinner R Ashwin giving ample show of their talent with the bat.

Fresh from a century and a five-for in the same Test match, Ashwin will add that sting to the exciting batting line-up, while the Indians will not be short on bowling ammunition either.

The just concluded Test series saw the emergence of young Indian bowlers with the spin duo of Pragyan Ojha and Ashwin leading the attack remarkably well, taking 42 of the 60 West Indies wickets.

In the pace line-up Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron too looked hungry for success as they played a perfect fiddle to pace spearhead Ishant Sharma.

With Ojha and Sharma not figuring in the one-day scheme of things, Ashwin will lead the spin front while leg-spinner Rahul Sharma will hope to make his ODI debut.

West Indies in their last one-day appearance were skittled out for a mere 61 against minnows Bangladesh and Indian spinners will once again look to stifle the spin-weary visitors.

Dew being a factor in the second innings, India will hope to win the toss and elect to field to chase a total, something they had done successfully in their last two outings here.

"We will take all the precautionary measures like spraying and mopping, but dew cannot be ruled out," curator Pankaj Pattanaik said, predicting a total of around 300.

For West Indies, who lacked experience in the Test series, one-day format presents them a good chance to return home with some pride.

Windies defeated Bangladesh 2-1 in the ODI series before coming to India and barring the last match hiccup in Chittagong where they werer bundled out for 61 they showed fine mettle, something they can take confidence from before taking on heavyweights India.

The return of opener Lendl Simmons, who missed out the last ODI against Bangladesh and then India Test series due to an injury, will bolster the side.

Simmons, who totalled 177 from five ODIs against India in June at an average of 35.40, will look to give Windies a fine start along with Adrian Barath who too is in fine knick.

The middle-order will bank on the brilliance of Darren Bravo who sparkled with two centuries in three matches against India in the Test series, while Marlon Samuels experience will come in handy in the subcontinent conditions.

Presence of allrounders in Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and skipper Darren Sammy will add susbstance to their side.

Pacers Ravi Rampaul and Kemar Roach may share the new ball while off-spinner Sunil Narine and leggie Anthony Martin will be the spin options for the Windies. 

Narine impressed for Trinidad and Tobago in the Champions League here and thereafter won the Curtly Ambrose Trophy for topping the Super50 bowling as he would look to get a debut here.

Unlike the Test series, India will enjoy the home crowd support with all the tickets sold out at the revamped 45,000-capacity Barabati stadium.

Teams (from):

India: Virender Sehwag (c), Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Parthiv Patel (wk), R Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, Vinay Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron, Rohit Sharma, Manoj Tiwary and Rahul Sharma.

West Indies: Darren Sammy (c), Lendl Simmons, Adrian Barath, Danza Hyatt, Marlon Samuels, Darren Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Anthony Martin, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieran Powell, Ravi Rampaul and Kemar Roach.

Field umpires: Tony Hill (NZC), Shavir Tarapore;

Third umpire : S Ravi

Fourth umpire:  Samsuddin

Match Referee: David Boon (CA).

Match starts: 2.30pm (IST).

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Cricket Photos Of The Week - 16.10.11



Mumbai Indians player Sachin Tendulkar and team owner Nita Ambani share a light moment after their team's victory in the Champions League Twenty20 second semi final match against Somerset at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 8, 2011. (Manjunath Kiran/AFP/Getty Images)







England’s Ravi Bopara poses for a photograph after a press conference at the team hotel on October 9, 2011 in Hyderabad, India. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)



Photo number 3 in the cricket slideshow Cricket Photos of the Week - 16.10.11. Photo caption, " Mumbai Indians players along with team owner Nita Ambani celebrate winning the Champions League Twenty20 trophy after the final against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 9, 2011. (Manjunath Kiran/AFP/Getty Images) "

Photo number 3 in the cricket slideshow Cricket Photos of the Week - 16.10.11. Photo caption, "  Mumbai Indians players along with team owner Nita Ambani celebrate winning the Champions League Twenty20 trophy after the final against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 9, 2011. (Manjunath Kiran/AFP/Getty



                           Photo number 2 in the cricket slideshow Cricket Photos of the Week - 16.10.11. Photo caption, " England’s Ravi Bopara poses for a photograph after a press conference at the team hotel on October 9, 2011 in Hyderabad, India. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) "

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Heynckes rallies Leverkusen for Europa League ’battle



MADRID (Reuters) - Bayer Leverkusen will "fight until they fall down" to overturn a 3-2 Europa League deficit at Villarreal in their last-16, second leg on Thursday, coach Jupp Heynckes said.
Heynckes, who coached Real Madrid to a Champions League title in 1998, told a news conference he expected a similarly strong performance from his players to the one that earned a 1-0 Bundesliga win at Mainz on Sunday.
"It makes the job harder (being a goal down) but we said from the start we are not going to give up the tie and that we'll try and make the impossible possible," the 65-year-old said. "The team will battle until they fall down."
Villarreal have the advantage for the second leg at their Madrigal stadium after Brazil striker Nilmar netted twice as a second-half substitute in Germany last week.
Defender Gonzalo Rodriguez said it will be crucial for the Spanish club to make a solid start.
"The important thing will be to stop them scoring in the opening minutes because that will give them a big lift," he told a news conference.
"But we know that we have good forwards and they will definitely get chances to score," he added. "The most important thing is that they don't create any."
(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Justin Palmer; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Young Manassero making Masters push at Transitions



TAMPA, Florida (Reuters) - Precocious Italian Matteo Manassero, who set records and teenage hearts aflutter at last year's U.S. Masters, is eager to shine at the Transitions Championship this week in his quest to return to Augusta.
The 17-year-old Italian sits 55th in the world rankings and must break into the top 50 to come back to Augusta National for the opening grand slam event of the year from April 7-10.
"It's obviously a good opportunity for me to be here to try to get some points, some world ranking points and see if I can get in Augusta," Manassero told reporters at Innisbrook on Wednesday.
The Transitions field includes world number one Martin Kaymer of Germany and American Nick Watney, winner of last week's WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral.
But Manassero is not flustered by top-flight competition.
Followed last year by an Augusta gallery crowded with giddy teenage girls, the then 16-year-old Italian became the youngest player to tee it up for a Masters and the youngest to make the cut, finishing tied for 36th.
Manassero earned his ticket to the Masters last year by winning the British Amateur champion but now as a professional must fight his way into the field.
Trail blazer Manassero, who makes up for a lack of power with deadly precision, left the amateur ranks after his Augusta adventure and showed he belonged with the pros.
He won the Castello Masters last October to become -- you guessed it -- the youngest player to win on the European Tour and this season finished tied for ninth at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship.
Manassero said he planned to make his Masters push this week and again next week at Bay Hill.
"I'm focused on making two good tournaments. I'm pretty close. I'm not far away," he said.
The six-foot (1.83 metres), 174-pound (79kg) Manassero said he had been working out to build his strength and practiced hard on putting to become more consistent.
"There's a lot involved in the game to get some yardage to carry with the driver, which is obviously important in courses, maybe like Doral, or even Augusta, those kind of courses," he said, reckoning he had added about 10 yards to his drives.
Manassero will be paired with Spaniard Sergio Garcia and former Masters champion Zach Johnson in the first two rounds.
The Italian said he would feel at home playing with Garcia, whose path he has followed as a young up-and-comer.
"It's very good. We are good friends. We played quite a lot before," said Manassero. "We are quite friendly and know him well. It's definitely a great pairing."
(Writing by Larry Fine in New York, Editing by Steve Keating; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Woods commits to Arnold Palmer Invitational


MIAMI (Reuters) - Tiger Woods has committed to playing in next week's Arnold Palmer Invitational on Wednesday in what will be his final tuneup ahead of the U.S. Masters.
Woods, who has not won a tournament since the Australian Masters in 2009, will try to end the title drought on one of his all-time favourite layouts having won six times at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge, including four straight from 2000.
"I've always loved playing there," Woods said on his website (www.tigerwoods.com.). "It's just so cool. It's as good as it gets."
 The Masters runs from April 7-10.
Woods, who is undergoing another torturous swing overhaul, posted his first top-10 finish in a PGA Tour event since June at Doral last week when he tied for 10th at the WGC-Cadillac Championship.
(Writing by Steve Keating in Toronto; Editing by Frank Pingue; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Real Betis go top with perfect record



Madrid: Ten-man Real Betis survived a late scare to maintain their 100 percent record with a 4-3 victory over Real Zaragoza and open a two-point lead at the top of La Liga.

It has been a remarkable start for the Andalusian side who have taken the top flight by storm with their adventurous attacking football after a season in the second division.

Roque Santa Cruz scored the first of a double yestereday fter just seven minutes and Salva Sevilla extended the lead from the penalty spot before Efrain Juarez pulled a goal back for Zaragoza still before half time.

Betis never looked particularly secure at the back but another penalty this time from Benat Etxebarria and Santa Cruz's second on 49 minutes gave them a comfortable cushion.

However midway through the second half Betis keeper Casto Espinosa rashly darted off his line and was red carded for upending Luis Garcia despite the fact that he did have defenders behind him.

A double from Juan Carlos led to some anxious last minutes for Betis but they held on. Super-sub Walter Pandiani scored an injury time winner as Espanyol beat Getafe 1-0 and condemned their rivals to their third successive defeat.

Getafe had not won away since January and their confidence was not high after a poor start to the season but they were up against an Espanyol team who had also suffered two defeats from three games.

There was plenty of toil but little flowing football in the first half. However, after the break Espanyol took the game to the visitors. Javi Marquez saw a deflected shot go just wide and Alberto Lopo blocked a Vladimir Weiss strike on the goal line but it was really keeper Miguel Moya who was keeping Espanyol at bay.

In particular he did well to stop a Thievy Bifouma shot from close range. Getafe missed a glaring chance themselves when Juan Valera blazed wide late on but Espanyol got a deserved win a minute into injury time, when Pandiani coolly slotted home in the box.

"This victory gives us a good feeling because as well as the three points it is good to get your reward after searching for the goal for so long," said Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino.

"We struggled to get in the game during the first half but after that we dominated completely." Spain's top two continued to not have it their own way in midweek as Barcelona could only draw 2-2 at Valencia while Real Madrid came away with a 0-0 draw from their trip to Racing Santander.

Cesc Fabregas rescued a point for Barcelona and has now scored in the four league games so far to set a record for a new player, but the result means the champions have now already dropped four points from the opening fixtures. "I never believed it was a case of just two teams in the league as all the clubs are dangerous.

This is still an important point for us as Valencia are a strong team although it is unfortunate we didn't get a third goal," said Barca keeper Victor Valdes.

It has been an even worse start for Real whose draw followed a defeat away to Levante at the weekend.

Coach Jose Mourinho rang the changes which included Jose Callejon and Lassana Diarra coming into the side but it was another ineffective performance.

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Ferguson: Six teams in title race

Ferguson: Six teams in title race

Ferguson: Six teams in title race

Sir Alex Ferguson admits winning the Premier League will be as tough as ever this season, with as many as six teams in the running.
Manchester United secured an historic 19th top-flight crown last term, but they face a battle to keep their hands on that particular piece of silverware.
Chelsea and Arsenal are always there or thereabouts, while big-spending Manchester City, rejuvenated Liverpool and ambitious Tottenham will also have their eyes on the prize.
United boss Ferguson concedes that the race to secure top honours in English football will be keenly contested, with the competition increasing year on year.
"I think you could say that five or six teams will be involved," he told Sky Sports News HD.
"It's always hard to win the league. It's a league that if you look at it, in the south you have the London teams like Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea and then you have ourselves, Manchester City and Liverpool in the north.
"It's a really, really difficult league to win."
United have put considerable faith in their youngsters this season and Ferguson admits it is important to inject new blood into a side on a regular basis if you intend to remain competitive.
"You have to try and build teams that will last for a few years," he said.
"We have done that quite successfully over the years. This is another example of trusting the young players and giving them opportunities."
One man who will be hoping to slip back into the fold over the next few weeks is Darren Fletcher, with the midfielder yet to make a domestic appearance this season.
The Scotland international has, however, just taken in two games in the space of four days with his country and appears to have shaken off a mystery virus that laid him low towards the end of the 2010/11 campaign.
"It was important for him to get a game," Ferguson said of his fellow Scot.
"He was back training with us, but the team had started so well so opportunities hadn't arisen for him before he went to play for Scotland.
"The fact that he has gone there and done so well is major for his recovery."

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LIVE: SL vs AUS, 2nd Test, Day 1


LIVE: SL vs AUS, 2nd Test, Day 1


Australia in command after removing both the Sri Lankan openers cheaply in the second Test at the Pallekele international stadium in Kandy.
LIVE SCORECARD
Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat against Australia in the second Test at the Pallekele international stadium in Kandy.
Preview
After the forgettable Galle Test the focus now shifts on to Kandy and the onus is squarely on the home side to turn the tables against the resurgent Australia.
Michael Clarke will be a happy man after a thumping win in his first game as captain and would look to continue with the winning momentum.
The Australian side had a superlative performance at Galle on a horrid wicket. The batting, however, was ordinary in comparison to their standards. But a couple of crucial knocks played by Hussey and Clarke respectively proved pivotal in their victory.
Bowling wins you Test matches and the last game was a prime example of it. Debutant Lyon oozed class with the ball and impressed one and all with his spin bowling prowess. The fast bowling department on a whole was not impressive with the new ball, barring Ryan Harris in the second innings, but when it started to reverse they became lethal to handle. The wicket at Pallekele is also spinner-friendly and the Aussies are opting for the same playing XI, of course with one change; Marsh in place of Ponting. Sri Lanka, on the flip side, are still struggling to win a Test match without Muralidaran.
The batting let them down in the first Test match and after conceding a big lead on a turning wicket they were playing catch-up. The pace bowling lacked firepower but the spinners held fort and performed reasonably well. The hosts need a serious brush-up in their batting department and good results will start to follow. The visitors will be favourites heading into this game but to write off Sri Lanka in their own den could be risky.

Sri Lanka: Tharanga Paranavitana, Tillakaratne Dilshan (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene,Thilan  Samaraweera, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Angelo Mathews, Suranga Lakmal, Suraj Randiv, Chanaka, Seekkuge Prasanna
Australia: Shane Watson, Philip Hughes, Shaun Marsh, Michael Clarke (captain), Michael Hussey, Usman Khawaja, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Trent Copeland, Nathan Lyon

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Pakistan Tennis Star Aisam-ul-Haq and Faha Akmal Engagement Ceremony (Exclusive Photos and Video)


Aisam-ulHaq Qureshi and Faha Akmal Makhdum
 Got Engaged in Lahore on Saturday/July 16.


Pakistan tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi got engaged yesterday (July 16) with long time friend Faha Akmal Makhdum, belonged to a well-known British Pakistani family. The engagement ceremony was a really exclusive and fans of Aisam-ul-Haq watched it on TV screens.

The couple emerged beaming on “the beautiful day of their lives”, while Faha told the media she was very happy and looking forward to wedding possibly in December this year.


Aisam-ulHaq Qureshi and Faha
 Akmal Makhdum Got Engaged in Lahore on
Saturday/July 16.



Both families were very happy on this very special day of their beloved ones. There have been marathon preparations for the ceremony and many designers were called for the dress of Aisam’s fiancée; but according to reports the engagement dress of Faha Akmal was finally designed by Aisam’s sister Shiza.

Watch the video of the ceremony below:





CLICK THE IMAGE FOR LARGE VIEW

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Audrina Patridge



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Model Gisele Bundchen


Model Gisele Bundchen has had very few "bad days" when it comes to her look and body. Sure genetics and profession play a role in keeping her fit, but she also hits the gym in the off season. With Men's Fashion week wrapping up, all of the attention is off the ladies and onto the guys, but that doesn't mean that Bundchen is pigging out or skipping workouts. Consistently the model attends boot camp sessions every week to maintain her physique and to stay healthy, according to reports. While we can all fall victim to the stop-and-start of dieting and exercising, the real results come when working out sint about one particular goal or one particular season it's year round. Enroll in circuit training or 52-week exercise classes to keep up your regimen not just for bikini season, but even when no one is watching.





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Pippa Middleton


Not to be outdone by her older-- and now royal -- sister, Kate Middleton's little sis, Pippa, has 

one killer workout regimen. Just a few months after wowing the world at the Royal Wedding,

Pippa endured a 50-mile race of bike riding and running across Scotland. out of the 150

participants, Pippa finished 12th in the rainy race. Afterward, she told reporters, "It was one of

the toughest things I have done. I don't know if I will do it again but I am really pleased to have

finished." While 50 miles may seem intimidating, set your sights on a 5K run or a half-marathon

this summer. Build endurance running 60 minutes a day, and you'll catch up to Pippa in no time.

And go hi-tech with your training by downloading Fun Run Trainer to electronically transport

yourself to any international destination for a completely new running experience.












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