Federer calls for more out-of-competition dope tests

'I'm always surprised when I walk off court after a final and I'm like 'where is anti-doping?’

Roger Federer believes tennis players should undergo more anti-doping tests to ensure the sport does not suffer the problems that have plunged athletics into crisis.

The Swiss 17-times grand slam champion said he was still surprised when he walks off court and is not routinely asked to provide a doping sample.

He has also called for more out-of-competition tests.

Speaking at a news conference at London's O2 Arena where the ATP World Tour Finals begin on Sunday, the 34-year-old said: "I think they are trying their most but we can do more.

"Whenever you make the quarter-finals of a tournament, when the points are greater, the money is greater, you should know that you will be tested.

"I think that would be very clear and simple. And if they keep the tests for longer, I'm all for that, not just weeks and months, years I'm talking about. That's the way to scare people."

Federer was talking following a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report, published on Monday, which said there was a state-sponsored doping culture in Russian athletics and that other sports could also be affected by the issue.

Federer has confidence in the Swiss anti-doping model, but said out-of-competition testing was still not frequent enough.

"I feel like the Swiss programme is tough and strict but out of competition testing could definitely increase as well," the world number three said.

"I still think that should happen more frequently and I'm sure the Swiss do things how it should be done, so you can try to imagine how others do it."

He said he been tested out of competition about five times this year.

"There needs to be more resources," he said.

"It's very important. Players need to feel that they're going to be tests. So they will shy away from any silly thought they might have."

"I'm always surprised when I walk off court after a final and I'm like 'where is anti-doping?'"

Asked if the WADA report had surprised him, Federer said: "No. But then it says there are other nations that are not doing it properly either."

The Tennis Anti-Doping Programme, introduced in 1993, is administered by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) along with the ATP Tour ands WTA Tour.

Source-  http://www.rediff.com/sports/report/atp-world-tour-finals-federer-calls-for-more-out-of-competition-dope-tests/20151113.htm

Aggies Hope To Rediscover Offensive Rhythm Against Western Carolina

The Aggies will get a good chance to do that on Saturday when they take a break from Southeastern Conference play to host Western Carolina, an FCS team, in the first meeting between these schools.

Texas A&M is coming off a loss to Auburn where they turned the ball over three times and allowed more than 300 yards rushing. Coach Kevin Sumlin knows they've got to clean up their play if they hope to turn things around.

"Like most teams in America, when we limit turnovers and penalties, we have won," Sumlin said. "When we haven't, we haven't won. Turnover ratio becomes a complete team statistic, ability to get turnovers and to protect ball on offense."

Freshman quarterback Kyler Murray was responsible for all three turnovers in that loss by throwing three interceptions in his second career start. His status for Saturday's game is up in the air after he left that game after taking a hard hit to the head.

Sumlin won't say exactly what's wrong with him, but did acknowledge that he might not be ready and the team could start either Kyle Allen or Jake Hubenak in his place.

"We will see where Kyler is from a physical standpoint," Sumlin said. "If he's in place where he's practiced, he needs reps, needs to be able to do that, and is ready to go, he'll be the starter. If not we'll make decision later on in week."

Murray earned the starting job after a tough stretch by Allen that got him benched. Murray was great in his first start, throwing for 223 yards and a touchdown and running for 156 yards and another score in a win over South Carolina. He threw for just 105 yards in the loss for Auburn while struggling with the turnovers before leaving with his injury in the second half.

The Catamounts are coming off a win over Furman that improved them to 5-0 at home this season.

"You want to create an environment where it's tough to come play at your house -- and we're getting ready to go into one of the premier teams that has a lot of experience with that," Western Carolina coach Mark Speir said. "A lot of their traditions are built on the 12th man and the great tradition it is, and I think everybody tries to build that 12th man mentality at home."

Some things to know about the Western Carolina-Texas A&M game.

HOMECOMING

Western Carolina quarterback Troy Mitchell will return to his home state on Saturday. Mitchell, who grew up in nearby Houston, is the school's all-time leader in total offense with 8,891 yards in his career. He earned Southern Conference player of the week honors this week after throwing for 305 yards and three touchdowns and running for 55 yards and two more scores against Furman.

Sumlin knew about him when he was in high school but admitted this week that he didn't recruit him -- but probably should have.

"He's one of greatest players in their history at quarterback," Sumlin said. "Will be excited to come in here. Probably have a lot of people here. He's an exciting player."

STOPPING THE RUN

Texas A&M's defense is focused on shoring up its run defense after giving up a season-high 311 yards rushing last week. But it certainly wasn't the first time the unit has struggled in that area and the Aggies rank 115th in the nation by allowing 218.3 yards rushing a game. They've allowed more than 230 yards rushing in each of the last four games.

NEWSOME'S WORK

Western Carolina running back Detrez Newsome could be a problem for an A&M defense struggling to stop the run. Newsome has 857 yards rushing with eight touchdowns this season. He's coming off a big game where he rushed for 184 yards.

PILING UP TACKLES

Texas A&M free safety Armani Watts leads the Aggies and is fourth in the SEC with 88 tackles. He had 13 tackles last week for his fifth game this season with at least 10 tackles. His best game came against Mississippi when he piled up a career-high 20 tackles, which were the second-most in school history for a defensive back. He's 12 tackles away from becoming the first A&M player to reach 100 tackles since 2010

Source- http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2015/11/13/aggies-hope-to-rediscover-offensive-rhythm-against-western-carolina.html

We Expect AB de Villiers to Win Game For us in His 100th Test: Hashim Amla

South African skipper Hashim Amla says AB de Villiers' 100th Test will not distract the focus of the team and the visitors will be keen on winning the Bangalore Test.

Asserting the fact that AB de Villiers' 100th Test will not take the focus away from the second Test, South Africa captain Hashim Amla said the star batsman will only add to the team's effort of trying to level the four-match series. (AB de Villiers Warns Virat Kohli: I am Not a Nice Guy)
"No it (De Villiers' 100th Test occasion) does not (distract the focus of the team) ... Hopefully, he gets into the park tomorrow and wins the game for us - that will be ideal match for him and us," Amla said.

"Having lost the previous match, obviously it is not difficult for us to focus on this match. It's been great to have something to celebrate, but in terms of taking our focus away, no I don't think so," he added.
Talking about De Villiers, Amla said it is an amazing feat to play for the country for the 100th time. "As a team, we all enjoy the fact that AB is playing his 100th game. As a South African, we know that this is an amazing feat. We have all celebrated the occasion ...," he said. (South Africa Seek Revival In AB de Villiers' 100th Test)
Asked whether the talk of the spinning pitch has had a negative effect on the team, Amla countered by saying lack of spin actually gave trouble to them. "The (Mohali) pitch was what it was. It was the lack of turn that did us in," he said.
Amla further said the Bangalore pitch doesn't seem like Mohali due to the overcast conditions and moisture around. "I will have a look at the (Chinnaswamy) pitch tomorrow, but with these sorts of conditions and moisture around, it does not seem like the Mohali pitch," he said.
Asked whether he was worried about the gloomy conditions, Amla said, "No, not worried about that. Those sorts of things are out of your control." (India vs South Africa: Dale Steyn Ruled Out of Bangalore Test)
Even though overcast conditions suit South African seamers, but Amla said that the impact of the disciplined Indian bowling cannot be ruled out.
"Let's see how the weather tomorrow is like. But if the ball does good-- seam bowling-- this type of conditions suits seam bowling than in my point of view India has got some disciplined bowlers as well so let's not rule them out as yet.
When the ball is moving and swinging all you got to do is land in a decent area -- no matter who is bowling, it's a good ball. Hope our bowlers will do a good job for us," he said.

Source-  http://sports.ndtv.com/india-vs-south-africa-2015-16/news/251682-we-expect-ab-de-villiers-to-win-game-for-us-in-his-100th-test-hashim-amla

Euro 2016: All you need to know about the play-offs

The 2016 European Championship play-offs are under way, with the Republic of Ireland and Sweden among the eight teams hoping to seal a place in France next year.
Twenty teams are already through to the finals, but which four will come out on top over two legs to join them?

Republic of Ireland face Bosnia-Herzegovina looking to seal a second successive appearance at a European Championship.
Ireland finished third in a tough Group D, but did beat reigning world champions Germany 1-0 during qualifying, a result boss Martin O'Neill hopes his players will draw confidence from going into Friday's game.
"They will feel after Germany that they are capable of getting a result," he said.
"Make no mistake about it, the games will be difficult, but you wouldn't be expecting any sort of walkover in play-off games."
Bosnia, who have Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic and striker Edin Dzeko in their squad, are bidding to make history by playing at a European Championship for the first time.
"It is good that we are in a situation where we are masters of our destiny," said coach Mehmed Bazdarevic, who turned around their qualification campaign when he arrived in December.
The second leg takes place on Monday, 16 November
Did you know? Bosnia won their final three qualifiers in Group B, including a 2-0 win over Wales.
Sixth-time lucky for Ukraine?

Ukraine v Slovenia (Sat, 14 Nov 17:00 GMT)
Ukraine have had torrid luck in European Championship qualifying in the past, losing in their last five play-off appearances. To make matters worse, they have never beaten opponents Slovenia.
They host the first leg on Saturday, before travelling to Slovenia three days later.
"Of course, it would be better to start away, but we cannot change anything with the draw," Ukraine coach Mykhaylo Fomenko said.
Ukraine are without midfielder Ruslan Rotan for both legs because of a hamstring injury.
The second leg takes place on Tuesday, 16 November
Did you know? This is a repeat of the Euro 2000 play-off, which Slovenia won 3-2 on aggregate to progress to the finals.
Zlatan's swansong?

Sweden v Denmark (Sat, 14 Nov 19:45 GMT)
Ibrahimovic will be the difference - Larsson
Danes need to stop Swedish star - Laursen
Sweden won three of their eight Group G games, losing two, with rivals Denmark having the exact same record in Group I.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was this week named his country's footballer of the year - for the 10th time - and will undoubtedly be the main man again for Sweden.
At 34, next summer's tournament could potentially be his last.
This is also Denmark coach Morten Olsen's last chance to guide the team to a major tournament, having said he will step down at the end of their Euro 2016 campaign.
"It pleases me that we get the opportunity to decide it all at home," he said. "Deciding it all in front of your own crowd is always something special."
The second leg takes place on Tuesday, 16 November
Did you know? Denmark won the European Championship in 1992, and are the only previous winner competing in the play-offs.
Advantage Hungary

Norway 0-1 Hungary
Hungary took a step towards their first major tournament in 30 years with a first-leg win in Oslo on Thursday.
Debutant Laszlo Kleinheisler was the match-winner, smashing in an early goal from 15 yards.
The second leg takes place on Sunday, 15 November

Source-  http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34792124

'We need to stop rushing'

A total of 131 shouldn't have challenged the Tigers in their own den. However, as it happened, the hosts had to depend upon their number eight batsman -- their skipper -- at the end of it all to put things to rest.

While Mashrafe Bin Mortaza enjoyed smacking those boundaries in the end and finishing off the game in style, he wasn't particularly happy with his batsmen's approach.

"Obviously we didn't want to chase the target that way. We seemed to be in a bit of a hurry. I think we should have just batted normally. But on the whole, the win was important. Hopefully everyone will play according to plan in the next match," said Mashrafe in the post-match press conference in Mirpur yesterday.

"In a T20 you generally try to get boundaries in the first six overs and put around 50 runs on the board. If you notice, we got 47 and after that there was no need to rush things.

"Instead of rushing, we should have thought about getting set. If we had two set batsmen we could have won the game easily," elaborated the skipper.

The other crucial aspect of the game was regarding the performance of Jubair Hossain. Jubair had leaked 17 runs in his first over. While Mashrafe admitted that the youngster was a bit nervous at first, he was however pleased to see him scalp two wickets at the end.

"This series is probably the last chance for us to find a good combination before the T20 World Cup, so maybe there was a bit more pressure Jubair. But this was a good opportunity to see the way he performs under pressure. The first over was a bit difficult for him, but he came back well," said Mashrafe.

After Jubair's first over it was unclear whether the debutant would get the ball again in the match. However he was brought back in the 16th over and incidentally had to bowl his first ball at Malcolm Waller, who tore him apart in his first spell.

"The reason why I gave him another over was because he is a main bowler in our side. There is no point of picking a player in the side as a bowler and giving him just one over.

"It was a challenging decision no doubt, but in my opinion he had to bowl. It didn't matter if he bowled badly or if he bowled well. Thankfully he did well," said Mashrafe.

With the next T20I tomorrow, the skipper hopes his players can learn from their mistakes in the first T20I and put up an even better showing.

Source-  http://www.thedailystar.net/sports/cricket/we-need-stop-rushing-172057

Lions RB Abdullah does some self-reflection, wants to contribute more

Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah set some time aside during his team's Week 9 bye to reflect upon the first half of his rookie season.

Abdullah is the leading rusher on a 1-7 team with 225 yards on 63 carries (3.6 yards per carry). The Lions struggle to run the ball in general (69.6 rushing yards per game, last in NFL), so the young back is naturally frustrated with how his first eight games as a professional have gone.

Abdullah wrote about his role with the Lions and his hopes for the second half of the season in his rookie blog on the team's official website. Here's an excerpt:

That's been my big focus in the bye week, a little self-reflection. I want to be a guy you can trust running the ball, in the pass game, returning the football. I feel like I'm definitely one of the better playmakers on the team, but sometimes you don't get to see that because of the situation of the game. If I'm out of the game for whatever reason, that only hurts the team because we need all the guys who are playmakers on the field all the time. I consider myself one of those people. The more I can do to keep myself on the field, the better.

For the most part, the run game in Jim Bob Cooter's offense is the same. We just need more attention to detail. We can still make a run this season, finish off strong and hang our hat on something. It starts with running the football, in my opinion. We haven't done it much this year. I know as a group some games we only combined for 15 carries.

To be successful as a team, we need to run the ball more. We have to be better in the passing game too because when we get behind in games, we can't run the ball. I think running the ball this second half is going to be critical for the success of this team. I take this as a challenge. I'm looking forward to it because this is all I ever wanted to do: Run the football and prove myself.

Abdullah, a second-round pick in this year's draft, is a dynamic offensive weapon. The Lions just haven't been able to employ him with consistency yet.

If Detroit ever gets its ground game back on track, this young runner will be a fun player to watch. Until then, his potential is wasted on a team that can't seem to get out of its own way.

Source-  http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2015/11/12/lions-rb-abdullah-does-some-self-reflection-wants-to-contribute-more.html

The run-out fiasco

In the 45th over of the Bangladesh innings yesterday, Mahmudullah had pushed the ball to cover and, as per Mashrafe Bin Mortaza's call, attempted to take a single. However, after he had taken quite a few steps forward, Mashrafe decided to send him back.

Sikandar Raza collected the ball and hit stumps. At first glance, it seemed like Mahmudullah was out by a long margin and according to Zimbabwe skipper Elton Chigumbura, square-leg umpire Aleem Dar had even raised his finger as the batsman started walking.

However, a replay showed that Zimbabwe keeper Regis Chakabva had taken the bails off the stumps before Raza's throw had hit the stumps.

In order to rectify his mistake, Chakabva asked for the ball and picked up a stump with the ball in hand a while later, to make sure the run-out was completed on the second attempt.

However, the third umpire, after a hard and long look, negated the on-field umpire's decision since the ball was 'legally dead' as soon as the umpire had raised his finger. Chakabva's move to pick up the stumps, as per the laws of the game, did not come into consideration.

Drama unfolded as Zimbabwe players formed a huddle in the middle for a brief period, only to be quieted after a talk with the umpire.

While the entire saga caused a lot of confusion and took off some precious time, the correct law of the game prevailed and the on-field umpire was spared blushes.

Source-  http://www.thedailystar.net/sports/cricket/the-run-out-fiasco-171175

Saeed Ajmal's Contract Suspended by Pakistan Cricket Board For Media Outburst

Pakistan Cricket Board came down heavily on Saeed Ajmal by suspending his contract and have asked him to explain his comments which he made on a television channel.

Pakistan Cricket Board suspended former spinner Saeed Ajmal's contract over television comments he made about the way bowlers with illegal action are dealt with. (Harbhajan Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin Are Chuckers, Fumes Saeed Ajmal)
The 38-year-old had been Pakistan's match-winner in the last five years until he was sidelined over his bowling action before being cleared in February.
Ajmal, who returned to international cricket in April after remodelling his action, claimed that Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin were chuckers, but never punished because "they belong to India."

Ajmal had also blasted the International Cricket Council's (ICC) process on the illegal action issue, claiming it singled out spinners like him. (Saeed Ajmal's Threat To Burn Cricket Gear Helps His Academy)
"Why just target the off-spinners?" Ajmal questioned on two channels last week. "Why not the left-arm spinners, leg-spinners or fast bowlers? (Saeed Ajmal Faces Disciplinary Action For Blasting ICC)
"I can tell you that I have been through this bowling assessment process so many times and have watched and studied this issue so closely that I can vouch that if tests were carried out, there would be many other bowlers whose bowling actions would exceed the 15 degrees extension limit," said Ajmal, singling out Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh as a suspect.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan told reporters Ajmal's contract had been suspended.
"We feel sorry over his comments," Khan said. "We have taken the minimum action on the violation of discipline and have suspended his contract, stopped releasing his salary and have asked him to explain his comments."
Despite not being selected since April this year, Ajmal was retained in the "B" category in PCB central contracts.
Khan said Ajmal had been supported in his efforts to alter his bowling action.
"We supported him a lot, invited Saqlain (Mushtaq) to correct his action so his comments were sad that we did not support him," said Khan.
Ajmal had a formidable record of picking up 178 wickets from 35 Tests and 184 wickets from 113 ODI games, before his action was reported in August last year as suspect.
He was subsequently suspended a month later as his elbow was extending more than the 15 degrees tolerance limit allowed under the ICC rules.
Ajmal remodelled his action under former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq but managed just one wicket in the two one-day internationals and was wicketless in a Twenty20 -- both against Bangladesh in April.

Source-  http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/251654-pakistan-cricket-board-suspends-saeed-ajmal-s-contract-for-criticising-icc

Marton Fulop: Former Sunderland keeper dies, aged 32

Ex-Sunderland and Ipswich goalkeeper Marton Fulop has died at the age of 32.

The former Hungary international had a tumour removed from his arm in 2013 but was cleared to continue his career.
He played 47 times for the Black Cats between 2006 and 2010 and last appeared for Town in 2011, making 38 appearances for the Suffolk club in all.

"It's desperately sad when we lose a Sunderland family member but to lose one so young in such circumstances is heart-breaking," the Black Cats said.

Fulop also played for Tottenham and West Brom and had loan spells at Chesterfield, Coventry, Leicester, Stoke and Manchester City.

Several other teams have paid tribute, including his former club Ipswich Town, who tweeted: "Our thoughts are with Marton's friends and family at this immensely difficult time. He was aged just 32."
Paul Jewell, his former manager at Portman Road, told the Town club website:   "I worked with him for a short time at Ipswich and he was a great pro.

"He was a gentle giant and a very respectful person. He was just a good bloke and he was liked by all his team-mates. It's tragic news and my condolences go out to his family and friends."

West Brom keeper Ben Foster, who trained alongside Fulop when the Hungarian was at the club between 2011 and 2012, tweeted:  "Rest in Peace Marton Fulop, one of the good guys and taken way too early. Thoughts and love go to the Fulop family."

Former Sunderland defender Danny Higginbotham tweeted:  "So sad to hear the news of Marton Fulop. Spent a lot of time with him at Sunderland - one of the good guys. Thoughts with his family."
Fulop spent three year at Spurs between 2004 and 2007, although he never played a first-team game. Former Spurs team-mate Ledley King fondly remembered his friend, tweeting that he was "shocked and saddened by the news".

Source-  http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34798929

Rams sign WR Wes Welker after losing Stedman Bailey to suspension

The St. Louis Rams signed veteran receiver Wes Welker on Monday, hours after the NFL suspended wideout Stedman Bailey for violating its policy on substance abuse.

Welker worked out for the Rams early Monday morning along with veteran receivers Hakeem Nicks and Vincent Brown. After evaluating Welker's health, including his history of concussions, the Rams came to an agreement with him on a one-year deal with incentives early Monday evening.

"He's in outstanding shape," Rams coach Jeff Fisher said. "We saw that early this morning. He's anxious and eager to play. He's moved the chains for two potential Hall of Fame quarterbacks, and he's good at what he does. Whether he's active this week, I can't predict. I think he'll be able to move some chains for us."

That would be a welcome sight for the Rams, who rank last in the NFL in third-down conversions at 23.8 percent. Welker, 34, comes to St. Louis with 890 receptions for 9,822 yards and 50 touchdowns in 11 seasons with San Diego, Miami, New England and Denver.

Welker has not played since the end of last season. His contract with the Broncos expired after the season, and he was not signed despite multiple workouts in various places.

"He had a great workout," Fisher said. "He's really excited about where this team is going, and he can potentially help us in a lot of different areas."

Welker takes Bailey's place on the roster after he received a four-game suspension. Bailey joins running back Trey Watts on the team's reserve/suspended list. Watts received an indefinite suspension last week for violating the same policy.

Fisher said he was disappointed to be talking about another suspended player in the same week and said the Rams would be ramping up efforts to educate players on the dangers of drug use.

"The message has been sent to the players," Fisher said. "We're going to take an aggressive approach to make sure these things don't happen in the future."

This is Bailey's second suspension in as many seasons. The league suspended him four games for violating the policy on performance-enhancing substances before the 2014 season. That suspension was later reduced to two games after a change in the league's policy.

Bailey has been the Rams' third receiver for most of this season but rarely was involved in the offense. He has 12 catches for 182 yards and a touchdown in the first eight games.

Bailey's suspension is effective immediately and comes without pay. He will be eligible to return to the active roster Dec. 7 after the team's game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Fisher said the Rams are hoping to have Bailey stay around the building, at least for workouts, while he serves the suspension. Fisher indicated he's still waiting for word from the league on whether that will happen.

Fisher also made it clear that another strike against Bailey could mean the end of his time with the team.

"We're very, very disappointed in his choices," Fisher said. "He understands that this is his last go-around. If he wants to flourish in this league, have a career in this league, he's going to have to change his lifestyle.

"You have to carry over your workplace attitude into your off-the-field life, and he failed us on that."

Source-  http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14093058/st-louis-rams-wes-welker-reach-deal

Sam Burgess quit rugby union because 'heart wasn't in it'

Former England centre Sam Burgess returned to rugby league because his "heart wasn't in" rugby union and because he was also stung by criticism from ex-players.

"No matter what I did, I always felt I was fighting a losing battle," he said.

But Burgess said he had not been badly treated by England and refused to blame coach Stuart Lancaster.

The 26-year-old, who joined Bath last October, re-signed for the South Sydney Rabbitohs last week.

He was part of England's squad for the Rugby World Cup, in which they were eliminated at the group stage, and played in the hosts' crucial 28-25 defeat by Wales.

Burgess said criticism directed at him following his performance in that match had contributed to his feeling of unease in rugby union.

"A lot of people outside the England camp had an agenda against both England and, in some circumstances, me," he wrote in the Daily Mail.

"This was an upsetting factor to me, that people who are supposed to love the game are actually tearing it to shreds.

"Some ex-players just kept letting rip. It's almost like they don't want anyone else to do well in the jersey. I didn't want to stay in a sport like that."

Burgess also said he had not found the 15-man code as enjoyable as rugby league.

"I want to spend the rest of my career playing the game that's in my heart," said Burgess, who played 21 games for Bath as a blind-side flanker after switching codes last year.

"What makes me love [rugby league] is the physical battle of it; I never found myself reaching that point [in union].

"My heart just isn't in [rugby union], and if my heart's not in it then [Bath and England] won't get the best performances from me."

He said he was satisfied with his displays at the World Cup and believed coach Lancaster had been unfairly criticised after the team's early exit.

Burgess, whose selection for the World Cup squad ahead of the established Luther Burrell reportedly caused disquiet in the England camp, said his decision to quit union had dismayed his international and club team-mates.

"I wanted to go in and see [the Bath squad], but Stuart Hooper, our captain, said he didn't think I'd be well received there, which was fair enough," he said.

Source-  http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/34772560

N. Srinivasan Removed as International Cricket Council Chairman, BCCI President Shashank Manohar to Fill in

N. Srinivasan was elected the first chairman of the International Cricket Council for a two-year term. The former BCCI president will be replaced by current Board chief Shashank Manohar. Ravi Shastri has also been removed from the IPL governing council due to conflict of interest

On expected lines, N. Srinivasan has been removed as the chairman of the International Cricket Council. The decision to drop him was taken at the Board of Control for Cricket in India's Annual General Meeting in Mumbai on Monday. The BCCI will now recommend this change to ICC. (N. Srinivasan's Hours as ICC Chairman Numbered as BCCI Hold AGM)
On issues of conflict of interest, the BCCI has also removed Ravi Shastri from the IPL governing council. Shastri is Team India's director and will hold this position till the ICC World T20 in March-April next year. (Shastri Dropped from IPL Governing Council, Roger Binny as Selector)

BCCI president Manohar told the media that members were "unanimous" that the Board should be "clean and transparent." He said the Board was only "looking forward and did not want to look back at what happened in the previous regime." Manohar had become BCCI president in October following the death of Jagmohan Dalmiya. The move for clean administration gathered steam only after his appointment. (Shashank Manohar Appointed the BCCI Chief For The Second Time)
Srinivasan was elected for a two-year term. His tenure will be completed by current BCCI president Shashank Manohar, who will now head the world body's Executive Committee till June 2016. As per protocol, respective Boards name a representative on the Ex-Co. The BCCI will propose former ICC president Sharad Pawar's name as an alternative director in the executive committee. (Image Make-over, N. Srinivasan's Future on BCCI AGM Agenda)
In recent times, Srinivasan's control over cricket administration had increasingly become weaker after the Supreme Court charged him for conflict of interest. The Tamil Nadu businessman played a key role in shaping the ICC's new governance structure and revenue share model along with England and Australia. (Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals Suspended by Justice Lodha Committee)
Not Upset, Will Focus on Cement Business: Srinivasan
Speaking to NDTV, a non-chalant Srinivasan said he was "not upset" at the turn of events. Once the game's most powerful man, Srinivasan said he will "concentrate on his cement business" and "use his spare time to improve his golf handicap."
With his exit as ICC chairman, Srinivasan is now left with just one position as head of a cricket body. He is still the president of Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. Srinivasan's company India Cements had owned tainted IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings.
The Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led team is now suspended for two years by a Supreme Court appointed committee. Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, a team owner of Chennai Super Kings, was indicted for betting and sharing team information. Meiyappan has been banned for life from cricket activities.
The heat on Srinivasan increased after the Lodha committee suspended Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. The removal of Sundar Raman as IPL COO last week was a strong indication that Srinivasan would be dropped from his ICC chair. Sundar had worked closely with Srinivasan, who controlled Indian cricket from 2008.

Source-  http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/251488-n-srinivasan-removed-as-international-cricket-council-chairman-bcci-president-shashank-manohar-to-fill-in

Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth Look For an Encore at China Open

Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth both are the defending champions of the China Open Super Series

Saina Nehwal and Kidambi Srikanth will look to shrug off the recent dip in form and put the best foot forward when they begin their campaign as defending champions at the $700,000 China Open Super Series Premier starting with the qualifiers here on Tuesday. (Read More Badminton Stories Here)
The 25-year-old Saina had been suffering from a abdominal pain which affected her performance at Japan, Denmark and France Super Series, where she made early exits. Also there is some issues with her achilles heels but the Indian is upbeat about a good show here.
"I had some abdominal pain and little discomfort in my heel but now I am fine. I trained harded in the last few weeks and I am really looking forward to the tournament. It is an Olympic year and it is an important event. I will give my best," said Saina.

The top seeded Indian will take on China's Sun Yu in the opening round. Even though Saina has a 4-1 record against the Chinese with the only defeat coming in the 2013 China Open in Shanghai, the World No. 11 might prove to be a formidable opponent.
In men's singles, Srikanth too had been troubled by injury and poor form ever since he stood on the podium at the Indian Open in New Delhi. The Hyderabadi had to skip the Asian Championship because of a pain in shin and then he made early exits at Japan, Korea, Denmark and France.
The fifth seeded Indian will take on Hu Yun of Hong Kong. The Indian has a 2-1 record against Yun but he lost to him in their last encounter at the World Championship in August.
In women's singles, two-time bronze medallist at World Championship, P V Sindhu, who reached the finals of Denmark Open, will open her campaign against Russian Ksenia Polikarpova.
Among other Indians in men's singles, Parupalli Kashyap will be missing in action after being sidelines because of a torn calf muscle injury. H S Prannoy and Ajay Jayaram will however look to get some good result in the prestigious tournament.
H S Prannoy, who had scripted the downfall of two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan at the French Open, will open his campaign against a qualifier, while Korea Open finalist and Dutch Open winner Jayaram will square up against top seed Chen Long of China in his opening match at the Haixia Olympic Sports Center.
In women's doubles, Commonwealth Games silver medallists Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa will play against Japan's Naoko Fukuman and Kurumi Yonao in the opening round. The men's doubles pair of Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy withdrew from the event.

Source-  http://sports.ndtv.com/badminton/news/251492-saina-nehwal-kidambi-srikanth-look-for-an-encore-at-china-open

Arsenal's Arsene Wenger wins October's Manager of the Month award

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been named the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month for October.

Wenger masterminded a perfect month for the Gunners, which began with the 3-0 thumping of Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium.

Victories over Watford, Everton and Swansea City followed, helping Arsenal to draw level on points with league leaders Manchester City.

"It is always good because it just reminds you that - especially after a defeat like we had on Wednesday night [5-1 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich] - we have not done too badly in the last month," Wenger said.

"You worry as well about maintaining the run for coming months. That is what we want to do always."

When asked about that emphatic victory over United, Wenger added: "That was the highlight because there are very few matches in your life where it all clicks perfectly in the first 20 minutes and that is one of the games.

"We had a difficult start against West Ham and after that we have responded very well and are now on a good run. Our target of course is to maintain it."

Source-  http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/10062637/arsenal8217s-arsene-wenger-wins-octobers-manager-of-the-month-award

Bastian Schweinsteiger: Why Man United fans must trust in Louis van Gaal

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER has pleaded for patience from Manchester United fans, insisting Louis van Gaal will deliver success.

The World Cup winner points out that Van Gaal also won trophies at Bayern Munich after a similarly boring start.

Van Gaal has come under fire from United fans and club legend Paul Scholes for their dull football.

But midfielder Schweinsteiger, who won the Bundesliga and German Cup with the Dutchman at Bayern said: "I recognise similarities between Louis van Gaal here and at Bayern Munich.

"In Munich if you remember it took a while before the team understood exactly how we wants to play football.

"But in the end we won the Bundesliga title and made it to the Champions League final.

"You have to be patient. But of course during that you have to win, you have to get results and you have to score. I think we are in a good way. We can improve. But the team spirit here is great.

"It is not about October or November it is about May.

"I remember the fans were unsure about him early on at Bayern but in the end we did the double and so the fans in Munich loved him.

"I am sure Louis will bring success to United. I am convinced about that but we have to do our work and we have to improve. I am convinced it will happen."

United beat West Brom 2-0 with fans demanding they "attack, attack, attack".

It was the first time in their last five games they had managed more than one goal.

Schweinsteiger added: "You recognise what the supporters are saying but football is not only attack.

"There are teams with different game styles and they also win titles. But I think especially in home matches we have to press and go forward."

Meanwhile, there is plenty more to come from new United hero Jesse Lingard.

The 22-year-old winger has starred in United's last two games.

And his old England under-21 boss Gareth Southgate reckons the sky is the limit.

"We have had a little glimpse and I have every confidence he can go on and do even more," said Southgate.

"He is at a club where you know you have to perform every week but over the years that's how the youngsters there have been raised.


"He's got the shirt at the moment and knowing him he'll do whatever it takes to hold onto it."

Source-  http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/394089/Bastian-Schweinsteiger-Manchester-United-Louis-van-Gaal

Bangladesh seal fifth ODI series in a row

Bangladesh 241 for 9 (Kayes 76, Panyangara 3-41) beat Zimbabwe 183 (Chigumbura 47, Mustafizur 3-33) by 58 runs

The last four series wins have drilled into Bangladesh the way to get out of tight corners. So when they were faced with another, in the second ODI against Zimbabwe in Mirpur on Monday, they stuck to the known paths and ensured a way out. Their 58-run win defending a total of 241 for 9 gave them an unassailable 2-0 lead and sealed their fifth consecutive bilateral ODI series win. They beat their own record of four series wins in a row in 2006-07 and 2009 and the lead means that, in ODIs, Bangladesh will be unbeaten in bilateral series throughout 2015 unless there is another series next month.

Bangladesh's bowling effort was steered smoothly by the captain Mashrafe Mortaza and the line-up hardly missed Shakib Al Hasan, who left Dhaka to be with his wife for the birth of their first child. Mustafizur Rahman was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets for 33 runs, while Al-Amin Hossain, Arafat Sunny and Mashrafe himself bowled with control and showed a knack for putting together dot balls.

Wickets in clumps always help and Bangladesh got those early in Zimbabwe's chase, and at a later stage when Elton Chigumbura and Sikandar Raza were starting to look dangerous.

The visitors started the 242-run chase by losing both openers Regis Chakabva and Chamu Chibhabha within the first 5.1 overs. Chakabva was trapped leg-before in Arafat Sunny's first over and four balls later Mashrafe Mortaza had Chibhabha inside-edge one on to the stumps.

Sean Williams and Craig Ervine were fidgety, edging many and missing some too. Williams was caught at short midwicket after he misread a Mustafizur off-cutter. Ervine and Chigumbura tried to consolidate for the fourth-wicket stand but the former was run-out after Liton Das threw down the stumps from mid-off to leave the score at 78 for 4 in the 21st over.

Chigumbura badly needed Sikandar Raza to stay with him, and the pair added 73 runs for the fifth wicket with minimal effort. Raza hardly played a false short after he blasted Sunny over long-off early in his innings. Chigumbura was looking for a release point and it came in the 32nd over when he went after Mashrafe for a six and two fours off consecutive deliveries.

The six was blasted over the bowler's head before Liton and Nasir Hossain couldn't chase down a ball near the leg-side boundary. The third boundary came off an outside edge but it seemed Zimbabwe were turning a corner.

Al-Amin removed both in the 34th and 36th overs. Raza holed out to mid-on for 33 off 42 balls, which included two fours and a six, while hit an upper-cut to Kayes at third man, who took the catch diving forward. The Zimbabwe captain's knock could hardly be described as berserk and he hit two fours and a six in 47 off 77 deliveries.

Mustafizur took two more wickets, removing Luke Jongwe and Tinashe Panyangara, while Nasir took the wickets of Malcolm Waller and Graeme Cremer, to shut Zimbabwe down for 183 runs in 43.2 overs.

Earlier in the afternoon, Bangladesh were presented with a situation similar to the first ODI when they were put into bat and lost two early wickets. This time, however, there were no moderate or big partnerships. Imrul Kayes was the only batsman with some semblance of prolonged authority as he made 76 off 89 balls and batted until the 32nd over.

Tamim Iqbal got out to peach of a Panyangara delivery that held its line and took the outside edge in the seventh over. Liton Das' tough start to his ODI career continued after he got out trying to pull Panyangara, when he could have left the high-bouncing delivery. Mahmudullah's struggle continued, too - this time he batted for 32 minutes to make 7 and his dismissal made it 79 for 3 in the 18th over.

Mushfiqur Rahim, fresh from his fourth ODI hundred in the first match of the series, looked in ominous touch as he started off with a slog-sweep and a loft over cover for boundaries. The fourth-wicket partnership added 48 runs before another attempt at an inside-out shot took the edge and he was caught at short third-man, in the 28th over. Sabbir Rahman also looked to be hitting clean but, like the batsmen above him, he flattered to deceive with his 40-ball 33 that had four boundaries. Just when it looked like he would take the team to a high-scoring finish in the last ten overs, Sabbir fell to a poor slash outside off stump that gave Chakabva his fourth catch behind the stumps.


Mashrafe and Nasir, who made 41 off 53 balls, tried to up the ante but Bangladesh ended up with only 53 runs in the last ten overs as Zimbabwe took good catches and bowled tightly to keep the scoring down to 241 for 9 in 50 overs.

Source-  http://www.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh-v-zimbabwe-2015-16/content/story/938687.html

Athletics doping: Wada commission wants Russia ban

Russia should be banned from athletics competition, a World Anti-Doping Agency commission report has recommended.
Wada's independent commission  examined allegations of doping, cover-ups, and extortion in Russian athletics, which also implicated the IAAF, the sport's world governing body.
It says London 2012 was "sabotaged" by "widespread inaction" against athletes with suspicious doping profiles.

Russia was also accused of running a "state-supported" doping programme.
The report recommended that five athletes and five coaches should be given lifetime doping bans.
IAAF president Lord Coe told the BBC that the Russian athletics federation, Araf, had been asked to respond to the allegations by the end of the week. The 59-year-old said that after reviewing the feedback the IAAF "would look at a range of options, including sanctions", which could result in suspension from the sport.
"I'm not putting in a time frame but I will do whatever is necessary. This is not a swift road back," he added.

The commission's chairman, Dick Pound, who led a Wada news conference on Monday, also recommended that the Russian federation is banned from next year's Olympics.
"One of our hopes is they will volunteer to take the remedial work," he said. "If they don't the outcome may be no Russian track and field athletes in Rio. I hope they recognise it is time to change."

Russia's sports minister Vitaly Mutko told Interfax news agency that recommendations made on the basis of the report would be fulfilled, while the acting head of Araf Vadim Zelechenok said it was not for Wada to call for suspensions.
He also told the R-Sport TV station: "Any suspension should be discussed at the meeting of the IAAF in November. It should be proven that any violations were the fault of the federation and not individual sports people. We should be given a chance to clear our names."
The international police body Interpol says it will be coordinating a global investigation into the suspected corruption and doping.

What are the key findings?

The report's co-author, sports lawyer Richard McLaren, believes it shows "a different scale of corruption", even compared with football's ongoing Fifa scandal, saying actual results at international athletics competitions had been changed because of cheating.
The report also:
Revealed many instances of inadequate testing and poor compliance around testing standards.
Suggested that neither the Russian athletics federation (Araf) the Russian anti-doping agency (Rusada), nor the Russian Federation can be considered anti-doping code-compliant.
Recommended that Wada withdraw its accreditation of the Moscow laboratory as soon as possible and advocated the permanent removal of its director Grigory Rodchenko, whom it accuses of asking for and accepting bribes and intentionally destroying samples he was told to keep.
Confirmed allegations that some Russian doctors and/or laboratory personnel acted as enablers for systematic cheating along with athletics coaches.
Identified the intentional and malicious destruction of more than 1,400 samples by Moscow laboratory officials after receiving written notification from Wada to preserve target samples.
Said that Russian security service FSB were present at the Moscow and Sochi labs and that this was part of a wider pattern of "direct intimidation and interference by the Russian state with the Moscow laboratory operations."
Found that Rusada gave athletes advance notice of tests, hid missed tests, bullied doping control officers and their families and took bribes to cover up missed tests.
Found that a number of Russian athletes suspected of doping could have been prevented from competing at the London 2012 Olympics had it not been for "the collective and inexplicable laissez-faire policy" adopted by the IAAF and the Russian athletics federation.
Found that Russian law enforcement was involved in efforts to "interfere with integrity of samples".
Found evidence of multiple rules breaches by IAAF officials and found the governing body to be "inexplicably lax in following up suspicious blood (and other) profiles".

Which doping scandal is this?

The report was commissioned on a "very narrow mandate" to "determine the accuracy" of allegations made in a German TV documentary about Russian athletics last December.
It claimed Russian athletes paid 5% of their earnings to domestic doping officials to supply banned substances and cover-up tests, while athletics' world governing body the IAAF was implicated in covering up the abuse.
The programme's claims of widespread doping were made by former Russian Anti-Doping Agency (Rusada) official Vitaly Stepanov and his wife Yulia (nee Rusanova), formerly an 800m runner who was banned for doping.
It included testimony from Russian athletes admitting to using banned substances and evidence of doping and corruption.
The commission was not asked to examine separate doping claims made in August when The Sunday Times and a German broadcaster claimed leaked blood tests from 5,000 athletes over 11 years showed an "extraordinary extent of cheating". The IAAF said the allegations were "sensationalist and infuriating" and Wada is investigating them separately.

What happens next?

IAAF chief Lord Coe said the sport's governing body would wait for Russia's response before deciding whether to punish the country's federation.
"It is the right thing to do to get them to give us an answer," he told the BBC.
"I am responsible for the conduct of my sport and I want answers from the Russian athletics federation. I am tough enough to defend my sport but the point I would emphasise is this is not just limited to athletics or Russia.
"We clearly have to understand full scope of allegations. We will look at ourselves. We will move quickly on this. I want to see a sport which is transparent and accountable and I will do what I can to do that. It will not be a swift road."

Source-  http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/athletics/34765444

Bangladesh under pressure losing top order batsmen

Bangladesh score 167 runs by 36 overs after losing top five batsmen in the second one-day international of three match series against Zimbabwe at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka on Monday.

Opener Imrul Kayes 76-run helps Bangladesh to reach the team score before returning to the pavilion.

Zimbabwe bowler Panyangara removes Tamim Iqbal, who scores 19 runs after spending 25 balls hitting 3 fours, and Liton Das, who contributes only seven runs for Bangladesh. Cremer sent back Mahmudullah (4) and Mushfiqur Rahim (21) and Sean Williams grabs Imrul Kayes' wicket.

Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura won the toss and elected to field first in the match.

Bangladesh lead the three-match series 1-0 thanks to their 145-run win in the first ODI on Saturday.

The hosts made one change, bringing opener Imrul Kayes in place for the world's leading all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, who flew to the United States to be with his newborn daughter.

Zimbabwe replaced injured wicketkeeper Richmond Mutumbami with Regis Chakbva.

Bangladesh though will be happy to bat, which has been their modus operandi of late. After a fantastic victory in the first ODI, the motivated Tigers embark on a new mission to seal the series.

Bangladesh Team

Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Liton Das, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim†, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza*, Arafat Sunny, Al-Amin Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

Zimbabwe Team

CJ Chibhabha, RW Chakabva†, CR Ervine, SC Williams, E Chigumbura*, Sikandar Raza, MN Waller, LM Jongwe, AG Cremer, T Panyangara, T Muzarabani

Source-  http://en.ntvbd.com/sports/12196/Bangladesh-under-pressure-losing-top-order-batsmen

Andy Murray to focus on Davis Cup final preparations

Andy Murray will focus on preparing for the forthcoming Davis Cup final this week by training on clay - even though his next tournament is being played on a different surface.

The world No 3 will report to London's Queens Club on Monday morning for the start of four days of 'hard training' on clay, and will then appear at the World Tour Finals which is being played on a hard-court surface.

But Murray is understood to be more eager to help Great Britain to their first Davis Cup win since 1936 and will dedicate the majority of his training over the remainder of the season to that.

Source-  http://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/10061981/andy-murray-to-focus-on-davis-cup-final-preparations

Sydney Kings star Josh Childress charged for blow up after controversial finish against 36ers

JOSH Childress has been charged by the NBL after an incident with game officials after the Sydney Kings’ clash with the Adelaide 36ers.

The Kings’ star import has been charged with offensive, obscene, and profane language to game officials, and unsportsmanlike behaviour, league sources told foxsports.com.au.

A tribunal will be held at a later date to finalise the disciplinary action taken against him.

In other Sydney Kings news, it’s expected that the team will file a complaint against the NBL regarding an incident with officials at the end of their game against the Adelaide 36ers.

The Kings are claiming that a time-out was credited to them unfairly, leading to them having a disadvantage on the final possession of the game.

A loss against the 36ers put the Kings at the bottom of the NBL ladder with a 2-7 record.

Childress will face the NBL tribunal tomorrow at 5pm (AEDT).

Source-  http://www.foxsports.com.au/basketball/sydney-kings-star-josh-childress-charged-for-blow-up-after-controversial-finish-against-36ers/story-e6frf3f3-1227602272881