India v England: Jonathan Trott & Ian Bell lead England to series win

Monday, December 17, 2012

England completed their first series victory in India for 27 years as Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell both hit centuries on the final day in Nagpur.

  Trott scored 143 and Bell 116 not out as the tourists - who lost in Ahmedabad before winning in Mumbai and Kolkata - earned the draw they needed to secure an historic achievement. India took just one wicket all day as debutant Joe Root added an unbeaten 20. England finished 356 runs ahead on 352-4 when stumps were drawn early. Their final-day dominance was fitting because, since being beaten by nine wickets in the first Test, England have outplayed their hosts in every department. While recent Ashes victories will rank as some of England's finest displays in recent years, former captain Michael Vaughan put the accomplishment into context by describing winning a Test series in India as the hardest thing to do in cricket. It is only the fourth time in history England have won there, and it is the first time since David Gower's tourists were triumphant in 1984-85. England also inflicted India's first series loss on home soil since the legendary Australia team of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Ricky Ponting won in 2004 - a series which became billed as "The Last Step To Greatness". Cook's team may not be "great" yet, but they certainly gave players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Mahendra Dhoni plenty to think about with their dominant performances. Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar outbowled India's spinners, James Anderson underlined his status as one of the best seamers in the world, while - led by the insatiable run-scoring feats of captain Cook - all of England's batsmen scored runs. Trott and Bell were the two players most in need of a good score on the final day of the match - and both delivered emphatically. The Warwickshire pair posted their highest Test scores of the year, with a century particularly welcome for Bell who averaged just 18 in India before he came to the crease when England were stuttering slightly at 94-3 on the fourth day. Scoring may have been slow, with Trott facing 310 balls and Bell 306, but it is a measure of England's progress that they suffered so few alarms on the final day after such a chastening start to the year. Both Trott and Bell were part of the side in January which was bowled out for 72 against Pakistan, on their way to a series whitewash in the United Arab Emirates. But there was no way Trott was going to allow the year to end on a sour note. He continued in a defiant manner on the fifth morning - timing the ball to perfection - as he eased a four through the leg side to bring up his eighth Test century. It appeared he might bat throughout the final day until his dismissal just before tea.

The 31-year-old chased a Ravichandran Ashwin delivery and chipped the ball into the hands of Virat Kohli at leg-slip. Bell batted similarly serenely, but did enjoy a let-off on 75 when he slashed hard outside off stump and was dropped at slip by Sehwag. He capitalised on his fortune late in the day when he completed his 17th Test century - the slowest of his international career - as he and Root, who swept Ashwin for six to compound the off-spinner's misery, closed out the historic and memorable series victory. England, who consolidated their second-placed position behind South Africa in the ICC Test rankings, travel to New Zealand for a three-Test series in March before hosting the Kiwis in the summer ahead of back-to-back Ashes contests. Listen to match highlights and Jonathan Agnew and Geoffrey Boycott's analysis of the day's play on the Test Match Special podcast. We are using archive pictures for this Test because several photo agencies, including Getty Images, have been barred from the ground following a dispute with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, while other agencies have withdrawn their photographers in protest.














17 December 2012 Last updated at 10:23
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/20752998

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Mario Balotelli: Man City striker takes club to tribunal

Italian striker Mario Balotelli will face Manchester City at a Premier League tribunal in London on Wednesday.  

Balotelli is fighting City's decision to fine him two weeks' wages for his poor disciplinary record last season. The 22-year-old missed 11 games domestically and in Europe last season because of suspensions. Balotelli appealed against the decision but an independent panel of City's board upheld the penalty. The case will now be heard by a three-man panel. The striker is expected to appear in person, along with his Italian lawyer and a representative from the Professional Footballers' Association, while City will bring their legal team. A two-week fine is the maximum penalty stipulated in standard player contracts and, although City refused to comment on the case, they are privately confident of winning. It is unusual for internal disputes between clubs and their players to go to a Premier League tribunal.

 The PFA has advised the player throughout and its chief executive, Gordon Taylor, told BBC Sport: "We try to avoid situations like this wherever possible, but the player and club have not been able to resolve this situation." City began the disciplinary process after Balotelli was sent off against Arsenal in April 2012. In all, he received nine yellow cards and three reds - one of them retrospective - during the season. Balotelli was taken off early in the second half of City's 3-2 defeat by Manchester United on 9 December, and then left out of their squad altogether for the 3-1 win at Newcastle on Saturday. After the match, City manager Roberto Mancini said: "At this moment, Mario is not in good form and for this reason he is at home. It is only for this reason. To get back into the team he needs to work in training and when he plays, he needs to play well."















17 December 2012 Last updated at 11:17
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20756755

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Luke Donald moves up rankings with Japan win

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Luke Donald moved up a place to world number two as he overtook Tiger Woods by claiming victory in the Dunlop Phoenix tournament in Japan. 

Donald followed up opening rounds of 65, 64 and 71 with a 68 for the win. The Briton had led by four shots going into the final round and ended up finishing five strokes ahead of nearest rival Hideki Matsuyama. It is the 34-year-old's first tournament win since he defended the PGA Championship at Wentworth in May. Donald's latest success rarely appeared in doubt after he birdied the fourth and eighth, while getting an eagle at the seventh. He did bogey holes nine and 10 before seven pars and a birdie on the long 18th assured him of victory.






18 November 2012 Last updated at 09:20
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/20384201

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Ivan Lendl sees himself coaching the rest of Andy Murray's career

Ivan Lendl says he sees himself coaching US Open champion Andy Murray for the rest of the Scot's career. 

Murray appointed eight-time Grand Slam winner Lendl as his coach in December, and has since won Olympic gold, the US Open and reached the Wimbledon final. "As long as it works for both of us, I can see myself being with him for the rest of his career," Lendl told BBC World Service. The 52-year-old also revealed he intends to improve Murray's tennis. "I have a lot of plans where I would like to see Andy end up with his game," said Lendl, who helped the 25-year-old become Britain's first male Grand Slam singles champion in 76 years with victory in the US Open in September. But despite Murray's success, the 52-year-old Czech-born coach says the player is only at 20% of where he wants him to be, though he refuses to set a particular target in terms of Grand Slam victories. "I think [he can achieve] a lot more. I'm not going to say number of Grand Slams, I'm just going to say where Andy is now," he said. "I take 'point A' - when we started working - now he's at 'point B', and when I envisage I would say he's about 20% there." Murray has enjoyed his best year of tennis under Lendl - winning the US Open, an Olympic gold medal, an Olympic silver medal and reaching the final, semi-final and quarter-final of Wimbledon, the Australian Open and the French Open , respectively. His Olympic gold medal came with a victory over Roger Federer at Wimbledon, just a month after losing the Wimbledon final at the same venue to the same opponent. It sparked fresh debate over whether Murray could become the first male British singles Wimbledon winner since Fred Perry in 1936. "I think that [if Andy's career will be judged on whether he wins Wimbledon] is an inappropriate question because I think everybody knows he can," said Lendl. "The question is 'is he going to win Wimbledon?' and know he will give it a good crack many, many times - not just once, not just in 2013 or 2014. He has quite a few years left in him and he's going to give it a crack." However, Lendl believes nothing is guaranteed with regards to success on home turf. "As you know in sport, you cannot predict, you can only anticipate - both Andy and I would be disappointed if at the end of the day he does not win," said Lendl. "But it's also a possibility that he may win more than one, and he may not win any. "I don't know, I don't know the answer to that, but he can."










16 November 2012 Last updated at 18:14
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/20363282

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Singapore Open: Thunderstorms raise risk of 54-hole event

Friday, November 9, 2012

The Singapore Open could be cut to 54 holes for the second year running after thunderstorms forced play to be halted early for the second day.  

Half of the field did not start round two on Friday and some greens were under water with more rain forecast. England's Simon Dyson birdied four of the 13 holes he played to lead on six under with Thailand's Chapchai Nirat. World number one Rory McIlroy, who needs a top-three finish to win the Race to Dubai, is one under after 12. Lighting and heavy rain caused two suspensions before play was finally called off. Last year's event, won by Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano in a play-off, was cut to 54 holes and only finished on the Monday morning. "At present, our aim is still to complete 72 holes, weather permitting," said tournament director Jose Maria Zamora. "However, if we do suffer more delays we would then decide, in consultation with the sponsor and promoter, whether to reduce the tournament to 54 holes or complete the fourth round on Monday." McIlroy, who finished his first round in one-under-par 70 on Friday morning, birdied his last hole of the day to improve to joint 29th.

The Northern Irishman had looked in danger of missing the cut after bogeying his third hole of the second round, the 12th, and following that with a double-bogey six on the par-four 13th to slip to two over. However, the 23-year-old picked up birdies on the 18th, first and third holes to move back into contention with six holes left of his second round. Dyson's share of the lead will be short-lived when play resumes at 23:30 GMT on Friday (07:30 local time on Saturday) because the siren to halt proceedings was sounded before he had chance to knock in a bogey putt on the fifth (his 14th). Nirat, who is ranked 631st in the world, completed a bogey-free 65 on Friday morning to take the first-round lead and mixed a couple of birdies with a couple of bogeys to remain six under after nine holes of round two. Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, who led on five under at the end of day one, is among the 78 players who were unable to tee off in the second round. Europe's Ryder Cup vice-captain was joined on that mark by Italian duo Francesco Molinari and Matteo Manassero. Molinari is yet to drop a shot in his second round, having birdied three of his 12 holes while Manassero recovered from an opening-hole double bogey to record six birdies in 11 holes. England's Chris Wood improved his score to four under with three birdies in the eight holes he was able to complete. He joined compatriot Simon Khan, who also did not tee off, in joint sixth, while Paul Casey (three under) was another who stayed in the clubhouse.












9 November 2012 Last updated at 11:22
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/20266403

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Andy Murray chases place in ATP World Tour semi-finals

Andy Murray knows that a straight-sets win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Friday will guarantee a semi-final place at the ATP World Tour Finals.  

The Briton goes into the final round of Group A matches in second place, having beaten Tomas Berdych and lost to top seed Novak Djokovic. Murray takes on Tsonga at 19:45 GMT, after Djokovic plays Berdych at 13:45. A Djokovic win would ease Murray's task as he would then only need a set against the Frenchman. All four men go into Friday still able to secure one of the two semi-final places on offer in the group, and there are 10 different qualification scenarios. It is a situation Murray has experienced before, notably in 2009, when he won two group matches but was still eliminated on the percentage of games won. He at least has the advantage of playing last on Friday, so will know exactly what he has to do against Tsonga. "Who knows what the scenario will be when I get on the court but I'll just try my best to win," said Murray. "There are no easy matches here and you need to be prepared for some tough battles." The message was the same from Djokovic who, despite having won both his opening matches, could still suffer the same fate as Murray three years ago with a poor result against Berdych. "I will try not to depend on some other players' scores and matches," said the world number one.

 "I will try to focus and win every match that I play." Murray can take encouragement from a one-sided 6-1 record against Tsonga that includes victories in their last five matches. He beat the Frenchman over four sets in the Wimbledon semi-final this summer and has not lost to the world number eight since 2008. "I just have to play the Tsonga match and try to win regardless of what situation either of us are in," added Murray. "It doesn't matter what has gone before, I just have to win. We are not used to the round-robin format in tennis because we play knockout everywhere else apart from here. "That is the tradition of the tournament and it's fine. As professional sportsmen we should be able to deal with all sorts of situations and focus regardless." Fellow Briton Jonny Marray faces a less nerve-wracking evening after he and Danish partner Freddie Nielsen secured a place in the doubles semi-final with wins in their opening two matches. The Wimbledon champions complete the group stage when they take on Swede Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau of Romania at 18:00.






 8 November 2012 Last updated at 20:16
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/20259569

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Jay-Z brings Nets basketball team to Brooklyn

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

 

Few, if any, leading sports clubs can say that a top rap star has played a role in their rebirth, but that is the case with the newly founded Brooklyn Nets basketball team.

Known as the New Jersey Nets for 35 years, the team will start the new season in the famous New York borough, and in a new stadium, the Barclays Center. Jay-Z, who owns shares in the club, has been a prime mover behind the NBA team's reincarnation, advising club executives, as well as designing club logos and apparel. He also stars in a series of eight sold-out concerts, starting on Friday, 28 September, to open the multi-purpose venue, which will be used for everything from sporting events, to concerts, to family shows. The music star, real name Shawn Corey Carter, was brought into the Nets fold in the mid-2000s by then-owner, and current minority stakeholder, property developer Bruce Ratner. It was Mr Ratner who also came up with the idea of moving the team to sports-mad Brooklyn, without a major professional sports team since the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team moved to Los Angeles in 1957. Ownership 'vision' "When Bruce Ratner first bought the team he brought Jay-Z into the ownership structure - that showed foresight," says Brett Yormark, Brooklyn Nets chief executive. "Jay-Z is from Brooklyn, he is of Brooklyn. So he recognised the vision when Bruce first announced his intention to come to Brooklyn." Mr Yormark says: "Jay-Z's role with the team has evolved." And the rapper worked closely with club executives on the two new club logos - one with a shield and one with a large B - and colours.

 "He is a confidant that I can reach out to - he has a tremendous understanding of current consumer trends," the Mr Yormark, 45, adds. The move completes a near eight-year battle for Mr Yormark to get the team into its new $1bn (£0.6bn) home, having to overcome the global financial crisis on the way. "We are very excited - I honestly think the Barclays Center, and the move of the Nets, has exceeded people's expectations," he says. "It has taken time to get to Brooklyn, but on 30 April we turned the page." That was when the red, white and blue of the New Jersey Nets was exchanged for the black and white Brooklyn look. 'Incredible time' The Brooklyn borough is roughly 10 miles (16km) across the Hudson from Newark, New Jersey, last home of the Nets. "It has been an incredible time since April - the public has really connected with the 'Brooklyn-isation' of our offer," Mr Yormark says. If its population was counted separately from that of New York, then Brooklyn would be the fourth biggest city in the US, offering a large potential fan-base. Mr Yormark says that sales of merchandise are going very well, and doing better than some long-established teams. Demand has exceeded expectation, and Mr Yormark was also pleased to see club merchandise on sale in London during a recent visit, given that the Nets are looking to create a global fan-base. 'Russian goal' Like all NBA teams, China is a major potential market, but for the Nets there is another specific nation they are targeting, the homeland of club majority owner Mikhail Prokhorov. "We have an eye on Russia - that is a market we are keenly interested in," says Mr Yormark. "Our goal is to be the home NBA team in Russia." And whereas the club previously sold 4,000 "full season seats", during their time in New Jersey, they have sold more than 10,000 of these season tickets for the 18,000 capacity Barclays Center. There is a wide range of tickets, to suit all incomes. At the top end there are 1,200 executive suite seats, and at the other there are 2,000 tickets available at $15. "It is part of our message to the community - we want to make sure that anyone can attend a game," says Mr Yormark. The Barclays Center will also provide 2,000 jobs for local people. New Jersey support There are also Nets ticket packages, which call for a commitment of three years, but which allow access to tickets for other events at the Barclays Center before the general public can buy. "This was the first product of its kind in New York," says Mr Yormark. "If you are a business person and you know you are going to need tickets for college sport, boxing, family shows, then you know you can get them from the Nets." He says that some 12% of the ticket base that was with the Nets in New Jersey has pledged to follow the team over in Brooklyn. "We try to do our best for fans," says Mr Yormark. "We promised that if they stuck with us [for the last season] in New Jersey they would get first chance at the Brooklyn tickets." Meanwhile he says that sponsorship income is up three times on last year's figure. Barclays is the title sponsor of the new venue, and there are 12 founding partners, which include big names like American Express and Honda. "It is an exciting time - you don't often get a chance to transfer a team into a new major market." 'Silver lining' The move will certainly establish a local rivalry with the New York Knicks team, who the Brooklyn Nets will play in the first match of the season on 1 November. "The first game will make for a very tremendous moment, and gives people a lot to talk about," says Mr Yormark. The move has not been without its difficulties, with protests and political hurdles to be overcome. But Mr Yormark sees the delays as actually having had a beneficial effect. "I look at everything with a silver lining," he says. "The economy is better than it was, Brooklyn is a more dynamic market than it was, the time is right to bring sport back to Brooklyn."













By Bill Wilson Business reporter, BBC News
27 September 2012 Last updated at 22:35 GMT
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19503482

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Rory McIlroy eyes US & European double at BMW Masters

Thursday, October 25, 2012

World number one Rory McIlroy will continue his bid to top the money lists on the European and United States tours at the BMW Masters in Shanghai. 

He has a US$1.91m lead over Tiger Woods on the PGA Tour, but can be overtaken by both Justin Rose and Branden Grace on the Europe tour this week. Luke Donald became the first man to win both money lists in one year in 2011. The field at Lake Malaren includes 11 of Europe's victorious Ryder Cup team, as well as captain Jose Maria Olazabal. Of the side that came from behind to win 14½-13½ at Medinah, Spaniard Sergio Garcia is absent, while the Republic of Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Australian Marcus Fraser are the only two of the Race to Dubai's top 30 not in Shanghai. England's Rose and South African Grace could both overtake McIlroy with victory in China, with the Northern Ireland player on guard after finishing second on the European money list in two of the last three years. "It would be good to knock that off and try and do what Luke did last year and win the money list on both tours," said the 23-year-old. "I've got a big run left in my year with four tournaments in the next five weeks, so I would like to finish off the season as well as I can. "I've got Justin and Branden right behind me and there is still some big-money events still to play, so I've four events left and if I do play well in those four events hopefully I can achieve that goal." If McIlroy finishes outside the top seven, a top-two result would see Rose take over at the top of the Race to Dubai. Rose, who won the European Tour title in 2007, is drawn with McIlroy and fellow Englishman Lee Westwood in the final group that tees off at 04:20 BST on Thursday. "There are some big events coming up and an exciting finish to the Race to Dubai," said Rose, who trails McIlroy by 437,000 euros (£353,000). "I think Rory is playing more tournaments than me in the lead-up, so I am going to have to play well, absolutely. "To be number one of any tour around the world, especially the European Tour, that's a huge goal and would be a huge honour."








24 October 2012 Last updated at 12:09
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/20067839

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Bolton Wanderers confirm Dougie Freedman as new manager

Bolton Wanderers have confirmed Dougie Freedman as their new manager. 

Crystal Palace announced the departure of the 38-year-old, who replaces Owen Coyle as Wanderers boss, on Tuesday. Freedman, who was in charge of Palace for 21 months, said: "I am delighted to join Bolton. The club is geared up to getting back into the Premier League. "There is an impressive setup and structure in place, and a first team squad of undoubted quality. I'm excited about the challenge ahead of us." Bolton chairman Phil Gartside added: "Dougie is young and ambitious. When we met, his enthusiasm and knowledge of the game was evident. "He has a real drive and passion, and knows what we want to achieve and how we want to go about it. I am looking forward to working with Dougie to secure that." Freedman, a former Palace and Scotland striker, leaves the Eagles fourth in the Championship - 12 places and six points above Bolton. Despite Freedman's arrival appearing imminent, academy chief Jimmy Phillips revealed after Tuesday's 2-2 draw against Wolves that he had been asked to prepare the first team for their trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday. Bolton made an approach to speak to Freedman on Sunday, which was rejected by Palace, but the London club later gave Wanderers permission to talk to their manager. The Eagles released a statement confirming his exit from Selhurst Park, although Bolton would not officially announce his appointment.









25 October 2012 Last updated at 11:35
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20081696

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Rory McIlroy out of World Golf Final after Tiger Woods defeat

Friday, October 19, 2012

World number one Rory McIlroy bowed out of the World Golf Final in Turkey after losing his third successive match.  

Having lost to Matt Kuchar and Charl Schwartzel, McIlroy needed to beat Tiger Woods with a low total in the final group game of medal match play. But he could only post a one-under 70 as Woods surged into the semi-finals with a fine 64 containing no bogeys. Woods plays Justin Rose, who carded a 62, in the semis, while Lee Westwood shot 64 and faces Charl Schwartzel. McIlroy, who won his second major in August by claiming the USPGA title at Kiawah Island and helped Europe to Ryder Cup glory last month, was behind from the opening hole against Woods, after sending his opening drive into the water. With a three-wood he drove pin high at the 304-yard par-four fifth but miscued his chip and could only make par. Woods tapped in from four feet for his second birdie and opened a three-shot lead as McIlroy remained the only player in the eight-man field over par. At the next, a par three, McIlroy missed the green and made another bogey, while Woods rolled in a six-foot birdie putt to go five shots clear. McIlroy birdied two of the last three holes but Woods matched that and maintained his run of improving by three shots in each of his three matches. "I really hit it good out there," the 36-year-old world number two told reporters. "I missed a couple of putts so it could have been a really low number. "My game is starting to turn around a bit and I am beginning to hit it like I did at the start of the year." McIlroy, accompanied this week by girlfriend and tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, will receive a cheque for $300,000 for finishing joint last, and said: "I'm not that disappointed because I've got the afternoon off around the pool. I came here because I have never played in Turkey and there are a lot of good players here.

 "I thought it would be a fun week and it has been. I've now got four events left this year starting the week after next, defending my BMW Masters title in Shanghai." Meanwhile Westwood, one of three players resplendent in shorts at the Antalya Golf Club, was in fine form with the putter as he played the first nine holes in seven under, the highlight an eagle at the fifth when he drove to within 10 feet at the 373-yard par-four. He dropped his only shot of the round at the 11th but finished a comfortable five shots ahead of American Hunter Mahan, who ended without a point despite rounds of 67 and 69 this week. Rose was level with US Open champion Webb Simpson at seven under after 15 holes, before a two-shot swing at the par-five 16th, and a closing birdie gave the Englishman a nine-under total, the best of the week. Schwartzel recorded four birdies on each nine in an impressive 63 to defeat Matt Kuchar by two strokes.













 11 October 2012 Last updated at 10:17
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19908803

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