Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

India vs Australia 1st Test Result: Ishant Sharma and Mr. Very Special VVS Laxman Pull-off A Unbelievable Victory of 1 Wicket

Posted: 05 Oct 2010 10:28 PM PDT

India vs Australia

Who says that Test Cricket is boring? Mohali test match of India Vs Australia has refuted all those who call test match boring.

What can you expect in the match in which two of the world's super powers clash? Do not know? So ask those who were sitting in the stadium of PCA Mohali.

Ask those who were watching the match on their TV sets. Ask those who understand real cricket.

Want to know the definition of real and nail-biting entertainment that can stop your heartthrobs. So 1st test match held at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium of Mohali between India Vs Australia is a perfect and matchless definition of it.

When this test match between India Vs Australia started so no one was expecting a result. They both the sides batted in the first innings gave the indications of a draw only. But in the second innings Indian bowlers did a frantic job. Moreover, all the bowlers not only asked questions to the batsmen of Australia but also made their life difficult.

As a result of it Australia got bundled out on paltry 192 runs in the second innings. Now Australia was already enjoying the lead of 23 runs on the behalf of first innings. now including lead of 23 runs acquired in the first innings Indian team was to make 216 runs to seal a victory in PCA Stadium of Mohali.

In the effort of chasing the target Indian team got off to a poor start. In the second innings ben Hilfenhaus got on the nerves of Indian team and gave a big jolt to Indian team in the very first over of the second innings by removing southpaw opener Gautam Gambhir on giant size 0 alongside his name.

So far scoreboard was also showing a giant size 0. But the biggest jolt came when Doug Bollinger made a whole in the Wall of India Rahul Dravid soon. Rahul Dravid made only 13 runs in 28 balls with the help of 3 boundaries.But this was not enough because the there was something more left to be witnessed.

Ben Hilfenhaus once again came beck into the attack and this time he gave serious to team India in the shape of Delhi Daredevil Virender Sehwag. Before getting out Virender Sehwag made 17 runs in just 23 balls.

After the departure of Virender Sehwag Ben Hilfenhaus did not stop here. He once again gave crucial blow by getting the wicket of flamboyant Suresh Raina. Raina could face only 3 balls in his innings and went back to pavilion on 0.

So far men in blue were in serious trouble with 162 runs still needed to win the match. Now the whole responsibility fell on the strong shoulders of Little but Champion Sachin TEndulkar and night watchman Zaheer Khan. Both of them played safely by the end of day 4 and stop the Autumn of wickets.

When on the 5th and final day play begin no one was expecting about what has come true today. With India already 4 down only on 55 in the effort of chasing modest total of 216 runs everybody was expecting Australia to win the game. But that's where everybody got refuted today. That's where Cricket refutes everyone.

On Day 5 Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan started the play and played well. Both of them played cautiously. But in the seventh over of the day Nathan Hauritz removed night watchman Zaheer Khan who made only 10 runs in 34 balls.

Now the man who entered the ground was none other than the stylish batsman from Hyderabad Mr. very Very Special VVS Laxman. On the other hand Master Blaster blasted with caution and waited for poor ball to come. But after making 38 runs in 64 balls with the help of 5 boundaries he became the second victim of fast bowler Doug Bollinger.

Now Indian team was in all sorts of trouble with 6 wickets down on 119 runs only. After the departure of Sahin Tendulkar Indian skipper Mahender Singh Dhoni entered the ground. He soon got out after making only 2 runs.

In the effort of taking an impossible single against Bill Hilfenhaus lost his wicet at crucial time. Bill Hilfenhaus spotted the chance of getting rid off Dhoni cheaply and hit the bull's eye straightway and ran in from Mid-off and caught Indian captain short of crease by significant margin.

After the fall of Dhoni's wicket turnator Harbhajan Singh entered the ground. But Doug Bollinger got the better of him too. He delivered a fast and furious bouncer that really shocked Harbhajan Singh and hit his bat's outside edge and Ricky Ponting made no m mistake in accepting the simplest catch of his career.

Now Indian team was on the brink of humiliating defeat against the world champions with 8 down only on 124 runs on the board.

But as it is rightly said that Test Cricket is not only a game of bat hitting the ball hard rather it is a test of players attitude, stamina, approach, character, will power, confidence, technique and skills to handle such a tremendous amount of unbearable pressure for snatching a victory from the jaws of surefire defeat in opposite as well as hell like worst circumstances.

That's where Mr. Very Very Special Vangipurapu Ventaktesh Sai Laxman is better than all the batsmen of entire Cricket history. VVS Laxman has always turned out to be a remedy in worst conditions.

He has not done it only once and twice rather he has done it many times in the past also against from teams like Zimbabwe to World Champions Australia all over the world. Who can forget his innings of 275 runs against Australia at Eden Garden of Kolkata when Indian team was forced to follow on under the leadershikp of Sourav Ganguly.

At Eden Garden he and The Wall Rahul Dravid got together and added 35 plus runs for the partnership of 5th wicket and won the match for India Single handedly out of nowhere.

Who can forget his innings of 148 runs at Sydney against Australia when Indian team was chasing a huge total of 556  posted by the host Australia. Once again at Sydney The Wall Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman got together and added nearly 350 runs once again. There VVS Laxman made 148 runs.

Now the whole responsibility fell on the shoulders of badly injured VVS Laxaman. With only 2 companioins like Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha left to bat with it was looking a daunting and impossible task. But once again he proved that by the time VVS Laxman is present on the crease Australia can never ever heave sigh of relief. No matter what the circumstances are because the man present on the pitch is not any tom dick and harry but stubborn VVS Laxman.

After the fall of Harbhajan Singh Pacer Ishant Sharma came in to bat. No body was expecting him to last long for more than 1 over. But he not only refuted everyone but added 31 indispensible runs to the Indian total also.

He also gave a commendable support to Laxman on the other end. Both of them added 81 runs for the partnership of 9th wicket. Ishant Sharma was the ninth man to get out. He made 31 runs in 92 balls and hit 5 boundaries before Hilfenhaus caught him LBW.

Now Indian team was 9 down on 205 with only wicket left. Indian team still needed 11 runs to win. But VVS Laxman was still present on the crease. Laxman got a nice support of Pragyan Ojha.

Australia got last chance to win the match when pacer Mitchell Johnson got the ball in his hands. Johnson delivered a beautiful ball that hit the pads of Ojha. At this Johnson and entire Australian team went up for a confident LBW appeal against Ojha.

But at the same time substitute fielder Steven Smith committed a blunder of over throw that ran away for four runs at such a crucial stage of the match.  This turned out to be the biggest foolhardy of Steven Smith that seriously hurt Australia.

This boundary relapsed lot of pressure from Ojha and Laxman. On the next ball Ohja played a gentle flick stroke that went fine. On this stroke Ojha and Laxman scored the required 2 runs to win the match.

In this way team Laxman, Ojha and Ishant Sharma pulled off an unbelievable victory for the nation from the merciless jaws of Australia. After loosing the match in this way entire Australian team got on haunches in the ground that showed their disappointment. But in the Indian team there was a celebration mood after wining the match.

What is the importance of this win? It can be imagined from the reactions of Indian players who were sitting like dead ducks in the pavilion when Indian team was 8 down only on 124 runs on the board.

Even Sachin Tendulkar and Skipper Dhoni could not hide their emotions after winning such a thriller. When Laxman raised his bat in the jubilation of victory Sachin, Dhoni and entire Indian team ran towards Laxman to hug him. Both of them gave him a big hug.

After winning the match reactions of Indian players were worth watching especially the way Sachin Tendulkar and Dhoni expressed their emotions was a treat to watch.

No doubt that this is the match that no cricket buff will be able to forget at any cost. But of there is someone who would love to remember this match so they are Ishant Sharma, VVS Laxman and Pragyan Ojha.

Perhaps this is the Golden moment of this career. This victory registerd by the Indian team against the world champions will always be remembered by everyone and the name of VVS Laxman, Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha will be written in the history of Cricket in Golden Ink.

For Australia in the second innings Bill Hilfenhaus was the most successful bowler with figures of 19-3-57-4. On the other hand Doug Bollinger registered the figures of 8-0-32-3. For India Sachin Tendulkar made 38 runs but it was the partnership of VVS Laxman and Ishant Sharma that won the match for India.

VVS laxman made brisk 73 in 79 balls with the help of 8 boundaries. On the other hand Ishant Sharma also made crucial 31 runs in 92 balls.

For bowling his heart out and registering the figures of 30-7-94-5 in the 1st innings and 11.5-1-43-3 in the second innings that pushed Australia on the back foot and won the match for Indian team Zaheer Khan won the award of Player of The Match.

Pirates Dismiss Manager Russell After 105-Loss Season

Posted: 05 Oct 2010 04:43 PM PDT

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AHN Sports Staff

Pittsburgh, PA, United States (AHN) – The Pittsburgh Pirates dismissed manager John Russell Monday, one day after the team’s 18th straight losing season ended with a 105-defeat campaign.

Russell served as the team’s skipper since 2008 and was the team’s 38th manager in its 124-year history.

The Pirates poor record made sense, as the team batted paltry .242, allowed five earned runs per game and had the worst defense in the NL.

As badly as things went for the perennial-loser, team management tried not to blame Russell, however.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for J.R., both personally and professionally. He took on a difficult challenge, overseeing a major overhaul in the makeup of our team,” general manager Neal Huntington said in a statement Monday.

“J.R. is a quality baseball man and a good friend,” Huntington added. “He put his heart and soul into this difficult challenge and was tremendously committed to the organization and the plan we implemented three years ago. J.R. provided a positive environment for our young players, all of whom have grown as men and baseball players under his stewardship.

“But, in the end, we decided that new leadership in the clubhouse would give us the best opportunity to move this Major League team forward.”

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Australia Starts On Top, India Finds Foothold At CWG 2010

Posted: 05 Oct 2010 04:43 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

New Delhi, India (AHN) – Australia made a big start at the Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 on Monday, the first day of the sporting extravaganza in the Indian capital, with six medals in all, out of which four were gold and two silver. Host India tied for the second position in the medal tally with Canada and England at the end of the first day with four medals each.

While India won two silver and two bronze, Canada clinched one gold and three bronze and England picked up three silver and one bronze medal.

For Australia, the first gold medal came when swimmer Kylie Palmer won the women’s 200-meter freestyle event in 1:57.50. Jazmin Carlin of Wales and Rebecca Adlington of England won silver and bronze, respectively. Australia won two more gold medals in swimming on the first day.

Then came the Australian male gymnasts, who trailed the favorites, England, by 0.65 points and produced a brilliant display on the rings, claiming 2.3 points as well as a fourth gold medal for the country.

India started with a hope for gold, but had to feel satisfied with a silver and a bronze, which were won by Soniya Chanu and Sandhya Rani, respectively, in women’s 48kg weightlifting. The event, which has been a major contributor to India’s medal haul at the Commonwealth Games so far, has been plagued by a dope row recently. The Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) had to pay a hefty fine of more than $4 million to the International Weightlifting Federation so that it could participate in the Games.

In the same category, Nigeria’s 17-year-old Augustina Nwaokolo won the gold.

However, in tennis, India put up a good show with all three of the country’s singles players claiming easy victories while the celebrity pair of Leander Paes and Sania Mirza began their quest for gold by getting into the quarterfinals of the mixed doubles.

Paes and Mirza trounced the poor combo of Stavey Nykita Roheman and Alberton Richelieu of St. Lucia 6-1 6-0 in a short match of 39 minutes. The three singles, Rohan Bopanna, Rushmi Chakravarthi and Poojashree Venkatesh, prevailed over their opponents to record first-day victories.

For Canada, the first-ever Commonwealth gold came in the form of men’s 400m freestyle at the hands of Ryan Cochrane, who defeated Australia’s Ryan Napolean and Scottish defending champion Dave Carry, to win the honor.

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Atlanta Billiards Classic Set Up For Suspense-Filled Semis, Finals

Posted: 05 Oct 2010 04:43 PM PDT

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AHN Sports Staff

Atlanta, GA, United States (AHN) – After three rounds of intense 9-ball action, four women successfully survived the grueling preliminary competition and moved two wins away capturing the 2010 Atlanta 9-ball Classic.

WPBA Atlanta Classic organizers are expecting fierce and entertaining battles on November 14, when the pool competition resumes for the semis and final stages.

Jasmin Ouschan will once again look to sustain an excellent run when she plays Kelly Fisher in next month’s semis match.

Ouschan booked a semifinal ticket after ousting Allison Fisher, who scored a pair of runner-up finishes at the China Open and World 9-ball Championship before losing to Ouschan in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Kelly Fisher needed a bungled safety play from Karen Corr to post a nailbiting 9-8 victory Saturday.

Another player that should be closely watched in the semis is Monica Webb, who shocked top-seeded Ga Young Kim 9-8.

Webb is scheduled to face Kim Shaw, who was near flawless in the first two rounds before being pushed to the limit in Saturday’s last-eight match.

ESPN2 will nationally televise both semis and finals matches on Nov. 14, 1-4 p.m. EST.

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Habs` Cammalleri Suspended One Game; Slashed Isles` Niederreiter

Posted: 05 Oct 2010 04:43 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

NY, NY, United States (AHN) – Montreal Canadiens forward Michael Cammalleri has been suspended for one game for an incident involving New York Islanders player Nino Niederreiter in Saturday’s preseason game.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Cammalleri will forfeit $32,258.06. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred at 16:52 of the second period. He was assessed a major penalty for slashing and a game misconduct (Rule 61.5) for his actions.

Cammalleri will miss the Canadiens season opener at Toronto on October 7.

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Manager Dusty Baker, Reds Agree To Two-Year Contract Extension

Posted: 05 Oct 2010 04:43 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Cincinnati, OH, United States (AHN) – Dusty Baker, who helped lead the Cincinnati Reds back into the postseason for the first time in 15 years, agreed to a two-year extension with the team over the weekend.

Baker was reportedly offered a new deal in mid-August, but the 61-year-old Reds skipper refused to speak publicly about the negotiations.

Baker does not want to be a distraction to the team in the middle of a pennant race, but with a postseason berth locked up he was pleased to talk.

“I’m happy, my family is happy, my coaches are happy,” Baker said. “To me, this is just the first step in a long line of wins and excellent years.

“Thanks to [Reds CEO] Bob Castellini for having faith in me that I could lead this team to the playoffs. It always helps to have someone that has faith in you. You usually have faith in yourself but very rarely do you see that faith or feeling it from someone in authority, especially your boss.”

Baker took over the Reds managerial post on Oct. 13, 2007, replacing interim manager Pete Mackanin.

Baker, a native of Sacramento, previously led the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs, winning the 2002 NL pennant with the Giants.

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Twins Slugger Morneau Won`t Return For Playoffs

Posted: 05 Oct 2010 04:43 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Minneapolis, MN, United States (AHN) – Minnesota slugger Justin Morneau, who was hoping to possibly return for the AL Championship series, has been ruled out for the entire postseason as he continues to recover from the effects of a concussion, the team announced Monday.

The 29-year-old Morneau, who has been out since suffering a concussion on July 7, was left off the team’s ALDS roster with the hope that he might be ready in time for the ALCS, if the Twins make it that far.

After re-evaluating and taking into consideration its primary concern of ensuring that the concussion was fully healed before the All-Star first baseman returned to the field, the Twins decided to shut down Morneau for the rest of the year, MLB.com reported.

“Long-term health and long-term career are more important than the next week or next month,” Twins general manager Bill Smith told MLB.com.

Morneau sustained the injury while sliding into second base, colliding with Jays second baseman John McDonald’s knee in Toronto nearly three months ago.

He left the contest after feeling woozy and has felt the after-effects of the collision well into September.

Last week, the possible return of the four-time All-Star and the 2006 AL MVP created a buzz of excitement around the Twins.

Originally drafted as a catcher by the Twins in 1999 and debuting four years later, Morneau appeared headed toward another MVP-caliber season, hitting .345 with a .437 on-base percentage, 18 home runs and 56 RBI in 81 games before getting injured.

He owns the fourth-highest home run total on the team despite playing in only 80 games.

Despite his absence, the Twins have remained consistent. Minnesota has been hitting and posting wins at the same clip or better as when Morneau was in the lineup.

The Twins will meet the New York Yankees Wednesday for Game 1 of the ALDS.

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NHL Network To Air 78 Games This Season

Posted: 05 Oct 2010 04:43 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

NY, NY, United States (AHN) – NHL Network U.S. will televise 78 live games this season, all in HD, with live game action from every NHL Club spread over multiple days a week throughout the regular season.

Three”flex” games in addition to the 75 listed below will guarantee viewers get the key matchups with playoff implications. Local blackouts will apply to all live games and game replays.

NHL Network U.S. drops the puck on the live 2010-11 NHL regular-season schedule Saturday, Oct. 9, with a double-header of live games. First up is San Jose Sharks against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Stockholm, Sweden as part of the 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere.

That same night, captain Jonathan Toews and the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks will raise a new banner to the United Center’s rafters before their first home game for the season against the Detroit Red Wings.

Other highlights from the NHL Network U.S. broadcast schedule include the last meeting between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals before they go head-to-head in the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day at Heinz Field.

Beginning on Saturday, Oct. 23 and for the third year in a row, NHL Network U.S. will feature acclaimed programming from CBC’s “Hockey Night In Canada” every Saturday starting at 6:30 p.m., ET.

Fans in the U.S. will continue to see the 30-minute pre-game show “Hockey Tonight,” followed by

an early game from the “HNIC” doubleheader including popular segments “Coach’s Corner” with Don Cherry and Ron MacLean and “The Hotstove.”

Post-game of the first match-up will broadcast on the Network in the U.S. until 10 p.m. The late “HNIC” game along with “After Hours,” will be telecast on NHL Network U.S. Sunday afternoons, on tape-delay.

The “HNIC” games not televised live on NHL Network U.S. will be available on TV on NHL Center Ice and NHL GameCenter LIVE, the NHL’s digital subscription programming package.

NHL Network’s flagship show, “NHL On The Fly” will return nightly throughout the season starting on Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. ET with an Eastern Conference Preview Show.

The Western Conference Preview Show will air the following night, Oct. 5, and on Oct. 6, “NHL On The Fly” will take an in-depth look at the 2010 Compuware Premiere games taking place around Europe.

On Oct. 7, the “NHL On The Fly” crew will broadcast live from the 2010 NHL Face-Off in Dundas Square, Toronto from 4 – 7 p.m., followed immediately by a regular full-length program beginning an hour earlier than usual.

“NHL On The Fly” features up-to-the minute hockey information, live look-ins, extended highlights, overtimes and shootouts, real-time scores, interviews, pre- and post-game reports and news conferences.

The nightly highlight show is hosted by David Amber and Brian Duff, with expert analysis from a variety of NHL notables including Kevin Weekes, Gary Green, Craig Button, Mike Johnson, Brad May, Bobby Holik and more.

Highlights of the NHL Network U.S. schedule this season include:

• Saturday, Oct. 9 – First up, the Columbus Blue Jackets take on the San Jose Sharks at Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden as part of the 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere. Later that night, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks will raise a new banner to the

United Center rafters before going up against Nicklas Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk and the Detroit Red Wings.

• Sunday, Oct. 10 – The Boston Bruins and Phoenix Coyotes will open their seasons in Prague as part of the 2010 Compuware NHL Premiere. This will be second of two back-to-back matches between the Bruins and Coyotes in Prague, Czech Republic at O2 Arena.

• Thursday, Oct. 14 -Dallas’ home opener against the Detroit Red Wings featuring former face of the Stars, Mike Modano – who will wear the famed winged wheel for the first time in his old stomping grounds.

• Monday, Nov. 1 – A clash of two Original Six teams with the New York Rangers hosting the Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden.

• Wednesday, Nov. 24 – It’s a rematch of the 2010 Western Conference Final, with San Jose hosting the Chicago Blackhawks.

• Thursday, Dec. 2 – Dany Heatley makes his return to Ottawa as a member of the San Jose Sharks.

• Thursday, Dec. 23 – Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Washington to face Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals in a preview of the 2011 Bridgestone / NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day at Heinz Field.

• Friday, Feb. 18 – Rod Brind’Amour will have his number retired in Carolina as the Hurricanes host the 2010 Eastern Conference Champion Philadelphia Flyers.

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NHL, NHL Officials Association Reach Tentative 4-Year Agreement

Posted: 05 Oct 2010 04:43 PM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

NY, NY, United States (AHN) – The National Hockey League and the NHL Officials’ Association Monday reached tentative agreement on a new four-year Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The tentative Agreement is subject to ratification by the membership of the NHL Officials’ Association as well as the League’s Board of Governors.

The League and the NHLOA will have no comment until the ratification process has taken place.

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Top Paddlers To Use CWG As Tune Up For Asian Games

Posted: 05 Oct 2010 04:43 PM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

New Delhi, India (AHN) – Some of the top paddlers competing in the Commonwealth Games are expected to use their experience in the Delhi Games in preparation for the upcoming Asian Games.

Top-seed Chinese-born Gao Ning is one of those players.

Gao, who will banner the highly-touted Singaporean men’s team, is not only expected to do his best in the Games, but help boost his confidence for the 2010 Asian Games that will be held in Guangzhou, China, next month.

“Asian Games is coming up and I want to perform well there also. A couple of fine performances here will certainly be a good preparation for the Asian Games,” said the 27-year-old Olympian, as reported by Rediff.com.

Gao, ranked No. 17 in the world, will lead the Singapore men’s team against the a tough challenge from the local favorites headlined by the second seeded Achanta Sharath Kamal.

Kamal, who is ranked No. 41 in the world, ruled the singles event in the previous edition of the Games staged in Melbourne.

Apart from Gao, Singapore’s men’s paddlers is composed of Cai Xiaoli, Yang Zi, Ma Liang and upcoming local talent Pang Xue Li.

Meanwhile, Singapore women’s team is the installed favorites in the Games after it toppled China in World team championship in Moscow early this year.

The Asian Games will be held from Nov. 12 to 27.

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