Friday, November 5, 2010

Latest Sports Buzz

Latest Sports Buzz

NZ vs Ind 1st Test Day 2: Tendulkar Will Have To Wait for His 50th Century

Posted: 05 Nov 2010 06:41 AM PDT

NZ vs Ind 1st Test Day 2

Day 2 of the first test between India and New Zealand being played at Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad started with India at 329 for 2 wickets down.

Three wickets were lost on day one, 4th November when India won the toss and decided to bat first.

Gambhir was the first man to leave the crease when clean bowled by Jessi Ryder at his score of 21 runs and India was 60 at that time.

It was a tough day for NZ as for the next wicket they had to wait till post tea session when Sehwag got out but after a brilliant knock of 173 runs. Vettori took new ball after 80th over of the game and it was Dravid to go back bowled by Martina at 104.

Two centuries in the opening day of match was a brilliant start by India. Tendulkar and Laxman were at crease on day 2 and everyone was expecting Tendulkar 's 50th century but all in vain as he got out at 40 runs caught and bowled by Patel.

India reduced to 383 for four down. Raina and Laxman were expected to take advantage of India's solid position thereby driver innings to a grand total somewhere around 550 or above.

But both Laxman and Raina left early. Raina got out at just 3 runs and Laxman at 40 thereby reducing India further to 392 for six wickets down. Dhoni too could not do any wonders an got out at only 10 runs.

When India was left with only tail enders Harbhajan, Zaheer, Ojha and Sreesanth at 410 for 7, it seemed that hardly 20-30 runs would be added more. It was a wonderful knock of 69 runs by Harbhajan with a good support from Ojha.

Ojha did not make much runs but gave a good stand to Harbhajan to surpass his last best score which was 66. India was all out at 487.

McIntosh and Brandon McCullum opened NZ innings. India got an early break when in Zaheer's second and innings' third over he bowled out McIntosh before his account could be opened. One down Watling got clean bowled by Pragyan Ojha in 10th over of the innings thereby increasing trouble for New Zealand.

Taylor and McCullum ensured safety for New Zealand and for next 18 overs remaining for the day they both played wisely so that no further loss is incurred. Taylor at 18 and McCullum at 38 are at crease and this being the most reliable pair in NZ team, a lot is being expected from them to drive their team out of any trouble.

It all depends on how NZ batsmen play, whether they will surpass the danger point of 287 to avoid follow on, or they will surpass 487 to drive match to a drawn situation, or they will fall below 250 to play again and let India win the match comfortably by an innings. Third day's play will be between Pujara and Harbhajan versus New Zealand batsmen.

Somehow it seems difficult that Tendulkar makes his 50th Ton in this match now. It may happen in the second test match to be played.

SL vs Aus 2nd ODI Result: Sri Lanka Creates History By Winning Series

Posted: 05 Nov 2010 06:36 AM PDT

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SL vs Aus

Sri Lanka has never won a series against Australia in Australia. First ODI of the 3 ODI series they won against Australia comfortably on 3rd November played at MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne).

Ricky Ponting could not play in first ODI as he had to attend to his grandmother's funeral the same day. The match was quite exciting till the end and Sri Lanka won this match by one wicket in 45th over batting second.

Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first. Tharanga and Dilshan opened the innings for Sri Lanka and both batted brilliantly to give 98 runs stand before Dilshan got out at his individual score of 47 runs in 20th over.

That was a good partnership and it seemed that Sri Lankan batsmen will drive innings towards a good total in the ODI being played at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney. Jayawardene is continuously missing to demonstrate his batting skills and got out early at his score of 5 runs just 18 runs after the last wicket fell down.

Kuamar Sangakkara and Dilshan drove innings further but somehow is was not the best batting being demonstrated by Sri Lankan batsmen as per ODI expectations. Australian bowlers were able to restrict SL to head towards a high total.

Sangkkara got out at 45 in 38th over when SL total was 186. Angelo Mathews did some fast batting and made 17 runs in 11 balls. Dilshan remained not out at 86 with 6 fours. Dilshan and Sangakkara missed their half centuries by 3 and 5 runs respectively. Sri Lanka put a challenge of 214 runs to win for Australia in 42 overs.

A shower in the Sri Lankan innings during 41st over reduced the innings to 42 overs. Australia started their innings with Shane Watson and Haddin and later was the first to quit at 1 in 2nd over of the game bowled by Kulasekara.

Ponting is consistently failing to produce big score and he too got out early at 10. Australia reduced to 32 for two. Clarke and Watson tried to stabilize the innings but Watson got out in 15th over at 40 made in 44 balls with 2 fours and 1 six. It rained again in 28th over which revised Australian target to 239 in 38 overs according to D/L Method.

A consistent fall of wickets got Australian batsmen all out at 210 in 37.4 overs thereby SL winning the match by 29 runs.

Sri Lanka has created a history by winning this ODI series on Australian soil as it has won the first two ODIs of 3 ODI series. If SL wins the third ODI too which is to be played on 8th, that will be remarkable for them and most demoralizing for Ponting and his army.

Richard Jefferson, Spurs Top Suns In Desert Duel

Posted: 05 Nov 2010 05:02 AM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

Phoenix, AZ, United States (AHN) – Richard Jefferson unloaded a game-best 28 points, including four of five from the 3-point area, helping the San Antonio Spurs to a 112-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns Wednesday night at US Airways Center.

Tim Duncan added 25 points and 17 boards and Manu Ginobili ended with 18 points and five assists for Spurs, who have three of four to start the season.

The Suns were paced by Jason Richardson, who finished with 21 points.

Steve Nash and Hakim Warrick added 19 points apiece for the Suns, who have lost three of four contests to begin the season.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Federer, Nadal To Open Tennis Season In Doha

Posted: 05 Nov 2010 05:02 AM PDT

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AHN Sports Staff

Doha, Qatar (AHN) – Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are set to open up their 2011 tennis season in Doha at the $1 million ExxonMobil Open at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Qatar.

The world’s top-two tennis players have agreed to participate at the ExxonMobil Open, which is scheduled begin on January 3.

Nadal and Federer will certainly boost the star power of the tournament that will also feature Frenchman Jo-Wilfred Tsonga and Russian Nikolay Davydenko, who defeated Nadal for the title last January.

Though two-time ExxonMobil Open champ Andy Murray will skip the tournament, the possibility of Nadal-Federer finals really excites organizers and tennis fans in Doha.

Nadal is currently having his finest tennis season, as he captured three out of four Grand Slam titles and reclaimed the No.1 world ranking this year.

Federer, on the other hand, had one of the lowest points of his career after failing to book a finals spot at the Wimbledon, French, and US Open.

Nevertheless, the Federer-Nadal rivalry remains a mouthwatering matchup for everybody to enjoy.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Ramirez Returns To Cubs; Exercises 2011 Option

Posted: 05 Nov 2010 05:02 AM PDT

John Nestor – AHN Sports Correspondent

Chicago, IL, United States (AHN) – Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez announced Wednesday he will exercise his contract option for 2011 and return to the team.

The 32-year-old passed on free agency and will make $14.6 million next season. Ramirez had to inform the team within five days of the end of the World Series whether he would become a free agent.

The Cubs hold the option for 2012 and it will cost them $15 million to bring Ramirez back or they can choose to buy out Ramirez for $2 million.

Ramirez was injured for parts of last season and got off to a slow start.

It’s doubtful he would have commanded the same salary he will get from Chicago next season after hitting .241 with 25 home runs and 83 RBI last season.

The slugger has 289 career homers, eclipsing 30 four times.

Ramirez has also gone over the 100 RBI mark six times.

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Celts Star Paul Pierce Nets 20,000th Career Point

Posted: 05 Nov 2010 05:02 AM PDT

John Nestor – AHN Sports Correspondent

Boston, MA, United States (AHN) – Boston Celtics swingman Paul Pierce became the 36th player in NBA history to reach the 20,000 point milestone Wednesday.

Pierce scored 12 of his 28 points in overtime to lead the Celtics to a 105-102 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

A pair of free throws with 13.3 seconds to play lifted Pierce past the 20,000 point mark and made him the third player to reach the milesone entirely as a Celtic.

“It was an emotional moment for me,” Pierce said. “It was a tough moment to swallow for me at the time just thinking about all the years that I’ve been here. You don’t see it too often where a player accomplishes that type of feat playing with one team. It’s a great accomplishment.”

The 10th pick in the 1998 draft, Pierce spent his early days in the league with a chip on his shoulder regarding his slide in the draft. He has turned things around and become one of the leaders of the team.

Pierce helped lead the Celtics to a title in 2008 and has joined Larry Bird and John Havlicek as Celtics in the 20,000-point club.

The Kansas college product who hails from Southern California has hit 80 percent of his career free throws, hauled down 5,452 rebounds and dished out 3,418 assists.

When all is said and done, Pierce will go down as one of the best players in the team’s remarkably rich history.

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Rangers DeclineTo Exercise Mutual Option For Guerrero

Posted: 05 Nov 2010 05:01 AM PDT

AHN Sports Staff

Arlington, TX, United States (AHN) – The Texas Rangers declined to exercise the 2011 option with designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero, although the ball club remains interested to keep the former American League MVP next season.

General Manager Jon Daniels announced Wednesday the Rangers opted not to pick up the $9 million mutual option with Guerrero for 2011.

Daniels explained the mutual option Guerrero signed last winter was all part of the deal to give the slugger an additional $1 million after one season.

“We had different payroll parameters then and the structure of the deal was part of that,” Daniels said. “It was really a one-year contract,” Daniels told ESPN Wednesday night.

Guerrero, the 2004 AL MVP, averaged .300 with 29 home runs and 115 RBIs in 152 regular-season games.

However, Guerrero’s slugging faltered in the postseason, where he batted .220 with no homers and six RBIs.

The cleanup hitter did not also perform well in the World Series, going 1-for-14 with five strikeouts against the San Francisco Giants.

Nevertheless, Daniels hopes he can come up with another deal for Guerrero, who netted $5.5 million last season.

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Treats Of San Francisco: Giants Celebrate World Series Win With Parade

Posted: 05 Nov 2010 01:00 AM PDT

Jojo Doria – AHN Sports Contributor

San Francisco, CA, United States (AHN) – The Giants were cheered and drenched by an outpouring of love and support during their victory parade through the streets of San Francisco Wednesday, two days removed from their thrilling Game 5 win in Texas.

That victory enabled the Giants to clinch the franchise’s first World Series title since it moved to San Francisco 52 years ago.

Hundreds of thousands of people, dressed in orange and black, jammed downtown San Francisco Wednesday to get a glimpse of their heroes, who rode motorized cable cars from the Financial District to City Hall.

The parade replicated the route taken by the team when they first came to San Francisco from New York in 1958.

It commenced on Montgomery Street at Washington Street at 11 a.m. and headed southbound on Montgomery to Market Street, before it continued westbound on Market to Civic Center Plaza.

The orange stream of humanity who came out to watch the parade along the 1 1-2-mile route was estimated to be more than 1 million.

Some of those who joined the festivities dressed up in black beards to honor star reliever Brian Wilson, while others chose to wear long-haired wigs for Giants ace Tim Lincecum.

The Giants, apparently dazed by the overwhelming affection, were introduced to the crowd at City Hall before the ceremony at the end of their parade. The key to the city was presented to the Giants by Mayor Gavin Newsom during the ceremony.

Wednesday’s celebration capped a wild October run for the Giants, who won the NL West on the last day of the regular season.

The Giants then dismantled the wild-card qualifying Atlanta Braves in the NLDS before contending with a tougher test in the NLCS: the two-time NL champions Philadelphia Phillies.

On Monday, the Giants claimed their first World Series in 56 years after toppling the Texas Rangers 3-1 in the decisive Game 5 of the Fall Classic in Arlington.

Meanwhile, there is a possibility the World Series champ Giants could open the 2011 season in Taiwan.

The Giants are reportdedly mulling on the decision to play a pair of season-opening games in Taiwan.

If the plan pushes through, it will mark the first time an MLB season will open in this country.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Samsonov`s Three Assists For `Canes Help Hand Isles Fifth Straight Loss

Posted: 05 Nov 2010 01:00 AM PDT

Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor

Charlotte, NC, United States (AHN) – Sergei Samsonov had three assists and Cam Ward turned aside 31 shots, as the Carolina Hurricanes ambushed the New York Islanders 7-2 on Wednesday night.

New York elected to keep netminder Rick DiPietro (32 saves) for entire event, not calling on backup goalie Dwayne Roloson’s services. The team has back-to-back games, the second slated for Thursday’s Ottawa tilt.

Roloson could get the nod, especially after DiPietro’s shaky performance.

The Isles (4-6-2), who started the season with a sizzle, are now a hiss in the Eastern Conference, dealing with a five-game losing streak.

“Well, [tonight was] obviously pretty ugly,” coach Scott Gordon told NHL.com. “Our play away from the puck was horrendous tonight. We were starting to break out when we didn’t even have possession of the puck and there’s no more evidence than the Canes’ last goal.”

“Our play in the defensive zone isn’t even about awareness right now. We’re going in to the defensive zone with no purpose. It’s something we have to get better at quickly because it’s costing us games.”

Joe Corvo, Jonathan Matsumoto and Eric Staal all tallied in the first period for Carolina for a 3-0 lead.

Brandon Sutter and Jiri Tlutsy made it 5-0 in the second. New York posted the first goal when Michael Grabner netted his third of the season in the final frame.

Jeff Skinner answered for Carolina (6-6-0) for a 6-1 lead at 10:09. P.A. Parenteau tallied New York’s final goal, and Matsumoto for Carolina.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved

Smith Pumps In 22 Points; Hawks Overpower Pistons, Improve To 5-0

Posted: 05 Nov 2010 01:00 AM PDT

Corine Gatti – AHN Sports Contributor

Atlanta, GA, United States (AHN) – Josh Smith had 22 points with 11 rebounds, as the undefeated Atlanta Hawks defeated the winless Detroit Pistons 94-85 on Wednesday night at Philips Arena.

The Hawks built up an 18-4 run in the fourth quarter, despite the efforts of Detroit’s Ben Gordon, who poured in 22 points in the match.

Tracy McGrady’s bucket and Tayshawn Prince’s three-point play gave the Pistons an 81-76 lead, although the advantage quickly dissipated.

Prince would go on to have 17 points on the night, as his team fell to 0-5 on the season.

Atlanta controlled the ball during the last six minutes in regulation, improving its record to 5-0 in the Eastern Conference.

The Hawks also received a boost from Al Horford, who recorded 18 points and Joe Johnson’s 14 points and eight assists.

Zaza Pachulia also had 12 points for Atlanta.

Article © AHN – All Rights Reserved
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