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ICC inspectorate satisfied with Guyana’s facilities
By Marlon Munroe
AN International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup Twenty20 inspectorate team, along with Tournament Director Ernest Hilaire, is in Guyana to assess the standard of the country’s facilities and from all indications the team is satisfied that Guyana is ready to host its leg of the event.
Hilaire also made clear at the press briefing at the Princess Buddy’s International Hotel yesterday that the World Cup, scheduled for April 23 and May 9 2010, will take on a unique Caribbean identity in addition to the glitz and pomp that accompany the modern game. He stated that the organising committee is looking to “replicate or better the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup held in Caribbean”.
Meanwhile Media and Communications Manager of the ICC, Brian Murgatroyd, and Events Manager of ICC, Chris Tetley, were also impressed with the stadium, hotels and practice pitches for the teams that will be playing matches in Guyana.
Hilaire said, “The organisation of cricket in Guyana is a dependable structure and certainly the staff that we will set up here comprising of the persons who would have aided in the organising of World Cup 2007 certainly lends a lot of confidence to the confidence of Guyana to organise and host matches in 2010.
“And like everything else, this visit has been to our satisfaction and we are satisfied with the stadium”.
He informed media operatives that there are other delegations inspecting the Everest Cricket Club, Georgetown Cricket Club and the Police Sports Club grounds as part of their fact-finding mission. Further, on Tuesday Hilaire explained that a team was deployed to some hotels in Georgetown to “ascertain the quality of accommodation and the bed stock, which you would all appreciate, is quite significant when you want to host multiple teams at the same time”.
Tetley in his remarks stated that his visit confirmed what he was expecting especially after previous visits to the Guyana National Stadium for the World Cup in 2007. He assured that the stadium, with its existing infrastructure is what the ICC wants to achieve.
“Obviously, a 20/20 World Cup with a feature of double-headers there will be some peculiarities that we need to accommodate for example, four dressing rooms instead of two, and any venue in the world will have to be reviewed with those considerations in mind”, Tetley explained.
Cost
It was revealed that the ICC has undertaken the task of covering all expenses for the event and the organisation is also prepared to pump cash into venues that may need other upgrades. The Tournament Director said that it was an internal matter concerning the cost of hosting the event.
He said unlike the previous World Cup that was held in the West Indies where new stadia had to be built around the Caribbean it would have been too expensive for the government.
He said that in 2007, to build so many stadia, the ICC had to procure the help of Governments in the Caribbean to make the event possible.
This time around, however, the ICC is in a better position to stand the overhead expenses.
No West Indies Sammy for ODIs in his homeland
GROS-ISLET, St Lucia (AFP): Much to the chagrin of St Lucians, West Indies have named an unchanged 13-member squad for the last two One-day Internationals in their series of four against India. The decision means that St Lucians will not get a chance to see their hometown cricket hero Darren Sammy tomorrow and Sunday at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.
West Indies drew level 1-1 in the series, following an eight-wicket victory in the second ODI on Sunday at Sabina Park in Jamaica.
India won the opening ODI by 20 runs two days earlier at the same venue.
The West Indies selectors have chosen to stick to the age-old adage that 'you never change a winning side', and have decided to take their chances with the same combination that appeared at Kingston.
Instead, they have chosen to give Dave Bernard Jr an extended run ahead of Sammy, despite his unflattering figures in the first two ODIs on home soil. Bernard captured one for 50 off eight overs and scored 19 in the first ODI then conceded 36 runs in seven overs in the second ODI.
But the 25-year-old Sammy has hardly placed a foot wrong for West Indies in five Tests and 23 ODIs since his became the first cricketer from this island to represent West Indies in international matches.
In the West Indies' previous series against England, he played in a solitary ODI at Bristol, where he scored 13 not out and took one for 15 from five overs. He also equipped himself well in two crucial matches in the Twenty20 World Cup also in England, following injury to key strike bowler Fidel Edwards. His four overs in the vital Super Eight match against England cost only 24 runs, and he also conceded just 19 from four overs in the semi-final against Sri Lanka.
The Beausejour Cricket Ground has hosted 17 ODIs - including seven matches in the 2007 World Cup - since its inauguration seven years ago.
West Indies have won five of the matches they have contested at the ground, and one has finished in a no-result.
Squad: Chris Gayle (captain), Denesh Ramdin (vice-captain), Lionel Baker, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Sulieman Benn, David Bernard, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Runako Morton, Ravi Rampaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Jerome Taylor
GSA/GT&T National Senior C/ships
Top seeds advance to second round
ALL of the top seeds in this year’s GT&T-sponsored Guyana Squash Association National Senior Championships advanced to the second round with minimum fuss on Tuesday night at the Georgetown Club courts.
Alysa Xavier was the only player able to extend a seeded player past three games in her match against 5-8 seed Daina King in the Ladies’ Open category.
Last night’s quarter-finals were expected to feature several intriguing matches.
Robert Fernandes would have had to rely on all his experience to turn back the challenge of two-time Caribbean junior champion Alexander Arjoon, while his sister Nicolette (Fernandes) who is also contesting the men’s category would have had to have a tricky assignment against a deceptive Jerazeno Bell.
In the Ladies’ Open category Mary Fung-A-Fat, Daina King and Chantelle Fernandes will all be harbouring thoughts of upsetting their respective opponents Ashley Khalil, Keisha Jeffrey and Kayla Jeffrey.
Action in the championships continues this evening at the same venue from 18:00 h.
The semifinals and finals are scheduled for Friday and Saturday (evenings) respectively.
In the Ladies’ results from Tuesday’s matches, Victoria Arjoon defeated Lydia Fraser 11-6, 11-6, 14-12; Chantelle Fernandes beat Ashley deGroot 11-9, 11-9, 12-10; Mary Fung-A-Fat defeated Gabrielle Fraser 11-2, 11-1, 11-0 and Daina King beat Alysa Xavier 11-4, 18-16, 5-11, 11-8.
In Men’s first round action, Kristian Jeffrey defeated Andy Goveia 11-2, 11-5, 11-2; Deje Dias beat Jason Ray Khalil 11-8, 11-1, 11-8; Alexander Arjoon made light work of Damian Fernandes, winning 11-4, 11-6, 11-3; Robert Fernandes defeated Steven Xavier 11-6, 11-6, 11-8; Nicolette Fernandes brushed aside Nyron Joseph 11-5, 11-0, 11-5; Bell defeated Nicholas Narain 11-4, 11-2, 11-0; Raphael deGroot defeated Alex Gouveia 11-7, 11-3, 11-8 and Regan Pollard beat Javier Grau 11-1, 11-7, 11-3.
Khanhai leads MHS’ onslaught against Charlestown Secondary
… BHS pummel Queen’s College 77-14
AKEEM Khanhai, Mackenzie High School’s offensive turret, led his team to a 41-point victory over Charlestown Secondary in the Under-19 category as the National School’s Basketball Festival (NSBF) continued on Tuesday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
MHS led for the entire duration of the game ending the first half with a 39-8 point margin in their favour. They subsequently dismissed Charlestown with a final score of 70-29 to end the day’s competition.
Khanhai accumulated a game-high of 32 points and was assisted on the scoreboard by efforts of 11 and 10 points from Sheldron Noel and Deval Wilson respectively.
On the opposing end of the court Mortland Ward’s 17-point game total was the highest any Charlestown player could accrue.
Queen’s College shared a similar fate as Charlestown Secondary, as Bishops’ High School (BHS) both offensively and defensively dominated their squad who could barely manage their 14 points against BHS’ 77.
The Queen’s College side’s lack of endurance saw them suffering in the second half in which they scored an aggregate of 4 points to add to their first-half total of 10. In rebuttal BHS piled up 36 points in the second half.
Sean Lashley with his 21 led his teammates in scoring; Tesric Rambissoon scored 17 and Waynewright Haynes made his input of 10 points. Raymond Singh of Queen’s College with his 7-point effort scored half of his team’s total.
Queen’s College suffered a double casualty as their Under-17 side also lost at the hands of Kwakwani High School. The game ended in an embarrassing 81-9 point differential with Kwakwani’s Dominique Douglas scoring 23 points followed by teammates Dave Plass (14 points), Eon Meredith (10 points) and Keshawn Thomas (11 points).
Marian Academy emerged victorious from their confrontation with School of the Nations that ended 27-22.
On another note, Tutorial High School were beaten by Plaisance Community High, 35-17, in the Under-15 category.
Other teams registering wins during Tuesday’s round included Cummings Lodge’s 41-13 triumph over New Campbellville Secondary in the Under-15 category. Kevon Hyles led the Cummings Lodge offence with his 16 points.
St Stanislaus College fell to West Demerara Secondary School 28-13 with Shaka Codrington high-scoring for West Demerara with 12 points.
Hussey’s ton helps Aussies recover
Michael Hussey's 50th first-class century papered over the cracks in a misfiring Australian batting line-up on day one of the match against the Lions.
England's second string had the upper hand at tea with the Aussies 215-6 in their final warm-up before the first Ashes Test starting on July 8.
But Hussey hit an unbeaten 143 with 18 boundaries as they closed on 337-8.
Five of the probable Test side's top seven were dismissed for single-figure scores on a flat wicket at Worcester.
However, opener Simon Katich made a solid 95 but eventually fell to Steve Harmison.
The Durham paceman took 3-67 in the day from a workload of 22 overs, and delivered a fiery opening burst. His first ball clattered into young opener Phillip Hughes' helmet and he also struck Ricky Ponting on the shoulder.
The left-handed Hughes, who has shone in a brief Test career and in an early-season stint with Middlesex, could not cope with Harmison's aggression on a muggy morning - and it was no surprise when a catch finally looped to gully off the handle of his bat.
Ponting played a mystifying shot to his eighth delivery faced - an airy drive with minimal foot-movement to a ball that was too short for the shot. The edge, off Graham Onions, was smoothly taken by Vikram Solanki in the slips.
Former Aussie wicketkeeper Rod Marsh chats to Fletch
That made it 24-2 in the 11th over, but Hussey and Simon Katich (95) built a strong recovery either side of lunch, adding 141 in less than 30 overs before the Lions were able to taste their next success.
Katich had survived on 37 when mistiming his pull at Sajid Mahmood, Onions at leg-slip failing to snaffle a tough chance.
In the heat of the afternoon, the two left-handers threatened to take the game right away from the Lions with a series of well-timed pulls and drives but then came a flurry of wickets.
First Katich's attempted hook off Harmison found Onions at fine-leg, before Bresnan enticed Michael Clarke to drive to point. Marcus North's woeful tour continued when he played Onions onto his stumps from an angled blade and then Bresnan had an lbw appeal upheld after jagging a ball into Brad Haddin's pads.
So things were looking up for the Lions at tea, even though Hussey was still there on 82. He had added another 13 to his score when Mahmood spilled a chance off his own bowling and duly reached his century soon afterwards.
Australia's number eight Mitchell Johnson offered fine support in a restorative stand of 109. But he eventually fell for 47, gloving Bresnan behind, before Harmison cleaned up Brett Lee with the second new ball.
Hussey was dropped once more before the close, this time by Adil Rashid at third slip off Harmison. After two decent scores at Hove, this big century will help him forget that he has a poor recent Test record.
ICC ponders four-Day test switch
The International Cricket Council is considering the introduction of four-day and day-night Test matches.
The game's world governing body is determined to preserve Test cricket as the pre-eminent form of the game.
ICC president David Morgan said that in assessing potential changes, they had to take what fans wanted into account.
"There will not be four-day Test match cricket in one year's time although we may have day-night Test cricket," he told BBC World Service.
"Four-day Test match cricket is just one of many options that we are contemplating to make it the pinnacle of the sport which it has been for over a hundred years.
"Four-day Tests are just an option and more probable is the introduction of day-night Test cricket."
The idea of floodlit Test matches was pioneered by Kerry Packer's World Series in the late 1970s.
And in 2007, Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said they hoped to conduct a floodlit Test trial within two years.
It has yet to happen but the possibility has increased with the ICC moving a review of Test cricket to the top of its agenda because of the continuing increase in popularity of the Twenty20 format - and dwindling attendances for Tests in some countries.
"Some Test matches finish in four days and some in five and we want as many people as possible to turn up to these matches. We want Test matches in certain countries to be more spectator-friendly," said Morgan.
Morgan is very aware the paying customer must be catered for and all options to keep the game as attractive as possible must be considered.
Morgan added: "It is the customer and not just the player we have in mind on our quest to enrich Test match cricket which is the most demanding form of our great sport.
"We would only move from five-day to four-day if we considered it to be in the interests of Test match cricket.
"Representatives from the 10 Test playing nations are working and have been for over six months."
London’s Olympic stadium may become ‘white elephant’
LONDON, England (Reuters) - The showpiece stadium for London's 2012 Olympics risks becoming a "white elephant" if no tenant can be found for it after the Games, a committee said yesterday.
Games organisers are also falling short on delivering employment targets, tourism strategy and sports participation, it alleged.
The promise of a legacy was a significant factor in London winning the bid to host the 2012 Games, the London Assembly's Economic Development, Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee noted in a report.
"Urban and social regeneration, and increased sports participation, were to be the hallmarks of these Games," said Dee Doocey, chair of the committee.
"Some aspects are on track, but there are still areas that need more attention to deliver the promises that were made."
The report praised the clean-up of the former industrial site in Stratford, east London, where the Olympic Park is being built but said other aspects were of concern.
These included the failure to attract an anchor tenant for the main stadium. Rugby and soccer clubs have expressed interest, but have been put off by the organisers' commitment to retain an athletics track around the pitch.
"Without a credible anchor tenant to bring regular footfall into the park, there will be serious doubts as to the future financial viability of the venue and hence attractiveness of the park site to business investment," the report said.
"Without decisive action, the stadium is in danger of becoming a white elephant."
Other concerns included a shortage of sports facilities, especially for young people with disabilities.
The overall vision for the tourism strategy lacked detail and lacked funds, the report added.
It also said only 112 local unemployed workers had found work on the construction site, though it did recognise the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) had met its target of employing between 10 percent and 15 percent of the workforce from the five Olympic boroughs.
It recommended giving residents free or discounted access to sporting activities, and more jobs for local people.
More should be done to create an effective tourism strategy, including better low budget accommodation and fair prices.
A spokesman for the Mayor of London said work was being done to encourage more people to take up sport and to boost the marketing of the capital.
"The Mayor is confident that the new Olympic Park Legacy Company chaired by Margaret Ford will provide effective leadership in delivering a fantastic future for the Olympic Park and the sporting venues after the Games," he said in a statement.
Ronaldo completes £80 million Real move
(BBC) Cristiano Ronaldo has completed his world record £80m move from Manchester United to Real Madrid after agreeing a six-year deal.
United, who accepted Real's offer for the winger on June 11, have confirmed the move has been finalised and he will be presented to the fans on Monday.
The £80m fee for the 24-year-old has been paid in full.
"Everyone here wishes him well in his future career," United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told the club's website.
A statement on Real's website read: "The player will be tied to Real Madrid for the next six seasons. He will be presented on July 6 at the Santiago Bernabeu."
Ferguson paid tribute to a player whose goals have played a large part in bringing three successive titles to Old Trafford.
"Cristiano has been a marvellous player for Manchester United," he said. "His six years at Old Trafford have seen him develop into the best footballer in the world."
"His contribution has been a major factor in the club's success in that time and his talent, his ability to entertain and his infectious personality have enthralled fans the world over."
Ronaldo was on holiday in the United States at the time the offer was made by Real on June 10.
During that time, United stated that the decision came at the Portugal international's request after he "again expressed his desire to leave".
The addition of Ronaldo to the Real ranks is part of a remarkable spending spree by the Spanish giants since Florentino Perez returned as club president on June 1.
He brought in Brazil playmaker Kaka for a then world record £56m, Ronaldo was then lined up for £80m before centre-back Raul Albiol was signed from Valencia for £12m, to bring Real's total summer spend, so far, to £148m.
Perez appointed Villarreal boss Manuel Pellegrini as Real's new coach and had previously made it clear he would do "everything possible" to sign Ronaldo.
Reports have suggested that the midfielder will earn about £11m per year, which will make him the highest paid footballer in the world. He was on about £6.38m at Old Trafford.
Gayle signs with Western Australia
HOT on the heels of Dwayne Bravo joining Victoria for the Australian KFC Twenty20 Big Bash competition comes the news that West Indies captain Chris Gayle has signed a contract with the Western Australia Warriors.
Described by Warriors' coach Tom Moody as "arguably one of the best Twenty20 players in the world" Gayle was sought out after recently retired Warriors batsman Adam Gilchrist could not be persuaded to play another season.
Wegelius secures place in Tour de France
(BBC) Briton Charles Wegelius has been given a place in the Tour de France after Dutchman Thomas Dekker was ruled out following a positive doping test.
Wegelius, who finished 45th in the Tour in 2007 will come in for Dekker in the Silence-Lotto team.
Wegelius, who is known as a "domestique" or a key team member, will hope to build on that success.
Dekker, a former Dutch champion, won the Tirreno-Adriatico stage race in 2006 and the Tour of Lombardy in 2007.
Dekker's team Silence-Lotto team said on their website: "We have learnt yesterday morning that new tests ... on samples from December 24, 2007, have proved positive for EPO (the blood-booster)."
"He (Dekker) has been immediately put on a list of 'non-active' riders," said sports director Marc Sergeant.
At the time of the test, Dekker, who is now 24, was riding for the Rabobank team.
Dekker was found guilty of a doping offence after the International Cycling Union (UCI) found suspicious data in the blood samples of the Dutch rider provided in 2008 and 2009 as part of the build-up of his biological passport.
The UCI has collected blood samples from all professional riders since the start of 2008 to create a medical profile that would be compared with data registered in anti-doping tests.
The UCI asked the Monaco federation, to which Dekker is affiliated, to open disciplinary proceedings against the 24-year-old, twice a Dutch time-trial champion, who faces a two-year ban from the sport.
In recent years the Tour has been marred by a string of doping controversies.
Ohuruogu fit for busy fortnight
OLYMPIC 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu is fit and ready to resume her build-up to defend her world title.
Ohuruogu, who pulled out of a race in Italy last week with a sore throat, runs in Norway tomorrow and the UK trials in Birmingham next week.
At the Bislet Games in Oslo she will face Sanya Richards, her biggest rival for world gold in Berlin in August.
"I've got my voice back for a busy couple of weeks, with Norway and the UK trials," the Londoner told BBC Sport.
"I hear Sanya will be there in Oslo so it should be a good race.
"But I focus on myself purely because I don't really have any extra energy to focus on anyone else."
American Richards, who took Olympic bronze behind Ohuruogu in Beijing, won the opening event of the six Golden League meetings in Berlin a fortnight ago.
But Ohuruogu, 25, has her sights set clearly on arriving in her best shape at the World Championships.
"It's great to have the Golden League and I'm hoping to do as many as I can this year, but the trials and domestic races have to come first," she said.
"We don't want to do too much. The championships are what I work towards."
"It's important that I go out and run well. Obviously I want to do well but I don't hang medals around my neck before I get to championships.
Ohuruogu was speaking at an Aviva UKA Academy training session for local competition winners aged eight to 15 at her home track, the Lee Valley Athletics Centre.
"Just turning up and giving kids a five-minute talk is something I try to make time for," she continued.
"We athletes who are running now are not going to last forever. We need to encourage and support the youngsters coming up."
Ohuruogu, who lives in Newham, is already excited about the prospect of the Olympics coming to London in 2012, even though she has not given much thought to taking part.
"Everywhere you go in East London you're constantly reminded of the Olympics.
"Even though they see the stadium I don't think people really know what's there but I do feel they're excited about it and just waiting to see what it will be like when it arrives, not thinking so much about competing. I'm excited that people get to experience the biggest sporting spectacle ever and it's coming to my hometown."
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