LONDON: Andrew Strauss has been appointed the England cricket team captain following the resignation of Kevin Pietersen.

Managing director of England cricket board Hugh Morris in an emergency press conference on Wednesday confirmed the resignation of Kevin Pietersen.

Hugh Morris also confirmed that team coach Peter Moores had been asked to “relinquish his role” after Pietersen’s resignation, which followed a feud between the captain and the coach.

“The England and Wales Cricket Board have accepted with regret the resignation of Kevin Pietersen as captain,” he said, reading a statement at an emergency press conference at The Oval cricket ground in London.

But he added that Pietersen was “highly valued as a senior and experienced player and we are delighted that he has indicated that he is willing to remain part of the England team.”

Regarding Moores, Morris said the ECB had decided that he “should relinquish his role” for the good of the England cricket squad.

Pietersen, South African born as is his replacement Strauss, had questioned the ability of Moores - who never played international cricket himself - as a coach in a dispute which became public just weeks before England depart on January 21 for their tour of the West Indies.

Burke conducted the autologous procedure — in which blood was taken from Smith’s arm, then injected into the torn tendon in his right elbow on Monday.

The procedure requires some period of rest but Smith defied all odds and came out to bat at no 11 in the second innings to save his side from defeat.

Although Burke lauded Smith for team-manship, he feels the skipper’s heroics could jeopardise his chances of playing the first Test against Australia in Johannesburg next month.

“From a medical perspective, he’s undone the good work of the procedure. Usually, that kind of treatment requires two weeks of good rest, but that is his decision,” Melbourne-based Burke was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald.

“It’s a fascinating move going out to bat, and he obviously felt that he was doing the best thing for the team. He could have the injection again, but I’m not sure what his intentions are,” he added.

While going out to bat, Smith removed the cast from the hand that sustained the injury when a Mitchel Johnson delivery struck him in the first innings.

Despite all odds, he scored three runs from 17 balls but it was not enough to avert a 103-run defeat.

(Agencies)

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“I hadn’t seen much of Peter at all before he played Test cricket but the way he runs in hard, hits the deck and bowls good pace, I’ve been very impressed with him,” said McGrath.

“Peter got his first five-for and, (while) it may cement your spot in a team, I think for you personally it feels like you actually belong there; you deserve to be there,” the former pace great said.

Siddle was instrumental in Australia’s consolation victory in the Sydney Test today. Apart from the fiver in the first essay, he also picked up three crucial South African wickets in the second innings.

Talking about the time he got his first fiver, McGrath said, “I remember when I got my first five-for, all of a sudden I felt like I was contributing and I was part of the team and really playing well. I’m sure Peter will be feeling the same.”

McGrath also felt Shaun Tait, who said yesterday that he wants to force his way back into the Test side, still had plenty to offer.

“I think Taity has mentioned before that he prefers the one-day format and Twenty20, maybe it (Test cricket) is something he wants to do but it’s a decision he has to make,” McGrath was quoted as saying in ‘The Daily Telegraph’.

“He has something unique bowling at that pace and his action and everything else. I’m sure he’s still got a lot to offer to Australian cricket, it’s up to him how he wants to do that and what he wants to offer.”

(Agencies)

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After voting by experts, media and fans, Bhaichung failed to book a berth among the top 10 finalists, mainly made up of players from European clubs. 

At the gala awards night at Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, Manchester United and South Korea midfielder Park Ji-Sung won the Asian Footballer of the Year award which carries a purse of USD 100,000.

Park, who helped Manchester United win the English Premier League, European Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup, clinched the award ahead of the likes of Japan playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura, Saudi Arabia’s Yasser Alqahtani and Iraq’s Nashaat Akram.

Togo and Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor won the African Player of the Year award which also carries USD 100,000 while Egyptian Mohammed Aboutrika was named the Arab Player of the Year.

Adebayor thwarted competition from the likes of Mahamadou Diarra, Frederic Kanoute, Amr Zaki, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba.

The awards were run under the patronage of Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and crown prince of Abu Dhabi, and organised by a board of trustees led by former international referee Pierluigi Collina of Italy. 

Other board members include the former players Hidetoshi Nakata, Sami al Jaber, Abedi Pele and the former UAE coach Bruno Metsu.
 
Top 10 finalists for Asia: Park Ji Sung (Manchester United, South Korea), Jawad Nekonam (Osasuna, Iran), Brett Emerton (Blackburn, Australia), Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic, Japan), Sbastian Sorria (Qatar Club, Qatar),  Ismaeil Matar (Al Wahdah, UAE), Server Djeparov (FC Bunyodkor, Uzbekistan), awar Mulla Mohammed (Anorthosis Famagusta FC of Cyprus, Iraq), Gholam Reza Rezaei (Saba Battery in Iran,  Iran), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka, Japan). 

Top 10 finalists for Africa: Didier Drogba (Chelsea, Ivory Coast), Stephen Worgu (Enyimba International FC in Nigeria, Nigeria), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan, Ghana), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal, Togo), Seydou Keita (FC Barcelona, Mali), Samuel Eto’o (FC Barcelona, Cameroon), Amir Zaki (Wigan Athletic, Egypt), Michael Essien (Chelsea, Ghana), Mohamed Aboutrika (Al Ahly, Egypt), Mahamadou Diarra (Real Madrid, Mali).

(Agencies)

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Doffing his hat at his opposite number, Ponting said Smith proved his worth as a leader by defying pain and coming out to bat when his team needed it. 

“I said that to him after the game. That showed a lot of courage,” Ponting said after Australia won the third and final Test in Sydney on Wednesday (January 7). 

“That’s what every team looks to from their leader. To show that fighting spirit, to stand up when they are needed, to get out and do a job no matter how sore or tired you might be,” added the Australian.

Forced to retire hurt after a Mitchell Johnson delivery broke his finger in the first innings, Smith stunned the Sydney Cricket Ground crowd today as he defied medical advice and walked out in the middle to try and force a draw even though his heroic was not enough in the end.

With the possibility of a rain looming in the horizon, Ponting admitted he got nervous towards the end. 

“I must admit I was probably a bit more worried about the rain coming for an hour leading up to that than really paying too much attention to how many overs we had left in the day,” he said. 

Overall, Ponting said, the 103-run win was well-deserved.     

“It’s great to come away with a really hard-fought win. There is no doubt that through the course of five days we have had the better of this Test match and I think we thoroughly deserved to win this game,” Ponting added. 

(Agencies)

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The world number five also ruled himself out of the Australian Open — the first Grand Slam of the year — beginning from January 19, saying he would be able to recover in time.

Davydenko’s exit sends Czech Republic’s Lukas Dlouhy, with whom he was scheduled to play his second round match today, through to the quarter-finals. 

“It is my left heel. It started last year and it did not bother me too much. Since there was not much pain I carried on. I was having the same problem in Shanghai but I played,” Davydenko said. 

“But now I am having real pain and I cannot do anything. I cannot run and I cannot play tennis. That is why I decided to check my heel with the tournament doctor here. I will go back home and check what is happening,” he said.  

“I have no chance of coming to Australian Open also. Therefore, I decided to pull out of first Grand Slam,” he said at a press conference. 

Davydenko said it was wise to skip Australian Open rather than leaving it mid-way. “I think I cannot recover. I do not know what will happen there. I can play first match like here and then  retire in the second match. I have no reason to do like this. 

“I will try now and may be I can recover faster, I can play tournaments after Australian Open. Maybe, I will start my tournaments from Rotterdam and Dubai and be fit physically,” he said.

Davydenko revealed that he was feeling pain even during his match against world number one Rafael Nadal last week.     

“I was feeling the pain even during the Abu Dhabi tournament. I had pain but I needed to play because it was an exhibition match against Nadal.” 

The Russian said he could play his opener against Daniel Koellerer yesterday only after consuming pain killers.     

“They (doctors) have been trying their best for the last three days. They tried some therapy and putting ice and gave some pain killers. I was also playing my first match after taking pain killers. I had pain killers today also but it does not help.” 

Davydenko though refused to blame a long Tour for sustaining the injury.

“Some guys say it is long but some say it is short. ATP is clear that if you want to play, you enter tournaments. A player decide as to how many tournaments and four Grand Slams that he wants to play.     

“That is it. If I am physically fit without injury, why not I play in 20 tournaments in a year,” he said.

(Agencies)

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A day before Australia name their one day and Twenty20 squads for the home series against South Africa — Hayden is doubtful in both — Ponting came out in support of the towering batsman who, he thought, could prove to be a valuable asset during the difficult transitional phase.

“I’d love Matty to keep playing, if you are asking me personally. I’d have him in my team every day of the week because he’s a champion player and a champion bloke and great for our team right at the moment,” Ponting said after his side won the third and final Test against South Africa in Sydney.

“Those sort of experienced guys are great to have around your team when you are rebuilding and in transition. I’d take him into battle every time,” Ponting said.

Ponting said he does not foresee the opener to call it quits any time soon despite his prolonged bad patch.

“I’m pretty good mates with Matty. I’ve known him for a long time and I’ve had no indication or inclination either way,” Ponting said.

“He showed a lot of good signs in the second innings of this game on a pretty difficult wicket,” said Ponting, referring to the 39 runs Hayden scored in the second innings against South Africa.

Incidentally, it was Hayden’s highest score this summer. “I just don’t know one way or the other at the moment. But if anything I’d be saying that it’s all pretty positive that he wants to go on.

“That would be my gut feel right now. I think I would have known if it wasn’t that way,” Ponting said, dismissing Hayden’s retirement talks.

Ponting’s opposite number Graeme Smith also talked highly of Hayden but was happy with the way his bowlers tamed the  Australian.

“I know what he can do and what he is capable of and we have seen him play at a level over a period of time knowing that he has that in him. “We treat him the same as we have in this series - we have had our game plans and they have worked well in this series. If he is picked again we will be able to do that again,” Smith said.

(Agencies)

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National Selection Panel Chairman Andrew Hilditch made it clear the teams were chosen with an eye on the Twenty20 World Cup later this year and 2011 ODI World Cup while hinting he could not see Hayden playing a role in the two major events. 

“The announcement of these squads for the KFC Twenty20 Internationals and the Commonwealth Bank Series is a clear indication we are now in full-scale planning for the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 and the 2011 ICC World Cup,” Hilditch said. 

“Winning a fourth consecutive ICC World Cup and our first ICC Twenty20 title is an ambitious project. For this reason there will be very few players selected from this point that we cannot see playing a role in achieving this goal,” he said. 

Hilditch, however, said it was not an end of the road for the 37-year-old Hayden and he might tour South Africa. 

“The omission of Matthew Hayden from the KFC Twenty20 and Commonwealth Bank Series squads is not a reflection on his performances in the recent Test series but rather a strategic decision made by the National Selection Panel as we plan for these signature events,” he said. 

“His possible selection for the upcoming tour of South Africa will be discussed as with all players when we select a squad after the round of interstate matches at the beginning of February,” he said in a statement. 

Australia will meet South Africa in Twenty20 clashes in Melbourne on Sunday and in Brisbane on January 13 while the five-match Commonwealth Bank Series will begin on January 16 at the MCG.

Hayden’s absence has made way for New South Wales opener David Warner. ”New South Wales opener David Warner has been selected in the KFC Twenty20 squad after some eye-catching performances particularly this year. He adds a dynamic nature to the top of the order and we look forward to seeing his performances at the international level. 

“Queensland all-rounder Ryan Harris has also been added to the squad for the KFC Twenty20 games,” he said. 

Shaun Tait made a comeback to the team after a long layoff due to personal reasons. ”It is exciting for Australian cricket that Shaun Tait has been selected in both the series squads. Although he has had some injury problems since playing a leading role in the 2007 ICC World Cup, he is an explosive weapon at his best and we hope he will play a key role in both forms of the game this summer,” Hilditch said. 

Fast bowler Mitchell Johnson will not take part in the two KFC Twenty20 matches or first two of the Commonwealth Bank Series matches. 

“It has been advised by team medical and fitness staff that due to his workload over the last few months he should continue to be monitored. For this reason he will not be available for selection in these matches,” Hilditch said.

Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said,”The team will also miss the services of batsman Michael Clarke, who suffered some ligament damage to his right thumb during the first Test against South Africa in Perth, in the T20 matches.”

Twenty20: Ricky Ponting (capt), Mike Hussey (vice-capt), David Hussey, B Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Shaun Marsh, Shaun Tait, David Warner, Ryan Harris, Camaroon White, Nathan Hauritz.

ODI: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke (vice-capt), Brad Haddin, James Hopes, Nathan Bracken, Shaun Marsh, Mike Hussey, David Hussey, Nathan Hauritz, B Hilfenhaus, Camaroon White, Shaun Tait, Peter Siddle.

(Agencies)

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World number 10 Saina took just 26 minutes to sent Nicole packing 21-15 21-8 in the first round to set up a clash with Hsiao Huan Chen of Chinese Taipei, who defeated compatriot Shih Ying Chen 21-18 21-15, in the second round.

Saina made a cautious start and gradually moved to a 7-3 lead before taking full control to wrap up the first game 21-15. The Indian was even more dominant in the second game and wrapped up the match in just 26 minutes.

The Indians had a good day in the men’s singles competition as well with Anup Sridhar and Chetan Anand advancing to the next level after notching up easy wins.

While Chetan beat Canadian Bobby Milroy 21-10 21-12, Sridhar got the better of Malaysian Muhammad Roslin Hashim  21-17 21-14. However, Anand Pawar’s campaign ended after he went down fighting to Taipei’s Hsuan Yi Hsueh 27-25 16-21 19-21 in over an hour long contest.

Meanwhile, the mixed doubles pair of V Diju and Jwala Gutta beat Taipei’s Chieh Min Fang and Wen Hsing Cheng 21-17 21-15 in their tournament opener. 

But there was disappointment in men’s doubles as Rupesh Kumar and Sanave Thomas lost 9-21 17-21 to the Polish duo Michal Logosz and Robert Mateusiak. 

(Agencies)

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According to media reports England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has accepted the resignations of Pietersen and Moores, who put down their papers after ECB snubbed them for making their spats over the team selection issues public.

According to a Sky Sports News report, both the coach and the captain stepped down from the posts after their fragile working relationship reached its breaking point ahead of the West Indies tour.

“The ECB are believed to have held an emergency tele-conference of their 12-man executive board on Tuesday evening to discuss the rift between coach and captain. The outcome of those discussions appears to have prompted both men to quit.

“Andy Flower, who worked as batting coach under Moores, is set to be interim coach in the Caribbean, with opening batsman Andrew Strauss favourite to be named captain,” a report said.

Strauss, who hit back-to-back centuries during England’s recent recent Test tour India, has captained England before. 

The ECB executive board held a teleconference late last night during which Hugh Moriss, the managing director of England cricket, was handed a mandate to take drastic action.

It appears Morris has canvassed the England players and backroom staff and that there was not a consensus of support behind the captain.

It is also apparent that the ECB are keen to avoid setting a precedent that enables the captain to call the shots and dictate the structure of the side’s management.

The ECB was miffed with both as they made their spat a public spectacle, much to the embarrassment of the Board.

Moores, as coach, was part of the selection committee which ignored Michael Vaughan for the West Indies tour, a decision that miffed Pietersen who wanted the former captain in the side.

But their relationship had soured even earlier and Pietersen apparently was not happy with Moores’ inputs during the two-match Test series in India which they lost 0-1.

According to media reports, Pietersen didn’t hold Moores in very high esteem as a coach and was in fact keen to have his mentor and Kent coach Graham Ford in the charge.

Pietersen was keen to resolve the issue before starting for the West Indies and had said, “This situation is not healthy, we have to make sure it is settled as soon as possible and certainly before we fly off to the West Indies.

Everybody has to have the same aims and pull in the same direction for the good of the England team.”

(Agencies)

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(With inputs from agencies)

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The ‘Sky News’ today said Pietersen decided to step down after his relationship with Moores had reached the breaking point. “…it now appears Pietersen’s relationship with Moores has reached breaking point, prompting him to stand down as captain,” the report said.

An emergency teleconference of the England and Wales Cricket Board, which includes the chairman, Giles Clarke, and chief executive, David Collier, was held last night and even the board seem to back Moores and were against autocratic ways of Pietersen. 

England and Wales Cricket Board had entrusted Managing Director Huge Morris to broker peace between the feuding duo and Pietersen himself was keen to solve the issue before leaving for the west Indies.

“This situation is not healthy, we have to make sure it is settled as soon as possible and certainly before wee fly off to the West Indies,” Pietersen had told from South Africa where he was holidaying.  The all-rounder is due to return home tomorrow (Jan after the holiday.

Andrew Strauss is the early contender to take over as captain, making him the third England captain in the last five months.

The bad blood between England skipper Kevin Pietersen and head coach Peter Moores might have come to light now but the “tipping point” of the rift was the English team’s recent Chennai Test loss to India, according to a British newspaper.

“The flunked Madras Test just over a fortnight ago seems to have been Pietersen’s tipping point,” Sunday Telegraph reported. “Embarrassed tactically in failing to defend a target of 387, he felt help was not forthcoming enough. At some later stage in India it appears he let the relevant people know that he wanted Moores out,” it added.

The difference between the two men can be traced back to Pietersen donning the captaincy hat. “For it seems the captain has long had enough. Michael Vaughan’s omission from the West Indies tour party, after Pietersen (who is not a selector) expressly asked for his inclusion, was a factor, but undoubtedly not the stimulus.

“Pietersen has never rated Moores. He had to seek assurances from the coach before accepting the captaincy last August and has combined uneasily with him ever since. It was always a marriage of convenience. The rumours have not been subtle,” the newspaper reported.

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Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said he substituted Beckham because of a lack of match fitness.
    
“I think 90 minutes would have been too much for him because he hasn’t played for over two months,” Ancelotti said.

“Beckham is obviously not playing at his best because of the absence from competitive action, but this last week was very good for him and I’m sure he can be better. He is tactically a sound player and he plays for the team and was always making himself available during the match.”
    
The 33-year-old Beckham’s only mistake came on a back pass to Paolo Maldini that was intercepted by Hamburg’s Ivica Olic, who had only goalkeeper Dida to beat before being brought down by Maldini.
    
Beckham had a chance to score on 39th-minute free kick, but his effort was headed away by the Hamburg wall. Hamburg’s Mladen Petric could have given his team a win, but his unmarked header in the 85th was off target.

(With inputs form Agencies)

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Under pressure to justify his selection in the playing XI, Hayden battled his way to a laboured 39 in the second innings and when he departed after making his highest score this summer, the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground gave him a standing ovation, which seemed more of a farewell.

Hussey, however, didn’t see any such hints and is confident that Hayden would continue even after the series against South Africa.

“He hasn’t said anything to us and from my point of view I hope he keeps going,” Hussey was quoted as saying by ‘Herald Sun’. 
   
“For me from what I see from inside the camp, he’s still very hungry to score runs and he’s putting in the work off the field on the training track.

“I’m not seeing any signs that he wants to call it a day so I hope he continues,” added Hussey.

Dwelling on the match, Hussey oozed confidence that they can clean up the remaining South African wickets before the Proteas knock down the remaining 314 runs for a whitewash.
    
“It’s going to take all of us, like it did in the first innings. I know Peter Siddle got the rewards (in the first innings) and got the five wickets but it was a collective effort and I think all the guys bowled particularly well,” Hussey said.

“It’s going to take a good hard grind of all the bowlers bowling well in partnerships, being patient, being disciplined - the things that we always talk about in our meetings - and hopefully a few tricks from the pitch would be nice as well to get us a couple of wickets,” he added.

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Earlier, Varman played a flawless tennis exhibiting variety in his strokes to dispose of Kevin Kim of USA 6-3, 6-3 in 75 minutes.

Playing in the centre court after Varman disposed of Kevin Kim of USA 6-3, 6-3 with near flawless tennis exhibiting variety in his strokes, former world No 1 Moya, aiming for his 21st career singles ATP title, as usual kept his cool concentrating on just returning the ball.

Moya, on his seventh appearance in the event in the last eight years, needed just two games in the first set to study his rival, who invariably tried to advance to the net for placements following rallies.

The Thai, who is on his second appearance here after 2007 when he lost in the first round eventual winner Xavier Malisse of Belgium, did played well in the second set to force a tie-break.

But, the Spaniard, a popular star amongst the Chennai crowd having won the title in 2004 and 2005 here, brought out his experience to race to a 5-2 lead. Udamchoke fought back winning two points to make it 4-5 before but had no clue when Moya sent down two aces to close out the match.

(Agencies)

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“You don’t really look at it as a whole when you’re bowling, but when you step back and look at the stats it’s obviously a lot,” Lee said.
    
“I think 2008 has been a unique year. I have certainly bowled a lot of overs. I think if you were constantly bowling 580 overs in a season and you’re being asked to bowl 150 kmh, it’s going to put a lot of stress on the body. It’s a difficult job, but I have been asking for the overs,” he added. 
  
Lee said he has been feeling better post the surgery and hopes to be in form on return.
    
“This is an opportunity for me to get my health back to 100 per cent. It’s only been in the last three or four days that I have started to feel normal again. I have just had no strength at all this summer,” The pacer, who has taken 310 wickets in 76 Tests, said.
    
“The surgeon seemed pretty happy with how it all went, so that’s a good start. I’m only 32 and I want to play at least another three years. There are plenty of things I would still like to accomplish in the game. I’d like to cross off 400 Test wickets,” he added.

(With inputs form Agencies)

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“There is a lot of unhappiness at how this story has come out and Kevin Pietersen’s role. It should all have been kept behind closed doors and it has become a very difficult situation for Peter Moores,” wide-selling tabloid ‘The Sun’ quoted a England and Wales Cricket Board management source as saying.

“Things are moving forward and should be resolved by the end of the week. I wouldn’t rule out anything,” the source added.

The tabloid said Pietersen’s public utterances undermining Moores have not gone down too well with the ECB.

“Kevin Pietersen faces growing anger from his bosses at Lord’s for the way he has undermined head coach Peter Moores. And the latest twist to the row that has rocked cricket is Moores and England skipper Pietersen could both lose their jobs,” the tabloid reported.

“The all-powerful ECB Management Board spoke by conference call last night for the first time since KPs row with Moores became public.

“Hugh Morris, managing director of England cricket, updated them on his investigations during which he has spoken to Moores, Pietersen and several senior players. But it became clear that Pietersens tactic of attempting to destabilise Moores’ authority might have backfired,” it added.

Pietersen is due to be back here tomorrow after a holiday in South Africa and he may find himself replaced by Andrew Strauss as England skipper.

“The England and Wales Cricket Board called an emergency meeting of its executive board on Tuesday night and support has shifted from backing the captain to making changes at the top of the national team’s management structure,” reported ‘The Telegraph’.

“Moores seems certain to lose his job and Pietersen’s position is in major jeopardy with Andrew Strauss the most likely candidate to become England’s third captain in five months,” it added.

Even if Pietersen is not sacked, he is likely to be told that England’s results will have to improve for him to keep getting the Board’s backing.

“Pietersen will return from his holiday on Thursday and even if he clings on to his job he will be left in no doubt by the ECB that results must improve if he is to lead England during next year’s Ashes series.

“He will also be told that he will have no role in the selection of England’s next coach with the ECB keen to find a successor to Moores who has the strength of character to control Pietersen.

Pietersen has stated that the atmosphere in the English team is “not healthy” while making it clear that his relationship with Moores has broken down completely.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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After losing their first ever home series in 16 years, Ponting and his men scripted a spirited comeback to win the final Test. Chasing a target 376 runs, the visitors suffered a batting collapse stand in skipper McKenzie was the first one to go on the final day, while debutant all rounder Andrew McDonald then bagged the big wicket of Jacques Kallis by taking a superb catch on his own bowling.

After scoring a superb 59 in-form Hashim Amla was sent to pavillion by spinner Nathan Hauritz. Mitchell Johnson snapped up JP Duminy for 16 after lunch, while Peter Siddle who picked five wickets in the first innings continued to trouble the Proteas batsmen.

The paceman picked three wickets to dismiss Mark Boucher and AB Deviliers for 56. Paul Harris, Dale Steyn and Ntini provided some late order resistence and frustrated the Aussies to put up a 50 run pertnership for the ninth wicket.
 
McDonald then got Steyn’s wicket, only to have injured captain courageous Greame Smith walk out of the dressing room. Smith held fort with Ntini, but Mitchell Johnson finally got the prized wicket of Smith.

Having won the first two Tests already, South Africa have won the series 2-1 as Smith and his team become the first South African side to win a Test series in Australia.

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South Africa need 376 runs to make an Aussie whitewash and claim the numero uno spot in Test rankings with about three and a half sessions to go while Aussies needed a draw to save their top spot.

Skipper Ponting declared Aussie innings the moment they lost Micheal Clarke (41) as Micheal Hussey remained unbeaten on 45.

Earlier, vice captain Michael Clarke (22) and Michael Hussey (31) hold fort for the Aussies, as they helped the team to consolidate their lead to 337 runs at tea with 7 wickets remaining.

Earlier, Ponting (53) was cruising along well but lost his patience as he rushed through on Morkel’s delivery and dragged it on the stumps for a rather silly dismissal. Katich followed Ponting back to the pavilion before Australia got past 300-run mark. 

Resuming the day at 33 for no loss, the Aussies lost the wickets of opener Matthew Hayden and skipper Ricky Ponting in their second innings.

Hayden’s poor show with the bat continued as he was clean bowled by Morne Morkel after scoring just 39 runs. Ponting scored a brisk half-century before becoming Morkel’s second victim just after the lunch. Ponting chipped in with 53 in just 57 deliveries.

Then, Ponting (45) and Simon Katich (29) safely negotiated the first session after losing Matthew Hayden and took Australia to 119/1 at lunch on Day 4. 

As play resume, Katich was trapped in front of the wicket after scoring a well-made 61 despite Dale Steyn not appealing for the dismissal. Boucher and Kallis appealed form behind the stumps and that was more than enough for the umpire.

After bowling out South Africa for 327 on Day 3, Australia resumed from the overnight score of 33 but once again lost out of form Matthew Hayden at the score of 62 as Hayden once again failed to capitalise on a good start.

Seamer Morne Morkel provided the only breakthrough of the first session for South Africa which fetched crucial 86 runs for Australia.

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The event will also help the Indian ace prepare for the first Grand Slam of the year — the Australian Open — as the tournament features the big wigs of women’s tennis, including world number one Jelena Jankovic and multiple-Grand Slam winner American Venus Williams.

“Coming back from a career-threatening injury makes it very special to be back,” Sania said.

The event pits three top players from Europe, Russia, America and Asia-Pacific against each other. Sania will represent Asia Pacific along with team captain China’s Zheng Zie, who became the first player from her country to reach Wimbledon semifinals last year, and local player Zhang Ling.

The tournament will kick off with a match between number one players from the Asia-Pacific zone and top seeds Russia — Zheng Jie and Vera Zvonareva. Sania as number two player of the team will play the second singles against her nemesis and world number 18 Ana Chakvetadze.

Sania has never won a match against Chakvetadze, who emerged winner in all their four meetings so far, including the third round of US Open in 2007.

Sania could play only 12 tournaments last year due to a wrist injury and was forced to skip the French Open and the US Open, which resulted in a fall in her rankings to 100. As per the format of the tournament, top two players from each team will compete in singles, while the third player called the ‘Star of Tomorrow’ competes in doubles along with one of the singles players.

The four teams are placed into a semi-finals draw based on seedings determined by the combined WTA ranking of the two singles players from each team. Each semi-final tie consists of two singles matches and one doubles match.

The winners of the semi-finals will advance to the J B Gold Group Final and the losers to the J B Silver Group Final. The J B Silver Group Final also consists of 2 singles matches and 1 doubles match. The Gold Group Final consists of four singles matches and one doubles match.
    
Teams:
Europe: Jelena Jankovic (SRB), Agnes Szavay (HUN) and Michelle Larcher de Brito (POR).
Russia: Vera Zvonareva, Anna Chakvetadze and Alexandra Panova.
The Americas: Venus Williams (USA), Gisela Dulko (ARG) and Coco Vandeweghe (USA).
Asia Pacific: Zheng Jie (CHN), Sania Mirza (IND) and Zhang Ling (HKG).

(With inputs from agencies)

( This post is from an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by APakistanNews.Com.)