Date: 08-03-2016
Reactions to Maria Sharapova´s positive dope test:
Five-times grand slam champion Maria Sharapova´s failed drug test at this year´s Australian Open provoked a flurry of reaction on social media and beyond.
While most expressed shock and some sympathy for the Russian former world number one, others were less charitable, including three-times grand slam champion Jennifer Capriati.
FORMER WORLD NO.1 JENNIFER CAPRIATI ON TWITTER"I´m extremely angry and disappointed. I had to lose my career and never opted to cheat no matter what. I had to throw in the towel and suffer.
"I didn´t have the high priced team of drs that found a way for me to cheat and get around the system and wait for science to catch up.
The responses are exactly what i am talking about. Everything based on illusion and lie driven by the media for over 20 yrs. Beyond unfair.
"TENNIS GREAT MARTINA NAVRATILOVA ON TWITTER"Hold your horses everyone - about Maria - I don´t have all the facts, I hope it´s an honest mistake, stuff was legal as far as I know till 2015.
"FORMER PLAYER JAMES BLAKE ON TWITTER "Wow. Classy of @MariaSharapova to hold a press conference for this and admit making a mistake. Definitely agree that have to be aware though".
CURRENT AMERICAN PLAYER RYAN HARRISON on TWITTER "Maria handled that so well". In my opinion, honest mistake from a great champion".
FORMER TOP 10 PLAYER AND COACH BRAD GILBERT "Still stunned that nobody on Shazza team checked new list from WADA, players are responsible but this is big time oversight on team as well.
"AUSTRALIAN PLAYER MATT EBDEN "Doesn´t look that innocent for Sharapova or whoever else took it, this Meldonium stuff but who knows?"
BRITISH OLYMPIC HEPTATHLON BRONZE MEDALLIST KELLY SOTHERTON "I´m pretty sure if this was a track and field athlete they´d be getting a much rawer deal than Sharapova. However it is what it is.#Sharapova".
SEVEN-TIME GRAND SLAM SINGLES CHAMPION JUSTINE HENIN "Some questions still have to be asked and it´s very difficult at the moment to give an opinion. What I can say is it´s not good for the game. "Rules are important, rules have to be respected so that´s the thing we can say today. But I am still a little bit sad about all of this".
RUSSIAN FORMER WORLD NO. 1 MARAT SAFIN "The situation is pretty difficult but I think there is a lot we still have to understand. It can be a mistake. But it depends how they (investigators) take it and how they feel about the situation".
Afghanistan defeat Scotland by 14 runs:
NAGPUR: Afghanistan stretched their T20I record against Scotland to 6-0 with a 14-run win facilitated by their explosive opener Mohammad Shahzad and a spin-heavy attack to defend 170.
Scotland were well on course in the chase after their openers packed a powerful stand of 84 runs in under nine overs, but the Afghanistan spinners dismissed the openers and then strangled the middle order to throw the chase off track.
Scotland needed 77 runs from the half-way mark with eight wickets in hand but the Afghanistan spinners lived up to their captain's decision of batting first to allow the slower bowlers to do their work later on.
On what looked like a slower pitch after the opening match in Nagpur, the two teams were set for much stronger totals after the platforms laid by their top orders. But both innings were jolted in the middle overs and Afghanistan eventually prevailed to start their World T20 campaign with a win, to bury memories of their Asia Cup opening-match loss against UAE last month.
Shahzad started in his usual aggressive fashion and overcame some improvised bowling from the Scotland pacers in the Powerplay to cut loose later on.
Shahzad and Noor Ali Zadran provided a flying start by putting on 25 in under three overs before Noor Ali steered a short ball straight to third man.
Shahzad followed that by targeting the leg-side and straight boundaries to race towards a 32-ball fifty, his ninth in T20Is.
Pak security team to submit its report on Wednesday:
LAHORE: The Pakistan security team will submit its report Wednesday on security situation in Dharamsala upon its return from India regarding Pak team’s participation in the World T20 Cup.
The team which is returning home tomorrow will submit its report on the same day and a decision is likely to be taken on the same evening that Pakistan team will travel to India or not, said a spokesman of Pakistan Cricket Board while talking to APP on Tuesday.
The three-member team, comprising Director FIA Lahore Usman Anwar, Col retd Azam and Ubaid Nizamani, is currently in Dharamsala to assess the security arrangements for the Pakistan men and women’s team in the upcoming World T20 Cup.
The security team was constituted by the Pakistan Government after Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Sindh expressed his state government difficulty to provide security to the Pakistan team which is scheduled to play India on March 19 at Dharamsaala .
The government had initially granted the PCB permission to play in India but the board decided to put the visit on hold until they are guaranteed foolproof security of Pak team in India said the spokesman.
He said the safety and security of the Pak team is very important for the PCB and no compromise can be made on it as PCB wants to ensure that the situation is conducive for its teams participation specially when it is playing in India.
He said the security team soon after its return will submit its report to the concerned quarters and a decision will be taken in light of the recommendations to be made by the security team.
World Cup is an important event for PCB but at the same time we want to make sure that if our team plays in India it has no added pressure in terms of security he said.
He said that it is the responsibility of the Indian government to ensure security of the Pakistan team as the World T20 is an international tournament.
He said decision regarding teams participation in the Cup will be made by the Government and will be communicated to the PCB .
When asked about a possible delay in the departure of the Pak team to India the spokesman said it is too early to say on it as we have to wait the decision of the Government as the top most priority is to ensure that Pak team is safe in India.
PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan had stated said that the threats against the Pakistan team are specific and threatened to pull out of the tournament unless the PCB gets a clear message about the security situation from the Indian government.
He also urged India to publicly acknowledge Pakistan’s participation in the tournament and to also promise full security to their cricket team.
Shahzad, Stanikzai steer Afghanistan to 170-5 :
NAGPUR: A ninth T20 international century from Mohammad Shahzad has guided Afghanistan to a competitive 5-170 in their ICC World T20 clash against Scotland.
Shahzad gave his side the perfect start after they won the toss, smashing five fours and three sixes in an entertaining innings in their Group B match in Nagpur.
The world's 12th ranked T20 batsman finished with 61 from 39 balls, a crucial contribution in setting Scotland and imposing target of 171.
Captain Asghar Stanikzai offered good support with 55 not out from 50 balls but he was contained in the late overs thanks to tight bowling from Alasdair Evans (1-24 from four) and Safyaan Sharif (0-29 from four).
Both teams are desperate for a win after Group B rivals Zimbabwe got the better of Hong Kong earlier tonight.
NAGPUR: Zimbabwe defeated Hong Kong by 14 runs in the opening match, first round group B game, of the sixth ICC World Twenty20 here on Tuesday.
Chasing a daunting target of 159, Hong Kong batted very well but gave up in the end against accurate bowling by Zimbabwe seamers.
Hong Kong made 144 for six with the help of a fine 53 by Jamie Atkinson, who hit two sixes and four boundaries in his maiden T20I half-century.
Though captain Tanwir Afzal also made a bold attempt, smashing an unbeaten 31 from 17 balls with three fours and a six but could not succeed to reach the target.
Donald Tiripano, who scalped Atkinson, bowled a fine last over while Tendai Chatara, on return, took two wickets in two balls.
Both Tiripano and Chatara captured two wickets each for 27 and 28, respectively while Sikander Raza and captain Hamilton Masakadza got one each.
Earlier sent into bat, Masakadza gave a fine start to his team with an aggressive 20, hitting two boundaries and a six but then wickets started crumbling as his team lost four wickets for 62 in 7.5 overs.
However, opener Vusi Sibanda along with Malcolm Waller saved their team from total collapse adding 61 for the fifth wicket before both were dismissed quickly.
Sibanda set the game up for Zimbabwe with his maiden T20I half-century. He scored 59 from 46 balls with five fours and two sixes while Waller scored 26.
Later Elton Chigubmra played an unbeaten breezy innings of 30 off just 13 balls. He hit three consecutive sixes in the second last over to see Zimbabwe reach a competitive total.
For Hong Kong, seamers Tanwir and Aizaz Khan claimed two wickets each while slow left-arm bowler Nadeem Ahmed took one wicket.
Sibanda, after the match ended, was declared the Player of the Match.
Pak team set to leave for India tomorrow, awaits Govt nod:
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan security team in India has given a go-ahead signal for sending the national team to India for participating in the ICC World Twenty20 tournament.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that the decision will be taken, whether the national team will go to India, after reviewing the report of the Pakistan security delegation from India.
The report is expected to be received this evening and the government will take its decision this tonight or tomorrow morning.
The two-member Pakistan security delegation comprising senior director of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Lahore, Dr UsmanAnwar and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Security officer, Col. (R) Azam Khan went to Amritsar (India) from Lahore on Monday to assess the situation at Dharamsala ahead of the Pakistan India clash in that town on March 19.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan cricket team is set to leave for India on Wednesday as five players from Karachi have arrived in Lahore this afternoon while captain of team Shahid Afridi and other players are already in Lahore.
However according to reports available from across the border, the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 Director MV Sridhar has said that the Pakistan security team has assessed the security measures taken in Dharamsala and are assured by the district administration that ample security would be provided to the players.
Sridhar said the PCB security team had inspected the venue and also had a discussion with the Board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI) and the tournament officials.
The PCB delegation visited Dharamsala on Monday and met the BCCI, the tournament organisers and local officials of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA).
And also had the conversation with the district administrative officials that included District Commissioner and the Inspector-General of Police, he said.
Hosts with the most? India eye World T20 crown:
NEW DELHI: Hosts India are favourites to clinch the sixth edition of the World Twenty20 in what could be a fairytale ending to the glittering career of captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
India ranked number one in the world will seek to become the first side to win the International Cricket Council (ICC) title on home soil when the 16-team tournament gets under way on Tuesday.
They are also gunning to become the tournament’s only two-time winners with South Africa Australia and the mercurial West Indies shaping as leading threats.
Australia, the top ranked Test side, are desperate to win their first World Twenty20 crown while Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir will play his first ICC tournament since returning from a five-year spot-fixing ban.
India come into the tournament on the back of an eight-wicket win over Bangladesh in the Asia Cup final and have several key batsmen and bowlers in form.
India’s hot streak of 10 wins from their last 11 T20 internationals, coupled with their vast and boisterous home support, means Dhoni’s men will be tough to beat.
India also have added incentive to lift the trophy on April 3 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata because of the fact that the tournament may mark Dhoni’s swansong.
Dhoni, who led India to the inaugural title in 2007, has struggled with the bat of late and turns 35 this summer.
In-form batsman Virat Kohli and deadly off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin are expected to be the key men for India, who are hosting the championship for the first time.
The home side start their campaign against New Zealand on March 15 before playing arch rivals Pakistan in Dharamsala four days later in a hotly awaited clash.
Pakistan endured a disastrous Asia Cup, thanks largely to some atrocious batting and any hopes they have of making an impression will rely on the performances of the controversial Amir.
The 23-year-old fast bowler was banned and jailed for deliberately sending down no balls in a Test match against England in 2010. But he has been in good touch since re-entering the international fold earlier this year and lit up the Asia Cup with a devastating 3-18 spell in Pakistan’s loss to India.
Second-ranked South Africa are hoping to spoil India’s party and come into the tournament full of confidence following a T20 series whitewash against England.
The Proteas have never won the World Twenty20 but anything less than the final will be considered a failure for the Faf du Plessis-led side, who boast top run scorers AB De Villiers and Hashim Amla and leg spinner Imran Tahir.
Defending champions Sri Lanka are a shadow of the side that won in Bangladesh two years ago and have struggled to come to terms with the void left by legends Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.
The West Indies tilt at a second title, have been hit by injury, withdrawals and a bitter pay dispute with squad members arguing with the country’s board over fees to play in the tournament.
Experienced batsman Darren Bravo, all-rounder Kieron Pollard and off-spinner Sunil Narine are all out but it would be unwise to write off the third-ranked Windies, especially when they boast the big-hitting Chris Gayle.
The preliminary round starts on Tuesday with Afghanistan and Bangladesh favourites to join the big eight teams in the Super-10 group stage.
In Tuesday’s opening matches, Hong Kong take on Zimbabwe and Afghanistan play Scotland.
Malinga steps down as S.Lanka captain for World T20:
COLOMBO: Lasith Malinga has stepped down as Sri Lanka captain ahead of their World Twenty20 title defence in India, the secretary of the country's cricket board told Reuters on Tuesday.
Angelo Mathews would take over as skipper from paceman Malinga, who remained available to play Super 10 stage matches from March 15, Mohan de Silva added.
"He is stepping down only from captaincy," de Silva said.
"He has offered himself for selection only after (March) 15 because he is undergoing some treatment here in Sri Lanka," the SLC secretary added.
Test and one-day captain Mathews was named Malinga's deputy in the original Sri Lankan squad.
According to media reports, paceman Malinga, who led Sri Lanka to the 2014 World Twenty20 triumph in Bangladesh, is recovering slowly from a knee injury and is not certain to play all the side's matches in India.
The 32-year-old with an unorthodox action has been a key player in Sri Lanka´s progress to three World Twenty20 finals over the last four editions of the tournament.
Sri Lanka begin their bid for a second World Twenty20 title on March 17 with a Super 10 stage match against the Group B winners in Kolkata.
Jury finds hotel liable in Erin Andrews stalker video case:
A jury on Monday found a Nashville hotel liable for a nude video of sportscaster Erin Andrews that went viral and awarded her $55 million in damages to be paid by the hotel and the man who shot the video.
Andrews sued the Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt University over a 2008 video of her that was taken by a stalker in an adjoining room and posted on the Internet in 2009. Andrews, a Fox sportscaster who used to work for ESPN, had sought $75 million in damages.
"We're disappointed with the outcome," defense attorney Marc Dedman told reporters. He said he would consult with his clients - the hotel owners and its former operators - on whether they would appeal.
Jurors began deliberating on Monday morning after the two-week trial concluded on Friday.
"I've been honored by all the support from victims around the world. Their outreach has helped me be able to stand up and hold accountable those whose job it is to protect everyone's safety, security and privacy," Andrews said in a brief statement on her Twitter feed.
Andrews testified for two days during the trial, saying that since the video was seen by millions of people, she experienced serious mental injury, including depression, crying spells and sleeplessness.
Her lawyers argued that the hotel was negligent and could have prevented the incident.
The video was taken by Michael David Barrett, who pleaded guilty in 2009 to stalking Andrews and making the video. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Barrett asked the hotel to put him in a room next to Andrews' after an employee confirmed to him that she was staying there on a certain date. He rigged a peep hole to shoot the video of Andrews while she was changing.
Lawyers for the hotel argued that the responsibility was solely Barrett's and there was no way the hotel could have foreseen what he did.
The parties who were found liable were West End Hotel Partners, the investment group that owned the Nashville Marriott, and the operating company of the hotel at the time, Windsor Capital Group. Marriott International was originally named in Andrews' lawsuit, but the judge removed it.
The jury found that the hotel is liable for 49 percent of the $55 million in damages, or $26.95 million, while Barrett is liable for 51 percent of the damages, equivalent to $28.05 million.
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