Daily Sports News

Roddick books Shanghai tennis spot

2008-10-30T22:47:00.000-07:00

Paris, Oct. 30: U.S. star Andy Roddick reached the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters on Thursday and, in doing so, to clinch their season-end Shanghai Masters Cup berth, beating Gilles Simon of France 6-3, 7-5.

Simon was eighth in the ATP entry into the race on Thursday match, but realistically needed to win as James Blake of the United States and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are breathing down the neck.

For Roddick, his sixth victory of cement spot and facing it, either near or third seed Novak Djokovic Tsonga, faced off in a repeat of the Australia Open final won by the Serbs.

Argentine eighth seed David Nalbandian and former owner thrash its ninth seeded team in Davis Cup Juan Martin Del Potro 6-4, 6-0 to become the first quarter-finalist at the Paris Masters.

Nalbandian, who took the pair in the series at 3-1 in their favor in their third meeting within a month, or next faces fourth seeded Andy Murray British or Spanish 15th seed Fernando Verdasco.

A missed break point - one of four in total - in the seventh game of the second set was the closest Simon troublesome reached. In a high-wire act that saved four points of the match in game 12 before succumbing.

With his loss to Nalbandian, Del Potro, suffering a broken nail, must now unite in sweat Roddick in China.

The Rising Star is the seventh in the ATP race, but could slide out of the eight men on the ground, depending on other results here.

"I do not like playing against friends or Argentine players - is difficult," said a crestfallen Del Potro.

"David did a great match. I do not know if I will play Shanghai - I'm not qualified yet.

"At least if I do not have the Davis Cup for sure - and that gives me a lot of motivation."

Nalbandian, who told reporters the Spanish Argentine crowd will give them a warm welcome to the Davis Cup in Mar del Plata, said Murray would be a huge obstacle.

"He is doing great - he won a lot of major titles. He is a talent."

Murray is seeking this week to become the first man to win three straight Masters event after victories in Cincinnati and Madrid.

Nalbandian remains theoretically could benefit from China - "I'll see if and when the time comes," he insisted - but focuses on teamwork with Del Potro of Argentina after an initial objective of the Davis Cup final against Rafael Nadal of Spain on November 21-23 in Mar del Plata.

After winning Roddick, two slots Shanghai remained in suspense on a day when nine of the world's top ten are still in action.

In the night game, world number one Federer is taking hope in French Gaël Monfils, while the second ranked Roger Federer meets Croatian Marin Cilic.

Sixth-seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia was playing Tomas Berdych in the final match in a battle of former champions.

Ronaldo heads Fifa nominees

2008-10-30T02:20:00.000-07:00

FIFA has announced a 23-man list of candidates for the World Player of the Year award.

Far from Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo, again picking up the top gong at the awards FIFPro, is the favorite to take the title.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas are also among the rank at the forefront as the couple have been short-listed after his success with Spain at Euro 2008.

2007 winner Kaka is also in the hunt, as is Barcelona's Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.

The winner, voted by the captains and coaches, was released in a star ceremony in Zurich opera house on January 12.
FIFA World Player of the Year nominees:

Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal, Togo), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid, Argentina), Andrei Arshavin (Zenit St Petersburg, Russia), Michael Ballack (Chelsea, Germany), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, Italy), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid, Spain), Deco (Barcelona, Portugal), Didier Drogba (Chelsea, Ivory Coast), Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona, Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal, Spain), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool, England), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan, Sweden), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona, Spain), Kaka (AC Milan, Brazil), Frank Lampard (Chelsea, England), Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina), Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich, France), Cristiano Ronaldo ( Manchester United, Portugal), John Terry (Chelsea, England), Fernando Torres (Liverpool, Spain), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid, Netherlands), David Villa (Valencia, Spain), Xavi (Barcelona, Spain)

Hayden backs aggressive approach to counter Zaheer

2008-10-26T04:46:00.000-07:00

Matthew Hayden of Australia out of form opener, wants to continue to test the temperament of Zaheer Khan in the third test starting Wednesday despite its own struggles against India fast player. Hayden said it was "method behind my madness," in the second inning in Mohali, where he attacked a 29 from 20 balls, as a way of getting on top of Zaheer, who has dismissed him three times in the series.

Australians feel the aggressive approach, which included Hayden burden of the first ball of the entrances of Zaheer, has already worked. Zaheer was fined 80% of his match fee for its conclusion and wild dance around when the batsman Hayden was dismissed by Harbhajan Singh in the second inning.

"His temperament, as we have seen, it became apparent the other day by sending her off," said Hayden. "You lose consistency and control when not to. It's something that, even if I do [play aggressively at the start] to the rest of the series, is something that is in the back of his mind. And that I can use to my advantage. "

Hayden has been able to muscle out Zaheer on a limited number of tournaments credits, including the 2003 World Cup finals, but has been unable to assert himself on this trip. Zaheer removed Hayden 0, 13 and 0 in his first three innings of the tour shortly before the explosion last week.

"Zaheer Khan has been subjected to a lot of pressure for me and [Adam Gilchrist] in all the tournaments we've played in a-dayers," said Hayden. "I have also tried to emulate that when we played evidence. I feel as though when vulnerable as that."

Hayden is a goal for the Indians and their lean spell is one of the main reasons for Australia is to start from a 1-0 deficit in Delhi. He will continue to use "positive intent" with his batting, mainly due to the influence of India in the second trial, that part of the house won by 320 runs, weakened slightly in the second inning before Australia recovered and sank to 58 for 5.

"We saw immediately that when it happened, there were guys in each direction in the outfield," he said. "I think the challenge is then put in me how to handle? If I passed that stage, I have to handle the next phase, and then mark it as an opportunity to work and handle the ball around."

Hayden has devised a strategy to get out of their bad patch and cope with the changing nature of an entry in India. He stayed at the team hotel in Delhi instead of traveling during the three days of rest and focused on their determination to "bat for long."

"There are three stages of the singular game I've had a bit more of a thinking," he said. "If you look at the way Virender Sehwag goes about his cricket, or any of them go about their cricket, the new ball is there to be beaten. With the ball flat, from 15 credits to 50 credits, there's a lot of the use of rhythm, a lot of nudging into gaps, and not so many large areas of scores on the ground and in front of the wicket.

"So the ball is softer and turning the ball, which is the stage I really want to participate in. I know it's a stage where I have great strength, being able to manipulate the spin and manipulate the ball even though it is soft."

Hayden did not restructure its overall picture, but he has thought about the changes needed to cope with the ball moving back into it. Zaheer and Ishant Sharma have troubled all of Australia Batsman with his reverse-swing and major domestic supremacy of the party is due to the execution of the attack.

"[In India] use of the hands and eyes to hit the ball © Getty Images

"Technically there are some things you need to do differently," he said. "The traditional Batsman like me and Ricky [Ponting], who took the head and feet to the line of the ball, they are vulnerable if they really get a ball or swinging closure again in the stumps.

"The ball is not going over the stumps here. The reason we do that in Australia is to cover the rebound. If you stay inside the line of the ball with his feet down the wicket, you just get nick free for fun. Here only cover their bets a bit with the way your feet are going to go, then use your hands and eyes to hit the ball. That's the subtle difference in playing cricket non-stop Rebound. "

What is more important to Australia is the top of the men contribute as a unit. Hayden and Brett Lee have not been able to do that in the series, while Ponting also had a quiet game in Mohali. "When you look at it, myself and Binga need to make good game of cricket," he said. "We are a vital part of that leadership group."

Three nations plan joint IPL spin-off

2008-10-24T02:05:00.000-07:00

Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have confirmed they are planning a nationwide multi-franchise-owned Twenty20 tournament on the basis of the IPL, which we expect to launch in 2011. Although the competition is still in the planning stages, the idea is that the city-based teams and timetable at a time that would allow India stars to take part.

The concept will include two conferences - an Eastern Division based in West Africa and Australasia in one division - the top and sides of each of them progress to the final. It will not replace the current domestic Twenty20 competitions, but they are more likely to be held in October of each nation with freedom to maintain their state or provincial-based tournaments.

The organizers want the competition to feed the teams in the Champions League Twenty20. The southern hemisphere-based tournament, which still has no name, is another indication of the increasing dominance of Twenty20.

The first season of IPL was massively popular this year in India, where there is also competition unauthorized ICL, while England will soon be playing for U.S. $ 20 million in the Stanford Super Series. Peter Young, Cricket Australia's spokesman, acknowledged that it will be a challenge to squeeze the new tournament, but organizers were confident that could be achieved.

"It will be short, sharp and very focused, but the exact number of games has not yet been determined," said Young. "Strategically, we see that there is a finite amount of Twenty20 cricket that the probability of being ideal, with a series of major world blocs."

There is still a way to go before the details can be finalized, including the number of teams. There is also potential for the African conference feature on the parties not based in South Africa and Australasia for the division to have teams from outside Australia and New Zealand. Domestic players are likely to feature highly, but the three boards are willing to guarantee international stars, from India or England, for example, taking part.

"Gathering a large number of the world's marquee players in a single jurisdiction over a compressed timetable can capture the imagination of the public and create new audiences to cricket," Justin Vaughan, New Zealand Cricket chief executive, said. "The challenge for the three southern hemisphere boards is to create the conditions so that the chance of being caught in a way that complements international cricket."

Cricket Australia has been considering a franchise system based Twenty20 for some time. James Sutherland, chief executive of Cricket Australia, said it had become clear that to reach a critical mass, a regional approach is needed.

"The idea developed from blue-sky thinking Twenty20 in the past 18 months," said Sutherland. "At the regional level Twenty20 cricket played at the level immediately below international cricket has shown that it can capture the imagination of the public and create new audiences to cricket.

"But as we have seen in India, you need critical mass to generate great excitement. The notion that regional development have been accused of providing the critical mass."

Cricket Australia is also ready to increase international attention from its state-based Twenty20 tournament. From 2009-10 will encourage the six-state teams to recruit star players from abroad.

Knicks cut Houston, hope to keep him within organization

2008-10-24T01:37:00.000-07:00

The Knicks have cut Allan Houston, but I hope to keep him in the organization in a yet to be determined role. It is the second consecutive year that the return to Houston before the court has ruled.

"Although I was very excited about potentially joining my team this year in uniform, I believe that the circumstances suggest that suits me better serve the team in a different role," said Houston as part of a statement.

Houston does not appear in any of the Knicks' preseason games because of an injured quad. Last year, appeared in an exhibition game. Houston last played in the NBA in the 2004-05 season. He was forced to withdraw to because of arthritic knees.

"It was difficult," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said. "And then a lot of times you have to have breaks in our league in the sense of things had to open and maybe something went on a few key strokes or whatever. Because nothing open, and then he's not playing, just kind of not doing so at that time. "

Knicks president Donnie Walsh said the thought of Houston could be a good liaison between the players and office, so that a newly created position of player development is a strong possibility.

The Knicks also gave up Dan Grunfeld, who is the son of former Knicks and current Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld. The Knicks are now 16 players on its roster. All teams must be at 15 the season before opening.

Andrew Marchand is the managing editor of 1050 ESPN Radio in New York. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Khan to make comeback in December

2008-10-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

Amir Khan will return to the ring on 6 December for the first time since his knockout defeat by Breidis Prescott last month.

Khan is hoping to secure a place on the undercard of the Oscar de la Hoya-Manny Pacquiao fight in Las Vegas.

Romford's Nicky Cook will Defend his WBO super-featherweight crown on the same night at the ExCeL London.

Not Rated's tilt for the WBC Super Middleweight crown in Nottingham also takes place on the same night.

After his defeat to Prescott in September, Bolton star Khan dismissed his trainer Jorge Rubio and has since linked up with venerable American, Freddie Roach, at his Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.

"It's been great out here, I'm not Distracted with anything outside of boxing and all I do is train and learn," said the 21-year-old.

"I'm working on so much stuff with Freddie that I'm going home more mentally tired than physically tired.

"Although the loss to Prescott was a big blow, it was perhaps the best thing that could have happened to me because it made me REALIZE I had to change things and I've made the right move to Freddie.

"I'm really looking forward to my comeback fight and showing everyone that I am back and have even more determination to reach the top."

If Khan can not secure a place on the undercard of de la Hoya-Pacquiao then I will fight on the same bill as Cook.

Cook last month put in a fine performance to Dethroned Edinburgh's Alex Arthur, winning a world title at his second attempt.

And as the only currently Britain to own a world title belt, the 29-year-old feels under pressure to retain his title.

"It means so much to me to Defend my title for the first time in London, in my backyard, and as I'm the only British boxer to hold a world title for the heat is on me to deliver," said Cook.

"This time last year there were seven British Boxers who held world titles and now I'm the only one out there so whoever the challenger is I'm telling them now - there is now way that belt is leaving me."
Not Rated's fight against Canada's Jean Pascal will be broadcast by terrestrial channel ITV1. Khan recently Penne a 20-fight deal with Sky after ending his association with ITV.

Phillies top Rays 3-2 to take World Series lead

2008-10-23T10:14:00.000-07:00

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-Cole Hamels, Chase Utley and the Philadelphia Phillies have the upper hand in the World Series. Hamels worked seven entrances and Utley homer as Philadelphia beat off the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in Game 1 in St. Petersburg.

Hamels became the 12 pitcher to win four games in a single post-season, the celebration of the rays to two runs and five hits in seven innings. Hamels has gone at least seven entries in each of his four post-season starts.

Utley put the Phillies ahead to stay on becoming the 34th player to Homer in his first career World Series at-bat, two cheeks explosion within just three batters into the game. Carlos Ruiz added an RBI Grounder which scored Shane Victorino, who was one of four Phillies with two hits.

The Rays trailed 3-0 in the fourth until Carl Crawford smashed a single homer off Hamels. Akinori Iwamura was 3-2 with his third hit of the game, an RBI double in the fifth. But lightning has not been able to obtain a success in the rest of the way.

BJ Upton was held in check after entering the game with seven homers and 15 RBIs in the playoffs. Upton hit into two double plays and was 0-for-4, leaving five men on base.

Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge each fired a perfect entry of relief to close the victory. Lidge has picked up saves in six of the Phillies' eight post-season wins.

Loser Scott Kazmir was reached three runs and six hits in six innings.

Game 2 on Thursday in St Pete as Brett Myers will start for the Phillies against James Shields.

I want to be role model - Barton

2008-10-23T09:55:00.000-07:00

Newcastle controversial midfielder Joey Barton, 26, trusts that can transform your reputation and become a model.

Barton was jailed for assault and banned for attacking a team-mate and said he was "the last chance salon."

He told BBC Sport that because of his experiences that may be able to reach people, saying: "I wish I could be the model I have ever been."

"My reputation will precede me until the day I die, and for some people who can not come soon," he added.

Barton, who was jailed for affray and assault earlier this year, could return to action against Sunderland on Saturday after completing a six-game ban for assaulting Ousmane Dabo in 2007, when he was in the city of Manchester.

"It will not be young guys who are looking at the likes of Michael Owen and Beckham, who are great professionals, squeaky clean, and that can not relate to them," Barton told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"When I speak from experience about the things I've done wrong in my life and how I have tried to change them, I think we respect that.

"Hopefully I will be able to reach them people who, perhaps before, they were a little inaccessible."

Barton was released three months ago in Manchester and began his return in a reserve fixture of Newcastle on Tuesday.

He said he deserves "every bit of criticism that labeled me."

"I've had more chances than anyone deserves. It's the last chance saloon and I'm just thankful to have that opportunity," he added.

Barton, who is receiving support from the Sporting Chance Clinic, acknowledged that many of their problems have been related to alcohol, but he said he has not had a drink in 10 months and is optimistic about his recovery.

"The main thing for me is to stay sober. I feel so good about the future. If I could go back and change things I want but I can not," he said.

"All I can do is do what in the future and try to help or relieve or pay my debts from what I have done wrong."

Barton was the first team in action when he came off the bench in what turned out to be Kevin Keegan last game in charge, the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal on August 30.

F1 teams agree cost-cutting deal

2008-10-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

The FIA and the representatives of the Formula One teams have agreed to reduce costs for small teams next season.

FIA president Max Mosley and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said the agreement is "significant cost savings for 2009 and 2010."

Officials of all three teams, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that the cost of the engines supplied to the independent teams will be limited to $ 13.2ma year.

The engines also run for three instead of two race weekends.

The FIA said in a joint statement with the teams Formula One Association (Fota) after a meeting in Geneva that the teams were "working urgently on new proposals for the year 2010 and beyond."

Mosley said earlier this month that even without the credit crunch, the sport has become unsustainable at current levels of spending.

The teams will meet for the Grand Prix of Brazil between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2 to discuss the change of mileage tests from 2009, team officials said.

Fota and the FIA will meet again after the race to change the rules of chassis design from 2010.

Rafael Nadal to finish 2008 at the top of the tennis rankings

2008-10-20T22:23:00.000-07:00

Hamburg - Rafael Nadal run to the semi-final of the Madrid Masters on the weekend guarantees the Spanish remain top of the ATP tennis ranking until the end of 2008.

The French Open and Wimbledon champion Federer has 7100 points in the new rankings issued Monday, to sit in front of the former number one Roger Federer of Switzerland (5805) and Serbian Novak Djokovic (4575).

Gilles Simon of France moves into the Top 10 after its race to the final in Madrid, where he was beaten by Andy Murray.

Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari calm despite injury crisis

2008-10-18T07:21:00.000-07:00

Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari faces an injury crisis before tomorrow's clash with Middlesbrough.

The Brazilian coach has once again captain John Terry fit to face Gareth Southgate part in the Riverside, but has developed into a series of youth for the trip north.

Among them is England Under-21 defender Michael Mancienne end and Scott Sinclair.

But Scolari unusual Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack, Joe Cole, Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Ricardo Carvalho with doubts about José Bosingwa and Alex.

Scolari said:''Nineteen players have to train. Nineteen are with me today. And they all are in good condition. John Terry has recovered to play tomorrow.

Joe Cole''no go with us. Some other players will not be with us because they are injured.

Pero''tengo a team, I have players who will play against Middlesbrough and is not a problem for me if we have one, two, three or four injuries.''

The latest addition to Scolari mounting injury toll German captain Michael Ballack.

Scolari confirmed Ballack is expected to be for a maximum of three weeks despite having played against Wales 1-0 victory in Germany in the week.

Ballack was already carrying a calf injury when informed of international law and which was further aggravated against Wales.

However, Scolari insists that he is not angry at the loss of midfielder.

''Ballack is out of perhaps two or three weeks'', Scolari admitted. ''I'm not angry. I am happy because this is a test for me that I am a good coach.

''I have to change, improve, I have to bring in other players, I need to motivate other players.

''It's good for my work, is good for my work. It is not difficult for me.

''To me it's normal, I have to build every week, a different computer.

Many clubs have injuries''of the national games, because the games are strong. In football it's normal.

''I worked yesterday, Thursday, with only 11 players. Today I worked with 17. It's better! Maybe I have Saturday 19.

''Against Roma in the Champions League next week, it might take 20 or 21. This is the life for the coach, you need to understand that we have different games and I have to understand that teams want and need the players.

''I am a coach, I have to build my team with the players I have.

''The coaches of national teams do not want the injuries their players want what we want - to win.

''It's not just a club that lost when the national teams. All clubs. Once my club loses players, both from Liverpool, after Man United. We have to accept this. If you do not accept this is impossible.

''If you are injured at Chelsea who do not play, if you are injured on the national team who do not play. I do not see any time in my life, when a coach put a player on the pitch if they are injured.''

In Mar del Plata Davis Cup final to be held

2008-10-18T06:01:00.000-07:00

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -The Davis Cup final between Argentina and Spain will be held at the Islas Malvinas Stadium in Mar del Plata.

Argentina had proposed holding the Nov. 21-23 event in Cordoba at the Orfeo Stadium.

``This was one of the most challenging decisions we have made during my more than a decade-long tenure on the Davis Cup Committee,'' said Juan Margets, chairman of the International Tennis Federation panel on Friday.

The Argentine team hoped to play on a fast indoor court in Cordoba to bolster the strengths of David Nalbandian and Juan Martin del Potro.

Both venues don't meet the ITF's requirement of 12,000 seats. Margets said it was more feasible to increase the seating in Mar del Plata's venue.

Mushfiqur and Mehrab revive Bangladesh Cricket

2008-10-17T08:27:00.000-07:00

An unbeaten 79 by Mehrab Hossain jnr helped square the honours on the first day of the first Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand in Chittagong. With Bangladesh down to 44 for 4 soon after lunch, New Zealand looked set to dismiss the hosts for another low score before a 139-run stand between Mehrab and Mushfiqur Rahim resurrected the innings.

Both teams came into the Test with a few jitters; Bangladesh have had just one win in their Test history, while New Zealand had lost four of their last five Tests - all against England. Bangladesh's batsmen and New Zealand's fielders showed nerves early on but, just when the visiting bowlers put their team on top, they let their opponents back into the game. Mehrab finished the day unbeaten on 79, while Mushfiqur will resume tomorrow on 59.

The day started with the New Zealanders missing opportunities. After dismissing Junaid Siddique without a run on the board, three simple chances were grassed over the next few overs. Rajin Saleh was put down by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum, while Aaron Redmond dropped a straightforward chance at second slip to give Tamim Iqbal his first life. Both chances came before the hosts had a run on the board. Soon after, Tamim was dropped again at short leg to deny offspinner Jeetan Patel a deserved wicket. Luckily for the New Zealanders, both men were dismissed early after lunch for 20 and 18 respectively, joining Siddique and captain Mohammad Ashraful back in the pavilion.

Before Mehrab and Mushfiqur came to the wicket, the run-rate had barely moved past one run an over - when Ashraful fell, Bangladesh were 44 for 4 after 43 overs, the top-order batsmen more concerned with survival than scoring. The new pair began in similar slow fashion but then began to dominate the bowling, looking to score runs rather than keep their wickets in hand. The ploy worked, with their unbroken 139-run stand a record fifth-wicket partnership for Bangladesh.

New Zealand's bowlers must also get credit for stifling the scoring in the first half of the day. They bowled on the spot most of the day and gave their opposition little chance to dominate. The pick of the bowlers were Iain O'Brien and captain Daniel Vettori. O'Brien finished the day with 2 for 25 off 17 overs, while Vettori also claimed two giving away just 50 runs from his 28 overs. Debutant Jesse Ryder was unlucky not to claim his first Test wicket in his first over; a yorker thundered into Saleh's back foot, which seemed dead in front of middle stump, but it was not given out.

Instead, the fielding let them down, surprising since it's something the team focuses hard on during training. Today was a reflection of how important it is; the visitors could have easily had Bangladesh at 0 for 3. Bangladesh, though, managed to claw back. Mehrab showed those that went before him that runs could be made on this pitch, if scoring, not survival, was the intention.

The game is well set up heading into the second day. New Zealand can wrap up the Bangladesh innings tomorrow but will want to build a substantial innings lead over the next few days. With the pitch likely to break up over the coming sessions, they will not want to be chasing many runs on the fourth or fifth days.

Parade of the Heroes in Olympic and Paralympic

2008-10-17T00:13:00.000-07:00

Thousands of fans gathered in London on Thursday to greet Britain's Olympians and Paralympians for a parade to celebrate their Beijing success.

After the 12-float procession travelled from Mansion House to Trafalgar Square, the Olympians ended their day by meeting the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Cycling star Chris Hoy called the day "very special", while swimmer Rebecca Adlington said it had been "brilliant".

A Palace reception for the Paralympic stars will be held early in 2009.

Hoy, winner of three gold Olympic medals in the velodrome, added: "It's unbelievable and great to see so much positivity. It's the stuff of dreams."

Hoy and his fellow cyclists Victoria Pendleton, Rebecca Romero and Paralympic champions Sarah and Barney Storey, Rachel Morris and Simon Richardson were the first to arrive by Nelson's Column and were welcomed by the cheering fans.

OLYMPICS BLOG
London on a bright but chilly October morning is a very different place to smoggy Beijing at the height of summer

BBC Sport's Tom Fordyce

With all the athletes gathered in Trafalgar Square at the end of the procession, mayor of London Boris Johnson responded to criticism of the timing of the parade.

Johnson said: "There's never a wrong time to celebrate the greatest achievement by an Olympic and Paralympic team since 1908."

He added: "I hope there are kids watching today, saying 'that could be me in 2012'."

Olympics minister Tessa Jowell called the parade a "fitting tribute."

British Olympic Association chief executive Simon Clegg said: "To have this reception is fantastic. We have recognised that bringing all the athletes together has been very challenging."

Mark Hunter, gold medallist with Zac Purchase in the lightweight double sculls, was joined by 21 of his 24 team-mates who won medals in China, as well as 400m Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu and 400m hurdles bronze medallist Natasha Danvers.

Hunter said: "I wouldn't miss this for the world. Our success is everybody's success."

Adlington on life since Beijing

Lee Pearson, Paralympic dressage gold medallist, was on the sixth float with the rest of the equestrian teams, along with Sarah Stevenson, who won Britain's first taekwondo medal, and modern pentathlon silver medallist Heather Fell.

The successful sailing teams, including three-time Olympic winner Ben Ainslie, were on float seven, and boxing champion James DeGale following behind.

The ninth float held two of the Paralympic gold-medal winning boccia team, with Tim Brabants celebrating his canoeing gold and bronze on float 10.

Next up was Dave Roberts, who won four Paralympic swimming gold medals taking his tally to 11, along with 14-year-old diver Tom Daley.

Daley said: "I've had one day off since coming back from China and gone back to school. But today's just amazing."

OLYMPICS BLOG
Have you dusted down your old bike, tried your hand at sailing or dug out your old swimming shorts?

BBC Sport's Mark Ashenden

The final float contained swimming sensations Adlington and Britain's youngest Paralympic champion, 13-year-old Eleanor Simmonds, whose tearful celebrations in Beijing captured the nation's imagination.

Double gold medallist Adlington, Mansfield's most famous swimmer, is one of the favourites for the BBC Sport Personality award and joked that her two medals had been chipped because of all the attention.

She said: "All of the support is just brilliant. Everybody says swimming is boring, but hopefully the sport can be put right on the map now."

Following the activities in Trafalgar Square, over 500 Olympians, including those medallists in the procession and their support staff, spent just under three hours at Buckingham Palace.

The reception was held with the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal, who is president of the British Olympic Association.

Hoy said meeting the Queen for the third time was "fantastic", while Adlington admitted to being very nervous but said: "At least I can say that I have spoken to her and I will always remember it for the rest of my life."

Athletics star Ohuruogu said: "She is the most iconic figure in the UK and to have her spend a couple of minutes talking to you is fantastic. It is something that I will be able to tell my grandchildren."

Beijing performance 'Herculean' - Coe

London 2012 chief Lord Coe said the athletes' efforts in Beijing had been "herculean".

"It's been a great day for them and I'm sure many of the athletes are starting to realise just how excited we were back home," Coe told the BBC.

He added the mood in the Palace had been "very upbeat". "It's been a long day, but it's everything they deserve and has ended just as spectacularly for them."

Reflecting on London hosting the next Olympics and Paralympics, he added: "It will be a Games for everyone. The real challenge is getting all the kids here today into sport on a regular basis.

"Beijing gave us the most extraordinary platform for the next four years."

Team GB returned from China in August after their best Olympic medal haul in 100 years, finishing fourth in the medal table with 19 golds, 13 silvers and 15 bronze.

The ParalympicsGB team were Britain's most successful for two decades, winning 102 medals, including 42 golds, to finish second in the table behind the Chinese.

Kapali century in vain as Hyderabad win thriller

2008-10-16T11:54:00.000-07:00

It was another last-over thriller in Hyderabad. Alok Kapali hit the first ton in ICL history but finished on the losing side as the Hyderabad Heroes overhauled the target of 169 set by the Dhaka Warriors with a complete team effort.

Hyderabad got the target down to 13 runs from the last over bowled by Farhad Reza. Chris Harris sliced the second delivery to the backward point boundary to reduce the target to 8 from 4. He launched the next one over the sightscreen before spearing the fourth ball to the extra cover boundary. Game over.

Dhaka had almost clinched it in the penultimate over when the final turning point of the game happened. Requiring 17 runs from seven balls, Harris lifted Mohammad Rafique to the right of long-off and Reza had it seemingly covered but spilled it in the end.

It was that kind of a night - just when you relaxed, a partnership would form and as soon as you thought Hyderabad were getting ahead, some one would get out. It was a complete tease act. It had everything: Fours, sixes, wickets, run outs and vital dropped catches.

Jimmy Maher started with a flurry of boundaries, Abdul Razzaq bludgeoned 27 that included the shot of the night: a fierce slice off the medium-pacer Mohammad Sharif that skimmed over backward point boundary. Along with Justin Kemp he picked 19 runs in the fifth over bowled by Reza, but was cleaned up by the same bowler. When Kemp fell immediately to make it 73 for 4, it looked as if the target was beyond Hyderabad but Stuart Binny provided the shot in the arm with four crucial boundaries in a breezy innings of 30, but again got out at the wrong time. Or so it seemed.

The score read 115 for 5 in the 14th over; surely it was over now? However, Nicky Boje and Harris kept the game on a knife-edge. They ran hard, hit the odd boundary, kept Dhaka on their toes and had reduced the equation when Boje was run out. He turned for the second run after Harris had hit the ball to long-off but couldn't beat the throw from Aftab Ahmed.

At that point Hyderabad needed 28 from 15 balls and Harris expertly farmed the strike to steer his side home.

Spare a thought for Kapali, though. In June 2008, he hit a dazzling maiden ton against India in the Asia Cup but had to finish on the losing side. It was another one-man show from him tonight. Dhaka had lost wickets in a clutch at the top before he shared a 77-run partnership with Dhiman Ghosh, whose managed just eight.

Similar to his innings in the Asia Cup, Kapali started off slowly, offering the full face of the bat. He was out of the Bangladesh team for a long time due to his failures, which were, by his own admission, triggered by his penchant to play across the line too early in his innings. Even as he tried to settle down here, the team situation worsened by the minute.

Kapali finally decided it was time to counterattack when Dhaka were tottering at 57 for 5. For the first time he went across the line, pulling Chris Harris for a six. He repeated the dose against the left-arm spinner Inder Shekar Reddy but it was in the 13th over, bowled by the slow bowler Pagadala Niranjan, that he really turned on the heat.

Two exquisite shots over extra cover were sandwiched with a feisty cut and the pressure was off. Hyderabad were always going to struggle in the middle overs with the innocuous slow men Reddy and Niranjan in operation and Kapali cashed in in style.

Harris tried the medium-pace of Syed Sahabuddin but Kapali hit him for three consecutive fours between square leg and midwicket. Harris then brought on Stuart Binny and the change almost worked but Sahabuddin dropped a top-edged skier from Kapali, who was on 71.

Kapali began to go after Harris, hitting him to the sight screen and over the dugout for two big sixes. He brought up his hundred with a chip to midwicket, and though Reza was run out trying for the second run, there were big celebrations.

Sportswoman of Year in Gymnast is honored ‘Liukin’

2008-10-15T07:25:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK -- NASTIA LIUKIN IS LIVING the dream of many an American teenage girl.
Sure, that Olympic gold medal was nice, but get this: She's set to appear on "Gossip Girl."
To the 18-year-old Liukin, a lifetime of preparation made her all-around gymnastics championship in Beijing the ultimate achievement. But she's learning there are some fun perks that come with her title.
Liukin was honored Tuesday as the Women's Sports Foundation's Individual Sportswoman of the Year. A week later, she'll film her part in the popular high school drama.
"It's just something that a bunch of my friends always watch, and so to be able to actually be on there, it's really cool," she said.
The TV show's producers happened to be sitting at a nearby table when Liukin recently ate at a Los Angeles restaurant. They sent over a note of congratulations; the next day, apparently knowing she was a fan, they contacted her management about a guest spot.
Originally, Liukin was going to appear as herself, but now it looks as though she'll play a fictional character.
"Honestly, I just wanted to meet the cast," she said, laughing.
The first time Liukin watched video of her greatest TV performance -- her gold medal-winning routines at the Olympics -- she teared up.
"Every time I watch it, even though it's only been a few months, it makes me miss competing already," she said.
She plans to resume training in January. What about defending her title in 2012?
"It's hard to say in terms of what I'll be doing," Liukin said. "It's not out of the question."
Liukin's teammate, all-around silver medalist Shawn Johnson, is more than two years younger and sounding more committed to trying to compete in London.
"Right now, definitely I'm looking towards it," she said Tuesday. "The Olympics is the best feeling ever; if I can get that feeling again, I'd be there in a heartbeat."
U.S. softball player Jessica Mendoza was honored as Team Sportswoman of the Year at the foundation's 29th Annual Salute to Women in Sports.
The WTA Tour earned the Billie Jean King Contribution Award for achieving equitable prize money at all the Grand Slams. Texas Tech thrower Patience Knight, who overcame cancer to become an All-American, won the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award.

Taylor century broke BANGLADESH dream

2008-10-14T13:48:00.000-07:00

In Home ground Bangladesh had a bright start but two of New Zealand's emerging talents, Ross Taylor and Jamie How broke the series win dream.Ross Taylor and Jamie How, stepped up to the challenge, and Bangladesh's top order capitulated. Although they failed to pull off their first series victory over a major Test-playing nation,

Bangladesh

, who'd lost several regulars to the ICL, gained in confidence during the contest.

That confidence showed as their new-ball bowlers - Mashrafe Mortaza and Syed Rasel - accounted for both openers, reducing New Zealand to 13 for 2. The New Zealand top order had collapsed in the first two one-dayers but How and Taylor averted a repeat by putting on a century stand.

Taylor scored his third ODI century while How provided the early momentum during his 73 to help New Zealand reach 249, their highest total of the series. How sparked off the recovery, scoring quickly to put the pressure back on the bowlers. Mortaza's first four overs went for just five runs, but How opened up with two fours in each of the next two overs.

Taylor took time to get his eye in, but neither batsmen let Abdur Razzak, the left-arm spinner, settle. In his third over, Razzak was hit over long-on by Taylor; How followed up with a four through the same region. Nor were the other spinners allowed to bowl too many tight overs.

How was lbw to offspinner Naeem Islam after putting on 125 for the third wicket and Taylor then took charge to ensure the scoring-rate was kept above six. Two quick wickets, however, hampered their chances of pushing the run-rate in the third Powerplay (overs 35-40). Taylor fell in the 47th over to Mortaza soon after reaching his hundred; only 44 of his runs coming in boundaries. Daniel Vettori and Kyle Mills maintained the momentum, adding 30 in the last three overs.

Chasing 250, Tamim Iqbal, the local boy, raised Bangladesh's expectations with a brisk 35. His partner Junaid Siddique fell early to Mills, but Tamim and debutant Imrul Kayes built the innings patiently. Bangladesh had moved to 49 after 11.5 overs when the innings fell apart. Oram, who failed with the bat, struck in his first over, having Kayes caught behind for 12. Bangladesh lost Tamim on the same score when he nicked Jeetan Patel to McCullum. An ambitious shot from Ashraful led to his downfall, and a slog-sweep from Shakib Al Hasan reduced Bangladesh to 59 for 5.

Naeem, who's played a vital part with his offbreaks in his debut series, saw off more deliveries (106) than the top five combined and remained unbeaten on 46 to delay New Zealand's celebrations till the 50th over. The lower order gave him good support, but a professional New Zealand side ended Bangladesh's hopes of pulling off another upset win.

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No.1 spot position Michael Hussey in ICC rankings

2008-10-14T10:55:00.000-07:00

Michael Hussey, the Australian middle-order batsman, has regained his place at the top of the ICC Test batting rankings after his century in the first Test in Bangalore. He briefly held the top spot during

Australia

's tour of West Indies in May this year but had slipped to No. 3 at the start of the series in

India

His hundred, coming in his first Test in India, along with Ricky Ponting's century, helped Australia gain a 70-run first-innings lead. Ponting remained fourth in the rankings, despite scoring his first century in India.

Zaheer Khan and Mitchell Johnson, two fast bowlers who fared well in the Test, moved up the table. Zaheer, who took six wickets and was the Man of the Match, jumped seven places to No. 11 in the bowlers' rankings, while Johnson, who got five, moved six places to No. 34. His previous spot was filled by Ishant Sharma.

Michael Clarke, Matthew Hayden and Rahul Dravid lost two places each while Sachin Tendulkar, who needs 15 more to break Brian Lara's record for most Test runs, slipped by one to No. 24.