Sports News(01.02.2010)

• ICC asks CA for report on Khalid assault PERTH: The International Cricket Council(ICC) has asked Cricket Australia (CA) for a report into the breach of security that allowed a spectator to enter the field of play during the fifth and final One-day International between Australia and Pakistan at the WACA in Perth yesterday and tackle the Pakistan opener Khalid Latif to the ground. The incident occurred in the 46th over of Australia's innings. Latif was brought down from behind by 37-year-old David James Fraser but was uninjured. The spectator has been charged with assault and given a life ban from the ground. He was also fined A$500 (£280). "Obviously the ICC is very disappointed by the incident," an ICC spokesperson said. "There has been a clear security breach. We have asked CA to send us a detailed report on the incident before we can make any comment." Given the ICC's zero tolerance for such breaches, the matter is being viewed with concern and it could be brought up at the ICC executive board meeting in Dubai from 9-11 February. Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, said: "I just hope I never see that again to tell you the truth. I had seen that once a long time ago and that ended up being a horrible incident and seeing it again is a worry. The PCB is thought to be considering pursuing the matter though it has yet to make an official statement. Officials are expected to make an announcement later today.

  
  

  	Australian charged over Pakistan pitch invasion SYDNEY: A 37-year-old spectator has been charged with assault after wrestling Pakistan's Khalid Latif to the ground during a one-day interna ... more
  	Inter’s visit to Parma postponed ROME: Serie A leaders Inter Milan’s visit to Parma on Sunday has been postponed due to heavy snow. The match, which was due to kick ... more
  	Sylvester retains world title NEUBRANDENBURG, Germany: Germany’s Sebastian Sylvester retained his IBF middleweight world title here on Saturday when American challenger B ... more
  	Gobena wins Osaka marathon OSAKA, Japan: Ethiopia’s Amane Gobena pulled away from nearest challenger Marisa Barros of Portugal in the last four kilometres to win the O ... more
  	Ennis dazzles in Glasgow GLASGOW: Britain’s world heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis charged to a national record indoors in the 60 metre hurdles on Saturday — and co ... more
  	Tanveer wins judo gold in SAG KARACHI: Pakistan judo player Tanveer Ahmed won gold while Karamat Butt secured a silver medal on Thursday in the South Asian Games being he ... more
  	Record crowds at Australian Open MELBOURNE: The attendance record was broken at the Australian Open with 653,860 watching the year’s opening Grand Slam, officials said on Su ... more
  	Gates survives to claim NZ Open WELLINGTON: American Robert Gates recovered from a late meltdown to claim the New Zealand Open golf championship by one stroke from Australi ... more
  	Mickelson calls cheating charge ‘slander’ LA JOLLA, California: Phil Mickelson made it clear Saturday he wouldn’t take any charge of “cheating” lying down, but didn’t say just what a ... more
  	Raikkonen impresses in Arctic Rally, Sordo wins ROVANIEMI, Finland: Former Formula One champion Kimi Raikkonen had a second day of impressive driving at the Arctic Lapland Rally but could ... more
  	Clarke skipper as Aussie name squad for T20 MELBOURNE: Cricket Australia has announced a 13-man squad for the KFC Twenty20 International against Pakistan at the MCG this Friday night. ... more
  	Afridi bites ball in bizarre twist PERTH: Pakistan’s stand-in captain captain Shahid Afridi bit the ball and ran his teeth along the seam in an extraordinary finale to Austral ... more
  	Pakistan considering action against tackler PERTH: Pakistan will consider lodging a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) following a disgraceful incident in which Kha ... more
  	PCB to seek Dubai permit for Asif LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will make a fresh appeal to Dubai authorities requesting them to revoke the travelling restrictions imp ... more
  	Imran slams ‘insulting’ IPL snub KARACHI: Legendary fast bowler Imran Khan said on Sunday that Pakistani players had suffered “insulting treatment” at the hands of the India ... more
  	Iqbal Qasim resigns over Australia debacle KARACHI: The chief selector of Pakistan’s national cricket team resigned on Sunday after their defeat in a one-day series against Australia, ... more
  	Yousuf skips final one-dayer after fight with Intikhab? LAHORE: The official version blamed it on a sore knee but the real reason behind Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf’s absence from the fifth O ... more
  	Federer downs Murray for 16th Grand Slam crown MELBOURNE: Swiss great Roger Federer won his fourth Australian Open and 16th Grand Slam title to deny Andy Murray’s quest for British tennis ... more
  	Humayun strikes against SNGPL in first innings KARACHI: Humayun Farhat’s late surge with fiery 80 off just 63 balls overshadowed the opening day’s play as Habib Bank scored 315 for six in ... more
  	Night Tests could be ‘several years away’ SYDNEY: Day-night Test cricket could still be “several years” away, according to the head of the Kookaburra company, who believes a red ball ... more
  	Gibson leaves England for West Indies LONDON: Ottis Gibson has left his position as England’s bowling coach to become the head coach of West Indies, according to the UK’s Daily T ... more
  	Akmals face disciplinary action PERTH: Pakistan vice-captain Kamran Akmal and his brother Umar will face disciplinary action for allegedly violating their central contracts ... more
  	Schumi returns as F1 testing starts new season VALENCIA, Spain: The new Formula One campaign gets underway on Monday (today) with the start of preseason testing that will also bring the r ... more
  	I dye my hair, admits champion BERLIN: Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher admitted on Sunday he had turned to dye to cover up his grey hair but the 41-year-old s ... more
  	Embattled Terry rescues Chelsea, Reds win 2-0 LONDON: Chelsea skipper John Terry, whose personal troubles made newspaper headlines on Saturday, ensured he would also dominate the back pa ... more
  	Pakistan’s SAG dream shattered after 2-1 loss KARACHI: Pakistan’s hopes to complete a hat-trick were dashed when they were beaten 2-1 by Afghanistan in their second Group B match of the ... more
  	Flying Napoli held to goalless draw by Genoa MILAN: Napoli missed the chance to move up to joint-second in Serie A after hitting the wood-work twice in a 0-0 home draw with Genoa on Sat ... more
  	‘CAF boss should quit after Togo ban’ LUANDA: Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Issa Hayatou should resign following the “monstrous” decision to ban Togo from the ... more
  	Capello vows to stay until 2012 LONDON: Fabio Capello has vowed to remain coach of England until Euro 2012 even though he and his FA bosses can mutually cancel his contract ... more
  	Benzema double keeps Real in Barcelona slipstream BARCELONA: A delightful back-heel from Jose Maria Gutierrez set up Karim Benzema for the first of a brace as Real Madrid, without suspended ... more
  	Pakistan outclass Nepal 19-0 DHAKA: Pakistan displayed their prowess in hockey when they scored an effortless 19-0 victory over Nepal in the 11th South Asian Games (SAG) ... more
  	Paes keeps promise to Black for doubles title MELBOURNE: India’s Leander Paes kept his promise to Zimbabwean partner Cara Black when they won the Australian Open mixed doubles title on S ... more
  	Murray’s hometown looks to future LONDON: Hundreds of Andy Murray fans gathered in his Scottish hometown on Sunday to cheer him on in his Australian Open final with Roger Fed ... more
  	Serena insists she’s not one of the greats — yet MELBOURNE: Serena Williams insisted on Sunday she does not think of herself as one of the sport’s greats in spite of claiming her 12th Grand ... more
  	Coach says final came too soon for Henin MELBOURNE: Justine Henin’s coach believes her Australian Open final against Serena Williams came too early in her comeback.

• Source: Ankle could keep Freeney out of Super Bowl

  AP – 2 hrs 58 mins ago

  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Dwight Freeney still hopes to play in the Super Bowl. His sprained right ankle might not allow it. Full Story »

• Federer wins 16th major, prolongs British drought

  AP – Sun Jan 31, 11:48 pm ET
  AP

  MELBOURNE, Australia - Roger Federer experienced quite a range of emotions these past two Australian Opens. Full Story »

  • Slideshow: Australian Open

• Magic's Stan Van Gundy to coach East All-Stars

  AP – Sun Jan 31, 9:51 pm ET

  NEW YORK - Stan Van Gundy will coach the East in the All-Star game after the Orlando Magic edged Atlanta for the second-best record in the conference through January. Full Story »

• Manning, Brees take in Pro Bowl from the sideline

  AP – 2 hrs 51 mins ago
  AP

  MIAMI - It was supposed to be a night off for the Pro Bowl players who'll compete in next Sunday's Super Bowl. Come to Miami a day ahead of schedule, mingle with the NFL's other superstars, get another look at the stadium where a champion will be crowned. Full Story »

• Reds agree one-year deal with Cabrera

  Reuters – Sun Jan 31, 9:09 pm ET

  CINCINNATI, Ohio (Reuters) - The Cincinnati Reds have signed veteran shortstop Orlando Cabrera on a one-year rolling contract, Major League Baseball reported on its website (MLB.com) on Sunday. Full Story »

• Stoudemire, Nash carry Suns past Rockets in OT

  AP – Sun Jan 31, 10:19 pm ET
  AP

  HOUSTON - Amare Stoudemire scored a season-high 36 points, Steve Nash handed out 16 assists and the Phoenix Suns beat the Houston Rockets 115-111 in overtime on Sunday night. Full Story »

• Virginia uses big run to beat North Carolina 75-60

  AP – Sun Jan 31, 9:58 pm ET
  AP

  CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Sylven Landesberg scored 29 points and Virginia ran off 18 unanswered points early in the second half to beat struggling North Carolina 75-60 on Sunday night. Full Story »

• Fergie hopes for a favour from Arsenal

  AFP – Sun Jan 31, 9:02 pm ET
  AFP

  LONDON (AFP) - Sir Alex Ferguson has delivered a hammer blow to Arsenal's title hopes but the Manchester United manager believes Arsene Wenger's side can do his team a favour at Chelsea next weekend. Full Story »

• Contador unfazed over threat of Armstrong

  AFP – Sat Jan 30, 10:30 am ET
  AFP/File

  VIENNA (AFP) - Tour de France champion Alberto Contador insists the thought of having seven-time winner Lance Armstrong as his main rival in this year's race is not keeping him awake at night. Full Story »

• Marian Gaborik 3, Avalanche 1

  AP – Sun Jan 31, 10:41 pm ET
  AP

  DENVER - Marian Gaborik had his 10th career hat trick, rookie Chad Johnson made 34 saves for his first NHL win, and the New York Rangers snapped a five-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday night. Full Story »

• Federer maintains reign with commanding win

  AFP – Sun Jan 31, 9:12 pm ET
  AFP

  MELBOURNE (AFP) - Roger Federer showed he has no intention of relinquishing his iron grip at the top of men's tennis, winning his fourth Australian Open, 16th Grand Slam and securing the top ranking for a 268th week. Full Story »

• Crane shoots final-round 70 to win at Torrey Pines

  AP – Sun Jan 31, 8:34 pm ET
  AP

  SAN DIEGO - Ben Crane is back in the news for all the right reasons. Full Story »

• UFC's Brock Lesnar ready for return

  AP – Wed Jan 20, 2:20 pm ET

  Brock Lesnar is ready to resume training to defend his UFC heavyweight title after a serious intestinal problem derailed his career and endangered his life. Full Story »

• Sylvester retains world boxing title

  AFP – Sat Jan 30, 5:37 pm ET
  AFP/DDP/File

  NEUBRANDENBURG, Germany (AFP) - Germany's Sebastian Sylvester retained his IBF middleweight world title here on Saturday when American challenger Billy Lyell retired in the 10th round. Full Story »

• In 24 Hours, Action Express Racing a quick winner

  AP – Sun Jan 31, 4:21 pm ET
  AP

  DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Joao Barbosa powered Action Express Racing to the 24 Hours of Daytona title Sunday, finishing an improbable victory in the organization's first appearance in the sports car endurance race. Full Story »

• Injuries make Rahlves, Puckett no sure thing

  AP – Sun Jan 31, 7:51 pm ET
  AP