Live Update of Sports

FC Porto vs Apoel Nicosia Live Stream Video Online

2009-10-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

FC Porto vs Apoel Nicosia Live Streaming TV Link Here

FC Porto vs Apoel Nicosia Live

Time: Sun 21th Oct

Date: 19:45 UK

Live FC Porto vs Apoel Nicosia

Champions League

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Chelsea vs Atlético Madrid Live Stream Video Online

2009-10-20T11:15:00.000-07:00

Chelsea vs Atlético Madrid Live Streaming TV Link Here

Chelsea vs Atlético Madrid Live

Time: Sun 21th Oct

Date: 19:45 UK

Live Chelsea vs Atlético Madrid

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Real Madrid vs AC Milan Live Stream Video Online

2009-10-20T11:14:00.002-07:00

Real Madrid vs AC Milan Live Streaming TV Link Here

Real Madrid vs AC Milan Live

Time: Sun 21th Oct

Date: 19:45 UK

Live Real Madrid vs AC Milan

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FC Zürich vs Marseille Live Stream Video Online

2009-10-20T11:14:00.001-07:00

FC Zürich vs Marseille Live Streaming TV Link Here

FC Zürich vs Marseille Live

Time: Sun 21th Oct

Date: 19:45 UK

Live FC Zürich vs Marseille

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VfL Wolfsburg vs Besiktas Live Stream Video Online

2009-10-20T11:12:00.000-07:00

VfL Wolfsburg vs Besiktas Live Streaming TV Link Here

VfL Wolfsburg vs Besiktas Live

Time: Sun 21th Oct

Date: 19:45 UK

Live VfL Wolfsburg vs Besiktas

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Man Utd vs CSKA Moscow Live Stream Video Online

2009-10-20T11:11:00.000-07:00

CSKA Moscow vs Man Utd Live Streaming TV Link Here

Man Utd vs CSKA Moscow Live

Time: Sun 21th Oct

Date: 17:30 UK

Live CSKA Moscow vs Man Utd

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Juventus vs Maccabi Haifa Live Stream Video Online

2009-10-20T11:10:00.000-07:00

Juventus vs Maccabi Haifa Live Streaming TV Link Here

Juventus vs Maccabi Haifa Live

Time: Sun 21th Oct

Date: 19:45 UK

Live Juventus vs Maccabi Haifa

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Bordeaux vs Bayern Munich Live Stream Video Online

2009-10-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

Bordeaux vs Bayern Munich Live Streaming TV Link Here

Bordeaux vs Bayern Munich Live

Time: Sun 21th Oct

Date: 19:45 UK

Live Bordeaux vs Bayern Munich

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Olympiakos Piraeus vs Standard Liege Live Stream Video Online

2009-10-20T04:24:00.000-07:00

Olympiakos Piraeus vs Standard Liege Live Streaming TV Link Here

Olympiakos vs Standard Liege Live

Time: Sun 20th Oct

Date: 20:45

Live Olympiakos vs Standard Liege

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Arsenal vs AZ Alkmaar Live Stream Video Online

2009-10-20T04:21:00.000-07:00

AZ Alkmaar vs Arsenal Live Streaming TV Link Here

Arsenal vs AZ Alkmaar Live

Time: Sun 20th Oct

Date: 20:45

Live AZ Alkmaar vs Arsenal

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Stuttgart vs Sevilla Live Stream Video Online

2009-10-20T04:20:00.002-07:00

Stuttgart vs Sevilla Live Streaming TV Link Here

Stuttgart vs Sevilla Live

Time: Sun 20th Oct

Date: 20:45

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Rangers vs Unirea Urziceni Live Stream Video Online

2009-10-20T04:20:00.001-07:00

Rangers vs Unirea Urziceni Live Streaming TV Link Here

Rangers vs Unirea Urziceni Live

Time: Sun 20th Oct

Date: 20:45

Live Rangers vs Unirea Urziceni

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Inter Milan vs Dynamo Kyiv Live Stream Video Online

2009-10-20T04:19:00.001-07:00

Inter Milan vs Dynamo Kyiv Live Streaming TV Link Here

Inter Milan vs Dynamo Kyiv Live

Time: Sun 20th Oct

Date: 20:45

Live Inter Milan vs Dynamo Kyiv

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Barcelona vs Rubin Kazan Live Stream Video Online

2009-10-20T04:18:00.000-07:00

Barcelona vs Rubin Kazan Live Streaming TV Link Here

Barcelona vs Rubin Kazan Live

Time: Sun 20th Oct

Date: 20:45

Live Barcelona vs Rubin Kazan

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Liverpool vs Lyon Live Stream Video Online

2009-10-20T04:17:00.000-07:00

Liverpool vs Lyon Live Streaming TV Link Here

Liverpool vs Lyon Live

Time: Sun 20th Oct

Date: 20:45

Live Liverpool vs Lyon

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Debrecen vs Fiorentina Live Stream Video Online

2009-10-20T04:13:00.000-07:00

Debrecen vs Fiorentina Live Streaming TV Link Here

Debrecen vs Fiorentina Live

Time: Sun 20th Oct

Date: 20:45

Live Debrecen vs Fiorentina

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Andriy Kotelnik vs Amir Khan Live Stream on 18.07.09

2009-07-17T22:49:00.000-07:00

Amir Khan vs Andriy Kotelnik Live Stream Video

Amir Khan vs Andriy Kotelnik

Time: 21:00 - 01:00

Date: 18th July

Fighting for the World Title @ the Manchester MEN Arena, England (Skybox Office/HBO)

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The boy from Bolton challenges WBA Light-Welterweight champion Andreas Kotelnik on Saturday, July 18 at Manchester’s MEN Arena.

Khan, fresh from defeating modern-day legend Marco Antonio Barrera, tops a bill crammed with the best of British talent.

Olympic trio James DeGale, Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders will continue their professional careers with the boxing world watching, while hard-hitting Matthew Hall and showman Anthony Small battle it out for the vacant British Light-Middleweight title.

But all eyes will be on Khan as he aims to become British boxing’s biggest attraction.

It will be the first time in 21 professional fights that Khan has boxed at light-welterweight and his world-title chance comes just over six months after his stunning KO loss to Breidis Prescott.

He has since teamed up with Freddie Roach, the man who masterminded Manny Pacquiao’s stellar successes over Ricky Hatton and Oscar de la Hoya, and will be strongly fancied to take Kotelnik’s title away.

The Hamburg-based Ukrainian will be making the third defence of the belt he took from Gavin Rees in March 2008.

Sky Sports’ Jim Watt, said: “Khan looked sensational against Barrera. The Freddie Roach effect is paying off for Amir without doubt; he’s the best coach in the game.

His technique and defence have been so much better since he began training with Freddie. Kotelnik is a solid fighter, a genuine world champion.

“I think it’s a good time to move Amir up and out of the lightweight division and this is a great match up for him.”

Australia vs England 1st Test Live Stream Video Link

2009-07-08T12:23:00.000-07:00

England vs Australia

Date: Jul 8-12
Time : 11:00 local, 10:00 GMT
Live England vs Australia 1st Test
Test Series
Venue: Gros Islet

West Indies vs India Live Stream Video on 05.07.09

2009-07-04T10:59:00.000-07:00

West Indies vs India
Date: Sunday Jul 5, 2009
Time : 09:30 local, 13:30 GMT
Live West Indies vs India
ODI Series
Venue: Gros Islet

Costa Rica vs El Salvador Live Stream Video on 03.07.09

2009-07-03T11:32:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica vs El Salvador

Date: Friday,03-07-09

Time : 03:00 UK

Live Costa Rica vs El Salvador

Stage: Group A

Venue: The Home Depot Center

Gold Cup 2009

Live Link

Canada vs Jamaica Live Stream Video on 03.07.09

2009-07-03T11:28:00.000-07:00

Canada vs Jamaica

Date: Friday,03-07-09

Time : 01:00 UK

Live Canada vs Jamaica

Stage: Group A

Venue: The Home Depot Center

Gold Cup 2009

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India vs West Indies Live Stream 2nd ODI Online

2009-06-27T10:49:00.000-07:00

India vs West Indies

Date: 28-06-09

Time : 14:30 GMT

2nd ODI

Venue: Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

India tour of West Indies 2009

Live Link

India gained a 1-0 lead in the four-ODI series against West Indies but there was plenty of scope for improvement in the performance which resulted in a 20-run win at Sabina Park on Friday. MS Dhoni did not appear to be a happy man as he shook hands with the West Indian batsmen after the game. The victory was largely due to Yuvraj Singh's brilliance, his 131 off 102 balls making up for the loss of early wickets and ensuring that a wayward bowling attack had enough to defend.

The Indian top-order remained suspect against the short ball with Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma falling to miscued pulls. Even Yuvraj and Dinesh Karthik succeeded only after surviving nervous moments against the rising delivery. It was only after the ball grew older on a slow pitch, and Jerome Taylor gave way to less threatening bowlers, that India began to dominate. The Indian bowling was also far from satisfactory; the problems caused by the inability to contain the West Indian batsmen were compounded by an unacceptable number of extras. India's bowlers conceded 19 of the 29 extras through wides and bowled two front-foot no-balls.

West Indies did well to get so close to a monstrous target but they could have done better and pulled off a stunning chase if one of their top-order batsmen played a long innings. Chris Gayle, Runako Morton, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul all made valuable contributions to keep West Indies in the game but got out just as they were beginning to dominate India. The pressure on the Indian bowlers, therefore, dissipated and left the lower-order batsmen with too much to do.

That West Indies were chasing a total of 340 was down to their bowlers indiscipline in line and length and their inability to fight back once the Indian batsmen raised the tempo. They will have to reduce the number of loose deliveries drastically to avoid another hiding on Sunday.

Watch Brazil vs USA Live Stream Video Final | Preview

2009-06-26T13:32:00.000-07:00

Brazil vs USA

Time: 19:30 UK

Date: Sunday, June 28, 2009

Live USA vs Brazil

Stage: Final

Confederations Cup 2009

Venue: Ellis Park

There's nothing like a big win to get the fans back home excited, and the U.S. team's upset of top-ranked Spain at the Confederations Cup on Wednesday night certainly qualified. The game was replayed on ESPN2 a few hours later, an honor reserved for "instant classics," and the Chicago Tribune ran a banner listing the top five U.S. upsets across the top of Thursday's sports page.

Even the snarky New York Post gave the team a shoutout -- "SOCCER SHOCKER!" -- on its back page. "This win is huge for American soccer," said Clint Dempsey, whose second-half goal sealed the 2-0 victory and brought a screeching halt to Spain's record 15-game winning streak. "I'm excited about the result, and think all the fans back at home will be excited as well."

The American men, who play Brazil on Sunday in their first-ever FIFA final, took the day off from training Thursday, traveling to Johahnnesburg. U.S. interest in the world's favorite game has been building slowly, and a surprise run to the
quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup had Americans dreaming of the day when their team would equal the likes of Brazil, Italy, Germany, Argentina, England and Spain. Substitute Daniel Alves broke South African hearts with an 87th-minute free-kick for Brazil that dumped the hosts out of the Confederations Cup with a narrow semi-final victory in Johannesburg. The Barcelona right-back, who only came on for the closing stages of the game, smashed in a powerful 18-yard set-piece from the left to stun the huge crowd at the Ellis Park Stadium after
their side had performed impressively for most parts of the game.
However, they eventually fell short and will now meet Spain in the third-place play-off on Sunday, while the Selecao will face the United States in the tournament finale. Bafana Bafana, who can take heart from the display, were handed a massive boost before the start after striker Bernard Parker passed a late fitness test and they looked inspired during the early stages with Steven Pienaar and Teko Modise bossing the midfield.
However, it was Luis Fabiano that created the first opening after 13 minutes when he fired a low shot from inside the box that forced Itumeleng Khune to dive low to his left. The hosts responded with Siboniso Gaxa beating Andre Santos to a 50-50 ball on the right and then unleashing a 20-yard cross-goal shot that flew agonisingly across the face of goal. They continued to hold their own with Aaron Mokoena then missing a gilt-edge chance in the 21st minute - the South Africa captain received a beautifully floated free-kick from Modise on the right, but put the close-range header over.

India vs West Indies Live Streaming 1st ODI Video Online

2009-06-25T13:31:00.000-07:00

India vs West Indies

Date: Friday June 26

Time : 09:30 local | 14:30 GMT

1st ODI

Venue: Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica

India tour of West Indies 2009

West Indies and India prepare for the first of four one-day internationals, in Jamaica, after extremely contrasting World Twenty20 campaigns in England. India entered the tournament as one of the favourites but underachieved tremendously, losing all their matches in the Super Eights stage. As a result of their second-round elimination, India reached the Caribbean even before their hosts, who exceeded expectations by qualifying for the semi-finals, where they lost to Sri Lanka.

For India, a team shaken by defeat, injury and fatigue, this series is the last before a long break until the Champions Trophy in September. They will do well to focus on the task at hand, rather than think about the lengthy rest their tired bodies deserve. India are weakened for they are without Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina and Zaheer Khan, four key players either injured or resting because of their hectic schedule in recent months. Their unavailability, though, opens up rare opportunities for players on the fringes of the national squad such as Dinesh Karthik, S Badrinath and M Vijay because the Indian one-day side has been a settled unit for a while now. It also gives others, such as Ashish Nehra, a new lease of life for few would have expected him to return after four years on the sidelines.

West Indies' performance in the World Twenty20 was a dramatic improvement from their efforts during a torrid summer in which they lost both the Wisden Trophy and ODI series to England. Their run to the final four, though, was largely Gayle-powered and they will want more players to contribute during the ODIs against India before the home series against Bangladesh in July. They too have tinkered with their squad for the first two games, surprisingly leaving out Lendl Simmons and Darren Sammy, recalling Runako Morton and Narsingh Deonarine, and included the uncapped Darren Bravo.

Watch Brazil vs Paraguay Live Streming Video Link

2009-06-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

Brazil vs Paraguay

Time: 1:50 UK

Date: 10th June

Stage: Qualifying Stage

Competition: World Cup Qualifying

Venue: José do Rego Maciel

The battle will be tough, undoubtedly. As the Brazilians are still looking to get back the strength and might they once had by winning more games, the Paraguayans are seeking to bounce back convincingly from their drought of victories in the qualifiers since October 2008.

Paraguay’s Star man Roque Santa Cruz is fading away from the spotlight. The striker’s disappointing season with English side Blackburn Rovers seemed to have tarnished his mentality and ability to shine on the big stage.

However, the Paraguayan team is not only about one player. La Albirroja have eleven good players on the pitch and substitutes as well who can make up their mark and work together as a team. A 2-0 loss to Uruguay was hugely devastating for the group leaders and this result almost succeeded with a 1-0 defeat to Ecuador. But a last-gasp goal from Edgar Benitez Santander provided Paraguay with a vital point to boost their spirits ahead of the rest of the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Now it’s left to know whether the Paraguayans can pick up from there and go on to beat Brazil away from home.

With Brazil’s stars seeming to be in good shape lately, it goes without saying that the Samba Boys are favorites going into the game. However, the omission of two of Brazil’s greatest figures – Ronaldo and Ronaldinho – may have a pivotal impact on the outcome of the game.

According to Brazil’s coach Carlos Dunga, he decided to leave out the likes of these two players for no other reason but their own good.

Speaking to the media, the manager explained concerning Ronaldinho (who was unimpressive in AC Milan’s 3-2 defeat to AS Rome a week ago):

"I'm going to do everything possible to help him recover.”

"I have confidence in him, he's a special player. He's having a bad time but I hope he can get over this."

Despite breaking the home-drought-of-goals curse with a 3-0 crushing victory against Peru, Brazil are yet to prove their might in their own fortress in these qualifiers. Former national team regular striker Ronaldo seems to be in a terrific goal scoring form for his current club Corinthians, but even his statistics didn’t rush Dunga to include him in Brazil’s qualifiers against Uruguay and Paraguay.

"We want to see the Ronaldo that we all know," Coach Carlos Dunga stated.

"But he's going to have to prove with his club that he's ready to be called up."

"We've stuck to our guns and picked players who are doing well at club level,” he continued.

“We have to use common sense to do the best for Brazil."

Dunga’s man-squad revealed some surprises. The former Brazil captain chose to include four home-based in his list. Defenders Kleber and Andre Santos, as well as midfielder Ramires and, forward Nilmar are all part of the Brazilian squad that will face Paraguay after clashing against Uruguay.

Three uncapped players among Coach Dunga’s team selection are Kleber, Ramires, and Gremio’s goalkeeper Victor. Tottenham’s stopper Gomes also enjoyed a call-up as Brazil’s second choice keeper Doni is yet to recover from an injury.

Dunga has also called up Manchester United’s Champions League runner-up Anderson while Barcelona’s Dani Alves makes it into the national team squad too.

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur), Victor (Gremio)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Alex (Chelsea), Juan (AS Roma), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Luisao (Benfica), Kleber (Internacional), Andre Santos (Corinthians).

Midfielders: Anderson (Manchester United), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg), Ramires (Cruzeiro), Elano (Manchester City), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Julio Baptista (AS Roma), Kaka (AC Milan)

Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Internacional), Robinho (Manchester City).

Live Link

Watch Argentina vs Ecuador Live Streming Video Link

2009-06-08T13:40:00.000-07:00

Ecuador vs Argentina

Time: 22:00 UK

Date: 10th June

Stage: Qualifying Stage

Competition: World Cup Qualifying

Venue: Atahualpa

Argentina’s game against Ecuador in Quito will be the Albiceleste’s third encounter, in their last four matches, to be played at high altitude. Diego Maradona’s side was the victim of a heavy 6-1 defeat handed by the Bolivians in La Paz. But Argentina bounced back with a 3-1 victory in Panama where the altitude is also high. This result came in friendly game on May 21. Striker Gonzalo Bergessio was the star man in this game, netting twice to seal Argentina’s 3-1 victory on the day.

After the game, Maradona clearly avowed his satisfaction at the performance of his team – entirely made of home-based players.

"I was delighted with everyone," the former World Cup winning captain simply stated.

The coach is said to name his team list on May 28th for the Argentina squad that will play against Colombia and Ecuador. Maradona may opt to fill his squad selection with a number of players that featured against Panama.

So the 3-1 victory against Panama on high ground certainly came as a huge boost to the camp of the Argentines. After a home qualifier at home to Colombia, the Albiceleste will travel to Quito to face the Ecuadorians in La Tri’s fortress.

Ecuador are best known for their strong record on home soil. Their only defeat in as many games in Quito came against Venezuela in the first match of the World Cup qualifying campaign. Since then, La Tri have been able to hold off the likes of Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Bolivia, Chile, Brazil, and Paraguay in their own fortress.

Ecuador have managed to pick twelve good points on home soil out of a possible twenty-one – which is quite a good result for the Ecuadorians who had to come up against big guns like Brazil or even Paraguay. La Tri lost all of their away matches in the qualifiers so far but drew twice. The difference between their away form and their home performances is none less than huge. Ecuador are just two places behind the qualifying zone and their position is mainly due to their excellent shape on home soil.

Ecuador will remember of the big threat they posed to the Argentines in the first leg of this fixture. The Ecuadorians were leading 1-0 and were just about to wrap up a memorable victory against Argentina. But the Albiceleste had to fight hard before earning themselves a point with a 90th minute equalizer. Ecuador could make things even more difficult this time around as they will be playing in Quito against the Argentines.

However, the high altitude factor may not be enough for the Ecuadorians as Maradona may feature a side who can win even on high ground, like the squad that played against Panama some days earlier. What is certain is that both teams will go into the encounter with a winning mentality which will make the clash more interesting.

Live Link

India (ind) vs Bangladesh (bd) Live T20 Ball By Ball Update & Match Preview

2009-06-05T14:15:00.000-07:00

The mis-hit scoop from Misbah-ul-Haq continues to serve India even in the second World Twenty20. Being the top seeds by virtue of winning the inaugural edition, India get to be in the group that has two relatively weak teams, Bangladesh and Ireland. Their place in the Super Eights should be a mere formality.

Bangladesh vs India at Nottingham
Jun 6 (18:00 local, 17:00 GMT)

Bangladesh have the ability to succeed in the shortest format. They started the last World Twenty20 with that promise, beating West Indies in the league stages to qualify for the Super Eights and earn a higher seed in this edition. But they are yet to win a game since that win.

They may be favourites for one of the two Super Eights slots from Group A but it's against India, not Ireland, that they will want to put up a special show. They need not struggle for motivation: in the past they have tended to raise their game against India. Look no further than the World Cup in 2007, when they were responsible for knocking India out.

The shrewd planning and format of the tournament, though, means this game is most likely to count for nothing - unless Ireland spring up a surprise. For if, as expected, India and Bangladesh go through to the second round, they neither carry any points nor get an easier group in the Super Eights by the virtue of having won both matches.

They have shown flashes of brilliance with the bat in the warm-up games (including a score of 206 against Netherlands), but against tougher opponents those flashes have been too short-lived even by Twenty20 standards. Their bowling is the main area of concern, and was at its worst when Australia plundered 219 against them.

A modest run of recent results for the world champions owes to their poor record against New Zealand. They are yet to beat New Zealand in Twenty20s, and the last two defeats came in the Southern Hemisphere. The trend continued when they lost to New Zealand even in their first warm-up game, but they will take heart from the thrashing they handed Pakistan.

The Present Conditioin:

In the warm-ups Rohit Sharma batted as if he has been batting in England for a long time now. That too, filling in for Virender Sehwag as an opener. His 53-ball 80 against Pakistan was a perfect opener's innings in a Twenty20 chase.

In a tough chase against Australia, after his flashier mates had come and gone, Shakib Al Hasan kept Bangladesh alive but ran out of partners. India will have to be careful against Bangladesh's best player in all forms of cricket.

If the weather helps seamers - and rain is forecast - Bangladesh could go for an extra seamer, given the quality of their part-time spinners. While Mashrafe Mortaza and Rubel Hossain are almost certain, the choice is between Shahadat Hossain and Syed Rasel.

The Team Looks Like:

Bangladesh (probable) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Junaid Siddique, 3 Mohammad Ashraful (capt.), 4 Shakib Al Hasan, 5 Mahmudullah, 6 Raqibul Hasan, 7 Mushfiqur Rahim, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza, 9 Rubel Hossain, 10 and 11 Shahadat Hossain/Naeem Islam/Syed Rasel/Abdur Razzak

India are yet to decide on their combination, largely due to shoulder injuries to Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag. Zaheer bowled in the nets, but Sehwag didn't bat. If that is an indicator, Rohit could continue opening. India might choose not to rush Zaheer back, this not being a crucial match.

India (probable) 1 Gautam Gambhir, 2 Rohit Sharma, 3 Suresh Raina, 4 Yuvraj Singh, 5 MS Dhoni (capt./wk), 6 Yusuf Pathan, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 and 10 Irfan Pathan/Praveen Kumar/RP Singh/Zaheer Khan, 11 Ishant Sharma

Source: http://www.cricinfo.com/wt202009/content/current/story/407565.html

ICC World Twenty20 2009 News: Symonds is out of Team & Sent Back to Australia

2009-06-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

Andrew Symonds is believed to be contemplating retirement after being ordered home from the ICC World Twenty20 for an "alcohol-related incident" that has thrown Australia's tournament plans into disarray.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland announced Symonds' contract was under review, but Cricinfo understands the allrounder may jump before he is pushed. The developments come after the Australian team's leadership group - consisting of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Tim Nielsen and Steve Bernard - recommended to Cricket Australia's board that Symonds be withdrawn from the World Twenty20 for drinking while watching the State of Origin rugby league match on Wednesday morning.

While not a serious offence in isolation, Symonds' alcohol consumption contravened the conditions of a personal contract struck with Cricket Australia following a string of behavioural infractions. It is understood the terms of the contract have left Symonds feeling restricted and, according to one confidante, "no longer knowing how he can fit into the Australian team".

Ponting, speaking at a hastily convened press conference at The Oval, said Symonds had let down his employers, his teammates and himself.

"There's no doubting Andrew's capabilities as a player, but there are other things happening around him that made the decision we've come to a relatively easy one," said Ponting. "This is not wholly and solely about Andrew Symonds. This is about the Australian cricket team. We've got some young guys who are just finding out what international cricket is all about. This is about the bigger picture and bringing on the next generation of Australian players."

Though Symonds is not disputing the decision to withdraw him from the World Twenty20, he is apparently keen to tell his side of the story, and is expected to wait until he lands in Australia before speaking.

Various reports have suggested Symonds' drinking became problematic during Australia's recent limited overs tour of the UAE, and again after the Twenty20 warm-up match against New Zealand on Tuesday. But it was the "several beers" imbibed in the company of several teammates while watching the State of Origin that is believed to have prompted Australia's leadership group to act, and push Symonds' career to the brink.

Symonds attended a PCA dinner with the Australian Twenty20 squad at a Kensington hotel on Wednesday night, but was a notable absentee at Australia's training session at The Oval on Thursday. He was due to return to Australia on Thursday night, and a source close to the player told Cricinfo a retirement announcement could be imminent.

"He is feeling like a square peg in a round hole," the source said. "It got to a stage where he had to make these commitments if he wanted to be selected for Australia. He knows he has put himself in this position, but there is no doubt he is struggling with it."

Following a series of misdemeanours in the past 12 months, Symonds was on a final warning from Cricket Australia. Senior figures within CA pushed for his contract to be torn up after the "gone fishing" incident in Darwin last year, and Sutherland yesterday told reporters in Melbourne the allrounder's contract was "under review".

"Tonight we have also advised him that we will take the [contract] offer off the table at this stage," Sutherland said. "In isolation, the breaches that I am talking about are not serious, but in the scheme of things, in the scheme of history, they are enough for it to be the final straw. I'm disappointed in Andrew, but I'm also disappointed for Andrew. I'm sad about it."

Symonds has been involved in numerous off-field incidents in recent seasons, most notably a pre-match drinking session in Cardiff in 2005 which led to him being stood down from Australia's limited overs team barely an hour before a match against Bangladesh. He also missed a team meeting to go fishing during a one-day series against Bangladesh in Darwin last year, which prompted team management to send him home and CA to arrange psychological counselling.

An altercation with Clarke on last year's tour of the West Indies further frayed tensions between Symonds and the team management, and a drunken radio interview in January - in which he referred to the New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendan McCullum as "a piece of s..." - resulted in him receiving a fine and further disciplinary action. Symonds apologised, having admitted that alcohol was a problematic influence in his life, and he subsequently stated that he was "entering the final chapter of his career".

Despite retaining his central contract only last month, Symonds was omitted from Australia's Ashes squad in favour of Andrew McDonald and Shane Watson. After 26 Tests and 198 ODIs dating back to November 1998, it is hard to see how his career can possibly recover from this latest episode.

Cricket Australia confirmed that they had applied to the ICC technical committee to see if a replacement for Symonds is permitted. Should their application be successful, Moises Henriques and Cameron White are the likeliest candidates for a call-up.

Alex Brown is deputy editor of Cricinfo. Inputs from Andrew Miller and Peter English

Source: http://www.cricinfo.com/wt202009/content/current/story/407391.html

England (Eng) vs Netherlands (Net) Live Ball by Ball Update & Match Preview

2009-06-04T13:52:00.000-07:00

The ICC World Twenty20 2009 host Country England will paly with the Netherlands in the 1st match of the tournament.

England v Netherlands at Lord's
Jun 5 (17:30 local, 16:30 GMT)

This is 2nd T20 world cup while the 1st world cup was held in 2007. In T20 edition England is a nice team and they have some amazing palyer like Piterson, Flintoff, Bopara etc. In the other side Netherland is new comer team in this league. In this Match the favourite team is oviously England. But T20 cricket's most beautiful thing is there is no favourite team in a game. Because it is only 20 overs match. And only one over can make a difference when a team is batting or bowling.

England Squad: Paul Collingwood, James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, James Foster (wk), Robert Key, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Eoin Morgan, Graham Napier, Kevin Pietersen, Adil Rashid, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright, Andrew Flintoff.

Netherland Squad: Jeroen Smits, Peter Borren, Mudassar Bukhari,Tom de Grooth, Tim Gruijters, Maurits Jonkman, Alexei Kervezee, Dirk Nannes, Darron Reekers, Edgar Schiferli, Pieter Seelaar, Eric Szwarczynski, Ryan ten Doeschate, Daan van Bunge, Bas Zuiderent, Ruud Nijman