Time Is Up For Sachin, Says Kapil Dev

Cricket legend and former Indian captain Kapil Dev believes Sachin  Tendunkar has played his Innings and now he should hang up his boots immediately. 
Like former Pakistan captain Imran Khan, Kapil also believes that Sachin should have retired from ODIs immediately after India’s World cup victory on home soil in 2011.
"From what we have seen in the last three months, he (Sachin) should have announced his retirement after the World Cup or even earlier. It's important to know that every cricketer has his time. Having served India for 22-23 years, there surely is no greater cricketer than him. But he should have announced his decision to retire from the shorter format soon after the World Cup," Kapil was quoted as saying by Aaj Tak.
"May be his time has come. Every player has his time. He is 39-40 years now. Age is not on his side as it was earlier."
Kapil also blasted Dhoni for his alleged favoritism in the team.  He castigated for not giving the ball to Ravinder Jadeja in Brisbane which, according to him, was inexplicable and smacked of clear bias.
"If you are an Indian captain, you cannot be partial. I was surprised when Rudra Pratap Singh was drafted into the Test side in England. One must find out why all rounder Jadeja was not used as a bowler even for a single over in the ODI against Australia at Brisbane. Dhoni is a mature player. I am perturbed when he picks a player as an all-rounder and doesn't make him bowl at all. If anyone makes such mistakes, he can't survive for long. If Dhoni makes such mistakes repeatedly, he will have to pay the price," Kapil added.
Apart from Sachin, Kapil also advised Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman to retire from test cricket so that youngsters are blooded for future challenges in international cricket.
"I think Dravid and Laxman have played their last Test. They could be given one last Test for a respectable exit, but certainly not at the cost of compromising the team's interests.
"There is no denying that the likes of Rahul, Sachin and Laxman have served the nation like few other cricketers. But they are no longer young, and if Indian cricket does not move forward from the Big Three, it will risk falling a generation back and struggle like West Indies and Australian teams have done in the past," he said.

Source:http://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/cricket/Time_Is_Up_For_Sachin_Says_Kapil_Dev-5390.html

MATHEW HAYDEN AND GREG CHAPPELL BACKS MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI’S ROTATION POLICY

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Mathew Hayden and Greg Chappell backs Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s rotation policy – Cricket News Update
The Indian skipper, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has been under fire from former Indian cricketers for implementing a rotational policy in the ongoing Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia.
The likes of Bishan Singh Bedi, Dilip Vengsarkar and Maninder Singh have all criticised Dhoni’s decision of resting seniors players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. The former cricketers have stated that the rotation policy should be adopted when the team performing is well, not when it is suffering.
However, the Australian duo of Greg Chappell and Mathew Hayden seem to accord with the Indian skipper and the rotation policy. The two former Australian cricketers have said that nowadays international teams have a jammed pack calendar, and therefore they should use a rotational policy, so that every player gets a rest they deserve, while youngsters gain experience.
Shedding light on the matter, Hayden said, “It's really hard playing all the formats of the game, it's unfair.”
Hayden also feels that the veteran Indian batsman, Sachin, should retire from limited overs cricket and give younger cricketers an opportunity to make a name for themselves.
He said, “To me, someone like Tendulkar taking a decision to play only Test cricket is very special to the group moving forward. It gives younger players opportunities to blood them and get answers in all sorts of conditions.”
Chappell, who coached the Indian team for duration of two years, shared the same views as his compatriot. He said, “I think you have got to take opportunities to give other players exposure. We all know how full the international programme is. If you think you can play the same XI all the time you gonna run into problems.  Fitness and enthusiasm, all those things are going to wane over a period of time.”
Chappell sympathised with Indian cricketers. While referring to his tenure he said that the Men in Blue played fifty percent more games than any other cricketing nation, therefore the players get drenched, they need rest to revitalise, and the rotation policy is the perfect way to do just that.

Source:http://blogs.bettor.com/Mathew-Hayden-and-Greg-Chappell-backs-Mahendra-Singh-Dhonis-rotation-policy-Cricket-News-Update-a130825

Sri Lanka cricket commentator Ranil Abeynaike passes away

Ranil Abeynaike was a former first-class cricketer before Sri Lanka's non-Test playing era .

Renowned cricket commentator, Ranil Abeynaike of Sri Lanka passed away at a private hospital here following a severe heart attack, his family informed on Tueday.

Abeynaike, who celebrated his 57th birthday only nine day ago, was a former first-class cricketer before Sri Lanka's non-Test playing era.

A leading left-arm spinner in the domestic scene, he played for Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) and Bedfordshire during the first-class career, which spanned for 17 years since 1973.

He was also the general manager of the SSC and had even served as its curator for many years.

But off late Abeynaike was known more for his role as a television commentator. 

Source:http://www.cricketcountry.com/cricket-articles/Sri-Lanka-cricket-commentator-Ranil-Abeynaike-passes-away/11649

Levi to return home from NZ

 Batting sensation Richard Levi will return home from New Zealand this week, as originally planned, Cricket SA said on Tuesday.

Levi, 24, raced to a record century off 45 balls and smashed 13 sixes for his unbeaten 117, guiding South Africa to an eight-wicket win over the Black Caps in only his second international match in Hamilton on Sunday.
Convenor of selectors Andrew Hudson said the opener would not stay on after calls for Levi to be included in the ODI squad.
"Levi's batting performance was fantastic – one of the best I have watched," Hudson said.
"We hope that he can continue in the same way for the Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras in the Miway T20 Challenge back home.
"He is an exciting prospect for us and he will be monitored and nurtured accordingly. His time will come."
Levi would return home with seam bowler Rusty Theron and top-order batsman Colin Ingram, CSA said, after the deciding T20 International in Auckland on Wednesday.
Former captain Graeme Smith, pace bowler Dale Steyn, and allrounders Jacques Kallis and Faf du Plessis had already linked up with the ODI squad.
"We are delighted with the way the T20I squad has progressed throughout this series and it is exciting to see the momentum that is being built for the remainder of the series," Hudson said.
"It has been encouraging to see how the youngsters like Richard [Levi] and Marchant [de Lange] have stepped up to the challenges of international cricket, ahead of a very important year for the squad."
South Africa face New Zealand in the first of three ODIs in Wellington on Saturday.
SA ODI squad: AB de Villiers (captain), Hashim Amla (vice-captain), Johan Botha, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Source:http://www.supersport.com/cricket/article.aspx?Id=1254941

Blind commentator is on the ball

Dean du Plessis relies on listening to the crack of the ball, the crowd and the stump microphones to help him do his job as an international cricket commentator.

Cricket commentator Dean du Plessis gauges the field action with his ears: a bowler's grunt as he hurls forward, the drag of feet along the pitch, or the crack of a bat slamming into a ball.

The Zimbabwean is one of the world's few sightless sports analysts, plying his remarkable expertise by training his acute hearing on the stump microphones despite being born with a blindness that was meant to kill him.

“I was born with tumours on both my retinas, so I was only meant to be alive for three to maximum five months - but I'm 35, not out now, so still playing a good innings,” he said.

Alongside daily radio work, sports bulletins and a newspaper column which he writes on his voice-enabled cellphone, Du Plessis also sits in the broadcasters' commentary booth where he provides colour to the anchor's match breakdown.

“Robin Jackman will say something like ‘driven through the covers, that will be four, good shot',” he explained, smoothly gearing into cricket jargon with radio-esque poise.

“And then it will be my job to say 'well, that is arguably Jacques Kallis' most favourite shot, outside the offstump, a little bit of width, which allowed him to free his arms’.”

Du Plessis says he gets no preferential treatment but is wholly dependent on the stump microphones which identify each player's unique characteristics.

These range from England Test skipper Andrew Strauss's “yeah, come on, come on, come on” when wanting to make a run for it, to former Australian spinner Shane Warne's huge grunt, and South African Graeme Smith on a hook or pull shot.

“If I turn my microphones down, I really will be blind,” he said.

“Obviously having followed the game for just over 20 years and having commentated for 10 going on 11 years, you get to understand, and you get to know which player does what and that's pretty much how I know what's going on out there.”

It was the stupendous noise of 80 000 roaring Indian fans in a radio broadcast more than 20 years ago that piqued his interest in the sport while at a boarding school for the blind in South Africa, where he would later drum up mock match reports.

Faced with sceptics who believe he is being fed information, Du Plessis says he would slip up if forced to concentrate on too many voices. But he does fear making a mistake each time he goes on air.

“Touch wood, it hasn't happened yet, thank goodness, and I wouldn't wish that upon my worst enemy,” he said. “But I do understand that you're not going to be perfect the whole time and a time is going to come when I am going to get it very, very wrong.

“And I just hope that when that happens, that people will be a little understanding - that at the end of the day, regardless of me being able to see or not to see, I'm only human.”

His blindness has led to amusing situations. Australia opener David Warner - the “nicest guy” he's met in the past six months - assumed his blank gaze was booze-induced and came over to see if he was okay, said Du Plessis.

“They are amazed,” he says of how people react to him.

“But, you know, to me it's a little silly because, if you really think about it, it's nothing as spectacular as what people make it out to be. It is just my way of adapting to the situation.”

Former Zimbabwean national coach Kevin Curran describes Du Plessis, who was taught the game by his late cricketer brother Gary, as “an inspiration to us all”.

“If you didn't know that he was blind from birth, I mean, you wouldn't realise it. I often say 'how does he know that, how does he know that?'“

Du Plessis, a Harare resident, sees his future outside Zimbabwe and says he would be at the airport in a flash if offered a job elsewhere.

“I love this country, it's where I grew up, it's where I was born,” he said. “But at the end of the day I have to look after myself as well and there's not enough cricket that is being played here at the moment.

“And, more importantly, there's not enough broadcasting opportunities for me because of that. So I'm quite prepared to settle down anywhere.

“I want to be a full-time cricket broadcaster for many years to come so, as they say in cricketing terms: if the ball is there and if you want to hit it, then hit it hard.”

Source:http://www.iol.co.za/sport/cricket/world/blind-commentator-is-on-the-ball-1.1238921

Cricket: Oram ruled out of South Africa series

New Zealand's Jacob Oram has been ruled out of the next series. 

Black Caps' all-rounder Jacob Oram has been ruled out of the remainder of the Twenty20 and one-day cricket series against South Africa.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has today confirmed that Oram's calf injury will see him remain on the sidelines for the time being.

Oram has had minor discomfort since his last ODI against Zimbabwe, and scans revealed a strain to left calf muscle.

"Although it's a relatively minor calf injury the congested nature of the series means Jake won't be available for the ODIs,'' said NZC physiotherapist Paul Close.

Oram said it was hugely disappointing to miss playing against South Africa. "I felt pretty good in the matches against Zimbabwe and was looking forward to the series.

"I hate missing matches for New Zealand but I'm confident I can return to cricket injury-free following a course of rehabilitation,'' Oram said.

"I hope to be back playing in about a fortnight.''

Source:http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10787113

Cricket club’s double boost

TOP CLUB: Selby Cricket Club have received club mark re-accreditation. Pictured with the certificate are (L-R) Mel Neary (Junior cricket manager), Ian Lake (cricket manager) and Mick Pearce (Club chairman). 

Newly promoted to the York Senior League Premier Division, Selby Cricket Club have been given a double boost ahead of a season which promises great things.
They have received sponsorship from estate agents York Property Shop, which also has an office in Selby and whose co-partner Richard Mustill is a keen member of the club.
And they have been awarded their club mark accreditation for another three years by the Yorkshire Cricket Board for meeting the high standards of the ECB with their up-to-date facilities, excellent coaching arrangements and having a thriving junior section.
“It’s quite a stringent process involving a lot of documentation,” said club chairman Mick Pearce, who added: “The Premier League is going to be a big undertaking for us. We will have predominantly the same team but it’s been a long time since a Selby district club has competed at such a high level.”
Pictured with the certificate (from left) are Mel Neary (junior manager), Ian Lake (cricket manager) and Mick Pearce (chairman). Photo: Gary Foster

Source:http://www.selbytimes.co.uk/sport/cricket/cricket_club_s_double_boost_1_4249863

Both sides treating T20 decider as final

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum says tomorrow's South Africa match was a 'pivotal moment' in what has already been a successful summer. 

Twenty20 cricket might be referred to as hit and giggle in some quarters, but New Zealand and South Africa are both deadly serious about winning tomorrow night's deciding third international to seize the initiative for the rest of the series.

South Africa are one of the powerhouses of world cricket but don't have a great record at major tournaments and captain AB de Villiers said they would be treating the match as a final. New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said it was a "pivotal moment" in what has already been a successful summer.

It would be a massive shame, then, if rain becomes the dominant player. Auckland has enjoyed a good spell of weather but showers are forecast tomorrow night.

"I think it's a huge match," McCullum explained. "We have obviously been trucking along pretty good until the last performance when we got hit pretty hard. From our point of view... this is a pivotal moment.

"If we can build on the success we have had this summer already, and manage to win this game and win the Twenty20 series and head into the one-dayers with momentum, then I think we are trending in the right way.

 

"That's the message I will be delivering to the team today, that it is a big game, in front of 30,000 hopefully in Auckland in a finals scenario, which is pretty exciting."

There will be many in the crowd interested to see Jesse Ryder back. It's safe to assume he will play given he was added to the squad on Monday after scoring a pile of runs in domestic cricket, but it's debatable whether he does it as an opener.

Martin Guptill and Rob Nicol have given New Zealand good starts at the top of the order and McCullum saw little need to alter things. Ryder would likely slot in anywhere from No 4 to No 6, depending on the situation, and provide extra stability with Ross Taylor still out.

The 27-year-old arrived at New Zealand training today minus some of the extra padding around his midrift after reportedly following a new diet and fitness regime. Ryder hasn't always been the model professional but has missed playing for the Black Caps as he works his way back from his latest injury.

"I don't really care about his weight," McCullum said. "That's irrelevant to me. It's whether he's capable of scoring runs and contributing to the team in an attitudinal manner as well. When Jesse is going well, he slips into this team brilliantly. He works incredibly hard.

"He's obviously had his issues over the years but, hopefully, there's been some distance been put between those incidences. Jesse is a class player. When he's on song, he strengthens our team. That's all I'm worried about."

Ryder isn't the only selection dilemma, and Doug Bracewell might not survive the cut. The allrounder has come in for some treatment in the shorter forms of the game throughout the summer - Richard Levi was particularly severe on Sunday as Bracewell went for 37 runs from two overs.

It would be a bittersweet couple of days for Bracewell considering this morning he won the best test bowling performance award at the fifth annual ESPNcricinfo Awards for his 6-40 in New Zealand's defeat of Australia in Hobart.

Bracewell wasn't the only one who came in for some treatment from Levi, who smacked 117 not out from just 51 balls.

New Zealand aren't getting too hung up about Levi's innings - "I think it was probably a guy at his absolute best," McCullum said - but they had looked at their areas to bowl to the Proteas opener and had get-out areas square of the wicket at Eden Park.

There were no plans, however, to let up in the banter department.

Tim Southee, in particular, mouthed off even as Levi was in full stride but New Zealand are mindful of the fact South Africa haven't always coped when the stakes are high.

The stakes aren't massive tomorrow night but the match will set the tone for the rest of the series.

Source:http://www.nzherald.co.nz/cricket/news/article.cfm?c_id=29&objectid=10787091

China pair star in Olympic Aquatics Centre

Christopher Mears and Nicholas Robinson Baker did not do enough to claim a medal.

In what could be a sign of things to come, China's dominant divers stole the show on the first day of a World Cup event at the new Olympic Aquatics Centre.
World champions Qin Kai and Luo Yutong won the men's synchronised 3-metres springboard ahead of Russia's Ilya Zakharov and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Nickson Lomas and Huang Qiang of Malaysia took bronze.
Chris Mears and Nick Robinson-Baker represented Britain but could only claim 10th place.
"Unfortunately today it didn't quite pay off for us but there are five months until the Olympics and we can perfect that skill. We are happy to be tenth in the world at this point," Robinson-Baker said. "There were some jittery nerves but our main goal was to come in here and have a good time and enjoy the experience. The crowd were fantastic and I just can't wait for London 2012."
The event is as much about the diving as the Aquatics Centre and the venue came in for widespread praise.
"It's a beautiful venue," Australia's men's 10m platform Olympic champion Matthew Mitcham told Reuters. "We had a few technical difficulties but they fixed them all straight away, like that. Which has been quite amazing actually so the organising committee are doing a fantastic job. I'm going to enjoy diving here in July."
Monique Gladding and Stacie Powell secured Team GB two slots in diving's 10m platform competition atLondon 2012.
Gladding and Powell progressed to the semi-final in sixth and 14th respectively - well inside the top-18 target.
"For both of us the job was to get through to the semi-final and now we can go back and focus ready for the semi-final," Gladding said. "It was about getting through this round. Finishing sixth is fantastic but we can both move forward to the semis now."

Source:http://www.espn.co.uk/london-olympics-2012/sport/story/137230.html

ricket: Eoin Morgan is aiming to stand tall for England

EOIN MORGAN habitually lowers his sights at the crease, but his lofty ambition for England is undiminished by a tough tour of duty in the desert this winter.

The Irishman, possessor of the most pronounced crouch in world cricket as part of his trigger movement when batting, acknowledges it is a quirk he needs to keep an eye on.

Morgan’s involuntary squat is so exaggerated that he is within inches of actually sitting down in front of the stumps a split-second before the bowler delivers the ball.

But he makes no connection between his unusual habit and a run of low scores in England’s 3-0 Test defeat, which he believes had more to do with his injury-enforced five-month absence from competitive cricket – and some outstanding Pakistan spin bowling on awkward surfaces.

 

Morgan has since begun the ongoing one-day international series with another failure but then contributed two unbeaten 20s to a winning cause which has put England within one more win tomorrow of a 4-0 series whitewash.

That would be a payback of sorts for the world number ones’ unexpected Test trouncing.

Morgan, meanwhile, could do with the opportunity to play a more significant innings – crouching or otherwise.

The left-hander does not deny his contortions but does not see them as a source of significant concern either.

“It’s something I’m definitely aware of and trying to counter,” he said. “It was the most extreme during last summer, but it’s something I’m working on and sticking with and trying to manipulate so that my balance stays the same.”

Morgan’s Test average has dropped to just a shade over 30, from 16 matches, after just 82 runs in six attempts here. “It’s been hard work,” he said.

“The first part, the Test series, was very tricky. Certainly the skills levels on our behalf – and mine as well – weren’t up to scratch. We struggled.”

England’s worst tormentor was off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, whose variations have proved especially hard to decipher.

“He’s been in a fantastic run of form of late – and again having not played in four or five months caught up with us, me in particular,” added Morgan. “I’ve been off for quite a while.

“Even though I spent some time in India before Christmas, it doesn’t replicate what you’re up against. But I’ve played a lot of sub-continent cricket and I should be used to it.”

Source:http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sports/cricket-news/2012/02/21/cricket-eoin-morgan-is-aiming-to-stand-tall-for-england-91466-30371040/

Rampage a death sentence for tough Bader - Bisping

Rampage Jackson will come with fists fully loaded at UFC 144.

Michael Bisping believes Ryan Bader will be picking on the wrong guy at the wrong time when he fightsRampage Jackson at UFC 144 this week.
Jackson returns to his favoured country for fighting when he heads to Japan for Saturday's light-heavyweight battle. The former UFC champion made his name fighting under the Pride banner, and still remembers the fans in extremely fond light to this day.
As a result, it is expected that Jackson will want to put on a show for the fans when he takes on Bader, who arrives off the back of a knockout win over Jason Brilz.
Both men possess huge power in their hands, while both men are also powerful wrestlers in very different ways. However, Bisping - talking to ESPN when the fight was made - predicted Bader had drawn the short straw.
Asked if Bader had been granted a death sentence by the UFC, Bisping replied: "I'd say so. That's a very tough fight for Ryan Bader.
"Don't get me wrong, Bader's a tough guy and I've got a lot of respect for him, he came back from two tough losses impressively.
"But Rampage is going to be excited to fight in Japan, he'll be excited to get back to winning ways, that'll be a good win for Rampage."
Source:http://www.espn.co.uk/ufc/sport/story/137005.html

Rampage Jackson wants to avoid 'fake' Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan wanted to see more leg kicks from Rampage Jackson in his last fight with Jon Jones.

Rampage Jackson has revealed he would rather not talk to co-commentator and interviewer Joe Rogan after his UFC 144 fight with Ryan Bader, because he knows Rogan will have attacked him moments earlier on commentary.
Jackson was asked to describe his perfect outcome upon his return to Japan this weekend, and he toldFighters Only that he would like to get out of the Octagon without speaking to Rogan following a win over Bader.
Rampage's comments were made in connection with his last fight against Jon Jones, when Rogan was desperate for him to throw more leg kicks. As Jackson explains, he was hesitant with his kicks because he knew that would allow Jones to take him down.
"If you win then Joe Rogan's got to do an interview with you," Jackson said. "And most likely he has been talking some crap about you and how you don't throw leg kicks. 'I don't know why he don't throw leg kicks' - because Joe, I am fighting a wrestler who wants to take me down really bad, that's why I'm not throwing leg kicks.
'He's so one-dimensional, he's so one-dimensional' - he's going on about jiu-jitsu the whole time. That's why [when it's time to talk to him] I'm like, 'Oh here comes Joe Rogan' and he's all fake in his face like he's not just picked apart your whole game like he's the best fighter in the world and he knows every decision you're gonna make while he is just sitting there watching you."
Asked by Fighters Only how a fight between Jackson and Rogan would go, Rampage replied: "I would beat the sh*t out of Joe Rogan - as long as he don't get me to the ground, because his jiu-jitsu is really good. I know he's got good jiu-jitsu because he's so biased towards jiu-jitsu guys. Every time a guy is a jiu-jitsu fighter Rogan might as well be playing the rusty trombone.
"I don't give a f***, I am sick of people putting their [opinions]. Sometimes [I can hear him], because Joe Rogan has one of those girly high-ass voices that you can hear. I just want to tell him to shut the f*** up. Let's see you do it. Let's see you come in here and kick this mother-f***er who wants to take you down. Shut the f*** up.
"People can call me one-dimensional all they want. I don't care - at the end of the day it's my fight. I trained for this fight. People forget, I did Muay Thai fights, K-1, jiu-jitsu tournaments and I wrestled. One dimensional? Okay. Kiss my ass. I like to put on exciting fights."
Source:http://www.espn.co.uk/ufc/sport/story/137184.html

Chisora is f***** now - Klitschko

Dereck Chisora landed an early right hand on Vitali Klitschko.

Dereck Chisora will be rocked by a significant fine after he slapped Vitali Klitschko at the weigh-in ahead of their WBC heavyweight title clash in Munich on Saturday.
When the fighters came together for the traditional face-off, Chisora went nose-to-nose with his opponent before stinging him with a right hand. The Brit, who is reportedly being paid a £100,000 purse for the bout, is set to be handed a £31,500 fine by the WBC.
"He is a coward," Klitschko said, according to the Sun. "Why did he do this? Did you see how nervous he was? He hit me and ran away. Then his team covered him up to stop me getting at him. You are f***** now Dereck, you are really f***** now."
David Haye's trainer Adam Booth added: "That was professional suicide. Chisora was never going to win but all this means is he will lose quicker."
Meanwhile, Haye feels that Klitschko will need to suffer an injury if Chisora has any chance of getting his hands on a world title. Klitschko has suffered two defeats in his 45-fight career: first when he sustained a shoulder problem against Chris Byrd, and then when he picked up a serious cut against Lennox Lewis in 2003. On both occasions, the bout was stopped prematurely, with Klitschko ahead on the judges' scorecards.
"These guys are monsters, and they grab a hold of you and put their weight on you and it's a lot of weight going through your system," Haye, who lost to Wladimir Klitschko last year, told boxingscene.com.
"It will be very tough for Chisora, but Vitali is 40 years of age. He has well-documented problems with his knees. So you never know if Vitali ruptures his knee or dislocates his shoulder - [Chisora] might have a chance."

Source:http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/sport/story/136761.html

West Ham confirm failed Torres and Tevez bids

Fernando Torres will stay at Stamford Bridge for now .

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has revealed the Championship club made moves to sign Fernando Torres from Chelsea and Carlos Tevez from Manchester City during the January transfer window.

Torres, a £50 million signing from Liverpool, has struggled to regain top form again this season, scoring just four goals during the current campaign.

After recently returning from Argentina, Tevez could still feature for Manchester City after a high-profile falling out with manager Roberto Mancini as a result of his refusing to warm-up in a Champions League clash in Munich last year.

Sullivan, though, says neither Chelsea or City were willing to negotiate terms for the out-of-favour strikers.

"We tried to get Torres from Chelsea," Sullivan told West Ham Till I Die. "Well if he couldn't score in the Premier League, come along with us for a month. We might fire him up. They just said 'not at this moment in time'.

"Three times we asked [about signing Tevez]. Three times they said 'no chance'."

Sullivan's co-owner David Gold later confirmed the Hammers were seeking to sign Torres on a "short-term loan".

Source:http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/137238.html

Maradona critical of Mancini approach

Diego Maradona doubts Roberto Mancini's defensive attitude.

Argentina great Diego Maradona believes Manchester City may stumble in the Premier League title race because manager Roberto Mancini is "too defensive".

Maradona is in Manchester visiting son-in-law Sergio Aguero and offered his opinion on City, who sit two points clear of Manchester United. The 51-year-old says that although the league leaders have scored 64 goals in 25 Premier League matches this term, he remains unconvinced given the array of attacking players at Mancini's disposal.

"My heart says Manchester City, but I believe Mancini with all the players he's got, is not daring enough," he told Sport360. "He's a bit too defensive. Maybe because he is Italian."

Maradona, though, is still hopeful Aguero can help City lift the Premier League trophy aloft at season's end as United continue their title challenge.

"As an organisation, and with their style of play, I think United are more aggressive. But if I have to support one team, I'll be a fan for my son-in-law."

The Al-Wasl coach revealed he wanted Aguero to remain in La Liga, but insists his move to City last summer was of benefit to the striker's career after Atletico Madrid refused to listen to Maradona's advice.

"I think today, watching from my home in Dubai, seeing Aguero in Madrid would make for much more interesting matches than Kun Aguero at Manchester City," Maradona said.

"I talked to the president of Atletico Madrid and I told him that Aguero had amazing potential, and that he should surround him with good players so that Atletico could make history with him. As you know he did not listen to me. He didn't listen. He sold Kun and I, as his father-in-law, think he chose well."

Source:http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/137240.html

Ponting to play on in Test cricket

Ricky Ponting's ODI career for Australia is over .

Ricky Ponting has confirmed that he will play on in Test cricket but has conceded that his one-day international career is over.

Ponting announced his decision at a press conference in Sydney the day after he was dropped from Australia's one-day international squad. Although Ponting did not expressly state that he was retiring from ODIs, he said the national selector John Inverarity had told him he was not in the selectors' plans in the 50-over format as they build towards the 2015 World Cup.

"It's a little bit hard to come here today and say I'm retiring when I've already been left out of the side," Ponting said. "I don't expect to play one-day international cricket for Australia any more and I'm pretty sure the selectors don't expect to pick me either."

Ponting will leave the ODI arena with 13,704 runs at 42.03, second only to Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time run tally. A three-time World Cup winner who captained Australia to two of those titles, Ponting will finish his limited-overs career as Australia's most-capped ODI player.

However, his decision to play on in the baggy green means he will add to his 162 Tests on the tour of the West Indies in April. He has also confirmed that he will play for Tasmania and perhaps even at club level in an effort to retain his strong form for the Test side, following an excellent series against India - the third-most prolific of his Test career.

"I will continue playing Test cricket and I'll continue playing for Tasmania as well," Ponting said. "I think I've proved to myself and to everybody else that I'm still capable of dominating Test cricket as I did in the last series against India. I'm looking forward to getting back and playing the last couple of Shield games for Tasmania this year and then heading to the West Indies hopefully with some runs under my belt.

"With the two Shield games I've got before the West Indies tour it's important I spend as much time as I can around the Tasmanian side and get the training required and preparation required to play those games as well and then go to the Caribbean. When we get back from there it will be back into a pre-season maybe even with my club team, Mowbray Cricket Club in Tassie, they might even see a bit more of me as well."

Ponting will leave the one-day game after five single-figure scores in the Commonwealth Bank Series, the longest such period in his ODI career. He said while he did not believe there was anything technically wrong with his batting over the past few weeks, it had been a challenge mentally to push on from his success in the Test series and carry that form into the one-day format.

"My body has been able to get through the rigours of this summer really well and I think my mind has just been a little bit behind where my body's been," he said. "When you're not as sharp as you need to be at international level, then you can expect you're not going to play as well as you like either.

"The thing with the Test summer for me, yes I spent a lot of time in the middle and yes I made a lot of runs, but the work I had to do outside to get my game back to where it was towards the end of the Test series I've had to work harder than ever in my career and I worked harder than everybody else in the Australian team right through the last 12 months. At some stage that was going to catch up with me and I think just being not quite as sharp as I needed to be at the start of the one day series has played a bit of a part in why I haven't scored those runs."

Ponting holds no bitterness to the selectors and was pragmatic in accepting their decision to plan for the future, although he also said he had "put his neck on the line" for the one-day side by stepping in as captain in his final two matches while Michael Clarke was injured. Ponting had been reluctant to take on the leadership, given that David Warner had been Clarke's vice-captain, but he understood it was best for the side for him to take on that position.

"I honestly felt deep down that it was best for the team that I took that role on and tried to get the team through the last couple of games in the best way possible," he said. "With the amount of experience I had it was probably a pretty easy decision.

"I captained nearly 170 games, so it was going to come a bit easier to me than it was going to come to someone who had never captained international cricket before. I took that on, almost put my neck on the line a little bit for the team, but that's what I've always done and that's what I'll always continue to do."

Ponting, 37, said it was clear the end of his international career was drawing closer, but that he felt he still had plenty to offer the Test side after scoring 544 runs at 108.80 against India this summer. After Australia's tour of the West Indies, the next Test series is not until November at home to South Africa, and Ponting hopes to still be in the side then.

"The passion for the international game of cricket for me has not died or changed one little bit," he said. "I still don't see a finish line as far as my international career is concerned. Now that one-day cricket isn't there any more we all know that day is coming closer and closer for me. I don't think I'm the sort of person who is going to want to have a massive farewell series. I'll make a decision when I think that I can't contribute to winning games for Australia."

While Ponting's limited-overs career is over at international level, he is still likely to turn out for Tasmania's Ryobi Cup side. There is a strong possibility the Tigers will benefit from his experience this weekend when they take on South Australia in the one-day final at the Adelaide Oval, and Ponting will also be in the state's one-day mix next season.

"I need to be playing as much cricket as I can to be well-prepared for every game that I play," Ponting said. "With me now only playing Test match cricket, next summer for instance if there happened to be some Ryobi Cup games immediately before a Test match then I'd obviously take the opportunity to play those games."

Source:http://www.espn.co.uk/cricket/sport/story/137244.html

Kaneria pleads innocence in cricket fixing

Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria on Saturday pleaded innocence in the spot-fixing case which ended in his Essex county team-mate Mervyn Westfield being jailed for four months.

The two players were arrested by Essex police in May 2010 on suspicion of spot-fixing during a county match against Durham in 2009.

Kaneria was released and not charged but Westfield pleaded guilty to spot-fixing charges in January this year, and was sentenced by a London court on Friday, when the Pakistani was named as the middleman in the plot.

"I am completely innocent from day one. All allegations against me are false," Kaneria, 31, told reporters after the first day's play in the domestic Pentangular Cup final in Lahore, where he captained the Sindh provincial team.

At the Old Bailey, Westfield admitted receiving STG6000 ($A8860) to bowl so that 12 runs would be scored in the first over of the contest, although in the event, only 10 were conceded.

Prosecutors said the player had been lured into the fix after an approach by Kaneria.

Kaneria claimed he was cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

"The Essex police cleared me and I have clearance certificates from both the ECB and ICC, so I am not feeling any pressure. I am just enjoying my cricket.

"Westfield is a convicted fraudster and admitted liar. In trying to reduce his own guilt, he has tarnished my name."

Kaneria's brother Vinay also released a statement on his brother's behalf, saying Kaneria was released and had not been charged, and had fully co-operated with the investigation.

"In explaining the circumstances of Westfield's case to the court, the Crown Prosecution Service reiterated to the court that after intensive investigations, the British police concluded that there was no evidence on which to charge Kaneria," the statement said.

It "vehemently denied" that Kaneria was involved in Westfield's actions.

"It was quite clear that Westfield would say anything to avoid a custodial sentence. In court, he attempted to portray himself as a naive and vulnerable person who was easily led astray," the statement added.

Kaneria, only the second Hindu to play for Pakistan, is the fourth highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in Tests with 261, the most by any spinner.

But the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has blocked him from playing international cricket since October 2010, when its Integrity Committee did not clear him to face South Africa.

He challenged the decision in court but his case was dismissed in November last year.

Earlier on Saturday, the PCB said it would seek evidence from the relevant authorities in Britain before taking any action against Kaneria.

Source:http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-news-sport/kaneria-pleads-innocence-in-cricket-fixing-20120219-1tgmt.html

Hilfenhaus in for ill Mckay, Australia bat

Australia's stand-in captain Ricky Ponting chose to bat against India in the triangular series match at the Gabba. Having lost their previous two games, the hosts are seeking a change of fortunes, starting with runs for Ponting and David Warner in the top three.

 Only one change was made to the XI that lost to Sri Lanka in Sydney, an ill Clint McKay dropping out, to be replaced by Ben Hilfenhaus.

 Virender Sehwag did not recover in time from back spasms to resume his place in India's XI, and the tourists included the pace and swing of Zaheer Khan at the expense of R Ashwin, meaning they have a quartet of fast men for the Gabba.

 A hard, white-looking pitch and a hot day offered the prospect of plenty of runs, though also bounce for the pace men.

 Australia: 1 David Warner, 2 Matthew Wade (wk), 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Peter Forrest, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 David Hussey, 7 Daniel Christian, 8 Brett Lee, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Ben Hilfenhaus, 11 Xavier Doherty.

 India: 1 Gautam Gambhir, 2 Sachin Tendulkar, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Rohit Sharma, 5 Suresh Raina, 6 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Irfan Pathan, 9 Zaheer Khan, 10 Vinay Kumar, 11 Praveen Kumar.

Source:http://www.espncricinfo.com/commonwealth-bank-series-2012/content/story/554310.html

Peter Sharp dies aged 72

Peter Sharp, the former Canterbury offspinner, commentator and cricket administrator, has died at the age of 72. He was suffering from cancer.

 Sharp played eight first-class matches over two seasons, taking 21 wickets at an average of 26.90. He began his 45-year commentary career in 1966, after the end of his first-class stint, and was also involved in coaching. He was awarded the Sutcliffe Medal for outstanding services to cricket in 2006.

 "Peter has been a great servant of cricket in this country, firstly as a first-class player before forging a long and successful career as a cricket commentator," New Zealand Cricket president Dennis Currie said. "He was a highly regarded administrator, being a former NZC Board member, former president of Canterbury Cricket and as a selector for the province.

"Peter was instrumental in the grassroots area of the game, establishing the modified game of Kiwi cricket in New Zealand and Canterbury Cricket, as well as a doing a great deal of outstanding work with coaches in the Canterbury area. We will always treasure the great contribution he made in many different ways to cricket in this country.

Source:http://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/story/554312.html?google_editors_picks=true

Graham Gooch is made England's full-time batting coach

Graham Gooch has been appointed England's full-time batting coach by the England and Wales Cricket Board. 

Gooch, England's consultant batting coach since November 2009, will now take on the role full-time before the Sri Lanka Test series in March.
Gooch, 58, will work with England's centrally contracted and squad players.
Graham Thorpe will continue as ECB lead batting coach, working with batsmen on the England Performance Programme and those selected for England Lions.
Confirmation of Gooch's upgrading to a full-time batting coach role comes in the wake of the disappointing three-match Test series against Pakistan, in which the world's number one-ranked side were hammered 3-0, largely down to the failure of their batsmen.

GOOCH THE BATSMAN

• 1975: Bags a pair on his England debut, aged 21, having established himself as an Essex regular whilst still a teenager
• 1982: Captains South Africa rebel tour, leading to three-year Test ban
• 1988: Briefly appointed England captain before taking over from David Gower full-time between 1989 and 1993
• 1990: Scores a record 456 runs in the Lord's Test against India - 333 in the first innings and 123 in the second
• 1995: Retires from international cricket as England's top Test scorer with 8,900 runs
• 1997: Retires from county cricket, having scored 44,846 runs in all first-class cricket at an average of 49.01, including 128 centuries

England's batsmen only once totalled more than 300 in an innings in six attempts in the United Arab Emirates - and only five players (three of them - Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad - in the same innings, in the second Test at Abu Dhabi) made half-centuries in the series.

England now move on to Sri Lanka next month for a two-Test series before hosting West Indies and South Africa in two three-match series this summer, then returning to the sub-continent in the autumn to play India.
"We have a challenging period of cricket ahead of us," said England team director Andy Flower. "And I am very much looking forward to continuing to work closely with Graham as we look to improve across all formats of the game.
"Graham has an excellent relationship with our batsmen and is already an important part of our management team so I am very pleased that he will be joining us on a full-time basis."
After retiring as a player, former England captain Gooch started worked as head coach of Essex in 2001, stepping down in 2005 but continuing as a specialist batting coach whilst also assuming commercial duties for the county.
In 2009, he also became England's part-time batting coach, but he quit Essex three months ago to concentrate on his role with the national side.
Prior to his appointment, England players had hit six Test double centuries between them in 15 years, but they surpassed that total in just 15 months.
"I am delighted to be taking on the role of England batting coach on a full-time basis," said Gooch, who played 118 Tests for his country.
"I will now have the opportunity to spend a lot more time with the players and other coaches both in the build-up to series and during the series themselves.
"With the talent we have within the batting unit, and those pressing for places, we can continue to develop and improve as a side."
Source:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17085158

Pakistan v England: Kevin Pietersen ton seals series win

England took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four-match one-day international series with Pakistan following an emphatic nine-wicket victory in Dubai.
Kevin Pietersen, who averaged 11 in the Test series, hit two sixes in 111 not out, his first ODI hundred since 2008.
Pietersen shared 170 with skipper Alastair Cook (80), England's highest opening partnership against Pakistan.
Shahid Afridi (51) and Umar Akmal (50) put on 79 as Pakistan mustered 222 but England won with 76 balls remaining.
As quickly as England's confidence began to evaporate in the 3-0 Test whitewash earlier this month, their complete dominance of the one-day matches has reduced Pakistan to a team bereft of answers.
It also continues a timely return to form for the limited overs team following their 5-0 whitewash in India late last year.
Cook, combining touch with controlled power he was once thought not to possess, looked certain to become the first England batsman to score three successive ODI hundreds but got a thin edge behind off Saaed Ajmal.
The renaissance of Pietersen, who had scored only 107 runs in eight international innings on the tour, is a significant bonus, and after successive half century stands he took his fledgling partnership with Cook at the top of the innings to new heights.
For once Cook lost the toss but his star fast bowler Steven Finn quickly put England in command.
Finn, who had taken 4-34 in both the first two matches, again displayed an exemplary line and length, collecting 2-14 from his first six overs, drawing Imran Farhat into an edge and trapping Mohammad Hafeez lbw with a full delivery that nipped back.
Stuart Broad's spell began in horrific fashion, spraying short and wide, and four boundaries came off his opening over, including one from a free hit following a no-ball which denied him the wicket of Hafeez when he had been caught at backward point.
Three wickets fell in as many overs, Broad finding far greater reward when pitching the ball up and forcing catches behind and at slip.
A partnership of 47 from 67 balls revived the innings but the fifth wicket fell when replays showed Asad Shafiq's bat was in the air as he dived for the crease after being sent back.
That brought in Afridi in the 22nd over and one more wicket could well have sparked a rapid end to the innings.
The severity of the situation did not affect the former skipper's approach, and he played his usual array of outrageously cavalier strokes, although not always making contact.
Such was the crowd's desire to see their hero they cheered on the rare occasions he chose to play defensive shots but he quickly found his touch and launched Graeme Swann for a gargantuan six down the ground as the fifty stand came up in 68 balls, Afridi's contribution 32.
The purposeful Umar took advantage of a dropped catch by unpredictable wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter when on 28 - much to the chagrin of Broad - to provide the ideal foil for the charismatic Afridi.
England brought back Finn to break the partnership during the batting powerplay but Afridi took the only boundary off the giant fast bowler with a lofted drive.
It was a sensational catch that made the breakthrough in the 40th over.
Samit Patel belied critics of his physique to swoop superbly at mid-wicket and scoop up a looping chance one-handed millimetres from the turf to dismiss Umar.
Much to the dismay of the crowd Afridi succumbed in the next over, bowled through the gate and off the pad trying to whip James Anderson through the leg-side.
Finn returned to collect his third wicket, his 11th of the series, and though Umar Gul hit two sixes Pakistan's total looked inadequate, which was borne out by the fluent start to England's reply.
Gul sent down a 10-ball over and was pulled for six by Cook as England raced to 40-0 from five overs, prompting Pakistan to turn to spin.

Cook and Pietersen continued in positive vein, however, and recorded their third successive fifty partnership, with 60 scored in the first 10 overs.

Pietersen, beginning to return to his swaggering best, danced down the wicket to smash Afridi over his head for six and the century stand arrived in 102 balls.

He was reprieved on 45 when Azhar Ali spilled a routine chance in the deep but passed 4,000 ODI runs with a magnificent straight six and was soon clipping the ball through mid-wicket and driving on the up in vintage fashion.

Despite the loss of his captain in the 29th over, Pietersen ended a run of 36 ODI innings without a hundred and England will look to complete a 4-0 whitewash when the series concludes on Tuesday.

Source:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17085015

Spot fixing: Danish Kaneria denies corruption claims

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has maintained his innocence after being named in the corruption trial of ex-Essex paceman Mervyn Westfield.

Westfield was jailed for four months on Friday for his part in spot-fixing though his defence team claimed Kaneria had been a go-between in the deception.
"Westfield is a convicted fraudster and admitted liar," said the 31-year-old.
"In trying to reduce his own guilt he has tarnished my name. All allegations against me are false."
Westfield pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey last month to one count of accepting or obtaining a corrupt payment of £6,000 to bowl in a way that would allow the scoring of runs in the opening over of a Pro40 match against Durham in September 2009.
Kaneria was arrested in connection with the case but later released without charge.

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He added: "Essex police cleared me and I have clearance certificates from both ECB [England and Wales Cricket Board] and ICC [International Cricket Council], so I am not feeling any pressure."
Following the Westfield court case on Friday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it would co-operate fully with any ECB investigation into former Test leg-spinner Kaneria.
PCB legal advisor Tafazzul Rizvi said: "The PCB will co-operate totally with the ECB if it holds an inquiry into this matter.
"It is a serious matter for us and we will now be examining the judgement and evidence placed before the court during the trial."

Source:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17086953

Kurt Angle on his hardest task - making an Olympic return in 2012

Mention pro wrestling and the reaction of many is to say "ahh, but it's not real" in a tone more suited to passing on great wisdom to one's children.

The tone suggests it is an activity without merit. The implication being that, because the results are predetermined, it bears no comparison with, say football, because, although that is just 22 people trying to kick a ball into a net, at least they are doing it for real.
But there is another side to wrestling, the amateur version which, while unlikely to sell out Madison Square Garden any time soon can at least point to being 100% genuine.
In truth, the two do not make particularly easy bedfellows which is no doubt why almost nobody has made the transition from amateur to pro and nobody has done it the other way round.

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Angle answers your tweets on acting, his best fight and the future (Wrestling footage courtesy of Challenge TV)

Until now, that is. Kurt Angle won Olympic gold in 1996 before going on to enjoy huge success with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and then TNA Impact wrestling. Now he is going back, at least temporarily, trying to make the US team for the 2012 Olympics.
Given the fantastical storylines of pro wrestling it is tempting to think that his head has been turned by extended exposure to sports entertainment.
Should he make the team he will be, at 43, six years older than anyone else to have made the US squad.
It is 16 years since he last had an amateur match, and going from that lengthy hiatus to Olympian is surely a pipe dream. Why attempt it and why now?
"I had to give it a lot of thought, it didn't just come out of my head and say I'm going to try for Olympics," he says.
"What are my chances of making the team? Slim to none, I'm not going to lie but, if I can look you in the eye and say I have a chance that's more than enough. That's worth training five hours a day to get ready for the trials and for the biggest event of all, the Olympics."
For that to become a reality, Angle will have to beat a world class field in April's trials, including Jake Varner, the 2011 world championship bronze medallist and clear favourite for the slot.

ANGLE HONOURS

• 2 x NCAA US wrestling championships
• 1995 world champion
• 1996 Olympic champion
• 2001 - Inducted into US amateur wrestling hall of fame
• 5x WWE world/heavyweight championships
• 5 x TNA world championships
• Named #1 of the top 500 wrestlers by Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 2001
• Named Wrestler of the Year by PWI in 2003

Angle believes Varner will be his last match in a dream finale, but does danger lurk in the young guns keen to make a name for themselves? He sees it differently - the pressure is on them.

"I don't think it's fair," he starts before reconsidering. "I can't say it's not fair but if you pull the Kurt Angle card you've got a former world champion, a former Olympic champion so it's not exactly the best pick.
"It's a tough thing they'll have to accept thinking 'gosh, why do I have to wrestle one of the greatest wrestlers in US history in the first round?'"
Still though the question remains, could failure damage his Olympic legacy or his standing as a headline act with TNA? Walking out as pro wrestling's only Olympic champion is one thing - it led to huge success in an industry he admits he thought was a "bit of a joke" before growing to love and respect it. Coming out as that guy who lost in the first round of the trials is quite another.
"The only negative publicity I could get is if I didn't show for the trials. I don't want people to think Kurt Angle is a quitter," he responds, indirectly responding to critics who have suggested the bid is just a PR stunt.
"I've been chastised for going into mixed martial arts and backing out. But the reason I backed out was the terms - they wanted me ready to fight in four weeks but you've got to be out of your mind.

Continue reading the main story

“I have had my ex-wife Karen tell me you're not fit for it. My mother's always worried and even some of my brothers aren't taking me seriously”

Kurt Angle

"So I decided to go back to my roots, back to wrestling. Let me try out for the Olympics again, let me soak it in let me enjoy it and get back to the sport I love. I thought about my Olympic experience and I can tell you I don't remember much.

"This time it's about the experience. If I make the team, that's the icing on the cake but you can never, ever take that Olympic gold from me. I've already got one - I just want a second one."
While Kurt admits he is odds against to make the team, what is certain is that to have any chance he will have to change a style that was aggressive even before he made the switch into a type of wrestling in which TLC stands for tables, ladders and chairs.
"I've had a rugged 10 years. I've been through painkiller abuse to broken necks to wrestling 300 days a year, beating my body down," he admits.
"I've had to change. I've pulled back on taking chances. I look back and I almost lost a couple of matches because of sheer stupidity and being too aggressive. I won't be taking that approach now, it's going to be like a chess match."
In his favour are new rules with shorter, lower-scoring bouts and what would border on home support from pro wrestling fans.
Support closer to home has been harder to find. Kurt has made a fortune from wrestling but you get the feeling some close to him wish it was more of a job than a vocation. He proved everything in the amateur game, then proved everything in the pros, why now go back and try to prove it all once more?
Seemingly others are asking that question.
"I've had my ex-wife Karen tell me you're not fit for it," he says.
"I've had family members say they're concerned about my neck, my mother's always worried and even some of my brothers aren't taking me seriously.

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Angle poised for Olympic comeback (Wrestling footage courtesy of Challenge TV).

"Last time they were with me everywhere I went, now they're like 'nah he's not really doing it'. I've been doing it by the grace of God as I don't have near the support I had back then."
The apparent lack of backing will be out of concern; Angle won gold in 1996 shortly after breaking his neck but just making the Games this time is far more of a challenge.
Angle hints that by pro wrestling standards he is in top shape but wrestling is one sport where increased fitness and professionalism don't necessarily go hand in hand.
"You've got to stay in pretty good shape to be a pro wrestler and all the TNA wrestlers get a bit nervous when I wrestle them because they're afraid I'll tire them out but the Olympics is a whole different level," he says.
"I'm not even at peak condition. It's kind of like a work of art, you're drawing this painting and you want to see what it will look like at the end. We're going to find out in a couple of months."
Source:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/17027704