Amir's no-ball at Lord's felt deliberate - umpires
WELLINGTON - Umpires felt that Pakistan bowler Mohammad Amir had delivered a deliberate no-ball during the fourth test against England, but had put it down to tactics rather than spot-fixing at the time, local media reported.
New Zealanders Tony Hill and Billy Bowden had been concerned by an Amir delivery to England's Jonathon Trott during which the teenage bowler overstepped the mark but pitched the ball short.
"We never suspected a thing," Hill told the Dominion Post. "There had been the big overstep in particular and in our minds that was more a deliberate overstep to have a go at Trott, who had been batting so well.
"Billy and I chatted about that and thought it seemed deliberate, especially as it was dropped in short. But it all seemed to be one of those things that fast bowlers have been known to do to get an advantage."
Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif were suspended by the International Cricket Council following a British newspaper report that Amir and Asif had bowled three deliberate no-balls by pre-arrangement on the opening day of the fourth test.
The trio have returned to Pakistan on the condition they be available for police questioning when required and are scheduled to attend an ICC hearing next month.
Police in Britain have since questioned a fourth player Wahab Riaz over the spot-fixing allegations.
"It was my first test at Lord's," Hill added. "It was a special place but it ended up being a game that will be remembered, but not for the right reasons."
Pakistan lost the test series 3-1 and are currently 2-0 down in their five-match one-day series
Suspended Pakistan trio return home
KARACHI - Three Pakistan cricketers at the centre of match-fixing allegations returned home from London early on Saturday.
Salman Butt, Muhammad Amir and Muhammad Asif, who have been provisionally suspended by the International Cricket Council , flew into Lahore where a large crowd, made up of both protesters and supporters, and a heavy police presence awaited them.
The three players, who were interviewed by London's Metropolitan Police as part of an inquiry into allegations of spot-fixing during Pakistan's tour of England, left the airport by a back door and were driven away in waiting vehicles.
Television pictures showed crowds waiting outside the terminal, some carrying banners in support of the players and others waving placards accusing them of disgracing the nation. Some people carried shoes in their hands.
A large contingent of police was at the airport to avoid a repeat of the scenes last week when Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Ijaz Butt, was jeered and heckled on his return home.
Pakistan's interior minister Rehman Malik told the media that the three players were able to fly home after giving assurances that they would return to Britain if needed.
"We have given Scotland Yard surety that if required the cricketers will be available for further investigations," Malik said.
The players were accused in a Sunday newspaper of fixing incidents in matches, such as deliberately bowling no-balls. They say they are innocent.
A fourth player, left-arm pace bowler Wahab Riaz, who is still in England and with the one-day squad, is due to be questioned by Scotland Yard on Tuesday over the allegations.
The Pakistan team still have four one-day matches remaining against England, having already lost the test series 3-1 and a Twenty20 series 2-0.
Afridi calls for Pakistan to focus on cricket
CARDIFF (AFP) - – Pakistan one-day captain Shahid Afridi said he hoped his side could now focus on their cricket rather than bat away a slew of 'fixing' allegations after their return to international duty ended in defeat.
World Twenty20 champions England beat Pakistan by five wickets in the first of a two-match Twenty20 series here on Sunday, holding their opponents to just 126 for four.
This was Pakistan's first fixture since Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif were suspended by the International Cricket Council after newspaper allegations the trio were involved in a betting scam that saw no-balls deliberately bowled in last week's fourth Test at Lord's.
"We have to play to cricket, we don't take these things with us (on to the field)," Afridi told reporters.
Afridi was encouraged by the way Pakistan, with the leg-spinner himself taking two for 27, sparked an England collapse from 42 for one to 62 for five before an unbroken stand of 67 between Eoin Morgan (38 not out) and man-of-the-match Michael Yardy (35 not out) saw his side defeated.
"The way my boys played I am very happy. I know it's not a perfect total but the way our boys played was good," Afridi explained.
"At one time it looked like we were going to win this game. But the way Morgan and Yardy played, they did very well," said the all-rounder, who last year led Pakistan to World Twenty20 glory in England.
Afridi, looking ahead to Tuesday's second Twenty20 in Cardiff and the subsequent five one-dayers against England, added: "We are very confident and inshallah (god willing) you will see us play some good cricket."
And he said boosting the confidence of his players would not be a problem for either him or coach Waqar Younis.
"This is my job and the coach's job to lift the morale and keep the guys in high spirits."
But he admitted: "After what has been going on for a week or ten days, it (the situation) has been very difficult."
A smiling Afridi insisted none of his players had bought Sunday's News of the World, saying: "No-one buy, no-one buy".
There had been concerns Pakistan might encounter a hostile reception from spectators but they were well-received by a sporting crowd of just under 11,000 and a delighted Afridi said: "It was good, the people enjoyed the game. We got some good support as well."
England captain Paul Collingwood insisted the controversy raging around Pakistan, stoked by fresh allegations on Sunday, had not distracted his team in any way.
"We were absolutely 100 percent focused on the game."
He added he could understand why some fans might be losing faith in the integrity of cricket.
"Of course I do. We all know we've got to get to the bottom of this and we'll do anything as players, or management, commentators, umpires to eradicate this from the game. It's as simple as that."
Sunday's match was England's first Twenty20 fixture since they beat Australia in the World Twenty20 final in Barbados in May.
"I'm absolutely delighted," said Collingwood.
"It was so nice to get the guys together because it's been a few months since some very fond memories and that success in the Caribbean."
England have dropped Kevin Pietersen from both their limited overs squads even though the admittedly out of form batsman was named man of the tournament at the World Twenty20.
Instead he has returned to county cricket in a bid to regain confidence ahead of England's Ashes defence in Australia later this year and Collingwood said: "I understand the bigger picture in terms of KP going away and getting into some form.
"That's exactly what he's done.
"He's already scored a hundred (for Surrey against Sussex in a 40-over match on Saturday) so we are all delighted for him
"I think with the big winter we've got coming up, you understand these kind of decisions."
US tennis Open showdown nears for Federer, Soderling
[Robin Soderling of Sweden returns the ball to Thiemo de Bakker of the Netherlands at...] Robin Soderling of Sweden returns the ball to Thiemo de Bakker of the Netherlands at the US Open 2010 tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. Soderling moved closer to a possible US Open quarter-final showdown with Roger Federer by reaching the fourth round with a straight-set victory.
NEW YORK (AFP) - – Roger Federer and Robin Soderling moved closer to a US Open quarter-final showdown with straight-set triumphs on a blustery Saturday that also saw Novak Djokovic reach the fourth round.
French Open runner-up Soderling broke 16-time Grand Slam champion Federer's streak of 23 Grand Slam semi-finals in a row with a quarter-final triumph on the Paris red clay over the Swiss superstar who had won their 12 prior matches.
Swedish fifth seed Soderling, who lost the Roland Garros final to top-ranked Rafael Nadal, and world number two Federer each need one more victory to book a rematch on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts after third-round triumphs.
"Everybody has been telling me since the draw came out I'm playing Roger in the quarters. It's still far ahead," Soderling said.
"It's always difficult to play against Roger and I have played him a lot of times. In any tournament they play, Roger and Rafa will be the favorites, but there are a lot of players who can beat them."
Five-time US Open winner Federer hit 13 aces and 31 winners in brisk winds that tested even his formidable skill to down 109th-ranked Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, and reach the last 16.
"The wind was very strong. Tough conditions to play in, especially if you're down in the score," Federer said. "You could tell Mathieu was really struggling after being down. His serve, his returns, everything kind of falls into pieces.
"It's really hard to stay positive when you're down and the wind is the way it is. You have to be careful, maybe not aim at the lines as much. After four games or so, I knew what I could do and what I couldn't."
Soderling beat 48th-ranked Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 in gusty conditions that were remnants from Hurricane Earl's nearby brush a day earlier.
"It was very tough. I was fighting the wind the whole time. During these conditions I played a pretty good match," Soderling said. "It's great to make it to the second week at the US Open. It will be very big next week."
Also advancing to the fourth round was Serbian third seed Djokovic, who eliminated US wildcard James Blake 6-1, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 to book a date with US 19th seed Mardy Fish.
"It felt like Hurricane Earl came to the center court. It was incredible," Djokovic said. "It was a big mental struggle just to stay on the court and stay focused. If James had won the second set it could have been a different match."
Federer, trying for his seventh US Open final in a row, next faces Austrian 13th seed Jurgen Melzer, whom Federer ousted in this year's fourth round at Wimbledon in their only prior meeting.
Soderling will meet Spanish 21st seed Albert Montanes, who led 6-2, 2-1 when 147th-ranked Japanese qualifier Kei Nishikori retired after only 38 minutes with a groin injury.
"He was not well physically so that was lucky for me," Montanes said. "I realized he was very flat. He was not moving. I tried not to think of that but he was moving quite slowly."
Federer, seeking his 64th career title, had won 40 US Open matches in a row before losing last year's final to now-injured Juan Martin Del Potro.
Federer saved a break point on a service winner in the eighth game and broke on an errant Mathieu backhand in the ninth to win the first set and took the second when Mathieu double faulted away breaks in the third and last games.
"The first set was key," Federer said. "After that I was able to break it back and break his will a little bit."
Federer broke Mathieu in the sixth game of the last set, then saved three breaks points in the final game and held to win in 99 minutes.
Melzer beat Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 to book a date with Federer.
"I really enjoyed the way I played," Melzer said. "I was really on top of him and really had the momentum going."
Montanes claimed his first spot in the fourth round in 36 Grand Slam trips. He was among nine Spaniards in the third round, the most at any Open-era Slam.
French 17th seed Gael Monfils fired 17 aces and 56 winners to beat Serbia's 44th-ranked Janko Tipsarevic 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-4.
Monfils booked a fourth-round match with countryman Richard Gasquet, who ousted South African Kevin Anderson 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5. Monfils and Gasquet each matched their best US Open result by reaching the fourth round.
Australia shocked by new fixing claims over Sydney test:
MELBOURNE - Australia's cricketers remain convinced their test victory over Pakistan in Sydney earlier this year was achieved fairly after the contest has once again become the subject of match-fixing allegations.
On Saturday, police in London arrested a man for offering bribes to some Pakistan players for spot fixing in the fourth test against England at Lord's following claims in the tabloid newspaper, the News of the World.
The man also told the newspaper the Sydney test in January, which Australia won by 36 runs after overcoming a 206-run first innings deficit before dismissing Pakistan for 139 in their run chase, had been fixed.
The match was investigated by the ICC's anti-corruption unit, while the Pakistan tour of Australia, in which the tourists lost all of their matches, was the subject to an inquiry by the Pakistani board.
"As a cricketer everything I have seen so far has been quite shocking to tell the truth," Australia captain Ricky Ponting told ABC radio on Monday.
"The way we won was one of the more satisfying moments that I've had on the cricket field.
"And now when some of these things come to light is when you start to slightly doubt some of the things that have happened.
"We all felt that we'd done everything in our power after a shaky start on day one.
"It wasn't until... maybe even a couple of months after that game was over that it all sort of started."
Batsman Mike Hussey, whose 134 not out in the second innings and 123-run ninth wicket stand with Peter Siddle helped set up the win, and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz also told local media they felt the victory was achieved fairly.
Cricket Australia said they were also shocked by the revelations but had no doubt the team had won the match on their merits.
"The reports from the UK are most disturbing and we look forward to the outcome of rigorous investigation by the UK authorities as well as by the ICC," CA chief executive James Sutherland said in a statement on Monday.
"We have no knowledge of the current allegations but by their very nature, they demonstrate the absolute importance of world cricket maintaining its vigilance in relation to anti-corruption."
The man at the centre of the allegations was released without charge on police bail on Monday, according to the BBC.
New Zealand chooses to bowl first vs. Sri Lanka
DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka – New Zealand captain Ross Taylor has won the toss and elected to bowl first in the tri-series match against Sri Lanka at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium on Friday.
The match was orginally scheduled for Thursday but was abandoned because of rain.
Both teams have made three changes from their previous matches.
Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis comes in to replace Suraj Randiv, who was banned for one match for bowling a no-ball to deny India batsman Virender Sehwag his century.
Batsman Thilan Samaraweera and seam bowler Dilhara Fernando were dropped for Chamara Silva and Rangana Herath.
New Zealand left out Martin Guptill, Tim Southee and Andy McKay for Grant Elliot, Peter Ingram and Jacob Oram.
_
Lineups:
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis.
New Zealand: Ross Taylor (captain), Peter Ingram, Kane Williamson, B.J. Watling, Scott Styris, Gareth Hopkins, Grant Elliot, Kyle Mills, Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Daryl Tuffey.
Umpires: Tyron Wijewardena, Sri Lanka and Azad Rauf, Pakistan.
TV Umpire: Ranmore Martinesz, Sri Lanka. Match Referee: Alan Hurst, Australia.
New Zealand put Sri Lanka in to bat
DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka (AFP) - – New Zealand captain Ross Taylor elected to field after winning the toss against Sri Lanka in the triangular one-day series on Friday.
The match is being held on the reserve day after heavy rain washed out play on Thursday.
New Zealand made three changes from the team that lost to the hosts by three wickets in their previous match, replacing Martin Guptill, Tim Southee and Andy McKay with Peter Ingram, Jacob Oram and Grant Elliott.
Sri Lanka, who lost to India by six wickets on Monday, brought in Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath and Chamara Silva in place of Dilhara Fernando, Suraj Randiv and Thilan Samaraweera.
Off-spinner Randiv was banned for one match for apparently bowling a deliberate no-ball in the last game against India to leave Virender Sehwag stranded on 99.
New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka each have one win after two matches. Each side will play the other twice in the preliminary league, with the top two qualifying for the final on August 28.
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath.
New Zealand: Ross Taylor (capt), Peter Ingram, Bradley-John Watling, Kane Williamson, Scott Styris, Gareth Hopkins, Grant Eliott, Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Kyle Mills, Daryl Tuffey.
Umpires: Tyron Wijewardene (SRI) and Asad Rauf (PAK)
TV umpire: Ranmore Martinesz (SRI)
Match referee: Alan Hurst (AUS)
WELLINGTON - Umpires felt that Pakistan bowler Mohammad Amir had delivered a deliberate no-ball during the fourth test against England, but had put it down to tactics rather than spot-fixing at the time, local media reported.
New Zealanders Tony Hill and Billy Bowden had been concerned by an Amir delivery to England's Jonathon Trott during which the teenage bowler overstepped the mark but pitched the ball short.
"We never suspected a thing," Hill told the Dominion Post. "There had been the big overstep in particular and in our minds that was more a deliberate overstep to have a go at Trott, who had been batting so well.
"Billy and I chatted about that and thought it seemed deliberate, especially as it was dropped in short. But it all seemed to be one of those things that fast bowlers have been known to do to get an advantage."
Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif were suspended by the International Cricket Council following a British newspaper report that Amir and Asif had bowled three deliberate no-balls by pre-arrangement on the opening day of the fourth test.
The trio have returned to Pakistan on the condition they be available for police questioning when required and are scheduled to attend an ICC hearing next month.
Police in Britain have since questioned a fourth player Wahab Riaz over the spot-fixing allegations.
"It was my first test at Lord's," Hill added. "It was a special place but it ended up being a game that will be remembered, but not for the right reasons."
Pakistan lost the test series 3-1 and are currently 2-0 down in their five-match one-day series
Suspended Pakistan trio return home
KARACHI - Three Pakistan cricketers at the centre of match-fixing allegations returned home from London early on Saturday.
Salman Butt, Muhammad Amir and Muhammad Asif, who have been provisionally suspended by the International Cricket Council , flew into Lahore where a large crowd, made up of both protesters and supporters, and a heavy police presence awaited them.
The three players, who were interviewed by London's Metropolitan Police as part of an inquiry into allegations of spot-fixing during Pakistan's tour of England, left the airport by a back door and were driven away in waiting vehicles.
Television pictures showed crowds waiting outside the terminal, some carrying banners in support of the players and others waving placards accusing them of disgracing the nation. Some people carried shoes in their hands.
A large contingent of police was at the airport to avoid a repeat of the scenes last week when Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Ijaz Butt, was jeered and heckled on his return home.
Pakistan's interior minister Rehman Malik told the media that the three players were able to fly home after giving assurances that they would return to Britain if needed.
"We have given Scotland Yard surety that if required the cricketers will be available for further investigations," Malik said.
The players were accused in a Sunday newspaper of fixing incidents in matches, such as deliberately bowling no-balls. They say they are innocent.
A fourth player, left-arm pace bowler Wahab Riaz, who is still in England and with the one-day squad, is due to be questioned by Scotland Yard on Tuesday over the allegations.
The Pakistan team still have four one-day matches remaining against England, having already lost the test series 3-1 and a Twenty20 series 2-0.
Afridi calls for Pakistan to focus on cricket
CARDIFF (AFP) - – Pakistan one-day captain Shahid Afridi said he hoped his side could now focus on their cricket rather than bat away a slew of 'fixing' allegations after their return to international duty ended in defeat.
World Twenty20 champions England beat Pakistan by five wickets in the first of a two-match Twenty20 series here on Sunday, holding their opponents to just 126 for four.
This was Pakistan's first fixture since Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif were suspended by the International Cricket Council after newspaper allegations the trio were involved in a betting scam that saw no-balls deliberately bowled in last week's fourth Test at Lord's.
"We have to play to cricket, we don't take these things with us (on to the field)," Afridi told reporters.
Afridi was encouraged by the way Pakistan, with the leg-spinner himself taking two for 27, sparked an England collapse from 42 for one to 62 for five before an unbroken stand of 67 between Eoin Morgan (38 not out) and man-of-the-match Michael Yardy (35 not out) saw his side defeated.
"The way my boys played I am very happy. I know it's not a perfect total but the way our boys played was good," Afridi explained.
"At one time it looked like we were going to win this game. But the way Morgan and Yardy played, they did very well," said the all-rounder, who last year led Pakistan to World Twenty20 glory in England.
Afridi, looking ahead to Tuesday's second Twenty20 in Cardiff and the subsequent five one-dayers against England, added: "We are very confident and inshallah (god willing) you will see us play some good cricket."
And he said boosting the confidence of his players would not be a problem for either him or coach Waqar Younis.
"This is my job and the coach's job to lift the morale and keep the guys in high spirits."
But he admitted: "After what has been going on for a week or ten days, it (the situation) has been very difficult."
A smiling Afridi insisted none of his players had bought Sunday's News of the World, saying: "No-one buy, no-one buy".
There had been concerns Pakistan might encounter a hostile reception from spectators but they were well-received by a sporting crowd of just under 11,000 and a delighted Afridi said: "It was good, the people enjoyed the game. We got some good support as well."
England captain Paul Collingwood insisted the controversy raging around Pakistan, stoked by fresh allegations on Sunday, had not distracted his team in any way.
"We were absolutely 100 percent focused on the game."
He added he could understand why some fans might be losing faith in the integrity of cricket.
"Of course I do. We all know we've got to get to the bottom of this and we'll do anything as players, or management, commentators, umpires to eradicate this from the game. It's as simple as that."
Sunday's match was England's first Twenty20 fixture since they beat Australia in the World Twenty20 final in Barbados in May.
"I'm absolutely delighted," said Collingwood.
"It was so nice to get the guys together because it's been a few months since some very fond memories and that success in the Caribbean."
England have dropped Kevin Pietersen from both their limited overs squads even though the admittedly out of form batsman was named man of the tournament at the World Twenty20.
Instead he has returned to county cricket in a bid to regain confidence ahead of England's Ashes defence in Australia later this year and Collingwood said: "I understand the bigger picture in terms of KP going away and getting into some form.
"That's exactly what he's done.
"He's already scored a hundred (for Surrey against Sussex in a 40-over match on Saturday) so we are all delighted for him
"I think with the big winter we've got coming up, you understand these kind of decisions."
US tennis Open showdown nears for Federer, Soderling
[Robin Soderling of Sweden returns the ball to Thiemo de Bakker of the Netherlands at...] Robin Soderling of Sweden returns the ball to Thiemo de Bakker of the Netherlands at the US Open 2010 tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. Soderling moved closer to a possible US Open quarter-final showdown with Roger Federer by reaching the fourth round with a straight-set victory.
NEW YORK (AFP) - – Roger Federer and Robin Soderling moved closer to a US Open quarter-final showdown with straight-set triumphs on a blustery Saturday that also saw Novak Djokovic reach the fourth round.
French Open runner-up Soderling broke 16-time Grand Slam champion Federer's streak of 23 Grand Slam semi-finals in a row with a quarter-final triumph on the Paris red clay over the Swiss superstar who had won their 12 prior matches.
Swedish fifth seed Soderling, who lost the Roland Garros final to top-ranked Rafael Nadal, and world number two Federer each need one more victory to book a rematch on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts after third-round triumphs.
"Everybody has been telling me since the draw came out I'm playing Roger in the quarters. It's still far ahead," Soderling said.
"It's always difficult to play against Roger and I have played him a lot of times. In any tournament they play, Roger and Rafa will be the favorites, but there are a lot of players who can beat them."
Five-time US Open winner Federer hit 13 aces and 31 winners in brisk winds that tested even his formidable skill to down 109th-ranked Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, and reach the last 16.
"The wind was very strong. Tough conditions to play in, especially if you're down in the score," Federer said. "You could tell Mathieu was really struggling after being down. His serve, his returns, everything kind of falls into pieces.
"It's really hard to stay positive when you're down and the wind is the way it is. You have to be careful, maybe not aim at the lines as much. After four games or so, I knew what I could do and what I couldn't."
Soderling beat 48th-ranked Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 in gusty conditions that were remnants from Hurricane Earl's nearby brush a day earlier.
"It was very tough. I was fighting the wind the whole time. During these conditions I played a pretty good match," Soderling said. "It's great to make it to the second week at the US Open. It will be very big next week."
Also advancing to the fourth round was Serbian third seed Djokovic, who eliminated US wildcard James Blake 6-1, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 to book a date with US 19th seed Mardy Fish.
"It felt like Hurricane Earl came to the center court. It was incredible," Djokovic said. "It was a big mental struggle just to stay on the court and stay focused. If James had won the second set it could have been a different match."
Federer, trying for his seventh US Open final in a row, next faces Austrian 13th seed Jurgen Melzer, whom Federer ousted in this year's fourth round at Wimbledon in their only prior meeting.
Soderling will meet Spanish 21st seed Albert Montanes, who led 6-2, 2-1 when 147th-ranked Japanese qualifier Kei Nishikori retired after only 38 minutes with a groin injury.
"He was not well physically so that was lucky for me," Montanes said. "I realized he was very flat. He was not moving. I tried not to think of that but he was moving quite slowly."
Federer, seeking his 64th career title, had won 40 US Open matches in a row before losing last year's final to now-injured Juan Martin Del Potro.
Federer saved a break point on a service winner in the eighth game and broke on an errant Mathieu backhand in the ninth to win the first set and took the second when Mathieu double faulted away breaks in the third and last games.
"The first set was key," Federer said. "After that I was able to break it back and break his will a little bit."
Federer broke Mathieu in the sixth game of the last set, then saved three breaks points in the final game and held to win in 99 minutes.
Melzer beat Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 to book a date with Federer.
"I really enjoyed the way I played," Melzer said. "I was really on top of him and really had the momentum going."
Montanes claimed his first spot in the fourth round in 36 Grand Slam trips. He was among nine Spaniards in the third round, the most at any Open-era Slam.
French 17th seed Gael Monfils fired 17 aces and 56 winners to beat Serbia's 44th-ranked Janko Tipsarevic 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-4.
Monfils booked a fourth-round match with countryman Richard Gasquet, who ousted South African Kevin Anderson 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5. Monfils and Gasquet each matched their best US Open result by reaching the fourth round.
Australia shocked by new fixing claims over Sydney test:
MELBOURNE - Australia's cricketers remain convinced their test victory over Pakistan in Sydney earlier this year was achieved fairly after the contest has once again become the subject of match-fixing allegations.
On Saturday, police in London arrested a man for offering bribes to some Pakistan players for spot fixing in the fourth test against England at Lord's following claims in the tabloid newspaper, the News of the World.
The man also told the newspaper the Sydney test in January, which Australia won by 36 runs after overcoming a 206-run first innings deficit before dismissing Pakistan for 139 in their run chase, had been fixed.
The match was investigated by the ICC's anti-corruption unit, while the Pakistan tour of Australia, in which the tourists lost all of their matches, was the subject to an inquiry by the Pakistani board.
"As a cricketer everything I have seen so far has been quite shocking to tell the truth," Australia captain Ricky Ponting told ABC radio on Monday.
"The way we won was one of the more satisfying moments that I've had on the cricket field.
"And now when some of these things come to light is when you start to slightly doubt some of the things that have happened.
"We all felt that we'd done everything in our power after a shaky start on day one.
"It wasn't until... maybe even a couple of months after that game was over that it all sort of started."
Batsman Mike Hussey, whose 134 not out in the second innings and 123-run ninth wicket stand with Peter Siddle helped set up the win, and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz also told local media they felt the victory was achieved fairly.
Cricket Australia said they were also shocked by the revelations but had no doubt the team had won the match on their merits.
"The reports from the UK are most disturbing and we look forward to the outcome of rigorous investigation by the UK authorities as well as by the ICC," CA chief executive James Sutherland said in a statement on Monday.
"We have no knowledge of the current allegations but by their very nature, they demonstrate the absolute importance of world cricket maintaining its vigilance in relation to anti-corruption."
The man at the centre of the allegations was released without charge on police bail on Monday, according to the BBC.
New Zealand chooses to bowl first vs. Sri Lanka
DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka – New Zealand captain Ross Taylor has won the toss and elected to bowl first in the tri-series match against Sri Lanka at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium on Friday.
The match was orginally scheduled for Thursday but was abandoned because of rain.
Both teams have made three changes from their previous matches.
Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis comes in to replace Suraj Randiv, who was banned for one match for bowling a no-ball to deny India batsman Virender Sehwag his century.
Batsman Thilan Samaraweera and seam bowler Dilhara Fernando were dropped for Chamara Silva and Rangana Herath.
New Zealand left out Martin Guptill, Tim Southee and Andy McKay for Grant Elliot, Peter Ingram and Jacob Oram.
_
Lineups:
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis.
New Zealand: Ross Taylor (captain), Peter Ingram, Kane Williamson, B.J. Watling, Scott Styris, Gareth Hopkins, Grant Elliot, Kyle Mills, Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Daryl Tuffey.
Umpires: Tyron Wijewardena, Sri Lanka and Azad Rauf, Pakistan.
TV Umpire: Ranmore Martinesz, Sri Lanka. Match Referee: Alan Hurst, Australia.
New Zealand put Sri Lanka in to bat
DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka (AFP) - – New Zealand captain Ross Taylor elected to field after winning the toss against Sri Lanka in the triangular one-day series on Friday.
The match is being held on the reserve day after heavy rain washed out play on Thursday.
New Zealand made three changes from the team that lost to the hosts by three wickets in their previous match, replacing Martin Guptill, Tim Southee and Andy McKay with Peter Ingram, Jacob Oram and Grant Elliott.
Sri Lanka, who lost to India by six wickets on Monday, brought in Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath and Chamara Silva in place of Dilhara Fernando, Suraj Randiv and Thilan Samaraweera.
Off-spinner Randiv was banned for one match for apparently bowling a deliberate no-ball in the last game against India to leave Virender Sehwag stranded on 99.
New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka each have one win after two matches. Each side will play the other twice in the preliminary league, with the top two qualifying for the final on August 28.
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath.
New Zealand: Ross Taylor (capt), Peter Ingram, Bradley-John Watling, Kane Williamson, Scott Styris, Gareth Hopkins, Grant Eliott, Nathan McCullum, Jacob Oram, Kyle Mills, Daryl Tuffey.
Umpires: Tyron Wijewardene (SRI) and Asad Rauf (PAK)
TV umpire: Ranmore Martinesz (SRI)
Match referee: Alan Hurst (AUS)
Aussie paceman Tait rules himself out of Ashes
Australia's Shaun Tait reacts after taking a wicket against England in the World Twenty20 final in Bridgetown in May, 2010. Tait said Monday he will not be available to play in the Ashes Test series against England.
SYDNEY (AFP) - – Australian paceman Shaun Tait said Monday he will not be available to play in the Ashes Test series against England.
Tait, who has just returned home after playing Twenty20 cricket for Welsh county Glamorgan, confirmed he will no longer play in the longer forms of the game, even if asked by the Australian selectors.
Tait, 27, played three one-dayers for Australia in England last month, prompting captain Ricky Ponting to ask the paceman to reconsider playing longer formats.
"He just mentioned it quickly but nothing was really talked about," Tait told reporters.
"I think I have made it quite clear what I'm doing.
"Obviously, you get through a couple of one-day games and a few people get excited, I suppose, and there is talk about it."
Tait made headlines when he hurled down the second fastest ball in history, with a 161.1 kmh (100.1 mph) delivery at Lord's in a man-of-the-match performance against England last month.
"I don't think they (selectors) would ask me to play anyway," the express bowler said of a return for the five-Test home Ashes later this year.
Tait hasn't played first-class cricket since January 2008, a decision he said was taken to protect his body.
"The body has been pretty good, touch wood, I have stayed on the park just playing the shorter forms of the game," he said.
"It's never about anyone else... it's a decision I made for myself and so far I have been happy with it, it's worked pretty well, so I'm sticking by it."
Tait is back in training with his fellow South Australian teammates preparing for next month's
Champions League Twenty20 tournament in South Africa.
SYDNEY – Mat Rogers, who played a combined 56 tests for Australia in both rugby codes, has announced he will retire from the Gold Coast Titans at the end of the National Rugby League season.
The 34-year-old Rogers played 11 rugby league tests for Australia and was a major part of the Kangaroos' World Cup-winning team in 2000.
He switched to rugby union at the height of his representative career and played 45 tests for the Wallabies. He was fullback in the Australian team which lost the World Cup final to England in 2003 in Sydney.
Rogers has played 194 first-grade rugby league matches and has a chance to reach 200 if the Titans progress through the NRL playoffs.
"I feel like I can compete still but I think the time's right to go out," Rogers said Monday. "I think if I'm questioning whether I can go on or not next year, the time's right."
The son of Australian rugby league great Steve Rogers, Mat, a versatile back, followed in his father's footsteps when he made his debut for the Cronulla Sharks in 1995, where he played 123 first-grade matches.
Rogers, also a top goalkicker, trails only his father for the club's all-time point-scoring record.
He played five State-of-Origin matches for Queensland, and was part of the Maroons side which retained the title in 1999.
Playing flyhalf, fullback, wing and center during his rugby union career, Rogers scored 163 points for Australia. He played 45 matches for the New South Wales Waratahs in the Super rugby competition, where he amassed 202 points.
Rogers decided to return to rugby league for the Titans' debut NRL season in 2007, where he has played 71 matches for the Gold Coast.
Australia's Shaun Tait reacts after taking a wicket against England in the World Twenty20 final in Bridgetown in May, 2010. Tait said Monday he will not be available to play in the Ashes Test series against England.
SYDNEY (AFP) - – Australian paceman Shaun Tait said Monday he will not be available to play in the Ashes Test series against England.
Tait, who has just returned home after playing Twenty20 cricket for Welsh county Glamorgan, confirmed he will no longer play in the longer forms of the game, even if asked by the Australian selectors.
Tait, 27, played three one-dayers for Australia in England last month, prompting captain Ricky Ponting to ask the paceman to reconsider playing longer formats.
"He just mentioned it quickly but nothing was really talked about," Tait told reporters.
"I think I have made it quite clear what I'm doing.
"Obviously, you get through a couple of one-day games and a few people get excited, I suppose, and there is talk about it."
Tait made headlines when he hurled down the second fastest ball in history, with a 161.1 kmh (100.1 mph) delivery at Lord's in a man-of-the-match performance against England last month.
"I don't think they (selectors) would ask me to play anyway," the express bowler said of a return for the five-Test home Ashes later this year.
Tait hasn't played first-class cricket since January 2008, a decision he said was taken to protect his body.
"The body has been pretty good, touch wood, I have stayed on the park just playing the shorter forms of the game," he said.
"It's never about anyone else... it's a decision I made for myself and so far I have been happy with it, it's worked pretty well, so I'm sticking by it."
Tait is back in training with his fellow South Australian teammates preparing for next month's
Champions League Twenty20 tournament in South Africa.
SYDNEY – Mat Rogers, who played a combined 56 tests for Australia in both rugby codes, has announced he will retire from the Gold Coast Titans at the end of the National Rugby League season.
The 34-year-old Rogers played 11 rugby league tests for Australia and was a major part of the Kangaroos' World Cup-winning team in 2000.
He switched to rugby union at the height of his representative career and played 45 tests for the Wallabies. He was fullback in the Australian team which lost the World Cup final to England in 2003 in Sydney.
Rogers has played 194 first-grade rugby league matches and has a chance to reach 200 if the Titans progress through the NRL playoffs.
"I feel like I can compete still but I think the time's right to go out," Rogers said Monday. "I think if I'm questioning whether I can go on or not next year, the time's right."
The son of Australian rugby league great Steve Rogers, Mat, a versatile back, followed in his father's footsteps when he made his debut for the Cronulla Sharks in 1995, where he played 123 first-grade matches.
Rogers, also a top goalkicker, trails only his father for the club's all-time point-scoring record.
He played five State-of-Origin matches for Queensland, and was part of the Maroons side which retained the title in 1999.
Playing flyhalf, fullback, wing and center during his rugby union career, Rogers scored 163 points for Australia. He played 45 matches for the New South Wales Waratahs in the Super rugby competition, where he amassed 202 points.
Rogers decided to return to rugby league for the Titans' debut NRL season in 2007, where he has played 71 matches for the Gold Coast.
'Murali was an underachiever against Oz'Indianexpress, Agencies, 10 August 2010
Australia was never a happy hunting ground for Muttiah Muralitharan and the champion Sri Lankan spinner's initial run-ins with umpires and fans had a big role to play in his under-achievement Down Under, feels former Australia coach John Buchanan.
Muralitharan brought down curtains on his five-day career last month in a blaze of glory by becoming the first cricketer to scalp 800 wickets in Tests.
However, he has always been an underachiever against Australia, claiming just 59 wickets in 13 Tests. In comparison, he took 112 wickets in 16 Tests against England, 104 wickets in 15 Tests against South Africa and 105 wickets in 22 Tests against India.
"Australia for any spinner can be an unforgiving location as the wickets are reasonably true for four of the five days of Test matches, " Buchanan was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.
"Murali's early encounter with Australian umpires and crowds were very critical of his action. As a consequence, he may never have felt totally comfortable touring Australia," he said.
"Australia did not play Murali too much on his home soil. The 2004 series which Australia won 3-0 was a triumph for the team's batting group which spent a lot of time analysing and devising strategies to play Murali so that he could not dominate the batting lineup," added Buchanan, who has been roped in by England as a consultant ahead of this year's Ashes.
But the former Australian coach said Muralithran deserves every bit of accolade for his achievements.
"Very few players in any sport can depart their sport with the fairytale ending. Murali has done so and richly deserves such a farewell.
"The game will sadly miss this little character. He like Shane Warne brought colour, energy, special skills and the magic and mystery of spin to all parts of the game. He was a very affable fellow who was a great competitor, but was a very generous person to those he played with and against," Buchanan said.
'Pakistan has technical, confidence issues regarding fielding', says ex-fielding coachAni, ANI, 10 August 2010
London, Aug 10(ANI): Former Pakistan fielding coach Julien Fountain has said that the current Pakistan team has 'technical and confidence-related issues' in the fielding department, which need to be addressed by a specialised fielding coach.
The Pakistan team has been criticised by many former cricketers for their lacklustre fielding performance, including in the second Test against England at Edgbaston, where they missed 14 catching opportunities.
"Specialist coaches are part of today's cricket coaching structure and should be utilized wherever possible in all departments. They have a more detailed knowledge in their particular area as they will have focused on analysing and problem solving specifics where a general coach may have not, or certainly not to such an extent," PakPassion.net quoted Fountain, as saying.
"The Pakistan team management seem to be light years behind in that department and are simply playing catch-up with the rest of the cricketing world."
"The current group of players have technical, as well as confidence-related issues that need to be addressed as soon as possible and can be addressed by a specialised fielding coach," he added.
The 40-year-old further highlighted that the teams that have specialist fielding coaches, including England, are reaping the rewards.
"Fielding is a vital part of cricket, especially in the limited overs formats. If a team is dropping catches like Pakistan are at the moment and letting runs through on a regular basis, they will struggle to win consistently," Fountain said.
"If you give top class players life after life, then you are going to be punished and it makes life very difficult for the bowlers," he added.
Fountain had worked under former coach Bob Woolmer when Pakistan toured England in 2006, as well as a stint in 2001 for a home series and training camp under Richard Pybus. (ANI)
New Zealand, Sri Lanka and India tri-series valuable preparation for WC: TaylorAni, ANI, 10 August 2010
Wellington, Aug 10 (ANI): New Zealand is looking for valuable preparation for the 2011 World Cup on the subcontinent when they play Sri Lanka and India in a three-nation one-day cricket series, according to captain Ross Taylor.
Taylor believes the tournament, starting today at Dambulla where New Zealand play India, will be important for younger members of his squad aspiring to play in the premier one-day event because they will gain experience of pitches similar to those used in the World Cup.
"Definitely, (it's) ideal preparation. Obviously, coming from New Zealand, the pitches are going to play differently but the conditions that we have here and in India and in Bangladesh will be similar to what we are going to experience in the World Cup," NZ Herald quoted Taylor, as saying.
After the tri-series, New Zealand plays a five-match one-day series in Bangladesh in October before embarking on a full tour of India in November and December.
The World Cup, which starts in February, will be jointly hosted by Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh.
"I think it's good, it gives some other players an opportunity and some youngsters the chance to play in the subcontinent as well. If we can have a squad of 20-odd to pick from and push each other, I think it will augur well for the upcoming months and for the World Cup," Taylor said. (ANI)
India are deserving No.1 in ICC rankings: Muralitharan 10 August 2010
Related Matches: ENG vs PAK, 6th Aug 2010
Johannesburg: Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara might find the ICC rankings system flawed but the country's retired spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan feels it is alright and India are a deserving number one in the Test Championships table.
Sangakkara last month questioned the system and said it was not fair as the ICC had not devised a proper home-and-away format in its Future Tour Programme, hinting that Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men had not won series abroad against Sri Lanka, Australia and South Africa.
Muralitharan, who retired last month as Test cricket's highest wicket taker, had a completely different view on the system and said it was not necessary for a team to beat all other sides on tours before becoming number one.
"India deserve to be the number one Test side because they won a lot of matches. They won against Australia in Australia, they won against England in England and they drew the recent series in Sri Lanka 1-1," he said on the eve of the launch of Champions League Twenty20 here.
"You can't criticise by saying that the point system is not good. That means you are trying to find fault with everyone. When some team deserves credit it should be given, you have to be honest," Muralitharan said.
"I think you can't justify by saying that you have to win home and away and then only you can be the number one. When Australia was the number one Test side, they had lost a series against us in Sri Lanka. Only in 2004, Australia won a series against us in Sri Lanka," he added.
"I think the ICC have got a system in place and they have done it to the best of their ability. It is fair enough and whoever is number one under this, they deserve it. No system can be perfect. There are nine Test playing countries and if you try to play home and away matches by each country, it will take five-six years to rotate and it is impractical," he said.
Muralitharan refused to dwell much on his recent attack on former Indian captain and his untiring critic Bishen Singh Bedi and said "I don't care what the reaction is from other people" after his outburst. Whatever I have said, I have said. That's it," he replied when asked if he had planned the verbal attack on Bedi.
Asked if he was surprised by the criticism from former Indian cricketers like Erapalli Prasanna and Maninder Singh for his criticism of Bedi, he said, "I don't care what anybody says. Whatever I have said is said. Whether they take it or not I don't care."
Muralitharan retired from Test cricket at 37 and he feels age should not be a criteria in judging an athlete. "I don't think age should be the criteria as long as you are fit. Performance is the criteria. Sachin Tendulkar is 37 and he is getting a century, double hundred and everything. I also took lots of wicket before retiring. Experience is the advantage in Test cricket though there should be balance. A mixture of youth and experience is ideal," he said.
Paul Casey says Woods' struggle leaves PGA open AFP -
With Tiger Woods' in danger of losing his No. 1 golf ranking and struggling to find his game, Paul Casey (pictured) says this week's PGA Championship could be there for the taking.
SHEBOYGAN, Wisconsin (AFP) - – With Tiger Woods' in danger of losing his No. 1 ranking and struggling to find his game, Paul Casey says this week's PGA Championship could be there for the taking.
Casey says the 14-time major winner's woes on the golf course are a topic conversation in the players' locker room and the Englishman feels he has as good chance as anyone to succeed at this week's PGA Championship.
"I am a much better player than I was back in 2001 when I first got on the professional tour," Casey said between practice rounds on Tuesday.
"Even when you get these guys, Phil (Mickelson) and Tiger, playing great golf, we now are at a level where we can compete with them.
"Maybe not day in and day out but when we are at our best, we can certainly win tournaments when they are in the field."
There have been six first-time winners in the past seven major championships and the door is open for another newcomer to join the club says Casey. Woods has lost some of his aura and Mickelson revealled Tuesday he has been diagnosed with a severe but treatable form of arthritis.
"There is a slightly different feel," said Casey, who is fresh off a tie for third place at the British Open at St. Andrews.
"Certainly this week, the feeling in the locker room is different. Guys feel with the way he (Woods) played the past week that this is wide open. That's not a feeling a lot of guys have had before.
"Graeme McDowell played tremendous golf at the US Open. So did Louis (Oosthuizen) at the Open Championship. That combined with the way Tiger played last week I think guys now feel that there are multiple possible winners this week. It's not a feeling we've had in a while."
Casey missed the 2009 PGA Championship with a rib injury and didn't make the cut at Whistling Straits in 2004. He said he can relate to what Woods is going through because he had to battle his own troubles a couple of years ago.
"If you don't have stuff in the right place or if you are not happy away from the golf course then you are not going to find it on the golf course," Casey said.
"When I was playing my worst golf I was also very unhappy off the golf course and vice versa."
