Mendis blows away strong India batting

Mendis blows away strong India batting

COLOMBO, July 14: Yuvraj Singh marked his return to form with a sparkling century but a batting disaster left India on their knees at close on an eventful second day of their warm-up game against Sri Lanka Board President’s XI on Wednesday.

Replying to the home team’s mammoth first innings total of 514 for nine declared, the Indians were bundled out for 291 at the fag end of the day with mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis scalping six wickets at the Colts Cricket Club.

India were still trailing by 223 runs when stumps were drawn for the day and the home team has the option to enforce a follow-on when the third and final day begins tomorrow. Mendis gave away just 67 runs in his 17.2 overs and denied India a chance to redeem their pride after having failed terribly while bowling.

India draw 3-3 with Belgium in 1st hockey Test

India draw 3-3 with Belgium in 1st hockey Test

New Delhi, July 14: Drag-flicker Sandeep Singh’s twin strikes went in vain as India were held to a 3-3 draw by Belgium in the first hockey Test match at Temse, Belgium. Sandeep converted two penalty corners for India in the 26th and 28th minute of the match yesterday, while the third goal was scored by Vikas Pillay (58th).

For Belgium Jeff Thys (13th minute), Jerome Truyens (48th) and Thomas Briels (59th) were the goal-getters. The second Test between the two sides will be played at Antwerp tomorrow. In yesterday’’s encounter, Belgium began strongly with an attack by Greg Gucassoff after being set up with an overhead pass from his captain Truyens, but the danger was waived off momentarily by an alert Indian goalkeeper P Sreejesh. Shortly after, Belgium created a fast break through the centre but Cedric Charlier’’s short went wide off the target.

Dhoni signs Rs 200 crore deal

Dhoni signs Rs 200 crore deal

New Delhi, July 13: Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has signed a deal worth nearly Rs.200 crore with Rhiti Sports Management and Mindscapes One, a sports and talent management firm.

The two-year contract makes Dhoni the world's highest-paid cricketer surpassing even Sachin Tendulkar, who had signed a deal worth Rs 180 crore with Iconix, a sports management company in 2006.

The deal has mandated the two companies to manage Dhoni's various endorsements and brand assosiations besides his corporate profile, patents and digital rights.

While Rhiti Sports is headed by Dhoni's business associate Arun Pandey, Mindscape One is run by Pratik Sen, who earlier managed the Indian skipper's endorsements.

Earlier Dhoni was associated with sports management firm Gameplan Sports. He joined Mindscapes Maestros in the year 2009 along with three promoters.

Currently Dhoni is associated with 22 brands including PepsiCo, Aircel and Godrej. (IANS)

Saina confident of extending unbeaten run

Saina confident of extending unbeaten run

New Delhi, July 13: After her three-title winning streak last month, top Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal looks confident of taking her unbeaten run into the World Championships next month.

The 20-year-old from Hyderabad won three titles in three weeks, including two Super Series events, in June and was Tuesday named the captain of the nine-member squad for the World Championships in Paris.

World No. 3 Saina said she is not in awe of facing Chinese players in the Championships and she has comfortably beaten them in the recent past.

“I cannot predict which round I will reach in the World Champioships, but I hope I win the tournament,” said Saina, who was faciliated by Badminton Association of India (BAI) and team sponsors Premier Brands for her achievement here Tuesday.

Spin legend Warne backs ‘special’ Smith

Spin legend Warne backs ‘special’ Smith

SYDNEY, July 12: Australia legend Shane Warne said rookie Steve Smith has “all the toys” to become a top leg-spinner ahead of his likely Test debut against Pakistan, but warned against setting expectations too high. Warne told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph newspaper that while the 21-year-old could ultimately become “something special”, his development was far from complete. “He is pretty raw and a work in progress — nowhere near the finished product,” said Warne. “He really has to make sure he keeps his feet on the ground. We shouldn’t be expecting too much of him just yet.” Smith, who has just 13 first-class games to his name, is expected to play in the first Test at Lord’s in London from Tuesday, in a series which was moved from Pakistan over security concerns. Warne said he would have preferred Smith to be given more time to develop and hoped expectations would not be too high.

Why world’s swiftest sprinters are of African origin

Why world’s swiftest sprinters are of African origin

Washington, July 12: Scientists may have uncovered why the world’s fastest sprinters are usually of West African origin. The centre of gravity tends to be located higher on the body of blacks than whites, according to new research.

However, the research team — Adrian Bejan, professor of engineering at Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering, Edward Jones, a Ph D candidate at Cornell University currently teaching at Howard University, and Duke graduate Jordan Charles — believes these differences are not racial, but rather biological.

No Indo-Pak cricket now: Pawar

No Indo-Pak cricket now: Pawar

MUMBAI, July 8: Newly-appointed ICC president Sharad Pawar on Thursday said that immediate resumption of cricket ties between India and Pakistan is not possible.

“Immediate ties between both countries is not possible. It is not in the hands of the cricket boards. It is a diplomatic issue. This is a decision taken by the Indian government,” Pawar said.

Asked about demands for the introduction of day-night Tests to save the longer format of the game, Pawar said the “issue has not reached his ear”.

“We are only administrators. If needed, I will let the experts take a call (on the issue),” he said.

Spain, Netherlands in ‘classic’ World Cup final

Spain, Netherlands in ‘classic’ World Cup final

JOHANNESBURG, July 8: A new champion will be crowned at the World Cup on Sunday, when Spain meets the Netherlands in a final which has the potential to be a classic.

Well-organized and experienced but blessed with finesse and flair, Spain has the players to outplay any team in the world.

The Dutch have forwards,

Spain tame Germany 1-0, book WCup final berth

STAFF WRITER 2:24 HRS IST

Durban, July 7 (PTI) Spain today scripted history by qualifying for their maiden World Cup final since their first appearance 76 years ago with a 1-0 victory over three-time champions Germany to set up a summit clash against the Netherlands here today.

Central defender Carles Puyol scored the winner in the 73rd minute, heading home a corner in an absorbing semifinal which though lacked the spark in terms of goals and scoring chances, at the Mabhida Moses Stadium.

Spain's best show in a World Cup before today had been a fourth-place finish in 1950 but at that time the champion team was decided after a final round league format.

Vicente Del Bosque's 'La Furia Roja' side will now take on the Netherlands at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg on July 11 in the grand finale which will saw a new World Cup winner being crowned.

Clarke and Waqar salute ‘amazing’ Murali

Clarke and Waqar salute ‘amazing’ Murali

BIRMINGHAM, July 7: Australia’s Michael Clarke paid tribute to Muttiah Muralitharan after the prolific bowler announced his intention to retire from Test cricket, saying the Sri Lanka off-spinner was an ‘amazing player’.

A Sri Lanka Cricket statement issued on Tuesday said the 38-year-old had decided to quit Tests after the home series opener against India in Galle starting on July 18.

Muralitharan is the most successful bowler in international cricket history with record hauls in both Tests (792 wickets) and one-day formats (515).

Clarke joked Muralitharan’s decision was a reflection of the bowler’s belief in his ability to take the eight Tests wickets he needed for 800 in a single match.

“How many wickets has he got? 792. He’s confident then, one more Test. I think he is an amazing player,” Australia’s Twenty20 captain added.

“Over a long period of time, statistics don’t lie,” the top-order batsman insisted. “I think a lot of batters around the world will be very happy they don’t have to face him anymore.

“I guess on behalf of all Australia cricketers, and all Australian fans who’ve had the opportunity to watch him, congratulations are well and truly deserved. He’s been an amazing ambassador for Sri Lankan cricket and what a talent, what a career. I really hope he gets those eight wickets.”

Spaniards set up title clash with Dutch

Spaniards set up title clash with Dutch

DURBAN, July 7: Spain needed a 73rd minute goal from defender Carles Puyol to edge past Germany 1-0 in Durban on Wednesday and set up a World Cup final against Netherlands.

Puyol climbed above the defence to head the winner from a Xavi corner and send Spain to their first World Cup final. The Spaniards dominated most of the match but struggled to finish off a German side that was lacking their usual pace.

European champions Spain dominated possession early on and needed only five minutes to carve out their first chance against a nervous German defence.

Spain forward Pedro, who started ahead of the misfiring Fernando Torres, played the ball for David Villa, who caught Arne Friedrich napping but could not beat keeper Manuel Neuer.

Bolt says 2016 Olympics may be his last

LAUSANNE: Jamaican triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt said on Tuesday he may end his record-breaking career after the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

"My aim is to go to two more Olympics." he said. "I probably will retire in Brazil, 2016. I will probably stop then."

The Olympic and world 100 and 200 metres champion and world record holder was speaking during a question-and-answer session with 400 sport and business executives.

They almost filled a business school auditorium to hear the outgoing Jamaican offer light and serious comments for nearly an hour.

Bolt, who turns 24 in August, said he might even try a new event like the long jump or 400 metres for his final act.

"If you continue to break records, then you are pretty much going to get bored after a while," he said. "You can't really accomplish anything else. I want to be a legend in sports."

"After the world championships and the Olympics in London, I probably will try something else."

Both his coach Glen Mills and many fellow-Jamaicans have hoped for several years that the lanky Bolt would try the 400 but he has always resisted.

Bolt said his main goal at the moment was to stay undefeated since there were no world championships or Olympics this year.

He is currently recovering from a strained Achilles tendon and will run a 100 metres at the Lausanne Diamond League meeting on Thursday, stepping down from a previously announced 200.

"The doctor does not want him to risk running the turn," manager Ricky Simms said.
TOI

Holland beat Uruguay to reach World Cup final

CAPE TOWN: Playmaker Wesley Sneijder inspired Netherlands to a 3-2 victory over battling Uruguay on Tuesday that sent them back to the World Cup final after a 32-year wait where they will play in an all-European clash.


Sneijder, scorer of both goals in the 2-1 quarter-final win over Brazil, was on target in the 70th minute to put the Dutch 2-1 ahead before Arjen Robben got a third three minutes later.

Maximiliano Pereira grabbed a second goal for Uruguay in added time but despite a late spell of pressure from the South Americans it was too late to stop the Dutch marching on.

Netherlands progress to their third World Cup final with the win setting up a showdown with either Spain or Germany.

"First final since '74 and '78, that came up in my mind in the second half," said Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk. "It's so very special and as a small country we can be so proud."

"After the second and third we should have scored a fourth. That would have prevented that final phase. But this is a World Cup. It doesn't matter how you do it it's all about the result."

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez told a news conference: "I'm very proud of my players... our opponents were better when it came to scoring goals against us. We went very far, no one expected that, so that helps the sadness of the defeat."

Midfielder Egidio Arevalo added: "We had a good World Cup. A lot of years have passed since we've done so well."

Uruguay last reached the World Cup semifinal in 1970.

The first half at Green Point Stadium ended 1-1 after superb long-range strikes from left back Giovanni van Bronckhorst for Netherlands and forward Diego Forlan for the Uruguayans.

EARLY CHANCE

Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera handed the Dutch an early chance when he failed to hold Robben's cross and the ball fell to Dirk Kuyt but he fired over the bar.

Robben had a shot blocked by his own player before Van Bronckhorst put the Dutch ahead in the 18th minute with a powerful, rising shot which went in off the far post.

The goal sparked the Uruguayans -- missing striker Luis Suarez through suspension and captain Diego Lugano through injury -- into life and they began to attack with more purpose.

They levelled four minutes before halftime when Forlan collected a pass, cut inside his marker and scored with a long-range shot that caught goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg wrongfooted although he did get a touch.

The Dutch had more possession after the break but it was Uruguay who created the better openings.

Alvaro Pereira's chip was headed off the line by Van Bronckhorst and Forlan's curling free kick forced Stekelenburg to turn the ball away at the foot of his near post.

Robben then wasted a golden chance for the Dutch when he fired wide when a rebound landed on his weaker right foot.

But Sneijder put the Dutch back in front with a shot through a forest of legs for his fifth goal of the tournament to become joint top scorer with Spain's David Villa.

Three minutes later, Robben scored with a perfectly placed downward header after Kuyt's cross from the left and although Uruguay got a second goal through Pereira the Dutch triumphed.

European champions Spain play Germany in Durban in the other semifinal on Wednesday with the winners playing Netherlands in Sunday's World Cup final at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

It will be Europe's 10th World Cup win in 19 finals but the first by a European side outside their own continent.

The Dutch lost both their previous finals in 1974 and 1978 to hosts West Germany and Argentina respectively.

Brazil and Argentina are the only teams to have won the trophy on a foreign continent with Brazil successful in Sweden in 1958, Mexico 1970, the United States in 1994 and Japan in 2002, while Argentina won in Mexico in 1986.

A European victory in Sunday's final at Soccer City, Johannesburg, means they will have 10 World Cup successes, one more than South America.

Paes-Black win Wimbledon mixed doubles title

LONDON: Leander Paes notched up his 12th Grand Slam title after he and his Zimbabwean partner Cara Black clinched the Wimbledon mixed doubles championship with a straight set victory on Sunday.

Last year's runners-up and second seeds Paes and Black beat 11th seeds South African-American pair of Wesley Moodie and Lisa Raymond 6-4, 7-6 (5) in the finals.

With this win, Paes now have 12 Grand Slam titles -- six men's doubles and six mixed doubles Grand Slam crowns -- one more than his estranged men's doubles partner and fellow Indian Mahesh Bhupathi.

Paes and Black, who put up an impressive performance coming into the final, broke their rivals thrice and pocketed the first set 6-4 in just 37 minutes.

The first set featured as many as five breaks of serve, including one for every player in the first five games.

The second set, which turned out to be a grueling affair, saw both the parties held their serves, although both Black and Raymond each struggled in one game.

The Indo-Zimbabwean pair had earned a break point in the seventh game but couldn't convert it. In the next game, Wesley and Lisa also failed to covert a break point as the set went into a tie-breaker after a 6-6 stalemate.

In the thrilling tie-breaker, the South African-American pair moved into the 4-2 lead but Paes and Black made a successful comeback with some sharp returns and surged ahead 6-5 before the Indian sealed the resounding victory with a volley at the net.

Paes and Black had each won the title before with different partners.

Paes has lifted the trophy twice previously - with Martina Navratilova in 2003 and Lisa Raymond in 1999 - while Black won it with brother Wayne in 2004.

TOI

Dhoni continues to lead the ICC ODI batsmen ranking

Dhoni continues to lead the ICC ODI batsmen ranking

DUBAI, July 4: India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is set to start a new innings after marrying childhood friend Shakshi Singh Rawat in Dehradun, continued to top the ICC ODI batsmen chart released on Sunday.

With 807 ratting points, Dhoni is just two points ahead of South Africa's AB de Villiers in the list, which also has Sachin Tendulkar in the sixth spot.

Among others, Australia's vice-captain Michael Clarke has climbed 10 places to the 15th position, just ahead of teammate Shane Watson who has improved his ranking by two places.

England's Paul Collingwood has improved his ranking by two places after his series contribution of 209 runs against Australia, while Andrew Strauss has moved to 39th spot after scoring 191 runs in the series.

However, Kevin Pietersen has slipped five places to 33rd spot after managing just 95 runs.

In the rankings for ODI bowlers, Australia fast bowlers Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris and England's off-spinner Graeme Swann have achieved career-best rankings after rocketing into the top 20 bracket.

For his nine wickets in the series, Bollinger has been rewarded with a jump of 10 places which puts him along side Kyle Mills of New Zealand in fifth position, while Harris has vaulted 21 places to claim 15th spot following his series haul of 10 wickets.

Swann, who grabbed eight wickets in the series, has leaped 15 places to sit in 17th position. He is the third England bowler inside the top 20 behind Stuart Broad (eighth) and James Anderson (13th).

With England winning the five-ODI series 3-2 which concluded at Lord's on Saturday, Strauss's side gained one place in the ICC ODI Championship to reach the fourth position just behind India, while Australia retained its position at the top of the table.

Daniel Vettori of New Zealand leads the bowling table from Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan while Nuwan Kulasekara of Sri Lanka is third. (PTI)

Netherlands stun Brazil to enter semifinals

PORT ELIZABETH: If this was the game Johan Cruyff would not pay to go and watch, he has a bleak future on Wall Street. Little Wesley Sneijder, the shortest man on the field, soared over Brazil's tall, hulking defenders to turn an encounter that seemed to be headed Brazil's way into that classic we had all put our money on.

In a second half that was whizzing past like a blur, two goals within a quarter of an hour by the intelligent, peppy Dutch No. 10 derailed the Brazilian freight-train that had threatened to mow down everything in its path at the World Cup here. The Brazilians are now headed home, while coach Dunga, who controversially substituted beauty for efficiency and snubbed Ronaldinho, has almost certainly reached the end of his tenure. Asked about his future, he tersely told reporters, "We knew when I started that I would be here for four years."

Dunga had taken over after Brazil crashed out in the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup, and surely expected to improve on that showing here. But Sneijder had other plans. Fifty minutes into the game, a goal down and the Brazilians all over the Dutchmen, the Inter Milan playmaker showed great intuition - schooled no doubt from the Milan club training sessions - when he floated a harmless ball long into a crowded Brazilian area.

It was not the Jabulani that wobbled in the air this time, it was Brazil's cocky-looking Julio Cesar, the least busy man in all of the southern hemisphere these past three weeks. Sneijder's club colleague panicked, came off his line early and was blinded by an equally enthusiastic Felipe Melo, who came in his path, and the ball nestled into the net. One-all. Game on! The Dutch had seized the initiative, and never gave it back.

A quarter of an hour after he had provided Sneijder with the opportunity, Arjen Robben again emerged from under the skin of the Brazilians for a brief instant. His record-high irritability index intact, this time he saw his corner flicked on by the head of the tireless, but that most un-Oranje of Dutchmen, Dirk Kuyt. The ball flew past the raised heads of Juan, Lucio and Maicon, who were so tutored in the game of the plain pattern that they marked Van Bommel and Andre Ooijer, the tall Dutchmen, and forgot to mark this little ferret running around their legs. A neat header in and suddenly, it was such an uphill battle for Dunga's Brazilians.

Had he prepared his team for such a situation in which they were down and fighting their way up, the Brazilian coach was asked later. "We never prepare our teams to lose," was his terse reply. But the truth was that in going forward all the time, it is possible that Dunga's Brazil did not know how to come back. And football at the highest level demands that of you. Their famed composure suddenly looked so fragile when Sneijder led the assault upon Mt Brazil here. Their misery was compounded when, with 10 minutes to go, Felipe Melo, him of the wafer-thin temperament, stomped on Robben's leg after the ball had passed them by.

Did Robben ask for it? His endless needling of the Brazilians was going to reach flashpoint, but like guile in football does to you, it was Brazil that fell for it. "Go and see what Felipe Melo has done to Robben's leg," the Netherlands' normally unflappable coach Bert Van Marwijk told a journalist later. "Brazil should be ashamed of it," he added. How different the story was only 45 minutes ago. Van Marwijk himself admitted that a mere 1-0 at the culmination of a 45-minute Brazilian onslaught gave them hope. Else, the story could have been so different.

Brazil, in their away Blue, donned also the attacking idea of their famed rivals, surprising many. Outraged at this impostor-act, the Orange-men led by Sneijder set about teaching the South Americans a lesson and wrested the game away from them. In this see-saw battle, Robin van Persie and Robben were profligate, an extravagance the Brazilians would certainly punish.

They did, though a goal was a result of a strange Dutch disjointedness, and a defensive error by John Heitinga who stopped chasing Robinho when he watched Robben was on his heels. When his ball tore through the Dutch fabric and found Robinho, it was the last contribution by Melo in the clash. The Dutch reply was credited to him and then came the card against Robben.

But, it could have been so different.

Kaka showed he had the muscle and the stomach for a fight, when he fought off the advances off Nigel De Jong and Mark van Bommel. Once he had the lumbering Dutchmen out of the way, he grew in strength, taking control of the midfield and the onus of creativity from Sneijder, his opposite No 10, to put up a show of their vintage game. Just before the break, Dani Alves almost did a Pele from 1970 when he set up the locomotive-like Maicon without looking up. The thunderous shot by the Brazilian right back was narrowly out.

But it was the flying save by Maarten Stekelenburg half an hour in the game to a Kaka lob that was to prove the turning point as far as the Dutch were concerned.

TOI

Uruguay in WCup semifinals for 1st time since '70

STAFF WRITER 9:8 HRS IST

Johannesburg, Jul 3 (AP) Uruguay reached the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1970, beating Ghana 4-2 on penalties after the last African team in the tournament was denied victory by a cynical handball and a missed penalty in the last seconds of extra time.

The two-time champion Uruguayans advanced to face the Netherlands in the semifinals after Sebastian Abreu casually chipped the last penalty straight down the middle to secure the win, after a 1-1 draw following 120 minutes of play last night.

Asamoah Gyan had a chance to secure Africa's first ever World Cup semifinal spot for Ghana, but he hit the crossbar with a penalty after Uruguay forward Luis Suarez was sent off for handling the ball on the line.

"I think I made the best save of the World Cup," Suarez said, labeling it "the hand of Suarez.

ICC to reduce number of teams in 50-over World Cup

SINGAPORE: The International Cricket Council said it may consider increasing the number of participating teams in the World Twenty20 while reducing the number in the 50-over World Cup.

The working groups of the Chief Executive Committee and the Governance Review Committee, which met during the two-day ICC Executive Board meeting, have discussed many a measures to revamp international cricket and have been asked to submit a final proposal in this regard in September.

"Although we have made good progress, this exercise requires more work. We know there are exciting opportunities to protect and promote all three formats but we must exercise patience as we consider all aspects in introducing context and content in international cricket," ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in an ICC statement.

"There is clearly an appetite from all quarters to examine the make-up of the ICC Cricket World Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 and seek the best balance between excellence and development. In terms of the number of participating teams, it is possible that the World Cup could be reduced and the World Twenty20 expanded," he said.

The ICC also announced that the next Twenty20 World Cup will be held in Sri Lanka in 2012 while the 2014 edition of the event will be hosted by Bangladesh.

The ICC also awarded the 2013 Women's World Cup and the Champions Trophy the same year to India and England respectively, apart from naming Australia and New Zealand as the joint hosts for the 50-over World Cup in 2015.

Among other decisions, the game's governing body also exonerated Australian umpire Daryl Harper for the faults he committed while officiating a South Africa-England Test at the Wanderers in January this year.

"The preliminary findings of Advocate Brent Lockie and ICC Cricket Committee chairman Clive Lloyd acknowledge that the technology failure at the time adversely impacted on the information received by the third umpire Daryl Harper while making his decision.

"The ICC and the England and Wales Cricket Board agreed that the third umpire in the match, Daryl Harper, was entirely blameless due to this technical failure," the statement said.

The ICC also said that it was keen to continue with the Decision Review System and want it to be used in the 2011 World Cup in the sub-continent and also in Test matches.

"I am encouraged by everyone's ongoing willingness to improve the future application of DRS," Lorgat said.

TOI

Pawar new ICC president, world cricket divided over Howard’s rejection

Pawar new ICC president, world cricket divided over Howard’s rejection

Singapore/Melbourne, July 1: Indian Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Thursday took over the reins of the International Cricket Council (ICC) on a day when the game’s governing body stood divided in two blocks following the rejection of former Australian prime minister John Howard's nomination for the vice president's post. Pawar, however, attempted to downplay the brouhaha.

Cricket Australia (CA) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC), which floated Howard's nomination, were left seething in anger as the strong African and Asian block, including the Indian cricket board, opposed Howard’s candidature at the ICC executive board meeting on Wednesday. Only England, Australia and New Zealand supported Howard, thus forcing the ICC to ask CA and NZC to withdraw his nomination.

Howard was adamant, saying he was not withdrawing his nomination. “I won’t be withdrawing,” the Australian media quoted Howard as saying on Thursday.

Pawar, 69, who took over as ICC president from David Morgan Thursday, had openly backed Howard for the job but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) backtracked, rejecting Howard's candidature.

No reason was provided for the rejection of Howard's nomination, though it is understood that his opposition to Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe and his outspoken views on Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan's controversial bowling action were some of the reasons behind his rejection.

Pawar, 69, who became the second Indian after Jagmohan Dalmiya to occupy the top ICC post, sought to downplay the issue.

“What is the political connotation? There is no question of political connotation,” Pawar said at a press conference in Singapore.

“No, I don’t think so at all (that there will be a divide). We have discussed the matter individually and collectively with everybody including Australia, England and New Zealand also. We took a collective decision," Pawar told Indian news channel CNN-IBN in an interview.

“I’m not worried because it's a democratic organisation. According to the ICC constitution if any four members oppose a proposal, it cannot be passed. That's why we have requested Australia and New Zealand to give a second thought and come out with a new proposal," he added.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said the Council is not obliged to spell out the reason for Howard's failed nomination.

“The ICC does not have give those reasons. There were not sufficient number of directors in support of the nomination, (it) did not go to a vote and the outcome was to request Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket to reconsider their nomination," Lorgat said.

The ICC has asked Australia and New Zealand to nominate a new candidate by the end of August.

“We (will) wait for their recommendation," Pawar said.

Had Howard been elected, he would have succeeded Pawar as ICC president in 2012.

Not mincing words, CA chairman Jack Clarke said he felt "gutted and deeply disappointed".

“If you keep having processes that don't work, or are not allowed to work, I am not too sure where they go from there. John wasn't putting his hand up for this job, he was asked by us,” added Clarke.

“You hope it doesn't affect the relationship but it obviously puts a block there for a while and makes you wary."

Although Clarke did not blame India for Howard's rejection, he reasoned the country's financial clout in the ICC had guided the outcome.

“In any business model where a company has 75 per cent of the income, it’s not an ideal model,” he said. “But that is not India’s fault ... it’s a powerful bloc but it’s a reality of life,” Fox Sports quoted Clarke as saying.

New Zealand Cricket chairman Alan Isaac found the rejection of Howard's nomination unacceptable. "We have been unable to get a reason for the lack of support for our nomination and it's just not acceptable," Isaac said.

Pawar's overwhelming support in BCCI has waned after his support of Lalit Modi during the Indian Premier League controversy, and with the latest row over Howard, the veteran politican will have much in hand during his tenure.

Should CA and NZC decide to admit defeat on Howard, it is likely that former NZC and ICC administrator John Anderson would be sought again, having lost out to the former Australian prime minister in a selection process that was hotly-debated by the two countries.

Former ICC CEO Malcolm Speed said Howard was rejected because of his opposition to Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe.

“Rest assured, he (Howard) was not rejected because of his lack of experience as a cricket administrator, his strong opposition to Robert Mugabe's disastrous regime in Zimbabwe or his outspoken views about Muttiah Muralitharan's controversial bowling action. There is more to it than that,” Speed said in his column in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Speed also alleged Pawar knows little about cricket administration.

“The man who is to be the next ICC president, Sharad Pawar, is the Minister for Agriculture in the Indian government - a serious full-time job, feeding 1.2 billion people. He is a good and fair man but he will be working part-time as ICC president and, take it from me, he knows little about cricket administration,” Speed said. (IANS)

Flying Dutchmen undaunted by Brazil

Flying Dutchmen undaunted by Brazil

Coach Dunga has a few injury and suspension worries. Ramires is suspended while Elano has been confirmed to be out with an ankle injury.

Felipe Melo is training normally but he may not start on Friday afternoon. Daniel Alves will be the replacement for Elano while Josue or Kleberson will be drafted in as replacement for Ramires.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Bastos; Gilberto Silva, Josue; Alves, Kaka, Robinho; Luis Fabiano

The Dutch have no injury concerns. Arjen Robben will start again and coach Bert van Marwijk is unlikely to chance his lineup. In a 4-2-3-1 formation, Mark van Bommel and Nigel De Jong will be the two central midfielders entrusted with the task of protecting the back four and breaking Brazilian moves while Arjen Robben and Dirk Kuyt will be the two widemen with Wesley Sneijder playing through the middle.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg, Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst; Van Bommel, De Jong; Robben, Sneijder, Kuyt; Van Persie

PORT ELIZABETH, July 1: The impressive Dutch march through the World Cup finals might hit a brick wall on Friday when they meet a Brazil side in startling form and looking everything like becoming champions for a sixth time.

Netherlands have their sights set on lifting the trophy themselves but coach Bert van Marwijk faces a tactical dilemma for a quarterfinal in Port Elizabeth against a team that has mercilessly punished their opponents, whatever their approach.

With three forwards, Chile boldly attacked the Samba Boys in their second round encounter but lost 3-0 after being torn to shreds by a side that looked close to flawless in all areas of the pitch.

Likewise, putting up the shutters in defence does not seem to work much either, with the likes of the brilliant Kaka, Robinho and Luis Fabiano relentlessly chipping away.

Coach Dunga, who was captain when Brazil beat Netherlands in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, said their opponents were technically strong and his team had to be prepared.

However, accommodation arrangements and an unfamiliar training venue seemed to be more of a concern to Dunga than the threat of Brazil's in-form and confident opponents.

“It interferes with things,” he said. “We will have to share a hotel with more people, there will be more confusion, and we will have to overcome this situation. Now, we are going to move to another reality,” he said.

Elano will be missing on Friday with a bruised ankle sustained during Brazil's game with Ivory Coast and Dani Alvez will likely fill the void, as he did against Chile.

Felipe Melo has an ankle injury and his replacement Ramires is suspended for two yellow cards, meaning Josue will likely get a start against the Dutch.

Netherlands have won all four of their matches and Arjen Robben's early goal on his return from injury in their 2-1 win over Slovakia has given the team a major lift.

They have endured criticism about dull play but winger Ryan Babel insisted the Dutch had so far faced opponents who had used negative tactics and Brazil's attacking flair would bring the best out of them.

“We play our better games against teams that want to play football as well and on Friday, Brazil is not going to wait,” he said.

Van Marwijk believes his team can go all the way having been in control in their group matches. He will be expecting something entirely different against Brazil, however.

“Perhaps we might be the underdogs for the first time in South Africa. We are confident but the Brazilians also convey this confidence. It’s almost like they’re invincible,” he said.

“But we’re here for one reason, to get the big prize. We have to believe in it,” he said. (Agencies)