Sri Lankan veteran Sanath Jayasuriya has rated Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and compatriot Aravinda de Silva as his favourite batsmen, reports PTI from Colombo.
“Aravinda de Silva and Sachin Tendulkar are my favourite batsmen,” Jayasuriya, who retired from Test cricket during the Test series against England, said in an interview.
The devastating batsman rated Australian Glenn McGrath as the most difficult bowler to play against.
Lawson short on experience: Inzy
Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said Geoff Lawson’s inexperience as a coach at the international level was one of the factors behind Pakistan’s recent ODI and Test series defeats against India, reports PTI from Karachi.
“(Shoaib) Malik is young and learning and he needs a strong support staff with him. Unfortunately, coach Geoff Lawson is also new to international cricket and is in a learning phase. Malik needs someone experienced to back and support him,” he said.
Inzamam said former Sri Lanka and Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore would have been a better option for Pakistan. He added that it was unfair to expect too much from Malik too soon.
Annika wins Dubai Masters
Annika Sorenstam won the Dubai Ladies Masters by two strokes today in her first victory since winning the same tournament in 2006, reports AP from Dubai.
The Swede closed with two-under-par 70 for an overall 10-under-par 278 at the season-ending tournament of the Ladies European Tour.
Sophie Gustafson of Sweden won the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit after finishing three-under and tied for 15th, good enough to beat Bettina Hauert of Germany who tied for 65th.
Rashid bags Faldo Series
Delhi teenager Rashid Khan was crowned Faldo Series Asia champion for 2007 at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China following his outstanding show in the tournament, reports PTI from New Delhi.
The 16-year-old Delhiite turned in an outstanding six-under 66 on the Faldo Course on Saturday for a 54-hole total of 205 to finish five-shot ahead of fellow Indian Rahul Bakshi (63) and Chan Shih Chang of Chinese Taipei.
Although Rahul finished second best, his round of 63 was a new course record.
As well as collecting the Faldo Series Asia trophy from Nick Faldo, the youngster also received an invitation to the European grand final of the Faldo Series 2008, valuable R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking points, a place in the Volvo Masters Asia 2008 and a scholarship to stage one of Asian Tour Qualifying School.
Railways’ eves clinch title
Indian Railways eves clinched the title for the record 24th year in succession at the 55th Senior National Kabaddi Championship on Sunday, reports PTI from Amravati.
Playing against traditional rivals Maharashtra, Railways established their supremacy by crushing the hosts 26-19 in the final.
In men’s section, Maharashtra and Delhi have set up the title clash with superb victories over Uttar Pradesh and Services.
Yousuf criticises PCB on ban
Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf has raised the first voice of dissent against Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to bar players from media engagements, reports PTI from Karachi.
Yousuf was one of the Pakistani players writing columns in Indian newspapers during the Indian tour and the veteran player said there should not be double standard.
“If the board feels the players should not write columns, I think it should also stop its employees from appearing on television shows in return for money,” Yousuf told the Daily Express. Yousuf was refering to former Test players and board employees, Haroon Rasheed and Aaqib Javed, who appeared in TV shows during the Indian tour.
Jinasena wins GT class
Sri Lanka’s Nadeera Jinasena won the GT Class cars event in the MRF International Racing Challenge at the Kari Motor Speedway track in Coimbatore on Sunday.
The world's number one tennis player Roger Federer has been named Switzerland's top sports personality for a record-equalling fourth time.
The 12-time Grand Slam Champion, who also won the Sportsman of the Year award in 2003, 2004 and 2006, was up against world time trial cycling champion Fabian Cancellara and marathon runner Viktor Roethlin.
