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Warne hails Hauritz as world cricket’s most improved player

May 12, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Brisbane, May 12 (ANI): Former Australian spinner Shane Warne has hailed off-spinner Nathan Hauritz as one of world cricket”s most improved players.

Warne, who is in Brisbane for a “spin camp” at the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence, singled out Hauritz for praise.

“If you have some sort of ability as a spinner then it is up to you to hone those skills and learn. That”s what I like about Nathan Hauritz, I think he is one of the most improved cricketers. If you look at some international cricketers, some stay the same all the time – I don”t think that is good enough. You should become better and that is what Nathan Hauritz is doing – he has become better,” Warne said.

Warne believes upcoming leg-spinning all-rounder Steve Smith he would benefit from another big first class season.

“I want him to come back to first class cricket and learn how to take wickets. He is a young kid who hasn”t played a lot of cricket and first class cricket in Australia is difficult. And, if he is going to get into the international side, it is going to be because of his spin bowling,” Warne said.

Warne added: “His No.1 priority should be his bowling, and his batting is a bonus – he is a genuine all-rounder.” (ANI)

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Discipline, fitness, performance, merit, prime criteria for selection: Mohsin Khan

March 27, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Karachi, Mar.27 (ANI): Pakistan cricket chief selector Mohsin Khan has said that discipline, fitness and performance are the prime criterias based on which he selects players, and assured that as long as he is heading the Pakistan Cricket Board’s selection panel there would be no discrimination in the selection procedure.

“I will select players only on merit. No deserving cricketer will be discriminated as long as I am heading the selection committee. I was also discriminated in my cricketing days so I know how it feels to be discriminated,” The Dawn quoted Khan, as saying.

Khan said he would never compromise on discipline and fitness while selecting a player.

“My criteria of selecting players are discipline, fitness and performance and I will not compromise on any of it,” he said.

Khan said playing for the country and not for personal gains should be the priority for all players.

“The glory of the country should always be the top priority of the players. They should tell themselves that they are playing for the country which is glorious itself and that money is only a bonus with it,” he said. (ANI)

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Experts focus on mine site rehabilitation

March 26, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

The role of cattle in rehabilitating old mine sites will be discussed at forum in central Queensland today.

Environment experts are meeting in Rockhampton to look at ways to get native plants and wildlife back into areas after mines close.

Associate Professor Larelle Fabbro from CQUniversity says water quality issues will also be discussed.

“The planning for a quality water source, planning for fit-for-purpose water on mine sites and then at the long-term issues, looking for water that’s of good quality remaining on-site post mine,” he said.

Associate Professor Fabbro also says there have been large advances in revegetation to ensure that land can be reused.

“Some areas post mining, there are small dams and the like left behind so in our system of flood and drought … having quite good water quality in those places is an absolute bonus in this landscape,” he said.

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Kelly Brook to star in Neighbours after Oz move

March 13, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, Mar 13 (ANI): British model/actress Kelly Brook is set to star in Australian soap opera Neighbours after she allegedly decided to move Down Under with her rugby player boyfriend Danny Cipriani.

Cipriani, 22, who signed for Melbourne Rebels, whose club is in the city where Neighbours is being filmed, will be moving at the end of his current season with London Wasps.

“She is really excited about going to Australia, and to get an approach from Neighbours is a real bonus,” the Daily Star quoted a pal of Brook’s as saying.

“Show bosses are planning to freshen it up to mark 25 years on the box and Kelly is just the sort of glamorous star they want,” the friend added of 30-year-old Brook taking part in the show. (ANI)

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Railway employees to receive bonus

September 17, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Sep 17 (ANI): The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal of the Ministry of Railways for payment of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 75 days’ wages for all eligible non-gazetted Railway employees.

The move will benefit 13.05 lakh employees and it will cost the xchequer Rs 889 crore

The salient features of the PLB scheme evolved as a result of review of the scheme and approval of the cabinet on September 23, 2000.

Railways were the first departmental undertaking of the Government of India wherein the concept of PLB was introduced. The main consideration at that time was the important role of the Railways as an infrastructural support in the performance of the economy as a whole.

In the overall context of Railway working, it was considered desirable to introduce the concept of PLB as against the concept of Bonus on the lines of ‘The Payment of Bonus Act – 1965′.

The PLB scheme for the Railways came into force from the year 1979-80 onwards and was evolved in consultation with the two recognised federations viz. All India Railwaymen’s Federation and National Federation of Indian Railwaymen and with the approval of the Cabinet. The scheme envisages a review every three years. (ANI)

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Universiti Malaya’s Indian Studies Department to remain

September 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Putrajaya, Sep 3 (ANI): The Malaysian Cabinet has decided that the Indian Studies Department of Universiti Malaya will remain and to be headed by a qualified Malaysian of Indian origin.

Human Resources Minister Dr S. Subramaniam said the Cabinet was against the decision to change the name of the department when it was brought up for discussion on Wednesday.

Dr Subramaniam, the sole Indian representative in the Cabinet, had raised the matter as the Malaysian Indian Congress and several Indian non-governmental organisations were against the name change.

“The Cabinet has also directed the Higher Education Ministry to ensure that an eligible Malaysian Indian heads the department,” he told reporters after meeting the ministry’s training providers here,” The Star quoted him, as saying.

Dr Subramaniam hoped this would put an end to speculations on the status of the department and who would head it.

There were reports that Universiti Malaya had wanted to change the department’s name to the “Indian and South Asian Studies Department”.

“I hope the Cabinet’s decision today would put an end to all sorts of speculation on the status of the department. Too many things have been said and enough is enough,” Dr Subramaniam said.

He added that the Cabinet had also discussed about the Hari Raya bonus payment for civil servants but had yet to make a stand on it. (ANI)

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Bumper jute production brings cheer to farmers in West Bengal

August 29, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Jalpaiguri, Aug 28 (ANI): Despite late arrival of monsoon rains this year, jute farmers in Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal are rejoicing due to bumper production of the crop.

They say that the production this year is as good as previous years.

“Like the previous years, this year also the production is good. There has been no loss due to rain deficit. The price has also not changed. More or less it’s the same. Overall, it’s good and we are happy,” said Nirmal Roy, a farmer.

However, some feel that a better market for their crops would have been a bonus to their high yield.

“Despite late monsoon this year, the production is quite good and we expected a better market. However, if the rains had come a little earlier then the production would have been much better. Nonetheless, what we got is good, but a little better market would have been much satisfactory,” said Suren Roy, another farmer.

Meanwhile, jute traders hope that the market would get stable in a few days time.

“The business is good this time. There were more markets before but this time it’s less. However, we hope that the market would get revive in another five to seven days,” said Narender Singh Rathore, a jute merchant, Jalpaiguri.

Jute is one of the most viable cash crops of India. And this cash crop is mostly cultivated in the eastern margin of the country.

West Bengal stands first in the country in jute production and the districts of Jalpaiguri and Coochbehar are the forerunners in the production of jute in the whole of West Bengal.

Mostly used for making bags and other sundry items, jute is also highly in demand in the carpet industry due to its fine quality.

The jute produced in Jalpaiguri is of such superior quality that it is also known as the brown cascade. By Tarak Sarkar (ANI)

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Hewitt loses to Federer in Cincinnati Masters

August 22, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Mason (Ohio, US), Aug.22 (ANI): Lleyton Hewitt bowed out of the Cincinnati Masters quarter-finals, but said his performance had whet his appetite for the US Open.

“The US Open is somewhere I’ve played extremely well in the past,” said Hewitt after losing to Roger Federer 6-3, 6-4.

“I’d like to think if things fall my way I’ve got an outside chance there. Hopefully I can get deep in the second week,” the Courier Mail quoted Hewitt, as saying.

“I didn’t play this time last year, so everything is a bonus right at the moment,” he said.

He seemed less concerned that Federer maintained his dominance in their long rivalry than he was pleased with his overall form.

“He’s always a tough opponent,” Hewitt said.

Hewitt’s 2009 season so far has included his 27th career title, his first in more than two years, at the US Clay Court Championship in April. (ANI)

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‘Challenging’ Sri Lanka series awaits Pak players: Afridi

July 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Lahore, July 3 (ANI): Pakistan all rounder Shahid Afridi has said that Sri Lanka Test series would be challenging for the players, as they would have to change gear from the Twenty20 format of the game to the five-day mode.

Afridi said players would also have to make adjustments due to the different and challenging weather conditions in Sri Lanka.

“The series in Sri Lanka would not be easy at all it will be a big challenge for our players to make successful adjustment from T20 cricket to Tests as well the different weather conditions,” The News quoted Afridi, as saying.

Afridi, who would not be featuring in the Test matches, said he decided to skip the three Test matches to focus more on the One-day and T20 game during the series.

“As it is I have not played too much Test cricket in the last few years so I wanted to take a rest and prepare for the one-dayers in Sri Lanka,” said Afridi.

Speculations are rife about Afridi captaining the team in the bang-bang version of the game after skipper Younis Khan’s retirement, but Afridi said he is focused on the game and not thinking about captaincy much.

“I have never run after the captaincy. Just playing for Pakistan and seeing it win is a big enough bonus for me. I am not thinking about the captaincy at this stage. I have just started training for the One-Day series in Sri Lanka,” he said. (ANI)

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Toyota says German scrappage bonus creates 250 French jobs

May 27, 2009 By admin 2 Comments

Cologne, Germany – A German government bounty for traded-in cars is creating jobs for 250 people at a Toyota car factory in France, the Japanese car group said Wednesday in Cologne.

Toyota said the scrappage scheme had boosted overall European demand for its Yaris small car.

The plant at Valenciennes, France will engage the 250 staff at the end of June, but their jobs will have term limits.

The boost will enable the plant to make 975 cars daily instead of 879 daily as at present.

Car licensing authorities in Germany have seen registrations of new Yaris cars jump 65 per cent this year. Toyota said it aims to increase the brand’s market share in Germany from 3.1 per cent last year to 3.8 per cent this year.

Germany is paying 2,500 euros (3,500 dollars) to every owner of a car older than nine years which is crushed for scrap, provided the owner buys a car which is new or less than one year old. (dpa)

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Rajasthan Royals to bring IPL League road show to Lord’s

May 20, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, May 20 (ANI): Rajasthan Royals will bring the Indian Premier League road show to Lord’s on July 6 before they face Middlesex in a charity Twenty20 match.

Shane Warne will lead the 2008 IPL champions in what could be his last outing at the home of cricket.

England star Dimi Mascarenhas may also feature due to his links with the Rajasthan Royals.

Middlesex chief executive Vinny Codrington said: “After the disappointment of not being able to play the Champions League last year, it’s fantastic that the 2008 Twenty20 champions of England and India can play such a match.”

“The fact that the game will benefit such a worthy charity, the British Asians Trust, is a tremendous bonus,” The Sun quoted him, as saying.

“This is a great opportunity for the Rajasthan Royals to expand our fan base in the UK, and to showcase the great international talent in the team,” Royals chairman Manoj Badale said. (ANI)

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Collingwood says players could opt for T20 rather than ‘mental torture’ of the Ashes

May 5, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, May 5 (ANI): England Twenty20 captain Paul Collingwood believes that future generations of players could choose to play T20 cricket rather than go through the ‘mental torture’ of an Ashes series.

In a major feature interview in the June issue of The Wisden Cricketer magazine, Collingwood says: “My generation saw Test cricket and playing in the Ashes as the ultimate. That was my dream. I gave up the one-day captaincy because it was affecting my Test game and I wanted to keep my Test place. Maybe in the future today’s young players will prioritise one-day and Twenty20. We have to be careful. If you can get 10 times the money for playing a few weeks of Twenty20 than for months of mental torture in the Ashes, then I’m afraid to say some people would take the first option.”

“We have to make sure the pay and bonuses for Test cricket and Twenty20 are closer, otherwise players will concentrate on Twenty20 from an early age,” he stresses. “If that’s the way we want to go as a world sport, then fine, keep it as it is. If Test cricket is the ultimate, then we are going to have to do something about remuneration.

“A select few get mega-deals through Test cricket. If you do well, things come along but, playing in the IPL, your profile shoots up. To me the IPL is a bonus and I really hope young players coming into the game will think the same way.”

Collingwood also believes there needs to be more financial incentive for county players to seek England contracts. “At the moment some county cricketers have basic salaries not far off England contracts. Plenty of county players now earn more than 100,000 bucks and that’s for six months. Our contracts (England players) are for a year. I’m not having a go, because we do fantastically well, but shouldn’t the gap be a lot further apart so there is a real incentive to get one of those England contracts?”

Money aside, he praises the ‘enormous skill levels’ needed to succeed in T20. “I thought Twenty20 had something right away. People picked up on the crowds because they were obvious – they were there, you could see them. Now they are starting to appreciate the enormous skill levels. Test cricket is about the mental side. As a batsman you apply yourself to make a barrier in front of the wicket. I seriously think 20 overs is more skill-based. It’s a fantastic game with immense pressure. You couldn’t keep up that intensity for a whole day,” he tells the magazine.

The June issue of The Wisden Cricketer, the world’s best-selling cricket monthly, is on sale at leading outlets from May 8. (ANI)

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Man U’s clash against Arsenal their biggest ever game: Ferguson

May 5, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, May 5 (ANI): Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists that tonight’s clash with Arsene Wenger will be their biggest ever game after 13 years of dual between the two managers.

This will be the 39th time the two managers have met in all competitions with the record level at 14 wins each and 10 draws.

There have been some fierce, controversial and dramatic encounters down the years in league and cup. But a place in the Champions League final beckons tonight – and that means more to both than anything else.

“There is no question the clashes we have had in the past with Arsenal will not reach the proportion of this,” The Sun quoted Ferguson, as saying.

United lead the semi-final tie 1-0 after the first leg at Old Trafford and they are aiming to become the first club to successfully defend the trophy.

“It is strange that no one has defended the trophy. It is a challenge. We are in a good place going into the game. We have a lead and we are only one kick away from Rome. It is a big incentive for us,” he added.

“I think we will need to score and we have that goal threat about us which is a big bonus. We have the ability to score and if we did it would put us in a very strong position. But I am expecting a very close game. You cannot call it.

“They are two terrific sides and it should be quite an engrossing game. I don’t think anybody is going to be disappointed with this match,” Ferguson said.

This will be Ferguson’s sixth semi-final having been successful in only two. (ANI)

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Sarkozy earmarks 1.3 billion euros to fight youth unemployment

May 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Paris – French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Friday the government had drawn up a plan that earmarks 1.3 billion euros (1.7 billion dollars) to aid jobless under the age of 26.

In a speech in the town of Jouy-le-Moutier, north of Paris, Sarkozy said his plan would lead to the recruitment of 320,000 apprentices by June 2010.

One proposal foresees giving a bonus of 1,800 euros to small and mid-sized companies for every apprentice they take on. The state is also to pay a bonus to companies who hire workers 25 years of age or younger.

The young have been particularly hard hit by the economic crisis. At the end of 2008, more than 20 per cent of active job-seekers under the age of 26 were unemployed. (dpa)

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Two Players Hit It Big Playing New Bad Beat Blackjack Progressive Jackpot at Barona Resort and Casino

April 16, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

SAN DIEGO, CA, Apr 14 (MARKET WIRE) —
The holiday weekend proved lucky at Barona Resort and Casino as two big
winners hit the right beat playing one of Barona’s most popular games
featuring an exciting new way to win even bigger jackpots — Blackjack
Bad Beat Progressive Jackpot. Barona is the only casino in the country to
offer a progressive Bad Beat jackpot on high-end blackjack games.

On Saturday, April 11, Lisa L. of Ramona was playing Blackjack Bad Beat
Jackpot, when it hit at $33,058. Eight other lucky players who were in
Barona’s Parlor 32 high-limit area when the progressive hit each won $500
for a total of $37,058. Lisa was the first player to win a major jackpot
so far on the new progressive jackpot which debuted only two weeks ago at
Barona. Then, less than 24 hours later, on Sunday, April 12, Henry T. of
San Diego was playing the same game when the progressive jackpot hit
$25,157 and 10 other players in the high-limit area also won $500 each for
a total of $30,157.

“We’re excited to add Lisa and Henry to our list of jackpot winners at
Barona,” said Rick Salinas, general manager of Barona Resort and Casino. “We
are always looking for new and exciting ways to provide more opportunities
for our players to win at Barona and that is how we created the Bad Beat
progressive jackpot. While we just barely introduced this new progressive
jackpot on our casino floor we already have two big winners! It is great
to see that a new twist on an old favorite can create even more winning
moments for our guests.”

Barona’s Blackjack Bad Beat Progressive Jackpot debuted earlier this month
in addition to several other exciting games including Rapid Baccarat,
Video Craps, and Perfect Pairs Blackjack.

While playing Blackjack Bad Beat Jackpot, guests have a chance to win even
if the dealer gets 21. Adapted from the concept of Bad Beat Jackpot in
poker, Blackjack Bad Beat Jackpot is available in Barona’s Parlor 32
high-limit area with the one-of-a-kind progressive bonus that does not
even require an additional side wager. The Blackjack Bad Beat Jackpot
starts at $25,000 and grows about $275 a day until it is hit.

Ranked “Highest in Satisfaction in the Southern California Indian Gaming
Experience” in the J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Southern California
Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction Study, Barona Resort and Casino blends the
best of San Diego’s most elegant resorts with the gaming excitement of Las
Vegas. Barona is San Diego’s leading destination resort featuring 400
luxury guest rooms and suites, nine award-winning dining options, the
AmBience Day Spa, a full-service events center, and the 18-hole
championship Barona Creek Golf Club, rated the 3rd best resort course in
California by Golfweek magazine. For current progressive amounts and
Barona Resort and Casino reservations and information, visit
www.barona.com, or call toll free 888-7-BARONA (722-7662).

Barona Resort and Casino received the highest numerical score among casinos
with a minimum of 2,000 slot machines in the proprietary J.D. Power and
Associates 2008 Southern California Indian Gaming Casino Satisfaction
Study(SM). Study based on 1,766 responses from gaming players who visited
an Indian casino in Southern California between December 2007 and June
2008. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions
of consumers surveyed in May-June 2008. Your experiences may vary. Visit
www.jdpower.com.

CONTACT:
Audrey Doherty/Jordan Cole
(619) 236-8397

Kelly Jacobs Speer
(619) 933-5013

-0-

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No free tea or coffee for staff at IBM offices from May 1

April 14, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Melbourne, Apr 14 (ANI): IBM worldwide has begun cost cuts in order to battle the effects of the global financial crisis and will scrap office amenities such as tea and coffee, and even company-funded home internet access.

From May 1, IBM will cease to reimburse Internet access for staff working from home. Direct pay corporate managed and contracted home Internet services will also be scrapped.

“IBM will cease the reimbursement of home internet access for employees,” The Australian quoted the company, as saying in an email to staff.

“Secondly, over the next several months the provision of some office amenities, including tea and coffee supplies, will be phased out. Where it makes sense, our intent is to replace this with user-paid vending machines at selected sites.”

IBM said the expiring home Internet policy was developed in the 1990s, when home Internet was not the norm.

The cost-cutting measures would allow IBM to continue workforce programs including a salary bonus pool, a single-cycle salary review later in the year, funding education to support revenue generation and continuing to invest billions in research and development, it said.

IBM Australia declined to reveal how much money it expected to save from the cost-cutting initiatives.

IBM reported a 12 per cent gain to 4.4 billion dollars in net income for the fourth quarter of 2008, but slipped 6 per cent in revenue to 27 billion dollars when the recession hit technology spending.

In January, IBM sent layoff notices to more than 2800 people in its sales and software groups in the US. The latest round of job cuts at IBM was announced last month, when industry sources said another 5000 IBM workers in the US would lose their jobs. (ANI)

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Environmental concern helps West Bengal’s jute industry thrive

April 10, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Kolkata, April 9 (ANI): World environmental concerns have come as a bonus for the ailing jute industry in West Bengal.

The eco-friendly ‘golden fibre’ is finally finding its place in the limelight with the growing popularity of diversified jute goods.

Earlier, jute was just associated with the ugly sacks used for packaging, mainly in the sugar and cement industries. But with diversification into designer bags, wall-hangings, jute paintings, shoes, textiles even jewelry now, jute is rapidly emerging as a reusable alternative for the environment conscious citizens.

With several states banning use of polythene bags as a measure to protect the environment, jute has got a new lease of life in the carrier segment alone in the form of clutch bags, party bags, laundry bags, rucksacks, gunny bags, totes, shopping bags and wine bags.

Besides, a variety of exquisitely designed, painstakingly created handicraft and utility items are on display at various shops selling jute goods. Upscale stores like FabIndia and Anokhi are also stocking jute items of various hues nowadays.

“The industry has bright prospects. Earlier, we used to export only sacks to the tune of Rs.800 – 900 crore annually but in the last five to 10 years, the export volume has risen to Rs 1200 crore. The export share of diversified products has risen from 18 to 36 per cent in the last five years”, says Atri Bhattacharya, Secretary of the Jute Manufactures Development Corporation.

India is the world’s largest jute producer, accounting for 2/3rds of the world’s jute production. India exports to the US, Europe and Gulf countries.

India has launched the Jute Technology Mission and the next two years will be significant. If jute products are marketed ably at home and abroad, the Indian jute industry has the potential to double the current turnover of Rs. 5,000 crore, adds Bhattacharya, also the Executive Director, National Centre for Jute Diversification.

The bulk of the jute production in the country comes from West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura.

Jute goods customers like Subhankar Chatterjee point out that the bio -degradable jute was the best alternative when polythene, plastic and other non-degradable products were choking the global environment.

Consciously buying jute goods is also a great way to support the workers and families involved in this indigenous industry, he adds.

The jute and allied industries have over 2.5 lakh workers and over four and half million people are involved in the jute trade in some manner or the other in India. India has been averaging a production of 1.6 million tones of per annum in the last five years with a domestic market of 1.4 million tonnes.

There was a time, when the jute industry thrived in West Bengal. Jute mills lined the banks of the river Hooghly, providing employment to thousands of people.

Militant Left trade unionism in the state ruined the industry. Of the 63 mills in the state, one closed down 11 years ago and another five years ago. The rest have been operational only intermittently, as per demand.

The operations are being carried out often at half or even one-fourth capacity. With growing awareness for environmental and interest in diversified jute goods, it may be hoped that the golden days of the ‘golden fibre’ would return soon. By Ajitha Menon (ANI)

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PM Rudd a nerd for wanting to spend stimulus handout on books and music

April 8, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Sydney, Apr.8 (ANI): Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has reportedly been called a nerd by some Australians for saying that if he was eligible for a stimulus package hand-out, he’d blow it on books and music.

Appearing on Nova radio in Sydney today, Rudd said taxpayers earning less than 100,000 dollars will receive a one-off bonus of up to 900 dollars, as part of the federal government’s 42 billion dollar stimulus package.

Asked how he would spend the money if he were eligible for the bonus, The Daily Telegraph quoted Rudd as saying that he would splash out on some high-brown entertainment.

“Some people have accused me of being a nerd from central casting. What I would probably do is go down to the bookshop and buy some books I’ve been wanting to buy for a while. A bit of music, that sort of stuff,” Rudd said.

Rudd said he would let people make up their own minds how they spent their bonus, though he was not entirely happy when one talkback caller said he would blow it on a holiday to New Zealand.

“That’s brassy of you,” he told the caller, Chris.

“It all adds up in one way or other to supporting Australian employment, he said. (ANI)

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Strauss admits Twenty20 out of his league

April 8, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, Apr.8 (ANI): England cricket captain Andrew Strauss has admitted that he is not ideally suited to Twenty20 cricket, and therefore, he agreed with the selectors that there was need for him to stand down and have someone else in charge for the duration of the second ICC World Twenty20 tournament.

“I hope that my one-day innings, when I scored 79 off 61 balls, showed there is more to my game than being a stodgy test opener. That is why I feel very strongly that I can keep doing a job in 50-over cricket, but in Twenty20 cricket, you need the power players, which is not necessarily a strength of mine,” The Independent quoted Strauss, as saying.

“I think whoever captains any team should be worth their place in the side. I didn’t feel I was necessarily in the strongest XI of Twenty20 players in the country, so it would be wrong for me to captain the side. I am very comfortable doing the two forms that I am doing, someone else can have an opportunity in the shorter form,” he added.

Strauss said Kent’s Rob Key is definitely a candidate for the top job given the respect that he commands in cricket circles in England, both as a player and a leader.

Strauss was upbeat about England’s chances in the tournament. “I think the side has a good opportunity of doing well. The last time we had a global event on home soil [the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy] we got to the final, which shows the advantage of holding it on our own soil.”

Strauss was also confident of an Ashes triumph this summer.

“There is definitely scope for putting one over Australia. We back ourselves to beat most teams in our conditions, and a lot of the Australians have not had a huge amount of experience over here,” he said.

England could also do with the return of former captain Michael Vaughan, said Strauss.

“If Vaughany is scoring runs and playing well, he could be a massive bonus for us to have in the side. He is a quality performer in test cricket. The experience he brings would have a massive effect on the side,” Strauss said. (ANI)

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Macheda’s goal will galvanise Ronaldo, ManU to win Quintuple: Ferguson

April 7, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

London, Apr 7 (ANI): Sir Alex Ferguson has said new teen sensation Federico Macheda has kicked the club into overdrive.

Fergie claims the teenager’s stoppage-time goal to beat Aston Villa will be the defining moment of the season as his side chase an amazing Quintuple.

“That goal has just galvanised the club. There will be an adrenalin rush and players like Cristiano Ronaldo will, hopefully, now go into overdrive,” the United boss said.

“There is that sense of the big occasion now. Every game is now big. Sunday was a defining moment. We’re still in with a chance of winning three more competitions.”

United have already lifted the Carling Cup and the Club World Cup, The Sun reported.

They are now a point clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League after beating Villa 3-2 on Sunday, face Everton in the FA Cup semi-finals and meet Porto in the Champions League quarter-final, first leg tonight.

Macheda’s injury-time winner against Villa came on his first appearance for the senior team.

Now the 17-year-old Italian forward, nicknamed Kiko, has played his way into Ferguson’s squad for tonight’s showdown with Porto at Old Trafford.

Fergie said: “I think he will be involved on the bench. I’ve got Wayne Rooney back which is a big bonus but, yes, it’s difficult to leave him out, isn’t it?”

United will be looking to tighten up at the back after Sunday’s ding-dong thriller with Villa at Old Trafford. (ANI)

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