Sagna: Fabregas seeking Arsenal exit

Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna claims club captain Cesc Fabregas wants to join Barcelona this summer, but hopes Samir Nasri will stay at the north London club.

Fabregas has once again been linked with a return to the Catalan club, where he came through the youth ranks before signing for the Gunners in 2003.
Barca have failed to sign their former player in each of the last two summer transfer windows, but Sagna believes it could be a case of third time lucky for the Catalan club.
"I can say it's true that Cesc wants to go to Barca," the right-back told former Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Fernandez on France's RMC radio station.
"Fabregas wants to return to his country of birth, to his city, where his family are; he wants to play for one of the best teams in the world, Barcelona, and that's understandable.
"At the moment, however, he is still Arsenal's captain."
While Sagna believes Fabregas may leave London, the defender is hopeful Nasri will stay at the English club.
"Samir is happy at Arsenal, but I don't know what the best thing is for his career," he said.
"He has been one of the best players in the team this season and he is one of the symbols of this team. I hope to find him there when we return for (pre-season) training."
Meanwhile, Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has told his club's fans he shares a "profound disappointment" with them but has promised a busy summer in the transfer market as the club look to end their six-year trophy drought.
What had once looked to be a quadruple bid imploded once the Gunners lost the Carling Cup final to Birmingham, and they ended the Premier League season in fourth place.
Another season without success saw some fans voice their unhappiness with manager Arsene Wenger, especially over his apparent reluctance to spend big on new signings.
But at a question and answer session with the Arsenal Supporters Trust last night, Gazidis has pledged to start putting things right.
"Coming off the end of the season, I share with you a sense of profound disappointment," he said.
"It is very clear we had some shortcomings and in this close season we are going to see some turnover of players.
"Some new signings will be coming in and some of our existing squad will be going out. As Arsene has said, it will be a busy close season for the club.
"But also it is important to recognise that it has not been a disaster. We have a young squad and we don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water. The trick will be to identify which parts to keep and which parts to turn over. And we will do that within our financial capabilities."

South flies the flag for Britain

Melanie South was the only one of nine British players to progress on the second day of qualifying for Wimbledon.

World number 294 South defied her lowly status to upset Romania's Liana Ungur, ranked more than 100 places higher than her, 6-4 6-4 in their first-round qualifier.
It was the only success for the home contingent, however, as fellow women's hopefuls Tara Moore, Anna Fitzpatrick, Jade Windley, Samantha Murray and Francesca Stephenson all lost in straight sets.
In the men's draw, Jamie Baker lost to Andreas Beck, who beat him in the first round proper last year, to join youngsters Liam Broady and Oliver Golding on the sidelines.
Ireland's Conor Niland, though, came from behind to beat Australian Greg Jones 4-6 7-5 6-2.

Liverpool weighing bid for Dann

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is considering bids for both Blackpool's Charlie Adam and Birmingham's Scott Dann.

The Scot has already splashed the cash with  £16 million on Sunderland's Jordan Henderson, and is expected to make a formal offer of £9 million to Blackpool for Adam.
However, according to reports in the Daily Mail, the Liverpool manager is keen to continue bolstering his defence, and considering a move for Birmingham's Dann, who is a childhood fan of the Anfield club.
Dalglish had previously been disappointed in his bid for Phil Jones, and has now turned his attention to Dann after the Englishman decided to sign for archrivals Manchester United instead.
However, Liverpool will have to fight off the attentions of Arsenal as well, with manager Arsene Wenger also keen on the player, as well as Blackburn Rover's Christopher Samba in an attempt to add heft and power to the Gunners.
Despite having a love for Liverpool, Dann is reported to be more keen on Champions League football with Arsenal, and this could prove a stumbling block that Dalglish cannot surmount.
However, should Arsenal snap up their man, Liverpool could extract some form of revenge by poaching Gunner Gael Clichy, who has been linked to the club after having only one year left on his current deal with the North London club.

Cricket Australia reinstates tri series; India, Sri Lanka to be visitors

After a four-year hiatus, Cricket Australia (CA) has reinstated the ODI tri-series with India and Sri Lanka in February in their summer schedule for the 2011-12 season.

The tri-series, dumped earlier due to lack of interest in matches not featuring the host team, has now made part of the international schedule for the first time in four years. It will start on Feb 5 with Brisbane and Adelaide hosting the finals, according to the schedule released on Tuesday.

India and srilanka australia

The schedule also has six Tests against New Zealand and India, two Twenty20 internationals and at least 14 one-day matches in the triangular series.

Australia will play two Test matches against New Zealand in Brisbane and Hobart and will take on India to kick-start the summer. This will be India’s first tour Down Under since their controversial tour in 2007-2008.

India will play four Tests, including the Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the New Year’s Test at the SCG. The final Test will be in Adelaide.

Sydney’s Olympic Park and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will host two Twenty20 matches against India.

Leading Pak is not like a bed of roses: Misbah

Misbah-ul-Haq

 Misbah-ul-Haq has said that the job of leading the Pakistan cricket team is not ‘a bed of roses’. 

Misbah, who took over the Test leadership after Salman Butt was suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last year, was also entrusted with the captain’s armband for ODIs after Shahid Afridi was removed from the post by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) last month.

“I never focused on long-term captaincy. Leading Pakistan is not like a bed of roses and as a Test captain, I’ve been trying my level best,” The Daily Times quoted Misbah, as saying.

“Leading the side in ODIs is an added responsibility, but it’s still an honour. My only focus is to do well as a batsman and captain,” he added.

He declined to comment on the ongoing row between Afridi and the PCB.

However, he did express satisfaction over the recent Ireland trip.

Misbah hoped that the performance of the young players would improve with the passage of time.

“The result speaks itself and I am satisfied with the performance. The team combination worked out very well and the young players are getting better with experience,” he said.

Chappell as coach 'worst' of my career: Zaheer

Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan considers the two years with Greg Chappell as national coach the worst of his decade-long career as the controversial Australian made him feel unwanted in the team.

Zaheer said he and other senior players were constantly worried about their place in the side and were unable to perform during that tumultuous period between 2005 and 2007.

"It was as if you've been framed. It was like 'we don't want you in the team. It's not about performance, we don't like your attitude, you're stopping the growth of cricket in the Indian team'. I felt it personally because I was dropped straight after the Sri Lanka tour, even though I had not performed badly," Zaheer said.

"I was fortunate enough to go to South Africa to represent the Asia XI (in the Afro-Asia Cup).

Hamilton to Red Bull rumours denied

A spokesman for Lewis Hamilton has denied rumours talks were held over the weekend regarding a potential move to Red Bull.

Hamilton's future has been the source of considerable debate this season, with speculation gathering momentum in light of the year he is currently enduring.
With another year remaining on his current McLaren contract after this one, it has often been suggested Hamilton could move to Red Bull or Ferrari from 2013 onwards.
Fuel has been added to the fire in light of Hamilton meeting with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner in the marque's paddock buildings at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Saturday.
It is understood the two men held a 15-minute conversation, which has sparked supposition that Hamilton is eyeing up a move.
However, speaking to Press Association Sport, a spokesman for XIX Entertainment that represents Hamilton, said: "Neither Lewis nor his management team have had any discussions with regard to Lewis moving to another team.
"He is happy at McLaren, and is positive he can still have a say in this year's world championship."
The suggestion Hamilton would sit with Horner in a building right next door to McLaren's plot in the close confines of the Montreal paddock and discuss his future would appear ludicrous.
The F1 paddock is, without a doubt, a haven of gossip, especially when it comes to the destination of one of the sport's top drivers such as Hamilton, and therefore the last place to conduct talks.
It would also be Machiavellian of Hamilton to do so right under the noses of his current team, with whom he has not ruled out signing a new deal.
Throw in the factor the 2013 campaign is poised to herald a major change in the regulations that could alter the current balance of power, and Hamilton would be foolish to commit himself to anyone right now.
Of course, the current whispers only add to his cause as and when the right time comes to negotiating a new contract with McLaren.
But then McLaren already know they have in their possession one of the sport's most gifted drivers who could walk into any team.
At present, if his performances in the last two grands prix are anything to go by, then Hamilton does appear distracted.
The Briton has been involved in four separate crashes, with two in Monaco with Ferrari's Felipe Massa and Williams' Pastor Maldonado, then a further two in yesterday's Canadian Grand Prix.
After tagging and spinning Red Bull's Mark Webber, Hamilton retired on lap eight of the rain-hit race after running into team-mate Jenson Button, who went on to claim a remarkable victory.
Hamilton has since admitted the incident was his fault, that he was "in the wrong place at the wrong time."
He also knows times are tough right now, but the tide will also turn.
"You know what, I think you make your own luck," Hamilton told BBC Radio 5 Live's podcast.
"I feel very blessed to be here still in F1, fit, healthy and alive and still racing. There are many, many drivers that wish they could be in our position.
"Of course, you could always hope for things to be better, but good times do come to those who wait. So I'll just bide my time and hope that at some stage it will be mine."
It is frustration that is almost certainly gnawing away at Hamilton as he believes he is the sport's best, that he should have won more titles and races by now.
Instead, he finds himself overshadowed by Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull, and hence the gossip surrounding a potential move.
Former McLaren driver John Watson told talksport: "Hamilton is very frustrated. I don't think he's in a good place in himself at the minute.
"He thought he could go to Canada and challenge Red Bull, but he ended up fifth on the grid and, to me, he's being driven by frustration, not by his race brain.
"Hamilton needs to sit down and think about what he's doing and try to get his season back on track.
"He thinks he's the quickest guy in a grand prix car, and he probably is, and that he should win every race and every world championship.
"And it's that frustration that's driving him into making these judgements that are getting him into trouble."

Johnson: City must keep Tevez

Adam Johnson believes it is vital Manchester City keep hold of leading scorer Carlos Tevez as they prepare for a push at Champions League glory next season.

Tevez once again has questions hanging over his future despite City boss Roberto Mancini declaring he was optimistic the striker would remain at Eastlands.
Johnson knows how crucial Tevez is if City are to build on their success of last season, when they finished third in the Barclays Premier League.
The 23-year-old winger said: "Carlos carries us sometimes with his goals and his drive.
"He is probably the best player I have played with.
"Some of the goals, and some of the stuff he does in training, is just unbelievable.
"Personally I hope we keep hold of him just like all the City fans do.
"He will be a major part next season when we are playing in the Champions League.
"He would be hard to replace. There are probably only five or six strikers out there who get you that many goals a season at the highest level.
"We have one of them, so it would be great if we could keep him."
Johnson explained that Tevez has given little away as to what his future plans may be, even to his team-mates.
He said: "Carlos does not really say much. He is quite quiet. He keeps himself to himself mostly.
"He does his talking on the pitch. That's what I like about him."

Lukman Haruna eyes Wolves switch

Lukman Haruna admits he would love to play in the Premier League amid speculation linking him with Wolves.

Mick McCarthy's side are thought to be interested in the Monaco midfielder and are believed to have valued the player at around one million euros.
However reports claim Dynamo Kiev have agreed a 1.5million euro (£1.32m) fee for the Nigerian international.
While Haruna admits he would love to play in the Premier League, he believes Kiev are also a big name in football so he is waiting to see how the situation develops.
He told skysports.com: "I would love to join the Premier League and play on the biggest stage in the world.
"However if a club does not meet my club's valuation, I can't do anything.
"I have heard about Dynamo Kiev, they are a European name, so we will see."

Anderson backs UDRS against India

The English players are in favour of using the much-debated Umpire Decision Review System in the upcoming Test series between the two sides.

Pacer James Anderson has expressed his displeasure over Indian Cricket Board's (BCCI) refusal to allow the usage of UDRS in the upcoming series, saying the technology improves decision-making.

"I don't understand why. If all the other Test-playing nations are using it, India don't have to use it if they say they don't want to. We want to play with it as it clearly improves decision-making," Anderson was quoted as saying by 'The Daily Mirror'.

"I'm all in favour of it - but it's their problem if they're not going to support it," the pacer added.

Top Indian players such as Sachin Tendulkar and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni have been vocal critics of the UDRS but English players like spin spearhead Graeme Swann have backed the use of technology.

Last week, according to a report in 'The Daily Telegraph', the BCCI sent official notification to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) that it does not want the system to be used in the series in July.

Consent of both the boards is required for the system to be used in a series.

Anderson, who has been recalled for the third and final Test against Sri Lanka starting on Tuesday after recovering from a side strain, also added that he is convinced that he and his team-mates will go down in history as legends if they beat India in the coming series.

"India are No 1 in the world and if we beat them in the series, we'll be the best team in the world," he said.
Anderson was injured during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Cardiff and was replaced by the uncapped Jade Dernbach for the second at Lord's.

The Lancashire paceman reiterated that England have been striving towards becoming the number one Test side in the world.

"We've been working towards this for the past few years.

We want to become No1 in the world and want people to say this is the best ever England side," he said.

"I think we can do that. This is the best team spirit I've experienced. We've got a really strong squad, not just a really strong first eleven," he added.

Windies salvage pride with win

The West Indies crushed India by 103 runs to earn a consolation victory in the ongoing ODI series in the Caribbean Islands.

Lendl Simmons and Kieron Pollard were the mainstays of the hosts' total of 249 for eight, the former leading their recovery from 12 for two with 67 before Pollard added 70 to lift them to a competitive mark.

India, who went into the game with an unassailable 3-0 series lead, folded for 146 in reply as Anthony Martin took four for 36 and Andre Russell three for 16.

Windies newcomer Danza Hyatt, promoted to open, was dismissed for one for the second time in as many innings when he fended Ishant Sharma to Manoj Tiwary at backward point.

Ramnaresh Sarwan cut Praveen Kumar straight to Tiwary to also depart for a single, leaving Simmons to rebuild alongside Darren Bravo.

Simmons hoisted Sharma for four then six and crashed back-to-back sixes off Amit Mishra before reaching his fifty with a two off the spinner.

The pair put on 53, though Bravo was not at his best as he made 15 from 36 deliveries before falling to a well-judged third catch from Tiwary at deep mid-wicket.

Marlon Samuels (eight) was harshly adjudged leg before to Mishra's googly and new man Pollard sliced Tiwary aerially just beyond fly slip for four.

The key wicket of Simmons followed when he pushed Ravichandran Ashwin into the leg side, set off hesitantly and was run out by the dynamic Tiwary's direct hit.

Pollard launched Tiwary into the sightscreen for six and followed up with a four past the bowler and the otherwise restrained Carlton Baugh stepped down the wicket to slap Kumar to the mid-wicket boundary.

The pair's 50 stand came up in 73 balls with a Pollard boundary and the all-rounder reached his half-century from 58 balls, with four fours and a six, when he worked Ashwin off his legs for one.

The powerplay began in the 44th over with a Mishra wide followed by a Pollard maximum, but the key man lifted Ashwin to long-off Sharma in the next over.

Russell added 25 in just 14 balls and hit three fours and a six as the powerplay yielded 57 runs. He put on 41 with Baugh (39) before both departed in successive balls.

Kumar took three for 37 and Mishra two for 56 as India were left to chase 250, but their top order - Rohit Sharma aside - failed to get going.

A hesitant Tiwary had already been dropped by Bravo by the time he edged Darren Sammy to keeper Baugh and departed for two.

Parthiv Patel was looking better and had twice whipped Sammy through the leg side for four, and he cut another boundary off Kemar Roach but then fell for 26 to an instinctive low return catch by Sammy to leave India 41 for two.

Both Virat Kohli and Subramaniam Badrinath survived confident caught-behind appeals but failed to take advantage. Badrinath was first to go when he gloved a short ball from Russell through to Baugh and was superbly caught for 12.

Kohli whipped a stylish four through mid-on off Sammy but was caught out of his ground by a smart stumping from Baugh after a loose drive at Anthony Martin.

Rohit Sharma responded by cracking Pollard into the stand but soon lost partner Suresh Raina, who drilled Martin straight to Pollard at mid-wicket.

Simmons struck with his fourth ball, Yusuf Pathan (one) lofting straight to long-off Roach, and Sharma could only reach 39 before skying Martin into the leg side where Bravo took a good running catch.

Russell could not take a sharp return chance offered by Kumar, but he got his man when the tail-ender fenced a short ball tamely to Sammy at backward point.

Ashwin (15) danced outside off stump and haplessly scooped Russell straight in the air to Marlon Samuels at short fine leg and when Ishant Sharma was stumped, Martin had his fourth wicket and India were all out.

West Indies vs India 4th ODI Match Report

The 4th ODI was the game for the West Indies to shine after a shaky start but Simmons and Pollard scored half centuries and proved others wrong the deserve in the West Indies team. The Pollard innings was classy and wasn’t your average Pollard innings with huge amounts of boundaries but showed he had control as well.
India also got a bad start with the debutant falling early but India just failed to build on their starts.

Match Result
West Indies 249 for 8 (Pollard 70, Simmons 67 Praveen 3-37) defeated India 146 (Martin 4-36, Russell 3-16) by 103 runs
Raina had won the toss again and elected to bowl and also announced Ashwin, Ishant and Tiwary would be playing while Martin and Darren Bravo were in for the West Indies. Hyatt didn’t last too long and would be disappointed in his start to international cricket falling to Ishant Sharma. A few overs later Kumar found the huge wicket of Sarwan and at that time India were in a great position. Things from their got quite slow with the odd boundary by Simmons who looked like the only one who looked like scoring runs as both Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels scored a few runs off a lot of balls. Tiwary’s debut got better as he got Simmons out with a direct hit who was batting so well and the game had suddenly flipped right into India’s hands considering Pollards form. Pollard though was proving critics wrong as he was playing a lot more sensibly in this innings with the odd 2 boundaries every few overs, he did his job before he too was dismissed for 70 but got his team back in the game. Baugh was also batting well as he scored 39 runs whilst Russell tried more heroics with his 25 run cameo as the West Indies posted 249.

Tiwary was very nervous looked in his strokes and that reflected on his performance as he only made 2 off 17 as he made a prode at a ball and caught the edge and went straight to Baugh. Parthiv Patel’s start went to waste as Sammy caught and bowled him which was a great wicket. Russell’s short delivery to Badrinanth was perfect and kept climbing and Badrinanth’s struggle ended. Martin was then very smart to pick up the big wicket of Virat Kolhi who has been in good form and all of a sudden West Indies had a huge chance to pick up the win as India were 4/82. Suresh Raina then once again went for the slog sweep but wasn’t successful as Martin grabbed another wicket. Simmons then suprisingly came on to have a bowl and he struck with Yusuf Pathan heading straight back to the pavilion. The only thing that could save India was Rohit Sharma who had done well all series but Martin was ecstatic as he removed him with a terrible shot. The game was easily won by the West Indies to make the series 3-1 with Martin picking up 4 wickets.

India vs West Indies, 4th ODI | Cricket Scorecard

West Indies innings Total: 249 / 8 in 50.0 overs (Run Rate: 4.98)
Batsman			Runs	Balls	Fours	Sixes	SR	FoW
Lendl Simmons	run out (M Tiwary)		67	78	3	3	85.90	5-103 ( 26.4 ov. )
Danza Hyatt	c M Tiwary	b Ishant	1	4	0	0	25.00	1-3 ( 1.5 ov. )
Ramnaresh Sarwan	c M Tiwary	b Praveen	1	12	0	0	8.33	2-12 ( 4.5 ov. )
Darren Bravo	c M Tiwary	b Mishra	15	36	2	0	41.67	3-65 ( 15.6 ov. )
Marlon Samuels	lbw	b Mishra	8	21	0	0	38.10	4-89 ( 23.1 ov. )
Kieron Pollard	c I Sharma	b Ashwin	70	72	6	2	97.22	6-199 ( 44.2 ov. )
Carlton Baugh (wk)	c V Kohli	b Praveen	39	57	3	0	68.42	7-240 ( 48.2 ov. )
Andre Russell	c V Kohli	b Praveen	25	14	3	1	178.57	8-240 ( 48.3 ov. )
Darren Sammy (c)	not out		1	3	0	0	33.33
Kemar Roach	not out		4	6	0	0	66.67
Anthony Martin
Extras: ( 8 wd, 7 lb, 0 b, 3 nb, 0 p)			Total: 249 / 8 in 50.0 overs (Run Rate: 4.98)

Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	NoBall	Wide	Eco
Praveen Kumar	10.0	3	37	3	0	1	3.70
Ishant Sharma	10.0	0	60	1	3	5	6.00
R Ashwin	10.0	1	39	1	0	0	3.90
Amit Mishra	10.0	3	56	2	0	1	5.60
Yusuf Pathan	6.0	0	24	0	0	1	4.00
Manoj Tiwary	4.0	0	26	0	0	0	6.50

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India innings Total: 146 / 10 in 39.0 overs (Run Rate: 3.74)
Batsman			Runs	Balls	Fours	Sixes	SR	FoW
Parthiv Patel (wk)	c and	b Sammy	26	32	3	0	81.25	2-41 ( 9.2 ov. )
Manoj Tiwary	c C Baugh	b Sammy	2	17	0	0	11.76	1-20 ( 5.4 ov. )
Virat Kohli	st C Baugh	b Martin	22	33	1	0	66.67	4-82 ( 20.6 ov. )
S Badrinath	c C Baugh	b Russell	12	27	1	0	44.44	3-62 ( 16.3 ov. )
Rohit Sharma	c D Bravo	b Martin	39	47	0	1	82.97	7-124 ( 30.6 ov. )
Suresh Raina (c)	c K Pollard	b Martin	10	19	0	0	52.63	5-111 ( 26.6 ov. )
Yusuf Pathan	c K Roach	b Simmons	1	2	0	0	50.00	6-114 ( 27.4 ov. )
R Ashwin	c M Samuels	b Russell	15	27	0	0	55.56	9-145 ( 37.5 ov. )
Praveen Kumar	c D Sammy	b Russell	6	13	0	0	46.15	8-138 ( 35.1 ov. )
Amit Mishra	not out		5	14	0	0	35.71
Ishant Sharma	st C Baugh	b Martin	0	3	0	0	0.00	10-146 ( 38.6 ov. )
Extras: ( 2 wd, 2 lb, 4 b, 0 nb, 0 p)			Total: 146 / 10 in 39.0 overs (Run Rate: 3.74)

Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets	NoBall	Wide	Eco
Kemar Roach	8.0	1	22	0	0	0	2.75
Darren Sammy (c)	9.0	0	43	2	0	0	4.78
Andre Russell	7.0	0	16	3	0	1	2.29
Kieron Pollard	4.0	0	20	0	0	1	5.00
Anthony Martin	10.0	0	36	4	0	0	3.60
Lendl Simmons	1.0	0	3	1	0	0	3.00