Ferguson expects golden oldies to keep on shining

AFP/File – Manchester United's English midfielder Paul Scholes. Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged his elder statesmen …

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) – Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged his elder statesmen at Manchester United to extend their glittering Old Trafford careers beyond the end of next season.

Long-serving defender Gary Neville, who turned 34 on Wednesday, penned a new contract extension on Friday which will keep him at the club until June 2010.

Neville followed in the footsteps of Ryan Giggs, the club's most decorated player, and Paul Scholes, who have also committed themselves to the end of next season.

The thirtysomethings boast a combined age of 103 and are in the twilight of their careers.

Yet Ferguson, chasing his third successive Premier League title, believes all three still have something to offer the team and is reluctant to show them the door.

"If they keep their performance levels up then they will be here for another year, there's no doubt about that," said Ferguson. "We'll see what happens next year."

Giggs, Scholes and Neville are all products of United's famous youth Academy and have never played anywhere else in their careers.

Their loyalty has not gone unnoticed by Ferguson, who labelled the trio as the "spirit" of Manchester United and a glowing example for the younger generation of players emerging at the club.

"I think there are a lot of players in the country who are quite wealthy who don't want to put themselves through the whole process of pre-season training," added Ferguson.

"But these three players seem to want to do that all the time. It speaks volumes for their own desires that they want to keep involved with Manchester United for as long as they can.

"They are the spirit of the club and they are an example to everyone."

Although Ferguson is no longer able to guarantee his old guard a starting place in every game, all three are set to feature in some capacity over the coming days as United's pursuit of an unprecedented five trophies in one season enters a crucial phase.

Jose Mourinho and Inter Milan await Ferguson's Club World Cup winners when the Champions League resumes on Tuesday and then it is off to Wembley to face Tottenham in the League Cup final on March 1.

Yet despite winning it 10 times in the past, it is the Premier League that Ferguson, whose team are also in the last eight of the FA Cup, craves the most.

But the Scot believes his players have a long way to go before they can celebrate their latest league triumph.

"You can't forget the chances we missed at West Ham when we only needed one goal to win the league in 1995," Ferguson said.

"Then there was the 12-point lead over Arsenal that we threw away in 1998.

"It was a foregone conclusion until the beginning of March when injuries played their part.

"When you lose a game it gives the chasing team encouragement. These are great reminders to us.

"My feeling is we should never get carried away because this game can kick you in the teeth.

"We can go the distance but we just have to make sure we keep our focus because every game for us now is a must-win situation."

Dubai event fined record $300,000 for Peer ban

MIAMI: The Dubai Championships was fined a record $300,000 by the governing body of women's tennis (WTA) on Friday after top Israeli player Shahar Peer was barred from taking part in the event.

The WTA said in a statement that the fine was largest ever levied against a WTA Tour member and that Peer would be awarded $44,250, an amount equal to the average prize money she earned per tournament in 2008.

"The actions taken are intended to redress the wrongs suffered by Shahar Peer, who was victimised by an unjust policy of discrimination by the UAE," WTA chief Larry Scott said in a statement.

"These actions are also intended to send a clear message that our Tour will not tolerate discrimination of any kind and that we will never allow this situation to happen again in the UAE or elsewhere."

The UAE, like most Arab countries, has no diplomatic ties with Israel and routinely denies entry to Israelis.

Mashrafe now a $6 lakh cricketer

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza hit an amazing figure when the Kolkata Knight Riders purchased the Bangladesh fast bowler for six-lakh dollars (US) after a sensational bidding in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in Goa yesterday.

There was more good news for the Tigers as Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful was sold to Mumbai Indians, who roped in the batsman at his base price of US$ 75,000.

After a dramatic bidding, Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan's Knight Riders got pace spearhead Mashrafe, dubbed "Narail Express", for a price that is the biggest ever deal for any Bangladeshi sportsman in history.

Mashrafe's bidding started with a base price of US$ 50,000 but the figures skyrocketed with the Kings XI Punjab also wanting him. They stayed hot on the heels of Knight Riders but the Kolkata side had the last laugh offering 12 times higher than the floor price.

The 25-year-old Bangladesh vice-captain, number eight in the ICC ODI rankings for bowlers, will be playing beside the likes of former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly, Australian captain Ricky Ponting, West Indies' Chris Gayle and New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum.

It is the first time Bangladeshi players have been put to the IPL auction after left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak signed for Bangalore Royal Challengers after negotiations in the first version of the million-dollar Twenty20 competition.

Surprisingly, no buyer showed interests to Tigers' star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, the world's number one all-rounder in ODI rankings, while dashing opener Tamim Iqbal, the other Bangladeshi cricketer in the auction, also remained unsold.

England's Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff were sold for US$ 1.55 million each making them the highest-paid cricketers in the competition.

USA Swimming bans Phelps for three months

WASHINGTON: Record-setting Olympic champion Michael Phelps has been banned for three months by USA Swimming amid controversy over a photograph pub

Michael Phelps takes a break while training at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center in Baltimore. (AP Photo)

lished in a British newspaper purportedly showing him smoking marijuana.

Phelps's financial support has also been cut off for the same three-month period, the sport's national governing body said in a statement on its website on Thursday.

"This is not a situation where any anti-doping rule was violated, but we decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and a hero," the federation added.

"Michael has voluntarily accepted this reprimand and has committed to earn back our trust," the statement said.

The photograph, said to have been taken at a November party at the University of South Carolina, was published by British tabloid newspaper News of the World last Sunday.

Phelps accepted the ban, saying he understood USA Swimming's "point of view," the swimmer's spokesman Drew Johnson said.

"He feels bad he let anyone down," Johnson added. "He's also encouraged by the thousands of comments he's received from his fans and the support from his many sponsors. He intends to work hard to regain everyone's trust."

Phelps has repeatedly apologised for the incident and said he may backtrack on his plans to compete at the London Olympics in 2012.

The International Olympic Committee said his apology was proof of his sincerity and the world swimming's governing body FINA is also backing the embattled swimmer.

Phelps has won 14 career Olympic gold medals, making him the most successful competitor since the modern Olympics began 113 years ago.

Best phase for Sania to improve: Amritraj

CHENNAI: Legendary Vijay Amritraj feels Sania Mirza is in the best phase of her life to improve on her results and rankings because she would be l

Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza hold up their trophy after winning the mixed doubles final at the Australian Open. (Reuters Photo)

ess prone to injuries as Indian players mature late physically.

"We Indians mature late physically. Do not push your muscles at young age because (Boris) Becker did it or someone else did it. The best period for an Indian player is 25 and 32. This is the period an Indian is physically strong enough to take huge load of work but for the rest of players in the world it is about 18 to 26," Amritraj said.

"For a female, it is little bit more. For example, Sania is 22. Now is the best chance for Sania to improve upon her results and ranking for another five or six years to do what she need to do and work harder without getting hurt," he added.

Asked reasons for Sania's injury prone nature, Amritraj said it was because she had put in extra effort at young age.

"At a young age, I think she puts in a lot of efforts. So, injury come fast and fury. You think you have been playing well and working harder but suddenly when injuries come you had it," he said.

"(Roger) Federer reached the top of the peak at 26. For an Indian that will be the time that he has to be hitting at it," he said.

3rd ODI: Praveen gets rid of Jayawardene

NEW DELHI: Just when the Sri Lankan run chase was gaining momentum, Praveen Kumar dismissed their captain Mahela Jayawardene to reduce the hosts to 118/3 in 18.2 overs in the third ODI in Colombo on Tuesday.

Jayawardene tried to hit a delivery over mid-off but didn't time it properly and Virender Sehwag just took a couple of steps behind to grab the all important wicket of the Sri Lankan captain.

Jayawardene added 67 runs for the third wicket with his deputy Kumar Sangakkara.

Sangakkara and Jayawardene completed the 50-run partnership off just 41 balls keeping their team in the hunt for the huge victory target.

Sangakkara reached his 46th ODI fifty off 48 balls with the help of six fours and Jayawardene hit four fours in his 32-ball 30.

When he reached 18 with an inside out shot over the covers for four off Ishant Sharma, Jayawardene became the fourth Sri Lankan to complete 8000 ODI runs.

The resurrection act came after Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan dismissed Tillakaratne Dilshan to reduce Sri Lanka to 51/2 in 8.4 overs.

Zaheer cramped Dilshan for room who tried to free his arms by pulling the delivery from outside off to mid-wicket but ended up edging it onto his stumps. The Lankan opener hit four fours and a six in his 26-ball 30.

This was after Sri Lanka got off to a disastrous start as Praveen Kumar dismissed Sanath Jayasuriya for a duck.

The Meerut medium pacer made the early inroad on the first ball of the second over of the Lankan run chase when Jayasuriya looked to cut a delivery that was too close to his body and ended up edging it onto his stumps.

The huge Indian total of 363/5 in 50 overs was powered by centuries from Yuvraj Singh (117) and Virender Sehwag (116) and late big-hitting by all-rounder Yusuf Pathan (59).

Pathan reached his 2nd ODI fifty off just 33 balls and remained not out on 59 with the help of 4 fours and 3 sixes.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni seemed content in taking singles early in his innings and his score of 35 off 45 balls contained only one boundary.

This is the third time that India has scored more than 300 runs against Sri Lanka on their soil. No other team has achieved the feat.

Muthiah Muralitharan failed to break Wasim Akram's world record of 502 ODI wickets as he finished his quota of 10 overs with only one wicket.

Earlier, Ajantha Mendis had Suresh Raina stumped by Kumar Sangakkara to reduce India to 280/5 in 39 overs.

Mendis made Raina (9) come down the pitch giving the ball a bit of air, Raina charged but failed to connect with the ball that spun away for Sangakkara to do the rest.

Raina's dismissal came after India lost centurions Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag in space of three overs.

Sehwag was run out by Sanath Jayasuriya with a direct hit from mid-off after scoring 116 runs off 90 balls with 17 hits to the fence.

Shortly before that, Sri Lankan off spin genius Muthiah Muralitharan put an end to Yuvraj's magnificent innings to equal Wasim Akram's world record of 502 ODI wickets.

Murali had Yuvraj caught by his captain Mahela Jayawardene at cover point after the dashing southpaw scored 117 runs off 95 balls with the help 17 fours and a six and added 221 runs with Sehwag for the third wicket.

Yuvraj reached his 11th ODI century, his first against Sri Lanka, off just 82 balls.

Sehwag reached his 10th ODI hundred off 76 balls and was studded with 15 boundaries.

India took the batting powerplay as soon as both the bowling powerplays ended to continue inflict misery on the Sri Lankan bowlers.

No Sri Lankan bowler was spared as both Sehwag and Yuvarj scored at almost eight runs per over.

The partnership came after India lost Gautam Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar in quick succession.

Gambhir followed Sachin back into the pavilion as he was unlucky to get out after Dilhara Fernando's hand touched the ball on the follow through and hit the stumps at the bowlers end.

Dilhara Fernando gave a denting blow to India early on as he trapped Sachin in front of the wicket after Indian skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat first.

Sachin once again became umpire's victim as the ball was visibly going down the leg side. Sachin has also been a victim of poor umpiring decisions in the previous two matches.

Bhupathi claims 11th Slam title, first for Sania

BANGALORE: Mahesh Bhupathi was slow to arrive at the Rod Laver arena on Sunday. Fortunately for him, his partner Sania Mirza showed up

Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi hold the winners trophy after their mixed doubles final match in Melbourne. (AFP Photo)

bright and early, steady in nerve and furious in her shot making. At 3-3 in the first set Bhupathi weighed in and the wildcard entrants of the Australian Open mixed doubles event went on to clinch 10 of the final 11 games of the title clash that saw an interesting mix of flair and firepower.

The all-Indian pairing powered to 6-3, 6-1 win over Israel's Andy Ram and France's Nathalie Dechy in 55 minutes. The win gave Sania her first Grand Slam title and Bhupathi his seventh mixed-doubles crown and 11th Grand Slam title.

Sania was understandably ecstatic. "After being out for most of last year, not playing for almost six months, and then winning a Grand Slam title in virtually my first tournament back, is just great," she said. "A Slam is a Slam -- singles, doubles or mixed doubles, and winning on these big stages is what I had dreamt of as a child. Winning with Mahesh, he's a friend and fellow Indian, makes it even more special. Last time, we fell one short, this time we did it!"

Bhupathi said, "This whole weekend has been an emotional roller-coaster. The last thing you want to do after a match like yesterday is show-up on the court again today. There was some of that disappointment still there in me, but you have to get up to the job. Fortunately for me Sania was playing great and she got us through the early part and then I served great and when we're playing like that it's tough to beat us. It's been a great two weeks for me, but if I had to return home without a title, it would've hurt. This obviously makes up for Saturday's loss in the men's doubles final."

Bhupathi and Sania, playing their second successive final in Melbourne Park, were off to a quick start, breaking Ram in the opening game of the match. They were, however, equally quick in surrendering the advantage as Dechy and Ram reeled off three games in row to take a 3-2 lead.

Even with the tension mounting Bhupathi and Sania seemed to be enjoying themselves on court. "I'm the one doing all the talking," Sania said, between peels of laughter. "Mahesh always says very little, ha and hum.... But we always have fun together because we're friends and that eases tension on the court."

Sania then led the fightback with some nicely angled returns while Bhupathi provided the finishing touches at the net as the Indians broke Dechy in the seventh game. A Bhupathi forehand down-the-line sealed the set as the Israeli faltered with his serve in the ninth game.

Bhupathi and Sania were unstoppable in the second set, breaking Dechy in the fourth and Ram in the sixth. The 22-year-old Hyderabadi then served out the match in the seventh game.

Bhupathi, who hasn't persisted with his former mixed doubles partners after winning Grand Slam crowns, hoped it would be different with Sania. "This is the most special of my mixed doubles wins because it has come with a fellow Indian. There's been so much excitement and positive energy around us playing together that this title has got to be extra special," he said.

Bhupathi was all praise for his partner. "A lot of great players have started out by winning doubles and mixed doubles titles, so today was a great beginning for Sania. I'm sure there will be more titles to come," he said.

"She's young, she's a quick learner and she's growing everyday as a player. This is just the kind of confidence booster she needed at the start of the year."

Sania was scheduled to fly back home later on Sunday. "My wrist is doing good," she said. "But I've been on painkillers this whole week. I've been experiencing some pain in my abdominal muscle. I'm going to give the Fed Cup a miss, return home and take care of this problem."

Sania, however, refused to look ahead. "I'm living in the moment," she said. "I'm going to enjoy this win. Sure this has done a lot for my confidence and I'm it'll help me in singles too, but I'm not going to get ahead of myself."