West Indies board to blame for Antigua farce

The West Indies Cricket Board was responsible for the shambles of the abandoned Test at the Sir Viv Richards Stadium, according to the ICC chief executives' committee. The announcement came after the second day of their meeting in Johannesburg.
The executive committee reconfirmed that the responsibility for ensuring the delivery of a venue fit for the purpose of international cricket rested with the host member board. Until now, the WICB has been reluctant to accept that it and not the local board was at fault for not ensuring the venue was up to standard.
The committee recommended that from now on all boards would be required to notify the ICC in February of each year the identity of all venues they intended to use for international matches in the following 12 months. This would need to be accompanied by a declaration that the grounds were up to standards already agreed by the ICC.
With regards to the outfield in Antigua, this is currently the subject of an ICC investigation and the WICB has been asked to submit its own report. The ICC has the power to impose a sanction ranging from a warning or a fine up to a suspension of international status for the venue.

Champions League round-up

Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in Spain as Chelsea beat Juventus by the same scoreline in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie.

Yossi Benayoun was Liverpool's match-winner with a late goal, while Didier Drogba gave Chelsea a slender advantage to take to Italy in a fortnight's time.
Elsewhere in Europe, Sporting were crushed 5-0 at home by Bayern Munich, while Villarreal and Panathinaikos played out a 1-1 draw.
The build-up to Liverpool's match at the Santiago Bernabeu had been overshadowed by speculation surrounding the future of manager Rafa Benitez, with some reports suggesting his days in the club could be numbered.
If the players had been distracted by such stories it did not show in the early exchanges as they frustrated Real Madrid with a disciplined, defensive performance and restricted their more creative players to ambitious shots from distance.
With Steven Gerrard starting on the bench in his first game back following injury, Liverpool looked far from threatening themselves, although Iker Casillas pulled off a fine save to thwart Fernando Torres and then had to scramble back to push a Xabi Alonso effort from 50 yards over the crossbar.
Juande Ramos' side continued to enjoy plenty of possession after the break but they were unable to make the breakthrough as Jose Reina parried away a fierce drive from Arjen Robben.
A goalless draw appeared to be on the cards until an unmarked Benayoun headed home a crucial away goal from Fabio Aurelio's free-kick in the 82nd minute.
Chelsea's clash with Juventus, the third Anglo-Italian affair of the week, saw Claudio Ranieri make an emotional return to Stamford Bridge almost five years after he became the first manager to be sacked in the Roman Abramovich era.
Champions League glory has continued to elude the Blues since Ranieri's departure but Guus Hiddink was given the perfect start to his first European match in charge as Didier Drogba scored in the 12th minute after being found in the box by an exquisite Salomon Kalou pass that bisected Juve's much-vaunted defence.
Drogba was a constant menace throughout the evening with his power and pace, but the Ivory Coast international was unhappy when his claims for a penalty were ignored midway through the second half.
Juventus applied more pressure in the closing stages but Chelsea held firm to go into the second leg as slight favourites.
Bayern Munich were the big winners of the night as they took total control of their tie against Sporting by hitting five in Portugal.
Bayern, the last German side standing in the competition, withstood a 40-minute onslaught from Sporting and then took the lead against the run of play when Franck Ribery seized on a poor pass by Derlei to run from the halfway line, beat two defenders and fire a shot past Tiago.
Miroslav Klose then bundled the ball home from Massimo Oddo's cross on 57 minutes to make it 2-0 and Ribery added a third from the penalty spot after a wild challenge by former Middlesbrough midfielder Fabio Rochemback on Philipp Lahm.
Luca Toni's looping header put Bayern 4-0 in front and the Italian grabbed his second on 90 minutes to complete a miserable night for the hosts.
Sporting will need to stage a monumental fightback to progress to the quarter-finals but the final tie of the evening remains very much in the balance after Villarreal came from behind to hold Panathinaikos.
Panathinaikos, who finished above Inter Milan as they qualified from the group phase, were almost gifted a goal in the first half as Diego Lopez caught a Giorgos Karagounis free-kick and very nearly stepped behind the goal-line.
Karagounis was not to be denied though and he broke the deadlock in stunning fashion on 59 minutes as he sent a powerful, swerving volley into the top corner.
Villarreal had dominated the match for long periods and they shook off the disappointment to draw level thanks to a Giuseppe Rossi penalty in the 67th minute after Robert Pires had been brought down by Jakub Wawrzyniak.

Torres targeting Real success

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has vowed to gun down Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League so as to avoid suffering the pain of 'big game' defeat.

The Reds travel to the Bernabeu in the last 16 on Wednesday, live on Sky Sports, to take on an in-form Real side and Torres is desperate for victory in the tie.
Torres was part of the Spain side which lost late on to Italy in the knockout stages of the 2006 World Cup and he is eager to avoid a repeat of that misery.
"If you ever need any incentive on the pitch to give all you have it is to remember how bad it feels to lose the big games and the feeling of emptiness in the dressing room afterwards," the former Atletico Madrid star told the News of the World.

Important

"That's not something I want to be experiencing again and that is going to show on the pitch against Madrid.
"These are the games you look forward to as players. It is good to go back to Spain and, hopefully, one day I can face Atletico in the Champions League.
"Real Madrid's history in Europe is very clear but also Liverpool's history in Europe is very clear.
"The Premier League is still very important for us this season and is a competition we very much believe we are involved in but the European Cup is very important to the fans and players of this club and the manager has great success in it.
"We're not in the European Cup with a target of semis, the only reason Liverpool are in this competition is to win it."

Benitez blasts United claim

Rafa Benitez has laughed off claims from Arsene Wenger that Manchester United are 'untouchable'.

And the Liverpool tactician reckons his title contenders can prove that when they travel to Old Trafford on 14th March by humbling Sir Alex Ferguson's men in their own back yard.
Arsenal boss Wenger has been so impressed with United's nine consecutive league victories the Frenchman has conceded he cannot see anyone getting near the Red Devils.
But Benitez, whose side host Manchester City on Sunday, insisted: "When I speak of facts, one is that United are a very good team and I knew they could have a run of winning games in a row.

Refute

"They will win more than a lot of the other teams but to say we can't beat them? I don't think so.
"I can only talk of my team but I don't think they are untouchable. In football now every game is tough so anything can happen.
"We have reduced the gap very well and want to reduce it more. It will be difficult but if we're in the same position going to Old Trafford maybe that could be important."
Few men are better placed to talk of dispelling the status quo than Benitez, whose Valencia side broke Real Madrid and Barcelona's monopoly in Spain in 2002.
Liverpool trail United by five points - but seven years ago Los Che were even further behind Real and still won the title.
Benitez added: "In Spain we were eight or nine points behind in January and finished seven ahead.
"It's a big gap but we can reduce that by winning a few in a row.

Big Difference

"We can talk about it all but we still have to do it on the pitch, though. Since I arrived there has been a massive difference.
"You can't keep the gap too big because you wouldn't have time and would be under a lot of pressure. You can talk of easy games and then afterwards it turns out they are really difficult.
"I think they will all be hard until the end of the season now.
"We just have to think we can win the next game, then the next one, and go to Old Trafford and win too. We have to think this way."
Liverpool, bizarrely for a side in second place, have scored just seven first-half goals in their last 14 home games and only led at half-time twice.
Benitez admits it is more crucial than ever to start turning pressure into goals if they are to end their 19 year wait for domestic glory.
He added: "Clearly it's better if you score first because the other team have to play higher up the pitch and it's hard to explain why we haven't.
"We have to improve but if we scored the first goal obviously it would make it easier for the team's confidence, for the fans - and for my heart!"

Neville earns new United deal

Gary Neville has agreed a new contract with Manchester United that will keep him at Old Trafford until June 2010.

The veteran right-back has been part of the Red Devils' first-team for the past 17 years after making his debut against Torpedo Moscow in 1992.
Neville was forced to battle his way back to full fitness after missing almost the entire 2007/08 season following a serious ankle injury.
The 34-year-old club captain may not be able to play in every match for the Premier League and European champions but he remains an integral member of their record-breaking defence, which has now kept 14 successive top-flight clean sheets.

Neville told the club's official website: "Manchester United is the only club I have ever wanted to play for so I am delighted to have signed for another year."
The new contract for the England international comes just a week after Ryan Giggs agreed his own one-year extension, with Sir Alex Ferguson delighted to reward such committed members of his squad.
"Gary, Ryan and Paul (Scholes) are the spirit of Manchester United and so we are delighted that Gary has signed for another year," the Scot said.
"Gary is a true professional and I admire how he has overcome an injury which kept him out for over a year, returning as good as ever. He deserves this new contract and we are very happy to have him here."

Tevez hopes for United stay

A national newspaper quoted Tevez's advisor Kia Joorabchian as saying the player is effectively 'in the market' and that United no longer have an 'option' to secure the Argentine's services in the summer.
However, Joorabchian insists that Tevez is still very much committed to remaining in Manchester and that talks are ongoing between all parties.
United are thought to have an agreement in place to pay around £30million to an investment group that handles Tevez's affairs, but as yet they have failed to rubber-stamp this arrangement.
Speculation has intimated that the likes of Real Madrid and Inter Milan are continuing to monitor the situation but Joorabchian remains hopeful an agreement can be reached whereby Tevez stays at United long-term.
"Carlos Tevez remains very much a Manchester United player," Joorabchian told skysports.com.
"His position is unchanged. We are looking forward to talking to Manchester United in the coming months and hope to secure Carlos' future."
Meanwhile Tevez's former club Corinthians have moved to distance themselves from a possible approach for the player.
Corinthians boss Mario Gobbi told Jovem Pam Tevez that Tevez will definitely not return to the club.
"Tevez identified with the club and is an idol for the fans," he said.
"But it is only that, there is nothing else. We were surprised with the reports.
"Of course we would love to have him, but there is nothing in it at all."

Boss: Rooney will start

Sir Alex has confirmed he'll hand Wayne Rooney his first start for five weeks when Blackburn Rovers visit Old Trafford on Saturday.

Rooney, who scored in midweek after coming off the bench against Fulham, missed the previous seven matches after tearing a hamstring in the Reds' win over Wigan Athletic on 14 January.Now, however, the boss says the Englishman is fit and raring to go. "Wayne will play," Sir Alex told media at his pre-match press conference. "He has to start so we can see how far advanced he is, but we think he's fine."Elsewhere, John O'Shea's swollen heel, sustained on Wednesday night, means the Irishman is a "slight doubt"."Other than that, it's the same squad," Sir Alex confirmed.Victory against Blackburn will send United eight points clear of title rivals Liverpool, who play on Sunday.

Galliani hopeful on Becks

AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani is hopeful David Beckham's future could be decided on Friday.

The England midfielder is currently on loan at the Serie A giants but is due to return to parent club Los Angeles Galaxy on 9th March.
His American paymasters have repeatedly stated their desire to keep Beckham in the MLS but the player is hankering after a permanent stay in Italy.
Milan's attempts to thrash out a deal with the MLS and Galaxy have to date failed to yield a positive outcome, but Galliani is quietly confident there could be developments by the end of the week.
"There is still a bit of distance but Friday could be the decisive day for Beckham," Galliani told reporters.
"The wish of the player is to stay, we will see how the situation evolves."

Negotiations on-going

"We are negotiating and trying to resolve the problem.
"We will have to wait and see how this situation develops - there is still time."
Meanwhile, Beckham does not believe defeat in the Milan derby on Sunday will hurt his chances of a permanent transfer to the San Siro.
"I am disappointed because our hopes of winning the Scudetto are truly minimal," said Beckham.
"But this doesn't alter our plans. I know that Milan want me until the end of the season."

Stanford charged with fraud

Sir Allen Stanford has been charged with a multi-billion dollar fraud in the United States.

Stanford and all his financial companies have had their assets frozen, with a receiver also being appointed.
The ECB have also suspended sponsorship negotiations as a result of the allegations.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged the Stanford Financial Group with a 'massive ongoing fraud', totalling $8 billion, through his off-shore bank based in Antigua.
Police officers and SEC officials entered the offices of the Texan billionaire in Houston after filing a complaint in federal court in Dallas.
Stanford, chief of the Stanford Financial Group, has been charged alongside Stanford International Bank chief financial officer James Davis and Laura Pendergest-Holt, chief investment officer of Stanford Financial Group.

Complaint

"As we allege in our complaint, Stanford and the close circle of family and friends with whom he runs his businesses perpetrated a massive fraud based on false promises and fabricated historical return data to prey on investors," the SEC's Linda Chatman Thomsen said in a statement.
"We are moving quickly and decisively in this enforcement action to stop this fraudulent conduct and preserve assets for investors."
Stanford's business operations have been the subject of some controversy in recent weeks, and the allegations now surround $8 billion worth of certificates of deposits sold to investors through the Antigua bank.
The SEC say unfeasibly high return rates were promised by the Stanford International Bank, alleging: "These rates were supposedly earned through SIB's unique investment strategy, which purportedly allowed the bank to achieve double-digit returns on its investments for the past 15 years."

England Future

Following the charges, the ECB have suspended their negotiations with the billionaire about possible future sponsorship.
"Following allegations made today (Tuesday) by the US Securities and Exchange Commission and their decision to apply for a temporary restraining order which was filed in a Dallas/Fort Worth court, the England and Wales Cricket Board and the West Indies Cricket Board have suspended negotiations with Sir Allen Stanford and his financial corporation concerning a new sponsorship deal," said an ECB statement.
Stanford famously bank-rolled the $20 million match between a West Indian team and England in Antigua last year, and was interested in backing the English Premier League.

Usmanov ups Gunners stake

Red and White Holdings Limited have increased their shareholding in Arsenal to over 25 per cent.

The company is owned by Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov and his business associate Farhad Moshiri, a London-based investor.
The latest purchase takes Red and White to within five per cent of the minimum 30 per cent stake that would require them to launch a formal takeover bid under Stock Exchange rules.
In a statement, Red and White said the increase in their shareholding was "in line with Red and White's previously stated intention to secure a significant shareholding in Arsenal and ensure that its position is protected".
The statement added: "We are pleased to have now secured over a quarter of the shares of Arsenal.
Committed

"We are committed long-term investors and supporters of the club and are comfortable that we are now in a protected position.
"We also welcome the strengthening of the squad and look forward to a successful conclusion to the season."
Red and White was formed in August 2007 following the initial sale of former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein's 14.5 per cent stake in the club.
Usmanov then increased his shareholding to 23 per cent two months later, before upping his stake to just over 24 per cent in February 2008.
Other members of the Arsenal board currently have a lock-down agreement in place which is designed to help prevent Usmanov from being able to launch a takeover of the club.

Nadal - Andy deserved it

Rafael Nadal believes it is only a matter of time before Andy Murray becomes Britain's first tennis player to break into the top three in the world.

The injury-hit Spaniard was defeated by Murray on Sunday, as the 21-year-old Scot claimed his second ATP title of the year with a 6-3 4-6 6-0 win in the final of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament.
The victory was Murray's second over Nadal in 2009 and his third in succession, although the world's leading player was hampered by a knee injury during the Rotterdam final and required treatment.
Despite his injury, Nadal heaped praise on world number four Murray, who he believes could make further progress up the rankings and become Britain's first ever world number three.
"Andy deserves this triumph and I congratulate him, he is playing very well this year and has already won two titles," said Nadal.

Nothing serious

"He could become the number one, two or three in the world.
"It was not my best day. I had problems but I don't want to talk too much about these. Andy played very well. These things happen in sport.
"I'd rather talk about the good game of my opponent, who can look back at a fantastic tournament," added Nadal on the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament website.
"I know how well he is able to play and in the final he has shown that time after time. He has only lost once this season, to (Fernando) Verdasco in Australia. He won the tournament of Doha and now here in Rotterdam."
Regarding his injury, Nadal is hoping he will be fit enough to play in the Dubai Tennis Championships on Monday, saying: "I hope it's nothing serious and I will be able to play in Dubai, but we will have to see how the injury evolves.
"Now I'll have a week's break before I play in Dubai and I hope to have no problems. Above everything I had a great week in an important tournament."

England desperate for fightback at old Rec

Match facts

Sunday February 15 - Thursday February 19Start time 10.00am (14.00GMT)

After England's Sabina Park debacle last week, an altogether different farce afflicted the series when the second Test was abandoned due to sand. Friday the 13th had struck, and how. Never before had Antigua's most plentiful resource caused such embarrassment to a proud nation, and with the Sir Viv Richards Stadium now hosting an army of diggers to ascertain its future viability as a Test ground, all eyes turn to the Antigua Recreation Ground. The old Rec, as it is known, is dripping in history - it hosted not one, but two of Brian Lara's world records - before it was consigned to the scrapheap following its last Test in 2006. Since then, the ARG has been mainly used for training and preparation. Prior to the second Test, England netted there and the faster bowlers generated extreme pace on very slippery surfaces, a trend which continued this morning as Steve Harmison worked up a head of steam. Dropped for the second Test, Harmison could well return here if conditions suit him.

The shock abandonment of Friday's Test was an unfortunate stumbling block for England, in particular, as they are desperate to bounce back from their calamitous 51 all out a week ago in Jamaica. Ian Bell was dropped on Friday in place of Owais Shah, who will finally get his chance on Sunday - and, one would expect, he will be given a long stretch to prove his worth. For their bowling attack, however, England might well opt for Harmison's pace and bounce over Anderson's seam and swing in a horses-for-courses selection.
For West Indies, it seems unlikely they will change their starting XI from the second Test, in which Xavier Marshall was dropped for Ryan Hinds. Yet there is a sense that, although they are 1-0 up in the series, the farcical scenes in North Sound on Friday could affect the momentum of the side; the bright new era of hope that Jerome Taylor and West Indies generated in the first Test has again been replaced by calls for administrative repercussions and heads to roll. All West Indies can hope for is a repeat of their Jamaica brilliance, leaving the penpushers to continue their bungling.
Form guide (most recent first)West Indies DWDDLEngland DLDLW

Watch out for

Jerome Taylor: His spell of a lifetime in Jamaica not only won the Test for West Indies, but woke their slumbering fans from a decade of mild indifference. Bowling fast, full and straight, not even Kevin Pietersen could cope with the late swing, his off stump cartwheeling back to spark England's dramatic collapse. Taylor has always had the ability to lead the attack. Crucially, does he now believe he's earned that role?
Andrew Strauss: Of all of England's current underperforming lot, Strauss is the man who most needs a score. England need his runs, but he needs them more; a hundred at the ARG will cement his authority among a team containing two former captains, and set in place his vision for the side's future. With England collapsing meekly in Jamaica, followed by the sandy farce in Antigua, Strauss desperately needs to issue a statement that all will be well - something he does beautifully in press conferences, if not yet with the bat as captain.
Firemen are called in to water the pitch at the Rec © Getty Images

Team news

Will Owais Shah actually play this time? Picked for the second Test, the match only lasted 10 balls, and neither opening batsmen had the temerity to give their wicket away. Now is his chance to prove that his seemingly interminable wait (he debuted in March 2006) has been worth it. This tour has lurched from disaster to farce for England, but barring any overnight injuries it seems unlikely they will make any changes to their XI from the second Test, apart from drafting in Harmison for Anderson.
England (probable) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Owais Shah, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Andrew Flintoff, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Ryan Sidebottom, 10, James Anderson/Steve Harmison, 11 Monty Panesar.
Ryan Hinds, the spinning allrounder, should retain his place in West Indies XI. Lendl Simmons was considered unlucky not to make the team for the second Test, but it seems unlikely West Indies will alter their line-up.
West Indies (probable) 1 Chris Gayle (capt), 2 Devon Smith, 3 Ramnaresh Sarwan, 4 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 5 Brendan Nash, 6 Ryan Hinds, 7 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 8 Jerome Taylor, 9 Daren Powell, 10 Sulieman Benn, 11 Fidel Edwards.
Pitch & conditions

Nothing will ever compare (one hopes) to the ridiculous state of the outfield in North Sound, and although the old Rec hasn't hosted a Test since 2006, the early signs are that the grass does not have several feet of sand eagerly seeping through its blades. The stands might be in a state of disrepair (and even disuse), but the pitch is expected to be spicy and lively - even accounting for the painted centre circle where football games have been staged. That particular area has been rolled flat. The groundsmen are working flat out to ready the ground in time, and it seems they're winning the battle.
Stats & Trivia
The last Test staged at the ARG was against India in 2006, in which Chris Gayle cracked 69 in West Indies' chase of 392. Fidel Edwards and Cory Collymore held on for a tense draw.
England's record here is poor. They haven't won in the six previous encounters, and in two of those - in 1994 and 2004 - Brian Lara smashed his two world records, 375 and 400 not out.
The old Rec has hosted more draws (11) than wins (10), but one of West Indies' most famous victories came in 2003 when they chased down 418 to beat Australia.
Quotes"The ultimate responsibility lies with the board and we are not shirking it."Julian Hunte, chairman of the West Indies Cricket Board, fronts up to the criticism
"The Recreation Ground is not in brilliant condition as we speak but from a netting point of view the wickets were satisfactory, the bowlers' run-ups were fine, the outfield is not great but I don't think it's dangerous".Andrew Strauss is diplomatic yet straightforward about the decision to host the third Test at the ARG.
"The pitch is never a problem here. I think it will last. The slight problem is the outfield."Andy Roberts, the former head groundsman at the ARG, offers his view on the rebirth of the Rec

Fergie - My squad's the best

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes he possesses the best squad in the Premier League.

After a slow start to the season,The Red Devils have now hit their stride and a run of only one defeat in 23 matches in all competitions sees them topping the table.
In addition, United's defence has been impregnable of late after going a record-breaking 13 league matches without conceding a single goal.
After being questioned on Ferguson's best side, the vastly-experienced Scottish tactician said he does not have a favourite starting XI, insisting that it is now a squad game.
With United going strong in every competition this season, the Old Trafford chief believes he possesses the strongest squad in England's top flight.
"People sometimes ask me what I consider to be my best side, and the short answer is that I don't have one," said Ferguson.

Game-to-game basis
"I select the team that I consider is the best for each particular match. I have got a great many factors in mind, ranging from the tactical to who needs a rest and who we play in the next game.
"I can give you my best 14 or 15, but better than that, all I can say is that is a squad game and that we have a damn fine squad. In fact it is the best.
"Everyone has done so well and rallied around when we have had injuries that I'm beginning to dread picking the team.
"I feel guilty when I am forced to leave someone out who has not only done nothing wrong but who has played exceptionally well. It puts the club in a strong position, of course, but it doesn't make the manager's job very easy."

Business end
The 2008/09 campaign is now at the business end of the season and Ferguson is pleased his troops are showing the grit and determination needed to retain their Premier League title.
"We're at the time of the season where you expect the players to kick on," he continued. "We've seen it over the years.
"The present group I've got seem to have a gear where they can find. For instance, when we went to Stoke it was lively pitch and we'd just got back from Japan but we scraped a result because we never gave in.
"It was an important marker to lay down and, having come back from the World Club Cup in Japan, we needed to win that game. Once we won that, we've gone on."

Antigua Test in trouble

The opening day of the second Test between England and the West Indies was abandoned after just 10 balls due to a dangerous outfield.

Having seen both Jerome Taylor and Fidel Edwards struggle to run up on a sandy surface, the decision was made to cancel play at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
England captain Andrew Strauss, who was at the crease with his side on 7-0, and West Indies counterpart Chris Gayle were involved in meetings with on-field umpires Tony Hill and Daryl Harper, as well as match referee Alan Hurst.
Although no decision has been made about the rest of the match, the situation is unlikely to improve in the near future.

Options
Australian Hurst admitted that officials will now look into other options, including moving the match to a different venue entirely.
"There's a very deep sand base here and even in the first over the bowler was going considerably deep with their footing," he told Sky Sports.
"They were having trouble getting any sort of traction at all. It was deemed to be dangerous by the bowlers and the umpires were in agreement with that.
"Their decision has been that they will abandon play for the day as the grounds seem to be fit. We'll look into now other options perhaps relocate the game, look at time changes - I'm not sure where we go from here.
"Rather than say the game is abandoned we're saying we've abandoned play today and then make some further announcements as soon as we can."
The situation regarding the state of the outfield had been raised during the build-up to the match, though Hurst revealed no one had actually tested out the conditions to see if they were fit for action.
"I don't think there was any doubt that there was a problem as far as the sand is concerned. Everyone felt, including the umpires, that it may have been okay," he admitted.
"We hadn't had anyone bowl on the wicket to test it out. We had to have someone do that before a decision can be made.
"It would have been jumping the gun before play to say it's unfit. The evidence has been shown in the first two overs."

Possibilities
The decision must now be made over what to do with the possibility of using the Antigua Recreation Ground as a new venue.
There is also the option of back-to-back contests on another island, something that happened 11 years ago when the first Test between the two teams was cancelled at Sabina Park in Jamaica due to an unfit pitch.
"I've got to talk to the board (The West Indies Cricket Board), the ICC, with the umpires. We'll talk through options but I'm not sure what they are," Hurst added.
"Maybe we could extend the time of the Test match, maybe changing the venue, maybe back-to-back games in Barbados. I'm not sure, there may be other options."

Strauss up for the fight

England captain Andrew Strauss has told his players to "walk the walk" by putting their first Test mauling in Jamaica behind them with a win in Antigua.



An innings defeat in the first Test saw Strauss' second stint as England captain get off to the worst possible start and he and his wounded troops now head to the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium with a point to prove.
England slumped to 51 all out - the nation's third-lowest total ever, in the second innings of the Sabina Park defeat, drawing widespread criticism on a number of areas of the team.
However Strauss, who made just seven and nine in his two innings in Jamaica, is confident his players will respond when the second Test gets under way in Antigua live on Sky Sports.
"What happened last week was not ideal by any stretch of the imagination and we need to come back and level the series," said Strauss.

Bell Out?
"We had a couple of tough days after the Test match understandably but we have been very focused, the guys have turned around well and are very keen to walk the walk rather than talk the talk.
"Meetings can only take you so far, you can say whatever you want to say but the key is to get out in the middle and perform.
"If you've had a tough Test match, the only way to change people's opinions of you, and your opinion of yourself is to get out there and do something about it."
England are unlikely to make wholesale changes for the second Test although Ian Bell's slot at No.3 could be filled by Owais Shah.
Bell has made just one half-century in his last six Test matches and his lack of runs have become a big area of concern for the England selectors.

Rash

"There have been conversations over the last few days in terms of form," Strauss said.
"When you're bowled out for 51 and you're not playing as well as you should do, you have to think about that.
"But given that we are not 100 per cent sure of conditions we are not coming to any rash decisions."
James Anderson could also be included on a ground which is expected to produce plenty of reverse swing at the expense of Steve Harmison.
Strauss, meanwhile, hopes West Indies' unfamiliarity with leading a series works against them.
"I have always felt the game after we we've won a Test match is always a dangerous one because there is an incentive on your part to cruise a little bit and the other team are obviously extra motivated to come back strong," he said.
"We are in the loser's position at the moment, we are very motivated to put on a better performance than we did last week."

Unlucky New Zealand miss out in rain-ruined decider

No result - New Zealand 6 for 123 (Guptill 64*) Australia 4 for 168 (Haddin 88*, Ferguson 55*)

Australia clung to the Chappell-Hadlee Series despite a brave push from New Zealand after the final game was spoilt by rain. Martin Guptill's fighting half-century was in vain as the visitors finished at 6 for 123; they were ahead on Duckworth-Lewis but needed to make the target of 156 in 20 overs to qualify the contest as a match.
The result left the series drawn at 2-2 and Australia kept the prize after their win in 2007-08. It was a sad end for New Zealand after a day that swung from saturated to soggy and slippery.
New Zealand started their innings after Australia's 4 for 168 and relied on Guptill, who blasted his half-century from only 24 balls. He went on to 64 off 34, with five fours and three sixes, and after adding 50 in six overs with the debutant Brendon Diamanti (26*), they wanted just 33 in 36 overs for their first one-day series win in Australia. So close but so wet.
Guptill scored at such high speed that New Zealand required less than a run a ball over the final third of the chase, which was extraordinary considering the losses the side suffered. His partnership with Diamanti frustrated the Australians - at one stage Ponting was heard to grumble "what's going on?" - and with eight overs remaining they needed a highly gettable 42.
New Zealand's already difficult assignment had grown harder on the second ball of the innings when the out-of-sorts Brendon McCullum (2) was bowled by a Ben Hilfenhaus outswinger. Guptill and Peter Fulton tried to make it look like the sun was shining by speeding to 38 off the first three overs.
However, Fulton's cameo of 22 off 12 balls, including two sixes in an over off Hilfenhaus, ended with a clever back-tracking catch by Ferguson at point. Ross Taylor followed with another wild miscue, this time to Mitchell Johnson, and the quick departures of Grant Elliott and Neil Broom, who was run-out by a direct hit from Ricky Ponting, left New Zealand at 5 for 68. In their push to stay in touch they almost imploded and then Michael Hussey leapt to take a one-handed catch to remove Kyle Mills for 1.
Haddin stood up in the tricky conditions after Mills caused early damage in his opening spell. Australia were 3 for 30 before Haddin steered the side with 88 from 65 balls. He liked the bowling of Diamanti and hit him for a six over long-on and a straight four in the same over.
After bringing up his half-century from 43 balls, he finished in a flurry, hitting Tim Southee into the second tier of the Northern Stand and launching Iain O'Brien into the Southern. Callum Ferguson joined in as the pair blasted 98 in 10.5 overs. He arrived and captured 55 in 35 deliveries to inflate Australia's total, which included 30 in the two-over batting Powerplay.
James Hopes was promoted to open with Michael Clarke missing due to a back problem, but he walked off after skying Mills to mid-off in the third over. It was Mills again who forced a fine outside edge from Ponting (2) and Australia were wobbling at 2 for 20. Ponting was one of a handful of Australian players who returned to the team hotel during the rain delay in the afternoon before being called back to the ground.
O'Brien bowled a slashing David Hussey for 6 to inflict further damage in his first over, but Australia recovered through a 40-run stand between the dominant Haddin and Michael Hussey. Just as they were starting to look reasonably comfortable Hussey (9) pulled Daniel Vettori's first delivery to Diamanti at deep midwicket, reducing the hosts to 4 for 70.
Mills left the field after his third over with a right Achilles injury, but came back for his fourth and saw Guptill miss a tough one-handed chance to his right off Michael Hussey on 1. Even in such a short spell Mills deserved better, finishing with 2 for 22.
That there was any play at all was almost a miracle after heavy showers on Thursday night and most of the day on Friday. While the contest is crucial in deciding the winner of the five-match series, it will also give the players some practice before Sunday's Twenty20 in Sydney.

Scolari lifts lid on Chelsea

Sacked Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has admitted that he had no relationship with his players away from training and matches.

In an interview with France Football magazine, given before he was axed by the Stamford Bridge outfit on Monday, the Brazilian gives an insight to his brief reign in West London.
Reports of dressing room unrest blighted the World Cup-winning coach's time with the club, and Scolari has admitted that he was not close to his squad.
He said: "There are egos in the dressing room, but that is normal, isn't it? We all have egos.
"But my relationships with the players are good on the pitch. It is true that they are not the same as the relationships I had with my players in Portugal, but I spent five years there.
"In Brazil (as a club manager) it was also easier. I knew everything about the players. Here, I don't have a family relation with the players. Everything is on the pitch. Outside, there is nothing."

Magical

Scolari also felt that the club were missing a creative force who could unlock opposition defences, with Chelsea's summer move for Robinho hijacked at the last minute in the summer by Manchester City.
He said: "At Chelsea we don't have the player who can make the difference by himself by producing something magical on the pitch.
"We miss that. I don't know why. In the past (Arjen) Robben was at Chelsea and he could make the difference. But now there is no-one.
"Robinho could have been this player. He is not afraid to dribble, to take a risk, As a Brazilian, I like this.
"My team isn't Brazilian enough. It is a 'bureaucratic' team. That's the style of my players. That's why Robinho would have done a lot of good for the team."

Missing
Scolari went on to explain why he left striker Didier Drogba out of his starting XI even when he regained fitness after injury, and suggested that France winger Florent Malouda was also well below his best form.
He added: "Drogba lacks a lot of confidence at the moment. After two or three big injuries, he is missing something. Drogba doesn't have enough confidence, so I choose (Nicolas) Anelka.
"Malouda, at Chelsea, isn't the Malouda from Lyon. He is OK, but he isn't the same that he was with Lyon. He doesn't make the difference in games any longer."

Jayawardene to step down

Cricinfo staff
February 11, 2009

Mahela Jayawardene has announced that he will resign as Sri Lanka captain after the upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan. The decision, announced on Wednesday, comes three days after Sri Lanka lost to India 4-1 in their ODI series at home.
Jayawardene, who sat out of Sri Lanka's Twenty20 international against India on Tuesday, called for a meeting with the selectors the next day and proposed that the time was right to hand over the captaincy, ensuring his successor sufficient time to build the team for the 2011 World Cup.
"In the best interests of the Sri Lanka team, I have decided to stand down as Sri Lanka captain after this Pakistan tour," Jayawardene said in a statement. "This is something I have been considering for some time as it has been my long-held belief that my successor should have at least 18 months in the job to imprint his vision on the team for the 2011 World Cup.
"After much thought, I have concluded that the right time has now come for fresh leadership to takeover. It was not an easy decision to make because being the Sri Lanka captain has been the source of enormous pride. I am very grateful to have been granted the honour of leading the team during the last three years. I would like to extend a special thank-you to my team-mates for making the job so easy and fulfilling, to the Sri Lanka Cricket officials and selectors who placed their faith in me, and to family, friends and fans who have provided so much support. I look forward now to extending my full support to my successor and hope to play a major part in the team's success during coming years as a batsman."

Australia cancel Pakistan tour over security fears

KARACHI: The Australian cricket team will not tour Pakistan in April but the five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 match could be shifted to the United Arab Emirates, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Wednesday.

The world champions were due to visit in April, after cancelling their tour last year, but have voiced concerns over possible security threats to their players.
The latest blow to Pakistan cricket follows a decision by the International Cricket Council (ICC) Sunday to relocate the 2009 Champions Trophy away from the country.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt told AFP that the Australia series was unlikely to take place in Pakistan in April after a meeting with Cricket Australia officials in Melbourne.
‘It (the series) in unlikely to be played in Pakistan,’ Butt said. ‘We are discussing dates and venues, which I will let the media know when I return on Friday,’ he said.
Australia have not toured Pakistan since 1998, concerned about players’ safety in a nation beset by continuing militant violence.
They postponed a tour of the country in March last year after a spate of suicide bombings but agreed to reschedule the tour into two separate visits – a one-day series in 2009 and Tests in 2010.
In anticipation of Australia’s latest refusal, the PCB had offered various venues to Australia – the UAE, Malaysia, Ireland and England.
Sources close to the board said Pakistan would likely play three one-day matches in Abu Dhabi and two one-dayers and the Twenty20 match in Dubai.
The games will be played after Australia finish their tour of South Africa in mid-April.Following a meeting of the ICC board in Perth, Australia, on Sunday, ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said the ‘safety and security environment’ in Pakistan had forced a relocation of the eight-nation Champions Trophy.

Ronaldo: I Can't Hear The Boo

CRISTIANO RONALDO cannot play at his best unless he is being booed.

The Manchester United star has got so used to abuse from opposition fans that without it he gets paranoid.
Ronaldo, 24 tomorrow, said: “It’s normal for me now. If it doesn’t happen, I’m thinking, ‘Why aren’t they booing?’
“It’s part of football. Maybe they think if they boo I’ll lose my concentration — but it doesn’t happen because I like it.”
Ronaldo first became football’s public enemy for his diving, which he has since eradicated from his game.
Then it was for his part in United team-mate Wayne Rooney’s World Cup sending-off for England in 2006.
Now it is because he is so good he can destroy teams on his own. And he aims to continue doing that.
His boss Alex Ferguson last week questioned whether the World and European Footballer of the Year could match his achievements of last season when he hit 42 goals as United won the Premier and Champions League titles.

Impossible
But Ronaldo, with 14 goals this season, is not giving up on the idea until it is mathematically impossible.
He said: “I’ve improved every year and the last season was the best.
But I want more — this season I want to score the same amount of goals, or more. I know it’ll be hard but I think it’s possible.”
The Portugal ace has sought advice from experienced players about how he can stay on top.
He said: “I’ve spoken to players who have a great history in the game. They’ve told me it’s not what you do in one season, it’s staying at the top level that is the challenge.
“If I don’t perform, people will start to criticise me and I don’t want that. I’m ambitious and plan to win many more things.
“When I arrived at 18, I was a good player, but not in decision making, like whether I have to pass the ball or dribble.
“Winning trophies and being at this club gives you maturity and I’ve learned a lot. When you’re playing around great players you learn.”
Ronaldo wants to repeat last season’s Champions League triumph as United aim to become the first club to retain the trophy in its modern format.
Their next step in that mission comes with the two-legged last 16 tie against Inter Milan.
Ronaldo said: “The next games against Inter will be massive.
“I had always dreamed of winning that trophy. When I touched it, I felt like a baby touching a doll, or something like that. What a feeling.
“What you really want is to win again, to feel this emotion, and I believe it can happen.
“We have a great team, great players and the base is the same.”
Of course, it could have been different had John Terry scored Chelsea’s final penalty after Ronaldo’s miss, the pain of which he can still recall.
In an interview with the club’s Inside United magazine, Ronaldo said: “A shootout is a lottery. When you miss you think everyone will kill you. It’s a horrible feeling.
“Petr Cech made a good save. It was disappointing as I know I can do better.
“When I missed, I thought our chance had gone but the lads all said, ‘No Cristiano, we’re still going to win’.
“We deserved the moment because we worked hard together.
“I remember crying, thinking about what we had achieved, all the things we had done that season to get there and win that trophy, thinking about my family and team-mates.”

Tough assignments face two strugglers

Match facts

Wednesday February 4 - Sunday February 8 Start time 10.00am (15.00GMT)

Big Picture

A series in the Caribbean conjures up so many images; boundaries and bouncers, rum and reggae, sun and sand. Some of those are more relevant to the next five weeks than others. West Indies and England begin this series with very different objectives. The home side need to halt their downward spiral and help rejuvenate the game in a part of the world that has given the sport so much, while the visitors are building towards their ultimate challenge - the Ashes. It's difficult to know which is the tougher assignment.
England start under (another) new captain after Andrew Strauss's rapid succession in place of Kevin Pietersen, and with a number of question marks over the team. However, they are still expected - despite a mediocre Test record in recent years - to dominate West Indies and retain the Wisden Trophy for the fourth successive series.
The home side, though, have different ideas and bullish remarks have been coming for players, management and senior WICB figures. Yet, perhaps the strongest pre-series statement came from Lendl Simmons, who made 282 for West Indies A last week. He isn't in the Test squad, but his time can't be far away. Talent isn't dead in West Indies, it is just taking a little longer to find and nurture.
Form guide (most recent first)

West Indies DDLDL

England DLWLL

Watch out for…

Kevin Pietersen and his return to the ranks. The early signs have been very promising with runs in both warm-up matches and a clear desire to prove he is fully committed to the cause. The captaincy didn't appear to subdue his batting, but now that he has just one job to focus on the very best of Pietersen could be back on display. And before the third day's play he could become the most expensive player on the planet during the IPL auction. Life isn't that bad after all.

Stuart Broad has looked every inch an international player in nearly everything he has done. The one statistic, though, that needs improve in his Test strike-rate; 26 wickets in 10 Tests is not a disgrace, but he needs a big haul to kick-start his career with the red ball. Five years ago Steve Harmison excelled in this corresponding series, now is Broad's time to step forward.

Jerome Taylor was 18 when he made his Test debut and is now developing into an impressive player. A maiden century against New Zealand showed he can become a classy No. 8, but it's with the ball that he holds a key. A skiddy paceman rather than the tall variety West Indies have previously been so famous for, he can swing the ball both ways and hit 90mph.

Away from the players, the TV referral system is again being used in this series and it's the first time England will have encountered it. West Indies had their first taste in New Zealand recently and since then the system has been tweaked with teams now allowed two unsuccessful referrals per innings rather than three.

Team news

Strauss will wait until the toss to name his first team as full-time captain, but the side was taking shape over the two matches in St Kitts. As always, all eyes are on the fitness of Andrew Flintoff who has been worked hard in recent days to get over his side strain. The vibes from the England camp have been positive and the signs are he will take his place, but there hasn't been enough time to erase all doubts. Elsewhere, Ian Bell will cling onto his No. 3 spot, while Monty Panesar will probably edge out Graeme Swann, if only because he didn't played against West Indies A on a featherbed. Ryan Sidebottom has been talked up by captain and coach and Harmison found his rhythm in the final warm-up game, so James Anderson is shaping as the unlucky quick.

England (probable) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Ian Bell, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Andrew Flintoff, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Ryan Sidebottom, 10, Steve Harmison, 11 Monty Panesar

The West Indies selectors may have been wondering about their decision to announce the Test squad early when Lendl Simmons batted for two days, especially now that Dale Richards, the 32-year-old opener, is a doubt with a foot injury. If he doesn't make it, Devon Smith will slot in alongside Chris Gayle while Xavier Marshall, who is on borrowed time after a poor tour of New Zealand, will retain his place at No.4. Four quicks or a spinner? It never used to be a question, but the changing nature of the pitches opens the door for Amit Jaggernauth to win a second cap.

West Indies (probable) 1 Chris Gayle (capt), 2 Devon Smith, 3 Ramnaresh Sarwan, 4 Xavier Marshall, 5 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 6 Brendan Nash, 7 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 8 Jerome Taylor, 9 Daren Powell, 10 Amit Jaggernauth, 11 Fidel Edwards

Pitch & conditions

Traditionally one of the fastest pitches in the Caribbean, but like most surfaces in the region it has lost some of its venom in recent years - probably as a result of the abandoned match between these two sides in 1998 which ended after 10.3 overs. Gone are the days of the famous sheen on the surface where batsmen could almost see their reflection, and there is a suggestion it won't have much pace.

• Stats & Trivia
  The head-to-head record at Sabina Park stands at 5-3 in West Indies' favour
  Harmison claimed 7 for 12 in 2004 as West Indies were bowled out for 47, the best figures in Tests on this ground
  Last year, West Indies reduced Australia to 18 for 5 in their second innings but the visitors still won the match.

Quotes

They have all been excellent so far and I can't praise them highly enough,
especially KP. They have all got behind me and believe what I'm trying to do is
a good way to go.

Andrew Strauss says there have been no problems with the former captains in the team.

Nadal calls for changes

Rafael Nadal has called for fewer tournaments on hard courts following his victory in the Australian Open.

The Spaniard's five-set victory over Roger Federer was his first Grand Slam win on such a surface, but he re-iterated a view expressed before that matches played on clay and grass take a lesser toll on the body.
The 22-year-old also called for an end to the seemingly endless expansion of the tennis season, which now runs for 365 days a year.
"This surface is tougher than grass or clay for the body, and all the time we are playing more on this surface," he said.
"In my humble opinion, we have to change that a bit more. I can say that because I won a grand slam on hard (courts).
"Before if I say that, a lot of people think 'he wants to change because he's a clay player'. But believe me, I don't think anything about if I am a clay court player or not.
"When I say this, I think about the best for the players and for the future. It's not possible to have a lot of injuries on tour like this. So we have to try to change something.
"To play with this aggression and with this rhythm all the time from the 1st of January to 31st of December is impossible."
Nadal, who suffered a knee injury towards the end of the last year and now wears knee supports, expressed concern that the rigours of life on tour could impinge on his quality of life post-retirement.
"I love football - I can't play football right now because I am playing (tennis) - but I would love to play football with my friends later when I finish," he added.
"I would love to continue playing tennis and to do what I want (after retirement) but if we continue to play this (many tournaments), later maybe it's going to be tough to practice sports."

Pakistan impose IPL ban

Pakistan's players have been refused permission to compete in this season's Indian Premier League due to security concerns.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed that they had been advised by the Foreign Office not to send any Pakistani players to India for any IPL event given the current climate of unease between the two countries following the terror attacks in Mumbai.
PCB chief operating officer, Saleem Altaf, commented: "We have informed the IPL and Indian board that our players can't take part in the IPL this year."
A total of 11 Pakistan players are signed up with IPL franchises and a further five - Yasir Hameed, Danish Kaneria, Asim Kamal, Mohammad Hafeez and Yasir Arafat - were entered in a list of more than 100 players from around the world for this year's auction which takes place in Goa on Friday.
They had sought clearance to travel to India and were initially granted permission with Pakistan's sports ministry issuing no objection certificates to the players to feature in the IPL.
However, the Foreign Office subsequently stepped in and advised the PCB it would be unwise to allow players to feature in the competition given the continuing tensions between India and Pakistan.
"The sports ministry said it would give clearance but the foreign ministry has told us it would not be advisable to send players to India at this time," Altaf added.
Disappointing
Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, who plays for Delhi, inisted players would follow the directives laid out by the government and board.
"It is disappointing but something we have to accept given the prevailing circumstances," Malik stated.
The Indian government had stopped its team from undertaking a Test tour of Pakistan in January after the Mumbai attacks.

Arshavin heading to London

Zenit St Petersburg playmaker Andrei Arshavin has travelled to London ahead of his proposed move to Arsenal.

Sky Sports News understands Arshavin travelled by private jet from St Petersburg on Sunday night and is now waiting for both clubs to agree a fee before he undergoes a medical.
It is understood Arshavin did not want to miss out on a transfer to the Emirates Stadium for logistical reasons and decided to travel to London as a precaution in case a deal is agreed on Monday.
Zenit had previously said there was no change in developments after Arshavin left the club's training camp in Dubai on Saturday.
Arsenal and Zenit have yet to agree a deal but Arshavin's movements indicate a confidence that he expects a deal to be done in this transfer window.