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."