14 Tuesday 16th December, 2008

decision?” Vettori asked. “The premise of is the away from families. batsman always gets the Former wicket-keeper benefit of the doubt and I Healy agreed that top stars think you want to still keep Vettori not sold that part of the game in. are playing a lot of cricket “It’s when you nick it onto but insisted that they are your pad and you’re given out lbw being paid rather well by or you nick it behind and you’re given and they . Those are the one’s we want risk becoming unpopular on TV replays to get out of the game as opposed to by openly asking for hikes. the good umpiring decisions.” “Perception is better DUNEDIN, New Zealand (AP) - New Vettori’s own experience with than the truth in many Zealand cricket Daniel Vettori says the review system on the fourth day cases. They are playing the television replay system being used to Sunday confirmed his reservations. more games, but they are review umpires’ decisions in his team’s After having an appeal for an lbw pretty well paid,” Healy current test series against the West Indies decision against West Indies wicket- was quoted as saying by needs to be reappraised. keeper upheld by The Daily Telegraph. Vettori said he was concerned the sys- Ian Healy umpire Amiesh Saheba, Ramdin, who “They share in the tem was not being used for the purpose for had been hit on the pad close to leg which it was intended - to eradicate incor- stumps, became the first batsman in the rect decisions - and that too many border- match to refer a decision to Koertzen line decisions were now being reviewed. for review. Aussies are “What’s happening a little bit is the 50- Previous use of the referral sys- 50 ones are coming into play and I don’t tem in the match had been by the think that’s what it was invented for,” he fielding side. said The examination by Koertzen of paid enough, After four days of the first test in replays of the Ramdin decision Dunedin, two batsmen were given out took several minutes and was after replay reviews of original not apparently complicated by out decisions. difficulties of communi- says Healy Vettori said the replay system cation with Saheba. should not eliminate the tradi- Eventually the Melbourne: game’s revenues and that’s tional process of allowing the Australian cricketers what they have to ensure umpires to give a batsman the demanding a pay hike to — that the game’s revenue benefit of the doubt, offering compensate for the gru- stays strong so they con- the example of Daniel elling season next year tinue to benefit. I can Flynn’s dismissal in New may end up being per- understand what the aver- Zealand’s first innings. ceived money-minded age person behind his Flynn was on 95 and grumblers, former Test desk is thinking,” Healy approaching his maiden test decision was confirmed, stars like Ian Healy have added. century when he survived an Ramdin was dismissed warned. An online poll recently appeal for lbw from West Indies and Vettori went on to and his showed that not many captain Chris Gayle. claim his 18th five-wicket test Gayle referred umpire Amiesh haul. men are currently negoti- agreed with cricketers and Saheba’s decision to television umpire Rudi Each team in a match in which ating their contracts for as many as 67 per cent of Koertzen and, after examining several the system is used has a maximum of next season, which might the respondents felt Ricky replays, Flynn was given out. Scrutiny of three unsuccessful referrals in each see them being away from Ponting and Co. don’t need the replays used by Koertzen showed his innings. In the four days of the Dunedin home for almost 11 to be paid more for the decision was probably correct, but that test, neither side has exhausted that quota. months. heavy workload they are Saheba’s initial instinct, to give the bats- There have been six occasions on which Vice-captain Michael set to cope next year. man the benefit of the doubt in an referrals have been made to Koertzen and Clarke has insisted that Former Test pacer extremely close decision was also techni- four of those have been unsuccessful. the amount of cricket, in Rodney Hogg sarcastically cally sound. Daniel Vettori New Zealand series is the second of five addition to various spon- said: “It’s a pretty sad If you look at it, you can see it’s out, series in which the system will be trialed sorship duties, has begun time for the poor crick- but is that the rea- before being reconsid- to take a toll on the play- eters. I feel sorry for son it was brought ered by the ers’ lives at home as they them. It’s a hard life.” in ... to decide on International Cricket spend more and more time (PTI) such a fine line Council.

Zola hails Hellebaut voted Belgian West scores 29 in Hornets’ sportswoman of the year special Chelsea BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - Olympic high jump 99-91 win over Raptors champion Tia Hellebaut homecoming was named Belgian sports- LONDON (AP) - Chelsea’s “greatest” player had only woman of the year on one regret after being serenaded by Blues fans on Sunday. Sunday, edging European West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola, who was over- sprint champion Kim whelmingly voted Chelsea’s greatest player in a 2003 poll Gevaert. on the club’s official Web site, didn’t acknowledge the The 30-year-old reception during his team’s 1-1 draw with the Blues at Hellebaut upset overwhelm- Stamford Bridge. ing favorite Blanka Vlasic “The first 10 or 15 minutes I couldn’t understand what in Beijing in August with a was going on, the crowd was singing my name,” Zola said. winning jump of 2.05 “I’m just sorry I did not wave. It’s fantastic that they did meters to take gold. She also not forget. It was unbelievable.” won the world indoor pen- tathlon title this year. “It’s been a great day.I’ve had a fantastic reception and The trophy came one it was a great result.” week after she announced The appreciation was mutual. When Craig Bellamy her retirement from the scored in the 33rd minute to put Chelsea, which needed sport because of pregnancy. In this Aug. 23, 2008 file photo, Tia victory to overtake Liverpool at the top of the league, in Gevaert, who also Hellebaut of Belgium reacts as danger of a third home defeat this season, Zola sat motion- retired in the wake of the she makes a clearance with a win- less and refused to celebrate. Beijing Olympics, was still ning jump of 2.05 meters during Zola, who played for Chelsea from 1996 to 2003, said he honored as part of the 400- the women’s high jump final dur- didn’t rejoice “out of respect for the people here who have meter relay team which ing the athletics competitions at given me so much.” won silver at the Olympics. the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Nicolas Anelka scored his 14th goal of the season in The men’s trophy went Beijing..(AP Photo/Thomas the 51st to earn a point for Chelsea, but Zola was happy to Belgian cyclo cross cham- Kienzle,) with the effort of his team after it had lost 2-0 to Tottenham pion Sven Nys. last Monday to hover perilously close to the relegation zone. “My team was excellent, they really played well,” Zola Hoy voted BBC Sports said. “At one point, I was thinking maybe we could get something more but it was a tough match. “We know it’s not a great time for us but we Personality of the Year are confident and we believe in ourselves. We LIVERPOOL, England the pair. want to go out and show what we can do. The (AP) - Three-time British “British way we did it today was the right way.” Olympic cycling gold medalist sport has Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, Chris Hoy was named BBC enjoyed who had hospital treatment for kidney Sports Personality of the Year one of the stones on Saturday, was unhappy the on Sunday, beating swimmer best years Blues have now dropped 14 points at Rebecca Adlington and in my life- home this season and remain a point Formula One world champion time and behind Liverpool. Lewis Hamilton among nine has had so “If we draw after we play well, rivals. many suc- Chris Hoy I would not be frustrated, but in The 32-year-old Hoy cessful ath- the first half we did not play became Britain’s first three- letes,” Hoy said. “To be stand- well,” Scolari said. “I agree time Olympic winner since ing here in front of these two, with the fans but they need to under- New Orleans Hornets forward Devin Brown, bottom, battles for a loose ball with Toronto 1908 at the Beijing Games. and all 10 nominees, is stand the players do not want to draw He is also the first cyclist to incredible.” or lose. They try to do their best. Raptors center Jermaine O’Neal, right, during second-half NBA basketball game action in win the prestigious award - Hamilton, the youngest “Sometimes we don’t have the Toronto on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,/Frank Gunn) voted on by viewers of the ever F1 champion, was run- quality to win against these teams and I BBC awards ceremony - ner-up for the second consec- understand the fans.” TORONTO (AP) - David West scored Matt Bonner added 17 points, and since Tommy Simpson in utive year, while Adlington, a Scolari brought on Didier Drogba, 29 points and James Posey made six 3- Roger Mason had 14 for the Spurs. Jeff 1965. two-time Olympic swimming who has missed much of the season due pointers and had 20 points as the New Green led the Thunder (2-23) with 33 “I really wasn’t expecting champion and the bookmak- to injury and suspension, for the second half Orleans Hornets beat the Toronto points, and Kevin Durant had 28. this, it’s such a shock,” Hoy ers’ favorite, was third. and he arlier this month that he Raptors 99-91 on Sunday for their eighth Grizzlies 102, Heat 86 West Ham United manager said. “After the year I have Usain Bolt of Jamaica wanted to sign an attacking win in 10 games. At Memphis, Tennessee, O.J. Mayo Gianfranco Zola, shouts player in the January transfer Rasual Butler added 16 points, and had, this is unbelievable. took the Overseas Sports scored 28 points, and Rudy Gay added 18 instructions to his team window, but the Portuguese has Chris Paul had 12 points and 12 assists for Looking at the other names Personality of the Year cate- to help Memphis beat Miami for its during their English now suggested he is not expect- the Hornets, 12-of-33 from 3-point range. on this trophy, this is the big gory after winning the 100, fourth straight win, the Grizzlies’ longest Premier League soccer ing any imminent reinforce- Chris Bosh had 25 points for Toronto. one.” 200 and 4x100-meter gold match against Tottenham ments. Spurs 109, Thunder 104 winning streak since the final five games Hoy was flanked by ath- medals in Beijing, all in world- Hotspur at the Upton Park “I need to work with my At San Antonio, Tony Parker scored of the 2005-06 season. letics greats Sebastian Coe record times. He beat U.S. stadium, London, Monday players and I need to find a solu- 22 points, and Tim Duncan had 20 points Michael Beasley led Miami with 20 and Michael Johnson when swimmer Michael Phelps, Dec. 8, 2008. tion with these players,” he given the award and made no who made history by winning (AP Photo/Tom Hevezi) and 12 rebounds in San Antonio’s seventh points. Dwyane Wade had 17 on 5-of-16 said. straight victory. shooting. secret of his admiration for eight gold medals in Beijing.