Monday 8th December 2008 15

Speed breaks Froch beats Pascal his silence on points for alcolm Speed has spoken out for the super-middle belt first time since his departure from the Sarwan hits form MICC and confirmed that his stance on NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) - Carl Froch survived the big right Zimbabwe was behind the governing body’s hands of Jean Pascal and a tendency decision to place him on “gardening leave” for to indulge in a wild-swinging brawl to the last eight weeks of his contract. capture the WBC super-middleweight The former chief executive told the title on Saturday. Sydney Morning Herald that an “angry and In an all-action fight that had little bitter exchange” between himself and ICC in tour match quality but plenty of courage from president Ray Mali over the ICC’s policy both fighters, Froch won a unanimous towards Zimbabwe “caused our previously AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) - verdict from all three judges before friendly relationship to break down irretriev- batted himself into 7,000 fans in his home city. ably”. form ahead of the two-test One judge scored it 118-110, anoth- “In March 2008, the ICC board reviewed series against New Zealand, compiling er 117-111 and the third 116-112 to the the KPMG forensic report into the finances of an unbeaten 158 as the West Indies’ British fighter against a Canadian Zimbabwe Cricket,” Speed told the daily. three-day tour match against Auckland whose right eye appeared to be closing “The report showed that there had been province ended Sunday in a draw. near the end. It was Pascal’s first loss against 21 irregularities in the finances of ZC. The ICC Sarwan’s innings and a patient 93 board resolved to take no further action on victories while Froch, who still has from opener Sewnarine Chattergoon the basis that the KPMG report did not prove hopes of persuading Joe Calzaghe to helped the tourists to 431 for seven, that any individual within ZC had profited. Sir come back to super-middleweight and replying to Auckland’s first innings of John Anderson, the NZC chairman, and I had fight him, was unbeaten in 23 fights. vigorously opposed this decision at the board 587 for seven declared. The former undisputed world champi- meeting. The West Indies resumed at 82-2 on at super-middleweight who held one of the titles for 10 years, Calzaghe “As a director of ICC, I was bound by the Sunday and made slow but steady fights at light-heavyweight and was decision. I elected not to attend a press con- progress on a perfect . considering whether to retire after ference with Mr Mali on the evening of the Opener was out early beating Roy Jones Jr. last month. for 47 but Chattergoon and Sarwan board meeting, as had been previously “We want to take over the world arranged, where this decision was to be steered the West Indies innings and bring the unified belts back here announced. In failing to attend the press con- through the middle session. again,” said Froch, who paid tribute ference, I knew that there was a risk that I Chattergoon was eventually caught to Pascal. would be sacked.” at midwicket by Martin Guptill off “I have to give Jean Pascal every Six weeks later Speed’s tenure was Tarun Nathula. Sarwan struck his 15th credit. He came here to have a go. He brought to a premature end, but he insists boundary to bring up his century didn’t come here to lie down. I caught that his passion for the game of cricket is before tea, when the West Indies were him with some really hard, accurate undiminished and feels the new men in shots and I hurt my hand on the top of 268 for three. He eventually retired in charge of the sport are worthy of their posi- his head. I felt I caught him cold in the final session, having faced 198 balls tions. the first round but I didn’t want to “The current ICC president, David and hit 23 fours and two sixes. blow a gasket in the first round so I Few of the other West Indies bats- kept my composure and used my expe- Morgan, is a fine man who is doing an excel- Ramnaresh Sarwan lent job in difficult circumstances, made signif- men cashed in on the opportunity to rience.” icantly more difficult by the current economic bat for a long period ahead of the first four, for 22, was 37 not out and Pascal said he tried to find a crisis and the terrorist attacks last week in test, which starts in Dunedin on Brendon Nash for 23 and Sulieman Fidel Edwards was not out 18 at knockout blow near the end of the Mumbai,” Speed said. Thursday. was out for Benn for 4. stumps. fight but conceded Froch won the deci- sion. “I am confident that my successor as CEO, Haroon Lorgat, will manage his role with distinction and the game will continue to prosper.” Instead of pointing the finger at individu- Premier League Cricket als for some of the game’s problems, Speed Fast bowler Khan believes the core problem is the structure of the ICC. “I think it is common ground that the Tamil Union fall receives England call-up board is too large,” he claimed. “Sixteen directors (including president, vice-president ABU DHABI, United Arab injury last season. and CEO) is a large gathering. All countries Emirates (AP) - Danish-born fast “Obviously, I am very excited. My have agreed to this structure, and it is very short by 41 runs bowler Amjad Khan received a sur- strength is pace and swing and I can unlikely that it will be changed.” prise call-up to the England squad bring reverse swing to the table,” Speed said that he would welcome the Sunday for the test series in Khan said. addition of former players and women to the Ashan Priyanjana, the former Sri Colombo, just one over was possible after Ryan Sidebottom was ruled out Khan and Sajid Mahmood were board. Lanka under-19 scored a half- on the final day of the encounter with a muscle tear. selected for the last two one-day inter- Many have pointed to India’s growing century but Tamil Union fell short by between Chilaw Marians SC and Adil Rashid, a promising all- nationals in the recent seven-match power in cricket and their dovetailing with fel- 41 runs to record an outright victory Colts CC at Havelock Park yesterday. rounder, has also been picked to go series against India, but those match- low subcontinental members as a concern for over Sri Lanka Army SC in their rain Colts CC managed to secure a first with the team as an understudy. es were canceled following the attacks the game, but Speed sees cricket’s popularity curtailed SLC Premier League Tier A innings victory. England was set to make a deci- in Mumbai. in that country as a “major positive” and tournament match concluded at Chilaw Marians SC: 253 sion later Sunday about whether to England squad: Kevin Pietersen insists that the BCCI are not the evil presence Panagoda yesterday. Colts CC: 273 for 5 go ahead with the tour, after the (captain), Tim Ambrose, James which some claim. Army SC: 179 and 200 (M. de recent terrorist siege in Mumbai. Anderson, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, “In recent years, Australia has been a Soysa 67, S. Prasanna 41, A. Prasad Rain shatters NCC’s hopes The 28-year-old Khan was born in Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, very close ally of India in major strategic deci- 30, S. Lakmal 3 for 37, S. Chaturanga NCC’s hopes of forcing an outright Denmark to Pakistani parents, but Andrew Flintoff, Stephen Harmison, sions - perhaps its closest ally,” he revealed. 2 for 38, M. Pushpakumara 2 for 20) victory over Moors SC was shattered has played for Kent since 2000. He Monty Panesar, Matt Prior, Owais “There is a lot of speculation about the Tamil Union : 225 and 113 for 5 as only two deliveries were possible made a strong comeback this year Shah, Andrew Strauss, Graeme “Asian bloc” in cricket. This occurs rarely. In (S. Fernando 37, A. Priyanjan 53, S. due to heavy rain on the final day of after a career-threatening knee Swann, Amjad Khan. the past few years, Australia has been more Perera 4for 37) their Premier League Tier A match at likely to vote with India than some of the Maitland Place yesterday. Asian countries. Rain spoils Bloomfiled-SSC Moors SC: 36 and 135 for 6 “India’s vote has the same value as Australia’s and the other full member coun- clash NCC: 287 for 9 tries. If there is concern about irresponsible Bloomfield settled fro a first use of power, there are processes in place to innings victory over defending cham- Rain prevents CCC from deal with this, and the other countries should pions SSC as only three deliveries securing outright win take firm positions and make them clear.” were possible on the third day of CCC’s hopes of an outright victory Zimbabwe continue to enjoy full member- their fixture at Maitland Place yes- was dashed as heavy rain completely ship of the ICC, and Speed can not see this terday. washed out the third and final day’s changing. SSC: 233 and 1 for no loss play against Baduraliya CC at “The process for stripping a member of its Bloomfield: 257 Maitland Crescent yesterday. After full member status is difficult and requires the dismissing Baduraliya for 244, CCC agreement of eight of the 10 full members,” Only one over possible at were well placed at 343 for two. he said. “I cannot see this happening.” Havelock Park Baduraliya CC: 244 (Sydney Morning Herald) As the bad weather continued in CCC: 343 for 2

Kibet wins Singapore Marathon Cavaliers rout as Kenyans dominate Bobcats 94-74 for 8th straight win ed to run a 2:11 or CHARLOTTE, North Carolina 2:10 but I ran a (AP) - LeBron James scored 25 points 2:13.” as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Johnstone Charlotte Bobcats 94-74 for their eighth straight NBA victory on Chepkwony and Saturday. Amos Matui, both Daniel Gibson added 22 points for also of Kenya, Cleveland. The Cavaliers are off to a were second and franchise-best 17-3 start, going 16-1 third. after a 1-2 start. Another D.J. Augustin scored 17 points, and Kenyan, Edith Raymond Felton had 15 for the Bobcats. Heat 105, Thunder 99 Masai, won the At Miami, NBA scoring leader women’s race in Dwyane Wade scored 25 of his 38 SINGAPORE World champion Luke 2:34:15. Silvia Skvortsova of Russia and points in the first half to help Miami Kibet set a course record Sunday to win Kenyan Rose Chesire finished second win its third straight game. a Singapore Marathon dominated by and third behind Masai. Udonis Haslem added 15 points Kenyan runners. The Singapore Marathon forms part and 14 rebounds for Miami. The 25-year-old Kenyan runner fin- of the Greatest Race On Earth series Russell Westbrook scored 30 ished in 2 hours, 13 minutes, 1 second, that also includes marathons in Nairobi, points for Oklahoma City, which has lost 19 of 21 matches this season. more than a minute faster than the pre- Hong Kong and Mumbai. Nets 95, 76ers 84 vious record of 2:14:22 set by last year’s About 50,000 runners took part in At Philadelphia, Devin Harris winner Elijah Mbogo. Sunday’s marathon, half-marathon and scored 27 points, and Vince Carter Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor, left, celebrates his goal with teammate Alexandre Song dur- “I’m happy because this was my first 10-kilometer races. added 14 points, 11 rebounds and eight ing their English Premier League soccer match at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in London, time in Singapore,” Kibet said. “I want- assists for New Jersey. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008. (AP)