14 Tuesday 25th August, 2009

by Richard Sydenham he will get when he returns home but is not expecting an easy (AP) - Ricky Ponting ride. However, became the first to Ponting, who start- lose two Ashes series in in 119 ed the series with a years at Sunday and then magical 150 in the indicated he will try to return for the first test at Cardiff, next tour in 2013 to avenge the defeats backed his leader- of 2005 and 2009. ship qualities. Sharapova loses to Australia lost by 197 runs to lose the "I'll be answering series 2-1. This followed England's 2-1 some questions (when triumph four years ago when Michael I get home)," he said. Vaughan's team won for the "You always do first time in 18 years. when Ponting, Australia's highest you test run-scorer of all time, lose a would be 38 by the next game Australia tour of England yet or a Dementieva in final his failures appear to be giv- ing him early inspiration to prolong his test career. The last time Ponting lost the Ashes in 2005 Australia regained them at the first attempt 5-0, though at a time when it had greats such as Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist in its ranks. Ricky "Yep, it certainly does (make me Ponting Ponting hints he may return for 2013 Ashes series

want to return)," Ponting told reporters series like this, it's part of the job, what at The Oval Sunday. "We'll see how I'm leaders are expected to do. going in four years. Hopefully there "But I've never doubted myself in will be another chance to play another anything I've ever done when I've had Ashes series back in Australia. the baggy green cap on. I always get out "But it would be nice, with every- there and accept challenges the best thing I've done in my career and the that I can." games I've played, to have some good He added: "I've felt I've given myself memories from this ground (The Oval). the best opportunity and done a good I might have to come back next time job as a captain and leader in this Russia's Maria Sharapova reacts during her straight sets and find some." series. Leaders are always looked upon loss to fellow Russian Elena Dementieva in the final of the Ponting is now to take a one-week on their results on their team. Rogers Cup tennis tournament in Toronto on Sunday, Aug. break from international cricket and "Unfortunately for me and the rest 23, 2009. will return home briefly while vice-cap- of the guys we haven't got the results tain Michael Clarke leads the side in we would have liked. Ultimately it's my for my chances and didn't rush. his absence. The Tasmanian will be responsibility to get the best out of the "This kind of win gives you a lot of confidence, so back for the latter half of the seven- guys and to win the series. I felt I ticked right now it is all about recovery and getting ready for match one-day series next month. most of those boxes, other than making New York." He said he is unsure of the reaction a few more runs myself." Working her way back to top form after nine months on the sidelines, Sharapova has made steady progress since she launched her comeback in May. But the three-time grand slam winner showed in an uneven final that her game still needs sharpening as she Massa to served up nine double faults to Dementieva in the open- ing set. Despite her service woes, Sharapova heads to undergo more Flushing Meadows on an upbeat note. She is guaranteed to be seeded at the U.S. Open, moving up from her cur- tests in the US rent 49th ranking into the top 32 by reaching the Toronto final. SAO PAULO (AP) - Formula One "My mindset going into every single tournament is to driver Felipe Massa will travel to the United States on Friday to undergo be the champion and if you're not ready to do that and tests with a doctor renowned for treat- you're not ready to compete in six matches then I don't ing injured race car drivers. think you should be in the draw," said Sharapova. "With Massa, recovering from life-threat- every tournament I've played in the summer I felt like Russia's Elena Dementieva holds the Rogers Cup trophy after beating fellow ening injuries from a crash in his was starting to play better and get a feel for the hard- Russian Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-3 during the final of the Rogers Cup tennis Ferrari at the Hungarian Grand Prix courts. nearly a month ago, said Sunday he tournament in Toronto on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009. (AP Photos/The Canadian "I've definitely improved over the weeks, with every will go to Miami to meet doctor Steve Press, Chris Young) match I felt like I stepped it up when I had and today I Olvey, a former medical director for just came up a little short." CART and a specialist in racing Felipe Massa ussian fourth seed Elena Dementieva picked up The first set produced little high quality tennis injuries. July 25. her third title of the year and denied compatriot expected from two of the world's most accomplished The Brazilian driver is expected to Massa's Ferrari ran into a protec- RMaria Sharapova a comeback win with a 6-4, 6-3 players, as Sharapova (9) and Dementieva (5) combined stay in the United States for two or tive barrier after his helmet was victory in the final of the Toronto Cup on Sunday. for 14 double faults, seven service breaks and a truck three days before continuing his treat- struck by a loose part that broke off Dementieva's victory was just the third in nine meet- load of unforced errors. ment at home in Sao Paulo. Rubens Barrichello's Brawn GP car ings against Sharapova, who was playing for a title for The second produced just one break by Dementieva Olvey was one of the doctors who and caused him to lose consciousness. the first time since Amelia Island in April 2008 as she in the sixth game to go up 4-2. helped treat Alessandro Zanardi after He needed surgery and was hospital- continued her return from shoulder surgery. The Beijing Olympic champion then held her serve the Italian driver had both legs ampu- ized for nine days in Hungary. tated following a 2001 crash. It is the 14th career title for Dementieva and comes the rest of the way, closing out the contest on her third Massa said recently he hopes to be Before traveling, Massa will under- with a good omen, the three past winners of the Toronto match point when a cheeky drop shot from Sharapova racing again at the Oct. 18 Brazilian go more exams in Brazil to check on tournament going on to capture the US Open. bounced off the net. GP, but doctors are yet to give him a his progress after sustaining multiple probable return date. He said he has "I felt like Lleyton Hewitt today, I was fighting for © The Telegraph Group, skull fractures in the high-speed crash every point, so many long rallies, it's not the game I like London, 2009 not fully recovered from a left-eye in qualifying for the Hungarian GP on injury sustained in the crash. to play," Dementieva said afterwards. "I was just waiting

EH & Keells - Official Food Partners for NZ series Under-15 Division I Pre Quarter Finals Deva-Ahangama partnership guide Royal by Reemus Fernando Scores: Dissanayake 11; Ashel Kariyawasam 2/14, De Mazenod 193 all out in 49 overs Sachin Jayawardena 2/21, Basith Gavrav Deva and Ronaka Ahangama (Jude Malshan Fernando 70, Sachith Muzamil 2/22) compiled an unbeaten 106 run partner- Wishwakula 35, Wageesha Jayasuriya 25, ship for the second wicket as Royal Malshan Fernando 25; Dilesh College scored a huge nine wicket victory Under-15 Division II Pre Ariyathilaka 3/41, Lasindu Nimsara 3/28) over Ananda College in the Inter School Quarter finals Under-15 Division I pre quarter final Rahula 163 all out in 44 overs (Piyushan Kulatunga 54, Hashan played at Ananda Mawatha yesterday. S. de S. Jayasinghe advance to Scores: Dharmawardena 22, Harsha Rajapakse Ananda 178 for 9 in 50 overs (Ishan 21, Lahiru Gamage 18; Niranga Peiris quarter finals Gallage 34, Kaveen Dananjaya 33, Disal 4/41, Wageesha Jayasuriya 2/49) Wijeratne 23; Athif Nazeer 2/16, Thavisha S. de S. Jayasinghe College cruised to Ratnayake 2/19, Harith Samarasinghe Wesley defend low score a thrilling one wicket victory over Sri 2/33) All rounder Basith Muzamil featured Sumangala College Hikkaduwa in their Royal 181 for 1 in 35.1 overs (Imal with an unbeaten 38 runs (top score) and Inter School Under-15 Division II pre Liyanage 37, Ronaka Ahangama 72 n.o, picked up two wickets as Wesley College quarter final played at S. de S. Jayasinghe Gavrav Deva 65 n.o) defended a low score to record a 29 run Ground yesterday. victory over St. Sebastian’s College in Niranga and Jude guide De their Under-15 Pre quarter final played at Scores: Mazenod to quarter finals Moratuwa yesterday. Sri Sumangala 174 for 7 in 50 overs (Sachina Peiris 57, Manula Gunawardena Leg spinner Niranga Peiris with a Elephant House Ice Cream and Keells Food Products recently signed up as the Official four wicket haul and Jude Malshan Scores: 35n.o, Chamod Kumara 13, Pramodh Food and Ice Cream Partner for the / / Sri Lanka Triangular Series. Fernando with a top score of 70 runs Wesley 133 for 9 in 50 overs (Basith Chathuranga 15; P.M. Gayan 3/27, M. Muzamil 38 n.o, Migara Wickramasinghe Jayasanka 2/23) Picture shows Neil Samarasinghe, extreme right (Head of Frozen Confectionary, Ceylon excelled for De Mazenod College as they 26, Ashel Kariyawasam 15; Isuru Mendis S de S Jayasinghe 180 for 9 in 47 Cold Stores), handing over the official documents regarding the partnership to Duleep beat Rahula College Matara by 30 runs in the Inter School Under-15 Division I pre 4/27, Shemara Karunaratne 2/33) overs (A.D. Lakshitha 23, S.M. Jayasanka Mendis, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket. Brand Activations Manager - CCS Maithri Withanage quarter final match played at Matara yes- St. Sebastian’s 104 all out in 45 29, P.U. Perera 29, C.P. Silva 19; Chamod is on extreme right. terday. overs (Ravindu Shanil 23, Shashen Kumara 2/17, Lahiru Udayanga 2/35)