Flintoff unlikely to return in South Africa series

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff's eagerly awaited return to international cricket with the home series against South Africa is doubtful as he is yet to recover from his injury.

England coach, Peter Moores has cast doubt on an immediate return to international cricket for Flintoff when the selectors name their squad Thursday for next week's first Test against South Africa at Lord's, reports The Guardian.

'It's great that Andrew is back on the park and bowling well,' Moores was quoted as saying in the report.

'But we are also sensible about it, because we know you've got to be bowling fit and match fit rather than just getting the injury right, and that's common sense. We've got to be sure we don't put Andrew Flintoff in jeopardy if we don't think he's bowling fit,' he said.

Flintoff's last Test was in Sydney in 2007 January and he has not played at all since the World Twenty20 in South Africa in September.

A month later he underwent a fourth operation on his troublesome left ankle but then picked up a side strain playing for Lancashire in May. He sent down only six overs in five Twenty20 matches recently before returning to first-class action in Hove Sunday, when he bowled 15 wicketless overs, conceding 43 runs, against Sussex.

'We've given him plenty of time with this latest injury and that's right because he's worked so hard to get himself back on the park,' said Moores.

Murali is eyeing Wasim Akram's One-Day record

Muttiah Muralitharan has broken many records in his 16-year international cricket career and the Sri Lanka's spin king now says he is eyeing former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram's One-Day Internationals (ODI) record for the highest number of wickets.

The 36-year-old off-spinner is 37 wickets short of Wasim's 502 wickets and he is already the highest Test wicket-taker with 735 in 120 matches.

'I want to get past Wasim's world record in One-Day cricket and would try out for 1,000 wickets in Tests,' Muralitharan said.

'I love this game, so I want to play on but it would depend on my fitness and how I contribute to the team's performance,' he said.

And there are quite a few opportunities lined up for Muralitharan with Sri Lanka hosting India for three Tests and five One-day Internationals next month, after the ongoing Asia Cup.

Even Wasim says Muralitharan will get past his record.

'I often joke with him to retire from one-day cricket so that my record remains intact, but frankly speaking he deserved the Test record and should get my record in the time to come,' said Wasim.

Stuart Broad Laments Poor Batting

Stuart Broad believes England's inept batting was to blame as New Zealand capitalised clinically to clinch the NatWest series 3-1 at Lord's.

The tourists bounced back from their Test series defeat and further losses in the Twenty20 clash at Old Trafford and opening ODI at Durham to snatch the series in emphatic fashion with a 51-run success on Saturday.

Broad believes England's inability to post large totals with the bat was the deciding factor as Daniel Vettori's men turned things around by winning the final three matches.

"We all know we didn't get the runs on the board that we would have liked," Broad told skysports.com.

"We got 300 once but we failed to chase 180 and we only got 245 at The Oval when everyone was expecting us to get 300-320.

"It's an area we've got to look at and get some plans on how we are going to put larger totals on the board. I would say that was the major downfall in the series".

The Kiwi's levelled the series 1-1 at Bristol after England failed to chase down a meagre target of 182 - four of the top seven batsmen failing to reach double figures.

Broad, 22, believes the County Ground defeat proved the defining moment as it gifted the Black Caps a much-needed route back into the series.

"Obviously we started the series well, we won the Twenty20 and then we went on to win very well at Durham," Broad said.

"The key moment came at Bristol when we failed to chase 180 on a good wicket and small boundaries and that let them back in the game.

"They are third in the world, they're a strong side and they are not going to let up an opportunity like that."

Despite the obvious disappointment, Broad still found reason for cheer - particularly the way he and strike bowlers James Anderson and Ryan Sidebottom nullified the threat of dangerous duo Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor.

"There were some positives that came out of the series," he said.

"We bowled tightly and managed to overcome the challenge of McCullum - he's obviously been in great form over the last couple of months but he didn't really get going.

"Ross Taylor is also a key man who didn't get going, so that was pleasing on our behalf as a bowling unit, but ultimately we failed to get the runs on the board and that cost us."

The Lord's defeat also saw Kevin Pietersen lead England for the first time after one-day skipper Paul Collingwood was banned for four matches for a slow over-rate.

Broad believes the Hampshire star thrived on his opportunity to skipper the side, however admitted he and his team-mates have been left to rue what they believe was an "avoidable" ban for their regular captain.

"I think he (Pietersen) did well, he was nice to play under he let you do your own field, he wasn't too overpowering but he was very supportive," added Broad.

"I think he did a very good job, I think he thoroughly enjoyed his first captaincy experience and I'm sure he'll look forward to doing it again in the future if the opportunity arises.

"It was a very avoidable ban we were just very slow at getting round (at the Oval). A lot of things were obviously going on in that game and we missed the boat by four minutes.

"It's cost him (Collingwood) four games, he's bitterly disappointed, we're bitterly disappointed for him but that is the responsibility I suppose which comes with being captain.

"It's not particularly his fault that we were slow bowling the overs but he gets the punishment which is a bit harsh but it was very avoidable.

"Its happened and we just need to focus on the South Africa Test series coming up now."

Shoaib Akhtar launches suspension appeal

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has challenged his 18-month ban for indiscipline at a Lahore High Court.

The ban came after Shoaib, 32, publicly criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) allocation of central contracts.

A PCB tribunal reduced the suspension from five years at a hearing earlier this month.

"We have filed the writ petition challenging the ban and hope the hearing will be done in the next couple of days," said his lawyer Abid Minto.

"We have termed the decision of the disciplinary committee and the tribunal illegal and my client wants to play for his country."

Shoaib's ban started on 1 April and will end on 30 September, 2009.

Prior to the ban's imposition, Shoaib had been serving a two-year probation for attacking team-mate Mohammad Asif.

The tribunal had temporarily lifted the ban to allow him to participate in the Indian Premier League, where he had a brief stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Shoaib launches suspension appeal

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has challenged his 18-month ban for indiscipline at a Lahore High Court.

The ban came after Shoaib, 32, publicly criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) allocation of central contracts.

A PCB tribunal reduced the suspension from five years at a hearing earlier this month.

"We have filed the writ petition challenging the ban and hope the hearing will be done in the next couple of days," said his lawyer Abid Minto.

"We have termed the decision of the disciplinary committee and the tribunal illegal and my client wants to play for his country."

Shoaib's ban started on 1 April and will end on 30 September, 2009.

Prior to the ban's imposition, Shoaib had been serving a two-year probation for attacking team-mate Mohammad Asif.

The tribunal had temporarily lifted the ban to allow him to participate in the Indian Premier League, where he had a brief stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Murali stars in Sri Lanka romp

Muttiah Muralitharan's five wickets lead Sri Lanka into the final of the Asia Cup tournament after a crushing 158-run win over Bangladesh.

Muralitharan's five for 31 came on the heels of centuries from man of the match Sanath Jayasuriya, celebrating his 39th birthday, and Kumar Sangakkara. The Sri Lankan pair put on a record opening partnership of 201.

Muralitharan, who last took five wickets in April 2004 against Zimbabwe in Harare, helped dismiss Bangladesh for 174 in 38.3 overs after Sri Lanka had hit 332 for eight in their 50 overs.

Bangladesh were unable to put up a fight after their bowlers were belted by Jayasuriya, who hit a quickfire 130 from 88 balls, and Sangakkara (121), who scored his third century of the tournament.

The two left-handers set an Asia Cup record for an opening partnership, their 201 runs bettering the 191 put together by Jayasuriya and Avish Gunawardene against Bangladesh in 2004.

It was Sri Lanka's fourth win in the competition and put them in the final against either India or Pakistan.

Birthday man Jayasuriya became the second-oldest player to score a hundred in one-day internationals after England's Geoffrey Boycott, who made a century against Australia in Sydney in 1979 at the age of 39 years and 51 days.

Jayasuriya struck the 26th century of his career from only 55 balls, with 14 fours and five sixes. He was out in the 28th over, caught at deep extra cover by Tamim Iqbal off leg spinner Alok Kapali. It was his fourth hundred against Bangladesh.

Sangakkara fell in the 45th over, his 121 compiled from 128 balls with 16 fours and one six. It was the 10th hundred of his career.

Bangladesh wilted under the pressure and they had only two partnerships of substance.

Opener Nazimuddin made 47 from 59 balls, hitting seven fours and one six, and Raquibul Hasan top scored with 52 from 63 balls.

Nazim put on 43 with Mohammad Ashraful (14) and a further 43 for the third wicket with Hasan, who made his fourth 50.

Bangladesh lost five wickets for 62 in a middle-order slump and lost their last eight wickets for 78 runs.

Opener Tamim Iqbal (10) was caught behind by stand-in wicketkeeper Dilshan off Chaminda Vaas, while Ashraful edged Thilan Mirando behind.

Nazim was the third to go, run out by a throw from square leg, after which Muralitharan got into the act, dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim, Kapali, Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza and Abdul Razzak in quick succession.

Hasan went after making his fourth half-century from 63 balls when he was caught at slip by Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene.

Lawson sorry for media row

Geoff Lawson, Pakistan's Australian coach, has apologised for a row with the media after Sunday's Asia Cup defeat by Sri Lanka in Karachi.

Lawson said: "A couple of rules before we start: don't make statements, ask questions. If someone asks the question twice I won't answer it, and make your question sensible otherwise I won't answer it, okay."

This led to a heated exchange with some journalists, who accused him of trying to dictate to the media, and a walkout.

Lawson said: "What happened was regrettable and I would like to apologise for the events that led to the incident."

Spin worries for South Africa

South Africa dominated the second day of the tour match with Somerset at Taunton.

The Proteas closed their first innings on 515 for three after the mandatory 100 overs and then pace trio Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel were chiefly responsible for dismissing the LV County Championship title-chasers for 249.

But their spinner, former Warwickshire bowler Paul Harris, struggled to find the right line and length and conceded 89 runs in 18.4 overs before picking up the wickets of tail-enders Mark Turner and Michael Munday.

He will be needed to provide effective back-up to the quicker bowlers and all-rounder Jacques Kallis when the first Test with England starts at Lord's on July 10.

South Africa stand-in skipper Ashwell Prince opted not to enforce the follow-on despite having a first-innings lead of 266.

They chose instead for further batting practice and by the close had reached 56 for one for the loss of Jean-Paul Duminey - an overall advantage of 322.

Morkel was the most impressive of the South African attack and his pace is certain to provide a searching examination for Michael Vaughan's England side.

His first spell was the most effective when he yorked Arul Suppiah (16) and forced James Hildreth (nought) to chop on to his stumps.

The main resistance for Somerset came from South African-born wicket-keeper Craig Kieswetter and Wes Durston.

Kieswetter, who played for his native country in the 2006 Under-19 World Cup, top-scored with 67 off 111 balls with 12 boundaries before holing out to Morkel on the midwicket boundary.

Durston, who was playing Minor Counties cricket for Wiltshire a week ago, made 61 off only 79 balls with eight fours and a six before becoming Morkel's third victim.

He played across a ball of full length and was trapped lbw.

South African were also aided by the two needless run-outs of Zander de Bruyn and Peter Trego in mid-innings.

Durston turned spinner Harris to fine leg but De Bruyn (nought) was sent back after getting halfway down the pitch attempting a third run and was run out at the non-striker's end.

Then Trego (12) fell in a similar fashion. Durston cut Nel behind point for what looked a comfortable two but Trego decided to attempt a risky third and paid the price.

The Proteas resumed on 455 for three after an opening day which saw Somerset stand-in skipper Andrew Caddick criticise the ECB for instructing counties to produce batsman-friendly pitches for tourist games.

And the fourth-wicket pair of AB de Villiers and acting skipper Ashwell Prince plundered 60 runs in 10 overs before the mandatory declaration at the 100-over mark which is required in three-day tourist games.

Prince reached his 50 in spectacular manner with a massive six over long-off off spinner Munday. It came off 69 balls and also contained seven fours.

He was unbeaten on 63 when the innings closure came with de Villiers on 47 not out.

Kallis and batsman Hashim Amla, who were both century-makers on the first day, were absent from the field with a bruised elbow and slight groin strain respectively.

But neither are regarded as major injuries worries ahead of the opening Test with England.

Robin Petersen and Monde Zondeki, who had a brief spell with Warwickshire earlier in the season, substituted for the duo.

Skipper Graeme Smith also came through a testing workout on the outfield before the start of play after his hamstring injury and is expected to play against Middlesex at Uxbridge in a three-day game starting on Friday.

Its hard to tell your mind to stop loving someone if your heart still does.


I went for first rehearsal ystr.
woke up late+took my own sweet time+ refused to take dad's car.
So i rushed down to aljunied to meet bestfriend& cabbed down to the studio.
they gave me the wrong address, & the cabby was going round& round trying to find the studio.
^&(&*(()v$#^T$&T$*&()#)#_+@@@@$%&,
bestfriend sent me up, & then left.
by then, i was alr 15-20 minutes late. BUT i wasnt the lattest(:


The guys were still practicising their parts, so in the end, i still had to wait.
My round has 4 models in total.
& omg, the route is like so &^*&#*&($)$)$ confusing i tell you.


TADAAA. of course, the width isnt so thick.
& on that day itself, the runway will be longer.

This is the runway, roughly, about there lah.
At stage A , there'll be 4 models.
So i'll walk from 1, Pose, to 2, pose, then cut over to 3, pose , and back to 4, pose
& so on...
& bear in mind,
when i'm walking,
the other 3 models will be walking too.
so there're like 2 directions on that thin stage B.


& then there's the second part which is slighly easier:

I'll be walking as shown by the arrows. & at the same time,
another model will be crossing paths with me, and moving to the black cirlces.
Again, 4 models on the runway.



So you see how &#($($(%&#^@ it is?
you'll have to think abt the path, the pose,
maintain a distance from the model infront & also not to bang onto the other model.
Oh & give respect to the audiences by having some eye contact.
STRESSFUL EH?
not as easy as what you see on teevee.
& all these are only for like 5-10 minutes,
after all that countless rehearsals, blisters, pain on your foot!!!!


For the guys, its so much easier.
No heels, easier to walk/pose,
no need to care if your hair covers your vision when you walk & etc etc.


So all in all ystr,
i spent about 4 hrs there.
Full dressed rehearsal agn next week.
HAIYAAAA.
stress stress stress.
plus, the choreographer isnt that nice also :(


so after the rehearsal, met bestfriend somewhere near the studio.
& had beancurd.
HAHAHAHA.
cos the bus took so long to come!
then we went to Kallang
& his Daddy picked us up.
Went to DempsyRoad's LongBeach to eat with his family

ALWAYS MAKE ME GO FOR THIS KIND OF THING ONE LEH.
DAMN AWKWARD YOU KNOW!!!



ohh, & i know why bestfriend's so <- -> ( HAHAH!) ,
cos whole day eat this kind of food!
not longbeach, then Jack's place right!
become like that <------- ------>, then you know.
lols.
hahahahaha.



so after dinner,
his Daddy sent me home.
Hahahahaa,
that's why i reached home superr early.
even before 9.
HEHH.



Its now 2.22 PM.
& i've got so much time to blog because i didnt go to school tday(:
hahaha,
& Shu called me this morning thinking that i was in school.
& just nice, at that P.O.T,
i was dreaming, and she was in it too.
hahaha.
so after putting down the phone,
i continued the dream.
LOLS.
continued dreams after being disturbed, are hard to come by okay!
hahahahahs.


Okeydok,
i shall go do my own stuff noww.(:

Trash Yourself - Fuck the Police

→Trash Yourself　- Fuck the Police(mp3) ←

Trash Yourself myspace

Their new song of super expectation was dropped at last...Massive!

PCB hoping Oval Test result to be changed

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is optimistic that result of the controversial Oval Test in 2006 against England will be changed during the International Cricket Council's (ICC) meeting that began in Dubai Sunday.

The Oval match was officially awarded as a forfeit to England after a ball-tampering row marred the match. Pakistan since have been fiercely pursuing ICC to change the result to either drawn or abandoned.

PCB said they are hopeful of a positive response this time as they have the support of England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)

'We want the result to be changed on the basis of the fact that the ball tampering charges were not proved,' Shafqat Naghmi, PCB's chief operating officer was quoted as saying in The News.

'Our case is even backed by England,' said Naghmi stressing that ECB has made it clear that they would support Pakistan's demand when the issue comes for discussion in ICC's chief executive's meeting in Dubai.

'England were declared winners in that Test but they've told us that they don't believe it was fair. They would rather have the Test declared drawn or abandoned,' Naghmi said.

England were declared winners of the Test - the last of a four-match series - after Pakistan forfeited the match on the fourth day in protest over umpire Darrell Hair's decision to penalise them for alleged ball tampering, resulting it to be the first forfeited result in Test cricket's century-old history.

Pakistan had refused to take the field after tea once Hair had awarded England five penalty runs in their second innings for alleged ball tampering.

The issue escalated into a major row, with the ICC eventually dropping the ball tampering charges against Pakistan but suspending the then captain Inzamam-ul-Haq for four matches for misconduct.

The ICC later sacked Hair but allowed the controversial Australian official to resume his international career earlier this summer.

'We are hoping that the ICC will agree to our request and change the result of that match,' Naghmi said.

India tour bails out Sri Lankan board

India`s upcoming Test and One-day tour of Sri Lanka has helped the cash-starved local cricket board wipe out its debts, an official said on Sunday.

"We paid off our 600 million rupee (six-million dollar) bank overdraft after getting an advance payment from television rights sold for the Indian tour," Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) media manager Shane Fernando said.

Fernando declined to reveal details, but local media reported that the Dubai-based Ten Sports, which holds the television rights for the tour, paid 50 percent of the $15.2 million agreed for the tour.

India will play three Tests and five One-Day Internationals during the six-week visit, with the first Test starting on July 23.

India, with its vast cricket-crazy television audiences, is the commercial superpower of the sport contributing almost 70 percent of the game`s worldwide revenues.

"India`s biggest passion is cricket. It`s an advertiser`s dream market," said Jude de Valliere of the Colombo-based Right Angle Sports Marketing. "Any brand that associates itself with cricket is assured of a good return. Less affluent countries like Sri Lanka are not ashamed to cash in on India`s financial muscle."

Sri Lankan cricket was not been short of sponsors after the island won its only World Cup under Arjuna Ranatunga`s captaincy in 1996, but income has been running dry in recent times.

A major portion of the money that Sri Lanka Cricket, now headed by Ranatunga himself, earns these days is through sale of television rights to home internationals.

The SLC lost $11 million when South Africa pulled out of a triangular One-day series in August 2006 after a bomb blast near the team hotel in Colombo.

India, the third team in the tri-series, stayed back to play One-day matches against Sri Lanka, but rain wiped out the hastily-arranged series.

Tiff with Lawson leads to media boycott

Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson got into an altercation with local media after Pakistan lost their Asia Cup Super Four match against Sri Lanka by 64-runs.

Lawson`s press conference was boycotted by the local media with the Indians also following them after the Australian passed some remarks which were perceived as insulting by the reporters.

"Before we start, let us have some ground rules. Don`t make statements, ask questions and I will only answer sensible questions," Lawson said at the outset.

This led to a local journalist asking him if he would be dictating the press what to do to which Lawson remarked "your English is not very good", which only aggravated the situation.

Lawson was also heard telling another journalist that he was being rude and finally local media walked off from the press conference and Lawson was booed while waiting for the lift to go down to the dressing room.

The local medal had been unsparing in asking some questions over the selection matters and performance of the team. Malik also had unsavoury exchanges with the media two days back.

Mahmood Hails Fit-Again Flintoff

Sajid Mahmood endorsed Andrew Flintoff's England Test credentials despite outshining the injury-plagued all-rounder on his County Championship comeback for Lancashire.

Mahmood yesterday took five for 76 against Sussex as both sides suffered batting collapses on the first day at Hove but still clearly believes his team-mate is ready to go back on England duty again.

Flintoff, after a handful of Twenty20 Cup cameos for Lancashire, started his first LV County Championship match since a thigh injury in early May, and managed 15 overs which yielded 43 runs but no wickets.

England's squad for the next Test series against South Africa will be announced on Thursday and the all-rounder, who took an easy catch, will now be looking to shine with the bat today, ready to go in next wicket down after his side ended the first day on 67 for four.

But Bolton-born fast bowler Mahmood, who won eight England Test caps in 2006 and 2007, modestly brushed off praise for his own performance in Sussex's total of 253 to recommend Flintoff to the national selectors.

He said: "All the boys bowled pretty well as a unit and we did well to keep Sussex down to that score on a wicket like that. It was flat and slow and didn't give us any help after they won the toss.

"But I'm very happy to end up with five wickets on the day, and Freddie bowled quick and aggressively and was hitting an area consistently. He's quite economical as well and an asset to any team.

"I'm not sure whether he's at 100% again yet but he looked pretty strong to me and I know he's pleased with how he went."

Mahmood was never going to publicly agree with the suggestion that much of his success on the day was due to a poor selection of shots by the Sussex batsman, although he admitted: "I didn't have anything like the rhythm that I've had when taking five wickets here a few times before."

Sussex opener Chris Nash was ludicrously run out, skipper Chris Adams dragged one on to his stumps and even top-scorer Robin Martin-Jenkins gave his wicket away cheaply after an impressive 70, attempting an outrageous pull shot to South African Francois du Plessis' overpitched ball which bowled him.

Wickets continued to tumble when Lancashire replied, Jason Lewry removing Paul Horton and Mal Loye in successive balls and Du Plessis going cheaply before a brilliant Carl Hopkinson catch saw off Lou Vincent for 38.

Watson ton as Aussie maul Windies

Shane Watson notched his maiden international century as Australia crushed the West Indies by seven wickets in the third ODI in Grenada.

The win provided Australia with an unassailable 3-0 lead in the best-of-five limited overs series, making dead rubbers of the final two matches in St Kitts, scheduled for later this week.

Save for Fidel Edwards' early dismissal of Shaun Marsh for a duck, the hosts never seemed close to defending their total of 223.

Watson and Ricky Ponting posted a 190-run stand, the highest ever limited overs second-wicket partnership by an Australian pair in the Caribbean, as the tourists rolled to 227 for three in 40.3 overs.

Watson's innings of 126 from 122 deliveries was his first century in any form of international cricket, and came more than six years after his one-day debut for Australia.

The Queensland all-rounder has suffered a horrendous run of injuries over the course of his career, and was only called into the Australian squad as a late replacement for Matthew Hayden.

Watson raised his century with a boundary through mid-wicket off the bowling of Chris Gayle.

He was embraced by his capatin, Ponting, who was eventually dismissed by Gayle for 69, though not before he had steered Australia to the cusp of a commanding victory.

On a slow pitch, Watson displayed patience and poise in the early stages of his innings before accelerating later.

The right-hander was particularly damaging square of the wicket, striking sixes over mid-wicket and wide long-on during his career-best innings. Watson was removed attempting to paddle Darren Sammy down the leg side in the 37th over.

The home supporters were left disappointed by another underwhelming performance from the West Indian team.

Among the hosts' bowlers, only Edwards and Dwayne Bravo threatened for extended periods, and the Windies' energy levels in the field appeared to be lacking, as evidenced by a number of dropped catches and misfields throughout the Australian innings.

Kallis in Proteas injury scare

Jacques Kallis gave South Africa an injury scare after helping the Proteas to dominate the opening day of their tour of England.

Against a depleted Somerset at Taunton, Kallis had reached an impressive 152 when he attempted to hook a delivery from former England paceman Andrew Caddick and was struck on the elbow.

He looked in pain and received lengthy treatment out in the middle from South African physio Shane Jabaar.

Kallis briefly continued his innings and flayed the next two short-pitched balls from Caddick for four before retiring hurt on 160 made from 157 balls with 23 fours and two sixes.

A South Africa spokesman said: "There is bruising around the elbow and Jacques has an ice-pack on it but we are not worried and there is no structural damage."

It was the only downside for South Africa as Kallis and opener Hashim Amla had entertained a near capacity crowd by torturing the Somerset bowlers.

Opener Amla achieved the highest individual score for the Proteas in 13 meetings with the LV County Championsip Division One leaders - 172 - as he surpassed the 157 by Sibley Snooke at Bath in 1907.

Then Kallis continued in the same vein during a partnership of 216 in 43 overs with 25-year-old Amla as South Africa reached 455 for three from 90 overs by the close.

Amla, who is on his first senior tour of this country, had been circumspect during the early part of his innings, taking 19 balls to get off the mark.

But he then flourished against an attack lacking first team bowlers Charl Willoughby, Ben Phillips, Alfonso Thomas and Ian Blackwell.

He reached his century with an onslaught shortly after lunch against spinner Michael Munday. Amla lofted him over wide long on for six and then picked up boundaries from the next three deliveries to go to his 100.

Kallis has often been a major thorn in England's side and he was also looking in ominous form before being forced out of the action by Caddick.

It was an encouraging if not exactly taxing start to South Africa's preparations for the first Test with England on July 10 in the first of two warm-up games.

They fielded nine of their expected Test side with only injured skipper Grame Smith and rested paceman Dale Steyn not involved.

The England selectors may have hoped that the championship pace-setters would have given South Africa more of a searching examination.

In addition to the bowling quartet, Somerset skipper Justin Langer and opener Marcus Trescothick were rested.

And it was only veteran and stand-in captain Caddick who posed any sort of threat to the South African batsman.

The 39-year-old, playing his third first-class match of the season, was looking to gain match fitness after recovering from a back problem and picked up the two wickets of the three wickets to fall.

Caddick could not have made a better start and struck with the first ball of the match to dismiss Neil McKenzie lbw after South Africa had elected to bat.

But bat dominated ball after that with Amla and Jean-Paul Duminy adding 146 in 30 overs.

Caddick struck again when Duminy (64) flicked at a leg-side delivery during his first over of the afternoon session and was caught by wicket-keeper Craig Kieswetter.

Caddick looked more impressive during his third spell of nine overs immediately after the resumption and worked up a good rhythm. But the remainder of the bowlers were easy pickings for Amla and Kallis.

It needed a run-out to break up the pair with Amla run out by Zander De Bruyn's throw from backward point after striking 22 fours and one six in his 217-ball innings.

Sri Lanka win Pakistan clash

Ajantha Mendis took four wickets and Kumar Sangakkara carved a meticulous century as Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 64 runs.

Mendis (4-47) foxed the home batsmen, who were facing him for the first time, with his neat variation as Pakistan were restricted to 238 for nine in reply to Sri Lanka's 302 for seven.

The Sri Lankan total included Sangakkara's ninth hundred and came despite left-arm paceman Sohail Tanvir taking a career-best 5-48.

Sangakkara, who struck ten fours and a six, shared a third-wicket stand of 88 with Chamara Kapugedera (43) and added 93 for the fourth wicket with Chamara Silva (46) to put the unbeaten Sri Lankans on the road to a commanding total.

In reply for Pakistan, Misbah-ul-Haq played a gallant knock of 76 from 70 balls, his highest one-day score to give some hope to Pakistan but Mendis, who took 5-22 in the previous game against the United Arab Emirates, was virtually unplayable.

Misbah shared a 66-run stand from 64 balls for the seventh wicket with wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed (19) before being bowled by Mendis in the 47th over.

The other productive partnership came from captain Shoaib Malik (52) and Younis Khan (47) who put on 72 after opener Salman Butt was bowled first ball of the innings by Chaminda Vaas playing across the line.

Malik, who opened the innings, batted patiently for 79 balls as Pakistan struggled to force the pace, losing three key wickets in the space of 4.5 overs to suffer a middle order slump that left them on 153 for six.

Younis was caught at wide mid-on by Muralitharan trying to pull paceman Nuwan Kulasekera having hit seven fours in his 60-ball knock.

Mendis was introduced into the attack in the 24th over and it was clear the batsmen were not picking him even on the flat pitch as he bowled a mixture of off-spinners, leg spinners and sliders.

He trapped Mohammad Yousuf (19) leg before in the 26th over with a straight one and then had Malik stumped to leave Pakistan on 133 for five.

Sanath Jayasuriya struck in the next over having all-rounder Shahid Afridi caught at long off by substitute Jehan Mubarak for a first ball duck.

Debutant Mansoor Amjad was trapped leg before by Mendis for five.

The defeat made Pakistan's task of qualifying for the final more difficult from the four-team super league stage.

India and Sri Lanka have won both their opening games in the super league stage while Pakistan and Bangladesh have each played one match and lost one. Pakistan play India in the next game of the tournament in Karachi on Wednesday.

Pakistan taking on Sri Lanka Today in Asia Cup

India beats Bangladesh by seven wickets in its first match of Super Four leg while Pakistan taking on Sri Lanka here at National Stadium today.

In the first game of Super Four leg between India and Bandledesh, India chased the target with run rate of 6.55 runs per over. Raina hammered 116 runs with three sixers and 11 boundaries. He was followed by Gambhir who smashed 90 runs out of 84 balls with one sixer and ten fours.

Gautam Gambhir and Suresh Raina kept piling up the runs from the generosity of Bangladesh 's fielders.

Earlier, Bangladesh scored 283 on the loss of six wickets.

The specialty of Bangladesh batting was Alok who smacked 115 runs on 96 balls with five excellent sixes and ten boundaries, thus, becoming the first batsman to have hit a hundred against India in ODI cricket.

He added 112 runs in sixth-wicket partnership with Mahmudulla, which is also an Asia Cup record for this wicket. The previous record was 103, set by Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillekeratne Dilshan also against India, at Colombo in 2004.

In the second match of Super Four Leg Pakistan playing aganist defending champions Srilanka, Sri lankan team already won their both group matches.

In today’s fixture Pakistan would be using Abdul Rauf in place of injured Pace bowler Umer Gul as Asia Cup technical committee allowed Pakistan team management to use other option in place of injured pacer.

While according to Pakistan teams' coach Jeff Lawson, Pakistan is planning to use Left arm fast bowler, Wahab Riaz, he has played four one day international.

Pathan`s fitness still matter of concern

Paceman Irfan Pathan`s fitness continues to be a matter of concern for Indian team with the bowler`s participation being uncertain for the remainder of the Asia Cup tournament here.

Pathan, who has as yet not played in any of the three games won by India as he is suffering from a side strain problem, on Saturday trained outside the National Stadium at an adjacent ground and appeared to be in some discomfort after doing different drills to test out his fitness.

Indian team officials, however, insisted Pathan was recovering and was being rested to safeguard his long term future.

Pathan also told some reporters after the training session with the team physiotherapist that he was feeling better.

Pathan has a gap of three days to make a complete recovery as India`s next game is now on Wednesday against Pakistan and then against Sri Lanka on Thursday in the super league of the tournament.

The ground was surrounded by security police officials as Pathan did his drills highlighting the fact that the organisers are taking no chances with the security of the Indian team.

Ponting fined for dissent

Ricky Ponting has been fined 30 percent of his match fee for dissent during the second one-dayer win over hosts West Indies.

An International Cricket Council statement said the Australian skipper appeared to make a comment to the umpire after he had turned down a caught-behind appeal against Patrick Browne.

Although Ponting pleaded not guilty at the post-match hearing, ICC match referee Roshan Mahanama punished the player after viewing video footage of the incident.

Australia won the rain-hit game in Grenada by 63 runs, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Pietersen Targets Batting Improvement

England's stand-in captain Kevin Pietersen attributed their defeat to New Zealand in the NatWest Series to poor batting performances.

In the fifth and final match at Lord's the tourists won by 51 runs, having posted 266-5 thanks to a late blasts of 87 not out from Scott Styris and 52 from Jacob Oram.

England slipped to 138 for six in the 35th over and only Owais Shah (69) made a significant contribution as the team were bowled out in the 48th over - meaning a 3-1 series defeat.

Pietersen said: "I think the batting was what let us down and is what has let us down since Durham (when England won by 114 runs).

"You can't afford to get 20, 30 and 40s - they don't win series. Hundreds win series.

"Consistency is the word we are after. We played so well in Twenty20 (England won by nine wickets) and the first one-dayer and then our batting let us down.

"That is where we need to look at a few things. We have got ourselves into positions to win things but have let ourselves down a bit on the batting side."

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori admitted that after a tough Test series the players had to dig deep having found themselves in trouble in the third one-day international at Bristol before going on to win the match by 22 runs to turn the series on its head.

He said: "There was a lot of soul searching, a lot of talking among the team and asking individuals to stand up and be counted.

"We have a group of guys who have played less than 10 one-day internationals and when you get performances out of those guys you get pretty excited.

"We have a team who can take us to the next level."

One of those inexperienced players, Tim Southee, was named man of the series for his 13 wickets.

The Black Caps pace bowler said: "We came together after that first game and things started to click.

"You learn a lot from the guys in the team and also playing in your first one-day series."

New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram said the one-day trophy was reward for the squad's hard work having been defeated in the Test series.

"The guys showed a lot of character. We have found it hard on this tour but we are a confident one-day team," he said.

England head coach Peter Moores added on Sky Sports: "We haven't bowled very well at the end of the innings and batting-wise it wasn't good enough. That's been a problem throughout the series.

"We've got to find answers. We can't ignore it. We built a good foundation at Durham but now we've got to go away and work hard as we'll have a tough series against South Africa.

"We are a fairly young and inexperienced side and we've been inconsistent too.

"We've had some highs but New Zealand they have beaten us twice in two series and we've got to go away and think about that and make sure we work hard.

"We worked hard in the field and there were no problems with our effort - but in one-day cricket it's about the key moments and delivering under pressure."

On Shah, Moores added: "He's had a very good series and showed he's a good one-day player."

Flintoff Return Expected

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and experienced seamer Glen Chapple are expected to make their first-class returns in Lancashire's LV County Championship Division One clash at champions Sussex.

Flintoff's hopes of an England recall this summer after being sidelined by ankle surgery last winter were hit when he suffered a side strain seven weeks ago.

He has made a gradual return to action in the second XI and in the Twenty20 Cup over the past week and is now ready to step up his comeback.

Chapple also made his return in the Twenty20 Cup following a groin injury that saw him miss the first half of the season.

New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent, brought in as a short-term replacement for Brad Hodge, remains in the Lancashire side with the Australian batsman still away on international duty.

Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed returns for Sussex after a knee injury which kept him out of their Twenty20 Cup campaign.

England all-rounder Luke Wright is also available despite his involvement in the fifth NatWest Series one-day international against New Zealand at Lord's today.

West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Smith will have to wait for his first-class debut after signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with the county this week.

Raina Inspires India Victory

Suresh Raina continued his fine form by hitting an unbeaten century to guide India to a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup on Saturday.

The batsman notched his maiden one-day ton on Wednesday in the defeat of Hong Kong and was in equally fine touch on Saturday to make light work of Bangladesh's target of 284.

He hit three sixes and 11 fours in his 116 not out, and was ably supported by opener Gautam Gambhir (90) and Yuvraj Singh (36no) - the latter smashing a four and a superb six to bring India to within six runs of victory.

Raina fittingly hit the winning runs in the next over, the 44th, by easing Abdur Razzak for a two and two singles.

Bangladesh made a promising start to the defence of their total and it could have been a different result had some woeful fielding not blighted their efforts.

Shahadat Hossain struck early to remove opener Robin Uthappa in the fourth over by bowling him all ends up, and them dispatched Rohit Sharma (22), who was caught at mid-wicket by Farhad Reza.

A collision between Mahmudullah and Tamim Iqbal in the field, which left the latter needing ice treatment on a bruised head, was a sign of things to come.

Ghambir, who had raced to 56, was dropped in the 16th over and Mahmadullah was culpable when he put down Raina at fine leg two overs later when the batsman was on 16.

Ghambir looked odds-on to reach his century, his innings littered with 10 fours and an array of exquisite shots, but he could not keep an on-drive off Reza down and was caught at mid-wicket by Mashrafe Mortaza.

Raina suffered no such nerves though, reaching 96 with a huge six and then tickling Razzak to the fine leg boundary for four the next ball.

He and Singh then surged towards the total with ease.

Earlier, Alok Kapali made his first ODI century as Bangladesh made a fine start.

He hit 10 fours and five sixes in his 113, after opener Tamin Iqbal had laid the foundations with an impressive 55.

Mohammad Nazimuddin (six) fell in the fifth over to RP Singh but skipper Mohammed Ashraful joined Iqbal and the pair brought up 50 inside 10 overs.

But Ashraful (20) drove Manpreet Gony to Pragyan Ojha at mid-off and although Iqbal made 50 from 64 balls, he was caught behind in the 20th over off Ishant Sharma.

Spinner Ojha grabbed his first ODI wicket by clean bowling Raqibul Hasan (25) to leave Bangladesh wobbling on 120 for four.

This brought Kapali to the crease and he and wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim shared an important stand of 49 before Rahim was out for 25, becoming Ojha's second victim.

Kapali and Mahmadullah (21no) tried to increase the run-rate late on but the latter was dismissed with the penultimate ball and the total ultimately proved insufficient.

That Kid Who Draws

That Kid Who Draws is a graphic (see: grafuck) designer from Iowa. TKWD does several things in the design world. He does portraits of just about anything and adds a unique vintage look to all of his pieces. He does designs for Jenna Jameson's clothing line Hello Jenna. In addition to this he also designs his own uniquely incredible "grafuck tees". I'm definitely snatching a rave to the grave one.

-MooseMoose

Bangladesh to face India in Asia Cup super four opener

The super four leg of Asia Cup would be kicked off today (Saturday) when India and Bangladesh would play opener at National Stadium here.

The second match would be played between Sri Lanka and Pakistan on June 29 whereas Sri Lanka would face Bangladesh on June 30.

Archrival India and Pakistan would play against each other on July 2 after which India would take on Sri Lanka on July 3.

All matches of super four round would be played at National Stadium.

Mills A Doubt For Kiwis

New Zealand paceman Kyle Mills is a fitness doubt for the deciding NatWest Series clash with England at Lord's today.

Mills suffered a lower back spasm while batting in the nets for the Black Caps in their final practice session before the game.

He has been one of of the Kiwis' star performers with the ball and formed a formidable attack along with Tim Southee and Mark Gillespie.

Mills has also made vital contributions with the bat including 47 off 40 balls at Bristol and helping Gillespie earn his country a one-wicket win at The Oval on Wednesday.

If Mills is ruled out, then Michael Mason is poised to take his place.

All-rounder Grant Elliott is also battling to be fit after his controversial run-out at The Oval.

He suffered a badly-bruised thigh in a collision with England paceman Ryan Sidebottom when attempting a quick single.

Elliott had been playing club cricket for Weybridge when the series began but was called in as a replacement for the injured Jacob Oram.

He impressed sufficiently with bat and ball to earn a regular spot in the side.

Mills and Elliott will be given until shortly before play begins to prove their fitness.

A New Zealand spokesman confirmed: "Injuries to Kyle Mills and Grant Elliott have delayed the naming of the side to play England until just before the toss on Saturday."

Brett Lee could be fastest to 300

BRETT Lee could become the fastest bowler to 300 one-day wickets after the Australia spearhead drew within one scalp of becoming the 10th player to reach the magical figure.

Lee claimed 1-25 in Australia's emphatic 63-run victory over West Indies in Grenada, but after taking his 299th wicket with his first ball.

He was unable to grab a breakthrough late in the innings after unselfishly resorting to a short run-up to help his team get through their overs and prevent skipper Ricky Ponting from receiving a fine or suspension for for a slow over-rate.

Provided he is not rested for game three of the one-day series in Grenada on Sunday night (EST), Lee will have the chance to claim his 300th wicket in his 171st match.

Pakistan great Waqar Younis currently holds the record for the fastest to 300, having achieved the mark in his 186th one-dayer.

Glenn McGrath, the only Australia player on the list, celebrated 300 wickets in his 200th game before going on to take 381 wickets during his career.

Vice-captain Michael Clarke, who said he was unaware of Lee being on the cusp of 300, praised the fast bowler's unselfishness in putting the team's interest first in his final over.

"It's just another great sign of what I love about this team,'' Clarke said.

"We're two overs down (on over rates) and worried about (skipper) Ricky Ponting missing the next game or getting fined ... and Brett's last over he bowled off four steps.

"He wasn't concerned at all about his 300th wicket, and I think that's very unselfish, and another strength of our team.''

SA considered as possible Champions Trophy venue

The International Cricket Council has put South Africa on standby as a possible Champions Trophy venue, but insists that Pakistan remains its first choice as hosts, an ICC source said on Friday.

The year`s biggest one-day tournament featuring the top eight Test nations -- Australia, South Africa, England, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and the West Indies -- is due to be held in Pakistan from September 11-28.

But touring Pakistan has been a security concern for several foreign teams, especially Australia which postponed its March-April visit this year after a series of suicide bomb blasts.

With Sri Lanka, the alternate venue, in the midst of heavy fighting between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels, the ICC has included South Africa as possible hosts.

"South Africa could hold the Champions Trophy in case Pakistan or Sri Lanka can`t," the ICC source said.

"But it must be stressed that Pakistan remains our first choice and a lot of work has already been done to ensure the tournament is held there."
The northern venues of Johannesburg, Centurion and Potchefstroom will be the venues if the tournament is moved to South Africa, the source added.

A final decision on the host nation will be taken at the ICC`s annual meetings which begin in Dubai on Sunday.

The ICC said earlier this month at the launch ceremony of the biennial event in Lahore that Pakistan will host the tournament -- provided there were no safety and security fears.

"At this point in time we are comfortable with the decision that Pakistan has the ability to host the Champions Trophy, but we will continue to monitor security as it is fluid," ICC official Dave Richardson said at the launch.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has said he does not yet know if his side will travel to Pakistan and raised the prospect of individual withdrawals even if the title-holders do decide to send a team.

"We don`t know if we`re going. And if we do go, we don`t know if individuals are going to pull out," Ponting was quoted as saying in Australian newspapers.

"It just won`t be Australian players. There will be a few other teams who will be thinking long and hard if the tour does go ahead."

Pakistan officials have dismissed security concerns, hoping the ongoing Asia Cup in the country will dispel any doubts of their ability to host the Champions Trophy.

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong are taking part in the Asia Cup, the symbol of one-day supremacy in the region.

Former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja, now a popular television commentator, hoped countries such as Australia, England and New Zealand will remain positive about touring his country.

"The reservations have come about owing to their perception," Raja was quoted as saying in the Indian media.

"I don`t blame them because if you`re not in Pakistan and you keep hearing and reading about blasts and chaos, then you could be influenced by all that
"Pakistan needs everybody`s support. A positive attitude from the West, so to say, would be of great help. I believe the existing political system will give Pakistan stability.

"Progressively, we`re seeing a calmer Pakistan and things should get better," said Raja.

HELLO HELLO.
YAY.
today is friday(:(:(:
& today had a relief faci for math.
& yeah, it was quite slack,
cos he was somehow more lenient and all,
as compared to the _____ module's faci.
heh.
oh& *nancy's issue.
Wah, i feel damn mean leh!
whole day keep disturbing disturbing.
tsk. haiyooo!

GAH GAH GAH.
Cell later.
RAHHHH.
no comments.

So anyway,
met JustinFatKoh(HEH!) aft school ystr @ woodlands,
& trained to yishun to eat Macs & watch the Zohan movie.
Yepyep.
So after that, to my condo.
& took justin-looking-dumb pictures.

TADAAA. see his idiotic face!