The New Nation - Internet Edition

Aussies wary of Bangladesh upset: First ODI tomorrow

AFP, Darwin

Australia appear to hold all the aces, but they won't be underestimating Bangladesh in their three-match one-day series starting on Saturday.

All three games are being played in Darwin, the series originally scheduled as a Champions Trophy warm-up before that tournament was postponed due to security concerns over the host country Pakistan.

Despite being without captain Ricky Ponting, opener Matthew Hayden and leading paceman Brett Lee, the defending World Cup champions are expected to be far too strong for Bangladesh.

However, Australian seamer Nathan Bracken said they wouldn't underestimate their opponents, having been beaten by them in Cardiff in 2005.

"They've done it before so, yeah, we've got to go out and play well," he said on arriving here Wednesday.

"We're off a break, we're I guess under a bit of pressure and it's up to these guys now.

"It's up to us to put our hands up and perform well and basically if they play good cricket we have to match it."

Only two of the Australians who played in the Cardiff match, Australia's only defeat in 13 one-day matches against Bangladesh, are in their 13-man squad for this series-interim captain Michael Clarke and his deputy, Mike Hussey.

Bracken said he expected the conditions in Darwin to suit his swing bowling.

"The Australian A team said it swung up here a bit early in the morning," he said.

"So hopefully it we get the chance to bowl early we can utilise that and it would actually give me more of a chance to get a few early wickets and hopefully just bowl well."

The Australians have lost just six of their last 36 one-day internationals, but were upset by India in their home tri-series finals earlier this year.

Hayden's absence could allow injury-plagued all-rounder Shane Watson to open the batting, with wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin another option.

Uncapped Tasmanian seamer Brett Geeves was called into the Australian squad to replace Lee and could make his international debut.

Bangladesh, who are coached by former prolific Australian domestic batsman Jamie Siddons, have warmed up with a series of matches in Darwin and shown mixed form.

Captain Mohammad Ashraful has looked in very good touch with the bat and the century maker in the Cardiff upset will be crucial to their chances of another shock win.

Teenager Tamim Iqbal has also looked in good form, while inexperienced 21-year- old Mehrab Hossain warmed up for the series with a fine double of 132 not out and 31- 3 in their final practice match on Wednesday.

Australia had a practice match against an Australian Institute of Sport side on Thursday.

Squads

Australia: Michael Clarke ©, Shane Watson, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Brad Haddin, Shaun Marsh, David Hussey, James Hopes, Cameron White, Brett Geeves, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, Nathan Bracken.

Bangladesh: Mohammad Ashraful ©, Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Raqibul Hassan, Shakib Al Hasan, Alok Kapali, Dhiman Ghosh, Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain, Farhad Reza, Mehrab Hossain jnr, Nazmul Hossain, Dolar Mahmud, Junaid Siddique.

Bangladesh Army emerge champions beating Navy by 71-65 points

UNB, Rajshahi

Bangladesh Army clinched the Premier Bank 23rd National Basketball title beating Bangladesh Navy by 71-65 points in the final at the Rajshahi Divisional Women's Sports Complex on Thursday.

Divisional Commissioner of Rajshahi Hafizur Rahman Bhuiyan was the chief guest at the day's closing function and distributed the trophies.

Vice-President of Bangladesh Olympic Association M Mizanur Rahman Manu was the special guest at the function, chaired by Police Super and Tournament Committee chairman Shahabuddin Khan.

Earlier, in the semifinals, Bangladesh Navy outclassed Khulna DSA by 90-61 points, while Bangladesh Army beat Bangladesh Rifles by 80-60 points.

St Gregory beat Hammadia High School by 17-5 points

UNB, Dhaka

St Gregory High School earned a convincing 17-5 points victory over Hammadia High School in a match of the 1st Diamond Melamine School Rugby Tournament at the Outer Stadium rugby ground on Thursday.

The winners led the first by 7-0 points.

In the day's other matches, Rahmatullah Model High School narrowly beat West End High School by 8-7 points after dominating first half 3-0, while Nawabpur Govt. High School beat Islambagh Ashraf Ali High School by 8-5 points (first half 3-0).

Four matches will be held today (Friday).

Little Friends Club beat Prantik KC by 2-1 goals

UNB, Dhaka

Little Friends Club came from behind to beat Prantik KC by 2-1 goals in the only match of the Metropolis 2nd Division Football League at the Bir Shresthha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Stadium in Kamalapur on Thursday.

After a barren first half, Shahinoor Islam and Rubel scored for Little Friends, while Eco netted for Prantik KC.

Today's matches: T&T Club vs North Baridhara Club (2:30 pm), Sadharan Bima KC vs BG Press (4:15 pm).

Rifles, Army, Khulna DSA moves into semis

UNB, Comilla

Holders Bangladesh Rifles, Bangladesh Army and Khulna DSA moved into the semifinals of the 28th National Kabaddi Championship winning their respective final round matches that began Thursday at the Stadium Gymnasium.

Bangladesh Rifles earned a comfortable 50-30 points victory over Tagail DSA, Bangladesh Army crushed Dhaka DSA by 43-13 points, while Khulna DSA edged past hosts Comilla DSA by 8-7 points to reach the last four.

In the semifinals Friday afternoon, Bangladesh Rifles will play Khulna DSA, while Bangladesh Army will meet the winners of Sathkira DSA and Bangladesh Police who play the quarterfinal Friday morning.

India wins first-ever one-day series in Sri Lanka

AP, Colombo

India clinched its first-ever one-day international series in Sri Lanka by winning the fourth match by 46 runs Wednesday to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-five series.

Choosing to bat after winning the toss, India built their innings around three half-centuries from Suresh Raina (76), Mahendra Dhoni (71) and Virat Kohli (54), before being bowled out for 258 runs in the final over.

In reply, the hosts lost wickets regularly and were bundled out for 212 in 46.3 overs, despite an ideal start from Sanath Jayasuriya, who made a 52-ball 60.

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said his team's inconsistent batting cost them the match.

Hargreaves to use Super Cup to get United career back on track

AFP, Manchester

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves wants to use Friday's European Super Cup clash against Zenit St Petersburg to kick-start his season.

Hargreaves, 27, has been struggling with tendinitis and hasn't made a first team appearance for United since helping Sir Alex Ferguson's side win the Champions League in May.

But the England international is finally back in training and Ferguson expects him to play against Zenit in Monaco.

Hargreaves is desperate to get back in action after a injury-ravaged beginning to his spell at Old Trafford.

The former Bayern Munich star made only 21 starts last season and he knows he could fade from the picture if he doesn't make a positive impact soon.

"I've got a big season ahead with United and England, and I want to be fit," Hargreaves said.

"I've felt the injury on and off for 16 months. Sometimes more, sometimes less - it's something I've had to cope with.

"The staff and I have worked very hard so that I'm fit and when I play I don't miss out.

"They've done a really good job. I think we've got it under control. "Hopefully I'll be back soon and fit for the remainder of the season. I'm improving every day."

While Hargreaves focuses on his fitness, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be motivated by the bitter memories of his last Super Cup appearance when he sends his team out for Friday's match against the UEFA Cup winners.

Ferguson has won the competition once before in 1991 when United defeated Red Star Belgrade, but he is still bitter about Lazio's post-match celebrations when the Italian club beat United in 1999.

The Scot has no intention of suffering a repeat in Monaco.

"I want to win. I remember the last time we went there I only played half a team because we had a Monday league game against Newcastle," Ferguson said.

"When I saw Lazio celebrating at the end, it was like they had won the World Cup. I was not too pleased. I thought: 'That will not happen again'.

"We'll view the Super Cup as a one-off and we want to win it but we are expecting a very tough game."

With that in mind, Ferguson has pledged to send out a strong team and England defender Gary Neville should feature after an ankle injury.

Ryan Giggs is back from a hamstring problem, while Nani is available after completing a three-match ban for his dismissal against West Ham last season.

Ferguson's desire for victory can't be questioned but he might be distracted by off- the-field activities as United try to sign Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov before the transfer window shuts on Monday.

United have made a 25 million pounds (31 million euros) offer for the Bulgarian but Tottenham are holding out for 30 million pounds (37 million euros).

If the deal doesn't go through Ferguson insists he will still be happy with his squad.

"If a new signing happens it happens. The squad we had last season is good enough," he said.

Ctg Mohammedan move to semifinal beating BKSP 4-2

UNB, Dhaka

Chittagong Mohammedan SC advanced to the semifinals of the Citycell Federation Cup Football Tournament eliminating BKSP by 4-2 goals in the tie breaker at the floodlit Bangabandhu National Stadium on Thursday.

The 4nd and last quarterfinal match between two teams was locked in 1-1 goals in the stipulated 90 minutes and also in the 30-minute extra time.

In the semifinals, Dhaka Abahani will play Farashganj SC on Friday while Dhaka Mohammedan will meet Chittagong Mohammedan on Saturday, both at 5:pm at the same venue.

The final match of the Tournament will be held on September 1 at 4:30 pm. Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar will give live coverage of the final match.

In the day's match, Akber Hossain Ridhon scored for Chittagong Mohammedan SC in the 39th minute by a volley shot off a Doulat's back pass (1-0).

BKSP captain Sabuj got the equalizer in the 79th minute by a powerful shot from top of the box after receiving the ball in the mid field (1-1).

In the tie breaker, Dhiman, Pavel, Dulat and Shawkat converted the spot kicks for Chittagong Mohammedan while Manik and Rana scored for BKSP.

Yellow cards- Asad, Zitu (Mohammedan),and Manik, Rabi (BKSP).

Chittagong Mohammedan: Mamun, Shawkat, Prodip, Dhiman, Sharif, Linclon, Pele (Zitu)(Touhidul), Asad (Pavel), Doulat, Ridhon and Tuckile

BKSP: Mushtaq, Rasel, Kanok, Annie, Pronab, Manik, Rana, Royal, Sumon (Rabi), Sabuj and Sumon Kumar (Sabbir).

Referee: Minazur Rahman

Abahani, Biman reach women's team event final

UNB, Dhaka

Abahani Limited and Bangladesh Biman reached the women's team event final of the Federation Cup Invitational Table Tennis Tournament that began Thursday at the NSC wooden floor gymnasium.

Earlier, President of Bangladesh Table Tennis Federation M Abu Solaiman Chowdhury inaugurated the meet.

In the women's team event, Abahani Limited beat Narail DSA by straight 3-0 sets, while Bangladesh Biman outplayed Dhaka DSA by 3-1 sets to reach the final.

In the group matches of men's team event, Bangladesh Biman beat Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club by 3-1 sets, Bagerhat DSA defeated Wari Club 3-1 sets, Feni DSA beat Narail DSA 3-0 sets and Pabna DSA outplayed Brothers Union 3-0 sets.

In the boys' team event, Bangladesh Biman beat Gaibandha DSA by 3-0 sets, while Dhaka DSA defeated Narail DSA by 3-1 sets.

Narinda Pragoti Boys play Old Ideals in title-deciding match today

UNB, Dhaka

Last time runners-up Narinda Pragoti Boys Club play Old Ideals in a title-deciding last league match of the Cute Premier Division Handball today (Friday) afternoon at the Outer Stadium handball ground.

Both the teams, which maintained their all-win record in the league securing full 15 points, will lock horn for the metropolis league crown at 3:30 pm on Friday.

Registrar of Cooperatives department M Masud Elahi will be the chief guest on the occasion and distribute the trophies.

Kazi Rajibuddin Ahmed Chapal of league sponsors Cute Cosmetics will be present as special guest.

Meanwhile, Menzis KC outclassed Victoria SC by 35-12 goals after leading the first session 23-7 at the Outer Stadium handball ground on Thursday.

Russell scored highest 13 goals for Menzis KC and was adjudged the best player of the match. Sajib netted five goals for Victoria SC.

In the day's other match, Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club beat Bhratritto Samaj Kalyan Sangha by 18-6 goals after leading the first session 10-3 at the same venue in the afternoon.

Faruqul scored seven goals for the winners while Faisal netted five goals for the losers.

Sumon of Dhaka Mariner Youngs Club was adjudged best player of the match.

Serbs, Russians share top billing at US Open

AFP, New York

Serbian stars Novak Djokovic and Jelena Jankovic hobbled to victory on centre court while the Russian assault continued on day four of the 20.6 million dollar US Open.

An ailing Djokovic overcame a left foot injury to defeat Arnaud Clement 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in his opening match, while Jankovic struggled with fatigue but held on to beat Sofia Arvidsson 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5 in their second round match on Wednesday.

"I had to be consistent and try to get a high percentage of my first serves in," Djokovic said. "I didn't return so well and I had a lot of ups and downs and big frustrations.

"But it is the first match. It is always the trickiest one but hopefully the next one will be better."

Djokovic reached the final in New York last year where he lost to four-time reigning champion Roger Federer and has won three titles this year including his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

The 21-year-old Serbian is also fresh off winning the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics.

"I played good tennis today, enough to win," Djokovic said.

Djokovic moves through to the second round where he will face American Robert Kendrick.

In the third set against Clement, Djokovic twisted his left ankle while lunging for a shot on the main Arthur Ashe Stadium.

At the time he was two sets up and leading 2-1 in the third. After a 10 minute time out to get the ankle taped, the match resumed with Clement winning the next point to level the final set at 2-2.

But Djokovic cruised from there winning four of the next five games, clinching the win in straight sets when Clement's final shot sailed long.

Djokovic expects the foot to be almost as good as new in a couple of days.

"It is going to be a good two days," Djokovic said of his ankle. "After it happened I was thinking more of it than I was the pain, so it is not really a big deal.

"But in a certain moment I felt big pain, so I had to get it taped."

The 23-year-old Jankovic has reached two semi-finals in Grand Slams this year (French Open and Australian Open) but has never made it to a final in 20 career major appearances.

Jankovic has six career singles titles but just one victory to show for her consistent play this year. The pesky Swede Arvidsson made Jankovic work for Wednesday's win.

"It was really tough. I am completely out of breath," second-seeded Jankovic said immediately after the two-hour, 45-minute match. "I was pushed to the limit."

Jankovic moves through to the third round where she will face China's Zheng Jie who beat Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain 6-1, 6-4 on Wednesday. Zheng reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon earlier this year.

Jankovic, who has suffered a string of injuries this year, took a couple of tumbles on Wednesday but got through the match unscathed.

Drama queen or tennis warrior-only Jankovic knows how much of her constant grimacing on the court is real or not.

"I was concerned I was going to get my dress dirty," she said of one of her spills. "That was my biggest concern."

Five Russians, including four seeded players, advanced on Wednesday while Vera Zvonareva became the first seeded Russian casualty.

Beijing Olympic gold medallist Elena Dementieva beat Pauline Parmentier of France 6-2, 6-1. Dementieva, the runner-up in 2004, is making her 10 straight US Open appearance.

"You have to find a way to win," said Dementieva, of Moscow said. "The most important thing is to stay positive in the difficult moments in the match even when you feel tired."

Dementieva, who is ranked sixth in the world, moved through to the third round where she will face Great Britain's Anne Keothavong who surprised 25th seeded Francesca Schiavone 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.

Third-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova beat 18-year-old Sorana Cirstea 7-6 (7/3), 6-1.

"It was all about the first set," Russia's Kuznetsova said. "When I got into a dangerous situation I started moving her around a little bit more. In the second set I was able to gain more confidence."

Another Russian Olympian Zvonareva was sent crashing out of the event, losing her second round match 6-3, 6-3 to unseeded Tatiana Perebiynis.

Zvonareva was in the same side of the draw as Jankovic and Lindsay Davenport who beat another Russian Alisa Kleybanova 7-5, 6-3 in a night match.

In the other evening match, American eighth seed Andy Roddick defeated Frenchman Fabrice Santoro 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 on the strength of 15 aces.

Russian fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko dispatched Dudi Sela 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 in a men's first round match.

World No. 1s Rafael Nadal and Ana Ivanovic highlight the schedule on Thursday.