Dyson wants junior players to rise to Aussie test
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – West Indies coach John Dyson has urged his less decorated players to use the Australia series as the time to stamp their authority on the game.

The Australian said while the experienced Windies players had crucial roles to play in the three-Test, five-match One-Day International tour the “less high-profile players” should see the series as a “golden opportunity”.

“This is the time for our guys to play their best cricket. This is a really great opportunity for them. As I look at the main players it is a chance to further enhance their reputations,” said Dyson, the former Test opener.

“When you look at the less high profile players, it is a golden opportunity for them to put their hands up and say, ‘I have arrived’, and really put some big numbers on the board.

“I have been telling them this is the time to really deliver and be counted, and what better occasion than against the best side in the world and in front of your supporters on home turf. If everyone delivers the team sill surely benefit.”

West Indies open their tour with the first Test at Sabina Park starting next Thursday, and will be seeking to recapture the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy.

The hosts have not beaten Australia in the Caribbean in 17 years but are hoping they can build on their strong showing in the recent Sri Lanka series to stop the rut.

“We played well against Sri Lanka and we want to continue the work which we started there,” Dyson said.

“We know the quality of players we will be up against but know we have quality on our side as well and we will be competitive and confident against the Australians.”

West Indies have been in camp since Monday as they prepare for the challenge of the world champions.

The highlight of the week-long camp will be a two-day match at the Stanford Ground today and tomorrow. So far the players have been involved in intense net sessions, fielding session, gym and pool work, video and computer analysis, as well as personal development.

“The camp has been a good awakener for everyone. A lot of the players are back in the groove now and will be ready when that first ball is bowled,” Dyson said.

Busta to sponsor Enterprise Sports Club Twenty20 festival
… action starts May 24
By Ravendra Madholall
THE Enterprise Sports Club (ESC) ground on the East Coast of Demerara should be filled to capacity from May 24 to 26.

Ready! President of the Enterprise Sports Club Karran Ramdhoon, fourth left, receives the cheque from Guyana Beverages Company General Manager Robert Selman while other members from the club look on. (Photo: Courtesy of Brian Chu-A-Kong)

The winners will take home a first prize of $50 000 and a trophy. There will be several individual prizes for outstanding performances and spectators can also expect a treat.

This information was revealed yesterday by the man in charge, Robert Selman, General Manager of the Guyana Beverages Company, at the entity’s main branch in Diamond New Housing Scheme where the Enterprise representative received a cheque worth $250 000, at a simple handing-over ceremony

Selman, a Trinidadian and whose parent company is located in the Twin-island republic expressed his interest to be affiliated with ESC and said his company was delighted to be the sponsor.

“I am indeed happy to see such an effort made by the club to have tournament like this run off and we were approached by the officials from Enterprise, where I immediately recognised the importance of such an exciting tournament. I know the people of Guyana are supporting Busta vehemently and I have no problem in giving back to the society,” Selman disclosed.

According to Selman, they will be sponsoring a football match between an Enterprise side and a Georgetown Fruta Conquerors team, which the Beverages Company will also sponsor next month.

Karran Ramdhoon, president of ESC in his brief remarks, thanked Busta for the significant contribution and acknowledged that the club’s commitment to hold this innovative Twenty20 competition has been fantastic.

Competitions Committee chairman Jitlall Jowharilall, a former Demerara Under-19 player, also expressed his gratitude to Busta and declared that they will have six matches on the 24th and another six on the 25th while the two semi-finals and final will be played on May 26 (Independence Day).

Michael Khan, who is the current vice-president of ESC and chairman of the Demerara Cricket Board selectors, was also present and thanked Busta for their continued support for the sports.

Busta’s Customer Services Representative Shameize Yadram chaired the proceedings.

The ten teams participating are: Enterprise Busta Sports Club, Lusignan Sports Club, Rockaway Sports Club, Unity Sports Club, Fairfield Sports Club, Strathavon Sports Club, Buxton Sports Club, Enmore Sports Club, Clonbrook Sports Club and Better Hope Sports Club.

WI players, management briefed on ICC’s anti-corruption policy
ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – In the wake of the Marlon Samuels bookie scandal, the West Indies players and management have been briefed on the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption and Security Policy.

A West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) release said yesterday the team had received a full outline of the guidelines and requirements from the board’s chief executive Dr Donald Peters and the corporate secretary, Tony Deyal.

The two WICB officials met the players and team management during the ongoing camp which began here on Monday, to bring them up to speed on the issue which has been brought sharply into focus recently because of the Samuels scandal.

Peters emphasised that it was critical everyone understood the ICC’s code of conduct which dealt with match-fixing and anti-corruption.

“We wanted to give you all a heads-up as to what you have to look for and how to protect yourself when approached by persons who would seek to get you involved in such activity. We will help you and provide you with all the information you need,” Peters said.

Samuels was this week found guilty of violating the ICC’s code of conduct, for his involvement with an Indian bookie during a One-Day International series in India last year.

As a result, the 27-year-old batsman was slapped with a two-year ban by the WICB’s disciplinary committee.

Peters also stressed the WICB was willing to provide whatever help was needed to the player while he served a suspension from the game.

A 14-man squad will be selected at the end of the camp tomorrow and will travel to Jamaica for the opening Test at Sabina Park beginning next Thursday.

Alkins hits half-century for Fredericks XI
RIGHT-handed middle-order batsman Royston Alkins hit a fine half-century for Royan Fredericks XI against Jonathan Foo XI on the second day of the third and final three-day national Under-19 trial match at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, yesterday.

The Essequibian who was 32 overnight with his team on 168 for six, scored 57 as Fredericks XI were dismissed for 230 while Foo XI in reply were skittled out for a paltry 97.

When bails were lifted, Fredericks XI were eight without loss enjoying a lead of 141 runs with Rajindra Naikbarran on two and Ryan Rajmangal yet to score.

Alkins’ overnight partner Alex Amsterdam, who was on one, was run-out for 19. Off-spinner Sahadeo Somai took three for 35 from 14 overs and leg-spinner Jonathan Foo two for 26 from 16 overs. There was one apiece for Leon Scott, Triston Massena and Totaram Bishun.

When Foo XI batted, only Delon Heyliger and Steven Latcha scored 22 runs each, as Berbice fast bowler Keon Frazer grabbed three for 15 from six tidy overs and Keyron Frazer and Collin Duke ended with two for 22 and 23 respectively, and Alkins and leg-spinner Amir Khan one each.

Meanwhile, Fredericks had to give up the captaincy to national Under-19 batsman Seon Hetmyer after he had to leave due to work commitments.
Weather permitting today, the action will resume at 10:00 h

Magical Mishra bowls Delhi to victory
… Gambhir first to reach 400 runs in IPL
A DRAMATIC final-over hat-trick by Amit Mishra, when Deccan Chargers needed only 15 runs off six balls, clinched a tense 12-run victory for the Delhi Daredevils and ended their four-match losing streak.

Half-centuries from Gautam Gambhir and Shikhar Dhawan set Deccan a formidable target of 195 but Mishra's timely strikes in his two spells broke Deccan's growing momentum during the chase.

Desperate to break their run of losses, Delhi recovered splendidly after losing Virender Sehwag in the first over through a 133-run stand for the second-wicket between Gambhir and Dhawan.

They kept wickets in hand, which allowed Delhi to score 128 runs off the final 11 overs of the innings. Deccan, on the other hand, kept losing wickets at frequent intervals which, despite their consistently high run-rate, crippled them towards the end of their chase.

Their top six batsmen all got into double figures but no one went past 40. Had someone played a long innings, the result would have been different because even though wickets fell at junctures, Deccan got extremely close.

After six failures in the middle order, Deccan finally promoted Shahid Afridi to open the innings. The move paid off and Afridi made use of the fielding restrictions to go after Glenn McGrath and Mohammad Asif. Deccan rocketed to 44 after the first four overs but during that blitz they lost Adam Gilchrist, who drove McGrath fiercely towards mid-off, where Tillekeratne Dilshan held a low catch while diving forward.

The out-of-form Herschelle Gibbs joined Afridi and the pair plundered 34 runs off consecutive overs from Asif and McGrath through scoops over extra cover and pulls over deep square leg with tremendous bat-speed and power. Deccan galloped to 71 for one by the end of the Powerplays but the tide was about to turn.

Sehwag gave the seventh over to leg-spinner Amit Mishra and he had immediate success as Afridi sliced his first ball to AB de Villiers at point. He struck again in his second over, foxing Gibbs with a googly and hitting middle stump.

The big-hitters dismissed, Delhi began to regain control while Rohit Sharma and Scott Styris settled down. The asking-rate had climbed beyond 11 an over but Sharma redressed the balance somewhat by taking 19 off an over from Rajat Bhatia, with two sixes - over long-on and square leg - and a dead-straight four.

However, Sehwag made another timely bowling change, Farveez Maharoof returning in the 13th over and bowling Sharma as he moved across his stumps to attempt a paddle sweep. The period that followed swung the game in Delhi's favour as Styris failed to impose himself on the chase.

He didn't score a boundary off his first 23 balls and then holed out on 29, leaving the responsibility of the final surge to Venugopal Rao.

Deccan needed 41 off the final 15 balls and Rao clouted Maharoof for sixes over the straight and midwicket boundary and a four over extra cover to bring the equation down to 25 off the last two overs.

He was dismissed in the penultimate over, skying McGrath to Shoaib Malik at long-on but Ravi Teja gave Deccan hope by slicing a full toss over backward point for six.

Sehwag gave the final over to Mishra with Deccan needing 15 and once again he struck with his first ball: Teja's flat hit found Malik on the long-off boundary, effectively ending Deccan's challenge. Pragyan Ojha and RP Singh charged Mishra off the next two deliveries and both were dismissed, giving Mishra his hat-trick, the second of the IPL.

Mishra's calm under pressure ensured the calculated assault from Gambhir and Dhawan earlier in the innings was not in vain. They lost Sehwag in the first over, slashing a short and wide ball to third man, and it wasn't until the fourth over, when Gambhir pulled RP for consecutive sixes over midwicket that the innings finally gained momentum.

Gambhir went past 400 runs in the tournament during his 79 and he and Dhawan accelerated between overs 10 and 14 - a period during which Delhi scored 64. Dhawan came into his own once the support bowlers - Sarvesh Kumar and Styris - operated, punishing anything full on the pads. He even reverse-swept Rao for four, and hit Afridi out of the attack with consecutive boundaries in an over that went for 18.

Delhi missed powerful finishers in previous matches but today the Sri Lankans - Farveez Maharoof and Dilshan - found the boundary several times to take them close to 200. That proved crucial in the end and Delhi could take heart from the fact that the architects of the victory were largely the local players and not the overseas recruits. (Cricinfo)

Olympic champion Wariner back in form and ready to run again
By Gene Cherry
RALEIGH, North Carolina (Reuters) - Olympic and world champion Jeremy Wariner is back in form and ready for a fast 400 metres at Sunday's Los Angeles Track Classic, his manager said.

"Jeremy is fine," Deon Minor told Reuters in a telephone interview from his Texas office. "He is back in training, it's going good and he's looking forward to Sunday."

A severe cramp during warm-ups led the American to withdraw from his last race, a 200 metres in Doha on May 9.

"He had a knot in his hamstring and the people could not get it worked out," Minor said. "With it being a 200 we did not want to take a chance or risk anything."

Wariner, who hopes to break Michael Johnson's 400 metres world record this year, has been receiving treatment since his return.

"He just called me today and said he felt pretty good," Minor said. "But we are still going to play it close. We can't afford to have any setbacks now."

The heavy favourite for repeat Olympic gold, Wariner will follow Sunday's race with three competitions in Europe, Minor said. He will run a 400 metres at Golden League meetings in Berlin and Oslo in early June and a 300 at Ostrava on June 12.

CLASSIC FIELDS
Sunday's Los Angeles Track Classic, the first of three major one-day meetings in the U.S., has attracted world champions Wariner, Tyson Gay, Allyson Felix, Bernard Lagat, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Kerron Clement and Jana Rawlinson.

Gay will double at 100 and 200 metres as will Felix, who ran the year's fastest 100 and equalled the fastest 400 at Doha.

Seven women ranked among last year's top 10 - including the past three world champions - are expected in the women's 100 metres.

Jamaica's Campbell-Brown heads the field, which also includes 2005 world champion Lauryn Williams and 2003 winner Torri Edwards.

World bronze medallist Carmelita Jeter and Jamaican Kerron Stewart, currently the year's second fastest, are also in the race.

Gay's task will be to defeat world silver medallist Derrick Atkins of the Bahamas in the 100 and American Xavier Carter, the third-fastest of all time, in the 200.

CHASING RECORDS
A double run at world records will take place at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, on June 8.

Ethiopian Olympic champions Kenenisa Bekele and Meseret Defar will both take aim at their records during special races at the annual meeting.

Bekele will attempt to lower his 2005 10 000 metres world record of 26:17.53 and IAAF athlete-of-the-year Defar will follow with a bid to break her 5 000 metres world record of 14:16.63 set last June in Oslo.

AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Distance races dominated talk at the 16th African Championships won by South Africa's men and Nigeria's women, but there were 2008 world-leading performances in several other categories at the Addis Ababa meeting.

Kenya's David Rudisha clocked 1:44.20 for 800 metres and Botswana's Kabelo Kgosiemang soared to the high jump lead at 2.34 metres.

Among women, Botswana's Amantle Montsho ran 49.83 seconds for 400 metres, Kenya's Pamela Jelimo clocked 1:58.70 in the 800 and Cameroon's Olympic champion Francoise Mbango won the triple jump at 14.76 metres.

Bekele won the 5 000 in 13:49.67 but women's world 5 000 metres gold medallist Defar suffered her first track loss since 2006 when she lost to fellow Ethiopian Meselech Melkamu. World champion Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia prevailed in the women's 10 000.

Sharapova battles to Italian Open quarters
… wins also for Serena Williams and Jelena Jankovic
By Paul Virgo
ROME, Italy (Reuters) - Maria Sharapova battled past Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki to move into the Italian Open quarter-finals with a 6-4, 7-6 win yesterday.

American fifth seed Serena Williams tamed lively Italian wildcard Sara Errani 6-4, 6-3 to join Sharapova in the last eight, while title holder Jelena Jankovic strolled past Russia's Maria Kirilenko 6-1, 6-1.

Serbian fourth seed Jankovic will take on Serena's sister Venus Williams, who secured a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Russian 10th seed Vera Zvonareva.

Serena will meet French qualifier Alize Cornet, who sprang the surprise of the day with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Russian third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, last year's defeated finalist.

Russian Sharapova, who will become world number one next week after Belgian Justine Henin retired from tennis on Wednesday, found herself in another fight having scraped past Slovak Dominika Cibulkova in three sets on Wednesday.

The Australian Open champion gained an early edge, sealing a break in the third game with a crosscourt backhand winner. The Dane hit back in the middle of the first set but Sharapova soon regained the advantage and served out with some big forehands.

The Russian then produced a remarkable recovery in the second set, winning five consecutive games to haul herself back from 5-1 down. She failed to hold when serving for the match but edged home in the tiebreak.

"I started good. In the middle of the match I had a little letdown. Quite a big one actually," she told a news conference.

"There were a lot of physical rollercoaster rides. I'd put two or three points together and then the level dropped. The good thing is I got a win and I can play another match tomorrow."

Serena twice came back from a break down in the first set before taking Errani's serve in the final game with the help of two big smashes and a netcord winner.

LAST HOPE
Italy's last hope in the tournament also proved a worthy opponent in the second set, when former world number one Serena again recovered to clinch the match.

"She was an unbelievable fighter and she never gave up. She has great spirit," said Serena.

Jankovic played assured tennis, mixing her strokes well, but Kirilenko made some careless errors and at one stage blasted a ball into the stands in frustration.

"I was very focused from the beginning. I played quite aggressively and I'm very pleased with the performance," the Serb said, adding she is battling illness.

"I've been sick for a week and I've been struggling a little. I have problems breathing. I'm still on antibiotics."

Sharapova will play Patty Schnyder in the quarter-finals after the Swiss ninth seed clinched a fine tussle with eighth-seeded Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli 4-6, 6-4, 7-6.

Russian sixth seed Anna Chakvetadze beat Polish 12th seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 1-6, 6-1 to set up a match with Tsvetana Pironkova.

Bulgarian qualifier Pironkova, who stunned Serbian top seed Ana Ivanovic on Wednesday, progressed after Belarussian Victoria Azarenka retired with a knee injury from their third round match when the former was 6-2, 1-0 up.

Kuerten granted a wildcard for French Open
PARIS, France (Reuters) - Former world number one Gustavo Kuerten has been given a wildcard for the French Open tennis, organisers said yesterday.

The 31-year-old Brazilian, whose career has been plagued by a recurrent hip injury, has said he will retire after Roland-Garros unless he receives a wildcard into the Beijing Olympics in August.

Kuerten won the French Open in 1997, 2000 and 2001.

French players Eric Prodon, Olivier Patience, Jeremy Chardy, Adrian Mannarino and Jonathan Eysseric were also given wildcards into the men's singles draw along with American Wayne Odesnik and Australian Robert Smeets.

The eight wildcards for the women's singles went to French players Olivia Sanchez, Severine Bremond, Stephanie Foretz, Mathilde Johansson, Youlia Fedossova and Violette Huck as well as American Madison Brengle and Australian Samantha Stosur.
The French Open runs from May 25 to June 8.

Hull book Wembley playoff date with Bristol City
LONDON, England (Reuters) - Hull City routed Watford 4-1 in their Championship (second division) playoff on Wednesday to book a date in the Wembley final against Bristol City and the chance of playing in the Premier League next season.

Former England international Nick Barmby equalised for Hull, who won the first leg 2-0, just before halftime after they had gone behind to a Darius Henderson strike after 12 minutes.

Caleb Folan headed Hull in front in the 70th, Richard Garcia got their third in the 88th and Nathan Doyle's deflected shot made it four in injury time, giving Hull a 6-1 aggregate win.

Hull, who have never played in England's top division, face Bristol City on May 24 in the single richest game in world soccer worth about £60 million ($116.7 million) to the winners in extra TV revenue, gate receipts and sponsorship.

Bristol City, who were last in the top flight 28 years ago, booked their ticket to the playoff final on Tuesday with a dramatic 2-1 extra-time win over visiting South London side Crystal Palace to wrap up a 4-2 aggregate victory.

Kiwis fightback…
McCullum perishes in the nineties for second time at Lord's
By John Mehaffey
LONDON, England (Reuters) - New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum perished in the nineties for the second Lord's Test in a row yesterday after reviving his team's fortunes on the opening day of the first Test against England.

McCullum batted with increasing authority to reach 97 from as many balls, adding 99 with Jacob Oram (23 not out) for the sixth wicket, after New Zealand had been reduced to 104 for five.

When bad light stopped play early after the first session had been lost to rain, New Zealand had taken their score to a more competitive 208 for six.

McCullum was only one boundary from his third Test century and his first against England when he was unexpectedly bowled by Monty Panesar. Four years ago, batting at number three after the order had been reshuffled he scored 96 in the Kiwis' second innings at the same venue.

An explosive one-day cricketer and acrobatic wicketkeeper, McCullum fully justified his promotion from seven to five following another feeble performance by the inexperienced top order.

He rode his luck after a series of airy waves outside the off-stump to reach his ninth Test half-century from 65 balls with eight boundaries while Oram played the anchor role at the other end.

McCullum unveiled his best stroke of the day with an imperious cover-drive for four off Ryan Sidebottom before smacking the England left-arm paceman to long-off for another boundary and whipping Stuart Broad to the mid-wicket boundary.

He struck a four and six off Panesar before lofting Stuart Broad for another six over long-off. Left-arm spinner Panesar, who had had several lbw shouts turned down, took his revenge when an attempted drive deviated off McCullum's pads on to the stumps.

ANDERSON STRIKES
Michael Vaughan, eager to expose the inexperienced New Zealand top order, opted to field after winning the toss.

His decision was vindicated in James Anderson's opening over when Aaron Redmond was dismissed without scoring, guiding a full-pitched delivery at comfortable height and pace to Alastair Cook at third slip.

His five-ball duck in his debut Test contrasted starkly with his father Rodney's 107 and 56 in his solitary Test.

Jamie How (7) also fell to Anderson, edging a full delivery to wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose and Ross Taylor slashed a frenetic 19 from 20 deliveries before skying a rash hook off Broad to Paul Collingwood at second slip.

Taylor also did his best to gift England another wicket when he set off for an impossible single. James Marshall had given up all hope of making the striker's end but received a let-off when Anderson missed a shy at the stumps.

Marshall, who had been caught behind off an Anderson no-ball, grafted his way to 24 from 104 minutes, before he too proved fallible outside the off-stump, edging Broad to Andrew Strauss at first slip.

Daniel Flynn, New Zealand's other debutant, was bowled leg-stump by Anderson for nine.

Anderson was the most successful of the bowlers with three for 42. Sidebottom, England's top bowler over the past year, struggled with his line and finished with none for 50.
NEW ZEALAND first innings
J. How c Ambrose b Anderson 7
A. Redmond c Cook b Anderson 0
J. Marshall c Strauss b Broad 24
R. Taylor c Collingwood b Broad 19
B. McCullum b Panesar 97
D. Flynn b Anderson 9
J. Oram not out 23
D. Vettori not out 5
Extras: (b-12, lb-8, w-1, nb-3) 24
Total: (for six wickets, 52.1 overs) 208
Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-18, 3-41, 4-76, 5-104, 6-203.
Bowling (to date): Sidebottom 18.1-5-50-0, Anderson 12-3-42-3 (nb-1, w-1), Broad 15-3-70-2 (nb-2), Collingwood 3-1-11-0, Panesar 4-1-15-1.

Henin slips into retirement while still on top
By Pritha Sarkar
LONDON, England (Reuters) - In an age when shrieking grunts and muscular power rule the tennis world, Justine Henin proved to be a refreshing throwback to an era when grace, speed and timing dominated the women's game.

While the rise of power-packed players had contributed to the fall of former world number one Martina Hingis, Henin gave hope to smaller, lightly-framed players.

However, with the bombshell announcement on Wednesday that the 25-year-old Belgian was quitting the sport with immediate effect, Henin may turn out to be the last classical women's player to have graced the sport.

"I have been driving my career based on an emotion but I didn't feel that emotion anymore since (last year's season-ending championships in) Madrid," Henin, who won 41 singles and two doubles titles during her career, told a stunned news conference in Brussels.

"I am leaving as the world number one and that is important and it is always better to go out at the top. I leave without any regrets and I know it is the right decision."

Over the past decade, players such as Maria Sharapova and the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, have revelled in capturing the headlines with their brute force on court as well as their colourful and daring fashion statements.

Henin climbed to the top of the sport by eschewing both practices.

While many athletes embraced the cult of celebrity to widen their global appeal and bank ability, the world number one adopted a no-nonsense approach throughout her decade-long professional career.

The loss of her mother Francoise 13 years ago and a subsequent estrangement from her father and siblings left her more thoughtful and driven than many her age.

She had promised Francoise during a trip to the 1992 Roland Garros final between Steffi Graf and Monica Seles, that 'one day I will win here'.

It took her 11 years to fulfil that vow.

BREATHTAKING BACKHAND
The 1.67 metre tall Henin paired her unparalleled on-court élan with a mental fortitude to be feared and became the first Belgian to win a grand slam crown.

She went on to pick up seven slams in all, four of them in Paris. Despite twice contesting the Wimbledon final, the Rosewater Dish ended up being the only notable trophy missing from her impressive collection.

Never one to scream or grunt on court, Henin also had tennis purists drooling as she caressed the ball with her effortless style and unfurled the most breathtaking backhand for sublime winners.

Her fan club included John McEnroe, who credited the Monte Carlo-based player with having the best single-handed backhand in the sport, amongst men or women.

Such was her talent she easily outclassed the achievements of her fellow Belgian rival Kim Clijsters, who despite being a year younger than Henin retired last year after winning only one major.

Even off-court dramas could not throw Henin off course for too long.

A debilitating viral illness left her confined to a sickbed for several months in 2004 but she returned in a predictable manner, by winning an Olympic gold medal in Athens.

Last year she dominated the tour by winning 10 tournaments despite a turbulent season that included a split from her husband and a reunion with her estranged family.

Just when it seemed that the dark days of mystery viruses, niggling injuries and family turmoil were finally behind her, the pressures of being world number one finally caught up with Henin and brought a premature end to a remarkable career.

As she slips into retirement without even bothering to defend her French Open crown later this month, she would have left the inhabitants of Belgium with a lasting legacy after helping the country to win their first Fed Cup title in 2001.

She also wrote her name alongside that rare breed of champions who quit while still at the pinnacle of their sport.

Rajasthan players to stay on in India
THE Indian Premier League's Jaipur franchise has discussed the sensitive security situation in the city with its players and is sure that all members of Rajasthan Royals, its IPL team, will be available for tomorrow’s home match against Bangalore Royal Challengers, a team official said.

"I can confirm that all players of the Rajasthan Royals team are available for tomorrow's game," Narendra Joshi, the team's media manager, told Cricinfo. "We are talking with the players, who are in Goa right now for a break, and there are no issues regarding the match. All the players will reach Jaipur this morning."

Darren Berry, Rajasthan's team manager, had told the Sydney Morning Herald from Goa that there is a "real option" three of the team's highest profile players will not return to Jaipur following a series of bombs that killed about 80 people in the city on Tuesday.

Berry is in Goa with Shane Warne, Shane Watson and Graeme Smith and said the group had considered "getting on the plane and getting out of here".

Bangalore, too, had expressed concerns over playing in Jaipur and requested the IPL governing council to shift the game to their home ground. However, their request was rejected by Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, and it's learnt that the Bangalore team management has informed the players and support staff - most of them are currently in Delhi - that the squad will proceed to Jaipur this morning.

"We are not comfortable at all," Berry told the Australian newspaper. "This is an extremely uncomfortable situation. Cricket has been good to me, but I have a wife and three kids back in Melbourne and they are less than impressed with the part of the world I am in."

The IPL has said that there will be an increased security presence for the match. "I am not at liberty to describe security arrangements but yes, we have beefed up the security arrangements," Modi told PTI. "We are requesting everybody to come in the stadium without bags, lighters, matches or bottles. Also the players area would be totally cordoned off and nobody would be allowed to go near the players."

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals CEO Fraser Castellino said the franchise was in touch with the IPL and the state agencies and was satisfied with the security arrangements.

"We are working closely with IPL and the state government agencies," he said. "We had sniffer dog squads and bomb disposal squads covering the stadium and outer perimeter areas, so we are taking it seriously.

"Security is a concern but we are satisfied that sufficient steps are being taken to look into the matter and ensure that no untoward incident happens.” (Cricinfo)

Ferdinand signs new United contract to 2013
By Pete Oliver
LONDON, England (Reuters) - England international Rio Ferdinand has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester United, the Premier League club announced yesterday.

"I am delighted Rio has signed a new contract. Rio's contribution this season has been a major factor in our outstanding defensive performance," manager Alex Ferguson told the club Web site (www.manutd.com).

"It is a great honour to be part of this trophy-winning team and to share in the success, which I am sure will continue for many seasons to come," added Ferdinand.

United won the Premier League title on Sunday and face Chelsea in the Champions League final in Moscow next week.

Ferdinand joins fellow defender Wes Brown in committing himself to the club, with his new deal keeping him at Old Trafford until the summer of 2013.

Speaking at a later news conference at Old Trafford, Ferdinand said: "To be able to stay at Manchester United for another five years is something I have wanted desperately.

"To be able to achieve that and sign another contract I am definitely very happy.

"You see the surroundings, training every day at Carrington and playing in front of 70 000-odd fans every week, what more could you ask for?

"We won the championship and now we are looking towards the Champions League and winning the Premier League is now at the back of our minds.

Ferdinand said that only victory in Moscow would make it a memorable end to the season, though.

"If we win that then I'll say it's been a fantastic couple of weeks for me, but if we don't then it will end on a disappointment."

McCullum urges New Zealand to press ahead
WICKET-KEEPER Brendon McCullum believes New Zealand are still in the first Test against England, despite being reduced to 208-6, on the first day at Lord's.

The 25-year-old fired a rapid 97 before falling to Monty Panesar to give the tourists hope for the rest of the Test.

"From 104-5, it looked like we might be rolled over so to get to 208-6 makes it not a bad day for us," he said.

"It was tough in those conditions but hopefully Jacob Oram and Daniel Vettori can forge on to get us to 300-350."

McCullum's knock came at a crucial time for the Black Caps and vindicated the selectors' decision to push him up the order to number five.

"I enjoy the fact I've got the opportunity to bat higher in the order rather than having to counter-attack down the order, and I'm enjoying the responsibility that comes with it," he said.

"I'm very, very disappointed not to have got the hundred but there's a long way to go in this game and hopefully I'll get another opportunity."

Prior to McCullum's arrival at the crease, a James Anderson-led bowling attack made the most of the swinging conditions.

The Lancashire seamer took 3-42 and said: "I felt good. I've started the season pretty well and continued that rhythm here.

"All England's bowlers have had a good spell for their counties and that stands you in good stead for such an important series."

And he added he had enjoyed proving that the England attack is not reliant on player-of-the-year Ryan Sidebottom but who went wicketless on day one.

"Ryan's done fantastically well over the last few months, but it was nice to see some of the other lads get some wickets today," said Anderson.

"I think my action's pretty good to be honest, I'm happy with where it's at, and it's the other areas of my game, maybe the mental side, that I've got to have a look at and work on.

"We're happy going into today. Our lengths could have been a little bit fuller and hopefully we can put things right.” (BBC Sport)