40
Sports International
Pietersen will be welcomed back, says Stuart Broad ENGLAND Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad says Kevin Pietersen will be “welcomed back into the changing room”. The 32-year-old batsman was dropped in August for sending “provocative” text messages to opposition players. But he signed a new four-month contract last week, subject to a “reintegration” period before he plays for the team. “Once the England management have decided when he’s available to return, he’ll be welcomed back into the changing room,” said Broad. Pietersen is hoping to return to England duty during the four-Test tour of India, starting later this month. Broad brushed aside fears that his return would be opposed by his team-mates. “The team have no issues with KP coming back if the management decide he’s ready to,” Broad said. “It’s in their hands at the moment. There are some meetings going on behind closed doors and we’re waiting to see the outcome of those. But from the team’s perspective his integration will be easy. “Ultimately we’re playing cricket and we want guys who will score runs and take catches to help
Kevin Pietersen, who was dropped in August, signed a new four-month contract last week.
England win. Whatever’s happened has happened. “We pride ourselves on being a strong dressing room and I’m sure that if he came back for India or New Zealand, or whenever it is, that things will be fine within the team.” Rifts between Pietersen and his team-mates surfaced over the summer, with the batsman admitting to issues “in the dressing-room” after scoring a century in the Headingley Test in August. Two days after Pietersen was dropped over the texts scandal, Broad issued a statement denying any involvement in a Twitter account
called KP Genius that parodied the South Africa-born batsman. Broad, who captained England in the World Twenty20, added: “I’ve not spoken to Kev since the Headingley Test match, but I’d have no problems playing with him or having a beer with him. It’s not an issue. “We know he’s a great cricketer, he’s won a lot of trophies and has been a really good team-mate for England, certainly ever since I’ve been playing for them. “We know that when KP’s focused on playing for England and he’s happy, he’s a really dangerous player.” (BBC)
Federer makes confident start in defense of No.1 ranking WORLD No. 1 Roger Federer made a confident start in the defense of his ranking with a second round victory over Chinese Taipei’s Yen-Hsun Lu in the Shanghai Masters Wednesday. Federer took one hour 20 minutes for a 6-3 7-5 win and will now face fellow Swiss and doubles partner Stanislas Wawrinka. Should Federer progress, it will guarantee he would have held the top ranking for 300 weeks in his glittering career. Defeat, combined with Novak Djokovic taking the title come Sunday, would see the current No.2 on top of the world again. Federer, who was the subject of a bizarre online death threat ahead of the tournament, was pleased with his performance after returning to competitive action for the first time in nearly a month. “It’s just about getting a sense of how to play the points again, “ he told the official ATP Tour website. “But my last matches were on clay (In a Davis Cup tie). “You always wonder if you have lost something in the meantime.”
October 13 - 19, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Roger Federer plays a backhand return during his second round victory over Yen-Hsun Lu at the Shanghai Masters.
Second seed Djokovic was untroubled as he won his opener against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria 6-3 6-2 in just 54 minutes. He is coming off his title win in Beijing where improvements to his service appeared to pay off. “That’s something that I’ve been working on, obviously. Relying on the serve in today’s tennis is a big
advantage. So I try to get as many free points as possible,” he said. Two-time defending champion and World No.3 Andy Murray had a walkover passage to the third round when his opponent Florian Mayer withdrew with a rib injury. U.S. Open champion Murray will next play Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine.
Strauss joins ICC cricket committee FORMER England captain Andrew Strauss has been appointed to the International Cricket Council’s cricket committee. Strauss, who retired in August, replaces West Indian Ian Bishop, who opted not to continue in the role. The 16-member cricket committee meets twice a year to consult on playing matters and offer recommendations to the ICC on technical issues and rules. Former India spinner Anil Kumble has replaced West Indian Clive Lloyd as chairman of the committee. Both Strauss and Kumble were unanimously voted in by the ICC Board, which consists of ICC president Alan Isaac, chief executive David Richardson, representatives from the 10 Test playing nations plus three associate member representatives. “I would like to thank Clive Lloyd for his chairmanship of the ICC Cricket Committee and for his tireless contribution to the game,”
Andrew Strauss replaces Ian Bishop, who opted not to continue on the panel.
said Isaac, who became the president of cricket’s governing body in June. “In Anil Kumble, we have a new chairman who has unquestioned experience not only as a player with India but also as an administrator with Karnataka State Cricket Association as well.
Chelsea defender Cole charged with misconduct after abusive tweet CHELSEA and England defender Ashley Cole has been charged by the Football Association (FA) after he called them a “bunch of twats” during a Twitter rant on Friday. Cole was responding to an independent report into an allegation of racism against Chelsea captain John Terry, in which the panel cast “considerable doubt” over the 31-year-old’s evidence. Terry, who retired from international football over the affair, was found guilty of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand, banned for four matches and fined US$350,000. When Cole learned of the FA panel’s suggestion he had
Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has been charged with misconduct by the English Football Association
“evolved” the evidence he gave to the investigation he responded by tweeting: ‘Hahahahaa, well done #fa I lied did I, #BUNCHOFTWATS.’
Rory Mcllroy (right) was knocked out of the competition by Tiger Woods.
McIlroy out of World Golf Final after Tiger Woods defeat WORLD number one Rory McIlroy bowed out of the World Golf Final in Turkey after losing his third successive match. Having lost to Matt Kuchar and Charl Schwartzel, McIlroy needed to beat Tiger Woods with a low total in the final group game of medal match play.
But he could only post a oneunder 70 as Woods surged into the semi-finals with a fine 64 containing no bogeys. Woods was set to play Justin Rose, who carded a 62, in the semis, while Lee Westwood shot 64 and was expected to face Charl Schwartzel.