Chance for youngsters to step up and perform: Raina

MUMBAI: Stand-in India captain Suresh Raina feels that the absence of senior cricketers during the ODI series in the Caribbean will be an ideal opportunity for those who did well in domestic cricket to show their performance at the international level.

"It's a great opportunity for the youngsters who have done well in domestic cricket. I hope they will do well," said the 25-year-old Raina at the pre-departure media conference of the team on Tuesday sitting alongside newly-appointed chief coach Duncan Fletcher.

The Indian team will be playing in the ODIs without Gautam Gambhir, prolific opener Virender Sehwag, man-of-the-tournament in the World Cup Yuvraj Singh--- all of whom are out with injuries. Regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar and senior pacer Zaheer Khan have been rested keeping in mind the gruelling two and a half month tour of England that starts in July.

"I am really honoured to be leading the side. I am happy with the side as we have some very good batsmen in Rohit Sharma, Manoj Tiwary, S Badrinath, Shikhar Dhawan all of whom have done well in first-class cricket.

"Badrinath especially has done well in first-class cricket and deserves to be in the team. I hope we will do well in the West Indies," said Raina who will hand over the reins to Dhoni when he returns for the three-Test series to be held after the conclusion of the five ODIs.

The Indians start the tour with a lone T20 international at Port of Spain on June 4.

Coach Fletcher said he had followed the rotation system when he was the England coach and received criticism from the authorities.

The burly Zimbabwean wants to go slow about this supposed rotation policy.

"While I was in England, I started the rotation policy resting senior guys. I was heavily criticised by the English authorities. It's important to do that considering the heavy schedule. We need to look into the matter as we go into the future," said the Zimbabwe-born Fletcher for whom it will be his first assignment as the Indian team's coach after taking over from his protégé Gary Kirsten after the World Cup.

"There is a lot of talent in India and my job is to prepare these youngsters. It's a pleasure to blood them in ODIs," said Fletcher.

Asked about the club-versus-country debate, Fletcher said it's not specific to cricket.

"That's the way it is in modern day sports. We have to ensure that all the players are fit enough," he said.

Raina said the Indian team had done very well over the last three years, having climbed to the top among Test nations and winning the World Cup after 28 years.

"There's always pressure and we have done well under pressure. We have done well over the last three years and have won the World Cup. It's for us as players to execute the plans of the coach well. We have to play our natural game," he said.

Fletcher did not see the trip as an easy outing though the West Indies are not the same force they were in 70's and 80's.

"Any team playing at home is difficult to beat. We should not be complacent," said the new coach who said he intended not to look too far ahead in his job.

Fletcher admitted that beating England and Australia in their den will be the biggest challenge but as of now the focus is on the Caribbean tour.

"Yes, we would like to beat England in England and Australia in Australia. But the first job is the tour of West Indies. It's very important not to look too far down the road. India have a plan to stay at the top. The young players have the potential and this tour will show the depth of talent we have," he said.

Raina said the West Indies had some good all-rounders in Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo.

Asked about the likely return of Chris Gayle after the first two ODIs for which he had been left out, the southpaw said his team has Ravichandran Ashwin to counter the threat from the West Indian opener.

"We have Ashwin. It's a good challenge for us," said Raina about his Chennai Super Kings teammate's success-rate in the just-concluded IPL against Gayle.

He credited Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and Dhoni for learning the ropes of captaincy.

"I learnt a lot about captaincy from Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and Dhoni. They have captained with a lot of honesty," he said.

Times Internet partners with NBA to bring premier basketball league to Indian fans

NEW DELHI: The National Basketball Association (NBA) of the US and Times Internet Limited (TIL), a subsidiary of the Times Group, have announced a digital partnership, under which the Times of India website has launched the first-ever dedicated NBA section.

The NBA becomes the second sports league after the IPL (Indian Premier League) to partner with the Times Group in India, highlighting the growing popularity of basketball and the NBA in India.

The new dedicated NBA section features on the Times of India website, with a reach of over 12 million users per month (comScore, April 2011). The NBA section provides fans with comprehensive daily updates on the latest NBA news, scores and original columns from Times Group journalists. Daily video highlights, photo galleries and articles from NBA analysts will also be offered, as well as in-depth features on the league and its players. Furthermore, journalists from the Times Group will travel to the 2011 NBA Finals to provide on-site and behind-the-scenes coverage for fans in India.

"We are proud to be associated with one of the most recognized sporting leagues in the World," said Rishi Khiani, CEO, Times Internet Limited. "The NBA is the premier men's professional basketball league in North America. With the growing popularity of Basketball globally and more recently in India we plan to leverage our audience to help popularize the sport further and drive newer audiences to the game."

"The Times Group has unrivalled reach in India and they are an ideal partner to help showcase our game and engage more NBA fans throughout the country," said Heidi Ueberroth, president, NBA International. "We are in the midst of one of our most exciting playoffs in recent memory and the innovative, in-depth sports coverage provided by the Times Group allows us to bring fans in India closer to the game."

The NBA is committed to growing popularity of basketball in India and is currently in the second season of the Mahindra NBA Challenge - the largest multi-city, community-based basketball league in India. The NBA has marketing partnerships in India with adidas, Coca-Cola, EA SPORTS, HP, Mahindra, Nike, Reebok, and Spalding; has record television coverage this season on Ten Sports and Sony Pix; and recently launched the widest assortment of jerseys and merchandise ever in India in 200 adidas stores.

Additionally, in partnership with the Basketball Federation of India (BFI), the NBA is promoting the sport at all levels. NBA Cares, the league's global social responsibility programme, has hosted numerous youth and coaching clinics over the past year. Basketball courts are being refurbished to facilitate access to the game and promote participation among youth. Around 15 NBA or WNBA players have travelled to India to conduct clinics and raise awareness of the game. The NBA is also working closely with the BFI to identify coaches for India's National Team.

PCB chief Butt accepts Afridi's decision to quit

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman says he accepts Shahid Afridi's decision to quit international cricket and has given the World Cup captain a week to respond to a code of conduct charge.

Ijaz Butt says on Tuesday that Afridi "is welcome if he does not want to play."

Afridi, who has represented Pakistan since 1996, announced his retirement from international cricket on Monday in protest at the PCB setup. He added he could reverse his decision if the setup is changed.

Butt removed Afridi as Pakistan's one-day captain after the enigmatic all-rounder criticized the team management on his return home from West Indies. Afridi was selected for the two recent ODIs against Ireland but pulled out due to his father being ill.

Acting AFC chief says Hammam still boss

SINGAPORE: Mohamed bin Hammam is "still the president" of Asian football, his Chinese deputy Zhang Jilong insisted Tuesday despite being confirmed as acting chief while the Qatari faces a corruption probe.

Zhang said FIFA had "no right" to suspend bin Hammam from Asian Football Confederation (AFC) duties while it investigates allegations the former candidate tried to buy votes for the world body's presidential election.

"FIFA suspended bin Hammam but he is still the president of the AFC. FIFA has no right to prevent him from acting (in) his role in the AFC," Zhang said, according to the China Daily.

FIFA said bin Hammam was barred from all football activities worldwide when it announced its ruling on Sunday. And despite Zhang's comments, the AFC confirmed the vice president had taken over as temporary leader.

"We, the members of the AFC executive committee, express our deepest concern at the latest developments within FIFA and that involves the AFC president Mohamed bin Hammam," an AFC statement said.

"We will be following the investigation as it takes its course. We hope the outcome of the investigation will be in the best interests of football in Asia and beyond."

On Monday, bin Hammam said he would appeal against the ban, which is in force while FIFA probes allegations that $40,000 cash bribes were offered to delegates in return for their votes.

Bin Hammam was suspended just hours after unexpectedly pulling out of the race to unseat Sepp Blatter, FIFA leader for the past 13 years, in Wednesday's presidential election.

Peter Velappan, the AFC's former general secretary and a known opponent of bin Hammam, said late Monday that Zhang's appointment was automatic under AFC rules.

"In the absence of a president, the deputy president will become the acting president. Bin Hammam cannot oppose this development," Velappan told AFP.

"This is the best thing for Asian football," he added.

Most Asian football bodies refused to comment on Monday when contacted by AFP, but heavyweights South Korea said they were maintaining their support for the Qatari.

Sri Lanka's Manilal Fernando, a bin Hammam ally who beat Zhang to a seat on FIFA's executive committee in January, also remained firmly behind the embattled president.

" Sri Lanka still supports bin Hammam and he is still the best," Fernando told AFP in an email.

Zhang's appointment follows an unprecedented crisis for global football with senior officials facing a welter of corruption claims, many stemming from Qatar's shock nomination as 2022 World Cup host.

Manchester United midfielder Scholes retires

MANCHESTER: Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes retired on Tuesday, with the 36-year-old opting to stay at the Premier League champions in a coaching role rather than extend his playing days.

"This was not a decision that I have taken lightly but I feel now is the right time for me to stop playing," Scholes said on the club website (www.manutd.com).

"To have been part of the team that helped the club reach that 19th (league) title is a great privilege."

Scholes will take up a coaching role at the club he spent his entire career and he will make one final appearance in a United shirt for a testimonial in August.

The combative midfielder made 676 appearances for United, picking up 10 Premier League winners' medals as well as helping his club to three FA Cups and two Champions League titles.

"I am not a man of many words but I can honestly say that playing football is all I have ever wanted to do and to have had such a long and successful career at Manchester United has been a real honour," Scholes added.

Manager Alex Ferguson had spoken previously about hoping to persuade Scholes to follow in the footsteps of 37-year-old midfielder Ryan Giggs in signing on for another year.

Instead, Scholes follows goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar into retirement and presents Ferguson with another big hole to fill.

"We are going to miss a truly unbelievable player," Ferguson said.

"Paul has always been fully committed to this club and I am delighted he will be joining the coaching staff from next season.

"Paul has always been inspirational to players of all ages and we know that will continue in his new role."

England on course to reclaim second spot in ICC Test rating

DUBAI: England's stunning victory against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Cardiff has kept them on course to reclaim second position on the ICC Test Championship table for the first time in more than three years.

Although the Test Championship table will be updated only at the end of the series, a 3-0 series win will put England one ratings point ahead of South Africa. England last occupied the second position in November 2007.

England players Chris Tremlett, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell, who engineered the stunning an innings and 14-run victory over Sri Lanka, also achieved their career-best rankings in the list released on Tuesday.

Swann, who bagged 4/16 in the second innings to finish with figures of 7/94, has strengthened his second position on the ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers, which is still headed by Dale Steyn of South Africa.

Tremlett, who claimed 4/40 in the second innings to earn match figures of 5/121, has gained seven places and is now on a career-best ranking of 27th.

Among the Test batsmen, man of the match Jonathan Trott, who scored 203, has moved up one place to join former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara in third position.

Ian Bell was also rewarded for his innings of 103 not out with a jump of three places to the 18th position for the first time in his career.

Skipper Alastair Cook also earned 15 ratings points for his innings of 133 which has put him on 818 ratings points and just 38 points behind the pair of Trott and Sangakkara.

Sri Lanka opener Tharanga Paranavithana and wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardena moved up one place to 44th spot and six places to 51st position respectively.

Smarting English lead calls for Blatter to go

LONDON: British politicians, media and fans united on Tuesday in calls for Sepp Blatter to be kicked out as FIFA president, saying his credibility was shot and he could not lead essential reform of the sport's governing body.

Blatter, 75, is set to be re-elected unopposed as president on Wednesday, having brushed off allegations of corruption which has concerned some leading sponsors of the organisation he has run since 1998.

His rejection of criticism and any suggestion of a crisis has prompted widespread anger and derision in Britain, where many people are still smarting from England's humiliating failed bid to stage the 2018 World Cup.

"Rotten does not even come close to describing FIFA -- football's governing body is mired in allegations of corruption, bribery and sleaze," The Daily Mirror newspaper said in its editorial under the headline "Give the boot to Blatter".

"If Blatter had an ounce of dignity he would have resigned months ago. Sadly, the beautiful game has been brought low by the ugly actions of its leaders."

The mass-selling Sun tabloid described Blatter as "shifty, arrogant, evasive".

"How shameful for world football that Sepp Blatter is likely to be re-elected unopposed as its head," it said. "FIFA must be cleaned up. It cannot happen with him at its helm."

The British media has long been hostile to FIFA and has particularly targeted the organisation since England's campaign for the 2018 tournament attracted just two votes, despite the involvement of Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince William.

Newspaper and TV reports have since claimed a number of senior FIFA officials had taken bribes in return for votes.

Two senior figures, the head of Asian soccer Mohamed bin Hammam and CONCACAF chief Jack Warner, have now been suspended over bribery allegations which they both deny.

BRIBERY PROBE

Both the English and the Scottish Football Associations have called for the FIFA presidential election to be postponed, and with the issue dominating the news agenda, the issue has attracted increasing political attention.

Britain's Department of Culture, Media and Sport said it backed the FA, calling for a full probe of the bribery claims.

"FIFA has to undergo massive reform and become much more transparent and accountable," a spokeswoman said.

Ivan Lewis, the spokesman on sport for the opposition Labour Party, said Blatter's credibility had "gone".

"Football does not belong to a small elite. It belongs to the millions of fans from remotest Africa, to the beaches of Brazil, the great cities of Madrid, Paris and London, and they deserve better leadership than this," he told Sky News.

British parliamentarian Damian Collins, who is involved with "ChangeFifa", a recently launched international parliamentary coalition, said that governments, football associations and FIFA sponsors needed to unite to force change.

"This is a real crisis and I don't think Sepp Blatter addressed that at all in his remarks yesterday," he said.

Meanwhile, ordinary fans expressed disillusionment. "If this wasn't so serious it would be something out of Gilbert and Sullivan. It's a farce," Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters Federation, said.

"I don't think you'll find a single football fan in this country who believes that everything at FIFA in terms of both the World Cup bid and other things is clean and above board.

"Things cannot go on. It's self-evident I think that this organisation cannot continue in its present state."

Murray battles past Troicki in rolled-over match

PARIS: British fourth seed Andy Murray clawed his way into the French Open quarterfinals on Tuesday with a courageous 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 defeat of Serbian 15th seed Victor Troicki.

Murray's participation in the match, held over from Monday, had been threatened by an ankle injury, but he battled back from 5-2 down in the deciding set to set up a last-eight clash with unseeded Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela.

"It was an incredible comeback," said Murray, who went over on his right ankle in his third-round match with Germany's Michael Berrer.

"I didn't know how my ankle would react. I had to battle. Things fell in my favour, so I'm happy.

"I had to attack from the start to turn things around today. I was a bit too hesitant at the start. Then I started to go for my shots a bit more and he got a bit nervous."

Victory keeps Murray on course for a semifinal meeting with top seed and defending champion Rafael Nadal, as he bids to go beyond the last eight at Roland Garros for the first time in his career.

The three-time Grand Slam runner-up has a 6-1 record against Chela, the world number 34, and beat him at Roland Garros in both 2009 and 2010.

Resuming at two sets all after fading light stopped play on Monday evening, Troicki had to produced some pummelling groundstrokes to save break points in each of his opening two service games.

Troicki was denied a 0-15 lead on Murray's serve in game six when a ball boy inadvertently ran on to the court while he was mid-smash, but recovered to break for a 4-2 lead when Murray netted a forehand from the back of the court.

The Scot threatened to break back in the next game but Troicki saved his third break point of the set before finishing a taut rally with a skidding backhand winner to move 5-2 ahead.

Having fought back from two sets and a break down to level the match on Monday, Murray found himself requiring another improbable escape act.

Despite holding for 5-3, he looked destined for the exit at 0-30 down on Troicki's serve, but fought back to 40-30 up and secured the break back when the Serbian patted a tame attempted drop shot into the net.

Troicki, who won Serbia's crucial point in the 2010 Davis Cup final win over France, appeared to lose faith thereafter and conceded a break to give Murray a 6-5 lead when he found the net with a backhand.

Murray spurned three match points in the next game before finally prevailing with a sensational crosscourt backhand winner from well behind the baseline to seal victory in a time of three hours and 56 minutes.

At 38, Kidd oldest guard to start in NBA Finals

MIAMI: After all the assists, steals, 3-pointers and triple-doubles, Jason Kidd has an easier path to his next entry in the NBA record book.

All he has to do is show up.

Kidd will become the oldest guard to start a game in an NBA Finals when the Dallas Mavericks face the Miami Heat on Tuesday night.

While Dirk Nowitzki calls him a "fossil," and Shawn Marion described him as being "almost 50," Kidd is a few months past 38. That's two years older than Ron Harper was when he started for the Lakers in 2000.

Of course, Kidd would prefer the title of oldest starting guard to win a championship. That also was set by Harper in 2000.

Winning it all is among the few things Kidd hasn't done in his 17-year career. He came close in 2002 and '03, reaching the finals with the New Jersey Nets, but they were swept by the Lakers then fell to the Spurs.

"I thought we were going to go on a roll in Jersey and make it three or four in a row," Kidd said. "But, now we're here. And hopefully we can find a way to win a championship."

If so, Kidd likely will be the one leading the way.

He still starts most fast breaks and controls the halfcourt offense. Leave him open and he'll hit a 3-pointer; he made six in the first-round opener and buried another in the final minute of overtime to win Game 4 of the conference finals.

Defense is where he's really excelled this postseason. Late in close games, coach Rick Carlisle has assigned Kidd to cover Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Carlisle has said Kidd will be among those asked to slow LeBron James in this series.

So much for taking it easy on the old man.

The only concessions to age Kidd seems to have made are playing less minutes and tolerating the flecks of gray in his beard.

"He's playing at a high level, keeping up with a lot of these young guys," said Miami's Juwan Howard, who was drafted a few spots after Kidd in 1994-95 and is the only player older than Kidd in this series. "Normally when you're our age, people count you out. They say you don't have anything left in the tank. But as you get older in this league, you get wiser."

Wisdom is a big part of Kidd's game.

After 1,267 regular-season games, and another 136 in the playoffs, he's pretty much seen it all. He knows what risks are worth taking and when to take them.

"We're always a better basketball team when he's our facilitator on the court, and he's getting guys in different positions and leading the offense, and helping us in our flow game," Carlisle said. "When we've got to call plays, I'll call them once in a while, but he's great at that, too. The more he can do it, the better our team plays."

Nowitzki sure likes having him around, and that's reason enough to value Kidd.

Nowitzki pushed for Dallas to acquire Kidd at the trade deadline in 2008, even though it meant giving up young, improving Devin Harris. It wasn't clear who got the better of that deal as the Mavs won a single playoff series in Kidd's first three postseasons.

This run to the finals should end that debate.

"It just took a while to really come into his own here," Nowitzki said.

Kidd is under contract for one more season. However, with a lockout looming, there might not be a 2011-12 season. Thus, there's a chance this series could be it for his career.

He sure hopes that's not the case - not after the way the last two months have gone, and as big of a role as he's had in that success.

"I would love to continue to keep playing if I feel the way I do now," he said. "I feel great. I know I'm not going to be playing 35 minutes a night. I still have a lot to give back to the game. ... I love the competition no matter at what age. And I'm a big fan of the game. Seeing these young guys play at the level that they are, I just wish I was 22, 23 years old so I can handle the game the way they do."

Perhaps. But none of those kids are doing what they do in the NBA Finals, at least not this year.

Bopanna-Qureshi enter French Open quarterfinals

PARIS: Indian Davis Cupper Rohan Bopanna and his Pakistani partner Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi advanced to the French Open men's doubles quarterfinals with a straight-set win over Andrey Golubev of Kazakhstan and Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan.

French Open 2011

The fifth seed Indo-Pak pair recorded a 6-3, 7-5 win over their unseeded rivals in the third round in one hour and nine minutes.

It will be the third quarterfinal appearance in the last four Grand Slams for Bopanna and Qureshi.

They will now clash with top seeded American twins Mike and Bob Bryan, who defeated Russia's Teymuraz Gabashvili and Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan 7-6 (6), 7-5 in their pre-quarterfinal round.

Bopanna and Qureshi had lost to Bryan brothers in the US Open final last year.

Bopanna is the only Indian surviving in the men's doubles as Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi made a shock second round exit.

Later in the day, seventh seeds Sania Mirza and Russian Elena Vesnina will take on top seeds Gisela Dulko of Argentina and Flavia Pennetta of Italy in the women's doubles quarterfinals.

Another contest of Indian interest would be the mixed doubles quarterfinal between Indo-Czech pair of Paes and Iveta Benesova and the top seeded combination of Slovakian Katarina Srebotnik and Serbian Nenad Zimonjic.

Tharanga failed dope test: Sri Lanka ministry

COLOMBO: Opening batsman Upul Tharanga has become the first Sri Lankan international to fail a dope test after a random check during the cricket World Cup, the country's sports ministry said on Monday.

The left-handed player was informed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) that he tested positive for a banned steroid, ministry spokesman Harsha Abeykoon said, adding that a national inquiry would also be held.

"The sports minister (Mahindananda Aluthgamage) named a three-member panel to launch a domestic investigation and as a first step they will record a statement from Tharanga at the earliest," Abeykoon said.

He said Sri Lanka Cricket ( SLC), the country's governing body for the sport, had not yet been formally informed by the ICC.

He was tested in Colombo during Sri Lanka's World Cup match against New Zealand, a cricket source said, adding that the ICC had taken a urine sample from him although other players had been subjected to blood tests.

Sri Lanka won the match against New Zealand by five wickets, with Tharanga scoring 30 runs off 30 balls. If confirmed guilty of violating ICC's anti-doping code, the 26-year-old faces a minimum two-year suspension.

Under ICC rules, Tharanga can seek a test of his "B" sample.

Two medical doctors with extensive experience of sports medicine were included in the panel headed by sports ministry secretary Udaya Seneviratne to probe Tharanga's case, Abeykoon said.

Cricket officials in Colombo said no Sri Lankan player had ever failed a dope test before, but current skipper and Tharanga's opening partner, Tillakaratne Dilshan, has been subject to allegations in the media.

Dilshan said in a statement in March that unidentified sources were trying to distract him from his game with allegations of doping.

The embarrassing development of Tharanga failing the dope test comes amid allegations by a former skipper that Sri Lankan players have been responsible for match fixing since 1992.

Sri Lanka says the allegations of match-fixing are still under investigation.

A press report on Sunday said Tharanga had already retained a lawyer to defend himself at an upcoming ICC inquiry into his doping results.

It said Tharanga has claimed that he was given a steroid by a faith healer in Colombo who also treated other international players.

There was no immediate comment Monday from the ICC's anti-doping committee, but ICC spokesman James Fitzgerald said on Sunday that he had "nothing to say."

There was also no comment from Tharanga. He is not part of the Sri Lankan side currently on tour in England, but opened against England in their World Cup semifinal and went onto score an unbeaten century.

Sri Lanka won the match by 10 wickets, but lost the final to India.

Rule requiring skirts in badminton suspended

QINGDAO: The Badminton World Federation has indefinitely suspended a controversial regulation that would have required women to wear skirts or dresses in competitive matches, a move that many female athletes considered sexist.

The BWF said in a statement posted on its website Monday that it accepted a recommendation from the Women In Badminton Committee to further study the general clothing regulations. The mandatory ruling was initially set to be implemented on May 1, but had been deferred until June 1 after criticism of the plan.

The Women In Badminton Committee, headed by former world champion Nora Perry of England, said the recommendation was also based on feedback from the sport's Athletes Commission.

Some players had accused the game's administrators of sexism, but badminton officials said they were trying to improve the profile of the women's game and help attract more sponsorship. In the past, women had been allowed to wear either skirts or shorts, with players opinions' differing on which were more comfortable.

"There (has) been various feedback from many quarters and after taking into account all these comments, especially those from the Athletes Commission, it is our recommendation to council to do further study before implementing new clothing regulations," Perry said in a statement after the group met at Qingdao during the Sudirman Cup competition.

"It is still our intention to focus on a better presentation of the game, but we will like to broaden the scope to include both men and women, and the feedback will also include views from various stakeholders such as the clothing manufacturers."

The BWF statement said the clothing regulation was one of the steps being taken to raise the profile of women in badminton.

The statement said other initiatives already in place are offering equal prize money for men and women, standardized 21-point rally system for men and women and equal male and female participation across the events offered in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

SINGAPORE: China's Zhang Jilong will take the reins of the Asian Football Confederation in the absence of Mohamed bin Hammam, who was suspended from all soccer activity by FIFA on Sunday, a source at the AFC said on Monday.

Asian soccer head bin Hammam was on Sunday suspended over bribery allegations in the worst corruption scandal to blight the sport's governing body, hours after ending his campaign to unseat FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

AFC Vice President Zhang ran for a seat on FIFA's executive committee earlier this year but was beaten in a vote at the AFC's congress in Doha.

Bin Hammam's suspension from FIFA was greeted with a wall of silence in Asia as soccer figures in the region took stock in the aftermath of Sunday's stunning turn of events.

Qatari bin Hammam, 62, had been due to stand against Blatter at the FIFA Congress in Zurich on Wednesday but withdrew his candidacy a day before facing an ethics committee hearing into bribery allegations.

Bin Hammam and Jack Warner, president of CONCACAF, were suspended over bribery allegations while FIFA's ethics committee cleared President Sepp Blatter of any wrongdoing.

CONCACAF is the confederation representing North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football.

Bin Hammam and Warner were accused of arranging to pay delegates of the Caribbean Football Union $40,000 in cash to vote for Blatter's only rival. The case against Warner and Bin Hammam, who have denied any wrongdoing, will be heard in July.

Gayle out of T20, two ODIs squad against India

ANTIGUA: Chris Gayle has been left out of the West Indies squad for the one-off Twenty20 and the first two ODIs against India.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has asked the flamboyant opener to appear before the selection committee, the board management and the team management in view of his comments against the board ahead of home series against Pakistan in April.

"Chris Gayle will not be considered for selection to the West Indies team before an intended meeting with himself, the selection committee, the WICB management and the West Indies team management. The selection committee views this meeting as necessary as a result of Gayle's comments in a widely publicised radio interview in Jamaica," the WICB said in a statement.

Gayle has been at loggerheads with the WICB after the World Cup. He was not selected for the initial part of series against Pakistan due to an abdominal injury. The batsman, however, claimed that he was dropped.

Gayle, meanwhile, asked permission from the board to play in Indian Premier League and that did not go down well with the board.

"I was actually forced to make this decision (play in IPL) based on what was happening around me and based on what has happened to current players (Ramnaresh) Sarwan and (Shivnarine) Chanderpaul," Gayle said on KLAS Sports Radio in Jamaica.

"I wanted to play and I wanted to represent West Indies. I didn't know what the future held. Two games can play, guys do well, Chris Gayle still will be sitting out."

Gayle, who joined Royal Challengers Bangalore as a injury replacement, has been in great form in the IPL. He was the top scorer with 608 runs.

The Twenty20 (June 4) and the ODIs (June 6, 8) against India are at Port of Spain.

The WICB selection committee also left out allrounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard who have been playing in the IPL.

"Bravo and Pollard are not eligible to represent the West Indies in T20 format as they did not take part in the last edition of the Caribbean Twenty20," the WICB said.

Bravo and Pollard were, however, chosen for the two ODIs.

The West Indies squad for the Digicel Pearls Twenty20: Darren Sammy (captain), Christopher Barnwell, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Andre Fletcher, Danza Hyatt, Ashley Nurse, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons.

The West Indies squad for the 1st and 2nd Digicel Pearls ODIs:

Darren Sammy (captain), Dwayne Bravo (vice captain), Carlton Baugh, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Kirk Edwards, Anthony Martin, Kieron Pollard, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lendl Simmons.

Rain delays fifth day of England-Sri Lanka Test

CARDIFF: Rain delayed the scheduled start of the fifth day's play in the first Test between England and Sri Lanka at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Monday as the series opener headed for a draw.

Play had been due to resume at 11:00 am local time (1000 GMT) but the latest downpour in this rain-marred match meant the square was fully covered with little prospect of the fixture starting any time soon.

England were 491 for five in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings 400, a lead of 91 runs.

Ian Bell was 98 not out and Eoin Morgan unbeaten on 14 after Jonathan Trott had made 203 and Alastair Cook 133 on Sunday.

This match is the first of a three-Test series, with the second Test at Lord's due to start on Friday.

Arshavin insists he will stay with Arsenal

LONDON: Arsenal winger Andrey Arshavin has rubbished reports that Arsene Wenger will sell him before the start of next season.

Arshavin's future with the Gunners has been cast into doubt as Wenger prepares to overhaul his squad following the club's failure to win a trophy for the sixth successive season.

The Russia international has been linked with a return to his former club Zenit St Petersburg after they revealed their interest in the 30-year-old, who is also wanted by clubs in Turkey and Spain.

Arshavin was out of favour with Wenger at times towards the end of the season, but he has spoken to the Gunners boss and is convinced he will stay.

"The manager wants to continue working with me," Arshavin told The Sun.

Arshavin joined the Gunners during in January 2009 and has scored 28 goals in over 100 appearances for the club.

Federer reaches quarterfinals at French Open

PARIS: Roger Federer eased into the French Open last eight on Sunday to be joined by hobbling Italian Fabio Fognini who saved five match points against Albert Montanes to seal a first Grand Slam quarterfinal place.

French Open 2011

Federer, the 2009 champion, reached a record 28th successive Grand Slam quarterfinal with a 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 win over best friend Stanislas Wawrinka.

The third seed has reached the last eight without dropping a set as he continues to thrive at a Roland Garros tournament where the world's top two, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, are expected to reach the final.

"I am super-happy because I knew after Stan beat (Jo-Wilfried) Tsonga, when he really dominated in the last two sets, what the danger was," said Federer.

"He showed all his qualities in the third set and was a bit unlucky but all the better for me I guess."

With victory on Sunday, in a repeat of the match-up at the same stage of Roland Garros last year, Federer took his career record to 9-1 against Wawrinka, his Beijing Olympics doubles gold medal-winning partner.

Next up for the Swiss is either Spain's David Ferrer or Gael Monfils of France for a place in the semifinals.

Federer cruised to a two-set lead over Wawrinka courtesy of a break in the fourth game of the opener and two breaks in the third and fifth games of the second set.

Wawrinka, with Federer's former coach Peter Lundgren in his corner, rallied to lead 3-0 with a break in the third set.

But 16-time Grand Slam winner Federer came roaring back in the seventh and 11th games before securing victory with his eighth ace.

While it was business as usual for Federer, world number 49 Fognini became the first Italian man in 16 years to reach the quarterfinals when he saved five match points and battled crippling cramps to defeat Albert Montanes.

The 24-year-old Fognini had been 4-1 down in the final set, then controversially called for treatment for cramping in his left thigh when he was two points from defeat in the 14th game of the decider

But despite only able to move from side to side, and being called for a series of foot faults, he stunned his 30-year-old opponent to record a 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 11-9 win after 4 hours and 22 minutes on Suzanne Lenglen court.

Fognini, the first Italian man in the last eight in Paris since Renzo Furlan in 1995, will now face either second seed Novak Djokovic or French 13th seed Richard Gasquet for a semi-final place.

But 24-year-old Fognini, who was virtually rooted to the spot as his injury took hold, admitted that he may not be able to make his quarter-final date.

"I am in a lot of pain. It's not cramp, I felt the muscle stretch," said Fognini, who committed 103 unforced errors in the match.

"I have 48 hours to recover. I don't know about the next match. I will go and see the doctor and then see what happens."

Luke Donald wins PGA and takes world No.1 spot

WENTWORTH: England's Luke Donald claimed the PGA Championship and the world number one ranking after a dramatic play-off against Lee Westwood at Wentworth on Sunday.

FACTBOX: World number one Luke Donald

Tied at six-under par, the pair re-played the 18th - a par-5 - where Westwood put his approach shot into the water surrendering the title and his top spot in the rankings.

Donald was safely on the green in three and when Westwood failed to hole his chip from dropping zone he handed his rival the title.

This is the first time Donald has headed the rankings. He is the third Englishman to do so after Nick Faldo and Westwood and this was his fifth win on the European Tour.

It also made up for the disappointment of finishing runner-up to Simon Khan in this - the Tour's flagship event - last year.

But it was a bitter pill for Westwood to swallow after his last round 68 - his best score of the week and at one point he was two clear of the field.

Donald was ecstatic at reaching the top spot in the world.

"It is something that you dream about but you never know if you are going to get there - but I got there," he said.

"It took a lot of hard work, a lot of sweat and tears, a lot of belief and a lot of failure. But I am sure Lee will be battling hard to get it back.

"But winning is always top of the list. It is a great honour and a great achievement to get to number one but it is the wins that get you there.

"This is the flagship event and with the four major champions here and everybody from the Ryder Cup it is very special."

Westwood felt that he had blown a chance to win the title without going in to a play-off.

"It shouldn't have gone to a play-off," said Westwood.

"I had a good chance at 17. The finish was a bit iffy with a three putt on the 16th and I had chances to birdie the last two but I didn't take them. I finished second not because of the play-off but because I didn't take my chances on 17 and 18."

Donald shot a 64 in the first round which he described as the best golf he could play but relied on his short game to keep him contention in rounds two and three when he was in trouble several times.

Both players had chances to win the championship in regulation play.

Donald had a putt that shaved the hole on the 17th and Westwood was one over par for the last three holes, which include two par-5s.

The world's top two-ranked players were locked in battle all afternoon and when Westwood missed and eight foot putt on the 18th for a birdie he left Donald needing a birdie to take the title.

Donald put his drive on the last in a fairway bunker, laid up short of the water on the par-5 and left himself a 40-foot putt for the title.

But it was asking too much and he and Westwood, who formed such a successful partnership in last autumn's Ryder Cup, were back to the 18th tee for the play-off which was effectively a shoot-out for the world number one spot.

Both were in the perfect spot about 100 metres from the green, but whereas Donald put his pitch to around eight feet, Westwood watched his land on the putting surface and spin into the water.

The 18th has attracted plenty of criticism since it was re-modelled by Ernie Els for last year's event, but it served up a finish full of drama this year.

England's Simon Dyson, who had a final round 69, finished third but Matteo Manassero, who shared the lead overnight, never got going and faded out of contention with a 75.

Earlier Australia's Marcus Fraser shot a 67, five-under par, which included a run of four birdies from the fourth, to shoot up the leaderboard and Ireland's Shane Lowry equalled that score helped by an eagle on the par-5 18th.

Mavericks loud and clear: Bring on the Heat

DALLAS: NBA Finals tickets go on sale here Saturday morning.

If the team on the other side of that ticket was anyone other than the Miami Heat, this trip to the NBA Finals wouldn't be the same for the Dallas Mavericks. They wouldn't admit it after locking up the Western Conference crown and their first return ticket to the Finals since falling to the Heat in the championship round in 2006. But this is the matchup they wanted all along.

Dirk Nowitzki's somewhat-muted celebration at the end of that Game 5 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder had everything to do with a potential rematch with the Heat, not that the Mavericks' superstar would admit it or anything.

"Once you get to the Finals, there is no second-place finish," Nowitzki said. "I was already thinking about the Finals, and I know you've got to stay in the moment, obviously ... it's been a long stretch here. After the year we lost in the Finals we came back and won almost 70 games, had a great season and then lost in the first round. That was another tough one. We've been trying to get back to this stage ever since and fell short a bunch of times. But this is a bunch of veterans who want to play and are unselfish. I think that's what makes this group special, everybody sacrificing for each other and we just want to win."

There is no visible scar for Nowitzki or Jason Terry, the only two regulars on the Mavericks' current roster from that 2006 Finals, but it's there, on the souls of this franchise's biggest star and the psyche of a city that you can't mention the words "Mavericks" and "NBA Finals" without mentioning the Heat.

The Mavericks have been running from the ghost of 2006 ever since they melted down just minutes away from a commanding 3-0 lead during that series. Now they are ghost chasers. They have an experienced team of veterans with the skills, mettle and chemistry needed to defeat the Heat, Bulls or any other team the Eastern Conference offered up.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh ... the names don't matter to the Mavericks this time around. It's the Heat. A team they handled twice during the regular season without Nowitzki playing the way he is now. They're locked in and ready.

"Our goal is to win four more games no matter who we play in the Finals," Terry said, that tattoo of the Larry O'Brien trophy on the inside of his right bicep serving as a season-long reminder. "This time it's going to be even more special. We're going to leave it all out there on the floor. This is what you play for."

Nowitzki and Terry will have some seasoned help this time around. Jason Kidd, Tyson Chandler, Shawn Marion, Peja Stojakovic, J.J. Barea and Brendan Haywood all have their own redemption stories to write against Miami. They all have playoff pain to remedy in one way or another.

Terry knows each and every story by heart.

"Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento versus LA, he didn't get it done," Terry said. "Myself and Dirk, 2-0, Finals and didn't get it done. Coach (Rick) Carlisle, two Eastern Conference finals, never made it to the championship. Jason Kidd, two Finals appearances, didn't hoist up that trophy. Shawn Marion has been to the Western Conference twice, hasn't gotten to the Finals.

"We all have unique stories," Terry said. "Shawn Marion, Peja, coach Carlisle, Jason Kidd being there twice and not getting it done. Those unique stories are what drive us and motivate us to get it done this year. That's what's driving us. And that's why we're going to try and get it done for all of those guys."

The Mavericks don't have a specific deficiency any team they've faced has been able to exploit consistently. Whatever your method of attack, they've had a solution.

Portland was supposed to be more athletic than them in the first round, but the Mavericks countered that with superior defense, better execution and plenty of late-game firepower from Nowitzki to finish off the Trail Blazers in six games.

The two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers were supposed to be better up front and had Kobe Bryant to close games for them in the conference semifinals. The Mavericks countered with diabolical 3-point shooting from the bench, monster efforts from Chandler and Haywood up front and more Nowitzki when it mattered most, sweeping the Lakers into an early summer break.

The Thunder offered up the greatest challenge, Carlisle insists, because they had two stars in two-time scoring champ Kevin Durant and All-NBA point guard Russell Westbrook to deal with and the most athletic and explosive team the Mavericks had faced to that point. The Mavericks punched back with stifling defensive work from Kidd, Marion and DeShawn Stevenson, and once again Nowitzki and crew stayed poised down the stretch to finish off Oklahoma City in five games in the Western Conference finals.

Whatever challenge put before them, the Mavericks have found a way to respond and eventually dominate the situation.

"People have been doubting us from the start," Marion said. "And I've been saying the same things from the start. It's not about them. It's about us. It's about this team and what we're about and what we're trying to do. The past is the past. The 2006 Finals and what went on then, that's not going to help us reach our goal. We've got four more wins to get before we can finish this thing off the way we planned. Four more wins."

Still, this Heat team would appear to be a more difficult challenge than anything the Mavericks have seen thus far.

"We've showed everybody our mental toughness," Terry said. "It's been questioned the last five years. But we're a different team now. And we're not going to settle for less."

More to come from me, says Schiavone

PARIS: Holder Francesca Schiavone promised there was more to come after beating Serbian 10th seed Jelena Jankovic 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 to book her place in the French Open quarterfinals on Sunday.

The Italian fifth seed powered through the opening set but Jankovic, a three-time semifinalist at Roland Garros, took charge in the second as Schiavone failed to keep up the pace in a high-quality match.

Schiavone was forced to run in every direction in a tense decider, eventually prevailing after two hours and 38 minutes when Jankovic failed to retrieve a volley.

The Italian kissed the clay on Suzanne Lenglen court in joy as she set up a meeting with Russian 14th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who knocked out world number three and compatriot Vera Zvonareva earlier on Sunday.

Schiavone, who unlike most of the top players on the Tour does not only rely on raw power, warned she could play better.

"I'm better (in the sense that) I'm more experienced," Schiavone, whose clever use of top spin causes problems for her opponents, told a news conference.

"I can still improve more, play better than today or some days ago."

WI tour an opportunity for youngsters to cement place: Zaheer

MUMBAI: Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan on Sunday said the upcoming tour to West Indies would be a good opportunity for the youngsters to cement their place in the national squad.

"It is a very good opportunity for young players to showcase their talent. It's a big tour and if they perform well, they can cement their place in the team," he told reporters during a promotional event.

India will play three tests, five ODIs and a lone T20 game during their tour to the Caribbean in June-July.

Senior players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh will miss the entire tour, while Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will join the team only for Test series.

On the appointment of Suresh Raina as the skipper for the ODIs and T20, Zaheer said," I want to wish good luck to him. He is a very good cricketer and is performing well for the past two years. I hope he does well."

The 32-year-old pacer said Dhoni was enjoying a great run as a skipper.

"He is having an amazing run. IPL, Champions League, again IPL and in between the World Cup as well. He keeps things simple. He doesn't complicate things much and maintains calmness. He is a very good captain. I hope that he is even more successful."

Zaheer, who has taken 271 Test wickets and 273 ODI scalps in 78 and 191 matches respectively, said he preferred to rest as he wanted to keep himself fit for the tough series ahead.

"It's obviously a hectic season ahead. We are playing a lot of crucial tours in the upcoming months. Personally, it's crucial for me to keep myself fit - that is the plan. To keep the niggles out and stay on top of it", he said.

"Cricket is my passion. I enjoy bowling," he added. On whether there should be a window for IPL, he said, "We already have a window. It starts in April and goes on around till May, so that's the window."

Asked whether his father, known to be a disciplinarian, allowed him to indulge in fancy hair-cuts when he was young, Zaheer said, "My father has always been a fan of soldier cut. It was the only hair-cut I knew while I was growing up."

Warne to be bronzed in statue outside MCG

MELBOURNE: Spin great Shane Warne will soon have himself immortalized in a bronze statue outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground, joining 10 other Australian sports stars.

Warne, who recently returned from a fourth season as captain of Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League after announcing he was retiring from all cricket, met Monday with Melbourne Cricket Club's sculptor Louis Laumen.

The 41-year-old leg spinner tweeted ``just finished measurement sitting for my statue at the mighty MCG,'' on his Twitter page.

Laumen is the sculptor of the 10 statues already erected which include cricketers Donald Bradman and Dennis Lillee.

Warne retired from test cricket in 2007 after playing 145 tests and taking a then world-record 708 wickets.

Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev seek Kotoko partnership

Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev are seeking to establish a partnership agreement with Ghana giant Asante Kotoko, GHANAsoccernet.com understands.

Officials of both clubs have had fruitful discussions on how both teams can work together in the future.

“It is true we have had some discussion with officials of Dynamo Kiev and the response has been very positive between the two clubs. The Executive Board Chairman will be meeting them again possibly in Ghana to finalise the deal,” Kotoko Administrative Manager Ben Nti told Oman FM.

The Kumasi-based side have a similar partnership with English side Sunderland.

Survival Sunday for seven sides

Six of this weekend's penultimate round of Glo Premier League matches will remain crucial in determining the two other relegation places.

A packed fixture list for this Sunday’s round of matches could once again change the positions at foot of the table where Ebusua Dwarfs, Liberty, All Stars, King Faisal, Berekum Arsenals, Mighty Jets and Real Tamale United still remain uncertain about their premiership status with B.A. Stars already relegated.

Clubs caught up in the relegation dogfight sit from the 9th place with 38 points to the 15th position with 32 points.

The survival race dominates the busy weekend with Berekum Chelsea already declared champions, holding a 12-point lead at the summit.

At the Robert Mensah Stadium, Dwarfs would need to beat AshantiGold who are aiming to finish second to escape a possible return to Division One.

Liberty face a tough game in Kumasi where they play Asante Kotoko.

Faisal improved their chances last weekend but would need to do same when they travel to the Dormaa Park where they face former champions Aduana Stars.

Third from bottom, Mighty Jets travel to the Wa Park to play All Stars, who are also involved in the relegation struggles and are two points better than the Jets.

Berekum Arsenals would be away to bottom placed, B.A. Stars at the Coronation Park. The Gunners, who have been hit with a three-game home ban plus fines by the FA's Disciplinary Committee are just a point above the relegation zone.

Real Tamale United risk ending their 30-year top-flight status if they fail to win at the Gyemfis Park against New Edubiase. RTU, have laboured all season and are second from bottom.

In the other fixtures of less significance to the relegation blues, runaway champions, Chelsea will play Heart of Lions at home.

And in Accra, Hearts of Oak welcome Medeama to the Ohene Djan Stadium.

Harrsion Afful sidelined for two weeks at Esperance

Ghana defender Harrison Afful is set for a two-week spell on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury last Tuesday.

The Esperance right-back has already suffered a sprained right knee and a lesion of the right thigh muscle and a sprained left ankle thi season.

The former Asante Kotoko player is expected to recover fully before the seasons end.

Esperance are on top of the Tunisian League table with a two-point advantage after 20 rounds of matches.

Damaged scoreboard to be fixed in June

The Board Chairman of the National Sports Authority Kojo Bonsu has assured Ghanaian soccer loving fans that the damaged scoreboard at the Ohene Djan Stadium will be fixed by next month.

The scoreboard which has been out of use for the past two years has been a major worry to Ghanaians.

Speaking on Multi TV and Asempa FM’s Fire for Fire sports show, he noted that, the national sports council has contacted omega engineering to fix the scoreboard as soon as possible.

He believes all arrangements made to get the state of the scoreboard back to its normal state will be executed successfully by the end of next month.

John Mensah, Sulley Muntari train with Black Stars

Ghana captain John Mensah and Sulley Muntari reported for the Black Stars training session on Saturday morning at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.

The duo has missed the last two sessions this week and their presence took the number of players in camp to 19.

Five players are yet to report for training.

AC Milan’s Kevin-Prince Boateng will join his team mates on Monday.

Trio Andre Ayew, Jonthan Mensah and Prince Tagoe are all involved in club action this weekend for their respective clubs.

Michael Essien, who organized an African Union charity match, is yet to report to camp.

The squad will move to residential camping after Sunday’s work-out and will leave for Kumasi on Wednesday.

Why isn’t Ghana’s World Cup Goalie Good Enough for Blackpool?

I guess it doesn’t seem too odd that Blackpool has cleaned house after being relegated from the English Premier League on the last day of the season. I suppose we should have seen it coming as they needed to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford. Instead, they ended up on the wrong end of a 4-2 score.

What is surprising though is Blackburn released goalkeeper Richard Kingson, especially considering the team’s downfall was the result of not being able to keep the ball out of their own net. Kingson also had a fine season, on the field anyway, and single-handedly earned several points for his teammates and bosses.

In fact, the 33-year-old was named the best goalie in the EPL in the first half of the season after The Guardian newspaper conducted a poll. In addition, he’s also the top keeper for Ghana. There must be something else to this story because I don’t see how a goalie as good as Kingson can be let go by ?a team as bad as Blackpool, especially considering he’s Ghana’s World Cup keeper.

Kingson joined the English side last September on a one-year deal after his contract with Wigan ran out at the end of last season. Amazingly, Kingson was kept on the bench by Blackpool and didn’t see any action until first-choice keeper Matthew Gilks was injured. Kingson then took over in goal and played 20m games. He had two clean sheets and made 77 saves for his club.

But it’s not the first or second time Kingson has been let go by an English team as Birmingham got rid of him when the 2008/2009 campaign came to an end. In fact, Davis Sullivan, the club’s co-owner, called the goalie at “complete waste of space” at the time.

Kingson must either be a negative influence in the dressing room or English teams have no clue what talent is. It’ll be interesting to see where he ends up next season. He’s been linked to teams in France and Turkey so far.

Guardiola wants Barca to improve on 2009 triumph

LONDON: Pep Guardiola insists Barcelona will have to improve on their 2009 Champions League final triumph against Manchester United if they want to win Europe's elite club prize again in the re-match at Wembley on Saturday.

Guardiola's side ran out convincing 2-0 winners against United in Rome two years ago and Barca go into their showdown with Sir Alex Ferguson's team as favourites to cap a majestic campaign with the Spanish club's fourth European Cup.

But although Barca eventually cruised to victory in the Eternal City thanks to goals from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi, Barca coach Guardiola has watched the match again several times since and has taken note of some alarming signs.

He noticed how United dominated the first 10 minutes before the Eto'o goal and was unhappy with the way Barca let their intensity drop at times.

Guardiola is convinced Barca will lose on Saturday if they produce a similar performance and has spent this week drumming home that message to his players.

"We played worse in Rome than we want to play tomorrow (Saturday)," Guardiola said on Friday.

"It's very strange to say that and I'm happy to have won, but let's be honest, we have to play much better than in 2009 to win.

"We have to play much quicker. In terms of intensity and a few other things, they weren't quite as good as we would have liked.

"That is something I have told my players repeatedly over the last few days. If the players who played in Rome played like that now we wouldn't win.

"I am worried about everything about Manchester United. They have fantastic, powerful players and are as good as we are.

"This not yesterday's team. This is an historic team. They have been through everything and we know how they do things.

"They are one of the complete teams I have seen in all senses. That is why we have to play a great game."

Although Guardiola is rightly respectful of United's qualities, he is convinced Barca are capable of emulating their Roman conquest if they maintain this season's high performance and intensity levels.

"Ferguson said there were four or five different teams he could pick. That shows the quality they have but we have looked at them enough to know what we need to do," Guardiola said.

"Strong points? They have a lot of them, but weak points? Well they have a lot of them too. We have to use what we have got as well as we can.

"We are ready. We are in the right mood. There were a few things I wasn't so keen on in training, but what I've seen generally says we are ready to meet the challenge.

"If we play as we have over the last year and give everything I believe that will be enough."

If Barca do win their second European Cup in three years on Saturday, it will be the 10th trophy of Guardiola's three-year reign.

For some that will be enough to crown Lionel Messi and company as the greatest team of all time, but Guardiola refuses to rank his men alongside the sport's immortals.

"It is impossible to answer this question. The Ajax of (Johan) Cruyff, (Arrigo) Sacchi's Milan, the Real Madrid of (Alfredo) Di Stefano and Santos of Pele were all great," he said.

"If in 10 years people say one time I saw Barcelona and they played well then we are glad, but to say we are the best team ever is impossible. It is not true.

"You need time to go by for people to judge you. It's like films, only with the passage of time do you know it is a good film."

Although Guardiola has enjoyed a remarkably successful time at the Nou Camp his future remains uncertain due to the intense pressure of managing such a famous club.

Some in the Spanish media suggest he could leave before the start of next season, but Guardiola wouldn't be drawn on his future.

"No, today is not a day to talk about this. This is a show and we have worked an enormous amount of days to get here. Leaving? Leave that for another day."

1st Test: Ton-up Prasanna puts Sri Lanka on top

CARDIFF: Prasanna Jayawardene's hundred left Sri Lanka well-placed against England on the second day of the first Test on Friday.

Scorecard

The wicketkeeper's 112 was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka's first innings 400, a total that appeared some way off when he came in at 159 for four.

Sri Lanka then collected a prize scalp shortly before the close when England captain Andrew Strauss edged Suranga Lakmal, who might not have been playing but for injuries to first-choice seamers Dilhara Fernando and Nuwan Pradeep, to Mahela Jayawardene at second slip for 20.

At stumps, England were 47 for one -- a deficit of 353.

Ashes hero Alastair Cook was 24 not out and nightwatchman James Anderson, unable to bowl for periods on Friday because of a back and side strain, unbeaten on one in England's first Test since completing a 3-1 series win in Australia in January.

Sri Lanka were faltering when Prasanna Jayawardene took guard but the 31-year-old, whose Test career has been revived by the decision of former captain Kumar Sangakkara to give up the gloves, was undaunted.

"This is my first Test in England so I am very happy," Prasanna Jayawardene said after batting for more than four hours. "I love handling pressure.

"This is a new challenge but the management trust me and I showed that," he added of his promotion to No 6.

Prasanna Jayawardene gave just one chance before reaching his century when, on 89, he edged off-spinner Graeme Swann only for first slip Strauss to drop the sharp catch.

The keeper played a stroke worthy of Mahela Jayawardene (no relation), when he cover-drove Swann for four to reach 96.

Then a leg-side three off fast bowler Chris Tremlett took him to a third Test hundred, and first against England, off 147 balls with a dozen boundaries.

England were frustrated Friday by the controversial review system.

They twice thought they had all-rounder Farveez Maharoof lbw only to fail on review both times.

That meant they had no reviews left but there was more replay torment ahead.

Rangana Herath had made 10 when he edged Tremlett to Strauss. However, the batsman stood his ground and the umpires referred the decision to Australia's Rod Tucker.

The third umpire, as often happens in cases of low catches, decided there was enough doubt to rule in the batsman's favour.

Prasanna Jayawardene was well supported by Test debutant Thisara Perera and Herath in eighth and ninth wicket stands of 68 and 51 respectively that compounded England's agony.

He was eventually out when caught behind off seamer Stuart Broad, making his comeback to Test cricket after a stomach injury in Adelaide in November ruled him out of most of the Ashes.

The 24-year-old Broad, in returning two for 113 on Friday, became the second youngest England bowler after Ian Botham to take 100 Test wickets.

"I would rather have done it when they were 90 for one," Broad said of his milestone.

"We are still in a decent position but Sri Lanka batted fantastically well in foreign conditions and applied themselves brilliantly."

Sri Lanka resumed Friday on 133 for two after skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan (50), who won the toss, and Sangakkara (11) had exited late on Thursday's rain-marred first day.

Mahela Jayawardene failed to add to his overnight four and he was soon followed back into the pavilion by opener Tharanga Paranavitana, who made a valuable 66.

Thilan Samaraweera rode his luck before Anderson had him caught by second slip Swann for 58 to end a stand of 84 with Prasanna Jayawardene.

At 243 for five, England, would have reckoned on running through the rest of the batting but Prasanna Jayawardene had other ideas.