Modi asked Amin to join Pune bid: Manohar

MUMBAI - Indian cricket board president Shashank Manohar Saturday charged Lalit Modi, the suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman, with inviting interim IPL chief Chirayu Amin to join the consortium that made a failed bid for the league’s Pune franchise.

World Cup travelers to crime-hit South Africa spending 4000 rands/day on bodyguards

JOHANNESBURG - Spooked by South Africa’s crime rate, tourists and foreign businessmen visiting the country ahead of the football World Cup are spending 2000 to 4000 rands a day on bodyguards.

Legend Socrates bemoans the death of ‘Samba’ in trophy-chasing Brazilian style

LONDON - Former Brazil captain Socrates has said that he will be cheering for Spain in South Africa, as the current national side managed by Dunga has sacrificed their traditional flair in favour of chasing trophies.

Set-pieces Japan’s Achilles heel at World Cup

LONDON - As Japan gears up for the football World Cup, pundits feel that set-pieces are its Achilles’ heel.

French cricketers plan to outclass Brits at their own game

LONDON - France is planning to outdo the English at the most quintessentially British game there is-cricket and with a view to achieve this they have set up cricket ‘primary schools’ where students will learn the finer points of the game like coup d’equerre (the square cut), la balle courbee vers l’exterieur (the outswinger) and a triumphant cry of et alors (howzat).

Premier League rules World Cup pitches

HAMBURG - England leads the way again as the Premier League supplies the most players for the World Cup in South Africa that kicks off on Friday.

Two of 10 World Cup stadiums in South Africa use artificial grass woven into real turf

Artificial grass woven into real turf at World Cup

With title on the line, Rafael Nadal to meet Robin Soderling in French Open rematch

‘It’s every manager’s dream to manage Liverpool’: Eriksson

LONDON - Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has made himself a contender for the vacant managerial position at Liverpool by confessing that it would be a dream job for him.

Little nervous about meeting John Wooden? He took care of that

Little nervous meeting John Wooden

Every time I dialed Coach Wooden’s number I would get nervous. He retired from coaching when I was getting out of high school so I never covered his teams, but this was John Wooden.

Motor racing drivers have superior, sharper vision

SYDNEY - Young, top-ranked motor racing drivers have superior and sharper vision compared to other sportspersons of the same age, says a new study.

‘Confident’ Stosur chases dream to join Oz legends for French Open honour

Kaneria challenges ECB’s county ban

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has challenged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) decision to suspend his registration from the county championship following a match fixing scandal.

Ferdinand’s injury is ‘curse of being England captain’: Capello

RUSTENBURG - England manager Fabio Capello has complained that all his captains must be cursed, after Rio Ferdinand was ruled out of the World Cup in South Africa due to a knee injury.

Dodgers end Braves’ 9-game winning streak 5-4 on Loney’s RBI single in 7th

Giants beat Pirates 6-4 as Juan Uribe, Aubrey Huff hit 2-run homers

Flyers hang on to beat Blackhawks 5-3 in Game 4; even Stanley Cup final at 2 wins apiece

Even it Up: Flyers beat Chicago 5-3 in Game 4

John Wooden, UCLA basketball coach who won 10 national titles, dies at 99

Former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden dies

Keep Nick Zito in mind come the Belmont: Hall of Fame trainer has a couple of favorites going

Trainer Nick Zito seeks 3rd Belmont win in 6 years

Beleaguered Trembley fired as manager of Orioles, who have worst record in majors

Last-place Orioles fire manager Dave Trembley