Home Truths: ICC gives India another shot at glory!

Sports Desk: Few would have forgotten the night of April 2, 2011, when Indian captain MS Dhoni launched India to the top of cricketing stratosphere. Plagued with indifferent form since, the Champions hit the top gear in Champions Trophy held in England. 

Currently in the Caribbean to reinforce its superb form, Team India will soon have yet another chance to establish their supremacy in world cricket, thanks to ICC. 

To top it all, the ‘chance’ will come in front of the cheering home crowd!

The ICC Annual Conference that concluded on Saturday took some key decisions regarding the global cricketing events to be sponsored by the game’s governing body between 2016-2023. 

India will host the 2016 edition of T20 World Cup, World Test Championship in 2021, and ICC Cricket World Cup (50-over format) in 2023. 

Also ICC’s Chief Executive David Richardson summarily rejected any chances of bringing Champions Trophy back to the scheme of things, clarifying that ICC World Test Championship will replace the limited-overs quadrennial. 

Year 2017 shall witness the inaugural edition of World Test Championship. Scheduled for June-July, the event will be hosted by England. 

The second edition, to be held in Feb-March 2021, will be held in India. 

England will also be the venue for 2019 Cricket World Cup (50 overs), while Australia will play host to T20 Cricket World Cup in 2020. 

BCCI President N Srinivasan, who has currently ‘stepped aside’ pending enquiry over allegations of conflict of interest, also participated in the conference. 

Srinivasan, whose company India Cements owns IPL franchise Chennai Super KIngs, attended the Finance and Commercial Affairs Meeting of the ICC via video-link. 

BCCI’s interim President Jagmohan Dalmiya attended the IDI or ICC Development (International) Limited meet. 

  

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Rules to get tougher, wickets to get 'zing' post October!

Sports Desk: In the backdrop of the ball-tampering storm that erupted during the recently- concluded ICC Champions Trophy, the ICC, in its Annual Conference held in London passed some stringent regulations to curb the menace.

Besides tampering, some new rules have been introduced in the gentleman’s game to make it more exciting. 

The new rules will come into effect from October 1, 2013. 

  

As per new rules, the television umpire reviewing the fall of wicket, will check for the waist-high full toss or shoulder-high bouncer. 

As of now, the third umpire checks only for the front foot no-ball before reviewing the dismissal. 

  

New rules also specify the use of Zing wicket in limited overs cricket (both 50 overs and T20). The Zing wickets will have a flashing LED in stumps and bails. 

The ICC has introduced this rule to enhance the use of technology in cricket.

  

ICC has further vowed to balance the three formats of game. 

All full members of ICC will now be required to play a minimum of 16 Tests in four years. 

  

In order to counter ball-tampering menace, ICC has formulated a fresh rule.

As per new directive, in case of a ball-tampering incident, where the actual culprit is not known, the captain will be issued a warning, and 5 runs awarded to the opposition.

The captain would be complained as per ICC Code of Conduct.

  

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Ashes 2013: Root ready to exchange blows with David Warner

Sports Desk: England’s rising batting star Joe Root is ready for the Aussie challenge, particularly for a duel with certain David Warner; only this time the two will lock horns on the cricket field. 

Warner, who was suspended by Cricket Australia after he threw a punch at Root in a bar after Australia’s loss to England in the recently concluded Champions Trophy, is eligible to play the first Ashes Test, beginning in 10 days’ time at Trent Bridge. 

Speaking to mediapersons, Root, who impressed all with his technique and temperament in the eight-nation event, said, “It's Cricket Australia's decision whether they pick him (Warner) or not, but I would have no problems if he plays. What happened, happened. It wasn't an ideal situation, but I can't change what went on. He's apologised and I've accepted it.”

“I've moved on and it's all about the cricket for me. I have to concentrate on what goes on out there in the middle and not worry about things out of my control,” the 22-year old added.

Root, who is slated to walk out in company of captain Alastair Cook to open the English innings in Ashes, is also relishing the chance to share an Ashes dressing room with the returning Kevin Pietersen. 

“That will be fantastic. I've not spoken much to him, but I am looking forward to doing so.   He's a great player and it will be a good opportunity to get to know him better,” he added. 

Nick Compton's poor form left the door ajar for Root to start as opener in the first Test and keep the place for the whole Ashes campaign.

Root has so far scored 424 runs from six Tests, including a century and two fifties. The selectors will hope he continues to get runs in the four-day warm-up match with Essex in Chelmsford, starting Sunday. 

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Valentino Rossi ends drought by winning Dutch MotoGP

Netherlands: Italian riding legend Valentino Rossi ended a winless run of nearly three years when he won the Dutch MotoGP at Assen on Saturday.

The 34-year-old - who had not won since the Malaysian MotoGP in October 2010 - came home clear on his Yamaha ahead of Honda`s Marco Marquez while Briton Cal Crutchlow, who had been on pole, was third on a Yamaha works bike.

"I am so happy, but I still can`t believe it," said Rossi, whose first win in any Grand Prix was in the 125cc category in 1996 in the Czech Republic.

"I will have to look at the images again... This is probably the most moving victory of my career. What a tremendous feeling it is to win again! I often asked myself: "Will I ever win another Grand Prix?". I spent two difficult seasons with Ducati, which were very frustrating (2011 and 2012). However, I never gave up hope."

Rossi`s team-mate, defending world champion Jorge Lorenzo, was also a winner on Saturday as his decision to ride despite undergoing early Friday an operation on a broken collarbone paid off as he finished fifth.

The 26-year-old lost only minimal ground in the world title race as series leader Dani Pedrosa, who had never won this race, finished just a place ahead of him.

Pedrosa extended his lead by just two points to nine over Lorenzo, while Rossi is fifth, 51 points adrift of the leader after posting his 80th win in the category and 106th in all disciplines leaving him 16 short of all-time overall win leader compatriot Giacomo Agostini.

"For me he is the hero of the day," said Rossi.

"When he told me he was going to ride, I thought there was no way he could.

"Two days after a terrible accident and such an operation is amazing."

Marquez too could slap himself on the back after riding despite also being hindered by a broken bone.

"I am, happy with the result given that I have a fractured small finger on my right hand and a broken big toe," he said.

Pedrosa swooped to take the lead on the first corner in front of Marquez and Stefan Bradl, while Crutchlow had a terrible start and dropped to fifth.

"Once gain I got off to a slow start but once Jorge passed me then I really got angry with myself," said 27-year-old Crutchlow.

"I said to myself this guy has a broken collarbone and he has passed you. I managed to right that by passing him. Phew!!"

Lorenzo had moved from 12th to seventh by the end of the first of 26 laps, while Rossi was in third passing Bradl to sit behind the Honda duo of Pedrosa and Marquez.

Bradl was in freefall, being passed by Crutchlow and then Lorenzo, who had soared to fifth place after just two laps and performed a superb inside passing manoeuvre on Crutchlow to go fourth with 23 laps to go.

Rossi`s devoted fans` roars reached fever pitch as the rider nicknamed `the doctor` passed Pedrosa to lead a race for the first time this season.

Lorenzo`s remorseless charge appeared to lose some of its momentum with 14 laps remaining as he dropped off the back of Marquez and Crutchlow eventually passed him on the penultimate chicane into the finishing straight with just over 11 laps remaining.

Marquez started buzzing all over his team-mate Pedrosa, and the 20-year-old passed him for good with eight laps to go and set off after Rossi, who had a lead of over a second.

Pedrosa`s fortunes suffered another blow as Crutchlow passed him on the same chicane where he had overtaken Lorenzo with just over five laps to go.

Marquez` charge had faded with respect to catching Rossi and instead he had to keep a wary eye out on Crutchlow, who was pressuring him.

It left Rossi to take the chequered flag all alone and he was able to lift both his hands off the handlebars and punch the air with delight.

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Lewis Hamilton on pole for British GP

Silverstone: Lewis Hamiltonresisted pressure from his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg and the speed of both Red Bulls to claim pole position on Saturday for Sunday`s British Grand Prix.

The 28-year-old Englishman gave his home fans good reason to cheer -- as they gave him a standing ovation -- with a fastest lap of one minute and 29.607 seconds, four-tenths of a second quicker than his German partner who wound up second on the grid as Mercedes locked out the front row
It was Hamilton`s second pole this year, after three successive secondplace starts, and the 28th of his career. It was also the first pole by a British driver at Silverstone since Hamilton last succeeded in 2007.

Defending triple world champion German Sebastian Vettel was third quickest for Red Bull ahead of his retirement-bound team-mate Australian Mark Webber.

Scot Paul Di Resta was fifth fastest in his Force India car, to give the British fans two drivers in the top five, ahead of Australian Daniel Ricciardo of Toro Rosso, pressing home his credentials for consideration as Webber`s successor at Red Bull.

German Adrian Sutil was seventh in the second Force India ahead of Frenchman Romain Grosjean and his Lotus team-mate Finn Kimi Raikkonen and two-time champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Ferrari.

"It`s an incredible feeling," said Hamilton. "It feels like [his previous Silverstone pole] 2007. The crowd have been great - such a great turnout - that was a lap for them.

"I hope we can do something special in the race. It`s phenomenal because I haven`t been feeling 100 per cent comfortable in the car."

Rosberg said: "It`s definitely a great feeling to have the fastest car and the Mercedes team did a great job.

"We are confident we have improved and some of the other cars may be better than us but finishing top two can only be good for us."

Vettel could not resist referring to Mercedes` recent `secret` tyre test, suggesting it has given them some advantages.

But, he added: "We will see what happens tomorrow. It is a long race. I`m honestly very happy today. I don`t know if Lewis [Hamilton] found a short cut or he just found something special here - it was a phenomenal lap.

"It is always nice to position well in qualifying here. I am looking forward to the race tomorrow and we will see how we are with looking after tyres..."

Mercedes team chief Ross Brawn said: "We worked hard to get the right race set-up. It`s warmer again tomorrow, we`re not comfortable, so we`ll see..."

On a warm, dry and overcast afternoon, the Mercedes men set the pace from the start with Hamilton fastest, in Q1, and Massa delivering the drama with a late saving lap in his Ferrari to avoid early elimination.
The drivers removed from the fray were the usual suspects Finn Valtteri Bottas of Williams, Mexican Esteban Gutierrez of Sauber, Frenchman Charles Pic and his Caterham team-mate Dutchman Giedo Van Der Garde, who sandwiched Frenchman Jules Bianchi of Marussia. Briton Max Chilton in the second Marussia was down in 22nd.

By mid-session, with Q2 underway, the air temperature was 19 degrees and the track temperature had climbed to 30, a big change from Friday morning`s cold and rainswept conditions.

This may have spelt difficulties ahead for some teams given the unknown factor of tyre wear, but nothing seemed to have changed as Rosberg and Hamilton soared to the top of the time-screens before Vettel, on new tyres, topped the lot with a best lap for Red Bull.

Within seconds of the flag falling, Webber threw his Red Bull up to second with others following suit to push Hamilton down to sixth, separated from Rosberg by Sutil and Ricciardo.

Out after Q2 went the 2009 champion Briton Jenson Button of McLaren in 11th ahead of Brazilian Felipe Massa of Ferrari, Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne of Toro Rosso, Mexican Sergio Perez in the second McLaren, German Nico Hulkenberg of Sauber and Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado in the leading Williams on the weekend of their celebrations for starting 600 Grands Prix, a landmark they reach in Germany next Sunday.

All this meant that Paul Di Resta joined Hamilton as one of the last two Britons in the fray, while Alonso, Grosjean and Raikkonen also squeezed through to claim their places in the top-ten shootout.

Rosberg soon set the pace until Hamilton, seemingly fuelled by people power, outpaced him by 1.5 seconds to go top as the big crowd readied themselves for a furious finale.

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2013 Wimbledon: Djokovic, Serena move into new look last-16

London: Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams cruised effortlessly into the Wimbledon fourth round as the first week`s shockwaves left just eight of the top 20 seeds still standing.

World number one Djokovic, the 2011 champion, destroyed French 28th seed Jeremy Chardy, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in just 86 minutes on Saturday.

He fired 38 winners, eight aces and committed just three unforced errors.

"I felt very confident to step onto the court and everything went my way," said Djokovic after his 50th career grasscourt win.

"I haven`t lost many points on my service games. I did everything I wanted to do. I enjoy it very much when everything works well. It`s a fantastic feeling."

Djokovic, yet to drop his serve, will tackle veteran Tommy Haas for a place in the quarter-finals, just weeks after he beat the German in the French Open quarter-finals.


But 13th-seeded Haas beat the Serb star in Miami this season and also got the better of him in the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2009.

Women`s defending champion Serena Williams was equally ruthless taking just over an hour to carve out a 6-2, 6-0 win over Japanese 42-year-old Kimiko Date-Krumm.

It was the 600th win of Williams`s career as the American continued her gentle cruise towards a sixth Wimbledon title and 17th Grand Slam crown.

She will face German 23rd seed Sabine Lisicki for a quarter-final place where victory will also give her a 35th successive win, taking her level with sister Venus`s record set in 2000.

"Wow, 600 wins. I had no idea. What better place than under the roof at Centre Court to achieve it," said the 31-year-old American.

Only four of the top 10 men`s seeds and four of the top 10 in the women`s draw have made it to the second week after the Grand Slam heavyweights of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka had all exited by Wednesday.

Laura Robson took full advantage by becoming the first British woman to make the last 16 for 15 years when she came from a set and 3-5 down to defeat New Zealand`s Marina Erakovic, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3.

The 19-year-old goes on to face Kaia Kanepi of Estonia, a former quarter-finalist.


Robson, currently ranked 38 in the world, will also move into the top 30 after the tournament, the first British woman to break that barrier since Jo Durie in April, 1987.

The men`s fourth round will feature five men making their maiden appearance at the fourth round stage.

France`s Kenny De Schepper, the 26-year-old world number 80, beat Argentine 22nd seed Juan Monaco, 6-4, 7-6 (10/8), 6-4 to book a last-16 spot at a major for the first time.

Poland`s Lukasz Kubot, ranked 130, also made the fourth round in 2011, and is the second Pole to reach the last-16 after 24th seed Jerzy Janowicz also booked his place on Friday.

Kubot beat 25th seed Benoit Paire 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 and next faces French world number 111 Adrian Mannarino who has made the last-16 at a major for the first time in 14 attempts.

Left-hander De Schepper will face experienced Fernando Verdasco after the Spanish former top 10 player, now at 54 in the world, cruised past temperamental Latvian Ernests Gulbis, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.

Russian 20th seed Mikhail Youzhny, a quarter-finalist in 2012, defeated Serbia`s Viktor Troicki 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 and goes on to face British second seed Andy Murray.

Spanish fourth seed David Ferrer, a quarter-finalist last year, managed to escape the caranage.

But he needed five sets to beat Ukraine`s Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/2), 2-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Ferrer will face Croatia`s Ivan Dodig, the world 49, for a place in the quarter-finals.

Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych, the runner-up in 2010, claimed his ninth win in nine meetings with South Africa`s Kevin Anderson, coming through 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.

Berdych takes on unseeded Australian Bernard Tomic, a quarter-finalist in 2011, who put out French ninth seed, Richard Gasquet, 7-6 (9/7), 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (7/5).

Dodig reached his first fourth round at Wimbledon when Dutchman Igor Sijsling quit trailing 6-0, 6-1 1-0.

Sijsling`s withdrawal equalled the injury pullouts record of 13 from 2008.

Italian 23rd seed Andreas Seppi beat Japan`s Kei Nishikori 3-6, 6-2, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, 6-4, also for a maiden last-16 place.

Seppi will face Argentine eighth seed Juan Martin Del Potro who defeated Slovenia`s Grega Zemlja 7-5, 7-6 (7/3), 6-0.

In the women`s draw, Polish fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska, the runner-up to Williams last year, defeated Madison Keys of the United States 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. She will face 2010 semi-finalist, Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria who defeated Petra Martic of Croatia 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

Chinese sixth seed Li Na survived a roller-coaster of a battle to edge Czech veteran Klara Zakopalova 4-6, 6-0, 8-6.

Next up for Li is Italian 11th seed Roberta Vinci who saw off Slovakia`s Dominika Cibulkova 6-1, 6-4.

The 2011 champion Petra Kvitova, the eighth seed and highest ranked player in her half after the exits of Sharapova and Azarenka, reached the fourth round with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 defeat of Russian 25th seed Ekaterina Makarova.

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Sania-Huber through to 3rd round of Wimbledon

London: Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza and her American partner Liezel Huber advanced to the third round of women`s doubles event at the Wimbledon with a three-set win over Italian-German duo of Flavia Pennetta and Andrea Petkovic here.

The sixth-seeded Indo-American pair had to sweat it out for little over two hours to get the better of their unseeded opponents 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 on Saturday.

Even though Sania and Huber committed more unforced errors than their opponents, they enjoyed better share of break points conversion, utilising two out of the five opportunities that came their way.

Sania-Huber combination will face unseeded pair of Shuko Aoyama of Japan and South African Chanelle Scheepers in their next round.

Sania is also in the fray in the mixed doubles event where she is pairing up with Horia Tecau of Roumania.


Sania and Tecau, who got a bye in the first round, are seeded second in the mixed doubles event and the duo will play all German combination of Martin Emmrich and Julia Goerges in the second round.

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Murray urges crowd to help him end Britain`s Wimbledon jinx

London: British tennis ace Andy Murray has urged the crowd at Wimbledon to help him to victory this year, adding that his time has finally come to end the Britain`s jinx and win at the All England Club.

The world No.2 faces Russian Mikhail Youzhny in the fourth round on Monday, aiming to become the first men`s singles winner at SW19 since the late Fred Perry`s hat-trick of titles from 1934 to 1936.

The Scot, who is yet to drop a set in this year`s Championship, was in impressive form on Friday as he defeated Spaniard Tommy Robredo 6-2, 6-4, 7-5 in the third round.

Murray, who spent part of his day off on Saturday in the Royal Box thanks to his Olympic exploits last year, said that although it is his job to play well in the tournament, he believes that if the crowd is behind him in his matches, it will help him raise his game and improve his performance.


However, Murray further said that although the support he receives from the home crowd will be a big help, it would not decide whether he wins the title next Sunday.

Despite his heartbreak at last year`s Wimbledon, when he lost in four sets to Swiss ace Roger Federer and the pain he showed during his on-court interview after that match, Murray may never have a better chance to win at the All England Club with Federer and Rafael Nadal already out of the tournaments.

Meanwhile, the 2012 Olympics and US Open champion is in a confident mood ahead of his clash with Youzhny, mainly because of his gold medal-winning performance on Centre Court last summer.

According to Murray, it was the ten best days of his career, adding that he does not believe that he will ever be able to top that period.

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Novak Djokovic peaking in time for title charge

London: Novak Djokovic believes he is peaking at just the right time as the world number one prepares to step up his bid for a second Wimbledon title.

Djokovic took the express route into the fourth round on Saturday as the world number one thrashed French 28th seed Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

The Serb, who faces German 13th seed Tommy Haas for a place in the quarter-finals, played a flawless first two sets without a single unforced error, and eventually hit 38 winners and served eight aces in one hour and 26 minutes of total dominance on Centre Court.

While several of Djokovic`s title rivals, including Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, have fallen foul of the shock defeats and injury withdrawals that have rocked Wimbledon, the 26-year-old has progressed serenely into the last 16 without dropping a set.


"My results are getting better and better, so this is very encouraging going into the second week," Djokovic said.

"Now every match I`m going to play, every opponent I`m going to face is going to be more difficult. I`m going to expect a tough challenges in front of me. I`m ready for it.

"It was a fantastic match (against Chardy). I felt great from the start till the end. I had that super focus.

"I saw the stats that I won 100 percent of first serves. That was incredible for me.

"I`m striking the ball really well. Hopefully I can maintain that rhythm for the next opponent."

While Florian Mayer, Bobby Reynolds and Chardy have been contemptuously swatted aside by Djokovic, he acknowledges Haas is likely to provide far more resistence.

At 35, Haas is the oldest player left in the men`s draw, but he has been playing with renewed verve over the last 18 months, climbing back into the top 15 following a series of injuries.

Haas was also a Wimbledon semi-finalist in 2009 and Djokovic has no intention of underestimating the German.

"Against Tommy Haas, it`s going to be a big challenge for both of us," Djokovic said.


"He loves playing on grass and beat Roger (Federer) in the final of Halle last year.

"He doesn`t look like a 36-year-old for sure. He`s full of confidence on the court and he`s been playing very close to the best tennis of his life.

"There`s no clear favourite in that match. I need to try to repeat this performance. If I do I think I have a good chance."

Djokovic won their last meeting, in the French Open quarter-finals in straight sets earlier this month, but he admits Haas pushed him hard enough to suggest he could do more damage on grass.

"You wouldn`t expect him to play his best at the French Open because clay is not his surface, but he did," Djokovic said.

"He`s proven everybody wrong because he`s so fit and he moves around the court really well. He`s perfect for grass."

If Djokovic does progress to the latter stages of the tournament, he will be seeing more of former AC Milan and Ukraine footballer Andriy Shevchenko, who has become a good friend of the Serb.

The pair met at the ATP World Tour Finals in London and have remained in contact, with Shevchenko, cheering on Djokovic along with his son in the players` box during the last two rounds at Wimbledon.

"We met a few years ago at the World Tour Finals. He wanted to take a picture with me and his kids. That`s how we got to know each other. We stayed in touch since and became friends," Djokovic said.

"I have lot of respect for him and for what he`s done with his career. I`m really glad he likes tennis."

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Murray backs Olympic `heroes` reunion to inspire Wimbledon title success

London: British No.1 Andy Murray has said that he believes that his reunion with other Olympic heroes in the Royal Box at the All England Club can inspire him to Wimbledon glory.

The Scot was among a host of British Olympic and Paralympic stars like Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton Laura Trott and Anthony Joshua in the Royal Box, who received standing ovations from the Centre Court, the Mirror reports.

Delighted with the reception he and the other Olympians received, Murray urged the fans to get behind him beginning with the fourth round to inspire him to success at the All England Club this year, adding that it was a nice feeling standing with the other Olympians given that they do not get to enjoy on the courts as they are tense then.

However, the US Open champion said that even a victory at Wimbledon cannot top the success that he had at the Olympics, adding that the Games was the best ten days of his career and was even ahead of the US Open victory because of the whole experience.

Stating that aura about both Olympics and the Wimbledon are different from each other, Murray further said that the Olympics practise sessions are quieter as compared to the Wimbledon ones, adding that each player stayed in separate locker rooms and practiced on the courts during the London Olympics.

Despite the absence of Federer and Rafael Nadal in the second week, Murray is taking nothing for granted, saying that he needs to be ready as there are a many other experienced players, although he added that it had been a tough job for him to concentrate because of the injuries and upsets going on at the tournament.

Murray, who won gold on Centre Court after beating Roger Federer last year before ending his Grand Slam wait by winning the US Open, faces No.20 seed Mikhail Youzhny in the fourth round of Wimbledon, the report further said.

Meanwhile, the report added that Australian tennis star Bernard Tomic knocked out ninth seed Richard Gasquet 7-6, 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 to set up a fourth-round meeting with seventh seed Tomas Berdych.

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Li Na vows to `fight like crazy` for crown

London: China`s tennis star Li Na vowed to "fight like crazy" at Wimbledon to keep alive her bid to win a second Grand Slam crown.

The 2011 French Open champion is one of only five seeds left in her half of the draw -- though those remaining include the only two ranked above her: title holder Serena Williams and last year`s beaten finalist Agnieszka Radwanska.

However, the Chinese sixth seed in in buoyant mood and insists she will never roll over in the face of a challenge.

The dearth of seeds is "good for me", the 31-year-old said.

"At least I am still in on Monday," she said, when she faces Italian 11th seed Roberta Vinci for a place in the quarter-finals.



"Now we have a lot of young players coming up. Of course, we can see so many young faces, as well.

"This is tennis. You can imagine always to have some players on the draw. That`s why this is an amazing sport because you never know who can be in the next round."

Li is in combative mood going into week two of the tournament. She went out in the second round on her previous two Wimbledon outings, though her best performances were in 2006 and 2010 when she reached the quarter-finals.

"I`m still hanging in there. Fight like crazy, but still at least I will be in the second week of Wimbledon," she said.

"If I didn`t play my best tennis, the only thing I can do is fight on the court. I don`t really want to go home."

"Sometimes I was thinking I was fighting a lot on the court. So if Carlos (Rodriguez, her coach) says keep fighting, that means I can do it even more."

"If the chair umpire didn`t say game, set and match, you always have chance."


"I never give up."

The Wuhan right-hander had to rely on that spirit to get through her third round match on Saturday.

She came through a disjointed encounter with 32nd seed Klara Zakopalova, winning 4-6, 6-0, 8-6 in a two-hour contest after nearly blowing it in the final set. However, despite going a break down for 6-5 in the deciding set, Li recovered her nerve to finish off her Czech opponent.

She thinks Vinci will prove quite a different challenge on Monday. Li has won all three of their previous matches, in 2001, 2006 and 2011.

"A Grand Slam is the perfect thing because you don`t have to play every day. Between them you have one day off, so you can prepare for your next match," she said.

"We had so many years and didn`t play face to face. For sure a tough match.

"She has pretty good slice on the backhand. Not so many girls are used to doing that, especially on a grass court. So I have to rally and fight."

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Bernard Tomic thanks absent father for good run in tournament

London: Bernard Tomic put his run to the Wimbledon last 16 down to behind-the-scenes coaching work with his father John, who remains banned from entering the grounds to see the Australian number one play.

Tomic is facing a fourth round clash with Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych on Monday and thinks his dad`s training can give the 2010 Wimbledon runner-up plenty to think about.

The world number 59 said if he reached the quarter-finals, he would consider going back to the All England Club and asking again if they could lift the ban, which applies to him entering the grounds as a coach and even as a spectator.

John Tomic faces a court date in Madrid later this year over an alleged attack on his son`s former hitting partner Thomas Drouet.

He is staying in London with his 20-year-old son and their off-court chats seem to be paying dividends.

"I`m playing very well. I`m feeling very happy. Nothing`s bothering me," Tomic said.

"When I leave the grounds and go somewhere different, you don`t see what I`m doing with my dad. I could be practicing, I could be working on stuff. You see the results, but you don`t know exactly what`s happening.

"`Your father`s not here, you`re doing very well, do you need him, don`t you need him.` That`s not an appropriate question to ask because he`s my dad. It`s family.

"When I leave the site, I`m with my dad. He`s helping me at this tournament. We`re doing the right things.


"This is why the results are showing off now. I`m not doing it on my own. My dad is still involved. That`s why I`ve got to where I am in this tournament and the results have shown."

Asked whether his father might have snuck in and beat the ban, he said: "You don`t know with my dad. You just don`t know."

Tomic said his training was geared to putting in his best performances at the Grand Slams, after reaching the fourth round of a major for the third time.

He beat French ninth seed Richard Gasquet 7-6 (9/7), 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) in the third round on Saturday and reckons he can give his next opponent a dose of the same.

"Now I`m playing someone different, Tomas Berdych, who is a very, very good player. I`m going to have to study up on that, work with my team and my dad to give myself the best chance of winning."

He watched a bit of Berdych`s third round match, where he beat South Africa`s Kevin Anderson 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.

"It`s not easy because Tomas is very strong. He hits a big ball. You`ve got to be ready. I think I can use what I have and really give it to him because I think if I play my tennis, he`s not going to like what I have to offer."

Berdych concurred with that assessment.

"He is a very tough and tricky opponent," the Czech said.

"He`s one of the best results on grass. He can really, really be dangerous. His game is very different to the other guys. I think patience is definitely going to be the word to stick on."

Berdych has quickly built up a 20,000-strong Twitter following, with his wry observations.

"I see that so many people seem quite boring so you need to have some fun around," he said.

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HC dismisses cheque bounce case against Leander Paes

Mumbai: In a reprieve to tennis ace Leander Paes, the Bombay High Court has dismissed a cheque bounce case filed against him by a city-based interior designer.

Justice R Chavan dismissed Mustafa Eisa`s petition challenging a magistrate`s order acquitting Paes in the case.

The High Court dismissed the petition as neither Eisa nor his advocates were present when the petition was scheduled for hearing on several occasions.

Eisa`s complaint had alleged that two cheques worth Rs 15 lakh issued to him bounced after Paes issued stop-payment instructions to the bank. The amount was for work done by Eisa at Paes` Carter Road suburban residence.

The magistrate had on September 20, 2011, dismissed Eisa`s complaint and acquitted Paes as no one appeared for Eisa.

Eisa then moved the High Court saying his lawyer had sought adjournment for the first time on September 20, 2011 but the magistrate dismissed his complaint saying the parties were not obeying the court`s orders and have not shown readiness to proceed further.

According to Eisa, process was issued against Paes and trial had begun. Thereafter, his lawyer Ashish Gupta started cross examination.

Eisa`s complaint on March 24, 2008, alleged that Paes had approached him for designing his residence following which work was executed and invoices were issued from time to time.

According to Eisa, Paes issued two cheques of Rs 10 and 5 lakh but they were dishonoured by his (Eisa`s) bank with remarks "payment stopped by drawer".

Eisa then sent a legal notice to Paes asking him to pay but when he did not get any response, he filed a complaint under section 138 (dishonour of cheque for insufficiency of funds) of the Negotiable Instruments Act.

On June 21 this year, when Eisa`s petition came up for hearing, Justice Chavan noted that no one was present for him and "dismissed the complaint".

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Bayern, Ribery agree on contract extension

Berlin: Frenchman Franck Ribery put pen to paper on a new contract with Bayern Munich until 2017, the German football giant announced.

The German treble winner and midfielder Ribery closed the deal this Friday between training sessions. The 30-year-old French international already announced after the end of the last Bundesliga campaign that he planned to stay with the Bavarians.

"I am very delighted. I have always said that I feel at home in Bayern. I have a good feeling for my family and me, and I hope it continues like last year," Ribery told the club`s official homepage.

The Frenchmen joined the Bavarians in 2007 from Marseille to score 53 goals in 156 appearances. Since his arrival at Bayern, Ribery became quickly a key player of the team owing to his excellent dribble skills and his ball control.

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Leverkusen sign defender Emir Spahic

Emir Spahic, captain of the Bosnia and Herzegovina, joined Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year deal to reinforce their defence. The 32-year-old central defender left Sevilla in 2013 to play on loan for Anzhi Makhachkala. During his two years at Sevilla he marked one goal in 32 matches thereafter he scored one goal for Anzhi in seven appearances.

"Emir is a strong and ball winning player. He is technically well trained and great in the air. He will help us to achieve our goals in the Bundesliga, German Cup and also at the UEFA Champions League," Leverkusen director of sport Rudi Voeller was quoted as saying by Xinhua. Both sides agreed to keep silence about further contract details.

Leverkusen`s new arrival has been playing for the Bosnia Herzegovina since 2003, wearing 64 caps and scoring three goals.

Leverkusen have qualified for the UEFA Champions League

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2013 Confederations Cup final: Brazil vs Spain - Preview

Rio de Janeiro: Spain go into Sunday`s Confederations Cup final against Brazil unbeaten in 29 competitive games stretching back to the 2010 World Cup, but they face a stiff test at the Maracana against the improving hosts.

The showdown will either give Vicente Del Bosque`s men from Spain an unprecedented fourth straight tournament win or see Brazil carry off the Cup for the third time in a row.

Del Bosque suggested Brazil were seen as the underdogs for the final despite being on home soil.

"It is normal for the fans to side with the weaker (team)," said Del Bosque mischievously.

"They see us as a threat."

His World Cup winners have had a day less to prepare as they look to win the competition for the first time. They had to go to extra-time and penalties to wrestle Italy out of their way in the semi-finals.

On top of that, they have travelled some 22,000 km and spent 30 hours in a plane since leaving home: first to play friendlies against Haiti and Ireland in the United States; then at different stadiums in Brazil on their road to the final.

But Del Bosque is not looking for excuses as his superstars take on a Brazil side boasting 74 wins in 104 matches played to date at the formidable Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

"We are not complaining about having a day`s less rest," he insisted. "I believe my players are prepared for the final as they are in great shape.

"I think we are having a great Cup after a long season," said the former Real Madrid boss.

Spain have won praise from Brazil for providing their own version of the "jogo bonito" or beautiful game over the past five years.

Their midfield star Xavi insisted Spain would not change their style when they go up against the original model on Sunday.

"Spain`s (playing) philosophy is clear and we have been successful with it," the Barcelona star declared.

"In other words, to enjoy possession and dominate the match.

"Brazil is the most successful team in the history of football so it will be a special evening with both sides on form.

"I think we are pretty even," added Xavi, stressing that Brazil boss and 2002 World Cup winner Luiz Felipe Scolari "is very strong on tactics".

Spain`s veteran goalkeeper Iker Casillas said the match pits "the best teams on their respective continents" against each other, facing off in their first competitive meeting in 27 years.

"I think it should be a great final. I think Neymar is a great player but they have other quality players too, several with European experience," Casillas said.

Scolari dismissed the notion that Spain were favourites.

"In the last six years they have imposed themselves and won so many titles fielding virtually the same team and so that can maybe be an advantage," he said on the eve of the final.

"But we have something important in Brazil -- our desire to re-establish credibility with our fans.

"We have been dreaming since the start of getting to the final and winning it."

Asked if his team had managed to answer their many domestic critics, including Pele, who said before the tournament that the current Brazil squad is not good enough to beat the best, Scolari said he believed by and large they had.

"I believe our national team environment has improved a lot from before we got together prior to the event. It is not easy to be together for 30 days."

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Neymar says Spain are favourites

Rio de Janeiro: Neymar has insisted that Spain are favourites to defeat Brazil in Sunday`s Confederations Cup final at the Maracana stadium.

But the 21-year-old vowed Brazil would not fall into the trap of only defending against the reigning World and European Champions.

"The Spain team is the best in the world. They are the favorites," Neymar was quoted as saying by Xinhua on Friday. "But we have to play our own game respecting them, but also without letting them take control. We can`t be afraid to take risks.

"Sunday is going to be a historic day. The whole world is going to be watching. Everybody, even the players, wanted this match."

Neymar is among the favorites to win the player of the tournament award, having scored three goals and set up several others.

He admitted he could barely wait for Sunday`s match to begin.

"When the match between Spain and Italy (on Thursday) finished, I said to Thiago Silva that I wished the final could be played tomorrow. The wait is difficult."

When asked about his thoughts on Spain`s team, Neymar replied: "We have a lot of respect for them and admiration. But we have a lot of confidence in one another. I admire Spain`s players but I also admire our players. I remember watching Fred score lots of goals when I was younger."

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Tevez wants his community service hours to be reduced

London: New Juventus footballer Carlos Tevez is reportedly applying in court to have the bulk of his community service written off so he can move to Italy following his 7.6 million-pound transfer from Manchester City.

According to the Daily Star, Tevez is trying to get out of finishing his 250 hours` unpaid work, adding that the court may need to re-sentence for the driving offences which originally led magistrates in Cheshire to issue the community service order.

Although the report said that the Argentine could be jailed instead, however, legal experts believe that he is more likely to receive a suspended prison term.

Tevez was given a six-month ban after admitting driving while disqualified and without insurance, the report added.

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Neymar nominated for Golden Ball

Rio de Janeiro: Brazil`s Neymar has been included on a six-man shortlist for the FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball award.

He will vie with Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Luis Suarez (Uruguay), Paulinho (Brazil) and Sergio Ramos (Spain) for the tournament`s most valuable player award, reports Xinhua.

The players were named Saturday by FIFA`s technical study group who will announce the winner after Sunday`s final between hosts Brazil and Spain at Rio`s Maracana Stadium.

Brazil have dominated the award in the past with four of the six previous winners. Neymar and Paulinho have the chance to join countrymen Kaka (2009), Adriano (2005), Ronaldinho (1999) and Denilson (1997).

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Luxemburgo sacked by Gremio

Rio de Janeiro: Former Brazil and Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has been sacked by Brazilian top-flight club Gremio.

The 61-year-old had been under pressure since the Porto Alegre side was eliminated from the Copa Libertadores by Colombia`s Independiente Santa Fe last month, reports Xinhua.

"We decided there needed to be a change for the benefit of the club and have decided that this is the best way forward. There was no longer a good understanding between the coach and the players and it was important to act before it became untenable," Gremio`s football manager Rui Costa said Saturday.

Among the candidates to replace Luxemburgo are Celso Roth, Renato Gaucho and Muricy Ramalho.

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Brazil ups security for Confederations Cup final

Rio de Janeiro: More than 10,000 police officers will be deployed at the Maracana Stadium Sunday for the Confederations Cup final between Brazil and Spain.

A further 7,400 military troops will be on guard across other parts of Rio de Janeiro in the biggest security operation for a sporting event in Brazil`s history, reports Xinhua.

Mass protests that have swept Brazil during the past two weeks are expected to continue Sunday. Demonstrators have planned a 1.7 km march from Saens Pena Square to the Maracana before the kick-off. Up to 10 additional rallies are planned in other parts of the city.

"We hope that other groups will join us and that the police do not impede our right to protest," said Marcelo Concentino from Global Justice lobby group.

The demonstrations began in Sao Paulo two weeks ago against rise in public transport fares but quickly turned into a nationwide movement against corruption and the high cost of next year`s FIFA World Cup. Several of the rallies have been marred by violence with police firing rubber bullets and teargas in clashes with protestors.

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Spain are spectacular but have defects: Scolari

Rio de Janeiro: Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says he has identified weaknesses in the Spanish team ahead of Sunday`s Confederations Cup final at the Maracana Stadium here.

Brazil will be aiming for a record fourth Confederations Cup title while Spain is bidding for their first, and the only major trophy to elude Vicente del Bosque`s team, reports Xinhua.

"Spain are spectacular but they have some defects like all teams and we have to exploit them. We are very motivated. We respect the opposition but we have to back our own ability to win," Scolari said Saturday.

Del Bosque praised Brazil`s squad, which he said had no obvious weakness.

"They have great players, not just Neymar. They have two offensive fullbacks (Marcelo and Dani Alves). They have Hulk and Neymar, who are difficult to mark on the wings. Their central defenders and centrebacks are strong. Oscar is a different player with real quality and they have Fred, a forward who knows how to score and who their players look for," the Spain coach said.

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Chris Gayle blasts ton as West indies beat Sri Lanka by six wickets

Kingston (Jamaica): Opener Chris Gayle was at his attacking best as he smashed a 100-ball 109 to fashion an easy six-wicket victory for the West Indies against Sri Lanka in the opening match of the Tri-nation One-Day series here.

The big-hitting Gayle blasted nine fours and seven sixes in front of his home crowd to make an easy work of the 209-run target at the Sabina Park.

This was Gayle`s 21st ODI ton and third on this ground, the previous one coming against New Zealand last year.

Even as Gayle got out after bringing his side to the doorstep of victory -- the West Indies needed just 28 runs for win in 19 overs -- they lost two more wickets after the Jamaican`s dismissal.

But skipper Dwayne Bravo and Marlon Samuels kept their cool to see the hosts through for a bonus-point win with 73 balls to spare.

After helping himself to two fours, Gayle did what he is best at -- hitting Jeevan Mendis straight over his head for a six to get the local crowd on their feet.

That was just the beginning of Gayle`s assault as he hoicked Nuwan Kulasekara over deep midwicket for another maximum. The next ball was carted over wide long-off for same result.

Sri Lanka`s pace spearhead Lasith Malinga was not spared either as his fast bouncer flew off a top-edge for six.

Mendis was hit for two more sixes before Rangana Herath found himself at the receiving end of Gayle`s onslaught.

Gayle got to his century with a cheeky single to mid-off, got down on his knees, arms aloft, to celebrate yet another awe-inspiring knock.

Even as Gayle was making a mockery of the chase, the others looked intent on making a heavy weather of it.

While Kieorn Pollard was unlucky to have been wrongly given out lbw by fellow Jamaican Joel Wilson, Darren Bravo`s run out seemed unnecessary.

Earlier, West Indies rode on Sunil Narine`s 4/40 to bowl out Sri Lanka for a modest total despite skipper Angelo Mathews` battling, unbeaten half-century.

Mathews scored 55 off 77 balls to help Sri Lanka put up a 200-plus total after Mahela Jayawardene`s (52 off 52 balls) early enterprise.

Spinner Narine was the wrecker in chief for the hosts, returning impressive figures of 4/40 in 10 overs, as Sri Lnaka were bundled out in 48.3 overs.

Narine was well supported by Ravi Rampaul, who finished with 3/38, after West Indies skipper Dwayne Bravo opted to bowl on winning the toss on overcast conditions.

Narine picked up two wickets to put the brakes on Lanka`s scoring after Jayawardene and Upul Tharanga got them off to a steady start putting on 62 runs for the first wicket in just over 13 overs.

Pacer Rampaul then came back for his second spell to remove Lahiru Thirimanne and Nuwan Kulasekara as Sri Lanka slumped to 159 for six in the 38th over.

Earlier, Jayawardene hit seven boundaries during his run-a-ball knock, while Mathews found the fence five times.

After being sent into bat, Tharanga had made 25 off 43 balls before Bravo had him caught behind with a short of a length delivery that angled across the left-hander in the 14th over of the innings.

The experienced Kumar Sangakkara got the start but could not capitalise as he was sent back by Narine for 17 off 23 balls. But his long-time teammate Jayawardene looked solid.

While his first boundary looked patchy, Jayawardeene got into the groove with a typically elegant four between mid-on and mid-wicket off an overpitched ball by pacer Kemar Roach.

The next one, off the same bower, was dispatched through the deep extra cover region.

However, after getting to his half-century with a reverse-swept boundary, Jayawardene found his nemesis in Narine whose tossed-up offspinner got an inside edge and popped up for wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin to take an easy catch.

The next big wicket came in the form of Sangakkara, Narine being the successful bowler again. The left-handed former captain pushed a flighted delivery straight to Kieron Pollard at extra cover.

After Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal added 36 runs for the 4th wicket, Chandimal was dismissed by Marlon Samuels for a 37-ball 21, innings that also included a six besides two fours.

Even as the others got West Indies the breakthrough, Darren Sammy completed his quota of 10 overs giving away just 34 runs to tie the visitors down in the middle overs.

Sri Lanka needed a substantial partnership at that stage and it looked like they were moving in the right direction before Chandimal gave away his wicket with his team score at 140 for four in 31.1 overs.

Even as Mathews battled hard for runs, Thirimanne and Kulasekara fell in quick succession to leave the Lankans in a spot of bother.

Mathews ensured that his team`s total wore a semblance of respectability with his dogged resistance.

Champions Trophy winners India is the other team in the tournament.

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We want to win this one and prove ourselves right: Gibson

Kingston (Jamaica): After a poor outing in the just-concluded ICC Champions Trophy, West Indies coach Ottis Gibson says his team is eager to "prove" its credentials in the ODI tri-series against India and Sri Lanka starting here on Friday.

"We were a bit unfortunate with what happened in England. I think we were starting to shape up to do well in that tournament ... It`s just to kick on from there," said Gibson.

"It`s to put those little mistakes that we made in England, put them away. We felt we had a good opportunity to win that tournament and we want to win this one and prove ourselves right," he was quoted as saying by `Jamaica Gleaner`.

During the tri-series, to be played in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, the three teams will play each other twice and the top two will advance to the final.

The home side arrived here on Tuesday and had a full training session yesterday at Sabina Park.

They open their campaign against Sri Lanka.

Gibson, who has been at the helm for more than three years, said it was crucial for the West Indies to use their recent disappointments as motivation to succeed. West Indies failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the quadrennial event in England.

"It is good to be back home and it is the first time we are playing a Tri-Nation tournament in quite a while, so we are looking for positive results and we are looking to win it," said Gibson.

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2013 ODI Tri-Series: West Indies vs Sri Lanka– Statistical highlights

Kingston (Jamaica): Statistical highlights of the one-day international between West Indies and Sri Lanka at Sabina Park here.

• Sunil Narine (4/40) has recorded his fourth instance of four wickets or more in an innings - once each vs Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Australia. All four ODIs resulted in West Indian wins.

• Sunil Narine`s tally of 35 wickets (ave.13.34) in fourteen ODIs in West Indian wins is quite impressive.

• Ravi Rampaul (3/38) has recorded his best bowling performance vs Sri Lanka in ODIs.

• Mahela Jayawardene`s superb 52 off 52 balls is his 70th fifty in ODIs.

• Jayawardene and Tharanga were associated in a partnership of 62. They have amassed 521 in just five innings at an average of 104.20 for the first wicket in ODIs - their average is the highest amongst the Sri Lankan opening pairs with atleast 500 runs in ODIs.

• West Indies, with their seven consecutive wins at Kingston, equalling their best sequence, have won 22 out of 30 ODIs (lost seven and a no-result game) at this venue.

• Chris Gayle`s first hundred vs Sri Lanka is his 21st century in ODIs. His magnificent 109 off 100 balls is his fifth century in the West Indies - one each vs New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, India and Sri Lanka.

• Only Sachin Tendulkar (49), Ricky Ponting (30), Sanath Jayasuriya (28), and Sourav Ganguly (22) have registered more hundreds than Gayle.

• After recording 125 vs New Zealand at Kingston on July 7, 2012, Gayle`s aforesaid innings is his first score of fifty or more in fifteen outings.

• With three hundreds at Kingston, Gayle has established a record for most hundreds at this venue in ODIs, overtaking Shivnarine Chanderpaul`s tally of two hundreds.

• Gayle has received his 22nd Man of the Match award in ODIs - his first vs Sri Lanka.

• Gayle is the third batsman to complete 200 sixes or more in ODIs. The three players with most sixes in ODIs are Shahid Afridi (308), Jayasuriya (270), and Gayle (202).

• Angelo Matthews` unbeaten 55 off 77 balls is his first fifty vs West Indies - his 15th in ODIs.

• Kumar Sangakkara, in the course of his 17, has completed 11,000 runs for Sri Lanka in ODIs - his aggregate being 11006 at an average of 38.89 in 338 matches. His overall tally of 11,265 in ODIs includes 121 runs at an average of 40.33 for Asia XI and 138 runs for ICC World XI at an average of 46.00.

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West Indies, India will deliver Kingston cracker: Bravo

Kingston (Jamaica): West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo is undaunted by the threat posed by a new-look Indian team and said Sunday`s game between the two sides would be a "cracker of a contest".

"I know it is going to be a cracker of a game. We know India are a very good team; it is going to be a very good game. Both teams are very strong in bowling and batting. Let us see how Sunday comes out," Bravo said ahead of their Tri-nation One-Day series game against India at Sabina Park.

West Indies began their campaign in the tournament with an easy six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka, courtesy opener Chris Gayle`s 100-ball 109, which included nine fours and seven sixes while chasing a 209-run target last night.

On the other hand, India are on a roll after their Champions Trophy triumph and would aim to continue the unbeaten run when they take on the hosts, who would be eyeing revenge after their eight-wicket defeat in a league match of the eight-nation tournament.

Bravo was all praise for Man-of-the-Match Gayle for his first One-day International ton in almost a year, which paved the way for his team`s comfortable victory and hailed him as the best batsman in the world.

"Chris is the best batter in the world and is our best player, and we are always happy to see him getting runs," he said.

"We know it has been a while since Gayle has made a century, he has been getting starts but when he gets a start on a wicket like this he has to cash in," Bravo said.

Bravo said Gayle`s good form at the start of the tournament augurs well for the team as well as the West Indies cricket.

"He has eased off the pressure now. I know that at the back of his mind he felt that he wasn`t scoring big for us and he knows how important he is as a player for us. I am very happy that he scored another hundred and batted deep into the innings and I know that once Chris is in that kind of form, it is good for us as a team and good for the West Indies cricket," he said.

Meanwhile, Gayle was happy to have got the runs in front of his home crowd.

"It has been a while since I have got a century. The last one was against New Zealand last year at the same place, so it is good to repeat and get another century in front of my home crowd. More importantly, we got a win. Coming from England and getting a ton was a good thing for me," he said.

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Sent message to Chris to go for bonus point: Bravo

Kingston (Jamaica): West Indies skipper Dwayne Bravo says he had "sent a message" to Chris Gayle as he was making a mockery of the Sri Lankan attack, asking the opener to try and go for a bonus-point win in the first match of the Tri-nation One-Day series here.

Chasing 209, Gayle eventually did manage a bonus-point six-wicket win as he smashed a 100-ball 109 to lead his team to victory with as many as 73 balls to spare at the Sabina Park.

"In the 29th over, we sent a message to Chris to try and win it with a bonus point," Bravo said at the post-match presentation ceremony yesterday.

He further added: "Winning the first game is always important. It was important to rotate the bowlers on a flat wicket. We kept taking wickets and stifling their innings."

Opting to field, West Indies rode on Sunil Narine`s 4/40 to bowl out Sri Lanka for a modest total despite skipper Angelo Mathews` battling, unbeaten half-century.

"Narine is our mystery bowler, happy to have him," Bravo said.

Man of the Match Gayle was happy to have got the runs in front of his home crowd.

"(It`s) been a while having got a century, really good to get it in front of the home crowd," Gayle said.

"We restricted them well on a good batting wicket, we utilised the conditions well in the morning. The opening partnership was vital.

"Coming from England and getting a century was a good thing for me. I am home, you know the conditions well," he added.

Mathews felt his team could never get going after losing the toss.

"(It was an) important toss, it was two paced, holding up a bit, it got easier, but a special hundred by a special person.

"We had to adapt to the wicket but we lost wickets and could not get going, Mahela (Jaywardene) batted brilliantly but he had no partners. We thought we had a chance, the wicket was two paced but it flattened out.

"When Gayle gets going, no attack is enough and no ground big enough," Mathews said.

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After Champions Trophy triumph, India only thinking of moving up: Dhoni

Kingston (Jamaica, West Indies): Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has said his team will only be thinking of moving in one direction, and that is "up", when taking on the West Indies and Sri Lanka in a 13-day tri-series tournament that gets underway in the West Indies from Friday.

Participating in captains interaction with the media here ahead of the tri-series, Dhoni said: "The expectations will pretty much remain the same when it comes to Indian cricket..if things are moving, it will only move in one direction which is up."

Dhoni, who was speaking just days after India had won the ICC Champions Trophy tournament in the United Kingdom, further said: "What is very important for us is not to look too far ahead. We will take it series by series."

"We have just finished a world tournament in the UK, and now, we are in the West Indies. First, we will have to see the two teams which are ahead of us. The performance was really good in the UK, but we need to continue."

It maybe recalled that India beat England in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy by five runs.

Apart from Dhoni, West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo and Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews said they were upbeat about their chances in the CELKON Mobile Cup tournament.

All three promised some exciting and entertaining cricket for Caribbean fans.

Bravo, Dhoni and Mathews pledged to bring their "A" game in the June 28 to July 11 tournament.

"It is going to be a fantastic series. We are all excited to get going. Going head-to-head with India and Sri Lanka, we know it will be a great series. We know we can expect the carnival atmosphere and that is one of the things the gets us fired up when we play at home in the Caribbean," Bravo said.

"I am looking forward to leading my team to great things and to make the people of the Caribbean proud. Playing at home is always good where we have the support of our hands," Bravo added.

Mathews, who led Sri Lanka into the semi-finals in the ICC Champions Trophy, described his side as the underdogs, but added that they would be looking to play to their strengths.

"We know we are up against two huge teams - they are the two current champions of the T20 and the 50-over World Cups. To match them we need to play some really good cricket and play to our strengths," said the allrounder, who is preparing for his 98th ODI on Friday.

"We feel like the underdogs but I think I have the team to well in this format and I have confidence in my players and my team - I am getting a lot of support from all the senior guys and the junior guys," Mathews said.

The tournament - which will feature seven matches in 13 days - bowls off on Friday when West Indies clash with Sri Lanka at Sabina Park at 8 p.m. Indian Standard Time.

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