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Shane Warne’s mum and an exhaustive analysis of his urine sample will be key elements of the biggest drugs hearing in Australian sports history.Warne will front an Australian Cricket Board anti-doping committee on Friday morning and no verdict is expected until late afternoon, at the earliest.He will face a minimum two-year ban if found guilty of using a prohibited method.Warne tested positive to a banned diuretic on January 22 and the casehas attracted enormous interest since it became public early last week.The leg-spinner, 33, would have to think seriously about retirement if he received the two-year penalty.But even if he is found guilty, Warne could receive a lesser sentence or even escape penalty under an “exceptional circumstance” clause in the ACB’s anti-doping policy.A report from the board’s anti-doping control officer Dr Peter Harcourt could also help or hurt Warne in terms of penalty.Warne has said he tested positive because of a pill his mother Brigitte gave him, apparently to help his appearance. Brigitte is yet to comment publicly on the saga.Warne received the results of his B sample earlier this week and his legal team has since spent plenty of time pouring over the laboratory report.They will try to use the test results to show Warne has been telling the truth and the diuretic was not being used as a masking agent for something more sinister, such as steroids.The hearing will be closed, with Justice Glen Williams, medical expert Dr Susan White and former Test spinner and national selector Peter Taylor making up the committee.The ACB has appointed barrister Elizabeth Brimer to assist the anti-doping committee, while board chief executive James Sutherland and its legal and business development Andrew Twaits will also attend the hearing.Warne’s lawyer Ian McCubbin, plus a QC, and his brother and manager Jason Warne will most likely be with the star and his mother.West Australian Duncan Spencer received an 18-month ban two years ago after testing positive to the steroid nandrolone. Then a year ago New South Wales batsman Graeme Rummans was fined $2000 and was banned for a month after testing positive to probenecid.Earlier today, World Anti-Doping Agency chairman Dick Pound again weighed into the Warne saga.World sport’s top anti-drugs official said Warne should receive a two-year ban if found guilty.”The source is not relevant, the responsibility of an athlete is not take prohibited substances,” Pound said.”You cannot have an IQ over room temperature and be unaware of this asan international athlete.”This is original: ‘My mum gave it to me’.”He also dismissed as “nonsense” criticism from Australian Sports Drug Agency chief executive John Mendoza for commenting on the case before tomorrow’s hearing.

The BCCI is yet to respond to the request of Asian Cricket Foundation(ACF) to recommend development officers for taking up coaching jobs indifferent Asian nations to promote the game in the continent.The Chairman of the ACF, Jagmohan Dalmiya, told PTI in Kolkata onSunday that ACF had sought names of three candidates each fromPakistan, Sri Lanka and India with the former two already despatchingthe list.The Screening Committee, he said, would meet on August 1 to choose oneamong the three names submitted by each of these nations to depute ascoach to countries like Hong Kong, Nepal, Maldives, Singapore andQatar where cricket is still in its nascent stage.”Though Pakistan and Sri Lanka have submitted three names each, we arestill awaiting a response from the BCCI. We will send them a remindersoon and if no response comes by July 30, the ACF will announce namesfrom among the former players in its list,” said Dalmiya. Dalmiya,however, expressed the hope that the BCCI would send the names soon.While Pakistan has sent a list comprising former skippers MushtaqMohammed and Zaheer Abbas and medium pacer Iqbal Sikander, Sri Lankarecommended classic batsman Roy Dias, former pacer Rumesh Ratnayekeand wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon Kuruppu.Asked why the ACF did not send a similar despatch to Bangladesh,Dalmiya quipped Bangladesh itself needed a development officer. “But Ihope within two or three years Bangladesh can send coaches.”He also said Sri Lanka Sports Minister Lakshman Kiriella, accompaniedby former medium pacer Asantha De Mel, would visit India on July 22 todiscuss the development of the game.

Spanish reports claim Manchester United are interested in both Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale this summer, but which one would fans rather they sign?

According to Spanish outlet Don Balon, Manchester United have “made offers” to both Bale and Ronaldo.

The report claims the pair are both seeking reassurances from Real Madrid in the wake of Zinedine Zidane’s departure, and could make the switch to Old Trafford.

Bale has been frustrated by injuries and a lack of playing time, and both players made comments after the Champions League final that had fans and clubs on red alert.

The report from Don Balon claims Bale is Jose Mourinho’s priority, and that he could swoop for Ronaldo if Bale decides to stay in Spain, but which one would be a better fit back at Old Trafford?

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”252976″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch 21 things that will definitely happen at the World Cup”]

Bale is five years younger than the Portuguese sensation, but Ronaldo of course already has a great relationship with the fans at Old Trafford, and has never suffered the same injury issues as Bale.

One would have to think Ronaldo would also be cheaper given his age, even though he will expect a massive wage packet.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

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The 33 year-old scored 84 league goals in nearly 200 appearances for the Red Devils, and if they could get even two good seasons out of him then it would be worth the risk.

So, Manchester United fans, which superstar would you rather sign? Let us know by voting in the poll below…

Match facts

Sunday, May 11, 2008
Start time 10.00 (local), 04:30 (GMT)

	Can Shashikala Siriwardene lead Sri Lanka to their first Asia Cup title? © ICC

The Big Picture

This is the fourth time in as many Asia Cups that India and Sri Lanka are going to meet in the final. India has won each of the previous three matches and Sri Lanka will hope that playing this edition at home will help them reverse the trend.India, though, have been by far the best of the subcontinent sides and haven’t dropped a single game since the tournament began in 2004. This year they have continued to win convincingly – twice by more than 180 runs and twice by five or more wickets. They beat Sri Lanka by 29 runs and by eight wickets in the league stage. Their top order is brimming with runs and three Indians lead the wicket-taking list.

Asia Cup form guide

India – WWWWWW
Sri Lanka – WLWWLW

Watch out for …

Dedunu Silva v Jhulan Goswami – Sri Lanka’s opener has got three half-centuries in the tournament. How she counters the pace of Goswami, who is yet to dismiss her, will make for an interesting contest.

Pujare Seema – The Indian offspinner has made her debut at 31 and impressed with 11 wickets at 10 in four games.

Mithali Raj v Sri Lankan attack – Raj is in formidable form, having scored one hundred and two half-centuries in five games. If they are to have any hope of winning the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka will need to dismiss her cheaply.

Team news

In their last match India dropped out-of-form medium-pacer Amita Sharma for Snehal Pradhan, who picked up 3 for 21 on debut. But it is unlikely India will go for an inexperienced bowler to open their attack in the final, so Sharma should find a place. But Anangha Deshpande and Gouher Sultana may replace Thirush Kamini and Priyanka Roy, who have hardly scored in the tournament.India (probable) 1 Karu Jain (wk), 2 Jaya Sharma, 3 Rumeli Dhar, 4 Mithali Raj (capt), 5 Amita Sharma, 6 Anagha Deshpande, 7 Jhulan Goswami, 8 Rumeli Dhar, 9 P Seema, 10 Gouher Sultana, 11 Neetu David.Sri Lanka dropped legspinner Sadamali Kumuduni for offspinner Janakanthy Mala for their last two games and it is likely they will go with Mala, who took four wickets at an average of seven, for the final.Sri Lanka (probable) 1 Dedunu Silva, 2 Chamari Polgampola, 3 Dilani Maodara (wk), 4 Shashikala Siriwardene (capt), 5 Suwini de Alwis, 6 Eshani Kaushalya, 7 Shiromala Weerakkody, 8 Inoka Galagedara, 9 Deepika Rasangika, 10 Janakanthy Mala, 11 Chamani Seneviratna.

	India aim to win their fourth Asia Cup © Tigercricket.com

Stats and trivia

Jhulan Goswami is only the fourth woman and the second Indian – after Neetu David – to reach 100 wickets in ODIs.

India’s opening bowlers – Goswami (11) and Amita Sharma (2) – have aggregated 13 wickets in the tournament, while Sri Lanka’s – Chamari Polgampola (9) Shiromala Weerakkody (3) have taken 12 together.

India’s opening batsmen – Jaya Sharma and Karu Jain – have a century- and half-century stand each in the tournament, while Sri Lanka’s openers – Silva and Polgampola have only one half-century partnership.

Quotes

“She has the slow loop of an offspinner and on a turning wicket she can give a lot of problems.”
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Tatenda Taibu: ready to resume © Getty Images

Cricinfo can reveal that Tatenda Taibu, the former Zimbabwe captain, is talking to the board about a possible return to the Zimbabwe team.Taibu walked out of Zimbabwe cricket in November 2005 after falling out with the Zimbabwe board – in particular chaiman Peter Chingoka and managing director Ozias Bvute – over player welfare and governance issues. He also claimed his family had been threatened.He had stints in the UK and Namibia, where he never really established himself, and has periodically returned home. However, in the last month, Taibu has been training with the Zimbabwe team in Harare and looking very much involved in the thick of things, although at first he was said to be practicising to stay in form.”There are talks going on between him and Zimbabwe Cricket in a bid to try and get him back,” Givemore Makoni, the team manager, told AFP. “I think he wants to play. I can’t disclose much, but at the moment he is with us to try and maintain form. He is also n camp and he is training. Negotiations are still in progress at the moment. If he makes himself available, obviously selectors will be looking at picking him.”It is said Taibu has received support from most of the players who want him to be reinstated as captain, but it is unlikely anything will be decided until Chingoka and Bvute return from an ICC meeting in London.Aside from the personal differences with the pair, Taibu is owed tens of thousands of dollars in back pay and is unlikely to do anything until that is handed over.

Mushtaq Mohammad, in his much-awaited autobiography , writes about his experiences as player, captain and coach of Pakistan © Getty Images

Mushtaq Mohammad, the former Pakistan captain, has rejected claims made by Allan Border, the former Australian captain and current national selector, that Mushtaq offered him $1million to lose in fifth Ashes Test at Edgbaston in 1993.Last week Mushtaq released a new book titled in which he wrote that he approached Border before the Test to get autographs for his two sons. “I respected him a great deal as a player and the way he played his cricket, and he was a hero to my sons.”That was the reason I approached him for the autographs in the first place. But I have lost respect for him as a man because he damaged my reputation and integrity.”If I wanted to do anything like that, which I never would have, I would have done it in my playing days when I might have had more influence. I retired in 1979 and I am supposed to have tried to fix a game in 1993, after 14 years? It’s laughable.”Mushtaq, however, does admit to having asked Border what he would do if some one offered him money to lose a match. “As we all know now, Dennis Lillee and Rodney Marsh had a bet against their own side [Headingley Test, 1981] with ridiculously high odds and made a lot of money from what was a pretty miserable result for them.”So I said, with Marsh and Lillee in mind, ‘What would you do if someone offered you big money to lose this Test match?’ He just laughed it off and said he had never played his cricket like that and had always played hard and honest, which I already knew.”That was it; tongue in cheek conversation you could call it. I never had any intention of inviting him to fix the match and he didn’t take it that way.” Border declined to make any comments on the book’s claims.Mushtaq has also written about his experience as the coach during Pakistan’s unexpected defeat against Bangladesh in the 1999 World Cup. “I didn’t want to say anything at the time and I kept quiet. If I had said something to the team or asked if it was fixed I would have rocked the boat and wrecked our whole tournament. I figured it was only one game and we had still qualified for the Super Sixes, although I had a very unpleasant feeling inside me.”I could have exploded, but I decided for the good of the team to stay tight-lipped. It was the flurry of wickets we lost and the manner of the dismissals that made me believe something wasn’t right. They were just such talented players and I couldn’t comprehend that these boys could get out in the way they did.”I was sick and it was very, very difficult for me to digest. I kept asking myself, `How could we not chase 223 against this lot? Was this pre-planned?'” Pakistan were bowled out for 161, with no batsman scoring more than 30.He also referred to the Melbourne Test in 1978-79, when Sarfaraz Nawaz took 9 for 86 and Pakistan won by 71 runs. Mushtaq, who was the captain for the series, says that though Sarfaraz bowled an exceptional spell, the entire team “worked on the ball” and gave the seam a lift. The victory is one of four out of 29 Tests that Pakistan have played in Australia.Mushtaq, 62, played 57 Tests and scored 343 runs at an average of 39. He was also a handy legspin bowler, and took 79 wickets at 29. He held the record of being the youngest centurion in Test cricket before Mohammad Ashraful broke it. Mushtaq now lives in Birmingham, where he settled down after retirement.

West Indies selectors will meet today to pick an alternative squad of players for the tour of Sri Lanka. Most members of the current squad are locked in a contractual dispute with the board, and negotiations are on to try to break the deadlock.The West Indies board announced that only three of the 17 players originally approached to play in the series had signed and returned their letters of invitation.”We have been in touch with some of the players currently on tour with the A team in Sri Lanka, regarding their availability and have had a very positive response from them,” said Roger Brathwaite, the CEO of the West Indies board, although Cricinfo reported a quite different scenario.The West Indies board is keen to settle this dispute, for a failure to honour their commitment to the ICC-approved schedule could result in sanctions and fines to the tune of US$2million, something it can ill afford at the moment.”We have a responsibility to Sri Lanka, India and the ICC to honour the agreement for this Test series and one-day international triangular contest and we will do all in our power to meet that commitment,” said Braithwaite.Meanwhile, the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) has said it was ready to compromise further “to ensure the tour of Sri Lanka takes place with the best players chosen on merit and cricketing ability.” Dinanath Ramnarine, the president of WIPA, said that a fresh proposal had been tabled before the board. It is “our considered view that, having regard to all the present circumstances, our proposal is both fair and reasonable to all parties.”The West Indian team is slated to play two Tests against Sri Lanka, as well as a triangular series involving India.

Andy Blignaut will miss the second Test against Bangladesh at Bulawayo because of injury. In the first match Blignaut became the first Zimbabwean to claim a Test hat-trick.But during that first Test, which ended with Zimbabwe’s 183-run victory at the Harare Sports Club, Blignaut suffered a minor strain to his right thigh muscle. The Zimbabwe team management decided that he would stay behind in Harare to receive treatment and undergo rehabilitation, while the rest of the squad proceeded to Bulawayo for the second Test.Bradley Robinson, the Zimbabwe team physiotherapist, confirmed: “Andy will undergo fitness tests prior to the third one-day international against Bangladesh, at Harare on March 10. Of course, it will be a bonus if he is fit before then.”Zimbabwe’s selectors have brought in Stuart Matsikenyeri to replace Blignaut in the squad. They will name their team on Wednesday, after taking a look at the pitch at the Queen’s Sports Club.

POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa, Feb 3 AAP – Supremely confident Glenn McGrath has declared Australia can win the World Cup without losing a single match.McGrath, whose unwavering fast-medium bowling from a great height captured 18 wickets at the last World Cup, predicted Australia would not repeat the sluggish start four years ago that almost sent the team home early.Following losses to Pakistan and New Zealand in pool games, Australia strung together six wins and a tie to hold aloft the trophy on the Lord’s balcony.”After having to win the hard way in 1999, our goal for this World Cup is to go through the tournament undefeated, something I believe this team can do,” said McGrath.”With such tremendous talent in the squad and great faith in each other’s ability, I am convinced that special things are in store for us.”Australia is hoping to become the first nation to win back-to-back World Cups since the West Indies in 1975 and 1979.Australia’s Test and one-day domination in recent years has given it similar aura of invincibility to those legendary Windies’ teams.McGrath’s confidence is in stark contrast to the mood in the South African camp after an embarrassing seven-wicket loss to Western Province in a practice game last weekend.Furious Proteas’ captain Shaun Pollock has since read the riot act to his players.”Shaun was quite harsh on them, but I think all of them agreed that it was necessary,” said South African coach Eric Simons.”It was a very disappointing performance. It made a big dent to their pride.”They knew the Province guys had come to do well. They were actually embarrassed by their performance.”

With some diligent batting in the final session, Sussex reached 301 for nine on the first day of their Cricinfo Championship match against Middlesex at Lord’s.The 56-run stand between Michael Yardy and Matthew Prior for the sixth wicket, in an hour and a half, may not have provided much entertainment, but it helped to give some solidity to the innings.The partnership ended with James Hewitt bowling Yardy for 46, compiled with some application, from 133 balls and three runs later, in his next over, Hewitt uprooted Prior’s middle stump. His 28 was also slow, coming in 97 minutes and it took Sussex to 251 for seven.With Mark Davis’ quick scoring the total went to 282 for eight and finally, with the second new ball, Angus Fraser took the ninth wicket on 294.Sussex, in the first hour after lunch, had lost two wickets when Phil Tufnell was brought into the attack. In his third over he had Chris Adams top-edging to slip and ten overs later he was fortunate to see a shot from Bastiaan Zuiderent hit Michael Roseberry at silly mid-off and rebound to the wicket-keeper for a catch. Sussex were 142 for three and Tufnell had taken two wickets for twelve.Just as Murray Goodwin and Yardy were consolidating the innings with a 50-run stand, off-spinner Paul Weekes struck twice with successive balls. Goodwin’s solid knock of 69 which spanned four and a quarter hours, ended as he pushed forward and missed. He had hit eight fours from the 185 balls.Weekes then had Umer Rashid caught at slip and half of the Sussex wickets had gone for 192.Earlier, having decided to bat first, Sussex seemed to be going well with 46 on the board when Middlesex claimed their first wicket this morning. Hewitt, having replaced Tim Bloomfield, whose five overs went for 25, got one to move away slightly from Richard Montgomerie to have him caught behind for 22.Bowling in overcast conditions and on a pitch with a little grass on it, Middlesex had no further success before lunch which was taken on 113 for one.Adams was in excellent form, reaching a sparkling half-century in the penultimate over before the break. It came from just 49 balls and included eight boundaries.Along with Goodwin, he kept the scoreboard moving with fine strokeplay, although the shot of the morning came from Goodwin when he square-cut Richard Hutton for four to reach 34.The hundred came from 161 balls, the second fifty was much quicker from only 65. But with Adams’ dismissal after lunch the more cautious Goodwin had slowed the scoring. After being down to 220 for five at tea, Sussex added 81 in the last session, losing four further wickets. Hewitt finished with three for 59.