03:38
Karthick Dharman
Posted in: Chinese ActressesSunday, 13 November 2011
Ashwin Ties The Knot In Low-Key Ceremony
CHENNAI: India's newest spin sensation R Ashwin on Sunday tied the knot with his childhood friend Preethi Narayanan in a low-key wedding ceremony attended by only family members and close friends.
The off-spinner, who made his debut in the first Test against the West Indies in Delhi, will fly to Kolkata for the second match starting on Monday after an impressive nine-wicket haul in the earlier game.
His nine-wicket haul in Delhi included six in the second innings of a match which India won more than a day to spare. The performance got him the selector's nod for the second Test as well.
Ashwin will leave for Kolkata this evening with his wife and a party has been arranged there for his Indian teammates, according to family sources.
The wedding reception of the couple was held last evening chief selector K Srikkanth were among those who attended the function. The marriage was solemnised this morning according to Hindu customs.
The 25-year-old Ashwin made his ODI and Twenty20 debuts last year, after being a strike bowler for IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings.
The off-spinner, who made his debut in the first Test against the West Indies in Delhi, will fly to Kolkata for the second match starting on Monday after an impressive nine-wicket haul in the earlier game.
His nine-wicket haul in Delhi included six in the second innings of a match which India won more than a day to spare. The performance got him the selector's nod for the second Test as well.
Ashwin will leave for Kolkata this evening with his wife and a party has been arranged there for his Indian teammates, according to family sources.
The wedding reception of the couple was held last evening chief selector K Srikkanth were among those who attended the function. The marriage was solemnised this morning according to Hindu customs.
The 25-year-old Ashwin made his ODI and Twenty20 debuts last year, after being a strike bowler for IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings.
Posted in: Breaking News
India Beat Australia 3-2, Bag Bronze In U-21 Women's Hockey
NEW DELHI: Striker Anupa Barla scored a two as India twice came back from a goal down to beat Australia 3-2 and finish third in the 22nd Lal Bahadur Shastri under-21 women's hockey tournament on Saturday.
India scored all their goals in the second session after conceding a 0-1 lead to Australia in the opening half. Barla struck in the 42nd and 65th minutes after captain Poonam Rani had found the target in the 37th minute.
Australia scored through Brooke Peris (32nd) and Kate Gilmore (41st).
The opening session was an even affair though Australia got more penalty corners than the home side -- three as against India's two.
Indian goalkeeper Sukmani Virk did an excellent job to deny any success to the Australians from the three penalty corners they got.
Just as it looked like the first half would end barren, Australia surged ahead with Brooke Peris sounding the board with a fine shot.
Egged on by a small home crowd at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, India earned two penalty corners immediately after the Australian goal but both were wasted.
Captain Poonam Rani was the culprit on the first occasion in the 33rd minute while Navjot Kaur failed to find target the next minute.
India, however, fought back in superb fashion in the second session which they dominated throughout with several raids in the opposition circle with the trio of Poonam, Anupa Barla and Navjot Kaur combining well upfront.
The home side equalised from the third penalty corner they got in the match five minutes after resumption with Poonam sounding the board.
Four minutes later, Australia again took the lead with an unmarked Kate Gilmore slotting home from a fine move.
India made it 2-2 just as the ball moved to the other end after the Australian goal with Anupa Barla reverse-flicking home after a scramble in the striking area.
The home side then pressed for a winner with some fine moves from both the right and left flanks and from one such build-ups, Anup Barla was in the clear with just the opposition goalkeeper to beat but she pushed wide.
India, however, deservedly got the winning goal five minutes remaining in the match with Anup Barla firing in from the middle of the circle after a fine move had drawn the Australian defenders away to leave her unmarked.
India coach Sudarshan Pathak praised his wards for beating a strong side like Australia.
"Australians are just like European sides. They are physically strong and play fast-paced. But our girls matched them and beat them. It's an achievement," he said after the match.
"We played 4-4-2 formation. Our plan was to defend in the first half and look for mistakes of our opponents and then attack in the second half. The girls did just that and I am happy about it," he added.
The coach, however, conceded that his wards will have to improve their physical strength and stamina if they want to consistently win against top sides.
"Physical strength and stamina are something we have to improve upon. We are lacking in these. But with more exposure and training we will improve," Pathak said.
India scored all their goals in the second session after conceding a 0-1 lead to Australia in the opening half. Barla struck in the 42nd and 65th minutes after captain Poonam Rani had found the target in the 37th minute.
Australia scored through Brooke Peris (32nd) and Kate Gilmore (41st).
The opening session was an even affair though Australia got more penalty corners than the home side -- three as against India's two.
Indian goalkeeper Sukmani Virk did an excellent job to deny any success to the Australians from the three penalty corners they got.
Just as it looked like the first half would end barren, Australia surged ahead with Brooke Peris sounding the board with a fine shot.
Egged on by a small home crowd at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, India earned two penalty corners immediately after the Australian goal but both were wasted.
Captain Poonam Rani was the culprit on the first occasion in the 33rd minute while Navjot Kaur failed to find target the next minute.
India, however, fought back in superb fashion in the second session which they dominated throughout with several raids in the opposition circle with the trio of Poonam, Anupa Barla and Navjot Kaur combining well upfront.
The home side equalised from the third penalty corner they got in the match five minutes after resumption with Poonam sounding the board.
Four minutes later, Australia again took the lead with an unmarked Kate Gilmore slotting home from a fine move.
India made it 2-2 just as the ball moved to the other end after the Australian goal with Anupa Barla reverse-flicking home after a scramble in the striking area.
The home side then pressed for a winner with some fine moves from both the right and left flanks and from one such build-ups, Anup Barla was in the clear with just the opposition goalkeeper to beat but she pushed wide.
India, however, deservedly got the winning goal five minutes remaining in the match with Anup Barla firing in from the middle of the circle after a fine move had drawn the Australian defenders away to leave her unmarked.
India coach Sudarshan Pathak praised his wards for beating a strong side like Australia.
"Australians are just like European sides. They are physically strong and play fast-paced. But our girls matched them and beat them. It's an achievement," he said after the match.
"We played 4-4-2 formation. Our plan was to defend in the first half and look for mistakes of our opponents and then attack in the second half. The girls did just that and I am happy about it," he added.
The coach, however, conceded that his wards will have to improve their physical strength and stamina if they want to consistently win against top sides.
"Physical strength and stamina are something we have to improve upon. We are lacking in these. But with more exposure and training we will improve," Pathak said.
Posted in: Breaking News
Tiger Woods Unbowed After Missing Elusive Win
SYDNEY: Tiger Woods came up short again in his quest to end a two-year tournament drought with his third placing behind two-time Australian Open winner Greg Chalmers at The Lakes on Sunday.
The former world number one, whose barren run has left him outside the top 50 rankings for the first time in 15 years, put himself into a winning position for the first time since the Augusta Masters last April.
But despite an eagle three at the 14th and a birdie at the 17th he could not overhaul the 215th-ranked Chalmers, who beat compatriot John Senden by one shot with Woods a further stroke away.
The 14-time major winner, who last won at the 2009 Australian Masters, finished with a five-under 67 for a four-round total of 11-under 277.
Woods, who will play with a formidable US team against the Internationals in next week's Presidents Cup teams event at Royal Melbourne, was encouraged in only his fifth tournament since the Masters after left knee ligament and Achilles injuries.
"I had the lead at Augusta on the Sunday, that's the last time I've been in that spot so it's been a long time," Woods said.
"Unfortunately, I haven't played a lot of tournaments in between, but it was great to be out there and I had a chance.
"I kept telling myself that I needed to post 13 or 14 under to get up there and to see what happened but unfortunately I didn't post the number I needed."
Woods, whose pulling power was again indicative of the total 67,000 crowd over the four days of the Australian Open, is relishing feeling fit again as he works on reconstructing his game.
"I felt great. It's nice to finally feel healthy again, it's been such a long time. I felt I made some nice changes yesterday," he said.
Woods led at Friday's halfway stage and looked to have finally recaptured winning form.
But he put in his worst round of the tournament with a three-over 75 on Saturday to lie six shots behind the leader heading into Sunday's final round.
"We did some work last night and I felt that I was close to finding it yesterday, but it wasn't quite there," Woods said.
"I did a little bit of work on the (driving) range, but really worked on the putting green for a while and found my stroke, found some of the keys and rolled it good today.
"It was very simple easy fixes but if you play into this much wind it's easy to start getting off and unfortunately I did that and I had to reset my game yesterday."
The former world number one set himself a Sunday target of 13 or 14 under to win, but fell a couple of strokes short.
"I figured I needed to shoot at least 31 on the back nine to give myself a chance and I thought 13 or 14 was going to be the number that I had to get, but unfortunately I made a mistake at the 13th hole," he said.
Woods finished with an eagle and five birdies, but gave back two bogeys in the final round.
He finished the tournament with 18 birdies, an eagle and nine bogeys.
"Today was a day that could have been really low. I hit the ball really good, but hit two bad tee-shots on the back nine, made two bogeys, but other than that I controlled it all day," he said.
Woods is now looking forward to his seventh Presidents Cup appearance for the United States next week, with his event record standing at 18-11-1.
"Golf-course-wise it will be totally different, the (Royal Melbourne) greens will be much quicker and much firmer and I know the fairways have slowed down so I know we're going to take a look at that," he said.
"It will be nice to get with the team and map out our strategy that goes into these team events."
The former world number one, whose barren run has left him outside the top 50 rankings for the first time in 15 years, put himself into a winning position for the first time since the Augusta Masters last April.
But despite an eagle three at the 14th and a birdie at the 17th he could not overhaul the 215th-ranked Chalmers, who beat compatriot John Senden by one shot with Woods a further stroke away.
The 14-time major winner, who last won at the 2009 Australian Masters, finished with a five-under 67 for a four-round total of 11-under 277.
Woods, who will play with a formidable US team against the Internationals in next week's Presidents Cup teams event at Royal Melbourne, was encouraged in only his fifth tournament since the Masters after left knee ligament and Achilles injuries.
"I had the lead at Augusta on the Sunday, that's the last time I've been in that spot so it's been a long time," Woods said.
"Unfortunately, I haven't played a lot of tournaments in between, but it was great to be out there and I had a chance.
"I kept telling myself that I needed to post 13 or 14 under to get up there and to see what happened but unfortunately I didn't post the number I needed."
Woods, whose pulling power was again indicative of the total 67,000 crowd over the four days of the Australian Open, is relishing feeling fit again as he works on reconstructing his game.
"I felt great. It's nice to finally feel healthy again, it's been such a long time. I felt I made some nice changes yesterday," he said.
Woods led at Friday's halfway stage and looked to have finally recaptured winning form.
But he put in his worst round of the tournament with a three-over 75 on Saturday to lie six shots behind the leader heading into Sunday's final round.
"We did some work last night and I felt that I was close to finding it yesterday, but it wasn't quite there," Woods said.
"I did a little bit of work on the (driving) range, but really worked on the putting green for a while and found my stroke, found some of the keys and rolled it good today.
"It was very simple easy fixes but if you play into this much wind it's easy to start getting off and unfortunately I did that and I had to reset my game yesterday."
The former world number one set himself a Sunday target of 13 or 14 under to win, but fell a couple of strokes short.
"I figured I needed to shoot at least 31 on the back nine to give myself a chance and I thought 13 or 14 was going to be the number that I had to get, but unfortunately I made a mistake at the 13th hole," he said.
Woods finished with an eagle and five birdies, but gave back two bogeys in the final round.
He finished the tournament with 18 birdies, an eagle and nine bogeys.
"Today was a day that could have been really low. I hit the ball really good, but hit two bad tee-shots on the back nine, made two bogeys, but other than that I controlled it all day," he said.
Woods is now looking forward to his seventh Presidents Cup appearance for the United States next week, with his event record standing at 18-11-1.
"Golf-course-wise it will be totally different, the (Royal Melbourne) greens will be much quicker and much firmer and I know the fairways have slowed down so I know we're going to take a look at that," he said.
"It will be nice to get with the team and map out our strategy that goes into these team events."
Posted in: Breaking News
Roger Federer Into Paris Masters Final
ARIS: Roger Federer defeated Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday to reach the final of the Paris Masters for the first time in his career.
The 30-year-old Swiss holder of 16 Grand Slam titles will play on Sunday the winner of the other semifinal which sees 2008 winner Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France take on giant American John Isner.
A break of serve in the first game of each set was all the former world No. 1 needed to see off the challenge of Berdych who beat second seed Andy Murray in a marathon quarterfinal on Friday.
The day after chalking up the 800th match win of his career, Federer made a storming start against a player who had given him problems in the past.
He immediately had the big Czech on the defensive and clinched a first break of serve when a rasping cross-court forehand forced an error.
The third seed powered through his own serve and had a break point to go 3-0 up in the next game before Berdych finally started to find his range.
Federer though was comfortable on his own serve and took the first set 6-4 despite a double fault at 40-15 ahead in the 10th game.
Berdych stumbled again at the start of the second set handing Federer two break points by netting an easy-looking overhead smash and he then netted a routine forehand from the baseline.
Federer, who won just his second tournament of the year last week in his hometown of Basel, smoothly moved 2-0 up and he never looked like being caught from there on in.
Berdych saved a break point after double-faulting in the seventh game, but two games later Federer went 40-0 up and clinched the win when a demoralised Berdych netted a weak forehand.
A win on Sunday would be just the second time that Federer has lifted a title in the French capital with his only triumph at Roland Garros in the French Open coming in 2009 when he beat Sweden's Robin Soderling in the final.
It would also set him up perfectly for the season-ending ATP Tour finals in London which start the week after next.
The 30-year-old Swiss holder of 16 Grand Slam titles will play on Sunday the winner of the other semifinal which sees 2008 winner Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France take on giant American John Isner.
A break of serve in the first game of each set was all the former world No. 1 needed to see off the challenge of Berdych who beat second seed Andy Murray in a marathon quarterfinal on Friday.
The day after chalking up the 800th match win of his career, Federer made a storming start against a player who had given him problems in the past.
He immediately had the big Czech on the defensive and clinched a first break of serve when a rasping cross-court forehand forced an error.
The third seed powered through his own serve and had a break point to go 3-0 up in the next game before Berdych finally started to find his range.
Federer though was comfortable on his own serve and took the first set 6-4 despite a double fault at 40-15 ahead in the 10th game.
Berdych stumbled again at the start of the second set handing Federer two break points by netting an easy-looking overhead smash and he then netted a routine forehand from the baseline.
Federer, who won just his second tournament of the year last week in his hometown of Basel, smoothly moved 2-0 up and he never looked like being caught from there on in.
Berdych saved a break point after double-faulting in the seventh game, but two games later Federer went 40-0 up and clinched the win when a demoralised Berdych netted a weak forehand.
A win on Sunday would be just the second time that Federer has lifted a title in the French capital with his only triumph at Roland Garros in the French Open coming in 2009 when he beat Sweden's Robin Soderling in the final.
It would also set him up perfectly for the season-ending ATP Tour finals in London which start the week after next.
Posted in: Breaking News
Prandelli Sees Balotelli As Future Italy Star
ROME: Italy coach Cesare Prandelli is delighted after Mario Balotelli broke his international scoring duck against Poland and predicted on Saturday the striker could become the key player in the Azzurri attack.
Balotelli and Giampaolo Pazzini replaced injured starting forwards Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano in Friday's game and both scored to earn Italy a 2-0 victory.
It was Balotelli's first goal in six internationals and followed a sometimes controversial period for the Manchester City forward.
He recently had to evacuate his house in England after fireworks were let off in his bathroom and he has been criticized at times by City manager Roberto Mancini. The 21-year-old is regularly pictured on the gossip pages of Italian newspapers with an array of women and has been questioned by Naples prosecutors over a visit last year to the heartland of the city's Camorra crime syndicate.
"After all the criticism he has received in these months it's right that he should enjoy this moment," Prandelli said. "I'm happy to have him because he is important for this project.
"I would not be unhappy at all if Italy became dependent on him."
Balotelli's chance to become a key player for Italy reflects the fact that Rossi had knee surgery last week and Cassano is recovering from heart surgery. Both players expected to be out for up to six months and their chances of recovering fully in time for next year's European Championship are slim.
Balotelli said before the Poland game that he was ready to take on more responsibility and Prandelli is confident the forward has learned from his past mistakes.
"Mario has in him the ability to have performances like that," Prandelli added. "His attitude was great throughout the 90 minutes.
"Compliments to Mario and also to Mancini, who has worked on this aspect in the club. I hope Mario has embarked on a path to maturity. We are here to help him."
Prandelli hinted that he sees Balotelli as being better matched with striker Sebastian Giovinco, who was sent home from Italy's training camp last week with a leg muscle injury.
"It's not difficult to pair Balotelli up front with either Pazzini, (Alessandro) Matri or (Pablo) Osvaldo," he continued. "But it would have been more significant, and even more fascinating, to see him together with Giovinco."
Italy face Uruguay in another friendly on Tuesday and Balotelli is likely to once again lead the attack.
"Against Uruguay there will be several changes," Prandelli said. "They are one of the strongest teams in the world. I think Balotelli will play again, I believe I will put him forward again.
"We have to treat this game as if it was in the Euros, even if the pressure will be different."
Italy will train Sunday on a pitch in the small Calabrian town of Rizziconi that was confiscated from a crime syndicate to show support in the fight against organized crime.
"It's a gesture that can help people who live in particular situations," Prandelli said. "I hope it's not an isolated gesture. There is the desire to face up to the mafia, to back those determined to resist."
Calabria's 'Ndrangheta crime syndicate is today considered more powerful than the Sicilian mafia and has become one of the world's biggest cocaine traffickers.
Italy normally trains in the town of Coverciano on the outskirts of Florence.
Balotelli and Giampaolo Pazzini replaced injured starting forwards Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano in Friday's game and both scored to earn Italy a 2-0 victory.
It was Balotelli's first goal in six internationals and followed a sometimes controversial period for the Manchester City forward.
He recently had to evacuate his house in England after fireworks were let off in his bathroom and he has been criticized at times by City manager Roberto Mancini. The 21-year-old is regularly pictured on the gossip pages of Italian newspapers with an array of women and has been questioned by Naples prosecutors over a visit last year to the heartland of the city's Camorra crime syndicate.
"After all the criticism he has received in these months it's right that he should enjoy this moment," Prandelli said. "I'm happy to have him because he is important for this project.
"I would not be unhappy at all if Italy became dependent on him."
Balotelli's chance to become a key player for Italy reflects the fact that Rossi had knee surgery last week and Cassano is recovering from heart surgery. Both players expected to be out for up to six months and their chances of recovering fully in time for next year's European Championship are slim.
Balotelli said before the Poland game that he was ready to take on more responsibility and Prandelli is confident the forward has learned from his past mistakes.
"Mario has in him the ability to have performances like that," Prandelli added. "His attitude was great throughout the 90 minutes.
"Compliments to Mario and also to Mancini, who has worked on this aspect in the club. I hope Mario has embarked on a path to maturity. We are here to help him."
Prandelli hinted that he sees Balotelli as being better matched with striker Sebastian Giovinco, who was sent home from Italy's training camp last week with a leg muscle injury.
"It's not difficult to pair Balotelli up front with either Pazzini, (Alessandro) Matri or (Pablo) Osvaldo," he continued. "But it would have been more significant, and even more fascinating, to see him together with Giovinco."
Italy face Uruguay in another friendly on Tuesday and Balotelli is likely to once again lead the attack.
"Against Uruguay there will be several changes," Prandelli said. "They are one of the strongest teams in the world. I think Balotelli will play again, I believe I will put him forward again.
"We have to treat this game as if it was in the Euros, even if the pressure will be different."
Italy will train Sunday on a pitch in the small Calabrian town of Rizziconi that was confiscated from a crime syndicate to show support in the fight against organized crime.
"It's a gesture that can help people who live in particular situations," Prandelli said. "I hope it's not an isolated gesture. There is the desire to face up to the mafia, to back those determined to resist."
Calabria's 'Ndrangheta crime syndicate is today considered more powerful than the Sicilian mafia and has become one of the world's biggest cocaine traffickers.
Italy normally trains in the town of Coverciano on the outskirts of Florence.
Posted in: Breaking News
Renowned Cricket Writer Peter Roebuck Commits Suicide
CAPE TOWN: Peter Roebuck, one of the most respected cricket commentators, who also wrote for Indian newspapers, committed suicide at his hotel where he was covering Australia's Test series against South Africa.
According to a statement released by the South African police, the 55-year-old British-born Roebuck, who captained Somerset in 1980s, took away his own life.
"This office can confirm that an incident occurred last night at about 21:15 at a hotel in Claremont where a 55-year-old British national who worked as an Australian commentator committed suicide," the statement said.
"The circumstances surrounding this incident is being conducted. An inquest docket has been opened for investigation," it said.
Roebuck was covering the Australia-South Africa series as a radio commentator for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He also used to write for Australia's Fairfax newspapers.
Even though the circumstances leading to his suicide were not clear, it has been reported that he was spoken to by local police on his return to the Southern Sun Hotel Newlands on Saturday night after having his dinner outside.
The hotel, on its part, had also issued a statement, saying, "An incident that occurred at Southern Sun Newlands was currently under full police investigation."
Roebuck was born to two school teachers in Oxford on March 6, 1956, and was one of their six children. He studied law at Cambridge and played 335 first-class matches before deciding to make his career in writing about cricket.
In 335 first-class matches, Roebuck, a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1988, made 17,558 runs at 37.27, with 33 centuries. He also led an England team to defeat against Holland.
Roebuck retired from top-level cricket in 1991. No sooner the news of his death came out, tributes started to pour in.
"Peter was a wonderful writer who was the bard of summer for cricket-loving Australians. He was also an extraordinary bloke who will be sorely missed," the Herald's sport managing editor, Ian Fuge said.
Craig Norenbergs, head of the ABC's Grandstand sports programme, added, "Incredibly sad news. He was an integral part of the Grandstand commentary team and apart from being a magnificent print journalist.
"For us he could describe a game of cricket in such a way that even if you didn't like the game, you liked the way that he went about his business."
Roebuck's fellow commentator in ABC Radio, Kerry O'Keeffe described him as a "bookworm who loved the game".
"Nobody analysed the game better, nobody cut to the chase more succinctly, and nobody saw where the game was going better," O'Keeffe said
"Cricket consumed him and he played it with great distinction, and then turned to writing and commentary, and he was the No. 1 seed.
"It is the most devastating news for so many out there who knew that voice, so incisive - the blue print for all our cricket commentary. He rang me up nearly every week for the last 10 years to talk cricket, and every time I'd put the phone down and have a deeper view of the game after the conversation," he added.
Roebuck penned several books on cricket. His diary of the 1983 season, 'It Never Rains' established him as one of cricket's most insightful and strong voices. He also wrote an autobiography 'Sometimes I Forgot To Laugh'.
According to a statement released by the South African police, the 55-year-old British-born Roebuck, who captained Somerset in 1980s, took away his own life.
"This office can confirm that an incident occurred last night at about 21:15 at a hotel in Claremont where a 55-year-old British national who worked as an Australian commentator committed suicide," the statement said.
"The circumstances surrounding this incident is being conducted. An inquest docket has been opened for investigation," it said.
Roebuck was covering the Australia-South Africa series as a radio commentator for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He also used to write for Australia's Fairfax newspapers.
Even though the circumstances leading to his suicide were not clear, it has been reported that he was spoken to by local police on his return to the Southern Sun Hotel Newlands on Saturday night after having his dinner outside.
The hotel, on its part, had also issued a statement, saying, "An incident that occurred at Southern Sun Newlands was currently under full police investigation."
Roebuck was born to two school teachers in Oxford on March 6, 1956, and was one of their six children. He studied law at Cambridge and played 335 first-class matches before deciding to make his career in writing about cricket.
In 335 first-class matches, Roebuck, a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1988, made 17,558 runs at 37.27, with 33 centuries. He also led an England team to defeat against Holland.
Roebuck retired from top-level cricket in 1991. No sooner the news of his death came out, tributes started to pour in.
"Peter was a wonderful writer who was the bard of summer for cricket-loving Australians. He was also an extraordinary bloke who will be sorely missed," the Herald's sport managing editor, Ian Fuge said.
Craig Norenbergs, head of the ABC's Grandstand sports programme, added, "Incredibly sad news. He was an integral part of the Grandstand commentary team and apart from being a magnificent print journalist.
"For us he could describe a game of cricket in such a way that even if you didn't like the game, you liked the way that he went about his business."
Roebuck's fellow commentator in ABC Radio, Kerry O'Keeffe described him as a "bookworm who loved the game".
"Nobody analysed the game better, nobody cut to the chase more succinctly, and nobody saw where the game was going better," O'Keeffe said
"Cricket consumed him and he played it with great distinction, and then turned to writing and commentary, and he was the No. 1 seed.
"It is the most devastating news for so many out there who knew that voice, so incisive - the blue print for all our cricket commentary. He rang me up nearly every week for the last 10 years to talk cricket, and every time I'd put the phone down and have a deeper view of the game after the conversation," he added.
Roebuck penned several books on cricket. His diary of the 1983 season, 'It Never Rains' established him as one of cricket's most insightful and strong voices. He also wrote an autobiography 'Sometimes I Forgot To Laugh'.
Posted in: Breaking News
Japan Pm Meets Hu Jintao, Agrees On China Visit
HONOLULU, Hawaii: Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Saturday agreed to visit China this year as he met with President Hu Jintao to discuss the Asian powers' often uneasy relations, officials said.
Meeting with Hu on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific summit in Hawaii, Noda accepted an invitation to visit China by the end of the year, said Noriyuki Shikata, a spokesman for the Japanese prime minister.
The trip would be in line with an understanding, reached in 2006 after a rough patch between the countries, to exchange top-level visits each year. Premier Wen Jiabao visited Japan in May for three-way talks with South Korea.
But relations have remained uneasy. China responded furiously after Japan arrested a Chinese trawler captain near disputed islands -- known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China -- in September 2010.
In the talks in Honolulu, Noda asked Hu to move ahead on joint development of gas fields near the islands. The two countries announced an agreement in 2008 but there has been little progress since then.
Hu appeared non-committal. Shikata quoted him as replying, "Let's continue to communicate with each other toward a resumption of negotiations" on the gas fields.
China has argued that the "joint development" is a misnomer as the area is under its sole sovereignty.
The two countries quietly resolved a potential new dispute on Wednesday after Japan freed another Chinese fishing boat captain. The fisherman, who was not arrested near the disputed islands, reportedly paid a fine of about $3,900.
Noda's Democratic Party of Japan, which swept out the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party in 2009, has largely supported stronger relations with China.
Before taking office in September, Noda made controversial remarks about World War II but he chose South Korea as his first destination for a bilateral visit as he sought to avoid reigniting tensions over historical disputes.
Meeting with Hu on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific summit in Hawaii, Noda accepted an invitation to visit China by the end of the year, said Noriyuki Shikata, a spokesman for the Japanese prime minister.
The trip would be in line with an understanding, reached in 2006 after a rough patch between the countries, to exchange top-level visits each year. Premier Wen Jiabao visited Japan in May for three-way talks with South Korea.
But relations have remained uneasy. China responded furiously after Japan arrested a Chinese trawler captain near disputed islands -- known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China -- in September 2010.
In the talks in Honolulu, Noda asked Hu to move ahead on joint development of gas fields near the islands. The two countries announced an agreement in 2008 but there has been little progress since then.
Hu appeared non-committal. Shikata quoted him as replying, "Let's continue to communicate with each other toward a resumption of negotiations" on the gas fields.
China has argued that the "joint development" is a misnomer as the area is under its sole sovereignty.
The two countries quietly resolved a potential new dispute on Wednesday after Japan freed another Chinese fishing boat captain. The fisherman, who was not arrested near the disputed islands, reportedly paid a fine of about $3,900.
Noda's Democratic Party of Japan, which swept out the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party in 2009, has largely supported stronger relations with China.
Before taking office in September, Noda made controversial remarks about World War II but he chose South Korea as his first destination for a bilateral visit as he sought to avoid reigniting tensions over historical disputes.
Posted in: Breaking News
Death Toll Rises To 34 In China Mine Accident
BEIJING: A Chinese official says that 34 miners are now known to have died in a gas leak at a southwestern coal mine. Another nine miners are still trapped.
A powerful gas leak hit one underground platform of the Sizhuang Coal Mine in Yunnan province on Thursday and spread to another platform, trapping 43 miners.
It was China's second deadly mining accident in less than a week. China's coal mines are the deadliest in the world.
The duty official at the Yunnan Provincial Work Safety Administration said Sunday that 34 people are confirmed dead and the search for the missing nine continues. He refused to give his name as is common with Chinese officials.
A News Agency says the mine was operating illegally and that the mine's bosses have been detained.
A powerful gas leak hit one underground platform of the Sizhuang Coal Mine in Yunnan province on Thursday and spread to another platform, trapping 43 miners.
It was China's second deadly mining accident in less than a week. China's coal mines are the deadliest in the world.
The duty official at the Yunnan Provincial Work Safety Administration said Sunday that 34 people are confirmed dead and the search for the missing nine continues. He refused to give his name as is common with Chinese officials.
A News Agency says the mine was operating illegally and that the mine's bosses have been detained.
Posted in: Breaking News
Firing Near White House Raises Alarm
WASHINGTON: Police were investigating a shooting incident near the White House on Friday night, but it was not believed to have anything to do with the presidential residence . President Barack Obama was in San Diego, California , at the time of the incident on his way to the Apec summit in Honolulu.
US secret service officers heard shots fired on Constitution Avenue, several hundred yards south of the White House, and saw two vehicles race off, said spokesman Ed Donovan. A black Honda was abandoned a short distance away and officers recovered a loaded AK-47 assault rifle from the vehicle.
US secret service officers heard shots fired on Constitution Avenue, several hundred yards south of the White House, and saw two vehicles race off, said spokesman Ed Donovan. A black Honda was abandoned a short distance away and officers recovered a loaded AK-47 assault rifle from the vehicle.
Posted in: Breaking News
