India pull out of Pakistan tour

India have pulled out of next year's planned cricket tour of Pakistan in the wake of November's attacks in Mumbai after receiving government advice.

They were due to arrive in Pakistan on 4 January for three Tests, five one-day games and a Twenty20 international but the Indian government stepped in.

The tour had been in jeopardy since last month's attacks, which India has blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

Pakistan has denied involvement after the attacks left more than 170 dead.

It is the third major cricket tour to Pakistan this year to be cancelled on security grounds.

Australia pulled out of their scheduled visit, while the International Cricket Council also postponed the Champions Trophy one-day tournament.

As a result, Pakistan have played no Test cricket this year and just 21 one-day internationals, mostly against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

The Pakistan Cricket Board fears this latest decision could cost it £13m.

PCB chief operating officer Saleem Altaf said: "If there is no India series we gain nothing from our new television deal and lose out on other sources of income as well."

The PCB recently signed a new television rights deal worth approximately £90m with the Dubai-based organisation Ten Sports.

How to bowl a googly

The leg-spinner's prize weapon - bowled properly, a googly is almost undetectable.

A googly, or "wrong'un", is a delivery which looks like a normal leg-spinner but actually turns towards the batsmen, like an off-break, rather than away from the bat.

Unlike a normal leg-break, a googly is delivered out of the back of the hand, with the wrist 180 degrees to the ground.

STEP ONE

Hold the ball as if you're about to bowl a normal leg-break.

The top joints of the index and middle fingers should be across the seam, with the ball resting between a bent third finger and the thumb.

STEP TWO

At the point of release, the palm of your hand should be open upwards, towards the sky, with the back of your hand facing the batsman.

Your wrist should be 180 degrees to the ground, while the seam of the ball should point towards fine leg.

Again, it should be your third finger which does most of the work, turning the ball anti-clockwise on release.

You'll probably find it goes horribly wrong the first few times you give the googly a try, but don't give up.

As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. Use a tennis ball to help improve the flexibility of your wrist.

Australia recover from poor start

Australia 341-9 v South Africa
Dates: 17-21 December
Australia recovered from a dreadful start to finish the opening day of the first Test against South Africa on 341-9 at the Waca in Perth.

The hosts began the three-Test series in shocking fashion when they were reduced to 15-3 in the first six overs.

Makhaya Ntini struck twice in the third over dismissing Matthew Hayden (12) and Ricky Ponting (0) in consecutive balls.

But a 149-run fourth wicket partnership between Simon Katich (83) and Michael Clarke (62) helped salvage the innings.

The pair would have been disappointed when they fell in quick succession just before tea having taken Australia past the 150 mark.

But the score was given an added injection in the final session when Andrew Symonds (57), Brad Haddin (46) and Brett Lee (29) helped the hosts get over their early stutter.

FIRST TEST, Chennai (day five)

India 241 & 387-4 bt England 316 & 311-9 dec by 6 wickets

Sachin Tendulkar hit his 41st Test century as India scored a magnificent six-wicket win over England in Chennai.

Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh (85) shared an unbroken stand of 163 as the home side made 387-4 - the fourth highest successful run chase in Test history.

England began the final day well when Andrew Flintoff had Rahul Dravid caught behind for four.

But they could not capitalise on a wearing pitch and Tendulkar hit the winning boundary to finish 103 not out.

Any suggestions and comments are welcomed.

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Ronaldo unveiled by Corinthians

Former Brazil striker Ronaldo has been unveiled by Sao Paulo-based outfit Corinthians as the club's new signing.

The 32-year-old, who left AC Milan last June, has fought back from a serious knee injury, making his comeback in a charity match in Morocco last month.

India cancels T20 Champions League

The inaugural six-million dollar Twenty20 Champions League has been cancelled and will now be held in India in October next year, organisers said on Friday.

The tournament, featuring the top eight Twenty20 domestic teams from Australia, South Africa, India, England and Pakistan, was initially due to be held from December 3-10 in Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.

It was put off after last month's terror strikes in Mumbai and was expected to be held in January, but has now been postponed again until next October.

The decision to cancel the tournament this year was taken "after considering all aspects, including the international calendar and the domestic schedules of the participating teams", a statement from the organisers said.

Ronaldo gets hands on Ballon d'Or

Ronaldo scored a remarkable 42 goals for Man Utd last season
Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo was handed the prestigious European Player of the Year award in a televised ceremony on Sunday.

Accompanied to Paris by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo collected the Ballon d'Or - golden ball - trophy from France Football magazine.
"I've been playing for Manchester for five years - I feel at home," said the 23-year-old Ronaldo.

"I'm happy at Manchester and want to stay."
During the summer Ronaldo was linked with a move to Real Madrid after a season in which he scored 42 goals for United as Ferguson's side won the Premier League and the Champions League.

"I'm an ambitious person. I don't want it to stop here," said Ronaldo reflecting on his success. "I think we have to keep trying to win trophies, collectively and individually. I'm on the right track.
"It's always special to reach this level, the important thing is to stay there. The idea is to keep progressing, collectively and individually as well.

"Without my team I couldn't have won it, and I have to thank them also."

Ronaldo was the first United player to win the award since George Best in 1968 and Ferguson predicted the best was yet to come from the Portuguese forward.

"It's a long time since we won one, 40 years ago," said Ferguson. "Of course, he's only 23. He's only just beginning. When players get to 26 they start to mature."