Offbeat sporting moments in 2011

2011-12-22T18:30:25Z

From the malign to the ridiculous, the madcap to the simply weird - there was no shortage of offbeat moments in world sport in 2011, from fining a coach not money but pigs for misdemeanours to eccentric Englishmen playing cricket in the sea.

Here's a summary of strange sporting highlights of the past 12 months.

CRICKET

Cricketers' damp designs:

Their Test counterparts are no longer all at sea, having claimed the Ashes. Bu...

England cricket star Pietersen commits to Surrey

2011-12-22T10:30:25Z

England star Kevin Pietersen has committed his future to Surrey for as long as he remains an international player, it was confirmed on Thursday.

Pietersen is currently a centrally contracted player with England and has no fixed term for his county career at Surrey.

However Surrey announced in a statement that Pietersen, 31, ha...

Pietersen commits to Surrey

2011-12-22T09:30:28Z

England star Kevin Pietersen has committed his future to Surrey for as long as he remains an international player, it was confirmed on Thursday.

Pietersen is currently a centrally contracted player with England and has no fixed term for his county career at Surrey.

However Surrey announced in a statement that Pietersen, 31, ha...

Cricket legend Warne unveils weighty likeness

2011-12-22T03:30:18Z

Newly-svelte Australian legspin legend Shane Warne joked that a hefty bronze statue of him unveiled at the Melbourne Cricket Ground Thursday was a "lifelike" memento of his time in Test cricket.

"It's 300 kilos that statue, it's pretty lifelike for when I played," said Warne, who drastically slimmed down after he began dating his now-fiancee

Asia felt the heat in the year gone by

2011-12-21T18:30:19Z

Three Pakistani stars being jailed for spot-fixing in England underlined a mixed year for cricket in Asia despite India's memorable World Cup triumph at home in April.

Pakistan's resurgence on the field under Pakistan posted a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second and final cricket Test in Dhaka on Wednesday to make a clean sweep of the series.

Pakistan, who won the first Test in Chittagong by an innings and 184 runs, achieved their 103-run v...

Rehman excels as Pakistan make clean sweep

2011-12-21T10:30:20Z

Abdur Rehman claimed 4-51 as Pakistan posted a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second and final cricket Test in Dhaka on Wednesday to make a clean sweep of the series.

Pakistan, who won the first Test in Chittagong by an innings and 184 runs, achieved their 103-run v...

Cowan awaits Marsh fitness for India Test

2011-12-21T05:30:24Z

In-form newcomer Ed Cowan said Wednesday he will be fully prepared if Shaun Marsh fails to make Australia's first Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground next week.

Cowan was one of three additions to ...

India's anti-DRS stance 'may raise tensions'

2011-12-21T03:30:19Z

India's rejection of the Decision Review System for their Test series against Australia could raise tensions and boost the number of contentious decisions, reports said on Wednesday.

Cricket Australia had hoped the Indian cricket board would allow a compromise version of the DRS, which uses technology to improve t...

India draw tour match with Chairman's XI

2011-12-21T03:30:18Z

Usman Khawaja and Phillip Hughes responded to their dumping from the Australian Test squad with a century opening stand as the Chairman's XI's tour match against India petered out into a draw Wednesday.

Khawaja (56 not out) and Hughes (42 not out) put on 100 for the first wicket chasing 145 when both captains agreed to call the match off ahead of India's opening Tes...

Australia drop Hughes, Khawaja from Test squad

2011-12-20T20:30:16Z

Batsmen Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja were dumped from Australia's squad named Wednesday for next week's opening Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Selectors na...

Pakistan eye sweep in Bangladesh cricket Test

2011-12-20T10:30:27Z

Umar Gul and Aizaz Cheema each took two wickets to boost Pakistan's chances of winning the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Tuesday despite Shakib Al Hasan's superb all-round display.

The hosts were struggling at 114-5 in their second innings at stumps on the penul...

Pakistan eye sweep despite Shakib show

2011-12-20T10:30:22Z

Umar Gul and Aizaz Cheema each took two wickets to boost Pakistan's chances of winning the second and final Test against Bangladesh on Tuesday despite Shakib Al Hasan's superb all-round display.

The hosts were struggling at 114-5 in their second innings at stumps on the penul...

Cowan presses for Test spot with hundred

2011-12-20T07:30:13Z

Ed Cowan staked a claim for selection as an opening batsman for Australia in next week's first Test against India with a century for the Chairman's XI against the tourists in Canberra on Tuesday.

Cowan compiled 109 off 154 balls while incumbent Test opener Phillip Hug...

Sri Lanka call replacement cricketers for Tests

2011-12-19T19:30:16Z

Uncapped fast bowler Kanishka Alvitigala and seamer Dhammika Prasad have flown out to South Africa to join Sri Lanka's struggling Test team, officials said Tuesday.

Sri Lanka, who were crushed in the first Test by an innings and 81 runs, had requested replacements after pace bowler Nuwan Pradeep was injured during a ...

Swann's book 'not clever' says Pietersen

2011-12-19T17:30:22Z

Kevin Pietersen has labelled Graeme Swann's recent autobiography as "not a clever book" after his England team-mate went into print to criticise him as "not a natural leader".

Pietersen, in an interview with the BBC

Umar boosts Pakistan in Bangladesh cricket Test

2011-12-19T11:30:34Z

Taufeeq Umar rode his luck to crack 130 as Pakistan boosted their chances of reaching a first-innings lead on the third day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Monday.

The left-handed opener hit 16 fours in his seventh Test century, and second against Bangladesh, ...

Umar puts Pakistan in strong position

2011-12-19T11:30:32Z

Taufeeq Umar rode his luck to crack 130 as Pakistan boosted their chances of reaching a first-innings lead on the third day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Monday.

The left-handed opener hit 16 fours in his seventh Test century, and second against Bangladesh, ...

Kohli half-century for India as stars miss out

2011-12-19T07:30:23Z

Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten half-century Monday as India's batting stars failed on a rain-interrupted opening day of a three-day tour match against a Chairman's XI at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

The young right-hander finished the day unbeaten on 55 off 93 balls as the tourists reached 1...

Tendulkar has 'helper' for Aussie series

2011-12-18T19:30:19Z

A cricket enthusiast listed in the Indian touring squad as an "attendant" is helping Sachin Tendulkar prepare for India's quest to win their first Test series in Australia, according to reports.

DVGI Raghavindraa has never played first-class cricket but what he lacks in playing expertise he makes up for with enthusiasm and his p...

Umar steadies Pakistan in Bangladesh Test

2011-12-18T12:30:18Z

Taufeeq Umar closed in on a second successive half-century to steady Pakistan on the second day of the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Sunday.

The left-handed opener, who scored 61 in the opening Test in Chittagon...

Pakistan cricket chief hopes Bangladesh will tour

2011-12-18T12:30:17Z

Pakistan's cricket chief said on Sunday he hopes the Bangladesh cricket team will tour the country, after the 2009 attacks on Sri Lanka's side brought international visits to a standstill.

The comments from Zaka Ashraf came after a meeting with his Bangladeshi counterpart in David Warner thwarted Shane Warne's comeback to Twenty20 cricket with a pulsating century in Australia's Big Bash League at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.

The powerful left-hander smashed an unbeaten 102 off 51 ...

S. Africa crush Sri Lanka in first cricket Test

2011-12-17T11:30:14Z

Vernon Philander claimed his second five-wicket haul of the match as South Africa stormed to victory by an innings and 81 runs before tea on the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at SuperSport Park here on Saturday.

Sri Lanka crashed to 150 all out in ...

Shakib, Nafees lead Bangladesh fightback in Pak. Test

2011-12-17T10:30:18Z

Shakib Al Hasan cracked a career-best 108 not out and Shahriar Nafees hit a solid 97 to lead Bangladesh's recovery on the opening day of the second and final Test against Pakistan in Dhaka on Saturday.

Bangladesh were st...

De Villiers puts South Africa on top

2011-12-16T16:30:35Z

A thrilling innings of 99 by AB de Villiers put South Africa in a strong position on the second day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at SuperSport Park on Friday.

On a day when batsmen continued to struggle on a difficult pitch, De Villiers played some sparkli...

Afghanistan in debut one-day against Pakistan

2011-12-16T11:30:28Z

Pakistan and Afghanistan will play their first ever one-day international cricket match in Sharjah next February, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Friday.

It will be Afghanistan's first one-day against a top international team, taking place in the

Interpol offers help to battle corruption

2011-12-16T10:30:24Z

Interpol said Friday it was looking at a possible tie-up with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Indian board to help fight the growing menace of match-fixing and illegal betting.

The proposal was made by Interpol secretary general Ronald Noble during a two-day meet...

Tendulkar retires eight short of century

2011-12-16T06:30:27Z

Sachin Tendulkar sacrificed a century to give his Indian teammates crucial batting time ahead of the Test series with Australia in their drawn tour match in Canberra on Friday.

Tendulkar, poised on 99 international centuries across Test and one-day matches, retired on 92 in the tourists' 320 for six on the final day of the...

Warne fit for Big Bash T20 opener

2011-12-16T04:30:20Z

Shane Warne said he was fit to play in Saturday's Big Bash Twenty20 opening game for the Melbourne Stars after recovering from burning his bowling hand earlier this week.

Warne, suffered burns to his right hand while frying bacon at home on Monday, but said he had recovered enough to play against the Sydney Thunder at the Australian cricketer Simon Katich could be in line for a shock recall to the country's Test team, just weeks after being disciplined for outspoken comments about captain Michael Clarke.

The 36-year-old opener was reprimanded by a Cricket Australia hearing this month after he accused Clarke ...

Gillespie says education key to beat match-fixing

2011-12-15T18:30:22Z

New Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie believes it's part of his job to advise his players against the dangers of match-fixing.

Although more commonly associated with the international game -- the Pakistan trio of Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif and

Philander, Steyn put South Africa in charge

2011-12-15T16:30:35Z

Vernon Philander claimed his third five-wicket haul in as many Test matches as South Africa dominated the first day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at SuperSport Park on Thursday.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 180 and South Africa replied with 90 for one, with...

Warne, world T20 stars clamour to Big Bash

2011-12-15T15:30:28Z

The glitzy Big Bash League blasts off on Friday with some of the biggest stars of international Twenty20 cricket alongside Australian legend Shane Warne aiming to attract a new youthful audience.

Cricket Australia is looking to create a world-class T20 tournament much in the same mould as t...

Batsmen on top as SuperSport Series resumes

2011-12-15T15:30:27Z

Rilee Rossouw, Morne van Wyk, Colin Ingram and Justin Ontong struck centuries Thursday as the South African SuperSport Series four-day cricket champio...

India's bowlers hammered in tour opener

2011-12-15T15:30:26Z

India's bowlers were hammered as front-line paceman Ishant Sharma came off with an injury on the opening day of their two-day game against a Chairman's XI at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Thursday.

Wes Robinson and Tom Cooper scored centuries to steer their sel...

John Major resigns from MCC over Lord's changes

2011-12-15T10:30:17Z

Former prime minister Sir John Major has resigned from the committee of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) because of "fundamental disagreements" over the redevelopment of its Lord's headquarters.

Major's move came after the club's recent announcement it was scaling back its 'Vision for Lord's' plan, originally conceived at a cost of £400 million in 2007...

India cricketer Harbhajan backs under-fire Ponting

2011-12-15T04:30:20Z

Under-performing batsman Ricky Ponting has received unexpected support from Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, who predicted the former Australia captain will make a strong comeback.

"I do not think Ponting is finished and I think people are making a big mistake by writing him off," Harbhajan said amid calls for Ponti...

Aussies set up batting camp ahead of India Test

2011-12-15T03:30:21Z

New Australia coach Mickey Arthur has set up a training camp for his under-fire batsmen ahead of the opening Boxing Day Test against India in Melbourne.

Concerned by Australia's fallibility against the swinging ball exposed in the team's seven-run loss to

Blake, Bolt nominated for Sportsman award

2011-12-14T20:30:28Z

Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake head the list of athletes nominated for Jamaica's Sportsman of the Year award.

Blake, the 100 metre champ at the World Athletic Championships in Daegu, South Korea, was recently named the winner of the Jamaica Track and Field A...

Smith backs kings of speed against Sri Lanka

2011-12-14T16:30:48Z

South African captain Graeme Smith said on Wednesday that Sri Lanka could be confronted with a bowler-friendly pitch when the first Test starts at SuperSport Park on Thursday.

"It looks good for fast bowlers," admitted Tillekeratne Dilshan, his Sri Lankan counterpart.

...

S.Lanka blames cricket woes on team politics

2011-12-14T16:30:47Z

Sri Lanka's sports minister on Wednesday blamed the cricket team's poor form on team bickering, squad politics and the influence of players' agents.

Addressing parliament, Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said players had admitted disunity and miscommunication were distracting the team.

He was responding to a remark made by Sri Lanka's 1996 South Africa will seek to end a sequence of disappointing results in home series when they take on Sri Lanka in the first of three Tests at SuperSport Park on Thursday.

South Africa have lost one and shared three of four most recent home series, with a loss against Australia<...

Protect Test cricket, says India's Dravid

2011-12-14T16:30:42Z

Indian batting great Rahul Dravid has urged administrators to cut "meaningless" one-day cricket matches and make efforts to win back fans to Tests, which he said remain the "gold standard" for players.

Dravid also cautioned against the menace of match-fixing while delivering the Sir Donald Bradman Oration at the Australia's beleaguered batting line-up faces fresh problems ahead of their series against India with Shaun Marsh unlikely to be fit for the first Test and question marks over Shane Watson's role.

Left-hander Marsh and opener-cum-all-rounder Watson had been expected to return from injury to shore up the top order after Monday's humiliat...

Australia's back-up wicketkeeper out for summer

2011-12-14T03:30:06Z

Australia's back-up wicketkeeper Tim Paine was Wednesday ruled out for the summer, with officials announcing he will undergo further surgery on a fractured finger immediately.

The Tasmanian wicketkeeper and batsman's battered right index finger will rule him out of availability for the next three to four months, Cric...

India cricket great Gavaskar demands IPL dues

2011-12-14T02:31:01Z

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar says he is "shaken and baffled" by his national cricket board's refusal to pay his $1 million fees per season for the Indian Premier League.

Gavaskar says the cash-rich Australia coach Mickey Arthur on Tuesday backed struggling senior batsmen Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey to retain their team places for the Boxing Day Test with India in...

Australian cricketers branded 'lowest of the low'

2011-12-13T03:30:32Z

Australia's cricketers were Tuesday damned by the press as the "lowest of the low" after a disastrous loss to New Zealand and branded a team in crisis ahead of a Test series against world number two India.

Michael Clarke's men handed the Black Caps their first victor...

Australia England Ashes Cricket

2010-12-18T09:31:43Z

England's Kevin Pietersen dives for the ball on the third day of the third Ashes cricket test against Australia in Perth, Australia, Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010. (AP Photo/Steve Wake)

...

Australia England Cricket

2010-11-07T07:31:45Z

England's Steven Finn, left, appeals successfully for the wicket lbw of Western Australian Michael Swart, watched by fellow West Australian batsman Wes Robinson (22), during the final days play of their cricket match at the WACA Ground in Perth,

Britain Pakistan England Cricket

2010-09-21T11:54:01Z

Pakistan's Umar Gul, right, celebrates with Shahid Afridi after taking the wicket of England's Graeme Swann during the third one day international match at the Oval cricket ground, Lon...

CORRECTION Britain Pakistan England Cricket

2010-09-05T09:40:14Z

FILE - Pakistan's Imran Farhat during the fourth day of the third cricket Test match at the Oval cricket ground in London, Saturday Aug. 21, 2010. Farhat is not implicated in recent claims of match fixing, which are published in British Sunday newspapers Sunday Sept. 4, 2010. (AP Photo/Tom Hevezi, File)

...

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