Michael Rogers fails drugs test

Former Team Sky rider Rogers fails drugs test

Michael Rogers, a former Team Sky rider and three-time world time trial champion, has failed a drugs test.

The 33-year-old Australian tested positive for clenbuterol at the Japan Cup in October.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) says Rogers is provisionally suspended while his national federation investigates the case.
Team Sky's Jonathan Tiernan-Locke is also being investigated after an anti-doping violation.
Rogers' team released a statement which stated that the Australian feared the positive result was due to a contaminated food source.
The Tinkoff-Saxo statement read: "Michael Rogers immediately informed Saxo-Tinkoff's management about the notification from the UCI.
"The Australian explained to the team management that he never ingested the substance knowingly nor deliberately and fears that the adverse analytical finding origins from a contaminated food source.
"Michael Rogers participated in Tour of Beijing the week before the Japan Cup and travelled directly from China to Japan."
Clenbuterol, which helps build muscle and burn fat, is the substance two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador tested positive for at the 2010 Tour. 
Rogers joined Contador at Team Saxo-Tinkoff last season from Team Sky, where he rode in support of Britain's 2012 Tour winner Bradley Wiggins.
Rogers left Sky after being named in evidence in the Lance Armstrong case  as working with the American's favoured doctor Michele Ferrari.
Rogers was upgraded to bronze in the time trial at the 2004 Olympics when Tyler Hamilton was disqualified for failing a drugs tes

Andy Murray wins Sports Personality award 2013

Andy Murray wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2013

Andy Murray has been voted the 2013 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The 26-year-old Scot became the first Briton in 77 years to win the Wimbledon men's singles title with victory over Novak Djokovic in the summer.
Wales and British & Irish Lions rugby union player Leigh Halfpenny was runner-up, with jockey AP McCoy third.
"I'd like to thank all the public who voted, for giving me so much support over the last couple of years," said Murray. "It's made a huge difference."

The ceremony was held at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, although Murray was presented with the award in Miami where he is training ahead of the new season.

Martina Navratilova, the 18-time Grand Slam champion, handed the trophy over.
Murray, who was third behind cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins and heptathlete Jessica Ennis in 2012, said: "Thanks to Martina for giving this to me. She's possibly the greatest tennis player of all time.
"I've got a few people to thank - my family first. A lot are there in the crowd. They've supported me since I was a kid, making a lot of sacrifices for me. I couldn't have done it without you.
"My team are also all standing behind the camera here. They've been with me for a long time and I also couldn't have done it without them. Thank you to all of them."
Of the public, he added: "I know sometimes I'm not the easiest person to support but I've had a lot of pressure on me for a long time. I'm glad I managed to do it.
"No matter how excited I try to sound, my voice always sounds boring - that's just my voice. I'm sorry. I'm very excited right now. Thank you very much everyone."
Murray is the fourth tennis player to win the award in its 60-year history, after Ann Jones in 1969, Virginia Wade in 1977 and Greg Rusedski in 1997.
Meanwhile, the British and Irish Lions were crowned Team of the Year after ending a 16-year wait for a series win with a 2-1 victory over Australia, with Warren Gatland making it a double celebration as he was named Coach of the Year.
The other winners were:

• Overseas Sports Personality of the Year: Sebastian Vettel, who won a fourth consecutive Formula One title in October.
• Young Sports Personality of the Year: Amber Hill, who at 15 became the youngest winner of a senior World Cup in skeet shooting and finished the season ranked number one senior in Great Britain and number five in the world.
• Sports Personality of the Year Diamond Award: Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired in May after more than 26 years as Manchester United manager during which he won 38 trophies.
• Helen Rollason Award: Anne Williams, the Hillsborough justice campaigner, who died in April.
• Sports Unsung Hero: Joe and Maggie Forber for their work promoting basketball in Manchester.

Murray's success marked a triumphant end to an up-and-down year which began with a fifth Grand Slam final defeat, when he lost to Djokovic at the Australian Open in January.

Leigh Halfpenny, Sir Alex Ferguson and AP McCoy were all honoured

His lingering back problem forced him to miss the French Open in May, but he recovered to win the Wimbledon title, a year after breaking down in tears following defeat by Roger Federer in the final.
In September, his defence of the US Open title ended in the quarter-finals, but he went on to help Great Britain secure their place in the Davis Cup World Group before having back surgery, which caused him to miss the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
Murray intends to make his comeback in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi on 26 December before playing in the Qatar Open in Doha ahead of the Australian Open, which starts in Melbourne on 13 January.
Runner-up Halfpenny, 24, followed up being named player of the tournament as Wales won the Six Nations with the man-of-the-series award as the Lions won in Australia.
"I can't believe it to be honest," he said. "This is a really prestigious award. Just to be nominated is brilliant and I feel really privileged.

Thanks for sticking by me: Murray talks to BBC Breakfast's Sally Nugent

"Andy Murray was a very deserving winner. It was an amazing achievement by him."
McCoy, 39 and the winner in 2010, became the first jump jockey to ride 4,000 winners in November having won an unprecedented 18th consecutive champion jump jockey title.
"It's a phenomenal achievement," McCoy said of Murray's win at the All England Club in July.
"To be the first tennis player in that length of time to win Wimbledon, with the pressure that was on him, and playing in an era where there are three of the greatest tennis players to have played the game in Djokovic, [Rafael] Nadal and Federer.
"No disrespect to any of the other contenders, but I think it would have been totally unjust for anyone else to win this year."
Murray won Sports Personality with 56% of the vote. Full breakdown as follows:

• Murray: 401,470
• Halfpenny: 65,913
• McCoy: 57,854
• Mo Farah: 51,945
• Ben Ainslie: 48,140
• Chris Froome: 37,343
• Hannah Cockroft: 26,151
• Christine Ohuruogu: 13,179
• Justin Rose: 9,833
• Ian Bell: 5,626
• Total votes: 717,454

India vs South Africa first day Virat Kohli struck century 119

South Africa v India: Virat Kohli century helps tourists recover

Virat Kohli struck 119 to help India to reach 255-5 on the opening day of the first Test with South Africa.

Batting in the number four position vacated by the retirement of Sachin Tendulkar last month, Kohli hit 18 boundaries in his fifth Test century.
He had come to the crease in the 16th over after the India openers were dismissed cheaply in Johannesburg.
Kohli departed in the 76th over but Ajinkya Rahane, in only his second Test, recorded an unbeaten 43.
The 25-year-old, who made only seven and one on his debut against Australia in March, shared an unbroken partnership of 36 with skipper Mahendra Dhoni who had earlier chosen to bat on a wicket offering some assistance to the bowlers at the start of the two-match series.
Paceman Dale Steyn dismissed Shikhar Dhawan, who top-edged a rapid short-pitched delivery to Imran Tehir at fine-leg, before Murali Vijay edged a full-length ball from Morne Morkel to wicketkeeper AB de Villiers.
Kohli seized on anything short but having shared 89 with Cheteshwar Pujara he called for a quick single only to send his partner back when he had almost joined him at the striker's end, with Pujara easily run out for 25.
Having reached his first Test hundred against South Africa and become only the third India batsman to make a century in Johannesburg, Kohli fell when he scooped a wide ball from Jacques Kallis to cover, the 289th Test wicket for the veteran all-rounder.

Man City beat Leicester to reach semi-final

Edin Dzeko scored twice as Manchester City booked their place in the Capital One Cup semi-finals with an impressive display against Leicester.

Left-back Aleksandar Kolarov scored the visitors' opener with a fantastic 25-yard free-kick, before Dzeko headed in his first from James Milner's cross.
The Bosnian striker netted his side's third after the break when he side-footed in from another Milner ball.
Lloyd Dyer scored a late consolation when he drove in at the near post.
That strike, 13 minutes from time, was the only effort that troubled Joe Hart in the visitors' goal, as the players picked by Manuel Pellegrini performed at near-optimum level to quell any possibility of an upset.

Man City's semi record

Manchester City have reached their third League Cup semi-final in the past five seasons but have not played in the final since 1976

Despite eight changes, they gave the third-placed Championship club little time to settle, with Kasper Schmeichel forced into an uncannily accurate impression of his father Peter just five minutes in, when he raced out and spread himself to thwart Jack Rodwell.

But two minutes later, the Dane was beaten by a powerful free-kick from Kolarov, who also scored against Leicester in the FA Cup almost three years ago.
Schmeichel then made another splendid stop to deny Dzeko from point-blank range following a scintillating move involving Kolarov and David Silva.
However, the Bosnia forward finally got the better of Leicester's number one when he judged Milner's deflected cross perfectly to head in at the far post.
The visitors did not relent after the break, with Schmeichel needing strong hands in the opening minutes to prevent Milner and Dzeko from scoring with fierce shots.

 But, in the next attack, he was beaten by accuracy rather than power when Dzeko stroked in the third from Milner's pull-back.

The Premier League side, who have now won all five of their away matches in cup competitions this season, slackened off in the closing stages - and their hosts took advantage.
Winger Dyer, the Foxes' biggest attacking threat, was played in by full-back Paul Konchesky before smashing home off the legs of Vincent Kompany.
Nigel Pearson's side threw everything they had into the final minutes, but the visiting side saw the game out comfortably.
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini:
"We had a very good first half, and then we had the possession and dominated the game until they scored.
"It is an important competition, it is important to win every game you play in and to get to the final at Wembley would be wonderful for the supporters.
"I think the League Cup is different to normal because we could have Tottenham or Manchester United also in the semi-final so that would be beautiful for the fans."
Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson:
"They were probably too good for us. Looking at the first goal, it was a great strike, but the the second and third goals were disappointing from our perspective.
"When you play against sides as good as Man City you have to give yourself the best chance. We got punished for small mistakes."

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (5)

Leicester City

• 01 Schmeichel
• 27 Wasilewski
• 03 Konchesky
• 04 Drinkwater
• 05 Morgan
• 23 Miquel
• 24 Knockaert (Vardy - 45' )
• 10 King
• 35 Nugent (Schlupp - 68' )
• 22 Taylor-Fletcher (James - 45' )
• 11 Dyer

Substitutes

• 02 de Laet
• 07 Hammond
• 08 James
• 09 Vardy
• 15 Schlupp
• 18 Moore
• 25 Logan

Manchester City

• 01 Hart
• 05 Zabaleta (Boyata - 12' Booked )
• 13 Kolarov
• 17 Rodwell
• 04 Kompany
• 06 Lescott
• 15 Jesús Navas Booked
• 14 Javi García
• 10 Dzeko
• 21 Silva (Nasri - 70' )
• 07 Milner

Substitutes

• 08 Nasri
• 09 Negredo
• 25 Fernandinho
• 26 Demichelis
• 30 Pantilimon
• 38 Boyata

Ref: Roger East

Att: 31,319

Liverpool open Suarez contract talks

Luis Suarez: Liverpool open talks over new contract for striker

Liverpool have opened talks with Luis Suarez's agent over a deal that could make the Uruguayan striker the highest-paid player in the club's history.

  24 April: Banned for 10 games by the Football Association for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic
29 May: Drops a big hint he wants to leave Liverpool by saying he finds life in England hard
12 June: Reiterates his love for Liverpool, but insists life in England is very hard
8 July: Liverpool turn down a £30m bid from Arsenal
24 July: Arsenal offer £40,000,001 for Suarez, believing it triggers a clause in his contract
2 August: Sources say Suarez will consider a formal transfer request and the possibility of court action if dispute with Liverpool is not resolved
7 August: Suarez says he wants to leave Liverpool to join a Champions League side
8 August: Told to train alone by manager Brendan Rodgers, who says the player has shown "total disrespect" for the club.

Managing director Ian Ayre returned to Merseyside on Tuesday having spent 24 hours in Spain, where he held talks with Suarez's agent, Pere Guardiola.

Liverpool's owners have sanctioned the deal but it remains to be seen whether Suarez, 26, is willing to commit beyond 2016, when his current contract ends.
Real Madrid retain an interest in him.
But Reds manager Brendan Rodgers said recently: "He is really happy here. He is playing with a smile and enthusiasm. The whole profile of the club fits him perfectly. The supporters idolise him and you can see the connection there."
It may take a contract offer of close to £200,000 per week, double Suarez's present deal, to persuade him to sign a new contract. However his relationship with leading figures at Anfield has improved significantly since he attempted to force a move to Arsenal in the summer.
The Gunners made two bids for the Uruguay international, including a club-record offer of £40m plus £1 in an attempt to trigger a release clause in his contract.
Both were rejected, with Rodgers accusing Arsenal of "playing games".
Suarez was considering submitting a formal transfer request and the possibility of court action if the dispute was not resolved as he believed the second bid triggered a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave the club, whom he signed for in January 2011 for a fee of £22.7m.
Suarez was initially made to train alone during pre-season, but returned to the first-team fold on 16 August after talks with Rodgers.
He missed the first six games of the season after being given a 10-match ban in April for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, but returned against Manchester United on 25 September and has scored 17 goals in 12 games.

Sharad Pawar can continue as MCA President -Bombay High Court

the President of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).

MCA Lawyer VA Thorat told reporters, "The order that was passed by the trial court had placed an injunction on Sharad Pawar from functioning as the President. That has been set aside by the appeal court and now he can function as the President. The suit will continue to be heard in the trial court."

On November 26 a lower court in Mumbai had passed an interim order restraining Mr Pawar from functioning as MCA president. Mr Pawar had approached the high court earlier this month against that order.

The case relates to a plea filed by BJP leader Gopinath Munde, who had asked the lower court to restrain Mr Pawar from functioning as MCA president pending hearing of his suit challenging his election.

Mr Munde had pleaded that the disqualification of his candidature was "illegal" and asked for fresh election for the post of the president. His application was rejected by the election officer on the basis of his residential status, observing that the address on his electoral registration was Beed. According to MCA rules, only a Mumbai resident can become the president of the cricketing body.

Mr Munde had told the court that Mr Pawar, who was declared elected unopposed, should not take charge and should not be allowed to discharge the functions of the president

India will miss Sachin Tendulkar says Morne Morkel

South African pacer Morne Morkel on Monday, fired the first salvo ahead of the two-match Test series, starting here December 18, stating that the young Indian batsmen will miss 'Sachin Tendulkar's patience' in the middle and they should be prepared to face some hostile bowling from the home side. (Sachin Tendulkar's absence makes life easier: Russell Domnigo)

Morkel said it would be interesting to see how the young Indian batsmen cope with the South African pace battery now that the likes of Tendulkar are not in the visiting team. (We have the desire to win: Pujara)

"Sachin was a batsman who could bat for a long time. And he put the bowlers and the opposition under pressure by batting for a long time. He was the rock for their batting. He could bat with the top-order and the middle order both," said Morkel two days ahead of the first Test.

"These young Indian batsmen are quality players, but we can clearly see from the ODI series that they are attacking batsmen who like to come at the bowling. It will be interesting to see how they go about this," he added. (An uphill task awaits India in Tests)

Tendulkar retired from all forms of cricket after playing his 200th Test against the West Indies in Mumbai last month. His departure left a huge void in the Indian team and that will be most visible when the Test series begins.

"Like I said, they are all very quality guys. Rohit Sharma has been scoring runs off late and Cheteshwar Pujara can bat for time at number three. Even Ravichandran Aswhin averages 40 at the back-end of their line-up. So we need to make use of the early morning conditions with the new ball. We need to be on the money from Wednesday itself, otherwise they can score quickly and at Wanderers, sometimes it can be a high scoring game," he said. Asked specifically if he left out Virat Kohli's name on purpose and that South Africa might not consider him a threat, Morkel was non-committal at best.

"Virat has done well in Australia and scored some runs when India toured there last. He is a quality player. But he is obviously going to slot into Sachin's role and he has got some big boots to fill. He can do it very well, don't take me wrong, but it is going to be a testing time for him at number four," Morkel said. (Virat Kohli's flaws against pace bowling could be exposed: Ray Jennings)

Though the Indian team management has made no official statements about who will bat at number four, Kohli has batted with Pujara in pairs at the open nets sessions on Friday and Sunday at Benoni.

In the first ODI, India were rattled by pace and bounce, losing the match by 141 runs. Things did change for the bowlers in the second ODI in Durban, where the bowlers restricted the opposition to 281 runs. Yet, the Indian batsmen failed to chase it down, losing by 136 runs eventually. Adapting to the conditions will be the key, considering that the Indians have had almost negligible practice in the build-up to this Test series. The batsmen, in particular, have suffered the most, as their last outing was in Durban. They have not batted in a competitive setting since, for the second innings in the third ODI at Centurion was washed out before the abandonment of the practice game in Benoni due to a wet outfield. "When I heard the news that they did not have even a ball at Benoni, I felt it will definitely be something in our favour," said Morkel.

"Because the pitch at Benoni can also be a bit tricky at times. I think that could have been good practice for them. So it is definitely some sort of bonus for us that they were stuck to indoor nets or open net-practice. Out there in the middle, it's a completely different ball game."

Morkel, however, felt his side should not be carried away by the listless show by the Indians so far in the South African tour. "The nature of the Wanderers' pitch is that is has always been bouncy and quick.

It can be a high scoring game, if the batsmen get in. So the margins for bowlers are definitely a bit smaller here, because of the ball coming onto the wicket and the outfield here. "It is going to be crucial how we use the pace and bounce. But we need not to get too carried away. The Indian bowlers struggled to find the right lengths in the first ODI and it takes some time to adapt to the conditions here. So we need to be smart about using the conditions as well," he added.

Despite the struggles in that first match of the tour here, the Indian team can gain heart from the fact that they did beat South Africa here in a Test match way back in 2006. Back then, under Rahul Dravid, S Sreesanth had taken eight wickets in two innings and Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman had scored half-centuries to script a first-ever Indian Test victory in this country. "2006 was a long time ago. We can only think about the current scenario and for South Africa, it is about getting a good start. We were a bit slow against Pakistan and that cost us a bit. For India, a lot has changed. They have no Rahul Dravid, no Tendulkar, no batsmen who can really build an innings. So it's a completely different ball game," Morkel said.