323 FOR VICTORY!

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St Peter’s, Antigua – West Indies pacer Daren Powell (right) reacts to a false shot from Australia’s Matthew Hayden during their Super 8 match at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium yesterday. (Photo: AP)

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (AFP) – Matthew Hayden’s commanding innings of 158 left world champions Australia in a strong position against hosts West Indies before rain forced the opening Super Eight match of this World Cup into a second day.

Hayden’s record-breaking display was the centrepiece of Australia’s 322 for six after they’d lost the toss.

But rain, which had been falling steadily during the Australia innings, meant the West Indies’ reply never got started in the first major match staged at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
The match will be resumed at 9:30 am local time today with the hosts chasing 323 to win off 50 overs.

Earlier, Hayden produced one of the great World Cup innings, providing a master class in how to pace a big score after taking 18 balls to get off the mark following West Indies captain Brian Lara’s decision to field first in overcast conditions.

His hundred, his second in as many matches, was the highest score by an Australian at the World Cup, surpassing the 143 not out made by Andrew Symonds four years ago against Pakistan in Johannesburg, and the ninth best in the history of the tournament.

This innings came after Hayden’s 101 in the 83-run win against South Africa on Saturday.

It was also the 35-year-old left-handed opener’s third hundred in as many one-day internationals against Test nations following his Australian record 181 not out against New Zealand last month in Hamilton.

All set for Boys’ & Girls’ Champs

 

FOLLOWING months of training and intense competition in more than 20 development meets, more than 2,300 athletes from 78 Girls’ and 89 Boys’ teams will lay it on the line over the next four days of the GraceKennedy/ISSA National Athletics Championships at the National Stadium.

Defending champions Kingston College (KC) and Holmwood Technical will be aiming to retain their respective Boys’ and Girls’ titles.

KC (233.5 points), who are searching for the seventh straight hold on the Mortimor Geddes Trophy and 31st overall, are expected to again be challenged by last year’s second-placed finisher, Calabar (231.5), in a contest that experts say is too close to call.

Coach of the ‘Purples’, Lennox Graham, told the Observer his team is rounded in all three classes, in all disciplines, and his charges are up for the challenge.

“To pick a class and say it’s our strongest I would have to say Class One… we have good strength in Class Two – good hurdlers, good middle distance runners, good throwers, who are coming on at the right time…

“In Class Three, we have a nice, rounded bunch and the relays are fairly strong,” Graham said, noting that winning will depend on how his team performs each day.

Big test for Windies

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Hosts West Indies will face perhaps their sternest test to date in the 2007 Cricket World Cup when they clash with world champions Australia in the first match of the Super Eights at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground here today.
Both teams finished the group stage with perfect records and are focusing on extending that success into the all-important second round.

West Indies’ cricket captain Brian Lara bats in the nets during a practice session at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in St John’s, Antigua, yesterday. West Indies will play Australia in the first match of the Super Eights round of the Cricket World Cup today. (Photo: AP)

“For us it’s important. Both teams already advanced with two points after beating the other qualifier and Australia will of course start as favourites tomorrow (Tuesday) and will continue as favourites until the exit the tournament or win the tournament,” West Indies captain Brian Lara told a media conference yesterday.

“So for us it’s a huge game. We have had some success against them in the recent past. We know it’s going to be tough, Australia’s never-say-die attitude will always be present and we are going to work hard to make sure we get the better of them.”
Ponting earlier labelled the West Indies as “dangerous”, noting they were a very good One-Day side.
Lara played down the compliment, pointing out that Australia were playing at their best and his team needed to match the defending champions’ skills.

“That’s good. It’s nice to know that he considers us dangerous. I still think that we have got a lot of work to do to match the skills of the Australian team consistently,” Lara said.
“We have beaten them in the past. They are more than dangerous if you want to put it that way. If the West Indies are dangerous they are more than dangerous.

“They are playing at their best and I can tell by the way they are playing that they are here to make a hat-trick of wins. You have got to respect that. They are very confident with their ability.
“But it’s nice to know they consider us dangerous. I hope that they do of the entire 15 players because that’s what we are trying to create – a lot more dangerous players.”

He added: “I’m pretty confident we are going to do well in this tournament. It’s not about being giant killers. This tournament has still got a month left and it is important for us to take each game at a time and don’t get over confident if we get a win tomorrow, just go on and execute.”

Ponting said the match-up at the venue, named after Antigua & Barbuda’s only living national hero and former West Indies captain and master-batsman, will be a special one for CWC 2007.
“Once again it is another very exciting game in this World Cup. The West Indies are a very dangerous team. They are on home soil. They should know these conditions better than anybody else. They will have great support all round the Caribbean,” said Ponting, who is just two runs away from completing 1000 in CWC.

“Every step you take in this tournament it becomes more and more exciting and Tuesday, once again, is going to be one of our biggest games in the World Cup.”
While both teams are expected to announce the final XI before the start of game, West Indies are likely to replace left-arm seamer Ian Bradshaw with medium-pacer Corey Collymore who missed the last game.
Australia are expected to retain the line-up that beat World number one South Africa convincingly in their final Group A match on Saturday.

Beenie Man parts company with Virgin Records

Beenie Man is reportedly no longer a part of the Virgin Records roster. The dancehall kingpin recently parted company with the label after releasing four albums including a Grammy-winning disc.

Sources close to his former management company, Shocking Vibes Productions, hinted that Beenie Man’s departure from Shocking Vibes, as well as the low sales of his most recent Virgin album Undisputed, may have been contributing factors.

Said the source, who requested anonymity: “The situation is normally one that exercises options. Virgin will look to recoup their money from proceeding options, seeing that Beenie Man’s last album flopped. He was signed through Shocking Vibes to Virgin.” The source further added Virgin didn’t exercise the option on the contract to take up another album.

However, when contacted, Beenie Man refuted the claim that he was dropped by Virgin. Said Beenie Man, “I have no contract with Virgin. Virgin has merged with Universal EMI so there is no more Virgin Records. A contract is still there to put out a next album. I left them, they never dropped me,” Beenie Man assured.

He added: “I will be putting out my album on MAFIA House.”
Beenie Man was signed to Virgin Records in 1998 by the label’s A&R, Patrick Moxy, on the strength of the Billboard charting single Who Am I (Zim Zimma). Under the deal, he released Art & Life, Tropical Storm, Back To Basics, and Undisputed. Art & Life has been the most commercially successful, having sold 404,932 copies to date, according to Nielsen Soundscan. Tropical Storm has sold 282,976, while Back To Basics, which contained the Billboard charting singles Dude and King Of The Dancehall, sold a paltry 165,311 copies. Undisputed, which rocketed to the top of the Billboard Reggae Album chart (a similar feat accomplished by all the albums he released under Virgin), has to date sold 61,420 copies in the US.

St Jago’s Blake eyes sprint double

WORLD Junior Championship (2006) 100-metre bronze medallist Yohan Blake of St Jago High is eyeing the Class One sprint double at this week’s, GraceKennedy/ISSA Boys’ and Girls’ Championships, which begins on Wednesday at the National Stadium.

Remaldo Rose, title holder of the Class One Boys’ 100m and 200m will only defend the 100m title due to Shin-splint injury. (Photos: Bryan Cummings)

Having clocked 10.41 seconds and 20.92secs to win the 100/200-metre double at last weekend’s Carifta Trials at Stadium East, many track and field pundits are giving Blake the favourite tag.

The soft spoken Blake, who returned 10.34secs and 21.52secs to take the Class Two double last year, is not bothered by this.

“Well the GraceKennedy/ISSA Boys’ and Girls’ Championships is a stepping stone for me to the World Championships (Osaka, Japan) level, because my coach (Danny Hawthorne) thinks that I can extend it further,” Blake told the Sunday Observer. “What I intend to do (at Champs) is take those two records, the 100- and 200-metre records as well as take gold in the 4×100 and 4×400, so I expect to achieve a lot this year,” the sprinter added.

The 100m record of 10.24 seconds was established by Tesfa Latty of St George’s College in 2003, the same year that World Junior (200m) record holder Usain Bolt of William Knibb, posted 20.25secs to set the 200m record.

Stitchie to perform for worldwide TV audience

Award-winning gospel deejay, Stitchie, will be making an international television appearance, representing Jamaican and regional gospel music to over 40 million homes across the US. He will be one of the featured gospel acts on the popular programme, The Gospel Of Music With Jeff Majors, season four of which airs on TV One Network and Direct TV, (Channel 241) and on cable.

Stitchie, who recently participated in the UWI Reggae Studies Unit’s lecture series on the Mona Campus, made the announcement about his appearance this past Sunday. “To show you how potent it is when you trust God and God opens up doors…Next Sunday is the 25th of March. And at mid-day on TV One or Direct TV and Channel 241, I’ll be making my debut appearance singing what? – Reggae, gospel reggae as the only Caribbean artiste on a show called The Gospel Of Music With Jeff Majors to over 40 million homes across America, hear mi sey?”

Stitchie, a colourful and energetic performer, whether in the secular or gospel idiom added: “This is a first for Caribbean gospel music and I’m humbled that the Lord choose to use me to expose our rich culture in worship to the King of Kings and to the entire world. God has always used me to be a pacesetter, a trendsetter.”

Continuing, Stitchie declared: “One thing, I never told you is that the first person who originated deejay on calypso is me. Yeah, check that through dancehall’s history. Not bragging, but telling you some of the things that you need to know about me. So mi ah say it, right?”

Also performing on the Jeff Majors show is Charlie Wilson, of the GAP band fame, known for decades as one of soul and funk’s greatest singers, Like Stitchie a born-again Christian, Wilson, widely known as ‘Uncle Charlie,’ will perform his original composition Cry No More. The rest of the cast on Sunday’s show are new artiste Sean Simmonds, Platinum Souls, a dynamic duo promoting the gospel through hip hop and Tony Smith, a gospel saxophonist ministering through instrumental interpretation.

Can a Jamaican win Miss Universe?

 

 

Jamaica has won the Miss World pageant on at least 3 occasions – Carol Joan Crawford, Cindy Breakespeare and Lisa Hanna. Others have come close, or served as Ms World when the reigning queen could no longer serve.

Interestingly, however, Jamaica has never won the Miss Universe crown, despite representatives of the quality of Kimberley Mais, Sandra Foster, Nicole Haughton, Sanya Hughes, Christine Straw, Trudy Ferguson and Rachel Stuart.
“Why?” is the obvious question. The answer however, might not be as obvious.

After all, 4 top 10 finishes (including two top 6 and a top 4 finalists) since 1989, is not something to be scoffed at, especially given the many countries which have never placed in the top 10. However, Jamaicans back winners.

As a people, we have little regard for second or third. The long history of success associated with the Miss World pageant (Crawford won in 1962), makes it naturally more attractive to Jamaicans, both from the standpoint of entry to the event, as well as public perception of the relative value and importance of that event as opposed to Miss Universe. Interestingly, Miss Universe is by far the bigger and better-known event internationally. In fact, Miss World is hardly known in America, the world’s largest and most important media and commercial market.

3 Pakistanis quizzed a second time

Police say they found inconsistencies in initial statements

Jamaican police probing the murder of Bob Woolmer yesterday said that three senior members of the Pakistan cricket delegation were questioned a second time after minor inconsistencies showed up in their initial statements.

The three – team manager Talat Ali, assistant coach Mushtaq Ahmed, and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq – were interrogated in Montego Bay yesterday afternoon, a few hours before they boarded a flight to London.

 

At a press conference called at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, where Woolmer was killed a week ago, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields said the interrogation was standard procedure and didn’t mean any of the three were suspects in the murder.

“This is a serious murder investigation, we have to plug all leaks,” Shields said.
The revelation threw cold water on reports that circulated earlier in the day that two Pakistani cricketers had been detained by local police in connection with the murder of the Pakistan team coach.

Even though the Pakistan team and officials have been allowed to leave the island, it does not mean that they have been ruled out as possible murder suspects, Shields said.
“There is no extradition treaty between Jamaica and Pakistan, but we trust that the Pakistan Government will co-operate on this issue,” Shields told the Sunday Observer minutes after the press conference.

Pakistani diplomat Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri (right) and Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields leave a news conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston yesterday. (Photo: Karl McLarty)

Pakistani diplomats, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri and Said Ahmed, who flew into the island yesterday morning, are here to assist the Jamaican Government with their investigations into the high-profile murder, which has attracted the attention of media houses around the globe.
The two join team trainer Murray Stevenson, and Pakistan Cricket Board operations manager Asad Mustafa, who will stay in the island until a coroner’s inquest is completed and Woolmer’s body is released to his family.

How to Tell When a Relationship is Over

Are you hanging on to a Dead-End Relationship?

It is common for relationships to have difficulties, but there are times when a relationship has reached its dead end with irreparable problems. Many people who have invested their time and emotions into a relationship find it very hard to let go, believing that things can and will work out, regardless of whether their partner still wants to be with them or not. So what are the signs of a dead-end relationship? Read the following list:

 

When Consideration Fades. If one or both of you decline in your consideration of what the other needs and wants, your relationship will not last, because you are no longer working together.

 

Lack of Respect. Love does not conquer all. Respect plays a big role in any relationship and if your partner does not show respect for your dreams, goals, beliefs, feelings and overall individuality, then they are not accepting you for who you are-making the relationship an illusion.

 

When your partner wants nothing else to do with you.  When your partner says it is over, then it is over. There is nothing you can do or say to make him or her change their mind unless they truly want to make things work from their own choice and will. Being insistent will only prevent you from moving on and finding better love.

 

Relationship Expert Alina has written an article on How to break Up. It explains and gives you some tips if you really are thinking of breaking up and you want some tips.

 

Not making time to contribute to the relationship.  If you or your partner loses interest in contributing to the relationship and makes no effort to do so at any point and time, then the relationship is over. No relationship survives without frequent effort and time investment to keep things happy and clear.

 

 Having the Unwillingness to Compromise.  All relationships will come across their differences, but if you cannot meet in the middle and come to a compromise that you can both feel comfortable with, your compatibility is not strong enough to keep the relationship together. It can never be a one way street, for when things go only in the way one partners wants it to- resentments build up and weaken your bond as a couple.

Boyz tackle Swiss

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida – Technical director Bora Milutinovic said he is pleased with his players’ efforts in yesterday’s one-hour training session at Lockhart Stadium ahead of today’s friendly against Switzerland.
Milutinovic cancelled the evening session, giving the lads some “free time”, but pushed them in a tightly packed morning session which included tactical drills, set pieces, one-touch passing and scrimmaging in one half of the Lockhart Stadium pitch – the venue for this evening’s game at 7:15 pm (6:15 local time).

On Tuesday a team training session was called off due to poor weather conditions, but the sun came out yesterday, paving the way for the morning session.

“I loved the spirit of the players. they have exceeded my expectation. winning the Lunar Cup has done a lot for their confidence,” said the Serb-born coach who has the distinction of guiding USA, Mexico, Nigeria, Costa Rica and China to the World Cup Finals.

Assistant and former head coach, Wendell Downswell, agreed that the “spirited” session was an encouraging sign that speaks volumes to the mental state of the players going up against the 17th-ranked Swiss outfit.

“First and foremost we had a blackboard session where we assessed the Switzerland team and what our tactical approach is going to be. After that we had a tactical training session for about an hour where we also did a bit of fitness work, and the players’ response was good, so we’re looking forward to a good performance from them…,” said the former Jamaica winger.

Milutinovic, aware of the quality within the Swiss ranks, said the aim is to play a tactically sound match.

“We’re going to play a tactical game like we played in Hong Kong. This is not about winning, but more of playing intelligently and understanding the game,” he added.

Downswell, too, holds the Swiss in high esteem, especially with their numerous professionals and impressive run at the World Cup Finals last year.

Woodgate absolves Ronaldo in diving row

It is not an opinion widely held on Teesside, but last night Jonathan Woodgate punctured the latest controversy surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo when he absolved the Portuguese winger of diving for the penalty that earned Manchester United a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.

That the 75th minute award on Monday was even a matter of debate after the England defender clearly connected with Ronaldo illustrates the depth of Middlesbrough’s grievance following two contentious penalty decisions in games against United this season, frustration that resulted in some of their coaching staff shouting “cheat” at the 22-year-old during the quarter-final, substitute James Morrison seeing red for a wild lunge on the player and assistant manager at Old Trafford, Carlos Queiroz, involved in a furious row with the opposition’s staff after the final whistle.
“A guilt complex,” was how Sir Alex Ferguson described Boro’s reaction, before raging at a Sky television interview with Ronaldo in which the midfielder revealed a depth of the English language that would make many natives blush, and though Woodgate insisted it was debatable he had fouled his opponent, a sentiment shared by Boro manager Gareth Southgate, the defender was adamant his club had not been cheated out of the FA Cup.

“I don’t know if it was a penalty but Ronaldo is a very clever player. He is one of the best in the world and whether it was a penalty or not, I don’t know. I couldn’t honestly tell myself,” he said. “Ronaldo is a fantastic player. There is a touch of genius in him and to be fair he lights up the Premiership. I don’t think he dived so you can’t put the blame on him.”

Woodgate reported for England duty yesterday with a knee injury that has troubled him for several weeks and which may make him a doubt for the European Championship qualifiers against Israel and Andorra.

Meanwhile Southgate has responded angrily to criticism from the Sheffield United manager, Neil Warnock, that he had acted “scandalously” in fielding a weakened team at home to relegation-threatened Manchester City last weekend, a game Boro lost and which heightened fears of the drop at Bramall Lane.

“I don’t think we’ve been disrespectful to anybody and, quite frankly, I’ll pick who I want,” said Southgate. “I felt we needed to do that [on Saturday] to have a chance against United in the FA Cup.

Windows Vista totally Cracked!!!!

Paradox group have released a fully working crack for Windows Vista (see screenshot / details), which allows you even get all of the automatic updates just the same as any legitimate Vista user could. How does it work? Microsoft allows large hardware manufacturers (e.g. ASUS, HP, Dell) to ship their products containing a Windows Vista installation that does NOT require any kind of product activation as this might be considered an unnecessary inconvenience for the end-user. Instead these so-called ‘Royalty OEMs’ are granted the right to embed certain license information into their hardware products, which can be validated by Windows Vista to make obtaining further activation information (online or by phone) obsolete.

This mechanism is commonly referred to as ‘SLP 2.0′ (’system-locked pre-installation 2.0′) and consists of the following three key elements. So the basic concept of the tool at hand is to present any given BIOS ACPI_SLIC information to Windows Vista’s licensing mechanism by means of a device driver. In combination with a matching product key and OEM certificate this allows for rendering any system practically indistinguishable from a legit pre-activated system shipped by the respective OEM.

Remember This- Smooth Criminal,Billie Jean & BAD

Watch 300 seconds of 300

If you are outside US you might not be able to watch it, but for those who are here feast on it before the movie comes out this weekend.

300 is one of the most awaited movies of the year for a number of reasons but most importantly the super slick trailer that has been doing rounds of the internet for last 5 months or so.

Watch the 5 minutes of movie here