South Australia ease into semis with three in three

Michael Klinger excelled in both leadership and batting to steer South Australia into the semi-finals

Delightful fast bowling from Shaun Tait, solid back-up medium-pace from Daniel Christian and a near-perfect chase from Daniel Harris and Michael Klinger, who continues to cling onto the golden bat with his third match-winning fifty in three games, took South Australia Redbacks to the semi-finals of the Champions League. For about 25 overs, this had everything a Twenty20 game should have. Tait's pace like fire, sensational fielding, Ross Taylor's counter-punching, Tait's comeback to get Taylor, Dillon du Preez's stunner in the second half of the innings, some more special fielding, and Christian's three-wicket last over. Dale Steyn and Praveen Kumar followed it up with a spirited defence, but the South Australia openers played sensibly, taking sharp singles and getting occasional boundaries. Once South Australia had kept the opening seamers wicketless, Royal Challengers Bangalore's bowling became progressively looser, misfields and dropped catches found their way in and the last 100 runs were a cruise in the heavy Durban breeze. Tait set up the night beautifully. He didn't quite burn the speed gun, but bowled quick enough and got disconcerting bounce from deliveries fuller than bouncers. Manish Pandey top-edged a quick back-of-a-length ball in his first over, and an inside edge to a surprise full toss saved Rahul Dravid in his second. In between those overs, Callum Ferguson accounted for Robin Uthappa with a diving catch at cover-point even as all eyes had moved to the square boundary. 

Taylor, though, seemed to be playing a different game, racing along to 46 off 26 out of a team total of 62 by the end of the eighth over. Then Klinger, who had got Dravid through the early use of Aaron O'Brien's left-arm spin, called back Tait. That was the easy part. It is not easy for the bowler who knows he has to give his captain a wicket in six deliveries. Tait started with a short ball, not quite the bouncer, that beat the keeper. Later in the over, Taylor bent his knees to play a length ball. It seemed the correct action until it kicked up to take the shoulder of the bat. Job done. Klinger was making superb bowling changes; legspinner Cullen Bailey removed Virat Kohli in his first over. du Preez then produced the surprise of the night, giving anything pitched on a length some tonk, hitting four sixes and a four in his 26-ball 46. Harris, running from long-on towards cow corner, almost latched onto one of those. He dived full length to his right and took the catch, then realised his proximity to the rope, and flicked the ball back in. A relay throw found both du Preez and Cameron White at the same end, but the replays showed Harris' shoulder had just touched the boundary-rope skirting before he released the ball. Strangely, though, the umpires called it a four when it should have been a six. 

It would hardly matter in the end. Nor would the drop catch in the next over when du Preez drilled one short and wide delivery back at Bailey. For just when du Preez looked like setting a formidable target, Christian produced a bouncer to get him out. The 2.5 overs after that produced just 20. Harris and Klinger, already with a century stand in this tournament to their credit, then backed up their contributions in the field with another match-winning effort. They are both pretty similar in their batting styles: strong on the cut, low on risks, and possessing motor feet. It is difficult to tell them apart. Their running between the wickets, at times with the ball dropped on the pitch, frustrated the bowlers. In the second over, Klinger struggled against both Steyn's pace and sharp inward movement. If this was a tennis rally, Klinger had been pushed right into a corner. From there he produced the winner, first through an on-drive for four, then back-to-back cut fours in Steyn's next, with not much width on offer. du Preez, who made up for Jacques Kallis' absence with the bat, ceded territory with the ball, bowling gentle length deliveries in the sixth over. Harris hit him for three boundaries to bring up South Australia's 50. From then on the stroke-play grew more attractive, the batsmen matched each other shot for shot, Dravid missed a tough chance at point when Klinger was 31, Pandey dropped a fairly easy one when Harris was 43 and the asking-rate fell below a run a ball in the 13th over. Despite the two quick wickets that followed, it ceased being a contest too soon for a match that had such an intense first half.

South Australia Redbacks 155 for 2 (Klinger 69*, Harris 57) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 154 (Taylor 46, du Preez 46, Christian 4-23, Tait 2-23) by eight wickets

Match Scorecard

Doncaster 0 - 0 Leeds United

Doncaster and Leeds shared the points

Doncaster and Leeds shared the points after a highly entertaining Yorkshire derby at the Keepmoat Stadium. Leeds' Davide Somma and Rovers' Dean Shields both hit the woodwork in a first half played at a high tempo but short on real goalscoring chances. The pace did not drop after the break, with Somma getting the ball in the net with 15 minutes left, only to be denied by the off-side flag. Rovers tried for a late winner but Alex Bruce was imperious in Leeds' defence. Doncaster began the game the brighter, pinning Leeds back straight away with their intricate passing, but when they first came close to getting on the score sheet, it was by more direct means. 

Leeds' Bradley Johnson fouled James Coppinger wide on the right, and when Martin Woods fired in a free-kick, Somma failed to connect as he tried to clear the ball, forcing a fumbled save from Shane Higgs. Within minutes Somma was in the thick of the action at the other end, as he brushed aside a featherweight Rovers defence to unleash a shot which keeper Neil Sullivan turned onto the bar. It was then the turn of Shields to hit the woodwork for Rovers, with a right-foot curling shot against the far post from the left-hand side of the pitch. In the second half, Somma looked to have marked his first start for Leeds with a goal as he followed up Johnson's blocked shot, but was correctly flagged for off-side. The home side refused to give up, continually harrying the Leeds defence, but Bruce in particular proved to be an immovable object and prevented them finding a route through to goal.

Position	Team	P	GD	PTS
1	QPR	6	15	16
2	Cardiff	6	8	13
3	Doncaster	7	2	12
4	Millwall	6	7	11
5	Ipswich	6	2	11
6	Leeds	7	0	11
7	Burnley	6	3	10
8	Barnsley	6	1	10
9	Norwich	6	1	10
10	Scunthorpe	6	3	9
11	Reading	6	3	9
12	Watford	6	2	9
13	Swansea	6	1	9
14	Coventry	6	0	8
15	Nott'm Forest	6	0	7
16	Hull	6	-4	7
17	Middlesbrough	6	-5	7
18	Sheff Utd	6	-6	7
19	Crystal Palace	6	-4	6
20	Leicester	6	-4	5
21	Bristol City	6	-5	5
22	Derby	6	-4	4
23	Preston	6	-8	3
24	Portsmouth	6	-8	2

Wigan Warriors 42-18 Hull Kingston Rovers

Wigan (24) 42
Tries: Richards, Farrell, Goulding 2, Leuluai, Gleeson, J Tomkins
Goals: Richards 7

Hull KR (14) 18
Tries: Fox 2, Cockayne
Goals: Dobson 3 

Wigan partially atoned for last week's home defeat by Leeds as they booked a place in the play-off semi-finals. Pat Richards, who crucially missed three kicks last Sunday, was bang on form this time, converting all of impressive Wigan's seven tries. Richards, Liam Farrell, Darrell Goulding (2), Thomas Leuluai, Martin Gleeson and Joel Tomkins all crossed. And that sets up a tough choice for Wigan's neighbours St Helens when they make their Club Call on Sunday night. Saints must now opt between Wigan and the winners of Saturday's second elimination semi between Warrington and Huddersfield to decide who they will play next weekend. Wigan were forced to reshuffle their side following the loss of stand-off Paul Deacon with a groin injury, Sean O'Loughlin taking over at stand-off, with Farrell switching to loose forward and Harrison Hansen coming into the second row. But they looked like they had got last Sunday night's last-gasp 27-26 loss to Leeds out of their system when they made their customary quick start at the DW Stadium. Just four minutes had elapsed when, from emergency stand-off Sean O'Loughlin's looped pass, Richards galloped in at the left corner for his 32nd try of the season. 

The Wigan points machine then further proved that normal service was resumed when he duly added the extras. Yet within five minutes Rovers had stunned the home crowd with two tries. First, centre Ben Cockayne fed winger Peter Fox to slide in at the right corner for the first of his two tries, then two quick grubber kicks did the trick for Rovers' second try. Scott Murrell's first kick cannoned off a Wigan leg before falling kindly for Ben Fisher, who stabbed another kick through, which this time fell perfectly for Cockayne to run onto. Michael Dobson kicked both goals, but Wigan were then back on level terms within five minutes when they got a lucky break of their own. Mark Riddell's forward pass went unspotted to allow Farrell his second try in as many games, Richards kicking the touchline conversion. Even then, Rovers reclaimed the lead at 14-12 when Dobson guided home a penalty. But, just four minutes later, after one near miss when Shaun Briscoe punched the ball out of his grip just as he was about to snake out an arm and score, Goulding did get his first try, set up by Sam Tomkins. Then came an alarm for the home side when Tomkins needed urgent attention to a dislocated finger. And, although he had to undergo running repairs before having the loose digit slotted back in at half-time, he was soon back scything through Hull KR with a run that got Goulding over for his second try - the winger's 27th of the campaign. 

Richards slotted that one too, to make it four from four with another superb touchline conversion - and a 24-14 lead at half-time. But, within 15 minutes of the restart, it was all over as a contest and the home side were gliding to within 80 minutes of their first Grand Final for seven years when they ran in two tries in three minutes from Leuluai and Gleeson. Hull responded when, from another Dobson grubber, Sam Tomkins made the mistake of letting it run, allowing Fox to pounce for his second try. But Wigan had the final word when, despite having blood still seeping from a bandaged first-half head wound, Joel Tomkins neatly jinked his way in for try number seven - and the Warriors' fifth straight win over Hull KR. 

Wigan coach Michael Maguire said:

"It's a credit to the lads for the way they bounced back from last Sunday. It was probably good for us to play tonight. "It allowed us to find our attack and execute the way we did, while our defence is definitely where it needed it to be. "It's probably done us the world of good. It gave some of our players who haven't played a lot of footie over the last few weeks more time. They will get a lot of confidence out of tonight." 

Hull KR coach Justin Morgan said:

"Nobody is happy about losing but I thought we were beaten by a top quality side. I've got to give them plenty of credit. They put us under pressure and forced our hand. "I'm very proud of my team. They really had a dig. Our execution wasn't great but all the way to the end we were trying to score points. "I'm sure when we sit down and reflect, we'll be reasonably satisfied with the season. I'm sure the disappointment will spur us on. We've got a group who are very determined to learn from tonight's experience and come back bigger, better and stronger." 

Wigan: S Tomkins, Goulding, Gleeson, Carmont, Richards, O'Loughlin, Leuluai, Fielden, Riddell, Coley, Hansen, J Tomkins, Farrell.
Replacements: Paleaaesina, Prescott, Tuson, McIlorum. 

Hull KR: Briscoe, Fox, Welham, Cockayne, Colbon, Murrell, Dobson, Vella, Fisher, Clinton, Newton, Galea, Netherton.
Replacements: Lovegrove, Wheeldon, Cook, Hodgson. 

Referee: Richard Silverwood (Dewsbury). 

Attendance: 11,133.

Umar Gul inspires Pakistan to 23-run win over England

After struggling in his first over, Gul returned to devastating effect

Pace bowler Umar Gul took 4-6 in 18 balls to inspire Pakistan to a 23-run win in the third one-day international against England at The Oval. England, chasing a modest 242 under lights, were 201-5 in the 40th over and seemingly on course to seal an unassailable 3-0 series lead. But Gul, who ended with 6-42, dismissed Eoin Morgan for 61 and then took three more wickets as England collapsed. The win was Pakistan's first since the spot-fixing allegations came to light. And it was the perfect tonic to a summer of cricket that had threatened to peter out, Pakistan having gone into the match on a run of five straight defeats since claims surfaced that no-balls had been deliberately bowled in the fourth Test at Lord's. Amidst that background, the sides, somewhat unwittingly on England's part, served up a classic. The game ebbed and flowed, with Pakistan recovering from a terrible start to post a competitive total - one that would have been higher but for a bizarre run-out of captain Shahid Afridi. They then had England under pressure at 103-5, lost initiative in the middle overs, but grasped victory in a thrilling denouement.

Having won the toss on a traditionally batsman-friendly square, Pakistan would have had hopes of posting a commanding total, but inside three overs Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez, who put on 62 and 122 in the opening matches, suffered their first failures of the series. James Anderson produced a textbook delivery to dismiss Hafeez, but Akmal was unlucky, his face a picture of confusion on turning round to see the ball had deflected off his thigh pad and on to the stumps. When Mohammad Yousuf came and went leg before to the excellent Anderson for 16, Pakistan were in danger of recording their fifth score of below 100 against England this summer. Fawad Alam, in partnership with Asad Shafiq, averted that embarrassment with a steady, if unspectacular, partnership. A couple of drives off Luke Wright apart, Shafiq was generally becalmed before an out-of-character wander down the wicket to Graeme Swann saw him caught in the deep by Morgan for 40. Boundaries, though, remained at a premium. The dangerous Umar Akmal came and went for 14 while Alam only managed two fours in reaching his half century. The one man capable of something out the ordinary was Afridi and he certainly managed that, but not in the manner expected. He had for once played himself in before smiting Swann for the innings' first six, but he then departed in bizarre circumstances.

Afridi will not want to see too many replays of his dismissal

Inexplicably, rather than ground his bat he left it hovering above the crease, from where it only served to deflect an innocuous return from the fielder on to the stumps. Bowler Stuart Broad's appeal was polite, apologetic even, but the evidence condemning. For a man who has previously bemoaned his own side's shortcomings it was an appalling error. Coming shortly after Alam had departed to Michael Yardy, Afridi's wicket ended any hope of a total approaching 300 and although Razzaq hit a breezy 31, Gul used up 32 balls to make 14. To keep the series alive, Pakistan needed early breakthroughs and with Abdul Razzaq replacing Mohammad Irfan the new ball attack had added threat. Strauss and Davies delivered an early flurry of boundaries, but Razzaq produced a slower ball that bowled Davies through the gate before Shoaib Akhtar rolled back the years with a dream of a yorker to bowl Jonathan Trott. Denied the services of Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif as the investigation into spot-fixing allegations continues - a case file being passed to prosecutors earlier on Friday - the previously out of form Gul came on as first change and conceded 10 in his first over. Saeed Ajmal accounted for Ravi Bopara, his departure leaving England 77-3, though with Strauss and Eoin Morgan at the crease England remained favourites to record an eighth victory in nine matches against Pakistan. 

Strauss, on the back of a match-winning 126 in the second match of the series, appeared set for another century as he effortlessly passed 50 off 48 balls, while Gul looked likely to endure another frustrating afternoon having taken a combined 1-126 from 15.3 overs in the previous two matches. One ball was enough to reverse both their fortunes as Strauss attempted a trademark cut off a wide delivery only to get an inside edge on to the stumps. Suddenly Gul had his line and length back, a mix far too good for Yardy who played and missed at numerous deliveries and saw an edge dropped by Akmal before playing down the wrong line to be plumb lbw for four. England, seemingly a man light in their batting line-up because of Paul Collingwood's absence, were under pressure but Afridi made his second misjudgement of the match, bringing himself into the attack and conceding runs at more than seven an over. As an opener in Twenty20 cricket, Wright has appeared manic at times, but with Morgan's presence at the other end he played the support role perfectly, rotating the strike and hitting the occasional boundary off any loose ball. But while Wright was functional Morgan was brilliant, showing his full array of strokes, including the reverse hit, to calmly bring the total into view. However, there was time for another moment of controversy as Pakistan saw a clear stumping denied. 

Umar Akmal, deputising for his brother who was injured in dropping Yardy, whipped the bails off with Wright overstretching, but umpire Billy Doctrove chose not to refer the decision, despite replays clearly showing the Sussex man failed to ground his foot in time. That missed chance appeared likely to be Pakistan's last hurrah, but the return of Gul swung the game. First he had Morgan caught in the deep on the leg side before a stunning reverse-swinging yorker accounted for Tim Bresnan. When, in his next over, he picked up his fifth wicket with another stunning yorker, Pakistan had victory in their sights. By now moving the ball at will, Gul picked up Swann for an eight-ball duck with his final ball, bringing Anderson to the crease at least safe in the knowledge he would be spared becoming a seventh victim. But Razzaq is no mean death bowler himself and, with Anderson backing away, he sent down a full and straight delivery to spark the celebrations.

Third one-day international, The Oval:
Pakistan 241 (49.4 overs) bt England 218 (45.4 overs) by 23 runs

Match Scorecard

Chennai Super Kings crush Wayamba Elevens by 97 runs

highest Scorer in Chennai Team...Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina and Murali Vijay scored breezy half centuries as Chennai Super Kings crushed Wayamba by 97 runs to register their second consecutive win in the Champions League Twenty20 on Wednesday. With two victories out of as many matches in Group A, Chennai had inched a step closer towards the semifinal race while Wayamba faces the ignominy of elimination. Sent into bat, Raina scored a blistering 44-ball 87 while Vijay made 68 off 48 deliveries to enable Chennai post a formidable 200/3 in their allotted 20 overs. Raina and Vijay complimented each other well and shared a 137-run second wicket stand that came off just 72 deliveries. Raina bejeweled his innings with six boundaries and as many sixes while Vijay found the fence nine times and crossed it once. 

For Wayamba Chanaka Welegadara picked up two wickets for 47 runs off his four overs. Chasing the huge target, Wayamba never got off their hooks and were finally bundled out for 103 in 17.1 overs. Wayamba's struggle can be gauged from the fact that only four of their batsmen -- Shalika Karunanayake (25 not out), Ajantha Mendis (15), Isuru Udana (14) and Mahela Jayawardene (10) -- got double figures. Ravichandran Ashwin (4/18) and Albie Morkel (3/22) were the wreckers-in-chief for Chennai, picking up four and three wickets respectively. Wayamba had a horrible start to their run chase as they lost two of their top-order batsmen inside the third over with just 18 runs on the board. Morkel was the successful bowler on both the occasions. While he had opener Jeevantha Kulatunga for a first ball duck in the second delivery of the innings, captain Jehan Mubarak outside edged one straight into the gloves of his Chennai counterpart Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the third over.

As if that was not enough for the struggling Wayamba, their most-experienced batsman Jayawardene once again disappointed as he upper-cut one straight to Muttiah Muralitharan at third man off Doug Bollinger with the scoreboard reading 18 for three. Morkel scalped his third victim of the day in the form of Janith Perera, who produced a leading edge straight into the palms of Muralitharan. Off-spinne r Ashwin then joined the party and cleaned up both Kaushal Lokuarachchi and Thisara Perera within a span of four balls to spell the doom for the Sri Lankan side. Laxmipathy Balaji and Muralitharan too registered their name in the scoreboard with the wicket of Isuru Udana and last man Chanaka Welegadara. Ashwin picked up his third scalp in the form of Rangana Herath, who was holed out at point by a jumping Muralitharan and then wrapped up his day with the wicket of Mendis, stumped by Dhoni. Earlier, Vijay was the initial aggressor but Raina overtook him once the innings progressed in the perfect batting conditions at the SuperSport Park. Chennai were cautious in the beginning as openers Mathew Hayden and Vijay found it difficult to pick up the tricks of mystery spinner Mendis, who opened the bowling along with left-arm pacer Udana.

However, Mubarak's ploy to introduce Welegedara in the fifth over backfired as Vijay took the left-arm pacer to the task, hitting him for one six and three fours, apart from a leg-bye boundary, to pick up 23 runs of that over. But Mendis kept his captain's faith and gave Wayamaba the breakthrough, trapping big-hitting Hayden plumb in front of the wicket in the next over. Vijay was at his elegant best as he welcomed Karunanayake with a blazing drive past extra cover and then meted out the same treatment to Thisara Perera in the next. Perera was at the receiving end of Vijay and Raina's ire as she bled 18 runs off his second over. Raina came out of his shell and hammered Perera for a boundary and a six over extra cover and then Vijay finished off the over with an elegant flick over midwicket. After initial hiccup, Raina opened up and matched his partner stroke by stroke. Karunanayake also had to face the left-hander's ire as he clobbered the right-arm medium pacer for a boundary and a six in the 12th over to up the Chennai tempo. Once set, the duo used their long handle to great effect towards the end and smashed Wayamba bowlers to all parts of the ground to help Chennai pile up 65 runs in the last five overs. Raina destroyed Mendis' figures with four huge sixes during the spinner's second spell to pick up 28 runs of the 17th over. However, in the next over both the batsmen perished in search of quick runs. Welegedara was the lucky bowler, who scalped both Raina and Vijay in two consecutive deliveries to break the destructive partnership. While Raina hit one straight to Mubarak inside the circle, Vijay was holed out in the deep by Perera. Morkel (9 off 5) and captain Dhoni (10 off 9) finished off the proceedings for Chennai.

Suranjoy aims for CWG gold and much more

24-year-old a sailor by profession

Was it a mere coincidence that a rustic lad from Uchiwa, 27km off Imphal, grew up to choose boxing as his vocation? And was it providence that has made this 24-year-old a sailor by profession?  For Mayengbam Suranjoy Singh, it has to be both: coincidence because in a state where a sizeable population of youngsters still go astray to illiteracy, unemployment or insurgency; and providence, because in a landlocked place like Manipur, very few get to see the crests and troughs of life he has seen in the last six years. From the height of being a bronze medallist in the 2004 Junior World Championships to the obscurity of a failed athlete in hiding and then again to the acme of being AIBA's Best Boxer of the year 2009, the Navy man has seen it all. "It was a watershed year in my career. Of the six times I took the ring in an international competition, four times I returned with gold and once a bronze. The most memorable, of course, was the gold in Asian Boxing Championships for India after a gap of 15 years," the 2009 national champion fondly recalled. What Suranjoy can never ever forget are those excruciating four years (2004 to 2008) when he got stuck in doldrums. The albatross of stagnation hung around his neck and frustration kept hovering around his being. No matter how hard he would try, there seemed no way out. Niggling injuries, being dropped and at times bad luck - his miseries seemed unending.

But, the gritty sailor kept on charting unknown waters because he knew boxing, as is sailing, is a lonely sport and you cannot afford to lose hope. Hope came as AIBA changed the format to three rounds of three minutes each and this time Suranjoy found the wind behind his sails. "The change in format turned the tide for me. It suited my aggressive style. I worked on my stamina and strength and remained positive even if I was losing initially. Luckily, by the end of 2008, results started pouring in." The inherent advantage of being a southpaw and amazing reflexes lend an edge to his attacking and counterattacking game. "Off late, he has worked hard to pack power in his punches and that has made him even better," said Services coach C Kuttapa. "He is focused and has a good chance of pulling it off in the CWG, if he fights to his potential. He won a gold in Commonwealth Championships in March this year and the competition is going to be more or less the same in Delhi. Still, he has to be cautious against new boxers in the fray," chief national coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu said. Delhi Games may just be a stop over before Suranjoy moves on to the next and bigger destination in China ( Asian Games). But, Suranjoy's big ambition is to make a mark at the London Olympics two years from now.

Suranjoy Singh with Coach

X-factor

Don't go by the rankings - Suranjoy has been riding the crest for the past one year and winning medals with consistency. He even got a standing ovation after the final in a competition in Cuba this year for his aggressive skills and was awarded the 'Best Fighter' award. The form he is in, a standout show in Delhi Games is on the cards although he will have to keep a watch on Welsh opponent Daniel Chapman whom he defeated in the Commonwealth Championships semifinals this year.

Trivia

Belonging to Uchiwa village of Imphal district in Manipur, the flyweight boxer is popularly known as 'Chota Tyson' among his mates, after the legendary heavyweight. He has got the same looks, aggro and attitude inside the ring. Sporting tattoos on both shoulders - boxing gloves on his left and a fire-spewing dragon on the right - he says, "Sometimes, I just can't resist going all out after an opponent." He took up the sport emulating his elder brother M Suranjit Singh, also a former international boxer.

M Suranjoy Singh World rank 13 (in 51kg)

Record:

2010:
- Commonwealth Boxing Championships, New Delhi Gold
- Training-cum-competition in Cuba Silver and 'Best Fighter' award

2009:
- Chemistry Cup Halle/Saale, Germany Bronze
- European GP in Usti Nad Labem, Czech Republic Gold
- Asian Boxing Championships in Zhuhai, China Gold
- The President's Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan Gold
- National Championship Winner in flyweight category

2008:
- Chemistry Cup Bronze
- World Military Championship Silver

2004:
- Junior World Championships Bronze. 

Arsenal 6 - 0 Braga

Fabregas celebrates his penalty with fellow goalscorer Chamakh

Arsenal got their bid for a first Champions League triumph off to the perfect start at the Emirates with a dismantling of Portuguese side Braga. The Gunners took seven minutes to go ahead, Cesc Fabregas scoring from the spot after a foul on Marouane Chamakh. Andrey Arshavin slammed in Fabregas's sublime pass, before Jack Wilshere superbly set up Chamakh to drill home. Fabregas headed in to make it 4-0 and Carlos Vela dinked in a fifth before he stroked home another to wrap things up. It was a display that epitomised everything boss Arsene Wenger holds dear as his Gunners team tore the Champions League debutants apart. Arsenal brought their usual magnetic passing game to the European curtain-raiser, but they seemed to raise their level a notch above the norm with some fabulous interchanges that saw Braga spend most of the evening chasing shadows. Wenger's side are chasing an 11th successive place in the last 16 of the competition and in a group also containing Shakhtar Donetsk and Partizan Belgrade there is little to suggest they will fail to make it beyond the group stage. In front of an expectant Emirates Stadium crowd Arsenal were immediately into their stride and Braga, making their debut in the competition, looked overawed as a Fabregas-inspired Gunners swarmed all over them. The Spaniard had a penalty appeal rejected after only three minutes and soon after it was from his pass that Braga keeper Felipe brought down Chamakh, Fabregas stepping up to slot home for his first goal of the season.

Vela lifts the ball over Felipe for Arsenal's fifth

The visitors found themselves trying to repel wave after wave of Arsenal attack and while Braga occasionally looked threatening on the break, both Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci dealt comfortably with whatever was thrown at them. With half an hour gone they doubled their advantage as Fabregas jinked past two static defenders and slid in Arshavin down the left, the Russian drilling under Felipe to make it 2-0. That soon became three as the Gunners scored a goal few inside the stadium are likely to forget in a hurry. Another fine passing move at pace saw Bacary Sagna's cross from the right half-cleared, only for Arshavin to clip it to Chamakh, who laid it off and then collected a gorgeous back-heeled flick from Wilshere to crash past a flailing Felipe. 

After the break it was a damage limitation exercise for Braga, but Arsenal still found gaping holes in their defence and one such opportunity enabled an unmarked Fabregas to head in Arshavin's cross from the left. Fabregas had another shot cleared off the line and Arshavin rifled against the post, before Mexican striker Vela came on to inflict further misery on the visitors. He first produced a classy, clipped finish to convert Arshavin's fine pass and then took advantage of Fabregas's generosity to knock in a sixth. Bigger tests await Wenger and his team in Europe this season, but they could barely have got off to a more emphatic start.

Barry Ferguson may yet end his Scotland exile

Former Scotland captain Ferguson could yet make a return to the national team

Former Scotland captain Barry Ferguson has not ruled out a return to international football. The Birmingham City midfielder told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound on Wednesday that it "hurt" not being part of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign. "You can never say never in football. I don't have a fear of going out and being booed," said Ferguson, 32. "It was the way it ended; I thought it was childish, to be told you will not represent your country again by fax." Ferguson was banned by the Scottish Football Association for taking part in a late-night drinking session at the Scotland team's hotel and making gestures to the media while sitting at Hampden as a substitute against Iceland when George Burley was in charge of the national team. "I held my hands up. I was stupid," said the former Rangers and Blackburn playmaker. "People can have a go and say I was having a go at the fans. That was nonsense. I made a stupid decision in the game, doing what I did in front of the media. "I let my family and the nation down. "I would have accepted the decision if someone had picked up the phone and said, 'You are finished with Scotland because of your antics at the game'. 

"But to captain Scotland is the pinnacle of your career, is it not?" If the reaction of the Tartan Army does not faze Ferguson, the stumbling blocks to a return seem to be the handling of the hotel and Hampden incidents by the SFA and the extra strain on his body that would accompany international football. Ferguson's family still live in central Scotland and he travels north from the Midlands whenever possible to be at home. He added: "When I signed for Birmingham my only concern was to play for them. Moving away from my family, the manager gave me time to come back up the road. "My break from internationals gives me more time to spend time with the family. "But to be asked back, it does play on your mind. It's not an easy decision to make." Scotland manager Craig Levein has stated that he would like to have Ferguson back in the squad, but had given up hope on the central midfielder changing his mind. Levein told BBC Scotland in July: "I wanted to give him an opportunity and he declined that opportunity. I don't see a way back from that." Ferguson, with 45 caps for his country, recalled: "Craig came down and we had a great chat. "He's a guy I have a lot of respect for. He wanted an answer before the Sweden game and my answer was 'no'. "Craig knows that I will speak to him. His words were, 'the door will never be shut'. "The time I spent with him down at the Birmingham training ground for two hours, I got a great feeling off him. It never leaves you - you always want to represent your country. "Watching the games, you want to be out there helping Scotland get to a major European finals. It does hurt not being part of it." A revitalised figure since his move to join Alex McLeish at Birmingham, Ferguson says he is in the best shape of his career and wants to enjoy his football all the more as the years pass. "Plenty of people have knocked me down. It's how you get back," he said. "I had that when I moved back up from Blackburn. There were a lot of Rangers fans that weren't happy but I had to go out and show them that I could still play.

Allan McGregor (r) has returned for Scotland. Will Ferguson follow?

"I feel a different person from what I was. "I don't know if it's getting away from carrying Rangers on my back everywhere I went, in terms of being the captain for seven or eight years. "But at the same time I loved every minute of it, and it was the same with Scotland." The player revealed he has not discussed a return to the Scotland squad with Kris Boyd or Lee McCulloch, who had asked not be selected under Burley's reign. Ferguson is a team-mate of James McFadden's at Birmingham and saw the effect on him of the press criticism of his performance in dark blue in the Euro qualifier against Liechtenstein. 

"The things in the press about Faddy put him under pressure," he said. "I saw him when he came down after the game. He was down in the dumps. It does affect you. "I said the best thing to do is go out on Sunday (against Liverpool) and show what you can do. He went out and he was superb."

Amir Khan reveals title defence against Marcos Maidana

Amir Khan has said he is set to defend his WBA light-welterweight title against Marcos Maidana on 11 December. Argentina's Maidana, 27, is the Briton's mandatory challenger, whose impressive record includes 27 knockouts from 29 wins, and only one defeat. Khan revealed on Twitter: "All the legality work for the next fight has been done and signed by both parties." The 23-year-old California-based Bolton fighter defeated Paulie Malignaggi in his last outing in New York in May. It was Khan's first fight in the United States and after he stopped Malignaggi in his home city in the 11th round, he vowed not to leave the light-welterweight division until he had unified it.  Maidana fought more recently, in August, and went the distance for only the third time in his career to clinch a unanimous points victory over DeMarcus Corley. Khan, who had claimed Maidana was pricing himself out of the fight, wanted to bring the contest to England. However, although a venue has yet to be decided, although Las Vegas is rumoured to be favourite with Khan reportedly making the concession to get the bout agreed.

Andrew Flintoff calls time on cricket career

The injury-plagued all-rounder, 32, revealed the decision came after consultation with medical advisers.

Andrew Flintoff has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket "with disappointment and sadness". The injury-plagued all-rounder, 32, revealed the decision came after consultation with medical advisers. He said: "Having been told my body would no longer stand up to the rigours of cricket, I had no alternative." Lancashire star Flintoff played a key role in England's Ashes successes of 2005 and 2009 but had been dogged by knee problems in recent years. He added in a statement: "I was told the problems I have been trying to overcome in rehab for the last year, following the latest of a series of operations, would not recover sufficiently to allow a comeback. "I would like to thank my family, Lancashire, England, all my sponsors, friends and advisers for all the help and support they have given me throughout my career. "Last, but by no means least, I am indebted to the encouragement and support I have always received from England's magnificent supporters. "I will now be taking a break before deciding which future direction to take." 

Flintoff retired from Test cricket at the end of the 2009 Ashes series, having another knee operation two days later, while turning down the offer of a new central contract from the England and Wales Cricket Board. However, he repeatedly expressed his desire "to be the best one-day player in the world" and underlined his continued commitment to his country for limited-overs matches. Flintoff signed a new three-year contract with Lancashire in November 2009 while undergoing injury rehabilitation in Dubai but was forced to call off a planned comeback for the county's 2nd XI this summer. Although he was named in Indian Premier League side Chennai Super Kings' provisional squad for the Champions League Twenty20, and his agent Andrew Chandler revealed that Flintoff was close to signing a deal to play domestic Twenty20 cricket for Queensland, fears grew that he might never represent England again. 

In 79 Tests, he scored 3,845 runs at an average of 31.77, with five centuries - and although he captured 226 wickets at 32.78, he only took five wickets in an innings on three occasions. Born in Preston, Flintoff made his reputation in schoolboy cricket as a hard-hitting right-hander and right-arm fast bowler and he made his Test debut against South Africa in July 1998 at the age of 20. England had struggled for much of the 1990s as Australia became the pre-eminent power of the cricketing world, and Flintoff was the latest of a number of all-rounders weighed down under the expectation of being "the new Ian Botham". In his early career, he was often criticised for seemingly carrying too much weight - and his famous response was to celebrate a one-day international victory over India in Mumbai in 2002 by removing his shirt and waving it above his head. Injuries had deprived Flintoff of the chance to play against Australia in his early England career - but as the side grew in confidence under coach Duncan Fletcher, the Lancastrian's finest hour came in 2005.

Want to Know His records on ODI, TEST, TWENTY20 Formats

Tuesday's Champions League review

Messi and Villa got Barcelona's campaign off to a fine start

Holders Inter Milan were involved in a thriller on their return to Champions League action as Rafael Benitez's side were held 2-2 at Dutch debutants FC Twente. BBC Sport rounds up the action on the first Champions League proper night of the season, including a brace for last term's top scorer Lionel Messi in Barcelona's win over Panathinaikos. 

Gourp A

Under former Liverpool boss Benitez, Inter enjoyed a rollercoaster start to the defence of their title at Michel Preud'homme's FC Twente as the Eredivisie outfit made a great start to life in Europe's premier club competition. After Wesley Sneijder gave Inter an early lead the Dutch hit back and went ahead thanks to a brilliant Theo Janssen free-kick and a headed own goal from Diego Milito. Samuel Eto'o spared Benitez and Inter's blushes by bagging his 20th Champions League goal before the break as it ended 2-2. In the group's other game, Tottenham earned a 2-2 draw at Werder Bremen in their first Champions League group stage fixture. A Petri Pasanen own goal and a Peter Crouch header put Spurs 2-0 ahead, only for Hugo Almeida and Marko Marin goals to earn the German team a point. 

Group B

Portuguese giants Benfica got their campaign off to a flier with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Hapoel Tev-Aviv at the Estadio da Luz.

There was Champions League misery for all-time top scorer Raul

Anderson Luisao put the hosts ahead with the 5,000th goal in the Champions League, before Paraguayan striker Oscar Cardozo doubled the lead halfway through the second half. Lyon joined Benfica at the top of Group B on three points with a slender 1-0 victory at home against German side Schalke, who saw strike pair Raul and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar draw a blank. Michel Bastos put the French side ahead and Schalke had Benedikt Hoewedes sent off before the break as Lyon held on to triumph.

Group C

Valencia raced to the top of Group C with a thumping win in the Ataturk Stadium in Turkey against Champions League debutants Bursaspor. Tino Costa, Aritz Aduriz, Pablo Hernandez and Roberto Soldado got the goals as Unai Emery's team continued to prove there is life after David Villa and David Silva with a resounding 4-0 victory. Manchester United were forced to settle for a point in their home game against Scottish champions Rangers as they played out a goalless draw at Old Trafford. United, who made 10 changes from their 3-3 draw at Everton on Saturday, could not break down a stubborn Rangers rearguard and they also saw winger Antonio Valencia stretchered off with a serious-looking injury in the second half.

Group D

The 2006 and 2009 champions Barcelona fell behind early on at home to Panathinaikos, but they recovered to record a comprehensive 5-1 win over the Greek side. Sidney Govou fired home from Djibril Cisse's flick to stun the Camp Nou, but Messi slotted in to level, David Villa swept in a second and Messi fired home to make it 3-1. The Argentine blew his chance of a hat-trick when Alexandros Tzorvas saved his penalty, but Barca still added gloss to the scoreline with second-half goals from Pedro and Dani Alves. Danes FC Copenhagen joined them on three points with a surprise 1-0 victory at home against dark horses Rubin Kazan, the Russian outfit that impressed last season. Senegalese striker Dame N'Doye left it late to score the winner, heading home a free-kick with only three minutes left.

PHIL MINSHULL'S BLOG 

The Champions League appears to be fulfilling Michel Platini's ambition for the competition to become just a little more democratic.

Champions League results

14 Sep 2010 23:59 UK

Barcelona 5-1 Panathinaikos FT
Benfica 2-0 Hapoel Tel-Aviv FT
Bursaspor 0-4 Valencia FT
FC Copenhagen 1-0 Rubin Kazan FT
FC Twente 2-2 Inter Milan FT
Lyon 1-0 Schalke 04 FT
Man Utd 0-0 Rangers FT 
Werder Bremen 2-2 Tottenham FT

Somerset take control in Durham

Marcus Trescothick plays through the off side during his 75 at Chester-le-Street

Somerset took charge against Durham on day two at Chester-le-Street to boost their chances of the winning the County Championship for the first time. After resuming on 132-2, the hosts were bowled out for 286, with Ben Phillips picking up 4-60. The visitors then reached 226-4 by the close, with Marcus Trescothick making 75 and Nick Compton 46. Somerset's four bonus points sees them replace Nottinghamshire at the top of the Division One table. After a frustrating first day, Somerset made immediate inroads on the resumption when Alfonso Thomas had Dale Benkenstein caught at slip by Trescothick. Gordon Muchall (37) followed soon after, but the visitors were held up by useful contributions from Phil Mustard (42), Ben Harmison (35) and Ian Blackwell (23). However, Phillips and Charl Willoughby (3-81) mopped up the tail with the second new ball as Durham lost their last three wickets for nine runs.

Trescothick shared an opening stand of 48 with Arul Suppiah, who was caught and bowled by Liam Plunkett to signal the beginning of a second-wicket partnership of 84 between the Somerset skipper and Compton. Trescothick fell to Harmison shortly after a short break for rain, with Compton trapped lbw by the same man soon after. Craig Kieswetter could only contribute 10 before he swiped across the line to Chris Rushworth, but Peter Trego (33 not out) and James Hildreth (31 not out) combined for an unbroken stand of 46 that took Somerset to the close.

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Emirates Ground:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Durham 286, Somerset 226-4
Durham 3pts, Somerset 4pts

Match ScoreBoard 

 

Man Utd 0 - 0 Rangers

Wayne Rooney endured a frustrating return to United's starting line-up

Wayne Rooney's return failed to inspire Manchester United as they were frustrated by the defensive defiance of Rangers in the Champions League at Old Trafford. Rooney was back in action after being left out at Everton on Saturday in the aftermath of allegations about his private life as United manager Sir Alex Ferguson surprisingly made 10 changes from the team that drew at Goodison Park. And he was a subdued figure as United ran into the massed ranks of a Rangers rearguard action, with the Scottish champions sticking doggedly to the gameplan devised by boss Walter Smith. United, with Ryan Giggs a substitute and Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov not even on the bench, rarely looked like piercing the Rangers defence and were eventually reliant on the long-range efforts of Darron Gibson as their only serious source of threat. Ferguson will at least be able to reflect on the positive note of Rio Ferdinand playing his first 90 minutes of senior action since sustaining a knee injury at the World Cup - but a serious ankle injury suffered by Antonio Valencia in the second half cast a further shadow over a subdued Old Trafford evening.

Rangers did not mount a serious threat to Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak, deputising for the rested Edwin van der Sar, preferring instead to concentrate on securing a crucial point from their opening group game. And it was a ploy met with total satisfaction by the Rangers fans as they celebrated the draw after six tense minutes of stoppage time as a result of Valencia's injury. Ferguson will be left to reflect on a disappointing opening result and on a team selection that resulted in United running out of ideas long before the final whistle sounded. Ferguson's wholesale reshuffle of resources did not persuade Rangers to depart from their trademark European gameplan of blanket defence - and the opening period soon became a war of attrition between attack and defence. Rangers striker Kenny Miller cut a lonely figure as goalkeeper Allan McGregor was protected by the massed ranks of Smith's well-drilled rearguard. Javier Hernandez almost broke through with a header that flashed just wide early on before Rooney failed to find him in the area with an opportunity he may have been better accepting himself. 

Gibson's powerful shooting was offering United's best hope as he was narrowly off target from distance either side of the interval. There was an anxious moment for United late in the first half when Rooney pulled up after appearing to turn his ankle but he was able to shrug off the problem and resume after the break as the familiar pattern continued. United then suffered a blow when Valencia sustained a serious ankle injury after a challenge with Kirk Broadfoot. Valencia's colleagues appeared to place no blame whatsoever on the Rangers defender, who also looked distressed after the incident. Giggs replaced Valencia after a lengthy break in play while he was placed on to a stretcher by medical staff and taken away to sympathetic applause. Rangers had shown rare signs of ambition in the second half and they were furious when referee Olegario Benquerenca ignored claims for a penalty as Broadfoot went down in the area under Chris Smalling's awkward challenge. Ferguson had seen enough of United's struggles to break down the Rangers defence and decided on a double change with less than 20 minutes left, sending on Michael Owen and Jonny Evans for Ji-Sung Park and Fabio. Rangers made a change of their own as the clock ticked down, replacing the tireless Miller, who had fought against the odds all evening, with Kyle Lafferty. And he simply took on the role of workhorse Miller as Rangers survived in comfort to earn a well-deserved draw.

Put your questions to Neil Robertson

Can Robertson rule the baize again in the new campaign?

Neil Robertson is waiting for your questions about snooker. It was only four months ago that the Australian conquered Graeme Dott in the early hours of the morning at the Crucible to become champion of the world. Glory in Sheffield meant Robertson was the first player outside the UK and Ireland since Cliff Thorburn in 1980 to win the championship. The 28-year-old from Melbourne was also the first down under star since Eddie Charlton for 35 years to make the final. With the Shanghai Masters kicking off the first of seven ranking events in a new campaign, the revamped World Open is next up in Glasgow, followed by a number of new and innovative quick-fire competitions along with the old favourites.  Send in your questions for Neil to mark.ashenden.01@bbc.co.uk or on BBC Sport's Mark Ashenden's Twitter by lunchtime on Thursday 16 September. The best ones will be answered and published ahead of this weekend's World Open.

Ryder Cup form watch

Europe take on the United States in the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor from 1-3 October. The US won the 37th staging of the event 16½-11½ on home soil at Valhalla in Kentucky. The teams of 12 have been selected but how are the golfers playing as the showdown in Wales approaches? 

Ryder Cup Players

LEE WESTWOOD Still sidelined by the calf injury which forced him to pull out of the USPGA in July. Unlikely to play a tournament before Celtic Manor so his form is the great unknown. Remains highest-ranked European despite his rest.

RORY McILROY Europe's golden boy made a miserable start to the BMW Championship but recovered well with under-par rounds on the last two days.

MARTIN KAYMER Quickly becoming Monty's key man. The European Tour number one and world number five followed up his victory at the USPGA with a four-shot triumph at the KLM Open on Sunday.

GRAEME McDOWELL The 2010 US Open champion has form at Celtic Manor having won the Wales Open there earlier this season. He's been resting since missing the cut at the USPGA in mid-August but heads to Austria this week to get some golf under his belt.

IAN POULTER Remained in contention at the BMW Championship for the first three rounds but he tumbled down the leaderboard after a triple bogey eight at the par-five 11th in the final round to finish seven shots behind winner Dustin Johnson. With only the top 30 in the FedEx standings playing in the season-ending Tour Championship, Poulter's demise means he misses out.

ROSS FISHER Blew hot and cold at the KLM Open, following an opening-day 65 with a 74 in the second round. But four birdies on the back nine on Sunday took him into a tie for 11th.

FRANCESCO MOLINARI A solid showing at the KLM Open, where a final-round 66 fired him into a tie for eighth place.

PETER HANSON Sat out the KLM Open but won the Czech Open last month and has been a consistent presence on leaderboards all season.

MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ A well-deserved week off after his triumph in the European Masters earlier this month.

PADRAIG HARRINGTON Did not play last week after failing to qualify for the BMW Championship in the US Tour's end-of-season Fed Ex Cup play-off series. Missed the cut at the Deutsche Bank Championship the previous week and has signed up for the Vivendi Trophy in Paris in a bid to find form. Dropped out of world top-20 for the first time in four years on Monday.

LUKE DONALD Like Poulter, Donald was in contention for the first three rounds of the BMW Championship but a disastrous 42 on the back nine of his final round dropped him back to three over. However, he is seventh in the FedEx standings and will play in the Tour Championship.

EDOARDO MOLINARI Had his feet up last week but finished second and first in his previous two events and is in the form of his life.

PHIL MICKELSON 'Lefty' hit a closing four-under-par 67 at the BMW Championship to tie for eighth - his first top-10 finish since the US Open in June. Mickelson won the Tour Championship last season and if he does so again next week, he could overtake Tiger Woods as world number one.

HUNTER MAHAN Won the Bridgestone Invitational in August but dropped from eighth to 15th in the FedEx rankings after finishing tied 37th at the BMW Championship. He was three under at halfway but a 75 and 73 saw him fall away.

BUBBA WATSON Never in contention at Cog Hill in Chicago. Three rounds over par, including a six over 77 in the final round ensured Watson finished well down the field, in a tie for 50th. Will be at the Tour Championship finale though as he is 18th in the standings.

JIM FURYK A solid, if unspectacular week for Furyk who sank 15 birdies, but dropped almost as many shots to finish at one under par at the BMW Championship in Chicago. Comfortably into the Tour Championship though with an 11th place in the rankings.

STEVE STRICKER Another excellent week for Stricker who shot a final round of 70 to give him a top-10 finish in Chicago. He is one of five players, along with Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Paul Casey and Charley Hoffman, who will win the FedExCup if they are victorious at East Lake next week.

DUSTIN JOHNSON Produced a flawless back nine at Cog Hill to overtake England's Paul Casey, who had led by three shots at one point, and win the BMW Championship. A birdie on the 17th helped him to a one-shot victory and his second Tour win of the season. Narrowly missed out on a play-off spot in the USPGA at Whistling Straights but is now up to a career-high 12th in the world. Excellent form.

JEFF OVERTON Overton failed to recover from a second-round five-over-par 76 as he finished well down the leaderboard in a tie for 57th at Cog Hill. Did just enough though to stay inside the top 30 and qualify for the Tour Championship.

MATT KUCHAR Goes into the Tour Championship as the FedEx play-offs leader after finishing tied for third at the BMW Championship having already won the Barclays. Strong performance in the USPGA and is in the form of his life.

TIGER WOODS Has already turned his attentions to the Ryder Cup after failing to qualify for the Tour Championship. Wildcard Woods shot a one-under-par 70 in his final round at Cog Hill but it was not enough to catapult him into the top 30 in the FedEx standings and move into the final PGA tournament of the season. World number one ranking under threat from team-mate Mickelson.

ZACH JOHNSON Failed to capitalise on five-under-par third round, which featured a run of five consecutive birdies. In with a shout on four under par going into round four, Johnson played the back nine in 39 to finish one under. Comfortably qualified for the Tour Championship though.

STEWART CINK Another who failed to reach the Tour Championship. Cink needed a big weekend to move himself up the rankings, but never really got going after an encouraging one-under par opening round. Ten birdies and 10 bogeys for the week tells its own story as Cink finished 38th in the rankings.

RICKIE FOWLER Was 25th in the rankings going into the BMW Championship but fell seven places to miss out on the Tour Championship. Like Cink, although he had no truly disastrous rounds, none were under par.