Aishwarya’s latest still from ‘Endhiran’

The much awaited movie ‘Endhiran’ aka ‘Robot’ starring south superstar Rajnikanth and Aishwarya Rai will be released simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and other languages. This multi crore project is directed by Shankar and music is by AR Rahman.

This project promises to be the first of its kind in terms of CG (Computer Graphics), Special effects and Stunt Sequences. Top Notch technicians from Hollywood are being roped in for this movie making this project truly global.

Check out the latest still from the movie which reminds us of the same getup adopted by Aishwarya in her debut movie “Jeans” during “Kahene ko Saat Ajube” song near Piramid. How do you like Ash in this look? Let us know…

Sania blames injury for exit

India's Sania Mirza blamed a lack of match practice after being eliminated in the first round of the French Open here on Tuesday.

The world number 95 is trying to regain form after an injury-plagued 2008, but looked short of sharpness in a rain-hit 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) defeat to Kazakhstan's Galina Voskoboeva.

"It was tough conditions to play in, going on the court and then going off, and it was windy," said Mirza.

"I haven't had too much practice as well because I injured my wrist again after (the) Madrid (Open) and had to head back home and get that treated. And it's not one of my favourite surfaces to play on!

"But I take nothing away from her. She played really well, she served really well and I think that was the difference."

Mirza held to love in an emphatic opening service game before the heavens opened, forcing the players off with the score 1-1.

The 22-year-old surrendered her serve in the first game after the rain delay and spurned two chances to break back in game six, letting another two break points slip by at 4-3 down as Voskoboeva, 24, closed out the set.

The players exchanged breaks twice in the second set before Russia-born Voskoboeva, the world number 81, took advantage of her opponent's misfiring serve to clinch victory in the tie-break, sealing her win with an ace.

Voskoboeva will play Russian seventh seed Svetlana Kuznetsova in round two.

Mirza became the first female Indian player to earn in excess of one million US dollars in 2008, despite a season disrupted by a recurring wrist injury that caused her to miss last year's French Open.

Her Australian Open mixed doubles success in Melbourne this year, with partner Mahesh Bhupathi, made her the first Indian woman to win a Grand Slam title.

"The amount of people who came up to us and said congratulations - those kind of things are really small things, but they really mean a lot," Mirza said.

"A stranger walks up to you and says 'I'm so happy', because you won a tennis match. You bring smiles to people's faces.

"It's great support, because there's a lot of Indians out there trying to support you, but there's also a lot of pressure.

"That's the way it is though. They expect me to win every match I play, but I think I'm used to it now."

OTHER FIRST RD RESULTS
Women
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS x7) bt Claire Feuerstein (FRA) 6-1, 6-4

Jelena Jankovic (SRB x5) bt Petra Cetkovska (CZE) 6-2, 6-3

Petra Martic (CRO) bt Mara Santangelo (ITA) 6-4, 6-2

Melinda Czink (HUN) bt Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1

Sybille Bammer (AUT x28) bt Nathalie Dechy (FRA) 6-3, 7-6 (7/1)

Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) bt Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 6-1, 2-6, 8-6

Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN x24) bt Monica Niculescu (ROM) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x10) bt Vera Dushevina (RUS) 4-6, 7-5, 6-1

Men
Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG x5) bt Michael Llodra (FRA) 6-3, 6-3, 6-1

Marc Gicquel (FRA) bt Rainer Schuttler (GER x27) 6-0, 6-0, 6-4

Daniel Gimeno (ESP) bt Evgeny Korolev (RUS) 6-4 abandon

Victor Crivoi (ROM) bt Simon Greul (GER) 6-1, 7-6 (7/1), 6-2

Novak Djokovic (SRB x4) bt Nicolas Lapentti (ECU) 6-3, 3-1 abandon

Andreas Beck (GER) bt Ivan Navarro (ESP) 7-6 (11/9), 6-4, 6-1

Gael Monfils (FRA x11) bt Bobby Reynolds (USA) 6-2, 6-3, 6-1

India clear favourites: Manjrekar

Former Test player Sanjay Manjrekar put his money on defending champions India but pace great Wasim Akram reckons Pakistan, mostly bereft of international cricket, would be hungry for success in next month's ICC World Twenty20 in England.

Manjrekar had no doubt that Mahendra Singh Dhoni would lead the most formidable squad to try and defend the title they won in 2007 even though he was candid enough to admit it doesn't necessarily mean they would win the title again.

"India certainly look the strongest team on paper, even though that does not mean they would win the title again," Manjrekar said.

Reminded that India could not defend the ODI World Cup title which they had won in 1983 under Kapil Dev, Manjrekar said Dhoni's men were a much stronger unit and stood better chance to lift the trophy again.

"Soon after the 1983 World Cup, West Indies toured India and hammered us. Unlike them, Dhoni's team is strong enough to defend their title," Manjrekar said in a programme in which ESPN-Star Sports announced that the Twenty20 World Cup would be viewed in 216 countries across the globe.

Manjrekar felt this Indian team is stronger than the side that won the inaugural tournament in 2007 and dismissed notion they would be bogged down by the pressure of defending the title.

Juve seal Diego signing

Juventus announced on Tuesday the signing of Brazilian playmaker Diego from Werder Bremen for a fee of 24.5 million euros.

The 24-year-old has signed a deal until June 2014 having spent three years in Germany after joining the club from Portugal's Porto.

Diego's last match for Werder will be in the German Cup final against Bayer Leverkusen this weekend.

Over three seasons he played 84 league matches for Werder, scoring 38 goals and he has appeared for his country 15 times.

He has been bought to replace Czech veteran Pavel Nedved who is retiring at the end of the season.

Diego's fee will be paid over three seasons with an extra 2.5 million to be added on depending on his success with the Italians.

Serie A giants Juve are in the process of rebuilding having been relegated to Serie B in 2006 due to their role in a match-fixing scandal and administrative delegate Jean Claude Blanc said the Brazilian was an important part of that process.

"Due to his technical characteristics Diego is a fundamental part of the rebuilding of our team," he said.

"We've always said that we want to build a team of young players and talented ones and Diego exudes both qualities.

"Despite his age of 24 years he's a player of great experience with having already played at the highest level for seven years."

Diego started his career at Pele's old club Santos where as a teenager he formed a formidable attacking partnership with Robinho, now of Manchester City.

He moved to then Champions League holders Porto in 2004 as a replacement for the Barcelona-bound Deco.

However, his Porto experience soon turned sour as he found himself out of favour with Dutch coach Co Ariaanse and he signed for Bremen two years later for six million euros.

He won league titles with Santos in 2002 and Porto in 2006 as well as two Copa America titles with Brazil in 2004 and 2007.

UEFA Champions League Messi praises C'Ron

Barcelona star Lionel Messi will have the chance to watch Cristiano Ronaldo at close quarters on Wednesday after admitting the Manchester United winger is the one player he would pay to see in action.

Along with Ronaldo, Argentina forward Messi is widely regarded as one of the top two or three players in the world, and the duo will be the centre of attention in Wednesday's Champions League final in Rome.

But it is the Portuguese playmaker's flamboyant skills that most excite Messi when he sits down to watch a match on television.

"Manchester United have quality everywhere," Messi told the Daily Mail. "So many good players. But if I had to pick one out it would be Ronaldo. He is a player I would pay to watch.

"He and I are very different players but he is unbelievable, very special, and it will not be easy to stop him.

"But we must not pay all attention to him and forget about Berbatov, Rooney and Carlos Tevez.

"Manchester United have players all over the pitch who can punish you in the same way we have."

Messi also reaffirmed his loyalty to Barcelona and insisted he wants to remain with the club for the rest of his career.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to arch-rivals Real Madrid, but he has no intention of leaving Camp Nou.

"I have said so many times that I am so happy at Barcelona, and I have no desire to ever leave," he said.

"I owe them so much. I want to repay them for the rest of my career. I am loyal to Barcelona.

"The doctors at home in Argentina told my parents I would never grow past 4ft 5in.

"The medical bills were very high. My father took on other jobs but even then it was not enough for the other bills.

"Nobody else was prepared to take a chance on me apart from Barcelona and if it was not for them I would not even be a professional football player."

Akhtar barred from T20 meet

Shoaib Akhtar has been barred from playing in the national Twenty20 tournament by the Pakistan board after they had him replaced in the World Twenty20 squad because he was suffering from a skin infection.

Shoaib had been named captain of the Islamabad Leopards squad two days after he was cut from the Pakistan team. A PCB official, however, said the board had informed the Islamabad Cricket Association (ICA) that Shoaib would be violating his central contract if he played for them despite medical advice advising 10 to 12 days' rest.

"The [Pakistan] board has sent us the medical report and a copy of the central contract, which states that a player playing against medical advice can be fined," Shakil Shaikh, president of the ICA, told Dawn.

Shoaib was initially a part of Pakistan's 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 but he missed the training camp in Bhurban because of a skin infection and was advised 10 days rest by a three-member medical panel appointed by the PCB. The panel's decision prompted the board to replace Akhtar with medium-pacer Rao Iftikhar Anjum.

Prior, Shah lift Eng

Matt Prior's one-day international best of 87 was the highlight of England's record total against the West Indies of 328 for seven at Edgbaston here on Tuesday.

Together with Owais Shah, who made an entertaining 75, wicketkeeper Prior put on 149 in 126 balls for the third wicket as England surpassed their previous ODI best against the West Indies of 306 for five at The Oval in 1995.

It was further proof, after their six-wicket win at Bristol on Sunday, that England could function effectively without injured stars Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen.

England captain Andrew Strauss (52) and Ravi Bopara (49) gave the hosts a solid start after West Indies captain Chris Gayle won the toss and chose to field in a match the tourists had to win to end the series all square at 1-1.

But first change Fidel Edwards, in his first over of the series, almost took a wicket when Strauss on 16, cut to backward point where Kieron Pollard, diving forward, failed to hold the difficult, low chance.

England's fifty came up in 62 balls and Bopara continued to find the boundary with some superb square-cuts and drives in a spell of four fours in nine balls faced.

But Bopara was one short of his fifty when, after pushing forward with an angled bat against Dwayne Bravo, the ball struck his pad before rolling onto his stumps.

Bopara's runs had come off 54 balls with seven fours and England were now 81 for one off 15 overs.

England captain Strauss though did get to fifty, off 65 balls with seven fours, but his next ball saw him stumped by wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin off giant left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn.

Strauss's Middlesex colleague Shah forced the pace by hammering Edwards so hard for four through mid-wicket that Ramnaresh Sarwan had to go off injured, after getting a hand to the bal.

Shah completed a run-a-ball fifty in flamboyant fashion with a wristily pulled six off Bravo, that also brought up a century partnership with Prior.

England's batting powerplay yielded 55 runs in five overs.

Shah then made the most of a free-hit to launch Jerome Taylor for six only to hole out next ball with England 289 fir five in the 46th over.

Paul Collingwood, on his 33rd birthday, took England past 300 with a four off Taylor before next ball striking the paceman for six.

ICC World Twenty20 England 09 T20 test for Ricky

Ricky Ponting flies to England on Wednesday as one of Australia's most accomplished Test and one-day players, but his reputation in the Twenty20 set-up is less certain. While Ponting is about to join previous heroes such as Steve Waugh, Allan Border and Don Bradman as players to have gone on four Ashes tours, his high standing as a modern batting master does not guarantee success in the game's shortest form.

Australia are carrying a relatively old, yet inexperienced, team to the World Twenty20 and when Ponting leads his men against West Indies on June 6 he will be playing only his 16th international. Often when this sort of engagement arrives Ponting takes a rest and his wild talents are much better suited to the longer styles. Seeing him attempt slogs so early in an innings is unfair on his style, although he is not a tortoise, scoring his 376 career runs at a strike-rate of 131.

Even Ponting, an undoubted great in the other environments, struggles when rating his performance in the freshest genre. "Batting where I do in the top order of Twenty20 cricket, it can sometimes be a bit difficult," he said during the team's pre-tour camp on the Sunshine Coast. "Obviously the earlier you get in the better chance you've got of making a big score but you're expected to play in a certain way. Top-order batsmen are always going to have their ups and downs in that sort of game."

Ponting has not passed 38 in his previous four Twenty20 matches and knows his record. "The past couple of games I've played have been very poor," he said. "In the two games in South Africa I made 1 in each. It's not great form going into a World Cup."

Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist showed in the IPL that age was no barrier in 40-over affairs and while Ponting is only 34, it's possible that he will not be embracing all three formats when the next Twenty20 World Cup is held in 2010. Australia's selectors have grown used to chopping older players from the one-day side if they are not going to be around for the next global tournament, but Ponting would not be drawn on when he would shave Twenty20 from his schedule.

He rejoined the Australia squad on Sunday after missing the series against Pakistan to rest and is fresh and excited ahead of the five-month trip to England. The World Twenty20 acts as a two-week warm-up for the Ashes in July, when Ponting will walk out hoping his developing Test squad can retain the urn after a side full of established personnel dominated England in 2006-07.

Ponting, Michael Clarke, Simon Katich and Brett Lee are only men in the current set-up who have played a Test in England and there is a strong desire to prepare the younger team members for the experience. "I'm embarking on my fourth Ashes tour, so I've been around the block," Ponting said. "It will be important to me to get to the younger guys to talk about what to expect when we arrive."

The first stages of the preparation started on Sunday when most of the Twenty20 squad members, who depart on Wednesday, and national contract holders arrived in Coolum. There are a few missing faces with Andrew Symonds and Cameron White still in South Africa after their IPL commitments while Michael Hussey joined his team-mates on Monday night. Hussey crossed the Indian Ocean twice in the past week after making himself available for Chennai's semi-final, but he was not considered good enough to be picked and returned home.

Shane Watson, who must prove his fitness from a groin injury over the next month to make the Ashes tour, had a light work on Monday and Ponting said he should be available to bowl during the Twenty20 tournament. However, Ponting said what happened over the next month would not guarantee spots for the Ashes. "I don't think you can take much out of Twenty20 form ahead of Test matches," he said. "We've got two tour games and that will be the best chance to get a look at the guys who will play in the Tests. We'll start thinking of the Ashes make-up in the tour games."

Yanks and more: Game 46: Yankees at Rangers

Yanks and more: Game 46: Yankees at Rangers

Cyclone death toll rises to 94

Death toll from Cyclone Aila rose to 94 following recovery of more bodies from different cyclone-battered coastal districts in Bangladesh.

Of them, 23 were killed in Satkhira, 20 in Khulna, 18 in Noakhali, nine in Barisal, six in Patuakhali, five each in Laxmipur and Bhola, three in Narshindi, two each in Bagerhat and Chapainawabganj, and other one in Natore during and after the cyclone.

The cyclone Aila that hit the country’s coastal belt yesterday claimed 23 lives in Satkhira, according to unofficial reports.

District administration however put the initial death figure at 17 in the morning.

According to unofficial sources, at least 18 people were killed in the cyclone Aila in Hatiya and adjacent areas of the Noakhali district.

But the officer-in-charge of Hatiya Police Station confirmed only seven deaths in, adding four names to earlier figure.

He identified the latest victims as an infant and Rabi Das, 5, at Char Bashar; Sajib, 5, at Bandar Tila of Nijhum Dwip, and Ambia, 55, at Boyar Char.

Unofficial sources identified the deceased as Rahela Begum, 26, and Nazma, 10, of Nijhum Dwip, Pantu, 15, Riyad, 7, Shafi, 6, Nafis, 27, Badsha, 3, Saleha Begum, 60, Sumita Roy, 25, and Mamata, 4, of Char Bashar, Rajib, 24, and Arif, 17, of Boyar Char, Farzana, 26, Jahir, 16, Sabbir, 15, Saju, 3, and an unidentified adolescent boy of Caring Char, and Maleka Khatun, 60, at Chairman Ghat shelter home.

In Laxmipur, the death toll from cyclone rose to five.

Of them, four were killed in house collapse in Ramgati upazila during the storm and one was washed away in Sadar upazila, according to the deputy commissioner's control room source.

The dead were identified as Amena Begum, 48, wife of Ayub Ali, and Shahida Begum, 11, of Chargazaria village, Russell, 13, and his brother Henju, 7, of Teliarchar village in Ramgati upazila and Shafiq, 35, of Shakchar village in Sadar upazila.

In Patuakhali, death toll rose to six today with four more deaths in separate places.

The deceased were identified as Razzaq, 55, of Baufal upazila, Mojijunnesa, 55, and Surjo Banu, 50, of Golachipa upazila and a nine-year-old girl Doli Rani of Dashmina upazila.

Local sources said Razzaq died of stroke when he reached at a shelter centre at Dhalia in Baufal upazila at 7:30pm yesterday.

The bodies of the two women and the girl, who drowned in floodwater on Monday, were recovered this morning.

A body was recovered today in Bhola raising the death toll of the district from the cyclone to five, reports our Barisal correspondent.

The deceased was identified as Idris Ali, 55.

Barguna DC Swapan Kumar Sarkar told The Daily Star this morning that a rescue team of naval forces started journey for the affected areas.

According to official sources, eight more bodies were recovered today in Mehendiganj upazila in Barisal bringing the district's death toll to nine.

Of the deceased, Setara Begum, 55, Abdul Latif, 60, and Julia, 4, were identified.

In Bagerhat, bodies of two women, who were washed away by the tidal surge when cyclone ‘Aila’ lashed the district yesterday, were recovered today.

The deceased were identified as Jahanara Begum, 80, of Tulatola of Morelganj upazila and Chandra Banu, 60, of Dakkhin Chathalbari of Shoronkhola upazila.

Besides, Over 2,000 thatched houses of low-lying areas in Sadar, Morelganj, Mongla, Rampal, Shoronkhola and Kachua upazilas of the district were inundated due to tidal surge of up to 5-6 feet above normal astronomical tide.

Four people were killed in Narsingdi as a boat, carrying them, capsized in Meghna river during the havoc of the cyclone.

In Chapainawabganj, a couple were killed in a rain-induced wall collapse in Nachole upazila.

The victims were identified as Fazlur Rahman, 51, and his wife Marzina Begum, 40, of Hatathpara village in the upazila, our Chapainawabganj correspondent reports.

Another one person was reportedly killed in Natore as ‘Aila’ lashed the district yesterday.

Related News

• Satkhira struck badly - Print
• 18 killed as Cyclone Aila lashes coast - Print
• Aila forces to postpone HSC exams in 9 upazilas - Online

Gilly bats for Simmo

Victorious Deccan Chargers captain Adam Gilchrist said Monday he was surprised star all-rounder Andrew Symonds was not in the Australia Ashes squad.

Reflecting on his team's six-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League final Sunday, Gilchrist said Symonds had been a key player, not least when he took the wickets of Ross Taylor and Virat Kohli with successive balls to halt what seemed a Bangalore cruise to the title.

"He'd be in my team," said Gilchrist, who gave Symonds a glowing testimonial at odds with the player's "bad boy" reputation that cost him a place in the Australian squad against South Africa last season.

"Ever since I've played with Andrew Symonds he's been a real team man," said Gilchrist.

"You saw a glimpse of that last year when he only played four games - the respect he had from the Indian players and international players alike. He became an instant favourite in the squad.

"He's a great personality and a wonderful talent on the cricket field who can turn matches."

Gilchrist also had words of praise for VVS Laxman, the Indian Test star who was deposed as Deccan captain after the team finished bottom of the log last season.

"Although we made changes in the coaches and the captain, everyone in the squad bought into it, including VVS. He went through a lot emotionally. The captaincy was taken away from him and he only played five games, then the selectors decided we didn't need him."

Gilchrist said Laxman had remained a good team man despite being dropped.

"He continued to contribute around the group with his experience and his vast knowledge. He wants to learn to be a better Twenty20 player. That's a wonderful example to young players to see a player at his age wanting to evolve into a better player."

According to Gilchrist, Laxman worked with the team's coaches to improve his 20-over skills.

"It's not just the young kids who are learning all the time, it applies to all of us. VVS epitomises what this franchise is all about."

Gilchrist said the team's turnaround had been due to several factors, including emphasising to the players to "make sure every ball is the most important thing in their life at that moment".

Adding strike bowlers had provided back-up for RP Singh, the tournament's leading wicket-taker, with first West Indian Fidel Edwards, then Australian Ryan Harris contributing to the bowling firepower.

Gilchrist said the team's owners had played a role by agreeing to his requests for some changes in personnel.

"The main one was [coach] Darren Lehmann, who has a wonderful cricket brain."

He also brought Australian fielding coach Mike Young and fitness trainer Steve Smith on board.

Gilchrist, who has retired from cricket except the IPL, said he looking forward to watching the World Twenty20 in England next month.

"The players who have been here for the IPL will have an advantage - as long as they get a chance to freshen up and have some time off before playing in another tournament.

Barclays English Premier League Mascherano wants Tevez

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has told his Argentina team-mate Carlos Tevez to join him at Anfield.

Tevez looks set to leave Manchester United in the close-season after the Premier League champions failed to meet the 32 million pounds transfer fee being demanded by the group of investors who own the forward's economic rights.

Reports in England claim Liverpool are leading the race to sign Tevez and Reds midfielder Mascherano is desperate for the deal to go through.

Argentina captain Mascherano plays alongside Tevez at international level and also had a brief spell with the forward at West Ham in the 2006-07 season, so he knows how much the striker would help Liverpool's bid to dethrone United next season.

Mascherano said: "It would be great to have Carlos here with me, I know how good he is.

"But I don't really know what the situation is, it is certainly a difficult one.

"I don't know exactly what is happening. The only thing I can say is that he is a great player and a great person."

Mascherano will get the chance to persuade Tevez to move to Liverpool Tevez next month when Argentina have two World Cup qualifiers against Columbia and Ecuador.

He said: "I will be with Carlos in the national team shortly, and we know we have to win important games and if we can get six points from our next two matches we will be closer to the World Cup."

Whether they can end up at Anfield together next season is a question for Benitez and Liverpool's American owners.

But it is believed that Tevez does not want to move from his Cheshire home and intends staying in the Premier League if he does eventually leave Manchester United.

Mascherano admits Liverpool's failure to win the title despite losing only two matches was a massive frustration.

He said: "We wanted to win the league and we were very close, but we accept that Manchester United did very well also.

"It is difficult to take, because if you look at the table and you see Liverpool with 86 points, that's enough to win the league in many previous seasons.

"Previous champions have had less points than we had this season. But we have to improve, and we will be ready for next season after what has been a good campaign and better than the last four or five seasons beforehand.

"It is not easy knowing you have really good players and you finish only second, it is difficult to understand.

"We will have to see what happens now. We have the squad to compete in the league, but maybe if some new players came to improve the team it would be great for us next season. It does not need improving too much, maybe a little bit.

"We need to improve at home. We dropped a lot of points at home because we didn't have that experience to finish the games, but next season we will have the experience and maybe it will be better for us.

"You can see against the top sides we almost beat all of them. But at home we dropped a lot of points against Hull, Manchester City and Fulham.

"Winning those points could have won us the league."

Cannavaro bids farewell

Fabio Cannavaro took his leave of Real Madrid's fans on a losing note on Sunday but insisted he had enjoyed his time in Spain.

The Italian World Cup winning skipper was substituted 10 minutes into the second half of the 1-3 loss to Mallorca, the club's final home game of the season.

The fans gave him a solid round of applause which drew thanks afterwards from the player.

"I have had three fantastic seasons, it has been an incredible experience winning two leagues and being in the Real Madrid dressing room," Cannavaro said.

"I have always tried to be professional and give everything, I think the fans appreciate that and it was amazing to hear them chanting my name at the end.

"It was sad to finish my time at the club losing but after the defeat by Barcelona it has been very difficult for us to bounce back.

"The loss to Barcelona has definitely been the lowest point of my time here."

The 35-year-old world player of the year in 2006 following Italy's World Cup triumph in Germany has re-signed for Juventus for next season

Real began with plenty of possession but they lacked movement from Raul Gonzalez and Klass Huntelaar in attack.

They did get the breakthrough though when Gonzalo Higuain headed home after 20 minutes but Juan Arango equalised minutes later against the run of play.

Cleber Santana scored a superb goal, beating four players before clipping the ball into the top corner and then the victory was confirmed with another fine strike by Alhassane Keita.

England want series Final ODI against Windies today

England's momentum shows no sign of slowing after their impressive six-wicket win at Bristol Sunday and now their aim is to wrap up the three-match one-day series in style at Edgbaston on Tuesday before moving onto the ICC World Twenty20.

What will be even more pleasing for the management was that England won that second game at Bristol convincingly without Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff.

The bowling was impressive throughout, led by James Anderson and Stuart Broad, with Paul Collingwood nipping in with three key wickets. Andrew Strauss had a superb day in the field, too, when he introduced Graeme Swann against a charging Chris Gayle and the move paid off when Gayle missed a wild swing.

As good as England were, though, West Indies were awful. Their shot selection was woeful, the running poor and the general application gave a further impression of a team that isn't bothered. The decision to rest Fidel Edwards was also strange on one of the quickest pitches of the season so far. If Gayle can turn on the style in Birmingham they could yet level the series, but don't bet on it.

Graeme Swann is having a great time of things at the moment and has the wood over a number of West Indies batsmen. When his first ball at Bristol was planted over long-on by Gayle, Swann didn't panic and removed the West Indies captain next ball. Gayle is unlikely to hold back if faced with Swann again, so this duel could have a second chapter in the final game. Strauss certainly won't be afraid of throwing Swann the ball.

The one West Indies player who can hold their head high is Dwayne Bravo after he made an attractive half-century and bowled with heart. But as hard as he tried he couldn't rouse his teammates out of their slumber. Without a doubt, his return strengthens the team, but he needs much more support than was shown on Sunday.

TEAMS
ENGLAND (probable): Andrew Strauss (captain), Ravi Bopara, Matt Prior, Owais Shah, Paul Collingwood, Eoin Morgan, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Tim Bresnan, James Anderson.

WEST INDIES (probable): Chris Gayle (captain), Lendl Simmons, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Darren Sammy, Jerome Taylor, Sulieman Benn, Fidel Edwards.

Indian Premier League A Gilchrist glory

In the context of his overall career an Indian Premier League (IPL) title may not be the pinnacle, but Adam Gilchrist's contribution to Deccan Chargers' 2009 triumph will make this a truly special achievement.

During an international career that spanned almost 12 years the Australian wicketkeeper-batsman won three World Cups, three Ashes series and set many more records as an integral cog of the all-conquering Australian Test machine.

When he retired from international duty early last year he was widely heralded as the greatest wicketkeeper-batsman of all time, having revolutionised the role with explosive batting and exemplary glovework.

More than 12 months on, Gilchrist has reminded the world of his incredible talent, and added another string to his bow by exhibiting remarkable leadership qualities in turning the Chargers from chumps to champs.

Deccan finished bottom of the IPL table in 2008 after a miserable campaign in which they won just two of 14 matches, and little more was expected of them in the competition's second edition.

"We certainly felt at the start of the tournament that we were coming in as one of the least favoured teams," Gilchrist admitted after the Chargers beat Bangalore in the final Sunday.

"I really encouraged our team to try to play everything down and fly under the radar if you like, because we were happy with that, without having any expectations on us."

Indian fans will remember Gilchrist leading Australia to their first Test series win on Indian soil in 35 years as stand-in skipper for the injured Ricky Ponting back in 2004.

Having also served as vice-captain for a large part of his international career Gilchrist is clearly a natural leader, and his overwhelming success in his first full season as Deccan captain proved it.

Under his tutelage the Chargers raced out of the blocks, winning their first four matches before holding their nerve in the knock-out rounds to become the Twenty20 competition's second champions.

"The first thing I said at the start of our first meeting was, 'Guys, we're all in it together'," he reflected.

"That was my first line of our first team meeting and yeah, we're all going to enjoy this [victory] together."

As much as his leadership, Gilchrist's powerful hitting at the top of the order was crucial to Deccan's charge as he hammered 495 runs, the second highest tally in the tournament.

Reviving memories of the 2007 World Cup final when he single-handedly destroyed Sri Lanka in Barbados, the veteran blitzed an incredible 85 off just 35 deliveries Friday to dump much-fancied Delhi Daredevils out of the five-week Twenty20 extravaganza.

But perhaps most astonishing has been how sharp his wicketkeeping remains, an attribute that turned the final on its head when he brilliantly stumped Virat Kohli off the bowling of Andrew Symonds to take Deccan's second wicket in two balls.

Bought for 700,000 dollars in the IPL auction last year Gilchrist has been worth every cent, and while this may not equal the experience of winning World Cups the veteran is forced to admit that he's loved every moment.

"This is the only cricket I play now, so given what we went through last year, this is just a really tremendous effort from the whole franchise to turn it around. It's just been a great experience."

Nadal, Safina sail

Rafael Nadal, bidding for an historic fifth successive French Open title, swept into the second round on Monday while women's top seed Dinara Safina engineered a brutal centre court humiliation.

Top seed and world number one Nadal, sporting a bright pink shirt, saw off plucky Brazilian qualifier Marcos Daniel 7-5, 6-4, 6-3 to take his Roland Garros career record to 29 wins in 29 matches.

He will now face either Igor Kunitsyn or Teimuraz Gabashvili, both Russians, for a place in the last 32.

World number two Federer, the runner-up to Nadal in the last three finals, faces Spain's Alberto Martin later on Monday with the Swiss beginning his 11th attempt to win an elusive French Open title and complete a career Grand Slam.

Women's world number one Safina handed out a 6-0, 6-0 mauling to Anne Keothavong as the Russian's howitzer hitting ruthlessly exposed the Briton's glaring weaknesses.

Safina, the 2008 runner-up and bidding to win a maiden Grand Slam title, will face compatriot Vitalia Diatchenko, a qualifier, for a place in the last 32.

Keothavong, the world number 48, had come into the tournament buoyed by her performance in Warsaw last week where she became the first British woman in 26 years to make the semi-finals of a WTA claycourt event.

But her sun-blessed Roland Garros debut turned into a nightmare as Safina showed no mercy, racing to victory in just over an hour on the back of three breaks of serve in each set.

The 25-year-old Keothavong had the minor satisfaction of saving four match points before the world number one secured victory with another pinpoint, down-the-line forehand.

It was one of 16 winners for Safina compared to just two for the hapless Briton.

"I'm not going to go away and slit my wrists," said Keothavong.

"You have to find a way to laugh about it. What else is there to do? I'm sure there will be jokes about it, but I can take it."

Safina said it was hard to feel sympathy for her opponent.

"When we shook hands, she said: 'At least you could have given me one game'," revealed the Russian.

Also making progress were third seed Venus Williams, the 2002 runner-up, who saw off Amercian compatriot Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

China's Zheng Jie, the 15th seed and Thai veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn kept Asian interest alive, but Japanese 33-year-old Ai Sugiyama, playing in her 15th Roland Garros, went out 6-3, 6-2 to France's Aravane Rezai.

Maria Sharapova is due to make her first Grand Slam appearance since Wimbledon last year when she tackles Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus.

Elsewhere, in the men's first round, Russian 10th seed Nikolay Davydenko, twice a semi-finalist, eased past Austria's Stefan Koubek 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 with compatriot Mikhail Youzhny also advancing with a 7-6 (7/2), 6-1, 6-4 win over Luxembourg's Gilles Muller.

Maldini bids San Siro bye

Paolo Maldini's final match in front of the San Siro crowd ended in disappointment as AS Roma stunned AC Milan 3-2 on Sunday.

Maldini was making his last appearance in the red and black Milan shirt in front of his home fans but Francesco Totti's late free-kick pooped the party for the 40-year-old veteran, who made his debut for the club in 1985 as a 16-year-old.

And despite Massimo Ambrosini's brace in the final quarter of an hour, Roma snatched a vital three points that secured them a place in next season's Europa League.

The result didn't do anything, though, to stop Milan's fans paying homage to a player who has graced the San Siro pitch for 24 years.

No-one left the building as Maldini performed a lap of honour to rousing applause, although a small minority spoiled the atmosphere by chanting slogans against Maldini.

Even so, coach Carlo Ancelotti, who may too leave Milan at the end of the season, said it did nothing to detract from the generally generous reception the club captain received.

"A small minority protested against certain things he did. It was a drop in an ocean full of affection and passion, hence insignificant," he said before deflection talk of his own future.

"Today there's no reason to talk about that because we're still playing (there's one more match to play).

"We have a week to prepare well. Hence we will talk about all this after Florence (Milan's last game is away to Fiorentina)."

The hosts had the first clear chance of the game just before the half hour mark as Pato was sent clean through down the inside left channel. He opened up his body and brought the ball back onto his right foot to try to curl the ball around Roma goalkeeper Artur but the Brazilian got the slightest touch to deflect it wide.

That save proved crucial seven minutes later as Norway full-back John Arne Riise lashed home a vicious shot after David Pizarro rolled a free-kick into his path.

Roma should have gone into the break two up but Montenegro forward Mirko Vucinic wasted a glorious opportunity in the last minute, rushing his volleyed shot from 17 yards after Riise's deflected effort dropped over into his path.

Milan upped their tempo after the break with substitutes Clarence Seedorf and Ronaldinho bringing them some much-needed energy and invention.

On 68 minutes Kaka forced Artur into a fingertip save and then moments later Ronaldinho produced some magic on the left before teeing up Ambrosini but the midfielder couldn't get any power behind his header.

But soon after that the game exploded into life with Ambrosini to the fore.

On 75 minutes Artur saved Filippo Inzaghi's shot from Kaka's cross and Ambrosini swept home the loose ball.

But just five minutes later Roma were back in front as Jeremy Menez twisted and turned in the area before shooting across Dida into the far corner.

That lead lasted only a minute as Ambrosini was left unmarked at the back post to turn home Kaka's cross.

Yet back came Roma again and they took the lead for the third time when captain Francesco Totti thumped home a free-kick with five minutes to play.

In other games champions Inter Milan were beaten 2-1 at Cagliari while Juventus won for the first time in eight matches, 3-0 at Siena to jump above Milan into second.

Lecce will join already-relegated Reggina in Serie B next season after Martin Jorgensen's last minute equaliser for Fiorentina earnt them a 1-1 draw at Lecce.

Chievo secured their survival with a 0-0 draw against Bologna, who will have to wait until next weekend to see if they stay up.

Either they or Torino, who were beaten 3-2 at home to Genoa, will go down and they are level on 34 points.