Boucher injury scare ahead of England Tests - ESPN.co.uk
Mark Boucher required immediate surgery on his left eye after being struck by a bail on the opening day of South Africa's first tour match against Somerset at Taunton. Boucher suffered the injury when Gemaal Hussain was bowled by Imran Tahir at the end of the 46th over and the bail ricocheted into his face.
He was taken to the hospital minutes after leaving the field and, following assessment by an ophthalmologist, was booked in for surgery at 6pm on Monday evening. Team manager Dr Mohammed Moosajee said the full extent of the damage will only be known later.
AB de Villiers took over the wicketkeeping against Somerset but it seems highly likely that South Africa will have to call up another gloveman with Thami Tsolekile, who was nationally contracted from April 1, the likeliest candidate.
Tsolekile recently played for the South Africa A side in the two unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka A, and has also been named in the squad to travel to Ireland to shadow the senior side from the third Test onwards.
Tsolekile last played for South Africa in 2004 when he represented the country in three Tests, including one against England. Since then he has changed franchises from the Cape Town-based Cobras to the Johannesburg team, Lions, where he has spent the last three seasons. Tsolekile was earmarked as the successor to Boucher, who indicated he would retire after the England series, when he was awarded a central contract and was chosen to play for the A side.
He equalled the South African record for the most catches in a first-class innings when he claimed eight in the first innings of the match against Sri Lanka A, which ended in a draw on Monday.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent
© ESPN EMEA Ltd
Wakestock music festival first in UK to use microchips - BBC News
The microchip festival wristband uses radio frequency identification
Wristbands fitted with microchips have been worn by everyone at a UK festival for the first time.
The technology, which designers claim will cut out fake tickets and queues, was used by 15,000 festival-goers at Wakestock, Cardigan Bay, Wales.
Organiser Stuart Galbraith said: "The benefits are huge. This will be the future of festivals."
Critics, however, have said they are "uncomfortable" to wear and go against the spirit of festivals.
Cleaner experienceThe bands look like standard material festival bands except they're fitted with an RFID (radio frequency identification) microchip, the same technology as London's Oyster card public transport swipe cards.
Festival-goers are scanned in and out of areas at the site with either turnstiles or hand-held devices, with organisers able to monitor the data.
Fans at Wakestock had to scan in and scan out of the festival site
It's been used at big festivals in North America and one-off shows in the UK before, including at a recent Red Hot Chili Peppers concert at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire.
The same technology was also available to groups of festival-goers at Isle Of Wight and Wireless.
Designers claim the advantages to fans are that they can pre-load them with money to pay for food and drink, check into social networks and ensure they have a "cleaner experience".
The microchips can be cancelled if they're lost or stolen.
Stuart Galbraith said the main benefit for him was knowing exactly how many people were on site, but admitted that the technology was "fairly expensive" to have installed.
"The only reason we're able to use it this year is because we've had a commercial sponsor cover the cost," he said. "As it becomes wider, it'll become a lot cheaper."
'Too commercial'He denied that the cost would be passed onto ticket buyers in the future.
Galbraith said that over the next few years he was keen to have his event go mobile doing away completely with tickets and wristbands.
Fans at Wakestock had mixed views about the new ticketless system
Some smartphones with the same technology have recently become available on the market.
One other festival organiser known to be considering the technology is Glastonbury's Michael Eavis.
In January, he told Newsbeat he thought the technology was "incredible" but said he was worried about it making festivals "too commercial".
Ed Sheeran, one of the headliners at Wakestock, agreed.
He said: "It's always good to try and push the boundaries of technology but I don't know if it'll work with festivals. Festivals work without technology."
Some fans have also expressed concern their movements may be tracked around the site, something designers deny.
Arriving on site at Wakestock, festival fan Rob Davenport, 19, from Bolton said: "It's just a lot quicker and easier for everyone. I hope it catches on. I don't see any drawbacks.
Not all festival-goers were entirely convinced, though.
Simon Wallace, 17, from Torplay said: "I think people are confused by it. It's a bit uncomfortable and there needs to be more information about what it can do around the site. Some leaflets or something."
RSS favoured change of guard in Karnataka - Times of India
BANGALORE: A report from the Karnataka RSS that a change in leadership was inevitable, if the party has to face the assembly and Lok Sabha elections is said to have made the BJP national leadership firm up its decision to replace chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda.
The report is learnt to have said: 'It is inevitable on the part of BJP to change the leadership in Karnataka, if, it wants to win the next assembly elections and Lok Sabha polls in 2014.'' The RSS headquarters in Nagpur, Hedgevar Bhavan based on Karnataka report asked national president Nitin Gadkari to take his decision soon to end the prevailing political impasse , sources said.
Thus the BJP leadership's decision to change Gowda even overruling party patriach L K Advani's reservations is an indicator of the RSS hold over the BJP in Karnataka. Though the decision is described as a victory for former CM B S Yeddyurappa, party insiders said the change would not have taken place without the approval from Hedgevar Bhavan.
"The RSS is of the opinion that Advani's views suits an ideal political situation and not the intricacies of present day politics where victories matter,'' sources said. Even chief minister designate Jagadish Shettar confirmed the support extended by RSS leadership on the issue. " Since the beginning RSS leaders supported me and are a happy lot over my selection to the state's top post" he said in an informal chat with TOI.
Meanwhile, RSS leaders in the state are confident of BJP regaining it's support base which at present reportedly stands eroded following it's failure to provide a stable and clean government . " Next six months are truly a trying time for Shettar and if he succeeds in delivering the goods , we are sure Karnataka people forgetting all mistakes committed by party government will vote it to power once again" said an RSS leader supporting Gadkari's open claim of the Lingayats support.
Terry racially abused Ferdinand - Football
Published: 09 Jul 2012 - 11:16:55
England footballer John Terry called Anton Ferdinand a racist obscenity in response to taunts about his alleged affair with a team-mate's ex-girlfriend, a court has heard.
The 31-year-old Chelsea defender allegedly called Ferdinand, who plays for Queens Park Rangers, a "f****** black c***".
Terry is accused of a racially aggravated public order offence during a Premier League match on October 23 last year, which was broadcast to millions of people.
Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Terry sat in the dock wearing a light grey suit, white shirt and pink tie. The court heard that Terry told Ferdinand to "f*** off" and also called him a "f****** k***head" as the pair exchanged insults.
Opening the prosecution, Duncan Penny said: "The Crown alleges that the words he used demonstrated hostility based on Mr Ferdinand's membership or presumed membership of a racial group."
The court heard that Terry maintains he was only sarcastically repeating words that Ferdinand wrongly thought he had used.
Mr Penny said: "The Crown alleges that the defendant, most probably in response to physical gestures being made by Mr Ferdinand which the defendant understood to refer to the well-publicised allegation of an extra-marital affair with a team-mate's wife, shouted at Mr Ferdinand."
He went on: "The Crown's case is that the words were abusive and insulting in a straightforward sense and that the term 'f****** black c***' was uttered as an abusive insult demonstrating hostility based on Mr Ferdinand's membership of a racial group.
"They were uttered by the defendant in response to goading by Mr Ferdinand on the issue of his extra-marital affair, rather than by way of exaggerated and instant querying of a perceived false allegation."
Terry was allowed out of the dock into the well of the court to view footage of the alleged insult.
Related Chelsea News
Watson and Lee fly home to uncertain futures - ESPN.co.uk
Shane Watson and Brett Lee are flying home early from Australia's poor ODI tour of England and face cloudy futures beyond it after both were confirmed to have suffered calf strains during the series-deciding loss to England in Durham.
Watson bowled only one over before leaving the field at Chester-le-Street and Lee soon joined him in the treatment room after two deliveries of his second spell.
Following initial scans conducted on tour it has been decided to send the duo home in order to begin treatment of the injuries. Both are in doubt for Australia's Twenty20 and ODI series against Pakistan in August. Watson's calf problem is on his left leg, the opposite to that which suffered hamstring and calf problems that kept him out of the majority of the last Australian summer. Lee's injury is a bad sign for a fast bowler who at 35 is already close to the conclusion of his international career.
"Shane Watson and Brett Lee have calf strains - Shane to the left and Brett to the right calf - sustained during the fourth ODI against England at Durham," the Australian team doctor John Orchard said. "This is the opposite calf to the injury Shane had last summer. Because both players will miss the final game, they are flying back to Sydney for MRI scans and further treatment.
"At this stage, they are anticipated to be available for consideration for selection for the World Twenty20, with scan results and response to treatment to determine whether they will be available for consideration for selection for the coming series against Pakistan in the UAE."
The issue of Watson's ability to cope with the all-round demands of his preferred role in the national team is a recurring one, and the coach Mickey Arthur has said he is unsure of the best way forward. Arthur pointed out that in addition to the injuries Watson has suffered, his batting and bowling best seldom coincide.
"We want Watto as an all-rounder. He gives us immense value and great balance. We need to have Watto as an all-rounder in that team for the balance of the side," Arthur said following the Durham defeat. "It seems that he bats well for a period of time then he doesn't bowl well. And if he bowls well [he doesn't bat well]. We have got to get it right as Watto is a great cricketer. He will get it right, we just need to sit down and plot a way forward and think how we are going to use him better."
The injuries to Watson and Lee have meant an early call-up to Australian duty for the left-armer Mitchell Starc, who joined the squad in Manchester late on Sunday night after taking 2 for 27 to help Yorkshire qualify for the domestic Friends Life t20 quarter-finals. Starc was chosen for the Australia A tour that follows the final ODI at Old Trafford, and has won the approval of the national selector John Inverarity.
"Starc, his figures over here, I've been watching closely and he's been taking wickets consistently, and a very high proportion of his wickets are bowled and lbw," Inverarity said. "I think he looks in really good shape. He's 22 and his body is slightly gangly - I reckon it'll be a year or 18 months; he's going to keep improving, and he's a good bowler."
Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo.
© ESPN EMEA Ltd
Stone Roses "atmosphere" for sale on eBay - BBC News
A Stone Roses fan is selling a container of "atmosphere" on eBay from the band's recent reunion gig in Manchester.
Bottled in what appears to be a urine sample container, bids have now reached more than £500.
The atmosphere was collected "at around 10pm on the opening night", according to the seller.
"Here is your chance to own your very own piece of Mancunian history... approx 10cc of awesome atmosphere."
The seller added that the atmosphere was bottled at Heaton Park on 29 June between the songs This Is The One and She Bangs The Drums.
He said he was unable to accept bids from people outside the UK because of the "totally electrified and awesome atmosphere in the container".
"It might cause security/health and safety issues being carried in a pressurised aircraft environment."
The seller says he will give some of the proceeds to a local music project for young people.
The opening night at Heaton Park was the first major UK gig by the Stone Roses' original line-up in 22 years.
The 220,000 tickets for the three Heaton Park gigs sold out in 68 minutes.
The band topped the bill at T in the Park in Scotland on Saturday.
The group, formed in Manchester in 1983, recorded just two albums before they dissolved in 1996.
Their 1989 self-titled debut is regarded as a seminal work, combining psychedelic pop and funky basslines.
UPDATE 3-Texas rejects key provisions of Obama's health law - Reuters UK
* Perry joins five other governors in objecting
* Says won't be party to 'socializing healthcare'
* A quarter of Texas residents have no health insurance (Adds Obama administration comment, more information about Perry, comment from analyst)
By Corrie MacLaggan
AUSTIN, Texas, July 9 (Reuters) - Governor Rick Perry said on Monday Texas will not implement an expansion of the Medicaid program or create a health insurance exchange, placing the state with the highest percentage of people without insurance outside key parts of President Barack Obama's signature law.
The announcement makes Texas the most populous state that has rejected the provisions. Some 6.2 million people are without health insurance in Texas, or 24.6 percent of the state population, the highest percentage in the nation. California has more people without insurance but a lower percentage.
Perry joined fellow Republican governors of Florida, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Mississippi and Louisiana in rejecting the two provisions of the law, according to americanhealthline.com. They hope that November elections will result in Republicans winning the White House and enough seats in Congress to repeal the law.
"I will not be party to socializing healthcare and bankrupting my state in direct contradiction to our Constitution and our founding principles of limited government," Perry said in a statement.
He sent a letter on Monday to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius asking her to relay the message to Obama that Perry opposes the provisions "because both represent brazen intrusions into the sovereignty of our state."
"I stand proudly with the growing chorus of governors who reject the Obamacare power grab. Neither a 'state' exchange nor the expansion of Medicaid under this program would result in better 'patient protection' or in more 'affordable care,'" said Perry, who dropped out of the Republican presidential race in January. "They would only make Texas a mere appendage of the federal government when it comes to health care."
Sebelius spokesman Keith Maley said the department "will continue to work with states to ensure they have the flexibility and resources they need to implement" the law known formally as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Perry, the longest-serving governor in Texas history, is a frequent critic of the Obama administration and the author of a book on states' rights called "Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America From Washington." Perry in 2009 rejected federal funding for unemployment benefits because accepting it would have required Texas to expand the number of people entitled to draw the benefits.
CALLS MEDICAID A FAILURE
Texas was one of 26 states that challenged in court the 2010 health law.
If any states resisting the healthcare plan do not create insurance exchanges, the federal government plans to set them up. The exchanges are intended to extend health coverage to an additional 16 million people, while the Medicaid expansion would broaden eligibility requirements to cover another 16 million people.
The U.S. Supreme Court last month upheld the law's individual mandate, which demands everyone who can afford to buy health insurance does so or face a fine, as constitutional.
But the court said Congress went too far in the part of the law that requires states to expand Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program for low-income people. The court said the federal government may not take away Medicaid dollars from states that do not comply with the expansion.
On Fox News on Monday, Perry said Medicaid is a failure.
"To expand this program is like adding a thousand people to the Titanic," Perry said. "You don't expand a program that is not working already. If the federal government were serious about finding solutions, what they would do is block-grant those dollars back to the states, so states could find more efficient ways to deliver healthcare."
Anne Dunkelberg, associate director of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, an Austin group that advocates for low- and middle-income Texans, said the Medicaid expansion would extend health coverage to as many as 2 million uninsured Texans.
"Failing to expand Medicaid would squander the opportunity to pump tens of billions of dollars into our state economy and leave as many as 1.5 to 2 million of struggling Texans out in the cold without insurance coverage," she said in a statement.
Texas Democratic Party spokeswoman Rebecca Acuna called Perry's decision on Medicaid "cruel and negligent."
"Rick Perry's Texas solution is to let Texans stay ill and uninsured," Acuna said in a statement. (Additional reporting by Jim Forsyth and Jeff Mason; editing by Bill Trott and Mohammad Zargham)
Rodgers closing in on signing - Football
Published: 09 Jul 2012 - 15:15:09
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits he does not have a "wheelbarrow load" of money to spend in the transfer window but is closing in on his first signing.
However, he has stressed any new arrival will have to have the right character as well as technical ability.
"We don't have a wheelbarrow load of money, there is not the money flying about people think there is," said the Northern Irishman. "There certainly won't be as many [signings] as is being labelled out there."
Rodgers, who opted out of the chase for new Spurs midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson as he refused to pay over the odds for the player, said an "exciting" deal could be completed in the next few days.
"We want to work with the great players we have here and make three or four tweaks in relation to the squad that can help the group," he said. "We want to be competitive in every game and challenging at the top end."
Rodgers stamped his authority on the job early on when he refused to meet the wage demands of Sigurdsson.
A deal had been agreed with former club Swansea, where Rodgers had worked with the player for the second half of last season, but when Anfield became an option for the Iceland midfielder the financial side changed.
The Reds boss said he was only willing to pay the market value and as a result the 22-year-old moved to Tottenham.
That has put down a marker for any new potential signings as Rodgers knows exactly what type of player he wants.
"You have to be prepared to come into the culture and philosophy of the club and if you don't then it's not a problem but this is not the right fit for you," he said. "I want players that are hungry to succeed and want to match the ambitions of how we want to move forward and the reality of that is there are very few players who can match that."
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