Beckham Plans return to training in August

Houston: David Beckham might be back in training by the end of August, his LA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said on Wednesday.

The England international tear his Achilles tendon in March and missed the World Cup in South Africa after undergoing surgery. "I can believe there's a chance he can begin training by the end of August," Arena told reporters following the MLS All-Star game against Beckham's first club Manchester United on Wednesday.

The MLS regular season finishes at the end of October but the Galaxy, who guide the Western Conference, are expected to be involved in the November play-offs that make a decision the title. Was too early on to say whether the 35-year-old could be involved in the playoffs, Arena added. "There's a possibility he could play towards the end of the MLS regular spell, but at this point in time it would be difficult to say yes or no."

Colombo test:India draw with Sri Lanka

Second Test, Colombo:

 

 

Captain Kumar Sangakkara made 42 not out to turn his side to safety, the hosts reaching 129-3 when the two teams decided to shake hands.India had finally been bowled out for 707 in their first innings close to the end of the morning session, giving them a fine first-innings lead of 65.

conversely they simply didn't have enough time to force a positive result, meaning Sri Lanka stay 1-0 up in the series with one Test to play.

India Keep stay the best in Tests:

 

India remain top of the International Cricket Council Test ratings next their draw in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. India are now 11 points clear of second-placed South Africa and will remain top of the rankings irrespective of the outcome in the third Test.

The ICC finished their annual update of the ratings which will now see India remain at the top of the table until the end of their current series which ends on August 7, when the ratings will again be updated.

Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag balanced India

Second Test, Colombo,(day three):

Sachin Tendulkar hit his 48th Test century and Virender Sehwag made 99 to boost up India's hopes of avoiding defeat in the second Test against Sri Lanka. India, chasing 642-4 declared, began well until Sehwag fell to Suraj Randiv, just one run withdrawn of a 21st Test ton.

Murali Vijay (58) and Rahul Dravid (3) were both out in quick sequence. But Tendulkar's stylish 108 not out in an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 141 with debutant Suresh Raina (66*) helped India to 382-4 by close of play.

Scoreboard:

Sri Lanka 642-4 dec v India 382-4

Sachin Tendulkar* 108(181)

Suresh Raina* 66(133)

One major finally in hand, Creamer wants more

Paula Creamer still plays with bandage. What she no longer plays with is a weight.

Even though Creamer won't turn 24 until a week from Thursday, after she returns from Royal Birkdale and the final LPGA Tour major of this year, few other players so youthful have received so much inspection for failing to win a major.

At least that's one difficulty she won't face this week at the Women's British Open.
Paula Creamer of USA plays on the fifth hole through the third round of the Evian Masters women's golf tournament in Evian, eastern France, Saturday, July 24, 2010. Creamer still plays with a bandage, which proved easier than playing with a burden. The 23-year-old American no longer faces questions regarding when she will win a major.

World Badminton Championships 2011 coming soon

The 2011 BWF World Championships will take place in London, offering badminton fans a sneak preview of the world’s top players in the countdown to the 2012 London Olympic Games. Hosted by BADMINTON England, the BWF World Championships will be played at the world-famous Wembley Arena from 8 -14 August, 2011.

China is currently the most successful nation in the history of the World Championships with 49 titles since 1977 (excluding 2010), but the Chinese are expected to be pushed all the way by players from Denmark, Indonesia, Korea and Malaysia. They will be joined by players from the host nation who will be out to impress ahead of the 2012 London Olympic Games. Top stars such as Nathan Robertson and Anthony Clark will lead the charge in the men’s doubles, and rising talent like Rajiv Ouseph and Andrew Smith will be battling to make their mark on home soil.

England won one gold and two silver medals at the 2006 Championships in Madrid, Spain with Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms securing the gold medal and Anthony Clark becoming one of few players in the world ever to win two medals in the same World Championships. The BWF World Championships is an annual event except in the year of the Olympics and the 2010 edition will be played in Paris, France, in August.

Galle 2nd Test: Sangakkara & Paranavitana take SL as control

Captain Kumar Sangakkara and Tharanga Paranavitana struck their second successive centuries as Sri Lanka took firm control of the second cricket Test against India in Colombo on Monday. Sangakkara (130 not out) notched up his 23rd Test century while Paranavitana (100) scored his second ton as the Lankan batsmen piled up the agony on a listless India by reaching a commanding 312 for two at close on the opening day.

The Indians, who desperately need to win the match to level the three-match series and retain their number one position, put up a rather pathetic bowling display to allow the hosts to get off to a flying start. Mahela Jayawardene (13) was giving Sangakkara company at stumps as the hosts dominated on a very good batting track at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.

Electing to bat, the two Lankan openers Tillakaratne Dilshan (54) and Paranavitana provided a rollicking start to the innings, capitalising on some wayward and insipid bowling by the Indians.The depleted Indian bowling attack, badly missing the services of pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, just did not ball in the right areas to pose much problems for the hosts who scored at a brisk pace right through the day.

The National Lottery's London 2012 Games Hot Air Balloon Takes Off

From the heart of the Olympic Park, The National Lottery today launched its London 2012 Games hot air balloon, which will embark on a nationwide tour this summer.

Lifting off at the Olympic Park, the hot air balloon took its first tethered flight with Olympic canoeing gold medallist, Tim Brabants, Olympic gymnastics bronze medallist, Louis Smith and Olympic 400m hurdles bronze medallist, Tasha Danvers onboard. The hot air balloon will visit cities throughout the UK, giving members of the public the chance to fly in the balloon, accompanied by elite athletes.
Over £25 million a week is raised by Lottery players for projects across the UK that make a real difference to people’s lives. The National Lottery is contributing up to £2.2 billion to fund the infrastructure and the venues for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and their legacy, as well as enabling around 1,400 talented British athletes to benefit from world-class coaching and support through UK Sport's World Class Performance Programme.

Peter Keen, Director of Performance at UK Sport, said: “Lottery funding has changed the face of sport in the UK and has contributed to a total of 438 Olympic and Paralympic medals for Great Britain since 1997. The hot air balloon tour is a great way for the public to meet local elite athletes, and for those athletes to be able to thank Lottery players for their support.”