Bravo cracks 51as Sixers win thriller
A half-century from Dwayne Bravo inspired the Sydney Sixers and was one of the cornerstones in a two-run victory over the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash Twenty20 League yesterday. In easily his most satisfactory performance, the Trinidad & Tobago and West Indies allrounder opened the innings, hitting the top score of 52 from 39 balls, leading the Sixers to 166 for nine from their allocation of 20 overs after they chose to bat. Bravo did not bowl, but he was not needed, as the Sixers restricted the Stars to 164 for eight from 20 overs in a tense finish at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Stars’ tail-ender Clint McKay had the chance to be a hero, needing to hit the final delivery of the match from Brett Lee for four to win—but he could only manage a single.
The Stars needed 15 from the final over and had given themselves a golden chance after hitting two boundaries to bring the target down to five off two balls but the experienced Lee held his nerve to give the Sixers a memorable win. The result gave the Sixers their second victory in three matches, taking them to four points, provisionally placing them third behind the unbeaten Hobart Hurricanes and cross-town rivals Sydney Thunder—both on the same number of points with one match in hand. Bravo will play his final match next Monday, when the Sixers travel to face the Melbourne Renegades at Docklands Stadium before returning home to help his native T&T regain the Caribbean T20 title.
Earlier, Bravo stepped up after playing like a passenger for the first two matches, striking four fours and three sixes to give the Sixers innings early momentum. Bravo gathered steam in the third over, bowled by James Faulkner, when he struck the left-arm medium-fast bowler for three boundaries. He pulled the short, first delivery through mid-wicket, lofted the third ball to the long-off boundary, and pulled the penultimate delivery through backward square leg. Bravo would also have taken great delight, smoking Shane Warne for all of his sixes—the last of which sailed over long-on—to take him to his 50 from 37 balls before he was caught at long-off two balls later off the Australian leg-spin bowling legend in the 15th over.
Scoreboard
Sidney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars
Sidney Sixers innings
MJ Lumb c Quiney b McKay 18
DJ Bravo c Faulkner b Warne 51
NJ Maddinson lbw b Hussey 24
SPD Smith lbw b Simpson 7
MC Henriques c Wright b Faulkner 1
BJ Rohrer c Hussey b McKay 29
†PM Nevill c & b Hussey 1
DJ Thornely run out (†Wade/McKay) 29
B Lee run out (Wright/†Wade) 1
MA Starc not out 1
Extras: (lb 1, w 3) 4
Total: (9 wickets; 20 overs) 166
Bowling: JP Faulkner 4 -0-41-1 (1w) , CP Simpson 3-0-25-1 (2w), CJ McKay 4-0-35-2, SK Warne 4-0-27-1, DJ Hussey 4-0-25-2, LJ Wright 1-0-12-0.
Melbourne Stars innings
RJ Quiney c Henriques b Lee 14
†MS Wade c Smith b Thornely 1
GJ Bailey c Lumb b Smith 33
DJ Hussey run out (Rohrer) 42
CL White c Lee b MacGill 3
AC Voges run out (Maddinson/†Nevill) 31
LJ Wright c Lumb b Smith 9
JP Faulkner c Smith b Starc 13
CP Simpson not out 8
CJ McKay not out 6
Extras: (lb 2, w 2) 4
Total: (8 wickets; 20 overs) 164
Bowling: B Lee 4-0-30-1, DJ Thornely 4-0-29-1, MA Starc 3-0-28-1, SCG MacGill 4-0-36-1, SPD Smith 4-0-27-2 (1w), MC Henriques 1-0-12-0 (1w)
Toss: Sydney Sixers
Points: Sydney Sixers 2, Melbourne Stars 0
Player of the match: DJ Bravo (Sydney Sixers)
Umpires: GA Abood and BNJ Oxenford
TV umpire: AP Ward, Match referee: PL Marshall
Protesting World Cup players threaten bankruptcy proceedings
Disgruntled members of the 2006 Trinidad & Tobago team that played at the FIFA World Cup in Germany have threatened to file bankruptcy proceedings against the T&T Football Federation.
This stems from the long-running dispute between the national governing body and the players over payments and bonuses that were owed to them, following their historic qualification for the famous tournament.
"Two months after receiving a court order to make an interim payment of US$710,000 within seven days, the T&TFF has yet to hand over a single dollar of the sum due to us, the 13 Soca Warriors of the 2006 World Cup Team," the group stated in a media statement appearing on the Soca Warriors Online website.
"This is the sixth Christmas our families and ourselves have had to endure without our bonuses, remuneration for which we worked hard and which the T&T High Court agreed we deserved. This is a scandal of monumental proportions."
The group added: "We have won legal decisions through arbitration in Britain and through the courts in T&T, yet the T&TFF has refused to comply with the law.
'No other alternative'
"We have been left with no other alternative but to begin bankruptcy proceedings against the T&TFF to recover the money owed to us. Also, these proceedings will allow an insolvency practitioner to carefully scrutinise how every dollar was spent and examine the various accounts money may have entered."
The players also chided Minister of Sport Anil Roberts for his reticence on the matter.
The protesting players said it was unfortunate that the new administration was saddled with the responsibility and called on the acting president to settle the matter.
Before the 2006 World Cup, the T&TFF reached a deal between the federation and the players to share the proceeds from their participation in the tournament.
After the World Cup, the federation declared revenue of just over US$3 million and costs of just under US$3 million, offering the players a split of just under US$950 apiece.
The players rejected the figure, disputing the federation's numbers, a stance reinforced when the T&T government revealed that the T&TFF received close to US$30 million.
The T&TFF proposed that the bonus dispute be heard before the British Sports Dispute Resolution Panel, and arbitrator Ian Mill, QC, ruled in favour of the players.
CMC
NBA's return draws big TV ratings on Christmas
NBA fans seem more excited about basketball's return than bitter about the lockout, based on television ratings for the league's delayed openers.
The five Christmas games on Sunday attracted large audiences, with the Bulls-Lakers match-up drawing the third-highest preliminary rating for a regular-season game on ABC. The 6.5 overnight rating trailed only a 7.3 for last year's highly anticipated Heat-Lakers showdown and a 7.9 for another meeting between Miami and LA in 2004.
Chris Paul's Clippers debut in the nightcap against the Warriors earned a 2.3 overnight, up 77 per cent over last year's Portland-Golden State telecast. It was ESPN's highest-rated Christmas prime-time game.
The earlier night game on ESPN - Magic-Thunder - drew a 1.9 overnight, up 36 per cent from last year's Denver-Oklahoma City match-up. The afternoon's final rematch on ABC, the Heat's rout of the Mavericks, earned a 5.6 overnight, up six per cent from Boston-Orlando last year.
The Celtics-Knicks game on TNT to open the day drew a 4.1 overnight. The early game on ESPN last year, Bulls-Knicks, had a 2.7 on ESPN.
Ratings represent the percentage of all homes with televisions tuned to a programme. Overnight ratings measure the country's largest markets.
Turks and Caicos capital may be moved
Two reliable sources within the interim government in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) have independently leaked a so far unannounced consideration of a move of the capital from Grand Turk to Providenciales (Provo).
This possibility had been raised early in the previous Michael Misick administration and it now appears that the reasons for considering the move have actually become more cogent.
Currently, many government services are duplicated, with the largest operations in Provo. Moving the capital would save residents expensive travel costs and time traveling to Grand Turk to conduct Provo and Caicos Islands-based business. Land records currently being upgraded by British adviser Jon Llewellyn, who divides his time between London and Grand Turk, are located exclusively in Grand Turk, while the mass of real estate both public and private is in the Caicos Islands.
The first possible evidence of such a move is the planned reduction in electoral districts on Grand Turk from four to two. In the event the government’s administrative functions move to Provo, the population of Grand Turk could drop significantly.
It is anticipated that in the coming election 13 of the elected representatives will reside in Provo or the Caicos Islands with only two likely to be based in Grand Turk. This would require extensive travel and accommodation costs to government to use the current Parliament chambers on Grand Turk when conducting government business.
Reasons given in the past for not making the move was that, prior to the cruise ship port being established on Grand Turk, the capital island’s economy depended almost exclusively on governmental activities.
Meanwhile, since Club Med built the first large resort on Provo in the 1980s, numerous resorts, including a greatly expanded Beaches Resort, have been built. This has expanded the population of Provo and its economic base to ten times the size of Grand Turk. Private industry serving the needs of this greatly increased population has expanded equally by a factor of ten.
One other factor, the sources say, is the possibility of even larger economic growth on Provo and the other Caicos islands due to the soon to be completed Provo Airport expansion. Provo is anticipated to accommodate international wide bodied flights, as well as larger, more frequent flights from the nearby United States. Grand Turk airport currently is equipped to accommodate full size commercial narrow body aircraft.
In the meantime, Grand Turk is becoming a popular cruise ship destination but due to the low ($3.50) per passenger arrival fee, the government is not benefitting from the port at the same level as other cruise ship destinations. Reportedly, The Bahamas collects arrival fees in the $20 range.
To encourage cruise passengers to lay over in Grand Turk and spend money on accommodation and restaurant taxes, a new hotel is being planned. To interest potential stay-overs it appears there are plans under consideration to expand tourist sites on Grand Turk. Short side trips to nearby historic Salt Cay are also another possibility.
The inside sources have speculated that Waterloo, the British Governor’s residence, could be turned into a historic attraction for stay-over tourists. Governor Tauwhare, the last full term governor to rule while an elected government was in charge, actually resided in Provo, leaving Waterloo vacant.
Another factor behind the scenes is said to be concern that American Airlines, which has filed bankruptcy and is raising fares and baggage charges, may prove too expensive, discouraging tourist travel. Spirit Airlines, which previously flew from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Turk and then to Provo, is now reconsidering resuming service as American Airlines costs escalate. This would provide full bodied service to Grand Turk, enhancing that island as a unique tourist destination.
Carnival Cruise Lines could then originate cruises from Grand Turk and initiate one way cruises from the United States and from Grand Turk. This, separate sources say, is under consideration.
Another factor that sources say has given rise to Spirit’s review is the growing population of US-based TCIslanders now leaving the Miami area and taking up residence in Fort Lauderdale’s Broward County, Spirit’s hub.
The largest islands and possible sites for future growth are the islands of North and Middle Caicos, which are connected to Providenciales via two ferry services and the North/Middle Caicos Causeway. Medium term plans have long included causeways joining East and South Caicos to Middle Caicos.
By Caribbean News Now contributor
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol leads US cinemas
The fourth instalment in the Mission: Impossible franchise has taken the number one spot at the US box office over the four-day Christmas weekend.
Ghost Protocol, starring Tom Cruise, made $46.2m (£29.5m) and pushed Sherlock Holmes into second spot.
The action movie came in third place last week after making its debut at a limited number of screens.
Steven Spielberg's Tintin and War Horse entered the chart at five and seven respectively.
The director's motion capture version of the Belgian boy adventurer, which has proved a box office hit around the world, made a modest $16.1m (£10.2m) on its Christmas opening in North America.
Meanwhile, Spielberg's adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's book about a horse who is sent to fight during World War I, began business on Sunday and took $15m (£9.5m).
But both films were outshone by the US version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, with entered the chart at number four.
The gritty film, directed by David Fincher and based on the first book of late Swedish novelist Stieg Larsson's trilogy, made $19.4m (£12.4m), despite not being feel-good Christmas fare.
But the movie was beaten to third place by family animation Alvin and The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, which raked in a total of $20m (£12.7m).
Other new movies inside the top 10 were We Bought a Zoo - starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson - in sixth place, and Darkest Hour at eight.
Coroner: Rapper Heavy D died of blood clot in lung
Rapper Heavy D died of a blood clot in his lung and other conditions, a coroner's report revealed Tuesday.
The rapper, famous for the 1991 hit "Now That We Found Love," died Nov. 8 after collapsing at his Beverly Hills home.
The Los Angeles County Department of Coroner determined the 44-year-old died of a pulmonary embolism, deep leg vein thrombosis, and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Heavy D, whose real name is Dwight Errington Myers, was found conscious with difficulty breathing at his home after police were called, the Beverly Hills police said.
He was pronounced dead in the emergency room at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center later that day, officials said.
While his hip-hop recording career began in 1987 with his group Heavy D & the Boyz, his breakthrough came in 1991 with a remake of the O'Jays' "Now That We Found Love."
Heavy D's rapping was featured on Janet Jackson's 1990 hit "Alright." He also rapped on Michael Jackson's 1991 hit "Jam," which he performed at October's Michael Jackson tribute show in Cardiff, Wales.
He also composed and performed the theme songs several television shows, including "In Living Color," "MADtv" and "The Tracy Morgan Show."
His last album, "Love Opus," was released this year.
Heavy D also pursued an acting career, which included mostly roles on TV shows and movies.
He played a courthouse guard in the Eddie Murphy film "Tower Heist," released last month.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are serious medical conditions that are often undiagnosed, but they are preventable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the lower leg, thigh or pelvis. It can happen to anyone, but there are many risk factors that increase the chances of developing the condition.
Among those factors is obesity, and Heavy D was known for being overweight.
PE is the most serious complication of DVT and happens when part of the clot breaks off and travels through the bloodstream to the lungs, the CDC says.
People may recover from having a small clot, but a large one can stop blood from reaching the lungs and is fatal.
CNN
Why J-Hud passed on 'Precious' role
Jennifer Hudson says staying true to herself and staying healthy come ahead of any movie role.
In a preview of her new memoir posted by Uptown Magazine, the actress and singer says she turned down a shot at the lead role in “Precious" -- you know, the film nominated for a slew of Academy Awards in 2009 -- because she didn’t want to gain weight for it.
But she doesn’t see it as a loss. Hudson explains why she passed on the opportunity in her new book, “I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down.”
Hudson had packed on the pounds once before, to play Effie in “Dreamgirls,” a role that landed her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. But when director Lee Daniels approached her about the lead role in "Precious," Hudson wasn’t willing to play yo-yo with her weight again.
“As much as I was moved by this film, I wanted to try a role that had nothing whatsoever to do with my weight,” she writes in her book.
Hudson went on to play Carrie Bradshaw’s personal assistant in “Sex and the City: The Movie,” and continued to drop the pounds. Since the start of her career on “American Idol” Hudson’s lost 80 pounds with the help of Weight Watchers (she's a spokesperson).
Popcaan, Tony Matterhorn, Kiprich shine at Sting
GAZA-based Deejay Popcaan emerged as the top artiste at last night's Sting dancehall stage show at the Jamworld Entertainment Centre in Portmore, St Catherine.
Blazing through his hits Only Man She Want, Party Shot and Ravin to deafening screams the deejay was in fine fettle as thousands of patrons ignited aerosol spray torches.
Tony Matterhorn, Kiprich, Iyara, Specialist each emerged victorious in their lyrical battles with their musical enemies Twin of Twins, Merciless, Deva Brat and Hurricane respectively.
Yanni performs to sold out crowds in Puerto Rico
Contemporary composer Yanni fulfilled a 20-year-old dream when he performed at the beautiful and historic 16th-century Castillo San Felipe Del Morro in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
During Friday night's performance, Mother Nature interfered when high winds and rainstorms blew through the castle, forcing the band to end the concert early for safety reasons. Saturday night concertgoers were treated to better weather and the production went off without a hitch, creating a truly memorable night.
Backed by his world renowned orchestra, the two sold-out concerts were filmed in HD for PBS. Yanni performed an awe-inspiring 2-hour set of favorites from throughout his career as well as two encores.
In addition to the ticket-holders, thousands of Yanni fans gathered on the lawn outside of El Morro, bringing chairs and blankets to view the concerts under the stars on a large screen provided by Yanni, the Minister of Tourism and the promoter Jose Dueno Entertainment.
The performance at El Morro joins the famed Puerto Rican landmark -- a recognized UNESCO Heritage Site -- with other sites such as the Taj Mahal in India, the Acropolis in Greece and the Forbidden City in China that have played host to Yanni's world-renowned performances.
Debuting March 3, 2012, the program, Yanni: Live at El Morro, marks the composer's 10th collaboration with PBS and will air exclusively in the United States. An accompanying CD/DVD package will be initially available exclusively through PBS pledge drives, and is scheduled for worldwide release through Sony in the spring of 2012.
"El Morro lived up to its reputation, the evenings were magical, the weather became part of the show and the audiences were among the best I have ever played for," Yanni said.
Tearful George Michael says illness was 'touch and go'
Singer George Michael has admitted that his recent bout of pneumonia was "touch and go for a while" and was "the worst month of my life".
The 48-year-old star, who has returned to London following a month-long stay in a Vienna hospital, said he was "very weak" but added he feels "amazing".
In a press conference outside his home, an emotional Michael said he still has "plenty to live for".
He was forced to shelve the remaining 14 dates of his tour after falling ill.
Michael acknowledged the gravity of his illness, explaining that the General Hospital (AKH) in Vienna was "the best place in the world I could have been".
"They spent three weeks keeping me alive, basically... I'm incredibly fortunate to be here.
"Somebody here still thinks I've got some work to do," added the star.
The musician apologised to his fans for not contacting them, saying "I was really not in a state to".
He added that the "plan is to play to every person who had a ticket" for his shelved gigs.
Michael also said he wanted to play another show for the Austrian medical staff who "saved my life".
Michael was advised by doctors to take a "full and complete rest" after contracting a severe form of pneumonia last month.
He had performed 45 dates in his concert schedule before being forced to cancel the performance in Vienna.
The shelved dates have yet to be rescheduled.
In October, the musician pulled out of a gig at London's Royal Albert Hall, suffering with a viral infection.
After he was admitted to hospital in Vienna, Michael's publicists said that he was "responding to treatment and slowly improving".
They added in a statement: "George Michael is ill with pneumonia and any other speculation regarding his illness is unfounded and untrue."