Chris Kermode named new head of ATP

The ATP has announced the appointment of Chris Kermode as ATP Executive Chairman & President. Kermode begins a three-year term at the helm of the ATP starting on 1 January 2014, and will be based in the ATP’s London office.

Kermode has been involved in tennis for more than 30 years, first as a player, and then most recently serving as Tournament Director of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club, as well as Managing Director of the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Regarded as the ATP’s crown jewel, the tournament has welcomed more than 1.28m fans to The O2 arena in London over the past five years.

“It’s a huge honour to have been given the opportunity to lead the ATP during what is unquestionably one of the most exciting periods in the history of men’s professional tennis,” said Kermode. “I look forward to getting started in my new role, and to working very hard together with ATP staff, players, tournaments and partners as we look to harness the full potential of our great sport in years to come.”

Kermode’s wealth of knowledge of all facets of men’s professional tennis, as well as his vast experience working with all of the sport’s key stakeholders, made him a unanimous choice by the ATP Board of Directors. The appointment brings to a close a thorough search process undertaken by the ATP Board, with the assistance of executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles.

Roger Federer, President of the ATP Player Council, said, “On behalf of the players, I am delighted to welcome Chris as our new ATP Executive Chairman & President. Chris has a lot of experience having worked in a number of different capacities in tennis over the years and he has all the attributes required to lead the ATP World Tour forward during this period of unprecedented popularity and success.”

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray said, “I’ve known and worked with Chris for many years and he gets on well with the players.  He’s done a great job with Queen’s and the World Tour Finals and I look forward to working with him in his new role.”

Mark Webster, ATP Board Tournament Representative, said, “Chris’s experience in the sports and entertainment industry, his business acumen and his established relationships in tennis make him the perfect candidate to lead the ATP. He has a proven track record in the game and we look forward to him bringing his many attributes to the table in his new role as ATP Executive Chairman & President.”

Justin Gimelstob, ATP Board Player Representative, said, “We are excited to welcome Chris as our new Executive Chairman and President. As a Board, our focus was on finding the best possible candidate who has an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of our sport and who can build on the successes achieved in recent years. We have full confidence that in Chris, we have found a person who can lead our organization and continue the growth of the ATP World Tour.”

Following his career as a professional player, Kermode worked as one of London’s top tennis coaches. He went on to work in both the film and music industries, starting his own promotion & events company, before returning to tennis. Kermode has served as Managing Director of theBarclays ATP World Tour Finals since 2008.

South Africa secure narrow win over Pakistan

South Africa won a rain interrupted first Twenty20 against Pakistan by four runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method at the Wanderers Stadium on Wednesday.

The visitors were chasing South Africa’s competitive total of 153-7 after their 20 overs, when heavy rain in Johannesburg halted Pakistan’s reply just short of halfway.

The two teams resumed hostilities less than a week after South Africa won both Twenty20 matches in the United Arab Emirates.

Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla gave South Africa a flying start, putting on 72 for the first wicket before Amla was bowled by Pakistan captain and off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez for 31 off 20 balls.

De Kock made 43 off 33 deliveries before he was well caught at long-on by Sohail Tanvir off Hafeez.

A third wicket fell to slow bowling in the space of 15 runs when Shahid Afridi bowled Henry Davids for three.

Hafeez and Afridi took three wickets between them for 39 in their combined eight overs as the South African innings lost momentum with JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis putting together a stand of 23.

Duminy’s mis-hit pull was brilliantly caught by the diving Hafeez at mid-wicket, before Du Plessis heaved Junaid Khan for four but chipped the next ball straight to mid-off.

Debutant Bilawal Bhatti’s difficult final over continued with a chest-high full toss to Wayne Parnell, who was run out next ball for six and a third excellent catch – this time from Abdur Rehman accounted for Dale Steyn but Morne Morkel hit back-to-back boundaries in the final over.

Heavy rain

Ahmed Shehzad fell for nine early in Pakistan’s reply, gloving a Lonwabo Tsotsobe delivery on to the stumps, but two boundaries from Nasir Jamshed in the sixth over got the tourists back on the right track at 40-1 following the power-play.

He then gave a return catch to Duminy, though, and Pakistan were 60-2 when heavy rain and nearby lightning stopped play with 9.1 overs bowled.

That left Pakistan four runs behind the Duckworth-Lewis par score, and with only a 10-minute window before a reduction in overs would be required.

With the rain still falling heavily and the outfield drenched, the two captains shook hands on the result well before the 10pm cut-off point.

The next game takes place in Cape Town on Friday, with three 50-over games to follow.

 

Gabba holds no fear for England

Skipper Alastair Cook accepts England will probably need to raise their game a notch or two to win a fourth straight Ashes series but almost scoffed at suggestions the tourists were running scared.

Despite the first Ashes series of the year having concluded so recently, the war of words before the second five-match encounter has been as intense as ever and Australia’s David Warner said this week that he detected fear in the tourists.

England have good reason to feel confident having dominated the home Ashes series 3-0 and Cook said his experienced side were taking all the pre-match hype in their stride.

“We certainly don’t fear anyone, that’s quite clear by the way we go about our business,” he told reporters at the Gabba, where the first test gets underway on Thursday.

“We’re a very competitive side and there’s no reason to fear any side out there. We don’t really concentrate on what people say about us, it’s about how we play in that first hour tomorrow.

“There’s been a lot of words said, but when it comes to 10 o’clock tomorrow morning, that’s all irrelevant.”

England’s one injury concern before the first test is the strained calf of wicketkeeper Matt Prior but Cook sounded reasonably confident that stand-in Jonny Bairstow would not be required.

“He’s (Prior) got the last part of his fitness to go now, yesterday he trained really well and came through all that we asked of him,” he said.

“With leg injuries, it’s usually about how you pull up the next day after a rigorous session. We’ll know pretty soon.”

Vice captain Prior, with his leg heavily strapped but clearly mobile, remained on the Gabba pitch training long after most of his team mates had packed up on Wednesday.

Prior and Cook were key members of the England line-up that contributed a torrent of runs three years ago when England won the Ashes in Australia for the first time in 24 years.

GOOD PLACE

Cook alone contributed a remarkable 766 runs at an average of 128 but was less spectacular in the first Ashes series of this year as England’s top order rarely caught fire on the slow pitches back home.

“That’s an area where we know we have to get better, we were 30 for three several times in that series and I was part of that,” he said.

“I’m happy with the way I’ve played in these warm-up games. Who knows what’s going to happen, but I feel in a good place right now.”

The feeling that England won on home soil with something to spare is one of the reasons for their confidence coming into this series and Cook suggested Australian conditions might suit their vaunted batsmen better.

“We know how important first innings runs are in Australia, if you want to set the game up, you have to score big,” he said.

“The wickets here are slightly easier to score runs on than in England, it’s the job of the batsmen to set the game up.”

Cook’s brilliant 235 not out at the Gabba in 2010 only contributed to a draw for the visitors as Australia maintained their record of not having lost to England at the ground since 1986.

Australia consider the Gabba their test match fortress and England can expect a less than welcoming reception from the Queensland public on Thursday.

That will be especially the case for paceman Stuart Broad, whose refusal to walk at Trent Bridge in the opening test of the first series infuriated many in Australia.

Cook, though, was confident the barracking would only spur on his team mate.

“He’s a very combative character, he’s an in-your-face kind of cricketer, I like that about him,” Cook said.

“Every time you give him a challenge… he’s stood up and delivered. He’s done that a number of times for England, a magic spell of bowling.

“He’s got the ability to change games. He looks in fine fettle with the ball and he’s raring to go.” 

 

Clarke gives nothing away on Ashes eve

Australia captain Michael Clarke said he was not going to promise his country “the world” on the eve of the first Ashes test.

In fact, the 32-year-old offered almost nothing by way of insight into Australia’s preparations in his final news conference before the battle with England resumes at the Gabba on Thursday.

Clarke would put to shame many politicians with his ability to talk without giving much away and his caution is perhaps understandable given he leads a team which has lost seven and drawn two of its last nine tests.

England were responsible for three of those defeats and shared the two draws in the opening rubber of the unique Ashes double-header earlier this year to retain the coveted urn for the second successive series.

So, despite a palpable sense of renewed optimism in the Australia camp, Clarke was not going to be drawn into leaving any hostages to fortune.

“I’m not going to sit here and promise the world and tell you everything’s going to be different,” Clarke told reporters.

“It’s going to be a tough battle like it was in England, we have to play our best cricket to have success no matter what conditions we’re playing in.”

Clarke swatted aside any questions about the England team with the same briskness he will hope to punish any loose bowling from the English over the next seven weeks.

Australia named a 12-man squad for the test last week and, with better news about Shane Watson’s ability to bowl, the only question is whether they go with a fourth paceman in James Faulkner or a spinner in Nathan Lyon.

Clarke made it very clear that as he is no longer a selector it would not be his call, but strongly suggested Australia should go with Lyon at the Gabba, where England have not won a test since 1986.

“The wicket looks fantastic, I think it’s a really good pitch, I think it’s going to offer pace and bounce for the bowlers, and that includes spin,” he said.

“I think spin’s had success at the Gabba because of the bounce rather than the spin.

“It’s one of the best wickets in the world to play test cricket on because it does offer good pace and bounce so your bowlers are always interested … but once you get in, it’s as good a place to bat as anywhere in the world.

“I wouldn’t imagine the conversation is about the conditions, I think it’s probably about choosing the best 11 to help us win this test match.”

As for Watson, Clarke said the all-rounder was making good progress with his recovery from a hamstring injury and would probably contribute something with the ball during the test.

“I don’t think he’ll be 100 percent and can bowl 25 overs in the first innings of a test match,” he said.

“But as we’ve seen Watto’s improved every day and I’m really confident he’ll be able to bat at his best and do a job with the ball for us.”

As for his other comments, Clarke offered that the uncapped George Bailey “was a great guy to have around”, while his take on the influence of coach Darren Lehmann was the revelatory insight that “Boof’s Boof”.

A ripple of expectation went around the room when Clarke said the batting order had been decided but he dashed the hopes of the media when he said it would not be “right” to announce it before the team was named at the toss on Thursday morning. 

 

Sachin Tendulkar to be awarded Bharat Ratna

Sachin Tendulkar will become the first sportsperson to receive a Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, the government announced hours after the batting great’s 200th and final test ended on Saturday.Cricket’s most prolific run-scorer bid an emotional farewell to the game at his home ground in Mumbai, ending a glittering 24-year career during which he bagged almost every batting record.

“Sachin Tendulkar is undoubtedly an outstanding cricketer – a living legend who has inspired millions across the globe,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s office said in a statement.

“During the last 24 years, since the young age of 16 years, Tendulkar has played cricket across the world and won laurels for our country.

“He has been a true ambassador of India in the world of sports. His achievements in cricket are unparalleled, the records set by him unmatched, and the spirit of sportsmanship displayed by him exemplary.

“That he has been honoured with several awards is testimony to his extraordinary brilliance as a sportsman.”

A perfect role model for the country’s youth and the sport worldwide with his impeccable image on and off the field, Tendulkar was nominated to the Rajya Sabha last year.

He left the game after playing more test matches (200), scoring the most test (15,921) and one-day international (18,426) runs, and compiling more test (51) and one-day (49) hundreds than any other player in cricket history.

 

Djokovic dominates Nadal with Tour Finals masterclass

The message from Novak Djokovic could not have been more emphatic after the Serb retained his title at the ATP World Tour Finals with a crushing victory over Rafa Nadal.

Rafael Nadal pats Novak Djokovic

Nadal deservedly ends the year on top of the rankings after an incredible comeback from injury but Djokovic delivered an ominous show of force at the O2 Arena, running the man who replaced him as world number one ragged.

It was a one hour, 36 minute masterclass in power and precision from Djokovic and if anything the 6-3 6-4 scoreline flattered Nadal, who spent most of the match dancing to his opponent’s tune.

After a week of sell-out crowds at the spectacular Thames-side arena it was fitting that the world’s top two players should meet for the 39th time in the most prolific rivalry in the modern era and one that is eclipsing the great battles between Nadal and Roger Federer.

Both players had won all their round-robin matches before cruising through Sunday’s semi-finals.

Nadal was bidding to land the title for the first time to cap a year that saw him roar back to the top of the rankings with 10 titles, including the U.S. Open and French Open, while Djokovic was finishing the season like a runaway steamroller since losing to Nadal in the Flushing Meadows final.

Apart from a few jaw-dropping rallies, however, the fireworks were confined to those that lit up the court as Djokovic got his hands on the trophy named in honour of the late ATP executive chairman Brad Drewett, who died this year.

“Look, the year-end number one is deservedly in Nadal’s hands because he had two grand slam wins, the best season out of all players, the most titles,” said Djokovic, who in capturing the title for a third time stretched his winning run to 22.

“But next to the run that I had in 2011, this is definitely the second best I’ve had,” he told reporters.

“The most positive thing that I can take from this two and a half months is the fact that I managed to regroup after a few big losses after Nadal, especially Roland Garros, U.S. Open final and Wimbledon final.

“I’ve worked harder and played better, become an even more skilful player. This is definitely the best possible way that I can finish the season,” added Djokovic, who next week will lead Serbia against the Czech Republic in the Davis Cup final.

Nadal tried to put a brave face on his defeat.

“I think at the beginning he was playing much better than me, the first three games no doubt,” the Spaniard said.

“After that I didn’t see the difference.”

The statistics offered a clue, however.

Djokovic hit 19 winners to Nadal’s nine, committed less errors and served much better than his opponent, who threw in two costly double faults at 3-4 in the opening set.

IMMACULATE TENNIS

Djokovic dominated virtually from start to finish and despite the 17,000 crowd willing Nadal to drag the match into a decider, he was powerless to fight off an opponent who peppered the lines with relentless accuracy.

The Serb, who ceded top spot to Nadal in October, began the final as if he had a point to prove and playing immaculate tennis he raced to a 3-0 lead as an edgy Nadal struggled for timing.

Nadal finally began to get on the front foot and won the next three games as Djokovic’s level dipped briefly.

Djokovic edged back in front again and broke serve with one of the points of the tournament, a spellbinding rally in which he sprinted across the baseline to produce an inch-perfect lob, danced into the net and won a quickfire exchange of volleys before raising his fists to the crowd.

Having lost the first set Nadal could ill afford handing Djokovic a lead in the second but his forehand continued to misfire and the Serb took the invitation to seize complete control with another break of serve.

Djokovic looked to be running away with it and moved in for the kill but Nadal’s pride dug him out of a deep hole.

The Spaniard saved match point at 5-3, and again when he chased down a drop shot at 5-4, but Djokovic merely sucked in some air, stared down the other end and blasted down his sixth ace before clinching victory when Nadal sent a forehand wide.

While there was disappointment for Nadal, compatriots Fernando Verdasco and David Marrero gave Spain a lift with victory over Bob and Mike Bryan in the doubles final.

Verdasco and Marrero, the sixth seeds, upset the favourites 7-5 6-7(3) 10-7 as the title went to a Spanish pair for the second successive year following the triumph of Marcel Granollers and Mark Lopez 12 months ago.

The Californian Bryan twins were looking to win their 12th title of 2013 and surpass the 11 they won in 2007 and 2010, but were edged out in a match tiebreak.

 

Bailey Books Ashes Berth

Australia have included uncapped George Bailey in their 12-man squad for the first Ashes encounter against England next week in a gamble the 31-year-old can replicate his “extraordinary” limited overs form in the test arena.

The righthanded batsman, who is likely to play at number six, boasts a first class average of 38 and earned his call-up on the back of his captaincy of Australia in the recent one-day series against India.

Bailey’s batting success in India, a trip captain Michael Clarke skipped to rest his back injury, earned him the nod ahead of his Tasmania team mate Alex Doolan on Tuesday.

“George Bailey has been in fantastic form with the bat,” head selector John Inverarity said at the team announcement in Brisbane.
“His confidence is riding high, his performance in international one day cricket has been quite extraordinary and he’s very deserving of his opportunity.”

Erratic fast bowler Mitchell Johnson was, as expected, recalled to join Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris in the pace attack for the test at the Gabba in Brisbane, which starts on November 21.

James Faulkner, who made his debut in the final test of the first Ashes series earlier this year, was included but is most likely to play only if fellow all-rounder Shane Watson fails to recover sufficiently from a hamstring injury to bowl.

“In that 12 you’ve got considerable facility, we could play five batsmen and five bowlers or we could play four quicks and no spinners and three quicks and one spinner,” Inverarity said.

“Shane is progressing very well in regaining his fitness and we’re confident he’ll be fit to play. We’re not sure, with nine days to go, to what extent he’ll be able to bowl.”

With Mitchell Starc, Jackson Bird and James Pattinson all unavailable through injury, Johnson gets a chance to resurrect his reputation in what will be his first Ashes action since the 3-1 series defeat in Australia three years ago.

“He’s in good rhythm and bowling with good pace and we’re confident he’ll acquit himself very well and be a bowler to the fore in our attack,” Inverarity said.

Australia face the prospect of a fourth successive Ashes series defeat over the next two months with matches in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney following the Brisbane opener.

With the emphasis on stability and experience — seven of the squad are over 30 — there was no shock selection like that of spinner Ashton Agar before the opening test of the first series of the year, which England won 3-0.

Agar’s international career has since stalled and Nathan Lyon, who seems destined to approach every test with a question mark over his name, retained his place in squad.

“The spinner’s position is greatly watched because of how great Shane Warne was,” said captain Clarke.

“But I think Lyon-o’s done fantastic in international cricket. He’s played a lot for us, he’s a wonderful guy and I think he’ll have a fantastic summer.”

Squad: Chris Rogers, David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (captain), Steve Smith, George Bailey, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon, James Faulkner.

Barca reach 100 points

Champions Barcelona matched La Liga’s record tally of 100 points in a season and achieved a club-best total of 115 goals after sweeping aside Malaga 4-1 at the Nou Camp in their final game on Saturday.

In his first campaign Barca coach Tito Vilanova equalled Real Madrid’s points haul set under Jose Mourinho and beat predecessor Pep Guardiola’s club record of 114 goals in a season, both set last year.

Barca finished top having scored in all 38 games and were 15 ahead of second-placed Real who signed off with a 4-2 home win over Osasuna.

“With everything that has happened to us it has been a very good season,” Vilanova told a news conference. “If people aren’t happy with this we are moving into new times.”

Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa scored twice in a 3-1 win at Real Zaragoza as the King’s Cup winners finished third with 76 points. Real Sociedad snatched fourth place, and the Champions League playoff slot, from Valencia.

Antoine Griezmann earned Sociedad a 1-0 win at Deportivo La Coruna while four goals from Alvaro Negredo helped Sevilla sink 10-man Valencia 4-3 at the Sanchez Pizjuan.

“We are very satisfied,” said Sociedad coach Philippe Montanier who has already agreed a move to Stade Rennes in his native France.

FRENCH CONNECTION

“It is the second time in recent years Sociedad have qualified for the Champions League and it was with a French coach again,” he added referring to Raynald Denoueix.

Sociedad ended on 66 points. The three Europa League places went to Valencia in fifth, Malaga in sixth and Real Betis in seventh.

Malaga’s participation in Europe depends on them winning their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport as they bid to overturn a UEFA one-year ban for delays in payments to creditors.

At the other end of the table Celta Vigo completed their escape act by winning 1-0 at home to Espanyol, condemning Real Mallorca, Galician rivals Deportivo and Real Zaragoza to relegation.

Celta finished on 37 points while Mallorca had 36 after a 4-2 home win over Real Valladolid. Deportivo, who had started the day in a safe position, ended on 35 and Zaragoza were bottom with 34.

Barca scored three times in the opening 16 minutes at the Nou Camp through David Villa, Cesc Fabregas and Martin Montoya as the hosts tore Malaga apart.

Andres Iniesta curled in a fourth at the start of the second period before Pedro Morales volleyed a consolation goal for the visitors and their departing coach Manuel Pellegrini in the 56th minute.

Popular French defender Eric Abidal was given a rousing reception as he went on as a 75th-minute substitute to play his last minutes for Barca after the club said on Thursday they would not be renewing his contract.

MOURINHO FAREWELL

Gonzalo Higuain, Michael Essien, Karim Benzema and Jose Callejon scored as an under-strength Real Madrid ensured coach Mourinho ended his three-year spell in the Spanish capital on a high note.

The Portuguese, who is expected to join Chelsea next week, left the Bernabeu amid divided opinions as he was cheered by some sections of the crowd and whistled by others.

Valencia held fourth place at the start of the day and looked to be on course for a return to the Champions League when Ever Banega put them in front with a spectacular solo effort after 12 minutes.

But they lost control of the game in a mad five-minute spell before the break.

Negredo netted with an overhead kick and scored a second from the penalty spot soon after. Valencia then had striker Jonas harshly sent off just before halftime.

Valencia captain Roberto Soldado volleyed an equaliser off the bar but a minute later his Spanish international team mate Negredo completed his hat-trick with a tap in.

Negredo bagged his fourth of the game and 25th in La Liga this season to put the game beyond Valencia and perhaps seal the fate of visiting coach Ernesto Valverde, who according to media reports had told the squad before the game he was leaving.

Bayern complete treble

Bayern Munich capped a spectacular season on Saturday by becoming the first German team to win the treble, holding on to beat VfB Stuttgart 3-2 in the German Cup final after the outsiders hit back in rousing style.

The all-conquering Bavarians, who had previously landed the Bundesliga and Champions League titles, led 3-0 before Stuttgart struck twice in a 10-minute spell and almost grabbed a stoppage-time equaliser.

Bayern, runners-up in all three competitions last season, were cruising when a harsh penalty converted by Thomas Mueller and two Mario Gomez goals against his old club put them 3-0 up inside 61 minutes.

Stuttgart, hammered 6-1 by the Bavarians in the Bundesliga, then gave the European champions a real scare as Martin Harnik pulled two goals back and Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer stopped Serdar Tasci’s header on the line with almost the last touch of the game.

Bayern hung on to complete a memorable season and give departing coach Jupp Heynckes the best possible send-off as he ended his third stint in charge to make way for former Barcelona supremo Pep Guardiola.

Heynckes has left the Spaniard with a tough act to follow as he has managed to rotate the team and keep Bayern’s wealth of international players happy even when they have been dispatched to the bench.

They became the seventh team to win their own league, cup and European Cup in the same season, following Inter Milan (2010), Barcelona (2009), Manchester United (1999), PSV Eindhoven (1988), Ajax Amsterdam (1972) and Celtic (1967).

It was Bayern’s ninth league and cup double and the 15th time they have won the cup competition.

They set a plethora of records this season, winning the Bundesliga with an unprecedented 91 points and only one defeat.

Bayern also set records for the number of wins (29), the number of away wins (13), fewest goals conceded (18) and best goal difference (an astonishing plus-80).

In all they played 54 games, including the season-opening German Supercup match, and lost only three.

“It’s unbelievable what the team has achieved this season,” captain Philipp Lahm told ARD television.

“Heynckes has got the recognition he deserves,” said sporting director Matthias Sammer. “He has distinguished himself by his clarity, planning, attention to detail, diligence and wisdom.”

NEUER RESCUE

Just as in last week’s 2-1 Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund, Neuer prevented Bayern falling behind with some outstanding stops.

Stuttgart nearly took an early lead when Alexandru Maxim hooked Ibrahima Traore’s swerving cross just wide of the post from 12 metres.

Maxim then floated over a free kick and it was diverted towards his own goal by Bastian Schweinsteiger. Neuer blocked at close range, then dived at the feet of Georg Niedermeier as he tried to scramble the ball in.

Bayern were awarded a soft penalty when Lahm burst into the box and his legs crumpled as he went shoulder to shoulder with Traore, Mueller burying the spot kick to open the scoring in the 37th minute.

They went two ahead in the 48th minute when Lahm’s low cross was scrambled into an empty net by Gomez.

Gomez’s second goal in the 61st minute was far more convincing as he swept home Mueller’s low cross from the right.

It seemed to be all over but Stuttgart, who finished 12th in the Bundesliga after an indifferent second half to the season, had other ideas.

Harnik headed one back in the 71st minute and substitute Shinji Okazaki was sent clean through minutes later only for Neuer to save his weak effort.

Stuttgart had a penalty appeal turned down before Harnik struck again with 10 minutes left.

Okazaki’s low shot struck the post, Harnik’s first attempt from the rebound was saved by Neuer and the ball went straight back to the Austrian who buried his second effort.

Neuer then denied Tasci deep into stoppage time.

Knights Knock Warriors

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders have this knack of bringing hype and anticipation, whenever they come out to the field. This 56^th game of Indian premier league had the distinction of being the first “dead rubber” of otherwise, entertaining sixth edition of the million dollar baby of BCCI. The struggling Pune Warriors still have no retort to their woes.

Devoted Fans, who filled the Subroto Rai Sahara stadium again returned dejected with 11^th defeat of their heroes. Although Pune Warriors had every chance of getting away with what knights had offered them.

Defending champions have only “if” at their side