Times Internet ties up with RCom for World Cup

Internet and mobile services provider Times Internet today said it has tied up with Reliance Communication to provide contents related to the upcoming ICC World Cup to other telecom users.

``We will distribute mobile content related to the World Cup, including SMS, voice and video alerts, live audio commentary and others to a large number of people using services of operators other than Reliance Communication,`` (Q,N,C,F)* Times Internet Director (Telecom) Ajay Vaishnavi said.

He said, the company has already tied up with a few telecom operators to distribute content to their users and is currently in talks with others.

``We hope to reach to at least 50 million users through this partnership,`` Vaishnavi added.

Other services to be offered by Times Internet include World Cup theme as ring tone, cricket trivia, contests, post match analysis and mobile marketing advertisements.

Shares of the company gained Rs 0.25, or 0.26%, to settle at Rs 97.40. The total volume of shares traded was 5,595,535 at the BSE (Monday).

Collingwood is timing his run back to form to perfection for World Cup

PAUL COLLINGWOOD believes he has rediscovered the art of perfect timing which deserted his batting last year.
Three days after the birth of his baby daughter, Hannah Mae, he landed in Bangladesh for World Cup duty with the rest of the England squad.
Colly, who captained England to World Twenty20 glory in the Caribbean last May, has failed to hit a half-century in his last 11 one-day international innings.
The Durham all-rounder admits being distracted by events at home when he suffered a back injury in the last rites of England’s 6-1 ODI drubbing by the Aussies.
But the perfect timing of his daughter’s arrival allowed Collingwood, 34, to fly to Dhaka with his team-mates at the weekend – when he had expected to be left behind waiting for the birth.
And Colly, who retired from Test cricket after the Ashes triumph, could be fit for tomorrow’s World Cup warm-up against Dhaka.
He said: “It was fantastic news. On Wednesday my wife Vicky gave birth to our third girl. Everything is 100 per cent well and it was perfect timing really.
“It meant I can come straight out here and get on with the preparations, adjust to conditions and get the back right.

“I had injections in my back last week and I’m looking forward to being fully fit again – although I’m probably a little bit off that at the minute.
“The last few months have been disappointing on my personal form and after the winter we had, baby or not, I needed those eight days at home switching off from cricket.
“Mentally, it was all about the birth, my wife and the daughters. But you do refresh and it has certainly put a smile on my face.
“I’m looking forward to this tournament. It is a different set of conditions and I’ve played quite a lot of cricket in the sub-continent.”
Collingwood insists England’s Twenty20 triumph last year gives them licence to play with the necessary abandon to be contenders – even without Eoin Morgan (inset), their most innovative batsman.
Morgan, ruled out of the World Cup with a broken finger a week ago, used his Twitter account to reveal he does not require surgery after all, saying: “Pretty much healed... will be back sooner than expected.”
But Colly claims England have enough self-belief to prosper without Morgan, adding: “Winning that first World Cup was a monkey off our backs.
“It’s a different form of the game, but the guys are confident. That World Twenty20 last year showed we can also do it under pressure and the time may be right to do it again.”

Collingwood is timing his run back to form to perfection for World Cup

PAUL COLLINGWOOD believes he has rediscovered the art of perfect timing which deserted his batting last year.
Three days after the birth of his baby daughter, Hannah Mae, he landed in Bangladesh for World Cup duty with the rest of the England squad.
Colly, who captained England to World Twenty20 glory in the Caribbean last May, has failed to hit a half-century in his last 11 one-day international innings.
The Durham all-rounder admits being distracted by events at home when he suffered a back injury in the last rites of England’s 6-1 ODI drubbing by the Aussies.
But the perfect timing of his daughter’s arrival allowed Collingwood, 34, to fly to Dhaka with his team-mates at the weekend – when he had expected to be left behind waiting for the birth.
And Colly, who retired from Test cricket after the Ashes triumph, could be fit for tomorrow’s World Cup warm-up against Dhaka.
He said: “It was fantastic news. On Wednesday my wife Vicky gave birth to our third girl. Everything is 100 per cent well and it was perfect timing really.
“It meant I can come straight out here and get on with the preparations, adjust to conditions and get the back right.

“I had injections in my back last week and I’m looking forward to being fully fit again – although I’m probably a little bit off that at the minute.
“The last few months have been disappointing on my personal form and after the winter we had, baby or not, I needed those eight days at home switching off from cricket.
“Mentally, it was all about the birth, my wife and the daughters. But you do refresh and it has certainly put a smile on my face.
“I’m looking forward to this tournament. It is a different set of conditions and I’ve played quite a lot of cricket in the sub-continent.”
Collingwood insists England’s Twenty20 triumph last year gives them licence to play with the necessary abandon to be contenders – even without Eoin Morgan (inset), their most innovative batsman.
Morgan, ruled out of the World Cup with a broken finger a week ago, used his Twitter account to reveal he does not require surgery after all, saying: “Pretty much healed... will be back sooner than expected.”
But Colly claims England have enough self-belief to prosper without Morgan, adding: “Winning that first World Cup was a monkey off our backs.
“It’s a different form of the game, but the guys are confident. That World Twenty20 last year showed we can also do it under pressure and the time may be right to do it again.”

Cricket World Cup 2011: the heavy one-day series defeat to Australia will not affect England, says Paul Collingwood

7QTQH2BYDR3A  

 Barely a week has passed since Australia beat them by 57 runs in Perth but England’s players have already been home, albeit briefly, and are now in Dhaka, Bangladesh, preparing for next week’s World Cup opener against Holland in Nagpur.
Understandably, England want to consign the Australia series to history as quickly as possible and focus on the form that brought them the World T20 title, under Collingwood’s captaincy, in the Caribbean last year and a successful Ashes defence before things went wrong in Australia.
“We are disappointed, but hopefully it will not be a factor in our chances to win this World Cup,” Collingwood said. “It’s a different set of conditions altogether.
“The guys have a lot of confidence that they have played some good cricket in the one-day format in the past two years. So we will focus on that rather than on the last two months in Australia.”
Collingwood retired from Test cricket after he had contributed just 83 runs in six innings to England’s Ashes defence.

The Durham all-rounder believes that he still has plenty to offer in the shorter forms of cricket despite being dropped for the first two one-day internationals against Australia and mustering just 53 runs from his four subsequent innings.
“I have spent my time in Test cricket and totally enjoyed my career in that form of the game. But I still believe I have got a lot to give in the one-day format and in the Twenty20,” Collingwood said.
England were World Cup runners-up in 1979, 1987 and 1992 but have yet to win the tournament. They will play warm-up matches in Dhaka against Canada on Wednesday and Pakistan on Friday before transferring to India.
England batsman Eoin Morgan has been told that he will not require an operation to repair the broken finger that forced him out of the World Cup.
Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council’s executive board will be briefed on the bans imposed on three Pakistan players during a two-day meeting in Dubai which begins on Tuesday.
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and pace bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were suspended by an independent tribunal for periods ranging from five to 10 years earlier this month after being found guilty of spot-fixing during the fourth Test against England at Lord’s last August.

Cricket World Cup 2011: the heavy one-day series defeat to Australia will not affect England, says Paul Collingwood

7QTQH2BYDR3A  

 Barely a week has passed since Australia beat them by 57 runs in Perth but England’s players have already been home, albeit briefly, and are now in Dhaka, Bangladesh, preparing for next week’s World Cup opener against Holland in Nagpur.
Understandably, England want to consign the Australia series to history as quickly as possible and focus on the form that brought them the World T20 title, under Collingwood’s captaincy, in the Caribbean last year and a successful Ashes defence before things went wrong in Australia.
“We are disappointed, but hopefully it will not be a factor in our chances to win this World Cup,” Collingwood said. “It’s a different set of conditions altogether.
“The guys have a lot of confidence that they have played some good cricket in the one-day format in the past two years. So we will focus on that rather than on the last two months in Australia.”
Collingwood retired from Test cricket after he had contributed just 83 runs in six innings to England’s Ashes defence.

The Durham all-rounder believes that he still has plenty to offer in the shorter forms of cricket despite being dropped for the first two one-day internationals against Australia and mustering just 53 runs from his four subsequent innings.
“I have spent my time in Test cricket and totally enjoyed my career in that form of the game. But I still believe I have got a lot to give in the one-day format and in the Twenty20,” Collingwood said.
England were World Cup runners-up in 1979, 1987 and 1992 but have yet to win the tournament. They will play warm-up matches in Dhaka against Canada on Wednesday and Pakistan on Friday before transferring to India.
England batsman Eoin Morgan has been told that he will not require an operation to repair the broken finger that forced him out of the World Cup.
Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council’s executive board will be briefed on the bans imposed on three Pakistan players during a two-day meeting in Dubai which begins on Tuesday.
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and pace bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were suspended by an independent tribunal for periods ranging from five to 10 years earlier this month after being found guilty of spot-fixing during the fourth Test against England at Lord’s last August.

Who Will Be The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

Cricket world cup 2011 is around the corner and all participant nations are enthusiastic and hopeful of a successful event for their respective teams. Here is a preview of the World Cup leading to my predictions for the semi-finalists and the winner. I will base my predictions on world cup history, the venues and the current form and composure of the teams. So let us examine the chances of each of the top 8 teams separately.

Bangladesh

Although Bangladesh have come up in terms of competitiveness they lack the quality and exposure to challenge top teams consistently. With a few star players emerging in the ranks the Bengali tigers have certainly acquired the ability to upset big teams and cause a shock exit. Barring a miracle like the one displayed by Srilanka in 96' Bangladesh stands very little chance in succeeding at World Cup 2011.

New-Zealand

With a solid team balanced with star players both experienced and emerging the Kiwi brigade is a force to be vary of. There recent performance being dismal is not necessarily a good indicator of their potential. NZ have always done well in the world cups making it to the semi-finals ahead of more accomplished teams. What makes their chance a little grim this time over is the region in which the world cup is being played. The sub-continent is a difficult place for medium fast seamers to be effective and the likes of Oram, Franklin and mills will prove to be too similar and flat and easy to hit. It seems unlikely that even with a decent score on the board the black-caps would be able to defend it.

West Indies

Once a mighty force in international cricket and a fright at the World Cups, the West Indians are now a weak opposition. The inconsistent batting performances and poor selection and man management has made the Windies a lesser threat at the highest level. In the sub-continent however they would be a different challenge altogether. The big hitters like Gale, Pollard and Bravo would enjoy hitting through the line and the part-time spinners would be an asset in the middle over. They cannot be taken lightly in batting friendly situations.

Pakistan

The exit of Aamir and Asif from the World Cup meant a great setback to the Pakistan squad. However, the emergence of Wahab Riaz and the good recent form of Shoaib Akhtar and Umer Gul has somewhat overcome the loss. With a new combination at the top and a solid middle order supported by a rollicking lower order the batting looks amazing on paper. The team in black and white certainly looks the part but it is in the middle that they need to perform. Pakistan's world cup chances depend more on what goes between the players' ears than the actual talent that they posses. If they believe in their ability the men in green stand a good chance at making a fist of this year's mega event.

Australia

The defending champs and all time record winners of the World Cup are the Aussies. A crushing defeat at the ashes, a patchy year all over and a not so invincible reputation means that the Aussies are vulnerable and under pressure. They have countered their weakness with a masterful selection by selecting players according to the pitches of the subcontinent. The genuine pacers in Lee, Tait, Bollinger and Johnson have found a place in the squad and would likely play in most of the matches. Aussies realize that true pace is the weapon that would get them through in Asia. Lacking a quality spinner, they would rely heavily on part-timers like Hussey and Clarke and would use intimidatingly quick bowling to get the teams out. Aussies have the batting potential to chase down and setup bug targets and hence the current balance of the team is outstanding. Teams around the world, however, know that the Aussies are beatable and have a dented reputation as shown by their ICC ranking. With everyone after their title Australia are going to have a tough time at this defense and it won't be a walk in the park. In fact I see them struggling on their way to the Semis.

Srilanka

Jayasuria is back and it seems a clever decision. Srilanks can never be written off at home and they would show us why when they stamp their authority at the mega event this year. Spin would rule and so would the class of Sangakara and Jayawerdena. With a good balance of pace and spin and with perhaps the most consistently devastating batting army, Srilanka will surely be a contender in this year's World Cup.

England

The English are a formidable unit and at the back of a great victory at the ashes, they will be rearing in the world cup. With a strong batting unit, not always dependable but still dangerous, the English team stands a good chance at posting good totals. Bowling attack for me is an area of concern. Swan would be a factor, but he might be exposed in this tour of Asia as a slightly overrated bowler. The pacers are too even paced for the docile pitches in India, Bangladesh and Srilanks and will go for runs inevitably. With no one to reverse the ball, the English might not last the competition. Although a force to reckon with the English lack the bowling firepower to go the distance.

India

The Indian delusion of being the number one team in the world may be shattered in this world cup. Although they are at a high, the impotent bowling attack of India means that they consistently need to score in the region of 350. The warm up game has shown that they are capable of a collapse and that shows a weakness many teams will pounce on. It is unlikely that the men in blue go all the way.

South Africa

The Proteas have a history of choking under pressure in big tournaments. This world Cup however, might see them hush the critics and overcome the jinx. With Steyn and Morkel in full flow and with Kallis, Amla, DeVilliers and Smith in the lineup the South Africans are all set to improve upon their unfortunate World Cup history. They might surprise us with a clinical display of power and class.

My Semi-Finalists

Australia
Sri-lanka
South Africa
India

My Winner

India

Who Will Be The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

Cricket world cup 2011 is around the corner and all participant nations are enthusiastic and hopeful of a successful event for their respective teams. Here is a preview of the World Cup leading to my predictions for the semi-finalists and the winner. I will base my predictions on world cup history, the venues and the current form and composure of the teams. So let us examine the chances of each of the top 8 teams separately.

Bangladesh

Although Bangladesh have come up in terms of competitiveness they lack the quality and exposure to challenge top teams consistently. With a few star players emerging in the ranks the Bengali tigers have certainly acquired the ability to upset big teams and cause a shock exit. Barring a miracle like the one displayed by Srilanka in 96' Bangladesh stands very little chance in succeeding at World Cup 2011.

New-Zealand

With a solid team balanced with star players both experienced and emerging the Kiwi brigade is a force to be vary of. There recent performance being dismal is not necessarily a good indicator of their potential. NZ have always done well in the world cups making it to the semi-finals ahead of more accomplished teams. What makes their chance a little grim this time over is the region in which the world cup is being played. The sub-continent is a difficult place for medium fast seamers to be effective and the likes of Oram, Franklin and mills will prove to be too similar and flat and easy to hit. It seems unlikely that even with a decent score on the board the black-caps would be able to defend it.

West Indies

Once a mighty force in international cricket and a fright at the World Cups, the West Indians are now a weak opposition. The inconsistent batting performances and poor selection and man management has made the Windies a lesser threat at the highest level. In the sub-continent however they would be a different challenge altogether. The big hitters like Gale, Pollard and Bravo would enjoy hitting through the line and the part-time spinners would be an asset in the middle over. They cannot be taken lightly in batting friendly situations.

Pakistan

The exit of Aamir and Asif from the World Cup meant a great setback to the Pakistan squad. However, the emergence of Wahab Riaz and the good recent form of Shoaib Akhtar and Umer Gul has somewhat overcome the loss. With a new combination at the top and a solid middle order supported by a rollicking lower order the batting looks amazing on paper. The team in black and white certainly looks the part but it is in the middle that they need to perform. Pakistan's world cup chances depend more on what goes between the players' ears than the actual talent that they posses. If they believe in their ability the men in green stand a good chance at making a fist of this year's mega event.

Australia

The defending champs and all time record winners of the World Cup are the Aussies. A crushing defeat at the ashes, a patchy year all over and a not so invincible reputation means that the Aussies are vulnerable and under pressure. They have countered their weakness with a masterful selection by selecting players according to the pitches of the subcontinent. The genuine pacers in Lee, Tait, Bollinger and Johnson have found a place in the squad and would likely play in most of the matches. Aussies realize that true pace is the weapon that would get them through in Asia. Lacking a quality spinner, they would rely heavily on part-timers like Hussey and Clarke and would use intimidatingly quick bowling to get the teams out. Aussies have the batting potential to chase down and setup bug targets and hence the current balance of the team is outstanding. Teams around the world, however, know that the Aussies are beatable and have a dented reputation as shown by their ICC ranking. With everyone after their title Australia are going to have a tough time at this defense and it won't be a walk in the park. In fact I see them struggling on their way to the Semis.

Srilanka

Jayasuria is back and it seems a clever decision. Srilanks can never be written off at home and they would show us why when they stamp their authority at the mega event this year. Spin would rule and so would the class of Sangakara and Jayawerdena. With a good balance of pace and spin and with perhaps the most consistently devastating batting army, Srilanka will surely be a contender in this year's World Cup.

England

The English are a formidable unit and at the back of a great victory at the ashes, they will be rearing in the world cup. With a strong batting unit, not always dependable but still dangerous, the English team stands a good chance at posting good totals. Bowling attack for me is an area of concern. Swan would be a factor, but he might be exposed in this tour of Asia as a slightly overrated bowler. The pacers are too even paced for the docile pitches in India, Bangladesh and Srilanks and will go for runs inevitably. With no one to reverse the ball, the English might not last the competition. Although a force to reckon with the English lack the bowling firepower to go the distance.

India

The Indian delusion of being the number one team in the world may be shattered in this world cup. Although they are at a high, the impotent bowling attack of India means that they consistently need to score in the region of 350. The warm up game has shown that they are capable of a collapse and that shows a weakness many teams will pounce on. It is unlikely that the men in blue go all the way.

South Africa

The Proteas have a history of choking under pressure in big tournaments. This world Cup however, might see them hush the critics and overcome the jinx. With Steyn and Morkel in full flow and with Kallis, Amla, DeVilliers and Smith in the lineup the South Africans are all set to improve upon their unfortunate World Cup history. They might surprise us with a clinical display of power and class.

My Semi-Finalists

Australia
Sri-lanka
South Africa
India

My Winner

India

India has a great opportunity to win World Cup: Mongia

Nayan Mongia was one of the best wicketkeeper-batsmen India produced. He figured in the 1996 and 1999 editions of the World Cup and endeared himself to many with a competent job behind the stumps.

Since retirement he has established himself as a brilliant analyst, his comments on cricket and its practitioners highly respected.

In a freewheeling interview with Haresh Pandya, the former India stumper shares his views on the upcoming World Cup.

What are India's chances in this World Cup?

I must say our chances are very, very bright. In fact, India has a great opportunity to win this World Cup. I wouldn't be surprised if Mahendra Singh Dhoni and company are crowned champions.

What makes you think so?

Well, just look at the Indian team's record and its current form. India will surely make the most of playing at home -- on the subcontinent, to be exact. Dhoni has at his disposal one of the most experienced teams in world cricket today. There is a nice blend of experience and youth in the Indian team.

All our senior players are very experienced while the youngsters are extremely talented. Let me reiterate that this is a golden opportunity for Team India to win the World Cup, all things considered. If we play to our strength and perform consistently well, there should be no stopping Team India. This is a very powerful team, but ultimately it boils down to a sustained collective effort.

India has a great opportunity to win World Cup: Mongia

Nayan Mongia was one of the best wicketkeeper-batsmen India produced. He figured in the 1996 and 1999 editions of the World Cup and endeared himself to many with a competent job behind the stumps.

Since retirement he has established himself as a brilliant analyst, his comments on cricket and its practitioners highly respected.

In a freewheeling interview with Haresh Pandya, the former India stumper shares his views on the upcoming World Cup.

What are India's chances in this World Cup?

I must say our chances are very, very bright. In fact, India has a great opportunity to win this World Cup. I wouldn't be surprised if Mahendra Singh Dhoni and company are crowned champions.

What makes you think so?

Well, just look at the Indian team's record and its current form. India will surely make the most of playing at home -- on the subcontinent, to be exact. Dhoni has at his disposal one of the most experienced teams in world cricket today. There is a nice blend of experience and youth in the Indian team.

All our senior players are very experienced while the youngsters are extremely talented. Let me reiterate that this is a golden opportunity for Team India to win the World Cup, all things considered. If we play to our strength and perform consistently well, there should be no stopping Team India. This is a very powerful team, but ultimately it boils down to a sustained collective effort.