The Delhi High Court has restricted the number of complimentary passes handed out during the Delhi Test in the first week of December to 10,000, Mukul Mudgal, the retired High Court judge asked to oversee the Test, has said. The Test will go ahead at the Feroz Shah Kotla thanks only to the court’s intervention, it having facilitated the necessary government and civil body clearances required by the defaulting Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA). Mudgal, who headed a probe into corruption in IPL, was asked to supervise the running of the match, taking key decisions out of the DDCA’s hands.Complimentary tickets are usually one of the means for state associations to appease their vote banks and influential people in their constituencies. There is no set number to limit how many are usually distributed, but indicators from past examples from various venues are striking. In 2013-14, when Sachin Tendulkar began his farewell series, only 6500 tickets went up for sale in Kolkata; Eden Garden holds 65,000 people. Recently, when Hardik Patel, a quota-stir leader in Gujarat, threatened to disrupt the Rajkot ODI, it came to light that only 11,000 tickets went up for sale in a 28,000-capacity stadium.Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi holds more than 40,000. Limiting the complimentary passes to 10,000 suggests a significant clampdown. The free tickets could instead go to school kids, preferably those whose parents can’t afford to buy them tickets, Mudgal said. “We have given a proposal subject to the approval of the High Court,” he said. “Two stands at ground level, free tickets to school children, preferably of weaker section. This is subject to High Court permitting us to do so.”We are also trying to see children are provided some edibles. We never know that a Kumble, Tendulkar, Dravid or a Bishan Bedi might emerge from them, because these are students who can never afford a Test-match ticket. So we want them to be given an opportunity on all five days.”To prevent corruption and over-marking of costs, Mudgal has appointed an unidentified deputy Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to look into every tender. “All the tenders that will be issued for the Test match will be verified independently by a former deputy CAG,” Mudgal said after meeting the DDCA executive committee. “In order to make the process fair and transparent, all tender documents will be checked and scrutinised by deputy CAG.”When asked who the former deputy CAG was, Mudgal said: “We will not like to name him.”

England fast bowler Steven Finn looks certain to miss the final Test against South Africa in Centurion after sustaining a side strain on the final day of the third Test in Johannesburg.Finn, rated by coach Trevor Bayliss as England’s “best bowler” in the first couple of Tests, underwent a scan on his left side on Sunday morning. While the results were not yet known, Bayliss feared Finn will miss the Test and quite possibly the limited-overs section of the tour.”I doubt very much whether he will be available for the next Test,” Bayliss said. “We will have to wait and see how bad it is and make a decision on the one-day and T20 games. At this stage, it looks like we will have to make a replacement heading into the last Test. It’s unfortunate, because I thought he bowled with good pace and bounce and was probably our most dangerous bowler in the first two Tests.”There was a more encouraging development for the team with the news that Stuart Broad had become the first England bowler to top the ICC Test bowling rankings since Steve Harmison in 2004. Broad started the third Test in third place, after his man-of-the-match performance in Johannesburg, has gone above R Ashwin and Dale Steyn.Before Harmison, Ian Botham was the last England bowler to top the bowling rankings. He reached No. 1 in 1980.

Oman are one step closer to replicating Afghanistan’s dramatic rise up the WCL ladder from 2008-09 after they stormed past Malaysia by 131 runs at Lugogo Stadium to top the WCL Division Three table. The result helped them secure their third consecutive promotion.Naseem Khushi was the latest player to make hay with the short boundaries at Lugogo, smashing four fours and eight sixes in an unbeaten 77 off 30 balls in a late surge that took Oman to 293 for 7, after they had been sent in. It was the third fifty of the innings and the quickest after 61 off 76 balls from Aqib Ilyas and 51 off 69 balls from captain Sultan Ahmed.Malaysia went pedal to the medal early in their chase in a desperate attempt to both win and do it fast enough to take their net run rate above Uganda and USA in order to avoid relegation. They reached 94 for 3 in 10.4 overs on the back of opener Anwar Arudin’s 33-ball fifty. His innings, however, ended when slingy fast bowler Munis Ansari had him caught behind for 57 off 35 balls at the end of the over. Malaysia subsided meekly thereafter to be bowled out for 162 in 33.1 overs.Ansari, who had struggled all tournament with just one wicket coming into the match, ended with 4 for 47 while legspinning allrounder Khawar Ali wiped out the tail to finish with 5 for 23.File photo – Rizwan Cheema’s 35-ball 42 was not enough for Canada to topple Singapore•Associated Press

Singapore completed a sweep of the North American contingent at Division Three with a two-run win over Canada at Kyambogo Oval. Canada still gained promotion despite an equal 3-2 record with Singapore thanks to a vastly superior net run rate, the tournament tiebreaker, while Singapore’s win ensured they avoided relegation.Their net run rate was worse than both USA and Uganda at 2-3, so a loss would have sent them back to Division Four but Canada collapsed with victory in sight. Chasing 167, they lost their last four wickets for 17 runs to be all out for 164 with 12 overs left unused.Singapore’s innings was anchored by Anish Paraam’s 58 off 75 balls at No. 3 after they had been sent in. But when he fell to to Bhavindu Adhihetty in the 32nd over to make it 147 for 7, Singapore’s tail lasted less than five overs, before they were wiped out by Adhihetty and Saad Bin Zafar, who finished with 3 for 10 and 2 for 39 respectively.Canada’s chase got off to a rocky start when Adhihetty fell for a duck off the third ball and they lost wickets at regular intervals thereafter. Allrounder Rizwan Cheema looked set to take Canada over the line with 42 off 35 balls, including five fours and two sixes, but he fell to Anantha Krishna with eight needed to win. The legspinner kept his composure under pressure to also dismiss Hamza Tariq and then Saad Bin Zafar with just four needed to win to put Singapore one wicket away from victory.Canada only lasted two more balls before last man Cecil Pervez was run out, going for a second run off Krishna, ensuring Singapore were spared relegation in dramatic fashion.Elmore Hutchinson’s half-century at No. 9 set up a dramatic finale at Entebbe to save USA from relegation•Peter Della Penna

USA saved their place in Division Three in similarly dramatic circumstances with a 13-run win over Uganda at Entebbe, sending the hosts back to Division Four.Set a target of 146 to win, Uganda needed to get to 141 in spite of a loss to stay above USA on net run rate. But USA’s spinners wreaked havoc on a track offering significant turn with Steven Taylor taking 5 for 32.When Taylor dismissed Frank Nsubuga for the ninth wicket in the 30th over, Uganda still needed 27 runs to overtake USA on net run rate and they nearly did it as tailender Henry Ssenyondo provided valiant support, lasting 42 balls, to captain Davis Karashani. With Taylor, Mrunal Patel (1 for 27) and Nosthush Kenjige (2 for 43) all bowled out, Taylor tossed the ball to pacer Jessy Singh for a steady diet of yorkers until one finally broke through Karashani’s defense and clipped leg stump to finish off Uganda for 132 in 43 overs.Though Taylor claimed five wickets, it was Elmore Hutchinson who took home the Man-of-the-Match honors after hitting 52 off 50 balls from No. 9. USA had been reduced to 104 for 9 in the 44th over but Hutchinson scored 39 out of the last 41 runs in a 10th wicket stand with Kenjige. The last over of the innings saw Hutchinson strike two fours and a six off Jonathan Sebanja in a back-breaking sequence that ended up being the difference in keeping USA up and sending the hosts down.Oman will play Canada in the tournament final at Lugogo on Tuesday. USA will face Singapore in the third place match at Kyambogo while Uganda and Malaysia will square off at Entebbe in the fifth place playoff on the same day.

The peace pipe was smoked at New Zealand Cricket headquarters today as chief executive Martin Snedden met with wicket-keeper Adam Parore and selection committee chairman Sir Richard Hadlee to defuse a potential selection snarler.Parore, who last month said he was taking an indefinite break from all cricket, citing exhaustion, was unable to win selection in the Auckland team for the State Championship match this week against Central Districts.Having made himself available for consideration that rejection by Auckland appeared to be an impediment toward his selection for the first Test starting in Christchurch next week.The selection panel had made a precedent of ensuring that all players returning from injury or time away from the side had played either domestic four-day or one-day cricket to prove their readiness.This policy appeared to leave Parore out in the cold – it still may.However, Parore told Snedden and Hadlee today that the past month away from cricket had rejuvenated his desire to play.”I was feeling exhausted after the Australian series and was planning a break after the England Tests.”When I was left out of the one-day side I wanted to bring the break forward and I am grateful that New Zealand Cricket supported this decision.”I am now feeling fully refreshed and it was very useful to meet face-to-face with Sir Richard and Martin and to tell them that I am 100% committed to a return for the England Tests,” Parore said.Hadlee said Parore’s commitment was reassuring to the selection panel.He said it had been helpful to speak directly to Parore and he had been reassured of Parore’s fitness and commitment as a result of the discussions.”The selectors will now sit down to debate the Test side in the sure knowledge that Adam Parore is fully committed to the cause,” Hadlee said.

Valencia’s star Spain midfielder David Silva has admitted that he is aware of interest in his services from England, but insists that his only current focus is on the World Cup finals.

The 24-year-old has been linked with the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, but Silva is content to wait for reported interest to be firmed up.

He told Superdeporte:“My future right now is with the international team and I do not think beyond that.

“I am devoting myself to training ahead of the World Cup – that is the most important thing, nothing else.

“The club is in a difficult situation, but we did well to get into the Champions League, which was important. I have a contract signed up to 2013 and I do not have any problems with the club.

“I have heard about the interest from the Premier League, but any questions will be answered by my agent and the club.”

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Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton has confirmed that no bids have been tabled for the Premier League outfit since they were put on the market by owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett in May.

The Merseysiders, who announced Roy Hodgson as the club's new manager on Thursday, have been the subject of buy-out rumours recently, but British Airways chairman Broughton has admitted no offers have actually been made.

However, he has suggested a number of interested parties are lining up lucrative offers for the English and European giants.

Speaking to reporters, he said:"There have not been any offers at this stage.

"There haven't been any offers to turn down and I wouldn't have expected there to have been at this stage. There are a number of interested parties but there's no specific deadline on it.

"We are looking to the middle of July-ish for the first round of bids but that's not a final stage – that's a first entry through.

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"We're hopeful – and I wouldn't put it any stronger than that – that a deal can be done by the end of the transfer season.

"That was always from the outset a hope rather than necessarily an expectation, because these things can take time. We are on course, pretty well, with where we would have expected to be."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has revealed that talks have begun in an effort to lure goalkeeper David James to Parkhead.

Lennon is hoping to sign the veteran England international from Portsmouth following the departure of former number one Artur Boruc to Fiorentina.

The 39-year-old shot-stopper is out of contract at Fratton Park and available on a free transfer following the south coast club's relegation from the Premier League last season.

The former Liverpool, Aston Villa, Manchester City and West Ham keeper has been offered a player-coach role by Pompey but has yet to put pen to paper.

"We are still a long way off and it's early days in terms of negotiation," Lennon is quoted as saying.

"But just the fact he is interested is very encouraging from our point of view.

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"I want to get the best goalkeeper I possibly can.

"Not only for the league and Europe but also someone who can fill Artur's shoes – and he's one who can."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Terry Neill was once a centre-back at Arsenal and also became the clubs manager during the years of 1976-1983, but after retiring from the game all those years ago, what has Neill been up to?

I feel it only right that we take a look back at what the Northern Irishman achieved during his playing and managerial career:

The former Northern Ireland international signed for the Gunners on December 1959, where he spent one year in the youth ranks before making his senior debut on the 23rd of December against Sheffield Wednesday at the age of 18.

In the 1964/65 season, Neill established himself as one of the youngest players in Billy Wright’s team, playing in either the centre-back or full-back role. Wright’s successor Bertie Mee kept Neill in his plans when he took over in 1966. During this decade Terry Neill became a regular for the Gunners, appearing in over 40 games for three consecutive seasons, as well as playing in the 1968 League Cup against Leeds in which Arsenal lost. Cementing his place in the Arsenal line-up, Neill was also an intricate apart of the Northern Ireland set-up.

The centre-back made 59 appearances for his country during the years of 1961-1973, and was also given the captaincy in 1968. Neill was an intellectual and uncompromising centre-back who also possessed flair and physicality.

Terry Neill was diagnosed with Jaundice which restricted the defender’s appearances for both club and country in the 1968/69 season. Evidently, the centre-back missed the 1969 League Cup final against Swindon Town, in which Arsenal lost. Incapable of regaining his first-team place at Arsenal, Neill only managed to make 25 appearances in the 1969/70 season and soon became a bit part player for the club. During his 11 years at Arsenal, the centre-back made 275 appearances for the club and scored a total of 10 goals along the way.

In 1970, Terry Neill signed for Hull City as a player-manager at only the age of 28 (one of the youngest ever managers in the history of the game). A year later the defender also became player-manager of his country. Neill made over 100 appearances for Hull City during the years of 1970-1973 and a year later signed for Tottenham. Neill spent 2 years at White Hart Lane before taking over at Arsenal from Bertie Mee at the age of 34 (the clubs youngest manager to date).

During his 7 year reign at Arsenal, Neill guided the North London club to a trio of F.A. Cup finals (1978, 1979 and 1980) where they won the 1979 one. Arsenal also managed to reach the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1980 but sadly lost to Valencia on penalties. This was the best Neill could do and was unfortunately sacked in 1983 after a League Cup exit to Walsall.

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Terry Neill retired from the game at the age of 41, and has since opened up several sports bars in Hendon and Holborn in Central London. In his spare time the former Arsenal player-manager also appears on Arsenal TV where he commentates on games. Neill is also well respected amongst the Arsenal faithful and at times loves to go and see the current squad at the Emirates.

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The sight of a tearful David Beckham being carried from the San Siro pitch with a ruptured Achilles prior to the World Cup will have moved many people but the question that will now undoubtedly be posed is whether Beckham will ever grace the highest domestic level again.

When he sustained his injury against Chievo Verona, the inevitable outpour of sentiment and deep sympathy greeted his World Cup absence but cast that aside and you were left to contemplate the cruel veracity that England lost a fringe player.

Beckham, for all the glamour, has perhaps now seen the struggle with the same injury that denied him the dream chance of representing England at four World Cups end his career of top-flight football.

His age and fading powers may mean he will never play for Milan or any big club again and new AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri fears this perception holds great truth.

He said: “I don’t think it’s possible that he will come back. He is recovering from a bad injury and at that age it is difficult to come back.”

Beckham himself admitted he was behind schedule for a return and he would not be able to play again until November at the earliest. This means missing the entire MLS season with LA Galaxy unless they reach the Play-Offs and this has resulted in links to the Premier League.

However, despite his enduring popularity as an ambassador for the English game, Beckham would surely turn down the chance to return to England as a bit-part player for West Ham United leaving English fans to instead revel in the majesty of his prime.

In 265 Premier League games at Manchester United he scored 61 goals, making himself Beckham the hero, Beckham the icon in the process. A move to West Ham United would surely be the wrong move?  A name like Beckham’s would attract welcome media attention at Upton Park for new owners David Sullivan and David Gold who are vying for the Olympic Stadium after 2012, as opposed to being for the right footballing reasons.

My deep respect for Beckham as a professional has never diminished through the years and is typified by his display of remarkable fortitude in returning to the England set-up we thought he had left in 2006 but the sentiment from the new AC Milan coach rings true.

Despite this belief, it does not impede a feeling of great sorrow that such an illustrious career was ended within in a split second in a loan spell that was meant to help Beckham not endanger his career.

With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery

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Manchester City winger Adam Johnson is hoping he has done enough to force his way into the England starting line-up during the current international break.

The 23-year-old wideman has responded to being left out of the World Cup squad for South Africa with two eye-catching substitute displays in the Euro 2012 qualifying wins over Bulgaria and Switzerland.

Johnson bagged his first and second international goals in the double-header with what has been the perfect response to manager Fabio Capello following his summer snub.

The former Middlesbrough youngster is now hoping to take the next step into the starting line-up.

After scoring in Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Switzerland in Basel, Johnson said:"The aim is to make a contribution. You're disappointed not to be starting.

"You want to do your best when you come on and try to push to get into the starting XI.

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"I've tried to do that and I've got a couple of goals to show my efforts but it's up to the manager."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email